It's been weeks since the party, and right now we're done preparing our luggage that we had to bring with us for the travel that we're about to make. The reason why we're preparing is because we've received a message of invitation by the Thidolom academy to attend their school, regrettable that we didn't get invited as [Special Student].
Nerus Family was willingly to lend us a carriage to the academy. Of course they had an intention why they are willing, but they wouldn’t say what it is, althouUgh I had guess what that reason is.
Asking around about the academy took me quite an effort to summarized it, the reason is all the villager only heard story about it and never even attend it for its expensive tuition fee.
The information I gathered about the Thidolom Academy were:
- The Academy had two type of Department, one is about Magic Mastery Department (MMD) and the other was Knight Mastery Department (KMD). As like its name says, it teaches their respective lesson. Although rumors say that both departments had a deep antagonisms ever since it were made.
- Duels are encouraged by the academy, but killing and pillage are prohibited.
The other information I got were a bit omitted and exaggerated, but considered not related to the academy such as some students and faculty members were demons, and etc. Whether the information I gathered were true or not, I would soon find out after we arrived at the academy.
The next morning, the day we're about to leave the village. The carriage was of course waiting for us outside, luggage was already taken care of and the only thing that is missing was the passengers.
Leaving the house to a faraway place for the first time are really hard, not seeing for more than a year would really difficult to persevere for a young age, even I who had lived from my previous life couldn't be excluded from it. Getting in required a great amount of courage for us in such a young age, even so I did not show any hesitation quickly got in and waited for my twin sister to finish her goodbye to our dear mother, who's right now have a mild illness to this day.
On our travel, we encounter a lot of adventurers and merchants on our way. We even got a present from one of the adventurers that they had looted from one of the conquered dungeons, a [Bronze Ring] that grant the user a bit of magic defense, and a [Silver chain necklace] supply the user small amount of vitality.
I soon realized that not even one soaring on the sky, except from the birds and magic beasts. I had thought once trying to make wings for ourselves but I lack on equipment to use on making it, therefore I had to add it to one of my to-do list and try it later on.
§ § §
After long hours of travel, we finally arrived at the city of Qhytrone, full of lively people going here and there. At the end of city, on top of the hill is where one of the largest and produce a large excellent students, Thidolom Academy.
Although we just entered the city, straight of us, we could see the almost whole frame of the academy.
Zyneste sticking out her head off the window of the carriage and said excitingly, “Onii-sama, we finally arrived.”
“Yeah… the largest academy where a large quantity of excellent students are being produced every year, The Thidolom Academy.” Agreeing to her sister as he also gazed at the building on top of the hill.
Not noticing that we already arrived at the newly built mansion that was given to us couple by Ciallena. It is quite big for us and was told that the servants that are serving in this mansion are only ten servants, including those servants and still too big for us.
“I am the Head Steward, Jeircous. We are expecting of your arrival.” A middle-age beastman came and introduces himself to us, he claimed to be the head and manage the servants around the house.
Making his queue, the other row of servant behind him bowed and greeted us of our arrival. Our luggage was taken and we were given a quick tour around the mansion, as well as around it. Later he guided us to our room where we could have a rest before we would have our dinner with my fiancée.
“Haa… I never expect to have the same situation in this world as well… haa...”
Just like in his past life, he was also gotten an arrange marriage and was no way of cancelling for it was for the family business. But time pass by, he grew attach to my wife but never get himself to love her and also get her to love him. The thing is, political marriage are never said to be a good thing amongst the common people and as for people who had power, it's their weapon, a tool or perhaps use for their own personal gain.
Although I am still a nine years old brat, this sort of engagement could still put to a void if I play my card right, only if they haven't publicized about it. And maybe free myself from this ironic fate that I had myself into.
I immediately took off my clothes and changed to a new one, I ask one of the servant to ask where the study room is at. But instead she guided me to where is at. I had my time reading some of the collection that I found intrigus me, a full history of Thidolom Academy.
