Author’s note: these chapters today refer to the entry into the web novel anniversary
"Quiet… Kayden," She was about to call him a worm, but couldn’t finish her sentence. "Eating takes me back to happy times in my childhood." Her face became sad and Kayden automatically identified an opportunity.
The classic manipulation when someone showed any sign of painful or happy memories was to connect their memories and demonstrate that you were on the same wavelength in the conversation.
"My childhood was the time when I was happiest, I didn’t have any worries and my father was always with me," Kayden released two lies with total mastery and his face became closed and sad to accompany them.
"What happened to your father?" she asked instinctively and Kayden put some fake tears in her eyes, a theater worthy of a master.
"He died protecting me from some people," Kayden conveyed this in a way that didn’t encourage Triz to keep asking. "And you? What was the happiest part of your childhood?" Kayden saw the hesitation in Triz’s eyes, but the fact that he shared something first made her feel indebted, and would feel guilty if she didn’t share something too.
"When my talent hadn’t been revealed, I had no responsibilities or pressure, people treated me like a child. After I got seven rays, the eyes changed, envy and fear were common, even among adults."
Kayden never experienced this directly, but he understood that talent made one isolated at the top and the top would always be lonely. Few people would have talent beyond the average genius.
"I feel nostalgic when I remember my childhood, but if I went back in time I would do everything the same, even the negative points. In the end, all the events in my life culminated in me becoming who I am today," Triz heard Kayden’s sentence and had to agree.
Over the next few minutes, the two ate the same fish again and talked a little about lighter topics. Kayden didn’t worry, as he had already done what he needed to do. It was better to go little by little to have something more lasting.
"I’m going to have to leave now, Miss Triz," again Kayden left to say something more provocative just on his way out. "Next time, call me directly so we can meet, you don’t need to come up with a silly reason." The girl’s cheeks turned red.
She directly understood Kayden’s provocation and what he was saying indirectly. She didn’t have time to respond as the boy quickly disappeared from her sight.
A week passed and Kayden still hadn’t been called by Triz. He didn’t care, as any training or business from a mage of her level could last a long time. Meanwhile, he just enjoyed the classes and special training rooms.
Kayden began to make plans to stay on this planet, but to do so, he needed to conquer Triz quickly. Alone, he didn’t have any support in this place, and depending on Merlin was a very crazy dream on his part.
The boy understood that he had the support of the god, but he also understood that it was only support in specific cases. He would not interact directly with their life and development. In a way, he was just a shadow who could always jump to help him in life and death cases, but in small matters he was irrelevant.
Just two weeks later, Kayden was called by Triz. This time they went to a lecture on karma. It was a lecture only for those with level five privilege, something far beyond Kayden’s scope at the moment, as that level of privilege could only be granted and not earned.
The place was completely surreal. The lecture was taking place in outer space. It was done at the exact moment the sun appeared floating on the speaker’s back. The most incredible thing was that a web of spells prevented the light from passing through. It was only possible to see the sun in all its splendor, but it was not capable of warming or blocking anyone’s vision. This was one of the most impressive sights Kayden had ever seen in his entire existence.
"Hello everyone, I am Conor Kremlin, the current monarch of the elves," a middle-aged elf was floating in space. He wore an impeccable purple robe, his hair was silver, and his eyes were identical to Triz’s, with a swirl of different colors. "Everyone must take an oath of silence regarding today’s information."
Over the next few minutes, the monarch called person by person in the stands and asked them to take a soul oath directly with him. Each oath only took a few seconds, and considering there were only four dozen people, Kayden’s turn quickly came.
He clashed with the environment. His kingdom was the lowest in that place. Even the heirs of some powers were already in the fourth realm. Furthermore, everyone there knew each other. Only Kayden was a total unknown to everyone.
"Strong mind," the monarch murmured as he saw that Kayden didn’t even flinch under his presence. There was not even a single sign of fear in his movements. It was probably good acting from Kayden. That was Conor’s thought.
After that, the king ordered Kayden to take the soul oath and open his core for the monarch to place the piece of mana with his will inside Kayden. This was not something that pleased him, but considering that the monarch probably knew who his supporter was, he had no tricks.
Kayden returned to Triz’s side under everyone’s eyes. The mystery about who he was became even greater after Kayden sat next to Triz, a place that many there wanted, even with the age difference.
"This is going to be a quick talk, as I only know the bare minimum about karma and destiny. If you have any questions, just raise your hands," the atmosphere… began to change impressively.
Before Kayden knew it, they were in a small elf village. But... everything seemed very strange and disjointed. The flow of mana from where they were was strange and felt unnatural. Kayden couldn’t understand this.