Chapter 19 - Preparation
"Frank, pass him the keys to the room Emma was staying at before she moved." Theo ordered Frank when he heard what Hayato was asking.
"You must be the inn owner, I'm Hayato. Thank you for accepting the request. I'll have the the room paid when I get a job request after the harvest week."
"You don't have to pay for the room, instead, i would like a favour. Not now but when I need it.
Your performance in the contest was quite good, if not for Haluk, I'm sure you would have been in the semi finals." Theo was thinking of having Hayato as a subordinate or work with him later when necessary. One extra connection or helping hand is better than getting paid with some copper especially a beastman like Hayato.
Theo didn't know the reason but he was sure that Hayato didn't go all out in the competition. Plus, Hayato would definitely be many times stronger than he currently is if he were to transform into his beastman form.
"I'll be sure not to ask for much. It'll be something you could do such as providing protection for someone, information, be a guard when I travel, etc. Nothing too dangerous. I'll pay for the extra work as well."
Hayato thought of the offer from the inn owner and felt like it wasn't a bad deal since he wouldn't have to stress too much on paying the inn as well. He reached his hand out as an agreement.
Theo then shook his hand and replied, "You can call me Ash. I'm sure you have yet to eat, I'll have the kitchen prepare you something. I'll provide you with 3 meals a day while you're here. Don't worry too much."
Theo then ordered Frank to have Emma make a meal for Hayato which he asked to have in his room instead of the bar.
The inn has been providing Theo a profit of more or less 50 silver coins per day which was alot compared to other inns in the outskirt so he didn't bother too much on Hayato's stay as it would only take up a few coppers from the inn.
(100 copper coins = 1 silver coin,
100 silver coins = 1 gold coin)
After settling Hayato in, Theo finished his meal and returned to the academy.
While in bed, Theo thought that he should use his skills and leave immediately after the match tomorrow. He was worried that he might have to take off his mask and have his identity checked, and proven when he meets the king during the prize giving ceremony.
The prize for the year is a master grade sword which he wasn't interested in. He could easily get a better one with attributes from the system store if he ever need them.
Since the system have been giving him stat points and less Points from his daily quest, his stats and Danger level has increased significantly.
Name: Theodore Ashwell
Species: Human
Age: 12
Danger level: 9.2
HP: 1,380/1,380
Points: 252, 800
Stats :-
Strength: 76
Agility: 84
Dexterity: 83
Stamina: 89
Perception: 87
Stat Points available: 15
Theo left some of the stat point for when he might need them later. Since the stats have been included in the daily quest, he had been given less Points so he felt that he should be more careful when spending them.
Listening to the travellers in the inn, he realised how small and insignificant Oriborn was. It is considered one of the smaller kingdoms on the continent. There are larger Kingdoms and empires outside Oriborn filled with stronger people and interesting races he wished to visit.
That however would have to wait till he has completed his task of protecting Max and completing his studies in the academy.
Theo woke up the next day refreshed and headed to the capital plaza where the semi finals and finals would be held for the day. It had a single stage in the middle which means that the semi finals will be held one at a time followed by the final match after a short break.
His opponent for the semi finals was the dual swordsman, Mavick. Theo was honestly quite excited as he had never faced a duel swordsman before and he could guess that it would be slightly more challenging than the traditional swordsman.
His fight was held after the match between Haluk and the knight so he watched the fight while waiting.
The match ended with Haluk winning after a long exchange.
Entering the stage, Theo readied himself against Mavick.
Being the crowd favourite for his ability at such a young age wearing mask giving a sense of mystery. The crowd could be heard cheering constantly,
"Indra! Indra! Indra!"
Theo's opponent then opened his mouth, "For getting this far I applaud you but this is the furthest you can make. Do your best as I'll be going all out." The veteran mercenary told Theo.
With the referee's signal, Theo attacked without replying.
Most would struggle to keep up with the two swords but with Theo's high perception and stats, he is able to sense where the sword was swinging from and avoided one while parrying the other. Since he would have to fight again for the finals, Theo didn't plan to drag on the match for long, wasting his Stamina.
After a few exchange, Theo aimed at his opponents wrist making Mavick drop his sword one at a time and ended it with his sword pointed at Mavick's neck.
In the private room of a restaurant with a clear view of the match of the plaza,
"He seems faster and stronger than his previous match." a guard next to the crown prince informed him. "It seems like he has yet to show his strength. Do you need me to do something about him, your highness?"
"From his skills, he should a young master of a noble household from the Empire travelling around and having some fun. As long as he doesn't interfere with our plans, just leave him be." The crown prince continued. "He'll leave when he has had his fun. Follow him discreetly when he leaves after the finals and inform me when he has left the capital.
We don't want any issues when we are almost there. Have the people ready when the prize giving ceremony finish, we will act as soon as the fireworks go off."
"Yes your highness." The guard bowed and left.
In the empty room, the crown prince looked at the crowded plaza.
"By this time tomorrow, this kingdom will be mine." The crown prince laughed.
A person wearing a cloak with his face hidden in the hood suddenly appeared next to the crown prince. "Remember to keep the king alive. We will use your brother and force him to tell us where it is. As promised you will have the throne in return for the item."
The crown prince replied respectfully, "I have people stationed near the academy. They will act as soon as the plan begins. I am just worried of Indra who seemed to have came out of nowhere."
"I will have my people following him, you just need to do your part and not mess anything up."
"Yes sir, rest assured I will get everything done."
"Remember, what we give you we can also take back."
The man disappeared like he was never there once the conversation ended.
The crown prince tensed up slightly but relaxed after hearing that Indra would be taken care off by them as he wasn't sure his men was skilled enough to follow Indra.
He wasn't worried about his brother much. According to all the information he had, Max is studying in the academy with the help of the Holdswall County. He didn't have any friends except for his roommate, Theodore Ashwell.
To be extra careful, he made sure to check everything on Theodore and the Ashwell county as well since it would be troubling if the Ashwell household was supporting Max.
From what he could find however, the Ashwell Household didn't seem to know of Max's true identity in the academy, much less his roommate who seemed mediocre at best.
The Ashwell boy's classmates doesn't even know much about him which showed how much he missed his classes and fooled around.
He also had his people investigate Max's schedule. From the information gathered, although Max was only familiar with Theodore Ashwell, he spent most of his time alone in the weekend training.
This proved that he wasn't close enough with Theodore Ashwell to expose his identity or be his support.
His brother would be training alone when the plan takes place. Thinking that he had everything planned out and the only possible deviation, Indra had been settled with their help, the crown price relaxed and enjoyed the show.