《I have to be the antagonsist》 A great turning point I don''t think I''m stupid or an idiot. -Shoots Kayle. However, in my life, every time I try to give my all to something... -Oh, boy. Look to your right. How did you not see this coming? I end up failing miserably and losing faith in my talent. -Damn. We lost again. -We''re going down a league now. -It''s all Kayle''s fault. There''s nothing I can say. Eliot missed all his shots. Fran?ois didn''t kill anyone and I''m the only one who hit the boss. However, in everything I do, there''s always someone stronger than me. Indirectly, this is also one of the reasons why I''ve lost so many times. -Don''t worry, Kayle. They didn''t do any good. Join my team next year and we''ll be better. I guarantee it. That person is Charles. Charles Venkclerk has always been the number one in gaming. No one has ever reached his level in the country. But here I am. I don''t think I''m inferior to him, but people don''t see it the same way. Charles shines like no one else in his field, and I''m a shadow. The shadow of the greats. And yet, I''ve already beaten Charles in a game. -Yeah, don''t worry. Nobody talks about it. I''m obviously not going to join his group next year. When I play under pressure, my level drops. But the competition is always under pressure. That''s just the way it is. I hate this side of me that refuses to be challenged in front of the champions. I get stressed and never reach my true level. That''s just the way it is. -Do you want me to walk you home? We''re going for a fry. -You don''t have to. Go home without me. I also hate strong people who are nice to you after a defeat. To me, it''s hypocrisy. However, I won''t hide the fact that I''m often the first to pretend to hide my joy at a victory to appear humble. The difference with Charles is that I quickly forget this part of myself when it comes to remembering who I am. I''ve walked down this street many times. The light-brown cobblestones burning in the sun. The cats and rats fighting in the darker alleyways, the people on bikes saying hello to the first person they see, the tall buildings adorning the street to show man''s pride... It all sickens me. I''ve lost and the world doesn''t care. I''m one of the strongest and most complete people in the world and here I am complaining about my defeat. I should never lose. I shouldn''t even imagine losing to Charles or anyone else. I am...I am.... Stolen from its original source, this story is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings. I''m nobody. That''s why I lost. My apartment is here. In this five-storey building that''s average for an average person like me. This is it, the depression after defeat. It takes a moment to realize, a moment to rage and then you cry. But I haven''t cried for a long time over a passion. I''ve given up a lot of them. My mother used to remind me: -You have a lot of talent. But unfortunately for you, it''s everywhere. You don''t know what to do with it and you end up rambling. You give up and say you can do anything anyway. She was right. I give up too quickly. However, every time I give up, I think it''s the moment when I''ve reached rock bottom. I know that''s not true. I know it and I keep going. I know it but... A red light struck Kayle in hir sleep. His bed was not far from his kitchen and living room. Everything was connected in his little apartment, and yet it felt like home. There was no better place for him. However, this red light was about to take him away from his comfort and reassurance. He opened his eyes in what first seemed like a dream. -What the... This isn''t my living room. Where am I? -Hello Who is this guy? He thinks he''s funny, making jokes in the morning? Could it be a member of Charles'' team that I ended up sleeping with? I thought I''d slept in my apartment. Black hair turning white at the ends, a rather cheerful and proud face, dressed like a bartender, rather good-looking...I hate good-looking people. Why is he leaning over me like that? -Did you sleep well? -You just ruined it. -I like the way you act. You''re my favorite, Kayle Landers. This guy knows my name. Maybe I''ve finally been recognized. But I''m not the only one in this weird room. By the way, where are we? The walls are white with blue lines. We''re all on one bed. There are three girls and three boys. A social experiment? I never signed up for this. -Where are we? Who are you people? -Why are we here? He''s screaming. He''s screaming. I hate people who shout first thing in the morning. Nevertheless, I also want to know what I''m doing here. -Relax. Quiet, please. I didn''t bring you here for nothing. You''re going to be very special people to me. -What''s this guy talking about? I''m going to paint him again. Why is there always one hot-blooded guy in these stories? He''d better calm down and... The show had gone too fast. The man who had just charged the strange kidnapper now had no head. At least, it was rolling on the ground a few feet away. This was a first for Kayle. As much as he''d said he''d always be prepared for this in case it happened, he wasn''t ready for this day. Damn. What''s that? He just had his head cut off, but we didn''t see it coming. I didn''t even see him move. This is a dream, isn''t it? It has to be. -Damn. I''m sorry, girls. As I''ve just eliminated a candidate from the boys'' group, I''ll have to remove one from yours. He''s not kidding. I thought he was a nice guy but there''s nothing wrong with him. How can he... -It seems you still believe it''s a dream. I''ll help you get that silly thought out of your head. Without a word, for no one could speak. He disappeared and suddenly reappeared behind one of the three girls. I still haven''t seen him. He took her head in his hands and crushed it under the pressure. Blood splattered onto the clothes of the two ladies next to him, and Kayle received some on his cheek. That feeling... This time, I can be sure.... This is no dream. -You''re going to listen to me. The quest is on
He crushed her head like it was butter. We''re not in the same league and even if it''s a dream I don''t want to try to face him. Kayle looked around. Suddenly, he saw him. The person he had always envied and who had remained the light of his life. Long, perfect blond hair, a perfect face and blue eyes that seemed to hold the sea, Charles Venkclerk was there. -Charles? -How are you, Kayle? -No better than you. -It''s true that, given the situation, I shouldn''t have asked the question. The bastard''s still handsome even in this situation, and when do I get my moment of glory? That said... it won''t change the situation. -All right, then. It seems I''ve finally calmed your ardor. Now I can explain what you''re doing here. I hadn''t noticed it before, but...is it possible to have eyes that black? Either this guy''s got some serious disease or... -I think I''ll start by introducing myself. He''s from another world, which might help us understand why he''s so strong and fast. But that''s not possible, is it? Another world? -I''m Trane Rakis and... Why is he stopping? Doesn''t he want to tell us the rest? -I''ve changed my mind. You''ll have to find out who I am on your journey. What the hell? -Shall I explain why you''re here? You might be reading a stolen copy. Visit Royal Road for the authentic version. I mean, come on. I wish I knew. -Why... Why am I here? -Actually, I don''t really want to. -What''s that? -I''ll tell you this: you''re all going to be sent to a world of energy, chakra, magic, call it what you will. Your goal is simple: to become the best antagonist to oppose the hero. No holds barred. Even kill the other candidates. Do you have any questions? Questions? Become an antagonist. What''s he on about? I''ll have to be a villain. -I''ve got one. -I was expecting you to ask Charles Venkclerk a question. I expect a lot from you, by the way. Charles. As always, he attracts attention. By the way, I have a question too. -Who''s the protagonist? -Good question. It''s about... Why is that bastard stopping again? -No. In the end, you''ll have to find him yourself. -I can see that. I''m definitely going to kill him. However, it''s best not to do that. He''s undoubtedly a very powerful being, and even if he were just a little bit