Chapter 134
Chapter 134
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 134
Chapter Title: The King's Trial
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“Captain of the 7th Knight Order, Elbert Tyran. Accompanying me are mage Yoo Han and his party. We’ve come for today’s Royal Commander evaluation.”
Rustle! Rustle!
At Elbert’s explanation, the soldier guarding the entrance flipped through his papers, then nodded once he found the list.
“Yes, confirmed. You may enter.”
‘Having Elbert here really makes a difference.’
The security seemed even laxer than in District 2.
It was probably because Elbert’s identity was rock-solid.
‘Come to think of it, the carriage we rode in was a direct gift from the royal family.’
Being affiliated with the state had its perks, that was for sure.
The support was top-notch.
That single carriage probably cost more than I could earn slaving away for years.
As that thought crossed my mind, a sudden question popped up.
‘Wait, isn’t that me now?’
Come to think of it, I was now a bona fide 7th-circle mage.
I’d entered the realm of high-rank mages.
That meant my market value had skyrocketed.
Even a single commission would pay leagues more than before.
‘Buying a carriage like that might not be so out of reach after all?’
Of course, I’d only know for sure once I started earning.
I resolved to check out the request office as soon as this job wrapped up.
Splat.
“Halt.”
Elbert raised his hand, stopping us.
Looking up, we were in front of a grand, imposing castle...
“From here on, this is where His Majesty resides. Stay sharp and don’t make any mistakes.”
It was a warning to be cautious, since royals and dignitaries stayed here.
It was District 1, so it made sense, but hearing it straight from Elbert ratcheted up my tension.
Step, step, step.
We proceeded cautiously, just as Elbert had warned.
And then.
‘Whoa, what is this?’
Every single step filled me with awe.
The main castle where Asteron’s highest elites resided.
Its facilities were shockingly magnificent.
‘This is nothing like the castle I saw in the game.’
Asteron Academy, Aldeon Magic Tower, District 7, and more—I’d seen plenty of places changed after a hundred years.
But none compared to this transformation.
Everywhere I looked—gold plating, ornate decorations galore.
A bit longer, and my eyes would start hurting.
‘...How much money did they sink into all this show?’
Lost in endless admiration—
Splat!
“Your companions can only go as far as here.”
The soldiers escorting us raised their spears, blocking the way.
Straight ahead stood a massive arched gate. This had to be the audience chamber.
That’s why they’d stopped us.
“Only Yoo Han and I will enter.”
At Elbert’s words, the soldiers bowed and stepped back.
Then, the doors to the audience chamber began to creak open.
Rumble, rumble, rumble!
The massive doors echoed thunderously in my ears.
The first things that caught my eye were the soaring, open ceiling and the throne on the central dais.
The moment my gaze met the figure there, I instinctively dropped to one knee in respect.
“It is an honor to meet Your Majesty.”
Elbert did the same.
“Captain of the 7th Knight Order, Elbert Tyran, greets Your Majesty.”
“Welcome to the palace.”
A deep, resonant voice filled my ears.
Noble, brimming with conviction.
Just one exchange of words, and somehow, I could already sense his character.
Kailius Asteron.
A man who had never bowed to anyone.
As that thought lingered, King Kailius continued.
“You are Yoo Han, correct?”
“Yes, Your Majesty. Yoo Han.”
“I heard you were a 6th-circle mage?”
“That was the case before the war, but my level has since advanced. I am now at the 7th circle.”
Flinch.
I felt Elbert tense beside me at my words.
No surprise—he hadn’t heard yet.
Was Kailius shocked too?
“Hoh... A 7th-circle mage at such a young age?”
Emotion crept into his previously steady voice for the first time.
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
“Elbert, I wondered what made you write that recommendation. You’ve brought me quite the find.”
“...His skill is the real deal, Your Majesty.”
“Indeed. A 7th-circle mage needs no further proof of ability.”
Kailius nodded in acknowledgment, then spoke firmly.
“But as you know, the Royal Commander position isn’t just for the skilled.”
“Yes, indeed.”
“There are plenty of skilled talents in Asteron already. What matters is having something uniquely special. Tell me, Yoo Han—do you possess such uniqueness?”
