With a flick of his thumb, Alaric tore open the envelope, and the sound of the parchment ripping sent a little shiver of anticipation traveling down his spine.
It was impossible to miss the seal, which was a golden crest adorned with a gryphon that appeared to be angry. This was his uncle's emblem.
Uncle Varen was not the type of person to spend time on insignificant problems, and the fact that he had sent a letter indicated that this was a big subject.
The parchment unfolded smoothly in his hands, the scent of expensive ink wafting up to his nose. Alaric's eyes darted over the elegant script, absorbing the words with growing excitement.
{
To my esteemed nephew, Alaric Steele,
It is with great pride that I inform you of your application's acceptance to the prestigious Verdant Dawn Academy. Your initial performance in the preliminary assessment has caught the attention of the Academy's board. Thus, you are cordially invited to participate in the final entrance examination, to be held in the city of Aurith within the coming month.
The entrance examination will consist of two parts: a written assessment covering a wide array of magical theory, history, and practical knowledge, followed by a test of your magical affinity and prowess. Success in these tests will secure your place within the Academy.
Prepare well, Alaric. The path of a mage is arduous, but with our family's legacy, you have the potential to surpass even your father's achievements.
With great expectations,
Varen Steele
}
Alaric's heart hammered in his chest as he read the letter twice over, his mind already racing ahead.
The Verdant Dawn Academy was one of the top institutions in the kingdom, known for producing some of the most powerful mages and influential figures in history.
To be accepted there was a gateway to endless opportunities, but more than that, it was a chance to increase his influence, learn new tricks, and level up his system to heights he had only dreamed of.
But it wasn't going to be easy. The written test was one thing—he had been reading and studying obsessively in his father's library for as long as he could remember.
The real challenge was going to be the test of magical affinity. Alaric had potential, sure, but his affinity wasn't anything spectacular… yet.
After folding the letter in an orderly fashion, he placed it away in the drawer that was located next to his bed.
His mind was racing with ideas of preparation, methods, and, most importantly, how this new opportunity would fit into his larger plans when it came to the future.
Not only would he have to begin making preparations right away, but he would also have to make preparations in two different ways.
He placed a high priority on his own objective, but the Academy was also very essential.
With careful manipulation and charm, he would need to continue his subtle seductions in order to advance to the next level.
He was aware that he could not keep the letter to himself since it was starting to burn a hole in his thoughts.
Who should we inform, though?
The fact that his parents would be overjoyed is a given, but Alaric was not concerned about them in any way.
It was necessary for him to traverse these waters with caution. Not to mention Aunt Cassandra, who was also present.
He was not prepared for her examination since her piercing eyes would see through any enthusiasm that he was unable to contain.
It was not from a member of the family that he need guidance, however. Immediately, Kara was the subject of his thoughts.
Despite the fact that she did not always comprehend the extent of his schemes, she had evolved into something more than simply a conquest; she was someone he could truly talk to.
When he discovered her in the kitchen, she was working on the dough for the bread that would be served that evening with her back to him.
He couldn't help but crack a grin as he caught a glimpse of her beaming with concentration and contentment. When compared to the cunning brains of his family, Kara possessed a certain unadulterated quality, a straightforwardness that was invigorating. Watching her work, he moved nearer in a stealthy manner and leaned against the counter.
In a casual manner, he began by saying, "Kara, I received a letter today."
There was no sign of her looking up as she continued to work with the dough. "Oh? From who?"
He said, "My uncle Varen," while at the same time waiting for her response.
Her delay was caused by that. Having sufficient knowledge of the Steele family, Kara was able to see that Uncle Varen was not someone who should be underestimated. The lines between her brows became slightly furrowed as she cast a glimpse back over her shoulder at him. "What did he want?"
With a smirk on his face, Alaric reached into his pocket and pulled out the letter, which he then handed to her. "It's an invitation to take the entrance exam for the Verdant Dawn Academy."
She turned her back on him and wiped her hands on her apron as she widened her eyes as she read the letter. After that, she turned entirely around to face him. "That's… that's incredible, Alaric! But… are you ready for something like that?"
Right there, the worry that he had anticipated she would have. Kara has always been the one who worries, and she is the one who considers the more realistic aspects of situations.
Despite the fact that he admired that aspect of her, Alaric was not going to let any uncertainties to enter his thoughts at this time.
He boldly stated, "I've been studying for years, Kara," demonstrating his self-assurance. "In addition to that, the written examination is not the only matter at hand. It is about what I can learn there, who I can meet, and how I can grow my impact to a greater extent."
