The Forsaken Hero

The newcomer was a young man with wavy blonde hair and a face sculpted in a perpetual smirk. His eyes practically glowed with conceited arrogance, but his poise and grace were undeniable. He wore the purple robes of the Dragon house, with an ornate rapier buckled around his waist. The large amethyst set in the pommel of the weapon carried the characteristics of a magical enhancement item, like a wand or staff.

”Heh, just what we’d expect from the Golden Princess,” his cronies sneered in unison.

His followers were from the same house, but their ages ranged from my own, fifteen, to at least thirty. Elise clenched her fists as they formed a loose circle, surrounding us with leers and condescension.

”What do you want, Prince Eric?” She demanded, her voice surprisingly steady.

”What? Can someone as magnanimous as I not stop and say hello?” Prince Eric chuckled. His gaze fell on me, and his smile faded. ”But I must admit, I’m curious now. What exactly were you planning with a filthblood slave like this? I’m astounded you would dare bring something so vile here.”

Elise’s eyes narrowed. ”She’s not vile. Her name’s Xiviyah and she’s a potential-”

”Xiviyah?” Prince Eric blinked, and a cruel smile widened his lips. ”A fitting name. I’m not surprised you find her good company, especially after the last trial.”

”That’s not... I mean, agh! You’re so frustrating!” Elise snapped.

”Losing your composure this easily? Are you sure you’re a princess?” Eric jabbed, clearly enjoying her agitation.

”Ignore them, let’s go,” Elise said, scowling. She pulled me forward, trying to march past them.

”Where do you think you’re going? I’m not finished,” Prince Eric said, frowning.

His cronies folded their arms, refusing to budge. Fyren, one of our party members, frowned, his hand drifting toward his sword hilt. This caught Eric’s attention, who, instead of recognizing the threat, taunted, ”And what are you supposed to be? Her master?”

The prince’s gaze narrowed as Fyren chuckled. ”Of course not. That role belongs to one much stronger than I. He’s a figure none of us can afford to offend.”

”Hah, know your place. You’re speaking to Prince Eric, heir to the throne of the Flame Kingdom. There’s no one he can’t offend,” one of the Dragon students crowed.

”Enough, Drizen,” Prince Eric said, although he didn’t look displeased. ”But I won’t tolerate being insulted by a bunch of moldy adventurers who haven’t bathed in weeks. Even if the librarians ignore your lack of qualifications, the stench alone is sure to get you rejected.”

Although I knew he was simply taunting us, I couldn’t resist giving myself a subtle sniff. Sure enough, the soft scent of roses. I bathed myself daily with magic, and even picked up a useless first-circle spell that doubled as perfume. We looked slightly worn in our travel outfits, but nothing that set us apart.

”If you’re done insulting us, would you allow us through? We’ve delayed long enough, and I have some rather important things to attend to,” I said, my tone flat.

Prince Eric’s smirk reminded me too much of Prince Vorinth, making me wonder why princes in this world were such insufferable jerks.

”Lower your eyes, slave,” a Dragon student spat, raising his hand menacingly. ”Filthbloods like you don’t deserve to speak to one as exalted as my prince.”

He scowled as I refused to move, and his hand blurred, streaking toward my face. The runes of a spell surged in my mind, but the slave crest hummed dangerously. I was at the limit of Soltair’s command, and could only watch helplessly as the fist descended.

Inches before connecting with my cheek, the Dragon student froze. His face paled, and he trembled uncontrollably. The rest of the Dragon students watched in confusion as he stumbled back and dropped to his knees, terror filling his eyes, before looking up.

”Touch her and you die,” Fyren said calmly. His face appeared serene, but even his unruffled composure couldn’t hide his eyes, which simmered with the chaotic fury chained within his soul.

”M-M-Monster!” the fallen student wailed, scrambling back on all fours. A dark stain spread between his legs, drawing bewildered eyes from everyone witnessing the commotion.

”You, a mere adventurer, dare threaten me?” Prince Eric demanded, his tone rising.

”What of it?” Fyren retorted, his defiance unwavering. The sheer difference in size between the mage and warrior was staggering, and I marveled at the prince’s confidence.

The anger drained from the prince’s face, replaced by a cruel smile. ”You seem confident in yourself. But can this filthblood say the same? Not just any piece of garbage can apply to this place, you know.”

Fyren’s face softened with compassion. ”Ah, I understand why you wouldn’t want her to attend this school. It might be awkward if you were weaker than a demonkin slave girl, wouldn’t it.”

”What?” Prince Eric’s eyes widened angrily. ”What did you say?”

”F-Fyren.” I pulled at his sleeve. ”Let’s not—”

”Weaker than her? If you’re so confident, then why not agree to a little wager? Face me and my team in the arena tomorrow. If you win, I’ll let that insult slide. Otherwise...” He let his sentence trail off.

”Wait! Don’t take your anger out on them,” Elise broke in, tears gathering in her eyes. ”I’m the one who brought them here.”

Prince Eric laughed, raising a taunting eyebrow. ”What, you want to take their place? You know what happened last time we dueled.”