powerful, he''d cut my head off. But I don''t feel like opposing the protagonist. He''s the kind of person I want to protect in general. When I read a book, the hero''s suffering and difficulties are conveyed through the harsh words of the text, and that''s what makes us love him. I don''t think I''m cut out for that. What''s more, if it''s a fantasy novel, I might have to kill people to achieve my goal. It''s just not for me, so I''d rather not do it. -What if you don''t want to take part? Trane looks puzzled by my question. As if it didn''t make sense. I find it rather logical not to want to risk your life to be a bad guy. However, as he rest a finger on his chin to think, he replies: -So you thought you had a choice. The pressure became palpable in the room as if an elephant were crushing each of the candidates. Kayle felt death coming from Trane Rakis. He could now see the black reaper behind his back. He let them all know they had no choice. -I see, Kayle Landers. It''s time for you to go. The four participants looked at each other to see who could potentially become their ally or enemy. A ship of red light descended on them and their bodies began to float inside. What''s going on now? So this was all for real. I''ll have to become an antagonist. I''m not ready for that. Huh...Am I dreaming? That girl...she''s smiling? I see, she''s a psychopath. I''d better not come across her again. I should be able to establish an alliance with Charles and... -Kayle Landers. To answer your question, you must become the best antagonist. If you fail, you will die in such a way that death is no longer eternal rest at all. His black eyes pierce the soul, plunging the beholder into a bottomless abyss. At the time, no one had any idea who Trane Rakis was or what we were about to experience in this world.
A question of viewpoint Hm. Hmm. I don''t feel like waking up. I just suffered a defeat against Team Green and you want to wake me up like this. I''m fine in my bed. No way you''re calling me at this hour. It''s hot out. In fact, why is it so hot in my apartment? Normally, there''s air-conditioning at a certain outside temperature. Besides, why is my bed so uncomfortable? It looks like I''m sleeping on cobblestones.... But I sleep on cobblestones. Kayle awoke with a start. It took him a few minutes to realize that he was indeed not at home. He was sleeping in the middle of a dark old alley. Drunken crates were lined up beside him. In the daylight, passers-by walked in old clothes, some pulling carts. For Kayle, everything was new. Everything, even the feeling of not being at home. At first, he laughed. But it was a nervous laugh. He didn''t want to believe it. He couldn''t believe it. -It''s nonsense. It was all nonsense. It wasn''t a dream. I changed worlds. This was real and those people are dead. This guy''s going to kill me and I''m going to get outrun by Charles Venkclerk again. All the images are coming back to me. How could I forget? Trane Rakis, all those idiots... I''m going to die here...I''m going to die. I don''t know where I am, who the hero is, and I''m just a human who knows nothing about this world about to die from.... What should I die of, anyway? It''s like going to another country. No housing, no money, but it''s almost the same thing. I have to find an intelligence office, accommodation and the hero of the story. It''s a bit cowardly to say it, but even if I have to be the antagonist, it''s better to be in the company of the hero to survive. Wait? Maybe this isn''t such a good idea. The others might well kill his companions to oppose him. Better to run away from him in the meantime. First I need to find a place to stay. Kayle stepped out of the alleyway he was in. Passers-by looked at him with strange eyes, given his clothes. They were simple peasants in a small village. Kayle started looking around to see if he could find anything. The medieval style bothered him greatly. The village consisted of nothing but small houses, and the inhabitants didn''t seem at ease with strangers. What Kayle didn''t know was that, as he''d been lying in the street earlier, he''d been mistaken for a beggar, and beggars begged in town, not in a village. If they begged in the villages, it was because they were wanted criminals who hid away from the cities to get some sleep. These criminals often stayed in the villages to pillage them or take them hostage in case the soldiers arrived. So Kayle had made a bad impression on the villagers as soon as he arrived. This story originates from Royal Road. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there. -Here, an inn. I hope I can find something in there. I need to make a good impression. I''ll start by saying hello to the bartender and asking for his help. Usually, in this sort of thing, he''ll put you up if you work for them. The door creaked as Kayle opened it. Inside were about thirty people drinking. Many weren''t already sober anymore. Kayle was not pleased. Great. I must...pass...between these brutes. But... Huh? However, everyone stopped at the sight of Kayle. They were aware that a criminal was in the village, wearing very strange clothes. Some had daggers and swords at belt level and were ready to draw them. What do they want? I know my clothes are strange to them, but don''t look at me like that. They look like they want to kill me. I need to talk to the bartender as soon as possible. What is it? It''s a girl. She''s quite pretty. -Hi, there. I''m looking for some information about the village and... What''s up? What''s going on? My voice. What language am I speaking? Don''t tell me he could do that too? Well, I''m not going to complain now. That psychopath Trane Rakis at least gave us the benefit of the language. -Yes, what did you say? -Ah, sorry. I''m looking for information about the village. It''s my first time here and I''ve neither lodgings nor money. I got robbed on the way. By the way, if you''ve got a job for me, I''d be glad to take it. -Of course. But first, I''m going to give you the Kor test. -The Kor test? -Yes, the Kor test. Don''t tell me you don''t know what it is. It''s a test to measure your energy level. -Ah, of course. I knew that. -Yes, you knew that. I almost got caught. Maybe it''s better to say I''m not from this world. Who knows? Oh, I see, a mirror. -Could you face it, please? -Okay. Now I can finally see if I''m cut out to be a worthy antagonist. -Just to be sure. How do you know if I''m any good or not? -The mirror''s reaction depends on the person you are. Usually, for the average person, the mirror just shows a faint aura around you. But you should have a good reaction. -Of course i should. I''m sure Charles had a divine light. I''m not going to let that happen to me. Come on, show me my destiny... The mirror showed no reaction. It only reflected Kayle''s ridiculous body spreading its arms as if blessed. Which he wasn''t. -Huh? -Catch him! The soldiers at the inn took him for a sign. If the criminal was weak, then they could arrest him. The bounty on their heads was worth a lot. -Huh ? Compromise
