The rest of the evening passed peacefully. The guests spoke fondly of James and the life he had lived. Throughout the dinner, Lisa wore a gentle smile, her spirits never leaving her side, her greatest supporters. During the months Kai had slept, Lisa and her spirits had grown into a true family. She never thought of them as mere contracted spirits in the first place, and they, in turn, regarded her as a precious child in need of protection. Even the mischievous Rufus would lay down his life for her without hesitation.

  Kai, Umbra, and Scry listened quietly, offering their support until it was time to end the night. Together, they walked Lisa to her room before retiring for the evening.

  Kai still had questions for Theodor, but he chose to wait. Today had been hard enough, and tomorrow promised no relief. Pressing for answers now felt unnecessary.

  ***

  Early in the morning, Kai rose before anyone else and slipped out toward the city. He wanted to buy Lisa some cookies to cheer her up, and having a little time to himself didn’t sound bad either.

  He walked down the streets in a simple white button-down shirt and brown pants provided by the servants. Unfamiliar with the city, he got lost more than once before finally finding the bakery. He could have used his spirit sense to locate it easily, but he wanted to do this the old-fashioned way, to wander through the nooks and crannies, stumble upon hidden corners, and let the city reveal its secrets. He needed time alone, time to let the memories settle, the faces, the lives he had taken. He was no longer the na?ve boy who first arrived in this world. He understood now: sometimes death was necessary to prevent greater suffering, to save more lives.

  Pushing those thoughts aside, Kai entered the bakery, bought an assortment of cookies, and stepped back into the streets, heading toward the palace.

  Half an hour later, he realized he had wandered into an unfamiliar part of the city. Completely lost, he finally activated his spirit sense, only to discover he was surrounded by a dozen men in patched clothes.

  Kai sighed and called out, “I can see you. Whatever you’re planning, forget it. You’ll only get hurt.”

  Chuckles echoed as the thugs emerged from the shadows. “Looks like the kid’s got sharp eyes,” said a man who seemed to be their leader, twirling a dagger.

  “You’ve stepped into Red Caps territory,” the leader sneered. “Leave your belongings, and you walk away alive.” His gaze lingered greedily on Kai’s silk shirt. Wearing such fine clothes in the slums was like painting a target on your back.

  Kai exhaled slowly. “I really don’t want to start the day with bloodshed. Leave now, before you regret it.” His draconic mana flared, and for an instant, his eyes shimmered with draconic light.

  The thugs hesitated, but being low-level Apprentices and not the brightest, they didn’t flee. They shuffled back, whispering among themselves, still scheming.

  “You think we’re scared of a boy with fancy tricks?” the leader scoffed, licking his blade. “We’ve fought Knights before.”

  Kai facepalmed. “I’m not a Knight. I’m a Master Knight. Attack me, and you’ll die.” His irritation grew, mana swirling around him, his aura flickering in and out of existence.

  “Boss, look at that mana,” one thug whispered nervously.

  “Shut up! He’s bluffing. No kid’s a Master Knight. He’s just trying to scare us. Hit him together, he won’t stand a chance!” the leader barked.

  Reluctantly, the group charged.

  Kai sighed and moved. Before a single punch landed, every thug lay groaning on the ground, knocked out by swift blows to the gut. Only the leader remained, trembling, his face pale.

  “What kind of monster are you?!” he screamed, turning to flee, but Kai was faster. A light kick to the back sent him sprawling, gasping for air.

  Kai landed and surveyed the scene: fifteen thugs unconscious at his feet

  “Fucking idiots. I told them to leave me alone.” He sighed

  He took out a long rope he had in one of his storage rings and tied them all up nicely, and then bound them all together with another rope. “Well then, let’s go find some type of police station or something.” Kai smiled mischievously as he dragged the thugs by the rope.

  He walked through the streets trying to ask anyone for directions, but everyone ran away from him, seeing the bound group being dragged behind him.

  ***

  After nearly twenty minutes of dragging the bound thugs through the streets, Kai finally encountered a squad of city patrol soldiers. They had clearly received reports of a madman hauling a group of men like livestock.

  “Hey, you! Untie those men and step away! What are you planning, selling them?” one young guard shouted, his voice sharp with accusation.

