CHAPTER 12: Alistair's Story

[Merchants in the world of Deva are despised by the nobility, politicians and even the normal people. This is because of the things merchants have been known to do in order to curry favour with the ruling power in whatever place they are in, in hope of getting into the political game or to be granted a nobility title.

In one case in the past, a merchant killed his entire family, including his one-month old child, just because of an order given to him by a Marquis in the Holy Kingdom of Benisnore who was a worshipper of the Old Gods of the Underworld. The deal went that if he could get him a certain amount of corpses for a ritual, he would use his influence to help him become a Baron. The merchant, excited by the prospect of becoming a noble, chose to kill his entire family instead of buying slaves to use for the ritual.

Who knows why he decided to kill his family? He might have decided it was too risky to buy a large amount of slaves, as it might attract attention if they were all to disappear without a trace.

Going by that logic, it would be easier to have all his family, including the extended ones, die in an explosion while having a celebration of some sorts. Of course, he would suddenly be called away by urgent work and have to rush away from the venue.

When the Marquis was later exposed to be a heretic, all the incidents connected to him were uncovered. The merchant, now a Baron, was executed for being a co-conspirator after going through thorough interrogation by the Inquisition. When the news of his deeds came out, the nobles and politicians on the continent were all disgusted with his actions, although similar things go on behind the scenes in their own homes.

The incident was later known as 'The Eradication of the Rot in the Church'

Excerpt from: HISTORY OF THE CHURCH OF BENISNORE]

[Alistair's POV]

It's strange how in just one year, someone's life can fall from heaven, to hell.

I was born into a family of two. We were a merchant family, so we were subject to a lot of despise from everyone. Despite all that, people still came to us for our services.

I'm was the only child, so I was supposed to take over the family business when my parents retired. Yes, all that was true until my younger brother was born.

It was a summer day when I was told my mother had given birth.

"Young Master Alistair, the madam has had a boy."

It was a joyous occasion when my younger brother, River, was born. I was very happy as well. How could I not be happy? After all, I now had a cute younger brother. That happiness soon changed when a diviner showed up. I will never forget that day.

The maids had all lined up in front of the mansion in order to welcome him, while my father and I were in front of them to greet him.

"Master Aohan, we've been awaiting your arrival", said my father while both of us were bowing.

The 'Master Aohan' was a scruffy old man with dusty clothes and a crazed look in his eyes.

Master Aohan ignored Sean.

"Where is the child?

"He's with his mother. If you would follow me, I'll take you to him."

"Alistair, you'll be having less lessons from now on."

"Alistair, we'll be removing the alchemy sets in your room."

It eventually reached the point where even the meals I ate were getting substandard. One day a servant who had been with me since I was born told me why those things had been happening.

"Young Master, I don't know exactly what happened, but I heard that the diviner told the Master and Madam that Young Master River is supposed to be a great figure in the future."

"Because of that, they seem to be saving up for his education in Freestone Academy."

I didn't really understand at the time how ruthless my parents were when it came to 'saving'. After all, it makes perfect sense. Merchants are known for being ruthless when it comes to something they want. So why wouldn't they sell their own son in order to 'save' some more? It's only in line with their character.

Like I said, my living conditions got worse and worse until I didn't have any servants left to attend to me. This happened just three months ago.

As time went on, when my parents looked at me, they looked at me as less and less like a person, and more like money just waiting to be cashed out. Although at the time, there was no way I would have see that.

Personally, I understand why they would do that. It's not as if I'm a genius or something. In fact, looking back at my past self, I would even say I was sort of entitled and stupid. I always acted like a brat if I didn't get my way and would lash out at servants if they did something I didn't like. Who wouldn't want to get rid of a nuisance like that?

Well, anyway, I was really excited when my father told me I was going to enroll in Freestone Academy. I never suspected a thing. I just packed my bags as fast as I could and got out of there.

Well, I was in for quite a surprise when I got to the academy.

My parents actually abandoned me? I couldn't really believe it at first, but I had to. The proof was right there.

What happened then is one of those life-changing moments that forever alter one's life.

After we finished watching the videos, my memories got a little blurry. All I know is that when I came to, it was like a tarp that was over my mind was pulled off, and I was finally able to think properly.

If I was to explain it, it's like if my mind was a two on a scale of one to ten, it suddenly became a twenty. Pretty big increase, right?

Well, I now knew exactly what I was supposed to do. After I thought about what Warden said about The Zone again, I realized what bull it was.

They'll let us become students and give us free tuition? That's only for the people who make it through the whole three years. From what I've seen so far, practically no one will still be alive by the time three years are up.

Be it as it may, who lives and dies is of no concern to me. The most important thing is to make sure I survive.

They believed I was more useless than my brother, right? When I make it out of here, I'll crush them and that brother of mine who's supposed to be great, and make them regret throwing me away.