《Mystic Swordsman》 Prologue: I have existed for far too long, growing to a peak of power unimaginable to you beings. I wield power so immense that I have surpassed all realities, and yet I have never felt more confused in my quest for meaning. What are these if not my most passionless reflections? Dreary mirrors to an immoral life struck upon me by circumstances beyond my control. Am I to blame for the pain I have inflicted? Am I responsible for the outcomes of the world? I would like to believe no, but the only punishment left to receive is from myself.Did you know this text is from a different site? Read the official version to support the creator. I come to you from infinite and quiet loneliness, a void of unending emptiness. A home I have made for myself from unending slaughter, I fought against the heavens. I fought for my right to live and realized all along it wasn''t the world who was wrong. It was I. How can I rectify this pain? Please listen to this closely... There is nothing beautiful about my story, just the soul-crushingagony of fighting for eternity. Book 1- Rebirth In retrospect perhaps it was stupid to be a thief¡­. At first, it was just about surviving, getting enough to eat, drinking water, and having a place to sleep. I started by stealing a stale loaf of bread from a vendor in a stand. He wasn''t looking as he was attending to a customer. I was young so I was impulsive, I was hungry since I had no food at the orphanage. So I took the loaf of bread and ran away before he could figure it out. He noticed it was missing later but he couldn''t find me. That day I went to sleep with a full stomach and that made me happy. I lived in a heartless world, I was abandoned by my parents. Everyone has parents right? Including me of course but in my case, I was just unwanted by them. So I lived most of my life at an orphanage. I didn''t hold a grudge or anything, I just think of it like I was born without parents. So I thought why not do it again, so I went to another vendor and stole an apple. I started a routine of stealing from different people every other day. Enjoying their various foods and sleeping well at the orphanage. I enjoyed the rush of stealing, the taste of the food, and the feeling of a full belly. The first time I slept with a full stomach, I nearly cried with joy. But eventually my crimes caught up to me, I was kicked out of the orphanage. I wandered the streets looking for a place to sleep. That''s when I met Lewis, he was the Branch leader of the thieves'' guild. When I met him, he gave me a loaf of bread and told me to follow me. He lead me into the sewers where the Silent swords guild was hidden. He trained me with some new recruits. I lived there for 3 years training and doing various assigned jobs. The day that this all started, I had found out that the Cambell House was looking for temporary help for a party in 2 days. I looked into the circumstances of the party. I found out that they were having this party to commemorate their son''s journey to adulthood. I looked into the Cambell House and got some interesting information. The Cambell House got its wealth for investing well especially in diamonds. Even their nobility was bought and not earned, so their wealth is staggering. I thought about the party especially the fact that they would be distracted. So I planned on not stealing the diamonds but rather finding out what they want to invest in next. Diamonds could be traced and could be stolen. But information can be hidden, and can''t be traced with good countermeasures. So I went to speak to Lewis about my idea. Lewis was seated in a booth with some other members, he was a short a muscular man with a large frame. I went over and whispered in his ear, he stood up and told me to follow him. We walked to the stairs of the sewer and went to a selection of rooms. We entered one to the furthest left. It was a decorated workroom with ledgers and rare items all over the room. If even a bit of it disappeared Lewis would know and as the boss of this branch of the thieves guild. This stuff is what he has to send so no one ever messes with the items. I recapped my plan to Lewis as he sat in his chair and thought. "So what will you need to get the job done," Lewis said as he rocked back in his chair I spoke candidly to Lewis, I owed him everything so I hid nothing. "Information: I need blueprints, I need people on the inside, and I need a few forged documents. Although my childish age gets people''s guard down and this is just temporary work I don''t need to look irregular." It was one of Lewis'' lessons, blend in, never stand out, and always be careful. Regardless of how prepared you are you can get more prepared. I took that lesson to heart, he also taught me that it can be stressful to always be guarded. So always have someone you can confide in, to me that person is Lewis. "Alright, I got someone who can get you some fake papers, showing