"Director Goodsky. There's actually a reason I didn't hide my capabilities today."
Picking up on the seriousness in my voice, she nodded in understanding. "I had a hunch that you weren't just brazenly showing off your skills, Arthur. You seemed too sharp for that."
Agreeing with her, I responded, "There are only a few benefits I can gain from attending your school. One is learning how to utilize my magic to a higher degree. However, that is something I can learn on my own with due time. No. The main reason I would attend your academy, if I chose to at all, is for protection. Right now, I'm not strong enough to protect everyone. However, you hold a position of power and influence that can provide safety for my family and I, at least until I can gain the strength to protect them myself."
"Arthur! You're being rude to Director Goodsky! How can you..."
"No, it's fine Alice." Immediately after she said this, the director mumbled a soft chant before speaking again.
"Arthur, I believe you hold the ability to make changes in this world. For that, if you're willing to attend Xyrus Academy and become a rightful citizen that will do anything to protect his land, then I will abide by any criteria you set." Director Goodsky's voice was clear and determined.
"Very well, I will learn what I feel is valuable from the classes your school offers and train my own powers. As long as you give me the tools and freedom to do so, as well as keep my loved ones safe, then I will consider you as an important benefactor," I promised.
Director Goodsky's lips curve up into a smile as we shook hands. At this, I'm suddenly able to hear the voices of everyone else again. Looking at the director, she gave me wink.
By the confused looks of everyone around us, I could only assume that what Director Goodsky had done was make everyone else unable to hear our voices.
Clarifying for everyone who couldn't hear, I said aloud, "I will abide by our agreement when I enroll in your academy."
"Oh? Were you not planning on enrolling into my Academy anytime soon?" The Director as well as every other adult had looks of puzzlement on their faces.
"I don't plan on entering Xyrus Academy until I would be of a normal age to actually attend. No. I've decided to enter your academy on my twelfth birthday, a very average age for one to enter your Academy. I assume that will not be a problem?" I tilted my head.
"Goodness! That's in a little over three years. Arthur, do you have any plans on what to do until then?" I figured Director Goodsky wouldn't be so accepting on prolonging my education for over three years.
I turned to face my parents again, since it was up to them to allow me or not.
I looked up at the night sky, stars shining. Unlike my old world, the lack of bright lights truly made the star-glittered night beautiful. Turning my gaze back to where my family was, I answer.
"I'd like to become an adventurer."
After a long and rather loud argument, me and my family came to a decision - bring a member of the twin horns with me to act as a guard. I agreed, thinking that even if I am more powerful, they have more experience.
in the evening
VINCENT HELSTEA POV
*knock knock*
"Yes?"
"It's Arthur"
"Oh, Arthur, come in. What would you like to discuss this late?"
Arthur sat down on my chair, the cheery and child-like air he normally has completely gone, instead replaced by a serious and calm demeanor that made me feel like I was talking to the king of Sapin.
"The reason for my intrusion is that I'd like for you to retrieve some items from me. A voice altering mask, a sword, and a storage ring of medium size. Of course, I am willing to pay"
A storage ring? Does he know how expensive that is?
"No, no, it's alright. Your father has been working for me for years, I will just be repaying a favor."
Arthur put his elbows on the table and tapped his hands together.
"What if I tell you I can help your daughter awaken as a mage and attend Xyrus academy?"
"Really?"
ARTHUR POV
After the negotiations with Vincent ended, I drifted right to sleep.
A few days later
I was convinced I could help Lilia awaken her core by the time she was of normal age to do so.
...
The twin horns came, Angela almost suffocated me with her bosom, and Jasmine volunteered to go with me.
at the Helstea auction house
"I didn't know we would be in here with guests, Vincent," the man said, neither harshly nor kindly.
"I apologize, Your Majesty! I assumed you wouldn't mind having a few other people with you. You remember my wife, Tabitha, right? Well, these are our close family friends," he introduced, waving his arm in our direction.
After regarding us for a moment, his lips curled up into a smile. "If they are your friends, Vincent, then they are mine as well."
"It's a pleasure to meet you. At least we'll have some company besides these guards," the lady giggled.
I raised an eyebrow in surprise at the sharp contrast in the woman's personality to her appearance. She seemed much more welcoming, despite her intimidating looks, than her husband.
"Everyone, as you all may know, I'd like you all to meet the King and Queen of Sapin. Introduce yourselves to King Blaine Glayder and Queen Priscilla Glayder and their children, Curtis and Kathyln."
At this, my mother—who was holding my sister—Tabitha, and even Lilia, dropped down, genuflecting. I caught on and lowered myself a moment later as well.
Giving us a nod, the King gestured for us to stand. "No more of this, now. No need to be stiff, we're just here for the auction, after all."
