Reneal stood at the heart of the explosion, light still rising from his body like steam from a forge.
He was done running.
It was time the world heard his voice.
[Voice of Sovereignty]
[Rank: Unique
Classification: Active Skill
Lvl: 1
Proficiency: 0%
With a voice that echoes the authority of kings and the will of the divine, the user inspires courage in allies and strikes hesitation into the hearts of foes. When activated, their words carry a majestic resonance that bolsters morale, strengthens resolve, and kindles the flame of conviction even in the most hopeless battles.
Skill Effect:
▪︎ Increases all allies' Attack and Defense by 50% for 2 minutes.
▪︎ Restores 35% of Max HP and Mana to nearby allies.
▪︎ Offers immunity to Fear and Confusion for 1 minute.
▪︎ Enemies within range suffer -25% Attack Power and have a 15% chance to be inflicted with «Fear».
Mana Cost: 100
Skill Cooldown: 10 Minutes]
"I am Reneal Theon Octavian Ainsworth," the prince bellowed, hoisting Neville's saber above his head. "Son of King Vaelmir Thamien Evandred Ainsworth, the Third of His Name! And I will not stand idle while my people suffer!"
The words echoed, resonant, almost divine.
A golden aura erupted from him in waves, washing over soldiers and civilians alike. Wounds began to close. Weary limbs found strength anew. Fear dissolved, and courage flared.
DING!
[The active skill «King's Decree» has been acquired.]
[King's Decree]
[Rank: Unique
Classification: Active Skill
Lvl: 1
Proficiency: 0%
A monarch's wrath is not mere anger—it is law. With a commanding shout that carries the weight of dominion, the user exerts an oppressive aura that forces beasts and monsters to bow in fear. The air thickens, and even the wildest creatures falter, their instincts screaming submission before overwhelming majesty.
Skill Effect:
▪︎ Reduces all nearby monsters' Attack and Movement Speed by 30% for 45 seconds.
▪︎ 40% chance to inflict «Fear» on lesser monsters, causing them to flee or freeze.
▪︎ MP +500
▪︎ +60% Critical Hit Chance
Mana Cost: 120
Skill Cooldown: 15 Minutes]
Monsters closest to the barricade, mere moments from tearing through the defensive line, screeched in alarm and stumbled back. Their claws faltered. Their rage turned into hesitation.
The soldiers, stunned by the overwhelming light, suddenly roared in unison.
"FOR THE PRINCE!"
"FOR AINSWORTH!"
Weapons slammed against shields. Chants of the prince's name filled the air like a war drum. The boy stood at the center of it all—his presence radiant, undeniable.
Stynx watched from a distance, mouth agape, fury boiling under his skin. The true heir of the royal family had stolen his thunder, his spotlight, his moment. But he couldn't look away.
"With me!" Reneal roared, pointing the saber toward the nearest Floor Guardian—a hulking goat-like creature that walked upright and wielded a crude spear. "Together we fight! Together we protect all that we cherish!"
Then he charged.
DING!
[The active skill «Sovereign Tempo» has been acquired.]
[Sovereign Tempo]
[Rank: Unique
Classification: Active Skill
Lvl: 1
Proficiency: 0%
In moments where hesitation spells defeat, a true ruler bends time to their will. By invoking ancient authority and channeling mana through their royal bloodline, the user enters a heightened state where thought, reflex, and movement synchronize perfectly.
Skill Effect:
▪︎ Greatly enhances reaction speed and reflexes, enabling simultaneous offense and defense.
▪︎ Attack Damage +300%
▪︎ Attack Speed +250%
▪︎ Parry and Dodge Rate +200%
▪︎ Grants temporary immunity to the «Stagger» and «Slow» status effects during activation.
Mana Cost: 0.9% ⅌ Second
Cooldown: 8 Minutes]
Time slowed.
Thought and instinct merged.
The prince's body moved with supernatural grace—each step perfectly timed, each breath measured.
The Floor Guardian lunged, its weapon tracing a deadly arc of light. Reneal leaned just out of reach, the attack grazing nothing but light. In a single motion, he pivoted, blade carving upward through the monster's ribbed underbelly. Sparks flew as its hide cracked, thick crimson blood spewing into the air.
The creature shrieked and reeled back—but Reneal didn't give it a chance to rebound. He stepped forward, a dance of fury and elegance, the saber a blur in his hands. Each strike struck true, every dodge calculated to the millisecond. His inexperience vanished, masked by Sovereign Tempo. He seemed untouchable.
The Floor Guardian roared again, charging blindly, but it was far too slow. Reneal rolled beneath its jaws, brought the saber up, and with a triumphant cry, slashed through its neck in a searing arc of silver light.
The beast fell with a crash.
