The Outside
Previously:
[Master, the nearest town is to the left. The shed faces towards the Kingdom and the area around you is a field full of sunflowers and grass so it could be a bit confusing]
“No need to worry. I have you here.”
[That’s... true]
Present:
Mace began to open the door, A sudden bright light rushed into the room. The sunlight that had before been blocked by drifting clouds was now in full view, intensely attacking Mace’s pupils with its brightness. The heat was scorching, levels above the normal temperature he’d felt on his mother-planet whilst the wind blew ever so gently.
The fresh air that entered Mace’s nostrils just from standing at the door, allowed him to experience the joys of life once again. He’d been couped up in this stench filled place for too long causing his nose to only know the scent of the decay and mould.
He took his first step out of the shed and onto the footpath. He’d gained little to know knowledge from Tora’s memory when it came to exploring outside. This was a result of Tora being excluded from learning the history and lineage of the continent due to his inability to use magic. As such, there wasn’t much for Mace to go off on.
Beyond this point, practically everything would be new to Mace.
Mace began to walk down the same concrete path that Leyla had trodden on before. The path led to junction that connected to a straight road. This road cuts directly through the fields of crop and sunflowers. To the far left was a red dot that looked to be a bunch of trees bunched up together, but it was too far to make out how big the forest was. Directly to the top right of Mace’s view was a large wall that completely engulfed the skyline of that side. It was thousands of miles from Mace’s shed, but it still looked domineering.
"That's Rosa" he thought, mesmerised by it's grandeur.
The winds began to pick up, swaying the fields of crops as it blew by. Sunflower flower petals flew into the endless blue sky, passing by the face of Mace.
He was bewitched by this picturesque view. He was blessed to witness such beauty he thought. Rarely did he step out in old life other than daily necessities.
“Beautiful” He whispered, still captivated .
After a few more seconds, he snapped out of it. He’d realised he couldn’t watch no more as the time was slowly burning away.
So...!
In one deep breath!
He reassured himself of the future and set out into the great unknown...
Thus Began the Journey of Mace in this new world...
=============================================================
Meanwhile....
In a dimly lit room, a soft-spoken voice rang out...
“Maid, Is my father home?”
“Apologies Young Miss, he’s not arrived yet.” Replied an older, more mature woman.
“Inform me when he arrives, I need to discuss with him about that sham wedding he’s planning.”
“What Sham wedding are you speaking off” replied a croaky yet deep man's voice.
“Father?! you’ve returned!” Replied the young woman caught off guard, looking towards the maid as if telling her off with her cold glare.
The maid quickly put her head down and left the room so the two family members can discuss in private.
“Yes, now what was this about the wedding?" he questioned.
"I-" she started before being cut off.
"I know you don’t want to marry that loser, but this is the best opportunity for our family to get in with the Leone Noble family. Our family’s whole future is sealed with this. Their family head is none other than Earl Len Leone, the closest Man to the 4 Core Noble Families and the only Earl at Third level Sorcerer Rank in the whole of the Kingdom.”
“But he’s son's grotesque father, why does it have to be that trash? I’m a Level 3 Mage whilst he's got no aptitude for Magic. He's not even a warrior for heavens sakes. If we want to create an alliance with his family, why don't I marry one of his older brothers? They’re all Mages or warriors-”
“You know our family is too low for us to catch their eyes. If you can marry this waste, we can use him as a stepping-stone to gain a vital connection with the Leone Family. And as I’ve said before, I won’t allow him to touch you nor be in the same room with you so just marry him in name, ok? Do this for Daddy and the success of our family.”
“*Sighs* "
a few minutes go by.
"...Al...right.... for you daddy.” She gave in.
“Thank you very much!” he replied in a joyful manner.
“Alright I’ll push it to 8 months from now, we don’t need to wait a year. Our family could be a big one in a year’s time now thanks to your sacrifice.”
“8 months? -” She hesitated to finish off her whining after seeing her old man dancing around in joy. He gave a kiss to his beloved daughter’s forehead before turning around and beginning to step out.
“Now go rest, I’ll have everything prepared.” he said holding the door open.
