Journey

Kyle felt a little better but freaked out once again as he realized that he currently has the Skotadi element inside him. Kyle got more scared by the second as he started remembering the story Old Man Allen told him previously.

"W-What should I do? I don't want to start kidnapping children" cried out Kyle, leaving Austin confused about the connection between the two.

"I just mentioned that the Skotadi element is stable inside you, let me explain what I meant"

Kyle instantly stopped his breakdown and paid attention to what Austin was saying, as this was a matter of life and death.

"The Skotadi element is mainly dangerous to humans because it isn't stable inside their body, as they have different properties than demons, and also because dark energy feeds off negative emotions, humans being vulnerable to such emotions makes it take over their mind, driving them crazy.

The reason why people still use Dark Magic despite the risk is mainly because of talent, as you need no talent to become stronger using Dark Magic"

Humans feel all kinds of negative emotions at the end of their life, especially if they were killed. The Dark Energy that is left by such Humans works as nourishment for the Skotadi element, to calm it, and have more control over it. That is why Dark Mages sacrifice people, especially children as children's emotions are purer than an adult's, making their emotions work better as nourishment.

The problem is that the stronger the element becomes the less resistance they could have towards it, making the takeover easier, then becoming Demi-Humans.

Although Elves and Magical Beasts are more immune to the Skotadi element as they are both more cool-headed than Humans, meaning they don't feel as many negative emotions, and their physical properties are more similar to Demons than Humans are, they are still badly affected by it.

For example, if the dark energy can take over a Human Dark Mage's mind in a couple of months. It can take a couple of years for it to take over an Elf's or a Magical Beast's.

"That is also the reason why I would've thought you were a Demon had his Imperial Majesty not brought you here himself" explained Austin.

Kyle nodded, acting as if he understood, while he was spacing out since Austin said that he'd be fine.

"Anyway, I think you should hurry home, You're going to have a tedious day tomorrow with the journey and all..."

"Journey? What journey?" asked Kyle confused.

"Hmm? Weren't you a winner of the tournament?"

"I-I guess? If they didn't dismiss me from the tournament for k-k-killing Hector..."

"No they won't, as I've previously stated, he was a Demi-Human!"

"Then yes, I am indeed a winner..." replied Kyle as he let out a sigh.

"OH, sh*t. Don't tell me we're going to the Duchy of Nero tomorrow!!"

"Pff, You are!" replied Austin, letting out a chuckle.

Austin looked outside as he remembered the time as he said, "Actually, you can just stay here, it'd be hard to explain to the Academy what you were doing outside for so long,"

"Wait, what? Where are we?" asked Kyle, as it completely slipped his mind.

"We are in my room, in the Royal Palace" replied Austin casually.

"R-R-ROYAL PALACE????" this time Kyle's confusion peaked.

Austin smiled in response which led to Kyle asking once again, "W-Who are you then, Mister?"

"I'm the 8-circle alchemist of the Royal Family, Austin Chronos!"

Kyle's jaw touched the floor from the shock as he could've never dreamt of being in the presence of the 8-circle alchemist of the Royal Family, Austin Chronos.

But by this point, Kyle was already tired from everything, and asked, "Do I really need to be formal?"

"HAHAHAHAH, No need. But don't you dare think of sleeping in my bed. If you want to sleep, you're sleeping on the couch!" replied Austin in a half-serious tone when talking about his bed.

Austin was the type of person who treasures his bed more than his rank as a mage, so letting Kyle sleep there for a couple of hours already pissed him more than anything ever did in his whole life.

Kyle was about to complain before spotting the luxurious couch opposite the bed.

It was 10x bigger, more luxurious and comfy-looking than his bed at his dormitory, so he instantly jumped on it before Austin changed his mind and fell into a deep sleep with nothing on his mind, waiting for tomorrow's exciting journey.

The next day, Kyle woke up early, before Austin did and wandered around the Royal Palace, retracing his steps from last time. At least that was the plan. Austin being a prominent member of the Royal Family, had his room on the third floor, a place Kyle hasn't been to, making it impossible to find his destination.

Kyle roamed the entire floor, yet couldn't find any exit. It was eerily quiet as he hasn't spotted a single person.

'I don't even know if I want to see people here... What if they think I'm some kind of thief?' all kinds of negative thoughts came to Kyle's mind, not helping his current situation.

"Young Master, we are ready!"

"Mhm, are the other two ready as well?"

"Well, about that... The winner of the commoners' tournament is present. However, about the winner of the nobles' tournament..."

"I heard some rumors about dark energy entering his body, is it possible that he's already dead? Considering it came from the remains of a Demon Emperor,"

"That might be possible but if such a thing were to happen his Imperial Majesty would've already known and informed us, even if he wanted to keep it a secret from the public to avoid panic,"

"Hmm, that's true..."

'Umm, are they talking about me?' Kyle instantly hid upon hearing the sound of other people talking, as he realized they were talking about him, he peeked only to find a person with natural blond hair, and sharp red eyes that defined the Royal Family, and with the build of a 16-year-old, which made Kyle naturally guess who that was, it was none other than Marco Chronos, the Crown Prince of the Sierra Kingdom.

By this time, the Guard talking to the Crown Prince, shifted his attention towards Kyle's direction as he said with a domineering voice, "Who is there? Reveal yourself Before I strike you down!" as he emitted his magical energy outside, revealing the rank of a 5-circle mage.

Kyle got scared and instantly announced himself, "W-Wait a minute. I'm Kyle Fowler, the winner of the nobles tournament,"

"What? How are you here?"

"I was being treated by Sir Austin, and spent the night in his room as by the time I woke up it was already past midnight, so he told me I could spend the night there."

"How do we know you're not lying?!"

"It's fine, plus how can a 3-circle mage enter the Royal Palace undetected," said Marco while giving his guard a scornful look.

"So you're Kyle Fowler, 'the genius of the century', or should I call you 'the inheritor of the secret art'?" said Marco with a smirk that seemed to hide malice.

"U-Uh, You can just call me Kyle, Young Master Chronos!" Kyle was reminded that Marco took the blame to cover his secret, so he replied with guilt.

"Well, we need to leave now, so let's leave that unimportant stuff for later," said Marco.

"Ha Ha Ha" replied Kyle with an awkward laugh, not wanting to imagine just what kind of journey it will be, as he followed Marco out of the Royal Palace.