The servant opened the door as the Crown Prince permitted entry. Riku stepped in first, followed closely by the servant.
As Riku entered the office, his gaze landed on the bandage covering the Crown Prince's right cheek. A pang of guilt surged through him—he had inflicted that wound during their duel. Before he could dwell on it, a presence to his right drew his attention.
There stood Paladin dressed in a striking uniform. Riku’s eyes scanned him from head to toe, unable to look away.
The uniform was a deep, dark blue with intricate gold accents and jewels sewn into the fabric. Its design exuded elegance and power—completely different from what Riku had expected.
He soon realized that others he had glimpsed around the palace wore similar uniforms.
The servant who escorted Riku bowed respectfully to the Crown Prince before taking his leave, leaving the three alone in the room.
“Your Highness, you summoned me?” Riko asked politely.
“Yes,” the Crown Prince replied with a nod. “I have something personal to give you.”
At the prince’s signal, Paladin retrieved a folded piece of cloth from a desk in the side room and placed it in front of the Crown Prince.
"?”
The Crown Prince gestured for him to pick it up.
Curious, Riku stepped forward, unfolding the fabric and froze in astonishment.
It was a knight’s uniform, the same dark blue pattern he had seen on Paladin.
“That’s the Callisto knight’s uniform,” Paladin explained. “It represents power, integrity, and courage.”
The Crown Prince spoke with gravity. “As a knight of Callisto, you will uphold these ideals. You are not merely a soldier; you serve the Callisto family—a family that has defended the human world for generations and will continue to do so. We fight not for recognition but for those who remember us. And for those who mock us... we’ll spill their blood.”
Riku stood in silence, absorbing the Crown Prince’s words. He clenched the uniform in his hands, feeling the weight of the responsibility it symbolized.
‘So this... is the blood of the Callisto family,’ Riku thought, sensing the intimidating aura radiating from the prince. It was the same overwhelming pressure he had felt ever since arriving two and a half months ago—but now, he no longer flinches beneath it.
With a determined expression, Riku met the Crown Prince’s gaze. “Yes,” he said solemnly.
The prince smiled. “Starting tomorrow, you’ll train with the other knights at the training grounds. I’ll be busy preparing for my return to the Academy, but I’ll leave your training in capable hands.”
Riku gave a respectful nod. “I understand.”
After Riku left, the Crown Prince gave one final instruction to Paladin. “Assign Asher to train him. I think Asher will be interested in meeting Riku.”
Paladin hesitated. “Are you certain, Your Highness? Asher was... irritated by the news of your duel.”
The Crown Prince chuckled lightly. “He’ll be fine. I want him to recognize Riku’s strength. Besides, the duel was just a test—to see if Riku is fit to stand by my brother’s side.”
The Crown Prince leaned back in his chair, his expression calm but reflective. “If it had been a full duel, and Riku hadn’t yet mastered mana flow, I would’ve won. But if he had perfect control of it... I’m not so sure.”
Paladin frowned slightly. “Your Highness, how did Riku learn mana flow so quickly? Mastering it usually takes years, and it’s dangerous without proper control.”
“I believe my brother taught him his method,” the Crown Prince said with a small smile. “My brother is... exceptional. It took him only two months to master mana flow when he was just a child.”
Paladin’s eyes widened in disbelief. “Two months? That’s... incredible.”
The Crown Prince nodded, resting his head on his hand as if nursing a headache. “It took me nearly a year to get it right,” he admitted. “Sometimes I wonder if Riku is really just a commoner.”
Paladin tilted his head. “What do you mean, Your Highness?”
“I sensed something unusual during our duel,” the Crown Prince said thoughtfully. “His sword wasn’t just an ordinary blade—it carried mana, even if not fully controlled. And the mana wasn’t faint—it was strong.”
Paladin listened intently, waiting for the Crown Prince to continue.
“There’s a chance...” the Crown Prince said slowly, “that Riku isn’t a commoner at all.”
Paladin furrowed his brow. “What are you suggesting?”
The Crown Prince’s expression darkened, and his next words were spoken with certainty. “Elf”
"..."
“Elves are naturally attuned to mana,” the Crown Prince explained. “They absorb it effortlessly and at a rate no human can match. Mana... loves them.”
Silence settled over the room as the weight of the revelation sank in. Paladin wiped the sweat gathering on his brow, his mind racing with the implications.
If Riku truly was an Elf, it would explain his rapid progress—but it also raised more questions.
The Crown Prince let out a sigh. “It’s just a theory for now,” he said. “But it’s one we’ll have to keep in mind.”
Paladin gave a respectful bow. “Understood, Your Highness.”
With that, the conversation ended.
Riku left the office, uniform in hand, he knew that tomorrow's training would be another challenge—but this time, he was ready. Whatever lay ahead, he would face it head-on.
YOU ARE READING
Transmigrated as the ill 2nd Prince (BL)
RandomKenta Bernard, a seventeen-year-old, died of leukemia in the hospital and was transmigrated in a novel that he has yet to finish. He is the ill second prince, who should have died by now. However, the God of Light bestowed upon him a light magic tha...
