Broken Family

I wake up in the morning feeling refreshed and I start my day as usual. I get up early And start My swordsmanship training. First I start with basic exercises 1000 push-ups,1000 setups,1000 pull-ups and running 3 miles with a heavy stone sword I created with Earth magic. After that I do 1000 sword swings. After that I go inside to get cleaned up meet the rest of the family for breakfast. During breakfast I ask "Mom and Dad when do you think I'll be ready to start taking adventuring jobs" Dad looks pleased with himself and says "want to be an adventure do you Ryan I'd expect nothing else after all you are my son" I nod and say "I do want to be an adventure and explore a little bit" Mom looks a little worried and says "I think he's a little too young it would be different if we had an adventure guild here but the closest one is a half a day away That's just too far" Dad respond "I agree with your mother I'll let you join adventure guild when you turn 12" I ask Dad "May I ask why 12" Dad says "12 is when I left home and it started my own journey That's why" looking a little confused I say "I don't necessarily want to leave the house I just thought it would be cool if I could pick up some odd jobs to help with my training." My Dad began rubbing his chin as he says "oh is that so" he Begin humming to himself He's in stops and says "well I'm afraid that's going to have to stand it's a little too far away to just bring you there as your mom says it's a half a day away on horseback and I'm not going to let you travel all that way by yourself without an adult" I nod in an agreement. After breakfast it's training with Dad and Rudy like always Dad is a poor teacher and a Rudy can't make heads or tails of Dad training method. Dad says "Ryan I'm incredibly impressed with your progress your already six and a half years old and you almost are at the advanced rank in sword God and water God Even I'm not that talented" I say "thanks a lot Dad I wish I could say it's all due to your incredible teaching skill but I don't like lying so I'm not going to say that" Dad chuckled and said "you wound me" while pretending that my words actually caused him physical pain. We all begin laughing it was during this time that Sylphiette came by and Dad released us so we could play. we spent a lot of time practicing magic. Rudy's job was to teach her how to use magic and it was my job to teach her how to use it for combat despite Rudy being better at magic than me I was the better combatant. in magic duels I typically always came on top. But Rudy and Sylphiette are improving although it seems to me that Rudy just doesn't have the stomach for it. I don't think you could actually kill something if he needed to I believe he would hesitate That's his biggest flaw. After we play and train we eat lunch that my mom packed for us. As we were eating I asked Sylphiette "how do you feel about becoming an adventure" Sylphiette pondered for a moment before replying "is that something your interested in" she says nervously I replied "rather I'm interested or not was not the question I'm asking if you are interested" I pause for a moment then I begin to say "it's not all about me or about what I want. I want to know what you want. Listen Sylphiette I want to be a good friend to you That's why I'm going to tell you you need to stick up for yourself if there's something you don't want to do then don't do it Don't let me or anyone else push you into doing something you don't want to do" I take a big breath before I continue "Sylphiette do you know how bad I would feel if I forced you to do something you didn't want to do I don't want to be that kind of friend so from now on can you be honest with me Don't be afraid to tell me no that you don't want to do something" Sylphiette seeing my concerned face she quickly replies "okay Ryan I promise if I don't want to do something I won't do it"I clear my throat and a state my question again "Sylphiette do you have any desire to become an adventure we can do that to raise money to get you into the rain Renoa University of magic." Sylphiette thought for a moment before replying "that actually sounds like a good idea but do you think I could make a good adventure" I had to laugh at that statement "of course you can you definitely have the ability for it" Sylphiette smiles at that as she says "thanks Ryan You've been a really good friend to me" Sylphiette's smile was so cute I just wanted to hug her right there and then but I managed to hold myself back she looks at Rudy and says "thank you Rudy for being my friend too" Rudy replied with "likewise" Sylphiette then stated "I won't be able to come over tomorrow I have some chores I need to get done at the house" I give her a reassurance smile and say "thanks for the heads up. Do you want me to walk you home today" Sylphiette perked rate up and said "that sounds great." so I walked her all the way home. And then I walked back to my home. And had a fantastic supper although the tension between Dad and Lilia was weird I caught them several times giving each other flirtatious looks I don't think Mom picked up on it. It's something I'm going to have to keep an eye on.

