Following his extreme training, several days passed. The guests who came to the manor already left and the active bustle started as one squad of sky lizards departed in different directions. Knights and mages left the city towards forts and strategic locations. In short, the Claus household’s forces started moving and unleashed their sword for a potential threat.

While the hidden storm already appeared above the barony, ordinary citizens continued to live their lives. The New Year celebration approached and more decorations appeared on the streets. Children played with snow and they continued to gossip and live their lives.

Only the figure of the boy was still laying in his bed. Though there weren’t any harsh consequences after he forced his breakthrough, using basic alchemy pills, his body and mind were exhausted and needed some time to recuperate. Hence, Clara and Elora took turns and looked after their Young Master. The moment of his awakening was inevitable, and he still needed to make many preparations before his official introduction to the public.

Opening his eyes, Nero saw how Clara, Elora, Ethel, Azreya, and even busy Stein were inside his chambers and looked at him.

“Young Master,” cried Clara with tears in her eyes.

“Young Master,” said Elora, as she released a sigh.

The small black griffon and white tigress just jumped at him and started licking while Stein slightly widened his usual smile, as if he already expected his awakening.

After a short time, spent swallowing a medical soup, and exchange with Clara and Elora, who explained to him why and how he wronged before they left, leaving only elder Stein behind.

As soon as everyone left, a usual smile on Stein’s lips disappeared as he narrowed his eyes and looked closely at his disciple. It was such a stern gaze that shivers passed through Nero’s spine.

“Do you understand what is your mistake?” asked the elder while Nero could only lower his head.

“Yes,” said Nero, realizing why it was dangerous to force his breakthrough. Even though he just overextended himself and didn’t suffer too many consequences, right now, Nero felt huge weakness both in his body after such stress. Of course, he knew about potential accidents which could always happen regardless of the tiny probability.

“Don’t act like that again,” said Stein as he slightly increased his tone. “Though nothing bad happened to you and you just depleted your body, but it is always possible to become a cripple with such actions.”

Stein spent a moment looking at Nero before he softened his tone and continued.

“I know what happened to you when that idiot slapped you. Rage, hate, and other similar emotions might have blinded you and you made such a foolish decision. A feeling of humiliation is well familiar to me. But, boy, don’t you think it was too hasty to try mastering that semi-technique Primus gave you.

“It’s okay to make a one step at once, slowly grinding a path for yourself. But, it was too thoughtless to act that way, don’t you think so, boy?” asked Stein as he looked at Nero.

“Yes, instructor. You are right. The potential for significant progress just carried me away. It was my mistake,” said Nero as he nodded and lowered his head while a familiar smile once again appeared on Stein’s face when he heard his answer.

“Good, that you realize that,” said Stein as he nodded and stood up, approaching Nero, and placed a certain scroll on his bed before turning to leave. “It’s your punishment, boy. Both I and Primus think that it’s fitting for this case. Patience and focus are very important. Learn how to improve it.”

Following his words, Stein disappeared behind the door while Nero took that scroll.

‘Forget about your lessons and training. Just rest, recuperate and visit your pond. Sometimes it’s crucial to know when to stop and relax. Your mother had a similar problem. Hence, you will also pass through the same experience she passed through when we polished her patience.’

As soon as he finished reading the message from Primus, Nero rose his brows, dumbfounded by what his instructors prepared for him.

...

..

.

Holding a wooden fishing rod, Nero turned and looked at Clara, who was sitting next to him near the unfrozen pond in his garden. Two figures sat on the small chairs above the snow while Ethel and Azreya played with each other near to them. Only sounds of their active game came from time to time when one trapped another.

“Is it correct?” asked Nero as he placed a fat worm on the fishing line.

“Yeah, Young Master,” said Clara as she smiled and adjusted his posture with her hands. “The fish living here is called baleen catfish.”

“This fish is strong and delicious, Young Master. But, it’s famous because of its patience. This fish is the most patient one. Instructor Primus ordered to catch at least one of them, using only this fishing rod.

“This is your task and rest, Young Master,” said Clara as she bowed and stood up.

Soon, Nero was the only one who stayed near the pond while his pets followed Clara. Finally, when he was alone, Nero checked his senses, still feeling weakness before he released a sigh and threw his glance at the dark water of the pond.

He could see nothing there, but he knew that dozens of his targets were there. Hence, wasting no additional moment, Nero adjusted his body and threw the fishing line with the worm into the pond.

‘Let’s see if your glory is true.’

In such a manner, Nero started his first fishing crusade.

...

..

.

Following that day, the time continued to pass. Days followed each other. Nero resumed his lessons with lady Elora, preparing for the approaching date of his official introduction. Claus household’s forces continued to mobilize in secret, as the whole barony transformed into the heavily fortified turtle. Citizens continued to live their ordinary lives in anticipation of the New Year and Arena events which always happened during this period of the year. But, among all this current of life, the lonely figure of the boy who came to the pond at the noons was one of the few constant factors.

Unlike before, when Nero just started fishing, he no longer felt pissed off with the fish, which never approached his fishing line. The worm on his line never disappeared, and he even thought there was no fish at this pond at first. But, as time continued to pass, and he slowly recuperated from the consequences of his training, Nero came to understand that the result of his fishing wasn’t important. His body weakness slowly disappeared, his mind relaxed, and he prepared for the inevitable date of his public introduction. Now, he realized why Primus and Stein gave him such a task as fishing on the baleen catfish; the goal was to make him recover and relax. Though he had already given up on catching fish, Nero continued fishing and even liked how he spent his days quietly and peacefully. These days near the pond were the most relaxing since he came to this manor. It was a great period when he thought about many things and calmed down his head as his blue eyes became clear. There was no rage in his eyes, only a focused gleam of the person who knew what he wanted.

