TBATE- Blood in my veins

A fresh start

The interior of the manor held just as much splendour. White marble flooring, reflecting the light illuminating from the crystal chandelier. An elegant central staircase at the far side of the large room. The stair case branched in opposite directions after coming roughly two metres off the floor, leading to opposing balconies.

Deep brown wood fencing lined the stairs as well as the balconies, occasionally interrupted by an elongated wooden beam.

On the ground floor, at the far right side, an already lit fire place, surrounded by onyx fabric couches. I could feel the warmth of that lonely hearth spreading throughout the main hall.

My steps echoed and rebounded off the walls. The building seemed destitute. Silent. Just the way I liked it. No screaming children, no harsh stares, no buzz of noise wherever I went. Eerie, all-encompassing silence.

I found myself beaming with glee, I could already see myself exploring every nook of this seemingly abandoned manor, finding the best spots to seclude myself and bury my nose in a book, or in sleep.

The only question that plagued my mind, how did my now adoptive father keep this place so clean?

"That's enough gawking, you're practically drooling Tobias." He ridiculed with a smirk. "Come out back, if you are to be my son... we have work to do." He eyed me critically while stating that, as if I were a gem yet to be polished.

We meandered through the manor, which eventually led to an outer courtyard. The courtyard has giant claw marks, the cuts too clean to be caused by a beast. Wind magic.

Scorch marks dotted the courtyard, clear indication of fire magic. This place had clearly been used as a sparring arena and training ground. For who? I assume Kaspian. But a spar requires two, so the other mysterious magic user had yet to be introduced to me.

Kaspien suavely walked over to a shed I had yet to noticed, and when he returned, carried two wooden swords. The one he kept to himself was long and thin, a little over a metre in length, and just over an inch thick. It looked like it would snap.

On the other hand, the one he gave me was about the length of my arm. A standard short sword.

It seemed rather brutish in comparison to my Fathers choice of weapon, but I had a feeling brute force would be to my liking.

"Ready?" It was a simple question, but all that I needed.

"Yes." Hardly had I uttered out a response when he strikes.

I bring my own sword up in the nick of time as his one misses me by a hair.

That one swing had enough force to jarr my bones as I almost let my sword go.

I try pushing him back, but he wont budge an inch.

Thats when I felt a familiar warmth travel up my arm.

The pain dulls significantly as I begin to overpower him.

But alas it doesn't last.

He suddenly gains a boost as he begins to push me back.

The warm feeling travels over my whole body, and my instincts scream at me to jump back.

So that's what I did.

After jumping back I take stock of my body.

And to my surprise I'm glowing.

Well not a lot, but it's still visible.

"So you are an augmenter? Good for you then." I hear Father speak.

"Huh?"

"It means I can train you better."

"I see."

And then he's in front of me in an instant.

"Woah!" I barely manage to roll away.

"I never said to stop." He smirked slyly.

This is going to be one long spar isn't it?

I'm beginning to think if it really was a good idea to accept his proposal.

________________________________________________________________________________

*Pant* *Pant*

I was breathing heavily and drenched in sweat, after our little sparring session.

After this one spar I can safely say, he's a slave driver.

"Take a break for a few hours and come back here by 9." He said sternly.

"Yes Father." I tilt my head down.

I feel a hand over my head, and I look up.

"You did well Tobias, I'm proud of you." He says, his face settled in a genuine smile.

I reciprocate his action, smiling back in response, "Thank you father."

Being praised feels nice.

________________________________________________________________________________

Three years pass like that, with two sparring sessions every day.

And lessons on mana manipulation between them.

I visited Hana once a week on Sundays.

And now, as a 8 year old solid orange mage, with tri-elemency of fire, water and earth.

Deviant in Lightning, and close to unlocking Ice.

Needless to say Father was shocked upon learning my affinity in three elements.

Under father's training I have mastered swords and daggers, going as far to use them both at the same time, thus creating my own fighting style.

Father says his niece will be arriving today, since she just awakened recently and will be mentored by him.

Fathers niece, I guess that means she would be like a cousin of sorts.

Now I am waiting near the door to welcome her, and get acquainted since she will be staying here for a while.

I'm shaking in my boots, nervous at the prospect of meeting someone and trying to befriend them.

Even with Hana it was her who befriended me, not the other way around.

How do I go around making a friend?

Staying in the orphanage had made me wary of people and reluctant of being nice to someone.

Hana managed to change that by a bit, and in these last few years, so did Father.

But I might lash out and be a jerk to her.

Lost in thought I almost didn't hear the bell ring.

I take a deep breath in.

Its now or never.

And then, I open the door.

________________________________________________________________________________

Darclauss : Now that's just sad.

Tobias : What is?

Hana : You fearing the chance of making a friend, or a sister figure in this case.

Tobias : Can you blame me for being wary of people?

Darclauss : Understandable, but you do need friends, you know that right?

Tobias : I have friends.

Hana : Yeah like 4 of them.

Tobias : That's more than enough.

Darclauss : Is it?

Tobias : Yes!

Darclauss : God, you're stubborn.

Tobias : Hey you made me that way.

Darclauss : Touchè.