The night air was alive with the soft hum of crickets and the distant glow of fireflies as Bryan Kage walked through the manicured lawns of his grandfather's mansion. The grand estate loomed before him, its imposing facade a testament to the power and wealth of the Kage family. Bryan's heart swelled with pride as he approached the entrance, his footsteps echoing off the marble floors.
As he entered the mansion, Bryan was greeted by the stern face of his grandfather's butler, who nodded curtly before leading him to the old man's study. The air was thick with the scent of old books and leather as Bryan's grandfather, Lord Kage, looked up from the papers on his desk.
"Ah, Bryan," Lord Kage said, his voice low and gravelly. "I trust you have news?"
Bryan nodded eagerly, his eyes shining with excitement. "Yes, sir. I've been keeping a close eye on him, just as you instructed. And I have some information to share."
Lord Kage's eyes narrowed, his gaze piercing as he leaned back in his chair. "Go on."
Bryan took a deep breath, launching into a detailed account of Stanley's activities. "He's been spending a lot of time at the RCA, sir. I've seen him talking to some of the other students, and I think he might be working there...as a cleaner."
Lord Kage's expression remained impassive, but Bryan could sense a hint of interest behind his eyes. "And what makes you think that? I mean...his father is the King's Arm! If he wants, he wouldn't work for the rest of his life and... whatever! Tell me more."
Bryan hesitated, unsure of how much to reveal. But Lord Kage's intimidating presence urged him to continue. "I've seen him with the other cleaners...and I confirmed from some students, sir. He's also exhibiting some strange skills... I've seen him sword-dance once and he's very good. Probably,the cleaning job is just a facade to give him opportunity to learn martial arts and possibly his Hit."
Lord Kage's eyes gleamed with interest, his voice taking on a calculating tone. "I see. And what do you think we should do about this, Bryan?"
Bryan's heart skipped a beat as he met Lord Kage's gaze. He knew that his grandfather's ultimate goal was to ensure that his own grandson became the next King's Arm, and that Stanley's existence posed a threat to that goal.
"I think we should... take care of him, sir," Bryan said, his voice barely above a whisper.
Lord Kage's expression remained unreadable, but Bryan could sense a hint of approval behind his eyes. "I see," he repeated. "And how many times have you done that and failed? Anyways, how do you propose we do that, Bryan?"
Bryan swallowed hard, his mind racing with the implications of his words. "I-I think we should make waste of him, sir. Before he can pose a threat to our family's interests."
Lord Kage's gaze seemed to bore into Bryan's very soul, his voice dripping with menace. "Bryan. Finally, you're thinking like a true Kage. But remember, you must be careful. You can't afford to arouse suspicion. Remember, anything you want to do, should be before the Legion Challenge."
Bryan nodded, his heart pounding in his chest. He knew that he had just crossed a threshold, one that would change the course of his life forever. He had to win the Legion Challenge and kill a young man that he thinks holds his greatness.
•••
The next day, Lord Derek Ardo made his way to the palace, his footsteps echoing off the marble floors. He was greeted by the warm smile of King Ryler, who rose from his throne to clasp Derek's hand in a firm handshake.
"Derek!" the king said, his voice booming through the throne room. "How's it going?"
Derek's expression turned serious, his eyes locked onto the king's. "I've made a discovery, Owen. One that I think could change everything." He only calls the king by his third name when the situation is serious.
The king's eyes narrowed, his grip on Derek's hand tightening. "Go on."
Derek took a deep breath, launching into a detailed explanation of his discovery. "I've been studying the ancient lore, Your Majesty. And I think I've found the key to unlocking your power."
The king's eyes gleamed with interest, his voice filled with a mixture of excitement and trepidation. "What do you mean?"
Derek's expression turned somber, his voice dripping with compassion. "Man, I think I know why you've been struggling to access your powers. It's not because you're not trying hard enough, or because you're not worthy. It's because your maind energy is too low."
The king's face fell, his eyes clouding over with disappointment. But Derek's next words brought a spark of hope to his eyes.
"We can fix this, brethren. We can perform the technique we used to use then. Do you remember it?"
The king's face lit up with a warm smile, his eyes shining with nostalgia. "How could I forget, Derek? You're talking about the 'Resonance of Souls' technique, aren't you?"
Derek nodded, his eyes gleaming with excitement. "The very same, Your Majesty. By sharing my maind energy with you, we can amplify your powers and unlock 'The Eye of A god'."
The king's face turned thoughtful, his eyes narrowing as he considered the proposal. "I'm not sure, Derek. That technique is risky, even for experienced mages like ourselves. Are you sure it's worth the risk?"
Derek's expression turned somber, his voice filled with conviction. "Hell yeah! I've consulted with the Chancellor of the Sentinel of Magic. And I'm convinced that this is the only way to open your gate of energy. We can't afford to wait any longer, Owen."
The king's eyes searched Derek's face, looking for any sign of doubt or uncertainty. But all he saw was a deep conviction and a burning desire to help his friend.
"Very well, Derek," King Ryler said finally, his voice filled with determination. "Let's do it. Let's perform the Resonance of Souls technique... But if I die, I'm killing you!" The last statement was to ease his own tension.
Derek's face lit up with a warm smile, his eyes shining with excitement. "I'll go get myself ready, Your Majesty. We'll perform the technique at dawn tomorrow."
As the two friends clasped hands, a sense of hope and anticipation filled the air. They knew that the road ahead would be fraught with danger and uncertainty. But they also knew that they had each other, and that together, they could overcome any obstacle.
•••
The next morning, Bryan Kage stood outside the RCA, his eyes fixed on the building as he contemplated his next move. He had been spying on Stanley for weeks, gathering information and waiting for the perfect moment to strike.
And now, with Lord Kage's blessing and guidance, Bryan was ready to take the next step. He was ready to stop Stanley before he becomes a permanent obstacle to him, and to ensure that his own family's interests were protected.
With a deep breath, Bryan steeled himself for the challenge ahead. He knew that it wouldn't be easy, but he was determined to succeed. And as he slipped into the shadows, ready to begin his mission, a sense of excitement and anticipation filled his heart.
•••