VOL. 1: CHAPTER 8 — "THE JUDGEMENT, THE FACTIONS, AND THE ORACLE WHO SAW THE ANOMALY"

— KAI’S POV —

The Queen’s announcement echoed through the terrace.
“Temporary sanctuary.”

The nobles erupted immediately.
Not physically — they weren’t brave enough for that —
But verbally?

They became a flock of angry parrots.
“Your Majesty—!”
“He must be confined!”
“He poses a threat to the wards—!”
“He awakened the Runes! Only royal blood may do that—!”

Aerin buried his face into my cloak, trembling.

I rubbed the back of his head gently.
“It’s okay, kid.”

“Big brother… they’re mad…” Aerin said.

“Yeah, but they always look like that.” I replied.

Lythiriel elbowed me subtly. “Kai—please—this is serious.”

“Everything’s serious to you elves.” I retorted.

“Because everything is serious here!” She said firmly.

“Even breakfast?” I asked.

“YES.” She yelled.

I sighed. “No wonder you’re all uptight.”

“KAI—!” She yelled again.

A guard snorted quietly.
Another muffled a laugh.

Lythiriel glared at them.
They instantly straightened.


 —THE COURT ASSEMBLES— 

Queen Vaelindra raised her hand.
“Summon the Council.”

A shimmering circle lit up at the terrace center.
One by one, the High Nobles appeared through mana-glyph portals.
Each radiated an aura that was… suffocating.

I whispered, “Princess… who are these clowns?”

“Cl—” She almost choked.
“Kai—!! They are the High Factions! Show respect—!!”
She pointed subtly. “That is Lord Therion Vaesyr — head of the Hawkfeather Court.”

A tall, silver-haired elf.

Sharp eyes.
Cold expression.
Radiated superiority like oxygen.

“Human,” he said, “I heard you triggered our sacred wards.”

I shrugged. “I touched a glowy rock.”

A ripple of disbelief.

Therion’s eyes narrowed. “…Ignorant child.”

I opened my mouth—

Lythiriel slammed her hand over it.
“Kai. Don’t provoke him.”

I licked her palm.

“—?!?!”

She yanked her hand back, blushing furiously.
“Y-YOU UNCIVILIZED—!!”

The guards whispered:
“…The Princess actually got licked.”
“…Is this flirting…?”

She glared at them.
They went dead silent.

Next portal shimmered.
“Lady Isilwen Valea — head of the Evergreen Circle.” Lythiriel said.

Graceful, emerald-clad, with vine-like tattoos.
Her voice was smooth as wind.
“A human… carrying such power… How curious.”
Her eyes glowed faintly. “Aether flows whisper of change around you, child.”

“…Cool?” I nodded.

She giggled softly. “Bold.”

Lythiriel groaned softly. “Avoid her. She collects dangerous children.”

“…Wait what—” Before I could finish my sentence.

Another portal.
“Lord Faelar Thorne — head of the Lunar Tribunal.” Lythiriel said.

Arrogant.
Smirking.
Eyes like silver knives.

The moment he appeared, he locked onto Lythiriel.
“My Princess~. You return more radiant each day.”

She recoiled slightly. “Lord Faelar. Acknowledged.”

He frowned.
Then noticed me. “…And who is this human standing so closely beside you?”

Lythiriel stiffened. “He is none of your concern.”

“Oh? But I believe he is. I heard he defeated a Mythical-Class beast.” He inquired.

“Rumors.” I said.

He smirked wider. “And rumors of the Princess defending him…”

Her face flushed pink. “I—did NOT—”

“Fascinating.” He said.

He stepped toward me.
“Human.”

I blinked. “Elf.”

He twitched. “…You dare mock me?”

“No, that was a factual statement.” I said simply.

“I—” He gritted his teeth.
“You insolent—”

“Kai,” Lythiriel hissed,
“stop antagonizing the nobles—!!”

