Suddenly, two light knocks echoed in the room. "Your Highness, it's time. King is waiting for you."
Arvad looked at Rivelia, and gave her a comforting smile. "Let's go."
Under the constant nagging of Rivelia, he finally arrived at the main hall of the Aeron Palace. He noticed that the atmosphere of the hall was very solemn.
Each one of his teachers stood below the throne in a deep silence, and only looked up when they sensed him arriving.
"You came." King Aeron's deep voice echoed in the palace.
Hearing that, Arvad turned to look towards the throne, and smiled. Slightly bending his body, he gave a deep bow to his father, and then turned to bow towards all of his teachers.
Some nodded while some smiled to return the gesture. Despite their smile, Arvad could sense the stiffness in their moment.
While Roland was obviously unhappy with something, and refused to heed anyone's gaze.
"Are you prepared, son?" King Aeron asked in a soft voice. At this moment, he did not appear like a king, but a worried father who was pained to watch his son leave.
Arvad replied while puffing out his chest. "Yes, father. I won't disappoint you."
King Aeron nodded. "Let's go. The crowd is waiting for you outside."
"Please give me a minute," Arvad ran towards the area where his teachers stood.
He stood upon the master swordsman who was famous throughout the Siara Continent for sword techniques. He looked around forty years old, with a small mustache, sharp eyes, and angular face.
Arvad sincerely bowed towards him. "Thank you for taking care of me throughout the years."
"Haha, good kid. I thought you would hold a grudge against me for ruining your childhood with my bloody training." Noran happily patted his shoulders.
"Who told you I didn't? Did you sleep well on the days you hit me?" Arvad said with a sly smile.
Noran's face turned black when he recalled something. "You brat. So you were the culprit who put pins on my bed." He roared loudly.
"Okay now. Don't raise your voice in front of my student. Hmph, you deserved that. Who told you to be so harsh to a child. Do you even know he came with bloody wounds, and tear stains whenever he left your room."
Noran's face turned stiff when he heard her voice, and muttered, "Wasn't it for his own good."
She was also one of Arvad's teachers. Despite her old age, she looked like a woman in her twenties. She had long green hair, a beautiful face, and a curvy figure.
However, she had a cold and strict face. She was also the teacher who was most feared by Arvad.
"Miss Elven, you don't have to say that in front of everyone," Arvad said in embarrassment.
"Okay. Today is a big day. Our student is finally going to showcase his skill. Shouldn't we give him blessings?" Great Sage said with a helpless expression.
Noran immediately chimed in, "Right, right."
Great Sage turned around to look towards Roland who did not appear to be listening, and sighed. "Won't you say anything, Roland?"
Seeing him not speaking, he continued, "We all can understand how hard it is. However, our love will only hold him back. You know he can't stay here forever. This is not where he belongs."
"Where does he belong then?" Roland finally asked.
"Beyond those doors of stone. Where the best of Siara Continent gathers. The arena of the beasts," Great Sage said in a loud voice.
"You mean?" Roland's expression warped into extreme seriousness.
"The Magic Academy," Great Sage declared.
"Are you sure? Only monsters go there. Can our Arvad really enter there?"
"It seems living around these walls for so long has narrowed your vision, Roland. You are underestimating your own student. You are underestimating the king's vision."
"I…" Roland wanted to speak, but he discovered that he had nothing to say in retort.
Arvad was clueless as he gazed at their exchange.
'Magic Academy? Hmph, why do these old men like to pretend to be mysterious?'
Great Sage seemed to understand his dilemma, and turned to look towards him. "Didn't you always ask me for a tale? If you come with heads of beast, I might let you in on an interesting one."
"Can you tell me its name?" Arvad requested with a pleading tone.
"The Tale of Fallen Moon," Great Sage said.
Arvad's face gradually turned stern as he gazed at all of them. He once again bowed deeply. This bow did not have any aristocratic formality, but pure respect and gratitude.
Great Sage smiled proudly, and said while touching his beard, "You are the best and most intelligent student we have ever had the honor to teach. There's still too much we have to teach, so return well, the heir of House Aeron."
Arvad nodded seriously, and promised, "I will. Definitely."
Roland chimed in with a strict voice, "Don't go around picking fights as you always do. Just survive, kid."
King Aeron silently gazed at them with an unreadable expression, and said with a soft voice, "It's time."