Lounging back, I sink into the comfy scarlet couch in Cira’xx’s main office. Far too tiring, my Gods. I’m about ready to fall asleep right here and now, but I don’t want to wake up to a slap in the face from Bia’xx for making the Rei Ui lose face. Haha, see what I did there? That was funny.

Gods, I’m tired…

It’s a shame as a nation we don’t like Ice Cultivators. In situations like these, they could have been really useful, I’m going to die of heatstroke any minute and being in the presence of the strongest Fire Cultivators in the city is not helping. Not too sure how much they'd appreciate being a glorified air conditioner though.

Ooooo, ice, scarrrry. Seriously, it’s not indicative of being a Demon. I think. But I guess it’s only natural. Fear of Demons runs deep everywhere in the world, just as we fear Ice Cultivators because most Demons here are Ice Demons, Talyngursa fear Pure Cultivators because most Demons over there are Pure Demons, or was it Wood Demons? For brevity’s sake, let’s say both.

Though I personally wouldn’t mind being attacked by Ice Demons right about now.

Oh, what am I thinking? No Demons.

I move my trembling arm to wipe the beads of sweat off my forehead and pull it back to find the back of my hand drenched in perspiration. Gross.

Okay, let’s get this over with, shall we.

After taking a large swig from my 4th cup of cold tea this afternoon, I begin speaking in my fancy voice, trying to mask the weakness in my voice as much as possible.

“That was a pleasant meal. Your disciples, Patriarch Cira’xx, are truly the cream of the crop. Especially your son.”

Cura’xx lowers his head at the praise with a stiff smile. Looks like I really succeeded in making the Re Ui hate me. Not much of an accomplishment, nor a goal of mine. Just my childishness at play, taking my bitterness out on people. I have enough self-awareness to know that.

“Your Highness is too kind. Of course, compared to a talent such as yourself, we humble Rei Ui do not amount to much.”

In stark contrast to his son, Cira’xx beams at the compliment. Not because he is proud to get a compliment from me—he knows his Clan is comprised of talented disciples—but because I’m finally showing him some superficial layer of face. This grants his Clan legitimacy, being backed by one such as myself. Or it would once the Big Doggy Emperor decides to confirm my status. That’s what this little experiment was for.

He will no doubt report my ‘recovery’ to him. The Emperor will know in due time. He can either go on ignoring me or tell the world of my status. Or have me killed. Just a little bit of a gamble, one I really should’ve thought about more before taking. Damn my eagerness to show off.

I take a glance at the stone-faced Bia’xx. Outwardly, she shows no concern, but considering how she’s filling my head with panicked and flummoxed Transmissions, she isn’t too calm at all.

I’m sure they all would like to know how I broke through a God Realm Seal.

“Anyway, enough skirting around the main subject on everybody’s mind,” I begin. “Over the past 12 years, the Seal placed on this prince by the Emperor has been degrading, slowly but surely.”

Taking a quick glance at them, I see a furious Cura’xx, an intrigued Cira’xx and a neutral looking, but internally exploding Bia’xx. None of these people, by nature, appreciate being out of the loop.

“This is a God Realm Seal, yet in just 12 years it became weak enough for even one as weak as this prince to put a crack in it. The Emperor needs to work on his Formation skills.”

There was one particular spot where the energy was thinner than a sheet of paper, whereas the rest of it was as thick as a block of ice. It was almost begging me to attack it.

“Put a crack in it, Your Highness? On your own?”

“Indeed. Just last evening this prince accomplished it. This prince spent the rest of the night gathering energy for our little sparring match.”

Meaning I got no sleep last night. Between that and this whole thing, I’m beat.

Through bloodshot eyes I look at their shock. It should feel good, inciting such surprise with my hidden prowess. When me and Calck reached the 1st level of the Mortal Realm at around the same time all those years ago, Mother’s astonishment, but more so her pride in us was what made me want to get strong at first.

This… doesn’t compare to that.

I tune out Cira’xx’s transparent words of praise.

I didn’t achieve this. I have no idea why I am at the 6th Level, or if I even am. My body sure isn’t, at least, nor is my soul as confirmed by my lacklustre spiritual pressure. This strength is not strength at all, rather a cheap imitation. All praise is hollow and brittle in the face of that truth.

