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Gates Family Private Training Yard

"What the hell are you doing?" Wallace questioned glaring at his charge lying on the ground.

"I'm enjoying the finer taste of dirt, can't you tell?"

"You really think you have time to be joking like that?"

"Who's joking?" Tony challenge spitting out a mixture of dirt and salavia.

"Didn't I tell you to famaliarize yourself with Lord Felix combat abilities with the memory shards?"

"I did, otherwise I'm pretty sure I'd be on my way to see the healer from that attack."

"Need I remind you that the elder is bound to return any day now."

"No you don't need to remind me, however it seems someone needs to remind you that this body is not some warrior's body that's been through countless battles."

"Any idiot can see that. Why do you think I called out my attack?"

"Like that matters, so I know what move you're performing. None of that means shit when my body is unable to perform the necessary counter moves to avoid your attack. Any idiot can see that." Tony mocked catching his breath.

".............GET. UP."

Yeah, I've clearly piss him off. I really need to learn to keep my mouth shut.

It's been 4 months now since Tony came to this world. 4 months without a phone, tv, social media, video games, porn, alcohol, and most of all junk food, the seven necessities of life. While he refused to admit it, Tony knew he was having some form of withdrawal symptom that was clearly clouding his judgement because clear headed Tony would know not to piss off a seasoned warrior like Wallace. Picking up his sword and taking his stance, the two of them carried on with their spar and after a servere beat down, Tony was sent to the healers to recover.

Since Tony started his deception as Felix, he followed a simple routine.

At dawn, Tony would get up, have breakfast, after which he would have a few hours to himself before meeting with his uncle and council members to go over the family business. In the past the Gates family territory had been as large as Texas but now their territory was around the size of West Virginia. The family kept their focus on seven key villages. Four of them were mining towns, one village for training and teaching those the family recruited, and the last two were merchant towns on the north and south border line. Surrounding these villages and the family territory were three fortress's in an triangle formation with several outpost stationed throughout the territory. The family sold and traded enchanted items based off thier magic and others they were affiliated with. These meetings would carry on until a little after noon before the group departed to have lunch.

After lunch, Tony was left to train on his own for about an hour before Wallace would show up to begin thier sparring session that lasted until Tony could no longer stand, requiring the family healer to come to tend to his injuries thus ending his training session. The last couple of hours before dinner was usually spent learning about Varios-Reinos. If the earth was like a ball then Varios-Reinos was a collection of boxes that was connected and maintain by magic. Still no one would fall off the plane in the realm they were in, instead they would run into a cloudly magical barrier that prevented them from moving forward. Most realms had three to fours continents, but there were a few realms that only had islands and each realms varied in size.

Typically each known realm was named after the majority race that inhabit that realm, but there were a few exceptions like the realm Tony was in. This realm was known as the Outer Realm. The Outer Realm was mainly a realm of monsters, while the other inhabitants here were those who'd fled their homes, or was exiled, or caught up in a rift opening that brought them here. Most of the races here had come to tolerate each other in order to increase their chances of survival aside from a few stubborn ones.

After dinner, Tony would decline to join the rest of the family for their nightly entertainment, instead he would retire to his room where he continued using the memory shards to learn all he could about Felix and his abilities. Felix was a ruthless man, known by his family and friends as 'Fearless Felix' while his enemies called him 'Felix the Butcher', he was a one man army on the battlefield. Felix had no mercy for his enemies and never forgave anyone who cross him, and with his mastery of transfer magic there weren't many who were willing to challenge him. It was also because of his transfer magic that Tony had no idea of Felix's real age but was certain the man had lived at least a century, meaning the man had a hundred years worth of fighting and magic experience for Tony to comb through.

The more Tony found out about Felix, the more he felt he had no chance of making the Gates believe he was Felix. He couldn't understand how Wallace thought some 6'2, 19 year old 'gamer/writer' wannabe from the states with barely any history of fighting could suddenly turn into some badass killing machine overnight. Things like that only happen in stories. However, Tony prayed that everything would work out in the end.

As for his family, the only one who had warmed up to him was his grandmother, Fleurette Gates. She was 5'9 with a kind but stern apperance. Through Felix's memories, Tony was aware the man spent all of his spare time with his grandmother. The lady kept her distance at first, but she had slowly start to come around. She could always be found in either the family library or enchanment hall. Fleurette was currently fighting to overcome a sealing spell that had paralyed her and stripped her of her magic for years. As of now she had work her way back to mid tier and had regain some mobility of her upper body, but she was still unable to walk and had little stamina.

But her knowledge on Varios-Reinos was superb. It was from her that Tony learned just how lucky he was to survive his trek through the Dreaded Forest. Most of their time together was spent with Fleurette explaining to Tony things Wallace had not made clear, like how the council members were relatives but was force to use their maiden names. In return, 'Felix' would tell her 'memories and stories' he had acquired from his latest victim that Fleurette felt could be useful. There were many close calls during these little get together but Tony managed to fumbled his way out of them thankful Fleurette didn't press the issue.

Stolen from Royal Road, this story should be reported if encountered on Amazon.

The rest of the family kept their distance, spying on Tony from the shadows. Tony blamed Felix for this, the man was arrogant and didn't hesitate to suppress or intimadate those he felt below him. For them, this was thier best chance to get rid of the bastard. All they needed was proof of Tony deception and the Elder would take care of the rest. The only thing Tony had going for him was that they were too traumatized by Felix past expoilts to try anything openly.

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MORNING

"Elder Francois has return."

Tony froze hearing those words, while Wallace stood by his side gauging Tony reaction.

