<h4>Side Story (6)</h4>


    <i>nk!</i>


    The sounds of two wooden swords shing resonated through the training hall at the imperial pce, along with the irregr gasping sounds. After an intense and prolonged battle, one of the wooden swords finally went flying into the air.


    “I won.”


    “Yeah, yeah.”


    The fellow who had his eyebrows raised in triumph was none other than Ronan.


    “Two hundred and forty-one matches, and I have one hundred and twenty-one wins. By this I am stronger than you,” dered Ronan as he drove his hand through his sweaty bangs.


    “Ugh! Damn it!”


    Ronan looked down at the loser with eyes full of joy. The loser was none other than Hein Morris, the one who had initially carried Henry’s full name. He had changed his name at Henry’s rmendation.


    It had been several years since the two had be Morris children, and they had made a reputation for themselves within the imperial pce. They were famous for being the only two Morris children who were learning both swordsmanship and magic, and they both showed frightening talent.


    That was especially true for Hein. Ronan struggled with magic, so he focused on swordsmanship, but Hein learned magic without much difficulty.


    Naturally, Henry was extremely proud of Hein. He knew that originally, Hein wouldn’t have been able to properly learn both swordsmanship and magic. Seeing his outstanding growth made him realize once again how important one’s environment was.


    Ronan extended his hand and helped Hein get up.


    “Haha, practice more before next time.”


    “Ha, how about you practice magic some more in your spare time?”


    “That’s a cheap shot, bringing up magic when we’re discussing swordsmanship!”


    “So what!”


    Ronan and Hein were no longer just children; they were already in their mid-teens, and so their physiques had developed considerably, looking more like adults. They were also developing secondary sexual characteristics.


    Before they could continue arguing...


    <i>p, p, p-!</i>


    Ronan and Hein turned their heads at the sudden noise. As soon as they saw who was pping, Ronan shouted with a big smile on his face, “Silver!”


    “Nice duel. Seems like you two have been practicing a bit.”


    It was none other than the crown prince of the empire, Silver Jackson Edward. He was now in his twenties, and he was nothing like the twenty-something Silver from Henry’s past.


    Under the mentorship of Golden and Henry, Silver had matured into a worthy prince, renowned for hismendable character and excellent reputation.


    Feeling somewhat embarrassed by Silver’s praise, Ronan scratched the back of his head.


    “Hehe, not at all, Silver. Compared to you, I still have a long way to go...”


    “No, I couldn’t move the way you did when I was your age. I guess a Morris child really is something else.”


    The three of them got along like brothers, just like Golden and Henry. They were as close as friends could be.


    “But what are you doing at the training grounds? Don’t you have swordsmanship lessons today?”


    “Not today. Uncle asked me to run some errands.”


    “The Archmage?”


    “Yes. Speaking of, let’s go together”


    “Us too?”


    “Why, you don’t want to?”


    “Oh, no. It’s not that. I was wondering what kind of errand he’s made you do, since you’re asking us to go with you.”


    “Hmm, from what I heard, it seemed like you two might be getting a younger sibling.”


    “A sibling...?”


    Ronan and Hein looked puzzled at the mention of a sibling. Silver ruffled their hair and said, “Alright then, go and take a shower. We have to leave right away.”


    “Yes!”


    Ronan and Hein rushed to the showers, both of them extremely excited.


    ***


    Intense sunlight enveloped the entirety of Shahatra. Silver, Ronan, and Hein used teleportation scrolls to quickly arrive at Khan, the capital. Without a second to lose, the three went straight to the royal pce.


    “Jackson, did the Archmage really say that our younger sibling is here?” asked Ronan.


    “Yeah, Uncle said that we should go to the royal pce... But I don’t even know who exactly we’re supposed to look for.”


    “I see. Since I’m getting a younger sibling, I hope it’s a sister.”


    “Why a sister?”


    “No reason. I think it’d be cute to have a younger sister.”


    “Hey, stop talking nonsense. You’ll have to take care of your new sibling regardless if it’s a boy or a girl.”


    “Yes!”


    The three soon arrived at the royal pce, where there was a weing group waiting for them.


    “Wee, Crown Prince.”


    The King of Shahatra, Herab Khan, was also part of the group. He weed Silver and the two boys with a friendly smile.


    At this, Silver bowed and said, “I’m grateful for this kind of hospitality. I assume that the Archmage has given you prior notice of our arrival?”


    “Of course. Otherwise, we wouldn’t have been able to prepare a weing group like this. Hmm, but what about the twods next to you...?”


    “Oh, my apologies for not introducing them. They are the Morris children, the sons the Archmage has raised himself.”


    “Oh, oh! I finally get to meet the Morris children in person! So far, I’ve only heard rumors about them.”


    Herab was impressed with the Morris children, who were famous not only within the imperial pce but also across the continent. They were famous because the greatest wizard on the continent had raised them with affection without even getting married.


    Herab held both Ronan and Hein’s hands.


