Wrath of Arthur: The Cursed Bloodline

As Vale had suggested, Arthur walked toward the main gate at 5 PM.

The training grounds were quieter now. The golden hue of the evening sun made the stone walls of the academy glow with warmth.

From a distance, Arthur saw Vale speaking with someone—a tall man dressed in expensive attire, clearly of high status.

As Arthur came closer, the well-dressed man gave him a brief glance, then looked back at Vale and said, in a voice laced with disdain:

"So this is the kid they say you made free...?"He scoffed slightly. "Why go to such lengths for a commoner?"

Vale smiled calmly.

"Nah," he replied. "He proved his worth. Anyway It wasn't that big of a deal."

The man raised an eyebrow, and said,

"Alright then... I'll take my leave."

After the noble left, Vale looked at Arthur and gave a nod.

"Come on."

They both began walking out of the academy, the evening breeze brushing softly through the training grounds.

As they walked, Vale asked, "So, how was the compartment? Did you adjust?"

Arthur nodded. "It's great... but, um... you mentioned classes before—what exactly is that? What am I supposed to do now, since I'm free? What work do I have to do to get food?"

Vale slowed his pace for a moment, he pitied the boy.

He saw the genuine confusion in the boy's eyes—the kind that only comes from someone who's lived their whole life in chains.

He still doesn't understand freedom...

"You'll be taught both knowledge and combat training—to become a swordsman and, one day, a soldier of Valoria."

"Food and everything else will be arranged by the academy, Arthur. Don't worry."

Arthur blinked. "Oh…"

Then Vale's tone shifted slightly—curious, but firm.

"I need to ask you something," he said. "You came from Cravendorn, right? Are you still loyal to that kingdom?"

Arthur said,

"I'm not from Cravendorn."

Vale raised a brow. "Really? Then where are you from?"

"I don't know... I become slave when I was still a baby" Arthur replied quietly. "But I'm not from there."

"That trader... he used to call me all the time—'Ayy, useless foreign rat.'"

Vale paused in thought for a moment, glancing down at Arthur beside him.

Foreign rat...? Where could he be from...?Could it be… No...

He let the thought go and smiled casually.

"Oh, no problem," he said. "You should be loyal to Valoria from now on."

From there, Vale began to show Arthur around the outer district—the markets, key buildings, and common streets. His words were few, but his presence was immense.

Arthur didn't speak much either. But inside, he was excited and having a great time.

Eventually, Vale led him to a food stall placed in the corner of the market square. The aroma was rich, warm, and comforting.

He handed Arthur a plate piled with hot, nutritious food—meat, grains, and vegetables, cooked well.

Arthur sat down, staring at the plate.

He had forgotten what real food tasted like.

As he took the first bite, his eyes widened, and he froze. Then another bite—his hands trembling slightly.

What is this...?

He couldn't comprehend the flavor, the warmth, the taste. After years of stale scraps, this felt like magic.

Even Vale had the same food—except his plate was five times larger.

Despite his usual composure, Vale looked like a kid too, eyes wide and sparkling with excitement as the aroma hit him.

Without saying a word, both of them dug in, devouring plate after plate.

People nearby began to stare, whispering to each other.

From the outside, it looked like the two were having some kind of food challenge.

As they walked back toward the academy under the starry night sky, Vale calmly spoke.

"Hey, kid," he said."Try not to make beef with nobles."

Arthur looked up, listening carefully.

"You're free now, yeah. But you're still a foreign commoner in this kingdom. Some nobles… they don't like that. You might face trouble. Be smart about it."

Arthur nodded silently.

They were nearing the academy gates when Vale suddenly stopped walking.

Arthur walked a few steps ahead, then paused and turned back.

"Sir—"

Thunk!

A small throwing knife came flying at him.

Arthur's body moved on instinct. He reached out and caught it mid-air with the both hands—but the force of the throw knocked him backward, and he fell hard onto the ground.

Stunned, he stared at the knife in his hand.

It was sheathed, so it hadn't harmed him—but the throw had been fast. Precise. Powerful.

Vale chuckled.

"Good catch. I'm not wrong about you and that's for you"

Arthur looked at the knife again. The handle had a green gem embedded at its center, glinting under the moonlight.

"I... I can't take this," Arthur said. "It looks too valuable..."

Vale smirked. "It's too small for me anyway. Take it. Make good use of it."

And with that, Vale turned around and disappeared into the night, leaving Arthur standing alone at the gates—a blade in hand, a fire in his heart, and a place to live.

The next morning, Arthur walked to the academy with the DDD brothers.

His new clothes felt stiff, unfamiliar. He kept tugging at the sleeves, still not used to fabric that actually fit him.

When they reached the academy courtyard, the brothers and Arthur split to their respective classes based on age groups.

Arthur's class was already assembling by the time he arrived.

As he entered the class, it turns out 

He was the only commoner in the entire room.

All the other students wore custom-fitted boots, and family emblems sewn onto their uniforms. Some whispered to each other, some giving Arthur curious glances—others, indifferent stares.

He stood quietly at the back, uncertain.

The reason was simple: Commoners rarely sent their children to the capital's academy at age under fifteen.

