"How do you feel, mortal?" the entity wondered, looking at him with curiosity.
"I don't feel anything particular, yet I experienced something during the trial. I've never felt this way before. It's hard for me to explain it, but I think it was some sort of egoism or pride," replied Laudis, sitting in the quartz chair.
"You know that you are still bound to me with the pact you've made right?"
"I'm aware of my situation, Will," the boy responded, looking at the teapot.
"Today I've made you real tea, precisely black one. Still you haven't answered me..."
"Pardon? I thought I made myself clear, I am tired and content at the same time. Shall I lie just to make you pleased?" the irritated boy said.
"Wrong, it's not what I meant. What I meant is that you quote 'never felt this way before'. It was better you say you didn't remember the feeling. After all you have a memory loss, haven't you?" the being continued with a subtle smirk.
"So I've lost my memories right?" the youth pursued his goal.
"Like I've said you can ask me later. Of course if you will be still alive at the marked time."
"The marked time?"
"Yes. I will slowly open up and share more information as we go on. Still, there is one thing that bothers me. What is your real motivation?"
"To get my memories back?" the kid wondered with uncertainty.
"Incorrect. Your goal is way different from the prosaic 'I need to get my memories back so I can avenge myself!'. Look at you, for eleven years you had no problem whatsoever with lacking memory. You survived off stealing, killing weak vampires, music, and gambling. There was not even a single day when you said 'I wish I've had a home'. You have great intelligence, so you never thought about unrealistic dreams. So why the hell can't I see the real reason why. Why to bother to become a Crusader?! Why to bother to be a hero?! Why to bother to kill the monsters?! You are no hero!" the being stated, slamming the table and standing up with anger.
"It's useless whether you forfeit now or later, in both instances you are destined to suffer. What the hell is your real motivation you fool?! What is the reason that you push to the unnecessary actions?! Didn't you despise them?! So answer me, why do you try so hard?!" continued irritated Will. For the first time in many years the God couldn't comprehend a mind of a mortal.
"I—I—I don't know. I have no altruistic intents nor any hero complex. I don't need to avenge anyone. I don't think I'm doing the right thing, nor the wrong one too. I do know one thing. I want to feel something, something different from the emotions that pierce me every single day. I wish to be happy, angry, grateful, or envious. I just want to understand, what it means to be a human. A real human, who has real bonds and not made for his own gain. I really want to become average, if it makes me content. I just wish to finally know, how does it feel to have a person to care about. A person, for whom I can sacrifice myself. Perhaps my only reason why I still chose to live and go on is to find the person I search for. Someone who will finally listen to me and help me live. I suppose the person I'm talking about might be my... future wife?" replied Laudis. His right eye let go of one lonely tear, his left hand grabbed the air. Almost like it wanted to catch something.
"I see... May we end the meeting? I think both of us need to rethink, right?"
"Yeah..."
The youth woke up in his room, alone. The sun shined through the window. The birds were singing a fine tune and the vendors were promoting their stands. He decided to dress up and refresh himself from yesterday. The boy poured a bucket of cold water on his body. His hands were covered in blisters from the axe. Despite them he was pretty content with the outcome. Laudis wiped himself off with a towel. He bandaged his wounds and left the restroom. He decided to check the current time, the silver watch showed him — it was half past seven. Then he went downstairs to get something to eat.
"How do you feel?" asked Gladius, looking at the bandages. He was sitting alone in the corner.
"Not so bad. Before I sit do you mind if I eat here?" the kid replied.
"Yeah, yeah. Go on."
"I appreciate it."
The youth ordered two lamb chops with half a bread. For the drink he chose a cup of apple juice.
"So, what is the third trial?" the boy wondered, eating the food.
"You will choose of the Crusaders to fight with. Your only goal is to make one of these things happen. One, make your opponent use elemental power. Two, make your opponent use aura. Three, make your opponent surrender," the captain answered, looking at him with curiosity.
"I understand, when is the challenge taking place?"
"It's better for you to rest and take your time. I think seven p.m. will be the best time. The sun will be still present, yet the temperature won't be an obstacle. The fight will take place on the training grounds," the man replied, reading from a paper.
"What about rules for me?"
"You can do whatever you want to. You can use mana, poison, aura etc. etc. Even if you kill a Crusader during the fight you won't be punished. Yet I don't think the rest would appreciate it. In short there is not a single boundary applying for the applicant. Do you understand everything now?"
"Yes."
Laudis finished the meal and went upstairs. He waited in his room, meditating and thinking about his future.
'Quite an unusual challenge. I've never heard about something like that one before. Nonetheless the best option for me to choose is Solisia. She is the youngest, least experienced, and easiest to distract. Her weapon is also not that strong, I drew with her with two swords. With a bit of luck I can pull that off and win. Wait, Will didn't take control of me yet. Don't tell me that freak wants to fight for me. Yeah, that's the most likely scenario. I guess I don't need to prepare myself too much. It's better to rest and let my hands heal up more. I suppose I can even take a nap,' the youth thought, sitting in his bed.