"Has he sent word for me?"

"Yes, you are to meet him in his study after breakfast."

"ShitshitshitshitSHIT!!!!"

"My lord-

"I know, I know, language." Tony interrupted Wallace calming down after taking a deep breath.

Damn!!! Why did he have to return now? Why couldn't he had given me a few more months. Fuck!!!!!

".....................Be honest Wallace, if you were the elder would you believe I was Felix?"

"....................."

"I'm guessing it's to late to flee."

"That was never an option my lord."

"Can I skip breakfast?"

"I wouldn't advise it."

"Any suggestions?"

"..................."

So this is it huh.

Tony's mind went through all the scenarios he could think of as he slowly got dress. He prolong breakfast as much as he could, glaring at the elated faces of his family. Only his grandmother had a worried look about the situation, not that she could do anything about it. With breakfast over, Tony made his way to the study, losing count over how many times he had to stop himself from fleeing in the opposite direction.

"Thanks for everything Wallace."

"..............You're welcome. But there's no need to thank me. I'll probably be joining you in a few days."

"Why?"

"Lets just say someone wants me dead before I can surpass them, and 'you' was the only thing holding them back."

"Can't you ask the family for help."

"Your uncle will be happy with the money that he will get for my head rather than my loyalty, and with him being the head of the family, there will be no objections to his decision."

"......Sorry."

"This isn't your fault. It's like that saying you quote all the time: Shit Happens." Wallace laughed while Tony fought the tears that threaten to fall from his eyes. Arriving at the study, Wallace announced 'Felix' presence wishing him good luck as Tony was told to enter.

The first thing Tony notice when he entered was the strong magical pressure flowing throughout the room. Wallace had warned him that Elder Francois would be testing him, but Tony had took that waaaay to lightly. He could barely greet the man. Elder Francois look to be in his late 40's, about 6'5 with short graying hair. He reminded Tony of Smok** from One P**** without the cigars. He even had a few scars going across his face.

".................You.....are not Felix."

".........no sir." Tony answered falling into the chair as his legs gave out.

"Who are you?"

"T-T-Tony Shift."

"What are you doing here?"

"I have no idea.................I just know that I don't want to die."

"Some things are unavoidable boy."

"........Then I would very much like to live as long as possible."

"How?"

"Excuse me."

"How do you plan on doing that? You impersonated yourself as Felix for months, eating our food, using our resources all while you made my family look like a bunch of fools."

"...........It was Felix that attacked me first.............I can't help it that something went wrong with whatever he was trying to do to me and things didn't work out. Believe me I was in no shape to fight back."

"So why didn't you tell anyone?"

"Because it was made clear to me that I would be killed if I did, everyone here wants me dead except maybe Mrs. Fleurette. Look sir, I didn't plan for any of this to happen."

"I'm am aware of that. I can't say I know much about you boy but even I can see that your luck is horrible."

".......So what's going to happen to me."

"Personally, you're better off dead. At least in death there would be no suffering. Felix's was no saint boy, and I've long lost count the number of enemies he has made, and before you even ask about us allowing you to sneak away don't forget that you have information about this family that we can't have others discovering. You also have Felix abilities but until you can awaken them they are useless. Do you truly believe that you can over come all of this?"

"...................I-I-I don't know. But I would at least like to be given a chance sir."

Elder Francois stuided the boy for a few minutes before he reach for his pocket causing Tony to gulp with fear before sighing in relief when he realize the man was only pulling a shard out of his pocket.

"Here, I believe you know what this is. I haven't eaten anything since I arrive so I'm going to get something to eat. While I'm gone I want you to go through that shard. When I get back, I'm going to repeat my question and your answer will decide your fate. You understand?"

"..........Yes sir."

"Good."

With those words, Elder Francois left while Tony picked up the shard that would finally settle everything. When Elder Francois return, he found the boy pale face and huddling on the floor. There were no words for Tony to describe the horrors he saw. That shard was a compilation of several Gates members darkest moments at the hands of their enemies which was so horrible that it made all horror movies Tony had ever seen look like a kid flick. There was a part of him that wanted to believe he could end it all before he would be captured, but given that he was in a world of magic, Tony knew better.

"So tell me boy, what's you answer?" The elder asked looking at the boy tear stricken face.

"K...........will it be painless."

"You are not our enemy, your death will be as quick and painless as possible."

".........I'm sure you know about Wallace problem. Is there any way you can help him?"

"Sorry but Wallace is on his own."

"I see.................Elder Francois.................there is no way I can say with certanly that I can overcome the perils in front of me, and I'm aware that even the weakest of Felix enemies would have no problem putting me down. Maybe it might be better to just die now, but I want to live sir."

"You're sure about this?"

"......yeah. I know I'm not some great warrior or master magican but where I'm from we have a saying: One who is cornered will fight like a beast."

"So be it.........since that's your answer I will allow you to continue your little ruse as Felix. It makes no sense for me to do anyone else dirty work. But don't think I'm doing you any favors. Felix also kept the family enemies at bay, right now this family is in no condition to fight any battle and I plan on doing everything I can to keep it that way for as long as possible. If anything happens, you only have yourself to blame. Good luck boy."

".....I understand.............thank you sir."

Standing up, Tony excused himself before high tailing it out of the study heading to his room where he vomited in his bathroom while he cried in relief. Reentering his room, he encountered Wallace who learned of Elder Francois decision. Seeing how mentally drained Tony was, Wallace advised him to rest for today, knowing Tony was no longer capable of carrying out his duties.

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