《"The Summoned Familiar Who Refuses to Kneel"》 The Summoning of an Unworthy King Volume 1, Chapter 1: The Summoning of an Unworthy King --- The Academy of Magic ¨C The Summoning Ritual The scent of burning incense filled the circular stone chamber, its walls lined with intricate glyphs pulsing with arcane energy. A grand gathering of noble students, clad in elegant robes embroidered with their family crests, stood in a perfect formation around the summoning circle. Their wands glowed as they chanted in unison, their voices merging into a single, powerful incantation. At the center of it all stood a young girl with fiery crimson hair and piercing sapphire eyes¡ªLouisa de Vermandis. She was the prideful daughter of the prestigious House of Vermandis, one of the oldest noble families in the Kingdom of Tristain. Her delicate fingers clenched tightly around her wand as she raised it above her head, her voice ringing out, filled with confidence. "My name is Louisa de Vermandis! By the sacred contract of the Void, I summon thee, my familiar!" A sudden gust of wind swirled around the summoning circle, and the once-glowing glyphs erupted into a pillar of blinding white light. The students gasped in awe, and even the academy¡¯s faculty, who had gathered to oversee the annual Familiar Summoning Ceremony, exchanged curious glances. Then, as abruptly as it had begun, the light shattered into shimmering fragments, revealing a figure kneeling at the center of the ritual circle. A young man. He was dressed in strange, foreign clothes¡ªnothing like the noble attire of Halkeginia. A simple white shirt, dark trousers, and a thin black jacket. His jet-black hair fell just above his sharp golden eyes, which carried a regal yet scornful gaze. He was undoubtedly handsome, but his expression exuded an air of undeniable arrogance, as though he had just been gravely insulted by being summoned at all. The chamber fell silent. Louisa¡¯s expression shifted from anticipation to pure horror. If you discover this tale on Amazon, be aware that it has been unlawfully taken from Royal Road. Please report it. "What¡­ is this!?" she exclaimed, her voice laced with disbelief. Her classmates burst into laughter, whispering among themselves. "Did she just summon a peasant?" "No, look at his clothes! He¡¯s probably some lost traveler!" "Maybe he¡¯s a mute servant. How pitiful!" However, the young man¡¯s gaze was anything but pitiful. He slowly stood up, his posture straight and commanding, like that of a sovereign who had just stepped onto the battlefield. His golden eyes swept over the gathering of nobles before him with nothing but contempt. With a slow, deliberate voice, he finally spoke. "Who dares summon me like a common beast?" --- The Uncrowned King Silence. Not a single noble had expected such words from what was supposed to be a mere familiar. Louisa¡¯s face turned red, a mixture of embarrassment and rage boiling within her. "You insolent commoner! I am your master, Louisa de Vermandis! You shall address me with respect!" she snapped, pointing her wand at him. The young man¡ªPriyam¡ªtilted his head slightly, his expression utterly unimpressed. "Master?" He let out a soft chuckle, as if the very idea was beneath him. "You expect me to bow before you? A little girl with barely enough power to light a candle?" Gasps echoed through the chamber. No familiar had ever spoken to their master with such arrogance. Louisa¡¯s fingers trembled with fury, and she immediately raised her wand. "Silence, you wretched commoner! I will not tolerate disobedience!" A bright spark of magical energy surged toward Priyam, but he did not flinch. He did not even blink. He merely stood there, his gaze filled with the certainty of a king watching a pathetic rebellion. The spell struck him directly on the chest¡ªonly to fizzle out into harmless embers. The laughter in the chamber stopped. The nobles, who had been amused by Louisa¡¯s failure, were now staring at Priyam with something else entirely. Unease. --- A Powerless Yet Unyielding Soul Though Priyam had not been harmed, he quickly realized something troubling. He felt¡­ empty. In his homeland¡ªEarth¡ªmagic was nothing more than fantasy. But here, in this strange world, he could feel it. The air was thick with an energy unknown to him, yet he could not grasp it. He had no magic. No power. Yet that meant nothing to him. Power was merely a tool. And a king did not need tools¡ªonly will. He turned his attention back to Louisa, who was still fuming in rage. "Finish the ritual, Louisa," a calm yet commanding voice interrupted. The crowd parted to reveal Professor Colbert, an elderly mage with spectacles and a staff. Unlike the students, his gaze was not filled with mockery but rather intrigue. "The ritual must be completed. The Familiar¡¯s contract is absolute." Louisa gritted her teeth before stepping forward. She grabbed Priyam¡¯s face forcefully, pulling him down to her level. "Consider yourself lucky, you worthless commoner!" she hissed before pressing her lips against his. A blinding pain shot through Priyam¡¯s body as glowing runes burned themselves into the back of his left hand. The crowd erupted into cheers and applause. "The contract is complete!" Priyam¡¯s expression, however, remained unchanged. He simply looked at the magical insignia now embedded into his flesh. This was no different from a mere leash. How amusing. Very well. If they wished to bind a king in chains, he would humor them. For now. --- End of Chapter 1 --- Next Time: A Commoner Among Nobles Priyam is forced to live among arrogant nobles who see him as nothing more than a useless familiar. But his defiant nature quickly makes him a target of ridicule¡ªand admiration. How long will