"What would a blind do, if he could suddenly see everything?"
"Discard the very stick that helped him walk"
Date: 14th Tempestia, 1763 (Starday)
Time: 5:00 AM
Location: Outskirts of the Academy
Kalkin's POV:
You have the following three daily tasks:
1. 8-mile sprint in 30 minutes. 25 SP
2. 100 pushups. 25 SP
3. 100 squats. 25 SP
Your main tasks currently:
1. Change people's viewpoint about you
2. Become the top student in the academy.
3. Earn MVP in the upcoming school trip.
"Oh, man, I have to do these tasks now, well, I mean, in a way, they are a sort of strength training only, so I guess, it's not that bad but these main tasks these suck, so bad!"
"Master, are you ready?" asked my faithful butler Farkas.
"Ya, I am, however, there is a change of plans now! I will be doing the following today, 8-mile sprint in 30 minutes, then 100 pushups, and finally 100 squats for today, before basic combat training!
Is it all right with you?"
"Oh, master, I didn't know you could even read my mind!", said Farkas impressed by his master.
"What do you mean, Farkas?"
"Master, as you know, I am bound to always protect you and follow your orders, however, initially when you started your strength training, I was impressed, however, to be honest, it was not up to the standard of the Bravehearts! Sir, your father, and ancestors were known to be training hunks! I mean those guys wouldn't skip training even for a day! while your training was mild, I was just happy that you are taking yourself and your legacy seriously! but these past few days, you have improved so I thought maybe you would change your training regimen a little seeing no difference I was a little
underwhelmed but now that you yourself decided to make amends, I am more than happy" said Farkas smiling.
"Then why didn't you say anything to me, before?"
"No master, I can never do that, I can never doubt you! I am your servant and will always be at your service" he said bowing down again.
"Ahh, man, Farkas, from now on, even you Cerci, and Aria, you both are listening to me right? you three can give me suggestions and point out my mistakes, I am in no way perfect, You have seen and worshipped my father but I am in no way near his greatness, so until then, I would really love it if you would freely share your opinion to me in any matter" Man, I should have known, Farkas and Cerci, have seen my father and his way of living and as such kept him on the highest pedestal and worshipped him and now, they are trying to replace him with me!
"As you say, master," said Farkas bowing down.
"As you wish, master," said Aria and Cerci through Aria as Aria came out of her invisibility in front of Farkas.
I get it, I am his son and the master of the Braveheart Household but I stand no way near my ancestors' greatness. However, their strong code of conduct and desire prevents them from seeing it the other way. I don't even hold a matchstick in comparison to my father and ancestors, but I have decided that while I may not be able to ever reach their legacy I will also not let it be tarnished and become someone who is actually a worthwhile master of the Braveheart Household.
"Master, are you ready?" asked Farkas.
"Ya, ya, I am, so let's just get started!"
{One hour and 10 minutes later, Kalkin is lying on the ground, panting profusely,}
"Master, you alright,"
"Yaa...yaa, ya , hannh,...." I tried to speak but I couldn't I was panting and sweating profusely, these daily tasks need to be completed consecutively, in order to be completed and you cannot stop for more than a minute between the tasks!
"Master, here's some water for you," said Farkas as he passed me a bottle of water.
He then cast his Song of the wind, to calm down the panting Kalkin and cool him with the breeze.
"Ah, Farkas, thanks for this," I said as he continued casting his spell, slowly but steadily it became a lot easier to breathe and my body calmed completely.
"Farkas, this song reminds me, how is Jim's training proceeding, you are training him too, right?"
"Yes, Master, by your orders Master Jim, is under training during the evening after 5 p.m. and is doing well, though he is unable to maintain his super form for long, I am training him to gain more speed and strength and even stamina to maintain the form for long as well as improve his base stats."
"That's good to know"
You have completed the daily task, Your SP is allocated to you.
Total: 1125 SP.
Wait, now I have more than 1000 SP, I can improve my poker face ability or maybe scan even, should I take a look at the available upgrades?
