The morning sun began to rise higher, casting its increasingly bright light over the capital of the Astoria Kingdom.
In front of the towering iron gates of the academy, Arvin and his three spouses had arrived. The four of them walked casually into the academy grounds.
Their walking formation looked very natural. Arvin walked with a steady pace, while Allen, Alrain, and Ordion walked alongside him in unison. However, as they had only walked a few meters into the academy's front courtyard, the atmosphere suddenly shifted.
Nearly every pair of eyes from the passing students was instantly fixed on the four students walking together. Footsteps stopped, and whispers began to buzz. It wasn't their faces that had caught the academy public's attention this time. The attention of dozens of pairs of eyes was instead focused on the backs of their hands.
The white contract symbol now clearly engraved on Ordion's right hand officially confirmed his status in public.
However, what made the students hold their breath the most was when they looked at Arvin's hand. Especially on the back of the right hand of that blue-haired teenager, there were two contract symbols engraved side-by-side and touching one another.
The students from various classes just learned a new fact: "It turns out, if someone has more than two spouses, the third contract symbol will be engraved on the same hand and next to the old symbol."
The two symbols on Arvin's right hand were engraved touching each other. But at each opposite edge of the two symbols, they actually overlapped and intersected, as if looking like a new symbol that was very different from those of his three spouses.
The sight left everyone in awe of a moment they were witnessing for the very first time.
Upon reaching the classroom, Arvin didn't go inside right away. Instead, he leaned his back against the corridor wall. His mind drifted back to the name of the person who had helped Alrain escape. At that exact moment, a wild idea took root in his mind.
I think, Allen and Ordion are enough as my spouses from the game's romantic targets. Arvin suddenly decided. I'm going to try having a spouse who is just an NPC. That sounds interesting.
His gamer spirit, always craving new challenges and discoveries, left Arvin feeling exhilarated. A faint, unconscious smirk began to appear on his lips.
Allen, Alrain, and Ordion watched Arvin's face in bewilderment. Yet, they were certain their husband was hatching a new plan in his mind. For now, however, all they could do was wait for him to reveal it in his own time.
....
....
Time flies. And the next day, right when the sun shone hotly at noon, the atmosphere in Vanzhas City felt so lively and peaceful.
Amidst the hustle and bustle of the city residents' activities, an unusual sight began entering the main street. A convoy of nine large horse-drawn wagons ridden by Rayand and his mercenary group had finally arrived at the center of the Vedegra family's territory.
The wagons did not travel alone. They were escorted very neatly by several soldiers in the official Vedegra territory uniform, tasked with guiding the way to meet their lord.
The presence of the nine wagons blatantly flying flags bearing the Vedegra Family's emblem of pride instantly became the center of attention for all the Vanzhas city residents passing by on the side of the street.
The residents began to whisper, pointing at the wagons with curious expressions that were soon followed by light laughter.
"Hahaha. Did young master Arvin send them all here? As usual, he is always doing flashy things!" said one of the street vendors, shaking his head at the length of the convoy.
"What other Vedegra family member is currently outside this territory besides young master Arvin? It must definitely be him who did it. Hahaha." replied a pedestrian next to him with an understanding and proud tone.
Gaile, who was sitting quietly on his wagon, clearly heard the townspeople's conversation. He felt intrigued by the Young Master's reputation in the eyes of the commoners. Without hesitation, the middle-aged man immediately turned and asked one of the escort soldiers who happened to be sitting next to his wagon's driver.
"Excuse me, if I may know, how is young master Arvin Vedegra's daily life actually like when he is here?" Gaile asked, opening the conversation.
The soldier turned to Gaile, then smiled warmly as if discussing the territory's greatest pride. "He is a very strict and uncompromising figure when it comes to rules. But behind his cold demeanor, he cares deeply for everyone who needs help. We soldiers and all the people here consider him the guardian angel of the Vedegra territory."
Hearing that very positive answer, Gaile nodded slowly. However, there was one more thing bothering his mind.
"Then, do you all also know about the fact that young master Arvin likes men?" Gaile asked again, trying to dig for information.
Hearing that sensitive question, the soldier instead laughed freely without any awkwardness at all. "Hahaha. In this Vanzhas City, there isn't a single person who doesn't know about it. It's not a secret anymore, because since he was little, he was always teasing any cute-faced boy who accidentally passed in front of him. Even though in the end, he always gets a thorough scolding from the Lord Duke because of that behavior."
Gaile smiled as well. He now understood very clearly what Arvin's true personality was like in the Vedegra territory.
I never expected that young master Arvin's figure is so well-known and sincerely loved by his people. Gaile thought, feeling amazed. Even a guard soldier can easily laugh freely when telling about his strange habits. He is truly a charismatic leader.
In the same wagon, Melisa, who had been sitting quietly listening to the soldier's words, subconsciously squeezed the hem of her clothes. The explanation somehow made her admire and like the teenager who had saved her life even more.
You heartless young master! Melisa thought, her cheeks blushing slightly recalling Arvin's absolute rejection back then. Hearing all of this kindness of yours... it makes me like you even more!
Not long after passing through the crowded city streets, the convoy finally arrived at the courtyard of the Vedegra family's main residence.
In front of the extraordinarily grand mansion, two important figures stood waiting. There was a handsome, well-built man with a highly authoritative expression. He had long, blue hair left flowing, blown by the wind. The man was Duke Melvin Vedegra. And standing right next to him was a very beautiful and elegant woman with sparkling silvery-white hair. That woman was none other than Duchess Olive Vedegra.
The two of them were also awaiting the arrival of the wagons convoy that was reported to be flying flags bearing the Vedegra family emblem, claimed to have been sent by their son who was currently living in the capital.
Duchess Olive chuckled when her eyes saw the arrival of the nine wagons beginning to line up neatly entering her mansion's courtyard.
"As usual, our son is always doing flashy and unpredictable things." said Duchess Olive in a very motherly tone.
"I really don't know what that boy's planning now." Duke Melvin said resignedly, massaging his forehead slowly seeing such a large group of people.