I Became the Youngest Prince in the Novel

TL/Editor: raei

Status: ongoing

Illustrations: none

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"Outside?"

"Yes, outside. The deity used that word when speaking of you. Whether it specifically referred to you or something about you, I'm not certain."

Obergia nodded at Zion's question.

"Whether by chance or intent, that word appeared only once in our conversation. Yet strangely, it stuck in my memory."

"Outside..."

'Could it be the Black Star Force?'

That seemed possible.

The Black Star Force was an alien power that didn't belong anywhere.

In that sense, "outside" fit perfectly.

'But even so, why specifically use the word "outside"?'

Was there some hidden meaning?

There was no way to know.

"Don't ask which deity I spoke with. That must remain secret."

Actually, the very fact of having such a conversation should have remained secret, but the Light Dragon had chosen to reveal this much as a gesture of gratitude to Zion, accepting the potential consequences.

Zion nodded in understanding and briefly tried to deduce more before letting it go.

There were simply too few clues at present.

'Better to wait for more information before thinking about it further.'

Just as Zion lifted his cup again-

-It's been a while, Light Dragon.

The frost spirit, who had been quiet until now, revealed itself and acknowledged Obergia.

-Has it been nearly 2,000 years?

The spirit looked down at the Light Dragon with overwhelming arrogance.

Though being smaller than Zion's seated height and thus actually looking up rather than down, the spirit maintained its haughty demeanor.

Obergia studied the suddenly appeared frost spirit intently before turning to Zion.

"Emperor, what is this spirit? It appears to be a primal spirit..."

-Hmph, you don't recognize me? Understandable. I myself didn't recognize you as that dragon from before at first.

The girl nodded with what she clearly thought was a dignified expression, while Zion watched briefly before addressing the Light Dragon.

"The Frost Queen. Or more precisely, part of her spiritual body."

"Huh... this spirit is the Frost Queen? I knew she vanished for some reason a thousand years ago, but to think she existed in this form..."

Obergia stared at the frost spirit with amazed eyes at Zion's words.

He'd thought nothing could surprise him after living over nine thousand years, but since meeting the man before him, that notion kept being proven wrong.

-Since you recognize me now, show proper respect. Though as a ruler of this city, you need not bow your head - I'll allow that much.

The frost spirit, having created an ice chair to sit beside Zion, continued struggling to look down at the Light Dragon.

To any uninvolved observer, it would have appeared quite adorable.

"I need to give this one a name - any good suggestions?"

Ignoring those words, Zion turned to Obergia as if suddenly reminded. He had been thinking about the spirit's name for a while but was struggling to find anything suitable.

The best he'd come up with were things like "Frosty" or "Icy."

Of course, those only seemed good to Zion - from the frost spirit's perspective, such names would be grounds for immediate contract termination.

The dragon before him had lived countless years and gained much wisdom - perhaps he could offer a worthwhile suggestion.

"Hmm... a name."

The Light Dragon stroked his chin at Zion's question.

"A name is the clearest element defining one's existence. That's why it's so important. Especially for a primal spirit - their very essence can change based on their name, so we must be particularly careful."

-At least you understand its significance. Yet this contractor tried to name me "Chirpy."

The frost spirit glared at Zion with half-lidded eyes.

Zion suddenly wondered how the spirit would react if it knew the names he'd been considering.

"Haha, that sounds more like a pet's name. Let me offer some advice - since this spirit was previously the Frost Queen, choosing something related to that would be good. It might even awaken some of that power."

The Frost Queen had nearly broken free from the cycle of reincarnation, nearly reaching divinity.

Even a fraction of such power would be beyond imagination.

"Additionally, it would be better if the name itself carried power."

"You mean like dragon speech or divine words."

"Exactly. You catch on quickly. If needed, I could share some dragon words related to ice. Using those to create a name might yield good results."

"That definitely seems like a better approach."

-Contractor, can I truly have expectations this time?

The frost spirit clasped its hands together and asked with sparkling eyes at Zion's positive response.

Such behavior was rare from the spirit.

Zion could feel how desperately it wanted a name from that reaction.

'I should name it soon.'

Come to think of it, living without a name must not be easy.

"Will you return to the imperial palace now?"

After their discussion about the spirit's name ended, Obergia asked Zion.

He assumed Zion would leave since he'd achieved his goal and showed no interest in the exchange conference.

But Zion shook his head.

"No, I still have something to do."

As he spoke, an individual came to mind.

The second reason he'd come to the floating city personally, and someone who would play a crucial role in the coming war with the demon realm.

The time to make contact with that person was approaching.

* * *

-You are an existence the world truly needs.

Those were the last words Celphia's father had left before dying when she was young.

