NOVEL WEB Chapter 4: Monthly Assessment
Eventually, it was the day of the Monthly Assessment for the great Starfall Family, the whole Palace was reveling in the atmosphere, and everyone was busy with their menial tasks at hand, at the same time those of the main family were preparing themselves and their children.
The monthly assessment of the Starfall family included discussions on daily tasks, any changes in their region, whether good or bad and expenses of the palace.
Everyone had to provide their own account of the inner workings taking place of the areas they were in charge of and also, based on their position, and finally, discussions regarding the frontlines were mandatory and of great concern, as in these meetings it is decided which of the family members to call back from the frontlines and which ones to send.
However, the highlight of the monthly assessment was the combat matches between the younger generation held at the end of the discussions, This was a matter of great pride for the parents of those who participated in the matches.
The combat matches weren't just for fun, there was a deeper meaning behind them set by the founder and the head of the family, The Legendary Hero Draven Starfall, it has always been said, that whoever performs the best in these combat matches, will get special attention from his Holiness himself, and will thus automatically be granted an improve in status and power through various channels, and for the parents or guardians of the participants, it also signified for them as to which ones will be assigned to prestigious responsibilities and which ones to assign menial tasks worth no respect.
The Starfall family has always prioritized combat prowess over superficial celebrations or decorations within the palace, that is the reason why the Palace was clean and neat but there were no signs of celebration, instead, a solemn atmosphere was present in the whole region governed by them which is also called Starhaven.
All the noble families affiliated with them also joined in the assessment, as well as those of the main family, slowly yet surely the Limited congregation made their way to the Hero Draven's Hall of Strife, where the monthly assessment takes place.
Entering the Hall of Strife, Jonan felt the atmosphere heavy and solemn, for which he could only helplessly move forward, and sit beside his mother, a little far right from the Hero Draven's seat, directly beside him at the right side of the hero, was sitting his step-mother Aurelia who had adorned a slight smile on her face, and nodding towards various guests, as they made their way in the Hall, and to their seats as guided by the maids present for them.
As for the seat which was directly at the left side of the hero was occupied by a pot-bellied fat old man named Greedwyn Starfall of regal standing and demeanor, he was also responsible for all the money and resources of the Starfall family, he held such an important position due to various reasons, one of them being the Hero's only remaining son from his first concubine, only some of them from that time remain now in the Starfall Family, and his realm being high as one of the very few in the Weapon Sage realm, but his biggest quality, that could be said to be present and was most appreciated by his father the Hero was his grand-daughter, the most talented and monstrous of all in the human region, Freya Starfall of the 3rd generation.
She was rumored to be rivaling her great-grandfather in terms of talent, and she was also greatly appreciated by the hero, it was so much that he would personally train her from time to time, and even assign her exclusive missions and trials for her to undertake, she also has the abundant resources of the Starfall family at her disposal.
Freya and Jonan were of the same age, and it hurt him immensely many a times, knowing that someone so talented and powerful was of his age, but it wasn't him only who felt such way, as a matter of fact, many of the 3rd generation and as well as the 2nd generations too felt envious of her talents, after all, who wouldn't want to progress to higher realms and even reach the fabled realm of heroes, where they can be immortal.
Unfortunately, reality was cruel, and no one, not even those of the two other races were able to reach the fabled realm, which was just somehow accessible to the heroes only, heck even the hero's family members were not able to reach that fabled realm, despite their best efforts.
Finally, everyone took their seats, and one by one, members of the main family were summoned before the hero to report on their duties, responsibilities, and any updates in their respective roles, after each member of the main family had presented their reports.
Attention turned to the subsidiaries affiliated with the Starfall family, they, in turn, presented their monthly tributes and provided updates on the developments in their assigned regions, ultimately it was time to discuss the front lines.
At the mention of the front lines, the previously lively atmosphere shifted to melancholy, a topic which no one dared to approach lightly, knowing the risks involved and participation always meant death, with a scarce chance of survival, despite that participation was mandatory, not only for the main family members but also for those of the subsidiary families.
One of the older members Sylvan of the subsidiary family, Mistfall looked and signaled with his eyes to the pot-bellied fat old man Greedwyn, in a discrete manner, who was sitting beside the hero, right after that a middle-aged man Dreyfus, son of Greedwyn, someone of the 2nd generation, also looked at him with expectant eyes.
Nodding to Sylvan, who was also a close confidante of his, and his son Dreyfus, the only remaining child of his, Greedwyn's numerous children were lost to wars on the front lines, same was the fate for those going to the front lines.
Greedwyn stood up with weariness and bowed his head towards the hero, and uttered, "Father, we can continue with the important discussions of the front lines, the allocation of resources, and also the most important event of combat between the younglings, but I feel that there's a more pressing issue that we will have to attend, and make clear for our friend's from the affiliated clans, and also some members of our family too".
Listening to Greedwyn, the hero Draven smiled with an expression of amusement, and beckoned him to sit down and continue, Greedwyn bowed slightly again, and then finally his droopy fat old face, sharpened with a sinister shine as he looked slightly at Jonan, meanwhile, Jonan, who knew that the time has come for him to face a brutal attack from the parents of his friends, of which he does not know of, he doesn't even have any recollection of what occurred in the woods.
Feeling the sharpened gaze of Elder Greedwyn, he felt stiffened and out of breath, he felt akin to a slimy sinister snake coiling around him, which was ready to pounce and swallow him whole.
Such pressure and fear were first for him, as he was never meant to face the powerful personalities of the Starfall family, he always played with his friends and was in the care of his mother, at most he would meet some of the elder sons of the hero Draven, but not those early sons of the first generation and second generations, who held the title of elders in the Starfall family, none of them were useless, but were powerful strong beings who survived numerous wars with the other races and stood the test of time, all of them were of the Weapon Sage realm and fearsome beasts in human skin.
Noticing Jonan's fear, and pale face, the other elder's expressions soured with dissatisfaction, Greedwyn, however, merely smirked, already anticipating the outcome, "Hmphh he's the same age as Freya, yet he is a piece of cow dung compared to her", Greedwyn mused to himself with a slight smile playing on his lips, "How does Father even tolerate him, well, that will change today".
Aurelia's countenance darkened, as she let out a soft snort, which seemed to alleviate some of Jonan's anxiety, dissipating the oppressive aura on him, "Just what is the meaning of this Greedwyn, is this how those of commoner birth treat their juniors", chided Aurelia in disdain and displeasure evident on her face.
Internally seething at Aurelia's direct jab concerning his commoner mother, Greedwyn forcefully managed a polite smile outwardly, after all, Aurelia was not someone he could trifle with.
Addressing her with humility and respect, Greedwyn replied, "Forgive me, Your Highness, It's not about disdain, We've all suffered losses, and it's crucial that we understand Jonan's experiences with our children who are now lost to us, without any news"
His words were measured, his tone respectful yet firm, carefully navigating the delicate balance between addressing Aurelia's concern and asserting his own stance with a solemn dark scrunched up face.