Elly and Elen got into the carriage in a sour mood. They both did not like what they heard. After some time of silence Elly finally spoke: "I think we should decline this offer father. It is not worth to give our freedom for such a thing."
Elen did not think to much and said: "I think you are wrong. This chance is something our family might not come by in the near future. When I say future I mean decades in the best case scenario. What I think we should do is to make some rules for this kid or some kind of barriers so he could not bully us. We should talk to your older brothers as well. I'm not sure they will take this loss well. I hope they could understand." After saying this Elen sighed. He knew how stubborn those two fellows could be. He hoped they could see the bigger picture. The rest of the trip for the father daughter duo was silent. Each of them was thinking of different things. The daughter understood that her father wanted her to hold onto this Leo brat in the best way she could. She was not sure what she felt about it. She could tell that this little guy was not simple and even put her and her father in a disadvantage during the negotiations. She felt anger and respect at the same time. It was something hard to describe.
Leo was laying on his bed in a good mood. He could feel that this unexpected meeting went extremely well for him. He saw the desperation in Elen's eyes and he knew that most likely he would get his Nobel status soon.
At the Shmidt residence at the evening table.
"What the hell is that supposed to mean!? We will give the position of the Baron of our family to some outsider brat? Elly don't need to be strong. We will be able to protect her. She don't need this boy." The brothers yelled with bloodshot eyes. They did not understand why their father was ready to sacrifice so much for this chance. They lived relatively well and did not really need anything.
"You don't understand. If we can rope the little brat into our family we will have a chance to start a magic bloodline. You just don't really know the disparity between a family of knights and a family of mages. The possibilities your children will have will be a lot higher. They will be more protected and they will have an inheritance to the level of at least a magic apprentice. This is no joke. This is not something we could get by our own effort even after a hundred years or even more then that. Can't you see that?" Elen said. After that he continued: "If you think you are so capable try and defeat this guy two versus one. If you will win we talk with him about stricter conditions. But if you lose you have to let me negotiate and make the final decision. Do you agree?".
"We do father. It will be a easy. Win a ten year old kid even with some magic capabilities is nothing special." The brothers answered.
"Alright then. I take you on your word. Let's see what this brat has to offer" Elen said.
After the discussion ended the family finished dinner and went for their rooms. Both brothers were preparing their weapons and armor like they were going to war. They were ready to cut that brat in half and not let their sister have anything with him. They both were sure that their win was insured.
The day after the Shmidt family was having an early breakfast. The father and daughter duo were pretty calm on the outside but very expectant on the inside, while the brother duo were giving vibes of going for the kill. The family ate the breakfast pretty quickly and departed for the "Sun Shine" inn.
When they arrived at the inn they needed to wait for almost a hour until Leo got out to have breakfast. Generally the Shmidt family was not very happy about what was happening. They did not talk about it and waited patiently for the kid but it still hurt their pride. The Shmidt's did not disturbed the brat. Leo also saw them but he decided to have a good meal and wake up to have a good business transaction with this Baron family.
After finishing his meal Leo greated the father daughter duo: "Mr. Elen, Elly good morning. Did you think about my proposal? Who are those two gentlemen here?"
Leo was pretty sure that those two guys were blood related to Elly and Elen in some way. Generally he really he did not care. It was a good plus for him. The two guys looked sturdy and strong. It was more man power that he could use in the future.
"We are Greg and Felix Shmidt. Nice to meet you" Felix said, not looking happy in any way, shape or form. He was the older and stronger brother so he was the leader during negotiations for his team most of the time.
"Nice to meet you too." Leo responded, nodding.
"Did you think of my request?" Leo asked.
"Yes we did, but we have a condition. Fight us so we can see that it is worth to make an investment in you." Felix said. He was ready to fight right here and right now.
"Is this really necessary? From what I can see you are still not on a knight level, right? You are still apprentice knight. What is the point of us fighting? You cant win. I'm not sure about who is stronger between me or Mr. Elen but you are not qualified." Leo said. He did not want to waste time with those guys. They can fight with someone else from what he thought.
"This is really part of us assessing you as the future of our family." Elen said with a serious voice.
He was not really sure who will win a one versus one battle if they both fought. He felt that this kid was not weak.
Leo sighed and then said: "Well then. As you wish."