Hey John here, I know this is cliche, but yeah, I'm dying, so let's make this quick: my life wasn't so bad. I mean, sure, 24, no girlfriend living in Japan without a job. I know it sounds terrible, but I rather enjoyed it. I, at one point, studied swordsmanship from that crazy old coot. Ahh, I'm off-topic, so I was going to the convenience store when BAM I got stabbed. So now here I am, in a pool of blood, dying. Is this REALLY how I'm going out? Man! I wish I didn't hurt so bad and didn't have to see all this blood. Ah, shit, shit, shit!
"Calm yourself, young man." What was that I was hearing? "No, you're not, and your wishes shall be granted in the next life." Wait, what wishes? As I said that, my vision began to fade. When my consciousness returned, I was in a tight space. Wait, why is it dark? I started to hear people's words in a language I did not understand. I feel the air on my skin, but why can't I see? As I'm thinking this, I hear a ding in my head, and a message pops up in my head. "Due to the unfairness of your situation, you have been given ten skills: universal translation and a lucky encounter. You can access these skills when you are baptized in 5:01:04:32." As I read the message, my head throbs with the knowledge gained. A worried-sounding woman "he's blind"? I think that it's my mother. "Yes, ma'am," says another woman in the room. Wait, I'm blind! Hold up, that makes sense. You know it is dark and all. So, what now?
"Mark, this is our baby. Regardless of if he's blind or not, I will love him with all I have". So, I guess my dad's name is Mark. "Meriel, my dear, I have no intention of abandoning this child. Speaking of Zeus is the name we are going with, yes? Of course, dear, I love that name, and you know it. Zeus Gatsby, I like the ring of that". My mom seems to be in charge here. They seem to be good people, not that I could do anything otherwise. So, my name is Zeus Gatsby. I also like the ring of that.
A few months have passed, and man being a baby sucks. However, I did learn a few things. One, I seem to be a noble of reasonably high standing. Two, I learned of the existence of mana, or at least what I call it. They call it life energy, but that seems like a mouthful. Speaking of mana, I learned how to circulate it myself, which you aren't supposed to know or be able to do until you are older. Four, I have an older sister who likes doting on me. Her name is Caroline. I don't mind the attention, but it is rough not being able to see. It's excruciating not knowing what my sister looks like.
So, a year has passed. I spent most of that time circulating my mana and being doted on by my sister, Caroline. Life is pretty much the same: spread mana, sleep, eat, and repeat, and so another year passed, and I am now two. I could talk in small sentences, anything more. My body gets clumsy, and I trip over my words. I can now walk, although clumsily. Well, I've begun learning noble etiquette. And I learned how to use magic. It's easy. It's based on science and imagination. It's so easy. As for the amount of magic, I don't know how I compare to most people, but I'm probably more substantial than a 15-16-year-old mage. And Which I only know, that due to my sister's magic practice. As for my family, Caroline is thirteen today, and I planned something special. Something magical, and of course, I'm not going to make it known that I'm the one who did it.
"All set," I say to myself with a huff. To recount what I did, I cast a spell based on fireworks, a true sight. Not that I can't see here, maybe. As I turned to the sound of steel being drawn, my dad looked at me with shock. My mom next to him "Mark put that down; it's just Zeus!"! "But dear, I felt magic. That magic I felt brought me here." "Zeus, did you cast that magic?" my dad asks seriously. As I freeze, my ears tingle. Someone approaching. Why do I feel scared? As they approach, my dad notices the presence. Boch? My dad squawks out. I never simultaneously hear so much confusion and fear as the man comes closer; I smell firewood smoke and iron. As I'm afraid, Boch says, "So he's the one who made that racket?" "Pretty, but I guess you wouldn't know, boy." My body reacts, and I nod. "Mark, in a year, this boy will be my apprentice. He will live with me until his baptism. And there will not be any arguments.". "He is my only son." Yeah, Dad firmly reject this man. "I would be honored"! My father shouts. whhhhhhhaaaaaaaaaaaaaa!
Three hours later, my father called me to his study, and my mom accompanied me. "Zeus, my son, though you are blind, you are blessed. Boch is known by another name, The Saint of Sword and Magic. He was the last hero and is said to be a wanderer. The fact he was here is truly amazing. "Dad, why do you want me to be his apprentice?". God, I hate this Bodys limitation. "Because I believe it will benefit you, my boy. Zeus, you will one day be on your own before you can inherit this family's crest. And eventually, its mantle, its purpose. Above all, I want you to be able to care for yourself, and I think he can help you achieve all of the above. Meriel, do you agree?". "Yes, dear, I do, but I am reluctant. He will be three, and I worry, but the benefits outweigh this given; I share your worries for Zeus's future.
And so, it was decided without much input from my end. Three months have passed. 2 months ago, my dad decided to get me into shape, as weird as it sounds for a 2-year-old. I was also taught some magic but can't be tested yet for my affinities until I'm baptized at five. I can now walk and run, and I can usually talk now, too. Again, I'm ONLY TWO! I can stay up eight hrs. without sleep. Who pushes a two-year-old this hard? Two more months pass. I NOW HAVE ABBS. The f---- is wrong with my family. I guess it's for my survival. Or so I'm told. Another month passed, and the physical training stopped.
My father called me to his study supposedly to gift something to me. After I arrive, he hands me something: a crimson blindfold. Made of leather? Or fabric? Seeing my confusion, my dad decides to pipe up, "This here is made of a special material. That came from the family vault. Dragon Hide"! As he says this, my mother comes forward with a box. She hands it to me. It's heavy but not too much for me. My mother beckons Me to open it. "Zeus Gatsby, this blade will become you, become your soul. Assuming one day you can wield it properly, it will be your partner. This is known as a soul armament, a weapon that will grow with you in size and strength. Cherish it, now feed it but a drop of your blood,". she says as a needle is presented to me by one of the many maids. She leans down, and I grab the hand as if possessed and poke my thumb as if in a trance; I trace my bloodied thumb up the sword's spine.
As I do this, I feel a connection to the blade. It's as though I can see it, but I can't. It's like I can feel where it is. As I return to my scenes, my mom and dad look worriedly over me. Huh, did I collapse? My mom is the first to speak as she looks at me with eyes of worry. " Zeus, are you okay?" I think so as I sit up, my head throbs. Or not as I gasp as the pain is intense. As I gasp and shortly after, I hear my mom whisper, "heal," the pain goes away. Wait, healing magic. Why wasn't I taught that? but I keep that to myself for now.