《Red Lotus: The Tale of an Outsider》


 Part 1: Intro - Journey Towards the Silver Light

    <blockquote>


    The universe reveals its true colors under the inevitable radiance of the silver light. Nature awakens in its dreams, playing life''s most enchanting symphony as the world is purified by the touch of the divine radiance.


    </blockquote>


    "I have a gaping cavity in my memory¡ª no recollection whatsoever of a staggering two year span in my life. Like a chrononaut phasing through time, I crossed past the ages ten and eleven in a single leap. And a week after I turned twelve, I woke up with a mysterious gap severing the connection between me and my past.


    I was born with the unique title of a princess. The weight above my shoulders required me to become far more resilient, courageous, and powerful than those princesses you read about in fantasy stories. And with the guidance, support and protection of those around me, I ventured on an untrodden path.


    Life only got better after meeting my older brother. Like me, he walked a unique path and eventually became the most powerful Dell alive.


    On that day, when he offered me a different life to the one I always knew, to protect me from the dangers lurking in the shadows of the world, I looked at him and smiled.


    Give me ten years and I will take that title away from you¡ª I said to him. However, a veil of forgetfulness shrouds everything that happened thereafter, and in the years that followed.


    Stolen novel; please report.


    When I woke up with a two-year gap in my memory, I was struck by how much had changed. The world felt alien, and a sense of loss and confusion startled me from slumber every night.


    It''s as if someone plucked pages from my life''s book, stirring a burdening feeling of uneasiness within my core. Chilling sensations would emerge as distant whispers in the corridors of my mind. And whenever I try piecing together the fragments, it''s like grasping at mist¡ªintangible and elusive.


    A defining period of my life, the laughter, the hardships, the tears¡ªall swallowed by this void. And even though I''m always putting on a mask, pretending I''m fine, it''s truly unnerving that nobody ever seems to understand what it feels like.


    Questions keep weighing down on me: What happened during those years? Why am I the only one without memories of it?¡ª the answers, I can only hope to find on this unending journey towards the silver light.


    The silver light is the divine force that created and transformed our universe. Although some believe it to be an astral phenomenon originating from the stars and the moon. Figuratively, it could represent anything that brings enlightenment to a person¡ª time, money, an activity, loved ones, an event, a train of thought, or even a passage inside a book. But at its core, it is an omnipotent entity that makes the world revolve and causes galaxies to unite.


    I hope to one day reach the silver light. To spend an eternity bathing in its warmth, feeling nature''s joy and delight. But you know, I can''t shake of this grappling uncertainty¡ªan unsettling fear of what I''d become after unraveling the mysteries I seek to uncover."

 Constraints From an Inescapeable Future

    In the beginning there was darkness, but God then made light. The light, a hue of brilliant silver. All things emerged from this light; and without it, nothing, not even the universe was made.


    This light contained life; and from life, the earth was born. The light shone through the earth giving rise to the otherworldly energy known as prana. Eventually, prana begot chakra, which became the essence of humanity, sustaining all life.


    There is a boy whose very existence is a paradox to the silver light.


    This boy once believed that the whole world was cloaked in an all-encompassing darkness. The people, plants, animals, objects and the sky itself. They all drowned in an endless sea of black.


    The first picture from his memory was the dull brown color of the wooden walls around him. Followed by her purple hair which puzzled him since he never knew anything like colors existed. And then the look she had on her face; one he couldn''t understand at the time.


    He hadn''t moved, nor had he uttered a word during his first three days of consciousness¡ª However, he could sense her presence and therefore knew she was there the entire time.


    As he found himself in a situation that no one in his shoes would be able to comprehend, he raised an important question.


    ''Why did it change?'' He wondered because, while his previous world was pitch black, his perception and other senses were over the top so the sudden change in dimensions stirred a dark depression in him.


    ''I want to go back,'' he forced his eyes shut.


    ''I don''t want this''


    ''Please take me back!'' With his heart racing in fright of the unknown, he cried internally.


    Genuinely, he preferred the previous one, a peaceful world without any light or color assaulting his eyes.


    Just as his thoughts reached this point, he felt the silky touch of her warm hand gently caressing his hair.


    "I''m so glad you''re awake" Her serene voice filled his ears. Warm as a small furnace, her words instantly drove his burdening thoughts away.


    "I know everything must seem so strange, you must be afraid..." She said, tightly clutching his left hand.


    "Yet I selfishly ask that you open your eyes once more" She gently released his palm and like that, his stifled breathing became relaxed.


    As though enchanted by her voice, he slowly raised his upper half. He covered his eyes with one hand and maneuvered into a sitting position with his feet touching the ground.


    "There, there. It''s okay, I''m here with you" She must have moved a lot closer as he could now feel the heavy gusts of air from her breaths. Only then did he unblock his vision to take a look.


    "Ah..." He tried to speak but she didn''t let him. Abandoning the small wooden chair where she sat, she instantly drove into his embrace. Tightly, at first, then slowly loosening up as much as she could.


    "Welcome back, master" She said in a teary tone and amidst his confusion, her hand gently patted his back, leaving him no choice but to clutch onto her despite not knowing who she was.


    ***


    Thirteen months passed and the boy had grown a lot from that moment. So much that his apparent memories from that day became toxic flashes that suffocated him whenever he tried to sleep at night.


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    Milan, the young lady from then vanished the moment they arrived at the capital and this left his heart battered, broken, shattered to bits.


    Even though the pain from his heartbreak had gradually subsided over time, his mind didn''t fail to remind him of her even whenever he tried to sleep.


    With time, he conquered his fear of light and soon realized the phenomenon that transpired when he first awakened. He had a unique ability that permitted him the authority to perceive the thermal signatures of everyone and everything surrounding him; he also grew to understand the conditions where his ability activated and deactivated.


    Nonetheless, to regard himself as special due to this ability alone would be overwhelmingly naive as there are Dells powerful enough to shatter mountains without breaking a sweat. In contrast, he could be fairly described as below ordinary.


    If he had a functional chakra panel, his being would be on an entirely different level. But, he didn''t. And despite the monotonous nature of his current everyday life, he found himself powerless to change it.


    Ring Ring Ring


    "Haaaa, took you long enough" He said as he pushed himself up from bed. With a groggy sigh, he reached his hand out to silence the blaring alarm on his bedside table.


    His room was a picture of ordinariness. From the walls that wore shades of muted gray and beige on its surface to the unremarkable wooden dresser by the window, it all felt uninspiring as ever.


    The ticking wall clock maintained its usual rhythm as if intending to mock him. And with a heavy heart, he cast a dispassionate glance at its hands moving with pedestrian accuracy. Another day, he thought, trapped in the relentless march of time. It was these mundane moments that agitated him the most, like a bitter taste on the tongue, they served as a displeasing reminder of the monotony he longed to escape.


    "Hwaaah" He released a lengthy yawn. Standing in a brightly checkered pair of pajama trousers, he soon began to walk sleepily. And when he stopped in front of the window by the corner, the faint reflection of a handsome young teenager came into view. He had fiery red hair and matching irises, that seemed eager to obliterate the entire world with the abhorrence they held within them.


    However, the reflection soon split into nothingness as his hands reached for the stiff windows, pushing them open.


    "Umph" He fell backwards but this lasted only a moment. Next, he rapidly leaned in closer to gawk at the heaps of snow that blustered to the ground.


    From time to time, he often found himself fascinated by nature, believing that naturally occuring elements and objects might possess a consciousness of their own. He usually observed them whenever he was bored. But he was always left disappointed no matter how long he stared.


    Deep down, he knew it was all pointless yet, he couldn''t stop because it was one of the more intriguing aspects of a life filled with jejune colors and charmless routines.


    Thinking back, there was a time when he thought what fanciful decorations swords would make. It wasn''t until Milan¡ª


    "Ah" His eyes widened as he squeezed the left side of his chest; he thought about her again. Previously, he had made up his mind not to but it was a force of habit as those were the happiest memories his mind could muster.


    Gazing out at the winter wonderland that had transformed the city, a cold breeze drowned his face. Every lamppost, each building, their shadows and the streets below, all stood under a pristine blanket of snow.


    As he breathed in the cold air, the boy felt a surreal sense of serenity that only winter could exude.


    "Could I possibly... one day?" He inquired into open space, stretching his palm towards the sky.


    Like everyone else, he longed for a functional chakra panel. That way, he could hold on to excitingly meaningful aspirations such as getting stronger and dyeing the world in his colors but unfortunately, nothing would change no matter how long he waited.


    "Haaaaa" He sighed and poked a finger into his ear as he stared blankly into the landscape. "This is pretty stupid."


    From experience, he knew just how mindless it was to hope his condition miraculously fixed itself. Yet, the erratic nature of this mystery filled world lit up a candle of hope somewhere deep within him.


    Or rather, he had to keep on fighting since even the numerous attempts at his own life proved futile.


    This sums up the life he had lived until this point as his desires and circumstances were always in conflict creating that chaos of human ambivalence in his mind.


    Stuck in an infinitely layered cage amidst several constraints burdening him, he had no choice but to continue the battle and hope that maybe one day, his ultimate wish would be fulfilled.


    This is the story of Keres, an outsider, scorned by the heavens. The tale of his past, his future, his atonement and mistakes!


    ¡ª

 Inadvertent Bond

    Their house wasn''t luxurious but it sparkled with a charm that transcended its status as a home to a family of non chakra users.


    A beautifully designed duplex with its walls and ceilings covered in delicate acrylic sheet patterns and its wooden floors, showcasing a perfect shade of white. With three bedrooms and a mini living room upstairs, there was a brown wooden staircase joining the upper floor with the downstairs walkway.


    Now dressed in his winter school uniform, Keres passed through the walkway, leading him into the main living room, the heart of the home.


    He made his way past the pair that sat at the dining table. Mina, his foster older sister, cradled her three-year-old sibling on her lap, gently spoon-feeding the toddler a bowl of cereal.


    "Yo" Keres gave a slight wave and Mina immediately responded.


    "Morning, pepperhead" She said and he continued towards the kitchen ahead of him.


    As he entered, the enticing hissing of scrambled eggs above the stove serenaded his senses. He was greeted by a woman''s rear view, her hair pulled into a ponytail, and the casual wear she wore, covered in a pale blue apron.


    "Hey, Lizzie" The teenage boy called out to her from behind.


    "Good morning, sweetheart. How was your night? Did you manage to get some sleep this time?" The woman inquired, her gaze fully fixated on the sizzling eggs before her.


    "..." However, the question was met with Keres'' silence.


    And when a response to her inquiry failed to arrive, she spoke up once more.


    "You know, I think it''s high time we involved a professional" Her tone was warm and gentle, but the teenage boy furrowed his brow at the voice full of concern.


    "Not this again" He took a pause.


    "I''m fine, I don''t need therapy. And to begin with, none of this would be happening if only you''d let me take some white water." He added as he maneuvered through the cabinet. In the next instant, he grabbed a cup and then dropped it on the slab.


    "No, no no. We''re not having this conversation again" Lizzie shook her head sideways, turning in his direction.


    "Now, this is my exact problem with you. You never listen to what I want but expect me to sit back and accept it whenever you bring up therapy."


    "Kay, as your mother, I want what''s best for you, and I can''t imagine any situation where it would be wise for you to self medicate using drugs with strong hallucinatory side effects. They can be really harmful, and I care about your well-being too much to ever allow it" Her voice filled his ears as he poured hot water into his cup.


