[Name: Elizabeth Brine]

[Race: human (pure)]

[Soul grade: peak rare (suppressed)]

[Mana: 30/30]

[Active Classes:]

[Worship: none]

[Essence: 0]

[Unspent points, level: 0, attribute: 0, upgrade: 0]

[Titles: Herald of Ignis, Herald of Umbra]

[Magic:]

[Skills:]

[Dormant classes: Herald of flame, Herald of the void]

[Attributes:]

[Magic capacity: 3]

[Constitution: 2]

[Strength: 1]

[Intellect: 3]

[Dexterity: 2]

[Soul: 30 (10)]

Irwyn looked once again through the status screen of the young girl who was being bullied in a corner. Just barely did he manage to control his mouth from going agape. A memory of words spoken by the king of hell, Inferos, flashed through Irwyn’s mind: “Besides a body with highest fire and light affinity that you requested, I also found one with perfect fire and void affinity, both due to be born in eight months.”

It was not that he had forgotten, but he thought the odds of meeting that person so soon were exceedingly low, especially when considering the possibility of death or the off chance that the other person might never become a combatant. Especially since he hadn’t known it would trigger the reaction it did; this was after all perhaps the first time since the universe was founded that two people with talents like these met.

He was not surprised by her attributes as they were slightly above average of a 6 years old, with the exception of the soul, of course. It was only natural that a stronger vessel would attract a more potent soul. Perhaps one that avoided being stripped of everything before being reincarnated back to a mortal plane, but that would leave behind a title Irwyn would spot. Instead it likely used to be a soul so powerful that it could not be completely disassembled at once. How powerful that was depended on the domain through which it came: In Hell it would be virtually impossible for a soul to escape even partially unscathed, but there were realms with only the fraction of means and power that Hell had within reach.

But that didn’t matter right now. For now he would stop whoever was bullying her. Plans and schemes were already gathering in his head as Irwyn considered the nigh limitless possibilities that just opened for him. It was almost ironic that something like this happened where he is so close to finally accomplishing his eternal goal.

“Why are you not responding? You dead yet?” the 16 or so years old girl which appeared to be the ringleader of their little gathering, based on her epic space affinity, taunted the young Elizabeth who seemed to have suddenly gone numb. It was, however, not the completely apathetic numbness of shattered hopes. Instead her eyes were wide as she seemed to have forgotten about the pain and instead stared intently in Irwyn’s general direction. Perhaps she experienced the same or similar sensation as him.

"Eghm," Irwyn coughed to gain their attention, however, because of his rather young age it didn't come out quite right, but it made the group stop nonetheless.

"Who are you, brat?" the leader of the group turned towards him with a not insignificant amount of anger. She was not exactly a beauty, but her chiseled sharp expression and blond hair weren’t ugly either. However, Irwyn quickly noticed the uglier parts as her throat was visibly bruised and some small scars peeked from beneath her clothes in few areas. An example of abuse just leading to further abuse. Irwyn would usually not interfere with such state of things, even ignoring it multiple times today, but he was basically forced to act in this instance.

"Watch your tongue. You are an eyesore," Irwyn shot back and added a bit of disgust into his voice. Arrogance had to seep into his voice for the effect he desired. It was also at this moment that Irwyn expected them to see Nessa and backoff. Except…

“Who do you think you are to talk to us like that?” the girl fummed, and Irwyn finally realised that Nessa no longer stood behind him. She seemed to have vanished while he was momentarily distracted by that eerie sensation. That would make things a bit more troublesome, especially since this group didn’t seem in their right mind and would likely not figure out who he was without a Blackburg maid towering behind him. It was a shame that he didn’t have the crest sewn into his suit.

“I was talking to you, little shit. Tear” a swing of her hand flew as the girl’s eyes went wild because Irwyn was momentarily captured in thought. That was weird as his thought process for that would usually be so fast that the girl wouldn’t even notice he stopped to think. Now there was a furious volatile teenager who was capable of casting to be dealt with. Taking into consideration her talent and brazzeness she might have some backing. Or she could have just been arrogant.

“Flame” Irwyn quickly pronounced the name of another cantrip and even imitated the feeling of power the word should give off. In the middle of her strike he easily burned away the magic she materialised over her knuckles without burning her and then casually caught the striking hand. She might be older, taller and have more muscle, but Irwyn’s strength attribute was absolutely through the roof; such a vast difference could more than make up for any disadvantage in the amount of muscle development.

She was absolutely flabbergasted when Irwyn easily caught her hand and held it within his grasp; so surprised in fact that she was unable to make any follow up attacks. Irwyn flipped his wrist and with his relatively overwhelming strength threw her towards the nearest wall. Strong enough to hurt, but not quite as powerful as what would be needed to cause an injury. All this while the remaining girls were staring with their mouths agape, with the exception of young Elizabeth who still chose to just gaze at Irwyn like a madman would into the void.

