*****
Sarah POV
'Today is the day!'
Posing in front of the mirror, I used my newest Skill [Fashion Sense] to choose the most beautiful outfit I could for the coming occasion. I was so giddy about it that I could barely sleep, but for such things, you have cosmetics!
I will receive my Legacy, and it will hopefully be a good one! It should be since I even finished two tests till today. The only thing that sours me is Alex's statement, which I mumbled under my breath and blew a raspberry, "Per literature, the rarity says nothing about how good something is bla bla bla thbppthpt!"
He was so cute for a couple of months when he couldn't or could barely speak. Now, all he does is correct me or play with his stupid Spells.
However, what will it be? Uncommon or Rare? Will I get the Leonandra bloodline or something different? It will definitely not be something akin to Narsiz one... I hope.
I can't stand all the learning... avoiding my teacher was hard enough, but if I get some legacy where I literally need to stay the whole day cooped up inside some office like my brothers, 'There is no way I can do it.'
A shiver ran down my spine, even thinking about such a thing.
From the side came a worried voice, "Ms. Sarah? How about this one?"
One of my Maids was holding a pastel-colored summer dress. It looked simple but colorful. I like it! Why? Just because!
Do I need a reason for everything? I am not Alex, who tries to untangle the world's mysteries, or Narsi, like some addict glued to his notes, resolving bureaucratic problems. All I want is a decent legacy to help my family out, and I don't even care about the heir position and would not rather have it.
Management and Administration are tedious. Leading others is boring.
I exhaled slightly, thinking how, if Mama could listen to my thoughts, she would instantly panic, as having an unmotivated child like me is probably an affront to the talents I received.
Well, I like stuff like fighting. It is where all my instincts do my job for me, and I feel excitement while doing it. Everything else is... meh.
Also, considering all the networking... I had enough with my only party for children of Nobles. It was strenuous. All the deceit, lying, manipulation... why not just fight it out?
I get now why Papa didn't take over the Administration as a Lord and gave all the power to Mama.
I shrugged inwardly, 'not my problem, Alex will take over for sure, so I don't need to hassle over this stuff.'
My maid came over and helped me put all my things on, but the last thing I put on myself was the ribbon.
It was not a silk one like Narsi's or a Linen one like Lori's but one out of cotton, beautifully made, with little streaks of color.
I needed to fight for it since they are usually purely white, but I hate it since they look dull. In the end, Mama gave up and let me do it.
Looking into the mirror, I swang left and right while I heard from the side my maid praising me, "Miss, you look magnificent!"
Turning towards Rosa, I smiled and nodded, "Hm!"
...
...
...
Standing inside the ceremonial room for my Legacy, I was happy and sad at the same time because Papa was not here, 'Can't be helped... at least he visited before, and I spent a lot of time with him.'
Standing on the platform, I was looking at my family. Lori, Narsi, Alex, and the new puppy, Janina.
Mama was delighted when she was born since she was "normal."
There was nothing unusual, no accidents or anything which would set us into a panic. Alex was especially fond of her since he tried to talk with the puppy in, what he called, Elven language. However, Mama luckily stopped and reprimanded him because it looked like some of his experiments.
Suddenly the Legacy started, and the starry sky emerged, which was seen over my head. The warmth everyone described went through my body, but it didn't end there as I felt how my eyes started burning and some glow was in front of me till it was so strong that I needed to close them, which didn't help.
Holding my eyes, I cried out, "What is this?!"
My eyes were burning, and the glow was like I had the sun in front of me.
I could hear how everyone suddenly panicked, except Mama, who yelled, "Silence!"
It was over after some time, and I opened my eyes and looked at everyone. but all of them stared at me, and I could only hear Alex say something, "Holy shit."
I didn't know what was happening until Mama looked more intensely at me, "Your eyes changed..."
I wanted to run towards a mirror in a panic, but Alex suddenly created a flat water surface, "Here you go, my hearty sister, hehe."
Narsi slapped Alex behind his head, "Don't talk like that to your sister."
Ignoring both of them, I went towards the water and saw that instead of my normal round pupils, they had the form of... hearts?!
