The family rejoices for their son who has gained the opportunity that people never even get in their life at only five years old.
Elowen and Garrick go to sleep with joy imprinted on their faces while Elaric can't sleep because of the excitement and curiosity.
Fenric heads to the basement of the temple behind the supplies meant for the homeless in a dimly lit passageway narrow enough for only a single person. The air is thick with the scent of blood, the floor has puddles of blood all around along with small fragments of human and animal organs.
The sound of metal clinking against bones echoes throughout the passage.
As the people inside the passage are removing organs with ruthless efficiency and exchanging them with animals they ready their tools to engage in a fight but as they see Fenric's face appear from the shadow they withdraw their weapons.
One Acolyte asks, "How can I help you sir?"
"When will the Dread general visit again?"
"Since it has been quite a bit of time since he last came I would assume he will pay a visit within the next week. I shall inform you of his visit. May I inquire why?"
"Viscount Drytan is up to something and I cannot help but think he has become aware of our existence." "What?! That cannot be sir, our unit has always been careful so we do not leave any traces. Might it not just be his hatred towards you?"
"I know that. You need not teach me anything about Drytan Acolyte. Know your place." seeing the always calm and composed Fenric lose his cool Virex falls to his knees and begs for forgiveness.
"Forgive me, sir. I will not cross the line again so please forgive me."
With an eery smile on his face, "It is all right Virex as long as you know your bounds but if you do this again remember that we are lacking sacrifices with high energy content."
As the sun rises Elowen dresses her son for his big day. Having nothing good for their son to wear to the Viscount's estate Elowen carries a disappointed expression on her face.
Elaric notices this and kisses Elowen on her cheek, "Mom wish me luck!" cheering her up.
Elaric is greeted outside the carriage, "Greeting young master Elaric. I am Cedric. I have been assigned by Master Drytan to take care of you during your training in the estate." by a butler in his 80s, tall and dignified with silver-white hair and sharp blue eyes that reflect his decades of loyal service.
Though his face is deeply lined with age, he carries himself with a grace and authority that commands quiet respect. Clad in a tailored, fur-lined coat to withstand the cold, he moves with deliberate precision, his voice soft but firm.
"It is a pleasure to meet you, sir Cedric. I will be in your care."
Cedric is ambushed by surprise as even in children of nobility such politeness is rare much less a commoner child.
"Then let's head to the estate young master. And Mr. and Mrs. Weaver I have been told to notify you that until young master Elaric completes each task that is assigned to him he shall stay in the estate."
"What?! I thought he would travel back and forth between the estate and his home. I was not told that he would go away for such a long time!"
Garrick holds Elowen back, "Honey, Our son has a grand future ahead of him and if he stays with us he might be robbed of it. You don't want to hold him back do you"
"But he will be away for months or maybe even a year! he has not been away from home even for a day. So, How can I let him go for such a long time?"
Elaric knowing how important this opportunity is begins to console his mother, "Don't worry Mother I will surprise the Viscount so much that he will have no choice but to fulfill my request. So, I will come back frequently."
As he hugs her Elaric asks for Elowen's forgiveness since he had lied to her. His first family who is the only one who has ever loved him unconditionally in both of his lives.
Elaric heads to the Frostbane estate along with Cedric the carriage is suddenly attacked by bramble fiends, Thorn-covered demons that create barriers of brambles.
"Do not get out of the carriage, Okay young master?"
"All right...Be sure to not get hurt." Worried for a man in his 80s heading to fight a monster but Elaric kept quiet since he could not contribute in any way.
The Bramble Fiends manipulates its vines full of thorns to attack Cedric but he effortlessly dodges the vines and cuts them with his bare hands engulfed in a snow-white glow.
Cedric takes a stance as if he is trying to sprint and in the blink of an eye rushes to the Fiend and cuts it in half rendering the bramble unable to create its signature barriers dies a quick death.
Cedric returns to the carriage when he is greeted by a loud voice, "Hey If you are this strong then how strong is the Viscount whom I am learning from!"
"Haha, there can be no comparison between Master Drytan and I. In front of his aura alone that mere monster would be rendered stunned much less put up a fight but to give you a clearer distinction Master Drytan is an elephant while I am a mere jackel."
"So if you a butler a jackel then is the estate filled with lions?"
"Young master, bear this in mind. Viscount Drytan is very very strong so a lion equivalent to his strength is equal to a thousand well-trained soldiers. So, no estate can have a lot of lions."
"Then how many lions does the estate have?"
"Young master, Children of your age are more interested in toys rather than power. Currently, Darian Lunasong our head of the knights is the only one who can be considered a lion."
"Do all Viscounts have vassals as powerful as Viscount Drytan's?"
With a big laugh, Cedric replies, "If such were the case our kingdom would have already conquered Pyrosia and Aquara. Viscount Drytan is closer to the level of a count rather than a viscount. He was offered to rule the Duskmoor county but refused the position because he didn't wish to in his words 'hide behind a desk like a coward' "
"Do you have any more questions?"
"Can you tell me how you cut that monster in half and how are you so athletic despite being so old?"
"I covered my hand in mana and since from what I have heard you are already capable of exerting mana outside your body. So, could you show it to me so I can explain it better?"
Elaric exerts man outside his hand and shows it to Cedric, "I did know that you could do this but seeing it is still shocking. So, Your mana young master do you see how squishy it is? I can easily crush it."
"Allow me to showcase mine, Since my element is ice similar to Master Drytan my hand is engulfed in it and ice by nature has sharp edges so when I materialize it in my hands it also has sharp edges like so."
"But it was not like this before sir Cedric."
"You have a sharp set of eyes, young master. By nature when an ice element holder has random edges but with enough practice you can customize the edge to your liking. Those with fire element control the temperature, others with earth element can control the hardness and so on."
By the end of the conversation, they had already reached the Frostbane estate.