Chapter 3 - The start of a new friendship

"Boy's it's time to wake up, Breakfast is ready!" Emily yelled down the hallway

*yawn* my eyes feeling more heavy today then usual. I thought it would be a good idea to sneak into the study and read all night, now I'm paying the price.

Using maximum effort I slowly get out of bed, and slip on my usual daily clothes. Usually consisting of a white t-shirt and shorts, now that I look at my shoes it seems I'm due for a new pair soon. I've just about grown out of these ones, it's starting to get tight around the toes.

I head to the restroom, and splash my face with water to wake up. The way running water works in this world is fascinating, you engrave runes onto water crystals and embed them into the area you want running water. The same can be done with ovens and stoves by engraving fire crystals, it's very convenient with the lack of technology in this world.

"Coming mom!" I yell down the hallway, to let her know I'm awake

Breakfast was a simple soup with bread this morning. Looks to be a thick broth with potatoes and left over beef chunks. Even with it being simple, I can't say it isn't delicious. But my mom's always been an amazing cook, I cant remember her making something that has tasted bad.

"Thanks mom, this is amazing as always" Onyx replied scarfing down the soup greedily

"You flatter me too much son, now hurry up or you will be late for your first day at school" Emily's cheeks are blushed after receiving a compliment on her food

"Don't worry I wouldn't be late on my first day mom" I said proudly

Today is the first day I start school here in town, All the kids start when they reach the age of five. I'm just happy to finally meet people my age, I've been somewhat of a loner for the last few years. I just hope they will accept me, and not think I'm weird...

Before I head out for school, I quickly put my wooden sword in my belt. It's almost a habit to always have it on me, I never know when I'll get extra free time to train!

The walk isn't too far away, its about 15 minutes to get to town from our house. As I walk by the fields of wheat and potatoes, I take a mental note that my father ignored my suggestion. I recently tried to plea with him to add more variety, He just refuted me saying there isn't enough space on the estate to cultivate a new crop.

I will most likely have to do it on my own, If I want to get it done. There's a mini forest around our estate, covering all but the north side. Which is good for us, It gives us protection against other kingdoms, but also allows us to ride directly to the capital without having to go around the forest.

If I could just some how, cultivate a portion of this forest I will be able to increase our income. But I've been told that's a taboo, disrupting the forest will only lead to monsters leaving the forest and attacking the cities close by. As I ponder on this topic in my head, I reach the school to start my first day.

The buildings not too big, almost looks like a church with the way it's constructed. The building is longer then it is wide, and about 15 foot tall. The roof resembles a triangle, as it meets at a point. It's painted white, with a brown wood trim around the roof and windows. Overall it's not a bad looking building, I can already see all the kids of various ages pouring into the school.

I make my way inside, the desks all have names pre-written on them. I find my seat all the way in the front of the room, closest to the board. "Lord Onyx" was written on the name plate, I take my seat and bring out a sheet of paper and a pencil to start the day.

"Good morning class" The teacher said happily

"Good morning, Ms. Ellie" The class said in unison

I guess that's the name of my teacher for the next 8 years, She looks to be around forty years of age. Still has young facial features, but her hair is starting to grey from age. She's about five-foot-two average build for a woman her age, wearing what appears to be a sun dress colored white with yellow roses on it.

"Now before we start todays class, we have a new student everyone. Meet Lord Onyx, he just turned five today. Please treat him as you would any other student, status does not exist within the school house. With that said, play nice and try to all get along" Ellie quickly makes sure I know status means nothing here

"Uhm... pleasure to meet everyone!!" I said nervously and take a bow towards the class

*giggles* some of the student laugh at me being nervous

"Okay now take a seat Onyx, lets begin class. We will be doing basic math this morning, you will have a break in two hours to meet everyone"

As the time slowly passes by, feeling almost like an eternity it's finally time. I stand up, and follow the rest of the class to the field out back. Here we will have thirty minutes to play, and get all our energy out before the rest of the class.

I kind of expected it, but I didn't learn anything in that class. Partially due to me already knowing math at a much more advanced level in my past life, but reading every night in the study also further improved that.

As I'm walking out I hear someone call out to me, a very young feminine voice.

"Lord... No.. U-uhm Onyx, will you play with me?" Said a small girl around my age, her cheeks are blushed

"Oh... hello, what's your name?" Said Onyx hesitantly

"I'm Sophia! but... you can call Sophy its what my friends call me." Sophia said nervously, while fidgeting with the rim of her skirt.

