Awarded (3)

Contrary to the ball room where a lavish and historic style dominated its aesthetics, the throne room opted for a more simplistic yet majestic style.

White titles decorated with golden details dominated the room, Flags with the royal family's symbol were hanged on the walls, illuminated by the sunlight coming from the massive skylight.

 A massive red carped stretched from the entrance to the end on the room, where to lavish thrones, with a golden lion's head on top of them, stood.

The trio walked the carped at a leisure pace. The various nobles on each side whispered between them.

- Ohh Its Sir Cassius and Sir Javier

- I heard they swiftly quelled the terrorist's attack.

- Who is the boy with them, is he a mage?

- Apparently that's the youngest son of Duke Argernti.

-He's wearing the mage corps uniform. Was that the reason The Duke kept him a secret?

'I suspected as much'.

The clothes provided by the king were more than enough to spark rumors among the guests.

It was no secret to everyone that the current duke Argenti and the king were at odds with each other, with James being the leader of the noble faction. And the image of his youngest son adorning the uniform of a unit that answers directly to him would sure bring up questions about his allegiance.

He took a glance at the end of the hall, his father was beside his mother the Perseus family. And looking at James's expression, it was obvious that he wasn't happy.

Luke, Javier, and Cassius Knelt once they got near the throne where the king was sitting.

He wore the same golden crown on its head, a large furred red cloak hanged from his shoulders, covering his attire.

He got up from his seat and directed his attention to the trio.

- Rise.

His voice carried an aura of authority, compelling the trio to obey without hesitation.

He glanced at each of them before continuing.

- As you know a great tragedy befell upon us. What was supposed to be a day of celebration, turned into a memory some of us will never forget.

At his words a mix of expressions took over the hall, sadness, grim, disturbed, anger, and many others.

- However, Thaks to the efforts of the police the knights and key individuals, we were able to rebel those terrorists, showing them that our kingdom won't be defeated by mere tricks!

Cheers took over the hall, a testament to the king's charisma. He slowly lifted his hand as the silence gradually took over again.

- Although it was a tragic day, it is my belief that outstanding subjects must be rewarded. Javier Blaze, Cassius Wake and Luke Argenti step forward!

At his call the trio took a step closer to the king, he signaled his attendant, who came forward holding a tray with 3 golden medals with a sword stamped on its center.

He took the medals and pinned on the left side of their chests one by one.

- Javier Blaze, Cassius Wake, for you outstanding performances in subduing the attackers, and Luke Argenti for rescuing the 4th princess I Enoch Von Romanus, award you with the medal of valor! I hope you continue your dedication for the future of our kingdom!

The trio gave a light bow.

- Thank you, your majesty!!!

The guest clapped the hands in congratulations. Every noble knew the wight the medal of valor carries and only a few select ones were bestowed with it.

The king waited until the claps subsided then continued.

- I am also giving each one of you 1000 gold coins as an additional reward. Think of it as a personal gift.

he turned his gaze to Luke, with a slight smile he continued.

- I am also appointing Luke Argenti as an honorary member of the Royal magic corps!

- Eh??

Luke and everyone present couldn't help but let out a stunned reaction.

**

3 days have passed since then, news about Luke's efforts in rescuing the 4th princess and being awarded the medal of valor along with an honorary position in the royal magic corps, already had spread through the capital.

He stayed in the palace during this period, waiting for the noise to die down, before returning home. He stayed in the guest room assigned to him most of the time as reporters were flocking towards the palace to interview him.

Of course, he did not waste those 3 days of peace. he immersed himself in training, thanks to the lightning strike, he managed to get some insight on the lightning element, allowing him to wield it.

He conjured mana on his left hand, infusing elemental attribute, it began to change into an orange flame, then the flames began to behave irregularly morphing into a ball of lighting surrounded by spark currents.

A smile flashed on his face.

Although he had affinity for all base elements, unlocking the higher elements needed a higher understanding and control of mana, usually only those from the 3rd rank and above managed to unlock them through normal progression.

Luke had tried to conjure higher elements before but was unsuccessful even if he understood the principle behind it.

He dispersed the lightning and sat cross legged on the ground.

'Time to break through!'

Mages and knights used mana in different ways. But there were certain similarities between them. To advance in the ranks of their respective paths, both needed to gather mana and either circulate through their bodies or condense them in a core.

However, that method only works until the 4th rank for mages and until the rook rank for knights, above that, an enlightenment as they described was necessary to reach a higher tier.

The enlightenment comes in many forms. For mages usually was either when they delve deeper into the study of magic, and for knights when they raise their proficiency with their techniques.

Luke closed his eyes, raising his senses to the max he concentrated on the mana around him.

He spread out his mana, allowing the ambient mana to assimilate with his own.

Few minutes passed and bead of sweat began to drip from his forehead as an anguish expression formed on his face.

Mana present in the air had a wild behavior, that's why first mages must assimilate that mana into their own before absorbing into their bodies, else they would keep rampaging, causing serious injuries.

Of course, the higher one's affinity and control the easier was to reign in the foreign mana.

Luke then took a deep breath, more mana rose from his body, slowly chunks of his own mana began surrounding the foreign mana, trapping them like butterflies in a net.

'If you won't come willingly, then force it is!'

The mana in the air began to agitate furiously, but Luke held them together, not allowing them through break through his cage.

Once their movements slowed down, he withdrew his mana, dragging the extra amount along into his body, he them directed them into his solar plexus, where his mana was concentrated. Compressing the mana into his core, another layer began to cover it.

* VOOOOSHHHHH

A powerful burst surged from his body. He took deep breath to calm his rapid heartbeat.

Once he calmed down he opened his eyes, letting out an exhilarating breath.

He could feel his senses got sharper,his body felt ligh as a feather and his concetion to the mana had increased.

He successfully adavnced to the 2nd rank.

He got up and took a towel to wipe the impurities that were expelled from his body in the form of a black liquid.

As soon as he finished,a knock on the door was heard.

- Come in

-Pardon the intrusion.

A maid walked in,with an expressionless face she spoke.

- His majesty the king is requesting your presence young master Luke.