---- In the Berkyl Region, near the Blackwaters District ----
"With the craft of the wind sprites, and the strength of the elders I summon thee, [Wind Blade]"
The little girl had made the necessary incantation.
As wind surrounded her hand, it formed into a green blade. It had become wind energy so dense it formed a sword-like object.
A burst of wind emanated from her feet, and in a flash she cut through five wild boars. Basic D ranked monsters.
("Wait, she's good with a sword too?!")
Archibald couldn't believe his eyes when she moved so quickly enough that she inflicted deep wounds on the boars.
"Did you see that Archie?!"
The wind blade in her grasp dispersed into invisible air.
"Uh, yeah.."
He awkwardly blushed a bit prior to looking in another direction.
"We should take a break." he added.
"Sure thing!" said Arcelia, she was quite voluble.
"Umh.. Arcelia, that thing you did with your feet, you didn't make any word out any spells."
Naturally, in order to cast spells one had to use the power of words, but she didn't need to.
("I swear.... If she has some sort of chant annulment hack I'm gonna lose it.")
"Oh they're enchantments, I used them on my boots, mother thought me."
He understood now.
The father had achieved an Advanced rank in the Sword Saint Arts, which was a commendable feat for a human.
Meanwhile, Archibaldʼs mother, Amara, was an Intermediate-class Magus, possessing a wealth of knowledge on enchantments and various other branches of magic.
"So technically, that's a Magic Gear..?"
A magic gear varied from Velgrynds, Handles and Archives.
They were basically tools enchanted by magic for much more efficient purposes.
For example, Arceliaʼs boots were to enchanted with magic and as a result she could make quick bursts via wind with them.
This would help a swordsman cover distance when in battle.
"Yes, it is, I made it myself.."
It made Archibald feel even less skilled.
("Maybe Muramasa was right... I'm not progressing much staying here, and besides, Arceliaʼs catches up quickly... Geez")
---- Status Information ----
Name: Arcelia Melvis Pendragon
Age: 5 Y/O
Title: —
Personality: Very obedient and studious girl.
Magic: Good in enchantments, a bit okay in Jade class magic.
Sword: Initiate ranked in all arts.
People she likes: Amara and Michael Pendragon.
People she loves: Archibald Pendragon.
-----
Discouraged, he slotted his Velgrynd, <
"We should head home.."
"But Archie... We only just started."
"Yeah, no, if we stay any longer I don't think I'll survive.."
He mumbled these words, which came as vague to Arcelia.
"Huh?" she uttered.
Walking away, Archibald slotted his hands into his pockets.
"Nevermind... Motherʼs most likely expecting me to bring you home early."
------
Their journey took about three minutes and their house was already in view.
"I'll rush home so I can help make lunch!"
Arcelia planned to make something her brother would enjoy. Running, she was sure to arrive at the house before Archibald.
("My sister is the best. Seriously, she's amazing. Not in a creepy way, obviously. Just normal brotherly love. But let me tell you, things haven't been great lately. Velrossa got killed by those damn orcs, and against my parents' wishes, I went to the caves where he died.")
He waved at Arcelia as he watched her run filled with enthusiasm.
("And get this, his body was gone. What the hell? I'm still not over his death, but in my past life, even when my other brother died, I didn't bother going to his funeral. I mean, come on, Elden Annulus was having a limited time dungeon event with the reward being the <
As much as Velrossaʼs death hurt him, Archibald had gone through enough in life not to feel broken by it.
He was insulted, bullied and hated by everyone he knew.
And why? He masturbated and dedicate his life to games and erotic clips.
When he opened the door to his home, he was met with a surprise.
It was his parents. They stood there waiting for him.
They seemed awfully proud about something. The smiles from them both disturbed the young boy.
("Why the hell are they smiling at me like that?! I should be worried but I don't have any secret panties stashed that they can could've found..")
"Umh... Mother? Father? Is everything alright?"
He said with a completely perplexed voice.
From behind Amara, a letter was unveiled.
"A letter came in for you today Archie!"
"Where from?"
Rubbing his chin gently, he pondered why a letter would be addressed directly to him.
He had no friends outside the Berkyl Region. Not even one.
("Could it be Gadi and Milim?")
It was a possibility.
"Come on! Open it already son!" said Michael.
Yeah, like they hadn't already opened it themselves. The seal of the letter had clearly been torn prior.
"It's from Xercraft Academy.."
The boy said after collecting the letter and then opening it.
He looked at the contents of the letter.
[ Dear Archibald Pendragon,
It is with great pleasure that I introduce myself to you.
