"Let him attend the academy?" both Chris and Deker asked, completely synced up.
"Yes. I don't see why not," said Hugo, seeping on his tea once more. "His spar with young Rotsguard largely proved his abilities."
"But he doesn't possess an ounce of mana in him?" questioned Chris, his expression not hiding his wonder at what Hugo was saying.
"That won't be an issue if I'm right?" inquired Hugo, staring at Chris with a serene yet penetrative gaze.
"C'mon. What are you so afraid of?" Deker intruded upon the conversation.
"I suppose it's true that there isn't an issue but…" Chris's throat clenched up. "There's just this unsettling feeling from him that I can't quite put my finger on."
With a sigh, "Okay fine. Do as you wish," Chris resigned but not without being put in another predicament afterwards.
"Nice to have your approval," Hugo drank the last bit of tea in his cup. "But since he will need a legal guardian, I suppose you wouldn't mind taking on this task."
"Wha?" Chris was surprised. "With all respect sir, I already have a family. I don't see myself taking care of that child when I already have a family to take care of."
"I'm asking you since young Rotsguard wouldn't make a suitable guardian."
"You know I can hear you guys, right?" said Deker visibly annoyed by this statement.
"Of course I'm fully aware of that fact. Unfortunately, that child needs someone who can also help him adapt to the world in other aspects than battle. Hence, I'm sure we can agree that young Blakelord is more suitable for that role, wouldn't you say?"
"Urk," Deker swallowed those words like a bitter medicine pill. "Had to pierce right where it hurts. Damn old man."
"In that case, I suppose I can leave you to handle the rest?" asked Hugo, standing up from his seat and looking intently at Chris who replied with an immediate "Yes."
"I'm looking forward to meeting you at my academy young lad," thought Hugo as he exited the room, putting on his hat and cane in hand while a smile etched itself on his lips.
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One week later, Ace rose up from a bed and stood up on his own walking towards the door. He opened it, looked around the hallway and went towards the stairs. He came down the stairs and looked around the living room, kitchen and dining room. He went towards the window, opened it and was greeted by the view of the dawn, the rising sun casting its glow on the city, a magnificent breathtaking view from the apartment house he was looking from.
He closed his eyes, taking a deep breath as he stretched out his arms. The cool yet fresh morning breeze hit him in the face, his hair flowing smoothly, a single thought crossing his mind as he opened his eyes with a calm and serene expression.
"It's all real. This place, this feeling, they are all real. But..." he sighed. "I certainly never expected this kind of development after I woke up that day."
He reminisced of the events he went through after waking up from his state of extreme exhaustion from his duel against Deker.
How he was given a form to fill out and how Chris was by his side the entire time also filling out the parts he was required to fill out.
How the form was submitted and how thanks to Hugo's influence, the necessary procedures were handled in a short amount of time.
How new information about him was released, giving him a new identity and how he was now living with Chris and his family.
"Name: Ace Blakelord, age: 13, gender: male, Attribute: Dark, and type: Gladiator," his mind, though with an unexpressive and aloof façade on hid face, was still dumbfounded from the shock from the news. "My current personal info for now. I should just accept that this is my current situation and enjoy it while it lasts."
"I am well fed, I have a roof on top of my head, and I'm well taken care of. For now, all I can do is adapt to how things work around here and prepare for when I have to go to the academy. That was the condition imposed on me so I should uphold it," his thoughts continued as a subtle cold glint emerged from his eyes. "At least for now."
His thoughts were interrupted by the sudden opening of the door. It was Chris, his body drenched in sweat as he came from his morning run.
Noticing Ace, he stood in place, looking at him with a surprised expression for a moment before finally regaining his composure.
"Uh," Ace began, his voice tinged with hesitation as he skirmished around, still not used to this new lifestyle. "Good morning, I guess?"
Chris's expression shifted into an amused expression. "Pfft. Still not used to living with people even after a week," he said, his tone teasing as sweat dripped down his face. "You will need to get used to it eventually you know."
Ace, though reluctant to admit it, simply replied, "Excuse me for not having any social skills."
"Sorry. I didn't mean to tease you," he said taking a cold drink from the fridge.
"Here," Ace said as he handed down a towel that Ellie had put close by for Chris.
"Thanks," he took the towel as he then started wiping off the sweat off his face. "How have you found your stay here?"
"It's nice. Your wife takes good care of me though I'm sure she was still surprised by when you suddenly brought home a child from who knows where."
"I gotta admit that I thought my marriage was in danger for a second there. Though she's sometimes sharp, she has a tendency of jumping to conclusions."
"Well, compared to men, women are much more frightening since you never know what they are truly capable of," thought Ace, a blur of flashbacks of a teenage boy piercing the heart of what seemed to be an alluring woman.
"Your son on the other hand is much more exhausting. He has to much energy."
"Well, a child who runs around, likes to play and gets dirty is a sign of anormal, healthy child as the saying goes."
"I see," Ace muttered, feeling as though he was being targeted specifically by Chris's words.
"I'll be taking a shower then."
"I'll go back to my room then."
Afterwards, as Ellie and Shaw also woke up a few hours later, the household became a bundle of emotions. Ellie's soothing conversation with Chris as they helped each other out to prepare breakfast made it seem as if no one could enter the bittersweet bubble that was now the couple's small exchanges. Shaw, on the other hand, was still a bundle of energy. His bright smile as he played with his new big brother figure who, though not showing it, seemed quite annoyed, was livening up the living room with peace and harmony.
After a while, the family enjoyed a hearty breakfast. It was a simple yet fulfilling breakfast, a joyous family moment for anyone with a normal human heart.
Though a week had passed since Ace arrived in the Blakelord household and this other world, he wasn't allowed to move too much or do anything too inconspicuous as he was still under surveillance. He would occasionally play with Shaw or help Ellie at home but in most cases, he wasn't that free in his movements.
"Being part of a family, huh? Well, might as well try it out since I've got the opportunity."