The towering figure of Principal Valerius blocked the library exit.
He looked down, his heavy, sharp eyes scanning Alaric from head to toe. A flicker of genuine surprise crossed the old man’s face. He seemed to be measuring Alaric, not just his mana, but his physical presence.
"You are smaller than I expected," Valerius muttered, almost to himself. "So young. Such a slight build for someone causing this much noise."
Alaric straightened his posture. "Principal Valerius."
"You know who I am?"
"I remember you from the entrance conference, Sir," Alaric replied respectfully.
Valerius nodded slowly. "Are you Alaric? The one from the fallen region of Horsin?"
"Yes, Sir."
"Good," Valerius grunted. He turned on his heel, gesturing for Alaric to follow. "Come to my office. We have important matters to discuss."
Alaric followed the Principal through the administrative corridors. The few students still wandering the halls froze and bowed as Valerius passed, terrified of the man's aura.
They entered the office. It was exactly as Alaric thought….smelling of old leather and tobacco. Valerius walked behind his mahogany desk but didn't sit. He leaned against it, crossing his arms.
"I will be brief," Valerius said. "You know I am the Principal. But before that, I was the Commander of the Royal Knight Order of Shershia. And by blood, I am a cousin to the Duke of Larethin."
Alaric nodded. He knew the Larethin name. They were the dominant power in the region where his orphanage, Saint Elyss’s Rest, was located.
"You have caught the Duke's eye, boy," Valerius said, his voice dropping an octave. "Duke Larethin is interested in you."
Alaric’s breath hitched. He remembered Lucia saying people were talking about him, but a Duke? That was the highest tier of nobility below the Crown.
"The Duke has authorized me to make you an offer," Valerius continued. "Wardship. If you accept, you will be taken under the Larethin name. You will be granted the rights of a noble within this Academy immediately, meaning you can move into the Noble Quarter, away from the crowded dorms. And upon graduation, you will be guaranteed a position as an officer in the Duke's personal Knight Order."
Alaric stood stunned.
Noble rights. A private room. A guaranteed career. It was a golden ticket.
"Furthermore," Valerius added, playing his trump card, "Since you come from the Larethin territory, and your orphanage is under our jurisdiction... we thought you might be fond of that place. As a ward, you would have the resources to ensure your 'family' there is well taken care of."
Alaric went silent. He thought about Sister Elaine, Lia, and the others. The offer was incredibly tempting. It solved the financial problem of the church. It gave him protection.
But then, he thought about the cost.
This story originates from Royal Road. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there.
Wardship means ownership.
If he accepted, he would belong to the Duke. His sword would belong to the Duke. His revenge, his goals, his life, all would be secondary to the Larethin agenda.
"I..." Alaric started, his voice hesitant. "I am not sure about it now, Sir. I think... I would prefer to decide after I graduate from the Academy."
Valerius frowned, his eyes narrowing. He stepped forward, his aura flaring slightly with agitation.
"Boy, do you understand what you are rejecting?" Valerius demanded. "Duke Larethin is offering you a path to nobility. If you perform well, he could recommend you to the King for a title. This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. Commoners kill for this chance."
Alaric looked at the floor, then raised his head to meet the Principal's gaze.
"I am just a commoner, Sir," Alaric said, his voice steady. "And as a commoner, I want to stay that way. For now."
"You refuse power?"
"I refuse politics," Alaric corrected. "I don't want to sacrifice my freedom right now. I want to learn, to grow, and to see where I stand on my own two feet. I will make my choice when I am ready."
He bowed deeply. "I am sorry, Principal Valerius. And thank you."
Alaric turned and walked out of the room before Valerius could stop him.
The door clicked shut.
Valerius stood alone in the dim office, staring at the closed door. He was stunned. A peasant orphan had just rejected a Duchy point-blank, without even asking for time to negotiate.
Then, a rumble started in his chest.
"Hah... Hahaha!"
Valerius threw his head back and laughed hysterically.
"That boy..." Valerius wiped a tear from his eye, his expression shifting from amusement to something sharper. "He will be something. I'm sure of it. I looked into his eyes... he wasn't scared. He was calculating. He was trying to figure out the catch."
Valerius grinned into the empty room. "What a dangerous thing."
Outside the office, Alaric leaned against the stone wall, his legs trembling.
He let out a nervous, breathy laugh of relief.
If he wanted I would be dead , I can feel it!!
"I actually did it," he whispered.
He was terrified. Rejecting a Duke wasn't just rude; it was dangerous. It could destroy his career before it started. Or worse, it could put a target on his back.
But I had to do it.
He pushed himself off the wall and began walking down the hallway.
To get what I want... to get revenge for my parents and safeguard the orphanage... I can't be a dog on a leash.
He clenched his fists.
I can't be bound by a single noble. I have to live freely. I need authority that belongs to me, not borrowed from someone else. That is the only way.
Alaric returned to Room 204.
The room was quiet. Jarik was lying on his bed, a book resting on his chest. He looked up as Alaric entered, noticing the pale complexion and the slight shake in Alaric’s hands.
"What happened to you?" Jarik asked, sitting up. "You look like a nervous wreck."
Alaric paused, hanging his coat on the rack. He couldn't tell them. Not yet.
"No, nothing," Alaric lied smoothly. "I am just very tired. I think I'll sleep early."
"Sleep?" Jarik scoffed. "You can't sleep on an empty stomach. We should go get dinner first."
Silan looked up from his desk, and Darsia nodded from his bed. "I'm hungry too."
"Fine," Alaric smiled, the tension in his shoulders loosening. "Let's eat."
As they walked down the hallway toward the cafeteria, the mood lightened.
"By the way," Alaric said, a mischievous glint in his eye. "I'm going to start researching mana potions. Since I can't afford the ingredients, I'm going to experiment with water."
He looked at Jarik. "I'll need test subjects."
Jarik stopped walking. He held up his hands in a cross, shaking his head violently.
"No. Absolutely not," Jarik said, backing away. "I have no wish to die young. Ask Darsia!"
"Don't look at me!" Darsia laughed.
Alaric chuckled, and soon the four of them were laughing, the heavy shadow of the Duke's offer fading into the noise of the Academy night.
? AUTHOR'S NOTE ?
Dear Beloved Readers,
GRATITUDE to each and every one of you for taking the time to read my humble work. Your presence on this journey means more to me than words could ever express.
?? YOUR VOICE MATTERS ??
REVIEW my novel and share your thoughts
COMMENT on chapters with your honest critiques
GROW as a writer with your feedback
REACH OUT if you encounter any problems or have concerns
precious gift that helps me improve and create a better story for you. Don't hesitate to point out any issues — your honesty is invaluable to me.
Thank You Once Again
Please stay with me on this journey until the very end ?
The Author