The first memory I can remember… I suppose it’s the time when I saw the magic performance at the Royal Opera House. Now I know it was to celebrate my mother’s promotion to the district manager role of the Cadra Gladiatorial Agency, but back then, I was clueless and everything was a surprise. A new exciting adventure.
R-Reginn, are you reading my mind right now?!
Hm… It seems that this spell has some unforeseen consequences. While trying to rummage through your memories, I’ve awakened your consciousness to your memories.
G-get out of here!
Not until I learn the language everyone speaks. Think of this as an equal exchange for teaching you Elysdionn, though that isn’t exactly fair either.
I suppose one of the main reasons I remember the event at all is because I was hurt there, a mistake in the magician’s performance led to ice-cold baths for everyone in the front. Now I can see it and laugh as a fond memory, but back then, my parents even worried for my life. I suppose it must’ve been freezing.
While not pleasant, I’m a bit glad I was soaked. Without the ice, I’m not sure I would’ve remembered the spectacles, the sense of discovery and the amazement I felt. I’ve always wondered what the first person who discovered magic felt like, but I’m sure it was something like this.
God… This is embarrassing… Is that my subconscious talking?
I’m not exactly sure, the mind is still an enigma after all.
Well, let me at least skip forward a bit…
My---Of course,-----ZZZzzZ-----The-------ZzzZZ--And that was my first encounter with my idol, Siege, the one of the heroes of the 99th era.
I see… So this Siege fellow is the current hero, and this must be the 99th era.
Of course, the other heroes such as Marginix and Venus are great as well, but-
Wait, ‘the other heroes?’, are there multiple heroes in this era?
Well… Only one of them must be the true hero appointed by the heavens, but yes, multiple heroes work together to protect Avangarden and they’re called the-
-Endlegion Silverguards. Founded in the year 2050, they’re an elusive group with a connection to the royals. There are only five members, but only the identities of three are known -- all famous adventurers, hunters, gladiators and mages -- and the other two are shrouded in mystery, one of them being Siege, the leader of the group.
Almost nothing is known bout him other than the fact that he is always clad in white armour and wields multiple lances with magic. However, he’s my favourite because he’s the most heroic out of the Guardians. Siege always focuses on rescue, and he tries to defuse the situation rather than face them head-on. He’s famous for his record of never killing or seriously injuring anyone during his seven years as a hero.
…You sure do know a lot about these heroes, huh?
L-let’s move on.
Then----Zzzz------A--zzZ--Yes---zzzzZZZzZZ-----Of--z-zzzzzZ--Father are both extremely accomplished individuals, one the owner of a thriving gladiatorial business and the other a former champion. I know my mother wants me to inherit the business, and I truly do wish to make them proud -- they deserve it after all, but I can’t possibly forget my dream of becoming a hero. I know that only one person of an era can become a true hero, but the times are changing. Even if I’m not ordained by the Goddess-
Hmph, this is getting ridiculous. Has the word ‘hero’ lost its meaning?
W-well, I don’t know what you think a hero is but-
There is no but to it. A hero is the guardian of humanity chosen by the Goddess, no more, no less. Of course, anyone can protect their city, and they may even be extraordinary, but that is not what makes a hero.
…Then I’m fine with not being a hero. What I strive for isn’t some title, but to protect the people I love and to make my family proud.
Then you’ll be no different than a common city guard.
If I had a single wish, I would wish to meet a hero. A true hero to teach me, and to lead me to become the best version of myself. To help me learn what heroism is. I suppose-
I’ve seen enough.
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When Reginn and Sivrit finally opened their eyes once again, they awoke in a camping chair. A warm firepit in the middle, two tents prepared with sleeping bags and the night sky greeting them with a thousand eyes.
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Time dilated within the mental world, and the stranger seemed to be ready for the night instead of abandoning them. While Reginn would’ve been fine, this simple action could’ve saved Sivrit’s life. He couldn’t help but feel slightly guilty for putting the others in such reckless danger, a common scenario caused by his overconfidence in his understanding of mana. Whenever he thought he knew all that there is to know about magic, it always seemed to surprise him at the last moment.
