With newfound determination coursing through him, Arthur Jr turned his gaze toward the window beside his study desk. Despite the darkness of night, the view outside was surprisingly clear, revealing the outlines of buildings bathed in the soft glow of moonlight. He looked up at the sky and was captivated by the sight of three moons: a large central moon flanked by two smaller ones, all reflecting the light of a distant sun. "It must be a full moon." Arthur mumbled to himself. The sight was both enchanting but not shocking; after all, he recalled that even in the solar system he once knew, planets like Jupiter and Saturn boasted dozens of moons. It was a wonder he could accept without difficulty.
The night was peaceful, with a gentle breeze rustling the leaves outside, creating a soothing ambiance. Arthur Jr reluctantly pulled his gaze away from the window and turned his gaze to the study desk. To his dismay, he found it barren—no papers, no books, nothing that could provide insight into this new world he had been thrust into. He rummaged through every drawer, hoping to uncover some hidden knowledge or useful information, but his efforts were met with disappointment. The things Arthur found were mirrors, quills, inks and some gems that look like an artifact.
Despite the emptiness of his surroundings, fragments of Arthur's memories began to surface, revealing intriguing details about the world he now inhabited. This realm was steeped in the supernatural, where almost every individual possessed the ability to wield some form of magic. At the foundation of this magical system were the four basic magic elements: Air, Fire, Earth, and Water. From these elemental roots, practitioners had developed more advanced magical abilities, allowing them to manipulate ice, lava, strom, etc; to create powerful spells for both offense and defense.
In addition to these elemental powers, there existed other forms of magic that transcended the basic elements. Holy magic, for instance, was primarily known for its healing properties, capable of mending wounds and restoring vitality. However, it could also be further developed into more complex and potent forms. On the darker side of the spectrum was dark magic, a mysterious and often feared discipline that allowed its users to communicate with spirits and the undead. Some practitioners had even mastered the art of summoning deathly creatures, using them as puppets to do their bidding.
While the majority of people in this world possessed some form of magical ability, not everyone could wield it effectively in combat. Most individuals utilized their magic for everyday tasks, such as lighting fires or summoning water for washing clothes and bathing. These practitioners were referred to as "non-rankers." According to the memories Arthur recalled, only about ten percent of the population could harness their elemental powers for offensive or defensive purposes, and these individuals were known as "rankers."
Among the rankers, there existed a hierarchy, with ranks ranging from D to S, where S represented the strongest and D the least. This ranking system was determined by a combination of a user's mana capacity and the uniqueness of their elemental abilities. Even those classified as D rank were afforded a certain level of respect and privilege within society. However, achieving a rank of B or higher came with even greater rewards; many countries kings would bestow a baron title upon these talented individuals to ensure they remained loyal to their homeland and did not seek opportunities elsewhere.
Arthur found himself in a frustrating predicament; he was unable to perform even the simplest forms of magic that non-rankers could manage. This left him feeling more talentless than the average people. However, a flicker of hope ignited within him when he recalled the moment he had been pierced by ice magic and had recovered almost instantly. "This incident might have hinted at a hidden potential within Arthur's body that I had yet to fully understand." Arthur mumbled to himself.
Lost in contemplation, Arthur's eyelids grew heavy, and he felt the weight of exhaustion settle over him. Before he knew it, his eyes began to droop, and he succumbed to sleep while seated at his study desk
...
In a narrow alleyway, nestled between two imposing buildings, the soft glow of the moon cast an eerie light. Two figures, clad in black attire that shrouded their bodies, stood facing each other. Only the lower halves of their faces were visible, their features obscured by the shadows. One of them spoke in a hushed tone, "Has the assassination of King Arthur Jr been carried out without leaving any trail?"
A brief, tense silence hung in the air for three seconds before the other figure responded, "I utilized ice magic to pierce his heart, ensuring a swift and silent kill. The only evidence left behind is the ice spear that still protrudes from his chest. We will await news of his demise in the morning."
The first figure nodded in approval, their voice low and gravelly. "Well done. Until further instructions are given, we will not meet again." With that, the two figures turned and sprinted in opposite directions, disappearing into the darkness like phantoms. The alleyway was once again bathed in silence, the only sound the faint echo of their footsteps fading into the night.
...
Knock knock knock...
After three firm raps on the door, a man in his thirties entered the room. It was the king's valet, tasked with waking Arthur for the day. As he stepped inside, he was taken aback to find the king not nestled in his bed, but slumped over a study desk
"Wake up, Your Majesty. The Duke of Luke, Richard Luke will be arriving to meet you in about three hours," he announced, his voice carefully calibrated to be neither too loud nor too soft, ensuring that Arthur would hear him without feeling jolted awake. With that, the valet turned and left the room.
Inside the king's chamber, Arthur stirred awake to the sound of the valet's voice, but by the time he was ready to respond, the man had already slipped out, leaving him alone in the dim light of the room. "Richard Luke? Ah, yes, he's one of the family head of the two dukedoms in Keldoria," Arthur mumbled to himself, rubbing the sleep from his eyes.
In the small kingdom of Keldoria, the nobility was a tightly woven tapestry, with many families holding the title of baron. However, only two families were granted the prestigious title of Duke, making Richard a figure of considerable influence and power within the country. Arthur couldn't help but feel the weight of the upcoming meeting; the presence of such a prominent noble could have significant implications for his reign.