*If you enjoyed reading the Immortal General, please join the official discord: https://discord.gg/DdWKGegv7g
After breakfast, Arlan met with Miss Petrah in her office. Unlike the worn-out bedroom and hallways, this room was maintained. Arlan sat across from the caregiver in a wooden quaint chair. His feet barely reached the floor. Miss Petrah had wanted to discuss with the boy what to do from here. Her soft elegant hands shifted documents around before finally speaking. “Arlan, you gave off a very... dangerous feeling this morning.”
“It’s survival instincts.”
“That’s great, it helps you stay safe.”
“You appear to understand it while most people would be afraid.” Arlan pointed out.
“When I entered the bedroom, your eyes were fixated on my every move.” said Miss Petrah while she held a smile. “I recognize that look. Have you killed people, Arlan?” A brief moment of silence grabs hold of Arlan’s voice.
She’s pretty calm asking such a question.
“I’m not going to hurt you or the children if you’re wondering.” Arlan wanted to make that clear.
“I know. You would’ve killed me after I answered your questions this morning.” smiled Miss Petrah.
“You’re not going to ask me to leave?”
“Of course not. I want you to stay here. Are you eleven or twelve?”
“I’m twelve.” Arlan was confused how he knew, “Dunno when I was born though.”
“Let’s use the day you came to the orphanage as your birthday, the 12th Day, Fifth Month of 1240 Mundeas.” Miss Petrah sounded excited.
“Why would that be of importance?” inquired Arlen.
“Duke Louis Reeve, provides for all orphanages in the Northeastern Region. In return, he has one rule for orphans to-”
“Leave when they turn fourteen?” Arlan interrupted, “JD told me earlier.”
“Correct! On your fourteenth birthday, an aide from House Reeves will take you to Galdo City. The aide will assist you in picking a vocation. They even give you a few silver coins.”
Silver coins must be the currency.
“House Reeves must be well off right?” asked Arlan.
“Kids are usually excited for free coins!” joked Miss Petrah, “Among all the houses, House Reeves is the third most powerful in Midland.”
A program that gives orphans a place to live while nurturing them to become a productive citizen. The orphans eventually add to the economy and tax revenue while garnering public support from his subjects. Two birds and one stone. Bravo, Duke Louis Reeve.
“But I plan to leave here next week.”
“Please stay here.” begged Miss Petrah. “Most vocations require you to be at least fourteen. You won’t have a way to support yourself.”
Normally, I’d be fine but my survival training was done on Terra with my stronger body. Staying here would be the safe bet while I’d be taking unnecessary chances out there.
“I don’t kn-”
“You were unconscious at the front door last night!” worried Miss Petrah, “Whoever brought you here must've had their reasons.” Arlan hesitated for a brief moment before responding.
“Maybe to hide me from danger? That trouble may find it’s way here.”
“No one will hurt you here or the other children, I promise.” Her protective gaze had fallen onto Arlan, “I took an oath ten years ago. That oath binds me to never turn away a child and to love them unconditionally as a mother would. Please don’t leave here.”
Amber feelings rose in my chest. Is this what it’s like to have a mother? She could cradle a child’s broken heart and heal it. Back on Terra, my family gave me up after I was born. The Terran military sent me to the military academy. My real family were my soldiers and instructors. But none of them were like a mother to me.
“Miss Petrah... You barely know me though.” Arlan’s emotions overwhelmed his control, “But I’ll stay until I’m fourteen.” Arlan said as he got up to leave.
The saint could see Arlan struggling to fight his emotions. She rushes over and embraces Arlan with her angelic arms. The little boy’s tears rained down her cheeks. The two held on until Arlan regained control of his emotions. The child then excused himself and left the office.
This form of warfare was unfamiliar to the former general. Arlan’s first ever battle on Althea, resulted in a loss.
I’ve never experienced these feelings before. Did they come with this body or have I always been able to feel this?
Arlan’s face was a mess. He walked past a few rooms into a bathroom he had seen earlier. After scanning the room, he found a counter with wash buckets. Surprising Arlan, the water wasn’t dirty. Scooping water with both hands, he dove his face into the small ocean in his palms. Now refreshed, he decided to gather himself and review his thoughts.
I have four objectives. First, bring myself back to peak combat levels. Need to test the limits of my now fragile body. The recoil from core usage could kill me. Physical training should help offset that.
Second, I will study the Althea history book. It contains information about this land, culture and its people. That intel is crucial. I’ll start after dinner tonight.
Third, prepare to be here for a long time. I don’t even know if returning to Terra is possible. I may be stuck here for the rest of my life. I have to plan for that. After I’ve read the history book thoroughly, multiple plans can be formulated.
I didn’t realize how impossible this entire predicament has been. Stuck in a child’s body, in a fantasy world that has monsters. I guess I can’t be more surprised.
After cleaning his face in the bathroom, Arlan made his way towards the front door in the main hall. Although the manor had three other entryways, the main entrance was the only one unlocked. Laughter and voices had echoed from beyond the old fashioned oak door. Filled with resolve, Arlan opens the door into Althea for the first time.
The sun beamed down from the noon position. No clouds dare challenge this genial day. Arlan breathes in the open air before scanning his environment. The manor was situated in a meadow encompassed by steppe hills in all directions.
Terra suffered from overpopulation, so land was developed for efficient resource usage. So this is a rare sight. Although it feels surreal, it’s a really beautiful sight.
Front of the manor featured a small grass yard defended by a waist high cobblestone fence. Children decorated the yard and beyond only separated by cliches.
Arlan wanted to investigate his bearings with the compass he wore. Holding the instrument steady, the arrow pointed north to his left. Meaning the manor had faced east. A small forest to the north was a ripe location for testing his abilities. He walked just ten steps before he channeled essence into his legs. No one had seen Arlan blur into a sprint covering two hundred meters in just over twenty seconds. An impressive feat for an eleven year old child.
Not bad for a small body. I used to be able to cover it in fifteen seconds.
Once shrouded by the forest, Arlan began augmenting his entire body. He planned to test his strength. He found a large enough tree that was easily two stories high and three feet in diameter. The tree towered over the young lad as if proposing the challenge.
Arlan let out a sigh and assumed a striking stance while augmenting his entire body with five percent of his core essence. His right arm cocks back for room to build momentum. Like time had skipped a frame, Arlan’s right fist instantly struck the tree dead center. The epicenter of his fist cratered the tree by a whole foot. Leaves were falling from the force.
I wasn’t expecting this much force.
Satisfied with the results, Arlan traced his steps back to the manor. He noticed a group of big kids all staring at him. JD ran towards Arlan with a concerned look.
Comments (0)
See all