Re: Elf Prince—A Degenerate’s Second Chance

36. The Tale Of The Boy Who Cried Wolf

Thalvarin stood there by the door suppressing the urge to pummel the boy to the ground. He looked carefree despite almost dying from his injuries. Thalvarin started to advance to the boy with the intention of yelling at him but instead stopped before him and asked.

"Eryndor, what did you do last night?" Thalvarin asked in a serious tone and watched his young nephew's reaction. For someone who had just been through such an ordeal he seemed okay

Eryndor opened his mouth to speak but closed it shortly after, he still had not thought of how to approach the matter with his uncle. But he also could not keep quiet for long, feeling the powerful eyes of his uncle boring down in him he sighed and then spoke.

"I—", what was supposed to begin as an apology did not go as he envisioned. Eryndor had a bad attitude of never apologising and this was one of those times. Instead of apologizing he let loose his thoughts. "I was getting sick and tired of being pathetic so I went to get stronger. I had to do it since it's my problem so don't go yelling at me over it. It's my choice."

He winced as the cinder king raised his hand in the air, he expected it to come down on his head and held his breath for a long time. A few moments passed before he felt the hand come down on his head but it was not as heavy as he expected. It was a light pat on his head, he opened his eyes and looked up at his uncle's eyes. He found something he had never seen in anyone when they looked at him.

It looked like respect or recognition, perhaps both. His powerful uncle who rarely saw anything was now seeing him as a person maybe even a potential student.

"I will never judge a student of mine for their decisions over their lives, if I did they would have all stayed." Thalvarin paused and gripped Eryndor's head tighter, Eryndor for a moment thought his head would have exploded from the force. "I never had a student willing to stay before, and most likely not one that's so crazy as to hunt beasts."

Eryndor was a bit confused by his uncle's approach. He was sure his uncle knew he had consumed beast cores without purifying it but he did not bring up the matter. Why would he do such a thing? Was he not bothered by his nephew's safety or did he suspect that Eryndor would be fine since he did not show any symptoms of being corrupted. He could see a hint of excitement in the corner of his uncle's eyes, Eryndor gulped down not wanting to think what could make him so happy.

"So tell me how did you kill the beasts?" Thalvarin asked happily.

Eryndor flinched. To think that was what had him all excited, he half expected the huge brute to be happy about his survival. "Can I at least eat first, I'm starving."

Thalvarin nodded and happily went into the kitchen, a few minutes later there was a hearty breakfast of steak, vegetable fillings, sauce and a number of assortments that were both bizarre and foreign to Eryndor. It was like a little feast. Over the meal Eryndor wanted to talk about his night adventure but relaxed himself, his uncle had a strict rule against talking at the table. Surprisingly that was the only manner that ever reminded him that his uncle was actually a royal elf who was once next in line for the throne. The thought immediately left his mind as he turned back to his meal and ate greedily.

After having his full he proceeded to narrate the events of the night. From his sudden encounter with the beast to the avalanche to fighting five normal beasts consecutively. In someone had been listening in on their conversation they would have suggested he was telling tall tales or an over exaggerated story. Though some parts of the story were altered like the legacy, the golden eye and the running away like a coward. Thalvarin greatly enjoyed his story mostly because he knew it to be true.

In that part of the mountain there was no other predator aside from the pack of white fur mountain wolves and him, now Eryndor had officially joined the rank of predators on the mountain peak.

After he had finished the narration he waited for his uncle's remark. It did not take long till he got it, "I have one question?"

Eryndor had already expected it to be the question he dreaded the most, he had planned thought up counter measures on how to avoid it but they would not help.

"How did you know you could consume six beast cores and remain alive?" The question came out in a way Eryndor had not been prepared for, from this appproach Eryndor was able to tell that the cinder king was not an easy person. He was able to see through all the facts and take a different approach.

Eryndor sensed the question carried a powerful message and what was that? The message he felt was that he was not a novice in the field.

Thinking deeply would be a good start on how to answer this but thinking too long would be too suspicious. Was it safe to tell his uncle about the legacy and his golden eye? What could possibly go wrong. Eryndor was not one for thoughts so he spoke his mind.

"I didn't." Well it was the truth, all he did was take a risk and it paid off.

His uncle pulled back and let the cutlery clink unto his plate giving a low clang, he met Eryndor's eyes with a weird look and after a while he sighed and said. "The moment you heal completely you will start your training."

Eryndor's eyes beamed but his uncle was not done just yet.

"You will now take responsibility around here like a true man, hunting, cooking, fishing. You have now become my student in both magic and swordsmanship."

Eryndor could not suppress his joy, this was a dream come true. What made him feel more happy was the fact that he was recognised for his own strength not as his status. He loved how his uncle only saw him by his own personal value, painful as it was but he could change.

Something his uncle said came rolling back into his mind. "Cooking? Why do I need to learn how to cook?"

Thalvarin chuckled and said after a while. "Every elf must know how to cook, or would you rather eat your meat raw?"

Eryndor was not sure how to answer the question but he kept an open mind and saw this as a bonus.

Just then his left eye buzzed:

["You did good kid, I'm proud of you"]

Before Eryndor's ego could inflate like a balloon his uncle immediately deflated it with a simple question. "Where might I ask is my kitchen knife? I had to cut the meat with my sword."

His questioning eyes cut through Eryndor causing him to stutter and say. "Somewhere on the mountain."

No matter what came his way, he was now confident he could handle it.