I woke up early in the morning, feeling the chill in the air. It had become a routine for me now - normal morning exercises to get my blood pumping. Stretching, pushups, situps, and squats - all done to stay in shape and ready for whatever challenges lay ahead.
After my workout, I treated myself to a warm, soothing bath. The steam enveloped me, washing away the last remnants of sleep. Once I was refreshed and dressed in a clean towel, I made my way to a large wardrobe. As I browsed through the clothes, I couldn't help but let out a sigh.
"It's been five months since Velios reincarnated me," I murmured to myself, my mind drifting back to my family. I wondered if they were still waiting, thinking I was either dead or kidnapped. The thought tugged at my heart, but there was no turning back now.
My thoughts shifted to the training I had undergone with Zalazar and Lila. Zalazar, addressing me as "young master," taught me about proper prince etiquette, while Lila, who called me "Prince Nyakura," showed me the art of bare-handed combat and wielding melee weapons. It was no easy task, and even the memory of it sent a shiver down my spine.
"Being a noble in a fantasy world is a whole other level of craziness," I mumbled to myself, shaking my head at the surreal nature of my new life.
Today was another lesson with Zalazar, focusing on refining my manners and royal demeanor. While I appreciated the elder lich's guidance, I couldn't help but feel a tad apprehensive about the whole thing.
I took a deep breath, trying to steady my nerves. "Alright, Nyakura, time to face the day," I told myself, using the alias I had come up with for this world.
As I made my way to the training ground where Zalazar and Lila awaited, I steeled myself for whatever challenges and comedy of errors the day might bring. It was a bizarre journey, but I was determined to do my best to face it head-on.
---
As Zalazar unfurled the map of Astoria before me, I listened intently as he began his lesson about the Kingdom of Eldoria. His skeletal finger traced the borders of the sprawling realm, and he spoke with a hint of wisdom in his voice.
"Ah, Eldoria, young master," he began, "the largest and most influential kingdom in Astoria. It's a realm that embraces diversity and seeks to harness the strengths of various races. Vast cities, bustling trade routes, and a formidable military presence define this land."
I nodded, absorbing the information as he continued. "Eldoria is a melting pot of races - humans, elves, dwarves, and beastfolk coexist here. The kingdom's foundation is built upon inclusivity and harmony among its diverse populace."
"Incredible," I remarked, my curiosity piqued.
"The warriors of Eldoria are renowned for their exceptional skill and strength," Zalazar said. "They uphold values of honor and martial prowess, going through rigorous training and participating in grand tournaments that attract competitors from all corners of Astoria."
My mind buzzed with excitement, picturing the grandeur of such events.
"Currently, the kingdom is under the rule of the Lionheart family," Zalazar said, revealing the royal figures on the map.
"King Leonidas, the head of the Lionheart family and ruler of Eldoria," he pointed to the figure at the throne.
"Queen Elora, his consort, and the mother of his children," he added, indicating her position beside the king.
"And Princess Luna, the daughter of King Leonidas and Queen Elora, second in line to the throne," he concluded, pointing to the young princess.
"Royalty and their complicated affairs," I mused with a smile.
"And then there's Prince Tatsuya Suzuki," Zalazar announced, lowering his bony finger to a new spot on the map. "Princess Luna's betrothed and the first hero summoned."
My eyebrows shot up in surprise. "Betrothed? The first hero summoned?" I repeated, trying to grasp all the new information.
"Yes, young master," Zalazar confirmed. "Prince Tatsuya holds great importance in Eldoria. The people have great expectations of him, and his actions will have a profound impact on the kingdom and Astoria as a whole."
I took a moment to absorb everything. "Sounds like a pain in the ass," I commented.
Zalazar chuckled softly. "Indeed, he is. But we must also focus on your path, young master. Facing Prince Tatsuya will be a challenge you'll have to contend with eventually."
I nodded, the weight of my responsibilities sinking in.
The elder lich gave me an encouraging smile. "That's the spirit, young master. Now, let us continue with the lessons."
As we moved on to the next kingdom, Lumenora, I marveled at the magical wonder it held. Zalazar's bony finger traced the intricate spires and arcane academies on the map.
"Lumenora, a kingdom where magic thrives and mystical energies permeate the very air," Zalazar explained. "It's a realm steeped in rich magical traditions and ancient rituals."
I gazed at the illustrations of mystical creatures adorning the map, captivated by their beauty and aura of power.
"The inhabitants of Lumenora have a deep connection with the arcane arts," Zalazar continued. "Their lives revolve around studying and mastering magic."
