To be Honest, The conditions that The king gave me are not really something to stress about.

Nick might have been a Software engineer by profession but his hobbies were Something entirely different. He had studied a little about Finance, Business management, Geopolitics, Literature, History, Law and Constitution, Philosophy etc.

with an arsenal of knowledge like that Royal lessons and Junior Entrance exam are nothing but a piece of cake.

As for the king's other condition I was planning on going to Arcadia academy, even without him telling me to.

Although most comic Protags avoid Getting involved in the Main storyline, to increase their chances of survival or to not mess up with the story. I wasn't among those most protags. So, naturally I do not plan to do that.

Isn't it every gamer's dream to see the world of game as a real world for at least one time. And unless I go to arcadia, I won't really feel like I am in the world of MAS.

I wanted to see the heroes, the villains, and the world of Mage Academy Saga with my own eyes.

While I was in my own world of thought, The king Seems to have assumed I am scared.

"What ? Can't Do it ?" He asked

"Of course, I can but... Are you Sure ?" I asked

"about what ?"

"Your second condition. By the time I’m old enough for the senior entrance exam, I’ll have already spent five years as an adventurer. I’ll have already taken full advantage of every favor you’ve granted me. At that point, it wouldn't matter to me if I fulfilled the condition or not. I’d already be free." I said

The King stared at me for a long beat. The silence in the office grew heavy, then he chuckled—a low, resonant sound. "John was Right. You have Changed. You are bolder now"

The image of a Santa clause with Black Beard and a bag full of books came to mind.

I will be seeing you later.

"It's bold of you to openly say that you will disobey a condition given by Your own king, Of all people"

Honestly, I thought this conversation with the king would be too hard and strict but it seems easier than I thought.

It feels quite Similar how I used make a deal with my Dad to buy me something if I came in the top Five in my class. A Dad and Son Agreement.

Although, that is exactly what it is. Even if I deny, I can't change the fact that the man seated before me Is my Father. My eyes are the proof of It.

"it's Nothing like that. I accept both of your conditions and promise to fulfil it" I said

Maybe He is not as Cold hearted as I thought him to be, After all. Maybe In that Rock hard, cold exterior, there lives a Warm Father, Just like mother said.

"You better, Because if you don't, There will be penalty." He said with a smile that did not Look like a smile at all.

"May I know What penalty ?" I asked. I am confident in myself to fulfil those condition but there's no harm in knowing, Right ? right ?

"Fail the conditions and you will know" he said

He took a sip from his glass and said "Tyler"

"yes ?"

"I have two questions for you. can you answer them ?"

"As long as it is within my capabilities."

"Oh don't worry, It is within your capabilities. My first question is Why do you want to become an adventurer ?"

I expected it. Since I went as far as to request him to break the norms, He would naturally want to know taht why am I So obsessed with becoming an adventurer.

There's no need for me to lie here.

I took a sip from my glass and said "There are actually two reasons for it. One is strength and other is because ....I want to see the world."

And this is the truth.

On Earth, power was a collective game. Anyone with enough money, the right political backing, and a bit of influence could do almost anything and get away with it.

Because they are considered to be powerful. On Earth, 'Power' was external.

On earth, the most dangerous weapons that are feared by people, by Humanity are the weapons made from science, like nuclear warheads, drone swarms, and biological agents etc.

These weapons were monopolized by states and the ultra-wealthy.

And so, at some point, these are the very people who hold rights to these weapons in their hand, even if just a little.

And money can buy almost anything on earth, Even life.

Yes, even the value of a Gone Life can be counted with money. And Its funny how Even that money does not reach at the hands of those who are actually supposed to receive it. 

But, in this world, it is different. Humans can break their humanly limit, shed their human shell and become superhuman.

Scientific Weapon can be monopolized. Manufacturing and Raw material can be controlled. But What about magic? Mana? Those are individual.

Imagine an ordinary person on Earth making an enemy of a world leader. They wouldn't live to see the next sunrise. They would be erased by a system they couldn't even see. But here?

If you make an enemy out of the king or a noble and if you are strong enough. You just have to barge in the noble's house, break his house defences and kill him.

If the family sends a battalion of soldiers after you, you crush them.

If they send a second army, you do it again. You continue the slaughter until the cost of chasing you exceeds the value of their vengeance.

Whether it's Earth or Verden, one thing is the Same:

The only thing that has changed is the definition or Unit of power.

On Earth, power was measured in dollars and votes. In Verden, power is measured in the density of your mana and the sharpness of your blade.