Raffaelo POV.
Time passed by quite quickly after the battle against Uncle Phillip and more than a week had already passed.
During that week, Gloria was unconscious until a few days ago when she finally woke up.
It was relieving to find her training on the training fields again after all that time.
'Well, now….she's going to be more focused on getting stronger".
I currently reside in Mother's mansion since my Father's mansion was undergoing reconstruction after the battle but my sisters couldn't find the time to trouble me since they had other things to take care of.
Gloria, Fiona and Rebecca left for the Republic of Lumbrica…the capital of our country. They were attending the Homeric Academy of Gifted children.
It's an institution that's more or less like a school but for Kids with talents in magic or Swordsmanship. It doesn't have to be those two either, all kinds of talents are welcomed.
The academy takes in new students every year and you must have at least reached 15 before getting in, meaning five years from now after the battle of the families I have to attend the academy and Rebecca is also taking the entrance examination this year. She'll be safe with Gloria and Fiona so I don't need to worry about her and the exam isn't something she would fret over as well
'In my previous life…the academy was more like torture for me…..though I met some very interesting people at the time….especially Annie….my former fiancee….'
I sighed as I looked down at the pavement.
The snow had finally stopped falling and signs of spring were finally blooming out.
I didn't really have anything to do throughout the week.
'I've done so much mental training that I've gotten sick of it'. I thought.
Thalia went back to Juvenile Law school but she seems to be preparing to get into Homeric Academy. It's a good thing too since I won't have any family waiting for me when I get over there. Morganna on the other hand seems to be holding a grudge on us…I think.
"Raph.. " and just like the saying goes speak of the devil and she appears.
I slowly turned around to face her. "....Yes sister ?"
She was still wearing her night dress.
"...you must have overslept" I muttered as she walked closer to me, fisting her sleepy eyes.
"Is that how it seems…." She muttered as she yawned loudly. "I can't find the new maid…where is she ?"
"You mean Priscilla…."
"..yes…her…I need to take my bath and all….where is she ?" She repeated her earlier statement as she stared down the window as well.
After the whole incident, my mum ensured to find every single one of our maids and guards that abandoned us. The punishment given to them wasn't light either since it was a straight banishment. Well it's a suitable punishment since The Jun family has a generation old torture room in the basement. No one really liked to talk about that till now.
The head cook and Charmie escaped. There wasn't a single trace of them in the towns surrounding us so I figured they either bailed out of the country or had someone really high up there protecting them.
She stared at the big tree next to the mansion and let out a small sigh. "Why do you think those maids betrayed us ?"
'Is she still caught up with that ?' I thought with a puzzled expression. She never really mentioned anything about it since then, retreating to herself.
"Why do you ask ?" I asked with a raised brow.
She turned towards me with an expression that seemed to mature for a 12 year old.
"What is it ?" I asked.
"....I'm going to pick a sword....since humans don't try to get along it's only right I do something about it…"
'Wait ?! She holed up in herself for a whole week just to come out with that conclusion'
A small chuckle escaped my lips but I couldn't hold back the laughter that came right after.
She stared at me, baffled at my reaction. "Is it that funny ?" She muttered pouting her lips.
"No…not at all" I patted her head. 'Little girl…there is so much to this world you don't know yet….' I thought as memories of her in my past life filmed through my head.
"Huh ?" She mumbled out but didn't reject my hand.
"Don't worry about needless thing….firstly…protect something….you should find power to protect something….the Jun family especially focuses on bonds and love…so…find something you wish to protect".
She stared at me blankly. I couldn't tell what went through her mind but it sure wasn't going to be some girly thought.
"You talk like an old man". She turned around and walked away in an instant leaving me with an almost suffocated expression.
"She came out so mean" the familiar laughter projected in my ears as a presence suddenly appeared on the rail of my window.
"You're still here…Mr Jerome ?" I mumbled some few words looking up at the dignified dark skinned man before me. 'This man really saved our a*ses back then'.
"Sorry sorry….your dad's calling you to his study…I came to tell you that" he said, jumping into my new room.
I couldn't help but gaze at his toned muscles and dignified structure. Don't get me wrong, I'm straight.
"You want to build your body as well don't you" he asked almost like he could read through my thoughts.
Well, there was no way he could.
