Franz Lorraine (1)

Franz Lorraine.

A perfectly normal and healthy child that's been birthed from an equally healthy mother.

Having no issues at all since birth, you'd expect him to live a nice and happy life. He'll have a normal education, go through puberty, goof around with friends and family, and perhaps get a girlfriend.

As a bonus, he might get married and have children of his own, only for him to naturally die due to complications of health and old age.

A simplistic concept of a carefree life. One without many difficulties and heartbreaks.

However... What if being properly birthed wasn't enough?

What if he had something missing since birth? Something crucial to that requires one to survive in this god-forsaken world? If only this planet was modern-day Earth, Franz Lorraine would've been happy and be treated with minimal discrimination.

Unfortunately, this world requires something from a person.

The foundation of everything unique, belonging solely to this world.

The essence and utilisation of Mana.

The ability to sense and use it as you will.

A concept that's been thoroughly known and studied across millennia.

Yet, as normal and healthy as he was, the very thing that essentially makes up the world...

...has not been found within his body. No Mana, no signs of a Core. Nothing.

How could it happen? Cases like these were so uncommon that only people who have a history of Mana deficiency can potentially get it. Even then, the chance was incredibly close to zero.

However, who says it couldn't happen? Never mind that just how... unlucky do you have to be?

Many years before...

...

...

...

"This... is unprecedented." Said a man, holding the hand of his tired wife.

The gloomy and dark look couldn't be mistaken. Traces of disappointment were evident that it so clearly outshone even the brightest stars in the night sky.

"...Sir, this perhaps may be unusual, but isn't the young master fine at the very least?" A middle-aged man, who had a neatly looking butler suit, worriedly said.

At this moment, the room quieted down until only the sounds of rain splashing against the window could be heard. Cool gusts of wind passed through the tiny gaps as they naturally brushed and breezed through the skins of many people present in the room.

The maids were shaking in their boots. The servants timidly looked down. The guards outside the room had sensed that the tension had risen like the eruption of a volcano, aching to be released.

"Fine at the very least?" The man looked at the butler with a frightening gaze.

"This...this thing?! It won't survive through adulthood, so what's the point of raising something like that? Think about it!" His voice was so loud, that even people, way outside the household, could hear it.

However, the butler stoically looked at the man and calmly continued with his soft-spoken voice.

"Sir, I understand your frustration. I, too would be worried about the future of a child born without a Mana Core. But...regardless of how he was destined to be like, this child needs-"

"Worried about the child? If only that were the case." He snorted coldly without hesitation.

"Don't you dare put your optimistic worldview upon me, Sel. Have you forgotten? What this world has come to? Have you also forgotten 'that'?"

Words that were sharp like razorblades continuously pierced the ears of everyone present.

"This night, I highly anticipated someone who could carry on the bloodline of Lorraine's." The man turned his back and walked towards the door.

"Very well." He turned around one last time, to look at the being that's been born.

"Life delivers far less disappointment when expectations are kept at a low minimum."

BANG!

With a loud shut, the door closed. After several seconds of his absence, whispers and murmurs began to break out between the maids and servants.

"He is correct in that matter..."

"It was uncalled for."

"The young master can still live... right?"

"..."

Meanwhile, Sel looked at the tired woman on the bed who was on the verge of tears. She was barely holding it in and kept hugging the fragile being in her arms.

He slowly loosened his clenched fist and pondered about something.

'The boy hasn't cried yet... why is that?'

It was quite abnormal, but he soon shook his head.

'As long as he's breathing. It should be fine.'

Sel then announced with a quiet but stern voice.

"Take care of the madam and the young master."

"What are you planning, Sir Sel?"

The voice of an emotionless woman rang out.

Upon noticing who it was, he promptly gave a not-so-concise answer, as if intentionally avoiding the question itself.

"I'm just going to talk to the Lord."

As if understanding the hidden agenda, the woman vaguely nodded.

"A conversation, you say?"

"Perhaps-"

With that, he also left the room.

Many wondered what the future would hold for them.

However, it was only several days after the birth of the first son of the Lorraine's, that the head of the family, mysteriously left.

...

...

...

The years passed and the kid was soon 9 years old. Quite contrary to everyone's expectations, Franz managed well.

Just like a normal kid, he would sometimes be mischievous, annoying, kind, or cold.

After all, children do have a lot of mood swings if they don't get what they want, and he was just alike. Of course, they were things that had to be kept secret from the child. Though everyone within the vast confines of the mansion was aware of Franz's situation, they understood the necessity of divulging the truth. Concealment would only breed repercussions for him in the years to come.

But... seeing the cheeky, innocent smile on the kid's face running around in the garden with some of the knights, made them hesitate.

Because they knew if even a single word of 'that' neared the ears of Franz.

That child will lose his trust in them, and be heavily scarred from the inevitable truth. 

