Invitation

(Majarlica Castle, 6/14/1820. At the same day Princess Manna was rescued. When she taken Prince into the castle.)

King Majarlica: "So this is the hero who saved my daughter. I would like to express my deep appreciation to you, brave one. I will give you anything you want."

Prince: "If possible, I want to work for the royalty directly. No matter what job it is."

King: "Of course, It will be my honor. But are you sure that is all you ask, brave man?"

Prince: "All I want is to raise the name and dignity of my family, and that will be granted immediately by working for the royalty.

King: "I see. Then I will give you the duty to become my daughter's personal royal knight, and I will also give you a personal possession of mine. A magic sword relic that heightens the strength of the owner to the level of a dragon, The Dragon's Bane. It is rumored that this weapon is an actual fragment of the nail of the colossal dragon, Earth Dragon, who was a global threat to humanity a millenia ago."

Prince: "Are you really going to entrust this weapon to me, Lord Majarlica?"

King: "That is nothing compared to the life of my daughter. I still cant thank you enough. Just ask me if you need anything."

Manna blushes: "Then I will be in your care, Sir Prince. (Nice job, Dad!)"

Prince: "Actually, I am not the only one who saved the princess. If you dont mind, I would also want him to get rewards directly from my lord."

King: "You are an honest man, brave one. I like that. Alright, tell me his name and I will call for him myself."

Prince: "The is no need, I will personally take him here in two days."

King: "Im quite busy that time but I can reconsider for you if needed. Besides, Im always busy." Laughs like a rich person.

(2 days later, at the tavern.)

Cali: "I wonder how should I find members.." He sighs. "This is one of the problems of being an introvert, I always go solo."

Mica: "I will try inviting some of my friends in the academy."

Cali: "Okay. I feel bad I cant help you on this one."

Mica: "Its fine, you already invited someone, right? Thats enough for me."

The sound of tavern door opening was noticed by the two. The person who entered is Prince.

Prince: "Hey."

Mica: "Is he your friend?"

Cali to Mica: "Kinda, we met just a day before you work here."

Cali: "You're back. Are you going regular as a mercenary?"

Prince: "No, Ive got a new job. Im just here to give this invitation to you."

Cali: "Invitation?"

Prince: "Remember when we saved the princess the other day? The king wants to meet you and give you a reward for that. I already got mine so I wont go with you."

Mica: "Saved the princess?! Invited by the king?!"

Cali: "I see. Is there anything else?"

Mica: "You two talk too casually for something this big."

Prince: "Yeah"

Cali: "Oh, by the way. Do you want to join us to the upcoming battereon tournament?"

Prince: "I'll pass, kind of busy because of my new job."

Cali: "Thats unfortunate. But what job?"

Prince: "Princess' personal knight"

Mica: "Princess!?- forget it. I dont believe you both anymore."

Cali: "Understandable, have a nice day."

Prince leaves.

Cali: "I will be going too. See you tomorrow."

Mica: "Okay. Take care."

Cali drank his milk before leaving then he went to the main road and waited for a carriage.

An hour passed before he reached the kingdom's castle, the first thing Cali noticed is the new design of the castle which he couldnt see at the dark when he visited last time.

He goes to the giant castle gate and showed his invitation to the guard. The guard lets him in and he walked for a good few minutes because of how big the castle's front garden was.

Despite the changes to the castle, there seems to be now much of a change to the garden. Cali then frowns.

He entered the castle and views the interior while finding the king's office. While exploring, Cali saw a bunch of students from the Great Academy of Agham. Among them was a lady named Zeni together with her brother.

As he notices, Cali simply said: "Ah." Zen heard his voice and turned.

Zen: "You! What are you doing here?"

One of the female student: "You know him?"

Zen: "Yeah, hes a weird guy I found yesterday."

Cali: "Im trying to find the king's office."

Zen: "You are pretty lucky because we are also heading there. You should just come with us."

Cali: "Alright."

They talk as they walk.

Zeni: "Why are you here?"

Cali: "The king wants to meet me. How about you?"

Everyone looks at him with shock.

Zeni: "Really?!"

Cali: "Bothersome, right?"

Zeni: "Thats not what I meant.."

The same student: "Tell me, what is your name?"

Cali: "Cali, Cali the Kinless."

The same student: "The name is Shine. I am the captain and the defender of this team."

Defender magicians are the type of magicians who inherits the magical spells that are effectively used for defending and protecting a target. Their magic doesn't have offensive capabilities, but they are feared upon their power to completely nullify other magician's magic.

"This nerdy dude here is Pete, he's our Warrior"

"This one punk guy is Matt, our Rogue. This quiet girl, Tania. Our ranger."

