Ajax didn’t even have to flash his token anymore to enter the noble district, the guards at the crossing had seen him coming and going enough to recognise him and just wave him through. Ajax gave them a nod for their expediency and headed for Luna’s house.
As he was walking Ajax thought on all that he learned after his own interrogation was over. Firstly, the complaint that fingered him as the prime suspect had been made three days ago. This meant that any nobles who were trying to keep their finger on the pulse would have done at least a cursory background check on him.
There wasn’t much that said background check would get them. His file with the guild would let them know that he was almost sixteen and that he had passed the level thirty-two test, if they looked into his records they would find the delves to the second floor of the dungeon back in Lessis. He was very happy that said delves would now be something that would back up his story of how he had been able to kill five people in their mid forties. He also knew he would have to apologize to the Collectors since they must have gotten quite a few people looking to question them about him now.
As he turned the corner on the street with Luna’s house Ajax found himself almost stopping at the sight. Parked in front of the house was a very luxurious carriage, one that surprisingly didn’t have any sigil that would identify whose house it was that it belonged to.
Thinking about the matter Ajax decided it was best to just get this over with quickly. If whoever it was that came here had enough pull to approach Luna in such a direct manner it wouldn’t be long until they at least forced Ajax’s hand into a meeting and he’d rather have that meeting with Luna and Hatchet present.
As he approached the door he saw the guard stationed there tense up for a moment before he recognised him and then briefly opened the door to pass a message inside. Seconds later the door opened from the inside with Alfred standing in the doorway.
“Still decided to come in despite the carriage?” Alfred raised an eyebrow in surprise.
“I already decided to stop hiding so much.” Ajax said. “Whoever they are, if they came here they will also approach me directly, best to meet them with people I know present than alone.”
Alfred gave a brief nod of approval, though Ajax didn’t know if it was for his decision or just his logic. He stepped aside to allow Ajax entry.
“How did the questioning go? They kept you there for quite a while.” Alfred asked.
“They were done with me rather quickly, I got the contract out in the open early.” Ajax explained as they walked deeper into the manor. “It took a few hours to get anything out of house Steelboot’s representative. From the look the royal family's representative had at the end I think she got what she wanted in the end. Who is it that came here?”
“Duke Manashaper.” Alfred answered as they approached the large dining room and opened the door for Ajax.
Inside the dining room there were three people seated at the long table. Luna was sitting on the right hand of the head of the table with Hatchet right beside her. The simple fact that Luna left the main seat empty showed the respect and difference in status between her and the Duke.
As for the Duke himself he sat across from Luna. Visually he reminded Ajax of a headmaster for a certain boy with a lightning bolt shaped scar on his forehead that managed to live. His embroidered robes all but screamed magic without coming off as goudy.
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“Ah, you must be Ajax.” The duke stood up once he entered but seemed to be at a crossroads with himself. He intended to approach Ajax but as Ajax approached Hatchet and Luna the Duke found the table to be in the way.
“Yes, I am Ajax.” Ajax responded somewhat warrily, for the first time he didn’t need his [Judge Threat] to feel that someone was dangerous, he could feel an aura coming off the old man and while it wasn’t hostile in any way it still put him on edge.
Ajax’s response seemed to bring the Duke back on point so he continued. “I am Peter Manashaper, I am the headmaster for the Academy. You’ll have to excuse me coming to you so out of the blue but I am fascinated by any form of new magic.”
“How did you know about my magic?” Ajax’s thoughts slipped out at the way the man joyously brought up something the guards showed no indication of knowing.
“Oh that?” the man’s casual atmosphere and jokey tone did a lot to put Ajax at ease but it simply wasn’t enough. “My granddaughter told me about it, she saw you almost a year ago when she went to take part in that skirmish. She said she felt an odd and different type of magic from you which drew my interest.”
The old man then let out a deep sign as he sat back down. “Sadly my projects combined with my duties as headmaster didn’t allow me to make a trip all the way to see you back then. Imagine my surprise when I saw a report saying you’re now in the capital capital. It was simple to find out when your delve was supposed to end so I made some time for a visit. Your stop at the guard’s barracks was longer than my sources told me it should have been?”
Despite not changing his tone the words let Ajax know that the Duke already investigated everything and clearly sided with him on the matter of house Steelboot.
“The man representing house Steelboot was quite smart about answering while avoiding the question so it took a while before they managed to get something that would be enough to fully clear me.” Ajax’s answer quickly cleared up the same question that both Luna and Hatchet had about the matter.
“Bet they sent Douglas.” one of the men behind the Duke chuckled silently but not faintly enough for Ajax not to overhear. Judging by the smile on the other man’s face he also agreed with the assessment.
“Well it’s great to hear that you have been cleared of it.” Luna finally spoke with Hatchet, just giving him an encouraging nod.
“Duke, the time…” the second man approached to whisper.
“Right, right” the Duke shook his head a little. “I had hoped to have a bit more time for this but sadly my duties are calling. I can see from your uniform that you’ve decided to join the Healing Union. While I won’t try to get you to change your mind on that, I would like us to have a discussion about your magic.”
Ajax was surprised to find that the aura didn’t change at all when the Duke asked the question. His impression of the man grew more positive with that.
“I had actually decided not to join the Healing Union. this most recent delve cemented that decision for me.” Ajax answered. “My rate of growth doing so would be glacial, unless I decided to accept an offer from the royal family. I was considering being employed by the guild while Luna here suggested approaching the Academy for an opportunity to reinforce my foundations before growing in level.”
“That’s a wonderful suggestion.” The headmaster's excitement was higher than before, though he did wonder what that odd expression meant. “One that is appreciated. The new class has already had its greeting dinner but I suppose we could get you enrolled.”
“Getting enrolled would be a bit of an issue for me.” Ajax interrupted before the duke went too far down that thought.
“Oh, how so? I assure you our academy is the best in the Kingdom.” For the first time his aura changed and Ajax could feel the pride the man felt for the academy press on him for a few seconds before it returned to how it was before.
“I looked into the information available about the Academy, the way you structure your classes is based on level when entering. The maximum age accepted for a first year is twenty and the level requirement is twenty four with a few exceptions made for a close to level up twenty -three.”
“That is true in most cases, though our acceptance has made a few exaggerations in a few cases.” The aura coming off froze with that statement as if looking to give away anything, the man frowned slightly as well. “But I don’t think that should be an issue for you, you had the level required back when my granddaughter met you and you can pass the level thirty-two test for the Adventurer’s Guild.”
“The issue would be that my level is currently thirty-one.” Ajax revealed to the surprise of all three people that came with the Duke. “And my combat ability is closer to level sixty.” Ajax downplayed his strength a little.
“Now that makes me all the more curious, but I can see how that would be an issue, yes.” the man nodded to himself and as he was about to continue a third man wearing the same robes as the ones behind the duke entered the room.
“My lord, we would need to leave now if you are to make it on time.” Ajax’s revelation had caused both of his other attendants to forget about the time limit.
“Ajax, please come see me anytime, preferably in the next two days. I am sure I have a perfect solution to your reservations and I will make time to explain it to you.” With that the Duke paid his compliments to Luna for being a wonderful host and left.