"…Frey? …Is he the…" Cykrus Aventia stood dumbfounded, guessing at the reason why Agnes brought a young child with her back to the palace.
"Yes, the demon you sent me to recruit." Agnes openly revealed this fact.
Frey did not know how to react, he stood in the presence of royalty, two powerful mages, and though Agnes told him previously that he would learn to wield magic from the man in front of him… what if… he changed his mind?
Cykrus had read the letter, he knew the rough descriptions of this supposed demon, but seeing the young boy in front of him completely threw him off.
"Are you sure?" he asked, just in case.
Agnes firmly nodded her head.
"And not just that, but he is a freshly awoken rank one mage. Earth and nature are among his elements." she said, which caused Cykrus' mood to improve dramatically.
However his happiness did not last for long, as it was replaced by an expression of conflict.
"I will consider whether we take him in or not, then tell you my decision tomorrow." he decided.
"What? But Lord Cykrus! There won't be a better chance to nurture a mage any time soon!"
"Give me until tomorrow." he spoke, conveying through his tone that this decision was final.
Agnes grumbled at her Lord's indecisiveness, but reined herself in.
"I'll have the head-maid-… forgive me, I mean Lena, escort the boy to a room for the remainder of the day. And have someone wash him."
From start to finish Frey did not utter a single word in the presence of the two, allowing himself to be escorted through several corridors and into a luxurious room with a king-size bed, as well as a mirror and a glass window, through which he had a perfect view out onto the flowers in the courtyard.
This was his first time looking at a mirror, until now the closest interaction to this was a puddle of water after a downpour.
He carefully looked himself up and down.
His black hair had grown rather long by now, almost reaching down to his shoulders.
Dirt, blood, and other things were sticking to his skin, hair, and clothes, making for a somewhat unpleasant sight when observed from up close, not to mention his stench, which Frey had grown immune to, after the past weeks of little to no interactions with any sort of bath.
Then a knocking resounded on his door.
"Young master, your bath has been prepared, please step outside." a young man's voice could be heard through his room's door.
… …
"There is something else I wanted to ask you, Lord Cykrus." Agnes continued speaking after Frey had been escorted outside.
"Yes?" he asked her to continue.
"I met Priest Simerlin on my way back to the capital, and there was something he said that won't leave my mind. He said that the branch of the church was relying on you, just as much as you were relying on them… what did he mean by this?" she asked in an attempt to understand her Lord's woes, to be of greater help.
"…Simerlin, huh. Well, look at it from our position: the church may be an independent force, unaffiliated with any other Lord or higher-ranking figures, which means that them settling down in Aventia naturally increases our forces, and intimidates external threats, keeping them from using frontal-assaults against us."
"Now look at it from the church's position: I am being very lenient with them, not restricting their movement or expansion. Though this is because I initially had a lack of strength to properly subdue the branch, it turned out to be much more beneficial in the long run. And because of this freedom, they do not wish to see a change in rulers."
"As long as we don't have a falling out, our two respective forces work together to protect this city in our own way."
Cykrus explained the most surface-level information regarding this issue, allowing Agnes to understand the priests reasoning a little clearer.
Agnes saw the priest in a new light, she knew that he wasn't stupid, but she had still underestimated the man until now.
He may have been a member of the church, but he most certainly wasn't a saint, instead a capable schemer.
"Then the church is the only reason why our territory hasn't been contested until now?" Agnes asked for clarification, she started to realise that the situation was much more severe than she knew.
Until now most of her problems were solved through the use of magic, she steered clear from anything involving politics and plots.
"Partly… that, and His Majesty's decree."
"His Majesty's decree? There was such a thing?"
"Indeed, it was the reason I urged you to go and recruit the demon. A matter of utmost importance."
"Forgive me, I do not understand…"
"His Majesty decreed, that after three years of preparation, there will be a competition. Every holder of a territory is to participate, each of us has to send one of our fledgling mages to take part. The results will decide the distribution of several sets of lands, including the current ones, like Aventia…"
"I believe His Majesty's intention is to scope the capabilities of our successors, and to support their growth in accordance with the results."
"But as you know, we do not have any such young mages, Agnes. Or at least, we used to. Until now."
"Which is exactly why I feel so conflicted right now… I don't know if we can trust the boy, and I don't know if it is right to wager the legacy my ancestors left behind on him." Cykrus finished his rant as he looked up to the various flags.
"My Lord. I have been around the boy, day and night, for the last days. Believe me when I say that he is human through and through. He may be young, but has experienced his fair share of tragedy already, one can see it in his eyes."
