Chapter Two

/// Arthur Leywin ///

Cacophony of people rushing in a single direction reverberated as I struggled to keep up. In the tumult of frantic pushing and hurried steps I tried my best not to lose my way.

Today was finally the day of the said 'Victaroid'. For the past few days, I have been going on different 'endeavours', to learn more about this continent. The memories of the place I was originally from were still hazy. The amount of information I could recall was insufficient to actually compare the two continents. However, this continent... Alacrya, showed some semblance with Earth, my previous world.

Towering buildings, people using cards with runes imprinted on it to keep a track of their money. Similarly, the dress code of nobility in this place was similar to the upper echelon on Earth. Other than this I came to know that just like my previous world, this continent was hierarchical. People referred to the nobility as Named Bloods and High Bloods.

This continent was ruled by Agrona Vritra, who was also worshipped as a God by people here. Agrona and other asuras of his race ruled over respective dominions. While the sovereigns remained in shadows, rarely interacting with normal folks who they referred to as "lessers", the dominions were ruled by Scythes. Each scythe further had a retainer.

This was the basic knowledge that I could gather until now. As for the magic system, it was very strange when compared to the knowledge I had. People used magic using runes or spellforms that were branded on their back as supplements to shape their spell. It was different from my own way as I had to syphon mana and then shape it accordingly.

While my method gave me a diverse arsenal to choose from, the method of mages here was more effective. The cast time was next to zero and the effectivity and range could be evolved both with core progression and rune maturity. Like the mark evolving into a crest.

A sudden jolt brought me out of my inner monologue as a bulky looking man hit my shoulder and kept running forward with a fast pace. A smile formed on my face as I saw the man looking back at me with a victorious smirk. He held out my money pouch in his hand and threw it in the air before catching it again and ran away.

"Fool", I muttered under my breath as I looked down at the even bigger sack that I took out of his inner pocket of worn-out coat. "Goodluck using a bag of stones", I giggled quietly as I continued my stride towards my destination, the stadium that would host Victaroid.

I soon arrived at my destination as the sight of a huge oval shaped stadium came into view. It was adorned with a golden colour on the outside, giving it a lustrous shade under the soft, subtle sunlight. Looking around I saw multiple stands, selling different things.

A mouthwatering redolence spread throughout the whole place as I reached the vendors that were near the stadium. Some of the carts that were also being used to sell food were adorned with multiple coloured lights while some were without decorations, looking regal without any need to be adorned.

To the right, fancy looking carts were filled with all kinds of sweets. A diverse variety from fried donuts to bakewell tart and banoffee pie were present there. A wave of nostalgia washed over me as I saw the dishes. A sudden thought came to mind, like a premonition,

"These... are way too similar. Did someone reincarnate here too?" I asked myself mumbling as I walked over to one of the carts.

(A/n Let's JUST assume here, Grey was a brit in his past life... and tbh I like them sweets too, so yeah, deal with it)

"Hello there. How can I help you, little boy?" The bulky woman spoke as she looked down at me with a warm smile. She was wearing a burgundy coloured apron over a striped white shirt. Removing the hood from over my head I looked at her, my eyes squinting in annoyance at the term she just used for me,

"What is this called?", I pointed towards a banoffee pie. Her gaze travelled in the direction of my finger and then back at me. Her lips shut tight for a second as she looked at me, petrified. She clasped her hands together, rubbing the palms in a state of perplexity.

"I am sorry for my rude manners before. We don't have a specific name for it as we just know that it's made of bananas and cream. We like to call it pie." She said nervously, beads of sweat forming on her face. I hypothesised her sudden change in behaviour as her mistaking me for a highblood because of my appearance. Although I could use my appearance to my advantage on common folk here, I would have to face repercussions if I did the same trick on some higher power.

"I will take one of these pies. How much for one?" I asked, my hand reaching deep inside my pockets.

"It will be 1 silver per piece, sire" She spoke as my hand froze.

"A silver coin per piece? Are you trying to rob me?" I said, a scowl forming on my face. The bulky woman almost stumbled back under my gaze, "I would never do that. The recipe came straight from Central Dominion... It was one of the most cherished sweets in Central Dominion until its recipe became public. It's still really hard to get your hands on it." She replied, stumbling on her own words.

I let out a sigh and took out a gold coin. Placing it on my thumb I tossed it at her. The coin flipped in the air a few times before landing in her extended palm. I took out two pies from the display myself.

"Good sir, we just opened. I am afraid but we don't have the change for a gold coin", She said apologetically.

"Two silver for two pies, 8 for keeping your mouth shut", I replied, bringing the hood back over my head as I brushed my hair backwards, completely away from the sights of anyone. She looked at me in confusion and finally understood after a brief moment, as she gave me a stern node and stiff thumbs up.