I felt a hand on my head and heard Mama's voice, "Don't worry. It is rare, but Legacies sometimes come with physical changes. What does your window say?"
Yes right! My Window! I opened it instantly!
[https://raw.githubusercontent.com/kiruschka/kiruschka.github.io/main/Chapter_16_Sarah_1.svg]
My ears rang, and I could not believe that I had Mystic skills of such rarity, but I was quickly brought out of my stupor by Alex's loud laughter, "Hahaha!"
Lori was annoyed by him, "Why are you laughing? She has unique Mystic skills, something like..."
Alex broke down and laughed his heart out, "Sorry... pffff... look at the names, haha!"
Names? Right, I only looked at the ranks... Bulwark of... love? Pain is my lover?
What the hell are these names!
Looking at my siblings, Alex was laughing, but Narsi frowned and tried to stop him, Lori was facepalming, but I could see a slight smile.
An angry scream resounded through the hall, "ALL OF YOU STOP! YOUR SISTER GOT AN INCREDIBLE LEGACY!"
Narsi and Lori stopped, but Alex didn't, "I am sorry. Sarah, you are incredible even without any Legacy, which is also fantastic. I am just laughing about the names, sorry about that - you can probably laugh at me in a couple of years, right?"
I suddenly started laughing, "It is true, haha."
The Lady, my Mama, came up to me and nodded, wanting to continue the ceremony. Her solemn but serious voice resounded loudly, fitting her exquisite exterior ceremonial armor, which was beautifully engraved with our emblem.
Holding onto the ribbon, she declared, "Today, Sarah M. Leonandra will be declared an Adult, walk by the graces of nobility, and don't disgrace your ancestors. Be prideful but humble, have an iron will but have mercy, be a Leonandra and be sure of this!"
She opened the ribbon, declaring me an adult.
*****
{Months after Sarah's Legacy}
Ocilia POV
Today is the day... I will become an adult. The last one and half years were insane.
My family went through a calamity and came out somewhat fine. I gained many skills and levels that I would be considered a prodigy.
My Legacy is today, and I will at least know what my future will hold.
To prepare for this, I trained my thread skills in every way possible because Master somehow thought they would be invaluable, and I agreed with him after getting much better at them.
[Sewing], [Knitting], [Puppeteering], [Thread Creation] and [Thread Arts]. My hands bled as my Mana and concentration were constantly drained, but I continued studying and training.
But even though it was a joyous day, it was awkward...
Sitting at the dinner table was Master. I invited him to my Legacy but thought he would decline because... it is the norm to ask their Master, but it is also customary that he refuses... which he didn't...
Master played with my siblings, explaining some natural phenomenon, "So, look, you little hatchlings, ice is floating on top of the water because of its density. Density means on how..."
While explaining, ice cubes suddenly appeared and plopped into his water.
He told me it has something to do with the water in the air and how he only needed to get it really close together and take their heat away.
tap tap tap
Mom came suddenly in with a roasted boar, sweating and smiling.
Despite her smile, she was actually in days before and probably right now in panic when she heard that Master would come to my Legacy and yelled at Dad to go to the market and buy the best stuff they had.
I told them that Master eats whatever you give him, like some of the trash slimes we read about, but Mom insisted on getting the best food. Also, reprimanded me for thinking about him like this.
While putting the boar on the dinner table, she focused on him instead of me, 'This is weird...'
Did you know this story is from Royal Road? Read the official version for free and support the author.
Her voice was slightly worried, "Mr. Alexander, is everything fine?"
He nodded while playing with the ice and my siblings, "Don't worry, I am fine."
She looked towards Maurice, who was leaning at a wall and frowning, "Maurice? Is something wrong?"
He shook his head, "Yeah and no, I checked all the food and ingredients already, so it should be..."
Alex interrupted him while waving his hand, "Maurice, calm down. Everything is fine. Just sit down and eat."
He looked around, especially at my Dad, before answering, "Hm... I can't, Mr. Alexander..."
Master suddenly started a fight with his protector, "Oh, cmon! Don't be such a..."
