Forcedius

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Two bouquet of flowers. 

Each for a grave. 

...

Zhou Huan looked dull and hollow as he mutters, "You too have died, Seroi." 

Looking at the side, he then said, "Merask...” Thinking of all times together, “I'll use your shield till death do me apart." 

Shaking his head, he then spoke to the sky, "Two of you are quite far away from home. Well, I too am also." 

He closed his eyes before saying, “This takes me back. Sad and unpleasant memories with some laughter.” 

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Many years back 

… 

… 

*Swish* The sound of a large bird gliding with speed. Very high above. 

The view witnessed by the bird was something it was accustomed with. 

But to us humans, it would be an unforgettable memory. 

Above a hill, lies a grand palace. Surrounded by large walls. Garrisoned with royal archers. Particularly trained to fend off mounted soldiers. 

In size wise, it would make the town Taesu look puny. 

In the middle lies countless living quarters of the noble family line. Blood relatives to the current living King. 

Inside one of those particular housing, through the corridor and into a certain room, you could find a young black-haired boy. Accompanied by two maids and his little female friend. 

He was currently playing with a young girl. Moving the doll on his hand and changing his voice to something silly. 

The youth felt joy when he could see his sister laugh happily. She asked him, "Older brother, why does first mother call you... Zhou Huan?" 

"My mother is from a far away land where culture and tradition is different. Since I'm her only son, and she misses home, she would occasionally call me by that." 

Zhou Huan's female friend then asks with a puzzled look, "My lord, what do you prefer then? Forcedius or that Kian like name?" 

"Of course, Forcedius." He replied nonchalantly. 

Hearing his answer made her bow slightly. 

The sister of Forcedius then turned to his friend before asking, "Cousin, I never inquired with our uncle before but do you have another name?" 

"Nothing like the prince Forcedius, my lady. It is just simply Quafilia d'Juile." 

"Wish I have a second name too." 

One of the maids nearby commented, "Your name is already perfect, my lady Katherine Loyl Drachen." 

Forcedius glared at the maid before snapping his fingers. Yelling out afterwards, "Guards, drag her out of here. Throw her to the dungeon and let her think what mistake she has done." 

"P-Please my lord! Forgive my insolence!" 

Katherine shook her head before replying, "Father says that people won't learn until they are punished." 

Forcedius watched as the pleading maid was moved out the room. 

Quafilia commented, "Will she be tortured?" 

Forcedius shook his head, "No, if the punishment was that severe, no one would be working for us." 

Little Katherine commented, "That maid is worried cause the rats down there are as big as cats. I personally testify this." 

Quafilia couldn't help but shiver from imagining those hairy creatures. 

A guard came in and said, "My lord, your new sword-trainer has arrived. He's currently waiting in the courtyard." 

"I'll be there as soon as possible." 

He then turned and bowed towards little Katherine. She did the same in return. 

Just so you know, Krehorian bow is quite complex. The right hand must be perfectly straight as it touches your chest. Your other must be cupped as if grasping water, just in front of your waist, underneath your right elbow. 

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Forcedius found his newly appointed instructor at the center of the courtyard. Underneath the finely woven canopy. 

Getting close, he finally could asses the new teacher. Seeing that the man was in an adventure get-up. Iron closed helmet, leather vest with chain-mail on top. Odd colored gauntlets. Normal pants with heavy boots. The most eye-catching part is the long two-handed sword on his side. Wrapped in a leather strap but the signs of runes etched on it could be seen. Or maybe it was his red-hair, which is not so common around there. 

He looked to be searching for someone and Forcedius already understood. He walked towards him with the pride of a nobleman. 

Approaching towards him, he coughed purposely. 

The instructor at first didn't notice him until Forcedius's cough was loud enough. 

Looking down, he asked the young Forcedius, "Have you seen any ladies around, little guy? I promise a shiny silver if you point the way." His Krehorian accent was rough. 

Forcedius turned speechless. He couldn't even process. 

One of the guards nearby then addressed, "Fool! You're currently speaking with the 8th prince of the kingdom! Instead of little guy, address him properly!" 

The man scratched the back of his head before saying jokingly, "Sorry, about that. So, you're my new student." 

Forcedius knitted his eyebrows, "Address me as 'my lord', every time you speak to me." 