It said, the founder of the Thidolom Academy took its name after its master who is not but master in magic, in weapons as well. Although the master had passed away right after the academy has erected, two of his disciple and the founders, Jul Ghuence and Christ Flond.
Although they are master in both magic and weapon, Jul Ghuence preferred using huge sword almost the same size of herself because of her monstrous strength that could desimate an army of 100,000 elite soldiers by herself, and Christ Flond prefer using magic such as summoning Lightning Legionnaires are Calamitous magic thanks for his diligence effort in his research to compensate his sickly body of his.
But conflict amongst themselves slowly began to worse on their personal conflicts slowly involving their students on their matter. Until they were divided in two factions, one is the Magic Mastery Department and there is the Knight Mastery Department.
I continue to engulfed myself in my reading that I didn't notice Zyneste calling me until she closed the book that was reading.
"Onii-sama, please pay more attention those around you."
"Ah, sorry... I just found something that intriguing that had me lost in my reading."
"What is it about, Onii-sama?"
"Hmm... I'll tell you later about it, for now let us go have lunch. I am about to meet my partner today remember."
"... Alright, don't forget your promise."
I could only smile and said nothing as I watch her walk outside gleefully, I could only wonder what she is thinking. Shrugging off and went to the dinning room just to find myself the first person to arrive, I asked one of the maid, that is right now preparing the table and dishes, if my fiancee is really in the mansion and she just answered 'Yes'.
Finally, I just want to get over with this.
I waited and Zyneste finally arrived on her newly dress, then Jeircous came guiding another person behind him. A young girl close to my age, wearing a light silver dress with a taint of bit light orange limit up to her knee and unlike Dinfar who had dark brown colored hair, hers were chestnut colored with the length not lower than her shoulders.
"Good afternoon to you both, before we continue let have our lunch first. Don't want it to go cold, so please have a seat."
She gesture us to seat as well, as the servants already finished setting the dishes and stood still near the wall. She is now waiting for us to join her, refusing to start without us.
She looks harmless, but my instincts shout danger.
"Onii-sama?"
"Oh, its nothing. Come on let's go..."
Zyneste looked worried, but because I showed a small smile she then looked relief and went to our seat.
The dishes looked luxurious and seems to be high-quality ingredients, not easily found in the current region. Compared to what we have back at the village, this more delicious--
*THUD*
As soon as he heard something, he immediately looked for the source and found his sister lying unconscious on the table with the food half finished. In that instant, he immediately spit the food and notice her dish untouched.
"Don't worry, nothing wrong with her. We just drug her to sleep, after 4 hour she would soon regain conscious."
"So tell me, what is the reason for this? Why put drugged the foods."
As I try to interrogate her, my vision slowly began to blur and it looks to be the drug began to take its effect, just keep myself awake I had to stab my leg with fork just keep me awake.
I don't know what they will do, but I refuse to lie unconscious and have them done something thing to me.
After bandaging his leg with a piece of ripped cloth, and glare toward her. He also notice the the butler had left and came back along with a rack of different varieties of sword and dagger.
"So where were we... Do you remember about being told of our tradition? Well, in our tradition when a female of our house were courted, they must have a duel with one of the relative of our house to see I he had the strength to protect her. And if when he defeat the challenger, in a count of 30 sec and no one call for a challenge, he would given a permission to court... But..."
He stood there watching her as she gestured Jeicous and he brought close to him, then continued her explanation.
"But, because of I never knew or heard of you, but only rumors about your achievements such as defeating a two D-ranked monster which one of them were close to a C-rank with a single move effortlessly."
Such a exaggerated story... But the last part is partially true though...
"So I was told... But do you know about rumors, it can't be completely trusted, especially for your mysteriousness...
That is why I ask to have you do our tradition, I can't allow myself to be engaged to a complete stranger."
"... Seems negotiating is out of the question, who am I duelling with? Jeirous?"
I then took two weapon, a Katana and a Wakizaki, the edges are dull but it could be lethal for a master rank. I then place the dagger at my waist and point my Katana toward her and continued.
This content has been unlawfully taken from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.
"... Or maybe it's you I'm fighting with."
