63 Unexpected Issue

It was a relatively sunny day in the Snow Country. Snow still clung to the trees while the pond was frozen over. Inside the picturesque scene lay a beautiful and peaceful pavilion. Sitting a couple feet away from the pavilion was a teenage boy. He had clean black hair that was tied back lazily and concentrated grey eyes. Every brush stroke with his hand was smooth and steady, however, his vision would drift every now and then inside the pavilion. Clear and beautiful flute sounds flowed from the pavilion, they could clear the mind and relax the listener. Even the small animals had gathered together to listen to the enchanting sound that drifted around. Inside the pavilion sat a younger boy. His slim fingers glided gracefully along the beautiful silver flute. The boy's platinum silver hair was braided back while his eyes were closed. Such a calm scene could cleanse the senses of whoever was around.

"Damn CAT! Stop right there!" A shout sounded out that completely broke the calm. Dreamy flute music ended abruptly while the animals all scurried in fright. The young boy in the pavilion furrowed his brows in annoyance before taking in a deep breath to calm himself. Even the other boy painting had made a mistake after the shout had shocked him enough for his hand to waver. Looking at the mistake, he sighed while tossing the canvas into an already prepared waste bin next to him. Helplessly glancing over to his friend, he couldn't help but complain a little.

"Does Elder Sweetbow ever spend a day without shouting? You should inform him that getting worked up all the time is bad for his health."

Opening his eyes to reveal beautiful emerald green eyes, the young boy just sighed. "Ronan, if it was that easy for my teacher to change, don't you think I would have made every effort." After his words left his mouth, a flash of silver ran by and landed on his shoulder. A young silver cat with one blue and one green eye had laid down with laughter obviously reflected on his face. Following closely behind was the sound of angry stomping. A beautiful man quickly appeared, however, his features were distorted in anger.

"That's it! Today is the day I skin you and cook you for dinner, you dumb animal! Grey, don't even think of stopping me!" He declared, clearly irate.

"Hahaha, I believe this is my cue to leave then, Grey. I'll come around again later." Ronan chuckled while shaking his head. It was like a never-ending cycle with this Elder and cat. Quickly packing his stuff, he ran off

"Teacher, what did Lu do this time?" Greyson rubbed his temples trying to the lessen the headache that was coming up.

"Hmph! He ate the Wind Sage I have been growing for the past decade! You know how much care and love I give my babies, but this stupid cat always goes and reaps the benefits by raiding my garden." Sweetbow huffed. Greyson couldn't help but glance at the cat on his shoulder. 5 years... He had spent 5 years now with his Teacher, however, this scene had been happening almost every day since the first day. Lucius never let go the fact he had been tied up by his master to be eaten, so he made it his mission to drive Elder Sweetbow mad in any way possible. Hiding his Teacher's favorite mirror, eating from the garden, stealing food, even destroying the rare tea leaves that Sweetbow had collected.

"Teacher, how about I take this chance and take Lucius out on a mission. I think the only reason he does all these things is because he feels cooped up like me. I've already been stuck here with you for five years. It was either training here, or going to the associations to practice my occupations. I mean my only friend is Ronan, don't you pity your lonely disciple?" Signaling Lucius with his eyes, Greyson felt gratified when his partner quickly caught his drift and nodded in agreement. Hearing his disciple's words, Sweetbow couldn't help but pause his words. Although he could clearly tell that Greyson was changing the topic, he knew that his disciple had a point. Only so much could be accomplished just staying in the Academy, he hadn't even gone to fight with Leopold since his loss either.

"Don't give me the same excuse anymore, either. I am much stronger now and through your teachings I am also aware of the world's situation and geography much more. It couldn't be that you think that after all your teachings and care that I would be so incapable. That's just insulting yourself." Seeing that his teacher was wavering, Greyson continued pushing with excitement. Sweetbow took a moment to look at his disciple closely. The young 8-year-old boy had already grown taller and stronger in these 5 years. A 13-year-old advanced level 5th stage magician! Even he was shocked by his disciple's aptitude and quick advancement. At his speed, he might break the record for youngest magister. Breaking through the magister level was the first real obstacle in a young magician's life, but his disciple was almost assured of breaking through. It was only a matter of time and accumulation of mana and comprehension. He didn't show it in front of Greyson, but he was extremely proud to have such a disciple and went around bragging about him to the other Elders and teachers. He was a little reluctant to let his prized protégé leave to adventure on his own. But...

"Okay."

"Besides, I also have.... Wait, what? What did you just say?!" Greyson continued making his case before he finally realized what his teacher had said.

