《Sage Knight》


 CHAPTER 1: Truck-san is such a menace

    CHAPTER 1: Truck-san


    It is 5:08 in a small village a few miles away from the city. People are already starting to open their shops. Life is harsh in a third world country like this, not even mentioning that this place is not even a large village. You have to work hard if you don''t want to starve. Working for 8 hours every day is not sufficient enough to feed a whole family if you are the only person who''s working in the household. Most of the people have to have about 3 to 4 side-jobs. The stores are opening up in this early hour. People say ''the early bird catches the early worm''.


    ''Clink!''


    One of the few convenience stores opened up. The place is a little old, like one of those stores in deserted places we see in the movies. Shelves packed with junk foods, a counter, a refrigerator. It doesn''t have everything, only the necessary stuff is present. A few moments later, two young men who are doing their morning exercises stopped at the convenience store and bought a few snacks then sat at a table. The taller one stood up and bought his favorite chocolate that he has forgotten to buy earlier before he went back to sit.


    "Hey Clint, how''s the racket I lent you? Pretty decent right? I used that when I won gold last interschool tournament, it''s a shame that I am unable to win this time around. Wanna buy it?" A guy in a grey tracksuit said to the person beside him.


    "You know that I don''t even have enough money for my tuition fees. How could I even pay for the racket? We''ve been friends for 12 years now James and you know my circumstances. Maybe I could just borrow it for a tournament or two?" Clint had his hands near James'' chest as if begging him. James is a young man about 19 years old, the same age as Clint who''s been his best friend since childhood. He''s got some muscles in the right places as he is an athlete. He''s pretty good at almost everything that he can be considered a genius. He is good at sports, music, arts, and studies. The only thing that''s holding him back is the fact that he is one of those jacks-of-all-trades, master of none. He can easily pick up things but is unable to further his proficiency towards it. His abilities in sports, music, arts, and studies can be considered good yet cannot be deemed as something special. It''s been like this since he was born. He''s not even mastered his own style of laughing yet.


    "I know man, it''s just that I''m kinda low on the budget right now. I just can''t live on cupped ramens, you know? We''re athletes, we must protect our bodies. . ." James shrugged as he started stretching his ankles. He''s still going to college and his house is a few kilometers away from school. There is no subway system or bus there. What''s worse is that the two places are connected by a large body of water. Yes, both of them are islands which is why it is pretty hard to travel back and forth every day. He''s got no other choice but to get rent a room.


    "I know, man. But please . . . just this once?" Clint begged as he bowed his head to reach his toes starting his own warm-up routine. "If I win one tournament, I might be able to buy that thing."


    "Well, that''s my lucky charm, too. I just bought it for 75 dollars but I still think that its performance is way beyond the price. If you win first place you might be able to buy at least two of those." James added as he sat down and asked Clint to help him. "Hey Clint, help me straighten my legs . . . I''m gonna go and reach my toes." The racket is just some sort of imitation. Although it is not a genuine kind of racket it still is pretty good. Life is harsh in this village and people can only result in this.


    "Yeah yeah. Wait up, I''ll just finish the 16 counts for both shoulders." Clint stopped his routine for a moment to help James.


    "I''ll lend it to you for now I guess. I haven''t had any gigs this past few weeks, I''m thinking of selling my ''Pearl'' crash cymbals or maybe my ''Ibanez'' acoustic guitar. I don''t use them that much anyway." James said as he reached for his toes in a heaving tone. Although he is not rich, he still has some sort of income. He plays in bars at night and some gigs in some sort of celebration in the city.


    After doing their own warm-up routines, they started jogging when Clint stopped for a while to do his shoelaces. When James is about to walk across the road, a speeding delivery truck who is rushing for his quota ran him over. In a split second, he was hit by the truck. Not even an inch of his body was spared.


    ''Oh damn. Was that a dog or something?'' The driver who''s just gotten sober had his face marked with horror.


    "Oh man. . . Sorry boy, I don''t wanna go to jail. I wanna preserve my purity. I''m a man after all. Hope you find happiness in the afterlife..." The man gasped for air before stepping at the pedal again.


    Too nervous that he might be taken by the police, the driver sped up leaving the body smashed into pieces. In this small village, it would be too hard for the police to investigate due to the lack of personnel and add up the fact that it is still pretty dark outside.


    Clint rose up and saw the bloody mess, which is the body of his best friend. Clint prayed for the soul of his friend before shouting for help.


    ''Oh, was it truck-san? Not bad, brother. You might just reincarnate. It''s a win-win for both of us. I get the racket for free, you get to be reincarnated. Hope goddess-sama won''t be too harsh on you.'' Clint thought to himself as he called for James'' family. Blue and red lights flashing as the police and ambulance arrived at the scene. The police station and hospital are just a few blocks away from the convenience store. It was a small village after all.


    If you find this story on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen. Please report the infringement.


    . . . .


    In another dimension, a family of three is running away from a group of masked men. Their masks are kind of cute to look at. Some of them are bunnies, cats, bees, fishes, and all sorts of animals. One even has an anime girl''s face with pink hair. I don''t know where they''d get that but it''s kinda hilarious to look at considering they wear a pitch-black ninja suit.


    "Grayson . . . I don''t think we can run away from these thugs. You go and stall for time. I''ll hide Priston away. I''ll come back after." The lady in red holding a child told the man he was running with.


    "Okay. But be careful and be quick. I don''t think I can defeat these guys even though their power can only be considered as minuscule, they''re just too many. But, I can last for about 20-30 minutes. Find our son a good spot and come back quickly. My hammer''s power can only hold out for that much."


    He swung the heavy hammer. A heavy gust of wind struck the pursuers, leaving some of them decapitated. He turned to distract the guys and then looked towards his wife, his eyes resolute hinting a little bit of nervousness.


    "I will, please wait for me, Grayson. I promise."


    Her eyes were full of regret. She knows that with this much pursuers, they won''t be able to leave the place alive.


    "Yes Freda, I''ll hold out. I can''t die just yet."


    Freda flew past the forest while Grayson is blocking the way of the masked men. A guy with a duck mask made it past Grayson and threw a rubber ducky towards Freda. It did not hit her but it caused an explosion. That yellow rubber ducky is actually some kind of grenade. Freda, caught by the explosion, had her legs bleeding heavily. She endured it and moved like nothing important happened. After seeing the scene, Grayson teleported and smacked the duck masked guy in the back of his head. The hammer''s speed has exceeded the speed of sound thus creating a shockwave. The hammer''s head has a massive diameter of 10 inches which is definitely bigger than the head of the duck masked guy. The masked guy, hit with a massive force, was sent flying away from the direction where Freda is heading.


    Freda arrived at a village. "Eyes of Revealing Light!" She cast a magic spell that enables her to see through walls as she surveyed the place. She saw a family eating inside their house. She barged in and instructed the lady to watch out for her son. She gave her 1000 gold coins which are enough for one to build a large house outside the empire''s walls. She took the money and greeted Freda with a large smile. Freda went and kissed her son''s forehead and bid him goodbye. She knew that this would be the last time that she''d be able to see her child.


    ''O Priston my son. May the great spirits guide you to be a strong man. May the great spirits give you a good bloodline. May the great spirits help you grow up and stay you away from harm. O Priston. Your mother and father have greatly inflicted you. We are sorry. Please grow up and be strong.''


    "This child is my son ma''am. His name is Priston. I hope that you take good care of him. This is another 1000 gold coins. This is for him. I''ll leave a spell to this pouch and he will only be the one who can take those gold coins out. Without his willingness, the gold coins will never come out of it. It is not that I do not trust you but this is for the safety of my son."


    "My name is Celia. I understand I will take great care of your son. This money will be enough for us to live for a long time without worrying about food. I appreciate your kindness. May I know her Excellency''s name?" Celia bowed her head as if she is talking to the Queen.


    "My name is not important. We have a lot of pursuers right now. I believe that with you here, my son will be spared. I am going now. I cannot waste any more time." Freda went her way out of the house as she glanced a look at her son and ran back to where Grayson is fighting against the masked assassins.


    . . . .


    "You cannot run anymore. Your wife has already deserted you. There is no point in fighting back anymore." A guy with a goldfish mask said as he threw a water ball spell towards Grayson.


    Grayson kept his mouth shut as he swung his hammer towards the incoming water ball. The assassins bombarded him with spells and weapons nonstop for the past 10 to 15 minutes.


    "You talk too much. Assassins are this lousy nowadays?"


    His defense can no longer hold out against such a barrage of long-ranged attacks. Such minuscule attacks may seem too gentle for him if it was a one on one fight but against this many opponents, his defense can only crumble and fall.


    "Rrroooooaaaarrrrrrrrrrrrrr!"


    Grayson shouted as he swung his hammer at full strength. The aura infused in the attack caused the surroundings to tremble. Even the assassins cannot do anything but bow down at the might of such an attack. The aura turned into a red semitransparent giant ox and rammed towards the enemy. Half of the assassination team was afflicted by the attack and about 10 people have died.


    Blood gushed from his body. That was all the force that he can manage to let out. He knew that he cannot escape his fate any further. A few breaths later, Freda appeared. She saw the state of her husband and shed a tear.


    ''We cannot escape our fates anymore. We can only die to let our son live. Even with our strength, we are still such pitiful creatures.''


    Freda took out the staff from her dimensional pouch. It is a legendary grade artifact called ''Blue Mist Divine Staff''. This legendary grade artifact was crafted through the efforts of both of them. This is the sole reason why they are being pursued by this group of assassins. A certain noble from another kingdom has set his eyes on the staff and sent a large group of assassins to take away the artifact. It can be said that it is one of the finest artifacts that is created by human hands. It is considered priceless by some collectors.


    Seeing his husband knocking at hell''s doors, she chanted a spell. A very powerful spell that can easily destroy everything within a 100-meter radius. This is a suicidal spell that is graded as a legendary spell called ''Starfall ''. A very powerful spell that is rarely seen on a normal battlefield. It is only used by those magicians who''ve lost hope as it also afflicts the caster as well. If Freda is in her top shape she might be able to pull off this spell with just having some minor injuries through stacking large amounts of defensive spells to herself but right now she has already drained all of her magic power.


    The heavens dimmed for a few seconds then began to illuminate as countless ''stars '' fell from the sky.


    "Sheeeeeeeeehhhhhh!"


    "Bbboooooooom!"


    "Bbboooooooom!"


    After a series of deafening attacks, everything went into silence. Every single assassin has died and the attack caused half of the entire forest to be burned into ashes. There is no trace of Freda and Grayson anymore. Even the legendary artifact ''Blue Mist Divine Staff'' is gone. All burnt into ashes. Such terrifying power. If a few of this spell appears on the battlefield, there''d be no battlefield anymore. Everything will be gone. Not even a speck of flesh and blood will remain. Everything will return back into dust just as it was in the beginning. Silence enveloped the land. No mourning, no anger, no happiness nor any bloodbath that occurred. Only silence.

 Chapter 2: Cute baby Priston and Nina?

    Chapter 2: Cute baby Priston and Nina?


    ''It''s so dark. Why can''t I see anything? Why can''t I hear anything? Did my senses suddenly turned bad due to extreme exercise?'' James cannot feel anything. He tried to move his limbs but to no avail, it was all pointless. As pointless as a flat tire.


    ''Man, did I go into the state of coma? Damnit, I shouldn''t have eaten too much chocolate. I''m too unlucky. Well, they''re delicious tho. That store offers the tastiest chocolates in town. I heard that they''re imported from Korea. Well, damn them chocolate companies. They''ve put poison in my food''


    Still in the dark, James cursed everyone in his mind. He still believes that it was the chocolate company that''s afflicted him of this curse. A few moments later, a small speck of light came from the edge of his vision.


    ''Oh shoot. Maybe it''s a surprise party? Maybe they gagged me to make me be surprised more. I guess it''s not my family who did this. They don''t have that much money. Maybe one of my friends from the loan sharks. Well, they''re pretty humble people so maybe I can talk it out with them. I didn''t even loan much from them. Just a few thousand and they''re this happy to see me? I guess I can''t outrun them with their bikes. Hmmph. This life is lonely.''


    After a few more hours have passed, everything has been enveloped by the same small light from before. He is no longer in the dark. He can now see that he is in a small house that he is not accustomed to. He saw a few giant people looking at him. He felt like crying but he toughed it up.


    "Oh, such a brave child. Well, his mother is such an awesome person. How can her child be anything normal?" A giant wearing a dirty pink dress talked to another giant then looked at James with a pouting face.


    "Oooooh. Such a cute baby. What''s your name again? Was it Presto? Hey honey. Was it Presto?"


    ''Who''s Presto? I''m James. The very beautiful genius James.''


    "It''s written in the cloth mom. It is Priston. The baby''s name is Priston and not Presto. What the heck is Presto?" A smaller giant with a child''s face told the bigger giant. Based on her looks, she''s about at the age of 13 to 14 years old. She has a very delicate face in spite of living in poverty for the rest of her life.


    ''These people are giants. Goddamn, how is it that I have no strength in my limbs. I can only do swimming motions. Maybe I''m a baby right now. Maybe I''ve transmigrated. Lucky me! Hey, system! Come out! Come out I say!'' Nothing responded.


    ''Damn. What can I do? I just can''t talk right away right? I''ll wait for two more years. I''ll show them how much of a genius I am. Wait for me demon king. I''ll smash you into a paste with my holy sword and take the demon queen for myself. Yeah, that''s right. I''m born to be a hero. Mwahahahaha.'' He''s read too much ''Isekai'' manga.


    "Goo goo gaa gaa. Da da!" James bluffed. Or should we say Priston now? Okay. Priston bluffed.


    "Oh, such an energetic child. You wanna play with Nina, right? Hey, Nina play with the baby!" Shouted the giant lady.


    "Mom you''re pushing the bothersome tasks to me again." She took the baby from her mom.


    "You''re dreaming. How can I do that? I''m a mom. I do what''s best for my daughter."


    "Yeah yeah. Peek-a-boo. Blah Blah. Hey baby. Can you fetch? Let''s play fetch. I like playing with Sparky before. Well, he got run over by a horse chariot due to playing too much fetch."


    ''Damn. What kind of family is this? Do they think I''m a dog?'' Priston told himself.


    "Don''t worry. That won''t happen to you. I''m gonna restrain myself. We won''t play fetch on the road yet. You''re too young after all. We''re gonna play fetch at the pig farm. You''re worth a thousand gold coins after all. When you grow up, get me a prince or a noble''s son as a husband okay? By the way, If you don''t fetch I''ll spank you in the butt. Not as hard as I do with Sparky. You don''t have to worry. Sparky is different after all. He is a level 4 Dark wolf by the way." She looks like a little girl reminiscing the past where she played with her loyal dog. A face with no taint of evil. Yep. Her face looks angelic. Well, demons are angels too.


    ''Lucky me. I think this girl is a sadist'' Priston thought to himself. And that''s how things began for James.


    ''Life''s gonna be hard. Better grow up faster.''


    . . . .


    After 2 more years...


    "Celia! This is just too much. Buy some new clothes for me. I only wore rags for the past two years. What will you say to my family if they''ve known this?" James decided to start talking now. He is too fed up by the family''s way of ''caring'' towards him. He needs a new atmosphere. Even though he is not someone with wealth back on Earth, he still longs for something more convenient. After all, he is still a human who came from a world full of convenience.


    Celia is flabbergasted. Horror filled her face as she paled instantly. She stiffened by the sudden occurrence.


    "Oh! You look pretty pale, do you even eat enough Meat? Hey Marcus! Take her to the doctor. She doesn''t look too good right now. Oh! You too? What happened? Something wrong with your food? Glad I haven''t eaten yet." This was his first time to talk after all. He hid it well for the past two years.If you stumble upon this narrative on Amazon, it''s taken without the author''s consent. Report it.


    ''I''m gonna surprise you more! Mwahahaha.'' Priston thought as he starts his plans. Even though he''s still at the age of two, he''s still a 20ish-year-old dude living in a child''s body. He''s already made plans for himself. Back when his name is still James, he''s a good leader at school. Even though his talents are not at the level of a master, for a college student, it is still something good. Due to him being a genius, he''s always the one who makes decisions in school works. He''s really good at planning. One time when he is tasked to train the neophytes of the tennis club, he planned the training ''really well'' which caused the ''poor'' young ones to leave the training camp devoid of any hard substance in their body. Yup, they''re beaten into a paste. After the incident, the neophytes trained hard in order to be better than him so that they can exact their revenge. It was all in his plans. They became pretty good and he is rewarded by the club advisor. Win-win for them. They became better and he''s got some hard cash.


