Siegfried Fors
"Young lord, are you all right?"
Emma's voice reached my ears, soft yet worried. My eyes fluttered open to find myself leaning against something warm, soft, and... incredibly comfortable. It smelled faintly of lavender soap and sweetness, the kind that made me want to sink in and never move again.
"Y-young lord." Her tone trembled, and when I tilted my head up, I saw Emma's face bright red, lips trembling, eyes wide. The realization hit me like a falling brick, what exactly I was resting against.
My eyes widened, and I shot upright at once, heat rushing to my cheeks. I rubbed my eyes and glanced around, remembering I was in the bathroom.
"I—ah—sorry! I was just sleepy," I said quickly, trying to save whatever fragments of dignity I had left.
"I-It is quite alright, young lord… truly." Emma stammered, lowering her gaze, her blush deepening until even her ears turned crimson.
The few maids standing nearby looked at me, some trying very hard not to smile. I coughed awkwardly and hurried toward the door, wishing I could vanish on the spot.
Once I was far enough from the bathroom, I leaned against the cool wall, rubbing my face. "Ah… I'm so sleepy…"
It was already the fourth day since I reached the Gamma stage, and each day felt longer than the last. I studied in the morning and then practiced force magic for the rest of the day. My arm and hand ached so much from holding that wand.
"Sieg? You are up early today."
I opened my eyes to see James walking toward me, a book hugged to his chest, a cheerful smile on his face.
"What are you doing up so early?" I asked, still half-asleep.
"I wake up early every day," he said with a matter-of-fact tone that made me squint.
"Every day?"
He nodded proudly. "I wake up at six, take a bath, go to church with Grandpa Throvald, and then study in the library before joining you and Grandmother in the alchemy lab."
I stared at him for a moment. The boy sounded like a monk disguised as a child. No wonder Granny liked him so much.
"And you?" he asked, tilting his head. "Why are you up this early? You never wake up before eight."
"Ah, well… I was thirsty, but the jug in Mother's room was empty. I went to get water, but Granny saw me and threw me in the bathroom," I said, scratching the back of my head. "So here I am. Fresh and humiliated."
James chuckled softly, clearly trying not to laugh. "Were you going to the alchemy lab?"
"Yeah. Granny called for you, right?"
He nodded.
"Then let's not keep her waiting," I said, pushing myself off the wall. My legs still felt heavy, but the thought of Elara Fors waiting, arms crossed, eyes sharp enough to cut glass, was enough motivation to move.
Even if I was half-asleep, I didn't dare test Granny's patience before morning tea.
Both of us made our way to the alchemy lab. When I pushed open the door, the faint scent of herbs welcomed us. Granny stood near a shelf, an empty glass box in her hands, her hair tied neatly behind her.
She turned toward us. "Hmm? Come in, you two."
We stepped inside. I glanced at the table, several open jars, some half-used ingredients, and some books laid open beside them.
"What are you doing?"
"Preparing ingredients," she replied, placing the glass box down gently. "I was planning to teach you both about Emberviel Salve today, but we're short on one of the key components."
"Can't we use an alternative?"
"There are alternatives," she said, brushing a bit of dust off her sleeve. "But gel from Aloe Maren blends more easily with the other ingredients and accelerates tissue regeneration far better than substitutes." She paused, tapping her chin. "…Maybe Magic & Craft might have some."
The name immediately sparked my attention. Magic & Craft—the magic shop in town, filled with curious things that smelled of wonder.
"You two sit tight," Granny said, untying her apron. "I'll go check with them."
Before she could take another step, a knock sounded at the door.
"Come in," Granny called.
A maid stepped inside, bowing quickly. "Lady Fors, forgive my intrusion, but Lord Erik does not seem to be in good health. It appears he has developed a fever."
"What?"
Granny crossed the table in a single breath, her expression sharp with concern. She stopped halfway and looked back at us.
"You two—self-study for today."
Self-study? That was another word for nap time, except if she came back and found me asleep, I'd never hear the end of it. I'd be forced to gulp down an anti-drowsiness potion and wouldn't be able to sleep for the rest of the day. I should make it look like I did something, and then go and sleep a little before training with Mother starts.
