Ashoka woke up the next morning and, after eating his breakfast, was going to the training ground with Albert, his bodyguard. While walking, he thought about everything he had discovered yesterday.
He had learned many things about this world, but he had never expected that all ten kingdom kings possessed magical powers. However, the most shocking thing was that it meant his father also had magical powers.
So why didn't he have any magical powers?
From the information John had gathered, all the princes of the other kingdoms also possessed magical powers. This meant that only those with royal blood had magical powers in the present era.
But why didn't he have any?
It wasn't as if he wasn't the king's son. However, he only remembered that when he was five years old, memories of his previous life had started returning to him. Therefore, he wasn't even completely sure whether he was the king's biological son or not.
And what exactly was his father's magical power?
Ashoka was lost in thought when two servants approached General Albert.
"General," one of them said, "the king has called you for the royal gathering."
Albert looked shocked.
"Isn't the royal gathering supposed to be held tomorrow?"
"We don't know, sir," one servant replied. "We only follow the king's orders."
Albert nodded.
"Alright, you may go. I'll come in two minutes."
The servants left.
Albert then turned to Ashoka.
"Prince, I have an important meeting today. You can rest. We'll continue training tomorrow."
After saying that, Albert left for the royal gathering.
Ashoka thought about it.
The royal gathering was an important meeting between kings from different kingdoms. During the gathering, they discussed trade agreements and plans to improve their economies for the coming year. The meeting was held only once a year.
Every year, it was hosted by a different kingdom, so security around the kings was always extremely tight.
"Well, I don't care," Ashoka thought. "John will report everything to me later."
Now that Albert was gone, what should he do?
He couldn't blame him. Albert was his bodyguard, but he was also a general.
There was no one else suitable to train with him. Ashoka already knew many sword techniques from his previous life. He had fought countless warriors who were masters of the sword.
The only problem was that this young body wasn't yet capable of perfectly executing the sword styles he knew.
As Ashoka continued thinking, a boy suddenly called out to him.
"Hey! Why are you carrying a sword? Little boys should be playing with toys in their rooms."
Ashoka turned around.
"Who are you?"
The boy proudly introduced himself.
"I am Prince Sora of the Kingdom of Wind. And who are you? Why are you carrying a sword? Are you a soldier? I didn't know little boys could join the army in this country."
Before Ashoka could answer, a man stepped forward and stopped Sora.
"Young Prince, please stop. That boy is not an ordinary person. He is Prince Ashoka of the Kingdom of Power."
Sora was stunned.
"What? This little boy is a prince?"
Ashoka thought to himself.
"So this is the Prince of the Kingdom of Wind. His attitude is normal for a prince. But the man beside him is dangerous. Judging from his appearance and the way he carries his sword, he must be Sora's bodyguard."
For conquering the world, forming friendships with future kings was important. If they were his friends, they would be less likely to cause problems for him in the future.
But with Sora's attitude, would becoming friends be easy?
Ashoka was thinking about this when Sora suddenly asked,
"Hey, Prince. What's your name?"
Ashoka smiled politely.
"Sorry for the late introduction. I am Prince Ashoka of the Kingdom of Power."
Sora nodded.
"Ashoka, do you know how to use a sword?"
"Yes."
"Can you show me your swordsmanship?"
Sora pointed his sword toward Ashoka.
Ashoka smiled.
"Why not? I was already looking for someone who could challenge me."
The duel began.
Sora launched the first attack, swinging his sword toward Ashoka's head.
Ashoka easily dodged and counterattacked toward Sora's legs.
Sora jumped backward and avoided the strike.
"He is fast," Sora thought. "I barely dodged that."
The clash between their swords continued for nearly five minutes. Neither side wanted to surrender.
Eventually, Ashoka sighed.
"Now I'm bored."
Suddenly, he rushed forward at great speed and leaped into the air, aiming a strike at Sora's head.
Panicking, Sora instinctively used magic.
"Wind Cutter!"
Ashoka froze.
The attack reminded him of the attack that had killed him in his previous life.
For a brief moment, his mind stopped working.
He failed to dodge.
The Wind Cutter struck his arm, leaving a deep cut.
Blood began flowing from the wound.
Sora's bodyguard immediately rushed toward Ashoka.
"Prince Ashoka, I'm sorry! I didn't expect the young prince to use magic."
Ashoka shook his head.
"Don't worry. It's my fault. I was just surprised to see that attack. Normally, I could have dodged it, but my mind froze for a moment."
Sora looked guilty.
"I'm sorry. I panicked and accidentally used magic during a sword duel."
"It's alright," Ashoka replied. "It's only a small wound."
