Chapter 9: Ep 2 — The Origin

Thousands of years ago, the Goddess of Life had a son whom she adored deeply. However, during the war between the Vessels of the Gods, her son and his partner perished while she was pregnant with their child. Amidst the Goddess profound grief and anguish over losing all three, she bestowed a blessing: 'My son's wife, regardless of your form upon rebirth, whether male or female, you must possess a womb reserved for my son.'

On that day, starting at ages 13 and up, various people experienced changes in their bodies. Years later, those changes were classified as the second gender, known as Alpha and Omega.

Those blessed as Alphas possess a special trait. Upon reaching the age of 13, their bodies typically undergo rapid development. Most of them grow taller, healthier, and stronger than average, both physically and mentally. More importantly, they are the specific individuals capable of impregnating a male Omega.

While those blessed as Omega, particularly male omegas, reach the age of 13, their bodies will start developing a womb, and their physiques will grow comparable to those of females. After their coming of age, both female and male omegas will experience heat every three months, indicating their bodies are ready to conceive a child.

And those who were ordinary, constituting 62 percent of the population, are now classified as Betas.

"... Though I wonder if those blessings are a curse from the Goddess upon humanity."

Elijah spoke in hushed tones, as if he didn't want me to hear his opinion. During his discussions, he exuded an indifferent vibe, making me feel like I was being taught by a robot.

Realizing that I had no foggiest idea about what the second gender was. He took the liberty to explain it to me. I'd say what I imagined of a fantasy world was all about adventure: meeting friends, elves, dwarves, fairies, princes and princesses, and so on. I never heard of the concept that a male could be impregnated. Now that we're on that topic...

"Sir Knight, if a male omega has a baby, how does he give birth—?"

"Butthole."

"...Huh?" His directness caught me off guard.

"I've heard male omegas give birth through their butt."

"Er,... I see... That's the only hole down there... T-that must be painful..."

"Last night's turds are big, long, and hard, and it's already painful to excrete them. How much more if it's a human baby?"

"....."

I was too stunned to speak. At first, I wondered if I had misheard him, but now, comparing the topic with his turds... Sigh... I didn't expect Elijah to be so bluntly honest, speaking without any filter. It was also surprising how talkative he was, especially considering his typically cold demeanor.

"It's the reason why I have high respect for both male omegas and women. They carry new life in their belly for months and deliver it to the world, and despite the pain, they smile the brightest the moment they see their child."

Elijah's expression remained unchanged, but his eyes revealed the genuineness of his words. Though I partially disagree, if mothers are that happy to see their children, why are some abandoned and abused?

"Sir Knight, how can you know you're an Alpha or Omega?"

"When a child turns 13, they're required to be examined by a physician. Why haven't your parents taught you this?"

I wondered the same thing, but from my memories, "I never heard my parents or any villagers mention the second gender or someone experiencing in heat."

A silence followed while Elijah was thinking about the reason. "If I have to guess, your parents or the villagers might all be Betas."

"... Maybe you're right. Then, Sir Knight, where do you belong?" I was simply curious.

"Last month, Dr. Henry told me I'm an Alpha—"

Elijah abruptly stopped speaking and stood in front of me, his expression turning alert as he surveyed our surroundings. His hand hovered near the hilt of his sword, ready to draw it if necessary. "Is he trying to protect me? But from whom? We're at Arwin's estate—the safest place.'

"What's wrong?" I asked.

"I sense bloodlust," he replied tersely.

Elijah was a person who seemed incapable of lying, but I didn't feel anything peculiar. 'Are his senses just so sharp?'

"Ayoo, so this is where you went—whoah!" A man was surprised when a sword was aimed at his neck. He barely managed to stop it with his sword while defending himself.

"Forgive me, sir Reki. I thought you were an enemy."

"Okay, okay, that's fine, but put your sword away first," he said while nervously tapping the blade away from his neck. Despite appearing terrified, his reaction time was unrivaled. And not only him, but also Elijah.

Elijah was standing right in front of me just a split second ago, yet he had already unsheathed his sword before the knight could even step into the doorway. His movements were incredibly swift.

"Sir Reki, why are you looking for me?"

"Ah! Are you done with your business? Master Leonard is looking for you."

Before Elijah could respond, he glanced at me, then back at Sir Reki, and finally said, "Yes." After his acknowledgment, Sir Reki noticed me and grinned, "Excuse us, young master, we will take our leave first," followed by a bow. I did the same.

"Before that...." Elijah stepped closer to me and gestured the same while looking down at the floor. "May I know your name, young master?"

'How come he's being so formal by just asking for my name? '

Nevertheless, "I'm Nazari Eames Silverfrost." I offered my hand to shake, but he just stared it down, confused. This feels like deja vu. So, I grabbed his hand and shook it back to mine, "What about you?" though I already knew.

"I am called Elijah, young master."

"Nice to meet you, Sir Elijah."

"I feel the same, young master."

Even after they had left, I could still hear Reki's voice and his sleepy yawn: "Such nice weather. Do you know a nice spot to sleep, Sir Elijah?"

In connection to what Elijah mentioned, Alpha, Beta, and Omega are the second genders blessed by the Goddess of Life and can be inherited through genes. If my parents were betas, it's possible that Zarani and I are Betas too.

