Part -VI The knight they call Valor
"It's my victory."
The fight, which lasted almost three intense minutes, ended with me as the victor. Now, I had the right to do whatever I needed without anyone interfering.
Rose stood back up from the ground, brushing the dust off her bodysuit. "Just how strong have you become? Even with me going all out, I felt like you were holding back."
I gave her a witty grin. "What are you talking about? I gave everything I had in me just now."
She chuckled, her eyes twinkling with amusement. "You always were a terrible liar, you know. But I'll admit, that was impressive. I never expected you to pull off such a powerful move."
I shrugged, trying to downplay it. "Well, I've had a good teacher. Plus, I guess desperation brings out the best in me. Anyway, I won, and now we stick to the deal we made."
Rose rolled her eyes, but there was a hint of pride in her voice. "Fine, you win this round. Just remember, you're not invincible. And don't get too cocky." With a deep sigh, she continued, "If you're so sure about it, then there's nothing I can do to change your mind. But promise me, whenever you need assistance, you will ask for my help. Got that in your head?"
"Yeah, yeah," I rolled my eyes.
She then commanded, "But I'm not leaving those two with you. It's not safe for either of them to be with you."
"Don't worry, I don't plan on taking Melody anywhere. I've already asked Aunt Louisa to take her in earlier," I affirmed.
"Alright, then it's oka—WAIT, what about Aeric?! There's no way I'm leaving that sweet kid under a wild beast like you! While I agree that his mental fortitude is beyond ordinary compared to other kids his age, still!"
"Oh, playing favorites, are we?" I replied with a touch of seriousness.
"I know that moron will do anything he can to get involved in all this mess. He needs to be stronger, maybe even stronger than me, and I don't have the luxury to train him myself or the right methods. So, I've already thought of a way for him to get stronger. In the next six years, he'll join the G.U. Academy like any 13-year-old, but before that, he'll train with my most trusted subordinate and one of the most loyal knights under the Rifolds."
As I continued to speak, a figure started to emerge from the forest amidst a swirling blue fog. Within an instant, the figure vanished and reappeared just behind Rose, hands positioned in an attacking stance.
Rose was initially shocked by the sudden ambush she couldn't read, but her dumbfounded expression soon turned into a smirk as she spoke:
"Seriously, you siblings take after your parents so much that it's almost frightening. Just how much have you planned?"
I replied with a calm yet intense demeanor, "What do you mean by that? Anyway, you might be meeting him for the first time. Allow me the honor of introducing you to Botang Kretz."
As I spoke his name, the atmosphere seemed to shift. Botang Kretz, known as the 'Valor of Rifolds,' was not just any knight. His presence commanded respect and fear alike. His silver-blue hair, thick beard, and piercing eyes spoke of countless battles and unwavering loyalty. He had served the Rifolds for decades, his very name synonymous with strength and honor. Rose's eyes widened, recognizing the weight of his reputation.
"He has been the stalwart guardian of our family, a legend in his own right. There is no one else I trust more to train Aeric. Also, Rose, I have one last favor to ask of you... would you please comply?"
After hearing my request, Rose crossed her arms and gave me an intense look, her earlier amusement replaced by a newfound respect. "After all this planning, you still need my assistance? Very well then, let's hear it."
Aeric Rifold POV:
As my consciousness slowly returned, I found myself once again submerged in the eerie crimson waters of my dream. The empty voice, distant yet ever-present, spoke with a solemn tone.
"Back again so soon?" the voice echoed, sensing my shattered state.
I blinked, trying to gather my thoughts amidst the haze of despair. "You... you're that voice," I managed to say, my voice hollow and broken. "Who are you? Why do you keep haunting me?"
The voice seemed to pause, its presence comforting yet unsettling. "Who am I? ...I wonder that myself," it replied softly. "But I know that only after someone enters this crimson ocean of solitude can I pass on. And now, thanks to you, I can finally do so. But Aeric, I sense a great turmoil within you."
"My parents..." I choked on my words, tears welling up once more. "They're gone. They're never coming back."
The voice remained silent for a moment as if mourning with me. "I'm sorry for your loss, Aeric," it finally said, its tone filled with compassion. "In your sorrow, you question your strength. You have always felt the need to stay strong, to carry on, but now you doubt if you were ever strong to begin with."
I nodded, my shoulders shaking with sobs. "I don't know if I can do this," I admitted, my voice barely above a whisper. "I've always told myself to stay strong, but now... now I don't know if I can."
"Strength isn't always about being unyielding," the voice replied gently. "It's also about allowing yourself to feel, to mourn, to grieve. You've bottled up your emotions for too long, Aeric."