"Pleasure to meet you Sophy! Would you like to spar?" Onyx exclaimed confidently while drawing his training sword

"Yes... wait... Nooo. You misunderstand me, I don't want to fight you Lord Onyx" Sophia said frantically

Onyx looks at Sophy confused, as to why she doesn't want to spar him. Isn't that what kids my age do? Oh no, am I being weird... Of course kids my age don't spar, Damnit Onyx use your brain.

"I'm sorry, you probably think I'm weird now don't you." Onyx said sadly while covering his face

"What... No I don't think you're weird. But you see I cant fight, I was just seeing if you wanted to run around and play with me." Sophia said shaking her hands to reassure Onyx

She doesn't think I'm weird now? .... Okay I made up my mind, I will befriend Sophia. If she can't fight, then I will fight for her. *Onyx looks at the sky as if swearing it to the Goddess*

"Sophy... Be my friend please!" Onyx yelled nervously at Sophia

"Yes... Shall we play now?" Sophia said nervously

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"Right, lets go..." Onyx pulls Sophia's hand and joins the other kids playing in the field.

{Pheww.. that was a close one} Sophia thought to herself, almost certain she had to fight the young Lord. But he seems to be a good person, I wouldn't mind being friends with him.

The time flew by for the remainder of the day. After they were all done playing outside, they came back in and was taught basic literature, and common etiquette for the remainder of the class.

As I go to walk home, Sophia runs up to me and grabs my arm. Almost pulling me away, I stop and look at her. Her eyes are full of determination, as she puffs out her cheeks trying to pull me.

"Uhm... Sophy can I help you?" Onyx visibly confused at Sophia's actions

"Walk me home please! I want to talk to you more Onyx" Sophia still puffing out her cheeks almost pouting

Hmm I don't think I have much choice here. I either follow her, or risk losing the only friend I've made so far.

"Okay you win, I will walk you home. Where do you live Sophy?"

"Not far about 10 minutes away from the school"

"Then leave it to me, to guard you the whole way" Onyx points his sword in front of him with confidence

"My hero, but you shouldn't be needing to fight Onyx" Sophia's cheeks start to blush

Sophia and me, walk casually toward her house getting to know each other. She seems to be the priests daughter, and has an affinity with holy magic but is only able to cast beginner spells like "Heal"

Hmmm If she's a healer, I shouldn't miss my chance. She will be invaluable in my future, I must get her on my side for when I leave this town and become an adventurer.

"Sophy, this is going to sound crazy. But will you train with me?" Onyx visibly sweating

"Onyx I told you before, I can't fight!" Sophia frantically explained

"You don't have to fight, just train your magic. While I train my sword, If you use heal on me while I train you will get stronger and so will I."

"Oh... I guess I can do that, when do you want to start?" Sophy accepted, not because she wants to train. But because she will be able to spend more time with Onyx.

What Onyx doesn't know, Is Sophia has grown up a loner as well. The neighborhood kids never played with her as she was the priests daughter. So when she saw Onyx in a similar situation, she had to become his friend. No one will understand her as well as Onyx, she just cant believe he's such a battle maniac.

"Now... We can start now please?" Onyx pulls out his sword and starts swinging at the air

"Huh... No I cant do it now, I apologize. I must get home before my father worries, I'll talk to my father if he agrees we can start tomorrow at mine or your house deal?"

"Okay deal Sophy, I can't wait!" Onyx smiles at Sophy and she blushes

After a little while walking, they reach Sophia's house. It's a little nicer then the neighboring homes, what's more noticeable is the fence around their property. It's about 4 foot tall, and is made up of a blackish wood but overall good quality.

"Well this is me, thank you for walking me home my hero" Sophia blushes and runs inside

Before Onyx gets a chance to respond she's almost inside, so he just waved at her back as she enters her home.

As Onyx was about to turn and leave, he saw someone staring at him from the window. That must be Sophia's dad, he looks kind but giving me the look of an overprotective father. I use Analyze on him before I turn to walk away.

Name: Godfrey

Race: Human

Age: 35

Level: 51

Health: 168

Mana: 215 Stamina: 61 Intelligence: 105 Strength: 60 Agility: 50 Luck: 20 Abilities: A: Magic Skills: B: Holy affinity, C: Speed reading, F:Knitting, E: Farming

As I'm looking at her fathers status screen, I cant help but think he must've been a great adventurer. He also has Holy affinity, so it would make sense on why Sophia has it as well. I just hope her father agrees to her training with me, even if I have to walk here every day to do so.

