The massive body of the vurdum occupied almost all of his peripheral sight at that angle, standing straight to him while he had his back to the barricade of tree trunks.'I need to force it to make a big leap and fall itself on the hole it carved.' Josiah thought.He tried a sudden movement. But the beast's eyes just looked at his body, as it kept approaching slowly.The vurdum got close enough and clawed with one of his frontal legs. Josiah tried using the sword to try and parry the arm like it was a gigantic sword. But the animal managed to swipe the arm back just in time.The animal tried helping with the other arm. It knew Josiah wouldn't be able to handle both.Josiah unleashed a random wave of attacks in a desperate manner. With the dagger. With the sword. He didn't even know where he was aiming at."Go away, you piece of sh*!"But the animal would always block the distance bloodbound attacks with the bracelet and resume tormenting Josiah with its claws.'What the hell? Why won't

'Not surprising... I was actually waiting for something like this. Every world is the same… That's why I brought my other weapons with me.'"Stay away! I'll beat you all!" Josiah shouted.The gang laughed even harder.Josiah couldn't blame them. In their view, he was a mere eight-year-old boy shouting desperately with an offended baby voice.'It's time to see if my training amounted to anything…' Josiah thought."Oh, look at him! He has a swoord! Uoooh!" One of the guys with a big curly ball for the hair mocked. "Let me at him."'This guy isn't armed… Or maybe he has a weapon in his pocket that does the effect hidden within, like my rapier…' Josiah considered in a serious expression.The man was less serious about it. He approached and tried to disarm Josiah:"Here. This is dangerous for a baby to hold."The guy wasn't exactly a complete inexperienced bully, the move he made to disarm Josiah before he acted first was a move Thomas had taught him when they were beginning to train. He sa

Josiah got back home from Rimrid with a stash of brand new goldies and a big offer to think about."Hey, Thomas." He greeted the old man, as he went to his room, to set his belongings in place."Hi. How much did you get?""Four…""Told you? My evaluations are on point.""I got on this fight...""Oh, not again.""I won.""You shouldn't show off in public like that. We don't want people coming after you, young master.""And then some guy offered me a position at his school.""What!?"Josiah came back from his room to talk to Thomas in the kitchen."They said the Blood University of the town is performing a selection of potential students. He said I got some potential… But I'm eight…""That's great! Who is the guy? What did you say?""I… Don't know. He gave me this…" Josiah handled the paper to Thomas. "There's a lot to think about. For starters, I'm eight…""And what does your age have to do with all of that?"Josiah opened his mouth then closed again.'What? There is no age restriction

Josiah was mad.He tried not to let it shine through, but he was mad. Perhaps it was because someone has found about his secret he kept within for so long?Or maybe deep down he believed old man Benson's words and got mad because his mother lied to him this whole time? Was he angry because he considered such a possibility?Either way… He tried masking his frustration toward the old man by inviting him to a sparring fight; a test; a proof of resolve by combat. But in the end, he just wanted to beat something up to relieve such frustration.That event led to the beginning of a fight in that wide-open street of Couche. There was nothing there. Nothing but the dirt, the fields, and the smooth breeze.Josiah was wielding his sword in his hands. Even that sword was a gift he received from his deceased mother. If what the old man said was true, it meant the one who gave him that gift would be living, hiding somewhere in the kingdom, waiting for him to join her and overtake Eneris' throne."G

"My good sir… The government is merciful. We have been providing you all with security and services throughout those whole years. But you must agree that this is not fair. We agreed for a certain amount of cattle and paid in advance. That feels wrong, doesn't it? I'm at disadvantage here…" Even though the phrasing was not to the fun side, The Magistrate spoke those words with a slight smirk on his face."Unfortunately there's nothing we can do about it, Magistrate, o sir. The bad season not only compromised the crops but also the animal's sustain… It's going to take a while before we are ready with the livestock…""And what about me…?""That's why I ask you, o great sir. Could we make this a smaller deal? We give you what we have and return part of the money. Of course, you can keep some as tax for your troubles."The Magistrate was expecting that offer. But he pretended to consider, scratching the back of his head."You see… Lord emperor Eneris sent me here on a mission. And as a side