While we were walking towards to King’s castle, I got my curiosity about the telepathy power from the tour guide

  “Um, miss Lysseria, can you explain to me more about the way you can communicate with the king’s attendants? Is it telepathy or something else?

  “Correct!” She said out loud, “Telepathy is our innate ability. We use this ability through the memories of the appearance and names of the people we can to communicate through. Even though, we can’t use the ability for long since it will drain our mana very fast. Only the elite guards, who had high mana pool can use this ability frequently.”

  I think about this ability and how weird it is since you can badmouth someone with your friends without them knowing, or can they? Since they would have a memory of them when badmouthing. As I continued my weird thoughts, we took a turn and entered a grand path.

  “Guess this is our farewell,” The guide said

  ‘Well, thank you for your guidance, we will appreciate it” I said formally

  “Can we meet again?” Mira said with her eyes blinking.

  “Ye, of course, young one. Let’s meet up at the restaurant I told you before” She said while waving her hand at us, smiling.

  The path ahead led to a grand palace made of shimmering crystal and coral, its walls glowing faintly with a golden hue. Guards stood at the entrance, their armor sleek and polished, holding tridents that glowed with faint runes.

  “This is where the king resides. He’s expecting you. Please, try to be respectful—but don’t worry, he’s fair and kind.” One of the guard said

  I nodded, squaring my shoulders. Whatever awaited us beyond those doors, we’d face it together.

  The grand doors of the king’s palace creaked open, revealing a room so magnificent it seemed like something out of a dream. The chamber was vast, its high ceilings lined with intricate carvings depicting the history of the Myrdian race. Soft, glowing orbs floated near the walls, bathing everything in a serene light that shimmered off the throne at the far end. The throne itself, crafted from iridescent shells and gleaming crystal, seemed to pulse with an otherworldly energy.

  As Mira and I stepped inside, a wave of pressure hit us. It wasn’t oppressive, but it was undeniable—a weight that made the air feel thicker, charged with power.

  The figure sitting on the throne was the source of this overwhelming presence. He rose slowly, and even from this distance, his aura was unmistakable.

  “What,… what is this aura?,” I thought, instinctively gripping the edge of my tunic. The king was not just a ruler. He was a force to be reckoned with.

  The man standing before us was tall, his silver-blue skin glowing faintly in the ethereal light. His beard, long and flowing, glimmered like strands of moonlight, and his piercing aquamarine eyes seemed to look through me as if reading every thought and intention. Though his features were aged, he moved with a vigor that belied his years. His very presence demanded respect.

  “Welcome,” the king said, his voice resonant and commanding, yet surprisingly warm. “I am King Myreidon, ruler of Hydrothys. And you must be Duke and Mira.”

  Mira and I exchanged uneasy glances. How did he know our names?

  The king stepped forward, his gaze steady. “I’ve heard much of your deeds,” he said. “News travels quickly, even to the depths of the ocean. Your actions on the central continent have not gone unnoticed. Queen Elara, our trusted ally, spoke highly of your bravery.”

  At the mention of Elara, I felt a sense of guilt and nostalgia. Her kingdom’s survival had come at a high price, with more than a hundred lives killed—a memory I wasn’t eager to revisit. Though it has only been a month since we left Degaritas, I forced myself not to remember the dark memories there.

  Mira and I dropped to one knee, instinctively adopting a formal posture. “Your Majesty,” I began, my voice steady despite the unease in my chest. “It is an honor to stand before you—”

  The king held up a hand, interrupting me. “Please,” he said, his tone gentle but firm. “There is no need for such formalities. Rise and take a seat.”

  He gestured to two chairs that had been arranged near his throne. They were simple compared to the opulence of the room but still carried an air of dignity.

  As I sat down, Myreidon’s gaze locked onto me like a predator sizing up its prey.

  “Tell me, Duke,” he said, leaning slightly forward, his deep aquamarine eyes unblinking. “What brings you to Hydrothys? And tell me of your companions—your team.”

