Chapter 4

BLACK THE ORIGIN

Chapter 4: Announcement

Alkhun entered the office of his father which is on the top floor of the palace. Passing through the blue transparent wall of mana, or so the 'Mana wall'.

It is used to search for things and approve only certain individuals to enter the room. Marlo was already inside with his father Keppler.

Marlo, sitting at the chair front of his father’s desk was casually talking. They stopped as he entered. Of course, they are close. He is the first son, after all, Alkhun thought. He had an eye-contact with his father.

"Have a seat." He sat at the seat at the front of Marlo who was staring mad at him. Despite being immature Marlo is still the oldest son and the most experienced in everything, that’s why  it's not a big thing for Alkhun that he looks down on him.

"I wanted the both of you, top have a good relationship. Cause you'll be working a lot in the future." Marlo's expressions stiffened.

"What do you mean father?"

"I'll be holding a competition and the two of you will be the leaders." Alkhun gulped at the sudden announcement.

"You mean, The Gran Cup?"

"Yes, the gran cup for the Berhalksawn palace we'll be held."

--

Alkhun woke up from bed and it was the 6th day of the week, a free day for the students in the palace. It supposes to be a normal day, but suppose it won’t be.

"Have you heard the Gran cup was going to be held?" He heard the voices of his brother at the door passing through. Of course, they're talking about it.

After Thousands of Years, the Gran cup is near to be held. Is it big? Of course, it was an event held every time one of the 5 elite families is choosing their Next King through their descendants. Immortals from all over the realm were coming and seeing the Gran Cup.

Every Gran Cup was written in history books and so his Father's Grand cup that happened last 5,000 years ago. When his father at the age of 18. Become the Prince and next King of The Berhalksawn Palace.

And in this Gran Cup, he'll be the leader of the 2 teams; he can't help but think what his father was thinking. He was a 10-year-old, he lacks everything. Well for now. He knows that the cup will be held in the next couple of years, his preparation was long and he knows his going to be stronger. He looks at the mirror. Wearing a more casual look every immortal would wear.

Wearing a long-sleeve black cloak, long sleeve polo, and a tie. Wearing a khaki-colored shorts. He looks like a normal boy that's for certain,

As Alkhun walks through the hallway wearing was the green cloak, he already caught the attention of his sibling as usual. Talking about the upcoming Gran Cup.

Because of the announcement the King has made, it was everywhere. All of the servants are talking about the cup. As he walks outside the palace he saw Pamela. She was riding a carriage. It was probably Pamela and her mother visiting their relatives at the Flower Capital. They caught eye contact.

Pamela smiles and waves her two small hands.

He waved his hand too, and he and hear Pamela saying 'bye-bye' at the movement of her lips. Until the carriage got away from his sight.

He turned his gaze at the noise coming from the battleground at the back of the palace. Alkhun looks at the peak at the battleground was the main practice hall of the palace. He rarely went, despite having good pieces of equipment. He saw Marlo's group beating up his other siblings.

These are the usual events, but it is noticeable that Marlo was only using physical power. He seems working hard for the Gran Cup.

Alkhun walks away. He shoved his hair and touched the scar on the right side of his forehead. I should keep up.

At the distance Kepler Berhalksawan was watching at his office window as Alkhun walks out of the Palace, entering the forest.

"So he's going to the city again." He whispers and grins.

--

Alkhun starts walking in the forest, heading north. He walks faster and faster until he starts running. He then uses mana to his feet to fasten his run and jump high and reach one of the sakura tree branches with his two hands, swinging causing it to fall sakura. He laughs, and runs at his usual path heading to the 'Leave Capital'. It was his favorite part of the week. Every 6th and 7th day of the week, where they're no classes at the palace

he would go to the city to practice. He never gets tired of it.

After minutes of running, he finally saw the Leave capital at the edge of the cliff. He changed his cloak, insert it into his dimensional bag, and headed to the city.

As he entered the main gate. The Guard greeted him, and he waved back. It is used to him. A large sign of leave would be seen at the gate, with a thin mana wall surrounding it. He was able to enter safely and the smell of the lively city greeted him. He can smell the freshly baked pan, the noise of the market. A Smell of fish and the sight of kids running around. It was early in the morning and live in the town. He likes this, he walks to the shops on the street and stopped at the city's bookshop.