"We can practice on our own," I said, pointing toward the table filled with ingredients.
"What about the missing ingredient?" she asked, her tone still distracted.
"I know the shop," I said quickly. "I can go and buy it."
Her brows furrowed, but urgency tugged at her features. After a moment, she nodded. "Alright. Be careful."
She reached into her pouch, pulled out a small coin purse, opened it, and pressed a few silver coins into my hand.
"Spend it wisely and keep the rest," she said before turning and leaving the room.
I looked down. Ten silver coins. Just ten.
Really?
I had more than this stashed in my room, but… well, arguing with Granny was never a good investment.
I turned to James, who looked far too eager for this early hour. "Well then," I sighed, pocketing the coins, "looks like we're going shopping."
"Me too?" James asked, his eyes wide with surprise.
"Yes, let's go. It'll be fun."
He looked unsure for a moment, but then his lips curled into a smile.
We made our way quietly to Mother's room. She was still asleep, her hair spread softly across the pillow. I tiptoed in, careful not to make a sound, and picked up my magic pouch from beside the dresser. The sound of her snoring faded as we slipped out of the room.
By the time we reached the front doors, the estate was already stirring. Servants hurried through corridors, and soldiers were changing shifts at the gates. In the distance, a large white bird perched near the outer wall, it was easily taller than me, its long legs elegant and its feathers glimmering faintly under the sun. A small sling bag hung at its side, stuffed full of rolled-up newspapers.
Suddenly, James tugged on my sleeve, clutching my arm tightly.
"There's nothing to fear," I said softly. "That's a craind. They're used to deliver newspapers."
Almost as if to prove my words, the bird dipped its long beak into the bag, plucked out a newspaper, and handed it neatly to one of the gate soldiers before taking off again with a graceful flap of its wings.
"See?" I looked down at James, who loosened his grip, relief washing over his face. He nodded, still staring at the sky where the craind had vanished.
We moved closer to the front gate. The soldiers, just done receiving the newspaper, noticed us and quickly straightened up.
"Young lord, are you planning to go outside?" one of them asked.
"Yes, just to buy some ingredients. I got permission from Granny."
"I understand. In that case, I shall arrange for a few men to accompany you, young lord."
"There's no need for that. I'm only going to a nearby shop."
"But..." The man hesitated, concern written clearly on his face.
I sighed inwardly. As much as I disliked people tailing me everywhere, I couldn't fault them for wanting to do their job properly.
"Alright," I said finally. "Someone can come if they walk a little behind and don't interfere. This is my first errand, and I want to complete it myself."
The soldier's expression eased, and his lips curved into a small smile. "Ah, I understand now." He looked over to another guard standing by the gate, who nodded firmly in acknowledgment. "He shall accompany the young lord."
"Good," I said, glancing at James. "Then let's go."
James straightened, excitement replacing his earlier nerves. The morning air was cool, and for a moment, stepping beyond the gate felt strangely liberating. I had been confined to the manor since the forest accident, so this felt refreshing.
As we made our way down the path, I felt a gentle tug at my sleeve. James looked at me with that uncertain expression he always had before asking something.
"Sieg, will the shop be open at such an early hour?"
"Yes, they would be," I replied, keeping my stride steady. "Our barony lies on the road to the Port City of Tidefall and the Dukedom's capital. Since people travel early, the shops open early too. It's already past eight."
As if to prove my point, a wave of rich aroma drifted through the air. My eyes turned toward a food stall where meat was already sizzling on the grill. The scent of roasted fat and herbs invaded my nose, making my stomach twist in longing.
"Like that one," I said, already drifting toward the stall, guided purely by smell.
But again came that tug, stronger this time. "W-wait, Sieg! We'll be having breakfast in an hour."
"And?"
"If you eat now, you won't be able to eat breakfast."
"Don't worry," I said, grabbing his wrist and pulling him along. "I'll eat it too."
The vendor, an old man with kind eyes, handed us skewers of glistening meat dipped in thick brown sauce. The heat seeped into my fingers, the aroma tempting enough to make restraint a crime.
