After the ceremony, the nobles tried to engage in conversation, especially with the De vonder. Van Felpo and Van Osi were no exception; however, Tamalor represented a great wall for them. Tamalor tried to keep his attention on his own and escorted the De Vonder away from the nobles. Xavier and the boys were not bothered by Tamalor's behavior; they didn't want to deal with the rest of the sycophants. However, the situation changed when Heigdal approached them.
'Well, what a wonderful day for the dynasty.'
Xavier and the boys did not like those words but remained inexpressive.
'I got understood that these two extraordinary young mages are already instructed in the use of magic,' he said.
'That is right, your Excellency; with their uncle Xavier, they explore and hunt monsters in the deepest parts of Morr's jungle,' replied Tamalor. His interference bothered Heigdal.
'Oh! With that experience and their innate talents,their stay at Liev's Tower will be a breeze— Heigdal predicted.
'My boys will not attend Liev's tower,' replied Xavier to everyone's surprise.
'Excuse me?' asked Heigdal, confused.
'I said that my boys, no De Vonder, will ever attend Liev's tower'.
Xavier's statement caused turmoil and confusion among the nobles. Although some of them rejoiced, if the boys did not attend the tower, they would attend some of the smaller academies with which they had close relations.
'That is not a decision that should be taken lightly, the tower offers...'
'Lies, threats, death, betrayal, and despotism. Am I close?' interrupted Xavier.
'How dare you defile the honor of our sacred institution?' cried Heigdal, dismayed.
However, his irritation gave way to fear when the two young men recently rated as titled magicians moved to the front and placed themselves between Heigdal and Xavier. Temma was serene and serious. Uruk smiled wildly, showing his teeth.
'Ahem!' Tamalor attempted to defuse the tense situation. 'Your Excellency, the De Vonder family had some unpleasant experiences with the tower in the past, all because of a deceitful warlock.'
'I understand. I remember hearing something about such a case in the past,' Heigdal said, pretending to be ignorant. All the upper strata of the nobility knew about the events that took place around Clinton Van Ferra.
'We will go ahead and do the paperwork for the badges,' Xavier was trying to get away from Heigdal.
'I might be of assistance,' said Heigdal.
'It is not necessary; I already know the process,' replied Xavier.
'It is a little different for the titled mages; it is better if I join,' Heigdal insisted.
The other nobles were left with the desire to interact with the Vonder. However, Heigdal was a figure they didn't want to oppose or annoy. Eventually, the three De Vonder and Heigdal left the room, and then Tamalor was besieged by the other nobles.
'Lider Xavier, I am aware of your past with the tower of Liev, but this is greater than you and your past,' said Heigdal, once they had moved away from the other nobles.
'You're right, it's about my family.'
This was not the answer Heigdal wanted to hear.
'You don't understand. The boys must be trained and educated in Liev's Tower; they are too dangerous to be left without control or discipline. The royalty and the royal court will make sure that all that power is used for the benefit of the dynasty.'
'What do you mean by that?' asked Temma.
'You will soon cease to be De Vonder and become known by your titles as magicians. Of course, the De Vonder family will be well rewarded for the great contribution made to the dynasty.'
'What makes you think we want to leave our family? Or want to go to the tower of Liev?' asked Uruk.
'You are young; this is an adult matter; let the adults handle it,' replied Heighdal.
In a blink of an eye, Uruk moved right in front of Heigdal, held him by the neck, and raised him with only one hand. The boy's strength surprised the old magician. Heigdal used his wind magic to remove the air from around Uruk, which responded by squeezing the magician's neck.
"Shit," Xavier thought.
'Stop! in the name of the crown.'
In seconds, an army of knights came out from every corner around the guard tower. Uruk kept Heigdal in the air, and the pressure on his neck weakened him to the point of almost losing consciousness. The effect of his magic dissipated, Uruk reduced the pressure, and Heigdal recovered a bit.
'I don't see an adult; I only see a weak man who thinks he is strong because he can use magic. Let me teach you what real strength is.'
Uruk let Heigdal fall to the ground and charged against the knights; his kicks and punches made them fall like flies.
'Activate your armor,' ordered Heigdal.
Upon receiving the order, a kind of gray fog covered the knight's armor. Their speed, strength, and reflexes increased. A sword almost cut into Uruk's right arm; he avoided the attack by a hair.
'At last, some fucking fun!' cried Uruk, facing the knigths who could still fight.
Uruk was a spectacle worthy of sight; he fought against the knights using only his physical strength and speed while smiling. The knigth's attacks only created minimal wounds on his hard skin. A few seconds later, the knights began to surround Uruk; there were just too many. A sea of fire rose up into the sky, covering a third of the sky over the royal city.
'That's enough!' cried Xavier. 'Uruk, come here!'
The boy took advantage of the gentlemen's distraction and made it back to Xavier's side, smiling.
'That was fun,' said Uruk.
'You shut your mouth,' said Xavier.
As a rebellious child, Uruk placed himself next to his brother.
'Make your knigthsRetreat, Heigdal,' said Xavier.