The look on Kara's face changed, and she gently nodded her head for approval. "You are quite correct, of course. To be clear, you shouldn't put too much pressure on yourself, okay? There is still a lot of time for you to do this because you are still young."
While shaking his head, he let out a giggle. "You are worrying much too much. I have no intention of rushing into anything. I just need to make sure I'm prepared."
It was with a pleasant and encouraging grin that she returned the letter to him at the same time. "You are going to do very well, Alaric. Without a doubt, you will."
Her trust in him was moving, and he had a slight rush of resolve as a result. He could not afford to disappoint her, nor could he afford to lose his concentration on the task at hand.
It would be a stepping stone for him to go to the Verdant Dawn Academy, but it would not be the end of his ambitions.
With each passing day, Alaric recommitted himself to his studies with a fresh sense of interest and determination.
After observing the intensity with which he was concentrating, his mother provided him with direction and resources, including books and scrolls that covered a wide variety of magical ideas and practices.
With each new piece of information that Alaric learned, his mind became larger and more expansive. He absorbed everything like a sponge.
Nevertheless, he reserved his evenings for activities that were more understated. Lila's interest in him had slowly increased over the course of time, and he continued to frequent the market in order to keep his relationship with her.
Alaric had contributed tiny parts of himself, carefully chosen to create trust without disclosing too much, in exchange for her sharing more about herself, her past, and the challenges she had been going through.
She had begun to divulge more at this point.
[Experience from Lila: +20 Experience]
His perseverance was rewarded by the system, and he could sense the expansion of his influence on her.
However, there was still an enormous gap to cover. Since he was aware that Lila would not be simply defeated, he realized that he needed to be patient and wait for the appropriate time to strike.
Alaric discovered yet another possible conquest while he was doing one of his market inspections.
She was standing at a new stall, this one offering herbs and potions, and she was interested in purchasing them.
Her green eyes glittered with a kind of naughty energy that quickly attracted his attention.
Her beautiful auburn hair cascaded down her back, and her eyes became green. As he got closer, the system in his head gave him her demographic information by making a faint dinging sound.
[Overall Score: 27 Appearance: 83 Personality: 16 Status: 4 Pride: 6 Strength: 3]
Almost immediately, he became aware that her name was Elara.
Possibly in her early twenties, she was a few years older than Lila, and she possessed a wit that was both charming and lethal. She was a few years older than Lila.
Her personality score was higher than he liked, but her position and pride were low enough to make her a credible target. Alaric was aware that he would need to exercise caution while dealing with this particular individual.
He moved gently, engaging her in light conversation while he feigned to examine her items. He did this while he was carrying out his move.
With a keen tongue, Elara quickly responded to his witty remarks, matching his wit blow for blow. It was a new type of challenge, and it thrilled Alaric in a manner that he hadn't anticipated it would.
[Experience from Elara: +5 Experience]
The amount was not very much, but it was a start. He would have to proceed with caution and devise strategies that would allow him to overcome her barriers without attracting an excessive amount of suspicion.
One evening, when Alaric was about to leave for the market, a familiar voice shouted out to him.
The sight of Old Marta coming, her movements sluggish but purposeful, caught his attention as he turned around. Another letter, this one with the official seal of the Verdant Dawn Academy, was held by her person.
"Young master," she said, handing it to him with a knowing look. "It seems the time has come."
Alaric took the letter, his heart skipping a beat.
The entrance examination was fast approaching, and this was the final confirmation. He thanked Old Marta and hurried back to his room, where he tore open the letter with a mix of excitement and nerves.
All of the information was presented in a straightforward and concise manner: the written exam would be administered in the morning, and the magical affinity test would be administered in the afternoon.
His every action would be scrutinized by the most brilliant brains in the kingdom over the whole day, which would be a full day of rigorous examination.
He put the letter down and took a few long breaths before continuing. The following several weeks would be extremely important.
It would be necessary for him to study more diligently, practice more vigorously, and continue to work on his system with as much concentration as he could manage at this time.
Alaric sat at his window and looked out at the horizon in the distance as the sun set on yet another day. In the future, there was a great deal of uncertainty, yet it was also full with chances and difficulties.
But there was one thing that he was certain of: he would not be deterred from the course that he had chosen.
He would rise to fulfill all of them, including the expectations of his family, the Verdant Dawn Academy, and the system, and in the process, he would carve out his position in the world.
But first, he needed to conquer a few more women and earn a few more experiences. He had one more thing to do.
He would become more powerful, more intelligent, and more prepared for the fights that were still to come with each one that he completed.