(Alex, 17)

"At laaaaaaast!" Jeddy exclaims in a mock-pathetic voice once we step through the gate. "Civilization!"

I smack him in the back of the head, then pull him to the side so the next person can step through. We're outside of the Sageson Mansion in Varil City, the twelve-day training week over at last. The last six days of it were even more harsh than the first six days of it, and I doubt there was a single person who didn't just pass right out when we went to bed.

Jason did have to remind us to shut off our aural sheaths before we walked through the gate. At this point, all of us are at least middle yellow, and sustaining the aural sheaths had become second-nature to us. However, it's a restricted skill, which means we ain't supposed to let others seeing us using it or know about it. At least, not unless it's an absolute emergency. If we're in, say, a life-or-death situation, we'll be turning them back on because they act as a form of defensive barrier, which is nice to know.

What's not nice, however, is the fact that now I have to find out what's going to happen with me. According to Jason, my legal state is still an unknown.

Once everyone has stepped through, Jason and Sage Alyssa here, the other Sages returning to their normal home with their new children and Jason's grandmama and brother heading back to the Dragon Clans, Jason catches everyone's attention.

"Everyone who is going to retake the exam," Jason says. "Or to take it for the first time, for entering university, there are carriages on the street ready to take you there. Once they've departed, everyone else can go, except for you, Jacob. Your papa needs you at the palace immediately."

Prince Jacob's needed for something?

"Tasha," Jason says. "They're expecting you at the usual location, please head there once you're free. Everyone, you're good to go."

Everyone starts to do their thing, and Jason approaches me, Tiger Alpha already on his head.

"Alex," Jason says. "You aren't to leave Varil City for the next couple of days, orders of Uncle Zach."

"Yeah, I figured," I tell him, and he gives me a small smile.

"Don't worry," he says. "I'm sure everything will work out just fine. By the way, Uncle Zach wanted me to give this to you. I haven't looked at it, and don't know what's in it."

I accept the envelope he's holding out, then head to my crew's place with the ones who aren't able to take the entrance exam for university.

"Is that our next one?" Jeddy asks.

"Probably," I open the envelope and read the paper. "Yeah, it is. King Zachary must have delivered it to one of the sages. He has a sense of humor, telling me to stay in Varil City, then giving me a job which takes me out of it."

"Where to?" He asks.

"The Nieletar Mansion," I answer. "And the job must be completed by no later than tonight. We'll get Barry and the others to join us after they finish with their exam, strike at night again."

"What are we doing?" He asks.

"Executions," I set the paper aflame. "There are some lesser nobles who have been quite naughty, and it's time for the Leviathan to show those mortals there's no room for that here."

I do send a prayer up to the King and Queen of the Gods that everything does go well for me. Jason revealed to all of the Magi that we truly are immortal, so an execution wouldn't quite work for me. Everything would become a complicated mess, then.

Standing, I approach a window and pull the curtain aside, looking outside with a small frown. I have a bad feeling something is going on. Something big, involving the Magi. And that it might not bode well for all of us.

(Jacob, 16)

As soon as I arrive at the palace, I am instructed to change into formal wear and enter the Discussion Chamber. Lately, Papa has included me in more and more major decisions regarding the kingdom, as part of my duties as Crown Prince.

Ordinarily, this increase in duties on my part would be slower, but Papa is worried about something happening to him, especially with the reveal that despite the assassins reaching our guards have decreased in number, the actual number of attempts have gone up.

Wolf Alpha does his job well, and most of those assassins disappear if they hold no viable information regarding what happened, all without us even knowing they arrived.

So I make my way to my quarters and change into formal wear that my valet set out for me.

"Jacob," Evan says as I change, and I glance at him briefly, a sign for him to continue. "I felt something off while we were traveling through the city."

"I did as well, sir," Wyatt tells me. "Something felt off in the air."

"I noticed that as well," I return my attention to changing my outfit. "Something happened while we were away for the training camp."

Last night, Jason gathered all of the Magi and gave us several warnings. He told us that every time one of us reaches a new level of grey magical power, all become more and more our old selves. Our memories will start to feel like experiences, and senses we honed back then will return to us. This will become greater the more powerful we are, and the more we train.

