Chapter 13

Chapter 13 – Little Bird (2)

“Really? How come?”, asked Pram .

“You’re already a fully-fledged swordsman—you know all the basics, have great

senses, and your flow isn’t bad,” noted Desir . “You are apt at finding a flaw in

your opponent’s stance, and would not have any problems going to the

promotion battle right now . Even the Alpha Class has few people matching

your skills . ”

Desir recalled Pram from his memories . His gallant figure charged into the

heart of the enemy, holding only a silver rapier . The sliver of a sword raced

across the battlefield, striking at the speed of lightning . A true King-rank

swordsman and living legend amongst the survivors .

But that was in the future .

Desir remarked, “Of course, that would require you to relinquish the

greatsword in exchange for a rapier . ”

Pram failed to meet Desir’s eyes as he gripped the greatsword tightly . He

became silent and discovered a newfound interest in the floorboards .

Desir noticed his reluctance and simply asked, “Why won’t you use the rapier,

Pram?”

“Must you ask?” whined Pram .

“This concerns the overall strength of the party, so yes,” said Desir .

Pram lowered his greatsword . Their eyes met . Desir saw a touch of

vulnerability in Pram’s eyes . “Then . . . could you come with me?”

4

The overcast sky gave hints of dusk approaching . Rain was sure to come in the

next few hours, but none of that compared to Pram’s appearance . His face

darkened with each word:

“I didn’t know my father .

“It’s not because he died when I was young . He was a noble, and my mother

was a commoner . I was a bastard, simple as that . Even so, we used to be pretty

well-off .

“Thinking back, I think he provided for us . My mother didn’t even know how to

stitch . ”

Pram unlocked the door to his dormitory, and let Desir in .

“Every night before we slept, she would always tell me about what a wonderful

person he was . She was so proud of him,” explained Pram . With each word,

loneliness crept onto Pram’s face . Soon, there was none of the bright-eyed boy

who stood in front of him just a few hours earlier . Desir waited patiently in the

living room as Pram went to retrieve a leather sheath . As Desir received the

guard, he inspected the weapon—inside was a rapier .

The grip was made of a high quality oak . There was some unintelligible

scribbling on the handle, but most shocking was the weight . It was incredibly

light for a sword, to the point where it would be impossible to use the weight of

the sword in his attacks .

“When I was 6, my mother told me that my father left this rapier for us,” said

Pram . “That was why I learned the sword—to become proficient enough that

my father would have nothing but pride for me when we finally met,” Pram

claimed with sparkling eyes . “My mother was always worried about it . I think

she never wanted me to meet my father . ”

5

Pram gave Desir a bittersweet smile as he reminisced . “My mother never told

me his name—not even once . Instead, she always told me that I should never go

looking for my father . I get it—I really do . There’s no way that a highborn noble

family would accept a bastard . She never told me his name, even on her

deathbed . ”

A bastard was a disgrace; in the case of Pram, he wasn’t even the son of a

concubine . If a commoner appeared at a noble’s doorstep and said he was a

bastard, the result was obvious . She kept her silence to protect her son .

Regardless, Pram wanted to know his father’s name . Despite his mother’s

concerns, he always wanted to meet his father .

“Call it curiosity . Isn’t it just human to want to meet your father?” asked Pram .

“That’s why I came here – with so many nobles gathered, I would definitely be

able to find a clue to my father’s whereabouts . ”

Desir nodded in agreement .

“I had the rapier inspected as soon as I got here—my only lead . With weapons

from all around the world gathered here, there had to be somebody who could

give me a clue based on this rapier . ” Pram’s eyes hardened .

Desir inspected the blade . Although the handle was extremely high quality, the

blade itself was worthless . The silver plating had worn off, and revealed a

rusted iron within . It resembled a toy more than a weapon .

“The result is in your hands . It’s made of a cheap iron that could be from

anywhere . The only thing that my father left my mother was a worthless iron

sword,” said Pram softly . He looked close to tears as he spoke . Desir could tell

those weren’t tears of anguish, but of betrayal .

“I can’t bear it . I can’t bear that after all these years I wishing to meet my

father, all he left for us was this worthless thing . That’s my reason . I will never

use the rapier again,” croaked Pram .

6

Pram retrieved the rapier from Desir, and threw it to the side in frustration .

The greatsword cut through the air with a powerful slash . Pram was practicing

his swings . The most fundamental move—an important step to understanding

the sword .

Desir watched his display with apprehension . ‘It wouldn’t be an exaggeration to

say that Pram has no talent for the greatsword . . . it would be pointless to even teach

him . ’

The greatsword was not designed for accuracy, but for its crushing weight .

