Chapter 16: Gaspard-Part Two

Several Years Ago...

In Moonlit Sonat, one of the major cities, Gaspard at fifteen years old was appraised in a temple.

“Vintner!” the Priest proclaimed.

Gaspard was filled with joy and pride, finally having his Role and Class. Vintner Role was classified under the Commoner Class.

He happily skipped to his parents, ready to be showered in praises.

“Of all the—Vintner?” his mother whispered to her husband with trepidation. “Don’t they have a reputation for being drunks and all?!”

Disappointment spread out across his father’s face like a plague. “If only he had gotten something useful, what a shame. Anyone can make wine, just crush grapes and leave them out.”

“Oh, Lady Lyrica...what have we done to deserve this...?” his mother sobbed sorrowfully.

That day, Gaspard learnt the harsh truth that is...

CLASS.

Days turned to weeks, and Gaspard had been in a depressed state since the appraisal. He sat in solitude while watching children run along the cobblestone streets happily.

As he gazed emptily at the streets, a rough looking boy wandered up to him. His ragged clothing covered what it could.

It was a young Pierre.

He plopped down, right next to Gaspard on the stone terrace where he sat.

“What’s on your mind?!” Pierre asked. “You look so sad...”

Gaspard paid no mind to his prying.

“Hey! Um, have you gotten your Role yet?!” Pierre checked if that got a reaction—it did. A pained wince.

“Vintner... I would make wine...” Gaspard responded, somberly. “I guess I was unlucky, getting something usel—”

“That’s awesome!” Pierre shouted with excitement as he got up in front of him. “And I’m a Baker!!!”

He sure does shout a lot... Gaspard thought, now facing Pierre.

Despite the weathered clothes and hunger-stricken body, it did little to dim his bright personality.

And Gaspard found his unwavering optimism quite bothersome.

“Sorry, but it is nothing special—”

“Hey, I heard that if you train super hard on your Role, and raise your level high enough, you’ll gain cool abilities and add magic to it too!!!” He pumped a fist in the air. “Isn’t that awesome?!”

“Magical... Wine...?” Gaspard muttered as he gazed at his palm.

“It won’t be easy, that’s for sure. But together, I’m sure we can do it!” Pierre stretched out an open hand. “So, friends?!”

Gaspard’s emotions came flooding out, and tears welled up in his eyes.

“Friends!!!” Gaspard matched Pierre’s own enthusiasm as they firmly locked hands.

Years passed, and Pierre and Gaspard honed their skills each passing day. Gaspard trained tirelessly, producing wine, starting early in the morning to late into the night.

After he reached Level 17, he realized he could now infuse his wine with magic, causing effects like adding fizziness or reducing the alcohol content.

He gave out samples to the public. Everyone marveled at just how refined his wine was. They had never had anything like it, and after accumulated sales, he had amassed a small fortune.

Pierre started a small bakery, where he practiced his craft continuously. Getting to Level 18, he could finally apply magic to his Role. He could control the nature of yeast at a very advanced level. Occasionally, he would sell some of his goods for change.

Now in their late twenties, Gaspard married and had a son. The married life wasn’t for Pierre as he was rather, free-spirited… He would continue to explore the extent of his abilities.

“Hey! Let’s go to Beetho!” Pierre suggested.

“But, why Beetho of all places?” Gaspard was surprised at the sudden suggestion.

They were in some sort of café. A few Beast People sprinkled here and there, with some other races as well.

“They’ve got Explorers. Lots of them!” Pierre was at the edge of his seat. “I’m sure they’ll love your wine, and I can start a bakery there. We’d be rich!”

“A town close to the barrier? The monsters and whatnot?” Gaspard leaned back. “I am not sure—”

“That’s why they’ve got...” Pierre’s retort hung in the air for a bit, before he added, “…Explorers!”

Back at home, Gaspard brought up the matter with his wife, while his three-year-old son sat in a corner giggling softly to himself.