you''ve worked for nobles before. I assume you know how to act?" Lewis calmly said "3 Years here has taught me quite a lot I think I can handle it." "This is a big job and you''re going alone, although there will be some help. I understand your skills but remember if you get caught and reveal any info about the guild. Well, don''t expect your age make them put their guard down understood." Lewis said with a stern voice.Support the creativity of authors by visiting the original site for this novel and more. "Understood regardless of what happens it will be my own problem. I can only blame my bad luck if this fails." Lewis scanned over my face one last time before he spoke. "Alright be back here tomorrow I will have your papers." I left and wasted the day reading in the guild lounging area. I came back got my papers and went to the Cambell House. At the top of a large hill was the Cambell mansion at the front were some servants in suits. I walked up to one of them. "I am here for the help job in this flier." I handed the paper over to him The servant spoke to the old man for a moment then they both looked at the man the old man spoke. "Do you have any previous work experience and papers issued by the noble family you worked for?" "Why yes sir," I said with a cute little smile as I handed him the paper. I moved my blonde bangs from my eyes. As my blue eyes sparkled like an ocean, I made eye contact with the old man. He looked it over and smiled at me. "Alright all I need you to do is move the food around and you''ll get 6 silver." "Thank you so where is the work area?" I said looking around innocently "Follow me I will show you." We left the dining room and went to the kitchen where the chefs were busy cooking. The old man pointed to a table near the door. "Over there is where the food will go you are to place them in their correct areas. Wines go there, foods next to it, snacks, and other assortments go on the third table. When someone comes and asks for something you give it to them. When a chef says come pick it up you bring the items here. If we get busy you will be out on the floor serving the nobles understood?" "Yes, sir." "Alright, you can start." The old butler said as he walked away I started working and organizing the food as the day went on. It got especially busy at night and I went to the floor and started giving food to the nobles. All the trips made the ball of my feet feel the pain. I am often on my feet but not continuous for 14 hours. I stayed working so that when I take a break. from feet pain it won''t look strange. Especially as a little 9-year-old child. I told the old man I was going on break he just smiled at me and said I could rest. I went to the kitchen and looked for a chef with green shoes and a tattoo on his ear. When I found him I showed him the tattoo on my arm he brought me over to the corner. "Here''s the floor plan for the mansion, in his study drawer there is likely to be some info. But the best bet would be his floor safe. I had someone check it''s under the carpet near the cabinets. We had an expert look at it, here''s a list of codes it could be." He said as he handed me a few parchments He then pointed to the end of the corridor. "Be fast guards may do a sweep near there. I''ll cover for you if you don''t get back in time but after your break work for the rest of the night. So you don''t look like a suspect." "I made the plan you don''t have to worry." I said with an almost smug expression He escorted me out of the kitchen and I started sneaking around the mansion. My first priority was securing a diversion. I looked outside and saw some guards holding back commoners. I snuck out the window and went over to them. I went up to one of the guards. "Sir Cambell told me to come ask you guys if you need more guards?" I said in an innocent childlike voice. "Yes, any help would be great now." He said as he pushed one of the commoners of the premises. With that, I went back to the mansion and snuck around. Occasionally I would see some guards but I would hide and wasn''t found so far. I got into the study and found the cabinets. I carefully remembered and removed the carpet then found the safe. I put in the pin the first 18 were wrong but on the 19th is succeeded. "Why are we sweeping all day who would dare steal from the Cambell family." Said someone outside the room. I froze for a moment and moved the carpet out of the way when the guards came in. I hide behind the desk. I thought about this happening so I took a rock and threw it to the bottom left corner of the room. "What was that?" Said one of the guards as they walked towards the sound. I snuck around the desk and left the room silently. I was already trained in quick quiet feet and effective diversion. So I did it all without a hitch. I went down the hall as fast as possible then stopped halfway and turned around. I walked forward slowly when one of the guards