CH9 True Background II
***
A bit of rage flashed through Rowland's eyes.
"I don't know either. The assassin cleaned their tracks expertly. What I do know is that they defeated your father and his handpicked team of B-ranked Elite guards. That could only mean an S-rank Hero was involved."
Leo sucked in a cold breath.
"Your parents had many enemies, much less people that didn't like them because of conflicting interests. Without knowing the specifics of why they were targeted, we can't figure out who their assailants are. But when we do..."
Rowland's Mana unconsciously roused.
Leo felt the world around him palpitate.
The boy's suppressed emotions cooled further.
Rowland's unconscious display showed him the level where a Hero was.
If just their mere emotions could already influence the world. What would their intentional actions do?
Leo didn't know if this was just the strength of the War King Rowland or if it was something all Hero-level Hunters could do, but he believed it was more pragmatic to believe it was the latter.
In that case, even if the person who murdered his parents and set into motion the event that ruined his life, stood in front of him, he would scarcely be able to do anything to them.
He was once again reminded of why he needed power– as if he needed more reminding.
No matter how powerful you are, someone stronger can still take whatever you hold dare. Your only option was to claw your way to the top. Only then can you be sure of just barely being able to protect your loved ones and important things.
Leo buried whatever rage he felt towards the person who killed his parents or ambitions he had towards the world, lest they cloud his judgement.
The weak had no right to dream!
"Your parents made and left something behind for you, but only when you become an adult. I will take you to it after your Gift Awakening and you have decided what to do with your life.
"Until then, you will stay with me so that I can train you as we discussed. I will also get someone to teach you about this world and its ways." Rowland said.
He thought about it before adding carefully, "You have experienced it in the slums so I am sure you are aware. People will look and talk down on you because of your condition. That will not change just because you are my nephew. If anything, it will be worse because you are my nephew and because of who your parents are.
"This is not something I or anyone else can change. They may not do it in front of you, but they will surely do it behind you.
"The only person who can change that is you.
"What people respect in our world is power. Show people you can grasp it -whatever power it may be- and they will fall in line."
"For the next five years, I hope you won't falter to the ridicule you will face, instead I hope you will channel it, and use it to fuel you to become someone great."
Leo smiled, "Backtalk? I was beaten every day in addition to being talked down upon. If backtalk is all they can do, then they can't break me.
"One day, when I grasp my power, I will make all those who point their fingers and raise their noses at me today, willingly bow their heads in submission.
"I will make them accept and acknowledge that I am not only the nephew of the War King but the son of the Storm and the Queen as well."
Rowland was stunned. But in the next moment, he laughed.
He laughed out so loudly that his laughter was heard almost throughout the War King Palace, waking up the sleeping Zora in the process.
Leo's response was far from what he expected from a ten years old boy, but it was one he was happy to hear.
It showed the boy had yet to give up on himself.
As long as he didn't give up, Rowland believed they would find a way forward.
No, he would make sure of it!
The little girl, Zora, woke up groggily due to Rowland's laughter.
She cutely rubbed her eyes only to discover she was in the bed and Leo was nowhere to be found.
She almost panicked but then she saw him sitting on the seat a few feet away.
"Leo!" She ran and jumped on him.
She hugged him tightly.
Leo gently patted her and calmed her down.
He made her sit by his side after she did so.
"What is going to happen to Zora now?"
"She is the daughter of my benefactors, of course, she will stay here with us," Rowland responded. Then he added jokingly, "Besides, it doesn't look like she will leave quietly if I tried to kick her out."
As if to prove his point, Zora held Leo's arms tightly.
It seemed the little girl had become dependent on Leo or something.
Rowland continued, "She can stay here until she is 15. After which she will be an adult and will be able to decide what she wants herself.
"She will receive the same education and training as you. And if she does well, she might even be able to join the DoomMane Guild. But that will be solely on her effort.
"Even you can't join the Guild just because you are my nephew, much less her."
Leo nodded in understanding.
"Thank you, War- I mean, uncle." The boy stopped and corrected himself.
He stood up, looked at Rowland sincerely and said again with a bow, "Thank you, uncle."
Rowland smiled widely.
He rose up and went to hug the boy.
"You call me uncle. There's no need for gratitude within family. At least not for this much which I ought to do."
"Alright," Rowland released the boy. "You should go rest for now. I will go have some prepare everything we'll need. You might not have the chance to rest like this in the next five years."
Leo nodded.
Then he remembered something, "Uncle, food. I heard a lot of food while training is the best way to improve the body."
"You don't need to tell me, boy. Who do you think your uncle is." Rowland tussled the boy's head, then walked out of the room.
Outside the room, the butler of the War King Palace was waiting.
He had been responsible for ensuring the isolation restriction on the room functioned properly to ensure no one was listening in on the Uncle-nephew discussion.
"Sir." The butler bowed.
"Jaras, prepare tutors for his education and training materials for his training. I want only the best." Rowland ordered as they walked away from the room.
"I shouldn't prepare a training guide?"
"No, I will handle it personally."
Jaras' eyes widened in shock. Then realisation dawned on him.
"It seems the apple didn't fall too far from the tree." He commented.
"Indeed. Even after his fangs and claws were ripped out before they could even develop, and growing up amongst sheep, the child of two predators remains a predator. If anything, the ripped-out fangs and claws only made him more determined to become a predator." Rowland smiled.
"From the spirit I saw, if he had his Mana, I shudder to think what sort of prodigy would be unleashed on the world.
"In fact, even without Mana, I don't doubt he will find a way to leave his mark on the world."
Rowland's feet suddenly halted. He turned to look at Jaras.
"You know what to do, right?"
"Yes, sire. I will no longer prevent the staff from being rude to the young master due to his condition, lest we tame his feral heart." Jaras replied.
"Good." Rowland nodded.
'You said you would rather inflict the pain yourself than let an enemy do it, right? Then let this uncle of yours push things all the way.
'No matter what happens, I will ensure you are able to survive this cruel world.'
Rowland's determined footsteps echoed as he walked through the lavish War King Palace corridors with determined steps.
-
Meanwhile, back in Leo's room, the smile the boy previously had on his face had wiped away like a mirage.
He and Zora had returned to lying on the bed. The girl had even returned back to slumberland.
Leo recalled everything that happened within the last hour.
He had not only gained a new path in life, he had gained a new life entirely.
He was no longer an abandoned orphan who didn't know who his parents were. Nor was he longer a waste who couldn't rise in his station in life.
He was now the son of Drake Xander and Amelia Kroft as well as the nephew of Rowland Kroft. He was also the disciple/ successor of the Martial Sovereign and the Grand Space Pirate King.
However, the boy knew these titles couldn't make him ease up. If anything, they were weights that would crush him if he slowed down.
His situation hadn't changed much.
He still had to do everything in his power to grow strong, for that was the only way he would be able to bear the weights that he now carried.
He would use everything at his disposal to grow his strength, even the guilt of his uncle.
Before obtaining the power to control his fate, everything else is... Irrelevant!
(To be continued...)