NOVEL WEB Chapter 43- Stick
Inside a spacious room which definitely had space to accommodate more than a hundred people, sat a young man on his throne.
The golden locks of the man were arranged messily and some wavy strands were allowed to cover the left side of his forehead. His physique was well suited as a warrior and his demeanor oozed with confidence with a tinge of arrogance.
Currently, his stone-cold blue eyes stared at his employee.
Considering his relaxed posture, anyone would have a hard time considering the charismatic blond noble's current thoughts.
"Are you certain of your words? Mistakes cannot be forgiven in this case, you must know that." Hearing the blond noble's words, the man who was kneeling on the ground, sweated bullets under his hood.
The hooded man has recently reported his investigation regarding the situation that happened back in Belur. And the person he reported it to, is one of the most prominent figures of the Capital—first prince Edward Triwin Valenchide.
The shrouded man took a single second to hesitate and soon replied with the same intensity as before, "There is no doubt in it, Your Highness. The butler assigned to serve Your Highness Princess Alatia has been acting suspiciously for the past few weeks. And recently when he was informed about the Blood Ritual to wield the legendary armor, he showed a very complicated and anxious reaction."
Taking a pause, he continued, "Soon, when I investigated, I found out that Kyle was reading something related to the history of blood transfusion—those that occurred in the past. And the most concerning part, the only records he particularly read from head to toe were those failed ones between a Curse User and a Divine Awakened."
The spy finished conveying his report in detail and turned silent.
Edward didn't show any reaction and just rested his head on his balled fist further down, with his elbow pressed against the armrest of the throne.
Edward trusted his younger brother, Edmund. However, this was something related to the person Edward could not take risks with. This was about Alatia and the person with whom she would spend most of her time—without any Capital surveillance on them.
Naturally, Edward has to be one hundred percent sure about Kyle's motive and inspect him thoroughly. That's why this spy was sent although Edmund was already in Belur at that time with the same purpose in mind.
And now, hearing the report, Edward believed he did the right thing by sending his own investigator.
'If Kyle is a Curse magic-user...then not even Tia can save him...'
Refocusing on the shrouded man, Edward said, "My youngest doesn't know about this right?"
The spy shuddered hearing the prince mentioning his youngest brother.
"N-No, my lord."
Edward sighed in relief. If that maniac gets to know that someone suspicious is lingering around their beloved sister, then the youngest prince undoubtedly would attack Kyle regardless of Alatia's feelings.
As of now, there was no solid evidence against Kyle and given Alatia's affection towards him—to the point she even hurt Edmund—Edward has to take slow and steady steps.
The Emperor is also out of the Capital for an all-round journey around the continent and it would take months for him to return. That's why, Edward decided to keep an eye on Kyle for the time being.
Every step Edward takes in his life is for the betterment of people and to ensure the serenity between his family members. That's why he felt troubled with the prospectus of pushing Alatia to a place where she had to choose between Kyle and her family.
'...I just hope all my concerns are unwarranted Kyle.' With his eyes faintly glowing, Edward crumbled the parchment he was holding.
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[Kyle's POV:]
I was being scrutinized by the Sage's students since for her to accept a disciple so suddenly was unheard of.
Every student she takes in must have to go through some trials to prove their passion for learning—regardless of who the person is and how talented they are.
The training compound was nearly the same size as the training ground back in the mansion. However, the training equipment was surely a lot better and diverse.
"You, go and start with your warm-up spells." Someone who can call the Princess of the Empire in such a casual, almost rude manner—the rumors about the Sage being indifferent to one's social position weren't just rumors after all.
"Can't I stay a little longer with you two?" Alatia sounded concerned, and I could feel how she was barely resisting the urge to hold my hand.
You gotta be a little careful, Ala.
In response, the elderly woman halted and glared at Alatia over her shoulder, "Don't make me repeat myself or this day won't end well for you."
Under normal circumstances, anyone would have become nervous under such a fierce glare but not Alatia.
She glared back at her teacher and with a huff whipped her hair toward her back. Giving my hand a squeeze, she walked away.
Now, only I and the Sage remained in the backside of the compound and I could feel the other students were no longer eyeing us.
Despite her old age, her back was still completely straight, and her eyes could see through minor details like a hawk. As a fighter, I could tell that she had no opening to exploit at all. In a confrontation, without the assistance of Magic, I doubt I would be able to defeat her—even though I have only heard of her legendary tales.
"Do you know the reason why you are standing here?"
Her question couldn't be answered since I was genuinely perplexed, "I don't know."
"Because you intrigued me."
I tilted my head before asking, "What part of me?"
"Why don't you tell me, what makes you different from my other students?"
Oh...so she wants me to tell her about my secret. Well, if she had sensed Dark Magic from me and is against the usage of Curse Energy, then she surely would have apprehended me.
But that doesn't mean I need disclose my secret.
"Maybe because I am wearing a mask?"
"Wearing a mask makes you look childish, not different." Her response was quick, like she was expecting me to say something like this.
I shrugged, "Then...I don't know."
The Sage sighed, before she lifted the thin stick she was holding and placed the middle part of it, on her palm.
Whipping her free hand, she suddenly summoned two things. A feather and an elongated and thick tooth.
She placed the feather on the left side and the tooth on the right side. The stick didn't move at all—signifying a serene balance.
"This is a feather of an angel and that is a tooth of a demon." Without her telling me, I discerned much.
Remaining silent, I heard her asking, "Now which one is you?"
Her thin smirk made me a little confused but I couldn't discern why she was asking me this.
There was no doubt she has sensed the Dark energy permeating from my soul that's why I had no issue pointing my finger toward the tooth.
"Wrong." Her response made me bewildered. What was she even implying here?
Under my perplexed gaze, she held her stick in her clutch and the feather and the tooth disappeared
Advancing toward me, the old lady stuck her hand which was holding the stick, in my direction.
"You are this."
"..." I am a stick now? I am, indeed thin, but still, aren't you thinner than me master?
For the first time since we met, the old lady smiled and ruffled my hair fondly,
"Within the next six months, I will make you understand what I meant."
Saying so, she walked away.
I stared at the stick I was holding as a thought passed by my mind,
'...why do I feel, I missed to realise something extremely important just now...?'
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A/N:- Hmm ..so yeah, maybe I will take a chapter to summarise the training and then we dive into the Academy arc
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