"WHAT!!" Roger yelled out in surprise. He was shocked because the Starlinks were the most powerful house of the Glaskow kingdom, and even the whole empire. The patriarch was even the advisor to the emperor.
"You bastard! You're from the most powerful house there is and you were shocked at my house!" Luke shouted in protest.
"Well…it's not like I hid it from you." Noah said with a grin.
"Why are you here then? You could have gone to the Academy of the empire!" Luke asked.
"It was too burdensome for me to follow those strict rules and etiquette. All my brothers are fighting to be the heir. I have nothing to do with that. So, I left a note and ran away from home."
"Would your family not come searching for you?" Roger asked.
"They won't. My father hates weakness and cowards. Since I ran away, it's like showing cowardice, and he won't allow anyone to search for me, also no support for me from the household too!" He said.
"What about you? Why did you run away?"
"I didn't run. I was banished!" Luke said.
"Why?"
"Because I wasn't able to fix my shattered circle."
"Tch! Those damn nobles!" Roger clicked his tongue in annoyance.
"What's your plan from here on then?" Noah asked.
"I'm thinking of joining the adventurer's guild with you!" Luke said with a smile.
"WHAT!! You too! I can't allow this." Roger refused strongly.
"Why!?"
"Because…because you can't use magic. How will you survive? Noah and I won't be there always to protect you. You'll even slow down his growth. Have you thought about that?" Roger blurted the words out in fury.
"What if I can use mana too?"
"Still, this won't solve the prob….What!?"
"I said what if I can cultivate and use mana too?"
"But…How?" Roger asked, surprised and confused at his claim.
"I got a method to cultivate from the ancestor when I entered the sanctuary. I believe I'll be able to use mana too."
"Really!? That's great! Then both of us can form a team!" Noah exclaimed in joy.
"Show me the method then!" Roger asked, still skeptical.
"I can't! He gave me this method with the condition to not show or tell anybody. I'm sorry uncle! But I'm not lying, believe me!"
Roger went silent. He knew that his nephew was not someone to lie.
He wanted to believe him, but he had never heard of someone using magic other than through the circles.
"Alright!" both Luke and Noah jumped up in joy upon hearing Roger approve. "But…you have to pass a test first."
"What test?"
"If what you're saying is right. Then I'll take your test. If you pass the test, I'll allow you to be an adventurer."
"No worries! I'll definitely pass your test."
"Alright then! tell me when you're ready. I'll take your test then."
Luke and Noah shook hands in joy as they would be able to form a team and adventure together. They were happy and excited as they couldn't stop smiling.
'I'll be a joke If others hear that both my nephews became adventurers! Especially that bastard Vale!' a sigh of helplessness escaped Roger.
*****
In the Ranatosh mansion, under the gazebo in the garden, a woman in her forties, blonde hair, brown eyes, her hair tied into a bun and wearing a violet full neck ball gown was enjoying her afternoon tea.
She was the duchess of the mansion, Hela. The duke's second wife and mother of the fourth child, Leo.
She was sitting alone, sipping tea from the lavish ceramic cup, surrounded by maids all around the garden, ready for service on her call.
Just then the faint sound of metal boots hitting the ground fell on her ears. It started getting louder as someone was getting closer.
Hela put the cup back and lifted her head for a look. A young woman in her thirties, short black hair, full clad in silver armor with a longsword hanging by her waist, reached near her.
"My lady!" the woman greeted as she bowed.
"Florina! I was just thinking of you! Come, have some tea." Hela said with a warm smile.
"Thank you, my lady! But I'll decline!"
"You're no fun!" Hela said with a playful smile.
"I have something important to report, my lady! Regarding the mission." Florina said with a stoic face.
"Leave us alone!" Hela commanded in a loud voice and all the maids in the garden left one after another. "Tell me!" her face became serious.
"They have failed! He escaped and has reached Roger's place."
"Those idiots! They can't even deal with one magicless bastard!" Hela's face twitched in annoyance.
"There was someone else with him. Seemed like a third circle magic fighter. He saved Luke and they were unable to touch him!"
"Did he hire someone to protect him?" Hela asked.
"It didn't seem like that. He was an acquaintance he made in the ship!"
"Lucky bastard!" Hela clicked her tongue. She had planned this right after she knew Luke was about to be banished.
She had to spend a lot of gold coins and use the connections of her family, that she hated to take favors from, but for her son she was ready to pay any price.
"What are your orders my lady!?"
"Tell them to not do anything right now. keep some distance and just observe his movements. I don't want the local enforcers to get involved! Wait for a chance and when the opportunity arrives, finish him!"
"Yes, my lady!" Florina bowed as she received the orders. "What about the ones that fought with those two?"
"Ask him to deal with them. I don't want any loose ends!"
"I accept your command!" Florina bowed and left the gardens.
Hela picked the cup and took a sip, anger and annoyance had dominated her face which was relaxed and smiling a few moments ago.
She would do anything for her son, even if it means selling her soul to the devil.