Insect Tamer's Ascension Chapter 2: The history

"Young Master Theo! Please slow down!"

Through the expansive hallway of a majestic castle, a young lady dashed at top speed, attempting to seize a small boy.

"Clara, just leave me alone!" the boy yelled while sprinting. He seemed no older than eight years old.

Theo swiftly veered right before the woman could grab him, vanishing behind a massive door.

About to pursue, the woman stopped short, grasping the room's importance. Overwhelmed by dread, she collapsed onto her rear.

"I'll return in a few hours, Clara! Head back now!" Theo called out as he bolted into a passageway of the enormous library, its books appearing twice the standard size.

"I'm going to get scolded once more," Clara whispered in resignation, turning away from the entry gate.

It would have been simpler to nab Theo had he not slipped into the royal library, accessible solely to royalty.

Theo dashed along the aisles until he arrived at a desk.

A light green shirt adorned with faint leaf designs was buttoned precisely at his collar on him. His dark green shorts, featuring pockets and golden buttons, paired perfectly with shiny brown leather shoes boasting brass fasteners. Around his neck hung a loosely knotted silk cravat of rich forest green.

"The usual, Young Master Theo?" inquired an elderly man, puffing leisurely on his pipe.

"Yes, Old Man Bernard."

"Alright," replied the elder as he gradually stood from his seat and headed to a shelf in the immense library.

The elderly man donned a lengthy forest-green robe secured by a woven cord, adorned with faint runic stitching throughout. Beneath it lay a plain tunic and pants in subdued colors. Sleeves rolled up exposed his wrinkled hands, and a leather pouch stuffed with parchment hung at his side. An elaborately sculpted pipe dangled from his lips.

"Young Master Theo, why do you hassle your servant like that?"

"Hassle? I'm not doing anything of the sort. It's hardly my fault she's barred from the library," Theo shot back, grinning smugly.

Chuckling softly, the old man halted before a row of volumes. "Ready for the usual tale?" he queried, met with Theo's enthusiastic nod.

"Alright," Bernard retrieved a tome from the rack and proceeded to a table, Theo trailing right behind.

"Yesterday, you heard about the renowned monsters often tamed. Today comes the chronicle of our realm. Pay close attention, and remember—no questions as usual. Time's short,"

Bernard instructed while turning the pages.

Theo's pulse raced with thrill. The moment he'd anticipated had come at last; the real backstory of his current world was about to unfold.

"Everything began 1,000 years back, when an artifact invaded our realm and merged at its heart," Bernard intoned with his narrative flair.

"Once-innocent beasts started mutating into lethal fiends, soon able to slay humans in mere moments. The artifact hastened their evolution at breakneck speed."

"Yet the artifact didn't slight humanity; it bestowed status screens enabling us to tame those ferocious monsters."

"Tamed beasts became the foundation of progress in the world. Society revolves around tamers and their companions now. Monster strength is gauged by ranks: Ordinary, Common, Uncommon, Rare, Epic, and finally, Legendary."

"A tamed beast advancing to a higher rank empowers its tamer too. Humanity's pinnacle remains Legendary to date, with no clue if higher tiers exist. However..." Bernard trailed off, fixing his gaze on Theo.

"Surpassing Legendary is deemed almost unattainable. In 1,000 years, scarce few tamers achieved it, now bearing World Leader honors."

"Beast taming's rise reshaped society; tamers earned renown and potent titles. The Lord counts among them."

"Stability seemed assured until turmoil struck anew. A century past, Outer Devils launched their assault. They arrived via wingless flying metal vessels, clad in complete armor permitting flight and blasts capable of razing cities whole."

"Our grimmest shock came upon vanquishing those iron fiends," Bernard's face grew somber, staring intently at Theo, who anticipated the revelation.

"Prying open their armor revealed humans within—not of our world, but invaders from afar, the true devils."

"The war between us and them still blazes fiercely even today. They've launched assaults on us countless times, yet now we know how to counterstrike using our tamed beasts. It's like the artifact readied us precisely for this instant, to endure these devils' vile deeds." Bernard curbed his impulse to spit in rage, mindful of where he stood.

"It's said these Outer Devils invade to plunder our artifact. But we'll never surrender it to them!" Bernard bellowed with fiery zeal.

Theo recoiled from the explosive shout, yanked abruptly from his musings.

'Metal ships nearly mimic spaceships, and those metal suits...' Theo refused to accept the notion.

Superior humans from a distant world preying on those trapped in medieval times—Theo understood clearly that tamed beasts' power offered the only chance at survival.

"That suffices for today, Bernard," a voice laced with majestic command broke in from the side.

Theo whirled around with a true smile. It was the Baroness of Merrick, his mother.

"Mother! Good morning!" Theo cried, hurrying to her embrace.

"You naughty imp, how many times do I need to warn you? No sneaking into the royal library in the mornings," the Lady scolded.

The Baroness was clad in a profound sapphire blue gown, silver embroidery gracing the hems and bodice with fine floral designs. Fitted sleeves billowed out at the wrists, exposing cuffs studded with pearls. A silver belt clasping a radiant opal tightened her waist. Her hair formed a sophisticated updo, fastened by a silver circlet embedded with small sapphires. A velvet cloak lined with white fur cascaded over her shoulders.

"Good morning, Lady Seraphina," Bernard uttered, rising to deliver a courteous bow.

"You indulge him far too much, Bernard. His awakening ceremony lies only a week ahead. He'll absorb all this knowledge then. Why hasten it?" Seraphina questioned, concern shadowing her expression.

Pride swelled in her at her son's hunger for wisdom, but anxiety plagued her over his disregard for meals and routine tasks.

"I just can't resist, Mother. The moment I awaken, tales call to me, and Old Man Bernard tells them best, doesn't he?" Theo replied, beaming with impish glee.

"We all matured on his stories, yet everything has its proper moment. Come now. Breakfast with the family beckons."