he remain powerless in this world of magic? And just what does fate have in store for the Uncrowned King? A Commoner Among Nobles Priyam followed Louisa through the grand stone corridors of the Tristain Academy of Magic, his golden eyes scanning the lavish surroundings with a mixture of curiosity and disdain. The towering stained-glass windows, the golden chandeliers, the pristine marble floors¡ªeverything here reeked of nobility and arrogance. Yet, despite the academy¡¯s grandeur, Priyam felt nothing but amusement. These so-called ¡°nobles¡± strutted through the halls like peacocks, their noses high, their gazes filled with condescension. But what power did they truly have? A few parlor tricks. That was all. Louisa walked ahead, arms crossed, her steps hurried and aggressive. It was clear that she was embarrassed by him. Good. "This is humiliating," she muttered under her breath. "Out of all the creatures I could have summoned¡ªa dragon, a griffon, even a mere salamander¡ªI get you." Priyam smirked. "You speak as though I should be grateful." Louisa stopped dead in her tracks and turned to glare at him. "You should be grateful!" she snapped. "A commoner like you has no place here. The fact that you stand within these halls is already more than you deserve." Priyam met her gaze without a hint of fear. "And yet, here I am." Louisa¡¯s hands clenched into fists, her frustration evident. Before she could respond, the sound of laughter echoed through the hallway. A group of students approached, their fine robes embroidered with elaborate family crests. At the front stood a tall, blonde young man with striking blue eyes¡ªRoderic von Hohenstein, the heir to one of the wealthiest noble houses in Tristain.If you come across this story on Amazon, it''s taken without permission from the author. Report it. "Well, well," Roderic sneered. "I heard the rumors, but I didn¡¯t believe them. Louisa de Vermandis, the so-called ''prodigy,'' summoned a commoner as her familiar? How¡­ unfortunate." The students behind him chuckled. Louisa¡¯s face turned red. "Mind your own business, Roderic!" Roderic smirked, then turned his attention to Priyam. "You there, peasant. Do you even know where you are?" Priyam tilted his head slightly, his smirk never fading. "A school filled with incompetent children pretending to be rulers?" The nobles gasped. Louisa¡¯s eyes widened in shock. Roderic¡¯s expression darkened. "You dare insult us?" Priyam chuckled, taking a slow step forward. "I do not insult," he said, his voice calm but laced with arrogance. "I merely state the obvious." A spark of anger flickered in Roderic¡¯s eyes. "You worthless mongrel¡ª!" He raised his wand, ready to cast a spell. Louisa instinctively stepped forward to stop him, but before she could, Priyam lifted a single hand. "Go ahead," Priyam said, his golden eyes glinting with amusement. "Show me your power, noble of Tristain." Roderic hesitated. Why was this commoner so confident? Did he have hidden magic? A secret weapon? But that was impossible. The summoning ritual had made it clear¡ªthis boy had no magic. And yet, the way he stood, the way he spoke... it was as if he knew something they didn¡¯t. It was infuriating. --- A Lesson in Fear Roderic gritted his teeth. "Very well. I¡¯ll show you the difference between us." He flicked his wand, chanting an incantation. A bolt of fire shot toward Priyam. The students watched eagerly, expecting the pathetic commoner to be burned. But then¡ª Priyam did not move. He did not flinch. He simply stood there. The fireball struck the ground inches before him, sending a wave of heat through the air. Priyam looked down at the scorched floor, then slowly raised his eyes back to Roderic. And he laughed. Not a nervous laugh. Not a laugh of relief. A mocking laugh. "Is that it?" Priyam asked, stepping forward. "Was that supposed to intimidate me?" Roderic took an involuntary step back. Why? Why did this powerless commoner look at him like that? "Pathetic," Priyam continued, shaking his head. "A true ruler does not waste his power on meaningless displays. You rely on tricks because you lack true strength." Roderic¡¯s hands trembled. Why did it feel like he was the one being judged? "Enough!" Louisa finally shouted, stepping between them. She turned to Priyam, her voice seething with anger. "You are my familiar, and you will know your place!" Priyam met her glare with an amused expression. "And what place is that, Louisa?" he asked. "At your feet? Or at your side?" Louisa froze. She didn¡¯t have an answer. --- A New Beginning That night, Priyam found himself in a small, uncomfortable room¡ªnothing more than a glorified closet. A single bed, a wooden chair, and a candle on the desk. Louisa had thrown him in here, still furious about the earlier incident. He lay on the bed, staring at the ceiling. No magic. No weapons. No allies. Yet none of that mattered. Power was not just magic or strength. It was control. And right now, these nobles were confused. They had power, yet they feared him. He smirked. He had only just arrived in this world, and already, the pieces were moving in his favor. This world would soon learn what it meant to stand before a true king. --- End of Chapter 2 The Trials of a Noble Academy The Rules of This World Morning light filtered through the tiny window of Priyam¡¯s cramped quarters. He sat on the edge of the stiff wooden bed, his golden eyes calm and calculating. He had spent the entire night observing. Listening. Learning. Despite his current powerlessness, he knew one undeniable truth¡ªknowledge is power. And so, he had silently absorbed every piece of information he could. Halkeginia. The land of magic and nobles. A world where those born with the gift of