Insect Tamer's Ascension-Chapter 425. I will join you for the gate party

Theo didn’t know whether to laugh or cry at the moment, but a light chuckle escaped his lips. Lucien, meanwhile, looked completely confused by how things were unfolding.

"He did say he would report back to the emperor, so I guess this is normal, Father. He was going to find out about it sooner or later," Theo said, prompting a nod from the baron, who looked at him expectantly for an answer.

"I had planned to go to the academy when the time came, and now, it feels like this is the time. But... since this opportunity has come up, I would like to take it. Yes."

"Good." The baron grinned and began writing something down.

"You will leave in a week, and you will use that week to stabilize yourself as much as you can. The three people that will accompany you will be Attendant Clara and Elias, and the third..." The baron paused, thinking about it, only for Lucien to speak.

"I don’t mind going with him."

Both the baron and Theo turned to Lucien, each with a different expression.

"You want to go? Are you sure, Lucien?" the baron asked with a frown, only for the man to speak again.

"I have wanted to visit another gate for some time now, Father. This could be a good opportunity," Lucien replied.

"But..." Theo cut in, drawing both their attention. "Are you okay with being under the emperor’s eyes, elder brother? He might make unreasonable requests from you in the future as well."

Lucien simply shook his head. "I wouldn’t call them unreasonable requests, Theo. They are more like opportunities the masses don’t usually get." He then looked at the baron. "What do you think, Father?"

The baron looked at him for a moment. "If you are alright with it, then I don’t have any objections."

His words made Lucien let out a quiet breath.

For a moment, Theo felt conflicted. A part of him was glad that Lucien was able to get such an opportunity, but another part felt worried; it felt like his privacy would once again be at risk with Lucien being around.

’But a party is joining us too... so there is no privacy to begin with.’

"What about this party situation, Father? Do I really need to get one from the emperor?" Theo asked.

The baron nodded. "If he says he will provide the party, then you have no say in it. Since you are just starting out, you cannot change the details of a mission." He paused before adding, "And I want you to accept that party as well. It means more protection for both my sons."

Theo asked a few more questions, and once everything was settled, the baron made him confirm if he had made the decision or not.

And when that was confirmed, Theo’s group was finalized, Theo, Lucien, Clara and Elias.

But another issue soon arose.

"So you are saying my attendant can’t go with me..." Lucien said calmly, though the distress in his voice was obvious.

"Do you want your attendant to accompany you, Lucien?" the baron asked.

"It’s not that I mind going without him; it would just be a little... weird. I have never travelled without Cassien before," Lucien admitted, making Theo nod. All Merrick heirs were a little attached to their attendants.

"I can request for an increase of a slot," the baron said as he continued writing, "but assume that you won’t be able to get your attendant into the gate this time, Lucien."

When the brief meeting came to an end, Theo and Lucien stepped out of the study. After Lucien thanked him once, they went their separate ways.

On the way, Theo noticed the twins arguing about something, but he only gave them a quick greeting and moved forward, prompting several glares to follow him. However, he ignored the gazes; he didn’t have time for their negativity, not when he had work to do.

Clara and Elias caught up to him halfway through their duties.

Theo went about his day like usual and did some light training. The past few weeks had been focused heavily on the training of the hive link, and since he didn’t feel like entering the hive again, he decided to take a short break.

Once his training was done, Theo decided to go back to his father, knowing Lucien wasn’t there.

The baron looked at him with confusion, but Theo simply smiled.

Stepping closer, Theo offered him an elbow tap, which the baron returned without a problem, though the confusion on his face remained.

’Evolution Link.’

Theo spoke in his mind and kept the smile on his face, excited to let him know about it.

"Check your status, Father," he said, making the baron nod and check.

When his eyes moved downward...

He froze.

"Is this..." he asked, at a loss for words, while his eyes widened as he stared at Theo.

"Yes. This is how I usually see the evolution options, Father," Theo replied, then checked the baron’s status too, only to frown in confusion.

"You have already rained enlightenment. I don’t understand why you haven’t gained the foundation evolution yet, Father," Theo said, scratching the back of his head.

"...Theo," the baron called, his eyes still frozen.

"Are there any restrictions? Or can you do this for everyone, even without taming...?" he asked in a slow, quiet voice, as if he were speaking about something that should never leave this room.

His gaze shifted to Elias and Clara, who stood near the entrance of his study, and he knew right away that they were already aware.

"You both, don’t tell anyone, alright? Not even family," the baron muttered.

His voice wasn’t commanding by any means, but there was a quiet trust in it, trust they had built within this little group over months of being together.

After all, he had personally trained both Clara and Elias.

"We will never speak anything about it ever," Clara said, her eyes icy cold. "The enemy may take our tongue, but not what I can say with it."

The baron nodded in satisfaction. Although Elias said nothing, his eyes said it all.

"Now," the baron said, turning back to Theo, "tell me what this is, in detail."