“They started it!” I complained.

“YOU ALWAYS START IT—!!” She yelled.

Queen Vaelindra’s voice cut through.
“Enough.”

Instant silence.

Then.
Queen Vaelindra spoke.
“We will evaluate the human’s status. Bring him to the Circle of Predestination.” 

Whispers spread like wildfire.
“The Predestination Circle…”
“That is where the last Oracle saw visions…”
“It was sealed for centuries—why open it now…?”
“It must be because of the anomaly—”

I leaned toward Lythiriel. “Predesti-what-now?”

She exhaled painfully. “It’s where we keep Elder Mina.”

“Oh yeah, the prophecy lady.” I said.

Lythiriel stiffened. “…She is more than that.”
She looked away. “Elder Mina… foresaw the world ending. Soon.”

“Great.” I frowned.

“We are taking you to her,” Lythiriel continued.

“Why me?” I asked.

She hesitated. “…Her prophecy mentioned an anomaly arriving before the end.”

“Oh.” I nodded.

“It might be… you.” She whispered.

“Oh.” I nodded again.

She looked at me, anxious, guilty, worried.
“Are you afraid?”

I shrugged. “I’ve been afraid since I woke up in this world.”

She blinked. “…That was the first honest thing you’ve said today.”

“I’m honest all the time.” I said.

“No. You joke all the time.” She retorted.

“Same difference.” I replied.

Her voice softened. “…Kai.”

“Yeah?” I answered.

“Stay close. Do not wander.” She said softly.

I smirked. “Princess, you’re starting to sound like you care.”

She stopped walking. “…I do not.”
Her voice trembled. “…I can’t.”

My heart felt heavier.
Then she walked again.
Fast.
As if escaping her own thoughts.


— AMARA BANETER —

While we walked through a massive corridor carved from glowing whitewood, I whispered:
“Amara?”

> 『Yes, Master?』

“Make me more spells.”

> 『Specify preference.』

“Cool anime-type spells.”

> 『Elaborate.』

I whispered dramatically:
“You know… Rasengan-type… Getsuga-type… Spirit-Bomb-type…”

> 『Spirit Bomb requires collecting planetary life energy. Very inefficient. Very dangerous. I advise against it.』

“But it’s COOL.”

> 『Coolness is not a valid parameter.』

“It is to me!”

> 『Irrelevant.』

“…Amara, you’re ruining my childhood.”

> 『I cannot ruin a temporal sequence you already experienced.』

“STOP BEING SO LITERAL—!!”

Lythiriel turned. “…Are you arguing with your imagination again??”

“No. With Amara.” I replied.

“Who is—” She was about to ask me.

But I interrupted her. “Don’t worry about it.”

“I AM WORRIED—!!” She yelled.


—THE CHALLENGE—

As we reached the sealed gate leading to Elder Mina, a knight blocked our path.

Tall.
Well-built.
 Armor of moonsteel.
His light-blue hair and sharp amethyst eyes screamed prince of arrogance.

Lythiriel sighed in despair. “…Oh no.”

He smirked. “Princess.”

“Sir Vaelen…” Her tone was stiff.

THE Vaelen.
Captain of the Royal Moonblades.
One of the highest-ranked knights in Sylvarine.
And apparently—Jealous.

His eyes locked on me with immediate disdain.
“So this is the human you brought.”

“…Yes.” Lythiriel reluctantly confirmed.

He stepped toward me. “You. Human.”

I blinked. “You. Elf.”

Lythiriel facepalmed.

Vaelen’s jaw clenched. “You dare to mock the Captain of the Moonblades?”

“You people keep asking that question. Why does everyone assume I’m mocking them?” I replied.

“Because you ARE!” Vaelen yelled.

I shrugged. “That’s fair.”

He drew closer.
“I have heard of your battle. I have heard your absurd feats. And I do not believe them.”

“Cool.” I said.