"Not to mention his sheer talent; he subconsciously summoned some kind of spirit to protect himself."
"I said it before, but there won't be a better chance than this… there likely won't be another chance at all." Agnes stated her full support for nurturing Frey.
Lord Cykrus fell into thought.
… …
In the meantime, Frey got to enjoy a long and warm bath, one that had been long overdue.
The butler was currently brushing out his hair, while he himself sat within the tub motionlessly.
"Are you nervous?" the butler asked him.
"Mhm…"
"Don't be, Lord Cykrus and Lady Agnes are very kind people, not to mention the rest of the staff within the palace." he said in an attempt to reduce Frey's anxiety.
"…Looks good…" the butler mumbled as he was finally finished with Frey's hair, then he let go and stood up.
"I will be right back; I will just search for some new clothes in your size."
Frey was all alone in the bathroom, strangely this made him more comfortable than before.
However he wasn't alone for long, as he looked through the room, before calling out "Lu? Can you come out? I want to talk to you…" he made sure not to speak too loudly.
At first this was just a guess, he did not actually expect it to work, and yet within moments the familiar brown human-looking creature stood at the edge of the bathtub.
Frey finally realized that this friend of his was around him at all times, only showing himself when he was in danger.
He looked at Lu fondly, but a question formed at the back of his mind.
"Are you… growing alongside me?" Frey was young and naive, but he wasn't stupid.
He could put one and one together, the situation where he had awoken his magic-talent, and that monkey form of Lu were just too much of a coincidence.
Lu tilted his head, seemingly unsure of the answer, but at the next moment his body changed its shape, his thin human arms and legs becoming thicker, illusory hair grew all over his body.
He became bigger overall, completely entering his monkey form, his height still below a full meter though.
During this transformation Frey was able to feel something from within him being drained, yet the amount felt miniscule, easily overlooked.
"Wow! Does that mean when I reach rank two you will get another form?! That's so cool!" he almost shouted in excitement as he grabbed Lu with both of his hands, then lifted him into the air.
"I guess I was born with a gift and a curse… you are obviously the gift, Lu." he said and smiled, he finally had assurance that his friend wouldn't leave him so easily.
Next there was a knocking on the door of the bathroom, Lu promptly disappeared into thin air, as the butler returned with several sets of fresh clothes.
"I am not entirely sure which size will fit you, so I just brought multiple with me."
… …
The next morning tens of people gathered within the throne room of the palace, some guards, but most of the men and women present wore noble clothing, suits and dresses, necklaces and rings adorned with gems, flaunting their wealth.
They were conversing with one another, holding drinks in their hands as they exchanged gossip and empty flattery.
"Hear, hear!" a man near the entrance spoke loudly to catch the attention of the nobility present, all their conversations came to an abrupt halt.
"Presenting his Grace, Lord Cykrus Aventia!" he continued, and at the same time the man in question entered the throne room, making his way towards the empty throne itself, the nobles within the room lowered their heads while facing towards him.
Lord Cykrus was wearing a simple yet well-tailored tunic.
Over this tunic was a modest surcoat, on which the current generation's family crest had been embroidered onto, the green peacock.
He stopped in front of the throne, then turned around to face the gathered nobles, lifting his hand to indicate for them to raise their heads.
"Ladies and gentlemen, esteemed guests, I have invited you here today because we have reason to celebrate…" he spoke while Lena approached him from his side, handing him a glass of his own.
"As you know, I am a man who does not beat around the bush, so I shall get straight to the point…" he mused, most of the people present were well aware of his personality and knew him for many years.
"Allow me to introduce to you the newest addition to the defence of our lovely Aventia… my new apprentice… Frey!" he raised his voice, making sure that everyone here understood that messing with Frey, meant messing with him from now on.
This was the cue for Frey to enter alongside Agnes.
Frey wore black formal robes, a pattern of gold woven into them, his hair was tied behind his head, and his face was too similar to his mother's, almost making him look like a pretty girl instead of a boy.
The nobility gasped, a rank two mage taking in an apprentice was a huge deal, especially so when the rank two mage was a Lord at that.
Frey looked straight ahead, doing his best not to stumble in this situation, his body trembled all over from the nervosity.
He and Agnes walked until they arrived at the base of the elevated floor in front of the throne, there Agnes nudged him lightly, to remind him of what she had told him beforehand.
The boy fell to his knee, eliciting approving nods from the crowd.
"Frey. Do you swear allegiance to the Aventia Family?" Cykrus asked once Frey was in position.
"I swear."
"Do you swear to protect both city, as well as citizens of Aventia, come what may?"
