Chương 1: Supreme Warlady Elena

Supreme Warlady Elena Burnstock strode forward as the staff of the Burnstock estate kneeled in her presence, not even daring to look at her. My half-brothers, including the heir to the Burnstock name and Duchy, and other family members of the Burnstock estate, bowed deeply. They didn't dare look at her directly, lest they invite her attention and possible ire. Duke Burnstock bowed slightly as well but met her gaze without fear.

Finally, there was me, the Supreme Warlady's only child, almost nine, and unnaturally bright for my age. My skill tutor, Damian, would tell me I should bow in her presence, even as her son, since it was a matter of etiquette in a public setting. As one of the rare humans over level 150, who held the title of Supreme Legend, she represented the peak of humanity in our never-ending conflicts with the other races, ourselves, and in exploring the world-spanning dungeon beneath us.

My father, who was only a level 63 noble, would tell me to be polite no matter what. She could kill me with just the merest glance, even though I knew she would never do such a thing. But I ignored their suggestions and followed my instincts.

"Mother!" I shouted with a smile and rushed over, giving her a hug around her waist. She froze for a split second before gently patting me on the back. Even through her casual thin leather and plate armor, she felt immovable.

"It is good to see you, my son," she said, her voice soft, yet it had a slight rumble like a mountain ready to fall and crush anything in its path. I couldn't help but hear the care behind it. I hadn't seen my mother in over a year, ever since she left to crush the kingdom of Crownsmith and its entire army. After a couple more seconds, I let go. I wanted to hold on to her forever.

While I didn't have many specific memories of her, what I remembered was a kind, smiling woman who loved to chase me around the estate with a laugh. Without her here, everything felt colder, more distant.

"Sorry, but I missed you," I replied. Ever since I unlocked my status at eight, I had been excited to learn more and push my skills to new heights. But Damian insisted he would only stick to what was planned without her direct approval. No one would dare defy my mother's wishes.

"It is all right. We shall temper you with fire and blood soon enough. For now, I am weary from battle and travel. I will dine with my husband and son tonight," she declared. The other children and the first wife of the Duke didn't dare make a single objection. I wasn't in the line of inheritance anyway, so I had been mostly removed from the noble and family affairs. The more powerful one became, the harder it was to have children.

That was why most noble women married young to have two or three children before leveling to fight off the ravages of age by increasing their Vitality stat. My mother married Duke Darren Burnstock for two reasons that I was aware of, his substantial wealth and the safe environment he provided for me to grow up in. Even with her strength and wealth, my mother was limited in various other ways that weren't related to fighting.

My father was rumored to be richer than the King of our nation, Terander, controlling the most fertile farmland and the largest trade city in the Kingdom, which was also named Burnstock and was a day's ride away by enchanted carriage. All that money went into paying alchemists and specialized mages to assist in my conception. It was not wrong to say that my life had cost more than the yearly income, not profit, of the entire Duchy.

Even now, there was a team of elite guards surrounding the entire estate, protecting me and the rest of the Burnstock family. But if one of them died, unlike me, my mother would not go on a rampage. That was why I had always tried to be dutiful, so as not to cause trouble. Unfortunately, things were going to get complicated after the incident a month ago. My father married Supreme Warlady Elena Burnstock for two reasons.

Her insane killing ability as a spellsword over level 150, and her deterrence factor by declaring his home, her home. The problem with having all that wealth was that other people wanted it. The neighboring duchies, the King, and the other nations all eyed the province of Burnstock for its wealth. My mother stayed with me for the first seven years of my life after I had been born, ensuring my safety. Once she was sure that I wouldn't die from a scratch and the neighboring kingdom began making trouble, she acted.

She crushed the neighboring kingdom of Crownsmith, killing its king, a lot of nobles, and most of its army in the past year. Now the entire country was on fire, and thousands were dying from the chaos as other nations and nobles took advantage of her decapitation strike. However, that also meant no one wanted to attack the Duchy of Burnstock now or in the near future. They had already sent the warning.

While I knew that my mother had repaid the debt she owed my father, she would remain here to raise me and act as a deterrent until I reached adulthood. But my future depended on what she decided. No one could influence my mother, except for herself.

"It is good to see you well. You made quite an impression on the kingdom of Crownsmith and its nobility. I don't think they will ever forget your name," my father said.

