Chapter 1
A world beyond your own. A sense of freedom you've never known for yourself. An adventure grander than you could begin to conjure up. That is what awaits you from this point forward. That is what I'm offering the boy known as Eden Connor.
Staying in the eastern nation of Ester is of course possible, in fact it's admirable. You've already got a job so you could stay there and take good care of your mother and sister, live out a peaceful life and die an old man, leaving your descendants to tell your story.
Or, you could journey the world and see it for all it's wonders. Explore the entire Compass Continent starting with the Central Empire and it's Five World Towers, its centre tower reaching high enough to touch the sky, it's one hundred floors being a thing of wonder.
The northern country of Neil, it's complicated history of politics and warfare, isn't a recommended destination but it's still part of the continent, in name only, so a trip there would be enjoyable. As for the western nation of Weiss well...let's say that there's more to it than meets the eye. Sauralis is a shitty country, don't visit it.
That last comment was unnecessary but I suggest you heed it well. There are plenty of other continents outside the Compass Continent though. The likes of Pangea, with their incredible martial arts techniques and magic spells that rival the divine. The home of the angels, Arcadia, is a small island compared to Pangea but it has its own charms, a must see for someone like you.
The demon realm, the kingdom of demons named Helheim is in fact a spectacular place in its own right. Their technology is unrivalled throughout the entire world, save for Cosmas of course, they've made advancements in travel, housing and of course weaponry. New long-range weapons have been made called fire arms. They should be arriving shortly in Ester if they haven't already.
In the south most part of the world lies what was once the home of the primordial races the Agrabaths. No one knows whether they're still there or not but I can promise you that it's a place worth visiting believe me. And finally, we have Cosmas. Around now there should be a little upstart there making a name for himself similar to the one who made a mess around sixty years ago.
Of course, the world calls him a devil but to the people he saved he will forever be a hero. Him aside, the upstart in Cosmas isn't such a bad guy once you meet him. Go there I swear you won't regret it. How could I forget, directly south of Erith lies an island nation known as Atlanta. Legend has it that a dragon once lived there, a great beast that managed to achieve the rank of Dragon King.
It doesn't sound like a big deal but consider this for a moment, since the dawn of time all the way to the year 1450 there has only been five dragons that became Dragon Kings and only one of them a reached Dragon God. No one knows where this Dragon God is right now but I'm sure she's out there somewhere. Amazing, isn't it? If you want to find out more about this world then come find the adventure of a lifetime in Weiss.
Sincerely Yours
Eren Darksoken.
When I finished reading the tattered letter I felt my head spin. Doubt filled my heart only for a little while but the feeling of excitement far outweighed any doubts I had. Not from the letter mind you but from the concept of the world being as vast and humongous as the letter suggested.
Throughout my eleven years of living all I've ever known was the capital of Ester, Erith. I'd never seen or heard of anything beyond that but I've come to realise that there is a lot waiting for me out there just waiting beyond the gates of the capital.
I thought about my life for the second, my mother, Marianne, and older sister, Lucy. My boss, Luck, and potential girlfriend who still made my heart race anytime I saw her. Would I really abandon them to explore the world? Of course not!
Besides the letter was awfully cryptic about its contents. It barely covered anything about the locations mentioned. If anything, it felt more like someone was luring me away from my home and trying to whisk me away someplace far away. There's no way I'd fall for that.
They promised dragons? So, what, I'm supposed to jump ship just cause someone promised giant, majestic, fire breathing, possibly wish granting over grown lizards? Only a complete novice would fall for that. I'm young, not a novice. Something about new technology waiting for me in the demon realm? Helheim?
Ester's got plenty of inventions already. Just last week a new shipment of enhancement potions was delivered from Sauralis. That's plenty technology for me. Martial arts? Don't need it, I've got magic. I'm the Water God. A fist can't harm me if it can't reach me so that's that.
Primordial races? A race of people who've been around since before the dawn of time? People who've very possibly been around when the world was created. Utter and complete bologna, nobody's seen the world come into existence. I hope….
The more I thought about it the more suspicious the letter became. Blinding me with world wonders was a brilliant play on their part, I wouldn't have noticed the name.
Nice try Eren Darksoken.
The name sounded familiar, like I've heard and said it thousands of times but I denied it after realising that there's no way I'd forget such a name. Especially one as attention worthy as Eren Darksoken. A name like that isn't easily forgotten, not even by me.
In fact, it should especially be remembered by someone like me since our names are so similar. Eden, Eren, literally they were just one letter away from being the same name. Scary. I carefully folded the letter and put it in my back pocket and returned to my duties. Today was the day that we'd introduce "firearms" to our store.
Fire arms are a new invention that were originally introduced by a scientist….in...Helheim.
Can this guy predict the future or something!!?
Using them was easy as long as said user has mana. They fire using a combination of wind, fire and earth magic circles all placed in layers at the base of the barrel. To be able to draw something that small and get it to function really was an incredible feat. The first layer, a wind circle, acted as a sort of propeller for the projectile.
