A Gamer Into Trails

As always Giliath demands your power stones!

*

I had no reason to delay answering Father's question. Sure, I could take all the time I needed to decide on what weapon of choice I would like to master. But the answer was obvious, no? My answer solidified the moment I saw Auslese Bloodline's effect. It gave me additional damage if I used the Rapier. So why shouldn't I take advantage of that.

Moreover, this is just the first weapon of a potential long list of weapons I may or may not decide to learn. I know most folks like to practice one weapon, but here's the thing.

Father's primary style of combat was called the Hundred-Form Military Combat. It's a style of martial arts that is taught in military academies all around Erebonia, including Thors Military Academy. It was both versatile and comprehensive. It didn't mean it had exactly one hundred different forms of combat, it merely served as an example of diversity and adaptability.

It derived techniques from both the Vander and Arseid schools of swordsmanship. It is mostly known for using swords, spears, twin swords, and even pistols and rifles. It didn't exactly have many techniques suited for Rapiers. That is why Father is looking for a teacher for me. It's not like I can't learn any groundwork from Father though. He can definitely teach me how to wield a blade, how to move, how to defend myself in combat, marksmanship, you name it. This combat style covers a lot, and it doesn't take a genius to master it. It's part of the standard military protocol that even privates can learn.

And a man like Giliath managed to take the Hundred-Form Military Combat to its pinnacle, and pushed its limits. He was definitely a force to be reckoned with when you faced him as a boss.

So like I said, there's no one better a teacher than Giliath is. You know, apart from imparting certain combat techniques that he doesn't have easy access to. Like learning how to use a Rapier. He'll find me a teacher for that, and I'll learn the rest from Father personally.

Or that's how I assume how things will go. That's why I didn't hesitate to nod my head at Father.

"Yes. I want to learn how to fight with a Rapier. You said you're in the middle of finding a teacher, right dad?", I asked.

"Indeed. I am still searching around for one. Your body has also been progressing quite well these last four months. Once we finish this first year of conditioning, it will be time to move onto your next step. Learning stances, footwork, and holding the blade. The latter will be handled by the teacher in particular.", Giliath explained.

I nodded my head in excitement. Even though it's been only four months since my running began, I've already been progressing quite nicely. My saved Stat Points are a testament to that. 125 points saved, and I'm going to continue stacking them. I've already decided to spend them all in one go. Once this first year passes, it will be time to reap the rewards, as one would say.

It is the beginning of June now. My Daily Quest Version 1 should end by the end of January, when it becomes S1190.

"I can't wait to see who you will pick out for me, dad. I also want to learn a lot of fighting skills from you!", I happily replied.

"Haha! Well spoken. All in due time, my son. For now, let us pay attention to what we have on hand. A practical test, if you will. I will go see if we can group some monsters together. Before that though, I do have one more thing to cover. We talked about it when I suggested a trip to Ymir. It is something I hold dear to my heart.", Giliath said, still looking to speak.

I know he was done with his study lessons for today, but it sounded like he still wanted to talk about something before we go head around to search for some monsters. And since he brought up Ymir a second time, I could take a guess at what it is Giliath is referring to.

"You must be referring to that Lord Teo person again.", I answered.

"Indeed I am, my son.", Giliath replied, nodding his head. His eyes then wandered past the massive barrier before us, in hopes of finding the town of Ymir. It might not be within the horizon, but his eyes still landed in the general direction of the town. We could at least see the snow-capped mountains in the far distance. It was the beginning of June, but there was still snow on top of them.

"This story isn't one I tell often, but as I previously mentioned, Lord Teo is someone I hold dear in my heart, just as I do with you, Kasia, and Rean. You've probably wondered why you haven't seen your grandparents, right?", Giliath continued.

"Grandpa and Grandma? This is the first time you've mentioned them, dad.", I answered. He did spin a little about his relationship with Lord Teo shortly before this, but didn't go into depth yet.

"All for a good reason. They're no longer of this world, I'm afraid. Once we travel to Ymir, we can pay our respects to them.", Giliath said. I could see a hint of sadness appear in his eyes. The atmosphere around us turned silent. Seeing me not immediately respond, Giliath smiled. "You needn't feel this way, Naoto. I've long come to terms with my parents' passing. Once upon a time, they too walked the earth. But it was because of what happened that I was able to meet with Lord Teo. Lord Teo's father was a good friend of mine.", Giliath continued.

"Was that right?", I replied, musing at this fact. So Giliath's father and Rean's adoptive father were on good terms, huh? Probably a detail I overlooked, but as the saying goes, it's a small world out there, even though the Zemurian Continent is gigantic, haha!

"Yet again you bring up Lord Teo. What happened, exactly? Unless you'd rather not talk about it.", I said, wanting to learn more.

"I don't mind. It already made the news and all. It's an old story.", Giliath said. "We were travelling up north, and succumbed to an avalanche. It claimed my parents, and I was lucky to survive the accident. This happened when I was thirteen. Lord Teo was but a young boy at the time, his parents welcomed me with warm arms into their family. From there, we became siblings. We were as close as real brothers were.", Giliath said, beginning his story.

"The Schwarzer Barony was already ruling the town at the time. I did face some discrimination, sure. A commoner who suddenly turned noble. That isn't something you get to see every day. You're in a similar position yourself, son, but you've a noble background, unlike me. Despite that, the two of us became sworn siblings. ", Giliath continued.

"So you two really became brothers, huh?", I replied. Not by blood of course, but they were as real as true brothers were. I think they're pretty close in age too. Lord Teo should be in his late thirties. Father was born in the early S1150s, so both he and Lord Teo should be in their thirties. You'd think Giliath would be older, but he isn't.

"Only in name of course. If I had shown any interest in the Barony itself, I would have quickly become an outcast. Once I became old enough, I enrolled at Thors Military Academy, and left the Schwarzer Barony."

Hearing Giliath bring up Thors Military Academy, my eyes brightened up. He chuckled seeing my latest expression.

"So Thors has caught your interest eh?", Giliath questioned.

"Yeah! Lots of famous soldiers graduate from that academy, right? It was founded over a thousand years ago too!", I happily answered. "Mom's been teaching me some things about Thors while you've been away."

"Oh has she now?", Giliath said, musing at the fact. "But it is as you say. It was by the time the seventy-third Emperor of Erebonia, Emperor Dreichels, who became the founder of Thors Military Academy. It proudly serves as one of our firmest military institutions to train our soldiers. If you do have interest in enrolling, I can make it so.", Giliath said to me.

"I mean, I'm just a kid right now. That's still a long ways away. I think it'll happen regardless. I'm the son of one of Erebonia's Generals!", I replied, pumping my hands upward.

"Hahaha! Well put. That isn't the only thing you can choose to study inside Thors, it offers a wide variety of subjects to learn from. You'll have the connection nonetheless should you express your interest in enrolling.", Giliath replied with a laugh. "Right now, I have plans to enroll both you and little Rean once the two of you come of age. But ultimately, it will be up to you, Naoto.", Giliath continued.

"I understand, Father.", I said, respecting his wishes. I actually do want to study at Thors Military Academy, but I'm thinking this institute might not be the only school I study at. I have options.

Still, it looks like story time is coming to a close. After we wandered around the outskirts of the forest that connected to our villa, we soon heard the sound of some nearby grass rustling. And no, this isn't Pokemon, haha!

I saw Giliath's eyes turn serious seeing this sudden movement. Several shadowy figures were now fast approaching us.

That's right folks. The Trailsverse has bonafide monsters!