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Chapter 3 - The Selection

When Dorian woke up, he found himself back in his study and a wave of relief washed over him, the sun was up but it was still an early morning. Dorian's memories from the soul space were hazy and his head felt foggy.

His gaze shifted to the encrypted book that held the tablet – the sight of the book was confirmation that he hadn't just passed out and dreamt up what had happened, he frowned as his foggy memory began to clear up.

"Alchemy huh? Interesting stuff." He muttered to himself as he picked up the book, "I guess this has served its purpose."

He flung the book away, "Now where is that damn tablet?" Dorian began his search for the tablet. Auremis mentioned the tablet being the guide to true alchemy multiple times, if he wanted to change his life he needed the tablet, but even after ransacking the whole place the tablet was nowhere to be found.

"Hmmm" Dorian groaned as he started to feel frustrated

The sudden sound of the loud knocks interrupted him, he paused and perked his ear up waiting to see if whoever was knocking would continue and surely enough the knocking continued.

"Thats strange, the only time somebody would come here is when it is time to eat and even then, they never knocked, they would keep the food outside the door of the library."

Just before another round of knocking started, Dorian opened the door. In front of him stood the head servant of the house, Milton; a tall slender but not frail old man with a head full of healthy grey hair. His hand was in the air, positioned for knocking,

"Good morning young lord Dorian, I hope you had a wonderful night's rest," Milton said, his voice thick but clear and his words were well spoken. He was a sharp man who took pride in maintaining the elegance of the Viremont house and it reflected in his every conduct

"Good morning Milton," Dorian replied, "I hope all is well this morning?" he asked, scanning around to see if it was only Milton who came.

"All is well young lord,"

"Then why are you here? And so early in the morning too?"

Milton adjusted his round spectacles, it was one thing he and Dorian shared in common; round spectacles, "I am here because your father, Lord Nicholas wishes to see you,"

Dorian raised a brow, his father wanted to see him? This early into the morning, what was the reason? Was he in trouble? Maybe it had to do with the emerald tablet. So many thoughts and speculation crossed his mind, because his father rarely requests to see him. The last time they saw each other was a few weeks back when the servants forgot to drop off his food and he had to go to the dining hall. 

"Father wants to see me? Did he mention why?"

"No young lord"

Dorian frowned, "Alright, give me a moment", he fixed his scattered hair, washed his face and changed his garment as fast as he could. 

"Alright, lead the way Milton,"

Milton bowed his head slightly and led the way as they walked the halls towards the dining hall. As they walked Dorian's mind wandered, he thought about the last encounter he had with his father; it was during one of the times he was being picked in by his half siblings, he was severely battered and bruised courtesy of his sister Yelena and his older half brother Ubel, they beat him to a pulp under the guise of 'Sparring'. 

Lord Nicholas who happened to see everything unfold stepped in to put an end to it, that was the day Dorian knew he couldn't keep depending on people to save him and settle for being weak because the look on Lord Nicholas' face was one of pure pity, and that was the last time Nicholas saw his father in person.

Milton pushed the large doors of the dining hall open revealing a large, well decorated room with a long dining table at its center. The table was covered with food, that was how breakfast was everyday in the house; excess food and drink, whatever was left over was usually given to the servants and beggars at the gate.

Seated at the center chair was Lord Nicholas, a stark contrast compared to Dorian. Broad shoulders, excellent posture, a full well trimmed beard and a muscular build. The only thing that Dorian shared with him was his facial features. 

Nicholas was an undeniably handsome man and Dorian was a carbon copy of him, inheriting even his violet eyes. Nicholas wasn't just the head of the house Viremont but also the head of Artoria's military.

Dorian bowed his head, "Good morning father,"

"Good morning son, have a seat" he gestured to the seat beside him, "It has been a while since we have spoken hasn't it?" He said as Dorian took a seat

"Yes it has" Dorian replied without looking Nicholas in the eye

Nicholas watched him carefully and sighed, "How many years has it been and you still aren't comfortable here, I don't know what else to do."

"..."

"I see. I ordered the servants not to drop off your food today. I still don't know why you insist on that, only dogs get their food dropped in front of their pen.

I called you here so you could have a meal with me and also so I could see you before I set out to the North," He explained

Dorian tensed, "The North?"

"Yes, our intelligence force tells us that the barbarians are gathering their troops. They haven't shown any signs of attack yet, but the king has assigned me to be stationed there just in case anything should occur." He explained , "So this is the last time we would see each other for a while"

Dorian prodded the lamb meat and peas in front of him as he listened, "I understand, father."

"Very good, I spoke to your siblings yesterday. They were supposed to inform you about the meeting yesterday but seeing as you didn't show up, I see that it might have slipped their mind"

'Slipped their mind my ass, those creatures deliberately did not tell me about the meeting'

"I would assume they didn't tell you about the selection either. Being one of the noble houses, the capital has invited our house to participate in the selection. Your siblings should have left for the capital already,"

The selection was a tradition of Artoria where all children between the ages of ten and nineteen are tested in the capital for their magical prowess. Recruiters from academies, guilds, the military and even the mage tower would be present to recruit outstanding and interesting participants, it is an important event that is compulsory for every child of the kingdom.

Children of noble houses are given special invites which allows them to bypass the first stage of the selection and automatically qualify for the next stage.

"I wanted to hand your invite to you directly but your siblings insisted that they hold on to it and give it to you themselves, saying something about bonding."

'Bonding my ass, those creatures probably plan to use the ticket to torment me in one way'

Dorian sighed, "Thank you father,"

Noticing Dorian's concerned expression Nicholas said "I know magic isn't your strong suit, that is why I prepared a carriage in the capital for you to come meet me in the north if the selection doesn't go well for you. The north will help you learn things that those books you bury yourself in won't teach you" 

"Thank you father, I appreciate it. I wish you the protection of the gods as you travel to the North, I will leave for the capital as soon as possible" Dorian said as he stood, he bowed his head 

"The selection is in five days and it takes two days to reach the capital. I suggest you leave today. Have the servants pack your bags and necessities." Dorian nodded

As Dorian left the room, Nicholas sighed, "The capital is much more cruel to people like you, far more cruel than your siblings, Dorian. I hope you grow from this experience instead of being consumed by it,"

"Do not worry for young lord Dorian my lord, he has grown and I think he will continue to do so," Milton said

"I hope you're right, his mother would never forgive me if anything happens to him."

Dorian moved hurriedly, packing books, parchments, and mathematical instruments for his trip, all he was missing was that damned tablet. At this point, he had turned the room upside down and yet the tablet was nowhere to be found, almost as if it vanished into thin air.

"Where is that damned tablet?!" He yelled out in frustration

"Quiet down boy, I'm trying to rest here'" A familiar voice filled his head

Dorian jumped, "Huh? Who is there?!" he called out

"Have you forgotten?It is I, The One Thing that–,"

"Oh, it is you OT. Would you please stop that? Talking in my head" Dorian said with an uninterested straight face, cutting OT short

"How rude," OT sneered

He appeared in front of Dorian, but he looked different from the last time they met. He looked a little bit dimmer and significantly smaller too, like a regular human only far taller than the average man.

"What are you staring at?"

"Nothing"

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