[Part 1]:
Over the next few days, Aurelio found solace beneath the big tree in the afternoons, where he would meet Jane. Together, they explored the tranquil and picturesque valleys of Bavona village, their laughter echoing through the verdant hills and meadows. One particularly sunny day, their loud laughter filled the air, emanating from their shaded sanctuary beneath the tree. They laughed with abandon, their joy a stark contrast to the village's quiet peace.
As their laughter faded into a comfortable silence, Aurelio felt a question lingering in his mind, gnawing at him.
"Uhm, Jane, can I ask you a question?" he ventured, his voice tinged with hesitation.
Jane's brow furrowed slightly, a puzzled look crossing her face. "Sure," she replied, curiosity evident in her tone.
"Well, uh, I've noticed that you get a little upset every time someone mentions your home. Could I ask why that is?" he asked gently but insistently.
Jane's expression softened, but a shadow of sadness clouded her eyes as she looked down at the grass, her fingers absentmindedly plucking at the blades.
"S-sorry, I shouldn't have asked such a personal question—" Aurelio began to apologize, guilt washing over him.
"No, it's okay," Jane interrupted softly, her voice barely audible above the rustling leaves. She paused, gathering her thoughts before continuing.
"It's just that my home isn't the happiest place for me. Ever since my father died a few months ago, it's been hard for my mother and me. Being there reminds me of everything we've lost," she said, her voice trembling with unspoken grief.
"Oh, I'm so sorry for your loss," Aurelio murmured, his heart aching for her.
"It's alright," Jane continued, her voice steadier now. "My father wasn't a particularly good man, so I never really respected him. But my mother has been working tirelessly since his passing, sacrificing so much to ensure I can go to school. School is tough for me, though. I've tried to convince my mother to let me help her instead, but she never listens. I know it might seem cowardly, but sometimes I'd rather skip school and rest here. It gives me the energy to help my mother later."
She forced a faint smile, but it didn't reach her eyes. The pain she carried was palpable, a silent burden she bore with quiet strength.
As Jane spoke of her struggles, Aurelio felt a familiar ache rise in his chest, a sharp reminder of the burdens he had carried for so long. The ache of loss, the burden of responsibility, the weight of unspoken grief—all surged back with overwhelming intensity, like a tidal wave crashing against his fragile composure.
In his past life, as a young child, Aurelio struggled to find his place. His grades in elementary school were mediocre, and his father's expectations were towering. Every parent-teacher conference felt like a trial, his father's disappointed glances cutting deeper than any reprimand. Aurelio would often lie awake at night, the harsh light of his desk lamp casting long shadows on his textbooks. He would stare at the pages until the words blurred together, trying to decipher the elusive formulas that seemed to mock his every effort. His heart pounded with anxiety, a constant reminder of his fear of failing to meet his father's impossible standards.
The pressure was relentless. His father, a stern and ambitious man, had little patience for failure. "You must do better, Aurelio," he would say, his voice devoid of warmth. "Your future depends on it." Each word was a heavy weight on Aurelio's young shoulders. He would clutch his pencil tighter, his knuckles whitening, as if sheer determination could bridge the gap between his father's expectations and his own capabilities.
Eventually, the impatient man lost hope in his son ever being successful. One fateful evening, after a particularly heated argument over a report card, his father left, taking Aurelio's sister with him. The memory of his father's departure was seared into Aurelio's mind: the sound of the front door slamming shut, the muffled sobs of his sister, and the cold, hollow echo that filled their now-empty home. It felt like a piece of Aurelio's heart had been ripped out. The emptiness was palpable, and the silence in their once-bustling home became a constant reminder of his failures.
Aurelio's world fractured. He blamed himself for his father's departure and his mother's subsequent illness, believing that if only he had been better, tried harder, perhaps things would have been different. Guilt gnawed at him relentlessly, each coughing fit from his mother echoing in his mind as a testament to his inadequacies. He would sit by her bedside, holding her frail hand, whispering promises to do better, to be better, as if his words alone could reverse the damage. Desperate to make amends, he buried himself in his studies, the pages of his books soaked with tears that refused to fall.
While most children his age didn't care about grades, Aurelio spent restless nights studying alone in his room. Countless hours were spent trying to understand the text of books, despite the tears that blurred his vision. The isolation was suffocating, the quiet of the night broken only by the soft rustle of pages and the occasional sniffle. His bedroom became both a sanctuary and a prison, where his only companions were his books and his relentless drive for academic excellence.
As the weight of his bedridden mother's absence grew heavier, Aurelio's resolve to excel intensified. He poured himself into his schoolwork with a fervor bordering on obsession, determined to prove his worth and make up for his perceived failures. Nights blurred into days as he pushed himself to the brink of exhaustion, his grades gradually morphing from mediocre to exceptional. His eyes grew dark with sleeplessness, and his body ached from the constant tension, but he pressed on. With each accolade, each praise of his intelligence, Aurelio felt a twinge of satisfaction amidst the turmoil within. Yet, the warmth of accomplishment was fleeting, overshadowed by the ever-present chill of grief that gripped his heart. Every certificate and medal felt like a hollow victory, a temporary reprieve from the overwhelming sense of loss and inadequacy that haunted him.
