Tomorrow is the day...

A chuckle escapes me. "How entertaining. Kael has asked me to play with some sewer rats. I don't need any of this drama, but well, I've been itching to let loose." I can't help but hope they'll prove entertaining.

These loan sharks hide behind the guise of a legitimate business, but their true allegiance lies with a shadowy organization; how predictable. I'm not here to expose them, nor do I have time to play with their organization, how disappointing. But at least I'm here for a bloodbath.

I stride past the terrified receptionist, my steps echoing ominously as I make my way into their den. A grand room filled with men, each wearing an arrogant smirk. But beneath their bravado, I sense the subtle hum of mana – an undercurrent of power that would intimidate any ordinary man.

"Who let this lunatic in?" one of them barks, rising from his luxurious chair, a shimmering blade of solid mana forming in his hand.

A ripple of laughter erupts in the room. My lips twitch. "Oh, it seems everyone considers me crazy," I retort, drawing two small daggers from my belt. I coat them in mana, causing them to glow ominously, bathing the room in a sickly blue light.

"Tsk, people would rather hire an assassin than pay up," a thin man quips, drawing his own mana-laced weapon. His words incite more laughter, but my grin only widens.

"Hahaha, let's dance boys," I taunt, lunging forward. My daggers find their mark, plunging into the rotund man's chest. A shocked gasp fills the room as he collapses. They rely on magic weapons. Pathetic. Incapable of using their own power.

Panic fills the room as they scramble to form weapons of their own. My daggers dance in my hands, weaving a deadly ballet of death and laughter. Each swipe and thrust is met with screams of pain and terror. Their attempts to fight back are laughable. Their magic weapons shatter against my daggers. Ahhh, how delightful, their screams, their dread, their fear, hahahaha, I love it.

As the room descends into chaos, their horrified whispers fill my ears. "He's a maniac!" "We can't stop him!" "What the hell is he?" Yet their words only fuel my ecstasy.

One by one, they fall, their lifeblood painting a masterpiece of horror. The only survivor, a skinny man trembling with fear, is pinned against the wall, my dagger at his throat.

"Hahaha, what a pleasant day today, don't you agree?" I whisper, my words laced with a maniacal laugh. "Now, down to business, I came here regarding a girl. Hmm, what was her name? ...Seth? No, that's not it, ...Sam. No, that's not it either. Hey, Zero, what was her name?" Seriously, how can Kael expect me to remember her name?

In a flash, Zero appears as expected. "Sir, her name was Seraphina."

"Huh? Seraphina? Seriously, that girl hired you? There's no way; she's just an idiot that follows the laws."

"Hahaha, seriously, what is she a pushover? You're telling me they still exist? Hahahaha, what a joke. Alright now, listen you rat, I don't give a crap about whoever is backing you, but you're going to forgive her debt. She'll come tomorrow, don't try anything stupid, will you?"

His eyes widen, a frantic nod his only response. I release him, wiping my daggers clean on his shirt. "Good boy," I sneer, before turning to leave, my laughter echoing behind me in the blood-stained room.

✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦

-12 AM

"79...80...81...82, huff, huff, I think that's enough for today" Working out is tiring, however, I have no choice, only the strong survive. GODDAMIT! WHY DO I HAVE TO DO THIS? dammit... I would've been enjoying a meal while reading a book at home...

Getting up, I jump on my bed with a sigh. This is frustrating, will I ever be able to go home? Hey, you stupid system answer me!

[What a crybaby]

[You do not have access to that information]

What a useless system, in every novel the system is supposed to make the main character overpowered. Why did I have to get stuck with a useless system?

[who said you're the MC?]

[ಥ∀ಥ Go cry about it, a person who relies on a system is quite pathetic, no?]

Tsk, fine you win you bastard. Oh right, I was going to ask, can you show me the details regarding the runes and skills of Umbra? Although you show me the description i want to know the rest of the details.

