Chapter 56 Knight's Oath.
Kael frowned, still trying to process what he had just done, and then looked at Adalric. The knight's suggestive smile didn't go unnoticed, and Kael felt a mix of curiosity and discomfort. He knew his strength was something out of the ordinary, but he still had no exact idea of what it could cause.
[Special Class Mission: Train with One of the Four Sword Kings]
[Reward: Basic Sword Skills, Letter of Recommendation (Unknown)]
'A Letter of Recommendation, huh...' Kael thought, turning his gaze to the Old Man.
"Train me, huh?" Kael repeated, trying to process the offer. He had thought about learning swordsmanship, but... he wasn't too keen on revealing himself to the man. "And about who I am... I already told you. I'm Kael RedGrave. Nothing more to say."
Adalric studied Kael with a penetrating look, as if trying to read his deeper intentions. "You really think an answer like that will suffice? Boy, I'm not so foolish as to ignore your lies, especially not in front of my niece."
Kael felt uneasy with Adalric's tone. He knew the man was trying something, perhaps challenging him in some way, but Kael didn't know how far he could take this conversation. He wanted to avoid revealing his true identity and what he was really doing here.
"I am who I am," Kael replied cautiously, avoiding further explanations. "If you want to train me, you'll have to accept who I am now. There's no mystery here." He tried to maintain his composure, but Adalric's gaze was making everything harder.
Adalric let out a soft laugh and stepped closer to Kael, his smile sharper. "I'm just trying to understand, boy. It's not every day I see someone with such strength and such a... peculiar control over their magic. Even new and powerful mages, like those from Azalith, can't manipulate the wind with such precision. And you..." He paused, as if pondering the best way to continue. "You have something more. Something that still doesn't make sense."
Kael swallowed hard. He knew Adalric was right. There was something more to his power, something he didn't fully understand, but he didn't want to be forced to reveal more than he already had.
"It doesn't matter what you think. I'm not... a common mage," Kael murmured, trying to hide the truth behind his words.
Adalric, however, continued to watch him with an intensity that seemed to pierce his soul. After a few moments of silence, he smiled, as if he had come to a conclusion. "I make an oath." Adalric's voice became firm and full of meaning, the gravity of his words hanging in the air. "A Knight's Oath is not something to be underestimated. Once made, it seals your honor, and a knight can never violate it."
Kael furrowed his brow, surprised by the seriousness of Adalric. Before he could ask more, the system, as if anticipating the conversation, appeared in his mind.
[Information: A Knight's Oath is Equivalent to His Honor. A True Knight values his honor above all. Once an oath is made, breaking it would result in being considered dishonorable. For a knight, breaking their oath is like destroying their own Pride.]
The word "honor" resonated in Kael's mind, making him reflect on the deep meaning of what Adalric had just said. A knight without honor was someone without identity, without value. The seriousness of the statement made Kael realize the weight of that promise.
"I understand," Kael said, looking at Adalric, who was watching him with a mix of challenge and respect. "And what exactly are you swearing?"
Adalric took a step forward, his imposing posture seemed to surround Kael, making the atmosphere even more tense. "I swear, Kael, that I will do everything in my power to help you control your strength. However, I need to know who I am helping. I am a knight, and a knight must know who he can trust."
'He's taking this really seriously...' Kael thought with a smile. 'I think it's worth it... the mission is good too...' He concluded.
"Alright," Kael said, looking into the man's eyes.
[You have accepted the Oath of the Fourth Sword King – Adalric Ainsworth. From this moment on, your honor is tied to the oath made. You will receive the necessary training to control your strength. However, any violation of your oath will result in severe consequences. Prepare for the challenges ahead.]
Adalric looked at Kael with a penetrating gaze, the weight of his presence intensifying the tension in the air. The trustworthy smile still lingered on Adalric's lips, but his eyes shone with an intensity that was hard to ignore. "Now, let's begin. Tell me, who are you, Kael?"
Kael felt a wave of pressure around him, the imposing aura of Adalric seemed almost palpable. He breathed deeply, maintaining his posture firm, like a hunter ready to face any challenge.
With a resolute voice, Kael replied: "I am Kael Scarlet. Son of Elion Scarlet and Grandson of Eleonor Scarlet, the Queen of Witches."
The moment the words left his mouth, the air around Adalric seemed to weigh down, and suddenly, an uncontrollable, thunderous laugh erupted from his chest. The sound was so loud and unexpected that it made the birds in the trees around them fly off in panic, fleeing from the intensity of the laughter.
"HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!" Adalric laughed hysterically, surprise and amusement taking over his expression. He wasn't just laughing at the revelation, but at the realization of how uncommon and problematic this young man really was.
The idea that Kael was the son of Elion Scarlet, the mage who caused countless problems to kingdoms and empires, and the grandson of Eleonor Scarlet, considered the most powerful mage of all time, was almost unbelievable.
"HAHAHAHAHA! Son of Elion and grandson of Eleonor Scarlet!" Adalric exclaimed between laughs. "You must be joking! The Queen of Witches... the woman who destroyed empires with a glance, and her daughter, who did the same, but in a... more chaotic way." The laughter continued, so strong that it seemed to make the trees around them tremble with the vibration.
Kael stood in silence for a moment, surprised by Adalric's reaction, but also feeling a bit uncomfortable with the impact of his lineage being so widely recognized. He hadn't known what to expect from Adalric, but it certainly wasn't such an... expansive laugh.
"So... you're more than just a mage with uncontrollable strength, aren't you?" Adalric finally spoke, still laughing, but now with a tone of respect and a hint of disbelief. "I thought I was dealing with someone unusual... Now I see I have before me an ambulant storm of chaos and destruction!"
What the hell did you two cause in the world for everyone to know about you? Kael could only think of his mother and grandmother... once again, another crazy reaction.
First Umbra, the Knights, and now a Sword King, who by the way... he didn't even know what being a Sword King meant.
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