《Feudal Feud》Episode 1 - Turning Point
Advertisement
The new school year was about to start and preparations had to be made accordingly, considering that hundreds of thousands of new students would be joining the Orange Classes of the Northern Fighting Institute.
Despite it being the least prestigious of all fighting academies in the city, no other school would see such a gigantic influx of students during this time of the year, as per the Ruler's orders, "Education is a necessary step for progression - it is no news that non-accomplished people will remain incompetent throughout the entirety of their cycle. As such, from this day onward and throughout my reign as Ruler, the Northern Fighting Institute is to be supported by all of Fai Ki City's Families, as they will be the authority and key compelled with the physical and intellectual nurturing of minds of all ages and backgrounds".
In other words, what was once a relatively small institute was about to become the driving strength of Fai Ki as a whole, meaning that even if all the Elder Families emptied their pockets, no amount of currency would be able to get every single one of those minds to their side. Power was, therefore, about to shift once again.
It was in the middle of that intense commotion, caused by the labor of thousands who hurried to get everything built and ready in time, that Rai and Kazaki were haggling over the future of the young man.
"You are one hell of a persistent old man! Why can't you take a no for an answer? Talk Yui into doing that kind of work, not me!"
"Rai, how many times do I have to tell you not to raise your tone like that? You know awfully well that Yui cannot take part in such affairs."
"That's exactly why I'm raising my tone, old man! The current Ruler did all of this for the sake of people like you and me, to abridge the gap between those useless nobles and us, and yet you don't seem eager in the least to tell that woman to move her ass and do something fruitful for once! While we all had to work ourselves to the bone in order to have a place in the Institute, that imbecile did nothing but use the Ki Family's money for her own sake!"
"Don't disparage the name of your own family! The circumstances surrounding it do not matter, you too are a Ki and have no right of speaking like that of another family member! Who is it that made Lee's and Keila's studies possible? It was the Ki Family! Or are you a Ki only when time befits?"
"...suit yourself, old man."
Advertisement
"Rai!"
With that, Rai walked away from the quarrel, as he headed towards the Main Institute.
Kazaki is, putting blood to the side, Rai's true guardian. The complete story surrounding it is unknown, but Rai was found as a toddler, abandoned, in the middle of a war field. No one was sure who the baby belonged to but, according to the calculations made by the Elder Families, he should have been the son of Rai Fei Ki, a man who once held the rank of Future Head of the Fei Family, the second strongest Elder Family of the four. Rai Fei Ki being a very lascivious man, father to more than 30 children despite being only aged 28 at the time of his death, and having fought and died in the same battlefield where Rai was found made the Fei Family make such an assumption.
Rai was therefore raised as a true-blooded Ki down to the age of five until a certain issue came up - every of Rai Fei Ki's children could be very easily identified thanks to three peculiarities that told them apart from the rest: the blond hair that turned light brown as they slowly ventured into childhood, the dark eyes that became purple over time, following the same procedure, and the overwhelming strength all of them possessed, making them major fighter candidates at their respective families. Rai, on the other hand, kept his blonde hair throughout even his teenage years, showing no signs of change, had dark brown colored eyes, which were the norm among most commoners and, despite being stronger than the average man, did not show any signs of being truly fortunate in that field.
Afraid of the backlash they could suffer from raising someone who was potentially a commoner, the Fei Family stripped Rai of the Fei title and sent him to a place where no noble would concern going: the Northern Fighting Institute. Although he lost many of his former perks, Rai was still Rai Ki, a Ki in name, and made sure to exercise the influence such a name would bring from time to time, though he did that in a way he believed to be correct and justifiable.
This name of his, though, made many of the other students somewhat wary of him, since every member of the Ki Family was to be treated with the utmost respect. Associating with a Ki meant you were either someone of high rank or a very important member of the city, after all.
His name was also to blame as to why he acted in such a brash and excessive manner with Kazaki.
"Oh! Raiki!"
"Lee! It has been a while, hasn't it, brother?"