magic ruled, while commoners were seen as little more than tools. Four elemental magics¡ªFire, Water, Earth, and Wind¡ªformed the foundation of this society. And above them all was the legendary Void Magic, long thought to be a myth. Priyam scoffed. These fools relied so much on their ¡°gifts¡± that they had never even considered the possibility of strength beyond magic. How laughable. A knock on his door interrupted his thoughts. "Get up, peasant!" came Louisa¡¯s irritated voice. Priyam stretched lazily before opening the door. Louisa stood there, arms crossed, her sapphire eyes sharp with impatience. "As my familiar, you are required to attend to my needs," she declared. "You will carry my books, clean my quarters, and assist me in my studies." Priyam raised an eyebrow. "So, in short, I am your servant?" "Exactly." Priyam smirked. "How unfortunate for you." Louisa¡¯s eye twitched. "And why is that?" "Because I do not serve." Her fingers twitched toward her wand, but she took a deep breath, forcing herself to calm down.Stolen content alert: this content belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences. "Enough of your arrogance. Follow me. Now." Priyam chuckled and followed her. For now. --- An Unruly "Familiar" The grand dining hall of Tristain Academy was filled with noble students enjoying their breakfast. Priyam followed Louisa inside, immediately feeling the weight of hundreds of judgmental eyes on him. Whispers filled the air. "That¡¯s the commoner familiar." "Disgraceful." "How can someone like him exist in our academy?" Priyam ignored them. He had heard such things before¡ªback on Earth, power was determined by wealth and influence. Here, it was magic. The foundation was different, but the arrogance was the same. Louisa took her seat at a long table, while Priyam stood behind her. "You will stand there silently until I have finished eating," she ordered. Priyam smirked. "Like a well-trained dog?" Louisa shot him a glare. "Exactly." Without another word, she turned her attention to her meal. Priyam simply stood there, hands in his pockets, watching. Then, an opportunity presented itself. A servant¡ªan actual servant, dressed in the academy¡¯s uniform¡ªapproached Louisa¡¯s table, carrying a tray of food. But just as he stepped forward, he tripped. A bowl of hot soup flew through the air¡ªheading straight for Louisa. Gasps filled the room. Louisa barely had time to react. But then¡ª Priyam moved. Effortlessly, he caught the bowl in one hand before it could spill, his movements fluid and precise. He glanced at the servant, whose face was pale with fear. Priyam smirked. "Clumsy." He placed the bowl back onto the tray and turned to Louisa. "If you wish to command me, master," he said, his voice slow and deliberate, "then at least ensure that you are worth serving." The dining hall fell into stunned silence. Louisa''s face burned with a mixture of embarrassment and rage. "You¡ª!" Before she could speak, another voice cut through the air. "Impressive reflexes for a commoner." The nobles turned toward the source of the voice. A young woman stood there, her presence commanding immediate attention. She had long golden hair, emerald-green eyes, and an aura of refined authority. Her uniform was embroidered with the crest of House d¡¯Este, one of the most powerful noble families in the kingdom. She was Isabelle d¡¯Este, top student of the academy and a direct descendant of royalty. She approached Priyam, her gaze evaluating him like one would inspect a rare artifact. "You are different from the others," she mused. "What is your name?" Priyam met her gaze without hesitation. "I am Priyam," he said. "Remember it well." Some nobles gasped at his audacity. But Isabelle simply smiled. "I believe I shall." Louisa clenched her fists. First, this commoner had insulted her. Now, he was attracting the attention of Isabelle d¡¯Este? Unacceptable. Completely unacceptable. --- A Test of Will That evening, Louisa stormed into her chambers, dragging Priyam behind her. She slammed the door shut and turned to him. "You will stop this nonsense at once!" she demanded. Priyam tilted his head slightly. "Nonsense?" "You will not speak unless spoken to! You will not mock me in public! And you certainly will not entertain the attentions of nobles above your station!" Priyam smirked. "And if I refuse?" Louisa''s wand was in her hand in an instant, the tip glowing with magical energy. "Then I will punish you." Priyam stepped closer, completely unfazed. "Go ahead." Louisa hesitated. Why? Why did this powerless commoner not fear her? Priyam¡¯s golden eyes bore into hers, unwavering. "You are mistaken about one thing, Louisa," he said. "You may have summoned me, but that does not make you my master." Louisa¡¯s breath caught in her throat. "A master is one who commands not through power, but through respect." He leaned in slightly, lowering his voice to a whisper. "Tell me, Louisa¡­ have you earned mine?" She had no answer. She couldn¡¯t even speak. For the first time in her life, she felt powerless. And Priyam simply turned away, walking toward the small room where he was forced to sleep. "Good night, Louisa." She could do nothing but watch as he left. For the first time¡­ She wondered who truly held the leash in this contract. --- End of Chapter 3 The Duel of the Nobles A Challenge Issued The midday sun hung high over Tristain Academy¡¯s training grounds, where students gathered in anticipation of an unexpected spectacle. Word had spread quickly¡ªRoderic von Hohenstein, heir to one of the most powerful noble families, had challenged Louisa de Vermandis¡¯ familiar to a duel. The reason? Humiliation. A commoner¡ªPriyam¡ªhad insulted noble pride and dared to act without