Chapter 26: Returning

Due to the unexpected incident during the hunting festival, the emperor announced that the event would be stopped. Some felt dissatisfied while the other guests felt relieved since they could still vividly remember the crazy appearance of the magical beast they encountered.

Inside one of the rooms of the palace, Apollo and the rest of the tower mages were taking their leisure time.

"So what's gonna happen now?" Apollo asked as he looked at Alger.

"We will stay at the imperial palace until the investigation ends" Then the old mage looked at Apollo then said, "You made sure no evidence can be found right?"

The boy just nodded reassuring Alger.

"If you are certain there is nothing to worry about then we can just wait until this investigation ends"

Three days passed and the only thing Apollo could hear were the praises for the heroic guests who protected their companions during the hunt. The other thing that is repeatedly being talked about is how Eros gains enlightenment while fighting a Duke rank magical beast.

A series of praises and envious remarks were given to his brother.

[Creator it seems like your attempt for his life caused him more good than bad]

"Really? But I don't really care"

[Creator may I ask you something?]

"I am listening"

[Why did you even make me?]

[And what am I to begin with]

Apollo closed his eyes and put his focus on the glowing orb inside his consciousness.

"The reason for making you" he stopped speaking and took a deep breath and said "I want to be happy"

This time his voice oozed an amount of sadness that Jeremiah first time seeing.

[Is making you happy mean killing your siblings?]

"I don't know" This time his voice is strained as if something is blocking his voice.

"I thought maybe removing the people who hurt me would make me happy"

The orb then slowly sway left and right seemingly showing him that he is attentively listening.

"I also thought maybe if I saw them suffer would make me satisfied.....and guess what Jeremiah...."

"It did" he now became mischievous as if his previous display of sadness didn't happen.

"However I am still wondering what it truly means to be happy"

[I suppose all I could do is support you]

Apollo chuckled a bit before speaking again.

"As for the question of what you are, I think the only thing I can say is that you are a copy of me"

[A copy?]

"Yes, you are based on me, Jeremiah. You came from the analysis of how I think and react. How I solve problems and how I create my research. All of my skills in creating and formulating magical equations, to building magical machinery were all analyzed by the spell I had created. And the result of the entire analysis was you, Jeremiah"

[Is that all I am?]

"Nope, I think of you as a companion or a partner someone I can rely on and trust. You were an artificial intelligence however I could sense you are more than that, you are an evolving creature, Jeremiah"

[Can I ask you another thing again?]

"Go I will answer it"

[If I am the analysis of your thinking then what is this?]

"Hmm?"

At first, he was confused about what Jeremiah was referring to but soon he realized what it was.

"Are you referring to your body?"

[I don't know if I can say it's my body but I felt like it is my vessel instead]

"A home perhaps?"

[Maybe?]

Apollo frowns trying to think, indeed just what did he even make? He was so happy he had Jeremiah that he had forgotten about it.

Jeremiah was supposed to be a librarian to his own Akashic record although he knew it was impossible.

"A library...no..you are more than that" he said shaking his head. For a while, he tried to think until he felt someone was trying to pull him out of the space of his consciousness.

[Someone is waking you up, Creator]

"It seems so"

So with reluctance, Apollo opens his eyes only to see his mother Isabella.

"Mom?"

"Everything went well with you right?" She asked immediately.

Apollo thought her mother would ask why he did what he did however the first thing she did was ask if everything went well.

"Yes everything went well"

His response made Isabella's emotions complicated, all she could do was embrace her son. She knew she couldn't change his plan, he was dead set on killing his two older siblings and neither could she heal him nor stop him. It was already too late the damage as been done and a broken glass was impossible to mend. Cracks already appear and they won't disappear no matter how long you try to heal them. In the end, she needs to make a choice. To protect Apollo means risking the lives of Eros and Athena however, leaving Apollo means that her two older children were right about hurting their own younger sibling. Isabella wants her two children to take accountability but not at the expense of taking their life.

All she could do was embrace her son, Apollo then hug his mother back, knowing one day they might become enemies based on the decision they were going to make but for now, they could enjoy this moment.

After their warm embrace, Apollo finally notices that the only ones who remain inside the tearoom are the two of them.

"They left when I arrived to fetch you let's go son let me take you to your room"

Apollo was confused but still followed.

"Aren't I too old for this?" He asked wondering why his mother suddenly acted this way.

"Apollo I was wondering about sending you off to the academy" As they walked she started to speak

"Why Mom? I think the things I learn inside the tower are more than enough for me" However Apollo's answer seems disappointing for Isabella.

"You can make friends there"

"I already have those Mom all the mages inside the tower were my friends and family"

"You can learn magic there"

"I am already learning magic mother"

Isabella's shoulders slump seemingly giving up on her son's stubborn reasoning however, she can't blame Apollo since the mage tower was a great place to cultivate mages.

Seeing his mother's dejected appearance Apollo could only sigh before saying "Alright Mom I'll go"

"You will?"

Her previous sad appearance turned happy when she heard what her son said.

"Yes Mom if you think it will be helpful to me then I think I really should go"

"Absolutely son you won't regret it"

Finally, the two arrived at Apollo's room before leaving, Isabella gave her son something.

"Here is the schedule for enrollment don't be late okay"

Apollo just nodded as his mother gave him a folder and a book wrapped in black leather.

"Open this once you enter the academy you will love to use it there"

Apollo just nodded finding it exciting since he received a gift from his mom.

"I won't bother you for long good night son"

"Good night Mom"

Happily, Isabella runs across the hall returning to her room.

"You can finally appear now everyone"

From the wall and ceiling nine mages covered in white robes appear.

"It seems like little sun will be leaving for a bit" Gavin jokingly said as he looked at the two things Apollo received from his mother.

"We should tag along once little Sun enrols" one of the senior mages said which made the rest of them agree.

"If all of you go won't the streets be flooded with mages?" Apollo thought however there is still something he doesn't know right now.

"What did I really make" However he decided to think about it in the morning and look forward to his academy life.

"Let's tackle this in the morning"

[Sure Creator]

Morning came and the result of the investigation came.

"On behalf of the emperor I sincerely apologize for the inconvenience we have caused and thus to compensate for such a tragic incident the emperor will give gifts for everyone to use. We hope through this we may heal the heart of those who were extremely hurt during the hunting festival"

One of the emperor's aid said as he gave the message from the emperor.

"Why is he speaking like there is a soldier who died in the war," Apollo said finding the words a bit cheesy.

"We shall end the hunt for this year and wait for another year to come, one that won't be disturbed by such unwanted incidents"

"Please safe travels for all of you" he cut off his message there and left the elevated platform.

"Well it seems like we all need to go home"

"Let's go!"

One by one guests would leave the palace heading straight to their home.

As everyone began to leave Apollo caught a certain someone's silhouette.

It was his family walking brilliantly among the crown of people.

"Well maybe the academy won't be so cruel to me after all"

He then took his hood and went beside the other tower mages.

"Let's all head back mages!" Victor's voice rang and everyone shouted

"Yes Tower master!" the ground then glowed with bright light as the magic circle began to teleport them away.