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This is a novel series created by @mohhdude on Discord, Tiktok, and WebNovel,
Writer of the following: The Towering Worlds: Hell's Chalice, Username: Nexus / Association, and Feier: History's Traces.
Enjoy your reading.
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FEIER: HISTORY'S TRACES
Chapter One: Growing up has its…
" Don't push yourself too much. "
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Four Years Later after Merritt recovered…
Our two friends, Cassius and Merritt are now around age 13, Cassius was clashing with a metal training dummy induced with mana, as Adonis was spectating him. Merritt was at home studying magic circles; he had already summoned a staff for himself. Merritt looked at the staff with a smile on his face, Merritt's father ruffled Merritt's hair. " Good job, Merri. "
Merritt's father smiled at Merritt's progress. Merritt looked at his father, then back at his staff. " Okay, Merri. I'll be out for a bit. Take care, alright? ", Merritt nodded his head. " Be safe, dad. ", his father took note. He walked outside and closed the door. The markets were bustling.
Cassius finished training as he sat down. Panting with sweat traveling from his forehead to his chin, Cassius turned his head to Adonis as the dummy fell into pieces, the mage that casted a puppet spell as a friend of Adonis was a bit exhausted from holding up the spell. " Father, can I go to Merritt as a reward? ", Cassius asked Adonis.
" Hm… I mean sure. But come back when its 6 'o'clock. Alright? ", Cassius nodded his head with a smile on his head, Adonis ruffled Cassius' hair as he walked away. " Be careful now, I'll be at the castle. ", Cassius got up, he sheathes the sword he was holding that was strapped to his waist. Cassius went out to town and knocked on Merritt's door.
Merritt noticed the knocking, he walked to the door as he opened the door with his mana staff in his hand. " Oh, Cassi! You're done with your training? ", Merritt asks him. Cassius nods his head with a smile on his face. " Yeah! You wanna do something fun in the city? ", Cassius asked.
" Yeah sure, just take a seat. You're sweating a lot. ", Merritt chuckled as he lets Cassius inside his home, letting him sit down. Merritt brewed some black tea, " So, how did training go? ", Cassius wiped the sweat off his forehead, " It went nicely! Father told me I could go to you after I completed training. ", he answered.
Merritt smiled as he slid a teacup in front of Cassius, " That's nice to hear you took the time of your day to come here, Cassi. ", Cassius smiled brightly at Merritt. " Of course, Merri! You're my best friend, I can't go a day without talking to you! ", Merritt, with slightly widened eyes, softened his gaze.
" Thanks for the tea, Merri! ", Merritt nodded. " Of course. ", Merritt and Cassius talked about both of their training. Merritt drank tea with Cassius as the two of them started to go out to the city. " Hey, Merri, I heard there's a new shop selling some grimoires, you wanna go? ", Merritt nodded his head to Cassius' question. " Sure, I wanna check it out too. "
Cassius points the way as he walks with Merritt, Merritt follows Cassius into the shop. Cassius opened the door as both of them walked in. The Shopkeeper looked over to the duo, " Ah, your highness! Have a pick at whichever item you'd like. ", Cassius nods, as he walks around the shop with Merritt, Merritt got cut by a sharp stick on the calf as he was walking, he notices it, but leaves it be. " You okay? ", Cassius asked. " I'm fine. ", Merritt responded.
Both of them reach the grimoire section of the shop, Merritt looks at each Grimoire, one was named "Fire Spells", another was "Barrier Spells", but one that stood out the most to him was a crimson red book, he slid it out of the cabinet. The book covered the basics of healing spells, he took another book that covered how to write your own magic circles for experienced sorcerers. He looked at Cassius. " Cassi, can I have these two? "
Cassius looked at the two books in Merritt's hands, " Sure, we'd like these two books please. ", Cassius keeps a hand sized bag of coins on the table, the shopkeeper looks at the bag of coins, then to Cassius, " No, your highness, it's completely free of charge. ", Cassius pushes the bag of coins a bit further, " No, no, I insist. "
The shopkeeper nodded, taking the coins, Merritt and Cassius walked out of the shop. " Thanks for buying the books for me, Cassi. ", Merritt said to him as they walked together. " Of course! By the way, you wanna come with me to the castle and wait for lunch, Merri? ", Cassius asked Merrit, Merritt nodded his head, holding the books close to him.