This was also going on... his protector was here, but I don't think that Master needs one, to be honest. However, the Lady was especially careful because of what happened with Lepto, who was now banned from the Estate.
Thus, Maurice needed to look after him, but after some sparring sessions I watched where he fought with Master, it would not be exaggerated to say that they both are equally strong.
I decided to start my fighting training only after my Legacy. As of right now, I have barely any time for anything.
clank
Mom came in again with much more food which smelled fantastic, 'I should invite Master more often...'
...
...
...
Suddenly while eating, the starry sky over me opened up! I totally forgot the time, and I felt a warmth overcome me...
Opening my window without hesitation, I saw my Divinity Line and Mystic Skills... they had strange names...
[https://raw.githubusercontent.com/kiruschka/kiruschka.github.io/main/Chapter_16_Ocilia_2.svg]
But I also forgot about everyone else and closed it instantly in panic.
Observing the room, I saw how my parents looked at me, probably surprised by my level, skills, and the rarity of my Mystic skills.
A solemn voice interrupted the silence, "Not bad, you improved a lot."
I saw how Master winked at me and kept on eating like it was nothing special, 'How can you comment my window with "not bad"...'
Mom was flabbergasted as she asked him, "Mr. Alexander, what do you mean with "not bad"?"
He nonchalantly answered with a giant piece of boar meat in his mouth, not minding his manners at all, "Bweel, bwad do bwuu bmean?"
My Dad had the same expression as Mom and quickly talked to her, so she could translate, "My husband asks what is wrong with her levels or skills?"
My siblings also saw my window and had the same face as my parents, full of disbelief which filled me with pride, but after Master gave his opinion, all of their faces scrunched up. Probably thinking that something was wrong with me.
Master gulped the meat down and cleaned his mouth before replying, "You see, she is on the level of a prodigy for all others, but I expect much more from her."
Mom immediately wanted to know what he meant, "...more?!"
Master nodded, "She was now only for one and half a year, my apprentice, and look how far she came. What will happen in five or ten years?"
Suddenly I got what he meant, and my parents, too, as they stared at me and back at Master, "Mr. Alexander, we are really thankful for you teaching Lia!"
He took another bite, "Bsure, by the bway, the bmeat bis bdelicious!"
*****
{Months after Ocilia's Legacy}
Alexander POV
Waking up, I expected not my usual ceiling, but it was also not my everyday classroom plastered with advertisements for diabetes and childhood obesity.
It was now a more "normal" one, but not from any country where I went to school.
Observing myself, I was wearing some weird school uniform, which was very excessively designed. My collar and tie had delicate patterns, and the insignia on my left chest was also odd. It was golden with a griffin on it, with this I thought that I had landed in the UK but with a glance at my shoes and I didn't know where I was since they were blue and white and which looked cheap, like they were made out of plastic, 'What a weird uniform...'
As I observed the classroom, I realized that I wasn't sitting at the front anymore but in the third row beside the window.
But before the teacher arrived, I inspected all my other classmates, '...holy shit, they look like hookers.'
The school uniform made for girls was awful. It was very tight and body-fitting, while they also were wearing really short mini-skirts, 'This is really not appropriate...'
I glanced at the girls trying to figure out if I knew them.
After a moment, I didn't seem to recognize them, but I was stunned by how they looked, some were as beautiful as models, and others looked like 10-year-old children. Also, a variety of hair colors was seen on their heads, which you would only see at raver parties.
I remember what girls in high school looked like, and they were not even close to what is displayed here, 'Yeah, this is not reality.'
The same applied to the guys.
Half of the guys looked terrific, like some models, but also had some weird accessories akin to what emos wear. The other half looked like fourth-graders too.
I perceived that someone was staring at me, so I turned around, and it was a Wolf-girl. I could instantly identify her by the smell.
She had light-brown hair and a small maroon-colored bag around her neck.
As I looked into her eyes, she immediately looked away and pouted, "Just a pup, never mind."
My glance became more serious, "Yeah, fuck you too."
