Insect Tamer's Ascension-Chapter 364. He really is your blood, Aldric

The emperor stared at Theo for a long moment, and all Theo did was hold his gaze calmly, his eyes stray and mature.

"Your affinity is ’Evolution’... I remember that," the emperor murmured, resting a hand on his face as though deep in thought, or perhaps just too shocked.

"I know we took a very drastic measure due to the academy situation, Your Majesty," Theo said, bowing slightly. "And I sincerely apologize for what we have done."

The emperor glanced at the baron, who merely sighed, then looked back at Theo before a quiet chuckle escaped his mouth.

"You really are very different from your father... just like when we first met three years ago, Theo Merrick."

He continued, his tone light but meaningful.

"Just like how we are talking right now, your father could have asked for an audience with me rather than taking you to a gate without authority."

Then, his eyes sharpened slightly.

"But it seems you benefited greatly from that decision. You are already at level 10."

The emperor spoke in a calm tone.

Theo didn’t know why, but he couldn’t feel any pressure, anger, or hostility from the Emperor, as if they had done nothing wrong.

"How close are you to a breakthrough?" the emperor asked.

"If I were to practise for a few months, I am confident I can break through, Your Majesty," Theo replied.

"Hmm... that’s remarkably fast for someone your age."

The emperor paused, studying him carefully.

"It makes me feel wrong to say this since you’re a Merrick, but..." the emperor paused deliberately. "Do you have the strength to back up your level, Theo Merrick?"

For the first time in the conversation, Theo felt the situation shift in his favor even more.

He glanced at his father, a knowing look passing between them.

And when the baron gave a subtle nod, Theo turned back to the emperor.

"If you don’t mind, Your Majesty, may I draw my sword?" Theo asked, making the emperor raise his eyebrows.

"Oh? Draw your sword, you say..."

The emperor muttered under his breath before briefly glancing to the side once, confusing Theo since he saw nothing there.

"Very well," the emperor gave the approval.

Even so, Theo drew his sword very slowly, careful as to not look disrespectful. The Emperor might seem relaxed, but he was still the most important person in the entire kingdom.

When the sword was fully out of its sheath, Theo gripped the hilt with both his hands and angled the blade slightly to the side so that it wouldn’t appear as though he was provoking the emperor.

He took a deep breath.

Then he drew the aura from his heart, channeling it directly to his fingertips in a matter of seconds.

It flowed toward the hilt without any resistance, and Theo guided it into the blade.

The moment the aura seeped out of the blade...

The emperor got up from his seat in shock.

Seeing the Emperor’s stunned expression, a proud grin slowly crept onto the Baron’s face.

"You...!" the emperor muttered, momentarily at a loss for words.

His gaze shifted toward the grinning Baron, and only then did his shock lessen slightly.

"He really is from your bloodline, huh...? To gain aura at the age of eleven... only a few in the past forty years have managed to do that. And we both know what kind of monsters they became, Aldric." 𝚏𝗿𝗲𝐞𝐰𝚎𝕓𝐧𝚘𝘃𝗲𝐥.𝐜𝚘𝕞

For the first time, the baron seemed to have nodded at one of the emperor’s statements.

"I don’t know whether it’s because of my blood or not," the Baron replied calmly. "But I can tell you he gained it by risking his life inside the Gate. With a few instructions from me."

For the first time, the Emperor showed clear annoyance.

"After everything we have been through... you really made your own son go through that same process? I can’t believe you, Aldric."

The emperor seemed really angry at him.

Their exchange made Theo glance at his father, stirring confusion within him. What was the Emperor talking about? Was this not a good method?

"With age, you have decided to go a lot more senile, huh... Still, I can’t say I am not happy about the results." He spoke with a sigh and returned to his seat.

"We have drifted from the topic, Your Majesty," the baron added, making the emperor nod just a few times.

"Theo Merrick, you have done well to awaken your aura at the age of eleven and to reach Level 10 at such a young age. I commend you for your achievements."

Yet he wasn’t done. "However, what I cannot overlook is the fact that you have broken several rules of the kingdom."

"Your age will be taken into consideration before I decide your punishment, which will start with an evaluation in the royal capital."

"You are to be present with your family in a discreet manner, as publicising this would only make your situation a lot worse."

"After we have evaluated your strength and the strength of your beasts, we will proceed to the next phase."

"Do you understand?" The emperor asked.

Theo couldn’t have been more surprised.

He wanted to turn to his father for assurance, but then he realized something.

If the baron wanted to speak out for him, he would have done so by now.

And since he didn’t interfere, it only meant approval.

"I thank you for your graciousness, Your Majesty, the emperor," Theo said with a deep bow. The baron smiled faintly and nodded in agreement.

"That settles it then," the Emperor declared.

"And don’t you worry; this situation has not been recorded anywhere, so you may rest assured."

The Baron remained silent.

"I look forward to seeing what you can do to contribute to our kingdom’s growth, Theo Merrick. Any support you’d require, we will do our best to provide."

Theo was truly shocked at that comment.

"Y-Yes, Your Majesty. Thank you."

’Wait... is the situation already over?’