Villain's Requiem

The sun rose on the Morningstar Estate. It had been a few days since, Lucas had ran away.

For the most part, the servants were happy to be rid of him. Including the knights, who most despised Lucas.

Although there were some who weren't as happy as the others.

In the training grounds, a young boy with golden hair, was facing a knight with black hair and blue eyes, who looked to be in his early fourties.

The man was Ralph, the vice captain of the Morningstar knights. He raised his sword at Silas, signalling him to come.

Silas immediately took a fighting stance and leapt at Ralph.

Cling, Cling, Cling—!!

With swift precision, Ralph skillfully parried each of Silas' thrusts, his sword serving as an impenetrable barrier against the onslaught.

The metallic clashes of their weapons filled the air, and sparks erupted from the intense clashes.

'Damn it,' Silas thought in his mind, knowing that blindly attacking Ralph like this would get him nowhere.

Thwoo—

Hopping back a few steps, Silas created some distance between himself and Ralph, providing a brief respite to gather his thoughts.

Aware that a different approach was necessary, Silas began to brainstorm alternative strategies, searching for a way to engage Ralph more effectively in their battle.

"You think too much," Ralph suddenly spoke, his voice calm and collected, as he channelled mana into his legs.

"…?!"

Before Silas could react or even respond to those words, Ralph appeared right in front of him, closing the distance between them in the blink of an eye.

In that split second, Ralph capitalized on Silas' momentary vulnerability.

With a fluid motion, he executed a precise strike, aiming for a critical opening in Silas' defense.

Swish—

The blade of Ralph's sword swiftly whistled through the air, guided by his years of combat experience.

Cling—

However, just as Ralph's strike was about to connect, Silas' instincts kicked in, and he managed to react in the nick of time.

With a swift block of his sword, he diverted the trajectory of Ralph's blade and narrowly avoided a devastating blow.

Almost instantly, lifting up his right leg, Silas threw a powerful forward kick with the intention of hitting Ralph flat in the chest.

But his kick met nothing but air as Ralph effortlessly evaded the blow by twirling his body to the left.

'He's fast!' Silas thought in his mind.

But before he could process any further thoughts, Ralph capitalized on the opening, utilizing the momentum of his evasion. Swiftly, Ralph spun on his left leg and twisted his body like a tornado.

Thwack—

With impeccable timing and precision, he threw a roundhouse kick that connected with a resounding impact against Silas' abdomen, sending shockwaves through his body.

The impact knocked the air out of Silas and sent him hurtling backwards.

Thud, Thud—

Eventually, he dropped and crashed to the ground, rolling and skidding several times before finally coming to a stop.

Without wasting a moment, Silas swiftly regained his balance and jumped back to his feet, showing no sign of pain.

However, that was just an act – his poker face. In reality, a sharp pain in his abdomen persisted. It felt as if his ribs had been mercilessly crushed once more.

Gritting his teeth, Silas tightened his grip on his sword, his determination unyielding. Locking eyes with Ralph, he swiftly assumed his stance again, refusing to allow the pain to hinder his resolve.

***********

"Haaa." Ralph exclaimed with a loud sigh. "Good spar Young Master".

They had been sparring for three hours. And only now were they taking a break.

"Thank you, sir Ralph". Silas replied with a courteous bow. He then turned to leave.

As he was leaving, Ralph looked at his departing back and sighed. "What a monster. High potential, high talent and an enormous drive. That kid's going places alright".

He then proceeded to lay his back on the ground.

************

Silas' POV

I headed inside the mansion. As I walked by, the maids, and other servants bowed briefly to me and continued with their work.

It had been a few days since Lucas disappeared. I had thought father would mobilize the 'Horizon Knights' to search for him.

But he didn't. It would seem like father has well and truly abandoned Lucas, his favorite son.

'Favorite son'. I couldn't help but be amused at the thought of that phrase. Lucas had long stopped being father's favorite son.

Ever since the awakening ceremony when we were ten. I have to admit even I was shocked that my genius brother had awakened such a low potential.

Meanwhile I had awakened a high ranking one. [SS] rank. That made me a better candidate for becoming heir than Lucas who had awakened a [C] rank potential.

As I walked to my room I heard a familiar voice. "Young Master Silas". I turned to look at the one who called me.

She was someone I knew very well. Back then Lucas and I were very attached to her.

Her beautiful red hair matched with her piercing red eyes. She was wearing a maid dress that didn't really hide her sexy curves.

Aisha. She was like an elder sister to Lucas and I. And she was my first love. But like everyone else, she favored Lucas as well.

Just like Mother, Aurora, Oliver, James, Cynthia, Isabel, and even Father before the awakening ceremony. Everyone had always preferred Lucas.

I was just the additional brother. The extra. The only time I was ever remembered was when Lucas or Aisha remembered me.

Ironic huh. The brother I hated the most was the only person who gave a shit about me before my awakening.

Lucas and Aisha were the only ones who gave a shit.

"Young Master?" I heard Aisha's voice snap me out of my reverie. "Oh right sorry. What is it bi- Aisha." I corrected myself. I was about to call her big sister just like the old days.

But those days were over. They ended when mother died.

Her expression seemed to show concern for a moment before shifting to normal. "Well, his grace has demanded you have dinner with the rest of the family".

"Huh? Rest of the family?" I asked noticably confused.

Noticing my confusion, she quickly responded. "Yes. Lords Reinhardt, Gilbert, and Lady Kira are coming for dinner today".

Oh. I see. "The entirety of House Morningstar is coming huh." I said with a shrug. "Alright. I will."

"Ok. I will inform his grace". She said. And then with a polite bow she turned around and left.

So everyone's coming huh. Aunt Kira, Uncle Gilbert too. Why though? Why is Uncle Gilbert coming even though he should be at the border.

It doesn't matter. I'm going to show them. I will continuously prove to them that I am superior to Lucas.

'Status'. I called out in my head.

________________________________________

Name: Silas Morningstar

Age: 13

Rank: E+/D-

STR(ATT): 100/800 (200/1600) [E]/[SS]

AGI(SPD): 115/850 (230/1700) [E+]/[SS+]

DEF: 99/739 [E]/[SS-]

Mana: 3500[SS]

Magic: 129/900 [E+/D-]/[SS+]

Affinities: Fire [A]

Lightning [S]

Light [S]

Skills: Predation [Unique]: allows the user to absorb any and all essence from a defeated opponent including talent, magic, sword mastery, stats, even potential.

Judgement [Divine]: Grants the absolute dominion over matter, physics, time, and space within a specific radius making them the Nexus within that radius.

Black flames [S]: Black flames capable of burning any and everything around them.

________________________________________

I smiled seeing my status screen. I was growing fast. Monstrously so.