Insect Tamer's Ascension

"It's all because of that unique affinity of yours. You're trying to do everything ahead of time so you can have a normal—or even better—chance than others. But guess what? You're just digging yourself into an even bigger hole."

When the Baron stopped speaking, Theo was speechless. The reason may have been on point, but what he said afterward was what truly shocked Theo.

"Keep doing everything like you've been doing, and your foundation will take a very big hit, Theo," the Baron continued. It was the first time he had spoken so much at once, and he didn't seem to be done yet.

Theo looked at Lucien, who just shook his head in dismissal.

"Lucien taught you a lot in the short span of time while I was gone. It may have been due to his guilt for involuntarily hurting you, Theo, and it makes send. And, I know what you're thinking—that getting training from Lucien is a big opportunity and reaching the Gate is an even bigger one, am I right?"

"…" Theo kept silent and averted his gaze, which made the Baron snort.

"Everyone is sensing potential in you, but you're trying to ruin it with your greed. That's not what a Merrick is supposed to do, Theo."

When Theo heard that, he quickly retorted, "Doesn't being a Merrick mean pushing yourself to the extreme and winning what you want to win, Father? I've been trying to do the same thing." He clenched his teeth.

The Baron looked at him, unfazed. There was no reaction on his face, which irked Theo.

"… If you think a Merrick is that… then you really are not ready."

Clara looked at the Baron with panic. She didn't like what he said and wanted to speak up, yet she quickly stopped herself.

"Let me humor this goal of yours for a moment," he spoke again, and Theo just stood silently.

"In the past two months, you've worked hard and learned both physical combat and beast strategies from the eldest—truly splendid. It shows potential, to say the least, Theo." The Baron clapped his hands, and for a second, it looked genuine, but in the next, it felt like ridicule.

"You leveled your beast to 4 too, and now? You're trying not only to hit level 5 'yourself' but also break through into level 6 at the same time, just to get selected. Did I get it right?"

There was a pause for a few seconds before Theo responded.

"… Yes." Theo spoke with confidence. He knew everything was against him at this point, and even he himself now thought all of this was dumb.

But Theo couldn't back down yet.

"And then you will try getting selected for the Gate by me and the others holding a high seat. We all know that by now," the Baron said while nodding.

"So now, we will talk about the reality."

The Baron started without giving anyone time to speak. "The Gate has the bare minimum requirement of breaking through level 5, for reasons we don't need to discuss right now. But we of the High Table have never selected anyone of level 5 throughout history. The real bare minimum is being proven worthy by the Table, Theo."

"And even if you were to get selected, the chance of you not making it back to our world is almost certain. The horrors of the Gates have always been hidden by everyone—the masses don't know what really transpires there. Lucien only entertained you because he himself doesn't know. But I find him and Cedric ready enough to venture into it with me... Not you."

The Baron explained so much in such a short time that Theo was beyond surprised. He had never expected the Baron to say so much to him, even if he was ridiculing him.

"The main point is that you are not ready for such a dangerous path yet—neither in age nor mentality."

Theo now looked down at the ground. His shorter-term goal of reaching the Gate had always felt ridiculous in his mind too, but getting the reality check was another thing.

When the Baron saw this, his face finally melted into a warm smile.

"I have always been proud of your strong personality. It has served you well so far. But I couldn't let it turn into overconfidence, Theo. Do you understand that?"

"I understand, Father," Theo said with conflicted emotions.

"Good. Because your training has not gone to waste," the Baron spoke.

Theo didn't react at first, but then he lifted his face in confusion.

"Did you think you would do all this and I wouldn't see how far you can go? Ridiculous." The Baron snorted with a grin.

"My motive today was not to stop that intense attitude toward growth, but to direct it toward what will REALLY help you." He stated.

"I can't let you join us for the Gate this time, Theo. That is the final verdict. But something else can be arranged for the time being. I am interested enough already."

"What is it, Father?" Theo asked with focus, and the Baron nodded.

"I need you to start proving yourself first. So, you will be given missions from the Merrick Barony and you have to complete them in the allotted time. They will not be in the name of the barony, atleast not yet."

"What kind of missions, Father?" Theo asked almost instantly.

Lucien smiled when he saw his father's face bloom into a grin—he was back again.

"Since you can't enter the town until you reach the age of 10, all your missions will be related to the Whispering Forests. Are you willing to do that?"

"I am willing. Please give me some more details."

"Not right now, but I will write down the things you can do to earn my trust first. But—" He stopped, and his eyes sharpened. "If you choose this, then the preparation for the Gate will be over for good. You have to choose right now, it's either the inevitable doom or some actual growth."

When Theo heard the last part, he fell into thought. The one who was going to select him for the gate had outright rejected it, even after taking into consideration that he would break through to level 5.

Theo had to make the decision, and by the looks of his father, he had to make it quick.

"I…"