"I said okay!"

"You... Teacher, are you sick? Or dying? Why else would you have such a drastic change of heart?" Uneasy by his teacher's quick approval, Greyson couldn't help but doubt what was happening.

"Brat! Are you cursing me to die sooner or something? I was already thinking of sending you out of the Academy anyways." Sweetbow just rolled his eyes feeling speechless. Greyson just laughed awkwardly while scratching his head. What was he supposed to think then? He had begged his teacher for the last 2 years almost every day to let him go out, but each time he was met with immediate denial. To see such a quick positive response, how could he not feel doubtful about the sudden change in attitude?

"I was meaning to mention to this to you after you broke through to the fifth stage. Haven't you felt a slowing of your improvement the more you awaken your elf bloodline? I even noticed that you also have a dragon bloodline, too. What have I told you about the different races?"

"Different races?" Drawing a blank, Greyson just looked at his teacher waiting for him to explain.

"Ugh, can't you just be a little smarter? You already know that all the different races have different body compositions so they get stronger with different methods. Your meditation methods are all from the human side of meditating and gathering mana inside your body and storing it. Beasts store it in their beast core and incorporate the mana into their bodies making it tougher and stronger. Do you get my direction yet?"

"Are you trying to say that my elf bloodline and dragon bloodline have issues with my human meditation method?" Finally seeing the point his teacher was making, Greyson couldn't help but worry. "Why didn't you mention this before? What's going to happen?"

"Who do you think your teacher is? Of course, it's because I have a solution and I wanted you to use this chance to adventure outside. How is it? Aren't you glad to have such a thoughtful and intelligent master like me?" Puffing out his chest, Sweetbow felt proud of his planning.

"So, what's the solution?" Ignoring his master's words, Greyson just went straight to the point.

"You're so not cute. Can't you just compliment me a little? You just take the fun out of it. Forget it! I'm not telling you!" Pouting at Greyson's lack of reaction, Sweetbow just turned around without answering. Greyson fell silent as he watched his grown teacher throw a temper tantrum. Inwardly rolling his eyes, he kicked himself for forgetting how childish and vain his master was.

"Wait, wait, I was just too nervous just now. Of course, I recognize what a wonderful master I have. So powerful and thoughtful. You're even good-looking so people think you are my brother and not my teacher." Slightly gagging at his own flattery, Greyson forced his mouth to continue.

"Yes, yes, exactly! This is the amazing luck that you have, you hit the jackpot! As long as you are aware." Grinning complacently, Sweetbow was quickly appeased. Lucius silently looked on with disdain. This stupid man, when would he ever mature? It was the gods playing jokes making a man like this powerful.

"So..." Greyson continued expectantly.

"You have to make a trip to the Beast Empire!" Sweetbow finally caved.

"Beast Empire? Why?"

"They cultivate a special fruit there called Calming Fruit. A lot of beasts mate with other species and have mixed children because sometimes the result will be a variant bloodline child with superior talent to both the parents. However, in order to fix the conflict of bloodline, they have these fruits which assist the blending of bloodlines so they peacefully mix. You should also look for some dragon mana methods while you are there. Maybe you should go to the Elf Empire as well so you can find some ways to use your bloodline as well."

"Beast Empire, though? It's so far away! From what you told me before, it's not even in the Snow Country but passed the human countries and into the beast reigning territory."

"Which is why I have been waiting so long! Otherwise, you would certainly die somewhere along the way. At least at the level you are at, you can break through the magister level once you acquire the fruit. With all your elements, the power you can use once you combine them is far above normal advanced magicians anyways. The beasts live in tribes and are much less civilized than humans so you will definitely have a tough time there as they love to pick fights. However, they are also more straightforward and loyal, so you have less to worry about them betraying you or playing tricks. Unless, of course, you meet intelligent high-level bloodline beasts like this dreadful cat you are determined to carry around. They can be just as treacherous as any human. This stupid cat should be able to spot these species, though, as it usually takes one to know one." At the end, Sweetbow did not give up his chance to act spitefully against Lucius. If it wasn't for Greyson always mediating in between, he would have already killed this troublemaker.

Lucius, however, just grinned and stuck out his tongue, which still had the Wind Sage on top and clearly mocking Elder Sweetbow with his eyes.

"You!" His anger flaring again, Sweetbow glared at the cat wishing nothing more than to strangle it.

