CHAPTER 26: THE FINAL TEST (1)

Awoken from his sleep, Kairi looks around his new room. No, it should be called his sleeping chamber.

It was spacious, enough to fit a hundred people in it. His bed alone could fit ten to twenty people.

"This still felt unreal..."

Thinking quietly, someone beside him moves near the bed.

"Your Majesty, breakfast has been prepared. Please."

A royal maid, Aerith Nockto, was servicing him. She was appointed to him after Leo confirmed his identity through the last test.

"Thank you, Aerith."

"My pleasure, Your Majesty."

Clapping her hand, two servants come to serve him breakfast.

Kairi moved up from his bed so he could let them put the breakfast with a standing tray on top of his leg. Aerith helps put the pillows behind his back.

Such attention to serving could only come from someone who has served for a very long time.

"Have you all eaten?"

He can't be the only one who eats.

"We have, Your Majesty. Please be at ease."

Since Aerith was first appointed, she has already learned about Kairi's character. Therefore, it was easy to understand him from just his voice.

Kairi nodded.

I feel sort of lonely...

Why not? Rafiz has separated from him because of their rank. Rafiz also was appointed to be the trainer of knights at the knight headquarters and he even lives there too.

As for him, the future king of Antonia, his rank was above all. He lives on the second-highest floor of the palace. Before he takes the crown, he needs to be trained.

A fool king was not needed even if he held the power of Stellars. That was what the lion king said. Sorry... Leo said.

Such pressure... Only Kairi can feel it alone. After all, he holds the key to the world's future. Without him, the world would fall, controlled by the Deorc Star.

As chosen one, he does feel he wants to run away. But, thinking of everything that happens. It would be so cruel to leave...

After finishing the breakfast, it was time for his bath. Aerith and the other servants stay outside the bath chamber. He doesn't need their help to bathe him!

At first, he was shocked by their attentiveness but later he got extremely embarrassed. They would even stay to watch his bath! From that moment on, he orders them to stay outside.

Shooking his head, he took off his night garment.

Yes, a night garment. He even had a closet chamber, half-size of his sleeping chamber. The clothes were full of his size.

He wonders when they have measured him.

Back to the bath chamber, Kairi slowly moves his leg into the warm pool. Sighing in pleasure, he swims, uncared for anyone to see.

Half an hour later, he moved out and went to the closet chamber.

It was connected to the bath chamber and his sleeping chamber. This makes him feel more secure around the lady in wait since they would not be able to see him change his clothes.

Putting on a casual cloth but still looking too striking, he walks out from the opposite bath chamber.

What can he say?

All the royal clothes were too dazzling. he already tries to wear something not frilly. Aerith and the servants look at him before they go near to tidy his clothes and hair.

"Thank you."

"Our pleasure, Your Majesty. Is there somewhere Your Majesty would like to visit today? I can call for the guards."

"The knight headquarters. No need for the guards. I am safe here, aren't I?"

Politely, Aerith bowed. "As you wish, Your Majesty. Only, please allow me to be by your side. This is my duty."

Kairi nodded. He left the chamber with her. While walking towards his destination, he met Aries and Virgo in the long hall.

"Your Majesty!"

Aries and Virgo salute him playfully.

"Guys, please... I'm still not crowned yet." Kairi chuckled.

"We know. Aerith, we will take care of Your Majesty from here on." Aries turned to Aerith behind Kairi.

"Yes, my lord."

Aerith understands that Kairi can be more secure with Aries and Virgo around.

Is it just why she feels that Aries dislikes her? Maybe her imagination...?

Virgo and Kairi blink their eyes at each other. Their mind has put a barrier so Aries would not listen to their thoughts. Kairi was already able to control some stellar abilities. One of them was mental connections with other Bright Stars that would allow him to communicate with them.

"She's jealous."

Virgo pointed.

"Is she?"

Kairi looked at Aries for a moment. He can see she was glaring at Aerith for leaving them.

Virgo sighed. "What would you do, Kairi?"

