3 Just Fancy Scum

In the event that you are reincarnated, do not, and I repeat, do not become disheartened should you become a pariah. You should definitely try to remember that you still have been given a second chance to get it right this time. Being a pariah doesn't mean you have to give up. Take me for example.

Here I am in a seven year old body just walking along through the market outside of the castle walls. As always, I'm minding my own business as I head towards the Captain's barracks for my daily training sessions. As I walk, I am aware that people are stopping to look at me and whisper certain little gossips and rumors. It's no different today than any other day.

Mostly I hear the same statements like 'Can't believe the Lord didn't banish him. He's so dangerous.', 'I heard that the Lord almost executed him on the spot at his acclamation', or 'Don't look honey, he could kill you and not even mean to.'

Small minded people... They are so afraid, that they forget to see the truth that they already should know. As a seven year old, I can't wield my acclaimed element until it's awakening on the moment I turn eight years old. Of course, they all know that today is that day, although it isn't until later this evening. I suppose they may have a reason to fear me, but I am confident that I will have more control than they think. I mean, technically, I am forty seven years old just trapped in a seven year old body.

I've learned a few things since my acclamation. Obviously I can speak fluently which came much faster than everyone anticipated along with every other mile stone like walking, eating on my own, bathroom time, you know, the standards. I've even picked up the use of wielding war axes in both hands.

War axes are about seventy-six centimeters in length with a double sided axe-head that is approximately thirty-eight centimeters in length. The blades are relatively twenty centimeters in width. Wielding them is no different than wielding swords in both hands except that the weight is very off balance. It requires me to have an increase in upper body strength.

I won't lie. I haven't been much for the academics. Not that I'm incapable. I was rather quite the intellectual in my past life, but I wanted to take life by the horns this time. That being said, I have devoted even my studies to learning about war and battle tactics, weapon skills, and martial arts.

As I entered the barracks, I heard the familiar sounds of battle cries and the clanging of steel against steel. I suddenly had a blade being swung at me poised to decapitate me, but I was quick to react. I dropped and swiftly did a sweeping kick at the ankle of my assailant, and, as he fell, I caught the hilt of his sword. I flipped it into my grip and pointed the tip of it at his throat.

"Haha! Great reflexes, but you failed to pay attention." The captain stated with a mischievous grin after the last half of his words came out.

I immediately became alarmed just before being knocked sideways hard onto the ground by an adversary I never saw. It was Lieutenant Bruhom, a rather brutish fellow who wields a greatsword. I wasn't hurt except my pride. I slowly stood up.

"Little Z, you gotta pay attention. You would have just lost your life in a real battle." Bruhom said with his deep voice that sounded like a mountain god and a grizzly bear had a brutish man child. He then helped the captain to his feet.

"Thank you, Bruhom. You've earned an extra cinnamon delight at dinner tonight." The Captain stated.

"Hell yeah, boss. Thank you." Bruhom cheerfully grinned before stepping away with new found energy.

I looked at the Captain and he grinned, "It actually was his idea. I just approved it."

I wasn't too happy because my hip had a bruise now. I'm certain of it. To make matters worse, I had just been bested by one of lowest of intelligence in the whole brigade.

"Yeah well, he caught me off guard. He won't succeed next time." I stated confidently.

"That's the spirit!" The Captain laughed heartily before turning to head to the practice arena.

I followed diligently. As we entered the open courtyard, I noticed that there was this new girl who was about my age. She was twirling what seemed like a simple stick to me. Her maneuvers looked offensive but I felt like they were not capable of inflicting damage.

"Say hello to Sehaela Veyren." The Captain stated as we approached the girl who swiftly put away her staff, but in a way I didn't expect. It seemed to collapse into a small baton and clipped onto her waist.

"Is this Zetrion's supposed abomination for a grandson? He looks like a normal kid to me." Sehaela stated flatly with her arms folded.

'Great... Another mindless gossiper...' I thought with a sigh.

"Now now, you shouldn't go about spilling rumors without good reason. I may be a Captain of the guard, but I know a little bit about etiquette."

"The pleasure is all mine." I said with a sarcastic smirk as I stuck out my hand to shake hers.

"Hmmph, indeed." Sehaela scoffed as she reached to shake my hand.

"Now that's more like it. After all, sparring partners should at least know how to get along."

"Do what?!" I exclaimed

"You've got to be joking..." Sehaela groaned.

"Nope, afraid not. I don't know why you are complaining Sehaela. You've already awakened to your acclaimed element. Zionai here has not, but will this evening. I've already got the approval for you two to spar until then. Remember, Sehaela no killing the Lord's grandson. Zi, don't let your confidence get you hurt." The Captain stated with a grin, completely uncaring for our obvious discontent.

"Now if you'll excuse me, I've got some rallying to do. Lord's orders. He's seemed rather anxious lately and I don't want to displease him."

With that he turned and left immediately. We were left now together alone with only one order, spar.

"You're not so intimidating." Sehaela stated with a haughty grin.

"Oh yeah? Put your weapon to work instead of your mouth." I said and drew my war axes from my hip holsters.

She immediately reopened her satchel and pulled out her stick which immediately expanded.

"Your fancy stick is useless." I stated as I took my stance.

"Stick? It's called a staff, you idiot!" She replied before making a pulling motion with her off hand.

Instantly, I felt a strong gust of wind hit my back which flung me forwards to her where she promptly hit me square in the jaw with her stick which hurt way worse than I expected.

"Ugh!" I exclaimed before dropping low and sweeping her feet, but, when I made contact, she gracefully laid on her back in mid air before standing up and delivering another wack to the back of my head.

"Gah! What in the world are you doing?"

"Isn't it obvious? I'm kicking your ass by combining my element with my fighting art."

"Not fair at all." I grumbled under my breath, "I assume your an air head then."

She immediately turned angry. "Don't call me that! The wind is powerful and invisible. I'm a tier one Warmage, you're just a brawler. You can insult me when you can beat me. Ha, I'm waiting?" She bragged and made a taunting 'come and get it' hand gesture.

I was angered intensely by what she said. I knew exactly what she meant by saying she was a tier one Warmage and calling me a brawler. A warmage is a person who is trained in the art of war and magic, combining the two harmoniously.

To be blunt, a brawler was someone with absolutely no magical prowess and was all brute no brains, literally cannon fodder. Needless to say, she'd insulted me.

As far as boasting about being a tier one, she wasn't really that impressive. A tier one was the bottom of the ranks. There are in fact seven known tiers with seventh being the most powerful. Tier one? Pfft... I'm so scared...

"Tier one, eh? So you're just fancy scum!" I stated before launching at her prepared now for what she might throw at me.