Chapter 17: Final Exam(2/2)

"Would you look at that? My nephew is all grown up, but let me ask you this. Were you involved in an incident with a Noble years ago?" Uncle Ross came to him and asked with a straight face, his arms crossed as he waited for an answer.

(What? How… Did the girls tell him?) Alaric could only conclude as he tried to understand the origin of such a sudden question.

"You know, the reason me and my party could just come here and stop our work for a few years was because we were working, investigating the alleged attempted assassination of the son of Baronet Regali.

"While baronets aren't as important as nobles, they are still leagues above commoners, most merchants, and even most Knights. So to be involved in the attempted assassination of one would be a serious deal." Uncle Ross continued to speak as he walked up to his silent nephew.

(What do I say? It's clear he knows… No, wait... See what he says, you can't panic.) Alaric had a cold sweat as he listened.

"So, I'll ask a better one this time, Why did you do it?" Uncle Ross made it clear that he knew.

"Before I answer, for his long?" Alaric sighed as questioned.

"Since the beginning of training, your trial was all over the place, but I have to admit I was shocked and denied it for a long time, but eventually you just lined up too well to be a coincidence, especially your mana signature, even if you hadn't tried to kill the noble yourself, there was no denying you were there and fought using magic." Uncle Ross sat next to him as he responded.

"So, they can't claim it was me?" Alaric asked as he too sat down with his uncle.

"They will, even if they don't have the bodies of the Adventures involved that day, just the fact your mana signature was found a the place is more than enough for nobles to put you behind bars and even have you executed." Uncle Ross explained a solemn look on his face.

"In other words, you'll tell them about me." Alaric shook his head in disappointment.

"Of course not, I'm your uncle. Don't be a cynic. I just want to know why you did it, even if I have an idea, I need to hear it from you.

"To us adventurers, murder is not some forbidden sin, but it is still a serious matter to those who have not lost themselves yet. I don't care that you killed anyone, even humans, I just need to know why so I can decide where we are as two people connected by our blood." Uncle Ross expressed with a sober face.

"He kidnapped Crystal and tried to force himself on her…" Alaric's mana flared as he talked and veins popped on his forehead, as his feelings toward the matter were clear.

"I see… I would have done the same then. I won't tell you if it was good or bad, I don't really have the authority to do so nor the moral high ground. All I wanted was to understand why, and it's just as I thought.

"Unfortunately, however, I can't keep you hidden forever, you were lucky I was given this quest as soon as the adventurers guild knew I was coming here.

"The problem is that the moment I report that we couldn't find the culprit they'll get other adventurers on it, and they won't spare you. Especially since the noble kid would be able to recognize you, even if we did our best to erase all your tracks." Uncle Ross told him as he looked at the sky.

The two of them were sitting together under a blue sky, as the trees, bushes, and grass surrounded them, while at the back, Timina, Roshva, and Ermidia were silently watching them.

(It seems my failure to kill that brat is finally catching up to me… How pestering...) Alaric thought with a frown on his face.

"Do you have a plan?" Alaric asked not sure how he would proceed with this issue.

"Well, you actually have an easy way out. Joining the Great Sage Gustav Magic Academy could save you if they valued you enough, but somehow they didn't send you an invitation despite your immense talent.

"Even then, it's not over for you… two paths exist to escape this, one becomes an adventurer and rises in ranks before they confront you, then asks the adventurers' guild for help. If you are at least silver rank they will defend you.

"Finally, hope the rumors about the next royal summit are true. Someone with your potential is sure to be called by the palace and they would cover up the entire situation for you with no difficulty. Unless you would rather just live in hiding." Uncle Ross told his nephew about the choices at hand.

(I see… So I'll probably end up in the palace like Cardinal Ark predicted, but doesn't this mess with the future? Damnit! This is why I don't like time-related stuff it's too unstable…) Alaric rubbed his temples as he tried to wrap his head around the future.

"I don't think I can become a silver-ranked adventurer in time… So, I guess hoping for the palace is my only real chance." Alaric said as a sigh left his mouth.

"I could give you a recommendation letter, and it would be possible to make you a bronze-rank adventurer after a single test. You already have the qualifications to be one anyway." Uncle Ross suggested.

