Chapter 110 No chance to cheat
Aaron skillfully placed his palm on it, summoning the memory of the third ancestor.
All the instruments in the Chamber of Secrets began to play, and various different notes combined to form a grand and stirring symphony.
Amidst this celestial music, a middle-aged figure slowly appeared.
"Greetings, Ancestor." Aaron saluted before Gines, appearing particularly polite.
In the first two Chambers of Secrets, he had been forced into learning, and he was somewhat resentful, but he was genuinely interested in this Chamber of Secrets, so being respectful to the teacher was only natural.
"Dispense with the formalities!" The middle-aged man smiled, "And don't call me Ancestor anymore. Most of the people in the Chamber of Secrets are older than me, and calling me the same as them puts a lot of pressure on me.
Actually, I'm only a few hundred years older than you, and Wizards generally have long lifespans. I'm probably from your great-grandfather's generation."
"That's still an Ancestor," Aaron said seriously.
"Fine, call me whatever you want!"
"Lord Vaughn, Young Master wants to learn music from you," Gines said. "Two hours a day, how does that sound?"
"No problem, it's my duty.
We, who have turned to dust, can do something for the next generation; it's a reasonable use of resources." Vaughnlooked at Aaron with a smile, but his expression quickly changed, "You... how old are you this year?"
"Twelve years old.
Young Master Aaron is twelve this year, and has reached that threshold."
Vaughn was stunned, a playful smile appearing on his face, "This little fellow hides himself quite well!"
Aaron shivered involuntarily, unsure why, but hearing those words, an ominous premonition shot straight from the soles of his feet to the top of his head.
Could this Ancestor have also seen through his true level? That would truly be terrible news!
But on second thought, Aaron calmed down.
The problem might not be big. The first two ancestors valued his talent and forced him to learn skills whether he wanted to or not, but this time he was proactive, so the situation was very different.
I'm being so sensible, surely you wouldn't be so heartless as to expose me!
"Excellent junior, you don't need to worry about anything."
It was confirmed. As soon as Vaughn spoke, Aaron knew the other party had seen through his strength, but the latter half of the sentence made him let out a heavy sigh of relief, meaning he wouldn't expose him.
"It is my honor that you chose this course, but I'm afraid I have to apologize."
"What?"
Aaron was a bit confused; this wasn't right!
I'm considered a genius, after all. The first two ancestors coerced and enticed me to inherit their skills, but why are you trying to push me away?
"Don't be surprised. It's not that I don't intend to teach you, but we need to discuss the specific time carefully." Vaughnwaved his hand, saying with some regret, "The charm of music is endless, but your talent shouldn't waste too much time on music.
One class every three days, one hour per class."
"But isn't this time a bit too tight?" Gines asked.
One hour every three days; calculated this way, Aaron would only have studied for about a day before school started, and the efficiency probably wouldn't be very high.
"I believe in his talent." Vaughn gave Aaron a meaningful look, then lightly waved his magic wand, and a piano and a harmonica flew in front of the three of them. "Time is limited, so I'll take the liberty of choosing two for you. With my professional level, teaching you two instruments within two months is not a problem."
"Thank you, Teacher."
Vaughn nodded, and with a slight flick of his magic wand backward, the fourth door opened.
Aaron and Gines exchanged glances and entered.
The fourth Chamber of Secrets was filled with a dazzling array of ingredients, and besides that, all sorts of cooking tools.
"This is... a chef?" Aaron's mouth twitched. "I'm truly surprised. With that mountain of gold as support, even if the Gaius Family truly fell on hard times, they wouldn't have to go out and work for others, right!"
"Not at all. In fact, this..." Gines paused, then continued, "This kitchen is indeed just an ordinary kitchen.
That generation's patriarch had relatively poorer talent, only reaching the peak of Archmage when his lifespan ended, but in certain aspects, his achievements commanded respect."
"A story?" Aaron became a little interested.
Gines shook his head, but decided to satisfy Aaron's curiosity, "His wife often couldn't eat, and even a Wizardwouldn't last long without food."
"So, for his woman, he personally cooked and then developed top-notch culinary skills?" Aaron imagined some plot, but couldn't help but feel a little disappointed.
"This story sounds touching, but it's not rare, even a bit... cliché."