But this time, it was somewhat of a success as he could now understand the Avangardian spoken by the stranger.
“O-oh, you guys are awake,” greeted the stranger “I hope you don’t mind me going through your backpack a little bit… You guys were out of it for a long time.”
“T-thank you,” said Sivrit.
She couldn’t help but feel a little embarrassed and exposed after a stranger went through her memories. It was as if she was a book, read between the lines and carefully observed, a specimen under the microscope. It was a terribly naked feeling, though Reginn did not seem to share the same sensitivity.
Sivrit believed that he was the second hero -- his actions more than proved it -- but his behaviour as a hero… Or rather her view of what a hero is… Let’s just say that it wasn’t a pleasant surprise. Reginn seemed unconnected and uncaring, destructive and self-confident. Was this truly what a hero is?
“O-oh, and sorry, but I could only find two tents in your bag. I set them up for now because it was already so late into the night.”
“No worries, I only packed two -- one for emergencies and the other as a backup. I usually don’t sleep outdoors, but it seems that it’s too late. The city gates must’ve closed already…”
“...I’ll sleep outside then,” said Reginn.
Even though he had never seen a tent before, he did know what it was. He did not wish to share his sleeping quarters with anyone as he always slept by himself in his cavernous domain. As a World Beast, the entire world was his house and sleeping outside would be no different than sleeping in the living room.
“Nope, you’re not sleeping outside,” said Sivrit.
“...Excuse me?”
“Even if your body is durable enough, I doubt that you’ll be clean after the rain forecasted tomorrow morning,” continued Sivrit “And even if you can, it’d be unsightly for me to let guests sleep in the mud”
“So what? The rain will wash off all impurities.”
“...I’m not even going to say anything.”
“W-well, then I can share tents with someone, I’m a very quiet sleeper.”
“Ah, perfect! Then you can sleep with me, and Reginn can sleep by himself,” said Sivrit, “And this is a bit out of order, but my name is Sivrit, what’s yours?”
“My name is Ayn… And you’re probably a hero right?” asked Ayn to Reginn.
“...I am. The second hero of Alsland, or Avangarden I suppose.”
“T-thank God, another hero!” exclaimed Ayn, “I’m a hero as well, the 94th hero to be exact. Can anyone tell me what year it is…?”
“It should be the year 2457.”
“Then… Then it must’ve been around a hundred years since I died…”
“Hm… So the heroes are being brought into this specific era…”
Sivrit was slightly confused, but could still piece together what was going on. These two must’ve been from the past, all of them fated to meet in this location. She felt the tinge of excitement like the one she felt while watching Reginn cast spells. This was surely the beginning of an epic tale, and she was thrust right into its first chapters.
“Anyhow, I won’t allow you to sleep in the same tent as Sivrit.”
“Hm? Why?”
“Must you really ask? I mean… You’re a guy. I may not know much about human culture, but I’m pretty sure that’s frowned upon.”
Sivrit was surprised to hear that the glowing, white-haired stranger was a boy and felt embarrassed at suggesting so eagerly to share the same tent. Ayn on the other hand, frantically tried to explain himself.
“W-well… It’s just that… Everyone keeps thinking I’m a girl… And-”
“I get it, but rules are rules. If someone must share tents, it should be you and me.”
“E-eh?”
“It’s already so late into the night, I’m going to head in first.”
Reginn casually left the conversation frozen, leaving the others to compute this important issue.
“S-should I just sleep outside?” asked Ayn.
“No no… Just do what he says…” replied Sivrit with a sigh.
Perhaps it was the two-thousand-year generational gap or the fact that he was inhuman, but Reginn seemed to have strange ideals and standards. Perhaps he wasn’t such a good hero to standardize…
As the night continued to darken, the fire was soon put out as the group retreated under the tents. While Reginn and Ayn were already soundly asleep, Sivrit stayed up late into the night and pondered the day’s events. She couldn’t wait to tell the rest of the Council about this!