One month goes by and dad's flirting with Lilia has gotten worse. And it seems that Lilia doesn't mind it too much. I decide I'm going to bring it up with Mom. Because the last thing I need is for my family to fall apart.

I find mom in the kitchen with Lilia cooking dinner I whisper into Mom's ear that I need to speak to her in private. Mom agreed with Lilia saying "go on with young master I can handle the rest from here" with that being said me and Mom leave to talk privately.

Once me and Mom moved to where no one would overhear us. I told Mom about Dad's flirting. Mom's face tensed up and looked scary as she said "don't worry Ryan Ryan I'll keep a closer eye on them" she gives me a tight hug and pats me on my head and says

"Thank you so much for telling me Ryan" I replied with "no worries mom" under the rest of my day went as normal.

My training with Dad has been getting a lot rougher lately. I think Dad found out that I told Mom and he is taking it out on me. Lately because of the weather and because I'm staying around the house to help Mom Sylphiette has been coming over to our house. Where we practice magic and me and Rudy Reading writing and arithmetic.

Everything was going good but one day Dad went into town he says it was to pick up a few things. When I asked him "what are you going going to pick up dad" he chuckles and says "you're going to have to wait and see. A day later he was back with a bunch of supplies.

A matter of fact he wasn't alone Laws and Sylphiette were with him. All of us at the dinner table. Apparently we were having a meeting. Dad speaks up "kids we know you guys want to be adventures so me and Laws decided to give you some outdoor training." He waited for a moment to see if anyone was going to speak up.

Rudy did he said "I don't really want to be an adventure though so do I still have to participate." Dad had a little scowl at this but he replied "what Laws is going to teach you won't just be for adventuring it will also help teach you about traveling camping and everything in between that you're going to need for survival"

dad continues to say "I already went to the city to pick up some gear for you guys" he shows us the clothing and the various other equipment like knives basic cooking equipment backpacks father then States "okay guys I want you to go and put that gear on" me and Rudy do as we are told.

After I get dressed and put the adventuring clothes on and my sword on my back. I look into the mirror and admire how good I look. Rudy seems less enthused but willing to go along with it anyway. You make your way back downstairs where everyone is waiting for us.

When we get downstairs mom compliments Us and how we look. She gives us a both a big hug and says "go and have fun Ryan and Rudy but please listen to Mr Laws okay" me and Rudy replied at the same time "okay" so me, Rudy,Sylphiette and Laws head out of the house and start making your way out of the village our destination the forest where we will spend the whole week roughing it.

As we make our way outside of the village and into the forest. Laws begins telling us about the different plants that we come across. And he makes sure to point out the animal tracks as he continues to teach us what animal made them and the best way to track them. Overall it's very informative

With about a half a days walking we go to a small clearing with a stream not too far by. Laws says "this is a good spot to make camp." He then instructed us and how we make camp how to set up a tent then he said"Sylphiette"

Sylphiette responds with "yes Dad" Laws continues "I want you to gather up firewood

Sylphiette "responds with okay" she immediately get started on her task Laws then he says "Rudy I want you to go gather water" Rudy replies "can't I just create water" Laws says "typically yes but I want you to learn how to do it the hard way in case you can't use magic" Rudy nodded and listened to laws on how he could find it.

Laws then looked at me and said "you and me are on hunting duty I know you have a demon eye but I don't want you to use it this time for the same reason I don't want you overly reliant on it" I nodded and said "yes sir!" With his guidance I begin to track down dinner. With Laws help I tracked down and killed four squirrels.

