I Reincarnated as the Bastard Prince? Well, At least I'm OP!
Chapter 54: Pressure

Chapter 54: Pressure

"I joined the adventurers club. Is there a problem with that?" I said, glancing up from my plate.

Raven’s brows furrowed with concern. "I don’t think it’s a good idea."

I bit into a piece of mutton, savoring the flavor before replying. "Relax, Raven. I can take care of myself. Besides, the club doesn’t go on quests that are extremely dangerous. It’s just basic missions—escort runs, monster patrols, stuff like that."

Raven’s fingers tightened around her fork. "That’s not the point. The Adventurers Club isn’t meant for someone your age. Those ’basic missions’ can turn deadly in an instant. One wrong move, and you could lose your life."

I took another bite, chewing slowly before answering. "All my life, I’ve wanted to explore this world, to gain real experience. This is my chance."

She narrowed her eyes slightly. "And what about the Demon King?"

I raised an eyebrow. "What about him?"

She leaned forward, her voice urgent. "Haven’t you given it enough thought? About slaying him and bringing peace to the world?"

I exhaled, setting my fork down. "Well, I’ve thought about it once or twice."

Raven’s expression hardened. "Archer, you have talent—more than anyone I’ve ever seen. You have the potential to end the Demon King’s tyranny. There’s no one else in this world more suited for the job than you."

A flicker of irritation sparked in my chest. "That’s the problem," I said, my voice tight. "I don’t want this to be a job or some grand task I have to burden myself with every waking hour."

Raven stood up sharply, her chair scraping against the floor. "You must care. Every minute that passes, innocent people—men, women, children—are being slaughtered by the Demon King’s forces. You alone can stop it. You should be prioritizing getting stronger for that battle!"

The dining hall fell silent. Even Skadra, who had been happily munching on a roll, paused to watch us.

Gwyneria noticed the rising tension growing between us.

"Skadra," she called. "Help me out in the kitchen."

Skadra didn’t say anything. She climbed down her chair and quietly followed Gwyneria out of the dinning hall, leaving just Raven and I alone.

Raven went on. "Archer, this battle isn’t about you. It’s about the fate of the world. You have to see reasons and stop being nonchalant about it."

Her words hit like a slap. My patience snapped.

"Then maybe I don’t want to battle the Demon King!" I shot back, glaring at her. "I’m just ten years old, Raven. I have a life to live—one that doesn’t revolve around fighting some evil tyrant. I’m not some prodigy obsessed with power and glory. I just want to adventure, to get stronger on my terms."

I raised my hand in the air. "This is exactly why I don’t want people knowing about my powers—because if they do, they’ll pile all their expectations on me. I’m done with pressure."

I stood up to my feet abruptly, my voice firm with resolve. "I’m going to live my life the way I see fit."

Raven opened her mouth to argue, but I didn’t give her the chance.

I turned and strode out of the dining hall, leaving her standing there, speechless.

The heavy door slammed shut behind me, the sound echoing through the stone corridors.

My chest burned with frustration, my fists clenched at my sides.

Why did it always come back to this?

Why couldn’t I just be me?

* * * *

I stood alone in my chambers, gazing out over the endless night sky from the balcony.

I rested my elbows on the stone railing, chin on my hands, my thoughts lost in the argument I had just had with Raven.

It burned in my mind, leaving a bitter aftertaste.

Then, a soft knock came at the door.

"Archer?" Raven’s voice called from the other side. "It’s me."

I didn’t answer, but the door creaked open anyway.

Footsteps approached, hesitant at first, then steady as she stepped onto the balcony beside me.

She didn’t speak immediately, just bowed her head.

"I’m sorry about what I said at dinner," she murmured. "That was uncalled for. I just... couldn’t understand your reasons. I didn’t mean to pressure you."

Silence stretched between us as she stood there, sharing the same view of the darkened horizon.

When she spoke again, her voice was softer, more vulnerable than I had ever heard it.

"The truth is... my grandmother was a powerful mage. The only one in our kingdom who still believed in the old ways of magic. When others abandoned hope, she gathered a small group of mages to fight back against the demon king’s forces."

A bitter edge crept into her tone. "She fell to his forces before she ever even faced him."

I turned my head slightly, watching her. Raven’s hands clenched at her sides, her knuckles whitening.

