Kuroshi Clan, patriarch's Mansion.

"Duke?"

The patriarch knocked on the duke's door.

"Come in."

The duke was on his chair and was writing on a piece of paper using a feather, the world was old but also advanced in certain ways.

"Duke, I believe we have an agreement."

The duke waved his hand.

"You don't have to be so formal, Kuroshi patriarch, Kuroshi Mikado. The name is suited for a king but is held by a mere patriarch, I am still not used to it."

The duke gave a 'hmph' as if he chuckled and began writing once more.

"So be it, Mariko Palace, Duke Hyosuke. I could say the same about your name, fit for someone kind yet is held by someone of your personality."

Duke Hyosuke didn't respond and continued writing, seeing as the Duke Hyosuke had no further ideas to continue the talk, Mikado continued with the reason why he came here.

"I take it that our deal hasn't changed?"

Hyosuke continued writing as if nothing was out of the ordinary.

"Of course, but I'd like to add another condition. That boy, Kuroshi Kai, I would like to study him before you go along with the final phase of your plan."

"Study him...?"

"That's right, of course it will all be covert and I'll assure you I won't make any contact with the boy to reduce your chances."

"May I inquire about this sudden urge?"

"It's fine, you see, recently my daughter had taken an interest in this boy. It appears that the boy had saved her inside the forest. My daughter is raised to be very wary of strangers unless they're of course, benefactors. When she had talked about him, there was a certain tone in her voice; that tone could only be found if she was talking about someone stronger."

"Couldn't you just be wary of the boy your daughter favors?"

Mikado said jokingly, he knew of the duke's personality; he was not concerned in the least about his daughter.

"Of course not. I'm more curious as to why a mere boy from this clan who had long lost its glory can be stronger than my own blood-daughter who was trained by me ever since she was five."

"As always, I thought I was ruthless when I train the kids of my clan at seven just to be sure talent doesn't fade, but you actually taught your own daughter when she was five..."

The duke did not mind Mikado and just continued writing.

"And so, you want to see how this boy reacts to my plan and find out his secrets, is that right?"

"Exactly, that's why I hope I can impose on you to add that to the conditions."

The voice of the duke didn't have any hint of pleading or apology when he talked to Mikado. That was only right as a duke had a position that was many times higher than a patriarch.

"I don't really get what you could need that information for, the kid will die when he reaches ten."

"I know."

The duke stubbornly kept his stance which caused Mikado to sigh.

"Alright, but I do hope that I can freely mobilize my shadow corps without any interference from the imperial army."

"That's fine."

The duke waved his hand signalling Mikado to leave.

"That is all, I'll take my leave now."

Mikado bowed once then he turned around and left the room.

As he passed through the doorway, the corner of his eyes caught sight of the butler, Yasuo.

"You, did you hear what we talked about?"

"Not at all, that would be improper of me as the lord's retainer."

"I see."

Mikado turned the other way and left the hall. Yasuo knocked on Hyosuke's door after he left.

"Milord."

Yasuo bowed once he entered.

"Yasuo, my daughter had asked you to gather information about that boy, give me everything you know and survey my daughter's movements."

Yasuo clenched his fist behind him.

"Yes, milord."

==========

Kuroshi Clan, Kai's Household.

Erina had already met Kai's parents, sister, Yoko and Akane. She didn't go to the house anymore and rarely went out of the patriarch's mansion.

Akane had also been quite busy because her parents insisted that she should become stronger since it's been nearly a year since they started training.

Yoko kept the same pace as before and was now currently in Kai's house being trained by Akemi about being a proper wife. Yoko didn't want the training but Akemi had forced her to do so and has been taking lessons for a week. Right now, she's being taught how to brew and serve tea.

"...can you please remind me why I'm doing this?"

"To become a proper wife for my Kai."

Akemi answered with a straight face which made Yoko groan in displeasure.

"I don't have any intentions to be his wife, I only hold simple respect; I've told everyone this before... And, why are you skipping the part of courting and straight for being married?"