And… I don’t want any praise at all if it’s not from Mother.

“So, does this mean you can cultivate again?” Bia’xx Transmits.

“No, I don’t believe so. I have no reason to believe this cultivation is even mine. If it is, it doesn’t feel like it. I’m a little disappointed, to be honest. I thought what I learned about controlling my energy back in Heya Vaan would still be with me. But I’m no longer completely defenceless at least.”

“You are disappointed with the results? If you found God Energy behind the Seal, would you still be disappointed?” she sighs, confusing the two others. “Anyway, do not be too worried. If you can learn to harness the energy and have it do your bidding, it is yours.”

That solves only half the problem though. It’s still not my power. What if one day, my reserves just run dry? I have a feeling I wouldn’t be generating any back.

“Still, I did not expect this to be your big plan. I still cannot convince myself this is reality.”

“Hehehe, bit of a shock, ay?”

“A bit!? When we get back to the Manor, you are going to explain in detail. I do not believe you accomplished this without outside help in the slightest.”

Now that it has settled in, I no longer feel very weak. Much of my worries will disappear now that I have power. I can live in just that little bit more peace. The knowledge I command power in the same league as someone like Cura’xx is somewhat assuring. Silver linings.

Speaking of, I gotta apologise to him. I was planning on making a statement to the Rei Ui and the Emperor by defeating the renowned genius who is regarded as the strongest of the young generation of Pe Ann. A point that I am not some mere puppet to be used and discarded, nor am I a Half-Demon. I am their future Emperor and literal God.

They would do well to remember that.

But it seems I got a bit ahead of myself. Cura’xx’s full power was far more intimidating than I would’ve thought so I pussied out. Turns out, he can move faster than my energy-deficient brain can comprehend. So yeah, fuck that.

Half a second more of using my Aura would have really pushed me over the edge anyway. Even if my sudden surrender could be interpreted as cowardice or an insult to the Rei Ui, it was probably in everyone’s best interest. The only reason I’m still conscious is likely due to the energy essence keeping my body from falling apart.

The experience has made me suddenly conscious of the fact that though I’m not weak, I’m not invincible. I wasn’t before and I’m not now, and that I’ve been poking the bear that is the Rei Ui for years on end without even thinking of the consequences.

Now that I’ve seen their power, I realise that may have been a terrible idea if I want to succeed the Emperor safely. But let’s ignore that for now. We can think this over later.

I need to get this over and done with before I melt or something.

Wait, what is ‘this’ anyway. Why am I here again? I was too preoccupied with the Seal forming a crack and the opportunities that created. Now I’ve forgotten the original objective in coming here.

I still don’t know how to Transmit by myself so I can’t ask Bia’xx. Damnit.

How do I ask without exposing I don’t know? Do I even need to?

“Surely, this is a momentous occasion for Your Highness, but please forgive this one for being so presumptuous as to ask whether you put a crack in the Seal alone?”

What, this again? Noticing my confusion, Bia’xx Transmits to me.

“You must understand how absurd it is to even think that a cultivator of your level is capable of putting a crack in a God Realm Seal. It would take a lot of convincing for me to believe a Divinity could put a crack in one in just 12 years, never mind you.”

“Why did that sound like an insult?”

“It was a fact. I trust in you to an extent, but I cannot help but believe there is something you are not telling us. Not out of malice, of course. But are you keeping something from us? Have you found a backer? A powerful one at that?”

“So that’s what this is about. I understand the power of Gods to an extent, but the seal really wasn’t that strong. It’s like he was holding back or something, but why would he do that?”

I’m speaking relatively, of course. The Seal was that fucking strong, otherwise it wouldn’t have taken me 12 years of painstaking effort to put a mere crack in it.

With that said, a God Realm Seal, even if said God used as little effort as possible, should be much stronger than the Seal of Suppression in my soul and Dantian. I think. What’s the deal with that?

Bia’xx, who’s apparently much smarter than me, seems to come to an epiphany, her eyes opening a little wider and her lips parted in slight shock. Despite not being very expressive most of the time, her slight facial expressions never fail to enlighten me to her emotions when something actually affects her.

