Chapter 31 - Second Year

Wesley continued probing and experimenting with the capabilities of his sword for two more weeks. During this time, although he refined and practiced his sword techniques, most of his focus remained on understanding the intricacies of his sword.

Through countless experiments, Wesley discovered a few more things about the sword. First, the amount of dark elements stored within the sword had an upper limit, meaning Wesley needed to know exactly how many times he could use Dark Port without running dry in the middle of a fight.

Second, the amount of dark elements he could withdraw from the sword depended on the amount of mana he was willing to expend. This meant that, while Wesley could use Dark Port instantaneously and without incantations, he still needed to monitor his mana reserves carefully.

Despite how often Wesley pondered the sword’s origins, he found them unfathomable. After spending two weeks probing and testing the sword in every way he could imagine, he finally gave up trying to decipher its history or understand how it was created. He made a mental note to ask his master about it when they next met.

Setting the mystery aside, Wesley resumed his training in the basement. However, given the sword’s immense value, he wasn’t willing to use it carelessly to practice swordsmanship. He instructed Lane to have a similar sword forged for his daily training needs.

- - - - - - - -

Currently two white people, a man and a women, were walking shoulder to shoulder on the streets of the Seventh District looking around in a confused manner as if the they have never seen such a dirty and poor place before.

The woman whose nose was scrounged a the smells that were around her looked at the man next to her and spoke in a hushed voice:

"Cal, are you sure this is the correct place. I don't think a student from our academy could be living in such a place."

The man's expression also showed his disgust, but it didn’t show as much as it did on the women. He looked at the women as she spoke and replied in an equally hushed voice:

"I also think it might be a mistake. But we can't return without verifying."

They continued walking deeper and deeper into the seventh district, and the deeper they went the more their surroundings decreased in quality and the more they stood out with their spotless white ropes and pretty faces.

After almost ten minutes of walking, they arrived in front of a gray walled Manor that seemed to not belong in this god forsaken place. In front of the Manor's entrance stood two green clothed guards with swords on their hips and shields on their backs.

Seeing the majestic Manor and the guards who stood at its gates, the two people rejoiced as knew they have reached their destination. They immediately walked towards the entrance of the Manor and stopped five feet away from the entrance. The women was the one to speak first with a lofty and proud voice:

"We are here to see someone named Wesley. Tell him we are from the Four Moons Royal Academy."

The two guards looked at each other, and then one of them walked into the Manor while the other turned to the two white robed people and spoke in a professional voice that was neither condescending nor subservient:

"The young Master will come and receive you shortly. Please wait a moment."

The man and women looked at each other surprised at the guards words. Could this Wesley be some sort of high noble, but why would a high noble live in the middle of this cesspool. Their faces showed their surprise but neither of them said anything and just stood there.

A few minutes later, the green clothed guard returned and the spoke in a similarly monotone voice as the other guard.

"Please follow me in."

The guard immediately turned around and walked in. The man and women looked at each other once more, then immediately proceeded to follow the guard in.

As soon as they walked in, they couldn’t help but be astonished at how beautiful the Manor front yard was. The pathway to the main Manor was made of stone that was wide enough for two people to walk side by side, as for the surrounds, they were filled with all kinds of followers and plants. Looking at the breathtaking scenery around them, the man and woman couldn’t help but be astonished at what kind of person this Wesley was.

Before they even knew it, the two of them reached the entrance to the main Manor. At the entrance stood a young dark robed youth with shoulder long dark hair. His facial features were well defined, but considering his age, he was most certainly going to be a handsome man when he grows.

The guard immediately bowed respectfully to the youth and left, leaving the two, man and woman, standing there without a thing to say. The youth looked at the two with a faint smile and spoke in a small, yet mature voice:

"You must be from the Academy. Please come in, we'll prepare some refreshments and the Master will be with you shortly."

The two couldn't believe their ears, they had expected this youth to be Wesley, but he turned out to be some other servant. How many servants would they need to meet before they can be received by this Wesley. The white robed man, Cal, couldn’t help but speak in an annoyed manner:

"How long do we have to wait for this master of yours. Tell him to come meet with us immediately."

The dark robed youth only continued smiling as if he didn’t even care about the man's annoyance and spoke again:

"I was told that you arrived only minutes ago, my apologies if you have waited for long. Please come in, I will immediately inform master of your arrival."

The youth's words caused Cal to become exceedingly embarrassed. They have indeed arrived only a few minutes ago, however, the frustration from their walk through the seventh district and the shock of this Manor made it seem like they have waited for a long time.