The weight of his mother's condition loomed over him like a dark cloud, her absence in the home a constant reminder of his failure to protect her. He would listen to the rhythmic beeping of her medical equipment, each sound a stark contrast to the lively, nurturing presence she once was. Aurelio's resolve turned into a desperate obsession. He began to see his academic achievements as a lifeline, a way to make his mother proud and, perhaps, bring a semblance of happiness back to their lives. But as her condition worsened, the thin thread of hope he clung to began to unravel.
During the beginning of high school, his mother succumbed to her illness, leaving Aurelio all alone in a world that felt increasingly hostile and uncaring. Her death was a devastating blow. Grief turned him cold and emotionless, like a stone worn smooth by the relentless tide. He became hardened, a shell of the boy he once was. The warmth that once filled his heart was replaced by an icy void, leaving him numb to the world around him.
In the second year of high school, Aurelio's obsession with academic achievement waned as he grappled with the enormity of his losses. Failure after failure, the once straight-A student found himself slipping, his grades reflecting the turmoil within. His peers whispered behind his back, labeling him as the "failed prodigy," a title that cut deeper than any blade. "Why was the universe so cruel to such an undeserving child? What have I done to deserve such a fate?" he would often think, though he never uttered these words aloud. For him, this was the norm, this was what his life had been like for as long as he could remember.
Yet, amidst the darkness, a flicker of light emerged. Each morning, a girl with a smile as radiant as the morning sun, as beautiful as the heavens above, and as warm as the first ray of sunshine in the spring greeted him. In the midst of his darkness, she was a beacon of light. Her smile was like the first ray of sunshine after a storm, a warmth that pierced through the icy void within him. Though they exchanged few words in the short time they spent in high school, her warmth thawed the ice that encased his heart, reminding him that there was more to life than the pursuit of perfection. If asked to describe her, he would only be able to mutter: "Profoundly beautiful..."
She was the only one who treated him like a human and not a failed test subject, someone with ambitions, aspirations, emotions, and most importantly, flaws. It may sound like a small thing, but when one is at their lowest, even the smallest ray of hope feels like a miracle. One can't even begin to imagine how the kind smile of that girl felt to him.
Slowly but surely, Aurelio began to emerge from the shadow of his past. Inspired by the girl's unwavering optimism, he rediscovered the joy in simple pleasures, the beauty in fleeting moments. His smile returned, tentative at first, then growing bolder with each passing day. He finally allowed himself to smile without feeling guilty. With renewed purpose, Aurelio found himself striving not for perfection, but for contentment. He no longer measured his worth by his academic achievements, but by the connections he forged and the memories he made. Though the girl vanished after high school, her impact remained, a beacon of hope guiding him toward a brighter future. He found out that she had applied to a prestigious university from someone and decided to apply there to find her and thank her. But as you probably know by now, his life was cut short before he could do so.
Though he never got the chance to thank her, the hope she ignited in him remained. As he faced his final moments, he held onto the memory of her smile, a fragile yet enduring symbol of the possibility of redemption and the enduring power of kindness.
As a person who had also been through a similar situation as her, Aurelio could sympathize with Jane. In that moment, he made a silent vow to be for her what the girl had been for him all those years back, a beacon of hope, the light that guides one out of the darkness.
As Jane was about to finish talking, Aurelio tried to think of what he'd like to hear if he were in her place. He realized that the one thing he wished people told him when he hit rock bottom, was a simple confirmation and appreciation. He wished that at least someone appreciated his hard work and bravery and told him to keep striving and working hard.
"You know, you're quite brave, at least that's how I see it."
"No—that's not true. If only I was braver and smarter, I could—" Jane clenched her fist tightly, her voice trembling with emotion.
"Sometimes the things that happen in our lives happen for a reason. Most people like to call it God's plan. I like to think that whenever something bad happens, it's God trying to guide us."
By no means was Aurelio religious; he was just saying what he heard a wise man once say.
"Trying to guide us…?" Jane's voice was barely a whisper, tears threatening to spill from her eyes.
"Yeah. You know, I've never been to school. What's it like? What do they teach you?" Aurelio asked, changing the subject gently, seeking to ease the weight of their conversation.
-- I wonder how this world's educational system is, if they even have a definite structure.
Jane tried wiping her tears without Aurelio noticing before she responded, finding the ordeal a bit embarrassing, her face starting to turn slightly red.
"Well... there are four main subjects that students learn in school: basic arithmetic, geography, history, and, at least here in Bavona village, physical training."
"Physical training?"
"Yeah."
"Why?"
"Well..." Jane stopped to think of an answer but quickly realized she didn't know herself. "I'm- I'm not exactly sure..."
Suddenly, Aurelio got an idea. What if he joined the same school as Jane? That way, he could satisfy his curiosity about this world, ask for the answers to questions not provided in his memories, all while being able to help Jane with schoolwork.
"THAT'S IT!"
Jane was taken aback by Aurelio's sudden change in tone. "What is it?"
"I realized that there are so many things I don't know. I want to go to school and learn, learn everything!"
Aurelio had a huge grin on his face. As a child, he was always forced to study, so his natural curiosity had died rather quickly. But for the first time in years, he felt excited about learning, the natural instinct to learn rekindled.
As Jane looked at him, she saw Aurelio's grin stretch from ear to ear, his hair moving with the warm breeze. To put it frankly, she felt the same way Aurelio had when he saw that girl in high school. Though she didn't realize it, she felt deep down that a messiah had been sent to her, one that would solve her problems or at least help her fix them.
