"Hmm…"
Valcroy eyelashes trembled, like he was experiencing a nightmare, his fist open and closed, but everything stopped in an instant as he something being burned onto his back.
Grunt*
He grunted in pain, eyes shut tightly, teeth and hands clenched. The pain from the etching was being too much. Before he could do anything about it, his body started trembling, and he felt millions of ants biting him, making the pain from before a joke as he wanted to scratch this unscratchable itch, but he couldn't even open his eyes.
This was not the end, as another wave of pain assaulted him. This time, it was his heart.
Awww*
He let out a painful wail, his eyes opened wide, redness could be observed in them like something was consuming him from the inside as his eyes fully turned black for a moment before retaining their original color, everything blurry and disorienting. The itch from before was still there, but there was something else that grabbed his attention, making everything else blur in the background. He looked down at his bare chest to find the reason for this unbearable pain, and he found the reason.
'What!?'
Must be a hallucination. Was what he thought for a moment, Valcroy shook his head to get rid of the remaining dizziness and focused once more. This time, he was fully focused. His eyebrows scrunched so much that they almost touched one another.
'How am I alive?'
There was a hole in his chest and he could feel it from his back as well, like someone drilled a perfect circle onto his chest. His entire world was turned upside down. If not for the blue sky that was visible from this tent, he would have thought that he was still in that godforsaken land.
'But how…'
His mind buzzed, everything turning blurry once more, and he lost consciousness.
He remembered fuzzily what had happened before he got trapped in the other body.
He and Erik Frostborne, the person he serves, were sent to Iron'Heits, a city on the outskirts, bordering one of the free cities of the Free Alliance. It was more of a fortress than a city, a towering wall casting a giant shadow, soldiers mounting the wall, heavy magic ballistas that could even blast a hole in a rank 3 monster.
The city itself was a marvel as everything was carved out of the mountain, magic imprints everywhere, the ground was molded to make houses, apartments and shops in this city. Everything is natural, if magic usage is deemed natural.
They arrived in the city on the morning of the attack. Upon arriving in the city, the first thing that was required of them was to report to the general, the person responsible for defending this city.
And this was what that they did as they approached the house/ mansion of the general, who, unlike any other in the area, had things other than a mountain rock in it. It had pointed towers, windows that could take an entire floor, curved from the top and colored so that people from outside couldn't see inside. The same might not be true for the ones inside.
Upon arriving at the mansion, they were greeted by a door that felt like it was made for a 12-foot giant, and not human. It looked heavy, made of metal, with giant bolts outside, definitely inside. Otherwise, the maker was an idiot.
Erik, silver hair, brushed up and messy, cold blue eyes that can seem to see through everything, nose symmetrical, a diamond shaped face, an indifferent look like nothing would surprise him. Oh, how wrong that was going to be.
A guard escorted them, while their escorts excused them, except for a maid, Alyssa, young girl, same age as them but timid, brown hair, green eye, freckles over her cheeks, giving her a cute, and innocent look. She was holding her dress nervously, looking around vehemently.
"It's ok."
Valcroy said, as his mouth corners arched up naturally, giving her a smile. Alyssa nodded, a little nervous from before. Erik didn't pay them any mind as he kept walking. Maybe his mind was somewhere else.
They walked into the study room and saw the general, his broad back toward them. Seemed to be lost in reading and the door room was wide open. He was one careless fellow.
Knock* Knock*
The guard knocked on the ground before taking a step back, giving the stage to Erik.
"Hmm?"
The general turned around and saw three youngsters, his black eyebrow raised a little, as he gave them a stare with his brown eyes. The frown over his face loosened as his mouth corners curled up, bringing the gray beard up along with it. His black and gray hair moved with air, coming from the giant window that was a slightly open, making his long air flow.
"Young Erik."
He stood up from his chair, his strong build came to their view, he was a little old to be called a middle-aged man but young to be called an old-man, a dilemma.
"General Kendrick."
Erik said, making Kendrick frown, which Erik saw and said, with a minor discomfort, "Uncle."
A smile crept up on Kendrick Frostborne's face as he invited them in. He then turned toward Valcroy, who upon seeing that got on one knee, a hand over his chest and bowed his head slightly. Alyssa did the same, earning a nod from the general and telling them to wait outside.
Valcroy and Alyssa complied and stood out, waiting for their young master. They didn't wait for long, and Erik came out in less than 5 minutes and said, "Let's go."
They did so and followed him out. Valcroy stopped and turned his back and saw the general busy reading the book once more, but suddenly turned back and looked toward him, making him almost jump in fright as he quickened his pace, catching up to the duo.
