Chapter 32

I stared at the butler in shock. Would someone go that far?

"You are probably right, but we can still hope that our change in plans caught them off guard." the oldest man commented. "Do what needs to be done, but make sure you investigate thoroughly. Wouldn't be the first time we had one of our youths brainwashed until they thought they weren't one of us."

"Of course master. I have already sent people to gather the woman. We will also check the boy for any spells that would interfere with the bloodstone." the butler replied.

'Since when had he sent anyone?' I wondered to myself.

"Good." the oldest man responded then looked around the room at the rest of us. His gaze stopped on the older woman. "Lady Alderan, it is a pleasure to see you again." the man said nodding slightly towards the older woman.

"You as well Master Wallous." Lady Alderan replied just as politely.

Master Wallous' gaze traveled over all of the youths in the room male and female alike. "I had expected to give all of you some words of wisdom and encourage you to do your best in this world as it transitions through the changes brought on by the opening of the mana gates. Unfortunately that is not to be the case. New information about this world that has been provided to us by Daryl's mother. It has been verified by our own experts now that they understand what to look for. As such we have come to understand that this world is far too dangerous to use as a trial for this generation." he informed all of us.

The room was silent for a few moments as we all took that in. I looked around only to see the same puzzled expression that mirrored my own.

"Does this mean you are canceling our agreement?" Lady Alderan asked coldly.

"Not at all Lady Alderan. Instead I wanted to explain the circumstances to the youths, then discuss with you some changes we would like to make. At the same time we will provide the information we learned that led us to this decision." Master Wallous replied. "Once you have read through it I am sure you will agree with our own assessment and welcome a change."

The older woman seemed a bit appeased. She nodded her consent and waited for him to finish.

"Since the changes to this world came earlier than expected I know many of you have no idea, or only understand a little of what is going on." Master Wallous stated his eyes falling onto me for a moment before continuing. "The Wallous family is not native to this world. What we intended to do is no longer important. Just know that after having learned about the dangers of this world we have decided to give up on it. The risks to you are too much to believe you have any reasonable chance of surviving. As such we are going to take you with us when we leave this world. Perhaps later once the world has acclimated to the changes we will return, but now is not the time to determine that."

I could hear some mumbling from the other youths, but I merely frowned.

"Since we are sure you have some attachments in this world we are willing to let you bring your mothers along with you. Other blood relations can be submitted for approval along with girlfriends, though I do not suggest the latter as we still have every intention of honoring our agreement with the Alderan family. As such, the lovely young ladies you see here will become your fiances." Master Wallous finished.

I frowned then stepped forward. "And if we want to stay?" I asked.

Master Wallous looked at me speculatively for a few moments. "If that is your choice we will allow it." he replied. "Note though that once we leave this world we will not be able to assist you in any way when you find yourself in danger."

I nodded. I might not have siblings, but I had several other people I was close too. I had no intentions of leaving them behind to face whatever mess this world was going to become. I might not be able to guarantee our survival but I was determined to help.

"I see. Are there any others who wish to stay?" Master Alderan asked looking at the rest of the men in the room.

No one spoke up.

"Very well. Dominic, take some time to speak with your son, if he is still determined to stay here then take him back." Master Alderan told my father.

My father took one look at me. "I do not believe I will be able to change his mind, but I do have some things I wish to say to him." my father responded.

"Headmistress!" A female voice called out from the crowd.

Lady Alderan frowned then looked into the group of women. "Calidea." she said with a distasteful frown.

A very attractive woman in a black dress with very pale white skin and blood red hair appeared from the crowd of women. She looked over at me for a moment her bright green eyes giving me a once over quickly before she faced Lady Alderan. "If we have an agreement with the Wallous family shouldn't we be sending one of us to accompany him?" she asked.

I groaned, I had hoped I might be able to get out of that with the change in the situation.

"Technically you are correct." Lady Alderan replied coldly. "I take it you have a suggestion?" she asked. The other girls who surrounded the red head all backed away from her.

"Not a suggestion, I am volunteering." Calidea replied then her eyes returned to my own then winked.

I frowned as I was uncertain how to take that. She wasn't the same woman who had seemed interested before I verified my bloodline, actually that beauty seemed to have hidden herself from my view.

Lady Alderan's attitude changed immediately upon hearing that. "Volunteering?" she asked to be certain.

Calidea nodded. "Yes Headmistress. While I understand that it will be very dangerous, that also means there will be more opportunities for growth." she replied.

Lady Alderan hesitated for a few moments before sighing. "Very well, we do have an agreement and as you have requested it yourself I will allow it. However you can change your mind at any point before we leave this world." she told her, sounding very earnest.

"Thank you headmistress." Calidea said happily, giving the older woman a smile before she walked over to stand beside me.

I couldn't help but look her over. She was definitely my type, thin yet curvy. I would guess she matched Megan up top, but with a slimmer waist. However I felt that she was far too pale, almost vampiric, which contrasted with her dark red hair but in a pleasant way.

"Interesting, do you mind Daryl?" Master Wallous asked.

I hadn't even decided what to say when my phone dinged signaling a message. I sighed as I was sure it was my mother trying to make sure I accepted Calidea.

My father chuckled, I guessed he figured the same thing I had.

I glanced at my phone only to see I was right. My mother had only sent a stern faced emoticon. I snorted at the sight. "I do not have a problem, if the agreement between families must be upheld then I would much rather take a woman willing to accompany rather than forced too." I replied.

Master Wallous gave me a small smile. "A wise decision." he said then took a step forward and placed a hand on my shoulder while the other he placed on Calidea's. A surge of energy entered my body and impacted my core then engulfed it like it was trying to form an extra layer around my core. The energy was too sudden and powerful to fight against and the impact to my core staggered me causing me to lose my balance for a moment. Calidea didn't seem to be doing any better. While we were off balance the old man used his grip on my shoulder, which suddenly became vice like despite his apparent age, to push me gently towards Calidea. When our shoulders met I felt the energy that had surrounded my core leave just as abruptly as it had come. It flowed up and out of my shoulder into Calidea. Yet at the same time a new wave of energy came from her and into me. The new wave of energy ran throughout my body down to my toes, out to my fingers, and through each of the hairs on my head before returning to Calidea. Again as the energy left me for her the first wave flowed from her back into me. This wave returned to my core then disappeared inside.

"As per the agreement Daryl Wallous and Calidea Alderan have been bound into an engagement. Daryl, I recommend you speak with Calidea to understand what that means and what you needed to do to secure her as your bride." Master Wallous told me.

I was still reeling from the effect of those waves of energy so I didn't reply.

My father quickly ushered Calidea and I away from Master Wallous and through a side door, down a hallway and into another much smaller room. This room was just as extravagantly decorated but there were only a few overstuffed chairs set into a circle facing each other.

Feeling a bit unsteady I stumbled over and sat down in one of the chairs. Calidea followed my example and sat in a chair next to mine while my father sat across from us. "That was a bit unexpected." my father commented as he waited for us to recover.

"What was that?" I asked once I had completely regained my faculties.

"A forced bonding." my father replied.