I got up from the ground and remembered that I had to be home for my brothers since I had left them nothing to eat. Running home, I stopped along the way to get some bread, vegetables, and a piece of fresh cow meat. That's all that ten silver could get you. Sad that I could not get anything else for my brothers, I ran home and was greeted with two warm hugs and smiles from my sweet brothers.
"Big brother, you got home safe again," Rennie said, not caring that they had not eaten in 3 days. "We missed you so much!".
Them saying this reminded me that I was not alone. My brothers had been the reason I kept going on missions despite me hating that I was entertaining those such nobles. "I'm gonna make you some stew," I said with a lump in my throat.
They both smiled and went back into the house to continue what they were doing. Rennie loved reading and was always so gentle and mature for his age, contrary to Reggie was solemn and calm most of the time. I always made them study despite them not liking it or not. Getting them into Xenovia academy was my dream, and the chances of getting accepted were slim as nobles ruled the academy.
I started cooking for them without a minute to spare as we were all starving. "What did you learn today?" managing to get their attention, Rennie smiles brightly and starts to explain: "I was rereading the basics and found out some interesting things, brother" I smiled and asked, "What got you smiling like that, Rennie?"
"Well, it's fascinating how these rifts started to appear and how we use them for our gain, even though it doesn't affect how our world works" he looked at me, waiting for an explanation. "Well, for one, it does affect our world since higher-ranking rifts allow you to bring pieces of that alternate reality here, such as different drops from raids," forgetting that I was cooking, almost spilling my pot of water.
"Come on, kids, let me finish, and we can discuss your questions again" they both smile and continue reading while I finish making dinner.
"Let's dig in." We started eating, and my brothers were stuffing their food faster as they could not wait to ask me about their reading. "Careful, you dummies, you're gonna choke," I laugh as I continue to eat. We all finish and lay on the mattress that I got a while back for my brothers and me to sleep. Our house was small and was the only thing that our..well…" parents" if they even were that for once in their lives. They lay down close to me and opened their books to show me what they wanted to know more about.
"If you are a rift walker, why can't you do 1st rank rifts like all the others" Reggie looked at me and spoke stoically. "Well, there are limitations to that; not all people can do 1st rank rifts", knowing that the most I could do were 4th rank rifts, and that was pushing it since only working-class rift walkers were allowed to bring weapons Into rifts.
The difference between a 5th rank rift and a 4th rank one was that 5th rank one Just puzzled that you could solve and mainly were broadcast to the nobles as a way to entertain them, unlike 4th rank ones that contained proper monsters that needed weapons to beat, "What about 3rd rank and above, brother? How can you access them?"
I looked at Rennie and continued explaining, "Well, the gap between 4th/5th rank and 3rd is very wide since you first need to awaken your "innate talent" at Xenovia academy."
My dream of getting into Xenovia was almost impossible as I already had gotten a 5th rank rift walkers license which was equivalent to being a mercenary. Being dirt poor did not help either. Getting into the academy required 100 gold for the entry test, and only if you pass the test with almost 80-100 points can you get the full scholarship that I needed. I was sure my brothers could do it.
At the age of 8, they had grasped the basic concepts of innate talent and what it could serve in different scenarios. Unique and all, I also wanted to get into the academy.
Reality is cruel to the poor and kind to the rich. That's just how the world spun." I need some sleep; we can read again tomorrow" I closed my eyes and tucked my brothers under the torn blanket.
"Good night, big brother," in sync, they said as they yawned. Silence filled the room.
