I felt that power again, no, I called upon it. The world slowed down slightly, not fully but just barely. I couldn't dodge otherwise Sebastian would get hit, wait, couldn't everyone use this? If so, why did I have to protect him?
I reached out my hand, I had to roughly estimate how long it took for a full rotation. I waited and at the last second managed to grab the hilt of the sword, stopping it in mid-air.
"M-Marvelously caught, Young Master"
"Forgive This Insolent One, Young Master!" A Muscular man quickly came down and bowed his head.
"As you can see, I am fine so don't worry abou-"
"Young Master Victor, Your Presence is requested by Lord Kin and the Lady"
The attendant, whose name I couldn't remember, of my stepmother interrupted me.
I slowly turned to face him, his face one of arrogance, as if he was looking down upon me, not only due to height but in terms of status as well.
"Sebastian"
I called the butlers name, I preferred him better due to him resembling my grandfather's age. The grey hair and sharp brown eyes, along with the well-kempt suit, very reminiscent of him.
Sebastian understanding my intention led the way towards my father's office, well, to be honest, it was more of a meeting room where he met other nobles when compared to an office.
We arrived in front of his door, I made sure to knock,
"Who Is it?"
"Victor, Father"
"I see, Come in"
I walked in the room and saw him sat on a red velvet sofa with a clipboard in his hands. He was the same man that I saw in that dimly lit room, instead of armour he was wearing his uniform, military green with diagonal buttons He had blue eyes and dark black hair. Sat next to him was a voluptuous woman, she had green eyes and long blonde hair with a thin waist, she was my step-mother.
My father pointed at the sofa opposite him, I sat down only to engulfed my the comfort of the seat. My father passed me the clipboard he was holding, I was broken out of my euphoria from the sound of it sliding across the table.
"What is this?"
"Read it, it's a breakdown analysis of your magic"
[Victor Kin]
[Mana Capacity: 100 Units]-[Equivilant to Low-Rank Noble]
[Magic Class: Unique]
[Magic Type: Internal]
[Magic Name: Empowerment]
[Magic Summary: A much stronger version of basic magic-Strengthening. Engulfs the whole body in either Defensive or Offensive aura. The aura may be able to engulf external objects as well when developed but as of date, it is unable to reach further than outer layers of the user's body, It also has the weakness of being unable to be used both offensively and defensively {As of date} so when attacking, the body is vulnerable]
"So what do you think of the report, of your capabilities?"
My father asked me. If I had to give my own opinion, it was incredibly weak. However, I could say nothing. I could feel the heavy disappointment in his voice.
"What? Nothing to say?"
I could hear rage build up in his voice. Was it my fault for not being born with a gift in magic?
"Dear, While on the topic...Zac has reached 1500 units of mana and the 3rd stage of sword mastery"
"Wonderful! I couldn't be prouder"
I listened to them talk about Zac whilst ignoring my existence.
"My Lord, Victor has been highly dedicated in his training, He has incredible determin-"
"Silence, Sebastian...I don't remember allowing you to speak"
I hadn't realised but Sebastian had entered the room with me, I smiled at him, it was nice knowing someone had my back.
"Victor..."
I heard my father's voice, it sent an icy chill to shoot across my back.
"Remind me, what stage are you on again?"
It took me a few seconds before the relevant memory could be remembered.
"The...Second of Sword Mastery"
So my younger brother has overtaken me, huh?
"I see"
"Dear, I have a friend whose a countess, she has a daughter and needs and attendant, I think we should send Victor there, It will help him become more used to the world, Don't you agree?"
"You're correct dear, Victor pack your things, we will arrange for your transport tomorrow, be on your best behaviour to make sure not to embarrass the family"
"Understood, I will be taking my leave then, Father, Viscountess"
My father nodded and I proceeded to leave
"But My Lord!"
"It's okay, Sebastian, let's go"
I left the room and could feel the suffocating atmosphere disperse
I walked to my room in silence.
"Sebastian, I need some time by myself"
He simply nodded, I closed the door and leaned against the wall.
"So that's what you had to constantly go through, huh Victor?"
I talked to the me that no longer existed in this world.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
"Young Master before you leave, take this with you"
I stood in front of the carriage with our family's crest on it, The only one who came to see me off was Sebastian, he handed me a scabbard with what seemed like a skull on the guard. The scabbard was black with red embroidery running along the edges.
