The count’s study did not disappoint him. The room was dimly lit and warmed by the glow of the crackling fireplace. The heat of the fireplace radiated inside the room, pushing back the cold. It was honestly pretty cozy considering the frigid temperature outside. I wish my room had a fireplace in it. Alaric mused.
Sturdy wooden shelves lined the walls, packed with leather-bound tomes and scrolls. A large, heavy mahogany desk dominated the center of the room. It was cluttered with stacks of parchment, wax-sealed letters, and an ink pot with a quill resting atop it.
Thick woolen carpets blanketed the floor, muffling his steps as he approached his father. The faint crackling of the burning wood and the rustle of paper echoed in the room as the count sifted through the documents.
The whole place exuded a sense of subtle power and formality.
Alaric bowed deeply and said, “Father, you called for me?” The count did not respond or glance up, as he expected. The count was sorting through a stack of documents, appearing very busy. He was tall, broad-shouldered, with an imposing face that matched his status.
His movements were slow and deliberate. He knew there was no hurry, nothing to prove to anybody - just like a lion.
Count Eustace de Vermond was dressed in a fine woven doublet lined with fur at the collar and cuffs. It was luxurious but practical. There was no excessive ornamentation on his person, just quality and precision.
His sharp eyes flicked toward Alaric for a moment before returning to the documents. The man is used to giving commands, not receiving them. The count was every bit the lord Alaric had imagined.
When the count finally turned his gaze on Alaric, his eyes held a look of calculation, but it was not unkind.
“Word has reached me that you train hard. Harder than any of the boys in the yard. What is your purpose? Why do you train so hard?” His tone was firm and curious.
Alaric took a moment to gather his thoughts. This is a chance for me to leave a good impression on him. A simple answer won’t suffice. Alaric locked eyes with his father and replied, “I know my place, Father. I understand what it means to be a bastard.” He saw the count scrunch his brows. “I train to earn my keep. So that I can contribute to the family.”
It was a simple answer. However, it would let the count know that Alaric appreciated the generosity of the count, for sheltering him. And, for that, he was grateful and ready to contribute to the family’s cause.
When he finished, he saw a brief flicker of surprise on the count’s face, which he quickly masked. “And you like to read books in the library?” Alaric was not surprised. He had already suspected somebody was observing him and tracking his activities, probably on the count’s orders.
He was about to shrug but controlled his reaction.
Instead, he nodded, pretending like the count had just asked about his favorite activity. “Yes, Father. I like the quiet. Nobody disturbs me there.” Alaric smiled. “Besides, I’ve learned from the books that knowledge is power, even more so than physical strength.”
The count narrowed his eyes for a moment before he turned to look outside the window. His gaze grew distant, and Alaric noticed the subtle shift in his body language. The count was thinking about him, not judging him.
After some time, the count leaned back in his chair and declared in a firm voice, “Since you would like to earn your keep, you will have the chance. Pass the test, and I will permit you to train with the guard captain.”
A smile spread across Alaric’s face. The count continued, “And since you are so fond of reading books, I will have you study under the same tutor who teaches Lucien and Edwin. Use this opportunity to prove your worth, Alaric.”
Alaric was stunned. It was more than he had expected. Frankly, he hadn’t known what the count wanted from him. His status in the mansion was unclear to everyone. The count didn’t openly reject him nor did he openly favor him.
This narrative has been unlawfully taken from Royal Road. If you see it on Amazon, please report it.
However, Alaric believed that the count had a soft spot for him since he allowed him to remain in the estate. He cares for me but hides it well.
“That will be all, my child. Go now, stay busy.”
Alaric bowed deeply at the waist once again. “Thank you so much, Father. I will not let you down.” He turned around and exited the room. He didn’t know what test the count was referring to but he resolved to get over any hurdle.
***
The Count worked fast. It was only the day after, and already, he had been summoned by Master Vellan to his study. Apparently, he was the house tutor who instructed his half-brothers Edwin and Lucien. When he entered the room, he immediately sensed a mild, suppressed hostility.
He mentally chuckled. Looks like Master Vellan is not pleased with the fact that he now has to teach a bastard. He let go of that thought and focused on the small but well-furnished room.
