4 Pride is Less Than Life (2/2)

I truly am a country bumpkin.

As Darius became more aware of his status, he strengthened his resolve to succeed in his goals to become a spiritsmith. At one point in time Darius decided to enter a large shopping mall that came in sight. The interior was like being inside another city itself. Hundreds of people walked by every second while hundreds of shops, restaurants and other business filled the incredibly large complex. As Darius walked around in a daze, something odd happened. Something he had not done for the past four years of his life.

The hammering had changed Darius' senses and made him extremely aware of his surroundings. To the point were Darius was able to tell if a living being was close by, or if he was being stared at. Due to his natural cowardice, Darius was very appreciative of this ability and was constantly using it.

That was why no one at the orphanage could sneak up on Darius, except the Matron. From time to time she would do something that would shock the young man which is why he respected her. Never the less, Darius was a wary individual. Even in his state of awe he was constantly alert of his surroundings and would always move accordingly. Which is why he was shocked...when he bumped into someone!

What the heck?

Although Darius was surprised, he quickly re-adjusted and did not fall by balancing himself. And so did the other party. It was a tall blonde young man in a blue and white uniform with fancy decorations around it. Behind him was another group of similarly dressed young men and women.

Someone could bump into me? He got close to me without me realizing?

Darius marveled at this as he had not experienced this for over four years. He was not the only one surprised.

He is still standing? But I did put a bit of force into it. Could he be a warrior?

The blonde young man sized up Darius from head to toe and shook his head mentally.

If he was, it would not have been so easy to bump into him.

The blonde young man decided to ignore what had happened had decided to focus on the task at hand. ”Watch where you are going you imbecile!” Shouted the blonde youth in an angry tone. Darius was no fool, he knew that if someone bumped into him it meant two things. They were strong, and that it was intentional.

Darius also figured that this blonde youth was some sort of noble from his dressing and his bearing. Nobles were not people to be trifled with. There was a strict pyramid like system where one's worth as a human was determined by their class. This meant that nobles could do as they pleased to normal citizens like Darius. Aware of the situation, Darius quickly adjusted and knelt on the floor.

”Noble sir, please forgive me. I am merely a country bumpkin and have no knowledge of society. I am but a fool. Please forgive me.” Darius did not hesitate to kowtow, his forehead touching the ground. The blonde young man, his colleagues and spectators were shocked. Kneeling was an already embarrassing thing to do, yet this young man went one level further and kowtowed without hesitation. The blonde young man had prepared some words before hand, but he, like the others was stumped by Darius' quick reaction.

Darius did not know what this noble wanted from him, but there was nothing he could do except apologize. Young nobles could kill a peasant like him and get away with it. Such was the nature of society.

Pride? What kind of useless thing is that?