  His voice was calm, even welcoming, but I could tell—he was testing me.

  I took a slow breath, steadying myself. This wasn’t just an idle conversation. He was picking apart my words, gauging me, seeing if I was worthy of something.

  He’s not like the typical rulers I’ve met.

  I had seen kings who wielded their power with arrogance, treating their subjects as mere pawns. I had seen nobles who cloaked their cunning behind honeyed words and feigned hospitality. But Myreidon? He was different. There was no arrogance in his tone—only certainty. The kind of certainty that came from someone who knew their authority was absolute. Someone who didn’t need to prove it.

  But there was something else, too. Something that made my skin prickle.

  He’s careful.

  Not cautious in the way a scheming noble was, but in the way a seasoned warrior was. Every word he spoke, every movement he made—it was all deliberate. Controlled. Like a swordsman waiting for his opponent’s first strike.

  This man wasn’t just a king. He was a tactician. A fighter.

  I had to choose my words carefully.

  “We came here by chance, Your Majesty,” I said, keeping my tone respectful but firm. “As for my team, they are exceptional individuals. Brave. Talented. Loyal. They’ve faced challenges that would break most people.”

  I kept my words measured, watching him for a reaction.

  He gave a small nod, his expression unreadable. Did he approve? Was he impressed? Or was he merely filing away the information for later?

  Then, his gaze shifted to Mira.

  “And you, Mira,” he said, his voice suddenly softer. “How have you fared? Has life been kind to you?”

  Mira stiffened slightly, caught off guard by the directness.

  “I… I’ve been fine,” she said cautiously. “It’s been difficult at times, but I’ve managed.”

  Myreidon studied her for a long moment, his sharp gaze lingering on her features. And for the first time, I saw something different in his expression. It was regret and pain, but why? Why does the King of Myrdian have that facial expression now?

  “You have endured much,” he murmured. His voice wasn’t pitying, but there was a weight to it—a sadness buried beneath his composure. “Far more than you should have.”

  Mira’s hands curled into fists. “Why does that matter to you?” she asked, her voice tinged with suspicion. “You don’t even know me.”

  A flicker of something crossed Myreidon’s face, but he did not answer immediately. Instead, he shifted his gaze back to me.

  “You seem… different from most humans I have encountered, Duke Caddel,” he said, tilting his head slightly. “Your bearing is unlike that of an ordinary adventurer.”

  I didn’t flinch, though I could feel the weight of his scrutiny pressing down on me.

  “Thank you, Your Majesty, I received that a lot.” I replied simply.

  A small, knowing smile tugged at the corner of his lips. “Yes… I imagine so.” He leaned back slightly in his throne. “You and Mira here, have made quite an impression here in Hydrothys. The people speak of your arrival, of your appearance, and of your… unusual presence.”

  I narrowed my eyes slightly. “Is that so?”

  He chuckled, the sound deep and almost amused. “You may not realize it, but you carry an aura that unsettles even seasoned warriors. A presence that makes men take pause. That is not something that can be learned easily.”

  I stayed silent. He was trying to pry into me, trying to understand me. And the more I spoke, the more I would reveal.

  After a moment, Myreidon exhaled and waved a hand. “But enough of that. You are not here for mere pleasantries, nor am I the kind of man who enjoys dragging out unnecessary formalities.” His tone shifted, becoming heavier, more personal.

  Then, with a voice laced with something deeper, something heavy, he said:

  “And second… this is a family reunion.”

  Before I could react, Myreidon stood up and stepped toward Mira. And then— He embraced her.

  “My dear granddaughter,” he murmured, his voice filled with raw emotion. “Look at you… You have grown into a beautiful child. No longer the mischievous little one I remember.” He pulled back slightly, his hands resting on her shoulders. “Your silver hair and eyes have become even more graceful. Just like your mother’s.”

  Mira stiffened in his arms, her eyes wide with shock.

  My own thoughts reeled. Granddaughter? What is he talking about?