"It was your mother's, if not now, I won't be able to find a time to give this to you"
"Thank you"
I unsheathed the blade, It was about as long as me, I would probably be able to use it more efficiently when I'm older and taller. In its reflection, I could see myself, black hair and dark black eyes like my mother. My face, however, was child-like in contrast to my old look.
"Remember, If anything, I will always on your side and you now have also a part of your mother's spirit with you"
As soon as he said that I almost reflexively embraced him in a hug.
"Y-Young Master?"
"Thank you, Sebastian"
With that, I got on the carriage and headed towards the territory of Count Avion
"Goodbye Young Master! He seems different somehow compared to usual..."
With his doubts, the old butler continued back inside.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Most of the memories I can remember line up with what I know of the game, we were invited to the Prince's birthday 4 years ago and he was 5 at the time, 9 now, so the same age as me. In the game, the prince was 16-17 at the start of the school year. Going by that, I have roughly 7 years before the actual story-line starts. I can easily distribute the time, I'll spend the first 1-2 years getting used the area. It would be nice if I had a tutor but someone dubbed a failure like me, wouldn't receive one besides I could just use the library so there is no point becoming depressed!
While in the carriage, I might as well train my magic. The way to train your magic was to use it, like a muscle it will become stronger the more used it is, using it too much however can cause pain or even fainting, never granting death, as per game logic.
It was hard though, feeling that strength rise us in me, it was hard to control, maybe it changes whether it is offensive or defensive based on what I wanted, or what the situation demanded.
BANG!
I quickly slid the curtains, another carriage had crashed into ours.
"Quick, Push the carriage out the way, this is gonna slow us down, MOVE! before the Lord's men catch up"
A man, who clearly looked like a bandit, barked out orders. Another one of his men kicked the side of my carriage to push it out of the way.
They had clearly distinguished themselves as bandits at this point, however, It was not my place to interfere, I would make sure to just report them on the way to the Peacekeepers.
"OW, She bit me, She's a feisty one eh? Maybe I should educate you"
"Don't harm her too much, she's high-value personnel. Don't want to decrease your cut do you?"
I was planning to not interfere, however, in the corner of my eye I saw her, a young, red-haired girl biting the hand of one of the bandits on the carriage. I should help her but no, it's not my place to get involved for an unknown girl. Besides I'm too weak, there's no way I could make a difference even if I did interfere. No, I shouldn't interfere but DAMN IT!!!
I felt the mana swirl and course through my body, accompanied by the adrenalin, my body screamed with strength. I opened the carriage door, they had separated themselves from our carriage so I didn't have to kick down the door.
I tried controlling the mana to reach my feet, not all of my Aura but most of it concentrated on my feet, it felt more natural to control it. I kicked off my carriage, It had shot me forward much faster than I assumed. I arrived directly above the carriage that had continued escaping before I decreased in speed. I, however, started feeling dizzy. Damn, Am I already starting to run out of mana?
I started falling towards the carriage, however, I wasn't sure if I was gonna make it. I stretched out my arm to grab the handle of the carriage entrance and at the last second I...
Managed to grab it.
Now came the tricky part...
I started to climb up, my hands slipping from the rocky carriage. I had to take a risk but if it worked I think it qualifies me to be a genie.
I made it on to the top of the carriage, the dizzyness had died down incredibly. The only somewhat decent thing about low amounts of awakened unique mana was that the amount refilled quickly.
"Are the Lord's men still on us?"
"NO! They're quite a distance away, they won't catch up at this rate, We are rich men from this day forward!"
I could now see the driver of the carriage, he was standing up and yelling to the other men in the carriage.
Now was my chance! I quickly unsheathed the sword as I aimed at the nape of the driver. I felt my sword enter the flesh and cut into the fat. My cut wasn't deep enough, I could have done it if I was at least at the 3rd step of Sword Mastery.
"WE HAVE ANOTHER BRAT ON BOARD!"
