In the Berkyl Region, the day started off with Archibald who was still in bed.
A gentle tap on his shoulder disrupted his sleep only a bit, "Just five more minutes.. Or ten." his sleepy voice murmured.
"Big brother, wake up!" the girl tapped him again, and as she said, Archibald was indeed her older brother.
His eyes opened gently. For a moment he could see Milim, but then he adjusted his sight after blinking several times. It turned out to be his little sister - Arcelia Pendragon.
"Won't you get up already, mom said you should be up as early as 6:00 to help the villagers on the fields... You promised." she pouted.
He was still in bed, but clearly got the message, "Okay.." he sounded a tad exasperated.
("Yep. My little sister, Micheal and Amaraʼs overnight relations finally paid off..")
Arcelia was currently five years old. She had light red hair and petite stature given her age. Her skin was a bit pale and her eyes were a light shade of green unlike Archibaldʼs whose were red.
After this, she reprimanded him for his lack of steadfastness. A lecture he barely listened to.
...
[Archibaldʼs Current Age] :: Eleven years old.
[Thunder God Art] :: Advanced.
[Black Moon Art] :: Advanced.
[Sky Lord Art] :: Advanced.
[Sword Saint Art] :: Advanced.
Archibald had made a commendable decision to grow his hair longer and tie it into a ponytail with a hairband.
Additionally, he had revamped his attire to include a tunic worn under a short-sleeved jacket that covered his chest and was fastened by a large belt, along with metal gauntlets.
The lower portion of his outfit comprised of a white cargo pant, sarong, and dark boots.
He'd finished helping out the villagers. He could now focus on what looked like the only interesting part of his day, which was training with Velrossa.
WHAM! WHAM!
Velrossa continually struck his wooden sword against the large boulder before him. He was practicing his swings to see how much damage he could cause with it.
Archibald on the other hand had his arms folded and his back against a tree. He sighed numerous times, so much so that it had begun to worry Velrossa who was supposed to be focused on his sword training.
"Is everything okay? Archie?"
"Huh? Uh, yeah yeah... Just umh, continue.."
"Okay.."
WHAM! WHAM!
Velrossa's repeated strikes against the boulder began anew.
("I've been training Velrossa to be a Swordsman because he said he wanted to be one. I mean, why not? It's not like I have anything else to do. I haven't improved in the Thunder God Arts since Gadi left, but now I rank Advanced in all four sword arts. Pretty impressive, right? I thought my story would be like the protagonist of a Shonen Manga, but nope. Turns out, I'm just the background character that doesn't even get a name in the cast. And let's be real, I'm probably gonna get killed off before the series even starts. It's like I'm living in a tragic comedy. But hey, at least I can say I helped Velrossa become a badass Swordsman..")
It wasn't necessarily common knowledge, but Archibald was most likely the strongest person in the Berkyl Region. Although he was only 11 years old, he was extremely talented and as such had great affinity for mastering the sword.
The only limit was that as a human, it's nearly impossible to go beyond the rank of Master (5th rank). The requirements were unbelievably large mana pool and physical strength beyond the human level.
As Archibald was born of both human parents there was no other way he could get any better than that.
This was what made him feel less enthusiastic about swordsmanship as of late. He felt like he'd reach his peak early and as a result wouldn't get any better.
("Velrossa is one hell of a swordsman. His mana pool is bigger than the average bear's, which means he's gonna be a force to be reckoned with. And that sucks for me. I mean, come on, can't a guy catch a break? I had nothing going for me in my normal life, and now I'm stuck in this fantasy world with no skills to speak of. It's like the universe is conspiring against me or something. But hey, at least Velrossa's good for something. If I stick around him, he's bound to attract some ladies. And let's be real, I could use a refill on my panty stock.")
WHAM! WHAM!
"You know what? We should take a break.." he noticed Velrossa was getting exhausted. Even Gadi never worked him this hard.
...
