I looked into the mirror next to my bed, and a large blotchy blue mess of skin greeted me. The right side of my face had swollen twice its size, and there was a clear indent of finger marks across my pale blue-tinged skin.

Everything, everything, was too much: the blood, the smell, the blow. My breath started to hitch. I felt like I couldn't breathe.

No matter how much I gasped for breath, it seemed none came. I thought I was free from that life. Would they start this beating and killing on a regular basis? Would they torture me? Skin me alive? My thoughts became irrational, and my whole body shook uncontrollably.

"Breathe, slowly, in and out." A small voice cawed in my ear, and I felt a small wing on my back. Wait wing? But I did as I was told, and when I had gotten myself under control, I slowly turned around to see a fat black bird with shimmering golden eyes. It was a mixture of a raven and a magpie. Its plump self was silky and soft, its head round and too adorable for words. "What are you?" I said slowly, almost choking on the words.

The fat bird looked surprised when I addressed it and said, "I live around here, and you are making so much noise I was a little concerned; usually, you're as quiet as a millipede."

Then It squeaked a little to itself, "She can see me." Then, flitting around my head, slid from side to side, looking at me through shining, curious eyes.

Since I said nothing and stared, the bird said, "I have been watching you; you're the only fun thing in this dreary castle. Watching you jump into random pools was really funny!"

Unhindered by my silence, it chattered on and on like she hadn't talked to anyone in ages. "yada yada- do you want to learn wind magic?"

My ears perked up when she said that, and I finally said, "Yes, that would be nice."

"Wow, you finally said something! It would be fun to fly with another being. Plus, it's not that hard. You feel the wind and go swoosh."

I blinked my eyes; "I needed more direction than that."

[Learn wind magic yes/no]

I flinched at the sudden voice in my head and quickly hit yes. Immediately, I felt as if I could hear every move of breath, every twist of air that I inhaled and exhaled. Winding the strands of magic around my pale fingers. With a sudden burst of inspiration, I swung my fist through the air and used the strands to boost its power.

The speed and added momentum of the wind made my clumsy swing almost take my shoulder out of its socket. Now, that was cool. There was no way this was how the system worked. It was way too overpowered.

The birb's beak hung open, seemingly ready to eat a large worm. It twirling around and around, the bird finally said, "That was incredible; how did you even learn it that fast? I know! Why don't you make a contract with me? Then we both could escape from this place!"

I was still swinging my new wind arms, jabbing at the long arms of shadows under my window sill. "You're trapped in this place?" I said, "How come?"

Flying over to my bed and nestling into the middle of my pillow, it said, "I was taken from my home because the marquis wanted to harness the power of the great and almighty power of the magical ones! But I wouldn't make a contract with him 'cause he's stinky."

Dramatically, it threw up its glossy wings, making large shadows behind it. Then, with a sneeze of its little beak, it made a face, "Since I wouldn't make a contract with him, he chained me to this mansion with a restriction artifact until I decided I would make a contract.

It makes sure I can't leave, and no one can see me too, either." She looked downcast as she recounted her tale to me, then lifting a delicate clawed claw showed me almost translucent links of magical chain that connected it to something that snaked out the door and into darkness. "But! For some reason, you can see me, so if I make a contract with you, maybe I can leave!"

There wasn't really any reason for me not to; additionally, having someone talk to me without disdain, disgust, or anger was surprisingly nice. I nodded my head in agreement with the plan, and it began to get excited and whirred around the room like a small leaf storm.

"All you need to do is think that you want to make a contract with me, and presto, it should be done!"

Skeptically, I stared at its beaming gold eyes, "That easy?"

"It's not like you're summoning a demon; it's just a friendly agreement; both parties get something, so there's no need for blood binding!"

Makes sense, I thought, so I nodded again and closed my eyes, thinking over and over, "A contract with fat bird."

After a few seconds, I felt nothing change and opened my eyes.

"You're not supposed to feel a big difference," the bird said as if reading my mind. "But look, the chains are still here," it cawed dejectedly.

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Looking at the small chain, I grabbed it and used my body-hardening magic on my knee. I took the chain in both hands and slammed it hard against my knee.

I felt it tremble a little, but nothing happened. "What are you doing??" Screamed the bird beating its wings against my arm, "It's magic! Physical force won't work. You'll only hurt yourself!!!

