Within the Holy Kingdom, it was common practice to keep one's awakening details secret, lest word spread and enemies gain an advantage.
So, immediately after the ceremony, Enoch received a round of applause and was allowed to return to his chambers, where he would sit with his mother and father to discuss his awakening.
As the trio made their way, Enoch's heart raced.
I can't tell them about my class. I need to think of a lie that will keep me from having to demonstrate my powers…
Enoch went over many options in his mind. He considered the different classes he had learned about during his childhood, but it took time to find one that his parents might believe.
By the time he reached his chambers, walking between his mother and father as they spoke excitedly, Enoch had finally settled on an answer.
Inside his room, the young prince sat on his bed while his parents stood over him, watching with dark eyes.
They didn't speak, waiting for him, just as tradition demanded.
Enoch took a deep breath and exhaled before speaking.
"My class is called the Archivist," he said with full confidence.
The King and Queen exchanged a glance, both with raised brows. It was the King who spoke first.
"The Archivist... I can't say I've heard of such a class," he said, scratching at his thick black beard. "What is its grade?"
"S-Grade," Enoch announced proudly. "And its description... It's incredible, Father!"
The parents, unaware that they were being deceived by their only child, shared joyful expressions. Queen Ruth looked as though she might leap with excitement but managed to contain herself.
"An S-Grade! This is what the kingdom has needed!" she cried with joy. "With this, we can stand against the Dragoni Empire proudly."
The King nodded in agreement.
"Your mother is right, son. The True Creator surely favours the Holy Kingdom. You will make a fine king one day. Please, share your class description."
Enoch found it amusing that his parents were so joyful before even hearing what his made-up class could do.
Still, he spoke the story he had prepared.
"I can absorb fragments of power, knowledge, and memories from relics and divine texts. But it's unstable right now. If I use it without focus, it risks granting me negative titles," Enoch explained smoothly.
King Jacob nodded, not daring to question him. After all, the man himself had earned a few negative titles by misusing his powers.
"I see," the King said. "Then we should waste no time fetching you an ancient text or relic to study. The Mock War for Nobles will be taking place soon, and you'll need to be prepared."
"I agree," Queen Ruth chimed in. "The Chamber of Flowers surely has a suitable relic for our son to copy from. Perhaps the Heart of the First Dragon, stolen from the Dragoni Empire itself?"
Enoch shook his head. His parents were right that many relics and texts existed within the kingdom, but that only made his choice more important.
"If possible, I'd like to have access to the Book of Nightmares."
For a moment, his parents froze, staring at him with wide eyes.
"The Book of Nightmares?" King Jacob asked, swallowing hard. "What could you possibly want from such a book?"
Enoch noticed the suspicion in their eyes, but there was a reason behind his suggestion, along with a cover story.
"Father, the God of Nightmares was said to have corrupted many of the strongest warriors in history. Inside that book are tales of their battles against that god, which include detailed descriptions of their abilities and powers."
As he spoke, his parents began to understand his reasoning.
"You want to study the book in hopes of claiming one of their powers," Queen Ruth said, folding her arms beneath her chest. It was a fine idea, though her expression still showed concern.
"Yes. It's one of our most extensive relics in terms of information on ancient warriors. If I'm lucky, I might even be able to claim the powers of multiple historical figures at once."
For a few moments, the King and Queen whispered to one another about the risks. In the end, they decided the potential benefits far outweighed the dangers.
If Enoch succeeded, he could become one of the strongest men in the kingdom.
With a cautious sigh, the King nodded.
"We will grant you access to the Book of Nightmares. However, you must remember one thing…"
Enoch waved a dismissive hand and nodded.
"Yes, Father... I must wear the pendant of the True Creator, or I risk summoning the God of Nightmares and granting him access to my dreams."
The King nodded. "Good. I'll send someone to bring you the book soon."
---
Half an hour later, as Enoch sat in his chambers, a knock came at his door.
It was a young librarian, dressed in a black suit and holding a black box sealed with paper inscribed with ancient text.
"Y-your Majesty, here is the relic you requested from the Chamber of Flowers... Please allow me to congratulate you on your awakening today."
The young librarian spoke with flushed cheeks.
Enoch had met the boy many times before, yet no matter how often they spoke, the boy was always nervous.
"You don't have to speak with such respect, Gabriel," Enoch said, taking the box and placing it on his bed. "You're only a few months younger than me, and you're of noble birth too."
Gabriel lingered by the door. He was a small young man with brown hair, glasses, and a frail build.
"Yes, but you are the prince and heir to the throne. It is only proper that I speak to you with the respect you deserve," he replied, watching as Enoch removed the seal from the box and lifted the lid.
Enoch reached inside and pulled out an item that radiated dark energy.
It was a book bound in black demonskin leather, with no title or markings on its cover. The book was thin, its pages worn, yet the knowledge within was some of the most disturbing and terrifying in existence.
Gabriel stepped back, his legs trembling.
"T-that... That's the—"
"The Book of Nightmares," Enoch finished.
Gabriel had not been allowed to see what was inside the crate. He was not of high enough rank. His mission was only to deliver it.
Enoch sat on his bed, ready to flip through the journal.
Before he did, he looked up at the librarian still standing nervously by the door.
"Gabriel, do me a favour. No matter what, don't let anyone enter this room. Tell them that if they do, they risk being trapped in the nightmare realm for eternity, their flesh damned to emptiness."
Gabriel gulped loudly before nodding quickly.
"Yes, your Majesty."
Before Enoch could say more, the young man shut the door and lingered outside.
Once alone again, Enoch turned his attention back to the Book of Nightmares.
The sinister book felt wrong to hold. Not only because it was made of demonskin, but because of the evil that pulsed within its pages.
As he focused on the book, he gained access to its essence through his newly awakened senses.
[Book of Nightmares]
A collection of tales written by various authors, depicting their experiences when faced with the God of Nightmares.
[Danger Grade: S]
---
An S-Grade alone was enough to deter most men and women from reading the Book of Nightmares, even those who wore the pendant of the True Creator.
Enoch did not wear the pendant of the True Creator. His reason was simple.
He wanted to summon the God of Nightmares. It was the only god he knew how to summon.
He wanted to devour its divine powers and claim them for his own.
In time, his poor morality would begin to show in his appearance, and there was no telling what would happen once it did.
To be ready, he needed power. Enough to fight against execution if it came to that.
And so, Enoch flipped open the first page and prepared to read.
Before he could reach the first sentence, his room went dark, swallowed by shadows.
---
If you're enjoying the novel, please don't forget to leave a review and power stones!