Chapter 48: Seth’s Proposal

The mood had long since returned to normal within the Fallen Star Inn as most persons continued to mind their own business now that the earlier excitement had died down. Other than those who sat and ate, others mostly left to handle their daily activities.

Currently, some had cast their sights onto a strange scene, one in which a famous EX Troop Commander had personally sat himself down in a patient manner as he calmly waited for a family to finish their meal.

"Yummy! It tastes good!"

Little Rose said in excitement as she got up from her mother's lap, threatening to jump up and down as she ate her Fragrant Rose Pie in small bites.

Ria wiped her mouth corners with each bite she took, trying to keep her as clean as possible around the table; it seemed she had a thing for cleanliness as she didn't let off even the tiniest bit of crumbs.

Unlike his little sister, however, Grevlin had a calm and professional manner, though he hadn't had many chances to eat by himself without being fed by his father or mother. He seemed to have finally come to terms with using his reinforced tableware.

Marius smiled with satisfaction as he saw his family eat; he had already finished his portion and was only waiting on them now. However, he didn't rush them but enjoyed the sight.

Suddenly, Marius turned his attention to the side, finally giving notice to Seth, who was calmly waiting on them. His eyes flickered as he had almost forgotten about him, but trying not to let his thoughts be known, Marius spoke with a little more friendly tone when compared with his speech against Kyle.

"You have been quite patient, even willing to wait so long. Should I assume that you've come here to discuss something?"

Seth's eyes flashed as he heard Marius's words; he looked at him and spoke in reply, "Sir Edgewick is correct; I've noticed your family from last night and have been waiting here to have a good chat with you. So, what do you say? Care for a little discussion?"

Marius gave Seth an in-depth look as he contemplated, 'Oh, so he knows my name; it seems he must have been listening to my talk with Liola. I'm curious, just who is he, and what does he want? His presence doesn't seem inferior to that Tyrant Ice Wyrm.'

When Marius thought to here, his eyes shone when he used his sense skill, seeing a surging amount of bottled up mystical power within him. Feeling curious, he couldn't help but send to the command to inspect Seth's details, causing his information to show up before his eyes.

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[Name: Seth Vurlock]

[Level: 33 | Age: 35]

[Race: Artiman | Status: Severely Weakened]

[Battle Rank: 1 Star D Rank Warrior]

[Stamina: E★ | Strength: E★]

[Agility: D★ | Dexterity: D★]

[Mystic Power: D★]

[Mystical Power Arts: Darkness Sutra]

[Inborn Abilities: Shadowform | Level 6]

[Learnt Skills: Scan, Higher Guard, Alvaria Royal Sword Arts, Shadow Sword]

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'He's strong; even if I were to fight him, I probably wouldn't be able to defeat him... not unless I risk it all, in that case, we'd probably end up with grave wounds. Since he has strength like this, then even though weakened, it's likely that he's at the topmost levels of this entire city.'

Marius thought as saw Seth's details, he couldn't help but feel a trace of surprise, but after settling down his thoughts, he gave Seth a good look as he spoke.

"Of course not, but I'm curious, for a figure like yourself to have an interest in my small family, I can only wonder what's your intention Mr. Vurlock."

When Seth heard his name, he gave Marius a deep look but soon thought nothing much of it; he felt that Marius must have learned it from the others, be it through their whisperings or maybe him having prior knowledge.

Seth smiled and spoke straight to the point, "Haha, Sir Edgewick is well informed; then, I'll cut to the chase. As you already knew, my name is Seth Vurlock, and I am one of the Superior Instructors for Ivanov's Royal Branch Academy. I had come here to take a short break from work, but I never expected to find such an interesting family like yours, Sir Edgewick. More particularly, your son, he has a talent rarely seen across these lands, and I believe that so long as he has the right guidance and proper instructors, he would grow to become a mighty expert. I want to use my special authority to grant him passage to the academy as my student; he would forgo the standard test required for a normal student and could begin as early as in the next three days; what do you think?"

When Marius heard this, his face had a trace of surprise, even Ria, who had been listening while taking care of Little Rose, looked over with interest.

Marius felt a bit troubled; though he wanted to send Grevlin to school, he also didn't want to send him off with just anybody. He made a thoughtful look before glancing at Ria.

Ria seemed to have known his thoughts; she gave him a soft smile, showing eyes filled with support as if she was implying, she would accept any choice he made.

Marius sighed, thinking that Ria was a bit too easy-going. It was times like these he was expecting her to behave like a typical mother on earth; the kind that was ready to stir conflict regarding her son to prolong the affair of him leaving or not through lengthy discussion.

It was a pity, for Ria was not human or artiman; she was hellian; even if a bit mellowed out due to her marriage with Marius, her true nature will forever remain the same, even more so for her standards of upbringing.

Marius inwardly sighed at this and stared at Seth as he spoke, "Sir Seth, your offer though good is a bit sudden. I think I'll need some time to think it over."

Seth nodded at this as it was the normal reaction of any parent; he rose from his seat and placed a token before Marius as he spoke, "No problem, I'll leave this token with you. Once you've made up your mind, you can come to visit me at the academy; simply show them this token, and they'll let you through. Do have a wonderful day now, Sir Edgewick."

As Seth said this, he gave Marius a look before bowing to Ria and the others before leaving the inn. Marius looked at his back for a short while before turning away with an interested light in his eyes as he thought to himself, 'It looks like this city might be more-fascinating than I'd thought...'