Opening the first box, he saw four vials of pills. Two vials had around forty pills, purple in colour, with the label 'Body Tempering - Put in Shower Basin brat!'. The other two were white, and their numbers were the same; the label, however, was 'Energy Circulation'.
Sighing, Valtherion had an idea who had left those for him. It was most likely his dear Grandfather, Duke Garcia. At last, it was time to open the letter.
Dear Grandson, welcome to the villa. Below the bottles, I have left you a few checks; it should be around four thousand gold. Spend well, take care of your cousin, and do not impregnate her! You are both too young for that! Don't slack off; we will meet soon!
'My grandfather is insane...but I am more than grateful; even if I am not of the Garcia family, he takes care of me...'
Opening the next box, he felt like slapping his face; it was his grandmother. He had met her more than once, both as a visitor and a guest. She was a powerful wizard, maybe close to breaking through and becoming an Archmage. The old fogeys, as old as they were, at most they would seem to be in their thirties. Magic and Qi energy helped them live longer and remain youthful.
The gift his grandmother had left him was pills, but instead of money, she had hidden a battle technique and a letter. This amazed him, because battle techniques were rare, valuable above what money could provide.
Hello Val! Welcome to the Villa. If anything doesn't suit you, send me a letter immediately. I will behead them personally. Be a good boy, stick to your studies and training. Do not mind your cousin; she is very lively, matching your quietness. Keep this technique a secret; I've bought it from a trusted source. Share it only with your mentor! Good luck, baby boy; grandma loves you! - your grandmother Rose G.
Looking at the technique scroll, he bit his finger and let the blood sink into it. A clicking sound was heard, and it unravelled.
Shifting Serpent Movement Technique - A fluid footwork art that teaches the practitioner to move with the silent, unpredictable grace of a serpent. By refining balance, breath control, and muscle coordination, the user learns to glide across terrain without producing sound, slipping through space in smooth, continuous motions. At higher mastery, each step becomes a controlled burst of acceleration, allowing the practitioner to weave, pivot, and advance with speed far beyond ordinary warriors. The technique excels in evasion, infiltration, and sudden close‑quarters engagement, turning the user's silhouette into a blur that is difficult for enemies to track.
'Holy shit. My grandma is even more insane. I will have to pay back this debt one day...thank you, grandma...'
Opening the last box, there were the same pills and a small notepad. Before proceeding to it, Valtherion first opened the letter.
Dear Nephew. Welcome to the villa. Your cousin is a bit playful and spoiled, but I trust you will keep things there under control. Feel free to scold her. I am leaving you the notes of my experience from the Novice stage towards the Expert. I hope I never have to fight side by side with you; however, living in such times, most likely we will one day. Enjoy your youth. - your uncle, Julian Garcia.
Valtherion was shocked, as sweat rolled down his forehead. Those gifts, they were not something that money alone could buy. His mother's side of the family treasured him, compensating for the fact that the Mograines were almost extinct. It warmed his heart and filled it with love. Blood is always thicker than water.
Taking a sip of water and finally calming down, he sat at his desk and stored the boxes in his spatial ring. Both sides of his family held territories on the border, and they bordered each other. His background could not be more military-based than that, causing him to sigh in distress.
Peace was all he ever wanted, and what he would aim for, if fate was to allow it; he wanted to treasure this lifetime...yet he would have to prepare for the worst. Gazing at his family's crest, a complicated emotion arose within him.
The painter, the broke student Valery... he is dead. My mother, my father, my whole family and territory rely on me. Just as they support me, so must I stand up for its Honour, when the hour comes.
Valtherion waved his hand, and a book appeared in his hands.
Serpent's Dominion - Mograine Family Breathing and Spear Technique
Spears...Most families relied on swords; his family was one that relied on the spear.
Tomorrow I begin training with Luther. He will help me ignite my energy, most likely. I must treasure this manual and keep it hidden. What a day it has been...
Looking on his right, in the corner, there stood an armourer. Thin plates of metal, able to withstand slashes of energy-coated weapons. Despite its thinness, it was more durable than any metal he could recognise from Earth.
Military uniforms here were also made of special cloth; however, beneath it, soldiers and generals wore those thin metal armours, making it a double-coated armour. Even if you cut through the uniform, the thin armour was beneath it to block the advance.
*Knock-Knock*
"Enter."
"Young master, have you decided on which clothes you would like ordered?" It was Albert, as he came in with a plate of sweets and iced juice.
"Albert. Here is the catalogue. I have marked everything that I need. Please buy in pairs. Use this money and treat yourself to something along the way. I insist on that; no need to be stingy." Smiling, Valtherion took a check worth a thousand gold coins and handed it to Albert, who smiled and left with a bow.
A thousand is more than enough; at most it should cost around 400 gold coins. Even if he liked casual-looking clothes, brands were expensive, and no heir should embarrass their family by wearing poor-quality clothing.
Opening a door covered by a window cover, he took a step outside and found himself in a beautiful yard. There was a pool, albeit empty. Half of it was in the shade; the other was fully exposed to the sun. There was a table as well as a few chairs. Deciding that he would eat his snacks outside, he cleaned it by hand and sat down to the amazement of the maids who were looking at him from the second-floor terrace.
"Greetings, ladies. I wish you a good afternoon!" Offering a polite greeting, he went outside and began enjoying his afternoon, with his snacks and, of course, a notebook.
A gentle wind caressed his face, making his hair flutter and letting him relax. He was a guest, but now he was feeling more at home. A maid would come and offer to clean his chair, but he would refuse, assuring them it's alright. All he wanted was iced juice and some snacks to go with it.
If I wish to live well, besides being stronger, I need wealth. Big amounts of it. Armies cost a fortune, so does infrastructure and projects...I need something that I can copy from Earth and sell here...Pity, I did not study engineering, but...but... Pellets! That is something I can produce!
"Is Albert around? If you see him, let him know I need his advice." Valtherion spoke with a maid outside of his room and went back outside. The weather was becoming cooler and cooler.
Not long had passed when Albert came to his side, kept and tidy as always.
"Young master. I heard that you need me."
"Sit down, I would like your advice on things."
Sitting down, Albert looked at Valtherion with interest. What would a 14-year-old need advice about?
"Say, Albert. If I wish to invent something and keep it only to myself, is there anything I could do? A patent." Valtherion spoke, looking at Albert. If there was no way to patent things here, it would be disastrous to produce pellets.
"There is a way, yes. You would need an Imperial Scholar to verify the patent. Have you got anything you would like to produce, young master?" Albert supplied him with all the information, but there was a look of scepticism. What could a teenager produce? Still, noble kids were like that. They would either squander a fortune or...they would squander more.
"Could you be so kind as to invite one tomorrow? I have an appointment with Luther, so around one o'clock would be perfect."
"Yes, young master, but..."
"Do it, please. I will not waste your time, mine or the scholar's. On a side note, please, procure me those things as soon as you can. Whether in a storage room or here, I do not mind." Handing him a list of ingredients, Val made sure to sound as confident and assured as possible. He meant everything he said.
"It will be done, young lord. I will come to you after an hour, and we shall go to the shed. Please, enjoy your food." Taking his leave, Albert left with suspicion. After all, who wouldn't be suspicious in those circumstances?