"Hahaha, Teacher, you know that Lu can be mischievous. Alright! Then I will go to the Beast Empire! I've been looking forward to getting out of this Academy for a while anyways. This will be a good time to test how much my strength has grown, too." Pulling away his teacher's attention again while giving Lucius a warning look, Greyson took up this adventure. He was filled with excitement at the thought of seeing more of the world outside of the Snow Country and even outside of human empires. Before he could only hear stories about those far-out places, now he could go out and see everything for himself. His mana and element control continued growing, but he had yet to test it out on new opponents so he could not tell how much he had improved fighting strength wise.

"Okay, well I suggest that you join merchant groups traveling in that direction as a hired bodyguard. I'll give you some money and you should have some savings, but it would be good to get some money along the way. Travelling with merchants will also create more chances to practice your fighting. The Academy's Mission Hall has all sorts of posting that you can look through and then sign up for."

"Okay! I'll start to get ready now!" Worried his master might suddenly change his mind, Greyson quickly ran off to prepare for his journey.

"Wait!"

"What?" Greyson looked back suspiciously. It couldn't be that his master already changed his mind?

"You have to leave after 3 months."

"What's so important about these 3 months?"

"In around 3 months is the annual academy wide competition, it tests the students and gives them a chance to have some healthy competition against each other."

"Isn't doing this sort of thing pointless?"

"NO! You have been my disciple these past 5 years but you have yet to participate in any of these Academy events. Almost no one is aware of you anymore nor are they aware of your talent and prowess. I want you to take this chance to prove yourself."

"So, you mean you want to show me off so you can brag about your own teaching talent?" After so long with his self-centered teacher, Greyson had long seen through all his little schemes.

"Hm... Well, that's a small part of it as well..."

"Okay, I'll wait for the competition to end before going." Greyson quickly agreed. It was less to do with helping his master's reputation and more to finish his unfinished business with Leopold and Natalia. He could maybe fight with the other young masters of the big families. It would be a good chance to resharpen his blade before going out to travel. It had been so long since he last fought someone that he was afraid his instincts were dull.

...

"Granny Anne, when do you think I'll finally be able to break free from this family." A woman's voice sounded out.

"Milady, you could have broken away ages ago. If you just faked your death, how would they know that you did not die. They send you to such awful places and you gain new scars every day. What surprise would it be if you suddenly ran into trouble." An older and hoarser voice replied back.

"I guess I just always felt like there was still some kind of debt to them for taking me in after the kingdom had collapsed like that and I lost contact with all my other siblings. I still don't know where they all are now. Our youngest was just a newborn then but it's already been 13 years. I wonder if the maid beside him actually told him of his origins or let him grow up not knowing. Maybe it would be better if he never knew." The young woman who spoke out looked to be around 18 years old with beautiful dark grey locks of hair and rather grave looking grey eyes to match. If Greyson were there he would have recognized her as the girl who had auctioned on and won his painting. It was Eden Ley.

"We'll meet up with your siblings one day. I believe with their talent and ability, all of them have safely made their way to different places to go into hiding. One day when you all are powerful enough, you will be able to easily meet up with each other." The old maid comforted.

"I hope your right... Eldest brother was already 13 when those people attacked, so he should be around 26 now. I wonder if he's married and started a family already? Honestly, I was only 5 years old when we all split up that it's all a distant memory. The only reason I am more aware of what occurred is because of you." Eden responded while looking towards the older woman beside her.

"Even I am not entirely sure of all that occurred 13 years ago. I was not privy to all the information with my lowly position back then."

"Granny, do you think my parents are still alive?"

"Well, milady, I really could not tell you. Master and Mistress were very powerful while they were alive. I believe they surpassed the power of even titled kingdoms' royalty but for some reason they decided to rule a tier three kingdom in the outskirts of the Snow Country."

"Probably because of their true non-human identities. I mean I'm already abused like so for the small amount of dragon bloodline I possess. They are even sending me to travel the Beast Empire to find methods to strengthen my bloodline to continue treasure hunting for them. I should just take this chance to never come back." The more she spoke, the more the fires of anger burned in Eden's eyes. No one would know how much she truly suffered these passed years. Yes, they knew that she was ordered around to dangerous places, but they were unaware how badly even while she was at home she was treated. The Argentum family saw her as nothing more than a tool and an interesting experiment. Her heart hurt every time she thought of her initial excitement and gratitude for being adopted into such a family. How laughable she was back then, how innocent...

"Yes, milady! No matter if these old bones have to perish, I will no longer watch you endure their treatment. You must find a chance to escape their grasp this trip. You will be so far away, how could they even know or even if they find out, you have the world to hid and travel in." As a loyal servant her entire life to the late Mistress, Anne was determined to allow her young lady escape this life of forced servitude.