Zayne made his way back to the castle alone under his disguise. Upon arrival, he went straight to his room to freshen up from the sweat and blood that he had accumulated during the breakthrough.
After a refreshing shower, he looked at his options.
'It would seem that taking out both my brothers isn't ideal as I could face the wrath of my father thus I can only postpone this for now.'
'But that doesn't mean that I'll let such a despicable act go unpunished however I am at a disadvantage.'
'I can't tell who else is working for my siblings, only having to rely on those two assassins for the test.'
'Ethan must have already delivered the news that I had acquired the tier four disc mana core however my arrival was something they hadn't anticipated.'
As for how he was able to discern that Ethan wasn't his actual butler was simple and yet complex. During his breakthrough, he encountered a slight problem.
The disc mana core already has some essence of another person in it making it tainted and extremely volatile. If the other person chose to shatter it, it was a matter of thought however it didn't.
Not only that but he also felt that his perception skills had risen substantially. Making him see through illusions and traps with relative ease.
As for the person whose essence it belonged to, he had a few suspicions of who it could be.
'But why would complete strangers help me. Ethan reported that they already knew about the trials beforehand which was bizarre.'
'Maybe they have a skill that enables them to read the minds and thoughts if others this he could tell. Also for them to realize that Ethan wasn't my actual servant proves their proficiency in this skill.'
"Hahahaha!" He laughed as he saw the situation had unfolded. Instead of him being at a disadvantage, he was greatly bolstered in terms of strength in comparison to before and both his siblings didn't know about it.
"Master Zayne, your presence is required in the throne room." The voice of a maidservant rang through throwing him out of his thoughts.
He put on his clothes as he made his way there. It was grand on appearance, fitting for a castle which already had a tight security with tier three experts as soldiers all over the place.
Soon enough he arrived at the throne room. It was huge with two demanding figure seating on the throne. They held a commanding presence making all eyes present land on their figures.
He went closer as he knelt, beside him were his two brothers. Sirius had a smirk on his face while Kaissus stood aloof.
He stood up. "Hello father." He said respectfully at the tier five expert on the throne. Rein had yet to be a proper kingdom as it lacked in certain aspects such as tier six king.
But that didn't mean the one present was easy to take down. He had sharp combat experiences and senses able to contend with a tier six expert for some moves. He was on the fourth array.
"Zayne, is it true that you have leaked the news of the test to outsiders?" Solaris spoke in a cold tone.
At first he thought that it was slander on Zayne's name as it was something that he had experienced before however he still had to confirm this.
"Yes father." He gritted his teeth. The information was leaked as a result of his actions and the idea of phrasing himself as a victim was something his father despised.
It wasn't that he hated his own son but that felt as a form of failing to take responsibility and he knew it. "Hmmm." Solaris fell into thought.
Sure it was a lack of concern and carelessness that result to this however the information wasn't all that confidential given that they would make it public a week from then.
"It would seem that you were able to breakthrough into the fourth tier. It is finally pleasing that you are taking your position as a prince of Rein Kingdom seriously."
"As for the incident with the theft of the tier four mana disc core, I'll overlook it." He was the king and thus naturally he had a lot of connections all over the place.
"About the test, Howe can we start if he still doesn't have any champions?" Elexa, the second sister spoke ridiculing Zayne. The two had already allied themselves with the older brothers leaving Zayne with no help.
"Zayne, do you have any champions. If not then you will be disqualified from participating in it." Of course there were much bigger implications that went unsaid.
If he didn't have any champions, then it would prove that he was unworthy of being a proper candidate and taking over the throne.
"I do." He said resolutely. "Oh? And who are they?" Sirius asked with a mocking tone. He already knew who they were as it was detailed in the report Ethan have him.
Kaissus remained silent during the entire conversation along with Vesper, the eldest sister.
"I think that you should focus more on yourself brother." Zayne shot back. "And did you really think that I wouldn't realize that you swapped my servant with one of yours?!"
Sirius gave off a small laugh. "So you aren't a complete idiot." Realizing the tension present in the air, Solaris commanded silence in the room.
Everyone fell silent as they all looked at him. "Sirius, such an act could have you revoked from participating in the test. However as it was a measly servant, no severe punishment will be issued."
"But since you tampered with the plans if you own brother, you are to fulfill any request that he would issue onto you provided it wasn't too overbearing."
"What?!" Sirius exclaimed however Zayne wasn't all that fazed. "Brother, I want you to agree with me on a small matter. It won't be all that dear to you in the slightest."
Sirius furrowed his brows as he heard this. "What is it?" Zayne gave off a confident smile as he voiced out his demand.
