"As for me not updating my library? What's the point if I have it all in my head." Horace pointed a finger at his bald head.
'I should have it in my mind that master is also a great genius on his own regard.'
"The reason I had that library is because a good friend of mine donated his entire collection of books before he went on his journey. He is an avid collector of books, and he wanted me to safeguard his collection."
"If I seek knowledge, I'll ask some of my old friends to lend me their book or research on my own. I only need to read it once, then return it as soon as I finish reading. I really never had the intention of sharing my knowledge since there wasn't any point in doing so."
"It's just that becoming your master changed my mind."
Horace scratched his face as a hint of shyness appeared.
'Ugh. Disgusting.' Kyrian thought as he saw his master looking bashful. His old appearance and bashful expression aren't a strong combination.
"Are you thinking of something rude again?"
"How do you keep on reading my mind?" Kyrian was getting frustrated as he kept on getting caught by his master.
"Well, your face shows what you're thinking. It's like your face couldn't hide your emotions. Look at how you scrunch your face. Your eyes even leer at me! I may not have the power to read minds, but anyone with a working brain and functioning eyes could see how you judge me!"
'Oh… I never knew that. That's probably how nothing went past mother's eyes.'
Even with all the maturity and intellectual capabilities that Kyrian has, there are still some blind spots where he could improve.
Kyrian ruffled his hair in shame and apologized. Next time, he wouldn't let his face show his hidden thoughts again.
"I don't want you to overestimate yourself and your capabilities. Even if you're the most blessed, talented, and gifted person, never ever let your guard down. No one is infallible, even me. Treat every opponent with respect, even if they're the vilest creature you've ever seen."
Horace thought that the advice was complete when he remembered a tragic event and said,
"When you think you've defeated someone, check again. And after checking it again, check it and destroy everything. I don't want you to make the same mistakes I did."
The boy nodded, etching his master's words in his mind.
"I don't want you nodding. I need you to promise me."
"I promise, Master Horace."
Kyrian is slowly unraveling his master's regrets as this advice are stemmed from them. Horace is steadily ingraining a solid mental attitude, and a framework that will help the boy on his path to power.
The golden-eyed kid held on to these kinds of memories deeply. The first promise he made to his mother was when he was asked to live, and not just survive.
He hadn't been doing quite well as he hadn't done anything normal for a four-year-old in his whole life. He focused on getting stronger because Kyrian thought that the only way to have a better life is when you're stronger, knowledgeable, and wise. In his quest for power, he had encountered his Aunt Shenghua, the Herald of Death, and his Master Horace. Until now, he hadn't played with anyone his age. Even the one person he thought was close to his age, his master's daughter, Ace, was a puppet controlled by his master.
Even though he knew that deep inside, playing with his peers wouldn't make him happy, he still felt longing in looking for kindred spirits. After all, everyone he met in Aicras, the Western Continent, were people who had lived for hundreds of years. Even when he lived with his mother in Iavrin, they lived in isolation far from other villagers.
The second promise is a promise he made himself: enacting vengeance on the people who wronged him and his family. Kyrian had been making progress on learning who he should target, and he has a master who will guide him. Although he's making record breaking speed in his cultivation, Kyrian feels that it's still not enough.
And now, the latest promise with his master. To never be complacent and underestimate anyone.
Each of these vows are forged in the deepest recesses of his heart and mind.
——
A floating castle of great magnitude floats in the skies of the capital city of the Republic, Aeternia. Curiously, despite its size that spans as wide as cities, it doesn't block the sunlight. As if it was a mirage, a transparent object that can be seen, but cannot be touched by neither light nor darkness.
This magnificent castle is also known as Arcana, the leading university and research hub in the entire Aicras continent. Discoveries are made constantly, and the boundaries of what is real and isn't, are blurred at the possibilities of magic and technology. It is the breeding ground of geniuses, and a nurturing environment where the strongest mages, knights, and anyone who pursues power gather.
The tallest tower in this castle is a thousand meters (3280 feet) in height. It is also known as the Tower of Wisdom where Senator Minerva, also known as Headmistress Minerva in Arcana, can be seen working on various 'paperwork.' She can be spotted using her unique magic, Reversal Magic, to age out certain parts of the papers in the shape of letters to form a semblance of writing.
As she was drafting plans for the Arcana's accelerated program for gifted kids in preparation for the second Abyssal war, she received a letter from Horace in the form of a steel plate.
'My sweet, kind, and talented sister-in-law, can you do me a favor and let me borrow your exclusive research laboratory for my disciple? Tee-hee.'
- Your cute brother-in-law, Horace.
She heard Horace's voice in her mind and an image of his bald head acting cute popped out vividly.
"Stop messing around. Can't you act your age?!" Minerva blurted out in anger. Her assistants in the room panicked and straightened their backs as they gave out their best effort in whatever task they were tasked to do.
In her anger, Minerva immediately crumpled the magically enhanced steel plate approximately weighing thousands of tons due to its density with her bare hands.
Minerva massaged her temples as she attempted to cool down her temper. That bald old man really got on her nerves even if they were in-laws. She knew that he was playing with her, and that she would give in to her favor.
As the headmistress cooled down her mind, she reversed the crumpled steel plate back into its original form without the writing, and instead wrote out her own message. With another spell, she reversed the steel's location back to Horace in Zemof estate, instantly crossing tens of thousands of kilometers.