As the moon cast its silvery glow over the tranquil landscape, I lay awake in my bed, thoughts swirling like the winds outside. The impending Elemental Affinity Rite occupied my mind, a ceremony that would unveil the innate magical alignments of those my age.
I pondered the attendees, envisioning the faces that would join me. Prince Diluc Avalon and Princess Caelia Avalon, both six years old like me, would be present. I anticipated our meeting, curious about the bonds we might form.
Zephyrin had mentioned he wouldn't be attending. I assumed he was occupied with his personal motives.
Reflecting on my own abilities, I acknowledged my advancement to Stage 1 in both magic and aura—a rare feat for someone my age.
My proficiency in aura remained a closely guarded secret, known to no one. This hidden strength provided me with a sense of confidence as I faced the uncertainties of the coming days.
Suddenly, a faint rustling outside my window snapped me from my reverie. My senses heightened, I silently slipped from my bed and approached the window, peering into the darkness. Two shadowy figures lurked near the edge of the forest that bordered my home.
Without hesitation, I donned my cloak and quietly exited the house, moving with the stealth of a predator. As I approached the intruders, they lunged at me with daggers gleaming in the moonlight.
I sidestepped their attacks, my training kicking in instinctively. Observing their movements, I noted their lack of coordination and finesse. From their movements, I can tell they're novice assassins.
The assailants were swift, but my agility and combat skills gave me the upper hand. After a brief but intense struggle, I disarmed both attackers and pinned them to the ground, their hoods falling back to reveal scarred faces twisted in pain.
"Why are you here?" I demanded, pressing one man's arm painfully.
Internally, I acknowledged that their intent was likely to kill me, but I wanted to hear their explanation.
The assailants gritted their teeth, refusing to speak. I increased the pressure, my voice cold and unwavering.
"Talk, or this will get much worse for you."
After a moment of silence, I realized they wouldn't divulge any information. Determined to extract the truth, I made a swift decision. I killed one of the assailants, the lifeless body slumping to the ground.
The remaining assassin's eyes widened in fear, his resolve crumbling.
"P-Please! Don't kill me!" he begged, voice cracking with fear.
"Then talk," I demanded coldly. My voice carried no hint of mercy. "Why were you sent, and who ordered it?"
"I—I was only following orders! We were sent to... eliminate you," he stammered.
I tightened my grip on his collar. "By whom?"
His lips quivered as he hesitated. "It was... Baron Thalos. H-He ordered it!"
My expression didn't waver, though my thoughts churned. So it was him...
I rendered the man unconscious with a swift blow to the head. Silence returned, but the revelation lingered, heavier than the night itself.
I stood over the unconscious assassin, my expression calm despite the chaos. Baron Thalos—his name echoed in my thoughts. Greedy and ambitious, I had always known he was capable of underhanded schemes, but this was a bold move.
A mistake on his part.
I crouched down, my hand tightening around the assassin’s neck. His breathing stopped with a faint gasp. Leaving him alive would only complicate things. Evidence had no place in my world.
Silence returned as both bodies lay motionless under the faint light of dawn. Blood mixed with the dew-soaked grass, soon to be indistinguishable.
Without a second glance, I dragged the corpses deep into the forest. I knew the terrain well enough—monsters and time would erase any trace of them by the next day.
As I walked back toward the manor, crimson hues spread across the horizon. The Elemental Affinity Rite was near, but tonight had reminded me of one thing:
In this world, I would survive by my rules. And those who dared to cross me would not be forgiven.
To be continued...
Please log in to leave a comment.