"Zarafel... what is an academy?"
Zarafel was slightly taken aback. He turned his head briefly before finally answering Hastora's question.
"An academy is a place where students between the ages of 15 and 18 learn. They offer several subjects, including alchemy, magic, combat, summoning, and other knowledge-based courses."
Hastora looked at the ceiling, quickly processing Zarafel's explanation. However, he still had another question.
"Are all those subjects combined or separate?" He asked. "For example, do alchemists have their own class, while summoners are in another?"
"No, all subjects are taught in one class. However, each subject has its own time slot," Zarafel replied.
"What do you mean?" asked Hastora.
"For instance, alchemy class is from ten to eleven in the morning, while summoning is from eight to ten," Zarafel explained elaborately.
Hastora understood. He was a little interested in the academy. But not to learn, but to act more freely without being bound to his family anymore.
He wanted to enter the academy, but there was one problem that stood in his way. How could he get in?
Hastora got up and sat on his bed, contemplating the problem. 'Should I ask the head of the family?' he thought. He pondered this question seriously. His heart told him to ask, but his body resisted.
Zarafel was a little curious about what Hastora was thinking. 'What is he thinking about so seriously?' he thought, his curiosity piqued.
As he was busy thinking about how to enter the academy, a sound suddenly broke the silence—the sound of a knock at the door. There was no sound of anyone outside, just the persistent sound of the door being knocked again and again.
Ignoring the knocking, Hastora didn't hear anyone outside, so he ignored it and continued thinking about the problem.
"You should probably open it," Zarafel said, his voice tinged with a little worry.
"I won't open it until I hear someone outside," Hastora replied coldly.
"What if it's the head of the family?" Zarafel asked, afraid that Hastora might get into trouble.
Hastora didn't answer, he just sat silently with his eyes closed, waiting for someone to speak from outside.
The knocking didn't stop, and it made Hastora slightly uneasy. However, he still didn't open the door, instead, he lay down on his bed and stared at the ceiling of his room.
Finally, he heard a woman's voice calling out to Hastora from outside. It sounded gentle, firm, and cold.
"Hastora, come out for a moment."
Hearing someone outside, Hastora got up from his bed and immediately opened the door to his room.
...
Behind the door, a woman with black hair and red eyes, standing at approximately 168 cm tall, was waiting for Hastora to come out of his room. The woman was none other than Elara, his mother.
Hastora was slightly suspicious of his mother's arrival. He looked at her with a flat and cold gaze, trying to appear as calm as usual.
"What is it?" he asked, his voice cold.
"Why didn't you open the door?" Elara asked.
"Didn't you see, Mother? The door is open," Hastora answered calmly.
Elara was silent for a moment, slightly surprised by Hastora's answer. However, she refocused.
"Don't play games," she replied. "I meant, why didn't you open the door earlier?"
"I didn't hear anyone outside," he replied. "Opening the door when you can't hear anyone outside is dangerous. We could be stabbed unexpectedly."
Hearing this, Elara was slightly amazed. She felt that her son had truly changed. But this wasn't the time to be amazed, she went straight to the point.
"Come with me for a moment," Elara invited, trying to pull Hastora's arm.
"What for?" Hastora asked.
"You'll find out when we get there," Elara replied.
"Where are we going?" Hastora asked curiously.
"The living room," Elara replied. She quickly pulled Hastora's arm and walked towards the living room.
Hastora wanted to refuse his mother's invitation, but he couldn't do anything. He couldn't hurt his mother; that could cause problems for his revenge against Aurora.
His mother was the only key for Hastora to get into the academy. This was because his mother was the wife who seemed to be closest to the head of the family. He could ask his mother to get him into the academy.
That way, the path to regaining his lost power, which was mostly gone, would become easier.
"... "
Zarafel felt that something wasn't right. He was a little suspicious of Elara's actions.
"Hastora," he called out. "I feel a little suspicious."
"Why?" Hastora asked.
"Don't you remember that there are guests in the living room right now?" Zarafel replied. "Your mother is taking you to the living room without telling you her purpose."
Hearing this, Hastora felt that Zarafel's words had some truth to them. His eyes narrowed, looking at Elara with suspicion. He couldn't let his guard down, even for a moment.
Elara seemed to notice Hastora's stare, the stare full of suspicion. She understood it. How could she not? Someone taking you somewhere without telling you their purpose? It was very suspicious.