left the room and saw me in the hallway. He walked towards me with a stern face. "Why are you here no one in the kitchen staff is allowed here." "I was on break and was looking for the bathroom. It''s my first day here." I said embarrassingly with a smile. The guard''s face softened as he was calmed by my childish demeanor. "If it''s just the bathroom it''s straight down here 2 sections on your left." "Oh also some of the guards near the front are asking for help because they are overflowing with too many commoners breaking in they need some help." I said as if I had just remembered "But Sir Cambell told us to keep guard here no matter what." I shrugged my shoulders and carelessly said "You can ask him yourself he said get it done quickly." "Alright, we''ll be there soon." The guards said in a haste. I walked away going to the bathroom so I wouldn''t look suspicious I kept a lookout. Then the security guards left and I returned to the safe. In it, I found some gems and jewels as well as a ledger. I took out a bunch of papers and some coal I wrote down names and purchases. I also wrote down any additional information especially the names of the people they traded with. They were who to go to when getting evidence. I considered taking the gems and jewels but any disruption could ruin the heist. So I left the items there and left. I was originally going to stay the night working but if those guards talk to each other about me or Mr. Cambell. They''ll realize I am lying and search me, I''ll just tell my contact I need to leave. I went back to the kitchen found him and told him the situation he okayed it and I left. I snuck over the fence and disappeared. I told my contact to say that I was sick and couldn''t remain otherwise I would risk the food. Chapter 2: Prayer I went back to the guild with the info entering the sewer and I found Lewis I went to his office. Where he was busy going through some papers. "I got the info they are investing in the usual stuff new items on the market and scholars. But the most common transaction is with LDD with someone named Joshua. "They are just giving them money nothing else. It seems they are probably paying off Joshua to be quiet about something that should make negotiations with the Cambell family possible as well as other families." I said to Lewis Lewis read the ledger for a little bit and didn''t say respond to me. "Good job you''ll have your pay by the end of the week. Stay in the guild lounging meanwhile." I quietly left cheering on the inside the amount of money this would net me would be colossal. Maybe enough to pay for a house, and food and clothing for at 10 years. I went to my bed in the lounging area and went to bed. The stress and mental strain of a heist will calm only from 12 hours of sleep. ****************************************** In Lewis'' room, he took his wine glass and threw to a wall in anger. "Goddamn, they made a deal with Joshua. We can''t mess with them we are even going to have to apologize." "Wait it''s alright as long as Joshua doesn''t know that we know it will be fine. But¡­.Joshua will figure it out and the executives will present my head as an apology." "Alright, I bring this up the ladder with my thief responsible without my permission. I''ll get rid of the paper trail and him as well. Sorry kid but it''s you or me." Said Lewis with a sick smile on his face. Lewis got busy getting rid of any paper trail and paying off anyone in on the heist. The executives need only one lamb for the slaughter. Too many would scare the members, and no sheep wouldn''t satisfy Joshua or the executives. ****************************************** The next day I spent it relaxing unaware of Lewis'' activities as I waited in the lounge area. I occasionally talked with some of the other guild members then I slept again. I was woken up by a tall dark man. "Hey, kid Lewis is asking for you." The tall dark man said with a scowling expression "Is it about my money?" A smile blossomed on my face at the prospect of the payout "He didn''t say just go ask." The dark man said as he shrugged expressionlessly "Alright." I stood up and walked in front of him as we went to Lewis'' room. "Lewis, what''s this about do you have the money already?" I asked quizzically "Sorry kid it was me or you." Lewis said with a sigh With those words, I realized I had been tricked I was about to dodge. When the man behind me struck me on the head. I was out cold, a small child against a large man wasn''t going to work out anyway. "Does your conscious feel better now Lewis." The dark man said with a sneer "No it feels worse but I at least want him to know I did it. It''s fair when he gets out I''ll make sure to take care of him. He''s a kid the Cambell family won''t kill him but for me, it''s completely different." Lewis expression became downcast in guilt "I wonder who you''re trying to convince me or you?" The dark man snickered as he