    ''You''re not even my real mom,'' were the words he chose to swallow in order to prevent what would have been a clich¨¦ scene. Right, he had said that several times before and knew the exact response he''d receive.


    "Haaaaa." He sighed "Forget it." He said as he grabbed his cup of tea and headed out of the kitchen.


    "Kay¡ª" Her weightless voice failed to reach him so she stared back longingly until he arrived at the dining table.


    Make no mistake, Keres respected his foster family. But these disagreements were inevitable. Their disapproval of his self damaging thoughts and habits came off to him as intrusive and annoying. Why Lizzie was so insistent on him seeing a psychologist was something he just couldn''t understand.


    Aqua ambien, otherwise known as white water is a highly addictive substance that not only induces sleep, but also temporarily enhances the cognitive functions of the brain. Although non-prescribed usage has been banned due to the high abuse rate and alleged side effects, a pharmaceutical engineer like Andrew Levine, Keres'' foster father; could easily obtain it.


    Keres'' first experience with white water, as he remembered, was about seven months ago. It was a serene sensation, like floating on a cushion of bliss, where time slowed, and the world felt perfect in its imperfections. For the first time, he slept with a gentle warmth enveloping him, and all his worries seemed to evaporate into the sky.


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    He found his salvation, at least until Killjoy-Lizzie here banned him from using it, talking about side-effects and what-not. A total busybody.


    Jelly was settled on her booster seat, twiddling her spoon through the bowl of cereal when Keres arrived at the dining table.


    As he took his seat opposite to her''s, the toddler struck him with the persistent gaze of her round, doe-like eyes. Keres could only release a sigh, ''Hell swallow me, it''s about to happen again.''


    "Kay, Kay, can you pwease feed me? Big sister doesn''t wove me anymore" She pouted as she said.


    "That''s harsh, Jelly. Both Kay and I are running late for school" Mina said as she emerged behind Jelly''s seat, pulling the toddler''s cheeks playfully.


    "Weave me awone, you twaitor. I hate you" Jelly wriggled her face away and Mina soon gave up, taking her seat next to Keres.


    "Well, she has a point though. I don''t have the time for this" Keres said, taking a sip from his cup. And in response to his refusal, Jelly puffed her cheeks in disappointment.


    "Waaah, Kay... you meanie" Her face turned red as she whined.


    "What he means is, you''re a big girl now. You can eat what''s left by yourself, can''t you?" Mina responded on Keres'' behalf.


    "Bu... but it tastes better when someone else feeds me!" Jelly said with her lower lip quivering as she spoke and in response, Keres swallowed a soft breath.


    It was a precise reenactment of the same script he had seen several times before. Jelly would start crying loudly and the moment anyone tried to console her, she would throw a tantrum, knocking her bowl over to the floor. The scene often ended with Mina calming her down or Lizzie having to step in.


    Now, Keres usually wouldn''t care enough to intervene. Yet, today, he stared into the near empty bowl, ''It''s just a few stupid spoons anyway.''


    "Alright, just for today, okay?" Keres said but Jelly''s pouting only seemed to intensify afterwards.


    "No! I want Kay to feed me evewytime!" The toddler whined.


    "Don''t you want to become like Tinker Bell?" Keres asked and the toddler immediately nodded with full force.


    "Well, I heard she used to feed herself as a child so you must do it too if you want to become more like her" He added and Jelly paused to think for a moment before responding with an eager nod and a smile.


    "Okay!" She said and Keres proceeded to scoop up a spoonful of cereal, holding it out for Jelly, who opened her mouth wide. Just as he was about to feed her, she suddenly clenched her tiny, milk teeth around his finger and bit down with maximum intensity.


    "Ouch!" Keres winced and in response, the toddler snorted with a giggle.


    "Hehehehehehe."


    "That''s for siding with big sister" She added as she took the spoonful of cereal in her mouth. Trying to conceal a grin, she began to chew, savoring the morsel with a sense of victory.


    "You''re such a handful" Keres couldn''t help but titter at her actions. He revealed a smirk as he scooped up another spoonful for the toddler.


    "I''m just a cute littew pwincess..." She stopped to chew for a moment.


    "So you must feed me evewy morning" She added and maintaining his smirk, Keres responded.


    "Yes, your highness."


    Lizzie and Mina erupted in giggles, finding the scene hilarious, as Lizzie shed her apron and settled into an empty chair at the table. The final interaction was twice as funny as it was a parody of a scene they had all enjoyed in a movie the previous night.


    While family movie night wasn''t Keres'' favorite pastime, he''d come to understand that it was more than just two hours staring at a screen while feigning interest. It was a way to connect, to share laughter and moments, and as time passed, they became the most tolerable aspect of his routine.


    "Mom, has Sara called yet? Do you know if she''s returning home today?" Mina inquired, turning her gaze towards Lizzie.


    "She has classes until this evening and there''s no flight scheduled for tomorrow so unless a miracle happens, I doubt she''d make it here anytime before Wednesday"


    "Is that so? I was hoping to attend the inauguration ceremony together with her..." Mina''s shoulders slumped as she spoke.


    "Haaa, I guess it can''t be helped. I''ll have to go with my friends" She sighed softly.


    "I hope we get to see Lord Invel up close. He''s soooo handsome." She clasped her now reddened cheeks as she spoke.


    "Hmph, Kay is more handsome, mowon" Jelly said with her arms folded across her chest. She pouted her lips into a frown and turned her gaze away when Mina looked towards her.


    "Jelly, you shouldn''t call your older sister a moron, and besides, how do you even know the word?" Lizzie clicked her tongue and then turned to Keres. "Keres, what have you been teaching her?" She inquired, revealing an indecipherable smile that sent shivers down the teenage boy''s spine.


    "Mom, Kay did nothing wrong. They cuss all the time on TV."


    "Yeah, yeah. On TV." Jelly backed up her older sister''s claim, drawing a rectangular shape in the air with her fingers.


    "Anyways, we should start planning for Sara''s birthday party. I suggest we surprise her, what do you think, mom?" Mina said, signaling to Keres with a thumbs up gesture from behind her back. And thanks to her, he was rescued from the hot seat.


    Not only did she defend him, she shifted the topic to something more fun and they chattered until it was time to leave for school.


    Keres may have tried as hard as he could to fight it but in the end, his lips curled into a bright smile. Deep within his heart, a warmth blossomed as he witnessed their happiness, and even though he had vowed never to trust people again, perhaps, these guys were worth giving it another shot. A gentle grin tugged at the corners of his lips as he thought.


    Regardless of how mundane life was, he was genuinely grateful to Andrew and his family for rescuing him when he had truly given up on everything. However, cherishable moments like this are amongst things he often took for granted.


    His mind soon deviated from the original reason for his smile as the mention of a familiar name curled his lips up even further.


    ''Invel!'' He clenched his fists as breakfast came to its conclusion.


    ***

 Outcome of the 197th Iteration

    Keres released a chilling breath as he settled into his seat on the city bus. The morning bus ride was his meditation, the same chill music in his ear buds to calm his nerves as he gazed at the very same view he saw every other morning. He wiped away the condensation on the window, revealing a world transformed by winter''s touch.


    He watched as the capital stretched infinitely in every direction. The landscape came alive with the enchantment of the season as citizens hurried along the snow-dusted sidewalks, each wrapped in their own story.


    Dells fit into the metropolis in slightly inferior numbers. The solar-cross embroidered on their capelets and clothes set them apart from regular citizens dressed in coats and scarves. There was a palpable sense of unity and purpose as this is a place where even Dells had to work side-jobs in order to make ends meet.


    The architecture oozed an air of modernity as towering skyscrapers reached for the heavens with their shiny surfaces reflecting the overcast sky. Glimmering neon signs decorated the horizon, casting their glow upon the streets below.


    As the bus navigated the mazy network of roads, traffic lights colored the atmosphere with a rhythmic dance of red, amber, and green. While the resonating car horns and distant sirens gave off an urban soundtrack.


    When the bus passed a small park, Keres'' gaze was drawn to the children laughing as they molded snow into mythical creatures with their chakra. From his seat, he felt a mixed sense of detachment and envy.


    ''Tsk, such a waste of time,'' the teenager groaned as he continued to watch the city''s ever-changing scenery unfold.


    ¡ª


    As he stepped off the bus, an unexpected unease pierced his spine, as if an instinctual whisper urged him to glance back. And when he did, he spotted Mina waving through the bus window with a warm smile on her face.


    His breath billowed out like mist as he already knew the words that would follow.


    "Goodbye pepperhead, have loads of fun, okay?" Like clockwork, the exact words he had predicted arrived. He responded with a subtle wave then, gave a shrug and continued forward.


    Seasons may change but this scene always remained the same. It also didn''t help that these lines usually preceded school hours which he considered the most infuriating section of his monotony.


    The flickering light from the high rise billboard erected before the gate was distateful as always. Like an awfully conspicuous indicator for the torturous hours that lay ahead, it enveloped him with its gentle, wavering brightness.


    There was nothing out of place. Everything seemed to progress according to the same old script. However, when he raised his head and looked at the contents of the billboard, his pupils shuddered with surprise.


    Over the past six weeks, virtually every billboard here in Vertia had become canvases exhibiting information concerning the upcoming inauguration ceremony. Yet, this particular billboard dared to stand apart. A warm glow appeared on Keres'' face as he read out the contents of the billboard.


    <blockquote>


    ''Xaviour'', The masked Swordsman


    5,000 rels


    </blockquote>


    There was a portrait of a ski-masked figure at the center of the screen which caused Keres'' lips to form a smirk as he continued forward.


    Soon, he reached the school''s entrance so he released a sigh and then headed in. He never was a huge fan of his schoolmates so he prepared to fade into the background as he always did whenever he found himself in public spaces.


    He dropped his gaze downwards, put on his earphones and relaxed his walking pace as he trekked further. But just before he could turn the music on, the conversation between the pair a few meters to his front gripped his attention.


    Within the pair, Keres recognized one face, a person he was somewhat familiar with. This individual went by the alias ''N the great'' and had a reputation for being a chatterbox. The sorts of personalities Keres usually preferred to avoid, seeking solitude whenever possible.


    "You bloody idiot¡­" The other boy''s face formed a frown.


    "You don''t get to disrespect the number one swordsmanship streamer in the world like that!" An exuberant bicker escaped his lips and N slid his hands into his pockets, flashing a smirk.


    "Pipe down, you''re making my ears bleed"


    "He lures people into chakra restricted zones to nerf their powers before the fights yet I''m supposed to believe he''s the number one swordsmanship streamer? Give me a break" N continued with a snigger.


    "The restriction affects both parties bro, stop being dumb. And I''m sure he does that to avoid really harming his opponents."


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    "Heh. I bet the whole thing is scripted anyway" N snickered and the other boy adjusted his glasses before responding.


    "Hmph, no way you really think that''s possible."


    "Honestly, I couldn''t care less. My point is none of those seven videos are anywhere near my level of cool."


    "What? So you watched all the videos, Mr En-Cool-passe" The bespectacled boy teased with a grin. And in response, N''s cheeks reddened.


    "Well¡­" He hesitated but was bailed out in the next moment by a third party''s interference.


    "Are you dweebs by any chance also gossiping about her?" A blonde intruder appeared, grabbing both their shoulders from behind.


    "Huh, it''s just you senior Charles." The bespectacled boy stated.


