《New Life Old Soul》


 Prologue: "You may call me--"

    A wide open blue sky surrounded nothing but white void, at the center of it is a floating island with a stream of water continuously falling to the unknown void.


    Standing on island felt nothing like fear or some sort of negative feelings but felt relief and calming.


    At the center of the island found a massive tree on a small island surrounded by a river with an endless supply of clean water that kept flowing down towards the void.


    A girl is found at that small island playing with the flowers surrounding her, she notice a presence and face towards it.


    ¡°You¡¯ve arrived safely, I¡¯m glad.¡±


    Before I knew it, I¡¯m already at the island standing in front of her.


    ¡°Don¡¯t be afraid, I won¡¯t do you any harm.¡±


    Her voice was gentle enough to erase my wariness at that moment, it felt safe and secure all of a sudden.


    Who are you?


    She starts to giggle then sat at the root of the tree, she gestured me to come and sit.


    ¡°My name, hmm¡­ you may call me Cyelena.¡±


    Is that what you are called?


    ¡°Not just that, I have sorts of name that had called me. But this is what I¡¯m preferred to call myself.¡±


    Is that so? I¡¯m¡ª


    ¡°¡ª¡ª¡ª ¡ª¡ª, right?¡±


    After hearing that name my body began to stiffen.


    ¡°The fact that you¡¯re making that face says that you really despise it, to extend of changing your identity.¡±


    What she had said were true, I despise ¡®THAT¡¯ name which shackled me from my life.


    The name which was once owned by a prodigy that had died from a childish accident, just to cover up his death took away my identity and killed it just shackle to his shadow, shadow of my twin brother, like a prison.


    Twisted and sorrowful story, perfect to give name as ¡®The Scripted Shadow¡¯.


    Everything I touch, spoke, seen, and did were like scripted by my family own greed for personal gain, which I had no power to resist their every command and began living as a puppet tool for them.


    ...


    Wow, as expected... He won another noble price....


    You out done yourself....


    Clearly this is entirely different world, compared to us....


    ...


    I could still hear their praise and admiration for me, but those words weren¡¯t meant for me.


    ¡°You really did a good job. It''s enough...¡±


    Cyelena hugged me and began to caress my head as she said those words.


    The weight on my arm were lifted it felt like my body became so light that I could finally soar to the sky with no obstacle in front of me.


    A case of content theft: this narrative is not rightfully on Amazon; if you spot it, report the violation.


    I really did a goodjob...


    ¡°Yes you did.¡±


    I finally heard the words that I wanted to hear all this time.


    The praise that was directed to me,


    not to my brother,


    but to me alone.


    ¡°Seem like you finally calmed down¡­¡±


    Yes, thank you¡­


    ¡°I have something to tell you, I will give you a new life where it would be different from your world. This world that I¡¯m talking about would be very dangerous compared to your world, filled with all kind of challenges and difficulties. But from every challenge were filled with adventures that you could never imagine and meet all sorts of different people, some would be filled with laughter, and other would fill with sadness. At the end you could come to love this world, or hate it. It¡¯s up to you, how you would carve your own path.¡±


    Could I ask a question?


    ¡°Of course, I will answer anything you ask, though it would be limited for some questions.¡±


    Then, how would be my life gonna be?


    ¡°Sorry, that the one I couldn¡¯t answer.¡±


    Tsk¡­ Would I be happy in this world?


    ¡°Sorry, next question.¡±


    Hey now¡­ Now you¡¯re just being too unfair, why accept question if I couldn¡¯t have a single answer.


    ¡°I did said that it would be limited, and I mention to you that it would be filled with laughter and sadness, and because I also did said that ¡°It¡¯s up to you, how you would carve your own path¡±, correct?¡±


    You had a point there.


    ¡°You see.¡±


    Alright, last question¡­ would we meet again?


    ¡°On the near future, possibly yes...¡±


    Then, I¡¯m satisfied with my answer.


    ¡°Great, till we meet again.¡±


    ========================================


    <table><tbody><tr><td width="25%">Main Page</a></td><td width="25%">Next Chapter?</a></td></tr></tbody></table>

 Chapter 01: Reborn

    As soon as I came to this world, I realized that I still had my memories of my past and not a single fragment missing, though I¡¯d wish that I rather haven¡¯t, though I could still use some logic for this world.


    I would regain conscious on a middle of a forest or some altar of a certain god with my original body completely intact, is what I expected but it turned out entirely different.


    I found myself being caress by a beautiful woman with a blue colored hair and next to her is a young man with a golden hair, strong and good looking man. Though their hairs colors appear to be aren¡¯t dyed but natural one, I expected that I would really see all sort of different kind of people.


    A third person appeared from the corner of my view, and took something from the young man. It¡¯s a bit blurry and the brightness weren¡¯t completely adjusted yet, so I couldn¡¯t tell what it was. Maybe cloths use to wrap me around warmly or something like that.


    And thus I was born.


    But, I wasn¡¯t the only one who was born as well.


    Several months has passed.


    I come to realized that the couple that I first saw were my parents, and at the arms of my father seems to be my twin sister.


    At first, I had a lot of difficulties as a baby, which limited my movements and were always being taken care of by my mother who had two children. Although it¡¯s convenient for me to have someone be my hand.


    But, I was surprised. My mother had a figure of a natural beauty model that clear tell people, ¡°I have yet give birth¡± or something like that.


    Though it¡¯s entirely different from my twin sister of mine, always clinging too close to me when we¡¯re sleeping, and doesn¡¯t want to be on a different room away from me. It¡¯s really tiring for father, who really loves to spoil her daughter.


    It¡¯s kind of worrisome on what would become of my sister of mine.


    Half a year passed by.


    Listening to my parent¡¯s conversations this last half-year, I started began to understand things bit by bits. And thanks to the visitors that tend to visit our family, I greatly understand some of their conversation.


    Although I learned to understand this world¡¯s language still I couldn¡¯t speak of them. But just pointing and doing signs with my hand they were able to understand what I wanted. ¨CHand sign really a universal language, thankfully it¡¯s the first language that the humans had learn from the start.


    By the time I began to crawl, my twin sister of mine follows me as well. Realizing to able to move freely is a wonderful thing, I haven¡¯t felt so grateful to able to move. Although, I had some restriction on moving around, but with someone doing it for me is really convenient.


    ¡°Ah¡­ look at that, Zyn started crawling as well, just like his brother.¡±


    ¡°Dear, I¡¯m a bit worried for our son¡­ every time I took my eyes of Zen, he would suddenly disappear.¡±


    ¡°Well, at least there someone here could find him, right?¡±


    It¡¯s true that I always wonder of inside the house, and how amazingly my twin sister of mine always knows where to find me.


    ¨CMaybe it¡¯s a phenomenal thing that a person could tell either his other half is close or not, I can¡¯t say that I disagree about this phenomenal because I also felt whether my twin is close or not.


    Like I said before, I¡¯m worried of what would become of my sister of mine.


    I understood a lot of thing from exploring, the structure of the building is similar to a western house and it is a wide 2 story building made of wood. It consists with multiple rooms, 4 bedroom including the guest room, study room, lobby, a basement and an attic. Including the sleeping quarters for the two maids were hired in.


    I can¡¯t leave the house yet because it¡¯s too dangerous for me but wandering around the house is filled with adventure and somewhat fun to do, I learned and discover lots of thing from just wandering around.


    ¨CLater it became a habit to explore around on my play time.


    The maid that worked for us got me to misunderstood her for an aunt of our, but living with us for some time now made me understood that she isn¡¯t a family nor a relative of ours.


    The second maid completely shown that she¡¯s a greenhorn and was introduced by a relative of theirs to learn how to do the job perfectly, but the truth be told behind it is that she was just some trash that got passed around to another person.


    Surprisingly in less than half a year, she truly became a maid. But sometime clumsy mess up time to times, well you can¡¯t get rid of old habits.


    Although other seen them as our servants, but to us, they are part of our family.


    A year and a half passed by.


    I now learn the names of the residence of the house.


    The name of my mother is called, Lynessa Rudlith, and my father is called Syth Rudlith.


    Our first maid is called Sheila, she''s the one who had a black hair resting on her shoulder, and the other maid who had a light brown hair tied in a twin tail, our clumsy but trustworthy maid, Sybil.


    And the name given to me is Zenlocke Rudlith, while for my twin sister¡¯s name is Zyneste Rudlith.


    After learning how to walk, I discovered as well that magic are natural thing to this world after seeing Sybil chanting a healing magic on her injured finger, at first I thought that it was just some phrase to forget about the pain but seeing it firsthand made my heart beet so fast in excitement. Well Sybil wasn¡¯t just some clumsy and worthless maid after all she¡¯s actually specialized in healing magic.


    Magic huh¡­ to think it actually exist in this world.


    Well magic isn¡¯t the only one I notice, I actually found some few evidence actually I¡¯m a Haft-Elf and Half-Human, though I had a long pointy ears and as well as my twin Zyneste has a pointy ears too, golden colored hair with a few strands of light blue next to our right ear, the fact that we had an identical faces and all, shows that this world had some other beings as well.


    I¡¯ve learned more about this world day by day and learn what our current standing in this society is, it seems that family like us who had a surname attached to our names had a blood-connection to a noble family and those who do not are just commoners. In fact my parents were a former famed-adventurer.


    ¡ì ¡ì ¡ì


    <<Sybil¡¯s Perspective>>


    It¡¯s been a two year since I began serving for the Rudlith famiy, I still had some difficulties to time to times from my clumsiness but still kindly forgiven by Madam Lynessa, at first I thought that I wouldn¡¯t last long and get thrown out to another family after a month but surprisingly lasted more than a year.


    The time when Zenlocke learned how to crawl, he would suddenly disappear to thin air and would be nowhere to be found, and then later be found by Zyneste who also learned afterwards.


    I could still remember it like it was yesterday, after learning of the first disappearance of Zenlocke all of us would panicked and began to search all over the house inside and out.


    Madam Lynessa would be the panic at first and later on join the search, while Master Syth would rush outside to look for any trace left by Young Master.


    It was a busy day for us, but after Sheila notices Zyneste crawling to somewhere we finally found Zenlocke at the study room looking at the collection of books.


    I could still remember what Sheila had said back then, ¡°The child¡¯s of Madam possess a unique ability for such a young age, anytime soon they would surprise any adult to a different level¡±, the truth is that I don¡¯t quite understand what she said back then and what she said whether it¡¯s true or an exaggerated compliments.


    Watching over them by the time goes by made me understood of what she said back then, Zenlocke learned how to talk even though no one even had the time to teach him how and Zyneste quickly followed up as well.


    And now seeing Zenlocke began to wonder off to somewhere, Zyneste would also come along where ever he goes off to.


    He also learn how to read and would also teach his twin sister some very difficult words and he somehow always spotted me whenever I watching them or getting close, but he seems to be comfortable when I¡¯m the one whose accompanying them on their alone time together.


    I also have notice that Zyneste is much attached to his twin brother and would stick really close next to him to wherever he wishes to goes; at first I thought it¡¯s just some normal sibling love but it doesn¡¯t seems that way to me at all.


    The other day, I actually witness Zenlocke doing magic on his own with just only understanding the content and theories inside the books that he kept reading.


    It really fascinates me to see him learn magic this skillfully.


    I was grateful that I learned some from the advice and I tried practicing it with them time to time, but sadly I couldn¡¯t skillfully do what they are easily do, so I just happily watched them learn magic by themselves.


    Even watching them from the start was interesting till it turned to joining them on their discussion and chat about some trivial chat. ¨CI felt that I¡¯ve become their older sister even though I¡¯m not related.


    ¡°Sybil! Stop idling around and get back to work!¡±


    Oops¡­ I better get back to work. I don¡¯t want Sheila to scold me today.


    Stolen content warning: this content belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences.


    ¡ì ¡ì ¡ì


    <<Syth¡¯s Perspective>>


    ¡°Hmm¡­ my son is growing quite well¡­ but¡ª¡°


    Looking around the room where Zenlocke was once seen and now has gone to somewhere on his own, as well as Zyneste has gone to Zenlocke where he may be.


    ¡°¡ªWhy did my Zyn has to disappear like her brother!¡±


    ¡°Maybe Young Lady doesn¡¯t want to be spoiled by her father but Young Master only.¡±


    Sheila harshly gave a suggestion with a piercing cold glare the master of the house.