When Kayle opened his eyes, he was in what appeared to be a cellar with very little light and a lot of humidity. A small opening in the opposite wall illuminated the room. The cellar wasn''t very large and was home to a dozen undesirable rodents. The armed villagers stared at him, pondering what to do with him. Damn! They knocked me out. I should have known. That damned Trane would never have made it easy for us. Besides, I''ve just confirmed for the second time that this isn''t a dream. You can''t sleep in a dream. -So. What''s your name, unlucky man? -Why did you knock me out and tie me up? I didn''t do anything to you. -That''s what they all say, but we know you brigands. You''ve got nowhere to go in town so you sleep in the villages to kill us and take our children hostage. What? What''s he talking about? Me? Kill them? Take them hostage? -Why would I do that? I don''t specialize in anything. You must have seen it with Kor''s test. How could a guy with no powers take you hostage? -Well... Are they stupid or what? Don''t tell me they hadn''t thought of that? The villagers turned to think amongst themselves. Kayle watched them intently. Compared to our world, the humans here must have maintained their lines. Which means this world isn''t quite at peace. If they had nothing to do, they probably wouldn''t have these muscles. Some have large, muscular bodies. Others seem to be working in the fields. I suppose agricultural work isn''t to be dismissed either, but they told me about brigands, so it must happen frequently. Nothing could justify such aggression otherwise. Unless they were cannibals or serial killers. I should never have agreed to this, I should have died out there. -Hey. You''re not a brigand? -No, I''m not.. -How can we be sure? -I have no powers. No magic. No aura. So I couldn''t hurt anyone. -There are also bad people without power. -Do I look dangerous to you? -No. You even look harmless. -Flimsy. -Skinny. -Incapable. -But I do not allow you! -What were you doing out on the floor? -I already told the waitress. -How could anyone believe you? -I''ve already told you too. Look, I don''t want to stay here for something I didn''t do. I think you''ve got me all wrong, and I can prove it. Please hire me and give me a place to live and I guarantee you won''t see anything wrong with me. Except that I''m trying to become an antagonist for your hero. The villagers began to think. It was true that Kayle didn''t look dangerous at all. Their gaze fell on him before the man who seemed to be the leader spoke up. -All right, then. We''ll test you. Anyway, how can someone who hasn''t even made the mirror react be a problem for us? He laughs, but I don''t. Usually, in this kind of work, the protagonist gets a gift from heaven, but here, I''m completely weak. I expected to at least break the mirror to create a surprise effect, but there was no reaction. I''m not going to be able to take on the hero if I''m like this. How could that damned Rakis do this to me? Venkclerk must have obtained a divine light and I''m left with nothing. I''ll never make it. Might as well wait for the end here. The author''s narrative has been misappropriated; report any instances of this story on Amazon. -Untie him. Lilly, he''ll be in your care. If you really have nowhere else to go, you can stay here. -I suppose I should thank you. -You guess right. But be careful, any wrong move and we''ll tie you up and hand you over. I don''t like this at all. I end up with the girl from the counter again. She''s as pretty as ever. I can''t really blame her. After all... No, on second thought, I wouldn''t have done the same. -I''m sorry for what happened to you. These days, it''s not easy. Brigands are flocking to the villages. -Why is that? -It''ll be better if I talk to you upstairs. Follow me, please. She''s a nice girl. But I should be wary too. I don''t know what awaits me in this strange world. -The Emperor has just completed his purification operation. The Krul sect has been completely cleansed from the capital and General Fran?ois has just been sentenced to death. Who''d have thought he''d be hiding behind one of the empire''s great generals? I don''t know who he is and I don''t understand anything. -However, not all followers have been arrested. It''s estimated that there are about a hundred who survived the purification and over a thousand outside the wall. So the capital has a wall. Interesting. What do you mean, a thousand? -The emperor has launched a general pursuit throughout the empire. Every village and town is being forced to be cleansed according to Vince''s decree. Who''s Vince? -But we''re not capable of defending ourselves against Krul''s followers, so to make us act, the emperor has decided to put over a million on every head captured dead or alive. I see. Nothing easier than promising them money. It seems the emperor doesn''t really care about his people. If it''s another antagonist, I might have a hard time doing my best. Anyway, what''s the point? Given the situation I''m in... -This has put all the villagers on their guard. They''re suspicious of all passers-by and won''t accept anyone into the village. -You suspected me too. -Yes, I did. But since you have no energy... I shouldn''t have said that. -But it''s working. The village is in fear and we''re finding it hard to relax, but we arrested an adept not long ago. -I thought followers were very strong? -They are. Normally, no one would have been able to get their hands on them. But, in the village, a man has arrived. He masters circular energy and Aran rotation. He''s a former soldier in the imperial army. So, despite the village''s low power, there''s a man like that here. I wonder if he can teach me a thing or two to get me started. Circular energy and Aran rotation, eh? Sounds interesting. This is the beginning of my adventure as an antagonist. -I thought followers were very strong? -They are. Normally, no one would have been able to get their hands on them. But, in the village, a man has arrived. He masters circular energy and Aran rotation. He''s a former soldier in the imperial army. So, despite the village''s low power, there''s a man like that here. I wonder if he can teach me a thing or two to get me started. Circular energy and Aran rotation, eh? Sounds interesting. This is the beginning of my adventure as an antagonist. Or so I thought. -Table six. Waiting. -Bring in the new guy. -Beer here. The beer with the same name here. I''m not even surprised. After listening to Lilly''s story without understanding the details, she granted me a room. A little thing, not even twenty square meters. A wooden plank floor that creaks with every step, a more or less decent bed that seems to be disintegrating all the same, a small lamp that doesn''t provide much light for the night and, last but not least, a door that won''t close. -How can this be? Who created this thing? I had a hard time falling asleep, but then the worst happened. In the morning, Lilly woke me up super early to put on some sort of bar apron. I only just realized that their name sucks: Welcome. That''s about it. The villagers don''t even hold back. At the start, before three o''clock, there''s no one around and Lilly and I are tidying up. Of course, I took the time to have a look at her. How could such a flower have ended up here? Her long blond hair is tied up in a braid around her head. Her hands are thin and she looks fragile. She always wears her simple white dress with a little red tracksuit. When I see her, I say to myself that maybe I haven''t done so badly. She smiles all the time and at everyone, and that annoys me. Because from three o''clock onwards, it''s the mess. Fifty-something customers sit down and order a beer. They yell, they scream, they sing, they fight, they throw up where I''ve cleaned up and most of all...what pisses me off most of all...they hit on Lilly. The poor thing can''t even get from table to table without being hit on. I''ve got to do something. I''ve got to do my duty. -Not too hard a day, Lilly? -No, it''s all right. Kayle''s here to help me this time. -Kayle. Who''s Kayle? Ah, the new guy. You know he''s a criminal? -I don''t think he is. He hasn''t done anything all day. He doesn''t seem to want to harm our village. -If you say so. But I''d be careful if I were you. Besides, I''d probably go out with a guy like... -Sir, here''s what you asked for. Lilly, there''s an order waiting for you over there. Uh-huh. Who the hell are you? -I''m new here. Name''s Kayle Landers. If you need anything, just give me a call. I won''t let you bother her any longer. -All right, kid. -You''ll have to excuse me in this case. I haven''t finished my shift. I may never have had girlfriends, but I know how to handle them. Tonight, no one will touch Lilly. First fight in the other world -Over here, Kayle. At the back of the bar, where the largest tables were gathered, the village chief waved to Kayle. What does he want with me? Is he going to threaten me again on duty? I¡¯ve only been here a day and he already wants to kill me. If I die, somebody tell Charles and that damn Rakis to go fuck themselves. -How¡¯s your first day? -Not too bad. I¡¯m learning from Lilly every minute and I think I could replace her soon in some way. -See. Don¡¯t mess around, we got you covered. Me who thought he was friendly. He is only with the people of his village. Lilly told me that he was called Rack. What a name for a brute. Rack smiled and raised a pint in front of all