I closed my eyes, the weight of my emotions pressing down on me like a heavy burden. "What should I do?" I asked, my voice trembling.
"Allow yourself to grieve," the voice said softly. "Acknowledge your pain, for it is a testament to the love you hold for your parents. Only then can you begin to heal and find the strength to move forward."
I nodded slowly, tears streaming down my cheeks. "I... I will try," I whispered, a flicker of determination in my voice.
"Remember, Aeric Rifold," the voice spoke with reassurance, "strength will come not from avoiding pain, but from facing it with courage. Until we meet again, may your resolve guide you through the darkness."
As the crimson waters began to fade, I felt a sense of peace wash over me. I knew the road ahead would be difficult, filled with grief and uncertainty, but I also knew that I wasn't alone. With each tear shed and each painful breath, I would honor my parents' memory and find the strength to carry on.
But one thing is now certain with me, "I'll become stronger, and once I do I'll take my revenge on whoever did this."
Celestial Year 2041, October 10:
"ARGH!" I woke up, still feeling a little dizzy but better than before.
"Where am I?" I looked around the room. It seemed to be a bedroom in a luxury mansion, smaller than where I used to live on Cellus-2, but still impressive. My attention was drawn to the window. When I opened it, I saw the scenery of an ocean. It seemed like I was in a coastal region.
'I see so it was again that strange dream, this is the second time it happened after that leaf knocked me out... ' Then the realisation struck me 'this time I don't feel any unease unlike the last time I dreamt of that strange voice but rather I feel relaxed...'
As I took in my surroundings, I heard footsteps outside the door. The door slowly opened.
*creak~~*
"Young Master, you're awake!" A brown-haired maid spoke in astonishment as she wheeled in a trolley filled with freshly made food and set it on the table
"Young Master, Master Eric wishes you to meet him as soon as you wake up."
"Ah... Y-Yes please lead the way" I replied
We slowly made our way to his room, on the way I saw the mansion I was currently in, it looked like I was still on Aurora Prime as I asked some questions on the way." umm.... can I ask something? ", she gave me a nod,
"Where exactly are we and how is my brother related in all this from the way you addressed me before and how you mentioned my brother as 'Master' I can guess that you serve as a Rifold household maid but I don't remember knowing that Rifolds has any land on Aurora Prime?"
We continued down the hallway, and Kel gave me a subtle smile in response to my question. "I see," she began, "you do have a knack for grasping the situation, young master. It's my first time meeting you, but I understand why Master Eric speaks so highly of you. My apologies for not introducing myself earlier."
She turned slightly and bowed her head in a gesture of respect. "My name is Kel, and I serve as Master Eric's personal assistant. We're currently at the outskirts of Luminara City, in Miss Rose's mansion."
"Oh, is that so..." I mused, taking in the information. "Well, that's not surprising. Rose's family holds significant political influence across the Golden Union, and they're quite wealthy." As we walked, I continued to survey the mansion's grandeur. Eventually, we reached a particularly imposing door, and Kel knocked softly.
"Yes, you can come in," my brother's voice echoed from within. Kel gently pushed the door open, revealing a room that resembled something out of a mystery movie. Sticky notes covered a window, connected in a web of lines on a conspiracy board.
"Brother, are you alright? It seems like you've taken quite a hit," I asked, concern evident in my voice.
"LIKE HELL! WHAT DO YOU TAKE ME FOR? I CAN ALREADY SEE THAT SMUG FACE OF YOURS THINKING, 'THIS BROTHER OF MINE HAS GONE NUTS!'" he replied furiously.
"Ahem..." Kel interjected, and he seemed to calm down slightly.
"Well, if you're good enough to joke around, then I guess there's nothing to worry about. Anyway, I'm glad to see you're doing okay little bro." This time he asked with genuine feelings
"I'm relieved to see that you're not too affected by our parents' death," I replied.
"Oh, is that how it seems...."He broke eye contact as he looked the opposite way and waited a moment.
'I think I shouldn't have said that.....', after what like half a minute he turned around and spoke:
"Anyways, moving on to why you're here: you're going to start real combat training starting tomorrow."
"Haaaaah...? Wait, I'm so lost here. I'm going to train? But I thought you had no time due to the academy's busy schedule?" I was confused. Then, without even realizing it, someone familiar appeared beside my brother.
He had silver-blue hair and a thick beard. It was none other than one of my father's most loyal underlings,
"It's been quite a while Young Master Aeric, you've grown since I last saw you..."
our family's head knight, Uncle Botang, also the knight called 'Valor.'
"Yes, Aeric. He's the one who will train you for the next six years. Be prepared, because everything starts now. "
To be continued...
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