Chapter 15: Getting Settled
Otto and Mira followed the guard towards the ground level of the castle keep. They were brought to a room close to where the kitchen was. As it is the utility room, there was enough space for two beds to be placed in. This room would be the temporary residence for the two until better accommodation could be provided.
As the two did not want to get separated, it was better to leave them in the same room for now and find alternatives in the future. As the room had to be prepared for them, they had free time to look around.
Kyle showed them around the keep and the castle bailey until the sun started to settle. Otto discovered that the castle was larger than he had initially thought. Besides the study, the keep had several other rooms. Several of the knights were also living in the keep. Moreover, there was a large dining room, which could accompany a large number of men.
However, what piqued the interest of Otto the most was the library, as well as the court mage's laboratory. As Otto was new to the castle, they were not allowed to enter both rooms, however, this did not stop them from trying.
"You guys again? How many times do I have to shoo you away." After a few attempts to sneak in, the guard started to get irritated. Shooing them away one more time, he shouted for reinforcements.
Seeing that the area was off-limits, they decided to give up. Instead, Kyle leads them to the bailey of the castle. Here he introduced a few people. The blacksmith is called 'Uncle Steelhand'. As for the baker and main chef, she was named 'Aunty Spring'. These were at least the names that Kyle gave them.
Before long, the sun started to set down. "Young master! Dinner is ready!" It was Aunty Spring that called out.
Brining Otto and Mira with him, the three made their way towards a large room in the second floor. This was the dinner area within the keep. Entering the room, the smell of various food filled the air, giving off a pleasant smell. Hundreds of people were seated, as conversations crossed each other. As the room was large, the residents of the castle were generally having dinner together.
Entering the room, Kyle leads the two other children towards the back of the room. There, at the largest table, his father was seated. Besides him, several other prominent figures of the castle and household were located. Being the heir to the house, Kyle also had his spot at the table.
Noticing that Kyle was not approaching alone, but had Otto and Mira with hi, Theodor said something and made a hand signal. It was as if he ordered some men to leave the table so that Otto and Mira could be seated.
Kyle showed the two where to sit. It was indeed the seats that just got emptied out. As Otto took a seat, he finally noticed all the delicacies that were put on the table. There were even things that he had never seen before. Various meats, loaves of bread and various soups furnished the table.
Amazed by all this, Otto did not know what to do. Holding back on picking up something, he heard a voice talk to him. "Don't be scared, kid. You can eat anything you want."
Looking over, it was Theodor Jaeger, the lord of the castle, who spoke up. Bowing his head quickly, Otto picked up a small piece of bread from the table, as he slowly started to chew on it.
"So tell me. How exactly did you save my child?" Theodor asked as he was looking over at Otto.
"Well… I killed the first wolf with an arrow. The second wolf dodged the arrow I shot, so I had to find an alternative to take it down. Luckily my fireball hit it, woundi…"
"D… did you say fire… ball?" Theodor asked with a surprised gaze. He clearly did not believe the story of Otto.
On the other hand, Otto did not know the thoughts of Theodor and simply nodded. "Yes, I can use magic. I can even enhance my arrows with fire."
"Bollocks!" This time it was someone else who replied. He looked considerably older compared to Theodor. His grayish beard formed a badly kept goatee. His face slowly gave away to the wrinkles that were starting to form up. "If you were living in a high nobles house, I would give you the benefit of the doubt. But someone coming from the countryside, who is able to use magic? That is just a lie!" The older man said with a belittling voice.
"I am not lying!" Otto replied back, raising his voice. He slammed his hands to the table, his eyes fiercely locked with that of the older man.
"Fine! If that is the case, I am sure that you wouldn't mind showing us how good you are… Kiddo!" the older man did not back down either. He was irritated by the fact that Otto dared to speak back to him. What's more, he claimed to be able to use magic.
"Leave that child alone Deerus. I am sure that this is all one big misunderstanding." Theodor tried to calm down the situation. However, it was already too late. Even the surrounding chatter had stopped, as everyone was looking towards the main table with full concentration. Everyone was wondering what was going on, and why Deerus was picked on a child.
"Well kiddo, I am waiting… prove me wrong!" Deerus spoke up all high and mighty towards Otto.
"Fine!" Angered Otto replied. Opening up his hands, he stretched them out. Closing his eyes, he started to focus on the essence, which was billowing within him. It was as if the essence reacted to his anger, as it was moving eagerly within him. Concentrating on this essence, Otto was able to pick out a thread of the essence and lead it back to his hands and onto his palms.
