Once inside the manor, the children were met by an old man walking with the help of a walking stick. His face was wrinkled, a rarity in the Valerian continent, all while he still managed to exude a firm aura.

He wasn’t as impressive as the Village Leader who owned this manor but he was a veteran in his own right, a recognizable one at that. A few scars marred the sections of his skin that his outfit didn’t manage to cover, telling gruesome tales of battle and adventure.

The man greeted them with a low bow. “Good evening, young Aspirants. I am Hail, the caretaker of this manor,” the man spoke with refined poise.

Aiden bowed to the man as well and wouldn’t move another step further, “You’ll be shown to your rooms from here.”

“Aren’t you coming?” Alaric asked.

“I have to get ready for the festival. It’s the Coming of Age ceremony tonight, remember?” Aiden replied with a smile.

“Right. You have to get ready to dance,” Alaric nodded in thought. Finn covered his mouth and turned away. Alaric looked around… ‘Did I say something wrong?’

The blonde went red in the face and turned around, “Shut up.”

‘What did I say?’ Alaric’s eyes went wide with shock. Darla and Finn looked like they were about to implode with laughter which only confused Alaric the more… ‘Garin said he would dance. He said it was phenomenal.’

[I think it would be best if you kept these thoughts to yourself] Alia sighed. Alaric swore he could hear her facepalming.

“Big Brother, are you crying?” the little girl at Aiden’s side asked as they walked away.

“No…”

“But you’re all red.”

“It’s nothing, Nana. Let’s just go,” Aiden tried.

“Mommy says it’s fine if boys cry…”

“I said I’m not… When did mum even say that?” the boy continued arguing with his little sister as they left.

When Aiden and his group were gone, Finn let out the laughter he’d been holding back. Darla let loose as well, giggling melodically.

“Did I say something wrong?” Alaric asked, heat creeping up his cheeks as well.

Darla simply shook her head, “No, Alaric. You were fine.”

…………………………

Warm water covered Alaric’s face as he dipped himself into the pristine white tub in the Village Leader’s manor. His eyes darted from the neatly furnished walls, the silky curtain that allowed him privacy, the steamy clear water and appeasing scents that wafted into his nose.

[Their old man lives well] Alaric noticed.

[Yes… yes, he does] Alia replied.

In truth, Alaric had never had the luxury of enjoying such lavish facilities. The bath in the orphanage was amazing for a place that was barely functioning such as theirs but there were many things they still couldn’t afford.

The water here flowed from faucets at just the right temperature whilst they had to boil water in a pan at the orphanage if they wished to have a hot bath. Even then, they could never boil enough water to fill the tub.

Besides that though, Alaric had started to notice something odd about the place. He tried to circulate aether through his body and was shocked at how easy it was… Not only that, but the process sent more energy rolling through his body than he was used to.

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He gasped, then stabilized his breathing, [My aether is replenishing faster than normal. What’s with this place?] Alaric asked.

[Right, you can’t tell. Old blood runs deep in these walls. You’re still too inexperienced to notice it but this place has held a firm grip on its past and for that, it’s cherished by the spirits] Alia replied, [The guardians here are the most attuned with their masters that I’ve ever encountered. Almost everyone in this little town has achieved a level of synergy that you and I can still only dream of.]

Alaric shivered in the tub of warm water. Alia had said this kind of thing many times before. About becoming strong enough to harness her power at its strongest. His mind remembered this quite clearly.

It was a concept he wasn’t ready for… and one he still tried not to think about. Just like using the abilities of powerful guardians caused him pain and left him drained, tapping into Alia’s power felt like being plunged into the heart of an erupting volcano.

Knock knock knock

The sound of someone at the door brought Alaric back to the present.

“I’m in the shower,” he yelled out.

Alaric heard the door click open after he’d said that, followed by the sound of several footsteps. His heart didn’t quicken as his senses didn’t pick on any dangerous auras. As someone with enhanced senses, he could tell that these footsteps were hurried.

The boy casually glanced at the silver bracelet lying safely on a table beside the tub, somewhere he could see it. It was for this reason that he wasn’t bothered by the sudden intrusion.

“If it isn’t much trouble, the master of the house would like to meet you, young master, preferably in twenty minutes. Clothes have been laid out for you to wear and I’ll be waiting outside in the hall to take you to him,” the caretaker said in a gentle tone.

“Okay,” Alaric frowned. He was still enjoying his bath.

[I know we said we’d listen to the old man since Garin and Marla seem to trust him, but did he have to put Finn and me in separate rooms?] Alaric sighed.

[You should be drying yourself and getting ready to meet him,] Alia replied.

[Yeah, I know] Alaric replied, lifting himself out of the tab.

A part of him was now curious about the festival. It was bound to be far livelier than this old mansion. While the mansion itself had a quiet appeal that made him feel at home, he longed for the noisy streets and celebratory music of the festival.

Alas, that would have to wait until the old man permitted them. Emerging from the shower in a fine towel, Alaric’s eyes landed on the fine tunic that had been placed out for him to wear.

The odd attire was made from the softest material Alaric had ever had the chance to touch. Not only that but when Alaric donned the clothes, they grew smaller to fit him perfectly.

He dried his hair some more and combed it in a mirror. Comfortable with his plain appearance, he stepped out of his room, bracelet covered by the long sleeve of the luxurious garbs.

Outside, the caretaker beamed, “Right this way, Lord Alaric.”

“Lord?”

“It’s a title of respect that we award to…”

“I know what a lord is… I think. I’m just wondering why you’re referring to me as one,” Alaric asked.

“Well, the Master of the house asked me to address you with the respect of his flesh and blood,” the man replied with a respectful bow. His honeyed words rang with confidence and sincerity, “He doesn’t show just anyone this kind of treatment.”

The dark-haired boy shrugged dismissively, “You must be in short supply of heroes then.”

Hail chuckled, “Right. This way, my lord.”

Alaric sighed, choosing to ignore the misplaced honorific and enjoy the rest of his night. As they walked, he took in the sights. Portraits of different people covered the walls on both sides… and yet, each one bore a resemblance.

It didn’t take a genius to realise these men… and women were all related. What was striking about their appearances as well, however, was how high they carried themselves. Each one of them was always dressed in luxurious clothes, wearing a smile that was tailored to nobility.

‘Nobility this far from the Capital. I find that unlikely,’ Alaric inwardly groaned.

At the end of their journey, Alaric was brought upon wooden double doors that opened out into a large enclosed compound. The compound itself had a fountain at the centre surrounded by a small pond and many grey rocks, partly covered in moss.

A variety of insects and butterflies flew around the pond, some even glowing and adding to the ambient atmosphere. To the side, seated along the shed on a casual mat, was the old man of the house.

Unlike the opulently dressed portraits in the halls, he was dressed in rather simple clothes. They looked worn out and had been repaired a few times from the few crooked seams Alaric noticed.

And yet, he also managed to recognize the old faded clothes. After all, they had been used in one of the paintings or at least, Alaric had seen a few copies. Faded as they were, they were once luxurious clothes fit for a king.

The old man turned to Alaric and smiled warmly, “It’s good to see you doing well, Alaric. Have a seat. Take some tea… We have a lot to discuss.”