I bought seven sticks, one for James, one for the soldier following us, and the rest for myself. The soldier tried refusing, muttering something about propriety, but I shoved the skewer into his hand anyway. "It's an order," I said.
Each piece cost five copper coins, thirty-five in total, worth every bit.
After tossing the empty sticks into a nearby bin, we continued down the quiet road. The streets weren't crowded yet, but shops had already opened, and a few townsfolk moved about, setting up for the day.
Most of the passersby were children, each carrying small sacks on their backs. Among them, one figure stood out: a girl with horns and a tail, hopping lightly with every step.
"Erina," I called out.
She turned, her face lighting up like the morning sun. "Good morning, Lord Sieg! Lord James!"
"Good morning," I said. "Heading to school?"
She nodded eagerly. "Yes! Look!" She spun around, showing off the small sack strapped to her back.
A faint smile tugged at my lips. Watching her stirred something warm inside me, a flicker of memory from another life. Mornings filled with chatter, lunches shared beneath old rooftops, the thrill of small mischiefs and endless laughter. A simpler time, one that never truly returns.
"Let us walk you there," I offered.
Her eyes widened in delight. "Really?"
"Of course," I said, smiling faintly. "We're already on the road anyway."
She jumped once in excitement, tail swishing, and started leading the way ahead of us. As we walked, I asked a few small questions about the school. From what she told me, they taught language, literature, mathematics, history, sports, and even theory of magic. The school went from grade one to ten, students entered at the age of five and graduated around fifteen. Those who awakened during those years could attend special magic classes.
I hadn't expected such a complete system in a barony's school. I guess developed territories really were different.
"Here we are," Erina said, pointing proudly at the building ahead.
"Wow, it's so big," James whispered.
I looked up. The building was wide and bright, with an open field stretching beside it, almost as large as our manor grounds. Students streamed in through tall iron gates, their chatter mixing with the crisp morning air.
"You should get going," I said to Erina.
She nodded eagerly. "Bye-bye, Lord Sieg, Lord James! Let's play later!" Her small hand waved as she ran toward the gate, tail swaying like a ribbon.
I turned to see James still staring at the building, eyes reflecting something faint and quiet.
"Do you want to attend it too?" I asked softly.
"Huh? N-no. I just…" His gaze dropped. "We don't have one in Borg Barony…"
"I see."
It wasn't surprising. Borg was still a young territory, nowhere near as developed as Fors. And with the current lord… I doubted much progress would come soon. But perhaps, someday, that might change.
James still hadn't looked away from the school.
"Want to sneak in?" I asked, keeping a straight face.
His head snapped toward me. "W-we can't do that! What if we get c-caught?"
A small laugh escaped me before I could stop it.
"I was just joking," I said, brushing past him and heading toward the road. "Come on, the shop's this way."
Behind me, I heard his hurried steps as he caught up, still muttering about how reckless I was.
After a few minutes of walking through the quiet streets, we finally reached our destination, a modest two-story shop with a worn sign above the door that read Magic & Craft.
I pushed the door open, and a soft chime echoed through the room.
"Welcome—young lord?" The man behind the counter lowered his newspaper, surprise crossing his face. His name was Williams, if I remembered correctly.
"Good morning," I said, stepping closer.
"Good morning, young lord. Are you alone?" he asked, glancing briefly at the doorway behind us.
"Yes. Granny sent us to buy some ingredients."
"Oh, I see." He folded the newspaper neatly and straightened his posture. "What can I do for you today?"
"Do you have Aloe Maren?"
"Aloe Maren?" he repeated, tapping his chin. "Ah, yes. Luckily, Doctor Ridge requested some recently. There should be a few left." He moved toward the shelves, humming softly as he searched.
While he looked, I turned to see James wandering between the aisles, eyes wide as he examined jars, crystals, and neatly stacked books. His curiosity almost made me smile.
"Here it is," Williams said, returning with a small glass box in hand.
"How old are they?" I asked, leaning in.
"Only ten days, my lord. Doctor Ridge purchased a batch three days ago."
