The grand library had become Ryton's paradise. Ever since he had discovered it, his loneliness had faded, replaced by endless curiosity. Each day, he explored deeper into the towering bookshelves, running his fingers over the spines of forgotten tomes, uncovering knowledge he never imagined.
For the first time in his life, he was happy.
It was on one of these adventures, wandering into the hidden corners of the library, that fate led him to something even greater.
---
The Hidden Vault
Ryton's eyes gleamed as he climbed a fragile, dust-covered shelf, reaching for a book tucked away in the highest corner. The moment his fingers brushed against it, the wood beneath his feet cracked.
With a startled gasp, he tumbled down. The impact sent a sharp pain through his knees, and warmth spread across his skin. Blood pooled on the cold stone floor.
Then, something shifted.
The blood seeped into the ancient carvings on the floor, vanishing as if absorbed by the stone itself. A deep rumbling filled the air, dust cascaded from the walls, and suddenly—a section of the floor slid away, revealing a hidden passage.
Ryton's heart pounded as he crawled forward. The vault was dark, but at its center sat a single book on a stone pedestal, as if waiting for him. Its leather cover was old yet untouched by dust, strange symbols glowing faintly across its surface.
He hesitated, then slowly reached out.
The moment his fingers touched the cover, a warmth spread through his palm—not burning, but comforting. It was a strange, motherly warmth.
Carefully, he opened it. The pages, at first, seemed blank. But as his eyes scanned them, faint symbols shimmered into existence, revealing their meaning bit by bit.
And then—he saw it.
His mother's handwriting.
---
A Book That Taught with Love
The book did not simply contain knowledge—it guided him.
At first, it tested him with simple translations, phrases written in his mother's native tongue. As he decoded them, the book responded, rewarding his progress by revealing more.
It did not allow him to rush. Every new page only appeared once he had truly understood the last. It was as if… it wanted to teach him at his own pace.
It even helped him when he struggled. When he found a phrase too difficult, the book provided hints, sometimes offering explanations as gentle whispers in his mind, other times presenting examples as if a teacher was standing beside him.
And when he overworked himself, trying to read late into the night, the book locked itself.
"Rest, my child," the symbols seemed to say. "You cannot learn if you do not care for yourself."
For the first time, Ryton felt what it might have been like to have a mother guiding him.
He read for days, losing himself in its pages. His heart swelled with every new discovery, every lesson learned. The book was no ordinary tome—it was a part of his mother, left behind to teach him, care for him, and prepare him.
It was his greatest treasure.
---
The Summon
One morning, as he flipped through the pages, he heard heavy footsteps.
He turned to find the maid standing in the doorway—but she was not alone. Towering armored guards flanked her, their presence overwhelming.
"Young master," the maid said, her voice unusually serious. "You have been summoned by the King."
Ryton's fingers tightened around his book.
The King. His father.
Without another word, he was taken away. His usual worn clothes were stripped away, replaced with elegant garments. His hair was washed, his face scrubbed. The servants worked with an urgency he had never seen before, as if they were preparing him for something important.
Then, he was led into the grand throne room.
The moment he stepped inside, the air shifted.
The room was full. **Nobles, warriors, advisors—**all turned to look at him. Some with curiosity, others with shock.
But none more than the King himself.
The whispers in the room were barely contained. "Is this really the abandoned prince?" "He's nothing like the rumors."
"He's… too composed."
Ryton stood before the King's throne, his small frame overshadowed by the towering presence of the ruler before him.
The King's gaze was piercing. After a long silence, he turned to the maid.
"What is the boy's name?"
The maid hesitated. Then, with a small bow, she admitted:
"…I do not know, Your Majesty."
Murmurs spread through the court. A prince so forgotten that even the servants did not know his name.
The King's expression remained unreadable. Then, he looked directly at Ryton.
"Then tell me yourself," he commanded. "Stand and introduce yourself."
Ryton took a deep breath.
He was not afraid.
He had learned.
Standing tall, he lifted his head and spoke with unwavering confidence.
"May the Sun God and Moon God bless the merciful King and his people. I am Ryton."
The hall fell silent.
The boy who was supposed to be nothing more than a forgotten existence had spoken with perfect fluency, confidence, and grace.
Even the King's gaze flickered with interest.
Then, finally, he spoke.
"This will do."
The murmurs returned, louder than before. Then, the King's next words shattered the air.
"Ryton, you have been chosen as a party member for the hero's party that will slay the awakened Demon King."