Hector's Apology
Hector came to apologize to me the very next day. His whole body was wrapped in bandages from how badly I'd beaten him in my berserk state. At first, I thought it was someone else, but his bronze skin and massive build gave him away.
"Sivar. That man has no intention of fighting you anymore. So don't attack him. Got it?"
As Hector approached, Luna earnestly warned me. It wasn't the time to fight, Hector had no will to battle, and so on. I didn't reply, just nodded.
Staring blankly might invite more nagging. Hector then stood tall before me despite his discomfort, slowly knelt, and bowed his head to the ground.
"I'm sorry."
"… …"
"There were other ways, but I resorted to brute force right away. It's all my fault. So…"
Swoosh—
Before he could finish, I extended my hand. Sensing it, Hector slowly lifted his head from the ground. His eyes widened round.
He probably never expected me to offer my hand first. Even though he'd attacked first, it looked like I was forgiving him. The others seemed to think so too, showing various pleased expressions.
Meanwhile, Hector stared at my outstretched hand with a complicated look, hesitantly reaching out.
Slap!
But I roughly swatted his hand away. Not just Hector, but even the pleased onlookers were stunned.
An apology from someone who hadn't grown mentally was meaningless. He'd feel conflicted himself—what apology? Better to just say what I wanted.
I had one demand.
"Axe."
"…What?"
"Axe."
Hector looked dumbfounded at my demand for the axe. So did everyone else.
But a promise was a promise. He nodded and handed over the axe from his back.
It was closer to a fire axe in size, much heavier than a one-handed axe. I'd be using this from now on—until I went to Tatar myself.
Kara, seeing Hector really hand over Ragnarok, asked worriedly.
"…You sure that's okay?"
"A promise is a promise."
"Sigh… Alright. Got it."
Hector handed me the axe, apologized again—to me and Lord Sherman. Lord chuckled and said it was fine, but his face still showed anger. He'd worked hard cleaning up yesterday's mess, so it made sense.
Anyway, with the troublemaker Hector gone, only familiar faces remained in my residence. The mood grew a bit awkward, but I didn't care. I was too busy examining the axe.
It's really cool.
Hector might not know much else, but his designs were impressive. The axe, Ragnarok, was no exception.
As I recalled, Ragnarok was originally a ceremonial axe. Used to offer tributes to Gulaak, until lightning struck it one day. Normally, Hector should've been electrocuted, but strangely, the lightning only danced along Ragnarok.
"How do you use that, sis? Looks like a great weapon."
While I inspected every inch of Ragnarok, Luna asked Kara. She'd noticed it wasn't ordinary.
Kara's face grew complicated at the question, but she explained kindly.
"It's a good weapon. Nothing else could withstand Father's lightning. Everything else burns up the moment it touches it."
"Lightning… You mean the God of Destruction, Gulaak?"
"Yeah. Plus, it has weapon recall magic engraved, so you won't lose it."
Faith meant nothing to me. What I wanted was the weapon recall magic Kara mentioned.
In Soul World, weapons often dropped in combat—yours or the enemy's. Recall magic let you re-equip easily, so it was standard on favored weapons.
But how does it work in reality?
In the game, just press a button. I didn't remember the lore, and reality was different.
I quietly set Ragnarok on the floor and stepped back a couple paces. People looked puzzled, but I ignored them.
"… …"
Like Hector, I spread my hand wide! But Ragnarok didn't return. Channeling mana changed nothing. It just sat there.
"Kara."
"Yeah?"
"This. Axe. Fetch!"
I had to ask Kara. Now I could use short words—it was convenient.
Kara giggled at my body language, like it was cute, then spread her hand.
Ragnarok twitched on the floor, then flew to her hand.
Thud!
"This one?"
"Yeah."
"Explaining 'engraved magic' might confuse you, huh?"
Magic stored in weapons or items was called 'engraving.' Specialists handled it, as mentioned before.
Kara pondered how to explain, then showed me the axe.
"See these letters? Can you read them?"
"… …"
I tried reading the letters on the handle. No clue. Not common tongue—Tatar script, probably. I couldn't read it.
"Figured you couldn't. It's Tatar language. The name's Ragnarok—'Fate of the Gods' in common tongue."
"Rag. Na. Rok?"
"Yeah. Remember that squinty professor's class? Language holds immense power. Engraving borrows that power since it's magic."
Ah, right. That was the setting.
Now I remembered Godin's explanation. The world had a common language, but each nation had its own. Native tongues boosted magic more than common. Like English on Earth—easy to learn, even for rural Luna, Ellie, or me.
"Engraved magic's priority depends on pronunciation accuracy. Ragnarok's tied to Gulaak, so deeper faith boosts priority and recall range."
"Oh…"
"Wanna try? Just think it—no need to speak. Here."
Kara set Ragnarok down and backed away cautiously. I stared at the lone axe, then spread my hand. Silently whispered in my mind.
Ragnarok.
Thud!
It snapped into my hand the moment I named it. The grip felt amazing.
"What? It worked first try? Tatar's tricky to pronounce."
Kara was surprised—I doubted she'd expect success. I couldn't speak, but thinking the pronunciation was easy. Just a name—what's hard?
"Wait. Ragnarok's five letters, but Sivar only says two. How?"
