Bullshit Dream and the Delinquent Crown Prince
Fake holy power and the delinquent crown prince. I had a dream. A total bullshit dream. I knew it the second I saw it. Otherwise, there was no way I'd end up in a situation like this.
"What the fuck is this place?"
Splash.
I looked down at the ground. It was black. Pitch fucking black. Felt like water, but looked like ink. Ah, well, both are basically water, right? Doesn't matter. The important thing is why the hell I'm here.
"Dreaming some random-ass crap like this."
I dug in my ear. Normally I'd slap my cheek to check if it was real, but anyone could tell this was a dream—no need.
"Hmm."
So, what now?
"Guess I'll just lie down."
Who knows? No point figuring it out. I was about to flop right down when—
[How carefree.]
"Huh?"
A voice echoed from far away.
[One might expect panic. Are you oblivious or just that laid-back? What an intriguing specimen.]
What the hell? I narrowed my eyes and peered over. Something was there? Couldn't make it out. A person? Kinda looked like one.
"What is it?"
[What do you think?]
"Fuck if I know. Who the hell are you?"
[Haha.]
It laughed. The voice felt off—man or woman? No clue. Wait, isn't this kinda important?
"You a chick?"
[Is that what matters?]
"Hell yeah it does. Got a dick or not? What could be more important?"
[...Ha.]
A disbelieving laugh. What the fuck is this thing?
[Fine. Think whatever you want.]
"That's a dangerous thing to say. 'Think whatever'? Spell it out for me!"
[I've called you here to celebrate.]
"Ignoring me like a bitch. Making me feel all embarrassed."
[You're doing better than expected. You've already formed two circles, after all.]
"You're really not gonna tell me if you're a chick or dude, huh?"
[Press on. Time isn't infinite.]
We were talking past each other. I'm stubborn as fuck, but this thing was worse. Then—
Swooooosh—!!!
"Whoa."
Something loomed behind the misty figure. A massive eye. It ripped open wide, staring right at me. Green iris. Same color as mine.
"That's fucking creepy as hell. What the shit is that?"
[...Creep... Ahem.]
A strangely hurt tone. Did I say that too bluntly?
"Sorry, I'm just brutally honest."
Reminded me of that bitchy big sis flipping out over the same thing. Didn't change shit, though.
[...Enough.]
"You sound hurt?"
[As a gift for your diligence, I'll bestow one thing upon you.]
"Knew you were hurt."
[Fuck...]
"Ah, sorry, I'll stop."
I could feel the real anger now. Better not push it.
[Sigh... How the hell did we end up with this guy...]
A quiet sigh packed with so much. Teasing was kinda fun. Solid character.
[Anyway... Ah! I forgot what I was gonna say!]
"NG! Let's take it again!"
[Goddammit.]
Splash!
The water rippled wildly, as if shaken by the thing's emotions.
[Ugh... Whatever. I gave you the gift—figure it out yourself. I'm too pissed to keep talking. Get lost.]
"Just a little joke and you're this sensitive. You on your period or—"
Kwaaack—!!
"Guhk!"
The ground under me caved in, sucking me into the water. Breath caught in my throat. Then the surrounding water started swirling, seeping straight into my body. Right into my heart. The black water from all directions poured into me. No pain. Not stuffy either. Actually felt more comfortable than when I was choking. As I slowly floated up—
[Fill nine circles. And then...]
The voice spoke to me again.
[You shall gain everything.]
"..."
I opened my eyes. Rubbed my tired eyes and sat up.
"What the fuck was that shitty dream?"
Left a weird, sticky feeling. Been a while since I had such bullshit dream. Hadn't dreamed much lately.
'Was I stressed out recently?'
Makes sense—this world's been nonstop chaos since I got here.
Morning time. Kicked off the blankets.
"Morning wood again today."
Good thing this young body's firm and solid. Nodded in satisfaction and started my refreshing morning.
"Nngh."
Stretched. Glanced out the window—perfect morning weather.
"What to do today."
No searches since the demon beast showed up. Scratched my cheek lightly.
A day off felt rare as hell.
'Always something going on.'