    Back to the topic, Priston has already planned his debut. First is to shock them to death which he has already done. The next step is to tell them about what he knew so that they won''t be able to move their hands against him. And finally, control their lives like poor little puppets. Just like how a psychopath does with his targets.


    "I knew my parents gave you a thousand gold coins. I heard it a few months ago. Do you think I''m an idiot just because I''m still young? I''ll be a good boy and give you time to think this through. Why do you think my parents gave you the money? Do you think they''d just leave a genius of a son here for nothing? I guess they''re still in the vicinity. You know how lions are raised right?"


    This child. He sure knows how bluff. He''s really good at bluffing. It''s pretty normal for people to lie but this guy sure is a great liar. After all, he''s raised at school and we all know that students are great liars.


    "Young master . . . I''m sorry for this treatment. I hope that your parents won''t come after us. Your majesty, please appease your anger." Celia went on her knees and bowed her head to the ground. She''s too nervous to even move an inch. She knew just how powerful this kid''s parents are. After he was given to them, a huge explosion was heard from the place they were at that time. The next day the soldiers were gasping for breath as they saw a huge crater at the edge of the forest. It was a very brutal scene. Everything around it was turned into ash. The whole place is as black as charcoal. Everyone from that village moved away in fear that some overlord creatures might attack them. They''re just a normal hunting village with an average strength of level 4. Even Marcus who''s known as the leading hunter from the village is only level 6 which is already almost a peak knight level.


    "You need not bow down. It''s okay that you treat me like a normal family member. We''ve been together for two years after all. Even though I''ve not been treated for my birthday for the past few years, it''s not a problem. I don''t even remember the time when I am born. I don''t even mind sleeping on the couch even though Nina is all alone in that 2-meter wide bed. She''s a young lady after all and I''m a young man myself. It''s all about manners right? Yes, it''s about manners. I don''t even want to talk about how all of you eat at the table while I eat on the ground. I already understood the logic behind it. I''m still too short to even reach the table so I can only eat in my precious bowl with a brand name ''Sparky''. It''s actually alright since Sparky also means light right? Like how my parents brought down ''sparkling'' things down to the forest right? You really take good care of me. You even want me to always be reminded of my parents. You really are such sweet people. I know you have cared for me like your own family too. I''m too lucky. I''m not angry at all." Priston said that in a very cute and innocent manner like it''s all from the heart. Back then when his name was still James, he tried to become an actor. Confident of his own looks, he auditioned for a leading role. Never would he have thought that it is some kind of erotic indie film. He''s got no way to back out and so he tried his best and that''s how he found out that he''s actually got some talent in acting. Never would he have thought that it may be of good use in another world.


    Shocked by what they heard all three of them bowed down to prostrate themselves. They''re scared to their wits. They''ve never heard of any 2-year-old child that can talk like this. Even his memory is flawless. Maybe it is actually true that children below 4 years old have the best learning abilities. They dared not to move. They really think that if they moved an inch right now his parents would send someone to ''take care of them''. They''ve never thought that the child of a tiger can already be at the level of an adult at the age of 2. Silence enveloped the house. The house they are right now is a white bungalow with a black roof. It cannot be called shabby. It''s almost better than his rented house back on earth three times. The house has 2 rooms, a master''s bedroom where the two of them reside, and another room for their daughter Nina. It has a kitchen, a bathroom, and a living room. A standard house for people in the middle class living in this era. Of course, there still is no toilet. There''s only a hole in the ground where people dump their feces. Even though this is the case, there is a good sewage system in there as they are outside the empire''s walls. They''re not poor anymore. They have a good business of buying and selling monster carcasses. They buy them from hunters from remote villages and sell them at the market inside the empire''s walls. Even though they are outside the walls, there are still some strong soldiers that are on patrol.


    "I''d like you to treat me like a normal person. I don''t want any grandeur and whatnot. I have some gold coins here and a few health potions. My parents are alchemists and blacksmiths. I want you to enroll me into a good school for both martial arts and magic. Please stand up." Priston said in a very cute voice. He''s still considered a baby so almost anything he does can be deemed cute. He is also too good looking for his age. This cuteness can''t be seen much because of how poor his condition is but once he takes a few more baths and dressed well, he might even make the princesses fall for him.


    "Yes, your majesty. Do you want me to teach you some of the martial arts I know? Oh and your majesty, it seems that you do not have a bloodline. Maybe your parents are pioneers. They might have made a bloodline after you were born. Those with noble blood all have bloodlines after all." Marcus said that in a self-deprecating manner. If his parents do not have bloodlines, how come they are that strong? That must only mean that they are pioneers. It is hard to find a suitable beast to turn into a bloodline so maybe his parents are still on the look for those monsters.


    "Please call Priston as you usually do. And please teach me some martial arts. By the way, what are bloodlines, Mr. Marcus?" Priston said in a cheerful tone. This is his chance. He knew that he is someone talented. A hero. He will wield the ''Holy Sword'' and slay the Demon King. That''s what all those past transmigrators do right?


    "Oh yes, Priston dear. I am taken aback by your intelligence and forgot that you are still an infant and that the world of cultivation is new to you. How may I start this? Uhmmm. Bloodline is the power to make one person stronger than other people. If one''s martial arts and cultivation are compatible with their bloodline, they will be a lot stronger than those who are in the same cultivation level. If their martial arts and cultivation deviate with that of the bloodline, their strength will be lower than those of the same level. My father told me once that I must be careful with the martial arts that I choose for it may not only slow down my progress but also make me weaker. I''m also a bloodline user by the way!" Marcus explained while looking smug as if bragging.


    "Oh! Mr. Marcus is actually really strong? Are you stronger than my parents? What''s your bloodline, Mister? "


    "My dear Priston, I would never ever say that I am stronger than your parents. I am but a speck of dust in front of them. I am a level 6 knight and I''m pretty strong against other knight level martial artists but your parents are all above level 21 at the very least. Only a transcendent can do that much damage. My bloodline is nothing prestigious. It''s just a Red Leaf Raccoon. It doubles my speed and nothing more. It''s a pretty low-level bloodline. Nothing to brag about."

 Chapter 3: Pristons First Practice

    Chapter 3: Priston''s First Practice


    On a lawn small outside the Empire''s walls, two people can be seen facing each other, holding wooden swords, watching the sky as the sun moves away from the horizon. One was a bulky middle-aged man, Marcus, and one was a little guy half the former''s size, Priston. Small birds are chirping and singing sweet melodies. Of course, these birds are not ones that can be seen from Earth. These small birds are of yellow color and lightning bolts are engraved in their wings. They are called Buzzwings by the people of this world. They fly at a very fast speed and sometimes leaves some sort of electric spark as they flap their wings. Priston was astonished by those strange creatures. He''s never made it past the door by his own and the only place that can be called outdoor that he''s ever ventured, by his own, is the pigpen. As you can expect the pigs there are also not normal. They have green fur and has some small red spots on their bodies. It does not look disgusting, but you can call it bizarre, at least. At first glance, you can already tell that they''re poisonous. But that is not the case. These hogs are actually very tasty. Their meat is very delicious. There is a very low amount of fat in their meat considering it is pork. The meat produced is marbled similarly to that of Wagyu beef. The quote ''You can''t judge a book by its cover'' really applies in this context. Looking at them, Priston starts to drool. Meat! Meat is something that is rarely fed to him. He thought of how much meat he can eat if he becomes strong one day. Then he cast that off his mind and turned to his new master, Mr. Marcus.


    "Master, I am ready for your teachings!" Priston said in a very gleeful manner. Hitting his chest with his fist.


    "You don''t have to be too formal. But that''s still good. It is my first time to have an apprentice. Uhmm... Put down your sword and follow my steps." He planted his foot to ground at the distance that is wider than his shoulder and then bent his knees. He lowered his body while extending his back backward by a few degrees while maintaining it straight. He closed his fist in both hands, curling every finger until the tip touches the palm. He extended his left leg slightly forward then put his fists above his waist then shouted.


    "Roooooaaaaaarrrr"


    He swung his right fist forward while stepping his right leg forward at the same time. He then pulled the right arm back to where it was before the punch.


    ''Psiiiii''


    Air has condensed itself around his arms which caused some sort of wind to gush out into the surrounding.


    "You can do it with me. This technique where you clench your fist and strike is a very strong basic skill used by every martial practitioner around the world. Even the strongest gods use this kind of technique to fight. Although it is a very primitive art, it is still something humans has been endowed with, thus after thousands of years have passed this technique has been refined to the fullest and has made to become one of the strongest techniques. This technique is called punching. You can start now. The stronger the roar the cooler it is."


    Priston is dumbfounded by this. He cannot stop himself from cursing this so-called ''master'' of his. How can a simple punch be called a technique used by gods? And what''s with the roar thingie? Is it really that effective? I''ve seen a lot of martial arts movies and they do this thing a LOT of times. Maybe it kind of works in this world for some reason, I guess?


    ''Do you think of me as a fool? I''ve known this skill for the rest of my life. I''ve even punched a few of my classmates back in high school. Can you have anything like ''Sky Breaking Stone Fist'' or something? A punch is a godly skill? Really?''


    ''I''d look dumb. Man. Forget it, I''ll just do it.''


    "Master? I''m afraid this technique cannot even hurt those little piggies in the pen. How can you teach me such low leveled technique?" Priston frowned as he looked at his master with pitiful eyes. He didn''t think that this knight is actually a weak person.


    "Priston my student, this is only a basic technique. Once you have mastered this stance and technique you can change it however you want. Techniques such as ''Heaven Splitting Stone Fist'' is just a variation of this technique. Just try it out for a few thousand times and I assure you that you will be a lot stronger." Marcus explained in a scholarly manner. He looked like one of those Buddhist monks, full of wisdom and enlightenment.


    ''He''s not wrong with that. I guess I''ll just try it out. If master it in a day I''m gonna show this off later.''


    Marcus bid him goodbye and made his way out of the field. He still has his job at the shop and some patrolling at night. Priston did what Marcus has taught him. He planted his right foot to the ground first then his left foot a little longer than a shoulder away. He slightly slanted his shoulder as he lowered his body while maintaining a straight back. He then put his fists above his waist and let out a jab. He then continued and used his other fist.


    "Psiiii"


    ''Maybe I should try letting out some roar too?''


    "Roar."


    He wanted it to sound like that of a strong person''s but the way it came out sounds cute. He''s still around 2 to 3 years old after all. Rather than having the strength of a lion''s roar, it can only be considered as a cat''s purr.


    "Man, that''s kind of embarrassing. I''ll just continue to do it for now until I get used to it I guess." He blushed. He focused his thoughts and stopped doing some roars. He''s glad that nobody''s there to see him do some embarrassing stuff. He thought of a lot of things like maybe he can try practicing the 18 Lohan Fists that he saw on the internet or maybe the Taichi Fist he saw on TV. He''s getting very excited. He''s never been this frantic about something before. He never tried doing some martial arts before as military training for students has been dismissed by the President.


    He''s been at it for a few hours now. His body is drenched with sweat. After a few more repetitions, his arms went numb.


    "Oh damn. I''m such an irresponsible athlete. I did a strenuous routine without loosening my body yet. The coach will get angry for me with this if I were still in the tennis club. My body is still small and I can''t do strenuous activities right now. Maybe I''d just do about 30 minutes of practice every day. Too much of these will stunt my growth. I don''t want to be like my past self. I wanna be as tall as Mike."


    The James before can already be considered tall back in the village. It can be considered that Asians are definitely shorter than other races. The people from the Philippines are smaller than other Asian people in terms of height. Although shorter in height, these people have better build than the others and well-endowed on other stuff, too.


    Right now, Priston is just a small boy. His body''s composition later cannot be calculated yet. But one thing is for sure. He can only outgrow his previous self. His hair is blonde, eyes are green, and skin is white, which means that he is from a race that can grow bigger than other races if proper nutrition is given.


    ''I don''t want to be 174 cm and 60 kg again. I want to be at least 190 cm and 75 kg. I want to tower everyone with my height. I wanna be a walking monolith''


    Being a big and strong person is like the American Dream for men. No one wants to be small. It can be effeminate for a man to be short and thin. Only the one who dominates all can be considered as the ''alpha''.


    Afterward, Priston went inside to take a bath. His steps are small and his body is tired. It took a few minutes for him to get into the tub. After the bath, he felt that his strength has grown. His body is refreshed. He saw that the tub is filled with dark-colored liquid that resembles oil.


    ''Wait, these things aren''t here before! Where did these things come from? Maybe this came from my body. I read in some cultivation novels that if the body has undergone some sort of change within, the body will expel irregularities in the form of black liquids. Maybe my body doesn''t have those yet because I''m still too young that''s why it''s not completely black.''


    This drew a smirk to his face. He felt happy because now he has made his first step towards cultivation.


    "Wait for me, Demon King! After I''ve grown stronger, I''ll take your head off and give it to the Emperor. Maybe he''d give me one of the princesses to marry!"


    He shouted. Nina, who was in the other room responded to him.


    "Young master! I think you''ve eaten too much sugar again! You''re getting pretty hyper lately." Nina shouted. She''s pretty tamed now. She''s pretty old now and she understood that it would be best now to aggravate this dude''s parents. She went back to what she''s doing after reminding the boy not to get too noisy.


    "Sorry! I''ll stay quiet now. Haha." He blushed a little bit. It was quite embarrassing.


    ''I almost forgot that this girl has a bad temperament and doesn''t like noise. Even though I''m called a young master now, I still can''t rule out the fact that this girl is a pure sadist. Even though she said that in a gentle manner, I can still feel my hair standing. What a scary girl. I hope the best for your future husband and children. Don''t die young, kids. Also, stay away from the leash. Please note the leash. You won''t like having a leash on your neck.''


    . . . .


    7 years have passed. Priston has grown taller. He''s now about 144 cm and 35 kg. He''s really tall considering his age of 9 years old. His master Marcus has broken through level 7 and now a knight at level 9. Great knights are not rare. Every large city has at least about 40 to 50 of them. The capital city, Hereros, alone, where the Emperor''s castle is located, has more than 150 of them. Although they are not rare, their strengths are needed by the empire and they are superior to normal Knights. More importantly, Marcus is has a bloodline and bloodline users can be stronger than others. He does not have a high rank within the walls but outside the wall, he is one of the most respected people. He is one of the few people to be given the authority to mobilize troupes to patrol the vicinity. The business is now being handled by Nina, who has also ranked up into a level 5 knight. At the age of 23, it can be said that her talent is pretty respectable, considering that she wasn''t enrolled in any knight school. Her techniques can only be considered basic but at the very least, she can protect herself from low-leveled beasts. On the other hand, due to him restraining his practice hours, Priston has never made it past level 2. Although the level is not that high, only a few people have reached level 1 at the age of 9. Their bodies cannot support the amount of internal energy and mana yet, as they were too young still. Priston is an exception. He has already started cultivation at the age of 2. Although kept minimal, a 7-year cultivation time is already pretty long. If you can''t level up by a level before then, you can only be considered thrash. This is an age where other children cannot even stand and walk properly yet.Unauthorized usage: this tale is on Amazon without the author''s consent. Report any sightings.


    Marcus and Priston are in a meeting right now with other elders of the association. They are old people, mostly mages at the level of 8 to 14, and only a few of the people among them are knights. This meeting was assembled due to the appearance of a Great Sage of level 19. He is Trepolos Hali, a Storm Sage. An existence that summons great winds and lightning within the battlefield. They are priced greatly by rulers due to their extreme expertise in large-scaled attack spells. They are one of the most vicious magic casters. He is already a mid-stage Great Sage which is very rare to find. In small cities, there can only be around 2-3 level 15 and above Sages while there usually are at least 10 level-15 and above Sages within the Capital. This guest is among those 10 Great Sages. His reason for coming is to visit his brother. A level 14 late-staged Thunder Mage named Pedro Hali. They are named as the ''Thunder and Storm Hali Brothers'' due to their distinct specialties. They have made a name on the battlefield when they slaughtered almost a tenth of the total mages at the other end sweeping them in one go which gave them the title the ''Twin Typhoons''.