Previous Chapter
Related Chapters
Son of Night Tapping Into Potential
A week had passed since I returned from that nightmarish place, and I was still in disbelief that those events had happened. I could standhere and ponder, but I had to get ready to work again to put food onthe table for my brothers.While chopping some wood for the furnace that I'd made a while backI felt some light tapping on my back; it was Rennie. "What can I help with, big bro."-his eyes gleamed at the thought of being somewhat of help around the house."It's okay; you can go in and study with Reggie again" I let out a sigh thinking they hadgotten too attached to me. "Time is going to come, and you won't have me there,I'm going to die someday as well!" trying to be strict, I thought of getting themto know the world better."Y…You'll leave us too, brother?" he asked me with tear-filled eyes. I could not bearSeeing him cry as I loved them so much. Hugging him tightly, I started to pat
Son of Night Unfolded Truth
We walked back into the house happier than ever, and I made a mealfor all of us to celebrate the hope that these following events had given us.Talking with my brothers under the moonlight was the only light source, just like the castle that I was in, discussing how we would live ina better place with better food and three rooms, three beds. Just whatwe always dreamed of, an everyday life. For the first time inmy life, I shut my eyes, barely waiting for tomorrow.Rushing to get an evaluation tablet, I completely forgetthat it costs 100 silver. Being more broke than ever right now, I started thinking of ideas of earning enough money for it. Making some breakfastquickly with what was left, I rushed to train our basement at theback of our house. I had never gone in it since it was locked, but a while backI found the keys in a box my "parents" had in their room and some old photos of a noble couple. I had no i
Son of Night Pieces Coming Together
Frozen, I stood in front of the drawer. I just got those lettersFrom not knowing what to feel anymore since I had been lied tosince the day I was born. It felt like I had a concussion. My head was spinningand I gather enough courage to read through the other letters thatwere left from there.The following letter was a reply to my parent's letter and read asfollows: "We cannot express how grateful we are to know thatour son is safe. Our only way of showing gratitude is through theseLetters and little monetary support that we can send to you in our bad conditions.The DracoFist family is currently under attack, and the prominent family is the onlypart left of what the DracoFist were; we are sorry to say that the only thingWe can hope right now for the survival of Raphael DracoFist, the heir tothe DracoFist family. Lastly, we want to know our son's condition afterthe seals
Son of Night The Ways of The DracoFists
Why was this only resurfacing now? This wasn't a coincidence since it happened whenthe markings showed up on my body after going through a couple of oddly suspicious flashes ofmy past. It was impossible…and to add up to that, only a week before the rift incident took place,Which almost looked like a fever dream or more close to a nightmare.The pages on the book felt brand new even though They had been there for more than seventeen years,I felt a strange aura that resonated with me coming from the book. It was weird but comforting. Never had I felt anything close to the ambiance in my life since my innate talent had not awakened yet.The pages contained so much information on the possibilities of what my innate talent could awaken as. Still, most importantly, I had more to know about the family that I came from. They were the first rankedamong the five powerhouses: The House of Angels, Fiend Famiglia, The House of Blue moo
Son of Night Revenge, the only option.
Furious from what I'd seen until now, I got up, walked into our house to change, and started thinking about how I could take down this filth that put itself so high. The main target is the House of Royal Angels, followed by other big families. I was still disgusted by the previous encounter in those visions. Taking out a bunch of herbs I used as painkillers. I got a bunch of old blank papers and started writing down what I needed to do to resurrect the DracoFists.The main reason I was even alive was by sheer luck or coincidence, definitely not skill. "I should get myself some good armor." The only issue is the lack of money. I really needed a TEC(Talent Evaluation Card), which you could only get from being a part of a family or a branch of the big family. I did not have the luxury. Unfortunately, I had to resort to using my undeveloped powers.A wave of fatigue hit me like a truck, and the main reason was that I had stayed locked up so long by myself. I needed some re
Son of Night Prodigy unleashed
I walked forward, looking straight ahead. I began to feel nauseous from the sheer anger towards the four great families. "Scum remains scum, I guess...". Nothing had changed since what appeared to be my family's disappearance. They were still the same. The sole purpose of their getting rid of them was that my family had a different perspective and, for a change, wanted to give everyone a chance at getting strong. Although their hands weren't clean either, the DracoFist family had tried their best to change the ways of the nobles when Orion, my father, became family head.I enter one of the inns of Angels Household in an attempt to begin gathering intel on how they work from the inside. I sit in front bartender, and he gives me a curious look. "New face haven't seen you here before."I shoot back with a smirk; "You didn't have a reason to until now.""So you looking for trouble, youngin?" - "Not at all, old man. I'm here to get a talent evaluation card," he cough
Son of Night Interesting Turnout
Woke up, my shoulders stiff as ever, like I hadn't slept a minute. I made something ready for the kids to eat and left for the basement, where I had planned to clean up and prepare my base.Things looked like I had left them last time since my mind was not in the right place, and I tunnel-visioned into getting my revenge. The papers were scattered, and sharp claw marks were on the basement floor. Not thinking twice, I grab a broom that I made myself, not that we had the money to get a good broom anyway. "Money…" the thought of money made me realize that I had a severe lack of resources to begin my big plan. Starting small and steady was the right option.Making plans in the heat of the moment was not the right thing to do. Gathering intel on the small family branches and ensuring that I got into Xenovia academy were top priorities. After 2 hours of cleaning, I was finally done, and the letters that had been in the drawer were put in order across the wall as a wa
Son of Night You have never played chess?
The man who ordered me to sit and begin the trial was standing before me. On the other hand, I was stunned. I'd been told that this is a test on what to expect from a 4th-3rd rank rift. What was going through that man's head, I was wondering."Come on quickly, young man. We don't have all day, sadly."Hurriedly I took a seat, picked black, and he started a timer. "Do you know how to play chess?" the old man asks. "Well, I've heard of it but never had a chessboard to play with." That's unfortunate uh...what was your name again. "Sorry I forgot to mention it, my name is Raphael, what do i call you?"-"You can call me Iran." he said.I hesitated for a moment since I didn't want to claim that I was a DracoFist in front of a probable future enemy. "Raphael who, don't you have a surname young boy." he says, eagerly waiting for my move and answer. I move knight f6 and proceed cautiously. "How can a slum rat like me have a surname sir."He was visibly amused by my