The Greed of Kronos

Unexpected Reaction

Fifteen: Unexpected Reaction

The reason why Kronos did not refuse his grandfather’s offer was that he thought that if he would be one of the outstanding students at the academy, then he could give his mother and father a good image. Moreover, he could also make his parents proud. But what happened? He fell into the bottom instead.

Kronos was then backed to his senses when Astian halted and looked at him with a warm smile. “Then, Kronos. See you next week!”

Despite hearing countless of swearings, and knowing Kronos’ awful temper, he still managed to pull off a warm smile. Just how was he doing that? Kronos could not possibly deny that Astian and Hethera’s personalities were most likely the same. That was why he helped him from the seniors. Even so, Kronos was still uncertain if he was merely putting up a good image or he’s sincere. That was why he’s wary about Astian.

Kronos was about to leave and get to where his mother and father were waiting for him when a couple approached the person in front of him. “Astian.”

Hearing this, Astian then turned around to greet his parents with a warm hug. “Mother~ Father~ Did you wait for too long?”

Cold and emotionless species. That was what humans describe a vampire. However, a half-vampire was hugging his parents warmly while the vampire parents hugged their son back dearly. Perhaps, it was merely a folktale.

“No, it’s fine. More importantly, this young gentleman over here.” Madame Dyclour smiled back at his son as he was caressing his face. And shortly after, the Madame then shifted her soft gaze towards Kronos with a puzzled expression on her face.

As their eyes had a hint of recognition, their question seemed to be more like of a, ‘how did my son get acquainted with the Azvameth’s young master?’

Regardless, the naive ball of sunshine thought of the former. Hence he looked at his parents and introduced Kronos. “Ah! The sole heir of Azvameth!”

Hearing this, Madame Dyclour chuckled as she looked at Astian before shifting a concerned gaze towards Kronos. “Yes, of course, we know. Kronos Azvameth, the star at the banquet. We had a great chat with his parents last night at the banquet because Kronos seemed to be unwilling to speak.”

He remembered. He remembered being approached by the Dyclour couple and being greeted by them. He also remembered how his parents conversed with them in his stead as he was unable to talk. Of course, he could not speak. His habit would just embarrass and tarnish the family name.

As he remembered what happened at the banquet, Kronos then dipped his head and spoke. “Apologies.”

Well, he unintentionally studied well that he’s aware of how a Duke holds more power than a Marquess. Hence, it was the right thing to do so.

Seeing how the young master bowed in front of them and apologized, the Dyclour family was flabbergasted. Especially the Madame who merely said it out of concern. “Ah no, it was not my intention.” She replied in an anxious tone as she waved her hand slowly.

“Mother!” Astian then leaned closer and whispered something in his mother’s ear. And when Kronos tried to eavesdrop by improving his hearing, he heard Astian explaining that he had been cursed and the curse cannot be lifted.

And after Madame Dyclour heard of his burdensome quandary, her face turned gloomy, and she looked at Kronos with sympathy as she caressed his head. “Oh my, is that so? You did well, Kronos. Cheer up.”

‘Is this f*****g deja vu?’ Kronos thought as the side of his lips twitched.

With that being said, Astian’s eyes sparkled, and he replied with enthusiasm and a proud expression on his face. “Right~? Did you know, mother, father... Kronos helped me a while ago when a senior was harshly talking to me!”

Hearing this, the Madame beamed and looked at Kronos before saying thank you while the Lord stared at him before speaking for the first time. “Kronos.”

When it was already Astian’s father who spoke, Kronos could not help but to be curious as to what caught his attention. “Yes?”

“Can I count on you in regards to taking care of my son?” The Lord replied in a serious tone of voice.

At first, Astian’s father was merely curious about the grandson of Drakora Azvameth, who grew up in the village and was raised as an ordinary boy. And he was later on intrigued when the young master acted like a noble and was like presented as one since birth at the banquet. That concludes the duke to be wary of the hidden gem the Azvameth has. However, after hearing that Astian was saved by Kronos, his father then automatically trusted Kronos and hence asked for a huge favor.

Astian, on the other hand, felt embarrassed and scowled. “Father!”