"Franz."

The emotionless voice of a woman rang out throughout a large garden filled with vibrant colors.

"..."

A few seconds passed.

"Hah..."

The woman heavily sighed in frustration.

"3...2...-"

Thump!

Someone suddenly fell from the tree beside her.

"..."

The woman blankly looked at the kid rubbing his butt while pouting.

"Senna... why?!"

Franz adorably yelled at the stoic woman in front of him before lunging at her.

"Hehehe, I got you!" He cheekily giggled as he hugged her legs.

"..." Senna, who quietly observed the scene, finally spoke out.

"Franz."

"Hmm?"

He looked up at her, meeting her expressionless face.

Though for some reason he noticed her lips slightly trembling.

"..."

"Why are you so quiet? You shall speak comfortably in front of this Lord! Haha!"

However, Franz's innocence proved to be his undoing, as the words that spilled from Senna's lips irreversibly altered everything.

The world in Franz's eyes didn't seem all too colorful anymore.

...

...

...

I see... I suppose that's quite a tragic childhood, Lorraine. Essentially fatherless, and a mother who is bedridden because of the immense pressure from several opposing parties.

On top of that, getting told that you're nothing but canon fodder in this world is quite a huge toll to take. All of that at the age of 9... How ironic. I feel sorry for you. But, at the same time, you do have my respect. You've become socially inept and kept everything to yourself, but behind that shell of yours was a light that refused to go out.

Even when told that you're useless, you kept moving forward.

Everybody thought you'd lose hope and that's understandable. However, instead of wallowing in despair and complaining about the unfairness of the world, you made use of your weakness.

The inability to train mana did not stop you from training something else. Breaking and suffering, you continuously broke your body in silence. Only for it to constantly repair itself and get stronger over time. Your progress was slow to the point it was pitiful. Yet, I felt your satisfaction every time you saw improvement. Even if it was only a bit, like a drop of water in the vast sea, you kept seeking improvement until...

... your inevitable death.

The amount of toll and stress the human body can take is limited.

Obviously, this guy was an anomaly. Was he special?

No, not at all.

Franz wasn't able to use mana, couldn't utilize it no matter which method he tried. So, the most logical choice was to train his body.

But, even then, there are limits to how strong the body can get without mana nourishing it. Yet, he completely broke it.

Broken to the point that every single inch of his body refused to move. Muscles were torn, stress fractures were made, and blood continued seeping out.

No matter the pain though, behind that stoic and lifeless face, there seemed to be a light that continued flickering. Something that kept driving Franz to seek improvement... what was it that you sought so desperately? Strength? Fame? Women?

Just what is it that drove you to the point of death? Even during your final moments, you didn't utter a single thing. Your mind was clear without thoughts.

As if, you finally saw a glimpse of something. What was it?

The answer remains unknown as the now 19-year-old lay there, covered in his own blood.

On the cold bed of snow, the light that flickered behind those eyes slowly but steadily died out.

And that was when it happened...

Those very same eyes regained their vigor.

...

...

...

"You were quite far away from home, Lorraine,"

I utter to nobody as I check myself in the mirror.

So many scars. Sigh... I touched my face again and pinched it.

"So it really happened." I, again speak to myself.

Wait... I'd be better to keep my thoughts to myself.

This world is dangerous. Someone could be spying or eavesdropping. I have to remind myself that every word I utter could be valuable information.

Doesn't matter if I suddenly say things like, "I have to take a shit." But that's beside the point.

This body is proof of a respectable work ethic.

Extremely fit looking, defined muscles, and a bit bulky. Not too big nor too small.

A perfect balance between athleticism and aestheticism. Quite the handsome one as well.

Not like I wasn't handsome in my past life.

But there's something that's been bothering me.

This feeling of having 2 extra limbs is quite out of this world.. literally.

I slowly lifted my right foot up and gently tapped the cold wooden floor. Just in case, I also propped myself against the wall with my hand.

I continued doing this for several minutes, lost in my mind. Can I really walk again? A rather dumb question, as I quite literally sprinted all the way here from the cold barren land to this mansion.

But still, everything at this point feels quite unreal. A fantasy world. Magic. Transmigration. Legs. And a lot of responsibilities. Instead of feeling apprehensive, for the first time in so many years, I finally feel refreshed.

Like an actual normal human being. A subtle smile crept up on my face. Franz Lorraine. You shall be remembered. Glancing at the reflection, I reminded myself again.

This is not a happy-go-lucky world. It's not your typical fantasy world either. Instead of humans against demons. This is a world where humans and demons fight against something even crazier and frightening.

As such, no matter what your drive was Mr. Lorraine, I do understand something.

Strength. You wanted it, and I shall seek it. I wish to see what it was that strengthened your mind and will. This opportunity... that I cannot waste.

As such- KNOCK! KNOCK!

Fuck.