Insect Tamer's Ascension-Chapter 58: Elysia Stonekeep

When Theo heard ’Lord Evolution Tamer,’ a familiarity fell over him soon enough.

And it was not until he turned to the feminine voice that spoke that he finally realized who she was and what she had said.

In front of him and his brothers stood a little girl who looked no older than Theo.

Theo quickly recognized her. He smiled mildly and finally spoke, "Elysia."

"I’m glad you didn’t forget me," the girl chuckled, placing a hand near her mouth in a very mature manner.

She was wearing noble attire, much like any other noble female in the gathering, yet what she wore seemed to enhance her beauty even more.

Theo stepped forward, closing the distance. He hadn’t expected to meet someone he already had a small connection with, though it didn’t feel so bad.

"How about you forget that nickname you created, Elysia?" Theo asked while giving a noble bow graciously toward Elysia, who did the same in a feminine manner.

"No, that name seems like it will be quite famous in the future, Mr. Evolution Tamer. It’s quite nice to meet you so soon—I thought you wouldn’t be here this time either." Elysia spoke and took two small drinks suitable for children from a servant, handing one to Theo.

Theo took the drink with a small nod. The glass was chilly against his fingertips as he swirled the liquid inside once.

He glanced at Elysia, who sipped hers elegantly, her bright eyes watching him with a knowing glint. He had not seen a person his age with such good etiquette until now, and it almost made Theo feel bad for his twin siblings, who were already ten years old.

"I didn’t expect to be here either," Theo admitted, taking a small sip. The drink was light and fruity—it seemed like a noble’s version of a refreshment meant for younger guests. "But as you can see, fate had other plans."

Elysia chuckled, tilting her head slightly. "Or perhaps the Merrick Barony simply ran out of excuses to keep avoiding these gatherings," she mused, her voice smooth yet teasing.

Theo let out a quiet laugh. "That too."

Lucien, who had been watching the exchange silently with a curious smile, finally stepped forward with a smirk. Throughout the conversation, he hadn’t heard the girl’s family name, but the small crest near her neck told him a story.

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"I see you’ve already made acquaintances, Theo. You must introduce us." Lucien spoke with a mild smile.

Elysia’s gaze flickered to Lucien and then to Bram, who was standing slightly behind Theo with an uncertain expression. "Of course," she said, offering a curtsy of respect before looking back at Theo expectantly.

"My name is Elysia Stonekeep, my lords. I am the youngest of my family."

"Ah, a Stonekeep, huh," Lucien nodded in appreciation. "It’s good to see allies in this gathering."

Elysia nodded with a perfectly measured smile. Theo observed it to be a well-trained poker face.

Theo finished his drink, placing it on a passing servant’s tray, and gestured toward his brothers. "This is my eldest brother, the second son, Lucien Merrick," he said, glancing at Lucien, who gave a polite nod, his usual easygoing demeanor slightly tempered in this formal setting. "And this is Bram, the eighth son—my older brother as well." Stay connected through novelbuddy

Bram hesitated before bowing slightly. "It’s nice to meet you, Lady Elysia," he said, his voice steady but quiet.

Since Theo had already taken Elysia’s name multiple times, Bram followed suit naturally.

Elysia smiled. "And you as well, Lord Bram, Lord Lucien." She then turned to Theo with a small smirk. "And here I thought I would be the only one with older brothers watching over me."

"Oh?" Lucien raised a brow, clearly amused. "Then I assume you have a brother or two lurking around here as well? Is Regis here today?"

Elysia let out a soft sigh and nodded. "Yes, Eldest brother Regis is speaking with some of the other families alongside my father and mother, while my second brother… well, I imagine he is somewhere around." She swirled the drink in her hand.

"I would be glad to meet him again. The last time I saw Regis was at the academy. Our paths haven’t crossed since then," Lucien said with a nostalgic smile, as if he were an old man with a lifetime of experience.

"Perhaps Lord Lucien should attend more of these events; that way, you wouldn’t feel like you haven’t seen anyone for a long time," Elysia spoke, and Theo chuckled. It was the second time since she had made such a comment.

It felt like every conversation revolved around the Merricks rarely attending these gatherings. According to his father, the only reason was that it was an annoying place and that the Baron knew where he wasn’t needed.

"Perhaps you’re right." Lucien gave her a nod of appreciation before he spoke again. "Lady Elysia is quite mature for her age—it seems my brother has competition now."

Theo smiled at Lucien’s words but said nothing. He knew Lucien was just teasing, but Elysia was indeed different from the other noble children he had met so far. She carried herself with a confidence that most lacked, and her speech was sharp yet graceful—something even the older heirs struggled to maintain at times.

Elysia tilted her head slightly, her gaze flickering between the two brothers.

"Competition, you say? I wouldn’t dare challenge Lord Evolution Tamer," she said, her tone light with amusement. "After all, he is already quite famous for his unique path."

"Okay, you have to stop calling me that, Elysia," Theo said while chuckling. The name didn’t have a good ring to it.

"Oh, why is that~? It’s quite a catchy name," she spoke in a teasing manner.

Theo didn’t know whether to laugh or cry.

"I agree, that is quite a good name, Lord Evolution Tamer. Did you come up with it, Lady Elysia?" Lucien spoke from the side with thoughtfulness, making Theo feel like it was a mistake to meet her like this.

He did not want to be called by this nickname at all, but that now seemed impossible.

"Thank you," She spoked and looked back once before continuing, "Oh, my family is finally coming back. I shall call them here."

With that, Elysia left, and Theo let out a deep sigh. When he looked at Lucien, his eldest brother was waggling his eyebrows in a teasing manner.

"So you’re already on a nickname basis, huh? You’re quite fast for your age, Theo."