The Request

During the past two years living in the small town, Arial learned how to properly use his power while keeping most of it hidden from Henrik.

Though he hates to admit it, he benefitted quite a lot from the experimentation done by those crazy doctors.

Right now, he only has a single concern.

"Arial… You have talent with the sword and even bow. You can be a good adventurer when you grow up. However, you are still lacking one thing if you want to be stronger…"

Henrik spoke while Arial is training with the sword. The young man stopped for a moment and looked at Henrik.

"What is it, uncle?"

Arial asked curiously as he approached the man who helped him for the past years. This person's house is actually quite huge. He's like a nobleman without a title.

He has a courtyard, horses, collections of wines, swords, and even mysterious objects that he couldn't identify.

He received tons of help from him so whatever his opinion is, Arial respects it.

Anyway, he already has an idea of what he was lacking but he wanted to hear it from him.

"Mystic Arts… You haven't learned them yet. You have probably noticed by now since you've seen some people use them."

"Yes… Is there a way for me to learn the Mystic Arts?"

"Of course… This is a good opportunity since you've just turned fifteen."

Henrik then brought out a letter and a token in his pocket…

"What's this?"

The retired adventurer then looked at him with a smile before he answered.

"Well… Ehem! Ehem… Since I fed you for two years, taught you how to use the swords, to read and write… I even told you stories about the outside world and many things during my adventurer days. I think it's time for you to repay me right?"

Arial smiled at the man who's trying to make it sound that he didn't have a choice but to accept.

But in any case, everything he said was indeed correct.

If he just left the town to explore the world, without learning anything from him, he would probably just get eaten by some Magical Creatures since he hasn't been able to learn how to use his abilities yet.

Aside from that, even if he could survive a single day, he would still have problems in the next days since he will surely become exhausted. He's even unsure where he will be going since this place is completely different from his previous world.

"Don't worry… I'm not an ungrateful person. Since you helped me when I arrived here and taught me many things, I'm happy to repay them."

"Good! Good! You're really kind!" Henrik chuckled as soon as he heard his comforting words. He's happy that the young boy grew up really well.

He already realized that the young boy has some kind of trauma after living with him for a couple of years. During that time, he would always ask Lillian for help on how to treat the young man.

It was such a great move for him since he can get close to the beautiful girl of the town and he can also observe the mysterious boy.

As a man who was previously taking care of the security of this kingdom, he needed to ensure that this kid with the unknown background was kept in check.

"So tell me now how to repay my debts…"

"Right… Look at this letter and token. This is a letter of recommendation to attend the prestigious academy in the kingdom! The Viridian Rose Academy!"

Henrik proudly replied as he displayed the two items.

"Viridian Rose, huh… I remember that it's an Academy in the Capital. Isn't that a bit too far? Right, you also mentioned that this Academy is meant for nobles… How could I even attend there?"

Arial recalled the academy. It is indeed a prestigious one so he felt curious as to how this retired man living in a small town could get a recommendation letter.

"Ugh… Well, though I want you to attend normally as a Mystic Arts student, you will have a task inside the Academy.' Henrik scratched his head as he started explaining to Arial.

'Then what am I going to do in that place?'

"You will be attending classes but you will have another job… You need to protect someone."

Arial was still confused and after about five minutes of questioning, he finally learned the truth behind this sudden request from the old man.

Apparently, Henrik had made a promise to a friend years ago. He's unable to go back with his words so since he doesn't have formal disciples to fulfill it for him, he decided to send him instead.

His age was also perfect for the job so it was quite reasonable to send him to the mission.

The task is quite simple, it is to secretly protect the daughter of a Count inside the Academy. While doing this job, he has to act like a normal student and learn the Mystic Arts for 5 years.

After that, he's already free to roam the world!

"Five years…" Arial muttered as he felt that it is quite long.

"That's right… I can feel that you haven't even shown your full strength yet, however, this world is huge. You need to know the magical things happening in your surroundings. Aside from that, the places that you are looking for, you might try looking for them in the libraries of the Academy…"

As soon as Henrik mentioned this, Arial's eyes lit up…

That's right… He can't just aimlessly travel around the world to look for his previous world. He needs information.

"You're correct, Uncle… Anyway, I think I will benefit a lot just by learning the Mystic Arts as well. I won't waste this opportunity."

Arial then took the token and letter from Henrik.

"Good! I was never wrong to take you in! Hahaha!"

Henrik laughed as he left the courtyard.

The letter on Arial's hands was sealed with golden wax and the silver token is actually just a blank piece. He thought that there would be a carved image there but he was disappointed... Anyway, it probably requires Mystic Arts to identify the token.

On the next day, Arial started traveling to the capital of the Vallauris Kingdom, the city of Aurillac…