After talking with both of my parents they agreed with what I want.
Currently I was in front of the Emperor, Emperor Raon Airis and his daughter Lucia Airis.
The Queen died giving birth to Lucia the only heir to the throne.
"You want to cancel the engagement with my daughter even though it hasn't been announced?"
"I believe that everyone has the right to choose who they love"
"You are correct"
"And I believe even though you are the emperor but you are a father first and foremost to Princess Lucia."
The Emperor who had a stoic face looked at me seriously, my father who was behind me tensed.
Even though he and the emperor were close friends currently I was here not as his nephew but a subject.
"If I choose an incompetent bastard for Lucia to choose then this kingdom will fall into ruin."
"Precisely."
"But if she chooses a bastard even after I told her she could choose herself then I would have no choice but to step in myself as I do not want to let the Kingdom fall into ruin"
I did not reply since it was not my problem and just looked at the Emperor.
"That is why, starting from now the two of you will spend your days together."
"But!"
I tried to stop it
"I know, give it five years if you will not develop any feelings then I will not push it through"
With that the Emperor and My Father laughed and left us alone.
I looked at Princess Lucia, she had inherited her mothers beauty, she had Platinum hair and Red eyes.
"Thank you for speaking up."
She said as she bowed.
"It was nothing, I always believed that we ourselves should take matters into our own hands."
"Is that so."
I looked at her, whenever I see her I'm reminded of the routes Taehyun played.
"I agree with you Sir Alfred."
"Please you can speak casually."
"Then Alfred."
She came near me, I know Taehyun would think this is a game, but this is reality, A reality I've lived in for twelve years.
As much as I thought I would be swayed by what I saw from Princess Lucia, the fact is.
The Lucia I know and the Lucia from Taehyun's memory is different.
I should stop worrying about the future and focus on the present for now.
She then held my hand and gave me a smile, but I was not swayed, yet.
"Then shall we get to know each other?"
"Alright Princess."
We then strolled around the garden of their estate and talked nonsensical things.
"Alfred, why did you want to break up the engagement?"
She finally asked, I decided that teller her the truth would be better.
"Because I don't want to live with someone who does not want to be with me at the end of the day."
She nodded as if trying to understand me, of course we are currently twelve but its not unheard of in the Perlutia Empire to hear nobles getting engaged at this age.
"Then I guess we have something in common then."
"Perhaps"
"Let us see each other every other day then and see where we can go."
"As long as you inform me ahead of time."
"I will, and what kind of food would you like me to bring if I visit you?"
"Perhaps any sort of cake will do, I do like cakes."
"I will keep in mind, and what time will you be done training?"
"Perhaps in the afternoon as I dedicate my mornings for my learnings, what about you Lucia?"
"The same goes for me, then perhaps starting tomorrow?"
"I'm fine with that."
We both then continued talking terms of our visits so that it would not be an inconvenience.
Unbeknownst to me my Father and The Emperor looked at us far away, something he would tell me in the future.
As we returned to out estate via teleportation magic I went into my study.
There I laid out books about mana, mana theory and magic.
If there was something I was lacking it was utilizing magic.
Yes, if anything the reason I could not beat the hero was that I was lacking in that department according to Taehyun's memories.
I was ahead of him in terms swordmanship but he would eventually cover that up with the combined use of magic.
"Then I as well should learn magic and not be focused solely on the sword"
As I opened the book and began reading.
[ Learned Mana Sensitivity! ]
[ You are now more aware of the mana! ]
That was easy?
[ Granting Rewards! Please select one of the following! ]
[ Heavenly Demon Arts ]
[ Ethereal Monarchy ]
"I choose neither"
[ Are you sure? ]
"Yes, instead of letting me choose, show me their descriptions"
[ Understood ]
As I read their description, Heavenly Demon Arts is the same as I expected it to be, it a Cultivation technique that allows the user to ascend to greater heights but the cost is turning into a madman if I can't control the power properly.
But for the Ethereal Monarchy, its the exact opposite, its like choosing whether I want to be good or not, but the downside is most of my actions would be restricted but both are powerful.
What I want is something more powerful
"Alright I've read their descriptions"
The text then disappeared in front of me, choosing between two elements is too hard, but both are of the most strongest out there.
I wrote down what I saw and remembered
"Which elements do I have the highest affinity with?"
[ The Master has the highest affinity with both Dark and Light, hence the two cultivation techniques ]
Right I haven't started cultivating yet, as I planned to do it next year and use the Imperial Technique.
"But now"
Let's make one of our own.
I began writing down and instinctively writing down my own technique based on what I've read.
[ Golden Hour Activated! ]
[ Focus 10x! ]
I felt a sudden rush of wisdom and knowledge just from reading.
I tried to combine the two opposite extremes as while I was writing I was already experimenting with my own body.
Harnessing the mana and their different qualities.
As Alfred began writing, focused and determined his father watched quietly amazed at what he saw.
He had a faint smile.
"Lucas, don't allow anyone to enter this area, and report to me once Alfred is done."
"Your will be done master"