"Well, Akane may act a bit violent but ever since she could walk, me and her mother had taught her proper manners befit of a housewife. She knows how to sit, cook, and clean flawlessly. She can hold polite conversations and learn to sense fatigue in another's voice. I also taught her first-aid so she can easily wrap up wounds for emergencies!"

Akemi proudly declared.

"So why am I taking it?"

"Because Akane has a head start, you should have been taught manners but I guess that's about it."

"Nn..."

Juro suddenly entered the house and went next to Akemi.

"Akemi, we have to talk."

"Mm? Alright. Yoko, take care of Emi for a while."

"Yes..."

Yoko stretched out her arms to receive Emi, her eyes had a glint of excitement.

"You really do like kids, huh? That would be best when you have a kid with my son in the future. Fufufu."

Akemi teasingly told Yoko, she tinged a light shade of pink but kept her expression.

"You're getting good at using a bluffing face."

Akemi smiled and handed over Emi then followed Juro to the backyard.

Juro had his palm stretched out and then a dark translucent barrier surrounded the entire backyard. Although their backyard is called a yard, most of the floor is actually cemented. The other part of the backyard was dirt in case they wanted to grow plants.

Juro walked to the middle of the backyard and spoke.

"Akemi, I've reached E-class just today."

"That's great!"

Akemi smiled in joy but Juro didn't have any hints of smiling.

"What is it?"

Akemi asked Juro worriedly to which he shook his head.

"I'm fine, but we have a problem. That person's plan has moved up."

"His plan moved up?!"

Akemi instantly knew what he was talking about.

"That's right, he plans to attack Kai when he reaches ten. Erina said that Kai could probably return next year so he may stay in the clan for a year before the patriarch attacks him."

Akemi furrowed her brows and put her hand to her chin.

"If that's the case, we have two years to make preparations to defend Kai."

Akemi clicked her tongue when she calculated the amount of things they needed to do.

"No, protecting him against the clan can be easily done. What I'm worried about is something else."

"Wait, how can we protect him easily?"

"The seal, it should have reached the time where it starts to corrode. The seal only lasts for ten years, it was placed on us on the day Kai was born, it should be able to fully unleash itself on the day Kai reaches ten."

"But even if the seal breaks, we won't have even an eighth of our previous power."

"Nn. I know. But, that should be enough."

Juro looked to the sky.

"So, what were you worried about?"

Akemi asked Juro who was staring into space.

"I fear that the duke will indirectly interfere and help the patriarch."

Juro gave his assumption.

"I see, that is a likely possibility. We have no powers over political affairs so that would be a huge disadvantage."

"Yes, exactly. That's why we need to prepare what we can, we have two years to prepare and defend Kai, let's make it count."

"Nn."

Akemi smiled warmly.

"I also have good news."

"What is it?"

"I succeeded in creating that magic."

"You did?!"

Akemi was in glee.

"Maybe... with that power, we can protect Kai."

"Hahahaha, though I am quite spent so I need a little bit of help."

As Juro said that, he fell down, Akemi instantly leaped forward once she saw Juro start to fall but once she was going to grab him, he pulled her.

"...What did you do that for?"

Akemi was in wonder as she fell on top of Juro.

"This is what I mean by help."

Juro's hands travelled down Akemi's back and on top of her rear.

"Hooh, you naughty man."

Akemi had a seductive tone as she kissed Juro.

"Yoko is taking care of Emi so we have at least an hour to do what we want."

Juro grinned and Akemi chuckled.

If the barrier wasn't placed, two loud voices filled with ecstasy would be heard; luckily, Yoko who was in the other room had no idea of the events.

==========

Darkwood Forest

"A few more pages!"

Kai held a book within his hands filled with runes, Reo was narrating each rune as Kai's eyes would memorize it. This method was efficient for Kai and his schedule advanced an entire month. At this rate, he would memorize all the runes in a week.

"I have no idea how you're able to memorize it like this, a normal human would find this inefficient."

"I agree, but I want to go back home already so let's keep going!"

"Ok, ok."