"And what make you say that?"
"Ever since I met you, my instinct kept telling me you're dangerous."
"Pfff... Bhwahahaha... To think my act was exposed because of that... Hahahaha... Alright, I have let you pick you would fight..."
From her laughter earlier suddenly changed to a most serious look, her aura suddenly change to a menacing kind.
"But, it seems that you already made your decision..."
She threw her utensils toward me as a throwing weapons, at that moment she took out a sword hidden behind her chair and started chanting wind magic as dodge. A strong gale blew through me and as soon it stop, she has already close the distance between us.
She swings her sword upwards swiftly and got graze at my left cheek from her attack, but it didn't stop there. Another strike aimed towards my right shoulder, left waist and finishing it off with a upper slash. Instead of just blocking her attack, I instead charged towards her and begin my counter.
As soon as she got hit, I then commence my attack in one breath.
Strike, swing, pierce, strike, strike, swing, pierce, strike..
At my last attack I then jumped back a few distance from her, destroying her pride as a swordswoman. My attack only left her clothes tattered and every single strike never left a wound on her body, showing her that I am more skilled than her while holding back almost 65% of my ability.
We both hold back, but I never said I would not toy with her. Suddenly behind her were as if began to erupt flames and as slowly looks toward me, she was enraged and care no less but her target.
She then dashed toward me using [Quick Steps], but her speed were somewhat close to Master's speed. If I ever hit with her attack at that speed, it would be lethal.
"Tch... I guess I had no choice..."
As the distance between the two quickly shorten, Zenlocke stab the sword to the ground as he wait for her to get close, soon he was in range, she attacked by slashing him horizontally followed by a ray of flames. She smiled as she strike were a success.
"Alright, that's enough. Thrysta, concede. You lost."
"H-How could have I-"
She soon realized thet there is a cold metal resting on her neck, she slowly turned her head around and found Zenlocke, who waa supposed to be in front of her, now at her rear holding a dagger near to her neck.
Zenlocke practice to master his illusion magic and it is now at most in
She couldn't move from she stood as she were frozen in time. Dropped her sword unconsciously and he slowly moved the dagger away from her neck, then threw it to the ground and went toward back to his sister. Carrying her out of the room without uttering a single word either of them all.
Thrysta, his fiancee only watched him walked out and after a few minutes he waa gone. Her feet gave in as she still stare toward the door where he exited. In her mind, she could be already dead if this were a fight to death.
§ § §
Zenlocke arrive to her room and placed her down to her bed, removing her unnecessary clothes only leaving her light clothes on and cover her with a blanket.
*KNOCK, KNOCK, KNOCK*
He didn't answered because the person from earlier, invited himself to come in. His a middle-age man with a well built body and a scar on his cheek. Brown hair with an emerald colored iris.
"I am sorry for the late introduction, I am Thrysta's father, Hector Nerus, also you to be father-in-law. You must be Zenlock Rudlith, and the young lady over there must be Zyneste, correct?"
"..."
"Please forgive my daughter for her action earlier, I am not aware that she would try to do this sort of action. In fact, when she found out that she gotten engaged, and were furious wanting to drive you away even it mean killing you.
Even so, I am thankful that you held back and even reduce her backlash."
In what his talking about was the last attack that Thrysta executed were not completely stable and if he didn't reduces the power that and forcefully feed in his mana, Thrysta would had destroys her mana pool or even result her lossing her life as it would feed in her lifeforce as a substitute.
After giving his thanks, he left for us have a rest from all that had happened. All of us needed a rest from this hectic day, meeting my fiancee and even had duel with her. Although all of her strikes were meant to kill me, I still don't dare hurt girl for no good reason.
The next day, Zyneste woke up not on a good mood and kept complaining for what they did, but I was able to calm her down after I told her of the promise we had and told her all of I learn and read.
"Neh, let go check the market. I want to check something-... Are alright, Zyn? You're kinda bit red..."
Zyneste woke up from her daze and replied back to me while looking in a different direction. Although she is not looking, I could still tell that her face were red pink. I believe that she is alright, but what worried me that she won't tell me what is wrong.
