Chapter 35

The day we caught the assassin turned out to be the most grueling physical training I had ever endured. Cassie was relentless, drilling me harder than usual—not to hone my skills, but to break my resolve. She wanted me to surrender the assassin, and she was using sheer exhaustion as a weapon against me.

Every strike I blocked, every maneuver I performed, and every fall I took was laced with a silent demand: Give her up. But I refused. My body ached, my muscles burned, yet I held firm.

That night, when I entered the dining hall, I was met with the furious gaze of my mother. Her piercing eyes bore into me, her anger palpable. The weight of her unspoken command pressed down on me, and I finally relented with a sigh. With a flick of my wrist, I summoned the assassin.

The leader of the captured group barely had the strength to stand. Her body swayed with exhaustion, her breaths shallow and uneven. She wanted nothing more than to sleep, but there would be no respite for her tonight.

The royal guards were summoned without delay, and within moments, they arrived to take her away. The heavy silence that followed was suffocating. No one spoke, no one moved.

The tension in the room felt like a blade hovering just above my throat, waiting for the slightest misstep.

I sat down to eat, but the food tasted like nothing.

The next day, training resumed—but this time, something had changed. I wasn’t just going through the motions. Every lesson, every drill, every strike felt sharper, more refined. Cassie might have pushed me to my limits the day before, but I had endured, and now I excelled.

Every mock battle played out like a carefully choreographed dance, and for the first time, I truly felt like a prince—not just by birth, but in skill and presence.

A Morning of Surprises

I was woken by a sudden knock at the door. Groggy, I sat up as the door creaked open, revealing a young girl peeking in hesitantly. Seeing my raised eyebrow, she quickly explained,

“The pets you purchased the other day have arrived, my lord. They have been released into your domain. Also, Mr. Varian, Mr. Victor, and Mr. Vireth are waiting for you in the lounge.”

I let out a small sigh and stretched before replying, “Inform the messenger that I will be out soon.”

The girl bowed and disappeared down the hall, leaving me to shake off the last remnants of sleep. I quickly freshened up and stepped out of my chambers, thinking I was moving silently. However, as I turned slightly, I saw Cassie standing right behind me.

Of course. Nothing escaped her.

I sighed in resignation and started walking, with her falling into step beside me. As we entered the lounge, I found Varian, Victor, and Vireth already seated, waiting.

Without preamble, they informed me that each of them had acquired an exotic beast, an unexpected but welcome surprise. My interest piqued, and without wasting any time, we headed toward my domain, eager to see the new arrivals.

The Arrival of the Beasts

As we approached the entrance, we spotted three small cages positioned just outside the gates. Inside them, an impressive array of creatures awaited:

A majestic owl with piercing golden eyes, radiating an aura of intelligence.

A sleek, black serpent coiled elegantly, its tongue flicking in and out as if tasting the air.

And the most intriguing of them all—a tiny bird, seemingly ordinary, but the energy it exuded told me otherwise. Upon closer inspection, I realized it was no mere bird but a dragon in disguise.

I turned to my three companions and asked, “So, my friends, where did you find them?”

They exchanged knowing glances before Varian spoke up. “Believe it or not, we found them on our rooftops this morning. Almost as if they were waiting for us.”

A smirk tugged at the corner of my lips. Fate had a strange way of working.

I paid them for their efforts, and with business concluded, we decided to adjourn to the tavern for breakfast. As we walked, I casually instructed Cassie,

“Summon my brothers and sisters. They should be present for this.”

She nodded and swiftly departed to carry out my order.

A Sudden Encounter

The tavern was lively as usual, filled with the morning crowd engaged in casual conversations, the scent of freshly baked bread and roasted meat filling the air. We found a secluded corner and settled in, our talk shifting to everyday matters.

I had my back to the door when a presence entered, one that sent a ripple of quiet murmurs through the establishment.

Aldric Valefang.

He strode in, his presence commanding attention, but what caught me off guard was the young boy accompanying him—a younger version of himself, no doubt his son.

Unaware of our presence at first, he took a seat just behind me, engaging in conversation. I remained still, my mind already calculating the possible reasons for his arrival.

This day had taken an interesting turn indeed.

A Curious Conversation

“You know, Zephyr, we are truly blessed,” Aldric Valefang said, his deep voice carrying both admiration and curiosity. His sharp eyes were fixed on his son as he continued, “It’s not unusual for a person to form a contract with two beasts, but for an entire army to have such bonds? That is far from common.”