Damn it, now the others were also alerted. The man also used [Basic Magic Strengthening] on himself to decrease the damage and prolong his life. The door connecting the driver's seat and the inside of the carriage opened as other men started to come out. I wouldn't be able to take on multiple ones. I had to switch to plan B. Hoping my mana wouldn't fail me I started to use [Empowerment] on my right leg. The empowerment was stronger if it was concentrated and every basic magic is chant-less so that included my slightly stronger basic magic. The man who I had struck held his nape with one hand, his other hand quickly raced toward me. I quickly stomped the carriage, Maybe due to luck but my leg didn't go through the floors but instead, the entire carriage crashed into the ground, the awkward pull from the horses causing it to flip and finally land heavily on the ground.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
I opened my eyes to broken wreckage from the aftermath of the crash, crap my method was too risky. I prayed the girl was fine. I hobbled to a particularly large part of the wreckage which I assume is the main body of the carriage. 95% of my mana, or at least what felt like it, had gone into my stomp, I was on the brink of collapsing but since I still had mana left, I was hoping I wouldn't faint. I couldn't faint just yet.
I yanked off what remained of the door, There she was, the girl was wearing what seemed like expensive material, it was hard to say though, it was in tatters now. I quickly reached down and placed my ear near her. Relief started to flood me, she was still breathing. I slowly picked her up, my mind wanted to give in but my body refused to yield. There was a man, who looked like one of the bandits, in the carriage as well, however, he had a large wooden piece stuck through his chest.
I slowly took her outside and placed her on a clear piece of road.
"Hey, Wake up"
I slightly started slapping her cheeks.
She finally started to regain consciousness.
"W-Where am I? Who are you!?"
"It's okay, it's okay, I'm here to help, you're safe now"
"I'm Safe Now-...BEHIND YOU!"
A muscular hand curled its hand around and grabbed me by my neck. One of them survived...Damn it, If I could survive they could as well. A hand then sunk itself into my stomach, my body struggled to release the air force out as I was grabbed by my neck.
"Arghhh...I'm not gonna make it a routine to have middle-aged men take my breath away"
I had regained enough mana so I focused my aura on my foot as I sent a kick to his chin. He blocked with his free arm but at that second he decreased the strength in the arm holding my neck. He also didn't use basic magic on it, probably because he wanted to kill me slowly. I once again got lucky. I changed the position of my aura, which I could use almost freely now, I couldn't send all my aura to one place though. I used [Empowerment] on my knee and elbow. Crunch! I heard part of his arm crunch, It only fractured, it wasn't enough to break it.
In pain, He let go of the arm holding me.
"You're dead you little prick, YOU HEAR ME? DEAD!"
He quickly unsheathed the blade hanging at his waist. I quickly looked around, there it was. Amid the wreckage was my sword, the problem however that finds itself in my lap is the fact the bandit is stood between me and the sword. I could either make it there or die, there was no in-between.
My mana was incredibly low, I felt like throwing up, My clothes were tattered and the man in front of me barely used any mana at all
The man was still staring at me waiting for a moment to strike. I had to think, what did I have? I had about enough mana for one more dash (that's what I'm calling the move I used to fly forwards like when chasing the carriage). The man most likely wasn't aiming to kill me quickly so maybe aim for one of my limbs.
Screw it, let's find out if I die today or not. I heard the shifting of feet, Using that as a starting signal I started running towards the bandit. Time felt as if it slowed down slightly, maybe my life would flash before my eyes. I was close enough to see the rage in the bandit's eyes. He started preparing to do a downward slash. I had to take the gamble, my left or right arm, where was he aiming? I gambled my right arm, I titled my body to the left, my gamble paid off, the sword crudely slashed through the air next to me. The strength in his sword, he was step 4 in Sword Mastery. I pushed the hand he was using to hold the sword with away from me, I managed to make it past him. I quickly sent more mana to my feet and used [Empowerment], I shot forward, just a bit more and I could reach the sword.
At that moment it felt as if all my hope came crashing down, I didn't have enough mana to cover the distance, DAMN IT!
I fell maybe 3 metres away from it, Just a bit more! Just a bit further! My mana had almost drained, anymore used and I would faint then I would be good as dead. My feet were also in pain, maybe I over-used [Empowerment] or I landed wrong either way I was immobilised. With all my strength I started to crawl. The man was also running towards me with what seemed like [Strengthening], He was maybe 15 metres away.
I started to crawl faster. I was 2.5 metres away.
2 metres away.
1.5 metres away
1 metre away.
At that second, he caught up with me.
His sword came down quickly, and it came heavily engulfed in a determination to kill.