His Plan(2)

The sky was now tinged with an orange hue signaling for a sunset. Huge brick walls surrounded the estate of the Blitzfeld, covering it from all the sites. 

The rough pavement extending from the grand mansion was bordered by a garden of white roses and yellow lilies, their hues deepening with the sunset. A circular fountain stood at the center of the pavement, water splashing out and creating a gentle sound.

On the pavement near the fountain, stood a slick brown carriage etched with a symbol—It was a heart-shaped stone, with runes and roots etched around it. It was none other than the mark of the House Von Edelstein.

-Click

"Your Excellency, Young Lady"

The driver of the carriage leaned forward in a respectful manner, as he held the door open.

"I think we should get going now, Friedrich" Duke Leopold's azure eyes gleamed with an awkward look and then he turned towards me and smiled, "Noah, I wish you good health and please maintain the relationship with Elisabeth, I don't know what happened but don't jump to such decisions in a rush, Okay dear boy?"

"Yes, your grace" I replied lowering my head. She rejected my offer to break off the engagement. I mean, I saw it coming but still... I guess this girl's disgust of Noah was not greater than Felix's.

'Simp, I guess you were not the most hated on the list' Although I knew that. Even If I haven't played Elisabeth's route yet, I know the major antagonist of her route—Felix Von Frostholm. The second son of Duke Henry Von Frostholm and my Brother-In-Law. Also, one of Noah's tormentors.

Another target for my revenge who is actually reachable—only with strength. He is in the low Adept stage, making him two stages greater than me. Might sound like a lot but it is not that much of a difference in the lower stages, the rank disparity only increases in higher stages. He is not much of a martial artist so, his aura is also not present.

The mana core in [Legacy of Heroes] follows a similar cliche magic system path. A mana core with which a being utilizes mana and casts magic. There is also the Aura core, the spiritual energy used by the knights.

For tiers of mana core, there are: Initiate>Apprentice>Adept>Expert>Master>Grandmaster>Archon. Although I suspect one can go beyond that. But, there are no current records.

For tiers of Aura Core, it follows a similar path but there are few changes in the last tier names. They go as: Squire>Knight>Grand Knight>Paladin>Saint and it can also go further I believe.

These tiers are further divided into stages—Low>Mid>Advanced.

So for now, I am a Mid Apprentice with a dormant Aura core and Felix is a Low Adept with also a dormant Aura core. My shitty father, Duke Friedrich is an Advanced Grandmaster Tier in mana core and Mid Master Tier in Aura core. Only one step behind from reaching the peak of humanity.

That is why I am nothing but a fucking insect in front of him which he can squash whenever he wants. So, the smart thing to do is oblige with the decision he takes which I did not, by trying to break off the engagement. I knew what was coming as soon as Duke Edelstein and Elisabeth would leave.

I took a glance at Elisabeth, who refused to meet my gaze. Good thing only, I hope this is the last time I see her.

[But it's not gonna be the last time right?] Dante chimed in.

'Yes, our paths will cross again at the academy but I will just leave her be.' I replied.

I definitely just wanted to end things with her here then in the academy she would have no reason to seek me out but that plan failed, now I won't be disowned but punished.

"We shall see each other again" Duke Leopold entered the car, and Elisabeth followed right after him not before bowing before my father who stood right beside me with a crafted smile.

After making sure both the Duke and the Young Lady were comfortable, the driver also bowed before us and sat atop the carriage. The most fascinating thing was this carriage did not need any horses, it ran on mana, which was supplied to it by mana stones.

The carriage was now enveloped with a shimmering light then it ran off, leaving through the opened gates of the estate. I stared at its back for a second and then turned on my heels, 'I need to get-'

-KRRKK

But before I could reach the estate, something hit me so hard in the right side of my stomach that I was sent flying. It happened in an instant but I saw it...

-CRASH!

I hit one of the brick walls covering the estate, a crack-like webs of spiders formed on the wall due to the impact. I lay there still, trembling from the burning pain that ran through my whole body.

[Noa-Ethan, are you alright!?] Dante asked his concern for me was evident.

'No,'

"Cough, Cough..."

I was kicked with the help of lightning magic so fast, that it sent me flying. It was none other than my father, he was now slowly approaching me. I coughed a mouthful of blood out. My vision now went blurry, I was hit at more terrible strength than the car back on earth. If I was not a mana user, then I would've died instantly.

My father or this fucking child abuser was now in front of me looking at my pathetic state with a look of fury in his eyes.

"Still weak" He mumbled but I was able to catch it.

He extended his hands and grabbed the fabric of my tunic, lifting me upwards. "Noah," He began his tone dripping with nothing but disappointment and anger, the same look he gave me or Noah the whole life. "Why did you do that?" 

"Do wha-" But before I could complete it, a strong punch landed on my left cheek almost knocking me out.

"Why did you suggest that to Elisabeth?" He rambled, "Why are you trying to break the engagement off!?"

-Thud.

He dropped me to the ground. He clenched his fists, and amethyst lightning started crackling around his fists. I knew what was coming, it was the same abuse that I was going to receive that I endured in both my lives.

As Ethan, hot burning water was thrown on me, leaving red marks on my back. My mother hit me with the metal bat every chance she got. Leaving me senseless and breaking my bones. It was harsh but I lived through it.

-Dham.

His fists struck my face, almost cracking my skull. But he did not stop he pummeled me like there was no tomorrow, and the skin of my face turned bloody red. My nose was broken, few of my teeth fell out. 

"KNOW YOUR PLACE, YOU ARE HERE IN THIS HOUSEHOLD BECAUSE OF THAT ENGAGEMENT. SO BE GRATEFUL TO HER THAT YOU ARE STILL HERE OR ELSE YOU WOULD'VE MINGLED AMONG THOSE POOR COMMONERS" His voice thundered in my ears which were slowly losing its functionality. My vision was completely gone mixed with blood leaving me with nothing but darkness.

'Mingling with those commoners would be better'

It was my childhood as Ethan all over again, getting beaten senseless, abused, tortured like hell. Heck, even hell is better than the fucking life I had to live. Now, as Noah, it was the same again.

'I don't want this'

"Gulgrh" I tried to speak but the continued punches blundered my voice. The punches continued for five minutes more, now I could even feel the lightning charring my skin. I knew would not be able to look myself in the mirror for at least a week. I was ugly anyway.

-Drip. Drip. Drip...

Duke Friedrich's punches stopped, the whole estate was now silent aside from the blood dripping from the Duke's knuckles. I was only able to hear, that also faintly. My eyelids were not even responding and consciousness was also fading.

-Step. Step...

I heard his footsteps, walking away from me like nothing had happened.

"Guards!" He shouted, "Bandage him up, give him a few healing potions, and take him to his room, lock him up there" 

""Yes, sir!"" They replied in unison.

-Step. Step. Step.....

-Step. Step. Step.....

The sounds of their hurried footsteps echoed against the ground but they were slowly fading away until there was nothing.

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A/N: I got cooked in the exam ;(