I looked at the screen visible only to me, the left slide menu available showed Upgrades, which I pointed at with my eyes and then the screen itself modified to show me all the possible updates!
However, before I could see the available updates, suddenly, the screen started turning red and a sort of alert alarm started displaying!
(!)(!)(!) ALERT (!)(!)(!)
We apologize for the interruption, however, this feature is currently under maintenance and will be back in some time.
Due to ####### interruption and subsequent transfer of power and automation of the system, this section is going through a check.
This feature will be back soon!
Man, this is just amazing, one after the other something keeps on happening, I don't understand why that ####### guy, I don't even know his name and he was supposedly my supporter of some sort, did all that?
And now this, did he seriously didn't consider the effects or is there something more than what meets the eye?
Anyway, I don't f**king care, I already have my hands full with a lot of things and I just don't want a new thing to add to what seems like a never-ending pile of tasks that just keeps on accumulating.
Currently, I can only focus on the things I can do and have to do!
I have been trying to get hold of Professor Frostguard to have a conversation with him in a way that would make him come to the school trip! but something keeps getting in between. Either he will be away or I will be busy with some task and won't be able to meet him. I need to meet with him within this week cause after that he will depart to meet the rulers of all the Kingdoms. They will essentially meet in a different dimension together where time flows differently so those guys cannot be disturbed during that time. I remember one of my fellow fans, calculated the time difference between the realm of this world vs. the dimension those guys go to, I think it was like a day in that world corresponds to like a week here, and that meeting is supposed to last for like 3 days or so! Once inside that dimension, their connection is cut off from this world, and only when the meeting is over they can come out of there!
"Master, what are you thinking? Shouldn't we start with your basics in physical combats now?"
"Ya, Farkas, ya you are right"
Anyway, I do have a few days still, I just need to cash on the next opportunity I get!
"Farkas, let's get started, shall we!"
Currently, I just have a single goal, I need to become strong!
{Soon, Railan starts his combat practice with Farkas guiding his leg movements, his hands, and eye coordination as he begins repeating the steps he was shown weeks back by Farkas!}
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~Around the same time as Kalkin is training
Location: Training grounds between the Student Dorm and Central Library, The Octagon
Prince Salem's POV:
"It has been some time now and Railan hasn't responded to my invitation. What do you think, Siddhanth? What might be the issue here?" he said as he paced back and forth in the training area where Siddanth was doing his morning training!
"Salem, I'm not sure, we didn't have much interaction even as part of Council trainees, he trains mostly with the President and Vice-President, while I'm mostly in training with other senior council members. Well, they say that he needs much more attention as he is pretty weak, even in the most basics of training. Yet, just once when I saw him, it felt like, he could predict or see movements but his body cannot move fast enough as his mind can, well, I'll say it is a really bad combination, when your body cannot listen to your mind!"
"Ahh, I am not interested in his strengths or weaknesses, is there anything in your mind other than becoming the strongest? I want to be friends with him, Sid, like close buddies, like the friendship we share!"
"I don't know, we are close friends?" asked Siddhanth casually.
"Ahh, I am not in the mood to explain to you everything again, just continue your sword training!" I said to him, not wanting to go into details about how we became friends in the first place. He simply continued his training.
"Ahh, it sucks, it's so bad!" I sat down on one of the benches close to the training grounds.
"I am surrounded by people who are just polite to me due to my status, or this train-bot(referring to Siddhanth), Man, I really thought we could become friends. should I just go and apologize again?"
No, no, I can't do that, keeping aside the fact that I am Prince Salem and cannot dishonor the royal name and blah, blah!, he was respectful of my status and acted in a manner befitting of a noble, I cannot just go and you know apologize, it will only have a reverse effect on him!
What should I do then? Ahh, man, it's so stifling these chains that bind me! Even with so much strength, I am unable to move!