    "Back off, Charles. Your breath stinks of rotten fish." N protested and following his complaints, the intruder took his hands off the pair.


    "Scary, scary." He said.


    They had now reached a majestic figure, nestled not too far away from the bustling halls and grand buildings that sprawled across the school grounds.


    The statue was that of a woman dressed in an overflowing cape. Like a magician conjuring wonders from an ancient grimoire, she stood with towering form, extending a book forward with her hand.


    The three boys simultaneously pressed their palms together, each giving a slight bow of their own as they walked past the statue. A brief moment of silence soon followed.


    "Speaking of which, senior Charles. Do you think Xaviour''s videos are scripted?" The bespectacled boy inquired, tilting his chin.


    "Hmmm, the chances of that are pretty slim, cause do you think he would be declared wanted if his videos were completely harmless?"


    "Right?" Upon Charles'' answer, the bespectacled boy turned over to N with a look that screamed ''Told you so'' and N tsk-ed in response.


    "It could be because his content makes Dells a laughing stock." He said.


    "If that were the case, simply shutting down his channel would suffice. But since they put a bounty on his head whilst letting him continue operating. This could only mean, regardless of who his next target is, HQ are giving them a mission to win at all costs."


    "Well, that... makes sense." N said. He looked like he wanted to offer a counter opinion but simply couldn''t come up with any.


    "Senior, you should be around the pinnacle of D-rank by now, do you think you could win against him?" The bespectacled boy inquired.


    "Hmm, I''ve actually never thought about that but as long as his rank isn''t any higher than mine, I''m confident I won''t lose.... hmm... but then again if it''s under chakra restriction... hmmm... I''m not so sure" Charles answered, scratching the top of his head.


    "Huh? Are you saying he''s that strong?" A question burst out of N''s mouth.


    "Not just that. His swordsmanship and martial arts are uniquely formless. It''s almost as if he just freestyles yet, he seems to have no visible loopholes or weaknesses." Charles said with his words bringing silence to the air. And following the few seconds of silence, N squinted his eyes.


    "What''s this? Sounds like you admire him quite a lot" He said.


    "My hand to hand combat ability has significantly improved thanks to him so of course I''m a fan. I''m actually looking forward to his next video, in fact"


    "Heh, you guys are lame"


    "Nah dude, you need to try out his videos and maybe you might pick up on a thing or two." Charles nudged N in his shoulder.


    "Bro, I''ve got better things to do with my Tuesday nights and by the way, there''s the inauguration ceremony tomorrow, so¡­"


    "And how did you know his live stream airs every Tuesday night? Hehe." Charles teased.


    "Pfft¡­ Bro is probably the president of Xaviour''s fan club in secret." The bespectacled boy said and they both crackled in laughter, leaving N behind, steaming behind their backs.


    "Shut up, you bums." N puffed, irately following after his two friends and they chatted away into the distance afterwards.


    Keres, on the other hand, slowed down further, having listened to their entire conversation. Consequently, he also heard the whispers and gossips of other kids swirling around him, just as usual.


    "Hey, isn''t he that infamous crip?¡ª" One voice said. "Don''t look there, his eyes are so creepy."


    "How shameless. If I were him, I''d lock myself in a room and never come out..."


    "Mirabel, try to avoid his footprints or your chakra panel might break too." Several other voices emerged with time.


    But surprisingly, Keres wore a smirk brimming with ardent eagerness beneath those dark, red sunken eyes of his.


    All he had to do was endure seven hours of arduous classes and mindless gossip from his classmates. It was nothing new. Moreover, tomorrow''s holiday was worth looking forward to.


    Now at the very heart of the school premises, Keres took his earphones off. Slipping through the unnoticed gaps, he headed away from the sea of students swarming towards the assembly hall.


    He navigated into the deserted corridors of the school building. The echo of his footsteps reverberated in the vacant hallway, soothing his soul step after step, whispering, ''Every path is blocked, you are free to escape.''


    Here, he found solace in the tranquil emptiness, away from the chatter and commotion that plagued the assembly grounds.


    You are free to escape. He felt a weight lift from his shoulders, the freedom to breathe, and to escape the infuriating script of his daily routine.


    You are free. But suddenly, this freedom rippled into nightmare and chaos.


    The serenity disappeared, his ears ringing a mortal warning, a chilling premonition.


    It felt as if an invisible hand had reached into his chest, clenching the core of his existence, threatening, ''Your fate is under my control.''


    An unexplainable, excruciating pain vibrated through his body, numbing his senses.


    ''What... is ... happening?'' He wondered to no answer as waves of torment surged through his body, rendering him paralyzed and breathless.


    As cold sweat descended his forehead, his senses dulled, and the world around him blurred into a haze of incomprehensible agony.


    Desperate gasps for air turned into silent, rasping breaths as he struggled to yell, but his voice was stolen by the grip of this unseen tormentor. He tried taking a step forward but his limbs felt heavy, and the floor beneath was like quicksand, pulling him down into an abyss of suffering.


    What he was experiencing wasn''t the diversion in routine he had hoped for, it most certainly wasn''t freedom either. So what exactly is this?


    More inquiries only seemed to emerge with time. One question begot another, creating an unending whirlpool far more intense than his brain could possibly handle.


    As his mind lost its grasp on reality, the hallway''s walls seemed to warp and twist, and the world around him dissolved into a nightmarish void. In the throes of this indescribable agony, his consciousness flickered like a dying candle.


    ''I don''t want to die like this''


    One last futile attempt to resist the void failed, and he succumbed to unconsciousness with his body crashing into the ground.


    ***

 Oblivated Recollection

    "Where am I?" He awoke to the resonance of his own voice. His eyes opened and revealed a mysterious realm cloaked in an impenetrable shroud of darkness.


    "What is this place?" Another echo resounded with the final reverberation preceding an eerie silence.


    Keres'' senses swirled all over the place as if a thunderstorm raged inside his skull. Caressing his throbbing crown, he pushed himself upright, his hands and feet still numb without sensation. Suddenly¡ª


    "Shhhhhhh!" A high pitched shush shattered his eardrums.


    He flinched as a faint glimmer of light appeared in the direction from where it came.


    "Who''s there?" He questioned but his voice was too airy to reach anyone. The teenager swallowed hard in his mouth.


    With tentative steps, he ventured towards the brightness.


    A closer look revealed the silhouette of a man beaming under the elusive light. His hair was as blonde as beach sand on summer evenings. With brown, glacier-temparature eyes, he gazed forward, sporting an unnerving look.


    "Umm, excuse me..." Keres spoke up again as he approached the figure ahead of him. However, there was no reaction from the man initially.


    "What is... this pla..." Keres halted abruptly. Something was off. He couldn''t understand why but the man''s cold, contemptuous gaze was strangely familiar.


    Somewhere in his memory, he had crossed paths with this man before, he just couldn''t remember where no matter how hard he tried. It was then, the man''s lips finally sprung open.


    "You... how long do you intend to keep up this foolishness?" He inquired and Keres furrowed his brows, confused.


    "Are you really trying to become something you''re not?" Another inquiry was met with the teenager''s muddled silence.


    "..."


    "Pathetic. I''m getting bored of all this. Hurry up and reveal your true colors, my treasured genetic mistake. " A sharp glint flickered in the man''s eyes as he stretched his arm towards the teenager''s direction.


    When their gazes locked, an avalanche of memories assaulted Keres'' mind¡ª a relentless onslaught of moments, far more agonizing than they were joyous.


    The teenager''s eyes widened with shock as he found himself ensnared in a maelstrom of emotions. Pain, sorrow, remorse and abhorrence collided within him, leaving devastation in their wake.


    "You bastard!" Keres flashed a malevolent glare that sliced through space like a sword of darkness. And in response, the blonde man lifted his brows in amusement.


    "Bastard you say?" He asked.


    "Well, I''ll be damned." He gently shook his head sideways as he said with a smirk. Suddenly, the small glimmer of light responded to the man''s gesture and then expanded, swallowing everything around it.


    Before Keres could react, the surrounding landscape had undergone an extraordinary transformation. The previously enveloping darkness had become an apocalyptic nightmare.


    Was he dreaming?¡ª no that couldn''t be the case as the rancid smell of blood was vivid in his nose. His hair and body soaked with sweat as his feet pressed against the warm ground beneath them. Moreover, he was livid at himself, as well as the man that sparked the flames to this unprecedented catastrophe; in no way could this be a dream.


    The miserable cries of innocent citizens resonated with his own heavy breathing. And¡ª looking around, they struggled to rescue what remained of their homes, friends, and families.


    Surrounding him was; countless charred corpses, some others squashed into grotesque mushes of red liquid. Buildings, demolished unsparingly, as if God had descended to annihilate their existences from the face of the earth. And the distant cityscape, reduced into a horrific testament to overwhelming destruction.


    Keres could not utter a single word as he was caught in the racket of emotions. His eyes blazed with a mix of anguish and fury and a sense of responsibility clung unto his spine. Even if it cost him his life, he had to get rid of this man by any means possible.


    Meanwhile, the blonde man stood still amidst the chaos of the teenager''s resurfaced memories.


    "Not quite there yet, such a shame." His head fell into his palm, swaying from side to side.


    "I guess it can''t be helped..." He took a pause and turned around.


    "Don''t keep me waiting too long..." The man began walking away.


    "Wait!" Keres yelled but the apathetic blonde ignored him. Extending his hand forward, he tried to go after the man, however, his trembling feet refused to cooperate.


    "So long, my precious genetic mistake" The man''s chilling voice filled his ears and a darkness erupted from the depths of the earth then began devouring everything within the landscape.


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    "GRAITH!!!" The teenager released a thunderous roar as the overwhelming darkness consumed him.


    **


    When he came to, his eyes revealed a ceiling fan rotating beneath a clean piece of white fiber ceiling sheet. The mattress beneath his back cradled him in a sterile, unfamiliar embrace. And while the silent ambiance was delightful, a gentle tuft of uneasiness erupted in the form of a question.


    "Where am I?" He asked into open space. Naturally, he expected none, but much to his surprise, a response arrived almost immediately.


    "The school infirmary" A pleasant, unfamiliar voice filled his ears.


    "Fuuuu, I see." He released a breath beaming with sheer relief.


    "You alright?" The voice inquired and in response, he slowly raised his upper half.


    "I wouldn''t be in the infirmary if I was..." He instantly froze stiff the moment he spotted the owner of the voice. Despite her angelic looks, an invisible shroud of uneasiness clenched him the instant he met her gaze.


    "Who... are you?" He asked in a disoriented voice.


    "Ummm..." She hesitated for a moment before proceeding.


    "You can call me Ina, today''s my first day at this school" She said, revealing an endearing smile.


    Every detail of her appearance transcended mere pleasantness; she possessed an impeccable charm.


    Starting from her silken ivory hair that ended just above her shoulders. It framed a pair of cute hazel eyes with striking eyebrows and delicate lashes.


    With every word she spoke, her thin, rose-petal lips moved in a way that made her even more attractive.


    Her skin was flawless, radiating a natural glow, and her slender figure exuded regal flair as she sat straight, cradling a book in a dignified manner.


    Wearing black fingerless gloves and a beige sweater over her school uniform blouse, she remarkably merged comfort and sophistication.


    Yet, her presence strangled Keres with an overwhelming sense of anxiety.


    When he remembered the excruciating agony he experienced earlier today, a sudden chill traced its way down his spine. His breathing became laden with the weight of fear as if her very presence thickened and constricted around his lungs.


