"Pratchett, my son."
King Asteros' voice resounded through Pratchett's ears, breaking his focus from the falling stars up in the starry night skies, He looked into King Asteros' face and tilted his head. "Esteemed Father-"
"Hahaha, no need to be stiff, just call me Father." King Asteros said with a smile. Pratchett nodded twice as a reply to his words. He patted Pratchett once before he continued to speak. "Pratchett, you know..."
"I've been thinking of sending you to the Academy of Aestruserra in ten years." King Asteros said with a hint of melancholy within his tone. He caressed Pratchet's wavy black hair again as he proceeded. "I want you to grow stronger there, learn even more powerful magic spells, and come back to our Kingdom to become its King."
"Even if you didn't inherit our Skills nor blessed by a Spirit. I am sure Hard work could achieve everything in this world!"
"..." Pratchett remained silent upon King Asteros' words.
It was true that every people in this world acquire Blessings called Skills, from the Deities or spirits or acquire them by inheriting it from your parents.
Skills are given to the living beings in the whole world to help them through their life and give them a fighting chance against the roaming Vile Monsters birthed from Mana.
Though nowadays, these skills place a value on you. Whether you're a Noble or a Commoner, or even a Bandit, as long as you have a Skill that defies the heaven, you could become a King just by announcing it to the whole world.
And that itself is one of the dark truths of this world.
Pratchett knew he couldn't achieve greater heights as his Father did. He lacked everything necessary to become the greatest King who rules over the lands of Asteros. He felt useless upon hearing the King's words but did not dare to speak bluntly towards him.
Even though Pratchett knew he is his Father. His Academic Tutors would be burning in a fury for not showing proper respect for the Ruler of their country as they fear that their family affection might affect the Ruler's mind and lead the country to downfall.
That's why he preferred to stay silent than to comfort his saddened Father.
"... Though, I am very sorry for not granting you a wife." King Asteros broke the silence with a mocking tone. He gripped his brows as he recalled the Court Physician's words. "My sist- Erm, your MOTHER became impotent after giving birth to you, I don't know what caused it but..."
"We'll have to break the Ancient Tradition of keeping the Royal blood pure because of this." King Asteros cleared his throat as he subconsciously caressed young Pratchett's fluffy hair. "But don't worry! I am sure your Prime Minister Uncle would be willing to give little Layla for the sake of our family's continuation!"
"... PFFFT-" Pratchett coughed upon hearing a familiar name and bellowed with a tone of disgust. "Father, she is my close cousin! What are you saying?!"
"Huh? What's the problem?" King Asteros looked at young Pratchett with a confused look. "There aren't any problems regarding that?"
"You know, Pratchett, your Mother was my dear little sister twelve years ago, look at her now! She's my loving and caring wife who'd give everything both in politics and in be- Erm. Anyways, there are no problems regarding that matter, you know!" King Asteros said proudly with his chest puffed out and a glinting smile.
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"Father. Marrying a relative is a no-no."
"Mhm. You must be learning it from that old hag." King Asteros smiled upon his words. "The Seven Winged Church is not the Royal Family of Asteros! Remember that clearly, Pratchett!"
Pratchett stood silent. He is currently in an immense confusion between the two forces. Whether he would listen to the 'old hag' or King Asteros, he couldn't make a wise decision.
"Errm. Uhh." Pratchett scratched his head as he pondered over his brain. "Bishop Jeanne kept telling me to find a woman other than the young ladies in our Family tree since marrying your sister or close cousin could cause severe implications in the future..."
"Never listen to that old hag." King Asteros sighed. "Look at me, did I grow another limb other than the arms I use to hug your Mother and the legs I use to stroll around the Battlefield? No, right?"
Pratchett shook his head. King Asteros couldn't help but give Pratchett another pat. "Listen only to your tutors and to your Father only, alright?"
"You'll need our words someday when you ascend to the Throne." King Asteros said with a gentle smile.
"... Ascend to the throne?"
"Are... Are you tired of being a King?" Pratchett continued speaking his mind, grabbing hold of King Asteros' priceless velvet cape and shaking his body back and forth. "Does that mean being a King is tiring? Father, I don't wanna. I just wanted to become Father, a renowned Magician in the whole world! That isn't exhausting..."
"Right, Father?"
King Asteros stared blankly into the young man's black eyes. He couldn't help himself as he laughed wholeheartedly. "No. Young man, being a King may be tiring but, it is the goal of every people in the world!"
"And as the only son born in the Asteros Royal Family, you must ascend the Throne and rule everything under it! Defend it with all your might and lead it to prosperity. No one will dare to bare their fangs into the might of Asteros Kingdom!" King Asteros said proudly while pointing his fingers into the sky. "Pratchett, do you wanna know why the other Empires and Kingdoms do not dare to insult or offend our Kingdom?"
"Father, Sir Marquis Delevona said it to me before while he was teaching me basic Magic sequences," Pratchett said with glimmering eyes. "It is because of Father's possession of the only Legendary Magic Sequence in the whole world! It is called Falling Might!"
"Hahaha, that is the right answer, young man. Though you must know one thing." Said King Asteros with a low voice. "Power is not omnipotent. Power requires a price to pay, and the price is always an equivalent, if not. It may even be greater than what you could pay!"
"Don't just seek Power because someone took that and this in your life! Power is not always the answer in this world full of conflict and turmoil."
"Remember it thoroughly, alright!?" King Asteros wrapped his arms around Pratchett. He hugged him tightly until a voice separated them apart.
"King Asteros. Duke Chleros Asteros would like to talk with you regarding about that." The speaker was a Knight clad in silver-white full-plate armor. He suddenly appeared without a warning as if he was the shadow itself looming under the veil of the night. The Knight gave a wave upon seeing Pratchett's gaze.
"Alright, tell him to wait at the salon." King Asteros let go of Pratchett after giving him a last pat. He stopped at the doorways and looked at Pratchett.
"Never forget those words, Pratchett. Never become the Demon Lord who only seeks pleasure and power."
Everything became silent by the time the door was slammed shut. Pratchett was left alone in the Palace Garden, overseen by numerous attendants in the distance.
Pratchett did not move away from his spot nor he had the intention to, he only stared blankly at one blue window before him.
[Blessing Activated: Keen Inspection]
Pratis Olcagon Asteros
Level: 62 Title: Wise King of Asteros HP: 10,205 / 10,205 MP: 6,300 / 6,300 STR: 521 INT: 1025 DEF: 502 AGI: 406 LUK: 65 / 100 M. RESIST: 6%
Skill(s) revealed: Dragon Language and Magic Exponential Increase (XXL)
Blessing(s) revealed: None.
King Asteros and the Academic Teachers did not tell him about the existence of Blessing.
So do the books in the library. Nothing was written about the Blessing he is currently seeing right now.
All they knew was there are only Skills.