The Rise of a Hero & The Garnet Nightshade (Book 1)

Chapter I: Final Exam

Garnet Nightshade

Domain

Two years have passed since I've become Mira's retainer. My life as a servant to the next head of Lis'ra hasn't been all that bad. Other than her occasional late-night visits and advances I'm not so willing to accept, but it has kept her happy. Nothing naughty has happened, just a kiss or two; but when she gets too frisky I warn her. I don't know how to feel towards her and it makes it hard.

She wants something I can't reciprocate right now. Other than that, my training started a few days after I gave my answer. I was trained in martial arts, swordsmanship, and magic. So now is my time for the final test to see if I'm worthy of the title "Hero".

"I see the princess has trained you personally." States the Inquisitor.

"That is being overly modest in my book," I say with a slight smile.

"When you are ready, head to the training field where the test will be held."

I nod my head in acknowledgment. Before leaving my quarters, I look at myself in the standing mirror one last time. My long dirty blonde hair is in a neat bun, and my silver-blue colored eyes look back at me with determination.

I say to myself: "I will not disappoint my Ladyship." After my brief pep talk, I leave the room and make my way to the training grounds.

Training grounds

Fifteen minutes later

"I see you made it this far, now comes the real challenge. The rules are simple, the first is: one of us submits, is knocked unconscious, severely wounded, or is killed." States the Inquisitor.

"Anything goes?" I ask.

"Make my day sweetheart!"

Without any hesitation, I pull out the two-handed master-sword from its sheath with one hand and imbue it with ice magic. Once that is set in place I set my lightning incantation into play as the Inquisitor is building up for a power charge. My incantation speed is faster than that of a normal mage, which makes me more potent in that regard. Just as the Inquisitor begins to charge me, a bolt of lightning strikes him directly. The bad thing about interrupting "Power Charge" is, it causes the sub-skill berserker to activate.

The three buffs it gives the user are: increased strength, stamina, and defense tenfold. The drawback to that though was it only lasted fifteen seconds. My counter to make those fifteen seconds wear down was my sword.

"You just doomed yourself, little girl!" Laughs the Inquisitor.

I wait till the very last second and shove my sword into the ground and shout: "Frost Garden of Roses!"

Frozen rose vines sprout from the ground after a powdery mist forms and the Inquisitor steps right into it. While the man fights with the vines I rush in.

I invoke the noble Dragon spirit EsriEl and imbue my sword with her breath. In doing so, the blade of my sword turns a purplish-silver. I do a roundhouse swing in a semi-ark and bring it down in a slash. The power emanating from my sword was strong enough it destroyed his armor and the slash just barely grazed him and left a gaping wound. If it was left untreated he would die in a matter of hours.

Before passing out the man says: "You're no ordinary woman, are you?"

With a bow, I say: "I'm an ordinary woman who had an exceptional teacher."

"If this were the battlefield you'd let him die, but this was a test and you passed. Would you mind giving our healers a little help?" Asks Mira, as she makes her way from the stands.

"Of course. He did try, but provoking me like that wasn't the best idea."

I make my way to the man who is lying on the ground. I begin to recite a healing incantation that will heal the wound and heal a portion of his vitality so he wouldn't be in any immediate danger.

Later that day

Garden

After the events of the day had been dealt with I had made my way to the garden, which is one of my favorite places inside the Lis'ra domain. The one I spend most of my time watching gives me a nostalgic feeling of home. I still remember the images from the day I met Mira, but I haven't told her what I once was.

"There you are, Elise! I should have known you'd be here. Your induction ceremony is about to begin then the ball, you need to get ready." States Mira, in a matter-of-fact tone.

"Be careful Mira, a young man might try to steal me tonight!" I say teasingly.

"Over my dead body!" Snaps Mira.

"You're cute when you get flustered."

"It's not fair Elise! You hardly ever show interest in me yet I get what I want for the most part."

I walk up to Mira and hold her chin in my hand and lift it a little, I lean down a few inches and kiss her forehead. I could have kissed her lips easily, but right now that wasn't something either of us needed.

"Why do you have to be taller than me?" Pouts Mira.

Letting go of her chin and striding past her I say: "Blame the boots."

With a flushed face, Mira says: "You know that's not true, plus it's not fair you teased me!"

I pause briefly and teasingly add: "We can always finish later."

As I say that, I walk off. I could feel Mira's eyes following me the entire time. I generally don't tease Mira or give her too much ground for her to do what she wants with me either. However, there are times I'll play the cat and her being the mouse so she gets the idea of how I feel. I've said it before, and I'll say it again, I know she loves me for me as a person and more but I don't feel that way towards her. Mira is beautiful, intelligent, and has a wonderful personality, everything I like, but there's something inside me that just can't or should I say "Won't" let me feel that way towards her.

In many ways, I feel guilty for that. I've spent many nights crying myself to sleep because of the torment I feel. I have hundreds of handwritten letters for her that will never see the light of day. But, for now, all I can do is focus on what's in front of me. Sadly, this is easier to deal with than my own emotions.

Elise's Room

Sometime later

"Lady Mira told us how well you did during your exam. As a congratulatory present from us and the Lady of the house, we bought you this." States a handmaid as she holds up a Garnet-colored gown with the Moon-Silver colors of the Lis'ra Family embroidered into it, as well as their insignia.

I turn from the standing mirror in my room and face the maid. I look at the gown and say: "Isn't this a bit much?"

"For you, nothing is too much. Plus you need room for your Under armor."

What the maid means by "Under-Armour" is the light plate-mail all nobles or high standing retainers have to wear. Since I'm a magic-Swordsman I have to wear special gear that hides my magic aura at all times. My magic capacity and output are 150% higher than the mage corps. for the Domain. Even the most powerful mage can't beat me when it comes to magic control, incantations, recitations, multi-chants, and a number of other things.

As a retainer, I'm the most feared, so when the soldiers act up it's a threat when my name is brought up. Over the years I've had my share of hot-tempered soldiers think they could beat me. It was rather funny to watch.