fear. Roderic would not tolerate such disrespect. He stood in the center of the arena, clad in an elegant dueling coat, his wand spinning between his fingers. His blue eyes burned with anger. "Where is he?" Roderic growled. "Is the mongrel too much of a coward to accept my challenge?" The gathered nobles chuckled. "He probably ran away." "What else could a commoner do?" But then¡ª A slow, measured sound interrupted their laughter. Step. Step. Step. Priyam emerged from the crowd. Unlike Roderic, he wore no formal attire. His simple academy-issued shirt and trousers made him look even more out of place among the finely dressed nobles. Yet despite this, he walked with the confidence of a king. His golden eyes held not a trace of fear. "I see you still cling to the belief that challenging me was a wise decision," Priyam said, his voice calm. Roderic scowled. "I will not allow a filthy commoner to disrespect me and my house!" The author''s tale has been misappropriated; report any instances of this story on Amazon. He pointed his wand at Priyam. "This will be a formal duel! You will fight, or you will kneel and beg for forgiveness." Priyam smirked. "Or I could do neither and simply walk away." Gasps echoed through the arena. Roderic¡¯s face turned red. "You dare¡ª!" Before he could finish, another voice interrupted. "That will not be necessary." The crowd parted as Isabelle d¡¯Este stepped forward. The daughter of one of the highest-ranking noble houses, Isabelle was not someone to be ignored. Her emerald eyes swept over Priyam with interest. "A duel has been issued," she said, her voice calm yet authoritative. "As per academy tradition, it must be honored." Priyam chuckled. "Tradition? How quaint." Louisa, who had been watching silently, finally stepped forward. "This is foolish!" she snapped. "Priyam isn¡¯t a mage! This duel is pointless!" Isabelle turned to her. "Then he should yield." Louisa clenched her fists. Roderic smirked. "Well, familiar? Will you accept your place, or will you embarrass yourself further?" Priyam yawned. "Very well." Roderic blinked. "What?" "I accept." Priyam stepped forward, rolling his shoulders. "Let¡¯s get this over with." --- The Duel Begins The dueling arena was cleared. The crowd watched eagerly, expecting nothing more than a swift and brutal defeat for Priyam. "Standard dueling rules," Isabelle announced. "Victory is achieved when one side is unable to continue, yields, or is incapacitated." She raised a hand. "Begin!" Roderic wasted no time. He lifted his wand, chanting an incantation. A streak of fire shot toward Priyam. The crowd cheered¡ªthis would be over in seconds. But¡ª Priyam moved. Not with panic. Not with hesitation. He sidestepped the attack with effortless grace, his movements precise and controlled. The fireball struck the ground, leaving a scorch mark. Roderic frowned. "Lucky dodge." He cast another spell¡ªthis time, a wind blade aimed at Priyam¡¯s legs. Again, Priyam dodged, his body shifting just enough to avoid the attack. Then another. And another. Roderic¡¯s attacks grew faster, more aggressive¡ªfire, wind, earth, all hurled in rapid succession. Yet none of them hit. Priyam evaded every strike as if he had predicted them beforehand. The crowd, once laughing, now watched in stunned silence. Even Isabelle leaned forward, intrigued. "Impossible," a noble muttered. "He has no magic, yet¡­" Louisa, watching from the sidelines, felt her heart race. "How is he doing this?" Roderic gritted his teeth. "Enough games!" He lifted his wand high, gathering mana for a powerful spell. "Flames of Hohenstein, incinerate my foe!" A massive fireball, twice the size of the previous ones, roared to life. With a final chant, he hurled it forward. The arena exploded in flames. Smoke filled the air. The crowd held its breath. And when the smoke cleared¡ª Priyam stood there. Unharmed. Untouched. Smirking. Roderic¡¯s hands trembled. "W-what¡­?" Priyam took a single step forward. "Are you done?" he asked, his voice filled with quiet amusement. The nobles watching shivered. There was no arrogance in his tone. No mockery. Just certainty. A certainty that shook Roderic to his core. "Tch!" Roderic snarled. "Stop dodging and fight me, you coward!" Priyam chuckled. Then, without warning, he moved. Faster than anyone expected. Before Roderic could react, Priyam was in front of him. Then¡ª BAM! Priyam¡¯s fist crashed into Roderic¡¯s gut. The noble¡¯s eyes widened. He staggered backward, coughing violently. The crowd gasped. "H-he hit Roderic¡­!" Priyam rolled his shoulders. "I do not need magic to defeat someone who relies on tricks." Roderic, furious, raised his wand again. But Priyam caught his wrist. Twisted it. And snapped the wand in half. The sound of breaking wood echoed in the stunned silence. Roderic collapsed to his knees, his breathing ragged. Priyam loomed over him. "You nobles believe power is determined by birthright," Priyam said softly. "That belief is your greatest weakness." He turned away, leaving Roderic kneeling in the dirt. Isabelle finally spoke. "The duel is over. Victory goes to Priyam." The crowd erupted in murmurs. Louisa stared in shock. Priyam smirked. The first step had been taken. And now¡­ the game had truly begun. --- End of Chapter 4 The Awakening of a Legend A Noble¡¯s Fury The echoes of the duel still lingered in the academy. Priyam¡¯s overwhelming victory over Roderic von Hohenstein had sent shockwaves through the noble hierarchy. A commoner, a powerless familiar, had humiliated one of their own. It was unacceptable. Within the grand halls of the House of Hohenstein, the defeated noble knelt before a towering figure¡ªhis father, Duke Albrecht von Hohenstein. The air was heavy with tension. "Explain." Albrecht¡¯s