It had been two days since I left my town. Two days of journey towards academy's ground.
I still remembered mother being emotional during our final lunch together. Tears threatening to spill with every bite she took. Every glance she gave me.
While it was harder to see the reactions of the maids... I mean, aunt and grandma.
All three of them had been treated exactly as they should be.
Father had taken the role of driver and general servant. Hauling luggage. Cleaning carriages. Running errands like the worthless dog he was.
Aunt was the household maid plus laundry worker. Her daily duty? Cleaning my dirty underwear every single day. And not just mine. Everyone's. The head maid's. The other servants'. Every piece of soiled fabric in that manor passed through her hands.
While grandma became mother's personal maid. Doing everything from polishing shoes to removing mud from the soles. Constantly brushing dust off mother's clothes while she worked. Following her around like a shadow, attending to her every need.
Not only that, but they were made to do even more work just for food and shelter. Because they knew they couldn't do anything else to survive.
They had nowhere to go. No skills. No connections. Nothing.
They were staying there, hoping for some miracle. Praying that the tables would somehow turn in their favor.
I laughed at the memory of what happened the day before I departed?
Father challenged mother for the head position.
The cooldown was finally over. A complete month since they had witnessed the horror of their defeat.
I still didn't know where father got those guts. Maybe some boasting by aunt and grandma. Filling his empty head with false hope.
But what followed was sweet.
After losing again, he was beaten brutally. By his own summon. The one mother now controlled.
Those sweet, calculated cuts across his ass. Deep enough to scar. Painful enough to remind him for weeks.
He would be hurting for quite some time. And every twinge of pain would remind him to never dare challenge her again.
Everything was settled back in town now.
Angelica had returned to work. However, mother still gave her deadly glares whenever they crossed paths. Some wounds took longer to heal than others.
Mother had taken on quite a good role as leader for the people. They were confused at first. Wondering what the hell was going on in this mad family. Why the baron was now a servant. Why the previous matriarch was scrubbing floors.
But they soon realized it was all for the better.
Mother's kindness made her beloved by everyone under her rule.
Everything was perfect.
And it would have been even more perfect if that bitch Aaliyah had given mother the title of Count.
But no. She just stared at me that night. Didn't say a word. Then dismissed the entire matter.
Because of that, I was now collecting money like a beggar.
I currently had 800 gold coins in total. And 110 Gooning Points.
I had only been investing 50 coins for each summon level up. Being stingy with gold because I needed it for this event.
Because I was going to gamble it all.
I was currently standing at the enquiry desk at the academy grounds.
Technically, the matches for The Ascension Double Duel were held in Azuredel.
A city completely different from any kingdom.
It was a small island with no political influence from any nation. No king ruled here. No emperor claimed it.
This land had been established by some hero centuries ago. And now his descendants operated it. Or rather, ate from the business he had built.
The sole purpose of that hero was to create a land that united all kingdoms. A place that trained students with potential, irrespective of their races, their backgrounds, or their wealth.
So in short, this entire city existed for students and the academy. The residents were simply there to serve the staff and students.
And currently, the competition was being held at the edges of the island. Far from the real mainland. For privacy reasons.
I had been assigned my first matchup in Arena #16.
I wanted to ask when it would begin.
When I inquired before, I was informed that my partner was a girl named Thalia.
'Thalia, huh?'
I wondered if she was hot. If she would spread her legs for me when I showed off some heroics during the fight.
I was imagining things while moving toward the enquiry section.
'A hot chick watching my moves. Getting aroused by my combat skills. Her thighs pressing together as she watches me dominate the battlefield.'
'Then after the match, I'm dodging her squirt while women from the entire stadium throw their panties at me.'
'A sea of underwear raining down. Victory in battle. Victory in—'
THUD.
My dream shattered as I bumped into someone.
I looked down at the girl.
And my mood immediately soured.
"What are you doing here, Celestine?"
She blinked. Processing. Then her face lit up like the sun.
"Goonman! Long time no see!" She bounced on her feet.
"You know, I was thinking about you!"
I forced a smile. "What a coincidence. I was thinking about you too."
Then I murmured under my breath.
"Praying to every god in existence that I wouldn't run into you again."
"Hm? Did you say something?"
"Nothing. Nothing at all."
She scratched her head. "By the way, Goonman, are you here for the competition?"
"Nah." I waved dismissively.
"I've been called here as a cheerleader."
Her face fell instantly. Sadness washing over her features.
"Oh... it would have been so fun if you had participated."
I stared at her.
"Don't tell me you're participating? Aren't you a princess? I heard nepotism works wonders here."
She shook her head. "No, I'm not participating. Father said I wasn't ready for the academy yet."
She pouted. "He promised to enroll me next year."
"Then why are you here?"
She turned. Pointed toward a girl standing at the enquiry box.
"Because my sis is participating."
I followed her finger.
And there she was.
The same elf bombshell from before. Light peach hair. Green eyes. That impossibly perfect figure wrapped in combat attire.
"Your father allowed her for that?"
I raised an eyebrow. "I mean, wasn't she basically your family's slave or something?"
Celestine's expression turned dramatic. "There was a whole scene a week ago."
She clasped her hands together.
"Sis fought with courage and determination! She told father that she wanted to prove herself. Not just to him, but to everyone watching."
She spread her arms wide.
"Especially those in the Elf Kingdom. Her mother's family. She wanted to show them all what she was capable of."
"And?"
"Things escalated. There was yelling. Crying. More yelling."
She nodded sagely. "Ultimately, father gave permission. But on one condition."
Her voice dropped. "If she fails... she will be exiled. Not just from our family. But from the entire kingdom."
"Typical royal behavior." I clicked my tongue.
Celestine continued.
"And then I needed to see her matches with my own eyes!"
She grinned mischievously.
"Or, to be honest, I just wanted to see the island. So I had to throw some tantrums."
She giggled.
"I knew just one day of not talking to father would have him begging on his knees. And then boom!"
She spread her arms. "Look! Here I am!"
I sighed.
Then a realization struck me.
I reached into my belongings. Pulled out two huge bags of gold coins.
They clinked heavily as I held them up.
"Can you do me a favor?"