While Cal was wallowing in his embarrassment, the white robed women was the one to reply and they immediately followed the dark robed youth to a study. The study was filled to the brim with thousands of books and there were books laying in various places giving it a feeling of being used often.

After they were seated the dark robed youth order some maids to bring refreshments to the two guest and proceeded to leave the study.

- - - - - - - - - - -

Wesley was currently sitting crossed-legged on his bed surrounded by darkness as he refined mana while expanding it through his Dark Domain. His sword was also fly all around the basement.

Wesley's control of his sword using Dark Domain has reached a high level, and although his sword cannot leave the range of his Domain, it could move extremely fast while within it. This gave Wesley's Dark Domain tremendous application during battles.

Suddenly a knock came from the entrance to the basement. Wesley was somewhat surprised since he has instructed Lane to not disturb him unless there was an emergency. Lane has heeded his order well and has never disturbed Wesley during those weeks, meaning that there was something important that required his attention.

Wesley immediately canceled his Dark Domain, sheathed his sword and walked towards the door. After opening the door, Wesley Found Lane standing there.

"Lane, what is the matter."

"Master. There are people from the Academy here to see you."

Wesley was surprised that there are people from the academy in his residence. He felt that something was not right, but he simply could put his finger around it. He looked at Lane and said:

"I see. Let's find out what they want."

"Yes master."

Wesley immediately walked towards the study and Lane followed quietly. After getting to the study Wesley immediately walked in and saw a white robed man and women sitting to the side while sipping some drinks.

As soon as Wesley walked in, the man and women immediately looked up from their drinks. They were startled to find a gray clothed youth with blue hair and green eyes walking towards the Master's seat. What surprised them even more was that this youth's complexion was deathly pale as if he had no blood flowing through his veins, as well as a dark scar that ran from his left next to the lower part of his left jaw.

If the first youth gave them a refreshing feeling with his sharp features and calm face, the this other youth gave them a subconscious feeling of dread that caused them to feel stifled without knowing why.

Wesley simply ignored their looks and took his seat with Lane standing behind him. He then looked at the white robed duo and spoke in a firm, business like voice:

"My name is Wesley. How may I help you."

The man and woman were both quiet for a while. They simply had too many things running through their minds to reply, but after a short while, the woman was able to shake off her distracting thoughts and spoke:

"We...We are from the Academy. We are here to verify your return for a second school year as well as remind you that you are to report to the academy at the beginning of next week for the start of the term."

"Is that so. Is every student informed in person."

Wesley had some doubts that the academy would send two people to inform every student when they can do the same thing by sending a letter through a courier. Yet they not only sent someone to inform him, but they actually sent two, something was amiss.

The two people were confused by Wesley's question, but they woman replied nonetheless:

"No, every student is not informed in person."

Wesley's eyes narrowed slightly as he was not convinced by the none answer that he received.

"Then why am I being informed in person."

"We are not aware with the reason. We are simply messengers. Now, are you going to return to the academy for a second year?"

Wesley's mind was filled by questions, but he knew he wasn’t going to find the answers from these two so he simply let it go and spoke:

"Yes, I will."

"Good. Here's your new identification tablet as well as your second year uniform. Please remember that you must report to the academy next week, absence will not be tolerated."

The women produced a folded red shirt and pants with a small rectangular tablet on top. Lane immediately walked forward to accept the things, then placed it in front of Wesley. Wesley spoke again:

"Is that all?"

"Yes, that is all"

"Then excuse me. Lane, see our guests out"

"Yes Master."

Wesley immediately got up and left the room. This was against everything Wesley was taught of etiquette as a prince, but he cared very little for the Academy and those who represent it, so he wasted no effort in being cordial or welcoming. He immediately headed to the kitchen to get something to eat.

Lane came to the kitchen after a few minutes and told him that the two have left. Wesley only nodded as he continued eating while Lane waited near him. After he was done with his eating, he turned to Lane and spoke:

"Did I miss anything this last month."

"Aside from us finally gaining control of the last two small businesses we loaned gold to, nothing of worth happened."

"Oh. How are those businesses, are they profitable?"

"Currently Master, they are in dire straits, but if we provide them with more funds and have them work in conjunction with those five big businesses, then they should prove to be rather profitable."

"I see. I'll let you arrange it. How are the owners of the businesses dealing with us gaining control?"

"They were all reluctant, However, since we are not interfering with their management and even helping them make more profits, they are starting to became more used to the idea."

"That's good. Did you find a school you want to attend yet."

