《Chosen by the Almighty: Ascension Blade》 Chapter 1: THE END AND THE NEW BEGINNING Part 1: Prologue On an ice-cold night, the landscape echoed with the symphony of battle-screams of pain, shouts of defiance, and the clash of metal. Amidst this chaos, two figures emerged as protagonists in a fiery battle. One was a towering warrior in blue-silver armor that encased him from head to toe, a visage of indomitable strength. His heavy greatsword, a gleaming extension of his resolve, struck with precision and power that matched the weight of his armor. Fighting beside him was a figure swathed in a long coat blending shades of silver, black and light blue, with a mask as white as moonlight concealing his face. Long strands of silver hair cascaded behind him like a river of mercury, and beneath the mask, his eyes emitted a faint, otherworldly whitish glow. In his grip was a one-handed shortsword akin to a katana. Their battle was not merely a clash of steel, but a dance of souls on the edge of annihilation as they faced a powerful foe shrouded in darkness. The might of their strength was earth-shattering, and their sword slashes rendered the sky. As they fought, their gazes met, as if conversing in friendly chatter. Each move was a testament to their skill, determination, and their unyielding spirit. As their battle escalated to its apex, the armored warrior took on a powerful hit. Managing to evade the strike, his helmet cracked, revealing his face. It was that of a middle-aged man in his mid-thirties with a straight-lined scar over his left eye. "That was close," he thought to himself. "A few centimeters closer and my head would''ve been blown off from my body." "Hey! Don''t just stand there. Look behind you!'''' the silver haired warrior yelled as an attack approached the armored warrior from behind. The armored warrior reacted quickly and managed to parry the attack. He was blown away by the sheer powerful force of the attack. "Ugh!" he exclaimed as he fell to the ground. "Let''s go all out with a final bang. What do you say old man?" the silver-haired yelled, his eyes gleaming with determination. "I''m not so old. But sure, I''ll give it my all with this final strike," the armored warrior answered, his gaze unwavering as he stood back up. The battlefield around them seemed to hold its breath as the two warriors, preparing for the final act of their battle, unleashed a surge of energy enveloping their bodies and swords, an aura of impending cataclysm that heralded the culmination of their fight. The armored warrior unleashed his technique, . His greatsword became a whirlwind of steel, cutting through the air with explosive force while the silver-haired warrior followed with . A technique that blended shadow and light into his blade which had become a deadly blaze. In response, the darkness unleashed a torrent of dark waves which clashed with their attacks, almost overpowering them. At that moment, the silver-haired warrior summoned a gauntlet on his right arm, dashed towards the darkness in a split second while murmuring a chant for a powerful spell. "By starlight''s edge, where shadows fade, A binding oath, eternal made. Threads of dawn and twilight weave, The dark shall slumber, never leave. Oh, power vast, your will must yield, Bound by the law of the eternal seal. In timeless void, where fate is still, Forever chained to the cosmos'' will. The story has been stolen; if detected on Amazon, report the violation.Spirits rise, the pact is sworn, The light shall reign; the dark, forlorn. !" As he approached it, light flashed brightly and formed a giant pillar that illuminated the sky like a torch of hope. The armored warrior was surprised as the impromptu action of his comrade weakened the darkness''s attack, yet the collision of the attacks which made it seem as if the sky was tearing apart, unleashed a massive energy explosion caused by the sudden imbalance of power which were colliding in a state of stagnation and balance, carved a giant crater into the battlefield, the two warriors also getting caught up in the blast. When the dust settled and the crackling sound of their battle faded into the dawn, the deformed scream of the darkness thundered strongly as it disappeared into nothingness. "CURSE YOU SPRIGGAN! CURSE YOOOOUUUUU!" The armored warrior, battered and bloodied, stood with a deep scar across his chest, armor cracked and his left arm missing. Beside him lay the silver-haired, also grievously wounded with holes in his chest and his right arm missing. "Hey, old man... Oh! Sorry, Xenos," the silver-haired warrior spoke weakly, looking up at Xenos, the armored warrior, with a faint smile tugging on his lips as his mask, cracked, slowly fell from his face, revealing the face of a young man in his early twenties, with sharp black eyes. "What kind of expression is that, huh? The Divine Warrior shouldn''t look so pathetic." "You''re a fool, Jason," started Xenos, addressing the silver-haired warrior with a seemingly hurt tone. "Fighting entire armies by yourself, being an air-headed bastard who simply wandered the land living as you please. What about all the friends you made along the way? Our allies who fought with us against this calamity? WHAT ABOUT THEM?!" he added, remembering his time with Jason and their long battle against the darkness. "Sheesh! You''re such a pain," he whispered, his voice growing faint. "I promised your wife that you would come back home safe and sound. Well, you''re not in one piece but she should be satisfied. This is the end of the road for me. Many died but we were still unable to completely beat her. She ''will'' come back. It will take a while, but she''ll return and this calamity we''ll restart once again. If I''m ever reborn, then I''ll fight again. Even if I have to do the same choice again." "As always, you''re way too greedy. Why do you feel the need to be a hero?" said Xenos, his voice full of sadness. "Me, a hero? No thank you... but... I''ll still... take that... as... a compliment," he said as he coughed up blood, his voice growing weaker and weaker. "It won''t be long now. Thank you... for fighting with me. It was... fun. Farewell, old friend." added Jason with a light, satisfied smile before dying. Xenos sat beside him as he then gazed at the dawning sky. "You truly were something else Jason," he murmured, a solemn tribute to his fallen friend. "You might not have really thought of yourself as a hero but for everyone else... Our comrades, allies, friends... you ''were'' a hero. I''ll always remember you, my old friend." The darkness had vanished but the memory of that night, the cold, starry sky, and the fierce young warrior who fought beside him¡ªremained with him. Part 2: The Beginning Far from the blood-soaked fields of battle, on Earth, in modern times, amidst the mundane rhythm of daily life with sounds of talking people, car horns, a young boy, headphones over his ears as he lost himself in fiddling with his smartphone, boarded a crowded bus on his way to Tokyo, unaware of the twist of fate about to befall him. Thirty minutes later, a sharp jolt shook the bus. "What the...?" he exclaimed surprised. Before he could process what was happening, the vehicle skidded off its path. The world became a blur of screams, twisted metal, and crashing impact in a horrific accident that left many passengers severely injured or dead. As the critically injured young boy lost consciousness and died amidst the wreckage, the pain faded, replaced by an overwhelming sensation of weightlessness. Then from the darkness of his mind, he saw a soft, glowing light. The light disappeared and the young boy felt warmth envelop him. Suddenly, the pain, the wreckage, and chaos of the crash were gone. He awoke in a grassland, the sun casting a gentle warmth over his face. Birds chirped in the distance, and the air was filled with the scent of fresh earth and blooming flowers. He was reborn into another world. Chapter 2: Reincarnation and New World As he opened his eyes to the gentle swaying grasses beneath him and the vast, unblemished sky above, a surge of conflicting emotions gripped the young boy''s heart. A chill ran down his spine, a sensation both unfamiliar and thrilling, as he absorbed the sights around him. "What... where am I?" Rolling onto his side, he touched the cool, damp earth, breathing in the scent of fresh grass. For a fleeting moment, he thought he was dreaming, but the earthy fragrance, the