Chapter 8: Heart for the Future (1).
When I was young, my father had once told me that.
"Son, as you know, our family, the House of Worth has a Legacy"
Legacy
A power that can be passed down to those of the same blood.
"Now, Haze Worth. Do you know what this Legacy is?"
Back then I did not, so I shook my head.
Smack
My father suddenly slapped me and asked.
"Now, Haze Worth. Do you know what this Legacy is?"
I tried to look at him, but back then fear made me avert my eye.
Smack
Another slap.
"Answer me, Haze Worth."
Unable to think of anything, I blurted out.
"Yes"
My father then smiled and said.
"Good. Now what is it?"
"...."
I tried to stay silent.
Smack
Another slap.
"Haze Worth. What is it?"
"...."
Father just stares at me, then smiles.
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"At least you didn't say something stupid."
My father then placed his right hand on his mustache and said.
"Passable. Better than I did when I was a child."
I looked at my father with confusion at that statement, maybe he noticed that because he spoke.
"Our House's Legacy is our Pride, a pride to never appear weak, a pride to never bow to those inferior and equal.
"Our Legacy is let us resist the Authority of those higher than us, along with resistance to most mind magic."
My father then placed his left hand on my head and said.
"To act strong, appear strong, and to be strong. That is the motto of our House."
Father then smiled wistfully and said.
"Though I guess that is one of the main reasons why the House had fallen."
*****
The young Haze slowly opens his eyes.
Then he saw.
Flames.
Looking around, the boy sees that the mansion, his home, is burning.
With him still within it.
"What is hap–cough cough"
The boy covers his mouth and stands up.
"Let's get out of here first"
He looked at the entrance, only to see it blocked with a wall of flames and fallen pillars of wood.
"That's a no, the window?"
He looks at the window, made of black steel and enchanted with Count-Class reinforcement magic, along with dozens of traps. Probably on haywire due to the fire.
"......the door it is then"
The boy slowly walked towards the entrance, wary of the burning items on his path.
While he walks, he looks around, taking in the image of the burning house.
The paintings then caught the boy's eye.
Within the orange glow, they appear...bland. It is as if something is missing.
The boy shakes his head, noticing that it is getting harder to breathe.
it is not time for that. He thought as he arrived in front of a fallen pillar blocking his path.
The boy looks at the pillar and braces himself.
"Aaahhhhggg!"
The boy grabbed the pillar, and when he did, scalding heat assaulted him.
The boy then slightly pushed the pillar, creating a small passage.
Creeek
Suddenly, an ominous sound followed by a more ominous movement happens.
Thunk
Thunk
The mansion is collapsing.
Knowing this, the boy hurriedly passed the passage he made.
But then.
Crash
The ceiling of the entrance collapses.
Taking the door with it.
The boy just stood there, dumbfounded by his luck.
"The window it is then"
Even so, he did not despair.
As long as there is a will, there is a way.
"Heaven never closes all paths" his father once said.
The boy took a step.
A step filled with hope.
Then.....tripped over nothing.
"....I..got...no...breakfast."
The boy tries to move, but his legs are numb and powerless.
"If..my...legs...fail...me"
The boy smiles.
Then started to crawl.
One, two, three. Slowly but surely, he is getting closer to the window.
Creaaak
Bang
Suddenly, a wooden pillar falls in his way.
"......"
He is speechless.
He did everything he could, but the Heavens seemed to be against him.
But.
Even as his vision blurs once again.
Not yet.
The boy raises his hand, intending to push the pillar away, when suddenly.
Boom!
Something happened towards the entrance.
The boy used all his strength to take a look.
Then there he saw a silhouette.
And a pair of grey eyes.