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Chapter 3: The First Move
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The days following Ren's Awakening were a whirlwind of attention. As the newly revealed Hero of Arden, everyone in the kingdom, from nobles to commoners, treated him with a mixture of awe and expectation. It was a feeling Ren had never experienced before, and it made him both uncomfortable and determined. The weight of his new title, of the destiny ahead of him, pressed down on his shoulders, but he couldn't allow it to slow him down.
He had already made up his mind — this time, he would be ready for whatever the other nations had planned.
It didn't take long for the emissaries from Velmont, Elenor, and Ithil to arrive, each with their own delegation and promises of training and resources for the kingdom's new Hero. The promises sounded sweet: education, strength, preparation for the monsters and the growing dungeons beyond their borders.
But Ren had learned in his past life that these promises were simply veils hiding the true intentions of the nations. They wanted him to become their tool — a weapon to wield against each other's interests and against the monsters that threatened them. What they hadn't counted on, however, was that Ren had already seen the future, and he would not be controlled again.
The emissaries arrived with all the fanfare of royalty. The Velmontian representative was a tall, regal-looking woman named Lady Elira, her silver armor gleaming in the sunlight. She exuded confidence and power, but Ren could see through the facade — her smile was too practiced, her words too rehearsed. The people of Velmont had a reputation for maintaining a façade of benevolence while secretly making dangerous power plays behind the scenes.
Next was the mage envoy from Elenor — Master Tobias. With his long, flowing robes and white beard, he looked like the very definition of a sage, but Ren had heard rumors of Elenor's dark magic and its meddling in the forbidden arts. Tobias was no different. His cold gaze lingered too long on Ren, as though evaluating him as a puzzle to be solved rather than a person to be mentored.
The Ithilian delegation, led by General Rurik, was no less imposing. Ithil was a kingdom known for its military prowess and its emphasis on training warriors for battle. But Ren had seen how the nations used their soldiers as disposable pawns, casting them aside once their usefulness had expired.
Despite their different appearances, each of the envoys had the same thing in mind: shaping Ren into the perfect weapon.
Ren had no intention of letting them do so.
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The first meeting with the representatives was held in the palace, in a grand hall adorned with golden tapestries and the royal insignia. Elara and Selene sat beside him as he stood before the throne, the king's presence commanding the room. His parents were there too, their faces filled with pride and worry. It was clear that they were caught between supporting Ren's destiny and fearing what it might mean for his future.
Lady Elira was the first to speak, her voice smooth and calculated. "Your Majesty, Your Highness, Ren — it is an honor to be in your presence. Velmont offers its finest training facilities to cultivate your abilities to their utmost potential. We shall provide you with magical expertise, strength, and strategy to help combat the growing monster threat. Together, we shall ensure your power is honed for the good of all."
Ren felt Elara's hand gently squeeze his, a silent reminder that he was not alone. He knew Elara and Selene wanted to believe in the good these representatives claimed to offer, but he couldn't afford the luxury of hope. Not anymore.
"Thank you for your generous offer," Ren said, his voice steady and firm. "But I am not sure I need help in that regard."
The room fell silent. Lady Elira blinked, her sharp eyes narrowing as she assessed Ren with a touch of surprise. "Pardon?"
Ren held her gaze, refusing to look away. "I have no need for anyone's 'training,'" he said, though he knew his words would stir the pot. "I've already trained myself, and I'll protect my kingdom my own way. But I appreciate the offer."
A murmur spread through the room as Ren's statement hung in the air like a challenge. Elara and Selene exchanged glances, their expressions unreadable. The king's face tightened, though he didn't speak. He knew Ren well enough to understand that there was more to his words than simple arrogance.
Master Tobias, however, was quick to respond, his smile never reaching his eyes. "A Hero with a strong will. Admirable. But do not be too proud, young Ren. The world is not as simple as you think. Magic is a force to be reckoned with, and we can teach you how to wield it properly. The monsters you'll face — they will be more than mere beasts. They are the spawn of dungeons, entities that warp space and time. Only those who understand their nature can defeat them."
Ren remained silent. He had faced those monsters before — the ones that came from the dungeons, and the ones hidden within the walls of kingdoms. He didn't need their help to fight the beasts. What he needed was time, a plan, and allies who would stand with him. But for now, he would play their game, show them the respect they demanded, but always keeping one eye on the long game.
"Well, thank you, Master Tobias," Ren said, his voice polite but unyielding. "I will take your words into consideration. But I already have my path, and I will walk it."
General Rurik, who had remained silent until now, finally spoke up. "Your Majesty, this boy may be strong, but strength alone does not win wars. Let us offer him something no one else can — training in combat, on the battlefield, with the finest soldiers in Ithil. We shall forge him into a weapon worthy of his title. With the might of our army behind him, no monster will dare to challenge him."
Ren knew better than to fall for the promises of military power. He had already seen too much, and he was no fool. The Ithilian army's "training" would have turned him into another mindless tool, a weapon used for their own gain. His heart hardened as he met Rurik's gaze. "I've already fought my own battles," he said, his tone not a hint of disrespect but filled with a quiet certainty. "I know what it takes to win. But I appreciate your offer."
The room grew tense, the representatives now clearly realizing that Ren wasn't going to be easily swayed. The king shifted uncomfortably in his seat, sensing the unease building. But Ren wasn't finished. This was only the beginning.
He turned to Elara and Selene, giving them a small, reassuring smile. "I won't need any of them to fight my battles. And I won't need them to protect Arden either. I'll do that myself."
The silence in the hall was deafening.
Lady Elira, Master Tobias, and General Rurik exchanged glances, the weight of Ren's words sinking in. They had underestimated him. They hadn't considered that a Hero might not want their guidance, that he might not fall into their trap.
But the path he walked was not one of alliances or politics. Ren's heart beat for only one thing: protecting his kingdom and the people he loved.
And if it meant standing alone, he would do that too.
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Later that evening, Ren sat on the balcony of the royal palace, looking out over the city of Arden. The sun was setting, casting a warm orange glow over the rooftops. Elara and Selene joined him, the two princesses walking silently to his side. The weight of their earlier conversation hung between them.
"You really think you can do this on your own?" Elara asked softly, her eyes gazing out toward the horizon.
Ren turned to her, his expression serious but full of determination. "I can. I will."
Selene raised an eyebrow, a smile tugging at her lips. "You've always been stubborn, haven't you?"
Ren smirked, the weight of his past life echoing in his gaze. "Maybe. But this time, my stubbornness is going to save us all."
Elara placed a gentle hand on his shoulder. "We believe in you, Ren. No matter what."
Ren looked at both of them, his heart swelling with the promise he had made to them — to protect them, and to make sure their future was different from the one he had seen.
"I won't fail you," he whispered, more to himself than to anyone else.
And with that, he made the first of many promises — one that would echo through the ages, and change the course of history forever.