Time in this world runs like a breeze. So fast I couldn't keep up.
I believe it's been ten years since I got reincarnated, and in that space of ten years, a lot of things happened.
It didn't take me long to discover I have magic. In this world, magic is a norm. Everyone uses it just like how humans use the internet in my former world.
However, magic isn't equal to everyone. There were higher tiers of magic that were way O.P and off limits to the average man in this world.
I'm talking about magic with devastating potency. Spells that could level cities, rewrite realities, harness elements and resurrect the dead.
These were the overpowered tiers that only a rare few individuals spent their entire lives to master.
It gave me chills to imagine there were men who walked the earth with such powers pulsing in their veins.
In my case, I came to discover as early as I was two years old that I was different from everyone else.
It started right after my birth. It was reported to the king that Demons and monsters around the Brutish Empire were becoming less active and attacks were at an all time low.
Dangerous roads and forest near the Kingdom were once again safe to travel through.
Godfrey discovered that the monsters and demons were afraid. A powerful person was in his kingdom.
He sent out words to have this person brought to him so that he could honour and perhaps promote him into his elite soldiers ranks.
That's when it hit me. I possess an incredible amount of mana. It's so overwhelming, it brought fear to the monsters that sensed it.
A large capacity of mana could only mean one thing. I was overpowered.
That explains why the monsters took off.
So ever since I was a baby, I trained myself to suppress my mana inorder not to attract attention. It took a lot of effort and months of hard work but I mastered how to conceal my mana.
This way, I can play the background character without any fuss.
My insane amount of mana ignited a burning flame of curiosity in magic. I wanted to study it. I wanted to master it. I wanted to grow stronger with it.
Luckily for me, the castle has its own library filled with thousands of books. I would ask my mother to get me some grimoire from the library which she did happily.
That said, as I grew up, I spent my waking hours studying in all tiers of magic I could lay my hands on from the royal library.
My stepbrother, Prince Rudolph has natural talent with the sword. I watch him spar everyday with the castle's finest swordmaster.
At age fifteen, Rudolph showed great promise and our father seemed very proud of him.
As the son of a serving girl, I was never given the privilege to train under a swordsmans in the castle.
However, if there was one talent I possess, it's a photogenic memory. I remembered every move, every sword style and magic attacks.
Then while everyone else had gone to bed, late into the night, I trained in secret. I studied every sword art style I could find in books and through sparring sessions.
Ten years, I trained and the more I trained, the stronger I grew.
But it wasn't enough. I haven't tested my skills yet. I needed real competition to test my powers.
And so I did the one thing that I never imagined I would do.
I asked the King to enroll me in school.
* * * *
Now, Godfrey and I haven't really been speaking to each other in the last decade.
I don't necessarily hate him. I just see him for the scum he was and I don't associate with scumbags.
Knowing I'm his bastard son, I don't imagine he expected me to ask him for anything.
Still, I'm entitled to a whole lot of things. I don't care about the throne. All I want is an education.
So without informing my mother about what I was about to do, I sneaked into the King's chambers and made my very first demand.
"Sire, I desire to enroll in the same school, Camilia is enrolled in," I said.
Camilia is my step sister. She's two years older than me and was preparing to enroll in the most prestigious magic school in the empire.
Waurweth, Academy Of Arcane.
I saw this as my chance to get the education I deserve. If Camilia is going, so I'm I.
Godfrey stared at me in shock. He was eating his breakfast alone and was not to be disturbed, but I didn't care.
"How dare you walk into my chambers without an invitation and make such demands?" He snapped after a while.
I narrowed my eyes. "Because I'm your son?"
"No, you're the bastard child of that serving girl," Godfrey pointed his fork at me. "Don't get ahead of yourself, boy. I can have you locked up just for running your mouth."
This guy believes he's all that. If he thinks he scares me, then he has another thought coming.
I entered the room until I was standing close to him.
"You know, sire, I understand you don't like me. Think of it this way, if you enroll me in school, you wouldn't have to bear seeing my face around you. It's a fair deal, don't you think?"
Godfrey was stunned at how bold and confident I was.
"You're one strange child," he said, eyeing me closely. "You speak to me like an equal even though you're only ten."
I grinned. "I suppose I grew up too fast, but I feel stuck in this castle. I want to explore the world and make a name for myself. With your funding, I'll be out of here. You would finally be rid of me."
Godfrey stared at me for a long time. I could see he was considering my suggestion and the idea appealed to him.
Then a small smile appeared on his hardened face. "I like it. Very well, tell your mother I said you'll be enrolling in Waurweth academy with Camilia next week."
I felt proud of myself. "I will do that sire."
"But on one condition," Godfrey said, his voice as sharp as a razor. "I will not fund any other expenses aside from your tuition fees. Take it or leave it."
In Other words, this punk expects me to hustle while in school.
"I'll take it," I said, walking towards the door. "As long as I don't have to live under the same roof as you."
Before he could say anything, I stepped outside and closed the door.