After finishing their lunch, they rested In the night, then came back in the morning. Each family sat by their designated table.
The table was circular, and made of transparent glass, above it were metal glasses with different juices, ice cream cups, and some fruits.
After waiting for a whole day, it was finally time to see who the real hero was.
The Thornvail family sat by their round table, which was the farthest from the main stage.
On the main stage stood a man in black suit and blue tie, talking about something.
[Honey, why didn't you tell them about our son's talent?] Cedric whispered to Seina through a telepathic communication device.
They had to wear a device similar to Bluetooth before starting the conversation since it wasn't a skill that could be learned by just anyone. It was a magic to be casted by the magicians.
[Because if I had, they would have stuck to our son like glue. They might have tried to manipulate my Ray,] Seina whispered back while eating a fruit, as if nothing special was happening.
[So what's wrong with them sticking like glue? Their status is higher than ours; we wouldn't lose anything from that. And as for manipulation, why would they do that?]
[Have you ever seen them talk to us respectfully before? They just want a relationship that benefits them, and I'm not letting them use my son in any way.]
Cedric turned his head toward Ray, who was licking an ice cream scoop, that was on a spoon, which was held by his mother.
[But it's not like they've disrespected us before either, have they? And think about Ray. Even if they're thinking politically, their children are still pure-hearted, aren't they?]
[My child is special. I won't let those low-lives marry my son. At the very least, it must be a beautiful, kind, supportive, and—last but not least—rich princess.]
Cedric turned his head, looked at his beautiful wife with a straight face, then glanced at his reflection in the juice glass on the table. 'She didn't have her bar set high when choosing me, though.'
[But… well… he can… have…. multiple wives too.]
Seina snapped her head and looked at Cedric with a sharp, narrowed gaze.
[I won't let you mislead my child.]
She held Ray even tighter with both hands, Ray had already finished the scood, so he was licking his lips, preparing for the next scoop.
[One is more than enough. Go find someone for yourself if you dare.]
[I'm good,] Cedric muttered, turning his head in front, when the man had completed the speech, and again thanking everyone for attending the event.
It was an informative speech about past heroes, the current situation on Earth, how the next generation would impact the world, and how important it was to take good care of the child who would become the hero, and a lot of useful stuff….
Ray taps on his mother's hand for another scoop. 'When will the test happen?'
"Now, I would request every family to enter that room one by one," that old man who was giving the speech said, bowing and gesturing toward a direction.
The family with the muscular mother stood first, since they were closest to the room.
Ray looked at the ice cream scoop basket, from which a cold mist was coming out, then he tapped again on his mother's arm and pointed at it, she took one another scoop and put it in front of Ray's mouth.
Ray was looking at the black and white kid, who was staring back at him. His gaze was deep yet empty, calm yet violent.
'I would eat five more ice creams.' he replied, then licked the ice-cream.
One by one, families went inside and came out. There was no particular change in any of their expressions.
Gradually, Ray had eaten four scoop of ice cream.
Ray tapped on Seina's hand, then she put the spoon on the basket again, the ice-cream came a bit closer towards Ray, as Ray stared at it with open mouth, but before it could reach him, the ice cream drifted away. He stretched his hands out, but the ice cream seemed to have changed its mind, for once the whole world spun around him, then he saw the table where the ice-cream was.
Perhaps it wasn't the ice-cream that was going from him, maybe it was the table.
Then he realized—it wasn't even the table. It was the world, moving past him.
Everyone was looking at him as they kept getting further and further away.
And then, a door closed between him and the ice cream.
That was saddening.
"Ray, extend your hand. Put your hand on this ball."
Ray turned his head at the voice.
In front of him was a dull white ball.
'Oh right, the balls.' Ray said with an empty expression.
The king stood before them, watching carefully. Ray, with his empty eyes and open mouth—saliva already dripping onto the ball—extended his hand.
'That's nasty…' the king thought with his eyebrows furrowed, nose wrinkled, and curled lips, 'Well, I guess it will just get vaporized now.'
A light reflected in Ray's eyes, slowly brightening the entire room. As the brightness faded, a strange sizzling sound seeped out, followed by vapor rising from beneath Ray's face.
The king let out a breath of relief with closed eyes, then smiled.
"Congratulations, Baroness. Your son is the chosen one," said the king, with both his hands slightly lifted.
"Thanks, thanks." Seina bowed before the king, holding her child closer to her chest.
"Your Highness, this lowly woman would like to request something." King nodded twice, and the woman continued, "Could you please ensure my child has no enemies, at least until he becomes strong enough to protect himself?"
"Of course, I would gladly do that, In fact, I was already planning to give the hero's family a place in the royal palace, if it is anyone other than the son of the arch-duke. And since it is you, you don't even have a small village to govern, so you don't have to worry about that thing either,"
"Thank you, my lord." She bowed again, then another request came to her mind, "And could this remain a secret… that my son is the hero?"
"This would have remained a secret even if you hadn't asked for it. And if, by some chance, this information leaks, you can cut off his head."
The king placed his hand on the old man's head, who was standing there silent all this time, he was only person in the room who had no relation to Ray. He gulped, and remained silent.
King continued, "You can rest in the palace today and then return home so no one suspects anything. Then, come back a few days later."
"That sounds awesome! We'll do just that," Cedric said with a grin.
"Idiot, behave yourself. He is not your friend," Seina whispered, kicking Ray's father's foot, making him jump in pain.
The king let out a laugh, "Well, actually, he is. It's a long story." He said, looking at the baron, then looked at the baroness, "Now, you might want to attend the others, or they might find this suspicious."
"Yes, my lord."
Cedric bowed his head with an awkward smile before leaving the room with his family.
Even though the main reason for their visit to the palace was complete, the king ordered them to enjoy the day and rest before leaving.
But duke had to leave the party, while his wife and son stayed.
…
Sons were with their fathers.
Daughters were with their mothers.
Everyone enjoyed the party night.
Cedric spent his time with the men.
Seina spent her time with the women.
Ray invested his time with healthy ice cream.
The flavors were completely otherworldly, making him feel enlightened every time he tasted a new flavour.
Although he was a child, this ice cream was somehow healthy for children.
Somehow…