《In A Nation of factions I Shall Remain Independent》


 Prologue: A place Closest to Knowhere

    The morning dew which clung to the freshly cut grass shimmered as the sun began to rise in the east. With each droplet refracting the suns light the gardens of the small Villa looked to be full of diamonds. However, with all the running about of all of the servants of the house, this natural beauty was ignored.


    " Mr Bavsoliv is it true that the lord Baron will not be attending the birth?" [Head Maid]


    " It is as you say Mrs Neltrin just this morning the master sent a letter congratulating Lady Milyn on the birth." [Mr Bavsoliv]


    Man and woman stood together in the Butlers office. The man Retgam Bavsoliv held a letter in his hand from the master of the house Baron Wilfgar Pyrgan. His hand shook slightly giving away his emotions at that moment. That, however, was not noticed at all by his counterpart who tore the letter from his hands.


    Retgam placed his hands behind his back as the head maid Elisa Neltrin looked the letter over. The seconds passed Elisa''s anger began to worsen.


    "I can suppose that this letter was sent from the capital and not the family seat in Bycatha." [Elisa]


    A look of defeat upon her face Elisa already knew the answer.


    "The letter is enclosed with the joint seal sent by Baroness Pyrgan." [Retgam]


    Turning to leave a tear could be seen falling from Elisa''s face. Having served her mistress Milyn Fidtral for over twenty-seven years. She had seen a look of disappointment on Eilyn''s face many times over the years. Having given birth five times before, the baron had only been present for the three eldest.


    Wiping her eye''s dry as she walked towards the stairs that lead upstairs. Though a baby was due to arrive Elisa still did her rounds to see how all the maid''s work was progressing. The letter in her hand she busied herself not wanting to deliver it. Sadly the time came that the mistresses door was right in front of her.


    Knock Knock


    "My lady may I enter." [Elisa]You might be reading a stolen copy. Visit Royal Road for the authentic version.


    "Yes, Mrs Neltrin please come in." [Milyn]


    Entering the room Elisa''s eyes met her mistresses who even at the age of thirty-one Milyn still had youthfulness in her face. Having gone through six pregnancies however her figure was beginning to degrade.


    "What is the matter Elisa do I look that bad?" [Milyn]


    giggle


    "No my lady you are as beautiful as always and your breakfast has already been brought up I see." [Elisa]


    "Yes, Limtae just brought it up a moment ago." [Milyn]


    Turning her attention back to eating Milyn saw the letter in Elisa''s right hand but looked not to care.


    {Again he ignores another birth}


    This dance was nothing new now she had been sent to the furthest reaches of the barony for no other reason than she was only a concubine and not an official wife. If she had any consolation it was by her status her children were under law legitimate. So she and they were provided for by her attachment to the baron. However, this did not change the fact that she was treated like she was a nobleman''s mistress.


    "Well, Elisa bring me that damnable thing." [Milyn]


    Bringing the letter forward the head maid could see Milyns eye''s glued to the seal as if her gaze turn it to nothing.


    "This has the joint family seal, as far as I remember the baroness does not live in the family seat but in the capital." [Milyn]


    "The baron decided not to leave the capital when the news I was pregnant was sent out."


    Taking the letter from her maid Milyn looked the outer envelope over the tossed it into the nearby fireplace.


    "Well was not entirely outside of expectation at least the Son of a bitch is consistent." [Milyn]


    A feeling of calm satisfaction came into the room as the letter burned to cinders before them.


    Hahaha


    "Ow." [Milyn]


    A pained look came upon her face having felt contractions before it was not a thundering shock like the first time.


    "Elisa quickly call for the wetnurse the baby is coming." [Milyn]


    "Yes, my lady at once." [Elisa]


    Moving quickly but not panicked the entire house moved all the necessities that would be required for a safe birth. Hot water from the kitchen was always ready, as well as soap for the washing of hands and the baby fresh linens as well a cradle. By the six in the afternoon, a healthy boy had been born. His mother exhausted from hours in labour lay looking at the little life just next to her.


