The first change was that the Duke had decided to teach me swordsmanship, and I found myself training with a wooden sword every morning and afternoon, repeating the same basic movements until I collapsed. Due to storing less mana in their bodies than they used to earlier, the art of swinging a sword had been made as fine-tuned and efficient as possible. Being able to maximize the power output and minimize exhaustion and mana consumption was something unheard of back in my time, but now, it was considered the norm for a skilled warrior.
Father taught me how to slash, stab, parry, and swing with a sword in the most effective way possible. He coached me on a technique that he'd refined himself called 'Lion's Agony', and it utilized precise movements to imbue a lot of power into each swing. It had its fair share of flaws but for a peaceful era such as this, it was enough to win almost any duel.
I held back in showing off my past swordsmanship before him, considering how I claimed to have never been trained before, but I made use of my knowledge to make the most of what he taught me. Although every slash, stab, parry, and swing was something I was used to, my new body was very different from my old one, and I had to learn from scratch to avoid cutting myself by accident.
The second change was how Mother began to teach me about mage-craft and mana manipulation. She wasn't a swordsman like Father, nor was she a wizard, but rather, a dabbler in both. I learned a lot of basic spells and enchantments from her and noted how they were way better than the spells I knew. She was a creative teacher, and her lessons were easy for me to follow, while Elaise and Emma watched on.
Due to the ability to store mana in the human body reducing greatly over time, just like with swordsmanship, mage-craft also became more refined and efficient.
From what my parents taught me, my first idea was that combat between equally ranked mana-users was now either a battle of attrition or one of assassination. But watching the Duke's men duel, I saw that it was not the case. Their precise movements, aggressive training, and smart use of mana were something that would easily rival someone from two hundred years ago with the same colored core. Putting together the best of the two eras would definitely make one a formidable opponent to anyone.
What a nice thought. But I could get used to this. It's not as boring as it was before I blew up.
I continued this altered lifestyle for a year after the disastrous banquet. I suppose it was because of the fiasco I instigated last time, but after that day, I never attended another event organized by anyone with my parents.
***
On the morning of Mesgen's eleventh birthday, I sat on the ground before my bed, examining the wings on my back. They had grown to almost three times their original size, but I was now able to control them better. It was easier to flatten them on my back, and I managed to pass an entire year without getting caught by anyone.
I hadn't yet made any progress on the color of my mana, but that much was expected. It was harder to train at night as rest was mandatory with Father's harsh routines and Mother's endless explanations.
Hugo knocked on the door, and I hurriedly put on a shirt as he entered.
"Young Master, please accept the summons to meet your Father in his study." He spoke in a manner I found rather odd and fidgeted with his collar. Something was definitely going on.
I quickly finished tucking in my shirt and followed behind him to Father's office, where my parents were waiting at the table.
"Good morning, Father, Mother." I greeted them. Mother smiled at me and Father returned the salutation.
"You must be wondering why you were sent for," Father began, "Mesgen, it is your eleventh birthday today. Most children your age would still be with a black mana-core and studying in school. But, you are at a stage far more advanced than them. Even when I reached orange-core, I was 16 and had already started taking on quests."
I couldn't quite sense where this was going.
"You are aware that at age thirteen, most noble children attend the Lewelin Academy right?"
"Yes, Father."
"Meggie, we don't intend to let you live out your entire childhood being tutored at home. So in two years, you will attend that place with others your age." Mother explained.
Going to school? Damn, what a waste of time. School's for losers.
"But forcing you to do only as we please would be unfair." Mother continued. "So we decided that for the next two years, you may do as you please, be it lazing around at home, moving to another one of our residences, or even going out to explore the world. We can afford you two years of freedom."
What? Two years to do as I please? Jackpot. Hell yes. With TWO WHOLE YEARS, I could do ANYTHING.
"Do you have any requests? You can take your time to decide on what you wish to do." Father finished.
Getting answers to questions just by using the library isn't enough. I never got to speak properly with Teresa, or meet any of our supposed 'Children'. I also have many questions regarding Emperor Harman's appearance, and the birthmark that he passed on to his daughter.
I still need to know why the cultivation of mana regressed, and why the full-body method called Framing was never recorded in history. There was also the question of why Teresa and the other elves who were alive when Framing was used do not speak of it now.
And I could also hope to try and figure out why I reincarnated into a body with the Wings of Karr.
"Let me leave this residence alone. I want to explore the world, Father, and see it for myself." I replied.
"Hmmm, not a moment's hesitation." Mother muttered and looked down at her lap.
"Very well. You may leave in a week's time. I wish you good luck in your exploits." Father sighed and stood up, and walked towards a wooden panel on the wall. He placed his left hand on it and muttered an incantation before pushing his arm into the wood like it was water, and pulling out a sheathed sword.
"This weapon was used by my brother, the emperor when he was younger, and by our father before him. Its name is Callon, and it is an heirloom wielded by the eldest son of the Kim family, dating back to the first emperor Regil Kimaron. I will let this tradition live and give this to you." Father handed me the sword.
As soon as it touched my hands, it glowed and shrunk to a length and weight that was more manageable for me. I flinched in surprise, but Father's blank expression told me this was normal.
The scabbard was made of a light wood with a black leather finish, and married the shiny black blade it held. The sword was entirely black except for a light grey harlequin pattern that ran down its hilt. It was a beautiful work of art, and I admired it as I held it in my hand. It was made with much care and was a weapon that was both majestic to behold and convenient for use.
As I scanned the elegant weapon, I was suddenly hugged from behind and dropped it due to my surprise.
Mother dug her face into my shoulder, kneeling on the floor behind me, crying gently.She held me tightly, shaking gently as she sobbed, and Father - very surprisingly I might add - knelt down and hugged me too, ignoring the fallen weapon. He didn't cry like his wife, but it was obvious that he too was not overjoyed to hear my decision.
A man from beyond time...
A murder from long ago...
A betrayal and a burning grudge...
He shouldn't have been born again.
But then again who can resist the desire for revenge?
The Ravian world has been peaceful for too long, and what better to light the sparks of war than peace and quiet?
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