During the Yaijuu hunt, Fredrick's team was attacked by someone with the same mana as a Shadow Yaijuu," Sera reported.
At the mention of his son, Neo's expression shifted, and he turned to Sera. "Is he safe?"
Sera smiled reassuringly. "Yes, Fredrick is fine."
Lagertha's eyes narrowed thoughtfully as she touched her chin. "This is the first time that's happened in the Yaijuu world."
Sera nodded. "Exactly. That's why Isaac plans to organize a meeting with all the higher ranks in the Atlantian Kingdom."
Neo's response was cut off mid-sentence by the door opening. Isaac entered, his presence commanding attention, and closed the door behind him.
"We need to head to the king's palace. There's something important that needs to be discussed," Isaac said.
Lagertha stood up from her seat. "Let's go. The remaining members of the Council of Masters can meet us there."
Aiden entered the dorm room with Peter, Marcel, and Cedric, all heading straight for the bath. Afterward, they climbed into bed, the room falling silent.
Peter couldn't bear the quiet. He sat up and asked, "Okay, so no one's going to talk about the hunt?"
Marcel and Cedric glanced at Aiden, who had already settled in, eyes closed, head resting on the pillow. "I need to sleep," he murmured.
"If I don't see Arthur tomorrow, I'll go to the library instead," Aiden thought to himself.
Peter signaled Cedric to meet him outside their dorm room, and Cedric nodded in response. Marcel tagged along, and Peter turned to Cedric with curiosity. "What happened out there?"
****************
In the King's palace, King Vulnar sat on his golden throne, adorned in his royal robes. His yellow eyes fixed intently on the approaching group as he crossed his right leg and rested his fist on his cheek.
The group consisted of the Council of Masters, clad in white robes with silver wings embroidered on the back, and Isaac, the teacher of the Unranked Warrior class. They were followed by four individuals in golden armor, known as Armon's Elite, renowned for their role in apprehending criminals and protecting the kingdom from external threats.
They all bowed before the king as a sign of respect, which he acknowledged with a nod. "Where is Armon and Arthur Fernir?" King Vulnar asked, tilting his head.
"I don't think they're going to come, my lord," August, another Council of Masters member, said with a bow.
"Who said so?" a voice rang out. The palace occupants turned to see Arthur Fernir standing there.
"Well, Armon is busy with something very important," Arthur said.
"And what's more important than the matter at hand?" Neo asked.
"It's none of your business," Arthur replied with a smile.
August frowned. "You can't even bow down to the king? That's a basic sign of respect."
Arthur chuckled. "I have my own way of showing respect to the king. Let me show you."
In a swift motion, Arthur conjured red crystal shards and hurled them at the king's face. However, the shards dissipated into ashes as King Vulnar's fist remained resting on his cheek, his expression unchanging.
The Council of Masters and Armon's Elite were taken aback by Arthur's bold move. "I couldn't even react to that attack," August thought to himself.
Lagertha wondered, "The king burned it to ashes before it touched his face. What is he going to do to Arthur? Will a fight occur?" as she gazed at King Vulnar, who sighed and shifted the conversation.
Ignoring Arthur's antics, who had casually conjured a red crystal throne for himself, King Vulnar asked, "So, Issac, tell me what happened during the Yaijuu hunt?"
"According to what I've heard," Issac said, gesturing towards Arthur, who sat on the red crystal throne with a smile, crossing his legs. "A boy appeared and ambushed Fredrick Finland's group during the hunt. He had the same mana as a Shadow Yaijuu."
"Fredrick Finland?" King Vulnar repeated, looking at Neo Finland.
"M-my son, my lord," Neo stammered.
"I see.... You may all leave. Bring the group of youngsters that fought the boy to this palace tomorrow," King Vulnar ordered.
Issac nodded in response.
"That's all?" Arthur asked, but no one replied.
He stood up from the red crystal throne and walked towards the palace entrance. The throne transformed into a red glowing light, which entered Arthur's body.
"Waste of time," Arthur muttered as he vanished from the palace in an instant.
"My lord, I have a question," August said, bowing to the king.
King Vulnar gestured with his finger, giving August permission to ask.
"You didn't attack Arthur when he threw that shard towards you. Why?" August asked.
The others were equally curious about the king's response, given his reputation as the strongest in the Atlantian Kingdom.
"If we were to fight, kingdoms wouldn't be able to withstand it," King Vulnar said.
******************
Cedric began to tell Peter and Marcel about the Yaijuu hunt. He explained how Fredrick Aiden, Alexa, and Rhea had fought Shinra simultaneously.
"Aiden used the lightning element," Cedric said, and Pelia's voice chimed in from behind them.
"Lightning?" Pelia said, and they turned to see her eavesdropping on their conversation again.
"The lightning element is one of the rarest elements for mages," Pelia said.
Marcel looked confused. "But Aiden is in the warrior class. When he first came here, he didn't have an evolved type."
Peter chimed in, "Restricted awakening happens when negative emotions consume a person, making it difficult to awaken an evolved type."
Pelia continued, "But now he has an evolved type, which is the lightning element. He'll have to switch to the mage class."
Pelia explained the difference between the warrior and mage classes. "Warrior class includes those with enhanced strength, speed, and other physical attributes. The mage class consists of those who create barriers, enhance people's evolved types, and use elements like fire, water, and so on."
Peter turned to Cedric. "So what happened after that?"
Cedric replied, "That wasn't enough to beat Shinra. He defeated Aiden and was about to kill him until Aiden's hair changed, and he began to use flames."
Marcel's eyes widened in surprise. "Lightning and fire element?"