A few days have passed since the incident. Although no statement was released by either dukes, the rumors were already spreading and the fact that one of the victims was admitted to the hospital helped solidify those rumors enough for reporters to start writing articles.
Some of them were about the conflict between Luke and his uncle and cousin but the majority was about the commoner who had a perfect awakening.
What surprised people most was there was no news of the youngest duke's son awakening results. From nobles, commoners to the staff working at the hall that that not a single person knew the results.
Thanks to that a crowd of reporters flocked the entrance of the hospital where Luke was admitted. Luckily the hospital guards closed all gates and strictly controlled the entrances and exits.
-They are here again today. Do know why mom?
Right now, Luke and his mom are in his room, getting ready to be discharged.
- The are here for you.
- Why?
Thanks to your father, your awakening results were prevented from being revealed so the reporters are trying to get an interview with you to know.
'This is unexpected."
Aside from recovering from his injuries, Luke spent the last few days trying to formulate a plan in case his father tried to disown him or worse.
The odds weren't in his favor since the only cards he could play were his intelligence and the ability to use all six elements albeit it only amounts to the strength of an average mage. The facts that no one knew the result were certain in his favor since the dukedom's reputation didn't suffer.
- But don't worry son, I've already secured a way for us to go out unnoticed, so you won't need to give any interviews. Those reporters can be quite brutal.
- Okay.
After the doctor finished checking his condition and cleared him to go home, they went out through the back entrance where a simple carriage powered by a steam horse.
' Guess using those are cheaper than a normal horse.'
Thanks to the carriage they left the hospital without problems, and no one bothered to follow them.
a few minutes later the carriage stopped at a warehouse midway and switched to a steam car since it was faster.
Safely arriving at the mansion, the head butler greeted them and informed that James wished to talk to Amanda in his office, to which she complied.
Already knowing what they were going to talk, Luke asked to be left alone and went to his room.
Since he has an average potential, he decided to spend the rest of his day practicing mana control to not only help him familiarize with mana but also gain enough proficiency to cast spells faster.
In his room he sat in a cross-leg position to help him meditate since it was the most efficient way for beginners to sense the mana inside their bodies.
Breathing in a rhythmic pattern, Luke started to focus his senses on his body, erasing all outside perception. He managed to grasp the inner workings of his body but couldn't even sense a speck of mana.
'It's harder than I thought.'
Although he wasn't expecting to sense all the mana in his body, not sensing even one spec of it was out of his expectations.
Since the mana was normally spread unevenly throughout the body after awakening, one had to either evenly spread it through the body thus entering the path of a knight or gather and condense it in the body's solar plexus thus becoming a mage.
However, one must do this process without any help since the foreign mana could clash with the internal mana, causing it to go berserk, leading to death unless by a miracle both parties have compatible mana.
Despite the failures Luke continued to meditate the whole afternoon.
**
*Huff, huff.
-finally, some progress.
Laying flat on the floor Luke gasped for air after managing to gather half of his mana into a core Despite the exhaustion and pain.
'it's more than I expected.'
He thought that his low quality would enable him to start forming the core but after sensing mana the only obstacles were his stamina and keeping the mana in control while moving.
*Growllllll
Hearing his stomach's roar, Luke got up but as he went to ring the bell to summon Elise, he looked at the window and realized it was already night.
- Shit!
Realizing his situation, he looked at the clock on the wall and saw that it was already the time that the family usually dines.
'Well since I'm already late it's no use hurrying it up.'
Instead of taking care of thing in a hurry he decided to properly get ready to compensate for being late.
He Ringed the bell used to summon the servants and Elise entered his room.
- You called young master?
-That was fast, were you outside the door this whole time?
-Yes, I didn't want to interrupt you.
-Oh, I see, anyways get my bath ready.
Elise furrowed but didn't give a second thought.
-At once young master.
After spending a long time in the bath, Luke wore a white shirt with a sapphire brooch along with black pants and shoes. He was already 30 minutes late but showed no signs of urgency.