After I got us some food we headed back to the camp. I see Rudy and Sylphiette are done with their tasks and it seems that Rudy went above and beyond what he was supposed to do and manage to get 4 fish. Laws then asks "so who's going to volunteer to cook them this time" Sylphiette perked right up and said "I want to cook I have been practicing with Mom"

Laws says "ok Sylphiette you can cook today but it will be someone else trun tomorrow" we all agreed to that. And we had a moderately decent meal only so much you can do without spices to add to the food. Then not started setting in in. Law says "it's about time to head for bed who's taking first watch" my hand shot straight up as I said "I will take first watch" Rudy says "then I will take the watch after him" laws then said "Sylphiette will take the last watch then." Sylphiette agreed to that.

The rest of the week went by without incident we all took turns doing different roles. and everyone had a blast me and Sylphiette got closer. But soon it was time to head home. On the way home we did run into some Assault dogs only four of them. And we dispatch them with ease. I acted as the tank and distracted the monsters. And Rudy and Sylphiette shot them with a stone Cannon. He made sure to collect their pelts.

When we got to the village me and Rudy say goodbye to Laws and Sylphiette and start heading towards our house excited to tell mom and dad about our time camping. When we got into the house the air felt chilly not like it usually is mom is caring about her business looking quite pissed off and Dad looking extremely guilty and I don't see Lilia anywhere.

Rudy seems to feel it too that something is wrong. With my voice full of uncertainty I say "Mom Dad we are home" mom trying to put on a happy face as she goes up to us and gives us a big hug and says "Im glad you're back" I hug her back dad looks at me with almost a scowl like he's almost as if he's disgusted to see me.

Rudy asks in the most innocent voice he can muster "mom what's going on you seem to be upset." He looks around noticing that Lilia is no were to be seen. So he asks "where is Lilia" mom's grip on us got tighter to the point where it started to hurt mom takes a breath and says "you see my son's Lilia and your dad did something they shouldn't."

Mom takes another deep breath and says "so I sent Lilia away" after hearing that it all makes sense dad was cheating with Lilia and got caught and now he blames me for what happened he must have figured out I said something to Mom. I'm not going to lie it hurts that dad is looking at me like that although he is trying to hide it.

I ask "so are we going to be getting a new maid" mom replies with a firm "no we are not." I ask "so who's going to take care of the baby while you're at work" mom replies "it's simple when the baby is breastfeeding I'll have to take them with me. And when there are no longer breastfeeding I have you two to help me with that." Me and Rudy together said "of course we'll help you"

But that didn't quite seem to satisfy Rudy as he asked "what did Dad and Lilia do that was so bad" mom took a long breath in and out before replying "Lilia and your father have betrayed me." "I see" Rudy says. That night we had a quiet dinner before we went to bed Paul apparently wasn't allowed to sleep in his own bed and had to sleep in the spare that we now had.

The months flew by is the due date for moms pregnancy is getting closer. I help Mom with what I can around the house now that Lilia isn't here to help anymore. And my training with the sword is going good but Dad has been extremely aggressive during training. Luckily thanks to my blessed child power he's unable to break any of my bones. Training with him isn't as much fun as it used to be.

I find greater enjoyment practicing myself. Trying to master a technique I'm working on. Basically all this technique is me using more battle aura than my body would normally be able to handle. Allowing me to use a super strike or speed myself up to dodge incoming attacks. The drawback is it hurts like hell all my bones and muscles screaming at me it feels like they are being ripped apart and wanting to explode into tiny fragments.

Despite all that I continue to practice increasing my stone swords weight. Sylphiette he's doing great with her tutelage

She managed to make Saint rank in water magic. Rudy a little disappointed that he hasn't grown any. I think he misses learning new spells. I mean all he has to do to make this spell stronger is compress it.

Then the day came when Mom went into labor. It was all hands on deck because there was complications with the birth. Apparently the umbilical cord was wrapped around the baby's neck. And at the doctor needed to cut mom's stomach open to get the baby. Luckily me and Rudy were there calm and collected and did everything we could to help. Luckily are healing magic was what saved the day and mother and baby were both safe. Mom decided to call the newborn baby girl Norn. and everyone rejoice.

