"Emil."

Piers spoke.

"You have no idea how sorry we are for what happened to you parents. I'm sure they must've had their own reasons, those two loved you more than anything in the world."

Piers's gaze was downcast, unable to look Emil in the eyes.

"Even more so, we're ashamed for letting you, and them down."

Arne had a smiliar expression around this topic. he couldn't bring himself to face the boy properly.

"We searched everywhere for both you and your parents, everywhere. but there was no trace of neither you or them.

It was like you disappeared from the face of this earth, as if you never existed."

Piers said, taking a deep breath.

"He's right, we only found out about you when your name was brought up in the special admissions exam. Even then we didn't believe ourselves. Not until we saw you for ourselves and confirmed your identity."

Arne chimed in.

They were devastated to find out Emil had been a servant of the Burton Mansion all these years.

Back then, they searched the heaven and earths for him, but couldn't find a single clue of him. It was as if someone was deliberately trying to hide him.

Emil could see the guilt in their eyes, their gestures, their tones.

He could tell how ashamed they were. to begin with, they'd gain nothing from lying to him.

It must've been a blow to them. Their friends, their comrades, disappeared, leaving their only child behind. But they couldn't take care of him, the least they could do for their friends at that point.

Seeing this, Emil's anger died out.

he was initially upset. they called themselves friends of his parents, brothers, comrades. yet which brother leaves another brother's only child alone when he's in need of help?

how could they make such claims when they left him to toil away at the Burton mansion for years?

but he couldn't stay mad at them anymore after hearing them out.

it's not that they did it on purpose, but that they had no other choice. they were pained by this incident just as much as him.

the best thing he could do right now, was to let bygones be bygones and bot ruin the moment.

"i don't blame you. you tried your best."

Emil spoke, his tone consoling.

"Besides, we're here now, together. For the first time in years I find out i have two uncles. And not just any uncles but teachers of the Royal Academy. You guys are gonna make it up to me right?"

Arne and Piers looked at each other in shock, what was this kid indicating?

"Puahahaha."

"Pfft hahaha."

Arne cracked up first. As hard as Piers tried to hold on, the only thing he could do was give in and start laughing too.

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Arne held his stomach and bent down for a good few seconds before pulling Emil in and tussling his hair.

"Look at this kid, sweet talking just like his father, even his tone and face are them same!"

"Hamlin would be proud if he was here, though I'm not sure how your mother would feel."

Piers added, still smiling from earlier, a hint of reminiscence in his eyes.

Emil grinned from ear to ear under their compliments.

That night, the three men shared a table and talked for hours on end.

Piers and Arne spoke of Emil's parents. Of how they met them, or tales about their adventures.

Emil too shared stories of his life in the Burton mansion.

At one point, Arne patted Emil on the back and gave him a proud smile.

"Who'd have thought you'd already have someone eh? You little rascal? Outdoing your uncle at this age? I only found myself a wife a few years ago! Hoho I'm sure she'll love you when she sees you."

Piers only shook his head and smiled, his most common reaction to 90% of whatever Arne said.

"I-It's not like that, she's just a friend.

Besides she's been gone for long now, I'm sure she wouldn't even remember me when she comes back."

Emil hurried to resolve the misunderstanding. This uncle was jumping into conclusions too quickly.

"What friend? Isn't it your job to make her more than a friend? And who cares if she's gone. You'll always have time to steal her heart when she comes back. I'm sure she wouldn't forget you if she's as you described."

Emil could only nod in response. His words weren't getting through to Arne.

As their conversation went on, a specific topic was eventually brought up.

"Absolutely not."

Piers declared, his tone certain.

Arne deliberated for a while.

"I'm all for you getting stronger Emil, but Piers is right. You can't go, not at your level."

Arne rejected the idea, too.

"Do you have any idea how many dangers lie in the Monster Forest? Even higher level first year students don't start venturing there until they reach at least the peak of the second stage. Yet you wanna go in and venture by yourself? Are you tired of life at the Academy?"

Piers berated, trying to draw an image as to just how nonsensical Emil's decision was.

Emil had no response to their words. It was true after all. Emil was too weak to go by himself.

But that still didn't change his mind. He had one goal and it was the competition at the end of the month. He wasn't gonna give up on it so easily.

Going to the forest wasn't just a mean of getting points and pills.

Real life combat, life and death situations, it was the only way for him to grow as strong as possible quickly.

"Uncle Piers, Uncle Arne, i know you're worried. But I've no other choice if I want to breakthrough and win the competition, or no. Just get stronger. You know what they call me out there, the Academy's number one tra-"

"Don't say that."

Piers cut him off, frowning.

"Sigh, the Academy's worst student.

Whatever they say, it may be harsh, but it's true.

I can't stay here sheltered forever, i need to get stronger, and the sooner the better.

Besides, i promise not to take missions that are too difficult, and I'll stay out of danger, trust me."

Arne and Piers were met with Emil's pleading eyes.

Emil had a point, but that still didn't mean he could throw his life away.

Arne looked over at Piers, forming a tacit understanding.

"sigh, we can reconsider. but only under one condition.

You have to pass our test if you want to go."

Piers held a finger up, putting extra emphasis on his last sentence.

Emil was ecstatic to hear that. He wasn't afraid of a test, he was determined to go hunting.

Before Emil could speak, Piers' voice sounded out again.

"And also, you'll need to take these first."

With a flick of his hand, he summoned a small black and red box.

Emil recieved the box and opened it.

"This is..?"

"A Body Cleansing Elixir."

Body Cleansing Elixir! It was the cheapest Elixir on the Merit Shop, but still cost a whopping 1200 Merit Points!

It cleaned the consumer's body of any impurity and enhanced their cardiovascular health, as well as muscle strength.

This would be a huge boost to his strength if he consumed it.

"Uncle Piers, this..."

Piers shook his head.

"it's my gift to you, you more than deserve it."

seeing Emil's eternally grateful expression, Arne snorted.

"you don't think your Uncle Piers is the only one who got a gift for you do you?"

Moving his finger, Arne summoned a weapon from his storage ring.

It was a long sword with a black handle and a green blade.

Emil couldn't quite tell how strong it was, but he knew for sure it was better than what Osric showed him at the class.

seeing Emil's captivated eyes on it, Arne tossed it to him.

Emil panicked when he saw the sword coming at him. he was sure to receive some damage if it hit him.

Nevertheless, he made an effort to grab the it, and to his surprise, he was able to hold it, but barely. Just barely.

If he loosened his grip just a little bit it'd probably fall out of his hands.

"Common Peak-Grade Magic Weapon. I'm sure you'll put it into good use huh?"

Seeing Emil's reaction, a proud smile formed on Arne's mouth.