"Mystical libraries?" I raised an eyebrow.
"Indeed," Zalazar confirmed with a nod. "Lumenora's libraries hold vast knowledge about spells, enchantments, and everything magical."
As we discussed the kingdom, my eyes fell upon the picture of a valiant-looking individual, their gender obscured by the book's illustration. "Who's this hero?" I asked, pointing to the figure.
"That is Aoi Hayashi, the current sword hero of Lumenora," Zalazar revealed.
"Aoi Hayashi," I repeated, taking note of the name. "Seems like a formidable hero."
Zalazar's bony hand pointed to a name written beside the picture. "The current ruler of Lumenora is the fairy queen, Titania," he said. "A powerful enchantress and a respected figure among her subjects."
"Titania," I repeated the name thoughtfully, wondering what kind of person the fairy queen would be.
I glanced back at the illustration of Aoi and raised an eyebrow, assuming them to be male. "He seems strong, resisting the allure of the fairy queen," I commented, impressed.
Zalazar's raspy chuckle interrupted my thoughts. "Ah, I must correct you there. Aoi Hayashi is a woman."
My cheeks flushed with embarrassment. "Oh..." I said, feeling sheepish.
"It's a common mistake," Zalazar assured me. "Even King Velios had mistaken her for male."
"Was it because she's flat as a board or is it because she dresses like a dude?" I asked.
Zalazar laughed as if my question was greatest joke of the century. "Young master do be careful with your curiosity. But yes to both of your questions.
I nodded, making a mental note to avoid such blunders in the future. Damn, I never thought I would be fighting a reverse trap.
As Zalazar continued his lessons, our attention shifted to the Kingdom of Ironhold. The map revealed a realm teeming with towering forges and intricate machinery.
"Ironhold, a kingdom where technology and craftsmanship are prized above all," Zalazar explained. "It's a domain of skilled engineers, inventors, and artisans."
I marveled at the illustrations of clockwork marvels and steam-powered contraptions, eager to learn more.
"The kingdom is predominantly populated by dwarves and humans," Zalazar continued. "Their collaboration in engineering and craftsmanship has led to remarkable technological advancements."
"That's some alliance," I muttered, genuinely intrigued.
"Ironhold's society revolves around innovation and industrial progress," Zalazar said. "They have a constant pursuit of refining their technology."
"Sounds like they have quite the passion for progress," I commented, admiring their dedication.
Zalazar nodded in agreement. "Indeed, young master. Ironhold is renowned for its machinery and fortified structures, a testament to their engineering prowess."
"Who is the hero of Ironhold?" I inquired, my curiosity piqued.
"The hero representing Ironhold is Hiroki Nishimura, also known as the Bow Hero," Zalazar revealed.
"Hiroki Nishimura, the Bow Hero," I repeated, committing the name to memory. "So he's currently running the kingdom as its representative?"
"Yes, that's correct," Zalazar confirmed. "Ironhold is structured as a democracy, and Hiroki Nishimura holds the responsibility of governing the realm."
"Quite the task for someone who's a teen," I mused, impressed by the weight of his duties.
"Indeed," Zalazar agreed.
As we turned our attention to Sylvanwood, Zalazar's bony finger traced the outlines of lush forests and mystical groves on the map. "Sylvanwood, a kingdom deeply connected to nature," he began. "Here, the inhabitants live in harmony with the natural world, cherishing its beauty and safeguarding its delicate balance."
I was intrigued by this kingdom's unique focus on nature. I slightly leaned forward, seeking to know more about its inhabitants. A small part of me hoped that the elves were similar to those ecchi mangakas I read. An all female race that are born due to high mana atmosphere.
"Yes, young master," Zalazar replied. "Sylvanwood is home to elves and beastfolk, both of whom share a deep affinity for nature. They possess an innate bond with animals, plants, and elemental forces."
But something caught my attention. "Wait, Zalazar," I interjected, "if this is the only kingdom without a hero, then what happened?"
Zalazar's expression became solemn. "The hero of Sylvanwood vanished without a trace," he revealed. "No one knows where she went, and her sudden disappearance remains a mystery."
The revelation surprised me, someone that important doesn't just go missing. Not unless there's something happening behind the scenes. "Vanished? How can that be?" I wondered aloud.
Just then, Lila entered the study hall, her haleberd glinting in the light. "Ah, there you are," she greeted with a warm smile.
"Lila, do you know anything about the hero's disappearance?" I asked, turning to her for any insights.
