Chapter 4: The Kingdom That Tried to Recruit Me
The morning sun cast a golden glow over Eldoria City as Kaito walked through the streets, Fenrir's divine form now concealed behind a smaller illusion. Everywhere he went, whispers followed:
> "That's him the Archsage!"
"He cleared the Forgotten Dungeon alone!"
"They say his familiar swallowed a dragon whole!"
Kaito sighed. "So much for staying under the radar."
Fenrir padded beside him, tail flicking. You could've stayed quiet, Master. But no you had to vaporize a dungeon boss.
Kaito smirked. "Hey, it was a good test run."
As they turned a corner, a group of royal knights blocked the road. Their silver armor gleamed, and at their head stood a woman in crimson robes the emblem of the Eldorian Royal Court on her chest.
"Archsage Kaito Sakuragi," she said with practiced grace, "by royal decree, His Majesty King Arvent requests your presence."
Kaito blinked. "That was fast."
Fenrir growled softly, but Kaito raised a hand. "It's fine. Let's see what the king wants."
Inside the Royal Palace
The palace gleamed with marble and gold. Magical runes shimmered faintly across the walls a sign that the kingdom was wary of magic users.
The throne room opened wide. On a raised platform sat King Arvent, a stout man with sharp eyes and a heavy crown. Beside him stood Princess Elenora, her aura faintly glowing she was a mage too.
"Kaito Sakuragi," the king boomed, "you have achieved feats no mortal should. The people call you Archsage, and my kingdom would be honored to have you serve as our Royal Magister."
Kaito tilted his head. "You mean, you want me to be your court wizard?"
"In exchange," the king continued, "you'll have riches, a mansion, and command over our armies. You'll live as a hero of Eldoria."
Kaito considered it for a moment. Tempting… but working under someone else sounds annoying.
He smiled politely. "I appreciate the offer, Your Majesty. But I'm not the serving type."
The court went silent. The king's smile faltered.
"You… refuse?"
"Yeah. I prefer freedom. Bureaucracy gives me hives."
A murmur rippled through the chamber. The head mage, a tall man in blue robes, stepped forward angrily. "You dare disrespect the king? You arrogant upstart!"
He raised his staff and chanted. "Grand Flame Strike!"
A torrent of crimson fire roared toward Kaito strong enough to melt steel.
Kaito didn't even move.
He just blinked, and the fire vanished. The entire spell unraveled midair, its mana collapsing into harmless light.
New Skill Unlocked: Absolute Spell Reversal
Any magic directed at the user can be absorbed, inverted, or reflected at full power.
The attack rebounded instantly, exploding behind the mage in a harmless burst of heat that singed his pride more than his robes.
Kaito stretched lazily. "You done?"
The king's eyes widened. The princess gasped. "He… dispelled it with a thought."
Fenrir snorted. Mortals do love testing their limits.
Kaito sighed. "I'm not here to fight your people, King Arvent. But if you force me, I won't hold back next time."
The king hesitated, then slowly nodded. "Understood… Archsage. You are beyond our station."
As Kaito turned to leave, Princess Elenora stepped forward, her expression soft. "Please wait. Before you go tell me something. How did you gain such power?"
Kaito smiled faintly. "By accident… and curiosity."
And with that, he walked out of the palace, Fenrir following close behind.
Later That Night
Kaito sat on a hill overlooking Eldoria, watching the stars shimmer. Fenrir lay beside him in his full divine form, fur glowing faintly.
"Seems like this world's already getting noisy," Kaito muttered.
Fenrir yawned. Noisy worlds are fun, Master.
Just then, the system glowed again.
[SYSTEM NOTICE]
World Event Detected: "The Rise of the Archsage"
New Title Acquired: World-Class Threat
Divine Entities Aware of Your Existence.
Skill Evolution Available:
Reality Manipulation → World Rewrite (Partial)
Strategic Authority → Dominion Protocol
Kaito raised an eyebrow. "Divine Entities, huh? Guess I'm famous now."
He stood, eyes reflecting the starlight. "If the gods want to see me… I'll meet them halfway."
Fenrir grinned, teeth glinting. Shall we show them what a mortal can do?
Kaito chuckled. "Yeah. Let's rewrite the rules of their world next."
And as the night wind swept through the valley, the Archsage's power pulsedwarping the air, bending reality ever so slightly just enough for the gods themselves to feel it.