Josiah got back home from Rimrid with a stash of brand new goldies and a big offer to think about."Hey, Thomas." He greeted the old man, as he went to his room, to set his belongings in place."Hi. How much did you get?""Four…""Told you? My evaluations are on point.""I got on this fight...""Oh, not again.""I won.""You shouldn't show off in public like that. We don't want people coming after you, young master.""And then some guy offered me a position at his school.""What!?"Josiah came back from his room to talk to Thomas in the kitchen."They said the Blood University of the town is performing a selection of potential students. He said I got some potential… But I'm eight…""That's great! Who is the guy? What did you say?""I… Don't know. He gave me this…" Josiah handled the paper to Thomas. "There's a lot to think about. For starters, I'm eight…""And what does your age have to do with all of that?"Josiah opened his mouth then closed again.'What? There is no age restriction
After spending the day with his friend, Josiah was walking back from the orphanage to his house. But ever since he was together with Lenny, from the start of the day until then… He couldn't help but feeling this strange sensation from his head.'I keep feeling like someone is watching me… First the cabin. Then on the way back… Even now…'He took a detour and went to a large, calm street where the men who created lake fishes lived. It had the advantage that the place was very wide open, with no trees or big walls to hide from the sight.'Now, show me who you really are.' Josiah thought to himself, as he was aiming at the suspicious figure he noticed was tailing him.When he was in the highlight of the road, when there was absolutely nothing around to hide an adult body, he looked back. He saw only one person.It was old man Benson, the farm owner; the one who accepted taking Thomas and him in."B…Benson?""Yo, boy." The old man waved his hand. He waved back.Josiah resumed walking."Was
Josiah was mad.He tried not to let it shine through, but he was mad. Perhaps it was because someone has found about his secret he kept within for so long?Or maybe deep down he believed old man Benson's words and got mad because his mother lied to him this whole time? Was he angry because he considered such a possibility?Either way… He tried masking his frustration toward the old man by inviting him to a sparring fight; a test; a proof of resolve by combat. But in the end, he just wanted to beat something up to relieve such frustration.That event led to the beginning of a fight in that wide-open street of Couche. There was nothing there. Nothing but the dirt, the fields, and the smooth breeze.Josiah was wielding his sword in his hands. Even that sword was a gift he received from his deceased mother. If what the old man said was true, it meant the one who gave him that gift would be living, hiding somewhere in the kingdom, waiting for him to join her and overtake Eneris' throne."G
"Don't you get it? There's something you still lack, young one."Josiah didn't like hearing those words, but after witnessing the difference of power between him and the old man, he couldn't exactly protest."Who are you? How can't I use my sword? What exactly is going on here?""As I said, I am a former employee of Mirild."Josiah was far less suspicious of his words after witnessing him fight.'The form is indeed very similar to Thomas'. The way they both fight is the spitting image of each other, but Thomas never went that hard. Was he holding himself…? I thought I was getting close to beating him on our spars. This all suddenly feels like a big lie.'"You asked why you couldn't manage your sword properly. This should be obvious. Look at the wound on your right shoulder.""What about it? You did that! And it's not like I hadn't faced anything worse before." Josiah always had the potions back home if he ever wanted to heal himself quickly."Yes. I did it on purpose. This kind of woun
"My good sir… The government is merciful. We have been providing you all with security and services throughout those whole years. But you must agree that this is not fair. We agreed for a certain amount of cattle and paid in advance. That feels wrong, doesn't it? I'm at disadvantage here…" Even though the phrasing was not to the fun side, The Magistrate spoke those words with a slight smirk on his face."Unfortunately there's nothing we can do about it, Magistrate, o sir. The bad season not only compromised the crops but also the animal's sustain… It's going to take a while before we are ready with the livestock…""And what about me…?""That's why I ask you, o great sir. Could we make this a smaller deal? We give you what we have and return part of the money. Of course, you can keep some as tax for your troubles."The Magistrate was expecting that offer. But he pretended to consider, scratching the back of his head."You see… Lord emperor Eneris sent me here on a mission. And as a side
"This time you really outdid yourself, young master."Thomas was helping Josiah wear his leggings and a cheap piece of armor he bought from his economies which he saved throughout his years.Josiah himself didn't feel very pleased with the situation, but he tried not to let it through:"Outdid myself? why? Weren't you the one saying you were to support me and that it's my choice where to go to?""I did say that. But I didn't know you were to join Eneris' army in a hurried manner like that."Josiah finished wearing his leggings and armor. It all felt a little heavier than he was used to, but he was a strong boy. It was not too heavy for him, even at his age. Thomas continued:"When Heraclis told me your decision I thought you were sure plotting something and that you'd try to pass him behind.""Do you wanted me not to go, Thomas?""I… Naturally I expected to be at your side for a couple more years, but…""Don't say it like that. I'm going to be back whenever I can.""I must say, I am no
After arriving at the reserve and showing the documents, Josiah was admitted in and was told to look for building 131C.The training headquarters was a big conglomerate of little gray-painted stone tiled buildings. The architecture was similar to the one used in the imperial castle. In a sense, the building seemed themselves like little castles.He quickly learned they were organized in rows and blocks, and none of which had actual names, they were referred to only by the location code."What a huge place…" Josiah contemplated, as he passed over twenty minutes of walking through those little stone buildings. He saw a lot of soldiers carrying a bunch of heavy armor and weaponry but didn't see any more children in the whole way.When he was approaching the place, Josiah sighted The Magistrate, wearing a distinct red-colored armor, heavily contrasting the rest of the soldiers."Oh, there you are! Come here, little one."The Magistrate seemed happy to see Josiah in.He went to the entranc
"Oh. You were the one charged with the room. You lost some of the explanation but I guess it's nothing you already don't know." The advisor said, looking at how Josiah carried his sword.The advisor was even taller than Koda, though skinnier. In fact, the advisor was so tall and so skinny he almost looked like an alien humanoid. "I'm Tal..."'The name suits you.' Josiah thought."…As a newcomer in the first weeks, you are going to use weapon replicas instead. Put your garbage at the side somewhere. Get a weapon of your preference among the models over the table. We are going to train in pairs now."Advisor Tal whistled loudly and everyone began trying to find a pair to spar with.Albo approached Josiah once again."Hey, dude. You lost all the explanation. Is that okay?""I had no choice…"Albo was holding an exact copy of a morning star. From the ball to the chains and holder… Everything was perfectly made out of wood."Huh… I guess this one looks strong. So I chose this one. Are you