Chapter 13: Mother and Son

Damian and his mother had stayed at the inn over the night and knew that in an inn, after noon, would need the guests to leave or pay for another night.

Seeing the blazing sun, it must have past noon, so they grabbed their bags and left.

On their way out they pay the innkeeper another 3 spirit coins, because they overstayed what they paid for and left the inn.

"Mother, where is the closest branch of Akegria Academy" he whispered to her, knowing that it was forbidden for nobles to associate with Akegria Academy who they saw as their enemy.

"Well, they have one in each city and each one is powerful enough to rival 4 noble originator families, which is why they want to suppress them, but they are too powerful and appeal to those of lower status," answered Sarah, whispering back in his ear.

Seeing him nodding in acknowledgement, she noticed that ever since he was beaten so badly to the verge of death, he seemed to change and become more mature.

Knowing this, she felt that she should also tell him the current status of the country that she heard when in Maxwell Family.

Finding an empty and quiet place to sit, Sarah told him everything she knew of the current state of the country.

"The royal academy appeals to those of higher status, while the Akegria Academy accepts everybody and aims for equality, therefore will obviously have more students who are loyal to the cause and are growing rapidly," she narrated.

"The Gobe family are feeling pressure from the Akegria Academy and from their spies within the academy, they know that they have plans to overthrow the unfair royal family and a civil war may break out soon," she informed him with a split expression which Damian understood.

His mother was kind-hearted and just, so would want equality and disagreed with how the country was ruled, but despite what her family did to her and her son, she still didn't want for them to be killed in a war and no matter what they were still her family.

Damian felt that he had the responsibility to be on the right side of the war and help the country, but he also didn't want to see his mother upset.

Both of them had to make a hard decision right now, but Sarah wiped her tears and got up with her fists clenched.

"They treated me and you like trash and I have already broken any connections with them and the only family I have is you, Damian," she decided.

Damian hugged his emotional mother, who despite her strong front, was hurting on the inside.

"Mother, I won't let you down, but the family has let us down, so it is time to move on," he maturely whispered to her.

Hearing her 10-year-old child tell her this she realised just how developed her son was and feeling the affection from him made her feel guilty for an unknown reason.

"Son I am sorry" she wailed as tears streamed down her face.

Damian was confused.

"What have I done" he exclaimed shocked at his mother's burst of sadness.

The child seemed to become the parent of his mother.

"You aren't my son by blood and I only took you in so I don't get forced into the marriage," she admitted to him.

"But don't get me wrong, I raised you since you were a baby and I am your mother, please forgive me" she wailed, but looked at the child in front of her whose expression didn't change in the slightest.

"I already knew we aren't related by blood, but you are my mother and I don't have any other family," he said to her with a smile.

In his past life, his blood parents had left him and all his family saw him as an embarrassment and shame to the family, and although he had forgotten his past, deep within his soul he was touched that she treated him with such care despite not being related.

With this, they both shared a wonderful moment where both had cleared their minds and hearts to each other and Sarah no longer saw Damian as a child, but her son that she was proud of and could rely on.

After sitting for a while and completely calming their emotions and were all on the same page, Damian was the one to get up first.

"Mother we should get to Akegria Academy by the end of the day," he said to her, realising that it was already past noon and he didn't want to waste time or be stuck on the roads without a place to stay.

"We can get to Akegria Academy by night and there is an inn there, that we can stay in for the night, which I have checked on the map before leaving," she said to him returning to her normal self.

Both of them, with wide smiles on their faces, walked out of the quiet area they were in and within a few minutes returned to the bustling business district.

"Mother how are we going to get there," he asked knowing how large Aria city was.

"A beast ride" she replied with a cheeky smile, knowing that Damian had no clue what that was.

Grabbing his hand she dragged him through the crowds and within minutes they reach a large gate.

"How many," asked the man at the front of the gate.

"2 people, 1 beast," answered Sarah.

"Distance," he asked.

"100 miles" she replied.

"500 spirit coins" stated the man placing his hand out.

Damian was surprised, even though he didn't know prices or much about this world, as he would always stay within the family studying or playing by himself as because of his weak constitution he wouldn't go out.

But he still knew that it was a lot of money as he knew that 3 spirit coins was the price for a night in the inn.

Sarah placed a small bag full of spirit coins in his palm and from the weight, the man could tell that it was the right amount.

"Follow me," he said respectfully as he led them inside.

Sarah still had that cheeky smile, waiting to see Damian's reaction to what was just about to happen.

Damian nervously followed after the man with his mother, and was both curious and anxious.

He led them through a series of long corridors, all while Damian could hear loud shrieking noises until he reached a corner and he stopped.

"Take your pick".