Unknowing Headaches

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Hourglass News

April 4, 17UE

For the final closing remarks of his son's funeral, the Leader of the Demi-onic Lion Clan has announced that a tournament will be held in the honor of his son. Named the Tournament of Pride, young warriors no older than his son's age can participate for glory, reputation and a reward. The tournament is set to begin one year from now.

...

Local news:

The murderer is still on the loose. With his first believed kill to happen over a year ago, his murders have continued to appear appearing all over the territory of Count LeMonc. With his signature murder consists of murdering his victim before stealing their items, always leaving behind a single large hole in the victim's chest.

With his murders seemingly accelerating over the past six months and the location of the murders seemingly getting closer to the city where the Count resides in, Trillium. In response to this, the Count has greatly increased security around the city as well as a few 'other measures' as stated by his son, Kaiser LeMonc.

...

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[Arius POV]

"Ok, time to get started!"

Maybe I was too excited or nervous to start the day because looking outside, I could tell that Grampa definitely wouldn't be awake right now. Getting off my bed, I head downstairs.

'Dakria, what should I do right now?'

'What do you think? Remember that you've set yourself another new goal again.'

'You're right! Let's go to the Craftsman Guild. It's day one of seven.'

Running outside, I feel the wind flowing through my hair. Seeing that there wasn't anyone on the streets so early in the morning, I just ran without paying much attention. Unlike Erlabyn, there were many lamposts across the street keeping it bright enough for me to see.

"Do do dodo, ah the wind is so nic-AAH!"

Bang!

Suddenly, as I turn the corner, I feel my head impact solid metal. With a bang, I feel my head rock back as I fall to the ground.

"OUCH!"

"Who is it?! Identify yourself!"

Shiiiinng

Looking up, I see someone holding a lamp. Hearing that their question wasn't answered, I hear the sound of someone drawing a sword. Scurrying to my feet, I quickly back away.

"I'm sorry, I'm sorry. You don't need to hurt me.

"RAISE YOUR HANDS IN THE AIR!!"

"Ok, ok!"

'...'

"Oh, wait. It's you."

As the person with the lamp stepped closer, I see a very familiar face lit by their lamp.

"You're that guard from the first day."

"And you're that brat that managed to offend the son of the Count."

"I'm still going to prove him wrong."

"A hopeless goal kid. What are you doing this early in the morning? Don't you know of the situation that's happening?"

"What's happening?"

"There have been murders happening in many of the towns around this city. The residents have been told to not wander at night as that is the time when they happen."

With a few chills running down my spine, I look around to see no one else on the street. I knew that the city is bad, back in Erlabyn, there was nothing like this. All the townsfolk were so kind and happy, we only needed to worry about the occasional monster that wandered its way near the town.

"Murders? That's scary. Aren't you scared too? You have to walk around during the night."

"Me? No, I don't worry. I'm a guard remember? I'm under the protection of the Count. If that criminal is so stupid as to kill one of the Count's guards, they would have to face the Count's wrath for damaging his reputation."

As the lady talked, she shined the lamp over the symbol on her armour, as if she was showing it off. Looking at the symbol, that has appeared on more bad people than good, I don't really like it.

"except for her, all the others were bad..."

"Did you say something?"

"NO! Nothing, I got to go then. I don't have any more time to burn. Cya!"

"C-ya..."

Quickly running away, I see the Craftsman Guild from far away. Out of the few buildings that had light shining from them, the Craftsman Guild was one of the brightness. Walking inside, there were a lot fewer people than the last time I arrived. Still, there were quite a few adventurers here browsing through many catalogues and items. Arriving in front of the reception, I fiddle through my pockets before revealing the token that Master Doherty had given me.

I had to reach over the counter to give the receptionist the token as she looked like she was about to fall asleep as well.

Taking the token from me, the sleepy receptionist slowly gets up and leads me down a hall where there were doors with many different numbers listed. arriving at door number seven. The receptionist takes out a key and opened the door.

Walking in, I see a room similar to the testing room where I took the entrance test. Seeing the piles of copper-ranked materials, I wear a smile on my face as I pick up a hammer and put on my gloves.

"Alright, time to make some items."

...

[Lorraine POV]

Shhhhiing Shhhhhiing

As I sharpened my blade across a wet block, I begin thinking about all the training(suffering) that I'd been through these past months. After my first quest as an adventurer left me recovering on my bed for 2 weeks, my master kept throwing me back into The Unending Graveyard, probably just to satisfy her demonic personality.

'At least I got my revenge on that undead mage.'

As much as I would love to complain about my master, Aegis truly is strong and I feel myself improving each day. Not to brag but after fighting hordes of undead, I've gained a pretty good combat instinct.

Taking a break, I look up to see my master laying down sleeping on one of the many couches in this room. Without her cloak on, I can see her hair that looked like feathers and her claw-like hands. I was surprised the first time she took off her cloak before me.

She said she was a Phoenix Demi-onic! Couldn't help but feel a little bit more respect for my master. From the many stories, I heard about phoenixes, they were magical creatures of incredible power, wisdom and majesty. My master had the power and wisdom and majesty, she was not.

Every so often, I would see her doing something weird for someone of her status. Sometimes, she ate food with her hands, other times I see her getting drunk off too much alcohol.

Bringing it back to me, my master talked to me about weapon mastery.

*Flashback*

"Weapon mastery? Don't I already have that with my skill?"

Bang!

Feeling a hit to the top of my head, I hold my head in pain as my master turns and around keeps talking to me.

"Ouch! What was that for Master?"

"Don't be too cocky just because you got good skills. Once your skill gets to your head, you'll become someone that everyone despises, plus your skill only gives you the foundations of weapon mastery."

"Wa?"

"Weapon mastery has many different levels separated by a few vague conditions. The first stage of mastering any weapon is the reach of the stage where you can comfortably use the weapon to do what you want it to do. Utility. That's the stage you're at currently."

"That's it-BANG!-OUCH!"

Feeling a second punch to the top of my head, I hold my head while crouching down. I could feel my eyes water a little bit as this hit was a lot harder than the previous one.

"The second stage is where your control is so good that it's like your weapon is a part of your body. Unity. While your skill may say that the weapon becomes a part of your body. You yourself have not thought of your weapon like that. That is the barrier to achieving Unity."

"Ok, then what's the next stage."

"Master the previous stage before learning of the next, else you'll aim too high and the wings you've so difficultly built with melt away."

"Why do you have to use some weird words sometimes?"

"Because it sounds cool and makes me feel more like a teacher."

"I got only one question to that Master. What kind of teacher would be teaching this when we're in the middle of an undead horde!!?"

...

*Flashback end*

Looking back at my sword, I gently wipe it before cleaning everything up. While I have reached Unity yet, my master has given me a few ideas to think about. One is to respect your blade. That's why I now diligently clean and sharpen my blade after every battle.

Ding Ding Ding!

Just as I sheath my blade, I hear the wind of chimes outside the window. I see my master wake up and quickly open the window to allow a small bird to come in. It was a bird used to send messages around. This one in particular was one that sent the daily newspaper to Master.

Taking the paper off the back of the bird, it quickly flies away with a treat. Master unravels the newspaper and starts reading. Before long, I see a sweet smile appear on her face. A smile that has given me much trouble and tears in the past.

"Lorraine, I've found the perfect opportunity for you."

...

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Aegis' Fun Fact: Once Unity is reached, a user is often committed to that weapon. Thus as the user gets stronger, a trusted craftsman will need to remake the sword with better materials. This changes once the user reaches the third stage of Weapon Mastery, Bond. From there, the weapon will slowly grow beside the user.