With that in mind, I start my walk back towards the our manor. I'm really starting to get use to this town, at first impression I thought run down and depressing. But the people here are so friendly and their energy is contagious.

I get waves and compliments everywhere I go, I'm sure some of it is to do with me being a Lord of this estate. But even if that is true, I cant help but smile at all the positivity.

I slowly make my way home, just taking in the fresh air and good vibes all around me. As I walk in my nose gets attacked my my moms dinner, I immediately start drooling.

"I'm home!" I yell as I open the door

"Well aren't you home a little late, dinner has been done for about 10 minutes now. Your food is on the dining table, please eat before it goes cold" Emily put her hands on her hips shaking her head

"He walked his girlfriend home today, I saw them leaving together after school" Jake said to mom teasingly

"I swear he's a lady's magnet, you should see him when we go into town" My dad said jokingly

"Thomas that's enough, you too jake. How was your day baby" My mom always sticks up for me, but now she's looking at me with overprotective eyes

"School was boring, but I made a new friend!" Onyx claimed proudly

"What's this friends name? and where did you meet them" my mom asked curiously

"Her name is Sophia but she likes to be called Sophy. I met her during play time at class."

"That's good son, Is she pretty?" asked my father jokingly

I never really thought about that, maybe I'm still too young to find girls attractive in that way. But she's got long platinum hair, and big blue eyes. I'm sure once we are old enough, she will probably steal my heart but we aren't there yet.

"I think she is, but I'm not sure yet." Said Onyx awkwardly

"Tom stop teasing him" said Emily

"I'm going to have to meet this girl, she cant be stealing my little brothers heart before me" said Sarah while laughing

Now that I think about it, Sarah really does love me. She always brings me snacks and water when I'm training, when I go back into town I should get her flowers to show my appreciation.

"Hahaha, knowing Onyx he probably tried to fight her with swords" Laughed Ricky

*giggle* my family laughs

"Well... about that. I kind of asked her to be my training partner, but she said she cant fight. But she can heal, So I wanted permission for us to train together... Please!" Asked Onyx with begging eyes

"I cant believe it, he actually did try to fight her..." said my mom with a shocked expression

"I don't mind, It will do you both good to get stronger. Just make sure you are home before dark" Thomas said assertively

"I don't mind either, just make sure to bring her around here sometime. I cant wait to meet Sophy" My mom said happily

"Damn... I should start training as well, or my little brother will surpass me..." jake said playing with his food

"I got bad news for you bro, he's already surpassed us. Have you not seen him training with that sword of his" Ricky said while looking at Onyx proudly

"Shut up! He's still a kid I have plenty of time to catch up, I'm just too busy at school is all. I have to study if I want to get into the Academy next year."

"Excuses, Excuses little brother. Our Onyx is just a prodigy, there is no need to compare yourself to him. He's simply a battle maniac" Sarah said while laughing

Me a battle maniac? I mean, I can see why they are thinking that. I train with the sword every day to exhaustion but I have yet to battle anything other then air. And since I haven't fought anything I'm still stuck at level 1, My stats haven't gone up other then stamina, strength and agility. But that does confirm my suspicion, physical training still matters in this world. It's true you can bypass that by simply levelling up, but nothing feels better then being rewarded for hard work.

Name: Onyx Quill Race: Human Age: 5 Level: 1 Health: 15 Mana: 10 Stamina: 20 Intelligence: 15 Strength: 15 Agility: 10 Luck: 10 Abilities: L: Mind of Perfection, EX: Gluttony Skills: D: Swordsmanship, C: Speed reading

My Swordsmanship and Speed reading have both ranked up. But unfortunately there was no bonus skills added to them this time. But you can't just get spoon fed abilities, then the hard work wouldn't be worth the struggle.

I wish I could level up soon, there has to be weak monsters around here somewhere. I've been hearing rumors of goblins roaming the outside of our estate, but I've been too chicken shit to actually try and fight one. Maybe a little more training and I'll have the resolve to test my skills against one, speaking of training I cant wait to train with Sophia. I wonder if she also thinks about me, but that's for another day. My eyes are getting heavy, as I slowly fall into a deep sleep. The only thing on my mind, Is getting stronger...