“Alright… Bye Daddy.” She replied, placing her palm on her head.
Her dad closed the door and told the maid to return to the room before walking away delighted.
“God’s sakes” she thought, though she’d agreed to this, she genuinely wanted nothing to do with reject as her husband.
“Only in name, only in name and nothing more...." she repeated.
".... I swear.... I swear I’ll torture you if you even look towards my direction in the future. Worthless castaway noble.”
few more minutes went by in silence. The maid remained in the room in absolute silence. She didn't want to receive the wrath and fury of the young Lady.
“UGHGHHHH…. WHYYYY… I HATE TO EVEN THINK OF SEEING HIS FACEE” she screamed all of a sudden.
She gripped her pillow in a fit of rage. Twisting and turning, she began imaging ways she could potentially torture him if she were to ever lays upon him.
=========================================================================
An unanticipated pop up arrived. 15 more followed up in tandem.
“What’s going on?” questioned Mace.
Mace opened the system and read the notices.
[Alert: Cathelin’s Emotion: Anger]
[Alert: Cathelin’s Emotion: Disgust]
[Alert: Cathelin’s Emotion: Hatred]
[Alert: Cathelin’s Emotion: Annoyance]
[Alert: Cathelin’s Emotion: Aner]
[Alert: Cathelin’s Emotion: Anger]
[…]
[…]
[…]
“Woah, who’s this person that is giving me so many points!! Hahaha Thanks to her, I can eat well during this journey.”
“Bell, Show me the Status Menu” demanded the now lucky Mace.
[Yes Master]
{{Name: Mace}}
{{... Level: 0}}
{{Ep: 40}}
{{Rp: 0}}
{{System Level: 0}}
{{Experience Points: 0}}
“40!! I’ve only seen just over 15 pop ups; how did I get 40? And all from one person!!”
[Strong emotions such as hatred count as 5 themselves and plus you’ve received an extra 0.05 points for each EP from someone far away. This is called the Lasting effect. It’s when the Master gives a lasting effect on someone/groups of people even when he’s not around. If the person thinking about you isn’t in the vicinity, take it as an early warning that someone has intentions about you.]
“Oh, that’s perfect. Anyways, who’s this Cathelin? I’ve never met anyone other than Tora’s old childhood friend.”
[She may be from Tora’s past. Try to remember what you saw in Tora’s memories Master]
“Alright.”
Mace stopped walking and closed his eyes - thinking of who that could be.
…
“Ouch”
Mace felt a needle-like pinch when he tried to remember the memories.
“I can’t even try to remember, it's almost as if it's locked off. I think it’s due to that pain I felt when that woman came into the shed.”
[… That pain has been analysed by the system. It’s called Heart-Severance]
“Heart-Severance? What’s that?”
[ The term 'Heart-Severance' originates from this world. It occurs when an oath or promise to oneself or others breaks causing a backlash. The backlashes differ depending on whether it's a promise or an oath.]
"What's the difference? they are basically the same thing..." Mace questioned, confused at the separation of the words.
[An oath on this planet is much different to one from the planet you came from. An oath is a promised sworn on the heart's Magic Circle. When one completes an Oath, if they break it, the repercussions are either death or the loss of their heart's Magic Circle rendering them maimed and incapable of performing Magic again.]
"Ahh... So a promise is just a verbal substitute? As if one knows that there's a chance of breaking that promth-"
Mace tripped over a little pebble along the seemingly endless path, causing him to bite his tongue in the middle of his sentence.
[....Yes. You are correct. Though you shouldn't make empty promises as they too have backlashes even if they're not as severe.]
"That pause... You judged me there didn't you?" Mace inquired, feeling all embarrassed.
[I am a System, I have no feelings nor ability to judge you. I can't laugh nor patronise you Master]
"Why do I feel like you are doing all those things at once..."
[I am a System-]
"Yes, yes, I heard you the first time, I understand!" Mace replied, feeling defeated to a mere 'System'.
"Instead, tell me about these heart Magic Circles, I have no clue even with the memories of Tora"
[Yes, heart Magic Circles...]
To Be Continued…