The new member of the royal family

The king's resplendent carriage wound its way back to the Royal Palace. From the window, Alex gazed out at the province's alleyways, which seemed to flourish with a vibrancy reminiscent of the Murim world. However, the scenery lacked the modern world's sleek, cosmopolitan charm.

"You seem enchanted by these streets, Son," 

"No, Your Majesty," Alex replied. "How can I find streets more dazzling than a person who doesn't care about his son?"

"Stop the formalities, Alex," "Or have you forgotten your promise to call me Father?"

"Remember our conversation?" Alex asked.

"I do," "The conversation was tense, with harsh words exchanged. But amidst the tension, I made you a promise: I'll provide you with unlimited resources and support your future ambitions, but only if you become stronger and acknowledge me as your father. I'll also prove that I was protecting you and your mother from the first queen."

"So you do remember, I want to know why my mother lives in the countryside,

"I'll tell you eventually," "But have you noticed that the mansion you and your mother live in is similar in size to a royal palace?" everything is not my fault son you were a weak child 

Alex didn't care about these details. But in his mind "He knew that being weak and fragile is not the fault of anyone it's our own choice". However, He was more interested in learning about this world and mana. His last battle with Rucus had left him vulnerable, and his body was still recovering from the critical condition.

"What I need most right now is to become strong if I want to survive," Alex thought. "The problem isn't just the bullies and murderers of that kid. There's something more, something the king hinted at in our last conversation."

"Tell me, Father, about the tower you mentioned earlier," Alex asked.

His father hesitated. "I'll tell you when you're stronger. Become stronger, surpass me in the next three years, and I'll reveal everything about the world and our family."

Alex's interest was piqued. "How dangerous is it?" he asked.

"It's dangerous enough that even I, the almighty king of the Grenvora kingdom, fear it," 

Alex had read several books about the history of this world and kingdom and One book, "The Tale of Heroes," mentioned a battle fought by all species against a mysterious being. The heroes who fought in that battle were revered, and one of them was Alex's father, King Leon Agniverta.

"Can you tell me about our ancestors and family?" Alex asked.

"I can tell you a little," his father said. "Our family wasn't always royalty. We were once known as the 'beasts of humanity.' I became royalty after being a hero of humanity. The last king approached me with a marriage proposal to his daughter, who is now the first queen. She's also a hero of that war."

"She doesn't look like a hero to me; she's more of a villain. Did you confirm that she fought alongside you, or was she on the enemy's side, dear Father?" Alex asked.

"Your hatred for her is justified, but I think someone might be controlling her. Can you help me find some clues?" 

"You're the only one who can do that because I believe the person controlling her is from the Oxid Academy. However, I'm not asking for free; I'll give you your grandfather's sword,

"Alex whispered.

"A sword? I don't think I'll fight a dying battle for a petty sword,", though his father easily understood Alex's implication.

"You're shameless, just like your grandfather; it will suit you well," the king said with a smile. "For your interest, I can tell you that it's not an ordinary sword. Even I couldn't wield it until this day. 

Okay, I'll give it a try." 

For Alex, it was a win-win battle. The person the king mentioned in Oxid Academy was the same one who killed his son. 

Alex thought to himself, "I think he's telling the truth about the first queen, but I can't believe him right now. Although I want to become strong first to protect my mother, she's a kind person and I don't want her to suffer. So, I need to become strong as fast as I can.

As the carriage came to a gentle halt, Alex gazed out the window at their destination. Before him lay the majestic Royal Palace, its grandeur awe-inspiring. The palace's sheer scale was staggering - it was easily twice the size of the mansion where Alex and his mother lived. Yet, despite its massive proportions, the palace's configuration bore a striking resemblance to their humble abode.

The palace's facade was crafted from gleaming white marble, adorned with intricate golden accents that seemed to dance in the fading light of day. Towering spires and grand arches added to the palace's regal beauty, exuding an aura of power and sophistication. As Alex stepped out of the carriage, the sound of gravel crunching beneath his feet echoed through the stillness, punctuated by the distant chirping of birds.

As Alex stepped into the Royal Palace, he thought to himself, "This is quite similar to the White House." But he wasn't shocked. In the higher realms of Murim, he had seen buildings that would be considered heavenly by human standards.

His father personally escorted him to his room, which was enormous and eerily similar to his past room. It was as if this room was the original, and his old room was the copy.

"The Royal Palace is divided into four parts," his father explained. "The first is the Political Hall, where I and other key figures attend daily meetings. You can think of it as the Royal Hall."

"The second part is dedicated to our magic researchers," he continued. "The third is where our family resides. And the fourth is for guests, which is where your room is located, the one I just showed you."

"Okay, so when will you introduce me to the tutor you mentioned?" Alex asked his father.

"Rest for today, he'll come tomorrow morning," his father replied with a smile. "And, by the way, you're forgetting something."

"I don't think I'm forgetting anything," Alex said confidently. "My thoughts are clear as day."

His father chuckled. "We'll see about that. Let's go, I want to show you something."

Alex followed his father to the training hall of magic. Inside, a large tree towered in the center of the room. Seated at its base was a little girl, intently practicing her magic. Her appearance was eerily similar to Alex's, except for her age – she looked about five years old.

As she saw Alex, she happily smiled and ran to him, calling out, "Brother! Finally, you've come!"

But Alex's mind was racing. "I've never seen her before, not even in family photos, and she's calling me brother?" he thought. "I think I just need to behave like I did when I first met my mother... Come to think of it, my mother's photo wasn't in the family photos either."

The little girl looked up at Alex with expectant eyes. "Where's my gift, big bro? You mentioned last time that you'd come to the mansion and give me a gift. Where is it?"

"Gift? I'm fu*ked, dude," Alex thought, panicked. He had never been fond of kids, and this situation wasn't helping. Suddenly, he remembered his mother's words when she bid him farewell: "You're forgetting Ronika's gift."

"Little kid Ronika... my dear sister," Alex muttered to himself, before a look of realization crossed his face. "Wait, I'm the gift! I mentioned I'd give her a gift, but I'm the gift myself!" He exclaimed, trying to sound convincing despite his panic.

Alex looked at his father, hoping for help, but the king just smiled and said, "I'll leave you to handle this, Alex. I have a meeting at the Royal Hall. I think General Viscal is waiting for me.