So this body's killer has a scar in his palm. When he held his arm over John's, no my mouth, I could feel a scar in his hand, I should review that part of memory again to see if there are any more clues I can use to identify him. As expected there is nothing, he covered his face, with the night aiding him there is no way I can spot his face in the dark.

So the only clue I got is to look for a scar on a palm among the people living inside the palace. The most obvious people an assassin can hide is among the guards of the palace, who has easy access in and out of the palace. But the problem is that most trained soldiers inside the palace wear gauntlets as part of their uniform. Besides that, they get changed and rest in the barracks located outside the palace. But I have to make sure that once I am looking for the person who killed me in barrack then I have to quickly find him or he will either escape, attempt another assassination or the person who send him might kill him.

Going in and out of the palace every day to check on the guards is not possible, as the palace has strict rules about entering and leaving unless you are part of the squad who patrols around the palace. So how can I find the killer without alerting him?

Wait I don't need to find him, he will come to me on his own in a few days. When he comes to know that I am still alive he will come to finish the job. But what was the motive of the person behind him? Who cares, when I awaken my award tomorrow, I will get that scarred hand to cough up everything he knows? I hate thinking.

Suddenly Ez or John froze "Tomorrow, awakening of the award"

I forgot a piece of important information the award ceremony. The memorial stone was called memorial because once someone's power was awakened through the memorial stone, it either wrote or showed a visual demonstration of the power awakened to everyone present. Thus the reason, most Award users are part of the emperor's army as most award users are awakened in front of the Emperor.

This is a major problem, they will know what my power is. If the memorial stone as much as writes or shows a visual demonstration of my power then that means they will know what I am capable of, that shouldn't happen, even though my power is useless at letting me survive, if the emperor comes to know about what my power can do I can kiss my freedom goodbye? Should I run away? Yeah getting in might be easier but getting out of this palace is impossible without an award

"What should I do about my power?" Ez started to panic as he held his hand on his face, to help him think.

"Wait, the power that's it" My power might not be an award necessarily, as it's a wish so maybe I don't need to awaken it. I can maybe already activate it.

"Let's try" Ez slowly closed his eyes as he imagined activating his powers, but nothing came to him. He tried again, but nothing happened other that night slowly ending its reign over the world.

Darn it, guess I have to go through awakening. But how do I stop the stupid stone from showing my power? Should I cancel my awakening? No, I can't, as soon as that assassin learns I am alive he will come for me, if I don't have at least an award then I am done for.

Ez spent rest of what left of the night thinking how to stop the awakening ceremony but came up with nothing.

Morning arrived, Ez dressed up even before his maids came in to dress him up. He for the first time looked since coming in this world looked into the mirror. What he saw was a thin and frail, teenager with black eyes and small black afro looking back at him. His smooth olive skin reflected in the mirror made him smiled a little.

"At least I am an afro, that is the only consolation I have." He wore his white shirt and black trousers. He tucked in the shirt leaving the collar open from the bow tie. He wore the black cuffs of his shirt while leaving the vests behind and put on his suit.

He walked out of the room into hallway drizzled with sunlight entering from the windows. He walked straight towards the dining hall, where breakfast will be ready and served in 30 minutes.

He opened the door to the dining room and saw that it was empty, but all the plates and cutleries were set out 1 hour ago. Not a speck of water could be seen on the cutleries as most of it has been dried with a cloth and rest must have evaporated with the sunlight coming in from the window.

He took a seat on the long curved table that has enough room to accommodate 10 people and waited while thinking.

After a while, the door opened and a familiar person feasted to John's eyes. Dressed smartly without a speck of dirt or crease in a shirt or on his black suit. Tall and well built, but old with hairs on his head and a small white stubble.

"You forgot your vest, go back and get it on John. Today is your awakening, therefore dress smartly before you go in front of the emperor." The gravelly but recognisable voice of the butler was perceived by John's ear.

"I am old enough Smith, I don't need anyone to dress me up or tell me what to do from now on" John answered back.

Seeing how confident John was in front of him and not listening to him Smith replied "Remember John, the moment you set your hands on the memorial stone, my protection leaves you. If you want to go like that and incur the attention of any nobles that are feeling picky feel free to." Smith replied as he sat on the chair at the edge of the table.

Smith observed John, while John sat there ignoring Smith's advice and thinking about what to do for the awakening ceremony. Smith noticed that the timid boy that was usually in front of him has changed, he also saw that mark of red on his right cheek. Suddenly the butlers' aura changed his eyes squinted as he looked at John's cheek. There was an awkward silence for 10 minutes while they waited for food.

Even after the food arrived Smith kept on observing John, without touching his food. All the while John casually ate his food as he usually does. After wiping John's hand on the napkin John got up.

"I am going out to wash my face" John walked out of the door adjacent to the one he entered.

As soon as he left the butler got up and went to where John sat. He touched the seat where John sat for a few seconds and reflected on the slight change of behaviour of John. Then he proceeded to walk out of the dining room towards John's bedroom. He opened to door and observed the room, finding nothing suspicious he was about to leave when he suddenly saw John's maid, Metilda. A 25-year-old young woman, who has been taking care of John for the past 11 years.

"Good morning Sir" lightly the maid bowed while greeting him

Smith nodded and left when he suddenly perked up his ears and heard Metilda murmuring "What is with Lord John today? It is just an awakening ceremony, why is he so stressed. First, he messes up his bedsheets then he dresses on his own and forgets his vests."

Smith stopped walking and went back into John's room. "Metilda!"

"Ahh, I am sorry Sir, I won't say that in public about Master John" panic was thrown on Metilda's face as she knew she has been caught talking behind her Masters' back.

Butler Smith nodded and asked seriously "The bedsheets in the morning how were they laid out? Show me"

"Huh" Metilda was confused and almost didn't believe what she was hearing

"I said show ME!" the butler's voice raised and the colour of his eyes changed to red.

"Yes, sir. Sorry" Whimpered Metilda as she frighteningly threw the bed sheet around as she found it in the morning

"Like this sir. This was roughly how I found it" Metilda replied as she waited for a reply from the butler.

Butler Smith observed how the bed sheet was pushed to the end of the bed almost as if the leg has been pushing it back to the end of the bed. He slowly walked forward touched the part where John's foot would have rested in the bed and felt it. His hands shivered for a moment before he clenched it.

*thud* the butler turned back to see Metilda lying on the floor eyes rolled back while the fright in her face is clearly shown. The butler loosened his hands as Metilda face turned back to a normal peaceful sleep. He sat Metilda up and went out of John's room. He waited for a while before saying in a serious and piercing voice quietly"Inform his majesty, there is a new player in the game."