Lysander Blakesty: The cold, sadistic, and ruthless villain in the novel Ways of the Mystic.
Upon hearing that name being directed at me, I finally know what world I had transmigrated to…. Looking at the two people in front of me, I can conclude who they are based on the novel.
Still holding the teddy bear arm on my right hand and holding the finger of the woman on my left, I dimly looked at her. A warm and delicate smile showered upon me… The same smile that Seraphina always talked about with Augustus.
Isabella Blakesty, the late mother of Lysander and Seraphina and the only wife of the duke. A kind… caring, and lovely woman who was cast aside from her household due to her weak constitution. Despite being the oldest to inherit, she had a frail body unfit for swordsmanship.
Yes... In this novel, Gender is never a concept of debate. Both male and female could hold titles, work any sort of jobs, and even work in the army. They both had equal rights in power and politics.
Ever since she was young... she would always train her swordsmanship to be the perfect heir for her father, Count Orestilla Avington.
Her household was a renowned knight family, where the sword meant everything, even one's fate. She was always forced to learn everything to be the perfect heir. From mathematics and history, to politics and combat. But her weak body couldn't hold on to these strict regiments, and she eventually collapsed.
The count was in anguish. He was disappointed that his only child couldn't even meet his harsh expectations.
He was determined to bring in a new heir, leading to the birth of her younger brother. Her brother was a child that could master any concepts with ease and had more potential in swordsmanship than she could ever hope for.
Her father was finally pleased, finding an heir that could succeed the household. At this point, all expectations were eliminated from her.
Little by little… she was casted in the darkness of her home. Where no one even dares to pay attention to. Where no one even knew that she existed.
But despite the harsh treatment, she wanted to be a worthy heir.
"The first child of the household has the right to succeed the title."
Knowing this… she went on with her perseverance. Even when her body was on the brink of collapse, she continued to train her body to the limit.
But even after training so hard, she realized that the sword wasn't meant for her. But even during the depressing times, she finally realized that she had more talent for magic. But despite being adept with magic, the count continued to favor the young boy, who was more skilled with the sword, to be his successor.
But she didn't give up.
She wished to become someone worthy to become the successor. With her diligence and perseverance, she became a student of the Imperial Head Mage Marcus, the strongest mage in the Empire.
But after finally being a student of the top mage, she slowly began to learn values.
"... Not everything in life is to become a successor of the House."
Her way of thinking slowly shifted. From trying to become someone worthy of the household, to being someone who can use her power to help the world.
From being someone who wished to be acknowledged by their cold father, to seeing her teacher as a true father figure she never had.
Through her long journey, she finally found a friend she could trust, Elena, the royal princess who was said to inherit the title of empress. Being taught by the same teacher, they slowly became inseparable. To her, she was a sister she never had.
But at the age of sixteen, every heir from a noble family is sent to combat to gain experience.
On her father's order, she was forced into battle once she became sixteen. Parents are meant to cherish their children. But most nobles of this world only care about power and a rightful heir for their households.
Upon hearing these words, she knew what this meant.
He wanted her gone from the succession.
Nevertheless, she abided by his decision, not knowing the cruelty of war, to finally prove to her father her true worth and be free.
Once she entered the battlefield, she finally saw the horror of war. Facing countless enemies with your life constantly on the line, smelling the blood of both allies and foes all over the battlefield, and seeing many limbs and grotesque scenes all around you.
It was an undeniable nightmare to her. But even then, she continued to face countless battles, suffering so many injuries using both her magic and unrefined swordsmanship.
But even then, Isabella could not hope to survive in this cruel battle with her weak body. She used up every ounce of her mana and had no more stamina left.
But the battlefield doesn't care about one's well being.
It's the survival of the fittest. Only the strong remain.
As an enemy was close to slashing her, she quickly closed her eyes, hoping for someone to save her in this dire moment. But not feeling the slash of the sword, she slowly opened her eyes. That's when she finally met him: Laurence Blakesty.
Laurence cruelly stabbed the enemy, throwing the limp body away before glaring at Isabella.
Despite the blood splattered in his face and armor, she could only stare at his dead eyes. Pure red just like the scene around him.
Even though he's just one year older than her, he already earned a title on the battlefield: The Duke of Blood
At such a young age, he already became a duke. But there were countless rumors surrounding him. Saying that he would kill the enemies mercilessly and enjoy their suffering as they cried out their last breath with a smile on his face.