Ignoring her I walked away from there, my mouth salivating to the brim as I hungrily tore the packaging around the banoffee. Without wasting a second I took a huge bite from it. My teeth dug in the cream top with a blend of caramel, which was further complimented by the crunch because of its crispy, buttery base.

(A/n Ik, ik, coffee can be used too, but I liked the chocolate one. Can't blame me for it)

It was just enough schmaltzy to make it seem like a heavenly choir. I kept on walking, keeping my head down and feasting in the treat that I thought I'd never have again.

Gulping down the last bite of my pie, I looked up as I wiped my fingers with the corner of the trenchcoat I had "Acquired" a few days ago. Moving inside a cacophony of people fighting over seats echoed. Looking around I saw the common folk trying to find a seat and sit on the bleachers. I walked silently and stood by the railing that ran all over the stairs that went downwards.

The stadium infrastructure was majestic and extremely well engineered. A nexus of complex engraving and metal ran all along the roof of the stadium that extended over the seats of the people present. The space above the huge, barren battlefield was open, exposing the bright, clear and blue sky with a few wandering white clouds.

I leaned my back against the railing, not wanting to engage in a useless banter of who arrived at the seat first.

"Ahmm, ahmm", Suddenly a voice bloomed as I saw a wee lad standing in the middle of the field. "Everyone, it is finally time for the Victaroid to begin. Introducing first, Scythe Cadell Vritra of Central Dominion and his retainer Lyra" A chorus of applause boomed as everyone sang praises of him. However, my core suddenly started acting up, a violent stream of anger emanating from it, but it disappeared as soon as it appeared.

"Sylvia... Do you know him?" I asked, not even expecting an answer. However, I felt closer than ever with her. Even without her telling me I could tell. I clenched my shirt over the sternum region,

"Don't worry, Sylvia. I will deal with him, when the time comes", I reassured myself more than her.

"Scythe Dragoth Vritra of Vechor and Retainer Uto", A bulky looking scythe with the same trademark features as Cadell appeared followed by the lanky retainer. His gait was confident. A shiver ran down my spine as I saw them. A tingle of excitement ran through me as I felt the tremors from their presence alone.

I was no match for them now, but I was different now. I was just 4, I had Sylvia inheritance. Excitement built up inside me at the prospect of fighting and surpassing them.

After that other scythes with their retainers were introduced one after another.

Scythe Melzri Vritra of Etril and her retainer, Mawar.

Scythe Viessa Vritra of Truacia and her retainer, Jagrette.

And in the end the final scythe was introduced; Scythe Seris Vritra and her retainer, Cylrit. She was the only one who looked different. Not in terms of appearance, but the way she acted. She might be able to fool others but not me. That was because she wore a mask, just like me.

Her obsidian eyes trailed as she scanned the people sitting. Her gaze landed on me as I felt a shiver run down my spine. Her eyes squinted and then I felt her scrutinising my core. A gust of brisk, warm wind blew, blowing my hood away. Her eyes widened for a mere second before she recomposed herself again.

After a few seconds the scythes moved away from there as they made their way to a separate place. The retainers went their separate ways. After that multiple battles were conducted, mainly highbloods showing off their young talents in order to catch a sovereign's eye while the other battles were among the renowned magic schools of each dominion.

After a while of watching little kids inefficiently throw their arms around, I stood up and walked back. While I was trying to find something delicious to eat again, I heard audible gasps from everywhere. The gasps were followed by the sounds of guards and people kneeling at the same time.

Turning my head backwards I looked at the source of all this. I saw a woman standing close to me. She wore a delicate robe that reached below and touched the floor. I looked up and saw her looking at me, her eyes squinted as she scanned me.

"Take a knee, boy. She's Scythe Seris!" The man who was almost prostrating said, evident fear laced in his voice.

"So what?" I said and I could see the man trying his best not to lose consciousness at my words.

A saccharine laughter filled the whole place as I saw the Scythe laugh heartily. Everyone else lowered their heads even further, their bodies trembling subtly.

"You are interesting. Nevertheless, I just wanted to have a word with you", She said as she took a nimble step and came even closer.

"And what if I don't want to?" I asked in return. It was a gamble. From the moment I saw her there was something sus about her.

"Violence is something I don't like. However, I don't hesitate", She said with a smile that didn't match the words that came out of her mouth. Her words were soft but were spoken with such strength that it made me believe that she would definitely retort to violence if needed.

"Ohhh?" I raised a brow at her. Sparks of lightning coalesced around my index finger and formed a slight ball of lightning.

She looked down at my hand and let out a deep breath. Her hands gripped my shoulders as she stooped lower and made her way towards my ear.

Her warm breath hit the insides of my ear as she spoke...

Spoke a single word...

A word that made tremors run across my whole body.

The miniature ball of lightning dispelled as my concentration over the spell rescinded.

"Sylvia"