RUDEUS GREYRAT
A year has slipped through the hourglass since then, and now I stand at the threshold of fourteen, a year that's been an odyssey of multiple trials and trivial growth.
In the past twelve months, my path as an Adventurer has led me across sprawling kingdoms---a nomad of quests and missions. The allure of fame and wealth, once a siren's call, has diminished, its glitter fading against the grand farago of experiences etched into me.
Nothing mattered much to me.
My undeviating focus this past year had been my magic. A web of power and potential that I've delved into, mastering the schools of attack magic. Ascending the ranks, from fledgling Adept to Saint, was no walk in the park, each ascent marked by tests that pushed my limits. Yet, it's the realm beyond Saint that's drawn me with an irresistible allure—a domain known as King, Emperor, and even God rank.
As I delved deeper into the annals of magic, a revelation dawned—a realization that the ascending tiers of King, Emperor, and God ranks were shrouded in a simpler truth. It became evident that beyond the rank of Saint and the exalted plateau of King, creativity's spark dimmed, and the path to advancement transmuted into a pursuit of pouring greater measures of mana into the spell.
Simple as that.
The expanse of creativity and innovation seemed to halt at the juncture of Saint and King ranks, where the frontiers of possibility appeared to be perpetually realized.
I reached [King Rank] in Fire and Wind element. As for Water and Earth, I was able to reach [Emperor Rank]
However, the swift progress attributed to one decisive factor.
A recondite revelation—a shift from the sheer volume of mana to the refinement of each individual mana particle.
The realisation that quality overshadowed quantity became my guiding star. Although the essence of mana particles remained inherently unaltered, the finesse with which I could manipulate and infuse them imbued my spells with an unparalleled potency.
It's a question that could be posed: 'Why go on the arduous path of perfecting the intricacies of mana, when the simpler solution seems to be an influx of greater amounts into one's spells?'
However, just like the analogy of gas on earth, the essence laid not merely in abundance, but in the confluence of elements. Much like a gas expanding within a vessel that is expanding in tandem, the impact remains minimal.
But when the boundaries are Fixed and the gas becomes the conductor of compressed force through incessant collisions, the result is a heightened potency.
My trademark earth spells—[Quagmire], a quagmire capable of engulfing an entire forest, and [Stone Cannon], capable of toppling a dragon with a single blow—were categorised as Emperor Ranked Spells.
As for the water element, I was able to conjure [Lightning] separately from the Saint Ranked Spell.
"Not enough." The words left my parched throat, meek and subdued as the carriage I occupied quivered with a delicate tremor as it went over a small pebble.
On side note, I received Paul's letter. Zenith finally found a way back home. She was in Begaritt Continent's Teleportation Labyrinth----stuck in a mana crystal. Although, from what she explained, a group of adventurers killed the Guardian Hydra and rescued her.
She has contacted an illness where her expressions are mostly the same, but she can still talk and express-----even though it is miniscule. She has chances of recovery. From Paul's letter it seems like my grandma, Claire Latreia has contacted an Emperor Class healer who is looking for a cure for her, so we do not have to worry about healing her.
She will get better.
I told Paul about my engagement to Eris. The reply was much more ecstatic than I had imagined it to be. To be fair, I thought it would illicit a rather crude reply, but I can't tell. After all, it was a letter. I can't tell if he is actually happy or not.
Well, it doesn't matter. Eris is my fiancé. I can't be having second thoughts now. We are getting married next year anyways. From one of the letters from her, she told me how she was under direct tutelage of Sword God --- Gal Farion who is [Rank 6] on [Seven Great World Powers]
Eris was given the title of [Sword Saint] although I doubt, she cares about titles.
She was impressive. Putting aside comparison to Julian, she was actually doing very well. If I keep comparing her to Julian, I won't be able to appreciate her strength. He was something else. I mean, you probably can't imagine a kid who isn't even 7 performing the Sword God Style's ultimate technique.
Haaaah.....I miss him, man. I should name my son Julian.