    ¡°Oh, it is you Sheila¡­ have you seen Zen? I¡¯ve been looking for him and can¡¯t seem to find him, at first I want to have Zyn to look for him and can¡¯t seem to find her either.¡±


    ¡°I haven¡¯t¡­ If I have found the Young Master, I¡¯ll report to you immediately.¡±


    ¡°Oh. If you found Zyn¡ª¡°


    ¡°¡ªwhen I found where the Young Master is.¡±


    ¡°But, could you as¡ª¡°


    ¡°¡ªI¡¯ll report to you IMMEDIATELY.¡±


    ¡°Y-yes¡­ thank you.¡±


    As always, I couldn¡¯t much get along with Sheila but both she and Lynessa get along quite well.


    It¡¯s been almost four year has passed since we had Zenlocke and Zyneste, and it seems that Sybil is now getting used to working here but there still some improvement on concerning¡ª


    ¡°Kyaa!¡±


    ¡ªHer personality.


    My wife contact a tutor for our child a few days ago after we had found out that our son has been secretly been reading, from the book that we had collected over the years of our travels, on his own without no one teaching him how to read.


    Sybil seems knew of this for the past year and kept it from us on the promise she had with Zyneste, I for one didn¡¯t seems to know of their collaboration and it seems that I was the one who haven¡¯t notice of it.


    Well not paying attention might be my fault though, but I didn¡¯t even felt any changes from them to notice about. Thinking about it, I might fail as their father not to small changes.


    ¡°Master Syth, I¡¯ve found Young Master studying at the certain room and called for him.¡±


    ¡°Please get us some tea as well, Thank you.¡±


    Zenlocke came in holding a book and beside him is Zyneste rubbing her eye lid, it seems that she was sleeping when they were called.


    The two of them sure looked cute together.


    ¡ì ¡ì ¡ì


    <<Zenlocke¡¯s Perspective>>


    While I was reading a really interesting book and Zyneste here sleeping deeply right next to me, Sheila came in with Sybil and told me that I was being called by my father, Syth, saying that he had something he wish to discuss with me.


    Though at first I thought that he had some ulterior motive but it seems that I was wrong, this discussion seems to be concerning to us twin.


    His gaze looked very similar to my father had back from the world that I knew of, the looked of a high standing CEO of a well-known industry.


    ¡°Zenlocke, Zyneste¡­ please have a sit.¡±


    ¡°T-Then, excuse me¡­¡±


    Me and Zyneste sat in front of our father and anxiously await for him to begin, moment later Sheila came in to serve us some teas and stood at the corner of the room waiting her next order.


    ¡°Zenlocke, Zyneste, I called the two of you here to discuss to you what your mother and I talked about. A few days ago, your mother sent a letter to Aeraenavu City to hire a tutor for the two of you. After your mother found out that you began to learn accelerated, she began to worry that no one here is knowledgeable enough to teach you more and even Sybil isn¡¯t enough to teach you more than how to read difficult words.¡±


    I expected this would happen but I didn¡¯t expect that they would decide this early, and it seems that it¡¯s not the only reason why he began to tell us about having a tutor.


    If he told us about this matter and have us decide to either hire one or not but it¡¯s not quite like that, he told us this directly without having our decision and already went ahead to hire a tutor.


    But, something is not quite right about what he said and it felt like his expecting something, Maybe it¡¯s that.


    ¡°And that¡¯s the reason why you had to hire a tutor and told us about it, but it¡¯s not the only reason.¡±


    He quietly glared at me as soon as I declare his reason why his telling us this and guess that he had something more in stored for us, maybe I was wrong and only over-thinking it too much.


    But I was surprised to see his face as soon after I declared, he suddenly snickered after a long pause and took a sip from the tea in front.


    ¡°What make you think, that it¡¯s not the only reason why I¡¯m telling you this.¡±


    His expression became serious all of a sudden, like his testing me for some reason.


    Alright, I¡¯ll play with you¡­


    ¡°Because, you called us here to discuss something important and told us that mother and father already discuss about having to hire a tutor for us without our present. And if that the reason of our discussion, you could have told us about this matter BEFORE deciding to hire a tutor for us, if it¡¯s an ordinary discussion you could had told us this on our family meeting or while dining.¡±


    ¡°But why did you think that father have more to say, maybe he just told us early and had nothing more to say.¡±


    ¡°I also thought that as well, but he wouldn¡¯t have to give us a face of a merchant.¡±


    ¡°Is that true Father?¡±


    He glared at me for a few minute and his face suddenly brighten.


    ¡°Great! As expected of Zenlocke. Yes, you`d guess it correctly.¡±


    ¡°As expected, Dear Brother is really amazing.¡±


    ¡°Alright calm down, Zyn, please continue father.¡±


    ¡°Yes, the reason why I said this is because I had a condition. You must not only focus on academic but in using weapons as well. At morning you would be taught in academics till lunch, and in the afternoon you will be learning how to use weapons. This is the condition that I had set for you, any question.¡±


    ¡°Yes¡­ In this condition, does Zyn also include in it?¡±


    ¡°No, it¡¯s up to her to decide whether she wants to or no. But she still can¡¯t face away from studying, so she too include on being taught in academic.¡±


    ¡°Then I too want to have the same¡ª¡°


    ¡°We have to discuss this matter later on, for now please wait for our reply.¡±


    ¡°Very well, you may dismiss. I¡¯ll wait for your reply before dinner.¡±


    ¡°Thank you, please excuse us.¡±


    ¡°But, Dear Brother¡­!¡±


    After finishing our discussion with Syth, we went back to our room to discuss concerning about whether Zyneste be included on the discussion or not, for this matter can¡¯t be decided half-heartedly.


    ¡°Dear Brother, why did you stop me from answering our father? I want to study as well with you.¡±


    ¡°Yes I know that you want to learn with me.¡±


    ¡°See, you too think as well.¡±


    ¡°But, it just can¡¯t be decided half-hearted¡­! I just don¡¯t want you to be burden because of me.¡±


    I did once felt this way after following my brother¡¯s footstep, he also stopped me but still decided half-hearted. That was the mistake that I made after not listening to my brother¡¯s word back then, though it still haunts me for this very moment.


    ¡°Is it because of that dream you always had?¡±


    ¡°!!¡±


    ¡°I knew that you been having a nightmare for quite some time, you kept saying ¡°Why can¡¯t I be like him?¡± over and over again. I don¡¯t know whom you refer to, but it felt like I would be the one who would say that in the future.¡±


    It seems that I¡¯ve been talking in my sleep and she heard what I¡¯ve said, it¡¯s true that my dream were about my regrets on my brother back then.


    ¡°So why did you¡­¡±


    ¡°Because I want to¡­ You and I are one, divided as two and equaled by one¡­ I did consider about your dream and thought to myself so many times how you wouldn¡¯t felt burdened so I decide to prioritize in magic while you prioritize on weapons. With this we could both have something good at, even though either of us could get second place.¡±


    ¡°Hah¡­ just when did you become this cheeky?¡±


    ¡°I did learn it from you.¡±


    ¡°Very well, but don¡¯t work yourself too hard, alright?


    ¡°Yes.¡±


    After having thought about Zyneste¡¯s decision, well told it to Syth and confirmed something once more before agreeing to our decision.


    And after that our meeting had come to its conclusion.


    ========================================


    Author Note:


    This chapter is quite long so I am very sorry, actually I had already have few chapter... Sadly I need to revise it once more, so my update would take a weeeeeeeeeeeeeeeebit to long cuz the network here is so bad... A month long before I return home and currently staying at my grandmas place in the province with little network available.


    So once more, sorry making you wait! And if you had found any sort of error or loophole, please inform me.


    ========================================

 Chapter 02: Class Begin?

    My name is Zenlocke Rudlith, now a 4 years old half elf, the eldest son in the Rudlith family.


    A few days ago, our house decided to hire a home tutor. After some investigation of my own, I¡¯ve found out that my father was formerly from a noble family and Sybil¡¯s previous master was actually my uncle.


    Even though he had a family¡¯s connection, why won¡¯t he used it and just send some request to the city¡¯s Magic Association or Guild Hall? Does he have some sort of complicated problems with his family for some reason?


    Well I¡¯m not the type who would looked into someone else background so deeply without any reason.


    But the problem is that, this is a village area far away from the capital. So this area had some conforming personnel suited to it. It doesn¡¯t even matter if the person would be talented or not, even though the village is a slow growing community, people who visit are quite rare so news traveled fast here.


    A week after a reply came to us that there were someone who had applied to the job and would be arriving for the next few days.


    Today was the expected day we¡¯re about to meet the person who apply as a home tutor. My parents predicted that it would be middle-age man who¡¯s a retired adventurer or a retired teacher. The whole house became lively on trying to predict what would be the person whose arriving may looked like, though Sheila and I didn¡¯t join in but just watched them as they kept piling their idea of the expected guest.


    I for one don¡¯t care whether it¡¯s an adventurer, a teacher, retired or not. Just only that person is capable enough to teach me lots of thing, then that would be fine with me.


    ¡°The name is Esther Tryns.¡±


    For some reason I won the game with randomly give a description, the person who came was a young woman, around college student. Wearing a brown robe and having rosy pink-colored hair, she gave off the appearance of a strict and care-free person.


    Her white smooth skin accompanied by a wide-opened eyes, filled with an active and enthusiastic expression. Her grinning lips made people think that she was a little odd but nice. Even she¡¯s wearing a spectacles, she still doesn¡¯t give off an image of an intellectual person.


    And thus, she met with the 5 of us in this house.


    ¡°¡­¡­¡±


    ¡°¡­¡­??¡±


    It seems that we couldn¡¯t believe of what we see in front of us, and kept peeking outside the door for the second person to make its appearance. But, it seems that it was a little too late on giving its appearance.


    ¡°I am Austine, Please give us your guidance.¡±


    The little girl seems to be her little sister because she also had the same appearance as Esther, though she gave off the appearance of a petite and weak person but it seems that she¡¯s more reliable than her older sister.


    ¡°Excuse me¡­ Are you the home tutor, Austine?¡±


    ¡°Austine is not your tutor but me.¡±


    ¡°Please say that you are Austine.¡±


    ¡°Could you not tease Big Sis¡­¡±


    ¡°Austine ¡­ your such a nice¡ª¡°


    ¡°¡ªbecause, she¡¯s becoming even more pitiable than before.¡±


    ¡°Oi!!¡±


    It seems that the three of us get along very well.


    ¡ªin teasing Esther that is.


    ¡ì ¡ì ¡ì


    As we welcome Esther and Austine inside once more, Sheila finally returned home along with some cooking ingredients and some other daily supplies.


    ¡°Eh¡­ is that you Sheila?¡±


    ¡°¡­¡­¡±


    Sheila stood still surprisingly after she saw the familiar guests, she walked quickly towards the guests and¡ª


    ¡°Sheila I¡¯d¡ª¡°


    ¡°Austine, you seem to have grown up! The last time I¡¯d saw you, you were still a little baby.¡±


    Esther was ignored, while Austine was greeted warmly with hug.


    ¡°Sheila¡­ what about me¡­¡±


    ¡°Oh¡­ excuse me.¡±


    Sheila released Austine the stood and tidied up her dress, she faced Esther and¡ª


    ¡°Do I know you?¡±


    While expressing herself with a pure smile, gave her a strong mental blow.


    ¡°You¡¯re horrible¡­¡± orz


    The rest of us watch the two of them afar while their having their ¡°warm¡± reunion and continued our discussion with Austine.


    It seems that Esther really is our tutor and Austine just only came along to learn more about the outside world as well as learn a lesson with them, we wondered why she had to come as well and not stay back home but she became so quiet all of a sudden. We don¡¯t want to force her to answer and Esther quickly joined in to change the subject.


    ¡°Is this two children happens to be the students that I would be teaching?¡±


    After recovering from her blow, she glance at us as she ask the couple a question to whom she would teach.


    ¡°Yes, you are correct. My son and daughter began to learn and study by themselves with the books that we¡¯ve collected over the years, and it seems that it knowledge isn¡¯t sufficient enough to satisfy their needs. That¡¯s why I want to hire them a tutor that would help them learns more before stepping to the world outside.¡±


    ¡°Very well, I¡¯m looking for in teaching this two.¡±


    ¡°Thank you very much for accepting this job, can we now discuss what kind of lesson they would be taking?¡±


    ¡°Before that, could I have a look closely with your children?¡±


    ¡°Oh, why yes.¡±


    ¡°Thank you¡­ Hmm¡­¡±


    The interview has started, Esther then began to examine and analyzed of their anticipated Spiritual Energy and Body Condition, ask of what lesson that they would be taking and confirm it if they themselves wish to take serious of.


