Ties

"It's nice talking to you [General]."

"You too."

He disappeared fast as he arrived. Who is he?

"Shame. I want to talk to you more but sadly I have things to attend."

"Yeah. Let's go for a drink sometime."

"I look forward to it. Well then, I'll be on my way."

"Yeah."

They said their goodbyes and went on to their separate ways.

We walked along pass this big pillars, that supports the castle, to where Mr. Toto is leading us.

We continued walking. From a distance, I hear sounds of grunting and tired voices.

"Come on! You can do better than this! My grandma can even do hundred push ups."

*Gulp*

I think who this person's voice is. From her deep and commanding voice, it's undoubtedly her.

We three walked closer to where the voices are. I followed Mr. Toto quietly along with Ceres. I had my hands held the straps of my bags hard.

We arrived at a pathway and beside, an open field where the sounds comes from. The door to the to the throne room is just across. I need to hurry or I'll die young.

We started walking. I walked beside Mr. Toto to hopefully block her vision of me.

"Mother! They arrived, father and Trent."

"Ughh."

"Hey there honey. We just arrived." When they called out to her, I had goosebumps all over my body.

I peeked and saw Master's back, I mean by master, I mean Mr. Toto's scary wife. Even him is scared so never did once he had another woman touch him even the slightest bit.

After they greeted her, Ceres approached her and we continued to walk.

"Hey!"

We continued to walk.

"Hey!", she shouted another one.

I'm sure that shout is not for me, right?

"Hey! Do think that I'll let you go without saying Hi?"

But alas, it was really for me.

"H-hi there Master Catalina."

"You. Come here right now."

I heard those words. She's calling me. The guys that she was training also looked at me.

"Don't die, kid", Mr. Toto whispered before entering the door.

I had no choice but to go. My knees were genuinely shaking in fear. I had my bags on the ground.

It was me and her on the field. All the guys already got the message so they stood aside.

"So, let's see how much you improved after graduating my lessons."

"Yeah, I'll show you how much I improved."

She posed herself in a fighting stance and in response, I'm also on a fighting stance. We stood parallel to each other. No one moved, anticipating what will happen.

None of us moved. With that, we attacked at the same time. She threw a punch and I dodged it. She's opened, I had my hands ready. I made a straight punch to her abdomen's sides.

My fist is drawing close but with her, this one is not hard to counter. She accelerated and went for an elbow strike. I blocked it.

"Hmm", she smirked.

I made some space between us. We went back to our fighting stances.

"Woah", I could hear the boys on the sides.

This time, I'm the the one who attacks. I ran and went for a turning kick. She dodged by shifting her body side wards.

I missed that one. So I immediately followed with another kick.

Kicks were thrown but all them strike nothing but air. I had sweat running down from my face.

We went for a strike at the same time. Right and left cross, a kick, all of these were either dodged or blocked. None wants to lose.

Many strikes were thrown and many were either blocked or parried. I drew close for a fast flying knee, it was futile resistance, it was clear who was the victor.

She raised her legs and went for my stomach.

"Ugh!"

That kick was so solid. I could feel it as if it touching my liver.

*Thud*

I dropped. I fell on the ground face first.

"Good job."

After dropping, I immediately stood up as if not feeling pain. In the older days, I can't even take a single punch from her.

I remembered, that every training day, I would try my best to run away as fast as possible but she eventually catches up to me.

Training with her was literally hell and it was everyday. I received punches here and there but in reality she's a caring and loving person. She was like a mother figure for me. She would always make sure that I take every meal every single day. She takes good care of me when I get sick.

It was thanks to her that I grew up strong but sometimes she can be a literal demon.

"Is that all Master?"

"CALL ME MOTHER!"

She approached me and smacked me on the head. She forces me to call her mother.

She looked at me and had those contented eyes in her. She looks at me and faced her students.

"Look. All of you should at least can take a kick like that without being hurt, just like he just did."