"Yes….do you have a routine ?" I asked, getting up from the stool and walking out of the room with him behind me.
"Well…body building isn't exactly easy you know….and most Swordsmen skip through it".
Well body building may not seem like a necessary factor for a swordsman but there are times when we've got to be a man and use our fists. In my past life, I was as slim as a broomstick. Well not literally but in that sense.
"It's necessary" I replied as I got to my Father's study. Well it belongs to my Mother but they seem to use it together more often these days.
'Now that I think about it….since after that battle….they've been focusing on training and understanding the ways of the Sword…..did something happen that I'm not aware of ?' I thought as the door clicked open before I could get hold of the handle.
A slim brown haired lady with hazel eyes slowly opened the door. I noticed the dress she was putting on. 'The head maid…' I thought as my trait activated on its own and I noticed her number of stars. It tends to do that these days.
'Anyways….an 8th star maid….not bad father'
She clasped her hand on her mouth as her gaze met mine and bowed. "Good day young Lord".
'Young Lord? I like that…..but…Why am I young…?'
"...good day" I replied and nodded my head as I turned my gaze to a petrified Jerome.
'Huh ? Is this a love triangle?' I thought, noticing the red blush on his cheeks. 'Do people's cheeks just turn red when they see an attractive person they like…jeez'
I walked into my Father's study, locking it from behind and leaving Jerome to handle whatever situation that was.
"Good day, Father".
He looked up from the small newspaper he was reading and his lips curled into a proud smile. "Is there something on my face ?" I asked out of curiosity, chucking a little at the same time.
"Of course not…what could be so funny in that unattractive face of yours". My mothers taunts projected in my ears and I slowly turned to my left where she laid down in an undignified position on a sofa while reading a novel.
There were shelves of books surrounding the walls of the room and only two windows served as the ventilation and source of light. 'With this kind of setting…it's no wonder they have six kids'
I chuckled at the thought and she furrowed her brow as if reading my mind.
'Are all of you psychic now ?' I sighed. "Mother you jest, I'm a handsome kid just so you know". I turned around to face my Father ignoring her words. It's true.
Even in my past life, I was regarded as too "beautiful" for a guy because of my white hair and eyes.
"This kid !" She cried out, adjusting her position as my father laughed.
"Let's get to the reason I called you here shall we"
"But…before that….Father…you got an 8th star maid ?" I asked, remembering the lady that I had just met outside.
The question seemed to hold more weight than I actually thought.
"How did you know ?" My mother asked.
My gaze jumped to her and we stared into each other's eyes. I did get these particular eyes from her.
"My trait….I can see it" I replied.
My father seemed flabbergasted while my Mother just clicked her tongue. "The Jun family". She muttered and continued with her novel.
"Anyways…Raffaelo….I think it's about time". My father pinched in and he said just the right words to peak my interest.
I turned my gaze towards him in an instant beaming with excitement. The Jun Family technique. Once you become a 5th star and possess a trait, you begin your training in earnest.
There are exactly 13 techniques each with its own difficulty in mana control and strength. It's something we pass down only to our direct lineage and if allowed, our partner. Luckily, the male heads of the Jun family don't favor polygamy mostly because they're a bunch of lover boys.
Well, that includes me too.
"The Jun Swordsmanship Training…it'll be good for you to start in earnest so you can make preparation for the battle of the family".
I nodded my head without waiting for him to explain the rest. He chuckled.
"You little kid….do you think the Jun Swordsmanship Training is some joke ?" My mother asked with a disapproved tone.
'Is she one of those….tsundere mum ? Is that a thing ?' I pondered on my thoughts, almost forgetting she asked me a question.
"....I want to get as strong as I can….after all…I intend on protecting my mum" I replied with a childish smile.
She stared at me blankly.
"That may had worked 3 years ago but not again"
I felt a piece of arrow poke my heart at her remark. 'Why are all the women being mean to me this morning ?" I thought quickly, turning to my father. "Can we please start….?" I asked.
He chuckled, enjoying my predicament as he got up from his chair.
I felt satisfied with my parents' reactions. It meant we were still a close family.
'At least….no more drama for a while….'
Or so I thought when we heard a loud horn sound from outside. A sound that sent chills down my spine without me even realizing it. 'PTSD…' I thought as my dad looked out through the window.
"As expected…..the royal messenger"