*** 

As Kallistos went out of the Marquis’ study he pondered to himself ‘A war? Does this have anything to do with the massacre that our village had experienced?’ Kallistos’ blood ran cold as he remembered the tragedy that fell on his village. He shook his head to clear his mind and started waiting.

Kallistos waited outside for Henry. As he was waiting he looked around the hall. Everything in the estate was lavish and extravagant.

 ‘I bet if I sold one of these paintings it could feed a family of ten for a year’ Kallistos thought to himself. He saw how vastly different life as a commoner and a noble was. Kallistos was deep in thought until he saw a mysterious figure pass by, wary and curious, Kallistos went to see who the mysterious figure was but as he went to look the mysterious figure had vanished.

‘Who was that and how did they mysteriously vanish from thin air’ Kallistos pondered, he could sense a tiny amount of mana that the mysterious figure left behind, such a small amount that it would mostly be unrecognizable to the untrained eye. The mana led to a wide hallway leading to a dead end. 

The hallway displayed numerous portraits of several heroes that came from the Valentin family and at the end of the hallway hanged the portrait of the first Matriarch of the Valentin Marquisate, the co-founder of Etheria Empire, and one of the Great Heroes that protected this world, Aurelia De Valentin, the mana led to the portrait, it looked like the mysterious figure went inside it, Kallistos took a step closer to examine the portrait

“There you are Kallistos” Henry appeared, startling Kallistos.

“What are you doing here” Henry asked Kallistos

“I thought I saw a mysterious person walk here but they disappeared” Kallistos answered 

“A mysterious person?” Henry was befuddled but as he scanned the room for traces of mana he couldn’t find anything

“I don’t sense anyone that has been here other than you” 

“What?!?!” Kallistos tried to examine the area again but the faint mana trail that he followed was gone in an instant

“But I swear-“

“Maybe it was just a figment of your imagination, no suspicious could ever enter the marquisate without me knowing” Henry reassured Kallistos

“It might have been due to your fatigue from the journey” Henry added

‘Maybe I was just imagining things’ Kallistos thought to himself

“Come on let me show you your room so you could get some rest” 

***

“Here is your new room. We already furnished the room and Amelia has already organized everything you need in the doom but you can still design it however you like” Henry led Kallistos into a furnished room. Inside the room there was a desk filled with gifts, further right there was a wardrobe filled with clothes and uniforms. Beside the door there was also a wooden book shelf filled with books. 

Kallistos was amazed at the size of the room because even though he had a room to himself in his old home, it was cramped and barely fitted a bed and wardrobe.

“Is this all for me?” Still in disbelief Kallistos asked Henry

“This is a standard room of an apprentice Knight of the Valentin’s” Henry stated proudly

“we value each and every member of our staff” Henry added

“But the books here are from Amelia and I, it is to help you gain further understanding on mana, so do your best” Henry ruffled Kallistos’ hair, being fond of the boy

“Thank you so much, I will do my best” Kallistos stated enthusiastically 

“Oh before I forget I have something important to give you” Henry pulled out a potion from his pouch

“What is this for sir Henry?” Kallistos asked, confused as Henry handed him a mysterious potion

“It’s for your eyes” Henry stated

“My eyes?” Kallistos asked still confused

“The Marquis gave me that potion so you could change your eye color, the effects last for a week, so this much would be enough for 2 months”

“Although in the village your eyes won’t pose any threat since people there don’t believe in your kind but here you will be instantly hunted for slavery”

“My kind? What do you mean sir Henry?” Kallistos asked puzzled on what Henry wanted to tell him

“Haven’t your parents told you?” Henry was shocked to learn that Kallistos was not made aware of his kind

“Tell me what exactly sir Henry?” 

“You are an Alexandrian Kallistos” 

“You mean like an Alexandrian like the merpeople from the fairytales?”

“They are not fairytales Kallistos, although they are in hiding due to their decline, you yourself are proof that merpeople exist”

“Your eyes although from afar looks like regular blue eye, but unlike humans you have gemstone like pupils, one of the reason why your kind are hunted down” Henry explained further

“I am perplexed that your parents kept this a secret from you” Henry added

“They might not have known” Kallistos told Henry while looking on the floor with a sad expression

“What do you mean Kallistos?” Henry asked confused by the revelation

“My parents are not my biological parents” Kallistos stated 

“Well that explains it” Henry sighs and patted the boy

“Even though you were not their own, I believe that they have loved you like one or else you wouldn’t have grown to be who you are now” Henry comforted the boy. Kallistos remembered his parents and a tear fell down involuntarily. Kallistos wiped the tear and put a brave face

“Anyways, since you are also unfamiliar with your ancestry I will try and gather some books for you since it is crucial for you to learn about your heritage as you learn magic swordsmanship” 

“Thank you sir Henry, for everything” 

“No problem kid” Henry ruffled the boys head once more 

“Now rest up, training starts early tomorrow” Henry informed Kallistos before leaving.

***

A couple minutes passed, Kallistos changed his attire, slumping his body on the bed ready to sleep until he noticed a shadow walk past the door, curious Kallistos got up to examine. He grabbed his sword, opened the door and…

To be continued…