The late afternoon sun shined softly on his pale skin. Asher took a deep breath as he stretch out as his body. The sun has begun to hang lower in the sky as time continued to pass. The shadows stretched out long on the ground. A chime sounded as he summoned his system in front of his eyes. He read the screen that appeared in front of his eyes.
[Daily quest]
Work out for 3 hour today.
Reward: +1 STR, EXP
Time remaining: 1 hours 56 minutes 47 seconds
He had been practicing swing for what seem hour,s but only an hour had passed. He let out a sigh. 'Practicing swordplay on your own is no fun.' Asher felt it would be more enjoyable if he could have some to practice with. He sat a the edge of the fountain in the middle of the courtyard. The courtyard was rather large with marble walkways crisscrossing between throughout a beautiful garden. In the center was a large fountain featuring four figures in the center of pool of water.
The man clad in armor faced the east and held a burning sword to the sky. His eyes burned like fire. The one that looked towards the south was a women who held a basin that poured pure water into the pool below. The man that looked to North was shrouded in long robes and held up a scroll with glowing glyphs written on it. The last one was a woman who looked to the Western skies with her hand folded at her waist.
This fountain was like Asher's holy ground. He could be found this place quiet and peaceful. The very air around this fountain felt like being hugged softly. He had asked many time who were the people depicted in the center of the sparkling pool, but no one seemed to know just who they were. Some servants said that they were previous Dukes and Duchesses of the Richt family. Other said they were characters from an old legend. A few said that they were just art not meant to depict anything.
Asher could not believe that they were just random individuals or made up characters. The statues were too life-like. Almost like they would begin to start breathing within the next second. Their faces were distorted with realistic emotions that showed into what they thought. The warrior angrily shouted at an opponent, the woman kindly poured the water into the pool from her basin that would pour into the pool, and the robed man examined his scroll intently. However, the one that drew Asher's attention was the woman who just watched the sky.
Unlike the others, she stood there silently and watching the heavens like a beacon. She did not look like she was doing anything important like the others. Her hand were delicately folded in front of her like she was waiting for something to happen. But what was most striking was her expression. It had soft smile, but eyes were half closed like she was trying to smile while crying. He did not understand her propose.
She stood there like she was silently suffering from something and yet smiled for the benefit of those around her. Her eyes looked like she would start crying any minute, and her smile looked like the mere action caused her great pain. Asher wonder why was she in such pain and why she tried to hide it so much. Asher gaze fell down to the shifting waters. Underneath the pool where lists of names that had be written over the years. Asher's gaze stopped on one of the names: Katherine Richt 208-247.
The secret of the fountain was that it in fact the entrance to the Richt family crypt. The names listed were the people who had passed since the Richt family's creation. His mother was unfortunately one of the souls who now rested inside. His mother was a kind and sweet and thankfully nothing like the vile woman that was his mother in his last life. When Asher would cause trouble while everyone else would lecture him, she would just laugh saying that he was born like a wild flower, growing beautifully in defiance of the whole world.
A tear rolled down Asher's cheek. He wondered if he life would have ended differently if he had a mother like her in his last life. Sadly all that is gold fades. She mysteriously gotten sick and none of the healer knew what was wrong. She past when Asher was 5 years old. Maybe that is why he liked it here so much. It was close to her.
"Young Master!!" Asher jumped as he heard the voice. He did not expect to be interrupted here. Asher turned to the source of the voice. He found a tall boy with messy brown hair and pale baby blue eyes. "I was wondering where you were." He looked around like he didn't know where he was. "I am sorry. Am interrupting something?" He gave Asher a big toothy grin as his face grew red from embarrassment. He mentally kicked himself for being so thoughtless.
"Thomas, no I am just resting." Thomas was one of the squires of the guard and was training to be a knight. He was a commoner, but was polite and kind. After all manner is a corner stone of being a knight. He was attentive and intelligent, a little thoughtless but polite. He had a plain face but was not unhandsome. 'He is going to make some girl very happy on day.' Asher thought once when he met Thomas two years ago.
Thomas nodded as if he understood the strange noble boy. When he saw the unsheathed sword, he understood Asher was training again. "I heard that your awakening was tomorrow. I guess anyone would be nervous." Thomas was twelve years old so he had gone through the awakening two years ago. He still remembers how stressful it was. Luckily, he showed promise becoming a Undecem-mage [1] and was able to become a square of a guard at Duke Richt's manor even though he was a commoner. "Would you like me to train with me, Young Master?"
Asher looked at Thomas angrily. Thomas became fearful that he had angered the young master by his offer. "How many times do I have to tell you? Call me 'Asher' when he are not in formal setting." Thomas finally let out the breath he was holding. He was relieved that he had not offend the young master.
"Sorry, I am just use to calling you by your title. And if anyone caught me not addressing you properly then it could cause trouble."
Asher sighed this was reasonable, but he just wanted someone he could talk to freely. "I understand, but, if you have any trouble, you can direct them to me, and I will handle it."
"I understand, You--" Asher glared at Thomas causing him to jump. "I-I mean, Asher."
"Thank you and I would be happy to train with you." Asher gave Thomas a gentle smile and picked up his sword. As the sword moved through the air, it gave off a gentle hum. Thomas nodded and pulled out his sword that was resting at his side.
Both of them turned to face each other, and stared each other down waiting for the first move. A bell chimed in Asher's head.
[Spar with Thomas]
[You have agreed to spare with Thomas. Face him and prove your ability as a swordsman]
[Conditions]
Defeat Thomas 0/1
[Optional conditions]
Disarm Thomas 0/1
Parry Thomas 0/5
[Critical Failure]
Kill Thomas 0/1
Rewards: EXP, +5 HP, +2 STR, +3 VIT
Additional Rewards ???
[Notice: Additional Rewards will be provide should the [Optional Conditions] be completed]
[Notice: Rewards will not be provided should you acquire [Critical Failure] status]
[Notice: This event shall be included in your [Daily mission] conditions]
Asher smiled he did not think this sparring match would be so helpful. He raised his sword ready to strike. He charged towards Thomas. A loud hum could be hear has his sword cuts through the air followed by a clang as his sword connects with Thomas's.
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[1] unidecemmage = 11 element mage