Inside, the Aloe Maren glistened softly under the shop light. Its leaves were a vibrant green, thick with gel, fresh and full of life. It should work perfectly.
"Give me as much as you have."
"This is all we have at the moment," he said, carefully wrapping it in a paper bag. "You must be preparing a healing potion, I presume?"
"How can you tell?"
He chuckled lightly. "Just a little experience. When you sell herbs long enough, you start to notice who buys what and why."
I nodded slightly. Running a place like this must teach a lot about people's needs.
"It's a potion for burns, to be exact," I said.
"Ah, so I was close," he laughed, placing the wrapped bag on the counter. "Here you go, young lord. Fresh and sealed."
"How much is it?"
"It would be two silver coins."
I looked at the paper bag. From what I could tell, there were about twenty leaves inside. That meant ten leaves for a single silver. A thousand copper equaled one silver… so one leaf cost a hundred copper. That felt expensive.
"I hope you're not trying to make a fool of me just because I'm a kid," I said, narrowing my eyes slightly.
Williams laughed heartily and waved his hand. "I would never, young lord. Lady Elara would have my head if I even tried."
"Good."
I placed the two silver coins on the counter, the sound of metal softly clinking between us.
"Thank you," I said.
He gave a small bow. "It's always a pleasure to serve the Fors family."
I picked up the parcel and tucked it carefully into my pouch. "Let's go, James."
"Okay," he said, adjusting the strap of his small satchel.
"Be careful on your way," Williams called out as we turned.
The chime above the door rang again as we stepped outside. The air felt lighter after the faint warmth of the shop. The soldier stood waiting just beyond the door, his posture straight but relaxed as he noticed us.
"Have you obtained what you came for, my lord?" he asked respectfully.
I nodded, patting the pouch at my side. "All done."
He offered a faint smile. "Then, shall we return, young lord?"
Return, huh.
After this walk, I didn't feel like doing alchemy, studying or even sleeping right now. The morning breeze brushed softly against my face, carrying the scent of fresh air. It felt so freeing, so different from being cooped up in the manor.
"How about we take a little detour?" I suggested.
"Detour?" The soldier's brows rose slightly, uncertainty in his voice.
"Not too far," I assured him. "We'll still head home, I just want to walk around a bit."
James looked worried. "Won't Grandmother be angry if we're late?"
"She won't even notice if we're back before breakfast," I said confidently, even though I wasn't entirely sure.
The soldier sighed, looking between the two of us before finally nodding. "Very well. But please, stay within the main streets."
"Of course," I said cheerfully, already turning toward the road that curved deeper into town.
We walked side by side, our steps echoing faintly against the cobbled path. The town was waking up, doors opening, shopkeepers calling out, and carts pulled by dinosaur like creatures rolling past with the creak of wooden wheels while children ran by with baskets in their hands. It was strangely peaceful, so different from the quiet halls of the manor. It was a side of Fors I rarely saw, full of life and color instead of books and alchemy.
As we turned a corner, a large stone building came into view. A steady stream of people exited its wide doors, men and women dressed in leather, some with swords on their hips, others with staffs or bows slung over their shoulders. Laughter spilled from the open doors, and a faint metallic clang rang from inside.
I stopped for a moment, watching them. Their faces were bright, their movements full of life.
I'd seen this place before. Mother and Zayn often came here whenever they left for their hunts. The emblem above the entrance—a silver shield crossed by two spears—was unmistakable. The Adventurers' Guild.
For a long moment, I just listened to the bustle spilling from within. The laughter, the chatter, the clinking of mugs.
They looked free, strong and alive.
I remembered the stories Mother told me, of her journeys, of danger and discovery, of standing before monsters and still laughing at the end of the day. Battles, discoveries, strange lands, campfires under starlit skies…
I let out a quiet sigh. "It must be fun," I said to myself.
James tilted his head. "What must be?"
"... Nothing," I said softly, turning away from the scene and walking away.
I want to experience that too someday. To go where no one has gone, to see the world beyond the hills of Fors.
But one needs to be fifteen to become an adventurer. I guess… I still have some time to wait.
Even so, the thought of it stirred something inside me. The idea of distant lands and the unknown, it made my heart beat just a little faster.