Ranger Magicians are the type of magicians with magic spells highly suitable for the use of projectile based weapons such as bow or guns. A complicated type of mana wave that is extremely versatile and potent but has a limited range.

"His brother which you probably already met is Ceed."

Cali: "What kind of team is this?"

Zen: "The reason why we're here is because theres a battereon tournament happening next week, and we will be the team representing our kingdom, thats why the king wants to meet us."

Cali: "As expected of you. But why are there 6 of you? Isnt it should be only 5 members per team?"

Zen: "My brother right here is not actually a member, but I will try to ask the king to accept him rather than me."

The quiet brother finally talks: "I told you, there is no need for this." He whispers.

Zen: "I dont like people underestimating you. Its also difficult for me seeing you hopeless like that."

Ceed looks down and lost more of his self esteem when he thought his sister also suffers from his failures.

Realizing this, Zen tried to rephrase what she said but she gave up, thinking she might just make it worse: "I- Just cheer up, okay?" She now felt bad about it.

The rest of the moment they are walking is just pure awkward silence. Meanwhile Cali directed his focus by observing the castle once again.

They arrived at the office and it was a spacious throne room. They walk towards the king and kneeled.

Shine: "Good day, Lord Majarlica. It is an honor to have your audience."

King: "The pleasure is mine. Stand up, children."

Shine: "We five are the chosen representative of our kingdom for the next Battareon Tournament. Picked by the founder of The Great Academy of Agham himself. We will carry your honor and try our best!"

King: "Good luck to all of you. But why are there 7 of you here?"

Zen: "My lord, I am Zen, the Arch Mage of the team. I would like to switch position with my brother so he could participate on the tournament instead."

King: "Although I can do that, I am not expert in this field to know who should be participating. Its safer to just follow the Academy President's Instructions. Im sorry, young lady."

Zen: "But-"

Ceed grabs her sleeve, indicating her to stop.

There goes a brief moment of silence.

Cali: "As for me, I heard you wanted to meet me from Mr. Prince, King Majarlica."

King: "Ah, you must be the companion of Sir Prince. Greetings to see you, brave boy. I have deep gratitude for you after your deed."

Cali noticed the king doesnt want to mention about her daughter being kidnapped in front of other people.

Cali: "It was just my duty, your majesty."

King: "Then what would you like as a reward. I will be glad to give you what you want."

Cali: "Then I would like the crown of the Heartless Emperor as a gift, If you wont mind."

Everyone was shocked.

King: "A-are you sure? Its not something of much value and it is also said to have a curse where it makes the mind of the wearer twisted in exchange of the power within it. Its very dangerous."

Cali: "Im sure about it, your majesty."

King: "Bring the item." He told to the guards.

The crown was brought covered with cloth to avoid touching it accidentally. When unveiled, the crown appears to have no rust, meaning it was kept in a very secured place.

King: "H-here you go, brave one. Be careful of it."

Cali touched it on bare hands.

Everyone is nervous except for Pete who was instead curious.

Suddenly, Cali worn the crown to his head and now everyone got seriously nervous.

Cali: "Looks like nothing is happening. So it was just a myth."

King: "You are somewhat of a crazy child. Interesting!" Laughs like a rich man.

Cali laughs like a madman.

While everyone else are just anxious.

The group and Cali left the room and walked towards the exit.

Cali to Zen: "So what are you going to do now?"

Zen: "I will just leave the team. Im not participating without my brother."

Shine: "Is that final?"

Zen: "Yes. Im sorry"

Shine: "Its alright. I understand what you two siblings have been through. You really are a kind older sister, Zen."

Zen: "Thank you for understanding."

Cali: "Why dont you just join my team? We are also joining the tournament. We only need two more members members and you two would be perfect."

Zen: "Really?!"

Cali: "I will be happy to have you two."

Zen: "Cali, you're a life saver!" Proceeds to hug Cali.

Everyone stares at them. Then Zen backs off and blushes.

Matt: "Yo, this dude be looking like a trap but he getting chicks. Im proud of ya." He smirks.

Zen: "You wanna die?"

Matt: "You actin like ya hate it while yo face is as red as tomato."

Zen: "I will take that as a yes. Come here!"

Everyone else laughs.

Shine: "Stop teasing them, Matt. Thank you Cali. This chance is really important for them."

Cali: "We are also desperate for members so its all good."

Shine: "Good luck to you guys. Lets make sure to meet at the finals, okay?"

Cali: "You too."

Ceed: "Thank you, Cali."

Cali: "No worries, Ceed."

Both Cali and Ceed expresses themselves simpler, but genuine.

After all that, Cali headed straight to the inn and slept.

"I believe oppression against the lower class is unjust, as they are already suffering so much from being in that position alone. Instead of pressuring them to do better, we instead should give them a chance to raise themselves by supporting them." -Zeni Rosace