    He soon understood that his earlier close encounter with death may have simply been induced by the dazzling young girl sitting at the other end of the room.


    Noticing the grimace he had on his face, she called out to him.


    "Um... Keres, are you hurting anywhere?" She asked politely but Keres remained silent.


    Moments later, he steadied his breathing. Mustering up courage, he clenched his fists and spoke.


    "So what business do you have with me?" He asked, doing his utmost best to conceal his apprehension.


    "Oh, it''s just..." Her lips parted slightly.


    "Your condition seemed pretty bad when you collapsed. The nurse said you''d be fine but I was a bit worried so I came to check on you during the lunch break." She explained in a gentle voice.


    In response, Keres furrowed his brows as her confirmed presence during his moment of collapse fortified his suspicions. When his heart began racing again, he released a calming breath and glanced at the digital bracelet on his right wrist.


    "Lunch break should''ve ended about fifteen minutes ago though" He said and her eyes widened for a moment. Next, her lips formed a guilty smile.


    "I''m sorry to burden you with my little secret but I tend to get carried away whenever I find a book this intriguing." She said, raising the book to a height where Keres could easily catch sight of it.


    "Oh, and I''m not ditching classes or anything... we have a free period right now." She waved her hands hurriedly to dispel any misunderstandings.


    "..." Keres'' expression contorted. A free period right after Monday''s lunch break; this was his class'' schedule. Moreover, the mere thought of sharing a classroom with this enigma sent a ripple of unease through his heart.


    In an attempt to break the awkward silence in the air, she spoke again.


    "I may be overstepping my bounds here but..." She paused.


    "Have you been using Aqua Ambien lately?" She inquired and Keres'' eyes immediately widened, his heart seizing for a moment.


    Her suspicion was right on the mark. Despite Lizzie nagging about the side effects, his sleep problems were so bad that he felt he had no other option. And for a few months now, he had been stealing a vial from each of the packs stashed in Andrew''s home office cabinet.


    As he stared at her, dumbstruck, she met his gaze, confident and composed.


    "When I checked your pulse after you collapsed, I detected some irregularities in your blood cells and a level of physiological fatigue caused by sleep deprivation. Yet, it doesn''t seem to affect your mind and appearance" She took a momentary pause and the seeds of panic within Keres began to sprout.


    "AA only tricks the mind into a state of solace so while it may help with sleep at first, it loses that effect with subsequent usage. Even so, its cognitive reinforcement capabilities are great and with proper care, good genes, and a healthy diet, a sleep deprived habitual user may not suffer any negative changes in appearance."


    "But once it loses its sleep inducing effects, fatigue, and the other consequences of the body functioning around the clock still remains. This disruption in the user''s circadian rhythm would make them more susceptible to the medicine''s strong hallucinatory side effects." When her words came to a final stop, a profusion of sweat descended Keres'' forehead.


    However, with a spark of determination, he forced his suppressed breathing to loosen up. More than anything, he was relieved she didn''t have any definitive proof of his White Water consumption.


    "Sounds scary as hell, but thankfully, I have no idea what you''re talking about" He said.


    "Is that so?"


    "Yup. And by the way, I''m a little tired right now. You should leave."


    "Alright, I''m sorry for bothering you" She said, shutting her eyes briefly with a sigh.


    "If you''re ever in need of help, please talk to me. I''m sure I could be of assistance in one way or the other." She added as she stood up to take her leave.


    Relieved, Keres laid back on the infirmary bed. Somehow, he managed to survive this dinner with the grim reaper. He had to remain on guard the whole time, but now he could finally relax, he could finally breathe.


    But his relief hit a brick wall as she spoke, reaching for the door handle.


    "See you in class, Keres."


    Those mere words sent a mocking shockwave through his senses. He was so naive, he almost assumed this would be his final encounter with her, but her words pulled him back to the cold reality. And when he thought about it, it was suspicious that she knew his name even though he never introduced himself to her.


    "Wait... how... do you know my name?" He asked, stuttering.


    "Oh... about that." She paused and glanced towards his direction for a moment.


    "You''re quite popular in class, you know." She spoke and then bravely stepped out, the door creaking shut.


    ''Nonsense.'' His face contorted into a frown as her words replayed in his mind, sounding nonsensical. He wasn''t buying any of it.


    He tried to fathom what her motives were but soon gave up, tightening his fists, determination gleaming in his knuckles.


    Regardless of her intentions, all he had to do was avoid her. This idea offered momentary relief, but the reality struck hard¡ª she was his classmate. It was almost impossible to stay away from her.


    He pressed both hands against his face, counting backwards from three, hoping for the actors and camera crew to walk in and say, ''It was all a prank.''


    But unfortunately, the situation was as real it could get.


    "Such a pain." He muttered, letting out a troubled sigh.


    **

 Alleyway Skirmish

    Afternoon came and the final bells echoed through the halls.


    Students spilled out into the cold of the season, noise and laughter filling the air.


    Meanwhile, Keres¡ª being an unapologetic people hater¡ª chose to wait thirty minutes to avoid the eyes and gossips of his rather exasperating schoolmates.


    But after leaving the infirmary and ultimately, the school itself, his attention shifted to the near-death experience he faced earlier today. Maybe it had nothing to do with Ina and perhaps he was overthinking things. It didn''t matter, he had to stay away from her at all costs.


    Continuing forward with his head down, he strolled past his usual stop. He had so much on his mind, he didn''t realize he was already in a different neighborhood¡ª he just couldn''t.


    Maybe if he raised his head to look for a second, he would have noticed that he had ended up meters deep into an unfamiliar alleyway. But it was already too late.


    Thud


    He fell back a step upon running into something, or rather someone. The young teenager immediately raised his head after the collision.


    "Sor..."


    "Do you have a death wish or something, you little runt?" His apology was cut short as the man he ran into said in an intimidating voice.


    "Huh?" Keres lifted his brows. He had been so side-tracked with his thoughts, he just realized he was at an entirely different location to his usual stop and in response, the burly man grit his teeth. Seeing the grim look in his eyes, it was clear Keres'' silence had hit a nerve or two.


    "Apologize now brat." He said in a stern voice. But ignoring the bickering that filled his ears, Keres examined his surroundings. The floor was disfigured with tiny potholes full of filthy water and littered with trash from fast-food wrappers and flattened cardboard boxes.


    Like the assaults to his eyes and ears weren''t enough, the nasty smell of urine and alcohol wafted into his nose. Why would anyone choose to hang out here?¡ª He thought.


    Lifting his gaze, he focused on the length and width of the alley. If things went south, he was confident in his speed so escaping into the direction he came from wasn''t an issue.


    Not understanding the reason for the kid''s silence, the man scowled, he grabbed the collar of Keres'' shirt, lifting the teenager off the ground.


    A mild thud followed when his bag dropped to the floor, but surprisingly, Keres remained unfazed.


    Two other figures soon emerged and blocked the exit of the narrow alleyway, their clothes, shabby, and breaths reeking of alcohol.


    One of the two men took staggering steps further into the alleyway.


    "Boss, his eyes are creepy" He said as he arrived beside the burly man, gulping the final drops of his can of beer.


    "Oi are you brain-dead or what? Didn''t your parents teach you to answer when an adult is talking to you?" The other man raised his voice, as if doing his best to sound menacing, but Keres kept silent. Not out of fear or intimidation. If anything, he pitied them, wondering how anyone could end up this way.


    At this point, the burly man had lost all patience. He pinned Keres to the wall, landing two destructive hits to the teenager''s face.


    "Hehehe. This stupid kid. Wants to mess with the boss" One of the lackeys giggled as he raised the empty beer can above his mouth.


    "Tch, I''m all out of beer" He added afterwards.


    "Hey, ain''t this the uniform of that middle school? Boss, I bet he''s loaded" The other lackey rubbed both palms together, licking his lips. His assumptions weren''t entirely baseless since Saint Ella''s pre-academy is a major household name among middle schools worldwide.


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    "Hehehe, good observation. As expected of my bro" The burly man said.


    "Hand over your money brat" He added, tightening his grip on Keres'' shirt. He already taught the cocky brat a lesson so he expected a subservient response, but to his surprise¡ª


    "Alright, but put me down first." Keres replied calmly, wearing a disinterested look.


    The boss'' expression contorted. It appears this bastard was still looking down on him, he needed to teach him another lesson.


    "So you could talk all along, uh?" He shot his eyes wide open and struck Keres in the stomach.


    A sharp gasp escaped the teenager''s mouth. His muscles contracted and his body recoiled involuntarily.


    "This little bastard doesn''t even know what''s good for him. How dare he anger the boss?"


    "Hehehe. I bet he''s so scared of you boss. That''s why he couldn''t talk, hehehe."


    The burly man''s lackeys cheered him on and he continued with several relentless strikes to the teenager''s face.


    Pow Pow Pow


    The burly man grinned as he was in the process of forcing his victim into submission as he always did. The recurring strikes were heavy and the most rapid he could muster but to Keres¡ª


    ''They don''t hurt at all,'' the teenager thought. Compared to what he had endured in his short life thus far, this bit of physical pain was nothing. His fists twitched with a sudden rush of rage but¡ª


    Calm down, these people aren''t worth your anger; he said to himself.


    These three are prime examples of those typical scumbags you could find anywhere. The lowest of the low, they sought pleasure in preying on weaker individuals. Their distasteful behaviors stemming from the feelings of inferiority they held towards Dells.


    Be it women or children, as long as they appeared weak, they were easy targets for these societal scums. And usually, they got what they wanted. But today was different. Today, they were unfortunate to pick the wrong time, location and target.


    Keres believed the failed society plays a huge part in breeding these lowlifes. So to speak, directing his anger towards the ones responsible for maintaining the society appeared the right thing to do.


    He organized his thoughts, pondering as to how to handle these degenerates. Even if he managed to overpower the boss, the other two would surround him so escaping was out of the way.


    ''Should I just force my way out of here?'' Another bad suggestion as the alley''s narrowness would put him at a disadvantage.


    Meanwhile, the strikes to the teenager''s face continued. These men appeared to be enjoying themselves as blood began to ooze out of the reddened areas of the young teenager''s cheeks.


    In the next instant, it happened¡ª


    "Knock it off, you cowards!" Her grave voice rang out and Keres'' face instantly formed a frown.


    Annoyed by her emergence, he, unlike the others, already knew who the owner of the voice was.


    "This just might be the worst day of my life." He mumbled.


    ***


    After school hours came to a close, she headed for the library to return the book she borrowed in the morning. Checking through the shelves of every section, a warm smile bloomed on her face. It barely had any books she hadn''t read before but the arrangement details reminded her of The Eternal Library, where she often visited in her spare time.


    Next, she stopped by the infirmary to check on Keres but was told he had already left.


    "Although he did seem a little reproachable, I guess it''s nice that he''s fine now." She murmured. Winter''s gentle touch had painted everything in shades of pale blue and soft grays as she made headway out of the school''s premises.


    On reaching the roadside walkway, a black range rover pulled up to her right. The backdoor immediately swung open and a woman descended.


    "How was your first day, my Princess?" Dressed in a black suit with a solar cross symbol embroidered on the blazer''s chest pocket, she gave a courteous bow matching her words.


    "Yeah well, it wasn''t all that, Beatrice" Ina said as she entered the car. With its heated steering wheel, tinted windows, integrated seat massagers, TV, AI system, and numerous other features, the car''s interior exuded luxury.