voice was cold, his steely gaze fixed upon his son. Roderic swallowed hard. "He¡­ he¡¯s not normal, Father. He has no magic, and yet he¡ª" "Enough." The Duke stood, his long crimson cloak billowing behind him. "A mere commoner has tarnished our family¡¯s honor. That cannot go unpunished." He turned to a hooded figure in the shadows. "Find out everything about this Priyam. I want to know who¡ªor what¡ªhe truly is."This novel is published on a different platform. Support the original author by finding the official source. The figure bowed and disappeared into the darkness. --- A Storm Brewing At the academy, Priyam sat atop a stone ledge in the courtyard, lazily watching the sunset. The duel had changed everything. Nobles no longer dismissed him. Some eyed him with fear. Others with curiosity. And a few, like Isabelle d¡¯Este, with interest. Louisa stood below him, arms crossed. "Do you have any idea what you''ve done?" she hissed. "You¡¯ve made an enemy of the Hohenstein family!" Priyam smirked. "Did I? Or did I simply expose their weakness?" "This isn''t a game!" Louisa snapped. "They will come after you!" Priyam leaned back, gazing at the sky. "Let them." Louisa clenched her fists. "Why are you like this?" Priyam glanced down at her, his golden eyes unreadable. "Because I refuse to bow." Louisa¡¯s breath caught in her throat. There it was again¡ªthat certainty. Not arrogance. Not recklessness. Just pure, unshakable belief in himself. For a moment, she didn¡¯t know whether to be furious or¡­ impressed. Before she could speak, another voice cut in. "Interesting philosophy." Isabelle d¡¯Este approached, her emerald eyes locked onto Priyam. "A man who defies nobles so openly¡­ I can¡¯t decide if you¡¯re a fool or a visionary." Priyam smirked. "Why not both?" Isabelle chuckled. "I¡¯ve been watching you, Priyam. And I must say, you are¡­ fascinating." Louisa scowled. "What do you want, Isabelle?" "To know more about our intriguing familiar." Isabelle tilted her head. "Would you care for a walk, Priyam?" Louisa stiffened. She hated how Isabelle spoke to him as if he were an equal. But Priyam merely stretched. "Why not?" As he hopped down and walked beside Isabelle, Louisa felt an unfamiliar sensation in her chest. Annoyance. No¡ªjealousy. --- The First Signs of Power As they strolled through the academy gardens, Isabelle observed Priyam closely. "You¡¯re unlike any commoner I¡¯ve ever met." "Perhaps because I¡¯m not from your world." Isabelle raised an eyebrow. "Oh?" Priyam smirked but said nothing more. Isabelle studied him, then sighed. "You hide many things, Priyam. But tell me¡­ do you truly intend to remain powerless in a world ruled by magic?" Priyam¡¯s smirk faded slightly. That was the real question, wasn¡¯t it? As much as he enjoyed challenging the nobles, he knew one truth: If he wanted to truly win, he needed power. Real power. And it seemed fate was ready to answer. A sudden pulse of energy rippled through the air. The torches flickered. The wind shifted. And deep within Priyam¡¯s chest, something stirred. A forgotten memory. A calling. His body tensed. His breath hitched. And for the first time since arriving in this world¡ª He felt something awaken. --- End of Chapter 5 The Mark of the Unknown A Noble¡¯s Inquiry The morning sun bathed the Tristain Academy in golden light, but the air was tense with whispers. Something had happened last night. A strange pulse had rippled through the academy¡ªbrief, but undeniable. Some thought it was a noble testing a new spell. Others suspected a hidden artifact¡¯s activation. But a few¡ªthose who had been near the gardens¡ªhad felt something far more unsettling. Louisa sat stiffly at breakfast, barely touching her food. Her thoughts were elsewhere. She had been there. She had seen the torches flicker, felt the sudden shift in the air. And she had seen Priyam freeze¡ªhis usual arrogance replaced by something she had never seen before. Shock. Fear. Recognition. What had awakened in him? "You''re distracted this morning," a smooth voice cut in. Isabelle d¡¯Este. Louisa¡¯s fingers tightened around her fork. "And you seem quite pleased with yourself," she shot back.Unlawfully taken from Royal Road, this story should be reported if seen on Amazon. Isabelle smirked, sipping her tea. "Can you blame me? Last night was¡­ fascinating." Louisa''s eyes narrowed. "You were with him when it happened. What do you know?" Isabelle set her cup down, resting her chin on her hands. "I know that Priyam is hiding something. And whatever it is, it''s not insignificant." Louisa felt a twinge of unease. She hated that Isabelle had been there. That she had seen something Louisa hadn¡¯t. And worse¡ªshe knew Priyam wouldn¡¯t just tell her. He wasn¡¯t the type. He kept things to himself. But she wasn¡¯t going to let him do this alone. --- The Scar of Power Elsewhere, in a secluded section of the academy, Priyam sat alone beneath an ancient oak tree, staring at his hand. Something was different. Last night, he had felt it¡ªa force deep inside him, buried beneath the surface. And when it stirred, something changed. Rolling up his sleeve, he traced his fingers over his forearm. A mark had appeared. It wasn¡¯t a wound, nor was it a tattoo. It shimmered faintly in the morning light¡ªan intricate design of interwoven symbols, pulsing ever so slightly. It wasn¡¯t there yesterday. And yet, it felt¡­ familiar. Like it had always been part of him, waiting to be revealed. Priyam clenched his fist. This was it. The beginning of something more. He wasn¡¯t going to remain powerless in this world. --- A Test of Strength "Priyam." He looked up to see Louisa standing before him, arms crossed. "You''ve been avoiding me," she said flatly. "Have