After dinner, everyone had retired to their rooms.
"Again," Elara whispered, her voice trembling with anxiety. "Even with Master Asteria by his side, sending our only son to that hell... Aerion, don't you think this is far too risky?"
Aerion stood by the window, staring at the dark horizon. "I know. But Lucius awakening his mana is no longer a choice; it is a necessity. I do not deny the dangers of the Umbra Forest, but the Order's activities in recent years have reduced the number of monsters. This is the most opportune moment for us."
"But..."
"Elara," Aerion's voice was as cutting as steel. "The Valerius lineage has ruled these lands for centuries. There has never been an individual devoid of magic in our history. I do not care if he is weak, but he must at least prove himself as a mage. The family's prestige demands it."
Elara looked at her husband with a bitter smile. "So, you are ready to sacrifice your child for the sake of family honor?"
Aerion did not answer. The silence was the heaviest confirmation.
"I will not object much since our son agreed to go himself," Elara continued firmly. "But know this one thing, Aerion... If anything happens to him..."
When the first rays of morning bathed the walls of Valerius Castle, preparations below were already finished. Asteria was meditating under the large oak tree in the courtyard.
After breakfast, I went up to my room. I was packing my bag when the door slowly opened. My mother walked in. She couldn't hide that mixture of infinite love and fear in her eyes.
"You know, Lucius..." she came over and took my hands. "Whether you are a mage or not, you are my son. If it were up to me, it's even better if you never possess it. Now, answer me honestly... Are you going because of your father's pressure, or do you truly want this yourself?"
I looked into my mother's eyes. I couldn't waste my second chance in this world by living as just a shadow.
"I want it myself, mother. Becoming a mage, joining the academy... This time, I will try to change things in my life. Unlike last time."
My mother's brows furrowed. "Last time?"
It was too early to share my secrets. "Nothing... Just a figure of speech."
My mother took a deep breath and pulled a small, glowing vial from a hidden pocket in her clothes. "Then I will look forward to your return with impatience. But take this before you go."
The liquid inside the vial emitted a light that seemed alive.
"This is a high-level Healing Water. Do not use it except for that one moment when your life is in danger. I hope you never need it."
She stood up, kissed my forehead while trying to hide her tears. "Don't forget to write us a letter from every city you visit. And... before you leave, go to your father. He has things to tell you."
[ SYSTEM UPTADE ]
Item Obtained: High-Grade Healing Elixir (S-rank)
After gathering my things, I handed them over to the servants and walked with heavy steps toward my father's room. I knocked lightly on the door. "May I come in?"
"Come," my father's voice sounded firm as always, yet slightly tired.
When I entered, I found him by the window, lost in deep thought. He turned slowly upon seeing me. For the first time, I saw so many emotions in his eyes at once.
"You know how much I love you, your mother, your sister... our family, Lucius," he said, his voice softening a bit. "Your mother is angry with me for allowing you to go. It is true, I consider it vital for you to become a mage for our family's status and future. But seeing your determination at the table last night, I realized that you are the one who wants this most."
"Father..."
"Come here."
I approached. Unexpectedly, my father hugged me tightly. This was not the hug of a Lord Valerius, but that of a father. Then he stepped back, opened my hand, and placed a small, heavy object in it.
"This is the Silver Stag badge, the symbol of our family. No matter which corner of the kingdom you are in, the moment you show this badge, all the resources of the Valerius family will be mobilized for you."
Then he went toward an ancient chest in the corner of the room. The heavy lid opened with a groan. He pulled out a magnificent sword covered in black leather, with stag antlers engraved on the hilt.
"This is our family heirloom sword, 'Antler'," he said, handing the sword to me. "I know how talented you are in swordsmanship, Lucius. I was watching your last practice with Kael from this window. Your agility and technique... There is no one more worthy than you to carry 'Antler' in this family."
"Thank you, father. I will live up to the expectations of you, mother, and our family. I leave here as a child, but I will return as a mage."
A rare, proud smile appeared on my father's lips. As I turned toward the door, his voice echoed again from behind:
"Oh, and... Kael will meet you in the city of Tuyri. Give him my regards."
"As you wish, father."
I left the room. I hung "Antler" from my belt. When I went downstairs, everything was ready.
[ SYSTEM UPDATE ]
New Weapon: [Legendary Sword: Antler] — Legacy of the Valerius family. Increases physical attack power.
Special Item: [Silver Stag Badge] — Provides prestige and diplomatic advantage.
The gifts from my family were recorded in the system.
[ STATUS WINDOW ]
Name: Lucius Tyrio Valerius
Level: 13
Titles: God's Guest (Hidden)
Main Skill: [Luck: 100%] — Passive/Active: All probabilities of fate result in your favor.
Physical Skill: [Swordsmanship: High]
Items: * [Legendary Sword: Antler (S-rank)]
[Silver Stag Badge]
[Healing Elixir (S-rank)]
"So far, so good," I whispered.
When I went down, I saw the bustle in the castle courtyard. The carriages were ready. My master, Asteria, stood by the carriage with her usual dignified and mysterious appearance. Alfredo and Elliot had taken their places in the other carriage.
I went to my mother. Her eyes were still moist. I hugged her tightly; this hug was both a goodbye and a promise to return. When I looked up, I saw my father. He was watching us from his room window. Our gazes locked.
