The urgency etched on the faces of the twelve- to thirteen-year-old children prevented them from returning home empty-handed. However, some remained calm, seemingly unconcerned. These composed individuals were Klaus and Nicholas. In the face of Erina's words, they displayed no reaction, maintaining a poker face unique to them among the trainees. Their demeanor defied their youth.
"Damn it…"
On the contrary, Alex, who had secured the second position, wore a troubled expression. He couldn't fathom how he, the supposed chosen one, had lost to someone he considered inferior. The memory of that night four years ago lingered—the night when Arkdieu Pride had personally selected him as an Apostle.
***
Like every distinguished scion of the Lionhart lineage, Raoul Lionhart, Alex's father, maintained multiple marriages. Lucia Distart, Alex's mother and scion of a noble family in the Orion Kingdom, a Kingdom situated at the southern border of the Rikxia Empire, ruled by the Lionhart family.
Since Lucia's union with Raoul, Distart County experienced a meteoric rise in influence, all thanks to the unwavering support of the Lionhart family. This support burgeoned significantly after Alex's birth. With the arrival of a male heir, the Lionharts amplified their backing to the Distart family, triggering substantial growth that began to tip the scales of power in the Orion Kingdom.
The resultant power shift proved to be a considerable thorn in the side of the Rivera Marquess, the governing authority over the Distart County. Faced with this escalating influence, they resolved to take matters into their own hands...
That fateful night, Alex was returning from a brief visit to his mother's family. On his journey back to the Rikxia Empire, Alex and his escorts fell victim to an ambush by a substantial group of assailants.
"Young master, don't get out of the carriage!" Ruben, the captain of Alex's escorts, shouted with urgency. The thirty men under his command fought valiantly against a group of nearly a hundred and fifty masked assailants.
Amidst the clash of swords and ensuing screams, a disquieting silence followed. Anxious to understand the aftermath, Alex decided to witness the scene with his own eyes. Upon leaving the carriage, the gruesome sight nearly made him sick—blood and headless corpses scattered everywhere. Out of the thirty escorts, only Ruben remained, kneeling and heavily wounded, surrounded by ten masked men with minimal injuries.
"R-u-ben?" Alex uttered with a cracking voice and tears in his eyes; the scene was overwhelming for a child to endure.
"I'm sorry, young master," were Ruben's last words before being beheaded. The man responsible appeared exhausted, indicating a formidable fight despite being outnumbered and facing the limitations of their sealed mana due to an Array set up beforehand.
"Damn Lionhart's swordsmen. Despite being outnumbered and with their mana sealed by the Array, they almost wiped us clean," the man lamented. Out of the original one hundred and fifty assailants, only ten survived.
"At least now, we can get the job done," another man remarked.
"Well, it also means that we will just split the money in ten."
"HAHA, you're right. With that kind of money, we are all set for life."
Despite the fear and disgust, Alex seized a nearby sword with trembling hands.
"How dare you attack Lionhart's swordsmen?" Alex exclaimed with rage and fear in his tone, his hands shaking as he held the sword.
"Drop the sword, kid. Instead of killing you as we were paid to do, you will hold more value as a hostage," the man who beheaded Ruben said with a sinister tone.
"You're damn right! We can get more money by blackmailing the Distart family."
"Haha, we can also threaten Marquis Rivera by keeping him alive."
"Not a bad plan. We will indeed need more money to rebuild our guild."
Alex clutched the sword with all his might.
"I'd rather die than be used as a pawn!" Alex screamed, his fear transformed into extreme rage.
"Stupid kid, drop the sword!" the man shouted, thinking he could intimidate the young lad.
"I'm a Lionhart! Death doesn't scare me," Alex declared with determination, ready to take his own life.
"Sh*t! Stop him," one of the ten men shouted before the man who beheaded Ruben rushed towards Alex at a blurred-like speed.
It was at that moment that the world seemed to freeze for Alex. Time itself appeared to halt, and the man rushing towards him, along with everything around them, seemed suspended. Even the sword Alex held poised to strike paused mid-motion.
"What in the world is happening?" Alex exclaimed, taking a cautious step back, his eyes fixed on the sword suspended in mid-air. As he surveyed his surroundings, an eerie stillness enveloped everything, except for him.
<<<
The ethereal voice resonated, seemingly originating from every direction. Alex scanned the space around him, attempting to pinpoint its source. Suddenly, a radiant pillar of light descended from the sky, captivating Alex's attention. His eyes squinted in an attempt to decipher the bewildering spectacle.
As the luminous display subsided, a figure materialized before Alex. The man possessed an otherworldly allure—long white hair cascading down, eyes that held a mysterious depth, and colossal white wings extending majestically from his back. A verdant horn adorned his forehead, and his attire resembled that of an ancient Greek god. Standing at an imposing two meters (6'6"), his skin glowed like polished pearl, and the sleeveless garments accentuated his impeccable physique.
<<<
"Who are you?" Alex queried, captivated by the enigmatic being before him.
<<<>>> the man replied. However, a mysterious force seemed to hinder Alex from comprehending the entirety of his words.
<<<< Ah! Due to #%#%#%#%#%'s law, I can't divulge more. My presence in your realm is fleeting, but I descended to extend an offer,>>>> Pride explained.
"An offer?"
<<<
"Me?" Alex's disbelief lingered, but the ethereal manifestation unfolding before him testified to the extraordinary power this being possessed. For Alex, who harbored dreams of surpassing all others, the offer proved irresistible. Without further inquiry, Pride's next words stoked the fires of the young lad's ego.
<<<
"Ah!" A smile broke across Alex's face at the flattery.
*DING*
[Do you accept to become Pride's Apostle?]
Alex nearly flinched as the message window materialized out of thin air.
"What's that?"
<<<
"I accept." Oblivious to Pride's changing expression, Alex, engrossed in the sudden appearance of the message window, didn't witness the sinister transformation on Pride's face—an expression that would have given any person pause before accepting.
<<<
Upon regaining awareness, the ten assailants who had confronted him lay lifeless. Their bodies bore the marks of a brutal assault, as if they had succumbed to a ferocious, unseen force...
In the days following that fateful night, the Lionhart family executed a swift retribution. The Marquis Rivera family and all nobles associated with them were eradicated, culminating in the transformation of Distart County into the eminent Distart Marquess.
***
Emerging from his contemplation, Alex paid scant attention to Erina and Rick's discourse.
"As before, you'll continue residing in this dormitory. As most of you are aware, it boasts the finest facilities and treatments, allowing you to relish the next four months," Rick articulated, gesturing toward the dormitory visible beyond the training ground.
"As today marks the first day, we'll conclude here. Feel free to either rest or continue training; the choice is yours," Erina stated, wrapping up their address as they descended from the platform. However, midway down the stairs, she turned, wearing a sly grin.
"Oh, one more thing. Social distinctions cease to exist here. Whether you're a king, a commoner, or a slave, you're all equals. Ensure harmonious relations with your fellow trainees."
With a casual wave, Erina indicated she had nothing more to convey and exited the training ground, Rick by her side.