Pushing open the grand doors of the hall, I stepped out into the empty reception area. My eyes scanned the room, searching for the familiar figure of my mother.
And then I saw her.
She was sitting alone on one of the plush velvet chairs with her figure slumped with exhaustion.
Her head was resting against the back of the chair with her eyes closed, but even in sleep I could see her brow had that sa look when she’s worried.
Seeing her like this, so tired, so anxious, after waiting who knows how long for ... it made all the frustration, all the sha of the day lt away.
And I think… I truly feel at peace when I see her.
A genuine smile spread across my face, the first one I think I’d felt all day.
Forget the Royal Blade, forget the Inheritor’s Association, forget everything else.
Right now, all that mattered was my mother.
"Mom!" I called out, my voice filled with a childish excitent I hadn’t realized I still possessed.
Her eyes fluttered open, and a look of pure relief washed over her face.
She shot up from her chair. Her weariness looked like she wasn’t sleepy at all.
"Julian!" she cried, rushing towards with her arms outstretched.
I ran to et her, launching myself into her embrace.
She held tight, her warmth enveloping like a comforting blanket.
I buried my face in her shoulder, inhaling the familiar scent of lavender and ho.
"Oh, Julian," she murmured, her voice thick with emotion.
"I was so worried. Are you alright? Are you hurt?"
I pulled back, grinning at her.
"I’m fine, Mom. Just a little tired."
She cupped my face in her hands, her eyes searching mine.
"You did so well, Julian. I’m so proud of you."
"Thanks, I tried my best."
She smiled, her eyes sparkling with a love that ward to my core…a love that made all the struggles, all the sacrifices, worthwhile.
"You know," she said softly, tucking a stray strand of hair behind my ear, "it doesn’t matter if you didn’t win. What matters is that you followed your heart, that you fought for what you believed in."
I never understood why she was never angry or disappointed with . I realize that significant events like these can shape a child, but if my mother had any expectations for , it was simply for to do what I believed was best.
So this is what unconditional love was like.
Always understanding...always supportive... always there for you, no matter what.
It was a love that didn’t demand perfection, didn’t impose expectations, but simply accepted you for who you were, flaws and all.
In my past life, I had never experienced such a love.
"Co on," she said, taking my hand. "Let’s go ho."
As we stepped out into the cool night air, I looked up at the starlit sky.
I never thought I’d find myself stargazing out here in my entire life, but to think I could admire the stars without having to worry about anything made feel at ease.
FWANG!
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Side Quests:
(Event) (Ti based: 1 Day) (NEW) Participate in the Royal 8 Challenge - 1st Reward for entry - 250 SP - [Complete]
2nd Reward IF you beco the Princess’s Royal Blade - 1000 SP, 5 Base Stat Points, 1 Skill Upgrade - [Failed]
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[250 SP Has Been Added To Your Balance.]
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After everything that had happened with Aelius day and the Royal Challenge I found myself in bed until the late afternoon.
Knock…knock…knock…
"Young Master Julian?" a gentle voice called out.
"Lady Ophelia requests your presence in her office."
"...!"
Ah... right, she probably wanted to hear the results of yesterday’s ss, and well considering I had practically slept the entire day away, she probably already knows of my failure.
Haah...
"Thank you, Mary," I replied, scrambling out of bed. "I’ll be there shortly."
I quickly threw on the most presentable clothes I could find, trying to ignore the lingering aches in my muscles.
When I did find sothing good enough, I took a quick glance in the mirror and I couldn’t believe what I was seeing.
A slightly disheveled but otherwise presentable young man. Good enough.
With a deep breath and a silent apology to Lady Ophelia for my tardiness, I headed towards her office, bracing myself for whatever surprises awaited .
As I approached the office door, I could hear voices from within.
"...thank you so much for your hospitality and kindness. I’ll always rember how kindly you’ve treated us..."
That voice... Nivel? What was he doing here?
The door swung open, and I found myself face-to-face with Nivel and a surprisingly somber Ezekiel.