We followed the winding road until another familiar sight came into view. The tall spire of the church rose against the morning sky, sunlight glinting off its tip like a shard of glass.
At the front gate, three people stood talking, Ashar, Aifa, and Father Kaelen.
"Ashar," I called out.
All three turned toward us. When their eyes fell on me, Ashar's and Aifa's faces shifted in surprise, and before I knew it, Aifa had started toward me, her steps quick with worry.
"Young lord, why are you out here alone?" she asked, her gaze darting around the street.
"Ah, no, James is with me and…" I gestured to the soldier walking a few paces behind.
"Only one soldier? That is rather…" she began, her voice trailing off when Ashar gently rested a hand on her shoulder.
Ashar's expression softened. He wasn't in his usual armor today; instead, he wore a casual red sweatshirt and white trousers, his long crimson hair tied high in a ponytail. The simple change made him look almost approachable, still striking, but relaxed.
"Pardon me, young lord," he said with a faint smile. "Are you perhaps out on some business?"
"Yes," I replied, scratching my cheek. "We ran out of ingredients, and Granny was busy, so I went to buy them myself. Since it's been a while since I've gone out, I thought… I'd take a walk."
Aifa let out a small sigh, then lowered herself to her knees until her eyes met mine.
"It is good that you wish to help, young lord," she said, her voice gentle but steady. "However, you must not wander about in such a manner, it is dangerous. Please remember what happened two years ago. There are still many ill-intentioned people out there. Do you understand?"
"Sorry…" The word left me quietly.
Up close, she seemed to carry a calm warmth that made it hard to look away. Her chestnut hair framed her face in soft waves, catching the sunlight with a faint golden shimmer. Her eyes, bright, kind, and strong. She wore a white blouse with loose sleeves, tucked neatly beneath a fitted green vest that drew gentle lines around her figure. A long brown skirt brushed against her boots, and a small leather bag hung at her side.
Ashar chuckled softly, his usual calm returning.
"I do not believe we need to be concerned about that," he said. "In the last battle, the young lord accomplished far more than any of us."
Aifa groaned and rubbed her face. "No need to make me remember that."
"Oh? Is that what happened?" Father Kaelen's voice carried from behind them as he stepped forward, his long green robes brushing lightly against the ground.
"Yes," Ashar replied with a faint smile. "He inflicted most of the damage upon the beast before Lady Valka and Lord Erik joined us."
Good. He still remembers the story we went with.
"I am heartened to see that the younger generation of the Fors family is flourishing so splendidly," Father Kaelen said warmly. "May Aethelhum's protection ever be upon you."
It's always about Aethelhum. Every sentence, every blessing, he never forgets to bring up that tree. Is it really that great?
"So, young lord," Father Kaelen continued, his tone gentle, "would you like to come in and offer a prayer? I believe the last time you were here was during the Harvest Festival, yes?"
That came out of nowhere. Does he expect me to give a donation? No, probably not. Maybe he just wants to make me, a future head of Fors, a believer.
"Sorry, I'm not interested."
"Sieg, you can't say that!" James's voice cracked beside me, panic flickering in his eyes.
Father Kaelen laughed softly. "I suppose the young lord takes more after Lady Valka and Lady Elara than Lord Fors or young James here." His gaze found mine again. "Does the young lord not believe in Aethelhum?"
From what I've learned, this world holds two great faiths, The Luminara Concord and The Faith of Aethelhum, and countless smaller ones beneath their shade. But none of them ever meant anything to me. Not in this life... and not in the one before.
"I don't believe in any god."
James's hand gripped my arm, tense and uncertain. Aifa's expression faltered for a heartbeat, worry glimmering in her eyes. Ashar only looked at me quietly, as though trying to read something deeper.
Father Kaelen's smile didn't fade. "I am sure the young lord is too young to understand what he says," he said kindly. "When he witnesses Aethelhum's miracles in the days to come, he will understand."
That's never going to happen.
As much as I wanted to say it to his face, I swallowed the thought and let the silence settle instead.