Lane's was immediately flushed with excitement as soon as Wesley asked the question, he has been looking forward to going to school, but didn’t know how to approach the topic.

"Yes Master. The treasury department has an affiliated school that I am interested in."

"Oh, the treasury department?"

Wesley was somewhat worried about letting Lane be two close to the central government that is controlled by the four families, but he was not going to hinder Lane's growth because of fear. He would almost make some preparation so that Lane is safe and take care of the four families before anything happens.

"Good, You should apply. It will benefit you greatly."

"Yes Master."

"I'll go sleep for a while. I am somewhat tired."

- - - - - - - -

[Four days later]

A red-clothed Wesley, with two dark swords hanging neatly from his left hip, was currently walking toward the entrance of the Four Moons Royal Academy. Wesley's face was emotionless; he held no feelings of sentiment or longing for this place. Aside from his desire to learn and his master's orders, Wesley had no other reason to bother showing up.

Hundreds of blue-robed students were entering, their faces showing a mixture of nervous excitement and confusion. The admission examination had taken place a few days ago, and today marked the entrance ceremony for the first years, explaining the steady stream of blue-robed students pouring through the academy gates.

There were also dozens of red-robed students, like Wesley, mixed among the newcomers. These second-year students were reporting in for their first day to receive class schedules and meet their instructors. The blue-robed first-years gazed at the red-robed students with awe and respect, making way for them.

As for those who saw Wesley—his deathly pale face, his dark scar, and his cold, aloof demeanor—they subconsciously stepped aside, unwilling to be within three feet of him. Wesley, however, seemed oblivious, continuing forward without acknowledgment.

Wesley wasn’t purposefully trying to appear intimidating; rather, his pale appearance, the result of spending a month in the basement, combined with his dark scar and his detached gaze, gave him the unsettling look of a walking corpse.

As he reached the entrance, a white-robed man stood directing the new students toward the hall where the welcome ceremony would be held. Upon seeing Wesley approach, the man straightened and spoke respectfully:

“Second-year students are to report to the second floor of the arcade building to receive their schedules.”

“Thank you.”

Wesley uttered the words and moved on, while the white-robed man stood for a moment, stunned by Wesley’s intense presence before shaking himself out of his stupor.

Upon reaching the main Academic Hall, Wesley joined a dozen or so students waiting in an orderly line in front of a desk where a white-robed woman sat. When it was his turn, she looked up at him and, slightly startled, said:

"Identification tablet."

The white-robed woman was the same one who had notified Wesley a few days ago, so she recognized him. He took out the small rectangular tablet from his pocket and handed it to her without a word.

With slightly trembling hands, she took the tablet and, after a few seconds, pulled a piece of paper from a folder and handed both the paper and tablet back to Wesley, instructing him:

"Please head straight to your classes."

“Thank you.”

Wesley was about to walk away when something on the paper caught his attention. There were five classes listed: History, Geography, Strategy and Tactics, Light Magic, and Swordsmanship. However, Light Magic and Swordsmanship were written in blue ink, while the others were in red, signifying that he would be retaking these two classes.

What shocked Wesley was that, although he knew he’d failed Light Magic, Swordsmanship was now marked as well. His complexion paled even more as he realized the implication: the monstrous Second Elder had failed him.

Turning to the white-robed woman, who was eyeing him with mild confusion, Wesley spoke in an equally puzzled tone:

"This schedule is wrong."

"Oh... is it someone else’s?"

"No."

"Then why is it wrong?"

"It says I’m taking first-year Swordsmanship, but I should be taking second-year Swordsmanship. This is clearly a mistake."

"Oh... let me check."

She flipped through the folder in front of her, while Wesley silently hoped this was just an error. Another year with that terrifying instructor might very well lead to his early demise.

"It appears there is no mistake."

Wesley felt dizzy as the woman confirmed his worst fear.

"Isn’t there something you can do?"

By this point, Wesley was grasping at straws; he knew there was likely nothing she could do, yet he couldn’t resign himself to this fate. The woman looked at him, a hint of impatience in her expression, and replied:

"There’s nothing I can do. You can talk to the teacher if you have any grievances. Next."

Wesley could hardly believe what was happening. His heart was filled with dread and frustration. Why must he spend another year around that dreaded monster? He had somehow survived an entire year with that man, and now he was being sentenced to endure it all over again. Whose luck could possibly be this terrible?

"Please move along. I need to assist the other students."

Slowly, Wesley walked away from the desk, struggling to comprehend how his luck could be so wretched.