Chapter : 6

  "Don't tell lies, Jasmin," Khadija said, frowning. She stood up and wiped her hands on her apron. "Why would a Grandmaster come to our house in the Iron Rose District? You probably saw a cosplayer or someone in a costume."

  "I am serious, Mom!" Jasmin insisted, grabbing her mother’s arm. "I saw his crest! I saw the silver armor! It’s him!"

  Khadija shook her head. "I will go check. Ken, keep washing the dishes. Jasmin, sit down."

  Khadija walked to the door with a confident step, ready to tell a salesperson to go away. The house was quiet for ten seconds. Ken looked at his father, Brandon. Brandon shrugged, looking just as confused as Ken.

  Then, Khadija returned.

  She didn't run like Jasmin. She walked slowly, like a zombie. Her face was completely pale. Her mouth was slightly open, and she looked like she might faint. She walked into the dining room and grabbed the back of a chair to steady herself.

  "It... it is true," Khadija whispered. Her voice was barely audible. "Grandmaster Finlay has really come."

  "What?" Brandon stood up so fast his chair scraped loudly against the floor. "Here? Now?"

  Before anyone could ask another question, a heavy footstep shook the floorboards.

  Clank. Clank. Clank.

  It was the sound of heavy metal boots hitting the wood. A tall figure appeared in the doorway of the dining room. He was massive. He was so tall that he had to duck his head slightly to avoid hitting the top of the door frame.

  It was Grandmaster Finlay.

  He looked exactly like he did on television, but much scarier in person. He wore a long, white cape that flowed behind him. His armor was made of polished silver metal that shone under the cheap lightbulb of the Eliot dining room. On his chest, there was a large emblem of a golden lion. He had a thick gray beard and a scar running down his left cheek. His presence filled the tiny room instantly. The air suddenly felt heavier, charged with the invisible pressure of a powerful mage.

  Ken felt a twitch in his eye. This is bad, he thought. This guy is the real deal. Why is a top-tier knight in my kitchen? Did I forget to pay a fine? Did I accidentally use too much magic when I heated up my tea yesterday?

  Ken quickly hunched his shoulders and put on his best "dumb commoner" face. He made sure to look extra sloppy and unthreatening. He didn't want this Grandmaster to sense even a drop of his true power.

  Grandmaster Finlay looked around the room. His sharp blue eyes scanned the cheap furniture, the half-eaten dinner on the table, and the worn-out rug. Finally, his eyes landed on the family.

  Support the creativity of authors by visiting the original site for this novel and more.

  "Good evening," Finlay said. His voice was deep and rumbling, like distant thunder. "I apologize for the intrusion at this late hour. I am Grandmaster Finlay, servant of the Imperial Family."

  Brandon, who was usually a calm man, looked like he had forgotten how to speak. He quickly bowed, looking awkward and stiff. "W-welcome, my Lord! Please, come in. We are honored!"

  "Please," Khadija stammered, frantically clearing a stack of newspapers off the sofa in the living room. "Please, sit down, Sir Grandmaster! We don't have much, but... please sit!"

  Finlay nodded politely and walked into the small living room. The metal of his armor clinked softly as he moved. He sat down on the family’s old, beige sofa. The cushions sank deep under his weight and the weight of his armor. He looked like a giant sitting in a dollhouse.

  The Eliot family—Brandon, Khadija, Jasmin, and Ken—stood in a line in front of him. They were stiff and nervous. It looked like a group of students who had been called to the principal's office.

  Jasmin was staring at Finlay with wide, sparkling eyes. She was trying hard not to ask for an autograph. Brandon was sweating, wondering if he was in trouble with the law. Khadija was wringing her hands together, worried that the house was too messy for a guest of such high status.

  And Ken? Ken was standing at the end of the line, looking at the floor. He let his mouth hang open slightly to look a bit unintelligent.

  Please just leave, Ken prayed internally. I have a video game I wanted to finish tonight. This atmosphere is suffocating. Just say whatever you want to say and go.

  Grandmaster Finlay placed his helmet on the coffee table. He looked up at the family, who were still standing at attention. He frowned slightly.

  "Please, all of you, sit down," Finlay said. His tone was firm but not angry. "Do not just stand there like statues. I am not here to arrest anyone. We have matters to discuss."

  "Yes! Yes, of course!" Brandon said.

  The family quickly scrambled to find seats. Brandon and Khadija sat on the loveseat opposite Finlay. Jasmin pulled up a wooden dining chair. Ken dragged a small stool from the corner and sat down behind his parents, trying to hide in the back.

  The living room was small, and with everyone sitting so close, the tension was thick. The only sound was the ticking of the clock on the wall. Tick. Tock. Tick. Tock.

  Finlay didn't speak immediately. He took a moment to look at each member of the family. He looked at Brandon’s rough, worker hands. He looked at Khadija’s worried face. He looked at Jasmin’s eager expression.

  Then, his gaze shifted to the back of the room. He looked directly at Ken.

  Ken felt the gaze. It was heavy. It felt like Finlay was trying to see through his soul. For a split second, Ken worried. Did he see through my disguise? Does he know I’m hiding my mana? No, even for a Grandmaster, it will be hard for feel the mana pressure of Ken.

  But Ken didn't flinch. He just blinked slowly and scratched his nose, acting bored.

  Finlay held the gaze for a few seconds longer, then nodded to himself. He reached into his armor and pulled out a scroll tied with a blue ribbon. The ribbon had the royal seal of the Belmontia Empire on it.

  "I am here on official business," Finlay stated. "This concerns the eldest son of the Eliot family."

  Brandon and Khadija froze. They turned to look at Ken.

  "Ken?" Khadija whispered. "What did you do?"

  "I didn't do anything!" Ken said, raising his hands. "I’ve been home all day!"

  Finlay cleared his throat. "He is not in trouble. Quite the opposite."

  The Grandmaster unrolled the scroll. The paper was expensive and thick. He began to read.

  "Under the authority of the Imperial Palace, and by the request of Her Highness, the 13th Princess Iris Belmonte, a selection has been made."

  Finlay lowered the scroll and looked Ken dead in the eye.

  "Ken Eliot," Finlay declared, his voice filling the room. "I have come to take you. You have been chosen as a candidate for the 13th Princess’s Special Servant Force."

  The words hung in the air. For a moment, nobody understood what he had said.