The sun pierced through the woven straw curtains, casting a soft golden light into Soul's small bedroom. The boy slowly opened his eyes, still wrapped in the tranquility of the morning.
He pushed himself up, stretched his arms… then froze.
At the foot of his bed, laid gently on a rug his mother had woven, two objects that had absolutely NO reason to be there were faintly glowing.
A katana with a thin blade, gleaming black and violet like a starry night.A slender scythe, dark, almost alive, whose blade seemed to swallow the light.
Soul's eyes widened.
— What… is that?
He went pale.
He had never seen these weapons.Ever.
And yet, they were there, as if they had always belonged in his room.
Suddenly—
TING.
A purple window opened in front of him.
[Mythic Artifact obtained: Kage no Kizuna – Katana][Mythic Artifact obtained: Shinigami's Embrace – Scythe]
Soul swallowed hard.
— M–Mythic… artifacts?
Another window popped up immediately, as if the System had been waiting for him to ask.
[Description: Kage no Kizuna – The Bond of Shadows]Type: Soul Weapon (Katana)Rarity: MYTHICOrigin: Automatic manifestation for double classes
Effects:• +15 Agility• +25 Intelligence• +25 Willpower• +30 Summoning• Spectral Blade (can strike immaterial entities)• Spirit Strike: deals physical damage + soul damage
Description:A black and silver blade, thick at the base then thin like a thread. Violet reflections move across it like living shadows. The light guard resembles wings in motion.
Soul stared at the blade, hypnotized.
[Description: Shinigami's Embrace]Type: Soul Weapon (Scythe)Rarity: MYTHICOrigin: Automatic manifestation for double classes
Effects:• +30 Necromancy• +30 Willpower• +50 MP• +15 Luck• Soul Harvest: absorbs a fraction of the target's life energy• Link Sever: can break an enemy's summon
Description:A long scythe of black bone, its curved blade seeming to swallow light. Shifting runes run along the shaft, and a dark blue glow shines at the joint between blade and handle. A cold aura emanates from the weapon, like the sigh of a specter.
It was too much.Way too much.
Two mythic artifacts, appearing in his room, matching EXACTLY his two classes.
Even A-rank adventurers almost never laid eyes on such things before level… 90?
A chill ran down his spine.
Why him?Why now?And why did these weapons feel so… alive?
The wooden floor creaked suddenly.
The door opened.
His mother stepped in, followed closely by his father.
— Soul? You're already awa—
Lynea stopped dead. Her hand flew to her mouth.
Aegis froze. His eyes widened as if he were staring at a dragon.
— What… what in the world is THAT?!
Soul gulped.
— I… I don't know. They were here when I woke up…
Aegis went pale, then red, then anxious.
— Lynea. Stay with him.— I'm going to get Eldran. Right now.
And without another word, he rushed out, almost slamming the door off its hinges.
Lynea knelt in front of Soul and took his hand in hers.
— You didn't touch those things, did you?
— No, Mom, never.
— Good… good…
She stared at the katana, both fascinated and terrified.
Soul noticed her shaky breathing.
— Mom… do you think it's dangerous?
— I think it's… beyond our understanding.
Soul gave an awkward little smile.
— That's not very reassuring…
Lynea ruffled his hair.
— You're my son. So everything will be fine.
Eldran's House
Aegis stormed up to the village chief's home.
Eldran's house was the oldest in the village:
A wide building of gray stone, moss-covered, with a dark-tiled roof. A small garden full of medicinal herbs surrounded the entrance. Wooden lanterns with carved symbols hung under the porch, and the smell of burning incense drifted from within.
The walls were draped in vines and blue luminescent flowers, a sign of calmed mana.
Inside, shelves overflowed with old books, potions, and dried herbs. A miniaturized wyvern skull floated above a table, serving as a magical night-light.
Aegis pounded on the door.
— Eldran! Open up! It's urgent!
The door creaked open.
Eldran appeared, a steaming cup of tea in his hand.
— Aegis?
— The boy… your son's not dead, I hope—
— No, no, but… you HAVE to come see this!
Eldran straightened, set his cup aside, grabbed his staff, and followed Aegis.
Back at the Drasils'
Eldran stepped in, looked at Soul… then at the two weapons.
His expression turned grave.