his colleagues who did the same. He seems to be really appreciated in his village. That¡¯s normal for a leader. If I had been a little more influential, I could have started an entire band in my service. It would have been easier to go after the hero. But in these conditions, if I want to win his trust and that of the village, I must continue to play my role as a server and accomplish something incredible. I need to meet this former soldier as soon as possible and drive an apostle from Krul. However, lost in his thoughts, Rack wrapped his arm around his head laughing. What? What is it... ? -Say it, Kayle? -Yes. Why did the mood suddenly change? -I noticed you were looking at our little Lilly a lot. Drops of sweat began to appear on his forehead. If he had understood one thing since his arrival it was that everyone loved and protected this girl and that, no matter how you approached her and no matter your reasons, you should not approach her. -She¡¯s pretty, right? But she¡¯s also very kind, smiling, caring, helpful.... The adjectives were raining down along with the drops of sweat on Kayle¡¯s forehead. -You know we also appreciate her a lot and I don¡¯t think the guys and I will let our little one protect in the arms of a stranger who was considered to be a criminal part of a cult. Kayle looked around. The others at the table were also looking more seriously and they were looking at him with a threatening air. Kayle seemed to be dying out but there was one thing that very few people knew about him... Me, restrict me? You''re not my parents. You don''t know why I''m here. I never wanted to be here and you think I''m going to let you walk all over me just because you considered me a brigand. -You shouldn''t try anything with her or I''ll put you on the pig. ...He hated being talked down to. -What if I don''t want to? At these words, the whole bar fell silent. Everyone knew better than to question Rack''s authority, and Kayle surely knew it too. What Kayle had just done undoubtedly deserved to be punished, and everyone was looking forward to it. Lilly felt sorry for Kayle but stayed away for fear of Rack''s wrath. The village chief''s colleagues left the table to look elsewhere. Only Kayle and Rack remained, his arm still wrapped around his head. No one said anything. Silence reigned in the room. -Little guy. It seems you haven''t understood the rules of our village. When a member disobeys me and persists in his disobedience, he must duel me to decide the position of village chief. So I''ll ask you again... No, at this level, that''s an order. Don''t try anything with Lilly. Kyle, still with his head down, waited a long time before answering slowly. -In that case, I''ll repeat myself. What if I don''t want to? -Kayle. Lilly couldn''t believe it. No one inside the village, not even the former soldier, had ever attempted such a thing in front of Rack. Yet Kayle had long been the first to try the impossible. Stolen from Royal Road, this story should be reported if encountered on Amazon. -Kayle? You asked for it. In one motion, the table was overturned and Kayle found himself flying across the bar. The men of the village rose to their feet and began to clear space for a duel. Rack rose slowly as he finished his pint and stood opposite where Kayle had landed. However, to his surprise, Kayle had landed on her feet quite decently. In this world, the average basic stats were above Kayle''s for the simple reason that all men worked hard to fight against mercenaries, thieves, cult members and the Empire of Light. Kayle hadn''t experienced any of that, but he was different. He had excellent genetics that made him smarter, more agile, and above all... -It''s a shame. I thought you could have stayed longer in our village. -Give him a second chance, Rack. -Lilly, you know I can''t do that. From her vantage point, there wasn''t much Lilly could do, but she didn''t know that Kayle wasn''t easy prey for any fighter. Rack tried to draw his blade, but soon realized it was missing from his belt. - What? When did... He looked around before directing his gaze to Kayle, who still hadn''t said a word. His blade was now in his right hand. He''d taken it from him the moment he knew he''d have to fight Rack. -Didn''t I understand? Don''t make me laugh. I hate being taken for a ride. Rack looked at his opponent. At first, he sincerely thought Kayle was harmless, but he''d just changed his judgment. A smile spread across his face. -How''s that? Young toddler. Come to me. -No. You come to me. Rack wondered if the boy wasn''t just crazy, but at the end of the day launched himself at him all the same. -Good. Rack ran towards Kayle at full speed, but at the same time Kayle took up position, imitating the stance of an experienced swordsman. -I see. You were strong after all. Rack was getting dangerously close. Lilly saw the spectacle and stopped watching, closing her eyes. But she opened them again when she heard everyone let out a cry of astonishment. Her eyes opened wide in turn. Rack was on the ground holding his throat while Kayle was standing in front of him without a scratch. -Idiot. It works every time. I don''t know how to use a sword. Besides, his was too heavy and I had no chance of hitting him properly given his speed. So I just pretended. I suppose that in all possible worlds and dimensions, the best weapon is always the feint. He concentrated on the blade for the first few seconds. I knew I had him. All I had to do was wait for him to try and take it away from me. To do that, I had to be careful not to get burned by imitating what I''ve seen swordsmen do in anime. Maybe I''ve got a knack for it, because it worked. Just as Rack had disarmed Kayle, he received a tremendous blow in the throat that stopped his breathing. I haven''t yet determined whether they were breathing like normal humans, but looking at them, they seemed to be. It was a risky gamble, but it had a ninety percent chance of working, given their morphology. I was right, and that''s normal. However, even if Kayle had also taken it into account, the humans of this world are strong and probably thanks to the energy circulating in this world, their bodies were fortified. An ordinary human being from her world had no chance of doing him any real damage without a weapon. Rack jumped to his feet, surprised and shocked. Kayle tried to kick him in the head, but he stopped her with his right hand. I knew it. The outcome of the fight was already decided. I''ve no chance of winning, but I must fight bravely if I''m not to lose my honor. -You''re surprising, kid. -I know I am. Kayle threw himself far away, propelling himself with his remaining leg into Rack''s face. Nevertheless, Rack closed the distance with a leap and reached out to grab Kayle''s head. Kayle was lucky enough to regain his footing and narrowly dodged, but like an over-trained boxer, Rack launched a huge uppercut right into his abdomen. Kayle had no time to dodge and protected himself with his arms as best he could. I can''t make up the difference in level in one fight, but.... Kayle saw Rack''s punch coming at full speed. It was now or never. He barely dodged the punch, which left a mark on his face. However, while still standing, he grabbed Rack''s arm with his right hand and held out two of his fingers from the left to gouge out his eyes. Rack was surprised by the speed of the gesture, which at the time was equal to his own. Lilly closed her eyes again, not wanting to see him lose his eyes. -Why didn''t you do it? -I don''t know what you''re talking about. When she opened her eyes, Rack had Kayle on the ground. -Why did you stop moving? You could have poked my eyes out. I could have. But I didn''t. When it comes down to it, I''m not an antagonist and I''m the one who started this fight. I know I wouldn''t get the respect of the village just by beating Rack and anyway, he had to accept me. I don''t really want to hurt him and it would hurt Lilly''s feelings. -I know, but I don''t think you''ll see anything after this. Rack was surprised by Kayle''s answer. There was a short silence, then he laughed, which brought laughter from everyone except Lilly, who was relieved it was over. Rack had short chestnut hair that often shone in the sun, and blue eyes. He was a big man