I am Geraldine Greenjaw, the Principal of Xercraft Academy.
We have received word of your remarkable achievement, and it has come to our attention that you have been ranked Advanced in all Sword Arts.
Furthermore, we have learned that you are a student of Gadi, a [Saint Class] Swordsman.
In light of this, we would like to extend an invitation to you to study at our esteemed institution under a scholarship.
We strongly urge you to consider this opportunity to further your abilities to even greater heights with us.
We are confident that you will find our institution to be the perfect place to hone your skills and achieve your goals.
Xercraft Academy.
The Principal, Geraldine Greenjaw. ]
He stood there frozen. Archibald didn't know how best to approach this.
"So you're going to say yes, right?! Right?!"
The desperation in his mother's eyes made it hard for him to speak his mind.
If he went to the Academy, there was no way he'd be able to search for Sakura.
Possibly, Muramasa might never contact him again.
"Of course, this is Archieʼs chance to improve, and we wouldn't need to pay any money for such an expensive academy."
Michael was actually relieved their son got a scholarship offer.
Still, all the while both parents expressed their joy, Archibald was silent.
"You're so awesome big brother!"
Arcelia came from behind to hug him, she had to congratulate him for a job well done.
It was going to be difficult to break the news to them.
The way he clenched his fist tightly, was proof he found it difficult to tell them.
"Father? Mother? Can I make a selfish request?"
"No you may not."
Michael said with a smile, but he was hit gently from the back by Amara. Then, she said:
"Go on Honey, I'm sure you wouldn't say it if there wasn't a good reason."
The only reason Michael didn't want him to make a request was because he believed Archibald would ask for something expensive.
He didn't take his son as the type of person who was frivolous, but he wanted to be cautious.
'Please don't ask for something that'll bleed your old man's pocket..'
The thoughts of Michael visualized dusty pockets devoid of money.
"I don't want to go to the academy... At least not now, I want to become an adventurer and polish my skills."
It was an unexpected request.
"What?!" both parents shouted in unison.
The abrupt screams were enough to stun Archibald and Arcelia instantly.
"I-Is something wrong?" Archibald inquired.
"Well, of course! You're being offered a scholarship and you want to turn it down?!"
Micheal obviously wasn't pleased.
"Archie? You're being offered a chance to attend a prestigious academy, do you really want to turn that down?"
There was concern on her countenance when she asked her son this question.
"Wait, Amara you're really going to support this?"
"I'm not supporting it per se, but he is a Pendragon... The men from this family usually start their journeys to nearby cities at the age of 10, isn't it a way of strengthening them before they become adults?"
Amara had a good point, one so good it drove Michael crazy.
While this went on, Archibald remained quiet.
"Yes, we Pendragon men are naturally blessed with strength but he wants to become an adventurer. That entails a lot of dangerous missions."
"True... But remember Arthur Pendragon the Fourth traveled the world at an even younger age than my little Archie.."
"That was centuries ago, kids like that don't exist now.."
"Well I'd like to think my son is the most talented swordsman there'll ever be."
The woman folded her arms and flung her gaze away.
("My old man, Michael, is acting like a worried mother hen because I want to go on an adventure. Seriously, Dad? I'm not a baby anymore. But I know the real reason he's freaking out - I'll be turning down a scholarship from Xercraft. He's all about free education, but I can't blame him. I mean, who wouldn't want to save some cash? But come on, let me live a little. It's not like I'm going to be jumping out of a plane without a parachute. I've got this...")
The only person who couldn't follow most of what was going on, was Arcelia.
What seemed like a hopeless situation, slowly began to seem hopeful. Why? Because of Archibaldʼs words. He told his father:
"Father, please let me go on this journey. I haven't gotten stronger as of recent and I know I have to to better, I have to get stronger. If I don't, then I won't be able to call myself the first son you and mother can be proud of. I'm strong enough to handle myself, after all, I have both your bloods in veins. If I return I'll be stronger... I have to do this, if I ever want to earn your trust again."
By trust, he was referring to his reckless actions that got Velrossa killed.
Withal, his words were enough to soften Michaelʼs heart.
"But Archie... You know I've never lost faith in you... Sure, you made a big mistake, but a parent must also shoulder that mistake. You've done good to earn my trust son, you'll never lose it."
This resulted in a hug between father and son.
"I'm proud of you my son... Despite your mistakes, you learned the value of picking yourself up, and all on your own too."
He kissed Archibaldʼs forehead with his warm palms gently on his cheeks.
It's settled. Archibald was ready to leave the house. His adventure had now truly begun.
The rise of an unmotivated bastard to a potential hero of the ages.