As Xero was sitting in front of one of the Nature Dragonbone Sword Eggs, making the wood control main magic formula he suddenly jolted in surprise when he heard a huge crash from his father’s manor.

He sighed when he saw the sequence was ruined and broke it apart before he it could cause trouble later. Walking out, he looked around to see what was happening only to find Void landing face first near the front of the dormitory front door.

It should be noted that the door from the Null family manor to the dormitory had 6 meters of lawn, a two and a half high wall and gate, 4 meters of road, another two and a half meter high wall and another 8 meters before it got to the door. In other words he was thrown 14 meters and after looking at the family manor, he saw that it was actually from the second floor.

To his astonishment there was a female dwarf knight standing irritated.

“You damned man, you actually dare say you went to vent after having my father give you my hand in marriage to you!” The dwarf shouted.

“Wha?!” Xero was shocked by the sudden proclamation as the dwarf walked out and towards Void who was getting up with a big red mark on his face while he was holding his gut probably from a punch there.

“D-damned woman! W-why did you hit me!?” he asked.

“Damned woman! Oh ho? You really want this pretty lady to teach you your place baby boy! Ahaha this is going to be fun.” She said while cracking her knuckles.

“W-what is going on?” Xero finally asked.

The two looked at him and Void’s face brightened as he suddenly jumped high and stopped behind his little brother, “Little bro, this is the…” He stopped and coughed, “T-this is a knight from the capital that I… married because we had a…”

“You took her to bed?” Xero asked.

“You brat, where did you learn to talk like that!?” Void said slapping the back of his head.

“Hey, don’t try to hide behind the kid. Come to this lady and receive your beating baby boy. Then let this lady teach you not to speak nonsense about this lady.” She said and walked up and stopped in front of Xero and pat his shoulder and pushed him aside, “I’m Hilda, I’m your brother’s fiance, I’ll be taking this fool to teach him his place.” She said just to see Void jumping over the wall. She shook her head and laughed, “Run all you want baby boy. This pretty lady will catch you.” She laughed as she casually jumped and a rumble came from her landing before she ran.

Xero just looked on without understanding and walked out of the dormitory courtyard to see the dwarf running after Void.

In his confusion he headed inside where he found his older brother laughing while his father was scratching his head without knowing what to do.

Xero asked what just happened and who the dwarf is. Unlike being outside, inside, Nil revealed it all making Xero flabbergast. “Isn’t brother a little too lucky? Or is it unlucky?” Xero asked.

“Well actions have consequences.” Zip chuckled and got up, “What about you little bro, you already brought two girls home and even visited one of theirs, if anything, with you being 12 years old you can already get engaged.” Zip said grinning and raising his brow. He walked over and crouched while pulling Xero in close, “So lil bro, which do you like more, the halfling or the Crost girl?” He grinned.

Xero blushed and pushed his arm off, “We are just friends and classmates. Univa was even a bully when I was in the first year but just became more quiet after last year.” Xero said.

Zip nodded.

“Boss, stop teasing lil bro. We need to get to work.” Cinder said drinking deeply her ale but was completely unaffected.

“Alright, come on, there are several orders for weapons so let go.” Zip said grabbing a cup and drinking before walking out.

Xero sighed, “I’ll go back to setting up the spells for the Sword Minions.” Xero said and left.

In the room Nil watched his third son leave and snorted a laugh, “All three of my boys are already grown up and Xero will definitely surpass all three of us.” He said and stretched as he took his sword and told his commanding knight to gather the men for training drill and sparring matches.

***

In the upper city, a considerable section was taken up and cleared. Within this area there were hundreds of dragon type creatures and many servants who were constantly working and improving the beauty of the place as well as the practically of it. Within a floral area, there were many elders and family members who were celebrating.

This was a party that was set up by the Crost family for Univa who somehow developed, and it was confirmed, a Chaos Dragon, a Lesser Sapphire Heat Dragon Adolescent. It brought immense pride to the Crost family that they set out invitations for a party.

With many of the nation's nobles concentrated within the dungeon to excavate it’s secrets and treasures, it was easy to gather many neutral groups that contacts could be made with as well as many friends and ally.