"I swear."
"Do you swear to strive for the peak of the arcane, for the protection of humanity?"
Frey was surprised by this question, protecting all of humanity?
What could humanity possibly need protection from?
Several pictures flashed in his mind, but in the end, he did not know which of them were real, and which were not.
His silence left the entire room holding their breath.
"…Do you?" Cykrus asked again, his voice carrying a hint of gentleness.
"I swear!" he proclaimed even louder than before.
"Then rise, my disciple!" Lord Cykrus ordered loudly as he raised his glass into the air.
"Yes, master!" Frey got up quickly, the trembling of his hands was no longer out of fear, but excitement.
The gathered nobility broke out into cheers, clapping of hands filled the entire room, even some whistling resounded.
The clapping lasted for a while, and as it started to die out, several nobles stepped out of the crowd and approached Frey, Cykrus also stepped away from the throne to join them.
The others continued their conversations with one another.
"A wonderful addition, Lord Cykrus. Me, and I believe practically everyone else here today is dying to find out where you found such an unpolished gem, you even went so far as to make him your disciple!" one of the nobles spoke, whether his intentions were kind, or full of mockery was nigh impossible to decipher.
"Sir Wolfheart, welcome. Agnes, if you would?" Cykrus smiled at the man, then gestured for Agnes to explain.
She cleared her throat "While patrolling the lands I chanced upon a group of bandits. As I was decimating their numbers, I realised that they had taken prisoners, among which there was Frey. I could feel the aura of a mage at the first moment. The auras aren't usually that strong, which told me that he must be special, and so far, my gut feeling has proven itself right." she lied as naturally as she breathed, the truth behind the incident, and Frey's supposed identity were better left unsaid.
Murmurs were heard all throughout the room, many people were secretly listening in while pretending to talk about other topics.
"No last name? Is he a commoner then?" some whispered.
With the most important things said, the celebration continued smoothly for another couple hours.
The nobles drank and engaged in conversation, people coming up to Frey and Lord Cykrus every now and then to congratulate the two.
Once the gathering was officially over, and the nobles were dismissed, it was just Agnes, Cykrus, and Frey again, as well as some butlers and maids who began cleaning the room.
"Was there really a need for such a ceremony? Wouldn't it have been better to hide Frey's existence until he is stronger?" Agnes finally voiced her worry, the thing that had been eating away at her the entire time since she was informed of the event.
"This was an important political event-"
"Ugh, politics again…" Agnes interrupted Cykrus.
"I am aware that you dislike it, but besides magic, it is the centre of our world."
"Anyways, what I meant to say was… that this event informed not just Aventia, but also our political enemies, as well as His Majesty of our firm participation and preparation for the competition."
"Won't that give rise to assassins? With Frey gone, we will be unable to participate in the competition." Agnes interjected her opinion again, causing Frey to shudder.
"Quite the opposite, with this declaration people will pay attention to Frey, not just our enemies. His Majesty's investigators would get involved when something suddenly happened to a participant. No one is willing to take such a risk, just to get rid of a rank one mage." Cykrus informed her, and Frey breathed a sigh of relief.
"That reminds me… I left the story of how you found Frey up to you, but what is this heroic tale about bandits?" Cykrus poked fun at her, still unaware of what had truly transpired.
"Did I forget to mention it? Well, I did alter the story a little, but it's true that I fought bandits, and then discovered Frey. Their leader was a rank one physical mage with runes all across his body." Agnes said, her confident tone revealing that it wasn't a big deal.
"Wha-? Runes?" Cykrus couldn't believe his ears.
"Yes, runes. I was also quite confused how some no-name bandit got a hold of such stable runes. According to Frey, his name is Hodwan. He was wielding fire." Agnes explained a little further.
"Hodwan… Hodwan…? That name sounds familiar, where have I heard it before?" Cykrus fell into thought.
"He looked to be about your age, could he have been some kind of former soldier or acquaintance?" Agnes tried to give him an idea.
"Soldier…? No… rank one mages are usually at least generals… and the only family that has enough rank ones to spare would be…"
"The Ironhoof Family!" both Agnes and Cykrus exclaimed at the same time.
"That's right! There was such a general!" Cykrus held his head as he finally remembered.
"Impossible, is he a spy they sent into our territory? Or to cause civil unrest?" Agnes recoiled at the thought.
They only had Cykrus and herself as mages in the entirety of Aventia, but the Ironhoofs are capable of just sending rank ones into enemy territory for fun?
Just how many did they have at their disposal?
The thought left both of them with cold sweat running down their backs.