soft rustling of leaves, and the distant calls of strange birds were too vivid. Gingerly sitting up and struck with a sudden headache, fragmented memories that floated in his mind like scattered leaves in the wind, started piecing themself like a puzzle. Touching his head in pain, he muttered to himself, "My name is Asaru Takayoshi. I''m 16 years old. And I go to Yamauchi High, in Kusatsu town, Gunma Prefecture. I was on my way to Tokyo, I took the bus and then, and... then¡­ " His voice trailed off upon the final memory hit him hard¡ªa flash of screeching tires, the sudden impact, then darkness. His heart pounded as he grappled with the dawning realization. "I... died? And now I''m... here?" A jolt of fear and disbelief coursed through him. He''d read so many stories of people transported to other worlds in manga and novels, yet standing here, the reality felt surreal. "I really got... Isekai''d in another world?" he chuckled as his thoughts raced, the sound tinged with both irony and confusion as the weight of the situation settled upon him. A voice echoed louder and louder as he was lost in his thoughts. "Big bro, big bro, big bro, BIG BRO!" "Wha?!" exclaimed Asaru as he finally heard the voice that seemed to call out to him. It was a young child, a seemingly spirited 7-year-old boy, his small face lit up with mischief. His reddish-orange curly hair, and his green eyes sparkling with an innocent wonder. As he observed the young child, he wondered who the child was. He ran his fingers through his hair, a head shock suddenly striking him. "Shaw... Blakelord. My... little brother?" he thought as images of Shaw and unknown memories started flashing through his head. The wind brushed through his hair, and it felt different¡ªlighter, almost silken. Looking down when he accidently stumbled due to the pain, he noticed his body felt strange too, smaller almost childlike. Seeing his reflection in a nearby puddle, a small face stared back at him with wide, inquisitive eyes, framed by short, silver-streaked hair. "This... is... me?" he thought as his vision blurred, resulting in him fainting due to the headache he suffered. "My head hurts. I don''t feel... so good..." "Help!" yelled Shaw, his shout echoing strongly as people came running to help. Inside Asaru''s inner consciousness, memories flashed before him. Memories of his new identity, the language of this new world among other information related to this new world which overloaded his mind.This tale has been pilfered from Royal Road. If found on Amazon, kindly file a report. "My name is Ace, Ace Blakelord. I''m 10 years old. My father is Chris Blakelord, and my mother is Ellie Blakelord. I live in Turbana village, within the Infilia Kingdom, on the Eastern Continent. There is swords, magic and monsters in this world. There are..." Inside a small room within modest house on the village''s edge, people were in distress as ''Ace'' had collapsed without any reasons. Among them, a beautiful red-haired woman, with emerald-green eyes, and generous body, her expression tinged with concern, emitted light from her hands trying to heal him. It was Ellie Blakelord, the mother of the household. At that moment, a tall man, with sparkling brown hair, focused blue eyes, seemingly in his early thirties, clad in worn mercenary garb and armor, his face dripping with sweat and etched with worry, burst through the door. "How is he? I heard he collapsed!" It was Chris Blakelord, the father of the household. "He''s in bad shape," she said, seemingly exhausted yet her gaze filled with determination. "I''m already using healing spells continually, but he still has a high fever, and I can''t figure out why." Ellie''s eyes teared up as she looked at Ace, a worried expression etched on her face. "I thought it might be related to magic, but his mana is completely stable. I just don''t know what is going on." As it seemed that Chris and Ellie''s worries were about to reach an extreme threshold, Ace''s expression quickly calmed down and his fever went down. "What''s going on?" Chris asked, his voice tinged with confusion. "I don''t know," Ellie glanced at Ace with a smile that was both tender and motherly. "But thank goodness he''s better," she said, falling down to her knees as relief and exhaustion caught up to her. That evening, over dinner, around a flickering hearth, Ace found himself seated at their table, Chris and Ellie shared their concerns with Maria, a sister in the church who is also a specialist in magic. "Do you know what happened?" asked Maria, a beautiful woman with long purple hair and purple haze eyes. "No," answered Ellie. "Shaw simply said that Ace was acting weird and then collapsed suddenly." "I see," mumbled Maria holding her chin, thinking about what would explain what happened to Ace. "Do you mind if I check on him?" "No," Chris replied. "You''re more than welcome." Making their way towards Ace''s room, they climbed the stairs, turned on the right corridor and then entered the second room on their left. Maria approached Ace who lay on his bed still unconscious. "I''ll check on him now." She took his hand and closed her eyes. Her aura started to emerge, and her mana seemed to flow from her to Ace. At that moment, she saw a vision of a condensed dark purple light that seemed to merge and blend in with a silver light. She opened her eyes, her expression etched with disbelief. "I think I have an idea of what happened to him though I''m not so sure myself." "Please tell us!" inquired Ellie followed by a nod from Chris. "If what I sensed is correct," Maria started, taking a deep breath. "It would seem that the mana inside Ace is being refined. That process is then affecting him on a spiritual and physical level. Though I''m not too sure myself." "Has there ever been a case like this one before?" asked Ellie followed by an immediate "No" from Maria. "I''ve never seen anything like this before. All I can say is that his life doesn''t seem to be in danger. His condition is stable, so we''ll just have to wait for him to wake up. But what I can guarantee is that his condition won''t worsen further." Upon hearing those words, the parents of the young boy could only worry while waiting for their child to eventually wake up, ignorant of what was really happening within him. Chapter 3: Recovery and Awakening One week had passed since Asaru arrived in the Blakelord household, reincarnated as Ace Blakelord in this other world. It was a week filled with anxiety and worry as Ace had still not woken up. "I''m worried." Ellie started, sitting beside Ace, holing his hands tightly. "It''s already been a week, and he still hasn''t woken up." "Remember what Maria said," said Chris leaning on the doorframe. "He will eventually wake up when his mana stabilizes completely. We can only wait until then." "Yes. But still..." said Ellie, a mix of worry and anxiety etched deeply on her face. "I know." said Chris, putting his hand on her shoulder trying to comfort her. "I''m also worried. But we need to believe in Ace. I''m sure he will wake." "After all," continued Chris with a smile. "He ''is'' our son. Whatever he faces, he will overcome it. I''m sure of it." "Mmm." exclaimed Ellie, her smiling face watering up with moved tears, yet feeling as though hope came back in her heart. A few days later, one early morning, Ace woke up to the clanging sound of metal and the rhythmic thud of strikes in the backyard. Chris was in the midst of his daily training. The sword Chris wielded was a blade covered in flickering flames. Ace rose up from bed and stood up on his own walking towards the door. He opened it, looked around the hallway and went towards the stairs. He came down the stairs and looked around the living room, kitchen and dining room. He went towards the door, opened it and was greeted by the view of the dawn, the rising sun casting its glow on the village, a magnificent breathtaking view it was. He closed his eyes, taking a deep breath as he spread out his arms. The cool yet fresh morning breeze hit him in the face, his hair flowing smoothly, a single thought crossing his mind as he opened his eyes with a calm and serene expression. "It''s all real. These memories, this feeling, they are all real. But..." His thoughts were interrupted by the sudden thud of a sword falling on the ground. It was Chris''s sword, the fire had just been extinguished, and Chris, his body drenched in sweat, stood in place in shock, looking