As I got back up, Sylvie peeked her head out from under my robe where she was sleeping, surveying curiously the new faces.
"Kyu?" she chirped, tilting her head.
I thought I heard a gasp from one of the guards in the rear, but I wasn't able to tell since their faces were covered.
"Oh my! What a cute little mana beast!" Queen Priscilla's face brightened up at the sight as she made her way towards me.
The King and the two children's eyes looked towards my direction as well.
The guards took a step forward as well, making sure they were close enough to react in case something happened to the Queen.
"She just hatched a few months ago. Her name is Sylvie. Come out and say hello," I responded.
"Kyu~!" she cooed while hopping out of my robe and stretching her body like a cat.
"I assume this little mana beast is your bond, young man?" The King came closer, kneeling down to get a closer view of Sylvie.
I just gave a wordless nod. It should be fine with Sylv's appearance the way it is. "How fortunate you are to have a mana beast. Even infant ones are not easy to tame, yet she looks to be very obedient."
"Well we're able to communicate mentally, so it's more like a mutual agreement rather than obedience," I simply shrugged.
"What? You mean to say that you are under an Equals Contract?"
We all turned our heads to face the source of the voice. It was one of the hooded guards behind the children.
Damn, did I say something I wasn't supposed to?
"Umm, I'm not sure what that is, but she was the one that initiated the contract, so I think so?" I shrugged, hoping to switch topic.
Was it that big of a deal who formed the contract?
"Let me take a closer look at your bond!" the hooded guard exclaimed, creeping closer to us.
Before I could decline, the King stepped in.
"This isn't the time nor place to study someone else's pet. You're being rude, Sebastian." His gaze turned harsh as he rebuked him.
"My apologies..." he said, hoping I'd complete the sentence.
"Arthur. Arthur Leywin," I finished, giving a curt bow. As he and his wife gave me a small smile, we took our seats in time to hear the clear voice declaring that the auction would start soon.
A cold shiver made me turn back just to see Sebastian, who had taken off his hood, staring intently at Sylvie, who was nestled on my lap.
A bit later
"Kyu!"
Huh?? Sylvie? Where is she?
"Kyu"
I went in the direction of Sylvie's cries, and soon spotted the robed man called Sebastian, who has cornered Sylvie and was trying to kidnap her.
DOOM
All of my bloodlust suddenly unleashed, I could vividly hear the people including guards falling down from the sheer pressure. The king and queen were prepared to fight, and above the soldiers were running towards the source of the bloodlust.
But I didn't care. There, in front of me, stood a terrified Sylvie who quickly ran behind me, and another scum of humanity that must be purged, sooner or later. He was crying, looking terrified for his life.
I lost control
As I was regaining control of my bloodlust, I heard the guards bust into the large room through the doors.
"Search the entire complex!" barked king Glayder
I walked away from the scared and bawling sorcerer with Sylvie safely on my shoulder.
The auction resumed as normal, and Curtis Glayder, the son of the king even got himself a lion pet.
after the auction ended
"Your Majesty. If I may have a word with you," I heard Sebastian say as he leaned closely to the King's ear.
After a few moments, King Glayder shot his royal guard an irritated glance, but let out a sigh.
As the two walked towards me, it was obvious what they had just discussed by the way Sebastian wasn't even looking at me, but instead, at my bond.
However, instead of talking to me, the King called upon my father.
The King smiled at him, but his eyes remained stern. "I never did catch your name. You must be this young boy's father, correct?" he affirmed rather than asked.
"My name is Reynolds Leywin and yes, that is the case. What might be the matter, Your Majesty?" my father replied, lowering himself slightly.
"Sebastian, here, has been a royal guard for a while now and has helped our family an uncountable amount of times."
His voice stayed relaxed he spoke to my father, but the condescension in his tone was still apparent. "For the exemplary services he has provided me, and therefore the country, I do feel the need to reward him at times. You see; he has taken a fancy to your son's bond. I know it's not easy to sever a contract and I'm sure the boy has grown close to his little pet, but I would be more than willing hire a mage to take care of the contract and compensate you and your family for the troubles."
"Y-Your Majesty," my father stuttered, caught by surprise by the severe request. Taking a glance at me, he turned back to the King. "I must apologize, Your Majesty. Neither I nor my wife had anything to do to with my son's bond. He had acquired it himself, so I cannot speak on my son's behalf on matters of his bond."
"Hmm," the King turned his attention to my direction, regarding me loftily, and I suddenly realized that I was returning his gaze. He realized, then, that for the entirety of their conversation, I had been staring icily at him and his guard.
"Boy. Didn't your father teach you to lower your gaze when speaking to someone of your superior?" Sebastian snarled in disdain as he slammed the end of his metal staff to the ground.
