Valerian, The Legendary

But when she saw how they treated Valerian, she felt upset and to some extent, disappointed in her parents. She looked at Thales and said, “I used to think that my father was a magnanimous and kind ruler. I never noticed that your gaze would be that of disgust when you see the poor and troubled, until now. Discriminating against him because of his birth? You have hurt me a great deal, father.”

She turned around and holding Ignis’s hand she bowed to Fragrantia and Libra as she said, “I apologize for their actions.”

Fragrantia could not let go of this opportunity and said, “You have done nothing wrong to apologize for, on the contrary, it gratifies me that you took a stand for Val. That child has been suffering his entire life, and even when he came to the palace, he dedicated himself to becoming strong. So, I should be thanking you for defending him just now.”

The empress was very articulate, she had planted trigger words in her words, projecting Thales to look like a villain on the scene. Adele shook her head and said, “This is my family now, and despite the status of a person, they must not suffer from such discrimination. Yesterday, when Valerian called me sister-in-law, I took him as a younger brother I never had. How can I let him suffer like this?”

...

In Valerian’s room, the child was sitting on a chair on the balcony and Azula was sitting opposite him. She asked, “Why did you take the punishment voluntarily?”

Valerian cast her a gaze and said, “To make Sister-In-Law think that I am upright and also, hurt by the actions of her parents.”

Azula squinted her gaze and said, “Brat, I knew you were smart, but this is downright evil behavior.”

.....

The boy looked at her and chuckled. He did not speak much, he was busy watching Fortuna gobbling her fill on the magic dish on the side. Azula thought about it and asked, “Do you really not want to eat anything? How will you last for the whole week?”

Valerian shook his head and said, “I will leave the palace after three days, I need to go to the academy and it is time for me to go and travel the world. I have a lot to see, and a lot to learn. Master told me, if I did not travel, my knowledge will be wasted.”

Azula nodded and said, “Indeed, you should go out, I also wished to go out on an adventure, but as the children from the royal family, we are always duty bound to the empire.”

Valerian nodded and said, “You will be going to establish a merchant firm of your own, right?”

Azula nodded and said, “Father told me that it will be a great method to gather more information and deal with the threats against the nation. I have set up a few shops in the major cities but the impact is not yet strong enough.”

“It is only normal, you are new to this field and will take time to get familiar with it. Still setting up small shops in major cities is a big deal, because you are doing it all on your own and not asking, His Excellency to give you support.”, Valerian encouraged her with these words.

The two chatted with each other till the sunset, the next few days passed without much drama, the two elders from the Sapientia Royal Family tried to turn the table, and convince Ignis and Adele that they could find better resources and environment in their nation, it did not work out.

Ignis was a person who socialized a lot, and he was aware of how the brain of a human can work. He had dealt with his fair share of crooks and cronies. Thales might be an emperor, but he was still a human. The cunning of a person only works when the first bait they lay down is caught, but since their motive has been seen through, they were bound to fail.

Adele was deeply affected by the scene in the dining hall, and Ignis had told her not to take any decision in haste, after all, they were newly married and small things can affect them drastically. That said, the princess was pacified. Today was the day when the Sapientian royal family and guests took their leave.

The Empress had slightly red eyes and her image was in line with an aggrieved mother. The entire Lumen royal family and the court officials gathered to see them off. Valerian was also present, he stood beside Adele with his head slightly lowered, looking like the epitome of innocence. He was pinching the hem of his shirt every now and then appearing to be anxious.

Earlier he was standing with Azula, but when Adele saw him, looking pale and weak, she could not help but console him and made him stand beside her. Thales cast him a gaze and the boy shivered. His kitten glared back at Thales, for scaring her servant. In the past three days, Valerian literally did not eat anything and just stayed confined to his room. She asked him what it was and even said that she would eat Thales when she grows up.

Valerian was gratified and terrified, imagine a silver behemoth chomping on Thales, and saying, “He bullied my servant.”

After the ceremony ended, Adele was tired and sad, after all, she had to leave her house and live in a new house and a new family. Fragrantia told her to retire to her quarters and they all dispersed to deal with their own things. During this time, the royal family really did not come to check on Valerian, they showed a strong attitude towards him in front of Adele.

Making someone believe was not an easy job. After two more days, Valerian left the palace and headed back to the university. He did not pay a visit to his mother’s resting place. He was going to ask the old man for a long leave, and travel the world. He needed to seek adventure in order to maximize the effect of his potential. He will be really hampered if he was to stay contained in this city and academy.

His goals lay somewhere else. He needed to look for more information, and for that, he needed to go somewhere other than the human world. A place where Fortuna wanted to go.

...

Two days ago, Fortuna was sprawled on Valerian’s chest and said, “Can you take me to the lake of time?”

Valerian was shocked, he said, “I can, but where is this lake of time?”

Fortuna said, “It is an underground river, where all the dragons must go to awaken their true strength. I am just as big as a domestic cat now, and the water flowing in that river is the only thing that can ignite the mana flame inside a dragon’s heart.”

Valerian asked, “Why is there no record for such a lake and a mandatory visit in the books?”

Fortuna hit his chin with her paw and scoffed, “Fool, if everything about the mysterious dragons was to be known to the world, will we be truly mysterious?”

Valerian nodded and said, “You do have a point, well, I will follow your directions.”

Fortuna nodded and curled up into a ball again.

...

Valerian was standing in front of Fallax with a straight face, observing the scrunched expression on the old wrinkled face. The old Magnus magister said, “Do you think you are a genius? You just had a vacation, now you want one more, and that too, for an indefinite time?”

The silver-haired boy nodded and said, “It is not for pleasure, okay? Fortuna needs to go somewhere and it is really important.”

Fallax shook his head and said, “It is too dangerous out there. I cannot allow you to go.”

Valerian looked at him and said, “It is dangerous to walk, cause you might fall, so why don’t you start crawling from now on?”

His retort left the old man stumped. He did not expect such a sharp reply. Valerian did not give him any chance to come back and said, “I am not your slave to command, understand? I am your student, and you should have some confidence in the teachings you imparted to me. I am here to tell you that I am going out, and you can try to stop me.

When I joined this academy, I told you, my goals lay somewhere else, and I will not give up my freedom. You better honor your promise, old man. Otherwise, I do not mind beating you when I get stronger.”

His voice was calm, but his eyes were firm and a subtle cold aura was radiating around him. In the end, watching his defiant self, the old man had to agree to his leave.