Her father, a renowned magician even in the floating city, had spoken with absolute conviction in his eyes.

But Celphia thought those words were wrong.

Her existence wasn't needed anywhere.

"Look, that rock is here for class again?"

"Yeah. Why does she even come when it's pointless anyway?"

Conversations from nearby students reached her ears.

Celphia knew they were talking about her.

Rock.

It was a nickname mocking her hopeless magical talent - she could barely even sense mana.

Celphia thought the nickname suited her situation well.

A rock - something useless lying by the roadside, kicked around before quietly disappearing without anyone noticing.

'No, maybe I'm even worse than a rock...'

At least rocks weren't cursed at just for being there.

"Honestly, isn't it annoying having class with her? Makes me feel like my level is dropping too."

"I'm annoyed she's even in this city. Shouldn't she just leave on her own? She'll be forced out when she comes of age anyway for being substandard."

That was true.

The floating city gave those born there a grace period until adulthood, but mercilessly expelled anyone who didn't reach a certain magical level by then.

Of course, Celphia, who would come of age next year, had no way to avoid expulsion.

She couldn't even properly use basic level 1 magic - that's how poor her aptitude was.

"Hey, rock. Why pretend you can't hear when we know you're listening? Don't tell me you can't speak either, not just cast magic?"

With those words, several mischievous students used manipulation magic to lift Celphia's spell book and notes into the air, moving them around.

"You won't be able to use these spells anyway, so why bother looking at them?"

Celphia stood up and waved her hands trying to catch the floating spell book, but it kept dancing just out of reach of her fingertips.

The professor writing magical formulas on the blackboard turned around at the commotion.

"What's going on during class?"

The professor spoke with cold eyes.

But those eyes were directed at-

"Celphia, take your book and sit down immediately. If you continue disrupting class, I'll have to send you out."

Celphia.

Despite clearly understanding the situation, the professor only scolded her.

The reason was simple.

The professor didn't consider Celphia a student.

No, more than that - they considered her a disgrace to Seifran Magic School, which children born in the floating city attended.

"Wow, is she leaving already? Not even listening to the professor."

Between the snickering students and the professor's increasing urgency, Celphia kept flailing her hands trying to catch the spell book.

Pathetic.

This situation, her circumstances - everything was just pathetic.

'Why was I even...'

Why was she born?

An existence needed nowhere in the world.

That was Celphia.

How much longer would this utterly pathetic time continue?

Finally-

"Celphia, get out of my classroom-"

Just as the professor was about to issue the final command with irritated eyes-

CLANG!

The classroom door suddenly opened.

Over a dozen people began entering.

When those entering came into view-

"V-Vice Mayor!"

Everyone present, including the professor, was struck with shock and bewilderment.

Ackendelt, Vice Mayor of the floating city.

Ahmad Ozlima, the White Flame Emperor - one of the Seven Heavens and leader of the empire's exchange conference delegation.

Additionally, the highest-ranked magicians who effectively controlled and governed the floating city.

These top officials, whose faces were rarely even seen, were now entering the classroom.

'Why would they...'

Though everyone present wondered this, no one could answer.

Even the principal of Seifran Magic School who had led them here wore an expression of complete confusion.

Then-

"Show proper respect to the person entering now."

Ackendelt spoke these words and began bowing his head first.

'...What?'

People's eyes filled with question.

Was there really someone in this city who would make even Vice Mayor Ackendelt show such respect?

But their questions were erased by-

Step.

The sound of footsteps that came next.

Though very soft, those footsteps rang clearly in everyone's ears.

Their heads turned automatically toward the source, as if enchanted by the strange sensation emanating from those steps.

There he stood.

The deep gray hair unique to direct imperial bloodlines and eyes filled with such languor they seemed to pull you in.

Though this was their first time seeing him in person, everyone instantly knew who this man was.

The alien yet overwhelming presence emanating from every glance and gesture.

In all the world, only one person among the imperial family could possess such an aura.

'Sixth Prince Zion Agnes.'

One year.

In just one year, this incomprehensible figure had risen from an imprisoned prince with no foundation to become the most likely successor to the throne.

The monster of Agnes who had shocked the entire world with his unprecedented actions and impossible achievements.

Unable to move their heads as if fixed in place, everyone stared at Prince Zion.

Step, step.

Having instantly captured all attention and control of the situation upon his entrance, Zion began slowly crossing the silent classroom.

Where could he be heading?

Finally-

Step.

His footsteps stopped in front of Celphia.

Her eyes began to tremble.

At that moment-

"Celphia Woodhart."

As Zion spoke her full name-

"I need you."

Words no one present could have anticipated followed.

/5 Enjoy the chappy!

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