As Lassim drew nearer to the Rohese estate, the transformation of the surrounding area was unmistakable.
Observing each building he passed, he noticed they bore the seal of the Rohese family, a proud emblem etched into the stone near the doorways or delicately inlaid into the woodwork at a predominantly street facing point. The owners clearly wishing to let the wider public know that the home had a connection. This mark of craftsmanship was a clear indication that the architects and artisans who had shaped this part of Myriad Spirit City were under the patronage of the Rohese's architecture firm.
The houses along the way grew increasingly grandiose, each one with noble influence, and refined taste. Yet, despite their extravagance, there was a harmonious balance with the city's overall aesthetics—a testament to the Rohese family's ability to elevate the building's status without overshadowing the cultural and architectural integrity of the surroundings. The buildings seamlessly blended the stonemason and woodworking charm intrinsic to Myriad Spirit City with a contemporary elegance that spoke of innovation and nobility.
Lassim couldn't help but feel a mix of awe and introspection as he continued his approach. The realization of his mother's family's prominence within the city's elite was both humbling and eye-opening. He had known his heritage, through his mother's understated words of course, but witnessing the physical manifestation of the Rohese legacy laid out before him brought a new depth of understanding.
The properties were not just homes but some elegant shops as well. The Rohese family's touch was everywhere on display, from the elegant designs of the homes to the meticulously landscaped gardens that graced their frontages, each element a piece of a larger narrative that spoke of prestige, and a deep-rooted connection to the city itself.
As he moved through the streets, deeper to the inner city where the Rohese estate was, the homes slowly became palatial, their facades adorned with intricate carvings and their gates wrought from intricate metals that gleamed in the mid-noon sunlight. Gardens bloomed with exotic flora, and the air was perfumed with their scent, creating an ambiance of serene opulence.
It was a world apart from the life Lassim had known in the humble Swallowtail Mountain City, where only the Vanthar estate could boast a fraction of the opulence he was witnessing, a stark contrast of what he was raised to appreciate and the legacy he was born into without his full understanding.
The Rohese estate loomed ahead, its grandeur surpassing even the most lavish of the homes he'd passed. Standing before the gates, Lassim took a moment to collect his thoughts, preparing to step into a realm that, until now, had felt more like a legend than a reality.
The moment he reached the ornate gates of the Rohese estate, the air around him thickened, charged with a palpable, pressing force. Two guards materialized seemingly out of nowhere, their intimidating silhouettes against the backdrop of the grand entrance. The sudden weight of their presence bore down on him, a physical manifestation of their strength.
The guards were stronger than any of the elders of the academy, except for Master Kale and the Vice-Headmaster. Their scrutiny was intense, their eyes piercing through Lassim as if to uncover his very intentions. He wondered how strong they must be exactly as they were no ordinary guards.
"What business have you here, approaching the Rohese family's estate unannounced and on foot, like some common beggar?" one of the guards demanded, his voice laced with suspicion.
They observed his academy robes, a hint of recognition flickering in their gaze, yet their stance remained unwavering. "There are no known missions from the academy destined for the Rohese estate at this time. Speak now, or be turned away."
Lassim, taken aback by the hostility and the unexpected force pressing against him, struggled to maintain his composure. The situation was displeasing, to say the least. With a grunt of frustration, he straightened up, meeting the guards' challenging stares with a level gaze of his own.
"I am Lassim Vanthar," he declared, his voice steady despite the discomfort. "I am here to meet with my grandparents, Frederyc and Elisa Rohese." He flashed the letter for their observation.
The effect of his words was instantaneous. The oppressive pressure vanished as quickly as it had appeared, leaving a sudden lightness in its wake. The guards' expressions shifted from suspicion to shock, and then to deep respect. In a fluid motion that spoke of rigorous training and discipline, they knelt before him, their heads bowed.
"Our apologies, Young Master," they shouted in unison, their voices now filled with reverence. "We welcome you to the Rohese estate. Please forgive our earlier offense."
The gates magically swung open, beckoning him into the heart of the estate, the guards called inward, announcing his arrival.
From the shadows of the lush, manicured gardens, a butler emerged. His demeanor was impeccable, his stride measured and purposeful as he approached Lassim.
"Master Lassim, it is an honor to welcome you home," the butler greeted, his voice smooth and accommodating. "I am here to escort you to the masters of the estate. They have been eagerly awaiting your arrival."
With a nod of acknowledgment, Lassim followed the butler, leaving the gates and the initial misunderstanding behind. As they walked through the estate's expansive grounds, Lassim couldn't help but marvel at the beauty and tranquility that surrounded him. The tension from the encounter at the gates dissipated with each step, replaced by a growing curiosity and a sense of belonging.
As Lassim followed the Head Butler through the meticulously maintained grounds of the Rohese estate, he couldn't help but marvel at its grandeur, far surpassing that of his own Vanthar estate.
The estate buzzed with activity; maids and guards alike paused in their duties to bow respectfully as he passed, their actions underscoring his unexpected prominence within the household. Curious glances and whispered speculations followed him, the maids sneaking peeks, eager to lay eyes on the young master whose expected arrival had been the talk of the estate.