    "I didn''t learn anything new in class today. In fact, the entire curriculum is filled with things I''ve learnt since I was around three or four years old." The young princess whined.


    "Well, your circumstances are somewhat unique so I understand. Would you like to talk to me about it?"


    "Sure." Ina said and then, turned to the driver. "I need to head to the store to pick up a few groceries. Is that okay?"


    "As you wish, my Princess." The driver responded and soon, the car took off at a relaxing speed


    ¡ª


    A while later, Beatrice pushed open the heavy glass door and Ina walked out of the store. When they arrived earlier, the parking lot was at capacity, prompting their driver to find an alternative parking location.


    "From everything you''ve told me, it seems like the environment was of little help. Would you prefer to keep on attending?" Beatrice asked, holding multiple grocery-filled plastic bags. Ina hesitated before giving her reply.


    "It''s Lord Invel''s wish. I have to do as he says." She said as they walked down the road, en route to their driver''s location.


    As their conversation halted, faint noises filled Ina''s ears. When she glanced across the road, she spotted a group of adults tormenting a boy her age¡ª her classmate, the one who she needed to help by any means possible.


    Her eyes widened with a glare of unparalleled aversion and then, she turned and darted towards their direction.


    "Knock it off, you cowards!" Mere words weren''t enough to express the revulsion welling up in her stomach as she neared the confinement walls of the alleyway. And on noticing this, a frown emerged on Beatrice''s face.


    "Don''t worry, my Princess. I''ll handle it!" The bodyguard said in a stern voice.


    ¡ª

 Alleyway Skirmish -2

    The solar cross, the Dell symbol with ancient roots in religious and cultural traditions. With arms extending outward like rays, eliciting the sun''s life-giving energy, this symbol indicates rebirth, renewal, and the cyclical nature of life.


    Everyone and their mother knows that this symbol is only worn by those acknowledged by the Ancient Church as official members of the Dell corp.


    And spotting the symbol on Beatrice''s chest pocket, one lackey''s jaw dropped to the ground. His balance betrayed him and he stumbled backwards, landing on his rear end with a thud.


    "D-d...dells!!" He exclaimed in a disoriented voice.


    Klang!


    The sound of a collapsed beer can rang out as the man, who held it previously, also began to tremble.


    "I-I... I don''t know anything!" He tried running away but soon collided with the brick wall at the alley''s dead end, his head throbbing with a concussion.


    The burly man began cowering in fright. Even these hooligans are fully aware of the significant disparity between Dells and non chakra users; fighting them wasn''t conceivable in the slightest.


    When he weighed out his options, he realized that he still had the upper hand. Right, if he could negotiate the hostage''s life for his freedom, he just might be able to escape in one piece.


    "Hey, D-don''t move or I... I''ll kill this brat." He said, pulling out a knife and Beatrice halted.


    She had swiftly passed all the plastic bags to her left hand and was about to remove her right hand''s glove using her teeth when the burly man''s warning rang out.


    "Hey, are you being serious? You could''ve gotten out of this with simple assault charges, why would you willingly overfill your bucket with mud?" Beatrice asked, keeping a stiff upper lip.


    "Sh-shut up a-and place your hands above your head where I can see them" The man said, shielding himself with the teenage boy. With a deliberate move, he pinned the blade of the knife on Keres'' neck.


    "You bloody cowar¡ª"


    "Beatrice" Ina interrupted the infuriated bodyguard.


    "Do as he says" The young Princess said, slowly raising her hands and when Beatrice met her gaze, she responded with a nod and followed suit.


    "Huh... ha ha." The burly man''s bitter expression slowly transformed into a smile.


    "Hwahahahahahahahaha." In a matter of seconds, he burst into laughter. He must''ve had his doubts at first but seeing everything progress as planned, he couldn''t help but marvel at his own exceptional, genius-esque quick thinking.


    "Hey brothers, didn''t I tell you guys? Even the almighty Dells are no match for my charisma." He said.


    "Laugh with me brothers." He added, and his two underlings began laughing as well.


    "Haha... hahahahaha... hahahahahahahahahaha." They were hesitant at first but with each passing second, they only seemed to gain more confidence.


    Keres clenched his fists, frowning. Something wasn''t right.


    He wanted to escape Ina''s presence by any means possible but the situation seemed to be progressing too smoothly in favor of the thugs. Something was definitely out of place but he just couldn''t quite put a finger on it.


    The drunk underling in a mohawk, who tried to run earlier, began staggering towards the alley''s entrance where the Princess and her bodyguard stood.


    "Oh? Look what we have here, it''s a cute young miss." He said, licking his lips with a lecherous gaze aimed at the Princess.


    "Oi" Beatrice flashed a sinister glare. Her eyes, like obsidian shards pierced through the man.


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    He cowered initially, but when he looked behind and was greeted with his boss'' grin and nod, he continued.


    "Don''t worry, this uncle will play with you." He said, moistening his lips with a trickle of drool. When his hands extended towards Ina''s face, Beatrice''s eyes went from sinister to murderous. They shone with a tangible killing intent, a warning written in the threatening focus of her gaze.


    The man''s fingers stopped in their tracks, they soon began to tremble and he couldn''t understand why. It was as if a gigantic sword coated in lightning descended from the sky and was a few milliseconds away from tearing him in half.


    "Beatrice." Ina''s composed voice pulled the bodyguard''s attention without fail.


    "It''s fine, I just need you to focus on me alone, and nothing else." The Princess added, meeting Beatrice''s gaze.


    Those watching from behind him didn''t realize the lackey in a mohawk was trembling like a leaf. Keres would rather avoid involving himself with Ina but he felt the man had crossed the line.


    "Hey, chicken head, it''s money you want right?" He asked, slipping a wallet out from his pocket.


    "Here!" He tossed it towards the heel of the man extending his hand towards the princess.


    "Take the wallet and get out of here without doing anything stupid." He said with his voice pulling everyone''s attention towards him.


    "Little bastard, who asked you to speak? Are you fed up with your pretty skull? Do you want me to take it away from you?" The burly man threatened, lowering his mouth to Keres'' ear height. One of his hands was on the teenager''s shoulder, while the other pinned the knife''s edge onto his neck.


    "Haaa, this won''t do." Keres shook his head sideways, releasing a sigh. When the knife grazed him, a shallow cut arched the curve of his neck, leaving behind a thin red line on his skin.


    "Stupid runt, are you that tired of the world of living? That loose mouth of yours will make me behead you if you aren''t careful."


    "Alright then, do it."


    "W-w...what did you just say?" The burly man stuttered, breaking into a cold sweat.


    "Surely, even someone as stupid as you realizes they''re only playing along because it''s what Dells are trained to do in hostage situations. We both know you''re finished the moment you lose your hostage, so go on ahead, behead me." Keres said and the man flinched at the chillness in his voice. Next, the teenager tilted his head upwards to meet the burly man''s gaze.


    "What''s wrong? My loose mouth won''t stop running so why are you nervous all of a sudden? Weren''t you supposed to cut my head off if I kept on talking?" Keres added in a venomous tone, paralyzing the burly man with a momentary panic.


    "Hey, answer me, Mr Charisma!"


    When the teenager''s terrifying red eyes shot wide open, the burly man shrunk backwards.


    "C-c...crazy brat." He stuttered.


    It was then, Keres realized the underling in a mohawk was trembling in a state of reverie. With remarkable confidence, Ina glided past the disoriented man, advancing deeper into the dimly lit alleyway. And even though there was a free path to escape into, the thug couldn''t dare move an inch.


    When the young Princess reached an arm''s length away from the other lackey, who initially stumbled to the ground, a disoriented voice rang out.


    "S-st...stay back" The man said, extending his cowering arm forward but with a swift and elegant motion, she navigated her way past him as well.


    This stirred up a thought in Keres'' mind.


    ''Something''s not right.'' Yes, it was the exact same thought from earlier, except he now had a clearer picture as to what exactly it was.


    When he looked towards Beatrice, she remained still like a fashion mannequin, her arms up in the air, and the plastic bags that should''ve been in her grasp, no longer to be seen.


    The keen, sharp sensation initially aimed at his neck also disappeared. What he could feel was a smooth, waxy object shuddering along with the burly man''s right hand.


    Don''t tell me... When it dawned on him, Keres instinctively activated his innate ability. Heat pulsed behind him¡ªa monstrous bloodlust more intense than anything he had ever felt raging behind the burly man holding him hostage. In that instant, it happened.


    The teenage boy suddenly jacked his shoulders, catching the man''s large arm like a vice grip.


    Next, he pivoted, flipping the man over with lightning speed.


    A resounding whack echoed and an ominous silence filled the air, following Keres'' throw.


    Beatrice''s complexion distorted as her naked right hand revealed a golden chain bracelet that served as a needle bracer.


    From its central bracelet, five thin chains ascended up her fingers, each terminating in small rings on each finger. Braced in these rings were short, golden needles that rested on her fingers, their tips glistening purple with poison.


    The bodyguard had stealthily appeared behind the burly man with the help of Ina''s illusion. Stunned, her face contorted into frown. But it wasn''t just her, as four other pairs of dumbstruck eyes watched the events that followed.


    "This is your last chance..." Keres'' venomous voice filled the air as he clenched his opponent''s wrist, dragging the defeated man across the stony floor.


    The burly man tried to fight back, but when he realized that the knife he once held had turned into a banana, shock overcame him.


    Meanwhile, Keres moved past Ina, continuing his words.


    "Take the wallet and scram while I''m still asking nicely." He mustered strength and flung the burly man towards the alley''s entry. There was a never-before-seen darkness in his inactive eyes that caused the men and their shadows to tremble in fear.


    "D-d..damn it!!!" The lackey with a mohawk was the first to take off, running as if the hounds of hell were after him. And almost immediately, his comrade followed suit, abandoning their boss in the alleyway.


    ¡ª

 Alleyway Skirmish -3

    Slowly raising himself up, the burly man glared at Keres with aversion and resentment. He was simply caught off guard, it''s not as if that little runt could take him in a fight.


    "Not satisfied, huh? Alright, come on." Keres beckoned him forward and in the next moment, a banana came flying in the teenager''s direction.


    Keres swiftly reached forward, seizing it with ease.


    "...?" Furrowing his brows, his face formed a puzzled look.


    "Watch out!" Ina''s voice rang out from behind him. She was about to step in, but Beatrice placed one hand on her shoulder.


    "Wait." The bodyguard said.


    When Keres sensed heat from the man''s right fist hurtling towards his face, he dodged, slightly tilting his head to the right.


    The man groaned, he tried punching with his left but his fist once again failed to reach the boy. The burly man soon exploded with pent up fury.


    "Are you only good at running away, you retard?"


    "Huh? What are you on about? I haven''t taken a single step from this spot" Keres replied with a subtle provocation.


    The man shot forward, swinging his arms one after the other. But Keres evaded the whole barrage without breaking a sweat.


    "Huff... huff... huff" The burly man soon slowed down and began breathing heavily. He had realized his opponent was willfully toying with him but his pride wouldn''t let him accept it.


    "It''s harder not to dodge when you''re only swinging at my face. Try aiming at something else, dumbass." The teenage boy taunted.


    Scorn and hatred dueled in the man''s eyes. He reached his massive arms forward, aiming to teach the fucking runt a lesson with his superior strength.


    Keres anticipated this and took a swift backward leap, narrowly escaping his opponent''s reach.


