Introduction (full)

"I hate people who are better than me." ~ME (unless someone finds the original quoter.)

...

0.

Liam Larson was a convict with many charges against him with one of them being the charge of mass-murdering a group of 15 men with a pocket knife. The investigators did not believe that he killed those men alone but he refused to admit that he had accomplished.

When interrogators asked him why he killed those men he refused to answer but a particular news reporter managed to convince him to speak.

"It was personal." is all that he said to the reporter.

People watched when Liam slowly walked towards the chair, the chair where he will be killed. Liam comfortably sat at his death chair after which his legs were clamped and his straightjacket was removed before they tied his arms to the chair.

"Are you ready?" Liam heard a voice coming from a speaker.

"Is that you mom," Liam mocked the female prosecutor.

"Very funny," the woman spoke sarcastically and continued, "Are there any last words you want to say."

All this happened while a person typed every word of their conversation into his laptop.

"Any last words?" Liam looked at the ceilings pretending to think something, "I guess I have a few."

"Then say it we don't have much time or else we will begin—"

"My execution." Liam finished her sentence.

A wide grin appeared in his face and he stared right at the camera as if he could see straight into her soul. The prosecutor remained silent in shock.

"Ma'am," She heard one of the officers calling her at which she became conscious and continued.

"If you have nothing else then I guess we will begin."

The woman nodded to her sides at which the officer spoke into the mic.

"Please begin with the procedure."

Two men came into the room while one had an injection and a small glass vile in his hand. Liam silently sat with his eyes close, he had a comforting smile in his face that did not suit his current situation but no one was foolish enough to speak up.

"I wish I had died sooner." He whispered himself to his death.

...

1.

"Liam,"

"Liam."

Liam heard someone calling out for him in his dream but when his body started shaking he was aware that this wasn't a dream and woke himself up. He opened his eyes and saw a very familiar face before him.

"Good morning mother." he greeted her from his bed rubbing his eyes.

"Jeez, wake up now and get dressed, your father is leaving for his journey to the capital you have to give him a farewell." she continued while pulling his sheets.

His shoulders dropped and the smile on his face disappeared in an instant "Can't this be done by my other siblings, they are always eager to impress father."

Her face dulled and her eyes shifted towards the floor. She seemed to be disappointed and her previous cheerfulness was nowhere to be found.

"Okay, okay! I will go and greet him farewell for his safe journey." Liam uneagerly agreed to her.

"I knew you would agree," The expression on his mother changed in an instant and she gave him a mischievous wide smile, "Now go and wash your face," She pushed Liam, "Mother will prepare the clothes that you will be wearing."

Liam's face twisted after realizing he was tricked by his mother.

He washed his face and saw his reflection in the mirror where he saw a face that closely resembled his mother's. Liam was a beautiful man with blonde hair and blue eyes. If it weren't for his masculine features others might have assumed him to be a girl, which happened a lot when he was younger but now that he started his physical training and academic education he was gaining some masculinity.

Liam was the third son of a baron from a small barony. His father ruled over an area that had a population of around 7000 people. However, Liam did not have any claims to his father's inheritance. He was the third son of a baron with a small land and population and naturally, the barony would go to his eldest step-brother.

Liam had 5 siblings, four of whom are older than him, and a younger sister. He was the only child from his mother while the rest of his siblings came from his stepmother Isabelle.

Catherine, Liam's mother was his father's first wife but when she was diagnosed as a barren woman this lead to his father marrying another woman. It was a miracle that Catherine got pregnant with Liam.

Liam was her only child and Catherine spoiled him allowing him to do whatever he can but when Liam started to mature he could tell that his mother felt guilty that she wasn't able to birth him sooner. Both Liam and his mother knew that if she had given birth to him sooner, then the relationship between Liam and his father would've been better.

"Liam come here, quickly." His mother called for him.

She sounded urgent which led Liam to rush his morning routine.

"What is it mother?" he asked when he entered his room.

"Look at these clothes," her eyes glittered, "Aren't they adorable." she held the clothes in her hands showcasing a vibrant dress.

Liam's face twitched as he gave a displeasing look to the clothes. The dress that his mother held was a multilayered dress with shirts, coats, and pants, all woven with bright colored fabrics and decorated with precious metal strings.

"I think I will stick to my regular wardrobe."

"Why? Mother worked hard picking these clothes." She childishly pouted and hugged the dress while rubbing her cheeks on it.

"I will wear them, okay." He said while snatching the dress from her hands.

"I knew you'd like them." She gave a pleased smile.

"I don't like them but I will wear them because I love you." His face turned red and he started blushing.

"Oh, Liam." She jumped with her arms wide open and pulled Liam into her chest while rubbed her cheeks over his hair.

"Just let me go." Liam tried to push her while shifting his eyes away from her breast.