at Ace with a dumbfounded expression. "Uh." Ace began, his voice tinged with hesitation as he skirmished around, scratching his head, fiddling with his fingers, not sure what to say in this peculiar situation. "Good morning, I guess?" Chris''s expression softened into a teary expression, rushing towards Ace and hugging him tightly. "Thank goodness." he said simply, his voice trembling with relief as tears rushed down his face. "Thank goodness you''re finally awake." Ace was still confused as to what happened to him, but tapping on Chris''s back and also hugging him, he simply replied, "Sorry to have made you worry, Dad." Chris''s face watered up immediately, releasing all the days of worry and anxiety he had bottled up.Ensure your favorite authors get the support they deserve. Read this novel on the original website. Afterwards, as Ellie and Shaw also woke up a few hours later, the household became a bundle of emotions. Ellie''s tears were immeasurable as she hugged Ace so tightly that separating them seemed impossible. Shaw, on the other side, though he teared up a little, his expression turning into bright smile, happy that his big brother had finally woken up. Afterwards, Ace''s stomach growled as he had spent many days without eating. The household resounded with laughs to the situation. After a while, the family enjoyed a hearty breakfast, celebrating Ace''s recovery. It was a peaceful and harmonic breakfast, a joyous family moment. The next day, news of Ace''s recovery had spread across the village. Turbana village was a small but vibrant village, surrounded by wide lush fields, located on a wide plain of grass. The Blakelord household had received many gifts from the villages. It was mostly vegetables and fruits among other crops. The following days, Ace wasn''t allowed to move too much or do anything too strenuous as he had just recovered. He would occasionally play with Shaw at home but in most cases, he wasn''t that free in his movements. One day, just like always since Ace collapsed, Maria came to visit to check upon his condition. "His mana has completely stabilized it would seem." she thought as just as when she first checked on him, she saw the vision of the silver and dark mana within Ace had completely stabilized and seemed to be in equilibrium. "You no longer need to worry." she started discussing with Chris and Ellie. "Ace''s condition is completely stable. I doubt there will be any after-effects." "Thank you very much." said Ellie followed by Chris. "Does that mean I can finally go play outside now?" asked Ace. "Yes. I guess you ''can'' go play outside." said Ellie as she was the one who was mostly responsible for preventing Ace to do much of anything. "Then can I study magic and swordsmanship?" he added. "Huh?" was the reaction of all that were present. "I can''t?" he frantically asked. "You want to resume your training?" asked Maria, followed by a thought. "After ''that'' incident, he never came back to the sessions." "Are you sure?" started Ellie, worry etched in her voice. "You just barely recovered, and you want to resume your training?" "Don''t worry Mom." he started as he stared intently at Ellie''s eyes. "I won''t do anything too dangerous. Promise." He then gazed at Chris, who thought that Ace''s eyes seemed oddly determined. "Is this really the same Ace I know? The glint in his gaze seems... different." "Okay, you can resume your training." said Chris with a sigh which was then followed by a light smirk. "Honey?!" exclaimed Ellie who was then interrupted by Chris. "I know." started Chris. "You''re worried that something like ''that'' might happen again. But you can''t always isolate and protect him from everything. He needs to experience new things to grow. And just look at him, he''s determined." Ellie, looking at Ace gaze once again, conceited. "Okay fine. But please be careful, okay?" "Sure!" nodded Ace with a bright smile. "Please take care of him Maria." said Chris, who side-glanced at Ace, still wondering what changed in his son. "Of course." replied Maria. "Then Ace, let''s meet up at 10 a.m. next Monday, okay?" "Okay," answered Ace. "Then good day to you." she said as she stood up and got escorted out of the house by Chris. When they arrived outside, Maria aborded Chris. "I don''t know what happened to Ace but keep an eye on him. Maybe I''m just worrying for nothing but better to be prepared than sorry." "I''ll keep that in mind." replied Chris as Maria simply walked away. His expression was that of worry. He had also realized that something had changed in his son, but he was unable to figure out what it was. He simply went back inside as the sun set its glow across the village, a smooth and fresh breeze blowing across the fields. Chapter 4: Magic Lessons and Sword Training One morning, on the promised day, Ace made his way to the church, eager to start his training. "I''m going out now." he said as waved at Ellie who followed with, "Okay. Be careful out there." "Okay!" After a while, he arrived at the church, a grand structure with towering spires and intricate stained-glass windows, casting colorful patterns on the stone floors. As he knocked on the door, it creaked open to reveal a kind-faced sister. "Excuse me? Is miss Maria present?" asked Ace, his voice tinged with anticipation. The sister nodded and guided him towards the church''s library. "Yes. You must be the child she told me about. Please follow me." The library was a haven of tranquility, filled with the rich scent of old books and the soft hum of ambient light filtering through the windows. In the library, Ace found Maria and another girl waiting for him. "Oh! Hello Ace." Maria greeted him with a friendly wave. "Come on in. I''m sure you still remember Isabella, right?" "Yeah, I remember." he answered. Isabella Windsor, a 9-year-old petite girl with dark shoulder-length hair and beautiful blue eyes. She was also Maria''s apprentice. She gave him a brief nod before returning the book with an indifferent expression that was quite reserved. Ace felt a bit put off, but he was still excited to learn magic. Maria directed Isabella to fetch a book about mana theory from a high shelf. As Isabella did so, Maria began explaining the basics of magic to Ace. "If you remember correctly, Mana is an energy that can be used to create, control, and modify matter and other phenomena." she said her voice steady and clear. "Now, how many attributes are there?" "There are 7 attributes: Fire, Water, Earth, Wind, Light, Dark and Null attribute. Each person has a natural affinity for one or more of the first six attributes. Hence, one must first discover one''s attributes and learn the basics." Ace answered followed by a thought. "Well, that is what I remember from ''Ace''s'' memories." Ace then added, "Then we have the null attribute. A rare, mysterious and powerful attribute, capable of manipulating space, time and other magical, and physical phenomena." "Very good." Maria, a professional smile on her face started. "It seems you that you didn''t forget what I taught you before. Then let''s move on." The session lasted for 4 hrs. Ace listened intently, absorbing every bit of information about mana theory and its practical uses. By the time he returned home, his mind was abuzz with the possibilities that lay ahead. Chris was waiting for him in the living room, his expression a mix of curiosity and satisfaction. "How did it go?" he asked, casually leaning against the doorframe. "It was good." Ace replied, his eyes sparkling with enthusiasm. "I learned many new things." "Glad to hear it." Chris said, a smile tugging at the corners of his mouth. "From now on, Maria will teach you about magic on Tuesday and Thursday while I will teach you swordsmanship on Monday, Wednesday and Friday. Saturday and Sunday are rest days. Be prepared to work hard."If you stumble upon this narrative on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen from Royal Road. Please report it. Ace''s days began early, with a disciplined routine that dictated the flow of his day-to-day life. His mornings started with mana manipulation exercises under the guidance of Maria. It involved sensing the mana within the body, converging it and letting it circulate freely. After his 4-hour session with Maria, he would then go back home, occasionally reviewing what he was taught while experimenting. Ace would then endure grueling workouts designed to push his limits. From sprinting