  “Wait!” I said, rising from my chair. I took a glance at Caelum and Lyren as I feared they would come and pin me down. “There’s no evidence to support this claim. You can’t just—”

  The king raised a hand, his tone calm but firm. “I understand your concerns, Duke. This revelation is sudden. But please, allow me to explain.”

  Mira, however, wasn’t having it. She shoved the king away, her voice sharp and full of disbelief. “Don’t touch me! I don’t believe you. What kind of trick are you trying to pull?”

  Before the king could respond, the chamber doors burst open, and two figures rushed inside.

  “Mira!” a woman cried, her voice tinged with desperation and relief.

  The woman was stunning, her teal skin glowing faintly like polished jade under the lights. Her long hair flowed like liquid silver, strands seeming to shimmer and move of their own accord. Her eyes, deep and luminescent green, were filled with tears as she rushed toward Mira.

  Beside her stood a man—a human. His rugged features were striking, his dark hair streaked with silver. His eyes, though kind, held a haunted look, as if weighed down by years of regret. Unlike the woman, he bore no Myrdian traits—no gills, no shimmering scales. I was taken aback for a moment when I saw another human

  “Mira, my sweet girl,” the woman sobbed, pulling Mira into a tight embrace. “I’m so sorry… we’ve searched for you for so long.”

  The man joined her, his voice thick with emotion. “We never stopped looking, Mira. Not for a moment. Please… forgive us for failing you.”

  He then looked at “I did not expect to see another human here. Thank you, brave child. Thank you for bringing our daughter back. You can have as many rewards as you want.”

  I didn’t hear all of what the man said since my mind was locked onto Mira.

  Ensure your favorite authors get the support they deserve. Read this novel on Royal Road.

  Mira stood frozen, her body stiff as they hugged her.

  I stared at the scene, my mind racing. A Myrdian mother and a human father. That means…

  “…Mira. You’re a hybrid.”

  The words left my mouth before I could even process them, and the moment they did, the air in the room shifted.

  Mira stiffened, her breath hitching in her throat. “No… no, this isn’t real.” Her voice was barely above a whisper, but the tremble in it was undeniable.

  Her wide silver eyes darted between the two people standing before her—the woman with the Myrdian glow, and the man with a face lined with regret.

  “This has to be a lie,” she muttered. “It has to be.”

  The woman—her mother?—stepped forward cautiously, as if afraid Mira might run at any moment.

  “Mira,” she whispered, her voice thick with emotion. “My sweet child… I know this is overwhelming, but please, listen to me.”

  Mira took a step back. “No,” she snapped, shaking her head violently. “I don’t know you! I don’t know any of you!”

  The man flinched but kept his voice steady. “We’re not asking you to accept this right away,” he said. “But—” His voice cracked, and he clenched his fists. “We never stopped looking for you, Mira. Not for a single day.”

  Mira’s breathing grew erratic. Her fingers twitched at her sides, curling into fists. “This doesn’t make sense. I don’t remember you. I don’t remember anything!” Her voice rose in pitch, laced with frustration, with fear. “If you were my parents, why wasn’t I with you? Why was I alone for so long? Why—why did no one come for me?”

  Tears welled up in the woman’s eyes. “We tried to find you,” she said, voice breaking. “We searched everywhere—”

  “Then why am I only hearing about this now?” Mira’s voice cracked. “Why did I have to live thinking I had no one?”

  Mira’s mother took a trembling step forward, her glowing green eyes filled with anguish. “Mira… we lost you that night,” she whispered, her voice thick with emotion.

  Mira flinched, her hands clenching into fists. “Lost me?” Her voice wavered. “What are you talking about?”

  Her mother closed her eyes for a brief moment as if gathering the courage to speak. When she did, her voice was barely above a whisper.

  “You were taken, Mira. Stolen from us when you were too young to even remember…”

  Mira’s breath hitched. “That’s… that’s not possible.”

