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,
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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
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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,
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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 .