Aldrich watched his father ride away from their household, a thoughtful expression on his face. A storm of emotions churned within him—an aching sadness at the sight of his father leaving, mingled with a bubbling excitement for the newfound freedom it offered.
The sense of loss was sharp, but it was tempered by an eager anticipation. 'Finally, some breathing room to explore the library and unravel some secrets,' he thought, his heart caught between longing and curiosity.
His mind buzzed with mixed feelings of curiosity and excitement. 'With Big Brothers away and only Mom, Marion, and me here, it's the perfect chance to uncover the truths hidden in those dusty tomes. There are mysteries about Jan'ahrem's divine origins and ancient history that have always fascinated me, and perhaps even clues about achieving the unimaginable—like ascending to Tier 10.'
While Aldrich contemplated his plans, the trio retreated to their rooms. Eleanor quietly shut herself in her chambers. Aldrich and Marion observed this in silence.
Marion knelt to meet Aldrich's gaze. "We have to behave now, Aldrich. Big Brother William and Magnus are at the Academy and won't return until summer. I hope Father ends the war soon; I don't want to spend winter with Mother being sad."
Aldrich blinked at Marion and then saluted her. "I pwomise to protect you and Mama until Big Brothers come home." Marion smiled and hugged him.
Marion called for Bea and asked her to care for Aldrich.
"Come, Young Master Aldrich, it's time for breakfast," Bea said gently. "Your sister needs to study." Aldrich nodded, grasping Bea's hand as they walked to the dining area.
After breakfast, Aldrich made his way to his mother's chamber. He slowly opened the door and heard soft sniffles from the bed. He approached quietly, then peeked over the edge of the bed and tried to climb up.
"Mother, it's fine. Papa will come back soon," Aldrich said, hugging Eleanor's head to comfort her.
Eleanor's tear-filled eyes met Aldrich's, a swirl of emotions flickering across her face. She took a deep breath, attempting to steady herself. The weight of her husband's absence pressed heavily on her chest, the uncertainty of his return casting a long shadow over her heart. Yet, in Aldrich's innocent gaze, she found a glimmer of solace, a fragile reminder of the strength she needed to uphold for her children.
"Oh, my sweet boy." She hugged Aldrich tightly and sneezed on his shirt.
Aldrich froze, horrified. 'Oh my God, this was a tactical blunder of epic proportions,' he thought, but maintained a clueless expression.
Eleanor realized what she had done. "I'm sorry, Aldrich. Let's get you cleaned up." She carried him and remarked, "You're getting heavier."
She took Aldrich to his room and changed him into clean clothes. In his new outfit, Aldrich dragged his mother toward the library.
"Can you teach me how to read?" Aldrich asked, his eyes filled with determination.
Eleanor was surprised but inquired, "Why do you want to read?"
"I want to be helpful to Papa!" Aldrich declared, pumping his fist.
This saddened Eleanor as she thought of her husband. Shaking off the unhappy thoughts, she said, "Well, we can start with the alphabet. Will that be all right with you?"
"Sure, Mama!" Aldrich replied cheerfully.
"Before learning to read and write, you should know a little history about our language and our God, the All-Mother, Jan'ahrem," Eleanor said thoughtfully.
The mother-son duo walked to a section of the library. Eleanor reached for a book with strange alphabets on the cover and read the title aloud, "The History of Tellus."
Aldrich knew some history about the different races of Tellus but was unaware of Jan'ahrem's connection to their language.
Eleanor blew dust off the cover. "Jan'ahrem, the All-Mother, is believed to have shaped the very fabric of the world with her divine hands. She molded the earth from formless chaos, sculpting mountains and valleys with unmatched precision. The oceans, vast and untamed, were said to flow from her tears of joy as she breathed life into her creation. She plucked the sun and moon from the heavens, placing them in the sky to ensure a balance of light and darkness. The stars, sparkling like diamonds, were her final touch—a reminder of her undying will to watch over all she had brought into existence. But let me tell you something the commoners don't know," Eleanor said, looking at Aldrich mysteriously.
"She was once a human, just like us," she casually mentioned.
Aldrich's mind reeled, but he maintained a childlike facade. 'It's not that strange for a human to become a God here, considering the powers people wield. I mean, Dad can throw a boulder like it's a pebble. But seriously, what's the upgrade path for Godhood? Is there a manual or something?' he wondered.