Ignoring its cries, I kept at it, and after the fifth try, the chain crumbled in my fingers, and the bird who had stood with criticizing eyes opened its beak in astounded surprise, gaping at its fetterless foot. She shook her ankle carefully, then started to dance around, laughing and singing, then flew over and gave me a feathery hug. Although it couldn't really reach its tiny wings around my neck, it tried its best.

It was the first time someone had hugged me in years, and it warmed my heart.

"I'll show you how to use wind magic if it's the last thing I do!" It screamed in glee. "You are my savior. Let's get along from now on."

During the next six months of my house arrest, I learned the basics of wind magic. Fat bird's magic helped to strengthen my heart and lungs, supporting them to go beyond their capability and making my stamina reach leaps and bounds past anything I could do before. My plan of getting stronger was steadily growing. I would be ready to at least survive past my first week on the front lines. I had thought about running away since the first day I arrived at the manor.

However, from what the book said, the Marquis had lots of magical tools and money that he could use.

I bet that tracking down one child with no money and knowledge of where anything was would be simple. The blackbird, who told me its name was Jam, was with me almost every second of the day and would tell me stories of its hometown and the world outside. With Jam's company, six months flew past, and the day came when the marquis summoned me to him. I could guess what was coming, but instead of feeling dread, I found myself to be excited to leave and begin a new adventure.

Walking through the corridors of the castle manor, my steps echoed, and my heart pumped steadily.

I was pushed into a study that was rich with warm wood and beautiful stained-glass windows. But the eyes that I met were the opposite of the study and glared coldly and calculatingly at me. The voice of the marquis spoke and broke the strained silence, "You must be grateful for everything the family has given you." It was not a question but was an irrefutable fact because he had said it.

I nodded my head, keeping my eyes on the ground, daring only to glance up a couple of times, making myself give out a feeble and scared appearance.

"So, you would do anything to help the family?"

Again, a fact, not a question; I knew I was to only nod and go along with what he said. I nodded again, meek and obedient.

"I need help… You must go to war, as you know your older brother is sickly and cannot go. It will only be for a couple of months, and then we will come to take you back."

Wow, the lies he told were so… seamless. I would never have lived a few weeks, much less a month, on the frontline if I had been just a regular weak child.

Plus, I doubt even if I did, he would come to rescue me. Not that I cared, though. The child in this plotline must have been really nuts, who would go to war just because your family said so?

"Just remember your name for now is Raidriar, you are the second son of the house, Vale. It would be good not to disgrace the family name after all!"

Huh? I thought he wanted me to go so my older brother didn't have to. But wasn't the eldest son's name Edward? …. How foolish did this man think I was?

He dismissed me with a wave of my hand, and I bowed, bringing my body to a degree and backing slowly out, left eyes still on the ground.

It all happened so fast; my things were packed up, well, not my things, but boys' clothes and armor. A sword was given to me, even though I had never used one.

I was told nothing, no information, just the servants packing me up and tossing me out of the manor like garbage long since it was overdue. I was wondering how they would pass me off as his son when a magic artifact was pressed into my fingers.

The head butler told me to put it on and never take it off in any circumstance. Sliding on the cool metal ring, I almost screamed but bit my lips till they bled to stop them from leaving my throat. My face started to melt and mix, pulling my bones and stretching my skin into a face that was not my own. The pain of the transformation left me on my knees, panting.

Jam fluttered around me, worriedly nested in my hair, trying to relieve the pain with some sort of massage.

The butler looked at me with a little pity and gave me a mirror. My long silver locks that once fell glittering down to my waist had transformed into midnight black, cutting off into a common boy haircut at the ears.

My face shape had changed from a delicate oval face into a strong, sharp jawline that looked like a noble son. My crimson eyes were now dark green and arrogant, staring back at me with shock. I gingerly felt my new face with shaking fingers.

"No more dawdling; the carriage is waiting outside," the butler said and threw me some boys' clothes before escorting himself out. I struggled into the garments too rich and bright from what I usually wore.

Feeling better when I finally put on protective armor and tightened the leather over my chest. I was led to a waiting carriage, and just like that, I was sent off.

I glanced behind and not one person stood at the gate to see me off.