    The burly man slanted forward, losing balance. And Keres'' left back arm swung at him like a battering ram.


    "Arrrgghhhh" The burly man released a thunderous roar. Raising his arms, he set up a guard but¡ª


    WHACK!


    A cracking noise echoed and the man was flung away, crashing into the floor.


    Though it appeared as if strength played the only pivotal role, that couldn''t be farther from the truth. Keres had used a last-second shift in footwork to sweep the man off his feet before delivering the final blow.


    It was at this point the burly man realized he could not win. He clutched his throbbing arm, his face contorting in agony. The radiuses of both arms had cracked upon blocking the strike, rendering him powerless.


    "Shit" He cussed, agitatedly slamming his fist against the brick wall to his side. Upon an attempt to raise himself up, he sank to his knees.


    It wasn''t supposed to go this way. As someone who always carefully selected his opponents, he had only ever known victory.


    As long as they weren''t chakra users, forcing them to submit always came easy for him. And so, he couldn''t accept it. What do you mean he failed to land a single hit on a mere middle school runt?¡ª He chewed on his lower lip.


    "Are you satisfied now or do I have to beat you half to death before you realize how merciful I''m being with you?" Keres'' chilling voice pierced his eardrums. And in the next moment, the man swallowed his saliva.


    At this point, his pride no longer mattered, surviving was much more important than the foolish ego that got him into this situation.


    "P-p... please, sp-spare me!" The man pleaded, pinning his head against the ground in defeat.


    "Good, raise your head." Keres said. Next, he dropped into a squat, grabbing the frightened man by his hair.


    "I don''t care if you intend to keep on living as scum after this but should that be the case, see to it that we never cross paths, ever again. Do you understand me?" Keres asked, the tranquility of his voice tormenting. The man immediately responded with an instinctive nod.


    "Now get lost before I change my mind!" The teenager spat, and following his words, the burly man stood up and began walking away.


    This story is posted elsewhere by the author. Help them out by reading the authentic version.


    His head and shoulders hung low, weighed down by the heavy burden of shame. The world around him blurred as he disappeared into the distance, dejected and defeated.


    Upon deactivating his ability, Keres adjusted his rumpled shirt, walking back to the spot where he was assaulted earlier on. Ignoring the princess and her bodyguard, he lifted his bag from the floor.


    Beatrice studied his every movement. She couldn''t shake off the feeling that he only acted after sensing her presence earlier but that shouldn''t have been possible.


    "Kid, if I may ask, why did you let them get away?"


    Keres stopped and thought about it. As many convenient excuses as there were, the unfortunate truth was that he sensed a part of himself within them.


    "Beats me." He replied, shrugging his shoulders.


    "Whatever the reason may be, don''t get beat up like that when you''re capable of easily handling your opponent."


    "I''m sure the world would be a much better place if I took the advice of every strange old lady I ever came across." He said, stirring a groan from the bodyguard.


    "You brat..." She gritted her teeth, clenching her fists.


    "Pffft" Ina let out a radiant giggle but Keres paid it no attention.


    His mind was entirely focused on getting away from her. But the teenage boy soon flinched as she called out to him from behind.


    "Keres," her tone was gentle and bore no ill intent but Keres intuitively raised his guard, glancing over his shoulder, at the direction of her voice.


    "How are your injuries?" She asked and he promptly responded, averting his gaze.


    "Nothing serious. A little bit of aspirin and I''m good."


    "Your bruises may be fine but the cut on your neck could get infected. I also worry for your vision, seeing as your eye is also bleeding." She said and Keres'' jaw clenched. It was then, he became conscious of the blood, cascading down his right cheek.


    There certainly was no injury there a moment ago. He couldn''t tell what it was but she must have done something to him.


    It was now clear that his near-death experience was undoubtedly her doing.


    As she proceeded towards him, he trembled slightly. A squealing premonition rang in his ears; he had to get out of there.


    "My abilities might be a bit lacking but I could heal your injuries if it''s fine with you." She said with her fingers reaching forward. When Keres felt the warmth of her hand approach him, his lips sprung open.


    "Don''t." He spat and she pulled back at the sound of his unwelcoming voice.


    "But... your injuries could worsen if left unattended..."


    "Whatever happens to me is none of your business" He replied bluntly and advanced forward.


    His bruised face beamed under the feeble sunlight as he glanced at his wallet, now covered with dirt.


    Keres'' response was impertinent no matter how anyone else looked at it. Most especially Beatrice, who was enraged by his words. In an instant¡ª


    She suddenly emerged in his front, aiming her glistening darts against his neck, perhaps to spook him¡ª and it worked. Keres, who was caught off guard, shrunk, retreating a step backward.


    "Who do you think you''re talking to, brat?" Beatrice said and her eyes bore through the teenage boy with a murderous glare. Clearly, she couldn''t bear the level of insolence he exuded towards the Princess.


    However, despite his attitude towards her, Ina remained composed.


    "Beatrice, It''s fine." She said.


    "Can I at least offer you a tissue to wipe off the blood?" She added, aiming her inquiry at Keres and he promptly averted his gaze before responding.


    "I''ll pass."


    "Alright then, see you at school. Please look after yourself, okay?" Ina said, forcing a smile. In the end, she failed to hide the subtle sadness in her voice as she escaped the alley''s narrowness.


    "Haaa, let''s go, Beatrice." She added, releasing a soft breath.


    Even after Ina''s exit, Beatrice waited behind. When she confirmed the Princess wasn''t looking, she whispered a few words into Keres'' ear and then, also took her leave.


    "Damn it!" Cold sweat trickled down the teenager''s back. When scenes from the morning''s incident began playing in his mind, he slammed his fist against the wall. And in the next moment, he began running.


    ''I didn''t do anything wrong!''


    Slowly speeding up, then as fast as he could, he felt the wind''s resistance push back as he reached an incredible speed, moving from one street to the next.


    When he caught the gazes of numerous passers-by, frustration only clawed deeper into his skin.


    "Damn it!" He groaned.


    It should be normal that the strong acted as they pleased, yet, the cold wind skinned him alive, condemning his weak and miserable existence. Then, Beatrice''s words began playing in his mind.


    <blockquote>


    "Listen to me carefully..."


    "Let this be the first and last time you ever make her sad. And please don''t get the wrong idea¡ª"


    "I haven''t forgiven you for this time just yet so it doesn''t matter where you choose to run to or hide..."


    "I will definitely find you and make you pay"


    ¡ª


    </blockquote>


    "Damn it!"


    Memories from every one of his experiences today began filling his mind at lightning speed. Everything; from Lizzie and Mina''s conversation during breakfast, the boys and girls gossiping leisurely at school this morning, down to his encounters with Ina.


    After a while, he found it difficult to breathe. Sweat drops falling on his eyes spread out like paint and blurred his vision. Even the supposedly happy memories with Milan surfaced and tormented him.


    As he progressed further, his body became heavier. Eventually, his running speed slowed down and his heart began beating with an unusual rhythm.


    In the end, all his misfortunes came down to his lack of power. Right, if only his useless chakra panel could somehow start doing its job, he wouldn''t have to go through any of this.


    When entangled feelings of worthlessness, self hatred and longingness crept in, Keres stopped and stood still. As he stood there in a trance, the sensation of acceptance began to seep in.


    It was time to wake up to reality. The damaged components in his chakra panel couldn''t be replaced, and as long as this fact remained, his situation was entirely hopeless.


    His lips formed a bitter smile as the unpleasant sensations flowed from his heart to the knuckles of his fist.


    "Damn it all!"


    He thrust it forward, knocking over the waste bin that stood in his way. Its contents spilled out, polluting the air and floor.


    Cold breeze washed over him and after a relaxing breath, his rage began to wear off, eventually dispersing like subtle smoke.


    Next, the rumble of an approaching city bus rang into his ears. He brought out the 10 rel bill he slipped from his wallet earlier, and he stepped aboard, leaving behind the scene of his momentary outburst.


    ***

 Roman Glurkman

    Two men strolled down the sidewalk of a lively street in the central area of the capital.


    "Big bro, you don''t need to think too much about it. If the reports are indeed true, I say we pulverize them and come back home." The diminutive young man among the pair said. He jammed his fists together, defrosting the cold air with his determination.


    "I''m afraid things won''t be so simple this time around." The other, a bespectacled young man spoke. He was slightly under two meters tall with a slender build and youthful charm that every aspiring idol would kill to have.


    "Huh? What makes you say so?" The diminutive man inquired, raising a brow, and his brother immediately responded.


    "A pairing of you and anyone else would be different but it''s strange that HQ would pair us together for a mission like this."


    "Huh? How is it strange? Don''t we have the best partnership in the whole world?" The petite man leaned closer and inquired with a dumbfounded expression.


    "I''m currently taking on only white tagged missions that require the use of my ''Gavel'', remember?"


    "White tag? What is that?"


    "Haaa, Ryuce. For the third time already this week..." The bespectacled man sighed, taking a pause.


    "White tagged missions are those that require intensive investigation." He added and a spark instantly appeared above the diminutive man''s head.


    "Oh, yes, you said this yesterday. Monster related missions are tagged red, right?"


    "Hell no, you idiot. Red tagged missions involve subjugating lawless zones, rebel areas and insurgents. Monster related expeditions are classified as yellow tagged missions. " The bespectacled man bickered initially but his voice soon regained its usual tone.


    "Heeh? You probably made a mistake yesterday then." Ryuce puffed his cheeks and in response, his older brother shook his head gently.


    "No I didn''t, you blockhead. And even if I did, this is basic stuff they teach in the pre-academy. How did you even make it past eighth grade?" The bespectacled man paused briefly and cleared his throat.


    "Anyways, seeing as I got called in for a yellow tag, it could only mean there''s demon grade monsters involved..." He explained, taking another pause.


    "And in the worst case, we could be dealing with one of the eleven catastrophes." His voice slumped as he began to ponder about something. On the other hand, Ryuce who initially listened silently soon spoke up.


    "Whether it''s the eleven catastrophes or apostrophes, I bet they are no match for our ultimate teamwork" He crossed his arms and gave a boastful nod.


    "Like I said, things won''t be that simple. It''s been ages since a catastrophe last appeared here in the continent."


    "Oh, is that so? How long has it been, big bro?" Ryuce inquired, his eyes glistening with curiosity.


    "Errm, I also have no idea. Probably about forty five years? Or even longer than that, maybe." The bespectacled man said, shrugging his shoulders. Next, his hand reached for the top of his head, brushing his sleek, chestnut hair in a single motion.


    Stolen from its rightful place, this narrative is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.


    "Anyways the appearance of a catastrophe would undoubtedly stir up a fuss among the oldies and higher ups. So if things turn out as I suspect, Corp President would request a meeting with the Vertian big shots to decide on how to proceed. Catastrophes are that big of a deal."


    "Oh? As expected of my big brother. You''re so damn smart." Ryuce applauded excitedly and his brother''s cheeks instantly reddened. Next, the bespectacled man cleared his throat before speaking up again.


    "The point is, this mission could eventually spiral into something far more elaborate than you imagined, Ryuce."


    "Ahhh. I''ll leave all that complicated stuff for you to handle, but¡­" Ryuce halted as a clattering noise rang out from not too far away.


    Startled, they looked across the street and spotted a boy at the bus stop, agitatedly knocking over a waste bin.


