Like before, the same regal figure sitting on the throne awaited the three of them with a distant smile.
Raelis already knew this was going to be a difficult conversation. But the most difficult part was how unusually close Zeri was acting.
"You were out for a while. We were worried about you, you know?" Zeri whispered. "But I'm glad you're back. There's a lot I want us to catch up on."
Raelis gave her a side glance and nodded. "Likewise."
They finally arrived in front of the emperor, and of course, all of them bent the knee.
"Your Majesty, we—"
"Today is a day without formalities. Stand," Emperor Kaelith cut them off.
Silence ensued for a few moments, yet it was soon broken by Zeri.
"Grandpa, why did you call me today?" she asked. "I was a bit busy forming the third ring of my flame core."
"Oh? Good job, Zeri," Emperor Kaelith replied as he softly patted her head. "But if you don't mind, let's have the chat later."
Zeri's brows twitched. "B-But Grandpa... I thought you were going to talk with me first..."
Emperor Kaelith didn't even entertain her comment as he lifted his hand off her head and approached Raelis.
"Raelis Varekan, I'm sure you know why I've told you to come see me," Emperor Kaelith said flatly.
Raelis nodded and stood up, meeting the emperor's gaze.
"Yes, Your Majesty."
"Good. Then you should also know what kind of consequences follow," Emperor Kaelith added. "And for one, we're going to keep this a secret for the time being."
Zeri tilted her head. "Keep what a secret?"
"Something important..." Emperor Kaelith trailed off, glancing back at Zeri. "Wait outside. I will call you in after I'm done talking with Raelis."
"But—!"
Her words were cut off by the emperor's sudden pressure. Even though it wasn't aimed at Raelis, he could feel it.
As for Zeri, the one the pressure was directed at, her body trembled. And almost as if instinctively, she sprinted out of the throne room with a flustered look.
Raelis heaved a satisfied sigh.
She's grown more persistent than I remember. But I guess her plans are going smoothly if she has the emperor's favor like this, Raelis pondered. After all... with such a high bloodline purity, she's treated like a genius above geniuses since anyone else would've been killed if they talked like that with the emperor.
Aside from that, he got back on track.
"Raelis, did you truly absorb the Ancient Flame Remnant?" Emperor Kaelith asked, and Raelis nodded without hesitation.
"I did, Your Majesty."
A faint smile tugged at Emperor Kaelith's lips. "Can you summon it?"
"I can try, Your Majesty," Raelis replied, then focused on his Flame Core.
Unlike with Ember Manifestation, he had something to draw power from, and that was none other than a Flame Core.
Everyone who had any bloodline related to fire could form one. Of course, the Varekan imperial family had the strongest fire bloodline in the entire continent.
As for the other types of bloodlines, they all had their own cores that were identical to their bloodline element.
After a few moments of deep focus, Raelis finally managed to find a pathway that led into his heart, where the Flame Core was located.
In the next moment, Raelis used that same path to guide the mana fire from his heart straight to his right palm.
Soon, a faint golden-white flame emerged.
It seemed weak from its size alone, and yet, the space around it seemed to crackle.
"Fascinating..." Emperor Kaelith muttered, inspecting the flame. "It's just like that flame, but much, much weaker. But if it's used in combat, then it would be incredibly useful."
"I still can't control it well, Your Majesty," Raelis replied modestly, then waved the flickering flame around. "I'm still far from being able to use it in combat."
"Hmm..." Emperor Kaelith brushed his beard, his eyes narrowing. "But that's not to say you won't improve in the future, correct?"
Raelis sighed and cut off the connection with the flame, letting it dissipate.
"I'm not planning to go into battle until I'm done with the academy," Raelis said firmly.
"Why, of course," Emperor Kaelith affirmed. "But still, you won't be able to avoid battle. Whether it's during the academy exams or the excursions, you'll have to spill the blood of others."
"And I'm prepared for that." Raelis nodded, slightly narrowing his eyes. "I just mean I don't intend to join the war between the Varekan imperial family and the Clemantine royal family."
"Aha..." Emperor Kaelith sighed. "I understand my reputation is not the best, as I've previously sent promising candidates to the front lines. But you are a more delicate matter, and I wish for you to grow more before I send you off to battle."
Raelis knew that it was unavoidable, at least for now.
One way of avoiding such a fate was to grow strong enough and build a solid foundation within the Varekan imperial family.
And that was exactly what he planned on doing during his time in the academy.
Establish himself, gain followers, and after graduating, overpower his siblings, then the princes and princesses.
It was a simple ambition, one he'd work on as time went on.
But most importantly...
"My mother..." Raelis muttered, turning to Sophia. "When I'm in the academy, I wish for her to have the best guards until I'm back. And if anything were to happen to her..."
His mother remained quiet, but from the faint smile, he could see that his words touched her.
"I can assure you that she will be safe." Emperor Kaelith chuckled. "And I will also be sending you away just as I intended all those years ago."
Raelis tilted his head. "Your Majesty, the annex buildings aren't the safest places for us at the moment... as I'm sure you know."
Emperor Kaelith tilted his head. "Who said anything about an annex building? I had a home built for the two of you in the forest outside Varekan. You will stay there for a year, and when it's time for you to go to the academy, someone will come and pick you up."
Raelis's eyes widened, but before he could speak up, the emperor continued.
"I don't wish for much, and I am not one to place high expectations on my descendants. But you, on the other hand... I want you to have enough time to train yourself. Make yourself a worthy vessel for the flame you inherited."