I did not understand what the reason for that warning was, because it was a warning, not simply something to be known to us. Jason, however, was in contact with people here while we were training, which means he likely knows of whatever it is my guards and I were sensing.

I finish changing, pull on my circlet, grab the papers which my valet prepared for me, then make my way to the Discussion Chamber as I read them. Only select members of nobility are allowed to enter it, and my personal guards do not meet that requirement, so they remain outside as I push open the great wooden doors.

The Discussion Chamber is a large, round room with dark walls, carpeting, and ceiling. Sconces are sparse on the walls, granting only enough light to see everyone by. Two large, curved tables face each other, with a smaller table at the head of those, two thrones at it; one larger, one smaller.

Papa sits on the larger throne, his golden circlet atop his head, his expression quite stern. I take my seat in the throne beside him, briefly looking at the twelve nobles in here as I set the papers on the table, face-down.

Some lesser nobles, some greater nobles, all from different regions of Varil. The nobles present are never exactly the same twice, up to a maximum of three may participate twice within three sessions. This keeps it more fair, especially as no noble ever knows when such an event will occur.

As we summon nobles to the capital all the time, one never knows if they are coming for a Discussion Chamber event, and only Papa ever knows the topic or topics before it begins. Here, only those on the thrones are referred to by name or titles, all others are referred to by their seat number, with the evens on my left, the odds on my right.

Papa will hear their words regarding whatever matter has been brought forth, then make a final decision on each. Judging by the expressions they are giving me, none of them want me here, even ones who have not taken issue with me in the past.

"Now that all are present," Papa says. "We may begin."

"Your Majesty," Seat Twelve rises. "Is it appropriate to have him here?"

"Jacob," Papa says sternly. "Is my firstborn child and the heir to the throne. His right to participate in these exceeds your own."

"Your Majesty," Seat Five rises as Seat Twelve sits. "While that may ordinarily be the case, he is a Magus, someone who challenged the heavens. Heretics-"

"I am the law," Papa states. "I make the law. I decide the law. I choose the law. You are an adviser, not a determiner. There is no law which states those who do not follow a specific religion may not participate in this meeting."

So that is what this is about, then. Word went around about not just the Magi, but what we did. Times truly are changing, then. While many know of what Enaveka said about us, there will be many more who believe those were lies spread by our agents in order to prevent the truth of what he said from spreading. There will also be those spreading lies with the statement they are what Enaveka really said.

"Your Majesty," Seat Seven rises as Seat Five sits. "How can we trust the word of someone who defies the gods, regardless of religion?"

"How can we trust someone," I respond. "Who believes I defy all gods? I, and the Magi, serve gods greater than those we fought in a past life. We serve the King and Queen of the Gods themselves. You have heard of the day I interacted with Enaveka, a god. No conflict occurred between us. Now, you will cease this useless protesting. Do not forget your places, Seats Twelve, Five, and Seven. It is royalty which decides what occurs. You are here as advisers, and nothing more."

"Your Majesty," Seat Two rises and Seat Seven sits. "We advise against having someone present who-"

"Seat Two," I say. "Do not forget your place. We are not present to discuss who is here and who is not, we are here to discuss the matters His Royal Majesty the King has for us to discuss. To disallow this through protests of the presence of his heir is to disgrace your name and your seat."

Chagrined, Seat Two sits as Seats Twelve, Five, and Seven join him in looking humiliated. Their very titles can be stripped from them based on what occurs in this room. There are some strict rules regarding what may be discussed in here, and all discussions must be begun by the reigning monarch.

As the four of them brought up and discussed my presence, they have violated that rule. By continuing to push it, all four are at risk of having their titles and statuses being removed from them. A harsh rule, but then, this room is only used for matters of great importance.

"Thank you, Jacob," Papa says once it is clear no one else will continue this pointless protest. "For the first matter, we are to discuss the laws regarding the status of those born illegitimately, then claimed by their blooded family later in life. There are more than twenty laws regarding this, some of which conflict each other. The first discussion today will be how to handle these laws, consolidate them, and clean them up."