The news of the Chaos Dragon was quite something but only by proving it, of course, would anyone believe it so by having one of the knights of the Crost with at least a level 60 familiar surrounded by a barrier with Tryus inside and taking the breath attack of the Heat Dragon would it confirm it.

Of course, this breath wasn’t so simple, first it required a nearly two minute charge, it consumed all of Tryus’s mana and even part of Univa’s to activate. It could only do it during its evolution because the energy it had was so abundant at the time.

Still, when the explosion went off, and the cry of pain from the opponent came sounding, as well as when it came out with all of it’s scales burning red with heat before chaotic shocks suddenly reversed the temperature to freezing heat caused a massive thermal impact crushing all the dragon’s scales and the muscles began to spasm incapacitating the dragon for a short while.

For someone to see a true chaos spell was something that could only be done through luck.

In fact, after this, the nobles family heads even came to talk with Univa’s father.

“Sir Crost, your young Daughter has already reached a respectful age, does Sire not have a young gentleman engaged with the young miss?” A noble asked.

“Hmm, indeed she is almost turning 13.” Univa’s father said.

“Sir Crost…” A sudden voice said and the nobles turned to a gentleman and beside him was a young boy. It was a familiar face to Univa and Xero. His name was Chad Liquivet, and the man is his father the head of the Liquivet family and a Kedoth empire earl.

“Earl Liquivet, you have come.” Univa’s father said.

“Yes, we were at the dungeon city when we received the invitation but we were still late for the great festivities that you have placed out.” He said.

“No worries, we are among friends and furthermore your fourth brother married my sister, we are among friends and family already.” He said simply.

“Of course, speaking of marriage, I had heard you gentlemen talking about it? I wonder, this is my son, Chad Liquivet, I believe he could be a very good match for your esteemed daughter. Although he did not continue at Everlight, that did not mean he would be stranded in a weak state. He, just like your daughter, has reached level 31, Sir.” Earl Liquivet said.

“Oh? I wonder what kind of familiar does he have?” one of the nobles said but was hoping that the boy would humiliate himself so that he could have his chance.

A light shined and suddenly behind the boy a 2 meter tall insect form but what is more is that it had a human shaped torso and head, arm and human shaped hands while the head was shaped like a bug and the body was covered in exoskeleton. The lower half was what remained of a giant ant and it formed something akin to a centaur like creature but it lacked the human upper half and intelligence.

“It is an Elite Lesser Arachnid Fire Ant Soldier.” Marquess Crost said, “To obtain a humanoid shape early on at level 31 for an insect monster is rather good. If I have not gotten rusty on my monster knowledge, this specific ant is capable of breeding it’s own hive and is something like a Asexual king I believe?” Marques Crost asked.

“Indeed, that said, my son isn’t bright in magical arts, it was difficult at the time for him to improve the spell so he can make soldiers but he still requires much study to make the worker ant nest and many types. The biggest advantage is number after all but the strength of the familiar along is still quite strong.” the earl said.

“Indeed, I have heard that, unlike common ants that lift 10 times their body weight, an Elite Arachnid soldier ant can lift around 100 times their own strength and are proficient in fire magic.” A noble said.

“Indeed, in terms of strength, it could stop Lesser dragon’s alone.” The earl said.

Of course this statement had a basis to it, when one boasts one's strength, they never overdo it to not get mud on their face. This ant indeed has the muscle strength to lift and hurl a lesser dragon the size of Tryus with his immense weight.

Some of the nobles were actually quite displeased since the familiar was actually quite impressive, in fact, this ant strength quality would have gone to the snot nosed brat that owned it as well and even so his strength was level 31 but that was in relation to the ant. It would be nearly level 40 in human strength. It was an impressive figure but everything has a weakness and the one of this ant was the fact that it was a close range creature. The fire breath and magic were relatively weak far away.

“Strength wise, it is indeed a good match. Univa.” Marquess Crost called the girl in question and she curtsy to those she was talking to and excused herself and walked over.

“You have called for me father?” She asked.

The Marquess smiled gently but wryly as he gestured to Chad’s father, “You know Earl Liquivet correct?”

