3 Chapter 3 Part I
“Does it still hurt? Are you sure you’re alright?”
Maria was still holding Arias closely as if she was afraid the boy would disappear from her sight. At the same time, she was radiating a warm wave of magical power to inspect Arias’ body for any injury. An uncanny force it was, magical power could be utilized for several purposes aside from its use in combat. Summoning, crafting, inscribing, and healing were just a few examples of how magical power could be harnessed. Nevertheless, most mages chose to focus on learning the art of combat or other skills that were useful in battles.
“I am really fine, Mother.”
Arias replied with a smile. He felt warm like he never had before in his life. It was the first time he ever received such motherly love. In his past life, he did not even know what his parents looked like and grew up like a lone wolf. Although he had a friend, he ended up being betrayed. This warmth was unfamiliar but it made him inexplicably feel content.
“I heard from a servant that when you woke up, you were screaming like a madman. So your mother and I rushed to see you. Are you sure you are alright?”
Albert asked with concern in his voice. Upon laying his eyes on the middle-aged man who looked as graceful as a knight, Arias could not help but admire his father. The magical power exerting from Albert’s body seemed very powerful.
“It was just a nightmare, Father.”
Arias replied. Giving this kind of answer seemed to be better than telling the truth.
Albert seemed a little suspicious of Arias’ answer and the slight change in his demeanor but did not pay much attention to it. After all, his son waking up was already a miracle. Albert knew full well that with Arias’ condition, there was almost no chance of recovery. If it was not for his wife’s pleading, he would have given up hope since the beginning.
“Arias, how did you end up falling into the river? Who did this to you?”
Albert asked the question that had been on his mind, his eyes glinting with a slight hint of murderous intent. Even Maria perked up as she, too, waited for an answer. This was something that had been bothering them all along. The couple did not believe that Arias fell in there on his own. Despite his lack of magical power, Arias was not the type of clumsy person who would just slip and fall into the river like that.
“I’m sorry, father. My memories around that time are awfully blurry. It’s like they’re missing.”
Arias lowered his head and answered slowly, putting on an act to hide the truth despite knowing full well that the one who pushed him was Mashelle, his own cousin. Although they were both heirs to the Scarcia Clan, the differences in their status were like that of heaven and earth. Mashelle was only eighteen but he was already a seventh-level acolyte and could probably become an adept in a few years. He was a prodigy, the hope of the Scarcia Clan. Mages were classified into 10 levels; neophyte, acolyte, adept, warrior, knight, sage, master, king, emperor, and grandmaster. All these levels were further divided into 9 sub-levels.
Mashelle was considered to be the clan’s greatest prodigy. To make him pay for what he did would not be easy. In contrast, Arias’ words meant nothing to the clan. If he was not his parents’ son, no one would even care about him and he might have been banished from the clan long ago. This was not the time for his revenge yet. Even if he were to tell the truth, a slap on the wrist was probably all Mashelle was going to get. It was also possible for Arias to get punished instead. Even though Albert and Maria were strong warrior mages of the seventh and fifth levels, they did not hold absolute authority in this clan. Thus, it was best to keep this a secret for now. The fact that no one had yet to discover that he had magical power would make a lot of things more convenient as well. ‘It’s fortunate that I haven’t become a first-level neophyte yet. For that would reveal the truth that I can use magic to my parents.’ Arias could only sigh in relief.
“You don’t have to look so guilty. Just talk to me and your mother if you ever remember anything.”
Albert said before patting Arias’ head in a fatherly gesture. It was a kind of warm touch that Arias had never felt before. So this was what parental love was like. In his past life, he was just an orphan who never got to know his parents.
Although Arias had regained consciousness, the couple still looked after him closely. Herbs and nourishing food were brought in by servants one after another. After staying for almost the whole day, Albert and Maria finally left for Arias to rest.
On the other side of the Scarcia Clan, a certain young man was practicing magic in his large, lavishly decorated room. His body was surrounded by a burning flow of magical power. That was right. This young man was a fire mage. On his palm, there was a blazing flame the size of a toddler’s head. He was carefully trying to increase the size of the flame when all of a sudden, the door was thrown open. Another boy rushed in, seemingly in a hurry. Losing his concentration, the flame floating above his palm dissolved and the young man turned to look at the unwelcome guest with displeasure on his face.
“What is it, Danesse? Don’t you see I’m in the middle of practice?”
The owner of the room said irritably. Eyes glaring at the newcomer with disapproval.
“We’re in trouble, Mashelle! This morning, my people told me that Arias just woke up!”
Danesse hastily answered, not paying much attention to Mashelle’s temper. The two of them were siblings, both were the children of Merson, the second son of the clan leader.
“What!? And did he say who pushed him into the river?”
Hearing that Arias had woken up, Mashelle began to worry. He was the one who pushed Arias into the river and his brother Danesse was an accomplice. If people were to find out about this, he would definitely get in trouble. Even if he managed to find some excuses, things would surely get messy. But he knew that no matter what he did, the clan would not just drive him away for the sake of that worthless loser.
“No, I heard that he hasn’t said much after waking up. The servants even told me that some of his memories are missing, including the one before he fell into the river.”
Danesse replied. He was also worried since he was an accomplice. It was not like they were afraid of Arias. It was rather Albert and Maria that they feared.
“Don’t be too relaxed. Instead, keep an eye on him. If anything seems off, report back to me immediately. His memories might come back any day. Get rid of him if you have the chance.”
Mashelle stated coldly. He was only eighteen but he was way too brutal and heartless for someone his age. Although Arias was his cousin, he never once regarded him as such and even considered it a disgrace to have someone like Arias in the same clan.
Back to Arias, once everyone had left, he started to concentrate and coerce the surrounding magical energy into his body. After an hour had passed, his dimly lit core of magic began to shine more brightly as magical power was starting to concentrate at the core. Finally, there was a small crackling sound and Arias slowly opened his eyes with joy.
Magical energy was a natural magical force that could be found in every corner of the world. It was a pure type of magical force that could be used to nurture magical power. The concentration and purity of magical energy differed depending on the location.
“I’ve finally become a first-level neophyte. But this is not enough. The power is still too weak.”
