Zachary
The outside world isn't bright. It's awfully dreary, and bleak and gray. Still, one can make color almost out of anything, I suppose. Rain fell around me as Maisie guided me up north on the mountain path.
The forest around us was blandish, as the leaves were not on the trees. Fall time had passed around and clearly left its mark, the impressionable lack of color and rainfall clearly having been caused by the seasonal atmosphere.
"Grandma, how much longer till we arrive at the village?" I ask, holding onto her hand as I pick up a small stick, waving it around out of slight boredom.
A few seconds pass before I get a response out of Maisie. Once she decides to respond to me, she responds in her usual monotone-deadpan voice.
"A few more minutes, Zachary." She said, ramping up her speed a tad bit, as I followed behind her.
"Okay." I respond, still entertaining myself with the stick by waving it around.
Is it just me, or have I become the mental equivalent of a 4-year-old? I don't exactly think that's just too good, to keep it frank. I'd rather be as smart as my previous 25-year-old self, thank you very much. Knowledge is power, as they say.
Walking up the path more, the sound of branches and leaves crumbling and crunching beneath my feet serves as a reminder to the road on which I have trotted on for at least a good hour (10 minutes, at most.) I feel myself fading into the backpedals of daydreaming and the other parts of my mind, as I simply walk, walk, and walk. There's really nothing more to it, I suppose.
Wait, I just said Maisie's line…
***
It took us quite a while, but we finally arrived at the Village up North. If I were to say that is quite literally the name of the village, I'm sure that you would most likely not believe me in that sentiment, but I mean it. If it weren't for how utterly run down this village was, there would probably be a sign that literally has "Village up North" painted on it.
Walking into the Village, the kids in their rags stared up at me and Maisie, who were definitely in outfits that were a 'step-up' of sorts to theirs. A little girl with blonde hair and brown eyes looks up at me, before scowling and looking away almost in disgust, as if I was some sort of predator or trash. Another kid bumped directly into us, spitting on our shoes.
Had I been any older, I most likely would have lashed out. But for some reason, the two sides of myself almost fought against each other. One side understood why they did it, yet the other half was confused. Saddened at the fact that these almost random people blatantly disrespected me, and worse of all, clearly didn't want to be friendly with us.
"Granny, why are they spitting on us?" I ask almost nervously. I don't feel nervous, yet the younger, childlike half of me is taking control without any shame whatsoever. As I play with my jacket slightly, Maisie responds, softly rubbing her fingers through my hair as she sighs.
"Because of who we are. No matter what, do not blame them. Do not act as if you are better than them. No matter what, never act as if you are better than anyone else." She says, getting down on a knee, even though the ground was muddied. Her eyes were glossy, filled with unshed tears.
I open my mouth, almost as if to say something, but simply shut up, and nod, hugging the older woman softly.
Maisie
This village has not changed since the last time I stepped foot in it. The houses were all still run down, and the ground was still barren mud and wood carvings. Children still ran around in half ripped rags, while the water in the various wells was still muddy and considerably unfit for human consumption. Mother had originally invested quite a fortune into the village but had forgotten it and simply labelled it off as one of her many fads, completely forgetting any sort of reservation or leadership.
The people had also not changed at all in the 150 years since my last visit. They still despised those with higher class or education, although I myself cannot blame them. Who would not be envious of those who have an easier life than themselves while also putting in only a half, if not minimal effort? The envy and jealousy is justified.
Walking hand in hand with Zachary, the children still glare and some even spit on our feet. The poor boy clearly doesn't understand why, and that thought is only emancipated by the boy's heartbreaking question over why the other children don't like him.
All the boy can do is attempt to be friendly with the children in this village. Maybe, upon growing older, he'll have the influence to help. I do pray that this child has grown up to be a good man, like his father and grandfather. I pray that one day, he'll know that helping those in need should always take precedence over his own selfish needs.
After about five more minutes, I let the boy wander off, sitting down on a bench in order to read my novel. I didn't bring the boy to the village in order to keep him on a leash. Adieu told me that the most optimal method to make him strong was to let him explore, and that was my main goal.
Zachery
As I wandered away from Maisie, I stared at what the other kids were doing. Sitting around fires or chasing after each other with sticks. Normal kid stuff. Walking down the dirt road, past a multitude of house's, I finally found something that piqued my interest. A young girl outside of her house, bleeding from her head.
Of course, my first instinct, as should anyone's, was worry. I mean, she's bleeding from her head for Christ's sake...!
"Are you okay?" I ask, crouching next to the girl and taking my jacket and draping it around her arms. Her eyes open for a few seconds, staring at me, before closing again. Holding out my palm, I channel some Spirit outwards and let it heal her wound, albeit not that great. I'm 4, okay? Cut me some slack, jeez...
She opened her eyes again, sitting up this time. She stared at me with an unsettling silence, as I felt a bead of sweat rolling down my face. Finally, she spoke.
"Why did you help me?"
She simply said those five words, before grimacing. It seemed she thought I had ulterior motives. Hey, I'll admit to being a pervert and all, but I'd never go after kids, okay? Never. Off! Limits!
Well, to keep it entirely honest, I do have ulterior motives with this girl. I'm no dumbass, but if there's one thing I understand with this world, it's that anyone can make a name for themselves, given they have luck. As always, everything falls down to luck. And this girl just so happens to be lucky enough that I swooped around and saved her and noticed her latent potential.