Her slightly sad expression turned into a returning grin as she felt a ray of happiness shine in the darkness that shrouded her, her slightly teary eyes glistening in the sunlight.
Part 2:
In the evening Aurelio told his parents about the joining the school Jane went to. In this world Aurelio had never received a proper education, he was only taught how to read, write, and speak by Valarie.
"So... can I?"
Fabian and Valarie were looking at each other with a hint of reluctance in their eyes.
"Are you sure you don't want to get a private tutor?" Valarie asked
"Yeah, I'm sure, plus isn't it expensive to hire a private tutor?"
"Cost isn't the question here, its just that..." Fabian started
"...It might be hard for you to fit in" Valarie finished
After going back and forth a bit Aurelio managed to convince his parents to let him join Jane's school, on the one condition that after coming back he'd practice sword fighting with Fabian, something Fabian wanted to teach his son for a long time and deemed as this as the perfect this to start doing it. A few days later, after Fabian contacted the school Aurelio was enlisted into the school. The school wasn't that big, infact if it were to exist in his old world it wouldn't even classify as a school, it had just one class, and one teacher.
On the morning of Aurelio's first day, he and Jane walked together to school. Aurelio felt more excited than nervous, a contrast to Jane's apparent anxiety. It was ironic, considering the fact that it was Aurelio's first day, not Jane's. Jane was nervous because she hadn't come to school in quite some time, ever since she'd met Aurelio to be exact.
It's not as if the teacher would care though, he probably didn't care if a student didn't come to school in a world where education isn't taken as seriously.
As they approached the school, Aurelio couldn't help but notice its unassuming appearance. The building was no more than a humble hut, nestled inconspicuously amidst the village square. Its wooden walls, weathered by time, blended seamlessly with the rustic surroundings, giving no indication of the educational "oasis" within.
It wasn't particularly large, as only a handful of students attended. Most villagers didn't see the value in formal education, viewing children as vital contributors to the workforce. However, Aurelio was fortunate to come from a household with a respectable income, so he never had to help his parents out, all thanks to Fabian. Despite their modest means, Jane's mother also prioritized her daughter's education, working tirelessly to ensure she had opportunities for learning. Although he had never met Jane's mother, Aurelio had unfathomable amounts of respect for her.
Fabian and Valarie didn't prioritize education, as to say they didn't believe it was a necessity, which is why for the past 12 years, before Aurelio got transmigrated into this little boy's body, he never received any formal education. However Fabian did see how beneficial education could be when trying to get a job when he worked in the royal garrison near the capital a few years ago.
While the cost of education in Bavona wasn't prohibitive, many villagers saw little benefit in it. Rooted in decades of tradition, they preferred to live in the tranquil village, relying on its fertile soil for sustenance.
As the two of them entered the small classroom the teacher asked the 7 - 8 other students that were chattering to quiet down. The teacher was an old man, one in his 50's who had thin grey hair, he smiled at Aurelio and Jane before speaking.
"Oh, you must be the new student, you're Fabian's son, am I right? Nice to meet you, my name is Cuthman, you can call me Mr. Cuthman"
He extended his hand for a handshake.
"Yes, that is correct sir, its a pleasure to meet you as well, My name is Aurelio, Aurelio Ignis"
He accepted Mr. Cuthman's handshake. After introducing himself briefly in front of the class he sat down in the back on the chair next to Jane's. All of the children that sat around Aurelio were intrigued, they couldn't help but notice his handsome features and calm ruby eyes, all the children perceived him as cool, even though he hadn't done anything special yet.
Of course Aurelio wasn't the cool person all the children where perceiving him as, infact that was far from the truth. After getting everything ready Mr. Cuthman started the lesson. Jane had a sheepish expression on her face, probably because of what Mr. Cuthman was teaching, he was teaching arithmetic, a subject that Jane was... not so good at to say the least.
"Alright everyone, so today we are going to be practicing some problem solving questions, does anyone want to volunteer to go first? If no one volunteers I'll just randomly select someone"
A moment of silence ensued and not one a single person raised their hand.
"No one, huh?"
Jane was crossing her fingers hoping that Mr. Cuthman didn't select her, after all she was the most likely to be selected as she hadn't come to school in some time. Although Mr. Cuthman didn't inquire or punish Jane for doing so, he still wanted her to learn a lesson, so he was about to ask Jane to come up to the front of the class.
Aurelio noticed Jane crossing her fingers with a worried expression on her face, so he decided to raise his hand and volunteer instead.
As Mr. Cuthman's hand hovered to point at Jane, he caught sight of Aurelio's raised hand and the warm smile that graced his features. It was a smile that held a glint of mischief, a hint of confidence, much like the playful smirk of someone who knows they're about to turn the tables. With a subtle nod from Aurelio, Mr. Cuthman redirected his attention, his own smile widening as he announced,
"Oh, it looks like we have a volunteer! Everyone, please applaud for Aurelio."
As the class erupted into applause, Aurelio stepped forward with a self-assured stride. His ruby eyes sparkled with determination, mirroring the same spark of ambition and resolve that drove him to seize this opportunity. With each step, he exuded an air of quiet confidence.
"Now, Aurelio, this question might be a bit hard so don't hesitate to ask for help, alright?"
