The Sword Alchemist

Pharagon Era

Pharagon Era

Year 2007

In the Year of the Pharagonians where the white mages dominated the land, black mages have been known as inferiors and slaves since the downfall of the Kingdom of Aleron. Their race became discriminated and scattered all over the continent and those living within the civilized areas of the country were serving under the rule of the whites.

A secluded village called Black Village existed where a small community of black mages were living discreetly for many years. A huntsman who adopted a baby found in the woods was living in that place. The baby grows as a 7 year old lively and cheerful girl named 'Claire.'

"Hayaa!" Claire striked her long wooden stick to her enemy as they played sword fight with a little boy. Other children were cheering and shouting around them. The fight was a little intense. The boy started to be aggressive as it seemed that he couldn't beat her up. On the other hand, Claire felt the excitement as she was being heated up and was able to throw the boy's hold of the sword. She then pointed the long wooden stick to her enemy's neck as a sign of victory.

"Checkmate," she said. The crowd shouted with joy. Claire won the fight.

"Claire, Mr. Hutcher is looking for you!" Emily panicked as she called her big sister out of the crowd.

"Oh no," Claire hurriedly ran towards Emily and picked up her 3-year old sister, then went toward their house. Thank goodness they're not too late as her other siblings form a line in front of Mr. Hutcher.

Mr. Hutcher the Huntsman adopted orphans on his hunting journey to different places. Other kids were sold to him with a few sum of money. When they grow older he makes them do different jobs to return the favor to him. He gave them a chance to live and survive, at least. Inside his house were 6 children, The eldest was Peter, 10 years old; Second was Amelia, 8; third was 7-year old Claire; fourth was Finneas, 6; fifth was Terry, 5; and the youngest, Emily, 3.

"How much did you earn today?" asked Mr. Hutcher while blowing the smoke from his cigarette. The kids showed them their earnings for the day.

"Nice, Peter," said Mr. Hutcher as he took 100 pennies from Peter. Amelia gave him 30 pennies. Claire, 60 pennies; Finneas, 40 pennies, and Terry, 20 pennies. Mr. Hutcher became mad after knowing that Emily had only got 3 pennies.

"Three pennies? What am i going to do with this?" he said angrily and then held Emily's arms. "You need to be taught a lesson. Let's see if you would still give me such amount after what will happen today! " he pushed the little girl on the floor and unbuckles his belt to whip her.

"My. Hutcher, please! She's just three years old!" Claire pleaded as she held his big arms.

"Get off! She needs to remember this!"

"Let me be punished instead. I'll take the whip for Emily! Please, Mr. Hutcher!" Claire said.

"Are you sure?" intimidatedly asked Mr. Hutcher. His voice is really frightening.

"Yes Mr. Hutcher." Claire said with courage even though she knew how painful it would be.

"Come here!" Mr. Hutcher pulled her arms towards the wall and started to hit her. It was so painful. She was trying to endure it but she can't help but kneel on the floor. Every whip was felt under her thin skin but she kept being strong and still stood somehow.

"Watch your big sister, Emily. This is what will happen if you keep being lazy!" Mr. Hutcher threaten the young girl. Emily started crying as she watched Claire being whipped by a thick long leather belt multiple times. Terry hugged her, trying to comfort her.

"I'm really sorry Claire, i'm really really sorry," little Emily cried as she apologized to Claire. It's already late at night. They talked at the backyard of their house.

"Ssssh... don't be Emily, it's okay...i'm okay," Claire said as she comforted her. The pain all over her body made her hard to move but she still managed somehow. 

"I'm really sorry. Mr. Hutcher shouldn't have done that to you. It's all because of me," Emily said. 

"Don't worry Emily. Everything's fine now. Have you eaten your dinner?" 

"No. Mr. Hutcher didn't let me have some bread," Emily said as she touched her hungry tummy. 

Claire pull out some leftover bread from her pocket. "Here, take this," she gave it to the little girl. Emily quickly and hungrily accepted and ate it. 

"I'm sorry Emily, you're so young to suffer all of this. If only I knew who my real parents are, we shouldn't be here in the first place."

"Mr. Hutcher said my parents sold me for 150 pennies," Emily said. Claire became sad after what she said. 

"I didn't know my real parents. Mr. Hutcher found me in the woods of Slavernake," said Claire. "Here, I want to show you something," Claire closed her eyes and opened her hand. A glittering flash of light appeared around her palms, then an imaginary roasted chicken showed up. 

"Wow... how did you do that?" Emily asked her with amazement. 

"Magic."

"You have magic?" 

"All of us have. We're all black mages you know?" said Claire. 

"Black mages?" 

"Yeah...look at your arms, do you see that black band like tattoo? It's the symbol of a black mage. You have magic too," Claire explained to her. 

"Really? Teach me teach me!" Emily excitedly said to Claire. 

"Hmmm... all I can do for now is make an imaginary chicken. But don't worry, when I become 18 years old I can go to the sword academy of magic. Then I will learn a lot of things in there. I may even be able make a real chicken." Claire told Emily. "After that, I will give you all the delicious roasted chickens in the world!" 

"Can you take me with you?" 

"Of course! And then when I become stronger, I will look for my parents. Then we'll live together away from here. I will also take Peter, Amelia, Finneas and Terry."

"All 6 of us? Great!"

"Yes! We may have a big house with a lot of food. Or, we may own a palace! I might be a princess! Who knows? There are lots of possibilities if you dream of it."