Chapter 4

James was sitting in the dining room after four long years and more. He had grown a lot and had the body as he desired. He had made sure to make his hair appear hay blue colour along with his eyes. He had made sure to make changes to his body rather than as an illusion as it could be seen by a powerful mage. He chose hay blue since it was considered of moderate high birth and he did not want to assume pitch black or white which was considered a symbol of royalty or power. He did have a fair skin and now he stood six feet two high and he did know that his body had reached stagnation hence he did not have to change his style after growing up, because now he will not.

He was sitting in a perfect suit for a gentleman in front of Selvin. It appeared as if a master and servant was sitting.

"So, you did grow up, so fast." Selvin said in a hoarse voice.

"Well, time did pass."

"I will soon be executed you know, sent to heaven by my past woman."

"What happened to your sarcasm Selvin?"

"Near death trauma."

"You do know that you can choose to not die and hence live in another household by yourself."

"As if!"

"The rules do state that, men cannot be forced into accepting death and men and women are of equal footing."

"And except the fact of the holy church and the whole kingdom claiming other wise, nothing can be done."

"Well, you can still deny death, don't challenge them."

"Child, I do not have much strength, the mana controlling I learned was mainly only for hunting and is useful only against beasts. Now I do not even have that. People like me can do nothing but die. Maybe you can do something better for yourself but don't do anything for me others."

"Well. The scriptures and philosophy do state that we do not need to be scared of death."

"Really." Said Selvin in a condescending tone.

"Do you fear pain and torture."

"I am a man. I do not fear such things."

"Some things passed down from before the rebellion."

"What?"

"Nothing, think you are going to heaven where you are happy, you do not need to be afraid. Think otherwise, it is just like this earth, you are already suffering. Think there is no afterlife, you will not exist at all to feel sadness or fear. Why then should we fear death when we do not fear pain Selvin."

"Tomorrow is the testing ceremony, hence be ready completely. I have tokens ready; your mother had left everything. Where did you get this dress from?"

"I made it."

"Hope you are ready for tomorrow."

James had returned to the basement and was waiting for the next day to come. He knew how to do nothing and still exist in peace. He did know how to keep his powers in control. He had a ring made ready just in case Selvin had decided to not die and live. The ring would give temporary protection from attacks and would will him slowly to go towards the eastern merchant cities.

After some time Selvin came down.

"James, just know, it is not always good to announce that you have power."

"I know Selvin, I am not interested in dying."

"Someone has come to meet you."

Selvin waited a few seconds then left without James. James went to the dining room sheepishly, just before he reached the hall he straightened and then saw a woman sitting on a seat with two guards on each side. One had a sword and other a shield.

James having learned etiquettes went down and bowed down to the lady and spoke, "O gracious lady, I am humbled by your presence."

"Rise up James and have a seat."

"Nice to meet you lady."

The lady chuckled slightly and then said, "You are a charmer you know that. I am Lady Selena Rookwood. The reigning Lady of House Rookwood."

"Why would you be here lady."

"Well to see you of course. As it seems your mother was my sister. She was Cassandra Rookwood, third daughter of the former Lady Rookwood."

"How nice of you to check upon me My lady but I am sure you wouldn't have coe just for a pleasant chat."

"I would like to claim you under my matronage and make you my daughter's consort. Our house is in Block B and I am pretty sure it would be good James."

"And what If I said no my lady."

The swordsman standing at the right side touched the hilt of the sword in a threatening manner. James looked at the swordsman and smiled.

"It is just a philosophical problem, nothing more."

"Why James, why would be the problem."

"You are the lady of a noble house but you came here asking for my loyalty when you could have sent the guards to have come to your house. You do know my mother and here's what I think. She was really powerful but she was removed to block C but you still knew she was powerful and hence thought I was powerful. You want to claim me and have me serve you but since the lady has come that means the house needs power as much as possible. Unwavering alliances."

"Well partly you are true, but what is the problem James."

"I would like to choose my allegiance after I graduate the academy."

"And you think there would be many waiting for you?"

"no, but I would like to enjoy my freedom than be a toy."

"The Lady of Rookwood only take sone consort that is the husband, we still follow the laws of the old before the rebellion hence we honour the males adequately."

"Still my lady, I will not have any relationship without love."

"Do you know why your mother was kicked out; it was because she fell in love with men."

"Is it because of love or number of men she had fallen for."

"The number."

"Well my lady, how about this, I could become a honorary member and I am even ready to do missions as long as you don't intervene on my studies. You can kick me out whenever you want. I can leave whenever I want even if it is between the missions. I will court your daughter and if we fall in love, we will get married."

"Well James, my daughter Amelia will accept any man I have accepted. So you don't have to worry and she is pretty beautiful too."

"I did not say of only me falling in love with her but also she falling in love with me."

"James, we cannot have everything. How about this after the graduation if you are in love with her you will marry her as long as she accepts you. Don't worry, the heir of Rookwood's chastity is always confirmed before the transfer of head title so there will be no sexual fidelity."

"You do know that final decision is mine here."

"Well yes, but even if you do not like her you will choose to marry her. The world is big and harsh and you will want a strong woman to protect you."

"If you say so my lady."

"I am going to give you the title of knight now, it will make you fit for the only candidate for the positions of consort of Amelia Rookwood. If you get into third tier academy you will be on equal footing as all the female knights and above ever other knight of below tiers, even the ladies."

"Well lady, let's per say I get into first tier, then."

"You will be on equal footing with knights of first tier except the ladies who will be above you."

"what happens if decided to leave after graduating, will my knighthood go."

"Well yes."

James knew this was false, he knew the fact that all titles after graduation even granted from previous houses shall remain as was obtained through academy.

"Well James, you can call me Selena. Now kneel." James knelt in front of Selena.

"On the power of the queendom of Fenrir, as the spoils of the great rebellion, I grant thee knighthood. Say your name ser."

James did not know what to do. He did not know whether the procedures for the women and the men were the same. He said,

"O great lady, I Ser James Rooky humbly accepts the title."

James then stood up. Two stars formed on the back of his hand. Both the guards kneeled before James and then stood and returned to his post.

"Now James, you can come to the home with me. I am going to provide you with money and weapons and servants to take to the academy. Since you are a male knight whether a weapons knight or wizard knight you will be terrible mistrusted as you have the beast of man inside you. You will make a big target since your status so you have to be trained."

"Well Selena, I wanted to be a wizard."

"I don't know much as I am a healer and a swordsman, all the Lady Rookwoods are such. Selvin, what about you."

Selvin came forward from the corner he was standing and bowed before James.

"Ser James Rooky, I would like to not die and be a traveler. I have yet to live my life."

Selena took a token and gave it to Selvin. Selena looked at James. He understood he was supposed to give a parting gift. He took the room out of his pouch and gave it to Selvin. Selvin gave three tokens for the exam to James and he kept it in his pouch.

"So that was why you were confidant. We are moving James."