— So… it has happened again.
Lynea frowned.
— "Again"?
Eldran slowly nodded.
— It's rare. Very rare. But… it does happen sometimes.Double classes…Receive their soul artifacts directly at birth or when their class is revealed.
Soul's eyes flew wide open.
— So… these weapons… they're mine?
— Yes, Eldran replied.— They are… you.
Aegis nearly fell over.
— But… but why now? Why him?
— Because your son does not follow this world's rules.
Lynea slumped into a chair, overwhelmed.
Eldran sighed, then added:
— Normally, an adventurer must reach level 90 to obtain an artifact.But double classes…Have their own destiny.
Then he looked straight into Soul's eyes.
— And… Soul… you're going to be late for your first day of school.
Soul jumped.
— WHAT?!
— Hurry, said Eldran.— And equip your weapons. Otherwise, they'll be stolen before noon.
Lynea went pale.
— But that's… that's dangerous!
— More dangerous to leave them lying here, Eldran replied.
Aegis nodded.
— He's right.
Soul took a deep breath.
His hands trembled slightly as he touched the weapons.
The katana and the scythe seemed to… vibrate.
As if they recognized his soul.
— I… I can feel them… in my head.
— That's normal, said Eldran.— They are soul weapons. They're bound to you.
Soul strapped the scythe across his back and the katana at his left hip.
He pulled on linen pants and a clean tunic, gulped down a piece of warm bread and a bowl of herbal tea.
— See you tonight! he called as he headed out.
Lynea wrapped her arms around Aegis.
— Good luck, sweetheart! Lynea shouted, waving.
— Knock 'em dead! …Well, not literally, Aegis added.
Soul ran toward the path leading to the school.
On the Way to School
Soul was running down the main street when a familiar voice called out:
— SOOOOUL!!
Ryen practically tackled him.
— Bro! Congrats on your double class!— And forget those stupid adults who were laughing yesterday!— One day they'll all be kneeling before you, I swear!
Soul laughed, a bit embarrassed.
— Thanks, Ryen.
But before he could say anything else—
— Soul?
Mira had just arrived, clutching her book to her chest.
Her golden eyes locked directly onto… the scythe.
— Wh-What is that?
— I… uh…
A third voice chimed in:
— OI! Soul! What are those things?!
Kael, running up with his bow on his back, stopped and stared at the two mythic weapons like he was seeing two miniature dragons.
Soul raised his hands in defense:
— I can explain! …I think—
— YOU THREE!!
— Hurry up or you'll be late on the very first day!
Their basic instructor had just yelled from the courtyard.
Ryen, Mira, Kael, and Soul looked at each other…
— We run!— We run!— WE RUUUUN!!
Brumefell Village School
The village school building was impressive:
Built from pale stone, with a dark red roof, large windows, and a huge training yard. Practice dummies, targets, wooden blocks, and a circular arena made it clear how important combat was in their education.
The four children joined the crowd.
All the village's students were there.
At the center of the yard, an elegant woman in a violet dress and white cape stepped forward to speak.
The Headmistress — Lady Arwen Sorelia
A woman in her thirties, black hair tied back, serious face, and piercing gaze.Her voice was gentle but commanding.
— Welcome, everyone. I am Lady Arwen Sorelia, headmistress of this academy.— Here, you will learn to survive, to grow stronger, and to discover your potential.
She turned slightly.
— Your instructors will be your guides. Let me introduce them.
Instructor Introductions
1. Bron Shatter — Combat InstructorA massive man, as wide as a wardrobe, arms like tree trunks.Scars everywhere.A harsh expression.
— I AM BRON.— AND I'M GOING TO TURN YOU INTO WARRIORS.
Half the students trembled.The other half could barely contain their excitement.
2. Master Aelhynn — Magic InstructorAn elf with long silver hair, pale skin, and ice-blue eyes.Fine clothes, an elegant staff.
— I am Aelhynn.— Magic is an art. If you lack discipline, it will kill you before I even get the chance to scold you.
3. Master Harald — Swordsmanship InstructorA blond, muscular man with a scar on his cheek and a sharp gaze.
— Blades never lie. You do.
4. Halden — Archery InstructorA bearded dwarf with a permanently annoyed look.
— I don't like kids.— I don't like talking.— I don't like humans.— BUT I'LL TEACH YOU HOW TO SHOOT.