through the fields to lifting and stretches, Chris''s training was relentless. "Before teaching you how to wield a sword," Chris said one day, his voice gruff yet encouraging. "We must first hone your body for it to be strong, agile and flexible." His muscular arms were crossed as he spoke, and his eyes held a glint of approval. Ace nodded; determination etched on his young face. And so, this was Ace''s new routine life. Mana lessons with Maria from 8 a.m. to noon, followed by a hearty lunch, a two-hour rest, and reviewing lessons. Then his physical training from 10-12 a.m. and 2-4 p.m. with Chris. Evenings were a quiet affair. After a simple dinner with the family and talking about his day with Ellie, Ace would take a bath, the warm water soothing his aching muscles. Then he would retreat to his modest bed, falling into a deep sleep. But one night, his peaceful slumber was interrupted by a dream. In the dream, Ace found himself in a white, empty space. The brightness of the space was thick and palpable. His heart raced as a mysterious shadow, its form shifting and elusive, emerged and loomed before him. The voice that emerged was both alluring and menacing. "Let''s play, friend." It said, a chill running down Ace''s spine. Ace, standing amidst the fog-like space, mustered up his courage and asked boldly, "Are you the one who brought me here?" his voice steadier than he how he really felt within his heart. The shadow''s response was cryptic as it chuckled. "If you wanna know, come find me in the Sezar mountains. But come only if you''re strong enough... or ''you will'' die." "I''ll be waiting. Hahaha!" With that, the shadow vanished laughing as the fog-like space and dream dissipated. Ace jolted awake, his heart pounding in the midst of dawn. The dream had ignited a new fire within him. He knew he had to become stronger, to unravel the mystery of his arrival and the shadow''s enigmatic message. With renewed resolve, he threw himself into his training with an intensity that surpassed even his previous efforts. 17 months later, Ace, now 12 years old, had transformed into a formidable young warrior. He had reached an intermediate level of mana mastery and honed his swordsmanship to low-grade knight-class standard. His once childish appearance had changed from the countless hours spent training under the sun. His muscles, though still growing, were well-defined, and his frame stood with a confident stance. One day, he approached Chris with a request. "Dad," he said, his voice steady and his eyes filled with resolve. "I want to join you on your hunts." The seasoned warrior looked down at the young boy, his face marked with lines of skepticism. Chris raised an eyebrow. "You''re still just a kid. It''s dangerous out there." Ace''s gaze was unwavering. "I''ve trained hard, and I need to test my skills in real conditions. So please?" he pleaded, bowing his head. Chris sighed, the corner of his mouth twitching into a reluctant smile. "Alright, fine. But if things get dangerous, we leave right then and there, okay?" Ace nodded enthusiastically, his eyes shining with determination. "Yes sir!" The hunts proved to be an invaluable experience for Ace. He faced real threats and tested his abilities against wild beasts and hostile monsters. With every challenge, he grew more adept in his mastery of magic and his skills with a blade sharpened by the trials he faced. From dark blades appearing from his shadow to diving into his shadow to move unnoticed as well as null magic such as reinforcements and enchantments, his proficiency with magic was impressive. His swordsmanship was precise and mastered. There were no useless movements. Chris, who was by his side, felt a deep sense of pride seeing his son and disciple grow. After months of grueling practice and countless battles, Ace had completed his training and could now depend on his own strength. One day, he announced to his foster parents that he was going to hunt on his own for the first time. Chris and Ellie, though reluctant, agreed to it. And so, his sword at his side he went to the forest for his first solo hunt. Chapter 5: First Hunt and Unexpected Danger Under the scorching sun, within the forest near the village, Ace was on a monster hunt. His target was a Salamander living inside the swamp, in the deepest part of the forest. "Daaamn!" he exclaimed. "This forest is so dense." "It had been a long time since I had some alone time. I''ve been too busy trying to ''fit in'' in this weird world. Though I''m also quite weird myself." He had made a few discoveries. First, was that he had a natural aptitude for using magic especially Shadow Magic as his magical attribute was the Dark Attribute, an attribute that could control darkness in its entirety. It was mostly used in creating ''Curses'','' Status Hexes'' and other forms of Dark magic. Second, the idea of holding a sword and practicing swordsmanship wasn''t so alien to him, in fact, it almost felt nostalgic. And lastly, his own self. The fact of addressing Chris and Ellie as his parents didn''t bother him too much, even acknowledging Shaw as his brother. The memories that flooded him of ''Ace Blakelord'' and ''Asaru Takayoshi''s'' personality seemed to completely merge. More than feeling as though they were two different entities, he felt as though they were actually one and the same. "That''s why this feels creepy. More than being confused about who I am right now, the fact that they seem to be blending together so seamlessly is too disturbing. Just as I can identify myself as ''Ace Blakelord'', I also identify myself as ''Asaru Takayoshi'', making me both confused and sure of who I really am. There''s definitely something going on here, but what exactly, I''ve got no idea?" were his thoughts as he travelled through the forest. ''Ace Blakelord'' and ''Asaru Takayoshi'', what could they have in common for me to end up in this body? Or was it simply a coincidence? And why exactly¡­" his thoughts were interrupted as Dire Wolf jumped on him. Using a spell , he disappeared into his shadow, evaded the attack, jumped out of his shadow and with a swift motion, he drew his sword and slashed the beast, his eyes possessing a somehow golden beastly hue. "Do I feel a sense of familiarity about this situation?" In the meantime, back in the village, Ellie was sharing her worries with Chris. "Do you really think he''ll be okay?" "I''m telling you, you''re worrying over nothing." said Chris, trying to reassure her. "He''s stronger than you think." "He might be strong but I''m still he''s mother. Of course I''m still worried." added Ellie while Chris seemed to have something on his mind. "Yeah, I know. But¡­ should a kid be so comfortable with a sword that he''s able to hunt beasts without fear so easily?" thought Chris as he remembered the first time Ace accompanied him on his hunts as he easily killed the beasts without any ounce of hesitation. Looking through the window with a sigh, he mumbled, "I just hope I''m worrying over nothing." Back in the forest, Ace had made significant progress. He had finally reached the swamp where the salamander was said to reside. "Daaamn! Finally found it!" he exclaimed. It was dim and shrouded in mist, with sunlight barely breaking through twisted, ancient trees. Their roots, rising out of dark, still water, formed tangled paths. Strange glowing fungi clang to the trees, casting a faint, ghostly light. Love what you''re reading? Discover and support the author on the platform they originally published on.The air was thick and smelly from wet earth and decay. Small islands of moss and colourful plants were floating on the water, some looking like they might bite if you got too close. Firefly-like insects were drifting lazily, their soft glow adding an eerie charm. "Now where is it?" he said as he looked around the swamp, his sword unsheathed, ready to face whatever may lay ahead. "Guess I''ll need to¡­" he started as he sensed something unexpected. Just as Ace was about to turn back, he suddenly felt a shudder run down his spine. His instincts screamed danger. He had heard of them before but the creature advancing in front of him, emerging from the shadows, emanated a more menacing air than what he could have anticipated. It was darker, bigger, taller and stronger than what he was told about by his father. Its green skin was mottled with dark scars, and its muscles bulged grotesquely. It wielded a massive club, the wood gnarled