    At the sideline, three people were wondering why the twins had to be interviewed but the only one person seems to know why this two twin needed to be interviewed and his face seems to filled with satisfaction of what kind of tutor that they had hired.


    ¡°Did you decide it for them?¡±


    ¡°Yes, we wished for Zen to learn on Weapon Mastery. But Zyn also decided to take part of the lesson and desired to learn more about magic. Is there something wrong?¡±


    ¡°No¡­ In fact, it perfect for them. Zyneste seems to have a large capacity of Spiritual Energy, or what we call Mana, and for Zenlocke¡­ it¡¯s quite surprising, he had the characteristic to pass the limit¡ªno, he could easily surpass the limit without even breaking a sweat. This two are like raw diamonds that couldn¡¯t be found in any mines, it would be quite rewarding for me once polished¡­¡±


    Esther¡¯s words haven¡¯t had a hint of flattery nor lies, and still rapidly speak out his thought of this two. The audiences are at awe to witness quite an exaggerated speech that neither of them could interrupt nor stop the spitfire of words, they could only wait for her to stop.


    The barrage of speeches still haven¡¯t stop after half an hour had already pass, but one person seems to had interrupted her fantasized speeches.


    ¡°AHEM¡­¡±


    ¡°Ah¡ªlike I had said, their decision perfect for them. But even so, I would still teach them evenly on their study and let them improve by their own power. After all, it¡¯s more beneficial to have them discover and improve their own skills and abilities.¡±


    All of us sitting could only laugh wryly after Austine had finally stop Esther long speech, at the corner Sheila could only gave a heavy sigh. Judging from her sign it seems that person haven¡¯t changed much after along years of not seeing each other, it seems that Austine coming along with her were a right decision.


    ¡°Their lesson would start tomorrow, correct?¡±


    ¡°Yes, starting tomorrow I would be gauging their strength and how far their knowledge knew of. So today, if it is alright I would like to see our room at so we could have a rest from our long travel.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s alright¡­ We understand how difficult you had to travel just to get here. Sybil, could you lead them to their quarters.¡±


    ¡°Yes mam¡­ if you please follow me.¡±


    Sybil escorted Esther and Austine to their living quarter, Sheila went to the kitchen to help Lynessa prepare something to eat. Zyneste went to follow Sybil so she could have a chat with Austine while dragging me along with her.


    ¡ì ¡ì ¡ì


    <<Zyneste¡¯s Perspective>>


    After meeting Austine, somehow I felt that she would be my friend. Both of us had something in common and differences, though I¡¯m a hybrid of both human and elf, she was a pure human. But both of us are girls that had something which they had in common.


    We began as an acquaintance, later began to get close as a friend then understood each other as a best friend would, and sooner we¡¯re so close to think of ourselves as sisters.


    Stolen content alert: this content belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences.


    But something felt odd. I also seem to see her as an enemy even though I loved her as a sister. The feelings I had to her began to mix in that I was confused of what I should see her, to love her as a sister or antagonize her as an enemy would do.


    Later at night, I had consulted with my Dear Brother of what should I do with this conflicted feelings that began to clashes inside my head, I don¡¯t want to hate Austine but my instinct said the opposite.


    Listening to me talk about Austine and what I feel about her being a sister somewhat hurt myself as my chest began to tighten as I continue talking of her, but I also felt happy somehow I talk about her.


    Dear Brother then gave his opinion. I couldn¡¯t understand why he said, ¡®just continue to see her as a sister, you¡¯ll soon understood why you sense rivalry towards her¡¯. As he had said, I kept our closeness as a sister even though I also see her as a rival.


    The next day, when I saw Austine having a chat with Dear Brother with a satisfaction written on her face, then my clouded mind had turn to a clear as a crystal. I now understood of what Dear Brother had said, she indeed my rival.


    ¡ì ¡ì ¡ì


    <<Esther¡¯s Perspective>>


    The next morning, I began to gauge their ability in Combat and Magic Power then later on asked them about the knowledge that they¡¯ve inquired so far from just reading books and observing their surroundings.


    Zenlocke results were far physically superior on terms of Combat scoring a close to a high-Advance Level, though his Magic Power was as at the level of Intermediate Level.


    Zyneste¡¯s results in Combat scored an Intermediate Level close to a Mid-Intermediate level, but made a huge comeback on her Magic Power with a large quantum of power scoring an Advance Level or High-Advance Level.


    I had asked them both the same question with a high difficulty that I¡¯ve come up on the spot.


    Zenlocke understood my questions and answered all of it without even stopping to think of what he had said so far, though Zyneste had a bit problems on understanding the question but answered it all correctly after thinking carefully of what she would reply.


    I¡¯ve forcefully recognized that the two of them are in the category as a genuine genius, though Zenlocke seems to be in the level of as a Prodigy.


    At the end of the test, Zenlocke having superiority at Combat and had a lack of Magic Power while Zyneste had a superiority when it comes to Magic Power and would be capable enough to repel an average fighter. It¡¯s perfect to say that they are ¡°Coin of opposite sides¡±.


    Austine strangely insisted to be included in the test that I had given and she had both of the test in Combat and Magic Power in Intermediate Level while her intellectual level are at the Average level but barely close to an Intermediate level.


    It seems that I had to begin from the start and adjust the lesson a bit so that the interested Austine could catch up to this two, though I¡¯ve heard ¡°Throw an average person to a group of geniuses and would return as a genius¡±.


    On the Second day, I¡¯ve started our lesson with some about magics and later in the afternoon had them take some endurance training. Zenlocke was able to do more than 250 swings in an hour and Zyneste completed it a few minutes after Austine completed hers.


    At the Third day, I finally gave them a lesson on using basic water magic. It seems when Austine start having problem on her side, Zenlocke would give some pointers for Austine while Zyneste will show how to do it properly and later on completing it with a broad smile on her face.


    I also notice that Zyneste had kept shortening the chants after learning it and still able to use magic without having a problem or any sorts of side effects. Later at break, I''ll talk about her shorten chants.


    ¡ì ¡ì ¡ì


    Taking a break after the Magic class, Zyneste and Austine are having a snack while chatting about the lesson that we just had. I just watched them both together chatting and getting along with each other. As soon as Austine got up and went inside, I took the opportunity and went towards Zyneste to talk to her about her Shorten Incantation.


    ¡°How¡¯s the lesson, Zyneste? Did you understand my lesson?


    ¡°Zyn is fine. Yes, Master. I was able to gasp and understood it very well.¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re really surprisingly talented, Zyn, to think you could shorten a chant and still able to use it, even I¡¯m not capable of doing it.¡±


    ¡°Thank you for your compliment, Master. But, I¡¯m not worthy of your praise, in par with Dear Brother, the one who you should praise is him. He is the one who is more worthy of your praise, for he could use magic chantlessly.¡±


    ¡°Are you saying is true? Zen could use Voiceless Incantation?¡±


    ¡°Yes, I¡¯m still at the level where I could only use a Shortened Incantation and yet to master to the level of not using words. If you still don¡¯t believe of what I¡¯ve said, please ask my brother here.¡±


    Zyn directed her view to her side there a figure that suddenly appeared¡ª


    ¡ªNo he didn¡¯t appeared but reappeared after making his presence weakened to the point no one could see him.


    I¡¯ve heard from their parents that Zen had been disappearing since his childhood and the only person who could sense his presence was only Zyn. But to think what they¡¯ve said were true after all, I thought that he couldn¡¯t be found because he was hiding under something.


    ¡°Zen did¡­ how¡­?¡±


    ¡°I just remember the feeling as I am using the magic¡­¡±


    ¡°No, I mean¡­ how did you reappear?¡±


    ¡°I just simply erased my presence.¡±


    Erased it?! Could someone able to erased person¡¯s presence?


    ¡°With magic?¡±


    ¡°With magic.¡±


    ¡°Ever since?¡±


    ¡°Ever since.¡±


    I was completely shock from him appearing out of nowhere and somehow didn¡¯t quite get what he said at first.


    Like a game of word, the question turned to answer, swallowing everything so far were too hard to stomach. A child to do magic this skillfully, even a skilled magician couldn¡¯t use this sort of magic that could slip through a person¡¯s presence.


    Being shocked of what I¡¯ve learned, my face was still at awe after being force to swallow a plate full of illusion and reality being mixed together.


    ¡°¡­¡­¡±


    ¡°*Sign* Ever since I was small, I tried weakening my presence back then and had finally successfully erased my presence this last year.¡±


    ¡°But, then that mean¡­¡±


    Then that mean, you¡¯ve been using your magic since you were a baby¡­ and the reason why your Zyn had a large power inside her is because she had been accumulating her Mana capacity ever since then and would use it to find you!


    ¡°Yes, it seems that I was using Voiceless Incantation easily after remembering the feeling of that certain magic. And it seems that the magic that I¡¯ve been using ever since seems to be my original.¡±


    ¡°¡­ To think I would be teaching such¡­¡±


    I¡¯ve became speechless, speechless to this child that could be recognize like a genius¡ªcorrection, a Genuine Genius, a Prodigy. A person that couldn¡¯t be seen nor found anywhere else just appeared itself right in front of me.


    ¡°Zyn, Zen, sorry for waiting¡­ Sis, is something wrong?¡±


    Alright, I¡¯ve made my resolve. This would make it hard for Austine, but I had to do it. Please bear with it Austine.


    ¡°Zen, Zyn, Austine¡­ tomorrow onward, I will begin to teach you at a higher level. Prepare for it!¡±


    ========================================


    Got lot of work before I could finish revising it all, only using a phone to write is a lot of work... So don''t complain about it please.


    3 chapter to go..  (¨i¨s©n¨t¨i)?


    ========================================


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 Chapter 03: Departure

    For the past few months, Esther began to teach us in between Intermediate Level and Advance Level to the highest difficulties in both Combat and Academic, but still near to the level where Austine could catch up and even if it a bit higher from as soon as she understood the meaning it would be alright.


    She even let us spar with each other to time to time.


    Austine and Zyneste


    Me and Esther


    It¡¯s a good matchup if you ask me, and sometime we had 3 on 1 battle with Esther. Sadly we couldn¡¯t even land a single hit nor touch a single strand of her hair.


    Syth, our father, also insisted to personally train me on archery and it seems that I¡¯m very good at it for the first time to shoot further at the range more than 350 meters with 10 consecutive perfect hits, maybe it¡¯s from the experience from my past life or is it because I had a Elf¡¯s blood flowing through my vain but even so I was a bit proud of myself.


    Sybil also teaches us some healing magic on her holidays, which the two of us persistently insisted, and had made a huge progress for Zyneste who always the first person to come up to me whenever I had a scratches and bruises for the intense secret training.


    And not before long, Zyneste finally able to use a Voiceless Incantation nearly all magic that she¡¯d learned so far, Austine also gasp the Shorten Incantation and almost barely use Voiceless Incantation to some magic that she¡¯s good at.


    Esther also tried to learn to use Voiceless Incantation as soon as she found out the secret to the trick on using it but sadly she wasn¡¯t able to gasp the trick to it and instead focus on shortening the incantation, although she said learning it take quite a lot of time and training she still manage to learned it.


    She made hypothesis on the Voiceless Incantation, it could be acquire or learnt while their still at their younger age such as I, Zyneste and Austine. Although long ago someone also uses this technique and were unsuccessfully inherit to his disciple, leading to think that this technique were nothing but just a fairytale.


    Somehow I was able to make a new magic that could let me travel to a certain location where I¡¯ve been or within my view instantaneously, I named it as [Blink]. Although it had a limit to the range of 50 meters, it still could be used for escaping or maybe thumb card in combat.


    It could be also compared to the Swordsman¡¯s technique [Quick Step], a technique where a swordsman could move in a flash to a certain distance but it only made the person leap faster rather than instantaneous.


    In fact, Esther also learned the theory of the technique and was able to modify her [Quick Step] to [Flash Step] close to the one I made but it had only range to limit of 10 meter.


    ¡ì ¡ì ¡ì


    A Year had passed.


    At the afternoon, deep inside the woods.


    ¡°Don¡¯t stand there¡­ keep your distance, Austine!¡±


    Three [Mud ball] flying towards the target and had been sliced and dodge.


