The observer turned out to be Lord Kyan, the royal advisor to the King.

He had a habit of wandering the town disguised as a helpless old man so he could see what life was for the commoners and to learn the trends as well.

It was what he was doing today when he witnessed the fight between the boy and the two men.

Kyan was a very powerful mage. He had mastered almost all the tiers of cultivation and was in fact one of the youngest to do so, second only to the king. So he had an eye for recognizing talent.

The way the boy had moved had left him dumbfounded. He had rubbed his eyes to see if they were deceiving him, but they weren't, the boy had used Phantom Step, a technique that was supposed to be advanced for someone his age.

He immediately knew he had met a generational talent.

He forgot all about his relaxation and returned to the palace quickly.

The guards were shocked to see him back so early, but he paid them no heed as he rushed into the palace, eager to spill all he just saw to the king.

In the palace, he met the king deep in thought. After bowing, he said to the king, "Your Highness, I have something to discuss with you. I have seen something I cannot keep to myself alone."

xxx

The next morning there was a knock on Jae's door, with his mom's voice calling him quietly, "Jae."

Jae stood to open the door and saw his mother standing there. But she wasn't alone, two tall men towered over her.

They were dressed in the uniforms of the royal guard, and when they saw Jae, one of them spoke, asking if they could come in.

Jae's heart pounded. He wondered if they had somehow figured out he was reincarnated and didn't belong to this world.

Whatever the case might be, he couldn't say no to the royal guards. So he nodded and opened the door wider for them to enter.

The two guards entered and stood on either side of the door. They looked around the room, and then one of them called, "It is safe, sir."

A very short man stepped into the room then. He looked around the room and nodded satisfactorily.

"You can sit down, ma'am," he said and gestured towards Jae's mother. She shook her head tensely, preferring to stand.

"What's going on, mom?" Jae asked, already plotting an escape. It would be easy; he would just have to get past the two guards.

The short man shook his head. "I insist, madam," he said, and his mother, seeing that he wouldn't take no for an answer, sat at the edge of the bed.

He walked up to Jae and said, "First, let me say that we're not here because you're in trouble. In fact, it's the opposite."

He looked at Jae's mom and smiled. "You've impressed a member of the royal court, and he thinks you've got talent. He thinks you could be one of the best mages this kingdom has ever seen."

Jae blinked. He was surprised and also relieved that he wasn't in trouble.

The man smiled and said, "Don't overthink it, just read this letter. The king expects you in the palace by tomorrow. We will come to pick you ourselves."

He turned to go, but then looked back. "Don't worry about your mother, Jae," he said. "She will be taken care of. In fact, a servant boy will be sent here to help her with the farm work. The king has decided that the only thing of priority is your mage training."

With that, he turned and left with the two guards.

Jae went to sit by his mom, who was sobbing.

"It must have been yesterday, when you fought those men. Someone must have seen it and reported to the king," she said.

"Yes," Jae replied. "But why would the king want me to be in his palace?"

"I don't know, but you have to go," she sobbed. "No one disobeys the king, Jae."

xxx

Later in the evening, Clara came to meet him, and she noticed his moody demeanour.

"What's wrong, Jae?" she asked, sitting by him and putting her hand on his lap.

"I have to go to the palace tomorrow," he replied.

"Why?" she asked.

"The king summoned me," Jae replied with a sigh.

"The king summoned you?" she asked, disbelieving.

"Yes," Jae replied, and showed her the letter.

She read it and then looked up at him in mild surprise. "You're not kidding." Then she added, "So when are you coming back?"

Jae sighed. "I don't know. They want me to stay at the palace."

Clara was horrified at the news. She read the letter again and saw where he was asked to remain in the palace and continue his mage training indefinitely.

She sat up. "You really are leaving," she said. "Tell me you will come back for me."

"I will," Jae said with firm conviction.

Clara cupped his face and kissed him passionately.

"When?" she asked when she pulled back.

"As soon as I can," he replied.

"Not good enough," Clara replied with a tut.

She was silent for a while before speaking up again. "I guess we should do it, right? One last time."

Jae smiled despite his mood. Clara was such a nympho. "Okay," he said.

Clara smiled, perking up. She pulled him. "Come on, get up."

Jae smiled as he got up, placing his hand on her waist as they walked, and then lowering it so it rested on her butt.

She slapped his hand away. "Someone could be watching us," she hissed.

But Jae only smiled.

"Even better," he said.