4

After eating breakfast I helped mom to collect dishes and followed dad to the backyard and sat on the bench in our backyard.

" There have been unusual sightings around the great woodland many A-rank beast's appearances have been recorded near the Grand line around the forest. As you know about the Avalon dutchy and the one we are a part of. The Duke of Avalon and one of my closest friends want my assistance."

There have been many requests for dad's assistance by the duke in the past so it was no surprise to me. He was an A-rank knight with the title of an A-rank adventurer.

Mages and knights both have the same ranking system in this world. The lowest starts from E-rank all the way up to S-rank.

The adventure rank system is based purely on a person's contributions. The adventure rank-A shows my father's contribution and loyalty to the empire.

But the real reason he always goes with the Duke's expedition is his strength as an A-rank knight.

"I see so you will be going to the Avalon for a while."

I was a little sad because of this news having father not around really felt lonely around the house.

We would always duel in the backyard in our free time I used to go play with my friends, but after that incident, all my friends were afraid of me and were very stiff in front of me.

So I stopped playing with them as our relationship wasn't that good. Now I only read my mom's book on the magic theory and different theories about divine and demonic energy.

This world was really set in a fantasy setting. There were different races like humans, dwarfs , elves and demons and the world was powered by magic everywhere.

Technology in this world wasn't that far behind but still, it was true that it did mainly operate on mana because of its abundance in the world. There are many different energies from mana but as mana is the most abundant out of all it is also used more than any other energy.

There are two main occupations in this world a knight and a mage. Other occupations are just a derivative of this class like my mom even though she is a priest, she has a class derived from the occupations mage as she uses mana to bend the laws of the world and in mom's case, she uses divine energy.

The warrior or knight class only uses their mana to buff themselves and their weapons. Knights can also influence the outside world by their mana to heighten their senses and write their will on a specific area around them but still, they do not bend the laws of nature like making thick ice in a blazing fire.

Mages can use the mana of the world and transform it according to their needs.

But a knight can only use his mana to buff or send his mana outwards to sense something but those strands of mana that are used to sense are directly connected to your mana body.

Knights also use their mana to influence a space but in reality, they only expand their mana body to encompass the surrounding space and rewrite the rules in that space as it theoretically becomes part of their own body.

According to the books I have read these rules apply to all races. They could be using different energy from mana like divine, demonic, or any other energy but these are some fundamentals that couldn't even be neglected by Gods and devils but there are many authorities in the world that are also granted by the world through different means. Their power is something that can do wonders.

"ash Ash ASH! "

"Are you dozing off again?"

"Sorry father, I was lost in my thoughts a bit."

"So as I was telling you I will not be leaving alone this time we all will go to the capital."

"Ha! why is that?"

" Hmm, I just wanted you to see a bigger world and my friend I mean Duke Avalon also wanted to see you."

"I see seeing the dutchy and meeting an S-rank magician like Duke Avalon is certainly exciting and his younger brother Stein is also an S-rank knight right, the youngest to reach S-rank. I can't wait to meet them."

"Well, there are other reasons too. As you have turned 14, I wanted to awaken you and register yourself in the System."

Yes, one key element of this world is a system that everyone awakens when they awaken their respective energy like mana or demonic energy.

"But couldn't we go to a temple if that's the case? There is a temple of fire in Count Blake's estate."

The awakening of a person is usually held in a temple.

" No, we can't, I have used a special favor to test your aptitude toward the energy best suitable for you and awaken it privately. There are many reasons because of which we can't go to a temple and you will know them soon enough. "

"Okay then, But when will we be going."

"Well I just need to take care of some matters first then we will be on to the duchy's capital."

<<After two days>>

The weather is not bad today.

Anya was very excited to go to Avalon. She was jumping everywhere. Mother was packing all the essentials needed for the journey and father was talking with the carriage owner and deciding about the route we will take.

This wasn't my first time going on a journey with dad. We have visited the count before as he held a banquet and invited us. We both just greeted the count and toured the Pine estate.

This world sure is full of wonders. Traveling and seeing the beauty of the world is surely a beautiful hobby to choose from. I hope I could travel the world too.

But this time we couldn't stop in any place as there is an emergency going on in the Avalon state due to the unusual behavior of the demonic beasts we would have to hurry, truly a shame.

"Ash can you help me here dear."

" Coming mom."

