Princess Seraphina, Princess Elowen, and Hat rushed through the palace corridors, their footsteps echoing against the marble floors. Guards parted instinctively as they entered the inner hall.
There, they found Lucian and Prince August, both tense, surrounded by knights delivering urgent reports.
Hat bowed lightly.
"Lord Lucian. Crown Prince August. Master Kael has moved toward the castle gates to assist the knights," Hat reported. "He ordered me to remain with the princesses. He believes this attack was intended to kidnap Her Highnesses."
Lucian turned sharply.
"…Who are you?"
Before Hat could answer, Princess Seraphina stepped forward.
"He is with us. He saved our lives."
Lucian's eyes narrowed slightly, then he exchanged a glance with Prince August. Before either could speak—
A calm, authoritative voice filled the hall.
"This boy's judgment is correct."
The King stepped forward, his presence instantly silencing the room.
"The attack's true objective was the kidnapping of the princesses."
Shock rippled through the gathered nobles.
"Lucian. Aelric," the King continued. "Come with me. We will discuss this in the secret chamber."
"Yes, Your Majesty," Lucian and Aelric replied in unison.
As they turned to follow the King, Hat faced the princesses once more and bowed deeply.
"With all due respect, Your Highnesses," Hat said, "the rings you possess hold powerful protective magic. If danger arises, use them as you did before. I will also place a barrier around this chamber."
He straightened slightly.
"I am going to assist Master Kael."
Both princesses spoke at the same time.
"Please help Kael."
"And bring him back to us safely."
For a brief moment, the King and Prince August remained silent. Lucian and Aelric exchanged glances—heavy with unspoken understanding.
Hat nodded solemnly.
"I swear it."
With that, flames wrapped around his body. In the next instant, he reverted to his small bird form and flew skyward.
Gasps followed him.
Outside the Castle Gates
The battlefield was chaos.
Monsters surged endlessly from the forest, overwhelming knights and adventurers alike. Steel clashed, spells exploded—but the tide would not turn.
Then—
A violent wind howled across the battlefield.
The clouds twisted.
Kael raised his hand.
"Wind Magic — Tempest Dominion."
A roaring storm erupted—only for Kael to narrow his eyes.
"Fire Magic—combine."
Flames ignited within the wind.
A Firestorm was born.
🔥🌪️
The battlefield froze.
Knights and adventurers stopped mid-combat, staring in disbelief as monsters were incinerated in waves.
A twelve-year-old boy stood at the storm's center.
The Knight Commander and an A-rank adventurer stepped forward cautiously.
"Boy," the commander said, frowning. "Who are you?"
Kael lowered his hand calmly.
"My name is Kael Valcrest. I came to help."
The commander laughed lightly.
"Son, go home. You'll get hurt here."
Kael shook his head.
"I can take care of myself."
Without waiting for permission, Kael raised his hand again.
"Support Magic—Boost. Barrier. Sharpen."
Golden and azure light surged through the knights and adventurers.
"What—?"
"I feel lighter!"
"My strength—!"
The tide turned instantly.
Kael spoke calmly.
"You handle the monsters here. Someone is controlling them."
His eyes hardened.
"I'll deal with them."
The Forest
Kael activated his magic.
"Search."
Four presences appeared in his mind.
Mages.
The moment Kael moved, the forest erupted.
Fireballs screamed toward him from different directions.
Kael stepped forward.
"Barrier."
The flames shattered harmlessly.
"So he noticed us," one mage hissed.
"Surround him!"
Earth spikes burst from the ground. Lightning cracked through the trees. Wind blades sliced through the air.
Kael moved—precise, calm.
He deflected lightning with wind, crushed earth magic with brute force, and countered fire with absolute control.
"Too slow."
He appeared behind the first mage.
Slash.
The mage collapsed before he even understood what happened.
The second mage chanted desperately.
Kael raised his hand.
"Wind Blade."
The spell ended instantly.
The third mage tried to flee.
"Earth Magic — Binding Seal."
Stone erupted from the ground, restraining him completely.
The final mage screamed and unleashed everything he had.
Kael stepped forward.
"Your role is over."
He struck.
Silence returned to the forest.
Kale dragged them back to the battlefield and handed them over to the stunned knights.
"Step back," he said.
The soldiers obeyed without question.