carried me.This tale has been pilfered from Royal Road. If found on Amazon, kindly file a report. Lewis became quiet as the tall man tied me up. He left with me over his shoulder and the copy of the ledger in his right arm. He used the sewers to get close to the prison. There was a middle-aged guard in armor waiting for me. He handed me off and the ledger then they brought me to a cell. They threw me inside as my body slammed against the cold ground I woke up. I looked around it was dark, smelly, and small. It stank like a donkey ass after it ate bad cheese. I had enough space to stand up and walk in any direction 8 steps with my small feet. No one else was near me it was solitary confinement for dangerous nutcases. I knew about it when I asked about to one the guild members who were in and out of jail for years. He said if you end up there you offended someone or you are just a nutcase. Two days after I robbed the Cambell house my boss gets me sent to jail as well as apologies. There''s no coincidence about that I found something in that ledger that offended someone. Someone powerful enough to force Lewis to give me up and this person is somehow related to the Cambells. Back then I had already thought of Joshua as a lucky guy that just got paid off for not saying anything about some matter. So it never crossed my mind that Joshua was responsible. ''What''s the point of even thinking about this? If I do say anything that will just make my situation worst. I should just quietly take this punishment and leave this business.'' I just felt my heart break the man who gave me everything, sent me here. I knew it was because he was forced to do so or at least that''s what I told myself. But a seed of distrust and hatred started to grow in my heart. I stayed in that cage forgetting the days as I remained in the dark. The only light I would see is the light as the guard enters to give me food. It just black bread and some gruel but at least it was food and company. I would try to converse only to be met with silence and darkness once again. I clasped my hands together and prayed to Edith, Goddess of Light. I hoped to see the light again and to be free of the dark and its burdens. One day I finally was free from the dark and brought into the light. But it wasn''t the light I wanted it was a slave market. The guard who handled my meals one day let me out and guided me to a caravan. "Where are you sending me?" I growled as he forced me into the caravan "Kid you offended the Cambells did you think everything would nice and dandy? They succeeded in convincing the prison guard to send you off. Guess who''s the prison guard." He said with a malicious smile I took note of his features narrow almost red eyes with a long scar across his eye to his note. He also has a tattoo in a strange script on his right arm. I was shoved in the back where there were a bunch of different people, young and old, men and women, children and a few small animals. We were stuffed together and forced to trek across the plains. They led us to a slave market where we were given rags for men and minimal clothing for women. We were put in different sections of the slave market and forced to look stupid and demean ourselves to get sold. I wanted to hate Lewis for bringing me here, I wanted to hate the Cambells for their wealth, and I wanted to hate that guard for his greed. But it felt pointless I couldn''t do anything to any of them without ending up in an even worse situation. I have to take all this without having the slightest bit of hate it feels so pointless to do anything. I felt any motivation to do anything slowly eeking out of me. Each day was more humiliating than the last stripping for a disgusting old man that liked little kids. Or being forced to do manual labor on top of advertising yourself. While I was there for a time I met Anna she was my age. We often talked as we did our labor but we didn''t see each other often because the women were in a different part of the slave market. In my sadness, I was slumping over from the manual labor. I met her because she saw me slump over and became concerned. Looking unproductive would get you whipped so she came over. "Are you okay? You shouldn''t stop or else they will whip." She said with concerned eyes My heartfelt dead so I didn''t care about the beating. But she didn''t stop persuading me, to get her off me I listened and went back to work. But she didn''t leave instead she followed me around all trying to help me. It went on like that for a long time, I remembered Lewis'' lessons. One of the most important things was someone you could put your guard down to. As time passed, I developed a bit of a crush on her, and I felt anger every day I saw her return to the women''s section. Running the risk of being bought and raped by a noble until he feels done with her and kills her or sells her to someone else. Whenever I felt tired or hopeless I would