As the Wizard King and Ethan Hayes entered the inner hall, the outer hall erupted in a cacophony of whispers.
"What is the Wizard King thinking, trying to form a Tenth Magic Knights Squad?"
"Yeah, and only recruiting commoners? Not to mention making a commoner like Ethan Hayes the captain."
"Silence! Anyone caught gossiping will be punished!"
Nozel Silva's thunderous voice cut through the chatter. As a powerful figure, his authority was unquestionable. The knights present dared not defy him, but even Nozel found the Wizard King's sudden decision surprising. It deviated from his usual steady and consultative approach.
"Could this mean... a change is coming to the kingdom?" murmured some knights.
Inside the hall, the Wizard King sat comfortably in a chair. Ethan Hayes, showing no restraint, pulled up a chair to sit across from him.
"Apologies for not informing you earlier and making a unilateral decision. I hope you don't hold it against me," the Wizard King said with a gentle smile.
Ethan shrugged. "Hold it against you? You're the boss, after all. Besides, what good would it do? What's done is done."
The Wizard King nodded, satisfied. "Good to hear. Now, do you feel confident about the competition in three days?"
"Why bother with a competition? You could just appoint me directly and save everyone the trouble," Ethan replied, half-jokingly.
The Wizard King chuckled wryly. "If only it were that simple. While I hold the title of Wizard King, the kingdom also has a king. Officially, the king is the rightful ruler, and I must take the nobility's sentiments into account. After all, nobles make up 90% of the Magic Knights. If I didn't give them a chance to compete, it would cause unnecessary discord."
"I understand. But I promise you this—I won't lose," Ethan declared with determination. Losing wasn't an option, especially not to those who looked down on him.
"Good. Still, you'll need to prepare thoroughly. There's no room for failure," the Wizard King emphasized. "The Tenth Squad isn't just about a title; it's about a vision for the kingdom's future. You must succeed."
Ethan smirked. "Fine. But I'll need your help. Let's talk magic."
Ethan then delved into his thoughts on wind magic, presenting unconventional ideas that viewed wind as a medium for manipulating air. He brought up concepts like carbon monoxide and sulfur dioxide, terms the Wizard King had never encountered before.
The discussion evolved into a spirited exchange of ideas, with Ethan asking questions and the Wizard King providing insights. Their conversation wasn't a one-way lecture but a mutual exploration of magical theory.
As the clock struck midnight, the Wizard King reluctantly ended the session. "That's all for tonight. Rest well, Ethan. You have a big challenge ahead."
"Goodnight," Ethan replied, heading back to his quarters.
Walking down the corridor, the Wizard King turned to his attendant, Marx.
"What do you think of Ethan Hayes?" he asked.
Marx hesitated. "He's strong for his age, talented, and wields the legendary four-leaf grimoire. A promising prospect."
"A promising prospect," the Wizard King echoed, smiling faintly. Initially, he had been drawn to Ethan's talent and his possession of a four-leaf grimoire. But after their conversation, he valued something far greater: Ethan's innovative mind.
Ethan didn't just think outside the box—he shattered it. His ideas on magic weren't constrained by convention. For instance, he proposed turning wind magic into air manipulation, allowing one to extract oxygen from a localized area. Or transforming earth magic by altering its molecular structure to create an entirely new form of magic.
While the Wizard King didn't fully grasp the science behind Ethan's theories, he saw their potential.
"This boy might one day surpass me—not just as Wizard King, but as a revolutionary force in magic itself," he murmured.
-------------------------
Patreon Advance Chapters: patreon .com / Samorash