  Kai pressed a hand to his forehead. Is everyone in this city an idiot? he thought, exasperated.

  “Look,” Kai said calmly, “these men tried to rob me. I was looking for you so you could take them to prison.”

  “Suuuure,” the guard sneered. “You expect us to believe that? Do we look stupid to you?”

  I swear, I’m this close to losing my mind. Kai forced a warm smile. “If you don’t trust me, call Nerva or Lucius. I’m friends with them.”

  The squad erupted in laughter, some wiping tears from their eyes. “Right! Friends with the Demon Nerva and Mister ‘Everyone Is Beneath Me’ Lucius? My ass! Now drop the ropes and get on your knees!” the guard barked.

  Kai sighed. “Fine. You wanted this, not me.”

  In an instant, his mana surged, his aura flared, and the air trembled as a massive Hydragon materialized behind him. The soldiers froze, faces draining of color.

  “It’s a demon! We’re going to die! Sound the alarm!” one screamed, bolting down the street.

  Kai exhaled slowly, then blurred forward, slamming the loudmouthed guard into the ground with a single strike. The rest collapsed to their knees, trembling.

  “We surrender!” they cried in unison.

  ***

  Lucius was overseeing early morning drills with the trainees when distant commotion erupted from the southern district. Screams pierced the air, cries of a demon attack.

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  The trainees froze, faces pale. “Are we under attack?” one stammered.

  “That’s impossible,” Stephen snapped. He knew well that a demon assault inside the city was unthinkable.

  Lucius’s expression hardened. “Stephen, with me. The rest of you, find Master Nerva!” His armor shimmered into existence as he spoke. The trainees nodded quickly, the sight of Lucius so serious stirring memories of Nerva’s terrifying presence.

  Lucius and Stephen sprinted towards the southern streets. When they arrived, the scene stopped them cold: Kai stood in the center, slapping soldiers one after another, his soul spirit roaring behind him like a storm. A dozen men lay bound in ropes at his feet, and towering above him loomed a winged, hydra-like dragon spirit.

  Lucius burst into laughter, startling Stephen. “Do you… know this lunatic?” Stephen asked, bewildered.

  Lucius laughed harder, barely able to speak. “Yeah. He’s the one I told you about, the man who fought Master.”

  Stephen’s blood ran cold. Watching Kai move with casual brutality, his monstrous aura swirling, Stephen realized that maybe, just maybe, it was possible for this madman to challenge Nerva.

  “Kai! What in the hell are you doing to the king’s men?” Lucius called out between fits of laughter.

  Kai froze mid-slap, then tossed the red-cheeked soldier to the ground like a rag doll. “Oh, hey, Lucius! Finally, someone I can talk to!” With a single step, he appeared beside Lucius. The soldiers behind him paled, terror sinking deep as they realized this monster truly knew Lucius and likely Nerva. Fear rooted them to the spot.

  ***

  “What are you doing? I know you’re from the wilderness, but still, come on, man!” Lucius laughed, unable to stop himself.

  Kai sighed and began explaining everything, step by step. The more he spoke, the harder Lucius laughed, until Stephen joined in, struggling to keep a straight face.

  “So let me get this straight,” Lucius said between fits of laughter. “First, the bandits didn’t believe you were a Master Knight and tried to rob you. Then the guards didn’t believe you were trying to hand over the bandits for prison?” He wiped tears from his eyes. “Damn, I can see why you lost your mind. Hahaha! Let me handle this.”

  Still chuckling, Lucius walked over to speak with the few conscious guards.

  Stephen stepped forward, bowing slightly. “Hello, I’m Stephen. Nice to meet you, Sir Kai!” His tone was respectful, though a smile tugged at his lips.

  “Eh, just call me Kai. Nice to meet you, too.” Kai released his wings slowly. “Look, can I leave this to you? I’ve had enough nonsense for one day. My cookies are getting cold. We’ll talk another time.”

  Before Stephen could respond, Kai vanished into the sky with a single powerful beat of his wings.

  Stephen stood frozen, staring at the empty space where Kai had been. “His… cookies were getting cold?” he muttered, questioning reality itself.

  Lucius returned moments later, still grinning. “Where’s Kai?”

  Stephen blinked. “He flew away. Said his cookies were getting cold.”

