“You’ll find that plot is empty, as such you can begin building your estate on it, a Viscount plot neighboring it has also recently been vacated due to all that curse plague business earlier in the year.” Evelyn told Ajax. “I suggest you take into consideration that plot being added to yours in ten years when laying down any plans.”

“I will, thanks Evelyn.” Ajax said. “Also congratulations on the win.”

“What gave it away?” the other fighter asked Ajax, seeing as his clothing was relatively undamaged it was a very fair question.

“I could give the technical answer that you have both curse mana residue and holy mana residue lingering on you and I doubt anyone can reasonably be expected to continue a spar once exposed to both.” Ajax said before smirking a bit. “But I’ve known Evelyn for a few months now and this is the first time I’ve seen her smile, I doubt it was following a loss.”

Evelyn's smile dimmed slightly at that but it wasn’t enough to wipe it off her face. The king also got a kick out of the comment but soon reasserted order over the room.

“According to your records from the Academy I can see that you are doing well at filling in the gaps in your knowledge, that will serve you well as you grow into your new title.” The kind said. “That being said, it does leave the matter of the end of the year tournament to address.”

“What is there to address?” Ajax asked, though this was more him feigning ignorance.

“Your ability to enter all the open non-student tournaments that lead to spots for the class tournaments.” The king pointed out. “Given your level of power I could only see a spectacular sixth year actually giving you any trouble at all.”

I doubt even one of them could, after all the stats I gained from running both dungeons, Ajax thought back to the dungeon floor bonus stats he gained.

“Having you make a straight shot effortless run through the tournaments would have been problematic before but now that you also gained a noble title it would be disastrous. As such a more beneficial arrangement can be made for you on the side.” the king said.

“A more beneficial arrangement?” Ajax asked a hint of greed shining in his eyes, all that time he spent around his sister and his grandparents working overtime to let him know of a potential opportunity.

“Essentially, for the following six years I will have you only participate in the sixth year tournament, even that spot will be given with a seeded pass so as to not disturb the open entry tournament.” the king explained. “The rewards you will gain for winning will be compensated for having you not enter all six tournaments.”

This was already an arrangement Ajax was ready to jump at, a way to gain all those rewards without pissing off every noble with a representative in the first five years was a golden opportunity.

“On top of that, should you manage to keep your winning streak for the duration of the six years you will be attending the Academy, I will be willing to give you a spot as a representative for our under fifty group in the upcoming challenge for the deep iron mine.” the king offered.

Stolen content warning: this tale belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences elsewhere.

Ajax’s time in the Academy had already informed him of the way nations split any newfound resources when they decided to go the peaceful route. A tournament will be held where the representatives of each nation fought for a % of the resource. The tournaments would be split in an under fifty years old category, an under level one hundred category and a no restriction category.

The unrestricted category always influenced more than half the ownership of the resource but quite a lot of money was up for grabs in the other categories as well. Seeing as how the tournament would be held in only a few years Ajax knew he had no chance at the under level one hundred bracket, that was filled with one trick ponies who spend at least two centuries training a few specific skills while achieving level ninety-nine, but the under fifty years old was where he might stand a chance.

“What is the reward split for the mine?” Ajax asked.

“Twenty - twenty - sixty.” the king answered. “With the country gaining half and the representative the other half.”

“I accept, King Terenas.” Ajax said with a deep bow.

“That is great news.” the king smiled. “ With that being handled now, you are dismissed Baron Hearthbound.”

Ajax’s future just came into a much clearer focus, from the blur of nebulous possibilities it had been a few weeks ago he had now gained a title, a home as well as a target to aim for. All of that in mind Ajax made his way home as quickly as he could while still looking somewhat graceful in his fancy clothes. This was something he would want to share with his family and celebrate.

“Are you sure letting him compete is wise Terenas?” the first Squads commander and the king’s best friend asked him.

“I doubt anyone but you has a chance to take the open competition from the elves.” the king answered instead. “And I am not willing to risk you over a mine filled with luxuries. Seeing as their witch was also married into their royal family they will owe a majority of the mine regardless.”

“Then what is it you are after?” the commander asked.

“The biggest play is to have him associated as a representative of Gryndor.” the king said. “Should he actually manage to win his part of the reward will provide income for his noble family should he have trouble securing a revenue stream, or preferably a bargaining coin he can use to gain a delve in one of our neighbors' capital dungeons.”

“You think a single delve will be worth that much?” the king's friend asked.

“He cleared up to the eighth floor as a level thirty-two old friend.” the king said. “That single delve in a capital dungeon will give him seven to all his stats even if he doesn’t grow the level gap he can delve in the next few years.”

“That much power will make him dangerous in the future, is it wise to have him continue like this without a tie to the royal family?” the squad leader asked.

“You heard the rumors just as I have, the beastkin dichotomy is being unified. With two capital dungeons under a single nation, how long do you think it will be before they declare war once again, one hundred years? Two hundred?” the king asked. “Worse yet what if they decide not to push towards the rest of us but try to expand outside oh humping territory, who knows what they might bring down on us?”

“They really did pick their timing well.” the squad commander was forced to admit. “Having started their unification on the heels of a peace treaty as tenuous as this one was means that nobody will be willing to go to war with them unprovoked. All for the simple reason as we don’t trust each other enough to leave an opening to our own allies.”

While Ajax had gone to finalize the noble title his family had received an arguable overdue visit for Silvia’s parents, the only issue being that they had made it a surprise visit not knowing today will also be the day Ajax was going to the royal palace.

“Grandmother, grandfather.” Judy said coldly.

“Grandmother, grandfather.” Tom repeated the same greeting.

“Mother, father, these are my children : Tom and Judy.” Silvia introduced them trying her best to make the effort she said she would back when she accepted her parents' apology. “Beside them is Katy, Tom’s spouse, as well as Alana, Judy’s business partner.”

“Where is young Ajax?” Sebastian said as he tried to ease the tension, his presence here was helping as he had made a good impression on both Judy and Alana as he helped them with the move. “I heard he just returned from his delve today.”

“Ajax is at the royal palace.” Sam said. “Accepting his noble title and land.”

Sebastian winced a little as his attempt to move the topic of conversation along wound up with them in even more uncomfortable territory. Thankfully the awkwardness was quickly shattered by the sound of the door being all but slammed open.

“Why this couldn’t wait until tomorrow I still don’t know.” Ajax could be heard complaining despite his tone revealing he wasn’t feeling as annoyed as his words originally sounded. “Oh, am I interrupting something?”

Ajax stopped as he caught sight of the packed dining table they had recently gotten. “Not at all, sweetheart.” His mother was quick to stand up, hug him, and then drag him towards a seat reserved for him at the table. “How did it go?”

Her question reflected the thoughts of everyone else seated as they looked at Ajax filled with curiosity.