“Yes, he is brother of Aunty and Uncle.” Univa said calmly and looked at Chad who was all smiling in a charming manner yet hidden below was a slightly conceited glance towards her.

“These gentlemen and I were discussing, you are almost 13 and have yet to be engaged with anyone. What do you think of Chad, with a strong familiar like his, at the very least he can reach level 60 or 70, making a good pair with you.” He said.

Almost at once Univa’s face slightly pinched and everyone saw it. Chad’s brow twitched and his smile dropped. “Father, I…” She started and blushed while fidgeting her feet, “I thank Earl Liquivet for your offer but I will have to decline your kind offer.” She said.

The face of the Earl darkened a moment before returning to a smile, he couldn’t obviously get mad at her, he was a whole rank below her father in nobility while the family power behind her had so many hidden experts that it made him want to vomit in disgust from the sheer power behind a single family. They only were not the royal family of the Radiance empire because it was practically run by Holy Light Church behind the scenes.

“I wonder if I can be so rude as to ask why Young miss rejected my son?” The earl asked in an amiable tone.

Univa’s cheeks turned a rosy sheen before she started to discreetly look around before saying, “I-I do not have interest in m-marriage at my age or in my early years because I-I want to focus on training only.” She said slightly stammering a bit.

Marquess Crost smiled but there was a hint of mischievousness in his eyes. He wouldn’t be a powerful nobleman if he could not read even a little girl. He most likely saw right through her and bent over before whispering, “Did you find your own prince charming?” He asked.

Her face turned bright scarlet like the bright beautiful carpet under their feet. “F-father~!” She whimpered almost gathering tears in her eye from embarrassment.

The face of quite a few nobles darkened, of course these nobles were all trained, for one to acquire the title of their predecessor they must be at least 20 levels below them while being at least 20 to 30 years younger, this is why Xero was given an honorary title even if his father was just a Rank 1 knight at the time.

“Oh, the young miss has a young man she fancies? I am quite curious to meet what kind of young master he is.” Earl Liquivet narrowed his eyes. The words ‘young master’ insinuated many things such as illicit relations with commoners or those many rank below without potential to even hold her shoes.

The Marquess thought a moment and with a smile he asked, “Could it be that young man that saved you? Xero Null I believe his name was?”

Her already scarlet face turned an even deeper red to the tip of her ears, “NO~! OF COURSE NOT!” She shouted embarrassed.

“I see.” The Marquess said but a shrewd light shined in his eyes.

“Sir Crost, what is this about this boy saving the young miss?” one of the noble curiously asked.

In the back, Chad’s face was as dark as it could get, “XERO YOU TRASH! Even now you are getting in my way!”

Seeing his son’s face, he knew a land mine had been stepped on, still as a father and someone with interest in strengthening the bond between the Crost and Liquivet family he definitely won’t let this go. He is only saddened that it is impossible for a male of the Crost to marry into his family as the women do not pass on the dragon bloodline like men do.

“Sir Crost, I wonder, this ‘Young master’ Null, is this child a commoner or noble? I am curious if he truly saved the young miss like you say because we are indeed talking of two large gaps more than 15 levels in difference.” Earl Liquivet asked.

“This was witnessed by one of my most trusted family elders, I would not distrust his words so I indeed believe the young boy, with a devil familiar and a few dozen minion creatures were able to riddle a Nature Wyrm full of wounds.” Marquess Crost said, he obviously knew what these sly fox wanted. “As for his status, his father is currently a Rank 2 Great Knight of the Lurian Empire to the far south but with a small investigation into his familiar and connections, we found that he actually has a connections to both Light and Dark Ice God Orders and it isn’t a shallow connection.” he said.

Any of these men could guess what a god's order would have connections to a common Rank 2 Knight, it would either be something involving their children’s potential or the parent themself.

“Isn’t the status of a 2nd Rank Great Knight’s child a bit… low to match up to your esteemed daughter?” One noble asked. Almost all nobles agree with this, it was normally that for a Marquess’s direct daughter, they would have to be, at least, a Baron with immense potential, with a Viscount son was the lowest category of status to be considered. As for an Earl and Marquess child, these were further screened to weed out those unworthy.

