6 years ago, In the village of Rangpur a ten year old boy with light gold hair and deep green eyes were playing around with children near the seaport.
Hey Eryk “ It’s your turn to be the hunter again”
Eryk “ Why am I always the first one to get caught! Hmph alright you guys have a minute to scramble”
The bell tower started ringing and all the children’s started running towards the top of broken Lighthouse.
The incoming mercenary ships Named the Red Iron fleet belong to the Kingdom which helps in transporting goods across the nation.
This was the main source of income of the village. Most men joins the fleet when they turn 16.
“The fleets are returning let’s return home and tidy up” said one of the girl
“ Ya ya let’s return mom must be preparing too for dad’s return” replied another
The women’s braided their hair, put some make-up and dressed fashionably, men also wore there best clothes. When the ships were near the vicinity the people were getting restless to see there loved ones return.
Eryk “All though everyone was eagerly waiting but distress can be seen on their faces. It was known fact that there was always casualty on the ship but the village tradition was not to mourn for losses but to remember their memories with fondness.
Eryk was also eagerly waiting with his grandpa for his uncle. The leader of the Red Iron fleet Randall.
His grandpa was a very secretive and Ill mannered man. He didn’t like to interact much with other people. He was also the oldest person in the village with a narrow fame and wrinkled body , but the plan was very fit for his age.
Eryk “ Old Man what souvenirs are uncle going to bring for us “
Old Man “ You and your trash collection. Randy and his mates are home after six months of voyage to recuperate and spend time with there loved ones and all you can think about is your collection.”
Old man couldn’t help but scowl it was his trademark look.
Eryk “ That’s not true geezer, I have plenty of things to ask around. I think uncle might finally let me abroad his ship after all I have completed my knowledge about the basic geography, history and mathematics.”
Old man “ You are not yet of the age you have another 6 years left to leave the Island to pursue your stupid dreams Eryk”
Eryk “ It’s not stupid I want to visit the various corners of this world and meet all types of people and magical and fantastical beasts written in the books by father and mother”
Old man “ Your nincompoops parents look what they have done to you, filled your heads with those nonsense books and then they left you in my care. How an old man like me supposed to take care of a six year old menace who only knew how to cry, eat and wreck everything. At least the neighbors were kind enough to look after you.”
He drew the symbol of an eye on his left chest and silently prayed to The God of Fate for all his benevolence.
Finally, the ships docked and the sailors came out in droves meeting there loved ones.
Uncle Randall is an impressive middle-aged man with height over two meters, muscular build and his signature red hair with the red captain’s coat. He came out last meeting his gaze with the father and nephew and his lips slowly curled up.
Eryk “ Uncle seeing your creeping smile something nice must have happened?”
He is a man not known for his smile.
Randall “ Let’s talk when we return home, Guys listen up”
The surrounding immediately became silent.
He said “ For Six month we roamed this cursed waters to clean all the filthy pirates and the warmongering fleets of Malbeck and I am very pleased to say it’s another year without any losses. Nonetheless, there were many hardships and sleepless nights however it’s finally time to let loose and enjoy and thank The Mother of Luck for “Her” benevolence. ”
The cheer from the people around reverberated all around the village, Sailors taking out gifts for there families and friends.
The trio slowly started heading towards there the two story building standing on the east-side of the village.
After entering the house Eryk removed his jacket and started lighting up the gas lamps and coal for light and heat.
Old man and Uncle started talking about the voyage while Eryk started heating up the food containing cheese, bread, cured ham, soup and butter.
While handling out the plates and bowl Randall sensed Eryk gaze and fished out an antique gold coin from his pocket.
“Boy can you tell me what is this?” he asked
“ Isn’t it a Vintish gold coin used before the notes where introduced, Its not something unique” He replied
You might be reading a stolen copy. Visit Royal Road for the authentic version.
“ Eryk if it was so simple will I bring this out for you as a souvenir”
“ Then what is it “
“ I will get to that but first I have some good news to share. As you know we run a mercenary fleet, With the recent increasing of Steam Engine Ships more and more trade routes are being founded and secured by the five nations. Therefore, the Imperial are paying mercenary like us to find and secure more trade routes, Before any objections I have already talked with my crew and we have accepted the commission the rewards are very tempting, So I am going to leave the village for a very long time it may take years before I return, some ships will return with money and goods, However I won’t return before the adventure is over.”
Randall looked at the pair with fiery eyes of determination.
It took some time for the pair to calm down there emotion, knowing fully well once Randy makes a decision he doesn’t back down.
Old man “ This curse..d bloodline always looking for adventure, Hmm what am I going to say to your father after my death and return to the embrace of Mother.”
Eryk “ Isn’t it great uncle finally can go for his adventure, He has been waiting for a chance to strike big and this might be it”
“ So what benefits and reward are we gonna get”
Randall couldn’t help but smile, although he made the decision and was firm on it his family acknowledging his decision was still something he yearned for.
“ First our mercenary fleet has been acknowledged as Imperial Navy’s subsidiary fleet , we will be paid by the state, also I have also received a rank of Second Lieutenant from the commanding officer Sergeant Major Aaron Wright although temporary. Furthermore, If I can find a safe sea route to any of the nations then I will be officially promoted to Major General.”