“What?”

“Let’s save this conversation for later.”

Weird. I can take a few guesses at what she’s so shocked about, but I can always do that later. We’ve gotta get down to business.

“This prince acknowledges the absurdity of this prince’s claim, but it is a fact this prince alone put a crack in the Seal. This prince is open to any investigation. Though this prince does not believe it to be necessary. The Emperor would notice any interference with the Seal from outside forces.”

Not necessarily a lie. I have no doubts the Emperor knew about the crack in the Seal the instant I caused it. And if he didn’t, it’s whatever. Wouldn’t matter. He’ll know once Cira’xx tells him. Or he was watching from the start.

“This lowly one does not believe such things to be necessary and offers sincere apologies for any offence.”

“None taken. This prince is not so sensitive as to care about such things.” Cira’xx bows his head low. His brow is covered is sweat, and his smile is strained. He seems to be shaken up about something.

Usually, I would act like I took offence and have some fun with it, but for some reason I’m hesitant. Is it because I saw a glimpse of my old life? Have I now something to lose?

A future where I’m strong and free to do as I please. If I make enemies now, will I lose that after I’ve just got it back? Does strength require enemies to be made?

“This one praises Your Highness’ generosity. Now, this lowly one does not want to waste any more of Your Highness’ time, so this one will cut right to the chase.”

“Does the reason you invited this prince have something to do with the Dragon Flag?”

Cira’xx is good at concealing his true emotions, but slight confusion flashes across his face, and a lot of confusion flashes across the less experienced Cura’xx’s face.

“That is not precisely why our humble Clan invited you today, but you are not incorrect in that it is one of the reasons.”

Meaning, no, that isn’t why I was called here. He doesn’t want to cause offence by saying I’m wrong outright, so he pussyfoots around it. But now he has to talk about the bandits to me, which works for me. I would like to know more about what they are doing all the way over here.

“Your Highness does not need to worry himself about those bandits. Our humble Clan is already investigating their potential hideouts. We have it under control… Ahem, moving on. The reason we invited Your Highness.”

What? No, don’t just stop! Why are they here? What are they doing? Basic stuff you’re supposed to answer when asked a question about something!

But again, I’m hesitant to interrupt him when he’s about to speak. It wouldn’t do to hurt my relationship with the Rei Ui any more than I have.

“It has come to our attention that you have had some… relations with a Lady under our care.”

Let me think for a moment… oh yeah, I remember now! The servant girl! She told the Rei Ui after all. I gotta thank her for the opportunity to show off the new and improved me, who is now scared he went a little too far in showing off.

Wait, Lady?

The term ‘Lady’ is for women of importance. Cira’xx just used the term ‘Lady’ to refer to that servant girl. ‘Lady’ + girl = important girl? My facial muscles tighten in deep confusion and concentration.

I look to Bia’xx, whose lips are trying desperately to curl into a smile. What are you laughing at, dickhead!

Lady = important, servant = not important but if servant girl = Lady, then…

Oh.

While I’m checking, and hoping, that my maths is incorrect, Cira’xx continues.

“This one does not mean to pry, Your Highness, truly, but if Your Highness would be so kind as to let us ask some questions…”

Perhaps due to the look on my face, Cira’xx voice drifts off and the room becomes silent. Inside my own head, however, sirens are blaring and the 1000 little men in my skull are screaming, scraping around for a fire exit.

I take a deep breath through my nose, filling my lungs with calming air. It’s all good, don’t panic yet. There’s no way they would try and spin this into some sort of political marriage thing, they wouldn’t dare.

“Who precisely is this Lady you speak of?” I calmly ask.

“Why, she is named Anne Vaia, a ser—an important guest at our residence. It has come to our attention that she came into… close contact with you over the festival.”

Anne Vaia… the name of the girl I woke up next to the morning after the festival.

...

...

...

Nope, doesn’t ring any bells.

Wait, Vaia… Vaia. Vaia, Vaia, Vaia… Viagra? No, Vaia.

I place a finger on my chin in deep thought.

Vaia… hmm.

Oh!

And that’s when the screaming men in my head go from 1000 to a wonderful orchestra of 1,000,000.