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Chapter 3 A FIGHT FOR THE PEOPLE
The grand hall of Elyndor pulsed with tension. A crimson light spilled from torches lining the marble walls, their glow reflecting on the armored Nobles who stood in rigid formation. Power radiated from them, thick enough to make the air tremble.
Paul stood at the center of the hall, his expression cold and unshaken.
Noble Eleven sneered.
"And if we don't?"
Paul's gaze swept over them, calm yet sharp.
"Thirty Nobles are here… but only eleven of you can use magic to its full capacity."
"Don't get cocky, Paul," Duke Austin growled, his deep voice echoing through the chamber. "Leave our realm. That's your final warning."
Paul turned slightly.
"Hey, Maya."
The girl stepped closer, trembling. "Yes?"
"Remember your promise—if I saved you."
"You don't need to tell me twice," she whispered.
Paul's voice rose, firm and commanding.
"Listen, citizens of Elyndor Realm! From today onward, I, Paul Kirman Stark, will set you free from this treachery and suffering!"
A murmur spread through the hall. The citizens gasped. The Nobles exchanged glances.
"Does he intend to overthrow us?" Noble Twenty-Seven muttered.
Paul's eyes darkened.
"No… I'm killing all of you."
He drew his blade, the metal humming with spiritual energy.
"At last, I'll know what a real battle feels like."
Noble Seventeen smirked. "Don't make us laugh."
Paul's voice dropped to a chilling whisper.
"You won't be laughing when your head falls off."
In the blink of an eye, he vanished.
A heartbeat later—a clean slash echoed, and Noble Seventeen's head fell to the floor with a dull thud.
"One down…" Paul muttered, his eyes glinting. "Twenty-nine more to go. You're next—Nobles Twenty-Four, Twenty-Two, Twenty-Seven, and Nine."
"Defend yourselves!" Duke Austin roared.
But before they could react, Paul blurred again, his sword slicing through air and flesh alike.
A series of crimson flashes filled the room.
Then—silence.
Four headless bodies collapsed to the marble floor.
"Impossible…" Duke Austin's voice trembled. "It hasn't even been a minute."
"How dare you kill us, Creation!" shouted Noble Two. "Knights of Elyndor—kill him!"
Paul exhaled slowly. His aura flared like a storm.
"Time to try the elements I've been learning."
He raised his hand.
"Elemental Release—Universal Control!"
A violent surge of energy erupted from his palm. The blast ripped through the Knights, hurling them against the walls. Screams filled the air as their armor shattered, and smoke rose from their burning bodies.
"Surrender, Nobles!" Paul shouted. "You're no mat—"
He stopped mid-sentence, coughing blood.
The world blurred. His knees buckled.
"Who… attacked me?"
Duke Austin stepped forward, smirking.
"So you Creations are vulnerable after all."
"What kind of element was that? I didn't see you move—or even speak."
"Cerebral Element," the Duke replied proudly. "It inflicts pain on one's body with nothing but my thoughts. Impressive, isn't it?"
"You bastard…" Paul grunted, struggling to stand. "If I can just… keep my dist—"
He coughed again, blood staining his lips.
"It's useless to keep distance from me," Austin said coldly. "Now… let's go for your hand."
Paul's eyes darted toward Maya.
"Once I open the portal, you jump in."
"Yes!" she nodded frantically.
A faint light began to form beside them—a shimmering oval of silver energy.
"In three… two… one—now! Jump!"
"There are many more sacrifices to offer," Austin said, lifting his hand.
"Cerebral Element—Internal Pain!"
Paul screamed as agony tore through his body.
"My arm… damn it!" He staggered, his regeneration too slow to keep up.
"You bastard!"
"Let's go for your leg next," Austin mocked. "If you leave peacefully, I'll forgive you. No—we Elyndorians will forgive you."
Paul's breathing grew shallow.
I underestimated them… To think my first real battle would end in retreat… I don't even know the right word for this feeling.
Ezra's voice echoed faintly in his mind.
"Come back, my king. You can't win."
"Win…" Paul muttered. "That's it. Ezra—I want to summon the sword."
"You can't, my king!" Ezra warned. "Innocent people will die if you use it!"
Paul glared at Duke Austin one last time.
"Alright, Duke Austin. Elyndorians… next time will be different. I promise you that."
The portal burst open, swallowing Paul and Maya in a blinding light.
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Aethoria Realm — Royal Castle
The hall was silent when Paul reappeared, collapsing onto the marble floor. Maya followed, gasping for breath.
"Thank you for saving my life," she whispered.
"No need to thank me," Paul replied weakly. He gestured toward the servants. "Maids, attend to her."
Ezra appeared from the corridor, his robes flowing like shadows.
"My king, welcome home."
"I'm back," Paul said, lowering himself into his throne.
"How did the conversation go?"
"I ended up killing five Nobles in total," Paul said, his tone bitter. "Couldn't even take on Duke Austin alone."
"You still have a lot to learn, my king," Ezra replied softly.
Paul clenched his fists. "So the five years of training meant nothing?! Ezra—answer me!"
"Please, heal yourself first," Ezra pleaded. "Then I'll answer everything."
Paul sighed. "No more training for today. I'd like to be left alone."
"As you wish, my king. But before I go—there will be a Realm Convention."
"When?"
"Four days from now."
"I have a request, Ezra."
"Yes, my king?"
"I read about Yumi Saito in the library. The Summoned Hero of Calanthor."
"Yes. She died mysteriously eleven years ago."
"I need her bones," Paul said coldly. "Send someone to retrieve them."
"Yes, my king. And the girl you brought?"
"Leave her to me. I'll handle her personally."
"As you command." Ezra bowed and left the hall.
Paul leaned back on the throne, lost in thought.
The Cerebral Element… why didn't the rest of them attack me?
Moments later, Valot entered and knelt.
"My king, I heard you called for me."
"Yes, Valot. I need Yumi Saito's bones."
"The Summoned Hero? I believe the Elders of Calanthor still keep them."
Paul rose from the throne, his aura flickering like fire.
"You'll accompany me to the Realm Convention. I have something to declare to the realms."
Valot hesitated. "Is it war, my king?"
Paul's eyes gleamed with divine fire.
"Yes. It's time to reclaim the realms my ancestors once ruled."
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To Be Continued...
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