The manor was the kind of place that made you feel like you didn’t belong the second you walked in—well, at least it made me feel that way. The air was cool and lightly perfumed with something floral and citrusy, and everything from the vaulted ceilings to the polished marble floor screamed wealth. Chandeliers dripping with crystal bathed the room in soft light, and every wall was adorned with oil paintings or intricate carvings. Even the banisters along the grand staircase looked like they cost more than my entire neighborhood back home.

“This place…” I muttered, my voice trailing off as my eyes darted from one incredible sight to the next.

Leo’s voice cut through my awe like a blade. “Try not to get drool on the floor, Souta. The servants don’t clean up after lost puppies.”

I turned sharply to glare at her, but my face was already burning. “I’m not drooling!” I snapped, though my voice came out more defensive than I wanted. “I’m just… taking it all in.”

Leo’s tail flicked lazily behind her as a smirk tugged at the corners of her mouth. “Sure you are. You’ve got that wide-eyed, lost-little-boy look. Honestly, I’d be more surprised if you had seen a place like this before.”

“I might’ve,” I muttered, though the words felt weak even to me. “You don’t know that.”

Leo snorted, her amber eyes gleaming with amusement. “Right. Sure you have.”

Zia stepped in with a soft, soothing tone. “Leo, that’s enough. He’s obviously been through a lot, and teasing him isn’t helping.”

Leo rolled her eyes but didn’t argue. Instead, she tossed me a sideways glance that felt like a challenge. “Fine. I’ll leave him alone. For now.”

I let out a breath I hadn’t realized I’d been holding and gave Zia a grateful look. “Thanks,” I mumbled.

She smiled warmly, her sapphire eyes kind. “Of course. You’re a guest here, Souta, and you should feel comfortable. I can’t imagine how difficult it must be, not knowing where you are or how you got here.”

Her words were genuine, and they hit harder than I expected. I looked down at my shoes, feeling a mix of embarrassment and gratitude. “Yeah… It’s been weird,” I admitted. “But I’m managing.”

Zia nodded thoughtfully. “That’s good to hear. And don’t worry—we’ll do what we can to help.”

Leo sighed loudly, her tail swishing with exaggerated impatience. “Are we going to stand here all night, or are we actually going to meet Lord Kingston?”

“Patience, Leo,” Zia said with a soft laugh. “We’re going.”

Leo didn’t respond, but the flick of her ears suggested she wasn’t thrilled about being told to wait. Without another word, she turned and led us down the long corridor.

The dining hall was like something out of a storybook. A massive table stretched nearly the length of the room, its surface gleaming under the light of golden candelabras. It was covered with an incredible spread—roasted meats, fresh fruits, steaming soups, and pastries so perfect they looked more like art than food. The aromas filled the air, making my stomach growl loudly enough that I was sure everyone heard.

And at the head of the table sat him.

Yohei Kingston.

He didn’t look like I’d imagined. I thought he’d be an older man—someone with gray hair, maybe a beard, and a stern face. But the man before me seemed almost ethereal, like he didn’t belong to this world. His long, dark teal hair cascaded over his shoulders like flowing water, streaked with shimmering shades of blue that caught the light with every movement. His sharp features—high cheekbones, a perfectly straight nose, and full lips—were framed by a faint, otherworldly glow. But it was his eyes that stopped me dead. They were an electric, piercing blue, like the depths of an ocean, and they seemed to see straight through me, even though his expression was calm and welcoming.

He wore a flowing robe in shades of azure and cream, the fabric patterned with swirling designs reminiscent of waves. Despite the elegance of his attire and the power he radiated, there was something inherently laid-back about him, as if he had all the time in the world.

“Well,” Yohei said, his voice smooth and relaxed, “it seems I have unexpected company tonight.”

Zia stepped forward with her usual grace. “Lord Yohei Kingston,” she said, her tone respectful but warm, “this is Souta. He’s… well, he’s lost and doesn’t remember how he got here.”

Yohei tilted his head slightly, his gaze shifting to me. I felt it immediately—like he was looking right through me, not in a menacing way, but in a way that made me feel like he already knew everything about me.

“Lost, huh?” he said, his lips curling into a faint smile. “Interesting. Tell me, Souta, how does someone like you end up in a place like this?”