"Thanks for the warning, Mr. Cuthman. But don't worry, I've got this" a smirk appeared on his face which could be seen as slightly arrogant, but the way Aurelio said it made it sound like he was just being confident.
"Alright then, lets start. Imagine you are a carpenter tasked with building a simple wooden fence for a neighbor's farm. The fence needs to be 20 feet long and 5 feet tall. Each wooden plank you use is 6 inches wide. How many planks of wood will you need to build the fence? And if each plank costs 2 copper coins, how much will the entire fence cost in total?"
Aurelio listened intently to the question, his mind already racing with calculations. With a self-assured grin, he replied,
"Piece of cake. Let's break it down.
To cover a 20-foot length with planks that are 6 inches wide, I'd need to calculate the number of planks required for the width first," Aurelio began confidently. "Since each plank is 6 inches wide and there are 12 inches in a foot, that means I can fit 2 planks per foot. So, for a 20-foot length, I'd need 2 planks per foot multiplied by 20 feet, which gives us... 40 planks"
He paused momentarily, allowing the information to sink in before continuing.
"Now, for the height. The fence needs to be 5 feet tall, and since each plank is already 6 inches wide, I won't need to worry about covering any additional width. That means I'll just need 5 feet worth of planks. With 2 planks per foot, that's... 10 planks."
Aurelio's confidence only seemed to grow as he'd already worked through all the calculations in his head.
"So, to build the entire fence, I'd need a total of 40 planks for the length and 10 planks for the height, which adds up to... 50 planks in total."
"Now, for the cost,"
Aurelio continued, his cocky grin widening.
"If each plank costs 2 copper coins, and we need 50 planks in total, then the total cost would be..." He paused for dramatic effect.
"100 copper coins!" he exclaimed triumphantly, his confidence radiating as he delivered the final answer, though he'd hoped he got a more difficult question.
As he finished his explanation, Aurelio couldn't help but flash a cocky grin, clearly pleased with the first impression he got on all the students.
Although in his old world this would be considered quite basic math, this world was different, children were certainly not as intelligent on average, so it was quite easy to be labeled "smart" or "gifted". He would probably have been the most knowledgeable person in the entire world if he knew about the basics of this world, about its geography and history, and its biology, as the core concepts of physics and other subjects were practically the same.
The entire class was dazzled at the astonishing "performance" they just saw. Not once in their short lives had they seen such a charismatic person, truly, Aurelio's aura was radiating through out the class, leaving everyone mesmerized. They way he said it, his body language, his tone, his coherency, it all felt calculated even though it was all natural.
Applause erupted spontaneously, a testament to the impression he had made in just a few short moments.
"Uh, w-wow, that was... t-truly impressive, Aurelio. Good job!" Mr. Cuthman stammered, a few sweat drops trickling down his forehead as he spoke.
He couldn't help but feel a sense of awe mixed with unease as he looked into Aurelio's bright red ruby eyes, shining brightly in the classroom. There was something undeniably powerful about the intensity in Aurelio's gaze, something that sent a shiver down Mr. Cuthman's spine. It was as if a "genius" monster had been unleashed before him, leaving him unsure whether to be astonished or frightened.
"Haha, it was nothing," Aurelio replied with a modest shrug, though inwardly he acknowledged the compliment with a sense of routine. He was accustomed to such praise, practically numb to it, but he knew the importance of reciprocating gratitude to make the other person feel valued. It was a lesson he had learned well from his past experiences - that the way you make others feel leaves a lasting impact.
As the day progressed, they moved on to history class. Today, Mr. Cuthman would only lecture, sparing Aurelio from the need to answer questions, which suited him just fine since he wasn't well-versed in the history of this world.
Part 3:
As the class settled into their seats again after a short break, Mr. Cuthman cleared his throat, his gaze sweeping over the rows of eager faces before him. The air in the classroom crackled with anticipation as he began his lecture on the history of Millicient. His voice carried a weight of authority as he spoke, weaving a tapestry of words that transported his young audience to a bygone era.
"Students," he began, his voice resonating with gravitas, "today we will delve into the annals of our kingdom, the storied land of Millicient. Once, long ago, this tiny kingdom we call our home was not so tiny at all. It was a mighty empire, its territories stretching to each corner of the central continent. From the kingdom of Liusentinople, which lay near the northern corner of the central continent, near the Pabrycg strait connecting it to Norvantasia, the northmost continent. From there all the way to the Kingdom-states near the river Indra, thats how much land we had. We owned so much of the worlds gold and other precious metals that if we were to donate even a fraction of a fraction of it, we'd cause economic disparities throughout the world, disrupting the natural price of goods.
We controlled vast expanses of fertile land, where our agricultural prowess fed not only our own people but also sustained trade with distant lands. The Pabrycg Strait under the land that nowadays belongs to the kingdom of Liusentinople, a vital waterway linking 2 continents and 2 seas, was under our dominion. Control of this strait meant not only economic dominance but also strategic superiority in maritime affairs."
"But that's not all," Mr. Cuthman continued, his voice gaining strength once more. "Our libraries housed scrolls and tomes containing knowledge amassed over centuries. Scholars from across the known world sought the wisdom of Millicient's sages, contributing to advancements in medicine, astronomy, and philosophy.
