Hey (^_^)/

Here is chapter 12.5

it's Eden's pov

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"I don't want to spar with you! It's too much!"

My friend yells at me in the middle of our sparring. That is the last kid who's willing to spar with me. It's because I was trained by my father, an ex-knight from capital. Because of an injury, he quit his job and back to his hometown. That's how I was trained differently from the other kids.

"You have to fight honorably! Fair and square!"

My father would train me twice the normal kid's course with many different kinds of weapons, including hand-to-hand combat.

"You have to be able to use any kind of weapon! In any kind of situation!"

He sometimes brings me to hunt with him in the forest. Leaving me to deal with many kinds of low level animals. Still, it's too much for a kid my age.

"The best way to learn is by experience!"

At first, I thought my father's training is normal. The first time I spar with kids at my age, I think they are playing around with me. The blows are shallow and the movement is too dull.

"People who don't take things seriously would be defeated! You have to reach your utmost limit to grow stronger!"

Father always tell me so: when you show a little hesitation, your enemy will take that chance to turn the table. That's why I fight seriously and hurt my sparring partner.

They're weak.

I exceed kids around my age and reach intermediate level much faster. Even in intermediate level, my skill is better than other kids and no kids are able to spar with me anymore, that's why I usually spar with those much older.

Along the way, people in the village start to put their expectations on me. They say it's because my father used to be a knight, or because I'm a genius and such. As the words spread, my friends gradually grow apart from me, they would use polite speech when we meet and look at me with eyes full of expectation.

Every day has become a burden.

I have to fill their expectation not wanting them to be disappointed. My training gets harder and harder everyday. I just feel very tired. I don't even know why I do all training for, why do I have to get stronger.

I have lost my path.

One day, my mother isn't feeling well and so, we cancel our training to meet doctor Alba.

"Congratulations! You're getting another family member!"

I am stunned. My mother are getting another child. Father and mother look ecstatic.

"You're gonna be older brother! So make a good example for your future sibling, okay?"

My mother told me with her biggest smile. I don't know how to take it, I don't even remember what kind of face I made.

Another burden.

That's what I first thought. My anxiety just grows bigger, I'm afraid to disappoint my future sibling and I'm also worried about her or his future. What if she or he will experience the same heavy feeling as me and what if people compare the two of us, will I be hated?

The time just passes in flash and my sibling is born. It's a girl and we named her Rune.

Her body is smaller than I imagine. Since baby can't think yet, I would spend my free time with her and talk about all the things that burden me. Then, the more I spend my time with her, the more she reacts to my voice. She would frown her eyebrows and move slightly whenever I call her name.

She's incredibly cute!

Everyday I would make sure to spend my time with her. Poking her cheek, stroking her head slowly and calling her name. If I have a rough day, spending time with Rune would make me feel much better.

Then, that accident happens.

Rune suddenly has hard breathing and her finger grows cold. Doctor Alba said, there's a chance Rune caught some kind of disease, but he just doesn't know about it.

I was scared. I just stand and look at the small body of my little sister. For the first time in my life, I feel this powerless.

"It's not your fault"

Said my father seeing me not concentrated in our training.

".....but father, I can't help her. I can't do a thing for her! I'm powerless."

I speak with agony while my voice grows weaker. We all know how much important one's strength is for beastman and as Rune caught an unknown sickness, we won't know how things will end.

If she happens to unable to fight then she would be looked down by other people in the village. That's one of my greatest worries. Having Rune compared to her older brother and she starts to hate her brother because of it.

".....we never know what the future may hold. She might grow stronger than you."

I know father is trying to comforting me, but that's also one of my worry! Having her experience the burden I have now, all the unpleasant feeling, responsibility and pressure people put me into. As if he knows what I'm thinking, father continue his word.

"Listen here, if you worry about Rune, then just make sure nothing bad happens to her! If people talk badly about her, beat them up for good! If bad people or monster appear, beat them too. Rather than being worried about how your sister would think about you, just show her how much you love her, cherish her and make her proud. As long she knows you love her, she will love you too."

