King Orcamp was walking back to his room so fast that his feet almost couldn't keep up. He was usually a very calm man, but right now, he was fuming. His face was red, and he was breathing heavily.
He slammed his study door open, marched inside, and drank a whole glass of water in one big gulp. Finally, he started to calm down.
His mind was racing, thinking about the incredible magic he had just seen Shirone use. It was called Ataraxia. It was so powerful it was scary. Orcamp remembered that Shirone's power came from an Archangel, a mighty angel from heaven. And he had heard there were seven more Arcangel just as strong!
A worried thought popped into his head. "Could even the mighty Valkyrie army stand against them?"
Then he shook his head and thought, 'Stop it. Don't think that far ahead. For now, this is good for me.'
He dreamed that if he could learn how to use Ataraxia himself, he could join "The Valkyrie," a group of the most powerful Magicians. He might even become one of the world's "Twelve Thrones," a title for one of the twelve most powerful monarchs. If he had that kind of power, everyone would have to recognize his kingdom, Kazura, as independent.
He was so lost in his daydream that he almost forgot he wasn't alone.
Orcamp: "Well? What do you think?"
A man named Arius stepped out from the shadows in the corner of the room. He was a strange and powerful mage. Today, he looked very serious and excited.
Arius: "It was truly remarkable. Ataraxia is an incredible ability."
Orcamp: "That's not what I'm asking. Can you copy it? Can you figure out how to do it?"
Arius: "Impossible."
Orcamp was sure he had heard wrong. He tried to stay calm, but he could feel his anger bubbling up. He had given Arius everything he asked for, even letting his own child be put in danger, just to see this magic!
Orcamp: "Why not? Is it still too complicated?"
Arius: "That's part of it. But the main reason is that Ataraxia is a power that humans can't really understand. To be honest, I don't think even Shirone understands it."
Orcamp: "That's ridiculous! I saw Shirone use it with my own eyes! Are you saying he's not human?"
Arius: "In a way, yes. A super-powered angel is living inside a human body. Shirone isn't understanding Ataraxia—he's just using it, like how you breathe without thinking about it."
Orcamp's eyes turned cold and dangerous.
Orcamp: "Explain this clearly. You have to convince me."
Arius finally stopped smiling when he felt the king's anger.
Arius: "The magic is buried deep, deep in Shirone's mind, like an instinct. Trying to pull it out is too dangerous. If I try to dive that deep into his thoughts, his subconscious mind would crush me."
Orcamp slammed his fist on the desk. He was tired of hearing excuses.
Orcamp: "Do you think I hired you to hear this? If we can't get Ataraxia—!"
Arius: "There is... one way."
Orcamp's anger vanished, replaced by curiosity. Of course, a master mage like Arius would have a backup plan.
Arius: "I'm sorry I didn't mention it before. But this method... is very difficult. You will need to be very brave to go through with it."
Orcamp: "I am always brave. What is it?"
Arius looked around the room to make sure no one was listening, then leaned close to the king and whispered his secret plan.
Orcamp: "W-What?!"
His eyes widened in pure horror. Meanwhile, Arius's eyes became thin and slitted, like a snake's. Without his usual smile, he looked creepy and cold.
Arius: "It's the only way."
Orcamp's hands were shaking. He held onto his desk to steady them.
Orcamp: "T-That's terrible! Do you know what that would mean?"
Arius: "Of course. But this is the only thing that will guarantee we get the power of Ataraxia."
Orcamp took a deep breath. Getting Ataraxia would give him a power that was ranked as one of the strongest in the world. He thought about his kingdom's freedom and all the power he would have. But the cost...
Orcamp: "But... is it really necessary?"
Arius: "Your Majesty, we are running out of time. You must decide now."
Orcamp shook his head. He needed time to think. This was a huge decision.
Orcamp: "Just... just give me a little time to think."
Arius's face twisted into an ugly scowl for a second, but when Orcamp looked up, the mage was smiling again.
Arius: "Of course. This requires careful thought. Very well. Summon me when you are ready."
Arius bowed and left the room. The moment he was alone in the hallway, he leaned against the wall and started muttering angrily to himself.
Arius (muttering): "Tch. Stupid fool. Pathetic coward."
He was angry that the king was hesitating. Arius was a member of the "Black Line's Magical Seven," a group of wanted criminals. He was used to being ruthless. He thought a king should be ruthless too, with no limits.
'Disappointing, Orcamp,' he thought. 'I thought you were a tough ruler, but you're just like all the other weak nobles.'
Arius was getting a bad feeling. His instincts, sharpened from years of running from the law, were telling him it was getting dangerous to stay here.
Arius (muttering): "Hmm… Should I get out of this place soon?"
But he didn't want to leave. He still wanted the power of Ataraxia for himself. It was the most amazing magic he had ever seen.
Just then, an old servant for a man named Zion appeared around the corner. The servant was so quiet that Arius hadn't even heard him coming.
Servant: "There is someone who wishes to meet you, Lord Arius."
Arius knew who it was. This was the secret offer he had been waiting for.
Arius: "Ah, an offer I've been waiting for. Lead the way."
As the servant turned, Arius noticed the man's strong leg muscles. He walked without making a single sound.
'Heh,' Arius thought with a smirk. 'This royal palace is a very interesting place.'
In another part of the palace, a young prince named Zion was having a tantrum.
Zion: "Damn it! That Shirone completely made a fool of me!"
He was so mad he threw a glass bottle. It smashed against the door, scaring a cat that was sleeping on the floor. The cat jumped up and ran away.
His sister, Wuorin, was sitting calmly at a table, sipping tea. She wasn't bothered by his anger at all.
Wuorin: "Why are you so upset? I thought it was quite entertaining. It was spectacular, wasn't it?"
Zion glared at his younger sister. Sometimes her playful personality was funny, but right now it was just annoying.
Zion: "I'll have to step in myself. We can't leave Shirone alone."
Wuorin petted the cat, which had now jumped onto her lap.
Wuorin: "He is a big threat. What if he had aimed his magic toward the people watching?"
Zion remembered the huge explosion of power and his face turned red. Wuorin was right. If that magic had hit the stands, many people would have been hurt, even with guards there.
Zion: "That's exactly the point! It was a declaration of war! He did it to get back at me for threatening him!"
Wuorin: "Isn't that a bit of a stretch? Maybe he was just angry."
Zion: "It's the same either way! He ignored my offer of friendship! I won't let this slide!"
Just then, there was a knock on the door. Zion knew it was Arius. He took a deep breath, tried to look calm, and sat down at the table with his sister.
Zion: "Enter."