Like usual, Nero inclined on his seat, threw a fishing line with worm into the pond, and immersed in reading. Hours passed, following each other, but the boy continued to sit and read. But, unlike the previous days, this one, the seventh was different because it was the first time when the fishing rod started twitching.

Shocked, Nero, who had already given up in front of the glory of the fish at the pond, quickly took the fishing pod and started struggling, slowly pushing the fish to the bank. An excited gleam appeared in his eyes as his heart increased his beating.

“Come on, come on,” said Nero, as he felt how the fishing rod in his hands struggled. The fish moved in different directions, trying to get free from the fishing line in its mouth. Those movements were fast and strong. Hence, it forced Nero to stand up to get a better position for himself.

Following when the fish ate his worm, their battle started. The fish tried to escape, using all means possible, but with each new moment, it slowly approached the bank. Finally, after half an hour of their battle, the fish appeared at the bank and Nero placed it into the bucket, prepared beforehand.

Finally, before he made it, Nero caught the baleen catfish. Of course, a proud smile appeared on his lips when he threw a close look at the fish inside the bucket. But his satisfaction didn’t last long because a glance at the fish was enough to see that it was young. It was much smaller than he expected and its scales were still bright.

Nero only released a bitter laugh as he sighed and put away the fishing rod. After the whole week of his fishing, he only caught the young baleen catfish. Now, he realized what Primus and Stein wanted to say to him. His impatient actions, when he tried to get everything at once, were not too much different from this fish, which tried to catch a fat worm. Though it made it, it harmed itself in the process and patiently Nero caught it into his bucket. This fish was him a week before. It was also impatient and hasty.

“Now, I see,” said Nero as a smile appeared on his lips. “A slow and steady journey is much better than the fast and impatient one.”

Nero took a bucket in his hands and looked at the fish.

“Since you helped me learn this lesson and fought well, I don’t have a reason to take your life. Go, you are free, fish,” said Nero as he inclined the bucket and let the water and fish fall into the pond. With a splash, his target disappeared while Nero put away the bucket and smiled. This lesson was over.

...

..

.

At the same time.

Baron’s Claus workroom.

Primus, Grievous, and Stein were busy discussing the details of their strategies, and potential tactics Melor household might use while Baron Claus continued to read reports coming from his barony. In short, their preparations were over, and they were ready to meet any opponent from any direction. But there was still a certain uneasy feeling inside his heart. Hence, Baron put away those reports and looked at Stein to discuss the readiness of their trump cards, which could save the Claus household in crisis.

“What’s the condition of the puppet legion?” asked Baron, interrupting an active dialogue and catching Stein’s attention.

“Not ready,” said Stein. “Though I restored a hundred rare puppets, I don’t have enough resources to fix the other nine hundred. Milord, this is the maximum I could do.”

“I see,” said Baron Claus as he inclined on his seat. “Fix as many as you can. I have a feeling we will need them.”

“Yes, my Lord,” said Stein as he nodded while Baron turned and looked at Primus and Grievous.

“I will soon depart with my grandson for the annual New Year celebration in the Duke’s Gatsby palace. You should also depart to Fladridge and command from our headquarters. Two elders and current forces will be enough to protect the capital of the barony,” said Baron, as both men nodded and saluted. “By the way, I had no time to look at my descendent. Is he ready for his public introduction?

Both Primus and Stein nodded when they heard him.

“Lady Elora made a good job. Though he still needs to learn further, he won’t make any big mistakes on that date,” said Stein with a slight smile on his lips.

“He also made a breakthrough and became a third rank squire in his age. It is good proof of his talent. Experienced warriors won’t take him for nobody and will see his potential,” said Primus with a proud smile on his lips.

“Hmm... That’s good,” said Baron.

He already wanted to ask something more when the door to his room opened and a servant appeared inside.

“Milord, the heralds from the Avalone household have arrived!” immediately cried the servant as he entered inside.

“They are in the city,” said Baron, with a clear question in his tone.

“Yes, milord,” said the servant.

“I see. You can go,” said Baron as the servant disappeared. “They are here.”

“Yes,” said Stein. “The game started.”

...

..

.

Following the news of the arrival, Baron and his subordinates gathered in front of the main gates, waiting for their arrival. Several rows of knights and mages formed along the way as banners with Claus household insignia were at the sides.

Finally, after a short time, dozens of armored riders appeared, passing through the gates as a big carriage followed them. Both riders and the carriage slowed down before they stopped in front of Baron, Stein, Primus, and Grievous, who was looking at the big carriage with Avalone household banner on it while riders climbed down their horses behind it.

Soon, the door opened, and a young figure of the man appeared from the inside. The man was young and handsome, had white hair and red eyes. He was tall, elegant, and muscular. Power and confidence filled his every movement. Such a scene under the falling snowflakes looked beautiful and several maids blushed. because of that. Of course, the young man who was the youngest son of Duke Gatsby noticed that and a slight smile appeared on his lips.

But it wasn’t time for flirt. Hence, his expression quickly became solemn as he took a certain scroll from his artifact, cleared his throat, and started reading aloud. Baron Claus and others also made solemn expressions.

“In the honor of the approaching New Year celebration, I, Duke Gatsby, am delighted to invite Baron Claus, the overlord of the Claus barony. Dear Baron, I would be glad to see you among my guests and friends during such a bright celebration as the New Year. It would be a pity without you there,” said the young man before he closed the scroll, relaxed his face and the scroll to the servant, responsible for that.

As soon as they finished with formalities, both Baron and the young man smiled.

“Greetings, uncle Claus,” said the young man as a smile appeared on his lips.

“Long time no see, Arthur,” said Baron with a similar smile.