"I want you to agree that during the test, that should the combatants die in battle, the matters will be excused and not be punished."
Everyone was startled as they heard this. 'Did this wretch find some powerful opponent to issue this? But from Ethan's report, all he has are two tier four experts while I have a tier five!'
"Brother, is this it?! To think that it would be something else. I'll allow it so as to see your face as your combatants perish on the battlefield."
Kaissus who was silent finally spoke up. "Such methods are barbaric, not to mention the increased activities of the demons, having humans perish isn't ideal."
Solaris along with some of those present agreed on this. It wouldn't be reasonable to kill people while a greater enemy was still present.
"Oh come on brother, are you afraid that you will lose?" Sirius posed however Solaris raised his hand.
"Such a method is too barbaric. Killing is forbidden however at any other state is allowed." Solaris issued to which the three agreed simultaneously.
"Understood father." Looking at Zayne, Solaris wondered why he would want to allow such a request. "You may take your leave."
His voice boomed before leaving the court. He was followed by his wife. Kaissus along with Vesper shortly exited the room leaving Zayne and Sirius alone in it.
"Congratulations on breaking onto the fourth tier. I should send you Ethan's head as a present." He joked as he left the room.
Clenching his fists, Zayne left the room as he went back to his. "I should make sure that those two aren't persuaded by Sirius on deviating."
His room was empty as he now didn't know who to trust. "I guess I will have to meet with them personally." He mused.
...
Orsen looked at where they were allotted to stay. A spacious inn reserved for the cram if the crop of society without a doubt. Hedon had yet to return but he knew where he was.
As for the camp incident, news had already started spreading about it however he didn't seem all that concerned about it as he collapsed on the bed. It was comfortable but this wasn't the thought in his mind.
'It seems that Ashley is already making a name for herself. As of the Hydra, it would seem that dark times are about to cascade on us. She's almost to Aurorise as well.'
He got up as he took a shower. Looking outside, it seemed as if it was about to pour. It was already late in the afternoon as he decided to go for a small walk.
As for the situation about the prince, he wanted to see how the situation would turn out.
If he was here alone without Hedon then the situation was clear as water what would transcend however with his volatile nature, it was hard to discern what would transcend.
'I still don't know what that sword is about.' He mused as he made his way through the streets. His tier four aura was hanging around him this a lot of people avoided any form of contact with him.
'You and Zephyrin are refrained from taking any quests issued to you.' A message came through the emblem that he had. 'Does he really think that we are that weak that we would be obstructed by a couple of quests?'
Regardless he decided to make a small detour by purchasing something delectable to munch on before making it back to the hotel.
Seeing the small shacks present, he decided to purchase something.
"Sir, come over here! We have the best grapes around!" Numerous vendors tried to catch his attention and it was to be expected.
As a tier four expert, it was logical to think that he would have a lot of resources on him thus they all tried to persuade him to try their goods.
He went to what seemed the best one as he surveyed the items on display. Most of the fruits present resembled those of earth although these had mana in them.
Depending on what type, the correlating fruit would have benefits to what was apparent to it. If it was a grape, then some of them would have rejuvenating properties such as sweetness and so forth.
He bought a casual apple, for four copper quartz. Rein was still developing so it was somewhat lacking in terms of economy. He bit into it and shortly after, a honey like nectar landed on his taste buds.
The vendor wanted to read his expression however he managed to retain his aloof expression. "It's commendable." He voiced his thoughts.
What was this to him? He had eaten with horrors and gods alike beyond human comprehension. A comparison between the two was a disgrace to even bring up this he wasn't fazed by this.
'Commendable?! Does he know how much these apples cost me?' The vendor was furious when he heard such a casual remark from Orsen however he couldn't scold him.
He was a tier four expert while he was on the second tier. Fighting him was definitely something he couldn't do not to mention he didn't know what status he had. For a tier four, it was unlikely that they had a simple status this he deterred himself from rebuking him.
"It's a shame that I wasn't able to satiate your desires. Maybe another fruit will be able to fill you." He said with a smile as he stretched out another fruit towards Orsen.
He raised his hand clearly uninterested with it. "I'll pass." He said as he started walking away. He had already paid the vendor this there was nothing to keep him there.
"Why this insolent bastard?! Just because he thinks he is a tier four makes him think that he owns the kingdom. Turning me down as if I am some subject of his. Hmph!"
He muttered beneath his breathe, unaware that Orsen had heard everything. From his thoughts to his words that he mumbled however the sake do slander was something he had abandoned long ago as he let him be.
He continued to walk as came across a peculiar stall. He looked around as he noted the mundane fruits that were on display.
He had the eyes of many while he stood here. "Does anyone work here?" He asked the nearby stall.