{ Salem imagines himself, as a super strong, muscular, and tall individual, but with chains tied to him, making him sit on the throne, the more he tries to move, the more tightly the chains bound him. His first real relief came in the form of Siddanth, who is now his close friend, the first outer set of chains broke when he arrived, as Siddanth not only became his close personal guard but also his closest friend, yet there are still some chains, close chains that still bind him, making him unable to move and do what he truly desires. He hoped Railan, who is also a noble and shares the same burdens would be able to rid him off those chains, the chains of responsibility of the Prince, the chains that bind him to be the leader of the people, the chains of hope and resentment of his people, and even the chains of being the ideal son to his Father. }
Seeing, his friend Salem, silent and lost in deep thoughts for some time, Siddhanth was astonished, despite not wanting to stop his training he approached him and told Salem, "Railan usually goes straight to the library after classes and always books an individual study room on the 3rd floor, mostly room 3-8" and then he went back to his training. This time he picked up a heavy sword and started practicing his one-hand slashes.
"Yo! Siddhanth, that's why you're my best friend, Let's have a spar this Sunday in my private training grounds" I jumped up from the bench excitedly, as a plan came to my mind!
{ A small(happy) smile can be seen forming on Siddhanth's face as he sees his first friend happy} he thinks to himself: Ya, you're my best friend too, but as these happy thoughts came to his mind, so did an unexpected old wound, that replayed in his mind and he focused himself to train again, to never be weak....again!
The tale has been stolen; if detected on Amazon, report the violation.
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Time: 9:00 AM
Location: First-Year Classroom
Prince Salem's POV:
Here comes Railan, he looks at me, and immediately turns away and just goes and sits on his seat! Well, it's understandable, it was the first day of classes and I made that useless proclamation about a seat and all that, it makes sense that he would avoid me!
So, this is my plan:
Well, Stormgarde is the kingdom based on the foundation of strength, while our strong naval forces and Adventurers guild are always the focus due to dungeons found in abundance here, we also have blooming business in the form of ores, found solely here as some of the recently explored dungeons had lots of different materials. But the path to these dungeons is through the treacherous seas, thus, not many people are interested in them and the quantity we can bring is also limited. However, our country's best people have evaluated those materials and I'm sure Railan, son of Sir Simon Braveheart would be interested in them as Sir Braveheart had the unique ability to invest in businesses that were initially deemed worthless but grew in the future. I am sure he will be interested in them. This way, at first, it would seem like a business proposal and then I will invite him and that's how I will become his friend!
A master plan, if I must say!
There comes Miss Mohini, and as she sits beside him, she must have an idea about him, I'll also invite her into my plan, I am sure Vajra of the kingdom of Celestia would also be interested as even though they get most of their materials and business from Iron helm if our materials also make way there, we would induce some competition towards Ironhelm, however as our resource distribution is currently limited, IronHelm would not take it seriously but in the long run, it would help Celestia to better their position against Ironhelm if we can be viewed as an alternative to the resources provided by them. Once it's established there, soon it would spread in the entirety of the continent of Eldoria as I'll have Vajra backing me as well as fortune-making Investors like Bravehearts with us, creating more demand and thus bringing in more people and even better expansion of our docks and maybe direct trade routes might also be established further cementing our Kingdom's position not just as warmongers but also as businessmen.
This plan is still in its early phases, after all, if I fail to get the attention of Railan, it would be useless, so once this part gets done, I will bring this topic up with my father and get the chief treasurer involved and we then will be able to carve out a full proof plan! However, getting Railan's support and the backing of Braveheart investment is the key here!
Let's hope, everything turns out for the best!
Sorry, Railan, I'll disturb your lunch today but don't worry it's all for the sake of friendship!
Finally, here comes that train-bot and Miss Aurora just behind him, I can't wait for the break today!
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Time: 12:10 PM
Location: Main Library, Room 3-8
Railan's POV:
I don't know why, but since morning I had a feeling that I had forgotten something, and today, when I saw Prince Salem's face it dawned on me, that I hadn't responded to his invitation. The moment I realized this, I didn't know what to do, his face seemed a lot more excited for some reason today and I couldn't look at him without feeling guilty so I just sat in my place.