Elara closed her eyes, trying to look calm. She didn't want her purpose to be known by Hastora.
"This is getting suspicious," Zarafel said.
"... "
It wasn't long before Elara arrived in the living room, followed by Hastora from behind. The guests were still there, and they looked slightly happy.
Elara pulled Hastora towards them, her gaze serious, as if this were something important.
When they got there, she looked into Hastora's eyes while saying something shocking.
"Hastora... get engaged to Charlotte."
"!!!"
------------------------------------------------------------------
Some time ago
"So, how did it go, Trian?" asked the head of the family.
The adult white-haired man, named Trian, nodded, acknowledging the meaning of the head of the family's question.
The head of the family closed his eyes, feeling satisfied with Trian's answer. But, there was one more thing that needed to be made sure.
"How much profit was made?" He asked, his voice serious.
"500 gold coins per month," Trian replied.
The head of the family was slightly surprised, his eyes widened. 'That much?' he thought, a little disbelief at the amount.
"How many weapons were sold?" asked the head of the family.
"Hmmm ... about 10,000 Elite-level weapons were sold," Trian replied.
"What are they?" the head of the family asked.
"5,000 swords, 1,000 spears, 2,000 magic rifles, 1,000 armor, and 1,000 high-class daggers," Trian answered.
The head of the family rose from his seat, his two hands hit the table, feeling surprised by the amount of all the weapons sold. Everyone there seemed slightly surprised by the head of the family's behavior just now, it was seen from their faces. However, not Trian. He seemed to be used to the head of the family's behavior, as if they had been through it for a long time.
Realizing his attitude just now. The head of the family sat back in his chair and closed his eyes, trying to look calm.
"Why so much?" asked the head of the family.
"It's because of the monsters attacking in the southern part of the world," Trian replied. "And, 𝗴𝗮𝘁𝗲 that keep popping up in the Altar kingdom."
"𝗚𝗮𝘁𝗲?"
The head of the family held his chin, considering 𝗴𝗮𝘁𝗲 to be something serious. 𝗚𝗮𝘁𝗲 can be created on its own due to a clash of the balancing energy of the 𝗔𝗿𝗰𝗮𝗻𝘂𝗺 𝗔𝘇𝘂𝗿𝗲 world from another world, causing the two worlds to be connected through 𝗴𝗮𝘁𝗲.
𝗚𝗮𝘁𝗲 can also be created using spatial magic with a high level of mastery. 𝗚𝗮𝘁𝗲 is usually a dungeon that must be completed. While 𝗴𝗮𝘁𝗲 created using spatial magic is a portal to another world. That other world could be a world inhabited by people from another world, or it could be inhabited by monsters.
Of course, this will be troublesome, those gates could be unstable, it could cause a dungeon break.
Dungeon break is a condition where the gate becomes unstable, causing the monsters inside the gate to come out and attack people. Cities can be devastated by high-level monster attacks, and many people will die.
The head of the family continued to think about the impact of the dungeon break. He plans to complete the gate quickly. But, how?
"What are you thinking about, Ard?" asked the adult woman with blonde hair.
"I'm just thinking of a quick way to solve all those gate," replied the head of the family, whose name is Ard.
Trian chuckled a little, "don't bother Ard who is thinking, Horn," reprimanded Trian. "Later the ideas that come to his mind can disappear, hahaha"
The head of the family, Ard, sighed. "I don't want to hear those words come out of your mouth," Ard replied, folding his arms across his chest.
"Hahaha, just kidding," Trian replied. "You're always like that."
Seeing them talk, Charlotte became a little curious. 'Why do they seem so close?' she thought, her curiosity piqued.
However, Charlotte didn't dare ask a single word. She chose to remain silent and listen to them talk.
"What about the sale of mana crystals?" asked Ard. "Mana crystal is the most expensive item now, 1 piece of mana crystal level S can be priced at 5 gold coins, that's a very high price."
Trian sighed, scratching his head. He tries to explain something.
"How, ya?. We have a little problem there," Trian said, his voice sounding a little low.
"What's wrong? Ard asked. "Do we have a problem there?"
Trian nodded, meaning to acknowledge Ard's question. "Unfortunately, for the sale of mana crystals, we can't sell them to areas outside the Empire," said Trian.
"Why?" Ard asked.
