Albert Castle is one of the three castles belonging to the three great families of the kingdom. In the Ngola kingdom, the power structure was as follows: the King of the kingdom and the royal family are considered the highest power. Their words are considered laws or decrees. Below the royal family, come the three great families.
The three great families are influential and very powerful, they control the three largest armies in the kingdom, each of the three great families has in its possession resources, power and status that are only suppressed by the royal family.
The power of the three great families was enough to create a small kingdom respectively, seven affiliated kingdoms of level 1 or 2 at most, so their prestige in the kingdom was enormous.
Below the three great families come the 18 lords, the Ngola Kingdom is divided into 19 provinces, with the exception of the capital of the kingdom, each of the 18 lords has in his possession a province and his own army, for the protection of his province, in level of power and status, the lords only lose to the three great families and the royal family.
Below the lords come the nobles with titles and territories, they serve the lords by controlling plots of land, each titled noble has in his possession a region of a providence, due to the great extension of a providence, it is divided into several regions, which are placed in the care of the titled nobles.
Below the titled nobles are the untitled nobles, below them come the merchant families, and below them come the guilds.
Below the royal family of the kingdom are the three great families, the leaders of these families are granted the titles of princes of the kingdom.
***
In the castle of the Albert family, Fernando Venhorst, was in a majestic living room, the decoration of the room was in a light red tone, the curtains red with white stripes, in the center of the room, there was a statue of a golden crow, the crow seemed to be alive looking at everyone with the nobility of a royal being.
A maid dressed in black and white, she carried an attractive and composed figure, her evolution level was high enough to be a diamond-level adventurer, she gracefully and delicately served a cup of tea to Sir Fernando Venhorst.
Fernando tasted the tea nobly and nodded imperceptibly, he put down the cup, — Lord Fernando, what a surprise — a male voice, soft and elegant, sounded from behind the entrance of the room. The voice sent to Prince Leonel Albert, the greatest researcher of the Ngola kingdom, respected and adored by women inside and outside the kingdom.
Prince Leonel Albert, had a beautiful masculine figure, his hair and eyes were red, he had a triangular chin, white teeth and smooth skin like a woman's, he wore red robes with gold embroidered on the edges of his graceful robe, on his right chest of his robe could be seen a golden crow.
Fernando stood up and bowed slightly, with a voice that was neither servile nor arrogant he said, — Greetings, Prince Leonel Albert — Leonel returned Fernando's greeting with the courtesy of a prince of the kingdom.
Prince Leonel Albert sat down and gestured for Fernando to sit down too, after which he dismissed the maid, leaving only the two of them in the room.
— Lord Fernando, after several years we meet again — Leonel Albert said with a friendly smile on his face.
— Well, it's been a while, Prince Leonel Albert — said Fernando.
— Lord Fernando, you did me a great favor in the past, so much so that I even feel indebted to you, as such I consider you a benefactor friend, how about we leave the honorific terms behind, — said Leonel Albert, with a wave of his hand a cup of tea appeared in his hand, he filled it with tea and took a sip.
— If the Prince, Leonel Albert, so wishes, so it shall be — Fernando replied with a smile.
— Very well, being that my friend Fernando, what brings you to my residence? — asked Leonel.
In Leonel Albert's mind, he held this Territory Lord, Fernando Venhorst, in high regard. At first glance, this lord seemed simple, however, Leonel Albert was a cunning fox, he knew how to recognize his fellow man from miles away.
In the past, the favor that this territory lord did to Leonel Albert was something that even the royal family had to spend great effort to obtain. A superior ice attribute core was something that could not be found in the Ngola kingdom, but this territory lord possessed not one but 5 of them.
As if that wasn't enough, this same Lord managed to acquire a top-level matrix from the royal family, the matrix of life. Leonel Albert knew very well how important this matrix was, because it was created by him and his brilliant disciple, Geremia, an envoy of the royal family.
Leonel Albert decided to pay close attention to this territory lord, the fact that Fernando was a superior being did not worry Leonel Albert in the least, this was because he was a superior being too and much stronger than Fernando.
— Prince Leonel, or rather Mr. Leonel...— Fernando was interrupted as he spoke. — Just call me Albert — said Leonel Albert.
— Albert, today I came to ask for your help, a matter related to my son— Fernando said with a worried look on his face.
— Your son? What do you hear? — asked Leonel Albert.
— I need your help with my son's evolution ritual — said Fernando.
Leonel Albert frowned for a moment, "Evolution ritual? Why bother with such a small matter? You are a superior being, why don't you do it yourself?" Leonel Albert asked, showing his displeasure.
Fernando smiled bitterly, — Albert, if it weren't for something complex I wouldn't be here today, my son was born with a singularity that I can't decipher or explain — said Fernando.
— A singularity?— Leonel thought for a moment and asked.
— Yes, I can't say much about it, as a return for the previous favor I have some requests to make — Fernando said with seriousness on his face.
— Very well, Fernando, what are your requests? — Leonel asked, his face becoming slightly serious.
— For my first request, I would like to sign a confidentiality agreement, for my second request, I would like to take you to do my son's ritual and for my last request, it will be said after the confidentiality agreement is signed. — Fernando expressed his request.