With gentle smile on his face, father gives me his last push.

"You're a great son, Eden. You're make a great brother."

With those last word on my head, I try to approach Rune as soon we back home. I was scared she'll dislike me, I'm afraid to hurt her. I'm just a kid who only know how to fight, I can't do anything when she need help, I'm powerless.

My fear grows bigger as our distance getting shorter. Right before my hand touch her body, I lost to my fear and withdraw my hand.

"....aa!"

With a small voice, something is pulling my finger. A small white hand gripping my index finger. A strong grip for a fragile hand. She didn't let my hand go as if she waiting for something.

Out of whim, I call her name.

"......R-rune"

The moment I call her name, she smiles. She smiles for the first time since she was born. As if a dam has broken, I could feel tears pouring down on my cheek. After that, once she learn how to crawl, she would crawl searching for me. Holding my hand not letting it go. It's almost like she trying to erase all of my anxiety, she would touch my cheek when I carry her and smile.

Since then, I promise myself to protect her, to make her proud.

One night, I told my father about my new determination. He smile at me and stroke my hair.

"That's great... from tomorrow, we will strengthen your swordsmanship! You need to be stronger!"

All of my skills exceed beginner level except my long sword skill. I like to use double short-swords more than long swords even when I'm hunting, that is why my basic sword skill is worse than average kids. My father often scold me for that and he train me personally in that part.

I train everyday, no longer feeling pressure by what people think about me.

I'm getting stronger to protect my sister.

That's the only matter. I would do anything to make her happy.

When she show an interest in a book, I would learn hard to read so I could read for her.

Rune learns how to read much faster than any kids. At the age of two, she often borrows some book from doctor Alba's house and have me teach her to read.

It's only a year more before she old enough to learn in the training ground. Rune looked very healthy as if the accident in the past never happen before. Doctor Alba says it might be alright to have Rune learn in the training ground.

I was very happy and plead to father for letting me to teach her the basic technique. I'm imagining how I would spend days with her hunting in the forest, how we would spar, and how she would ask my help.

That day, when I was sparring with father as usual, my mother run toward us in the panic. She found Rune fainted in living room.

Her face is pale, her hands cold, her heart beats very fast and she has a high fever. Doctor Alba told us it similar to mana exhaustion symptoms. But beastmen can't use any magic so it might be because of the sickness she have.

Rune didn't wake up for three days. And on each day, I never leave her side. I would hold her hand and make sure it's getting warmer. I give her my blanket so her body won't be cold. I wipe her sweat and compress a wet cloth to place on her forehead.

When she wakes up, I just cried.

That night, all of my fatigue for three days of endless sleep just catch up with me and I was out for a full day.

Father say it impossible to train Rune with her condition right now. It might need a more few years to have her health more stabilized for that.

As word goes around the village, some kids pick on her and I beat them up once I know they did.

One day, I just got back from training ground with my father. We saw some kids grouping on Rune.

"Just because you're Eden's little sister, don't you think you can act high and mighty! Eden is a genius and you're a shame for him, you know that?!"

"Yeah! You don't deserve to be his sister! He's tpo good for you!"

"You only leech his power! You're disturbing him!"

The thing I was scared of the most is having my sister hate me. And now in front of me, those kids just compared us. After hearing what they say, I hesitate a little. I afraid Rune will hate me because people compare us. I steel my self and start to take some steps. But father stops me. He smile at me and signaling me to look.

"You guys are just jealous because a person weaker than you has the same blood as him. So you guys won't have an excuse to your parents for your lazy act!"

I was stunned by how Rune talk.

"W-what did you just say?!"

"Listen here you lazy mongrel! My brother isn't genius, he's hard worker! If you can't see how much my brother works himself then you're not fit to say those things to me! Stop putting pressure on him!"

At those word, all of burden I have for the past years just gone. I feel relief that my sister understood me. I feel relief she didn't hate me.

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"Your sister's body maybe weak, but her spirit is stronger than anyone's."

