Chapter 57: Marius’s Test, Successful Enrollment

The silent treatment didn't last long as Marius and Ria returned to normal upon calming their feelings. Seth showed a look of confusion but didn't bother to ask unnecessary things; he spoke with the family for a while before they got to the point.

"We have decided to accept your offer," Marius said with a smile.

Feeling excited, Seth wanted to jump from his seat, but he did his best to maintain his composure as he replied, "Excellent! Truly excellent! You've made a fine choice; there's no better school to teach and no better instructor than myself. You can both rest assured that I will do my best to train him as my protege."

Marius was a bit surprised at Seth's guarantee, he thought Seth only wanted a good disciple, but it seems that he had viewed Grevlin much more important than he'd expected.

He thought for a bit, recalling a few things that the Mountain Ax Senor, Brayhard, had said to him about Grevlin, along with what he discovered about his own peculiarities with regards to training before he spoke again with a deep look on his face.

"Sir Seth, I don't know if you've realized, but I'll just say it here, my son might be a bit different from what you might be expecting. His talents are naturally incredible, but his body's unusual 'constitution' has made it such that he cannot practice Mystical Power Arts. The only way he can progress in power would be through actual combat, but right now, his strength should have most likely reached a limit his age can withstand. Not only that, but my son's arms also are, as you might have noticed, different, he can only keep them sealed like that, using them only if the situation requires. Are you still willing to accept him as such a disciple with those kinds of conditions?"

"Huh? Are you serious?" Seth asked in alarm as he heard Marius's words, he didn't dare to believe it, but as he looked at Marius's expression that had no change in emotions, he shuddered, knowing that he was truthful.

He paused before shifting his eyes to Grevlin seated on the side, listening to their conversation. Grevlin didn't shrink back in fear or shyness upon receiving Seth's gaze; he stared at him directly in the eyes with a calm and mostly curious expression.

'Good, such a calm manner and powerful state of mind, even if he has innate defects, there's still a silver lining, it's not like he can't advance his strength. Otherwise, as Sir Edgewick has stated, his son wouldn't have never so easily reached the maximum peak power attainable by someone for his age. It doesn't matter if he doesn't actively use his arms, there are many techniques at my disposal, and it's not like his arms crippled either, just different. Even if he is not able to practice my Darkness Sutra, I can still do it; I can train him...'

After making up his mind, Seth looked at Marius with a firm look in his eyes as he spoke, "It's fine; I see no reason not to accept him as my protege, I would need to alter my training methods, but for this talented child, I see no need not to go the extra mile."

Marius gave Ria a look, seeing her showing a smile; he then looked at Seth again deeply, the two staring at each other for a while before Marius smiled and replied.

"Good, that's all I need to hear. Son, go greet your master."

Grevlin, hearing his father's words, naturally knew what he meant; having learned a few customs of this world from his mother, he promptly bowed his head and placed his fists together before he spoke in a respectful tone.

"Grevlin greets Sir Seth."

Looking at Grevlin's manner, Seth felt even more satisfied. He rose to his feet and tapped his shoulder before speaking, "Excellent, this truly is a wonderous day, accepting such a fine student. Raise your head now, child, from now on; you should call me master, not Seth."

Grevlin then lifted his head and stared at Seth before replying, "As master wishes."

Seth had a beaming smile as he finally heard those words; he then thought for a bit before he spoke Marius and Ria.

"Good, now that this is done with, we can sort out the remaining paperwork and my disciple should be able to attend with this new batch of recruits, starting in the next few days."

When Marius and Ria heard this, they nodded in agreement and filled out all the necessary details. After a few minutes, they completed all documents, and the time had already grown dark, showing that the night was beginning to descend.

Marius lifted his head to look at the vague stars and various lights that lit up the mystical sky as he spoke, "It's already this late. It looks like we should get going."

Ria stared at him with a slightly flushed face as she added, "Yes… we should hurry, we cannot afford to waste this good night:

Marius gulped as he replied, "Indeed, we can't."

Seth had an odd look on his face as he couldn't quite tell what they were saying, but he smiled and spoke in agreement, "That's right, come allow me to escort you all to the gates."

"That would be great," Marius and Ria said at the same time as if he was eager to leave in a hurry.

Seth thought it strange but said nothing more on the topic. Quickly, the group left the lounge as they walked along the neatly paved tracks of the school.

A few students and instructors notice Seth and Marius's family as they passed by a large water fountain that glistened with the lights from the late afternoon stars.

They showed looks of surprise as they didn't think there was anyone worthy for someone of Seth's status to personally guide out of the academy. Nevertheless, though shocked, no one dared to obstruct them; they merely offered their greetings before continuing with their affairs.

Moments after Seth had guided Marius's family off-campus. They bid each other farewell and went their separate ways as Marius tightly held onto Ria's soft palm that currently had its way with her fingers.

"Tonight will be a beautiful night..." Ria said as she stared up at the stars with her bright eyes, her face having traces of blush as she licked her lips.

Marius smiled as he added in agreement, "Indeed it will, a long night, but a steep one from tomorrow onwards. Grevlin, are you ready?"

Grevlin, who also stared at the stars, looked at Marius before he replied with his eyes filled with confidence, "I will do my best, father."

"Good, that's my son."

Marius said as he rubbed Grevlin's head, the peaceful family scene remained as such as they walked through the now bustling night-lit streets towards home.