Rising Shadows: The Fight for Freedom I

Chapter 4: Compassionate Mother

"Did anyone else see the drawing you made?" After a moment of contemplation, Antonio slowly inquired.

"No one else saw it; I had just finished when Teacher Laramani discovered it. It was truly unfortunate, um, I'm sorry, I won't do it again."

Gazing at his son, who had once again lowered his head in apology, Antonio shook his head, secretly relieved. Thankfully, only he and Master Laramani were aware of the incident; the situation wasn't too dire.

However, even though he knew the repercussions of the drawing would only affect his son, Antonio maintained a stern expression, continuing to regard Darn with severity.

"This incident is of a very serious nature! Extremely serious! As a noble, reputation is one's second life! Yet you have tarnished your own reputation! Moreover, not only did you damage your own name, but you nearly sullied Master Laramani's reputation and that of his granddaughter!"

"Fortunately, your teacher destroyed that drawing; had it been seen by others, the damage to the Purd family and the Spencer family's reputation would have been catastrophic! Do you understand? Hmph, if that had happened, I would have broken your legs!"

"From now on, keep your distance from those scoundrels! Focus more on your studies! Look at you, in just ten days you'll be sixteen, yet your martial arts rating is only at the fourth level! Your brother Clouch had already reached the seventh level by your age! Hmph, if you had half of your brother's diligence, I wouldn't have to worry so much!"

"Do you not understand the importance of reputation? Very well, copy 'The Cultivation and Virtue of Nobility' one hundred times! Copy 'On Morality' one hundred times! I expect to see these completed in ten days!"

"You have the energy to waste time with your friends, yet you neglect your martial arts! Starting today, practice swordsmanship for three hours daily! Practice combat for three hours! Practice fighting spirit for three hours!"

With each punishment Antonio enumerated, Darn's expression fell further, and by the time Antonio finally ceased speaking, Darn's face had turned pale, devoid of color.

Oh my heavens, dear God above, does Father intend to work me to death!? Staring blankly at Antonio, Darn's mouth hung slightly open, his spirit teetering on the brink of collapse. Had he not understood that escaping the grasp of the Governor of Rutania was impossible, Darn would have chosen to run away at the first opportunity.

However, even if he couldn't leave now, by tonight...

"Gurian, Marcelis, from now on you will accompany Darn, and you are responsible for supervising his daily tasks. If he fails to complete them, you are to employ the methods from the barracks to teach him the rules a man should uphold!"

Antonio's next command instantly shattered a plan Darn had just devised, and before Darn could fully comprehend the situation, he was unceremoniously expelled from the study by his father.

Standing outside the study in despair, Darn felt as though his life was utterly bleak. However, just as he trudged towards his courtyard, a noble and gentle figure appeared in his line of sight.

Mother! How wonderful! My life is saved! With eyes sparkling, Darn rushed towards the approaching noblewoman, a middle-aged lady clad in a red mage robe, without a second thought.

"Mother! I've missed you so much!" Darn exclaimed, throwing himself into the lady's embrace, wrapping his arms around her waist and refusing to let go.

The woman whom Darn clung to like a pillow was Kliya Spencer, the wife of the Governor of Rutania. A master of both fire and wind magic at the tenth level, she had been conducting magical experiments in the Mage Tower when she suddenly heard news that her son might be in trouble. In her protective instinct, Kliya Spencer immediately abandoned her work and hurried back to prevent her precious son from suffering, or worse, facing the wrath of bamboo shoots stir-fried with meat.