A Dream of the Distant Past

A young woman walked the streets as she hummed while she occasionally skipped and hopped. It was some childish acts, but for some reason, it suited her. She was wearing a pure white one piece dress that fluttered along her long silky black hair that reached her waist as the winds passed by.

She turned around, revealing her flawlessly beautiful face as she asked. "You alright, Lancell? You're frowning again."

"Hm? I'm not particularly troubled though. Was I really frowning?"

She stopped. She then approached me as till we were about two feet apart. She raised her hands as she measured her height and compared it to mine. She then said.

"You've gotten taller again... How old are you this year?"

"Huh? Why are you even asking?"

"Just answer me."

"...It's 24."

She frowned at my answer and pouted. "Aren't you younger than me? Why are you even taller anyway?"

"Maybe its because I'm a man?"

"So being a man makes you taller?"

"...Probably."

This time, she sighed at my answer. She then said in defeated tone.

"Never mind. Forget it, I doubt I'll get a decent answer from you anyway. However, I wanted to ask."

"Hm? What is it?"

"Lancell, why did you choose to walk the Heroic Path? Even though you aren't exactly a good guy."

'The reason I became a Hero, huh?'

"Well, it was because the Heroic Path allows you to condense a Divine Weapon. They're absurdly powerful, so it was a waste not to jump on the opportunity."

"That's it?"

"That's there is to it."

She was surprised at my answer as her eyes widened. However, she soon recovered and started laughing as she covered her mouth.

"Fufu...Haha...ahahahahaa..."

Her shoulders were trembling as she tried to suppress her laughter. After a while of laughing, she spoke.

"...Haha... Now that was epic. If the Heroic Order heard that their famous 'Lancelot' only became a Hero just for a Divine Weapon, they might faint in shock, Haha...Really, you're an interesting guy."

"Says the weirdo of a princess..." I retorted.

"Who are you calling weirdo, I'm just loyal to my nature!"

"...okay."

"..."

Silence followed. We both fell silent for a while, and then She called out.

"Lancell."

"Yes?"

"One day... If I die, will you cry?"

I went silent. It was an unexpected question, but it somehow shook me a little. However...

"I don't know... In the first place, I'm not as sentimental as most people."

"Haha. Yeah, right. You're the kind of asshole who just accepts everything, right. You don't even resent people.... That's why... I hope you hate me one day..." She said. And then everything clicked together as I finally realized.

'I see... No wonder it felt like deja vu.'

I realized it just now. From the strange feeling present the whole time, I somehow realized.

"This is a dream, huh?"

The moment I said that, I woke up...

...

I gently opened my eyes as a familiar ceiling filled my vision. It seems the sun had just risen, as some of the sunlight that entered from the window was dyed orange.

SIGH...

I involuntarily heaved a sigh as I recalled the dream earlier.

'Hate me my ass. As if I could do that, idiot.'

It was impossible to hate her. She was simply that charismatic despite being a wilful character. Seriously, that charisma's wasted on her.

'Come to think of it, what was her name again?..'

It was almost a decade since she died, and I was busy fighting for my life most days. It wasn't really strange for a non sentimental guy like me to forget.

'Oh yeah...It was...If I remember right... Aria Selvenia.'

But still, I managed to remember her name. Perhaps she really might be that charismatic.

'Well, I better start my day.'

And so, without wasting any more time, I rose and headed into the courtyard.

...

SLASH!...SLASH!...SLASH!...SLASH!...SLASH!...

I swung my sword again, countless times for a few hours. And finally, I raised Arkenvalle overhead as I brought it down for a final slash.

SLASH!!!

The winds parted as I slashed with full vigour. As for why, it was because just now, Severing Blade Levelled up to Level 5.

The breakthrough made my senses and body control a bit sharper, and I even felt Arkenvalle's connection with me get stronger.

And so, as I had achieved what I wanted for today, I stopped training as it was time to teach my students.

...

"Lancell! How do I predict an enemy's movements? No matter how I try, I can't pull it off."

"Be patient in regards to that, Rayle. Anticipating your enemies' movements beforehand is something built from experience."

"So I can't learn it no matter what?"

"No." I denied.

'Actually, you can, but with your intellect, it'll be really difficult, and I don't wanna bother myself further.' I added in my mind.

It was another day for theoretical lessons, while their practice for mana manipulation were going well. It seems at this rate, they'll be able to start cultivating their own Paths to Tread.

I kept instructing them, and when I saw they got the hang of it, I then left them to their own devices. I didn't want to guide them too much.

...

I sat near the river as I tried to settle my mind. I had already noticed earlier, but it seems the dream from this morning was affecting me mentally. I didn't know what this was, but the sudden urge to see princess Aria was a bit strong.

'Haha...I guess I'm excited to see an old friend...Even though she doesn't actually know me yet. I guess even I can get a bit sentimental. Well, I blame that charisma of hers though.'

I listened to the calming tune of the riverflow while thinking. Fate was really strange. A week ago, I was accompanying mom near the river, but now I was troubled here, alone. However...

"So? Won't come out already? I know you're there behind the bushes, Rayle."

The bushes that was located 20 feet away behind me suddenly rustled as a head poked out. It was Rayle.

"A-Ahahaha. I got found out."

"What are you doing here?" I asked him. He scratched his head as he answered. "Actually...I got curious where you usually vanish to after your lessons so..." He said while his voice lowered as he spoke.

"I see. So you thought I was fighting, so you followed me?"

"That's it!" He replied. I dashed to his side as I landed a punch on his head. *SMACK!*

"Ow ow oww... Hey! That hurt!" He complained as he held his head that now had a bump on it.

"Rather than complaining, think about why you were hit."

"But thinking won't make me stronger!" He stated with defiance to my statement.

I palmed my face as I worried about this kid's future.

'Well, he should be fine. As long as he finishes my training and starts cultivating.' I thought.

"Lancell, what are you doing here, anyway? Is it really fun watching water?"

"Of course not."

"Then why?"

"Hmm...I can't explain it, but you'll understand if you grow up."

"Boo! We're just the same age yet you act like a grown up!"

"Well, I am stronger than you, after all. Come on, lets go back. Oh, and tell the others to gather. I want to tell them something." I said.

"Got it!" Rayle accepted with glee.

Well, the mana plague should be completely gone by now, and I even delayed it for three days just to make sure. But now, it was time to hunt for food.