“Any more trash-talk?” Irwyn asked with implanted smugness as soon as the woman hit the wall. He had to establish undisputed dominance or this conversation would turn into a hassle.

“Who are you?” one of the teenagers asked with newfound fear, she looked around 12, maybe 13. Her hair was ebony black and long, but her looks were average at best, maybe made even worse by a large scar on her upper lip.

“None of your business. You are an eyesore; get lost,” there was little point in making this event any longer than it had to be. At least that is what Irwyn thought before he felt a surprisingly large amount of mana manifest from where he threw the ringleader earlier. Surprising for a 16 years old, that is.

“... Sunder!” the girl finished her whispered incantation with a yell. A foolish thing to do in Irwyn’s opinion, but he was previously so busy acting smug that he did not notice her low volume chant. Something was definitely going on with him and he didn’t like it. It would be ideal to get things over with ASAP. He looked at the spike of spasial energy which had condensed over the girl’s right hand and with a small flick of his wrist he summoned an inferno behind himself.

The flames raged behind Irwyn’s back in an instant; countless blazing tongues flickered around him without any material to burn or devour. The heat they radiated was enough to obliterate any moisture in the air as the atmosphere in that group changed from surprise to terror. But that was not his attack; it was merely a distraction which made his foe delay their spell deployment. It was during that moment of surprise and hesitation that new flames burst forth from the middle of the ringleaders palm.

“AGH” the woman screamed as she felt how the flesh on her palm was being seared black. The same flames also reached for her finished spell and ravenously swallowed it whole. They burned bright for a moment longer before all of the spell’s energy was consumed, only then they reluctantly radiated the last bit of their heat and vanished. Irwyn could have destroyed the spell without burning the girl, but that would not only look suspicious, but also allow further retaliation from her. Nearly crippling wounds often had the effect of making people reconsider their choice of opponent.

This content has been unlawfully taken from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.

Irwyn stepped forward and the wall of flames followed him. When the remaining girls noticed that they broke into a desperate attempt to flee, Irwyn didn’t bother watching them after that. The only two which remained were badly beaten Elizabeth who still didn’t take her eyes off Irwyn.

Few fast steps brought him right in front of the teenager who now had a badly burned right hand and he grabbed her by the throat. Because of their height difference he should not be able to raise her up, but since she was currently lying prone Irwyn managed to lift her torso by a bit so that she would be forced look directly into his eyes.

“Next time you try something stupid like this it will be more than a hand,” he threatened her and let a bit of heat radiate from his palm, enough to stimulate burning sensation, but not enough to cause any noticeable damage.

“Then-do-it,” She barely wheezed out while choking. With a single look into her eyes Irwyn understood she meant those maddened words. Her stare was spewing defiance, the absolute refusal to bend. The eyes of someone that would rather die than admit their own weakness, because there was nothing more that they despised more than how weak they were. Someone so broken the concept of fear was lost to them. It reminded him of someone. A friend whose face he had long forgotten; a mortal grinded to dust in the river of time. But there was one sentence that was still remembered. Those words of absolute defiance the man once spat into the faces of the so called gods: “Bend, mangled or broken. To those who still stand I do NOT KNEEL”

All things considered it would not be beneficial to kill her. In fact it would cause more problems than anything, moreover he now didn’t want to kill her. So instead he let go of her throat and allowed the girl to fall down. Instead of sending more threats he swiftly grabbed her cheek, moved their heads closer together and whispered into her ear: “Do not embrace a meaningless death. I have yet to hear of a corpse which obtained revenge.”

At those words Irwyn could swear her eyes sparkled. What was previously that abnormal apathy towards death was now replaced with some sort of twisted desire. That was good, whether she wanted to murder a single man or a dozen, hatred could be a reason to live. Irwyn could have been wrong when he guessed what were her motives, but now it was clear that he was exactly on point. Irwyn put her away and took a step back before relaying left the final words that would be spared: “And the next time you wrong someone; make sure you either quill their wrath or wash it away with their own blood. Otherwise whoever it is you hate so much might not be the only one to one night wake up with a dagger in their heart”

She just nodded and slightly widened her eyes when she clutched the gold coin Irwyn discreetly placed into her other palm. Enough money to get a healer, a dagger and on a boat away from the North. She had some talent with magic, perhaps she will make it far and one day remember who exactly was the catalyst for her change. Or perhaps not, but there was little to lose in that case.

“I am Leila,” she spoke, her tone now more composed than when she taunted him before “what is your name?”

“I am…” Irwyn was about to honestly reveal his name to the girl who was now trying to stand up, but someone stole his thunder.

“Lord Irwyn,” Nessa’s voice sounded from behind him “I am sorry I lost you. I got caresly involved in a conversation.”

