Chereads / The World of Ruins / Chapter 2 - Birth of the Hero [1]

Chapter 2 - Birth of the Hero [1]

December 27 19XX

"Ungaaaa! Ungaaaa!" a baby's voice was wailing around the room, there was a mother holding a baby and lying in a bed of straw. "Honey look, he has your golden blonde hair…." She patted the baby's small fragile head, "Ahahaha, our baby looks exactly like me…." He knelt and kissed the baby's forehead, "What will you name him?" the mother looked at her husband, "Adam….. is perfect" the couple nods and hugs their first born child. One day has passed since his arrival to this world:

"Lucas, can you go buy for this week's groceries?" the mother asked while holding Adam, "Of course, I will come back sooner than you think" he patted Adam's forehead, and then he left the house. The mother puts Adam into a crib and starts to clean the house; Lucas her husband arrived carrying loads of bags, "Elizabeth and Adam, I'm home!" Elizabeth looked at his husband with her brows lift, "Isn't this a little too much for this week?!" Elizabeth asked, "Well, since we have now Adam, we need a lot more than that you see…." Lucas carries Adam and kissed his forehead, the couple smiled and began looking after their child.

Two years has passed and Adam knows how to walk and to talk, the couple was pleased by their son's cute face. "Adam, in the next few months, what do you want in your birthday?" Lucas crossed his fingers, "I want a little sister." ---"??? HUH??????" the couple looked at each other and was confused, "Errr, Adam, why do you want to have a little sister?" Elizabeth sat on the chair and holds his hand, "It doesn't matter if it's a boy or a girl, I just want to have a sibling." The couple looked at Adam's eyes and he looked a little lonely, "Well, we can do that but, you can wait r-right?" Lucas lifted Adam up and he nods.

Adam Grey

I always looked at the neighbour's house and can hear their children's' laughter but, I have felt lonely since I turned 2. "Adam, where were you?" my mom patted my head and walked downstairs then she spoke "Adam, you're a very special child so, don't be discouraged" she kissed my forehead and began cooking. "Honey, I just got hired as an adventurer in Gilnshe city so…..I might be here for a couple of days" father put his cup on the table and waited for my mother's approval, "Lucas, I am worried for Adam if you get hurt or even die, so….please don't risk your life too much…." I can see my mother's sadness in her eyes, I shifted my glance towards my dad; he sighed and hugged my mom. "Elizabeth, I will never leave you and Adam alone, that's a promise I will never break-"----"Then why don't we go there together?" I butted in their conversation and smiled.

I understand that the city of Gilnshe is 58 km from Athm city but, if my father would leave, I would choose to travel from here to there. "Adam, you truly are a smart boy." he lifts me up and laughed, "Well, sure we can go there but, this house will be all quiet…." Mother looked at me and drafted her eyes on the house then smiled. "Well, it's been decided…..we'll go to Gilnshe!" father stretched his arms and put me to bed. I can hear them pack their things and cleaned the house for our departure tomorrow.

I can feel my mother carrying me from my sleep and went outside our house; I opened my eyes a little and realized that, we are going farther and farther from our house. After hours of traveling we arrived at the port of Gilnshe, "Adam wake up, we're here…." I woke up from my mom's sweet voice and saw the busy streets of the city, I was scared at first, there were a lot of people on the roads and buildings but I saw my dad looking at me while smiling. "Well, isn't it little crowded?" he looked at me and held my hand, I nodded and they both laughed. We walked down the pavements and arrived at our new house. The rest of my life begins here...

4 years later....

"Adam, are you sure you can head over the school by yourself?" father asked while putting on his boots, "Yeah, after all I'm already 6 years old dad, get a grip!" I crossed my arms and he left while laughing I sighed and looked at my mom, "Adam, you should not talk like that in front of someone superior to you…." She patted my head and I responded "But that's what Papa told me to say whenever he goes off…"---"?????!!!!" I could tell that my mom is infuriated and she replied "You should no longer do that again okay?" she was smiling with anger….Ugh, Papa will be in trouble

"Adam, you will be late for school." Mother swipes dirt off my uniform and kisses my forehead, "Be careful Adam…" she looked at me with happiness in her eyes, "Bwoter…." I felt like someone is tugging my shirt from the back, "Oh, Ellie…." I lifted her up and patted her head, "Don't worry your big brother won't leave you behind….." I waved good bye and left the house.

My name is Adam Grey, a 7 year old boy who is currently living in Gilnshe city, and is learning at Damoca University. I look exactly like my father, Lucas Grey, I have a short blonde hair and azure eyes like him; compared to my little sister Ellie Grey, who looks exactly like my mother Elizabeth Grey, with brownish hair and light blue eyes. Something is bugging me recently, it felt like me and my father has some royal blood, having blonde hair and azure eyes is actually rare in these days so I doubt that I am just some country boy.

