"Right maybe Mom won't really mind what I did"
He said however as soon as he arrived at the tower's gate he saw his mother Isabella.
"Mom?"
However, instead of being happy, the boy knew he should run because, in her mother's hand, a long stick was already aiming for him.
"Master it seems we have a more scarier enemy than a general rank beast"
"Yeah, I agree" Apollo can't help but agree as he saw his mother looking like an erupting volcano.
For a moment the boy wants to tell Bulan to slow down however he knows he can't, he won't be able to seeing his mother Isabella pin her gaze on him.
"Hey Mom I came back before dinner" He said as soon as he reached the gate.
"Apollo"
"Yes Mom" he couldn't look at her he was afraid he might cry if he did so. Isabella rarely scolded him when she did it always ended with Apollo crying.
"What did you do in the forest?"
Under the setting sun, Isabella interrogated her son however the boy couldn't even look up his head still down looking at the ground.
"Get inside we will talk"
The boy nodded then he told Bulan to travel back to the word of spirit which the spirit wolf complied.
"I am doomed," he thought while asking Jeremiah to think of a solution to help him out.
[Unfortunately Creator I couldn't find any solution you may deal with this yourself]
"What!?... Hey Jeremiah?... Buddy?..hey?"
With no reaction to him, Apollo quietly sat on one of the chairs in her mother's office. Strangely one of the documents stated an exploration of the endless ocean which made the boy frown.
No one has ever gone beyond the continent not even the most powerful wizards and swordsmen dare to. The reason is the body of water that surrounds the continent contains many ferocious beasts. It's not like they are weak however an underwater battle isn't easy to do after all who could best a sea beast in a fight underwater?
"Are they planning for an expedition?" He questioned then he heard the door creak.
"Apollo"
Isabella's call made the boy stand up straight from his seat.
"Ifrit already told me what you did....do you have any excuses, my dear son?"
She said as she sat on one of the chairs in front of Apollo's seat.
"I told you no dangerous acts haven't I?"
The child just nodded with his head still sticking to the ground.
"So tell me what is it you are trying to test this time?...the last time you did this you wanted to test an air cannon"
"Ummm..."
"I can't hear you, Apollo"
"Well I just wanted to test my new level you see Mom I advance" he said softly trying to appease his mother's anger.
"That's not a good reason to disobey me, Apollo"
"Ummm...sorry mom"
"Do you want me to ban you from the forest?"
"No"
"Then make sure I won't be able to receive any news of your suicide-like attempts...do you hear me, son?"
"Yes Mom"
Isabella could only sigh looking at her pale-looking child with him looking like this she couldn't bring herself to punish him.
"You are forbidden to leave the tower's territory unless I told you so...understood?"
"Yes Mom"
"Go ahead and rest we will talk later"
Apollo nodded before leaving the room and as soon as he closed the door he spoke, "Ifrit "
The previous boy who looks like a dying rat now looks domineering and powerful.
"You ratted me out didn't you?" He questioned.
The temperature suddenly rose at that moment Apollo felt his body sweat. From the ground, a faint magic circle emerged revealing a torrent of red flames. That pillar of flames suddenly molds into a humanoid shape. Finally, his appearance was shown two horns seemingly carved from the mouth of a volcano. The body seemingly made out of lava created more images of a demon while his back was adorned with two bat-like wings. The fire demon spirit finally emerges.
"Apologies young master however you knew our contract forbids us from lying to our master "
"I know...sigh.." He massaged his forehead feeling stressed.
"Young master"
"Yes Ifrit"
"You fought well a while ago I and others admire how you fought a general rank beast"
The fire demon spirit said while genuinely admiring Apollo for his feat.
"Thank you well I should go I think I need some rest" the boy was about to leave when Ifrit stopped him.
"Wait, young master"
"What is it Ifrit "
"As I said before other spirits under your mother admire your battle so we decided to give you a gift"
The boy was a bit confused since he never heard of spirits giving gifts.