    "This will be the fifth boy I have given life to I hope he will not hate me for it like his older brothers." [Milyn]


    "This world is not kind my lady to sons of nobles who happen to be in line after the spare sadly the lord baron has many." [Retgam]


    "What Mr Bavsoliv says is true my lady there is always some animosity with younger brothers in large families." [Elisa]


    Listening to her servants Milyn want to sleep still looking at the little face of her new baby boy.


    "Welcome to a place closest to nowhere Drestol Pyrgan." [Milyn]

 Chapter: 1 Disappointment

    {Okay so where am I}


    Looking upward from his cradle, the small infant boy had opened his eye fully for the first time. Allowing his eyes to wander, Arthur Doulwin tried to survey more of the strange room but found himself in an alarming situation.


    {Wait last I remember I slipped in the bath soon afterwards I blacked out. Now that I am conscious it doesn''t look like I am in a hospital.}


    The situation was perplexing, the room itself was not small by any means, but for one who had suffered a devastating fall. Being sent to a hospital, one would expect doctors and nurses to be working as hard as they could to stabilize him. That being said, the only light that Arthur could see looked to be fading, and to be close to the ground enough that from his position, he could not see from where the source came.


    Attempting to move himself, the infant found that any kind of body motion aside from the moving of hands and feet was not happening.


    {Seems my body is a little sluggish, but the light is so dim I can barely see my hands.}


    {So tired}


    Milyn awoke suddenly, having heard what sounded like someone else had entered the room while she was asleep. Morning, was still hours away with only the smouldering ember flickering slightly she turned over onto her left side.


    {Haaa nothing is wrong Drestol must have awoken for a moment.}


    Her eyes found her son sleeping soundly in his cradle not far from her. Confirming that her son was still safe, she closed her eyes and fell back to sleep.


    The sun rose the next morning maids had now returned to the usual routine of daily. The increased workload required for a safe delivery for the villa staff was not much. But with the inadequate staff at hand, all the work took more time to finish.


    WAAAA WAAAAA


    An infant''s cries could be heard throughout the halls when they heard the sound stop for a moment then carried on with their work. Any number of things could make an infant cry. Either they soil their diaper or are hungry the list of thing that can affect a child is too numerous to state.


    However, the sadness had passed as quickly as it had come. Sitting in a rocking chair, near the large windows, Milyn cradling her son, as he peacefully drank from her breast.


    "My Lady, your breakfast is up." [Mrs Neltrin]


    "Come in." [Milyn]The genuine version of this novel can be found on another site. Support the author by reading it there.


    Opening the door, Mrs Neltrin entered with her mistresses morning meal.


    " Put the tray on the table for now once Drestol is finished I will eat." [Milyn]


    "Yes, my lady, as you wish." [Mrs Neltrin]


    Watching from where Mrs Neltrin was standing, she could see two little feet poking out from the shawl that Milyn wore which cover the baby and her chest.


    "Is the young master feeding well my lady?" [Mrs Neltrin]


    It was important for Mrs Neltrin to know whether the babe was feeding well or not. Because, if he could not feed on his mother''s breast, another means would have to be found. In the past, such a situation had transpired with one of Milyn''s older sons.


    "He is feeding well and thankfully is not too fussy." [Milyn]


    Saying that she felt Drestol stop sucking and softly moved him so to burp him.


    {What the hell now, it was nice and warm just a moment ago I am back in the light it would seem. Where was I for the last few minutes felt like I dozed off while doing something important?}


    Having a hazy memory, and even more blurred eyes, he at least knew he was in a sitting posture with a person''s hand under his chin.


    The whole process of burping Destrol took no effort, for his mother, and he was quietly put back in his cradle. He seemed to try to struggle in protest, not enjoying being back in the cradle.


