"Marcus!" shouted an old man with slick grey hair, a full beard, and a marvelous handlebar mustache. This man wore a simple red robe with a head of a deer engraved right across his heart and was walking while constantly leaning on his walking cane which was crafted from Darkwood.
Seemingly weak and feeble he looked like a normal old man too weak to handle himself, but some of the older generations may recognize this man as a former General of the Northern Front, Titus Bearclaw, also known as Titus the Unmovable. He was named after the battle at the Frostland when he, allegedly, managed to hold the 20000 strong Empire army with only some 7000 strong normal infantry from the Puma Regiment nearly 3 decades ago.
"Marcus, where are you!?" shouted Titus yet again. "Marcus, please talk to me!" he continued calling out to his disciple, but there was no answer.
[Ahh, he might be at his old hiding spot!] he thought, and quickly paced over to a massive tree just outside the Cervos residence, near the outskirts of Hellwoods that were famous for the mysterious mist, that was near the center of the woods and had some, rather unique properties. It had memory-erasing properties, but they weren't called Hellwoods for something like that. It was named as such because hundreds of magic beasts were inhabiting it even further down the woods.
Titus quickly got to the massive Lightwood tree that stood proudly upright in a large clearing. He slowly got closer as to not alert his disciple who might be hiding in the tree.
Some fond memories quickly got over him as he remembered the first time little Marcus found this tree and used it as a hideout to escape the harsh reality that was his family. Sadly the surrounding trees got cut down because Marcus' father and the head of the Cervos family didn't like the view it provided.
Marcus pleaded for days just so that the tree wouldn't get cut down. Eventually, his father loosened up since he rarely gave anything to his bastard son so this seemed like a good chance to show his good will.
As Titus got closer he quietly called out "Marcus? Are you here?". Silence followed, but as he got closer he could hear quiet sobs from his only disciple Marcus. "M-Master Titus, i-is that you?" he asked through the numerous tears that seemed to flow without stop.
"It's me, Marcus, will you come out so we can have a talk?" Titus asked and patiently waited. Soon a small silhouette stepped out of the hole in the tree. Marcus was an 8-year-old boy with slightly long platinum hair, clear light blue eyes and it was evident on his body he was still growing even though you could some muscles on his arms. He was dressed in slim white cotton pants, short black cotton shirt and knee-high leather boots on his feet.
Marcus was wiping his tears left and right as he vigorously fought the oncoming snot that was making his breathing harder. He looked at his Master that was smiling ever so kindly at him.
"Marcus..." he said. "Haven't we talked about this already?" he asked sounding slightly disappointed.
"W-We have Master..." Marcus replied. "B-But it's so hard..." he continued. "Seeing those good people getting beaten, humiliated and abused just because they are demi-humans" he finished somewhat angrily.
Indeed, he was referring to an incident that happened shortly before in which his step-brother Maximilian and his step-sister Abela used their households' demi-human slaves just to blow some steam off. Truthfully, they nearly killed 2 of them, while the rest barely made it out with some bigger injuries. The siblings seemed to enjoy while referring to the slaves as "demi-human scum, worthless trash, lowborn bastards..." and similar. Of course, that didn't stop them or any other nobles such as them to indulge in sexual abuse of slaves.
Titus sighed to the good-natured disciple of his as he pondered on how to calm his disciple and help him sustain from getting into any conflict between him and his step-siblings since he was in a rather, unfavorable position.
The only reason the Cervos family still took care of Marcus was because of his massive talent in cultivation and martial arts. In fact, he was so talented he could easily be at the top of all the young masters and cultivators in the kingdom. But, in the end, the reality was cruel as he didn't get as many resources as his peers just because he was a bastard of the proud Cervos family who didn't allow any half-breed in the household.
Of course, his father wasn't that stupid so he tried winning at least some favors from his son so he decided to employ the now retired Titus Bearclaw as a private tutor for his son. Titus not only educated Marcus in martial arts, but also the cultivation of magic which was quite unique in all parts of the world.
That was already enough for Marcus to surpass all of his peers in both; his only flaw was his kindhearted character and a certain feeling of justice welling up inside him.
After some thought, Titus started talking to him in a serious tone "Marcus, as you are now, there's nothing you can do to correct that." he said. "You will only get more enemies in the future and if you don't start practicing seriously there will be nothing but pain for you and I won't be able to protect you forever." he continued talking with a hint of emotion. "You are but an 8-year-old boy! The world is big; way bigger than you can imagine! There are tons of good people who share your opinion... But there are also tons of bad people who just wait to use some kindhearted brat for their own goals, but I don't want you to end like that."
He paused so Marcus could slowly process everything he said to him.
After a minute or so Marcus slowly nodded his head, waiting for his Master to continue. And Titus did "I believe that in the future, you will be strong enough to change everything and everyone! I like to think there will be a day where you won't go cry over the abuse of slaves, but that you will help them right then and there and there will be nothing to stop you!" he encouraged. "You are meant to change this disgusting way of thinking and things nobles and even commoners do to someone that isn't a pure human."
Marcus knew everything Titus said was true but he just didn't know if he has the determination to go against his family, even though they mostly despised him as he was a son of the head of the house Cervos, August Cervos and his slave maid that was of the Snow Elf clan. Snow Elves were like any other elves except they inhabited the far north of the continent, a place which no country dared to claim as their own. Their distinctive features are the same as normal Forest Elves except they have beautiful platinum hair and their level of proficiency for water magic.
As Marcus was thinking about all of that he remembered how his family treated his mother after she gave birth to him. She was barely fed, abused as always and the step-siblings and even his father did the most despicable things that are not for those of the weaker mind.
In the end, she decided it just isn't worth it and she killed herself 6 months after Marcus got on this world. Marcus didn't hate her for it. Not that he didn't want to but he couldn't. He knew she went through living hell just so she could give birth to him and stay a little longer with him.
"I'll do it! I'll change the world and help all those who need my help and no one will stop me!" he said trying to hold his tears in. "Master, train me as hard as you can!" he finished resolutely.
Titus just sighed at his disciples' cute behavior and said "Alright, but there is no stopping now! You may not give!".
After that, the days were all the same. Marcus would wake up very early in the morning and go for a run through the Hellwoods, but only at the outskirts. He would then get private classes from a tutor about the Kingdom's history, politics, finance, war strategies and such. After that, he would go through rigorous training with his Master. He was also taking extra care about the food he ate so he could progress better. His meals were prepared with magic herbs that would enhance one's cultivation and understanding in magic and also strengthen the body, bones and muscles alike.
Weeks, months and even years were all the same for Marcus. He was progressing quickly in his martial arts and cultivation while slowly growing up to a person he wanted to be. A righteous one. A person who doesn't cower in fear. A person worthy of being called a Leader. He struggled with his family and their different way of living and spending their days. When he got depressed of his inability to help another slave in his household, on the street or in the slave market his Master would be there to help him get it over it and help him strengthen his mind. As years passed Marcus has already passed his peers and he was at the same level of cultivation as some of the talented young masters of noble houses who were already 20 or so years old. At the age of 13, he became known as the youngest Grandmaster cultivator in the Kingdom and neighboring countries.
As this became well known his family started to appreciate him more and more as they didn't want to get on his bad side when he completely grows up. He was no longer known as the mutt or bastard of Cervos family but was Grandmaster Marcus Cervos. The King even invited him to the royal palace as he wanted to win some favors from this young prodigy. And that is where he will be going next month; Royal Palace of the Holy Kingdom of Ecclesia.