Neil wake up every day with the same routine. Wake up at 7 o'clock, shower, morning lap and then breakfast at 8 o'clock. By 8.30, he proceed to having his morning training with the superior.
After that, he's going to grab lunch and headed to the library to read and gain some knowledge. Later on, he'll go out hunting in the forest with his mentor; a veteran hunter and head back at sunset, which is around 7.40 P.M.
After dinner, he'll go to the castle and have his classes with his teacher that now, also the King's teacher.
A busy daily life but he regret nothing. He actually thanked his curiosity that make him explore a lot of things. It makes lots of stuff easier to understand.
Neil's gaze didn't change a bit as he sharpen his arrows. The ants crawling up to his legs from the hole down the big stone he sat at didn't faze him at all.
Neil is not incapable of feeling pain or ticklish, he is just too caught up with things up in his head.
However, the presence of someone nearing him do got acknowledged by him. He glanced a little to see who it is before return back to his work.
The man, frowned as his existence got ignored. Seems like it really triggered him to the point that he pull out a dagger and strike right on Neil's shoulder. The quiver full of arrows rattle to the ground as Neil duck to dodge the attack. The scorching sun make the point of arrow glint as he hold it against his assailant's neck.
Neil glare threateningly toward the man, his guard up. "What the hell, Clause?! what's that for?!" He questioned tensely. For a second, he is grateful for all the intense training he got from General. Clause glowered down at him, clearly unsatisfied with something.
"Don't be feeling too fancy, Evergreen". He gritted out, mouth forming into a frown. Neil furrowed his eyebrows, even more confused by the reply. "Got chosen by the King... What a lucky brat." He said before stomped away without stopping to see Neil's reaction.
Neil grabbed his arrows and sling his bow to his back. His mind is still muddled with what Clause just said. Chosen by the King? for what? The question keep on popping out in his mind. Neil tried to brush it off since he already got his hands full with the duty to help those new soldiers, the upcoming expeditions and upcoming midterm examination; that is going to be held next month in his reality. Unfortunately for him, his brain won't cooperate and keep on distracting him about what Clause had said.
Maybe hunting would help, he thought. He desperately need to delete that one scene from his mind. In his other life, the reality that is, his midterm test is right around the corner. He can't afford to fail Math again or his teacher would definitely chase him with a knife in both hands, ready to butcher him alive.
Get another minus F, say goodbye to both of my lives. He sighed, not really wanting to face his impending doom. "If only I could actually use my smart brain in my other life..." Neil grumbled, making his way around the forest. "Let's hunt down some birds, this time. Got to catch extra for Mentor too." He decided, and march forward to find a suitable place to hunt birds.
As expected, hunting do manage to distract him. His mentor can't come with him, so he came back with five birds at hand. two for himself and three for his mentor. Neil walked to a cottage where his Master Jaeger resides with five birds and a peaceful mind, Mother Nature seemingly to be in good mood. After a while he return back to the barrack with two birds and still a peaceful mind.
He go to the kitchen and asked the cook to grilled the birds. He's going to give one to Lucas later. This is where it get weird. The air shifted right when he enter the pavilion. Neil's skin crawl as he feels eyes locked in on him. even as he heads out and make way to his bunk, the eyes are still on him. an. This time, he sit on his bed with no bird and a completely troubled mind.
Neil grabbed Lucas' wrist, who happen to walk across him and open his mouth. " Lucas, what the hell happen?" He asked, with no context. well, HE also don't know what's going on but it seems that Lucas know, judging by his confused face. "Well? why's everyone staring at me?"
"You don't know??"
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Eric sighed as he adjusted his seat. He's been sitting on that throne since forever to the point he was so sure his butt now have fully flatten. But what can he do? His beloved father had passed away, leaving him alone to ensure the brightness of Arkivia. Another sigh leave his mouth.
" Your Majesty, shall we proceed to the next matter?" One of his advisor asked. Eric look up and scan the whole room. The spacious hall is filled with tension and people. Prime Minister, Ministers of Finance, Justice, and Interior, the Six Elders of Arkivia that already filled the hierarchy ever since his grandfather's glory days and the two ambassadors from Kingdom of Kenith, Sophie's homeland.