I?" Priyam smirked. "Or have you just been chasing me?" Louisa scowled. "What happened last night?" Priyam debated telling her. Then he decided against it. "Nothing." "Liar." Priyam chuckled. "You wound me, Louisa." She stepped forward. "Priyam, this isn¡¯t a joke. Something changed in you. I can feel it." Priyam hesitated. Then, without a word, he extended his hand. And for the first time¡ªhe called upon it. The mark on his forearm glowed. A sudden gust of wind surged around them, rustling the leaves, sending dust spiraling upward. The energy in the air crackled, invisible yet undeniable. Louisa¡¯s eyes widened. "You¡­" She took a step back. "You have magic." Priyam lowered his hand, flexing his fingers. "No," he said quietly. "I have something else." Louisa swallowed. She wasn¡¯t sure whether to be relieved¡­ or terrified. --- A Shadow Watching From a distant balcony, a hooded figure observed the exchange, golden eyes gleaming beneath the shadows. The rumors were true. Priyam was no ordinary familiar. And the Duke of Hohenstein would want to know. With a final glance, the figure disappeared into the darkness. --- End of Chapter 6 A Power Unlike Magic Whispers in the Dark The halls of Tristain Academy were abuzz with speculation. The pulse of energy from the previous night had not gone unnoticed. The professors dismissed it as residual magic, but among the students, rumors spread like wildfire. Some claimed an ancient relic had been awakened. Others whispered that a powerful mage had cast a forbidden spell. But a select few¡ªthose who had seen Priyam¡¯s duel, who had felt the weight of his presence¡ªsuspected something far more dangerous. And now, in the depths of the academy¡¯s restricted archives, a shadow moved. The hooded figure who had been watching Priyam now stood before a desk, parchment spread before them. The candlelight flickered as a gloved hand traced an old, faded sigil. The same sigil that had appeared on Priyam¡¯s arm. The figure exhaled. "So¡­ it has begun again." With silent precision, they rolled up the parchment and vanished into the darkness. --- A Warning Louisa was furious. For years, she had trained in magic, studied spellcraft, and learned the rules of noble society. Yet here was Priyam¡ªan outsider, a commoner, a supposed familiar¡ªcommanding a power that no one could explain.The narrative has been illicitly obtained; should you discover it on Amazon, report the violation. And worse¡ªhe refused to take it seriously. "You¡¯re reckless," she snapped as they walked through the academy gardens. Priyam smirked. "You say that like it¡¯s a bad thing." "It is a bad thing!" she shot back. "You don¡¯t even know what that mark is, do you?" Priyam glanced at his arm, still hidden beneath his sleeve. "Not yet." Louisa groaned. "And that doesn¡¯t concern you?" He stopped walking, turning to face her. "Would it change anything if I said it did?" Louisa hesitated. His voice was calm, but his golden eyes burned with something unreadable. "You think I don¡¯t understand the danger," Priyam continued. "But I do. I just don¡¯t fear it the way you do." Louisa clenched her fists. "You should," she muttered. For a long moment, Priyam said nothing. Then, to her surprise, he chuckled. "Then tell me, Louisa," he said, stepping closer, "are you afraid for me? Or of me?" Louisa¡¯s breath hitched. She didn¡¯t have an answer. --- The Scholar¡¯s Revelation Meanwhile, in the academy¡¯s main hall, Isabelle d¡¯Este leaned lazily against a marble column, watching a flustered young scholar shuffle through a stack of old tomes. "You wanted to see me, Professor?" she asked, feigning boredom. The scholar adjusted his glasses. "Lady Isabelle, you asked me to research¡­ unusual magical phenomena, correct?" "That I did." "Well," the scholar cleared his throat, "I found something." He placed an open book on the table, revealing a faded illustration¡ªa man standing amid a battlefield, surrounded by a glowing sigil. "This symbol," the scholar said, tapping the page, "is incredibly rare. It predates modern spellcraft, even predates the founding of our kingdom." Isabelle¡¯s emerald eyes flickered with interest. "And?" The scholar swallowed. "It¡¯s not magic." For the first time, Isabelle¡¯s smirk faded. "What do you mean?" The scholar¡¯s voice dropped to a whisper. "This¡­ is something older. Something beyond the understanding of mages. It is a power that does not come from mana, but from the very fabric of existence itself." He hesitated before speaking the final words. "Lady Isabelle¡­ if Priyam possesses this mark, then he is no ordinary familiar." Isabelle leaned back, a slow smile returning to her lips. "Oh, I know he isn¡¯t." --- An Unexpected Invitation Later that evening, as Priyam leaned against a stone wall, watching the academy courtyard darken with the setting sun, a familiar voice reached him. "You¡¯re attracting quite a bit of attention, you know." Isabelle. Priyam didn¡¯t turn. "You say that like it¡¯s a bad thing." She stepped beside him, her emerald eyes gleaming in the dim light. "On the contrary, I find it¡­ entertaining." Priyam smirked. "Glad I could amuse you." Isabelle studied him. "Tell me something, Priyam. If you had the chance to understand the power inside you, would you take it?" Priyam finally looked at her, intrigued. "You¡¯re offering to help me?" Isabelle tilted her head. "Let¡¯s just say¡­ I have access to information most don¡¯t. And I do love a good mystery." Priyam chuckled. "So, this is curiosity, not charity?" She smirked. "Would you expect anything less?" He held her gaze for a moment, then shrugged. "Alright. Where do we start?" Isabelle¡¯s smile widened. "Meet me tomorrow night in the west wing library. And Priyam?" "Hm?" "Come