Early Years: The Beginning After the End: (Remastered Edition), page 12
Hi, Mom; hi, Dad. It’s me, Arthur. You’re probably really surprised that you’re hearing my voice inside your head, but there’s a reason for that. Before that, though, I want you to know that I’m alive and well. I’m alive, Mom, Dad; I’m safe. I managed to survive the fall off the cliff and I’m currently living in the kingdom of Elenoir with the elves. Please don’t tell anyone else this. I don’t have much time, so I’ll be brief.
A friend of mine is a deviant—like you, Mom, except she’s a diviner. I was able to see how you guys are doing just now, as well. She’s also the reason you can hear my voice. I want to come back home as soon as possible, but I can’t right now. I… I’m safe and alive, but I have a sort of… er… illness that I need to take care of before I can come back. Don’t worry—as long as I stay here and have the elves treat me, I’m going to be okay. So please, don’t worry. I don’t know when I’ll be able to talk to you like this again, but what’s important is that I’m alive and I know you’re all right.
Dad, Mom, you should both be hearing my voice right now—confirm it with each other if you still can’t believe it. Remember, don’t tell anyone where I am. It’s better if you keep acting as if I were still dead—that will make things simpler. It may take months or even years before I can come back, but be sure that I WILL make it back to you. I love you so much and… and I miss you. Stay safe, and Dad, make sure to keep Mom and my baby sibling safe. Mom, please make sure Dad doesn’t get into trouble. I love you both.
I had trouble keeping my eyes open against the tears that poured continuously down my face. I stood silent, rubbing my eyes as I fought to keep from breaking down. The glow faded around us, and Elder Rinia collapsed back into her chair, sweating and pale.
“Elder Rinia, I don’t know how to thank you for this,” I managed to croak out.
“Train well and continue to cherish those close to you, child. That’s how you’ll thank me,” she answered with a weak smile. “And don’t forget to drop in once in a while. This grandma here gets lonely!”
I gave her a tight hug, making her almost jump, and she eventually succumbed to my cuteness and hugged me in return before shooing all of us away.
As we walked out, I noticed Tess pouting a little, looking at my chest.
By the time we arrived back at the castle, it was already dark. A maid greeted us at the door, but before I had the chance to go back into my room, I saw the king and queen.
The king approached me first.
“Arthur, I know you overheard what we were saying earlier today, and I apologize for that. Years of being a ruler has made me a bit old-fashioned, and I was unreasonably stubborn about your not belonging here.”
His voice faltered, but the queen continued for her husband, taking my hands in hers. “You are now Elder Virion’s first disciple,” she said. “This is more than enough reason for all of us to accept you. Even if that weren’t the case, you saved our daughter. Please consider this place your home. I know you miss your parents dearly, but if I can be of any consolation, don’t hesitate—please treat me as you would your own mother.” She gave me a sincere smile.
“Papa! Mama!” Tess exclaimed, her hands flying up to cover her mouth. Then she ran to her parents and hugged them both.
I smiled back, thanking them as well. They were good people—good people who were simply looking out for their kingdom.
Standing behind us, Grandpa Virion nodded at us all with a look of approval, before exclaiming, “Brat! Training starts tomorrow, so sleep early.”
Iwoke with an immense pain consuming my body, as if I were on fire. Cold sweat covered my skin and the feeling of burning intensified.
I groaned and doubled over, trying to endure. Then the door swung open and Grandpa Virion was at my side.
“It’s getting worse…” I gasped.
He placed both hands on my sternum, where my mana core was located, and began to transmit his own mana into me.
The pain slowly subsided and I was left panting, my clothes drenched in sweat.
“Thank you,” I managed to wheeze.
Without acknowledging my thanks, he replied, “It’s a bit early, but let’s start training now.”
Looking out the window, I saw that the sun had not yet risen. But I probably wasn’t going to be able to fall asleep again anyway, so I nodded and followed him out into the courtyard.
