[Months Later]
"Huu…"
The morning sun painted the sky in hues of pink and gold as Neron stood at the entrance of Kaelid Manor, his heart pounding with excitement and nerves. Beside him stood his father, Mordred, the manor staff and workers forming a sea of faces behind them. The air was alive with anticipation and well wishes, the energy crackling with so much energy and anticipation.
Everyone already knew what day this was.
Neron adjusted the strap of his satchel, feeling the weight of his future resting on his shoulders. Today marked the beginning of a new chapter in his life—the day he would leave the comfort of his home to embark on his journey to Ainzlark Academy. He had spent months preparing for this moment, studying tirelessly under his father's guidance, honing his magical skills and sharpening his mind.
As the carriage pulled up to the manor, Neron couldn't help but feel a surge of excitement mixed with apprehension. This was it—the moment he had been waiting for. He turned to his father, his black eyes shining with determination.
"I'm ready, Dad," Neron said, his voice steady despite the butterflies fluttering in his stomach. "I'll make you proud."
Mordred smiled, his eyes reflecting a mixture of pride and affection. "I have no doubt that you will, Neron," he said, placing a reassuring hand on his son's shoulder. "Just remember everything I've taught you, and trust in your abilities. You have the potential to achieve greatness."
"I know."
Neron's confident reply did not shock anyone, neither was it out of a place of pride. Every single resident of the manor knew this to be pure fact.
"I'll get a perfect score for sure." He grinned widely.
"The exams aren't that easy, you know?" Mordred said with a twinkle in his eyes, though he by no means berated the boy's ambitions.
Perhaps, deep down, he expected it.
window.pubfuturetag = window.pubfuturetag || [];window.pubfuturetag.push({unit: "64ce79d606107d003c23ea27", id: "pf-5140-1"})"Sure, sure…" Neron nodded, taking a deep breath to steady his nerves. He glanced back at the crowd gathered behind them, seeing the familiar faces of the manor staff who had become like family to him over the years. Their cheers and well wishes filled him with a sense of warmth and gratitude.
"Thank you, everyone," Neron said, his voice ringing out over the crowd. "I'll make sure to return victorious, and when I do, I'll make sure to share my success with all of you."
The crowd erupted into cheers and applause, their voices echoing in the crisp morning air. Neron felt a surge of determination coursing through his veins, driving him forward toward his dreams—or rather, his father's. In all honesty, he personally saw no need to go to the Academy.
He had heard people discuss the place, and he also read on it. He had even visited once or twice whenever he went on excursions with Serah's family. There was no particular thrill it gave him.
'Dad says education in the Academy is necessary, though. I'll just take his word for it and attend. It'll only take three years anyway, and after that is the Apprenticeship, which I'll spend with him.'
He doubted anyone would complain about that.
'Once I become a fully fledged Mage, I'll make a name for myself. Maybe even become an Adventurer like Uncle Aldred…' He could already envision his future as he stood there.
'Welp! First things first!'
With a final wave to the crowd, he climbed into the carriage. His father saw him enter, and continued giving him the brightest smile ever.
"I'm proud to have you as my son." He said with the most emotional tone ever, tears falling down from his eyes as he kept grinning.
"Save the tears of joy until I return with news of my perfect score!" Neron laughed the emotion off as the driver began gearing the horses to life.
Almost as if ignoring those words, Mordred jumped right as the carriage door was about to close and hugged Neron tightly.
"I love you, son."
window.pubfuturetag = window.pubfuturetag || [];window.pubfuturetag.push({unit: "64cc9e79c7059f003e4ad4b0", id: "pf-5109-1"})'Why is he being so emotional? And in front of so many people too…' Frankly Neron felt a little embarrassed, which was probably why it took him more than a few seconds to finally respond to Mordred.
"I love you too, dad."
********
As the carriage rolled away from Kaelid Manor, Neron couldn't help but feel a pang of sadness at leaving behind the home he had known for so long.
But it was quickly replaced by a sense of excitement as he thought about the adventures that lay ahead.
'If I pass, I'll have to stay there for a while before returning. Well, I'll try to ask for permission to leave so I can at least give him the news myself.'
The road to Ainzlark Academy stretched out before them, winding through lush green countryside and rolling hills. The landscape seemed to blur past as the carriage picked up speed, the rhythmic clip-clop of the horses' hooves providing a soothing backdrop to Neron's thoughts.
Inside the carriage, his mind wandered as he thought about the challenges that awaited him at the academy. He knew that the exams would be relatively, so he thought of the other challenges that he could possibly encounter.
Making friends would be a little difficult for him, but he really didn't need any. Serah was good enough for him, and if anyone else was to enter the picture, they would have to desire his own friendship.
'Hehehe…!' Rather than having friends, he hoped to gather the attention of as many people as possible.
Mages—to be precise.
'They'll all understand how great I am, and how awesome Dad is as my teacher!'
As the carriage continued on its journey, Neron felt the excitement in him begin to grow for some reason.
window.pubfuturetag = window.pubfuturetag || [];window.pubfuturetag.push({unit: "663633fa8ebf7442f0652b33", id: "pf-8817-1"})'Serah… everyone else whose names I don't know yet… wait for me!'
And so, with his head held high and his heart full of determination, Neron set off toward his academic destiny—so to speak—ready to carve his own path in the world of magic.
