Insect Tamer's Ascension Chapter 546. Kingdom games and fair?

Theo entered the study right away and saw his parents seated side by side opposite the table.

He smiled after looking at them and how they were still the same.

"It’s been a while, Father, Mother." He spoke with a light bow.

The Countess, who was wearing a royal blue dress with curved embroidery and precious stones set within it.

The Count, instead, was wearing a simple oversized white shirt which screamed comfort.

The Countess got up and walked toward Theo, which only took a few steps.

She stopped in front of him and looked up. At that point, Theo also had a realization. His height had increased once again.

When before, the Countess had to look a little up to talk with Theo. Now she had to look way above just to see him.

"If things stay like this, you will reach Lucien’s height sooner than expected." The Countess spoke with a chuckle before she opened her arms and demanded a hug.

".... I did not bathe yet, Mother. I have been traveling for a day now." Theo spoke with an awkward chuckle only to see his mother still in that same posture.

To not disrespect her, he went in and hugged her. While the hug was going to be just a brief one, Theo felt a warmth in her embrace that made him remember all the years he had been with her.

He wanted to let go, but it had been so long, his arms just didn’t unlatch.

They stayed like that for a few seconds, and the Countess could only smile warmly.

When Theo finally moved back, he too had a refreshed smile on his face as if he had just recharged.

"Good day to you too, Father." Theo spoke while grinning as he stared at his father.

"Hmph, brat. You finally see me too, huh?" The Baron spoke and gave a grin too.

"Tell me everything you have been up to these past few months. Before that, I already know everything about you." The Count asked.

Theo and the Countess sat down and then he started telling them everything that happened.

The Baron didn’t show any shock, but the Countess showed signs of being surprised.

By the time he was done, the Baron sighed.

"So it really was true, they made you enter the Kingdom Games." The Baron muttered slowly in thought before looking up at Theo.

"You know what the Kingdom Games are, right?"

Theo nodded. "It’s for the many kingdoms to try and win resources that would mean war if not handled like this, Father." He said.

The Count grinned. "Then why do you think I go to war again and again?"

Theo stayed silent. It was about time he knew what it really meant.

"It is true that wars can be expensive, and if you were to start a war every few conflicts, the kingdom would take a big hit to its people and resources." The Countess explained.

"So in other terms, you could call the Kingdom Games something akin to theft that isn’t theft, Theo." She spoke again, making Theo curious.

"I love that expression. It’s like you want to have all the knowledge in the world." The Countess couldn’t help but mutter before coming back to the topic.

"If there is a conflict between kingdoms for a resource point and it is only escalating, the Kingdom Games can help a kingdom win it over without the problem of someone calling it theft or aggression. The result is more institutional rather than forceful."

"If someone were to complain after another’s win in the Kingdom Games, there are reactions to that too. It is frowned upon to do so, making the Kingdom Games very useful for kingdoms."

Theo listened carefully, but the Countess wasn’t done.

"But a question comes up. Not all kingdoms are of the same strength. So how can we all send teams of future generations to the games and expect them to win? Some kingdoms might put an abysmal amount of resources into their team. Many can’t keep up with that." The Countess spoke.

"The answer to that is that some kingdoms are smaller in strength and size than others and are only in power because of their allies and what they bring to the table for the greater good."

"Our kingdom is one of the stronger ones but not the strongest. Whatever resources the Emperor will put into you, the kingdoms above us can just put in even more resources. There is no limit to that."

Theo listened intently. It got more interesting the more he listened. The academy wasn’t telling him any of this, nor had he asked. But the Countess wasn’t keeping anything from her son.

"So in order to be fair, the Kingdom Games Council keeps a check on all the academies that are participating. You might not know this, nor did you realize it, but someone is always observing you from a distance whenever you are practicing for the matches." A smile formed on the Countess’s face.

"Tell me, did the ones training you provide you with anything that would be called an advantage yet, Theo?" She asked.

Theo didn’t even have to think much about it before he shook his head. "There has been no advantage whatsoever. I got this two-day leave from training only because I showed that I was capable without the training." He said and sighed.

The Count grinned madly. "That’s what I expect from my son. I have trained you enough to be above these kids for many, many years." He spoke, but then a thought came to mind. "But if you find someone stronger than you, you have to keep that one as a stepping stone to move further. That will help you keep moving forward in life."

Theo smiled at that. "I don’t think I will need that, Father." He said, making the Baron stay quiet as if the brat wasn’t listening to such great advice.

"I want to one day be as strong as you, so I think I might never be able to leave training behind to become better."

This time, the Baron could only feel like he had been caught off guard, making him surprised before a smile formed on his face.

"I will look forward to the day when you become my equal in strength, maybe even surpass me. Unlikely, but I will wait for it desperately."