"Our technological innovations were renowned," Mr. Cuthman added, his eyes lighting up with pride. "We were pioneers in agricultural irrigation techniques, allowing us to transform arid lands into productive fields. Our artisans crafted marvels of engineering, from towering aqueducts that spanned valleys to intricate clockwork mechanisms that tracked celestial movements.
"Millicient was not just a kingdom; it was a beacon of civilization," Mr. Cuthman concluded, his voice tinged with nostalgia. "A bastion of knowledge and culture that illuminated the world with its achievements. We controlled the Kalyar Mines, the richest source of precious metals and gemstones, fueling both our economy and our artisans' crafts. Our fleets dominated the seas, our soldiers were legends of bravery, and our cities were wonders of architectural brilliance. However, as time passed and our leaders succumbed to decadence and greed, our empire began to falter. We lost not only territories but also the strategic advantages and cultural treasures that once defined us."
"But amidst the ruins of our past," Mr. Cuthman continued, his voice gaining strength once more, "there are still glimmers of hope. Our kingdom may be diminished, but it is not without value. We are sustained by two sources of income: the bountiful crops from villages like Bavona, and the spiritual wealth of our capital city, Meraleth."
Meraleth. The name resonated in everyone's mind, conjuring images of ancient temples and sacred rites. It was a place of pilgrimage, revered by many religions as a bastion of faith and holiness.
"Meraleth is more than just a city," Mr. Cuthman explained, his voice tinged with reverence. "It is a beacon of hope, a sacred sanctuary for the soul. Thousands flock to its gates seeking blessings and redemption, drawn by the promise of salvation in what is known as 'the city of the heavens'. Many wars have been fought over the city steeped in ancient history, and there are probably many to come.
Because the truth is..."
Mr. Cuthman continued, his voice taking on a note of caution,
"our holy city is not immune to the covetous eyes of those who seek power and dominion. Among them stands the 6th Veridian Empire, who lays its claim to Meraleth as its own capital despite the unanimous agreement from the international court of justice, an organisation comprised of various nations that regulates justice and order in the world, that it belongs to Millicient."
It seemed that Mr. Cuthman was getting a little...too passionate about this subject. He seemed to forget that he was teaching children who didn't have an evocative vocabulary just yet. Most children in the class were looking up at Mr. Cuthman with doe eyes and agape mouths, although they didn't understand a lot of the words he said they could feel the emotion, and were drawn in.
A boy in the front of the class raised his hand, he had short black hair and a curious expression. Mr. Cuthman gave him permission to ask a question.
"So uhm, can you tell us more about the Veridian empire?"
As the boy's question hung in the air, Mr. Cuthman's expression shifted, his features adopting a somber cast as he considered his response.
"The Veridian Empire, is comprised and inhabited mainly by homo sapiens, who like I told you guys last class, are one of the few predominant species within humanity. Here in Milisicient there are mostly homo praestiens, and there in the Veridian Empire, there are mostly homo Sapiens, like me."
Aurelio's eyes widened, 'Mr. Cuthman is a homo sapien?'
--No way... I didn't even realize that he was a homo sapien, he looks exactly like a homo praestien. That means that... there is no distinct differentiating characteristic between homo praestiens and homo sapiens other then the fact that we are slightly more physically powerful (sometimes)?? (Help I am so confused)...
"They are a formidable force that has cast a long shadow over the lands of Millicient for a few decades."
He paused, his gaze drifting into the distance as if peering into the depths of time itself.
"Thousands of years ago, the Veridians were the original inhabitants of this land," Mr. Cuthman explained, his tone laced with solemnity. "But their existence was marked by tragedy and persecution. Centuries ago, they were driven from their ancestral homes by cruel oppressors who blamed them for all their woes."
"They were subjected to unspeakable atrocities," Mr. Cuthman continued, his voice thick with emotion. "Women, children, everyone was slaughtered, massacred, and relegated to the status of second-class citizens. They endured unimaginable suffering, their cries for justice falling on deaf ears, their voices, silenced. "
"Yet despite their suffering, the Veridians endured," Mr. Cuthman went on, his voice ringing with quiet resilience. "They rebuilt their lives from the ashes of ruin, forging a new empire from the remnants of their shattered past."
"And now," Mr. Cuthman concluded, his voice tinged with a mixture of reverence and apprehension, "the 6th Veridian Empire stands as a formidable power, its ambitions reaching far beyond its borders. They seek to reclaim what they believe is rightfully theirs, including the holy city of Meraleth, and to what extent they will go to achieve that goal, nobody knows."
Aurelio felt a surge of empathy for the Veridian people, their tragic history a testament to the darkest depths of human cruelty, something that no one should have to endure.
After the lesson was over everyone got ready to go home, the school hours in this world are quite short after all, only lasting from noon to 2 o-clock.
When school ended all of Aurelio's classmates swarmed him, indeed he had set quite a good impression among them.
"Where do you live?"
"How are you so smart!?"
"Wanna be my friend?"
They asked him hundreds of questions before finally letting him and Jane go their own way. As they made their way back home, Jane looked at Aurelio with a sense of admiration, the way he saved her from getting embarrassed in front of the class and everything.
After walking a while they both parted ways and went to their own homes.
"I'm back!" He said as he entered his home.
Part 4:
Valarie greeted Aurelio from the kitchen, she was slightly worried about how her son's first day went, whether he was able to fit in or not and such. So naturally, she inquired.
