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
The emerging talents. People who are chosen from newly recruited personnel or not fully experienced soldiers who are believed to have a natural potential for combat. They are offered a severe schedule of training and instruction on fighting skills.On that afternoon Josiah was arriving in the middle of the daily paired practice.He was in a large room, together with the other faces, waiting for the instructor to arrive.A few faces inside there were familiar.The teenage boy several years older than him he saw whispering at his back when he first arrived the army was one of them. But his friend wasn't there.That boy who smiled when Koda scolded him in the room was also there.All in all, it seemed none of the faces there were very friendly toward him. And that's probably because of his age.Not many eight-years-olds make it to the selected group in one day just like that. In fact, the teenage boy around his thirteens seemed to be the second youngest. Apart from that, there was also a
"Done with that already!? The day is about to end.""Koda, sir. This little rascal keeps slowing me down." "Liar! He was the one goofing off and leaving the job all for me!" Josiah shouted.Both him and Reeve were designated to cleaning duty. They had been mopping the room for the last couple of hours while the others went for physical activities. They were inside the men's room during the time they went there to get dressed for the bloodless training."You two still can't get along? I guess you're going to have to be the duo on the cleaning until you learn how to.""…""Finish that already and come to the bloodless training."Josiah felt a chill down his spine.The bloodless training was a modality where the holder didn't use the bloodbound power of his weapon at all. Aiming both for perfecting common-weapon wielding and beginning on blood control."Sir…" Josiah asked in a low voice as he went near Sergeant Koda."Say it.""I don't know how not to use my bloodbound powers."Reeve ove