The aged, wooden bed groaned under Myrrin as he restlessly moved around. He was no longer in tattered clothing, his clothes outfitted for comfort over fashion. His clean face now featured a dashing youth with sharp,valiant eyes— a far cry from the state that he had arrived to The Capital in. It had been a few days since the battle, and Myrrin's boiling blood had mostly settled down. Arwin was impressed with Myrrin's skills and decided to employ Myrrin has a helping hand until he started school, doubling as a way to regain his physique. He let out the fifth sigh of the morning. Antebellum seemed to be missing after that fight, the only proof that he existed was the silver sword that continued to float in his dantian— which, upon closer examination, revealed fine cracks running along the blade. Myrrin rolled on his back, and held up a letter to his eyes. It was an admissions letter to High Castle in three months time, the very academy that the tower master was the founder of. After the fight the tower master had handed him this letter and dragged off the recruitment officer. Myrrin hadn't seen the both of em since.
He threw the letter on the nightstand and sat up, glancing over to the foot of his bed. Leaning on his bed frame was a training sword that Arwin had bought for him, letting Myrrin practice in his free time. Myrrin sighed yet another time, it had been a couple of days but he was unable to reach that feeling he had in his battle against Arnold. Although he was still able to recall the symbols "Nine Mountains, One Sword" perfectly clearly, he was unable to recreate the final attack. Although he was unsure, he had an inkling that the two were related.
"[Read Status]."
Myrrin recited the first zero circle spell he had learned from Arwin, allowing him to [Read] his [Ezark Contract]. This spell was special, the laws of the contract was used so the user's mana was unnecessary.
[Myrrin ]
Age: 13
0 Circle
Spirit: Fallen Soul Antebellum (SSS)
Compatibility: 1%
Myrrin stared at the contract status again to glean any useful information. He still didn't understand why he question marks in place of his family name. As for the rest of the contract status, according to Arwin, circles represented a spirits power, a circle would be added on his hand around his contract insignia, each circle a carefully crafted array designed to output spells of a higher level. Furthermore, each spirit was graded by the [Ezark Contract], going from F to SSS. The last category was the most mysterious to Myrrin, apparently influencing mana efficiency and communication between the host and spirit. Myrrin closed his contract, which was mostly useless to Myrrin at the moment. Incapable of relieving his frustration, Myrrin grabbed the training sword and headed out of the Inn he was staying at, jogging towards garden where he had set up a training dummy.
…
"Sir, the tower master has decided to take the kid under his wing, keeping several hidden guards posted around him at all times. It is best if we wait for the security to grow lax."
A masked figure kneeled and spoke clearly to silver haired figure sitting behind a large, wooden desk. The silver haired man slammed his fists on the table, a sizable chunk disintegrating briefly afterwards.
"He just got his [Ezark Contract], how did he get the tower master's attention?"
"Sources say he displayed great talent against another youth, the tower master probably saw thing in him."
"That only confirms our reports… you have permission to do any means necessary to finish your job."
"Understood."
The silver-haired man sighed and drank a glass of wine as he slunk back into his chair. Although he didn't realize it yet, in the future, this moment was the the start of large waves in The Capital.
…
WHACK!
WHACK!
Myrrin repeatedly hit the training dummy, his body was slick with sweat under the sunny sky. Although Myrrin's attacks were a bit clumsy, each blow was heavy and unrestrained. After a couple more blows he stopped, panting laboriously with his hands on his knees. He stopped to take a drink of water when he noticed a heavy-set man running towards his way. Myrrin was slightly tense, mostly hoping it was a man exercising and losing weight. Just before the man's countenance was clear enough to see, the man slumped to the ground.
"Shit!"
Myrrin cursed in fright and began running towards the man. When he flipped the man over to check his pulse, Myrrin gasped. It was his money-grubbing uncle that had exiled from his hometown. Myrrin's emotions from that time bubbled up, but ultimately was convoluted by his sudden appearance and collapse. When he checked his uncles pulse, he could still feel a heartbeat, albeit getting fainter.
Although Myrrin's frame had gotten better these past few days, there was a limit to the improvement one could show in just a couple days. With great effort, Myrrin brought his uncle to Arwin's room, tapping sharply to transmit an emergency to the other side. Arwin opened the door immediately, and saw the slumping body on Myrrin's back.
"Whats wr— oh, quickly bring him to the bed."
Arwin helped Myrrin move his uncle to bed before checking the body's condition.
"It doesn't seem good, I can sense a foreign mana source invading his body, causing mana burn. Right now most of the mana in his body has been depleted, and its only getting worse."
Arwin eyes dimmed after giving his analysis. Healing spirits or spells were rare and powerful medicine was innately expensive. Myrrin on the other hand was mulling over why his uncle would visit him, or if his uncle was even planning that.
"Myrr…in…?"