    ¡°Zyn! Don¡¯t just aim¡­ Predict your enemy¡¯s movement one second further!¡±


    The opponent sent a [Water Whip] towards Zyneste and used [Quick Step] to knockout Austine with the hilt of the sword, and Two of them are down to the ground.


    ¡°A~cha¡­ looks like your long way to¡ª¡°


    ¡°Your back is unguarded, Master.¡±


    ¡°O~ho¡­ getting cocky aren¡¯t we¡ª¡°


    The opponent suddenly appears behind Esther and began to attack from behind. But the attack has failed to land a hit and was quickly countered the opponent by throwing towards the tree.


    Zenlocke, took the role as an opponent, blocked Austine¡¯s quick attack and dodged Zyneste¡¯s [Mud ball]. But unable to defeat Esther with his surprised attack and now began their one on one match.


    The two defeated students now watch their master have an all-out close battle as they recover from their previous battle, Zyneste had her healing magic heal the bruises and scratch that they¡¯ve acquire from the training and now continue to watch the match between the Master and Student.


    After a minute has passed, Zenlocke end up defeated while unable to inflict a single damage to Esther.


    ¡°Good fight, Dear Brother.¡±


    ¡°Thanks¡­¡±


    Zyneste hand over a clean towel to Zenlocke who¡¯s lying on the ground dead tired, and Austine began to tidy up and collects the equipment on the ground.


    ¡°Everyone improved a lot over the year¡­ especially Austine, who catch up to Zen and Zyn faster than any other ordinary kids.¡±


    ¡°Thank to Zen and Zyn¡¯s Guidance. It really helped me a lot.¡±


    ¡°Austine, don¡¯t be modest about it¡­ you really worked hard studying all by yourself for the past month.¡±


    ¡°Alright¡­ because I had something important to do, we had to dismiss early.¡±


    Esther took off and left us to relax for the rest of the day. I was also about to leave for my usual spot but was insisted to come along with Austine and Zyneste to retrieve something she had requested to be made.


    As she requested, I escorted them towards the village and also greeted a few people along the way. It seems that she had requested something from Ms. Ada and it had to be sealed inside a small box, a box not too big and not quite small perfect enough to fit an accessory inside it.


    Maybe a souvenir for the people she knew back where she was born or a place where she grew up till now. Well, it¡¯s not any of my concern.


    The rest of the day, we had numerous people we¡¯ve knew continuous to greets us and started initiating a conversation of their own convenient, although it was that troubling after seeing that this two really do get along with everyone here.


    Finally we¡¯ve arrive back home just to be greeted with a surprised.


    ¡°Happy 5th Birthday, Zen and Zyn!¡± ¡°Happy Birthday you two.¡±


    Everyone began to greet us along with an applause that sounds throughout the room Esther and Austine were also among those groups that was applauding. It seems that it was planned and orchestrated by Austine the reason why we were being prevented to go home early, is to prepare the house for the event.


    Although I had a suspicious of why there so many people keeps greeting us as we pass each residence.


    From my past life, I wasn¡¯t particularly excited of my birthday party by only greeting people who work for us, executives, acquaintance and other people who knew of our father. A complete boring party filled with dulled atmosphere and your job is to entertain each and every guest you¡¯ve meet.


    But today is different I¡¯m not living on with a past life of mine but as Zenlocke Rudlith of this new home of mine. I couldn¡¯t even express how happy I am to have such a warmth love that I been given.


    ¡°Mother, Father, Sheila, Sybil¡­ Esther-sensei and Austine. We¡¯re grateful to you for giving us your warmth love up till now, please continue to look after us for the next.¡±


    ¡°Thank you for giving birth to us, Mom, Dad.¡±


    Lynessa was smiling wryly and Syth were grinning beside her, Sheila set the plates at the table with her usual expression and Sybil was shedding tears behind to us. Esther and Austine were at the right side of us showing a prideful smile that shows their surprise party was a success.


    From Lynessa, I was given a Grey and Black Striped Scarf and a Sturdy Finger-less Gloves from Syth. They both gave a book called [Book of Elementalist] to Lyneste, who was fond of elemental magics.


    The gloves had an emblem engraved on the metal piece and hold some kind of meaning inside of it. Although, the person who gave the gift wouldn¡¯t fess up what¡¯s sort of meaning to it.


    You could be reading stolen content. Head to Royal Road for the genuine story.


    Sheila gave us a Special-made Long Strip Ribbon to us, mine was Purple and Zyneste were Ice Blue. Zyneste insisted to do a matching style by using it to tie our hair together and it was surprisingly it looks good on us. ¨CPerhaps it¡¯s because we¡¯re twin?


    Sybil had also requested a Magic Item for us. Mine was a Magic Item called [Ring of Regeneration], a tool that would heal the user slowly while it was equip. Zyneste were a Magic Item called [Druid¡¯s Bracelet], it amplify the user¡¯s healing ability and would heal faster by 4-times.


    Lastly was Esther and Austine¡¯s turn. Mine was a Magic Item as well, it was called [Silent Shadow Pendant], greatly nullifies the user¡¯s noise movement. Zyneste too received a Magic Item, a [Ice Empress¡¯s Hairpin], amplify the user¡¯s Water-Element Magic.


    After having received their gift, Esther clarified to us that both of them were a Magic Item mixed with the other ordinary accessories, it was a cheap bargain they paid for it.


    Our Birthday party was a big success and honestly, I was the one who had fun most.


    ¡ì ¡ì ¡ì


    The next day, Esther and Austine had left the house only leaving a two letter for us.


    The first letter was from Esther.


    [Dear Zenlocke and Zyneste,


    You might know by now that we are no longer here and had left to somewhere. It was saddening that we had to leave you two without saying goodbye, although I¡¯m not around anymore I want you two to keep on training to improve of what you had learn.


    The night after you had went to sleep, I had received a message from our relative and they wanted us to return immediately to deal a complicated problem on our hand.


    I would also try to recommend you from an acquaintance of mine at the Thidolom Academy, to invite the two of you as their [Special Student] of their school. If your patient enough to wait, maybe after two or three years from now, you would might receive an invitation to their school as a [Special Student]. There, you would meet more stronger and powerful people that might meet.


    Although I don''t have a complete confidence in getting you both as a [Special Student], but at least you might get invited by them to have you to attend in their school. It be tough at first but knowing you two in such a short time gave me confidence that you would either invited as a [Special Student] or as a regular student.


    I¡¯m sorry that I couldn¡¯t teach you more, but if you two still train yourself even without my guidance I know the two of you would surpass my expectation. If not, then I just had overestimated your ability. Even so, knowing that you two still train yourself harder I would be proud of what you would achieve on the future.


    Please Take care of yourself,


    Esther Tryns.]


    The second letter was from Austine.


    [Dear Zen and Zyn,


    I¡¯m sorry that we had to leave soon without saying goodbye, I¡¯m sorry that we could stay very long together. And thank you, thank you for your kindness that you had given me.


    I would be leaving with Sis, to return home. Although I don¡¯t know when we would be arriving back or how long would it take for us to meet, but I promise that I would not neglect of what I¡¯ve learn and what you had taught me.


    Sis had said that we might meet again soon, as a student of the Thidolom Academy, that¡¯s why I would work hard at my magic and swordsmanship like Zen.


    Zyn, I won¡¯t lose to you. I would work hard to reach your level so we could equally compete fairly. Even though you¡¯re more powerful than me and I loss to you on every different level, I wouldn¡¯t give up.


    Zen, I would miss you. I couldn¡¯t express how grateful I am towards you, I who was far different level from you still extend his hand in show of kindness and help me correct of my mistakes. I am in debt to you so much.


    Yours truly,


    Austine.]


    Esther¡¯s Letter was filled with Anxiety and Regret, while Austine¡¯s Letter was filled with declaration and gratitude.


    I could understand why Esther would fill anxious of what would happen to her students and regret that she couldn¡¯t teach more. But why did Austine sound that she¡¯s declaring something to Zyneste, I know that she was grateful and everything I had taught her was also showed her by Zyneste.


    ¡°Neh¡­ What did Austine declare to you?¡±


    ¡°Eh? Ah¡­ Who knows¡­¡±


    Suspicious¡­


    ¡°Well, if she did declare something to me¡­ it¡¯s a girl secret.¡±


    Zyneste had a feign innocence while she gave her replies.


    ¡ì ¡ì ¡ì


    <<Austine¡¯s Perspective>>


    ¡°Are you sure, that you don¡¯t want to stay?¡±


    ¡°Yes¡­ I don¡¯t want to be a person who depends on someone¡¯s kindness. I want to be a person who could be looked up to.¡±


    ¡°I-I see¡­ you really had grown, Austine.¡±


    ¡°I still had a long way to go.¡±


    Esther gave a bitterly smile.


    Far from Lorri Village, where they had stayed at over the years, travelling back to their home town.


    Holding on her hand, was a Crystal-like Pendant that was given by Zenlocke and Zyneste a few months before on her birthday.


    It had a precise sculpture of the three of them carve, it wouldn¡¯t break, cut, crush nor scratch from any sorts of accident befall to it for it had been crystallized by Zyneste.


    Even though it was made from earth, it was magnificently crafted into a crystallized form with a feeling of the makers of the pendant that she wears. The chain around her neck was also handmade by Zenlocke through the use of magic and it was made to never break nor separate, to show how strong their bonds are.


    Surely, a wonderful gift that she had received.


    Even if she closed her eyes for a moment, she could still remember them making it in front of her. Creating a mud ball from earth, precisely carve their faces into it, Hardening and crystallizing. She could imagine how her face looks like back then.


    ¡°Hmm¡­ I could wait to get stronger!¡±


    Just you wait, when we meet again¡­ I would be stronger than before!


    ¡ì ¡ì ¡ì


    A week later, back at the Rudlith House.


    They¡¯ve receive an Item that claimed to be their graduation gift from Esther, a note was also had been given to them saying [I forgot and brought along with me your graduation gift.].


    A Custom-made Sword for Zenlocke and a Magical Bracelet for Zyneste.


    ========================================


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 Chapter 04: The Arrogant Prince

    Note: The Magic spell that are about to use are in their ancient words and couldn¡¯t translate in normal tongue. And because this is the first time I¡¯m writing a Fantasy Novel that I might make few or more errors.


    ========================================


    Its two years has passed.


    A two youngster who had the identical faces and hair style were chatting while their out strolling across the village, the girl greets the people who pass by while troublingly dragged the boy around. Although the boy hasn¡¯t said anything and wasn¡¯t particularly annoyed by it still accompanies that girl.


    ¡°Ne~h¡­ I heard that there¡¯s a new family just moved into the mansion last month, let¡¯s go greet them.¡±


    The boy gave a sign and replied.


    ¡°It¡¯s almost been three week since you heard the news, and you just made up your mind to greet them¡­ Hah¡­¡±


    Once again gave a bit heavy sign to the girl, but it got shrugged away easily.


    ¡°It¡¯s because you¡¯ve been busy for the last two weeks, and doesn¡¯t had time to spare.¡±


    ¡°Then you should have told me beforehand so I could have accompanied you the day after.¡±


    ¡°¡¯A-Accompanied¡¯¡­!¡±


    She began to fidget with her fingers and start mumbling to herself. Though the boy seems to have guessed that she misunderstood something and wanted correct her but didn¡¯t do so after the girl came from her delusion.


    ¡°Ahem¡­ if that¡¯s the case it couldn¡¯t be help¡­ after all, Dear Brother was the one who¡¯ve been doing father¡¯s work since he left a year ago.¡±


    ¡°Well, it couldn¡¯t be help¡­ he had to meet someone he knew of at Alderblue Region.¡±


    The Identity of the two youngsters, who had knowledge of a chant-less magics, was Zenlocke and Zyneste of the Rudlith Family. Behind next to them was Sybil wearing her casual clothing on her holiday off, though it is her holiday she insisted to accompany them on their walk time to times.


    On the distance, they could see a young boy who¡¯s wearing expensive silk clothing from top to bottom with a brown spot could be seen near the waist area.


    ¡°Do you know how expensive these cloths were?!¡±


    At this distance, the shout of the young boy could be heard that filled with anger towards the two village-merchants, while prostrating with their head touching the ground. Even with them lowering their pride towards the young boy just to beg their forgiveness.


    Later on the boy left the scene, with a furious look on his face, towards the direction they were heading to.