The path through one of the estate's inner courtyard gardens, a serene oasis of blooming flowers and whispering fountains, was momentarily obstructed by a figure standing decidedly in their way.
The youth, several years Lassim's senior and carrying an air of prideful arrogance, blocked their passage with a stance that spoke of intentional confrontation.
He was a handsome boy, with sharp features softened slightly by the youthful arrogance that his posture betrayed. His eyes, dark and assessing, fixed on Lassim with undisguised disdain.
"I heard a Vanthar brute was sullying the halls of our esteemed Rohese home," the boy announced, his voice dripping with contempt. "I find it hard to believe that the blood of the Rohese could be tainted by such... common and brutish stock."
Lassim, taken aback by the sudden hostility, studied the boy before him. This had to be a cousin he'd had never met. "And you are?" Lassim inquired, his tone measured, betraying none of the irritation that sparked within him.
"Edric Rohese," the boy replied with a sneer, puffing out his chest slightly. "Sixth-year at the Myriad Spirit Academy and true scion of the Rohese lineage. Unlike some, I take pride in our heritage, not dragging it through the mud by associating with the likes of Vanthars."
Lassim felt a twinge of anger at Edric's words but kept his composure. "Edric, is it? Well, it's a pleasure to finally meet a member of my mother's family, even under such... charming circumstances," Lassim retorted, his voice laced with a hint of sarcasm. "You speak of pride and heritage, yet you stand here, insulting your kin without so much as a proper greeting. Is that the Rohese way?"
Edric's face flushed with a mixture of anger and embarrassment. "Kin? Ha! The day the Rohese lineage celebrates the inclusion of a backwater Vanthar is the day we forsake our legacy," he spat, clearly riled by Lassim's words. "Your father may have power that surpasses countless others, but what is a Vanthar without him shielding you from the wind and rain? You're just a garden flower."
"The Rohese legacy is one of intelligence, grand designs and dignity fitting nobles across the Veridian Continent," Lassim countered, standing his ground. "If you're truly a Rohese, you'd recognize the value in unity and respect among family, regardless of external affiliations. Or perhaps those concepts are too advanced for a sixth-year to grasp? Also, shielded from the wind and rain?" Lassim chuckled lightly as he rotated his cultivation technique.
The surroundings suddenly experienced a drop in pressure. Above the courtyard a dark cloud quickly formed, cackling with thunder and flashing lightning, he continued, "I am the storm."
Edric bristled at the challenge, his arrogance momentarily faltering in the face of Lassim's calm defiance. The lightning and the surrounding mist was much stronger than any first year should have. 'What is this power?' he thought.
"Y-You'll never be a true Rohese in my eyes," he declared, though the certainty of his earlier contempt seemed to wane.
"Being a 'true Rohese' isn't determined by your narrow view of the world, Edric," Lassim replied, his patience wearing thin. "It's about more than blood or the name we carry. But I suppose you'll learn that in time."
With a final glare, Edric stepped aside, allowing Lassim and the Head Butler to pass. Lassim stopping his cultivation technique and the cloud disappeared into thin air. The leaves on all the plants in the courtyard now freshly misted with dew.
As they moved away from the uncomfortable confrontation with Edric, the Head Butler sighed, a mixture of annoyance and resignation in his expression.
"Young Master Lassim, I must apologize for Young Master Edric's behavior. It's unfortunate, but his mother, your aunt, Lady Ressa, has indulged him far too much. His arrogance often lands him in trouble, though he seldom learns from it."
The Butler glanced at Lassim, his eyes softening. "But let us not dwell on such unpleasantness. It's clear to me, even from our brief acquaintance, that you possess qualities far more becoming of the Rohese name. Your strength of character, evident in the way you handled that situation, speaks volumes."
Internally, the Butler couldn't help but feel a surge of excitement about Young MAster Lassim's addition to the family. Despite being raised away from the Rohese estate and under the Vanthar name, his demeanor and innate elemental prowess suggested a bright future for the family with him as a representative.
"It's truly refreshing to see such a promising seed within our family," the Butler continued, his voice carrying a hint of warmth. He also knew that both masters of the house must have witnessed the scene play out, as they were both spirit warrior experts in the higher levels of power. 'Their spirit sense covers the entire estate at all times, so seeing them not intervene or appear must have been a small test for how the Young Master Lassim carries himself.' The Head Butler thought to himself.
Despite the unpleasantness, Lassim felt a renewed appreciative of this kind butler and determination to understand his place within the Rohese lineage. He wanted to prove himself worthy of the name, not just to Edric, but to all who doubted him. Yet, if he had to forsake it all and just be a Vanthar, he'd be fine with that too. He knew his mother had already separated herself to an extent for unknown reasons. Possibly, there was more to this estate that first meets the eye, and even more a possibility is Edric being a small sign of those problems showing themselves. He inwardly felt like this would potentially be annoying to deal for the next few years.