"It's because we're running this business together," Trian replied. "Someone who works together in a business cannot sell business goods to areas outside the Empire, unless they have a family relationship. For example, like brothers and sisters."
"Isn't there another way?" asked Ard.
Trian held his chin, trying to remember the Emperor's words. "Hmmm ... oh!, I remember, there is one other way."
"What is it?" asked Ard.
"If both fathers of a couple, that's allowed to do business in areas outside the Empire," Trian replied. "For example, like getting married and engaged."
"That's difficult," Ard replied, seeming to give up with the situation.
The head of the family, Ard, remained silent. Trying to figure out another way for his business and Trian to reach areas outside the Empire.
Trian saw Ard who looked a little annoyed, he tried to think of a way too so that their business was allowed in areas outside the Empire. However, suddenly, a brilliant idea came to Trian's mind. He got up from his chair and held Ard's right hand with both of his hands.
"Ard!" he shouted. "What about an engagement?"
"What!" Ard responded, slightly surprised to hear that.
Suddenly everyone there became serious. Engagement? Only one person popped into their minds. The only one who is perfect, both in terms of character, ability, and intelligence. That's right, Charlotte!
Suddenly, all eyes were on Charlotte.
"What's up?" Charlotte asked, her face flushed, slightly confused by their reaction.
"Charlotte!" Trian shouted, his voice sounding happy. "I'm lucky to have a daughter like you."
"A—What do you mean, Dad?" Charlotte asked, pretending not to know. Actually, she already knew what they meant. But, she pretended not to know because she was embarrassed.
The head of the family, Ard, seemed to be whispering something to Elara. Immediately Elara went to the second floor to Hastora's room.
Ard pretended to cough, with the intention of asking Trian to return to his seat. Trian, who understood Ard's intentions, immediately returned to his seat without saying a word.
The atmosphere suddenly became silent, no one spoke. Ard sat with his arms folded across his chest, as did Trian.
Horn sat quietly while drinking the tea that had been provided, while Charlotte's older sister, Calestia, a blonde-haired girl with blue eyes, sat quietly and politely without saying a word.
Charlotte felt a little awkward with this atmosphere. 'Will I be engaged to that handsome man?' Charlotte thought, her face blushing.
...
It wasn't long before Elara appeared to be coming down the stairs one by one to the lower floor, followed by Hastora from behind.
Elara brought Hastora to where they all were. Elara pulled Hastora to stand beside Charlotte who was sitting.
"Hastora ... get engaged to Charlotte," Elara said, her face looking serious.
"!!!"
Hastora was slightly surprised, but he had already guessed that there was something serious. He just remained silent, showing a flat and cold expression as if he wasn't interested in Charlotte at all.
"I guessed it," Zarafel said.
Hastora only gave a short response to his mother.
"No," he replied briefly, his voice flat and cold.
Hastora turned his body, intending to return to his room. But, Elara didn't let him, she pulled Hastora back.
"Where are your manners?" asked his mother.
"Manners are gone, and I won't bring them back," Hastora replied, his voice flat.
"𝘏𝘢𝘩𝘢𝘩𝘢! 𝘪𝘵𝘶 𝘬𝘢𝘵𝘢-𝘬𝘢𝘵𝘢 𝘺𝘢𝘯𝘨 𝘴𝘢𝘯𝘨𝘢𝘵 𝘦𝘱𝘪𝘤!" Zarafel said while laughing out loud.
Elara sighed, "enough with the games," said Elara. "Sit down there."
"I'm not playing games," Hastora replied, his words sounded serious.
Horn got up from his chair and walked towards Hastora.
"You should sit down first," Horn said with a slight smile.
Horn forced Hastora to sit next to Charlotte. Feeling unable to do anything, Hastora just sighed and was forced to join their game.
"Calestia, you sit there for a while," said Horn.
"Okay, Mom," Calestia replied.
Calestia got up from her chair and gave Hastora a slight smile.
However, Hastora didn't respond at all, he just looked at her with a flat and cold stare.
"Sit down here," said Horn.
No choice, Hastora had to sit next to Charlotte. However, he didn't look at Charlotte at all.
"Ekhmm ... good evening, Hastora," said Ard, his greeting was too bad.
"Yes," Hastora replied, briefly.
"So, are you willing to get engaged to Charlotte?" Ard asked, he went straight to the point.
"No," he replied.
"Why?" asked Ard.
"Because I don't want to be a pawn just for my father's business."