"YES!", the students answered.

I couldn't help but smile. Getting raised by this woman, it was fun and terrifying at the same time but it was worth it.

Ceres approached me and grabbed my shirt.

"Mother never changed did she?"

"Yeah, she really didn't change."

"Do you, somehow, hate her?"

"Ah.... hahahahahahah."

"What's funny?"

"Nothing. It's the exact opposite actually. She may be scary but I don't hate her."

"I see."

I decided to stay to watch Master Catalina teach her new students.

"You don't have to stay, Trent," she says.

"Yes Mas- I mean Mother."

When I gave that response she had a smile on her face.

"I know you're tired from travelling. You should rest."

She's right. I'm tired. Really tired actually but I prefer being here, besides there's nothing to do.

"I think I'll stay here."

"Suit yourself."

I sat in a corner watching Master Catalina teach. I looked at the students she's teaching, I could see familiar reactions from their faces. My time that I spent training with her, I too had those faces. Tired and challenged but a smile curves across my face. Training with her was hard but it was fulfilling.

I couldn't help it but smile seeing other people train under her. She may not show it but I know she enjoys it.

Ceres sat beside me and started to also watch.

****

The color of the sky started to turn orange.

"Hmmm.... This pillows are soft."

"Hihihihi."

I heard a soft high-pitched laugh, it woke me up. I can feel something soft.

"Soft..."

"Trent... Trent... Trent. It's time to wake up."

I opened my eyes and saw Ceres' face looking at me. My head was resting in her lap.

"Did you got enough rest?"

"Yes. Yes actually. We were awake for 2 straight days without sleep."

"Hihihi. That duel with mother must've tired you."

"You said it. Oh crap, it's already evening."

I got up and grabbed my bags still on the ground.

"Sorry Ceres. I wasted your time."

"No. Don't sweat it. I actually insist. It was the first I got to spend time with you after you arrived here hours ago. It has been 2 years last we saw each other, isn't it."

"Yes. All right then."

I held out my arm to her, who is still sitting. We walked together to where the others are, supposedly.

"Please lead the way."

I followed to where she was going. Eventually we end up in front of a big door. It's several meters higher than me.

*Creak*

She opened the door and I smell a faint smell of Earl Grey tea.

"Oh Trent. You finally woke up. You sly dog, you enjoyed my daughter's company didn't you?"

It was Mr. Toto sitting and drinking tea along with Master Catalina and someone you don't see everyday.

There a beautiful lady ,that's sips her warm tea, with them . Even in drinking the tea she was so elegant. She was wearing a dress in full white. She has beautiful pale white face.

"Queen Elizabeth, is nice to meet you Your Highness."

I knelt in front of these three, drinking their tea, tod Queen Elizabeth in particular.

"What a gentleman. You two sure taught him."

"Hahaha. It was all Catalina, she deserves all the credit. I've only taught him how to wield a sword. Magic, combat and formal etiquette, it was all this lady right here."

*Giggle*

I could hear her soft laugh.

"Now, Trent. Raise your head. No need to get formal with me. I'm basically your aunt."

"Yes."

"Oh my. You're dirty. Sebastian!"

Out of nowhere, a butler came in, in response to her.

"Yes milady?"

"Escort this boy to the showers. He needs a bath, clearly. Also, get him a room to stay tonight and a change of clothes."

"Yes milady. Right here, sir."

He leads to where I should go.

****

I got out of the shower. It was nice, being in the shower took the tiredness off me. We were out travelling and rarely do we take a shower, So taking a shower for now is sure nice.

*knock* *knock* *knock*

"Sir, here's the change of clothes."

Someone came knocking. It was Sebastian.

"Yes! Could you please leave it near on the bed, thank you."

"Yes sir."

I got out of the shower looking like a newly bathed dog, still wet.

I'm inside of this guest room right now. it big for a guest room. Especially the bed, it was big. Man, living in a castle is literally heaven.