However, what I didn't expect was him waiting for me outside of my usual study room during the break!
"Ahh, Prince Salem, I apologize I didn't have the opportunity to respond to you, I apologize for my rudeness."
"It's all right, I was wrong in the first place and I just randomly on my own decided to host you, without considering your schedule. Don't worry about such small things" What a noble soul, truly befitting the Prince of a kingdom. He is a kind person through and through! That's why he was one of the favorites in the novel.
"No, still, I apologize!"
"Ahh, don't worry, Today, as well, I am disturbing you during your only peaceful time of the day. I have an exciting business opportunity that I want to discuss with you not just between two individuals but as the Prince of Stormgarde and head of Braveheart Investments. If you are fine to allow me to continue, consider my initial request as fulfilled!"
{Meanwhile, Salem is anxious and wants everything to go well!}
What, he wants to discuss a business opportunity? Was there anything like that in the story?
All I can remember is that Stormgarde was trying to get some materials from the dungeons, however, it was not much developed and it wasn't introduced so early on in the story.
Wait, Why am I even thinking about it now, Nothing since my arrival has gone "according to the story" Why am I even considering it now at this point? Anyways, let's first see what investment idea he wants to discuss!
"If you say so, Prince Salem, I'll take you up on this offer, now please continue with your explanation"
I could see his face brighten up, as he began to explain his idea!
"I believe you know that there are many dungeons located in our region and our able Adventurers guild and naval forces take turns, sometimes even jointly to explore them, " Well, it seems my intuition was right, he wants to discuss the dungeon ores business!
He continued, "Ya, so recently, we have also started mining the dungeons and got some really good materials. The best minds in our country find them promising and we already have developed a few prototypes based on those materials that we have already started experimenting with the current materials used by our forces. Now, we are looking for some outside investment and I hope to bring you this opportunity as one of the best investment houses in the continent!"
"Hmm, So, Prince Salem, you want us to invest in this venture but I am not so sure why us and not the top investors from your kingdom, is there something we outsiders don't know?"
"I understand your concern, I get it, you must be wondering why am I approaching you, an outside investor rather than investors in our country. Well, think of it as an apology for that day and also to be with you on favorable terms! We are already in talks with the people in our country but if an investment house like you backs us, it will be very promising both for sales and future price values!"
{In his mind, Salem thought, well, I want you to be a friend, of course, that's why!}
"But, we are already on good terms, you don't have to do that"
"No, Railan, I must insist, just think of it as my way of apologizing as well as starting a long relationship based on mutual benefit and trust. You are one of those few nobles that I am genuinely interested in, you are different from those boot lickers, who just want to curry favors with me."
"I understand, Prince Salem, however, I cannot give you any confirmation, I'll need to discuss it with my people first, if it is not too much to ask, I would like to have a report on your current mining and exporting capabilities preferably an official report, then only I can give you an honest answer!"
To be honest, this is a really good opportunity, I don't know how much in the future will the business grow, as it was not much discussed in the novel, and as I don't know the ending, I don't know what will happen, but until the last published chapter, the business was expanding and growing continuously though it as kept in the sidelines from the public, however, I know that the Vajra was really interested in this one, as he thought of it as a means to better negotiate his Trade deals with IronHelm, so I guess it will be a good enough opportunity and If I can become a part of it since the start, I will gain another steady source of income for me and my people in the future. Also, this would also spoil the plans of those partner investors that Cerci warned me about! I need to discuss it with Cerci.
"Yes, don't worry, about that, we can discuss this over the weekend, why don't you come with me this weekend back to my Palace, We are hosting a grand party in celebration of my newborn niece and I want to personally invite you to this celebration and hopefully, the start of a new chapter for both of us!
Oh, yes, that's my opportunity, I remember now Prince Salem had a huge celebration early on in the story, it was just a "filler" chapter, I mean kinda like the one, where you introduce all the topmost people in the world and also a way where those top people take notice of the novel's main hero, ya it was one of those chapters, fans of any fantasy novels, mangas, manhwas would get what I am trying to say!