Time came marching on. Me and Rudy would help Mom take care of our new baby sister. Sometimes we get up at night to see what she needed and if it was something we could help we would. To give Mom some extra sleep. Dad was pretty useless when it came to giving baby care. The only reason I was good at it is I helped out at the orphanage. I would volunteer there. But dad's mood would always sour when he saw me taking care of Norn.

I spent a lot of my time playing with her. I figured I have to be the good male role model for her. Couldn't rely on Rudy for that I didn't want her catching his purviness. Dad would give her the wrong impression of what a man should be. Besides nothing made me happier than to play with her.

Sometimes Sylphiette would come over and to help me take care of Norn. Mom sometimes with tease us and say "she almost seems like your guys's child" with a smile on her face. This would cause Sylphiette to turn her face crimson mine too

I said "stop teasing us it's way too soon for that" that is actually how I felt about that matter I wouldn't mind being married to her but it was too soon to set anything in stone

I decided to keep my options open whatever the dice rolls. I will roll with it and before we get into anything too serious we need to be adults. And just like in my world being an adult would put me at 15 years old. So we're just going to have to wait and see.

Mom would often compliment us on what a good Big brother we are. Then the day finally came for my graduating fight with Dad. It happened on the day I turned seven.

Dad said "depending on how you do in this duel I guess I will promote you to advanced rank in the sword God and water God style"

mom, Rudy and Sylphiette decided to watch this match. All of them had to promise not to interfere. We take our starting stances.

I took an extremely low stance bending my knees. While I might be able to match dad in strength I can't match him in Mass if our swords collide I could very easily be flung across the yard. So my approach is to attack him low where it's harder for him to defend himself.

Without a word we both Rush at each other with blinding speed. I keep low and I am for his knee. But he carries it easy and lifts up his leg to going for a kick. But I duck under it and his sword came down which I blocked. and we started exchanging sword blows with neither of us landing a hit. I decide to try something.

The next swing I jump up and block it which sends me flying.and helps me quickly regain my distance. before Dad has a chance to chase after. I go back in for another frontal assault this time my body and even lower.

Seeing my strategy dad puts the sword in his mouth. And it begins running on all fours. I see what he's doing here he's using the north God style if he's going to use cheap tricks so am I. So when we get close enough to each other my blast off using wooden magic to launch myself over dad. He quickly tries to get up but it's too late.

By the time he stands up. I already launched another using my secret technique I build up my battle over until my entire body wants to rip itself apart and I nail his knee hearing the bone break with a loud crack. Dad falls on his ass and I stick my sword in front of him and I say looks like I finally won.

Mom rushes over to Dad and chant the intermediate healing spell. Dad gets up in a rage yelling. "No you didn't win you cheated you weren't supposed to use magic" I replied "you used North God style which I'm unfamiliar with in which you refused to teach me. Isn't North God all about using tricks and using whatever is at your disposal. By your own logic I didn't cheat at all"

That grunts and says "fine I guess you can consider yourself an advance rank water God and sword" he gets up and leaves in a huff. Confusing everyone mom included. She runs over to me and gives me a hug and congratulates me on my victory. Everyone around me is congratulating me except for Dad.

I asked Mom "why isn't that happy with me? Does he not love me anymore?" Mom says with a sweet voice with a hint of confusion in there. "Don't worry my son I'm sure everything will be okay I can guarantee he doesn't hate you I promise." We all go inside to celebrate my achievement and everyone was Mary except for my dad.

The next morning as we are eating breakfast Rudy speaks up "dad I have a question I want to ask you?" dad replied with "what's your question Rudy" then Rudy says "do you think you could find me a job so I can take Sylphiette to the Ranoa University of magic?" Dad starts to say "no that would be irresponsible of" but cuts himself off as he begins to seriously think about it.

