Chapter 29 — The Orb and Authority

Kai wandered the halls of Noctis Sanctum, wearing nothing but a black shirt and pants, still waiting for his new tailored clothes. His mind was focused entirely on the orb in his pouch, the artifact that had aged him by three years and increased his power.

“I’m completely lost,” he muttered, pacing aimlessly.

Ahead, he spotted a maid carrying a tray of tea, heading toward Selene’s office. Kai called out to her.

“Excuse me! Can you direct me to the royal library?”

The maid hesitated. She was on duty delivering tea to the queen, after all, but Kai smiled and said, “It’s okay. Just guide me there—I’ll deal with Selene myself.” Concern flickered across her face, but she eventually nodded and led him down the corridors.

Once Kai reached the library, she left to return to her duties. Selene, meanwhile, was still fuming in her office, annoyed her tea had arrived late. The maid explained the delay, and Selene let her go, muttering under her breath.

Kai dove into the library’s tomes, scouring anything that mentioned the orb. Finally, he found a reference:

“The artifact is called the Chronos Orb. Anyone who touches it ages by three years instantly. However, the holder’s power is significantly enhanced.”

Kai frowned. “What a stupid artifact… who would create something like this? Useless!”

Satisfied—or at least resigned—he left the library and made his way back to his room. There, he found Selene waiting, sniffing the bed sheets he had slept on.

“What are you doing?” Kai asked, narrowing his eyes.

Selene blushed furiously, covering her face. “Don’t look at me! You’re not even going to try to hide it—you’re sniffing the bed sheets!”

Kai held up the orb. “Anyway, I found some information on this thing. Turns out it ages anyone who touches it by three years… and boosts power. Useless. But, well… it is what it is. I’m sixteen now. I’m hungry. Where’s your kitchen?”

“That’s it?” Selene said incredulously.

“Yes. Just show me to the kitchen. I doubt vampires can cook anyway,” he replied bluntly.

Selene huffed but led him to the castle’s kitchen.

Meanwhile, back in Drakensport, Darius paced nervously in his room. Today was the day he planned to tell Lira how he felt.

“How should I tell her? Maybe she doesn’t feel the same way… how would Kai do it?” he muttered. “Wait… does she like Kai? That damn brat…”

Ultimately, their date ended without Darius confessing, but he promised himself he’d try again next time.

Back in Noctis, Kai had eaten his fill. Selene sat across from him, sipping from a crimson vial—blood, of course—and was about to speak when a maid interrupted.

“A noble requests your presence, Your Majesty.”

Selene’s eyes flared red. “Who dares summon me at this moment?” she hissed. Her mana pulsed, filling the room with tension.

She grabbed Kai’s arm and stormed to the throne room. Two vampires stood waiting: Selene’s father, Marius, and another noble—let’s call him Lord Draven.

Kai strolled beside her, utterly uninterested.

“Father,” Selene said, ignoring Lord Draven.

“Queen Selene,” Draven said, bowing slightly but with pride in his voice, “I beg you to step down. Give the throne to someone more… qualified.”

Kai muttered under his breath: Oh no. Bad move.

Selene’s crimson eyes narrowed. “Someone more qualified? And what if I refuse? Or do you just want the throne for yourself?”

Draven flared his mana. “You are unfit to rule! A halfling has no business being the ruler of Noctis!”

Kai yawned, bored.

Draven raised his hand, magic crackling. “By my will… I shall be the ruler of Noctis!”

Selene’s aura flared. Dark mana swirled around her, her authority undeniable. The rest of the court fell to their knees, awed and terrified. In a single instant, Draven turned to ash.

The remaining nobles muttered among themselves, fear evident in their voices.

“Now,” Selene said, voice sharp and commanding, “does anyone else have anything to say about a halfling ruling Noctis?”

Silence.

Satisfied, Selene and Kai began to leave. Marius, kneeling, called out, “Selene…” She took him to her office for a private conversation, leaving Kai to his own devices.

Kai, for his part, headed to the royal blacksmith’s forge. Sparks flew as he began forging a new, larger ninjatō, ready for whatever challenges awaited.