I woke up as a King in a Fantasy World

Jareth's initial plan to tour the palace was temporarily put on hold.

Right now, information was his top priority. Before wandering around and engaging with the people in this unfamiliar world, he needed to gather enough knowledge to navigate conversations without looking like a clueless fool. The last thing he wanted was to expose himself by asking something painfully obvious or behaving in a way that made others suspicious.

With that in mind, he made a quick decision. As soon as breakfast was over, he would return to his chambers.

When he voiced this change of plans, his three subordinates exchanged brief glances, clearly puzzled by his sudden shift in priorities. Atticus, who had been eagerly looking forward to the tour, raised an eyebrow but said nothing. Lilliene, ever composed, simply nodded as if mentally adjusting her schedule.

Roderic, however, looked genuinely relieved. He crossed his arms and gave an approving nod. "Good. You should rest, My King. Touring the palace can wait. Your health comes first."

Jareth blinked at the knight's sincerity. For a man built like a fortress, Roderic sure had the temperament of a mother hen.

Still, this worked in his favor. "You're right," Jareth agreed smoothly, seizing the opportunity. "I should focus on recovering first. We can explore the palace another day."

Roderic nodded firmly, satisfied with the response, while Atticus smirked, resting his chin on one hand. "Well, that's a rare sight. His Majesty, actually listening to reason? I must be dreaming."

Jareth shot him a look. "Would you rather I continue acting stubborn and faint in the hallways?"

Atticus grinned. "Not at all. But I must say, this new version of you is… refreshing."

A new version?

Jareth frowned slightly. How exactly had the king acted before for Atticus to be so certain that he was different now? Was it because he seemed less imposing? Could it be due to the careless questions he had asked earlier? Or was it simply because he had agreed with Roderic instead of stubbornly insisting on his own way?

Does that mean the previous king was the type to never back down? Was he difficult? Arrogant?

Jareth sighed inwardly. He truly had no idea how to act like a king. 

Was he supposed to carry himself with unwavering authority, refusing to be questioned? Were kings usually proud, demanding, and unwilling to listen to advice?

Should I act like that too? Or should I insist that I've changed and lean into this 'new version' they seem to be noticing?

Lilliene sighed, pushing her chair back with graceful ease. "Then I'll adjust today's schedule accordingly. If Your Majesty needs anything, don't hesitate to call."

Jareth let out a quiet sigh of relief as Lilliene gracefully interrupted the conversation, diverting attention away from him. He wasn't sure how much longer he could maintain a composed front under Atticus' scrutiny.

His mind, however, was already preoccupied with something far more pressing—what exactly would he find in the king's room? Hopefully, there would be something useful, anything that could help him navigate this situation more smoothly. Documents, journals, a record of important events—anything that could give him a clearer picture of what was expected of him.

And speaking of help…

Jareth suddenly recalled the scene with the physician earlier. At the time, he had been so preoccupied with processing his new reality that he had nearly overlooked a critical detail—magic. 

The physician had used it so effortlessly, as if it were as natural as breathing. A simple flick of the hand, a soft glow, and his body had been scanned for injuries. It was such a casual display of power, yet incredibly profound to someone like him.

That's right—this is a fantasy world. A world where magic exists.

His gaze flickered toward Roderic, Atticus, and Lilliene. If magic was commonplace here, then it was highly likely that they possessed abilities of their own.

Roderic, as his personal bodyguard, had to be more than just a skilled swordsman—surely, he had something beyond just brute strength. Some kind of combat-related ability, perhaps? A magic-enhanced warrior?

Then there was Atticus. He clearly held a position of importance, and his earlier display of telepathy already hinted at his magical capabilities. But was that all he could do, or was there more to his power?

And finally, Lilliene. Though she carried herself with the grace and efficiency of a court official, Jareth doubted that someone in her position would be completely powerless.

 In a world where magic existed, wouldn't those in high positions naturally possess some kind of ability?

The realization struck him like lightning.

If they all have magic… then what about me?

As the king, shouldn't he have something too? Wouldn't it be strange if he didn't?

A sudden rush of excitement surged through him. His inner chuuni—the eighth-grade syndrome he had long buried—threatened to break free. 

