Chapter 44: Forged in Honor

“Elpis, wake up, it’s time for training!”

Opening his eyes, Elpis stared at the ceiling, too tired to even get up. But he knew that if he wanted it or not, it didn’t matter. So still sleepy, he got off his straw bed and went out of his small room, without changing his clothes. He didn’t have any others either way.

In the corridor, he saw seven other rooms, each belonging to one of his brothers. The kitchen was also in utter chaos, but it was like that every day. Allowing some little kids to make their own food wasn’t such a good idea.

Elpis rubbed one of his silver eyes, taking a deep breath before leaving the house.

Outside, a man was waiting for him, his teacher and general. The rude kind that had lost their hair from screaming. With their gray mustaches being longer than their whole face. And with their stomach sticking forward just like a pregnant lady. He didn’t know how he was recognized as worthy of teaching a younger generation, but his badges did the talking; he couldn’t complain.

He walked over to a box, taking a sheeted sword from it. Drawing it from his scabbard, his eyes stared intently at themselves in the gleaming silver of the blade.

After that, his teacher instructed him to his opponent, another child just like him. Fighting for the right to live.

Elpis took his stance, listening closely to his teacher’s words.

“Don’t you dare lose, if you really devoted yourself to honor, then show me!”

He nodded his head.

Dashing forward with his sword, he could hear the sound of two metal swords hitting each other. He knew it like his own heartbeat.

He dashed back, waiting for his opponent to strike forward. And when he saw his coming at him with the tip of his blade first, he waited for the perfect moment, bringing the sword down by his side, and when it was right about to strike him, he brought his sword up, deflecting his opponent’s attack, and leaving him all open.

Seeing that his enemy was caught unbalanced, he struck his foot, making him fall to the ground.

Not wasting a moment, he dashed on top of him. Ready to pierce him with his blade.

He hesitated, seeing tears that ran down his adversary’s face. But he reminded himself that he was doing this for his honor, and pierce his heart with his sword. Killing him, mercilessly.

He then walked to his teacher, who was clapping his hands for his victory, pleased with him.

“Another great battle. You’re truly one of a kind.”

Elpis nooded, his eyes staring emotionlessly at the dead body.

He had gotten used to seeing them. After all, killing was normal in the Thusia family. He had done it for his honor, and it mattered much more than another human’s life.

The Thusia family was well known for creating the strongest knights, with the main family living in the second Ring and with great power.

But when it came to the lower branches, it was different. They were ousted to the outskirts.

And the children were practically slaves, their fates being sealed the moment they were born. They either became bright knights, who were an image for honor and power, or died trying; there was no other option.

The idea that a knights’ pride and honor was absolute was roten in their minds, so that they didn’t object when it came to killing another, because it made them more honorable. Strength was honorable, and there was no shame in defeating someone weaker than you if it was for your honor.

Kids from the lower branches were taught young how to kill and fight, so that they could protect anyone they were assigned to. No matter how they did it, what they used, they had to protect who they were enslaved to.

Elpis was seen as one of a kind; he had been shaped to kill every time he drew his blade. That being stained in blood was a symbol of his pride. He was close to the age of ten, meaning he was going to awaken soon and get his affinity. When that day came, with all his achievements, he would no doubt be chosen to become a knight.

But not all would suffer the same fate; those that weren’t skilled enough, or hesitated too much when fighting, would be publicly executed by the ones who did. Being known to the others as traitors who betrayed their honor.

…

After training, Elpis liked to walk a bit through the town; it relaxed him. But this time it had seemed that his break would be cut short.

Not far away from him, he heard a scream coming from a house. His instinct kicked in, rushing to the house to see what had happened.

Inside was darkness, but he saw many broken pieces of glass on the floor. Elpis kneeled down, picking one of the pieces, and examining it. He recognized the texture and look to belong to a bottle just like the one he used to bring to his teacher. If he remembers correctly, it was an alcoholic beverage.

He kept the broken piece of glass, walking towards where the trail of pieces led him. When he had arrived at his destination, he saw a little girl, just about his age, maybe a little smaller. Her eyes were crimson, just like the blood flowing down her head. And her violet hair was captivating. Near her, a tall man was drawing near with a broken bottle in his hand.

Elpis watches as the man starts screaming at the girl, raising his hand as if he were about to hit her with the glass.

The girl was crying, trying desperately to back away, but it wasn’t long until she met the wall. She stared at the man’s hand, which was her father, drawing close to her face. She closed her eyes, bracing herself, but after a while, she heard a stud.

Opening her eyes, she saw her father’s dead body on the floor, a pool of blood flowing towards her. Behind him stood a boy with grey hair, shining in the sun’s light, and with some eyes that seemed emotionless, but inspiring.

“Who… who are you?”

The boy, who had already turned to leave, stopped, turning his neck to look at the girl.

“My name? It’s Elpis, Elpis Thusia.”

…

…

Not long after this, Elpis started to regret his action. Since that day, the girl never let him alone; she clung to him, mimicking his actions, and even spying on him when he was training.

Her name was Avrie Apelpisia, a girl who really loved witchcraft. The man he had killed had been her abusing father, which had manipulated the people of the town to burn her mother, because she was a witch, and had been planning to do terrible things.

He had expected her to hate him for killing her father, but she was utterly thankful. Which had weirded him out. He had never met his mother or father, but from what he had heard from other kids in town, they were loving and cared a lot for their children.

But while he was getting annoyed by her following him around everywhere. He must say, it made him feel less lonely. So he let it happen.

And that was how years passed, many years.

He would wake up, kill, and train. Then go out and spend time with Avrie… who had become his only friend. He protected her, and cared for her, and she showed him her genius inventions.

Even after he had gotten his affinity and been assigned to a wealthy man inside the outskirs, pretty far away, he was still able to spend time with her. And he enjoyed every moment.

But everything ends someday, and this was no exception.

No one had expected it; it was a huge tragedy, bringing the world to its knees. Many had wondered how the world would end. But no one would have thought that it would be by time freezing in place.

Not long after time had come to a stop, the king was assassinated and replaced by a woman. Many had tried to show her justice, but failed, and when she was revealed to be a Breaker, someone who had transended mortality, many stopped. But a military was formed against her.

Elpis, who was sixteen at this time, was drafted into the military even though he was just a reader, leaving behind his friend and his home,

for his pride and honor.

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