He took a three hour nap and meditated for the rest time. The hands of a clock struck half past six. The boy applied the fragrance and dressed up. He took the coat with him just in case of rain. Walking through the market he was still wondering what would Will do. Laudis finally arrived, everyone was standing, awaiting his choice.
"We have fifteen minutes to the third and final trial. Five minutes before it you will choose your opponent. Remember no one besides you can use elemental power," Gladius said, polishing his sword.
'Hell if I could even use those,' the boy thought with apathy.
"I understand."
The minutes went by one after the other. When the time came Laudis lost control of his body. The black heptagon with a seven-pointed star appeared on his back. Will was given the opportunity to show his true nature.
'Remember the rules,' the youth said to him. Despite losing possession of his flesh, he could still think and communicate with the being.
'I know. I can't break them, they are enlisted in the pact. If I were to break them the reality would collapse, so you know.'
'Nice...'
'Just wait and enjoy the spectacle,' the content entity responded.
"Who do you choose as your opponent, applicant?" the captain asked.
"Dantenium."
Everyone was left in shock. Every applicant before him would opt for women, judging by the stereotypes they were weak. He was different, he picked possibly the strongest one he could. The crimson haired man was firstly caught off-guard, but then he understood.
'Maybe he can actually become a Crusader. You are very interesting, Laudis...' the male thought, glad about his attitude.
'What the hell are you doing?! Are you trying to get me killed? I only drew with the weakest one and now you are going to fight the most unpredictable one?' the boy wasn't a fan of the Will's idea.
'Shush...'
"That's something... unusual. Okay, you know the rules Dante, right?"
"Yeah."
"I guess we can start even now. The battle begins as soon as the swords lose contact and ends when one of the three goals are completed," the knight held down both of their swords close to each other.
"Wait!" the youth said.
"What is that?" wondered Gladius.
"Before we start I would reveal something. May I?"
"Go on."
"Thank you..."
Laudis took off his eye-patch and slicked back his hair. The red eye caught everyone's attention, it was identical as the vampire's. The kid took a deep breath, almost like he had a cigarette. He cleared his throat and began the speech.
"My name is Laudis Tenbrenum, the firstborn son of Sangiusius! His rightful successor! The prince exiled by his empire! The one who ignites the fear in every vampire! I will clear my name by killing the strongest Crusader, that is you! Dantenium, the Warrior of Hades!"
'I am dead...' the youth's mind filled with despair.
There wasn't any noticeable sound after the statement, only silence. They were in even greater shock than before. They couldn't think about anything appropriate to say.
"Ice Cage Invoca—"
"Divine Blessing: Mana Blockage," Gladius stopped Udania from casting a spell.
"Why did you stop me?! He is a vampire, possibly yet another prince! Do you want to get us dead, huh?! We didn't kill even the weakest Upper Hand yet, but you want to fight him?!
The girl looked at both of them with confusion, wondering what to do.
"Let us see the fight, if he doesn't draw his fangs and claws then he isn't one. Besides if he was one, the sun would hurt him. The only things I see on his skin are scars, but no burns. It is unlikely that he is one. Though he is mistaken. I am the strongest one, but whatever makes him content," the knight replied, sitting down on a tree trunk. Despite being humble on the outside, the captain had his pride.
"Ha! I am pleased to be named the strongest one. Let the fight begin," the male put his sword to the boy's.
"Indeed," the youth drew his weapon back, starting the battle.
The showdown started. The wind was light, but noticeable. Will decided to distance himself from his opponent. He began to do quick, low jumps and warm up his wrists. With every second the movements began to be faster. When finally he proclaimed.
"Technique No.0: Heart's Arson," he whispered lightly.
His second, normal eye began to become pink. Both of his pupils were widening, almost like he took some drug. Everyone was watching him with curiosity, they never saw anything similar before. Normal magic spells cannot alter your body, only auras can. The youth's muscles began twitching, his skin was becoming red, and his blood gained greater speed. The truth is that everything inside of him was becoming faster, even his heartbeat. Of course at the cost, the cost was his life span. The boy caught eye-contact with his foe. A single oak leaf fell down between them. Laudis dashed with momentum into Dantenium. Tss — the spared attack scared off nearby animals.
'What the hell? Why does he have such strength and speed? When I saw his sparring, he was around the same level as Solisia. Now, he would beat her basic form with ease. I know that he cast something, but I never saw such effects on the body. He isn't fully a human, he can't be one. In my entire life span, I never encounter anyone with such powers. Laudis, you are really interesting... Sadly your time has come. I will drew my sword back and end the trial,' Dantenium thought aiming for his neck. Despite his great strength he was pretty intelligent.
"What is he doing?! Why did he aim to the side?! It's going to end so badl—" responded Solisia with disappointment.