What if he had some kind of overpowered, world-breaking ability? What if he was a legendary sorcerer or a wielder of ancient magic? The thought sent shivers down his spine.

He clenched his fists under the table, barely containing his anticipation.

Alright, let's think logically. What kind of power did the king have?

Jareth couldn't help but feel a flicker of hope at the thought of the king's abilities. If he had truly taken over the body of a ruler in a world of magic, then surely, the king's power must be extraordinary. And wasn't it common sense that transmigrators were usually the protagonists of their stories? That meant his abilities should be something grand.

His fingers twitched slightly as he tried to suppress his growing anticipation. If he could figure out what kind of ability he had inherited, it might just give him the edge he needed in this unfamiliar world. But rather than asking outright, which would only raise suspicion, he decided to take a more indirect approach.

He casually leaned back in his chair, glancing at the three who stood near him. With a carefully measured tone, he spoke.

"It's been a while since I've paid attention to such things, but I suppose I should ask—how are your abilities these days?"

Roderic, who had been standing with his arms crossed, raised a brow at the unexpected question.

"My abilities?" Roderic repeated, his brow slightly furrowing as if the question had caught him off guard. A moment later, his lips curled into a smirk, and he let out a small, amused scoff. "They are as sharp as ever, Your Majesty. If you're asking whether I have grown rusty, I assure you that is not the case."

Then, as if remembering something, his expression grew even more confident. "In fact, I've made great strides recently. It won't be long before I attain Class 5."

Jareth maintained his composed expression, but internally, his thoughts were racing. 

Class 5? What's that? Was it some kind of ranking system for their abilities? If so, then how many classes were there? And where did the king's own power stand in comparison?

While Jareth was busy contemplating this, he realized that Roderic was looking at him expectantly, likely waiting for a response. With the ease of someone who had long mastered the art of feigning understanding, Jareth nodded approvingly.

"Oh? Is that so? That's excellent progress, Roderic. Keep up the hard work," he said, making sure to sound both encouraging and authoritative.

Roderic straightened his posture even further, clearly pleased by the acknowledgment.

"Yes, My King," he said with a firm nod, his voice filled with unwavering conviction. "By then, I assure you—no harm shall ever befall you under my watch."

Jareth could only hope that promise would hold true. If anything, he needed all the protection he could get while he figured out exactly what his abilities are.

Jareth gave a small nod, pretending that he was merely checking on his subordinates' progress.

"I would expect no less," he remarked. "And you, Atticus?"

Atticus gave him a knowing smirk, arms loosely folded as he tilted his head.

"You rarely ask about this sort of thing, Your Majesty," Atticus remarked, his tone carried a trace of amusement, but his sharp gaze hinted at something more or maybe just intrigue at the king's sudden interest.

After a brief pause, he continued, "But if you're truly curious, I can assure you that my abilities remain as formidable as ever. My ranking still holds its place at the top—unsurprising, of course." A smirk played on his lips before he added in a teasing manner, "Unless, of course, Your Majesty is finally willing to extend your vast wisdom and share some insights on how I might push myself even further?"

What did this bastard just say? 

Jareth's thoughts came to a screeching halt. 

The top in the ranking? Atticus was that formidable? That would certainly explain Roderic's stiffness when they first encountered each other. Was it out of respect, or was it caution?

Jareth's gaze flickered toward Atticus, subtly reevaluating him. Just what kind of ability does he have to be ranked at the very top? Up until now, he had assumed Atticus' abilities were related to telepathy—after all, he had spoken directly into his mind earlier. But now, it seemed that wasn't the case, or at least, not the full picture. If he was truly ranked above others, then his power must be something far more dangerous than simple mind-to-mind communication.

Or… could telepathy actually be common here?

Maybe it wasn't even considered an ability, just a standard form of communication among those with magic. If that was true, then Jareth had seriously miscalculated.

And then there was the last part of Atticus' words—What wisdom? Jareth nearly scoffed aloud. I don't even know what my own abilities are yet! The irony of Atticus, of all people, expecting him to provide guidance on growing stronger was almost laughable.

Jareth forced himself to maintain a composed expression, though inwardly, his mind was in turmoil. 

How was he supposed to respond to that? He had no idea what Atticus' actual ability was, nor did he understand the ranking system they were talking about. He could feel Atticus watching him expectantly, likely waiting for some kind of insight or approval.

