READ NOVEL ONLINE Chapter 2: Exiled
Rayden took a deep breath before stepping forward, meticulously following the instructions given to him.
Having witnessed the prowess of previous hero candidates, the expectations surrounding him were soaring, not just among the common folk but also within the royal court, including the king and his high-ranking officials. Even the brown-haired woman, closely overseeing the proceedings, eagerly anticipated the discovery of some remarkable magical talent in Rayden.
As Rayden placed his hands and intentions upon the crystal, a blood-red light enveloped his body for several seconds before a blue holographic screen materialized before him.
Upon seeing the information displayed, the brown-haired woman let out a cry of utter astonishment. Her face was overtaken by a profound disappointment, leaving everyone around questioning just how abysmal Rayden's magical talents were to elicit such a strong reaction from the witch.
With a heavy sigh, the brown-haired woman announced what she had witnessed. "Telekinesis Magic, Rank E, and Plant Growth Magic, Rank E, are this young man's magical talents. In other words, he is an acute Feeble." Lacking enthusiasm, she even neglected to analyze Rayden's arcane energy levels.
Hearing this outcome, the high officials and the king were engulfed in immense disappointment, mirroring the sentiments of the brown-haired woman who now refused to meet Rayden's eyes with any semblance of respect.
"How disgraceful. We've exhausted nearly the entire SSS-ranked Arcane stone reserve from the royal treasury, and this is what we get—a useless hero." One of the high officials couldn't contain his disdain, openly voicing his displeasure without attempting to mask his disapproval.
"Even though he possesses two innate magical talents, they're worthless if their ranks are only E. It's akin to piling two pieces of useless garbage into one small container," the prime minister beside the king commented, echoing the king's growing disappointment.
Rayden, accustomed to such treatment, merely offered a faint smirk as he observed those around him, whose perceptions of him had shifted dramatically. Yet, he maintained his composure, standing tall without feeling oppressed.
He recalled the complete information displayed on his talent assessment hologram earlier.
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Innate Magical Talent: Telekinesis Magic.
Innate Magical Talent: Plant Growth Magic.
Arcane Points (AP): ∞/∞
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'Doesn't the symbol on my Arcane Points indicate limitless? Could it mean I possess an infinite capacity for arcane energy?' Rayden pondered the information he had seen, identifying a significant advantage in his life despite being assigned so-called worthless magical talents.
However, Rayden also considered that no matter the vastness of his arcane energy capacity, if his talents were ranked at the lowest tier, the effects produced would surely not match those of higher-ranked magical talents. If his arcane energy capacity was indeed extensive, perhaps the effect's duration could be extended, or the scale of his magic could be expanded.
As Rayden was lost in thought, over an hour had passed, and the magical talent evaluation concluded. A knight approached him, guiding him to a private chamber.
Inside the chamber, the prime minister, acting on the king's orders, granted Rayden his freedom, under the condition that he would no longer be affiliated with the kingdom of Eldoria.
Initially, the prime minister expected Rayden to protest. Yet, to his surprise, the young man before him appeared remarkably calm, carefully weighing his options without haste.
With his mind made up, Rayden began to speak. "Very well, I agree to your proposal. However, I wish to add a few conditions to our agreement."
Seeing the prime minister's displeased expression and furrowed brow, Rayden quickly clarified his intentions, ensuring there was no intent to disadvantage the kingdom.
Relieved, the prime minister promptly inquired about the conditions Rayden desired.
"Please provide me with some gold pouches as initial living expenses in this unfamiliar world," Rayden stated his first request, which was quickly approved. "Next, grant me a piece of land or territory of considerable size, free from the kingdom's administration. In other words, independent and not bound by any national laws." He continued, candidly requesting what he assumed would be a difficult demand to fulfill.
Unexpectedly, the prime minister agreed swiftly, adding that Rayden must accept the land's conditions as they were.
With no other choice, Rayden accepted without hesitation. To him, owning land was the fulfillment of a childhood dream. On Earth, it would have been nearly impossible for him to possess such an asset at a young age. But now, his wish was about to be realized.
After navigating the labyrinthine bureaucracy, Rayden finally acquired an artifact symbolizing his legitimate ownership of an extensive territory along the southern borders of the kingdom of Eldoria. This land, a wild frontier, was inhabited by various magical beasts and catastrophic demi-human races of formidable threat.
However, Rayden was largely ignorant of such perils, a fact that could either improve his fortunes significantly or lead to his downfall.
At the palace gates, a modest horse-drawn carriage awaited, serving as Rayden's means of transport to his newly acquired lands in the south.
From the palace balcony, King Lloyd and his prime minister watched Rayden's departure with disdainful expressions.
"That naive boy thinks himself clever, negotiating with me. Once he arrives, he will understand what the southern border truly is—a nightmare that has plagued many empires and kingdoms across the continent," the prime minister murmured with a sinister grin, watching as Rayden's carriage gradually disappeared from view.
"A poor, unfortunate youth," King Lloyd remarked quietly, stroking his beard, though a contemptuous smile played on his lips, knowing Rayden was likely marching towards his doom.
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Several days later, Rayden reached the outer edges of his territory, located at the southernmost tip of the kingdom of Eldoria.
Without uttering a word, the coachman who had accompanied him throughout the journey departed abruptly, leaving him alone in the daunting wilderness.
Before Rayden's eyes lay an expansive, ominous forest, stretching from side to side. To the distant north, snow-capped mountains encircled his land like a natural fortress. The vast and beautiful western coastline bordered his territory.
Far to the east stood a colossal tree, standing out prominently amidst the towering forest around it.
"A world full of surprises indeed," Rayden exclaimed with awe at the breathtaking view before him, his voice brimming with excitement.
Armed with a storage pouch filled with gold and various supplies, Rayden entered the forest, seeking a suitable location to build a small hut for temporary shelter.
Unbeknownst to him, a shadowy figure resembling a human, with eyes gleaming red, was stealthily trailing him through the shadows of the trees.
Sensing an ominous presence around him, Rayden drew a silver-dominated saber with a straight blade, complete with its sheath, and hung it at his right side for protection against unforeseen threats. At least he could defend himself if necessary.
"What is this dreadful sensation?" Rayden softly murmured, scrutinizing his surroundings diligently. Yet, there seemed to be nothing amiss. "Nothing seems out of place, but why does it feel so menacing? Perhaps it's best to continue my search for an ideal spot to build a hut," he sighed deeply and resumed his walk, venturing further into the depths of the forest.