Chapter 15: Chaos in the palace

The sound of trumpets echoed throughout the palace, announcing the arrival of the King of Arcane.

"Wait, what?! He’s already here?!"

Haruki turned around and hurried back into the palace. He wanted to see the King of Arcane with his own eyes.

"Huff, the King of Arcane... I’ve never seen an illustration of him in the novel before."

"What does he look like, I wonder?"

He soon arrived at the wide-open entrance. Haruki noticed that the commoners were gathered outside, while the nobles were inside the palace.

"Huff, huff..."

Haruki stepped inside and heard someone calling out to him.

"Did you find him?"

"Ugh, Magnus, I haven’t found him yet."

Both of them were slightly annoyed by Philip’s sudden disappearance. They had no idea what he was doing, but knowing him, he might do something that would cause trouble.

"Where are Teacher Lukas and Vila?"

"Everyone went their separate ways, while Teacher Lukas is looking for food inside the palace."

Without any warning, the lights suddenly went out, plunging the entire palace into darkness.

"Ladies and gentlemen, please welcome His Majesty, the King of Arcane!"

The lights came back on, illuminating the entire hall. The king was now standing on a magnificent stage specially prepared for him.

"Thank you all for attending this gathering."

Haruki’s eyes widened as he saw the King of Arcane for the first time.

"So this is what the King of Arcane looks like."

The King of Arcane paused briefly before continuing his speech. His words were pleasant to listen to, at least for the nobles who admired him. However, those who despised him were far from impressed.

"Everyone, please enjoy the feast!"

The applause of the guests echoed throughout the palace hall, officially marking the beginning of the banquet.

[??????]

"Huh? This thing again..."

"What’s wrong, Haruki?"

Haruki was slightly startled by Magnus’s voice before shaking his head, indicating that nothing was wrong.

The King of Arcane then descended from the stage to enjoy the feast alongside the other nobles. Meanwhile, outside the palace, the commoners were ordered by the guards to return home. They were not allowed to join the banquet.

Even the commoners working as servants inside the palace were forbidden from enjoying the feast.

Haruki and Magnus still had no idea where Philip had gone when they heard Lukas calling out to them.

"Yo, you two! Aren’t you going to eat?"

"No," they replied simultaneously.

Lukas fell silent for a moment before grabbing Haruki and Magnus by the necks.

"Are you two serious?! You don’t want to eat? This is palace food we’re talking about!"

Haruki and Magnus paused for a moment before turning their attention toward the delicious-looking dishes.

"Ugh, since we’ve come all this way, we might as well eat."

"Good point, Haruki. Ahem."

’Those two sure change their minds quickly.’

Haruki and Magnus hurried toward the table filled with food and immediately began eating, though they still maintained a somewhat decent level of table manners.

’I have a feeling something bad is going to happen...’

"Where are you now, Philip?" Lukas muttered.

Haruki and Magnus were so engrossed in their food that they practically forgot about the world around them.

"Ugh, if only the food in our academy dormitory tasted this good," Magnus remarked.

"I-I’m s-sorry!"

The servant’s voice immediately caught Haruki and Magnus’s attention. Both of them quickly turned toward the source of the voice.

Haruki immediately assessed the situation.

Apparently, the servant had accidentally spilled wine on the King of Arcane’s clothes.

The king remained silent for a moment before slowly rising from his seat.

His expression was calm, but Haruki sensed something deeply unsettling emanating from him.

And sure enough, the King of Arcane unleashed a Subjugation Magic, forcing everyone inside the palace to collapse under its effects.

"Ugh..."

"Haruki... h-hang in there!" Magnus shouted, struggling to speak.

The king drew the sword hanging at his waist, his intentions toward the servant unmistakably murderous.

Realizing what the king intended to do, Haruki quickly opened his system and searched for a skill that would make him immune to all magic for three minutes.

He immediately purchased the skill for 50 coins.

The moment the purchase was completed, Haruki was able to stand up again.

"Haruki, h-how are you standing up?!"

Haruki reopened his system and purchased a new dagger before gripping it firmly in his hand.

Without hesitation, he hurled the dagger toward the king.

The king reacted quickly, dodging the incoming weapon before deactivating his magic.

"Huh? You dare challenge me, you little brat?"

Haruki then activated his Blade Recall skill, pulling the dagger back toward him.

The dagger shot toward the king from behind, but the king managed to dodge it once again.

The weapon eventually returned to Haruki’s hand.

"Guards! Capture that damn brat!"

Before the guards could seize Haruki, another dagger suddenly came crashing down from above, striking the palace floor and forcing them to halt their advance.

"Don’t you dare touch my roommate, you bastards."

Upon hearing that familiar voice, Haruki and Magnus quickly turned toward the figure standing not far away.

"P-Philip! Where the hell have you been?!" Magnus demanded.

Now, everyone’s attention was focused on Haruki and Philip.

"I was just wandering around this pathetic palace..." Philip replied nonchalantly.

"How dare you two little brats?! You’re nothing but students from the academy I founded!"

"You’re just a pair of ungrateful wretches who have forgotten where you came from!"

Vila then appeared on the scene, but Magnus stopped her from getting involved in the matter.

The guards resumed their advance, attempting to capture Haruki and Philip.

However, Haruki cast his Gravity Magic, targeting the guards who were trying to seize them.

The guards immediately collapsed to the ground under the immense gravitational force, unable to get back up.

Once the guards had fallen, Philip retrieved his dagger and charged straight toward the King of Arcane.

But just as Philip was about to attack, the king cast his Subjugation Magic.

Philip was forced to bow his head, unable to carry out his attack.

Haruki, however, was different.

He still had one minute remaining before his immunity skill expired.

Without hesitation, Haruki charged toward the king, dagger in hand.

But before Haruki could land his attack—

CLANG!

Teacher Lukas intercepted his strike.

"Teacher Lukas?! Why aren’t you affected by the king’s magic?!"

Haruki suddenly remembered his previous battle against Lukas, during which his teacher had used Magic Nullification.

However, this time, Lukas appeared to be protecting himself with his own magic.

"Move aside, Lukas!!"

Haruki continued attacking Lukas until the latter finally struck the back of Haruki’s neck with enough force to knock him unconscious.

Lukas then quickly did the same to Philip.

The king watched the entire situation unfold before turning his attention toward Lukas.

"Fortunately, you’re a teacher from Arcane Academy, aren’t you?"

"Are all your students like this, huh?!"

Lukas fell silent for a moment before answering.

"Only these two ever cause trouble."

He then bowed his head toward the king, apologizing and begging for forgiveness on behalf of Haruki and Philip.