Chapter 23: Promises
Seeing Noa with Thalia and noticing the silent awkwardness between them, Kaelor and Elara exchanged glances.
It was their first time seeing Noa in this condition.
There was a tense atmosphere around him, almost starting a transformation in his being.
Two reasons existed why he seemed different.
The first thing was the flood of information that surged into his mind, making his face twitch beyond his control—especially after using it for the first time to recognize what had happened to Thalia.
However, there was more.
It was something that went beyond Noa’s control.
He had always put up a wall and never let anyone get too close to him.
But after transmigrating, these walls began to form cracks, and slowly, people managed to approach him.
Still, it wasn’t enough to build trust.
Every kindness Noa had seen was followed by his instinctual reaction of doubt.
However, now he knew for sure that his maid had only good intentions and her only concern was to keep him and his family safe.
So he gulped and inhaled before looking at his parents.
They, too, had been experiencing strong emotions over his failure.
Although neither of them spoke at first nor showed any signs of disappointment even up close, Noa still wanted to address them.
"Father, Mother," he muttered, locking eyes with them. Then he acted like his usual self, displaying a strong sense of confidence without putting on airs.
After that, his lips parted into a smile. "I know the result isn’t what you hoped for. You can be mad, sad, or even disappointed in me. You both have every right to do so."
As he spoke, Noa could notice how Elara’s eyelashes fluttered.
She wanted to argue, but her husband, whose face showed no emotions, stopped her.
Noa nodded and continued,
"I am thankful for what you have done for me. You might think it wasn’t enough, but believe me, this isn’t the end of me. And this might sound like a farewell, but I promise this isn’t."
Hearing this, Kaelor didn’t stay still.
"What are you talking about?" he asked, darting his vision between his son and his maid.
He could tell they had some kind of plan.
They wanted to do something, and he didn’t like the sound of it.
Before answering his question, Noa patted his father, putting a good amount of force while also augmenting it with shadows.
It wasn’t just to show him strength.
Not just to assure and calm his nerves, but also to connect with him with a simple touch.
"It might look like I failed, and Fate didn’t choose me. But it’s far from that. Do you remember what we talked about—my future? I think I have a better idea of what to do, and I think you two were right."
The second he took a short pause, Elara exclaimed,
"Wait. You are already leaving? But there are two more weeks before the academy examination starts."
Kaelor argued as well,
"We don’t care about the beast you bonded with. Be it mythical rank or common rank, we don’t care. You don’t have to leave just because you think the barony would face even more backlash.
It’s my job to deal with, and you don’t have to sacrifice your time."
Noa shook his head softly.
He offered his loving parents a warm smile. ’Who could have thought I would feel this way?’ he lamented and reached for a tight embrace.
"You are right," he muttered. "But it’s your son’s job to help you."
"You don’t ha—" Elara tried to chime in, but Noa shook his head again, cutting her off.
"I am also doing this to learn, to grow, to see this world. And it’s just two weeks before the examinations."
Elara’s hands trembled at the place where she had been clutching his sleeve.
She looked at Kaelor, searching for the arguments to make their son stay with them and learn more about his beast together.
He didn’t have to become an adult this early.
They had to try to overcome this setback with joint efforts.
But the man only dropped his shoulders, unable to find words to change Noa’s mind after seeing his determination.
"A man has to live up to his words. Don’t go against your ideals," the proud baron said, but struggled to end the sentence.
"Yes, Dad," Noa answered, tapping his palm where the Ashe lay hidden. "I have a lot to do, but I promise the words of my greatness will reach you from the academy."
It was a declaration.
A confident one.
"Just be careful," Kaelor said and left the embrace.
"You sound so much like your father," Elara added, patting his head with her warm, soft hand.
Then, both of them looked at the maid.
They could tell she was going with him as well, and a light surprise and satisfaction appeared on their faces.
"Look after him. We will try to pay for your enrollment as well," the woman said.
Her words sounded like an order, but it felt like a request, too.
Thalia gulped and nodded repeatedly. "Of course. You can leave him to me. I will protect him with my life," she announced, a hint of happiness escaping from her lips.
A silence fell.
No sound reached them from afar, as the ceremony had not yet been completed.
The carriage was like a home for a moment.
It left a lingering warmth inside everyone’s chest.
"Before we leave," Noa coughed and started, staring at his parents. "I have a request."
"Anything," Kaelor said, getting a nod of agreement from his wife as well. "Anything you want, we will try our best to help you."
Noa had made a declaration before.
He spoke confidently and showed his unyielding determination, but both of his parents felt that he was putting on a strong front in front of them.
There were countless records about Graveworms.
Their strength barely reached even the common rank creatures, and going beyond tier 2 was nothing more than a pipe dream.
The Fate, beasts, and their potential spoke louder than will or his talent alone.
That’s just how the world worked.
Deep down, they had doubts that the weakest creature in existence would allow him to achieve anything he wanted.
Despite that, they didn’t show that.
They still wanted to support his ambition.
Beneath the warm sadness in their eyes, a fragile hope still lingered—a stubborn emotion for their gifted son, for the boy who had already defied reason.
And Noa knew that.
That’s why he hoped they would listen to his advice.
"I know how to evolve your beasts," he declared, locking eyes with each of them.