She looked at me with a smile, showing her fangs, "Oh, I knew that men were stupid and jealous, but..."
clank
tap tap tap
Interrupting my conversation and coming in was the same teacher I knew. Still, this time she looked not like a plastic doll, but like a human with one... let's say two significant differences and a giant cleavage, 'Goddammit, why can't it be some normal-looking teacher... I miss my old school...'
As she walked toward the blackboard, all the other students sat down silently.
She looked around till she spotted me and pointed towards me, "Welcome back, and congratulations on your Level 50 test!"
Everyone in the room became loud.
"What a drag. Good luck."
"Don't give up, or you will regret it!"
"Time never comes back once it's gone. Give your best!"
I frowned slightly and didn't overthink it as I was encouraged by my classmates.
After it became somewhat silent again, I heard her talk again in an annoying high-pitched voice, "Come with me, your test will be in the Auditorium."
...
tap tap tap
Walking beside her, I sometimes looked out of the window and saw my world... Earth, 'This...'
I stopped and looked outside, thinking if I could go for a walk, 'I would kill for a coke right now...'
Her voice sounded from the side, "You can forget it. You know that the world is nothing more than an illusion made out of your memories."
I sighed and started walking again, "At least let me have my delusions."
Her laugh resounded through the hallway, "Hahahaha, you are such a weird pup, aren't you?"
...
...
...
Being inside the auditorium, she stared at her clipboard and supervised me, "Walk to the middle."
I was slightly confused, but nonetheless, I went to the middle when I heard her telling me what the test was about, "There are all around you guys with guns aiming at you, and you need to find them with your [Mana Sense] and avoid their bullets."
All right? What a weird test...
Before I was mentally prepared, her yell resounded through the auditorium, "START!"
Shit! Using Mana Sense to the max, I could see the first individual, resembling a human, pointing something at me.
I stepped back. Woosh.
A bullet flew before my face.
Heh, this will be ea... pack.
...
I woke suddenly up... "FUCK!"
...
...
...
A week later, I saw a similar sight. The classroom and the students didn't change, but someone was obviously starting to bully me.
I felt that someone grabbed my shoulder, not in a gentle way, though, and it was easy to make out the sarcasm dripping out of her, "Oh, hello there. Did you make it?"
I looked to the side and saw the Wolf-girl from the last time, but now she had a mischievous grin plastered over her face while squinting her blood-red eyes.
I tried to take her hand away, but her grip was on another level, and it was getting tighter and tighter.
clank
Luck was on my side as the teacher came in, so she stopped immediately and sat down, but I could see her stupid grin as she threw a look at me, 'At some point, I will make a nice bedside rug from your fur.'
I had no time to say something as teach pointed at me and signaled me to follow her.
...
Standing again in the auditorium, I avoided the first Mana bullet by jumping back and the second by sidestepping. I thought I could avoid the next one by moving preemptively.
I heard teach from the sidelines, "Bad idea, little pup!"
I turned my head while moving, "What do y..."
pack
...
As I woke up, I was fully drenched in sweat this time. I stood up and stomped on the floor like it killed my dog and swore like there was no tomorrow, "FUCKING SHIT ASS TEST! FUCK THIS!"
Melina came running in, asking me in a worried voice, "Is everything alright, Mr. Alexander?"
I looked at her and let all of my frustration out in a rant, "I failed the fucking level 50 test, fuck this teacher, fuck this test, FUCK EVERYONE! All of them are..."
It took 30 minutes for me to calm down while she stood there, clearly astounded by my flowery vocabulary.
...
...
...
Waking up inside the classroom, I automatically walked out, ignoring everyone as I was determined to make it this time.
As I was about to walk out, I heard the wolf-girl mocking me, "You can do it, little pup! Third time's the charm, right? Haha!"
I will definitely skin her at some point...
Walking out of the classroom, I slammed the door.
...
I avoided ten projectiles this time and knew now why I shouldn't jump preemptively since some of the gunmen were targeting certain places to avoid... cheating, I guess?
Being in thought, I noticed someone who appeared suddenly, which I couldn't avoid anymore.
I tried to make a shield, but I couldn't manipulate or condense any Mana...
pack
...
"DAMN IT!"
...
...
...