- Let's go.
At his command, Elise guided him to the dining room.
Contrary to Luke's expectations, nothing happened. It was surprisingly ordinary.
And that was the problem.
'no one asked me a thing.'
Luke expected someone to bring up his results from today, but it never happened, which was wired since all of them were present this morning, he was certain his brother was going to nag him for it.
It's like they forgot about it.
Aside from that his mother kept glancing at him with a worried look ever since his farther asked him to come to the office later in the middle for the meal.
After resting for a bit, Luke went to his father's office. Giving a few nocks he heard his voice from the inside.
-Enter.
Since it was his first time in the office, Luke was surprised by how minimalistic the office was, the only decoration present were the portraits of the previous family heads hanging above a small bookshelf.
- Sit.
In a monotonous tone, he orders his son to sit on the couch, going straight to the point he asks.
- I believe you know why you are here?
-Yes, it's about the results from today.
James gets up from his seat and turns around, gazing at the entrance through the window.
- Six elements and an average in mana pool and purity. In other words, an excellent vessel but a lackluster power source.
He stops for a second then continues.
-On top of this, there's the incident with my brother and nephew.
Then he releases a huge amount of pressure in the room. Turning around, he gazes at his son with a cold look and asks.
- Do you know how much trouble you almost caused us?
Walking towards his son he continues.
- Precious time was wasted in erasing today's incidents of everybody's minds, had you not fallen of August's taunt I wouldn't have to go to such lengths.
*!!
Luke's eyes widened.
'So that's why the results weren't leaked!'
James stops before his son and asks, despite Luke's visible pain.
- Do you still believe you are worthy to be in this house?
Mustering all his strength Luke got up and faced his father's eyes.
- Yes, I do.
*DOOOMMMMM
*hurrrghhh
Suddenly the pressure strength increased, forcing Luke to kneel.
- Are you certain?
- Yes, since I am sure you noticed that I am smarter than most children at my age and despite my average "power source" as you said it, I can prove that I can reach a high level.
Despite spending the time in the hospital to come up with a plan to deal with his father, the only choice he had was to bet that his father still saw some potential in him he just had to hope that what he had showed until now was enough.
Pondering for a minute, James retreated his pressure and returned to his desk.
- Yes, you are right, that's precisely why I haven't disowned you. So, I am giving you a chance.
He waited for Luke to stand then continued.
- To prove that your previous words aren't empty and that you aren't a waste of resources once you reach the age of 14 you will act as a mercenary associated with our household for three years, during that period you will complete certain tasks assigned by me, complete these tasks and I will allow you to enter Atlas academy while granting our support.
Frowning Luke suspected that these conditions aren't that demanding since he didn't know what the tasks were. Also he didn't say anything about my life until I reach 14 years.
Noticing his reaction James continued.
- Judging by your expression it seems that you've noticed. Yes, there are conditions.
'I knew it'
- Although you will still be allowed to live here, no support shall be granted to you in terms of your studies and magic training not even from your mother. You are only allowed to request sparing from her. Also, the library will be available to you but no more tutors, if you are as smart as you claim, it will not be a problem.
- So you mean to test my claims by removing any assistance?
-Precisely. Should you refuse, I will disown you right now, so do you accept?
The lack of assistance will be a problem since Luke discovered this afternoon that magic isn't going to be easy for him, but he concluded that he could achieve something to survive outside by using what was still allowed to him.
-Yes.
-Good then stating from tomorrow You are temporarily stripped of your rights of succession and your monthly budget will be reduced, but you will be allowed to keep your personal maid.
-Understood.
-You may Leave.
Giving a short bow Luke left the office.
Shortly after Luke left, the butler Raves Appears.
James turns his attention to the journal the butler's hands.
-Is that it?
-Yes, your grace.
James then scrolls through the journal's contents and smiles in satisfaction.
-Excellent with this research, those six affinities of his won't be wasted with a lackluster source.