    Trepolos started a school called Trepolos Warlord School. As its name indicates, it is a school specialized in cultivating young individuals into warlords. He likes to pursue knowledge and peace. I have read a novel back then which says ''It is lonely to be peerless'' which applies really well with this situation. Due to his strength, nobody dares to talk to him in fear of being smitten to death. This is the reason why he initiated to open a school. To be able to interact with different people. On the other hand, Perdue is someone who likes war and battles. Although his cultivation level is lower, his fighting power can already be considered to be around the level of a Great Sage. The only thing that''s been holding them both back from being the best duo under the transcendent level is their lack of Bloodline. This is why the two of them assembled this meeting.


    ''Marcus also told them that I have a good backing and some pretty decent potential, so they let me in the meeting.''


    "My name is Trepolos, a level 19 Great Sage and the brother of Pedro. I believe that you already are aware of this. I guess everyone is here now. I shall start with the first topic of this meeting." Trepolos started the meeting as he glanced around the room.


    Trepolos looks like what everyone can picture out when they think of a Great Sage. He''s got a Wizard''s hat, a long cane, and wears a black leather robe that goes way below his foot covering his entire body. His face hinted a vast amount of intelligence and wisdom. He looks like his age is about 90 but he said that he''s only 80 years old. He kinda looks like Mer**n or Gan**lf from the movies, a walking library. His brother Pedro, on the other hand, looks around 40 to 45 years old. Pretty young for a Level 14 mage, but don''t be deceived. This guy is already 68 years old. This is due to his exercising frequently. His strength has already reached that of a level 7 Knight. He is a genuine battle freak. He wears a war helm and a black armor with hints of silver and gold as highlights. In his hand is a mace with sharp spikes on the end, quite the opposite of his brother Gan**lf, I mean Trepolos. He doesn''t even look similar to any Mage. He looks like someone you would fear to fight in a close-ranged battle or any other battles.


    "Our first agenda is to select 15 people to be part of our bloodline organization. As I have counted. . . there are only 14 people here. We are lacking one more person." His hoarse voice ringed throughout the room. Trepolos is not aware of the existence of Priston. He thought that this kid is only here to see sightsee. How could a child even know anything about this cardinal event? They started right away and forgot to inform him about this.


    "Ehem." He coughed. Not that he''s got something within his system, it''s just some sort of mannerism done by those who''ve got something important to say. You know, the rituals done by boomers. " Brother, I believe that we are already complete. There are 15 people here." He looked at Priston with gentle eyes. "I am sorry that my brother has offended you young sir Farlake." Despite him looking like this, he is an easygoing person. He knows that having a bad temperament will lead him to no good.


    "You mean this young man right here is part of our organization." He was taken aback for a moment. He steadied his gaze towards the child and snorted a bit, not even hiding his disdain. His age and experience made him realize that children of this age must not be taken seriously. He knows that kids like this are mischievous. " I hope that you take this matter seriously, brother. This is important to us and you know this very well. We can''t just fit in a brat just because we are lacking a person. This kid doesn''t even seem to comprehend a speck of mana, not to mention that he is still too young." Trepolos grunted. He is not always this kind of person, but due to circumstances, he cannot let anything mess this thing up. This is a very important thing for him and his brother.


    "Brother, this young sir is willing to help us right now. Did you remember the crater at the edge of the forest at that time? The black one? That is a legendary grade spell called ''Starfall'', right? It was his parents who made that. Can you still say that this young sir is not worthy of being a part of our organization? " Pedro calmly stated.


    "But can you actually know if it is the truth? I can even say I birthed the emperor and no one will know if it is true or not because the queen mother and the late emperor has died already. His parents are not even here." Trepolos slammed his hand to the table. He is starting to get furious about what his brother is behaving. It is really a ridiculous statement. How can anyone know if it was the truth when there''s no one around who has seen it first hand?


    "My man here Marcus is the one that''s been entrusted by the boy''s parents. If you do not believe the first evidence of this young man''s worth then the second evidence will do." Pedro said in a serene voice.


    "What is it then? Tell me." Trepolos settled down a little bit. He became interested about the second sham evidence his brother is gonna say.


    "Why not you look at his cultivation level?"


    Pedro looked smug as he said that. He grinned a little bit showing a set of shining white teeth. There is no toothbrush or toothpaste in this world so how can his teeth be that white? The answer is magic. Magic has always been the answer. If you can''t fly then why not use magic? Magic is a mysterious force. As long as you understand the principle of how one magic works it will become easier to research more magic similar to this. This is a reason why most mages dared not to stray from their original magical path.


    Trepolos stared at Priston for a few seconds then activated his magic field to sense the power of Priston. It is hard to notice a warrior''s aura at an early stage if you do not have a strong sensing ability. After sensing Priston''s power, he was taken aback by this child''s potential.


    "You are not even 10 yet you have strength stronger than a level 1 knight. What a terrifying potential. If you go to my school, I''ll assure you that I will protect you like a precious gem. You are indeed qualified to become one of my bloodline inheritors. I believe you have already reached level 2 a few days ago, right?" Trepolos said in glee. He did not expect to see a genius outside of the walls. Not only is it a genius but a once in a millennium type of genius. Even the Emperor''s successors will be put to shame by this child''s potential.


    ''Man, that''s quick. Who would have thought that this guy will change his stand right away?''


    Priston nodded his head without saying anything. It is a complacent way of answering that he learned from reading a lot of novels from Q**an. The one who speaks less gets to take away the princess.


    ''Yeah. Lick my feet normie. Everyone will acknowledge the greatness of this young lord one day. Wait till I give you the head of the Demon King.'' Priston smirked internally. He did not want to show this side of him to others. He wants to be remembered as someone honorable.


    "You can easily be a transcendent at the age of 50! It is my pleasure to impart my bloodline to you, young sir." His view has widened. He''s never seen someone with this level of talent.


    "I don''t think so. I can reach the Transcendent realm before 20. I''m not some normie like you, simp." Is what Priston wants to say. If it was his friend back on Earth, he would most definitely say this but not right now. This is his chance to have a good bloodline. He dared not to offend a great sage. He knew that potential can only be of use if one has life.


    "Thank you for your bountiful remarks, good sir. With your guidance and help, I might be able to do so." Priston bowed his head and put his right hand to his chest where his heart is located. This shows some kind of respect done by those who are of lower standing.


    "There is no need for you to bow like that. We are of equal standing now. After this, we will become brothers for life. You''ll have an 80-year-old brother. How fun is that?" Trepolos joked for a bit showing that he is an agreeable guy, different from what he showed before.


    "So let us move to the next agenda. Brother Trepolos here does not have enough Life stones to be used. 2 out of 3 Life stones that both of us have amassed from the past 10 years have been stolen last night. I don''t have any clue as to where we can get another. We can only go for the one who stole the stones." Pedro honestly said. This could be a very big issue for them. They could waste a lot of time and resources just to find another replacement. He showed a Black stone that is filled with dark clouds. It looks ethereal, like some kind of ghost is sealed in there. The truth is there is actually a ghost that is stored in there and it is a lightning type ghost.


    "I''ve got some stones here. Wanna see if it fits the bill?" Preston suggested.


    "The AUDACITY!" Strong energy erupted as a man slammed his foot to the ground. Cracks formed at the floor yet his foot is completely fine. The stomp is infused with internal energy. "This is not some kind of game, kid. If you wanna play, go play somewhere else. We don''t need your marbles here." Khalil, a burly giant of a man said with a mocking tone. He is a friend of Trepolos and a level 12 Great Knight and an instructor in Trepolos Warlord School.


    "I''m sorry, young sir. Knight Khalil is a man who is always honest with what he says. He doesn''t think before speaking at all. Can you show us the stones, mister Farlake sir?" Trepolos cleared the name of Knight Khalil before Priston in order to avoid conflict later on.


    "Hey, Headmaster! What the heck man? You taking his side now cause he''s got some good potential? How ''bout the years we spent together as colleagues ey?" Khalil Protested.


    "Sirs, this is the two stones I want to show you." He took out two stones of different colors and characteristics. One is a green stone with a leaf engraved at the center part and the other is a brown metallic stone with sparks flying inside. Both of the stones look very enticing. They are very good to the eyes, unlike the one that is shown by Pedro to them.


    "Where did you get these young sir? The first one is an alchemy stone. This stone can only be made by putting a magic stone within cauldron where potions are made. It needs to experience and absorb a large amount of essence from at least 100 different herbs. This is so awesome!" Trepolos exclaimed. This is definitely better than capturing a wandering ghost and inserting it into a magic stone.


    "The other one is a blacksmith''s magic stone. A stone that has been cast then hammered for more than 100 times. This needs some tedious work. Only a master craftsman with at least a level of a transcendent realm expert can do this. A rare find. Where did you get this, kid?" Khalil who is also a blacksmith said these with widened eyes. He''s been wrong about anything he thinks about this kid since the first second.


    ''Tremble before the might of this mighty being, simps. Mwahahahaha'' This is what he''s got in his brain. But his face showed nothing. He showed his facade up. A Perfect trickster. Even the best poker players cannot do this.


    "This came from the pouch my parents have given me. They are important to me. This organization is also important to me, so I''ll willingly agree to use these stones for the bloodline formation." Priston smiled.


    " Everything is set now. I present to you this beast mark. This level 21 beast is called Thunderlord Earthen Grizzly. A very vicious beast that can only be seen at thunder''s peak. Is there anyone of you that do not like this little teddy here?" Pedro looked serious now. It''s not that beast marks are hard to find, but the fact that it is a level 21 beast that has the same property as the both of them, makes him quite wary of his surroundings.


    No one responded. This shows that everyone clearly agrees that this monster is worthy of being a bloodline. After everything has been settled, they all went underground to start the ceremony.

 Chapter 4: Bloodline Formation

    Chapter 4: Bloodline Formation


    The stairway leading underground is very spacious. It also has a very good design. This thing is an escalator. What''s strange is that this escalator not only does not need electricity to run. It can also move in an arc path. They don''t have to stop and use another escalator because this escalator can readily take you to the lowest part because it can move along the shape of the path. What''s more strange is that you can''t see it move. You can just feel that it''s actually moving and that you are getting nearer to the platform. After a few minutes in the escalator, everyone has landed on the platform. Each of them took a seat, only Trepolos made his way towards the altar.


    "I will now start the ceremony." He looked serious. His hoarse voice resonated throughout the entire room. He glanced at the crowd and murmured something like a spell of some sort. He took a knife and cut a wound at his wrist. Blood gushed out of the wound. The blood rushed out so fast and Trepolos looked quite pale. He did not stop to put a bandage on the wound as he moved his other hand to signal the others to bring out their knives. Everyone, including Priston, took their knives and cut their own wrists. Blood gushed out and dripped into the floor. The floor has marks that looked like some ancient text.


    Trepolos then took out the beast mark and put it at the top of the small obelisk-like structure that is around 30 inches in height and has a width of 10 inches. He used fire magic to light up the whole altar below. A speck of light can be seen and the beast mark starts to float midair. He then brought the three magic stones towards the beast mark. A few breaths later, the stones floated away from his hands and circled the beast mark. He withdrew himself from the altar and took a seat. After a few seconds, the circling of the stones began to move faster and faster until the whole place became dark. The symbols on the ground also lit up like fire burning but with different colors. They felt that their souls have been displaced somewhere. A gush of spiritual energy rushed towards their bodies. Every vein and arteries in their bodies started to lit up. They felt an extreme pain within their hearts akin to being burned alive. A giant spirit bear wearing a fur made of lightning bolts has emerged above the obelisk. It engulfed the beast mark along with the 3 stones. The giant then turned into millions and billions of tiny particles and entered their screaming mouths. All of them have prepared for this but never did they think that this thing could hurt so badly. Not only does it hurt like hell, it even triggered the wounds in their wrists.


    "Asuna Yuki! Inori Yuzuriha! Kallen Kozuki! Nakiri Erina! Kakyoin Tenmei! Please help this lowly me." Only those who are experiencing extreme pain will ever pray to their anime waifu. If this ever happens, that''s when you''ll know that it truly hurts.


    A few moments later, everyone blacked out. Due to the extreme pain, not even one of them has remained conscious. The scene looked like some cults, serving a virgin to their gods to appease their anger.


    . . . .


    Three hours have passed when everyone has started to wake up. Their wrists are devoid of any cuts and bruises. There is only a glowing mark that looked like a bear bellowing. The mark is blue in color and is about 2-3 inches in diameter. Priston stood up and dusted his shirt. The pain has dissipated and he can feel a new power coursing through his veins. His height has increased by 2-3 centimeters. He can feel that his body composition has become better. His bones have grown denser, his hair longer, eyes sharper. Every aspect of his physique has improved by a level. His cultivation, however, has not grown into the next level. Rather, it seems like he can manipulate his internal energy pretty well right now. The forces within his body seem to be energized like a battery. The thunder type bloodline starts to show why it is a thunder type bloodline. Lightning energy can be felt slithering through the air. Vast amounts of them swirled in the atmosphere. It is a very momentous event for the organization.


    After a few more breaths, the tumultuous energy started to slow down as it gradually disappears. After the last speck of lightning has dissipated, everyone greeted each other. They moved out of the altar hall and into the ''escalator''. Their faces looked so happy. They walked through the corridor and into a large open space that looks like a dining hall. The floor is furnished with marble and wood. The rectangular tables and chairs looked pretty luxurious too. They''re made of some sort of wood similar to Mahogany, engraved with carvings of knight-like figures and magicians in their robes and staffs. Such battlefield junkies, everything within this place looks like something made for warriors. The ceiling looks nothing special. There are a few chandeliers here and there. Of course, the theme is also about the battlefield. There are also some knight''s armors around the corners of the hall. At the front, a large stuffed bear whose color is nothing like those bears on Earth. The beast''s fur is bluish in color with specks of tiny yellow thunderbolts here and there. It has a very striking appearance that might scare a granny to death with just a glance.


    Everyone walked into the large table at the center and saw that there are lots of food served. A buffet, something that''s very popular with rich and fat people. Back in the Philippines, every single time there is a festival, each family must serve at least a few dishes for the visitors. It''s an all-you-can-eat buffet. People come and go and you need to serve each and every one of them until they are full. Other visitors, such as James, not only stop at a single house to eat, they ravage around the whole town rummaging every house and emptying their food source. Even though people are poor, they still know how to have fun, and food is one of them.


    "I know you are all tired and aching." Trepolos'' hoarse voice resonated throughout the hall. He clapped his palms together, showing a very welcoming gesture and said. "I cannot let you all go out and rest your bodies yet. We must treasure this day and have fun! We are all brothers now. We are bloodline users now!" He showed a gleeful attitude, opposing his antiquated appearance.


    "Yeah! Brothers for life!" Everyone shouted full happiness and vigor. Their fists up in the air like some children agreeing to go to the beach while not telling their moms.


    Pedro stood up and went and gave a toast to everyone. "Men, this is the start of our journey towards immortality. May we all be guided by the spirits. May the spirits join us in this joyous moment and bless us with their protection. Our hope lies in you. May we grow together as brothers! May we become peerless under heaven! Let us all conquer all of the earth! Our names will make the seas stop! Our shadows will make the mountains tremble! We will become peerless!" Pedro''s voice is very manly and deep. He stomped his feet and sent out a very heavy aura. It sent shivers to everyone in the hall. Even the servants fell down their knees in response to this man''s strength.Unauthorized reproduction: this story has been taken without approval. Report sightings.


    "We will become peerless!" Everyone shouted in response to Pedro''s little speech. Everyone gasped for breath as they were all elated. They felt the adrenaline rush into their brains like some dope sniffing junkies. They drank and eat all night until they pass out. Of course, this doesn''t involve Priston. The poor kid pissed himself when Pedro sent out his aura. He almost passed out.


    ''So this is the power of a level 14 mage. I need to get stronger quickly.'' He ate some food and went out of the tower. He walked towards their house where he is greeted by Nina. He then took a bath and went back to his room. This day is very tiring to him. He''s just some 9-year-old kid. He can''t keep up with those old fogies at all. He closed his eyes and entered a deep slumber.


    . . . .