“What?!” she hissed. “I’m sure it’s the influence of that Pierre!”

“But Claire, this could be a huge success if it works...” He gently wrapped his hands around hers. “... The Explorers there will keep us safe.”

Claire was an alluring and charming woman, turning heads wherever she went.

She and Gaspard got married not long after he had his big break.

Gaspard always wondered what she saw in him—a Vintner—and felt thankful that she was his partner.

“So, how about we give it a try?”

Claire responded with a weak nod.

As Gaspard got up and walked away, she glowered. “Tch.”

That same night, Claire did not come to their shared bedroom.

He figured she might still be a little upset. Claire really disliked things that were not highbrow.

Especially some town near the barrier, he chuckled to himself.

His home was a double-storey building. Their room was on the top floor.

Climbing down the stairs, getting ready to comfort his wife, he saw a lit lamp on a table in the living area—a letter beside it...

He picked it up slowly, straightening it.

A short while later, he trembled.

It read...

Dear Gaspard,

We’ve been together for quite some time. And I really did cherish the moments we shared.

But, I think it’s time we go our separate ways. Let’s move on.

I have been seeing a merchant, and I didn’t know how to tell you.

He’s a very good man, and I truly do see a future with him.

You can pursue your dreams of making wine in that town, and I won’t be there to stop you.

—Claire

“You... Liar...” He mouthed the words, slamming his fists on the table.

Gaspard had a good idea who the merchant was. He was what one would refer to as a business tycoon.

A wealthy and influential presence in the city. Compared to him, he was just some above average Vintner...

The following days, Pierre consoled Gaspard, encouraging him to look at his future—his ambition.

It was the day for the trip. Pierre packed the essentials—very minimal luggage.

Gaspard had a little bit more because it was for both his son and him.

They went to an establishment known as the Magic Travel Agency.

High-Mages who could cast long distance teleportation spells were hired as staff.

Travelling from any central city to the outer settlements would take several months, sometimes years, even with the aid of a carriage, or a Magi-Mobile…

After paying their fees—one gold coin each—three High-Mages chanted in hushed tones before them. Their surroundings glowing with specks of golden light.

In the blink of an eye, their gaze was met with unfamiliar territory. They had arrived instantly.

A fresh start… Gaspard sighed contently.

✦✦✦

The following days were spent testing the different areas of Beetho. Several attempts were made to set up shop, but they all failed, until…

“So this is the Explorers Guild!” Pierre said, awe-stricken. “It sure is nice!”

“It really is beautiful…” Gaspard viewed the surrounding area, looking for a good spot for business.

They each started a shop around the general area of the Guild, though it was still quite a distance.

Pierre would often stay holed up in his make-shift bakery, and Gaspard continued distributing samples and gaining trust and recognition.

Gaspard’s son apparently made some friends and always went out to the fields to play with them. His father was proud of his growth.

Working their way up slowly, they eventually opened shops on the same dirt road along the Explorers Guild.

Then, one day, it all changed...

Gaspard was outside BON APPÉTIT, talking to some Explorers who had come to check out his shop.

“Look at that man across the street!”

Gaspard swiveled his head mid-conversation, searching for the source of the unknown voice.

I must be hearing things. Gaspard dismissed the thought.

“Look at him!!!” the voice boomed. “Ask the Explorers about him, NOW!!!”

Gaspard craned his neck, seeing a plainly dressed old man stacking barrels.

“Excuse me Monsieur, who is that man?” He needed to prove to himself that he was just hearing things.

“Oh, him? He’s an Explorer, though he retired not too long ago.” The Explorer continued his gossip.” I haven’t been at the Guild for long but, I heard his role is Assassin…and he’s a pretty big deal too. He now sells the good stuff.”

The Explorer laughed as he and his friends went off to attend to other matters.

Gaspard watched as people went in droves to the shop across, buying bottles of what looked like spirit. It looked like he sold wine too.