" I'd love to, Cassi. Let me keep my books at home and I'll be with you. ", Merritt responded with a warm smile on his face, Cassius nodded his head, " Sure, take your time. I'll be right at the door. ", Merritt was dropped off by Cassius to his home, Merritt opens the door and closes it as Cassius waits outside for Merritt.
Merritt keeps the books in his room's bed, he walks to the door and opens it, " Okay, let's go. ", Merritt says to Cassius, tilting his neck up a little bit, " Alright, let's go! ", Cassius walked with Merritt to the castle, Cassius entered as Merritt felt a slight sense of nostalgia. " I missed being here… I remember both of us running down the hallways. "
Merritt chuckled to himself as he reminisced about the thought, Cassius nodded, " Father, Mother, I'm home! ", Adonis was talking with Elina, as Adonis looked at Merritt. " Ah, Cassius. And you brought Merritt too, how are you? ", Merritt bows a little bit, with his hand on the left side of his chest, " Yes, your majesty, I'm doing well. "
" Oh, no need to bow. ", Adonis insists, " Let's drop the formalities as well, you're my son's best friend, after all. Mister Gerhard is fine with you, yes? ", Merritt was a bit taken aback, but nodded his head. " Yes, Mister Gerhard. ", Elina looks at Merritt with narrowed eyes, almost like she was irritated by his presence, Merritt noticed her glare.
" Father, I'll go to my room with Merritt, is that fine? ", Cassius asked, Adonis nodded his head. " You may, I'll have one of the butlers notify you when lunch is ready. ", Cassius nodded, taking Merritt's hand and going upstairs past the thrones of Elina and Adonis. Adonis chuckled to himself. " Kids, nowadays… "
Cassius opens the door to his room, Merritt sat down on a chair, " So, is there anything you do whenever you're bored here, Cassius? ", Merritt asked as Cassius thought about an answer… " I usually just go to you when I'm bored. ", Merritt chuckled lightly at the answer. " Well, I'm here now. What then? "
Cassius thought a little bit, then noticed the cut on Merritt's calf. " Merri, you have a cut… ", Cassius opens a drawer, taking out a white squire band-aid. " I'm fine, Cassi! It's just a cut. ", Merritt said, Cassius sighed a little. " No, Merri… It could get infected! I'd hate to see your life being threatened by a single cut. "
Cassius rolls up Merritt's pant leg up slightly, he adds a drop of ointment to the cut, Cassius was on one knee as he treats the wound. Merritt winces a little bit, as he looks at Cassius treating the cut. He smiled slightly. Cassius adds the band-aid as he rolls Merritt's pant leg down.
Cassius got up. " Sorry if it hurt a little bit, Merri. But you should really tell me whenever you're hurt, I have something that can treat you. ", Merritt nodded his head. " Thanks a lot, Doctor. ", He teasingly said, Cassius sat down on his bed. " So, what do we do… ", Cassius was bored as he laid on his bed.
" Hey, Merri, I have this theory… ", Merritt turned his head to Cassius, " Hm? What is it? ", Merritt was curious to hear about the theory that Cassius was talking about. " What if my father is planning to send me and you to a school where we can become squires?! ", Cassius sprung up as he was grinning from ear to ear.