    Priston woke up and found himself looking down on a vast wilderness, filled with beasts of different sizes, shapes, and colors. Some are as tall as a four-story-building, while others are as small as critters. One of them is a giant white snake that has a body as thick as a bus and has a length of around 40 to 50 meters. Another is a huge ape-like creature the size of an apartment building. Its fur is reddish-pink, like that of a flamingo''s. Its skin is black and thick. It''s eyes glaring red, like a fire burning under the night sky. The giant ape-like creature let out a great howl and startled all the other beasts. He then looked at Priston and made a gesture issuing a challenge. The beast horde parted in two for the ape beast to pass through. It did not rush. It took its time as it sized up Priston. Priston looked at his own reflection in the puddle underneath him. He''s got sharp teeth, that of a beast. His body is massively gargantuan. His fur is covered with gold and sparks come out of his mouth. He took the form of a giant bear that is about 20 to 30 meters tall. His arms as thick as giant logs, his claws are razor sharp. He saw the giant ape nearing him, but he did not waver. He stood tall and let out a roar. His voice is great and mighty. Every beast in the massive horde bowed down in reverence of this mighty creature. Even the Giant Red Ape-like creature and the White Snake stiffened as their heads lowered down, their hearts broken and their dignity crushed. A plethora of bobbing light gushed down from the heavens filling the entire world, glistening with different colors. The small drizzle became a downpour until the whole world was engulfed by light. The blinding light started to glow further as he floated into nothingness.


    Everything went black. The place was like a vacuum, there is no sound to be heard at all. His mind went into complete darkness. He can now feel a very comforting feeling, like being cradled by a very beautiful maiden whose fingers are very delicate, caressing every inch of his body. He felt refreshed like swimming in a waterfall after a hike, drinking coconut juice and singing sweet melodies. He felt like he''s in a giant wok full of delicious flavors. It is the feeling of euphoria.


    After a few hours of sleep, Priston woke up and sat down on his bed. Right a bed, he''s got a bed of his own now. He tried to recall his dream, but to no avail, he walked out the door and took a glass of water from the container. He walked out and into the field and sad down the ground. The grass parted as his body neared the ground. He looked anguished as he was unable to recall his dream. He felt like the dream has very great significance to his cultivation. He felt like this can help him in his path to immortality.


    He stood up and took off his clothes and tried his newly made armor. As heavy as a boulder, his shoulders fell as he put the new armor on. It is made from metal rhinoceros pelt. A level 5 bronze-leveled beast with a size ranging from 1-1.5 meters from the hoof to the shoulders and 3-4.5 meters from the buttocks to the head. This kind of beast can be normally seen loitering around Cropin Valley City and Gyaragrapos Lake, 80 to 90 miles northwest of Hereros. This armor was given to him by Pedro. The armor is silver in color, laced with a streak of black lines around the waistline. It was a normal armor similar to what the trainees have in the Hererian army. The metal glistened under the radiance of the sun. He looked like a young prince recently knighted by the Emperor. The atmosphere around him radiated an aura similar to that of royalties.


    "Not too shabby!" Priston looked over his shoulder as he saw a huge bloke walking towards him. "You don''t look like someone left by their parents." Marcus jested. Although he is afraid of this little guy''s parents, a little bit of humor won''t hurt. He tapped Priston''s shoulder as he inspected every detail of the armor.


    "Man, you''re too much. Can we not talk about them? I mean, it''s not like I enjoy having no parents." Priston pretended to frown. He did not care about having any parents, at all. Even though he looks like a 10-year-old child, inside, he is still a 30-year-old man. He missed his family, but that doesn''t mean he can''t enjoy his new life now. He''s already dead in that dimension. He can''t go back anymore unless he wants to be branded to be practicing black magic.


    "Too serious. Too serious. Young kids should have fun. You can''t be like that all your life, or else you won''t be able to fish a wife." He jerked his finger slightly towards Priston''s side, teasing him slightly.


    Priston had his guard up all the time. The moment the finger went near his side, he moved his right foot forward and slid it in an arc motion towards the position where the finger is moving, at the same time having his right fist ready at his waist and his left fist on guard, facing upwards. It was so quick that even Marcus grinned with astonishment. He did not anticipate this sudden movement and withdrew a quick step backward. All of it happened within a split of a second.


    "Yo, easy boy. Easy. It''s just me, no need to be nervous. You''ve grown stronger, huh? Your bloodline, surely, is stronger than mine. I''m so jealous." Marcus grinned and raised his hands upward, showing an action signaling surrender.


    "Phoooooshhh." Priston gasped for air as he put his guard down. "You scared, me bald mister. I felt like I can always sense danger from my surroundings. Is this strange?" Priston said that then sat cross-legged on the ground. The long grass parted as he pushed his butt to the ground.


    Bald Marcus shrugged his shoulders as he sat down beside Priston. "I don''t know. I''ve got a low leveled bloodline. When I''ve got mine, I only felt that my surroundings moved slower and that I can feel what nature wants to tell me. Nothing similar to what you have said." He put his index finger at his forehead as if he is thinking about something very important. He remembered something and jumped. "Oh, I remember something. After the ritual, I went to sleep and I''ve got this weird dream. There are large monsters around me and that there are three large beasts at each corner of the gathering. A giant snake, an ape, and a golden entity. I did not see much after that as I was buried under the crowd of monsters."


    Priston kept his mouth shut. Showing no emotion at all. He did not want anyone to know about him being the golden bear. He knew that if this information gets out, he will be in great danger. His life won''t be as what it was anymore.


    ''I need to get stronger quickly. Damn you, Demon King! You''re setting me up huh? Just wait until I complete my final form. I''ll be golden Fr**za.'' He cursed an unknown entity. He is fired up to train now but he''s stopped by a sudden shout of a lady.

 Chapter 5: Pristons School Life

    Chapter 5: Priston''s School Life


    "Dad! Dad! Oh, my toe!"


    A sudden shout from within the house''s kitchen was heard. It was a lady''s voice. A large thud sounded as the door opened. "Dad! Someone''s here for you! Sir Priston, you need to be there, too." It was Nina, Marcus'' daughter, who came out from the door. Yes, it was the sadistic child, Nina, from before. She''s become a young lady now.


    "We''re coming!." Both of them stood up at the same time. They looked at each other and nodded their heads in agreement. Marcus went first followed by Priston. Their footsteps quickened as their breathing started to become steady. They hurried towards the room where Nina was at. A young woman greeted them. She has grown splendidly. Her red straight waist-long hair was rested above those slender beautiful shoulders like grapes in the vineyard. A sandy beige-colored cotton dress draped around her voluptuous curves, giving off an extremely alluring sensation that no man could ever resist. Her eyes were peaceful, kind, radiating a bluish hue and her skin is white as snow in the winter season. Within her left hand a small knife and a carrot on the left. It is about lunchtime as the sun is already up in the sky. They did not know who this visitor was, as no one gave them a notice that someone will be visiting their humble abode. They moved through a small corridor and arrived at the entrance of the living room where a certain middle-aged man was seated. The man exudes a very professional aura, similar to that of a businessman. The man saw the two emerge from the door in which in return, he stood up and greeted.


    "Sirs, Good day! You must be sir Marcus and sir Priston." The middle-aged man greeted in a warm voice. He offered his right hand for a shake, showing that they are of the same status and that he did not come for anything malicious. If this man is a promoter, the product would definitely sell well. His face showed a tiny bit of aging, as there were a few arching lines right at his forehead. He wore a gray magician''s robe covering his entire body, from the neck until about an inch from the ground, like an acolyte, and within those old hands lies a small parchment. In a glance one can see that the parchment is made of quality leather ¡ªmay be some type of deer or buffalo¡ª that''s been hunted about a few days ago. What''s very intriguing about it is the lace that is tied around the middle of the parchment. Its color is red as blood, made of fine silk and is embroidered with silvery thread in the middle, glowing with every move the man makes. It looked magical, it is the first time for Priston to see something like this. He never imagined that he will be praising a piece of cloth, such as this, in his whole life.


    Marcus stepped forward to shake man''s hand. Priston did the same thing then went back to where he was before. His face looked bashful like a young boy meeting a very lovely girl for the first time, he lowered his head. He is not unhappy about anything. It''s just his inner child working up. Marcus signed them to sit down and the three of them went to their seats.


    "I have come to tell you about a piece of good news. This is tasked to me by principal Trepolos of the Trepolos Warlord School. Please listen to the scroll, sirs." He handed the scroll to Marcus.


    Marcus inserted his internal energy into the scroll and took a step back. The lace went ablaze and a red growing flame engulfed the scroll, leaving nothing behind but ashes. Priston''s eyes widened as he saw the peculiar event. He could not believe that Marcus just set the scroll ablaze after receiving it. He wanted to protest but he kept his mouth shut. He knew that Marcus wouldn''t just burn something important without a reason. A few breathes later, a ball of flame floated from the ashes and into the air as it slowly took form. Its form resembles a bird with very long tails whose body never runs out of flames, a phoenix. The phoenix circled the place where the scroll was activated and breathed. Fire gushed out its beak, leaving an image that resembles a hologram of an old wise person, a magus. The hologram was blurry but all of them knew who the man was.


    "Oh! Old man Trepolos!" Priston exclaimed. Both of them were not strangers, in fact, they already have become friends after chatting a bit back in the gathering. He tried to ask how the old man is but nothing came back. Marcus looked at him and chuckled a bit, not letting the child catch him.


    "Is it recording? Yeah? Okay. So Priston, my boy, I am here to tell you that there is no more slot in the knight''s department. I am sorry about it, boy. I can''t do anything about that, the swordsmanship teachers have all been drafted into the Empire''s army. The Emperor seems to be readying for something we know nothing about. There''s no war yet and there he is, getting nervous and all." Priston frowned. He always wanted to go to mister Trepolos'' school as they were acquaintances and that they are from the same organization, thinking that he might get a few ''friendly'' assistance and benefits. Before Priston could say anything, Trepolos rubbed his gray beard and continued. "The thing is that I can get you into the magic department. You have talent, with that talent you can become a great mage. You can also practice some swordsmanship with Pedro and Khalil while you learn martial arts with Marcus, right?" The old man grinned. Trepolos planned this thing thoroughly. He deliberately sent some of his swordsmanship teachers to the Empire in order to lure Priston into the magic department. "Also, sir Marcus Farlake, I want to appoint you as a martial arts instructor at Trepolos Warlord School. Will you accept? This thing can''t record much so I can''t talk for long. You can just talk with Jethro there." The recording faded away as a red mist permeated the air. Soon after, the air became clear again and the three of them stood face to face.


    ''This sly old man, I knew he''s up to something. He didn''t even finish saying everything I wanted to hear. Well, I''ve already planned to learn Magic, so it''s not a bad thing to go, right?''


    Before he could answer, Marcus got up from his seat and knelt. His arms at his back, he bowed down and said, "I am willing, my lord."


    "I''m also willing to be a magic student, master Trepolos. I have thought this through before. My parents are great magicians and I also want to become like them. I am willing to learn the ways of a magician." His hands at his chest, he bowed down as a form of courtesy.


    ''I know that normal attacks cannot defeat the Demon King. I will learn magic and destroy all of your people. Mwahahahaha! I will then elope with the Demon Queen and hide underground for a thousand years. Oh, why would I have to hide underground? I can just show off to the entire world that I killed the Demon King and they won''t do anything to me even if I maim one of the Demon King''s sons. Of course, I will properly take care of the princesses. I''m such a genius! Mwahahahaha!''The author''s narrative has been misappropriated; report any instances of this story on Amazon.


    "Then, so be it. Both of you are now part of Trepolos Warlord School. Sir Marcus Farlake, son of Nirsus Farlake, you are appointed as a martial arts instructor. Starting this day, you will devote your soul and strength in cultivating the strength of our future generation. Sir Priston Farlake, you are now a student of Trepolos Warlord School. Starting this day you will devote your soul and strength in learning everything that the school will offer. That''s all. Ehem. Classes will start in two weeks, you should be ready, prepare everything that you need for you will be living in the school from now on. It''s a boarding school so, you know what I mean." Jethro smiled. His face delighted as he took out a few more parchments for the contract signing.


    . . . .


    Dusk is approaching when a shadowy figure emerged from the entrance of the dark and damp rock cave and slipped through the tiny cracks on the wall. Behind the wall was a space the size of a park, the shadowy figure walked past the crack and into the spacious hall. The floor is damp, cold, and reeks a mossy smell. A wild fragrance of burning flesh permeated the air as the figure dragged his foot towards the center of the hall. A ten-wheeler-truck sized altar made of rock was built at the center of the hall. On the corners of the altar stands four large columns, having a height of 4 to 5 meters and a width of 3 to four feet, marked with symbols of unknown origin, each glowing a velvet light. The Shadowy figure was then surrounded by around 2000 people of the same shape but with varying sizes, as he walked up the stairs to greet the larger figure standing atop the altar. He took out three large beasts from his dimensional pocket and into the altar. Fire danced as the three large beasts were roasted by 6 burly figures until cooked. They hoisted the large boars up and into the altar as the figure atop the altar stopped and took out a dark rapier in order to cut the large beasts into smaller pieces. Each beast, the size of an elephant, was cut into fine pieces and was then distributed among 2000 people. The whole crowd began to howl a joyous roar. The larger figure floated into the air and shouted, words that are unknown to any human being are heard. After a few more seconds, the larger figure vanished out of thin air. The crowd went silent for a second then went back into partying. The figure with the rapier went out of the cave as the world started to be wrapped by darkness. He rode his mount and drove into the deep dark forest.


    . . . .


    The sun can barely be seen as clouds almost filled the endless blue sky. Several birds of different hues flew across the sky, watching the streets be filled with people. Carriages started to emerge out of the gates and a few hunting groups walking went after. It is an exuberant morning full of new stories to be written by different people as they rode their own adventures. A few blocks away from the gates stood a blonde boy, around the age of 9, with him is a tall burly man waiting for a passing carriage to take them inside the gates. They wore a matching blue long-sleeved woolen jacket and a pair of red pants. The blonde boy wore brown leather shoes while it is a black leather boot for the large man. The loud sound of hooves drew near slowly as a large carriage stopped in front of them. The carriage doesn''t stand out among the others. It is a simple yet sleek looking coach made of dark-colored wood. The door opened as they were greeted by a familiar face. It was the face of the man who brought them the news a few weeks ago, Jethro. With his hand outstretched, he guided the two to sit down inside the carriage. After a few breaths, Jethro closed the door and signaled the coachman as they heard a sudden whipping sound and some neighing. "Gentlemen, I believe you already know this humble servant." He smiled as he clasped both of his hands together. "I am Lord Trepolos'' most trusted aide and I was sent by the Lord, my master, to get you. I reckon that I have already informed you about this a few days ago?" Jethro paused. He looked at the two men and started once again, smiling gently. "I hope not that my presence here will get you bored. I am always called a dull person by my master." He apologized. A stripe of worry marked his forehead. "You do not have to worry because we are already nearing the school grounds. If you need anything just say a word." He politely said as he straightened his robes.


    "That''s quite quick. I thought it would take longer." Marcus said in a surprised manner. "It''s not surprising at all. This carriage was drawn by level 7 beasts called Pegus. They look similar to normal horses but they have an inherent ability that enables them to control the mana around them to cast gravitational magic. They can also learn other spells but this particular one is the most feasible for them." Priston explained.


    "The young lord is correct. Seems like you''ve done your homework seriously. These beasts were tamed by the Great Sage himself. It took him a lot of time to train these wild beasts into domesticated pets. Good thing they are pretty intelligent." Jethro added. The carriage is pretty cramped. There is no window at all. "So that''s why I can''t feel any bump along the way! We''re actually flying! Oh." Marcus exclaimed as his head hit the ceiling of the carriage. "Oh! I want to inform you that we are now going to land. Please refrain from standing up or you might hurt yourself." The coachman shouted in a loud voice as the carriage began to descend.


    "Thud!"


    The carriage hit the ground softly. Although it only took them a few seconds to land, the whole carriage seemed to be still like water from a well. Within the carriage, Jethro and the two uniformed people within started to move out. They were suddenly greeted by a very spacious lawn as large as a baseball court, brimming with trimmed grass as green as green can ever be. They then went and followed a long stone-guided sandy trail leading towards a huge stone tower. The tower looked like a cylindrical skyscraper that has no glass windows in it. When Priston saw it, he wondered about how advanced the architecture in this world really is. When they neared the entrance, Jethro bowed down to the two and did a gesture as if showcasing the tower.


