Jared let out a gasp the moment he opened his eyes. He was woken up by the last thing he remembered before he passed out, as the memories of last night started to flood his mind, he found himself in his room, covered in bandages.

“I’m in my room?” he asked himself,

“Wake up, sunshine,”

He heard a familiar voice and as he turned around, Jared’s face turned pale. It was his father sitting on the chair to his left. He didn’t notice his father immediately due to the fact that his room is a little bit dark. The sun had yet to fully rise up in the sky, it was still dawn.

“...”

Even without his father telling him anything, he knew he made a joke of himself, and ultimately dragged his family’s name through the mud once more. His father’s dreaded expression gave it off and now Jared is terrified. He knows how scary and merciless his father can be and the punishment would be based on how much he messed up. And this time, he messed up big time.

“What is my punishment this time?” he asked,

“Why do you ask?”

“Don’t toy with me and get straight to the point,”

His father smirked as he crossed his arms.

“Nothing,” his father said, calmly, “You have already suffered your punishment,”

Jared looked at his father in disbelief. Usually whenever Jared screwed up, he would end up with a punishment. However, this time, he didn’t despite how much he screwed up which was surprising even for him. He knows that his father is not that considerate, making him even more terrified.

“Please don’t kid with me,”

“I wish I was but I’m not joking. There is no punishment,” his father repeated,

Jared looked at his father for a good while, trying to assess what his father was thinking. Unfortunately. He couldn’t tell what his father was thinking, so he gave up.

Seeing that his son had just woken up, his father stood from his seat.

“Now that you’ve awakened, I must take my leave.”

“Wait-” Jared called out to his father who was about to leave the room, “W-What happened after I passed out?”

“What do you think happened?”

“I don’t know,”

“Great, you’ll know soon enough,”

His father spoke vaguely and then left. Jared did not get an answer to his question and began pondering about the answer himself. And just as he was thinking about the answer, Jared noticed something he hadn’t noticed after waking up. He tried moving his hands, but failed. Just then, Jared became concerned and started to panic. Not only that he isn’t able to move his hands, he failed to move his legs as well.

Terrified, Jared moved around and managed to take off the blanket covering him. At that moment, Jared realized what his punishment was and he screamed.

“NOOO!”

Jared’s father turned to his right the moment he walked out of Jared’s room and saw his wife weeping.

“There is no punishment,” he said, cold heartedly, “Sealing his limbs away is enough for someone who disobeys the Household head,”

After saying those cold words, he left without looking back.

Word about Jared’s defeat spread throughout the entire city like wildfire. With every witness sharing what they’ve seen with their own eyes, not a single soul isn’t aware of what happened. It became a hot topic for both nobles and commoners alike.

Some who hated Jared rejoiced, while some were concerned. Whoever they are, they only have one question in mind; ‘What’s going to happen to him?’

Not only that he disgraced his entire household by assaulting someone, he even used his blessing, which is something they shouldn’t do inside the city. A rule that all of the Misfits must follow unless deemed necessary.

Jared broke that rule, and so, he must undergo some sort of punishment as everyone before him did.

“What’s going to happen to him?” Jakob asked,

“His sentence had already been decided.” Faram replied,

“By whom?”

Faram looked at his junior, “By his father, of course,” Faram walked towards the window and continued, “His ability to move has been revoked. He can no longer move, walk, heck he can’t even touch himself,”

Faram noticed his junior’s concern and wiped it off with a smirk.

“I know it’s quite cruel. But that’s just his household’s way of saving him. They are aware of his actions, everyone is. That’s why they chose that option.” Faram then continued to the real reason, “After all, a Misfit is a valuable resource. Every Misfit is essential in maintaining the lands that we have right now, unlike before,”

It took Jakob a few moments before he could understand what his senior meant and Faram saw no reason to explain it further.

In the past, Misfits have been hunted down. However, all of that changed after the other races appeared out of the dungeons and explained what was going on. At the same time, as if to prove their point, monsters have come out of the dungeons, wreaking havoc in cities and villages alike. Entire kingdoms face calamities at the hands of the monsters that came out of the dungeons.

That’s when the people, who used to hunt Misfits saw their value as normal, average soldiers wouldn’t have a chance to take down the monsters that came out of the dungeon.

The author's tale has been misappropriated; report any instances of this story on Amazon.

And so, the Misfits were given the right to live. And better yet, treated way better than they were treated in the past.

“Anyway, enough of that talk.” Faram broke the ice, “There is something I want to show you before you leave for the academy,”

SNAP! With just a snap of his fingers, two men carrying a rectangular shaped box entered the room. The box looked like a mini coffin made entirely of metal. After putting the object on the table, the men left.

“What is it?” Jakob asked,”

“This is a gift from me. You can’t just wrap it in clothes, you know.”

Jakob reached out and touched the gift his senior prepared for him. The texture and the smoothness of the surface is unlike he has ever seen nor touched before.

“What kind of metal is this made from?”

“It took quite a bit of time to acquire such a large quantity. I should say, it turned out beautifully,”

Faram looked at the object in amazement. He didn’t expect to see that kind of result himself.

“This is made from a rare kind of metal, Jakob. The kind that you’ll only find inside the dungeons,” Faram smirked, “This thing here is made of pure mithril,”

“...Mithril. This is the first time I’ve heard such metal.”

“Of course! This is something that you can only mine inside certain dungeons. It’s durable and stronger, and lighter than steel. This is the best and most deserving of your weapon, don’t you agree?”

Hearing the characteristics of the object, Jakob tried lifting it and was surprised about how light it was. His senior wasn’t lying.