    “It’s an honor to meet you. My name is Herab Khan, and I rule Shahatra. It might be too forward of me to say this upon our first meeting, but I have a child about your age, and I hope you can be close friends. Herarion! Come here quickly and say hello. These folks are the famous Morris children!”


    Herab turned and called his son over, but Herarion was so embarrassed that he hid among the weing group. At this, Herab smiled awkwardly and apologized.


    “Oh, my...! My apologies. My son’s a bit shy around people... Haha...!”


    Herab smiled awkwardly while scratching his head. At this, Ronan and Hein quickly showed their respect.


    To be frank, the two were dumbfounded. Although Shahatra was a vassal state of the empire, it was nheless an official ally. But despite its status, Herab acted in a humble manner and addressed Ronan and Hein very politely.


    And although it had been a while since the two first entered the imperial pce, they had never forgotten where they came from. It was surprising that the king of a nation would act so humbly and treat them with such respect.


    “I believe it’s a wonderful thing for us to have more close friends, since we’ll have to be the ones leading this continent in the future,” said Silver.


    “Fufu, just as I expected, you already think like a leader. Well then, shall we head inside? The child is waiting there.”


    With that, Herab weed the three inside, where there was a huge feast waiting for them.


    “I wasn’t sure what you’d like, so I tried my best.”


    With that, the dinner party started. Herab would’ve liked a drink with his guests, but considering their young age, he had instead arranged for the finest delicacies Shahatra had to offer.


    As they settled down at the table, a chef proceeded to introduce each dish. The three had never seen any of these dishes before, but instead of showing hesitation, they were eager to try them.


    After the chef left, Herab said, “Now then, let me introduce you to the child the Archmage requested.”


    At this, the three focused on Herab. Silver had heard from Henry that this child would be thest Morris child. Of course, he hadn’t the slightest clue why Henry had chosen this particr child to be thest one of his family.


    Henry had only said that this child would be essential to Silver when he eventually became the emperor.


    The child soon walked in,ing next to Herab. He was a young boy with dark skin. He looked like a typical kid from Shahatra.


    “I salute you, Your Majesty. My name is Howl.”


    A brief look of disappointment flickered across Ronan’s face when he realized that he was getting a younger brother instead of a sister. Noticing this, Hein yfully poked Ronan in the side.


    “So you’re the boy the Archmage was talking about!” eximed Silver.


    The three weed Howl warmly.


    “Have you ever heard anything about Howl, Crown Prince?” asked Herab.


    “Unfortunately, I only learned today that the Morris children will get a younger sibling.”


    “Hehe, ording to the Archmage, this child might be his sessor.”


    “Hmm? Howl will?”


    “Yes, that’s what the Archmage told me. I’m not sure when he saw his potential. I think he’s an amazing fellow in many ways.”


    The next Archmage to seed Henry—Silver finally understood what Henry had meant back then. He gulped as he looked at Howl.


    <i>‘The next Archmage...!’</i>


    Henry Morris himself had acknowledged this boy. He most likely possessed the kind of talent that everyone wished they had. That had to be the reason Henry had decided to adopt him as the youngest andst Morris child.


    After learning about Howl, Ronan and Hein finally understood why they hade to Shahatra. They realized that Henry had arranged this visit so they could meet the younger brother with whom they would be spending the rest of their lives.


    The three looked at Howl with sparkling eyes, each of them having different thoughts about him.


    ***


    <i>Knock, knock-!</i>


    Someone knocked on Henry’sb door.


    “Come in.”


    Henry had his eyes glued on his documents, and only when the door opened did he look up. Seeing who walked in, Henry smiled.


    “Dracan?”


    Ever since he had be an Archmage, Dracan had asionally visited Henry to report on the results of his research. Of course, even if he didn’t have news, he woulde every once in a while to check on Henry, to ask how he was doing.


    However, Dracan’s face seemed strangely bright on this asion. At this, Henry couldn’t help asking, “Seems like something good has happened, huh?”


    “Indeed, Master.”


    “Hehe, what are you trying to surprise me with this time?”


    Dracan was beaming, but there was some other emotion in his expression, one that Henry couldn’t put his finger on. Perhaps that was why Dracan was hesitating to speak.


    “Well, what is it?” urged Henry.


    “Well, it’s that...”


    At Henry’s insistence, Dracan finally revealed his achievement.


    “Master. I finally did it.”


    “Huh? Did what?”


    “The 7th-Circle. I finally reached the 7th Circle.”


    “What...?’


    For a moment, Henry thought he had misheard Dracan, as it had only been five years since he had be an Archmage. He couldn’t believe that Dracan had advanced to the next circle in such a short period of time.


    His jaw dropped to the floor at this shocking news.


    <i>‘Finally...!’</i>


    Henry had always believed that Dracan would eventually reach the 7th-Circle, but he had managed it surprisingly fast. Long ago, he had made a decision for when Dracan would eventually reach the 7th-Circle.


    It was finally time.


    <i>‘I can finally retire!’</i>