Free Web NovelChapter 9: I Think I Accidentally Impressed a Monster!
"So, tell me now." Solarius’ amused voice echoed through the room. "What is it that you desire, boy?"
I looked at him with a small smile. We were currently inside a room resembling a chaotic office of sorts. An elderwood table sat at its centre, looking as sturdy as they were advertised for.
Behind it sat Solarius, his bald head gleaming faintly as it caught the sunlight streaming through the window behind him. Due to his short stature, his legs barely even reached the floor.
Beside him stood Aurelion, who had followed us for unknown reasons. Though I didn’t really mind because at this point in time, he hadn’t yet been corrupted by that particular bitch.
It had barely been a few minutes since we were in the trial chamber when I asked for a private discussion regarding my wish.
And this perverted geezer had immediately snapped his fingers, disregarding both decorum and the authority of the current Emperor before dragging me here.
I already knew that, retired or not, he was still the one truly calling the shots. Even so, the old man made absolutely no effort to hide his contempt for his own son. ƒrēewebnovel.com
No wonder that Solvere killed him in the future...
Shrugging away my useless thoughts, I turned my attention back to Solarius and lowered my head respectfully.
"What I desire is simple, Your Radiance." There wasn’t a single trace of hesitation in my voice. "I wish for you to take my elder sister, Amyra Von Ruinbringer, as your personal disciple."
The room fell silent instantly.
I could feel Aurelion’s confused gaze on me, but honestly, it had been like that ever since the trial. So I did my best to ignore it and focused on Solarius instead.
The old man was frowning.
"What a strange boy you are."
He leaned back in his chair.
"I possess the greatest strength within this Empire. Rulers of entire nations bow before me and countless powerful nobles beg me to take their children as disciples."
His eyes narrowed slightly.
"And yet, when granted a wish, you do not ask me to take you as my disciple. You ask me to take your sister."
He shook his head.
"It is as surprising as it is confusing."
The room grew quiet once more.
"Who exactly are you, boy?"
His gaze locked onto mine.
"The way you look at me, the way you speak, even the way you carry yourself... it feels as though you have known me for years. You know exactly how to amuse me and exactly how to provoke my curiosity."
The old man’s eyes sharpened further.
"And if that wasn’t enough, the cunning you display is not something a normal eighteen-year-old should possess."
He gestured toward Aurelion.
"Even my grandson, who was raised from birth to inherit the throne, has never displayed such instinctive political talent and yet you, a neglected and discarded brat of a cold-hearted man... somehow possess it."
Solarius stared at me for a long moment.
"I find that both amusing and deeply suspicious. I even wondered if you were a devil in disguise or a vengeful spirit from the past but you don’t have the aura of either and you speak the name of our Goddess with such respect."
"So, who exactly are you?"
As perceptive as ever.
But I was prepared.
"I am but a humble servant of our Goddess’ will, Your Radiance."
I lowered my head slightly.
"I have spent my entire life hearing tales of your battles and accomplishments. It is only natural that I came to admire you deeply enough to learn many things about you."
My voice remained steady, with just enough hesitation woven into it to sell the act.
"I grew up within the Ruinbringer family with only my sister by my side. Everyone else was merely a viper waiting for a moment of weakness to sink their fangs into me. That environment forced me to observe and learn."
I shook my head.
"I am honoured that you believe me to be skilled in politics but in truth, I am merely someone trying to survive."
My expression softened slightly.
"Amyra is the only family I have and knowing my father and the Elder Council that controls much of my family’s affairs, I am certain she will eventually be sacrificed for political gain. I do not wish for her to suffer such a fate. My mother would not have wished for it either."
For the first time since entering the room, I allowed genuine emotion to seep into my voice.
"If she becomes your disciple, she can live freely and where in this Empire could she possibly be safer than under your tutelage? With her safety confirmed I can finally focus on myself."
Solarius didn’t reply immediately. Instead, he tapped his index finger against the table, seemingly lost in thought.
That was actually the truth.
Even if Amyra had accepted that sacrifice willingly in last life, I knew my family better than anyone. They wouldn’t hesitate to hand her over to another noble house if it served their interests.
So becoming Solarius’ disciple would not only save her from that fate but also grant her a lifetime of protection and status and no matter how perverse the old man was in other matters, he was absolutely genuine when it came to his disciples. He would even kill his own grandson if that grandson tried to harm one of them. freewebnøvel.coɱ
And honestly, that was more than enough for me to trust him.
This hadn’t been part of my original plan. I had intended to find some other way to ensure Amyra’s safety but since Solarius himself had raised the difficulty of my trial and offered me a favour in the first place, I had no intention of refusing such a generous opportunity.
I waited patiently for Solarius’ response but the old man remained silent for several minutes. That wasn’t what was bothering me because there was something else steadily creeping me out.
Aurelion.
I didn’t know whether it was because he had been such a pain in my ass in my last life or something else entirely, but seeing him make those sad and emotional expressions while looking at me was genuinely irritating.
Then again, it only showed just how much that bitch of a Princess had twisted him into hating me in my previous life.
I glanced at him again and immediately, I regretted it. The more I looked at him, the more creeped out I felt. The guy looked practically on the verge of tears like a lost puppy.
What the fuck is wrong with him?
Thankfully, before I could dwell on it any longer, Solarius finally spoke, pulling my attention back toward him.
"Alright."
Solarius nodded slowly.
"I do not accept disciples lightly. Even among my own bloodline, I have yet to take anyone under my wing. But a promise is a promise. Regardless of your sister’s talent or potential, I shall accept Amyra Von Ruinbringer as my disciple from this day forward and I will personally ensure that no one can harm her anymore."
A weight I hadn’t even realised I was carrying lifted from my shoulders. Solarius, meanwhile, wore a mischievous smile.
"As for your answers earlier... They did not truly answer my question but I am willing to overlook that. After all, the more mysteries there are, the more entertaining things become."
And then he leaned forward slightly.
"However... I have an offer for you."
His violet eyes locked onto mine.
"How would you like to become my disciple as well?"