Earl Liquivet smiled at these words but suddenly darkened slightly when he saw the smile of Marquess Crost’s face that had a slight playful nature in his eyes as if things had gone just right. He found out why, “Although this Marquess is still watching this child to gauge his potential since you gentlemen want to test this child we can do that as well. What do you think Univa? How does a Contest of three duels sound? The Young Null against a young noble these gentlemen choose?” Marquess Crost asked.

“Test him for what reason father?” Univa asked.

“Of course, I want a worthy husband for my little girl, so why not test the young boy’s strength and potential?” He smiled.

“F-FATHER!” She said burning up in shame that her father had said something like that.

Although he never spent much time, it was quite nice for this noble to see his normally serious daughter show such expressions even if, as a father, the subject of marrying his daughter was a touchy thing. After all, he did not have many children even if his family was large with cousins and brothers and such all spread about.

“Seeing my daughter not reject the contest then it is decided, let's do it like this gentlemen, how does… a week from now sound, I shall personally go to the boy’s home and we can arrange the date, you men can also bring your own representative, ‘one’ representative with only one year of difference.” Marquess Crost said.

“Did sir not say a three match fight?” Earl Liquivet asked.

“Of course, Single combat between the familiars, single combat between the children, a double combat of master and familiar going to battle together.” Marquess Crost said.

The nobles nodded as they agreed with the arrangements but the next words coming made the nobles burn with fury but expectation, “The young man, Xero Null, I will make an arrangement with him, if he wins he will be engaged with my sweet daughter by after this first duel he needs to defend this ‘position’ until his 16th birthday. The gentleman that can defeat him, of course they can only be as much as one year older then him to duel, would get my daughter's hand.” he said.

Univa was shocked and almost angry at her father for this, not only was he giving her hand to Xero but she was making her a trophy that Xero would need to defend until they got married, what’s more, if he lost once she would marry whoever wins be them a fat pervert or a gentle prince. Even so, for some reason, even when she wanted to contest against her father, her cheeks turned rosy as she thought of herself being protected by Xero like a prince fighting for his princess. She almost slapped her own face to get those fantasy out of her mind.

The Marquess saw this out the corner of his eye, he had completely seen through his daughter. The thing she most wanted was a strong back to look to like a knight protecting his woman. It was a dream of all women, especially one that had been saved so spectacularly by him in this manner already.

Ironically, it was this same way that Grunt had caused Madrid to fall in love with him but the difference in status, ideals and methods would likely cause a different outcome.

“Father, I want to fight him, I have something personal against him so I want to battle. Even if he did battle a Wyrm to a tie, with my strength, I can match him not to mention that these two years I have been drilled in swordsmanship skills, I don’t believe I can’t win. Not to mention I already surpassed level 30 and am a true level 31 Rank 1 knight already while he is still someone not even properly ranked.” Chad suddenly exclaimed.

Univa frowned by the exclamation but the Marquess did not really care, the opponent was not for him to decide, “Come, let us enjoy the festivities and you gentlemen can talk of such matters later. Come, bring the dragon blood wine.” The Marquess said as a faintly fragrant red wine was brought with many crystal glass wine cups.

Univa narrowed her eyes towards Chad a moment and turned to go talk with someone else while running away from this conversation that only caused her to be embarrassed.

That said, in Chad’s view that glare was one of disdain towards him, “You little bitch! When I ‘accidently’ kill that bastard and marry you I will make you cry like the little bitch you are!” He shouted to himself. As one of the males of an Earl’s household sometimes a noble would develop ‘unique’ habits and his father was one who taught all his son’s the pleasure of a woman when he ‘grew into a man’ after their 12th birthday as well as teaching them how to pleasure a woman into falling to their knees for him. Chad as well had learned and for all the lack of talent he had, he had showed extreme enthusiasm to this sort of ‘teaching’ his father gave. Of course, this kind of thing would also twist a person’s sense of morals, as such he developed an even darker personality that would prefer dominating women instead of caring for them.