Lila nodded, her expression serious. "The hero went by the alias Morgiana," she explained. "But beyond that, her real name and whereabouts remain unknown to all."
I sighed, feeling a sense of relief for the missing hero but also slightly worried for the cause of the disappearance. "One less problem for me at least," I murmured.
"Wait a minute... I've been hearing nothing but positive things from them." I said gesturing to the heroes.
"You caught on quickly. While they are indeed bringing positive things, they've brought more harm than good. The heroes are expanding their respective kingdoms, and soon there will be a war between them. They've also been hunting down anyone with unique abilities as materials. Only Sylvanwood has remained neutral but soon even they'll be forced to act lest their homes will be destroyed." Zalazar said.
Lila's expression turn to disgusts as she growled. "Those bastards claim to be the pinnacle of justice yet they happily slaughtered an entire race to near extinction for a mere trophy. The spear hero nearly succeeded in making a tribe of nine-tails into nothing but mere sex slaves if Lord Velios had not intervened."
"From the reports I read, you mentioned that they are also causing armagedon left and right as an Event correct?" I asked.
"Yes, Prince Nyakura. Two years ago Lord Velios had to banish an outer god to another dimension because the sword hero failed to defeat it after summoning it!" Lila smacked her fist to a table in frustration.
Must be a weak outer god if it was banished that easy. But this just gave me a rough idea about the heroes. Realizing it was time for Lila's training, I changed the topic. "Well, Zalazar, I must excuse myself now," I said, standing up. "Thank you for the lesson."
Zalazar's eye sockets seemed to twinkle with delight. "You're most welcome, young master. Good luck with your training."
With a nod of gratitude, I left the study hall and headed to the training grounds, ready to face whatever challenges awaited me.
---
In the training grounds, Lila confidently planted her haleberd into the ground and with a wave of her hand, her armor vanished through the use of magic. "Today's training will be hand-to-hand combat," she declared with a determined expression.
As she stood there, poised and ready, I couldn't help but be taken aback by her impressive figure. Her form was both voluptuous and muscular, a combination that held my attention for a moment too long.
"Do you find something charming, Prince Nyakura?" Lila teased, striking a pose and playfully raising an eyebrow.
I quickly shook my head, trying to hide my embarrassment. "N-No, it's not that," I stammered, pretending to be nonchalant. "I was just...uh, testing something."
Lila laughed heartily, seeing right through my feeble attempt at deflection. "Oh, really now?" she said, amusement twinkling in her eyes.
I sighed, realizing that my ruse was transparent. "Alright, alright, maybe I was a little charmed," I admitted with a sheepish grin.
Lila chuckled, her laughter warming the air. "Well, I'll take that as a compliment then," she said with a playful wink.
With a deep breath, I prepared myself for the inevitable. "I suppose I'm in for another round of getting my butt beaten black and blue," I muttered, half-jokingly.
"Only if you don't put up a good fight, Prince Nyakura," Lila said, her voice carrying a hint of challenge.
Before I could respond, Lila called a nearby harpy to give the start signal. The harpy let out a sharp cry, and instantly, both of us shifted into a combat stance, a silent standoff between teacher and student.
The anticipation hung in the air as we waited for the first move, ready to engage in a spar that would test both my skills and determination.
Lila's attack came swift and strong, but to her surprise, I countered her feint and even managed to avoid her subsequent strikes. Our spar intensified, with each of us weaving and dodging, attempting to find an opening to land a hit.
As we danced around each other, Lila noticed something peculiar. "You react quicker when you're not looking directly at me," she observed to herself, analyzing my movements. "Interesting, his instincts seem quite sharp."
However, Lila was no novice in combat, and despite my instincts, she effortlessly evaded my attacks. I was still far from being a seasoned fighter, but my determination fueled my offense and defense.
"I see potential in your skills," Lila thought to herself. "A good defense and offense, but you definitely need more training."
Just as our spar was reaching its peak, a messenger wolf approached us. Lila leaned in to listen to the whispered message, and a smile spread across her face. Meanwhile, I watched curiously, wondering what the messenger had said.
"What's the news?" I asked, catching my breath from our spirited bout.
Lila turned to me, her eyes gleaming with excitement. "It seems we'll have to postpone our training for now," she said, still wearing that mysterious smile.
"Why's that?" I inquired, trying to contain my curiosity.
"Something important has come up," Lila explained cryptically. "But we'll have to discuss it later. Duty calls."
With a nod of understanding, I prepared myself to leave the training grounds, knowing that whatever the message was, it must be crucial.