Father's Approval and Treasury Reward
After the assault on the Sama Treasury during the Sama Grand Tournament.
A massive spy hunt had begun within Mantis Hall.
It was on Karimru's orders, the lord of the mantis clans.
"My god... so many of them were spies?"
The mantis population registered at Mantis Hall numbered nearly 10,000.
Once the purge kicked off, close to 500 had vanished into thin air.
Not all the missing ones were necessarily spies, but the fact that they'd ghosted right as the sweep started fueled suspicions that most of them were.
It was mind-blowing.
"Five percent of Mantis Hall's population were spies..."
Begli muttered in disbelief.
"Makes sense, though. Even in our group, Theo turned out to be one."
"Yeah... it was a shock that Theo was a spy."
At Geri's words, Mackshane shook his head.
"Theo got infected by a parasite, though."
"Ugh, that's even worse. A parasite... gives me chills. How'd he slip past the parasite scan?"
"Maybe he got infected after the check."
"Oh... yeah, could be."
The trainees shuddered.
The fear that they might end up like Theo gnawed at them.
"So what happens to Theo now?"
"He still hasn't regained consciousness. Might take a while."
"Whoa, is something wrong?"
"His dantian took heavy damage. Lucky the parasite came out without shredding his organs too bad, or he'd be dead."
"Man... poor Theo."
"Yeah. But how'd they extract the parasite?"
"Dunno. Think Instructor Norton handled it."
Thinking of Theo cast shadows over their faces, a mix of pity settling in.
"Anyway... good thing Aleck stopped those ghost ants from ambushing us. They say if he hadn't, a few of us would've gotten our throats slit that day."
Begli mimed slicing her neck horizontally with her hand.
Geri shuddered dramatically.
"That's dark. But how'd Aleck even know the ghost ants were coming?"
"Heard Kind stumbled on their code by chance. They were prepped for it."
"Whoa... lucky break. Heaven's on our side."
"Totally. But still impressive, right? Holding off ghost ants even with warning... and he was Maturity Stage 3."
"Damn, Aleck's the man! Gets more amazing every time."
"Strongest fighter in our group, sharpest mind, and handsome to boot!"
"Ugh, he's perfect. That cool detachment of his is kinda hot too."
Aleck's name lit up the girls' eyes like stars.
Their quiet admiration had blossomed into full-blown crushes after this incident.
"I messed up judging him early. Prejudiced against little mantis clan and missed the gem right in front of me!"
"Alright, starting today, I'm getting close to Aleck."
"Me too!"
Aleck's stock was skyrocketing.
And it wasn't just his peers.
The name Aleck was starting to spread through Mantis Hall.
'Feels kinda weird.'
Robed noticed the girls buzzing about Aleck.
At first, she was thrilled—he was finally getting the recognition he deserved.
But a strange discomfort crept in.
Like her favorite hidden spot had gone viral.
No, it was more complicated than that.
'Hmm...'
Robed hugged her knees, burying her face.
Closing her eyes, Aleck's face floated up.
He stared at her steadily, then flashed that sly smile.
Her heart thumped hard just recalling it.
'Ugh, hot in here.'
She lifted her head, fanning herself.
"Huh? Robed, you okay? Your face is red."
"Oh, Kind... hey. Nah, just got hot all of a sudden."
"Really? It's cooler than yesterday."
Robed gave an awkward laugh.
It wasn't the weather—she knew that much.
Then it hit her: Aleck was MIA today.
"Where's Aleck, anyway?"
* * *
Aleck was stepping into Mantis Hall's main palace at the lord's summons.
"Welcome, young friend."
Security here was on another level.
King mantis guards mixed with shield mantis elites blanketed the grounds.
The one greeting him was Maturity Stage 3 shield mantis.
"Hello. I'm Aleck, here at the lord's request."
"Haha! Nice to meet you. Name's Pogler."
Pogler grinned at the polite greeting.
"Here for the lord?"
"Yes."
"Ah! You're the little mantis bro who took down a ghost ant one-on-one. Hero like you, and I didn't recognize—my bad!"
"Ah... haha, no big deal."
Aleck smiled awkwardly.
Laying it on thick, but not unwelcome.
Though the fuss was a bit embarrassing.
If he knew about saving Karimru and Monahan too, he'd probably be bowing.
Anyway, Pogler led him to the lord's chamber.
"Lord, your guest."
"Send him in."
The door opened; Aleck entered.
The chamber was spacious, maybe 1,000 square feet, furnished elegantly.
Eyes drawn to a massive portrait on the left wall.
A familiar face.
'Robed.'
Even as a painting, stunning.
Made him appreciate her beauty anew.
"Good to see you again. Doing well?"
