Chapter 10: Assignments
No sooner had King Valford given the command than a silence fell over the dining hall, only to be broken by the heavy footfalls of Prince Alaric. The door pushed open, as he strode in with a stiff gait and a cold expression that mirrored his ever-present arrogance.
"Mother," he said, his voice crisp and calm, "I have arrived. It is unbefitting for royalty to make others wait and I apologize."
Second Lady of the House, wife to the King's second son smirked coldly from her seat, with jealousy filling her heart.
'Late, and still so full of himself... I wonder which brothel he crawled out of this morning.' It was no secret in the palace that although Prince Alaric was talented in the ways of sword and will definitely achieve greater height and become a Supreme Master Level knight in the future but being someone that loves spending most of his times in a brothel, it sure was a stain in his image.
King Valford's sharp gaze swept over Alaric as he lifted his chalice and gesture pointedly. "Tardiness, even by a minute, is a blemish upon etiquette, Alaric."
"Noted, Your Majesty." Prince Alaric bowed slightly, unfazed.
As soon as Prince Alaric took his sit not without throwing Zach a cold look, the door opened again as the Lady of the Third Son with a dignified four-year-old boy by her side walked in.
The coldness in King Valford's face vanished for a brief moment as his eyes softened at the sight of the boy. This child, his favorite grandson, was none other than young Cedric of House Valford.
The Third Lady sat beside her son with a smug smile on her face. Her background granted her some leverage, her family were knights. And after hundred years of developing at least were now influential only second to the royal family this in the makes her have a firm stand in the palace.
Zach sat quiet as a mouse, his head lowered as he took sneak peek at everyone once in a while while recollecting memories about them.
'Sigh, if only I had behaved well I might have even NTRed the king, my step brothers and every other thing that moves within this palace with a skirt on and boobs.' he thought dreamily as he saw the beautiful ladies. Well it was his fault at rushing things.
He watched as Cedric sat prim and proper, little hands folded, his table manners putting most adults to shame. Zach resisted the urge to scoff. 'Four years old and already a bootlicker. No wonder the King likes him. Damn, I'm not fit for such family.'
King Valford, his tone devoid of emotion, finally spoke. "Let us begin."
The servants moved like dancers in a well-practiced play, placing cutlery, lifting lids, and pouring drinks in silence.
The moment permission was given, the rest of the family began to eat. Zach poked at his food, chewing carefully, mindful not to make any noise. He didn't want a second round of punishment or to attract attention. To him he feels like maybe they had forgiven him for now. Who knows, I mean the king can't choose a concubine over his son right?
King Valford, being a Supreme Master Level being, barely tasted her food. After a few bites, he set her utensils down and leaned toward Cedric. His fingers gently wiped the oil from the boy's lips with a silk napkin. As a supreme level being, people who reaches such levels can go on for 5 months without needing food or water as long as they keep absorbing mana from the surrounding.
"Eat slowly. Nobility is best seen through silence and posture."
"Yes, Grandfather," Cedric replied, his tone clear and noble. "A royal must carry himself with dignity and not by being a pervert."
Zach rolled his eyes. In his head, he mimicked, 'Yes, Grandmother. May I lick your boots next?'
Still, jealousy clawed at his stomach more than the soup ever could as he felt the food getting bitter in his mouth making him wonder if it's the taste or just his tongue?
Eventually, the main dishes were cleared, and the highlight of the meal arrived. A large, ornate pot of steaming soup making everyone perked up which made Zach feels like it must be something special.
The maids began pouring the Nine Blood Spirit-Changing Soup into bowls. The main ingredient? The heart of a rare Nine-Headed Abyss Bird, slain by the elite knights and high mages at King Valford's personal order. Infused with over eighty precious herbs, the soup was said to rebuild flesh, strengthen bone, and enrich the flow of mana.
Even the Valford family could only afford one small serving per head because finding such a beast again might take decades.
As the bowls were served, everyone drank eagerly. All except Zach. He was last, naturally. When his bowl arrived, he peered into the dark red liquid like a local man looking into a treasure chest.
'Looking at mine, there's barely a meat compared to the others. Hmph! That means it's uses will be lesser.' He drank it in one go.
Warmth spread through his limbs the moment he drank it, making him almost subconsciously moan out meanwhile the King offered his own bowl to Cedric. "It's wasted on me. Take it."
Cedric gave a royal bow, replying, "I appreciate it, Grandfather. But your strength is the foundation of this House."
He waved it off. "Drink. It barely have any uses on me with my current level."
Zach could only fume inside. He wanted another bowl more than he wanted air, no technically without air he wouldn't be able to breath, what he meant was he wanted one more than boobs, ahem, not more than boobs but equal to boobs.
But with his current standing? That was never happening.
When the meal ended, the servants returned with tea and light snacks. Everyone knew what came next, assignments.
King Valford sipped his tea, eyes sharp. "Any issues with the household necessities?"
Second Lady stood immediately. "All accounted for, Your Majesty. Would you like to review the ledgers?"
"No. If nothing's missing, then it's sufficient. Anything else?"
She smiled. "My husband has made great progress in his training. He's at level 19, and will soon undergo his second job transition."
In this world, leveling wasn't just about killing monsters. Reaching level 10, 20, or 30 required transitioning into specialized job classes, each step was a life-changing evolution of strength.
The methods were rigorous. A knight might carve a magic sigil onto his body using the blood of a beast. A mage might endure a ritual that fused their soul to their mana pool which will allow them choose their job transitions.
For example a knight can take the path of a barbaric, assassin, arrow user, and other physical combat mode while a mage can be a necromancer, healer and any other specialist that uses mana.
"Impressive," King Valford said with a nod. "What class are you aiming for?"
"Knight of Broadsword Sovereign or Heavenly Disaster Barbarian."
The King waved her hand. "I'll have fifty million gold transferred. Choose the path yourself and get high quality necessary things to make it successful."
Second Lady beamed upon hearing this.
Third Lady's smile a fake smile as her eyes were filled with jealousy which clouded them.
Second Lady turned to her, voice like honey over a dagger. "And your husband? Surely he's close to his next transition too?"
Third Lady stiffened. She knew her husband better than anyone. Arrogant and rawly talented, yes, but also proud and reckless, barely speaking a word most days, and obsessed with surpassing others through sheer will. Despite the resources thrown at him, his level lingered at 14.
With a strained smile, she replied, "He focuses more on refining techniques than 'brute' progression."
The King noted it with a neutral expression, then turned the conversation toward other matters.
Zach knew his moment was coming.
At last, the King clapped his hands, and the room stilled.
His cold smile spread as he looked towards Zach making everyone turned to look.
Gulp.*
Zach felt his stomach drop.
'Here we go. Time to find out if I get executed before lunch.'