"I greet you, Father," Gray said while politely bowing. It was weird for him to call him Father, but it was a must.
Meanwhile, the Patriarch didn't turn to him. he was still facing outside and spoke in a serious tone,
"Why did you beat him?" The Patriarch directly asked what was important.
'So straightforward. Well, it's better to just talk what's necessary.'
"He insulted my mother." Gray replied
In truth, Gray didn't care about insults. In his previous life, he was in a high position, so people used to insult him and praise him. But for him, those were merely words—words without any power.
He strived for true power and authority while superficial people got stuck on insults and praises. In the end, those are the opinions of the bystanders. And there are always people at the bottom who will speak badly about someone who is not restrained by their opinion.
Thus, with the mindset Gray had, he would have never gotten angry. But maybe because of the body he was in, his heart ached, and he felt truly angered by Alex's words.
"He should be thankful that I only broke his bones." Gray said.
The anger he had felt at first was so strong that he could have killed him, but the system window appeared and eased his anger. Thus, he only hurt him for fun.
Meanwhile, hearing his words that held killing intent, the Patriarch felt intrigued. He turned toward Gray and spoke,
"You have changed."
"... I'm trying to do better."
"I respect your decision, but you went too far..."
"I'll keep that in mind." Gray lowered his head.
At his behavior, the Patriarch constantly questioned himself. How could he change so much?
In the past, before Eunuch Jang Transmigrated into his body, the real Gray was timid and scared of his stepmother, the duchess. But for him to beat her son was truly unexpected.
The Patriarch sighned, "Anyway The family elder council has proposed many punishments for your act."
'Elder council...' Gray lifted his head a little and clicked his tongue inwardly.
The elder council consists of the previous generation of family members, now old geezers who act as guides to the family.
Most of them are supporters of the duchess.
Moreover, after the Patriarch, they hold the most authority.
'What kind of punishments did those geezers propose?' Since they support the duchess, they are bound to propose the cruelest punishments, just to impress the duchess.
"But I rejected them."
"What!!" Gray was stunned. 'Did he just say he rejected the elders proposal?'
From what Gray had heard from his personal maid Lina, the Patriarch fought an overwhelming being and lost. After that, he gave up on life and left every decision regarding the family to the duchess and the elder council. But for the Patriarch to suddenly interfere and go against the council was unexpected. It's not like he had any feelings for Gray either. He basically ignored him after his mother died.
The Patriarch didn't even interfere when the duchess constantly poisoned him.
So why now?
Wait... is he planning something worse? Gray thought.
The Patriarch then spoke,
"Your punishment is that you will train in the isolation chamber for one month."
Hearing his words, Gray's eyes went wide. "Isolation training!"
"Yes. You will be entering the Ashborn Isolation Chamber that's on the border."
Gray was surprised by the sudden mention of isolation training. But what was more surprising was that he would be entering the Ashborn Isolation Chamber.
There are many legends surrounding that chamber, and there is also a prophecy that a chosen one would take everything the founding patriarch left behind on that chamber.
However, The chamber was horrifyingly dangerous, filled with many unusual things. Thus, it was both a punishment and a reward.
But Gray slightly smiled. He had expected to be punished, but instead an opportunity was presented to him. He could also cultivate for one month in peace.
"And after one month of isolation training, you will be attending the academy," the patriarch said
"Hmm..." Gray's eyes became wide in surprise. "But I haven't dueled Alex yet" Gray asked his father.
The reason Gray and his half-brother Alex were meant to duel yesterday was to decide who would be the one to enter the academy first. Since they were the same age, they would have to be admitted in the same year. But the douches didn't want both of them to study together. To build hierarchy, the douches suggested that they have a duel to decide who would go first, and the loser would go next year. Since everyone knew Alex was stronger, it was obvious who would win.
But unfortunately, Gray had to prove his worth first, and in the process, he ripped the maid's clothes, and his match with Alex was put on hold.
"I have decided that you both will study in the same year." The Patriarch said while looking at Gray's eyes.
"Uh.... I understand." Gray was confused by the Patriarch's sudden decision, but it was a good thing, as he would get to go to the academy and build his harem there.
'kekek, wait for me ladies' Gray chuckled.
Seeing his joyed expression the Patriarch sighned softly.
"For now, the left guardian will take you to the Ashborn Isolation Chamber," the Patriarch said.
Fwoosh!
Suddenly, a smoky figure appeared beside the Patriarch in a kneeling position.
The smoke slowly faded, and the person's appearance became clear. He was strikingly handsome, with short silver hair, and radiated an overwhelming aura.
'So, he is the left guardian of the Patriarch.'
Gray had heard about him. He was the strongest after the Patriarch. Moreover, he held the title of one of the Twelve Blades, only twelve people had this title in the Ataraxia Empire, honored by the Emperor himself.
Well, the Patriarch himself is one of the ten strongest in the Empire.
The Ataraxia Empire has ten Supremes and twelve Blades. The Ten Supremes are humans with Sword God-level cultivation. And just below them are the Twelve Blades, who have reached the Unrestrained Realm.
"Take him to the Ashborn Isolation Chamber," the Patriarch ordered.
"As you wish, my lord." the left guardian bowed his head and stood up from his kneeling position.
Then he turned to Gray and gestured for him to follow.
After bowing to his father, the Patriarch, Gray followed the left guardian out of the room.