Reason and Test

Knocking on the door to my fathers office, I wait outside the door with Harold waiting for my fathers permission to enter. Once receiving permission I open the door.

"Hello father, I brought mister Woodrowe here. He said he had some questions before starting my training. I will leave you two to your business and I will wait for you, mister Woodrowe out in the training yard, to begin our training." I said then bowed to both of them before exiting the door and shutting it behind me.

I waited outside the door to hear what they have to say, since it is going to be about my training anyways and wanting to see if this new teacher of mine can be a trusted ally in the future. From what I heard him say, I know he already doesn't have a high opinion of my father. Using my [lightning] magic to increase my hearing and using my training from my past life to make my presence as minimal as possible I started to pay attention to their conversation.

"So you want me to train your 5 year old kid in swordsmanship? I know you are not an idiot because you got me stuck into doing this deal for you but I don't see how you think this is logical. You should know kids lose interest as fast as they gain interest and they complain a lot. I get starting his training when he is 10 but when he is 5, this is simply ridiculous." Harold said not understanding what is going through Hayden's mind.

"I understand your concerns but you see, my boy is a genius. He was able to read and write by the age of 2, learned about mathematics by age 3 and he is now taking classes to become a top merchant. I know there will be people who will go after him, and you can't always rely on others. As our family motto goes, 'you can only trust in your own power, not someone else's'." Hayden said, trying to explain where he is coming from but knowing he doesn't have to.

"*Sigh*, whatever it's not like I can get out of this. So how often do you want me to train him and for how long?"

"You will train at least 2 hours a day and you will train him until he at leasts has the skills of a C rank adventurer. If you want to continue to train him afterwards then please do so but I think for what you owe me this is the least you could do." Hayden said, laying everything he expects from Harold.

"hm, It will only take up 2 hours of my day so I will still have time to teach my grandson a few things before he becomes an adventurer. Ya that works for me." Harold mumbled at first talking to himself then speaking the final words out loud towards Hayden. Harold then turned around to head towards the training field to teach his new student.

Noticing the conversation was ending I backed away from the door and hid. I was planning on following my teacher to see if I can get any more information before I make my decision on trusting him.

When the door opened Harold walked out casually and took his time waking towards the training yard. I could tell by his body language and movement that he really doesn't want to teach me but has no say in the matter.

Using my previous life's skill in stealth I follow Harold, but since this is also a magical world I use wind magic to leave the direct vicinity of my body so you wouldn't be able to hear me move. Even if I tried to make as much noise as possible, you wouldn't be able to hear me. I was still making sure that there was a thin line of air so I could still breath but thin enough you wouldn't be able to hear me breath.

Tailing him, it doesn't seem that he does sense someone following him. Using my [search] and [magic sense] magic to make sure there is no one else besides me tailing him, I find that the head butler was also tailing him.

It seemed that the head butler didn't sense me, probably because he is more focused on Harold's movements than his surroundings. This is actually good for me because Harold probably senses the butler and the butler is unconsciously giving me cover.

Without even turning around Harold says. "You know I can sense you right. For someone who is supposed to serve the noble family you sure are clumsy with your steps. And did you actually think you could get past my perception. Scram before I kill you." At the end of Harold speaking, he released some heavy bloodlust.

Though Harold released his bloodlust, to me it felt like a passing breeze. Though looking at the butler I can tell for him it was something completely. The bloodlust affected the butler so much that he almost passed out, luckily he managed to stay conscious but knowing what would happen if he kept tailing the retired adventurer he turned back thinking his life wasn't worth the risk.

Harold, not even breaking stride when he talked or releasing his bloodlust continued walking. Seeing how close we are almost to the training yard, I decided to see how close I could get to him before he could sense me. This is serving me as a test on how well my stealth skills compare to humans who seem to get stronger through outside forces.

Stealthily as I can walk up to Harold getting right behind him and still not noticing a reaction, I decided to follow him right on his heels and mimic his movements as he continues to walk. Still not seeing him recognize that I am right behind him and seeing that we are almost where the training yard is I look around to see if there is anyone near us. Not seeing or sensing anyone I decide to make my move.

Using [wind] magic I move a stick to my hand, I grab it. The stick seemed to be nothing special but good enough for the purpose I am going to need it for. Circulating my magic I use [augmentation] around my body and the stick. I bend my legs and get ready to jump since there is a big height distance between me and Harold.