"!!!"
"Don't go yet," Elara said, her grip on Hastora's arm tightened, as if to emphasize that this was not an ordinary request. "I know this is sudden, but please listen to our explanation first."
Hastora lowered his face slightly, looking at Elara from the corner of his eye. "What do you mean? Are you selling me for business profit?"
The sentence was like a sharp sword that pierced the silence of the living room. Charlotte lowered her head, her face flushed with embarrassment and discomfort. Trian clenched his hands in his lap, and Ard sighed heavily.
"This isn't just about profit," Ard said, his voice heavy but firm. "It's about the survival of our family, economic stability, and the power that must remain in our hands."
Zarafel, who was in Hastora's mind, growled softly. "That old man equates life with gold coins. It's disgusting."
Hastora remained silent, but a storm was brewing in his mind. He understood Ard's logic, but he rejected his way of thinking. He was not a tool. He was a higher being. He was... a disaster for the law.
Charlotte finally worked up the courage to speak.
"I... don't mind, if you really don't object completely. But I also don't want this to be a coercion for you."
Her voice was gentle, but there was a firmness in her tone that made Hastora glance at her briefly. Not out of interest, but out of a sense of testing.
'This girl isn't as stupid as she looks,' he thought.
Elara lowered her head slightly, looking at Hastora hopefully. "At least, think about it. You want to go to the academy, right?"
Hastora narrowed his eyes.
"So, it's a trade? An engagement for an academy ticket?"
"I'm just opening a way. The decision is still in your hands," Elara replied honestly.
Silence reigned for a moment. Then, the sound of footsteps was heard. Hastora slowly stepped forward, looking directly into Charlotte's eyes.
"If this is just a game of power and gold, then I'm not interested."
He turned to Ard. "But... if you want to make me part of your plan, then one condition must be met."
Ard raised an eyebrow. "Condition?"
Hastora smiled faintly, a smile that was cold and calculating.
"Let me enter the academy, and don't stop anything I do there. Including... when I start taking over."
Ard fell silent. Hastora's words contained something that made his skin crawl for a moment.
"Elara," Ard finally called out. "Arrange all the registration requirements. Make sure he enters this year."
Elara nodded. While Charlotte could only stare at Hastora's back as he walked away with his head held high—as if everything was already in his grasp.
And in his mind, Zarafel whispered: "The game begins, Lord Hastora."
...
Elara reached for Hastora's arm with a soft but firm grip. But the young man looked at her coldly.
"Don't force me, Mother," he said softly but sharply. "I've given my answer."
He easily broke free, walking away from the crowd in the living room. Everyone's eyes watched him silently—surprised, disappointed, even ashamed. But Hastora didn't care.
His steps were calm, but each footfall held a firmness that seemed to say: I am not a bargaining chip.
Charlotte lowered her head, clutching the hem of her skirt tightly. Elara could only watch her son's back as he walked away without being able to say anything more.
...
Hastora's room
The bedroom door closed again with a soft click. Hastora walked slowly towards his bed and sat at the end of it. His face remained calm, but his eyes betrayed emotional fatigue.
Zarafel, who had been silent all this time, finally spoke.
"Good. You rejected it."
"It was obvious they were playing with my life for profit," Hastora replied coldly, gazing at Zarafel's faint reflection in the mirror.
"Yes. But your rejection just now... it could create a rift between you and them."
"I don't need them. All I need is... time and opportunity."
Zarafel fell silent, watching Hastora's expression soften slightly. There was a touch of weariness beginning to appear, not physically, but from the burden his mind bore.
After a while, Hastora lay down on his bed. His gaze was blank, staring at the dark ceiling.
"I can't sleep," he murmured.
"Because you have too many thoughts?" Zarafel asked softly.
"Because I have too many memories," Hastora replied, his voice weakening.
Zarafel only remained silent. He knew, part of Hastora still lived in the past—in the ruins of an empire, blood, and revenge.
Minutes passed in silence. Hastora's breathing began to calm. His eyes slowly closed, the burden of this day gnawing at his consciousness.
Zarafel watched his master's face as he began to sleep. His voice softened, like a whisper from another world.
"Rest... You will need strength to face tomorrow."
The night wind blew gently through the slightly open window. And for the first time that night, Hastora's world felt a little quiet—without intrigue, without politics, only deep sleep.
---To be continued in the next chapter---