I hesitated, fumbling for words. “I… I don’t really know,” I admitted, my voice quieter than I wanted. “I just… woke up near the road.”

Yohei studied me for a moment longer before leaning back in his chair. “Fascinating,” he said simply. Then he gestured to the table. “Well, you’re here now. Sit, eat, and let’s talk. I’d like to hear more about your journey.”

I nodded stiffly and moved to take a seat near the middle of the table, trying not to trip over my own feet. Zia settled gracefully beside me, while Leo stood a few steps behind, her arms crossed as she watched everything with a sharp, unreadable expression.

As I awkwardly adjusted my chair, Yohei’s gaze lingered on me, his smile growing slightly. “You seem tense,” he said lightly. “Relax, Souta. You’re among friends here.”

“Yeah,” I muttered, avoiding his eyes. “Thanks.”

Leo snickered softly, and I turned to glare at her. “What?” I asked, my voice defensive.

“Oh, nothing,” she said, her tone dripping with amusement. “You’re just… fun to watch.”

I groaned, sinking a little lower in my chair. “Glad I can entertain you.”

Zia placed a gentle hand on my arm, her touch soothing. “Don’t mind her,” she said softly. “She’s like this with everyone. It’s her way of showing she cares.”

“I doubt that,” I muttered, though the corner of my mouth twitched upward in a reluctant smile.

Yohei chuckled, the sound warm and genuine. “This is going to be an interesting dinner,” he said, his electric blue eyes gleaming with amusement. “Now, let’s eat. Stories are best told over a good meal.”

I glanced at the feast laid out before me, and for the first time since stepping into the manor, I felt a flicker of hope. Maybe, just maybe, I wasn’t as out of place here as I thought.

The meal began quietly enough. Platters of food were passed around, and I did my best not to embarrass myself by fumbling with any of the dishes. Everything looked incredible—roasted meats with golden-brown skins that glistened with juices, colorful salads with exotic-looking vegetables, and pastries so delicate they practically melted in my mouth. I’d barely taken a few bites before I realized how ravenous I was, and for a while, I focused on eating, letting the silence of the room settle around me.

Even Leo, who hadn’t held back her jabs earlier, seemed uncharacteristically quiet as she nibbled on a piece of bread. Zia, sitting to my right, ate with the kind of poise you’d expect from a princess—small, deliberate bites that somehow still looked elegant. Across the table, Yohei lounged comfortably in his chair, occasionally sipping from a goblet of what looked like wine, though the color was a deep, shimmering blue.

As the meal wore on, it was Zia who finally broke the silence, setting down her fork with a soft clink. “Lord Kingston,” she began, her tone polite but carrying a sense of urgency, “I believe we should discuss the reason I’m here.”

Unlawfully taken from Royal Road, this story should be reported if seen on Amazon.

Yohei raised an eyebrow, leaning forward slightly. “Straight to the point, I see. Very well, Princess. Why don’t you enlighten me?”

Zia glanced briefly at me, as if gauging how much she could say in front of a stranger, but after a moment, she continued. “Luis Amador, your apprentice, recently reported an attack on the Great Wall.”

Yohei’s expression didn’t change, but I noticed a flicker of something in his eyes—concern, perhaps? “The Great Wall,” he repeated, his voice quieter now. “What kind of attack?”

“We assume a Beast from the Open Lands,” Zia said, her tone grim. “He described it as… stronger than anything he’s encountered before. It breached the wall, Lord Kingston. It was seemingly defeated but with a breached wall and possibly more beasts that could be this strong. The Kingdom of Zorion cannot afford to ignore this.”

My fork froze halfway to my mouth as I listened, my mind racing. Beast? Open Lands? A breached wall? This was starting to feel like one of those pivotal moments in a game where the characters dump a ton of lore all at once. Except this wasn’t a game—it was real, and I was smack in the middle of it.

Yohei sighed, setting his goblet down with a soft thunk. “And I’m guessing this is where I come in?”

Zia nodded. “Unfortunately, yes. The Kingdom only has one active Arknight right now, and while Luis is formidable, he’s only one man. We need you, Lord Kingston. Even if it’s just for a little while.”