We sat cross-legged, facing each other. He took a long look at me before explaining. “Until now, you’ve been purifying your mana core and manipulating your mana using your mana channels. While this method is sufficient for normal mages, we beast tamers can’t rely on this approach. Instead, we do something called assimilation.”
My face must have shown that I had no idea what he was talking about.
“Don’t worry, you’ll know soon enough. Essentially, it means integrating the mana from your core directly into your body’s bones and muscles—hence the term ‘assimilation.’ Unfortunately, throughout the period of assimilating, your mana core won’t develop at all, but that isn’t the point. Once the mana from your new core is absorbed throughout your body, you’ll be able to start utilizing your beast’s will.”
So that was what Sylvia had meant! All along—during the journey through the Forest of Elshire and while meeting the royal family and Grandpa Virion—I had wondered if Sylvia had somehow planned this all out. Now I was convinced she had.
“Slowly release the mana from your core—and don’t be tempted to use your mana channels. Instead, let the mana seep out into your body, and let your muscles and bones absorb it. This will take time and effort, but as you progress, your body should reject your mana core less and less,” Virion instructed. “There isn’t much I can help you with during the first part of your training, other than making sure your mana is distributed evenly throughout your body and relieving you when you have spasms, like earlier.”
So passed the early days of my training, during which I did little else but sit in meditation, dispersing the mana from my core and into my body. I had gotten the hang of it after a few days, but it was becoming clear how long a journey this would be. Directing my mana to form a core when I was an infant had taken a few years, but this process was the exact opposite—with more mana and the extra step of assimilating the mana directly into the muscles and bones.
I didn’t leave the castle during this time, because I couldn’t know when the spasms might strike again. I was grateful to Grandpa Virion for sticking by me. Unfortunately for Tess, I had very little time left to play with her. When I wasn’t meditating, I was resting in my room, my body aching from being imbued with mana. But that didn’t stop her from simply barging in and chattering at me about her day.
After several weeks of assimilation, the painful spasms were occurring less frequently and Virion finally pronounced it safe for me to go out into the city. That evening before bed, I promised Tess I’d go touring around the city of Zestier with her the next day.
Tess was waiting outside my room, looking adorable. She was wearing a white sleeveless sundress with a sheer white cardigan over it. The light-pink sunhat on her head was decorated with a pale flower, giving her a fresh and doll-like appearance.
“Took you long enough. Hurry, let’s hurry!” She grabbed my hand, half-dragging me as I forced my aching body to keep up the pace.
The amazement I had felt when I had first seen the city of Zestier had not dissipated. After stepping off the carriage, we started walking, taking time to visit the numerous stalls and stores that the city had to offer. We were met with a lot of stares—probably because of the fact that a human child was holding hands with the kingdom’s only princess. I was used to being the center of attention in my previous life, so it didn’t bother me. What did bother me, however, was that, while most of these gazes held only curiosity, some were filled with blatant hostility.
Coming out of the armor shop, I had just moved out of the way for someone when an elven child bumped my shoulder.
“Well, if it isn’t the human Elder Virion has taken under his wing,” he remarked snidely. “I’ve heard all about you. Gross, I got human germs on my clothes.” A look of disgust was pasted on his face.
The child couldn’t have been much older than Tess, and by his clothing, the attendants who followed behind him, and his group of friends, it was clear he was a noble.
After spending so much time with Tess, I had almost forgotten how immature children were. I couldn’t help but think that, whether elf or human, spoiled nobles always seemed to act as if they’d been taught from the same manual.
He turned to face Tess, his mouth transforming into a well-practiced smile as he offered her his hand. “Princess, it is beneath you to be with this human child. Allow me to escort you for the afternoon,” he urged, expecting Tess to take his hand.
Without even looking in his direction, Tess linked her arm in mine and said coldly, “Art, let’s go. There is a bug over there, and I don’t want to accidentally step on it with my new shoes.”
As I was pulled away, I glanced back, shooting the boy a look of pity—which seemed to infuriate him even more.
