I woke up early, before the sun had fully settled over the horizon. The silence of the mansion was different from what I was used to in Vailor. Here, there was a constant sense of strength, as if even the air carried weight. I remained lying down for a few seconds, organizing my thoughts. This kingdom was not like the other two. Here, any mistake would have different consequences.
I got up quietly, but it didn't take long to realize I wasn't the only one awake. Vespera was already near the window, carefully observing the outside. Scarlett was sitting in a chair, resting her chin on her hand, clearly awake for some time already. Lyannis seemed to have woken up recently, still stretching. Elara calmly adjusted her hair, while Liriel sat on the bed, looking at me with a faint smile. Rai'kanna, on the other hand, was standing near the door, as if she were already ready to leave.
"You woke up early," she said.
"There's a lot to do," I replied.
Scarlett let out a small sigh.
"You barely arrived and you're already thinking about work."
"If I don't think about it, no one will."
Lyannis tilted her head.
"That's true… but you could at least enjoy yourself a little."
"Later," I answered simply.
It didn't take long for us to get ready. Soon, one of the servants informed us that the king was waiting at the castle. It was expected. We left the mansion together, following the path leading to the castle's main entrance.
As soon as we entered, we were guided directly to a large room, different from the banquet hall from the previous night. This place seemed more focused on decisions. Less decoration, more structure.
The demi-dragon king was already there.
He stood beside a large table covered in maps. He didn't raise his voice or show surprise when we entered. He simply turned his gaze toward us.
"You arrived quickly."
"I preferred not to waste time," I replied.
He nodded, as if he had expected that answer.
"I've been following your actions since you received the human lands… and later the elven ones."
I walked toward the table, observing the maps.
"Then you already know how I work."
"I know you had help."
His words were direct. There was no provocation, only observation.
"Yes. I did."
He crossed his arms.
"Here, it will be different."
I already knew that.
"I figured."
The king took a few steps, stopping beside me.
"These lands you're going to manage… are not problematic because of lack of resources."
I looked at the map again.
"Then the problem is something else."
"Management," he answered without hesitation. "Lack of organization. Lack of direction. Lack of someone who knows what they're doing."
That made sense. It was different from the other situations.
"So I won't need to fix the land… I'll need to fix the people."
He let out a slight smile.
"Exactly."
Behind me, I could sense the group's reactions. Lyannis seemed interested. Elara analyzed in silence. Scarlett maintained her firm posture. Vespera simply observed. Liriel looked calm. Rai'kanna… paid attention to every word her father said.
The king continued.
"I'll be direct with you, Takumi. I didn't give you these lands only out of gratitude."
I expected that.
"Then why?"
He looked directly at me.
"Because you have potential."
Silence.
"Most nobles fail because they rely on power without understanding responsibility. You… seem to understand both."
I remained silent for a few seconds. It wasn't an empty compliment. It was analysis.
"I just do what needs to be done."
"That's why you're here."
He then pointed to a specific region on the map.
"This is the village that will initially fall under your control."
I observed it carefully.
"Close to the border."
"Yes. An important area. If instability happens there, it could affect other regions."
I immediately understood the weight of that.
"So I can't fail."
"You can't," he confirmed.
Rai'kanna stepped forward.
"Father… are you really leaving this entirely to him?"
The king looked at her.
"Yes."
"Without any advisor?"
"Yes."
She frowned slightly.
"That's risky."
"For anyone else, it would be."
His gaze returned to me.
"But I want to see how far he can go."
Scarlett crossed her arms.
"You're testing him."
The king didn't deny it.
"I am."
I smiled faintly.
"That's not a problem."
Everyone looked at me.
"I was already expecting something like this."
Vespera spoke in a low tone.
"So you accept."
"Yes."
I looked back at the map.
"If this is a test… then I'll pass it."
The king seemed satisfied with the answer.
"Good."
He then stepped away from the table.
"Today you'll visit the village. Tomorrow the real work begins."
I nodded.
"Perfect."
The room fell silent for a few seconds. There was nothing more to say there.
We left the room and began walking back toward the castle exit.
As soon as we stepped outside, Scarlett spoke.
"He doesn't fully trust you."
"He doesn't need to," I replied.
Lyannis smiled faintly.
"But he's curious."
"Yes."
Elara spoke calmly.
"That can be good… or dangerous."
"Depends on the result."
Liriel tilted her head.
"You're way too calm."
"It would be worse if I were worried."
Rai'kanna remained silent for a few seconds before speaking.
"He's always like this… direct. But he doesn't hand something important over without a reason."
"I know."
I looked ahead, toward the path leading outside the castle.
"That only means one thing."
Vespera asked,
"What?"
"That I can't fail."
The group fell silent. It wasn't external pressure. It was a decision.
We returned to the mansion without rushing. The rest of the day would be used to observe, understand, and prepare. There was no need to act impulsively.
When I entered the mansion again, I felt that place was already beginning to become part of my routine.
But unlike the previous times, I wouldn't have someone pointing the way.
This time, every decision would be mine.
And every mistake too.
I looked out the window toward the lands I was going to manage.
I took a deep breath.
Tomorrow wouldn't just be the beginning of a new job.
It would be the beginning of a real test.
And I had already decided.
I would not fail.