The festivities went on for most of the day were the Crost brought young Knights out to exchange moves with the young talents of the noble houses as well as each of them show off their magic control and magical knowledge.

As the sun began to wane, the nobles soon left and the Marquess took Univa personally to search of Xero and his father to set up the arrangements.

***

At the moment, outside Null manor, and almost some 50 meters away, were a crowd of halfling and humans all working with magic and manuel strength to construct dozens of different buildings. Many houses, shops and other builds were rapidly being raised but one thing was similar, they all bore the same symbol, ‘Donima Merchant Firm’ was branded on the side of every carriage and horse drawn cart.

It drew immense attention because it was such a big merchant firm on the known continent.

As for what was happening inside the Null manor…

“Ahahaha! I knew this son in law of mine would have somewhere to pull from!” Francis Donima, Meldie’s father, said while holding a large mug of ale while lifting and knocking it against Nil’s who was smiling at the cheerful halfling.

“I truly did not expect my son’s small friend to be such a character either.” Nil said drinking alongside.

“Knowing such a good family stands behind the boy makes me even less reluctant to give my little girl.” He laughed openly stating what he wanted. In fact, from the moment Meldie brought Xero home he already considered them engaged and openly called themselves in-laws.

“Father! Please be more decent at others house~!” Meldie said her face as red as tomato while nearly crying from shame and embarrassment.

Next to her, Xero sat red faced by having to watch such an embarrassing thing be said about him.

“Oh come on sweetie, you're my pride and joy. I had the joy have giving birth to a little girl like you who came into the world all lonesome without twins, of course I would worry if you get lonely unlike your brothers and sisters.” He said.

A fact that should be noted, a halfling being born alone is a one in ten thousand event, it also causes a strange occurrence in the single halfling that in one or a few aspects they tend to excel so greatly that they are considered nearly the top talents in those fields. As such, when a halfling is born alone they are always doted on by the family for being ‘lonely’.

Francis then looked at Xero and grinned, “Still boyo, who would have thought that news of you battling something above level 41, and a dragon type at that, to a standstill, really how scary your strength boyo.” he said nodding, “Such strength is what my little girl needs to protect her.” He laughed making Meldie almost release steam from her head from how red her face was getting. She was much more mature compared to common halflings who are playful, this is another difference between ‘single birth halflings’ their maturity level was similar to human level.

“Come, let us drink my friend to this well established couple.” He shamelessly said as if it was already decided that the two were a pair.

Nil raised a brow and actually felt some pity for the children and asked, “Don’t you think you should have their opinion first?”

Francis shamelessly pointed at the two, “Do you think these two innocent babies will openly say their real feelings or thoughts? Nah, it’s better for adults to watch their kids then push them together if needed. At home, Meldie doesn’t stop talking about Xero anyway so it’s better she come to your house so that she can stick close to him and not give us an earful.” He said.

“Muuuuu~!” Meldie said while covering her face with her hands.

Xero just smiled with pity and patted her head trying to console her which only made it worse.

At this time a knight walked in, “Lord Null, young master’s friend, Univa Crost is here, along with her…” The knight coughed, “... her esteemed noble father.” The knight said with some trembling fear.

“Old Dragon Crost is here? Well since son-in-law saved his girl maybe he wants to thank him.” Francis said.

Nil stood up and went to greet the two who had come. Even so he was quite startled the people that were coming to his family.

Soon the three entered and Marquess Cross was surprised to find Francis casually drinking ale here. “Donima, what a surprise.” He said.

“Old Dragon, it’s been a while, you’ve grown white hairs even though you’re so young.” he said openly.

“It is what happens when one has such a large family clan to run as well as a large territory to manage.” he said.

“That is true, all I have is my stores and my well trained managers that keep things running smoothly.” He laughed, “So what have you come for?” while grabbing an empty mug and filling with ale from one of the barrels he brought and handed it to the Marquess.

He took it and took a sip before he lightened up and began to drink more and sighed, “Ah~! Donima Firm dwarven winter wheat ale, you sure brought some good stuff.” He said and sat down while gesturing to for Univa to go over to the other two and allowed them to chit chat while he took care of ‘business’.