However, 'Why does our village seem oblivious to this.'

"Naz..."

"Arwin!" He appeared out of thin air again, as if every empty space here were his door. I assumed he was preoccupied with his work, so why is he here? Is he done with it?

I felt the urge to ask him, but when I glanced at him, his eyes quickly scanned me from top to bottom, and he seemed a bit surprised. "Ah," it suddenly dawned on me—I was still equipped with all the weapons I had picked up. I felt the blood rush to my face. Why did I feel embarrassed about appearing childish in front of him?

Suddenly, the weapons started to float in the air and returned to their proper places. The next thing I knew, I was engulfed in a bubble with a cool, gentle breeze swirling around me. It was both tickly and refreshing. After it popped, Arwin unexpectedly began sniffing me silently.

'Er, did I smell so bad that he needed to cleanse me?'

"All good, and no wound either." That expression on his face, a slight change on the lips—he looks quite satisfied. 'Should I bathe five times a day now?'

"Did you already pick a weapon of your liking, Naz?"

'Yes, but you took them all away.' I consider responding in this manner but change my mind. "Am I allowed to do that? "

Arwin went to the barrel of wooden swords and picked two out of them. 

"I honestly... don't want you to hold a weapon, Nazari. These tools can cut anything and hurt anyone, including their wielder. I don't want to see you in pain, Naz. But you told me,... your goal wasn't for revenge but to protect yourself and the people you care about. Who am I to stop you? ..."

He handed me two wooden swords, which I felt obligated to accept. 

I thought he had forgotten my request, as I had asked him on a whim, so I tried to go to his office to formally ask again, but he remembered it.

We left the armory and walked side by side toward the knights' training area.

"Unfortunately, I'm not a swordsman, and Leonard... that person will annoy you more than teach you properly."

Considering what Arwin said, I can imagine that happening. I can't foresee Leonard as my sword instructor but as an irritating classmate who will brag about his sword techniques all day long.

"So, I look for someone else. This person has a good reputation among his peers and seniors. He is also an expert in his field and an A-rank swordmaster along with that. According to his captain, he was born a genius but spends most of his time sleeping."

"Wait, Arwin, isn't that person a slacker?"

"He is; that's why he fits the requirements: an expert who excels in his field and has so much time to teach you."

Oh, Arwin wants him to work for what he pays, doesn't he? I'm curious about who it is.

"We greet the Grand Duke and the young master." Upon our arrival, each of the knights stopped their training and greeted Arwin and me unexpectedly.

"Such a bliss to grant us your presence, Your Grace. How can these vassals of yours assist you?"

'Woah, such a strong aura.' He exudes such a powerful presence that it took me only a split second to notice him. This man was bald, massive, and tall, and he has a long scar across his face. He appears to be quite terrifying.

"Knight Instructor Rohan, I'm here to request the presence of the knight named Reki."

When he heard the request, the instructor was slightly shaken: "May I dare to ask why you want to see this vassal, Your Grace?"

"I want him to be Nazari's Sword Instructor."

This person's eyes widened, and veins appeared on his gleaming head. "Such an important task was assigned to him... and he wasn't even here? YOU THREE FIND THAT STUPID BRAT RIGHT AWAY!!!"

The three knights immediately stood up and ran away, searching for the missing person. The said instructor faced Arwin again with a calm and relaxed visage. He was like a big dog, wagging his tail.

"Please forgive me for displaying my lack of manners, Your Grace."

"You never changed Knight Instructor Rohan, but don't raise your voice again in front of Nazari. I won't tolerate it."

"Much obliged, Your Grace. Ah yes... Did I scare you, young master? I apologized, and please know that it's just my natural method of disciplining such brats."

Nah, more than that, I'm astounded by how quickly this Goliath changes his expression, 'Such talent.'

It's been two weeks since I started training. During that time, the three knights who went to find Reki were unable to locate him. Not wanting to waste any more time, Arwin took matters into his own hands. He vanished for a moment, and when he reappeared, a sleeping Reki was already hanging in his hand, oblivious to the world. As predicted, no one can escape Arwin's grasp.

Despite Reki's slack behavior, he thoroughly taught me. He emphasized the importance of improving my stamina first, as it is vital in every fight, and becoming familiar with holding swords.

He made me run several laps while two wooden swords were on my waist. Sometimes he joined me for the simple reason that it was boring to just wait, yet most of the time he slept. After several days, he aimed to develop my muscles and added carrying weights and eating meat to my routine. Today, I started to swing wooden swords 500 times in half a day.

"Young Master, why did you choose two swords?" 

"Arwin gave them to me, so I'm using them." 

"Oh, such an unexpected reason. Fortunately, I'm also a dual-sword user," Reki said proudly before teaching me how to sway the sword properly. If I had done it incorrectly, he would have made me redo it and reset the count to zero.

"Argh! I'm so tired," I complain as I collapse onto the soft bed. In both lives, I never expended excessive energy and effort, nor did I experience severe pain in every muscle of my body. However, it's unexpectedly satisfying and enjoyable, especially when you can see the progress.

Now, "I can't wait to learn sword techniques and mana manipulation."

I'm so exhausted that it only took me a few turns to get into the best sleeping position, and after such a long time, a dream comes to visit me....

.

.

.

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"B-brother...Brother Nazari... please s-save me....."