The legend of the dragon knight

The Curse and the Promise

"Really? He could be my slave?" the duke retorted.

"Yes, my lord. Please consider my request and let the boy live," Livinus begged.

"Hahaha." The duke laughed. "My fellow dukes, he says I should let the boy live. Should I?"

The rest of the dukes laughed, except for one among them. His name was Donald.

"Your Grace, I suggest you let the boy live," he said. "Grant him access to the kingdom's training grounds. Let him serve there, just as they have requested."

The duke paused for a moment as Donald's words sank in. His attention locked onto Hermes like a predator studying its prey before devouring it.

"Hmmm," he murmured, stroking his beard. "Agreed." He nodded.

"Take them to the city registrar so they can register this unfortunate boy."

The duke ordered the guards, a look of disgust crossed his face. Livinus and his fellow guard, Andre, were very pleased to hear what the duke had said. As for Hermes, he was even happier, but his excitement didn't last long because of the emotional trauma he was bearing. They turned, and just as they were about to leave, the duke said, "My eyes are on you, boy… just remain the curse that you are so I won't crush you in this kingdom."

Hermes was annoyed by what the duke had said. He wanted to turn back and challenge the duke for the words he had just spoken, but he didn't, because he was not capable of challenging him.

As for Livinus and his fellow guard, they didn't bother looking back; they simply walked away.

---

They arrived at the kingdom's training ground that evening. The training ground was a different world of magic. Some trainees launched fireballs into the sky. Others manipulated fire with their hands, while some controlled thunder and lightning with their minds. The rest practiced various forms of magic.

Livinus took Hermes to the trainer, known as Sergeant James, a faithful soldier who had served in the army for many years. Due to his old age, however, he had been assigned to train upcoming soldiers at the training ground.

Livinus introduced Hermes to him and explained everything that had happened. After he finished telling the story, Sergeant James burst into laughter. He could hardly believe what he had just heard. He questioned them and mocked Hermes before finally accepting him.

"We have to go, boy," Livinus said as he turned to face Hermes. "We don't have much time left. The king needs us."

Upon hearing that, Hermes became sad. Memories of everything that had happened to him flooded his mind. The memory of how Livinus and his fellow guards had arrived and saved his life overwhelmed him.

"Thank you. Thank you for saving my life," he said gratefully, tears streamed down his cheeks. "Thank you for everything you have done for me.

"You don't have to thank me," Livinus replied. "It isn't necessary. You are still on the verge of suffering."

"I don't care," Hermes interrupted. "I am cursed, and I have to live with that."

"Are you?" Livinus asked.

"Yes," Hermes replied, his eyes fixed on the ground.

"And what made you think you were cursed?"

At that point, Hermes was confused by Livinus's question. Still keeping his eyes on the ground, he answered, "People told me I was cursed. Everybody does, and there is nothing I can do about it."

"Look at me, boy," Livinus said as he stepped closer to Hermes. He placed his right hand on Hermes's left shoulder as he looked him in the eyes.

"A curse is an illusion," he whispered. "It only works on you if you believe it exists. Don't let people's words get into your head. You were created as a god; only you can curse yourself."

After Livinus finished speaking, he and his fellow guard, Andre, walked to where their horses were standing. They mounted them, but just as they were about to leave, Livinus looked at Hermes one more time. Something like sadness crossed his face.

"Be strong and don't stop believing in yourself. See you another time."

They rode away.

Hermes stood there with tears streaming down his cheeks until they disappeared from his sight.

---

"Time is up. You have a lot of work to do. Come, let me show you around the training grounds and introduce you to the trainees as the boy without magic," Trainer James commanded with a subtle tone of mockery.

Hermes turned and looked at him, anger boiling in his mind. But what could he do? Nothing.

He followed Trainer James. The trainer showed him around the vast training and grounds and introduced him to the trainees. They mocked him relentlessly, but Hermes didn't react. He simply followed.

The next morning, Hermes began his duties. He swept the main training ground and cleaned every area that needed attention.

When he was done, he headed over to the well located at the back of the training grounds. He intended to fetch water and clean the toilets.

Just as he lowered the rope into the well, four boys emerged from the direction of the trainees' lodge.

"There you are, cursed boy..." William said as he stepped forward. He was one of the boys and the son of a well-known noble in the great Thaedorian Kingdom.

Upon hearing that, Hermes turned and looked at them. Then he turned back and continued fetching water without saying a word.

"Wait... Is he ignoring me?" William said, rubbing his eyes as if to check whether he was dreaming.

"No, I believe he's scared that we're going to play with him," Barry, a fat boy who was also one of William's friends, said.

"Hahaha!"

They all laughed at Hermes.

William stepped closer and stood in front of him.

Just then, Hermes had finished fetching water and was trying to lift the bucket onto his head. However, because of the boys' harassment, he stopped and fixed his gaze on William and his friends. He was a little frightened, but he tried not to show it.

"We heard you don't have magic, so we came to see if it was true," William taunted.

"And how is that any of your business?" Hermes asked angrily.

"Hahaha!"

William and his friends burst into laughter once again.

"Show us your magical power, fool!" William barked as he shoved Hermes to the ground.

Hermes tried to stand, but Barry kicked him hard in the ribs, sending him crashing back down.

"Ahhh!" Hermes screamed in pain.

"Wow, so it is true," William said. "He really has no magic."

"It's obvious," Barry added. "He has none."

"This is crazy. How can someone be magicless?" Richard, who was also one of the boys, asked in shock.

"I'm not surprised. Just look at him. Misfortune follows him everywhere," William mocked.

At this point, Hermes was weak and still lying on the ground. His back and arms throbbed from the beating. He struggled to force himself to his feet.

"I'm not... scared of any of you," Hermes stammered. Blood trickled from the corner of his mouth. "If you want to fight me, then fight me. Kill me, you bunch of fools!"

William's face darkened with anger. Provoked by Hermes's words, he stormed forward and punched him back to the ground before raining blows down on him. Barry quickly joined in.

"Enough!" Richard shouted as he and another boy rushed forward and pulled them away.

"That's enough for him today," Richard continued. "Let's go. We can come back tomorrow. By then, he'll have regained some of his strength, and then we can beat him again."

The boys finally left him alone and walked away.

Hermes lay on the ground, powerless and hopeless. Tears streamed down his face. But suddenly, after some time, something unspeakable happened.