Most of them couldn't afford the long travel from their villages each day. Instead, they enrolled their kids at age fifteen—the age when academy housing was permitted.

And time passed.

Arthur's days at the academy were not easy.

Being the only commoner and a foreigner in his age group, he faced troubles from noble kids and got ignored by instructors.

The noble-born students used to bully Arthur. Arthur quickly learned that, it's a part of the life, about which Sir Vale already mentioned.

So he didn't complain.

Instead, he focused.

Every day he worked hard with physical training—running, lifting, climbing, sparring. His body adapted faster than expected, hardened by years of labor, and genetics.

But when it came to studies... things were different.

Arthur sat at his desk staring blankly at scrolls and parchment, mouthing words under his breath like they were some ancient curse. He'd fall asleep halfway through reading, wake up with ink on his face.

He occasionally visited Sir Garren Vale, who remained his quiet anchor.

Arthur never told him about the bullying. 

By the time a few months passed, even the most arrogant noble kids knew better than to challenge Arthur. He grew strong and rigid with lean muscles in a very short time and he was acing every form of physical training—strength, endurance, reflex, sparring. Consistently.

Sir Vale, though usually reserved and busy, began to hear whispers about the commoner boy from junior trainers.

A student with unusual stamina, perfect form, and nonstop determination.

Whenever he heard Arthur's name, Vale allowed himself a subtle smile.

"So... you're really making your mark."

Back in the dorms, 

The DDD brothers—Darrow Rin, Darrow Fin, and Darrow Zin—treated Arthur like a sibling. Being commoners themselves, they helped him control his anger when the nobles mocked him, kept his head clear when things got rough, and made sure he never felt alone.

Whenever they had time, the four of them would sneak out for training in the mountains, grab food at the market, or just wander around outside the academy.

Arthur joined them. And surprisingly… he kept up. Then surpassed them.

By the end of his third year, even the older DDD boys had to admit it:

"Alright, alright, the kid's built like a damn mountain. "Is he really a commoner? He's got strength and gifts like a noble."

But they weren't jealous.They genuinely enjoyed watching him grow.The sparring, the races, the challenges—they pushed each other, laughed through it, and got stronger together.

But all things change.

At age eighteen, the DDD brothers graduated from the academy. They earned their licenses and left to become junior guards back in their village.

Arthur didn't show much on the outside. But their departure hit hard.

They weren't just roommates. They were his first real friends, the only people who come close to a family—Then Arthur felt alone so he made a quiet promise to himself:

No matter what it took, he would find his parents.

He didn't know when. Or how. But one day, somehow… he would. he still remembered her mother words in bits "Hang on son"

Until then, he kept going.

Training. Attending the academy like usual.

He remained quiet, The noble kids usually ignored him, and Arthur didn't bother trying to fit in.

He was used to being alone.

Seasons turned, years completed and Arthur outgrew the junior division. From the 6–14 age group, he was promoted to the senior classes—ages 15 to 18.

Just before his senior classes begin, he got summer gap.

But now he can leave the kingdom since he is 15 now, 

Arthur wanted this time to try to find his parents. he went to see Sir Vale before his leave.

Arthur opened the familiar wooden door to the side hall, where Sir Vale usually spent his evenings. The air was warm, and the scent of old scrolls and oil polish hung in the room.

Vale looked up from behind the desk, Vale grown older, but his presence still strong—unshaken."Ahh, Arthur. Long time." He gave a slight nod. "You've grown a lot. And your visits are becoming fewer every year."

Arthur stepped in, gave a small bow."It's not like that, Sir," he said. "I just didn't want to waste your time."

Vale smirking. "Hmm."

Arthur stood straighter. "Sir, I came to ask for permission to leave the kingdom during the summer gap. I want to look for my parents."

Vale leaned back in his chair."Oh? Got a route in mind?"

"Not really," Arthur said honestly. "But… I want to visit the DDD brothers first. After that, I'll start looking for any traces I can find."

Vale didn't ask more. Instead, he reached into a drawer and pulled out a small leather pouch and a folded parchment."Travel pass," he said, setting the parchment on the desk. "It'll get you through most checkpoints without questions."

He slid the pouch across next."And some spare coin. And don't start with that 'I don't need it' nonsense. Just take it. You can pay me back when you have—"

Before he could finish, Arthur had already picked up both the pouch and the parchment and tucked them into his bag with a cheeky grin."Okay, Sir Vale."

Vale blinked, a little surprised at first… then gave a quiet laugh."Heh. You sure did grow."

He stood up, walking around the desk.

"Stay out of trouble on your path," he said. "And make sure you're back before summer ends. I've heard some whispers about you in your junior division—""—and I need to test them myself in your senior division classes."

Arthur nodded firmly. "Understood."

Vale paused at the doorway. "One more thing."

Arthur turned back to him.

"If you find what you're looking for, good."There was a faint smile on Vale's face—a rare one."If you don't—remember you've still got a place here."

Arthur gave a quiet nod with a smile.

As he stepped out into the open path, the sun had just begun to set. The light washed the academy walls in gold as the sky turned orange and blue.

He tightened the strap on his bag and walked into the fading light, eyes forward, the old roads ahead of him.

A new journey had begun.