5. Darsa — Assassin InstructorA slender woman with red hair and a worrying smile.
— If I can kill you without you noticing…— It means you're not ready.
6. Rudolf — Tank InstructorA giant of a man in heavy armor, deep voice.
— To defend… is to live.
7. Kyria — Healing InstructorA young woman with a warm, gentle smile.
— You will learn to protect… but also to heal your mistakes.
8. Savi — Herbcraft InstructorAn old hunched man with a long white beard, smelling of tea and herbs.
— Nature heals everything… except stupidity.
9. Master Fenrick — Summoning InstructorA wolf beastman with gray fur and yellow eyes.Calm, yet intimidating aura.
— I am Fenrick.— Summoning is not a game.— Summoning is a pact.
10. Lady Nyxmar — Necromancy InstructorA woman dressed in black, ebony hair, pale skin, icy gaze.
— I only teach those who respect Death.
Her eyes met Soul's.
A shiver ran down his spine.
First Class: Combat
The students were split up across the training yard.
Bron roared:
— WE'RE GOING TO TEST YOUR REFLEXES!— GRAB A WOODEN WEAPON! GO!
Soul tried to slip past…
But a taller boy blocked his way.
— Hey, double loser… the walking corpse and the slime, huh?— You're doomed already!
The others snickered.
Soul clenched his teeth.
But before he could answer—
Ryen stepped in front of him.
— Hey! You, prodigy of stupidity!— If you wanna fight, try me instead!
Kael crossed his arms.
— Or me. I'll put an arrow in your knee.
Mira gently placed a hand on Soul's shoulder.
— Don't listen to them.— They're afraid of what they don't understand.
Bron roared:
— SILENCE!!
— TO THE FIGHT!!
Second Class: Summoning
The summoning room was small, smelling of incense, decorated with blue runes.
The tables were covered with summoning stones and small slime figurines.
Fenrick walked up to Soul.
— You are… alone.— No other child chose this path.
Soul lowered his eyes.
— I see… murmured Fenrick.— That means I can teach you PERSONALLY.— Follow me.
They left… for the forest.
Lesson in the Forest
The Brumefell forest stretched for miles.Soft light.Gentle mist.Birdsong.Magic in the air.
Fenrick showed him how to feel the mana, visualize a shape, call a slime.
Soul failed.
— Steady your breathing.— Your soul weapons are disturbing your mana.— You are… unusual.
After an hour, Soul almost succeeded.
A bluish shimmer appeared on the ground… then vanished.
— It's nothing, said Fenrick.— Tomorrow, perhaps. The day after, surely.
Third Class: Necromancy
The necromancy room was the complete opposite:
Cold.Dark.Silent.
Lady Nyxmar looked at him.
— You are alone.— Good.— Fewer idiots to deal with.
She led him… to the cemetery.
Brumefell Cemetery
A calm, beautiful place covered in old stones.White flowers grew between the graves.Candles often burned there.
Nyxmar placed her hand on a gravestone.
— Necromancy, Soul Drasil…— Is not "raising the dead."— It is "listening to the soul."
She showed him how to feel a presence, a memory, a trace.
Soul succeeded on his very first try.
The instructor's eyes widened.
— …Interesting.
End of the Day
The sun was setting behind the trees.
Soul headed home, mind racing.
Slimes…Skeletons…Mythic treasure map…Forbidden road…Soul weapons…
— Maybe… I could finish the quest during classes?— And then get to that road…
The wind swayed the tall grass.The pink light of dusk wrapped the village in a gentle glow.
Dinner at the Drasils'
The table was simple: polished wood, a cloth runner, bowls of hot vegetable soup, crusty bread, strips of dried meat.
Lynea was smiling.Aegis listened intently.
Soul told them EVERYTHING.
The mockery.The classes.The forest.The cemetery.The instructors.The training.
But above all…
He ended with:
— …and I can't wait for tomorrow.
Lynea looked at him tenderly.
— You're strong, Soul.
Aegis placed a hand on his shoulder.
— And we're proud of you.
Soul smiled.
Tomorrow would be a new challenge.A new step.Another stride toward his destiny.
And the forbidden road was waiting for him.
End of Chapter 2.