pray. Pray to Edith that all will be well. The world was unforgiving the moment you or anyone related to you slip up. I didn''t want that to happen to Anna. But at least in this unforgiving dog eat dog world I can at least protect those I care about regardless of the consequences. I smiled thinking it was a beautiful picture saving the life of your beloved even at the risk of your own. Knowing that someone else''s happiness is your happiness is more comforting than happiness itself at times. Especially when all you feel is alone, I romanticized the idea and marked this feeling in my heart. But of course, the slave market wouldn''t stop because of my daydreams. Day in day out I kept working and waiting. For the day that either I or Anna would be sold and separated then I can fight for her. With that, I clasped my hand as asked Edith to bless my love and grant me more hope and light. Chapter 3: Pacified From then on I waited to be sold and abused by some noble. But it never happened I was just a scrawny little boy maybe no one had weird proclivities. That day was especially hot the sun nearly blinding me. When an old man in a robe came in, he had an awe-inspiring presence. But I couldn''t tell what was making feel that way, I was certain it was some form of suppression. A hierarchy of power and I knew I was below him. He walked around inspecting all of the other slaves in the men''s section then he went to the women''s section. At that moment I saw him look at Anna, my heart nearly stopped. When he was done inspecting the manager who was following behind him with a smile both went to a tent at the end of the market. I was able to hear some of the words as I had snuck near there. "Grand Mage Remmie, which slaves are you interested in buying today." Said the manager with an ingratiating smile "I''ll take all your specimens here." The Grand Mage said with arrogance. I felt anger build up in me, that word specimens. As though we aren''t even humans that we are just toys to be played with. But I knew my anger was useless and only a threat to me so I calmed myself down and started to sneak away. But before I could escape the Grand Mage and the manager both left the tent and saw me. The Grand Mage looked at me with curiosity and the manager''s face distorted in anger. The manager balled his hand into a fist and was about to swing it when. "I''ve already bought him so don''t harm the merchandise." Said the mage while examining me. I stood still in fear a Grand Mage was someone I couldn''t interest without terrible consequences. For now, I just need to become insignificant or else this attention will backfire on me. "Run along back to where you were, boy." Said the mage with an indifferent face. I knew at that moment I was extremely lucky if he took an interest in me it wouldn''t ever good. I would definitely become his chief specimen. The one that will get to try his various experiments and tortures. That day we were all brought into a caravan and all shipped. The men and women went somewhere else. But all the kids were put on the same caravan as we went through the desert. We were dropped off at a camp where a middle-aged knight in faded silver armor waited for us. We were organized into little groups of 3, I ended up in a group with Anna and someone else. I wanted to speak to Anna but I knew now was not the time so I stayed quiet. The middle-aged knight spoke to us. "You have three paths ahead of you, we will train you to be a knight, a mage or you can just die is that understood? I will be your teacher Tiberius, I am a Grand Knight. Those that show excellent talent will be my disciples those that fail are sent back to the slave market" He said in a yelling voice "We understand." We all said in unison by this point all of us couldn''t care about what happens next or what we will suffer, those who made it here just want to escape the hell hole at all costs.Love this novel? Read it on Royal Road to ensure the author gets credit. With that started our training regime we were sent into the desert in our groups. We would run to another camp while following Tiberius. I didn''t know the distance between them, I just knew my feet ached after all the running. The hardest part about running was the hot sand, we ran without shoes and we had a hard time running on sand. I even heard someone of the other kids screaming from the pain or getting bit by a scorpion. As we ventured out further and further we found a gigantic scorpion. With its red eyes gleaming as it stared at us. All the kids froze up in fear as we were stared down by the beast. But Tiberius unsheathed his sword much to the scorpion''s chagrin and sliced it in half with one strike. We all watched in awe at that slash, I didn''t even see him move his sword after he unsheathed it. Yet he was able to slay that beast in one strike is that the power of a Grand Knight. "This is a corrupted Fey Beast not many should