Chapter 11: Forsaken

"What's wrong? You look pale," Erica asks me.

I force a smile. "Nothing, just tired from the duel. If you'll excuse me, I have to go home to rest." I leave without saying anything further.

When I get home, my mom opens the door. "Oliver, welcome home. How was the party?"

"It was fine, Mom," I reply, forcing a smile, but my mother sees through me.

"What's wrong, Oliver? Did something happen at the party?" my mother asks, full of worry.

My smile crumbles. "Mom, we need to talk. Let's go inside." I then follow her and tell my mother everything that happened, except for the fact that the patriarch chose to move us away because of Erica.

My mother smiles gently. "I know it's hard leaving your friends, but moving away from David and his threats has given me peace of mind."

"I just wish our family hadn't forsaken us because of my lack of talent." I clench my fists as my determination to succeed rises to a whole new level.

We chat a little, and I go to my room where I find a book on my desk. I open it and read the title: "Divine Harmony Cycle." As I flip through the pages, I realize that it divides the body into seven cycles, each cycle moving in harmony with the others. As I reach the end, I read the last line: "This technique takes 54 minutes per mana cycle." The bad news is it was 30 pages long.

My eyes widen. Fifty-four minutes—that's six minutes better than the best-known mana circulation technique. That's a huge difference. A 10% difference means that if you train for 10 years with it, it's like you trained 11 years with the best mana circulation technique. And the difference gets more pronounced the longer you train.

I start to memorize the technique eagerly. After two days, I have memorized the whole book. I didn't sleep, and it was as if the patriarch knew I had finished memorizing it—he appeared in my room.

"I hope you've finished memorizing it because it is time for you to go," the patriarch said with a stoic expression.

"Yes, I memorized it. Can I at least say goodbye to my friends?"

The patriarch shrugged. "You can write them a letter. Also, say that Sir Aric helped you to escape when you write to Erica. He is in on this."

I smile a little, at least I get to say goodbye. I finish writing my letters and then say, "I am ready."

The patriarch burns the book and places a hand on my solar plexus. I don't feel anything, and he says, "Done."

He then throws a ring at me. "Here, use this to hide your sword. You can consider it compensation for the house. You can get your mother to use it since you still can't control mana. Also, here is a letter from Aric; he insisted I give it to you."

He continues, "Now then, someone will come to pick you and your mother up in five minutes. Goodbye, little boy. It's very unlikely that we will meet again."

Sitting on my chair, holding the letter, I sigh. I open the letter and start reading.

"Hey there, Oliver. I know things are difficult for you now, but believe me, maybe that's better. You have talent with the sword that I have never seen before. So don't get depressed. Maybe someday you will be known as the best swordsman out there. Also, you can live your life better in the branch family—you won't have to worry about offending some spoiled brat there. And a final gift to you: there is a blacksmith named Luther. I have marked his location on a map in the letter. You can go find him to take care of that sword you have. He owes me a favor, so show him this letter and he will help you, no questions asked. Next, I will tell you what to do when you can finally feel the mana moving inside your body.... And that's it, Oliver. Never neglect your swordsmanship. Who knows, we might meet again. Take care of yourself, Oliver."

My heart warms as I finish the letter. Although the family has banished me due to my core talent, there are some good people in it.

I hear a knock on our house door and sigh. I guess it is time.

I go outside with my mother. There is a black and white carriage with a person wearing black opening the door. "My lady, young master, if you will please enter the carriage," he says as he bows a little and gestures with his hand.

We go inside, and the carriage starts moving on its own with the man sitting on the driver's seat and a blue crystal in his hand.

The environment around us blurs and shifts as if we are moving at tremendous speed, but my mother and I can't feel a thing. It's quite marvelous.

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***Alvin***

I place down the letter and sigh. Just what kind of family banishes its members because they won a fair bet?

Damn it, Oliver, you had to offend that petty commander.

I sigh, feeling helpless.

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***Erica***

Just why? I feel frustrated as I put the letter down.

Why didn't you tell me? I could have helped you. Why?

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***Sir Aric***

Take care, kid. I hope you can discover your path.