Obithal let himself relax completely as he received an answer that informed him that there was no need for alarm.
"Shall we begin?" He asked as he sat down.
Lunch passed quietly, speaking was not welcome during this time.
Discussions and such could be left for later, now was the time for eating. Any distractions from the food would be an insult to whoever prepared the meal.
As lunch wrapped up and servants started clearing the table, Obithal broke the silence.
"I have spoken with a friend," He started, and all eyes turned to him as he looked at Place. "Someone will arrive before dinner, make all your preparations, and be ready."
"Thanks, Dad." Place frowned at the table as he thought about the upcoming test.
"What's this about?" 'Ahh' questioned, both her and her brother staring at Place. "What's going on?"
"Your brother wants to enroll in Ortis." Uncle explained the situation to them.
"Really?"
"Would they even let him in?"
"They will."
Obithal turned to his son. "There is no reason that they would not, it does not cost them anything in reputation, might even be the opposite among the commoners, and they would not need to provide Place resources that he can't earn."
"Worry not about that part." Place allowed himself a smirk. The Thing's mission wasn't the only thing that could benefit him, there were some other things at the academy that would prove quite helpful.
Obithal nodded.
"I won't, I'm sure that you have a plan in mind."
Place nodded in confirmation, and his father waved the topic away.
"Then just tell me if you need anything." He got up and left.
"I'm also here. You still have my bracelet, don't you?" Uncle stood up from his chair.
"It's in my room." Place looked away as he spoke, and Uncle gained a frown.
"Why aren't you wearing it?"
"It gets in the way!" Place pouted.
"Oh, dear..." Uncle rubbed his forehead as he contemplated.
"Alright, I'll get you a better one. It has been a few years since I gave you that, right?"
Place nodded as Uncle walked out.
"Remind me if I forget."
'You won't.' Place thought with a grimace, Uncle's memory was so good that it sometimes creeped people out.
He could remember everyone's shameful memories with perfect clarity, and it didn't help that he could show his memories to others to see those moments a bit too clearly. He was both loved for his stories, and hated by the same people when it was their story.
"Soo..." A voice broke Place out of his thoughts, and he turned to look at his sister.
"Ortis academy?" She questioned.
"Yes, only one other place better than it, and that's out of reach." Place knew that that wasn't what she was asking, but he answered like that anyway.
"Are you sure?" he saw her flinch slightly as her brother asked that question, already knowing his mistake.
Place turned to the other male in the room.
"I am." He said calmly.
"But-"
"You are overstepping." Place kept his face neutral as he stopped them from asking more questions.
A moment of tense silence passed.
"Sorry."
Place just let out a 'hm' in response as he moved to leave the room.
Another moment of silence passed as 'Ahh' stared at 'Ooo'.
"Haaa..." She let out a sigh. "You still don't think you're wrong, do you?"
"I'm not." Her brother answered gruffly.
"Your reasons are."
Knowing that he wouldn't budge on this subject, she let out another sigh and left the room, leaving him alone.
He sat still for a moment, thinking in the silence.
"Tch."
***
"That girl you sent with my clothes." Place stated as he looked at the one who was in charge of almost all the servants.
"Vanthi?" Othmeen questioned. "Is there something wrong with her?"
They were standing outside the main building, standing under the shade cast by the mansion. Some distance away, some children played by the trees.
"She seemed afraid of me. Do you know anything about that?"
"Afraid? I did not, I shall look into it."
"Don't scare her while you're at it. Anyway, I believe I mentioned something about needing some supplies."
Othmeen nodded.
"I want three complete Tinker sets, the advanced learning versions, if those are still available, along with a few hundred blank rune-sheets and their writing materials." He started to line out what he wanted.
"Thinking about learning some more Arcanatics, young sir?" Othmeen wrote down what he wanted in a book that had appeared out of nowhere.
"Thinking it's about time I did so, also, I will be needing three times as many healing and restoration items as you think I will need."
"Please tell me that you are not thinking about using blood sacrificing rituals." A hint of worry appeared on her usually calm face.
"Maybe it will come to that..." A thoughtful look appeared on his face as he looked at a cloud in the sky.
"SIR!!!" The calm on her face disappeared as she almost-shouted.
"Just joking, don't worry." Place held up his hands. trying to placate her.
"Do not joke like that!"
"Sorry, sorry." A bit of guilt crept into him, he had not meant to worry his caretaker like this.
"Hmf!" She looked angry. "I will be speaking with your mother about this."
She turned and made to leave, but was stopped as Place grabbed onto her arm.
"Please don't?" He asked, fearfully. Mother would slap a dozen different monitoring spells and trinkets on him, and it would be almost impossible for him to get them off.
Othmeen huffed again, and Place let go, knowing that she had calmed down.
"Thank you." He said as she walked away.
She paused for a moment, then continued moving.
Place sighed as she walked away.
'Seems I went a bit too far.'
He started to walk away as well.
He had to make preparations.