"You...you passed the assessment tests?" The stern father couldn't believe what he was seeing. Ofcourse there was a test for those who wished to join the war,the elves weren't that stupid to just accept any Bill,tom or harry into the legion army,they would have to at least pass well in a series of exams before being recognized as part of the army.
Naturally,the tests weren't easy nor were they excessively hard,it was just enough to filter the talented from the ordinary civilians who wanted to join the battle. Whoever failed had to pack-up like the others and leave to the safe location. This was one of the reasons the father never worried about his son joining the war,he didn't expect him to pass the assessment.
This situation wouldn't have occurred to a normal race with large population,but the elves entire racial population was barely above ten thousand in the entire kingdom. With different lifestyles led by each person,the Elven armies barely reached four thousand in numbers. This was already very high considering there were other occupations that were necessary such as farming, sewing and other mudane but important works. Though the elves did have more technological advancements than the other races of planet Fae,the elf race still preferred relying on themselves than the developed machines to do their work for them. This way they were able to preserve nature without any conflict with the magical technologies.
The test ,no matter how one thought about it,was not so easy to pass. They had to test the participants in different ways depending on what they applied for...for example;Elroy applied for an archer's post and was tested based on agility, precision and related skills,a person would fail if they couldn't reach a certain expectation on their selected field. In a nutshell,it was so hard that the ratio of those sent home were nine times higher than those that passed....Elroy being one of them was something that both parents never accounted for.
"How...how did you manage to pass,.....did you use underhanded tricks again"from stuttering mumble to stern cold tone,the older man stared at his son doubtfully,the consequences of the situation finally dawning on him.
Looking towards the origin of the chilly voice,his expression also turned cold and he snorted "you think the guards taking the assessments would slack in their own tasks?" he retorted looking straight to his father in defiance.
SILENCE...
'that's true though,they wouldn't dare take bribes...he really got in with his own ability then?, that's impossible ' the father didn't know what to think anymore. "Hmph,you never thought I could achieve this,right father?, I'm not surprised,you never thought decent about me ,always scolding me for even the littlest of mistakes, comparing me to other kids" gritting his teeth a little he wanted to continue.
"That's enough son, don't speak to your father that way" coming out of her daze the mother tried to quench the fire that was beginning to brew....only this time..
"Why wouldn't I,you never listened to a word I said,always acting rebellious even when young... did you expect me to pat you on the back when you are in the wrong?" The father's veins started to bulge on his head.
"You could have at least showed me a little support when I needed it,I did things to annoy you just because I wanted your attention father,but you only ever focused on work or other kids rather than your own child...I sometimes begin to wonder if I'm truly your chi-"
SLAP!
"Don't say such rude things to your father Roy, apologize immediately!" Reina's eyes were now tinged red as she hit her dear son for the first time. Falling silent briefly, he looked at his mother and took a step back before bowing slightly "I'm sorry for my outburst...."
Although he was rebellious,his mother always had a special place in his heart,he couldn't bare to watch her cry,he already made her sad by joining the army.
"I should be preparing for the upcoming war right now and you also need to leave as well mom...I only came to see you before I depart.." staring at his mother lovingly,he said softly, trying not to make her cry. "Pr-promise me... promise me you would come back alive and healthy Roy ...can you give your mother this last wish of hers?" Reina said,tears welling in her eyes. "I will...do my best to fulfill this mom" he answered with a calm and reassuring gaze though he couldn't help but become bitter internally,but he needed to do this,he had to prove to himself,his father and mother, that he was worthy, worthy of being a son to his mother, worthy of raising his head high,worthy of being seen as a decisive warrior. He wanted to come back and win his father's approval fully.
Taking a step back,the archer had already achieved what he came back for,he gained his mother's blessings and also made a promise to return, though he was not expecting anything from his father,he still hoped for his father to give him a word of encouragement but with how things were right now ,he had his mind steeled and ready to leave...with or without his approval. Reina could not hold back the tears in her eyes as she watched her son turn around and began going the way he came.
"Hold on!" All of a sudden,a hoarse voice sounded behind Reina,the man who was silent for a moment stepped forward and towards the man who looked like a younger version of him. The father walked behind the young adult, placing a hand on the sturdy shoulder of the archer he said "I'm sorry,.... I am sorry for having neglected you for all these years. I never tried to understand your plight at all,I thought you....you always did those things back then to defy me...I never knew I was the one at fault" the older man said,his voice wavering. Though Elroy didn't turn to face his father,he could feel the sincere feelings expressed from those few lines. He also felt bitter but what was done was done. He already decided to fight this war and come back victorious making his father and mother proud of him.
"Child,I have one final request to make,and I hope you follow this request of mine to the letter. Return home...safe and sound, do not make your mother worry unnecessarily,this is my last request to you kiddo,and make sure to kill those vile creatures,as many as you can handle...make me regret ever comparing you to other kids back then ,got it?" He said patting the blonde's shoulder before returning to his wife's side. "Let's go Reina, he'll come back victorious"