"How was your first day honey?"
"It was good!" Aurelio said as he realized his mother's worried tone.
"Really? I'm glad to hear that! Did you make any new friends?"
"Yeah, a lot of friends!"
They both talked about how school went for a few minutes in the kitchen before Fabian entered the house.
"I'm home"
"Welcome back dear~, what took you so long?"
"These meetings just get longer and longer, security is becoming a huge issue in the village because of the-"
Fabian stopped speaking as soon as he noticed Aurelio was also in the house.
"Oh, you're here Auri? How was school?"
-- Security is an issue in the village? Because of what? Why did he stop speaking when he saw me?
"Pretty good!"
"Good to hear that"
Aurelio thought that Fabian would ask more about his day at school, but rather, Fabian just accepted Aurelio's word without asking more about it.
"Ready to start your sword practice?"
-- Oh yeah, I promised them I would practice sword training with Fabian.
"Eh, yes!"
The two of them made their way out to the garden with two flimsy wooden swords, because for obvious reasons using a real sword would go terribly wrong. Fabian first started explaining how Aurelio's stance should be.
After constantly pointing out flaws and fixing them for a few minutes, Aurelio's stance was good enough to begin. In all honesty he was quite scared of doing this as he remembered how fast and strong Fabian was just a few days ago, even if he knew that Fabian would go easy on him.
"Begin!"
As soon as Fabian said that Aurelio dashed towards him, but Fabian stood there unfazed, waiting for the perfect moment.
Aurelio got closer, but he stayed still.
Aurelio got even closer, but he still stayed still.
Aurelio got very close, yet he stayed still for another moment.
-- I've got him!
As soon as Aurelio was about to swing his sword, Fabian moved out the way causing Aurelio to get sent running forward and eventually crashing into the ground. Fabian was observing Aurelio's feet placement, balance, center of gravity and all of that, and he had realized that Aurelio was very unbalanced and would probably be unable to change direction too quickly.
Although his son was just sent flying to the ground, Fabians expression stayed cold and unfazed, only showing signs of stoicism befitting a warrior of his caliber.
"Easy on the feet, you'll never be able to land an attack if you move like that!"
The two kept training until the sun set, and by that point Aurelio was completely tired, all the muscles in his body were tense and sore and dirt and grime had accumulated on him due to excessive crashing to the ground, therefore he decided to shower before eating dinner.
Although the "bad ass" image that he had of sword fighting was completely shattered that day, little did he would grow up to appreciate the lessons that Fabian taught him more than he could even imagine.
[Part 5]:
The first light of dawn filtered through the thin curtains, casting a soft glow across the room as the rain gently trickled outside. Fabian stirred from sleep, stretching as his gaze settled on Valarie, who slept soundly beside him. Her gentle breathing was the only sound in the quiet room, and he couldn't help but notice her peaceful expression and disheveled hair. Slipping out of bed, he glanced back at her one last time before stepping into the hallway.
The wooden floorboards creaked under his weight as he made his way down the corridor. Passing by the doors, he noticed one slightly ajar. It was Aurelio's room. Curious, Fabian peered inside.
Aurelio sat at his desk, his back to the door, completely engrossed in a book he'd taken from the study. Fabian couldn't help but chuckle softly, amused by Aurelio's focus. It wasn't typical of him to be up at this hour, lost in a book. But Fabian was pleased to see his son making an effort to learn and instill discipline in himself. Shaking his head with a smile, Fabian continued down the hall, laughter still bubbling quietly in his chest.
Meanwhile, in his room, Aurelio was carefully reading each line of the book. It was a habit that he had in his past life, to wake up in the morning and study, and since he'd just been reincarnated into this new world, it was definitely a good idea to try and learn as much about the world as possible. He'd already learned a lot by Mr.Cuthmans lessons, about Miliscient kingdom, the 6th Veridian empire. About different kingdoms in Valoriit (the central continent) that used to be part of Milsicient. Therefore, yesterday, after his first day at school, he went into the study and took the most detailed book he could find on the world.
The book he was reading was a renowned "Amaspedia" (pronounced Amapedia), a type of social science and or natural science dictionary in this world. This particular Amaspedia was published by Posiones, a world-famous scholar from the kingdom-state of Iphatys, which was part of the Grycklician civilisation. The Amaspedia contained extensive information about the history of the world, its geography and geology, as well as detailed accounts of cultures and social norms from around the globe, all chronicled by Posiones himself. He had sailed across the world, witnessed extraordinary things, and meticulously documented his experiences. When his voyage was over, he compiled his notes and published them.
Now, advanced printing technology didn't really exist in this world, meaning each copy of Posiones' Amaspedia was handwritten and sent out to select countries by merchants. This specific book was carried by a ship from Grycklicia, it stopped at a port in a neighboring kingdom to Miliscient, from which some merchants took it to the royal capital, when Fabian was still working there. When he retired he was gifted a bunch of books from the King of Milisicient, his majesty Nusena Milsicient.One of those books was Posiones' Amaspedia, and so, he took it with him to Bavona.
--This book must cost a fortune!?
Aurelios eyes widened with amazement.
-- Like damn~, Fabian is really appreciated in the kingdom huh…?
He turned the page and looked over at what seemed to be the world map.