From the hand of the spirit raises a crystal Apollo thinks it is crystal mana however he was wrong.
The crystal has a luminous light while the color can be compared to the star-filled night sky. It is as if stars exist inside the crystal glowing and reflecting the light that went through it.
"Here young master" From Ifrit the crystal floated right in front of Apollo. The boy extended his hand taking the crystal from Ifrit still amazed at's exquisite appearance.
"It's beautiful" he could only say while holding the crystal.
"It's a spirit crystal young master"
"Spirit crystal wasn't this extremely rare"
"The crystal was made through the power of all the spirits of your mother.... initially we wanted to give it when your birthday arrived but seeing how you fought we thought you deserve to have it now"
"Whoah! thank you Ifrit" Apollo smiled while hugging the crystal. He had never been this happy when he received a gift. It was a gift given because he performed well for the first time he felt validated. His efforts weren't in vain people were paying attention to it not just him.
"Thank you" he said again giving them a hug.
"Master I might burn you," Ifrit said feeling worried.
"Nah your heat can't compare to the warmth I am currently feeling"
Then Apollo finally lets go knowing that the spirit won't want to hurt him.
"Tell the other spirits that I am thankful for their gift"
"Dont worry young master I shall send your word"
"Alright then I'll go ahead"
The spirit just nodded before disappearing again.
[Creator congratulations]
"Shut up you left me when I needed you the most"
[Apologies however your mother isn't someone I can go against]
"Sigh... forget it"
Jeremiah was based on Apollo thus if Apollo can't go against his mother so will Jeremiah.
"Let's go back to sir Gavin first I need to give him something"
Running across the halls of the Black Tower Apollo came across a discussion among the senior mages.
"So have the delegates for the banquet been finalized?"
"I don't know but from what I heard we were told to wait for the memo"
"When will this banquet happen?"
"A month from now we should prepare since for sure we will have to exhibit some of our powers again"
"Every damn time we were told to showcase our strength but I feel like we are being treated like clowns"
"No choice after all it's the emperor's command "
"Tsk!"
[Will you go as well, Creator?]
"Yes after all I am a member of that damn duchy"
He said as he entered inside the teleporter.
Inside the Blue Moon tower, Gavin was surprised as he saw the nano armor he worked hard for turn into a ragged piece of metal.
"I'm sorry about the armor but I brought something you might like "
He then handed a folder to the dumbfounded wizard, as he received it the boy waited for his reaction.
"!?"
He smirked seeing his surprised reaction.
"You listed the specs of the armor and also their strength and weakness"
"Yes I also recorded the capacity of the nano armor I hope it can help you"
"Oh boy, it will thank you!"
Gavin smiled and began ruffling Apollo's hair making it messy.
"Since you brought something for me let me give you something in return "
The mage from the tower Blue Moon walked towards one of the shelves of his office.
"This should do it" he said before taking out a long sealed item from a secret compartment.
"Here take it"
He said as he put two items on the table a long item wrapped tightly and a thick book.
"This one is a prototype nano weapon while this one is a journal which compiles some of our achievements working on the artificial warrior and nanotech. You can have it Apollo just be sure no one will know okay"
"Yes sir Gavin no one will"
"Well I am sure you will, now run along dinner will be served an hour from now"
The boy nodded before thanking him again.
"Jeremiah"
[Yes]
"Analyze this journal and see if this can help me raise my rank in machinery Engineer"
[On it Creator]
Gazing at the now dark sky he saw how stars began to appear slowly lightning the sky.
"The banquet huh..."
A smile escaped from his lips feeling excited
"I still have one month...I wonder how my monster brother and sister are doing"
Just remembering how he used to run after them trying to gain their approval until that longing turned into hatred.
What kind of family would hurt their member just because of talent? Do you need to have value for you to be treated like a family? Or do you need to give something just so they can find worth in you?
Without him knowing a shade of blue mana escaped from his body coating as if it became a shield.
"Haaa..." He breathes again releasing all his frustration leaving only bloodlust.