"I need some skinship with my son." She said in a childish voice and started kissing all over his face.

"Please mother stop kissing me." Liam pushed harder but her grip was stronger than Liam.

"Heeheehee." Liam heard someone giggle and shifted his eyes towards the source of the voice.

He saw a part of clothes sticking out behind the door indicating a maid failing to hide. His face blushed brighter as he struggled to remove himself from his mother's grip.

"Mother I am serious please let me go—"

2.

Liam and his mother stood before a carriage decorated with patterns of golden feathers and flowers. The cart was painted blue and held an insignia of a standing bear at its gates as well as the flags hoisted at the corners of the roof.

It was the insignia that belongs to his father the head of the Ursanideas family and it was also something that he will never inherit.

The carriage was attached to four horses which were controlled by a coachman and his assistant. The insides of the cart had ample space and can comfortably hold up to eight people with the addition of a standing railing behind, which was never used.

Servants were filling the luggage compartments inside the carriage and a few were polishing the surface of the cart with wax. Liam's father, Baron Markus De Ursanidaeris was an influential member in the court and hence needed to maintain his image.

The reason why this carriage was prepared was that his father along with many other nobles had been urgently summoned by the king. Liam wasn't aware of the reason for his summoning but he was sure that it was something important.

As they watched the carriage being prepared by the number of servants their attention shifted when they heard familiar voices coming from there.

"Man I can't wait to see the capital." A boy spoke.

"I am jealous that all of you are going without me." Followed a girl.

"Luna also wants to go too." said an innocent voice.

"We aren't going there to have fun," This time it was the voice of a mature woman. "Your father has been called to the capital for work and we decided to use this chance to register Oliver into the academy."

Liam and his mother turned and saw resembling faces approaching towards them. They were his stepmother along with his stepsisters and stepbrother heading towards the cart.

His stepmother was dressed lavishly in a blue victorian gown that had many frills on its skirt. Along with the dress she also wore many pieces of jewelry and a blue summer hat that had a ribbon tied to its crown.

Unlike him and her mother, his stepmother had red hairs and she had a strong face complimenting her hair. She also had freckles below her eyes and the bridge of her nose. In one word she looked like a strict violin teacher.

His brother and youngest sister were also redheads too like their mother and shared her freckles as well. His brother was dressed in clothes similar to Liam's but it was apparent that his brother's dress was personally tailored and fitted him like a glove.

The younger sister too had a beautiful one-piece frock with ribbons and frills. She had two pigtails falling from her sides which only added to her innocence.

Lastly, the older sister had a gown similar to her mother's but it was less decorated. She had her blue hair styled into soft curls. She and Liam's eldest brother were the only ones who had inherited their hair colors from their father while rest inherited their mother's.

"Good Morning, Mother Isabelle, Brother Oliver, Sister Olivia, and Luna." Liam greeted the members of his stepfamily.

"Good Morning Indeed, Liam, Catherine." His stepmother greeted.

"Good morning, Isabelle." His mother greeted back and then turned to the kids, "Good Morning kids."

"Good morning Mother Catherine." The children replied.

"Came to greet us farewell did you?" Isabel spoke.

"Yes, I was thinking Liam should greet farewell to his father before he left."

"That is a good idea."

"It is indeed."

Both women had their eyes locked at each other for a while before they faced the carriage.

All of them stood silently facing the carriage, watching the servants working on the carriage.

Liam and his mother didn't hate Isabelle and neither did she hate them but they hardly ever had any conversation. The most they would speak to each other would in dinner table when his father would ask them something.

The same applied to their children too, apart from some formal conversation only Luna would be the one who would talk to Liam. Neither family hated each other but they weren't close either.

While everyone stood silently Luna started playing with her hairs, she would pretend that her pigtails were a prince and princess and she played pretend house with them. Liam found it charming but it was soon interrupted by Isabelle.

"Stop playing with your hair Luna, it is not ladylike." Isabelle scolded her.

She pouted and let go of her hair and stood silently for a while before soon she slowly rocked back and forth.

It must have been 5 minutes after Isabelle and her children arrived that they heard footsteps from behind.

"Eehhemm." Isabelle cleared her throat when she heard her husband.

Luna stopped rocking and took a disciplined pose.

The sound of approaching footsteps was the only thing that could be heard. His father headed towards them accompanied by his two aids. Markus stood in front of his family while his aids stayed behind.

"Good Morning my lord." ... "Good Morning Father." Everyone bowed and greeted in unison.

"Good morning to you all too." He replied to their greeting. "Are you ready to register for your first year in the academy?" He asked Oliver.

"Yes, father." Oliver nervously replied.

"Your brother and sister had already created a good name for themselves, make sure to take advantage of that, and if you need any assistance ask them for help."

"Yes, father."

"Olivia?"

