“NATE!?! Where are you, Nate?” At the sound of my mother’s calling, I shoved XETRAL THEORY AND FOUNDATION: BEGINNING OF A XETRALITE onto the bottom shelf. Moving “quickly”, I crawled back into the room I called home. Just in time too, as not five seconds later my mom came into the room. “There are you, Nate. I must have missed you crawling around when I glanced in here earlier. Come, the King of Camiare will be visiting and he will want to see you.”

So the person who is visiting now must be a herald or messenger. I couldn’t help being annoyed that I didn’t get to read more of the book, even though this will be a great opportunity for learning more about this country … wait … if its a king doesn’t that make this a kingdom?

In my mother’s arms, I entered what I dubbed the kitchen. Adjusting my eyes to the candlelight mixed with the setting sun, I looked at the people in the room. At one side of the table was my father, Arthur, on the other was the one I assumed was the messenger. He was wearing a long cloak that hid his clothes. He was about five feet 10 inches tall, with black hair and a light scruffy beard. He looked to be in his early thirties and he was also muscular. “Commander Lupix, I would like you to meet my son, Nathaniel Armis. ”

Okay, so I was wrong. This guy definitely isn’t just some king’s herald.

“Hello there. I hope you grow up to be just as strong as your father.” His voice was less gruff than I thought it would be, but it was still deep. He nodded in greeting to my mother and then turned back to my father, “King Roland will be here shortly. I’ll let him tell you about the current situation and why we are here visiting tonight.”

“I suppose this has something to do with the rumors I heard of a demon appearing in the southern part of the kingdom?” My father inquired.

So there are demons in this world too … … I wonder if I will have to deal with them later? Don’t tell me there will be the classic “demon king reborn and leads a demon army to conquer humanity but is stopped by chosen hero XXX with party”... … I hope not … …

… … … … … and this is a kingdom!

Focusing back on the conversation on hand, I heard Commander Lupix continue as he chuckled slightly, "Your intuition hasn’t dulled a bit since our days working together. You always caught on fast. Yes, you are correct. I might as well tell you. There is a Zeniv class demon at the third level near the town of Fari. We need your experience in dealing with it.”

… … … I am guessing that the term Zeniv demon refers to a type of demon, but for how powerful it is, the only clue I have is third level. … … … too vague.

A sharp knock on the door broke my train of thought. Everyone turned toward the door. Still holding me in her arms, my mother opened the door. Standing there was a man a little shorter than Commander Lupix. He had combed brown hair with a short beard. From his posture and the way he handled himself as he entered the room under my mother’s greeting, I assumed that this was the King Roland I had heard about.

“Why hello there, little one.” addressing my mother he asked, “So I am right to guess that this is your and Arthur’s son?”

“Yes, your Highness. His name is Nathaniel.” My mother replied.

Taking his hand, King Roland placed it on my forehead. Suddenly, I felt a course of energy as what I assumed was mana was emitted into my body through his hand.

“I think your son has potential, Arthur. I can feel the Xetral stirring in his body reacting to my own.” the King said.

… … that term Xetral … … … maybe it is this world’s word for future power?

Actually it would make sense if this “Xetral” was the word for mana. But if that is true, what did the other words in the book mean?

I turned back to the current events at hand.

“Lupix, have you informed Xetralite Armis of the situation at hand?” King Roland asked Commander Lupix.

Bowing down, Commander Lupix replied, “Yes, your Highness, I have informed him of the current situation and he knows the gist of the problem at hand.”

Turning toward my father, King Roland addressed him, “Sorry to bother you, but with your expertise in the field of gamic and control of both Xetral and Retah, it is vital for you to be there protecting the people. I would like you to join the subjugation team and head for the Forest of Durel near the town of Fari, where the third level Zeniv demon is currently located.”

My father bowed, “As you command, your Highness.”

Soon after that both Commander Lupix and King Roland left. I only know this because I heard the door open and close as people said their goodbyes (My mother had put me to bed as soon as my father agreed to the King’s request).

I am honestly surprised and a little disappointed that I won't get to go with my father. Normally, in an isekai, with an adventurer parent or something similar, the main protagonist will encounter some sort of demon/evil beast as a 3-6 year old when traveling with said parent/ guardian. I am only 2 years old. No rational parent would take their child to a dangerous demon hunt. Still, I won’t get to see what demons are like or gauge the strength of a third level Zeniv demon.

I hope I won’t have to fight a demon lord. Or form a hero’s party. I often couldn’t stand some of the supporting characters in those manga/anime. And anyways, those parties often don’t end well.