and everyone in the village knew him as a great fighter who hadn''t been blessed with energy. But at six feet tall, he smiled often and at everyone. -Very good, Kayle. You''re a good fighter and you''ve got a good heart. I also apologize for being so impulsive, but you understand that as chief, I have to maintain order and balance in the village. Otherwise, it would be a mess. It''s already a mess. -Congratulations, you''re officially part of the village. -I''m what? -I don''t blame you. Just listen to orders next time or we''ll be fighting again. Rack helped Kayle to his feet. -Does this mean it''s over? -Yes, it means it''s over. Stay at the bar with Lilly and I''ll call you if I need you because you''re a good fighter. Wait a minute. Why do I feel like there''s still a problem? -And for Lilly.... All the black eyes turned back to him, but this time Rack was smiling. -Just don''t make them angry. Rack walked out of the bar smiling with his gang not smiling. He extended his hand from behind to greet Kayle. -He''s got some flow, that jackal. The damn ride The end of the day was hectic, but I got through it. -Well done, lad. -You''re strong for a youngster like you. You could come and help us out sometime. I received compliments like that all evening. People''s attitudes towards me have changed. They think of me as a cute little dog who can bite when he gets angry. It''s ridiculous, but that''s what one of the heavy drinkers who was passing by told me. -Kayle. Will you help me put these away? -Oh, yeah, sure. Oh, yeah. No problem. Lilly''s a little mad at me for fighting. She yelled at me, calling me an irresponsible idiot, but she couldn''t hide the fact that she was relieved for me. -I''m fine, you know. No need to worry. -You should never have provoked Rack. It was really stupid. -I know it was. I know it was. She''s cute when she gets mad. But that''s not the point. I didn''t see anyone who looked stronger than Rack in my fight. It seems that the guy who knows how to control energy isn''t much of a drinker. -Tell me, Lilly, does the former imperial soldier ever come to the tavern? -Not often. He does a lot of scouting outside the village and tracks down Krul''s apostles. However, he does come to check up on us, and when he''s here, it often means all''s well. Especially if he returns unharmed. So he takes part in dangerous missions outside the village. Does he think he''s a vigilante or what? I was already wondering what a former soldier of the imperial army could be doing here, but now I have even more questions about him. -By the way, you never told me his name. -I shouldn''t have. He doesn''t like it when people he doesn''t know are told his name. If he won''t tell you, then nobody will. I see. Cautious guy. So I''ll have to wait before I meet him. When I do, I''ll have to come up with my greatest masterpiece. Until then, I live tavern, I eat tavern, I drink tavern, I die tavern. -Kayle. Table six needs your reaction time. I''ve been here six days. Nothing moves. The days are all the same. I wake up, eat, work all day enjoying every minute with Lilly, go to my room and sleep. I do nothing else. I don''t know where the others have ended up, but I can probably say they''re not in such a bad way. The garbage cans have to be changed all the time and the glasses have to be refilled all the time. I wonder where all this stock comes from. It never seems to run out. -Say, Lilly, do you usually have to manage this on your own? -Yes, I usually do. -Well, well, well. You''re a brave girl. Lilly doesn''t seem to get tired of working. I''m the only one who does. I wonder if she''s been turned into a puppet by the energy of this world. -When''s that guy coming? -I already told you, Kayle. You never know when he''s coming back to the village. -I''ve been working here forever and I can''t take it anymore. -You don''t like working in the tavern? -No, it''s not that. A day with you is better than being anywhere else in the world, but I don''t think I''m cut out for it. I''m literally here to kill the hero. Kayle hadn''t realized that Lilly had blushed slightly at her remark. There was one other thing Kayle didn''t know about himself. He thought it impossible to have a girl who liked him. To him, he wasn''t handsome or ugly, he thought girls liked him because he was nice, but he''d never consider a relationship with anyone. He had a completely different way of life and that''s what made him stand out from the others. -Ah...Ah well. I''ve got to get out of here as soon as possible... although? I don''t even know where the others are. If you don''t become the best antagonist, you die, but there''s no time limit. As it happens, Charles hasn''t even moved on. I don''t know if I can take my time, but if I lose any, because of my deficit, I might die. -Kayle. Kayle. -Oh, sorry, Lilly. -I was wondering if you wanted to do anything else tomorrow. The guys are going to be running the tavern one day and we''re off. So if you want we can go somewhere, I''ll show you around. Lilly, you really are... -an angel. -A what? - You are really great, Lilly. I''ll see you tomorrow. Kayle didn''t realize anything and that''s why he always spoke without restraint even with girls. He often created huge misunderstandings. Lilly didn''t know what to say. Stolen novel; please report. -What ? -Enjoy your day off and keep a close eye on Kayle, Lilly. -Yes, Chief. -When are you going to call me Rack? Rack and his colleagues are running the tavern this time. I''m finally getting out of the village after so long. Learn a bit more about the world, in addition to the stories Lilly tells me. See the capital and... -Huh? -Technically, you can''t leave the village. -Why not? -We don''t have any money. Ha -Ha -We''re going to take a tour of the village and look around. You''ll see, the landscapes are sublime and the monsters are few and weak here. -Monsters? -Come on, then. Follow me. I don''t want anyyyyyyyyyyyyyy Lilly took him by the hand for what turned out to be the best ride he''d ever had in his life. Yet it wasn''t what he''d thought at first. Lilly introduced him to the villagers, the type of house, the village well, the fields where Rack and his companions often worked, Rack''s house, the farms, the mud fields and even the oldest person in the village, who was only 65. -Did I have to know this? -If you want to get along with the people in the village, you''re going to have to get to know them. I came here to become an antagonist in the first place. Why did I end up here? -Come on, let''s get out of the village. The surrounding area''s usually safe. -Yeah, it is. The outside''s just like the inside. Open fields as far as the eye can see, with only one road running through the village. Sometimes, you can see strange animals crossing the fields. I say strange because they don''t really resemble what we have here. Some rabbits have horns on their foreheads. The cows are all massive and quite scary. Birds have exotic colors that make them beautiful. Some plants move...really? And... -We shouldn''t be going deep into the woods, but I wanted to see if I could show it to you. -Show me what? -Shh, shh, shh. Look, there''s one. You''re really lucky, Kayle. It''s a codiac. What they call a codiac is really a deer. But it''s not a deer like at home. It''s white. White as snow. His eyes, too, are as white as the rest, and the antlers are a deep black, leaving an absurd difference in color. -Some lose their color through a disease called absorbation. Sometimes nature takes over living beings and absorbs energy from them. An energy deficit inevitably leads to the loss of something. But it''s still a good thing, because in the case of codiacs, their white hair is a real marvel. Kayle gazed at the magnificent sight before him. He''d never seen anything so beautiful , behind Lilly. A slight smile spread across his face. -It''s true, it''s magnificent. At these words, the codiac heard them and ran off. -No, he''s leaving. -He''s a bit like us deep down. He doesn''t like to be watched. -That''s true, he doesn''t. -Do you still have things like that to show me? -No, but I think we should... A growling sound escaped from the forest. Lilly stopped short and Kayle suddenly remembered what she''d said before leaving. - You''ll