"Theo." Théoden snapped and looked at his current position. "No need to take me back. I will return on my own."
"No need to be nervous around me kid. I promise to return you safely. I just need to make sure those guys don't find us again."
They arrived at a place that seemed like a slum on the inner outskirts of the capital. A place Théoden had not seen while traveling through the city. The buildings were worn off on the verge of collapse but it seemed like a few people were living there. The situation seemed dire. He could only assume they were the outcasts of society who lived off the leftovers of ordinary civilians. There were more pitiful than he ever was.
Théoden confirmed that his situation would not change much even if he found his way into the capital if he hadn't met Marrianne. Théoden was much more grateful to Marrianne for changing his unfortunate fate. His eyes scanned the whole area all while listening to the nuisance who involved him in the entire mess. A weirdly annoying nuisance.
"They won't. And, my name is not KID. It's Theo." Théoden resulted in glaring at Delvin while his voice was deep with emphasis.
"Sorry kid…Theo. Besides I am an adult here. What would that make me, leaving a ki...you here? I should take care of you until I confirm you are safe. Think of it as my selfishness."
Delvin was not ordinary. He seemed capable enough to strain his ability which had increased significantly. Much more than an ordinary human. Though Théoden was not sure how much stronger he himself was, he could easily take on a few grown men. That much was obvious. However, his stamina was completely depleted thanks to the marathon he did, yet, Delvin looked perfectly fine.
[Stamina gained +1]
He scanned the man but nothing was off about him except the robe covering him.
'Mind's eye activate.'
[Skill: Mind's eye]
[Name: Delvin ???][Race: Hybrid-???][Age: 19 years]
[Not enough authority to view the target's whole information.]
"Okay. Hurry then. And while we do, I would like to know why people are chasing you, in other words, chasing me as well."
Delvin's identity spelled trouble. Théoden knew that other races existed but he never dwelled to find out how many races existed in the new world he had arrived in. A hybrid was new. Théoden ignored that detail as the surrounding was much more creepy than he thought.
There were people in the side streets of the narrow passages. They looked starved and some had lost their will and sat as if waiting for someone to give them the blessing of peace through death. Something they seemed too cowardly to attempt themselves. He didn't know how he got here in the first place. He was led along and ended up following blindly.
'I'm so dumb.'
"Ah. This…I don't think you need to pry too much. It isn't as safe as you might think…I mean knowing more than that. I can only protect you this much."
Delvin seemed to insist that it was dangerous. His eyes couldn't lie. He was truthful in what he said. There was something suspicious about it. Théoden's eyes remained alert looking at the situation with his eyes. He felt the gave of many among the few he could see in his surrounding.
"...I decide that. Besides, they have been taken care of by me, so shouldn't I have the right to hear it from you? Or should I hear it from them instead?"
Théoden said in a colder tone than he would use.
"What do you mean by taken care of?"
"I mean they are no longer a threat to worry about. Them and those behind them. What did they expect while wanting to harm a noble? They are either just stupid or too arrogant."
"...."
Delvin didn't think much of it but looking back at the manner of speech and worn clothes Théoden had, it was quite obvious. Maybe it was in the heat of the moment but it completely slipped his mind.
"So...you are nobility. Ah. pardon my rudeness." said Delvin, giving a slight bow.
Théoden was used to this from unrelated people but it didn't make him feel any better.
"Drop the formalities. Now talk."
"They...are a criminal group I have been working to eliminate. I was caught up and it ended up them chasing me all the way here. I met you on the way making you look like an accomplice, however, they didn't seem to get a good look at your face so you should be safe. I will return you to safety."
"Hmm? Do you have an idea of why a place like the slums exists in the capital?"
'Is he serious?' Delvin thought.
"...."
After observing Théoden waiting for an answer, he confirmed he was dead serious.
"It has always been like that. They are probably people who can't even be sold as slaves to nobles and are useless to be used as working tools. So they group up together there since they can't be taken in anywhere else. The authorities say they will take care of them, but they do nothing. They neither give them a place nor grant them freedom, so they end up dying there. They can't leave the capital either. It is hard being born of a slave for your identity remains a slave….It remains a cruel cycle."