Nothing out of the ordinary happened there, so it kinda slipped my mind! But now I remember, even Principal Adolas would be there, so if I can get that opportunity to meet him there, I can persuade him to come on the trip!
Yes, this is a good opportunity!
"Master, Prince Salem, is still waiting for your answer, you again got lost in your thoughts!" said none other than Aria.
Thanks, Aria, I was actually thinking something different altogether!
{If Aria had a face, she would be like: (--!--), at this point used to her Master's habit of getting lost in between conversations, she is thankful to THE POKER FACE, more so than Kalkin}
"Thank you so much for this invitation, Prince Salem, I'll be really honored to be a part of this joyous occasion, and congratulations to you and your family, especially your sister and brother-in-law for their first child, I'm already looking forward to the celebrations. Once again, I'm honored that you are personally inviting me to this joyous occasion!"
"Ahh, Railan, don't worry about it, I'll send you a formal invitation, just bring it over to the Royal gate of Stormgarde and there will be no questions asked!"
"So, I was just wondering what are you doing after your classes today?"
"Nothing, just trainee exercises and dinner"
"Ohh, ya sure, cool, well, I see your lunchtime is already almost over, and once again, I apologize for stopping by uninvited"
"No, no, don't worry about that, after you presented a good opportunity, well, it's a time well spent!, don't worry over it at all"
"Well, then I'll see you around Railan, have. a great day ahead!"
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Time: 7:10 PM
Location: Prince Salem's Dorm Room
Siddanth's POV:
"Salem, didn't you want to explore the outside city today?" I asked him, as he always forgets the plans he makes himself.
"Oh! yes, I forgot about today, well, just wait a couple of minutes let me put on the cloak and then we'll leave."
I am his guard, so technically I should be stopping him from going but I also want to explore the city. He is already under a lot of regulations under his father, so I personally felt that id he can have some respite it would give him the strength to face things again. Salem is not like any royalty I have seen, he doesn't like the stiff culture of the nobles and how they say one thing and mean the other. His honest and pure attitude brings a lot of unwanted attention from unwanted people but that's also the very reason, I have to be his guard, to stop those people from harming him. Growing up, and after becoming his guard I realized one thing, rather than stopping him from doing anything, it's better to keep an eye on him while he does something, he never asks for anything unethical, just freedom to explore and all that stuff. Well, one perk of being his guard is that I never have a boring day.
"Are you still not ready, we don't need cloaks to move around, we are still allowed around the campus till 10 PM, we don't have to do all this!"
"Ya, I know, I know but I don't want people to recognize us as Academy students!"
"I give up, are you ready now?"
"yes, yes let's go now!
..
..
..
{Some time later, around 8:30 PM}
"Do you want to return now, it's been more than an hour since we started exploring the outside city?" I asked him, it's time now to return, nothing is left to explore in the city now!
"Ya, you are right, let's go back, it was fun, don't you think!"
"Yes, it was"
Just as we were returning, we saw a young child crying, she was young, and we both immediately went to her!
"What happened, what is your name?"
She said sobbing, "My name is Liya, I am lost,.." she started crying again
We both looked at each other,
"Do you remember where you live, does any of this area look familiar to you?"
"No, no, I don't know!"
We both didn't know what to do, how could we help her out? just then Salem noticed that there was a bag close to her.
"Ohh, this bag has some medicines, the bag also has the name of the medical store on it!"
That's when we had an idea, maybe someone there might know her!
"Liya, why do you have this bag with you?" asked Salem, as he held her hand, and we started walking and looking for the medical store.
"My father is ill, he comes late so I thought maybe this medicine would help him get strong again,"
"Oh, your father is working even when he is ill, he should rest!" said Salem.
"Ya, I also said that but he told me he needs to work to pay rent now!" she stopped crying now, I cast the calming spell so that she was not too afraid to speak to us!
She continued, "Before Daddy was happy but these days Daddy is sad and doesn't talk much,"
We both looked at each other, we both understood that her father probably lost his job and is now doing anything to pay rent back.