Damn it. If he hesitated too long, they might start suspecting something. He clenched his jaw for a brief moment before adopting a more unreadable expression. He needed to buy time.

With a calculated pause, he finally spoke, his tone deliberately cryptic. "That's not something you need to concern yourself with right now," he said coolly, his voice carrying an air of authority.

Atticus raised an eyebrow, clearly intrigued. "Oh? So there really is something, after all," he mused, a smirk tugging at the corner of his lips.

Jareth let out a quiet scoff, trying to maintain the illusion of control. "Perhaps. Let's just say… we'll revisit this conversation when the time is right." He met Atticus' gaze head-on, allowing just a hint of amusement to creep into his voice. "Until then, you'll just have to be patient."

Atticus chuckled, shaking his head. "Hah. As cunning as ever, Your Majesty. Fine, I'll wait—though I expect something worthwhile when the time comes."

Jareth merely hummed in response, resisting the urge to sigh in relief. That should keep him off my back for now.

Not wanting to linger on the topic any longer, he shifted his attention toward Lilliene. 

"And you, Lilliene?"

She blinked, seeming slightly taken aback by the sudden inquiry. "My abilities, Your Majesty?" She hesitated for a brief moment before answering in a composed manner. "There has been no significant change. They are as reliable as always."

Jareth felt both satisfaction and frustration at their vague responses. He had gotten them to confirm that they had abilities, but he still didn't know exactly what they were. More importantly, this didn't bring him any closer to figuring out his own power.

Jareth was just about to respond when Lilliene unexpectedly spoke up again. Her voice was steady, but there was a hint of hesitation in her tone, as if she were treading carefully.

"Your Majesty…" she began, pausing for the briefest moment before continuing, "Are you asking about our abilities because of the upcoming ritual?"

Jareth stiffened slightly at her words, caught off guard. 

Was that what she thought?

"If that's the case," she continued, her expression growing more resolute, "then please rest assured. You don't need to worry. We have taken extra precautions this time, and I promise you—we will not allow what happened last year to happen again."

Jareth's mind immediately latched onto her last sentence. 

Last year? What happened last year?

His heartbeat quickened as he processed her words. From the way she said it, it was clear that something significant—something dangerous—had occurred during the previous Vaelcrest Ritual. 

Roderic's expression darkened as he processed Lilliene's words, his usual steadfast demeanor giving way to something more serious. His sharp eyes studied Jareth, and after a brief pause, he spoke, his voice filled with concern.

"Is this why Your Majesty has been pushing yourself so hard? Is this the reason behind your exhaustion?" His brows furrowed, and there was a flicker of something akin to frustration in his gaze—though not directed at Jareth, but at himself.

Jareth barely had time to react before Roderic continued, his tone now laced with guilt. "My King, forgive me for not realizing your distress sooner. I had no idea that last year's incident still weighed so heavily on you."

Huh? What?

Jareth blinked, momentarily caught off guard. 

Is that what he thinks? That I've been exhausting myself over… whatever happened last year?

Before he could even formulate a response, Atticus stepped in, his voice cutting through the moment with unwavering confidence.

"Your Majesty, you shouldn't waste your thoughts on such trivial matters," he said, his tone firm yet oddly reverent. "Those ignorant fools are not worth even a fraction of your worry. Let them believe whatever nonsense they want—they are blind to your greatness."

Jareth tried not to let his confusion show on his face, but inwardly, he was scrambling to keep up. 

Ignorant fools? What ignorant fools? And what do they believe?

Atticus didn't stop there. His expression turned solemn, his silver eyes sharp with conviction. "Your wisdom and will are beyond their comprehension. It is not something the common mind can aspire to. Who cares if you were unable to manifest your ability?"

Jareth's breath hitched. 

Wait. What?

Atticus continued without hesitation. "It doesn't matter, Your Majesty. We, your devoted subordinates, will wield our strength in your name. We will be your sword and shield, as we always have."

Jareth felt a shiver run down his spine. His mind reeled at the implications of Atticus' words.

The king… never manifested an ability?

He had been so preoccupied with trying to figure out his own powers that he never considered the possibility that his predecessor… might not have had any to begin with.