A Bet With The Kahi'k

The crowd gathered in awe and shock as they gazed at the youth in flowing orange traditional robes of their greatest ancestors, standing tall before the man feeding them with lies.

His right hand was broken, but he was still forced to his knees, with old man Chamberlain holding him down with one hand.

While looking at Sol, the eyes of the man were filled with terror and regret. Not only did he slander the next heir of the house of Sol, he also attempted to harm him.

But how could he know this was the prince?

He was told by that rotten elder to spread the news of the prince's current predicament, and in his heart, he also believed this information was true.

So why is the supposed bedridden prince standing before him, strong and fearless?

Even without achieving the rank of an ember initiate, Sol was able to deal with him almost effortlessly!

He was clearly not weak, as they were told.

"I-I w-was deceived!" The man pleaded in a shaky tone.

His words seemed to mean nothing to Sol, who was indifferent even after hearing the man's words. One can be deceived but to spread such lies it was obvious the man was being paid for this.

Since he was benefiting from this, he should have been willing to deal with the consequences that may follow.

The crowd watched in silence as they waited to see how the prince would deal with this. This was the deciding moment that would help them truly understand what the child of the chieftain was like.

"Who put you up to this?" Sol asked in a calm tone, but his words seemed to have aroused some hidden scars in the mind of the man, causing him to shiver as fear became visible in his gaze.

The fear in his eyes was one that far surpassed the fear the man had for him. Without thinking twice, Sol was able to tell who must have sent this man.

Only a powerful man with sufficient influence which may currently surpass that of the prince can cause such a reaction from this man.

The only man in the Ark family territory capable of this was the Kahi'k!

Clap.

Clap.

Clap.

Ding.

[Name: Vulcan Ark]

[Tier: 3][Ember Sage]

[Race: Ark]

[Race Tier: Alpha]

[Type: Ru-Destros]

[Title: Kahi'k]

[Condition: Perfect condition]

[Status: Calm]

A huge familiar figure made his way through the crowd with a few loyal guards following him tightly as he walked forward. The bald man wore a smug grin, and his eyes sparkled with greed as he gazed at Sol's robes.

"As expected of the son of the late chieftain, you truly have not let us down." The Kahi'k said. "However, putting so much strain on yourself is not good for your health. Out of concern, I suggest Your Highness returns to the castle and rests." He added with a mocking bow.

While no one found anything wrong with his words, they were quick to notice how the atmosphere around the marketplace turned tense as the Kahi'k arrived.

"I know the Kahi'k worries about me," Sol said with a charming smile. "However, your concerns are not needed. As you can see, I am in perfect condition!" Sol said in a venomous tone.

Hearing this, the Kahi'k frowned and shifted his gaze briefly to the figure kneeling with a broken arm. While the man didn't say a word, his pleading gaze toward the Kahi'k said everything.

"Is this yours?" Sol asked with a raised eyebrow.

Hearing this, the Kahi'k frowned again and adjusted his standing posture before speaking.

"While I don't know who this man is, I will speak for him." The Kahi'k said boldly.

"Ooh?" Sol responded with a crazed smile that revealed his fangs.

The guards behind the Kahi'k swallowed hard as they saw this and shivered involuntarily. The young master of the House of Ark, though weak, has a tyrannical presence even when speaking to the Kahi'k.

"Why would you hurt a loyal citizen who is just expressing his worry about the state of things in the Ark family?" the Kahi'k asked.

"A man slandered the heir to the throne of the House of Ark, and you dare call him loyal in my presence?" Sol chuckled with a raised eyebrow. "It makes me wonder if you are truly loyal to the House of Ark."

His words seemed to ruffle some feathers, which made the Kahi'k frown. Against Sol, he could never win in a war of words. It seemed like this sixteen-year-old always had a response for everything.

"You know that is not what I mean…" the Kahi'k said defensively, but Sol took advantage of the situation and pushed the attack.

"This man slandered the heir. He spread lies to the people, making them doubt their future chieftain!" Sol hissed. "He tried to kill the heir! Now tell me what punishment does a man charged with treason deserve?"

