"Daddy, why dont the seasons change?" Asks a boy.

"Well son, a tale of long ago states a powerful man of the Hashiri Clan stopped the time of the world and left the animals and humans to continue growing. While the environment around us stayed the same. The man thought we'd grow beyond our environment, instead we grew conditioned to it." States the dad.

"But did we not grow past our environment, unlocking abilities not yet awakened?" Questioned the boy.

"While yes we grew, we stopped. With no intention of becoming stronger, we became content with our new lives." The father responds.

"What about those with augmentations? Wouldn't they have grown past others?" The boy asks his father.

"Yes they have, but thats the problem, they grew past others, not the environment. While most sit happily on top of the world, a few stand beyond the world."

"Kenji" Called his mother. "Huh?" I answered tiredly.

"Kenji, wake up, we're having breakfast." My mother informed.

I sat up before pulling the sheets off of myself and stepping out of bed, I slid some house slippers on.

I looked outside, noticing the sun was in the same spot it always was in. It never moved, would it ever move I always thought.

I walked on the rigid floor connecting my room to the rest of the castle.

I opened the tall and sturdy door, revealing a wooden spiral staircase.

walking down the creaky wooden stairs one at a time. I noticed the faces along the walls trapped in wooden boxes known as paintings.

Once I reached the end of the stairs, I continued through the halls till I made it to the dining room.

I pulled my chair out, taking my seat, which I've had for as long as I can remember.

I can recall a fond memory of when my uncle mistakenly took my seat and my father humorously ordered him to be thrown in prison.

That memory always left me with a smile on my face.

"What're you smiling about boy?" Asks my father.

"Oh, just the time uncle stole my chair and you ordered him off to a cell." I Answered.

"I remember that, he was terrified!" My father laughs about.

"What has uncle been up to?" I ask.

"He's been taking care of his Kingdom in Mazoku, why do you ask?" Replied my father with a blank face, as he said that I felt the room grow tired.

"We haven't heard from him in a while, just wanted to make sure he's doing well." I answered.

"Yeah… I'm sure he's doing well son." My father said.

Then the maid came around putting turkey and clam soup on my plate.

I started to eat the turkey, thinking about uncle and if he was okay, as well as my cousins too.

Then I remembered… "Father, do I still have training today?" I asked.

"Yes you do, it's gonna be longer than usual." My father replied.

"No complaints from me." I answered laughing, before looming down at my plate as I dug in.

Stolen content warning: this tale belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences elsewhere.

The blades collided, creating a beautiful explosion of sparks before fading away.

"You've gotten better since the last time we fought" King Harry yelled.

"Ive been practicing with the finest fighters we have." I responded.

Then King Harry sliced at my throat with a longsword, I swiftly blocked it with my longsword.

I went in for an attack at his side. Father darted backwards creating space.

I hesitated going forwards, King Harry hesitated to slice at me in that moment. I darted forward then side stepped his slash down at me.

I hacked at his neck, he ducked this attack, keeping his sword on the ground.

The King swept for my legs with his blade, I jumped over the blade, a smile crept on my face as I prepared to attack him again.

As the kings blade sliced under me it changed direction, slicing upward at me before lightly nudging me.

"If I hadn't stopped, you would be dead." King Harry stated.

"I know, I'm still learning." I responded frustrated.

How was I supposed to read that, it was practically already past me.

He expects the impossible from me. He expects a warrior, I'm a simple noble. I'll grow to become king, looking after my kingdom. I'll grow old before passing it onto my son.

"Excuses, get better. Before long you'll be going on missions." The King stated. "Why do I have to go on missions? Im nobility!" I exclaimed.

"I won't have any son of mine unable to fight for himself.!"The King exclaimed back.

"Why would I need to!?" I yelled back.

"How do you think I got the throne!?" The King yelled.

It was silent after that, so silent it was deafening.

All I could hear was what he said repeated over and over again.

"I didn't know you-" I said before being interrupted.

"Forget it, I went overboard. I just don't want you to die, you must be strong for this world my son." My Father said.

"Why would I need to do what you did?" I asked.

"You need to be strong incase someone attempts to do as I've done."

I remembered what he said for the rest of the day. I understood why I needed to get stronger.

I still didn't prefer training over resting in the garden reading a book, or laying in the fields watching the stars.

I did understand why I was training now, so I started training everyday.

I was still hesitant and annoyed, I knew why I had to do this but I didn't want to, maybe I wont have to.

But I will still continue to train.

I was slowly getting stronger, fixing my mistakes and enhancing my strengths.

I was lying in the fields surrounded by the noise of crickets as I watched the stars peak through the seemingly infinite cloud of darkness.

I heard the footsteps of someone approaching me, I turned to see who it was. It was the maid.

"The King would like to discuss something with you." The maid informed.

"I'll be inside soon." I said. I continued to watch the stars for a moment longer before I headed inside.

I walked through the castle halls, guarded by knights in bulky armor. Walls of well maintained stone, paintings of past rulers of which I had no connection or empathy towards.

When I had approached The Kings door, it was guarded by many knights as always, it seemed to be missing a knight though.

I opened the door, walking into the massive cave of a room. It was large enough to fit 10 peasant homes.

"Welcome my boy!" My father shouted from his throne with a smile across his face. "Hello father." I replied.

"Why have you called me to your throne?" I asked.

The King cleared his throat as his smile faded from his face.

"I'm sending you on your first mission to investigate the Wynd Bay city. You're going to figure out how far along they are on the weaponry. They seem to have slowed down, with us receiving less resources. It's a simple 4 day mission, I've ordered a special sword to be made for you incase of an emergency." The King informed.

"Why do I have to go? Why can't the guy who's gone the past 10 years go!" I questioned.

"Quiet, that man is too old to continue going on these missions. He has a family to look after." He stated.

"So I'm supposed to just take up after him? Why can't anyone else do this?" I questioned.

"If you're ever going to become king, you'll need to learn how our kingdom works." He said with a dull face.

"Fine." I sputtered out in annoyance. "Will I have knights with me as protection?" I asked.

"Yes, you will." He answered.

I left his room hastily, In disbelief, I sat on my bed. Why me, why couldn't you have just taught me about the kingdom, why do I have to leave the safety of my home.

I laid down staring at the wooden ceiling, questioning the reality of the situation before I fell asleep.

I woke up, getting dressed in my finest outfit made from the skin of a Ocean-Eyed Gnu. I walked downstairs, seeing my family.

"Hi Kenji!" Yelled my little brother.

"Hi Oliver." I said as I hugged him.

Oliver was only five and didn't yet understand what I was doing. He just assumed I was going on a super fun adventure.

"Bye brother." My sister said as she hugged me tight. She was 10 and from what I couldd tell understood what happening.

"I'll be back in four days, so don't worry. You won't even notice I was gone." I said with a smile on my face.

Then the guards gestured towards the door. I hugged my mother before walking out of the castle into a royally decorated carriage.

The horses neighed as we passed through the gates of the castle.

This was my first time outside of the kingdom.

I was curious to see the rest of the kingdom, I was still worried, but father assured me there would be no danger.