Ablax, Ablax
In the throne room.
"The Spirit Festival is approaching," King Ablax started.
The Court Mages were before him together with his most trusted aides. At Ari's spot was a new person. He was a middle-aged man with mild features who had a striking resemblance to Merlin.
"Who would like to go?"
"Your Majesty," Merlin volunteered. Even after the years had passed, the old man looked the same as ever.
"Of course," King Ablax nodded.
"Allow me to follow father, Your Majesty," Shane followed up. He was the newest and youngest of the Court Mages. He was originally groomed to be Merlin's successor but due to the leaving of Ari, he had to take the position earlier than expected.
"You too may go. Current affairs are holding me back so Seth will be going in my place."
"Yes, father!" Seth, who was standing by King Ablax bowed deeply. He had inherited the fine features of the royals as well as the signature platinum hair and blue eyes of the Ablax. As a crown prince, he was a promising successor to the throne.
"Your marriage is undecided so have a try at the Elven Princess' hand if you get the chance," King Ablax grinned.
"Please don't joke about such a thing, father!" Seth flusteredly replied.
The aids of the room chuckled at the action of the prince. Court Mage Xavier took the chance to comment, "I heard the Elven Princess was a fine beauty."
"Yes, she's very famous among the Elven youths. Your Highness will be very lucky to have her as your wife," An aide chuckled.
"Speaking of the Elven Kingdom, those two are there too..." Another aide commented.
"Those two..? Ah, Frostflame Ari and her son... Demon Child,"
"Demon Child... Those upper circle nobles really came up with a good nickname. I get chills thinking of how he attacked those nobles like it was nothing. I still remember that scene as if it was yesterday."
"The credit goes to Merlin for teaching both of them," Xavier snickered.
"Ari was merely one of my pupils. I take no credit for teaching her." Merlin shamefully chuckled.
"Don't speak of her anymore..." King Ablax sighed.
"Forgive us!" The aids quickly went on their knees.
After the assembly was over, Sharon burst into the throne room.
Her appearance was the definition of a princess. Long, flowing silver hair and a set of bright blue eyes. Her facial features were soft at the right places and defined at the right places. A single side braid was tucked behind her ear which accentuated her fine features further. Her princess dress was pristine white and classically cut, flattering her waist and height.
"Father! Let me go to the Spirit Festival!"
"No." King Ablax flatly denied the girl.
"Why!?"
"You are not ready to go out that far."
"You mean you are not ready to have her go out?" The Queen smirked said while stepping from behind Sharon.
"Ahem. Besides, there is nothing for you to do over there anyway."
"There is! Earl will be there!"
"Look, dear." King Ablax sighed. "You guys were just childhood friends. He probably doesn't remember you anymore, it's been years."
The princess narrowed her eyes and shook her head. "You're so dumb, father."
"W-w-what?"
"I agree." The Queen nodded.
"L-Linda?"
"I'm going!"
"W-w-wait, Sharon! I'll tell you a huge secret if you promise to not go."
"What is it?"
"Well..."
Sharon resumed walking away.
"It's related to that boy!"
"What?" Sharon's eyes sparkled.
"Come here." The King signalled with his hand for her to come closer.
Whisper, whisper, whisper.
After listening to what her father had to say, Sharon was shocked. "I-is this true?"
"Yes. I got a letter about this matter very recently."
"...Fine, I shall listen to you this time, father."
Meanwhile, Merlin was with his son.
"I wonder how those two are now..."
"I remember you two were quite close back when you were teaching at the Academy, father."
"Your memory is excellent, my son. I recall she graduated a few years prior to you enrolling?"
"Yes. It's not that my memory is excellent. Even when she was an Academy student, she was incredibly famous."
"The finest gem of Ablax..." The old magus reminisced. "Shane. Do you know why she left?"
"This... this is a question that has stumped many people. She had status, wealth, fame. It is beyond me as to why she left."
"I'll tell you my theory. I think... I think she reached it. The fabled realm of Archmage."
"Archmage!?"
"That girl is a monster among monsters. Shane, when did you become an Expert Mage?"
"25, father."
"Shane Runi with the highest position one could achieve of the Court Mage and one of the strongest within the Kingdom attained the level of Expert Mage at 25."
"..?"
"10! She was an Expert Mage at the age of 10!" Merlin laughed wildly. "Can you believe it? I can't believe it!"
"T-that's unheard of..." Shane took a step back in shock.
"That's right. That's the proper reaction," Merlin shook Shane's shoulders. "That's why it has to be her. It could only be her to reach the fabled realm of heroes."
"Father. I am suddenly so excited to go to the Elven Kingdom."
"Me too... Me too! It's been years since I've been this excited."