"Aren't you going to be my student?" 

"Yes?" 

"What teacher would call his student, 'my lord?' " He asked with a stern look. 

"Ugh..." Forcedius then said, "I'll pardon you from calling me that then." 

"Hey look, you're a reasonable type of guy. And here I thought you'll be a spoiled noble pampered type of person." 

"I'll take that as a compliment." 

"So, this is my new student. Why do you require a master such as me?" 

Forcedius ignored his narcistic remark of himself, "Simple, I need to impress my father in the coming duel banquet." 

"Hoho, and how much time do you have?" 

"About a year's worth." 

"And you ever held a sword?" 

"Of course, I did. Though I never swung one that is made of metal..." 

"At least you're truthful. But sorry to break it to you, kid. But training you how to use a sword in that much time would only make you go through the basics." 

"I know, just teach me as much as possible." 

"I'll do something about it." His eyes then trailed towards a maid to the left. He then commented with fluent Krehorian accent, "That maid has an air of maturity and strictness. Well-developed andddddddddd... I'm coming." 

He then waltzes towards the maid. Forcedius was stunned before he snapped himself out of it. Asking, "What about my training!?" 

"Come back here after an hour, that's the time when lady sun is at her peak." 

Forcedius was taught about this type of person. They call them womanizers. 

He yelled back, "You didn't even introduce yourself!?" 

"Call me Feng then!" He replied enterically. 

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Opening the door, Forcedius found two teenagers who were waiting beside his sister's room. He was puzzled and so he went and asked, "Who might you two be?" 

The guy with brown hair didn't reply, and just kept looking up the ceiling. 

Though the blonde girl beside him happily replied, "We're lady Katherine's retainers." 

"Quite young for retainers." 

"She's our benefactor and we plan to repay this by being useful to her in combat. That's why I will study sorcery and my friend over here will go knight training." 

The door opened and lady Katherine exited, she then exclaimed, "Brother! I didn't expect you to be waiting." 

The blonde-haired girl felt a shiver before immediately forcing her friend to bow with her. She then apologized, "My lord, we didn't know. Please forgive us." 

Forcedius waved it off before he says, "I'm not wearing my royal clothing." 

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Katherine then commented, "You're growing soft brother." 

Forcedius exhaled before saying, "...Really?" 

"It's not a bad thing. As it fits you more." 

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"Never would I have guessed that the maid already has a child. Someone who is older than you even." He said before rubbing his goatee. 

"So... we can finall-" But unfortunately, Forcedius words were cut off by the energetic Fang, "But that just adds her attractiveness!" 

"If you want her so bad, I could arrange her to be your spouse!" 

"What fun would that be!" 

"Guhhh, how did you get recommended again?" 

"Are you starting to doubt my skill!?" 

"You know what that's a good idea, show me what you can do!" 

"Al right that's what I'll do!" 

Taking out his sword, he channeled some of his mana into the sword before a large surge of wind came of it. Light blue in color. A blinding light coming afterwards. 

Instead in awe, Forcedius was in fear. Cause where his instructor aimed at... was a statue of his father. 

The sheer amount of destruction power behind the blast caused the statue to break into millions of pieces. Leaving no traces except maybe the feet of the statue... 

Feng inhaled deeply before saying as he rubs his nose, "You see! I'm indeed powerful!" 

Forcedius face palmed. The sound of wings flapping could then be heard. 

Two small wyverns emerged with young women riding them. Wearing heavy armor and carrying a spear and tome on each hand. 

Those spears were pointed towards Fang as they ask, ""What happened here!?"" 

Apparently, they're twins. 

"Sorry for the inconvenience, Sol and Luna. This is an accident when my teacher was demonstrating his highly powerful technique." 

They both looked at Forcedius but didn't reply. Their eyes were particularly glued. 

Only after Forcedius ask again, they finally snapped out of it. One of them said, "He should pay for the statues' cost. We'll report it." 

Forcedius nodded before thanking them. 

Without giving any time to waste, they flew away with their wyvern. 

Feng asked, "Who were they? I never recalled younglings being able to tame wyverns." 

"They're the retainers of the first princess. Highly adept in both sorcery and spear. Causing corpses to pile in battlefield." 