There were also rumors about him joining the battlefield, saying that the only reason he joined was because he craved the violence and blood of the battlefield.
Slowly… Laurence pointed his sword towards her throat. Speaking in a dead whisper with his dead eyes still gazing at her. "... Who are you...?"
Laurence asked the weakened person in front of her the question to sustain his sanity, being on the verge of an emotional outbreak.
The more Isabella looked at him, the more she saw him the more she could clearly see the stabs and slashes all over his body. How could a human remain calm, much less standing, without that many injuries?
Finally gazing back at his face, she saw the many emotions behind the dead and empty eyes. The same loneliness… and despair that she once experienced in the past could be seen in the eyes of the person in front of her, but much more severe.
She slowly reached out to him, gently placing her bloody hand on his cheek, gazing at his eyes with the same loneliness and despair that is hidden deep inside him. She couldn't help but try and sympathize with the man that may or may not kill her.
"... I'm just a nobody... Someone who was just forced into this battlefield... Just like you..."
The man widened his eyes at the painful words. He violently shook his sword, slowly letting it go as it dropped to the ground. The more he thinks about her words, the bigger the scar it formed in his heart.
He painfully closed his dead eyes, falling to his knees, before resting his head on Isabella's shoulder, finally getting the peaceful sleep he was never able to get.
At that moment, their love blossomed...
The relationship between these two people was talked about between Seraphina and the Prince in the novel, so I do know a little about these people's past.
But… It's quite amazing seeing people who were only in fiction standing in front of me. Their physical features that were always described on the pages of the book couldn't even replicate their true beauties.
The door slowly creaked open, showing a middle-aged butler. He politely entered the room before bowing to the man "Your Grace, the carriage is ready."
The duke slowly turned towards the butler before gently nodding. "Put the soldiers on standby... we can't risk anything happening."
"Yes, your Grace."
The butler exited the room before gently closing the door. He looked back at me and the woman, before placing his hand on her shoulder. His eyes softened, exposing his worriedness. "Do you want to rest for a bit before we depart? Your body still needs to recover…"
The duchess continued to smile at me, slowly letting go of my grasp before shaking her head. "I'm fine. I'm just worried about what the doctor said. If what she said is true… then we need to go to the imperial palace as soon as possible."
I felt my eyelids slowly closing once again, feeling sleepy as I clinged tighter to the toy next to me.
"This stuffed teddy bear feels so soft... I want to hold onto it more."
Soon the baby fell asleep once again without any worries.
The man sighed, but accepted her decision. He gently called out for the maids who were waiting outside the door.
They quietly, but quickly, entered the room with selections of clothes, jewelry, accessories, and other daily necessities for the body and face for the woman and the baby
The maids quickly began to tend the woman and the baby. The man slowly smiled before quietly leaving the room to also get ready.
Many maids combed the silky white hair of the duchess, and others began to select which dress and accessories for her to wea.
Other maids also began to carefully change the sleeping baby into some baby-blue undergarments, placing a pacifier on his mouth, before placing him into a pram.
Finally, the woman finished her preparations. Wearing a sky-blue gown, her arms covered by long sleeves, being loose around her forearm and tight under her wrist with her silky hair tied up and carefully braided.
All the maids admired her astounding beauty, before they followed her diligently as she left the room, heading towards the entrance of the mansion.
Upon going down the luxurious carpeted stairs, she saw the man waiting for her. His hair pulled back and styled, wearing a dark shade of a midnight blue ceremonial dress uniform and trouser, underneath the dress wearing a white buttoned blouse, wearing white gloves.
As the woman stepped towards the last tile of the stairs, the man affectionately offered his hand towards her and slightly bowed. She let out a warm smile before accepting his gesture.
Holding each other's hand, they began to walk towards the carriage.
Guards waiting outside the door lined up and stood in position as they saw the couple walk towards the carriage. Everyone was mesmerized by the beauty that befalls them, just like the late night snow falling down in winter.
Cold, but nevertheless beautiful.
After the beautiful couple entered the carriage, a maid with long, curly brown hair and rose skin carefully strolled the baby in a pram. Once near the carriage entrance, she gently picked up the baby, and entered the carriage, slowly placing the baby in the cradle without waking him up.
She wiped the sweat off her forehead and quickly got out of the carriage before bowing down at the couple.
The woman let out a small chuckle. "Thank you, Mia. I'm sorry for troubling you."