"So... is Lord Erik doing well?" Father Kaelen asked, his tone calm yet curious.
"Yes," I replied. "He's been sleeping a lot and regaining his strength."
"Good." His eyes softened. "In such dark times, even the smallest happiness can guide people."
"Dark times?" I asked, my brows drawing together.
"Oh, did the young lord not read the paper?" Father Kaelen chuckled lightly. "Ah, what a foolish question. Such things might not be to your liking anyway."
I used to sneak it every night to read before sleeping. But these last few days, I've been staying in Mother's room… and haven't had the chance.
"Did something happen?" I asked, turning to Ashar.
"Nothing major for now," he answered, though his voice carried a trace of weight. "It's just that the King of Krohnhelm passed away two days ago."
"Krohnhelm?" I asked quietly. "Isn't that the kingdom just above our dukedom?"
Ashar nodded. "Yes. And just above Krohnhelm lies the Empyrean Sovereignty. From what we've heard, the Sovereignty has already begun to move against Krohnhelm."
"How does that affect us?"
"There's always been bad blood between Basiledra and the Sovereignty," Ashar explained. "If they succeed, there's a chance they might turn their eyes southward, to us."
"Bad blood?" I tilted my head. "Did something happen in the past?"
Ashar's gaze shifted to Father Kaelen, who seemed to have been waiting for the question.
"There might be someone better to answer that," Ashar said quietly.
Father Kaelen smiled, folding his hands behind his back. "We, the people of Basiledra, have always lived under the protection of Aethelhum. Meanwhile, those of the Sovereignty follow the Goddess of Light from the Luminara Concord. Because of this, our beliefs have never truly met. Faith divides us, even when our lands touch."
I felt a quiet sigh rising within me. It's always the same story, isn't it?
Religion—turning people against one another, making them fight and bleed for gods who never come. They claim it's faith, but all I see is pride dressed in holiness.
No matter the world, it seems humanity never changes. Always kneeling to the unseen… and hating those who kneel elsewhere.
That is annoying.
A small tug at my coat pulled me back to the present. I turned my head sharply. "What?" My voice came out louder than I meant.
James flinched, his hand retreating.. "I... w-we should go back," he said, taking a step back, his tone almost apologetic.
The irritation melted out of me in an instant, leaving only a faint ache of guilt. "Ah, sure," I replied softly.
"Allow us to accompany you, young lord," Aifa said, stepping beside us.
"I forgot to ask before," I said, glancing at her, "are you healed now?"
A faint smile touched her lips. "Yes. We were discharged today."
"That's good. Then come along."
We waved to Father Kaelen before leaving the church grounds. The sunlight had shifted, the air a touch warmer, carrying the faint scent of blooming grass and dust. The town's familiar noise faded behind us as the manor's tall walls came into view.
As we neared the front gate, a sharp pulse brushed against my senses—a clash of mana. It wasn't faint; it was strong, heavy, alive. Two signatures, pushing and striking against each other in waves.
I stopped, my mana detection reaching out. Both signatures were strong. Neither belonged to anyone in the family. But one of them felt familiar…
"Looks like they're going at it," Ashar remarked, a small grin tugging at his lips.
"Is Captain Tavian also discharged?" I asked, keeping my eyes on the direction of the mana.
"He had his last checkup done before us," Ashar replied. "Left early, too."
"Let's go and see." The words left my mouth before I could stop them. Curiosity pulsed stronger than caution.
"B-but what about Grandmother?" James stammered beside me.
"We're already home," I replied, frowning slightly. "It's not like we're sneaking out."
He hesitated, eyes darting toward the main door. "O-okay." Then he ran to the front door, calling out over his shoulder, "T-then I'm leaving!" before vanishing inside.
"Whatever," I muttered under my breath and turned to Ashar and Aifa. "Let's go check."
Both of them nodded in agreement.
We went around the mansion from the side, faint ripples of mana brushing against my skin like waves on still water.
Past the training grounds and the back gate, the muffled sounds grew clearer, crashes, the sharp ring of mana colliding, and the echo of blade against blade. When we finally reached the arena, we found it packed with cheering soldiers. And there, I saw them.