“Hold it, human! I’m not done with you!” he shouted, rushing up and gripping my shoulder. “I heard you’re pretty talented for a human mage. I happen to be a pretty well-known genius around here myself. My mana core has already reached red stage, and, in addition to water manipulation, my mother says I’ll soon even be able to manipulate plants.”
I responded with a saccharine expression of surprise and awe. “Oh, my word! Princess Tessia! It seems we are in the presence of pure brilliance here. I am not worthy!”
Tess let out a giggle, not even bothering to hide her amusement.
“I’ll be sure to give you proper respect, Lord Genius of the Elves. Now if you’ll excuse us…”
As I started leading Tess away, a handkerchief flew past us, landing on the ground.
Turning back, I saw the noble brat, his face as red as a tomato, glaring at me. The attendants and friends all let out quiet gasps.
“How dare you challenge the disciple of Elder Virion to a duel! You may be of noble blood, Feyrith, but you should still know your place! Take it back,” Tessia ordered, her eyes narrowed in a glare.
“My apologies, Princess. I’ll do as I’m told,” Feyrith said. He then turned his gaze toward me. “But I’m sure you wouldn’t object if this human were the one to issue the challenge. After all, a disciple of Elder Virion himself must know better than to just run back with his tail between his legs, right?”
My lips curved up into a smirk. The boy sure had a way with words.
I gave Tessia a reassuring nod before turning back to Feyrith. Ignoring my initial instinct to let the taunt go, I called his bluff. “Sure. Why not?”
I didn’t want to cause a scene since I was a visitor, but after weeks of meditating and feeling stifled, my body was eager for the chance to fight.
“Princess, please do the honor of initiating the duel,” Feyrith said, polishing his black wand with his sleeve.
Tess rolled her eyes as she took another step back. “Let the duel commence.”
Though my mana core was still in the early stages of dark red, I could feel mana strengthening every fiber of my muscles as I dashed toward Feyrith.
It was over in an instant. He was too cocky—he hadn’t even taken the necessary precautions to find out whether I was an augmenter or conjurer. I was within arm’s length before he even began his chant.
I sank my palm into his gut, forcing the air out of his lungs. He flew backward, tumbling to the floor. I was glad I had used my palm; he was wearing a sturdy chainmail underneath his clothes.
Feyrith’s attendants and friends looked on, their eyes wide, and Tessia ran to me and pulled at my arm. Gratified by the shocked looks on everyone’s faces, I let her lead me away.
“I’m so stupid,” she said as we made our way down the row of stalls toward our carriage.
“What? Why?” I asked.
“I should’ve told you this before you started—in a duel, there are certain unsaid customs. One is that the challenger waits for his opponent to make the first move,” she sighed, berating herself as we got in the carriage.
“So I should’ve waited for him to attack first?”
Tessia nodded. She began telling me more of these customs on the ride back, one of which was that informal duels between nobles are demonstrations of magic, not actual fighting. What Feyrith had meant when he had proposed a duel was that we should simply take turns showing off our respective magic talent.
“So you just smacked the poor boy into the air?” Gramps had an amused expression on his face when he heard the story after we had arrived back at the castle.
“Basically.” I grinned back.
“Wish I was there for that,” he said, amused.
“Grampa!” Tessia scolded. “You’re responsible for this too!”
“How was I supposed to know he’d get into a fight the first time he goes to town?” he said, laughing.
It was a tad disappointing to realize that the look of shock from everyone around us wasn’t from my fighting prowess but from the fact that I had violated the customs of the duel. Nevertheless, I had enjoyed my time out.
After that, I chose to spend most of my time in the manor, keeping myself out of trouble and maintaining an ascetic lifestyle—meditating with Grandpa Virion in the morning, spending a little time with Tessia in the afternoon, and training by myself at night. Now and then, I sent messages to my parents, letting them know I was still alive and that I missed them dearly.
In this way, three years went by.
