Adopted Soldier

When Alex heard the old man call himself his grandfather, a memory of the past triggered in Alex's mind. The face of the unknown person that killed his parents, that face that use to be so blurry, got clearer in his mind, and the killer he had forgotten was the man in front of him. He could finally remember what happened on that day.

...

Eight years ago, in Alex's fake memories his childhood was happy and normal, one you could see anywhere in the world, but the truth was of course different. Alex who was known at the time as Dalvir Greyhound was part of a family that ruled over the legendary Shadow Mercenaries. In truth they were the true Shadow Mercenaries, while the current Shadow Mercenaries were simply a facade. The Greyhound family simply gathered people who they considered usable and trained them, to be adequate servants. The Shadow Mercenaries was in truth what their family was called when the Granado Empire was beginning to expand its borders.

They weren't part of the Empire or any existing nation at the time, but they rendered their services to the highest bidder. Following their example, a lot of other people decided to that as well. In a world where fighting and killing was normal, they thought how about gaining money as they offer their skills. That was when the mercenary system was created. The people took the name Mercenaries from the legendary family called the Shadow Mercenaries.

...

Alex at a young age was groomed to become the next leader of the Greyhound family that controlled the Shadow Mercenaries. He was trained not to show any emotions, even though deep inside he wanted to play outside and be like every other kid out there. He wanted friends, he wanted to go to school normally, and he didn't like training, since it hurts so much.

Everyday he would get battered and bruised. He would almost always cry in front of his father, yet his father was unperturbed and kept on training him.

The only reason that he was able to endure such training was because of his mother. After practice his mother would always help him sneak out and play. It was the mother and child's little secret and it always made Alex happy. Of course Alex's father Richard Greyhound already knew about these secret outings of the two. Yet he allowed it, since he too didn't really like doing this to his own son.

...

There was a time Alex dreaded more than training, and it was a visit from his grandfather. Every time his grandfather visited he would beat Alex up. He did this to see Alex's improvements, but every time he did so he would always leave disappointed.

...

Then one day his grandfather came to the house and did the usual spar, but this time something different happen. Alex's grandfather Richter, didn't stop even though he already won. It was obvious to his parents that Richter was planning to kill Alex.

Of course the two blocked the old man's path.

"Father why are you doing this?" Alex's father screamed at the old man.

"This thing is a failure. You were already mediocre, but you still had uses to make the next generation so I allowed you to live, but this thing isn't worthy to be a Greyhound, so he must die. I hope you and your wife will create a better offspring next time."

Alex's mother who was hugging Alex trembled in fear. Everyone in the Greyhound family knew that Richter Greyhound was the strongest monster that the family has ever produced. He was even stronger than the first Greyhound, who was told in fairy tales.

Alex's mother and father knew they were no match, but still they protected their child. Richter unable to control himself accidentally killed his son and daughter-in-law. Old man Richter looked at his blood soaked hands, and as if it was just a minor problem sighed. He was only able to hit Alex with one shot and wasn't able to hit any vitals. The two protected their son until the end.

Richter then looked at his useless grandson, and saw that his expression changed. It turned into something emotionless, there was neither rage nor sorrow in those eyes, there was only nothingness. Seeing this Richter couldn't help but smile.

"I see!... So that's what needed to happen to prove your true worth as a Greyhound! A Greyhound needs to throw its young down the mountain and whoever climbs back up will be worthy."

Richter then approached Alex, and whispered in his ear.

"Dalvir I'm sure you understand now, your parents died because you were weak. You need to become strong for this to never happen again. You must remember useless human emotions aren't needed to become strong. You must discard what it means to be human, and focus solely on becoming strong. Once you reached the limit on your own... Once you reach the height that would allow you to become a Greyhound, I will appear before you. Dalvir, prove to me that you are a true Greyhound!"

After saying that Richter left, and moments later Carlo Samarita a friend of Alex's mother appeared. Carlo at this time didn't know the relationship of the Greyhounds and the Shadow Mercenaries. Actually on the surface the Greyhounds were a normal average family. So Carlo thought all this time, his friend was doing well in a normal easy going family life.

Yet today as he was going to visit, he saw the family dead. Well not all of them were dead as he saw that Alex was barely alive. It was then he heard Alex muttering something.

"I want to be strong."

Even in the face of death, the young boy showcased his determination.

"Heh, nice answer kid. If you want to live and be strong. First you must die." Carlo then manually pulled out the bullet inside of Alex. It was this very moment he thought.

'I guess I will be taking care of your son now... Clara.' Carlo thought of that name for the last time, as he remembered that girl in his orphanage who always kept on smiling with that bright smile of hers. He then whispered in the barely conscious boy's ear.

"From this day forth you're my son, Alexander Samarita"

...

Alex who suddenly remembered this, screamed in rage as he glared at his grandfather who simply smiled at him.

"Do you finally remember who I am?"