BEGINNINGS (2)

In Naganohara, the Town of Beginnings, currently lies the children of many big families and many children of small upbringings. Some however prefer to keep their identities hidden as we will see.

As a well-known Red-Haired Prince with a sword hanging from his hip walks through the streets with a smaller cloaked individual beside him having a conversation. His name is Michael Pendragon, 2nd Child of Arthur Pendragon, the King of Camelot. The cloaked individual pulls the hood slightly and stares at him.

"You know, I'm sure that somehow, father messed up with having you."

They both stop in front of a brothel.

"What?! I didn't even do anything else! I was just given the task to take you here Marlin so what's the big deal about having a little fun"

"You plan to leave your younger brother to his devices while you go into a brothel to benefit yourself. I am sure that everyone knows of your womanizing problem by now."

"Hey! We are getting weird looks because of you and I don't think you know this but I'm kind of well-known everywhere here anyways!"

"Huh? What's that about?"

"Too much to explain little brother, the women are calling! Here, dad said I should give you these. You are going to need some money and this spatial ring to hold stuff."

"Thanks."

"Also, you can probably exercise my name in this town as much as you want, maybe something will happen! Bye!"

Now, Marlin is on his own, walking around Naganohara

"Well then, now that he left, time to start my planning. I need a sponsor."

In that instance, A girl dashes past him with two individuals, one with white hair and the other with black following her.

(None of my concern.)

Marlin walks into a building, with an inspired look on his face

Meanwhile...

A fight erupts near the brothel where a White-haired male slashes at a girl, hitting her into a wall while another one walks up behind him.

"Hey Haru, don't you think she has had enough?"

"Shut it Shinji! Not until I get my money back!"

As the girl begins to stand up, she puts her hands in a fighting position seeming to be prepared to defend herself. Seeing this, an individual moves behind Haru with a longsword to his neck.

"You know, bullying women is not as cool as you think."

"Oh yeah? How about I bully you!"

As Haru releases his aura pushing the individual back, revealing his face. It was Wazuki.

"I hope you are prepared to lose a limb today!"

"You talk a lot."

As Haru kicks at Wazuki, who clashes with his leg then jumps back. Wazuki pulls out his longsword and slashes at Haru but the latter dodges, while pulling out a longsword of his own. Haru's blade begins to emanate a dark energy.

"You have some skill. It's a shame we are not on the same level! Shadow Serpe-"

"Ok. That's enough, Haru. I really can't keep my eyes off you for a second, can I?"

A man with white hair and red eyes, similar to Haru, walks out of the brothel lighting a cigarette.

"Big Brother! She stole from me!"

"That was due to your own incompetence. Besides, didn't I tell you to regulate his behavior, Shinji?"

Shinji simply shrugs

"You kids are a handful. Hey, I apologize on behalf of my brother. It would be in your best interest to look past this."

Wazuki stays silent, sheathing his Longsword.

"Good. Now let's go Shinji, we have to take you to your sect."

"Alright. Hey Shinji, I have to leave. Get stronger and maybe you won't have the rest of the family messing with you."

"Yeah, yeah, I know."

Shinji briefly thinks of an instance where his fellow brothers and sisters beat him up daily due to the speculation that he was favored.

(I refuse to let that happen again.)

…

Marlin, by this time, walks out of the building with new clothes and a mask and thinks back to the conversation

"Hello there. Welcome to my shop, my name is Celica.

Hi, my name is Marlin Pendragon

"...As in Arthur Pendragon?"

"Yes, he is my father"

"Oh! Your brother has done great things for Naganohara! Though he is a bit of a..."

"Womanizer?"

"Troublemaker."

"Yeah, I apologize for him. Can you make me a mask?"

"What kind of mask?"

"Just one to conceal my face. I am a big target due to my standing in Camelot's royal family, even though we are in Misaki."

"Ok, that can be done. Do you want a cloak as well?"

"Yes, and another thing."

"Hm?"

As Marlin thinks back to his past life, he reminisces about many things: His friends, family, past enemies and experiences. One experience stands out, which is the availability of having a sponsor. This means a business that can support you during your endeavors while you bring in customers, giving them exposure.

(I know better this time around. Especially in a world so similar to my old one.)

"I would like to be sponsored by you. A partnership of sorts."

"Oh? What could a teenager possibly help me with?"

"Well, it's simple. Every establishment requires patrons to support it. Using my influence, I can draw those patrons to give better exposure to this place. How about it?"

"And how would this benefit you?"

"Simple. I gain a trustworthy salesman who can provide for me whilst I adventure"

"Do all kids your age think like this? I sure do wish my son did."

"Nope. I am one in a lifetime Haha!"

"Fine! You got a deal, Marlin."

The two shake hands on this new partnership along with Marlin telling Celica about his short-term goals as well as his code name."

"Well "M", I think that's all, correct? I wish you well on your journey. Remember to keep up your end of the deal."

"Trust me I will. Thank you for your time miss Celica."

With that, Marlin leaves Naganohara, heading to the next town.

While on the path, Marlin notices a large group of Bandits outside of the town who seemed to be marching towards it.

(Well now, I can't afford to lose the one sponsor I have now, can I?)

"Hey! Where are you boys going? You Seem to be in a rush."

"What does it matter to you? Just get out of our way or be trampled."

"Sorry, I can't do that. So, I guess you have to go through me!"

"That can be arranged! It seems you have a pretty nice sword and some pretty cool gear!"

"Oh this? EXCALIBUR! Storm Blade!"

"Excalibur?!"

Excalibur is a sacred artifact known throughout the world as "The Unparalleled Blade", one which is almost impossible to be broken if the user's will is solidified and one which is said to have no equal. It is a legendary tier artifact that cannot be replicated. However, King Arthur Pendragon found a way to bend this rule. Through unknown means he took pieces of his sword, now dubbed, Excalibur, the Once Complete and had the best blacksmith and artisans create different blades using the small shards. He gave these now multiplied Excalibur blades to his children and household to bolster strength, each having a different ability of Excalibur. This was how Camelot amassed power within record time.

Marlin rushes at the bandits with his blade and begins cutting them up one by one, never resting for a minute. Some bandits put up a resistance and began to slash at him and even shoot arrows at him.

"He's Strong! But we are a multitude!"

"Strength was your problem all this time? Let me show you how wrong you were for challenging me!"

"EXCALIBUR! SHAPE! RAPIER!"

As Excalibur changes from a longsword to a rapier right in front of their eyes.

"How is that possible?!"

"I wield Excalibur, The Blade Caster. You picked the wrong place to plunder at the wrong time. Now I will fight with my full ability!"

[END OF CHAPTER 2]