" You're way too optimistic, it'll happen eventually but I hope you're right. ", Merritt yawned a little bit, " What, you're sleepy? ", Merritt nodded. " Yeah… I studied all night… ", He rubbed his eye, Cassius helped Merritt up. " Here, sleep on my bed. I'll wake you up when it's lunch, okay? "
Merritt rubbed his left eye as he took Cassius' hand and helped him up, Merritt was guided to bed as he laid down, Cassius kept a blanket over him, " Just tell me if you need anything, Merri. ", Merritt nodded as he slowly drifted into a nice slumber. Cassius stretched a bit, as time passed a little bit…
The butler knocks on the door, " Your highness, Lunch is ready. ", …No response. The butler knocked again, " Your highness? ", The butler opens the door to Merritt sleeping on the bed and Cassius keeping his head on the bedside of where Merritt was sleeping. The butler sighed, " Reminds me of when you two were younger. "
The butler shakes Cassius a little bit, " Your highness, lunch is ready for you downstairs. ", Cassius woke up, as he yawned. He rubbed his eyes; he nodded his head. " Okay… I'll wake up Merri… ", The butler nodded, as he left the room. Cassius shakes Merritt slightly. " Psst… Merri… Lunch is ready… ", Merritt opens his eyes slightly.
" .. Mhm… ", Merritt yawned, he stretched his arms a little bit, letting out a sigh of relief. Merritt sat up; Cassius sat on the bedside. " Cassi… What time is it… ", Cassius looked at the clock in his room. " … It's… 2:30 pm… ", Merritt nodded, " Okay… You go wash your face… I'll go after you… "
Cassius nodded, as he got up and walked to the bathroom, he splashed water on his face. Merritt got up from the bed, as he walked to the bathroom after Cassius walked out, Merritt washes his face so he's actually awake, Cassius was at the door of the room, waiting for him. Merritt cleans his face as he walks outside of the room with Cassius.
Cassius and Merritt walk downstairs as Adonis and Elina were waiting for them, Cassius sat down at the table, so did Merrit. " How did the two of you sleep? ", Adonis asked, Elina still glared at Merritt, then glanced back at the piece of paper she was reading. Cassius responds to Adonis: " It went nice, both of us rested well! Thank you for asking, Father. "
Adonis nodded his head, " I actually wanted to call you and Merritt here for… another reason. ", Cassius' eyes lit up as he was invested in the current conversation, he clasps his hands together. He had a straight, serious face. Merritt was sitting next to Cassius as he chuckled at his sudden mood swing, as Elina was watching them talk as she had already ate. " Yes, father, is something wrong concerning the both of us? "
Adonis looked at Cassius and Merritt, smiling, " I am proud to announce that both of you will be sent to an academy that teaches the basics of mana, combat and more… I want to endorse you two to enroll in this academy and become squires. ", Merritt widened his eyes a little bit. " Are… Are you sure you would want to endorse me to enroll with Cassius...? "
" Yes, I am sure. Both of you will do well, I stand with my statement, now… Your answer will be— ", Before he could even finish, Cassius stood up with brightened eyes. " Yes! Yes, I would love to, father! ", he was excited. Merritt looked at Cassius, then sighed. He had a soft smile, as he looked at Adonis. " As you wish, Mister Gerhard. "
" Great, you two will head off in the carriages tomorrow, please pack your belongings and inform your father, Merritt. ", Elina rolled her eyes, being quiet the entire time. " But what made you make such a decision, father? ", Cassius asked, Adonis glanced at Cassius. " Because it took me two weeks to convince your mother to send you two to the academy… "
Adonis sighed, remembering the hardships he experienced those two weeks, He then glanced at the two. Elina glanced at Merritt, " … Merritt. I may dislike your presence, but I want your word on this. You will under any circumstances not hold my son back. ", Merritt nodded his head. " Yes, Miss Gerhard. ", Elina had a slight vein on her forehead.
" Who gave you the permission to address me in such familiarity? ", Elina said, Merritt sweats a little bit, " F-Forgive me, your majesty, I just thought that if I could refer to Mister Gerhard as… Mister Gerhard. I thought I could- ", Elina cuts him off the sentence, " That does not grant you the authority to address me in such familiarity, Merritt. "
" Yes… Your majesty… ", Merritt felt a bit embarrassed being yelled at as Cassius and Adonis were eating. " … I trust that you take care of my son. Mage. ", Merritt nodded his head to Elina. " Of course… ", Merritt started eating the food, as thirty minutes went by, Merritt walked to the door, Cassius was talking to his mother.