“So, what brings you here?” He asked refilling and taking a sip.

“Of course, it’s to talk about the engagement of my little girl with the boy here?” he laughed shamelessly.

The Marquess almost snorted out the ale in his mouth as he looked at the halfling with narrowed eyes. “How interesting, I also have ‘business’ with the boy.” He said.

“Eh?!” The three children and Nil exclaimed together.

The two girls looked at each other and blushed heavily while Xero and Nil were flabbergast.

“W-wait, y-you both want to marry your daughters to my son?!” Nil asked in utter shock.

Who were these two, one was the man at the head of one of the largest Merchant Firm on the continent while the other was the head of the family of Red Fire Dragons, the Red Dragon King Everson Crost. He only has 4 children and Univa is the 3rd daughter. He had 3 daughters and 1 son who was Rufus. With this small number of children even a busy noble would care greatly about the noble status and his face when deciding who to marry their children to but most of all such nobles still cared and dotted on their children.

“Actually, I, somewhat, already caused quite a bit of trouble for your son.” the Marquess said laughing wryly before explaining what happened. From the first moment when he stepped in, the noble aura was gone because of the presence of the Donima family head, these two were both men of equal status making him more open. Unlike how he talked with the nobles, here he seemed more reclusive mainly because he had moved too far ahead.

“S-so I have to fight and if I win I am engaged with Univa, even after that I have ‘protect’ that right?!” Xero said completely and utterly amazed by how shameless this old man was to do something like this without even arranging the marriage with him and his father and doing it all on his own whim as soon as he ‘thought’ Univa liked him.

While Nil and Xero were in awe by the shamelessness and the girls were blushing even harder as the topic never changed from marriage, Francis was laughing hard. “Old Dragon, you really are a piece of work.” he was rolling around like a kid before getting up, “But I like this, I really like this. The boy doesn’t fight much and his prey are normally within a small range but he doesn’t fight many humans besides a few low ranking knights and instructors that hold back. His potential is being held back, he needs situations like with the Wyrm where he learned to greatly utilize minion linking.” He said.

“T-there is nothing to keep master from rejecting these two! Right master!?” Ashley suddenly barged into the room hugging her master after hearing everything.

“Of course we know that, in marriage there is always a Dowry.” the Marquess said and held his chin in thought. “Besides just the money and jewelry, I will gift your family the dragon core of a Snow Wyvern, five demon cores with the sealed souls of demonic Drakes still inside, and 3 magic blades.” He said.

Ashley pouted, “I can make magic blades for master out of plain dirt let alone dragon scale or bone. I can even make Ego swords and making minions for master.” Ashley said.

The Marquess just smiled, “those aren’t for him, this is a Dowry for the family, the blades would go to his father and the other two son’s while the five demon cores can go to you.” He said.

Ashley was still hugging him out of jealousy when Francis suddenly but in.

“I think I will join in the fun. Boyo, when the time comes for your duel, the entire city will know that you are fighting for the hand of my and this old dragon’s little girl in one duel. Don’t let them down now, as for my Dowry, I will set up a branch Firm on your city as well all cities that are managed by your family once your father or you rank above rank 3 and can command a region and several cities under you.” He laughed and narrowed his eyes, “Don’t you dare thrown in the towel, I already got all the information on your skills and strengths so I know when you are going at it full strength or not.” he said with a threatening aura. “Only the boy I accept for my daughter will be allowed to hold her hand.” He said and drank his ale before laughing as the aura completely vanished.

Xero was trembling, it was the turn of the two girls to pity him now. He actually felt so depressed that Meldie patted his head in return to try and cheer him up.

Of course he could do nothing against these two, after all one had the strongest merchant firm and millions of gold coin in his pocket and had hundreds of hidden experts in the Radiance empire while the other was a Rank 6 with a bloodline that always has dragon familiars. What could he do except accept his fate.

The two girls felt sorry for him and apologized for him being pushed to do this.

“It’s not your fault…” He said and looked at the two, “It’s theirs.” he sighed.

The two high ranking men kept enjoying the ale while the children were in dismay at the events to come were Xero would fight while the fate of the two girls would become the trophy.