alone." --- End of Chapter 7 The Secrets of the Past A Meeting in the Dark The West Wing Library was off-limits at night. Students whispered that forbidden knowledge lay within its walls¡ªbooks of ancient spells, records of lost civilizations, and secrets the nobility wanted buried. Priyam didn¡¯t care about the rumors. He had a feeling he was about to learn something far more interesting. Under the cover of darkness, he moved through the academy halls, his steps silent against the marble floor. The torches flickered dimly, casting long shadows. When he reached the massive wooden doors of the library, they creaked open before he could touch them. Isabelle d¡¯Este stood inside, her emerald eyes gleaming in the candlelight. "You¡¯re late," she murmured. Priyam smirked. "You didn¡¯t say I had to be on time." Isabelle rolled her eyes. "Come in before someone sees you." He stepped inside, and the doors shut behind him with a soft thud. The library smelled of old parchment and candle wax. Tall shelves stretched toward the ceiling, filled with books that likely hadn¡¯t been touched in centuries.This book was originally published on Royal Road. Check it out there for the real experience. "You seem awfully invested in my power, Isabelle," Priyam said, watching her carefully. Isabelle smiled. "Let¡¯s just say¡­ I like knowing things before anyone else does." She led him deeper into the library, stopping before a long wooden table. Several books were already open, pages covered in strange symbols. And on one of them¡ª Priyam froze. There it was. The same mark that had appeared on his arm. "Care to explain?" Priyam asked. Isabelle traced a finger over the faded illustration. "This mark doesn¡¯t belong to any known magical system," she said. "It¡¯s not connected to elemental magic, alchemy, or even divine blessings." "Then what is it?" Isabelle hesitated. "In ancient records, there are mentions of a power beyond magic. Something older. Something¡­ unnatural." Priyam raised an eyebrow. "Unnatural?" Isabelle¡¯s voice dropped to a whisper. "Because it was never meant to exist." --- The Lost Power Louisa couldn¡¯t sleep. Something felt wrong. Priyam had been acting strange since the duel. And now, she had the sinking feeling that he was up to something. With a frustrated sigh, she threw on a cloak and stepped out of her dormitory, moving swiftly through the academy halls. Her instincts led her to the West Wing. The library. The restricted library. Her stomach twisted. If Priyam was inside, then he was meddling with things he shouldn¡¯t be. And she wasn¡¯t about to let him do it alone. --- The Forbidden Name Back in the library, Priyam leaned over the book, eyes scanning the text. "This symbol¡­ it belonged to an ancient order," Isabelle said. "A group that wielded power not through mana, but through sheer will." Priyam frowned. "That sounds ridiculous." Isabelle smirked. "And yet, here you are, using it." Priyam didn¡¯t respond. The page described warriors¡ªpeople who could alter reality itself, not by casting spells, but by bending the world to their intent. But the last lines of the passage sent a chill down his spine. "This power was seen as an abomination. It defied the natural laws, and so the mages of old sought to erase it. The last wielder of this mark vanished from history¡­" "But some say he left behind a successor." Priyam¡¯s grip tightened on the book. "Tell me, Isabelle," he said slowly. "What was the name of this last wielder?" Isabelle turned the page. And there, in bold, ancient script¡ª "The Sovereign." A sudden gust of wind blew through the library, snuffing out the candles. The room plunged into darkness. And from the shadows¡ª A voice whispered. "You should not have come here." --- End of Chapter 8 The Whispering Shadow The Presence in the Dark The library was silent. Too silent. The moment Isabelle uttered the name "The Sovereign," the air had shifted¡ªcold, unnatural, watching. Priyam¡¯s instincts screamed at him. This wasn¡¯t normal. "Did you hear that?" Isabelle whispered, her usual confidence replaced with unease. Priyam didn¡¯t answer. His golden eyes flickered, scanning the darkness. Then¡ª A voice, low and ancient, echoed through the library. "You should not have come here." A chill ran down Isabelle¡¯s spine. "Who¡¯s there?" Silence. Then, movement. A shadow, shifting unnaturally along the bookshelves. It wasn¡¯t cast by the candlelight¡ªit moved with intent, slithering across the walls like a living thing.This content has been unlawfully taken from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere. Priyam clenched his fists. For the first time since arriving in this world, he felt it. Fear. The shadow lunged. Priyam barely had time to react. His body moved on instinct, dodging back as something unseen rushed past him, fast as a blade slicing through air. Books flew off the shelves. The table shook. "Priyam!" Isabelle gasped. The shadow twisted, reforming at the far end of the room. Two glowing red eyes opened within it. And then¡ª It spoke. "The Sovereign¡¯s blood has awakened again¡­ but you are unworthy." --- Louisa¡¯s Arrival Louisa was already running. The moment she neared the library, she felt it¡ªa suffocating energy pressing against her chest, a presence that didn¡¯t belong in this world. Something dangerous was inside. She threw open the doors. "Priyam¡ª!" The sight before her froze her in place. Books scattered. Candles extinguished. And a living shadow standing before Priyam and Isabelle. The glowing eyes of the entity flickered toward her. "Ah¡­ another noble lamb, stumbling into the darkness." Louisa¡¯s blood ran cold. This wasn¡¯t magic. Magic could be measured, understood, countered. This? This was something