“I will measure your worth.”
He stepped into my personal space.
“Draw your weapon.”

I looked down at my empty hands. “…What weapon?”

“Anything.” Vaelen said.

“I have hands.” I replied.

“THEN USE THEM.” Vaelen yelled.

Lythiriel slammed her arm between us. “Kai will NOT fight you.”

Vaelen glared. “Princess. Step aside.”

She didn’t move. “Kai is under my protection.”

“…Your protection?” Vaelen repeated sharply.

“…Yes.” She replied.

Something dark flashed in his eyes.
“So you defend him. You defend a human…over your own people?”

Lythiriel flinched.
But didn’t step back. “…Yes.”

I stared at her.
Her chin trembled slightly—
But she held firm.

Vaelen’s aura burst outward.
Cold.
Lunar pressure.
Sharp enough to make the guards step back.

Aerin squeaked and hid behind my leg.
I gently pushed him behind Lythiriel.

“Kai…” she whispered, “don’t provoke him.”

I stepped forward. “I’m not scared of him.”

Vaelen snarled. “You should be.”
He raised his hand—mana swirling into a blade of silver moonlight.

The guard captain gasped. “He’s forming a Duel Seal—!”

Lythiriel shouted: “VAE—”

A voice cut cleanly through the air.
“Enough.” 
Everyone froze.

Queen Vaelindra approached.
Her presence made Vaelen instantly kneel.

“Y-Your Majesty—! I was merely—” Vaelen tried to justify.

“You were about to shame your rank,” she said coldly.
“And insult your Princess.”

He flinched.
Lythiriel looked relieved—then stiff.

Queen Vaelindra turned to me.
“You will fight him.”

Everyone stared.

Lythiriel choked. “MOTHER—?!”

Vaelen smirked victoriously.

I shrugged. “…Okay.”

“KAI—!!” Lythiriel yelled.

The Queen raised her hand. “Not now. Later. After Elder Mina judges the human.”

A cold shiver ran down my spine.

“…Judges?” I questioned.

Vaelindra nodded.
“She will determine if you are the prophesied anomaly. And whether you are meant to save… or end our world.”

Even the nobles fell silent.

Lythiriel grabbed my wrist. “Kai… I…”
She swallowed. “I trust you. So don’t… fall apart inside.”

I blinked. “…Princess.”

She looked away quickly, ears red.
“D-Don’t misunderstand!! I—I’m responsible for you because I brought you! That’s all!”

Aerin tugged my sleeve. “Big brother… don’t go alone…”

I kneeled and smiled at him. “I’ll be right back.”

“…Promise?” He asked.

“Promise.” I replied.

He hugged me tightly.

Then Lythiriel took a slow breath.
“…Let’s go. Elder Mina waits.”

The gates creaked open.
A cold wind brushed past.
Runes glowed faintly.

Like an ancient voice whispering:
Anomaly…


— ELDER MINA’S CHAMBER —

A circular room.
Walls carved with ancient scripts.
Whitewood branches twisted overhead like ribs.

A single figure sat at the center.
An elderly elf with long silver hair.Eyes blind—yet glowing like galaxies.
Her presence swallowed all sound.

Elder Mina.
The Oracle.

She spoke without turning.
“…So. You have come.”

Lythiriel bowed deeply.
“Elder Mina.”

Her gaze…drifted to me.
And she whispered, trembling:
“…The anomaly from beyond the veils.”

My pulse quickened.
She smiled—yet it wasn’t warm.
It was knowing.

“Child…You do not belong here. And yet—you are the key.” She said.

My throat tightened. "The key to what…?”

She inhaled slowly.
And the runes on the walls lit up. “To hope—or to ruin.”

Then she opened her eyes fully.
And the entire room shook.

Lythiriel gasped.
Aerin screamed.
Vaelen stepped back.

Elder Mina whispered:
“…Show me your soul, Kai Rajput.”