Upon leaving the mansion, a soldier, wearing a metal armor from head to toe, helmet with a movable piece over his face, which was up, escorted them to their house. This house, although like any other house in this city, was grand, like made for giants, same aesthetics as the mansion.
They entered through the front gates, and a wave of maids and butlers welcomed them. Erik nodded indifferently and entered the house. If saying the inside was bigger than the outside magical, then this house was just that. They soon arrived before Erik's room, who said, "Find yourself a room."
After which, he entered his room and closed the door. Valcroy and Alyssa bowed slightly once and left.
Valcroy toured the house, his blue eyes sparkling as he looked at everything with curiosity. There were many portraits in the house, some of the unique monsters, some people/ heroes of the Dominion and some of the nature.
He walked around, greeted the maids and workers courteously, earning a smile or two from them when they saw his curious expression. After walking around the house and checking every room, he chose one for himself and brought his bag inside.
The room was nothing extravagant, a bed to the side, a chair, and a table with a lamp on it, and a wardrobe right next to the door, there was a window, smaller than the ones he saw before, opposite to the door. He looked out and could see the bustling city from the second floor of the house.
Enjoying the view for a while, he opened his bag. A pair of clothes neatly arranged to the side, a stack of letters, and some daily necessities were neatly arranged in the bag.
Valcroy put the clothes and the necessities in the wardrobe before grabbing the stack of letters. It was an old method, used by commoners to talk to their faraway family, but it was good enough for Valcroy and his family.
He sat on the bed, next to the bag, carefully opening a letter from his mother, who was worrying about his health, whether he was sleeping on time, eating well or that not to train excessively. He read it with slowly and enjoyed every alphabet of it.
Dear Val,
I hope this letter finds you well. Sweetie, your dad and I are thinking about you and wondering how you're doing so far from home. Are you eating properly? Make sure you're taking care of yourself and not skipping meals, even when you're busy. I know how easily you get caught up in things, but promise me you'll take the time to eat right.
And, Val, remember to get enough sleep. You might want to stay up too late, training or stressing over things that can wait until morning, don't. Sleep is so important, more than any sword practice or lesson. You need your strength, and that comes from resting well. So, don't push yourself too hard.
You've always been so dedicated, a little reckless but so determined, that my little boy went out to help the family. But remember, it's okay to rest. It's okay to take a break. There's no shame in stepping back to let your body and mind recover. I worry you might drive yourself too hard, and forget to care for the gentle soul inside that strong body. You've been through so much already, more than any mother would want for her child, and I just want you to be happy and healthy.
We miss you every day, Val. The house feels empty without your laughter, just like when you were little. I know you have your own path to follow, and I'm so proud of you—more than words can say. You've grown into such a strong and honorable young man, but in my heart, you'll always be my little boy, running to me with scraped knees, looking for comfort..
Please take care of yourself. No matter how far you go, you're never alone. My thoughts and prayers are always with you, always there with every step of your life. And if you ever feel lost or tired, just think of home and know that I'm always here to hold you in my arms again.
All my love,
Mom.
His face had a smile constantly over it as he read the letter, this was not the first time he was reading it, but every time he did, it brought a smile, a strange feeling in his body, making him feel comfortable.
There were many other letters, but each had a time stamp on it, like the one he opened just now. He was told to only open them when he achieved the requirements listed over them. His father was a person with rule and principles, and he etched that into his family's bones as well.
He looked at the next letter in line, that demanded him to open it when he's 20. He wanted to open it at this moment but held back his curiosity and put them away in the bag and then put the bag under the bed.
Valcroy laid down for a moment, eyes closed as he thought about where he should go next. There was an entire city outside to explore, but for that, he needed Erik's permission to go out. He tussled and turned, wanting to rest, but couldn't. He had too much energy, making him unable to shut his eyes.
"Alright, let's go,....train."
Although unwanted, he needed to train. He was almost reaching the limit of normal body strengthening, and when he was done with that, he could start strengthening the body with mana.
Valcroy left his room and was about to head to his room when he was stopped by a maid.
"Young master Erik asked for you."
Valcroy thanked her and walked to Erik's room and knocked.
"Come in."
Valcroy did so and opened the room. Erik's room was just as simple as his, except maybe the quality of the bed. Who wants a hard rock for a bed? He wasn't surprised, though. He has now spent over two years with Erik and knows that he was not the person who flaunted his wealth.
"We are leaving for the shopping district."
Valcroy nodded and was about to go out to prepare for an escort when he heard him say, "Just you and me."