Velrossa and Archibald were currently relaxing under the shade of a tree that held significant sentimental value to both of them.
This particular tree was known as the Silver Persimmon and it marked the beginning of their friendship. It was under this tree that Archibald first encountered Velrossa being bullied by a group of boys.
As they sat under the tree, they shared a piece of bread that, although a bit stale, they had grown accustomed to. Velrossa seemed to enjoy it more than Archibald.
Overall, it was a heartwarming scene that could fill one with great approval and optimism for the power of friendship.
"You're doing that thing where you act weird.." said Velrossa.
"Huh? Me? It's no biggie, it's just I don't feel like I've improved much.."
"What?! But you're ranked Advanced in all four sword arts and you're only ten, most adults take more than fifteen years of their life to achieve that.."
He forcefully chewed the bread as he spoke, "Yeah... But it's just like, whatever. I wanna get stronger, and I don't think I can do that if I stay in the village.."
As much as Velrossa was against Archibald leaving, he always wanted to support him however best he could. "Why don't you go to that Academy Milim talked about.." he suggested.
Lifting an eyebrow, Archibald ponderously sighed with his eyes closing at the same speed. He wasn't too keen on the idea of going to school, the lingering effects of his past life prevented him from doing so, "I mean sure, but they'll be pretty weak there.."
The logic behind it was simple. Archibald had been training since he was three. Whereas the kids at this Xercraft Academy would have only began their training there freshly.
He'd easily outclass them. He wanted to get stronger, not be the strongest in a group of weaklings.
"Hmm, I guess you're right.."
After another laborious sigh to express his boredom, he uttered "I always am my guy.."
As the situation grew increasingly calm, a woman in her late sixties suddenly appeared on the scene.
Her hair was gray and her face slightly wrinkled, yet her countenance was filled with concern. It was clear that something truly terrible had occurred, and she was at a loss for what to do.
However, there was a solution at hand. She was implored to seek the assistance of not Archibald himself, but rather his father. By briefing him on the situation, he would be able to provide the necessary aid.
"Archibald! Where's your father?!" the woman said.
("That's Mrs Nune Giber, she's the wife of the village's only sword and gunsmith..")
"Uh, he should be out hunting I guess, is anything wrong?!" Archibald asked with concern.
Velrossa equally expressed concern, his face said it all.
"It's my husband...!" she worriedly responded. The manner with which she perspired showed that she had ran here. Before even approaching Archibald, she'd made inquiry for help from several other people who all referred to Michael Pendragon as the best choice.
"Mr Derte?!" he exclaimed, also uttering the name of said husband in an alarming fashion.
"Yes! He was planning on gathering some special minerals close to the Blackwaters District! He hasn't been back for long, I fear he may have gotten into some trouble there!"
("I mean, come on, who wouldn't be scared about their husband going to the Blackwaters District? That place is like the Bermuda Triangle of fantasy games - bad things just seem to happen there. Even as a kid, Velrossa and I knew to stay far away from that forbidden area. But now some unlucky adult is venturing in? Yikes. I don't blame her for feeling anxious..")
"Uh.. We should get your dad Archie.." Velrossa suggested, situations like this made him feel a tad feverish.
Archibald had other plans, "Yeah, you're right!"
"So where is he?!" the woman anxiously asked.
"He went to the forest north of the mountain range.." he pointed in the direction of the forest although she was well aware of its location, "He might also be at home, so I'll go check!"
So any of them who saw him first could relay the information and set a reacue plan in motion.
"Okay! Thank you Archibald! Such a good boy, you're parents must be proud!" she appreciated his invaluable cooperation.
"They tell me that everyday ma'am.." he radiantly smiled as a means of reassuring her everything would be fine.
After the woman left, Velrossa immediately asked, "But Archie, your dad is nowhere near those forests.."
"Well duh... We're gonna head to Blackwaters our self, I've been aching for some adventuring!"
Archibald had found something to quench his boredom.