    "This tower is called the ''Divine Retribution'', as its name suggests, represents the strength and glory of the natural phenomenon we call lightning. It is made of stone and metal and has a total of 105 floors. The uppermost 5 floors are assigned as the President''s dwelling. Magic, alchemy, and enchantment teachers are given different floors to live in as they were doing experiments and such while Swordsmanship, weapon mastery, blacksmithing, and martial art teachers are all given a plot of land around the tower. Students, on the other hand, will be living within the Student Quarters where they will need to share rooms with 1 to 3 people and will be eating together in the Quarter''s canteen. The canteen serves free food within the allotted time and is also willing to serve other food as long as one pays even if it is not in the allotted time. Students do not have any authority within the school''s premises and must always abide by the school''s rules. The rulebook will be given to you by the guard at the Quarter''s Entrance, just show this token and you''re good to go. The guard will also be the one who will take you to your room. If you have any problems, please tell the guard. He knows what to do." He clapped his hands. "The briefing is complete, we can go on our separate paths now. Sir Marcus, please follow me. Sir Priston, you can go to the Quarters now. It is indicated in the map." Jethro added as they bid goodbye to each other. Marcus went with him towards the back of the tower where his land is located. Priston, on the other hand, opened the map and inspected everything.


    "I should get going now. I''m already getting quite hungry." He walked northeast. Large trees acted as columns for the entrance of the pathway. It looked quite eerie as there is almost no visibility within the ''forest''. Both sides of the path seemed to be full of trees and wild plants.


    ''A very good place for wild beasts and a perfect place for an ambush.'' Priston thought to himself as he walked lavishly. He did not know if there might be something lurking around that might be dangerous. He sang a song that he heard from a drama back when he was on Earth when suddenly, something like a shadowy figure launched itself towards him.

 Chapter 6: A Sneaky Surprise

    Chapter 6: A Sneaky Surprise


    Whoooosh!


    All of a sudden, Priston saw a shadow move from a tree. It kinda giggled for a bit and lunged itself towards him. It was a little too dark to see as the figure is all clad in black and all he can do is sense its movements. Although he has never killed another person before, his heart is urging him to do so. It is an urge to survive. He drew a knife from his leather handbag ¡ª a normal knife for cooking purposes given to him by Nina ¡ª as he surveyed his surroundings with the knife on guard, not leaving any spot for the perpetrator to attack.


    A few more seconds, he heard a silent growl five meters away from him, near the bushes at his left side. He grabbed a smooth stone from the ground and threw it to the direction where he heard the growl. Without a warning, the ''creature'' jumped at him showing a mouth full of sharp yellowish teeth. His hair stood up from his back, sweat dropping nonstop from his forehead. It was the first time for him to encounter such a wild beast like this.


    "Should I shout? It''s not that far away from the dorm. I mean, I can just shout but I don''t wanna be some laughingstock. Damnit! I don''t wanna die yet!" He cursed as he ran towards the entrance with every ounce of his strength. The ''small'' dark beast ran after him, jumping from side to side of the path like a ninja from some mainstream anime people are getting crazy about. Priston felt like the beast is toying with him, like a cat playing with a dead rat before dinner. He ran like crazy, zigzagging his way across the woods. This technique was taught to him by the elders from his village back on earth. They say ''If you ever come across an ''aswang'' zigzag your way and you might be able to survive.'', he did not believe it back then. He knew that if you do something like that the pursuer will definitely get a hold of your neck in no time but he''s got no choice now. He ran like crazy yet he was not able to shrug off this one. After a few more breaths, he saw an old man wearing his pajamas standing near the entrance.


    ''Maybe that''s the cook.'' He thought. ''Why is he out right now? Is it normal for people here to be like that?'' He did not stop running. He can''t do anything for the old man right now. Even he himself cannot kill the beast. All of a sudden, the beast jumped at the old man. He looked away. "It will be bloody. Poor old man, I''ll mourn your death after this. Thank you for saving me. I won''t ever forget you. May we meet in the afterlife." He looked at the scene clasping his hands together as he began to pray for the old man''s soul. The small beast stopped and jumped at the neck of the old man. Priston readied his heart. It was the first time for him to see something so gory. His heart racing, he hid his presence and went to spectate from a small bush.


    Gulp.


    He opened his eyes. He was surprised by what he saw. Instead of attacking, the small beast went and perched itself on the old man''s back in a gleeful manner different from the savage beast he saw a while ago. ''I think I''m getting hallucinations now. This school sure is brazen.'' The beast whispered something to the old man and signaled at where Priston is hiding. The old man slowly took his way into the shrubbery and grabbed the young man by the collar, who is curled up like an armadillo.


    "Please don''t kill me, your Excellency. I am but a new student from this school. I saw nothing and I won''t tell anything to anybody." He can''t do anything but to say those clich¨¦ words spoken by those unfortunate characters in novels. He knew that once this line was spoken, only death awaits him. He clenched his teeth, ''This might hurt a little bit like being circumcised''. He thought to himself, reminiscing his not so memorable past. ''If I have been bolder before, maybe I could have a lovely, caring, and very beautiful girlfriend by now. I don''t want to die a death like this but I can''t do anything against fate.'' The old man looked at him grinning secretly.


    "Please give me a quick death. I''m yet too tender, I''ll be shouting if you cut me inch by inch. It would definitely alarm the guards. I know the guards are pretty strong. Do anything you want to me but don''t touch the other students. They''re still young and have families." He said it like an ''honorable'' cowardly person. ''If I''m gonna die today, I''d rather die a noble death, or at least make it look like one.'' He shut his eyes close when the old man threw him down to the ground.


    "You must be the student called Priston. Sir Trepolos told me to look after you. He told me that you are talented but he never told me that you are talented to this extent. Blabbering noble words while acting cowardly must be an innate ability of yours. By the way, ''I'' am the only guard here and there''s not a single soul who''s stronger than me here." He chuckled, emphasizing the word ''I'' while acting out it''s equivalent in sign language.


    "You must be having a lot of fun, old man. I didn''t know that guards here are like this. Indeed, I am the student named Priston and I am here for lodging. " Hearing that, Priston regained his composure. He acted like nothing happened. Brushing away the dirt from his clothes, he stood up and picked the knife from the ground and sent it back to his handbag. The handbag is also a dimensional storage so a lot of things can be inserted within. The guard handed him a key with an engraved number ''24'' on it. ''Mamba, pretty neat. I like this number. Purple and Gold, here we go.''


    He is a Lakers fan since young and watched every single championship won by the Mamba. He''s got a lot of number 24 posters that it almost filled half of his room. Before he was a tennis player, he was a basketball player. At the height of 174 cm, he played power forward in high school. Back then, that height is already pretty tall. He didn''t make the team because of his lack of shooting range and rebounding ability. He is a really good dribbler but that''s the most of it. He grew up playing pass-first point guard but he outgrew his peers when he went to high school. The coach made him play center and forward positions but he just cannot play it well. He never had the talent playing anything but point guard and that''s why he didn''t make the cut for the high school basketball team. He looked for another sport that may suit him and thus ended up picking up the tennis racket.


    "By the way, nice knife kid. Where''d you buy that? Looks good for peeling potatoes." The old guard clowned him. How can a peeling knife protect you from beasts?


    Priston looked at him intently. "This is not for potatoes." He took out a few more knives and showed them to the guard. "This one''s for onions and other softer vegetables, you can see that the blade is different. The one with the blue handle is for fish, the large one is for meat, and the one with the yellow handle that has a weird blade is for peeling stuff. I''ve had mister Prions do these. It''s first-class." He bragged as he put them back to his handbag.


    "Pretty neat huh. You can cook?" The old guard looked at him with eager eyes. "Yeah, a little bit. Learned a few things at home." Priston answered, shrugging his shoulders to make himself look humble.


    "Then you can visit me at my house and whip up some food sometimes. The one in the front is my house. Just tell the caretaker that Old Oliver told you to do so." He winked his eyes and petted the beast in his arms. "Yes, mister Oliver. I can even cook for the little friend sometimes. Just don''t let him bite me okay?" The author''s content has been appropriated; report any instances of this story on Amazon.


    "I promise, his name is Gopper. He''s a level 9 Wingless Shadow Bat. He likes to eat fruit and he doesn''t bite so you do not have to worry. He uses spells to fight and his teeth are not that sharp for his level so he barely uses it." Gopper acted cute after hearing that he will be fed fruits. It looked like a black cat with a pig''s snout whose body is as big as a dog. "Seems like he''s looking forward to it." Priston acted friendly with the bat. He knows it''s terrifying strength and without Old Oliver here, aggravating it will only cause Celia and Nina, who''s back at home, to receive a death certificate. He did not like Celia that much because of her attitude but due to being with them for a lot of years, he''s grown some kind of sympathy with her. He kinda liked Nina because she definitely is a beauty, not to mention her being a tsundere. The only thing that''s holding him back from totally liking her is his past memory.


    "Thank you for guiding me here, sir Oliver." He looked at the bat and smiled as he patted it in the head. "You too, sir Gopper." He bowed his head and bid his goodbye.


    . . . .


    In a dark corridor, two hunched-backed figures together with two small beasts of different shapes walked side by side as they chatted with each other.


    "I don''t know what''s getting into that emperor''s head right now. It''s been a few years since the last civil war and no one in the whole empire dares to move against him." The old man with a red armadillo-like beast walking beside him stopped for a bit.


    "I do not know sir. Even you ¡ªthe great sage, Trepolos¡ª do not know anything about it, how can I have any understanding regarding this matter?" The one holding a catlike beast smiled, answering in a very ''polite'' manner. They moved to a hall where a few people are chatting and eating.


    "You don''t have to be too humble, Oliver. We''ve known each other for many years and you''re still like that. You''re not weak yourself. You''ve achieved level 13 at the age of 70. You''re not that far from my brother.¡± Trepolos patted him by the shoulder. This seems to be some sort of show for them, for they do not want to let others see them talk casually in public.


    "I dare not compare my lowly self with sir Pedro. He is a really strong mage and also is an expert with weapons. I am just another decent magic user with decent magic power that can easily be destroyed once the enemy got a little closer." "You''re too humble. That''s not very good. You''re a shadow mage. I don''t know how fast that enemy you are talking about but I know that not even the level 12 speed-type leopard beast we encountered last time can make it near you." The beast they are talking about is a speed-type beast called Frost Leopard that they encountered in the war against the beast tamers of the northern savage lands, also called the land of the savages, a few decades ago. They are feline creatures whose size must be bigger than that of a horse and is covered with white fur. Their eyes blue and the white fur that''s covering them are dotted with light blue spots looking like a giant discolored leopard.


    After a half-minute of walking in silence, they arrived at what seems to be a library. It was packed full of magic scrolls of different elements. Journals, recipe books, magic tomes, grimoires, and other books that focus on magic crowds the place. There are some cooking books in there too. They went to a table and sat. "I think you''ve seen Priston already. So how was it? He''s a very unique child isn''t he?" Trepolos took one of his notebooks from the handbag and laid it on the table. He stood up and grabbed a very thick book from the shelf and went back to his seat. The cover of the book is entitled ''How to kill a potato monster'' but what the title inside says is ''A Thousand Ways to cook potatoes''. After checking that there are no more people inside the library, Oliver spoke. "He can cook." "Potatoes?" Trepolos whispered. "Not just potatoes, he said he can cook other stuff too." Oliver smiled. "Do you think he can cook mashed potatoes with thick potato gravy matched with oil cooked skinless potato sticks?" He read the name of the dish that''s been highlighted in the current page he''s at as he wiped his drool and whispered back to Oliver. These two must be part of some kind of potato cult somewhere. "I should go and ask him later. I''ll contact you once he comes. Prepare a few crates of potato, I''m gonna bring my precious china set out." Oliver showed a sinister smile, like that of a villain''s, as he swept his hand across the bat''s fur.


    "Sure! Firero likes to eat porcelain so you must always keep your china away from him, okay?" "He better not. I''m gonna cook him up and use his hide to make a fine set of fireproof armor if he does." The dog-headed red armadillo shivered the moment he heard those words. He crawled away and rolled into a ball. "Firero! That''s just a joke. Don''t be too serious. You''d die a virgin if you always act like that. Remember the other Crimson Bigaloo last time? She''s kinda pretty but you didn''t even notice her. Maybe you like guys." Trepolos joked. Hearing this, Firero let out a cloud of smoke towards Trepolos.


    Cough. cough.


    The smoke rendered him unable to properly breathe. He slapped the armadillo by the head and cast a small spell.


    "Binding Light!"


    Few shining lines came out from his hands and shackled the poor armadillo''s limbs. It tried to break loose of the spell but nothing in its arsenal could ever do so. The armadillo sulked and groaned as it stayed down. It did not bother moving anymore, it already knew that there is no other way out as the caster is 10 levels stronger than him.


    The two wizards laughed at him. The two chatted for a few hours before unlatching the armadillo from the spell. Afterward, they went to the tower''s cafeteria to grab some grub.


    . . . .


    It was already dark when two figures came into the Student Quarters. They wore gray robes. Their hair, eyes, head shape, nose, mouth, and every other physical characteristic are very similar if not exact. In their hands are baskets full of fruits and bread. They do not look like gluttons at all, they can even be described as fit. They walked straight to their room when they found it open. They saw a blonde-haired guy sitting cross-legged on the floor, unpacking some stuff. Although they were twins, the elder one is actually a little bigger than the other. His muscles are a little bigger than that of other 9-year-olds. He walked in first. Afterward, the younger one timidly entered.


    "You are Priston, right? We have already been informed by the cleaners about you. We are the Birch Brothers." He offered his hand for a handshake. Priston responded with a nod and he shook his hand. The younger brother then copied what his older brother did.


    "Pleased to meet you two. How do I address you? You look exactly the same!" Priston exclaimed. "I am slightly bigger and I''m the older brother. My name is George and I am 12 years old." He held his hand at his left chest and bowed, showing a noble greeting.


    "My name is Geoffrey." He just copied what his brother did. George and Geoffrey are pretty small for their age.


    "As you already know, my name is Priston Farlake and I am 9 years old. I''m sorry for being rude but he''s pretty timid isn''t he?" Priston pointed out.


    "You''re pretty young, aren''t you? You must be some kind of genius. My brother is kind of shy to people. He''s been like that since we''re young. Don''t mind him. He''s only like that to strangers. Once he becomes used to you I think it won''t be like that anymore." George explained.


    "So we''re going to bed early. You can just turn off the light apparatus." George said as he tucked himself to bed.


    "How do I do it?" Priston questioned. He is not that ignorant with magical stuff as he has already reviewed some important stuff but not including this one.


    "Seriously dude? Just think of putting out the light and it will instantly do so." The silent Geoffrey said in a whispering voice that can only be heard by those around him by 1-2 meters. Luckily, Priston managed to hear it.


    "Thank you very much!" Priston bowed at them and went back to his task He was not angered by the guy''s tone. He has already considered that this might just be how the guy acts.


    ''I''m not some kind of Chinese fiction protagonist who will kill anyone who talks to him in a rude way. I don''t want to be irrational. Now, let''s get back to work!''


    After a few minutes of sorting out his items, Priston went to bed and slept.

 Chapter 7: A Decision to be made

    Chapter 7: A Decision to be made


    The rays of sunlight started to emerge from the horizon as the verdant colored moon blurred into the background of blue. Different from the one on Earth, this world''s night sky is quite peculiar. The stars are brighter but lesser in number while the moon shines a green light. The ancient folks thought that each of these stars represents a certain god out there while the green moon is the creator of life and the origin of mana. Recent researchers found out that these stars were actually planetary systems and may or may not contain other life forms while the green moon is actually not green at all when close but is covered by strong radiations of green magical energy. They have achieved this feat through the advances of magic research. Birds of different sizes can be seen drinking at a small river. Few youths can be seen bathing at the edge of the water. A young child with blonde hair went towards the edge and filled his pail brimming with water before going to a safe distance away from the river. It was definitely Priston. They have been warned that there might be some aquatic beasts lurking even in shallow waters by the staff which made them cautious. He stripped his clothes down, leaving only his undergarments on, and started to pour some cold water unto his body. He took out a bar of soap from his pouch and started to rub his body ridding it from dirt. A gentle rosy scent was emitted from the soap while bubbles start to emerge in the places where the soap was rubbed. The other children were startled. They never have seen a stone that can cause bubbles to come out of the body. A few moments later, a boy whose white hair was cut evenly at the shoulders approached him. The other children who were also curious stopped on their tracks the moment they saw the white-haired boy.


