When Arun erged from the gate, the scenery was completely different. The desert was gone and replaced by lush forests in the distance.
His family's manor could be seen a few hundred ters away from the gate. Its appearance exuded luxury, given its size and grandeur.
A beautiful golden fountain spewed water nonstop in the middle of the huge garden.
Following his appearance, a richly dressed tier four mage ran to him and said. "Welco back, young master. We expected your arrival a few days ago. You made your father worry."
"We had so trouble on the road. I need to report to Father." Arun's voice was grave and commanding.
The mage nodded, alerted by Arun's seriousness, and signalled him to follow.
After a short walk, they reached a large building located next to the manor. The mage opened it and revealed an interior filled with magic circles, cauldrons, wands and other magical items used for alchemy.
"I asked not to be disturbed! You better have a good reason for intruding." A manly and comnding voice laced with hints of annoyance resounded.
"Is your son almost dying because of you good enough of a reason?" Arun asked sarcastically.
"WHAT? Are you alright? Who dared attack you?" A man questioned while running to the door. His face was filled with worry and disbelief.
The man looked to be around forty-five years old and had a refined appearance. His long black hair cascaded on his shoulders. His green eyes were sharp and emitted wisps of swirling blue mana due to his unstable emotions.
"I'm alright, thanks to a friend I t on the way. Not thanks to you or the two idiots you appointed to protect ." Arun answered angrily, implying that if it weren't for Julius, he and Asha would be cold corpses rotting on the side of the road.
"Tell everything. Leave nothing out!" Arun's father urged, sensing that his son had encountered an unusual situation.
Arun recounted everything from his eting with Julius, Asha's appearance, the subsequent beast attacks, their discovery of Marco's treason, to the fight against his monstrous form.
Arun's father listened in shock and regret at what his son went through. Despite his son's explanations, he had so suspicions about Julius and the mysterious apprentice who helped them.
"Nothing would have happened if not for your stupid idea to make travel normally to discover the world and tone down my arrogance," Arun said in reproach.
"But I wouldn't have made this wonderful friend, so I forgive you," Arun added with a bright smile.
"We must reward your friend for his help, or my na isn't Vikram. I'll let you decide how much we should give him," Vikram declared, determined to compensate Julius generously.
However, Arun shook his head before saying, "I only want to pay half his college fee. Asha will be the other half."
"Isn't this reward insufficient for saving both of you?" Vikram asked with a frown, unsure what his son had in mind.
"In addition to half the admission fees, I want your help to create a special short sword for him. That's how I want to reward him." Arun said while taking out Marco's beast core and the snake's fangs and scales.
Vikram's eyes widened with excitent as he held the peculiar beast core. Its strange markings and unearthly appearance sparked a newfound curiosity within him. It was the first ti he had seen one like that, and he felt excited by the prospect of studying it.
"Hahaha, you know that this request of yours is worth several thousand gold coins, right?" Vikram asked with a smile. After all, he was an honored tier four alchemist and would most likely request the expertise of a tier four enchanter to complete the weapon.
"Didn't you find my reward lacking? He needs a good weapon and is like a brother to . Please help with this." Arun pleaded, his head lowered in respect, making Vikram's eyes widen in shock and pride.
When had his arrogant son ever asked for sothing so respectfully? Vikram wondered silently, his eyebrows furrowing in surprise. It seed that his new friend had a good influence on Arun.
"I'll craft the sword, but I'll personally deliver it to the boy. I won't allow anyone to take advantage of you." After accepting, Vikram set his condition, unwilling to see his son being taken advantage of due to his naivety.
"No problem. I know his character." Arun declared with confidence.
"Hahaha, I'm glad you are safe and made a good friend. Go greet your mother, but don't ntion what happened." Vikram answered, signalling that the conversation was over.
Arun nodded before excusing himself to greet his mother, eager to share the news of his return but careful not to reveal the recent events.
Vikram's gaze hardened as he turned to his mage, his voice cutting through the tense air of the room. "We need to investigate this attack. I have no rival bold enough to plant a spy in my territory for so many years only to orchestrate an attack on my son and his fiancé."
The mage furrowed his brow, his voice laced with concern. "My lord, forgive , but this situation seems more complex than it appears. What if the boy was involved in the plan?"
"I thought about this possibility too. I'll test him in a month and teach at the college to keep an eye on him until he is cleared of all suspicions." Vikram narrowed his eyes dangerously, hoping for the boy that he was unrelated to this ss.
He would hate to have to dispose of his son's new friend.
anwhile, in Asha's mansion, a similar conversation unfolded, though with a different tone. Tears welled in the young girl's eyes as she lanted the sudden departure of her guards.
In response, she requested clothes and a shop's deed in the capital of the Belorria kingdom. She rembered that Julius had torn his sleeve during his confrontation with the snake.
However, she couldn't shake the feeling that the reward was insufficient. Yet, she was unsure of what Julius truly desired. Then, a recollection surfaced. Julius had ntioned his brother's dream, related to his recipes.
Thus, she decided to offer him the deed to the shop, hoping it would help his brother achieve his dream.
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