“...it really is light.”

“Told you so,”

“Is it really okay for me to accept such a valuable gift?”

“Why not? I’m the one giving it to you. And besides, you need a sheathe deserving of your sword? It’s not like there’s something similar being sold somewhere either,”

Jakob understood his senior’s intentions and did not question him any further. After all, he knows his senior well. Trying to refuse the gift will only make the situation worse. So, Jakob didn’t refuse and accepted his senior’s gift.

After giving the one thing he was preparing before Jakob leaves for the academy, Faram asked him if they could take a walk. The moment they got out of the room, Jakob noticed that there was no one else inside the mansion when it’s usually crowded at this time of the day.

It is a mansion of a noble, after all, and yet, there was no one in sight.

Even with Jakob’s keen senses, he couldn’t detect a single soul.

“Where did all the people go, senior?” he asked,

“Well, I sent them out for a little while after we talked. They haven’t had a break ever since the incident. I want them to take a little breather. Don’t worry about them, they will be back after a while.”

After that, the two talk about things in the past, reminiscing about the time when their master was still around, guiding them in their training.

“I miss those times, and also master,” Faram said in a lonely and sad tone.

“I’m sure the master is happy to see his disciples together. He may have been strict but he is also soft at the same time. He would want us to reunite for sure.”

Faram nodded and agreed with his disciple’s words, knowing that their master would certainly wish for that as well.

“I’m sure Arnod had already told you about the academy that you need to know about,” Faram said and Jakob nodded, “I know this is weird knowing what you are capable of, but be careful out there. Not because you’re in the academy for Misfits doesn’t mean you are safe,”

“I will,”

Faram then embraced his junior and patted his back.

“Good luck,” he whispered, “And I’m sorry,” he spoke softly in a way that only he could hear.

Not long after the attendants as well as maids and butlers led by the mistress returned. The big smile on their faces indicate that they are able to enjoy the little break they had. Most of them are giggling while the others are holding their stomachs, barely able to breathe because of laughter. They were merry. However, their professionalism immediately kicked in the moment they stepped inside the mansion, with each and everyone of them heading straight back to their work.

Early next morning, Jakob is loading his luggage into the carriage, the time has come. He now has to leave for the academy. News of this departure has reached the ears of young noble women that’s close to him, mainly the five young ladies who visited him most of the time. They wished him good luck as if they will not be seeing each other for a very long time.

“I’ll try to visit you whenever I have time!”

“Don’t you mean ‘we’?”

“What are you talking about? There is no rule saying that we should visit together, is there? And besides, there are only limited visits.”

“Come on, why do you have to argue right before he leaves?”

Just as usual, things between them are chaotic. However, there is one that didn’t even try to utter a word. Jakob looked at that person and nodded his head which immediately sent a message to the others.

“What was that about, Aira?”

The surprised Aira wasn’t even able to get away from them as they immediately swarmed around her.

“You better come clean, Aira.”

“She’s right, we will never let you go until you tell us what was that just now,”

The once chaotic group has become even more chaotic as they try to squeeze out an answer from Aira. Jakob realized the frenzy and stayed away, afraid that he would be pulled in once he showed his face, and focused on loading his belongings.

“I see that they are still the same as ever~” Faram said, looking at the object that Jakob is carrying on his back, “Looks good on you,” he said.

“Thanks for this, senior,”

Faram waved his hand as if it was nothing but a simple gift from a senior.

“You don’t need to thank me again, it’s just a simple gift,” he said,

“A gift that costs thrice as much as the mansion, that is,” Mistress Mylene cut in.

Faram almost jumped out in surprise by his wife’s sudden appearance, knowing that she was doing something beforehand.

“You think I wouldn’t know?” she said, grabbing him by the chin, “Well, I can’t argue now that it’s done and over with. And knowing what his sword is, I don’t think any normal sheathe would do,”

Mylene wanted to stress out the value of the object that Jakob was carrying, however, she resigned knowing that it was already too late. And since it was Jakob, she knows that he will take care of it well.

“Phew!” Faram let out a nervous and relieved sigh, and smiled, “This is a worthwhile expense,” he added,

Mylene looked at her husband, nodding his head away as if it was the best thing to do knowing that there are other options that’s a lot less expensive. Because of the recent incident, with other infrastructures destroyed, the city will need more expenses and help from the nobles. Despite the fact that they are well off, Mylene cannot disregard the small chance that they might need what he expended in the future.

It was just a feeling on her side, but considering the things that have been happening in the past few weeks. It was not a far-fetched feeling but an actual fact that has yet to materialize.

“You be careful there, Jakob. It would greatly upset me when something bad happens to you there,” Mistress Mylene smiled, and embraced the young man.

It took Jakob by surprise, as he did not expect his senior’s wife to do such a thing.

“I will,” Jakob replied.

After loading everything in the carriage, Jakob says his goodbye. Everyone had already grown close to him despite the short time he had lived with them. The people of Faram Valter’s manor waved their hands goodbye to the hero of the city. As soon as the carriage left the manor, some people on the side of the road bow their heads, seemingly informed of Jakob’s departure, be it commoners or nobles. They are grateful for what he had done for them.

“Are you sure it was the best thing to do?” Mistress Mylene asks her wary husband, “Not telling him about ‘That’ would surely bite you in the future,” she added,

“I know but after hearing him talk as if it was the truth, I can’t tell him he is wrong,” he replied, “Despite who I am, sometimes, I’m a coward,”

Mylene looked at her husband in the eyes, and let out a sigh.

“Right. I forgot you’re that kind of a coward.” she mumbled,