Shrugging it off, walked down the stairs to find Thrysta wearing a light dress as she stood next to door, annoyed as she waits for someone. And as soon she spotted us, snorted and turned around walking outside to follow us.
But before leaving, I had reminded them to stay close so no one got lost, after all we are new to this town and even though Thrysta refuse this idea she still walked close to us.
And in addition to that, I had casted an illusion magic that made the two of us in a form of a human. I've turned our hair completely in light blue and made our ears same as the human had, round ears. Witnessing the changes in us, Thrysta couldn't resist touching our ears, and surprisingly it felt round instead of being pointy.
Moving on to our trip, Zyneste and Thrysta were both excited and amazed to see a lot of jewelry and other accessories. I, on the other hand, tried to gather bit of information about the other nobles in this town, to know which or whom to avoid causing trouble.
What do I say, information is power. Whoever control even a trivial information, control the flow. Even rumors had it worths.
"GET BACK YOU FUCKING THIEF!!"
Hearing a sudden commotion, I looked around to find where it came from and found a child, holding an amulet, running from two grown adults, one is a bit fat while other lacking in fat. Ran toward the alley to outrun them, but got trapped in a dead end.
"Hand over the amulet if you don't want us reorganizing you face."
The boy shook his head while squeezing the amulet on his chest tightly. His leg were shaking as he step back slowly, and soon stop after he got close to the wall.
"Fucking, twerk... Hold him still..."
The fat guy charged towards the boy to grabbed hold of him, suddenly a bright light blinded them which stopped him from his track and aoon realize that the boy were nowhere to be found. Suddenly the bin behind them had crashed down and saw the boy running away.
"Shit... His getting away, after him!"
The two thugs continued chasing after him out of the alley and back to the crowded street.
In a few minutes after they had left, beside the wall something began to distorted and revealing two person standing still as he hold the boys mouth keeping him from speaking. But what actually happened, Zenlocke made a bright light before the fat guy get close to the boy, dash towards the boy and use one of his specialty to hide both of their presence, then made an illusion of the boy running toward the crowds.
"Now that they're gone... Mind telling me why they were after you?" he asked the small boy after releasing him.
But the boy said nothing as he only fearfully looked at him. Only just squeeze the amulet tightly refusing to speak, not even a single word of gratitude of him helping.
Although he saved him, but seeing the boy in this state wanting to get away from here, he changed his appearance as well as the amulet using an illusion magic. And let him go without prying into the boy's problem, but before he loss sight of him, he hear a faint voice saying "Thank you".
Leaving the alley and returning back to the two girl just to find himself get a few sermon from Thrysta for disappearing without a word, he could only resign and wait for his punishment, and it seems that from the start they already decided on what sort it would be.
The next day, one of our maid went out to pick up our uniforms that we would be wearing through the semester of our school year, our top had a black and white diagonally from bottom to top and as for our bottom trousers had a black colored with two white stripe in each side of our leg, for both the boys and girls, the only difference from the MMD and the KMD are the emblem at our right shoulder.
But in my case, my uniform looked feminine just like Zyneste's uniform but in a male version.
"This is got to be a joke, right?"
As retorts my side, both of them only grinned as they shook their heads in decline to replace it with a new set. So in the end, I was forced to use this custom uniform that the two had ordered for me, and lucky I'm an elf as well as her so it somehow fit me well.
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Sorry for the late... I had a problem connecting, as well as write a new chapter on my free time. If all of you ask why there is no full details of the MC's story before dying, is because I would be putting it as story of him or someone else perspective... As for the characters detail, I'll examine all of the characters and place it in a new thread.
Before I would continue, I'll be needing some help for their tier ranking... I already decided only 9 ranl and nothing more, but I'll be needing how to recognize them and what color designation for those rank.
Are you alright with my coding, a strap at their right shoulder in a rank of [White > Yellow > Orange > Red > Purple > Blue > Green > Grey > Black]
If you had any suggestions or errors to be correct, pls tell me.