Rising Pressure

V1 Chapter 8: Rising Pressure

Jake's life was passing with monotone. He was only focused on becoming stronger, while things around him were in a ripple effect. 

The dark side was plotting something inconspicuous, and the Baron could not track them at all. Which was a nerve-wracking situation for anyone. 

People are the most afraid of things they know nothing about. Getting anxious about the current situation, he wanted to send away the irregular variable away from the city. 

The way the Underworld worked was its strong and weak points at the same. They hid in shadows and attacked in the most unexpected situations. This is where weakness comes in. If they get discovered in between their plans, they will fail miserably.

So generally, there is a notion in the Lights faction that the Underworld doesn't attack head-on. Following this concept, Baron was preparing for the departure of Jake away from the city. 

The Lights faction usually needed a reason to kill or purge anything. They can't necessarily kill anyone. They live off their powers as being the 'just' ones. So killing and eliminating Jake was a harder job than said because he was the son of one of the most famous commoners in the city. 

He needed to deal with Jake where his parents' reputation didn't reach. And this could be said to be one of the biggest weaknesses of the Lights faction.  

Baron ordered a few Knights to 'convince' Jake to join their banner, so they arrived at his house.

— -

[Jake's POV]

A few days have passed since my awakening ceremony. I have been regularly training my magic and mixing magic with my swordsmanship.

My dad gifted me a rapier for my awakening ceremony, and my mom gifted me a necklace that improves mana regeneration. I accepted it cheerfully. (It is honestly cool)

I was recirculating magicule inside my body when I heard a loud knock from the front door. (Who's here at this time?)

I went down the stairs and saw a middle-aged man standing at the first door. He had a well-cleaned military uniform on. (Knights are here?)

There were three more people behind him, looking like his juniors. Proudly, he introduced himself, "I am Azer, a knight of Baron Robert Balek. My lord wants to invite your child, Jake Hill, under his flag, to serve him" (What, why are there so many armed soldiers in front of my house!?)

My mom and I were wide-eyed, looking at the Knight in front of our door. (Is he trying to pressure me to join fast?)

I am going to be sent to the Royal Academy of Knights, where all the Silver-Potential kids learn and grow, most of them nobles. (Still, this is too much! Sending armed guards to my gate!)

I was angry at the lord, but deep down, I understood that the longer I took to respond, the more agitated they would get, and they could even hurt my family or me. (What the fuck is this world, I hate it!) 

Getting out of my thoughts, I tried to see the best way out of this situation. I had two choices, to accept the offer and go to the Royal Academy under the banner of Baleks, or reject the offer and deal with the consequences. (I only have one choice) 

"Honoured knight, must you take this child at this young age?" My mom said to the Knight nervously (Mom always comes in for the save). She had been adamant about me not going so far away that she couldn't even meet me again. 

"Yes, he must come under us! He is born in this town and should serve under the town lord!" The Knight replied by giving unnecessary emphasis on 'should.' (Is this a threat undertone?)

The Knight gave off a subtle threat with an undertone, I know my family loves me, but I don't want them to fight for me. If my family tried to help me and got hurt or killed, what good of a second chance will this be? 

In my previous life, my mom died overworking herself for me. I will not let anyone else I love suffer because of me this time. (let's buy time, for now, they are pushing me this much that must mean they are desperate for something) 

 I wasn't going to accept the offer so soon; I am not a pushover. They purposefully came when my dad wasn't home to show dominance and make me their loyal dog. 

The best thing I can do is to buy time.

"Really! I'll be under our lord's banner???" I gathered all the cuteness inside of me and asked the Knight with my starry eyes, practically blinding him from the happiness I was radiating. (Heh~ I am still a five-year-old)

"Um, yes, you will train as a knight to be under our lord Balek's banner," replied the Knight, who was caught off guard by my strangeness.

I made a gloomy facade and said, "but I can't go anywhere without my daddy's permission."

"It is your own choice; no one will force you," He said with a forced amiable smile (Fucking hypocrite)

"But I want to play with my dad," I replied, practically crying. (Please just go!)

The Knight looked confused now, he was struggling to come up with statements, and after a few moments, he gave in. (YES!) 

The Knight replied, "Alright, I will come by next week, prepare your answers by then," and turned around and went his way.

I sighed and turned around to leave, only to look at my mom's teary face. (She must have been scared…) After a while, she said, "Mom and Dad are sorry, Jake, we couldn't protect you."

It broke my heart to see her like this. I hugged her and replied, "It's fine, mom, we can't do anything about this" (We really can't) 

After consoling my mom for a few minutes, I went up to my room and collapsed on my bed. I was getting my thoughts reordered. 

I can only pray that I don't just lose everything I love in this life. (Life just gives me things, only to take them away again). After a long time, life began to feel tedious to me again. 

(As long as I can protect the ones I love, I am fine) I didn't even notice that this world weighed on me so much that I forgot about my original goal to be free and explore the world. To just keep my family safe. 

— —

Meanwhile, in an inconspicuous place, a meeting was going on inside the dark faction.

"So, what's the plan?" Asked a cloaked man to the person who looked to be the leader.

"We wait for the nobles; this is not as easy as it sounds. We have to wait for the right time," The leader replied.

"What are you thinking then? We can't lose out on that variable," The cloaked person said again. 

"I think he will be sent to the capital, then he will be out of their radar. I'll plan and arrange a few things before notifying everyone." the leader again added.

"I will trust you on this one; the Underworld of this town was given to you, hope you make 'them' happy." The cloaked man said to Barnes. 

"I will not disappoint," Barnes again said

"You better not!" the man replied and disappeared into the darkness.