Insect Tamer's Ascension Chapter 471. I will make my own family

Theo’s gaze swept over the smoothly finished, circular grey badge, its perimeter adorned with elaborate carvings. At its core, a solitary symbol, the number ’5’, was clearly visible.

Merek’s eyes widened dramatically upon seeing it. He instinctively turned toward the emperor, as if witnessing a truly astonishing event unfold.

Lucien, meanwhile, was simply astonished. His stare remained fixed on Theo’s badge, which bore the same ’5’ inscription, and then shifted to his own.

A frown creased Theo’s brow; he was utterly bewildered. A quick scan of his surroundings confirmed he wasn't the only one experiencing confusion.

Glancing upwards, he noticed the emperor’s subtle smirk, a sight that made him feel as though he had become the subject of the man's amusement.

Reaching out, Theo retrieved the badge from its velvet cushion, causing the robed attendant to instinctively withdraw.

One after another, the remaining individuals followed suit, each accepting their respective badges and holding them in their palms.

"Theo Merrick, are you acquainted with the nature of this item?" the emperor inquired, his eyes finding Theo’s.

"My deepest apologies, Your Imperial Majesty, but I am not," he responded, eliciting hushed murmurs from the assembled group.

Without acknowledging Theo’s statement, the emperor resumed, "What you now hold is known as the Royal Contribution Score."

The term itself meant nothing to Theo, yet he could formulate a few reasoned conjectures regarding its purpose. He offered a slight, understanding nod.

A soft chuckle escaped the emperor before he continued, "Utilizing this score, you possess the authority to either elevate your family’s standing within the Royal Contribution Score, thereby enabling their advancement in nobility. Alternatively..." His smile widened ominously. "You may leverage it to carve out your own destiny. Establish a new lineage and found a fresh noble house."

At this revelation, every individual present, with the sole exceptions of Merek and Lucien, gazed at the badges in their hands with intensified astonishment. Garrick appeared on the brink of collapse, while Kaelor’s hands trembled uncontrollably.

Theo’s focus remained locked on the emperor, his internal surprise carefully masked by a composed demeanor, though his mind raced with a whirlwind of thoughts.

’So these are the points that facilitate noble ascension…,’ Theo mused internally.

Seemingly satisfied that Theo now grasped the implications, the emperor pressed on, "With the combined scores of yourself and your brother, your family could achieve the status of a Viscount right this instant, Theo Merrick."

Lucien directed a sharp, accusatory glance at Theo, who, in turn, merely met the emperor’s unwavering gaze, that familiar smile still playing on his lips.

’I understand his intentions now…,’ Theo thought.

A subtle urge to smile tickled him, but maintaining an impassive expression was paramount at this juncture.

Before Lucien could voice any objection or even contemplate doing so, Theo spoke, capturing the emperor’s full attention as he anticipated Theo’s response.

"Our father, Aldric Merrick, would not approve of us utilizing these points to elevate the Merrick Barony to the Viscount level, Your Imperial Majesty," Theo declared.

The emperor regarded him with a steady gaze, the faint, knowing smile persisting.

"…That is indeed accurate," the emperor conceded after a brief pause, and a palpable wave of hushed discussion instantly spread through the hall. Theo strained to discern the scattered words, catching his name repeatedly, but little else.

"Therefore, I must politely decline the use of these points at present," Theo continued.

Beside him, Lucien’s eye twitched involuntarily.

"Your Imperial Majesty, if I may interject," a man clad in white robes, positioned near one of the hall's walls, stated, his resonant voice carrying effortlessly across the vast space.

The emperor, without even needing to turn, gave a slight nod of assent.

Theo’s attention shifted to the newly speaking individual, his gaze lingering for a moment.

He found it peculiar that the man was attired in robes; it seemed an ill fit for his imposing presence.

His physique was robust and powerful, and Theo could discern the well-defined contours of muscle beneath the fabric as he concentrated. It gave the impression of a seasoned warrior compelled to wear the attire of a scholar.

Yet, there he stood.

"Ninth heir to the Merrick Barony, son of Aldric Merrick, Theo Merrick," the man proclaimed, his deep voice echoing slightly.

The murmuring ceased abruptly. All eyes turned toward him.

"You are not permitted to refuse the deployment of these contribution points. You must either allocate them to your family or claim them for yourself, effective immediately," the man instructed, calmly making a notation with a writing instrument.

The pen appeared remarkably diminutive in contrast to the man’s substantial hands. It seemed as though he conducted himself in a manner diametrically opposed to what one might expect from someone with his imposing build.

For an instant, Theo was reminded of his father; he exhibited a similar focused intensity when wielding such hands for writing.

"Should you refuse a second time, the points will be confiscated from your possession," the man added.

Theo inclined his head in acknowledgment, and the man once again fell silent.

Turning his attention back to the emperor, Theo considered his options for mere moments.

"In that case, my claim is for myself, rather than for the Merrick Barony, Your Imperial Majesty."

It seemed as though the murmurs had erupted into outright exclamations at that precise instant.

"What astonishing words did he utter?!"

"It is utterly inconceivable that the Merrick heir would voice such sentiments!"

These were the only discernible voices that reached his ears, and as Theo's gaze fell upon them, he observed that they belonged to nothing more than aged noblemen.

A broad grin spread across the emperor's face, while the entire court remained in a state of profound astonishment at Theo's audacious decision.

"Very well. In the hallowed name of this kingdom, I bestow upon you these five Royal Contribution Points, Theo Merrick," the emperor proclaimed, extending his hand forth before drawing it back.

"Upon the accumulation of ten additional points, you shall be granted a new surname by the kingdom, thus establishing you as the progenitor of a brand-new Baronial family."

Theo lowered his eyes, offering a profound nod in acknowledgment.

'This is the consequence of my failure to study what truly held importance...' Theo mused, suppressing the powerful impulse to strike his own forehead.

In that fleeting moment, his thoughts were inexorably drawn to a singular place...

The hallowed halls of the academy.

It was there that he was meant to absorb all this vital knowledge. However, having never set foot within its precincts, he remained utterly oblivious to its intricate regulations.

Theo's gaze returned to the emperor, his countenance betraying no hint of emotion.

Yet, within the confines of his mind, an persistent thought echoed.

'He has once again compelled me to contemplate the academy...'