Jumping to and fro, I rolled once and jumped back instantly. I get my problem now. They want me to use Mana Sense in a radius and control it with more roughness than finesse.
I usually concentrate my Mana Sense on a point and examine it more thoroughly.
It was almost impossible to find a shortcut. The guys are never in the same position and appear randomly, and even how fast the projectiles fly changes from test to test.
There was no way to remember the patterns since there were none!
I saw how a blue-colored bullet was flying towards my face... well, shit.
pack
...
Waking up for whatever time after I failed, I wanted to rage but cursing out loud wasn't enough anymore... I wanted to break something precious..., "Where the fuck is Maurice? Time for some sparring!"
...
...
...
I slipped...
pack
...
"FUCK! MAURICE!"
...
...
...
pack
...
"Maurice!"
...
...
...
pack
...
...
...
pack
...
...
...
{After more fails}
Making a parkour roll forward, I stood up instantly. My sense of balance was all over the place, but I could ignore it if I relied on Mana Sense entirely.
I detected the absence of scents through their Mana with my sense of smell, but determining what direction they point was tricky but possible.
Their exhaling of breath could determine the direction since it also contained a minuscule amount of Mana which I could pick up my sense of smell. Their breath only implied the direction they were aiming at, but because all of them were holding their rifles in the same way, they were also exhaling breath in the same direction, and through this, I could calculate their aim.
Was this cheating? I don't care. I just want to pass this test!
I jumped to the side, dodging another two Mana bullets and standing still. I was on full alert, waiting for the appearance of more gunmen while watching the ones who were standing and aiming at my previous positions.
All of them suddenly disappeared.
Sweating like hell and enduring probably one of the worst headaches, I heard a voice from the sidelines, "Congrats! You did it!"
Turning my head, I wanted to rip her head from her body, "GO F..."
...
I woke up.
After a short moment, there was some euphoric feeling of realizing that I passed, so I opened my System Window immediataly,
[https://raw.githubusercontent.com/kiruschka/kiruschka.github.io/main/Chapter_16_Alexander_3.svg]
I did it! YES! Mana Sense was Level 51, and my overall level was 68.
I didn't speak with anyone about my progress since you would be considered a prodigy if you are level 25 at your Legacy.
So, what do you consider a child with a level of 68 before going through his Legacy?
Abnormal.
Weird.
A Monster.
History was never friendly towards "abnormal" people till the 20th century. Of course, there were notable exceptions, but I would rather not risk it too much since I don't know the culture of our territory.
Also, they already hiding me inside the Estate.
It was made known that I can use "Magic," with magic means Mana-specific skills. Hence, the risk of assassination is not low among other Nobles since having Mages/Scholars inside their Families was a big boom for their territory.
The rivalry between Nobles was not apparent, but everything was orchestrated through the back door, like assassinations. If there were any evidence of such things and they would be brought to Count Moorgrel, the one causing such things would quickly lose his/her head.
So doing it openly was a big no-no.
If it was made known that I also basically surpass some Tier 2 warriors in terms of level, the risk would certainly be unimaginable.
Is even this high of a level even "normal" worldwide? For my region, this seems abnormally high, but what about other ones? I shrugged inwardly since I didn't know and would probably not know for a long time.
What is annoying, though, is that at level 30, everything slows down considerably. I thought at first that it was because I suck at Math, well, at least at the university level.
But no, everything slows down considerably. Mana Sense was an exception because I could use it passively and improve it while using it.
With other things, it is impossible. How can I use Calculus passively and improve it on the side? Never mind, Calculus, real math is probably now on the plan, and I can barely remember anything, 'Are there a positive or a negative zero? Proof it... this will be hard.'
However, I passed my test, and I was mentally tired since I worked on my Mana Sense not only during the trial but outside and tried my best to improve it.
I remembered that teach said that the test at level 25 is a freebie, and it was not just a remark. Now, can I actually pass the other tests? What about level 75? No wonder some are stuck at some levels and can't do further tests before the current one is passed.
Trying to turn in my bead, I noticed that I was wet from all the sweat.
Throwing the problems back into my head, I went for a bath since I smelled terrible.