else. --- A Power Unleashed Priyam didn¡¯t hesitate. Fear meant nothing if he let it control him. He took a step forward. The shadow laughed. "You dare?" And then¡ª Priyam¡¯s mark burned. The sigil on his arm flared to life, glowing with an intensity that cut through the darkness. A force surged through him, raw and untamed. It wasn¡¯t magic. It wasn¡¯t divine. It was something older. The shadow shrank back. For the first time, the voice wavered. "Impossible¡­ The Sovereign¡¯s Will still lingers?" The energy within Priyam pulsed¡ªand with a single motion, he extended his hand. The air shattered. A blast of unseen force erupted from him, ripping through the shadow like a blade through mist. The entity screamed, its form distorting, unraveling¡ª And then¡ª It vanished. The library fell silent once more. Isabelle exhaled, her hands trembling. Louisa stared at Priyam in open shock. Priyam? He simply looked at his hand. The power was gone. But the mark remained. And for the first time, he understood¡ª He was far more dangerous than he had ever realized. --- End of Chapter 9 The Noble鈥檚 Ultimatum The Aftermath The library was a wreck. Books lay strewn across the floor. Candles flickered weakly, barely holding onto their flames. The once-grand hall of knowledge now felt¡­ violated. But Priyam barely noticed. He was still staring at his hand. The power had vanished as quickly as it came, but the feeling remained. Like a phantom limb. Like an echo of something vast, something limitless. He clenched his fist. What was that? His mark¡ªit had responded to the shadow. It had repelled it. And the entity¡­ it had recognized him. "The Sovereign¡¯s Will still lingers?" What did that mean? Before he could dwell on it further, a sharp voice cut through the silence. "Start talking." Louisa. She stood across from him, arms crossed, her violet eyes burning with barely contained rage. "What the hell was that, Priyam?" she demanded. Priyam met her gaze evenly. "I was about to ask the same thing." Louisa¡¯s hands tightened into fists. "Don''t play games with me! That¡­ that thing¡ªit wasn¡¯t magic. It wasn¡¯t a summoned creature. It wasn¡¯t anything we¡¯ve been taught about! And then you¡ª" She pointed at his arm. "You used something! Something that no commoner should ever have!"The narrative has been taken without permission. Report any sightings. Priyam tilted his head. "So? Does it bother you that I¡¯m more than just your familiar?" Louisa¡¯s jaw clenched. "You shouldn¡¯t be more. That¡¯s the problem!" The words hung between them. Even she seemed startled by them. For a long moment, no one spoke. Then¡ª "I see," Priyam murmured. "You¡¯re afraid." Louisa¡¯s eyes widened. "I¡ªWhat?" "You¡¯re afraid of what I might be," Priyam said, taking a step toward her. "Because if I¡¯m something beyond magic, beyond the noble bloodlines¡ªthen what does that say about your world?" Louisa sucked in a breath. He wasn¡¯t wrong. This world had an order, a hierarchy. Nobles held power, commoners obeyed. That was how things had always been. But Priyam? He was breaking that order just by existing. Louisa wanted to deny it¡ªto tell him he was wrong. But the truth? The truth was that deep down, in a place she wouldn¡¯t admit even to herself¡ª She was afraid. --- The Opportunist A slow clap echoed through the ruined library. Isabelle. She leaned casually against a bookshelf, smirking. "Well, well. That was quite the exchange. The tension in here is delicious." Louisa shot her a glare. "Shut up, Isabelle." "Oh, don¡¯t be like that." Isabelle¡¯s emerald eyes gleamed. "I¡¯m just enjoying the fact that I¡¯m witnessing something truly¡­ historic." She turned to Priyam. "I don¡¯t think you realize just how special you are, Priyam. That thing recognized you. It knew your power. And if you were paying attention, you¡¯d have noticed something else." Priyam raised an eyebrow. "Which is?" Isabelle¡¯s smirk widened. "It was afraid of you." Louisa¡¯s breath hitched. Priyam¡¯s eyes darkened. Afraid? That shadow¡ªthe thing that spoke of the Sovereign¡ªit had shrunk back the moment his power activated. It had called him unworthy¡­ And yet, when his mark flared, it fled. Priyam rolled his shoulders. "Then maybe I should find out why." Isabelle laughed. "Now that is the attitude I like." Louisa scowled. "Enough." She turned to Priyam, her voice hard. "This isn¡¯t a game. Do you have any idea what happens if word of this gets out? If the nobles hear that a commoner¡ªa so-called familiar¡ªhas an unknown power?" Priyam¡¯s smirk returned. "Let me guess. They¡¯ll either try to control me¡­ or kill me." Louisa didn¡¯t answer. She didn¡¯t need to. Isabelle sighed dramatically. "Such a tragic fate. If only he had, say, a powerful noble house willing to protect him." Priyam chuckled. "You¡¯re shameless." "And you¡¯re interesting," Isabelle shot back. Louisa rubbed her temples, exasperated. "You¡¯re both insufferable." Then, she took a breath and faced Priyam again. "Listen to me. This power of yours? It¡¯s dangerous. Not just to you, but to everyone. If the academy finds out, if the nobles find out¡­" She hesitated. "You might not get a chance to figure out what you are. Because they¡¯ll erase you first." The weight of her words settled in the air. Priyam studied her for a long moment. Then he nodded. "Noted." Louisa exhaled. "Good." She turned on her heel. "Come on. We need to clean up this mess before someone¡ª" The door slammed open. Three figures stepped inside, torches in hand. Priyam recognized them instantly. Roderic von Hohenstein. And two academy enforcers. Roderic¡¯s lips curled into a smirk. "Too late for that, I¡¯m afraid." His eyes locked onto Priyam. "We have some questions for you." --- End of Chapter 10