"Yes, father."

"We will be talking to the academy about your admission next year, so be prepared."

"Aren't I too young to join the academy?"

"Your teachers said you are doing great and you joining academy early won't be any problem and since Larse and Haley have a good reputation, the academy will happily accept our request."

"Thank you, father." Olivia bowed gently.

Markus did not speak with the rest of his family but instead turned to his coachman. "Is the carriage ready to go?" He asked.

"Yes, sire." The coachman's assistant opened the door of the carriage.

Markus entered the door and sat on the seat facing the coachmen and Isabelle and Oliver took the opposite seats. Soon his aides also joined them and sat next to Markus.

"We shall be taking our leave," Markus announced at which everyone outside the carriage bowed.

"Have a safe trip," They wished.

They saw the carriage getting smaller and smaller into the horizon and when they could not see it anymore, Catherine spoke, "Okay children get inside and get ready for your morning classes we can't let the teachers wait any longer."

"Do we have to?" Olivia complained.

"Yes, and you should work harder. Getting admitted into the academy at a young age is substantial, you might even be the first girl to do it."

"Do I have to?"

"Yes, you do. Now you and Liam change your clothes into something comfortable and get to your classes while Luna and I spend our time in the garden bench."

"That is so unfair."

"Sister is just lazy." Luna charmingly mocked her.

"You little." She glared back.

"Mother Catherine." Luna ran behind Catherine and grabbed her legs.

"Enough playtime both of you, Olivia, Luna is right you shouldn't be lazy, now that you have the chance to join the academy and Luna," She turns to her sides, "You shouldn't tease your big sister like that."

"I am sorry."

"It's not me you should be apologizing."

She turned to Olivia and said, "I am sorry big sister."

"That was nice, was it?"

"I am sorry that you are a lazy person." She shouted and ran towards the direction of the garden.

"Kuufffkuufff," Liam tried his best to hide his laughter but failed.

"What are you laughing at?"

"Nothing," Liam stopped himself at once and took a straight face.

"I am going to change," she stomped her foot and rigidly headed to her room.

"hahaha." she heard Liam laughing which made her face fluster in anger.

"Now Liam,"

"Yes mother," He replied wiping a teardrop from his eyes.

"You should work hard too if you want to be successful." She said with a concerned voice, "I know that if you join the academy you can become someone great in your life."

"Mother!" his eyes widen, "I am doing fine, I am not worried about my future." He said while shifting his eyes away from her.

"You know your grandfather, my father was a strong warrior. Still to this day, he cannot use any magic but there are still people in the king's guard, powerful people who would avoid confronting him."

"Mother you are misunderstanding, I am not worried at all." She raised her brow at his answer.

"Okay, I will accept that answer for now but promise me you will be not do anything rash."... "Promise me, Liam." She compelled him.

"Yes, yes, I promise." He promised reluctantly

"Good, now go. You don't want Miss Gideon to be mad at you." She caressed his hair and kissed his forehead.

"Okay, Mother."

3.

For a child of a noble, joining the Academy was an important step in their life. It could also be said it was some sort of initiation that one must perform to become a noble and also if one did not graduate from the Academy they were not considered a noble by other nobles. This was why many nobles began educating their children from a young age.

Liam's father, Markus De Ursanidaeris also believed that to be true and hired teachers for his offspring. Rarely would a noble of his position educate all of his children since it was an expensive expenditure in the noblemen's part but for some unknown reason, he had educated all his children.

"Education is expensive wouldn't it be better if it was provided only to the heir." That was the common thought process of his peers but it appeared that for some reason Baron Markus rejected that thought.

Liam too believed that his father should not spend money on educating him and his sisters.

"Liam, are you listening to me? Liam."

A loud voice disturbed Liam's thought at which he turned to examine the situation.

Before Liam stood a woman whose whole body is covered in robes that are mostly worn by wizards and scholars. He can hardly avoid looking at the feminine features of hers especially her voluptuous breast and her broad hips. Even though a woman wearing a scholar's robe is a seldom occurrence Liam wasn't surprised but that could not be said for the first time he saw her.

She was his only teacher who taught him everything from aristocratic histories to magical theories and because she wore blue robe meant that she was far above the average teacher but way below the grandmasters.

Mostly nobles similar to his father's position would hire a teacher like Gideon who is well versed in all academic subjects needed for the Academy for their heirs rather than hiring multiple teachers who are specialized in one subject.

However, Markus, Liam's father did not hire one teacher for all his children. Except for Liam, every child of Ursanidaeris house received education from multiple teachers who were well versed in single or multiple subjects, for example, Liam's eldest brother Larse had 5 teachers for Academic purposes and 2 different teachers for combat and etiquette.

"Did you hear anything I said?" He saw his teacher furiously squinting at him.

"Yes, I did." He calmly lied.