"If it were just culinary skills, his Chamber of Secretswouldn't be here," Gines patiently explained. "The patriarchs chosen by the family to live on as memories in the Chamber of Secrets are all undisputed paragons.
Although his combat power was a bit lacking, from magical beasts to insects and ants, and even dark races and undead creatures, he could stew them all with just one pot.
Furthermore, over a hundred years of cooking, he thoroughly researched the dietary principles among various races.
Some foods are harmless to one race but highly toxic to others, and some food combinations can produce effects comparable to Potions."
Gollum!
Aaron swallowed involuntarily.
He thought it was a cliché story, but who would have thought it was a legend!
To be a chef to this extent, there's no one else like him. If you go back a few thousand years, this is practically an alternative Shennong!
"Cough, cough!" Gines coughed, drawing Aaron's attention back. "Young Master, are you interested in this course?"
Aaron hesitated for a moment, then silently shook his head.
"This Ancestor's achievements are not low, but his path is not suitable for me. Let's just forget about it!"
"Understood."
Gines made another inviting gesture, and just as Aaronthought they were going to the next Chamber of Secrets, a particularly familiar black stone pillar rose from the center of the kitchen.
"No way!" Aaron chuckled awkwardly, "I'm not planning to take this course, so there's no need to disturb the Ancestor's long slumber, right!"
"This is a family rule. Every generation's heir, no matter what choice they make, must meet with the Ancestor," Ginesexplained. "Young Master, you know that meeting these ancestors only brings benefits, no harm.
If they give you a little guidance, you might save decades of detours later."
Aaron showed an awkward but polite smile. If his talent were ordinary, he would probably think the same, but now he had been exposed three times.
Although those three ancestors had promised to keep his secret, who knew if every ancestor thought the same way.
"Can't I just go directly to the next Chamber of Secrets?" Aaron asked hesitantly.
"No!
With all due respect, you must meet with all the past ancestors.
When this family rule was established, to prevent juniors from slacking off, a magic was specially cast. Anyone who enters for the first time must summon the Ancestor's memory, otherwise the next door cannot be opened.
So, if Young Master you are unwilling, we probably cannot leave this Chamber of Secrets."
"Clever! So considerate." Aaron gritted his teeth. Which scoundrel came up with such a sinister idea, leaving no chance at all!
But no matter how unwilling, Aaron still placed his hand on it.
This time there was no unusual phenomenon; a young figure directly appeared on the black pillar, approachable yet exuding an aura of 'do not approach strangers,' contradictory yet not at all out of place.
"Lord Sarks." Gines respectfully saluted, but this young Ancestor ignored him, instead looking at Aaron with great interest, as if he had discovered some rare ingredient.
"An-Ancestor," Aaron stammered, his heart filled with unease.
That look again, why that look again?
He knew he couldn't hide it any longer. These ancestors were all seasoned individuals, and in front of them, his little schemes were a joke.
"Lord Sarks, this is Aaron Gaius, twelve years old."
Aaron:...Don't say it, please, don't say it.
"No need to say anything." Sarks interrupted Gines, then gave Aaron a meaningful smile, "You have already met three of your ancestors, I think you should be able to figure some things out, right!"
"Clear, understood. I'm probably not going to escape this," Aaron said, almost in tears. "Ancestor, how do you plan to arrange me?"
"Smart man." Sarks chuckled, "I haven't had many friends in my life, I just like talking to smart people, straight to the point.
My course is not important, but it can play an unexpected role at critical moments.
How about this! One class every two days, half an hour per class."
"Yes!" Aaron nodded dejectedly. The next moment, a warm hand patted his shoulder.
Sarks looked at Aaron, his voice carrying a heartwarming power, "I don't know how to comfort you, but I can tell you one thing for sure, and this is something you must also know.
You might feel a lot of pressure, but no matter what, we old fossils would never harm our own descendants."
"Thank you!" Aaron felt relieved. "Hearing you say that, I feel much better."
"That's good!" Sarks snapped his fingers, and a door opened. "Go, if nothing unexpected happens, you'll have to meet about twenty more people.
My talent is ordinary, so I have a certain degree of autonomy, but you... I'm afraid you only have the right to accept, no chance to refuse."
Aaron:...Holy crab!
Give me back my emotion.