"I want to finish what she started," she admitted. "I’ll kill every last demon, no matter what it takes. I know I might never fill her shoes... and that’s okay. I’m carving my own path now."

There was silence for a while, just the wind moving through the balcony.

I studied her for a long moment before speaking. "Why are you telling me this?"

She let out a slow breath, her shoulders sagging slightly. "Because tonight, I realized my goal doesn’t align with yours. And that frustrates me. I’ve been asking too much from a boy who hasn’t even had the chance to grow into himself yet. I’m sorry."

I sighed, turning fully toward her. My expression was somber, but there was no anger left in me. Not anymore.

"Raven, there’s something you should know." I said quietly.

She turned to me, watching quietly.

"I’m an otherworlder," I revealed. "People like me... we come from another world, reincarnated into this one."

Her eyes widened slightly, but she didn’t interrupt.

I continued. "In my past life... I never had any talent. No purpose, no ambition. I couldn’t hold down a relationship, couldn’t build a family. I spent sixteen years slaving away for a company that drained me until I was just... an empty shell of myself."

My voice grew quieter as I recounted my past life to her. "I died a miserable man, with nothing to show for my life."

Raven’s caught her breath sharply, but she stayed silent, listening.

"When I woke up here, I was given gifts I never had before. Talent. Potential. A fresh start." I looked down at my hands, flexing my fingers slightly. "This time, I want to earn a better life. I want to explore, to get stronger, to adventure. Maybe one day, marry a beautiful woman, raise children. That’s the life I dream of now."

I took a deep breath, and met her gaze fully. "I know the Demon King is a threat. I know people die every day. But life is a process, Raven. And I’m just beginning mine. I’m not ready to face him—not yet. I need time. Time to grow, to make memories... to actually live the life I was given."

I exhaled, my shoulders relaxing slightly. "I hope you understand."

Tears welled in Raven’s eyes, glistening in the starlight.

For a moment, she just stood there, her sharp demeanor stripped away.

Then, without warning, she stepped forward and wrapped her arms around me in a tight embrace.

"I understand, Archer," she whispered, her voice thick. "I’m so sorry for putting you through so much stress. Please... forgive me."

I hesitated, then returned the hug, feeling the tension between us dissolving. "There’s no need for that. We just had a little quarrel. I forgive you, Raven."

She pulled back slightly, still holding onto my arms. Her expression was earnest. "I’ll fight alongside you, Archer. I’ll support you. I’ll help you make those memories. You don’t have to face anything alone."

A small, genuine smile tugged at my lips. "Thanks, Raven. You’ve always been a good friend to me. I appreciate you."

* * * *

The next day, Raven slammed her hands on Loki’s lunch table, her voice sharp with indignation.

"Huh?! You’re not taking me in because I’m a Layman?"

I stood a few steps behind her, arms folded, a small smile tugging at the corners of my lips.

I wasn’t even surprised. This was so Raven.

Loki blinked up at her, slowly wiped the crumbs off his mouth with a napkin.

"Your Highness, you misunderstand," he said smoothly. "This isn’t discrimination. It’s policy. The adventurers club is in partnership with the academy. We’re required to accept only those who actively practice magic."

"I’m not different from the rest of you," Raven pointed out. "I’m also practicing magic, aren’t I?"

Loki licked his lips. "Laymen aren’t eligible to join, no matter who they are, princess Eris. Even if we wanted to accept you, we couldn’t. No adventurer would pick you for their party."

Raven’s fists clenched. "Then how the hell am I supposed to fight alongside Archer? We promised to stick together to the very end!"

My eyes widened. I rushed to her side, waving my hands frantically. "We never said that! Watch what you’re saying!"

Loki gave me a lazy grin. "Eh? What is this? Are you two a couple?"

We both spun around to face him, our voices clashing in perfect unison.

"No, we are not!"

Our faces burned red, and we immediately turned away from each other in opposite directions, pretending to be way more interested in the floor tiles.

Then, a smooth voice cut through the awkwardness.

"Maybe I can help you, Your Highness."

We all turned toward the voice.

Standing a few steps away was a girl—beautiful, poised, dressed sharply in her academy uniform.

Her hair was pulled back neatly, and there was a confident smile on her face as if she already knew she had everyone’s attention.

Raven narrowed her eyes slightly. "And... who are you?"

The girl gave a small, polite bow.

"My name is Maltida Eldwyn. Top of the spellcasting division. And... I may have an idea."