Chapter 10 - Promises of the future

My whole body is aching, all I can feel is pins and needles as I try to get out of bed. My mind is awake, but my body is telling me to lay back down.

Come on Onyx get up, you have to train! I yell internally at my body to co-operate.

The last month has been excruciatingly hard on me, as Master Chad has been relentless in training. Once he found out about Sophia's healing magic, he has decided for us to use iron swords instead of wood.

Even with the constant healing, as the scars add up so does the mental exhaustion from the unnecessary trauma to my body. Master Chad has not been pulling his punches, he cuts me down without the slightest bit of hesitation...

It's for my own good though, I need to feel this pain. Get use to it, perform in it, thrive in it. I need to accomplish this, If I am to protect those closest to me. Not every fight I get into will be as easy as they have been, Monsters are dumb. But when fighting another human, or intelligent being I need to be ready to sacrifice everything. So I grit my teeth, use my sword as a cane and make my way outside for training.

"Oh look who's finally up, are you ready for training?" Chad laughs at my poor state

I swear I'm going to beat you one of these days master, I can feel it. Every time we fight, I'm slowly closing the gap between disciple and master.

"Onyx! here let me heal you... You look terrible" Said Sophy as she runs to me with wet eyes

"Ahh... Sophy good morning, and good morning to you too Abby!" I said smiling while I hide the obvious pain I'm in.

"Good morning Master!" Abby replies while looking at me mischievously

"I thought I told you not to call me that Abby!" I yelled in frustration

"It is only fair, I dedicate my life to the man who saved me. Complain all you want, but you will forever be my master..." She said while giving me the puppy dog eyes

"Ugh fine, just call me Onyx tho... Master is weird Abby" I awkwardly refute her bold claim

"No can do Master" She sticks her tongue out at me then laughs

"All this young love is going to make me sick, grab your sword I cant stand to watch this" Chad said as he pointed his sword at me

Sophy has finished healing me, while my body feels lighter the mental exhaustion still looms over me.

My movements feel slow, my head is pounding. every attack I make is being effortlessly blocked as the damage continues to accumulate on my body

Master Chad has not held back ever since we picked up a real blade. I'm not sure what exactly he wishes to teach me, but this... I cant keep this up forever

"Master Chad, what exactly are we injuring each other for. I cant help but think it's unnecessary" I cried out loud

"Just bare through it, this will help you in many ways in your future." He replied giving no real reason as to why its beneficial

Just as I was about to continue complaining, I hear a loud explosion in the far side of the garden.

I quickly look and see Abby covered head to toe in silt. The low proficiency of her Fire Spirit magic has caused this to happen multiple times. She has trouble controlling the spirits around her, almost as if they are rejecting her.

"I... did it again" She kicks the ground in frustration

"I'm going to get washed up, I will see you later master" She waves and heads out the gate towards Sophia's house.

"haha see you later Abby, let me know if there's anything I can do to help!" I say trying to comfort her

While I'm watching her leave I end up falling on my back looking at the sky

"Huh" As I'm confused I hear Master Chad scolding me for being distracted

"Seriously kid, we aren't playing around. Why are you getting distracted so easily!" He is scolding me even more

"Oh right... Sorry master" I make my way back up to my feet and ready my sword.

This sparring session would continue for the rest of the evening with Sophy constantly healing the both of us.

After sparring we all ate together, and now I'm laying in bed looking at the ceiling thinking about my future.

Before I drift off, I take a look at my stats to see the progress I have made thus far.

Name: Onyx Quill Race: Human Age: 7 Level: 21 Health: 75 Mana: 70 Stamina: 105 Intelligence: 75 Strength: 105 Agility: 85 Luck: 70 Abilities: L: Mind of Perfection, EX: Gluttony, B: Extreme Strength Skills: B: Swordsmanship, B: Speed Reading, E: Dagger, F: Knitting, D: Unarmed

My stats has come a long ways ever since I started hunting the Goblins and Hobgoblins in the forest. While I admire my stats, I examine the skills I have obtained recently

Swordsmanship Rank: B Swordsmanship: Boost in slash damage, increased muscle memory of sword skills

Active skills:

- Multi Slash: Throw three swings in quick succession. If all land the third swing does 20% more damage

- Thrust: When thrusting the sword, do 20% more armor piercing

Passive skills:

- Swordsman: While holding a sword, get a 10% increase in agility and strength

Speed Reading Rank: B Speed Reading: Ability to perceive words at a faster pace.

Passive skills:

- Scholar: When reading books, retain information 20% more efficiently

Extreme Strength Rank: B When activated receive a 100% strength bonus. (12 hour cooldown)

I have only been hunting monsters for a little under a year, But I feel I have grown much much stronger. As I ponder this I cant help but lick my lips as I think about my power in the future.

For I am thankful master took his time to train me, I'm counting down the days that I inevitably outgrow him. I'm ready to head out on an adventure already, I need to get stronger. I need XP and I need to absorb more skills from monsters, even people if I deem them a threat to me and my future party.