‘Here it comes.’
His casual tone carried real weight.
The first trial to become Royal Commander: proof.
It had begun.
‘...Uniqueness, huh.’
I had to pass this stage to achieve my goal, so I pondered deeply.
What uniqueness did Kailius seek? What was my greatest strength?
The answer came quicker than expected.
It was obvious, after all.
“I possess exceptional magical talent. Not just exceptional—talent unmatched by anyone.”
[Prodigy of Magic].
That was my strongest selling point.
“Unmatched talent? Quite confident, aren’t you?”
“It’s the truth, Your Majesty.”
“Gutsy one. I like how you don’t flinch saying it.”
“Thank you.”
“However.”
Thud. Kailius tapped the throne.
His following words grew even more serious.
“I despise lies. Can you stand by those words?”
“...”
After a moment’s thought, I nodded.
“I can.”
Truth be told, I wasn’t free of anxiety.
Life’s unpredictable.
But my confidence matched it.
‘No one else in this world has two mythic traits.’
I was unshakable in talent against anyone.
Did he sense that resolve?
“Very well.”
Kailius nodded and murmured to a nearby attendant.
Then.
Step, step, step.
Soon, a man entered the audience chamber and knelt.
“Royal Mage Kallian Asheron greets Your Majesty.”
Royal Mage.
That title revealed Kailius’s intent.
‘He wants a direct demonstration?’
He planned to verify my talent through this Kallian.
Sure enough, Kailius promptly handed us a mysterious grimoire.
“This is an unpublished secret grimoire, not yet released to the world. Read it now and show results.”
He demanded I master the spell within.
It was astonishing.
I hadn’t expected talent verification like this...
‘Handing over such a precious secret grimoire so casually?’
It defied my common sense.
Only someone who didn’t see secret grimoires as investments could think that way.
Of course, it was the most reliable method.
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
Kallian, introducing himself earlier, moved with practiced ease.
Flip, flip...!
The grimoire’s pages flew by.
I set aside stray thoughts and opened the secret grimoire.
My eyes raced across it.
-Magic learning speed increased by 300%.
It didn’t take long to grasp the spell inside.
‘Gravity magic!’
The principles differed slightly from my old world, but gravity existed here too.
This spell amplified it.
‘No wonder it’s a secret grimoire.’
Impossible to learn through normal channels.
A rare chance.
‘Win or lose, I have to master this.’
I devoured the grimoire intently.
Absorbing its theory and formulas completely.
The pages flipped furiously.
***
Flip! Flip! Flip!
Asteron’s king, Kailius Asteron.
His jaw dropped unwittingly.
‘What in the...?’
One page, two, three, four...!
No wonder— the black-haired man before him was flipping pages at an insane speed.
Like speed-reading a simple info book.
‘Is he even reading properly?’
Doubt crept in naturally.
To his eyes, it looked like hasty skimming.
He reached a verdict quickly.
‘Tch, playing games.’
Clearly, realizing he couldn’t match a royal mage, this was a cheap trick.
A superficial ploy to look convincing.
Nothing else explained it.
‘Disappointing.’
He’d held high hopes.
Elbert’s recommendation suggested someone extraordinary.
But this? Some mangy mutt sneaking in.
Daring to fool a king, no less. Utterly unhinged.
He pitied his own misplaced expectations.
‘...He’ll pay dearly for this ploy.’
He couldn’t let such insolence slide.
This fool would learn the cost.
‘Start with a week in solitary...’
Pondering the punishment—
Thud!
Someone closed a book.
The unhinged mage claiming 7th circle: Yoo Han.
Their eyes met; he spoke with bold confidence.
“It’s done.”
“Done?”
“Yes, Your Majesty. I’ve fully mastered the spell in the grimoire you provided.”
“Ha ha ha!”
Kailius couldn’t hold back his laughter.
Who could? The man had only glanced at it—no practice.
Impossible to have learned it.
“Is that so? Then show me!”
He demanded a demonstration.
Any excuse then, and punishment was sealed.
That’s what he thought...
Rumble, rumbllle!
Suddenly, the air around them grew heavy.