    ¡°Afflon, what happened? Who was that person just now?¡±


    ¡°Just a spoiled brat who just got dirt on his waist¡­¡±


    ¡°Calm now, Jasco¡­ there is no use on fighting something small, his just a kid¡­¡±


    ¡°Even so¡­¡±


    ¡°Thanks you for worrying about us, Zyn¡­¡±


    ¡°Is that the boy who moved here with his family?¡±


    ¡°Yes¡­ it seems that he is, this is the first time I saw him. You should be careful not to get a fight with him alright?¡±


    ¡°Yes, I¡®ll be careful.¡±


    The two merchants climbed back the cart and went straight to the village.


    ¡ì ¡ì ¡ì


    I am Dinfar Nerus, First Son of Jizath Nerus and future to be heir of the household.


    Being the first kid to have their magic to reach of an Advance level proves that I''m a person seen as a genius by everyone.


    Even at school, my teachers and classmates flatter me of my brilliant achievements and I was the pride of my school.


    I wasn''t attached to my school after learning that we had to move to our new mansion. ¡ªactually I was happy to get away from that place.


    Today we arrive at the remote-village with only few of our servant that came with us and those who went ahead to prepare for our arrival.


    It wasn''t the image of a mansion but more like a castle with a tall stone wall surrounding the house, perfect house for nobles.


    Few villagers came one after another to greet our safety arrival, and some villagers came to be our acquaintance. People who want to take advantage for their business.


    I bragged of my genius to our guests on being the Top of my school and being the first person to be able to use advance level magic for such a young age, but they were not completely amazed by it.


    At first, I thought that it couldn''t be help because few people knew of how difficult to learn Advance level magic,  then one of our servant told me of a rumor of a young magician more skilled than me and capable of using High-Advance level magic.


    Another rumor began to float right after, it said that he defeated a boar monster said to be a D-ranked. Not with magic, but with only two dagger single-handedly defeating it on a hastened manner. He thought that his rival was a magician but a swordsman as well.


    "Hmph... I won''t believe such an obviously lie, there is no way a kid same as me to defeat a monster single-handedly with only two dagger."


    He begins to believe that this rumored person is a fictional that do not exist and the story that were spreading were just exaggerated nothing but a mere story. But his thoughts were overturned after hearing that this person is living at the far west of the village and this person called was Zenlocke Rudlith.


    After learning where the rumored person lived, I began to go on a trip to meet this person and see it with my very own eyes whether this person¡¯s ability were what they spoke of. But I had returned soon after a commoner dirtied my expensive cloths.


    Soon after, I was told that we had guest waiting at the room downstairs and was told by my mother, Olivia Nerus, to come meet them as well.


    ¡°My name is Zyneste Rudlith, and next to me is my older twin brother, Zenlocke Rudlith.¡±


    After learning the name of our guest, the person that I had to meet just came to me instead. He seems to be the same age as me but achieved greater than myself, there is no way I¡¯ve lose to this person. So I gave him a warm welcome.


    ¡°I¡¯ve heard about you, Zenlocke¡­¡±


    ¡°Nn? What sort of words did you hear?¡±


    ¡°They say that, your one with a skill of a high-caliber in both magic and swordsmanship.¡±


    ¡°¡­..¡±


    ¡°Defeating a D-Rank monster by a single person, using only two daggers is hardly believable. Even a smart kid like me would not believe such tale. That¡¯s why¡­¡±


    Stood on an intimidating pose with his chin raising high like looking down on someone, and then loudly gave a declaration in that instant.


    ¡°I, Dinfar Nerus, Oldest son of the Nerus Household, Challenge you to a one-on-one duel. To decide whether you deserve such praise!¡±


    I¡¯ll show you that I¡¯m more powerful than you¡­


    Zenlocke expression hasn¡¯t changed after being looked down and still maintains his nonchalantly smile, he didn¡¯t even flinched a slightest bit from what just happened and the only person who was surprised of what he said was Zyneste.


    Olivia didn¡¯t seem to care of him being rude to the guest and didn¡¯t batter a word, completely remain her smile.


    ¡ì ¡ì ¡ì


    Zenlocke gladly accepted the duel, now they¡¯re at the garden readying for the duel. Both of them had distance between them by 10 meters apart, and the referee was Bein, the head butler.


    ¡°Allow me, Bein the Head Butler of the Nerus Household, to be the referee and judge the duel, and explain the rule for this duel.¡±


    <b>Spoiler</b> : <input type=''button'' value=''Show'' class=''spoilerButton''>


    -Both parties are allowed to use magic and their training sword to show off their skills and knowledge to submit your opponent to defeat.


    -Fatal strike or attacks that cause irrecoverable damage to your opponents are strictly forbidden. This is also applies to magic.


    -Stepping outside the Field, the garden, is immediately considered defeated, but anything inside the field could be used to obstruct your opponent.


    -The Victory condition are when one party surrender or incapable of further combat.


    -The time limit for the battle is 15 minutes, when the time meets it end and both parties are still capable of continuing, it¡¯ll be decided by the referee to declare the duel a draw or not.


    After Bein have explained the following rules, he put on a pose that to ready on his mark. Raising his right hand then gave a glance of his left, and to his right.


    ¡°I will show you who is stronger.¡±


    ¡°¡­..¡±


    ¡°START!¡±


    As the match begins, Zenlocke quickly moved towards me as I begin to chant a magic to immobilize his movement any further.


    Dinfar began to chant spell as he pointed his wand towards him, and shouted out, ¡°[Electric Shock]¡±.


    A small snake-like lightning came out from his hand and it went straight towards Zenlocke, but was easily evaded quickly and leaps further at the side. He chants his next attack after Zenlocke had evaded the first magic, ¡°[Crystal Storm]¡±.


    Around him was an ice crystal that was form from thin air and continuously flies towards Zenlocke¡¯s direction, while he continue to evade the ice crystal Dinfar form a large Ice crystal and went flying towards him.


    The story has been stolen; if detected on Amazon, report the violation.


    When it was about to hit, it immediately got sliced into pieces in an instant. He was shock that the Ice crystal that he created and hardens was immediately destroyed, a puff of smoke suddenly appears when Zenlocke is.


    Seeing the smoke appeared of nowhere, Dinfar quickly charge towards him to take advantage of this opportunity to fight him in close combat.


    Putting his strength to strike Zenlocke inside of the smoke while he disabled his view but something came out of it, a small [Water Ball] had send flying towards him and quickly dodge the attack.


    Even though it¡¯s one of the basic magic, the speed of its velocity was fast to be caught by a normal person¡¯s eye.


    ¡°Was that an Elementary-Water class? It¡¯s more like an Intermediate-Water class or higher.¡±


    Someone anonymously announced from the audience without even knowing who made its own remark of the battle.


    Certainly this is a duel of both geniuses, furthermore neither of them were using their strongest for it may accidentally hurt the spectators, although Dinfar uses most of his strong magic that could make an adult knockout.


    Once dodged, he looked at where the attack went through and it hit the vase.


    The magic may seem to be a fatal attack but there weren¡¯t any traces of broken pieces around the grass and the vase was somewhat holding into something slimy.


    Judging from the slimy substance it came from the attack that were used against him, it wasn¡¯t use to inflict damage but to capture and immobilized that target once contact. ¨CThe proper name for this magic was [Slime Ball].


    The attack didn¡¯t stop, once again Dinfar recited the [Crystal Storm] after gaining a bit distance from Zenlocke then barrage him with Ice Crystals.


    The magic were continuously fire towards the smoke and moment his attack stop a glacier of ice were produce, but there weren¡¯t any trace of living for it was thick ice that could see through clearly.


    ¡°¡­.. Did I have him?¡±


    I didn¡¯t notice but I was already panting as I made a confirmation but none of them had given an answer. Zyneste and Olivia were silently watching over them while the other spectators where murmuring whether if he won or the fight is still on.


    ¡°Such frightening skill you had.¡±


    ¡°Wah¡ª¡°


    Zenlocke appeared standing behind him and he wasn¡¯t particularly on an offensive or a defensive stance, his sword was resting on his shoulder while leaning at the tree besides him.


    I couldn¡¯t stand it that my attack that could easily corner any person has evaded effortlessly by this person, if I couldn¡¯t beat him on a magic battle, how about a sword battle.


    Quickly jumping back as he turns on mid-air to ready his strike once closed in, swinging the sword with the advantage of the momentum of when he turn.


    Even if he evaded my magic attack, this swing won¡¯t be block easily, is what Dinfar had thought. But he had realized that his staring not Zenlocke, his opponent, but the sky, lying on the ground.


    ¡°Wha¡ª¡°


    ¡®What just happened?¡¯ is he wanted to say but he was too late to ask this question.


    ¡°The winner to this duel is none other than, Zenlocke Rudith!¡±


    It happened so instantaneously that no one among the spectator nor do I know what had happen, and couldn¡¯t even keep up with his movement. There he only stood without even breaking a sweat.


    It¡¯s been a day since I felt that humiliating defeat.


    Even if I, myself, already knew that I had been defeated fair and square but my pride begs the differ. Though inside of me felt a strange tingling of excitement right after the battle and the sensation while dueling still lingers.


    I couldn¡¯t accept that someone younger than me by a year is more stronger from I had ever face so far, we did too had some mock battle back in my school and I had defeated those whose older than me by two years and was easily defeated by someone year younger.


    I won¡¯t accept this, I will surpass you Zenlocke. And when that happens, I¡¯ll make sure to return the dept of humiliating me twofold.


    ¡ì ¡ì ¡ì


    <<Zenlocke¡¯s Perspective>>


    A week later, he was invited back to the Nerus mansion.


    Two figures appeared in front of their house on their doorstep, on the right was a man in his mid-30s wearing a black suit of a servant and to his left was a woman of his youthfulness that look to be around of an age of 18 or 20. ¨CA New face he had saw in a while.


    ¡°Is this the Rudlith residence?"


    Without waiting for a reply to her confirmation had already handed over a letter, with a waxed emblem imprinted to it, gave it to the young lady besides me.


    Seeing ¡®that¡¯ emblem I realized that this people were employed by the Nerus Household, although I wondered why it had to be delivered with an escort along with it.


    ¡°This Letter was written by the First Daughter of the Nerus Household, thank you for receiving it. If you may excuse us, please have a good day.¡±


    Then they left once they¡¯ve handed over the letter.


    Although we haven¡¯t had any word with either Olivia or Dinfar so far, and now we¡¯ve received a letter from the First Daughter without even meeting her or even knowing of her existence.


    I do know that Dinfar is the First Son of the Nerus household but it didn¡¯t comes to me that his isn¡¯t the only child of the house, I was merely surprised to know that he had an older or a younger sister and even had invited by her.


    And that¡¯s how I got invited back, it said in the letter that I should come alone but Sybil insisted to come along with me no matter what I said, she already had decided herself.


    We aren¡¯t waiting at the entertainment room but at the garden different from where I battled with Dinfar, it¡¯s the garden where they used it exclusively for party or meetings with the nobles.


    ¡°Sorry to trouble you for waiting, I am the First Daughter, Ciallana Tressa Nerus. Older sister of Dinfar Nerus, and number one candidate for the succession of the Nerus family headship.¡±


    The host has finally arrived but I never expect that the one who visited us at our house to hand over a letter and the sender of the letter were the same person. I found to see this person as a mischievous type different from how¡¯d she looks like in person.


    ¡°Thank you for inviting us, I am Zenlocke Rudlith. This person here is one of our maids, Sybil.¡±


    I gave her my greetings and still remain in my pose to continue forth.


    ¡°Although you had instructed me to come alone, I humbly ask of you to excuse her.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s alright, I expected that you might bring an escort. If it¡¯s your twin sister, then it might be awkward to discuss it in front of her.¡±


    ¡°Then, I¡¯m grateful towards your kindness.¡±


    A maid later then brought us some teas and gave us a tea to drink, it seems that we¡¯ll start the discussion after tea so I just waited for her to start.


    Taking a sip of the tea, it does remind me of what I used to drink back in my past life, the taste of Earl Grey but had a different texture mixed into it. ¨CTaste bit like bitter-sweet.


    ¡°I¡¯ve heard from mother that you had a duel with Dinfar and won without receiving any scratch. Did you perhaps when easy on him?¡±


    Immediately asked a trivial question, it seems this is just a warm up to this discussion. Before I answer her question, I took a sip of my tea then gave my reply.


