“Boom”

The pen hit the wall with a resounding impact. A deep dent formed where it struck, and cracks spread outward like a spider’s web. I had only expected to break the magic circle, assuming the pen would drop harmlessly. I had either overestimated the High Priests or underestimated how unfinished the circle was, making it far easier to destroy.

“Impossible… At that age, how could he… This is beyond belief…”

I got up and walked over to the wall where the pen had embedded itself. It had sunk into the wall as soft as tofu, with only the tip of the cap visible. I grabbed the small piece with my left hand and pulled it out effortlessly. The pen came out completely intact as if nothing had happened.

I glanced at it briefly before turning my eyes to my father. He was standing, mouth open in shock, visibly shaken—a rare sight for someone who always prided himself on maintaining a calm and composed appearance.

“I apologize. I intended to write the petition with my left hand, but since I’m not used to it, I accidentally lost my grip on the pen.”

“You… You… Jaibid, what… what are you…?”

“I suppose I’ll have to try again,” I said, glancing down at the pen in my hand. “Though I fear I might drop it again.”

As I spoke, I turned my gaze to the nearest High Priest, locking my eyes on the center of his forehead. I casually spun the pen in my left hand.

“For some reason, I have a feeling I might drop it in that direction.”

The priest, now as pale as a ghost, hurriedly began forming hand signs, preparing to summon a barrier of holy power. I couldn’t help but feel amused. Did he truly think I would throw it? It was just a verbal threat—anyone could see that.

“Jaibid! Stop this at once!” my mother shouted, panic rising in her voice. “You can’t harm a priest, not even as a member of the royal family!”

Her voice trembled with fear, her earlier composure completely shattered. I resisted the urge to smile. The tension in the room was thick, and it was clear no one knew how to handle the situation anymore.

For some reason, my mother’s voice cracked with panic, and I turned to see why she was so nervous. That’s when I felt a slight tug on my sleeve. Zetak, now freed from the magic circle, was quietly tugging at it. When did he get here? It seemed the broken circle had allowed him to move again. He reached for the pen in my hand, and when I loosened my grip, he gently took it from me, shaking his head. Please stop. His eyes conveyed the message clearly.

…Why does everyone think I’m serious?

***

In the end, the holy trial fell apart and dissolved into utter chaos. My father and the high priests were more concerned with how to deal with me than with Zetak’s future. Even when I casually took Zetak and sat him beside me, no one seemed to care. The old priest who had tried to heal my arm was particularly upset, his white beard trembling as he argued passionately with my father. It was obvious that their attention had been diverted from the original purpose of the trial.

“To be able to put energy into an object and launch it at twenty years old! And in a matter of seconds! Did you see the power behind it? You all saw it! The enchanted walls of the temple – utterly destroyed!”

“D-Divine One, your tone…”

“Shut your mouth! Is this the time to be calm?” the elderly priest shouted, his voice trembling with urgency. “After such a display of power, His Highness doesn’t even look tired! Don’t you get it? That wasn’t even his full strength! Your Majesty, you must appoint Jaibid as an ambassador and send him to other nations immediately! This is far more than just being the youngest to manifest sword energy! He has seen through the core of a sacred magic circle we have created! His control over energy is at the level of a monster!”

A monster, eh? For a moment I wondered if the High Priest had a second job as a detective. Even if he was speaking metaphorically, he wasn’t far from the truth.

Although I had been reborn in a human body, the essence within me was still that of a monster. I have retained the memories of energy manipulation for over 80 years, and if you count my time as a human, that makes almost 90 years of experience. At this point, it would be strange not to be able to understand a magic circle made by humans.

In addition, the human realm has a much lower concentration of energy. No matter how much training these high priests have undergone, they are nothing compared to the standards of experienced monsters.

“The gods have certainly blessed our Icart Empire! Such a talent must be proclaimed to all nations at once!” The High Priest practically shouted, his former disdain completely replaced by awe.

It was quite a change from when they used to call me a walking corpse behind my back. If things kept going like this, it was only a matter of time before I’d be dragged into the tiresome duties of some sort of imperial ambassador. I could already imagine the endless cycle of being paraded from country to country as the Empire’s prized weapon, forced to demonstrate my abilities in front of foreign kings. A puppet to be used whenever the Empire needed to flex its power. This had to be stopped before my father got any ideas. I had to act first.

“Apologies, but it would be difficult for me to serve as an ambassador.”

The High Priests finally turned to me, their expressions hardening as they looked at Zetark, who sat quietly beside me. But they said nothing. It was an unspoken acknowledgment that they would not punish Zetak, probably for fear of provoking my displeasure by going against my wishes.

“Why would that be difficult?”

“Ah, if it’s because of your arm, rest assured, the priests will accompany you. While we cannot leave the borders of the realm ourselves, as we must protect the barrier, we can send at least three of our successors with you. And of course, there will be healers to aid in your recovery. You’ll have every resource available to you for your treatment.”

Despite my father’s silence, they were already talking as if my appointment as ambassador was a done deal. My father, watching their enthusiasm, made no effort to intervene, which meant that he approved of their proposal. They were trying to box me in before I could refuse. I would have to counter their plans carefully.

“It’s not my arm. I’ve had a serious illness since I was young, which makes me unfit to be an ambassador.”

“A serious illness? That’s the first time I’ve heard of it,” my father scoffed, his voice dripping with disbelief. He looked down at me with a cold gaze, making it clear he didn’t believe a word. If a prince had fallen ill, it would have been known to all.

“Enough of these ridiculous excuses, I’ll overlook this man’s crime because of your abilities, but no more. Do not forget your place. You are a prince of this empire. With that title come certain responsibilities and duties – remember them.”

His words were final, and his gaze carried the weight of imperial authority. I knew I couldn’t avoid him any longer with simple excuses. He wouldn’t allow me to walk away without accepting some form of responsibility.

“That is no excuse. Her Majesty the Empress is well aware of my condition.”

My father’s gaze shifted to my mother, his expression hardening as he waited for her confirmation. My mother looked at me, puzzled, her brow furrowed in confusion. Did my child have a chronic illness? Her eyes seemed to ask as she searched her memory for any trace of it.

I spoke again, telling her something that even I had almost forgotten – something buried deep in my past. Had it not been for Zetak, this memory might have remained hidden forever.

“Don’t you remember? When I was fourteen, you were concerned about my illness and sent me medicine for nearly a year.”

“What are you talking about…? I—”

My mother seemed to remember. Her gasp was muted as she covered her mouth, her eyes now filled with a mixture of reproach and regret. How could you say such a thing here? Her expression screamed as if her unspoken words were echoing in my ears. I could almost feel her silent scolding, chastising me for bringing up something so personal in such an official setting.

I felt a gaze from beside me and looked down. Zetak was staring up at me, his eyes wide with disbelief. Are you going to spread rumors that you are impotent? His eyes seemed to question my sanity. This was different from the time I had privately told my mother to avoid the Crown Princess selection. At that time, she had strictly ordered my servants to keep quiet, ensuring that the matter never left our household. But here, in front of high priests and holy knights, any such statement would spread like wildfire.

But what did it matter? If it was to my advantage to spread false rumors, there was no need to hesitate. I would use whatever was at my disposal.