Chapter 8 - Mercenary Theo in work

Max decided to hide his identity before enrolling into the Hugh Royal Academy under the identity of a noble with the help of his trusted aide from the Holdswall County.

When he was told that his roommate was Theodore Ashwell, Max did a background check on him. Although the Ashwell territory is far from the capital and Count Albert refrained from interacting with other nobles remaining neutral, Max felt that it was still safer to check Theo out just in case his son was bought over by his royal brother or other noble factions.

The background check showed that he has never left the territory after he was born, little information was known other than the fact that he would practice swordsmanship with the knights of the territory and that he loved reading books in his early years.

Max felt better after reading through the the information, Theo looked like a typical hermit that studied himself while training his body under the protection of his family. A carefree goody-two shoe.

After meeting Theo himself, he felt even more assured. Theo looked like a someone that didn't care for his surroundings as long as he's not disturbed.

During dinner, seeing Theo's starved face before digging into his food in the most noble like manner possible, Max threw all caution out the window and focused on his food chuckling inwardly for suspecting Theo before.

'Oh, f*** me side ways, back, front and side again.' Theo swore in all the language he knew even the ones from earth.

Calming himself down, he began to switch himself into when he was a mercenary on Earth. Continuing with dinner in the same manner and expression. Theo began to process all the information.

'According to Alex, Max Osborn is the second prince. He is a popular contender to the thrown since his mother was the late empress. However, he rarely shows himself in the social circle and hasn't form any sort of faction nor relation with the nobles.'

'An assassination attempt would most probably be from the crown prince and his faction.'

Accepting fate, Theo thought, 'Well... it's not like I can't protect him in the shadows. The rewards from the Quests are also pretty good. I'll maintain our current association and leave right after we graduate. He doesn't to know my abilities nor that I know of his identity. EASY!!!' Theo convinced himself. 'We'll part our ways in the opposite direction when I receive my reward.'

[Host is wise and powerful!]

Ignoring the system's ass-kissing, Theo continued his meal. During the whole thought process and internal emotional swings, Theo maintained his composure. No one would have been able to discover any faults.

"Oh, have you decided on your choice of weapon for the combat lesson?" Max suddenly asked Theo.

When his brother talked about the weapon class, he has already decided to pick up spearmanship. Since he hasn't learn to use the spear before it'll be helpful to pick up a new skill. In addition, it wouldn't do him well if he pick up Archery or swordsmanship as experts with good eyes would immediately notice his mastery. While his Archery is above average. He is already as skillful as the King's loyal knights with the sword at the age of 12!

"Spear! I'm going to pick spearmanship class." Theo said with a shine in his eyes that he didn't bother hiding which showed how excited he was.

'What? His background showed that he practised swordsmanship, why would he pick spear instead?' Max thought.

"Oh, what a coincidence, I'm choosing Spearmanship class as well. I was taught using the spear instead of a sword before enrolling so decided on going with it but most nobles would pick the sword instead. What made you choose the spear?"

Knowing that it'll would be easy for the prince to find out that he is a swordsman as long as he asked around the territory. Theo decided to tell a white lie.

"There was no spearsman to teach back in the territory but I've always been interested in using the spear more than the sword. I've learnt swordsmanship from the knights in the county but now that I could choose it will be nice to pick up the spear instead." Theo then lowered his voiced and said in a laughing tone "Plus I'm scared of pain, the spear is longer than the sword, this means what when fighting an enemy, the sword wouldn't be able to reach you while you're able to deal damage with a spear!"

His answer as expected made Max trust and like him more as he felt that Theo was a naive and innocent child from his answer.

"Well, it's great that you pick the spear instead, we'll be in the same class then. I can help you out when ever you need."

The two then go back to their room. On the way, Theo decided to buy some skills in the store that could help him detect hostile beings which would be beneficial when protecting Max. He could then eliminate them before Max would even notice.

Theo sat on his bed flipping through a book. He subconscious timed himself to flip the pages every 45 - 55 seconds when he is actually checking out the system store.

After sifting through and picking the skills, he decided on getting these three skills,

Target Tracking, lvl 1

- is able to track the chosen target from any distance.

- Number of Target skills can be used on: 1

- 2000 Points to increase the number of Target by 1

Hostile detection

- any killing intent within the range of 100 m radius would immediately notify the host.

Body decomposition energy

- by coating weapon with energy, any Target eliminated with the weapon with decompose back in dirt and dust with a few seconds.

After getting them, he immediately register Max as his target with his target tracking skill. Since he had the all-seeing eyes, he didn't have to make any physical contact, he would just have to open the target status window and activate the target tracking skill.

After getting everything done, Theo opened the window slightly which would give him enough space to throw his knife just in case and finally went to bed after taking a quick shower.