My father simply smile while whispering to me.

"Y-you wretch!"

One of those kid tries to pull Rune's hair. I start to run toward her because thing starting look bad.

*SMACK*

My sister just slam a thick big book she carrying toward kid whose trying to pull her hair.

"I'm Eden's little sister, so what?! You guys can't do a thing about it!"

"Y-you!"

As some kids start to pick up some rocks, I speed up my pace and arrive in the right moment to stop them throwing those rock. Seeing my figure, those kids start to scatter as if they saw a ghost. I try to pursue them but Rune stopping me.

"They're just kids"

Said my little sister act like an adult. I just smile on how cute she acts. Of course I beat them up later without my sister knowing it. I beat them real good. I also tell everyone on the training ground, If they ever try to pick on my sister again, I would beat them death. People can call me siscon or whatever they want, I don't care as long as Rune is safe.

People say the strongest barrier is created from a magical bracelet made out of earth dragon's bone. Since I'm not strong enough to hunt one, a few weeks before the warrior ceremony, I made a bracelet made out of white shiny stone for Rune. A protection charm for her. I plan to give it for her once I get the highest points in the warrior ceremony. As I did, Rune is also giving me a present. It was a wooden pendant with a flower picture on it. I was happy beyond comparison knowing she made it to commemorate the day I become the best warrior for her.

As days goes by, somehow pendants made by my sister getting more popular in the village. Well, I did show it off to the other kids but it's also because Rune really have a good hands for crafting! Some kids ask for the same pendant as mine which is a very hateful thing to ask! But then she flatly refuse them saying that my pendant is special. In exchange, she will make a wooden bracelet and of course it's not free.

"Rune has a talent to become a merchant"

Says the adult. Rune is skilled and smart. She can do mental calculations very fast which usually can only be done by nobles or merchants. Those people who look down on Rune no longer have words to complain. I'm happy as no one dares to look down on her anymore, but I'm still worried because some kids are trying to getting near, her especially males.

I would set deadly glares or treate- I mean have a nice discussion with them. The only kid that still remains is Neit! That evil looking boy. Every time I want to talk to him, he uses his sister as a shield to run away! Coward!

Neit's older sister, Esta, is an odd girl. She seems always angry at me and talks curtly with me. But when I'm about to leave her to chase her brother, she would pull my shirt not letting go.

".....the training isn't finished, you can't just go like that"

As she said that, she would hold me back until the rest time over. They must have planned this over! I can't run from father's training or I will be scolded. But then, Rune's future is at risk! That kid might try to win Rune over! I'm only approving a guy stronger than me! And loving Rune much more than I do! That boy won't do!

I was thinking how to ditch father training when that kid suddenly came back. His face is pale as snow and he runs out of breath.

"...*gasp*...R-rune!...*gasp*....some humans kidnapped her!"

Everyone is in panic.

There are some rumours about a slave trader who is kidnapping children from the human continent. Ever since the death of the royal family from Darajuu kingdom, they say an illegal slave is at his peak. But, Darajuu kingdom is far from the beast continent border, no one would have thought they will kidnap children as far as another continent.

"Father, let me go now! I need to save Rune!"

I just urge my father to let me go.

"Don't be reckless! They might have more people with them. We can't just attack them!"

Said father as he goes to meet with the elder. I can't stop feeling anxious. What if they hurt her?! Rune must be really scared by now! About a couple minutes, father get back.

"There will be fifteen men in the rescue mission. start to preparing your weapon and food to night! We will depart tomorrow at dawn!"

I was angry at my father for not depart as soon as possible. And only bring fifteen men with him.

"There's a chance it's a trap to weaken our village's troops. We also don't know what our enemies is capable of or how many there are. That's why we choose the most agile people including you. If they have more people than we can handle, one of us can easily fall back and report. Now, prepare your stuff and sleep! We need to depart at dawn"

How could I sleep when I'm worried sick!

