Chapter 12: ROYAL DEMEANOR II

{ JAY AYDEN'S POV }

I blinked my eyes open, my consciousness slowly emerging from the haze of slumber. The ceiling above me was unfamiliar, its architecture starkly contrasting with the cozy familiarity of my own home.

"Huh, I don't recognize that ceiling…."

Confusion gnawed at me as I sat up, the pristine white walls of the room surrounding me. The bed, the furniture, the bed sheets—all white. I glanced down at my own attire and realized I was clad in white as well. An overwhelming sense of loyalty seemed to emanate from every corner of the room.

My heart raced as I swung my legs over the edge of the bed and stood up. I felt a surge of trepidation and curiosity mingling within me as I took tentative steps toward the door.

"Aaaahhh….my eyes,why the heck is everything white,"I said my eyes squinting.

Not going to lie but at first I thought I was dead and was at some sort of purgatory.

The hallway that stretched beyond was unlike anything I had ever seen—long and elegantly decorated, the walls adorned with intricate designs. Every door I passed was white, each one exuding an aura of purity and purpose.

As I walked along the corridor, I encountered a group of maidens dressed in white, their smiles warm and welcoming as they greeted me.

"How are you this afternoon, young Ayden,"they said spontaneously.

I returned their greetings with a mixture of bewilderment and politeness.

"I'm doing fine, what do I have to offer for meeting such fine maidens,"I said filled with all the charisma my five-year-old self had to offer.

"You're so sweet, hope to meet you sometime later in the day as for your stay here,"one of them said before proceeding to leave as they giggled.

[SMILES AWKWARDLY]..."I hope I get to see them more often…"

"Don't know what she meant by my stay here…I don't even know where here is,"I said sniffling.

"But I'm down if it means being around them."

The surreal atmosphere was punctuated by a door that led to a room with a red carpet stretching out like a river of blood.

"What the…did someone die here.

Oh, it's just a red carpet."

At the end of the carpet stood a towering white chair, bathed in sunlight from a vertical window behind it.

Curiosity drove me closer, and as I neared the throne, it seemed to radiate a brilliant light, as if calling out to me. In a moment of boldness, I decided to sit upon the throne, the cool surface against my skin sending shivers down my spine. A surge of confidence and self-importance washed over me, and for a brief moment, I felt like I was in control of my destiny.

But then, as if summoned by my thoughts, a memory from my past life surged forward—a scene of humiliation and pain.

The memory was vivid and cruel, a stark reminder of my vulnerabilities.

I was back in a school restroom, surrounded by jeering classmates, their laughter echoing in my ears.

I was naked, powerless, and the world around me had turned into a twisted spectacle of cruelty.

In an instant, the sensation of the cold toilet seat beneath me replaced the throne, and the taunts of those long-forgotten tormentors echoed in my ears.

"Look at this piece of shit!"

[LAUGHTER BURSTS]

"Your face alone, makes me wanna punch you,"One of the guys, Max, said before proceeding to kick my clothless body with his wet and dirty shoes.

My body hitting the Toilets flush system unit, a water pipe burst and began to spray water.

The memory was an anchor to my past, a reminder of the pain I had endured. Water sprayed around me as I was drenched, my humiliation complete.

A paper crown in the shape of a mockery adorned my head, a cruel joke that had cut me to my core.

"See, this, this is your throne room, it's the closest you'll ever get to being acknowledged,"Max said.

The whole crowd began to laugh, as I sat there in silence, rethinking my existence.

The laughter was deafening, the room spinning as I clung to the toilet seat in desperation, my tears mixing with the spray of water. I was a helpless pawn in their game, stripped of my dignity and left to wallow in shame.

"Those BASTARDS!"

A deep voice interrupted my painful reverie, calling out to me from the present. "Boy."

Startled, I jumped to my feet, my heart racing as I turned to face the source of the voice. A man stood there, his presence commanding, his gaze fixed on me with a mixture of surprise and authority. He looked at me with an intensity that seemed to see through my very soul.

"You do know that's my chair you're sitting on," the man said, his tone a blend of amusement and reprimand.

My cheeks burned with embarrassment as I hastily stood up, my heart pounding in my chest. "I'm sorry," I stammered, my voice barely above a whisper.

The man's lips curled into a slight smile as he stepped closer. "No need to apologize, young one. I am King Delray, though you may call me Deryl."

My eyes widened in astonishment. King Delray? The realization hit me like a tidal wave, the gravity of my situation dawning upon me. I was in the presence of royalty, and I had been sitting on the king's throne—a throne that held centuries of history and authority.

Deryl's gaze lingered on me, his scrutiny both unsettling and intriguing. "Tell me, young Jay, what are your affinities?"

I cleared my throat, my nerves still frayed from the memories that had resurfaced. "I believe I have an affinity for all elements, but my body is more accustomed to Pyrokinesis and Terrakinesis."

Deryl's eyes gleamed with interest. "Impressive. I have a daughter about your age who possesses an affinity for Aerokinesis and Hydrokinesis."

His words piqued my curiosity, and I couldn't help but ask, "What about mana core stage?"

Deryl's expression shifted, becoming more focused as he regarded me. "Do you know your current mana core stage?"

I shook my head, admitting, "I've never really thought about it or how to determine it."

Deryl placed his hand on my chest, a gesture that sent a jolt of surprise through me. "One can sense their mana core stage through touch. Allow me to demonstrate."

As his hand made contact with my chest, a sensation unlike anything I had ever experienced washed over me. It was as if the air around us had grown heavy, gravity increasing by the second. The room seemed to darken, and I could feel an invisible force tugging at my very being.

My eyes widened in shock, my heart pounding as I stared at Deryl. My vision wavered, and in that split second, I saw a blurry figure standing behind me. Their purple eyes glowed with an eerie aura, their gaze piercing through me as if delving into the depths of my soul.

And then, as suddenly as it had started, the sensation ceased. The room returned to its normal state, and Deryl's voice cut through the silence.

"Are you alright, Jay?"

I blinked, my mind reeling as I tried to comprehend what had just transpired. "Yeah, I'm... I'm fine."

Deryl's expression was a mix of shock and something I couldn't quite place. A thin sheen of sweat glistened on his forehead as he looked at me, his gaze almost fearful.

"Your mana core stage is Vermilion Stage 2," he stated, his voice tinged with a hint of awe.

I absorbed his words, my thoughts racing. Vermilion Stage 2? I barely knew what that meant, but the gravity of the revelation weighed on me.

"And," Deryl continued, "my daughter is also at Vermilion Stage 2."

I nodded, still trying to process everything. It seemed like a realm of power I had only begun to explore.

Deryl's gaze held mine for a moment longer before he asked, "Jay, have you ever heard of the Aether arts?"

The mention of the Aether arts sparked a sense of intrigue within me, a curiosity that overshadowed the memories of my past. I looked at Deryl, my eyes filled with questions.

//// NEXT CHAPTER: ARIA ////

Edited by: JJ