Published: January 4, 2026
“—Right, the damage to the city—huh?”
Oscar was startled, but then looked around and was speechless again.
Apparently, there was no damage to the city from the water pillar as he had predicted.
The water pillar erupted like a beam, blasting away something that had emerged from the Demonic Tome, yet it caused no harm to the city.
Everyone on Cobalt Street—both sellers and buyers—were surprised by the sudden event, but there was no damage to people, buildings, or antiques.
They looked up at the water pillar disappearing into the sky, then at me.
“Could it be… Noah, was it you?”
“Yeah, I did it like this.”
I extended my index finger and traced the upward diagonal trajectory.
Six-year-old me, holding a book, eyes looking down.
Normally, a water pillar would be shot horizontally or diagonally downward.
But if it had been that way, like when I made a huge hole in the garden before, it probably would have taken dozens of lives.
So I instinctively shot it from bottom to top.
The water pillar launched diagonally upward blew away the vengeful spirit from the Demonic Tome but caused no other damage and flew off into the distance.
“You mean you shot it upward in that split second?”
“Yeah.”
“What incredible situational awareness…”
Oscar was speechless but soon returned to his usual smile.
“No, as expected of the son of his father. Truly my little brother.”
He praised me cheerfully.
Since we didn’t explain anything and no damage occurred, Cobalt Street quickly returned to normal as if nothing had happened.
However, not everyone was completely oblivious to what just took place.
“Excuse me, may I have a moment?”
A man’s voice called out from the side to me and Oscar.
He was a well-dressed, slightly chubby man with a small mustache.
“And you are?”
“I’m the owner of that shop over there. I witnessed what happened just now. There is something I would very much like you to see.”
“Oh? Is it some kind of treasure?”
“Something like that.”
The man bowed his head.
Something like that, huh.
I felt a bit uncertain but—
“All right, show us.”
Oscar was eager, so I decided to go along.
We followed the man into the shop and were led further inside.
Neither Oscar nor I hesitated.
For nobles, shopping at the storefront was uncommon.
Especially in a store dealing with expensive antiques, it was standard to be ushered into a VIP room at the back.
This time was no different; we were taken to a room furnished with decent decor.
“Please wait a moment.”
The man said that and left us alone in the room.
I glanced around and muttered, “Hmm.”
“What is it, Noah?”
“Just thinking how clever this is. This room is deliberately set one rank below the aristocratic mansion’s level. It’s a skillful performance of ‘the best hospitality a commoner can offer.’”
“What? You can tell that already?”
Oscar was surprised.
“Amazing… I only understood that when I was twelve.”
This time Oscar was impressed.
We sat on the sofa and waited for the man to return.
A few minutes later, he came back carrying a jewelry box.
The moment he entered, he knelt on one knee before Oscar and me.
“Apologies for the delayed introduction. Alan Barsley. I greet Your Highness, Prince Thirteen.”
“Yeah.”
Oscar nodded as if it were natural.
We hadn’t introduced ourselves, but from being shown to this room, it was clear they knew who we were.
In that case, it’s proper for nobles not to introduce themselves.
Nobles behave as if it’s natural for others to know who they are.
But they don’t rush things either.
I stayed silent, waiting for him to start talking.
Alan raised his head while still kneeling and looked at us.
“I witnessed what occurred earlier. I am simply in awe of Your Highness, Prince Thirteen’s great power.”
“It’s nothing special. After all, this was caused by us. I just took care of it myself so it wouldn’t trouble the people.”
As I replied, I noticed Oscar’s satisfied smile.
“Oh, what a magnanimous person you are. Surely you can unravel the mystery of this.”