"And they seem to be interested in you. Lucky man." 

Forcedius knitted his eyebrows, "Don't avert the topic! I still am displeased as to what you did!" 

"It's just a statue. I can definitely pay for it." 

"That statue costs at least twenty gold pieces!" 

"...Why so much?" Asked the pale man. 

"It has been imbued with the same stuff that covers knights' armors. Being resilient to magic. I'm more surprised that you could still wipe off almost every trace of it!" 

"Just gets to show how power-" 

"Zip-it." 

"Okay, let's just continue with training then...: 

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Forcedius meeting Merask and Seroi. 

Exiting out of his chamber, Forcedius found his retainers sitting down on a bench. Facing the large glass window. 

Two young men who seems to be under some sort of conversation. 

The older one, who had a large physique, looked to be lively. Forcedius even overheard him speak, "We met when I was look for ale in a bar, and made contact with her beautiful dance!" 

The younger one looked annoyed as he said, "And somehow an oaf like was able to capture the heart of one of the best dancers in Krehor." 

Forcedius was intrigued, he gone close and asked, "Might I get into the conversation?" 

His sudden words caused both of them to feel fear, before kneeling towards him with haste. 

""My lord!"" Both of them announced. 

Only after Forcedius gestured them to stand, is when they exchanged glances. 

Forcedius roll called their names. Starting with the younger one, "Merask" And then the older one, "Seroi." 

He then asked, "Is it true that one of my retainers has acquired a lover?" 

Seroi nodded rather shyly, "Yes, my lord." 

"That's good news, take a day-off tomorrow. Spend it with her." 

Seroi was quite surprised by his lord's generosity. 

"Now then, how's both of your training as a squire?" 

Merask boasted, "I'm still the best among my age, my lord." 

Forcedius complimented, "Good, keep it up." He then turned towards Seroi. A reply was given, "I... failed today's task, my lord" 

"What task?" 

"Sir Girefurd restrained a convicted criminal and asked me to chop of his head." He then continued after closing his eyes, "I couldn't pull myself in swinging the axe down. I deserve punishment, my lord." 

"It's not your fault but since you insist, your punishment is to strive harder in honing your skills." 

Seroi nodded, "Thank you again, my lord." 

"You two are dismissed." They both bowed before heading out. 

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With all his energy used, Forcedius kept on trying to run. Even if at the moment he looked like he was about to fall any time. 

After finishing countless laps around the courtyard, he finally finished and fell on the ground. 

Though his teacher, Feng, yelled towards him, "No one told you to rest. Get up and give me another lap." 

Gasping for air, he slowly got up before trying to run again. Thinking to himself, 'How is this related to swinging a damn sword!' 

After completing another lap and resting. He finally asked his teacher, "...How is ...this related to..." 

Before he could complete his sentence, Feng answered, "Stamina. A person without stamina is basically fodder." 

Forcedius nodded before vomiting out the food he ate. 

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"Wow, you got lots of herbs in here." Said Feng as he poke at a cylinder with a fish inside. 

"Please don't touch any of those that stuff. Act your age if possible." 

Fang then asks, "So, you're like the doctor of this place?" 

"No, I'm a royal herbalist. The doctor is somewhere else. Treating fatigue is one of my specialists." He said before pouring hot oil on the legs of Forcedius 

He then placed the beaker on the side before folding his sleeves. Massaging his legs afterwards. 

The moment he pressed his fingers, that's when the young Forcedius yelped in pain. 

"Is that oil effective? I could use some." 

"Focus in... paying the statue's price... before thinking about.... purchasing oil." Said Forcedius with an expression showing constant agony. 

Feng showed a wry smile. 

After the massage was done, Forcedius said, "Thank you, Reesh." 

"It's my job after all." He said with a smile. 

A knock was heard from the door of the room. The herbalist Reesh asked the person to enter. 

The person who entered was young girl, about Forcedius age. 

Green hair, freckles and a worried look. She walked went towards the Forcedius before asking, "Is everything alright, my Lord!? I heard that your teacher is a dangerous man!" 

Feng waved his hand, "I am dangerous indeed. Women should fear me as I'm partially an incubus!" 

His remark caused him to be kicked out the room by Reesh. 