Leonel Albert put his hand on his chin and pondered for 2 minutes, Fernando did not disturb him, he just remained silent. Because there was nothing against his interests.
— Okay, we can make the confidentiality agreement — Leonel said with a calm face, Fernando sighed inwardly.
— If you allow me, I will start the contract, — Fernando did not wait for an answer, he took a magic parchment, called a contract sheet, with his own blood, Fernando wrote the clauses of the contract, and then he passed the sheet to Leonel Albert.
Albert read the contract carefully, the clauses were simple, it only said that everything related to John Venhorst would be kept secret, Leonel was not allowed to directly or indirectly disclose any related information, Leonel Albert activated the Contract with his blood.
After signing, the contract turned into a beam of light and entered Fernando and Leonel Albert's bodies, thus the contract was signed, whoever broke the contract would be severely punished or could even be killed by the contract.
— Very well, Fernando, now you can make your third request.—
— Yes, but before that, I have to make the situation clear— Fernando said seriously.
Fernando told Leonel Albert everything he knew about John's uniqueness, which wasn't much. He told him in detail what happened at John's birth, as well as what Catarina had said about the sea of the soul. He only left out the fact that John was from another world, because he didn't really believe in it.
Leonel calmly listened to Fernando's story, he frowned a few times throughout the story, but that was all, after Fernando finished the story Leonel Albert said, — An incredible story, Fernando, I confess I've never heard anything like it— Leonel smiled as he said.
— Well, for my third request, I would like your help to find out more about my son's uniqueness — Fernando asked with a smile that didn't look like a smile.
— Very well, my friend Fernando, I will help you with your son, when can that be? — asked Leonel Albert.
— I intend to send my son to the institute, so it has to be as soon as possible — said Fernando.
—How old is your son? — asked Albert.
— My son is 8 years old now — replied Fernando.
— An evolution ritual that takes 8 years — Leonel Albert smiled and continued, — for others it might be risky, but for me it's as easy as drinking water — Leonel said with a confident look on his face, after all he was the greatest expert in the kingdom.
— I am reassured to hear this from the great researcher of the kingdom, —.
Fernando and Leonel Albert talked about several other matters related to the kingdom, they touched on several important subjects, they talked until the end of the day, as a conclusion of their conversation, Leonel Albert would follow Fernando to the Venhorst Territory in 3 months.
***
The next day.
Venhorst Territory.
The morning sun shone, on the plains, on the west side of Venhorst Castle Felicia was teaching John the basics of the art of the sea-splitting sword, he held a wooden sword and clumsily copied Felicia's movements, they were simple but difficult to replicate, every five movements John replicated two or three perfectly.
For John the theoretical part was too vague and abstract to understand, words like feel the sea, embrace the sea, become the sea and divide the sea, had no meaning for John, so he preferred to learn only physical moments with the sword and when he had evolved, he focused on understanding the principles behind the art.
In the middle of the training a figure took shape and walked towards the two, it was Ceto the butler of the Venhorst family, he bowed slightly to the two, — Young man, the region leaders, Kassandra and Barbara have arrived — Said Ceto, John nodded — Alright Ceto, I'll be with them in a little while, make them comfortable — said John.
— As you wish, young man — Ceto bowed slightly and left the way he came, the two, Felícia and John, resumed training, they spent another half hour practicing the first movement of the sea-dividing sword.
After training, John took a shower preparing to receive the two leaders, he went to the castle balcony and asked Ceto to bring the visitors, it didn't take long and Ceto returned, behind him four figures could be seen, John recognized only two of them, Barbara one and Kassandra.
The other two who were following the leaders, John had no idea who they were, behind Barbara there was a boy about ten years old, he had a strong, muscular appearance despite his age, he was wearing hunting clothes, on top of his head long curved horns could be seen, he was a semi-human, a cross between a man and a bull.
The girl behind Kassandra looked to be around ten to eleven years old, she was a beautiful little girl with a cute appearance, she wore a blue dress, a piece of leather armor protected her upper body, she had a fair skin tone, her eyes and hair were blue in color, just like Kassandra the girl was of the human race.
As soon as everyone reached the balcony, the two leaders Kassandra and Barbara bowed, the boys behind them followed suit and bowed as well, "Greetings, young lord," each of the four said these words, John accepted the greetings with a slight nod.
John gestured for them to sit down, "Ceto, send someone to get us something to drink," John asked Ceto.
John looked at the two people he didn't know, lingering his eyes a little longer on
Girl behind Kassandra, John looked at the leaders with a questioning look, without needing words the two realized what John wanted to know.
Barbara One stood up and proudly said — Young lord, this is Bo Barbaro, a young genius of the Barbara Bo tribe — Barbara One introduced with her rough voice, the young Bo Barbaro puffed out his chest, proudly said — Bo Barbaro, pay respects to the young lord — said Bo Barbaro, John nodded and almost laughed inside at this strange behavior.
Kassandra also stood up, looked at the girl and said — This is Beatriz Kissame, the genius of the water clan — the girl bowed slightly with an air that was not servile but not arrogant — Beatriz Kisame, pay respects to the young lord — Beatriz spoke without any sense of pride.