    "Good morning to you sir, my name is Altair, son of duke Prin of Adiana." The white-haired boy greeted him with his right hand by his left chest then bowed.


    ''Oh! A white-haired pretty boy from a noble background. Protagonists from webnovels usually start a fight with these kinds of people. Man, give me some slack. I just entered this school but I felt like I just lost about 40 years of life expectancy. I don''t wanna fight. I don''t wanna fight. Please don''t make me fight you. I can already see the next scene the moment you say you wanna fight me. You''d gang up on me with your goons and I might be able to defeat you with some kind of luck but my body will be battered like bread, then your family will go after me, and later I will massacre them once I get stronger. This is just too clich¨¦d. Please, just don''t mess with me please.''


    "Good morning to you too, young sir. My name is Priston Farlake and I have no background whatsoever. " Priston greeted back the same way as the former did his.


    "I am glad to make your acquaintance. I am slightly interested in the thing you are holding in your hand and am willing to trade for some goods I have in my own dimensional storage. If you are interested, please come to me later after class. This is my room number." He handed him a square-shaped wood with the number 04 in it. "I will be waiting for you, friend. I will get going now. Please don''t sell that thing to anybody yet, okay?" He added as he grabbed Priston''s hand with shining eyes, that of a merchant.


    "I will deeply consider what you have said to me, friend. May we meet each other again." Priston shook his hands with a smile then went back to his quarters for a change of clothing. He put on his uniform, a blue robe, and a pair of pants, as he walked back together with George and Geoffrey, his roommates. The two are taking knight apprenticeship and will split up with him later.


    They saw a large crowd of students walking towards the auditorium. The school has more than 1000 newcomers every year, most of them are from noble lineage and merchant families. The bigger clans have their own specialized schools in which they teach specialized skills and magic. They focus only on one specific skill-set that has been handed down for generations. They have remained in this path for thousands of years. They are employed by the empire to do tasks suitable for their abilities. The smaller clans, on the other hand, also have specialized skill-sets of their own but are unable to further develop their younger generations thus suppressing their potential growth. Due to this problem, the higher-ups from these smaller clans and organizations decided to enroll their children and disciples into warlord schools in order to strengthen their abilities. They incorporated their specialized skills into the skills offered by warlord schools which in turn gave birth to new skill-sets that have by far surpassed its past destructive power.


    The martial arts taught by Marcus is also a specialized skill. Nobles usually do not battle barehanded. On the battlefield, they brandish their swords and lances on top of their beast mounts, shoot enemies with their bow and arrows, and use large-scale magic. They are the ones who are given high statuses and are privileged to command a group of soldiers. In a warlord school, nobles are automatically given the title of a warlord when they graduate. Commoners, on the other hand, must place their name on the top 50 graduates before having a warlord title. Those who graduate but could not get the warlord title can choose to remain in the school however they like as long as they can pay and that their age must not exceed 40. Those who graduate but could not get a warlord title and chose to leave the school will instantly have the opportunity to be drafted to an army that is under the rule of the empire. Only by surviving 3 battles and receiving an honorary badge will they be given a warlord title.


    ''I''ll have to work hard. If I get to be a top 10 graduate, I''ll have the chance to choose which army I want to be in and might even be able to lead a hundred-man army if lucky. After that is World Domination. I just can''t wait!'' Priston spoke inwardly. Although he might be considered a genius because of his current cultivation level, he himself knew that it is just because of his 7 years of training. If not for it, he would still be struggling to achieve level 1 and might not be able to receive a bloodline. The three sat near the stage. They looked up the stage and saw a 40-foot tall hologram of Principal Trepolos Hali. After everyone has settled down to their seats, Trepolos started his welcome remarks.


    . . . .


    "This day will be the start of your journeys! Train to your heart''s content! By the name of the Three Great Kings of Gloris Empire, I announce that these 1029 young and talented new recruits in front of me are officially enrolled as students of Trepolos Warlord School!" Those were the last few sentences of his 1-hour long speech. Everyone cheered with joy, not because they are enrolled but because the boring speech has ended.


    After the speech, the students were led to a hall where different booths are located. Each booth has a signboard with different logos on it. These logos signifies which private lesson one wants to enroll in. Sword signifies swordsmanship, Fist for martial arts, Skeleton for necromancy, a red magic stone for elemental magic, a drop of blood for hematology magic, leaf for herbology, and alchemy, iron ore for blacksmithing, and many more. Everyone went to the subject that they want to enroll. The Swordsmanship and Elemental magic booths are pretty crowded. There are more than 50 booths with different logos. Priston started thinking. He really wanted to learn herbology and alchemy and blacksmithing but the problem is that they are only given 3 coupons. Aside from the 3 private lessons, each student must attend the public lecture given to their respective department. Mages are given magic lessons while knights/warriors are given knighthood lessons. You can enroll in one subject using a coupon. A few seconds have passed, his sight found a certain booth that has caught his attention.This content has been unlawfully taken from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.


    ''That one! I knew there''s this one.'' He walked towards the booth. A lanky and haggard middle-aged man was sitting on the chair with a sleepy look. His shoulder-length curly hair is black the same color as his robe, his eyes are deep like the thoughts of a fourteen-year-old girl, and his skin, pale like a vampire. He saw Priston walking towards him. Their eyes interlocked. His stare sent shivers to the young child. He never knew vampires exist. He steadied himself. He knew that by doing this, he will be able to achieve his goal a lot faster.


    "Welcome young man. I am very happy to see that you are interested in Flesh and Blood Manipulation. I am heartened by your appearance. It has been a few years since the last student has lined up in front of me. That must be around 10 years ago. Yaaaawwwwwnnnn" The vampire look-alike teacher said that in a bored tone.


    ''How can someone say such enthusiastic words with that kind of tone?'' Priston thought as he wrote his name on a piece of paper.


    "Ten years ago? You''ve already been a teacher in your twenties?" Priston poked a question in order to have a little more knowledge before handing in his coupon.


    "I may not look like it but I am already 60. This is the effect of my research." He showed his right hand. The hand looked like it did not fit his body. Its color is completely different from the skin from his face. The hand looked like that of an Orc''s. "All the other students seem to distance themselves away from me. I may look like a bloodsucker but I''m actually vegan." He added.


    "This is my coupon, sir. I''ll go and enroll in the other two." He gave the coupon and bowed his head before leaving.


    He walked towards the center of the hall and surveyed the whole place. The whole place looked chaotic, more prominent in the two major booths. He went to the back part to sit for a while until the booths start to empty. He saw another booth that has caught his attention. The logo is a ghost shackled by chains. The teacher is a female mage whose body looks like that of a 10-year-old kid. He never thought that loli teachers do exist. For the nth time, he was once again surprised. Her ponytailed hair is brown in color and her eyes are devoid of pupils. It looked like something that can be seen from a ninja-themed anime. In her small hand rests a patched up reddish-brown teddy bear that matched well with her blue and red teacher''s uniform.


    His eyes glistened as he saw that the booth he was eyeing is empty. He must have liked empty booths. He walked directly towards her and gave his coupon. The ''girl'' did not talk much. She only said thank you and dismissed the boy. Right when Priston was about to leave, the ''girl'' spoke.


    "My magic is called Spirit Slave Summoning. You are the only one who walked up to me. I don''t like taking another student so I''ll be closing my booth now. By the way, I''m not a kid. I''m already 30 so better give some respect to your senior." She said in a mocking tone which kinda looked sounded cute.


    ''Looks like a kid. Acts like a kid.'' Priston thought. "Yes ma''am. Please take care of me." He bowed down and went back to the crowd once again. He already knew which booth he is going to. He walked towards another booth with little to no line at all. Its logo is a beetle. He walked towards the teacher in charge and gave his coupon. The teacher is a blonde man whose height has reached around 220cm. His body is full of tattoos and his ears are full of piercings. He looked like a minotaur with that large nose ring he''s got. There are two students there talking with him. They also looked like hooligans. He strengthened his resolve and walked towards the other two. The two looked at him.


    "Little brother, do you want to enroll in the Bug Magic?" The taller student asked.


    "Yes, I do. I believe that there is a lot of potential in this branch of magic. Knowing this, I went here to enroll. My name is Priston Farlake. Nice to meet you." He bowed as he gave the teacher his coupon. The teacher took his coupon and went back to his booth to sort out his list, not hiding his happy face.


    "I am Martin Holliger and this is my brother Klaus. We are from the bug clan. Nice to meet you too." The two students shook his hand and smiled.


    "I did not know that other people also liked bugs." Klaus, the smaller one, said in a very robust voice. He must have already developed an Adam''s apple.


    "I read that making them live in your body can actually change your body structure making it a lot stronger. It is an ancient practice but I can say that it is really good and effective. It''s just a little gross for other people." Priston explained.


    "Totally! They can also be used to attack and to defend. They are not actually within the flesh but inside a dimension that is connected to the host''s body. That''s what my old man told me." Martin became ecstatic. He never knew that there are other bug enthusiasts out there other than those from his small clan.


    "Well, luckily I''ve read some books about this. If not, I''ll also be left in the dark like those people over there. Hahaha. Then, I''ll be taking my leave brothers. See you at the lectures." Priston bowed his head and bid them goodbye.


    "Hey, kid! You must have taken a lecture from the new guy, right? The Martial Arts thingy?" The huge teacher glanced at him for a second and went back to his list, grinning widely.


    "No sir. However, you can say that both of us are related. Why do you ask, sir?"


    "I can feel your aura from here. You should take your leave. I believe that you still have to line up to the elemental magic booth." The huge teacher said without even giving a glance to the young boy.


    "I already enrolled in Flesh and Blood Manipulation and Slave Summoning, sir," Priston explained.


    The huge man was shocked to the bones that his eyeballs almost slipped out of their sockets. He stood up and went to tap Priston''s shoulder. He was pitying him.


    "I wish you the best of luck. My name is Frank Holliger, a level 10 mage from the bug clan. These two are my nephews. I did not know that there would be someone so daring to pick three specialized magic. If it is some kind of martial art, it would be understandable, but this... You can still enroll in other subjects next year. Don''t lose hope. You''re still young." He bowed his head down, admiring the courage and foolishness this young man possesses.


    "Hahaha. Thank you for your advice teacher, but I have already strengthened my resolve. I will master these three." Priston insisted. He knew that he can just get Pedro and Trepolos to teach him magic so he did not need to mind other kinds of stuff for now.


    "You can take your leave now. The schedule will be sent to you by the carrier later tonight. You can adjust your schedule however you want. Those two don''t have any other students at all. They''re just some researchers. I did not even know that they''re given a booth. So, yeah. Go now and take a rest. Tomorrow will be your first day in class. Don''t be late. Not that there is a fixed schedule." Frank waved his hand as he went back to calculate his possible income. Having more students means more income. Those who don''t have any students or have little to none will have to work hard on researches.


    "Thank you, sir. I''ll be going then." He bowed once again and slowly walked away.


    "Another weirdo has entered the school huh? He looks promising tho. We might even see him and that girl fight it out in the arena someday. Seems like we on for a show." The three figures can be seen talking with the tall bug mage who is calculating his revenues.

 Chapter 8: Priston: A fated meeting

    Chapter 8: Priston: A fated meeting


    I went back to the Student Quarters to iron my clothes and ready my stuff for the class tomorrow. I''m pretty stoked. I did not like going to school before and will never like it, ever. This time around, it''s not just some theories or formulas that we will be learning, it will be about magic. I already have a slight idea in regards to what I''m about to be learning and I think I''m quite ready. All I need to do is wait for the arrival of the carrier and create my schedule. I''m pretty lucky to be able to enroll in a class with little students as I will be able to adjust my schedule pretty easily.


    The room I''m staying at is pretty barren and cold. A table, two wooden double-decked beds, a magic lamp, and a window. Beside my bed is a rough gray wall dotted with smooth stones. The bottom part of the wall is covered with wooden planks plastered together. I inspected the wood and found no real reason why they incorporated this to the room''s structure except for aesthetic reasons, of which I am doubtful about. It is already around dusk when I heard the sound of wind breezing through the window. A jet-black bird flew in and circled around the table before it landed at the window ledge. Around its waist is a small pouch. Its beak reached the pouch and took out a small parchment before it vanished from my sight as it flew out of the window.


    I took out the parchment and took out the magic pen given to me by ''Principal Trepolos''. The parchment is the same as the scroll given by the butler back at home, a leather one. I inspected the parchment and found some strange symbols which I ignored. I wrote a few details about myself and indicated the schedule that I want to have. It will definitely be approved by the higher-ups as those teachers don''t even have that many students at all. I injected my energy into it and a slight surge of energy enveloped the room. There was no overbearing energy emitted, no phoenixes, no holographic images. All of a sudden, the parchment eroded into the air leaving nothing behind, not even a heap of ash appeared on the ground similar to the one before.


    I felt relieved. I sat on the floor cross-legged and practiced my martial art cultivation technique which has been handed down to me by Marcus. I emptied my mind, letting the energies of the vast world enter my body. I cannot feel my body anymore. I let the energies reside within my body and led them into my meridians. I woke up with a feeling that my body has become full, I stood up and threw a few punches until the energies dissipate. I felt my body getting stronger and stronger with each punch, vigor filled every inch of me like a flame burning wildly. I went out and walked around the quarters to smell some fresh air.


    I grabbed something from my pocket. It was a small square-shaped wood with the numbers 0 and 4 carved in it.


    ''Oh, shoot. I forgot about the noble kid. I should go now. Maybe it isn''t too late.''


    I walked towards the eastern part of the quarters and found the room with the numbers 0 and 4. I knocked on the door four times then waited.


    The door opened and in a split of a second, a hint of silvery light neared my throat. I moved my body to the side, jumped back, and grabbed the kitchen knife from my pouch. I did not waste any time as I lunged a stab back to the opponent as a reply. He parried my attack with his dagger and overpowered mine.


    "Damnit."


    The impact caused my hand to be sent upwards and the opponent punched my chin which made me lose my sense of balance and fall. My face was red with anger and embarrassment. My consciousness almost blacked out but I stood back up with shaking legs.


    ''I can''t lose here. I don''t want to die two consecutive times within a span of 10 years.''


    I know that I''m faster than this guy but my attacks lack strength. The opponent ran towards my direction with the dagger at hand. My heart beating faster, I steadied my footing. I drew another knife with my left hand from my pouch and threw it to towards him. His dagger parried my thrown knife and extended his right foot to kick me in the head.


    ''Martial arts? Let''s see who''s better at martial arts.''


    I readied my stance and blocked his kick with my left arm. I swiftly moved my feet towards him and stabbed my knife to his chest, he parried. I followed up with a punch to his side which caught him off-guard. He spat a mouthful of blood. Without even wiping the blood dripping from his chin, he did some sort of bizarre footwork and appeared at my side. He swung his dagger in an arc but I ducked my head and inserted a large amount of energy into my fist. I am about to hit the guy''s chin when a sudden voice came out from behind the door. My energy-filled fist stopped midway towards his chin, causing the air current to turn wild. I can see his face turn bloodlessly pale as he lowered his dagger.


    "Ha... Harrison! Stop it. That guy is my guest. Just how many times should I tell you that you do not have to kill anyone who knocks at my door? Let him in and apologize." The familiar voice rang out. It was full of worry.


    "I''m sorry, sir. Please come in..." Still, with blooded lips, Harrison held the door to let me in. I looked at him to inspect his physique and found out that he is definitely not older than me by 5 years. His short red hair glowed like rubies under the light emitted from the magic lamp. His face is definitely a 10 with those blue eyes and rosy lips while his body is quite muscular for his age. He was definitely a knight apprentice who specializes in the art of assassination, no one would ever suspect him.


    I almost died there. It was my very first time to experience a deathmatch. When I went out of my room, I felt so confident about my own strength. Never would I have thought that I''m nothing but a small ant in this wilderness.


    I went in, inserted the knives back to the pouch, and sat on the small gray bed.


    . . . .