Mia quickly raises her head, her eyes sparkling with joy. "It was no trouble at all, My Lady!"
The woman closed her eyes and warmly smiled at her before the carriage driver closed the door.
Soon, the carriage began to move, and everyone who was outside bowed as the couple in the carriage were about to leave the mansion.
Mia slowly raised her head. She then saw the woman gently wave goodbye at her. Seeing that, Mia smiled brightly, also waving goodbye.
As the carriage finally left the gate of the mansion, the man slowly smiled at the woman who was still waving goodbye at Mia. "... You have quite the bond with the workers." He looks out the window, gazing at the world outside. "... It's not normal for a maid to talk to their employers in such a friendly tone."
Isabella slowly closed her eyes, humming warmly at his response before smiling gleefully as she opened her eyes to the world outside the window. "She's quite a cute child..."
Laurence slowly smiled back, trying to imitate the same warm smile. "I just find it fascinating that you can easily befriend all the residents in the manor in such a short time. It's only been a year since we moved into the manor after all."
Isabella slowly looked back at him, letting out a playful smile. "Do you also want to befriend the residents?"
Laurence looked away bashfully, staying silent for a bit before answering. "... Well, isn't it good to befriend the people you see every day?"
Isabella thought for a bit. Although it was just recently that they settled in the manor, she's already heard some gossip of him being a cold and ruthless duke between the maids and workers. "... Are you having some difficulties befriending them?"
He quickly looks back at her. "No!"
"..."
"... I don't think so...?"
"..."
He embarrassedly closes his eyes, facing the other away. "... It's quite difficult. Every time I try to make small talk with them, their eyes are filled with utter fear."
"I see…" She sighs before looking at her sleeping child. "One step at a time. These are the people who will stick with us in the future. Befriending them is no easy task… Just be simple and mindful, and soon everyone will realize who you really are."
"... You say that, but haven't you already gotten on everyone's good side?"
"... That's beside the point."
"?!"
"Just take your time, no need to rush things."
Isabella continued to look happily at her child, slowly closing her eyes as she hummed quietly, even when Laurence continued to sit in the carriage gloomily.
A peaceful ride to the palace, where a huge commotion will happen soon because of a special child.
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I slowly breathed in… and out, waking up to the sensation of my surroundings constantly moving and shaking. I opened my eyes and saw that I was being strolled in a pram by the man the duke, with the duchess walking right besides me.
I slowly looked in front of me, before a sudden mesmerization striked my mind.
We were slowly approaching from what seems to be the palace entrance. My attention is drawn to the tall and sturdy gates neatly carved out with small, delicate details.
The palace door slowly opens, exposing a large pathway lined with beautiful, blooming trees with their branches reaching out into the palace.
As we continued to walk down the pathway, I saw a grand archway rising majestically towards the sky.
Beyond the archway lies the courtyard. Spacious and paved with smooth stone. A fountain stands at its center, its waters shimmering in the sunlight. To either side, manicured gardens bloom with colorful flowers, their sweet fragrance mingling in the air.
At the far end of the courtyard looms the entrance to the palace itself. A massive door flanked by stone statues of regal lions. Carved into the door are intricate patterns and designs. As we approach the inner palace, the door swings open silently, revealing the opulent interior of the palace beyond.
Soon, we reached a grand door. The duke and duchess closed their eyes, taking a deep breath, and fixing their postures before looking regal and serious.
Judging from how serious their expressions are, and how opulent the place and decorations are, we must be meeting the royal family.
The grand doors slowly swing open, and the couple slowly make their way through the palace's grand corridors with the baby. Their careful footsteps are muffled by the plush carpets.
So many paintings decorate the wall, while the soft glow of candlelight flickers from the ornate sconces.
At last, we reach the throne room, where the empress sits upon her throne, elegant and poised, while the emperor sits beside her.
The atmosphere is heavily tinged with formality as we approach these people, their expressions serious and focused. The duke and duchess exchange polite pleasantries with the empress and Emperor.
With a subtle nod, the empress dismisses all but one attendant that is next to her, leaving the couple alone with the royal pair.
The empress sits upon her throne, her countenance illuminating grace and composure. Her deep sapphire blue eyes possess piercing intelligence with a hint of warmth and compassion. Soft tendrils of chestnut hair frame her face, carefully styled to enhance her natural beauty. A subtle smile emerges from her lips, conveying both kindness and authority.