— Very well, you may resume your seats — John said, he wondered why these leaders brought their young geniuses before him.
— Young lord — Barbarian One caught John's attention, he looked at Barbarian One, — Chief of the tribe, if it's about the matter of the golden hummingbird, you don't need to worry, I already have a satisfactory solution for both of you — John said showing a smile, Barbarian One, a little embarrassed said, — Well, Young lord, about that I have a counter proposal —
John frowned, he wondered what this leader had planned, after all he already had an ending in mind — Chief of the tribe, what would be your opinion? — John asked with an inquiring face, Barbarian One smiled — Young lord, being still young and destined for greatness, as the future lord of the territory, I believe that the young man will need strong and faithful warriors — said Barbarian One, with his rough voice.
John nodded, gesturing for Barbarian One to continue, "Bo Barbarian is still young and full of potential, if the young lord takes him as his personal warrior, I believe Bo Barbarian will not disappoint him." Barbara One looked at John to see his reaction, when he detected nothing, he continued nervously, "Young lord, Bo Barbarian is still young, but he is already a newly evolved Primary being," Barbarian One said.
THE
John nodded but didn't answer, he looked at Kassandra and asked, "Matriarch of the clan, is there anything you have to say?" John asked with a smile, Kassandra also smiled, "Young Lord, my request is no different from that of the chief of the Barbarian One tribe, Beatrice is a very talented young lady, I fear that her potential is being wasted in the Water Clan," Kassandra looked at John, paused for a moment, and then continued.
—Well, if the young lord is willing to accept Beatriz and nurture her properly, I believe the young man will have a fine powerhouse under his command in the future— Kassandra kept a smile on her face.
John smiled, "Tribe chief, clan matriarch, your requests are indeed reasonable, as the future lord I will certainly have to build my own forces," John paused for a moment, looking at the reaction of the two leaders who seemed happy, "However," John's tone of voice changed, the two leaders frowned, they felt something wrong coming.
"I'm afraid your young geniuses aren't what I need in the future, they're not qualified," when John said this, the two leaders showed a hint of anger in their expressions, even the two young geniuses showed anger, they felt humiliated, who would have thought that this young lord would show such arrogance?
John didn't care about the hostility they showed, — in two years, I will go to the magic training institute, with the institute's resources, added to my family's, as long as I stay alive and focused, with enough time reaching my mother's level won't be a problem — John looked at the leaders who seemed strange, he didn't care.
— When I have enough power, truly strong and talented warriors and mages will jump over my banner in a snap of my fingers, — John smiled slightly and asked, — Chief of the tribe, matriarch of the clan, tell me, why would I waste time and precious resources to nurture your so-called young geniuses? —
By this time the two young geniuses could barely contain themselves, beside the girl the water elements began to fluctuate because of their emotions, Kassandra completely suppressed her most talented disciple, she knew that if a little killing intent was directed at John, they would all be killed.
As for Bo Barbaro, who was a little more emotional, he raised his voice and growled, "Who gave you the right to humiliate the pride of the tribe? Being a young lord doesn't give you this right." John didn't care, he looked at Barbaro one, who in turn suppressed Bo Barbaro.
Kassandra gritted her teeth and said, — The young lord is right, geniuses from regions like ours should be nothing more than trash in your eyes, forgive our children they are still young and do not understand this — Kassandra spoke through gritted teeth, Barbarian One did not say anything, he gritted his teeth and a smoke of anger came out of his nostrils.
— Wrong.... Clan Matriarch, your words are wrong, you did not understand my words, if you think I am insulting you or belittling you for being leaders or regional geniuses, then you are very mistaken — John spoke seriously, Kassandra took a deep breath, regaining her composure, — Young lord, could you be clear with your words? — Kassandra asked.
A maid from the castle arrived at the balcony and with John's permission, she served tea to everyone gathered, when she was about to leave John stopped her, — wait — the maid stopped, — call Iza for me, tell her to bring what I asked for, — the maid left taking John's words with her.
— Matriarch of the clan, chief of the tribe, unfortunately I will not be able to meet your requests, I hope you understand. — Kassandra and Barbara one, the two agreed, — you do not need to worry, as I said I already have a satisfactory solution for you both, — said John
— Bo Barbaro, why are you here today? What did you hope to achieve with this visit? — John looked at the young talent of the Barbara Bo tribe and said curiously, this question threw everyone on the balcony into confusion, they did not understand why John asked this question.
The young talent of the beastman race, scratched his horn in bewilderment looked at the tribe chief and was in the same situation, he even forgot that he was angry a moment ago, as he did not receive any instructions from the tribe chief, the young genius spoke, — Ahh, the tribe chief, the great Barbara one, told Bo Barbaro that becoming the young lord's warrior, glory and protection for the tribe. Bo Barbaro will be the strongest young man in the tribe, and the chief also said that young lord would make Bo Barbaro very strong. — said Bo Barbaro.
— So, you came to me seeking glory, strength and protection for your tribe? — John asked curiously, Bo Barbaro nodded.
Continued....
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