Hatsua, the founding king of Kailis and one of the Eight Heroes who sealed the Evil One in the Battle of the Gods, wed Sispanian and made her his queen.
Sigmund Khan Sispanian.
They had known each other in the old times. Sispanian was an ancient dragon and another of the Eight Heroes, and she married Hatsua not for the mere "entertainment," but because it was the true desire of her heart.
In other words, Hatsua did not take Sispanian as a queen for himself–Sispanian chose Hatsua as her dragon companion.
Sispanian hoped that Hatsua and his descendants would be special. Their children bore her blood, which only passed down to their immediate children. They had the power of healing and magical talent, and was known as "Sispanian's Blessing."
So the wound on Calian's palm should have healed already.
His heart should not hurt every time he tried to use mana.
Facing two things that should not be, Calian frowned.
"The wound is still there."
The wound from Franz's knife did not start to heal until the evening was over. He initially suspected that Calian's real father wasn't King Rumein, but then he recalled that his wounds healed normally in the past.
This meant this was only a recent problem.
But that wasn't all.
Bern was a knight, and one of only six sword masters in the continent. His old body was made strong from physical activity. Therefore, he wondered if that body could produce such an aura.
So he focused on the mana and realized that there were three mana circles near his heart. At the same time, knowledge of unfamiliar and vast knowledge of magic began to flood his brain.
"My heart hurts when I try to use mana."
It took him two days to realize that Calian was a mage, but every time he tried to use his mana a pain would sear in his chest. He felt it at the time when he caught Franz's knife, but not to the same degree. At the time, the original Calian unconsciously tried to use his body and poured strength in his hand to block it. As a result, his hand was injured.
Calian once again tried to use his mana, but to the same result. He grimaced and clutched at his chest.
"If he has three circles at this age, then he had been diligently practicing."
The frustration was that there was no memory of the painful symptoms before. Perhaps it began when Bern came to this body, or perhaps there was some other cause.
"This is a problem. I can't use magic at this rate."
It was difficult. No, was very dangerous.
Realizing that it was not just a trivial matter he could set aside, Calian began to think deeply.
He needed someone to ask about this situation. There wasn't anyone in the palace who could give Calian advice. He carefully retraced his memory, but he couldn't think of a solution.
Before long the water had cooled down, and a magical device for temperature control uttered a gurgle. The contraption was the work of mages. Calian's eyes glistened as he listened to the sound.
"Mage…of course, the mages."
Calian splashed the bath water with a hand as an idea lit his brain.
"Alan Manassil."
Alan Manassil. He was one of three seven-circle mages that existed, and was the youngest, the most talented, and the most idolized of all wizards.
By Bern's time ten years ago, or the current present, Alan visited the city for King Rumein's birthday festival. He didn't know the details, but he knew Alan went to the palace dressed in shabby clothes. The guard at the gates prevented him from entering, and so the mage went to the Kingdom of Riverrun. And about ten years later, Alan became the only eight-circle mage on the continent.
His knowledge of mana was unsurpassed, and so Calian was sure the mage could help him with this dilemma.
"It would be best if I could take this opportunity to get him on my side," Calian murmured to himself.
The support of a powerful wizard was equivalent to the loyalty of a knight. If Alan was on Calian's side, then all the wizards of Kailis would stand by Calian as well.
"Then I won't have a silent and useless death."
No one could touch Franz's life because of the power of Queen Silica's knights. And his other brother Randall? His mother Aisha, the former queen of Kailis and who had died of illness, was the first princess of the Holy Kingdom of Tensil. That made Randall part of the Tensil royal family, and his life was not something to be trifled with either.
If Calian had Alan by his side, then he would have that kind of power too.
That wasn't all. There was one massive change Alan could bring.
Calian's eyes narrowed.
"My name will be added to the list of candidates for succession to the throne."
Kailis discriminated against mages harshly, even though it was ruled by the dragon's descendants. It was Queen Silica's doing. The mages were practically waiting for someone to overturn the situation.
What if those mages threw their support behind Calian? From now on, it was clear that no matter what family backed Calian, the mages would be a far superior choice.
Of course, as Rumein was only thirty-seven years old, there was no immediacy for him to pronounce an heir just yet. It was still a little longer yet before the battle for the throne would commence, and it would be eight years later when Franz would become king.
Calian once again tried to call upon the mana.
A sharp pain stabbed him in the heart, and he scowled.
"I'm going to have to meet Alan Manassil first."
Only then would he be able to take the next step.
He needed to see a particular child. If Alan could save Calian, then Calian would save this child next. He would save him and turn him into his weapon.
One month until Rumein's birthday.