"Is that so?" She laughed maniacally, "Then tell me what I was talking about." She crossed her arm smirking with overconfidence.

Liam was always a good liar but this passive ability of his seemed to fail whenever he is near his mother and his current teacher, Gideon.

His mind went blank but his expressions stayed confident, he secretly gazed past his teacher and stared at the board and after reading the neatly organized contents of the board he confidently fueled his lies, "Magic is a highly complicated process that uses Maya to change the properties of the material world."

Liam wasn't sure that his answer was correct but after reading the neatly organized phrases like "Introduction to magic", "What is Maya?", "Maya applications" and "How to cast your first spell." He could fairly conclude his options and answer in the vaguest possible way.

Miss Gideon's eyes widened and she stared at him with disbelief, Liam celebrated inside his head while trying his best to hide his happiness.

"Can you explain further?" She requested.

"Of course," His confidence did not waver, "We already know that world is made of three things, Matter, Void, and Maya. Everything that exists is made out of matter, Void is the space that Matters doesn't occupy and Maya is something that allows us to temporarily create matter and change natural laws." He ended his answer and waited for his teacher to speak.

"Continue." She growled.

"Maya is the essential component in magic without which magic is impossible. However, even though Maya remains the same, each sector of magic uses it differently."

He tried to stop but Miss Gideon signaled him to continue, "Mancer is a class of Magic users that uses Maya to change the natural laws that govern the element in their magical domain, Spellcasters are the Magic users that use predetermined words, sentences and/or gestures to create an unnatural effect and Lastly prophets, these are the magic users who use Maya to bless someone or to place a curse on someone or to perform divinations." Liam eagerly stared at his teacher asking as if she was satisfied with his answer.

"You've spoken enough." She voiced her unhappiness and knocked her head.

Liam smiled victoriously and saw his teacher walk away from him. However, his face contorted when the defeated teacher started laughing insanely. He scratched his head in confusion and blankly stared that the madwoman.

Her eyes locked itself with Liam's and her lips stretched to form a long grin.

"It seems you are already aware of the topic that I am about to teach you."

Sweat dripped down his back and drenched his clothes, his face tried to stay confident but fear betrayed him constantly.

"How do you know so much about this topic?" She pointed her index right between his eyes, "I haven't taught it to you yet, did I?" She growled

He recalled his memories but there wasn't any moment when she had told her that.

"No ma'am you haven't taught it to me yet." He meekly answered.

"Then how do you know all these?"

"I may have read it recently." With all his strength he made an excuse.

In an instant, the mood calmed.

"Liam I know that you are aware of how intelligent you are, you should stop pretending to be an idiot." Her voice turned soft and she sounded genuinely concerned.

"I don't know what you are talking about."

"Liam, I can't help you if you don't let me help you."

"Miss Gideon I don't need help." They silently locked eyes for what felt like an eternity before Gideon decided to break her stance.

"That's all for today." she started folding her books. "We will continue our talk in our next class until then take care of yourself, Liam." She placed her hands on his cheeks and rubbed it.

"I will." He mumbled.

4.

The halls inside the baron's mansion were wide and long and it also contained many decorative plants and portraits.

Liam was returning to his room from his daily classes and with him accompanied an old retainer and caretaker. The old man beside Liam was bald but had luscious Santa Claus beard with wrinkles that covered his whole body. It was hard to believe but he was Liam's bodyguard/caretaker, Portus.

Portus originally served Liam's grandfather, Aragustursian shortened to Aragus, a man infamous for his poor name remembering skills. Portus in his prime was famous for his combat skills and was the head of Aragus's bodyguards. On second looks it was hard to believe that the old man with Liam who cannot walk distances without his cane was once the most feared warrior in the Land.

"How were your classes?" Portus asked while stroking his beard, "Are you enjoying Miss Gideon's teachings."

"They were fine." Liam lied.

"Is that so?" He sounded disappointed, "You know, Miss Gideon is the first woman to receive a blue robe at the age of 21. She might not look like it but she is very talented."

"Is she?" He spoke sarcastically.

Liam was always reminded by many that Gideon was a great magic user and it frustrated him that he was not able to use her talents for herself. It has been more than a year since Gideon started teaching him but still, Liam had failed to use magic. He has instinctively started blaming the talented Gideon for not doing her best at teaching him.

"You don't like her?"

"I don't hate her."

"You should be nicer to her, without magic you won't be able to have a strong standing on the society."

"I still have you teaching me martial arts."

"I see, so you want to become a warrior like your grandfather, don't you?"

Liam smiled and rubbed his finger on his nose, Liam was still a 12-year-old child, and he knew that using magic was an ability that he had no control over but he was still master of his body. If he trained hard enough he can become a great warrior.

"I feel like I should be spending more time training martial arts rather than wasting my time in magic."

