Now at the dining hall, Johan has gotten better with his new way of movement. The room was spacious and covered with paintings of past kings and heirs. The walls were painted white with gold lines etched into them. In the middle a massive chandelier laid above the dining table which was surrounded by plush chairs also lined with gold.
Sitting to the left of Aster is Makai, and to the right is a young girl with navy blue hair and purple eyes.
This must be the sister he was talking about.
"Elise, don't play with your food!" A rather powerful looking man orders, to which the girl pouts.
Directly across from Aster, Johan looks at the man who has black eyes and red hair similar to Makai, only darker in color. I suppose this is the father.
Sitting next to the man was a woman violet-colored eyes and the same shade of hair color as Elise. She really does look like her mother.
"Sir Vanguarde, is the meal to your liking?" A chef nervously asks.
"Do not worry about the formalities, you can simply call me Ignis. And yes, the meal you have prepared for us is splendid," The Academy director responds, a warm smile on his face.
"I thank you for your approval, Sir Ignis! I promise that dessert will not disappoint you!" The chef says in an antsy tone before scurrying back to the kitchen.
What the chef had prepared today was a perfectly seared and cooked ribeye garnished with charred garlic and a variety of herbs for decoration. On the side, grilled potatoes and asparagus coated in what a honey butter sauce rounded out the plate.
"How have your studies been, Aster?" His mother asks, fixing a gentle gaze on her son.
"They've been well, although I would like progress to be faster to make up for my shortcomings," he replies as he slowly slices his steak.
"Son, how many times have I told you that there is no problem with not having an affinity," Ignis starts, skewering a potato with his fork. "They have those slips of papers which anyone can use to mimic an affinity, I will get you them so don't worry!"
Interesting. I'll have to ask Aster about these papers later.
"Yes dear, you are not anyone less valuable just because you do not have an affinity. Don't forget that ever," Aster's mother adds, the look on her face remaining comforting and soft.
"Big brother will have sister Juno to protect him!" Elise shouts with food in her mouth. Aster has a look on his face that Johan is unable to describe.
"Elise! Show some manners will you? Chew and swallow before you talk!" Makai nags as he bites on a piece of asparagus. Elise sticks her tongue out at her older brother in response.
Dinner continued as the family conversed with each other. Johan could tell that this family loved each other dearly, one that would do anything to protect each other, one that provided unconditional love for each other.
Considering the stigma and circumstances around most noble or influential families, I'd expect a little more underlying animosity. Maybe in this world, things are different.
After a dessert of tiramisu, of course it was, Aster heads back up into his room.
'So... have you known about these essence inducing slips of paper already?'
"Yeah, I've done my research on them. While they do a good job of mimicking the powers of someone with an affinity, they are far less efficient and easy to use," Aster explains. "Furthermore, they are pretty difficult and expensive to acquire, meaning only high-class failures like me even have access to them."
'You say less efficient and easy to use. Can you delve into more detail on that?' Johan inquires. Despite not being able to interact with this world outside of talking to a noble child, Johan was strangely fascinated by everything he had seen and heard so far.
"In order to use these slips of papers, which are referred to as talismans for short, you must crush the paper in your hand. By doing so, you mess with the essence around the paper which allows you to bear an affinity. However, this process is much slower as once you use up a talisman, it disintegrates and you would need to use a new one to conjure anything again."
'Seems like this would be quite the useful product for many people. Why hasn't it been mass produced?' In my world, some corrupt company would've jumped on the opportunity to make something like this.
"Only a single man in the world knows how to produce talismans. He has kept the formula hidden from everyone else, which makes it quite difficult to purchase," Aster reveals.
Gatekeeping such a potentially revolutionary product?
'I'm assuming you need to pay a fortune for these talismans, but isn't your family quite affluent themselves?'
"That's the problem, the guy making these slips of papers knows that. He's been haggling and trying to sell us the talismans at an unreasonable price. Even we wouldn't spend money equivalent to purchasing a high quality pink diamond," Aster explains.