Eleanor as if reading his thoughts, continued, "To become a God, one must achieve Tier 8 in any class, be it a warrior or a mage. Reaching Tier 8 is like having one foot in Godhood, but the final step is known only to those who have already ascended."
"The previous King, Uther Proudmoore, was a Tier 8 Overlord Warrior, essentially a Demi-God in our time. He serves as the Kingdom's Guardian but rarely appears unless challenged by other races."
"Jan'ahrem created our language, said to be reincarnated from another world. She invented the language from scratch and often muttered strange phrases like..." Eleanor scrutinized the book.
"GGEZ Noobs, whenever she defeats her enemies and whatever that might mean," she said seriously, frowning.
Aldrich struggled to contain his laughter. 'Oh my God! Jan'ahrem is a transmigrator like me!' he thought, finding it hilarious that people regarded her phrases as divine wisdom.
"That's the summary. Let's start learning the language, called Englush," Eleanor said with a smile that soon faded as she noticed Aldrich's flushed face.
Aldrich's face was bright red, and he was almost holding his breath. He covered his mouth and took a deep breath to calm himself.
"I am ready, Mother," he said, trying hard not to smile.
Eleanor placed her palm on Aldrich's forehead. "Are you feverish, dear?"
Aldrich shook his head. "Just a little excited from the story."
Eleanor nodded and proceeded to teach Aldrich Englush.
While the mother-son duo was in the library, Arthas arrived at Viscount Edward's estate.
Arthas nodded at the Viscount, who greeted him warmly and approached his horse.
Edward looked at the horse. "It seems your old steed is still going strong. Can he still carry you into battle?"
Arthas smiled. "He's as strong as when we left the battlefield. Of course, he can."
A shout from the gathering warriors interrupted them. It was Baron Locke, a towering figure compared to Arthas and Edward.
Locke, though younger than Arthas, was a bit dull in strategy and management. His youth contrasted with his physical dominance, creating an unusual dynamic where his raw strength often overshadowed his inexperience. This disparity sometimes left others unsure whether to underestimate or fear him, adding an intriguing tension to his interactions with the more seasoned characters. However, his physical prowess as a Tier 4 Battle Master compensated for his shortcomings. Even ten Arthases couldn't defeat him; only Viscount Edward might match his strength.
Viscount Edward called Locke over. "Arthas, meet Baron Locke Ivy, a newly ascended noble and a formidable force on the battlefield."
Locke, with a singular focus on combat, extended a hand. "How do you do, Arthas?"
Arthas shook his hand, his face turning purple as Locke gripped tightly. Locke laughed, and Arthas glared at the childish man.
Arthas forcefully released Locke's grip, his fingers flexing as if to shake off the lingering sensation of the other man's iron-like hold. His brow furrowed slightly, and he cast a sidelong glance at Edward, a mixture of irritation and cautious curiosity flickering in his gaze.
"Milord," he began, his tone edged with a hint of exasperation, "Where did you find this man?" he asked, his tone a mixture of irritation and curiosity.
Edward offered a wry smile at Locke's antics, reflecting on how the baron's boisterous personality had been both a source of camaraderie and chaos over the years.
Despite his rough edges, Locke's loyalty and skill in battle were unmatched, making him an indispensable ally, if sometimes a challenging companion.
"I'm sorry, lad," he said apologetically.
"I forgot to mention that Baron Locke enjoys playing with new acquaintances. I hope you can let this slide."
Arthas sighed but smiled back. "It's all good, Viscount. So, when do we set off toward the Southern Borders?"
Edward inwardly breathed a sigh of relief; he was glad to avoid any tension before the upcoming battle against the invaders.
"In a week's time," he replied.
"We'll march with the few hundred soldiers stationed here and meet up with the main army en route. Reports suggest our force will comprise at least ten thousand Tier 1 Fighters," Edward began, pacing slightly as he spoke.
"Five hundred Tier 2 Warriors and fifty Tier 3 Enhanced Warriors—yourself included, Arthas." He paused for emphasis, turning to face them.
"Five Tier 4 Battle Masters, counting Locke and me." His voice took on a note of pride as he added, "And, as our trump card, one Tier 5 Rune Knight." Edward's voice brimmed with confidence.
Locke let out a low whistle. "A Rune Knight, huh? That's a game-changer," he remarked, his excitement barely contained.
Arthas's eyes widened in surprise, both at the numbers and the mention of the Rune Knight. "Who is this Rune Knight?" he asked eagerly.
