’You... want to rule an even bigger territory?’ Theo asked with a flabbergasted expression in the real world.
But the others could only stare at him.
Through the hive link, the ant queen had sothing along the lines of that and that it needed strength to bring the colony to a level where it could expand beyond just a cramped patch of land.
Images of the Whispering Forest surfaced in Theo’s mind, just like the ones he had seen when he first tad the ant queen.
’So all this ti, your goal wasn’t just to live freely in the forest... but to rule the whole forest instead?’ Theo asked.
The ant queen nodded.
Theo didn’t know what to think at the mont; he had interpreted those earlier images of the forest very differently from what the ant queen had ant to convey.
If not for the hive link, Theo was sure it might have taken far longer for him to uncover this fact. Thanks to their connection through their minds, the exchange was carried out without much effort.
’If you were to take over the whole forest area... that would disrupt the whole ecosystem, Ant Queen.’ Theo stated carefully, ’Why not start with the empty courtyard near the castle? That would be better.’
Theo liked having these kinds of conversations with the ant queen. While it might struggle to convey as much as it could listen, the best part was that it would listen and actually understand. Unlike the mantis, who still had a long way to go.
At his suggestion, the ant queen showed so restraint. Theo could tell that it was because the ant queen believed the castle grounds held nothing but humans to hunt.
At that thought, Theo rely chuckled.
’You can’t be going hunting humans... well, we will figure sothing out. I will be back soon.’ Theo thought and bid farewell.
Among the many connected minds, he felt one especially curious presence, but knowing his mind was already at the level of exhaustion, he quickly peeked into it and bid farewell too.
It was the spider.
Theo opened his eyes again to find everyone staring at him.
"...I don’t like those golden eyes," the baroness said with a frown.
"That’s my main ability, Mother. You will have to get used to it."
The baroness studied him for a few seconds, then gave a brief nod before turning her gaze out the window at the distant whispering forest.
Theo followed her line of sight. With a subtle focus, the distant silhouettes sharpened.
Theo focused his eyes and imdiately realized from the silhouette’s shape right away that the beast was a boar, while there were at least four people.
"Four people to take down one boar, huh... Can’t say I am impressed," Theo muttered out loud by mistake, making everyone look at him.
"That is a foolish perspective, brat," the baron said sharply. "These boars aren’t ant to be hunted alone, at least not until you’ve spent a few years learning how to defeat them."
Only then did Theo realize he had spoken out loud.
"Just because you can do it doesn’t an others can too. If you aren’t being careful, it may co out as bragging, even if you’re being genuine."
Theo listened to the lecture for half an hour, but he understood the gist of it.
Soon, the silhouette of the castle ca into view, and the carriage picked up speed.
The gates of the barony swung open. The mont the carriage ca to a stop, Theo quickly hopped off and headed up the stairs.
Clara and Elias followed quickly after giving a bow to the baron and the baroness.
The baron and the baroness watched as the three of them vanished from sight.
"Theo has changed a lot," the baroness said, her voice carrying a mix of pride and unease.
"He needs to, Seraphina," the baron replied as he looked at the baroness with a serious expression.
"If he keeps going like this, then..." He paused for a mont, as if weighing his thoughts.
"I may have to place him alongside Lucien as a potential Head of the barony..."
The baroness’s expressions didn’t change, but the baron could see the slight twitch near her cheek and nose.
"As long as it doesn’t destroy our family, you can do whatever you see fit." The baroness got up from her seat and stepped out of the carriage. Her gaze lingered on the baron’s abdon, specifically on the wound that lay hidden beneath his clothes.
The baron gave a small nod. The baroness’s eyes flickered with restrained pain.
"...Let’s go."
And just like that, they too went away.
_____
Theo entered his room and turned his attention to the ants. At first glance, they looked the sa, but even then, several of the ants had grown larger yet again, and their population had also increased noticeably.
"Young master..." Clara called softly.
Theo nodded without looking away.
"Have you thought about entering the Royal Academy?"
Her words made Theo pause mid-count, his gaze resting on the reinforced burrowing worker ants that had grown bigger again.
"Hmm. I haven’t given it much thought yet. We’ll see," he said before returning to his counting.
Elias exchanged a glance with Clara, and they nodded in silent understanding.
"There won’t be any primordial beast to disturb you anymore, young master," Elias said carefully. "And since the mantis’s strength has already been evaluated, they won’t make you get another evaluation."
"And you also have the emperor’s backing, young master," Clara added
Theo stopped counting and looked at them both, sighing with a faint chuckle.
"I know you both are worried about . But I truly need so ti to think about it," Theo comnted before adding.
"And you both already know how cramped my schedule already is."
Silence for a few minutes, but it seed they weren’t done yet.
"Young master, we have been by your side for a long ti," Clara said gently. "And I know you won’t take my insolence out of order. But I really think you should attend the Royal Academy. I believe it will help you a lot."
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