Shortly after spending a week at the estate, Ragnar returned to his post at the borders, while Nyra went back to her magic tower to continue her duties.
Alex started spending the entire day in the training hall. He would only join his family for dinner; all the meals were provided to him in the training hall.
During that first week, his grandparents guided him in his training, offering tips and advice. From morning to evening, they guided him, especially his grandfather, who stayed with him and taught him everything about the entrance exam and how to fight.
Ragnar only left after grilling everything down to his grandson; he wanted to stay longer, but he had to return to the border.
After they left, Shane joined him and gave him guidance, though he didn't want his son to pass the exam. He knew no matter what, he would not pass it, and since his son would most likely fail, he decided he should fail gracefully.
So he drilled Alex into training from morning to evening. He would repeatedly visit the training hall and observe Alex as he practised. However, he could not remain there throughout the day; his other duties required his attention, so he would leave to attend to them.
Sera would sit on benches beside the training hall, watching her son train. She would give him pointers and provide him with drinks and water.
If Sera had not been present in the training hall, Alex would have pushed himself far beyond his limits and tired himself before the entrance exam. Sera regularly advised him when to take breaks and monitored his well-being.
Ariana would sit beside her mother, looking over her brother's training, and tease him, sometimes laughing when he fell or stumbled.
Sera cherished this little peace and knew it would not last long; she felt guilty for wanting her son to fail, despite all the effort he was putting in, she knew he would likely not make it.
"I am afraid he will break after failing the entrance, but if he passes, then he will be even more broken. It's better this way; he could train with us, and we would find a solution to the levelling problem." She thought to herself, trying to ease her guilt through reasons.
The days passed by in a blink. Soon, it was nearing an entrance exam.
- - -
Today, unlike any other day, Alex did not do any training. He woke up, refreshed, and after putting on his suit, a white long-sleeve shirt, a long black coat from outside, and a pair of fitted black trousers, he looked into the mirror, admired himself, and exited the room. His eyes were fierce with anticipation for a new adventure.
He entered the dining room, where he met his parents and sister and joined them.
"Grandpa and grandma are not coming?" Alex asked as he ate lunch.
Shane answered, "They will be coming directly to the academy to see the exam. Do your best, son. Also, don't worry, even if you don't pass it, there is nothing to worry about; you will be trained by us."
Sera, who sat beside Shane, added, "Yes, son, no need to worry. Do your best and leave the rest to fate. We will welcome you and always cherish you, no matter the results."
Alex smiled at his parents, who were giving him a pep talk.
Ariana grumbled, "Why are you guys talking badly already? He will pass the entrance and join the academy."
Sera laughed at her daughter's anger, "Looks like someone wants to send you away, son."
Ariana pouted, "No, I don't."
All laughed seeing Ariana's cute expression.
Soon, they exited the palace, and waiting for them was a luxurious carriage adorned with intricate patterns and runes; a drakethorne emblem was attached to its front.
They all boarded the carriage. Lucy, the knight captain, guided her knights in formation as they exited the palace behind. They were travelling to Silverine Academy.
Alex looked through one end of the window. Ariana looked through the other. Their eyes gleamed as they watched onlookers bow to the carriage and make way for them.
This was the first time for Alex to venture outside the gate; his heart thrummed with anticipation as he looked at new faces, their dresses, and hair.
Buildings were lined up in a systematic manner. Shops were open. Vendors screamed at passersby, offering exciting deals and prices.
Streets were paved with cobblestones. Mana lamps lined every side of the road. Houses were all three or four storeys with gleaming glass windows.
Ariana grinned and said, "Brother, you look just like a kid who has received his favourite candy."
Shane and Sera broke out in laughter. They were seated in opposite seats, facing their children directly, and were tense about what the future held for Alex, but their daughter's joke eased their tension.
Alex turned towards his sister, who was seated beside him, "A child is calling me a child, naughty one." He pinched his cheeks.
"Ouch, it hurts." Ariana distanced herself from Alex as she put her right hand on her reddened cheek, throwing her tongue out as she teased him even more.
Alex just laughed at his sister's antics and was about to pinch her other cheek when the carriage halted.
Lucy, the knight commander, said,"Your Grace, we have reached the teleportation gate."
Alex had heard about the teleportation gate but never seen it. He pushed his face towards the window, but was unable to see anything. He wanted to exit, but the door had not yet opened.
Seeing Alex's curious face, Shane opened the door. He exited first, and the others followed him behind.
Just as they exited, the people nearby all bowed, "Long live, my lord."
Alex looked at the people, piqued by new faces, he observed them closely. Onlookers lifted their heads and looked at a new figure who was standing beside their lord. They instantly recognised that he was probably their son and heir to the grand duke of Drakethorne, as he strikingly resembled them.
All gazed at him, engraving his face into their mind; they did not want to, for any reason, haphazardly turn their relationship with him bad if they were to bump into him in the future.
Slowly, whispers started flowing. Alex perked his ears to listen to it, "Is he the heir? He looks exactly like his father, and his eyes are identical to his mother."
"Sheesh! Keep quiet. Also, wasn't there a rumour that he was a bastard child?" A strange rumour reached Alex's ear, making him freeze on the ground.
- - -
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