The battlefield went still for a moment.
Then cheers erupted.
But Reneal wasn't done.
He turned toward another group of soldiers being overwhelmed by a towering brute. Its claws had nearly pinned them to the wall until the prince leapt in from the side and drove his blade through its temple. It convulsed and collapsed. The soldiers stared at him like he was a god.
Reneal darted back toward the children. To the girl who looked like Lumielle. He knelt beside her, voice gentle and steady. "I'm here," he whispered, resting a hand on her head. "I'll protect you. I promise."
She threw her arms around him, sobbing into his chest. Reneal held her close, letting her cry. His eyes remained sharp, scanning the battlefield, prepared to act.
Sophia… he thought.
Just before he left the Crownspire Tower, Lumielle had told him to stay close to her childhood friend. She had said it with certainty, as though no matter what happened, no matter the circumstances, the girl would handle the rest.
And Reneal believed her.
Deep down, he knew Sophia was still out there—alive and desperately trying to make her way back. She hadn't abandoned them. She would return. All he had to do was hold on—endure the storm until their true savior arrived.
"I'll carry this burden until you get back," he murmured to himself. "I won't run away anymore."
His blade gleamed. His soul burned.
The prince had awakened.
***
Lefahne scribbled down a host of measurements in her leather-bound journal, her quill gliding quickly as her gaze flickered to the vial beside her. The liquid inside swirled with pink luminescence, casting a gentle glow across the page. She leaned forward, murmuring under her breath as she wrote.
All of a sudden, warm arms wrapped around her waist and a kiss landed at the nape of her neck.
"You're scribbling again," Zurrel teased, his voice low and fond as he nuzzled into her. "Stars above, woman—you'd document the structure of air if I let you."
Lefahne squirmed, giggling as she tried to keep her hand steady. "Zurrel, stop that—this formula isn't finished. One mistake and I'll have to start over on a new page."
"And here I thought I was the workaholic," he murmured, leaving another playful kiss just below her ear.
She hummed softly but kept her eyes on the page. "I'll be romantic after I've ensured people won't grow extra toes from attempting to replicate this."
He chuckled and slipped away without another word, fetching a bag from the cupboard in the next room. A few moments later, she heard the faint clink of glass.
Curious, she turned her head just in time to see him walk back in with a mischievous glint in his eyes and something hidden behind his back. He placed a crystal flute gently beside her notes, then revealed a dark bottle with gold-etched script gleaming across the label.
Lefahne blinked, then sniffed the air. Her nose twitched. She froze. "No…" she breathed, wide-eyed. "It can't be."
Zurrel uncorked the bottle with a flourish and poured a generous serving into her flute. "And yet—it is," he said smugly, setting the bottle down so she could see for herself. "A ten-year-old Mortelarano. Your favorite."
She snatched the bottle like it might vanish. "This… this isn't even sold in Lunarel anymore! Where did you—how did you—?"
He shrugged, lips curling into a charming smile. "Let's just say being the local miracle worker comes with a few perks. A grateful noble owed me a favor."
Lefahne arched a brow, then slowly smiled as the wine caught the light from the manalamp. "Let me rephrase the question then: what's the occasion?"
Zurrel leaned in, his voice gentle. "Because we've earned it. Sylvie's healthy. We finished the elixir to stabilize pixie crystal withdrawal. And now this—" he gestured to the potion "—is the most advanced restorative formula the realm's ever seen."
Lefahne's smile deepened. "Now that I think about it… we really have come a long way."
"Longer than most," Zurrel said, reaching for her hand. "Come. Just for a moment."
"Zurrel…" she protested softly, "I still need to transcribe the—"
He pulled her to her feet and gently guided her with a sway, then another, until her body relaxed into his rhythm. "You can do that later. Right now… dance with me."
She let out a breathless laugh, her hands resting on his shoulders, eyes glassy with affection. "You always do this."
"I know," he murmured, drawing her close. "And you always forgive me."
They swayed to the quiet music of their own heartbeat, blue light tinting their bodies. Lefahne leaned her forehead against his chest, eyes closed. "I still remember when you pulled me out of that burning grove," she whispered.
"And I remember how you stitched me back together with nothing but bark paste and spit when you ran out of mana," he replied, smirking. "We've saved each other more times than I can count. But the closest call had to be with my disease."
Lefahne's smile faded into something softer. "But just like all the other adversities… we prevailed in the end."
Zurrel nodded, pressing his forehead to hers. "Once we have each other—"
BOOM!
The front door exploded inward, sending splinters flying like shrapnel. A body came crashing through, smashing into the herbal racks with bone-breaking force. It was Monk Cadane—his robes shredded, eyes rolling, mouth frothing like a rabid beast.