"Whoa! Look at that!"
"Unbelievable, at such an age."
The surrounding were all shocked. The only ones that had no such reaction were the ones that saw Otto use magic prior. Instead, they had a smile on their face as if they were saying 'You haven't even seen the half of it.'
Even the face of Deerus froze up. "Thi.. This…" He could not form any sentences.
*Clap* Theodor stood up as he slowly started to clap his hands together. "Impressive, that you're able to use magic at such a young age."
Dissipating the flame in his hands, Otto looked up to Deerus, "See. I told you that I could use magic. I did not lie!" Looking over at Mira, he added on, "Even Mira has started to use magic." There was proud in his voice as he said them. He was clearly agitated by the whole ordeal.
"W…What!" both Deerus and Theodor shouted out in surprise. This time even Mike and his men were rather surprised, as they did not know about this.
"C…can you, show us?" Theodor asked. His shock turned into a smile, as he started to think about the possibilities, and what would happen in the future, as they gradually started to become stronger.
Looking over at Mira, Otto spoke up to the lively girl, "Mira. Do you remember that feeling you got when we trained?" Seeing the girl nod, he continued, "Can you try and do the same thing again?"
Without a reply, Mira closed her eyes and started to concentrate on her magical essence. With barely time having passed, small sparks started to form in her hand.
The gasp of the people filled the room. However, Otto cared more about the reaction which Deerus would make. He was happy that he kept a close eye on Deerus. Deerus' face changed several colors. Initially being white, it gradually turned to a bright red. Clearly, he was ashamed by the accusation which he shouted out.
The silence this time was broken by Kyle. "Whoa, even she can use magic." Looking over at Deerus he added on, "Master Deerus. When will I be able to use magic?"
"Uhm… Wh… What did you say? Young master?" Deerus did now know how to react at the moment. He was still recovering from the shock that he suffered. Not only was the young boy able to use magic, but even a smaller girl just showed him that she was able to use magic. This was something that he would have thought never possible. Two countryside kids, being able to use magic.
"When will I be able to use magic?" Kyle was less polite this time. He was jealous about the fact that the two children that he recently met were better than him. Not wanting to lack behind, he wanted to know the solution for the problem he was facing.
"Now, now. We have a lot of time to discuss this all." Theodor stepped in. Noticing that Deerus was being pushed towards a corner, he decided to calm down the situation. "Let is enjoy our dinner. Tomorrow we will talk about the future."
Deerus looked over towards Theodor with a grateful look on his face.
As for Otto, he was not really amused by the fact that Deerus was saved. However, as he was new to the castle, he had to stay neutral. 'If I want to improve my magical powers, I do need to have a good relationship with him. Moreover, this will also help Mira in the future.'
Thinking about the situation, Otto decided that the best way forward was to be at good terms with the court mage, Deerus. "I hope that it was to your liking, master Deerus." Otto spoke up, as he kindly bowed. "I… no we hope to learn a lot from master." Saying those words, he signaled Mira to follow his moves.
"Uhm… Y… Yes… very well… I shall take you two as my pupils." Being put in a difficult situation, Deerus was forced to accept. All the eyes in the dining room were focused on him. After Otto and Mira showed their power, declining his offer would only harm his own reputation.
Clapping his hands, Theodor spoke up again. "I am glad that we are getting to some nice agreements. But I think that is better to decide on those matters tomorrow. So let us enjoy the rest of our dinner." Again, Theodor tried to put the focus of the whole ordeal to somewhere else. Looking over at Otto he added on, "I hope that the two of you could meet me early in the morning. After which, we can talk about how we can help each other."
Nodding his head, Otto had no way left to respond. He could just sit silently and enjoy his moment of glory. Flames burning in his eyes, he could not wait for the new day to start. He had so many things that he wanted to do.
The remainder of the day passed by peacefully. The dinner did not have any other events happen. After the dinner, Otto and Mira talked a bit with Kyle, before retreating to their own room for the night's rest.
The next day would be important, as their positions in the castle would be discussed. Moreover, Otto would know if he could visit the library and see the stories that Kyle told him. About dragons and other mythical beasts.
With a pleasant thought in mind, Otto slowly closed his eyes, waiting for a new day to come.
…
Weekly Power Status
-- Power
Ranking 
-- Power
stone