"They won't forget or forgive what I have done. But they never liked you Burnstocks to begin with," she replied. While she took up her husband's name with their marriage, she considered herself independent. My father explained all of this to me a few days ago to ensure I understood the political facts regarding both of my parents, reducing the risk of any confusion or misunderstanding. Adulthood was considered to be 16 for humans, twice the age at which we got access to our status.

However, specific responsibilities and expectations came with gaining access to one's status at the age of eight. I might be young, but I knew I was the most blessed child to be born, or close enough that I would be at the top of any list. It was incredibly rare for anyone over level 150 to have a child, let alone with another person with a level in their 60s. Most high-level individuals were focused on gaining greater strength and a higher level, trying to outrun death itself.

"Hah, well, they can shut up for the next couple of decades at the very least. Quiet is what I prefer." This story has been taken without authorization. Report any sightings. I wanted to roll my eyes at that after what my mother had done, but it would have been insulting. My father arranged the sale of weapons and supplies through his territory while taking in refugees to settle more farmland in his territory. I wasn't completely ignorant, and I heard things during family meals.

While he might act nice, a person was not a level 63 noble for their kindness or generosity, but it would be rude to point such things out in public.

"We also need to talk about Justin. There was an incident a month ago," my father said, and winced at this. My mother's gaze immediately snapped towards me.

"I am okay, but it is concerning. Um, I am not hurt," I replied quietly. She said nothing for several seconds as the tension significantly increased.

"We shall discuss the issue later. If my son has been harmed, you will have much to answer for, Darren. I entrusted his safety to you while I was absent. Squires, attend me," she said, and her three Squires followed her as she strode away to her private quarters that had been set up in the mansion. A nervous head butler quickly escorted her. Everyone slowly got up from their kneeling or bowing position.

"You are lucky your mother loves you," my father said while glancing back towards my mother entering the mansion.

"I know," I replied. Her love was the most precious thing in the world. I could almost feel some jealousy coming from my half-siblings. But that was to be expected. Having Supreme Warlady Elena as a mother meant no one with any sanity would dare lay a hand on me, and my future was assured. But it would be rude to use her name for trivial things. While she was my mother, I was my own person. Unfortunately, that didn't stop the crazy people who were determined to strike against her through me.

I returned to my room, where I got changed into my dinner outfit. A servant was standing nearby, ready to assist me, but Damian had insisted my mother wanted me to do things myself, especially personal tasks involving my body. The servant could make sure everything was straightened and on properly before I left my room, though. The clothes were tight, showing an exceptional fit and high wealth.

Similarly, vibrant colors, which also denoted wealth, are featured in red and light brown, the two primary colors of House Burnstock. I was the first to arrive for dinner, which was expected, since I was the youngest of the three of us. My father arrived next, a few minutes early. He looked at me and gave me a nod. My mother arrived precisely on time. She was wearing simple leather armor, but even if a martial outfit was rude for a meal, no one would dare point that out, and my mother wouldn't care.

We all took our seats. If my mother weren't a Supreme Legend with a higher level, my father should have helped her sit. Since she was at a higher level, such an action would be demeaning rather than chivalrous. All the etiquette training I had been forced to endure over the last three and a half years had taken over my thoughts. That it was one of my highest-level tier 1 skills was annoying. I would rather focus on more exciting skills than Eldarin Etiquette. Servants brought out the food.

No one spoke since it was a bit of a tricky situation. Technically, my mother should be the first to talk, given her higher social standing, but this was my father's estate. One could say there was uncharted territory in terms of etiquette tonight. I didn't remember what they had done in the past. I don't think we ever had dinner with just the three of us, but I couldn't be sure. My memories from before I unlocked my status were hazy and difficult to recall.

They might even try to level up their skills now that I thought about it. I followed all the rules of dining while trying to figure out who should speak first. That was when I realized that this was technically an informal meal, as it was just the three of us. After we had a first course of light soup, I spoke up. Either I would gain a lot of levels on my etiquette skill or horribly embarrass myself. At least the tension would be broken.

"Mother, do you think the sword is better or magic as a spellsword?" She lowered her wine glass and got a thoughtful look on her face.