Utilizing the slow and destructive strength of the broad weapon required

training to handle its hefty weight . Pram’s physique did not meet any of the

conditions in training with the greatsword, but were rather optimized for a

rapier .

Much of this was due to habit—based on Pram’s story, he trained with the

rapier for at least 10 years . If he had switched to the greatsword recently after

he had the rapier appraised, he had been using the greatsword for less than two

weeks . It would take many times more than that to break his ingrained habits .

Desir sighed at the thought . Everything would be resolved if Pram simply

picked up the rapier, but he was taciturn in his answer . Desir was frustrated,

but did understand Pram’s feelings . If he were Pram, he would likely do the

same thing .

‘It’s still too early to give up . ’

Desir hung on to one major flaw in Pram’s story—something that didn’t add up

that even Pram couldn’t know about . His future .

‘In my past life, he used the rapier . ’

7

Pram Schneizer and his rapier were inseparable . That was a fact . Through his

honed skills, he gained accolades and found himself at the apex of the blade,

even being named Sword Master . His future was completely different, and in

that was where Desir found his clue .

‘There must be a clue . Something that shook his heart and made him take up the

rapier again . ’ Desir walked up to Pram and cleared his throat to get his

attention . ‘With that, there’s only one thing it could be—his father’s heirloom . ’

Pram stopped his swinging and turned to face his party member .

“Sorry for getting in the way of your training,” said Desir sheepishly .

“What’s the matter?” responded Pram .

“That sword you showed me yesterday—could you let me see it one more

time?” asked Desir .

Pram’s ever gentle expression froze at the mention of the weapon . His face was

marked with anxiety .

Desir tried to appeal to Pram . “I know it is rude of me to ask this, but could you

please do me a favour and show it to me one more time?”

“Even if you say that, it’s impossible,” replied Pram bluntly .

Pram raised his head . The next four words that came out of his mouth were

completely out of Desir’s expectations .

“I’ve already sold it . ”

| This stop is the Business Sector .

8

Stepping off the bus, they were enamoured by the sight of a wide avenue lined

with thousands of street lights . The hustle and bustle of the street vendors as

they bartered with the city folk was lively . The crossroads, plaza, and even the

alleys were filled to the brim with shops as far as the eye can see . This sector

was the only area in Hebrion Academy open to the public . People from across

the world would come to inspect their wares, and the crowded streets left

barely any space to move, save for a few small gaps .

“Can I ask you one thing? Why did you sell your sword?” questioned Desir .

Passing by a smith’s stall with swords on display, Pram examined the swords

available . “It became clear to me during our talk, Mr . Desir . That sword was of

no help to me,” said Pram politely .

Desir realized that he had changed the future—Pram may never use the rapier

ever again in his life . He shook his head to get rid of the thought .

‘It’s not too late . The most important thing now is to find a reason for Pram to use the

rapier . ’

The two students entered an alley, covered in a shadow cast by the nearby

roofs . As they travelled deeper into the alleyway, fewer and fewer stalls

propped themselves out for display . Eventually, the two made their way to a

large, imposing building in the distance .

“I can’t see why there’s a store all the way out here,” said Desir with a tinge of

doubt .

Pram responded, “They said they also purchase illegal goods . That’s probably

why . ”

The building was adorned with marble, with a simple sign written in Common

in front of the door .

9

Ujukun’s Antique Shop . The most trusted shop in Hebrion Academy for antique

appraisals and purchases . Do not touch unsold items . No refunds even if you

change your mind . No refunds for damaged items . No refunds under any

circumstances .

Desir frowned . There was another line obscured when Desir originally read the

sign .

Top-class security always present . Cannot guarantee the lives of thieves .

“Looks hard-fisted,” said Desir . He fanned himself with his hands as he read

over the sign again, ensuring that he didn’t miss any additional information .

“Are you planning on going in?” Pram asked .

“Yes,” said Desir .

“I’ll say it as many times as you want—I will not use that rapier,” said Pram

crassly .

As Desir entered the shop, Pram followed in resignation . After they passed

through a narrow hallway, they came to a stop in a beautiful passageway with a

glittering chandelier descending from the center of the ceiling . At the end of

the hall, an imposing steel door laid shut . Pram rapped against the door using

the steel knocker fashioned in the shape of a wolf .

Moments later, a man emerged from inside . His stature was much taller than

the average man, looking to be one of the northern barbarians—a giant . As

Pram and Desir entered, the door was slammed shut behind them . A roar

echoed across the hall as the steel door was closed yet again . Silence filled the

hall .