"Haah!" He released a loud sigh that was designed to insulted Liam's statement, "I don't think you understand this but your mind is much sharper than your body. You have no future in being a martial artist and instead being a mage is what you should be aiming for."

"I don't think you remember but I have already told you I can't use magic."

"Don't spout nonsense, we both know that you have a magical organ in your body. The only reason you have failed to use magic is that your organ has not matured yet."

"I don't know about the future but in the present, I don't want to embarrass myself."

"Is that the thoughts of someone who wants to be a warrior?" Portus scolded him.

"What do you mean?"

"This was supposed to be a secrete from you till you come of age but I guess this is as right time as any." Liam stared at him with confused looks. "Your grandfather, My Lord Baron Aragus was also magically dumb like you."

Liam's eyes widened at his statement, "Stop lying grandfather Aragus was well known for his magical capabilities."

"It's true, he was cursed with limitations on how many spells he can learn."

"I don't believe you, my grandfather was famous for being able to cast spells of strengths that royal magicians would be ashamed to call themselves mages."

"That's true but also exaggerated, your grandfather never used more than 4 spells in his whole life. The only thing he did to increase his spell arsenals was changing the intensity of his magic. He would cast one spell in so many different ways that it would seem he was casting a new spell every time."

Liam wrapped his head around the words that Portus spouted, he knew that Portus and Aragus were close friends and what he said about Aragus might be true but it was hard for him to believe.

"Then why doesn't anybody know about it."

"The only people who knew this are me, your late grandfather, and your mother."

"My mother?" Liam was shocked to hear her name if he had said his father then he would have believed him. Now he was sure that Portus was lying.

"Why else do you think that she convinced your father to give you a teacher of blue robes?"

"She did that?" He faked his surprise. He knew that it was his father who hired Gideon.

"Yes, once she figured out that your grandfather was also a magically dumb she started investigating and that was when she came to me. She demanded that I hand over her the journal that Aragus used to keep."

His attention became focused and in all seriousness, he asked, "What journal are you talking about?"

"It is a journal that your grandfather used to keep when he was training to be a mage."

"Why are you telling this to me and not to my father or better to my other siblings?" Liam did not believe him but he wanted to humor the old man.

"Your father was a genius in magic from a young age and the same goes to your siblings as well. Telling them about the journal would be the same as giving a copper penny to a rich merchant."

"Is that why you chose me?"

"It may be because your mother threatened me that she will kill me if I don't help you."

"Did she?" He was shocked to hear that.

"No, she didn't." Portus laughed at the innocent child who was acting tough until now.

"Stop joking around and tell me the real reason. Why do you want to help me?"

"Your grandfather and I always hated unfairness, He knew that not everyone is created equally and there are always people who are better than others. Which is why the journal was supposed to be a gift from him to the future generations?"

"Where is the journal now?��

"No one knows, I believe that it is inside a secrete library inside the mansion. Aragus loved secrete rooms."

"Can you at least tell me something that was written inside the journal."

"The journal was written in a secrete language so I wasn't able to read it."

"Useless."

"There is still a way to learn what was written inside the journal."

"How?" Liam eagerly asked.

"It's by listening to your teacher and doing everything she says."

"You want me to blindly follow Miss Gideon?" He clenched his fist.

"Yes."

Liam was frustrated, he could not believe that he fell for Portus's false story. Now that he thinks about it many parts of his explanation didn't make any sense and all of this was to just make him more attentive to his classes.

'Is that how you will be playing father," He thought to himself, "in that case—,"

"I will start behaving in Miss Gideon's classes." He faked a convincing smile at which Portus looked satisfied and nodded to himself.

He seemed happy that he was able to convince Liam to behave, However Liam knew what his plan was, he knew that this was a trick of his father to make Liam start attending his classes and he wasn't falling for that.

…

…

The secrete room inside the Mansion was something that could be used only at night and tonight it hosted three people, the first was Catherine, Baron's Markus's first wife, and Liam's mother, the second was Gideon, Liam's teacher and third was Portus, Liam's bodyguard.

Catherine only used this room when his husband was away and to hide their presence they did not light any candles but instead depended upon the small glowing wand placed in the middle of the table. It was a magic item whose light cannot be seen from a distance of more than 5 meters.

Catherine turned to her side towards Portus and asked, "Did you tell him about Aragus's journal?"

"Yes, Milady."

"How did he responded?"

"He seemed interested. I won't be surprised if he started searching for it."

"Are you sure?"

"Yes, milady I made sure that I gave him enough hints that he would have a vague idea of where to search for it."

"You did a good job. Damn that husband of mine to take the journal away as soon as he found its existence."

"There is nothing we can do, Baron Markus fears that Liam will snatch away the barony from Larse."