Two wooden shelves crammed with books on mathematics, history, and natural sciences flanked the walls. In the center of the room stood a large wooden table with two chairs. A set of papers, quills, and an inkpot rested neatly on the table.
Alaric shifted his attention to Master Vellan. The man was currently shuffling through some papers. He had spotted the man from afar a few times in the library, but they had never interacted with each other. Both of them had been content to mind their own business.
The man possessed a balding head with bushy gray eyebrows and a lined, weathered face.
“Sit down, child.” The tutor barked irritably when he noticed his entrance into the room.
A dark, formal scholar’s robe graced his body, signifying his status as a tutor. However, the dignity was marred by the look of impatience and irritation on his face. So, you believe it is beneath you to teach me. No matter. That impression will change soon.
There was no point in getting angry or irritated at the man for underestimating him. He was simply a man of pride who clung to certain prejudices.
Alaric sat down on the empty chair and waited for the teacher to elaborate further. After some time, Master Vellan finally deigned to observe him properly. He didn’t make eye contact, instead letting his gaze wander over Alaric’s body, inspecting him with hostile calculation. “I was told to assess your competence,” he sneered. “Although, I suspect it will be a waste of time for both of us. Here...”
He shoved a sheet of paper toward Alaric and continued, “If you manage to pass this simple test, I will commence your formal education starting tomorrow. Otherwise, we’re done here.”
Alaric accepted the test papers without a word. Master Vellan scratched his cheek and added, “I hear you have been lurking in the library, reading books on your own. Care to explain what you have learned?”
Alaric didn’t appreciate the tutor’s tone. He was regarding him as if he were a stray animal that had done something amusing. He suppressed the thread of irritation trying to creep into his mind. Controlling his emotions was also a form of training.
It would help to purify his sacral chakra, which dealt with emotions and willpower.
He brushed aside that train of thought and focused on how to answer the man. He didn’t want to appear arrogant but didn’t want to appear weak either. He shrugged and said, “I like reading history and geography books. The library is quiet and helps me focus. I’ve learned quite a lot.”
Master Vellan’s eyes narrowed in disbelief and suspicion. He clearly didn’t believe a single word. “We will find out the depths of your knowledge shortly, boy.” He let out a disapproving grunt. “Your test starts now. You have one hour.”
With that, the man closed his eyes and leaned back on his chair, evidently planning to take a nap.
Alaric ignored the tutor and examined the test paper. After some quick review, he couldn’t help but let out a slight chuckle. A test for a 7- or 8- year old child. What did I expect? Of course, he knew that questions that would challenge a normal child of his age would be easy for him. But not this easy.
Honestly, he didn’t know whether to laugh or feel insulated a little bit. The test paper was divided into four sections — mental math, logic puzzles, pattern recognition, and map identification. The questions were beyond simple. Easy calculations like, “If a merchant sells 9 bolts of cloth for 2 silver each, how much did he earn?”
Under the logic section, "Three brothers cross a river using a boat. The boat can only carry two at a time. How do they all cross?"
The pattern recognition section included fill-in-the-blank type questions. Such as a sequence of numbers (1, 2, 4, 8, 16, ?).
Only the map identification section — which required him to identify the correct regions and landmarks on a drawn map of local provinces — challenged him a little. Alaric typically studied the continental and national maps since they were more useful for forming an idea about his new world. He was not that interested in learning about local provinces.
Fortunately, the regions and landmarks he had to identify were of ‘Montreval’, the fief of Count Eustace de Vermond, his father. And, he was at least somewhat familiar with the most popular landmarks.
He was done with all the questions in under 20 minutes but decided to wait a little bit more before handing his paper to the tutor.
Master Vellan was snoring loudly, most probably lost in some type of dreamland. Alaric had no intention of wasting any more time. He waited for another ten minutes and slammed the test paper on the table. “I’m done.” He declared calmly.
Master Vellan jolted awake from his sleep as though he had been struck on the head. When he realized that Alaric had just submitted his paper, a flash of anger crossed his face. Alaric remained outwardly calm but chuckled inwardly.
Looks like he’s ready to skin me alive for disturbing his precious sleep.