    ¡°I did have a fight with your brother, though it¡¯s not on the level of holding back. To be exact, I underestimated him.¡±


    ¡°Ho~h¡­ Underestimated is it, how so?¡±


    ¡°At first I thought of fighting him without using magic. In pare of my sister, she¡¯s far more superior as a magician and I¡¯m only superior through physical techniques.¡±


    ¡°Although you too are a magician yourself but don¡¯t even had the characteristic as a magician, correct?¡±


    ¡°More or less, yes that is correct.¡±


    ¡°I see¡­ then why did you accept the duel easily, you had the right to decline but still accept it. Why?¡±


    ¡°Gaining only power without the wisdom would only blind the user.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s because he learned a powerful magic that he had forgot to look further around him.¡±


    ¡°Yes¡­¡±


    ¡°I see, so that what it is.¡±


    She began to chuckle softly and suddenly looked at me as if she were saying ¡®Jokes aside, for now¡¯, her aura had changed into a more charismatic and intimidating feeling.


    ¡°Let get straight to the point. Zenlocke, I had arranged you a marriage engagement.¡±


    ========================================


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 Chapter 05: The House Party

    Currently at the guest room of the Nerus house, forced to stay by Ciallana with no way of excusing himself to leave. He still remembers how helpless he was towards her after making so much excuse and still got force to stay.


    Brooding myself at balcony under the moonless skies unable to separate from it. I regain bit of my calmness after a maid had inform that someone wishes to meet him, a girl around of his age appeared beside the door with a radiating blissful face while wearing a emerald-colored dress.


    I, who still have not yet met all the Nerus household, guesses that this person right in front of me might be my fianc¨¦e, and willingly to be my bride with no regards of her personal feelings.


    ¡°Good Evening, I am Angelina Qiunzheal, cousin of your Fiancee.¡±


    As I glazed a look of her face carefully, I immediately remembered that I¡¯ve met this girl a week before paying a visit to the Nerus family for the first time, the girl who got helplessly trapped amongst the crowded busy marketplace and were separated from her group.


    So right now she had an expression of both anxiousness and gleefulness of meeting me. Though it¡¯s a problem if she remains unmoving from where she stands, the maid already had left a minute ago so I had to break the ice.


    ¡°Zenlocke Rudlith. Be at ease Lina, I haven¡¯t forgotten you.¡±


    I showed a tender smile after introducing myself once more and calling out her name.


    ¡°Sir Zenlocke, I¡¯m bliss that you haven¡¯t forgotten me. Let me thank you once more for helping me back then.¡±


    My plan to make her calm was a success.


    Although the person whom I expect to come to introduce of herself weren¡¯t my fianc¨¦e but her cousin who took the role of meeting me, substituting for her cousin to meet the person of interest is also rude for that person.


    ¡°I didn¡¯t expect that you were related to this family, a noble family in fact. I thought that you were on a trip with your family back then but actually hiding your identity as a commoner.¡±


    ¡°Uuu¡­ I don¡¯t want to remember what happened that day. Vivian really gave me an earful of sermon that day.¡±


    This girl¡¯s word gave of a suspicious feeling, she might be smiling alike an angel but her grinning is like a devil.


    ¡°I believe you, but I just want to clarify something¡­ did you REALLY reflect of what you had done?¡±


    ¡°Yes, I REALLY reflected on it.¡±


    ¡°REALLY?¡±


    ¡°REALLY¡­¡±


    ¡°REALLY, REALLY reflect on what you did?¡±


    ¡°REALLY, REALLY, REALLY reflected on it¡­ Mmm, maybe a little bit¡­¡±


    This girl showed a smile with a hint of mischievousness, the corner of her smile had a twisted crookedness along with it. ¨CAlthough I too had a personality of mischievousness and were almost showed a crooked smile myself but I somehow suppress it from happening.


    ¡°Oh, so you got pardon of your deeds. Eh¡­ Oh, VIVIAN!¡±


    I called to her attendant, who was waiting outside, and gave Lina a mischievous smile after she looked at me after call. Immediately Lina went to block Vivian¡¯s view from seeing me and tried to make a silly excuse.


    ¡°Vivian, please bring us some tea. It seems that Sir Zenlocke is pouch from our long talk.¡±


    ¡°¡ªOne more thing¡­¡±


    ¡°Please wait for me once you had left the tray inside, thank you.¡±


    Vivian left to fulfill her mistress¡¯s command and went to fetch us some tea to drink while it was doubled to prevent Vivian from listening to what I was about to say. Lina, who is at the door, leers towards me as her face were pouting.


    ¡°I would hate you if you tell on me¡­¡±


    ¡°Seems that you had learned your lesson.¡±


    The night continues gleefully with us chatting before we went to sleep, although it was fun while it last I still haven¡¯t met the person whom I got forced to marry.


    The next morning, I looked for Ciallana to say my farewell before leaving unannounced but couldn¡¯t find her anywhere and later was told that she had left, Dinfar also couldn¡¯t be found anywhere since yesterday and still haven¡¯t made his appearance. So I left and was given a ride back home using their carriage.


    ¡ì ¡ì ¡ì


    It became chaotic when he told of the discussion of having forcefully arranged a fianc¨¦e for him by the first candidate of the Nerus house, Ciallana Tressa Nerus.


    Everyone was shocked of the news of what I had told to them excluding Sybil who knew of the contents of the discussion, it seems that she still haven''t announced the news and had me announce it myself.


    Zyneste weren¡¯t happy of the news and felt insulted of the other side¡¯s action at that time, not showing her face to her future husband is surely rude but it took some time for her to calmed down to listen further of her circumstances. Although she calmed down, she still hasn¡¯t accepted him getting engaged to someone.


    Lynessa weren¡¯t against him getting engage in such a young age but a bit worried that his fianc¨¦e might not be capable of taking care of Zenlocke, Sheila thought about it as well.


    If it''s about getting engaged, I already experienced it from my past life and neither of us had no special feeling to each other, only to strengthen the bonds between the two family businesses.


    At the end of the day, the best thing we could do is to see how it would turn out and decide whether to accept the engagement or not. And with all that, the final decision is decided by me.


    Because of this turn of events, we somehow had gotten ourselves a connection with the Nerus family.


    The following day weren''t any special but neither normal, at the border between the forests, where the magical creatures roamed freely, reported that the magical creatures were acting strangely and would attack outside of their territory.


    Normally they would only attack if or when their territory where been trespassed by humans but wouldn''t attack outside of their own, so the security near the village became wary of the forest and had all combat capable to help guard the border till the problem were to be resolved.


    But the matter had turned to worst after news of the group of three men never returned after they were to investigate the reason what is making the magical creatures acted strangely.


    And every now and then, magical creatures began to attack occasionally. Many news of the villages that surrounded the forest has been reporting that many of their people went missing after this had happened and it gradually began to pile up.


    The Captain of the guards, Mr. Anderson, came to our house to inform us to be vigilant whenever we are close to the forest and be watchful of the surrounding area.


    ".... It''s because your house is too close to the forest, I advise you to be on a watchful eyes out for magical creatures. They''ve becoming more dangerous day by day and might would attack any time sooner, so you must protect your family in your father''s stead."


    It is true that their house is much closer than the other neighborhood and he already had seen how frightening they could be when it comes to a large group of magical creatures, but with his ability with his sister is capable enough to repel the large group on their own.


    After saying all those he needed to say, he left the house back to guard tower where he is posted at this time. Everyone knew of the history of Mr. Anderson as an adventurer before he retired to marry his wife, and knew that he is a B-ranked Adventurer but the danger of fighting a number of enemies isn''t a big joke.


    A week has passed since they were warned, the forest became more quiet all of a sudden and the sighting of magical creatures became less and less, it''s been three days since then and there was still no report of a villagers went missing but the people near the forest became more anxious of any beast might attack at night.


    Although the danger has calmed down, the securities were kept on high alert at all times. We''ve hired some Adventurers to investigate the forest but they reported that there''s no "out of the ordinary¡± and there were only few D-ranked magical creatures and other more below it, it was a shock to us that there were only fewer D-rank outnumbered by the lower ranked magical creatures.


    It felt like the numbers of powerful C-ranked magical creatures were just a figure of imagination, or maybe an effect of killing the magical creatures that Zenlocke had killed were maybe their Boss or something.


    And time pass and the village turned to their daily lifestyle like always but didn''t lax on the security since then. More guard were also employed by the village heads to prevent any dangerous incidents may accord.


    ¡ì ¡ì ¡ì


    "--Zenlocke, I challenge you to another duel..."


    Dinfar once again kept challenging me to a duel after he had returned, the reason why he didn''t appeared in a month since I got engaged was because he was on a strict training to surpass me of my skills. And when he heard the news of me getting engaged made him force to stop his training and defeat me to annulled the engagement, and up till now he got himself whoop by me.


    But this time the condition were different, rather than nullify the engagement he set the condition of have me not attend the party that I been exclusively invited in,  and he was really desperate in defeating me even with the use of dirty tricks to prevent me from winning.


    "Hah... hah, hah... Hah..."


    "Just give it up will ''ya... You already use all your tricks, and here you are dead in exhaustion."


    The fight had already  ended with 6 rounds in Dinfar''s defeat and totalled of with all the recent dual.


    A score of 47-0.


    His stubbornness never know it''s limits, clearly he knew that he had a huge disadvantage even with me using almost half of my ability and still losses ever match we took. I already had enough of his stubbornness and it would most likely get himself in trouble by it.


    Support the creativity of authors by visiting Royal Road for this novel and more.Watching him stood up staggeringly made me feel like a Bad guy that kept bullying him.


    Sooner than later, a servant of theirs came just in time to escort him back to their mansion after I apply a healing magic for him to be presentable for tonight¡¯s party.


    We, me and Zyneste, came tonight¡¯s party on a presentable suit that were provided by Olivia, wife of the current head of the Nerus House, including the invitation that were handed of over by Bein.


    Both of us were the center of attention at the party for our appearance looked marvelous, although we¡¯re the only one who¡¯s different from everyone else in the party because we are neither a human nor an elf, but a hybrid if both.


    Human and Magic race(Dwarven, Elven, Wildia, Orcen, Hobbits) had never been in a friendly nor hostile relationship with one another, because most of the Humans sees the Magic Races as a Demon, a Diablo, that had been terrorising them 200 years ago before the great war.


    Regardless of our mixed blood, we''re still have an elf''s blood run stronger in our vain which is still part of a Magic race. And Elven races had never been in a good relationship with the humans and only few among them elves had kept neutral to those human, and we are among them.


    Suddenly a familiar face suddenly appears before us, it was Olivia alongside with her daughter, Ciallana, who looked gorgeous on her dress. At a few distant from them was Dinfar entertaining the guest that surrounds him.


    "I am glad you had accepted my invitation, I''m beginning to wonder if you arrive later."


    "I apologize for worrying you."


    "Oh, it''s alright. At least you are here... I wanted to introduce to you your fianc¨¦e but she is not here because of the family tradition, so please understand."


    "I see, after being forced to be engaged and--"


    "Please don''t mind my sister, she not like this all the time."


    I apologize to Olivia after I interrupt Zyneste''s complaints. But it seems that she weren''t offended by what my sister had said and instead asked forgiveness from not explaining after it was announced to me.


    "I am very sorry if we were rude, it was our fault for not telling about our family tradition. But please understand, even I couldn''t break this longed tradition."


    "Please don''t, I understand completely. So there is no need for you to ask forgiveness, and I know there''s a rational reason why it was made to be a traditional thing."


    Olivia gave mediocre expression before taking a leave to greet the other guests that had arrived just now and only leaving Ciallana to continue the conversation.


    "I am Ciallana Tressa Nerus, please to meet you Zyneste. I''m sorry if I took away your brother from you, but please understand this is a benefit for both parties."


    It''s true that this marriage would benefit both the Nerus and the Rudlith family, an advance investment for the future events. Although its what it looked like from the third-party but in truth they only wanted to invest only to my abilities while we''re not tied to something.


    I may still cancel the engagement, no I could cancel the engagement. But, I don''t wish to right now. ¨CSo I gave a certain smile to Zyneste where she is the only one who knows what it means.


    "I''m very sorry that I showed you something unpleasant, if we had knowledge of your tradition this wouldn''t have happened... Please forgive me for my rudeness that I''ve shown."


    "You''re quite a modest young girl, I know you''ll be a good friend to my little sister... Please take care of her, Zyneste."


