Cursed mage

Fifteen. That's the age required to gain rights to sword training. I look over myself in the mirror. I still look scrawny. Not very princely. The clothes are high classed to prove something, but I look... Nothing like my parents.

Stepping into the royal audience hall, I get watched. I need to request to join the training elites. I stand before the two people that make everyone in the country awe over. As crown prince I should be capable of similar. But I'm more likely to be missed by others. I'm average in my looks and way. The only unique feature is my magic, my curses, and my mana. But you cannot see any of that looking at me. Not without being a high classed mage yourself. Most aren't.

"Your Majesties?" I focus on them. They wait for my request. "I wish to join the training circuits. It is customary for the royals to join at fifteen."

"You are not able to, Thomas." The king offers. My father offers.

I close my eyes. "Why not, Your Majesty?"

"Do you wish I make the statement here?"

I lock my jaw and scan the room. I would think everyone knows the rumors. "So you believe the rumors then."

"Please return to your chambers." The king stands up.

I don't need guards being called on me. Ever since a few months ago... I sigh. Lord Odin isn't here anymore. But what he did with Mother... He's trapped in a tower deep in the forest. Unable to leave until the spell stops acting up. There are no stairs. Only a window to gain access. Only a bucket on a rope to travel up and down supplies. Odin can do a lot. He can have things teleport to him but he is unable to teleport out.

All because...

Dropping on my bed, I try to recall what truly caused this. It was known Odin and my mother were true loves. It is documented. But it was also something neither would act upon. As far as I knew. Something must've happened though to have my title switching off.

No longer crown prince. Can't call my father my father. Won't gain the same treatment as I did before. Because I am now seen as...

The door is knocked upon from the hall. "Tea, Your Highness?"

I move to gain access to the item. "Thank you."

"Paper and pen for you to write to him." The servant offers a smile. "This happens more often than you think. It'll be suited out long before your eighteenth birthday."

"Normally by the High Mage who can give proper readings of an area. What then when it is the highest Mage who did it?" I sigh. "The king doesn't trust the knowledge."

"Do you believe him your father?"

I think over myself. If I was comparing to His Majesty or to Lord Odin... I would think my father is the king. I even see myself in little Xavier. But even I... Cannot feel absolutely confident. "They didn't know they were true loves until my spell was created."

"See. A child after you may be a question, but you cannot be." The servant offers a warm smile. "Please enjoy your tea. When His Majesty calms, you'll gain your rights again."

"Or I'll be removed from the castle." As just a scrawny teenager. My magic is still more curse controlled than useful. I need to be completely on top of it anytime I cast. It's tough. Swords sounded far better. It's customary for the royals.

I settle with my tea on my couch just staring at the wall. "Every spell used was marked corrupted." I whisper to my cup. "After six months trapped, maybe His Majesty will believe the truth in the spells." Odin would not be able to corrupt the spells from afar.

Putting the tea cup down, I look out my window again. The training knights. I requested to join only to be denied. Because... "Then why don't I go through the trials?" It's how average people join. I won't gain the same treatment as walking in as crown prince.

I'm also not really the crown prince anymore. My thoughts drift to Xavier. I'll bet he'll be questioned too. Once my father doesn't see me anymore as a concern. Xavier was born while Odin was here. A quick glance in the mirror has me aware I don't need to hide anything about my external person. As long as my magic doesn't go haywire I should be fine.

The trials really aren't much after all. Proof you can swing a sword. Lift and carry it long distances. Handle basic chores and tasks...

I blink. Do I even know all the basic chores and tasks? That's the one piece as a royal would not be expected of me. Now... To pass... I'll need to pull off what most fifteen years old know how to do. "What is expected of an average fifteen year old anyway?"

Returning to the tea caddy, I write up my note for Odin. Explaining everything as I know it since my last letter. I don't know how long before I'll write another. He doesn't request them, but finds comfort in the words.

I don't tell him my plan. There's no reason to. I need to figure out the exact trial tasks, so I can learn how they are done before being caught by the challenge. No one is bothered by my actions about. I can join any tasks and chores within the castle. No one will think it's so I can ready for joining the trainings. Who would deny the king after all?

I can't believe I am planning on it. "As if I haven't before." I watch the trainings outside again. Swords should be easier for me than my magic. I've been training magic for years now. Although ever since Odin was... It's been tough. They need a proper High Mage, but there's been a refusal. Not that I can blame the mages for the refusal. The king seems a little off kilter.

"I need to get out of here." I glance at my door before climbing out my window. I know the path well. It leads me to the stables after a few quick movement. Can I hold a sword for a long time? Yes. They're not that heavy. Can I carry it swiftly? Of course. No harder than a bunch of other useless things I've been expected to carry. I always had to be careful of everything. The only question would be the items I wouldn't need to deal with if the king just signed off as me as a royal joining.

I look like a noble teen. Changing my outfit shouldn't be needed for my questions. It's often nobles seek to enter the knight trainings and lack the skills with the chores required for entrance. But unlike most, I doubt I'll have a second chance getting in. Hiding my image enough for one entrance exam should be possible. My father can't deny me if I'm fully entered before he knows about it.

If I fail... What will happen to me?