"Again!" Filiola exclaimed upon seeing Prince Arios, her voice a mix of frustration and exasperation. Her fiery red hair seemed to shine under the sunlight, while her brown eyes shot invisible daggers at him. "Where did you disappear to this time, Prince Arios? And look at yourself! You're covered in dirt."
Filiola was a disciplined young soldier, her orderly appearance contrasting sharply with the chaos Arios always seemed to attract. She followed in her father's footsteps, meticulous to the point that some might consider her bossy. Arios thought to himself, "She's only a year older than me, but she acts like my mother."
"Well… out there," Arios replied with a carefree smile, vaguely gesturing toward the horizon. His golden hair gleamed under the sunlight, a single lilac streak defying all chromatic norms. His mismatched eyes—one blue like a clear sky and the other green like the most vibrant leaves—sparkled with mischief and confidence. That mischievous grin, stretching ear to ear, managed to deeply irritate Filiola, who crossed her arms and glared at him with an expression wavering between frustration and resignation.
"I can't tell her I was training and wiping out monsters outside the walls; otherwise, my father would lock me up," Arios thought, trying to maintain an innocent expression.
At that moment, General Andros appeared. His black hair and thick beard, along with his serious brown eyes, gave him an imposing air even as he tried to hide his amusement at the scene.
"You've found what you were looking for, my lord," Andros said, crossing his arms as he watched his daughter literally dragging the prince along.
"I guess I have," Arios responded, rubbing the back of his head innocently.
"Good. We should return to the palace, my lord. You need to change and be presentable for your party," Andros instructed firmly.
"I don't really like them. I'll pass," Arios retorted, trying to wriggle free from Filiola's grip.
"What do you mean, 'you'll pass'?" Filiola shouted, her face transforming into a mask of indignation. "No way! You're going, even if it's the last thing I do."
Arios remembered something important: If I didn't mention it before, today's my fifteenth birthday. Although Yuomo, in his past life, had hated parties due to his lack of friends and preference for spending time with his parents and animals, now he had no escape. Here, in this new world, celebrations were mandatory, especially when it came to the birthday of the crown prince. And Filiola, determined to fulfill her duty, didn't hesitate to tie him up with a rope and drag him toward the castle.
"Save me, Lord Andros!" Arios cried dramatically, looking at the general with pleading eyes.
"I can't. When my daughter gets like this, there's no stopping her," Andros replied, shrugging as he slowly rode ahead on his horse. "Besides, she's your royal bodyguard. I'll go check the perimeter," he added, though in truth, he just wanted to avoid dealing with his daughter in this state.
Upon arriving at the castle, Claris was waiting for them with a mocking smirk on her face.
"Nice of you to show up, idiot. And what's with that outfit? Did someone die in it?" Claris teased sarcastically. She was Eleonor's second daughter, calm and studious in appearance but capable of turning into a true demon when no one was watching. Arios thought to himself, "Ah yes, my dear and annoying sister Claris. She's always seeking our parents' approval and seems harmless, but she's like a Tasmanian devil when she wants to be."
"Well, I don't know, little sister. Maybe one of those perfumes you love so much," Arios replied with a mischievous smile, enjoying the annoyed expression that appeared on Claris's face.
"Only because it's your birthday will I let this slide, but tomorrow is another day, idiot," Claris threatened, though deep down, they both knew that beneath it all, they got along well.
"Big brother, you're back!" Kei exclaimed with a radiant smile as he ran toward Arios. His blue eyes sparkled with childlike curiosity.
"That's a lot of questions, Kei. Relax," Arios responded with a tired but affectionate smile.
"That's right, happy birthday!" the little boy said, throwing himself into an enthusiastic hug. His innocence was like balm to the chaos of the day.
"There you were," interjected Eleonor, their mother, entering the room with a mix of relief and reproach in her voice. Her violet eyes, usually filled with maternal calm, now reflected a hint of irritation as she inspected Arios from head to toe. "But… what is that smell? And why is your suit torn?" she asked, lightly wrinkling her nose while examining the sorry state of his clothes. Dried mud covered the sleeves and chest of the garment, and small tears revealed reddish marks on his skin.
Then her gaze fell on Kei, who was hugging Arios without caring about the dirt staining his own clean outfit. Eleonor extended her arms toward the little boy with a concerned expression.
"Come here, Kei. You're already clean, and I don't want you getting dirty," she said softly but firmly, pulling the child toward her with a protective gesture.
"It doesn't matter, he's my little brother, and I don't care," Kei replied, clinging to Arios despite the mess.
"That's why I adore this little guy; he's so sweet," Arios thought, ruffling the boy's hair affectionately.
Eleonor thanked Filiola for finding him and asked her to keep a closer eye on her son.
"Yes, my lady," Filiola responded firmly, though her gaze promised she wouldn't let the prince slip away so easily next time.