Luna pointed out the oddity. True, I only managed two syllables. To her, even recalling it seemed impossible.
"Doesn't matter. Pronunciation's key in language. Broken words still convey meaning."
"Really…?"
"Yeah. Otherwise, mages wouldn't chant through blood. Even injured, they finish—power halves, but doesn't cancel. Language is vital here."
Just like Lord said. Mages pushed through to complete spells.
Thud!
I dropped and recalled Ragnarok repeatedly. The feel was addictive—fun, even. I'd use it often, so practice mattered.
Somewhere to throw it?
Holding Ragnarok, I scanned around. My eyes hit the gaping hole in the ceiling—Hector's preemptive strike. Weekend meant no repairs yet. Perfect for testing.
I took throwing stance.
"Wait. Where are you—"
"Let him. Ceiling's already wrecked."
"What if he picks up bad habits? It's a weapon, not a toy."
"He's just curious. He'll stop when it wears off."
Kara and Luna bickered, but I ignored. Lord just tsked at the hole.
Whoosh!
I hurled it precisely into the ceiling gap. Heavy axe, so some power. Toward the forest for safety—Lord didn't stop me.
How much time passed? I figured enough, mentally called Ragnarok.
"… …"
"… …"
"When's it—"
As Ellie opened her mouth, since no return,
Krunch!
Crash!
Something ominous sounded first. Then Ragnarok shattered a glass window returning.
Bad enough, but worse: Luna between me and the window.
She turned at the crash.
"Uh…"
Doomed expression. She'd get badly hurt colliding.
But we had a reliable presence nearby.
Tap—
Just before hitting Luna's head, Lord lightly nudged it with his sword—unsheathed unnoticed. That casual move altered its path.
Ragnarok barely grazed past her head. Showed Lord's agility.
Thud!
I recalled it and started gauging reactions sheepishly. Luna dazed. Lord displeased.
Accident by mistake. No—window already smashed.
"…Sorry."
I apologized carefully. My fault entirely.
Ellie, who'd watched, smiled warmly, approached, petted my head approvingly, and comforted softly.
"I-it's okay. Accidents happen. You apologized sincerely like Hector did."
"… …"
"No need to mope. Luna, you'll forgive him, right?"
"Uh, huh? Uh… Yeah. Didn't get hurt."
"And President?"
Lord pursed lips at Ellie's question, eyed the window. Shattered completely. Ceiling was Hector's fault—forgivable. Window? No excuse.
He pondered, then nodded forgiveness.
"Apologizing means recognizing fault. Luna accepted, so forgiven."
"Th-then…"
"But!"
His emphasized "but" made me flinch. Voice carried authority—scary.
Ellie patted my back reassuringly. Always on my side, fear eased.
Lord eyed me seriously, spoke sternly.
"No candy for a while."
"…Huh?"
Dazed reaction from Kara, not me. Thought she misheard. She didn't know me well—made sense. Figured no candy was too light.
"No. Candy?"
"Yes."
"Until when?"
"Window fixed."
Huge blow for me. Addicted to sweet candy—denied? Cruel.
As I despaired inwardly, Lord instructed my guardians.
"You too. No snacks like candy for Sivar till window's fixed."
"P-President… He apologized, Luna accepted. Too harsh…"
"I know. But even mutual agreement must teach consequences. Society has laws."
Probably from doctor's words. Normal intellect, zero social skills. Lord's call to build it—but harsh for me.
"…Dunno if that'll work."
Kara muttered amusedly. Doubted it'd faze me.
But it would. No choice.
I got no money.
Couldn't buy anything without cash. Knew the concept, but no need—everyone provided. Now? Different.
Time to earn money.
Hunt or herbs—reason now. Perfect, Luna and Ellie gathered herbs weekends. Join them.
Unaware of my scheming(?), Lord sighed at broken window, troubled.
"Haa. Already so much to hush up… Now this."
"… …"
Sorry. More headaches ahead.
Sivar smashed a window with Ragnarok, but time flew. Luna chatted variously at his residence over the weekend, then returned to dorms. Sparring done—points tomorrow.
Honestly, points didn't matter.
How does Sivar… understand language?
Long-buried curiosity. Before learning words, he'd comprehended speech multiple times. Separate from normal intellect, presumed no human contact. Yet language clicked—like he knew from start.
Rag-na-rok… Argh. Hard to pronounce.
Usually overlooked, but seeing easy recall sparked doubt. Astonishing language grasp. Yet couldn't speak. Contradictory—headache for Luna.
And beat Hector…
Knew Sivar's strength. But rational—post-berserk? Unknown. Watched Ratatosk fight from afar, never close. Knew strong, but not Destruction King Hector level.
Come to think…
Suddenly recalled cave murals. 'Future' pictures. One: man raising axe skyward. Lightning striking it bonus.
What did it mean? Hector's axe now Sivar's.
…No clue.
Pondering yielded nothing. Ask Sivar directly. Problem: no alone time. Now Kara guardian too. Class: Kara attached. After: Lord or Ellie always near.
How to…
Eyes drooping. Yesterday, today—too much chaos, mental fatigue.
How to… be alone with Sivar?
Misinterpretation-prone thought, unaware.
Wish someone'd tell me…
Luna closed eyes, oblivious.