be around this area. Keep running the camp very close." In a short distance, we saw the camp there were enough tents for all 30 of us. We were organized into our tents with our groups. "We will wake you up tomorrow for now sleep." That night in the tent Aaron our 3rd member went to sleep. Anna and I were still awake we were lightly whispering. "What do you think they want from us?" Anna asked. "They probably just want to pick the talented ones and train us for their kingdom." I knew the truth that we were just specimens but I didn''t want to destroy Anna''s hope. Ever since we were brought here, her eyes had been shining with happiness. "Then let''s both get selected okay." She said with a beautiful smile as she extended her hand outside of her sleeping bag. We had already been close since the slave market, so I did the same and held her hand. I felt serene peace I haven''t felt my whole life. The next morning we were given stew and some bread. Then Tiberius took us and brought us to a training field on the camp. Around it were targets, weapons, and dummies to fight against. "All of you grab a sword." He brought out a bunch of wooden swords of varying length. We all went up and picked one appropriate to us. "Now get into your groups we selected before." I paired up with Aaron and Anna while holding my wooden sword. "Now there are 30 people here, only 15 can remain, do whatever is necessary," Tiberius said indifferently We looked at him confused after a few moments of no one moving. Someone couldn''t handle the tension and swung the sword at one of his team members. With that, all the tension exploded as everyone started swinging at each other. I trusted Anna but I looked over at Aaron he was nervous but he wasn''t swinging, at least not yet. "Aaron, Anna let''s work together there are 15 spots and 3 of us as long as we work together things will work out fine," I said to them Anna smiled at me and Aaron calmed himself, we saw the other kids fighting and few groups not fighting. Only 5 other people were still in a group, one of two and one of three. No one approached us because we were a united group of 3. The other kids were fighting until someone came on top. As the fighting continued as the fighting continued the loners started to make groups and we reached a stalemate. There were 21 people left with 7 groups of 3 wandering around. Two groups needed to be eliminated the first to strike would be struck down by everyone else. We need to make an alliance with a nearby group if we want to survive. But we can''t be too obvious about it or else they''ll want to attack us. Before I could contact another group 3 kids broke from pressure and attacked a team next to them. With that we everyone joined intake down the 2 fighting groups. A little boy with pearly eyes was crying as he swung his sword at me. I pivoted around him dodging the sword. Then swung it at his knee joint making me fall to his knees. I swung my sword against the back of his head and he fell down cold. With that, I retreated and Anna switched with me. Another kid ran with his sword at Anna she parried the sword out of his hand and kicked him in the solar plexus. He fell to the ground gripping his stomach. Aaron switched with Anna as he blocks an incoming hit from a kid behind Anna. With that, the other group was eliminated by the rest of the kids that left 15 people. "Time," Tiberius said. "Well done those who have failed, do not have the will to be knights you will be sent off." With that, the 15 other kids who were hurt and crying were organized into the caravan and sent off. Wherever that was I wouldn''t know but I do know that it wouldn''t be good. But I know for a fact that their fate is far worse than going back to the slave market. They just pacified us with familiar fears, rather than unfamiliar circumstances. Future of this story Afternoon to all of you, it has been quite a while. I remember what I said about continuing this story but got major writer''s block during the school year and just couldn''t write. Then I got caught up in college and just forgot to get back to the story. But now that the term is over I can get back to writing every day. But no need for excuses, I delivered over 100 chapters last summer so I hope you trust me to write once again.Did you know this text is from a different site? Read the official version to support the creator. I started by overhauling my previous chapters and increasing the quality significantly. There are some minor changes to the story like names and plot but it''s the story of Lucas'' ascension none the less. If anyone is still interested here''s the link https://www.webnovel.com/book/10731041906148905/Arcane-Slayer when I succeed in editing every chapter then I will get back to writing new chapters. I''ll also then start posting on this site again. I have a vision for Lucas'' next big plan like the previous one that I want all of you to see.