Chapter 28: 28. Royal Banquet [5]:- Orion Makes A Choice.
Since the contest would be coming up in the next ten years, Adrian would be seventeen years old by then, and he would most likely be among the few older nobles participating in the Junior Noble Elf Tournament which made him feel a bit confident in himself.
This was because most of the children of the current Duke, Earls and Barons were already above seventeen years old, which meant that most of them would be contesting in the adult Noble Elf Tournament.
However, there would still be a couple of young, talented nobles participating in the Junior Tournament. But regardless of this, Adrian believed that he would be the one to win the tournament.
"Do you know any of the talented nobles that will be participating with us?" Orion asked.
"Y-yes, Your Highness, but I only know a few of them."
"Go on."
"The third son of Baron Manchester will be participating; as will the fourth son of Earl Ramsbottom; and the first daughter of Duke Cyprus, Lady Luna Cyprus, will definitely be participating too."
"I see," Orion pondered over what Adrian said.
'I guess this means that if I participate in the game, I'll be contesting against at least four strong nobles for the top three ranking,' Orion uttered in his thoughts.
He included Adrian in the number of young nobles he would be contesting against.
'But then again, I can't be certain that these four will be the only ones who will prove to be difficult to fight against in the tournament.'
'Moreover, is it really important for me to participate?'
'I really see no reason why I should even bother myself with this tournament in the first place.'
"Why are you so interested in winning this tournament? Is there some kind of reward you will be given if you win?" Orion asked Adrian.
"Y-yes Your Highness."
"Really? What is it?"
"Winners of the Junior Noble Elf Tournament will be given new titles, lands and magical artefacts as well."
"Oh," Orion replied with a disappointed look on his face. "Is that all?"
"Yes."
Hearing this, Orion instantly became unmotivated to participate in the tournament. "I guess I won't be participating in the tournament then."
"Huh? Y-your Highness, why?"
"Well, that's because I'm not interested in earning any new title or lands. I mean, what's the point of having those things in the first place?"
Orion could understand why Adrian might want to win the tournament.
Because Adrian was the son of a Viscount, winning the tournament would allow his father's title to be upgraded to that of an Earl or possibly a Duke.
However, Orion was already a prince, what else would a prince such as himself be hoping to gain from participating in the tournament?
So, in a nutshell, Orion has decided not to participate in the upcoming tournament.
"But your Highness, it's not just about having titles and lands."
"Then what else is there to fight for?"
"Your Highness, not only is the tournament seen as a way for us to showcase our skills to everyone in the kingdom, but it's also a way for us to gain recognition from the nobles and our fellow contestants as well."
"Hmm, I see," Orion assumed a thinking posture as he stroked his bare chin. "Yep, my answer remains the same, I'm certainly not going to…"
"....Your mother won the last tournament."
"Huh? What did you say?"
"Q-Queen Evelyn participated in the last tournament and won."
"My mom contested in the last tournament and won?"
"Yes, your Highness and she was just fifteen years old at the time,"
"F-fifteen? You're saying mum was fifteen years old when she contested and she won the tournament?"
"Y-yes, your Highness,"
"You mean she won the Junior Noble Tournament right?"
"Yes, your Highness, but she also won the Adult tournament as well,"
"I'm confused,"
"I mean the Queen won the Junior Noble Elf Tournament and when she did, the three winners of the Junior Tournament contested against the three winners of the adult tournament and----,"
"---And that was how she won the tournament," Orion muttered to himself.
"Yes, your Highness,"
"....." Orion remained silent as he pondered about how amazing his mother really is.
He knew his mother was strong but Orion wasn't expecting her to have been so overpowered from a very young age.
Orion's lips instinctively stretched into a smile.
He recalled his desire to grow stronger and to join his mother in the same rank so that the both could have a never ending lifespan together with Elena.
However, it seems an opportunity for him to start working hard on this dream had presented itself now and Orion didn't want to lose this opportunity.
Orion wondered if he could break his mother's record by winning the tournament at the age of ten.
Not only would he be acknowledged by his mother and aunt, but he would also be acknowledged by everyone in the kingdom.
'It would also allow me to be confident in achieving even greater goals and dreams in the future,' Orion uttered in his thought.
Aside from his desire to be as strong or even stronger than his mother and aunt so that he could enjoy a never-ending lifespan with the two of them in the future, Orion also had other dreams in mind for his future as well.
His bucket list of the things he wanted to see and do in the future were endless but he knew if he wanted to enjoy carrying out his goals and dreams, he had to have the strength to protect himself and those he cared about as well because he lived in a world where strength spoke volumes.
'I've made up my mind,'
'I'm definitely going to participate in the upcoming tournament,'
"I can't wait to get started," Orion uttered as he made up his mind.
"Huh? Y-your Highness, what do you mean?" Adrian asked, confused by what the prince said.
"I mean, I'll be participating in the tournament."
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