Chapter 252 - Meeting King Zelsh

"Anyway, today you'll be taken to Bore City, making this your last day in Trighton. Is there anything left for you to do or experience here before Jarrit takes you?"

Oli shook his head. "With everyone else gone, I don't see why I should wait any longer."

"Good. Since your body's fully healed and your cultivation has stabilized, then you'll be sent off immediately. You're welcome to go find Jarrit as soon as you'd like," replied Rhyner.

"Thank you, Master Rhyner."

"Just Rhyner in private. Considering what he's got in store for you, I wouldn't mind being on a first-name basis with a future mortal champion." Chuckling, Rhyner got up and pat Oli on the shoulders. "You'd better represent me well. I've done a lot to get on King Zelsh's good side. Don't go ruining that."

"I won't."

"Then get going. I look forward to hearing back about how great of a teacher I am."

They both laughed as Oli waved goodbye to the territory leader. It had only been two moons of a forced relationship, but Oli at least felt they were making the most of it. At least Rhyner was acting in a way beneficial to both territories and being cordial with them. That was more than Oli could ask for.

The brawny young man walked through the halls of the Trighton residence, soon finding his way out of the building. He immediately darted toward the institute and made his way to the dean's office. As soon as Oli knocked, the door opened itself.

"What took you so long?" Jarrit chuckled lightly, putting down a scroll. He placed it neatly onto a pile of open scrolls and stood up. "I'm guessing you're ready. Come. It's time you finally see Bore City."

Walking casually, they took the back exit. In only a couple of minutes, they reached the courtyard containing the formation platform. They entered while the student market was still closed for the day due to celebrations.

"Do I need to be aware of anything about Bore City?" asked Oli.

Laughing lightly, Jarrit mentioned, "You'll fit right in there. It's a city for beasts and humans, so I'm sure you'll enjoy your stay. Also, King Zelsh is quite outspoken and likes seeing that in others. Don't be afraid to share your honest opinion with him."

"I'll keep that in mind."

"Then let's go."

Slamming his staff onto the platform below, Jarrit activated the formation. A small pulse of spatial energy engulfed Oli and Jarrit, dispersing in the blink of an eye.

Far from the Trighton Territory, another pulse of spatial energy appeared as a giant formation lit-up with purple energy. Two silhouettes flashed into existence, that of an aging mage and a brawny youth. 

"Oh? Have you finally come?"

"Sorry for the delay," Jarrit replied, accustomed to spatial travel. "Are we too late to visit his majesty?"

"No. He's been eagerly expecting you. Follow me." It was a human man attending to the formation, bowing respectfully to Jarrit before turning to guide the mage.

Oli shook his body, not used to the tingling sensation of teleportation. But he followed with Jarrit, nonetheless. Blinking, Oli took in his new surroundings with great intrigue.

They were already inside a magnificent building, evident by the massive hallways at least fifteen-krin wide and ten-krin tall, if not larger. With the exquisite marble beneath their feet and overhead, Oli immediately understood the difference in wealth between a territory's leader and a region's king. 

"Please hurry, as his majesty wishes to see you as soon as possible," insisted the guide, adorned in simple, silk robes. "His majesty even postponed his meal in order to see you properly."

"Then we mustn't keep him waiting. Come on, Oliver."

Nodding to Jarrit, Oli sped up and made sure to not get left behind. The three men soon reached another hallway even larger than the first. This one had gold lining where the wall met the ceiling, getting thicker as they continued down the hall toward a final, gigantic set of double doors. 

"Please…" Nodding to Jarrit and Oli again, the guide put one finger over his lips to ask for their silence and use his other hand to pound harshly onto the door. "Your majesty, your guests have arrived!"

"Let them in! No need to wait any longer!" 

"Right this way…" The guide then opened one door. He barely cracked it open but it was more than wide enough for Oli's broad shoulders to fit through thanks to the door's size. "Good luck…"

Before Oli could even react to the guide's final words, the door was closed behind them. They now stood on one side of an enormous circular room. Oli guessed that it was at least thirty-krin wide. The throne was at the room's center. There was no back to the thrown, only a seat and armrests with a circular incline leading up to it instead of stairs. Strangely, it was absolutely oversized for the human man sitting there, who was unable to even reach the armrests while he sat in the middle.

"So Rhyner set you again, Jarrit? I guess he's busier than expected," the man's inhumanly deep voice chuckled, startling Oli. "And this is the young man that Rhyner wrote so much about… You know what will happen next, right?"

"Yes, King Zelsh, I do. But he doesn't."

"Oh, then I'll enjoy the show!" laughed the man, hopping off the thrown. His black, fur coat fluttered as he dropped from the high-up seat. Puffing out his chest and showing off the black and gold armor under the cape, the man grinning devilishly while rubbing his bald head. "You're Oliver, right?"

"Yes. And what sort of show will I be putting on?"

"Oh, some backbone! I hope you can protect it!" Getting closer and closer, Oli quickly realized that he had underestimated the man's size, likely due to the hulking throne. The man didn't hide his grin as he stopped in front of Oli and looked down at him. "You're a big kid, another thing I like. But do you have the strength to prove it? That's what we'll find out!"