บท 25: Growing Guilt Part II
“Seems like some of you already know about this. In three months, the Hargen will be holding a tournament at the fighting arena inside the city. Every youth below the age of twenty can participate in this Tournament. The first-place winner will be rewarded with the Black Burn Armor, and the rest of the winners will be rewarded accordingly. This year, the gate to the Land of the Heavenly will be opened. The first to ninth-place winners would get to enter the Land of the Heavenly.”
Farhan said every word with clarity, his voice echoing throughout the area. As he mentioned the Tournament, there seemed to be a glimmer of expectation and excitement hidden behind his eyes. The Tournament was not held just for entertainment, it was also an indicator that showed how strong the great clan’s heirs were. As for children of the common folks, this Tournament was an opportunity to try their luck as well. If they were a star that could shine bright enough to catch the eyes of someone from the big clans, they could be hired to work in important positions for that clan. If they were lucky, they could even be given an important position in Bernier City as well.
Upon hearing the name of the ‘Black Burn Armor, Mashelle and Danesse’s eyes went as wide as chicken eggs. Their minds were filled with excitement and greed, both wishing to obtain the Black Burn Armor. The Black Burn Armor was a silver, light-duty armor with engraved black fire. Although this shield was only a mid-level magical shield, its power was similar to a high-level shield. It was forged from several kinds of strong metal and was carefully crafted. The estimated price of this shield was likely higher than two hundred thousand Crystal Coins.
However, another thing that everyone was equally interested in was the Land of the Heavenly. Arias did not know what it was, but judging from the change of reaction of the more experienced ones at the table, it looked like this place was somewhere of high importance. There might even be some treasures hidden there.
“The Land of the Heavenly is the mysterious land of the faeries. Although no one has seen a single faerie there for the past hundred years, the Land is still full of treasures that they have hidden. The Heavenly Water Spear – Duke Coven’s weapon – is also one of the treasures that were found at the Land of the Heavenly. I hope the two of you won’t disappoint me. If you had a chance to enter that land, reap the most of the benefit that you could, but do not overdo it. Treasures are not the only thing hidden inside of the Land of the Heavenly.”
Upon seeing the confused look on the young ones’ faces, Farhan proceeded to explain. There were actually three young heirs to the Scarcia including Arias. But Farhan only put his hope into two of them, because the other already turned out to be a useless person. The Powerless did not even have the opportunity to enter the Tournament. Arias glanced up to look at the one who was gently patting his head, he felt his heart warm. The moment she heard Farhan’s words, Maria’s delicate hand had moved to pat Arias’ head. She gave a kind and reassuring smile that told him to not feel down by what he had heard. Albert also turned to look at Arias as if to say, ‘It’s alright, you’re still my son no matter what.’ Arias felt as if his heart had been filled with warm feelings because of the smiles they gave him. But what he could see from those two pairs of eyes was a mixture of sadness, guilt, and disappointment. When Arias looked into those eyes, a seed of guilt started to grow inside of him.
“You needn’t worry, Grandfather. I will be the one who emerges victoriously.”
“Me too. I will be the one to enter the Land of the Heavenly and bring the treasures to our clan. I will certainly not disappoint you.”
Mashelle and Danesse responded to Farhan almost simultaneously. The two exchanged a look for a moment before glancing at Arias with a sneer. Although they had the same status as the Scarcia’s heirs, the two of them were like the sky and Arias was like a chasm. How inappropriate that they had to share the dining table with garbage like this. A useless person who was nothing but a burden to the clan was not even worthy of being in the same room with them. All they could feel for Arias was hatred.
“It’s a shame that your son can’t participate in this Tournament, or our clan would have had more chance of winning. But that’s alright, dear nephew. You may not be able to fight like a man, but you could still pick up some embroidery skills like women, hahaha.”
Merson said, his words full of mockery. The sound of his laughter filled the dining area. Even his two sons laughed along with him like they had heard a joke that made them unable to hold back. However, the expression of the one sitting opposite of them was full of anger that was being kept inside.
BANG!
“Shut your mouth!”
The sound of someone’s hands slammed down on the dining table, leaving a big crack that looked like a spider web on the marble dining table. Brown magical aura burst out from Albert’s body. The thin thread of his patience finally snapped. The fire of anger burned within his heart as he looked at Merson furiously.
“Did I say something wrong, Brother?”
Merson lifted the corner of his mouth in a smirk, not showing any sign of fear. A red magical aura was released from all over his body, and the heat of the Fire element spread throughout the area. Sweats caused by the heat dripped down the faces of the three young ones. Maria quickly put her hand in front of Arias and a water shield appeared, protecting him from the magical aura. Merson’s power was only one level lower than Albert’s, which did not make much of a difference for him.
The atmosphere had become tense. Albert and Merson were glaring at each other like they were enemies and not brothers. One looked at the other in anger, while the other was further provoking that rage. The situation had become tense.
“Have you all forgotten that I’m sitting right here?”
Farhan’s voice crushed the tense atmosphere. There was no pressure from magical power, only his words and the calmness in his manner, but as soon as Farhan spoke, both Albert and Merson immediately stopped their behaviors despite Albert’s displeased look. Farhan was like a lion who could roar once and make other animals cower.
“I apologize for my foul manner, Father.”
After suppressing his anger, Albert apologized to Farhan in deep regret. Merson only stopped all his actions. He did not say anything further.
On the way back to Arias’ room.
“Don’t take your uncle’s words to heart.”
Maria offered comforting words to Arias in a soft voice. She was worried that Arias would still be thinking about what happened today. As for Albert, the anger he felt from back then was still there, but he kept reassuring Arias as well. This was not the first time that an incident like this happened. That included both Merson’s mocking and the conflict between the two brothers.
Arias looked into their eyes with guilt, and the look of sadness appeared in his own eyes. It was the sadness that he had tried to keep hidden behind these eyes. Perhaps, it was the sadness that resulted from his own worthlessness in the past. He knew how much his parents were disappointed in him, but the two of them never mentioned this feeling of disappointment that they felt, not even once.
“Father, Mother, there’s something I need to tell you.”
Arias said through gritted teeth and raised his head to look at the two of them with determination. There was a seriousness in the tone of his voice. It was probably time for him to tell them the truth about his magical power. He did not want to see the sadness in his parents’ eyes anymore.
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