One week passed peacefully, and everything appeared calm on the surface. Yet, Modret was far from calm. His system remark had changed once again, and this time, it seemed far more ominous and deadly than before.
[Host: Modret Axarel]
[Status: A monstrous genius of the Awakening World, possessing more abilities than his confidence.]
[F-grade abilities: Agile Steps, Strength Increase, Mana Affinity, Elemental Affinity, Heat Resistance, Potion Master…]
[E-grade abilities: Mending, Repair, Wood Work, Physical Strength, Poison Master…]
[D-grade abilities: Enhanced Agility, Enhanced Hearing, Earth Affinity, Wood Affinity, Healing…]
[C-grade abilities: ???]
[Ability: SS-grade Null Fire]
[Bloodline: Unknown]
[Shadow Fragments: 300/1000]
[Shadow Roulette: 4]
[Remark: A pitiful soul cast into a terrifying world of deception and manipulation. The world has abandoned you, but the shadows embrace you without question.]
[Monthly Remark: it is already to prepare for the storms. You can only get submerged by them, there is a very slim chance of survival. Take this moment, grasp it and run away!]
Modret skimmed through it briefly. 'It seems to be a warning. But what is the system trying to tell me? Could it be that on the way for the message of my ability being delivered to my parents it will be discovered by the Illuminati organisation and they will send even more terrifying experts to come and kill me?'
Modret did not know what to think for a moment. His guess felt disturbingly accurate, which only added to his unease. 'Was I too impulsive?' he frowned, troubled by the thought.
Countless scenarios ran through his mind, but he knew one thing clearly: he couldn't afford to wait. He had to leave the Axarel Manor immediately, before they made their move.
'Thankfully, due to the system I can stay a step ahead of my enemies,' Modret thought with slight relief.
He got up from his bed and rushed to Axel's room.
The youth was seated on his bed in his pyjamas, hair still messy from sleep.
'Damn, is this how you will protect me?' Modret joked, despite the tension gripping his chest.
He quickly suppressed his emotions and spoke as soon as Axel looked at him. "I've heard that there is a city nearby. Quickly go and buy two tickets. We will be heading to the city in the afternoon."
Axel's eyes widened in surprise.
"Young master, you know that even taking their most expensive carriage it will still take us roughly a month to reach the city?"
Modret nodded, showing no hesitation. "Just do as I say. It doesn't matter. Just take the corresponding cash needed from the safe and quickly buy the most expensive carriage. We need to leave immediately!"
Axel noticed the urgency in Modret's voice and didn't waste another second. He nodded and stood up without question.
Modret tossed him the key to the safe. As Axel left, Modret paced around the room in silence, eyes darting from corner to corner, taking in every detail. The weight of invisible eyes watching him seemed to press down on his chest.
…
Axel took a slightly higher amount than needed in case any corresponding purchase came up. The walk to the district responsible for vehicle movement to the city was not too far from them, and with a steady sprint, he reached it in roughly three hours.
The time was barely 8:00 a.m. by the time he arrived. In fact, the shop responsible was only just opening.
Axel quickly finished with the information and everything else.
Soon, he sat in a carriage which was riding at an exceedingly high speed. The carriage arrived at the gate of the Axarel Manor in the blink of an eye.
Axel highlighted from the carriage with two tickets in his hand, one for him and one for the young master.
However, the moment he highlighted from the carriage, he was stunned. His gaze met with Modret's uncles and he could tell that their faces were not looking good.
'It seems something bad has happened.' Axel maintained the same expression, bowing politely and greeting the three.
Ronald frowned, then said in a solemn, deep voice, "Axel, come with us."
Axel didn't resist and followed the six as they led him towards his home.
…
In his home were his parents and sister, who looked to be around the age of thirteen.
The nobles were seated while he and his parents stood respectfully, not showing any signs of disrespect. His mother's face showed a look of nervousness, and his sister clutched onto her brother's clothes feeling the gazes of the terrifying experts.
Only his father, old man Don, maintained a calm but respectful expression. Axel seemed to have picked up this trait from his father, maintaining the same expression as him.
Ronald didn't beat about the bush and immediately dove straight to the point, "Axel, we need you to be truthful to us."
Immediately hearing this, everyone tensed up, and even Axel couldn't help but show a look of puzzlement.
Ronald continued, "After cross-checking the royal treasury, we realised that a few equipment were missing. You weren't in there, so we've come to ask you, did you see the young master take it?"
Axel widened his eyes. He was stumped by the question, 'The young master take a treasure from the royal treasury? How was that possible?'
He shook his head instantly, "No, the young master couldn't possibly have done such."
Ronald furrowed his brows then stood up. He gazed deeply at Axel, "Try to recall perfectly. Don't be in a rush to answer. The young master took some things. This is a crime punishable by death, and the accomplices involved will be executed as well. Only by confirming the truth will you be free from the punishment."
Immediately he widened his eyes in shock. Punishable by death?
Dora clutched her robes nervously as she glanced at her son. Even the stoic old man Don waited for his reply.
The little girl trembled slightly, feeling the tension in the air.
Axel hesitated briefly then began pacing around. 'Is this the reason why the young master wanted to quickly leave?'
The moment Ronald finished his words, Axel understood what was happening. Modret was being framed!
And they wanted him to be an accomplice! He was Modret's lifeguard, someone who was constantly with him all the time. The moment he stated that Modret had taken the treasures, they would immediately capture Modret and execute him.
'This is also the reason they brought me back home rather than taking me to an office or a prison cell. They want to threaten me with my family…' Axel completely analysed everything and understood all that had happened.
He pulled his sister aside and said to the nobles after some deliberation, "Please give me a moment."
"You may go…" Ronald nodded and watched as Axel dragged his sister into his room.
Within a few minutes of talking they came out.
Axel glanced at the five who were staring at him. Ronald was looking at him with a deep gaze.
Jarvis' eyes seemed like that of a snake, scheming and calculating as she sneered internally. Her eyes were cold and venomous as she stared at Axel.
Indeed she was the one who had been scheming for Modret's death since he was born as this was an order from the Illuminati. This was the second plan they had set in motion a few years ago.
Everything was supposed to happen smoothly, she just didn't expect the couple to use their imperial edict and suspend the time for ten years.
Now she would finally complete her mission to eliminate Modret, 'With this I should get promoted!' she chuckled internally. She could already visualise Modret's head being sliced apart.
Selina glanced at Axel, her expression unreadable. Melina, Ronald's second wife whom he had married over the years, also maintained a neutral expression.
Jacob, Modret's father's younger brother who had returned from the city a few years back, also glanced at Axel waiting for his answer.
Axel couldn't understand what was going through their minds. Anna and Donald had only left roughly a week ago and now they wanted to kill his son?
'What the hell is going on?' he couldn't wrap his head around it.
This was also the first time he was being stared at by so many high-level individuals. 'Previously they are always staring at the young master, now it's as if they are looking up to me with expectation.'
Axel chuckled slightly then said in an even tone, "I did it.
"It was me who stole all the treasures…"