Yep, let's do that.
I wonder if he was alive who he would have ended up with. His nature seemed like that of someone who'd stay single for life----by choice. Ah, damn, I am going to cry again.
As I pressed the bottom of my palm against my eyes, I heard a voice. "Are you ok?"
I looked up as I spotted a woman with a rather dark skin. She had brown skin with braided hair tied to a bunch in a ponytail.
Looking up, I sniffled, "Thanks for asking. I am alright." I replied, looking at no one in particular. The image of the two people, or rather two women in front of me was blurry. Using the edge of my sleeve, I cleared my eyes and finally took in their sight. Besides the dark-skinned woman was actually a fairly young girl.
She was a young girl with light blue eyes and short blond hair. Her face had a sharp expression and facial features from Asura. To an extent that her face kind of resembles... Eris!Oh God.... better not think about her at this moment. I was just having an emotional recollection of my dead brother. Better not ruin the moment because of how uncontrollably horny I am.
I mean, yeah, I was a virgin until a year ago but once you taste the delicacies of the "ACT" known as "sex", you can't get your head out of it. It is a liberating feeling. If you ever had the curiosity of how a butterfly would feel after coming out of its cocoon, this is how it is. Yep, exactly like this.
Back to the girl, she has a slender body with moderate-sized bust. It was smaller than Eris though. Eris had a bigger rack even a year ago.
Heh.
Eris for the win.
"What is wrong with him?" The girl's hushed yet not-so-hushed inquiry tickled my eardrums. Psst, just so you know, I've got ears sharper than a rabbit wearing hearing aids. I can hear you, little girl! Yes, little. Of course, she is still a virgin, so she is "little", even though she looks a year or two older than me.
It's hard being privileged such as myself to have his bread baked in the oven. Sigh......
"Shush, do not be disrespectful." The woman at the girl's side delivered a scolding in hushed tones that were about as subtle as a marching band in a library. The failed attempt at secrecy was almost like a bull trying to tiptoe through an Asian fish market.
Do a better job, woman!
"Uh, sorry about her. My name is Suzanne and this little one here is Sara. We are from a party named [Counter Arrow] Nice to meet'cha." She introduced herself. Her tone was quite subtle, and you can guess she was quite gentle and warm. Exactly the type of people one should avoid. You never know what hidden intentions one might carry.
But then again, I am a gullible man. Haaaaah.....
The woman nudged Sara with her elbow as she looked at me witj contempt for some unknown reason and then looked away, "I am Sara. Please should be all yours, I guess. I am an archer. We are no looking for mages!"
Wha----
You say it as if I'm attempting to infiltrate your grand gala, you diminutive rodent.
The audacity, treating me as if I'm some kind of undercover cheese thief. Let me tell you, you blond rat that I am an Emperor Class Mage.
Hmph!
I am feeling like a grumpy teen girl now.
"I am Rudeus Greyrat. Nice to meet you both." I replied in the most respectable way.
Was it genuine? Hell no. I would've preferred saying "Nice to meet ya! Flash Fire, Max Output!" but eh, let's leave it at that. I am not actually mad that this tsun-tsun side character talked crass to me.
"Greyrat? One of the Notos?" Sara's voice carried an inquisitive note, the previous aura of disdain and aversion now shifting into a turbulent storm of genuine anger.
But why, pray tell, are your eyes fixated on me with such an intensity, dear missy? I wasn't the ruffian responsible for whatever... uhm, incident you're brewing in that mind of yours. And oh, let's swiftly tiptoe away from the edge of that thought, shall we? No need to dwell on... whatever it is.
As for my own memory, well, it appears to have taken a vacation without inviting me, since I do not remember me doing something naughty. I am not even a Notos damn it.
Ah, but could it be that Paul, in his former Notos days, unwittingly stirred the pot of trouble involving Sara's mother, or some equally tangled tale of woe? Or perhaps the current generation of Notos bear the weight of some ancestral misdeed?