see, the scenery is sublime and the monsters here are few and weak. Weak and not numerous. It was also exactly what Kayle and Lilly were right now. This wasn''t coming from my belly and Lilly couldn''t make such a vile noise. Even if the monsters are weak here, I, who have no energy, am then weaker. Lilly must flee first. I must already know where that monster is under all those tall trees. -Kayle. To your right. Stay there. To my... Okay. What the hell is that thing? While nature could bring beautiful animals like deer, it had to bring stuff as disgusting as this. -It''s a rama. It shouldn''t even be here. This doesn''t reassure me. Four? Six? Eight eyes to an animal that looks like a ratel. Two pairs of ears, a tail that probably has poison spikes. Sounds great. -Listen to me, Kayle. This animal may have four ears, but they''re useless. It''s literally a failed chimera. These eyes, on the other hand, allow it to see far more than humans can. So you call yourselves humans too. -The best we can do is get you behind me. I should be able to create a shield strong enough to hold him for ten seconds. For those ten seconds, come out of the woodwork. Ten seconds. She wants us dead. I like you, Lilly, but from the look of this thing, ten seconds isn''t going to stop it from eating me. -Are you ready for this? If I die, tell Trane to go f.ck himself. -Do it now. He jumpeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeed ! The next ten seconds were extremely crucial for Kayle. But this was the first time he had seen the use of energy in this world. -Atremis alpha. No sooner had the words been spoken, a shield materialized in the air. Energy gathered in a fraction of a second and formed a fresco filled with flowers that the rama couldn''t cross. So, this is magic? -Run, Kayle. Kayle got back on his feet and started running. It''s weird. She looks powerful and her shield doesn''t look normal. Even a man like me can feel it, but it''s beyond astonishment. Surely her shield would last more than ten seconds. Was it just enough time to get out of the woods? And why does Lilly seem so powerful here where everyone else is weak? I thought it was only this man who was strong. But Lilly... Anyway, now''s not the time to think. Right now, I''ve got to run. Lilly and Kayle found themselves outside the woods. Oh, boy. I''m out of breath. Why am i out of breath? I''ve got good stamina and I haven''t been running that long. Well, the last time I really ran was at least a year ago. -How are you, Kayle? -I''m fine. Lilly looks out of breath too. Yet she manipulates energy. -By the way, Lilly, do you manipulate magic or something? If so, she might be able to help me evolve in this world. But why didn''t she tell me? Am I the only one who didn''t know? -I... It''s basically a secret. Ha -I didn''t want to show it to you, but I''ll at least give you an explanation. I come from a place where what you call energy is innate to everyone. And it''s called az. Az is the name of the energy that runs through the veins of this world. Every single thing here is made up of it, yet manipulating it requires either talent or hard work. Those who rise to the heights of this world are generally those who have mastered it completely. Even if there are exceptions. In any case, all you have to remember is that where I come from, it''s innate. So, that''s the basis of everything here. Az. -The others don''t know yet, so don''t tell them. OK ? -I won''t. Mum''s the word. Lilly''s a private person. I''m not surprised she has secrets to hide. But she won''t be able to teach me how to use az. Pity. I''ll have to rely entirely on this man. -Say, Kayle? -Hm? -Why do you want to be so strong? Don''t you want to stay in the village? It''s true I never told them. From their point of view, I must look like a proud kid, devoid of az and energy, desperate to become stronger to avenge this lack against nature. That''s a bit too precise. But I''m here to stand up to someone, to put them through their worst nightmare. I don''t even know if I could do it. If I absolutely want to become strong, it''s probably to... -Enjoy this world as it should be. -But can''t you enjoy it without az? Stay with me in the village? -That would be nice. But I want to think big. I''ve got a goal to aim for, but first I really want to enjoy this world. Kayle looked up at the sky, the wind rising over the village plains. -Staying with you is great. It''s probably one of the best things that''s ever happened to me, but I''ve got to move on, because I''ve got to.... Kill the hero. -Enjoy this world to the full. Lilly watched Kayle smile. The sun''s rays prevented her from seeing his face properly, but she could guess what he was thinking. At least, she thought she could. -Okay, Kayle. I''ll let you enjoy the world. -Thank you, Lilly. -But let''s go back to the village first. -If you like. Sorry, Lilly. I''m not that nice after all. I doubt that wanting to kill the hero is a noble goal to achieve. But if I don''t do this, I die. And there''s still plenty I want to do. -Are you coming? -Yeah, I''m coming. Sorry about that. A story of will By the way, this is the fourth time I''ve realized it, but I still don''t know who the hero is. That damn Trane Rakis. -Need a hand, Kayle? -No, I don''t. I''m good. You should look after yourself before thinking of others. I''ve been here for a month now. There have been no major changes. I work at the tavern six days a week, because yes, the weeks are the same as in my world. I''ve noticed that Rack is actually a villager like any other. He helps the elderly, even though there aren''t many of them. He eliminates many monsters outside the village with his team. There are five of them, and Jean is often in charge of blocking any passing monster by literally running at them. He has incredible stamina and they usually throws him at the enemy. But then, I''m more afraid for the enemies. Poor guys, getting hit in the face with a 200 kg cannonball is a real pain. Roid, on the other hand, is more agile. He always carries his bow and arrow. It comes in handy. He hides in the trees, hides what little az he''s got and blows his opponent''s eye out as soon as his back is turned. Then there''s Fran?ois, who can spot monsters from a couple of hundred meters away and is very intelligent, managing the tactical side of the group and possessing quite a few camouflage and spotting techniques. Then there''s Roald. He''s a weaker copy of Rack. And finally, Rack. He''s very strong for a guy who doesn''t handle az. He''s agile, powerful and has a certain fighting intelligence. In the village, nobody is stronger than him, which is why they respect him. He''s a hell of a leader and a very good village chief. On the other hand... -What ? You''ve got five wives. -Ha Ha Ha. It''s true, it''s true. Everyone thinks it''s hard with five women, but they get along strangely well. I love them with all my heart and I suppose they love me too. -So the one I saw at your place was... -That was Rachel. She says hello, by the way. She says we don''t often see young people here and that even among them, you''re very friendly and helpful. Bastard. Anyway, life''s not so bad here. I was able to take part in one of their hunts and didn''t do much good. I didn''t even kill a monster. I was given a dagger and told to go with the flow. Nonsense. The circular energy guy still hasn''t shown up and today, on my day off, I''m helping people bring crates of merchandise to the tavern. -Thanks, Kayle, for your help. -You''re welcome. -You''ve helped us a lot since your arrival. The village thanks you sincerely. I don''t have much choice. -How are things with Lilly? -How are what going? -You and Lilly are together, aren''t you? That old lady wants me dead. Even if I wanted to, I''d get whacked later. -No. Just friends. -Very close friend, then. You''re the only young man in the village. They all leave the village to go to town when they''re very young. The ones who don''t make it often come back, and the others stay in town and rarely come back. -Is that so? It makes sense. There''s nothing to do in this backwater. So young people go to places where they can develop their talent and make a name for themselves. And for those who don''t make it, they come back. -So why did