[ A/N: I decided to release another chapter because of the support, which I greatly appreciate.
However, the schedule will go back to three chapters. One on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday, and an bonus chapter if I have the extra time or because of the support. Ty.
-Kane ]
Erwin was not the most knowledgeable when it came to anything, but from his previous life he knew one thing.
The spear was the easiest to master, so for someone who had never touched anything sharper than a kitchen knife, the occasional times with the fake katana he had in his room, and his pocket knife; he could work with a spear.
Hopefully.
Oddly enough though, most protagonists picked up a sword, and within a few months they began to master it relatively easy as if anyone from Earth would have the talent to do so.
Although, Erwin did remember one saying that stuck with him for a while, 'the greatest basketball player will never touch a basketball, the greatest runner will never run longer than a mile, the greatest tennis player will never pick up a racket, or the greatest mathematician will never go past geometry.'
Erwin would never forget, because he was praying it was right as he attacked York who stood in a squatted stance with a wooden sword drawn.
With a simple thrust forward, Erwin aimed directly for York's neck, the latter trying his best to hide his slight amusement, but sadly Erwin noticed and could only curse himself.
The thrust was thwarted easily with a simple side step and a casual slash, causing Erwin to almost trip over himself and fall forward.
Luckily, he was not a complete klutz, able to stop himself and take another step forward to try and stick the pointy end of his spear somewhere in his enemy.
This attack failed also, ending up with a wooden broadsword inches from his neck.
York smiled, "A great first try, but the lesson you shall learn is that a spear's specialty is inherently on the defensive side, seeing as with enough skill you can create a shield that can cover you from all angles."
Erwin righted himself, staring annoyingly at the long piece of wood in his hands, "Understood, what else?"
York swabbed his chin and sheathed his wooden sword, "Well, I would say for today we focus on the very basics, I just wanted to see where you stand on your own, and no offense young master Erwin, it may be before the starting line."
Erwin exhaled, resting the spear on his shoulder as he nodded along, 'I really thought I had a chance, guess not everyone can be blessed with a hidden talent.'
York motioned for Erwin to come closer while squatting down and lifting his heels, "The first stance you will learn is from a series of martial arts called Base, it does not excel in anything, nor does it fail in other places. Most anyone can learn it, and even if I did not show you your body would do so on instinct."
Erwin mimicked York's stance, lifting his heels and lowering his center of gravity. If he did not have a spear, he would most likely look like a boxer.
"Now, we will work on footwork, first a quick step forward, then to each side, and finally backwards."
York demonstrated with each motion, moving forward swiftly, before evadeding to each side and then a step back that actually made his feet blur for a moment."
Erwin was stunned, because despite knowing he was in a world where superhumans did in fact make up most of the population, it was still jarring. Even his height of 6'5 was average, as on the taller side people pushed past seven foot, and a scant few even eight feet tall.
Hal, the MC, was seven foot five, and unsurprisingly everyone else in his harem except for Davaniel were shorter than him.
A curse of the original Erwin being part of the main cast, forever in the shadow of the MC. He would naturally never be as powerful, as good looking, or as brave. It was just a fact from the plot of Love and artifacts, but hopefully in time he could change it.
However, it began with the basics, so for the next two hours he did something he thought he would never learn to do, which was to step correctly. Placing his foot in the right position each time, and knowing when to do so without the instruction of York.
The sun beat down the entire time, and Erwin was thankful that it was autumn so it was bearable, though he was still drenched in sweat and could barely hold his own spear at the end.
In the end, he could not, and it clattered to the floor, Erwin following not long after as he sprawled out like he wanted to make a snow angel.
"That is all for today, rest up, and I would recommend carrying your spear from today onward, no matter what you are doing."
Erwin was heaving in mouthfuls of air, staring up at the big blue sky and shaking his head, "Yes sir, will do, though what about bathing?"
York blushed and looked away, which Erwin caught and just closed his eyes to ignore the fact his tutor's gate definitely swung a different way.
'Damn BL, hopefully not ever male is gay right? Right? Is that a flag?'
Erwin rested for ten minutes before picking up his sore body and the damned spear he was meant to hold, heading toward the bath that was connected to his room. He had used it twice before, but still upon seeing the expansive stone bath reminiscent of a public swimming pool, he still felt sore about how the rich did live better than most.
There was also a small waterfall, and a layer of mist floating above the surface of the warm water like a blanket.
The scene reminded Erwin of a particular panel in the manhwa where Hal and Davneil were taking a bath after having a personal duel that ended in a draw. There, inside the bath, was where Erwin's eyes had been tainted. He had skipped the first few sex scenens, but some just snuck up on him. One panel they were splashing each other with water, the next they were passionately doing things that would not be visualized in Erwin's mind.
Shaking his head, he dropped his clothes and stepped down into the pool, enjoying the water that felt like a jacuzzi.
Time passed quickly, and only upon stepping out did Erwin discover that his body felt fine, he even got the urge to go training once again.
Curios, Erwin gazed at the water, trying his hardest to see if his thoughts were correct. Mana was clear to begin with, and only upon it being willed to do something would it gain color. Upon studying the water, Erwin discovered the tiniest aura of white, meaning it was a magical bath that helped him recover.
