**Chapter 99: The Foolish Prince Charges Ahead**
Two hours had passed since the commencement of the Magic Hunt Festival. Amidst the chaos of students from the Royal Academy battling monsters, one man had ventured deeper into the heart of the Subnock Plains than anyone else.
“Hmph… mere pests. Do not stand before a champion.”
“Graaaahhh…!”
With a spell unleashed by this man—Rodel Aiwood—a gaping hole was torn into the chest of the monster before him. The creature, a black bear with horns protruding from its head, collapsed, having been struck down in a single blow. Though it was a formidable beast, Rodel’s advanced magic had proven overwhelming.
Behind Rodel stood two attendants, watching the battle unfold. The usual duo of followers applauded their master, who had emerged unscathed from the encounter.
“Impressive, Your Highness Rodel!”
“As expected of you, Your Highness! To fell such a large monster in one strike!”
The smaller of the two attendants clapped his hands and shouted, his flattery as blatant as it was enthusiastic. In response, Rodel let out a self-satisfied snort.
“Of course. There is no way I could lose to such a creature.”
Rodel Aiwood, the Second Prince of the Aiwood Kingdom, had entered the plains early in the festival and was now nearing the depths of the area. His astonishing speed left other students far behind.
“Still… is it truly wise, Your Highness?” inquired the larger attendant, a hint of concern in his voice.
Rodel turned, a puzzled expression crossing his face.
“What do you mean?”
“Surely, you need not partake in such trivial games? A person of your stature should not be competing with the lowly.”
His words were sincere praise. While Rodel was often viewed as a self-serving nuisance by the majority, he garnered fervent support from a select few, including his two attendants. This support stemmed not only from the influence of the late Queen Dowager but also from Rodel’s exceptional magical talent.
Rodel was a genius—at least in the realm of magic. His mana was abundant, and his output was impressive. As a student, he had mastered several advanced spells and was expected to be a leading figure of the next generation. His rapid progress to the depths of the plains in just two hours was no mere coincidence; it was a testament to his overwhelming talent.
His brash and reckless nature, often disregarding the feelings of those around him, was admired by a select few. There were those who idolized individuals who defied rules and conventions. Historical figures like Napoleon Bonaparte, Julius Caesar, or even Oda Nobunaga came to mind. Young people sometimes found themselves drawn to those who rejected the opinions of their parents or superiors, trampling tradition to forge new paths. Rodel’s attendants were among those who felt this way, inspired by his audacity and determination to carve his own path, even in defiance of the king’s wishes.
“Hmph, it’s obvious.”
“Obvious… you say?”
“Just the other day, that fool in class who dared to oppose me, and those teachers who suspended me… there are far too many ignorant souls who fail to recognize what truly deserves respect.”
Rodel raised his right hand above his head, pointing to the sky.
“Who is meant to stand at the summit? I must make the commoners understand. Is it my elder brother, who was simply born first, or my second brother, who lacks magical talent? It is neither, is it?”
With an air of superiority, Rodel proclaimed as if he were revealing the truths of the world.
“I, Rodel Aiwood, am the one destined to stand above. I shall demonstrate this with visible results.”
He intended to achieve results in this Magic Hunt Festival. Winning was not enough; he sought overwhelming victory. He aimed to make his prowess evident to even the most blind of commoners. It was for this reason that Rodel had chosen to participate in the event.
“Follow me, and I shall show you how I ascend to the throne.”
“Your Highness…!”
“Oh…!”
His grandiose declarations left his attendants breathless. In a time when the First Prince was widely regarded as the next king, no one else but Rodel Aiwood would dare speak so boldly. In a sense, Rodel possessed the makings of a king. He had the vision to dream and the will to charge through adversity toward a successful future.
Yet… one must not forget. No matter how brash or unruly one may be, believing oneself to be a king does not guarantee success. Talent alone is not enough to create a new world; wisdom and luck are equally essential. Whether Rodel Aiwood possessed those qualities remained a question.
“Alright, let’s go. This bear is hardly enough. I want something bigger!”
“Y-Your Highness, this prey is…”
“Leave it. I have no interest.”
Rodel charged forward, relentlessly pursuing his own path. He continued onward, unaware that the road he was treading might lead not to glory, but to ruin.