Little Joe finally woke up and was very excited to go to school. But he found it strange, between yawns, to notice his father standing right in front of him. Before asking, he started scratching his head as if that would help him think more clearly.
— Good morning, Dad. Did something happen to you?
Dondinel just shook his head negatively, which left a suspicion in the air.
— So did something happen to Mom?
Again, his father shook his head negatively.
— Then I know. Do you have a present for me?
Dondinel couldn't maintain his serious pose and, grabbing his son in his arms, it was his turn to ask:
— Did something happen to you that you have to tell me?
Innocently, little Joe replied:
— Oh, Dad! A lot happened yesterday, but when I arrived, you seemed so tired that I thought it best not to wake you up.
— So, my little Joe, take advantage of the fact that I'm wide awake and tell me everything without omitting any details.
— Okay, Dad. Don't worry, I won't forget anything that happened yesterday.
The things he heard from his son left Dondinel stunned, and if it weren't for his son always telling him the truth as he had taught, he would say it was all made up. But, looking closer, it explained why a gentleman from the Order of Silver Claws had visited their humble home.
— Son, didn't I explain to you that you shouldn't demonstrate your martial skills in front of strangers?
— Oh, Dad! But Mr. Rodek Von Fritus, I mean, Von Shift, isn't a stranger. He's a baron and came to give me a present.
Dondinel put both hands on his head, expressing great concern with everything he was hearing.
— My little Joe, are you betraying your father's trust because of a present from a stranger?
— Dad, I already said he's not a stranger, he's a baron.
— Joe, pay attention to what your father is going to say.
Little Joe already knew that if his father called his name without the "little" before it, it meant something serious was coming.
— A baron is a low noble title, but still above a knight, and he governs a small fief or area of land. He is a powerful person with 200 soldiers at his disposal. Not to mention a large number of people who are available to do all kinds of work for him.
— Dad, what exactly is a fief?
— It's the baron's town, where there are many houses, people, villages, and soldiers. Now don't interrupt me anymore and listen to what I'm going to say.
— Okay, Dad, I won't ask about fiefs anymore.
Dondinel tried to ignore that out-of-context comment from his clueless little Joe.
— Because he is a baron, he can do many things he wants.
— Oh! So that's why he wants to give me a present.
— What are you talking about, boy?
— Didn't you just say that because he's a baron he can do many things he wants? So, Dad, he felt like giving me a present.
Dondinel didn't know whether to laugh or scold his son.
— Alright, Joe, that could be it too, but what I want you to understand once and for all is that expensive presents always have expensive intentions.
Little Joe became restless, and before he could speak, his father had already realized he had said something wrong, and if the conversation continued down that path, he would hardly get anything through his clueless son's head.
— Just listen to this before you say any nonsense, Joe. The baron wants to buy you with expensive presents for you to do something for him.
— I know that, Dad. But I don't mind because he's going to do something for me too.
Dondinel felt strange. Was it really his eight-year-old son saying that to him?
— And what do you want him to do? Teach you martial arts, give you lots of rich people's food, or a new house for you to live in?
— Dad, I don't accept anyone teaching me martial arts except you. Now, training with others, that I will have to do anyway. Because I'm going to enter the diverse combat hall. As for the expensive food you mentioned, yesterday I ate a lot and brought a bunch for you and Mom, who is sick. I also brought a lot of medicine for Mom.
The more Dondinel heard, the more he was amazed by his little Joe's actions.
— What? How come? You brought food and medicine home?
— Yes, Dad. I never forget you when I eat something tasty, nor Mom, when I pass by a place that sells good medicine.
Dondinel knew that good medicine meant expensive medicine that he could hardly ever buy for Carlie, his wife.
— And as for the new house, the day I get one, I'll take you both with me. So don't worry.
Dondinel was at a loss for words. Even if his little Joe was talking nonsense, he clearly showed that he had a good heart and not for a moment had he shown selfishness.
— My little Joe, tell me why you want to enter the diverse combat hall? Don't you know it's dangerous? There will only be bigger and stronger boys than you. And what's worse, you won't be able to use the Low Cutting Wind art without risking exposure.
— I've already thought about that, Dad, and I have the solution to that problem.
— You do?
Asked Dondinel, doubly surprised.
— Yes, you will teach me. With your experience, I'm sure you can copy and modify the Low Cutting Wind into a different art without losing its strength. I'm willing to lose some of the speed of the Low Cutting Wind if necessary. That way, no one will notice this forbidden style of yours, Dad.
Dondinel thought for a moment and realized his son was on the verge of becoming a genius in the family.
— But one more thing, Dad. I've changed my mind. I don't want a new house anymore.
— Oh, you don't? — Asked his father disdainfully.
— No, Dad, I want something better. "I desire a fief."
Rolling his eyes in disappointment, his father grumbled:
— And here I thought you were a genius.