“ Uncle which nation will you try to find a safe sea route for”
“Hmm I am planning to head out for the Republic of Liberty, all the current routes are filled with monsters, calamities and dangerous mysticism.
“ Eryk I need to clear many things to you , It is better if I show you”
Suddenly the Old Man yelled “ It’s not yet time for him know about this, I will not allow you to teach him become an Au… magician yet”
Randall in a deep calm voice “ relax uncle I am not going to teach him anything but show him a little magic trick. This is for the better as I know you will not tell him about this when he comes to age Eryk what do you know about magic?”
“ Magic is one of the five fundamental force of nature, it governs and influence all supernatural beings, it is the creator and the only force that governs Astral World.”
Randall “ How do we acquire this so called magic “
“Uncle why are you using vague terms. If it’s not called magic than what else tell me”
Randy “ Just give me the answer! Boy”
Okay Okay “ The best way for a human to acquire magic is to be an initiate at church, join a family or organization with ancestral bloodlines in them and you can also become a magician if you encounter supernatural beings or items with supernatural force in them such encounter are always dangerous and leads to danger but there are some lucky ones.
Uncle are we one of those family with an isn’t bloodline?
Old man “ Hmph you are not one of them”
“ So how can we become magician”
Eryk was holding a silver amulet around his neck and started contemplating.
The amulet was a family heirloom that belonged to his mother. It had carving of a dragon resting with his eyes closed. Uncle said It is a special heirloom.
Randall “ Eryk! Eryk! Eryk!!”
Eryk jolted up from his thoughts.
Randall “ Stop dreaming and pay attention. Now listen carefully what I am about to tell you it might seem unnatural but every living being can actually use magic its much more systematic not some abraca dabra bullshit that you are thinking , you will know about it in the future, Now you might think “ magic” might be very mysterious and magical but actually in big cities people actually know more about this than you think, the reason that you do not know much about this Is because it’s not publicized and the media is heavily controlled by the church, royal family and military. Furthermore, you have to promise me not to speak about this on non affiliated people. This is a very serious matter as telling them will only bring hardships on them. “
“Now where was I yes I think it’s finally time to show you a magic trick, why don’t you close your eyes and count up to 10”
“ Is this going to be trick ? I never saw or heard anything related to magic in our family What is he going to do in ten second?”
Randall “ No peeking “
Eryk started counting 1,2,3… and 10, Eryk opened his eyes and what he saw shocked him.
There where 10 uncle Randall around the living area watching Eryk like puppets while creeping wide smile was forming on their faces , He couldn’t help but feel dreadful about the situation.
“ What the fuck is going on? How is it possible? Is it an illusion ? Did uncle do something making me hallucinate? Or is it really magic?”
All the Randall suddenly started chuckling
And the rise of fear in Eryk’s heart was palpable in the surrounding, Eryk couldn’t contain the fear in his heart and closed his eyes to see if the horrish nightmare is gone.
Randall “ Calm down look they are gone”
Eryk looked and didn’t see any of the creepy lookalike puppets.
Then he started thinking “ Why did I get scared seeing the puppets, I was expecting fire manipulation, transforming in to a beast, projectiles, there is no way I would be scared of seeing some illusions am I a coward no way?.
Randall “ the dread you felt was something brought by my illusion no worries they are gone”.
Old Man “ look the poor boy is scared silly because of your antics. Eryk hear my warning it is better for you if you don’t try to learn about magic. It will bring horror and madness for the rest of your life. This is a warning as your Elder I am giving you and will always give you until you come of age, I am going to retire to my bed”
After some time when the surrounding calm down
Eryk thinking “ What just happened, Why is the Old Man so serious now? I remembered he looked so disinterested when I was beaten half to death by Mei for peeking”
Randall “ He is speaking the truth the thing you saw is just the tip of the iceberg, I personally won’t be able to teach you about the so called magic “
Eryk “ So who is gonna teach me grandpa? Or some one else?”
He took the gold coin back out from his pocket and handed it to Eryk.
“This may seem like a normal coin but it’s not when you turn 16 take this coin and go to the capital and find the University of Visdam before the month of January, there you will learn about the Aurar”
Eryk” So I have to wait till sixteen to learn magic why is age an requirement?”
“ Age is not a requirement”
“ Then why don’t you teach me, I can come with you on the voyage and you can teach me there”
“Trust me what I can teach you is very little and this coin is actually a life time opportunity, and beside this is my adventure taking a prepubescent child on the ship is no way to go”
All though uncle was smiling there was a hint of authority in his voice.
“ I will be here for two months and I will set some training for you on hand to hand combat, although the invention on gun and steam pressured rifles have made most of the cold weapon and hand combat obsolete, But for magician learning them will help you in the future and you will also have to read and learn textbooks on history, geography and maths. I will hand the gold coin to Old Man and he will pass it you when you turn sixteen”
Eryk couldn’t help but scowl on the proposition but he accepted the conditions.
Enough it’s time to cook some dinner and have some shut eyes. Tomorrow we will talk more about your future.
Eryk “ Six more years then and my adventure will officially kick-off, fuck that’s a very long time to go. ”