and splintered, brimming with an aura of sheer brutality as its surface was stained with dried blood. "What the? I''ve never heard of a thing like that. A-an orc? W-wait, is that even an orc? A new breed? Well, whatever it is, it''s too late now to run away." Ace''s thought, his heart pounding in his chest, recalled Chris''s advice. "Dad told me to trust my instincts, and right now, they''re telling me that that thing is dangerous." And so, as soon as they made eye contact, the beast roared, a guttural sound that echoed through the swamp. It charged at him with terrifying speed, swinging its massive club with absurd strength. Luckily, Ace barely managed to block it, but the impact sent him skidding across the swamp which was supposed to be the salamander''s habitat. The strength of the blow was immense, leaving him breathless and disoriented. Regaining his footing, Ace swiftly unleashed a torrent of black blades at the orc. . The blades surged towards the creature at incredible speed. But to Ace''s dismay, the orc remained unfazed. Its thick, almost armor-like skin repelled the attack with minimal effect. The beast roared again, undeterred, and continued its relentless assault. Ace dodged the attacks and darted around the lair, desperate to find a strategy. He blasted the ground to create a smoke screen, hoping to obscure the orc''s vision. But the gigantic and heavy steps of the beast blew away the smoke effortlessly, and soon, the club came crashing down once more. Ace barely had time to react, and the club struck with devastating force. He was hurled backwards, slamming into one of the trees. Pain erupted in his chest, and he felt a sharp pang from internal injuries. He gritted his teeth, the realization of the giant orc''s formidable strength sinking in. "Shit, shit, shit, shit, shit, SHIIIIT!" Ace mentally screamed, his mind racing. "This was supposed a simple monster hunt. But I had to stumble on this freaking monster. It already has incredibly thick skin, so attacks have minimal effect on it. Not only that, but it also has a huge physique and enormous strength. How the hell am I supposed to beat that thing?!" As he lay on the ground injured, his body aching and his vision blurring, The giant orc slowly approached Ace, coming closer and closer while raising its club, preparing to strike again with a killing blow. Chapter 6: Arduous Battle and Unknown Memory The ground trembled beneath the massive feet of the giant orc as it moved forward, each step crushing rocks and scattering debris. Ace lay defenseless on the ground, his body bruised and bloodied. The sight of the beast, towering like a mountain, its twisted face filled with brutal intent, rooted him to the spot. His mind raced, the image of that monstruous creature bearing down on him like an unbreakable wall. "Physical attacks won''t work¡­ and my magical attacks won''t have much of an effect either." Every option he considered felt useless, leaving him with nothing but a growing pit of despair. "What options do I have at my disposal?" "Damn it! Think, there must be something?!" he clenched his fists, frustration and fear warring within him. "Wait. There is." Suddenly, a memory from his time training with Chris popped back into his mind. The voice echoed in his mind, steady and unyielding. "Listen well, Ace. A Battlemage''s strength depends on mostly two things: the skills with his own fighting techniques, that includes precision, speed, flexibility and strength. Then the other is his magic, how he uses it to enhance and support his combat art. Those two factors are what make the most of our abilities as battle magi. That''s why for us who use swords, I prefer to say that we are Spellblades. So when fighting against any enemy, always think of how you can make the most about those characteristics." Ace''s breathing slowed as Chris''s words resonated within him, and the flicker of hope was enough to steady his shaking limbs as he slowly struggled to stand up. He knew he didn''t have overwhelming strength or magic on their own. But if he could merge them, use his magic to the limit to amplify his skill¡­ "I can do this." Battlemages were mages who used mana to increase their physical abilities as well as infusing their weapons and strikes with elemental magic depending on their attributes, while Spellcasters, on the other hand, were mages who used incantations and/or visualization to conjure spells which can create and affect matter/mana material in various ways. Ace''s eyes snapped up just in the nick of time to see the giant orc raising its massive club high, then striking it with full force, sending a shower of dirt stone in the air. A large sound could be heard at that moment. Amidst the cover of dust, there was grinding sound in the air. When the dust cleared, Ace, who barely managed to block the attack, was standing alive though barely. This novel is published on a different platform. Support the original author by finding the official source.The beast, taken aback by his sudden movement, roared in fury, preparing for another strike. "If I only have to defeat you then I simply have to strike you with enough power to make a dent in that thick skin of yours, RIIIIIGHT?!" Ace''s voice grew stronger, confidence building as he released a large amount of mana. He tightened his grip on his sword, allowing his mana to surge into it, all while pushing the giant orc back and throwing it off balance. "Concentrate, breath, refine your mana¡­ and let it run through you. Feel it throughout your body, visualize it, give it shape, release more and more and more. Much, much, more." he repeated to himself in a low murmur, grounding himself in the technique like how he used to with Maria. His breath slowed, steady and deep, his gaze shining with a golden hue as he focused on channeling his mana. His sword gleamed in his hands, the blade and handle extending, covered in his magical aura. Regaining its balance, the giant orc roared again, shaking the ground. Its patience thinning, it charged toward Ace with fearsome rage. Ace braced himself, setting his stance, the sword and his aura glowing so intently that the air around it crackled. His focus narrowed until there was only him and the giant orc. "LEEEET''S GOOOOO!!!" he screamed as the mana released reached its peak, swirling around him like a storm. Ace slid into a stance holding the sword over his head, magical energy covering the sword like a veil, every muscle in his body coiled and ready. At the same time, the giant orc, now mere feet away and screaming "GRAAAAAHH!!", swung its club with the force of an avalanche. "Now!" Ace''s eyes sharpened as he took a single controlled, deep breath and closed his eyes, his world narrowing to singular point of focus. As the club came crashing down, he reopened his eyes, and with a slight change in footing, he swung his sword with lightning-fast motion as if it was a natural reflex. "I. Won''t. Lose. I absolutely refuse to lose and die here. "Null Magic: Izanagi !" his blade met the giant orc''s club, cleaving through it effortlessly before carving a path through the creature''s thick hide. The orc let out a strangled cry while Ace screamed with fury, its massive frame collapsing, split cleanly in two as a strange vision of a silver-haired warrior who drew his sword with speed far surpassing Ace popped in his mind. For a moment, there was silence. The air hung still, as if in awe of the battle''s end. Ace stumbled back, his body trembling from the strain of his attack, barely able to keep his footing. "DAAAAMN! Finally done with it haha." Ace exclaimed, his voice a mix of exhaustion and exhilaration. He glanced at the massive orc sprawled a few feet away, its once fierce eyes now staring blankly at the sky. The orc had been a formidable opponent, with thick greenish skin and muscles like iron. Ace managed a weary smile, wiping the sweat and dirt from his face. Admiring the fact that he had managed to bring the beast down. "For an orc he was quite strong and thick-skinned, well I managed somehow. But still though, where is the salamander? And why was that beast here instead of it?" The adrenaline beginning to fade, Ace dropped to his knees, exhaustion finally overwhelming him. Chapter 7: Aftermath and Friendship After spending an entire day in the swamp, Ace decided to leave the forest and headed back to the village. On his way, he pondered about what that breakthrough was during the