  Her mother shook her head, her eyes filled with sorrow. “We were attacked that night. Sea raiders stormed our home. We fought—your father and I—we fought with everything we had, but they were too many. And before we could stop them… they took you.”

  Mira’s legs wobbled slightly, her heartbeat hammering against her chest.

  “I…” Her voice cracked. “I don’t remember anything like that.”

  Her father stepped forward then, his normally firm expression weighed down by years of regret. “Because you were just a child,” he said quietly. “Too young to understand what was happening. Too young to remember the faces of the people who loved you.” His jaw tightened as he looked at her, sorrow deep in his golden eyes.

  Mira shook her head. “No… no, if that were true, you would’ve—”

  “We searched for you,” her father interrupted, his voice shaking. “For years, Mira. We never stopped looking.” His fists clenched at his sides. “But… I wasn’t strong enough to protect you that night.”

  His voice cracked.

  “I failed you.”

  Silence fell over the room, thick and suffocating.

  Mira’s eyes flickered between them, her breath uneven. “But if I was really taken from you…” Her voice grew softer. “Then how did I survive?”

  Her mother exchanged a glance with her father before looking back at her. “We don’t know. We thought…” Her voice broke for a second, and she pressed a hand against her chest. “We thought we had lost you forever. There were whispers—rumors that no child survived that raid. We had no proof, no leads—only grief.”

  Her father exhaled sharply. “We were lied to,” he said bitterly. “Tricked into believing you had…” His throat tightened. “That you had died.”

  Myreidon, who had remained silent up until now, let out a deep, weary sigh. His normally composed expression was strained, burdened with guilt that weighed heavily in his golden eyes. He took a slow step forward, looking directly at Mira.

  “I, too, bear responsibility for what happened,” he admitted, his voice quieter than usual. “The raiders chose their moment well… that night, I wasn’t here.” He clenched his jaw, his grip tightening around his staff. “I was on a journey, meeting with another counterpart—another elder of our kind. If I had been here, perhaps things would have been different.”

  Mira stared at him, her breath uneven. “So you’re saying… that night, when I was taken, you weren’t even here?”

  Myreidon lowered his head. “No. I wasn’t.” His eyes darkened with regret. “And for that, I am sorry.”

  Mira’s fists clenched, her mind spinning with too many thoughts at once. The air in the room felt suffocating, pressing against her chest as if the weight of their words alone was enough to crush her.

  Her mother reached out once again, her magic still faintly glowing. “Please, Mira. Let me show you—”

  Mira took a step back. “Wait.”

  Her voice was sharp, cutting through the heavy air like a blade. Her mother froze in place, hesitation flickering across her face.

  Mira looked between them, confusion and disbelief warring in her silver eyes. “Even if all of this were true… there’s still something that doesn’t make sense.” She exhaled sharply. “If I was really your daughter, then why do I look nothing like either of you?”

  A heavy silence fell over the room.

  Mira’s hands trembled at her sides, frustration building in her voice. “And more importantly… if I was a Myrdian, I wouldn’t have survived.” Her throat tightened. “If it weren’t for Leryn’s spell, I should’ve been dead.”

  Leryn walked closer to us from his position, and let out a slow breath before speaking in a calm, unwavering tone. “I never cast the spell on Mira.”

  Mira’s entire body froze.

  Leryn continued, his sharp gaze never leaving her. “I only cast it on Duke.”

  Mira’s breath caught in her throat. “That… that can’t be right.”

  Leryn shook his head. “When I realized this, I grew suspicious of you.” His voice remained even, but there was an unmistakable weight to his words. “That’s why I decided to report my findings to the king.”

  Mira’s mind reeled, the ground beneath her feeling unsteady. The truth—the very foundation she thought she understood—was crumbling before her eyes.

  This wasn’t just shocking. This was impossible.

  She staggered back a step, her chest tightening. “No… that doesn’t make sense… none of this makes sense…”

  Her mother stepped forward again, her expression tender but pleading. “I know it’s overwhelming, Mira. I know this is sudden. But…” She reached out a trembling hand, faint magic glowing at her fingertips.