-- What the-
The image that was on the top of the page depicted five huge landmasses. In the center was the central continent, Valoriitt. To the north of it was the continent of Norvantasia. To the south of Valoriitt was the continent called Ernalis Terra. To the east of Ernalis Terra was Emburlundia, and to the west was the Sylvestrian continent.
In the book, it had various information about the continents.
Aurelio traced the outlines of the continents with his finger, marveling at the intricate details. The map was filled with notes and illustrations of different regions, showcasing Posiones' remarkable journey. Valleys, rivers, mountain ranges, and even small villages were meticulously marked, providing a glimpse into the vast diversity of the world.
As he continued to explore the map, Aurelio's mind was filled with more curiosity. A lot of the information was stuff that was fairly accurate, stuff that Aurelio could confirm with the knowledge from his old world, such as how the world is round and how the moon revolves around the planet. But some stuff were…. well, 'pseudoscientific' at best. A lot of scientific processes were explained using religion, and were quite… inaccurate to say the least.
Aurelio started to doubt the authenticity of the Amaspedia, but since it was the most reliable source he had about the world, he couldn't refute it.
-- If we factor the overall relative technological level of this world, we can say that this world lies at a technological level akin to the 13th - 14th century in my old world. Yet here in this book it says that its year 1144 since the fall of the… 'first veridian empire'? This world might just be slightly more technologically advanced than my old world, I mean, such advanced mapping techniques, and such high knowledge of the world… those certainly weren't this advanced in the 12th century…
Meanwhile, Fabian stepped outside, greeted by the fresh, cool morning air. The sky was a gray shade, as it had been raining non stop since yesterday. He took a deep breath, feeling a sense of calm wash over him. It was moments like these that he cherished – the quiet, solitary mornings before the world awoke. He could hear the distant sound of the rain, a soothing backdrop to his thoughts.
He walked down the path leading away from the house, the ground damp beneath his feet. Birds began to stir in the trees, their songs a gentle herald of the new day. Fabian's mind wandered back to Aurelio and the book he was so engrossed in. A faint smile crept up on his face as he continued to amble through the village.
As he walked past the picturesque scenery around him, he saw a familiar silhouette in the distance, a very… "energetic" silhouette at that. It belonged to a man who seemed to be in his 30's, he was wearing a brown tunic and had short hair, and was waving frantically towards Fabian with a grin that went from ear to ear.
Fabian immediately recognized the silhouette, it belonged to Ditena, a former comrade of his from the royal capital. Fabian walked towards him with a smile on his face as he recounted the memories from his time at the capital. When he reached Ditena both of them extended their hands and clasped each other's palms, locking in their index fingers, creating an echo that reverberated through the valley.
"Hehe, If it isn't Mr. "Almighty wrath of Miliscient" himself…"
"Says Mr. "Sword chipper" himself ...."Fabian replied as he chuckled slightly.
After greeting each other for the first time after so many years, Fabian and Ditena walked around the village while talking.
"So, what brings you here to Bavona?"
"Ah, I was travelling to the capital from Lopia, and well, Bavona was on route, so I decided to stop by and visit."
"Well, that's good, you finally decided to come visit after what? 12-13 years?" Fabian said in a playful way.
"Now that you're here, come and eat breakfast." He added.
Ditena chuckled before replying.
"No no, I couldn't do that, my caravan is leaving in an hour, i just thought it'd be good to catch up"
"Come on… at least have some Mitashen…don't you miss your Maera's cooking?"
The word Maera was a word in the Miliscien' language, it meant something akin to "sister in law". Fabian and Ditena were not biologically brothers, but their bond went beyond that of brotherhood, so Ditena would always call Valarie as his "Maera".
"Haah~, Its tempting… I really miss Maera's cooking, but I'm not risking missing my caravan.." Ditena said as he chuckled.
"Wow, such a buzzkill…"
"Says you!"
The both of them burst out laughing. When they calmed down a little, Ditena spoke up again.
"Do you remember our first day at the Garrison?"
A faint smile appeared on Fabian's face as he remembered that day.
"How could I ever forget?"
It was around 16 years ago, when Fabian was just at the young age of 16. Both him and his younger brother, who was 15 at the time, applied to join the army. They were both sent to the Genium, the royal garrison in the capital city of Meraleth, and they both were moved into a barrack. Inside the barrack, Fabian saw 6 other guys, about the same age as him, fighting over something, punching and kicking each other like little kids.
Out of the 6 guys, it seemed as if there were two sides, on one of the sides, there was Ditena and 2 other guys. Fabian tried to stop the two sides from fighting, but when he interfered he got hit with a right hook straight to his cheek from Ditena. This pissed Fabian off a lot but he couldn't do much since Ditena was quite a bit more stronger than him.
From that day onwards the two of them became huge rivals, turning even the simplest of acts into a compitition. "Who can clean up the mess in the living quarters the quickest? Who can drink the cup of water the fastest?", etc.
Then, the tides changed as Fabian awakened. This was huge news not only in the garrison, but throughout the kingdom. After thoroughly examining Fabian's newly increased physical prowess, he was appointed the captain of his unit.
The years went by, and the 16 year olds, through different missions grew, not only in age and wisdom, but in experience and strength. Now, all of the 8 soldiers in the barrack Fabian was in, were 20 years old.