"I know, but I still wouldn't be able to become strong enough to pass the silver rank adventurer exam. It would be impossible to do so." Alaric expressed with a slight frown.

"Yeah, it would, the limit time for this investigation has already been extended to the max, so if I don't report anything my party will be in a bit of a troublesome situation. Again, I won't sell you out, but I won't be able to protect you any further either." Uncle Ross patted his head.

"Thanks… You've done more than enough, I'll take care of myself now." Alaric smiled lightly.

"Good to hear, I'm sure you will. Now then, show me what you've learned." Uncle Ross grabbed his nephew by the head, and threw him at a tree, causing the boy to fly at high speed and break through a couple of trees before stopping.

"… Arrhhh… That bastard… He actually went for a surprise attack at such a moment. I hate it, but I have to admit, it shows passion." Alaric slowly got up holding onto his back and stretching to get back on.

"This Ross, he really sucks at being an uncle… You should put everything into defending your family, you know! He's too bad with people…" Timina shook her head not happy about this situation.

"Come on, cut him some slack, he's worried about us. It's not like this situation can be easily brushed off, it's noble after all… We don't have the money to get out of this one." Roshva knocked on Timina's head as he expressed her perspective.

"You two are missing the point, this is a conversation between two men, if Alaric had asked for help, I'm sure Ross would have done it.

"However, his nephew is an adult now, so he can't just interfere because the situation looks ugly, he needs to respect the young man's independence first." Ermidia pointed out what she saw, as she watched the two and their ensuing battle.

The boy walked toward his Uncle, and past him to get his weapon, an unsuspecting light green pole just laying on a tree.

It was grabbed by the boy, and as he did, the weapon changed itself growing a blade as even the pole became different, going from a pole to a scythe.

"I'm forgiving you for that one." Alaric looked at his Uncle with a serious expression, but a smile under his ready eyes.

"Hahaha, you talk a big for a lightweight." Uncle Ross invited his nephew to attack with a hand gesture.

"Water Ball(Minor)" Alaric whispered as he gathered mana in his left hand, while holding his scythe with his right hand, and then leaped towards his opponent and went for a low swing with his scythe.

This resulted in Ross stepping on his face as he got out of the way of the attack and punched him back by jumping off him in the form of a double kick. He then caught himself with his hands and went following his opponent for the follow-up attack.

As the boy was sent flying again, he gripped his scythe in his right hand, then gathered mana in his eyes, and aimed his left hand before releasing the water ball he had already prepared just as he hit the ground.

Ross who was very close, smiled and leaped out of the way, as the water ball almost touched his hair, however, it was not over as Alaric swung his scythe at him, leaving no space for a dodge.

"Gotcha!" The boy smiled as he had done it.

"Well done." Ross responded as he opened his legs, stopped the scythe with one, and supported his landing body with the other.

Before Alaric could even complain about this outrageous move or cast another water ball, his uncle caught his arm free and went for a jab at his nephew.

(As if!) Alaric thought as he commanded his weapon to become a shield with spikes, large enough to push Ross's leg as if stopped his punch with extra damage to the opponent.

Cold sweat formed on Ross's face as his wolf ears began twitching and he changed his punch fist into an opened hand, before holding his whole body by that arm that was now grabbing the spike.

The weight was felt by Alaric who was once again put in a tough position by his own move.

(Get off!) Alaric thought as he made the spikes on the shield have smaller spikes I'm them as well.

Using only the one arm holding him up right now, Ross leaped off before the spikes came out as his wolf ears were twitching.

"Hehehe, that was a close call, and here I could just end it by crushing you under your own shield... I should have never given you that weapon, it's way too versatile…

"Oh well, it's not like I could use it that well anyway, you're one heck of a monstrous prodigy. Good move keeping the shield while you forced me off, I would have attacked you had you removed the shield beforehand." Uncle Ross praised him with his arms crossed as he waited for Alaric to come out.

(I've only changed the form of the weapon twice with two minor alterations and I'm already almost out of gas… only 18 mp left… I guess I'll go all in, just need to tread carefully…. Wait... Thread… Hahaha!) Alaric got up and charged at his opportunity, before throwing the shield at his Uncle.