Hearing this, the Kahi'k frowned and fell silent, unsure of what to say. However, Sol was not having it!

Pa!

Hak!

He grabbed the man by the face with his bare hand, which turned red-hot.

"Argh!" The man cried out in pain as he reached for Sol's palms, but old man Chamberlain restricted his hand.

Seeing this, the Kahi'k was seething with anger but dared not show it, while the people of the Ark family watched with mixed expressions on their faces.

Sol was aware of the nature of the Ark family and its inhabitants. He had to confess that everyone who had called them brutes and barbarians was not far from the truth. 

These people only respect strength and in Sol's opinion, allowing this man to go would be a sign of weakness.

His steaming hot hands sank deeper into the skin of the screaming man as his grip tightened. Alicia and Lyra looked away, unable to watch the horrifying execution going on.

The old man, Chamberlain, watched Sol as he kept tightening his grip on the man's melting face until it exploded and the front part of his face completely crushed.

Bam.

Blood and his half-crushed brain poured out as the corpse of the man fell to the ground. The gruesome death of the man was shocking even to the Kahi'k who didn't expect Sol to have the heart to carry out such an execution.

He previously thought that Sol was all talk and no backbone, but he had been proven wrong today.

"Let's go," Sol ordered, and the old steward followed him as they walked back to the carriage.

However, before they could reach it, the furious Kahi'k called out to them.

"I suggest you withdraw from the academy!" The Kahi'k said.

"Before you, the House of Ark has maintained a record of dominance. Surpassing other heirs of the other families in the ranking exam." The Kahi'k said.

"To save face while being considerate of your condition. I request you to drop out and wait till you have recovered perfectly." the Kahi'k hissed.

This was his last chance to make Sol look back in the eyes of the people after this stunning display of strength.

"Old man. You are beginning to piss me off!" Sol turned as he met the Kahi'k's eyes with his murderous gaze.

Unmoved by this, the Kahi'k decided to push further and he continued.

"I know I must have offended Your Highness, but this is for the good of the Ark family as a whole." He said 

"Huh? If that's the case, I will drop my title as heir if I fail to surpass all the other heirs of the alpha families in the upcoming test." Sol said those words so casually, it took people a few seconds to process it.

Buzz.

A loud gasp could be heard amongst the crowd, while Lyra and Alicia turned pale in fright.

"Young master!" old man Chamberlain could not keep quiet any longer, but Sol casually waved him off.

Meanwhile, a smile spread across the face of the Kahi'k who believed he had provoked Sol to act this way.

"I am stunned by Your Highness's dedication and zeal." He said. "I graciously accept!"

However, Sol raised his hand and with a simple gesture, he shut everyone up. He walked towards the Kahi'k and only stopped when both were standing face to face.

"Since I'm putting my title on the line, it's only fair you do the same, since you are the one who pushed me to all of this." Sol sneered.

"When I become the highest ranking student of the academy, you will forgo your title as the Kahi'k." Sol hissed. "Do you accept?"

Buzz 

There was a brief silence as everyone finally understood Sol's intentions. While this was a risky move, it was also an opportunity to deal with the Kahi'k once and for all.

The only way to deal with this man was to strip him of all his military influence by taking away his title.

"Don't tell me the mighty Kahi'k is afraid, but you were quick to accept my resignation as heir without wasting a breath!" Sol growled, and for the first time, the Kahi'k shuddered in fear.

He believed he was leading Sol into a trap, but right now he was the one who had been trapped. Rejecting in the presence of all these people will not only make him lose face, but he will also lose his influence.

He will forever be a joke to these people!

"I agree!" He gritted his teeth while saying those words.

Hmph!

Sol snorted disdainfully as he turned around and began walking towards the carriage.

"Old Man, I will be taking that title from you very soon!" Sol's voice boomed across the market square and the people cheered!

They have finally gotten the chance to see what their prince is like firsthand, and the only words they can think of are these;

TYRANT!