Look at them, all staring at me and acting all loyal. Repulsive. Eric silently criticized them. He glanced at the Minister of Finance, that is also looking to him.
"Report about the troop that is assigned to take down Haelian Organization." He demanded, not harshly, of course. The Minister of Interior flinched as cold sweat run start to appear. He opened his mouth before closing it back. Eric raise his eyebrow, already smelling the bad news. "Well? Nothing can be done if all of us is not being cooperative. State your report, please" He said, adding the word 'please' at the end.
The said person sighed. "Apologize for my slacked off attitude. The scouting team responsible have yet to report regarding this matter, Your Majesty." Another sigh escaped his lips. Well, now that is bad.. He thought. "Hadn't it already been three days? They are supposed to be back by midnight yesterday." Eric asked as the feeling of worry creep under his skin, taking over his emotions.
The minister nod. "It is indeed as you said, my King. Alas, no news nor sign of them coming back or the aftermath of the mission have been received." Eric fell into silence, wrecking his brain out to find any solution. "My King, I strongly advise you to send out another troop to ensure their progress and safety." The fifth elder aid. The second elder nod, agreed with the suggestion.
Eric however, turn to the sixth elder. The youngest and newest one. The young elder's heart beat rapidly as every single eyes look at him. "Your Majesty?" Eric chuckled. "What's there to be afraid of? It's not like I'm going to eat you." The young man's face turned beet red. Eric swore he can see smoke coming out of his face.
"Well?"
"What?" The King sighed.
"Your opinion in this matter."
"O-oh..uurmm.....I-I think we-" another voice cut him off. "My Lord! This boy is nothing but a plain piece of white paper. You should listened to experienced people like us instead." The fifth elder spoke up. Eric death glare him. Ever since he became the new king, the fifth elder always annoy the hell out of him with his pushy attitude.
"I asked him, not you." The others startled with the sudden change of mood. "But My Lo-"
"The reason why I asked him is because it's just like what you said. He is a plain piece of white paper. His heart and brain is still pure, untainted and fresh. Are you disobeying my order?" A bomb of silence dropped between the two of them. The fifth elder averted his gaze.
"Anyone here still questioning my actions?" He asked in a powerful tone. He is a gentleman and a kind king. But that doesn't mean he can't stand up for himself. Witnessing the silence of literally everyone, his bitchy side almost let out a scoff. "Shall we continue? The sooner we finished, the better. Sixth Elder? I'm still waiting.."
"M-My Lord... I think sending out another full fledged troop is quite irrelevant." The sixth elder finally said. "Oh? And why is that?" Eric asked, curious with his way of thinking. "If I'm correct, the team we sent could be count as one of the strongest team. If such team can't manage to make it back, sending another troop would be seen as a suicide mission. I suggest to send out a small team, no more than five people to go and scout the situation without making any unnecessary move. With the result they have, we could plan a more systematic plan if the mission do go wrong. This way is both safe and effective."
The third elder nod his head. Just as the first elder about to open his mouth, Eric made his decision. "Alright, do as he said. Send a team no more than five people that is capable of fighting. The main purpose is to scout the situation. that is the only one." Knowing they can't do anything, the elders remain silent.
"My King, There is one last matter to be tend to." The young king turn to face the Minister of Finance. "It's about the noble families, My Lord. Many of them signing a petition made by the Rollen Family to reduce the tax.". Eric sighed, tired with the bitchy attitude of the noble families.
"Ignore them. I see no problem for them to pay it. There are no reason upon such thing." The Minister open his mouth and words came out. "Your Majesty, they insisted that we should focus on developing our kingdom to a more advanced state rather than wasting our time and their money on the lower state people which they claimed as completely beyond help." Eric's ears turn red at the tip. The lower state people wouldn't be beyond help if the noble families didn't use their money as their everyday meals.
"The decision is final. No taxes will be reduced. And dare they whine about it, tell them that those lower state people that is so-called 'beyond help' are the reason why their luxurious life still there." The Minister nodded, closing the case rather immediately. Even he have some other things to be tend to. "That should be the last matter for today, Your Majesty."
Eric nod. "Dismiss."