Having read about the four Affinities, he moved on to read more. He had spent the first five years of his life quite laidback. Even though he wants to continue to live a very laidback life, he still wants to be strong to some extent.
That's why he approached Father.
"Oh Tori, what's the matter?"
Elemer questioned, he was busy reading a report about something from the Royal Capital.
Artorius was a bit hesitant at asking, he still wasn't sure about this, but he wanted to try.
"Father, I would like to learn swordsmanship."
Artorius had thought about learning the ways of the sword from a while back, but he kept it at the rear end. Mainly because he did not want to indulge in physical activities because of the resentment he developed after the harsh labour he experienced back in his previous life in the warehouses.
But now, he'll have to take a step out of the little comfort bubble he created for himself.
Elemer looked at him with an empty expression for a while, then suddenly he brightly lit up in the radiant light of the sun. He seemed like a warrior angel in the mix of the bright light and his impressive physique.
"Oh? I knew you'd want to one day! You're my son after all!"
He tried his best to be calm, but I knew he was as happy as a child.
"He's my son too." An elegant voice spoke from behind, or rather, beside Elemer.
With the expression Katheryn carried, Artorius knew she would be reluctant to let him practice sword.
Grey was born to be a swordsman, Artorius was an unclear, unique and unusual child in the eyes of his parents. He never cried when he was born, he was cute and a happy toddler, but he never did anything normally childish. He observed his surroundings as if he actually understood it all. A one-in-a-thousand boy he was.
But there was a responsible and adult-like aura that emanated out of Artorius' gaze, which made Katheryn's reluctancy shatter.
She sighed and then pulled Artorius close, patting his head and rubbing his soft, black hair.
Artorius couldn't help but give in to the soft and lovely nurturing he was receiving from his Mother.
"Just promise me you'll be careful, all right?" Katheryn demanded softly. She carried a firm gleam in her eyes, but when Artorius looked at her, it softened. She couldn't help but melt whenever she looked at his big, shining diamond eyes.
"Oh Tori, my beloved child is growing up so fast.. slow down a little will you? I want to pat
you and spoil you more~" She melted.
"You don't need to worry, Mother. I'll always be your beloved cute son." Artorius smiled.
"I promise I won't attempt anything dangerous."
He added.
"All right, All right." Katheryn finished, patting him once again. Softer than before.
"All right! So, Tori! Shall we begin today? Right now?" Elemer blurted out. He was clearly excited.
"I think tomorrow would be better." Artorius awkwardly smiled at him.
Man.. this guy really is that serious about Swordsmanship. I do feel a little excitement in me though. This would be a very new things for me. Exerting physical power out of my body.
"Oh, all right. Well then, for now, I'll put you under Grey's tutor. You'll learn the basics from him." Elemer stated.
"All right, Father." Artorius replied. Then, he made his way to move towards the exit of the moderately sized room his parents were occupying right now.
"Thank you for your consideration, I'll try my best from tomorrow!" Artorius smiled.
Elemer smiled warmly. His expression exuded parental love. Mother beside him, writing something in what seemed like a diary, smiled too, waving at me.
Artorius waved back, then headed out of the room.
Phew, at least that's settled.. It'll be easier for me to better my body, since Core Reformation has been taking a toll on my small body. It's better to start training as soon as possible, who knows?
He walked through the main corridor, crossing countless rooms in the large Manor. Then came to a standstill at a large wooden door that stood out from the rest, due to its sheer size and the grand feeling it left in anyone's gaze whoever passed through.
This door..
He had seen it countless times before. It was the same door he had seen on walks with Violet, when he was with his siblings or parents, or when he was alone, gazing at the impressive work of the door.
Today was the day he'd try to enter the library. He had not entered the grand library of the Manor for many reasons, one of them being that the sheer probable size of the library would overwhelm him or the fact that the grumpy librarian might kick him out.
Even Elemer and Katheryn could not do anything about him since the librarian was a mysterious man who has supposedly been residing in the library since the time of Katheryn's father.
But today, he'll enter the library, even if he has to let the librarian in on the secrets which even the mysterious man might not believe.
Alright, Alright, you prepared yourself for this.. don't back out…
As soon as Artorius moved his feet to approach the door, he heard a light, gentle voice call him.
"Tori? What're you doing?" Illa questioned.
She was probably heading somewhere, but knowing her, she probably stopped after seeing her favourite little brother– well, her only little brother.
"Oh, Big sister? Nothing.. I was just wondering about this huge door that caught my interest!" Artorius quickly replied back in an enthusiastic voice.
He hid the fact that he knew this was the library because of the amount of gatekeeping that the door did, and due to the absence of any sign– unlike that one time when there was one, or maybe he misassumed it – it was hard to tell that it was a library to the normal child.
"Oh! I've heard that a huge library is behind that door! I've heard the librarian is very rude to children, so Mother advised us to not enter it." She said.
What type of man can be so hard on cute children like us? I bet he'll change his mind when he sees me… hopefully…
"Oh, I was wishing to maybe see what was behind this door." He spoke in a purposefully disappointed tone.
Well.. since Illa is here, my only chance has disappeared. Unfortunate.
"Don't worry! I'm sure he'll come to like us as soon as we grow up quick!" Illa tried to reassure Artorius with a light pat and ruffle on his head. Which did seem to make him happy.
My sister is so thoughtful and kind, protective and gentle. She is very dear to me, dearer than my country.
What a waste, I had one attempt… maybe someday again.
It wasn't entirely a waste, Artorius got a pat from his dear elder sister from it. It would be a win in his eyes.