As Ajax got up the next morning he quickly made his way towards the Academy, according to his grandparents his family would arrive sometime tomorrow afternoon or evening so he had already discussed with both professor Silvertongue as well Balthazar to get some free time. Both Professor Silvertongue and Balthazar were very understanding of the situation, as such the former made sure not to set up a dungeon delve for Ajax in this cycle and even allowed him to miss the class scheduled delve in two days. Balthazar was also understanding and put their research into the curse mana on hold and would instead spend the time carefully drafting their discoveries into their final format.

With this understanding Ajax was now going to meet with the old man as well as Evelyn who would be bringing the verdict of the royal court on the matter of his discovery. As was usual for their meetings Ajax was still the last to show up. This meeting however was a little different than the usual as Evelyn wasn’t simply wearing her usual getup. This time she was wearing her full set of enchanted gear bearing the colors of the royal family.

“Morning.” Ajax offered as he entered the library.

“Good morning Ajax” Headmaster Manashaper offered, Ajax hadn’t seen him when he entered the door. “That was quite the surprise I had yesterday.”

While the tone was a little sarcastic and conveyed there was no ill will for having kept the discovery a secret Ajax did recognise that the headmaster had felt a little hurt that he hadn’t shared the discovery with him before presenting it.

“I’m sorry about not sharing my Discovery with you headmaster, it was something more last moment as I had initially only planned to make it public in a few years.” Ajax said with a bit of remorse. “My family already moving into the capital so early pushed all of that up.”

“Sir, Ajax.” Evelyn finally addressed him, the simple title of Sir was enough to tell Ajax that he had gotten a noble title in the events of last night. “ I am here to bestow a gift from his Majesty as well as inform you of the decision reached last night concerning your discovery and the reasoning behind it.”

Both Balthazar and Duke Manashaper’s eyebrows rose at the final part of the announcement. The king had made an executive decision in postponing the reward for ten years later and hadn’t done much to share his view on the matter, as such both were interested in what the reasoning was.

“A gift?” Ajax asked, confused, anything that came as a result of his discovery should be considered a reward and not a gift.

“Yes,” Evelyn nodded. “His Majesty has hereby granted you the title of Baron as a gift. The plot of land for your estate in the capital shall be bestowed to you along with your last name after you present your banner to the royal family. You are expected to do so within a moon’s time.”

Ajax was ecstatic at having received a noble title, which by itself should give him enough renown to offer his family the protection it needed to get settled in the capital. Having to provide a design for his banner in a month’s time however was something that he will have to consult with his family on.

“I graciously accept His Majesty's gift.” Ajax said as he bowed deeply after Evelyn glared at him a little as he stood silent before her, this was a time where proper courtesies had to be observed even in private.

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“As for the reward for your discovery, His Majesty has decided to postpone that discussion.” Evelyn continued “The discussion on the topic of your reward shall be revisited in a decade's time.”

“In a decade?” Ajax asked, confused.

“I have to admit I am curious as to the reasoning on this decision myself.” Duke Manashaper said as he looked between Ajax and Evelyn. “It is not often that His Majesty has postponed a decision during his entire rule, not to mention that this reward will probably be his last big decision before he passes the crown to the crown prince.”

“Yes, in a decade.” Evelyn completely ignored both the commentary from the duke as well as the old man who was nodding along to it. “Publicly this is being represented as a period to test your discovery on a wide range in order to better determine an appropriate reward.”

“And privately?” Ajax asked.

It was at this point that Evelyn finally somewhat relaxed her exemplary posture. “Privately His Majesty has quite a few concerns with rewarding you appropriately for your discovery at this point.”

Ajax had to fight himself to not scowl at the remark, more and more as of late he had managed to keep himself from jumping to conclusions and wait to gather all of the information before reaching a decision, it was something that he prided himself on.

“His main concern is that your Discovery is, even at a lowball, worthy of a ducal title. There is even a small chance that your reward may end up rewarding with not only a ducal title but grant you a landed Ducal title, with part of the crown lands being put under your name.” Evelyn continued.

“It is in fact His Majesty’s hope that your discovery is that rewarding as granting both the title and lands will build a stronger connection between you and the kingdom. His concerns are what plunging you into the political landscape with a ducal title right now will lead to.”

“Yes, I can see that.” Balthazar cut in. “Even with a healthy monetary reward, the other nobles will be in a good spot to climb at your expense, having a decade to get used to things as a Baron and form some connections is a clever way around it. Especially since you are told about the intention.”

“The king’s other concerns regarding this are your already somewhat troubling experience with some noble families. As the head of a ducal household you would be expected to marry someone of an appropriate standing only, while we haven’t been able to find any evidence of any partner you have in the capital limiting the options of one so young was not seen in a pleasant light. Especially should there have already been a relationship we were not aware of which you would then be forced to end due to expectations.”

“Yes, as a Baron marrying a commoner wouldn’t be an issue.” Balthazar once again nodded. “Once you were married and other titles bestowed upon you would make no difference, at worst you might be expected to take another wife of appropriate background.”

“So, essentially the reason for postponing my reward is for me to enter the noble life on a trial basis as a Baron, giving me time to get my feet under me without the responsibilities of a duke?” Ajax asked surprised as the possibility of a landed duchy was not something he thought was even part of the discussion.

Ajax had to admit, with all the facts presented like this he was in fact thankful for the king’s decision. The gift of a Baron title was enough to offer him the protection of a noble title while not putting him on the bottom of the totem pole with the Knight’s still being below him, while also giving him time to grow into his eventual title.

“A word of caution.” Evelyn said quietly yet the sentence quickly focused Ajax back to the discussion.

“Caution?” Ajax asked, surprised. “Would I be targeted early for the rewards I will receive in the future?”

Ajax thought that this did in fact make sense, both greed and envy would make him a target for quite a large part of the nobility to take advantage of since the announcement was made in the royal court.

“Not as such.” Duke Manashaper denied. “While some petty nobles will try and make moves they will almost certainly have their plans foiled by others looking to make honest mutually beneficial agreements, the only way you will actually suffer from that will be as a result of enormous ignorance or stupidity. Should you have issues due to those, the price for them is something the king most likely considers fair for the lesson you will learn. I was put in a similar position when I was granted my title.”

“The caution is advised in regards to the eldest son of the crown prince.” Evelyn clarified. “It is widely known that the young prince is very talented, however your Discovery will offer his younger siblings a chance that he never had. While steps will be taken to prevent any relation he is still a prince who may bear a grudge for making him feel less special among his siblings.”

Thinking about his interaction with the prince over his time in the Academy Ajax came to the conclusion that they had both reached a silent understanding to simply ignore the other. His discovery however unintentional could be seen as him breaking that unspoken agreement, in fact the same could be said for pretty much all young heirs who have siblings that might use his discovery as a way to push themselves up the line of succession.