7 Great Grandfather Solomon

"Kaya" Drake called out, staring at a wall, contemplating something with bitter expressions on his face.

"Yes, Lord " Kaya who was standing just outside the room, entered instantly and replied while bowing.

"Where is Nile?" Drake asked

"Young master is at the library" Kaya answered

"Bring him here." Drake said still staring at the wall with the same bitter expression.

Kaya bowed and left

'I was planning to tell Nile everything about our family and its past later when he was 7 or 8 years old, but seeing his curiosity , his questions increasing regarding our family, he deserves to know. I have to tell him.' Drake thought to himself.

"Hey father, you called for me" Nile entered followed by Kaya.

"Yes son, take a seat" Drake said while putting up a smile and pointing towards a chair.

"Hm" Nile replied and sat on the chair while noticing Drake's somber tone. Drake had a very jovial personality and the moment Nile heard his somber tone, he knew his father has called him for something important.

"Thank you Kaya, you may leave and do close the door," Drake said. He then took a deep breath, and continued "Nile today I will be telling you about our family and its past, or maybe I could say our sorrowful past" Drake paused for a moment, took a glance at his son who was gazing at him with his blue almond eyes brimming with curiosity.

"Solomon Withlock, my Grandfather and your GreatGrandfather was an orphan and to aggravate his situation he was in an unorthodox orphanage. These unorthodox orphanages were illegal. They fed all the kids just enough for them to be alive and kids there were treated as livestock. They raised these children at their orphanage until they were 12, and I believe you must be aware what happens when a child turns 12 years?" Drake questioned Nile.

" A child's bones are fully developed when one reaches the age of 14."Nile replied

"Yes, you're right. When one reached 12 years of age their bones get fully developed, so the Orphanage would sell off these children to anyone who could pay the right price. At an age of 10, Grandfather Solomon realized the true intentions of the orphanage and soon ran away. He then spent a year traveling to different villages, towns, and cities, witnessing the truth of this world, which worshiped the strong and treated the weak like dirt. The only path to becoming strong was through cultivation.

After realizing he started his initial journey. He used to meditate and absorb energy for 16 hours a day, and the remaining time searching for food and resting. Well son you must know that your Great Grandfather was an honest, proud and hardworking person, since childhood he never begged or stole anything. Even being in such a dire situation he worked his bones off just to survive.

Grandfather then followed the same schedule for almost 6 years before awakening as a cultivator, he was just a few months away from turning 18."

Drake said while emphasizing on the digit 18 and asked

"Nile what would have happened if he could not awaken before turning 18?."

"He would never become a cultivator" Nile replied instantly and further continued "But father if he cultivated for 16 hours a day why it took him 6 years. I read that if one absorbs energy for 8 hours a day and follow this schedule for 4 years he could develop his cest and become a cultivator (Awaken) . Why it took GreatGrand father so many years?" Nile questioned.

"Yes, you are right. But Grandfather Solomon had no one to guide him and he was unaware of effective and efficient ways of absorbing energy. Secondly his body was way too weak, he could only manage a meal in a day and on some days he did not even manage to get a single meal." Seeing Nile satisfied with the answer he continued-

"As soon as he became cultivator he started taking missions from the guildhall, he was fascinated by everything related to monsters so he mostly chose missions regarding monsters. His knowledge in terms of monsters was unparalleled and this very knowledge aided him to slay monsters even above his Cultivation level and these feats earned him the title 'Monster Slayer'. Nile can you tell me what is so special in defeating monsters having the same cultivation level or higher level?" Drake again asked Nile a question. Testing the knowledge he has gained in these past years.

"Monsters are stronger than the cultivators with the same cultivation (cest) level," Nile replied.

"Right. He spent most of his life in seclusion in the WildWitch forest until he met Grandmother Teresa who was non-cultivator, whom he later married. Grandmother Teresa's father i.e., my great-grand father was the chief of a small village located on the outskirts of the Ablon Empire, the chief later passed away making Grandfather Solomon the next chief.

Grandfather Solomon was then a GrandMaster-4. Your Great Grandfather was not only smart and knowledgeable but also blessed with tri-nature, he could wield lightning, water, and earth. The villagers were astonished to know their new chief's cultivation level and his tri-nature, which was rare among cultivators. High-level cultivators with such a rare nature lived a life full of wealth and fame. It was normal for such cultivators to be the head of mid-Noble or a prestigious family.

The news spread like a wildfire and soon the King of Ablon empire himself visited Grandfather Solomon. The King himself was a quad-element user with all the nature except for lightning. The King was fond of honest people and he was astonished to see how straightforward Grandfather Solomon was and instantly took a liking to his nature. They both became friends as time passed by. The King even got the whole village reconstructed and expanded its boundaries. The King wanted Grandfather Solomon to start his own family and wanted to straightway give him the title and benefits of a Prestigious family, as Grandfather was qualified enough.

Getting to know King's intention other Prestigious and Mid Noble families opposed the King and even called him biased. It was a tradition to pick noble families through a tournament. " In midway Drake hesitated just for a second and said "I will tell you about the tournament sometime later."

"Father, why not now ?" Nile asked suspiciously

'What a kid you have got here Drake, a three-year-old just saw through you. I sometimes doubt if he is too smart or I am too foolish ?' Drake thought to himself with a bitter-sweet smile on his face.

"Father, te-" Nile tried asking again but was cut short by Drake

"Your mother has asked me not to tell you about it. Any more questions regarding the tournament will be answered by your mother" Drake said quickly in a robotic voice.

'I agree with Elora's decision, the tournament will be held 12 years from now. By the time the tournament is held Nile would be 15 years old. It is impossible even for a genius like him to make an impact on the tournament at such an age of 15. Telling him about the tournament and its importance would only burden him.' Drake thought and sighed inwardly.

Hearing Drake's reply Nile's interest rose even more. He even made a mental note to find about this tournament, which was being kept a secret from him.