"Yes, I've been fine. Hope you're well too, my lord."
"Frankly, I've been swamped. Sit."
Aleck moved to the central table at Karimru's gesture.
The secretary from before brought steaming floral tea.
"Drink up."
Nice aroma—premium petals, even Aleck could tell.
Sipping, he scanned the room again.
Gaze lingering on Robed's portrait to the right.
Karimru noticed.
"Pretty, isn't she?"
"Yes, very."
Karimru grinned.
Who knew he could smile like that?
Seemed the doting dad type.
"As you guessed, Robed's my daughter."
"Figured..."
Karimru whispered like it was top secret.
It kinda was—most didn't know.
Aleck played surprised; Karimru's smile deepened.
"Not just dad bias—she's smart and beautiful."
"She is."
"Lost her mom young, and I was too busy as lord to raise her right. Still, she grew strong without complaint... I'm grateful."
Karimru eyed the portrait with mixed pride and regret.
"Keep it secret for now. You're sharp—you'll handle it."
"Of course. I'll act normal."
"We get along. No wonder Monahan and Norton rave about you."
Aleck blinked.
Norton, sure—he was obsessed.
But Monahan? The guy seemed to dislike him.
Before he could ask, Karimru shifted.
"Anyway, lots to ask you."
The air grew heavy, Karimru's presence dominating.
'Whoa.'
Aleck admired the aura.
First impression was lighter, but lord was lord.
'What's with the buildup?'
Aleck met his steady gaze.
"Thought about you since that day. Infant-stage skills, poise... vast knowledge. At first, figured irregular talent. But it's more."
Karimru's voice rumbled deep.
"Even wondered if you were a spy raised by the Four Lords... but you were on the hit list, top target even. And Norton's account from the ghost ant raid rules that out."
Good—spy suspicions cleared.
Karimru paused, eyes sharpening.
"Who are you?"
"..."
Aleck expected it.
His feats, defusing the bomb—talent alone didn't cut it.
Karimru's eyes mixed gratitude and confusion.
Fair question.
'How to play this.'
Couldn't say reincarnation.
But dodging left no explanation.
Decision made.
"I gained a special ability by chance. Sorry I can't detail it here. But I want to use it for our mantis clan's revival."
Every word earnest.
Did it land? Karimru nodded faintly.
"I feel your sincerity. Won't pry. Just stay true to that."
"Thank you."
Aleck exhaled relief.
Dodged the bullet.
But more questions.
Playfulness sparked in Karimru's eyes.
"So, what do you think of our Robed usually?"
Random, but hairs stood up.
This felt weightier.
"Great teammate and peer."
Safest answer after thought.
"...That's it?"
Karimru sounded dissatisfied.
Wrong move?
Then Aleck recalled Karimru's portrait gaze.
'Doting dad...'
He added quickly.
"And incredibly beautiful. Once mature, she'll bump Continental Five Beauties to six. Beauty-wise, on par with Karen as mantis rep."
Praised her highly before dad.
Continental Five Beauties—Abian Continent's top five beauties.
Insect traits or not, beauty standards held.
Maybe sharper instincts amplified it.
Those beauties got acclaim just for looks.
'Not flattery. Robed might outshine Karen grown up.'
Aleck had met three, including Karen the devil flower mantis.
Top villain, unaffiliated mantis, stunner.
'Definitely prettier than that bitch Karen.'
Even the other two.
Sincerity hit; Karimru smiled faintly—Aleck caught it.
"Hm, you see it too? Good eye."
'Wow... total pushover dad.'
Confirmed.
But it paid off big.
"Oh! Forgot why I called you."
"..."
"Meant to commend and reward you for stopping the attack, saving Monahan and me."
Expected.
But...
"However!"
"...Seeing you, you're solid. Better you choose the reward."
Want something?
Eyes lit.
Bonus opportunity.
Aleck cleared throat, met eyes seriously.
Slowly spoke.
"Yes, my lord. One request..."
"What?"
Karimru urged.
"Heard MVP of Sama Grand Tournament gets treasury access. My goal was MVP for that... Could this reward grant it?"
Honest ask.
If yes, plans simplified—grab that S-rank rune.
"Ho, aiming high?"
Karimru tapped the table.
Tap, tap, tap.
Then decided.
"Fine. Can't stint on talent like you. But procedure needs elders' approval. They're meeting now—wait."
Lucky timing.
Karimru headed to elders' meeting post-talk, for tournament cancellation response.
Shortened process.
Soon...
"Sorry to keep you."
"No problem."
"Approved. Treasury access as requested."
"...!"
Aleck clenched fists under table.
Jackpot. Easier than dreamed.
But Karimru continued.
"However..."