  Lucius burst into laughter all over again.

  ***

  Hearing the news of an attack, Nerva stormed out of his office at full speed, only to find Lucius berating a group of guards. Behind them, a dozen street thugs lay bound in ropes.

  “Lucius! What the hell is going on?” Nerva barked, his voice sharp with irritation.

  Lucius jumped, then turned with a grin. “Hello, Master. You’re not going to believe this.” He chuckled as he explained the entire situation.

  By the time Lucius finished, Nerva was laughing so hard his anger evaporated. “Damn it all, men! Do you realize you just humiliated the king’s personal guest? And do you have rocks for eyes? You couldn’t tell these were street thugs?” He shook his head, still laughing, and strode toward the groaning criminals. Pulling a red bandana from one man’s pocket, he held it up. “Look! These are Red Caps, the gang that’s been running the slums for months. Catching them was your job! Not only did you fail, but you also attacked the man who did it for you!”

  He stomped the ground, his laughter fading into a growl. “Take these idiots to the city cells and wait for sentencing. As for your actions, you’ll hear from me after I speak with the king. Lucius, Stephen, let’s go.”

  The two fell in behind him, Lucius still grinning like a fool. “Master,” he said between chuckles, “this was the funniest thing I’ve ever seen.”

  ***

  Back at the palace, Kai sat with Lisa and the others, recounting the morning’s chaos as they enjoyed cookies for breakfast. Barnacus stormed in to complain about cookies at the table, but stayed when he heard Kai’s story, laughing until his sides hurt.

  “You see how it is for me now? They’re all cretins, I swear!” Barnacus wheezed between laughs.

  “Why did I miss this? Oh, what a shame!” Zara chuckled.

  “You should’ve killed them all! Bastards, treating my brother that way!” Umbra slammed her hand on the table.

  “Oy, birdbrain,” Scry scolded, rolling his eyes. “That’s not something to kill over, especially for a Master Knight!”

  The room erupted in laughter just as Nerva and Lucius walked in, Lucius still grinning like a fool.

  “Morning, Kai,” Nerva said with a smirk. “I heard a demon attacked the city today. Know anything about that?”

  Kai groaned, rubbing his temples. “Don’t get me started.”

  “Come on,” Nerva waved him over. “We need to speak with the king.”

  Kai stood up slowly. “Lucius, wait here, I’ve got a gift for you!” he called before dashing after Nerva.

  ***

  Inside Theo’s office, Kai and Nerva sat across from him, laughter echoing as Nerva recounted Kai’s chaotic morning.

  “I’m sorry, Kai,” Theo said, still chuckling, “but we can’t be too picky with our guards. Anyone strong enough either leaves for greater opportunities or joins the upper ranks. What’s left… well, you’ve seen it. Still, I think they could use some retraining.” He grinned.

  Kai frowned. “Why do you allow thugs to rob and attack people in your city? You’re strong enough to stop this.”

  Theo leaned back, unbothered. “As long as no one’s killing or causing open chaos, we don’t interfere. Everyone learns to defend themselves eventually. Of course, if a big gang starts making trouble, we deal with it. This time, you were faster than my men, I’ll admit that.”

  Kai sighed. “I see. I guess that’s life, you always have to stay alert.”

  He hesitated, then spoke. “I do have a question I’ve been putting off.”

  “Ask away,” Theo said with a smile.

  “Do you have a private or hidden place where I can take my last Trial of Sacra? I’d like to visit a friend.” Kai’s tone softened.

  Theo raised a brow. “We have two portals, one for nobles, one for soldiers. You could use either. But why does it need to be secret?” Nerva cut in, curious.

  Kai chuckled. “It’s complicated, but I guess I can tell you two. You already know too much anyway.”

  He leaned forward. “More than half a year ago, you probably heard about a Nameless who took first place in the Apprentice rankings.”

  Both men shouted in unison: “Don’t tell me!”

  “I should’ve figured it out. Who could’ve taken the first place as an Apprentice if not you, you monster!” Nerva laughed loudly.

  Theo’s expression turned serious, though a smile lingered. “I see why you’d want to keep this quiet. All right, give me a day. After I finish today’s mess, I’ll make sure you can take the trial in peace.”?

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