fight. "I wonder what that vision I had was." Ace thought, describing the feeling and vision he had as he sliced through the giant orc. "It was so realist that it seemed more like a memory than a simple vision." "Well, it might have just beenmy imagination. It''s better to simply go back home and eat. I''m starving." he said as his stomach growled in agreement. After several hours of trekking, Ace finally reached the village. The two guards standing at the village entrance glanced at him, a concerned look as he staggered, noting his disheveled appearance. "Hey, isn''t that Chris''s kid?" said Simon, one of the village guards standing at the village entrance. "Yeah, that''s him." said Robert, the other guard. "Go get help. Quickly!" Ace whose strength had left him could no longer hold on his two feet and he collapsed on the road. "Damn it. Not again." The next day, Ace woke up in his room. He was covered in bandages and knew what it meant. As he slowly rose from bed, his face went pale. "I''m in deep shit!" he screamed internally. At that moment, the door opened making Ace twitch a little. It was Shaw who had come to check on his older brother. "Oh." "Big br-!" he exclaimed as Ace jumped out of bed covering his brother''s mouth with his hand. "Sshh!" Ace exclaimed; his face seemingly etched with terror. "Don''t yell, okay?" Shaw nodded, Ace slowly removing his hand from his mouth. Ace let out a sigh of relief as if he had escaped a disaster. As he slowly checked the hallway, Ellie appeared behind him, her face quite menacing. Ace turned completely blue as he slowly turned around. "Oh no. She''s angry." he thought. Ellie had a dark expression on her face. "You and I need to talk young man." she said, her voice commanding and menacing. "Y-yes ma''am." Ace said, the tone in his voice being that of someone who had accepted their fate. The following hours, Ace got an earful from Ellie. She had been worried about him especially after he showed up completely battered up and unconscious. Chris and Shaw, on the other hand, had finished breakfast and they were training outside as if not wanting to deal with the storm that was Ellie. Ace was then grounded for an entire week with the instruction of not doing any training, focusing solely on recovering.Stolen content warning: this content belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences. After a week, Ace''s ''punishment'' had finally ended. He was still instructed by Chris not to engage in any physical training, but he did occasionally go to the church to read books in the library. On one particular day, when Ace entered the library, he found Isabella at one of the desks. "Hey, Iza. How are you?" "It''s Isabella, idiot." she replied, the tone of her voice cold. "Yeah, sure." said Ace, seemingly not caring about her remark. "So, what''re you reading?" "Don''t you have someone else to annoy?" said Isabella. "Unfortunately, I don''t. If mom found me elsewhere, she wouldn''t let me hear the end of it." Ace said, a light grin on his face. "I see." responded Isabella seemingly not caring about Ace and simply continuing reading her book. Ace continued to chatter away while Isabella continued to engross herself in books. Soon the sun started to set on the horizon, and Isabella decided to go back home. "See you tomorrow." said Ace, waving his hand at her as he walked away. As Isabella also went on her way, her mind was rushing with thoughts about Ace. "He really is annoying. Well, at least he''s not a total fool." She remembered about a time when Maria had left them to practice magic on their own because she was busy with other urgent matters. She was practicing a spell she had recently learned, . Ace, on the other hand, was practicing Null magic especially the spell which allowed high speed movements. Isabella was mostly impressed by how Ace could use magic so effectively when it was only recently that he had resumed the lessons. One day, she had overheard Ace who was thinking out loud. It was something that was both impressive and innovative. "Let''s see, fire magic. I guess it relies on the concept of ignition. Particles accelerate creating heat and mana seems to cause that energy to grow. Fire is fueled by oxygen, so if I use that theory as basis, I guess that means that if I do this," he mumbled as he held out his hand towards a candle. He focused his mana, envisioning the process he had stated in his theory, and the candle was on fire. A bright blue flame was burning the candle making it melt. "Yes!" he exclaimed as he was happy that his experiment had succeeded. "Idiot!" yelled Isabella as she splashed Ace and the candle in water. "What would you do if the fire spread out!" "S-sorry." "I can''t believe he used fire magic." she thought as she remembered the scene that unfolded in front of her. "But what he did was different from normal fire magic. Exactly what was it?" "How did you do that?" she asked. "What?" "I''m asking you how did you that?" she repeated, her eyes bright with curiosity and excitement. "I didn''t know she could make that kind of expression." thought Ace, surprised by Isabella''s expression. She, who was always cold and never talked much, almost doll-like, now seemed more human. "Pfft. HAHAHA!" he laughed strongly, making Isabella regain her composure, turning bright red from embarrassment. "Haha. Okay, sure I''ll tell you." said Ace with a wide smile. "Y-yes, I appreciate it." she responded. From then on, they started to spend more time devising magical theories together and doing experiments together. Little by little, they became close enough to be somewhat friends. "Truly, he really is annoying." thought Isabella finally arriving at her house. "I''m home." Chapter 8: Son鈥檚 Request and Father鈥檚 Challenge 30 miles away from the village, a rumble shook the earth, sending shockwaves through the landscape that echoed through the serene, rolling hills that surrounded it. Beneath the rising dust blown by the wind, were two distinct silhouettes, one adorned in blazing reddish-orange aura while the other exuded a shimmering serene bluish-silver aura. Their clash was nothing short but spectacular, their movements were blurs, mere trails of their auras to be seen. The sheer force of their blows sent tremors that rattled the very ground beneath them. In but one moment, as the dust cleared, it was Ace, now 13 years old and his younger brother, Shaw, now a determined, agile, and cheerful 10-year-old, were sparring as part of their training. Chis then showed up, standing between the two, and the two boys immediately halted their assault. "That''s enough for today, boys. It''s time for lunch." said Chris, his voice steady and authoritative, yet calm and relaxed. "But we were getting to the good part!" said Shaw, his pout accentuating his youthful features. "That''s true. The part where I beat him." said Ace with a smug expression on his face. "What?!" Shaw''s jaw dropped. "You mean the part where ''I'' beat ''you'', right?" As their argument continued, "Okay. That''s enough. You wouldn''t want to make your mother wait, right?" said Chris as the boys exchanged a sheepish glance, their competitive spirits subsiding as they responded with a "No, sir." "What happened when I returned from my little trip to the swamp was enough for me." thought Ace as he remembered the events that took place when he returned home after his solo hunt. With a small chuckle from Chris, the three of them went back home together, where Ellie was waiting for them. As they approached the house, the aroma of a hearty meal wafted through the air, teasing the senses of the siblings as their stomachs grumbled. She had prepared a hot meal of stewed meat and vegetables, which they eagerly devoured. Ace had studied more about the history and other social norms of the world he was living in from the books in the church''s library. He had now fully acclimated himself to this new world. During the afternoon, while Shaw took a well-deserved nap, Ace went for a stroll around the village. As he walked through the village and the familiar chatter and laughter of his neighbors filled the air, a voice aborded him. "Hey Ace," It was Isabella, who also seemed to be out on a walk. "What are you doing out here?" "Oh! Iza," he greeted as he waved his hand enthusiastically. "What a coincidence." "How many times do I have to tell you it''s Isabella." said Isabella with a frown. "More times than I can count," said Ace with a relaxed