Edward shook his head. "I don't know. We'll find out when we join the main army. The reports also suggest this war could last anywhere from a year to a decade, depending on the scale of the invasion."
Locke, his eyes gleaming with battlelust, interjected, "The longer, the better!" His massive stature and presence made it easy to believe he might have half-giant blood.
Arthas smirked and nodded. "Then we'll wait and see. Let's spar, Locke."
Locke grinned and accepted the challenge without hesitation.
Kane's Manor
In the library, Eleanor patiently taught Aldrich the Englush alphabet. The boy listened intently, his small hands resting on the table as he focused on her every word.
"Little Aldrich, it's getting late," Eleanor said gently, brushing her son's blonde hair. "We should continue tomorrow."
Aldrich nodded, standing up and offering his tiny hand to his mother. Eleanor chuckled softly at the gesture. "Thank you, little gentleman," she said warmly.
When they opened the library door, they found Marion and Bea waiting for them. Marion had chosen to gossip with Bea rather than join them inside.
Marion approached with a bounce in her step. "Mother," she began, "Bea told me her daughter is coming tomorrow. She asked if she can stay here temporarily."
Eleanor smiled at her daughter's hopeful expression, then turned to Bea, who was looking down nervously. "Of course. How old is your daughter, Bea?"
Bea replied softly, "She's a little younger than Young Master Aldrich. Her name is Anna."
Eleanor's voice was kind. "You don't need to be nervous, Bea. You've cared for Aldrich his whole life. You're family here."
Blushing slightly, Bea murmured, "Thank you, M-Aldrich."
Eleanor looked down at Aldrich, who was staring up at them. "Aldrich, you'll have a new playmate tomorrow. Be good to her, okay?" she said, ruffling his hair.
"Yes, Mama!" Aldrich replied enthusiastically. He then turned to Bea. "Help me wash up, Aunt Bea."
The three women exchanged smiles at the boy's endearing behavior. Bea patted his head, then looked at Eleanor, who nodded. Bea bowed slightly and said, "Let's go, Young Master."
After bathing and dinner, Aldrich lay on his small bed, staring at the glowing quest panel in his mind.
[NEW QUEST!]
[CHAIN QUEST: LEARN ALL FOUR LANGUAGES OF TELLUS]
[REWARDS]
HUMAN LANGUAGE - 1 SKILL POINT, 100 EXPERIENCE POINTS
DWARVEN LANGUAGE - 1 SKILL POINT, 100 EXPERIENCE POINTS
ORCISH LANGUAGE - 1 SKILL POINT, 100 EXPERIENCE POINTS
ELVISH LANGUAGE - 1 SKILL POINT, 100 EXPERIENCE POINTS
[ADDITIONAL REWARD] 1 KEYSTONE, 2 LOTTERY TICKETS, 1 WARD
Aldrich grinned as he read the quest details. Learning the Englush language would be a breeze, and the Dwarven language? Pfft, it was right there in the library—easy peasy. But his grin quickly turned into a grimace as he considered the other two tasks. Orcish? The language of their enemies? "Oh sure," he muttered under his breath, "just let me stroll into an academy or military base and ask for language lessons. That won't raise any red flags." And Elvish? "Might as well ask the king for his crown while I'm at it," he thought with an exaggerated eye roll. "Piece of cake."
He sighed dramatically, rubbing his small palms together with a mischievous smirk. 'But the rewards! A keystone, lottery tickets, and a ward? That's practically a loot goblin's dream. And who knows? Maybe I'll stumble into an ancient, forgotten library guarded by a sleepy dragon who just so happens to love sharing linguistics.' With the system's help, I'll figure it out. Maybe I'll charm my way in… or, worst case, sneak in like a pint-sized rogue.'
He glanced at his status panel, planning carefully. 'Let's face it: I'm going to need all the brainpower I've got. Good thing I'm adorable. Who could say no to this face?'
With his future plans in mind, Aldrich drifted off to sleep, dreaming of dictionaries and daring heists.
The next morning, Eleanor fetched Aldrich and bathed him herself. While she dried him, Aldrich asked, "Where's Aunt Bea?"
"Remember our conversation yesterday?" Eleanor said. "She's gone to fetch her daughter, Anna."
Aldrich's face lit up with recognition. "Oh, yeah!" he said. Then, with eager curiosity, he added, "Can we continue learning Englush today, Mama?"
Eleanor smiled and nodded. "After breakfast, my little scholar."