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The thought of killing people for skills, I grimace as that's not something I wish to do. But I will not hesitate to forfeit their lives over mine and my friends, if whoever in the future wishes to test my resolve... I will be ready

As I continue to ponder in thought, I slowly slip into a deep sleep.

*Six months have passed*

"Well this is it huh brother" Ricky looks at me with his hand on my shoulder.

"It is brother, I wish you luck on your travels" I look at him with wet eyes.

"Hey now, don't give me that look... I will come to visit I promise, by the time you go to the Academy I will be a big shot noble. And I'll treat you to any restaurant in the city, my treat!" Ricky is glowing with confidence as he makes bold claims

"I will hold you too it... until we meet again" I run into Ricky's chest hugging him before he departs

With a bunch of goodbyes and waves, the carriage slowly fades into the distance... I just cant shake this feeling of déjà vu.

When you meet me again brother, I wont be a little kid no more... I wave goodbye then head to the garden to finish my training.

The training has been going every day, even on weekends. Nothing has really changed other then the intensity, I can feel me and master are both on the verge of breaking through to A rank Swordsmanship. If I had to guess, it'll be around 4-5 more months.

If all goes well, I will be an A rank Swordsman at the age of 7. This is unheard of according to master, who has been all over the world adventuring.

Where I do feel special to be told that, I can't let it get me complacent. I need to keep growing stronger, even if I am a one in a million.

As my level rises from hunting in the forests, I cant help but feel unsatisfied in training. It's most likely from the sudden jump in stamina, but even after training all day I cant help but feel like I can do more.

I'm no longer tired or sore after training, I feel like Master Chad has noticed this as his mood has been getting more and more sour in training.

I'm not trying to disrespect him, but it's just not cutting it for me. So I've been doing allot of night hunting in the forest, It was scary at first until I was blessed with a new skill one night while hunting.

Night vision Rank: F Ability to see in the dark. (This ability scales with the skills rank, the higher the rank the more clear you will see at night.)

Ever since obtaining night vision through repeated hunts at night, everything has gotten easier. I can see everything around me, making this much more efficient hunting grounds as monsters are more active at night.

After this sudden development, my level has been steadily increasing over the last month. Just killing Goblins and Hobgoblins I have reached level 30, I'm slowly noticing masters stat difference dissipate faster and faster.

I'm almost there, I still need to reach rank A Swordsmanship before I'm allowed to challenge Chad to an actual duel. That was his terms, after that if I beat him they will allow me to hunt on my own.

Even though I'm sneaking out hunting on my own anyways, I wish for their blessing so I no longer have to hide it. But what they don't know, wont hurt them. These low level monsters haven't landed so much as a scratch upon me.

There is another problem though, my future party members are all still level 1-2. This is not good, I wish to level them up but I will have to get permission first. And to do that, I have to defeat Chad. So you can see why I'm pushing myself extra hard, I no longer want to be help back by time restrictions.

I fully understand I'm only 6 years old, but I feel like I've already trained for a lifetime. And I got the skills to prove it...

As I'm wandering around at night, I happen to see three shadowy figures that don't resemble monsters at all...

I activate night vision and get into a tree to spy on these three figures.

They get closer, to where I can finally see the threes faces. One of them is a dwarf on the far right end, a Beast-kin resembling a cat, and a tall lanky human.

They are now right under me and they stop, I analyze them but to my surprise they are only around level 20 with the highest being the dwarf at 22.

"Do you remember the way Belle" The Dwarf asks the beast-kin

"Yes, just down this road is the Priests house. They are housing an Elf, all we have to do is sneak in and capture her. She will sell for a few gold piece, we are going to be rich!" The cat woman is jumping in excitement

"Just don't let your guard down Belle, the only thing better then money is living." Said the tall lanky guy

What am I hearing right now, my blood is boiling. I cant control my anger as I hear them talk about kidnapping Abby

My mind is racing, am I really about to commit my first murder on these three kidnappers. Can I even take the three on at the same time? No I cant....

I think of a way to thin them out into one on ones, I wouldn't mind two on one, just not three. That's too much even for me

"Rumor has it, the priests daughter also has healing magic. If the possibility is there, they will also sell for allot of gold. Maybe even more then the elf" Said the Dwarf as his eyes fill with greed.

That was the moment my vision went black, I completely lost my cool and launched an attack at the Dwarves throat.

*Shing* The group is caught off guard, with a sudden gust of wind there is now a child standing in front of them brandishing a crimson dyed sword.

"Hu... Fu....ck" The Dwarf realizing what just happened, barely squeezed out his last few words as his head rolled to the ground.

