Chapter 1: Sworn Oath
In the sun-drenched courtyard of the Rose Family State, lived a boy named Zy. With bright, curious emerald eyes, short, shiny hair, and cherry lips set on a symmetrical, brownish face, he possessed a healthy, normal body for his age. His eighth birthday was fast approaching, and his greatest wish was to finally explore the bustling city beyond the family estate walls.
To his delight, Zy's wish was granted. Accompanied by his loving father and mother, a diligent maid, and two vigilant guards, they set off.
Zy's father, Ferro Rose, is a two-meter tall man with a strong, proportioned build. He has dark hair and bright, piercing dark eyes. His well-defined nose and squared jawline give him an undeniable gravitas. His straight posture and deliberate movements project the distinct authority of a commanding leader.
Ricamara, Zy's mother, possessed a slender, graceful build, moving with an innate poise and controlled elegance. She stood a head shorter than Ferro, yet her presence was no less commanding. Her most striking feature was her long, flowing, and lustrous raven-black hair, which cascaded around her with a natural sheen. Her captivating emerald-green eyes immediately drew attention, set within refined features that included a finely sculpted nose, high cheekbones, and soft lips. Her skin carried a fair brown tone, complementing her delicate beauty. She often wore an emerald ring and necklace, their vibrant green gems perfectly mirroring the color of her beautiful eyes.
Zy giggled left and right, a wide smile plastered across his face as he took in every new sight. Amidst the throngs of people, a curious flicker caught his eye—a suspicious alley, as if something is tugging him in that direction. Driven by an insatiable curiosity, Zy called out to his parents and, without hesitation, followed.
The alley was narrow and shadowed, leading them to a plain door set Into the wall. Above it, a simple plaque read: "REAL." Intrigued, Zy pushed the door open. Inside, a rustic scene unfolded: a wooden floor stretched out before them, adorned with sturdy wooden furniture, tables, and chairs. At the right, a counter stood, attended by a middle-aged bartender.
Upon seeing the man, Zy quickly made his way inside. When he crossed the door, an inexplicable feeling assault Zy's senses. His body was like a sponge, absorbing a large amount of mysterious energy. Zy felt a little lightheaded and became energetic as he dismissed what he felt. "I am Zy of the Rose Family!" he declared with youthful bravado. "What can I call you?"
The bartender's eyes twinkled as he regarded Zy. "Tavern Owner, pretty boy," he replied with a grin, and poured a glass of shimmering fruit essence. Zy took it, drinking with pure delight.
From the corner of his eye, Zy caught a glimpse of a wooden rack displaying a single wooden sword. With a quick, instinctive move, he set down his glass and hopped off the stool. He approached the rack, his small fingers reaching out to touch the wooden blade.
"You're interested in that sword, pretty boy?" the Tavern Owner asked, a smile playing on his lips.
Zy nodded enthusiastically. "Today is my date of birth!" he announced proudly.
"Then, you can have it…" the Tavern Owner began, and Zy's eyes lit up, his head bobbing with excitement. The Tavern Owner continued, "…but you must swing it a thousand times every time you hold the wooden handle of the sword."
Zy, still beaming, readily agreed. The Tavern Owner then moved to the wooden rack, picking up the sword himself. "Give me your hand, boy!" he commanded. Zy complied, extending his palm. The Tavern Owner's hand moved with astonishing speed, a blur of motion. Zy felt a fleeting touch on his palm but saw nothing.
The Tavern Owner then handed the wooden sword to Zy. With bright eyes and a wide, eager smile, Zy grasped the hilt. A sudden, sharp pain flared in his palm. He looked down to see a small, fresh wound, a bead of blood welling up, staining both his skin and the wooden handle. Within three seconds the blood in the wooden sword handle disappeared and his wound healed immediately, leaving no trace of existence. His parents, who had watched the entire exchange unfold, remained silent observers.
Zy looked at the wooden sword did not have a defining characteristic in itself. It's like a wooden sword that was sheathed in a wooden sheath but, when Zy examined the wooden sword, he discovered the wooden sword was a carved as a whole piece. The wooden sword handle was very comfortable to hold, it fits perfectly to Zy as if the sword was made for him.
"Thank you Tavern Owner! I will treasure this gift!" Zy said gratefully. He hold the sword near his chest, as if afraid that Tavern Owner will take his words back. Zy's actions caused Tavern Owner to smile.
"Time to head back Zy," Ferro said. Zy's mother, Ricamara, opened her hands beckoning Zy as they're ready to leave. "If encounter a difficulty, take this Thorn Medallion to the Rose estate. I will do what I can to help you out," Ferro said before leaving.
The medallion was cool and smooth to the touch, is cast from what appears to be petrified wood, yet it possesses a subtle, almost imperceptible warmth. Its most striking feature is a raised, intricately detailed relief: a single, perfectly formed rose, its petals just beginning to unfurl, encircled by a wreath of sharp, stylized thorns. However, the unique aspect of the Thorn Medallion is that the thorns themselves are smooth, not jagged, and they gleam with a faint, iridescent sheen, contrasting with the dull, dark metal of the medallion. When a true act of selfless favor is performed, and the medallion is held by the recipient, the central blooming rose momentarily radiates a soft, golden light, and a faint, sweet scent of damask rose fills the air around it. This glow and fragrance are fleeting, a private acknowledgment of the deed, and then the medallion returns to its subtle, dormant state, a tangible reminder of a debt of gratitude.
After this curious encounter, they left the "REAL" Tavern. At the Rose estate, Zy excitedly carried the wooden sword at the courtyard to swing it a thousand times. "Thank you for bringing me outside to explore, Mother and Father!" Zy thankful exclaimed as he rushed to the courtyard.
Seeing his running figure, Ricamara sigh in relief as she turned to her husband. Ferro who's about to open his mouth was silenced by Ricamara, "I know…" Ricamara smiled. Ferro also smiled and hugged Ricamara on her waist.