    "I... I am really sorry, sir Priston. My aide is just a little bit too cautious. I''ve had a lot of assassination attempts since I went here and most of my people have died. I''ve had them lodge outside the school for safety reasons and kept Harrison here with me. I am really really sorry sir. I... I will compensate you for the damages." Altair, the white-haired boy, said in a very nervous voice. He did not know what to do about Priston. He did not want to punish Harrison as he was his only aide here. All he can do is give Priston some compensation, which is normally money. Something he did not lack.


    "Do not worry. I understand the situation. So, Lord Altair, I believe that you summoned me here for the soap. Isn''t that right?" Priston went directly to the point. He did not want to waste any more time. He understands why Harrison attacked him. Harrison is just one of Altair''s protectors and he almost lost to him, not to mention that Harrison is still an apprentice knight. What would happen to him if the attacker is a proper knight or higher?


    "So that thing is called soap. Would you brief me about how that ''soap'' works?" Altair went back to his seat and took a pen and some paper.


    "Okay. A bar of soap is something that people use when they bathe. It helps to clean the dirt and with some tweaks, you can actually add some fragrance to it. The ingredients are all in this paper here." Priston handed him a piece of folded paper and stood up. "Is that fine with now? What do you want with it and why are you being pursued by those people?"


    Altair''s face became serene like a lake, his eyes sharp like an eagle''s. "As you already know, I, Altair, am the ¡ª one and only¡ª son of his Majesty Prin the Duke of Adiana and her Majesty Aeren the Duchess of Adiana and the President of Adiana''s Merchant Consortium. I am the successor of both the position of Duke of Adiana and the President of Adiana''s Merchant Consortium. Due to this, a lot of different factions are after my head. About the soap that you brought me, I want to be the primary distributor of your product." Altair took out a scroll and handed it to Priston. "This is... this is a co... contract, right?" Priston examined the scroll, probed for possible loopholes in the contract.


    "I can see that you are very thorough about your contracts. You don''t even act like children of your age. Life must be hard for you, huh." Priston was amazed. He can''t think of any other kids of his age that can write contracts like this. He''s already 30 while this child is just 11 but their intelligence is almost of the same level. The only word that can describe this kid is the word ''MONSTER''.This story has been taken without authorization. Report any sightings.


    ''So this is how those geezers think when they saw me, huh. If this child grows up, he''ll definitely be someone great, maybe greater than me. Still, I won''t hand over the Demon King to you. I will be the one who will take his head.''


    He withdrew his eyes from the contract and gazed towards Harrison and then unto Altair. These kids are elites, he knew that he will gain a lot of troubles with these guys but also a lot of opportunities to gain wealth and power. He''s already got a powerful backer and it won''t hurt to gain another.


    "Do you like what you''re seeing? Is there anything that you are not happy with, Mr. Farlake?" Altair motioned for Harrison to get something. Harrison went towards the table and took out a magic pen and gave it to Altair. Priston also has one of these magic pens. Its ink is an ink that can never be removed by any ordinary means. Once used, the mark can only be removed by using a certain magic.


    "The contract looks good to me. 50-50 is already good for me but you just went and gave me 60 percent of the revenue. I am very pleased, partner." He knew that this contract is a long-term one and a good partnership is needed. If they are uneasy being partners, trust won''t bloom and money will stagnate. He extended his hands towards Altair.


    "It''s only normal to give you the bigger part, it''s your product after all, partner." He took the offered handshake and smiled. Priston, on the other hand, signed the contract and injected his energy into it. In a split of a second, the scroll was burnt into ashes, similar to what happened to the parchment sent by the courier. However, after a few more seconds, flame gushed out from where the ashes are and formed a symbol. The symbol was shaped similar to the bloodline beast of the Emperor, a dragon. A few more breaths later, the flames subsided.


    "And there it is! The contract signing has been done. I hope that we will be partners for a very long time. I know that you still have a lot of things hidden under your sleeves. I won''t slash those sleeves for now. These products should be introduced in a timely manner, otherwise, their value would go down dramatically. I''ll send Harrison to you tomorrow. I''ll have you pick yourself a sword from one of my uncle''s sword collection. He''s got them all. From epees to greatswords, just name it and you''ll have it. Even if you pick one of his most prized rapiers it will be fine. You don''t have to worry about my uncle, I''m sure he''ll understand." Altair grinned in a villainous manner. "Thank you so much for this. I will never forget this for the rest of my life." Priston responded with a dry smile and looked at Harrison.


    "I hope that we would be able to spar some more in the near future. As you know, I am a mage apprentice and I hope that you''d be able to show me some moves sometime." Priston said as he went towards the door. "Goodbye to you all. Let''s meet again some other time soon."


    "Goodbye, partner." Altair bid him goodbye and went back to his notebook to calculate some more. He heard the door close and smiled secretly. The smile indicated one thing, he can''t wait to become filthy rich.


    . . . .


    "Whoo! That''s some serious stuff. I''m so glad that I happened to stumble upon this goldmine. With this ''soap'' here, I''m sure that our Merchant Consortium would grow into something large one of these days. Mom would be so proud of me. Hahahahaha!" Altair sighed in relief. He''s pretty accustomed to these kind of stuff as he grew up from a merchant family. However, this was his first time to handle a contract signing by himself. He''s still a child inside after all. He liked to act cool and composed as a facade to hide his own fragility. He himself knew the fact that he is just like other children, weak and easily manipulated. He''s just a little bit mature than them, but a child is still a child at the end of the day. He stopped his hands from trembling and looked towards Harrison. Why does everyone just want to look at Harrison? Well, he''s good looking after all. Just as good looking as Altair.


    "Harrison, what do you think of Priston? Do you think we can trust him?" Harrison is the only one Altair could trust as almost all of his aides got done in by assassins who posed as allies. Harrison protected him with all of his strength and managed to stealthily get away from those assassins which in turn gained his trust. Harrison is from a very well-known assassin family living under the protection of Duke Prin and has been friends with Altair since young. Although they are not of the same standing, Altair considered Harrison as his most loyal friend. Harrison, on the other hand, will give anything, even his life, just to protect Altair, his one and only friend. The window is open and the cold breeze blew inwards. Altair''s white hair was dancing with the wind as he gazed towards Harrison. He looked really noble, like the ones we see in movies.


    "He is very strong and fast in battle. His temperament is good and he is smart, careful, and cunning. When we crossed blades, I thought that I could land a good hit on him but naught is me, my hits are easily dodged by him. That last punch almost took my life if not for your well-timed intervention and him holding back. His martial arts are very profound. If he''s trained more in the path of internal energy, I believe that even strong mages won''t even be able to leave a scratch on him if they are of the same cultivation level. His speed and reaction time is really intriguing. His martial arts seem to be different than those I''ve seen before. He''s a real monster. Stronger than anyone I''ve fought before." Harrison lied down at his bed feeling sluggish. He felt like his life has been drained by that last punch, which did not even hit him. The internal energy contained within that fist is deadlier than any dagger held by a level 1 or 2 warrior.


    "You seem to like him a lot. I haven''t seen you talk that much about other people except myself. Hahaha. I also like him, he is a very straight forward person, unlike those fake friends I have here in the capital. He''s really mature for his age. It did not feel like he''s faking his reactions at all."


    "Yeah, I''d like to cross blades with him some more. I feel like I''ve gained some insights this time. I''m going to meditate for a bit okay? You can go and sleep now. I''ll have the shadow rodent protect you. There''d be no one who could defeat him at iron level so you can rest without thinking about anything else. You''ve got magic classes tomorrow, so goodnight." Harrison went down from his bed and sat cross-legged on the ground. He closed his eyes and entered a state of meditation.


    Beasts are also categorized through the amount of energy they emit from their bodies. Similar to humans, they are also classified through a level system. Level 1 to level 3 beasts are iron level, level 4 to level 7 are Bronze level bests, level 8 to level 14 are Silver level beasts, level 15 to level 18 are Gold level beasts, and level 19 to level 21 Platinum level beasts. After that level, they are already classified as transcendent-realm beasts.


    . . . .


    Cloaked by the shade of the dark, under the willow tree, an old man was secretly watching the two young fellows clashing their blades. He was sent by the higher-ups to watch a certain youth.


    "So he''s actually pretty good with his blade. If he wants to learn some dagger or knife techniques I''ll probably teach him a thing or two. I don''t know why that old fellow made him enroll in magic classes. He seems to be more talented in martial arts and the art of the blade. That last punch too. Even I, shadow mage Oliver, would be hurt by that strike. That guy Marcus, just how did he train such a monster?" It was Oliver, the one and only guard of the Student Quarters and one of the best shadow mages within Hereros.


    "I''ll just wait for him here and give him the task that I and sir Trepolos have planned. I''m sure he''ll go. If he doesn''t, I''ll just say that he''s got sick and bring him unconscious. This is for the greater good after all." He grinned as he patted the head of his pet bat.


    After a few minutes of wait, the target has come out of the room and directly walked towards his room with a very pleasant smile. Not a face that can be normally seen from someone who just fought for their life. "Shadow Dive." He sank down into the shadow and vanished from the surface. No trace of him can be seen anywhere, he vanished just like that. In about a second, he appeared in front of the young boy. The sudden appearance of the old man cause Priston to fall down and shriek like a harridan. Knowing that this may happen, Oliver cast another spell. "Shadow Bind." In just a split second, shadow hands came out of nowhere and enveloped the young boy totally, leaving only the eyes, nose, and ears uncovered. Oliver squatted and patted his pet bat in the head and brought it down into the ground. Seeing this, Priston tried his best to wriggle his way from the confinement.


    "Sit! Good boy. Here'' a snack, Gopper. Now, give me your hand! Good boy. Here''s another snack." He gave the bat a snack and patted it in the head. He saw Priston struggling too much and decided to talk to him. "Mhhhppppppppmmmmmppppppp." Priston tried to talk but he''s gagged and tied up.


    "What was that? Is that an ancient language or something? Boo boo baa baa, right? By the way, sir Trepolos wants you to do something. I don''t want you to experience this but I cannot do anything for you, child. You must always remember that everything I do to you is for your own good. You must come to the Tower tomorrow before dusk. Also, bring your cooking utensils. I can tell you that what you are about to experience will change how you perceive life. Ready your heart, strengthen your spirit. Only by then will you be able to accomplish this task. Don''t report this to anybody, even that Marcus guy. You will come, alone. By yourself. Nobody is allowed to go with you. This is a secret between the three of us." He grabbed his own neck and acted like he''s being choked before he talked again. "You already know what will happen to you if you don''t come tomorrow. Remember, bring your cooking utensils. Boo boo baa baa." Oliver whispered to his ear in a creepy manner.


    ''That''s pretty good, right? I''m a very welcoming guy. I guess he wetted himself because he''s too happy about my news. Hehehe.''


    Priston stopped struggling. The part around his crotch felt warm then became cold afterward. Good thing that nothing came out from his back part yet.


    Oliver removed the spell binding the child and grabbed the bat by the neck. He then vanished into the shadows and out of the child''s sight. Priston''s face became paler than white, his heartbeat sounded stronger than the sound of hooves running wild, his crotch wet. He stood up shaking and hid somewhere dark to change his wet pants and went back to his room as fast as a cheetah. He did not sound a word towards the twins as he directly went to bed and closed his eyes into a deep sleep.


    ''He can''t contain himself from being too happy. He went and slept early without eating dinner. He must be too excited. Hehehe.''

 Review of Characters (If you want to)

    Some of the Characters I have listed will have their appearances in the next chapters. I''ll be adding more information in the near future.


    <table>


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td width="134">


    Character Name


    </td>


    <td width="77">


    Level


    </td>


    <td width="210">


    Description


    </td>


    <td width="138">


    Chapter Appearance


    </td>


    <td width="79">


    Age


    </td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td width="134">


    Freda Prismer


    </td>


    <td width="77">


    Level 25


    </td>


    <td width="210">


    A transcendent mage and the mother of the MC (Priston). Died due to assassination.


    </td>


    <td width="138">


    Chapter 1


    </td>


    <td width="79">


    45


    </td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td width="134">


    Grayson Prismer


    </td>


    <td width="77">


    Level 23


    </td>


    <td width="210">


    A transcendent warrior and the father of MC (Priston). Died early in the story.


    </td>


    <td width="138">


    Chapter 1


    </td>


    <td width="79">


    43


    </td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td width="134">


    Marcus Farlake


    </td>


    <td width="77">


    Level 9


    </td>


    <td width="210">


    A Knight and the caretaker of Priston. Became a martial arts teacher at Trepolos Warlord School. Has a Red Leaf Raccoon Bloodline.


    </td>


    <td width="138">


    </td>


    <td width="79">


    48


    </td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td width="134">


    Nina Farlake


    </td>


    <td width="77">


    Level 5


    </td>


    <td width="210">


    A Knight, Daughter of Marcus Farlake. A very beautiful young lady that has a sadistic side.


    </td>


    <td width="138">


    </td>


    <td width="79">


    23


    </td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td width="134">


    Celia Farlake


    </td>


    <td width="77">


    Unknown


    </td>


    <td width="210">


    Mother of Nina and caretaker of Priston


    </td>


    <td width="138">


    </td>


    <td width="79">


    42


    </td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td width="134">


    Trepolos Hali


    </td>


    <td width="77">


    Level 19


    </td>


    <td width="210">


    A Storm Sage. He is the principal of his own warlord school. Has a Thunderlord Earthen Grizzly Bloodline


    </td>


    <td width="138">


    </td>


    <td width="79">


    80+


    </td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td width="134">


    Pedro Hali


    </td>


    <td width="77">


    Level 14


    </td>


    <td width="210">


    Brother of Trepolos. A storm mage. Has a Thunderlord Earthen Grizzly BloodlineEnjoying the story? Show your support by reading it on the official site.


    </td>


    <td width="138">


    </td>


    <td width="79">


    68


    </td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    <table>


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td width="134">


    Character Name


    </td>


    <td width="77">


    Level


    </td>


    <td width="210">


    Description


    </td>


    <td width="138">


    Chapter Appearance


    </td>


    <td width="79">


    Age


    </td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td width="134">


    Khalil


    </td>


    <td width="77">


    Level 12


    </td>


    <td width="210">


    A Knight, a blacksmith, and a teacher from Trepolos warlord school.


    </td>


    <td width="138">


    </td>


    <td width="79">


    41


    </td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td width="134">


    Prions


    </td>


    <td width="77">


    Unknown


    </td>


    <td width="210">


    blacksmith outside the gate.


    </td>


    <td width="138">


    </td>


    <td width="79">


    N/A


    </td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td width="134">


    Old Oliver


    </td>


    <td width="77">


    Level 13


    </td>


    <td width="210">


    A Mage who acts as a guard for the Student Quarters. Potato Maniac


    </td>


    <td width="138">


    </td>


    <td width="79">


    N/A


    </td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td width="134">


    Gopper


    </td>


    <td width="77">


    Level 9


    </td>


    <td width="210">


    Pet of Oliver. A wingless Shadow Bat


    </td>


    <td width="138">


    </td>


    <td width="79">


    N/A


    </td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td width="134">


    George


    </td>


    <td width="77">


    Level 1


    </td>


    <td width="210">


    The twin roommate of Priston. He is the older one.


    </td>


    <td width="138">


    </td>


    <td width="79">


    12


    </td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td width="134">


    Geoffrey


    </td>


    <td width="77">


    Level 1


    </td>


    <td width="210">


    The twin roommate of Priston. He is the younger one.


    </td>


    <td width="138">


    </td>


    <td width="79">


    12


    </td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td width="134">


    Altair


    </td>


    <td width="77">


    Level 1


    </td>


    <td width="210">


    Is a mage apprentice and the son of duke Prin of Adiana.


    </td>


    <td width="138">


    </td>


    <td width="79">


    11


    </td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    <table>


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td width="134">


    Character Name


    </td>


    <td width="77">


    Level


    </td>


    <td width="210">


    Description


    </td>


    <td width="138">


    Chapter Appearance


    </td>


    <td width="79">


    Age


    </td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td width="134">


    Martin Holliger


    </td>


    <td width="77">


    Level 1


    </td>


    <td width="210">


    An apprentice mage studying bug magic. The older brother of Klaus.


    </td>


    <td width="138">


    </td>


    <td width="79">


    14


    </td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td width="134">


    Klaus Holliger


    </td>


    <td width="77">


    Level 1


    </td>


    <td width="210">


    An apprentice mage studying bug magic. The younger brother of Martin. Has a very robust voice.