The pieces of this puzzle seem to have more jagged edges than a mismatched jigsaw.
And speaking of pieces, her gaze is drilling into me like an overzealous woodpecker, complete with the intensity to strip me bare and span--- whoa, whoa, hold your horses, mind! This is Rudy, the staunchly obstinate one. Begone evil thoughts!
"Uhm, not really. I do not belong to any of the major houses of Greyrats. I am but a wee little boy born of good parents." I uttered my words threaded with a touch of self-deprecating humor.
Honesty tinged the air, mingling with a hint of complexity. It's true, Paul may have danced on the grimier side of life----a true scum of the earth...oh wait, that's me, I meant, true scum of THIS world, but beneath that tarnished veneer lingered a man who fought tooth and nail, every sunlit dawn, to forge a better path.
The sentiment, oh, it matters more than we sometimes dare to acknowledge. The nefarious dance of actions and intentions, a waltz tangled in the web of circumstances. He was too young and too dumb when he did all that. Every person receives a chance at redemption. And someone as hardworking as Paul received one, no doubt.
And let's not cast all the blame upon the scoundrel Paul, for a more objective perspective unveils a truth painted in shades of gray. The very bloodline coursing through the Greyrat veins, it seems, has taken quite the scenic route through twists and turns that history carved with its quill.
The Greyrat blood is like an aphrodisiac. Men have a never-ending libido and women...wait, how are Greyrat women like? Uh, wait, I did not hear about a single Greyrat woman, other than Eris. I mean, when I sniffed her shirt, she did sniff my boxers back but that was very subtle.
Hmmm...... Uh, anyways. Who cares.
So, let's spare the ire for the pint-sized lad caught in the crosshairs, shall we? Don't pin the blame on the littlest duckling when the murky waters were stirred by others beyond his downy reach.
"Do you know someone named Julian Greyrat?" The girl suddenly blurted out. Oh boy, it came out of her mouth like a cannon and stroke my heart with an equal force. How long has it been since I heard my brother's name from someone other than myself?
A pretty damn long time.
Time's passage did little to dull the sharp edges of recollection, and the heartstrings, well, they possess an uncanny ability to hum melodies long after the music has faded into the abyss of yesteryears.
"I do...." My voice lingered away before I coughed and cleared my throat, ".....he was my brother."
"Huh!? Really? Where is he?" She asked, leaning forward. Her breasts jiggled like a pendulum despite her wearing that armour.
"He died." I spoke flatly.
Silence. An eerie silence.
The stillness hung heavy, so palpable that even the conjectured breaths of the carriage's steeds seemed to echo within the confines of my ears. Outside, the frigid wind danced, its sound like an eerie whisper.
The skeletal fingers of withered trees bowed reluctantly before this wind, producing slight crunching sound. Every sound, no matter how distant, etched itself onto the canvas of my awareness—the distant crunch of brittle branches, the rustle of leaves surrendering to the breeze's embrace, and the ethereal sigh of a world in deep repose.
Heck, I could even hear hastened breaths and heartbeat.
"You're kidding....right? You don't even look alike. You're definitely lying." Oh, brother dear of mine, what kind of nasty spell did you cast on this maiden. The girl is in denial. That's intense. Her face was flushed red. Her eyes seemed teary too but not much.
Hm? Sad but not enough to cry? Did he hook up with her? Might be possible. Am I an uncle? Nah, I don't think so.
Looking back, Suzanne had a similar look on her face. Surprised and totally bewildered.
Well, I guess she isn't just brewing up some sort of drama.
"Although we don't look alike, he was my twin. I take after my father, and he took more after our mother. He has dark golden hair and blue eyes, right?" I asked as she nodded and slumped back, her back sliding against the carriage wall.
"I see....." She mumbled, her eyes dark. She wasn't crying or anything, but she seemed really down. Really makes you think that he was her lifelong crush who just got married to someone else. Why did I make a marriage analogy? Well, women would rather kill you than let another woman have her man.