Greedy old man. Maybe this world isn't so different from mine.
'By the way, I haven't asked you yet, but how old are you Aster? Despite your less than pleasant appearance, you seem quite mature and smart for your age,' Even when Johan Vos attempted to complement someone, it was backhanded.
"I'm ten, and I get that a lot about my body." Aster laughs, but he was clearly hurt by the remark.
'If you are so insecure about your body, why not do something about it?' Johan was a little confused as to why the boy did not make an attempt to lose weight.
"My priority is studying and gaining knowledge. It would be too difficult to fit in daily exercise while maintaining the rigorous schedule I have set for mysel-
'All sounds like a big excuse to me.'
With Johan's confrontation, Aster had no words of rebuttal.
'In any case, it is getting quite late for a boy your age. You should go to bed soon' Johan advises, sounding like a parent. The maids in his mansion would tell him things like this as a child, but he only obliged depending on his mood that day.
"Before I sleep, I want to get to know you better and to maybe try to understand what you are and your limitations," Aster describes as he lays on his plush bed.
"Do you have any ideas on how I can talk to you without speaking aloud?" The boy continues. "It would be a lot more convenient if that were the case"
'Not a clue child. I'm still having a hard time figuring out what exactly I am even." Johan responds sternly. 'For now, we will only be able to talk when you're alone to avoid drawing suspicion.'
"Yeah, that's a good idea. Anyways, can you explain how you move around then?"
'I am able to move to wherever I focus my field of view on. I am able to talk to you by focusing your body.' Johan explains.
"Do you know how far you can move? Are you able to move away from me?" Aster further inquires.
'I haven't thought of that yet, let me see,'
Johan began to focus his vision towards the window. He had gotten pretty good at pinpointing an area he wanted to teleport to. After shifting his position to the edge of the window, Johan attempted to phase through it. His attempt was successful, but he was stopped from moving outside on the balcony.
'It appears that I can only move approximately ten meters at most away from you,' Johan concludes, now moving his position back to the child.
"You have some exceptional depth perception to be able to gauge that!" Aster chuckles, a smile forming on his lips.
'You speak in such a refined manner for a young boy. Now imagine you spent some of that time getting into shape!' Johan cackles. He would have a grin on his face if he had a mouth right now. Aster simply pouts at the man's remark.
"I gotta take a shower, so give me my privacy still alright?" Aster mutters, before hopping off his bed.
'Don't worry, I'm not a creepy old man.' Johan replies as the boy locks the bathroom door shut.
After around twenty minutes, Aster comes out of the bathroom in pajamas and slightly damp hair. He looked visibly fatigued as he sluggishly walked back to his bed and collapsed on a pillow immediately.
He's tired. I mean after everything he's went through today, why wouldn't he be?
Throughout the night, Johan simply explored the luxurious bedroom he was confined in. He observed how the multiple shelves in the room were filled with books, the fur carpet and glass table which sat above it, and a comfortable linen couch which lay parallel to the table.
Johan turned his gaze towards where the boy had been studying. A simple but spacious wooden desk with a bunch of notes all neatly stacked into one pile. A quill and ink lay to the right side of the table with a now unlit candle on the left.
I must be quite bored to be looking at every little detail in this room. I guess this is what happens when you don't require sleep. At least I think I don't need to sleep.
The night slowly passed by as dusk approached with the sun rising. Songbirds could be heard chirping distantly, the volume gradually increasing as the sky got brighter.
Well, this world has a pretty nice sunrise.
As daylight filled the room, Aster opened his eyes to find his room the same as it was when he woke up yesterday, and the day before.
"Sir Aster, it is time to wake up! Remember who is visiting today!" One of the maids shout.
"Y-yep! I'll be r-ready very soon!" Aster replies, his voice groggy as he struggles to get out of his warm, soft, inviting bed.