They both looked... different.
Ezekiel looked older, sohow. And there was a sadness in their eyes that I hadn’t seen before.
"Nivel? What’s going on?"
He gave a small, weary smile.
"Julian. It seems our ti here has co to an end. Ezekiel and I... we have to leave."
My heart sank. Leave? But why? Where were they going?
I’m sure they could stay until the academy arc began...
"I... I don’t understand,"
"It’s a long story," Nivel said in a low voice.
"We’ll explain everything later. But for now... Lady Ophelia is waiting for you."
He looked at Ezekiel with his expression softening.
"Co, Ezekiel."
Ezekiel nodded silently, his gaze fixed on the floor.
They walked past with their footsteps echoing in the hallway.
I watched them go, and I felt a strange emptiness growing within .
I guess they have sowhere to be then...
"Julian."
Lady Ophelia’s voice startled . I turned to see her standing in the doorway with her unreadable expression. How typical.
"Co in," she said. "We have much to discuss."
Walking through the door, she gestured to take a seat in front of her and I did so without fuss. I even straightened my back to show that I was attentive.
"So, Julian, I trust you had an... eventful day yesterday?"
I shifted uncomfortably in my seat, knowing this confrontation was inevitable.
"Yes, Lady Ophelia. Very much."
"And how did you do in the Royal Blade Challenge?"
"I ca in second," I mumbled, feeling a blush creep up my neck.
"Second?" she echoed, feigning surprise.
"My, my, it seems my ’nephew’ is quite the talented young man. To think you nearly bested all those other prodigies."
I winced at the word nephew. It took back to yesterday when redith claid that the Florence family was my sponsor, even though we told the receptionist that I was her nephew.
"Well, about that..."
I hesitated, unsure what to say, so instead I think it was in my best interest to talk about forfeiting the final match.
"I was... outmatched," I finally admitted. "In every way."
Ophelia chuckled.
"Outmatched, you say? I would’ve thought there wasn’t anyone who could’ve beaten you head on no? It seems there are even more monstrous talents than I had expected. What a fascinating world we live in."
She paused, pondering out the sunny window, but her expression turned even more serious.
"But Julian, even though you didn’t beco the Royal Blade, your performance did not go unnoticed."
My ears perked up.
"Oh?"
"Indeed, I received a rather interesting ssage this morning. It seems the Inheritor’s Association has taken a keen interest in you."
My heart dropped when I heard those words. The Inheritor’s Association… The very organization I had been trying to avoid since yesterday.
"They specifically requested that the child sponsored by the Florence family—one Julian Ryker Uzziel—attend one of their open days in the coming months."
As she held the letter written assumingly from redith, I was gritting my teeth nervously, seeing how I could’ve done better to avoid these complications.
"Although, I don’t recall ntioning any sponsorship I only had you as my ’nephew’, I guess the girl at the desk knew I didn’t have any kind of relative, how smart."
She emphasised the word nephew again sarcastically and I can’t help but curse that receptionist from yesterday. She absolutely bamboozled us.
I could practically hear redith’s smug laughter echoing in my ears.
That cunning, manipulative witch!
She not only outsmarted , but she took the ti to write a letter straight after our talk?
I could understand why she was an excellent scher in politics.
"Haah... I can’t believe It. Now I’m not the only one that knows of your capabilities… but it can’t be helped. Soone was bound to find out eventually,"
Ophelia clasped her hands together with a serious expression, and I couldn’t tell whether that was a good thing or a bad thing.
But still… entering the Royal 8 Challenge was sothing I didn’t regret, since Marcus’s story remained the sa.
"Indeed, it seems so,"
I slumped back in my chair.
"Now, now, don’t look so glum. It’s not the end of the world. Though it might be the beginning of a rather interesting chapter."
I couldn’t help but crack a small smile. She was right. As much as I dreaded the thought of being dragged into the world of the Inheritors, it was undeniably an opportunity.
An opportunity to learn more about this world, about my powers, about the threats that would soon doom this very world.
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