Yes. If I cheat on Eris, she made it very clear she'd cut me down in half. Which I have complete trust in. So, I am keeping lil' Rudy in my pants.
I looked over at Suzanne, "Erm, what happened exactly, if you do not mind me asking?"
She looked over at Sara who simply just looked to be in shock. Nothing much serious. She laid her head in Suzanne's lap and closed her eyes. "I am tired. I want to sleep." She announced in a pretty loud voice before going to sleep.
Suzanne smiled bitterly at her before looking at me. "I am sorry for your loss." She sounded really genuine.
"Thank you."
"Well, do you want to know?" Suzanne had a quizzical look on her face.
Never gonna say no to tea, never what?
"Will she be comfortable?" I asked, motioning my head towards Sara.
"Pretty sure she doesn't care anymore." Suzanne shrugged.
"Well then, I'd love to hear what kind of things my little brother had been cooking." I spoke and crossed my legs, sitting attentively.
She smiled bitterly, "Well, she said it happened a few days before the Teleportation Incident..."
(***)
A projectile zipped past Julian as he jerked his head to the side, avoiding it with a hair's breadth. Clutching the sword tightly in his hand, he pressed the ground with his heel, a surge of power propelling him forward.
The earth seemed to shudder beneath his feet as he closed the distance in a near instant, a blur of determination, cloaked in a bone chilling murderous aura.
The lustrous grizzly loomed before him, its massive form a proof of its imposing strength and a challenge to his mettle.
Just as he reached point-blank range, Julian's blade arced through the air, a blade kissed by frost and frigid layer---Ice Magic. The clash of steel against fur was a symphony of anticipation and inevitability. The sword bit into the grizzly's hide with a voracious hunger, its chill seeping into flesh and bone.
The world seemed to come down to a hush as the blade traveled its beautiful trajectory, and then the moment of impact arrived, a crescendo of power.
The lustrous grizzly cleaved apart as ice-infused crimson steel met the flesh of the monstrous foe. Blood sprayed like crimson fireworks, a macabre display of life's fragile surrender.
The severed pieces of the grizzly froze mid-air, crystallized remnants of a battle that had been decided in the span of a heartbeat. Julian's chest heaved with the exertion, the thrill of combat coursing through his veins.
"Yohoo, leave some for us you maniac." A tall man, almost as tall as Julian spoke from behind with a wide grin.
"First come, first served." He replied with a casual shrug.
Without pausing to bask in the aftermath, Julian's focus shifted with the swiftness of a lightning strike. His senses homed in on his next quarry, another lustrous grizzly poised for conflict. He propelled himself forward once more, a dance of deadly intent and calculated precision.
The lustrous grizzlies, with their white coats and single black stripes, moved as a coordinated tide of aggression. But Julian was a storm of his own making, a tempest that tore through their ranks.
Each swing of his sword was a beautiful symmetry of technique, an intricate dance of skill and instinct. He seamlessly melded his blade work with the magic that flowed within him, weaving frost and steel into a drapery of brutal massacre.
As he dispatched one foe after another, his crimson sword shimmer dimmed due to the manifestation of his ice magic. The very air seemed to crystallize around him.
The luster grizzlies, once a formidable force, fell before his onslaught like leaves in a hurricane. Their roars of challenge were silenced, replaced by the harsh clang of metal and magic cleaving through the hide with the ease of hot knife through butter.
His movements became a blur of brutality. He pivoted, twisted, and lunged, each action a declaration of his dominance over the battlefield. Blood spattered his clothes, mixing with the frost that clung to his blade. Without breaking a sweat, he cut down one monster after another.
He was not stopping.
"Fuck, he's lost it again." One of the men spoke. "Don't you think we should stop him?"
"Nah, let him take it out." The man in question replied.
"But Solda--"
"Like I said, let the brat blow off some steam. He doesn't sleep with women or drink any sort of booze. This is his liberation. Let him be." Soldat, a tall man with golden blond hair and blue eyes spoke, his arms crossed and a wide grin over his face.
