Chapter 7 - Jackpot Surprise!

Although magic and mage exist in this world, there are not alot of people who are able to sense and use mana. This makes them highly sought after by nobles and royals from all over the kingdom. The county only has a single Intermediate mage therefore there is no transportation circle in the territory as it would need a high - grade or above mage to activate and support them.

This kind of annoyed Theo as it would mean that he would have to take a four days journey to the closest teleportation circle in another territory that is open for public which is linked to the capital.

Before leaving, Theo bid farewell to his parents and annoying brother who looked like he was going to cry with red eyes.

"Uhmmm... Alex.... I'm still alive, why do you look like you're attending my funeral? For goodness sake, you're a grown man! It's not like I'm unable to visit during the school break." Theo rolled his eyes at his over-reacting brother.

Both Albert and Lila was feeling down originally for having to send their youngest off but looking the the interaction between their two sons, the mood lighten significantly. Sir John and some of the knights he trained with came to send him off as well.

After a small farewell, Theo left for the capital. Although he was slightly reluctant to leave his family who was the first people in both his previous and current life that loved him he couldn't deny that we was excited.

"I'm finally going to explore the world outside!" Theo said with a grin in the carriage.

[Host would have to stay in the academy for the next 4 years. It is almost impossible for Host to explore the "world outside"]

The system splashed iced cold water on Theo.

'Where there's a will, there's a way.' Theo thought while ignoring the facts.

His journey to the teleportation circle was uneventful. The group would set up camp and rest when the sun sets and continue during sunrise. Theo took the opportunity to complete his Daily Quests in the morning when the knights were disassembling the camp before leaving.

After arriving at the teleportation circle, the knights sent by his father to guard him returned to the Ashwell county leaving him alone at long last.

While in the waiting area, he could see some kids around his age waiting. Some were in small groups talking excitedly, some sat alone looking around. A few kids seemed to recognise him when they saw his hair and pointed him out to their friends.

'Nope, not a good sign.' From what he could see. It looked like those that recognised him were nobles and were planning to talk to him increasing the strength of their so call 'cliques'.

Theo quickly activated his Fade - out skill. Much to his surprise, the kids slowly lost interest in him and ignored him, no one approached him in the end which was a great sign.

It was then his turn to take the teleportation circle. Coincidentally, it was linked to the teleportation circle closest to the academy, saving him alot of time and from the possibility of getting lost.

From the journey, he learnt that the Fade - out skill would temporarily stop working on people he took initiative to approach, but would resume after he left making people forget about their interaction with him.

He was currently enrolled in the Hugh Royal Academy which was one of the top 3 academies in the Kingdom. The other two academies were the Alliance Academy runned by the a noble faction and the Magnus Academy of Magic which every mage would choose to go as it was the only Academy that thought magic, runned by the mage of the Tower.

From what Alex had informed Theo during his lecture. The Hugh Royal Academy is runned by the Royals, where all the prince and princess would have to enrol there. Nobles who are neutral that didn't join any noble faction like the Ashwell family would normally enrol in them, kids from nobles in a faction could enrol as well but most of them would choose to enrol in the Alliance Academy instead.

After registering in the academy, he was given a brief summary of the rules and regulations then given a key and room number for his boarding. Theo was informed that he would be sharing a room one other student and was already assigned the bed. If he wanted to pick another side of the room to occupy, he would have to ask his roommate.

Theo finally took his luggage and looked for his room.

'I hope my roommate isn't some big deal nor a snitch. Hopefully he isn't a busy body as well.'

Entering his room, he found it empty. 'Looks like my roomie ain't here yet'

He was extremely glad to find that he was assigned the bed next to the only window in the room. Eventhough he has been in this world for 12 years, he still subconscious retained his habits as mercenary. He preferred staying close to a window which would allow him a quick escape and give him a view of the situation outside.

While he was unpacking, his roomate finally arrived. From a quick observation, the kid had blue eyes, blond hair which wasn't uncommon. From his attire, he seemed to be from a small noble family.

'Hmmm... he seems alright.'

Theo gave a small smile as a greeting before continuing to unpack. After finishing, his roommate approached him.

"Hi, I'm Terrance Holdswall from the Holdswall County." Terrance said with a smile and held his hands out.

Theo shook his hand politely and replied with a smile, "I'm Theodore Ashwell, Theo for short."

'He seems pretty alright to be friends with.'

"Yeah, I kind of guess. I'm new here so I am not familiar with anyone, would you like to go to the cafeteria together?" Terrance said while looking at his hair.

Remembering that it was dinner time, Theo agreed. The long journey made Theo exhausted and very hungry so he didn't think too much and immediately left the room with Terrance.

Both of them didn't speak much other than giving a vague recount of their journey to the academy. After swallowing some food, Theo finally felt much better and relaxed.

To be safe he activated his all-seeig eyes and checked his roommate out.

Name: Maximilian Osborn

Species: Human

Age: 12

Danger level: 5.5

HP: 650/650

Stats :-

Strength: 29

Agility: 30

Dexterity: 28

Stamina: 30

Intelligence: 40

Perception: 32

Looking at the status window of the weak looking kid in front of him Theo's mind stopped for a second.

'Isn't... Osborn... the last name of the Royal family...?'

Ding!

[Host has won a jackpot! New Quest: Protect Maximilian Osborn for the next 4 years in the academy.

Rewards:

- 500,000 Points

- any skill of Host's choice from System Store.

Penalty:

- all stats -5

- Host will lose inventory privileges for a year.]