I got into the carriage. Asteria followed me inside with a swift movement. As the coachman set the horses in motion, the stone walls of the castle slowly began to recede.
Valerius Castle was left behind. The carriage wheels turned rhythmically on the dirt road, taking us further away from the only safe place I called home. Asteria watched the green valleys passing quickly through the window. Suddenly, she broke the silence, her voice piercing the stagnant air inside the carriage.
"It's about a ten-day journey from here to the city of Tuyri," she said, without looking at me. "We will have to stay there for a few days. Obtaining official permission to enter the Umbra forests and completing preparations will take time. Although Lord Aerion said he already sent a letter to your grandfather about this, we will still need to get permission."
Asteria paused for a moment and fixed her gaze on me. There was an expression of both curiosity and testing in her eyes. "How long do you think it will take us to find the plant you mentioned in that forest and awaken your mana, Lucius?"
I shrugged. "I don't know," I replied shortly.
Internally, I was relying on my 100% Luck skill, but I couldn't explain that to her. For me, it was just about waiting for the right moment.
Asteria smiled slightly, but it was more of a mocking smile. "How wonderful... So, our plan is built entirely on uncertainty."
After this dialogue, a deep silence fell inside the carriage, except for a few times we spoke when necessary along the way. It was the first time in my life I was going so far from the walls of Valerius Castle. Every village, every tree I saw through the window was foreign to me. But strangely, I didn't feel fear.
During our journey, we could easily find a place to stay since the cities we passed through belonged to the Valerius family. However, thinking it would be more interesting, I suggested we set up camp and stay outside.After eating, everyone retired to their places. I sat by the fire, thinking about the old days. If only I had strived for such novelties in my past life... But at least I wouldn't turn down this chance.
Just then, a notification came from the system:
[ SYSTEM ANNOUNCEMENT ]
Optional Quest: There is an old grave nearby, would you like to take a look?
Yes / No
"Umm, what is this? But it's interesting..." I thought and selected "Yes."
[ SYSTEM ANNOUNCEMENT ]
Proceed toward the forest.
Should I go? "I'll go!" I said to myself. Would a strong swordsman like me be afraid of the dark? I stood up and slowly headed toward the forest without waking anyone. The inside of the forest was dark, with only faint moonlight filtering through. After walking for a few minutes, my foot caught on something hard on the ground; I lost my balance and tumbled down.
"Uff... my head, my arm... What am I even doing here in the middle of the night?"
At that moment, I heard a rustling sound nearby. I quickly reached for Antler. "Wait, why didn't I remember this? Antler, listen to the voice of your master, Lucius Tyrio Valerius, and light up the surroundings!" I had read this in a book. It actually worked; the sword glowed and spread light for several meters around.
After taking a step or two, I came across a grave. This was the place mentioned in the system. Just then, the moonlight fell upon the grave. Reacting to the light, the grave began to shake, and a white shadow emerged from within! I fell to the ground in fear, holding the sword in front of me.
"Which person dares to wake me again? Bandits?! Me, the magnificent Rats Kliss... Or is it you, child?" he said, gliding toward me. "State your name!"
"Lucius Tyrio Valerius."
"Valerius, you say... Tell me, do you know Lord Ikari?"
"Ikari? Yes, I know... He is my great-great-grandfather."
Rats Kliss was surprised: "Finally, there is someone who knows our Great Lord. Visitors are rare here, mostly bandits who come for the important item here. Tell me, do you want that item too?"
"No, I was just out for a walk and found this place by chance, but still, I'm curious, what is this item?" I asked.
"The Soul Crystal."
I was stunned. A Soul Crystal? No matter how low a mage's mana is, it's a stone that instantly brings it to maximum—incredibly difficult and expensive to find! Even my family would have trouble buying it. "Where is this item then?"
"I have it. I swallowed it before I died so they wouldn't take it. But the God of Death told me that I cannot leave this world without giving this stone to someone. But I cannot give it to just anyone. Only to the person who beats me in a game..."
"What game?"
The spirit cast magic, and suddenly two chairs, a table, and a game appeared in the middle of the forest. I looked at the game, and my eyes widened... It was Chess!
In my past life, I was an intermediate player, but this time, with a bit of skill and a bit of fate's twist, every move cornered Rats.
"No one has ever beaten me, the magnificent Rats Kliss, in this game!" he said, expressing his self-confidence with every move.
But 5 minutes later, in the silence of the forest:
"Checkmate..."
Rats froze, staring at the board. Then he looked up at me in disbelief. "How can a child whose mana hasn't even awakened beat me? This... this is impossible."
After a moment of silence, a peace replaced the years of exhaustion on the spirit's face. He smiled. "But I thank you. Now, after hundreds of years, I can go to the other world. Open your hand, and you will see the stone there. Take care of yourself, child... I will be waiting for you on the other side."
Rats Kliss slowly vanished, blending into the moonlight. At that moment, the forest became even quieter. He seemed to leave sooner than expected; I guess he was in a hurry. I opened my trembling hand. A purple glow danced in the center of my palm.
[ SYSTEM ANNOUNCEMENT ]
Item Obtained: Soul Crystal (S-rank)
I carefully put it in my pocket and headed back toward our camp the way I came.