The air in the antechamber of Ryan Kingdom's royal palace was solemn and majestic.
The unique scent of parchnt and ink mixed in the High Towers of the Academic State was absent here, nor could one see the complex star maps and magic arrays adorning the walls. Instead, there was the scent of ancient oak and steel, along with tapestries stitched with gold threads depicting glory in vivid red.
The portraits of past kings cast silent, dignified gazes from the walls, clad in heavy armor, wielding warhamrs or longswords, their eyes as sharp as hawks.
Every object here silently narrated the kingdom's long history and the royal authority built on glory and valor.
Yet in such a somber place sat a frail-looking magic apprentice, seemingly out of place with the surrounding atmosphere.
His na was Leon, a mage of the Source Magic School, and the youngest apprentice of the Great Sage.
Many who saw the Great Sage's care for him assud he was a distant relative or even an illegitimate child, but only Leon knew the truth was not so complex; the Lord Sage simply favored his magical talent.
Nonetheless, he occasionally puzzled over what his so-called talent truly was. He questioned whether his abilities, perhaps slightly superior to his peers, were enough to warrant the Great Sage's attention.
This favoritism and fostering sotis made him uneasy.
Like now, he never imagined he would one day act as an envoy for the Academic State, alone in this martial land, shouldering such a significant diplomatic mission, perhaps even bearing... um, humanity's future?
Leon repeatedly smoothed the creases in his Source Magic School robe, attempting to appear more composed.
However, the more he focused on trivial things, the worse it beca; the robe that was sowhat smooth now looked even more wrinkled.
To calm his restless, wildly beating heart and to divert his attention, Leon closed his eyes and took a deep breath.
A week ago, the scene when he received the task from the Great Sage vividly returned to his mind...
It was Brass Pass, standing at the eastern border of the Imperial, where howling winds swept with sands like ghostly cries against the grand walls built by dwarves.
The threat of Chaos was encroaching from Dinsion Desert's direction, but his respected teacher, Great Sage Dousuke, did not look towards the sands beyond the Pass but rather towards Ryan Kingdom, his gaze unusually worried.
"Leon," the Great Sage's voice, carried by the wind, reached his ears clearly, "I do not worry about the fall of Brass Pass; the army of Chaos can never breach the Imperial's barrier head-on, nor can those desert creatures ever step past this great pass."
His voice paused montarily, then shifted.
"What worries , however, is Ryan Kingdom behind it. Since ancient tis, the most solid fortresses often crumble from within."
Leon only rembered the Great Sage's heavy tone, as if foreseeing that tragic future.
Monts later, the respected elder handed him a token engraved with the Source Magic School's mark and solemnly instructed.
"...Go to Ryan Kingdom, deliver this token to their King Theoden Devalu, and relay my ssage."
"The corruption of Chaos, like a plague, has quietly infiltrated the land proud of honor and loyalty under his command."
"It's not too late to act now."
The recollection ended, Leon opened his eyes, yet the tension inside him had mounted rather than subsided.
How could he convince an esteed king, whose realm was founded on knightly spirit, that his people harbored vile traitors?
This seemingly caring advice sounded more like a vicious insult...
As Leon worried over this, the door to the antechamber silently opened, and an elderly man dressed in court manager attire entered.
His expression was solemn as a stone sculpture, like a living statue. He nodded slightly and announced with a fitting, emotionless tone.
"Envoy of the Sage, Our Majesty is ready. Please follow to the audience hall."
"Ah... alright!"
Leon stood abruptly from his chair, but the haste made his knee hit the coffee table, producing a dull sound.
Ignoring the pain but involuntarily grimacing, his face flushed with embarrassnt under the manager's scrutinizing gaze.
To say he was unfamiliar with noble etiquette.
There were indeed many nobles in the Academic State from Ryan Kingdom; he truly couldn't understand why the Lord Sage chose him.
"Ryan Kingdom's palace does not have many magic items; we prefer the most traditional tables and stools instead of infusing them with magic."
The manager gently coughed and, changing to a softer tone, offered the young magic apprentice a way out, "My apologies for not accommodating you well."
"N-no, it's not so; it was my own carelessness."
Leon quickly gestured with his hand, forcing an apologetic smile and explaining.
"Also, we actually don't infuse magic into tables or stools... we generally use magic on bookshelves or windows."
The manager lightly raised an eyebrow, the corner of his mouth hinting at an almost imperceptible smile.
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