Chương 57: Chapter 57: Goodbye Tomaha... A New world

Chapter 57: Goodbye Tomaha... A New world

Outside the towering castle, the fields were filled with a crowd of people. Among them were multiple exorcists, guards, and even the royal family, all gathered to see off the young prince.

Ruthar stood beside Troma and Rotexa, noticing that Elara kept her distance. No matter how much he tried to get closer, she avoided confrontation.

"I'll give her time," he thought. "It's not like I really need her approval or anything... She'll heal in her own time."

"I heard you killed dragons on your mission with Sister Taraha," Rotexa said, tugging softly on Ruthar's shirt.

Ruthar smiled, scanning her expression. She looked less gloomy than the last time they met. "Thank you, I really appreciate it. Maybe someday you'll kill some too."

'This girl will kill demons and more in the near future,' he mused.

"Brother Ruthar, I have also unlocked my magic, thanks to the Mana garden," Rotexa said excitedly.

'How nice,' Ruthar thought bitterly. He regretted not having a Mana garden to help unlock his magic; if he did, he might have achieved magic at age one.

Rotexa went on to explain her experiences and favorite magic. She had already grasped the concepts of flame and earth magic, and advanced constructions were no longer a problem for her.

Ruthar listened, smiling to keep Rotexa happy, even though he couldn't hear all her feats as someone approached, waving with a gladdened expression.

"You two look alike," Taraha acknowledged, patting the twins on their heads. It was hard to tell them apart now, with the same height, clothes, face, and hairstyle. Only Ruthar's slightly greater muscularity distinguished him.

'I should have known this was Taraha's deed,' he thought. 'She cut my hair and matched my clothes to Rotexa's.'

"Thank you, Aunty Taraha," Rotexa exclaimed, folding her hands as she watched Ragorn and Kithara talk to Tomaha.

Ruthar, however, was more interested in the pair of white irises fixed on him. He hadn't noticed the long stares until now. It was the eldest male child of the Darkdawn family, his elder brother Rova, with an almost angry look.

'What's wrong with him?' Ruthar wondered. 'According to the novel, Rova only acknowledges the strong. He is a mastermind with ambitions for the throne, willing to kill his siblings for it.'

Ruthar disconnected his eyes from Rova as the crowd erupted in noise, standing at attention as Tomaha left for his carriage. He stopped momentarily, pointing at Ruthar, "Make sure you get stronger, because I'll kill you when next we meet."

Ruthar was shocked but soon smiled in exhilaration. "Same to you, Tom..."

Tomaha boarded his carriage with two exorcists entering after him. The carriage, escorted by almost thirty exorcists, began to move.

Watching from afar, Ruthar felt a bit bothered by Tomaha's departure.

'I wouldn't have reached this height of power if not for the duel. Now that I won't see Tomaha for about five years, I feel like there's no reason to train as hard anymore...'

Ruthar felt this for a few minutes but changed his mind after recalling what the future held.

"In the next ten years, all this felicity and people will end in blood," he muttered, realizing how crazy it was to experience those horrors firsthand.

"Ruthar, this is the first time we talk to each other."

Ruthar quickly turned to see Rova. 'He finally approached me. Something is really bad here.'

Ruthar felt a sense of foreboding just standing close to Rova.

"Uhm- it's nice to mee..."

"Follow me," Rova commanded, leading the way without waiting for Ruthar's reply.

Ruthar gulped hard, feeling signs to run the other way but knowing the Darkdawn name wouldn't stand by a coward. He pocketed his hands, showing calmness and confidence, and followed Rova.

Finally, far from sight in an empty hall, Rova halted and faced Ruthar.

'Carnage.'

"What do you want to say to me? An offer, or are we here for you to show me my place?" Ruthar asked, already predicting Rova's angle.

To his surprise, Rova smirked. "You are quite smart, a scholar I heard. And right about the offer."

Ruthar nodded slightly, 'Years of reading you, Mark Hemsworth!'

"Now..." The atmosphere instantly turned hostile along with Rova's expression.

"I will offer you a deal. When you turn fifteen, we will have a battle for the throne. I must win and become king. If you reject my deal, you might die before you turn fifteen," Rova threatened. "Remember, you are not the only one standing in my way."

Ruthar gritted his teeth. 'He plans to kill us all before the duel. Damn, I just made an apex enemy.'

Rova turned his back and began to walk away. "I don't need a reply now, but when I come to ask, I expect one that won't get my hands dirty."

With that, he left the tensed hall, leaving Ruthar plunged into thoughts.

'It seems that peace I am searching for won't be coming anytime soon. I have to keep on training but...'

Ruthar huffed out timidly and smiled. "I am exhilarated that I was born into this fantasy world."

***Author's Note***

Finale of the volume before the main story starts. If you thought all that you have been reading till now is the main deal, then... Think again.

Vol 2 will be mass released soon.