"Did you give up? Just throwing your weapon away… Oh well… bring it on." Uncle Ross shook his head but was ready for it.

At which point Alaric attacked him hand-to-hand, only to have each and every blow parried or stopped with ease. However, none of them left an opening for the other until…

As it went on, the boy left as an opening which his uncle took.

"You still have openings like this? It's quite disappointing." He expressed as he went for a right hook.

Unfortunately for him, it was a feint, and his nephew got his arm held on with his own arm.

"Nicely played, but now." Uncle Ross was about to hit him with a left jab.

"Stop this!" Alaric pulled the thread he created connected to his shield and came to hit Ross.

As his wolf ears began twitching, his Uncle stopped the shield with his left hand, grabbing it just before it hit.

"It seems, it was not enoug-" Just as Ross was about to say, Alaric hit him with an all-out right hook.

"I got a clean hit on you… finally." Alaric smiled as his eyes burned with passion.

"Hahahaha! Well done. Playtime is over." Uncle Ross congratulated him.

Then immediately, he kneed Alaric with his left leg, sending him up in the air, and before the big could recover, his uncle grabbed his nephew by the left leg with his now free right hand, before slamming him onto the ground, creating a crater.

"Consider this initiation." Ross said as he stomped on the boy's stomach, right before he punched his nephew out of commission.

That's how after getting his first clean hit on his Uncle, Alaric was utterly and completely defeated without a doubt, as he truly had no chance.

"He's such a sore loser…" Timina commented with a sigh.

"I don't know about that, I could not see myself losing to a kid who's just 14… that's crazy… but it could bring in some coin… what if we take him to the big city and have people place bets on one of the battle Arenas?" Roshva had an idea and her eyes were shining thinking of the possibilities.

"Things could have gone better, but I think this is a good lesson, regardless. Let's take the kid back, we have a carriage to ride." Ermidia sighed as she spoke.

From there, Alaric was taken home after Roshva healed him, and the party of adventurers, finally left after years of a calmer life as tutors to kids.

In time, Alaric received the awaited invitation from the royal palace, as he had been summoned. At that time, he was called to talk to his parents.

"You know… I knew something like this would eventually happen and I was not sure how I felt about it.

"Not to downplay Lilian and Crystal, but I never had to worry about them because they just don't have it in them regardless of the talent they do have." Dad said with a somber expression.

"I told you we should have taken him away while we could… Even now, I just want to tell you to stay here with us and forget all about the outside… You're a smart kid, you don't need to fight, but I know you won't listen even if your crying mother asks…" Mom added with a tired expression.

"Not to be insensitive or anything, but what is this about?" Alaric questioned seeing them speak in such a manner.

"Do you know why you never met your two eldest siblings?" Dad threw a question back at him, rather than an answer.

"Weren't they recruited to the great sage Gustav Academy first, and then once each of them graduated they got invited to the Sky Tear Mage Tower and the Green Knight Circle respectively?" Alaric said thinking back to what he was told.

"Not really invited. That word is too generous to what these people do. If we talk about the Sage Gustav Academy, I guess you could still call it that, but the other two, or worse… the royal palace, don't really invite you even if they claim they do. From my understanding invitations can be rejected." Mother frowned as she responded to him, her fist clenched.

"I see… So you are worried I'll be taken." Alaric sighed as he could see their concern.

"It's not a worry… I guess you could say we dreaded this day because we knew it would happen. The problem is that once you go, they won't simply let you walk out, your talent is too high for them to waste, and you have the spirit of a hero from another universe, it's simply too valuable." Father continued with her head lowered.

"… And if I don't comply?" Alaric could tell what the answer would be but still asked nonetheless.

"Many things could have, but that would be an act of high treason and would have the whole family in a shaky position at best.

"Those bastards won't dare hurt us because of your eldest siblings, unfortunately, they won't hesitate to hurt you. I wanted to hide you and that talent of yours… Then again, even if your father didn't convince me not to, it is hard to say for how long it would work." Mother got up walked to her son and hugged him.

"… I guess moving to a different country is out of the question…" Alaric assumed.

"Yup, it's sad but the end result would be about the same regardless." Father nodded.