Aster heads over to his giant closet and picks out a set of clean clothing and then makes his way towards the bathroom. A few minutes later, he comes out in his new attire with his bedhead now dealt with.
Sprinting down the hallway, or rather making an effort to, Aster finds his father glaring at him in disapproval.
"Your tardiness is becoming a reoccurrence now," He sternly says with his arms crossed.
"Sorry father, I promise you it won't happen again," Aster declares as he rubs the back of his neck. Johan did not get a good look at the man yesterday, but Ignis was quite the imposing and intimidating figure.
"We've heard that same line the last fifty times!" Makai interjects but clearly joking.
"Aren't you excited to see big sister Juno? And big brother Owen?" Elise beams, her eyes sparkling.
Johan recalled hearing the name Juno at dinner last night.
"Anyhow, your mother is already outside waiting for their arrival. Let's join her," Ignis commands as a butler opens the door for them.
This was the first time Johan saw the outside of the estate.
A beautiful pathway wrapped around a giant water fountain, with a medium-sized garden filled with all sorts of bushes and plants framing the background. In the distance, Johan could see a black gate enveloping the entire property. Looking back at the mansion, Johan finally got a sense of how large the house was.
Shit… Might as well call this the emperor's palace. I guess being an Academy Director pays especially well.
Seconds later, a carriage surround by what seemed to be a hundred guards enters through the gates before circling towards the front of the building.
A bit overkill in my opinion.
Johan's opinion soon changed when he realized who stepped out of the carriage. It was clear to anyone that the man standing in front of him was a king. The man had a presence that was just as imposing if not greater than Ignis. With white hair and fierce golden eyes, Johan could tell just by looking at the king's gaze that he was experienced in combat.
Following behind the king was who Johan assumed to be the queen. She possessed vibrant red orbs with silky strawberry blonde hair. While her body was petite, she also gave off a presence that indicated why she was fit to be a queen.
"Ignis, Talia, it is a pleasure to see you again," The king says warmly, extending a hand out to them.
So the mother's name is Talia.
"It is a pleasure to see you too, King Castellion," Ignis replies, bowing his head.
"Oh please Ignis, drop the formalities, you can just call him Louie like you did back at the academy," the queen adds teasingly.
"How has everything been Kaira? Have the kids been doing well?" Talia excitedly asks as the two hug.
Elise starts to wander towards the carriage, looking for a certain someone.
"Big sis Juno!" The young girl shouts as she barrels into the princess.
Juno had light pink hair that went a little below her shoulders, with a strand hair of hair not pigmented and completely white. Her eyes were a warm orange hue.
"How are you doing Elise? Did you miss me?" The girl says while patting Elise's head.
"I missed you so much!" She instantly replies, tightening her hug on Juno.
Standing next to Juno was a much older boy who appeared to be in his mid-teens. He also had blonde hair like his mother, but inherited his honey yellow eyes from his father.
"It is great to see you again, Sir Ignis, Madam Talia," the boy formally announces as he gets down on one knee.
"I like the manners of this one!" Talia responds. "You've gotten so big since the last time we've seen you!" She continues as she pinches the prince's cheek.
"Stop teasing the boy," Ignis says while walking over. "How has life been at the academy? We haven't got to see you in person there but have you adjusted well?"
"It's been great, thank you for respecting my request of attending as a normal student with no special privileges. I hope that I will be able to work my way up the ranks so that I can meet with you one day as a member of the student council." Owen explains with certainty in his tone.
"I will be expecting that in the near future," Ignis replies. "How about we all continue talking inside?"
"Sounds great! Me and Talia have a lot of catching up to do!" Kaira cheers as she struts towards the door.
"It's nice to see you again Juno," Aster politely says.
"I only came to see Elise, not you. Don't get it twisted," The princess responds with a pout on her face.
"Somebody still can't get along with their future fiancé," Makai interjects as he follows Owen inside.
'Future Fiancé?'