CHAPTER 6: DO WHAT OLD PEOPLE DO!

Aegon had read two types of power systems mainly. One being the traditional magic where everything was a little vague when it came to who was stronger. The other was progression fantasy, where everything had proper rankings and structures.

Judging by Arnold’s words, he could guess he was in a progression fantasy with both Magic and Warrior paths. But he was still unclear about the details, like the rankings.

Hence the question.

Instead of answering immediately, Arnold stroked his beard and said, "You want to explore the world, right?"

Aegon hummed in response.

"Then, why don’t you find out yourself?" Arnold smiled and said. "I am quite famous in the outside world, but it won’t be too easy. So how about it? Want to take this as a challenge?"

Aegon thought about it for a moment before nodding hurriedly, "That sounds cool. It’s like one of those treasure hunt stories you tell me."

"Elder Old, why are you taking my job from me?"

They heard a loud shout as a typhoon burst into the library. Even without her voice, anyone would have recognized her because there was only one person in the entire world who actually dared to enter Arnold’s library so brazenly. Well, now there were two if they counted Aegon.

Arnold gave a side glance to his daughter and said, "You’re too busy with his birthday, so he came to ask me to teach him."

Xiu’s fierce gaze turned towards little Aegon, but it lost all its ferociousness in an instant as a gentle look appeared in her eyes. She crouched down to Arnold’s knee level and looked at Aegon with a sad expression. "Why didn’t you come to me?"

"What Opa said," Aegon replied innocently. "You are busy and also need rest. I shouldn’t disturb you all the time."

"Aww! My baby is worried about me?" Xiu’s eyes teared up as she scooped Aegon into her embrace and hugged him tightly but still careful enough not to make him uncomfortable.

Even in her crazed state, she always made sure Aegon was comfortable.

’Aghh! Overdose! Overdose!’ Aegon struggled out of her grasp and asked, "Aren’t you going to rest?"

"I recharged my energy by hugging you. My Little Sun is like a Mana Stone," Xiu smiled and then asked, "You want to learn about Magic? I’ll teach you everything about it."

"Chen Xiu!" Arnold’s deep voice instantly shut down Xiu’s brain as she turned toward him. "Don’t teach him those things for now. When the time comes, I will allow you to do that."

Xiu stared into his eyes for a moment before sighing. "Alright, but remember that this is the only time I’m letting it go. I will never do anything that can stop his progress in any way."

"What’s the problem in me learning about Magic?" Aegon was a little frustrated, but he couldn’t even stay mad at them. "I want to learn more."

"I know you’re a curious kid, but sometimes you need to rein in that curiosity. It doesn’t always lead to good things," Arnold said with a smile. "You’ll understand me once you grow up."

"Fine! I’ll listen to Opa. But when can I start learning about it?" Aegon asked.

"On your third birthday," Arnold said firmly.

"Understood! I will remember this." Aegon nodded, and it looked quite cute to see a small child acting so serious.

The two adults couldn’t help but smile at the sight, and Xiu stood up with Aegon in her arms. "I’m taking him back. When it comes to his teaching, only I’ll do it."

"What am I supposed to do then?" Arnold held his forehead and asked helplessly.

Seriously, this daughter of his ran around the house, always making sure she was there for Aegon. It was as if she wanted to be the one to raise him alone.

It frustrated him because he also wanted to raise his grandson.

"Do what old people do," Xiu stuck her tongue out at him. "And give my Little Sun all the love. You’re his Grandpa, so just do that."

"If I wasn’t his grandpa, you wouldn’t even allow that?" Arnold wanted to smack her head.

"Hmmm... no!" Xiu said after some thought. "My baby deserves all the love in the world, so it’s never enough. Give him everything, even if you weren’t his grandpa."

"Get lost!" Arnold waved his hand, not even in the mood to argue with her.

Xiu laughed and dashed out with Aegon before Arnold could hit her. And yes, she knew he could because she knew herself well enough to admit she deserved it.

Aegon giggled cutely in her arms and asked, "Xiu, weren’t you busy?"

"I’m never busy for you," Xiu answered with a smile. "It’s your bathing time, so how could I forget that? Also, I’ll tell you a few things about Magic... but don’t tell Opa about it."

Aegon tilted his head sideways as if he was deep in thought before shaking it. "I won’t lie to Opa."

Even though he really wanted to learn more about the power system, he also didn’t want to lie to the people he loved the most.

"Who said anything about lying?" Xiu snorted, though a beautiful smile was still playing on her lips. "You’ll just keep it secret until he asks. I’m only asking you not to tell him on your own. If he asks, just say I told you, which is the truth, and your Aunt will handle everything."

Aegon thought about it and nodded. This was indeed a better deal: he got to learn more and didn’t even need to lie. But he was still a little worried for his aunt.

"But I won’t tell you everything in one go, but little by little, every day. It’s more fun that way," Xiu kissed his cheek and said. "For now, I’ll tell you about Mages, who are mostly just grumpy people with no social lives. They spend their entire lifetime studying, researching and memorizing Magic Spells. I could never do that!"

Aegon laughed at her explanation and said, "I don’t like it."

"Right? It’s so boring! But you might like it if you see it clearly. I won’t stop you, but I also hope you don’t become a hardcore mage. They have no life," Xiu continued to rant about mages as if they were the most boring people in the world.

"As for their rankings, well, they are decided with a few factors in play. The ranks go from 1-Star being the weakest, all the way up to 9-Star being the strongest. As for why and how, that’s something you’ll learn later on."

"Then, Xiu, are you a Mage or a Knight?"