It was the next day when Illeuid was forced out of bed.
A servant made sure to dump cold water on him, disregarding how he sputtered awake before just dumping the bowl on the ground with a clatter and leaving. He spat out a surprising mount of water. Was this another trick? God, he hated it here. He struggled to get out of bed, his blankets and clothing constricting his movements before he sloshed over the side, landing on the floor with a thump! Illeuid cursed as he tried to get to his feet. After tripping a few more times, he dragged his feet through his morning ablutions before trudging towards the direction of the training grounds. He resisted the urge to flinch as he felt his elder brother's intense gaze on him.
Brakus sneered at Illeuid as the young boy walked towards the opposite side of the arena. The elder brother took to swinging his sword in a show of nonchalant intimidation, grinning as the sun glinted off of its blade. It was a sword made from the minerals found in their family mine. This did not make it like any other sword. No. This sword came from the most invaluable mine that the Veilkerhurst family had in their possession. The one that held the largest deposits of mithril. The magic from the mineral had flowed outward from the metal, seeping into the surrounding area making even the tiniest pebbles valuable.
And lucky Illeuid, his brother deemed him worthy enough to use that sword on him. At least, he would have if their father, Vlaus, didn't give him a look warning him to not taint the the precious blade with the youngest inferior blood. At least that was how Illeuid interpreted the glance. His father may have been being reasonable, at least for him, about just not wanting his elder son to use the blade for what was nothing more than child's play. It didn't matter. Illeuid knew that this was just his father indulging his best warrior with a break. An easy battle to loosen his muscles before he would venture into the dark forest behind them to hunt some magic beasts. Something much more worthwhile. He wouldn't want Brakus to pull anything, Illeuid thought sarcastically.
Illeuid could only brace himself, getting into a defensive stance, his own wooden sword outstretched in front of him. Brakus studied him, his gaze unnerving. It always made his skin crawl. Then his sword separated itself from its carved hilt. Illeuid could only stare, not believing that his luck could become so terrible.
Are you kidding me?
The usual crowd, a group of onlookers made up of the other knights and the castle servants, laughed at his misfortune. Illeuid barely had the time to glare at him before a flash of pain exploded in his right temple, white light blinding his vision as his brain bounced in his head. The younger boy, having experienced this before, stumbled backwards. He struggled to remain on his feet. But he did it. He had less than a minute to recover before Brakus used his fist to punch him in the gut.
"Brakus," though their father's voice was even, the warning was there. The boy just gave him a cheeky smile.
"Sorry, father."
Illeuid's ears were ringing. He stomach cramped from so much pain that he could not drag in a full breath. Still, he remained standing.
Illeuid could not see how he was going to get out of this with minor injuries. He thought about just curling into a ball as Brakus stomped out his frustration on his weak body. He would be re-labled as a coward. But he would not have to deal with his elder brother for long as he does not like prey that did not fight back. Then Illeuid notice something flicker in the air in front of Brakus. The way the light refracted reminded him of sunlight hitting broken glass.
Hello, player. The sound was the crackling voice of the system, a sharp whip of noise that popped whatever hearing was left in his bad ear. Illeuid shrieked before hitting the side of his head. The rough pounding jostled his smarting brain further, making the pain intense. Brakus raised his brows in surprise.
"What is wrong with--" Something cut off the rest of his words. Maybe it was the loss of hearing on his damaged side. Illeuid could not be sure as he felt something slick, making a wet sploosh as it fell out of his ear. He briefly flicked his unsteady gaze on where the sound ended. There was a surprising pool of blood.
I would suggest refraining from further damaging your head, dear player. The System's familiar sardonic tone filled his head in gentle waves, spreading through his cranium and providing a cooling sensation to the pain, not vanquishing it. Just holding it at bay.
Where have you been? Illeuid asked the system. He was glad to have gain the ability of telepathy. The first few time he tried to use the system in his past lives resulted in him gaining the reputation of being mad with the amount of times he had to mutter to the invisible being. He waited for it to respond to his inquiry but realized that the system was still undergoing some kind of rebooting as did not get a clear answer. Instead, he heard the buzzing sound of its subdued answer. The volume rising then decreasing rapidly. It took a minute of it making popping noise with its effort to communicate with him. Finally, as though exhausted it told him to look carefully in Brakus's direction. He did. He studied the older boy, who was now looking at him, not with hostility. No, it was a look akin to suspicion.