This must be why Papa wants me present. Once this discussion ends, Papa will discuss the fate of Alex Amarxik, also known as Alex xan Richard xal Varilar. He is aware of my opinion on the matter already, but wishes to seek advice from other nobles because my opinion conflicts with his, yet I am the one offenses were made against.

Papa begins with the more simple laws, the ones without complexities or conflicting policies. These laws only deal with inheritance and status when the claim does not act retroactively. We listen to the advice of the nobles present regarding the matter.

They are divided on the matter. Some with for the claimed child to be placed into the inheritance line where they would be if they entered into the family then, while others want them to place them where they would be had they been born legitimately.

Ultimately, Papa decides on the latter, then begins to discuss other things dealing with this situation and the current laws relating to it. One such topic is what occurs in the legal system to someone who is claimed by their family after committing crimes. This relates only to the first part of the discussion, those whose claims do not act retroactively, so it would not affect Alex either way. For this, he asked for my thoughts.

"As Seats One, Four, Five, and Nine brought up," I say. "If we allowed them to be punished under the new codes which apply to their judgments after the claim, then their papas and mamas could bring them into this world illegitimately, raise them up as assassins to kill competitors or political rivals, then make the claim after their work is done or on their deathbed in order to lighten their sentences."

My words will set a precedence for when it comes to discussing the laws which will apply to Alex. If I change my stance there, it will seem suspicious, but that does not bother me. My stance will remain the same. Ultimately, I will have a say in what happens to him, regardless of his status when this finishes.

Papa does not comment on his decision, which means either he will continue to mull it over as we talk, or he has decided what he will do, and it will only become public once he puts the law into effect. This chamber is to discuss laws, but that does not mean Papa needs to inform those present of his decisions.

With the next set of inheritance and lineages laws being complicated, the discussions regarding them take more than an hour. As it goes on, I realize that Papa may be considering making which codes of punishments apply after the claim based on the crime committed.

That would actually spare Alex quite a lot. Most of his kills were street rats, which means that he would likely only pay a fine under the noble codes or spend a few weeks in a cell under the normal codes. For the thefts, he would only pay a fine either way, the amount dependent on which codes he is punished under.

Unfortunately, his actions against me would be worse under the noble codes, based on the advise Papa seems to be listening to during this. If an unaffiliated commoner attacks the prince, it is one thing, but if a noble does it, it counts as an attempted usurping of the royal family, an attempt at seizing the throne.

In the most severe cases, but that still shows the difference in how commoners and nobles would be treated for what Alex has done to me.

Papa eventually ends the discussions regarding the inheritance and lineage laws, then brings us to the next discussion.

"For the next discussion," Papa says. "We are to discuss the status of Alex Amarxik, formerly Alex xan Richard xal Varilar."

As expected, Alex's status does come up now. At least I have been prepared for the case in which Papa does want to discuss this formally with me.

"As we discussed in the previous discussion," Papa says. "The laws regarding a claim made retroactively muddy the situation and make it impossible to create a decision. It was a result of Richard Amarxik performing a full claim on his son, Alex, which brought this to my attention. If we were to apply the laws active when the claim was made, it would not be possible to punish him, as we would be required to dish out conflicting punishments and treat him under conflicting codes and laws."

Papa then runs through each of Alex's crimes that have been recorded, including bringing up the warrant from years ago. He also references Alex's attacks on me, the primary reason things were looked into and the reason he must be punished under the laws.

"Because of that," Papa says. "I must decide first how he is punished: by a court decision which takes into account these conflicting laws, or if we punish him under the new laws I will write up."

To punish him under the new laws would set a precedence, while punishing him according to the old codes would be complicated and could potentially take years to sort through. The main thing Papa wants to determine is how he is punished for what he did to me, and I had my valet looking into things while I was at the training camp.

"May I direct the discussion," I say. "To the attacks Alex made against me?"

"You may," Papa says. "They are the main reason for this discussion, and must be dealt with accordingly."

"Ordinarily," I say. "This would involved an execution, without question, with the pre-execution punishment dependent on which codes Alex is punished under. There have been precedents set in the past where someone has attacked a member of the royal family and not ruled against for it.