Five grizzlies, then ten, then twenty fell beneath his blade. The scent of iron mingled with the bite of cold smelled exactly like unrestrained carnage.
Seconds blurred into one another, forming minutes, time and fatigue fading into insignificance. Julian's movements became instinct, his attacks an extension of his very being. The lustrous grizzlies continued to come, their numbers dwindling with every clash.
The moon hung high above, a silent witness to the battle that raged below.
Julian jumped in the sky, his figure bluring due to the moon behind him as he looked down. His clothes seemed to be more befitting of a grand party than to be worn for a fight of this scale.
[Gravity Magic - Grav Field]
As he pointed his finger downwards, the whole land fissured inwards and blood splattered upwards, making a thick stream that flowed from the dead monsters towards the inner side of the crevice, forming a small pond.
As the night fully descended, the battlefield fell silent after almost 5 hours.
The lustrous grizzlies had been vanquished; their once-ferocious presence reduced to stillness. Julian stood amidst the aftermath, his chest heaving and his blade gleaming with both blood and ice.
The landscape was a macabre tableau of victory, a testament to his unmatched skill. Standing between the clear sky and the messy ground, he stood like an unrivalled existence on the mountain of B Class monsters whose combined threat amounted to S Class.
He had eradicated the whole population of them.
Breathing slightly heavily, Julian surveyed the scene. Over a thousand lustrous grizzlies laid defeated.
The air was heavy with the putrid scent of blood, mingling with the faint whispers of winter. As the moon cast its silver embrace upon the battlefield, Julian's gaze turned skyward. He felt bored, the mundanity of the task proving like a heavy weight on his chest.
He swung his blade to the side, the blood forming an arc as it splattered on the ground. Taking out a cloth from his pocket, he wiped the remaining liquid from his sword and sheathed it with a subtle click.
"Had enough?" Soldat asked as he woke up, yawning loudly.
"Probably." Julian replied. Soldat was about to laugh but when he looked behind Julian, his jaw gaped.
"Dafu--- There were more?" He asked.
"Hm? Oh yeah, I conjured a spell so more came this way. Sorry for the mess." Julian explained, cracking his head as he looked down at his clothes. "Yep, they're ok."
Soldat's jaw was almost on the ground, "Never mind the extinction, why is there not a single drop of blood over you?"
"Do you prefer I was covered in cuts and bruises? That's harsh." Julian replied with a rather amused tone.
"No, not that. Not even a single drop of blood even from the grizz--, well never mind. If I were to get surprised for every time you did something like this, I would've died by now. But damn....you really did press the whole place into oblivion." Soldat commented as he looked back at half the forest being obliterated along with heaps upon heaps of Luster Grizzlies.
"Hm. I know someone who could've destroyed a place bigger than this in a much easier way." Julian commented as he looked at his palm, Rudeus' image flashing in his mind.
"Come on, don't be so modest. He must be some old geezer who dedicated his life to it."
"He's as old as me." Julian replied and patted his shoulder, "I am sure you've done something to take care of this mess."
"Of course, I have." Soldat smacked his chest as he spoke proudly. As if on cue, around 40 people specializing in relocating objects and monster remains arrived. "Here they are. Although I must say, the fee for these people alone is more than a B ranked quest. You sure are my golden goose."
"I am taking 85%." Julian announced and walked past him.
"Take 90% Julian-chan. The 10% for this much is enough to make me bath in gold, heh."
"Oh? Good for you, I guess." Julian replied and continued walking away.
"Where do you want me to send the money?"
"I'll have someone pick it up." Julian replied meekly and let out a tired breath, making his way to the nearest inn. His silver-white hair draped down on his face, masking his usual stoic face. Fog expelled from his mouth as he breathed heavily. His hair was much longer than before, stopping just above his shoulders. Two other locks rested on the side.
Picking one of the longer locks from his side, he examined them. "I should cut them."
>Next Chapter - The Heaviness on Her Chest<
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