Beside her, the emperor sits tall and dignified, his expression solemn yet regal. His hazel eyes exuded power and strength. A neatly trimmed beard frames his face, adding to his air of authority, and his hair as blue as the midnight sky.
The only thing I can do right now is stay silent and listen.
Slowly, the empress subtly looks at me. Our eyes connected for what seemed to be an eternity.
The more I looked at her, the more I could see a huge fog the same size as when I saw the duke. But it was so calm… and wasn't doing any harm to me.
"I see... so this is what you were talking about in your letter." The empress then snapped her finger. "Please bring in the Royal Head Mage for me."
The attendant next to her quickly bowed. "Yes, your Majesty!"
After the attendant left in a hurry, the atmosphere suddenly lit up, and the empress smiled blissfully. "Congratulations on the birth of your Child."
The duchess and duke bowed slightly. "Thank you, your majesty."
The empress lets out a sigh, waving her hand nonchalantly at their formal tone and expression. "The pleasantries are not needed. Haven't we known each other way before my coronation?"
The duchess smiled warmly. "This is a formal occasion, your majesty. I need to abide by the proper etiquettes."
The empress pouted while the emperor besides her remained silent. He soon gets up before walking towards the room. The empress shrugged apathetically while both the duke and duchess watched him from the corner of their eye.
The door slammed shut, and soon the couple faced the empress once more.
The duke began to speak. "... Can you do me a favor, your majesty?"
The empress' eyes slowly shimmered with curiosity. "Ho ho?" The empress smiles ambiguously, "A favor between friends is no problem. Of course, if it isn't something grand."
The duke looks at me, looking bitterly before gazing back up at the empress. "... Whatever the result might be, can you prevent outsiders from approaching us in the future."
The empress eye shimmers a bit, knowing the meanings behind his words, but continues to smile. She quickly taps her finger along the handle of the throne. The duke and the empress continued to look at each, as if their eyes were saying words.
The empress layed her elbow on the handle of the throne, putting her left cheek to lay on her knuckle. "... I'll try and see what I can do. There are many people who think otherwise after all."
"Thank you–"
Just as the duke was about to finish his sentence, a heavy presence suddenly emerged from the door, catching everyone's attention.
The empress quickly sat up properly, a cold sweat running down her face. "... Laurence, we shall continue this conversation later."
The grand doors of the throne room open once more, revealing a figure of immense stature: The Royal Head Mage, the pinnacle of magical authority in the Empire.
Cloaked in robes of rich indigo, the Head Mage strides forward. Each of his steps is so powerful and graceful, deliberately echoing the weight of his position and the knowledge he holds.
Tall and imposing, he carries himself with grace. His face, etched with age and wisdom, while his eyes gleamed deep understanding. A large white beard reaches his chest, contradicting his short messy hair.
Finally approaching the throne, the Head Mage bows respectfully before the seated empress. In this moment, the entire chamber is suffused with his aura of immense power.
"The fog around him… It's so... powerful… yet so warm…"
The mage slowly lifts his head up, looking warmly at the empress. "I give my greetings to her majesty, the empress."
The empress sighs. "Don't act like this you senile old man. You aren't this nice whenever we meet."
The Mage playfully tilts his head and strokes his beard. "Ho ho ho. We're in front of guests right now, so of course I need to show modesty."
The mage then faces us. "It's been a while, Laurence, Isabella"
Both nod their head respectfully. "It's been a while, Head Mage Marcus."
The Mage laughs profoundly. "You've all grown," He then looks at me with a smile, "and you even have a child now." He then strokes his beard once more. "My my… Just how time flies when you grow old..."
The Mage looks back at me, his eyes shimmering a bit. "So… regarding your son. I suspect you want me to analyze whether he really has the blessing or not."
The duke calmly responds. "Yes, that is right."
The Mage strokes his beard once more before he starts walking towards me with small, yet powerful, steps.
Suddenly, an insignia appeared right behind him, it looked like the drawing of a wooden staff covered and wrapped around with strats of leaves. "Many stories have unfolded about the five Gods. The God of magic, Arcanor, the Weaver of Realm. "
Another insignia appeared showing the image of a sword filled with an aura. "The Goddess of swords, Valora, the Blade Lord. "
His once closed eyes then opened and changed into a purple flame color. Soon a new insignia appeared, showing the image of an angel hugging a large orb as their head, arms, and wings. "The Goddess of life, Elysia, the mother of Vitality."
The atmosphere begins to feel heavy once again. Everyone feeling the pressure has their head looking down and cannot move.
