It had been a few hours since the whole incident, and Alaric had recovered his mana completely.

He was gathered with his friends on the rooftop of a building to keep out of the way of the guards who were surveying the damage in the slum alley, now littered with unconscious and restrained criminals.

Smoke from Fernandes' reckless fire attack still lingered in the air, mingling with the scent of burnt stone and singed fur. It was due to him that the enemy leader had managed to flee at the last moment.

Alaric scrutinized him, who was standing off to one side, arms crossed, and a smug smirk barely concealed. He hadn’t trusted the man when he first encountered him, and now he despised him.

He had jeopardized the safety of every child, especially him, and for what? To seize glory?

He couldn’t believe it. The man didn’t appear to be incompetent but he was too reckless. Did Fernandes let the dealer escape to spite Kael? Or was this an order from Bishop Drevon? Alaric couldn’t fathom the Church could have a deeper connection to a cult, but he could be wrong.

Perhaps, Fernandes was involved in this matter personally and didn’t want his secrets exposed.

Alaric had no official authority to conduct an official investigation but he wouldn’t let this matter go unanswered. In fact, he resolved to make Fernandes accountable for his actions.

He eyed Captain Kael who was still visibly frustrated with how everything had unfolded. Well, at least I have one supporter on my team. Alaric chuckled.

***

A lot had happened in the previous two weeks. Although the dealer escaped, the operation was not a complete bust.

The werewolf beastmen were apprehended by the city guards and interrogated thoroughly. A few of them cracked under the pressure and disclosed the locations of nearby safe houses around the city and suburbs.

The city officials orchestrated a raid on these locations and uncovered forbidden alchemical ingredients, stacks of currency, and other valuables. And, of course, they also procured a few of the Peak-grade bone-forging pills — the very same pills the dealer had been offering in the transaction.

However, their greatest success was the discovery of locations of recently kidnapped children and their rescue. Many children had already been saved, with many more still planned for rescue.

Finally, they obtained documents from the safehouses that confirmed the link between the criminal network and a cult — The Crimson Veil.

In fact, Alaric was currently reviewing a stack of papers provided by the count along with all the other kids inside the count’s study.

It contained information about the investigation and depicted the symbol of the cult — a twisted sun, with serpent-like tendrils curling outward, resembling flames. Alaric chuckled. It is mocking the holy sun emblem of the church.

Bishop Drevon clearly didn’t appreciate that fact. He was debating something animatedly with the count just out of earshot. However, the count didn’t seem to entertain him any longer and called the kids toward him.

“I’m proud of all of you,” the count declared with a smile. “You’ve been a big help in apprehending these criminals and uncovering their network.” He retrieved a box from his desk drawer and placed it on the table. “Naturally, you all deserve rewards.”

Sir Baldwin unlatched the box for them and displayed a collection of small, whitish marble-sized pills. These were the peak-grade bone forging pills. Alaric stepped forward and selected a pill when it was his turn.

“If that is all, we’ll be leaving,” declared Bishop Drevon and turned around to leave.

“No, that is not all,” stated Alaric calmly. All eyes turned to him.

The Bishop and Fernandes stopped in their tracks and turned to face him. “What did you say, kid?” He scowled.

“I want the City Guard Captain to corroborate my statement,” Alaric gestured toward Kael and continued, “Captain Fernandes’s reckless actions endangered the children’s lives on multiple occasions.”

Alaric locked eyes with Fernandes and smirked. “His incompetence and impatience nearly got me killed and allowed the dealer to escape.”

“Watch your mouth, kid,” Fernandes warned.

Alaric ignored him and gazed at the Bishop. “We demand compensation, trusting in the goodwill of the Church.” The Bishop simply glared at him but didn’t utter a single word. Yeah, swallow that.

“Is this true?” The count inquired. “Yes, my lord. I’ve witnessed it with my own eyes,” Kael confirmed and regarded Fernandes. “So did all the guards present at the scene.”

Fernandes gripped the pommel of his sword and immediately regretted it. His head jerked back as if yanked by some invisible force. Thin lines of blood surfaced on his neck. Alaric sensed Edgar pulling some trick to subdue him.

“Violence will not be tolerated on these premises,” said the count gravely.

“Eustace, you are overstepping. Mistakes like these happen during missions,” the Bishop gritted his teeth. “Order your man to release him.”

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Whatever trick Edgar was pulling, Fernandes couldn’t counter it. He collapsed to his knees, blood seeping from his eyes and nose, almost on the verge of passing out.

“Sure, mistakes can happen,” the count reclined on his chair, inspecting his nails. “By anyone, anytime, anywhere,” he said with a pointed look.

“Okay, we will compensate the kids.” Drevon spat. “Release Fernandes…please.”

The count gestured, and the strain on Fernandes immediately eased. He clutched his neck and hacked up a mouthful of blood onto the ground.

Told you I would get back at you. Alaric chuckled inwardly. To be fair, he hadn’t anticipated things escalating this far, but he couldn’t say he was disappointed. He exchanged a glance with Edgar, who nodded to him. That man has my respect.

The Bishop withdrew a few cards from his pockets and began signing them. Once finished, he slammed them onto the table.

“These are level one Church treasury access cards with my signature on them.” He eyed the kids. “You can use them at any branch of the Church treasury in this state to obtain level-one resources for free.”

That was indeed quite a value compensation. The Church treasury was brimming with artifacts and resources. Even though it would grant them only level one access, it was still highly valuable.

Non-church members were rarely granted access to the Church treasury, and even then, they had to qualify for it.

The kids all grinned. They hadn’t anticipated another reward. However, all of them had earned it.

The Bishop strode out of the room without another word. Fernandes threw a hateful look at Alaric before exiting. Alaric shrugged. Hey, you reap what you sow.