Zephyr, the younger Valefang, nodded with a furrowed brow, clearly lost in thought. “I understand, Father. Until today, every soldier and every commander in our ranks had a beast soul-bonded to them. That much makes sense. But what confuses me isn’t just the fact that everyone here has a beast—it’s that even non-mages have magical beasts. That should be impossible.”

Aldric chuckled lightly, though his eyes glowed with intrigue. “You are correct, son. The most interesting phenomenon is what we discovered in our new domain.” He leaned in slightly, lowering his voice. “Every single citizen—without exception—has bonded with a Dew Horn Stag.”

Zephyr’s eyebrows shot up. “The Dew Horn Stag? But that beast’s antlers contain pure mana! They are sought after by enchanters and mages alike.”

“Exactly,” Aldric agreed, his expression growing serious. “An entire population having a single type of beast is unheard of. It’s as if fate itself has bound them together. More so, while civilians are granted one stag, our army members have two magical beasts each.”

Zephyr’s gaze drifted around the tavern, scanning the unfamiliar faces. “This is beyond coincidence. There must be a force behind this.”

Then, as if his mind had shifted to a completely different thought, Zephyr turned to his father and hesitantly asked, “Father ... do you think Asher would like to be my friend?”

An Unexpected Response

Before Aldric could answer, I turned slightly in my seat, my smirk already forming. “Sure,” I said smoothly, my voice carrying over to them. “It would be my pleasure.”

Both father and son turned toward me, startled. They had not expected me to hear their conversation, let alone respond.

Zephyr’s face lit up with a mixture of surprise and excitement, while Aldric’s ever-calculating expression shifted into one of amused approval.

Before either of them could respond, the doors of the tavern swung open, and the sound of approaching footsteps filled the air. My brothers and sisters had arrived.

What followed was a lively breakfast, the room filling with laughter and conversation. Plates piled high with fresh bread, fruits, roasted meats, and warm tea were passed around as we engaged in banter, storytelling, and discussions of the day ahead.

As our breakfast concluded, my brother Draven turned to me with a questioning gaze. “Asher, why did you summon us here?” he asked, his tone carrying the authority of a future king.

I stood up from my seat and made my way toward the tavern’s exit. The others exchanged glances before following closely behind me. Once we were outside, the morning sun bathed the courtyard in a golden hue, and the crisp air carried the distant sounds of the bustling city.

I turned to face them, my expression calm but serious. “Brother Draven, I know that within a month, you will ascend to the throne and take your rightful place as king,” I began, my voice steady. “What I do not know, however, is the proper process for bestowing further gifts upon you once you are crowned.”

Draven raised an eyebrow, intrigued by my words.

I continued, “Regardless, there is one gift I wish to give you now—a companion worthy of a future king.”

At my signal, a nearby attendant rushed forward, leading three small cages covered with cloth. The subtle hum of restrained magical energy filled the air as the creatures inside stirred.

I stepped toward the first cage and carefully removed the cloth, revealing a tiny bird with sleek, dark feathers. At a glance, it seemed unremarkable, but its sharp golden eyes glowed with intelligence beyond its size. I reached into the cage and gently lifted the bird, holding it close to my face as I whispered into its ear, “I wish for you to bond with my brother.”

Turning to Draven, I extended my hands, presenting the creature to him. “Brother, this is no ordinary bird,” I said, my voice firm. “This is a baby dragon in disguise. If it chooses to bond with you, it will grow alongside you, becoming your strongest ally. Among magical beasts, dragons demand respect from all others—they bow to no one, and they rule by sheer might.”

Draven’s eyes widened slightly, but he did not hesitate. He extended his arm, allowing the creature to step onto it.

The dragon sniffed the air, tilting its head as if evaluating him. A long, tense moment passed before it suddenly spread its wings and lifted itself into the air. It circled above Draven, its form shimmering with a faint glow. Then, in a flash of blinding light, its body expanded, shifting into its true form—a magnificent young dragon with scales that gleamed like polished obsidian.

A ripple of power pulsed through the air as the dragon roared, causing a hush to fall over the courtyard. The presence of such a creature was undeniable. Then, in a gesture of complete acceptance, it swooped down and landed atop Draven’s head before curling its tail around his shoulder.

A deep, ancient connection settled between them—a bond of soul and spirit.

A murmur of awe passed through my siblings as they witnessed the rare sight of a dragon accepting a master.

Draven reached up, resting a hand on the creature’s back. His usual composed expression softened for the briefest moment before he nodded at me. “This is a gift unlike any other, Asher,” he said, his voice laced with gratitude and newfound responsibility. “I will honor this bond.”

A smirk tugged at my lips. “I wouldn’t expect anything less.”

But this was only the beginning. Two more beasts awaited their fates, and I had plans for them as well.

