1 The System''s Chosen Liege
''----''
''In a run-down building
numerous people with unkempt appearances and stained clothing could be seen sleeping peacefully. Though the setting betrayed the atmosphere of the room
their rest seemed to be uninterrupted by the poor conditions.''
''Unfortunately
that couldn''t be said for one of the boys. A loud gasp was heard as the young boy jumped from his sleep. His frail body was drenched in a cold sweat while he clutched the worn
patch-filled piece of cloth that could barely be called a sheet.''
''"It''s that dream again. It''s just...darkness
" the boy muttered to himself as he looked around at the other sleeping serfs around him. The light of day had yet to approach
so there was still time until the bane of his day came through those nearly broken doors.''
''He was careful not to interfere with their sleep. With silent steps
he walked towards the weathered windowsill. As he peered outside
he gazed at the silver gleam of the moonlight. The light of the moon seemed much more pleasant than the tyrannic heat that accompanied their overbearing sun.''
''"At least I get to see this beautiful sight before another hellish day. I just hope I don''t get a cruel family member today. That seems to be happening more often these days
" the boy muttered.''
''While he was lost in thought
a voice sounded behind him. It was gentle yet carried a warming feeling
"Apollo
you''re up early. Is it a nightmare again?"''
''The boy
Apollo
turned around. "Oh
Miss Clarice. Yeah
I couldn''t sleep. It''s the same dream over and over again. I don''t know what it means. But
today something felt different. Inside the dream
the darkness usually just surrounds me
but today
I felt like I was consumed. I don''t know how to explain it."''
''Clarice smiled and cupped his cheeks
"Don''t worry. Just take a breather and release the angst from your mind. I know these days our duties have become tougher. I also know that they''ve been especially hard on you."''
''In response
Apollo nodded. It was the truth
the strain they put him through far surpassed any other serf. While the others would be granted breaks he wouldn''t. This was because of his prior identity. He belonged to the children of the family that owned these serfs.''
''He was a progeny from the Kaiser Family. Which
sported an extensive line of reputed Sages and revered Archmages. Yet
in his case
he was unable to tap into the worldly blessing known as Mana. Forget tap into it
he couldn''t even sense it.''
''A short while later
the repeated tapping of heels and boots could be heard in the distance. Due to the sounds
every last serf woke with punctual timing. After all
they were aware of the punishment that followed their failure to present themselves on time.''
''As the sounds grew closer
Clarice leaned toward Apollo with a smile
"I pray that your day goes well and you make it through yet another day to see the light of tomorrow."''
''"That sounds good Miss Clarice. Your words always make me feel good. I appreciate you. It is because of you I find the strength to withstand my pain. My
um
family abandoned me
but you''ve been here over the past few years
" Apollo smiled in return
thanking her.''
''Shortly after
the door burst open. The ajar door reveals a lady dressed in crimson robes. Her lilac hair was hidden by a magus hat of matching color. She looked around with her gaze soon falling on Apollo.''
''"What a surprise
everyone is awake today. To commemorate this special occurrence
I think I''ll pick a lucky individual to receive extra work today. Ah
it''ll be you!" the lady smiled. As they followed the path of her arm
her outstretched arm holding her wand fell on Apollo''s figure.''
''"Uh… Headmaster Verina
why don''t you pick me instead? Apollo''s sleep wasn''t the best. I don''t think he''d make a good choice for additional work today
" Clarice stepped forward to sacrifice herself.''
''However
Verina was adamant in her ways. She rejected almost immediately
"That''s fine. What do you think our mages who specialize in healing are for? All you need to do is serve as a target for our training practices. Anyway
come along
we need to go."''
''After leaving her piece
she performed an about-face and exited the dilapidated premises. From the serf quarters to the training grounds was a decent trek. And
because none of the serfs were experienced in magic
it was even longer.''
''In light of this
Verina came early without fail to account for the physical travel. If it was her alone
she would have performed a simple flight spell. Nevertheless
she was unable to do so.''
''In exchange
she mumbled to herself while also shaking her head. As the serfs behind listened
they heard her complain about being in charge of this menial task. Additionally
the everyday occurrence of kicking her feet could be seen as well. This signified the targeting of a specific individual.''
''Clarice turned towards Apollo and mouthed "I''m sorry." However
Apollo didn''t blame her. She offered to stand in
it was just Verina''s decision not to accept it. Truth be told
he expected this much. With this
he focused his attention on the gravel road while ignoring the stagnant view of the distance seen everyday.''
