Sebastian Crimsonwood

Nizara walked back to his dorm, put on his cloak, and set off towards the city of Arcadia Kingdom. As he was walking, he accidentally bumped into a girl. "Sorry about that, are you okay?" he asked.

The girl quickly got up, her demeanor cocky. "Who the hell do you think you are? I am Viola Crimsonwood!"

Nizara responded with an unimpressed expression, "Thanks for the unwanted info."

As he tried to walk off, Viola suddenly attempted to attack him. "I will tell my dad, and he will dispose of you!"

Nizara shrugged, "Have fun then." He walked away, muttering to himself, "That was one heck of an experience."

Outside, Nizara pulled out an envelope he had received from Kael before setting out on the trip. The seal of the Valenwood family was still unbroken. Inside, Kael's handwriting was neat yet urgent: "Nizara, enclosed are the locations of the Blackwood, Ashford, and Ravenscroft estates. I need you to investigate discreetly. There have been rumors of unsettling activities among the three families, and I fear something sinister is at play. Be vigilant and cautious; these nobles wouldn't hesitate to eliminate any threat, royal or otherwise. Your task is dangerous, but the kingdom's safety depends on it."

Nizara thought to himself, "Hmm, this matter seems a bit too much for me. I'm barely proficient in using my magic. Maybe I'll just check out the situation first, then make my move later and inform Captain Zane."

Nizara set out to the location that Kael had indicated. Upon arriving, he sensed someone following him and confronted the person. "Come out! I know you're following me."

A woman emerged from her hiding spot, pulling out a knife and pointing it at Nizara. "Who are you? If you don't tell me your name, I'll slash your throat."

Nizara put his hood down and said, "Chill out. No need for such hostility. I am merely a tourist around here."

The woman drew the knife closer to Nizara's throat, causing him to bleed slightly. "I didn't ask for a little backstory. Tell me your name!"

Nizara replied, "It's Nizara, Ma'am."

She then asked, "From which kingdom did you come from?"

Nizara responded, "Originally from Valoria Kingdom, but I recently came from Villanova Kingdom. I was escorting Princess Thalia Von Valenwood to this kingdom."

The woman quickly froze, removed the knife from Nizara's neck, and apologized, "Sorry for my impudence, please forgive me."

Nizara reached out for a handshake, "It's alright, I forgive you. My name is Nizara."

The woman shook his hand. "My name is Beatrice, you can simply call me Bea."

Nizara then asked, "So, is this place an important location?"

Bea answered, "It is indeed. This path leads to the prestigious noble families' homes."

Nizara said, "I see, I apologize for not knowing about that information. I will make sure this mistake doesn't happen again."

Bea replied, "It's okay, as long as you know that it's a very important place with high security, I forgive you."

Nizara put his hood back on, "Sorry for taking your time, I will take my leave now."

As he walked back towards the city, he muttered to himself, "That bastard definitely gave me a warning but still didn't tell me anything about the path. It's not meant for civilians to walk through, only for the noble family members. Dammit, I almost died just then."

Nizara finally reached the Royal Palace and saw Milana's husband, Sebastian Crimsonwood, standing in front of him with Viola behind him. Nizara asked, "Is there something wrong, sir?"

Sebastian responded, "Did you meet my daughter today at any point?"

"Yes, I did," Nizara replied.

Sebastian continued, "Viola here says that you apparently made fun of her."

Nizara shook his head, "Never did I make fun of her, sir. We did accidentally bump into each other, though."

Sebastian nodded, "Very well, you may go now."

Nizara walked back to his dorm but saw Milana staring at him with her husband standing behind her. Milana tried to ask Nizara what happened, but Nizara ignored her and walked back to his dorm. Milana then asked Sebastian, "Dear, what happened between you and Nizara?"

Sebastian turned to Viola first, "Go back to your room, Viola."

She quickly ran off as Sebastian said, "Milana, it was just a little misunderstanding. Let's go."

Sebastian walked off to his room, leaving Milana alone in the hall. She thought to herself, "Just a misunderstanding? I felt their aura all the way from here; it was like they were about to engage in a battle."

Back in Nizara's room, he started to panic, breathing heavily, "That moment felt like hell. That man, Sebastian Crimsonwood, he definitely isn't just some ordinary man. I must be cautious about my actions from now on."

The next morning, the Black Squad and the Royal Family had breakfast together. Nizara sat right in front of Sebastian, with Milana beside her husband. The air between them was tense, and even the Black Squad noticed. They ate in complete silence until Nizara said, "Thanks for the food, I'll go wander around the city."

Sebastian interrupted, "Where do you think you're going? I have a proposal for you."

Nizara kept walking, "Yeah, forget it. I'm not going to accept your proposal."

Sebastian continued, "Would you still reject my proposal, even if it contains information about the Blackwood, Ashford, and Ravenscroft families?"

Nizara stopped, "What kind of information are we talking about?"

Sebastian stopped eating, "Sit down then."

Nizara returned to his seat, but Captain Zane interrupted, "Before you present your proposal, I wish to talk to Nizara first."

Nizara said to Captain Zane, "Captain, I'm sorry, but for now, can you please be quiet?"

Sebastian smirked, "I heard that you are not from this world, Nizara."

Nizara replied, "Hmm, seems like someone has been doing some research on me."

Sebastian said, "Indeed I have. But you're not just any New Worlder; you've experienced the Second Awakening. Am I correct?"

Nizara nodded, "You most definitely are, sir. What will you do with that information then?"

Sebastian said, "I would like you to duel me, Nizara. One versus one."

Milana was shocked, "Wait, Sebastian, your powers are too strong compared to Nizara's. They might even kill him at some point during the battle."

Sebastian responded, "I am well aware of our power differences, but I do know that people who have experienced the Second Awakening are much stronger than the average New Worlder. It's rare to experience a Second Awakening, but this year alone, there are two people who have experienced it. One of them is you, Nizara, and the other is from the Vaebreta Kingdom."

Nizara asked, "There are other people like me?"

Sebastian nodded, "Naturally so. But the difference is that the Vaebreta Kingdom has already recognized his true identity and magical element."

Nizara, with a curious look, asked, "And what you're saying is that King Auzara hasn't found out my true magical element nor my true identity yet, am I right?"

Sebastian said, "You're on the right track. But what I mean by identity is that the people who have experienced the Second Awakening are a reincarnation of someone from 10,000 years ago, during Demon Lord Xanteria's dominance."

Nizara said, "I accept your proposal, but on one condition."

Sebastian asked, "And what condition would that be?"

Nizara said, "You and I will battle with our full power, and in a private space."

Sebastian agreed, "I accept your condition, but are you sure about fighting with full power? My power might kill you."

Nizara smirked, "Heh! Don't treat me like a weakling, and don't hold back."

Sebastian replied, "You're on then." They shook hands.

*To Be Continued…*