Advertisement
The two brothers had just met at the Main Institute after having been split apart for a while, as every year the students of the Institute had the chance to go back home and visit their families.
"What are you on about, you idiot? Only two weeks have passed! You look kind of down though… did you bore the old man to death or something?"
"No… but I was discussing something with him a while ago. I know he doesn't mean any harm with all of the stuff he says, but it really gets on my nerves…"
Lee couldn't help but laugh at what Rai had just said. "If that's it then I would say that everything is fine! In fact, I would be more impressed if you hadn't fought with the old man, that's for sure. Were you two talking about that teaching position?"
"Yeah… I told him to talk Yui into doing it, but I don't think I got through him. Why would I have to go through the hassle of training all those Orange Ranks…"
"Isn't it fine? I'm sure it would be a decent experience. I also accepted the teaching position, by the way.", said Lee while grinning.
"You did what?! Why didn't you tell me anything, then?"
"Well, the old man came at me, all sad and desperate-looking, saying that since the boy he had been raising like a son for more than a decade didn't want to do it, then he would have no choice but to depend on me once again… I wish I hadn't been born this dependable, really."
"Want me to smack you, you twat?"
"I feel like it would be worth the effort, though. But you do you."
"I'll think about it...", said Rai quietly, like a shy puppy who had just been correctly reprimanded.
Without speaking much more following that, the two boys headed towards the newly built training grounds where the reception would be made.
Every school year, the Institute Master, Head of the Institute and responsible for the health, safety, and wellbeing of every student, would execute an opening speech, one that was usually done with the aim of motivating and provoking the new practitioners in a positive way, as it was believed that taking in the words of someone whose martial prowess was immense would drive the students to greatness, making this one of the most important events of the year.
Silence was therefore done, as every student there present understood the importance of getting closer to absolute martial prowess, however difficult or unattainable it may seem.
Lee, though, could not resist whispering in dumbfoundedness after seeing a certain figure heading towards the speaking podium.
"Hey, hey, hey… Rai, isn't that the old man? On the podium?"
"That's not possible, he told me he planned on remai-"
"It is him! Your old man was actually elected Institute Master! I can't believe this!"
"I got it already, so stay quiet and listen to what he has to say!" said Rai, in a mix of excitement, embarrassment, and pride. He had never been one to pay close attention to this type of ceremony, but he couldn't help but respect and admire the man that stood in front of him, the man who was about to inspire thousands of students with one simple speech.
"On this historic day I, Kazaki Jin, would like to welcome and congratulate the whole of the student body, both for going through the effort of attending this opening ceremony, but further notably for grasping the opportunity that Jai Li, former student of the Northern Fighting Institute and current Ruler, presented to every citizen of Fai Ki, disregarding and ignoring any past rules that were bounding down what rounds to half of the population of this city."
Despite having involuntarily forced many of the present into a trance-like state, there were still some people who couldn't help but quietly gasp at the fact that the current Ruler was an alumnus of the Institute.
"None of those things could have been accomplished without the proper education, and it is for a reason that Jai Li chose this Institute as the city's future driving force!
Up until today, most of you have lived without questioning the "why" or "how" of this world's rules, trying not to know and think things further than the reality around you calls for.
Those days are now over, though.
During your stay in the Institute, you shall be taught everything that we can provide!
You will all learn history and economy, allowing you to transcend the living conduct you have been subjected to throughout centuries of oppression and repression!
You will all study the ways of the beast and the sword, thus becoming not front feeder, but proud men and women who stand bravely at the frontlines, triumphing over any rival who comes your way!
You will all be remembered forever in every book that is being written and has yet to be written as the changing force of Fai Ki City!
And lastly, remember not to let arrogance get ahold of your character, but to stand proudly in face of adversity and difference, remaining loyal to not only those who raised you but also those who are yet to be raised.
That is all."