"Sebastian, silence!" The King held up his hand. Besides the royal family and their guards, the King's request had caught the attention of the rest of my family as well as Vincent's.
"Hello, child." The King approached, standing an arm's length away from me. "I'm sure you've just heard me speak to your father so I won't repeat myself. How about it? My royal armory would certainly have a sword befitting that of any aspiring knight."
Not wanting to make a big commotion, I swallowed back the profanity that was itching to spew out of my mouth. "Thank you, Your Majesty, for your gracious offer, but I must refuse. A simple sword could never replace Sylvie."
"How dare⎯"
"Sebastian!" King Glayder roared. Turning back to me, he spoke again with a much more impatient tone. "How about a trade then? The world lion cub that I just purchased for your bond?"
"Father!" Curtis scurried over to his father, pulling on his sleeve. "I thought the mana beast was mine?"
Ignoring his son, the King waited for my response.
"Perhaps I didn't make myself clear. I do not wish to give, sell or trade my bond," I reiterated, failing to mask the annoyed expression on my face.
"I have asked you twice, child, for a favor. Twice," he emphasized, his tone growing grave. "I will ask you once more; will you give me your bond?"
The air was tense as everyone's attention was directed at me. Sebastian gave me a menacing look from bloodshot eyes, just waiting to be released. The rest of the royal guards were on standby near the two, carefully observing the situation.
"Then let me ask you a question in response, Your Majesty. For how much are you willing to sell your children to me?" I asked coolly, never batting an eye.
Thrown off-guard, the King wasn't able to respond to the seemingly random question. "You have asked me twice and I have rejected you both times, yet it seems your pride won't allow you to accept my refusal. You don't seem to be aware of what you were asking me, so I hoped to clarify using my question instead. How much money should I give you in return for your son or your daughter, King Glayder?" I rephrased, without wavering.
I heard the sharp whistle of a sword leaving its scabbard. "Insolent peasant! You dare insult the King and his family?" a guard roared as he charged at me before anyone had the chance to respond.
Is that all a royal guard can muster?
I appeared behind him, kicked him in the back of the knee, grabbed the back of his head and firmly planted his face in the marble ground.
My attention immediately focused, then, to Sebastian. As I had expected, the dense fool was silently muttering a spell as his beady eyes locked intently with mine.
SEBASTIAN POV
'Insolence! A child speaking to the king of Sapin like that? How dare he! When the king of Sapin asks for something, it isn't a question, it is an order! I will teach this brat a lesson personally.'
"Insolent peasant! You dare insult the King and his family?" Harry let out a roar as he charged towards the brat, his sword brandished high up in the air.
Before I even had the chance to cheer, he was already on the ground eating dirt. That useless fool, must have botched his spell!
As I started casting a spell, I heard multiple crunching sounds from below. I glanced down, and saw my leg, shattered in multiple places.
'T-t-that's my leg!'
"GAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHH!"
"M-MY LEG! MY LEG!! AHHHHHHHH!"
IT HURTS! IT HURTS IT HURTS IT HURTS IT HURTS IT HURTS IT HURTS IT HURTS! I've never felt such excruciating pain in my life! Why should a noble conjurer like myself need to feel pain?
'W-Why is no-one helping me?' As I frantically looked around, it was apparent that everyone was somehow frozen. They weren't just surprised, but actually frozen in place.
It was then that I noticed that the colors of my surrounding had been flipped, or reversed. 'Have my eyes been clouded from the pain?'
"For both our sakes, I will make this quick. Study your leg carefully, because should you ever try to steal my bond from me again, I will do the same to your spine."
He waited a few seconds, his gaze weighing down on me like a mountain
"At best, full body paralysis."
"At worst, instant death."
"Your connections to the king of Sapin are the only reason you are alive right now, but this is the last chance."
The boy, with a glowing mark under his eye, was speaking in a manner that made me completely forget his age. The tone of his words, coupled with the way he articulated them, carried both power and dignity, caused a terrifying sensation that I had felt before.
'It was him back in the room!' As I thought this, the pressure bore down on me, forcing me to fearfully comply.
He turned his back to me as he walked away, taking a few steps forward, before suddenly glancing back at me.
He looked at me with an emotionless face, his eyes seeming to pierce straight into my brain like a hot needle, actually making me wince in pain.
'No... No, no, no... I can't breathe! I-I'm scared!' The torturous pain had been somewhat numbed. Instead, I could feel a warm sensation between my legs as my body accepted its fate of death.
His eyes continued to bore down at me in blatant disgust as I tried to stop my body from shivering.
He looked at me as if I was simply an insect, and slowly said,
"Know. Your. Place."