My Fate System

Since he was in his hellish days in the academy this time of his previous life, Nikolai knew very little about the gossip and young masters of the kingdom. However, there was one man that they grew up admiring him and Shon.

The Strongest.

Long ago, the Rosia kingdom was at the brink of collapse against the Bestial Kingdom. The nearby nations decided it was best to choose the victor's side, so they sent aid to the Bestial Kingdom.

This was almost thirty years ago, so the Strongest was nothing but a young soldier at that time. The previous king was incompetent, and the future looked bleak.

His name was Griffin, after the legendary beast, and he was even stronger than that monster. As the war was nearing its end, the future looking bleak, the man appeared from the midst of despair.

The might of his wind became the bard's favorite topic; all fighters pursued the strength of his body. Finally, his heroism saved the kingdom from extinction, and the war ended.

After that day, he was known as the world's strongest fighter. From a commoner soldier with no title to a duke, the man's rise was akin to a fairytale. However, the man was the only one said to be half a step into divinity, making him a demigod.

It was hard to imagine that a man as ancient as Griffin had a bastard son, not to mention one hated by many. It could only be explained that the house of Griffin was the one behind the discrimination, as the bastard was an outsider.

"Lyle, you are just like others," the princess sighed. "You would be hooked as soon as you know it's related to the man known as the strongest."

"Can I even refuse your command?" he asked with helplessness. Even if he were interested, Nikolai would prefer to prepare for his plans of invading Celestia.

"Hehe," she gave a bashful laugh, and Nikolai wondered how such a person would turn to be the Bloody Saint. A ruthless commander with nothing to stand in her way and one who would later be the saint of a religion.

They were crossing the flowerbed and going into the city, following the princess's plans. The reason for her interest in the bastard was a mystery, but Nikolai could use this plan to make use of this bastard's misdeeds.

'If I can blackmail the son of such a man, then I can gain access to countless secrets,' Nikolai almost let a smirk appear on his face.

"Since this rogue is the half-brother of the Griffin House's current head, then it made things quite complicated. This bastard son of his is dotted on by Griffin and taken into the family under his direct commands, so it raises the question of who would become the house's heir."

"Thus, the discrimination," Nikolai realized. "However, even if a reason for his reputation to be blemished existed, that doesn't mean he is innocent. A son of such a powerful man is bound to be quite arrogant."

"You are just like my uncle, even though he acts respectfully on the surface. Cynicism is truly the main trait of you two. How about believing in the good in people?"

"You do realize that to believe he is a good person means that everyone who spread the rumors is bad. You are the cynical one for believing that everyone is lying about him."

"... I understand why my uncle likes you, now," the princess pouted as they crossed the river. "I still want to investigate the matter. You can't refuse, as my retainer."

'Such a selfish brat,' Nikolai almost kicked her into the water. However, it was interesting to uncover such rumors. If this man indeed became the next Griffin, then Nikolai would benefit from learning more about him.

Fishers started appearing on the river's bank as they walked into the inner parts of the city, where houses of beastmen surrounded each side of the road.

They stared warily at the two strangers, who made their way through the city without worry. Nikolai wanted to go into stealth lest they get attacked, but the princess was with him.

"From here!" she suddenly pointed to an alley and jumped into it. As Nikolai followed, he saw the princess take out an umbrella. His confusion was answered when she stood close to him and infused the artifact with mana, making them disappear.

"Where did you get this from?" Nikolai was worried because if this artifact was a part of the nation's treasury, it should be tracked.

"A gift from a friend," she mysteriously said as she grabbed into his arm and pulled him toward the end of the alley. "I received information that he frequents this street at this time of the day."

  "You are stalking him?"

"...investigating," she said bashfully, and Nikolai began to think this was more than just an interest or a curiosity. Why would the royal princess care about this topic, out of all the gossip in the capital?

"What are you going to do if he came here to relieve himself?" his words were brash given that he was talking to the princess of this kingdom, but it was necessary to prepare her for the ugliness of the world. "I'm sure that your report included sightings of him leaving this place rather than entering. Hence, that can only mean he stayed the night here."

"I am not going to do anything, as it has nothing to do with me. However, it would mean that people don't stay the same," she said, with the last of her words turning into a whisper.

Nikolai didn't comment on her words, but they were enough to tell him that the princess met this bastard before, maybe a long time ago. 

After they found some shade to hide under, the two waited. Their wait lengthened until it was interrupted by the sound of swirling wind. When they turned to the end of the street where the wind came from, they saw a giant eagle running after a little boy.

"AAAAAA!"

The boy screamed as he ran, but the eagle made no effort to attack him. However, now and then, it would flap its wings to send wind blades to strike the ground behind the boy.

"Wait," as the princess was about to jump to his rescue, Nikolai grabbed her arm. "The child is not in real danger, and he knows it. However, he is still scared that he would be struck if he stops."

"Unhand me," Saint Maria frowned at him. "We can't take the chance based on your assumptions."

"My assumptions kept me alive," he said as he let go of her arm. "I think that eagle is unique, and you should recognize it."

Saint Maria paused and turned toward the eagle with confusion. It took her a few moments to realize that this was a familiar, rather a monster.

Nikolai frowned because he recognized this monster from his vision. It belonged to the young man who aided him for reasons he didn't understand. However, it didn't make sense for him to be here unless he was the bastard.

'Orphans help each other,' the young man said in his vision, but why would he say that if his father was Griffin?

The princess seemed to recognize it too, and she refrained from helping the kid. But, as the kid and eagle passed them, they could see the determination that the kid had on his face.

Nikolai and Maria began following after them while hidden without any more words between them. But, this time, they had an equal interest in this matter.

It seems that the kid was training because he tried to use mana every time that he couldn't run away anymore. This was basic training to awaken mana in a person without using crystals, but it was pretty harsh.

However, it gave a better mana affinity than crystals. Nikolai would have opted for this training if not for his ability to farm crystals.

Furthermore, there was no greater affinity to darkness than his current one, as it became a part of him. The cube inside of his body was the one creating this darkness, so it made sense that Nikolai had perfect control over it.

They followed the kid until his training was over, and they reached an isolated spot of the river bank. Sitting on a giant rock was a young man sleeping there, and he woke up when the kid arrived.

"Have you succeeded?"

"Again!"

"Quite determined," the young man whistled as he jumped up. As he landed in front of the kid, Nikolai felt the princess grab his arm tightly.

'It seems this is the bastard,' Nikolai inwardly thought with a sigh because this young man was the same one who helped him in his vision.

"You can't defeat the strongest man if you are so weak," the young man shook his head.. "That is why I will be the one to defeat him," he said with a grin, thumb pointing at his chest.