Cassius noticed Merritt who was about to be taken to his home by a butler. " Oh- here, let me take him home. ", the butler nodded, as he walked away. Cassius and Merritt walk outside of the castle, " So, your little theory was correct… ", Merritt said to Cassius. " It was just a little prediction. Nothing much! "
" Hmm, is Cassi hiding something from his best friend? ", Merritt added, Cassius shakes his head left and right. " Of course not, Merri! I'd never. ", he chuckled. Both of them reached Merritt's home. " Thanks for walking me home, Cassi. I'll see you tomorrow? ", Merritt asks. " Of course, Merri! I'll see you tomorrow at the gates. "
" Oh, by the way, father wanted to give you this endorsement letter! ", Cassius took the letter out of his pocket, as the letter's seal had the emblem of the Royal Capital. Merritt took the letter, " Thanks a lot. I'll see you tomorrow, Cassi. ", Cassius nodded his head, as he turned and left the castle, he waved bye.
Merritt nodded, as Cassius left. Merritt walked in his house; his father was asleep after a long day of work. Merritt kept his letter on the table as he was trying to contain the amount of joy he felt when he was getting endorsed by the king of the Royal Capital himself, Merritt quietly squeals.
He went to his father's room to inform him of the letter, " Dad! Wake up! ", Merritt shakes his father from sleeping. " Oh.. Merri.. You're home… What's with the fancy letter…? ", Merritt, with a bright smile, said: " I got an endorsement from the king! ", his father sprung up. " Really!? ", Merritt nodded his head. His father laughed heartily, smacking Merritt's shoulder. " I knew you could do it, kid! But where are you getting endorsed? "
" Dad, I have a chance at becoming a Squire of an Experienced Knight! ", His father's smile got even bigger, he felt nothing but joy for his son. " That's amazing to hear, Merri!! ", Merritt's father lifted him in the air and spun around. " Let's pack your stuff, and quick! "
Merritt nodded after being let down by his father. " Okay!! ", Merritt and his father pack Merritt's books, notebooks, pens, favorite cups, and some oranges along the way.
…
It was morning, Merritt and his father spent the hours of yesterday planning and packing stuff. The carriages were waiting for Merritt and Cassius, Merritt was already there. He was waiting for Cassius; Cassius was running with a big bag of things on his back.
Adonis and Elina were waiting at the gates for Cassius. " Sorry I'm late! ", Cassius shouted. He hugged Adonis and Elina. " Take care, Cassius. ", Elina had a soft smile as she pats his back, " Be careful, okay? ", Adonis ruffled his hair. " Of course! ", Merritt's father kissed Merritt on the forehead. " Take care, okay Merri? Don't forget to mail me letters. ", his father hugged Merritt tightly.
" Don't push yourself too much, Merri, you're doing just fine. ", Merritt's father had a napkin that he used to blow his nose with. He was in tears since his son can now go off to become something more. " Okay, dad. I'll be fine. ", Merritt hugged him back, letting go.
Merritt and Cassius get in the carriage, as the two waved back at their parents. " Bye! ", both of them shouted as the carriage started moving. " Take care, the both of you! ", Merritt's father blew his nose as he waved them goodbye.
Merritt sighed. " Still can't believe I got endorsed by the king himself… ", Merritt chuckled. " You're my best friend! Of course, you'll get a little special treatment. ", Cassius replied with a smile on his face, " How's the cut, Merri? ", Merritt looked at his leg that was bandaged. " It's fine now, it was stinging when I was packing my stuff. "
Cassius nodded. " Well, good to hear. I'll be taking a small nap as we travel. Wake me up when we reach the academy. ", Cassius rested, closing his eyes. " Have a good sleep, Cassi. ", Merritt looked at the bag in his hand, as he opened the bag, taking out a book about how to cast healing spells. Merritt started reading from the first page.
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— Chapter One, Fin.