I've learned that Acute Mind, while efficient and powerful, is flawed. Acute Mind is like having a supercomputer that stores and process data, that when I ask a question, it uses to make a decision.
However, Acute Mind can't take into account unknown variables into the decision. I have no idea what the Elven Queen would actually do when she hears what I've done, only an assumption, I don't know what resources she has at her disposal or how strong they are.
I also didn't know that when I made this plan the guards would throw me into the one cell where every two seconds there's water dripping.
At first, it was driving me crazy, but after two days with nothing to do, it was basically my only form of entertainment. When I tried to practice magic, but quickly found there were anti-magic runes outlining the entire prison floor.
With Acute Mind, I remembered my status and haven't leveled anything, so I have no to study it. I decided to try what they do in the prison movies and start doing push-ups but gave up on that after doing five.
As far as how the plan is going, I can only assume my father wasted no time in publicly disowning me. Maybe he even announced my execution. When the guards come to give me food, they give me looks of pity instead of anger, so I can only make assumptions based on that.
Just as I was getting ready to go to sleep, I heard keys jangling by the door, which was weird because it wasn't mealtime. I knew whoever this was, probably shouldn't be coming to see me.
My father entered with my mom in tow, both looking sad. I sat up prepared to hear the bad news that my plan already failed.
My mom speaks up first. "I heard about your plan Eric, I'm sorry it's come to this. If I tried to be a better mother this wouldn't have happened."
"Mom, you don't have to be like that. I'm sure I would have screwed something up eventually. Anyhow, how's everything coming along?" Inside I cringe at how I attempt to change the subject from my mom's heartfelt apology, but right now I need to know if the plan failed. My dad speaks up,
"We just came back from a meeting with the Elders who report directly to the Elven Queen. Somehow everything's coming together suspiciously well. When I came before the council and announced that upon your class pick, I immediately arrested and disowned you, then planned for your execution, those bastards agreed to my decision.
They said they knew they had the right guy in charge to properly handle these situations. They plan on making your execution a reminder of the past and show what happens to sage supporters. Only a few human members felt that an execution was too extreme and voted for banishment instead."
While saying this my father clutched his hands in anger, tears present on both my parents' eyes.
"I have reliable people watching the Queens Shadow movements, so we'll know if they try anything. We're making the swap with your decoy tonight, where you'll be sent to the sage who lives secluded in the forest.
You'll train with him for two years; in which case you'll be old enough to attend the academy at Fairleigh. You'll be safe for the time being until all this calms down, for the Queens influence is limited there."
Mentally I went on a tantrum as I heard that I'll have to go back to school again in this life.
I couldn't refuse because that was as good as a plan we could have in this situation. Maybe it won't be so bad?
My mom chimed in, "We won't abandon you Eric, we'll be sending help from time to time with your training, and even while you're at the academy.
Right now, our movements will have to be limited, but eventually I hope there's a time when we'll be able to see you at the academy."
It's reassuring to know that this time around I'll actually get support, no matter how little it may be.
"Well, we dallied long enough, time to get moving." He takes the keys and unlocks my cell door. From the main jail door another me walks into the room. "Huh?"
Seeing my confusion my dad explains, " This is an Illusion spell called Doppelganger, your decoy. It works that since you never used magic no one knows your mana signature."
As the decoy goes into my cell and lay down, I ask, "How does it still exist if there are anti- magic runes?"
"The secret to magic is that if you know the spells effect, nine times out of ten, there's a loophole. The runes keep you from casting spells, not dispel already existing ones."
"So, what do you do if you run into the one time out of ten?"
"In that case, you're up against an Ultimate Tier 10 spell, which means you're just shit out of luck." Good advice from the pops.
We sneak outside the back of the city towards the gate to the forest.
There was a new moon which made everything even darker which helped us. We soon came upon a man standing next to a horse and carriage in a cloak with a hood covering his face.
I assume this is my ride to wherever my destination is in the woods, and I know that if I get in now, I won't be seeing my parents for a very long time.
I turn towards the and run and give them a hug. " I love you guys and I'll miss all the time we spent together."
"We love you too, whatever happens, prioritize staying alive, and we'll do the same. We will meet again Eric."
I let go of them because I knew I couldn't afford any more time and went towards the carriage where the cloaked man helped me climb in.
Closing the door, I hear him say, " I'll take care of him Lady and Lord Ferngrow, you have my word on it."
As I hear him climb into the driver seat my father says, "You better, for no god will save you from my wrath."
As the carriage moves through the forest I close the curtain to the window, there wasn't much to see on this dark night anyway and try to sleep. It's difficult cause, the memories of all the times we laughed together, ate together, and played games together without a care in the world flashed through my mind. Moments we can never have again due to my mistake. I was positive that even without Acute Mind, I would never forget them.