Arwin couldn't help but stare at his uncle in confusion, unsure of how to reply. Arwin had seen many things in his life, and he recognized the final words of a dead man. He quietly left the room and gave the two some space.
"Myrr..in… you're alive… thank god.."
Myrrin's uncle spoke in a low tone, his breathing slightly ragged.
"Uncle? I.. I dont understand—"
"Listen, do not… trust anyone in this city. Get strong…and look for your father… you will understand then…"
Myrrin's uncle reached out and touched Myrrin's right hand, his grip much to weak to do anything. Myrrin's eyes began to tear unknowingly. It bad been a long time since someone had spoken so gently and lovingly to Myrrin. His emotions were in turmoil seeing the uncle he thought he hated act this way.
"I don't have much… time… Happy.. Birthday… Myrrin… when you get your [Ezarks Contract] use the keepsake… you're father gave you…"
As he said that, his uncle's hand glowed with a silver light, a slender silver sword appearing from his hand. He pushed the sword towards Myrrin, who smiled and concentrated on his contract—his right hand revealing the small sword symbol on his hand.
"Don't worry uncle, I already did."
In the weakening eyes, a sudden light appeared within them as his eyes opened slightly wider. Myrrin's uncle began to smile as he let out a sigh of relief.
"Good… very good…"
His eyes closed for the final time and he departed from the world. Myrrin stared blankly at his uncle, there was too much information to take in at once. Myrrin was still just a thirteen-year-old youth, just slightly more mature from his years journeying to The Capital. He looked at the sword his uncle had given him, a beautiful silver sword, undecorated with a simple hilt and guard. The slender sword seemed familiar to Myrrin, who reached out to grab it. As soon as he made contact, a brilliant silver light encased Myrrin.
…
A white-robed youth ran through the forest, he was running as fast as he could, feet barely visible. Anyone who saw him would only see a white blur as he passed, his movement fluid and efficient, as if he was gliding. On his right side was a valiant-looking youth who grinned as he sped past, explosively advancing. They finally reached a clearing where the two drew silver swords and exchanged multiple blows in a single breath. The two were dead even, and only after a couple breaths did the two part, smiling widely.
…
The white-robed youth was now older, becoming a young man. He looked enviously at the valiant-looking man who was smiling at an alluring woman in his arms. Still, he approached the two of them with a genuine smile, and got warm smiles from the two in return. Although he was jealous, his love for the two was even greater, promising that they would be friends for life. The trio laughed as they headed towards a bar, suddenly, the white-robed youth eyes perked up. He had the noticed people following them beginning to act, he whipped his sleeves, revealing a slender silver sword that split the air. Before the attackers could respond, each had been struck behind the neck, knocking them unconscious.
…
Now, the white-robed youth was hardened warrior. His eyes gazing over the empty field lit by a full moon. His brother had long since gotten married, but he decided to instead pursue to the path of the sword.
"You can't stop us. Let us through Galvin, it doesn't have to be this way."
A voice echoed from the fields. Galvin's breathing was calm and collected, nary a worry despite standing in the path of a hundred elite warriors, hidden in the tall grass. He had decided to stay and block the path to prevent these warriors from chasing after his friends, one of whom was pregnant with the other's child. Today he carved out a legend from himself, one that allowed him to live in peace for many years. His breathing was even as the hundred warriors were like ghost, disappearing and reappearing in his vision, until one hundred slashes appeared from thin air. His robe flicked as a silver sword wrapped in moonlight appeared in his right hand.
"Brilliance Swordsmanship, White Heaven."
A pillar of white light appeared in front of the man, decimating multiple people in its path.
"Brilliance Swordsmanship, Blinding Rainstorm."
Multiple shining rays appeared to fall on the each of the men, not a single ray missing their target. In just two moves, nearly half of the one hundred warriors were alive. The white-robed swordsman swung his sword, not a single drop of blood staining his brilliant figure.
…
When Myrrin came to, he was standing in his original position. He wasn't sure how much time had passed, but he almost felt as he had just lived another life. He discovered that the slender sword in hands had disappeared, panicking he looked around for the sword. Unable to face his uncle if had already lost the sword.
'It's too late, I've absorbed the sword. What you saw just now was the [Records] of the swordsman who wielded that sword.'
'Antebellum! you're back!'
'Sorry kid, that battle needed some oomph, so I might have over-exerted myself. Anyways, lets give a proper burial for the swordsman here. He deserved it.'
'Yes.'
Myrrin teared up again as he looked at his uncle who passed away smiling. The [Records] only showed his life as a swordsman. 'After surviving that attack, My uncle must've lived comfortably at least' thought Myrrin as he looked at the round belly. Although many didn't know Galvin's story, Myrrin was glad that he was one of the exclusive few that did. He called up Arwin and arranged for a secret burial, attending with the small merchant band who showed up to show their respects. The day turned dark, and everyone went into their beds. Myrrin, who had finally received familial love after years of loneliness cried himself to sleep that night.