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Chapter 148: Testing The Princess’s Abilities (I)
The teacup that he had held clattered against the marble floor.
Tobias blinked, staring at the now-shattered porcelain before lifting his gaze.
The one responsible for his fumble wasn’t the king, nor a maid. It was Cedric — his ever-so-curious voice ringing out.
"Who is this Zayn you speak of?"
The room went quiet for a heartbeat.
King Alden let out a hearty laugh, stroking his beard as if dusting off an old memory. "Ah yes, I remember that boy. He prostrated himself at your feet, Cedric, declaring his loyalty and desire to join the Hero of Light’s party when the selection was underway but the Hero of Knowledge took him instead."
Cedric furrowed his brows, as if sifting through the clutter of memory for a name he had discarded. "That blond-haired young man?"
The king nodded. "The very same."
Tobias leaned forward, the weight in his voice sharp and direct. "What business does a king like you have with one of my party members?"
Celeste, ever graceful, poured her father a cup of dark ale.
The king raised it, took a long sip, then exhaled with nostalgic calm.
"You see, Zayn is the son of General Aldren Eldrake. One of my closest friends. A brilliant tactician. A man I trusted with my life more than once." He paused, eyes distant. "I never thought his son would end up fighting alongside a summoned hero."
’Then don’t send him to the front lines, old man,’ was the thought that echoed across the table.
It wasn’t voiced by anyone — not Tobias, not Cedric, not even Ragnar — but the air grew heavier, and even Celeste’s eyes narrowed slightly as she sipped her wine.
"I hope he’s doing alright?" the king added, almost gently.
Tobias sighed, cupping the warm tea between his palms before taking a sip. "He’s fine. More than fine. He’s grown strong. Strong enough to match me."
The table went silent. The flickering candles seemed to burn a little slower.
Cedric turned his head slowly, disbelief painted all over his chiseled features.
Ragnar raised a brow, visibly intrigued. Eve didn’t move — but her eyes sharpened.
"A party member... on par with a Hero?" Cedric asked, voice edged in skepticism.
"Don’t be dramatic," Tobias replied. "I said probably. I haven’t fought him seriously yet. But I’ve seen his growth firsthand."
Ragnar chuckled and leaned back in his chair, arms folded behind his head. "Actually, I’ve fought him."
Everyone turned to him.
"Back in Edgeville about a month ago. He was giving off massive soul energy so I asked him for a spar and a spar we had. Kid held his ground. I won, sure, but it wasn’t easy." He grinned. "Didn’t feel like he was going all out either. If he was... well, I might’ve ended up eating dirt."
Tobias gave a small, approving nod.
The king hummed, clearly impressed. "General Aldren would be proud. The boy has inherited more than just his father’s name."
He cleared his throat and clapped once. "Let’s not let good food go to waste. Dig in, everyone."
Plates were passed around, and servants came bearing platters of roasted pheasant, braised carrots, honey-glazed boar, and steaming bread with melted cheese.
The scent alone eased the tension. Silverware clinked as the room returned to motion —except for one person.
Princess Celeste.
She ate quietly, expression distant. Then she leaned toward her father, her whisper soft but urgent.
The king bent slightly, whispering back. Their conversation grew more heated with every exchange, eyes flicking toward Tobias now and then.
Finally, she slammed her palms on the table, startling even Ragnar.
"I want to join the Hero of Knowledge’s party!"
Forks froze mid-air. Tobias blinked. no𝚟𝚙u𝚋.c𝚘m
Cedric, of course, was the first to speak. "You can’t be serious, Princess. If you’re seeking to travel with a Hero, join mine. The Hero of Light’s party is well-fortified. Structured. Safe."
Celeste shook her head. "That’s exactly why I don’t want to join it."
She turned to Tobias, determination blazing in her golden eyes. "Your party... you’re facing things that the rest of us are. I’d find it comfortable to follow a Hero that possesses knowledge rather than one that explodes everything he sees."
Tobias rubbed his temple slowly. "Do you even have any combat experience?"
Celeste straightened. "I trained with the royal knights since I was ten. Swordsmanship, wind magic, and mid-tier sealing arts. I might not be as strong as you, but I can hold my own."
The king cleared his throat, clearly displeased. "Celeste..."
She didn’t look away. "If Zayn — a general’s son — can follow a Hero into battle, why can’t I?"
Tobias was quiet for a long moment. His eyes scanned her posture, her expression.
She wasn’t bluffing. The princess wasn’t some spoiled noble looking for adventure.
There was steel behind those words.
Or maybe she just wanted to see Zayn... he had a feeling it was the latter.
He looked at the king. "Would she be under my authority?"
"Yes," the king said begrudgingly. "But if a single strand of hair on her head is harmed, I will hold you responsible."
Ragnar whistled. "No pressure."
Tobias leaned back, folding his arms. "I’ll consider it. But she’ll need to prove herself."
Celeste smirked. "Fair enough."
Celeste sat back down, sipping the remainder of her wine as Tobias rounded off his plate of roast pheasant and vegetables.
He dabbed at his lips with a cloth, then placed the napkin back down neatly.
"In what way are you testing me?" she asked, placing her goblet aside.
"A spar," Tobias said simply, rising from his seat. "I want to see your capabilities firsthand—and then I’ll determine your role in our party. If you’re getting in, that is."
Celeste smiled. "You’re not going to go easy on me, are you?"
"Oh, I’ll definitely hold back," he replied, adjusting his sleeves and walking toward the hallway. "But you’d still better do your best."
The two of them exited the dining hall, ignoring the surprised looks from a few palace staff.
Word spread quickly that the Hero of Knowledge and the princess were about to spar, and by the time they reached the back of the castle — a vast training field the size of a tournament arena — a small group of curious nobles, guards, and servants had already started peeking out from balconies and garden pathways.
The afternoon sun was high in the sky, golden light washing over the well-manicured lawn.
A few maids trimmed grass along the edges, casting glances at the two unusual duelists now facing off in the center of the field.
Tobias adjusted his glasses with a sigh. "I can already hear Zayn teasing me for this."
Celeste smirked, pulling her long blond hair into a high ponytail. "He sounds like someone I’d get along with."