    It seems that they are somehow getting along nicely, at first I thought that Zyneste wouldn''t try to associate closely with the Nerus family but it seems that I was mistaken.


    The other fellow guests slowly tried to initiate a conversation with us and the chain reaction from the other join in to chat, mostly about the rumors about me and my achievements. Most of the rumours they heard were been exaggerated quite a bit and the other were fictional stories, even after I corrected their misunderstanding they became even more amazed about it.


    I am very knowledgeable on how to turn the tide of the conversation to my favor but because on their eyes I''m but a mere child, I could only gather limited info such as what the capital is like and other stuffs that kids like me should know.


    I can''t even find myself a reliable ally because of my appearance and occasionally dodge my question about it and would change the subject matter quickly.


    "Seems you''re having quite a complicated conversation this evening, mind if you take this girl''s hand for a dance?"


    Lina who came out of nowhere, interrupts the conversation and asked of me for a dance.


    Although she weren''t being rude, but still weren''t polite either as well. She might just want me to not get involved in any sort of political matters or maybe stop me from being overly socialize with the adults, either way I excuse myself and took her hand for a dance.


    The dance in this world weren''t any different from the previous life, so both of us were the center of attraction  and everyone were able to follow my rhythm. Even Lina weren''t having a hard time following my steps.


    "You''re surprisingly light on your feet, Lina."


    "Hmph... I am not that easy to defeat with your unique moves."


    To the audiences, dancing is nothing but socializing and flattery. But to the dancers, rhythms and moves are attack patterns to their partner and the person who leads the dance is the winner of the attraction.


    So the two of us were in the middle of the battle, equally both good in rhythm and dance move.


    Now that we''re about to reach the ending of the song, both tried hard to gasp the opportunity at hand.


    In that instant the partner suddenly lagged the movement of the body, opening up an opportunity to the takings.


    The person who lagged out was Zenlocke.


    "Looks like I''ve won the dance."


    Zenlocke facial expression hasn¡¯t changed from him losing, but somehow he showed a slyfulness from the sudden change of his rhythm.


    "Certainly, you''re the one who grabbed hold of the timing... But the dance haven''t done yet, let me show how it''s done."


    Zenlocke was able to pull Lina to his trap and finally show majestic move which had captivated the crowds, a loud round of applause were heard even across another room.


    Lina had already accepted her defeat as soon as she realizes that she was lured into a trap in the end, and even if she was able get free from this invisible trap, Zenlocke would change his pace and his rhythm.


    The applause continued for a minute before the next song could start.


    "What a wonderful performance you had granted us today, I never expect to see such a unique dancing in all my life. It''s seems my image of you fit perfectly."


    "May I ask, what sorts of images were those?"


    It was Ciallana who just came out of the group of crowdes and walked towards us as she said those words. She kept quiet and made a teasing smile, which I had seen when she first introduced herself to me.


    Zyneste also appeared behind Ciallana, elegantly walks towards my sides.


    "You were marvelous out there, Dear Brother. I am so proud to be your sister... If I may ask, who might she be?"


    "Let me introduce, Angelina Quinzheal, a cousin and representing of my fiance."


    "I became acquaintance of Sir Zenlocke before he got engaged with my cousin. But this is the first time I met this person''s lovely sister, it¡¯s like I had been smitten by your beauty."


    "Please, don''t flatter me so much. It''s kinda embarrassing."


    Lina in an instant became an acquainted of my sister.


    She may be small, but her ways with people are largely different from other. Getting close with Zyneste isn''t an easy as it may seem, but to get her on the good side... Not bad.


    It was a good night and the party weren''t haft bad at all, I even saw Dinfar dancing with my sister and he wasn''t the one whose leading the dance at all. But, surprisingly he didn''t even made fuss about it and just happily chatting with her.


    The crowds that kept bothering were taken care of by Ciallana, though I wasn''t completely bothered by it but still I was thankful about it.


    ========================================


    Ah... Finally.. It''s all done, now... I can finally rest....


    (/¦Ø£Ü)


    Reminder:


    -Update for new chapters may take time for now on.


    -Pattern in naming will begin to change to Japanese Style.  (Example: Teacher Thison - Thison-sensie, Master Makoto - Makoto-sama)


    In the next chapter.


    <b>Spoiler</b> : <input type=''button'' value=''Show'' class=''spoilerButton''>Chapter 06: Thidolom Academy


    "--we finally arrived."


    ...


    "--please pay more attention those around you."


    ...


    Two figures began clashing inside of the dinning room...


    ...


    "I am sorry for the  late introduction, I am..."


    ...


    "This got to be a joke, right?"


    This is just for today and I won''t do this to the other next chapter. Ehehehe... Sorry, can''t resist the temptation.


    (?¡ä?`?)?


    ========================================


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 From the original storyline

    Author:


    I have read all you comment, you all had a different expectations from this story...


    In truth, I once wrote it where he had been reincarnated as a girl instead a boy... But, it made it more difficult to continue the storyline.


    Zenlocke:


    Eh... You really did that?!


    Author:


    Yeah.. There a part where I made you as prodigy, good in both as a knight and a magician...


    Then there I had another problem, my cousin who I had her first read it and commented that he is too OP, and less non-OP...


    Zenlocke:


    Hmm.. That would be awesome... But I still don''t plan to be in the center stage.


    Author:


    Another were I had you in a same situation just like in your previous life, were you had brother as a prodigy... And somehow turned you into a dark MC...


    Zenlocke:


    ... I won''t be like that!.. (probably)


    Author:


    I didn''t let dinfar have a scene, and he supposed to be antagonist in it, it was a scene where you came to greet... Olivia tried to get a favor from the twin but you anticipated it and evaded all her... "Hooks"... And gave up in the end...


    There the two, you and Dinfar, would first meet and request a spar to humiliate you, Zenlocke, from all the rumor that he have heard... From this storyline, he almost killed Dinfar, the next heir... And have a hostile relationship... And change it to a new storyline...


    Zenlocke:


    Now that nasty, I can already picture it happening... We did a practice about that scene and it was terrifying, I could sense Zyn''s terrifying intent... *Goosebumps*


    Author:


    There is also a part where I had you, rescue a girl from a crowd of monster when the village were in high alert.. I had all of it remove to a different timeline...


    A case of content theft: this narrative is not rightfully on Amazon; if you spot it, report the violation.


    Zenlocke:


    Dude, you just want me to get killed by a certain someone, aren''t you...


    Author:


    Although I already have planned the scenes... I could still move it to a different timeline...


    Zenlocke:


    Really? That''s good... I''m not gonna get killed!


    Author:


    Good for you... But I would still had you have a son/daughther very soon..


    Zyneste:


    Dear brother, what is he talking about. *Emitting a Dark Aura*


    Zenlocke:


    Nothing, he just said a silly talk about me having a child. *Ignoring*


    Zyneste:


    Wha-wawa... *Steaming red* (I''m gonna have a...) hehehehe...


    Zenlocke:


    ??


    Author:


    Gonna go back to writing... Bye! *Dash away*


    ========================================


    May be slow but I will try to get your expectations.


    By the way... I need a new character name... Could you recommend, a commoner, adventurer, noble, royal.


    Example:


    (Full name, Gender,  Social Class)


    Olivia Nerus, F, Noble


    While you''re at it, throw some of your idea as well and I would try to squeeze it in... Although some might not be use...


    ========================================


    I had few different stories ... Just ask..  I had a Sci-fi VRMMORPG, a exiled prince in vendetta, Zombie Apocalypse, State invasion, crossover to a different world, a mercenary high school,  trapped in a Modern war VRMMO, and etc. Can''t pick either so I a new one hoped you keep following.


    ¡ã.*\( ?o? )/*.¡ã

 Chapter 06: Thidolom Academy

    It''s been weeks since the party, and right now we''re done preparing our luggage that we had to bring with us for the travel that we''re about to make. The reason why we''re preparing is because we''ve received a message of invitation by the Thidolom academy to attend their school, regrettable that we didn''t get invited as [Special Student].


    Nerus Family was willingly to lend us a carriage to the academy. Of course they had an intention why they are willing, but they wouldn¡¯t say what it is, althouUgh I had guess what that reason is.


    Asking around about the academy took me quite an effort to summarized it, the reason is all the villager only heard story about it and never even attend it for its expensive tuition fee.


    The information I gathered about the Thidolom Academy were:


    - The Academy had two type of Department, one is about Magic Mastery Department (MMD) and the other was Knight Mastery Department (KMD). As like its name says, it teaches their respective lesson. Although rumors say that both departments had a deep antagonisms ever since it were made.


    - Duels are encouraged by the academy, but killing and pillage are prohibited.


    The other information I got were a bit omitted and exaggerated, but considered not related to the academy such as some students and faculty members were demons, and etc. Whether the information I gathered were true or not, I would soon find out after we arrived at the academy.


    The next morning, the day we''re about to leave the village. The carriage was of course waiting for us outside, luggage was already taken care of and the only thing that is missing was the passengers.


    Leaving the house to a faraway place for the first time are really hard, not seeing for more than a year would really difficult to persevere for a young age, even I who had lived from my previous life couldn''t be excluded from it. Getting in required a great amount of courage for us in such a young age, even so I did not show any hesitation quickly got in and waited for my twin sister to finish her goodbye to our dear mother, who''s right now have a mild illness to this day.


    On our travel, we encounter a lot of adventurers and merchants on our way. We even got a present from one of the adventurers that they had looted from one of the conquered dungeons, a [Bronze Ring] that grant the user a bit of magic defense, and a [Silver chain necklace] supply the user small amount of vitality.


    I soon realized that not even one soaring on the sky, except from the birds and magic beasts. I had thought once trying to make wings for ourselves but I lack on equipment to use on making it, therefore I had to add it to one of my to-do list and try it later on.


    ¡ì ¡ì ¡ì


    After long hours of travel, we finally arrived at the city of Qhytrone, full of lively people going here and there. At the end of city, on top of the hill is where one of the largest and produce a large excellent students, Thidolom Academy.


    Although we just entered the city, straight of us, we could see the almost whole frame of the academy.


    Zyneste sticking out her head off the window of the carriage and said excitingly, ¡°Onii-sama, we finally arrived.¡±


    ¡°Yeah¡­ the largest academy where a large quantity of excellent students are being produced every year, The Thidolom Academy.¡± Agreeing to her sister as he also gazed at the building on top of the hill.


    Not noticing that we already arrived at the newly built mansion that was given to us couple by Ciallena. It is quite big for us and was told that the servants that are serving in this mansion are only ten servants, including those servants and still too big for us.


    ¡°I am the Head Steward, Jeircous. We are expecting of your arrival.¡± A middle-age beastman came and introduces himself to us, he claimed to be the head and manage the servants around the house.


    Making his queue, the other row of servant behind him bowed and greeted us of our arrival. Our luggage was taken and we were given a quick tour around the mansion, as well as around it. Later he guided us to our room where we could have a rest before we would have our dinner with my fianc¨¦e.


    ¡°Haa¡­ I never expect to have the same situation in this world as well¡­ haa...¡±


    Just like in his past life, he was also gotten an arrange marriage and was no way of cancelling for it was for the family business. But time pass by, he grew attach to my wife but never get himself to love her and also get her to love him. The thing is, political marriage are never said to be a good thing amongst the common people and as for people who had power, it''s their weapon, a tool or perhaps use for their own personal gain.


    Although I am still a nine years old brat, this sort of engagement could still put to a void if I play my card right, only if they haven''t publicized about it. And maybe free myself from this ironic fate that I had myself into.


    I immediately took off my clothes and changed to a new one, I ask one of the servant to ask where the study room is at. But instead she guided me to where is at. I had my time reading some of the collection that I found intrigus me, a full history of Thidolom Academy.


    It said, the founder of the Thidolom Academy took its name after its master who is not but master in magic, in weapons as well. Although the master had passed away right after the academy has erected, two of his disciple and the founders, Jul Ghuence and Christ Flond.


    Although they are master in both magic and weapon, Jul Ghuence preferred using huge sword almost the same size of herself because of her monstrous strength that could desimate an army of 100,000 elite soldiers by herself, and Christ Flond prefer using magic such as summoning Lightning Legionnaires are Calamitous magic thanks for his diligence effort in his research to compensate his sickly body of his.


    But conflict amongst themselves slowly began to worse on their personal conflicts slowly involving their students on their matter. Until they were divided in two factions, one is the Magic Mastery Department and there is the Knight Mastery Department.