"Do you remember what your house looked like?" I asked her
"No, we just moved here, I don't have any friends as well, "
"Where did you live before?" I asked her.
"Oh, in a mansion, Daddy worked for a young master as his driver" As we were talking we found the medical store, the owner recognized the girl but he didn't know anything about her"
"Should we try to find the mansion, maybe if his father lived there someone from the staff might be able to tell us where he lives now or a way to contact him?" I asked Salem, and he nodded in response!
"Do you know where is the mansion or what it looked like, where you lived before?" asked Salem, as he handed her a candy he bought for her from a nearby store!
"Ya, I know, Daddy told me to remember the name of the mansion, it was Braveheart" Both of us looked at each other, her father used to work for Railan why did he let go of his driver when he knew he had such a young child with him!
"Should we go to the mansion?" I asked Salem, who couldn't understand why Railan would do that!
"Yes, we need some answers!" I know this face, Salem is disappointed!
As we started moving, we heard a carriage stopping, and from it came out, none other than Railan and then a middle-aged man! Finally, the person who was driving the cage stepped down,
The girl immediately let go of our hands and ran towards the middle-aged man, happily, shouting Daaaddyyy!!!!
Suddenly, the man who drove the carriage was behind us, I couldn't react fast enough, he grabbed both of us and brought us close to Railan.
As our hood fell down Railan immediately recognized both of us, without wasting a second, Salem asked him "Why did you fire such a good man, Railan, tell me, why? I thought you were different from other nobles!"
Now, I understand, Salem you are so simple and honest,
"I was wrong, Salem, you are right, I fired him on a whim, and because of my thoughtlessness, he might have suffered!"
"I apologize once again to you and your daughter, Mr. Bernert, and to you as well Miss Liya, I was a fool back then but if you can forgive me and come back as my driver once again, I will be honored, Mr. Bernert!" I saw Railan bowing down, a noble to a commoner!
We are taught in the Academy that bowing down is the deepest form of respect one shows the other, that is why before duels both fighters bow to each other and that is why Juniors bow to seniors nad the teachers!
"It seems we misjudged him, Salem, he is just like you!" I said to him, I could see his face relieved now!
"Ya you are right, Sidhhanth"
"Young Master, I request you don't bow down, I am really happy that I get to serve you again! please don't bow down!"
"Thank you so much, Mr. Bernert, Starting tomorrow you are reinstated, don't worry, the time you were not employed will be properly compensated and you don't need to bring any bags with you, just pack your important stuff, and come to the mansion tomorrow, I'll send another carriage for you tomorrow and I'll get other people to bring your other stuff back to your room in the staff quarters, you don't have to worry anymore! Just take the meds the doctor prescribed to you today, and when you are properly ready, only then you will start your work again, meanwhile, just relax and take time to recover yourself"
"You don't need to do that much, Young Master, I'm fine, you brought the doctor and even gave me meds, I am fine, now!, I'll bring my stuff with me myself, you don't have to take the trouble!
"No, no Mr. Bernert, I will, consider it as my apology, I should have acted in a manner befitting the Braveheart Household in the first place. I should have done that early on so that this day wouldn't have happened but I cannot change the time, now that I have resolved to improve myself, I have to properly apologize, otherwise, I'll only sully the name of my ancestors!" He said to that middle-aged man Bernert.
"Young Master, you have truly changed, I can say that without a doubt," he said smiling.
Finally, the matter came to a happy end, and Railan asked that guard, Farkas, to take Bernert and Liya back to their home and first thing tomorrow bring them back to their room in the staff quarters of the Braveheart Mansion.
But now my interest is piqued, I couldn't do anything against his guard Farks, just how strong is he? I want him to train me!
Realizing now is not the time to think about this, we three started walking back to the Academy as Railan said he'd just accompany us as Farkas left with Bernert and Liya.
{What Siddhanth didn't realize was that Kalkin was his number one fan, had he asked him, he would have ordered Frakas to train him, then and there itself}
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To be continued