I walked down the pavements and into the busy streets, I looked at a shop and saw jewelleries at the window, I leaned on it and it was beautiful…..Come to think of it; Ellie likes blue jewelleries... I held my pockets and it was empty, I have no money to buy it as a gift. *Thud* I heard a loud thud from a narrow street between two buildings; I went in to witness the problem--"eek!" I wanted to scream but I couldn't the reference of someone dead came repeating in my mind, I couldn't run away, I was scared. "What's wrong?" he wiped his bloody glove into his chest and approached me, he held my face and smiled; I could only see his mouth and the tip of his nose, his eyes were covered with a mask and his hair was covered by his hat.

"S-stay away!" I shoved him forward, I was quite confused of what's happening; I saw him kill that person with my own two eyes and he didn't even try to kill me. He looked at the corpse and drifted back to me, "This show is not for kid's young one." He patted my shoulders and I exclaimed "Why did you do this?! I believe that person did nothing wrong but….YOU killed him!" I clenched my fist preparing to protect myself but, he only stood there looking at the corpse and his face was frowning, "Tell me, is it still your fault if you killed someone who did the same way for 2 years? Is it YOU who will be in jail if you only ended a life of a criminal until now?" he looked at me, "What do you mean?! That person is innocent, you mustn't kill him!" I said bluntly

"That's what the society sees him." He replied calmly, "Weird, you should be trembling in fear right now and would run away." He continued, "You killed him! I hate people like you!" I shouted at him and knew that no one could hear me into the narrow street. "Kids like you are truly special. You are clever and have the guts to confront me like that." He chuckled, "But kid, more of them are out there, pretending to be like you or the others." He patted my head and disappeared into thin air, I glanced at the dead body and it wasn't there….Was I hallucinating? The second thing I realized is that I was still on the street—Argh I'm going to be late! I ran out of the street and began to forget the things that happened earlier.

The city of Gilnshe is the capital city of Magic and swordsmanship, it is the first city to ever teach people about magic and swords; they teach us to be like the elites—the elites are the second highest rank of powerful people in the world of Ledl. The first highest ranks are the people with royal blood. I arrived in time at Damoca University; I went in my classroom and sat on my chair. "Good morning children…." His voice echoed inside the room and the students looked at him, "My name is George Dolm, I am Forero Monta's disciple, the great wind wizard…." He paused and sat on his chair "…..turn your book to page 13, we will discuss about the four elements that gives energy in this world, those are: Fire, Air, Earth and Water, these are the basic elements in this world and its factors are: Lightning and wind. These are the main core of a wizard's power." He took his staff and waved it mid-air, and then a breeze went circling in the room and the student's watches with fascination. I already know that he used a wind pressure in the room with his orb hidden in the staff. I shrugged in disgust, George continues to speak while releasing the spell he casted earlier, "Just like that, a simple trick can lead to success."

The classroom was clamorous, and George bowed as if it was a show he started. Noon came and I went towards the school library to take some time to regroup, suddenly when I put back a book to the shelf, Sir George smiled at me and took one book, he then spoke, "I saw you back there, you look bored to see my magic trick and the other students just watched in awe," he flips the pages as if he were only looking at the words, I shifted my look back to him and replied, "Why? Is there something wrong with that?" I sighed and walked away slowly, he then quietly shouted "You really are a special kid Adam, you have blonde hair and sapphire blue eyes which no one ever has in this school except—the royal family of Howards."

I left him there without saying anything, I then realized that I am not like the others, I don't have brown eyes and hair. I clenched my fist and sighed, I went out to get some fresh air, not long after, George followed me behind, and I confronted him "What do you really want?"

"That's not a 7 years old boy would say to his elder isn't it?" he leaned on me and chuckled

"What do you expect? To kneel over and respect you?" I crossed my arms and frowned, "That's not it," he laughed, "you, think rationally and mature." He finally got to say what he wanted to. I raised a brow and tilt my head, he didn't say anything and he patted my head and left the scene.

I decided not to follow him and head back straight to class, it was already one pm on the afternoon, and I only have sandwich for lunch, my stomach began to ache and crumbled. I touched my tummy and patted it. "Yo, Adam!" I looked behind and it was my dad carrying a brown bag, "What are you doing here dad?" I asked and approached him. "I just wanted to see how my boy is doing and—perfect timing, I brought some lunch!" his face beamed and shoved me back to the chair.

"Adam, don't starve yourself it isn't good for you…" he brushed my short hair with his hand, I nodded to show some appreciation, "Dad, am I really special?" I looked at him waiting for his answer, and shrugs, "All kids are special, you were just noticed because you behave not like 7 year old would" he chuckled and I slapped his hand from my shoulders. "Whatever, I'm going back to class, thanks dad." I waved goodbye and walked back to my class, I sighed and looked back, and I saw him leaving the chair and left the hallway.

"I believe his name was Lucas, right?" I was startled to see George standing in front of me, "Why, got a problem with that?" I tried to leave but he blocks my way, he chuckled and I ran below his legs and went in my room. Ugh, thank goodness. I suddenly remembered what happened to the street and the guy with a hat and a mask, I have forgotten about him but, I was just hallucinating earlier right? I shrugged, and decided to be a Rerchy officer to catch bad guys like him.