    </td>


    <td width="138">


    </td>


    <td width="79">


    13


    </td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td width="134">


    Frank Holliger


    </td>


    <td width="77">


    Level 10


    </td>


    <td width="210">


    A sorcerer from the bug clan. Uncle of the Holliger Brothers and the teacher of Priston in Bug Magic.


    </td>


    <td width="138">


    </td>


    <td width="79">


    39


    </td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td width="134">


    Harrison


    </td>


    <td width="77">


    Lvl 1


    </td>


    <td width="210">


    An apprentice knight who specializes in assassination. Aide of Altair.


    </td>


    <td width="138">


    </td>


    <td width="79">


    13


    </td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td width="134">


    Narna Witherhood


    </td>


    <td width="77">


    Lvl 11


    </td>


    <td width="210">


    A loli Knight who carries a very large greatsword that can even halve a 5-feet thick tree in one slash. She is about 152cm tall and has pink hair.


    </td>


    <td width="138">


    </td>


    <td width="79">


    19


    </td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td width="134">


    Seri Tichuya


    </td>


    <td width="77">


    Lvl 13


    </td>


    <td width="210">


    A Knight who specializes in the use of mid-long ranged weapons. He usually carries a crossbow that can shoot targets 100 meters away. He is around 195cm tall and dark-skinned.


    </td>


    <td width="138">


    </td>


    <td width="79">


    30


    </td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td width="134">


    Abel Abal


    </td>


    <td width="77">


    Lvl 13


    </td>


    <td width="210">


    A Mage who specializes in assassination and Plant type Magic.


    </td>


    <td width="138">


    </td>


    <td width="79">


    24


    </td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    <table>


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td width="134">


    Character Name


    </td>


    <td width="77">


    Level


    </td>


    <td width="210">


    Description


    </td>


    <td width="138">


    Chapter Appearance


    </td>


    <td width="79">


    Age


    </td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td width="134">


    Olive Loneri


    </td>


    <td width="77">


    Lvl 17


    </td>


    <td width="210">


    A level 17 Knight and a level 8 Bug Mage at the same time. She is from the bug clan. She has noble blood and is considered as one of the great geniuses of Gloris Empire.


    </td>


    <td width="138">


    </td>


    <td width="79">


    32


    </td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td width="134">


    Gustavo Gloris


    </td>


    <td width="77">


    Lvl 23


    </td>


    <td width="210">


    A Transcendent Knight and the Emperor of Gloris Empire.


    </td>


    <td width="138">


    </td>


    <td width="79">


    54


    </td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td width="134">


    </td>


    <td width="77">


    </td>


    <td width="210">


    </td>


    <td width="138">


    </td>


    <td width="79">


    </td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td width="134">


    </td>


    <td width="77">


    </td>


    <td width="210">


    </td>


    <td width="138">


    </td>


    <td width="79">


    </td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td width="134">


    </td>


    <td width="77">


    </td>


    <td width="210">


    </td>


    <td width="138">


    </td>


    <td width="79">


    </td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td width="134">


    </td>


    <td width="77">


    </td>


    <td width="210">


    </td>


    <td width="138">


    </td>


    <td width="79">


    </td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td width="134">


    </td>


    <td width="77">


    </td>


    <td width="210">


    </td>


    <td width="138">


    </td>


    <td width="79">


    </td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>

 Chapter 9

    Chapter 9:


    The Empire has been pretty busy the past few months due to some reasons only the aristocrats are entitled to know. The Emperor decided not to disclose any information to the mass as to not bring forth panic which could lead to disorder, destruction, and economic loss. After weighing the pros and cons, the council of advisers, also known as Protectors of the Dragon, decided to mobilize a team consisting of elite warriors and mages to investigate this current predicament. The team is made up of the best of the best field agents from different organizations. Most of them are those with backgrounds as secret agents and spies, while the rest are those with great powers.


    Emperor Gustavo Gloris, the leader of the whole Gloris Empire and the one with the most power among the aristocrats, is a man of great stature. He is very noble. He is a wise ruler and does not lack the power to make those under him subservient. He is the epitome of a great ruler. People even say that he is the embodiment of power and nobility himself. He is considered to be one of the greatest Emperors to ever rule the Gloris Empire.


    The Emperor went and discussed some matters with the elders and their elite warriors in a secret hall. The hall is an underground room that is spacious enough to cater to basketball games for four different teams at the same time. There are a lot of Dragon ornaments and Dragon paintings posted on the walls. One painting that is really eye-catching is the one that is located behind the Emperor''s seat.


    The painting depicted a human warrior donned in black armor who is riding a very large crimson dragon. In his right hand is a silver sword with a length that''s almost around the same height as him that is glowing a golden luster. In his left hand is a white stave shaped like a coiling dragon. Underneath was a battlefield full of different beasts and humans wearing armors and wielding swords and shields. He looked like he pitied the world, like he wants to forgive them but is unable to do so. His posture exuded an overbearing aura to the onlooker. A very powerful man. The man in the painting is called ''The Sage Knight'', the man who has perfected both magic and internal energy and has transcended from the way of normal people. He''s got a lot of titles like ''The Dimension Traveler'', ''The Devourer of Battlefields'', ''The Peerless Warlord'', and many more. He is said to be a man who is not of this world. People say that he came from another dimension to purge the world of its sins. Different stories about him emerged in the past Millennia but one thing is for sure, the strongest rulers are his seeds.


    "I believe that you are already briefed about what we are going to discuss this time. I still have a lot of matters to attend to so this talk will be straightforward." The Emperor said in a cold but authoritative voice. His sharp brown almond-shaped eyes looked really menacing under the dim light. His golden-brown hair matched his raw sienna skin. He is already 54 years old but one can still say that he can definitely contend for the title ''one of the most beautiful men in the whole empire.'' He leaned his back towards his seat.


    "Yes, milord. We have already chosen the best of the best among our clan members. They are divided into three groups based on their specialties." An elder stood up and explained. After saying this, he signaled for the chosen warriors and mages to stand up. "We have chosen those with great combat strengths and those who have great abilities when it comes to information gathering. I hope that they''d be able to acquire the information needed by his Majesty."


    "I am pleased. They not only looked strong but also loyal. If you complete this mission successfully, you will receive great honor and your names will be sung by different generations to come. In this mission, you will not only find information. This mission will give you the chance to save our beloved Gloris Empire. You all know about the ability of the Empress." He glanced at them and nodded.


    The Empress has the ability to sense danger, not only to herself but also to the ones around her. It is a unique ability and is considered to be one of the greatest treasures of the Empire. This is confidential information only known by the elders of the great clans and the higher-ups in the nobility.


    " I won''t test you for I know and I trust the Protectors of the Dragon.  This mission is urgent so I won''t waste your time anymore. Go forth bring peace to our Gloris Empire." He stood up and walked out of the hall. He was escorted by 10 knights clad in red armor.


    The ones left inside the hall also made their move. Each of the groups made their way towards different directions. All of them are filled with the drive to bring glory and honor to their clans and also for their own selves.


    . . . .


    Along a jagged road, Four people are seen riding a two-wheeled beast-drawn carriage. They were surrounded by rocks, a lot of them, big and small. Some are the size of a small hill, some are even as big as a four-story building. The four were nearing the boundary between Hereros and Saintsburg. The trail east of Croppin Valley. They looked like an eccentric group. Each of them dressed totally different from the other. They are one of the groups chosen for the investigation of the current distress of the Empress.


    "So that was the Emperor? It''s my first time seeing him up-close. He looks cool but he''s kinda lazy. I don''t know if the Empress'' power is real but that guy seems to be taking it too far. I mean, maybe she''s just on her menopausal stages." An orange-haired loli wielding a greatsword two times her height blew her gum into a balloon which popped just a moment afterward.


    "Oy, Narna. Don''t think that because you''re pretty cute you can just curse on our Emperor like that. Remember the ones who feed you!" A slap sounded in the air.


    "You bald dog! Just because you''re worshiped as one the best marksman within your clan, you can hit me just like that. I won''t be humiliated!" It was the dark-skinned bald man, whose eyes are dyed golden brown, who threw that slap towards the loli. He looked like someone from the comics. His body is very bulky and muscular. His height has reached around 210cm. Anyone who looks at him can tell that he''s definitely a warrior. However, he did not have any sword around his waist. In reality, this hulk came from a clan that cultivates marksmen. Despite his hulky appearance, he has a very keen sight. It is said that he can shoot moving targets 100 meters away with a crossbow. The girl, on the other hand, looked small and frail. The slap looked like it might send someone flying but the girl did not flinch one bit. Instead, she grabbed the greatsword with both hands and slashed it towards the bald man. The bald man remained calm and composed. In a split of a second, he loaded his crossbow and aimed at the girl. Both weapons are aimed at each other''s throats, ready to kill.


    "Vines of Submission!" The mage intervened. The ground shook for a second and a large number of vines came out of the ground, thrashing the whole carriage and startling the beasts. The vines enveloped the two in an instant. The beasts who are pulling the carriage broke free from their restraints and escaped, running wildly in different directions.Reading on this site? This novel is published elsewhere. Support the author by seeking out the original.


    The mage is a dark-haired young man wearing a matching black robe and a black mask that covered his whole face. He doesn''t talk much as he is from the Abal clan that raises magic assassins. After everything has quieted down, a blonde-haired woman wearing a silver armor under that long brown hooded cloak stood up from the rubble and drew her sword. She let out a small bit of her internal energy to assert dominance.


    "If you two want a proper fight, do it after the mission. I won''t interfere. Narna, what you have shown can be considered as improper behavior." She said with a cold voice. "If this goes out into the public, your sect will be greatly implicated. I believe that the Steel Mammoth Sect will be greatly saddened by your conduct." Narna sulked and stuck her tongue out towards the bald hulk. The blonde woman then went towards the bald hulk and tapped him on the shoulder.


    She looked towards the bald man. "Seri, I admire your loyalty towards the Empire but I think it would be too much if you kill your own teammate."


    The bald hulk of a man stood up and responded.


    "I''m sorry, team captain. I... I tried my best to him with utmost restraint but I did not know that this little girl here will take it as an attack." He grinned towards the Loli.


    "Please do not make this a big one. We won''t be able to achieve our goal if the both of you will continue like this. If this happens again, I''ll make sure you won''t be gagged anymore. I''ll cut off each of your fingers and skin you alive. I''ll tell the Emperor that savage beasts attacked us and only I survived. Oh, there''s you too, Mr. Abel Abal." She looked at them with a menacing glare. The two felt their hair erected at that moment. She turned her gaze towards the black mask.


    She looked at him with serious eyes full of conviction. "I think that what you have done is a little bit too much. You like walking, don''t you? The holy mountain is a little far from here. Do you have any suggestions, Mr. Magic Assassin?" She signaled towards the wreckage and sat on the ground. She looked towards Kufu and pointed at the two tied up people. He withdrew his magic and sat near the hooded girl dispirited.


    "I am sorry, Ms. Loneri. I''m just too frustrated about them and did not think of anything at that point." The silent Abel looked down. He knew that without beast carriages, it will take a long time to arrive at their destination. "I''ll call my uncle. He''s got a pub nearby and might be able to lend us his Pegus Carriage. It will be faster with that, right?"


    "Very well. We will borrow your uncle''s carriage as collateral until you pay me for my carriage." She sat down and took out a map. She gave him the map and said. "Which way is your uncle? We''ll spend the night there and set forth on daybreak."


    . . . .


    They arrived at a small town a few kilometers away from where they are, north of Hereros. The town is around 1.8 square kilometers and is inhabited by hundreds of people. There are a few blacksmithing shops filled with all the necessary tools for farming, cooking, and other miscellaneous work. There''s also a small marketplace filled with different crops and harvests from their own fields. They moved towards the center of the town. The place became a little cramped because in this block, the houses were built extremely close to each other that each house almost shared the same walls. The architecture looked simple and rugged but the atmosphere speaks a little differently. The air reeks danger. The four-people team is made up of strong individuals and has no need to be careful of muggers but for a normal person, this place can only bring forth disaster. They entered a dark and wet alley and arrived at the front of a two-story building with a broken signboard the image of a rooster standing right outside the door. Beside the door, a large man around 200cm and has a very muscular body greeted them. He looked towards Narna and frowned.


    "I''m sorry but we do not let underage teens inside." He spoke mockingly. He''s not afraid of anybody in this town. He''s a level 9 warrior and also a level 4 mage at the same time, no one in this village can touch him. Narna glared at him but she did not lift her greatsword. She''s too afraid of their group leader.


    "Oy! Jason, it''s me, Abel!" Abel threw a silver coin at him which was caught by a hand-shaped shadow. The shadow disappeared together with the coin. The giant man knitted his eyebrows and inspected the masked man and exclaimed.


    "Master Abel! You have come. It seems you''ve brought friends. Are they as strong as you? Please come in." He became polite as soon as he recognized Abel.


    "Of course! Each one of them is stronger than I am, maybe even stronger than father. By the way, is uncle inside? I''ll be needing his help."


    "Oh! I''m sorry for my rudeness. Please come in." The man opened the door. A strong scent of alcohol, sweat, and other bodily scent crept into their noses. Narna felt like puking but decided to hold it in. The four-man-team entered the room. The pub is not your usual drinking place. They offer a lot of services like selling of information, drugs, prostitution, and etc.. They were greeted by a young man with a butler attire. He led them towards a lit up hall and went ahead to knock at the room located at the end of it. The four people behind him walked after him. They heard moaning sounds at one of the rooms. Narna who''s not used to living in the dark side of the world was baffled. Her pupils enlarged. Her knees shook with anger.


    "What the heck is this place Abel? I don''t like it here." Narna looked down and made a fist. Abel was about to speak when Loneri, the magic swordswoman, stepped in.


    "Don''t get too worked up. If you make a mess in here, I won''t be able to protect you from these guys. This place doesn''t only serve those who are part of the Dragon''s Protectors but also those from the Dragon''s Neighbors. The Emperor even turns a blind eye at them in order to stop them from waging war. They have already infiltrated the Empire and it will be hard for the Emperor to make a move to them. If a war breaks out, the surrounding enemies will sniff the smoke and we will never be able to handle that." Loneri patted her shoulders and started to move towards where the butler is. Three naked women went out of the room looking at the new guests with thankful eyes. The four people went in and had a talk with Abel''s uncle.


    . . . .


    ''Oh shoot! I overslept. Every bit of my energy got drained from last night. Fuck it! I''m just gonna go now. It''s not like I''m smelly or something. I''ve got my perfume right in my pouch. It''s not like people care much about their hygiene here. Altair even got so excited about my soap.''


    Pshhht Pshht.


    Priston took out the perfume and sprayed on his whole body. It was ten o''clock in the morning and he has not even eaten yet. His body got too shriveled last night that the moment he went inside the door, he dropped down motionless on the floor. He fell asleep in an instant, making the twins carry him up to his bed.


    He took a comb out his pouch and brushed his hair tidy, brushed his teeth, and put on his uniform. That blue and red uniform that looked ridiculous. He opened the door and rushed towards the forest and into the school grounds. It''s 5 minutes before the class starts and he''s just a few meters away from the room when he saw the Principal, Trepolos Hali, taking care of his plants.


    "Oh, good morning Priston. Off to school now?" Trepolos smiled at him. The old man did not know what his mate did to the child so his smile looked pretty welcoming for him. Unfortunately, this is not the same for the young boy.


    ''Damn. How come everyone in this world that I knew has very absurd mood swings? Man, I''m unlucky back then but I''m getting more and more unfortunate now. Damn you, whoever you are that brought me here. After I kill the demon king, you''re next on my list.''


    He swore deep within, but he sucked it in. He did not want to be tortured anymore and his class will start in less than 5 minutes.


    "W... we... well, yeah. I''ve got flesh and blood manipulation lectures right now so I''ll be going now, sir Trepolos. We''ll se... see each other tonight, right?" His voice got a little pitchy as his mind is now in an emotional rollercoaster. He never would have thought that this very gentle old man, who''s also his pledged brother, is also one of those sadistic demons. He remembered Nina again. He got out of his stupor and bid goodbye to the old man. He went into the lecture hall in a hurry. He''s very excited to experience new things in life, just like a normal human would be. This is one of the very first steps that he needs to accomplish in order to achieve his goals in life. He can''t mess up now. This must be executed perfectly.