Virgo meaning, it was impossible for Kairi to not know. Aries has feelings for him. Since when? He doesn't know.

"I... I'm not sure..."

This was not his first time but...

At Ryam Town, he and Rafiz were the town ladies' ideal husband. Lots of them have confessed but were rejected. At that time, both were not interested in a relationship.

Now, how should he proceed? To say he was not interested again would be a lie.

He was sometimes charmed by Aries. Her playfulness, her laughter, her shyness, her bravery, and most of her character have been seen by him since the moment they met.

Unknowingly to him, Virgo watches his eyes turn soft at Aries.

Rolling his eyes, Virgo bumped into him. "Come on, you dense pair."

He walked away before he would throw up at their hidden but show off sentiment.

Aries looked confused. "What's up with him?"

Kairi shrugged and followed after. Aries was left without a clue. Then, she quickly ran and walked with Kairi, and Virgo ahead of them.

Inside, she felt very happy and fortunate to meet Kairi again.

Why? Because Kairi has been busy learning to rule Syarantonia. He sometimes left outside with Leo and his advisors. So, their few moments were treasured by her silently.

"Hm? What's wrong?"

She noticed Kairi was watching her.

Kairi smiles at her. "It's nothing..."

To ensure there was no awkwardness, he asked about her days. While talking, they arrive at the knight headquarters.

It was shaped like a coliseum with buildings surrounding it. The place was also Kairi's last test.

Due to Dark Kurumi disturbance, the last test was conducted again. Leo chooses the knight headquarters for the last test. Only the Bright Star users and knights can come to watch it.

It was also the second day of Kairi and Rafiz's arrival.

"Are you sure you can do it, Kairi?"

Kairi was preparing himself in one of the knight's rooms. He turns to Rafiz.

"Erm, maybe. I'm not sure I can develop the power I used before."

An armour was put on him by Rafiz and Virgo.

"You can do it. I know you can, Kairi."

Believe. It was to believe in himself. That's all he needs.

Kairi smiled. "I will try my best."

Aries stares at him. "Don't worry. They only want to see you use your power, Kairi."

Virgo nodded. "As long as you show them that stellar field is enough to prove it."

Yeah, if the power wants to...

Last time, it was just a fluke for the power to listen to him. Now, will the power listen again?

"Thanks for encouraging me, guys. I'll do my best."

Rafiz checks his armour one last time.

"Are you sure you're ready?"

"Yes."

They all move to the test field. It was a wide area like a football field, inside the knight headquarters.

"What?!"

"Pegasus, you're his opponent?!"

Everyone was surprised to see Pegasus ready in his silver black armour. A half-helmet was worn on his head. While a beautiful carved Pegasus shield on his left hand and his greatsword on his right.

Kairi swallowed. "You've got to be kidding."

"Show us."

Turning to the voice, they saw Leo and Perseus, standing on a platform above them as well as some people.

"Good luck, Your Highness." Cygnus and Libra wave their hand at him.

"Your Highness, do your best!"

Excitingly, some knights also encouraged him.

"Thank you, everyone!"

Kairi has gotten close to some of the knights who helped search for him and Rafiz before.

"Your Highness, kick his ass!"

Pegasus glared at Agi who spoke it. His eyes twitched under his helmet.

"It'll be your turn later…" He promised. While their friend just looks at Agi with a gaping mouth.

"What a word to say…"

Truly, he was courageous. They could see a hidden murderous aura pointed at Agi. Childishly, Agi pulled his tongue out at Pegasus. More glare came at him.

The stern Leo ignored them but Perseus found it funny and chuckled softly. Before it starts, Rafiz and the rest move towards the above platform. It was safer there if Pegasus and Kairi were going to have combat.

Kairi pulled out a lean sword that was tucked at his waist. He slowly breathes in and out while giving himself a few moments.

He must remember the feeling of calling his power. But...

In the blink of an eye, Pegasus was in front of him with his greatsword swung at him. Shocked, he dodged the attack by jumping to the left. The greatsword crashed into the place he stood.

The test begins...