"Tekoha" was a well-known word to any reasonably educated person. It referred to special caves that, for some reason, bubbled with Way energy. In the highest-quality tekoha, the abundance of energy was such that one could feel the air becoming denser, as if it were moving in water.
Tekoha were desired by any noble because they were the only places where most of the plants used by alchemists to create potions could be cultivated. Potions were essential to aid in the training and healing of Way warriors, who sought to increase their power and longevity. Additionally, the most important plant of all grew in tekoha: the Ether. Ether was a carnivorous plant, whose roots were the main ingredient alchemists used to make the expensive and extremely useful Ether Elixir. This elixir could enable a decent foundation stage warrior to break through to the metamorphosis stage without risking inflaming their own potential in a life-or-death fight.
The foundation stage was the first level of Way energy cultivation. In it, the warrior learned to absorb energy from the environment and store it in their body. The metamorphosis stage was the second level, in which the warrior transformed their energy into something more refined and powerful, allowing it to flow through their body. This transformation required a large amount of energy and a strong stimulus, which could be obtained through an extremely dangerous situation or an Ether Elixir. Almost all nobles and wealthy commoners would pay a fortune to get their hands on an Ether Elixir, to reach the metamorphosis stage and live a few decades longer.
Lucios knew that few noble houses had a tekoha, even his own house, House Apurina, with a history dating back to the kingdom's inception four centuries ago, didn't have a tekoha to call its own. All the Ether Elixir House Apurina obtained came through trade with the abundant iron ore extracted from the mines of the house. Additionally, no new tekoha had been discovered in the last 40 years, so Lucios was so surprised.
His grandmother, still smiling, said, "Close your mouth or you'll swallow a bug." She stopped laughing and continued, "I still have access to the intelligence sector of the house, a privilege my husband gave me when he was still alive. Tiberius certainly knows, but he doesn't care."
"However, these are still rumors, but if they're true, then Baron Oliver will be sitting on a practically inexhaustible gold mine, which will make House Kamaiura grow to a point that, in a decade or two, it could be on par with any ancient noble house in the kingdom, like our House Apurina," she said, with a tone of admiration and envy.
"Despite other noble houses not having spies as good as ours, they still have some decent ones, so it's very likely that, in at most a month, this rumor will spread throughout the kingdom like wildfire. At that moment, Baron Oliver will be suspicious of the intentions of all noble houses that try to make greater contact with House Kamaiura. That's why your father needs to act fast. He was probably with a huge headache to come up with a decent plan for this issue while racing against time," she said, with a serious and worried face.
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"When you came yesterday to talk to him, it must have been the first time he started to think that sending you would be a good strategy, and the idea must have seemed so good to him that he didn't even take time to consider it and immediately gave the order that you would go to Baron Oliver's territory. In a way, you were just in the wrong place at the wrong time, or looking at it another way, in the right place at the right time," his grandmother said, now with a contemplative look, as if she were speaking more to herself.
Before getting lost in her own thoughts, she turned her gaze back to Lucios and said, "You understand the importance of this, don't you, Lucios? I understand if you're upset with your father's decision. You must want to live your life like other noble children, right? However, you have to remember one thing: you're not like other noble children, you're my grandson, you were born to be great, and this is an opportunity too good to pass up. Do you understand that?" she said, while holding Lucios' shoulders firmly.
She looked into his eyes with an expression of affection but also severity. She knew he wasn't happy with the situation, but she wanted him to see the positive side of things.
But before Lucios could respond, he heard heavy footsteps and soon saw Sir Michael approaching with a serious and even angry face. However, when he got close enough to Lucios to see who was with the boy, he stopped and showed a more restrained expression.
Lucios felt a shiver down his spine at the sight of the knight approaching. He knew Sir Michael didn't tolerate delays or excuses.
"My lady, I was looking for the young noble Lucios and didn't realize you were talking to him. I apologize for interrupting, please forgive my mistake," Sir Michael said, with a low and respectful voice, as he lowered his head and began to step back, before being stopped by the count's mother's words.
"Don't be silly, I was just finishing the conversation I was having with my grandson. You didn't interrupt anything too important. I suppose you're here to take him to training, right?" she said to the knight and continued, shifting her gaze to Lucios: "You should go, I've taken enough of your time, and I believe I've clarified your doubts," she said, with a smile returning to her face and a firm, authoritative voice, but also with a hint of amusement. She knew Sir Michael just wanted to do his job. She also knew that training was important for Lucios' future, and he needed to learn to defend himself and fight.
"Yes, grandmother, I know what I must do," Lucios said, with an expression that showed a mixture of sadness and determination, as he accompanied Sir Michael to the training room.
He spoke with a low, resigned voice, but also with a hint of courage. He knew his grandmother was right, and that he couldn't refuse the opportunity given to him. He also knew the journey would be tough and painful, and that he would have to face many challenges.