tone followed by a laugh. "Hahaha!"The author''s narrative has been misappropriated; report any instances of this story on Amazon. "That''s true." she said with a sigh as she held her forehead. "So, were you training with Shaw again?" "Yeah." he replied, a hint of pride in his voice. "After all, he''s 10 years old now, so he can join in for some training, am I right?" "Yeah, but still... logically speaking he''s still 3 years younger than you, and yet he''s capable of keeping up with you. Though it''s not as if you give it your all either, right?" asked Isabella, a touch of teasing in her voice. Ace chuckled. "Maybe a little. Well, I guess he is what you call a natural-born genius. After all, he also has an affinity with both fire and earth mana attributes." As their conversation went on, they discussed on the fact of how a person with multiple attributes could combine their properties to produce new, and original magical effects. Isabella''s voice was filled with intrigue as she recalled, "If I remember correctly, we also discovered a Beast Will within his soul, right?" "Yeah, that''s right." Ace nodded. "A Beast Will, the remnants of the mana of a magical beast when it dies. Considered a very rare happening since chances of someone possessing it naturally are slim. Due to its rarity, most of the time, people use magic crystals from monster corpses to absorb the mana within and gain the monster''s beast will," said Isabella. "It''s true. He might really be a genius." They continued to stroll around the village eventually arriving at a bench, their conversation going on and on about their magic studies and other pleasantries while sitting on the bench until the sun started to set in the horizon. Their conversation was interrupted by the arrival of Chris, who approached Ace with a serious expression. "Ace," Chris began, his voice carrying a blend of concern and resolve, "I''d like to talk to you. Follow me." "Okay." he answered. "Well, Iza, see you later." "Sure. See you later." she waved at him. The two of them went to the edge of the village, the setting sun casting long shadows, painting the sky in hues of orange and pink. Chris faced Ace with a thoughtful expression. "I understand that you''ve been contemplating a journey as an adventurer to further hone your sword skills and magic. I must admit, I was taken aback by this request." Ace lowered his gaze, his voice steady but filled with earnestness. "I want to improve. I want to see the world beyond the village and test my abilities. I believe it will help me to grow." Chris studied Ace''s face, nothing but fiery determination in his eyes. After a moment of contemplation, he nodded. "Very well. If you truly wish to embark on this journey, you prove yourself first." Ace looked up; curiosity piqued. "Prove myself? How?" Chris gaze hardened, his eyes narrowing with the weight of his words. "Tomorrow at noon, we will have a duel. If you defeat me, I''ll let you leave. But if you lose, you''ll have to wait until you''re 15." "I understand." Ace replied, his voice steady and his eyes gleaming with determination. "I''ll give it everything I have." Chris''s expression softened, a hint of a smile appearing on his lips. "That''s the spirit. Well then, let''s go home." As Chris walked away, Ace stood alone for a moment, staring at the horizon. He was determined to prove himself, to earn the right to explore the world, unlock his full potential, and discover the true purpose behind his reincarnation which was his real motivation for becoming an adventurer. Arriving home, they proceeded to also telling the details of their discussion to Ellie, who even though reluctant, accepted since she wanted to support Ace. And with all those matters away, the evening fell over the village, casting a tranquil glow over it. As Ace lay down in his bed, his heart raced at the challenge ahead. He knew about Chris''s reputation in the past from all the stories Ellie told the two brothers every once in a while. His father had once been a formidable mercenary, renowned for his cunning and skill on the battlefield. To face him in a duel would truly be a true test of his abilities. Resting so as to be fully energized for his duel tomorrow, he knew that it would be more than just a test of his skill¡ªit would be a defining moment in his journey. Chapter 9: The Father and Son Duel The next day, the sun hung high in the sky, casting a golden hue over the plain near the village where the duel would be disputed. Ace and Chris, each prepared in their own way for the duel to be disputed merely hours away. And so, at noon, the time for the confrontation had arrived. The air buzzed with anticipation of villagers who gathered to watch the battle unfold. Among them, the village chief acted as both witness and referee for the duel, and the other villagers were only spectators. In the crowd, Ellie, Shaw, Maria and Isabella could be seen among them. With focused eyes, father and son glared at each other, drew their blades and took their stances. The chief, George, raised his hand, and the field fell silent. With a decisive motion, he brought his hand down and shouted loudly, "START!" In an instant, both warriors were on the move. They dashed and vanished at such high speed that the air crackled with energy as they blurred into motion. Reappearing in the center of the field, they clashed. A powerful gust of wind erupted, sending dust and debris swirling around them. Chris''s face was set in fierce grin, his eyes blazing with determination. "SHOW ME THE FRUIT OF YOUR TRAINING AND RESOLVE, SON!" he shouted, his voice booming with authority. He swung his sword, enveloped in flames, in a powerful downward arc. Ace''s eyes narrowed; his resolve unwavering as a grin drew itself on his lips. "Witness and feel it, dad! This is my own strength!" his voice was filled with a mix of pride and determination as he countered with his own technique. "Null Magic . Shadow Arcane: !" With fluid movement and footwork, he covered his sword with shadow magic, and it intercepted his father''s strike, the clash of their blades sending sparks flying. As they moved around the field with high speed, their swords clashing with each other, unleashing sword techniques upon sword techniques, magical arts upon magical arts, those witnessing the fight became captivated at this myriads of black shadows and red fire which emanated such high levels of mana. As the duel wore on, Chris reminiscing his time as a mercenary, acknowledges that Ace has reached a high-level of combat mastery in both magic and sword. His eyes, though fierce, softened with pride as he observed his son''s growth. "I chose to become the same as you, a battlemage. What do you think about my strength that you helped me train up to this point?" Ace thought as a grin played on Chris''s face who seemed to understand what his son wanted to tell him at a glance. They battle continued to rage on, however, as the duel progressed, both combatants bore the marks of their fierce exchange. Cuts and bruises adorned their bodies, but their spirits remain unyielding.Enjoying the story? Show your support by reading it on the official site. Chris smiles upon his son once again and sees an opportunity to push Ace to his limits. He counters Ace''s lightning-fast stab and kicks him away with a powerful blow. As Ace barely manages to land on his feet, "You truly have grown stronger, Ace. "You''ve grown to great heights, exceeding my expectations," he said, his voice filled with respect. "But, if you''re unable to breakthrough this next attack, then you ''will'' lose." Chris raised his sword above his head, taking a deep breath and calming himself. His aura flared, creating a searingly red-hot atmosphere around him, and his blade was engulfed in crimson golden flames. "This will be my final attack so prepare yourself!" Thoughts rushed through Ace''s mind. "This is bad. His mana is being concentrated throughout his entire body." Ace, his gaze steady, thought, "My old man is really giving his all, huh? Guess I should take up the challenge. Heh. Fine, bring it on, dad." Ace, his eyes glowing with a golden beast-like intensity, released all of his mana and poured it into his final strike. As he prepared to unleash his final attack, his fingers traced a path down the blade, infusing his sword, now gleaming with a fierce silver aura with energy, and focusing it into a singular devastating blow. The father-son