    I continue to engulfed myself in my reading that I didn''t notice Zyneste calling me until she closed the book that was reading.


    "Onii-sama, please pay more attention those around you."


    "Ah, sorry... I just found something that intriguing that had me lost in my reading."


    "What is it about, Onii-sama?"


    "Hmm... I''ll tell you later about it, for now let us go have lunch. I am about to meet my partner today remember."


    "... Alright, don''t forget your promise."


    I could only smile and said nothing as I watch her walk outside gleefully, I could only wonder what she is thinking. Shrugging off and went to the dinning room just to find myself the first person to arrive, I asked one of the maid, that is right now preparing the table and dishes, if my fiancee is really in the mansion and she just answered ''Yes''.


    Finally, I just want to get over with this.


    I waited and Zyneste finally arrived on her newly dress, then Jeircous came guiding another person behind him. A young girl close to my age, wearing a light silver dress with a taint of bit light orange limit up to her knee and unlike Dinfar who had dark brown colored hair, hers were chestnut colored with the length not lower than her shoulders.


    "Good afternoon to you both, before we continue let have our lunch first. Don''t want it to go cold, so please have a seat."


    She gesture us to seat as well, as the servants already finished setting the dishes and stood still near the wall. She is now waiting for us to join her, refusing to start without us.


    She looks harmless, but my instincts shout danger.


    "Onii-sama?"


    "Oh, its nothing. Come on let''s go..."


    Zyneste looked worried, but because I showed a small smile she then looked relief and went to our seat.


    The dishes looked luxurious and seems to be high-quality ingredients, not easily found in the current region. Compared to what we have back at the village, this more delicious--


    *THUD*


    As soon as he heard something, he immediately looked for the source and found his sister lying unconscious on the table with the food half finished. In that instant, he immediately spit the food and notice her dish untouched.


    "Don''t worry, nothing wrong with her. We just drug her to sleep, after 4 hour she would soon regain conscious."


    "So tell me, what is the reason for this? Why put drugged the foods."


    As I try to interrogate her, my vision slowly began to blur and it looks to be the drug began to take its effect, just keep myself awake I had to stab my leg with fork just keep me awake.


    I don''t know what they will do, but I refuse to lie unconscious and have them done something thing to me.


    After bandaging his leg with a piece of ripped cloth, and glare toward her. He also notice the the butler had left and came back along with a rack of different varieties of sword and dagger.


    "So where were we... Do you remember about being told of our tradition? Well, in our tradition when a female of our house were courted, they must have a duel with one of the relative of our house to see I he had the strength to protect her. And if when he defeat the challenger, in a count of 30 sec and no one call for a challenge, he would given a permission to court... But..."


    He stood there watching her as she gestured Jeicous and he brought close to him, then continued her explanation.


    "But, because of I never knew or heard of you, but only rumors about your achievements such as defeating a two D-ranked monster which one of them were close to a C-rank with a single move effortlessly."


    Such a exaggerated story... But the last part is partially true though...


    "So I  was told... But do you know about rumors, it can''t be completely trusted, especially for your mysteriousness...


    That is why I ask to have you do our tradition, I can''t allow myself to be engaged to a complete stranger."


    "... Seems negotiating is out of the question, who am I duelling with? Jeirous?"


    I then took two weapon,  a Katana and a Wakizaki, the edges are dull but it could be lethal for a master rank. I then place the dagger at my waist and point my Katana toward her and continued.


    Love this novel? Read it on Royal Road to ensure the author gets credit.


    "... Or maybe it''s you I''m fighting with."


    "And what make you say that?"


    "Ever since I met you, my instinct kept telling me you''re dangerous."


    "Pfff... Bhwahahaha... To think my act was exposed because of that... Hahahaha... Alright, I have let you pick you would fight..."


    From her laughter earlier suddenly changed to a most serious look, her aura suddenly change to a menacing kind.


    "But, it seems that you already made your decision..."


    She threw her utensils toward me as a throwing weapons, at that moment she took out a sword hidden behind her chair and started chanting wind magic as dodge. A strong gale blew through me and as soon it stop, she has already close the distance between us.


    She swings her sword upwards swiftly and got graze at my left cheek from her attack, but it didn''t stop there. Another strike aimed towards my right shoulder, left waist and finishing it off with a upper slash. Instead of just blocking her attack, I instead charged towards her and begin my counter.


    As soon as she got hit, I then commence my attack in one breath.


    Strike, swing, pierce, strike, strike, swing, pierce, strike..


    At my last attack I then jumped back a few distance from her, destroying her pride as a swordswoman. My attack only left her clothes tattered and every single strike never left a wound on her body, showing her that I am more skilled than her while holding back almost 65% of my ability.


    We both hold back, but I never said I would not toy with her. Suddenly behind her were as if began to erupt flames and as slowly looks toward me, she was enraged and care no less but her target.


    She then dashed toward me using [Quick Steps], but her speed were somewhat close to Master''s speed. If I ever hit with her attack at that speed, it would be lethal.


    "Tch... I guess I had no choice..."


    As the distance between the two quickly shorten, Zenlocke stab the sword to the ground as he wait for her to get close, soon he was in range, she attacked by slashing him horizontally followed by a ray of flames. She smiled as she strike were a success.


    "Alright, that''s enough. Thrysta, concede. You lost."


    "H-How could have I-"


    She soon realized thet there is a cold metal resting on her neck, she slowly turned her head around and found Zenlocke, who waa supposed to be in front of her, now at her rear holding a dagger near to her neck.


    Zenlocke practice to master his illusion magic and it is now at most in


    She couldn''t move from she stood as she were frozen in time. Dropped her sword unconsciously and he slowly moved the dagger away from her neck, then threw it to the ground and went toward back to his sister. Carrying her out of the room without uttering a single word either of them all.


    Thrysta, his fiancee only watched him walked out and after a few minutes he waa gone. Her feet gave in as she still stare toward the door where he exited. In her mind, she could be already dead if this were a fight to death.


    ¡ì ¡ì ¡ì


    Zenlocke arrive to her room and placed her down to her bed, removing her unnecessary clothes only leaving her light clothes on and cover her with a blanket.


    *KNOCK, KNOCK, KNOCK*


    He didn''t answered because the person from earlier, invited himself to come in. His a middle-age man with a well built body and a scar on his cheek. Brown hair with an emerald colored iris.


    "I am sorry for the late introduction, I am Thrysta''s father, Hector Nerus, also you to be father-in-law. You must be Zenlock Rudlith, and the young lady over there must be Zyneste, correct?"


    "..."


    "Please forgive my daughter for her action earlier, I am not aware that she would try to do this sort of action. In fact, when she found out that she gotten engaged, and were furious wanting to drive you away even it mean killing you.


    Even so, I am thankful that you held back and even reduce her backlash."


    In what his talking about was the last attack that Thrysta executed were not completely stable and if he didn''t reduces the power that and forcefully feed in his mana, Thrysta would had destroys her mana pool or even result her lossing her life as it would feed in her lifeforce as a substitute.


    After giving his thanks, he left for us have a rest from all that had happened. All of us needed a rest from this hectic day, meeting my fiancee and even had duel with her. Although all of her strikes were meant to kill me, I still don''t dare hurt girl for no good reason.


    The next day, Zyneste woke up not on a good mood and kept complaining for what they did, but I was able to calm her down after I told her of the promise we had and told her all of I learn and read.


    "Neh, let go check the market. I want to check something-... Are alright, Zyn? You''re kinda bit red..."


    Zyneste woke up from her daze and replied back to me while looking in a different direction. Although she is not looking, I could still tell that her face were red pink. I believe that she is alright, but what worried me that she won''t tell me what is wrong.


    Shrugging it off, walked down the stairs to find Thrysta wearing a light dress as she stood next to door, annoyed as she waits for someone. And as soon she spotted us, snorted and turned around walking outside to follow us.


    But before leaving, I had reminded them to stay close so no one got lost, after all we are new to this town and even though Thrysta refuse this idea she still walked close to us.


    And in addition to that, I had casted an illusion magic that made the two of us in a form of a human. I''ve turned our hair completely in light blue and made our ears same as the human had, round ears. Witnessing the changes in us, Thrysta couldn''t resist touching our ears, and surprisingly it felt round instead of being pointy.


    Moving on to our trip, Zyneste and Thrysta were both excited and amazed to see a lot of jewelry and other accessories. I, on the other hand, tried to gather bit of information about the other nobles in this town, to know which or whom to avoid causing trouble.


    What do I say, information is power. Whoever control even a trivial information, control the flow. Even rumors had it worths.


    "GET BACK YOU FUCKING THIEF!!"


    Hearing a sudden commotion, I looked around to find where it came from and found a child, holding an amulet, running from two grown adults, one is a bit fat while other lacking in fat. Ran toward the alley to outrun them, but got trapped in a dead end.


    "Hand over the amulet if you don''t want us reorganizing you face."


    The boy shook his head while squeezing the amulet on his chest tightly. His leg were shaking as he step back slowly, and soon stop after he got close to the wall.


    "Fucking, twerk... Hold him still..."


    The fat guy charged towards the boy to grabbed hold of him, suddenly a bright light blinded them which stopped him from his track and aoon realize that the boy were nowhere to be found. Suddenly the bin behind them had crashed down and saw the boy running away.


    "Shit... His getting away, after him!"


    The two thugs continued chasing after him out of the alley and back to the crowded street.


    In a few minutes after they had left, beside the wall something began to distorted and revealing two person standing still as he hold the boys mouth keeping him from speaking. But what actually happened, Zenlocke made a bright light before the fat guy get close to the boy, dash towards the boy and use one of his specialty to hide both of their presence, then made an illusion of the boy running toward the crowds.


    "Now that they''re gone... Mind telling me why they were after you?" he asked the small boy after releasing him.


    But the boy said nothing as he only fearfully looked at him. Only just squeeze the amulet tightly refusing to speak, not even a single word of gratitude of him helping.


    Although he saved him, but seeing the boy in this state wanting to get away from here, he changed his appearance as well as the amulet using an illusion magic. And let him go without prying into the boy''s problem, but before he loss sight of him, he hear a faint voice saying "Thank you".


    Leaving the alley and returning back to the two girl just to find himself get a few sermon from Thrysta for disappearing without a word, he could only resign and wait for his punishment, and it seems that from the start they already decided on what sort it would be.


    The next day, one of our maid went out to pick up our uniforms that we would be wearing through the semester of our school year, our top had a black and white diagonally from bottom to top and as for our bottom trousers had a black colored with two white stripe in each side of our leg, for both the boys and girls, the only difference from the MMD and the KMD are the emblem at our right shoulder.


    But in my case, my uniform looked feminine just like Zyneste''s uniform but in a male version.


    "This is got to be a joke, right?"


    As retorts my side, both of them only grinned as they shook their heads in decline to replace it with a new set. So in the end, I was forced to use this custom uniform that the two had ordered for me, and lucky I''m an elf as well as her so it somehow fit me well.


    ========================================


    Sorry for the late... I had a problem connecting, as well as write a new chapter on my free time.  If all of you ask why there is no full details of the MC''s story before dying, is because I would be putting it as story of him or someone else perspective... As for the characters detail, I''ll examine all of the characters and place it in a new thread.


    Before I would continue, I''ll be needing some help for their tier ranking... I already decided only 9 ranl and nothing more, but I''ll be needing how to  recognize them and what color designation for those rank.


    Are you alright with my coding, a strap at their right shoulder in a rank of [White > Yellow > Orange > Red > Purple > Blue > Green > Grey > Black]


    If you had any suggestions or errors to be correct, pls tell me.

 HAITUS!!

    Sorry to break to you all, it''s everyone''s worst nightmare, HAITUS!!


    I too don''t like halting a story, but I got no choice but to put it ON HOLD for now. I don''t know when I could get start again, I might post time to time.


    The reason why I halted this story, when I was still in vacation, my connection was getting bad and power outage turned to regularly. Even worse, the source(Phone) where I write my story broke and it needed to be fix when I returned from vacation, which I still had 1 month and 16 days left before I returned back home. And computers and connection there are really a nightmare for me, and when I finally got home, my inspiration to write were left behind.


    If you stumble upon this narrative on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen from Royal Road. Please report it.o(¨i©n¨i)o


    So I am really sorry!!


    I am gonna find myself to continue this story soon, until then I might either create a new one or post my other work..


    Qhytrone </a> - Place where HIS stories are spread