  “Let me show you something.”

  Mira instinctively took a step back, hesitation flickering in her silver eyes.

  But then—she stopped.

  Something in the way her mother looked at her—something in the raw desperation in her father’s voice—made her chest tighten.

  And when the finger touched her forehead, she collapsed onto the man’s arms.

  “Mira!” I shouted, rushing toward her.

  Before I could reach her, Caelum and Leryn stepped in front of me, their faces apologetic but unyielding. With Leryn pointing his long polished staff at me and his older brother standing arm crossed.

  “Move,” I growled, trying to push past them.

  “I’m sorry, Duke,” Leryn said quietly. “But you mustn’t interfere.”

  I didn’t care about their apologies. I tried to force my way through, but before I could, a sharp blow struck the back of my neck. Pain blossomed briefly before darkness claimed me. I took a glance and saw that Caelum had already been behind me. Damn it, not this trick again!

  The school bell had rung moments ago, signaling the end of recess. Yuto and I were walking through the hallways, our voices echoing as we bantered back and forth.

  “And I will see you 2 at the shopping mall this weekend,” Yuto said to the 2 girls behind us, I couldn’t tell what their responses were but with those happy noises, I could already guess what they were.

  “You’re unbelievable, this is the third time in the day and you have flirted with 3 groups of girls” I muttered, shaking my head as Yuto flashed me his signature mischievous grin.

  “What? It’s called charisma, Ketashi.” He threw an arm over my shoulder, almost making me trip. “You wouldn’t understand, Mr. ‘I’m-saving-my-heart-for-university.’”

  I sighed, adjusting my glasses. “Unlike you, Yuto, I have priorities. Relationships during school are distractions. I’ll worry about all that after I’ve achieved something meaningful.”

  Yuto gasped dramatically, clutching his chest. “So serious! You’re like a monk or something. Oh, wait, maybe you’re not into girls at all?” He wiggled his eyebrows suggestively. “Is that it? Are you gay, Ketashi?”

  My face flushed. “Shut up, Yuto! That’s not even funny!”

  He cackled, already jogging ahead. “Come on, admit it! You’ve got the ‘lone wolf’ vibe, but you’re just shy!”

  “You’re dead!” I yelled, chasing after him as he darted down the hall, dodging students.

  We eventually skidded into our science class, panting from laughter. Yuto and I headed to our usual seats in the back row, where the teacher wouldn’t notice us as much—well, in theory.

  “Ugh, science,” Yuto groaned, slumping into his chair. “Why do we even need this? It’s not like I’m gonna be a chemist.”

  I smirked as I pulled out my notebook. “You should at least pretend to care. It’s not that hard.”

  Yuto rolled his eyes dramatically and leaned closer, whispering, “Bet you don’t even understand half of this stuff.”

  “Oh, really?” I replied, not missing a beat. I began rattling off a surprisingly detailed explanation of the topic—something about chemical bonding—adding more knowledge I’d picked up from my own extra reading.

  Yuto blinked, clearly impressed but refusing to show it. “Okay, nerd. But you got that part wrong—hydrogen bonds are weaker than covalent bonds, not stronger.”

  “Tch. Fine,” I conceded, “Yuto, you seem pretty good at subjects like maths or science but you don’t show any interest in it.”

  My friend said with a smirk “That is because I actually manage my time studying. Life is not just studying, as I said when we first met. But, ultimately, studying is very important and I actually want to get a decent job in the future.”

  “Said the one who was absent for more than half of the class in a day” I teased him

  “Hey, that is because ‘I have my priorities’ “ Heshot back, mimicking the phrase I said before the class.

  but before I could add more, a piece of chalk flew through the air and hit Yuto square on the forehead. I can hear his little “Ow” when it hits his head. Another one narrowly missed me, bouncing off my desk.

  “Yuto! Ketashi!” the teacher barked, glaring at us from the front of the room. “One more word and you’ll both be joining me in the office after class.”