Then it looked like Dad had an epiphany and he said "I will see what I can do but there are a few stipulations." Rudy asks "what is it?" Dad continues to speak "if I can get them to see you you will be going to Roa into work for my cousin tutoring his daughter I will see if they will allow you to live there and you both will have to go there."

That last part confused me why would we both need to go there. But Rudy is looking at me eyes shining with expectation. I have a sigh and I say "I accept." This seems to greatly pleased dad and she shoots out of his dining room chair. And says I'll get it set up. And he leaves in an awful cheerful mood.

That next day Dad came back happier than ever he joyfully said "the job it's all lined up pack up your bags because tomorrow you'll be going to Roa!" So we did what we were instructed I packed my backpack and got everything I need for the trip tomorrow.. after I packed my bags I told Mom good behind as I left the house to go see Sylphiette.

I got your house and asked if she was busy her mom said no she was not busy. Sylphiette came up to me and said "hi How are you doing today." I replied with "good" and I explained to her what's going to be going on and that really upset her.

She grabs on to me hugging and crying her eyes out saying "please Don't leave me I don't want you to go." In about broke my heart I was always weak to women crying I gently Pat her on the back and said "it's not like I'm going to be gone forever and I'm sure I'll be able to visit so you'll be okay. remember you're pretty strong yourself."

Sylphiette dries her tears and says "ok you're right I think I can manage" I Pat her on the head we spend the rest of the day together. And when it started getting late I went home eat a fantastic supper oddly enough Dad wasn't home.

Everyone was confused by this but Mom said "he's probably out drinking with the Laws. You two should go to bed." We both nodded and went upstairs to our room to go to sleep. Although I couldn't sleep and I was hearing a really drunk man approached the house.

I cripped over to the window to see who it could be. It was Laws carrying my father who was drunk. I crept in and was listening in to their conversation as they made their way into the house. My dad says "finally got the plan to get rid of him" laws says in confusion "get rid of who." My dad says "who else but Ryan!"

Laws looked even more confused then he already was. As he replied "why do you want to get rid of Ryan" my dad says in anger "because it's his fault that everything went to shit!" Laws quickly told him to be quiet! Dad just passing on the shoulder and says "I know I know I know."

Laws then says "wasn't it your fault for cheating on your wife" dad barely able to keep his eyes open said "that may be but it wouldn't have been a problem if he didn't squeal I could have warmed up Zenith to the idea of me having another wife. But because of that brat I lost that chance. Missed out on a fine piece of ass!"

Dad continues "you see they think that they can write letters and come home every once in awhile. But I instructed my cousin Philip do not allow them to return home until they are 12 I am a genius!" Laws says"I don't like this. I completely disagree with your decision. You know what's going to break my daughter's heart. He's been nothing but good to her. You know what she's actually finally sticking up for herself."

Dad grabs laws by the collar as he menacingly says "not another damn word about this. And if you know what's good for you you won't breathe a word about this to anyone got it" laws nodded and left the house. My dad passes out in the chair in the kitchen head on the table snoring away.

I sneak back to my room heartbroken over what I heard. Sadness and range you can boiling within me at the same time. It hurts so much that I can barely stand it. Then I came to a decision things won't go exactly how dad wants it to. I decided to run away.

I put on my adventuring gear and a backpack equipped my sword my dagger and a sneak out my room down the hallway down the stairs and out the door. As one more f you to Dad I grab the saddle put it on the horse that he loves so much and I ride off to Sylphiette's house.

I make sure to take my time to give laws plenty of time to get to sleep before I talk to Sylphiette. I stopped at a tree a little distance away from her house.

And I creep up to her window as I lightly tap on it. She wakes up and opens her window shutters and is confused why I'm there so late at night she asks "Ryan what are you doing here" so I tell her everything that had happened and what my dad is planning. Then I hold out my hand and I ask "would you like to come with me"

Sylphiette seemed confused and conflicted. And she was thinking and she said.

End of volume 1

Next chapter New journey