    Determined to set things straight, the bespectacled man clenched his fist and yelled, "Hey, you there!"


    He tried to cross the road but the universe had different plans. A long city bus rumbled to a halt, blocking his path. With frustration soiling his complexion, he waited for the bulky vehicle to take off. And when the bus finally departed, the boy had vanished into thin air.


    "Chet." He furrowed his brows and stormed across the street, with his steps reverberating through the pavement. Without a word, Ryuce followed suit, towards the mess of junk and litter in the boy''s wake.


    The bespectacled man raised the bin and together, they knelt down, picking up the pieces of garbage that littered the snow-covered pavement.


    "Kids these days have no manners at all." Ryuce complained, his capelet billowing in the wind.


    "You''re one to talk, aren''t you? You seem to have forgotten how you were quite the troublemaker just a few years ago."


    "Hah? I don''t remember ever making you do garbage duty though." Ryuce responded, tilting his chin upwards in a daze.


    "Yeah, but you got us in far worse situations than this." The bespectacled man wiped the filth off his hands after successfully tidying up the mess.


    One could easily mistake him for a pesty eco-warrior but the reality was much deeper than that. He harbored a deep aversion towards disorderliness and all forms of incongruities, a sentiment that always reflected in his choice of attire. This is why he often wore a suit, decorated with the alignment of solar crosses amounting to an even number.


    This is the nature of the possessor of the bronze ''Gavel of Astral Imprints.'' A man, who attained the position of a General within just three years of becoming an S-ranker.


    One of the two leading candidates for the vacant seat at the ¡®Table of Executioners.¡¯ This is the nature of Roman Glurkman.


    "Really? Did something like that ever happen?" Ryuce inquired. And Roman shook his head sideways wearing the face of a bankrupt businessman.


    "This brat." He said.


    "Please tell me, I really don''t remember" Ryuce pleaded, however, Roman ignored him and began walking away.


    "Well, no. Just forget it."


    "Come on bro, please" Ryuce persisted, following behind his brother. And like that, the pair soon dissolved into the landscape, leaving their footsteps trailing behind.


    ***


    He had taken a rejuvenating shower to relieve his day''s stress. But the haunting flashes from this morning''s incident refused to go away.


    With every glance at his reflection, those memories surged back, pulling him into a river of worry.


    What was he supposed to do going forward? What if his instincts were mistaken about Ina?¡ª he thought but instantly rejected the uncertainty.


    Steering clear of her was all he had to do. But no matter how much he attempted to brush it aside, Beatrice''s warning dropped a load of anxiety on his shoulders. His hand, clutching a hairbrush soon began to tremble.


    "Ga-hak" Keres wheezed, desperate for air.


    Unable to draw his breath, he collapsed to one knee, releasing the hairbrush like it was responsible for his agony.


    Twitching, he hastily yanked open the top drawer of his dresser. His eyes darted nervously before locking on a small vial hidden amidst folded underwear. He grabbed the vial and swiftly uncapped it.


    The pungent scent of the milky fluid wafted into his nose as he gulped down until the vial was empty. And almost miraculously, his anxiety dissipated, a sudden calm embracing his body.


    Although he was still concerned, he wasn''t willing to allow the mere threats of a bodyguard ruin his plans.


    Right, there was somewhere he needed to be this evening and he couldn''t afford any deters at this point.


    Usually, whenever he was home alone, he would head to the upstairs living room and play video games. But days like today were different.


    He stood up, navigating through his dresser. Then picked out a wool sweater and complimenting denim trousers.


    He put on the clothes and headed downstairs fully prepared for the evening ahead.


    ¡ª

 The Prophecy

    Keres walked towards the exit, his previously burdening anguish nowhere to be seen. Just before he reached, the front door creaked open and Mina walked in, dressed in her school uniform.


    "You''re heading out?" She asked, raising her brows and Keres stopped then responded with a nod. He soon continued forward, breaking the silence with his footsteps.


    "Tell Lizzie I won''t be home until dinner." He said as he strolled past her, reaching for the door handle.


    "Umm... If she''s not home, you got any idea where she went?" Mina tilted her head slightly and Keres shrugged his shoulders before pulling the door open.


    "She probably took Jelly to the park or something." He said, hurriedly descending the doorsteps. But just as he was about to vanish from view, Mina leaned out through the doorway and stopped him with her voice.


    "Wait."


    "..." He halted, looking in her direction as she spoke.


    "Would you like to go grab ice cream with me and my friend Elsa tomorrow?" She asked. "I know you''d probably be busy in the evening so we could head out before then."


    Keres inhaled a deep breath. Despite weeks of declining her invitations, she refused to back down. He contemplated rejecting her once again. But after a brief internal debate, he decided against it. Just this once¡ª he conceded.


    "Sounds good to me, then" He said and excitement instantly brightened her complexion. "If that''s all, then I''ll be on my way."


    He continued towards his destination. In response, Mina leaned forward, waving at him.


    "Alright, Pepperhead. Take care and don''t get into trouble, okay?" She said with a warm grin playing on her lips as he wandered away, merging with the landscape.


    It was just over a year ago that Keres moved in with them. And finally, after thirteen months, she succeeded in the first phase of her plan to reach her reproachable younger brother.


    She soon began daydreaming about becoming a dependable older sister, one he could and would always rely on. If only she realized how unkind the world could be.


    ***


    Bathed in the cold winter breeze, the soft rays from the sun punctured his irises as he gazed up towards the sky. One would naturally expect him to grimace and retract his gaze after a prolonged staring contest with the sun. Yet, this young man remained unfazed.


    "How rare of you to summon me like this, my Prince." A harmonious voice resonated into his ears.


    "Uh?" He swept his hollow gaze towards her direction as she took a seat at the other end of the bench where he was sitting.


    The woman had sleek black hair that complimented the fair complexion of her skin. Her eyes were framed in captivating blue contact lenses and the stylish winter cloak she wore, cast a touch of mystery upon her look.


    "Someone as remarkable as yourself, addressing me as her Prince. Honestly, I''m flattered." He said, retracting his gaze.


    "Do you not like it? Shall I revert to addressing you with the pet name I gave you, then? Or your birth name perhaps?"


    "If it''s you, I''m willing to go as far as changing my name to whatever it is you wish to call me." He sneered, giving a shrug. The woman chuckled lightly, shaking her head sideways.


    "There''s just no winning against you, slick bastard." She cussed, her expression suddenly turning emotionless.


    "Someone as inferior as myself would never dare to compete against¡­"


    He couldn''t continue as the woman instantly cut in sharper than a pair of scissors.


    "Invel¡­" She took a tormenting pause.


    "Enough of this, tell me what it is you want." Her words hung in the air, and a fierce blast of wind swept through the surroundings.


    "What''s wrong with having a leisure chat with my beloved partner in crime? How mean..."


    "Unfortunately, I don''t have enough time for a chit-chat. Get straight to the point." She interjected once more, with a distinct shift in her tone.


    "Haaaa." He released a sigh, peeling off the fake smile pasted across his lips.


    "I need your help." Invel''s voice was composed, yet resolute.


    "Eehh? What a pleasant surprise!" The woman exclaimed, concealing her lips with one hand.


    "Who would''ve thought you''d come crawling back to me like this? So amusing, considering you''re currently engaged to that famous psychologist. What was her name again?" She stroked her chin, giving a slight provocation and in response, his eyes widened as he finally turned his head in her direction.


    "Do you want to die?" He inquired, eyes narrowing into a scowl.


    This text was taken from Royal Road. Help the author by reading the original version there.


    "Ooh? Look who''s grown wings all of a sudden" She fired back at his threat with a straight face. And the atmosphere tensed, reaching an unprecedented intensity the moment both their eyes locked in collision.


    Next, the woman withdrew her gaze, having successfully agitated him as intended.


    "Oh, I almost forgot. You wouldn''t want her or anyone else, finding out about everything you''ve been¡­"


    "Are you still mad about what happened a year ago?" He cut in with an inquiry, his voice still maintaining its usual calmness.


    "You thought a single year would be enough to quell my resentment?" She asked, matching the serene quality of his voice. And almost immediately, he shrugged, giving a response.


    "Fair enough but unfortunately, I don''t feel even a tiny bit of remorse. I simply acted with my sister''s best interests in mind."


    "Ooh? I should kill your sister in that case. Perhaps then, you''d finally know what it''s like to feel remorse." She said and a soft silence embraced the scene.


    The distant hum of a passing car and the gentle rustling of dry leaves soon blended and shattered the silence to bits.


    "That was a terrible joke. For your own sake, please ensure to never repeat it again." Invel said, revealing an ambiguous smile as he rose to his feet. Next, he stretched his arms wide and released a nonchalant yawn.


    "Can''t believe I almost lost it there. I guess I''ll head home and watch some television until it''s time for dinner." He added in a whiny tone. Next, he began walking away prompting a frown from the mysterious woman.


    "You want to know your future, don''t you?" Her voice was composed, yet firm enough to restrict him to a halt.


    "I apologize for my words earlier. You''re right, it was a terrible joke that should''ve never escaped my lips." She conceded, momentarily shutting her eyes with a sigh. And upon her apology, Invel turned towards her and smiled. He tried to speak but her following words prevented him from doing so.


    "To show my sincerity, I''m willing to help without requesting anything in return. Think of this as a little apology for crossing the line earlier." She pinched the air with her fingers, revealing an expression that was just as sincere as it was suspicious. Next, she beckoned him with her hand.


    "Come on, sit down." She said.


    At her voice, Invel extended his palm and a heavy gilt-edged black book appeared in his grasp. He handed it over before sitting down beside her.


    Following his compliance, the woman opened the book. She was prepared to inscribe on a blank page using an ancient calligraphy pen. But suddenly, she threw him a prim glance.


    "I can''t focus if you keep staring like that."


    When he heard her complain, he averted his gaze and only then, did she begin to write. Although, the quietude didn''t go on for long as she returned the book only a few moments later.


    "Here." She said and he instantly responded.


    "Thanks, I owe you one."


    "Uhn-uhn, don''t mention it." The woman shook her head gently, taking a pause.


    "It appears something interesting is about to happen at the world''s center. If you''d excuse me, I need to begin preparations immediately." The woman added. And as his pupils carefully navigated the page, she stood up and began walking away.


    She halted just a second before he spoke, anticipating his call. And, true to expectation, he called out to her.


    "Wait. I don''t understand what it says" Invel said, closing the book and she released a sigh.


    "We both know that I''m unable to read and retain memories of what I write. Moreover, you''re the only one with eyes bright enough to see through that book. It''s impossible for me to know what''s written in there even if I wanted to." She responded without turning back and he stood up and slowly approached her from behind.


    "What if I read it out to you?"


    "Oh, that''s a bit surprising..." She replied, pausing for emphasis. "Are you willing to go that far even though you don''t trust me?" Her ebony waves fluttered in the wind as she asked.


    "Indeed, I have no idea what your true intentions might be. But I know for sure that you need me. So I''m pretty certain you wouldn''t attempt anything funny." The prince shrugged, halting an arm''s length away from her. At this point, the book had vanished from his grasp.


    The woman smirked, her lenses twinkling like night stars.


    "Getting all cocky, are we?"


    "Forgive me if I''m wrong but I think I''ve earned every right to be cocky." He scratched the top of his head, displaying a bashful grin.


    "Right, I almost forgot, ''The strongest Dell alive.'' You''re so full of yourself, it''s pretty adorable at times."