Kale raised both hands.
"Intermediate Fire Magic."
"Intermediate Earth Magic."
The ground split.
Flames devoured everything.
When the smoke cleared—
Not a single monster remained.
Silence fell.
Knights stared.
Adventurers trembled.
"…How," someone whispered,
"…can a twelve-year-old do this?"
Kael turned toward the castle.
His task outside was finally complete—but something told him his role in tonight's chaos was far from over.
He sensed a familiar presence approaching.
Hat.
So… he got them somewhere safe, Kael thought. And now he's come back to help me.
Hat descended from the sky and stopped before him, flames fluttering softly.
"Master," Hat said, bowing lightly. "I have returned to assist you."
Kale exhaled slowly. "Good. Then tell me—are the princesses safe?"
"Yes," Hat replied. "I escorted them to Lord Lucian. By His Majesty's orders, they are now hidden in a secret chamber within the castle. They will remain there until everything is over."
Kale closed his eyes for a moment and released a deep breath.
Relief washed over him.
"They're safe…" he murmured.
Hat tilted his head. "Also, Master… I was asked to pass along a message."
Kale raised an eyebrow. "A message?"
Hat's flames flickered mischievously.
"Princess Seraphina and Princess Elowen both said the same thing," Hat continued.
"They told me to help you—and to make sure you return to them safely."
Kael froze.
"…They said that?"
Hat nodded. "Every word."
Kael's face turned bright red. "No way. You're lying."
"It is the truth, Master," Hat replied innocently.
Kael coughed and looked away. "…Then let's see what happens when they actually see me."
Hat smiled. "Very well."
"Let's go inside," Kael said.
Kael activated teleportation magic.
Light folded—and in the next instant, they appeared before a massive sealed door deep within the castle.
"This is the chamber," Hat said, floating forward. "I placed a barrier here."
He dispelled it.
The moment the barrier vanished—
Inside the chamber, Prince August and Lucian instantly sensed it.
"Someone's coming," Lucian said sharply.
The King stepped forward. "Be ready."
The door creaked open.
Light spilled in.
And standing there—
"Kael!"
Princess Seraphina and Princess Elowen rushed past Prince August and Lucian without hesitation.
They grabbed Kael—
—and hugged him tightly.
The force knocked all three of them to the floor.
"Are you hurt?!" Elowen cried.
"Did you get injured?!" Seraphina demanded, her voice shaking.
"I'm fine," Kael said quickly, startled. "Really. I'm not hurt."
Tears streamed down their faces as they clung to him.
Kael gently wiped their tears away. "I told you. I'm okay."
Slowly, they calmed.
Then—
Seraphina stood up.
"Kael Valcrest," she said, her voice suddenly sharp. "Kneel."
Kael immediately did so.
"You ran straight into danger without thinking!" she scolded. "Do you have any idea—?!"
Elowen crossed her arms and smirked. "You deserve that."
Kael lowered his head. "Yes… I'm sorry."
Hat floated nearby and whispered,
"…The flowers are blooming."
From the side, the King, Prince August, Lucian, and Aelric watched the scene in silence.
Prince August cleared his throat.
"Seraphina. Elowen. Are you planning to release him?"
The princesses froze.
They realized—everyone was watching.
Their faces turned red instantly.
"W-We're going to our room!" Elowen shouted.
They ran off without looking back.
"It's dangerous—!" the King began, but they were already gone.
Kael knelt before the King.
"Your Majesty," Kael said respectfully. "The situation outside is under control. The capital will be safe."
The King studied him carefully.
"…Very well," he said. "August. Come with me. We need to see the aftermath."
Then his gaze returned to Kael.
"We will speak again," the King said calmly.
"You will receive an invitation."
Kael stiffened slightly. "Yes, Your Majesty."
Prince August turned to Lucian. "Lucian. Come with me."
Lucian nodded, then glanced at Aelric.
"Father, I'll return home once this is settled."
Aelric nodded.
As the others departed, Kael and Aelric began heading back toward their residence.
Hat followed beside Kael.
"…Master," Hat asked quietly, "why do you think His Majesty said that?"
Kael looked back at the castle.
"…Because tonight," he said softly,
"I stopped being just a noble's son."
The castle lights flickered in the distance.
And somewhere within those walls—
A decision had already been made.