"Liam deserves this barony far more than Larse." She clenches her fist and fought her urge to punch the table. "You agree don't you?" She glared at the two at which they nodded in agreement.

"Now tell me Gideon", She turned to her left, "Will Argus's journal help Liam with his magic?"

Gideon straightened her back and answered confidently, "Liam already possess a small amount of Maya inside him, if what Portus said about Aragus's journal is true" She narrowed her eyes towards Portus while speaking, "then all we need to do is wait for Liam to activate his Maya pool and after that, he only needs to follow the journal."

"Is it that easy?" Portus questioned Gideon, "After Aragus activated his Maya it took him years to learn his first spell?" ... "Are you sure that Liam can master magic or even cast a spell?"

Gideon narrowed her eyes, she was unhappy at Portus doubting her, "Let me tell you something that you are unaware of Portus, Liam is the most brilliant student that I have ever seen. His talent for understanding magic and how things work is far greater than any student that you find in the academy. The speed in which he learns something is so great that I can already teach him advanced magic disguised as beginner's magic. Not only he learns fast but he also actively searches for knowledge which makes him an ideal student. I think as his teacher you can relate."

Portus frowned because he knew Gideon was right, he too had it easier teaching Liam than his other students.

"With my teaching and Aragus's journal once he activates his Maya he will be far ahead than any person on his level. He might even surpass Aragus in 6 to 8 years."

"Surpass Aragus? I don't believe you." Portus voiced his doubts.

"I don't care what you believe. I know I am telling the truth." The two teachers glared at each other.

"That's it for you two, now Portus tell me how are his martial arts training coming along? Don't you dare tell me that an expert like you can't teach him?"

"I am sorry to tell this to you milady but your son cannot be a warrior."

Catherine narrowed her eyes and glared at Portus, "I hope that you have a very great excuse to go with that statement."

"Milady your son does not possess the body of a warrior. He can train all his life but he will soon be hitting the top of his strength plateau."

At his statement, Catherine clenched her fist and growled. "This better be the bad news before the good news."

"Yes," Portus hurriedly started speaking, "It appears that young master Liam has an innate talent for understanding strategies.���

She raised her brow, "Explain."

"I have been testing Liam with riddles along with some military strategies disguised as riddles and his answers are something that can only be expected from a member of the war council. I suggest that Milady start his education in military affairs to progress his growth."

"Can't you teach him?" She asked Portus, "If I send him to a military training center then my husband will surely start suspecting something."

"I am sorry but my knowledge in warfare is too old. I doubt that my teaching won't help him in this day and age."

Catherine placed her right hand on her chin and thought for a while, "Understood, in that case, I know a great place to test his skills."

5.

It was a room inside the mansion that did not receive any direct sunlight and had no windows. Apart from the candles and magical lamps, the only sources of lights were the few holes made on the wall for ventilation and that too opened towards the hallway. If it weren't for the luxurious furniture and decorations of this room it was no different from a prison cell.

This room was the meeting room inside Baron Markus's mansion, something that was rarely used since the General Ishtar already had a meeting room in his mansion and barony hardly ever had an emergency that required its use. Inside this room were 5 individuals along with the 2 guards who guarded the door.

At the center of the table sat the general of Baron Markus's army, General Ishtar Joeseph, who was accompanied by his close friends Minister of Finance and the Minister of agriculture. Both ministers wore their appropriate robes and tunics that were decorated with precious metal strings while general Ishtar came wearing his full plate armor.

Opposite to these men sat Catherine, the first wife of Baron Markus and his 3rd son Liam. It was quite apparent for the reason why others were here but Liam's presence was something that they had not taken into account and were surprised when they saw him.

"Shall we begin?" Asked Catherine, ignoring the stares that her son received.

"Yes, this is the report on the attacks that had occurred in the last few days. We are estimating the casualty of around 400 civilians and not only that their homes also were raided and later burnt." The minister of Finance stated the situation. "Our scouts confirm that the enemies are located in this region of the land." He pointed a space in the map that was located far from the closest recorded place.

The map on the table represented the barony of Liam's Father, Baron Markus. But unlike a proper map of the modern world, it only had few important landmarks. Especially the small towns and the villages on the outskirts were not represented on the map.

It did not mean that this world has poor maps but maps similar to the modern maps were rare and are only possessed by royalty. However, even with this many disparities, this map was still 65% accurate and can be used for military purposes.

"This is not that far from the wheat field right." Catherine voiced her concern.

"Yes, Milady." Replied the minister of agriculture, "The town that produces wheat for the land is right here," he pointed at the map.

"This won't end nicely if they reach that town. If they take over that town then we can hope that the battle will continue for a longer period." Amid this Catherine notice that General Ishtar was staring at her son and was not listening to her at all.

