Hajin stood there for a few seconds, staring blankly at the King's grinning face.
"Pardon me, Your Majesty," he stuttered slightly, his respectful tone cracking as he tried to process what was just said. "What exactly do you mean by sponsor?"
He wasn't the only one who was lost. He glanced past the King and saw Didi standing on the stairs, her head tilted to the side with a look of pure confusion on her face.
The King let out a short, amused laugh and turned to face the massive crowd of nobles.
"I am sure all of you are aware of what a Royal Badge means," the King announced, his voice carrying effortlessly over the silent ballroom. "I personally handed this young man a badge, a ranker recommendation, and a gate permit letter."
The whispers started immediately, spreading through the crowd like a lit fuse as the nobles processed the weight of those gifts.
"And as you can all clearly see," he added, flashing another wide smile, "he certainly did not put my name to shame."