I changed my clothes and proceeded downstairs, to where everyone is at.

I was meters away from where they sit. They were chatting among themselves. Mr. Toto's seat was facing me and he ended up noticing me.

"Hey! Trent. Right here. Go sit with us."

I took my seat with them and got offered a cup of tea. Everyone was there.

"Now, don't you look like a proper gentleman now."

Out of nowhere the Queen complemented me.

"He sure is," Mr. Toto said.

Sitting there, I noticed a girl. She looked so sassy because of her white hair and sharp eyes.

"You sure do got a handsome face with you there. So, do you have a girl you're dating right now," the Queen asked me out of nowhere.

"Pfft!"

I almost spilled the tea.

"Hahahhaha. Him? He's quite the playboy you see, Elizabeth," Mr. Toto interrupted.

"I'm intrigued."

"You see, in Salma, all the girls in there clearly had their eyes on him. Every afternoon, all the girls would flock around him."

"Hooh? So, you got any girl in that village in mind."

I just got here and we're talking about me.

"Ah, no milady."

"Ahh. Call me Aunt."

"Y-yes Aunt."

The girl from earlier is looking at me. Why? I tried to not notice but eventually from time to time, our eyes would meet and I would redirect my eyes to avoid eye contact. The talk went on for an hour. The adults here are talking among themselves and as for me, I try not to be in this awkward position.

"So, the enrollment for the Meister School will be next week. Today is friday, the enrollment would be on monday so these kids have three days to get ready for school."

I could hear what they're saying. School... huh? It can be fun but I already decided that I'll register at the Guild and work as an adventurer. I find exploring more exciting than listening to old-bearded men.

"Yeah, I hear the entrance exam for this year has high standards. Go there with a mediocre spell or a sword technique, you'd be disqualified right away."

"Oh yeah, Totorinth, you're one of the evaluator this year," Queen Elizabeth asks Mr. Toto.

"Yeah. I can expect talented young ones this year."

Their talk continued while I listen. Listening to them talk among each other is not actually boring like the ones you expect.

"Oh yeah. Pardon me, Trent. I haven't introduced you yet to my daughter right here. Trent meet my daughter, Ingrid."

Ingrid, huh? After being introduced, she looked at me with those dead fish eyes.

"Nice to meet you Ingrid."

"Same here."

With that soulless greet, she continued drinking her tea.

"Oh yeah, what kind of classification will you choose at the entrance exam, Trent?" the Queen asked.

"I'm afraid I'm not taking the exam, Aunt Elizabeth," I answered.

She heard my answer and had that worried look on her face.

"Why not?"

"I decided to register at the guild and work as an adventurer. I find exploring more fond than listening to lectures."

"Is that so? Shame. I'm pretty sure you're well versed at magic and sword because these two have been your teacher."

"No. He'll be attending school alright," Master Catalina interrupted.

Did I heard that right just now?

"Eh!? Master!? Seriously? I thought I can do whatever I want when we started to live in the capital?"

I literally stood voicing out my surprised reaction.

"Sit down Trent."

"Yes..."

I was meak like a kitten when she ordered me. I had plans. I already laid out what I'll be doing when I become an adventurer. This this news never reached my ears.

"Yes. I know what I said but I retracted that decision because I know your still a child."

"Yes but... the promise."

"I know but I'll let you become an adventurer when you graduated school atleast the top 3 achiever overall and I'll even let you marry my daughter, if you want to."

"Eh!? Mother!? W-what are you saying?"

"Oh. I thought you said ' I want to be Trent's wife in the future!' and ' Trent was all like ' Yeah! Ceres, cook for me everyday and let's have kids' or something like that."

"That's was when were kids, I clearly do not know what we were saying when we were little kids."

"So you're saying that you don't want to be Trent's wife then?"

"That's not what I mean... You know, we're young and stuff..."

