2 The Ruby Manor

The two kids sat in silence in the carriage, Orizo's mind spun trying to understand why Aaron wanted to be close to him. He understood that the crystal's reaction to his power was the reason why Aaron wanted him to go to his house and most likely meet the duke, however wanting to get close to himself? So far Orizo's experience with nobles were bad, nobles treating commoners like dirt. Orizo felt that Aaron may have something bad in mind.

Aaron sat on the opposite side of Orizo, his own mind spinning trying to scheme ways to get closer to Orizo. Aaron was the only child of the ruby family and so was smothered in love by the house. Even today he was suppose to get a special test at the mansion, instead Aaron felt that it was a waste and wanted to experience it as normally as he could.

Sadly Aaron sneaked out too late and the experience he wanted didn't match up to his expectations. Despite that Aaron didn't feel disappointed since he had found Orizo. Aaron as a child of the ruby family was taught early and matured early. He understood that friends were something hard to find due to his status, the other gem families were more rivals than close friends.

When the carriage entered the mansion's perimeters Orizo stared out the windows in awe, the gardens were well maintained and looked amazing. Orizo felt the urge to compliment the garden but decided against it, he felt the vocabulary he knew couldn't do the view justice.

When the carriage stopped at the front door, Aaron got up and exited the carriage first. Orizo exited hesitantly, with fear in every step Orizo stepped down from the carriage. The fear in Orizo heightened as the realization that he was in front of the ruby family's manor, the sounds around him were drowned out as he felt his heart beat in his very head.

Orizo snapped out of his numbness when he felt Aaron's hand fall on his shoulder. Orizo quickly looked up from the floor and saw a taller, grizzlier Aaron. His black hair and blood red eyes looked back at Orizo, behind him stood a row of servants on both sides.

"Dad, this is Orizo. I met him at the awakening ceremony, I think he has the same physique as we do!" Aaron told his father excitedly, his father froze for a moment before inviting them in.

"I see, come come a friend of Aarons is a friend of this family. It's late now and dinner is being prepared how about you two go get cleaned and you can tell us what happened over dinner?"

"Okay! Come on Orizo lets go!"

Aaron grabbed Orizo's hand and pulled him into the manor, Orizo simply let Aaron lead him and decided to go with the flow. It was too late to leave anyways.

Aaron dragged Orizo to the bath and with the help of the servants became squeaky clean. Orizo's hair colour then became clear, Aaron couldn't help but take a second look after they were done.

Orizo's hair hung just above his shoulders and were coloured black, an even darker black than what Aaron and his dad had. Combined with Orizo's equally black eyes he gave off a domineering look. At this point Orizo had already calmed down and sported a poker face which only made him look colder.

After their bath Aaron brought Orizo around and introduced him to the areas around the manor. Orizo silently memorized the locations he was interested in, particularly the training ground, the library and the duke's study.

When dinner time came around Orizo was introduced to the family.

"Before we start we should introduce the guest to the family Aaron."

"Okay! Mom, dad this is Orizo, Orizo this is my mom and dad!" Aaron introduced Orizo with energy.

The duke shook his head a little and said, "Orizo, I am Jax, the Duke of Ruby and this is my wife Annabelle."

Annabelle gave Orizo a smile when she was introduced, "Come lets eat, I'm sure you're hungry aren't you?"

Aaron sat down and patted the seat next to him, Orizo understood and quickly sat down beside him. The dinner went on as dishes Orizo had never seen before appeared before him one after the other, food he had never even dared to dream about served to him.

Orizo was focused on the meal in front of him and almost entirely tuned out his surroundings solely concentrating on the food that was entering his mouth. Aaron spoke as he ate, stuffing the food in his mouth and barely chewing.

Jax was quickly filled in on the details of what had happened and excused himself as soon as the dinner was over.

"Orizo, if you ever need help you can come to me." And with that Jax walked off.

Orizo nodded but wasn't sure if Jax had seen him, Jax had a look of difficulty on his face when he turned around.

Orizo walked back to his room and Aaron excused himself as well. Sitting on the bed, Orizo enjoyed the soft mattress feeling like he was in heaven. Minutes turned into hours as Orizo laid on the bed, a thin film of black covering his body.

In the duke's study, Jax placed an obsidian talisman back into a hidden compartment in his study. Jax had a concerned look on his face as his mind whirled and thought about the things he had just heard. Suddenly his head whipped around as he stared in a direction, his face with minor reluctance.

The next day Orizo woke up to the sun in his eye. Orizo rubbed his eye sleepily as the weight of his uncertain future weighed in on him, he had no idea if the ruby family would treat him well, he had no idea if his physique was good or bad news. Orizo decided against thinking about it, worrying it will end up being a rabbit hole.

Orizo pushed himself off the bed, completely miscalculating his strength he almost jumped into the wall. Shocked by his strength Orizo quickly checked his body with the small amount of internal energy he thought he had.

When he sensed that even his internal energy had changed Orizo started to worry if there was something he ate yesterday, but the thought didn't progress further, his face frozen with shock. Orizo discovered he had a dantian.