So that's how our 5 days journey toward the dukedom started.

<<After 5 days>>

Maybe I should've stayed dead.

Our journey toward dukedom was nothing but pure hell. Moving at such a fast pace toward the dukedom. Anya and I were sore in all places.

Traveling in a carriage is worst we couldn't even rest for a single day and also couldn't eat our fill as we will always vomit in the carriage.

During the visit to the Pine state we were given a carriage by count which was cushioned everywhere and the shocks were non-existent.

But this wooden carriage was the worst. What surprised me the most was Mom's endurance as she was sitting in the carriage like it was nothing.

I have nothing but deep admiration for her.

As I and my sister Anya were both laying on the carriage just before we had emptied our stomachs, mom called out to us.

" Look Ash, Anya we can see the capital from here."

We both stood up like life has gotten back into us and sprang toward the front of the carriage.

"Where Where is it, mommy?"

Anya had literal sparkling eyes asking mom about its location

"There you see that big wall. It's the Avalon dutchy."

As we followed our eyes to where mom was pointing we could see a large imposing wall in front of us.

Even though the wall's wear and tear were still visible, you still couldn't ignore its majesty as it gave an imposing aura that was impossible to ignore.

As we arrived at the gates of the capital. I noticed a great line of people waiting to enter. I was worried for a second but then father showed the knights the official document with Duke's stamp. They quickly made their way for us.

After entering the capital I could see the hustle and bustle of the capital and it was a refreshing view, to say the least. Vendors selling their things and calling out to the passerby. People negotiating the prices of different things. Children playing among the big crowd.

It really was lively there. The structure of the capital was also nothing to scoff about but it was still lacking compared to count Blake's estate as it was a little lacking.

Count Blake's state was also under Duke Avalon. It was a trade city which was also the main source of income for the Dukedom but the capital was more of a fortress than an extravagant capital. But it still upholds a charm that is different from the count's state.

Anya was quite sad after hearing that e couldn't tour the capital right now but she quickly became happy at the mention of the castle as our father had to report to the Duke first and our lodgings were also allocated at the Duke's castle.

If I am honest I thought it was absurd for Duke to give such facilities to a baron. I think father may have been speaking the truth when he said he was one of his closest friends, I thought he was just rambling nonsense but looks like I had mistaken him.

Arriving at the castle we were inspected by the knights first but then they let us go after showing our document. Arriving at the inner castle. I could see the imposing castle of the Duke up close. The capital may have been less marvelous but it couldn't be said for the castle.

The castle was so enormous that I had to bend my neck to see it.

It was a castle mostly based on defense against enemies but it was still much more marvelous than count Blake's castle.

As we arrived at the front of the castle we were welcomed by two long lines of maids and a butler.

" We welcome you to Duke Avalon's estate."

After greeting us the butler introduced himself.

"I am Hans butler of this castle and responsible for all its maintenance. Please contact me if you have any discomfort during your stay."

The etiquette of the butler and the maids was literally world-class. Their movements were both refined and elegant. Anya was a little overwhelmed by these new faces and she grasped my fingers tightly.

"Please follow me, Baron, as Duke is waiting for you in his office. Please follow this maid all off you, her name is Sarah and she will guide you to your respective rooms as you all must be quite tired."

"It's a pleasure to be at your service. I will be responsible for all your needs, So please don't be shy to ask for anything and follow me to your respective rooms. "

As I traveled through the hallways I again couldn't help but be awed at the magnificence of the castle.

<<Aaron's POV>>

As I got into the Duke's office, I greeted him by bending my right leg and bringing my right hand to my shoulder.

" I Baron Aaron Blake greet the Duke Icarus von Avalon."

"Do you really have to be that stiff around me Aaron? "

" Well, I was just minding courtesy so that I do not evoke duke Avalon's anger."

"You can drop the act now Aaron, like when did you follow basic courtesy? So tell me Aaron how have you been? "

"Unlike someone, I have been fantastic. What is troubling you these days so much that you had to call me for help."

"Well, we can talk about it some other time. But first, tell me about your son. You have been boasting about him for quite a while now. I can't wait to see you"

"Well, you see there is a thing I want to ask your favor about regarding my son. "

" Of course, I will help you in any way possible just say it. You have helped our family for a long time now."

" You see my son has a divine curse attached to his soul."

" Whhaaat did you say? A divine curse!"