Ceres was firing back at her mother but could not win because she was beet red. I, on the other hand is thinking of how unfair this is. We had a promise but she eventually retracted that decision. Can't blame her, I'm still a child after all.

The Guild's minimum age requirement is 12 years old. That fits me because I just recently turned 12. Even though being a child, I'm actually proud of my skills. At age 5, I've killed my first monster, it was a white great wolf, a fairly strong monster, even if a skilled fighter got careless, it would mean his death.

"So Trent, do you accept this deal?"

"Let me clear this, what if don't get atleast the third spot?"

"You'll end up as a knight."

Now, hearing that scared me a little. Being a knight is not that bad but I want to be an adventurer.

"I accept, even with those unfair conditions. I'll not be only passing, I'll be at the top."

Everyone had that surprised look. Of course, one blatantly said that he would be the top of the academy except for Master Catalina.

"Hmm," she smirked.

"Hahahahaha. Nice one Trent."

Mr. Toto ended up laughing listening to me.

"That's a bold claim, Trent. Are you sure you can do it?"

"I'll try my best Aunt Elizabeth."

"Hooh... Let me add this one to the condition if you want. I can appoint you as Ingrid's bodyguard and pay for your school fees and your living expenses while you attend school. If you graduate top of your class, I'll give a recognition myself and award you with a Royal Seal, if you don't, you'll end up being the personal guard of the Royal Family. How's that?"

Woah. That peaked my interest. A Royal Seal, basically a symbol saying that you're a friend of the Royal Family.

"It's a great offer but I think I'm not the only one who should make the decision."

Everyone on the room had a confused expression on their faces.

"Who would that be?," the Queen asked.

"I think Princess Ingrid should decide as well. I don't want her to be forced to be near me. I think she should have the independence to choose who is which."

"Oh yeah, I almost forgot. So Ingrid, do you want him to be your bodyguard?"

"I don't mind," she answered.

"She said yes, how about you Trent?"

"If that's the case, then I accept. I'll be definitely be the achiever," I once again claimed.

I'll definitely take the number 1 seat. I'm a man to my word. If I somehow failed to meet the conditions, I'll gladly take the position as a personal guard for the Royal Family.

After saying that claim, Ceres entered my vision. She was red. She was so quiet.

At first, I didn't understood why she was blushing but after a couple of seconds I finally understood why.

"You really want to marry Ceres don't you, Trent,"Mr. Toto said.

Wait.

"As I said earlier, you really boldly claimed it in front of Ceres," Aunt Elizabeth added.

Wait a minute. All this time, they got the wrong idea. They were focused on the marriage part but I was thinking of being the top of the class because I want to be an adventurer. Crap, I need to clear this misunderstanding.

"Wai-,"

Not finishing my explanation, Ceres stood up.

"Ah, it's quite the night. I'll go wait outside."

She puts down her empty cup and went outside.

I look at the remaining people and they all had that smug face saying: "What a brave soul, he blatantly admitted he wanted to be married to her."

"Everyone, I think you're all misund-."

I was saying something but Mr. Toto grabbed me by my shoulders.

"Kid, please be a good son-in-law in the future."

I think everyone knows what I was about to say but they also firmly believed that I liked that marriage part.

"Ahh. Ceres is right. It's night already. Why don't we continue this tomorrow," Aunt Elizabeth ended the night without me saying the truth.

* Sigh*

Why did this happen? I can't help it.

"It's already dark. Why don't you guys spend the night here? We have many spare rooms right here," Aunt Elizabeth offered.

"Is it alright? I mean, our mansion is just a half-hour ride from here," Mr. Toto said.

"I insist."

"Well then, we'll be in your care."

"Okay then. Sebastian!"

"Yes milady?"

"Prepare them some rooms tonight."

"Yes."

*Sigh*

This night ended in a awkward way. I proceeded to where the prepared room is and started to sleep.

END OF CHAPTER