The Recognition

[ Name: Ren Arken

Age: 14

Race: Human

Strength: 30

Agility: 2000

Vitality: 200

Mana: ~~~

Spiritual: ~~~

Intellect: 1, 000

Unique Skills:

-magic cards -appraisal -evil gaze -strengthen -leap -basic magics -fire magic -Fire Archmagic -illusion magic -water magic -light magic -nature magic -Grimoire of death -Real Clone [Heavenly Slime] -Eye of Wisdom ]

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Spirit

The concepts of spirit and soul often overlap, and both are believed to survive bodily death in some religions, and "spirit" can also have a sense of ghost, i.e. a manifestation of the spirit of a deceased person.

But the truth is, the spirit is a race similar to humans, orcs, and elves, with the only difference, are their form couldn't be seen by naked eyes.

There are spirits of fire, wind, earth, water, ice, thunder, light, and darkness. And each element has its kings and queens. In the great battle with the despicable demons, some spirits join hands with the heroes to eradicate the demon's threats.

-World history of Grandaria, Grandaria library, Capital of Grandaria

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"This..."

Aegir sized up the burly human with a youthful face figure in front of him that supposed to be his intelligent, strong, and trusted goblin duke friend.

"Do you still going to entrust the position of the king to me?" Oz said with an indifferent look as if he didn't care that he's been deceiving Aegir and Co for so long.

"Actually Ren..."

---Hours before---

"Hey, Aegir! Where's Ren?" Fedra piped up, scanning the room for the hero of the war.

"Yeah, he vanished from the banquet too! We haven't even toasted with him yet!" Ibra chimed in, his tone laced with concern.

"Calm down, he's knee-deep in his studies. He's buried in that death grimoire he's been itching to crack open. We'll set him off like a firecracker if we disturb him," Aegir explained, trying to pacify the eager crowd.

"Reading? Boring..." Fedra scoffed.

"Don't knock the pursuit of knowledge, Fedra," Gurolf chided gently.

"I don't care. Books are just a bunch of jumbled letters!" Fedra shot back, undeterred.

"Enough squabbling. While Ren's nose-deep in his books, let's get this meeting rolling," Aegir interjected firmly, steering the conversation back on track.

"Hm? Got something on your mind about Ren, Aegir?" Gurolf's keen observation didn't miss Aegir's subtle cues.

"Yes, indeed," Aegir affirmed.

"What's the deal with Ren?" Ibra inquired, his interest piqued.

"Well, it's not exactly a 'problem,' but I have my suspicions," Aegir began, drawing the group's attention.

"There are a few things that don't quite add up. First off, when I stumbled upon him in the forest, he was sprawled out with blood soaking his clothes. Strangely enough, there were no other bodies around," Aegir recounted, furrowing his brow in thought.

"Isn't it odd? A goblin duke alone in the depths of the forest, without a single minion to guard him? And from what I've seen, he doesn't strike me as the reckless type," Aegir mused aloud.

"And then there's his claim of amnesia, conveniently forgetting his past life and his comrades. What's even more peculiar is his extensive knowledge of human customs and defense mechanisms," Aegir continued, his suspicions growing.

"It's like..." Gurolf interjected.

"It's like he's one of them, isn't it?" Gurolf finished Aegir's thought, his gaze piercing.

"Exactly. His demeanor and mannerisms are too refined for your typical goblin. Not that we have much room to talk," Aegir admitted wryly.

"So, you suspect he's human?" Brad inquired, his expression grave.

"Yes and no. It's just... if, by some slim chance, he is human, how do we proceed?" Aegir posed the daunting question.

"Do we still trust him?"

"Do we punish him?"

"Do we exile him?"

"Do we... kill him?" The final suggestion hung heavy in the air, casting a pall over the room.

Each member pondered the ramifications of Aegir's revelation, grappling with the uncertainty of their friend's true identity.

"I'll stand by him," Gurolf declared, his voice resolute.

"If he poses a threat to the tribe, I'll do what's necessary to protect us. But he's not that kind of person. We all know that. If he meant us harm, he wouldn't be rallying our defenses or lending a hand. Human or not, he's still Ren, one of our own," Gurolf affirmed, his unwavering trust in Oz shining through.

"Hmph! The magician speaks wise words! What say you, guard?" Ibra quipped, his tone jovial.

"Haha! Spot on!" Fedra agreed with a chuckle.

"Me and my Orcs are with our savior, no matter his origins!" Magra declared proudly.

"Good on you, Gurolf. Then it's settled. Everyone in agreement?" Aegir sought confirmation.

""Yes!!""

"Then let's move on to the next topic: the merging of our goblin tribe and the orc clan. What shall we call ourselves?"

"We hardly have—"

The creak of a door opening

Mid-explanation, the sound of a door swinging open interrupted Aegir's train of thought.

"It must be Ren," Aegir asserted confidently.

"Fetch him, Aegir. We'll need his insight for this discussion," Brad urged, prompting Aegir to seek out Oz for the meeting.

"Alright then, I'll go snag him," Aegir agreed, setting off to bring Oz into the fold.

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"So you've realized, since when?" Oz asked.

"My doubts heightened since your eyes shone when we discuss humans and their lifestyle,"

"Interesting.." Oz muttered, remembering the moment where he couldn't help but got interested when Aegir brings up the topic.

He never thought that Aegir would catch that tiny hint from his expression.

"So, now that you actually knew that I'm a human, what will you do?" Oz asked and stares at all of the executive's eyes.

!!??

Oz's eyes widen.

Oz thought that what they said about if he's a human is just a statement states by their inner justice. If they knew that he actually a human, he's sure that they will resent him and they will hate him for deceiving them all along.

But what he saw shocks him!

What he saw is not the eyes filled with doubts, hate, or even disgust.

It's the eyes filled with trust!

Everyone has the expression as if saying 'we knew wether you a goblin or a human, you're not going to harm us'.

"We trust you, Ren. Even if we have a dark past with humans before, but if it's you, we will continue to trust you who have saved us from critical situations,"

"And if we're going to be a kingdom, we need a king that could unite all the race inside it, and I personally believe that you fit the most, the position of the king!" Aegir said with full confidence.

"But what about the others, do the other thinks the same-"

"We do, Ren. All of us do." Gurolf said with a barely visible smile on his face.

"W-what?"

"You should be honored, Ren. We don't bow and give our trust to people that easily." Fedra joined.

"Yes, we trust you because we owe you a lot of things at the same time," Ibra continued.

"My Orcs and I will always follow our hero!" Magra enthusiastically said.

"We all believe in you, Ren. No, your majesty," Aegir said.

"Kneel to our king!" Aegir said with a firm voice.

Right after his words, following him kneeling, all of the executives kneels to Oz.

"Hail to the king!"

""Hail!!!""

"Hail the king of Tarot Kingdom!"