    "Well, thank you. Being powerful and overwhelmingly charming are my most redeeming qualities as I''ve been told."


    "Invel, you''re indeed powerful, more than almost anyone in the history of your kind. Nevertheless, you''re still but a young child with so much room for growth. Understand that the tallest trees are often the most deeply rooted. Don''t let this juvenile haughtiness be the blindfold that veils your potential." She said. Invel smirked.


    "I''ll keep that in mind."


    "I can''t afford to be here all day, let''s get on with this quickly."


    The book once again appeared in Invel''s hands. In truth, he didn''t need to look inside as he already memorized the entry at his first glance. Yet, he simply couldn''t afford any mistakes.


    <blockquote>


    "As the seamless sun revolves around its axis.


    The slumbering sovereign evolves and emerges.


    Good gracious, our long awaited deity?


    Or perchance, a cruel creator of calamity.


    A treacherous tyrant, perhaps a thief of halo?


    The Reaper''s scythe we shall borrow.


    A good turn of events? Let''s wait and see.


    But maybe, better good can be."


    </blockquote>


    As Invel read out the contents of the page, the woman''s pupils shuddered in disbelief. Moments later, having organized her thoughts, she spoke up.


    "I see." She said with a nod.


    "I can''t give a full interpretation since it appears this prophecy is incomplete."


    "Uh? How is that possible?" Invel lifted his brows and asked calmly, concealing his disarray.


    "A prophecy is supposed to accurately foretell a certain event. However, they sometimes emerge in the form of parallel precognitions on either side of a single coin of fate. This is one of those cases." The woman explained and he tilted his head, even more confused.


    "To be precise, it''s two different people''s prophecies carrying two different possibilities of a single event. The outcome of one either postpones or completely nullifies the other. But much like the impossibility of a solar and lunar eclipse occurring simultaneously, both possibilities will never coincide." She furthered using her fingers to add a visual touch to her explanation and a glow of comprehension brightened Invel''s complexion.


    "To think that my fate would be entirely dependent on someone else''s, how ridiculous." He sighed. Although he appeared brazen, in truth he was still concerned.


    And with her eyes shot wide open, the woman looked directly into his eyes.


    "Invel, listen to me carefully. From what I can tell, this part of the prophecy poses a warning." She halted and goosebumps instantly appeared on his skin. This is always an indication of a certain degree of nervousness among humans and even the most powerful Dell in the world isn''t an exception.


    "Perhaps tonight or tomorrow, the day of your inauguration¡­" She took another dramatic pause, her tone an indicator for the severity of the warning.


    "You wil die!"


    ***

 Inara Leonidas

    Night came as Keres lay strewn in a sparse forest.


    Towering trees surrounded him, reaching for the sky and the snow-carpeted floor was dotted with a limitless abundance of nuts and berries.


    Scurrying squirrels explored under the bristles of wispy moss. And the evening''s peace was soul-soothing, the forest exuding a fresh, organic scent, truly befitting its beauty.


    Stargazing always provided his heart with a unique warmth whenever he felt down. However, when he popped a berry into his mouth, he instantly frowned and spat it out¡ª the bitterness contrasting the calm serenity in the air.


    Keres'' current location was known as ''the forbidden thicket,'' an advancement test center situated in the woods of his residential area.


    On his left lay a dozen swords, scattered on the ground. Most were just practice wooden swords, not the real deal. While to his right, there were various items, including a first aid kit, a travel backpack holding some apparels, vials of Aqua Ambien, and a map peeking out from within the bag.


    Lifting his right hand to eye level, he glanced at the digital bracelet on his wrist then exhaled afterwards.


    "I guess I''m not making it in time for dinner." He muttered, wearing a bitter smile on his lips. Lizzie would definitely give him an earful when he gets home.


    Having realized he was behind his intended schedule, he hoisted himself to his feet. He snatched one of the steel swords from his array. The longer of the two he owned, which Milan showed him how to use.


    Taking an even stance, he swung down forcefully using one hand. The biting cold hummed with the whispered swish of the blade and the resulting shockwave left an imprint on the snow beneath.


    "Fuuuu" He released a soft breath, sending shivers through the air. The sword had become an extension of his will as its keen edge glimmered under the moonlight.


    He swung down again but the instant the blade formed a straight line in the air, he cleverly redirected it mid-motion into a back-and-forth horizontal strike. Next, the horizontal strike became a diagonal cut and then, a reverse diagonal strike before smoothly transitioning into a harmonious swirl that seemed to defy the conventional boundaries of swordplay.


    When his face formed an unnerving grin, his agile frame began moving with an almost dance-like fluidity as he masterfully alternated between several nuanced variations of this maneuver.


    Merging precision with his mesmerizing speed, he unleashed a lightning ballet that left trails of steel arcs in the air.


    His eyes shot wide, intense and focused. And his innate ability subconsciously activated. Suddenly, he was instantly forced to a terse stop as he sensed a surge of heat.


    "Who''s there?" Keres pivoted on one heel and turned around. Now facing the direction of the intruder, he took an instinctive backwards leap to create more distance.


    "Hey, Keres" Resting one hand on a fairly distant tree, the casually dressed intruder greeted him with a subtle wave and a faint smile. Yet, Keres could only flinch at the sound of the voice.


    Yes, the same enthralling voice belonging to the same person whose very presence pierced him with a sensation he would rather spend the rest of his life without experiencing again.


    His breathing suppressed, instantly becoming heavy as if carrying the weight of fear. Assuming a stiffening posture, his heart raced audibly, his feet quaking in their shoes.


    "Why... are you... here?" His words slurred into unintelligibility and when he finished speaking, he realized just how silly his question was. What use was there in asking about her intentions at this point? Once is happenstance, twice is coincidence and three times is clear enemy action.


    The blaring idea that repeated occurrences reveal a pattern caused his hands to tremble, loosening the grip on his sword.


    "Your technique with the sword is quite impressive. You''re not from around here, are you?" She struck him with a perplexing inquiry, one he had no way of answering.


    "..." He remained silent, forcing his trembling hand to stay put. And when a response to her inquiry failed to arrive, Ina spoke up once more.


    This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road. If you spot it on Amazon, please report it.


    "I understand that you have your circumstances" She paused and began approaching him.


    "Regardless, hostile replies, loaded inquiries, looking away, or blatantly ignoring them are really impolite ways of responding to people when they''re talking to you."


    "It hurts being on the receiving end of these, you know" She said continuing towards him and Keres'' complexion instantly contorted.


    Lifting his brows, an abhorrent barrage of words nearly escaped his mouth.


    What on earth is she on about? He never wished to be near her in the first place. So how dare she portray herself as the victim?¡ª he inquired internally.


    Right, it was all her fault. She constantly interfered in his affairs, despite his disapproval towards her doing so.


    Furthermore, all the misfortunes he experienced today were due to her presence. What right does she have to complain about my manner of response?


    A never-before-felt repulsion began to boil inside him. And slowly but surely, anger, like a drumbeat, drowned out trepidation. He was ready to launch an offensive verbal onslaught but before he could say anything, she reclaimed the stage of the conversation.


    "Keres..." She halted as she arrived next to a boulder close to where he stood.


    "In my experience, when we feel our personal space is threatened, defensive reactions tend to be our go-to response." A faint parting graced her lips.


    "You have misunderstood my intentions if you think I mean any harm. So, for the sake of clearing this misunderstanding, I want us to be on the same page."


    "And to achieve this, I''m willing to share as much as I ask from you."


    "So, if there''s anything at all you''d like to know, as long as it''s something I can answer, feel free to ask, and I''ll do my best to give you an answer" She furthered in a gentle voice and wrinkles formed around his face.


    Clenching his trembling fists, contempt seeped through his voice. "I don''t care about any of that, just leave me the hell alone!"


    The princess'' eyes widened at the voice burning with hostility. Nevertheless, her expression instantly returned to normal. She released a faint sigh before giving a response.


    "I''m sorry but I''m afraid I can''t do that at the moment" She said and Keres snorted, giving a deep frown.


    "And why is that?" His voice became sharper and colder. It was as if an invisible fuse had been lit, and he stood on a volcano of anger about to erupt.


    "What is your deal and who even are you?" His words came to a terrifying pause.


    "What did you do to me this morning?" He questioned, eyes terrifying like that of a predator. And before Ina could respond, a piercing shout rang into her ears.


    In the end, Keres exploded from his pent up rage.


    "Answer me! What exactly do you want from me?" The surrounding trees trembled and a tense silence soon followed.


    Ina met his hoarse reaction with a composed demeanor. Her hazel eyes held steady with an unwavering sincerity as she resumed walking towards him.


    "My bad, I haven''t been completely honest with you" She uttered softly.


    Despite his brewing storm of emotions, her steps held placidity and the crunch of snow underneath her boots echoed a measured resolve.


    "Allow me to reintroduce myself¡ª"


    "I am Inara Leonidas, the first princess of the Dell continent in its seven-thousand-year history." Her voice was as soft as a whispering breeze and her smile, a genial beam that cast a warmth reaching beyond her lips.


    ***


    Invel observed the city through his keen, charcoal black eyes.


    Perched on the edge of a skyscraper''s rooftop, the metropolis played out like scenes from a never-ending movie.


    The scene was primarily a fusion of city lights and snow. But with his supernatural vision, Invel looked deeper into the cityscape.


    His eyes caught the flickering neon sign of a night caf¨¦, where tired souls sought refuge after a hectic day of work.


    He saw pedestrians and vehicles navigating the concrete and asphalt roads covered with snow. Next, he spotted a street performer entertaining his preteen audience with chakra tricks in a dimly lit corner.


    The signs of laughter, warmth and happiness triggered a radiant smile on Invel''s face. Despite the burdens of responsibility it places on him, this is the only place he considers home. Noisy yet peaceful, it''s where he was born, raised, and where he''ll continue to reside and safeguard.


    Resting his cheek in one hand, he started counting with his fingers.


    "Father, Latio, Azazel..." He halted as soon as he got to three. With a confused look on his face, he lifted his chin and started thinking about the warning he received earlier today.


    The thought that someone powerful enough to pose him a threat might be in the city made him smile. His heart raced with an irregular rhythm, not from the fear of danger but out of pure excitement.


    ''Finally, a challenge,'' he mused. But his thoughts were interrupted by the realization that he now had much more at stake that he needed to protect. The fleeting smile soon faded when he felt something falling from the sky. Looking up, an ivory white snowflake landed on his face, its gentle touch unveiling his memory.


    Right, today was Ina''s first day at school. Recent events had kept them from talking much lately, but even though she is only a child, she was usually his go-to person in moments like these. His mind relaxed as he decided upon his next stop.


    A bright red cloud of wispy chakra surged around his body. It lasted only a moment but suddenly, as if touched by magic, he effortlessly traversed through space, appearing within the hallway of a grand mansion.


    The hallway was an architectural masterpiece. Its walls were decorated with intricate patterns and chandeliers illuminated a path lined with art.


    He approached the door at the hallway''s end. The polished pink wood and golden handle hinted at the luxury within.


    He lifted his hand and knocked, but there was no answer. Only the crackling of a distant fireplace.


    After over a minute of receiving no response, a frown etched the corners of his face. He tried turning the handle but the door was locked. Next, he sent a wave of his chakra through the small gaps around the door. It was then he realized the room was empty.


    A sinister scowl distorted his complexion as he embarked on a quest to find the whereabouts of his sister.


    ***