The throne room was silent—awkwardly, painfully silent.
The atmosphere had shifted since Renji's results were revealed. Where there was once awe and admiration, now there was pity... and contempt.
The king sat back on his throne, brow furrowed in irritation.
"A summoned hero with only a basic spell and an unknown skill? What a waste of our magic and resources."
Gasps echoed among the knights and nobles.
A red-haired student stood up in protest.
"Your Majesty, that's going too far!"
"Yeah! He was summoned here just like the rest of us!"
Several of Renji's classmates spoke up. Even Haruto, one of Renji's close friends, stepped forward.
"Renji might not have powerful skills now, but give him time. He can catch up!"
The king slammed his scepter against the marble floor.
"Silence!"
he boomed.
"This is a battlefield, not a school for the weak. We cannot afford to train failures."
Renji seem dispointed after hearing what the king said -
"Failure....?"
"What do you mean by that?
He turned his cold gaze toward Renji.
"You have no place among heroes. Be grateful we let you live. You have to leave this castle immediately."
Renji stood motionless, the words cutting deeper than he expected. His fingers trembled slightly, but his eyes remained locked on the king.
Haruto tried to step closer, only for two knights to block his path.
"Please! Don't do this! He's still one of us!"
The king waved them off.
"If you wish to follow him, you may rot in the wilds together."
Renji slowly lowered his hand and took one last look around the room. His classmates avoided his gaze. A few looked sorry. A few looked relieved.
Only a handful had tried to help.
He smiled bitterly.
"So this is how it is…"
"How funny...!"
He turned his head toward the king, his expression no longer calm—but cold, serious, and full of fury barely held back.
"You summoned me by your own selfish wish. You judged me just for being weak. You threw me away like a trash."
The flames from the nearby torches reflected in his dark eyes.
"But remember my words." "I don't need your help to be a hero."
He turned and walked out of the grand hall without looking back—his footsteps echoing with quiet power.
The room remained silent long after he left.