A breezy sound can be heard. The sun ultimately sets down. A cheerful family begins to sit at the dining table. The mother was preparing dinner, a Joyful meal that smelled delicious.

“Raphael, my son. How is your progression lately?” the father asked his son as they started eating.

“It has been going well, father. My mana storage has been properly nurtured.”

"That's fantastic to hear, darling! I heard the duel of the magic students will begin next week, and I am curious what rank you will be! Perhaps you'll be the top student!" the mother expressed her excitement.

“Thank you, mother. I will do my utmost best to beat all the other students and be the top student. But I wonder how is brother doing tonight?” Raphael wondered and looked at the moon outside the window.

The moon was as bright as ever. It was shaped like a silver coin. The wind breezes and a sound of the trees swaying can be heard.

A tent can be found by the woods. The tent was quiet. It appears that there were no people inside. However, there were individuals inside. Two dead men, one without a head and the other with a slit throat.

I have to get up. It’s been hours since I have been here. I want to get up but my legs are sore.

The boy started to slowly get up. He then starts to wear his trousers and shoes. He grabbed the red dagger with him and started to get out of the tent.

Alejandro was limping and his expression full of sadness. He looked at the shining moon up in the sky. He then saw a lake nearby. The boy starts to walk slowly into the nearby lake.

He was limping, so he moved slowly. But he arrived at his destination. The lake was brilliant, indicating that it was clean. Alejandro removes his bleeding shirt. The moon shone on the boy's upper body, displaying a massive burn across his entire body.

This lake is stunning. Perhaps it can erase the dirtiness from my body. I beg of you, please cure my body from what that hunter did to me.

Alejandro entered the water and proceeded to stroll subconsciously to the lake's lowest point. Until the boy fell into the deepest part and sank silently into the water.

What am I doing? Oh right, I am letting this lake clean the dirtiness of my body. I wonder why this all happened to me? Perhaps I did something wrong? No. All I wanted was to eat a Joyful meal. Simply to replenish my hungry stomach.

The boy continues to sink deeper, his surroundings are dark as if he was in the void.

Brother Raphael defeated me, causing a burn in my body. Father and mother left me in the forest. Brother Raphael wanted me to kill myself. I was almost eaten by wolves. I discovered that the folks in my hometown, Holm village, were all horrible people. The hunters at the tavern wanted me dead. Finally, that horrible monster abused me. What message would these events be trying to convey to me?

Alejandro was nearly out of breath as his body continued to sink even deeper.

I think brother Raphael is right. Maybe I deserve to die. After all, I have nothing right now.

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The young boy cried, and his tears flowed into the water. He plans to drown and sink deeper. He doesn't want to swim on the surface.

Alejandro’s memories start to flash. From the very beginning since he was born. His parents smile as he was born in this world. The short period of time he was in school. His classmates bullied him because he did not want to learn magic. His teacher made a disappointed face when he looked at him. The very first time when he started training his body even though he was just a mere child. His parents abuse him every day. The day he challenged his brother and was defeated by him and finally the moment he woke up in a forest.

These memories flashed and the last thing Alejandro saw in these memories was his brother. Raphael had a cunning expression as he looked down on Alejandro.

"I'd be thrilled if you killed yourself, brother. After all, you are nothing. If you die, I shall have a festival throughout the village to commemorate the death of a fool! Hahaha!"

Alejandro suddenly opened his eyes and swam to the surface. He was almost out of breath, yet he was one stride ahead before death claimed his life.

He slowly got out of the water as he stepped in the dirt. Miraculously, the boy did not limp anymore. He then wears his bloody shirt and stops moving. Alejandro was expressionless.

Maybe I do not deserve to live. But what about brother Raphael? He fooled me and is most likely manipulating father and mother right now. My brother too does not deserve to live. I shall end his life with my own hands. I will live as long as he lives. I will not grant him permission to die until I am the one who claims his life! I will do anything just to be stronger than him!

The red dagger immediately flies again! It is currently facing Alejandro. The boy glanced at the dagger, as if it wanted to say something. The dagger began to shine, creating a bright red aura surrounding itself. The words engraved on it began to emit a golden radiance.

What is this?! What is happening to the dagger? Does it want to say something to me?

The dagger moved slowly toward Alejandro. Then it came to a halt, approaching him but maintaining a safe distance.

“Greetings, master. My name is Bavael. I am an ancient dagger that you picked at the forest not long ago. Do not fret, master, as my purpose is to serve you to fulfill your dream.”

Alejandro looked shocked. He took one step back away from the dagger.

"You!... You are alive?! How come a dagger can speak? Even if imbued with magic, weapons such as swords, bows, and daggers cannot just speak and be alive!"

“I suppose it is true. But you have to understand that I am not like any other daggers nor weapons. I am an ancient dagger that has been around for thousands of years.”

“May I ask how you happened to be in the forest, saving me from those wolves?”

“I am afraid I cannot answer that.”

“Then did you have a previous master?”

“That also, I cannot answer.”

The incomprehensible text carved on the dagger suddenly became readable. Alejandro read it, and the word was Bavael.

“So your name is Bavael. May I call you Bavael?”

“Why of course master. After all, I will be the one to fulfill your dream. What is your dream, master?”

Alejandro did not hesitate to answer the question.

“My dream is to simply kill my brother.”

“Is that so? Very well, I will help you achieve your dream. You may use me whenever you need me.”

Bavael then stops shining and offers himself into Alejandro’s hands. The boy opened his two hands as Bavael placed himself on it.

I have so many questions for Bavael. However, it appears that he is asleep. I don't want to bother him because he has already helped me several times.

A loud sound can be heard. This sound is like multiple horses are running.

Hmmm? What is that? Oh no, are those the hunters earlier in the tavern?!

In the distance, hunters could be seen riding horses and carrying torches. It appears that they are looking for Sir Ludwig. This is why they came out of the Boreal village.