Chapter 13: Family

The woman spoke. The voice was different from anything I've ever experienced…it resembled someone that I lost a long time ago…

"You're—"

"I'm sure you're already trying to guess who I am. That part of you has never changed." The woman said. It was as if she could read my mind without having to use any mind reading abilities.

"You're not her, so who are you?" I asked. The identity of this woman was my top priority right now.

"Despite me changing my appearance to look exactly like her, I couldn't fool you." The woman said. Her appearance then changed. The former pure white hair changed to the same deep purple of her eyes. Her hair wasn't the only thing that changed. Her aura seemed much more different and her mana signature was something beyond me. "Let's go sit down and talk."

The woman turned around and walked into the mountain. She went through the mountain using some sort of astral projection but her body was still intact. She then looked back at me from the mountain wall.

"Come in. I won't bite." She playfully said.

I went through the wall and on the other side of it was a luxurious place. What status did this woman have to have such a place? She then led me to a room where there were plants and rivers. At the end of the room was a circular table. It reminded me of when Socrates explained mine and this world when we first met. Some people seemed to be servants around the table. They then dragged out two chairs for me and the mysterious woman. I sat down and the servants gave me a cake.

They know me pretty well already.

"I gave some hints on who I am, I'm sure you've already worked it out." The woman said. I ate a piece of the cake before answering.

"You know my mother and you've met me I'm the past. I don't remember probably because of a memory manipulation spell. My mother is from this world and so are you and you both are people with high status."

"Your intelligence never ceases to amaze me, Levantes." The woman said as she smiled.

"I guarantee you it never will cease to amaze you, Aunt Valentina." The woman looked stunned but then her facial expression cha he'd back to her heartwarming smile.

"I've waited for many eons for you. I've only met you once and this is the second time." Aunt Valentina spoke solemnly. Not being able to see her sister's children clearly hurt her. The reason must be no light reason as well.

"She's not…is she?" The one goal. The one thing that kept me going.

"There was some incident that you are aware of but I don't know her location at the moment." Aunt Valentina said while keeping her smile. It didn't need the genius to know that my aunt was holding back tears. My mother was someone close to her and being the older sister definitely had some impact on her. "You'll meet her soon, Levantes however there is a catch."

"There always is." I sighed. My goal wasn't easy and to get there I've had to sacrifice many things. I've now grown closer to my goal than I have ever been.

"I don't know the exact words but there will be something there when you find her. The emperor knows what it is and he's as paranoid as you can get."

To meet the emperor I would have to get close to the king first. From what Socrates said, there are five kings below each emperor. Much like the vasilias, an emperor rules over an entire race. Archryos is only one of the five kings and to gain his trust would be easy judging by his personality.

"You're always thinking aren't you, Levantes." Valentina said. She looked as if she remembered something while looking at me. Perhaps I reminded her of my mother. It wasn't rare that the children mirrored the actions of their parents.

"Do I remind you of my mother?" I asked. I knew her answer but I wanted to know her thoughts.

"Guess I can't hide anything from you." Valentina sighed before she continued. "You might've not known your mother for long but even knowing her leaves some impact on you. My sister, your mother, had unrivaled intelligence and power."

My eyes widened as the topic now became more interesting. I always wanted to know things about my mother but no one had ever told me.

"She formed her mana core at the age of two." Valentina added.

"Mana core?" I inquired.

It was self-explanatory but I didn't know about it. I've only heard it in the books of the humans.

"Yes, mana core. It's where your mana comes from." Valentina explained. "Your mana core forms at a certain age. If you haven't formed your mana core then you cannot use magic—that much is basic knowledge."

"Our knowledge of magic hasn't advanced to that degree yet." I explained.

"Oh, well now you know. I'm sure you want me to tell you everything I know about the mana core." The expression on my face didn't deny it. "Usually your mana core is formed around the age of eleven or twelve. There are late bloomers but they still form theirs. People known as prodigies form their mana core at a young age. A young age in this case ranges from the age of five to the age of eight. Your mother held the title of the youngest until you came to life."

"Me?"

"Yes, you. You formed your mana core before you were even one year old!"

"I did?"

I wasn't even aware that I held such a title. I don't even remember when I couldn't use magic.

"Yes! You were born with a mana core!"

"WHAT!!"

I was born with one? What did that even mean?

"Oh sorry, I don't have enough time to tell you."