"The first case I would like to mention," I flip over the stack of papers and pull out the appropriate one. "Was one hundred and seventeen years ago. A nineteen-year-old commoner woman attacked Prince Geoffrey one morning. He was dressed in more casual clothes, and she had mistaken him for the man who had, the night before, raped her. When it went to the Royal Court, His Majesty of the time determined her to be innocent of a crime and forgave her. Prince Geoffrey had as well, and he personally ensured her rapist was brought to justice.

"The second case," I pull out a second paper as Papa takes the first from me. "Was two hundred and eighteen years ago. Princess Amanda verbally abused and berated a sixteen-year-old noble until he punched her, then had him arrested. Her Royal Majesty of the time declared him innocent of a crime, as it was known the noble had a temper, and one which usually took only a few insults to provoke into violence, while he had managed to restrain himself for more than ten minutes. It was declared then that Princess Amanda had intended on provoking him in order to have him executed under the law."

Papa finishes reading the first, then takes the second paper and reads it. When he finishes, he passes both through the room. We wait until everyone has read both papers and it is returned to the royal table.

Regardless of what they say, my valet found something I can use to completely absolve Alex of any crime committed by attacking or insulting me. Something which Papa would need to personally override, which would require him to set a precedence he would not want to set.

I am extremely grateful to my valet for locating this.

"Let the discussion begin," Papa says.

"Your Majesty," Seat Eight rises. "These incidents were both one-time events, and should not be considered as a precedence. Alex Amarxik has attacked Prince Jacob on multiple occasions, without provocation on at least one of them and knowing exactly who he was."

I allow the discussion to continue for fifteen minutes. Everyone present wishes to see Alex punished under the law for his actions against me.

"Jacob," Papa says. "After hearing this, what are your thoughts?"

"My thoughts," I pick up another paper my valet had given to me. "Now turn to the Royal Ability Growth Act, established six hundred and nine years ago. Nothing has overridden this act, which means it remains active today. Unfortunately, I was not aware of this act when the incidents began, or I would have acted under it already. There have also been no revisions or laws related to it made in the last five hundred years, which means that under the Law Ignorance Act, I am allowed to retroactively enact it."

Something I am immensely grateful for. An Act was created a long time ago to allow for certain things to be applied retroactively under specific circumstances, called the Law Ignorance Act. It does not matter if I was aware of the law before or not, as I am only trained in any laws that have been revised, added to, affected, and implemented in the past five centuries.

As a result, it is not uncommon for royalty to be ignorant of some of the more ancient laws, which can cause issues when an in-depth look into the laws reveals that something occurred which should not have. While what I am doing was probably not the intent of the Act, it is within my bounds.

"Under the Royal Ability Growth Act," I say. "The ruling monarch is permitted to generate a position for a specific individual, the position and their role intended on assisting with the growth of the first in line to the throne, in this case, me. Once the first in line to the throne comes of age and is declared the Crown Heir, they are permitted to generate these positions as well.

"This growth," I say. "Can be of any form, be it academics, physical training, magical training, political education, military strategy, and any number of other things. The Royal Tutor is one such position, designed to ensure the first in line to the throne has a general education of all things commoners and nobles are taught in their basic educational lessons at academy.

"Under the Royal Ability Growth Act," I stand. "I, Jacob Varil, Crown Prince of Varil, do hereby create the new position of 'Royal Rival'. They are someone to train with and against, to compete with and against, and to test myself with and against. It is not uncommon that someone with a rival is able to grow in ability more than if they lack a rival, and in both my past life and this life, Alex and I have been rivals. Our abilities are approximately even, and we constantly attempt to grow stronger than the other. While we are not always friends, we are not exactly enemies, either. Therefore, I am appointing him to this position, as challenging myself against him has assisted me in my own growth.

"Under the Law Ignorance Act," I say. "I am retroactively enacting this creation and appointment of Alex Amarxik to it to the first day of the ninth month of this year, 1647 in the Year of the Varilite Calendar.

"As Alex has not made any genuine attempt to kill me," I say. "He is protected under the laws which apply to such positions for his actions as Royal Rival, including his attacks against me. They now apply as actions taken by him in his position as my Royal Rival. Therefore, we are not to discuss them further under the intent of punishment. Let us resume discussion of how he shall be handled for the other crimes he has committed."

