NOVEL WEB Chapter 5: Adoption [1]
"Hey Rados...", Adam Marcellus started hesitantly.
His butler looked at him with a shocked face.
"Sir, what are you doing?! Don't tell me you are thinking of...", the butler started to speak before Adam cut him off. "I know what I'm doing, Damien."
Rados looked at the two with a confused expression, clearly waiting for Adam to continue speaking. "Rados. What I'm about to ask is confidential. So if you reject my proposal, you must promise to speak of this to no one. Understood?"
"Alright, Adam. But what could you possibly gain by telling me something confidential? I'm just some awfully weak kid from the boonies."
"You're underestimating yourself. Of course, you are weaker than the average human in every regard. But with your wisdom and Mana Breathing technique, I reckon you'd be able to catch up to students of my academy in approximately two months. Well anyway, Rados, will you become my son?" asked Adam with a nervous look on his face.
Rados thought to himself: 'What the hell? Why does he want me to become his son? It seems I don't understand humans. I mean, he just murmured something about his wife, can't he have a child with her? But it's a good deal, for me at least. Because I can train my body and stats under the oversight of one of the strongest beings in the human realm. But it feels like this trade is unequal.'
"Adam, I don't understand. Why are you asking me this? I don't want to be a burden to you or your wealth."
"Haha, my boy. You don't need to worry about my wealth. I'm about half as rich as one of the smaller seven states. And also, my wife is chronically ill, so I can't have a child with her. Hence, adoption is the only choice. Don't worry, you will live a luxurious life. I will personally oversee your training, at least until the academy starts again in two months. If you'd like, you can also come to Everdusk. I'd be glad to have you. But we would probably need to keep your existence as my son a secret. I can't have my wife being targeted by daemons, can I?"
"Well, in that case, Adam. I'd gladly become your son. I hope we can develop a good relationship.", Rados said happily.
"Oh come on, Rados. There's no need to be so formal. You can just call me Dad. Come, we need to go fill out the adoption papers, and also need to get your powers assessed. We'll be right back, Damien."
"Of course, Sire.", head butler Damien responded with a confused look on his face.
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As Adam opened the door to the city hall, many eyes suddenly fell on him, and his companion, a white-haired youth. Many rumors began to circulate that day. But Adam kept walking towards an open post with Rados in tow. Adam seemed undisturbed by the nervousness of the other visitors, but Rados was walking with an uncomfortable expression.
Adam told the official at the post to get a private room. The official immediately acquiesced and told Adam and Rados to follow him. They walked into a corner of the entrance hall and entered a door, which was then magically shut. The room was also imbued with powerful sound-blocking spells.
"So, Lord Marcellus. How can I help you?", the official asked extremely nervously. He was obviously scared of doing something wrong and insulting one of the strongest humans out there, and also the duke's brother.
"Before I tell you, I ask you to be extremely confidential about this information. I trust you. I want to fill out an adoption paper. I am adopting this child right next to me."
The official's eyes opened so wide Rados feared they'd fall right out of their sockets.
"A-Alright, s-sire. W-What's your name, boy?", the official asked after calming down a bit.
"My name is Rados, I am 15 years old. My birthday is on the 12th of April. My parents died in a recent devastation, where I also lost my memories. So I unfortunately cannot tell you who my parents were."
After noting down the information, the official said: "Alright, Rados. I think this is all. Now we just need the signatures of Adam and you, and then you will officially be Rados Marcellus, the prince of the Uskington Dukedom. Just to make sure, is this out of your own volition?"
"Yes, it is, mister. I am excited to see what the stars have prepared for my future."
"Alright, now please sign."
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After the shockingly fast process of adoption, Adam and Rados returned to the mansion. There, Adam said: "Alright, now that's done, Rados. Now I will assess your powers with an artifact from the God Era. It will tell me your current overall ranking, which you can also see in your status."
Rados gulped, not knowing, what the artifact may say. But still, he stretched out his hand and let the mana coming out of the artifact enter his body and then return to the artifact. Holding his breath, he looked at the artifact. It was currently computing its answer. After some seconds, Adam said: "Hmmm. It has never taken this long before. I sure hope it isn't broken. This thing is damn expensive."
After another few seconds, the display lit up and displayed the following:
"Rados Marcellus has an overall ranking of Flawed."
Rados took a long breath and looked at Adam. Adam looked at the artifact confused. He murmured to himself: "Why did it take so long... Also, there's no way he's ranked so lowly with his Mana Breathing Technique... Whatever, I'll investigate."
Then he looked at Rados and said: "Well, we have a lot of work to do. But first, we will eat and then you can sleep. And tomorrow, we will go see your new mother. I'm sure she will be very accepting of you."
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Thank you for reading another chapter. I apologize for not releasing any new chapters for like 4 days. I wasn't motivated to write. But I think that will change as soon as Rados enters Everdusk Academy. As always, have a great day!
-Astro