Tell me, is it still your fault if you killed someone who did the same way for 2 years? Is it YOU who will be in jail if you only ended a life of a criminal until now? His voice kept repeating in my mind and making me distracted in the middle of class. You did nothing wrong

Whispers in my head kept me away from the class. Suddenly, a sound of a bell came echoing in the room, "Please pay attention, Mr. Grey." He looked at me and smiled slyly, I bowed a little to show some apology. Sunset came and it was time to leave, I took my things and left the room, walking down the stairs and the walls, I arrived at the front gate waiting for my Father to pick me up.

"Adam! Come here!" He waved at me across the street, and ran towards me, "How was school?" he asked while carrying me back to the chariot. As I sat on the chair I looked at my mom, "What's the occasion?" I asked knowing that they are going somewhere despite their formal attires.

"Adam, your father's colleague—Mr. Damon Scott is having a party to celebrate his daughter's birthday." I frowned and asked, "What's that going to do with us?" I crossed my arms, "Adam, watch your mouth, he invited us to celebrate it." She sighed, "And, you should wear this, it's a shame to go there if you are wearing a school uniform." She passed me a small rectangular box with a cloth inside of it.

I smiled and wore it gently, it was a kid tuxedo, I sat back and thanked my Mother for buying me such a beautifully weaved clothes.

We arrived at a party full of guests, and a pair of bodyguards escorted us into the house that's as big as a palace, we went in the hall that's full of guests, "Adam, behave nicely okay?" father held my should and he held mom, "Is Ellie going to be alright here mom?" I looked at my sister and she was flustered, she has never seen a lot of people at her age.

"Ellie, try not to get lost" I warned her, she just laughed and held my hand. "Adam, you're a 7 years old, do not drink wine yet my boy." Father took a glass of wine and sipped. A man appeared at the centre of the hall, and spoke "To all guests, may I have your attention," he hit his wine glass with a fork, and took all the peoples' attention, "I would like to thank you all for being here to celebrate my daughter's birthday, cheers!" he held his cup high and all the people did the same.

After his speech I look around and everyone was busy talking and it was clamorous. "Adam, have you seen Ellie? After the speech she wasn't here anymore." I startle, and looked around, I can't see her, but kid, more of them are out there, pretending to be like you or the others, I shrugged and ran everywhere to find her, but I couldn't, I sat on the balcony and sighed, "Adam!" I looked up and saw my father waving at me, I saw Ellie behind him, and I was relieved.

"Brother, what are you doing here?" she looked at me and asks, "I should ask you the same, where were you?" I patted her head and looked at dad, "She was just lost after going in the bathroom," He nods, I smiled and said, "If you're going somewhere, and then tell me, okay?" I embraced her and she nods, "Well, I'm going to take Ellie to your mother, you coming?" he pointed inside the house, "Maybe later, the breeze here is surprisingly relaxing." He chuckled and left.

I stood up to see the moon, and it was beautiful, suddenly I saw a girl crying at the corner of the fence—at the dark so no one sees her, I approached her and asked, "Why are you crying?" she looked up at me and wiped her tears, "It's nothing," she replied, "If you say something like 'nothing' it won't change the fact that I caught you crying alone"

She sniffed, and stood up, "I can't show this side of me to everyone, you hear that?" she looked at me with her face all tired, "Sit down, let's talk" I pulled her back and smiled with my brows up, "What are you doing?" she asked while sitting quietly beside me, "You….look extremely tired," I patted her back and she replied, "What do you mean?" she began to feel unsteady, "No need to pressure yourself, tell me what happened and I'll listen," I looked at her and smiled, she sighed and began to talk.

"My father barely has time for me, even in my birthday," I was startled and looked at her, "If your father isn't here, then who was that guy earlier who said a speech about your birthday?" I looked at her and she frowned, "That was my uncle, my father's twin brother," I frowned and patted her back, "Well, aren't you going to say anything?" she looked at me with a pleased look, "What do you mean? Didn't I say that I would listen to you?" I grinned

"Wha-?! I was here who thought you would comfort me like a normal boy would, but you, seem to be the one who doesn't care!" she stood up and pointed at me, "Didn't I said that I would listen to you?" I stood up and looked at her, "I thought you're a lovely gentleman, but you're actually not, hmph" she turned away from her and I asked, "Tell me your name, and I will tell you mine." She looked at me and pouted to stop her anger and embarrassment, "I am Adam Grey." I touched my chest and slowly bowed, she then replied, "Louise Claire. Don't ask." I laughed because of the thought that her name is close to 'Louis' a boy's name.

"Then, nice to meet you Louise" I bowed and smiled at her, she was flustered and looked away, I chuckled and waved goodbye, "It has been a fine night, Louise," I left and heard her saying, "You too" she looked away and left running, I remained silent of what happened, and the night has ended, we waved goodbye and went back home.

It was such a long and fun night.