Insect Tamer's Ascension-Chapter 98: End of the three months (2)- The real motives

When Theo heard his father's voice, he quickly went on his feet and looked toward him in surprise. He had never thought about meeting him anywhere other than the dinner hall and the office.

The guard who was attacking stopped his kick right at the moment the Baron spoke. It was a command directly from the owner of the whole place. He faced his body toward the Baron right away.

Theo straightened his body and controlled his breathing before he bowed nobly toward his father. There were sweaty stains all over his body.

"It is great to see you're alright, father." Theo spoke while using all his breath, a genuine smile etched on his face.

Every other guard and lower status members around went on one knee to show the utmost respect.

And it was not just because of the obligation. There was genuine respect toward the Baron.

The Baron moved his hand slowly and the ones on their knees understood; they went back up and looked at him with respect.

"What are you doing here, father? Have you rested enough?" Lucien asked with concern. The Baron moved his face toward him.

"I have rested enough. The war was not taxing this time," the Baron spoke, almost disappointed.

Theo couldn't help but check his status screen to see if there was any level up, but it was unlikely as even a single level up at this stage would mean a grand party. It was that rare.

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Aldric Merrick

Level 16

Type: Human

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Theo looked at it and nodded inwardly; there weren't any changes till now.

"Theo,"

Suddenly, the Baron called on him and Theo jerked his face toward him. The Baron looked at him with his usual serious face.

"Yes, father?" Theo said, and his eyes went down toward his father's clothes. It was rare to see him without the golden armor.

The Baron was wearing a white shirt with big buttons. The shirt made Theo realize just how broad his shoulders were. He could see all the lines and curves of muscles that were possible to have.

And it was not because the Baron was wearing a tight shirt but because his muscles were so defined, the cloth that was on it just took its shape like skin.

The Baron spoke with a stern tone, "Alfred told me everything that has been happening here,"

There was a grave expression on the Baron's face, and Theo gulped.

"Your progress has been commendable, Theo. But, this is going too far… both of you meet me in my office right away." The Baron stated, giving yet another stern look toward Lucien, who couldn't help but chuckle awkwardly.

Before Theo and Lucien could even nod or say a simple 'Yes', the Baron left the training hall without any noise, much like how he had entered.

When he was finally gone, everyone took a sigh of relief. They may have respected him, yet the pressure the Baron exuded naturally had made many have a hard time breathing.

Theo looked toward Lucien, who was still looking at the entrance where the Baron had come from, a concerned frown on his face.

"It was a good fight, Seth." Theo said while looking at the guard beside him.

The guard moved his face toward Theo with a distant look first, yet he came back to his senses right away.

"You've improved a lot, young master. I can't wait to have another good spar with you." Seth spoke and gave a respectful bow.

Theo just tapped his shoulder with a grin and offered a military handshake instead. The guard was surprised yet smiled and reciprocated the greeting right away.

"Young master Theo is so kind."

"I can't wait to see just how strong he will get with this much training."

"Don't worry, you will be surprised after another month like us."

Murmurs filled the training hall again, and Theo bid farewell to everyone together before he, Lucien, Clara, and Cassien started moving toward the castle's big entrance.

Theo looked up at his brother's face; the frown was just sitting there since the interaction.

"Don't worry, big brother Lucien, father will understand" Theo said after tapping Lucien's arm once to get his attention.

He knew Lucien was easygoing in stuff like this. While he may have been getting scolded because of him, it was just what happened to him many times.

"I am not worried about that, Theo." Lucien spoke bluntly and gazed at Theo, who was confused.

"You have not known him for long, so you mostly see his serious side... Our father is playful by heart, but…" Lucien stopped mid-sentence and sighed deeply.

"Anyway, what I mean is that he has been taking a lot of stress these days." Lucien stopped speaking before another mutter came from his side, "We have to take care of him too, not only the other way around."

Theo heard that and went silent, the travel to the office was all quiet now with everyone being in their own thoughts. He knew what Lucien was trying to say.

The Baron a few years ago was a very aloof person, but with time, his demeanor was changing, and Theo couldn't help but feel like this was mainly because of him since the ceremony.

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His unique affinity had even grabbed the attention of the royals, much like all the barons and viscounts around.

'If he tells me to slow it down, what do I do?' Theo asked himself, yet there wasn't much time to think. They had reached the gate of the office already.

Before they could knock, the door opened fully, and they saw the black suit-clad old butler.

Lucien just gave him a respectable nod, and Theo did the same, although there were times when he didn't like the head butler, this was one of them.

He quickly went to the side, and they all entered.

Theo gazed at Clara once, who had a concerned expression on her face. She was still worried about him.

The Baron was looking at Theo from the get-go, his arms crossed as he just stared at him with his stern eyes.

"Father… have I done something to anger you?" Theo asked innocently. There were times when he liked using his age to his advantage and ask the most basic question right away.

The Baron kept looking at him for a few seconds and then moved to Lucien, who was as if waiting for it already.

"Why have you been doing this, Lucien? The gate demands your whole attention, but you have been playing around training someone who doesn't need it right now." The Baron said with an authoritative voice and frowned.

Lucien just looked at him for a moment and stated slowly, "Father, no matter how much I train my level, I cannot reach the next one in time, so I have only been working on my skills."

"…And what, help Theo train for this ridiculous reason?" The Baron spoke again. While tapping his finger at the table.

Theo saw Lucien take a deep breath, yet for some reason, he was quite comfortable while talking to the Baron.

"It may be ridiculous… but I saw potential in my little brother, father. His will is very strong." Lucien stated, making Theo feel like he was properly getting backing.

The Baron kept staring at Lucien before a sigh left his mouth too. His face lightened a little, yet there was still the sternness there.

Theo knew his children were the Baron's weakness. When he saw the siblings being in such a good relation with each other, he couldn't help but let his anger slide away.

Yet today was a bit different.

"Your heart is in the right place, Lucien. But you made a big mistake by entertaining a goal such as this one... And you, Theo." The Baron finally shifted toward him.

"You might have changed your insect for the better, but it still doesn't mean that it is strong. Do you really think I will let you join us for the gate?" The Baron asked, and Theo looked at him calmly.

"…I have been training day and night for it, father... And there is still a month left before the decisions will be final"

Theo had the same determined look on his face as always. When the Baron saw it, he didn't know what to feel.

"It is simply not possible."

"But—"

"Let me speak." The Baron cut off his sentence with a frown.

Theo didn't realize when he started acting so frantic. Yet in his heart, the gate seemed very important.

"You're too weak, and even if you reach level 5 and breakthrough, you will still be too weak. If you're mistaking that Lucien is going with me just at level 7, then you're wrong." The baron stated and continued, "I myself helped build his core foundations, just like I do for every child of mine. But you are running too fast…" The Baron leaned forward, making his chair creak.

"It is not time yet."

Under the Baron's gaze, both the attendants felt like they were in the wrong room at the wrong time.

"And I know very well why you are being so hasty," The Baron spoke, and Theo listened intently. Deep within, even he wanted to know if he really knew why he was trying to be so hasty.