"Technique No.1: Void Creation," the kid said, he swung his sword to the side.
Fwoosh — air was erased, pulling him to the side. Phuu — the blade completely missed the target. The man was stunned, he never saw a technique like this before. The woman and the girl were shocked too. They were whispering about his dominant element. It was hard to determine which one could erase something. The captain was captivated by his skill set. The boy looked at his foe. Laudis' eyes weren't filled with anger, fear, sadness, nor joy. They were filled with the new emotion he acquired — pride. He looked at his opponent with disregard. The male began to get annoyed by his attitude.
"Do you think you are smart just because you dodged my strike?! Ha! Let's start the real fight now!"
The crimson haired guy rushed with a great blow. Tss - the youth spared the attack with difficulty. His blisters began to open. His bandages were becoming red. His sword began to become crimson, almost like a mythical artifact.
'So that's what pain feels like. Quite an unusual experience,' the being thought.
Dantenium was lit like fire, he started the real offence.
'You have to go va banque.'
Thunk — the two steels met with a great force.
'It's now or never.'
Thung — another strike followed.
'I can only spare maybe three more attacks.'
Thung!
'Distance yourself than use void creation to surprise him.'
Thunk!
'Then follow up with a kick and incise his neck,' the boy tutored the entity.
Dantenium stood pleased and without any signs of exhaustion. On the other hand the kid was tired and his breathing was heavy.
'I understand. By the way don't you find this funny? The God taught by a mortal, that would make pretty nice comedy if you ask me.'
'Didn't you know what to do nonetheless?'
'I knew, yet it is more entertaining for me to use your plan.'
The youth rushed backwards. The man tried to go in and finish him off.
"Technique No.1: Void Creation."
Fwoosh — the distance was cut short. Dantenium was marvelled by the situation he was put in. Thud — he blocked the kick with his sword.
'What the hell?! Why did I spare it with my blade?! That mistake can cost my win! I can't withdraw my steel fast enough, but I can't surrender. Not yet! As long as it isn't cutting me I will try! I will face the unstoppable force! I deny your win, Laudis!' the male thought, his mind was filled with superiority.
He quickly aimed for his neck. The weapon was coming, but he didn't want to lose. The steel was getting closer and closer. Centimeters to millimeters. From feeling his hair being cut to experiencing the known warmth. The metal had cut him, he had to admit his defeat.
"F.A.I." he proclaimed.
A thin layer of fire covered his neck. The bleeding stopped and the boy drew his warmed sword.
"You put up a great fight," he extended his right hand.
"Yeah, you too," Laudis accepted the handshake.
'See it wasn't that bad after all,' stated Will leaving his body.
'I guess so...'
Laudis stood before the rest of the Crusaders. Exhausted, covered in blood, and without any sign of happiness. Gladius clapped lightly looking at him, pleased by the results. Udania gave him a subtle smile. Solisia was speechless. She couldn't comprehend that he fought toe to toe with him.
"By the way, what was that F.A.I. thing?"
"Shortened incantation. It was discovered about nine years ago. Some spells when they are commonly used by a person can be cast with their initials only. F.A.I. is fire armour invocare. But you did something else, you've done something more interesting. What did you do to boost your physical attributes? Also are you really the vampire prince?" the man asked, looking at his odd eye.
"They are the sword techniques. I found a book about them in the library. A man from the first century V.E. created them to fight off the first vampires. It was then, when the humans understood how to use mana against vampires. About my heritage I am not a vampire or I am not aware of it. I can tolerate normal food with ease. The sun doesn't damage me. I don't have an urge to eat human flesh. It was a bluff to caught you off-guard. I don't know whether it worked. My eye is an enigma to me. Though I don't have any problem with it," he replied, sitting down on the ground.
'At least he gave me some information to fake my knowledge of spells and my eye. I may be wrong, but Will can actually be not an obstacle,' the boy thought with gladness.
"Yeah I've heard about them. They are rarely used because of their high mana demand and difficulty to control them. But you didn't seem to have a problem with them," the crimson haired guy responded, respecting his unusual magic path.
"Are you tired?" asked Udania, looking at him.
"Yeah, but I can stand up. I just need to have a quick rest and I will walk to my roo— Ekh, ekh!" the kid coughed with blood. He felt a strange feeling inside his heart. Almost like it stopped for a second.
"It doesn't look good," the captain noticed the aftermath. His hands were covered in blood from the opened blisters. His eyes had their blood vessels more visible.
"Nah, I feel great. I just probably drained my mana completely. These techniques are still new to me, so I didn't have much time to train with them."
"Come on, you've done enough. Trust me," said Dantenium, helping him stand up.
"..."
"Don't worry. You should be proud, you are a Crusader after all," replied Gladius, passing down the headband with their symbol.
Laudis tied it to his right arm and went to the tavern with their help. The vendors were amazed by the sight, for the first time an applicant was truly accepted.