He was certain the Bishop would reprimand him later. However, knowing the man’s personality, he would likely seek revenge on him someday. Alaric vowed to be prepared if such a day ever arrived.

The count dismissed all the kids. However, Alaric stayed behind. He needed some answers.

“Yes, Alaric,” The count interlocked his fingers. “Do you have something to say?”

“I do, father.” Alaric scratched his cheeks. “Although it is a sensitive matter.”

Captain Farrow, Kael, and Sir Baldwin bowed to the count and departed as well. Edgar conjured an invisible barrier around the room to prevent any sound from escaping. The presence of the head butler implied there were no secrets between them. Alaric shrugged. Well, so be it.

“I’ve detected traces of bloodline powers during my cultivation session,” Alaric began. “More than one.”

The count glared at him as if offering him a chance to back down. I’m sorry, Father, I’m not leaving here today without some answers. Alaric met his gaze resolutely. The count exhaled a sigh, yielding to his persistence.

“Alaric, my child,” the count pulled a hidden compartment from his desk and retrieved something. “You have proven yourself worthy. I’m proud of you.”

Where did that come from all of a sudden? Alaric maintained a neutral expression and bowed. “I’m glad to live up to your expectations, Father.”

“I know I’ve neglected spending time with you,” he admitted, shaking his head. “Know this — it’s not easy for me, but I cannot openly favor you.” He gazed out the window. “Not under Isolde’s scrutiny.”

Alaric chose to remain silent, absorbing as much information as possible while the count was willing to share.

“You are old enough to learn about your true origins.” He turned to look at Alaric, scrutinizing him as if reconsidering his next words. “You are…” He closed his eyes, shook his head, and suddenly blurted, “You are more than a bastard, Alaric.”

Hah…I thought as much. There was no other explanation. However, that statement carried a cryptic meaning, and Alaric didn’t yet know how to decipher it yet.

“What do you mean?” he asked.

The count returned whatever he had taken from the compartment to its original place. However, Alaric had managed to glimpse it — a locket. Why take it out if you hadn’t decided to show it to me yet?

“I will reveal everything… just not here and now.” The Count glanced at Edgar and nodded. “I will summon you when the time is right.”

Alaric reluctantly agreed and exited the room. If the count wasn’t prepared to share any more details at the moment, the information must be very sensitive indeed. However, he wondered why the system had to complicate everything.

He chuckled. Whatever the case, he would try to use this to his advantage as well, if possible.

***

A storm raged outside. Winds howled and hailstones battered the bedroom windows rhythmically. The air was cold. Alaric and his friends gathered in his bedroom, and the ambiance mirrored the chaos outside. Snacks and drinks rested on a table, yet nobody touched them.

Alaric was disheartened. All of his friends were departing soon, ready to embark on the next phase of their life. Of course, he had always known this day would arrive, just not this soon.

“Why didn’t you guys tell me sooner?” Alaric demanded. However, before they could reply, he shook his head. It wasn’t an easy subject to discuss. “Forget it. How much time do we have left?”

“For me, probably about a month or so,” Rowan clenched his fists. “I can feel it in my bones.”

Rowan had been on the cusp of reaching Tier 2 for several months. He had already reforged his skin and bones to mid-quality. However, he refrained from making the leap to Tier 2 since he wanted to solidify his foundation, just as Therin had wanted too.

Now, with special resources like peak-grade bone-forging pills, Troll’s Blood Elixir, and the Azure Pearl, his progress had accelerated severalfold.

His bones were nearly reforged to peak grade, and it would take a month for the process to conclude. Additionally, his blood was almost reforged to mid-grade along with his skin.

“What about you guys?” Alaric turned to Gareth and George.

Gareth and George weren’t as gifted as Rowan, but they had also experienced accelerated progress. They were content with reforging their bones to peak grade and blood to mid-grade before advancing to Tier 2. And that meant it was time for them to become apprentices.

“I think six months would suffice at the rate we’re progressing,” replied George, glancing at Gareth, who nodded in agreement.

“What are your plans?” asked Alaric.

“I’m going to join the Twilight Hawk Guild,” Rowan scratched his cheeks. ”My father was a former member. He has connections, so he can secure me an internship.”

Cultivators could join adventurer guilds as soon as they ascended to Tier 2, but they had to wait until they turned 18 before becoming full-fledged members.

The ‘Twilight Hawk’ guild was a regional B-rank guild located in the northern area of the empire.

“I want to join an Alchemist’s guild in the Capital eventually,” said George. “Once I complete my apprenticeship in my father’s shop.” George’s father was a local healer, and he already assisted with the family business.

However, once he turned 14 — the legal age for apprenticeship—and ascended to Tier 2, he could contribute significantly. That would mean assisting his father full-time. Not to mention, he had plans to leave the city sooner or later.

“Well, I have no plans of joining any guilds,” declared Gareth. “But I’d have to relocate to a different city and assist with the family business.”

Gareth’s father owned a blacksmith shop and had recently established his base in another city after he retired from an adventurer’s guild as the resident blacksmith. He and his mom resided with his uncle and his family who served the count.

Alaric detected the sadness in the air. He couldn’t leave things in such a state of gloom.

He patted George’s back and exclaimed, “Come on, you guys. What’s with the sad face?” Alaric smirked. “It’s not like we won’t be seeing each other again. I’m sure we can keep in touch.”

George chuckled a self-deprecating laugh and retorted, “Who are you kidding, Alaric? You know your path is different from ours.”

Alaric hesitated, unsure how to reply.

“Perhaps, except for Rowan.” He turned towards Rowan. “Why don’t you share the other bit of news as well?”