    "He is a silly little boy can''t even hold his head up straight but doesn''t want to lay down." [Milyn]


    Sitting at the table, Milyn began to eat her breakfast.


    "I hope that everything is ready for the tests?" [Milyn]


    "Yes, my lady, a testing professor from the Balthxyn Academy, arrived this morning everything is being prepared now." [Mrs Neltrin]


    Calmly eating her meal, Milyn thought back on the last two sons who had gone thru the testing. When it came to the concentration of mana, neither of them was lacking. Both had massive reserves of mana to rely on the problem became their ability to use mana, unlike most others that could train and achieve some result. They required physical mediums to perform even the most basic magic, and this impaired them in the eyes of many.


    "Well, Destrol does not seem to want to take a nap, so I guess we will have to get this over with." [Milyn]


    Picking her son up from his cradle Milyn left her room with Mrs Neltrin following close behind.


    The test would be simply a small crystal being placed on the child''s right hand. Depending on the reaction of the crystal, and the duration of that reaction. One could gauge the amount of mana an individual had.


    "Professor welcome I hope you have everything you need." [Milyn]


    Having come down to the main floor of the villa, Milyn could see that the testing professor had the crystal ready.


    "Lady Milyn good morning everything is ready if I may?" [ Testing Professor]


    Nodding Milyn moved Destrol''s arm so to have the crystal placed on him. The professor held the crystal close to the infant''s hand with a confused look in his eye.


    {Never before has the crystal reacted without physical interaction with the testee.}


    In the old man''s hand, the testing crystal glowed a bright green. His interest now raised by the phenomenon he quickly placed the crystal on the infant''s hand. The result was immediate as the crystal disintegrated on contact with Destrol infant skin.


    "What, I have never seen mana capacity to this extent before, but this could be a bad sign for your son." [Testing Professor]


    "Are you saying that he can''t use mana similar to his older brothers." [Milyn]


    Milyn had prepared the possibility of such an event but had hoped for a better result. Holding a wand in his hand, the testing professor touched the infant''s hand. Looking in his eye''s Milyn saw what she did not wish to see.


    "It is a pity, my Lady your youngest is unable to use mana by any of the methods practised today." [Testing Professor]

 Chapter: 2 Rocks and Hard Places

    Years come and go time moves forward with no regard to people or places. Seven years have passed since the birth of Drestol Pyrgan with little happening that could be considered extraordinary. At least he made it seem that way. Having been reborn with all the knowledge he possessed in his previous life, allowing people to see what they wanted was simple enough.


    Knock Knock


    "Young master it is time to get dressed." [Maid]


    Entering the boy''s room, a young woman no more than eighteen carrying a stack of clean clothing.


    "Ah, Fraena good morning." [Drestol]


    The boy sat cross-legged with his back towards her looking a manikin in the centre of the room. Upon the model was set what looked like a large rucksack, some parts made of metal other parts leather. All over the sack was covered in Humanic Runes and a large crystal encased by the metal could be seen shining brightly out the back.


    This ungainly thing was how Drestol was able to use any magic called a Mana Projection pack. The way it functioned was to use runes as a way to draw mana from the person wearing the pack, then passing that energy to a stave or wand to use for spells. The crystal is what kept the runes functioning by being the primary source of mana. Every so often depending on use a new crystal would need to be acquired to replace a depleted one.


    {Cumbersome waste of money but who am I to complain, Father, blows more money gambling than on crystals for this damn thing so I will carry on as always.}


    Hearing, the Maids footsteps behind him Drestol rose to his feet. The daily routines over the years for Drestol had normalized, over time but the part about not changing himself was bizarre. Regardless he endured for another morning, shirt, pants and all now that he was changed, it was time for breakfast.


    The dining room located on the second floor had become the place that Drestrol and the rest of the family ate together. When either his mother was not busy, which was most of the time or if his elder siblings were present.


