After a long journey, Rai and the company reached the Castle, He wanted to report immediately to the King therefore, they went straight to the Throne Room.

Arriving at the giant door of the Throne Room. General Hardley stopped Rai and politely said “Wait here.”

Rai nodded, but he didn’t know why he was stopped. General Hardley entered the Throne Room. After 10 minutes had passed, a soldier came out of the Throne Room, saluted, and said “Sir Rai, you may enter.” In return Rai nodded and walked towards the door as it opened, he saw Nobles standing on both sides of the path which lead to the King sitting on the Throne. Standing left to the King was Marcus le Vallier, while on the right was Aaron Foures Zairon.

While he walked towards the Throne, he noticed that the Nobles leered at him. But he didn’t care and continued onwards. Upon reaching the 5 meters from the stairs which led to the Throne, he slightly bowed and said “My King, I have completed my training and have returned.”

The King smiled and replied “How was the jungle? Were there any problems?”

Rai replied, “There weren’t any unpleasantries, Milord.”

The King replied, “Very well.” With a small pause, he said “At what rank have you reached?”

Rai with a faint smile said, “I have reached Sky Touching Realm.”

Upon hearing that, the Nobles started whispering to each other which caused useless chatter in the Throne Room. The King shouted “SILENCE!” At that moment the entire Throne Room was as quiet as if it was empty.

Rai with a slight smile said, “If I combine Magic with my Sword, I reach Sky Breaking Realm, Milord.”

The King was surprised “Oh you have grown quite a lot in such a short time?”

Rai replied, “Yes, although I lack experience.”

The King admired his humble demeanor, smiled, and said “What do you think General Hardley?”

General Hardley replied “Milord, I think Rai is being modest after all, with only two years of training he has reached a great rank. Soon with enough experience, he will surpass, from past to present.”

Upon hearing that, the best Swordsman in the Kingdom was praising this young man, which made everyone gaze at Rai in awe.

The King smirked and said, “Any Monsters that you thought were strong in the Jungle?”

Rai immediately replied, “Yes Milord, there was one…”

The King was surprised and said “Oh? What Monster was it?”

Rai replied, “It was a White Serpent.”

The King shocked said “Oh? Did you fight it?”

“Yes, we did fight.”

Said Rai and turned around and chanted:

Black Vortex

At that moment as if the space itself collapsed, a flat black hole appeared on the red carpet and, the White Serpents head came out of it. After that, it disappeared and the space returned to normal.

Seeing the White Serpents head, The King stood up and said “That is… The White Serpent has been ruining the crops and killing people in the outer regions for some time now. This is a great deed you have done. Tell me what do you desire? If it’s within my power I shall make it happen.”

Rai surprised by the sudden act of King he took one step back. He tried to calm down and think about what he desired.

While Rai was thinking the King gave a glance to Marcus, and in return, Marcus nodded and turned towards Rai and said “Yes Sir Rai, we are thankful for killing the White Serpent. Please think carefully about what you want as your prize.”

What the two wanted was for Rai to demand nobility or something worth a lot, so they can feel reassured that he would stay with them. But they did not foresee what Rai would actually ask.

After thinking for a while Rai slightly bowed and said “Milord I want freedom.”

Everyone was shocked by what Rai had said, thus presuming that they were keeping him here forcefully.

Rai afraid that they might have misunderstood continued “Milord, the reason I stayed in this world was to discover more. I want to travel the lands, the sky, the ocean, and everything else that this world has to offer. I want to experience it all! Therefore I want the freedom to explore this world. To go to the very depths and ends of this world where I can do whatever I want without anybody interfering. Because this is my home now, I want to fully explore it and see it for myself, for what it really is. This world I want to fully grasp it and I want to start my journey alone so that I can reach the peak!”

The King restless sat back on the Throne and let out a sigh and said “Since I promised you that I would grant you anything… I want to discuss this with everyone here. You must be tired from your long journey; you may go and get some rest.”

Rai slightly bowed and walked out of the Throne Room, making way towards his room.

On the way to the room, he saw the Flower Garden but there was nobody in the Garden. Remembering the Princess he unknowingly had a faint smile.

Rai walked into the Flower Garden and sat down in the field of flowers, thinking that he would get some rest here, closing his eyes he dozed off immediately.

He opened his eyes, and the sun was about to set. He turned to his left to grab the sword, and as he prepared to go back he heard “Oh you’re awake.”

This voice he had heard before. He turned around as fast as he could and saw Princess Vennessia sitting next to him. Surprised, she was sitting next to him while he was asleep. He didn’t utter a word and just stared at her.

Confused by Rai’s behavior, she gave a cute smile while she tilted her head a little, and said: “Is something wrong?”

As soon as she said that Rai with a slight blush, turned his head away, to calm down and said “N-No… Nothing is wrong Princess.”

“Hmm, are you sure?” She said while leaning forward.

Rai had calmed down and replied with a smile “Yes… Um, why are you here princess?”

Princess Vennessia with a faint smile replied “Oh, I can’t be in my own garden now?”

Rai flustered replied “Ah no, I didn’t mean it like that. I apologize.”

She giggled and replied, “I am just teasing you.”

“Oh…” said Rai while being embarrassed.

They both suddenly started laughing because of the awkward atmosphere it created.

At that time the King was walking by and saw the two laughing in the Flower Garden. The King let out a sigh and thought to himself Hmm, such a pity.

While both were engaged in a conversation again, Princess Vennessia noticed that her father was looking their way. She flinched ever so slightly and stood up. She slightly bowed towards Rai and said “I have some matter to attend to, I shall take my leave, Sir Rai.”

Confused by the sudden change of mood, he got up and slightly bowed in return, and said “Yes, may we meet again.”

“Yes, we shall.” She replied while walking back to her room.

Seeing her go back, he also made way to his room while thinking Why did she suddenly get up and leave? Was someone there? I think I sensed someone but I thought they would just go away. If it was because of someone, then their rank must be pretty high. It could be Sir Aaron or Sir Marcus. Who else could it be? Don’t tell me it was her Father? Could be… but he was in the Throne Room.

He let out a sigh and continued thinking It would have been nice if we could chat a bit more, after all, I was so looking forward to it as it has been a long time since I had seen her.

He entered his room, took a shower, and went to sleep.