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Akun smiled softly as he took a step forward. "For now," he said, his voice clipped, "my focus is on reaching the Academy and finding Alric."

Genreia gave a curt nod, her expression exactly like Akun's, calm yet serious.

Suddenly, a voice, laced with a hint of nervousness, cut through the tense atmosphere. "Master Akun," it called out.

The group tensed, hands inching towards their weapons, eyes darting towards the source. Emerging from the gathering twilight stood Sir Cedric, the Knight Captain, his imposing figure clad in polished light armor. He took a hesitant step forward, his gaze sweeping across the group. A tense silence descended upon the clearing.

Akun's gaze locked onto the Captain's, his eyes burning with a cold intensity. His stance was rigid, every muscle ready for action, "Sir Cedric," he spoke, his voice calm and commanding, fists still clenched. "What does the King think he's doing?"

The Knight Captain, visibly taken by surprise by Akun's icy tone, stammered, his posture losing its usual rigidness as he bowed slightly. "M-Master Akun, please! I-I come not to summon you to the Royal Castle." He raised his hands, palms facing outward showing he came in peace. "I simply… wished to speak with you, sir."

Akun narrowed his eyes further, his gaze piercing through the Captain. He took a step forward, his shoulders squared and feet planted firmly. "Speak? I have no interest in listening to your pointless attempts to win me over to the King's banner."

The Knight Captain, a look of desperation flickering across his face, bowed low, almost dropping to one knee. "Please, Master Akun, hear me out!" He clasped his hands together, pleading. "The King has no intention of forcing your service. He… he simply wishes to discuss a potential… trade."

Akun's hardened expression softened slightly, his fingers uncurling from their tight grip, a flicker of surprise replacing the cold anger. He tilted his head, studying Cedric curiously. "A trade?" he echoed, his voice tinged with interest, his body slightly relaxing.

Relief washed over the Knight Captain's face. He straightened up, though still not fully meeting Akun's gaze. "Yes, a trade, Master Akun!" He gestured expansively, his demeanor growing more earnest. "The King is willing to offer his services in exchange for a price of your choosing. As long as what you request is logical and within his power to give, of course."

Akun remained silent, his eyes narrowing in thought, calculating. He tapped his foot lightly, the only sign of his internal debate. The King offering a trade? It was an unexpected turn of events. What could the King possibly offer him that could sway his focus from finding Alric? The answer, however, remained shrouded in mystery.

"And what," Akun finally asked, his voice measured, each word deliberate as he leaned slightly forward, "would be the King's terms of service?"

Sir Cedric took a deep breath, steadying himself before speaking. "The King proposes that you assist our heroes in their battles against the demons," he began, his voice growing more urgent as he spoke. "Though the demons have yet to reach our borders, they are encroaching on the lands beyond ours, and their threat is steadily closing in.

In return, the King is willing to offer treasures and ancient texts filled with our nation's secrets, things of great value and power."

Akun's brow furrowed in thought, his eyes narrowing as he considered the Knight Captain's words. Wealth and knowledge had never been his driving forces. Yet, the notion of showcasing his abilities in a war against the demons intrigued him. He visualized the battlefield, a place where he could unleash his full potential, perhaps even encounter the rest of his classmates.

Though he held little personal interest in them, the idea of observing their rise to legendary status piqued his curiosity. It dawned on him that he had been so absorbed in his own journey that he had forgotten they too were summoned to this world.

He muttered to himself, "I wonder what Ken is up to. It might be entertaining to suppress him when I see him."

Unbeknownst to Akun, the boy who once tormented him was no longer alive, and many of his classmates had strayed from their heroic paths. Some had aligned with the dark side, conspiring with the demons. The inevitable clash between his former classmates, both heroic and demonic, would be a confrontation worth anticipating.

Akun's lips curled into a smile as he finally spoke. "It's a generous offer, Sir Cedric. But I have no interest in the nation's wealth or secrets. If the King truly wishes to offer me something of value, let him consider this: I want to be recognized as an independent authority within his land. Like a noble, but without the obligation to pay respects to the throne.

I simply desire the same level of autonomy as a noble, nothing more."

The Knight Captain frowned slightly, his mind racing to grasp Akun's true intentions. What could this dragon want with such power among humans? His eyes betrayed his uncertainty as he muttered, almost to himself, "What does he plan to do with such authority?"

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Sensing the Knight Captain's unease, Akun leaned in slightly, his tone reassuring but firm. "I seek only to use this authority to gain entry to the Royal Castle Academy and find someone of importance."

Cedric's shoulders relaxed a fraction, a sigh of relief escaping him. "Ah, if entrance to the Academy is all you seek, I can arrange that easily enough. You should have mentioned it sooner."

Akun nodded, satisfaction gleaming in his eyes. "Very well then, Sir Cedric. Let's proceed with the arrangements."

With the deal seemingly struck, Akun's mind wandered to the battles ahead and the mysterious figures he might encounter. His journey was taking a new turn, one filled with uncertainty and promise. The thought of crossing paths with both allies and enemies, old and new, stirred a sense of anticipation within him.

Whatever lay ahead, Akun was ready to face it with the strength and cunning that now defined him.

...

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