She looked down, her hands gripping the folds of her skirt tightly. ”I... I will! Even if you can cast fifth-circle spells, I won’t let you bully them!”

”Elise...” I said softly, bewildered by the drama unfolding before me, ”I’m grateful for your help, but it’s actually alright. Something like this is—”

Prince Eric snorted, cutting me off. ”If that’s how it’s going to be, then fine. We’ll do a classic three-on-three deathmatch, last one standing.”

Elise nodded, resolve hardening in her eyes. ”I won’t let you win.”

”Tomorrow, then. When the sun’s at its peak.”

Prince Eric turned on his heel and stalked away, followed by his jeering cohorts. Elise sagged, the brave defiance draining from her face. Tears gathered in the corners of her eyes, and she balled her hands into fists.

”I’m sorry. All I wanted to do was help you out,” she said, her voice cracking into a sob. ”But nothing I do ever works out right. If only I’d, I’d—”

”Everything is fine,” Fyren said soothingly. ”If I wasn’t confident in our strength, I never would have provoked him as I did.”

”That’s a good question,” I said, leveling my gaze at Fyren. ”Why did you? Now I’m going to have less time to study.”

He flinched, then sighed regretfully. ”I suppose you’re right. But the truth is that runt tried to strike you. Even if he’s a prince, no one can disrespect a member of my party that way, not after all we’ve been through.”

”Anyone in our party?” I raised an eyebrow.

”Well, just you. It would do those two some good to get humbled every once in a while,” Fyren said, breaking into a chuckle.

”How can you be so casual about this?” Elise asked, her tone somewhere between exasperated and terrified. ”He’s not just an upperclassman, but one of the Four Dragon Generals!”

”Dragon Generals?” I immediately stiffened, recalling the overwhelming might of a dragon. How strong would someone have to be to earn a title placing them on the same level?

”Yes!” Her golden curls swayed as she nodded emphatically. ”Dragon’s the strongest house right now, and the Four Dragon Generals are the champion students. Offending them is the fastest way to get forced out of the school... or worse!”

”What about you? Didn’t he call you the Golden Princess? If you’re on our side, then surely we have nothing to fear,” Fyren said.

Her expression fell, and her grip tightened on her skirt. ”That’s...not what you think. I’m just, you know... Besides, I’m part of House Titan, which is currently ranked the lowest in almost everything. We don’t get much new blood, which was why I was so excited to recruit you. How could someone like me possibly expect to protect you? I’m so sorry I dragged you into this.”

Her despondency reminded me of much of the darkness I’d found myself struggling with, and I reached out, taking her hand. ”There’s nothing to be sorry for. The truth is, I’m not here to enroll as a student. My name is Xiviyah, the Fate Hero. I’ve been journeying with the Sun Hero, whose current mission is to slay an Infernal Dragon.”

Her eyes grew wider the more I talked, until they practically bulged in disbelief. ”You’re a hero?” She whispered. ”But you’re so young! And kind!”

I recalled the dead-eyed Undead Hero, Connor, who had studied here for six months. ”I suppose compared to others,” I muttered.

”Why didn’t you tell him?” she asked, her awe drifting into confusion. ”Even one of the Four Dragon Generals would have had to back down then.”

”Well, it’s a little complicated. But to begin with, I couldn’t abandon you on your own. If we avoided it that way, he’s sure to take it out on you after. I couldn’t just abandon a new friend like that. Also, life as a hero isn’t as simple as you think, especially...” I hesitated, unconsciously brushing the slave crest with my fingers.

Her eyes shone. ”A friend? Wait, does that mean the Sun Hero’s your master?”

I nodded, feeling my cheeks turn red. Given everything I’d suffered, I rarely felt shame at being referred to as a slave, but something in her naive words dug into me. Almost like she was surprised. Sure, I dreamed of freedom, but wasn’t it only natural I’d be a slave?

Elise stuck close to us as we entered the library. Our possession of the City Lord’s token came as another shock for the golden-haired girl, but it allowed us instant access to the deeper parts of the library. She guided us to the Fate Magic section, where I selected several scrolls to study. There wasn’t time to dive into a true seventh-circle spell, so I studied a few variants of protection magic, adding their runes and patterns to my repertoire.

Aside from Fate Magic, I browsed Life and Sun Magic as well, learning several low-circle spells that specialized in treating specific illnesses and poisons. I hadn’t given up on curing my Sunpurge, and I fully intended to take advantage of the rich resources provided by the library.

Before I knew it, the day came to an end, and we parted ways with Elise. She promised to meet us the following morning, when we would prepare ourselves for the duel, and left with a sparkle in her eye.

”Quite the lovely girl, isn’t she,” Fyren remarked, watching me from the corner of his eye.

”Yes, she is,” I murmured. ”Like a ray of light in the darkness. But, I can’t help but feel something’s off, like she needs me.”

It was a strange sensation, like a subtle tug at my soul. I couldn’t quite pin it down, but it reminded me of the warnings given to me of dangers to come. As we returned to our rooms, I became certain. Elise and I were connected, and I would do whatever it took to help her.