    Entering the room could see that his two older brothers had arrived before. Having been born twins they had an uncanny likeness. The eldest by a half-hour was Guylan the other brother was Baltym. Being four years older than their younger brother and having the same magical disability, they were both frightfully temperamental.


    Treading carefully, one could avoid them both going off the rails, but that was a hard tight rope to walk some times.


    "Well good to see you are finally awake little brother eat our outing to Mount Sulbran will not be delayed." [Guylan]


    {Oh, right the three of us are going to the most boring place in the whole Barony.}


    Sitting to eat Drestol could not help but complain to himself. Mount Sulbran was a miserable excuse for a mountain. Or it could be better to call the area the remains of what was once a giant solitary peak to the west of his father''s territory.This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.


    As to why the three brothers were going, well the older two had heard while in the capital that there was a stone, that could be found that would improve the effectiveness of their packs. So for the past year and a half, they would come home grab Drestol and run off to what remained of the mountain.


    "If we are lucky we can find what we are looking for this time." [Baltym]


    Both brothers had a broad smile on there face anticipating a good find.


    {I wonder who the malicious bastard was who told them such a lie.}


    As he thought to himself, he felt a sudden pull to the back of his shirt that dipped him out of his chair.


    "Brother, I have not finished eating yet." [Drestol]


    "Too late, we are going." [Baltym]


    Before he could protest further, the three brothers were standing on a transport spell, ready and then instantly were at the base of the mountain.


    {The two of you can go die in a fire.}


    Pushing his older brother way Drestol walk a ways off to get some distance from them. From where they had transported into this place was now a bright blue orb. Used to reactivate the transport spell but for a limited amount of time.


    "Since none of use can use complex magic with the packs the family had to devise such a convoluted spell just to move us around." [Drestol]


    Being annoyed by the situation, Drestol had not noticed that his brothers had moved on.


    "Hey, wait for me." [Drestol]


    "Keep up little brother we only have two hours to find the stones we are looking for and then get back before the transport spell expires." [Guylan]


    "What kind of stone do you even know what you are looking for?" [Drestol]


    Making their way up what remained of the face of the mountain, both the two elder brothers stopped and looked to the top intensely pondering something profound.


    "You know what we were never told what exactly to look for." [Baltym]


    {WOW talk about disastrous parenting on display here, you would think father would tell them that they are being tricked, by malicious people but the ass seems to enjoy watching these two make fools of themselves.}


    For as long as Drestol could remember, he had always felt great hatred towards his father. The man was a gambler, a womanizer and all-around asshole which generally made up his idea of all nobles. All that against him Baron Pyrgan had one thing going for him. He was a damn good administrator, as baron, he oversaw a prosperous territory with a strong economy and military strength. As a person, however, the man was not worth writing home about.


    Continuing up the mountainside Drestol felt something strange happening under his feet as if the ground was sliding away.


    "BROTHERS SOM........."


    Panicked Baltym turned around after hearing his little brother yelled out. Only to find a deep crease had opened where Drestol had once been. Running as fast as they could without falling themselves, both brothers looked into the hole.


    "Drestrol can you hear me are you okay?" [Guylan]


    Holding his breath as he waited for an answer, Guylan as the eldest would be punished if anything happened to his younger brother.


    Cough Cough ...........cough cough. "I''m good." [Drestol]


    Having fallen what to his brothers looked like a long way, Drestol found himself uninjured.


    "If you are okay then fine can you see a way up from down there?" [Baltym]


    Looking around him could see no way to climb to where his brothers were.


    "Not by what I can see from here I can see a cave just to my front there might be away from there if not I will come back we may need to get someone from home." [Drestol]


    "Right be careful."


    "Bal make your way home and get some help." [Guylan]


    As his brothers got a plan to get him out moving quickly, Drestol found himself walking into a larger cavern. Sadly though this was not to be his way out the cave was wide and deep with no means of crossing. But what fascinated him the most about the cave was noot its size but the rock that made it.


    "How is it possible for a rock to become translucent?" [Drestol]