Chapter 94: The King’s Decree

The re-measurement of Jeryon and Shani’s beast energy took place out in the open inside the instructors’ office at Lion Building.

By lunchtime, word had spread to every student across all three buildings that the two first-years were candidates of Direct Students under the instructor from Nova City.

Just as everyone assumed this was the most mind-blowing piece of news they would hear all day, a prefect who happened to be in the office during the test leaked their actual ranks.

"Prince Jeryon’s rank is higher than S-Rank, and Shani Rowan is B-Rank!"

In an instant, the "cursed partners" who had been the laughingstock of the academy just a month prior were transformed into the most powerful duo in school.

Naturally, the news didn’t escape the royal family’s notice, and they received even more detailed reports regarding Shani’s unusual condition.

"So the Argenor Royal Family can produce an heir higher than S-Rank after all, just like those arrogant beastmen up at Aetheria Peak!" the King boomed with a satisfied laugh.

"Indeed, Your Majesty. You and the royal house shall forever reign supreme," the Advisor who delivered the report replied with a faint smile.

Seeing that the King was in high spirits, the Advisor pressed on. "Your Majesty, Prince Jeryon is now the highest-ranked beastman in all of Argenor. Furthermore, even though he can only bond with a single partner, Shani Rowan is no ordinary girl."

"Her rank may currently be B-Rank, but given her body’s ability to rank up without relying on beast essence, she could very well reach even greater heights."

"You’re right," the King nodded, stroking his chin. "Summon the second prince back to the palace."

"At once, Your Majesty," the Advisor bowed.

...

That afternoon, Jeryon received a call from the palace chief of staff summoning him home.

Jeryon replied in an icy tone, "I’m not coming back."

"Your Highness, this is the King’s command," the chief of staff explained as politely as possible.

Given Jeryon’s newly revealed rank, no one doubted that he was destined to rule the kingdom in the future.

Jeryon said nothing more and hung up on the spot.

"Jer, is something wrong?"

Shani’s worried voice made Jeryon turn around on reflex. Noella and Kiran, who had been waiting outside the Class 1, walked over with Shani toward the elevator.

Jeryon shook his head. "It’s nothing."

Unfortunately, trying to evade the royal palace by simply hanging up and blocking numbers was entirely ineffective.

The following morning, Jeryon was summoned to the Headmaster’s office. Had he not wanted to cause a scene in class, he never would have agreed to go.

"Return to the palace and hear out what the King wants, Jeryon," the Headmaster said gently.

"Haven’t I made my refusal clear enough?!" Jeryon met his gaze coldly.

The Headmaster exhaled sharply and chose to lay all his cards on the table.

"The King intends to revoke Renard’s Crown Prince decree and restore it to you. Everything that was once yours will be returned."

Jeryon scoffed bitterly. "The man has truly lost his mind."

"Jeryon, mind your tongue!" the Headmaster reprimanded him sternly.

"Am I wrong?" Jeryon countered, his voice sharp with anger.

"The moment he learned the first prince was an S-Rank at five years old, he named him Crown Prince without conducting any proper checks. And what happened? Turns out he isn’t even a Solar Lion beastman! Something that could have been uncovered from the very beginning was—"

"Enough, Jeryon!" the Headmaster cut in, his expression hardening.

"Uncle, you know better than anyone what I had to endure after that," Jeryon said, his sharp tone carrying a raw, underlying pain.

"I refuse to take the Crown Prince title back from my brothers for a second time. So drop it. I’m not going back."

Jeryon stood up and walked out, ignoring the Headmaster calling after him.

The Headmaster let out a heavy sigh.

Knowing how treacherous and miserable Jeryon’s life in the palace had been, he had readily supported sending him off to Nova City in the first place.

He had never anticipated that things would spiral into such a complicated mess.

The Headmaster contacted the King’s Advisor, relaying Jeryon’s refusal and his own inability to sway the prince.

The King and his Advisor were currently en route back to the palace from an inspection tour when the call came through.

The Advisor’s brow furrowed. Having served the King throughout his entire reign, he knew that the succession to the throne had always been a major thorn in their side.

He walked down the corridor of the private aerobus and entered the King’s rest quarters, occupied only by the monarch and his personal guards.

"What is it, Advisor Cross?" the King asked, knowing that if his advisor interrupted his rest, it must be an urgent matter.

Magnus Cross promptly relayed the Headmaster’s message to the ruler of Argenor.

"He’s grown quite a backbone after spending time away from the palace, hasn’t he?" the King snorted.

"Your Majesty, knowing Prince Jeryon’s temperament, pushing him too hard will only breed deeper resentment. It would be wise to persuade him using a softer approach for now," Magnus advised.

"And what soft approach do you suggest?" the King asked, not immediately dismissing the idea.

"According to reports, the second prince cares deeply for his partner. He has gone out of his way for that girl on multiple occasions. What if we use Shani Rowan to convince him?"

"The missing Ashbourne daughter?" The King pondered the suggestion.

"A few days ago, House Ashbourne searched detailed records regarding Shani Rowan, and I cleared the way for them. They should be claiming her officially soon enough. I can instruct them to pass the message through Shani."

"Proceed with that," the King finally agreed. As long as the royal house didn’t stoop too low by directly begging an orphan girl for help, he saw no issue with it.

...

Down in the lobby, Shani was picking up two boxes of milk pies, completely oblivious to the storm brewing around her.

Jeryon had accompanied her downstairs, as she intended to hand one of the boxes directly to him.

Just then, Shani’s eyes inadvertently drifted toward the glass doors of the lobby.

Two men in sharp suits were being escorted past Panther Building by a security guard. One of the men looked strangely familiar, though Shani couldn’t get a clear look at his face.

Still, an uneasy feeling began to crawl up her chest.

...