Birth To End (2)

{2 years later}

Adrien was proving himself to be more talented than people gave him credit for.

He could sense mana from birth, an average person took several years of meditation and enlightenment to reach that level.

Adrien's achievements didn't stop there.

The mana that a person controlled was malleable and they could ascend to higher realms of understanding where the intensity and flexibility would increase accordingly.

It begin with the,

Beginner realm.

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Intermediate realm.

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Superior realm.

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Supreme realm

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Transcendent realm.

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The Peak.

The peak was considered to be the highest level, what lay beyond that was still a mystery to most people.

Adela was among the few that had reached the peak, giving testament to her reputation as a 'hero'.

At the tender age of 9, Adrien had broken into the intermediate realm.

'Huuuu'

Adrien's tutor, Gael Eustace looked awestruck as he watched Adrien's mana become smoother and a lot denser.

They were current in the training grounds beside his home.

Adrien was sitting on the ground, his eyes closed as he calmed the raging storm of mana within.

The breakthrough had happened while they were having a spar. Gael could only watch silently as the boy adapted to the new realm.

'How intriguing...'

As Gael wiped away the sweat dripping down from his student's forehead feeling an indescribable emotion.

" He's already broken into the intermediate realm huh ?"

Gael's wandering mind returned as he turned back to face his employers.

Gorn and Adela Savtior were renowned people and he was glad to be employed by them. It gave him more credibility and it would also stabilze his position as the heir to the Eustace Dukedom.

After all, who wouldn't accept an heir acknowledged by the hero ?

"His growth has been much more rapid since you arrived,young lord." Adela said, flashing him kind smile.

"No, my lady." Gael gave her slight bow as a sign of respect.

" It's thanks to his own talent."

"Still you helped him a lot."

" Thank you for your kind words." Gael smiled slightly.

"I heard you published a new paper." Dron interjected while putting his hand over Adela's shoulder.

"Duke Eustace must be proud,young lord."

Upon the mention of his father, Gael's face narrowed for a millisecond before returning back to normal.

"Thank you...Ser Dron."

As they continued their conversation, they failed to notice Adrien standing up and walking away.

"Well done, son."

Adela patted him on the shoulder, while his father gave him an thumbs up.

"Thank you." Adrien said curtly before continuing to walk away.

"Why don't you say goodbye to your teacher first...?" Adela smiled while her tone carried undertones of a warning.

Adrien once again turned back alternating his gaze between his teacher and mother.

...

...

...

"Bye."

Adrien rushed away as if he was retreating from a battle.

" Excuse his crude behaviour, Gale." Adela sighed while looking at his retreating figure.

"It seems that he is in his rebellious phase."

Gale raised his eyebrows and looked enquiringly at the couple.

"Recently he's been pestering us about joining the academy."

'Huh'

" Isn't the usual age of admission-"

"15." Dron said interrupting Gael, while nodding deep in thought.

" He thinks they'll let him in since he's talented and well..." Dron pointed at Adela without further explaining himself.

'Of course....it does make sense.'

Gael had witnessed first hand just how talented Adrien was. Taking that into factor along with who his mother was....it wasn't entirely impossible.

'But someone entering the academy at 9 years old is..'

Unprecedented.

Gael was further intrigued by Adrien, he was talented but his mentality had always been the problem. He was too lazy to work on anything.

But for the past week he had been putting in the effort. Gael had wondered what had brought about such a change and now things started to click together.

" We initially refused but it's the first time he's asked for anything...so we told him that we would allow him under some conditions."

"What were the conditions?"

Adela frowned and massaged her brows as if a massive storm was messing up her mind,

"The first was too reach the intermediate realm."

Gael could see Dron's smile becoming wider

" The second was to win first place in the annual swordsmanship tournament."

The annual swordsmanship tournament was something that the Rune Kingdom organised every year to scout new talent to inscript in the army.

Anybody could participate, from commoners to even the crown prince. It was a week long event and the winner could enlist in the army as well as get a reward of his choosing.

Over the years, it had become a platform for nobles to have a debut of sorts.

Second years from the academy usually participated and the victor was usually someone from among them unless a variable of some sort appeared.

There were times when random people won, a travelling knight won last year. So it wasn't exactly surprising if this year too some unexpected won.

There was still 6 months left till the tournament.

'It could be him.'

Gale closed his eyes, excitement taking over his mind.

This year's variable was going to be Adrien Savtior and nobody is going to be ready for what's about to happen.

'I think it's going to be pretty chaotic soon.' Gale bid the Savitors goodbye and left.

•••

{6 months later}

The crowd went wild as Adrien defeated his opponent.

Sweat dribbled down his forehead as he took in a deep breath of air.

" With an amazing display of power, the young boy of House Savitor has won the tournament!"

The commentator's words further excited the crowd leading to thunderous applause, while some even whistled.

Their excitement was not unfounded as the Kingdom had gained an unparalleled genius. Adrien had entered the tournament under the scrutiny and contempt of many.

They wondered why a young boy who wasn't even 10 years old would get by participating in a tournament meant for a higher age group.

But their questions where all answered as the matches began. Adrien won all the matches with ease.

The last match was a struggle as the opponent was of the intermediate realm as well , but in the end Adrien outwitted him as well.

Adrien stared at the cheering crowd passively until his gaze fell on his father, he was waving at him, beaming with pride.

Adela's absense tugged at his mind, throwing it into unease. But Adrien couldn't blame her for not attending since she was away doing her job.

Recently an organization has surfaced, they called themselves the 'Delcoit'.

Usually such a matter was handled by the officers but this group had grown rapidly over the years.

It was now too big for just the officers or investigators to handle.

Delcoits were known for kidnapping people and expirementing on them. They were people that had forsaken their humanity for the sake of advancement in science and magic.

Recently they had been on a killing spree, and in all their crime scenes a single note was left behind. The note simply said:

We want Adela Savitor.

Hence, Adela had went away to confront these people. She has already raided more than ten of their bases leaving behind a mountain of corpses and dust.

Adrien felt a strange remembering their last conversation, it was a week ago:

"It'll probably be awhile till we see each other again, so stop being a brat and give your mother a kiss."

Adela pushed her cheek towards Adrien's face, which he pushed away. But seeing the hurt look on her face he relented and gave her a quick kiss on the cheek.

Adela smiled and embraced him lightly.

"Can I ask you something?"

Adrien nodded, prompting Adela to ask her son the question that had been plaguing her mind for a long time.

" Why do you want to join the academy so bad ?"

Adrien pondered for a moment,

" I just...wanted to be like you."

Adela had also entered the academy at a young age, she had entered when she was 13 years old and proceeded to topple the entire hierarchy of academy.

Adela's eyes widened in shock, pride swelled within her as she looked at him.

"You're such a good boy." She ruffled his hair and gave him another hug.

"I don't care if you enter the academy or not, Adrien." Adela stared at her son lovingly.

"I will always love you."

As Adrien watched the raging crowd, he felt strangely empty inside.

'I miss her.'

•••