Alden followed the butler in a long hallway. The hallway was empty and silent. They soon arrived in front of a large door.
The butler was just about to knock when suddenly the door to the office opened as
A striking woman stepped out. She had fiery red hair cascading down her back and sharp green eyes. Her movements were swift and graceful.
She caught sight of Alden as her gaze paused on him for a moment.
Her expression immediately scrunched up in disgust. The expression vanished as soon as they appeared.
With a flick of her hair, she turned away without sparing him another glance. Walking past him like he was nothing more than air.
Alden had never seen the woman before but he recognized her, how could he not? She was the first wife of Patriarch, and mother of Rodrick and Seraphina, Vespera Draven.
"You may enter," Alden soon heard an authoritative voice commanding him to enter.
The butler stepped aside, giving Alden a polite nod, gesturing him to enter inside.
Alden stepped through the massive doors without hesitation as his crimson eyes scanned the office.
The office was grand but was not overly luxurious. Shelves filled with different books and artifacts lined the walls.
Behind a large desk in the center sat Alaric, his posture upright, his piercing eyes fixed on some document.
Alaric gestured to Alden to take a seat without even looking at him.
Alden took a seat on a chair in front of the table as he waited for Alaric calmly.
Only after a while did Alaric look up as he acknowledged Alden's presence.
"So, you've awakened," Alaric said in an impassive voice "What potential did you awaken"
'Direct to the subject, huh?' Alden's mind was swirling with negative emotions which he didn't show on his face.
"Yes Patriarch, I've awakened an Ascendent rank potential." Alden lied with a straight face not revealing the potential which even he didn't know.
Alaric nodded slowly. "And any special ability?"
Alden paused for a brief moment to suppress any hesitation "No sir," he answered with a steady voice not wanting to reveal anything.
Alaric narrowed his eyes slightly as if searching for something within Alden.
"So you've awakened the potential you were measured for," Alaric said in a calm voice as he snapped his fingers.
As soon as he snapped his fingers a ring, a book and a letter appeared out of thin air in front of Alden. "Take this."
"This is your admission letter to Astralis Academy." He explained his voice was still detached. "And the book is an Elite rank Mana Tome family has decided to assign you."
Alden looked at the ring as his hand brushed against it.
"As for the ring…." Alaric hesitated a bit, his voice carrying a rare trace of emotions "It is a storage ring that Ceres, your mother left for you before she vanished."
Alden's chest tightened, as his heartbeat quickened. He felt a sudden influx of unknown emotions at the mention of his mother.
Emotions that he couldn't describe in words. This was the first time he had even heard her name as no one dared to even mention her in this family.
He steadied himself as he refused to show any emotions in front of his cold father. He wrapped his hand tightly around the storage ring. The ring was cold but he still felt a bit of warmth from it.
"Thank you, Patriarch." He expressed his gratitude. His voice did not betray any of his emotional turmoil.
Alaric quickly returned his attention to his paperwork as he waved his hand dismissively. "You're dismissed."
Alden stood, giving a small nod. As he left the room without even looking back, the weight of the small ring in his pocket felt heavier than ever.
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As Alden left the room Alaric released a sigh looking at the spot where Alden sat.
"Haa, That brat thinks he can lie to me" He had a small smile on his face. 'That boy... so much like her'
He knew very well Alden had lied about not awakening a special ability. How could he not? As one of the strongest of humanity, he could easily tell when somebody was lying. And he had also seen Alden releasing that golden light after awakening.
He was sure the golden light had something to do with his Special Ability.
He still didn't press for much information as he respected his son's choice of hiding his ability.
Alaric felt a sting of pain every time Alden addressed him as 'Patriarch' and not 'Father' but that was for the best…..at least for now. He tried to bury the pain behind his impassive expression.
'You'll understand someday, Alden'
Glancing at the stack of papers on the table Alaric pushed them aside focusing on his mana core which hummed with the energy of Peak Intermediate overlord rank.
He was very close to breaking through to Advanced Overlord Rank and it would at most take him a year to do so.
Although there are few people at overlord rank. Only two people in the whole of humanity had reached the Advanced Overlord Rank.
Alaric was sure if he reached advanced overlord rank he would be able to support Alden more freely. At higher levels, the difference in strength between minor levels was too high.
Just wait a little longer, Alden," Alaric muttered, clenching his fist.
With a snap of his fingers, he vanished heading to his private training room without wasting any more time.
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Alden followed the butler back through the entrance. His mind was still dazed thinking about his mother and the ring she left.
'What did he mean by vanished?' Alden thought 'Does that mean she's still alive?'
He already had some doubts when Cedric said something similar before but those doubts were affirmed today by his father.
He barely noticed when they reached the sleek black car waiting outside. Mac greeted him with a nod, but Alden replied absentmindedly.
He soon climbed into the backseat of the car, his ride back home was quick as his mansion was just behind the main building.
Alden saw his maid Alice waiting for him just outside the mansion. Her expression filled with relief.
"Welcome back Young Master," She said in an impassive voice with her signature awkward smile "And congratulations on your awakening."
"Thanks, Alice" Alden replied to her as he quickly entered the mansion.
Sensing his mood, Alice didn't press further, simply stepping aside as Alden entered his room inside the mansion.