  “Yes, sir,” we both mumbled, sitting up straight.

  Halfway through the lesson, the teacher clapped his hands, signaling a change in pace. “All right, everyone. Pair up into groups of three. You’ll be working on a project to construct a model of a simple molecular structure. I’ll assign your groups.”

  Yuto groaned audibly as the teacher listed names.

  “Yuto, Kakashi, and… oh, Keade.”

  Yuto and I exchanged glances.

  “Wait, isn’t she the one who caught us on the rooftop? She’s gonna kill us,” Yuto whispered, grinning despite himself.

  Kaede approached our desk, her expression as stern as ever. Her jet-black hair was tied neatly into a ponytail, and her disciplinary badge gleamed on her uniform.

  “Great,” she muttered, crossing her arms. “Stuck with you two. This’ll be fun.”

  “Hey, we’re not that bad,” Yuto said, leaning back in his chair. “We’re team players, right, Ketashi?”

  I nodded, trying to suppress a smile. “Promise we’ll behave.”

  Kaede’s gaze lingered on us skeptically before she sighed. “Fine. Let’s just get this over with.”

  The project was to create a 3D model of a water molecule. We were given a small kit of materials—styrofoam balls for atoms, toothpicks for bonds, and paint for labeling.

  “Okay, let’s divide the work,” Kaede said, taking charge immediately. “I’ll paint the labels. Ketashi, you assemble the structure. Yuto…” She hesitated. “Just try not to mess anything up.”

  “That sounds hard, isn’t it,” Yuto said, pretending to be wounded. “But fair.”

  We got to work, and surprisingly, the process went smoothly. Kaede meticulously painted the atoms while I pieced the structure together. Yuto kept cracking jokes, but even Kaede seemed to relax a little, her stern demeanor softening into a faint smile.

  When the project was done, we sat back and admired our work. The small molecule looked perfect.

  “Not bad,” Kaede admitted, though her tone was begrudging.

  “Told you we’re not hopeless,” Yuto said, smirking.

  We asked Yuto to bring it up to the teacher, and we accepted right away. He carefully picked the model up and slowly walked towards the teacher. As he walked, he continuously played tricks around our project making our hearts sink as synchronized with our project being dropped down and quickly getting caught mid-air

  “Yuto! That wasn’t funny, what if it actually fell” Kaede confronted

  “She is true Yuto, You could have destroyed to ‘most beautiful atoms model’, as Kaede said” I joined her but half agreed half laughing at Yuto's tricks.

  “Sorry guys but my hands are slippery,” said mischievously.

  As the bell rang, Yuto stretched and turned to me. “Come on, Ketashi. Let’s grab lunch.”

  I was about to follow him when something caught my attention. Kaede was still sitting at her desk, staring blankly at the project, her expression unreadable.

  She didn’t seem to have anyone waiting for her.

  “Go ahead,” I said to Yuto, motioning for him to wait.

  “What are you—” Yuto began, but he froze when I approached Kaede. From the corner of my eye, I saw him grinning like a maniac and scribbling something on a piece of paper.

  “Kaede,” I said hesitantly. “Do you want to join us for lunch?”

  She looked up, startled. “What? Me?”

  “Yeah. You worked hard on the project. You deserve a break,” I said, offering a small smile. “Come on. It’ll be fun.”

  For a moment, she looked like she might refuse. But then, to my surprise, she smiled—a real, genuine smile.

  “All right,” she said, standing up.

  Yuto, who had been watching from a distance, let out a dramatic sigh, he held 2 pieces of paper one with “Kakashi” and the other is “Kaede”. “What’s this? A romantic lunch date already?”

  “Shut up, Yuto,” I said, feeling my face heat up.

  Kaede chuckled softly, brushing her hair aside. “You two are ridiculous.”

  We left the classroom together, and for the first time, I felt like there was more to Kaede than her strict exterior. Maybe, just maybe, we could be friends.