duel was reaching its climax. Both of them unleashing their ultimate attacks. Chris''s voice cut through the air, commanding and resolute. "!" Flames erupted from his sword as he dashed towards his opponent, his form resembling a blazing phoenix that soared toward Ace. Simultaneously, Ace roared, "Enchant: Izanagi ", Energy sliced through the air, dark shadows coiling around his sword. The two techniques collided with cataclysmic force. The clash of their swords and mana created an intense pressure that shook the very ground beneath them. The spectators gasped in awe as the landscape around them distorted under the immense energy of the clash. Chris, his gaze determined and unyielding, was on the brink of breaking through Ace''s attack. Suddenly, the power emanating from his son had shifted, taking on an otherworldly quality. Ace was now enveloped in a shadowy black aura with silver hues, his eyes glowing with a deep blackness with white iris, visible from his right eye while a silver flame emanated from his left eye hidden by the aura. "I. Won''t. Lose." It was as if space and time were fixed. This sudden change was startling. Ace''s appearance took on a spectral, bat-like quality, his presence almost ethereal. And while locking eyes with Ace, Chris momentarily taken aback, felt a shudder running down his spine.The duel reached its peak as Ace, his sword covered in the same aura and with newfound strength, executed a cross-sword attack striking upwards to the left and then downwards to the right with unyielding precision, breaking through Chris''s sword. Only a whisper could be heard from Ace in that moment, "<... Dark Cross>" A massive explosion rocked the field, sending a cloud of dust and debris into the air. As the dust cleared away, the villagers watched in stunned silence. Ace, though exhausted, out-of-breath, and barely standing, was victorious while Chris laid down on the ground, injured but smiling with pride at his son''s triumph. And thus, the father-son duel ended with the victory of Ace, whose strength was spent, collapsed beside his father, his eyes fluttering closed as he fell unconscious. Chapter 10: Goodbyes and The Start of a New Journey Later that day, after his duel against Chris, Ace''s eyes fluttered open as he slowly regained consciousness in the local clinic of the village. He was wrapped in bandages as his body lay on a narrow bed. Groaning softly, he shifted to see his father. At his side, Chris, in the same condition, was sitting on a wooden chair, looking worn but relieved. Realizing that Ace had awoken, "You''re awake. How are you feeling?" he said, his voice relaxed yet full of emotion. Ace''s mouth curved into a faint smile, though his body seemed uncomfortable. "I''m¡­ okay. Just a little sore." Chris''s face lit up with a wide, gentle smile. The pride in his eyes was palpable, and he reached out, patting his head. "You should rest for tonight and have a good night''s sleep," he urged as Ace nodded in agreement. The next morning, Ellie, accompanied by Shaw, visited them at the clinic. "Good morning!" they said as they entered the room. Setting the basket down, she took Ace''s hand in hers. "I was worried. But thankfully you''re both alright." "I assure you we''re okay honey. We''re tougher than we look," Chris reassured her, his voice soft yet convincing. "Thanks for coming you two," said Ace, his expression light and cheerful. Shaw, with his usual energy, "The fight was super awesome. Everything went boom, bang, kablooey!" he said as the others chuckled and laughed. They shared sandwiches, the simple meal becoming a feast. Laughter and animated conversations filled the room, while also sharing their resentment and relief that everything was alright. 2 months later, the village buzzed with the quiet energy of summer. The father-son duo now fully recovered from their injuries, were enjoying their family time together. As days passed and became weeks, the family shared their last meals with their son who was on the verge of departing for his journey. Before leaving the village, Ace wandered through the village square, where children played, and adults went about their daily routines. After that he went around the village, greeting and paying his respects to the other villagers, his friends, acquaintances among others. This would be the last time that he would see the other villagers, and the village he had come to know as home in this other world. In the afternoon, after going around the village, he went back home. There, a feast awaited him on the dining table. Fresh vegetables from Ellie''s Garden, succulent boar meat hunted by Chris and roasted to perfection, and bounty of ripe fruits accompanied by fresh drinks which complemented the spread. Chris, Ellie and Shaw were eagerly waiting for him to start. Their faces glowing with anticipation.The author''s content has been appropriated; report any instances of this story on Amazon. Ace''s heart ached with emotion as he took in the sight. Tears welled in his eyes as he looked at the family who had embraced him as one of their own. "Thank you," he said, his voice crackling. "For everything. I¡­ I don''t know how to repay you." The family also told him many things. Ellie, joyous tears streaming down her cheeks, shook her head. "You don''t need to repay us. After all, you''re family. After all, you''re our son whom we love very much," she said as she hugged him. Shaw with a bright smile, "I had so much fun with you big bro. I hope you come back someday. And when you do, I''ll have gotten a lot stronger," he said, as Ace nodded. "Mmm." And last but not least, Chris, his voice steady but his eyes misty, placed a hand on Ace''s shoulder. "You''ve grown stronger. Both as a warrior and as a man. No matter what difficulties you face out there, remember to stay safe and come back home safe and sound." As the family sat down to enjoy the delicious feast, the room filled with the comforting sounds of laughter and clinking glasses. Each bite of food was savored, and every moment was cherished. The following morning arrived with a crisp, clear sky. Ace packed his belongings with meticulous care, the anticipation of his journey mingling with a tinge of sadness. At that moment, Chris knocked on the door, holding a weathered leather bag. "Here are some supplies and equipment you might need on the journey." Chris said, his voice tinged with a mix of pride and concern as he handed over the bag. Inside were essential items: a sturdy water bottle, a compact cooking set, a few survival tools, and a small first-aid kit. "Thanks, Dad." Ace said, accepting the bag with a grateful nod. He could feel the weight of the equipment, both physically and emotionally as Chris left the room. "I''ll make sure to use of them wisely." Outside, at the doorstep, in front of the house, the family was gathered to say their farewell to their son who was leaving the nest. The sun was rising, casting an extraordinary view on the horizon. Ellie, Chris, and Shaw stood together, their expressions forming a triad of pride, sadness, and happiness. Ace was given a small pouch of money, packed food, and a necklace as both a souvenir and a charm by Ellie. With a deep breath and a heavy heart, Ace embraced each of them and proceeded to depart. "Goodbye, everyone. I promise to return one day," he said, his voice resolute despite the lump in his throat. He waved as he stepped away, his hand lingering in the air as if to hold onto the moment just a little longer. "I wondered where you were?" said Ace as he neared the village gates. "I couldn''t find you no matter where I looked, Iza." "And once again, it''s Isabella," said Isabella who seemed to have been waiting for him. "Came to say goodbye?" asked Ace, a grin on his face. "I suppose," answered Isabella. "Still stiff as ever." "Shut up, idiot!" retorted Isabella. "Sure, sure. In that case-" started Ace before being interrupted by Isabella who suddenly jumped on him, giving him a kiss on the cheek. "Consider that my goodbye gift," she said as she simply walked away, hiding a light smile. "See you later, Ace." Ace was completely frozen, not knowing what was going on anymore. "Uh. Sure. See you later, Isabella." he mumbled as he touched his cheek. And thus began his adventure and exploration of this new world, and its mysteries with the objective of growing, evolving and seeking strength as he also sought out the truth of his reincarnation and its purpose.