Straight and direct, that was Denise, and with such a character Tion could see why the woman strived to be powerful.
As someone who preferred to outrightly speak her mind and have her orders carried out without a fuss, Tion figured that at one point in her life Denise realized that having overwhelming power was the only way she would be able to do the things she wanted and so she hungrily chased strength.
If the empress of Mammoth made a decision, no one said no, whether or not they agreed with her, they could only bow their heads and follow her words and while Leah might have certain leeway and may try to reason with Denise, Tion was the only who outrightly spoke against his mother.
Tion's "No" visibly shocked his mother, but rather than be thrown off, the woman calmed herself and looked at her son with a passive expression.
"I wasn't asking you Tion, I was telling you what would happen," Denise said resting her chin and gazing at Tion with what was undeniably love.
Denise's expression nearly made Tion succumb, feelings of guilt threatening to pop up in him, but the boy held firm and spoke back to his mother.
"Yes, I understand that you were trying to give me an order, and what I am trying to convey to you is that I won't be following this orders of yours."
While Tion sat facing Leah, Denise sat at the head of the table, so all three people basically ate at arm's reach of each other and while the mother and son argued, Leah focused on her meal.
"Watching you stand up for yourself is cute Tion but in this case, it is pointless, because not only are you wrong, but there is nothing you can do about it.
I know it is cruel, but fate has already decided that the frontline isn't your destiny, you've been given an intelligent and firm mind and these gifts are what you should focus on.
Whereas you would have once been just a farm boy, you now have the chance to become a royal advisor, a position where you can have a much greater impact, can't you see where I'm coming from Tion."
"I can, and while I understand your perspective, the issue here is that you fail to see things my way, I am your son Ragnar Denise, not your empire whose affairs you get to dictate as you wish.
You say I can be an advisor and impact more people in that way, I am not much of a man for charity, but even if I were, why would I wish to become an advisor when I could become an Emperor.
I have my own dreams and though you believe otherwise, I wish to fight on the front lines and if that is my wish, that is my desire." Tion said.
Listening to Tion, Denise rolled her eyes at him, but just as she moved to speak after he was done, Tion raised a finger, silencing her and gaining the attention of Leah.
"Like I said Mom, this is my life we are talking about and not your empire which you are dictating but from what I have gotten to know about you, you will simply ignore my words and do as you wish.
You are right that I do not have the power to go against your will, but one thing I do have is the power to dream and plan my life as I wish."
Saying these words, Tion immediately stood to his feet and without another word began walking out of the room.
"Come out of your illusions Tion, what you are looking for is a dream. I love you honey but that doesn't change the fact that you have a level 1 avatar spirit, I know it sounds cruel, but this is the hand fate had given you, and now rather than go chasing after fantasies, why don't you instead focus on making the best use of your potential." Denise said in a bit of haste the woman obviously not wanting Tion to leave but at the same time not wanting to forcefully keep him in the room
Tion paused for the few seconds that his mother spoke, and when she was done, he continued in his stride without a change in expression, but then just as he held the handle of the door, a sudden pressure fell on Tion, and without delay, the prince of Mamoth empire crashed to his knees.
"You are bright Tion, being your protector for your missions has let me know you deeper, and what I have come to understand about you, is that you have a very scary and powerful mind.
Your ability to store and comprehend knowledge is mind-blowing even for me, and while I know that it seems that with this ability of yours, you can reach for anything, the truth is that you can't."
Leaking out just a bit of her aura and then proceeding to speak to Tion was Leah and though Denise initially wanted to stop the woman, she in the end decided to let the woman be.
"Have you ever heard of Rangul Tion?" Leah asked staring at the back of the kneeling boy, and then smartly not waiting for him to give a reply, she continued speaking.
"You probably haven't, and the reason for that is because I killed him long before you were born.
You must be wondering what is so special about this Rangul, and well don't worry, I will tell you.
You see, Rangul was a man who was referred to as the strongest person with a level 1 avatar spirit.
It must sound weird to you hearing about someone being praised for being the strongest amongst a bunch of less privileged people, but the truth is that Rangul deserved that distinguishment no matter how degrading it might sound and it was because of his strength.
Fighting his faith, Rangul trained and worked hard so even the strongest people with level 2 avatar spirits were wary of him, the man was known as a very annoying and deadly opponent especially given his resourcefulness.
Given Rangul's antics, you would have heard and known about him today if I with a level 4 avatar spirit hadn't killed the man when I was just 16."