"Don't leave me on a cliffhanger like this Aunt Valentina!"

I was then teleported back to my training spot.

It was no coincidence that I had chosen this place as my training spot. If my mother was so special and intelligent then she may have planned this. She had probably planned everything without me even knowing.

"Levantes, what are you doing down there?" I looked up to see Socrates looking down at me from the top of the mountain.

"Training." I replied. Socrates then jumped down to me and when he landed he cracked the ground beneath him.

"So you've met." Socrates said.

"Yeah."

"I guess you know now."

"Yeah, I do and I'm gonna find her!"

Socrates sighed before speaking.

"If you're going to do that then you will have to be prepared. Now that you know what you want to do I will train you." Socrates said. "You will be living with me for now."

* * * * * *

"Take this boy to one of the guest rooms." Socrates ordered one of his servants. The servant bowed and led me to a room.

The room was immense. It was around the same size as a normal house instead of a room. The servant left, leaving me alone in this room.

The bed was soft and the lighting was just right. The bed was on the second floor and the necessities were on the ground floor of the room. I opened up my dimensional storage and altered the room to my liking. After I had finished I went down to Socrates's study. I went to the door and…the door opened. It was a normal thing by now and I had gotten used to it.

"You got my message." Socrates said.

"I guess." I replied. I then sat down on a chair opposite Socrates. His study seemed elder than I had initially thought. He had a lamp that illuminated the desk leaving the corners of the room still dark yet still visible. There were papers scattered around the room. The language on the papers wasn't one that I understood.

"I've been thinking, Levantes."

No small talk?

"To get accustomed to this world and to learn about it and also by hiding from the royals and elites, you should attend an academy."

There wasn't any situation in the past where I had wanted to go to an academy however this is different. This time I might be actually learning things.

"Why not?" I said in agreement.

"As that's settled do you have any ideas on where you want to go?"

"Really? You're asking me that when all you've told me was about my world and the political state of this world and how people many times stronger than me are hunting me down and you ask that?" Socrates was silent. He had a stunned expression on his face. "I'm sorry."

"Oh no, it's fine. You're at that age."

I think I passed that age eons ago however, he is right. I have sensed a change in my behaviour. It seems that my behaviour is being affected by this world. In this world, I am a 16-year-old. It still doesn't explain why I am acting the way I am. My appearance is the same as a teenager however my mental age is far older than my physical age.

I have a few ideas however I cannot confirm them.

"There is an academy where young people, like you, go and the girl that visited you in the hospital also goes there. I'm sure you can see where I'm going with this."

"It would help to be in an academy where I don't know anyone however if I did know someone then I would be able to lay low depending on Rena's status in the academy."

"What have you observed from her?"

"Rena is undoubtedly a person who wants to make friends however there is something that's holding her back. She does seem friendly but broken inside."

"And you're going to use that to your advantage aren't you?"

A smile crept on my face.

"Yes. A broken person is always easy to manipulate."

"You're as demonic as they said." His words caught my attention. "Before you ask, I won't tell you who. You can figure that out yourself and I guess you're not wrong."

"Of course, I'm not."

"Levantes, I'm sure you understand that you will need some sort of background." Socrates said. "You are an orphan who I have taken in. You have been living inside my house since your parents were killed when you were only five years old."

"I understand but that news will spread fast."

"I am aware that saying that will attract attention but you shouldn't worry as I have a plan."

"You're the one who killed my parents?"

"Sharp as always." Socrates praised me. "I am also aware of your great acting skills so use those as well."

"This isn't my first time Socrates."

"I will also teach you and you will train with Azreal."

"Alright then. When do I start?"

"You sound eager yet you also sound sarcastic. Regardless, you start when everyone else starts."

"And when is that?"

"September 4th. You have two months."

"How come you also follow the Gregorian calendar?"

"The Gregorian calendar actually originates from our world. I don't know how it came to your world."

"Alright then, I'm going to bed." I said before leaving Socrates's study.

I entered my room however it didn't feel the same. I avoided any suspicious behaviour to not be found out. The air was warmer which meant that someone was also in the room. It didn't take me long to figure out who it was as well.

I continued with my regular activities such as reading manga or playing chess. As I was playing chess I was also focusing on the person in my room.

I let out a frustrated sigh as I leaned back in my chair and looked up at the ceiling.