Insect Tamer's Ascension Chapter 481. Secret library inside the barony

Theo regarded his father with a look of bewilderment.

For a full minute, silence hung between them as Theo attempted to process the baron’s perceptive gaze.

"Father... I have no desire to inherit the family headship," Theo finally declared, causing the baron to fix his stare upon him.

"What I truly crave is liberation from all political obligations. My sole aspiration is freedom... to traverse the world and safeguard our lineage..." Theo elaborated.

The baron’s eyes remained fixed on Theo, yet no hint of disappointment flickered across his countenance.

"I comprehend... I had always assumed you favored scholarly pursuits, possessing both strength and intellect, which led me to believe the head position would suit you best," the baron remarked, prompting Theo to press his lips together.

"But you have since moved beyond that stage, have you not...? I have not observed you frequenting the library in quite some time." The baron’s gaze grew distant, tinged with nostalgia, as if recalling the days when Theo’s presence was a constant fixture within the library's walls.

Theo let out a soft chuckle. "It is not that I eschew the library, Father; rather, I have simply outgrown its offerings. There remains nothing of consequence for me to glean from its contents."

Upon hearing this, the baron’s brow furrowed. "Pray tell, why did you not convey this sooner?"

Theo offered an apologetic smile.

"If its contents are no longer stimulating, we possess another library at your disposal, Theo. You ought to have apprised me," the baron stated with casual indifference.

Theo’s smile faltered for a fleeting moment before his jaw dropped in astonishment as he regarded the baron.

"Are you serious, Father? How could you withhold knowledge of another library from me all this time??" Theo inquired without hesitation, prompting the baron to idly scratch his cheek.

"Indeed... that particular library is rather... discreet. Access was contingent upon demonstrating a requisite level of loyalty and clearance. To be candid, you have long since met those criteria."

Theo’s eyes narrowed slightly. He could discern the truth plainly reflected in his father’s eyes.

"You simply neglected to mention it, didn’t you?" he probed directly.

"Aye, my son," the baron admitted without preamble, casting a glance towards Alfred.

"Escort him to the library whenever he desires. However, for the present, you shall relate to me the entirety of the events at the gate. How did you contrive to procure blood from a core beast?" the baron inquired, his eyes alight with keen interest.

Theo needed no further inducement to recount the tale; an eager anticipation to share pulsed within him.

Several hours elapsed as their conversation flowed, punctuated by shared laughter and moments of profound seriousness, until the baron possessed a comprehensive understanding of the events that transpired in the royal capital, including the training regimen and the ordeal at the gate.

"Do you now perceive the arduous nature of leadership?" the baron inquired with a knowing smirk.

Theo responded by shaking his head. "I no longer aspire to leadership following these experiences. It rendered my every action excessively... constrained. Only Clara and Elias proved adequate companions for me." He paused before adding with careful consideration, "Should the opportunity arise, I would prefer to venture into a gate of such caliber unaccompanied."

He sought to gauge his father’s reaction.

The baron merely clicked his tongue in response.

"Why must your inclinations always gravitate towards the extreme? While accompanying a sizable contingent grants ingress to a gate, venturing forth with only your attendants necessitates a level of prowess that you cannot yet openly display, Theo."

His gaze drifted towards the window, his expression becoming pensive. "And the gate’s abrupt closure... it signifies that something befell the core beast... I shall investigate this matter."

Their discourse continued for a span, after which the baron ultimately deemed it appropriate to leave Theo to his own devices.

"Where is Mother?" Theo inquired.

"She will be absent for some time. A negotiation requires her attention. Furthermore, should this ‘Count’ position remain unclaimed, we shall require alternative revenue streams to sustain us," the baron responded, his earlier cheerfulness replaced by a familiar gruffness.

Perceiving this as his cue, Theo resolved to make his departure.

He exited the study and returned to his chambers, intending to seek repose.

However, a knock upon his door heralded the arrival of a familiar figure awaiting him.

"It brings me pleasure to see you again, Sir Knight," Theo greeted with a smile, observing the seemingly somnolent knight.

"Young master, I have just learned of your return. Let us commence our training."

He spoke while fixing Theo with a gaze so intensely drowsy that it elicited a yawn from Theo himself.

Theo made an attempt to defer the training session for a few days, but the knight merely met his entreaties with that same languid yet unyielding stare.

With a semblance of resignation, Theo sighed and began his preparations. Forgoing his ornate dragon armor, which required maintenance, he donned his customary leather attire before proceeding outdoors.

For a period of several hours, Theo’s engagement consisted primarily of evading Rhys’s rather uninspired assaults, persistently urging him to increase the intensity of his attacks. Inevitably, due to his own overconfidence, he sustained several blows to the face, far more than he cared to admit.

In his own unique way, Rhys served as the ideal figure to pull Theo back towards humility, making him realize he wasn't as formidable as he previously believed. This encounter sharpened and intensified Theo’s motivation to refine his aura.

Their rigorous training session spanned a full five hours. Upon its conclusion, Rhys offered a simple observation that Theo’s stamina had indeed seen improvement.

Afterward, witnessing a 5% augmentation in his lesser sword aura, Theo experienced a profound sense of contentment. Achieving even a 1% enhancement in this particular skill was generally considered a successful day.

To the side, the mantis was observed basking in the sun, enjoying a rare moment of repose.

In close proximity, Clara was diligently honing her dagger-throwing skills. Theo had decreed that in addition to poring over the pilfered academy texts, she was to engage in daily skill practice.

A specific objective was in motion, and for its successful execution, Clara was required to fortify her wrists, build strength, and master the precise hurling of heavier daggers.

While overseeing Theo’s training, Rhys also directed his attention to the ape. The beast was audibly roaring as it repeatedly slammed its sword into a wooden dummy, ultimately demolishing it not through any refined form or technique, but solely by virtue of overwhelming brute force.

In that precise instant, a realization dawned upon Rhys: he might have discovered his next potential disciple.