Chapter 136: Determination

"Ugh... What a tiring day!!"

Killian said loudly as he laid on the sofa after putting his coat on the rack.

Regis and Pandora followed behind him with strange expressions on their faces as they went on and sat at one of the sofas too.

The two of them glanced at each other repeatedly for a few times before Regis sighed and spoke.

"Hey, Killian."

Killian raised his head to look at him, "What is it, Boss?"

"About what happened earlier..."

On their way home, Killian had specifically told them that he would answer their questions when they arrived at the manor.

Although Regis and Pandora had no idea what the reason behind it was, they didn’t protest and just chose to trust him.

Knowing what they wanted, Killian looked around casually before leaning on the table between them.

"Okay. Okay. I got it. Hmmm, where should I start..."

After a moment of tapping his chin, Killian looked at his companions and said, "Well, let me start with this question."

"For you, what will be your first course of action if you see someone who has the potential to become powerful in the future?"

Faced with his sudden question, Regis and Pandora took a few moments to think.

"I don’t know. Maybe do my best to make them their allies?

"Or curry favor with them?"

The two of them answered in succession after a short while.

"Right." Killian nodded in agreement before continuing, "Normally, that would have been what happened."

"Normally?" Regis repeated what he said with a touch of confusion.

Nodding his head again, Killian spread out his hands, "Our party consists of young children who have talent."

"This means that in their eyes, we are the perfect group to prey on. A group of promising children who are still young who know nothing about the world and are easy to control..."

"Not to mention that you’re the sole successor of a viscount family..."

"Urk..."

Hearing Pandora’s sharp comment, Killian couldn’t help but flinch, "W-Well, let’s not talk about that..."

It was something that he deliberately left out when he was explaining.

After all, he was shy to highlight the fact that one of the main reasons many people would target their group was because of him.

An orphaned child who was also the sole successor of a noble family...

...was like a lone sheep in the middle of the wild where wolves live.

’Not to mention that even when my father was alive, there have been countless people who were after our family.’

Killian felt nervous deep in his heart, ’Now that he’s gone...’

If not for the secret force of the Gladius Family, then he won’t be shocked if the manor turned to ruins in just one night.

Knowing what he was thinking, Regis chuckled softly, "Don’t worry, we won’t leave you just because of such trivial things. Just relax, okay?"

"Okay..." Killian audibly heaved a sigh of relief upon hearing his words.

However, Pandora did not seem to be finished yet as she glared at him, "By the way, why did you act like that earlier?"

"What do you mea– Oh!!"

Remembering him acting all boastful earlier, Killian couldn’t help but scratch his head.

"I-I did it for a reason, though..."

"We know, but you’re really just so annoying earlier I want to punch you in the face..."

Pandora said without a change in expression.

The contrast between her spiteful words and her calm expression brought fear to Killian’s heart as he coughed and hurriedly explained.

"Well, it’s so we can anticipate what their next course of actions would be."

Regis became intrigued, "Oh? Go on."

Seeing that he didn’t look angry, Killian regained his composure, "I have said earlier that they will want to control us, right?"

"However, I know for sure that some of the fortress officials are in cahoots with nobels."

"Since we’re young and full of potential, they will want to control us. But if they judged us to be a thorn on their side, then..."

Killian didn’t need to speak any further as both Regis and Pandora understood what he was implying.

For those people in power, they would either want to control them or eliminate them.

It all depends on what would be more beneficial to their interests.

Simple, yet ruthless.

It was how the world of politics worked.

Killian continued explaining, "Therefore, it will be better for us to leave a flaw for them."

Two pairs of crimson eyes stared at him as they listened attentively, absorbing everything that came out of his mouth.

***

In a dark room...

"That will be all, Patriarch."

Said a servant as he kept his head lowered while facing a bald man.

The bald man looked to be in his late 40s.

Even though he was seated behind his desk, his towering body could still be seen.

His formal attire outlined his huge muscles which looked as if it would get ripped upon the slightest movement.

"Interesting... For mere children to be able to make such great contributions. Their futures are surely bright."

There were three high ranked noble families in the Corelli Fortress: Orpheus which was a family of mages, Gladius which was a family of swordsmen, and Ploro which was a family of battle-hardened warriors.