The group is in shock, the strongest of them was defeated in one blow. They are losing their will to live after witnessing the murder that took place

Onyx's eyes are fully Dilated, almost looking like his pupils are completely black. He is watching his prey intently, he has no more doubts on his abilities. His only goal is to kill these people who threaten his friends happiness

"It can't be helped Belle, we have to fight this child." Said the tall lanky man as he pulls out a katana from what seems like a void in space

"I guess so, poor kid I almost feel bad for him" The cat folk erects her claws and gets into a fighting stance

It kicks off, Belle was the first to attack coming at Onyx with unprecedented speed. This would have surely been enough, if Onyx wasn't levelling in the forest every day.

*Clink*

Belles claws connect with Onyx's sword, but that was short lived. As Onyx is now behind her, and her hands are on the ground in front of her. She is frozen in shock and fear...

"What just hap...." Onyx doesn't let her finish as he plunged his blade through her back puncturing her heart.

She spits up blood and looks at colleague

"R...un" She uttered before her eyes lost all life

The tall lanky man is now on his knees with his sword in front of him

"Please spare me, My name is Fredrick I will do anything you want. Just let me liv....." That was all he could say before his head landed in his lap

Onyx couldn't hear what the man was saying, all he can see is his prey. Everything sounds like white noise to him right now, as he is relying purely on instinct

After what felt like eternity Onyx finally came back to reality. Unsure of what he just done, he sees the mutilated bodies laid out in front of him

He murdered these people, even though they risked his friends life's he murdered them.

But he didn't feel sorry or sad for them, just pity... Why did they not value their lives, they came all this way to die a dogs death... "Idiots" Onyx murmured

While he was locked into a state of white noise, he did not notice he got 3 levels from executing them

He holds his hand in their direction as a grin appears on his face

"Gluttony"

They slowly turn into mana particles swirling around Onyx like a mini tornado, before slowly being vacuumed up into his hand.

*Ability acquired - A: Magic*

*Ability acquired - B: Precision*

*Skill acquired - C: Space affinity*

*Skill acquired - D: Blacksmith*

*Skill acquired - D: Enchanter*

*Skill upgraded - D -> C: Unarmed*

*Gulp* I look as the never ending popups appear in my mind. This has turned out to be a huge benefit to me, as I gain a few abilities and skills

The most noticeable ones are Magic and Space affinity, But I will wait till I get home to go over everything. First I need to check Sophia's house to make sure there isn't any more intruders planning to kidnap them.

Before Onyx left something glimmered in the moonlight catching his eye. As he walks over to it, he realized it was the lanky mans katana. It glistened a dark black hue almost calling Onyx to pick it up

The temptation is too large, Onyx puts his sword on his waste and grabs the glowing black Katana..

*Ouch* Something pricked the skin of Onyx as his hand starts bleeding, he noticed something frightening

The blood is being absorbed into the blade as the dark black aura and his blood swish around it turns into a dark crimson

*Blood bond complete* Onyx heard in his head

{Hello master, Please take care of me} A older feminine voice rang out in his head

Is he delusional right now? What is going on

"Uh... hello what are you"

{I am yours master, we are now bonded for life. I don't just choose anyone to wield me you know, while people may swing me around only those I choose can access my full potential}

"And the guy before me who wielded you?" Onyx asked curiously as he just murdered their old master

{They were unworthy, I would never let filth like that bond with me...} The sword shakes almost angrily by the claim

{By the way master, you can communicate me through your mind. We are now one, I hope you will find me helpful for your quest to power.}

{err... test.. test... Do you hear me?} Onyx said awkwardly

{Yes master, as I said we are one. As you grow, so will I so be sure to use me to your hearts content... If I'm ever damaged just run mana through me, I will repair myself} The sword shines bright red then goes completely black

{Understood, please take care of me} I'm still confused by this, but I cant help but trust the sword as our lives are now linked to each others.

{Yes... Goodnight master} I feel the sword lose all power, the bonding must've taken allot out of them

I put the katana on my left hip, and head for Sophia's house to check for intruders.

After scouting Sophia's house for what felt like hours, I deducted they are safe. there isn't anymore intruders coming tonight, So I start heading home.

Tomorrow I will need to go to the Adventurers guild to sell mana stones I have been collecting this week. Over the last couple months I accumulated some wealth, around 30 silver coins just through selling mana stones dropped by goblins.

I should probably stop by Brocks smithy and ask him about this sword, along with my newly obtained skills. I remember him having similar ones to the skills i absorbed last night, If I can start making my own gear I can roll the buffs on them as much as I like.

The thought fills me with excitement as I sneak into my window and lay down in bed

This has been an eventful night, what was originally just a regular goblin hunt has now turned into a life altering event.

I cant help but be excited for what's to come in the future, if I can make this much progress in under an hour.

I almost feel sorry for Master Chad, as I will surely beat him and head off to explore the world very soon...

{Sword do you have a name?} I ask curiously

{My name is for you to decide master} They answered back tiredly

{I shall call you Ember, since you glow crimson. Is that okay with you?} I ask awkwardly, naming things isn't my strong suit...

{It shall be so, I shall be called Ember from this day on} The sword said almost happily

{Well, Goodnight Ember}

{Goodnight Master}

..........