"There is no way you can be that weak." Brakus's eyes were drawn to something by his feet. He knew that Brakus had to be surprised by the amount of blood he lost. Not like it mattered, he always made him lose more eventually. His elder brother shook his head regaining his concentration. Once again he wore his signature sneer.
Player?
What! Illeuid's eyes roamed Brakus's general area, trying to find what the system wanted him to see. Then he remembered the strange light. Quickly, he searched for it. There! It was closer now. He does not know when it happened. It had lowered itself closer to the ground in front of him, at the height of his knees.
When your brother tries to attack you, I would suggest bowing dear player.
Illeuid could only blink owlishly. To the outsiders it seemed as if his injuiries were getting the best of him. Internally, he grew indignant.
Really. A bow? That is what the system managed to get out to him after being down? It was trying to get him to bow? Like he was at a show? Why was it trying so hard to get him to end this life prematurely? Surely he could try something else to survive this spar with Brakus as he has done plenty of times before. Even though he was reluctant, he had to admit that the system had never led him astray before. Sure, it could be frustrating and it did not give him all of the imperative information wanting to speak in riddles instead. If bowing was what would help... Gritting his teeth Illeuid worked up the courage to perform the ridiculous move. There was no need to be embarrassed. He was used to dying. What's one more death in the face of dozens? So when his brother rushed him, his wooden sword outstretched he did as was suggested.
He bowed.
The unexpected move caused Brakus's attack to continue without anything to stop it. His accelerating form arched over the crouching boy. Illeuid could hear the ting that alerted him that he hit the point. He saw more flashing lights pop up.Three of them. One in front of his elder brother's face, one by his shoulder and another near his chest. Remembering the days of using a VR headset, Illeuid quickly jumped up hitting Brakus in the middle of the head with quick jab. He followed it with one hit to his shoulder then his chest and another to his shoulder. He felt a grin form across his face. The silence from the onlookers were just an added bonus.
The younger boy was about to jump in jubilation. It was rare for him to one up Brakus. It always resulted in him being hurt three times as much. That was why whenever he did, he always made a show of mocking the older boy. If he was going to suffer for the slight of besting his war experienced brother, then he may as well celebrate. Only, he saw that he was not going to get the chance. Illeuid knew that he pushed him too far, Further than he must have ever done in a past life. He knew when saw the enraged look on marring Brakus's face, twisting it into an unsightly mask. He looked like he was going to peel his flesh from his bones. Maybe, just maybe, it was not worth getting the extra points. Even if it meant that he would have quicker access to his system.
In a blink, Brakus was once again flying towards him. He threw his sword to the side with his dominant hand while he summoned a mana sword with the other.
Oh, crap! He was serious! Yes he's been murdered by Brakus before. Though it was through the machinations of his deceit or through the aid of his own determination of his allies. The number one rule that the children of the Veilkerhurst family had to follow was to not outright kills each other. The fact that Brakus was disregarding something that has basically always been law showed that he was pushed to the edge.
His sword bent to the side weirdly when he tried to stab the brat in his anger. As if it was trying to avoid piercing the youngest's flesh. They weird phenomenon gave Illeuid the chance to dodge the attack. The younger boy looked at him in horror. Brakus spun around to once again face the boy. Imperceptivity, he studied his sword. It was not just a manifestation of his mana, but his greatest asset. A sword that has given him victory from many a battle. How was it possible that something he conjured up could be easily manipulated?
"Enough!" Their father's voice rang out across the ring. Both boys looked up at him before stiffly getting into stand down position. Illeuid, as usual, tripped over his feet in his haste, but his father for once ignored it.
Whoa. The lack of an insult surprised Illeuid. Then he saw how his father was focused on on his elder brother, his gaze intense as he radiate disappointment. And for once, it was not directed at the youngest. Was Brakus actually in trouble? Illeuid thought.
"I see that you have been slacking," their father admonished him. "Have you fallen so far behind in your training that your young brother can one up you?"
Brakus's angry eyes flicked to Illeuid's briefly before focusing back on his father's gaze.
"No, father." He could not complain that the youngest had obviously cheated, somehow using a spell to deflect his attack. All was fair and "within reason" in the competition to be the next head. It was his fault for being lax. He would not make that mistake again.
The silence that dragged on was uncomfortable for everyone. Vlaus's eyes flicked to the audience. He did not even have to say anything. The crowd dispersed, non wanting to upset the patriarch further. His lips curled as he turned to glare at the youngest. Illeuid took that as his cue to go. Before he could take one step in any direction, he felt his body grow heavy as his consciousness fled before he physically could.
Without any prompting, he collapsed.