Reawakening with Limitless Mana-Chapter 52: The culprit

Kevin was still trying to wrap his head around everything.

Just a few days ago, he thought he’d meet the important characters once he got into the academy—one at a time, slowly, as the story unfolded. But now? One after another, they kept showing up in his life like fate had lost all patience.

First, he got that unexpected invitation from the King himself. Then came Grace. And not long after, the Protagonist.

And now...

Now he was walking beside someone who had once only existed in the pages of a book to him. His favorite character. The First Princess.

She wasn’t exactly one of the "main characters" in the beginning, but Kevin knew her role would only grow bigger with time. She’d become stronger. She’d rise in power. And in his heart, he believed she was the one who truly deserved the throne.

But that wasn’t the only reason she meant so much to him.

It wasn’t just her strength, or the way people naturally followed her.

It was the way she carried herself. The way her eyes held calm in chaos. The way she spoke—steady, yet full of quiet fire.

Maybe that made him sound shallow, but her beauty had always struck him harder than he liked to admit. Not just her looks, but everything about her. Her words. Her poise. The way she stood her ground when everything else fell apart.

And now...

She was here. In front of him. Not an illustration, not a description—real.

As they walked side by side through the quiet garden, her voice pulled him out of his thoughts.

"You don’t talk much, do you?" she asked gently.

Kevin glanced at her, trying to find the right words. But all he could do was smile, hoping she couldn’t hear how loud his heart was beating.

They already had breakfast but the King was talking to the Baron and the Duke, when suddenly, the Princess—Anastasia Aldercrest—came and asked if he wanted to walk around.

Naturally, since she was someone standing on a higher ranking than him, he couldn’t have rejected her.

It’s definitely not because he was captivated right away by her smile! That’s right!

"I...do...it’s just, around you, I feel speechless." He honestly confessed.

The silver haired girl giggled, her fluffy hair bouncing slightly.

Even her laugh was so bright and adorable, haah~

"Sir Kevin, I assume you were the one who punched Count Drevon’s son yesterday?"

Kevin was taken aback as he fumbled with his words, "I-uh...umm..."

She smiled at him, "I was there, watching everything. You and your little brother were cool—not standing injustice and insult." She gave him a side-long glance as she said, "I like such people."

*Da* *Dum*

His heart drummed in his chest. Is this what they call love?

However, he didn’t take the credit to appear brave,

"...I didn’t respond to that punch naturally. I was, originally, thinking of just lowering my head and leave."

Anastasia hummed, "So you didn’t want to hit them even though you are stronger?"

Kevin faintly smiled, "Sometimes between pride and safety, it’s better to choose safety. I thought hitting the son of a Count would bring my family trouble."

The Princess was curious now, "Then why did you attack him all of a sudden?" frёeωebɳovel.com

Kevin smiled proudly, "...because my brother backed me and I know, he won’t ever take a wrong step."

Anastasia paused in her track and so did Kevin.

The blond boy wondered if he spoke too much.

However, Anastasia’s lips curved into a smile as with her gaze drawn to the ground, she muttered, "It’s...quite relieving to hear that you have such a good relationship with your brother."

Kevin, who was aware of her situation, knew exactly why she sounded so...sad.

However, someone who was supposed to be a stranger to her, all he could do was to smile brighter, "Yes...I am proud of my brother."

*****

In the reception hall, only five men could be seen currently.

Virelle, who gotten along with the Queen and the Duchess, was taken away to a separate room where they could chat more freely.

Gustav went to walk around. He comes here often since the King and the Duke are close friends. So rather than being a part of a boring conversation, he decided to stroll around a bit.

His brother was also taken away—a consideration from the King which Arthur very much appreciated.

Kevin doesn’t know that Arthur had slaughtered the fortmer Viscount...and he wouldn’t tell him either. Some things are better hidden from the family.

Arthur and Eric, who was sitting across from him, had mostly remained silent until now.

Eric was...just like how he remembered to be.

Always attentive and observant. However, he wasn’t anywhere near the previous Eric who always remained on guard.

He was someone who has learned to hold a sword first before a spoon.

Imagine killing a horde of wild boars that entered his farm since his father gave him the job of guard only for half an hour.

He was four at that time.

And all those boars were above triple his size.

’Well, even for his age, this boy is also quite strong.’ Arthur could sense it...the untamed and overwhelming mana he was poorly suppressing.

Someone who was blessed by the Gods and holds the responsibility of the world, he, naturally, is a born warrior.

"Ah, talking about the west,"

Once they finished their casual chat about politics and yesterday’s event, the main topic was finally brought to light.

"...I heard that recently someone invaded the former Viscount’s mansion. It has been in the newspaper recently." Hearing the King’s words the Duke nodded.

"Yes, I also read the article. The Goliath was executed too during the incident. The image was too gruesome for children to see."

It has been over ten days but still, it was being discussed everywhere how someone invaded the tightly secured mansion of the former noble and killed each soldier. And the highlight was Turner’s condition. It was quite disgusting to witness even for the reporters.

Devon hummed, "It indeed was a work of a professional. I tried investigating and a very interesting report came before me."

Duke Hayden was surprised, "You discern who is the perpetrator?"

The King didn’t say anything and smilingly turned towards the little raven-haired boy sitting beside the Baron.

Hayden’s eyes widened, "Sir Aston, you...!"

"No, it’s not me." Aston shook his head, a wry smile on his face as he told them, "It...was my son. Arthur killed the former Viscount and his army."

"...." The reception area fell under heavy silence.

********

A/N:- Thank you for reading. The next Chapter would resume from this scene.