“Isn’t it wrong?” The voice stirred. “You’ve worked hard, improving your Role, and now that person just abandoned his...?”

“Stop it!” Gaspard screamed, clamping his head. “Stop!”

“Doesn’t that upset you?” the voice asked. “Is it right? Surely not what the Goddess intended from her scriptures.”

“Yes! I am upset!” Gaspard got on his knees, gritting his teeth. “But…what can I do…?”

“Change it! Set it all straight!” the voice ordered. “Find the source! Rip it out!”

“The citizens! The King! All of them have one common thing they share.” The voice added eerily, “Freedom…”

Being given the option to do as you wish yet being assigned a role and a class.

It started to make sense to Gaspard.

Why was he mocked for something he can’t even choose?

Why doesn’t everyone carry out their…

ROLES.

Gaspard gave a simple response. “Qui…”

As time flew by, Gaspard schemed.

Pierre after years of experimenting with his role, was bordering on insanity, but Gaspard saw it as enthusiasm.

The child of Gaspard was now old enough to be appraised. He was a High-Mage, swiftly sent to the Magic Institute to be enrolled.

And like the dawn of a new era, Gaspard finally unlocked L’ADDICTION.

He told Pierre about his plan to make everyone adhere to their respective Roles and Classes. Especially the younger generation.

And Pierre found it quite appealing, believing Roles were meant to be developed to the fullest. They shared a common interest.

Not long after Gaspard’s son returned to Beetho, enraging him.

High-Mages are often sent to the Institute for their value.

He explained how he’d lost the will to go on learning.

But Gaspard had also heard the rumors of a new Hero, deciding that his son’s strength would be helpful.

To Gaspard’s surprise, he happily agreed.

And Now...

“RELOAD!” Meisatsu fired countless shots at Gaspard, targeting non-vital areas.

“Ha! Just surrender, Monsieur.” Gaspard laughed, tanking the bullets, leaving small bruises on his skin.

A muscly arm zoomed past Meisatsu’s cheek as he avoided Gaspard’s attack, readying one of his own.

“GUN MARTIAL ARTS: GLOCK UPPERCUT!!!”

The move sent Gaspard spiraling into the forest canopy above.

Meisatsu's strikes were getting stronger, but not enough.

Gaspard pushed off a tree with his magically enhanced leg strength, coming down at Meisatsu.

“I have you now Monsieur!” Gaspard screamed, Meisatsu leaping out of the way as he crashed, cratering the ground.

I need...more power... Meisatsu huffed, unable to avoid the punch that flung him into a thick tree branch.

He quickly grabbed on to it, balancing himself.

The destruction from their fight had destroyed a fair number of trees, allowing moonlight through easily.

Gaspard lunged from the ground up at Meisatsu who quickly leapt to another tree branch, then another.

Ricocheting off tree trunks erratically, Gaspard moved like a sentient streak, knocking Meisatsu of his footing.

Gaspard seeing this opportunity charged in.

Time came to a crawl…

He's not as fast as Umare, and he still gets hurt… Meisatsu noted, scanning Gaspard’s bruised body. I just need more power! More!

He began to twist mid-air to face him. I’ll pull the trigger when I punch!

As they both inched closer, Meisatsu’s Glock began to curve in arc, Gaspard’s fist following suit.

As the muzzle almost reached Gaspard’s forehead, in a split second, Meisatsu realized, What if it killed him?!

Like a reflex, he pulled the trigger.

No bullet fired.

Instead, an unbelievable amount of strength coursed through Meisatsu's entire being. 

It felt like his body would explode from the overwhelming pressure.

THUD!

Gaspard’s head speared through the ground, stopping at his shoulders. Erect like a tree.

First limbs flailed, then gentle twitches. He drooped.

A few seconds later, Meisatsu dropped right next to him.

He groaned, rolling to his back.

The sudden strength left him as he closed his eyes, entering the void once more…