~January 12, afternoon~

  King Alaric tried his best to remain stoic. Unfortunately, someone had been pacing back and forth in front of him so much, that his face ended up in his palms.

  The headache, plus the anxiety, gave him a headache.

  Seeing her husband like that, Queen Juno got up.

  “You are wearing yourself thin, Kalani.” Queen Juno tenderly grabbed the pacing person's left arm. “Please calm down. You need to take better care of yourself.”

  Duchess Headmistress Kalani had that crazy eyes on her. “How can I calm down, Your Majesty?! The kids are my responsibility. And my son's there with him. If anything happens…”

  Juno smiled bitterly. “Please, my dear Duchess. Trust on the strength of our Duke General. I'm sure he's already on his way back with the kids right now.”

  Kalani did not say anything further. She only collapsed and burrowed his face in the queen's embrace. Crying and saying “My boy…” over and over again.

  Alaric sighed. It's not like he doesn't sympathize with Kalani’s flight. In fact, he would be anxious too if he was in her shoes. Perhaps even more so.

  The kids were students of Suus Sensus Magic Academy. An academy established to promote innovation in magic application. And these eight kids, including the Duchess Headmistress daughter Era, were the cream of the crop.

  They were supposed to be on an expedition to one of the islands of the Styx Archipelago. Unfortunately, they were kidnapped by a squad of the Furvurs.

  Suddenly, the huge door of the throne room violently swung open. In walked a man, rushing in. There's an intelligent air around him. Though his boyish enthusiastic expression diminished it a little bit.

  “Darling, he's back. Aelius is back! And the kids are with him!” Duke Marshal Jovi was so excited, he forgot to address the king.

  Not that Alaric minded that sort of thing. In fact, were it not for his strict butler and palace officials, he would have forgo the etiquette entirely.

  “R-really? Aelius's back?!” Kalani stammered with joy.

  Stolen novel; please report.

  “Why would I lie about this? Come, see for yourself. His Sky Turtle has landed already.”

  And so, the husband and wife flew to the landing square at the centre of Vitalux Palace Plaza.

  Where a flying turtle the size of a two storey house slowly made its descend.

  ###

  Queen Juno brought the kids and their escort teacher to the sick ward. Where the Royal Healers, the Sun Fairies, are waiting.

  King Alaric, Duke General Aelius, and Duchess Admiral Loina were in the Royal Garden. At the gazebo at the centre of the pool. Surrounded by rows upon rows of Quartz Rose.

  “Great work, General. Admiral. As always.” Alaric smiled as he poured tea to Aelius and Loina.

  Loina and Aelius humbly nodded. “We're just doing our job, Your Majesty.”

  For a while, the three sat in silence. Peacefully enjoying the majestic tapestry of the scenery. Sipping the fragrant ginger tea, eating the chicken salad finger sandwiches.

  Just as the three tier tower of cakes and sandwiches are almost empty, the sound of footsteps could be heard tapping on the floating steps connecting the gazebo to dry land.

  “How are the kids, my dear?” Alaric asked. His face was heavy with concern.

  “Their energy veins are a bit tainted with Chaos, but it wasn't life threatening. Once the healers are done healing them, they'll be just fine.”

  Alaric exhaled, relieved as he handed over a hot cup of ginger tea to Juno. “That's great news, dear.” He turned to Aelius and Loina. “Both of you have done such great merit this time.”

  Juno scoffed. “Yeah. Seems they care for any kids, as long as it's not their own.” She said in a sort of half mumble tone.

  “Huh?” Alaric frowned. His grin disappeared. Aelius and Loina remained calm as they sipped their tea.

  “I can't believe it either. But Yurena had no reason to lie.” Juno turned to the couple. “Is the news true? Have you really exiled your kid?”

  Aelius was calm. However, Alaric noticed the change in his demeanor. Aelius's back is always straight. Yet now, he had sunk into his chair. Although he looked relaxed, Alaric knew Aelius was anything but.

  “You heard right, Your Majesty. Jet has been removed from our house. And from Phoenix Military Complex.”

  Alaric was shocked. Juno was bewildered at this point. “Why the hell would you do that? Is he not your son?! What kind of a parent are you?”

  That emotional outbreak made Loina a bit emotional. “Believe me, Your Majesty. Had there been any other way, we would have done it. Even if it cost us our lives.” Loina paused for a bit, looking dejected all of a sudden. “Sadly, we are out of options.”

  Even Alaric jumped into this absurd conversation. “Wh-what do you mean by that, Loina?”

  “It's not my place to say, Your Majesty.” Loina answered curtly.

  Both Alaric and Juno tried their best to push Loina for a clearer answer. If there's a threat in Ottilia's military base, they to know. Plus, that threat had seemingly stumped these two leaders of the army unit. These two, who fought even the toughest known Chaos Beast, suddenly felt threatened enough to chase their only son out of their home? Something's not right here.

  Unfortunately, Loina kept her silence. Making the King and Queen slumped back in their chair.

  Exasperated, Alaric turned to Aelius. “Still, it's quite cruel. Kicking the boy out on his birthday.*

  “The harsher it is, the better. A Duke's son with no power, he would be eaten alive. Right now, I'm giving him a chance. Either do his best to be strong, or hide on that hill. That's the only thing I can do for him right now.”

  Alaric shook his head. He indeed understood that sentiment. Being the weak son of the strongest man in Ottilia, one needed his own strength to back the reputation up. Otherwise, he would only be someone's dog.

  But Juno was persistent. “How about I give you a third option? A lifeline, perhaps?*

  For the first time, Loina seemed eager. Even Aelius had a shine in his eyes.

  “What do you have in mind, Your Majesty?”

  Juno was elated. “I couldn't take the credit. It was all Doleon and Yurena's idea. And it's a simple one. For Jet to join the Aristocrat Academy with them. What do you say?”

  Aelius and Loina fell deep in thought. And both had similar lines of thought.

  The Royal Aristocrat Academy is usually an academy for the lineage of the many chief of fiefs, town and villages. Those who joined the academy would be the Royal Officer. A liaison between the fiefs and towns to the palace.

  Hence, with Jet's condition, to be able to join the academy would have indeed been a blessing.

  However, this time, they had learned their lesson. They shall let Jet choose this time.

  “I shall discuss this with Jet when I get home.”