He leaned back in his chair, his electric blue eyes narrowing slightly. “So, the Kingdom sends its favorite princess to convince an old man to come out of retirement. I should’ve guessed.”

Zia’s lips twitched into a small, apologetic smile. “It’s not just the Kingdom asking. I’m asking. You were—and still are—one of the strongest Arknights in the world. If anyone can help us now, it’s you.”

Yohei let out a low chuckle, shaking his head. “Flattery, Princess? Really?”

“It’s not flattery,” Zia said firmly. “It’s the truth. The Kingdom still needs you.”

For the first time since I’d met her, Leo was silent, her sharp amber eyes watching Yohei intently. The playful banter she’d thrown my way earlier was gone, replaced by a seriousness that made the air feel heavier. Even the servants, who moved around the edges of the room refilling goblets and clearing plates, seemed quieter now, their footsteps muffled against the marble floor.

I swallowed hard, suddenly hyper aware of the weight of the conversation. They were talking about a kingdom on the brink, about defenses failing, and about one of the strongest warriors in the world being called back into action. And here I was, some random guy with no clue how I’d ended up here, sitting in on a discussion that felt like it was pulled straight out of a legend.

It was like watching a cutscene in a game—one of those moments where all the key players gather to explain the stakes before the real action begins. But I wasn’t just watching; I was here, and I could feel the importance of every word spoken.

I leaned back slightly, my mind racing as I tried to process everything. The Great Wall. Beasts. Arknights. Yohei Kingston was apparently one of them, and from the sound of it, they weren’t just any ordinary warriors. The way Zia spoke about him—with that mix of reverence and urgency—made it clear just how vital he was.

But there was one thing I still didn’t understand, one thing that nagged at me like an itch I couldn’t scratch. I shifted in my seat, glancing nervously between Zia, Yohei, and Leo. It was a stupid question, probably, but I couldn’t stop myself.

“What… what exactly is an Arknight?” I asked, my voice cutting through the heavy silence.

The room went still. Zia froze, her sapphire eyes widening slightly as she turned to look at me. Yohei’s hand paused mid-reach for his goblet, and even Leo, who had been leaning casually against the wall, straightened up, her sharp gaze snapping to me.

All three of them stared at me like I’d just asked what the sun was. The weight of their silence pressed down on me, and I suddenly felt very, very small.

I swallowed hard, my palms damp against the edge of the table. Whatever I’d just walked into, it was bigger than I’d realized.

Yohei’s laughter filled the dining hall, light and carefree, breaking the thick silence that had fallen after my question. His deep, resonant chuckle bounced off the walls, and I could feel my face heating up as even Zia began to giggle softly. I glanced at her, and she quickly covered her mouth with a gloved hand, her sapphire eyes sparkling with amusement.

Then came the last laugh—Leo’s. It wasn’t a loud, boisterous laugh like Yohei’s or a refined, delicate one like Zia’s. No, it was sharp and quick, a single burst that sounded almost mocking. She crossed her arms, her golden tail flicking behind her as she smirked. “Of course he doesn’t know,” she muttered, shaking her head. “I should’ve seen this coming.”

I squirmed in my seat, my face burning with embarrassment. “I mean…” I started to mumble, but Zia leaned in, her voice soft and reassuring.

“Don’t feel bad, Souta,” she said kindly. “You mentioned you had amnesia, remember? It makes sense you wouldn’t know.”

Yohei waved a hand dismissively, his blue eyes glimmering with humor. “It’s alright, Souta. Just a bit surprising. It’s not every day someone doesn’t know what an Arknight is.”

Leo snorted, clearly less forgiving. “With respect, Master,” she said, her voice tinged with exasperation, “you shouldn’t have to explain something so obvious.”

“Well, then,” Yohei said with a playful grin, leaning back in his chair and gesturing toward Leo, “why don’t you do the honors?”

Leo blinked, caught off guard. “Me?”

“Yes, you,” Yohei replied, his grin widening. “You’re so confident it’s obvious, so enlighten our guest.”

Leo sighed dramatically, rolling her eyes. “Fine,” she muttered, straightening up as if preparing to deliver a lecture. “Listen up, Souta. This is the last time I’m explaining something this basic.”

I nodded quickly, eager to soak in whatever information she was about to throw at me, though her tone still stung a little.