"I hope not too close," Arios murmured, barely audible, as he headed off to change.
While shedding his torn, mud-covered suit, Arios recalled what he had been doing earlier. He had left the palace to train, facing some monsters lurking near the outskirts of the kingdom. His goal was to grow stronger, to prepare for future challenges. However, the suit he wore wasn't designed to withstand attacks from ferocious beasts, and several of them had managed to get too close, leaving visible marks on both his clothing and skin.
"I'll need something better if I want to survive out there," he thought, observing the minor wounds that were slowly beginning to heal.
"So this is where you were," Balniac said, entering the room and pulling Arios by the arm firmly. "Where had you gone?"
"Dad, well… I was just out and about," Arios replied, trying to downplay the situation.
Balniac looked at him sternly, his imposing posture reflecting the weight of the crown he carried on his shoulders.
"Remember, today is your birthday, the day you become an adult in the eyes of society. It's also the beginning of your path to becoming king."
Arios sighed inwardly. He knew what was coming next.
In this world, turning fifteen meant being considered a full adult. It was the moment when young people were expected to embark on adventures, gain experience, and grow stronger to face the future. For him, however, there was an additional burden: as the firstborn, he was the only one who could aspire to the throne. Becoming king required not only reaching the rank of double S-class adventurer—one of the highest and most difficult levels to achieve—but also mastering refined skills and conducting oneself with the grace expected of a monarch.
"It's a silly tradition," Arios thought in frustration. "But rules are rules."
"Maybe I don't want to be king," he finally responded, meeting his father's gaze.
Balniac frowned, visibly annoyed.
"What do you mean, you don't want to be king? This isn't a choice, Arios. It's part of the kingdom's laws. You must fulfill your duty."
The lecture continued, but Arios had already tuned out. His mind wandered, feeling trapped, as if caged once again, just like in his previous life. He wanted to be free, to explore the world without constraints, to become an adventurer by choice, not because it was mandatory. But he knew that, as the eldest, he had no alternative.
Kei, on the other hand, could only hope to govern small territories within the kingdom. The same was true for his sister Claris, though at a young age, she already had ambitions of her own: to marry a king and become queen. It was something she carefully planned, even at her tender age.
Once the sermon ended, the ceremony began. King Balniac stood before the gathered crowd, and with a resonant voice that filled the grand hall, he dedicated a few words to his eldest son. Arios, uncomfortable and visibly embarrassed, tried to maintain a neutral expression while feeling everyone's eyes on him. This is not something I'm used to, not even in my old world, he thought, recalling how Yuomo had always avoided being the center of attention.
The ceremony continued with a grand offering to the goddess Ravada. The scents of incense and spices floated in the air, mingling with the sound of reverential chants. Then came the banquet. Long tables laden with delicacies covered the hall: roasted meats, freshly baked bread, glistening fruits, and jugs overflowing with wine and juices. Cheerful chatter and music filled the atmosphere as the kingdom's citizens celebrated alongside the royal family. Everyone cheered for the prince, toasting to his future as an adventurer and eventual king. The party stretched late into the night, illuminated by torches and hanging lamps that cast dancing shadows on the walls.
When the commotion began to subside, Balniac called Arios aside. He pulled out a sword wrapped in a dark cloth and handed it to him solemnly.
"Well, Arios, I want you to take this with you on your journey tomorrow," he said, his voice heavy with paternal pride. "This weapon has been passed down through generations: my father gave it to me, and his father to him…" Another long lecture about family traditions and royal duties began.
Arios accepted the sword without protest, though he knew he wouldn't use it. To him, swords were nothing more than limited tools; he preferred something far more special for his battles. But out of respect for his father, he feigned interest and silently stored the weapon away.
Later, Arios sought out Claris to say goodbye before departing the next day. His ever-calculating sister took the opportunity to tease him:
"If you don't come back, can I have your room?" she asked with a mischievous smile.
Arios responded with a firm "No!" before she could continue. However, both knew that beneath their sarcastic exchange lay an unbreakable bond between them.
Finally, Arios found Kei, who was dozing in a corner of the hall. He approached and gently lifted the boy into his arms, carrying him toward his room. The small child murmured sleepily:
"I love you so much, big brother…"
Kei fell asleep in his lap, clutching tightly to a small doll he always carried with him. Arios tucked him in carefully, gazing at his peaceful, angelic face. It was clear that Kei would be the one he missed the most during his journey.
When Arios left Kei's room, a strange shadow emerged from the darkness of the hallway. Its form was indistinct, but it emanated a sinister energy that chilled the blood. A deep, twisted voice resonated in the air:
"That child… belongs to me."
Arios froze, his heart beating as he tried to comprehend what he had just heard. The shadow slowly advanced toward him, its threatening presence enveloping the entire space.