Chapter 14.5
The Other Side
REYNOLDS LEYWIN
I couldn’t believe it.
My son. My son was gone.
“Noooo! No, no, no!” I was incoherent with grief. I tried to jump off the cliff myself to save Arthur, but Durden held me back.
I knew it was too late. I knew the worst had already happened, but I couldn’t just stand still, doing nothing.
“Let me go! My son! He could still be alive. Let me save my son! Please.” I struggled, but Durden wasn’t budging. Then Adam was there, helping him hold on to me.
“Please, Rey. You have to hold it together. There’s no easy way to tell you this, but it’s not possible for him to have survived that fall.” The ever-playful and easy-going Adam wore a solemn expression; he couldn’t even meet my eyes.
“Adam’s right. You have to pull yourself together, Rey. Your wife needs you,” Durden muttered.
They were right. They were absolutely right. Yet… Why would my body not listen to me? Why couldn’t I go comfort my wife?
A scream tore from my throat, then everything went black.
When I woke up, Helen was holding a wet towel against my head.
“You’re finally awake,” she said, giving me a smile that was sympathetic but lacked confidence.
I ignored her and sat up, burying my face in my hands.
“This isn’t a dream, is it? Please tell me I’m going to wake up to see my boy playing with Jasmine and Adam.”
She managed to mutter, “I’m sorry,” before she started sniffling as well.
The flap of the tent was pulled aside and Durden made his way in.
“Reynolds. I can’t begin to imagine how much you must be hurting,” he said, “but right now, your wife needs you. She’s blaming herself, Rey. She thinks you hate her for losing your child.” The redness of his eyes gave evidence that he was having a hard time as well.
Unable to muster up any words in response, I turned away from Durden.
I felt a sharp jerk as I was pulled back. I caught a glimpse of Durden’s large hand, then my vision blurred and there was a stinging pain throbbing on my cheek, where he had smacked me.
“Reynolds! We had to stop Alice from killing herself,” he growled. “This isn’t the time to be moping. Get off your sorry ass and take care of the one who’s actually alive!”
I had never seen Durden, who was usually so composed, this infuriated.
I managed a stiff nod, my brain still throbbing from the blow, and made my way to my wife’s tent.
She was curled up under a blanket, Angela at her side, patting her gently. I gave Angela a meaningful look. Understanding what I wanted, she simply nodded and excused herself from the tent.
“Alice,” I said tenderly, but she didn’t respond. “Honey. Can I see my wife’s beautiful face?”
“…child,” I heard her say faintly.
“What was that, honey?” I responded, stroking her back.
“I killed our child!” She bolted up and turned to face me. “I killed our son, Reynolds. It was my fault! If… if I hadn’t been there, he could’ve dodged that. He could have lived. He sacrificed himself to save me! It was my fault.”
I pulled my wife toward me and held her tight, softly kissing the top of her head over and over. I kept my eyes shut tightly, fighting back my own tears as she sobbed against my chest.
After a while, her sobs turned into dry whimpers, but still we sat there together.
“You don’t hate me?” I was barely able to hear her whisper.
“How could I ever hate you? Alice. I love you and I always will.”
“…I miss him so much, Rey.” She began sobbing again.
I clenched my jaws, willing myself to stay strong for my wife’s sake. “I… I know, honey. I miss him too.”
The rest of the journey was slow and arduous. Not physically—no, it felt as if even the wild animals knew of our emotional torment and steered clear of us. Our group advanced without unnecessary conversation. Adam’s occasional attempts to lighten the mood were met with a crushing silence. Even the cheerful Angela bore a solemn face throughout the rest of the journey.
Alice and I fell asleep together each night in each other’s arms. I managed to console her, and it helped me as well. I needed an excuse. I was the one who had sent Arthur to protect Alice. I kept trying to find people to blame, but the ones who were actually at fault were already dead. Revenge had already been taken. All I was left with was a dark hole of emptiness and regret.
