The New Student

Lord Rodel, clad in his impressive armor, resembled a seasoned warrior with eyes that reflected experience and an authoritative presence. The room buzzed with anticipation as they awaited the upcoming discussion.

"Take a seat, Reiran," Lord Rodel instructed.

"Alright, thank you. Aelar, please have a seat as well," Reiran responded.

Aelar promptly took his seat, and Lord Rodel called out, "Waiters!! Prepare some coffee."

"Thank you, Lord. It's here in just a few seconds," replied one of the waiters.

"Excellent. Now, Reiran, why have you shown up only now?" Lord Rodel inquired. The room fell silent as they waited for Reiran's response, which came after the coffee arrived.

"Lord Rodel, your coffee is here," the waiter announced.

"Thank you. Now, Reiran, do I need to ask again?" Lord Rodel pressed on, and as he did, Reiran took a sip of his coffee.

"Your coffee is quite delicious," Reiran remarked.

"Don't ignore my question!" Lord Rodel retorted.

"Is it really that important? All that matters is that you've seen me alive," Reiran replied with a straight face.

"But, Reiran, many were worried about you. It's been years since you last appeared, and some thought you were dead," Lord Rodel pointed out.

"Is that so? It's information, but it wasn't the right time for me to show myself to them," Reiran explained.

"If that's your decision, then there's nothing I can do about it," Lord Rodel conceded.

Aelar, curious about their conversation, asked, "Father, what are you talking about?"

"You'll find out in the future, but not now," Lord Rodel replied with a smile.

"By the way Boy, are you interested in training?" he continued, catching Aelar off guard. Aelar he is eager to experience training alongside someone who was alive and moving, looked at his father, who nodded in approval.

"It's also for your safety. You can use it against potential adversaries. Use it wisely," Reiran said with a broad smile before continuing the conversation.

"With all sincerity, Lord Rodel, I wholeheartedly accept your offer," Aelar replied.

"Excellent, Brom!" Lord Rodel commended. Brom, a highly skilled swordsman always on guard for Lord Rodel, walked alongside a group of soldiers.

"Lord, why did you summon me?" Brom inquired.

"Inform your trainees that you have a new student now," Lord Rodel instructed, pointing to Aelar. "Is he the one, Lord?" Brom asked.

"Yes, can't you see?" Lord Rodel responded.

"Is that so? We'll gauge his capabilities before he officially becomes a student," Brom remarked.

"The responsibility is yours. (whispering) But treat him differently from your other students; he's the son of the former leader of -" Brom was visibly surprised and quickly stood up, approaching Aelar. Reiran, vigilant to Brom's actions, observed closely.

"I'm Brom Lorend. Starting tomorrow, I'll be your teacher, Aelar. Make sure you're ready for what lies ahead," Brom said. Rioran noticed the nervousness on Aelar's face, but deep inside, Aelar couldn't wait. Rioran knew this because he was his father.

"Well done, well done. Now, let's discuss -" Lord Rodel was interrupted as the door swung open loudly.

"Daddy~~!!!" a voice exclaimed.

"Alena, didn't I tell you not to open the door without warning?!" Lord Rodel scolded.

"Why, Daddy? Our door is sturdy enough," Alena argued.

"Can't you see I have a visitor? Please go to your room for a moment," Lord Rodel requested.

"Eeehhhh~~, but Dad, I still have the training to do in the training area," Alena complained.

"Miss Alena, we need to go to your room to wash you now; you're too stinky," Alena's personal maid insisted.

"Oh, okay~," Alena replied.

Alena looked at the visitor and noticed the young boy seated beside a man. She pointed to him with excitement, "Daddy, he's the cute boy I saw outside the gate!"

"Huh?! What are you talking about, Alena? Is that true, Aelar?" Lord Rodel asked. Aelar, hiding behind Rioran, replied sheepishly, "....Yes, Lord Rodel," and proceeded to recount their encounter.

"Climb up, Miss Alena."

"Okay~."

"*Sigh* what a headache, I'm sorry for my daughter's behavior she is always like that. Always into training, especially cutting down trees. Many trees were felled because of him. She's like his mother; My wife used to beat me up all the time," Rioran added, chuckling as he reminisced.

"Alright, Brom, take Aelar to his new dorm. I still need to have a conversation with his father," Lord Rodel instructed.

"Yes, My Lord. Aelar, let's go," Brom said.

"Father, is it okay?" Aelar asked.

"Of course, you need this. Don't worry; nothing will happen to me," Rioran reassured him.

"Alright, Father, I'll go ahead," Aelar said as they left with Brom.

"And my men, go back to your duties, this is a private to talk, you all understand?'

"SIR!, YES SIR!" the go now in going outside when the door finally closed, Rodel finally ask him,

"Now that they're gone, spill the truth. What went down after you wiped out those demons on the day of the Demon and Humanity War? Lay it bare, Rioran Dayan, the once bigwig and hero of Padayan Country," Lord Rodel said.

Aelar, stepping outside, found himself surrounded by the vibrant life that now filled the once desolate battleground. The scenes of joyous existence were a stark contrast to the remnants of his past.

"Why are you staring like that? Move!" Aelar was brought back to the present by a voice snapping him out of his contemplation.

"Oh, sorry, sorry. I was just captivated by this place. We don't have anything like this in our homeplace," he explained.

"What kind of place do you come from, Aelar, that it seems like you're only seeing a place like this now?" Lord Rodel inquired while they conversed.

Aelar began to unravel the harsh reality of his past, describing the remnants of a once-thriving area now haunted by monsters. Brom, their guide, fell silent, empathy evident in his demeanor, as they approached the trainee swordsmen's dormitory.

"This will be your room for now; here's the key," Brom handed Aelar the key.

"Thank you," Aelar replied, his gratitude tinged with a hint of discomfort as he surveyed the disorder within his new living space. Brom, sensing his unease, reassured him with practicality.

"Sorry about your room; it's a bit dirty, but a little cleaning will do. You'll have a place to sleep in no time. Alright, I'll leave you now. See you tomorrow morning," Brom said, departing with a nod.

"Thank you very much, Sir Brom. You can count on me," Aelar responded, the determination evident in his eyes.

"Good, I'm leaving," Brom said, and as he left, Aelar's demeanor shifted. He became focused and serious, gathering branches, leaves, and various materials to craft cleaning tools. Meanwhile, in the private chamber, Lord Rodel urged Rioran to reveal the untold story of their victory.