One day, Fabian and Ditena were having a friendly duel that got a little too heated. Ditena held up very, very well against the "awakened" Fabian, who had already earned reputation as the wrath of Millicient. As the duel progressed Ditena managed to even the playing field by using different techniques Fabian didn't know about. Fabian, who was too stubborn to lose, continued to fight with all he had.
He pushed himself to the brink of exhaustion, each strike harder than the other. The both of them were dashing around from one side to the other at insane speeds, leaving the instructors and officers watching them on unable to track their movements. The clang of the swords intensified as the battle went on, and just as Fabian found an opening and was about to deal the finishing blow, he felt his limbs freeze, seemingly as if he got paralyzed, blood started to roll down his chin, leaking from his mouth.
He collapsed to the ground leaving everyone in shock, especially Ditena, who was absolutely terrified, terrified that he'd killed Fabian accidently or something. Fabian's eyes slowly fluttered shut as his body felt cold, and the sounds of gasps and murmurs from the crowd surrounding him blurred into a distant muffle.
He woke up a few seconds later, drenched in sweat on a bed, seemingly inside a tent. Next to him he saw a woman, and not just any woman, the most beautiful woman he'd ever seen in his life, it was Valarie, with her long, flowing black hair, her smooth, porcelain-like soft skin crystal water like eyes that shimmered, even in the dim healing tent. It was the first time he'd seen this woman, and he was seemingly entranced.
At that time, Valarie was a healer at the royal capital. A healer was basically just a doctor in this world. She was, at that time, the best herbal healer in the kingdom, with vast amounts of knowledge collected from Amaspedias that she was studying.
Fabian had pushed himself past his limits, his awakened homo Praestien abilities took a huge toll on his body, and he was very close to becoming paralized for life. Thankfully, Valarie with her knowledge on herbs from the kingdoms near the Indra river to the far east of the planet, was able to heal Fabian.
He couldn't fight at the same level as before, but at least he wasn't paralyzed for life, and that's all that mattered. After this event, Valarie and Fabian started to talk more and more, and soon enough, they fell in love.
The two of them got married at the age of 20, which, in this world was actually quite late. 15 year olds were considered adults and most usually at least got betrothed by that time. Valarie quit being a healer since she lost interest in it and Fabian retired from the royal garrison due to the fact that he wasn't able to fight as well as before. The two of them left the capital and came to Bavona village, where they shifted into a decently sized, and beautiful house.
Fabian became a knight, one of the few knights in Bavona who were tasked with ensuring peace in the village and informing the kingdom about any abnormalities in the area. Before Fabian and Valarie left, Ditena and Fabian bonded, and became very good friends. They promised to meet each other again in the future, not as rivals, but as brothers.
And now, here they are, meeting again after so many years.
Fabian and Ditena continued their walk through Bavona, reminiscing about their shared past and catching up on what had happened in their lives since they last saw each other. The sound of the rain provided a soothing backdrop to their conversation.
"So, how's life in the capital?" Fabian asked, curious about the changes in the place he once called home.
"It's as bustling as ever," Ditena replied with a smile. "New faces, new politics, but some things never change. The market's still crowded, the palace still stands tall, and the training grounds... well, they're still as grueling as ever."
Fabian chuckled, remembering the countless hours he spent in those training grounds. "And what about you? Any interesting missions?"
Ditena's expression grew serious for a moment. "There was one, actually, though I'm not sure "interesting" is the correct word. A few months ago, we were sent to stop some farmers who were rioting in the eastern part of Meraleth. The farmers were destroying their crops, burning them on the streets of the capital because they were unsatisfied with the taxes placed on their crops. We were sent there to stop the thousands of Farmers protesting…and, well… we were pushed to use a lot of force."
Fabian raised an eyebrow. "They were unsatisfied with the tax rates? How much is it even?"
Ditena hummed as he thought of the question. "Well… I'm not sure, but it's quite a lot apparently. You know how high the taxes have risen, even for normal civilians, right?"
Fabian shrugged. "Well, I'm exempt from giving taxes, but the villagers have been talking about it a lot here in bavona…."
Ditena sighed and chuckled slightly. "His majesty gives you waay to many benefits."
The both of them laughed for a few moments before continuing walking in silence for a while, both lost in their thoughts. The rain continued to fall, creating small puddles on the ground. Finally, Ditena broke the silence.
"Enough about the dark stuff. How's life in Bavona? You seem to have settled in well."
Fabian smiled. "It's peaceful here. Quiet. Valarie and I have built a good life for ourselves. Aurelio is growing up fast, and he's turning into quite the young man."
Ditena grinned as he heard that. "That's good to hear", he said.
Fabian's smile widened. "He's a good kid. Smart, too. I just hope he doesn't push himself too hard."
Ditena clapped him on the back. "He'll be fine. He's got you and Valarie to guide him."
They continued their walk, enjoying the calm of the village. As they approached Fabian's house, Ditena stopped and turned to face him.
"I really should be going. The caravan won't wait forever."
Fabian nodded, though he was reluctant to see his friend leave. "Take care of yourself, Ditena. And don't be a stranger. You're always welcome here."
Ditena smiled. "I'll try to visit more often. And you stay safe too, Fabian."
With that, Ditena turned and walked away, disappearing into the misty morning. Fabian watched him go, feeling a mixture of nostalgia and gratitude for the friendship they shared.