A story from the past

March 17, year 318 of the imperial calendar.

As usual, I accompanied my father to the annual meeting of the alliance.

That particular day I was quite bored with the typical meeting since none of the young teachers my age had come except for Nazaria with whom I had never gotten along particularly well apart from the polite greeting.

After the formal meeting, my father and my uncle stayed talking about topics that I still didn't fully understand, so I was allowed to wander around the facilities.

Like every child close to pre-adolescence, I longed to venture into the unknown, so I walked until I explored the entire facility.

The place he was exploring was a mansion that Count Anarson had in his city of Noctis.

As I explored without realizing it, I was increasingly heading towards the edge of the mansion.

As I walked I managed to figure out what was going to be an argument between one of the mansion guards guarding the entrance and a robust man.

This man was carrying what looked like an elongated iron wrapped with multiple white cloths.

When I heard the discussion I hid behind some of the bushes that were part of the garden so I could hear more clearly.

"For the last time, Mr. Petrov, we cannot let you enter the property."

One of the guards spoke as he kept his spear firmly planted on the ground.

"I just want to hand this to my brother. Is it so difficult to understand?"

He responded furiously by trying to force his way into the property while he was being held down by the second guard.

"Mr. Petrov, we have already told you that Captain Saler is in the corrupt lands, when he arrives we will let you know."

Commented the guard who was struggling to keep him out of the mansion.

The struggle and dialogue of the guards to appease the man named Petrov continued for a few minutes until the guard finally knocked Petrov off balance and threw him to the ground.

When he fell to the ground I could see how the iron was unwrapped by the fall and I saw how an obsidian-colored sword blade emerged from the wrapper.

Even though it was black without any hint of color, I could see how it shined under the sunlight.

Finally the robust man gave up and wrapped the sword again to leave, without first insulting the guards as he walked away.

When I saw him leave, an impulse to follow him ran through my spine, so without waiting long, I took advantage of the fact that the guards were distracted and climbed the 3-meter wall with the help of a tree that protruded from the wall.

When I left the wall I had the worst fall I had ever had in my life.

With tears trying to escape my eyes from hitting my nose, I held on and started running to catch up with the man.

After following it for a few minutes I arrived at what would be an esplanade with a small mound in the center. The entire place was surrounded by trees except for the small hidden esplanade.

Hidden behind the trees, he watched as the robust man from before leaned against the formidable and only tree that was on the mound.

The man took out a canteen from his coat and began to drink from it.

I looked at the thoughtful man for a few minutes and gathered courage to approach him.

I left the tree and walked towards the man who now had his eyes closed as he rested under the shade of the tree.

I hesitated for a few seconds before speaking to him but finally decided.

"Sir, may I see that sword again?"

The man opened his eyes in surprise and looked at me bewildered.

"Kid, what the hell are you doing here?"

The doubtful man spat.

"I a, I saw you arguing with the guards and I saw when the sword was unwrapped. Could I see it again?"

The man I assumed was called Petrov looked at me scanning me up and down.

"Child, are you not a noble by any chance?"

"That's right, I am the young heir of the barony of Ghialand."

I said while puffing out my chest and putting on an arrogant tone.

Petrov clutched his nose in worry.

"And your father, where is he?"

"He is with my uncle talking about important things"

"Does your father know you are here?"

"Why should I know? He was the one who told me that he could wander around while he talked to my uncle."

I said, surprised by Petrov's questions.

He grabbed his nose again but this time tiredly.

"Child, I'm busy, you better go back to your father."

Petrov said, denoting his tiredness in his words.

"No, I won't leave until I see that sword again."

I spoke in an arrogant tone that highlighted my whim.

After that an argument began where Petrov clung to the sword and I insisted on seeing and touching it.

"I got fed up"

Petrov said, standing up and taking the sword in his hands.

I followed him trying to convince him that he would show it to me.

Petrov hurried past and entered the forest, losing sight of him.

He tried to follow him without success.

Minutes passed as he tried to look for therobust man.

Until I hear a growl.

Curious, I turned in the direction of the sound.

And I saw a wasp-level beast in front of me.

As soon as I found myself in front of him I was shocked without time to feel afraid.

I just stayed still without breathing.

The beast took a step towards me.

Finally coming to my senses I looked at him and started running.

The beast chased me quickly trying to kill me, I was only able to avoid its bites through the hollow trunks and taking advantage of the unevenness.

I continued running the more unventilated I felt, fighting the urge to vomit, continuing to escape from the beast through the forest.

The forest was immense and I was lost, I was a child of just 9 years old who was running for his life without any way to defend myself.

I tried to lose him in every way possible, I hid him, I tried to blind him by throwing dirt at him, I even tried to climb up, but nothing worked.

Until I saw hope.

It was the man I had argued with all this time.

Without strength I tried to shout at him but nothing came out of my voice.

But apparently it wasn't necessary, he saw me in a terrible state being chased by the beast.

I kept running to try to reach it before the beast ate me.

When I was a few meters from him I fell and horror painted my face.

I turned around only to see how the beast was about to eat me.

When I thought I was going to die, a purple liquid splashed on my cheeks.

Trembling I touched my cheek and looked at my hand and then looked at where the beast had been.

Now there was only the lord with a night sword wrapped in a scarlet aura.

I looked to the left of him and saw how the beast lay dismembered.

Instead of feeling horrified I felt.

Alive.

A smile appeared on my expression and then I fainted.

All I remember afterwards is little fragments of the man carrying me and appearing on a nurse's bed.