"E-Elric?" a man who had just come out exclaimed in surprise.
It was Elric's father. He looked around and was shocked to see the bodies of his comrades scattered everywhere.
"Father."
His father was confused by what was happening. What was Elric doing here? Why were there so many bodies around?
"I want to ask you something... What is this?" Elric asked, throwing the leather with writing on it.
"What's going on?"
Other bandits quickly approached from the room.
Elric moved and swiftly killed them.
His father was almost paralyzed with shock.
"Are you really Elric?" his father asked, utterly shocked. Elric could never have done this!
"Answer me, Father. What is this? And why are you in the bandits' base?" Elric asked coldly.
His father couldn't speak, and the place fell silent for a few minutes.
After a few moments, his father suddenly started crying.
"I'll tell you everything... The truth is, I'm really a bandit, and you're not really my son," he confessed, crying.
Elric clenched his hand.
"Ten years ago, my wife and son died, and I decided to become a bandit. A few months into being a bandit, one day, my comrades came across a traveling carriage," he paused, then continued.
"When I arrived, my comrades had already killed the passengers... They were your parents."
"But there was a baby inside who survived. I pleaded with them to let me raise the child because of my longing for my son."
"And that child was you, Elric, my son. I know you're furious with me now. It's up to you if you want to kill me, son... Even so, I treated you as my own child. I'm sorry for everything," Elric's father confessed, still crying.
Elric took a deep breath.
He couldn't speak now; his mind was in turmoil.
"Son, You can kill me now... I won't hold it against you."
Elric lowered his sword and slowly walked away.
He didn't say a word and continued walking slowly.
"Elric... I found out that your parents were from the Golden Peony Clan in Red Valley City—"
"Don't call me son. Elric no longer exists. If I see you again, I'll kill you," Elric said coldly before quickly leaving.
______
On a stormy night, a young man could be seen under a large tree.
"AHHHHHH!"
His sword struck a large rock, shattering it instantly.
At the same time, a loud thunderclap sounded, and heavy rain began to pour.
"My name is no longer Elric. From now on, I am Zephyr."
Zephyr stood up and walked.
He raised his Great Sword to the sky.
He stood for hours, waiting until the sky suddenly rumbled.
KABOOM!
A powerful lightning bolt struck Zephyr, causing him to vomit blood from the impact.
But he remained standing, continuing to absorb all the energy.
This was a suicidal way of gaining strength, but he didn't care.
After a few moments, it was over, and Zephyr had reached the level of a 1-Star Knight.
"Wait for my retribution bandits."