“Arknights,” she began, her voice steady and firm, “are the defenders of the earth. Demon killers.” Her last words came out sharp, almost biting, and the room seemed to grow colder at the mention of demons. Even Zia’s smile faltered slightly, her gaze lowering to her hands.

Leo pressed on, unbothered by the shift in mood. “Arknights are rare—very rare. They’re individuals with a natural connection to mana, which grants them abilities that ordinary people could never dream of. These abilities range from enhanced physical and mental capabilities to manipulating elements or… stranger powers that are not demonic in origin.”

She paused, letting the weight of her words sink in. “And,” she added, her tone taking on a slight edge of pride, “Arknights aren’t bound to just one race. Humans, elves, dwarves, demi-humans like me—anyone with a strong connection to the mana grid can become one.”

It took me a moment to process what she’d said. Humans, elves, dwarves, and demi-humans? I glanced at Leo, suddenly realizing for the first time that her tail and ears weren’t just for show. She wasn’t just some uniquely talented human—she was an entirely different species. My mind reeled at the thought of other beings—elves and dwarves—walking around somewhere in this world. And here I was, sitting between a princess and a demi-human like it was the most normal thing in the world.

Leo noticed my wide-eyed look and smirked again, clearly amused by my reaction. “Yes, Souta,” she said dryly, “dwarves and elves exist too. Try to keep up.”

I quickly averted my gaze, embarrassed again, but I didn’t ask more questions. The word “mana grid” had caught my attention, but I didn’t want to push my luck by asking for another explanation. I figured I’d learn more about it later—after all, this was just the beginning, right?

Leo continued, her tone growing more confident. “Arknights are the most famous warriors in the world, respected and revered for their strength and courage. People like Master Yohei, Luis Amador, or—” she straightened slightly, puffing out her chest—“me, an Arknight in training, are rare.”

That last bit didn’t escape me. The subtle change in her tone, the way she emphasized herself—it was clear she was proud of her status, and maybe even showing off a little. I didn’t say anything, though. No need to add fuel to her already blazing ego.

When she finished, I nodded, absorbing the information. “I see,” I said slowly. “So, Arknights are, like… the ultimate heroes?”

“More or less,” Leo replied, crossing her arms. “Though it’s not a title you just hand out. It takes skill, training, and an innate connection to mana. Not everyone can be an Arknight.”

I hesitated for a moment, then turned to Yohei. “Do you think… I could be one?”

The room went silent again. Leo froze, her golden eyes narrowing as her tail lashed sharply behind her. For a moment, she looked like she was about to explode, but Zia quickly placed a gentle hand on her shoulder, offering her a playful smile.

“Calm down, Leo,” Zia said softly. “It’s just a question.”

Leo huffed, clearly annoyed but choosing to stay quiet. I could practically feel her frustration radiating from across the table.

Yohei, on the other hand, seemed completely unfazed. He chuckled, his blue eyes glinting with amusement as he leaned forward, resting his chin on one hand. “You, an Arknight?” he said, his voice light and teasing. “Well, it’s certainly possible. But there’s only one way to find out.”

I blinked, leaning in slightly. “How?”

He grinned, as if dealing with a curious child. “We’ll check with the local nymph tomorrow. He has a way of sensing these things.”

A nymph? My heart skipped a beat. I had no idea what a nymph looked like in this world, but the word alone sent my imagination racing. I pictured something ethereal, beautiful, and completely otherworldly. The idea of meeting a nymph was enough to get my blood pumping, but what really got me excited was the possibility of finding out if I had some kind of special power.

This had to be the moment. The moment where The Origin—whatever it was—revealed my destiny. Sure, I wasn’t exactly a “faith is enough” kind of guy, but maybe this was the payoff. Maybe I’d finally get something that made sense, something tangible.

“Thank you!” I said, my voice bursting with excitement as I grinned at Yohei. “I can’t wait.”

Yohei laughed softly, shaking his head. “We’ll see, Souta. We’ll see.”

As I sat there, practically vibrating with anticipation, my mind buzzed with possibilities. Tomorrow couldn’t come fast enough. If this was a story, then this was the part where my powers would awaken. I was sure of it. After all, faith wasn’t a power.

Right?