The second layer, a fire circle, would release a mini explosion prompted by the first, sling shoting the projectile out the barrel. The third layer, an earth circle, would form said projectile. It acted like ammunition for the fire arm. The circle already had conditions for size and shape embedded into it so any schmuck could make ammunition with it.
Of course, this made the earth circle bigger than the other two so it consumed more space, that was why it had to be placed as the third layer and not the first. Safety was also a priority so fire arms were first distributed to the knights of the capital.
Any store that wanted to sell them needed to get licensed first. Needless to say, that Luck fought tooth and nail for that licence and two days ago he finally got it. Now our store was selling both enhancement potions and fire arms.
"This month's pay check smells delicious…." I mumbled; my lips curled into a villainous grin.
"What are you doing?" Reiya asked in shock.
The scorn in her emerald eyes nearly brought me to my knees but I powered through it. I couldn't let myself be defeated by death glares; it'd be a shame to the title of Water God. That and I partially understood Reiya's plight. I'm only eleven, I couldn't be seen making such faces in public.
I quickly gathered myself and put my pocker face on. "Nothing. What are you doing?"
Awesome come back genius.
"I'm working, which is something you should also be doing."
She replied while cleaning one of the fire arms. Her delicate hands worked their way across the long stretching pipe of-.... Watching her clean it felt like I was committing some sort of crime. Peeping? No, it felt more like "Indecent exposition." If such a crime even existed.
Blame the author.
I shook my head off the thought leaping off the chair I was standing on all the while. After jumping off my figure became invisible behind the store counter, I was really that short. I grabbed a fire arm off one of the shelves and examined it.
"Ever wondered who made these things?" I asked.
"Someone who's smart enough to know that they aren't toys. Stop playing with that it's dangerous!"
"You would make a stifling mother one day."
I could already imagine it, Reiya the helicopter parent.
"Hilarious now put it back."
"Fine."
As Reiya advised I put away the fire arm and turned my attention back to her. Her pink hair, her cherry lips, her voluptuous chest that somehow managed a perfect size and shape.
While I gazed, I managed to catch a glimpse of her thighs. Reiya was wearing a skirt, a rare event. Reiya in pants had its own appeal but seeing her in a skirt once in a while was mouth watering. If I bent over just slightly, I'd manage to catch a glimpse of her under garments.
Reiya landed a swift chop on my head in annoyance. I prayed in my heart that time would speed up so I'd marry this girl. I looked at her eyes apologetically and noticed a detail I'd overlooked earlier on. Her eyes weren't her usual golden hue they were green.
"What's up with your eyes?"
"I'm angry."
"No, I mean your eye colour. They're green."
Reiya raised her eyebrows. "They are? I guess it's been a while since I've had any blood."
I was amazed that she could say that with a straight face. Cannibals gotta be cannibals, I guess.
I offered her mine without thinking. "Want some of mine?"
"The day I consume the blood of a child is the day I become a criminal."
"I'm not a child."
"Eden you're eleven years old. What are you if you're not a child?"
No matter what I did Reiya would always see me as a child. Perhaps that was why she never returned my affections.
"Miss Reiya." I said in a serious tone.
Reiya finished cleaning the fire arm and put it on a shelf before taking another. "If you want me to do your portion then forget it, I have enough work to do as it is."
The words left my mouth with such ease it scared me. "I'm in love with you."
I cringed only after I'd said those words. I prepared myself for the ensuing awkwardness but Reiya answered me without missing a beat.
"I know. Children love everyone they come across."
That fell flat, or rather it fell on deaf ears. She assumed I meant platonic love and not love in a romantic sense. Legally she's reached the age of adulthood and even though I'm four years younger I'm classified as a child.
So annoying.
I look eleven but my actions and thoughts were far beyond that of a normal child. It's been like this since the day I woke up in Mary- that is my adopted mother's arms. Since I was a baby, I was conscious of everything around me. More than that I felt like there was something that happened to me before I opened my eyes that day.
I couldn't tell you why or how but I knew deep down I felt like I had a past. A life before I ended up on Mary's doorstep. That knowledge wouldn't do me any good now, my physical form would remain a hindrance. At least for the next four years.
"True." I commented on Reiya's opinion. "But what if I said the same thing four years from now?"
That got her attention if only for a moment.
"I won't be here...."
That's ominous.
What she'd just said was a red flag if I ever saw one. Actually, red flag was putting it mildly, it was a death flag no contest. Before I could ask what she met the chiming of the front door bell silenced me.
A young man clad in silver armour emerged from beyond the door. He had midnight hair just like mine but his was folded neatly into a ponytail, his eyes were a reflection of the colour of earth, dazzling brown. His face was what stood out to me the most. To put it plainly he was handsome.
Hey even I'm not petty enough to deny good looks when I see them. That said, I'm not above petty jealousy. Good looking guys can burn in Hell.