''Not too long after
they made it to the training ground. Upon arrival
there was a large collection of kids. As Verina prepped the shoddy defensive equipment for the serfs
she also dealt with the other kids.''
''"As per usual
those who are studying to become Mages
you will be with me. Those of you taking the Knight''s Path
you''ll be with Elder Ingrid. We will begin our daily training shortly."''
''In a trained manner
the other kids followed her directions. After a few short moments
the only youths left were dressed in cloth apprentice mage robes. Additionally
they held rudimentary wooden wands.''
''Each of them picked a serf partner to practice on. Yet
when Apollo saw his pair
he frowned. A girl similar in height carrying a feigned air of innocence stood before him.''
''"Hehe
Apollo. Well
well
well. Tell me
how are you?" the girl giggled.''
''Anyone who knew this girl knew the attitude she presented was fake. To describe her in a simple phrase
she was a sadistic cretin.''
''"Melina
" Apollo grumbled.''
''While Melina continued to smile
Verina chanted a spell to root all the serfs to the ground. In their now immobile state
they became living training dummies for the youth to practice their spells on.''
''"I''m going to have so much fun with you. I learned two new spells sequences just for today. If Mom and Dad were here
they''d witness a pleasant sight."''
''"Begin!" Verina announced.''
''Immediately after
Melina lifted his wand while chanting. At the tip of her wand
a fist-size ball of flames grew to a size reminiscent of a head. Once it was primed
she released it.''
''When the hit landed on Apollo''s chest
he winced. Small embers continued to burn his tattered robes which caused his visible ribs to show.''
''Although it was painful
Apollo tried to bear with it. He even tried to tolerate the repeated bombardment of that same spell. However
when she conjured a chain lightning skill
Apollo nearly lost it.''
''"Shouldn''t those who practice with lightning spells train under an older member? Why are you here
" Apollo questioned. Given Melina''s personality
his anxiety ran deep.''
''"Well
I just learned it yesterday. So
I can''t count as an apprentice lightning mage just yet
" Melina smirked mischievously.''
''Without delay
she released the chain of lightning. Naturally
with all those volts running through his
Apollo roared in pain.''
''His screams drew the attention of Verina who raised her eyebrow in shock. ''Fire and Lightning. A super offensive combination. Some might even say Lightning is a variant of Fire.''''
''As this scenario repeated itself
Apollo struggled to retain his sanity until finally
it broke. He looked at Melina with hateful eyes as an obscure aura of darkness exuded from his body. Subsequently
the aura broke the lock Verina placed on everyone.''
''He rushed towards Melina with intent to kill. On the other hand
Melina froze. The weakness of an apprentice mage was close combat
and now that Apollo was rushing at her
she didn''t know what to do.''
''By the time he reached her
she already started hyperventilating. Although she knew he didn''t possess a body fueled by Mana
those eyes
and that aura; they scared her. Fortunately for her
at the last moment
Verina intervened.''
''She cast another immobilization spell on Apollo. However
to her surprise
it didn''t stick to his body. The weird aura around his body deflected the spell. Therefore
she took on more straightforward means.''
''"Yield now
or I will attack!" Verina exclaimed.''
''Yet
her words appeared to enter some void because Apollo didn''t reply in the slightest. He seemed hellbent on attacking\xa0Melina. Left with no other choice in her eyes
Verina conjured a spell.''
''''This boy is out of hand
we might as well get rid of him. If immobilizing spells don''t work on him… there''s no other way to control him
'' Verina inwardly thought. At that moment
she stopped restaining herself.''
''A large earth spire pierced through Apollo''s torso as he regained focus. Eerily
there was a smile on his face.''
''"This...is the darkness that consumed me. Maybe I can finally rest no more nightmares
" Apollo muttered.''
''Clamor could be heard as everyone watched this scene. But
that wasn''t what Apollo paid attention to. There was a voice in his head talking to him! It possessed a regal aura that also felt quite familiar to him.''
''[Ah
finally. It has happened. You have been awakened. Now
I have chosen a warden for you. I need you to go and grow strong. It has been vacant for too long and they have yet to fulfill the qualities. You must remember you are one of them. The world a… De… Mo... Tem… awaits you.]''
''Towards the end
Apollo didn''t catch the end of the message. His waning consciousness gave out.''