I killed her.
My field of vision encompassed darkness on this gloomy night, it was quiet, yet l heard cries echo throughout. Catching my breath and preceding to move forward while she cried in agony.
"Someone please help me!!"
She pleaded, yet no one responded. The only response she could get was from the rain drumming against the metal roof.
Left. Right. Left. Right. Her turns were predictable, it felt like a hopeless loop. I was catching on to her, but she didn't notice how close l was. Cats and dogs watching the drama as if it were an action movie, l could hear them cheer up.
"Anybody!"
It was hopeless. My face shade negative emotions, mind clouded with dark abyss, and my blood boiling with the intent to kill. I don't care who she was, where she came from, her interest, her job, her relationship, her hobbies. None of those mattered to me because they were false delusions.
I glared at her as she trembled, her voice cracking, and her teeth chattering uncontrollably. She was cornered. She dropped on her knees as the glimmer of light was taken by shadow. My right hand gripping tightly on a knife as l slowly walked up to her.
"Please! I'm sorry for whatever l've done to you... There's nothing l did to deserve such treatment, tell me ■■■■■ ■■■■■■!"
There's nothing to say to her, her existence means nothing but a mere fragment. I felt her breath as l drew my face closer, her face showered with tears... It probably was the rain...
My heart feels nothing, because l have a mission at hand.
I loathe the human heart, it's so fragile it can be easily broken by mere words of negativity. They aren't perfect, yet my uniqueness differs from them that l was born with total perfection.
"The world doesn't listen to the weak, you were just born unlucky unfortunately."
"Curse you! Be filled with the red patch and burn! I'll hunt you, and get my reven—"
I thrusted my knife at her throat, feeling excruciating pain, she moved like a giraffe finding its footing. She held her throat with both arms trying to stop the bleeding, but it was hopeless, l stabbed her so deep it begun creating a blood pool.
She was screaming, futile decision. It was like trying to scream under water, l smirked at the sight and walked away from her.
Shortly after, she died from blood loss. I burst out laughing, it was loud almost like a psychopath. Were these genuine emotions—No, it was calm and peaceful.
What the hell is going on? What's happening to me? What nightmare, such twisting nightmare! Leave me alone, l don't need this, it wasn't me! I'm losing it, help me...anyone... It's cold, it's dark outside...
Mother...
A bright light engulfed on my chest.
"Ahhhhhh!"
What the hell did l just experience? It's the same nightmare over, and over again! The hell is the meaning behind it, l think l need to see a Prist or an Exorcist. Otherwise it might get worse.
I can't even take a single day without witnessing such experience, can't a man get good dreams atleast once? This Castle probably cursed, might be the previous leaders of the Rivers household that were jealous. But somehow l get awoken by a bright light on my shoulders...
"This is the necklace that Ken gave me on my sixth birthday!"
The nightmare always ends once a bright light appears, what mysterious resides on this necklace?
****
"Good morning, mother nature! It is l who will parish the demon King that sought of destruction, with the power granted by the goddess... I shall prevail."
Okay, that was cringe. Still need to work on my protagonist catch phrase before encountering an enemy. I didn't feel like going to the library today, yesterday after spending time with Lilia l ventured through the library, spent the entire night reading ancient books and old folklore. Guess today should be spent doing some outdoor activities once in a while, otherwise that old fossil ( Neptune) will complain about my laziness. I'm not even lazy, l'm proactive to the point it feels like l drank six cups of coffee... Kinda want a taste of coffee right now. Besides, what outdoor activity do royalties even do at this boring day.
For starters, l've finally reached the seventh stage of divine energy. What stages am l talking about? Let's get started, divine control mastery had its own ranks that determined how efficient you were able to manipulate energy, it was like moving from 1st grade all the way to 12th grade as your knowledge progresses. Divine energy control had ten stages, the stages didn't have classified names like Novice or intermediate, they were recorded in numbers as ten being the highest or maximum stage. For better understanding, let's put it like this:
• Stage 1 beginner level
• Stage 2 Novice
• Stage 3 Apprentice
• Stage 4 intermediate
• Stage 5 Skilled
• Stage 6 Advanced
• Stage 7 Expert
• Stage 8 Master
• Stage 9 Grandmaster
• Stage 10 Legendary
And l am currently at stage seven, as an expert.
Determining ones stage could be seen according to rising energy flow, let's say stage 1 had four feet as it's rising energy flow while stage 10 would be fifty feet rising energy flow. That's how you determine how strong an opponent is judging from rising energy flow.
