I thought I misheard what he said.

‘What did I do?’

‘You basically froze the entire castle, boy. An impressive feat for any mage twice your age, you being able to do it now proves you are very capable. Adding to the fact that your mana is so pitiful makes this even more surprising. If you are worried that the stunt you pulled caused any serious damage I will stop you right there. Nothing happened.’

‘If so, then why are you all standing here? It feels like you want to say something.’

‘Son, it is as you say. First of all I wish to say sorry for treating you so rudely for all these years.’

(That’s it? That’s all you have to say for alienating your son for all these years. Well you can take your apologies and shove it up your own ass. I swear to my sister’s name I will never acknowledge you as my father or this family as my own. The only reason I am not severing ties with you gullible bastards is because this family name may prove to be useful in the future.)

His expression suggested that he felt that he apologized enough. He changed topics quickly to as cover the fact that he had to apologize. Sol looked at him and sighed in disdain. Even uncle gave father a pitiful look. Father was of course oblivious to anything that could hurt his pride.

‘Son I believe you are too good for that petty sky helmet academy and as such I am sending to the same place as your brother. The royal emperor’s academy.’

(No way, I will not become a pawn for the family dad. You wanted to banish me but now that you see I am useful you want me to go to some aristocratic university to help you further develop the drake family in the future.)

‘No way I do not want to go to the royal academy, father.’

My father wore an expression of shock. This was the last straw, I did not care how good a future I had in this family. I am being used like an object, I was unofficially kicked out of the family but the moment it was found that I had talent the matter is forgotten and I have follow my family’s footsteps.

‘What did you say son? I probably misheard. I think I heard you say you did not want to enter the royal academy.’

‘Yes, you heard right father. I want to become an adventurer.’

‘Who put those idiotic ideas in your head?! Do you know how hard the life of an adventurer is?!? Trust me become a lord it is much safer and more comfortable lifestyle.’

‘Yeah but there is a tone of restrictions and responsibilities, something I know I am not ready to handle. Why are you suddenly changing your mind anyway father? I thought was being sent to sky helmet academy or was that wrong.’

This is a trump card I played, my father hates admitting that he is wrong about something especially is it someone his junior. The fact that it is me his once useless son makes it even worse and he would rather die than admit he is in the wrong. Thank god my father tended to become easy to handle once you started playing with his ego.

‘No, son it was not my idea. I still believe that you should go to the sky helmet academy but others said that now that you show promise it would be waste to just kick you out.’

That was a straight up lie, but I could use this to my advantage.

‘But dad when did you start to listen to what others say? I thought you knew what was best and once you said something it was final.’

Stolen from its original source, this story is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.

The expression on my father’s face was to die for. Both the grandpa and the uncle looked at my father with a smirk.

‘Yes it was supposed to be final but I was forced to reconsider because of the pressure I received from the rest of our family.’

Wow, I really started to doubt my father’s intelligence. He was digging his own grave and he could not have made this any easier even if he tried.

‘Really dad? I thought your words held most weight and no one in this family dares question them.’

My father suddenly closed his mouth and then as if he came to a conclusion spoke.

‘The royal academy was just a thought, if you do really well in your three years at the sky helmet academy I will enroll you to the royal academy.’

Even a kid can easy how flimsy his excuse was but I let it go as my goal was achieved. My father believing that he was able to deceive me quickly left with uncle and doctor following in toe. Sol, however, stayed behind.

‘You are smart one kid, shame I did not come over last time, otherwise you probably would have been the lucky guy for my granddaughter.’

‘Yeah…. Not happening.’

I regretted it the moment the words left my mouth. I suddenly felt like I was being crushed by an unknown pressure.

‘Oh. Are you meaning to imply my grand-daughter is not good enough for you?’

‘That’s not what I meant. I do not want to get married to someone I barely know. I want to fall in love first.’

The pressure vanished all together. I released a relieved sigh.

‘Did not peg you for a romantic. Are you really sure you are a 15 year old spoiled aristocrat? I do not mean to brag but my Eos is very mature for her age but even she pales in comparison to you.’

I was rather surprised, I really did not think he would give me such high praise.

‘There is one thing bugging me though, I can easily detect when someone is lying and I really you were lying back at the table. Although I know you are not someone bad because I cannot feel any hostility or ill-intent, I really do not like being lied to.’

‘It is as you say, I have some secrets I do not want to share. Can we leave it at that?’

‘Hmm, fine. I will not pursue.’

One thing kept nagging me a lot so I asked even though it could be a bit of a landmine.

‘Why are you being so sensible? What do you gain out of this?’

‘Clever. Don’t worry it is nothing detrimental to you, boy. You might be the salvation to someone dear to me so I am willing to invest on you a bit. Don’t worry I am no using you as pawn, all I ask in return is that you take along this girl I know. She is a bit special but is rather lonely. She finds it hard to make lasting relationships due to her high spirit power and special position. I think you are her best option.’

I wondered for a bit, support from a high ranking official in exchange of taking care of someone, not a bad deal. However, there had to be a catch. Otherwise it was too good to be true.

‘Why is she your illegitimate child or something?’

‘Yes, she is blood related. She is very lonely and is in need of proper companionship.’

‘Why me? I am pretty sure there is a lot of people you know a lot of people from whom you can ask help from.’

‘Yes. But you are a bit special and I think it may be good for her if she gets to know you.’

‘Oh please, you barely even know me. How can you not say that I would take advantage of her?’

‘Oh. I am not worried about that one bit, she is a strong girl who can take care of herself. So what do you say? I assure you there are only benefits from doing this.’

‘I feel like I am waking into a trap, but fine I accept.’

‘Thanks kid. You will not believe how big a favor you are doing for me. I assure you I will have your back as long as the little lady feels satisfied.’

‘Just to be clear, it is not your grand-daughter right?’

‘Oh god no! I will say that you accept our proposal, you will have a new follower in a few days. I will make up an excuse for your father. Please, make her happy.’

‘Again, we barely know each other. It feels earie that you have such confidence in me.’

‘I like to believe I am a good judge of character and I believe you are a good guy. Besides I can only entrust it to you because of your special constitution. If you are that worried about the whole deal. Just think of this as some ploy to attract you to our side.’

I knew it so he wanted me to join his group but sine he is being sincere let’s go along with it. Maybe through that person I can pull Sol to my side instead.

‘Huh so that’s how it is. Well I already accepted so no sense worrying about it now, hope we get along.’

He spoke no further and quietly left my room.

Finally some peace and quiet. I put everything in the back of my mind and decided to think later. I get ready to get some sleep when I see Tear enter with an anxious and teary look on her face.

She come closer to my bed and then dropped to her knees and started begging.

‘I will do anything you ask. Please save my father.’

Fuck how could I forget?