How could he treat his teenage son like a child in front of his very first friend?! Surely Kronos would say no to the offer—

“Yes.”

Astian was agape while Kronos remained expressionless. However, deep inside, he was actually suppressing a grin.

He gained a duchy ally. How would his mother and father react to his achievement?

Astian’s father and mother, on the other hand, showed off a smile out of relief. “Then, we’re looking forward to it. Astian, let’s go.”

Meanwhile, the sulky Astian, who was still a baby in the eyes of his parents, pouted. “Yes... Kronos, see you.”

And when Kronos noticed Astian being sulky towards his parents, Kronos stared at him for a moment before raising his hand and flicked Astian’s forehead.

“Owww! What was that for?” The sulking Astian was changed into a super sulking one as he was teary-eyed and was overly pouting.

It was not the expression Kronos expected. He thought that Astian would stop showing off a sulking expression and instead, a curious one because he did something out of the ordinary.

Well, it’s not as if everything would go in his way. Hence, Kronos stared at him and bid goodbye before walking away for real. “See you.”

With that being said, the sulking expression drastically changed into a beam as he also bid goodbye. “Uhm! See you, take care, Kronos!”

Kronos did not look back to Astian. Instead, he merely raised his hands and waved back.

Well, even though he had the Dyclour’s favor, he still had one problem. And that was, he was too ashamed to tell his parents that he’s in the lowest class.

When Kronos opened the door, he saw his father with an anxious expression and abruptly beamed as soon as he saw Kronos entered the carriage. “Kronos! Welcome back! How was the examination?”

“Dear, what’s with the long face~?” Hethera asked when he noticed that Kronos was not his usual self.

If his mother noticed that he was bothered by his class, then the more reason that he should be admitting it. He just might endure their disappointed expression, or if things might go in his way that time, his parents would be just fine as long as he entered a class at the academy.

After a moment of pondering, Kronos clenched his fists before opening his mouth. “Exi.”

“Exi?” His father tilted his head as he frowned.

He sure heard the class somewhere…

Exi. Exi. Exi...

When Demiris remembered the said class, he then smiled and gave Kronos a pat on the back. “Ah! I see. Class Exi? The lowest class that’s under Instructor Noe? Congratulations-”

“WHAT? SIR NOE?!” Hethera acted out of character.

Kronos, “???”

When Kronos was taken aback by their unexpected reaction, Hethera was already shaking him off out of excitement. “Did you really land in that class, Kronos?!”

‘Where’s my f*****g sweet and warm mom?!’

“Uhh… Yes. So.. rry.” Kronos managed to reply despite the dizziness he felt with his mom.

With that being said, Hethera stopped shaking Kronos and hugged him tightly. “Why are you sorry?! We are so happy for you! Congratulations! I will tell my teacher hohoho.”

He was not yet fully recovered with dizziness, and then the next thing he knew, he could not breathe properly!

When Hethera finally let go of him, Kronos then started to heave a loud sigh and replied. “H-happy?”

What’s this? Was the tide finally in his favor?

Hearing this, Hethera smiled warmly and caressed his cheeks before she responded in a gentle tone of voice. “Of course~ Our Kronos passed the examination and made it to a class~ We are happy~”

Demiris, on the other hand, straightened his back and looked at Kronos with a proud face. “Then! We must go to the Imperial Tailor’s boutique! No time shall be wasted!”

With that being said, Hethera abruptly shifted her gaze towards her husband and glared at him intensely. “Honey! Kronos is already tired from yesterday and today’s events! Let him rest! We can go the other times!”

“Alright, alright!” Demiris cried.

With Demiris ordering the coachman to let them go straight to home, Hethera held Kronos’ hands and smiled as she sincerely congratulates her son. “Kronos, let’s go home. Once again, congratulations on being on the official list! Do you have any wish?”

“Actually…”

Kronos then explained to his parents about how he wanted the two seniors to be kicked out of the school. When his father asked him about their names, Kronos abruptly responded.

Of course, he knew. He used appraisal to them. And when using appraisal to anything as he sees fit, it could reveal one’s name, genus, age, and potential.

Now that he thought about it. How come he did not use appraisal on Astian?