Sora hesitated before speaking.
"Please don't tell anyone what you saw here."
"What do you mean?"
Instead of answering, Sora sat down and placed his hand over Ashoka's injury.
A soft green light appeared.
The wound began healing.
Ashoka's eyes widened.
"How can you use two types of magic?"
"Quiet, fool!" Sora whispered. "Only my mother and Pitter know about it. Even my father, the king, doesn't know I can use two types of magic."
Ashoka blinked.
"Pitter?"
"Oh, right. I forgot to introduce him. This is Pitter, my bodyguard."
Ashoka looked at the man.
If even the king didn't know about Sora's second magic, yet this bodyguard did, then Pitter was definitely not an ordinary bodyguard.
Ashoka changed the subject.
"So why are you here in the Kingdom of Power?"
Sora shrugged.
"I came with my father. He went to that boring meeting, so I decided to explore the palace. Then I found you."
"I see. You should go back soon. That boring meeting will end in about ten minutes."
Sora's eyes widened.
"Thanks for reminding me!"
He began running toward the meeting hall.
Then he suddenly stopped, turned around, and shouted,
"Sorry again, Ashoka! And... can we be friends?"
Ashoka smiled.
"I thought we already were."
Sora grinned and waved before running off with Pitter.
Ashoka returned to his room.
"I didn't know someone could use two types of magic," he thought.
Sora was definitely someone he wanted on his side in the future. His healing magic would be extremely useful.
Judging by his height, Sora was around fifteen years old. In three years, when he turned eighteen, he would become the King of Wind.
Ashoka's situation was different.
He only had three years to improve.
His father appeared strong and fearless on the outside, but Ashoka knew he was suffering from a deadly illness.
At most, he had four years left to live.
His father wanted him to become king at fifteen before he died.
Meanwhile, the meeting had ended.
Sora met his father.
"Father, today I met the prince of this kingdom. He was very strong."
His father smiled.
"Oh? Very good. Now go wait for me at the gate. I'll be there in five minutes."
Sora left.
After he was gone, Sora's father looked at Pitter.
"Pitter, stay. I have something to ask you."
"Yes, my lord."
"What kind of prince is this Ashoka?"
Pitter answered honestly.
"My lord, that prince is not ordinary. He appears to be around twelve years old, but his swordsmanship is extraordinary. He nearly defeated the young master. It felt as if he had fought in countless wars."
Sora's father nodded.
"That is exactly what I expected. Like father, like son."
He paused before continuing.
"You know, Pitter, the strongest kingdom among the ten kingdoms is the Kingdom of Time."
"Yes, my lord."
"But the king I fear most is the King of Power."
Pitter looked surprised.
"Why, my lord?"
Sora's father smiled.
"Because he is a beast. A monster who destroys his targets with a single strike."
At that moment, Ashoka received a report from John about the meeting.
After reading it, he shrugged.
"Nothing important."
He leaned back and thought.
"To rule the world, I need loyal followers and magical power. Loyal followers can be found later. But where am I supposed to get magical power?"
Then an idea came to him.
"John. He probably knows something about magic."
Just then, a servant knocked on his door.
"Prince, the king wishes to see you."
Ashoka was surprised.
"Alright. I'll come immediately."
The servant left.
As Ashoka walked toward his father's room, he thought about how long it had been since they had spoken.
The last time he had truly seen his father was when he was ten years old.
Two years had passed quickly.
Reaching the room, Ashoka knocked.
"Come in."
Ashoka entered.
His father was resting in bed.
"Father, is your illness getting better?"
Rajendra sighed.
"Stop being so formal, my son. Sit down."
Ashoka obeyed.
Rajendra was a seven-foot-tall man with long black hair. Even without using magic, he possessed enough strength to defeat a hundred men in battle.
"I heard you met Prince Sora of the Kingdom of Wind."
"Yes, Father. He seems like a good person."
Rajendra laughed.
"Good. So instead of training, you spent your time making friends."
Ashoka smiled awkwardly.
For a while, they spoke like a normal father and son.
Eventually, Rajendra's expression became serious.
"Ashoka, there is something important I need to tell you."
Ashoka immediately sat up.
"Yes, Father."
Rajendra took a deep breath.
"My son... I only have two years left to live."
Ashoka froze.
"What?! Father, what do you mean? I know your illness is serious, but only two years?"
Rajendra nodded.
"Ashoka, stay calm and listen carefully."
Ashoka clenched his fists.
"Yes, Father."
Rajendra looked directly into his eyes.
"I am finally going to tell you why you do not possess magical powers..."
"...and why I only have two years left to live."