Capital

Asher and the others boarded a carriage heading towards the royal capital.

Due to the large group this time, they split into two carriages. However, due to the desire of the sisters to dote on Asher, they rode in the same carriage with him.

Zeal accompanied them, hoping to be of help to the audience.

The journey from the Yarlow territory to the royal capital takes about ten days by carriage.

Selected knights from the Order also joined as escorts, making it a sizable entourage.

When nobles travel, they often rely on the hospitality of the local lord. Still, this time, due to the sudden decision, they opted for a high-class inn to consider the other party's burden, incurring significant expenses.

While dinner concluded, Asher, back in his room, read through the tactical and strategic manuals given by Eris, sipping tea.

"Ordinary methods won't beat Big Brother Eris. Basics are crucial, but being too fixated on them is detrimental. There's always a countermeasure to tactics. You need strategies to break through even when countered."

He jotted down his thoughts on paper, refining his unique tactics and strategies.

They boarded the carriages again the next day, rowing the boat between the sisters.

"Oh my, Ashu seems sleepy. Burning the midnight oil again?" Ava said sweetly.

"You can sleep. Big sister will carry you," Silvia said as she hugged him tightly, the warmth comforting enough to lull him to sleep.

"Sleeping Ashu is adorable," Ava poked his cheeks and said.

"He looks like his age when asleep," Silvia nodded.

"With his studies and strength, he'll surely be popular with girls in the future."

"Mother, we plan to enroll Ashu in the academy when he turns ten, right?"

"Indeed, but it might be challenging. He's too exceptional; fitting in might be an issue," Carla said as she looked at her daughters and son.

"At this stage, he could excel in middle or high school. Might stand out too much," Carla said.

"There's a rumored acceleration program in the academy. Ava, check the student handbook."

Ava checked and confirmed, "It's there. If the academy deems a student unfit for their current grade due to exceptional abilities, they can take a test for acceleration."

"He might end up in the same class as Ava," Silvia said.

"That would be delightful, but it raises concerns about his future," Ava's eyes lit up as she said. Still, she also felt it would be bad for Asher's future growth if he didn't get friends of his age.

Entering the academy, making friends, and building connections were crucial for nobles.

Asher might face challenges in those aspects, worrying both his mother and sisters.

The carriage arrived in the capital without any issues.

While the elder brother and sister returned to the school dormitory, Asher, accompanied by his parents, entered the inn. He dispatched a knight as an envoy to the royal palace, waiting for the summons.

Asher, diligently studying, placed the materials his sisters made into the item box. He focused on magic circles, a subject he emphasized due to its absence in the game he played. Magic circles, engraved on magical tools, allowed even non-magic users to harness magical effects by channeling mana. They served various purposes, from aiding daily life to enabling large-scale magic through pre-engraved catalysts.

His current task involved dissecting complex magic circles created by his sisters and analyzing each effect. Not merely breaking them down, Asher understood their meanings and attempted to redraw them, subtly enhancing the magic circles.

"Finished, but testing the effects in the inn room isn't feasible."

As he looked out the window, the evening sun cast its rays.

Leaving the room, Asher headed to his mother's quarters. Outside, a guard knight stood, and upon entering, he found his mother enjoying tea.

"Ash, good of you to come. What were you doing cooped up in your room?" His mother, Carla, smiled as she saw him.

"I was studying magic circles," Asher replied as he went towards her and sat beside her on the chair.

Carla silently poured tea and gave it to him.

"Diligence in studies is commendable, but you should also spend time with me, or else after you go academy, you won't get a chance," Carla curled up her lips and said.

"Haha... Sorry... It's just too enjoyable to read and practice this," Asher said, scratching his head.

"Don't worry, I'm also happy that you enjoy this studies and all, if only Leo would same as you, then I won't have to worried about that kid," Carla sighed.

"Well... Big Brother Leo has good martial powers, and he had hundred percent chance to join royal knights."

"That's a good thing, but with the power, you also need knowledge, and to get the knowledge, you need to read."

"Um... Well... Big Brother Leo would do something about it."

"Hope so, oh yeah... Regarding the audience, a carriage will come from the palace tomorrow morning for your transport," Carla said.

"Understood," Asher nodded.

"Also, after dinner, it's better to go to bed early. Since you aren't exposed to politics, you don't know that some nobles and people can turn small things to tarnish your reputation, so it's better not to do anything."

"Yes, Mother."

As the guard knight announced dinner readiness, Asher joined Zeal and headed to the dining hall. The heavily seasoned dishes didn't suit his taste.

"You didn't seem to enjoy the food much. Was it not to your liking?"

"Yes. I haven't had much experience with such meals."

"You'll get used to it; these meals will become more common. If you're not unwell, we'll ask the inn for a different breakfast."

With the impending audience, Asher retired to bed soon after.