But for some reason, I feel completely fine...
Soon, a new insignia appeared, showing the image of someone's hand both stretched out, overfilled, and spilling a liquid substance. "The God of death, Mortanis, the Eternal Reaper."
And now, he stands before me, with both his hands behind him and staring at me. An insignia of a massive tree then appeared. "And finally, the God of the spirits, Astraeus, the Whisperer of Essence."
He stretched his hand over me, but without touching me. He then looked back; everyone's faces seemed relieved.
"My apologies. The Spell requires an extraordinary amount of mana and preparations. I thought of using the mana gathered to showcase a light tale."
The empress smiles with a cold sweat on her face. "Geezer... What monstrous mana manipulation do you have for you to say that..."
The duchess covers her mouth with nausea, while the duke helps her with her balance.
He looked directly at the mage with a piercing eye. "... Are you sure this is safe?"
Still holding out his hands on top of me, he laughs for a bit before replying. "It sure is. This spell is handed down from generations of Head Mages, whenever a time comes such as this."
His face once again looks at me, his hands covered with a light purple mist. "A simple spell such as analyze cannot see through the Gods blessing. That is why a spell was created to identify them specifically."
All the insignia suddenly lined up together and merged. Soon deconstructing and the fragmented particle began going towards the mage's stretched hand.
The purple light soon engulfed me, and my whole body began to feel warm.
After a few moments, a wave of mana soon burst out, and an insignia of the wooden staff stood right above me.
"... Indeed, he has the Blessing of the Mana."
He faced towards the empress, stroking his beard with his eyes closed, showing a serious expression.
The empress tapped her fingers on the throne and contemplating the outcome, the duke and duchess expressed solemness.
"... I see, then this means only one thing..."
The Mage slowly opened his eyes.
"A great omen of disaster will come about in the future… Just like the one mentioned in the prophecy."
The empress let out a sigh once again, responding to the Mage's words. "A time will come when the Gods will give their blessing to five beings… all for the sake of saving the world from disaster…" She gazes at the mage. "That old prophecy?"
The Mage hesitantly nods before looking at the couple once again. "Your child is special indeed. Not only is his aptitude in magic high, but I also suspect that he has a large quantity of mana"
He looks at the child once again. "A mana pool so vast and wide… that not even I can fathom its limit."
The couple's faces were surprised. The duchess put her hands on her chest and subtly raised her voice. "Does that mean..."
The Mage tries to look happy, not wanting to worry her. "He will surely become a Mage that will change the world. Even among those with the Blessing of the Mana, never have I read about them having the utmost infinite amount of mana."
The duchess slowly began walking towards me, her face filled with sadness. Once she stands before me, she slowly caresses my cheek before stopping. "... Can't he live a normal life?"
"... I'm afraid that will be difficult."
"... I see…"
Her hand slowly quivered, her eyes in the burst of tears.
"I don't want people to cry about me anymore…"
I stretched out my little hands. I was still unable to control my facial expression as it showed a bright smile towards her. But even then… It ended up working out.
I still can't show a true smile…
Her complexion softens, touching my hands once again. She let out a bitter smile, though her eyes still held a hint of sadness. "I see... I suppose it is inevitable."
She gently let go of my hand. She faced the Mage and looked at him with a serious expression. "If fate has already been predetermined, then it cannot be helped."
The duke, who was standing at bay, walked towards her with a solemn expression. "Even if my child has to carry the weight of the world, I should help him as a mother."
The duke gently holds her hand.
She gently looked at him, and as if they decided something by looking at each other, she looked down, closed her eyes, and took a deep breath before looking at the Mage once more.
"Head Mage Marcus, my teacher, can you give me your support on teaching my child? Not about how to use magic to kill. Not to use formulas as a weapon. But can you help him teach him more about the world? Teach him what he's going to protect soon. Teach him the values of life and the wisdom of knowledge. Let him enjoy the world and let him decide if it's a world that is meant to be protected."
She clenches her hand before speaking once again.
"Teach him how to be happy, to live every moment with happiness. Make him feel safe, for he is not yet a man with responsibilities. But a child."
A single stream of tears ran down from one of her eyes. "These words are not for you alone. But also, for me, her mother, and his father. I want to make sure to do anything to guarantee his happiness."
She places one of her hands in chest, as if what comes next is something not in the moment but came from her heart. "Because that's my wish... A mother's wish..."