The concept of Spirit, this worlds 'Mana' could be split up into two distinct sections: Battle Spirit, and Magical Spirit. Combining the two; you could end up doing unimaginable things. Battle spirit was physical strength, while obviously, Magical spirit is magical strength. Your body is limited to the strength of your spirit.
That 11-year-old that bested a 50-year-old master? Well, her spirit was obviously past the refinement of a 50-year-olds. And her reserves were neigh unlimited.
The entire universe itself could be traced back to Spirit. I believe that everything was created through Spirit. Why? The difference in the texture behind something as small as leaves.
"You're strong. You just need someone to help you." I responded to the red-haired girl. Honestly, there isn't much wrong with that statement. Actually, there's nothing wrong with that statement. Yet, for some reason, I felt her fist connecting with my face, and my body flying backwards.
Landing with a harsh 'fwmph!' I groaned from the ground, my eyes watering.
"Shut up, you rich prick! What would you know?!" She shouted, pointing at me.
"It doesn't matter whether or not I'm rich! I know how to sense Spirit! And you have a ton of spirit!" I responded, my voice shaky from the punch and fear.
"..." The girl stood in silence, before huffing and sitting down next to me.
"Are you going to apologize?" I say rather sarcastically, somewhat annoyed.
"Shut up."
"Yes ma'am." I respond, straightening as she growls. The girl clearly isn't much older than 4 or 5 at best, but that doesn't mean she isn't rather terrifying.
"Why do you care if I'm strong?" She asked, glaring at me still.
"Training." I respond, wiping my nose with my sleeve, cleaning the little blood droplets there.
"Hell no." Damn, way to be harsh AND blunt! Well, it's not shocking, considering that she probably has no trust in upper class people, and she's most likely been told and taught not to trust upper class people.
"Are you scared of me and my family?" I ask, glancing at her.
"Yeah. You rich people like taking pretty little girls like me and using us like slaves." Talk about ego much? And, not EVERY noble does that! Jeez...
"My parents aren't like that. But okay." I respond, looking at the girl for a little bit longer. She glares at me, before huffing and standing up.
"I won't go with you. I'm going to stay here and prove to rich as swipes like you and your family that just because I'm poor, doesn't mean I'll do anything for money!" That sounds like something an adult told her to recite in case she ever got offered an opportunity like this.
Sighing, I nod. "Okay. I'm still going to come up here." I say, throwing myself back onto the ground. Looking up at the gray, moody sky, I feel somewhat alleviated yet also disturbed. This world is barely at the start of its industrial peak, and this is what it looks like?
The red-haired girl glares at me from my left, before kicking me on my side. Letting out a disgruntled 'Ow!' I stand up.
"Why'd you do that?!"
"You looked pathetic!"
"Did not! I was just looking up!"
"Did too!"
Scowling before sighing, I just slump back down to the ground, sitting up to my knees. I returned back to thinking, before noticing the girl's presence besides me.
"What're you thinking about, anyways? You're like, two, pipsqueak." She said, in a matter-of-fact tone.
"How nice it is to be outside." I respond, using a stick at my side to play with some ants crawling through the dirt.
"Is it though?" She asked, giving me a side eye.
"My mom and dad didn't let me go outside because they were worried." I responded, much to the girl's shock that I didn't speak in my usual childish sentences, it seemed.
"Jeez, you sound like a grown up." She scoffs, before punching me in the arm again, much to my dismay.
"Why do you keep hitting me?" I ask, annoyed. It was starting to get on my nerves, although I knew deep down, I wouldn't do much about it.
"I Dunno. You're like, really hittable. It's like how you also just feel weird."
What the fuck?! The hell did I do??
"How am I weird?! You haven't…" I scowl, before huffing and just turning away to the side. "You barely even know me. That's mean." I say, glaring at her, before softening my facial features. Poking at the ants again, I start to speak.
"I've spent my whole life reading books and walking around a manor. You may think that it's life, but even other noble kids feel bad for me. The only thing I've gained from the family is knowledge, and even that is solely thanks to books." I say, looking at the girl to my side again after finishing my sentence(s).
"Too many words, summarize that." She said, with a straight face. I looked up at her, before laughing softly.
"My parents have kept me locked up and I don't have anything to show for it except being smart." I say, after laughing.
"Oh. Wait, have you heard of the Dwells?" She asked, curiously.
"I have. Why?" I respond, poking at an ant hill and crushing it instantly.
"My father worked there. He hasn't come home in months. My mom said his guild abandoned him." She says, with a serious tone. I look up at her, my face etched with a genuine frown. Clearly, she could tell.
"Won't give my condolences, I know that's not what you want. Do you want to go down and try to find him?"
"Nah. That's not what he would want. Actually, he would want me to go with you and your family, train, and become strong so I can protect my brothers and sisters." She responded, looking forward, almost towards the sky.
"Do you know about the world? I mean, the continents and stuff." I ask, stabbing my stick into the ground as I wait for her response.
"Yeah. I know about the angel's continent, and my mom's from the demon's continent. Everyone in this village is from other continents, so…"
I nod softly. "Okay. Listen. I won't take you to my family. I just want you to help me learn more about everyone here. I… I want to help you all. It may sound selfish, but I have too much not to give back. So… let me help, and in return, just help me learn more about the world. Help me do the one thing I love doing- Learning." I say, confidently.
It took the girl a few seconds, before sighing and standing.
"Sure. I'll do that, you royalist prick."
Rude, but that works. I feel myself grinning softly. "So, what's your name, genius?" I ask, holding out my hand.
"Alyssia. Otherwise, Your savior, rich boy." She responded, with a cocky grin.