Forcedius sighed before saying, "Quafilia, It's alright. I knew already beforehand that training would be rough. All the stories from my retainers taught me this." 

"My lord, you look like you're going to puke anytime now!" 

Smiling, Forcedius asked for a bucket. Reesh complied. 

Quafilia witness his awful state. Inciting her burning rage. 

She opened the box she was carrying before muttering, "I was saving this for Forcedius... but I have a better idea now." 

Taking a vial from a shelf, she gave a look at Reesh. He gave a nod as a sign of approval. 

He then placed drops of the vial on the cookies. 

Going out, spotting Feng. She went towards him. Offering her cookies. 

Feng found it touching as he picks up one. He even said, "Girl, you made this? Looks good. *Munch* Tastes also good!" 

Quafilia smiled, "Have more." 

After having his fill of cookies, Feng exclaimed, "Oh lord! My stomach feels like a drake running inside it!" He then rushed around looking for the toilet. 

Showing a grin, Quafilia thought, 'That should teach him.' 

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"What you have there?" 

"Eeek!?" Quafilia closed the book as fast as possible. Seeing that it was Forcidius, she commented, "My lord! Don't scare me like that! And why are you in my room?" 

"I told you stop calling me that long ago. Also, the door was open so I thought I could stop by..." 

"Even if I'm close to you, it doesn't mean you can casually waltz into a girl's room." 

"I'll keep that in mind. So, what's that book about?" 

"It's my diary. Self-explanatory." 

Forcedius tapped the desk, "Never knew you had a diary. Still wonder why people even make one." 

"Simple, so we can remember what we did every day. Not to mention future people knowing about us." 

"Mother said to me that you are truly dead when people forgotten you." 

Quafilia nodded. She then asked Zhou Huan, "Can you pick up that quill for me?" 

"This?" Since it was dark, he couldn't see properly as he picked up the quill. He then realized that his hand was stuck on the table. Trying his best to remove the hand but unfortunately it wouldn't budge. 

Turning to the green-haired lady, Forcedius exclaimed, "Quafilia...you..." 

"I wonder what would cousin Katherine feel when she knows that her half-brother is inside a girl's room?" She then revealed a grin. 

"Wait! Don't close the-" Before he could even complete his sentence, Quafilia locked the door behind her. Hugging her diary, she muttered, ‘I wish I could save that face of his. Great grandfather mentioned a tool of sort.’ 

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"So, there were you were! Wondered who could make such girlish scream!" 

"Tuiret! Help me get unstuck from this accursed table!" 

"First, answer me why are you inside Quafilia's room? A lord should know that visiting a girl's room without their permission will not end well." 

"I learnt my lesson already! Help me get unstuck from here!" 

"Tsk, tsk, it now all depends on the great sage Tuiret! To save the damsel in distress!" Riding an imaginary horse, he went to Forcedius before continuing, "Don't worry lady! I, Tuiret, am one of the finest knights in all Krehor!" Removing a stick from his pocket, he did a little tapping on the table before water came out of the stick. Washing away the sticky residue. 

Forcedius exclaimed as he held his hand up in the air, "I am free! Oh, how I miss this feeling!" 

"Tis but a fraction of my power. If needed in help again, scream not for someone but my name-" 

"Okay, enough with this play." 

"But... I was getting to the good part." The young boy pouted. 

"Anyhow, let's get out of here before I get ridiculed to death by sister." 

Moving out the room, and walking around the hallways, Forcedius asked his friend, "What were you doing anyways? Couldn't find you this past week." 

"I hunted a moon bear. Was a difficult battle." He then folded his sleeve to reveal numerous scratches on his arm." 

"Really? I can hardly believe you." Forcedius rolled his eyes. 

"It's the truth! I engaged in combat with one of the largest moon bear I've ever seen! Easily three times my size!" 

"And how did you best this beast?" 

Tapping his head, Tuiret replied, "With my head of course, I lead the beast to a trap I personally devised!" He then proudly puffed his chest while he laughs with arrogance. 

A butler came towards them while holding the rabbit’s ear, "Master Tuiret, where should I place the rabbit you have killed?" 

Instantly, the shoulder of Tuiret slacked. 

Forcedius then started laughing, "I knew this would occur! HAHAHAH!"