With the first bond successfully formed, I turned my attention to the second cage. Unlike the dragon, this creature did not need a disguise to hide its power. As I removed the cloth, a sleek black serpent lay coiled within, its scales reflecting the light like polished onyx. Its golden eyes flickered open, locking onto mine as if acknowledging my intent.

I reached into the cage, my movements slow and deliberate. As soon as my fingers brushed against its smooth scales, a cold but steady pulse of energy passed between us. This was no ordinary serpent—it was a beast of legend.

Lifting it gently, I turned to face my second brother, Kaelis. His piercing gaze met mine, and I could see the unwavering resolve within him.

“Brother Kaelis,” I began, my voice carrying across the courtyard. “This creature is known as the Mountain of Shields. It is one of the rarest serpents to exist, not because it is difficult to find, but because it only chooses to reveal itself when it is ready to bond with a master.”

Kaelis raised an eyebrow, intrigued. “And yet, it has revealed itself now?”

I nodded. “Yes. And I know why.”

Silence fell over our gathering as I continued, my tone laced with certainty.

“Due to my Echo Sense, I can perceive the true purpose of things. This serpent’s purpose has been revealed to me—it seeks to serve in war.”

Kaelis’s expression remained unreadable, but I noticed the subtle clenching of his jaw.

“You have vowed to protect the future king, our brother,” I continued. “That is no small responsibility. The fact that this serpent has appeared now, of all times, cannot be a coincidence. I do not know when or where this war will come, but I know this—you are meant to be Draven’s shield, and this beast, known for its unmatched defense, was meant for you.”

A ripple of tension passed through the group. War. The mere mention of it carried weight, but I spoke only the truth.

Without hesitation, I stepped forward and placed the serpent in Kaelis’s outstretched hands. It was unnaturally cold to the touch, but Kaelis did not flinch.

The snake remained still for a moment, as if assessing him. Then, with a sudden but fluid motion, it uncoiled and slithered around his waist before looping across his chest, its body forming a protective spiral. It raised its head and rested it on his shoulder, its golden eyes gleaming with recognition.

The bond had been formed.

A faint pulse of energy passed through Kaelis as the connection settled. He exhaled slowly before meeting my gaze.

“This is a powerful beast,” he admitted, his voice quieter than usual. “It seems you were right, Asher. Our paths were always meant to align.”

I smirked. “I don’t deal in coincidence, Brother. Only in certainty.”

Kaelis let out a rare chuckle, adjusting his posture as the serpent remained coiled around him like living armor.

With two bonds successfully formed, only one cage remained. I turned my attention to the final gift I had prepared.

As I approached the third and final cage, I felt an unfamiliar sensation creeping up my spine—a whisper of something unknown yet powerful. The moment my fingers brushed against the beast inside, I froze. A rush of energy coursed through me, unlike anything I had experienced before.

I took a slow, steady breath, nodding to myself before reaching in to carefully lift the creature. A soft rustling of feathers accompanied the movement, and as I pulled it into the light, the others gasped.

Perched on my hand was a magnificent owl, its feathers a shimmering silver-gray, as if woven from moonlight itself. Its large golden eyes were sharp and intelligent, staring directly at me as though it could see beyond flesh, beyond time.

I turned to my third brother, Damian, and without hesitation, extended my arm. The owl shifted its gaze to him, watching in eerie silence.

“Brother,” I began, my voice steady despite the lingering chill the owl’s presence left in my bones. “I know that your dream is to become an adventurer. You wish to travel beyond the boundaries of our home, to see the unknown, to uncover secrets hidden from the world.”

Damian straightened, his eyes reflecting excitement and curiosity in equal measure. He had always spoken of venturing beyond the kingdom’s borders, of seeking truths lost to time.

“This owl,” I continued, “is a beast of Revelation. It is far rarer than any creature we have encountered, so rare that even legends speak of it only in whispers. The Owl of Revelation does not appear unless it chooses to. I do not know why it has come to us now, but I do know this—its power is no ordinary gift.”

The others leaned in, sensing the gravity of my words.

“This beast has a unique ability,” I said, my eyes locking with Damian’s. “It can sense traps before they are sprung. Whether physical, magical, or even hidden deceptions, it sees through them all. In the life of an adventurer, where danger lurks in every shadow, such a companion will be invaluable.”

Damian extended his arm, and as I placed the owl upon it, a sudden pulse of energy passed between them. The owl blinked once, then spread its wings briefly before settling onto his shoulder, talons gripping his armor with surprising gentleness.

A moment of silence passed, then Damian chuckled, shaking his head in amazement. “You always seem to know exactly what people need, Asher.”