"I see. So slavery exists." Théoden muttered.
"....."
Delvin was sure that all nobles were the same. He had never met such a noble before. Which noble doesn't know about slavery? It was the knowledge given from a young age to nobles. That made Delvin erase the thought that Théoden was of nobility but a kid who dreamed of nobility.
"Well, okay. Well, will be parting ways here anyways. Goodbye, Delvin."
They arrived at the main capital area where Théoden came to a stop. He turned and farewell before disappearing altogether with his aura.
"...He remembered my name?" Delvin muttered under his breath when Théoden disappeared from his sight.
He didn't know he was being watched by multiple eyes which disappeared when Théoden did. He could have never guessed if he tried harming Théoden in any way, his head would fly.
As for the pursuers. They were immobilized and sent to prison where they would be spending the rest of their lives regretting coming across the kid they met earlier.
'So they betrayed me?'
Delvin sighed and stared into nothingness, his eyes losing the sky-blue light they had. Reality had been brought back to him. He soon enough disappeared into the street lanes.
The day Théoden's assigned professors come had arrived.
"Mer, have they arrived?"
"Yes. They are waiting in the meeting room, Young Master"
Mer said following Théoden who was heading to the meeting room. His posture had improved and he was taking constant calm steps.
"So, what am I doing today?"
"Young master will get acquainted with them and get a brief introduction and summary of what you will be studying."
It was simply an introduction at first on briefing and getting to know each one and making a concrete schedule.
"On, top of that, they are your private exclusive tutors entailing that they will be with you in the capital and when we return to the Astalles Duchy."
'Wow. Is there such a thing?'
"I see. Then, let's meet them shall we?"
Théoden opened the door to the meeting room. There was a simple layout. A large seat with the teachers seated beside each other.
Just before Théoden arrived, they were having an interesting conversation.
"Long time no see Emanuel."
"Hoho. Yes, Same to you Ainsley."
They shook hands and smiled happily having met each other after so long.
"You went to the same academy, both of you if I remember right. Golden Oak Royal Academy, am I right? Oh. It's my first time meeting you. I am Professor Leroy Wellman. I graduated at the same academy."
"Mhn? You are familiar."
"Yes, Mr. Emanuel. I took one of your lessons. It was life inspiring. Mr. Ainsley's essay was famous even after you graduated."
"Be comfortable. We are professors here with the same rank."
"If you insist. They even managed to hire the cold witch. She is quiet as ever."
"It is Gladys, thank you."
The only woman in the room said. Her voice chilled coldness sent shivers to the gentlemen.
"Fierce as ever. Lives up to her reputation. How did they ever convince you, Gladys?"
"Same way they did, you. The heir is quite special, they say. We have to groom them well." Gladys's eyes shinned with determination they could almost feel sorry for the heir.
"That goes without saying. We are among the best teachers there are in the kingdom. He has to be special if the Duchess goes to such lengths to gather all four of us here."
They nodded in unison and agreement.
"True."
Clack!
The door opened and Théoden walked in. His short lessons with Mer helped him conduct himself but it didn't say much about his attitude towards such esteemed professors.
"...."
The professors were perplexed. They saw a young master walk in and smile, not the very least intimidated by their presence. His innocent eyes had naivety and inexperience. He looked less to standard than they expected. Their cold eyes scanned Théoden head to toe trying to find flaws, but there was hardly any.
"I will introduce myself first. I am Théoden of the Astalles Duchy. Son and heir to my mother the Duchess. I have requested they choose the best thus I will believe you are the best. I look forward to our time together."
Théoden did a simple introduction which led to silence in the room.
He, however, didn't hold the atmosphere that a noble held. The arrogance those of higher status held or the cowardice that came with it. Instead of being intimidated, he seemed relaxed. Instead of arrogance, he showed humility.
Théoden didn't mind the silence. Instead, he looked at each of them and analyzed their posture and characteristics to memory. He didn't want to forget his own teachers' faces so soon. On the other hand, they felt like they were being assessed instead. Like their value was being weighed in his hands.
Théoden smiled at last.
"Will you not introduce yourselves?"