"Good day to you madam." He greeted. His greeting was directed at Reiya, not me.
Reiya pasted a thin smile on her face and returned his greeting. "Hello there Kai. I told you several times already to just call me Reiya."
"I dare not address such a fine woman by her first name."
"You flatter me but you are a knight of the kingdom. What would people think if you were address me in such a way?"
"They'd think I'm a husband who was properly trained by his wife."
"Oh you…" she said between laughs.
Ok, hold up. Pause time, rewind, converge and confirm. What the chiznits is this!?
"Chiznits" is a real word now. Kids make up words all the time, I'm no different. Linguistics aside what unfolded before me was happening way too fast for me to keep up. Reiya and this 'Kai' person were acting way too friendly for their relationship to be just buyer and seller.
The conversation felt like what would be shared by two friends that were border lining on "more than friends but not yet dating". She was as chummy with him as she was with my sister, Lucy.
"Um, excuse me sir." I interjected.
Yes, that was rude of me but like I said, I'm not above petty jealousy.
"Would you like us to help you with something? Perhaps you're interested in buying our newest products?"
The guy only glanced at me from the corner of his eye. He acknowledged my existence but refused to do the same for my presence. Perhaps sensing my frustration, Reiya pointed Kai towards my direction and introduced me.
"Oh right. Sir Kai, this is Eden. Eden Connor."
"It's nice to meet you sir." I offered a light bow as the lies flew right out my mouth.
"Yes, you as well. Is he your younger brother?"
"No, he's my friend's younger brother. The one I told you about who'll be coming-of-age soon?"
"The dark elf?"
"Mhmm" Reiya nodded.
I felt weird hearing someone refer to my sister as a dark elf. I mean she is, probably the only one in all of Ester, but I didn't see the need to refer to her as the dark elf of Ester or something corny like that. With each passing second I found new reasons to hate this...Kai.
Letting his curiosity get the better of him Kai pushed the conversation forward. "Is he here to visit then? I don't see his sister anywhere."
"About that-…"
"I work here." I said, cutting Reiya off.
Kai's perplexed eyes turned to Reiya who silently nodded in agreement.
"He's only a child."
"I have many talents."
"I wasn't talking to you."
"Yet you and I are having a very insightful conversation."
"What insight would I gain from a child?"
"How not to lose an argument to a child."
"Why you little...."
I'd never been able to use lightning magic before, I couldn't even cast a first-generation lightning spell, but if by some miracle I somehow managed to cast something other than water magic I'd be sending sparks flying out of my eyes and something told me that Kai would be more than happy to return the sentiment.
However, neither of us could throw literal sparks so metaphorical ones would have to do. After a while Reiya got tired of our little exchange and finally decided to cut to the heart of the matter.
"That's enough, Eden. Ahem, what brings you here Sir Kai?"
Kai's gaze shifted back to Reiya. "I came here to check the enhancement potions your store sells. We've had an incident in the nearby village of Plaas and our commander suspects that it's these potions that are responsible."
"What kind of incident?"
"I'm afraid I'm not at liberty to disclose that information." He said apologetically.
"I see."
Reiya headed for one of the nearby shelves and grabbed a potion to hand over to Kai. "When I asked the owner where he purchases them, he said that the bulk of them come from Sauralis. I hope that's helpful."
Kai accepted Reiya's potion, giving a light bow before putting the vile in his breast plate which I assumed had a pocket tucked away somewhere in there. Before leaving he made a gesture for Reiya's hand and planted light kiss on it. He then shot a thin smile in my direction before leaving.
Clearly a sign of dominance or intimidation. I waved him goodbye with teary eyes. My tears weren't out of fear or anger mind you; they were tears of pity.
My guy, you're intimidating a child in front of your crush and feeling proud of yourself for it, I am not the loser here.
What I'd learned in the world of men is that a man's threat level is determined by the attention he's given. A man who's ignored is basically harmless but a man who's constantly threatened, glared at and bad mouthed is probably one of the most dangerous men around.
Kai's attempt to scare me only boosted my confidence. I never thought such a thing was possible. If my presence threatens him then it means that I have a chance with Reiya. If everything went well, I wouldn't have to wait four years and we could start dating before I turned fifteen.
While I fluttered at the idea of me and Reiya being an item the girl in question fixed me a cold icy gaze.
I smiled nervously and raised my right hand then conjured up a Water Ball. "You want to wash your hands?"
Reiya scoffed and hit me with a "You can be such a child sometimes" before heading to the backdoor of the store.
Maybe I got too forward. Yup definitely got too forward.
At this rate I'd be lucky to date her in the next millennium. I started wondering if she actually did have feelings for Kai. The idea alone made me nauseous and a bit sad. Okay a lot sad, my little boy heart could only take so much.
Now that the idea popped into my head, I resolved myself to investigate it. To investigate the woman known as Reiya Watterson.