Hey Draco, if you touch my son, I'll break you!"
"What! Zinarfil—how did you get in here?... And this boy—is he with you??"
"Oh, what an honor! I'm so glad to see you, Lady Zinarfil! But I don't recall giving you permission to enter."
"Well, Andreas, you know the cameras are still recording, so you better not say too much. Now all of you, back away from Aryan."
While the argument between Draconsius and Andreas escalated due to Zinarfil's sudden arrival, Aryan, overwhelmed by the pressure, fainted and missed the clash between the three powers.
"Sister, you'd better explain why you're here—and who this boy is! And please, stop calling me Draco."
"Bravo, dear little brother. Do you remember when was the last time we saw each other?"
"Lady Zinarfil, I apologize for interrupting, but as a king, I must ask—why are you here?"
"Well, no problem, Roxleus. But you shouldn't talk to a lady with such filth in your tone. Now step aside. I'm taking that child to a healer!"
"Alright, Roxleus, Draconsius—everyone, let her do what she came for. But Lady Zinarfil… don't forget you owe us an explanation!"
After a long argument with the three kings, Zinarfil gently picked up Aryan, whose body had turned cold like ice, and made her way to the exit. Meanwhile, Andreas ordered Abraham and the other judges to end the trial and announce the candidates accepted into the school.
"Abraham, announce the top students and end the exam."
"Yes, Your Majesty, but we still have the third trial and the sorcerers' assessment…"
"I told you to end it. Or would you rather I end you?"
"Y-y-yes, Your Majesty…"
After the kings departed, Abraham announced that the exam was over. Of the 30 remaining participants, only 20 passed. The top students were Drikaron, Maro, Aryan, and Leo—each a surprise in their own right, especially with Aryan's unexpected appearance.
Many present wanted to protest, but the fear hanging in the air was too heavy. No one dared.
"Ughhhh…" Draconsius was furious. He shattered the room in rage, scaring many servants. "I still can't believe that hag showed up!"
"Calm down, Draconsius… Don't degrade yourself."
"How can I calm down, Roxleus? You know her! Why should I keep calm? And who is that boy?!"
"I think I know who he is," Andreas said as he turned from a painting on the wall to face Draconsius.
"Who is he, King Andreas? Like I said earlier—his face felt very familiar."
"Well, King Eldinor, I wasn't sure either… but seeing him up close, and with Zinarfil showing up... It's him. That boy is the son of Atrius—the King of the Legends!"
Draconsius, who had just sat down, jumped back to his feet in shock. "How is that possible? Didn't we kill him during the battle?!"
"Well, I agree with Andreas. Eldinor, the reason he seemed familiar to you is probably his silver hair, right? And that ridiculous power for a nine-year-old—it was just like Atrius in his youth!"
"Unfortunately, King Roxleus, I didn't know Atrius as well as you did. But yes—I'll never forget that face. And I saw it again in that boy... like he was living inside him."
"Well, it doesn't matter who he looks like—we need to decide what to do with that boy!"
The kings grew serious, staring at one another with expressions devoid of sympathy.
"Well, I think we shouldn't act until we're sure. That boy is the only person in the history of the mages with an affinity for four elements!"
"You're right, Roxleus. And not just elements—they're all related elements, too. But if we wait too long and he learns the truth, we're screwed. I don't think we could stand against him like we did against Atrius!"
"Friends, I hope you haven't forgotten the prophecy from nine years ago. If he's the one—it's better to kill him now!"
Each king shared their thoughts about Aryan. All eyes eventually turned to Andreas, who stood silently, deep in thought, staring at the floor and mumbling, "If he's Atrius's son, then... he's his son too. Interesting. That streak of black in his hair might explain it."
After two minutes of silence, Andreas finally spoke.
"Let him live. Let him go to the Crusalis School. Roxleus can watch him through his faction, and I'll try to bring him to our side… and use him for our goals."
The others looked at each other in surprise but eventually agreed to spare Aryan. Just then, Zinarfil reentered the room, her face as expressionless as a frozen lake.
"Well, I see all of you are still here—and sadly, still breathing. I don't know what you're plotting, but let me say this loud and clear: that boy is my son now. If you touch him or even speak to him harshly, I swear—I'll destroy you."
"And how exactly do you plan on doing that, huh? You think you can take us on alone?"
"Just like I made sure you became king, little idiot brother. Now I'm leaving, and Aryan will go to school safe and sound. Luckily, he remembers nothing about what happened during the trials, so I suggest you all play dumb, too."
With that, Zinarfil walked out, leaving the kings behind.
"I'm sorry to ask this now… but who is that woman?" Eldinor asked, clearly still in shock.
Draconsius, his face still flushed with anger, simply muttered, "If you don't know… then stay ignorant."