Rack come back? He''s excellent. The old lady looked sombre and lowered her head. Kayle noticed easily. -It''s a complicated mystery. When Rack left, he went to the capital with his parents. He was the only one in the village to have gone that far in life. We thought he was going to be rich and famous, and we were all proud of him, but... This old lady doesn''t seem to like telling this story. -He came back a few years later. We hadn''t heard from him for 10 years. The day he came back, his parents weren''t there. His face was down, his clothes were worn and his money was gone. He had walked back from the capital. This book is hosted on another platform. Read the official version and support the author''s work. What ? -What had happened? -Nobody really knows. He said his parents had died in a terrible event in the capital. He told us a story about a loss of confidence and an unlucky fate, but everyone knew he was hiding something. To this day, nobody knows what really happened to him. He won''t tell anyone. So even Rack, who seems so cheerful, hides a dark side to his life. I thought this world was a little peaceful, apart from Knul''s apostles, but I was wrong. -That was also the day he brought Lilly back to the village. -What did he do? -Rack didn''t return alone from his long journey. That day, he had a little girl in his hands. She was pale and had beautiful blonde hair that seemed to be fading. We knew it couldn''t be his child. He simply said: I''ve found her. That''s a big file. It was obvious from her elfin appearance that Lilly couldn''t be from the village. But she arrived here at the same time as Rack, who was returning from the capital after a disaster. What really happened in this world during that period of time? -Don''t tell Rack too much. He doesn''t like it when I tell this story. -Don''t worry. I won''t say a word. I''d better stay even more vigilant than I planned. -Don''t worry, Kayle. You can do whatever you want with Lilly. If Rack and the others give you any trouble, I''ll smash the shit out of them. Kayle blushed suddenly. How could that old woman say such things? He turned around with the crate in hand, smiled at the old lady and thanked her. Crazy people in this village. Back in the village, Kayle lay down on his bed. I can''t take it anymore. Rest days always end up like this. What else is she going to tell me? I can''t wait until tomorrow to see Lilly and tease her a bit. I like she when she blushes. It makes me laugh and... -You okay, Kayle? Kayle froze for a long moment. He hadn''t seen or heard Lilly come in at all. She was standing over him, her body bent forward and her braids falling over her face. There was also something people didn''t know about Kayle. When something so sudden and unexpected happened, his reaction time was longer than that of a snail. After a long minute, he gasped and let out a very unpleasant high-pitched scream. -HAAAAAAAAAAAAaaaaaaaa -Why are you screaming? -You startled me. How long have you been here? -I saw you come in so I wanted to come and see you. Well, that''s about it. -That doesn''t answer my question. -You''ve been talking to Enrie. Kayle''s face decomposed slightly as he saw Lilly''s fade a little. -The old lady. Yes, why? -She told you how I got here, I guess. -Yes, she did. Shouldn''t she have? -That''s all right. Lilly sat down next to Kayle on his bed. They both looked at the wall opposite, on which Rack''s name was inscribed. How long has that been there? -You were bound to find out sooner or later. I''m a little sad it wasn''t me who told you. -I see. Should I have covered my ears, then? -No. Enrie would have kicked your ass right then and there. She really thinks that lady can beat me. Do I look that weak? Well... -I''m guessing you''re hiding a huge past. -Not that big. -Tell me about it. -I swear. I really want to tell you but... Lilly seemed to be having trouble telling her story too. Decidedly... -You don''t have to tell me everything now. -Yes, I do. -No, you don''t. -But you''re going away too. Like all the other kids in the village. You were the first one I could really talk to since we''re the same age and you want to leave me here. -Well, I''ll just have to call you. -What? At the time, Kayle had forgotten that there were no telephones in this world. Damn. -You''ll just have to come with me. Lilly lowered her head suddenly. -I can''t just leave. The village needs me. -Isn''t the old soldier enough? -Maybe, I don''t know. But Knul''s apostles are probably very powerful too, and you can imagine that I owe a lot to Rack and the village. -I know, Lilly. I know you do. I didn''t know she was so sad to see me go. It''s true that we had a lot of fun, but at first I was just a stranger who was mistaken for a criminal. -Aren''t you afraid of getting attached to a stranger? -Please, Kayle. You''re not a stranger anymore. Lilly laid her head on his shoulder. For the first time in his life, Kayle felt something strange. He knew what love was, but had never experienced reciprocity. It was always a one-way street. But for the first time in his life, he felt like a couple. A strange warmth swept through his body and his heart began to beat faster. What the... What''s all this? Does she like me? I thought it was business as usual, but... but... -Your heart''s beating faster, you idiot. -It''s your fault, princess. They stood staring at the wall for a long time, then Lilly spoke first. -Kayle, do you love me? -No. They stood there for a good min... Wait, what? -Huh ? -I''m kidding. I love you with all my heart and I want to stay by your side too. -So why do you want to leave? -There''s something I''ve got to do. I''ll tell you someday if I''m not dead by then. -Don''t say such horrible things. -I won''t. They stood there for a long time in silence again. Then Kayle wanted to know. -Say, Lilly, do you love me? At these words, Lilly got up and headed for the door. Kayle took her answer as a no. But she turned around before closing the door. -I love you with all my heart, Kayle. But if you leave, who''s going to replace the void in this one? She waited for the answer as she closed the door slowly, but Kayle watched her silently. Then the door closed with a faint sound that seemed to pierce the universe. - She''s so pretty. How did a girl like her come to love me? It''s true that in this village there''s not much choice. Kayle couldn''t believe it, though. He may have looked calm, but his heart was jumping in his chest. He lay down on his back, arms behind his head to look cool, and let out a small smile. -Thanks a lot. Damn Trane Rackis. The old soldier I haven''t talked to Lilly since yesterday. Is she mad at me? -What''s up, Kayle? You seem a little soft today. -Ah. Sorry, here you go. Jean looked at the boy who had so often accompanied him on missions outside the village and felt a little sad for him. -I can train you a little if you like. That way, you can kill a monster or two next time. Kayle wasn''t really listening, as he was looking in Lilly''s direction, but as soon as he heard the word ¡°training¡± his ears perked up. -Is this for real? -Yeah, it is. I don''t have much to teach you because you''re already very good in martial arts, but I can teach you something and perfect you with what I''ve got. Anyway. I''ve been asking them to train me for so long. I''m finally going to be able to perfect myself and become stronger, if only a little. If I get stronger than Rack, or even stronger than the old soldier, then I can leave the village. -Great, I''ll... -That''s out of the question. Lilly had arrived at full speed and slammed her hand down on the table. No one in the bar had ever seen her so angry. -Lilly? -Are you crazy? You saw her puny, weak body. It''s bad enough you took him on your violent hunts, now you want to kill him on the job. Ha -Kayle''s going to stay here with me. It''s easier for everyone and he''s in no danger. Ha -Ha -Ha -Lilly? Lilly turned away, tossing her hair back and raising her head, then went back to work. Her braids landed in Kayle''s face and, with his mouth still open because he was shocked by her reaction, he received them right in his mouth. -Rack. Why does she act like that? -I don''t know, Jean. It''s the first time she''s gotten so angry. Kayle watched her