Odd Boy

In a dimly lit room bathed in the warm glow of flickering candles, a woman lay on a bed with her head propped up by soft pillows. White sheets stained with blood covered her upper body as she struggled through the process of childbirth. Sweat beaded on her forehead as she gasped and panted, her legs spread wide apart. Bent over her waist, a lady in white clothes with a tense expression urged her on.

"Push! Keep pushing!" she exclaimed.

The woman on the bed took a deep breath, her face contorted in agony as she bore down.

The painful process continued for hours, until finally, a cry rang out and a man burst into the room. He had a ruddy complexion and long, black hair with bushy eyebrows and pitch-black pupils. Beads of sweat glistened on his skin, a testament to his anxiety and worry.

At the sight before him, his heart swelled with delight and his brow furrowed in relief. The woman on the bed had her arms around the new life that lay cradled in her embrace. Delight shone in her eyes as she gazed upon the newborn, gently wrapping it in soft cloth.

The infant's cries gradually subsided as it settled into its mother's arms, cocooned in a warm blanket. The man knelt on the floor beside her, planting a tender kiss on her forehead as they both gazed upon their new arrival.

"Isn't he beautiful?" the woman whispered.

"He is, just like you," the man replied, his eyes filling with tears as he cradled the baby in his arms.

"His name will be Keir Gaelic Garcia," the father said proudly.

Time passed, and Keir grew from an infant to a toddler and then into a teenager. On the surface, he appeared to be a normal child, but something guided him, something otherworldly. A voice spoke to him every day, a second consciousness gifted or cursed upon him since birth.

Keir was his mother's and father's first child, and they had no experience with how a child should behave. So, they never suspected that their son was different.

Keir's upbringing was unconventional, considering the wealth and fame of his parents. He lived in a forest somewhere on the continent of Raim, which was ruled by the Raim Monarch. Keir's father had a blood relation with the monarch, and thus, Keir had to learn to live in the forest during the day and practice sword fighting at night.

He stayed in the trees and hunted weak animals for food, while his father taught him about survival and swordsmanship. His father also warned him of the dangers lurking in the outside world, beyond the forest.

For an ordinary child, home meant sturdy walls, smooth floors, a warm bed, and a table to eat on. For Keir, home was entirely different. His home was a forest without boundaries, thick with dense trees, flowing water, and chilly winds. He slept in caves or on trees, feasting on tough flesh, bathing in cold water, and walking on rough and stony ground.

Kins visited the forest a few times a year to teach Keir about the sword and survival, and sometimes he learned about forging. Keir's mother, Gracia, taught him about the currency of the continent and politics, as well as all he knew about books. He only saw his mother during the summers.

However, this idyllic existence could not last forever. The children of Raim left their parents and homes to venture into the world and learn about a mysterious energy called Qi. Qi was a power that could enhance a person's physical strength, durability, and mind, as well as increasing their lifespan. People who