A prestigious academy with a history spanning more than 500 years, it has produced countless geniuses who have excelled in their respective fields and in the fight against the manas.
And from such an institution, I had just received a letter.
*"Alden Khan, youngest of the Khan family and one of the most talented individuals of our continent, we invite you to join our academy. We hope you will become one of the rising stars leading the next generation. Join the Xerx Academy to share knowledge with your peers and improve together, for the future of humanity.
Sincerely,
Dean of the Xerx Academy, Syr El Mayer."*
Sitting on my bed, I read the letter. Beside me stood a maid, attentive and ready. She was so diligent in her duties that one could easily forget she was even there.
"They even took the initiative to invite me!" I sniffed while waving the letter I had just finished reading.
"What do you think?"
We were alone in the room. The young woman serving me immediately understood that the question was addressed to her. She slightly bowed her head, acknowledging my words, and then began to answer.
"The Xerx Academy is quite prestigious. The occasions when they send invitations can be counted on the fingers of one hand. Normally, the only ways to enter the academy are by passing the entrance exam or being recommended. For elites who shine through their talents, the academy sometimes invites them personally. It is fair to say that the Xerx Academy—or rather, the Dean—recognizes you as a star of our empire."
"And so?"
I got up from my bed. She followed my movements with her gaze, anticipating my next action to provide the best support possible. That was the way all the staff in this manor worked—rigorously selected for their skills.
"I think that whatever I say, the young master has already decided what he intends to do. Forgive me if I overstep my role, but I believe your father requested that you join the academy."
"I see!" I approached her and gently caressed her cheek. "How could you possibly trouble me when I was the one who asked the question?"
She blushed slightly.
"Young master, I believe it is time," she replied, maintaining her professional demeanor despite her reaction. I couldn't help but wonder—what kind of training do they undergo to behave like this? Hopefully, it's nothing like the Azusa affair!
"So, how are the preparations coming along?"
"The carriage is ready, young master!"
Outside the manor, a magnificent carriage bearing the family crest awaited me.
"Then let's go! To the Flavescent Pavilion."
"Yes."
This time, the maid who accompanied me stayed at the manor. Only the coachman, myself, and a butler were in the carriage. As we headed to the Flavescent Pavilion, we crossed the vast Khan estate, leaving the manor behind.
We finally arrived at the pavilion—one of Renfyr Khan's extravagant creations. A pavilion at the far end of the estate, where people would only gather by Renfyr's invitation.
Frankly, I didn't quite understand why he called it a pavilion given its structure.
"We have arrived, young master."
Stepping out of the carriage, I stood before the entrance. Two soldiers of the family guarded it.
They stood as straight as statues, giving the impression that they were ready to draw their swords at the slightest misstep. Such discipline was expected from a military family.
The Khan family's motto was discipline, rooted in the rules of the Khan.
The butler spoke on my behalf. "Young Master Alden Khan has arrived."
Immediately, the doors opened.
As I entered the pavilion, the room I was led to was already occupied. Strictly speaking, it was a kind of family meeting.
Renfyr's first wife and second wife sat on chairs at the head of the room, with an empty chair between them.
They weren't the only ones present. Two rows of people were visible. Closer to the head of the room were familiar faces—my brothers and sisters.
They were arranged according to their rank, and further down were the family vassals, those involved in the family's activities.
"Isn't that our dear brother Alden Khan?"
Standing at the entrance, my sister addressed me—the second daughter of Renfyr's second wife, Alicia.
"Sister, I am delighted to see you as well! But I notice that our father has yet to arrive!"
The gazes of my brothers and sisters were fixed on me. While the second wife kept her eyes closed, the first watched the exchange with a disinterested look.
My eldest brother spoke. "Perhaps he's sparing you some embarrassment by being late. And I see your temperament hasn't changed, little brother."
"Why should it? You speak as if I've done something wrong!" As I replied, I slowly but surely moved toward the seats of Renfyr's two wives, under the watchful eyes of my siblings and the vassals. My brothers and sisters were masters at concealing their emotions.
I stopped just behind the chairs of our hosts.
"Alden," Alicia raised her voice. But before she could say anything, a heavy pressure descended on the room. Everyone knew what it meant—our father had arrived.
Appearing out of nowhere, Renfyr was seated between the two women, legs crossed, as immovable as a mountain.
Silence.
Everyone waited. What would he say? Why had he gathered everyone here?
The expression of the first wife shifted slightly, while the second remained stoic, her eyes still closed.
"Alatea Ysel Khan is coming out of seclusion."
I was slightly taken aback. Of course, I knew Alatea Ysel—she was none other than my mother. However, I hadn't expected her to emerge so soon. The timing surprised me.
"The patriarch plans to step down from his position. In three years, every member of the family, including collateral branches, will be free to compete for the role." Renfyr had just dropped another bombshell. Everyone grew even more serious. This news should not leak for now, and everyone understood that.
"But we have something more important to address."
No one dared to whisper, not even if they had been allowed to. Yet the vassals wondered—what could be more important than Alatea Ysel Khan's emergence from seclusion or the patriarch's position? After all, the patriarch held immense status and the full noble title associated with the Khan name.
"Alden Khan, join Xerx."