In the study, besides Hurbert Rodney himself, who was sitting, Silas, Vanessa, Nero and the butler were all standing. It was how Hurbert expected things to be. He was someone who deserved great respect, for his achievements had directly affected the fate of all of Kolar, if not all mankind.
Although he himself was only an Arcanist despite his mature age, the card recipes he had created could empower countless who were stronger than himself. They changed the tides of many battles and influenced the results of many critical situations.
Although he could not claim to be solely responsible for the success of countless key figures in Kolar, it was more or less certain that at least some of them would have died without relying on his works.
So, although he himself had yet to achieve a higher realm, his influence more or less equaled one beyond the Arcanist level. That was without even considering his status as director of an army division.
The due respect he was being given was what he deserved, which is why when Nero suddenly and rudely interrupted him, it peeved him even more. His impression of the child fell even further. With a stern gaze and a frown, he continued to speak.
"You can polish a diamond, but you cannot polish dirt. If that is the extent of your vision then so be it. Perhaps, if the culmination of your path does not result in death in a ditch somewhere, you can stand guard outside Silas' workstation in the future."
Nero was so shocked, he was not even angry. Instead he only laughed. A part of him, a large part of him, reminded him that there was no need to act out. The man in front of him was a big shot in the army, and even if he could not become a useful contact, there was no point in turning him into an enemy.
To an extent, Nero had already seen through his personality. The man was a narcissist. In his eyes, everything in the world revolved around himself. He was not being a negligent parent on purpose either, most likely. In his eyes, he was probably doing a great job.
But at the same time, to someone like him, Silas would never be a child. Rather, he was just one more achievement to pin on his own shoulder.
The reason he wanted to see Silas' friends was not to get to know them better, but to see if his son was likely to develop any useful connections in the future which would once again boost his own prestige.
Perhaps this is exactly the kind of mindset it took to develop so much influence and power without any background.
Once he was done laughing, Nero looked at Hurbert directly in the eyes, but chose to refrain from speaking. There was no need to make the situation any worse. He just had to tolerate a bit more. Deep breaths. He needed to take deep breaths.
"Has age made you senile old man, or have you always been so ignorant?" he reproached, his voice filled with amusement rather than anger. Okay, so tolerating insults was not one of his strong suits. Now he knew, and he'd work on the next time he wanted to avoid making a powerful enemy.
Silas, who was standing nervously beside Nero, froze still, and his entire mind shut down.
What. Just. Happened.
Hurbert's aura did not explode in anger, but it definitely began simmering as he locked his gaze onto Nero.
"I should expect nothing less from an aspiring footsoldier than vulgarity and lack of decorum. I do not know for what purpose you have latched onto the halo of my son or the prestige of the Rodney household, but henceforth you are forbidden from associating him."
"Ah, so you really have always been ignorant," Nero said without backing down. Though the pressure exuded by an Arcanist was massive, Hurbert lacked the sharpness of a combatant. Nero had grown up facing the aura of his own mother, so how would he be cowed by that of a researcher?
"Listen up, let me educate you so that you wake up from your dreams. I did not latch on to anybody, nor do I need anything from your prestigious Rodney name. It is my influence that protects your son from being bullied in school, not the precious Rodney name. I am the one who made sure he keeps doing well. But what would you know about the troubles your own son faces?
Your own men treat your son like dirt, probably because they know you don't care about him. But what would you know of that?
"You have a lot of pets here, in ponds and closed in cages. But your son is not a prize bird that you take care of by throwing food on the floor and grooming a couple of times, then appreciate in passing. Even more, I am certainly not someone you can just order around. If your fragile ego can't take it, feel free to move Silas to another school.
I'd like to see how well the Rodney name holds up when there are no foot soldiers around to protect it."
The more he spoke, the more Nero realised that his anger was quickly evaporating. The old man really was deluded. Why was he even wasting time talking to him? He should just leave.
"Of course I know how Silas is treated, but with all the comforts he receives at home, he needs a bit of toughening up!" Hurbert spoke, as if to prove that he really knew what his son was going through.
"Back in my day, we managed fine without all this pampering and coddling. If he doesn't face a bit of toughness, how will he grow? But what would a child know of such things? Depart. I no longer wish to waste my time with you. The path you walk is a short one.
The next time I think of you, you will probably already be dead somewhere, like all the other arrogant young men who dream of grandeur."
Nero, who was actually just getting ready to leave himself, paused. So he knew Silas was being mistreated, and encouraged it? A twinge of anger flickered amidst his amusement.