I sit back down, aware that I just tied Papa's intentions in a knot. The Royal Ability Growth Act, which he took from me and began to read as I made my declaration, puts me within that right. As I have already made the declaration, he cannot make a change to it now in order to override the Law Ignorance Act's retroactive application allowance.

Alex is fully protected from execution for attacking me. Papa may make an amendment to the Royal Ability Growth Act in order to prevent such an abuse from occurring again, but it will not do anything for what I have done for Alex.

"Jacob's actions are within the laws," Papa finally says. "Let us resume the discussions regarding how Alex Amarxik, formerly Alex xan Richard xal Varilar, will be punished for his crimes. They are-"

Papa lists off the crimes once more, exempting the attacks on me, then discussions resume. It is not until Seat Six mentions something that I realize another law applies.

"Your Majesty," Seat Six says. "When Alex Amarxik is charged with his crimes, I believe it best to put him before a Royal Court to first determine the severity of the crimes. After that, his punishment should be decided under the laws which applies to commoners, as he was a commoner when they occurred."

"Has Alex Amarxik been charged with a crime yet?" I ask.

"No," Papa answered. "The warrant exists, but until a determination of how to handle his case is made, no charges have been officially made."

"In that case," I say. "I would like to bring up a law created under King Michael Varil II, my great-great-great grandpapa. After careful consideration and advise from both his wife, Queen Natalia, and a Noble Discussion, he created a law called the 'Milder Law Act'. This means that if a law changes after someone commits a crime, but before they are charged, the law which favors them is the one which they are ruled under. As Alex has not been charged yet, a determination cannot be made until the new law is written, unless he is charged before that occurs. I would suggest charging him only once the new law is written. As the old set of laws is complicated and creates a difficult situation, the new law would automatically be the one to charge him under as it would be vastly more favorable regardless of the outcome."

Regardless of what Papa makes the new law, if he follows this advice, Alex will have some fines and possibly some time in jail, but that will be it. If we push him through the proceedings for the old laws, it will turn into a mess that will interfere with his life.

"Your Majesty," Seat Eleven rises. "I back this suggestion to delay the charging of Alex Amarxik until after the new law regarding the inheritance and lineage claims is written."

One by one, the Seats support this idea as well. It relieves them from having to advise my papa on a complicated matter which has no good solution to it. None except for this, at least.

"Then I will reserve the judgment until the new law has been written and implemented," Papa says.

I suppose this means the meeting is over, now, as we have finished discussing the changes to those laws and what will happen to Alex.

"For the final topic I wish to bring to discussion," Papa says, and I do my best to contain my shock at him having something else. "As you all know, an assassin from Vel entered the royal palace while my children were at their training camp for the training group they are a part of at university. Their intent was to kill Jacob for the death of their princess, on orders from their king. When they discovered that Jacob was not present, they kidnapped my nephew, Franklin, as a hostage until such a time as we present them with Jacob. We have four more days to respond before they wage war against us. Let us open up a discussion regarding what we should do."

My anger flares up at hearing the news, but I keep it concealed, as any good diplomat or noble would. He also said 'four more days', which means Franklin has already been a hostage for some time. Did Jason know about this?

"If anyone suggests," I say. "Handing me to them, keep in mind that it will be known you are doing so either for political reasons of your own or because of the false rumors that we Magi are evil and were not acting on orders from gods higher than the ones we fought. As a result, it will be taken as an act of treason.

"For my own advice in this matter," I say. "I suggest that I be allowed to visit Vel and inform them of how wrong their actions have been. They have already told us they will not hear of anything but my death and war between us for an act we are not responsible for, and it is not like Varil to take things sitting down. By kidnapping my cousin and sending an assassin after me, they have already begun their war."

"Jacob," Papa says before I can continue. "Please keep in mind that what you suggested to me in the past is an extreme case."

"I promise I will not do that," I tell him. "Not unless you tell me to. But I can still inform them of how wrong they are. Jason taught each of the members of the advanced training group how to perform the gate spell. My range might be limited, but I can still reach their capital with just a few uses of it."

"Before we even discuss what your suggested actions are," Papa says. "Let us all discuss what should be done regarding this. The actions Vel have made crossed a line which should not have been, so keep in mind that we are now at war."