The youngest prince is too ambitious.

After hours of convincing Kairen, finally agreed to Elric's request as the beastman threatened suicide if he didn't go to subjugate the bandits. Feeling the desperation in his eyes, Kairen couldn't do much.

The steady rhythm of hooves echoed on the dirt path as Kairen's carriage rolled along lazily, flanked by the clamor of gossiping soldiers. Their voices carried across the field, mingling with the occasional neigh of the horses and the rustle of the wind.

The group's leisurely pace only deepened the absurdity of the situation. Kairen leaned back against the plush seat, feeling every bump in the poorly maintained road.

"Mana is all around us, my prince," Elric said, his tone tinged with the formality he seemed unable to abandon. "We breathe it in and out as we do with air, but only those chosen by mana can absorb and manipulate it at will."

"Chosen by mana?" Kairen echoed, his tone dry. "Sounds arbitrary. And if I manage to control this mystical energy, I can do the flicky thing you did? Light fires with a dramatic wave?"

Elric chuckled, though his ears twitched at Kairen's dismissiveness. "That's just the tip of the iceberg, my liege," he replied with a cheeky grin. "I'm not particularly skilled with mana myself. The tricks I've shown you are basic at best. My mana is forged specifically for the path of the sword."

He gestured to the weapon resting at his side. The sword was long and weathered, its leather sheath is worn and clearly oversized for the blade within. The hilt was wrapped with rags of cloth, some of which bore faint stains of dried blood. Kairen's sharp gaze flicked to Elric's hands. They were scarred and calloused, riddled with fresh scabs—a testament to his relentless training.

"So mana can be used for different paths?" Kairen asked, his tone finally betraying a trace of genuine curiosity.

"Indeed, my prince," Elric replied, his tail flicking behind him. "As expected, you grasp things so quickly—"

"Quit the flattery and just answer the question," Kairen interrupted, his tone sharp. "And pick one title. If you don't, we're turning this carriage around and heading back to the capital."

Elric straightened immediately, his posture stiff with alarm. "Yes, sire—prince," he corrected himself quickly.

Clearing his throat, Elric continued. "Mana has unlimited potential, but most people focus on a specific path. Mastery of one art is far more achievable than dabbling in many. Sorcerers wield mana for magic, but even they specialize. Commander Agni, one of our kingdom's most revered warriors, uses her mana exclusively for fire-based spells. The devastation she can unleash is unparalleled."

"Most of the soldiers accompanying us use mana to strengthen their bodies or enhance their swordsmanship. Then there are healers, who dedicate themselves to restoring life. Some have refined their skills so completely that they can regrow limbs. The path of mana is limitless."

Kairen raised an eyebrow. "Sounds convenient. Is there anyone who walks two or more paths of mana?"

Elric hesitated for only a moment. "Your elder brother, the crown prince, is a rare genius. He walks two paths, mastering both swordsmanship and sorcery. His primary focus lies in earth-based spells, which he wields with unmatched precision."

Kairen mulled over the information, processing each piece like a puzzle. "So for sorcery," he began, "you have to choose between elements? Fire, water, earth, and so on?"

"Precisely, my sire," Elric said, stumbling slightly over the words. "Each element has its own strengths and complexities."

Getting proper information from this guy is like untangling a web of riddles, Kairen thought with an inward sigh. I'd be better off raiding a library or finding someone who doesn't talk like they're narrating a bad epic.

He shook his head, letting out an audible sigh. "So how do I use this mana?"

"This is…" Elric paused, his usual confidence faltering. The beastman fidgeted with the edge of his cloak, suddenly resembling a nervous child. "It is complicated."

"Spit it out," Kairen snapped, his patience wearing thin.

Elric flinched at the tone but quickly obeyed. "Prince, you've been meditating under the mana vein beneath the palace for years in an effort to feel the mana, but… you haven't succeeded."

Kairen felt his legs twitch involuntarily, his frustration manifesting as a growing ache in his muscles. "So you're telling me," he began, his voice eerily calm, "that even with all the supposed advantages of being royal, this body of mine still can't manage the basics?"