“Indeed, we are sorry. Are you alright, my lord?” another figure appeared from behind her. For a first time since entering the mansion Irwyn actually saw a male servant: He was very tall with extremely sharp features. His chiseled facial features with shallow wrinkles and long hollow chin created an appearance made the man look no older than 40; that is, only when his well kept grey hair was not put into consideration.

“I am absolutely fine,” Irwyn smiled at them. It would seem that Nessa found whoever would be trying to bribe him. They likely watched the entire thing unfold and made an appearance now that they thought he was done. Unfortunately for them, he was not. He also noted Leila widen her eyes in a sudden burst of comprehension. It would appear that the name Irwyn and an older black clothed maid were enough to stir her memory.

“Are you alright?” Irwyn quickly stridded over to Elizabeth who was still lying on the ground, just staring at him unblinkingly, and knelt down right in front of her. When their eyes met he felt the same sensation which lead him to find her, but twice as intense this time. It was just as baffling as it was last time. The girls irises visibly contracted the next moment. Then she seemed to have returned to herself and that blank expression faded.

“Yes, t-hank you,” she attempted to smile, but instead a sudden surge of tears went down her cheeks as her expression visibly twisted in pain. At this point Irwyn finally had the chance to inspect her from up close. Her hair was raven black and cut short while her eyes had the darkest blue colour he had seen in a long time. Her visage was rather cute despite the tears, snot, bruises and the black eye that had just formed. Even her entire body was covered in similar bruises.

"Where do you think you are going?" as Irwyn inspected Elizabeth's injuries he suddenly heard the old butler raise his voice. Irwyn didn't need to turn around on order to understand what had transpired.

"It's fine. You can let her go," Irwyn said as he looked behind and just as he expected saw the butler holding Leila by the wrist of her burned hand.

"But lord Irwyn, she attacked you!" the man acted zealously in a misguided attempt to curry up some favour.

"It is interesting that you would say that, because it would mean you saw your guest being attacked and just stood by. So unless that is what happened you will have to take my word that she never attacked me," it was child's play to corner the man with a few words, although the butler apparently didn't quite give up as he gave Leila a stern stare filled with wrath.

"Since her burned hand is already a just punishment for the ignorant insult she made I can only hope that she would not be punished any further. If she is, however, and I hear of it; I might have to remember that the house Brinewood is not worth much trust," Irwyn finished and the man slightly paled. He might had been furious with the girl, but not enough to risk tarnishing the very relationship he was sent to build.

"You are lucky. Now get back to work," the butler scoffed and let go of Leila's hand. She gave him one last defiant stare, gave Irwyn a very quick bow and then ran off. With a subtle nod Irwyn turned back to Elizabeth who was no longer crying and was instead inspecting Irwyn' with tangible curiosity, albeit consciously this time.

"Stand up," Irwyn offered his hand and after a moment of hesitation Elizabeth took it. It was at this moment that once again something shifted, but unfortunately Irwyn's senses were momentarily dimmed to the point that he could no longer put that sensation into words.

And then his senses once again returned to their full state and even went beyond

[Personal Secret quest: meeting of fate initiated]

[Initiation Rewards: +10 to all attributes, +1 upgrade point, +hidden effect (Overseer: increased reward multiplier when attempting trial dungeons together with the other completionist)]

Elizabeth seemed instantly confused as she apparently got a similar message only without knowing what the hidden effect would be and probably without general knowledge about the system. But Irwyn was not much better off when it came to being caught off guard. Quests were rare and far in between, moreover old quest were perpetually deleted while new ones we created by the Logos. Their rewards were often good, but it was rare that Irwyn would get a chance to complete one; purely because seeking them out was not worth his time. Moreover their effects usually became meaningless after awakening. And now he initiated a multi step quest. He would have to inspect the conditions for continuing it later through overseer, but now was not the time.

"Nessa, come here," Irwyn commanded in a voice that would hardly be disputed. As she stepped forward with a slight confusion in her expression he beckoned for her to kneel down and when she did a soft whisper entered her ear: "Take this girl with you and never let her out of your sight. Do not use force on her and treat her as properly as possible. If you fail to do this much I will have your head when I first get the opportunity."

The maid nodded without a change in expression and stood back up. The Blackburg servants were all trained since childhood, so it was not surprising that they were unwaveringly loyal and could withstand just about anything less than advanced mind magic. His final words were not meant to threaten the experienced maid into obedience, but to get across that he was extremely serious about this assignment.

“With that done. You did not seek me out of curiosity, did you?” Irwyn gave the butler a stare. It was clear what would come next, but it had to be done with. He even already knew what he would request for his first bribe.

“No, of course not. If you would follow me,” the butler smiled, seemingly forgetting the past few minutes “I might be able to show you something you will find very interesting.”