In that moment, a memory resurfaced. I was in middle school, walking along the sidewalk. A bus stopped beside me, and a girl my age stumbled off, vomiting onto the side of the road. No one stopped to check on her or offered help. They simply walked past, indifferent. I did the same. She wasn’t my problem. I’d sighed in relief, muttering, “Glad that’s not me,” like everyone else. Being selfish was easier. But in the city, winning often felt more humiliating than losing. Whether you succeeded or failed, one truth remained: the house—the system—always won.

With a wave of her hand, the Queen dismissed the scantily clad women. They bowed and exited the room quickly. She returned to her seat, her piercing gaze fixed on me, joined by Nora and the blonde girl. None of them ate or drank; they simply waited for my response.

“Someone I know,” I began. “His mother was cursed by magic. I’d like her to receive a blessing.”

“A blessing?” The Queen repeated, clearly taken aback. “You wish to help your friend?”

“He’s not a friend. Just someone I know, Your Highness,” I clarified. “Is it possible?”

The Queen and Nora exchanged a look, their expressions shifting to something more serious. The Queen tapped her index finger against the table thoughtfully. I stood there, feeling regret creep in. I could’ve asked for gold or even those women, something tangible, something beneficial. Why did I request this? What had possessed me to do something selfless? This world was getting under my skin---changing me. I needed to leave it as soon as possible.

As the Queen’s gaze settled on me, I gulped, averting my eyes. The silence was heavy and awkward. I cursed myself for making such a foolish choice.

“You never fail to surprise me,” the Queen finally said. “Who is this ‘someone you know’?”

“His name is Seker. I don’t know his surname, but he lives in the boys’ dormitory.”

“A blessing is not a small request,” she said, her tone carrying weight. “It’s expensive. I didn’t expect you to choose something so… altruistic.”

“Oh…”

“But, very well. I shall grant you your wish,” she said, leaning back in her chair. “But I require something in return.”

“Of course, Your Highness,” I replied.

“Join the school tournament,” she said. “Fight for Redwood.”

I froze, her words sinking in. Join the tournament and fight? It felt impossible. I’d avoided conflict my whole life. Why would I willingly step into a battleground now?

“I’m not much of a fighter,” I admitted. “My mana pool is low, and I don’t even know how to hold a knife properly. I’d only embarrass myself.”

“I dislike the word ‘save,’” the Queen said, her tone sharp. “But embarrassment didn’t save me that day. Bravery did, just like General Thum said.”

“Oh, how exciting!” Nora chimed in with a faint smile. “I guess I’ll stay in Kinowa a bit longer. I wouldn’t miss this for the world, Axel.”

“I really…”

“This isn’t a negotiation,” the Queen interrupted. Her voice was final. “Accept, or walk away.”

After a pause, I nodded. “Okay. It’ll be pathetic, but I’ll try my best.”

“Then it’s settled,” the Queen declared, satisfaction evident in her tone. “Now sit. Eat. This food will not go to waste.”

“As you wish, Your Highness,” I said, pulling out the chair I’d stumbled over earlier and sitting down.

══════✦══════

Stolen from its rightful place, this narrative is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.

After a painfully awkward dinner, the Queen and Nora retreated to the throne, engaged in a private conversation that clearly had nothing to do with me. I remained at the table with just one other person—the blonde girl. I was still eating grapes, while she sipped her soup with an air of elegance. The silence between us was deafening, amplifying the awkwardness to an unbearable level. I began to wonder if I could excuse myself, perhaps feigning an important task or claiming I had a quest to complete before its deadline.

Finally, my stomach signaled it had endured enough grapes. Leaning back into my chair, I glanced around. The rain continued to lash against the windows, the wind howling in uneven bursts.

“I…” I muttered, turning toward the girl. “May I be excused, my lady?”

She raised an eyebrow, setting her spoon on the edge of her plate. “As you can see, she wears the crown,” she said, gesturing toward her mother. “Ask her.”

“Right… okay.”

Before I could gather the courage to approach the Queen, she spoke again. “Is it true? Did you really destroy a whole forest?”

“Just a part of it,” I said, trying to downplay the event. “But yeah, that was me.”

“Would you show me how you did it?”

“I’d rather not, if that’s okay,” I replied. “I was lucky no one got caught in the crossfire. If anyone innocent had been hurt…” I trailed off, shaking my head. “I’d never forgive myself.”

“I know a safe place,” she said, her voice insistent. “Will you show me there?”

“Is this an order, my lady?”

“No. It’s just a request.”

“Then I’ll have to refuse.”

Her eyes widened slightly, caught off guard by my refusal. She locked her gaze on me, taking a deep breath before exhaling slowly. I wasn’t a performer meant to entertain or satisfy anyone’s curiosity. Agreeing to participate in that tournament was already more than enough. I wasn’t going to let this spiral into even more nonsense.

“Well,” she said after a pause. “Now it’s an order.”

“But—”

“Mother,” she interrupted, turning toward the Queen without looking away from me, “may I take Axel outside for a while? I want him to show me how he destroyed the forest.”

The Queen glanced at her daughter, then at me. “Take some guards with you,” she said. “And be cautious. Where will you take him? We can’t risk the city’s destruction.”

“To the ocean,” the blonde girl replied confidently.

“Fine,” the Queen said with a dismissive wave. “Have fun.”

“Actually,” I interjected, standing abruptly, “may I be excused, Your Highness? Mr. Poley told me I needed to practice magic and—”

“Did my voice not carry?” the Queen interrupted, her words sharp and biting. “You will go with her.”

“But—”

“Now I understand why your own mother shot you,” she said coldly. “You imbecile.”

Her words hit like a hammer, and I felt my fists clench instinctively. My dull eyes locked with hers, unwavering. She’d crossed a line. The room fell silent, everyone watching the standoff.

Seeing my reaction, the Queen rose from her throne and stormed toward me, her heels clicking loudly against the floor. She grabbed me by the collar and yanked me toward her, her face twisted with disdain.

I didn’t look away. I didn’t flinch.

“What?” she hissed. “Do you think I’m afraid of you? Making a fist and all angrily? I’ll end you right here if you don’t stop looking at me like that.”

“Apologize,” I said, my tone as dull and steady as ever.

“Apologize?” Her laugh was cruel. “You want me to apologize to you?”

“Apologize,” I repeated.

“Mirelda,” Nora interjected, her voice shaky, “l-let’s just calm dow—”

“Get on your knees,” the Queen demanded, her grip tightening on my collar, “and beg me not to kill you right now.”

“Apologize,” I said again, unmoving.

“Mother…” the blonde girl said softly. “Calm down.”

“You have five seconds.”

“Apologize.”

The Queen’s hand cracked across my face, snapping my head to the side. “One.”

“Apologize.”

Another slap. “Two.”

“Apologize.”

Again. “Three.”

“Apologize.”

Her hand struck once more. “Four.”

“Apologize,” this time, I leaned in closer, my voice a whisper but sharp as a blade. “You fucking whore.”