"I want to say both. They complement each other well, although the lower levels and grinding up the skills can be quite exhausting. I would say the sword for singular strong opponents and magic for large groups or an enemy with strong physical resistance." The tension had been broken as she turned towards my father.

"Now tell me what happened," she said while staring intently at my father. He waved a hand. All the servants left the dining room and shut the doors.

"A legend of unknown background infiltrated the estate. They put their hands on Justin. They were discovered, and my guards forced them to retreat. Five elite guards died during the confrontation from poison. Healer Castelle looked carefully at our son. He was given an unknown tier 6 cursed skill."

"What skill?" My mother asked in a voice barely more than a whisper. I feared she might explode at any moment.

"Experience Siphon."

"And you let that happen?"

"I didn't let it happen, but we are not well-equipped to counter a legend. Even with all the extra resources I have spent hiring elites, you know as well as I do that the unknown is the most dangerous. Five elite guards perished; that is no small matter."

"This is unacceptable. I left this estate to deal with the neighboring nation, and you let this happen, Darren. Give me one good reason I shouldn't crush your head and kill everyone- ""Mom, I am fine. Can't we deal with it another way?" I asked nervously. Interrupting her was vulgar, but I didn't want things to escalate. I was alive, despite the scary event that had just occurred. She paused as her murderous aura retracted. She turned her head to look at me.

"Yes, my son. I will speak to your father and Healer Castelle later. Now, let's move on to other topics. I have talked with your tutor, Damian, and he told me you started weapon training with the guard captain of the estate?" I had stopped the worst from happening, but it was only a postponement.

"Yes, mostly the sword and shield, but I have gotten tier 1 skills in other weapons. He said it was based on the instructions you left?"

"He took some liberties, but we will review your skills later. Weapon skills, really, Darren? I wanted him to focus on more mental skills at the start," she said while looking at my father. Both were pretending to get along for my sake. Even without social skills, I could tell they were completely fake in speaking to each other for my benefit.

"He kept insisting, and I consulted with the skill tutor and used my judgment. It is something you mentioned, so Tutor Damian approved it," my father replied. He rang the bell resting on the table, and the servants reentered the dining room.

"I will make a final judgment myself after reviewing his stats and skills. Any noble issues I should be worried about?" My mother asked as the second course of dinner was served. The light salad with dressing and nuts did not look appetizing.

"No. My other children know not to make trouble with Justin and that he isn't in the line of succession after what happened previously. As for larger issues, the King made a bit of a fuss over what you did, but I sent a couple of chests of gold his way and he stopped complaining."

"Good. I would prefer not to be caught up in other issues for the foreseeable future. It would displease me," my mother said, and my father nodded before taking a sip of his wine. I just had orange juice to drink. An expensive specialty of the duchy.

"Don't worry, I like it quiet. If it weren't for Crownsmith funding bandits and staging their armies close to the border, I wouldn't have asked you to intervene. But you took your time."

"They weren't weak. I had to kill two legends they employed and then hunt down their top nobility. Otherwise, I would have to go back a decade. Now it will take at least a quarter of a century, probably longer, since their other neighbors are causing them trouble. It will be a long time before they can think about your lands." That matched what my father had already told me about the situation.

"Well, let me propose a toast. While we might not have married for love, I am grateful to you. Supreme Warlady Elena," my father said and raised his glass. I quickly raised my glass as well to show my support for his words. My mother picked up her glass, showing her acceptance of the toast, and then we all drank.

"You beat two legends?" I asked my mother. Legend was the term used for individuals who had reached a level above 100 and had received a Tier 5 class.

"Yes. It was a hard fight. Legend Bowmaster Herold Eagleeye and Legend Armored Bulwark Bastion Teron fought with honor and skill. But there is a reason I hold the superior title of Supreme over those weak legends. It denotes that I have gone past level 150 and stand above other legends." I knew that already, but I wasn't about to correct my mother.

"Also, your mother earned the title of Warlady, since she has ended wars single-handedly, not for being a spellsword. Even if I think that is more impressive than your accomplishments, they gave it to her for reaching the Last Bastion on her own," my father said, and my mother shook her head slightly with a frown.

"A title I dislike, but other legends give one a title. I would have preferred the title of Spellblade or Farmer of Monsters, but it is what it is."