'Use the leech stones,' Heigdal ordered.
A new group of knights with light armor came out of the corners, carrying several coffers with them; when they opened them, several leech stones the size of a human head began to suck the magic of the surroundings. Xavier and Heighdal fell to the ground, feeling sick and weak.
'You stubborn fool!' cried Xavier, looking at Heigdal. 'Boys, give them a beating.'
Like two ravenous dogs, finally released from their chains, the two boys threw themselves against the knigths. Their teamwork made the knigth's skills and enchanted armor look like a bad joke. Two minutes later, the knights lay on the ground, unconscious or injured.
'Pff! What a waste of money,' said Uruk, raising one of the leech stones at the surprise of Heigdal and all the others.
'Close that thing,' said Xavier.
Temma and Uruk closed the coffers. Gradually, Heigdal, Xavier, and the other magicians from the surrounding area were recovering.
'Your knigths mean nothing to us,' said Xavier to Heigdal. 'My boys will not forsake their family; they will not be your toys, and they won't go to your academies. You can send your titled magicians and the masters of the Liev Tower after us.' Xavier bowed and drew his face closer to that of Heigdal.
'But I assure you, the dynasty will lose many magicians, soldiers, and maybe a titled magician without any profit. We will live free and on our terms. If the dynasty doesn't like it, we don't mind going to another kingdom.'
These words made Heigdal's face even more pale. The boys returned to Xavier's side and entered the registration office, leaving behind a stunned Heigdal, a bunch of defeated and humiliated knights, and the surprised faces of all the nobles who attended the ceremony.
"Today is my lucky day," thought Tamalor. "If I can win the boys and get rid of Xavier..." Tamalor dreamed of joining the highest of the royal courts.
Without wasting time, Tamalor approached Heigdal and helped him get up.
'Don't worry, Your Excellency. I will take care of this; I will correct this misunderstanding,' Tamalor said, approaching Heigdal's ear. 'I will bring the boys to the crown, and I will take care of that useless shadow magician.'
Heigdal got up and nodded to Tamalor. A few minutes later, Xavier and the boys were leaving the registration office with their badges. Heigdal had lied about the process. Tamalor welcomed them with a big smile.
'Congratulations,' said Tamalor, applauding.
A new group of knights watched the De Vonder from afar. The masters of the Liev Tower had already been asked for help. Robalt, the king of the heavens, and the master Emeral, the conqueror of flames, were on their way. Meanwhile, the nobles watched from a distance, afraid to interfere.
′ We must celebrate,′ said Tamalor. He lifted up his arm, and one of his servants brought a carriage. Tamalor invited the boys to board it.
'Shouldn't we use a Tumulos carriage?' asked Xavier.
'To sightsee around the city? With the Tumulos, we wouldn't be able to see anything. This is Telassa; it is the first time the boys have come here, and we can not leave without enjoying a little bit of its marvels. Besides, the boys are two titled magicians, which is reason to celebrate,' Tamalor said in a very good mood, opening his arms.
'What about them?' asked Temma, pointing to the knights.
'Meh, don't pay attention to them. Moreover, after what happened, it is logical that we are assigned some "guards." Let's get in the carriage,' insisted Tamalor.
'They wouldn't want to fight a big battle in the middle of the royal city. As long as we are here, we are safe,' Xavier said to the boys.
They climbed into the carriage and sat next to Tamalor, who looked towards Fillode, smiling. The door closed, and the carriage departed under the sight of the other nobles, some with fear and others with envy.
Once in the wagon, Tamalor started laughing like a maniac.
'I can't believe it yet. All these knights, with their enchanted armor, an elite wind magician, and leech stones, and yet you have given them an unbelievable ass whooping,' Tamalor laughed frenetic. 'They deserve it; these court clowns believe themselves to be gods. For all heaven, what joy you have given me, boy!' Tamalor said while patting Uruk's shoulder, who smiled, showing his sharp teeth.
'Still' refuted Xavier. 'This was very, very dangerous; the only thing that saves us is that we are in the royal city, and no one wants a large-scale battle; it would cause too much destruction.'
Tamalor became serious again. 'I have spoken to Heidal; you guys are safe. It is in the interest of the dynasty to have two extra-titled magicians rather than to lose them or to have them migrate to another kingdom. The current titled mages will not live forever, and who knows when we will discover another one. Still...'
'What?' asked Xavier while thinking, "What have you negotiated with Heigdal? You two-headed poisonous snake.".
'You don't think your refusal to let the boys assist Liev's Tower is a bit exaggerated.'
'No. The boys will not enter Liev's Tower, and that's it,' Xavier reiterated.
Tamalor looked at the boys as if looking for some support, but got nothing.
'Well, let's leave these matters for later. Now we have to celebrate; who is hungry?' asked Tamalor, changing the subject.
The boys kept silent.
'My boys are always hungry; they have an appetite worthy of dragons,' said Xavier with a smile.
'I know an excellent place; it is a place reserved for the highest class of the dynasty; only the royalty, the magicians of the court, and the great nobles are allowed entrance. I assure you, you will love it.'