Calian's scheduled death was around that time.
Events overlapped interestingly.
"I'll have to hold on and wait."
Chalbag. Calian splashed the water again.
– Tuck!
When Schatten Slake's gaze full upon Calian, he dropped the measuring tape in his hands in surprise. Schatten retrieved it from the floor, then took out a new tape. Anything soiled on the ground wasn't to be used on the royal family.
Schatten stared at Calian, turned his head away then looked at him again. Somehow it made Yan uneasy. Schatten's mouth opened to speak.
"Looking at the prince reminds me of Freya."
"Slake."
Anxious, Yan immediately interrupted Schatten from speaking. As if he had only come to a realization, Schatten looked flustered and bowed deeply to Calian.
"My deep apologies, Your Highness."
Calian was surprised at the sudden change in atmosphere. He turned towards Yan, but found Yan bowing even more deeply.
"I'm sorry. I'll have someone else sent in right away," the attendant said.
Calian furrowed his brow, unsure why they were apologizing and quickly rifled through his old memories.
'Why do I have to search through these memories? Can't the information just surface when I think of it?'
It wasn't long until he discovered the reason, and his spirits sank.
"Oh…"
The original Calian had trembled at the knowledge that he resembled Freya, and he hated looking at his face in the mirror. For a long time he suffered because he resembled someone he had not met since birth.
He now understood why Yan was so uneasy about bringing a mirror to Calian. Calian didn't usually look at his face, and out of nowhere he made a fuss about it.
'I'm lucky that I wasn't found out.'
Calian heaved a sigh. Of course he had no feelings for Freya now, but overcoming that much trauma in one morning might have looked suspicious. He was slowly getting his bearings, but he still had to show an ounce of reluctance. He searched for the right words before addressing Schatten.
"Keep doing what you're doing. You don't have to explain yourself. I know I look like my mother."
Both of them were surprised at Calian's words, but at least it didn't look like their suspicions were aroused.
"Yes, yes. Let's get started."
Schatten, who was sure that he would get evicted, raised himself up and began to carefully measure Calian's body, while an assistant wrote down the measurements.
After some time, Schatten finished his task and offered up some advice.
"I think you should eat more, Your Highness. I'm worried because you're so small."
Calian laughed. There was no reason to be offended by the fact. He wasn't exactly small, but it was true that he was thin.
"Yes."
Since the measurements were taken more quickly than expected, Calian thought he could take a little rest before dinner, but them the assistant hauled in some thick books. Schatten placed them on the table and opened them up.
"···?"
One had illustration of various types of robes, while another had samples of cloth, all of which were different in material and color. There were other books with laces and all kinds of accessories, others with buttons and shoes. That was not the end. His assistant came forth with two more books.
Calian made a face that said all of that?, and Schatten seemed to indicate that they were only getting started.
"Now we have to decide on the design, Prince. You can decide a total of four suits."
"–how many suits?"
Exhausted, the answer came from his memory.
There were five sets of clothes that needed to be prepared. The ceremonial clothing was already chosen, so there was no need to choose another.
Calian's face turned white.
'You mean I have to pick all of that!'
Bern had never experienced this in his own life. It was his mother the Queen who chose his clothes when he was a child, and after he became a knight, he wore nothing but the knight's uniform. There was no need to choose other clothes. In addition, Secretia did not have such large and lavish events where one needed to have five sets of clothes at a time.
But now he didn't have his mother to pick his clothes for him, and he didn't have a knight's garb. Yan, sensing his troubled expression, spoke.
"You've changed quite a bit lately, haven't you? But you didn't have any social gatherings with the nobility this month because of the preparations for the event. The king's birthday will the first time you will appear in front of others after such a change."
Yan's words were, "Select the clothing well and give a good impression of the new you."
'Alright, I understand.'
Calian looked at the array of books layering the table. The mere sight of it made him feel exhausted. Would clothes even attract attention to a weak body that can't eve use mana?
"I don't feel confident in my selection. You can pick."
"You" was referring to Yan and the maids. Calian wanted to defer the task, and Yan's faced colored.
"Are you sure that's all right?"
"Of course."
Calian nodded and sat down on the sofa.
The war began, their passion lit like a flame.
The maids who shadowed Calian quietly for two days without saying a word in front of him now began to speak up and stand out.
Calian, who was listening to snatches of the conversation, occasionally threw in his own comments.
"No royal ribbons. Not even a small one."
There was a moment of disappointment from the servants before they came up with another idea.
"Not too many frills," Calian had to say.
They didn't give up. "…How about some lace?"
What the hell are they trying to make? And what were all the beads for?
Eventually, Calian edged himself between them and joined in the war of words.