Advertisement
Unbroken
Stuck in the Void Wastelands, a group of courageous paladins fights to defend the portal that bridges their world to other Planes. Cut from civilization, and after decades of fighting, from the providence of their Goddess, they continued their eternal vigil even if they continued to fall one after another. Until, at last, only one Paladin is left standing. Artreus, the lone Paladin, after years of isolation, continued to fight, not for their world, or their Goddess, but the memory of his comrades. He continued to surpass insurmountable odds using the experience and knowledge imparted by his dear friends. His body battered, but his will unbroken. Until one day, he comes face to face with a Demon Lord and perished. Floating in the vast darkness, the Goddess once more called for his service. He accepted without hesitation. Not to serve the gods who abandoned them to their fate, but to save the world he and his companions swore to protect. For even if he gets beaten and defeated, even if he have to stand alone against the world, he will stand vigilant as it's protector, to uphold the oath they all swore. For he is the Unbroken.
8 205EleMenTaLenT : A Dungeon Keeper's Tale
Do you think that Dungeons are like a field to harvest? Well, that may be right in many cases. But if so, who had sown the seeds? Are adventurers harvesting resources more than enough for themselves? Is there a much darker motive behind, driving them into reckless attempts for conquering dungeons? Who are the people behind this conspiracy? Are Dungeons made for adventurers to strip of their resources and enjoy the experience and prizes for conquering them? Or is it an ecosystem with living things that have blood, tears and family just like our homes? Perhaps the story of Dungeon Keepers will change your perpective of how Dungeons work and how the world truly operates. Which side are you on? That's up to you! Welcome to EleMenTaLenT, or should I say, Heaven On Earth?
8 141For a Change - A Slice of Life LitRPG
Change is constant. Starting over without your own memories? Connected to some System AI? Probably a pretty big change. Join Monday March as she attempts to deal with these changes and many others in a fantasy future with magic, monsters, AIs, and dating. Notes / Expectations: - About the writing style - Almost always First Person past tense (aside from the prologue), Chapters are short by design. Also, I'm not rushing to the conclusion, it's there, I'm in no hurry. - Genres - Fantasy is the most obvious umbrella, Action, Comedy, Romance, Psychological and everything else that makes a character into a comprehensive person will likely crop up, but won't be the main focus, at least not for hundreds of pages - Tags - Dungeon, Gender Bender (closer to gender themes), Post Apocalyptic and a few others might be a valid fit, but anything that doesn't fit most chapters will be set aside tag wise for now. Possible updates in the future if needed. - Content Warnings - While I want to write this story as accessible and friendly, sometimes a narrative gets messy, and sometimes people are naked, or get hurt either physically or mentally. Best to be prepared. As for cussing, well, our main character will avoid it. - Initial posting schedule is once a week, updates to the schedule will be posted here or in chapter notes.
8 68Better To Be Lucky Than Good.
The world is dying, something has to be done. The people who messed it up are clueless. The ones who are fixing it aren't in it for the right reasons. They have endless funding, and unlimited resources, but the plan they advertised isn't the plan they will execute. Drew is put in charge of integration and security for a major project at work. He knows something is off so he asks the one person he trusts the most to help him. Unfortunately that person isn't a hero and is the last person humanity wants to depend on. These two are all that stand between them and their goals. Can they stem the tide and bring humanity back from the brink or will they just screw around and go for shiny treasure and digital glory?
8 145Nephilim: Beyond Good and Evil
Explore the tragic life of Terios Kiyomizu as he deals with knowing that his very existence was a mistake. Find out what it means to be a Nephilim and the trouble that follows it. Watch as Terios makes choices that changes people's lives for good and how the existence of Nephilim cause Japan to be the battleground of a war between good and evil. Witness breath taking battles that are filled by intense emotions and strong ideologies that'll make you question which side to root for. Stand by Terios as you witness his destiny unfold, and watch as he undergoes his metamorphosis. Making the ultimate choice to save humanity or forsake it. After all are we really worth saving?
8 171Bio Dad Bruce Wayne Month 2021
Bio Dad Bruce Wayne Month 2021. Originally uploaded on Tumblr.
8 150