Catherine had invited Liam with him after Portus told her that Liam had his talent in militaristic strategies. She was hoping that Liam would give his insight on the current situation even though he might not go into battle, still allowing him to attend the war council was a great way to educate him.

"What is the news of my husband, Is he going to do something about it?" Asked Catherine.

"We have sent a messenger pigeon to inform him but it will take a day for us to receive his reply but we are certain that he will ask General Ishtar to handle It." replied the Minister of Finance.

General Ishtar when hearing his name being spoken turned to them, "Milady can put her trust in me, I promise you that I will drive them away by the time Our Lord returns."

"I believe that you are capable of chasing them off but can you please part some of your knowledge to me, I can't be at ease if I don't have the general understanding of the progression."

"Pardon me Milady but a fragile woman like you would not understand the plan even if I explain it to you."

General Ishtar's shuddered as the hairs on his skin stood up, he instinctively grabbed his sword and turned back as if he felt someone stabbing him from behind. It didn't take him long to figure out where that killing intent was coming from. He saw Liam locking his eyes onto him refusing to blink, he had a blank expression on his face but to the trained eyes of Ishtar, the subtle murderous hints weren't gone unnoticed.

At his sudden silence, the people around Ishtar gave him a questioning stare which led him to gain his composer,

"Eheem." He cleared his throat and continued, "As I was saying before Milady is not a warrior at her core if I explained my plans to her she won't be able to understand my vision and might reject it."

"Is that so?" Catherine exaggerated her surprise, "If General Ishtar hasn't explained it then I would have thought that you might have some grievance with me." She smiled mischievously.

"I can never do that." He tried to be as natural as he could.

"But still I would like to hear your thoughts, my son can learn a great deal from a general of your caliber, Isn't that right Liam." She patted Liam's head.

"Yes, Mother." His voice sent chills down the spines of every man inside the room. General Ishtar and the Guards had instinctively moved their hands towards their weapons.

…

…

Liam watched the two ministers who in his eyes looked like the people that you see in banks and government offices. They didn't appear to be interesting people but someone good at their jobs.

In contrast to them, General Ishtar looked like a person who had dedicated his life to the army and did not prefer reading. He had heard many things about General Ishtar from his mother and teachers. According to them when Ishtar was just a Captain of a squad containing 16 soldiers he successfully defended against a battalion of 100 men. This lead to him gaining the Interest of his father and later he was hired.

However, the truth was, Ishtar and his 16 men along with 76 villagers defended against a battalion of 100 enemy soldiers but truths are exaggerated.

Whatever the truth might be it cannot overshadow the fact that under Ishtar's leadership Baron's army did grow exponentially stronger. This led to Ishtar being offered a better position by other higher nobles but Ishtar respectfully declined their offers and stayed loyal to Baron Markus.

Liam did not believe that was the real truth. He knew that Ishtar remained in the army for his reasons. He did not have true loyalty towards Baron Markus but still worked for him. In His eyes, General Ishtar was a person who acts according to his profits.

"… Isn't that right Liam?" His attention from General Ishtar was disturbed when he heard her mother asking him something.

Liam wasn't listening to their conversations until now and was heavily confused. However, he cannot let them know that.

"Yes, mother." He mindlessly replied.

"As you've heard, General Ishtar can you educate my son." Liam's eyes widened when he heard that, he has no idea what his mother was talking about.

"That would be my pleasure," Ishtar replied politely.

He found it weird that General Ishtar's voice did not have the hint of insult but instead it was of genuine politeness or a forced one. He ignored Ishtar's explanation for a while and quickly looked around to gather clues so that he could join their conversation that is when he saw the map at the table.

The markers that should be generally used could not be seen in these maps which made him frustrated.

Ishtar gave him a weird look and continued talking, "We plan to let the enemy soldiers arrive at the doors of The Weizen valley fort where they will face their end."

Liam became attentive; this was his chance to gather enough clues to know what the conversation was about. He moved his eyes towards to map and looked at the map and saw a small image of the castle below which the name 'the Weizen valley fort' was written. He moved his eyes along the map and stopped at the mansion while gauging the distance between the Weizen valley fort and the mansion. He calculated the distance to be 35km based on his knowledge of the other landmarks between the two destinations.

"Our scouts confirmed that our enemy's army is marching at a slow pace and we expect them to reach the fort in 7 days where they will breathe their last breath."

Liam still trying to figure out what the meeting was truly about stared at the map and tried to pinpoint the places which are seven days away from the fort but there were so many options that he could not choose.

"Is there something wrong?" He heard the minister of Finance who was cautiously examining his every action.

"It's nothing please go on," Liam answered and saw that the minster was sweating, he found it weird since the room wasn't hot but decided to ignore it as a thing that happened to adults when they become heavier than average men.

'Wait for a second', he thought to himself, 'this the perfect chance for me to figure out what is happening here, I just have to ask the right questions then they won't be able to tell that I wasn't listening to them.'

