Ace stood before the towering doors of the royal castle, dressed in formal clothes that felt heavier than armor.
He wasn't ready for this.
The polished stone beneath his feet, the golden banners, the guards standing perfectly still—it all felt unreal. Ace closed his eyes for a moment and took a deep breath.
I can do this.
He stepped inside.
Music filled the hall, soft and elegant. Nobles laughed, kings and queens spoke in calm, practiced voices—but no one looked at him. Ace walked forward slowly, feeling out of place, like a spark dropped into still water.
Suddenly, a minister approached him and bowed slightly.
"His Majesty wishes to see you."
Ace nodded and followed.
The king raised his hand, and the hall fell silent.
"Tonight," the king announced, "we welcome a young man whose courage saved not only my family, but this kingdom."
He gestured toward Ace.
"This is Ace."
All eyes turned to him.
For the first time in his life, Ace felt something unfamiliar—attention.
Kings greeted him. Nobles asked him questions. Some were curious, some cautious, some clearly afraid. Ace answered honestly, never exaggerating, never boasting. His calm words, his integrity, and his quiet kindness slowly shifted the room.
Respect replaced suspicion.
Then—
BOOM.
The entire castle shook.
Screams echoed as a section of the outer wall exploded inward. Dust filled the air. Everyone rushed to the windows.
Outside, a figure walked calmly toward the hall.
His hands glowed blue, crackling with overwhelming energy.
Guards rushed forward.
A massive giant fist of energy slammed into the ground.
The guards were thrown aside like dolls.
Ace's expression hardened.
"Your Majesty," Ace said quickly, "evacuate everyone. Now."
The king hesitated—then nodded.
As panic spread, Ace turned to move—
Pain exploded through his back.
Ace froze.
He looked down to see a knife buried in him.
Slowly, he turned.
The princess stood behind him, her hands shaking, tears streaming down her face.
"I—I'm sorry," she cried. "I'm not doing this on purpose!"
Ace stared at her, confusion battling anger. He reached back, snapped the blade in half, and gently lowered it to the floor.
"It's okay," he said softly. "You're being controlled."
Two guards rushed forward and pulled the princess away as she sobbed.
Ace straightened.
He walked toward the broken wall.
Outside, the blue‑handed intruder stopped and looked up, smiling faintly.
Ace tore the sleeves from his formal clothes, letting them fall to the ground.
"Whatever you came for," Ace said calmly, fire flickering faintly around him,
"you're not touching anyone else tonight."
The intruder raised his glowing hands.
"Good," he replied. "I was hoping you'd say that."
And the night descended into chaos.