"But I'm sure you'll succeed soon!" Elric added hastily, his hands raised in a placating gesture. "You have potential—immense potential!"

Kairen slumped back against the seat, staring blankly at the wooden ceiling of the carriage. "Right. Immense potential. Got it," he muttered, his voice heavy with sarcasm.

Outside, the soldiers laughed loudly, their idle banter contrasting sharply with Kairen's simmering irritation. What a squad, he thought bitterly. A prince who can't use mana and a team that can't shut up. This mission keeps getting better.

"These soldiers... do they not have a captain, keeping them in check?" Kairen asked,

"They do sire, but since this is just a simple mission, the captain refused to go." 

"Is that so... a mere captain doesn't want to hang out with the prince...interesting."

As the carriage creaked along the uneven road, Kairen crossed his arms and closed his eyes, his thoughts churning. Magic, swords, and a destiny I didn't ask for… If I'm going to survive this, I need more than pep talks and empty promises. I need answers—and a plan.

Kairen's fingers drummed relentlessly against the edge of the carriage seat, a steady rhythm matched by the impatient bouncing of his legs. The quiet hum of the journey—the soldiers' banter, the creak of the wooden wheels, and the occasional neigh of horses—did little to ease the storm of thoughts in his mind.

"Hey, Lion," Kairen said suddenly, breaking the silence. His tone was casual, almost detached, but Elric immediately straightened, his ears flicking toward his prince.

"Yes, sire?"

"Don't you think this is strange?" Kairen asked, his sharp purple eyes narrowing slightly.

"What do you mean, sire?" Elric replied cautiously.

"The more I think about it, the more it doesn't make sense," Kairen continued, his voice tinged with faint amusement. "A prince being told to subjugate bandits? Isn't that hilarious?"

Elric hesitated, unsure how to respond, but Kairen didn't wait for him to answer. "I get the whole 'coming-of-age, prove-yourself' part. But let's be real here—I'm still a prince at the end of the day. There are plenty of ways I could've proved myself without risking my neck. Hell, with this pretty face of mine, I could've been used as a tool for political marriage." He smirked briefly, though the expression quickly faded. "Why go through all this?"

Elric stayed quiet for a moment, his tail flicking thoughtfully behind him. "It's because the prince is... weak," he said carefully. "I believe the king wanted you to use this task as motivation to climb higher into the ranks. To perhaps gain a faction for yourself—or at the very least, to be chosen by one of the existing factions."

Kairen turned his head sharply, his expression unreadable. For a moment, his intense gaze bore into Elric, and the beastman's fur stood on end. "Are you part of their faction?" Kairen asked flatly, his voice low and sharp.

"No, how could I be?" Elric replied, his sincerity evident. But Kairen's expression didn't waver, and it was clear he wasn't entirely convinced. Still, he let the matter drop—for now.

"You're reading too much into this," Kairen said eventually, his voice carrying a weary edge. "I hold no threat as a prince. No talent, no rights to the throne, and most importantly, no political power. Whether I gain recognition or not is completely irrelevant. Even if my father did want me to gather some influence, all it would do is give my siblings more reason to kill me. So that's clearly not it."

Elric's ears twitched as he listened, his brows furrowing slightly. Kairen's tone was calm, but the words carried a bitter truth that struck a chord.

"But me not returning from this mission doesn't seem to benefit anyone either," Kairen continued. "If this is just for show, why not give me an easier mission? Something that doesn't involve throwing an untrained prince into the middle of a fight?"

Elric remained silent, his thoughts racing. He couldn't deny that Kairen had a point. If the prince gained a faction or aligned himself with another, his life would undoubtedly become even more precarious. The political landscape of the palace was ruthless; power attracted danger.

And yet, turning back now was impossible—the consequences of returning empty-handed had already been decided. The only thing he could wish for was that the task was as easy as he expected it to be.

"Ah, whatever," Kairen said abruptly, slamming his foot against the floor of the carriage in frustration. "You've got what I asked for, right?"