"What's their goal with all this?" Alaric had an idea but needed confirmation.

Upon hearing that question both parents were silent for a bit and mother hugged him tighter.

"It's complicated… Th-" Father was about to say something finally breaking the silence.

"No, it's not! It's all about bloody damn war! Just like they did with your siblings, they hope to turn you into a soldier and worse, to separate you from us, your family!

"People have been trying to not even think about it, but the Dark Celestial Empire and The Demonic Kingdom of Yovit have been making many more movements lately, which means, they want to attack our Kingdom for the temple of sacred weapons. It's inevitable…" Mother told him the crude truth.

(Is this the war Ark mentioned? So soon? Damn it!) Alaric frowned as he thought of it.

"Because of this, your mother received a letter years ago soon after you were born inviting her to join the efforts against them, but it's not so simple… if we are talking about armies and firepower, they vastly outclass us according to your uncle Ross's information.

"Even your mother revived a similar report from the academy higher-ups. I don't know why they haven't attacked us yet, but whatever the reason, they seem to be making moves towards eventually wiping us out." Father expressed as she rubbed her temples.

"…." Alaric's eyes were wide open as he was not awere of this at all.

(They vastly outclass us? I thought we had the upper hand… As expected, the information commonly available is not to be trusted. In that case, just what is keeping them from attacking?) Alaric was confused more so than surprised.

"Don't worry… the various kingdoms in Crismentia, including our Mormial Kingdom have used the opportunity of a cosmic event to perform a hero-summing, and having heroes from another universe should increase our chances of victory immensely." Mother revealed.

(So people got summoned… did someone from my earth perhaps also get summoned?… Then again, I don't know if there are any other universes...) Alaric found himself wondering.

"… I'll go…" Alaric spoke up.

"Despite hearing all that you still want to be involved? None of us will blame you If you would rather run. We'll help you regardless of what decision you make." Father responded despite having a teary face as she contained her tears.

"I don't… Please don't get into this, I've already lost contact with two of my children, and I don't want to lose you too." Mother on the other hand just hugged him even tighter.

"… Mom, I won't let them stop me, I'll come and visit from time to time. At worst I'll send letters." Alaric hugged her back as he replied with teary eyes of his own.

(… Man… She always gets me to act so weak… I like it though… it's a different type of passion…) Alaric smiled feeling his mother's warm in her embrace.

"You better keep your word, or you'll have to deal with so much more than just nagging." Amora wasn't smiling as she said those words, instead crying and clinging onto her child even tighter.

At that time Loralaine joined them in the hug.

That went on for a while before they went back to talking. They all sleep together as a family that day.

It took a month, but the day of his departure came sooner than later.

"Don't worry, I'll take care of your business model and ideas. I hope you take care of yourself. Even if they are nobility or even royalty, they don't have the right to do whatever, so stand up for yourself if they go too far, but ignore them otherwise, noble man tend to be arrogant and very explosive." Loralaine expressed with a weak smile.

"Be careful with what you do there, especially with noblewomen, they like to have affairs just for the thrill of it and then have you executed for violating their sanctity.

"Make sure to eat well, take baths whenever you can, stay presentable at all times, and don't allow those people to look down on you. Finally, never forget who you are, and if you can't... Don't force yourself to try and communicate with us. As long as you stay well, I'll be more than happy." Amora expressed once again hugging him very tight.

"Don't get some random girl pregnant, and think with your higher head." Grandpa advised.

"For once, I have to agree with your stupid grandfather. Take care, sweetie. If it was up to me you wouldn't go, but my time to decide has long passed. So make the most of this." Grandma added with a smile.

"I'll miss both of you. Thank you for being great parents and grandparents … I Love you." Alaric hugged them all one by one as he said that, something which made him blush deeply.

This stunned both parents and grandparents in surprise as he kissed them each on the cheek, and left entering the royal carriage sent to come pick him up.

Their surprise did not pass even after the carriage was gone, because, for the first time ever, Alaric had kissed them out of his free will, and even said the three magic words. Even if this moment was not exactly happy for them, it was certainly magical.

The beginning part of his new life in Mirth had finally ended, as he left the nest to venture to the world beyond all on his own, with only the future holding the path ahead.

Chapter end