After reincarnating, I busted my ass for a month just to survive. Then after meeting that crazy bitch—er, Mom—it was more of the same.
'First real day off.'
So, what now? Glanced outside. Spotted a building. Heard about it. The training hall?
"Nice."
Now that I'm 2-circle, nothing else to do. Decided today's task.
"Time to practice some magic?"
Never actually trained magic before. Might as well do it right.
Sounds good. Let's go.
Was about to head out when—
"But... how the fuck do you practice magic?"
...Yeah, no clue. Never done it.
No idea. Gotta try to know.
Grabbed a book and headed to the training hall anyway. Weirdly empty. What? Thought there'd be people, but nope.
Wondering, I stepped inside.
Whoooosh—!!!
Whooo—!!!
Sounds from within. What the hell? Peered in.
Someone was there. In the wide space, a platinum-haired young man swung a sword.
Whoooosh—!
Whoosh whoooosh—!!
Insanely fast.
"...Whoa."
What the fuck? Impressive. Don't know shit about swords, but that speed was nuts. Humanly possible? Blew my mind.
Then it hit me who he was.
'The crown prince?'
Crown Prince Banheil Lehart. The emperor's kid. The asshole who'd spewed weird shit at me.
'What? But did he always give off this vibe?'
Guy looked totally different. Focused expression, muscles bulging. No trace of the playboy idiot. Just a knight swinging his sword doggedly.
Golden aura clinging to the blade tip, trailing through the air nonstop.
Right then.
"Huh?"
"Ah."
The crown prince looked my way. Eye contact. Shit, got too engrossed watching and forgot to hide.
"What? A mage. You're up."
"...Good morning?"
Thud.
He slung his sword over his shoulder and walked over.
"Here to train?"
"...Uh... Yeah, that was the plan. But someone's already here?"
"Guest my ass. It's not my training hall. Wonder why no one else uses it. Thought the North would be more passionate."
Clueless look. This crazy bastard. Who'd use it if the crown prince was here?
"Do your thing. I was just finishing up anyway."
"Oh, sweet. Mind if I do?"
Music to my ears. Empty place, I can go ham.
Was hyped to start when—
"Haha."
The crown prince chuckled suddenly.
"Mage."
"Yeah?"
"You're a weird one. Seen plenty of mages, but none like you."
"Yeah?"
Never seen others, so who knows. Only one I've seen is Mom dearest.
"Kinda human, at least. Other mages... lack emotion, y'know? That stuck-up bitch at my house too."
Lack emotion, huh. Nodded thinking of Miss Elise. Is that the mage average?
Maybe.
"Anyway."
"Yeah."
"What's your attribute?"
"...Pardon?"
Attribute? The fuck's that?
Asked confused, and—
"Attribute. Ah."
Crown prince's face lit up like he realized something.
"You're 1-circle, right? No attribute yet."
"I'm 2-circle now."
"...Huh?"
"Yeah?"
"No way? Heard you were 1-circle last time."
"Ah, that was a few days ago. Hit 2-circle now."
"...What?"
Crown prince looked dumbfounded. Heh. Feels good. Now I'm a badass 2-circle mage. Two whole circles. Gonna cream your pants.
"2-circle... a few days ago?"
"Yep. Epic days."
"H-how old are you?"
"Thirteen this year. Uh, not exact. Orphan kid, y'know—age might be off."
"...Thirteen... 2-circle?"
Crown prince stared like I was a freak. Then—
"Ha."
He laughed.
"Nice. Gonna love watching that damn bitch crawl in the dirt."
"Pardon?"
"At 2-circle, you should know now. So, attribute?"
Crown prince asked again. But—
"...Uh... what's an attribute?"
Explain properly, you dense fuck.
"Huh? You don't know? And you're a mage?"
"Orphan kid, limited knowledge..."
"Right, orphans might not."
"..."
"I get it."
Huh. Orphan card doesn't land well with him. What does being an orphan matter to a playboy prince? Might actually be a decent guy.
"Mages usually awaken their attribute at 2-circle. Build magic around it, join the right magic tower."
"Ooh."
Me too?
"So I've got one?"
"Probably. Most figure it out naturally. Awakening dream or whatever. You have one?"