The bald man with a bulky body and numerous scars on his face was the patriarch of the Ploro Family.

Baran Ploro.

At this moment, he had just received the report about the three children who defeated a lich and a chimera monster.

"If what you reported really is true... then we need to get them no matter what."

Baran closed his eyes as he began to think of the most plausible way to approach this situation.

Meanwhile, the servant silently waited with his head lowered.

After a while, Baran opened his eyes as he spoke, "You said that it was their first mission, right?"

The servant nodded, "Yes, Patriarch."

"Hmm..." Baran placed his finger on his chin as he said, "Then it means that they are still lacking experience as adventurers."

"Alright, I have decided."

The servant listened attentively, afraid of missing even a word.

"Contact the Ashen Axe Corps and tell Andre that I want him to recruit those young adventurers."

"Pardon me, Patriarch?" The servant had a shocked expression on his face.

Baran smirked, "It doesn’t matter if they aren’t able to recruit all three of them. According to your report, it seems like the three kids’ bond isn’t that strong..."

"...so I believe that it won’t really take much of an effort to recruit them. Just make sure to focus on recruiting the successor of the Gladius Family and it will all be worth it."

"Understood, Patriarch."

"Wait."

Baran continued after a moment, "Make sure to tell them not to go on with it immediately."

"What do you mean, Patriarch?"

"I’m sure that the other parties are also keeping an eye on our actions, so tell them to only move a little after a month."

"And also, tell the noble families that have allied themselves to us to also use their adventurer corporations to try and recruit those children."

"I will do as you said, Patriarch."

"Very well. You may go."

The servant bowed before carefully exiting the room.

"Haaa..."

Baran leaned on his chair as he looked at the ceiling with a subtle smile, "Everything is going smoothly. The fall of the Orpheus and Gladius Families have greatly benefitted me."

"Now, the only powers inside the fortress besides our family are the Temple of Light, Alchemy Hall, Adventurer Guild, and the fortress officials."

"I can’t do anything about the others, but the fortress officials on the other hand..."

Baran cracked his knuckles, "Almost all the generals have allied themselves with me. The only problem left is the constable..."

***

In the Gladius Mansion...

"So? What are we going to do next?" Killian asked with a curious expression.

Pandora became curious as well.

Seeing their gazes, Regis thought for a moment, "I think it will be better for us if we train and go on more adventures."

"Are you really serious about what you said to the chaplain? The one about attending the Grandella Academy?"

Killian asked with a slight frown.

Regis nodded with a smile, "Yes, that’s why we should continue to get stronger."

"Hey..." At this moment, Pandora couldn’t help but ask, "Can I ask just what the Grandella Academy is all about?"

At first, she didn’t really take it seriously as being with Regis was more important to her.

However, she felt that since it involved their future, then she must also ask relevant details to prepare herself.

Killian then went on and explained to her how Grandella Academy was the most prestigious academy in the whole world.

As well as how it was the dream academy of everyone no matter the race.

"In short, only the most monstrous of the monsters are able to pass the tournament and enroll in it."

Killian continued, "If we want to enroll there, then we must at least be at the Three Star Realm by the age of 16."

Hearing him, Regis and Pandora began to contemplate silently.

"Hey, aren’t you two nervous?"

Killian was confused by their lack of reaction.

"Eh? About what?" Pandora tilted her head in confusion.

"As we reach higher realms, advancing our stars will only become harder, much less forming new ones!"

"I don’t know about the two of you, but I was only able to reach the One Star Realm because I started training at 5 years old."

"And this is only because I am the most talented of the Gladius Family..."

Killian gritted his teeth, "So, don’t you think it’ll be nigh impossible for us to be able to go through the tournament?"

Hearing his words, Regis and Pandora fell into deep contemplation.

’He’s right. The only reason I was able to advance quickly was because of my Indiscriminate Absorption...’

Regis thought to himself as he began to feel the pressure of his promise with Doron.

Pandora was also feeling worried, ’If I don’t become stronger, then I might not be able to be with Brother in the future...’

Seeing their expression, Killian clapped his hands once, "Alright, this only means one thing."

After a few moments of thinking, the three of them came into a single conclusion as their eyes lit up with determination.

’We need to work harder.’