The Palace can provide everything he needed, either academic, combat, or grimoire. But not what he wanted. When he opened the shop the librarian, Sophia.

A famous Mage at the capital that sells the grimoire smiled at him. He doesn't particularly know if she recognizes him or not, but he likes the feeling of being a normal citizen. He knew no one would talk about him being Alkhun Berhalksawn the son of Venus.

He headed to the fiction books. Entertainment is something the palace can't provide. Imagination can provide knowledge, far from reality can provide

"What are you finding this time?" Sophia asked her first customer of the day.

"Mortal Fantasy Books."

"Hmm, as usual, huh?" Sophia grabbed a book at the upper section of the shelf. She handed it to him.

"Read this series, written by Lyn Francia." Alkhun looks at the thick book, written in bold italic letters. 'The Tower’s Myth.'

"Lyn Francia?" He uttered out of familiarity.

"You mean..."

"Yes, Lyn Francia is one of the descendants of the Francia Family one of the 5 Elites family." Alkhun flips the cover of the dark red book and saw on the first page.

"For those who are seeking for the unknown..." He read.

"You like it?"

"How much?" Alkhun could almost see her eyes turning gold without even looking. "I'll rent it." He added and it disappears.

"Why, my loyal customer? Why not buy it?" Alkhun looks at her with a serious face and the adult stopped and nodded.

"Yes sorry, of course. You don't have space to put in on." She added out of sarcasm.

"I'll buy it then…" She was cheered up. "But I'll bring it back and you shouldn't sell it to anyone." She cheerfully nodded.

"Of course sir thank you for your service, that'll be 2 silver coins."

Alkhun looks at the other books while waiting for the ebook to get signed. He noticed the book series and it added up to 5 books.

Is it really fiction? He read the publication date of the latest book and it was a year ago. It is a myth after all.

Sophia handed the book and Alkhun handed the payment and put it into his dimensional bag.

"That's all you buy for today?" He nodded.

"How about a grimoire?" He shrugged grimoires are everywhere in the palace.

"Have you heard the news about the Gran Cup?" He stopped as he remembers.

"Yes."

"The city will be livelier these next years, as travelers will come to visit the cup." He said his goodbyes and left the store.

Then he next headed to his real reason to the city. The Sword Class, the signature of the Leave Capital.

I've seen an old-style house and entered it. An old man is sitting at the bench in his garden who looks at me at the side of his eyes.

"So you've come..."

"Yes, master." He laughed at the word he uttered.

"You have guts; I haven't accepted you yet as my student."

"What do you want me to do for you to acknowledge me as one?"

"Hmm... seems like something has changed your mind. I remember you told me you don't need classes from me and observing is enough for you." He remembers it clear like it's just yesterday.

Alkhun has always observed Nerom, the only King rank swordsman on the East and his hometown at the Capital City. Thou he never considered taking classes from him.

"...cause you think I was an old geezer and can't even stand up. Ah yes, I remember." Alkhun was guilty, avoiding his gaze.

"I-I was a kid back then…" Nerom laughed at him.

"Well... I heard the Gran Cup is coming hmm..." the old man stared at him. "I wonder.." He avoided his gaze as he can.

"Common kid!" he patted Alkhun's shoulder " You can tell me now, you are a descendant of the Berhalksawn family right?" He gulped and sighed.

"Yes..." He won't be able to deny it anymore. "You said your name was Khun, are you perhaps...?" Alkhun nodded.

"Hmm… the infamous descendants of the Berhalksawn Family, Alkhun Berhalksawn. Son of the Black Witch, Venus of the Western Capital." Alkhun sure was more popular than he thought he'd be.

Alkhun never hates himself or anyone. Never desires anything or anyone. Thou he does know that all that matters was that his living this life.

Being born in an Elite family and being a son of a black witch was not something he wished, but his somehow glad for having. The privilege to acquire the knowledge; in magic, combat, and history. Sometimes he thinks being Alkhun Berhalksawn, wasn't that bad after all.

"Okay, I'll accept you as my apprentice, in only one challenge."

Alkhun and his desires for knowledge, he is ready to sacrifice and take effort for that.

"You will have to beat me in combat."