leave and began to understand why she was so upset. I guess she knows that if I get any stronger, I''ll leave the village. -You know you can''t escape her, Kayle. Looks like my little girl''s attached herself to a criminal. -I''m not a criminal. -I''m only kidding. But seriously, kid, don''t break his heart. Why is he looking at me like that? I feel sorry for him. -And how am I supposed to do that? -Don''t go. -But I have to. -You have to? Why should I? Aren''t you better off here? -I... I... I have to kill someone to live. -Do you want to leave or do you have to? What''s waiting for you out there, you who know nothing of this world? -I offered her to come with me, but... -I know. I know why she''s staying. I''ll try to sound her out, but you do your best too. I don''t believe it. I feel like I''m talking to my father. He can''t understand me but he''s trying to do it through my eyes. I''ve got to... -Looks like you''re still having problems, Rack. -Well, there you go. This is... -I finish a long fight with some apostles. Don''t I deserve something? A sheriff''s hat. A faded yellow scarf around my neck. An unshaven beard. Cowboy boots. And a flow that surpasses everyone here, except me, this guy is definitely the former soldier. -I hear there''s a young man here who''s eagerly waiting for me to train him. He''s easily visible. Here he comes. One step at a time. Slow but with an aura that everyone dreaded. What''s he going to do.... In less than a second, Kayle found herself flying backwards with her head to the ground. Huh? I... How? -You haven''t got an ounce of energy, kid. You just... Unlawfully taken from Royal Road, this story should be reported if seen on Amazon. The former soldier looked behind him and saw Kayle''s foot coming at him at full speed. He shifted his head slightly and took the blow on his shoulder. Kayle then took a step back. -Didn''t anyone tell you I don''t like being talked down to? I think he''s arrogant. He didn''t even move when I kicked him. Is that Aran rotation or circular energy? -Good. It looks like you''ve got resources after all. Show me and I''ll show you. The people in the bar are up again. That means they''re expecting a duel. I''m sorry, Lilly, but right now I''ve got to give it my all. -Come here. -Nope. You, come here. At these words, a smile appeared on the former soldier''s face before it disappeared from Kayle''s field of vision. -Huh? In the blink of an eye, his fist struck Kayle''s face before he went flying to the back of the bar. -Kayle. Lilly ran to him. The former soldier looked at the hole he''d made in the room, disappointed. -Well, is that all you were worth? Hm? The former soldier suddenly felt a slight cut in his throat. -He touched me. How''d he do that? -Careful, San. Rack jumped at the last moment to stop a dagger flying towards the former soldier''s face. -I couldn''t have done it. I might be dead if... Don''t tell me... He moved towards Kayle, who was being treated by Lilly. -How did you do it? You see, soldier. I can get stronger. -The first thing was to hide my blade. I knew you''d only see fire, so I decided to keep it hidden until you attacked. I wanted to pull it out at the last moment, but I couldn''t anticipate such speed. After that, I confess that I don''t know myself. I knew you were going to appear right in front of me, so all I had to do was raise the blade a good distance to hit you, but I don''t remember my brain acting in time. As for the flying dagger, I''m sure you can imagine what happened. It worked better than expected because I don''t know how I scratched you. Don''t look at me like that. I''ve got you. As I had and would have all the people in this world. I''d surpass you all. There''s no other option left. Whether it comes from you or the others. I''ll create a future for myself in this world that even Vencklerk won''t be able to put in the shade. And from the look on his face, I have a feeling it starts here. -Did you see that, San? Interesting kid, isn''t he? -He''s a good strategist, but he really doesn''t have any energy. How can someone be without energy? -Don''t look at me, I don''t know. -Where are you from, kid? -I don''t know. -You don''t know? Could it be that you''re hiding it? -I told you I don''t know...*cough* Damn, he hit me hard. How is that even possible? Thank God Lilly''s here. It''s no good if I''m this weak. Luckily, this incredible, adorable, beautiful and powerful gentleman is going to help me to... -Sorry, kid. But if you don''t have the slightest trace of energy in your body, there''s nothing I can do for you. What ? -Do you know the basics of Aran rotation? In the north, there''s an ancient people who applied this method to young children so that they could meditate and increase the amount of energy in their bodies. The first to do this was a man called Aran. A very powerful warrior from the North. I''m not going to tell you his story, but to tell you the truth, he was far more powerful than an army general. He could at least...have them all at once. By the way, you''re just weak. -His tribe then performed this. You can''t see the energy, but right now...Lilly, can you project for him? -Yes, I can. Projection? Like a screen? It should be.... An immense quantity of energy gathered in front of Lilly in a magnificent spectacle. The energy first manifested itself as a great nebula, then gradually took on the shape of the veins and blood vessels that run through the human body. Lilly''s eyes were closed and she was floating above the ground. -This is the energy that runs through your body...Normally. It circulates in a different circuit from blood, but its course is almost the same. The energy circulates exactly like blood. It starts at the heart and ends at the heart. Aran''s rotation, however, is different. Energy circulates in a circle and is sucked into the heart like a black hole. It circulates independently of the vessels. I can see that. But what does that change? -It does two things: firstly, the energy is no longer trapped in the body, and mixes with the ambient energy, so when it returns to the heart, it comes back with ambient energy. And the second is that, at a certain stage, it''s easier to transcend. -Transcend? -There''s no point in you understanding that. You have no energy. So you can''t learn anything. I''ll be off. -Wait a minute. Wait a minute. Shit, I didn''t wait this long for nothing. -How do you get energy then? The former soldier slowly turned his face to look at Kayle, who had grabbed his shoulder. -You can''t. Az is natural and innate, if you don''t have it. You''re a dead man in this world. I''m out of here. No, I won''t allow it. I must defeat this hero and return to my world, or I die. I won''t let you go for so little. Kayle struggled to his feet, leaning on the spot where he''d been hit. Despite the pain, his eyes showed nothing but rage and a strong dose of determination. You''d have thought Kayle had given up. That it was pointless without az, but he hadn''t. He put his hand firmly on the soldier''s shoulder and looked him straight in the eye. -At least teach me how to fight and survive. The former soldier looked into Kayle''s eyes. He could clearly feel the urge emanating from him. In fact, the whole room could feel it. This kid could fight. A vague memory came back to the soldier''s mind. -Gee, it''s been a while since I''ve seen that kind of look. Well, I''m going to teach you how to fight. Don''t complain if it''s too hard. Meet me on the east side of the village, near the well, around sunset. I won''t wait for you. -What''s your name anyway? Is he...smiling? -You''ll get it when I say so. Arrogant bastard. He discreetly puts his hat back on like a cowboy. Is he from the Wild West or what? For that matter, do cowboys even exist in this world? -Kayle, you''re really something. -Sorry, Lilly. -I told you to... She looks really worried. I can''t help it, I''ll die if I''m not careful. I''ve got to go after the hero, so I''ve got to be powerful. I don''t know what I''ll do without energy but... -Never mind. I''m going back to work. -O....ok. She''s really not happy. I''ve never had a girlfriend. How do you do that? Besides, are we a couple? No, impossible. Me, a couple, anything. Kayle went off to bed to recover from her injuries.