Project Pegasus

V 1.1 Chapter 9: The Authentic Dasein.

I've been called a failure by many. My master, my teammates, the people at the plaza, my mother's friends, and the likes. Every time they speak to me, all I get are non-stop protests. Most of them say it right in my face.

You might think I'm sad, but I'm okay. As long as I'm doing my best, I know one day everything will be fine. I'm used to all the bad things they did to me; I'm used to all of the non-stop failures I had just because I have no talent. Be it physical or necromancy, I'm always last. But it's okay, I'm used to all the bitter complaints towards my mother; I'm used to all the insults I get from other people; I'm used to all of these because it's true.

That is... until I lost her.

***

---Emily---

Hiiro, please take care of Aria.

"Greetings, Emily Ojou-sama," the butler greeted while bowing.

"G-good morning."

"I've read Oliver-sama's letter to the King. It seemed Marina-sama has adopted such a peculiar child."

"Y-you know my mother?"

"Yes, Marina-sama and I met 50 years ago in Gapan," the butler replied. "I would like to offer my condolences for her loss."

"The battle between Emily Scarlet and Satrillo Stradivarius, now begins!" The gong was hit, signaling the start of the battle.

However, none of us decided to attack.

"Please Satrillo, do you know where my mother's remains are?"

Satrillo looked at King Arthur and spoke, "Your Highness, can I have a request? Can Emily Ojou-sama and I talk it out for a bit?"

"Your request is approved," King Arthur replied. "There's no time limit in this battle anyway."

Satrillo then looked back. "I'm truly sorry Emily Ojou-sama, I don't know where Marina-sama's remains are right now."

"I see." Looking down, I replied. "Then, how did you know my mother?"

"Before I met Marina-sama, I was a dying treant," he answered.

"A treant?"

"Yes, when Marina-sama found me in the forest, she used her magic to help me," he added. "I then decided to serve her with my life as thanks."

"Mother..."

"Judging from that young skeleton earlier, I can say that you were the one who taught him Elemental Magic, yes?" he asked.

"Y-yes, I did."

"I see, so you're just like your mother, both of you use necromancy and elemental magic."

"Why are you telling me this?"

"My apologies, Emily ojou-sama." Satrillo bowed. "I just thought that it's quite unfair that I know a lot about you, my opponent, but you know nothing of me... That's why I'll show you first my power."

As he flicked his fingers, his skin suddenly changed. It became darker, rougher and harder. His skin turned into bark; he became a wooden man.

"My intense training with Marina-sama turned my body into this," Satrillo spoke drawing his sword. It was a long, single-edged blade. "This sword came from the country of elves, my home. We call this a katana..." Finally, from his back, eight wooden tails sprouted out.

"Let me introduce myself again..." Satrillo bowed. "My name is Satrillo Stradivarius; a treant, a master swordsman and a user of Wood Manipulation Magic."