[You require a payment of 500 points to view a detailed analysis of The Cursed Sword Of Umbra]

What! Why the hell do I have to pay 500 points for that you scamming bastard!?

[The Cursed Sword Of Umbra, is a unique weapon, being able to pay 500 points is already generous enough.]

I let out an exasperated sigh. I hate this system, but I have no choice but to agree, being able to know its abilities is already good enough. I just wish to know what rank the skills of the sword are.

Deciding to wrap up the conversation, I speak once again. "Fine, fine. You win, you useless piece of shit," I grumble, biting back harsher words. I flop back onto my bed, my arms spread wide as I stare at the dark ceiling. "I should've checked on Zeke earlier, I hope he didn't kill anyone as I asked him to, that guy really needs help"

✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦

"Thank you... really thank you so much," Seraphina said as she hugged me tightly.

This situation seemed rather unusual to me. As soon as Ash had brought her over, she had walked straight up to me and embraced me. I wondered if it was because of the loan sharks. Was she crying out of relief now that she was finally free of debt? I could understand the emotion, as I would also cry with happiness in the same situation. But why was she hugging me? What the heck was going on with her?

As I gently pushed her away, Ash couldn't help but speak up, "Geez, what did you do to my sister, Kael? Don't tell me you seduced this little devil!? I must say, Kael, you have terrible taste."

"Seriously, Ash! Have some decency and thank Kael properly. You have no idea how much he's helped us!" Seraphina snapped back at her brother, wiping away her tears.

A look of surprise briefly passed over Ash's face before he quickly replaced it with a grin. "Fine, fine, thank you, Kael," he said, chuckling. "But just so you know, she's a handful. Don't get too close to her or you'll regret it."

"ASH! For goodness sake, try to behave!" Seraphina scolded.

I raised my eyebrows but just chuckled in response. "Ahahaha, just ignore him, Seraphina. You know how children are."

"No, seriously, he needs to improve his behavior. Why can't he be more like Desolara? From what I've seen, she's more respectful than he is," Seraphina sighed, giving Ash a pointed look. "Kael, you have no idea how much you've helped me."

Before I could respond, a voice interrupted from above. "Well, aren't you two lovebirds cosy? Maybe you should get a room," Eira's voice dripped with amusement as she stood on the staircase.

I turned, raising an eyebrow at the sight of her. She wore a teasing smile on her face, her arms crossed as she took in the scene before her. I wondered how long she had been standing there. God, please don't tell me she saw Seraphina hugging me. If she had, she's going to tease me for days.

"Eira! It's not like that! I think Kael tried to seduce my sister!" Ash stuttered out.

This damn kid! I swear, I'm going to give him a beating later. No, wait. I'll hold him down while Des gave him a beating. Yes, that's what I'll do. She's going to beat some sense into him.

Eira chuckled, shooting me a knowing glance before turning to address Seraphina and me. "Oh, is it not? My mistake then."

Ignoring the escalating blush on Seraphina's face—seriously, was this the same girl I met yesterday?—I decided to steer the conversation away. "So, Eira, what brings you down here?" I asked, crossing my arms.

"I heard some commotion and thought I'd come see what's happening," she replied with a shrug, her eyes twinkling with amusement.

I sighed, shaking my head slightly. "Well, now that you've seen, maybe you can help me convince Ash here that I haven't, in fact, 'seduced his devilish sister', as he so eloquently put it."

Eira laughed outright at that, nodding in agreement. "I'll do my best, Kael, though I can't promise anything."

"Alright, guys, let's end the jokes here, we have matters to deal with. As you know, tomorrow is the day the Academy will test those who want to join. Seraphina, are you prepared accordingly?" That's right, tomorrow was the day. Damn it, I don't want to go to school, but I have no choice. I already told Zeke to get me a fake ID. I don't know much about Brey's history, so it's best to play it safe. The problem is whether or not I will be accepted into the academy. If I lack talent, I could use my sword as a cheat—I just hope it won't be recognized as an artifact.