"Awakening dream?"
"After hitting 2-circle. See the sea, flames swirling—whatever matches your attribute."
"...Dream? A dream."
Did I? Rolled my eyes, thinking. Then yesterday's dream popped up.
But—
'That... didn't feel like it.'
Super bullshit dream. More like nonsense than a dream. Barely remember it. Call that an awakening dream?
"Nah, nothing like that..."
"Hmm? But you are 2-circle?"
"Yes."
"Weird. Possible? Don't know much about magic."
"...Me neither..."
"Simple test when you don't know."
Crown prince tapped the sword on his shoulder.
"Cast it."
"What?"
"Magic. Cast now. If you're 2-circle, attribute should've awakened—something'll happen."
Applies right away? Crown prince's words got an "Ooh!" outta me.
Cast, he said. Spun my circle immediately.
Vrrrrm.
Rings thrummed in my heart. Mana gathered at my fingertips. Clumped. Thorn Arrow. Made one, and crown prince flinched.
"...Chantless for real. No incantation."
"Looks like regular magic to me?"
What's different? Just a thorn arrow.
Watching it—
Swooooosh—!!!
"Huh?"
"Huh?"
The arrow changed. Something overlaid. Color.
'Black?'
Black. Pitch black coated the magic.
Attribute thing?
"This the attribute?"
"What... black? What attribute's that?"
Crown prince looked clueless. Never seen this attribute?
Yeah. Black—what is it?
"Fascinating. Chantless is wild, but this color's new too."
"Is it?"
"Colors show attributes. Fire's red, water blue, earth brown, lightning light blue. Wind green."
"Real basic-ass color coding."
"Basic... what?"
"It's a thing."
No other colors? So what's black?
'Black Flame Dragon ooh.'
Not hating it. Black's cool. Fine by me.
Just as I thought that—
"Now shoot it."
"Pardon?"
Crown prince said to me.
Shoot? He drew his sword slowly, powering up. Golden aura rose on the blade again.
"Won't get pushed back pathetically like last time."
"...Why shoot at you, Your Highness?"
"Fun, right? Think it'll bore you?"
"Oh."
Makes sense. Favor with crown prince up. Crazy fuck, but I like it. Hard to vibe with normies anyway—this personality's gold.
"Here I go?"
"Yeah!"
Excited crown prince. Prepped thorn arrow.
"Count of three!"
"Good! Bring it!"
"Three!"
"Wait? Why start at three?!"
Kwaaaaa—!!!!
Thorn arrow tore through the air.
"Guhk!?"
Crown prince blocked but grunted. Last time he held; this time—
Thung—!!
Kwaaaaa—!!!!
Blasted back flying.
Krakaaka—!!!
Thorn arrow slammed into the training hall wall, exploding. Crumbled another wall. Floor littered with magic traces from the aftermath.
Black flames. Slowly burning. I groaned.
"Ah."
Fucked up. What'd I do to the crown prince?
Staring shocked when—
Anyway...
"...Amaterasu's fucked?"
Black flames. Too cool—nearly pissed myself. Wait, might've a little.
'...But.'
Badass, sure. But now what? Knocked out crown prince again. How many walls down?
'Shit.'
Medieval world. No CCTV. Finish him off and bolt? If no one knows it was me...
Thinking that when—
"..."
Felt eyes on me.
'Oh dear.'
Someone stood over the crown prince. Colton Clay, Duke. The terrifying old man called the Empire's Sword.
Staring me down. Fucked. Death penalty?
Ass clenched from the killing intent when—
'What.'
Something off. Colton's eyes burned with desire. Goosebumps.
What... gay? Loving gaze. Nah, gotta be wrong.
That night, shit started tangling more. Someone came to my room. Not just visited—dropped to the floor prostrating.
What the hell? Frowned, looked at them.
It was Eria, flat on her face.
"...Please help me. I'll do anything...!"
That's what she blurted.
Anything? 'Whoa, easy there.' All-ages rating? Tempting words, but human dignity and my principles say no.
So, as politely and seriously as possible, I told her:
"Cool, can I touch your tits then?"
"Pardon? Ah, that's... Eek!"
Sorry, already did.