The only people l knew that maxed out energy control are Neptune and King Vladimir, although Reid and Diana were still unknown but, oh well.
Secondly, my swordplay had reached a whole new level, thanks to the book "First Generation" l was able to learn more about swordplay and sword techniques. For one, learning how to inject divine energy on your Balde constantly. Sounds easy...but it's actually difficult said than done because you're constantly pouring out divine energy like crazy. Chances are you might run low before you know it, so to prevent that l managed to set limiters.
The limiters allowed me to effectively use divine energy injected on my sword on lower pace, meaning if l set a limit of ten percent usage, after spending ten percent energy cancels out. Before l could reach that far at manipulating energy lawfully, yes! It's against the law but who will find out? The judge... I mean Ken?
I read a book about the origin of divine energy, l won't go into deep details but the book said one cannot determine energy physically, think of divine energy as oxygen, we cannot store oxygen physically unless we include oxygen tanks, in this case, it's factually impossible for humans to store oxygen on their body and fly to space to use up the stored oxygen, it's impossible. Divine energy wasn't just energy used for battle or other natural use, it is life form to every living things even plants. Without divine energy circulating in your body, you can die, same effect of not having oxygen.
But... I was able to theoretically break divine energy laws by studying deep into it and reaching a point that didn't exist in textbooks. By forcefully setting limits, it was a difficult thing to muster out that it took twenty hours each day for four years until l finally managed to crack the code.
I needed an advantage if l'm to face battle in the future, logical choice am l right? But l feel it's not enough, l still need more if l'm to face Ken again. And keep this household's expectations high of me, if l don't then mother's in trouble. What more should l prove my worthiness, how can l make them see...
"Face my furry! You mere mortal child, for l shall destroy you with my mighty clash of intensity!"
"Wh-what! I don't want problems with you... I mean, uh... You're getting too close ya' know?!"
Right! There's a way to end my insufferable boredom, that is to play around with my students. It's been five years since we've been together in this household, watching them getting strong and growing up brings a smile on my face. I'm like a parent watching their child growing up and then graduate.
"Beautiful..." I felt a tear.
I'm especially proud of how strong and independent they've become, but not on my level yet, but in terms of divine energy control... Iris beats me. In terms of combat and power control, Blake surpasses me. I think there was a tongue slip along those lines, what category was l better in?
"Lovely morning, Iris and Blake."
"Hello Arty!"
"M-master... has arrived! Too loud."
Blake still had his gloomy expression, but a face packed with determination. His physique had grown a little, potential lady killer. Iris on the other hand had cut her long white hair short, still had the bossy attitude and the evil grin on her face. In terms of intelligence, she was at master level.
Funny part, they had the second name of Rivers.
I want to stay by their side for as long as l live, growing old together, watching how the world changes together... Probably with Ken as well. Could never imagine a scenario without these trouble makers, did l forget to include Storm.
Before my incarnation, l was a loner, never wanted anyone inferior to me by my side, l only wanted those at a level l had reached. I've been neglecting those that were trying to befriend me, l was a bad person that's for sure! Being with people around no matter the rank, age, gender, and race should be a happy moment. Now in this life, l have a carrying mother, a supportive Master, friends that desire me, and probably more to come.
"Master Arthur." Blake spoke out with a serious expression.
"Huh, something the matter?"
Let me guess, he wants the usual dragon story or needs me to escort him to the bathroom. You're predictable as ever Blake my boy...
"I've been thinking for a while now... But l couldn't muster the courage to say it infront of you..."
Huh? Where the hell is this conversation going, might as well not panic and listen to what Blake's going to say.
"I challenge you to a dual." Blake requested while touching his necklace.
This was something you don't see everyday, the way he said it without cracking his voice nor hesitating indicated he was dead serious. It's the second time l'm seeing him this way, you're really growing Blake, love the confidence. I nodded to his request, couldn't let him down after that built-up courage, it's also a chance to see how much stronger he has become this past five years.
"Alright Blake my boy! I won't hold back so prepare to embrace my wrath."
"Please don't..."
Kid's serious, makes me sacred.
"The winner is determined until one cannot press on. Weapons are allowed, but let's not kill each other... Okay?!"
Why would l think of that? Do l really look like someone capable of doing that, even my previous battle didn't end with one dying on the spot.
Blake and me stood far away from each other, our gaze meeting, Blake clenching on his necklace while l prepared to unsheathed my sword.
"Ready!"