As I spend my sleepless night, we depart much faster than we planned. The people who in this mission mostly are young ones including Esta. We move fast as we track those outsiders' smell. Sometimes we have a hard time tracking them as the rain washes all of their scent or some monster obstructs us. Then, one night a massive smoke shows up. I have a very bad premonition about it. I just can't take it anymore and run leaving the other behind. Along with a big explosive sound, my anxiety just grow stronger.

And when we reach the source of the smoke. What I found pile of ash and black debris. It seems this place use to be a building. There are some crushed bone and figure of someones body. As I search around that place, I found Rune's bracelet pile up with other stuff. It's full of crack and burned.

My feet grew weak and my body shivered uncontrollably. Everything just grow blank.

"Eden! Look at this!"

One of the kid call me as they found some paper stuck at near by tree. There are many difficult word but I can see Rune's name in one of the list. They also write about Darajuu kingdom and about profit. And the last part there are name sign [Ranbert Dergon]. I don't want to believe that Rune is dead. But since every single dead body have their bones crushed, it's hard to know whenever they're child or an adult bone. And while Rune's bracelet is here, I can't smell a single scent of her getting out of this building.

Everyone is letting me to have my time alone at the burned building.

If only father would let us depart much faster!

If only that girl didn't hinder me from ditching father's training!

If only that kid didn't leave Rune alone!

If only those monsters didn't obstructs us!

Everything would be different!

......If only I was with her.....

I could feel tears running down on my cheek.

I was in agony

I promised to protect her and yet I can't

After all I have done, I still powerless. I'm a useless brother who keep blaming other for my weaknesses!

.......

Few weeks after that, I can't bring myself to do anything. All I do is walking around the village with blank eyes. People try to comfort me, but all their words just pass trough my head and I just keep walking ignoring them. When I walk aimlessly at the market, some merchant just yell pretty loud in anger.

"Yes! That Dergon guy, he just increased the taxes again!"

"Unbelievable! Does he think money grows on trees or something?!"

Dergon.....that name......I just remember that name from that piece of paper.

"Excuse me sir! That Dergon guy you just mention, is his full name Ranbert Dergon?"

"Huh? Yes! That bastard Ranbert Dergon"

"....he isn't dead?"

"Ha! I wish he's dead! That snobby guy isn't fit to be the king! Ever since the assassination of Darajuu's royal family, all other noble just coronated him as the king! He can't do things right I tell you! He keeps increasing the taxes! Illegal slavery everywhere, it's a mess!"

As I hear what those merchants told me, my blood boiled with anger. The guy, who causing Rune's death is still alive! What more, he living in luxury! Unforgivable!

"That's a very scary expression you have there"

Said my father holding his booze. He's been drinking ever since Rune's death. Walk toward him and throw all of his booze.

"I need you to teach me! Teach me everything you know!"

"W-why so sudden?"

"I have to get my revenge! That mongrel is still alive!"

Without asking, father already know who is the person I meant. With a serious face, he asks me.

"How much do you need to learn?"

"Enough to kill a king!"

And that's the start of my hellish training to become Almare knight.

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Thanks for the pr-ing from Tivanenk (^_^)/

S/he is currently writing new story 'Summoned to Be a Wife in Another World' and I really like the beginning of the story ( •  w  • )/

I really am grateful to Tivanenk for pr-ing for my chapters despite all of s/he busy time.

I'm not a really good at talking or writes things and tend to annoyed people without realising it. Sometimes what I want to says end up being interpret to a different meaning or making things worse. So, I'm want to apologize if I happen to done or write something wrong (• _ •)

And thanks for reading (^_^)/

I actually just learn how to upload a picture!

Wooo-hooo!

I actually draw pic of Eden...

《Correction, I only outlined the pic and coloring it..

The skecth actually done by my friend》

I just learn how to coloring using pencils color so don't judge me kay' (^_^)/

Spoiler :

http%3a%2f%2fi.imgur.com%2fiUEPgDE.jpg [http://i.imgur.com/iUEPgDE.jpg]

Shi-?! How did it end up that big?! How to make the pic smaller?