Valerian, The Legendary

118 They said, “Socialize.”

Valerian and Fallax had not even taken any position to fight yet when they heard a meowing sound from the side. They can only describe the expression on the kitten’s face as dissatisfied.

The old man chuckled and said, “This little one may have the skill to change her shape but the temper still remains that of the supreme magical entity.”

He flicked his hand and took out a green orb in his hand, the object looked like green crystal, but it was perfectly round. Valerian noticed that as soon as the old man took out the orb the kitten’s gaze was fixed on it. He asked, “What is that?”

Fallax replied, “This is a magic core. When you hunt a magical beast, you can obtain this. You might have read it in the books but it is your first time coming across the real thing, is it not?”

Valerian nodded, and the old man tossed the orb to Fortuna. The cat gave up her spell and transformed into her original form of a silver dragon. Her dazzling and delicate appearance shocked the old man. He darted a gaze at Valerian and asked, “Where did you find her?”

Valerian shook his head and said, “The less you know the better.”

Fallax furrowed his brows and said, “Kid, do not think that you can forget your manners while dealing with me because you are talented. There is a huge gap between skilled and talented. You are still a few decades early to tell me what I should know or not.”

Valerian looked at him and said, “Are you sure you want to mess with the magicals?”

Fallax was surprised, he asked, “What do you mean?”

.....

Valerian could not tell him anything about his mother, he would not take that risk. So he decided to push the blame on the driads, from the knowledge he had, it was almost impossible for them to reach the realm of the magical creatures.

“A driad led me to it. That is all I will tell you, feel free to beat me up.”, said the boy.

Well, what he did not expect was for Fallax to nod and say, “Very well.”

That said, the old man charged at Valerian and after half an hour the boy lay on the floor, groaning with pain. At least a few bones were cracked in the previous fight. Fallax never held back, he would use his shadow dispersal skill and mind snare to distract Valerian and use superior battle strength to put him down.

In the situation where he did not have any hopes of a comeback, Valerian managed to hold back for half an hour before collapsing was really commendable. Fallax looked down on the young boy and said, “You still are yet to land a blow on my person. Pathetic. Here, use this to keep her aura as a dragon in check, lest you want someone stronger than you to snatch her from you.”

Fallax did not tell Valerian that he was aware of everything regarding the origins of Fortuna. It was only because, Boo-too has informed her earlier, and warned her to keep his greed in check. Although he was not immoral, since Valerian was under the bloom-kin’s protection, they might as well remind the old man of his status.

...

Valerian was in too much pain to notice that Fortuna had finished eating the orb completely and then she was glowing with a dim glow. A jade vine sprouted from the floor and gently wrapped around the ankle of the boy, who fainted from the pain.

Fallax really did not give him a chance at all, this was also the reason why Valerian could even take down grandmasters and archmages by surprise. This style has become his instinct now.

...

While Valerian recovered, the imperial palace received a letter addressing the empress. A maid rushed through the palace, to deliver it. The sender was the royal family of Sapientia.

The maid was quick on her feet as she moved through the corridors holding the scroll in her hands. She reached the doors of the Empress’s study and said while panting, “Royal Mail for highness, from Sapientia Imperial Palace.”

The guards became alert, and they knocked on the door, “Your Excellency, urgent letter.”

“Bring it over.”, replied Fragrantia in a calm voice.

She was reading a few reports from the remote corners regarding a few issues calmly. The door opened and the maid walked inside. She bowed to Fragrantia and said, “Your Excellency, the letter is from the Empress of Sapientia.”

Fragrantia stretched her hand to her. The maid respectfully handed her the scroll. The Empress said, “You can go.”

The maid bowed again and then she left the study, closing the doors. Fragrantia opened the scroll and read it calmly, in the end, the room was filled with silence until she mumbled, “This is interesting.”

She stood up from the chair while she held the scroll and walked out of the study. Her steps were calm and firm, she was heading to the Emperor’s study room. The guards followed her, and they stood beside the king’s guard when they reached their destination.

Fragrantia entered the room and she found her husband immersed in work. She said, “Your Excellency, there is a letter from our in-laws.”

The last two syllables were emphasized with sarcasm. Libra raised his head and asked, “What is it?”

Fragrantia said, “They wish to invite Valerian to the ceremony. They state that despite his adoptive status, he is still the prince of the empire.”

Libra raised his eyebrow and read the scroll again. Indeed, the other side has mentioned the words ‘adopted’, this was a direct and naked humiliation to Valerian and indirectly to their family. Fragrantia will never take it lying down. The emperor asked, “What do you intend to do?”

Fragrantia said, “The academy will be soon holding the annual rank battles. I will go there to witness, Valerian will come at the top. It will be enough to make that arrogant woman know her place. She dares to despise my child. If not for your eldest son, this would not have happened.”

She scolded Ignis, for implicating the whole nation in his drunk adventure with the elder princess of the Sapientia empire. This marriage alliance was already decided when Azula had taken the trial of freedom.

Libra allowed her to vent all she wanted and said, “The wedding will be held a week after the final competition, do not worry it will be fine. I have made arrangements ahead of time. Valerian will be taught how to dance and proper etiquette he will not fall short of these noble-born snobs.”

Fragrantia sighed and said, “You deserve to be the emperor for your far-sightedness. I think we can have him arrange these classes in the academy. It will allow him to harmonious with other people. What do you think?”

Libra leaned back as his fingers gently tapped on the table surface in a slow rhythm. He said, “I understand that you want him to grow faster. However, given his cautious nature, harmonizing with others might be difficult.”

Fragrantia said, “We won’t know until we try. I will reply to this letter and pass the word to Val as well.”

Libra nodded and the lady left the study to deal with things. They did not have much time. The annual rank battle will be held in a month. It was not only battle or magical skills that must be learned by one. To balance their life they needed to dabble with other skills as well. It was time for Valerian to grow in other things.

...

The next morning Valerian woke up, with some light swelling spread across his face. He did not feel much pain but it was not a pleasant feeling for him. Fortuna was sleeping on her bed, curled up like a ball.

Valerian sighed and mumbled, “At least someone has peace.”

The door of the tower entrance was knocked on at this moment. He stood up with a low whimper and limped his way to check who it was. When he pushed open the door, he found a couple of dishes placed outside on the floor, and with them lay a scroll.

This was his food, so he carefully brought it back, and placed it on top of the counter. He proceeded to open the scroll and check what it was about. It was a message from Fragrantia, and she had asked him to join art classes, and learn some skills that were necessary for a noble.

Knowing that he might refuse, she stated the importance of socializing and a network. He did not have to trust anyone but only learn and improve so that when he appears in public, the rich and renowned give him a face. This was also a strength attribute.

Valerian knew that the lady was manipulating her words, but he still agreed. Fallax had told him yesterday, during the battle that his growth was slowing down because he was developing tunnel vision.