Lost Saint

The forge was blistering hot, the scent of burning metal thick in the air. Ajax stood nearby as his father swung his hammer, each strike shaping the hot steel with precise, deliberate force.

Alex was leaving on a quest—this was his first since Ajax's birth. The night before his departure, he asked for Ajax in the foundry.

"You seem lost in thought," Alex asked, concentrating on the forgery.

Ajax perched on a stool. "You sure seem skilled with the hammer."

"Yeah… Talented, huh?" Alex teased. "Strength isn't everything, you know?" He stopped mid-swing, and slowly he set the hammer down and turned to Ajax. "Do you know what I call real strength?"

Ajax leaned back and answered, "Protecting the ones you love?"

Alex held his waist and laughed. With a deepened tone, "I've taught you well—I'm a proud father," with a cheerful expression.

"You are right, but do not forget to do what you love," Alex said with a calm and steady tone, "Above all else, true strength is knowing when to hold your sword and when to put it down."

Ajax relaxed on the stool.

Alex reached behind him and pulled a dagger from the table. It was beautifully crafted, the hilt wrapped in deep blue leather. He threw it to Ajax.

"My favorite dagger," he smiled, "I handmade it when I was twelve, it's yours now."

Ajax's eyes widened in surprise as he caught the dagger.

"One day," Alex said proudly, "You'll be strong enough to change the world. But promise me something…" 

Ajax looked up. Alex's expression was proud and confident.

"Never stray from love; change the world for love."

Ajax glanced at the dagger and Alex, "Sure!"

"Teo…"

Later that night, Ajax woke up from a dream similar to his previous one. He lay calmly in his bed, lost in thought about the dream and his father's departure.

As he stared at the ceiling, his mind drifting, something suddenly caught his attention…

A soft knock.

His mother, Athena, entered, carrying a cup of warm milk.

"Still awake?" She whispered.

Athena sat beside him, pulling Ajax into her arms.

For a long moment, they just sat there.

"Close your eyes and listen to the heartbeat," Athena said.

"I want to leave for the academy when I turn seven," Ajax said.

"Why so?" Athena asked.

"I don't know, next year just feels right to me."

"Okay, darling," she replied.

His eyelids were heavy, and eventually, he slept off.

Athena gently laid him down and brushed his hair.

The sun was already peeking over the horizon, and Alex was ready to leave. He said his goodbyes. He held Ajax's face in his hands, "Make me proud, son. I will see you soon," he said.

Ajax stood still, watching as his father's carriage slowly rolled away, his father waving at him. For a moment, he just stood there, unable to move. Then, after a while, he finally raised his hand and waved back.

As the evening progressed, Ajax and Lucius had a conversation over dinner. His mind ran on the dreams he's had lately. As he questioned Lucius for answers on what the dreams were about. 

Ajax sat at the long dining table, his fork hovering over his plate, but he hadn't taken a single bite.

Across from him, Athena noticed.

"You've barely touched your food; are you okay?" Athena asked. 

Ajax blinked, snapping out of his daze. His mother's concerned gaze softened his.

"Oh, don't worry, Mom," Ajax replied, "I was just reminiscing over a book."

"Alright, but eat before the food gets cold."

He picked up his fork and took a bite, but the unease in his chest lingered.

The library was quiet, the faint scent of aged parchment and candle wax filling the air. Ajax ran his fingers over the spines of the books, his gaze distant.

He worries about how his relationship with Lucius will be once he enrolls in an academy. 

[In truth, there will be challenges. People will see you talk to yourself or shout out loud due to lack of focus,] Lucius said, [But it will get better over time.]

Ajax stood still for a moment and realized he had read almost all spellcasting books in the library. 

[You are quite a reader, I must admit,] Lucius said, [I think it's time we shift focus to combat manuals.]

Ajax glanced through the shelves and picked a book of his liking to read.

A while into the book, he said, "How will I get the ultimate skill after making my decision?"

[It's quite simple,] Lucius said, [It's a pending resolve. Make your decision, and it will automatically be bestowed upon you.]

Ajax took a deep breath. 

"You know what I want already," He said, "The ability to copy any skill after a glance, and the ability to create anything, including objects and magic." 

It was a great pick from Ajax, but there were limitations. Ajax could only copy skills his body can adapt to, which will make this skill a useless skill when faced with a powerful foe. Creation; he could only create things he had a fundamental understanding of.