"Alright, my dear, since you promised, your father and I will tell you about the Valenmont family," said my father, his tone serious.
Father and mother began to tell me about that family.
"The Valenmont family is one of the four great noble families in this kingdom. They are known for creating many powerful sorcerers. The head of the family, Celestine Valenmont, is a cunning and deceitful woman. She won't hesitate to eliminate anyone who becomes their enemy," my father said, his tone extremely serious.
Still confused about my father's explanation and wondering what the Valenmont family had to do with them, I asked.
"But, Dad, I still don't understand what the Valenmont family has to do with you both," I asked, full of curiosity.
Father answered my question.
"Patience, my dear. I haven't finished telling you everything. Once, I was one of Celestine's trusted men. I always followed her orders, whether it was to kill people, threaten them, or torture them. Then, one day, I met your mother. Your mother was the only daughter of the Ardyn family. Eventually, Celestine ordered me to massacre that family. I followed her orders well until only one person was left..." Father said.
"And that person... is mom?" I asked.
"Yes, you are correct. It was your mother. At first, I planned to kill her too, but suddenly, I stopped. I saw a letter placed on a table, asking me to spare your mother's life because she was the only child of the Ardyn family," Father continued.
Curious, I asked again about the contents of that letter.
"What did the letter say that made you spare mom's life?" I asked.
After I asked, my mother suddenly took out the letter that made my father stop from killing her, and the contents were as follows:
"We know the end is near, but we beg... save our daughter. She is innocent. She has never been involved in this feud. She deserves to live—and love."
"So, grandpa and grandma knew they were going to die, huh? That's why they asked you to spare mom's life," I said.
"Yes, you're right, my dear. Your father spared your mother's life after reading that letter," my mother said.
Then, I asked father about what happened after he spared mom's life.
"So, Dad, what happened after you spared mom's life?" I asked, full of curiosity.
Father answered my question with a heavy tone.
"After I spared your mother's life, I was expelled from the Valenmont family. They even erased the Valenmont name from my name. Since that day, I have used the name Adryn, the same surname as your mother," Father said.
"Oh, so that's why. So, Dad still holds a grudge against the Valenmont family?" I asked.
"At first, yes. But after living with your mother for a few years, I forgot about it because our peaceful life was much more important than revenge. Then you were born, and you added another happiness to our lives," Father said.
Upon hearing Father's words, I was a little moved.
Then, my mother suddenly gave me a message, asking me not to seek revenge on that family.
"My dear, after hearing this story, we hope you won't let your grudge towards that family interfere with your entrance exam tomorrow. And if you still insist on seeking revenge, you should wait until you have enough strength for it. I know you can use magic without incantations, something no other world can do, but the Valenmont family is very strong," Mother said.
"Your mother is right, son. I heard that they've shortened their incantations, though not as fast as you, they are still stronger than you are now," Father said.
I was surprised by their words, as if they knew what I was planning. I responded to them.
"Alright, Dad, Mom, I promise I won't be reckless and will wait until I have enough power to seek revenge," I said.
"Good, my dear. Now let's continue our dinner and you should rest up. Tomorrow is an important day for you," my mother said.
"Alright, Mom," I replied.
We three continued our peaceful dinner.
After such a calm dinner, I returned to my room to rest because tomorrow was an important day.
Before going to sleep, I spoke to myself.
"Just wait, Valenmont family. The former strongest mage will avenge my parents," I said in a low voice.
Meanwhile, at the Valenmont family's residence:
Celestine Valenmont, the head of the Valenmont family, was sitting in her chair while listening to reports from her spies, whom she had sent to watch over my parents.
"Oh, so their child, Kael, will be enrolling at Stellaris Academy?" Celestine said.
"Yes, Matriarch. Their child will be enrolling at Stellaris Academy tomorrow morning," the spy responded.
Though Celestine was cunning and cold, there was only one person she truly cared about—my father. He was the only one who entertained her, and the one she trusted more than anyone else in the family, even before he was expelled. She had secretly sent some help to my parents so they could live peacefully.
"Interesting. Alright, continue monitoring them. Don't let them know, and if possible, help their son pass the entrance exam," Celestine ordered.
"Understood, Matriarch," the spy replied.
In the blink of an eye, the spy disappeared from in front of Celestine.
"Leon, Claire, I hope you can live in peace, and Kael... let's see how strong you are as Leon's son," Celestine mused to herself.
After that thought, she returned to her duties as the head of the family.
The next day, I prepared to go to the entrance exam for Stellaris Academy.
"Clothes? Check. Money? Check. Now, just leave," I said, full of excitement.
"Have you checked everything? No clothes left behind? Money enough? Remember, if you fail, you have to come home immediately," my mother said, concerned.
Father, who was beside my mother, tried to calm her down.
"Don't worry, dear. He's our greatest son, right? And he's not a little child anymore," Father said.
"B-but, I'm still worried. What if he encounters a monster or a robber on the way?" my mother said.
Hearing her words, I tried to reassure her.
"Don't worry, Mom. I'm Kael Adryn, the greatest son of Leon and Claire. So, don't worry, Mom, I'll be fine," I said.
Finally, my mother seemed to calm down after hearing my words.
"Alright, I'm just being overly worried. Take care on the road, and remember to send us a letter when you arrive. Also, remember our message," my mother said.
"Alright, Mom," I replied.
After saying goodbye, I quickly boarded the horse-drawn carriage my father had arranged for me.
Will Kael succeed in his exam? What will happen if they find out that Kael doesn't use incantations when casting magic? Will he meet someone at the academy? Will he notice the spies Celestine sent to watch him? Stay tuned for next Chapter.