Next day, Adrian got a great rest yesterday after going to bed early yesterday. After all, he needs to wake up early to train. He did not get to take a nap yesterday because of settling his business with Rupert. He woke up at the right time and went along with Ralph to the training grounds.
As soon as he arrived, he wanted to do some light stretching before beginning the physical training. Suddenly, Ralph asked him a question.
"I'm sorry to bother you in your training young master, but may I ask why are you training so hard? You did say you want to be stronger 5 years ago, now you are already a Moon Stage mage at 10 years old. I have seen people do physical training and weapon training before but not as much as you, young master. Can you please tell me why?" Ralph don't want to overstep his bounds but right now he needs answers.
"That is true… In Etterra, mana is superior than flesh and blood. As long as you cultivate your mana, your flesh and blood will become stronger with it. But… for me that is not 'growth' that I seek. I wanted my growth to be 'whole'. Mana, body and mind. Only then one can be labelled as 'strong'. Strong enough to slap any problems away and securing the happiness that I want."
"I started studying about mana at 2 years old, after seeing you cast magic to make me a table for studying. You're my inspiration to make a perfect 'vessel' so I can cast great magics like the one I saw during that time."
"You see Ralph, in this world, mana is everything. But if a body is too weak to handle mana you cannot grow. The gods already give us mana, body and mind, so our job is just to forge the perfect 'vessel'. The stronger the body, the better the mana flow." Adrian gives a lengthy speech to Ralph. He is not sure why he gives the lengthy speech but it felt good to him.
"I understand now young master. I have a request… Can I join in with your training?" Ralph feels like he had been enlightened by Adrian and ask to join in as well.
"Sure, why not? But don't expect me to slow down because of you. You have seen my training routine for many years now. You should know what to do. There is no trademark after all." Adrian begins his physical training and run off.
"What is a 'trademark'?" Ralph wonders in his head and begin joining in.
Two and a half hours passed, the sun had already shown a little bit of itself. On the training grounds, there are two people, one is swinging a training sword with discipline and the other is lying on the ground heavily panting after doing endurance training.
"Get up Ralph. Stand up and circulate mana by breathing properly." Adrian gives Ralph some tips he picked up from the Fist of Adam manual while still swinging the training sword, not even looking to the other direction.
Ralph didn't say anything and gets up. He slows down his breathing and take control of it. Then, he does as Adrian says. A few minutes later, his eyes widen in shock. He can feel it clearly, he is getting stronger. He looked at Adrian who is still focusing in his sword swinging.
"I know that the young master the greatest prodigy I have ever known. I will be expendable later on but still, no matter what I will follow him until my life ends." Ralph made his vow to serve Adrian as a true heir of the house like Malcom did.
After finishing the early morning training, its back to studying with Marylyn. Adrian is making a dictionary about the study of mana pattern language is half way through from the 112 spells he found in the house library. The patterns are hard to differentiate, but with the assistance from Aria he can manage.
In the evening, Adrian and Marylyn went to town greet the town's people and go play Cross Catch with the other kids. This time some adults including Rupert, are watching them play and they also gain interest. They asked Ralph about the game and of course Ralph explains it in detail as per Adrian's orders.
"Alright, everything is in order. Now, I just need to gain more publicity and the people's curiosity for the next 3 days. Then on to the next step." Adrian thought while standing at the side as he just been sub out to let other kids try the game.
Three days passed in a blink of an eye; Adrian's routine is repeated successfully. Now is time for Adrian go to Amber Rose capital for a play date with the royal twins. Of course, this time only Marylyn and Ralph are following along. Usually, it is either Malcom or Amanda or both will come with Adrian but it is only 2 weeks left until the Black family visit for the winter. Malcom don't want any chances and gets busy.
"You kids have fun at the capital. Ralph please don't lose sight of them. Watch them like a Terror Eagle. You will be responsible for them." Malcom orders Ralph strictly making it a very serious order.
"Yes, master. I promise I won't fail." Ralph puffs his chest and swears in his responsibility.
"Adrian, please watch over your sister. I trust you can be the best big brother out there." Amanda hugs her 2 babies and give the two a kiss on the cheek.
"Big brother is the best big brother. Mary also wants to see big sis Chelsea." Marylyn hugs Amanda back.
"Don't worry mom, I will." Adrian also hugs her back.
Then the trio hop on the two hippogriffs. Adrian rides with Marylyn sitting at the front while Ralph rides alone bringing some emergency luggage for them just in case, they play Cross Catch until late night. Amanda asked them to pack up and forbid them to travel at night. Malcom supports the contingency plan and hand Adrian 5 gold. So, in total now Adrian had a balance of 7 gold.
Adrian also didn't forget to stop by Rupert's workshop to take 5 discs for the royal family.
It was morning where the sun is shining so brightly, the trio flew through the air riding two hippogriffs heading towards the capital.
Meanwhile, inside the office of the Cross family,
"Those three are doing well without us. It seems like Ralph had a new motivation. He had been sticking with Adrian as of late." Amanda is now feeling confident of Ralph.
"I can see that. I've always believed in Adrian and it seems like he is the cause of Ralph's change. It is good. Going to parties with Adrian in the past, I can see it. I know it sounds preposterous, but it seems like the world is revolving around him. Cough… it is just a hunch. No need to take it so seriously, but still expect great things from him." Malcom expresses his thoughts that he had pushed in the corners of his mind.
"That is fine… a hunch, a prophecy or fate. He is always be our son." Amanda gives her response.
"That is right… He is our son." Malcom nodded back.
The trio arrived at the capital when the sun is directly above their head.
"Ralph, send the hippogriffs to the beast keepers. Give the two of them the best treatment we can afford. Mary, here hold my hand, don't get lost." Adrian gives his commands to Ralph swiftly after dismounting while holding Marylyn's hand. His face looks calm but the notification in front of his face makes him feel uneasy.
"Young master, I'm done. Follow me closely, we need to reach the palace quickly. A play date with the royal twins can't be delayed." Ralph woke Adrian up from his trance looking at the notification.
"Let's go big brother. Big sis Chelsea, Mary is coming to play." Marylyn excitedly pulling Adrian's hand.
The notification when the trio is flying passed the forest is still in front of Adrian and the color of it is bright red.
[Warning. Unknown element detected. Element is in a form of a creature. ARIA need a closer analysis of the element to be identified. For Master's safety, the unknown element will be classified dangerous.]