'Neat, maybe I could do the same with.. Alchemy?'
Erwin had almost forgotten that in Love and artifacts alchemy was most definitely a thing, as in the support course of the academies there were some who had helped Hal in his journey. Vex, the fifth member of the harem, had a hobby with alchemy, along with cooking food. He was a natural, and his potions came in handy.
The Seer, a mysterious woman that even Erwin did not know looked like since she was never shown, praised Vex's alchemy as being on the [Epic] tier without any prior teaching.
'Meaning if he actually tried, he could reach greater heights. Maybe I could get him to teach me, but then again I would have to go there, that place that no one would willingly go to.'
Erwin was thinking of an offshore island next to the sea province Feygraves, though a continent would be a better term. The place had been mentioned in an author's note to be the size of australia.
The island, which was called Purgatory, was a place in which all the highest level criminals in all the realms of Albion went to rot; not just humans.
The five races had made a joint decision to make Purgatory, a continent that has been destroyed due to war as it was the centerpiece of the world, a prison for anyone too strong or bizarre enough to be held by normal means.
It was crawling with the worst of the worst, and the Mc had been imprisoned there due to actions that would lead to the Gate of Eden opening, causing havoc to reign across the world.
Little did they know it would only make him more powerful, as who would think that an MC would stay rotting in a prison longer than need be.
Erwin would never go there, and if he had to, then he needed to be at least at the [Ascendant] level of strength. The trials were a bloodbath waiting to happen, and with a weak class like his he would only be at a disadvantage from the start.
His thoughts roamed, and Erwin let them as he went to his room and repeated what he had learned from York, going over it constantly until he could barely walk.
Then, he would take a dip in the bath and repeat. It was only when he noticed the water level began to drop by a few inches, letting him realize he was actually expanding the mana water everytime it healed him.
"Oh well, I am rich." Erwin chuckled as he continued on for the remainder of the day, making sure to tell himself this was all for his future goals, and to hold onto the spear that became heavier each second.
To see the beautiful world of Albion, and to be powerful enough to do so without issue.
Time passed faster with the consant training, and it seemed like Erwin had just rested his head when he heard Charles wake him up with a knock and the usual greeting.
"Young Master, it's me, Charles."
Erwin got up, rubbed his eyes slowly and yawned loudly, eliciting a chuckle from the old man who came to his side.
"I can see you have worked hard young master Everett, but please take into account the amount of sleep you are getting. Perhaps a break for today, I can tell Horace and York that you are busy. Maybe you can wear one of your mother's dresses today to help your mood?"
Erwin exhaled, "No Charles, I need to grow up, the world awaits me and I no longer want to be cooped up in this castle."
Charles almost fell over, a hand coming to his chest to stabilize his heartbeat, "I um, young master, was that nightmare you had so bad that it changed you this much?"
Erwin had waited for Charles to say something about his changing personality, so he began to bullshit to the best of his ability.
"That nightmare Charles, was actually the opposite. I saw a life where mother did not die, where Father was not so busy being used by the Guilds in Horris, or the fact the human realm was not brewing with a coming conflict. I dreamt of happiness, days without any darkness, a life I wished would become reality.
Then Charles, I woke up, reminded that none of those things were going to happen. No matter how hard I tried. I realized how I was at the whims of the world, whatever happened to me, I had no say in.
I want control, Charles, to decide how my life will go."
Erwin, despite that this was technically an act, thought back on his life. The life in which it felt like he was in a dream, like a fish following the flow of the river without any qualms about fighting against it. He never did anything he wanted, because he never really wanted anything. He was okay with being another gear in the machine of the world, no hatred for being forced to work a job he only liked, not loved, or the fact that he lost his Father without any warning.
The world took him away from him, the Father that had raised him even when they were living on the street for that single year, how Zach had to wear the same clothes for multiple days, using a hoodie to cover up the fact that they could not afford anymore.
The times in which his Father finally landed that dream job, and life began to look up, as it was always hard for a man as old as him to start all over in another field.
High school came in a blur, and Zach was totally fine with not pursuing a higher education and just working, or until his Father said he had saved up enough, enough to send him to a four year college.
Zach had no passion, only the occasional interest, and he had no dreams or aspirations. He went to college for two years , dropped out after getting his associates, and then found a job in the tech field.
His life was humble, but in reality it was simply him being pulled along by a leash, none the wiser as he marched on.
'What do I truly want? Why do I want control? This world, why do I suddenly have goals when in my previous life I never did? When did I get so determined?'
The next words that left Erwin's lips was no act.
"To survive, Charles, I want to survive. No matter how low of a goal that is, no matter if it is not a big enough dream to carry me to the end of my life, I simply want to survive; to see the next day.
To know I still breathe."
Erwin realized he had been speaking aloud, quickly looking over to see Charles staring directly at him, his hazel eyes peering deep within Erwin's as silence marinated the two.
"I…" Charles smiled. "I will support you, so that you can achieve that goal, even if it is the lowest hanging fruit. Reach for it young master Everett, and never let go. This world is ridden with devils, ones that will not hesitate to reap your life. So live, that is all I ask of you on behalf of your mother."
Erwin looked down at his petite white hands, and as he did, he watched as a single tear fell and splashed on his palm.
'I will live, no, I will thrive.'