"Eheem." He cleared his throat before Ishtar could continue, "I do have a doubt but before that can you tell me where will be the enemy soldiers in three days."

In his questions, the ministers looked at each other in surprise and when they failed to find their answer they turned towards General Ishtar, Who replied for them, "They will be here by that time, Young Lord." He pointed at the map.

'So there huh?' He looked at the map with a large empty gap that has the word "wheat" written on it. He took a small paperweight from his sides and placed on the map exactly where General Ishtar pointed but he still had no clue on the topic so he continued asking, "Are you sure it is safe to let the enemy come this close?"

"What do you mean?"

"Tch," he instinctively clicked his tongue. 'I guess I asked the wrong question,' He thought to himself.

"Before that, I have to ask the Minister of Agriculture a question." He turned to the minister and asked, "How much wheat do we have in the storage?"

"We have 12 tons of wheat in our storage, young master."

"Can you convert it in the form of days?" The minister was confused at Liam's request.

"I will have to say 200 days." The minister of agriculture answered after calculating in his mind.

"200 days huh?" Liam pretended to think for a while and spoke, "When do you think it is possible to expect our next harvest?"

At his question, the minister of agriculture turned pale. He started sweating heavily which drenched his clothes and sent chills all over his body.

With a cracked voice, the minister of agriculture forced himself to speak, "We can expect the next harvest in 370 days."

…

…

The room turned silent after a series of simultaneous gasping, they finally figured out what Liam was trying to say. Frustration could be seen in the eyes of Ishtar, it was the frustration of missing something obvious. Both Minister of Finance and Minister of Agriculture looked at each other in panic and then turn to the general.

Earlier they planned to let the enemy forces attack them at the fort which was a place that Ishtar and his forces can easily defend and if by some miracle the battle stayed longer they could easily buy resources from their neighbors. That was their plan since the beginning but now Liam had pointed out an obvious flaw in their plan there was no possible way that they were going to continue with it.

The ministers cursed themselves for being seduced by Ishtar.

It was true that Ishtar can easily defend against the enemy forces but what if their enemy's true plan wasn't attacking the barony but instead they were planning to cripple the barony by destroying their wheat fields

Catherine who saw the revelation in Ishtar's eyes could not help but smirk. She had heard from Liam's teacher and bodyguard Gideon and Portus that Liam was a genius and he should be tested regularly. She could not help but praise her decision to bring Liam along with him.

"It appears that my son had pointed out a fatal flaw in your plan, isn't that right General Ishtar." She subtly mocked him which didn't go unnoticed by others. "It appears your plans need a revision. It was a good thing that I brought my son into the meeting."

Catherine was boasting her son's accomplishment. Pointing out such a flaw in a general's plan was a great achievement in the eyes of the public. If news were to fly that Liam was able to fix a problem in general's plan his status as a son of baron was surely to go up and Catherine was aware of it.

Ishtar felt humiliated and frustrated at the same time. This was surely a great flaw in his plan but he was by no means incompetent, even if Liam hadn't pointed it out, by the end of this meeting he would have corrected it himself. This was just an easily identifiable mistake.

If a math teacher makes a calculation mistake which was pointed out by a student while he was still in the middle of reaching the answer does that mean the student is a better mathematician than the teacher or does it prove that the teacher is incompetent? The answer is clearly No, it was simply that the teacher made a mistake and the student pointed it out. However, currently, they weren't in a math class and the student was a noble's son whose small achievements had great values.

"It appears that my plans need some corrections I would like to take my leave and work on it effective immediately."

"Please, take your time," Catherine replied with a smug.

Ishtar clenched his fist and walked steadily. He turned to glance at Liam, who had a huge smirk on his face. The ministers shivered as they watched Liam smirking at his fullest.

"Milady, it appears I have to do some important work I will take my leave." The Minister of finance hurriedly excused himself.

"Me too." Followed the minister of agriculture.

Both ministers excused themselves and left which Catherine happily allowed. Catherine found it funny that the ministers weren't even making an appropriate excuse to leave the meeting. Catherine then turned to her Son who has an innocent smile in her eyes.

"Come here my Little Genius." She pulls his face into her breast and rubs his hair with her cheeks.

…

…

Liam was confused when the whole room went silent when he asked a question; he was only trying to avoid answering their question when suddenly Ishtar decided to leave. He found Ishtar Intimidating which is why when before leaving Ishtar glared at him he replied him with a forced smile which seemed to make him more irritated and then out of nowhere the ministers also left them.

"Come here my Little Genius." His mother pulled him into his chest with her breasts touching his face.

"Mother this is embarrassing." His face flushed but he didn't push himself away from her. He knew it was futile.

"My little genius." She ignored Liam complaining and kissed all over his face.

...