Main Goal

Inside the tree cave, which was also the territory of Jax and his comrades.

Five young men and ladies sat on the ground side by side. In front of them was a rectangular blackboard nailed neatly on a wooden stand. Beside the blackboard, there stood a middle-aged man who was holding a long stick with his right hand.

Somewhere from the side, a beast resembling a horse stood with its arms crossed. As if it was standing in there like a guard to keep watch on them.

''Teacher, teacher, I have a question,'' Jajah, the one sitting on the very right side, suddenly raised her hand and spoke with a dumbfounded face. She didn't wait for her teacher's response as she continued, ''Why are we going to study when we are supposed to learn thieving arts? Shouldn't we have practical lessons instead?''

If there was anything in the world she hated the most, then that was knowledge. She didn't want to learn complicated things, especially when she already had Mecaella.

''First of all, call me Master. Secondly, I won't teach you a lot of things. So, you don't have to worry. You little brats just need to know who you are and your goal,'' The man standing in front, the Heretic Saint, replied as he smacked the stick he currently held to the blackboard.

The word "Goal" written with white chalk suddenly and magically appeared on the blackboard.

The youngsters weren't so surprised when they saw the sudden appearance of the word. Instead, confusion filled their heads, especially, Jajah.

''But we already know who we are. And isn't our goal to learn thieving arts from you? What else is there to learn?'' Jajah replied persistently. She really was itching to learn thieving arts now.

''Sigh, it seems like you brats need some motivation,'' Heretic Saint sighed and shook his head slowly. Then he asked, ''Do you still remember how you died a while ago and who killed you?''

After which, Heretic Saint used his stick to draw a familiar face on the blackboard. His drawing skill was good. It was simple, yet quick and precise.

The three faces he drew on the blackboard really did look like the three Magic Knights who killed Jax and his comrades.

''...''

Suddenly, a strange and cold silence engulfed the area. All the five young lads and ladies had dark expressions overwhelming their faces when they saw the drawing. They tried to keep that matter aside, but now that he mentioned it, and even showed their faces, the rage and resentment they tried to hide was starting to go out of control.

They would never forget the faces of those bastards who killed them!

Heretic Saint saw the sudden change of atmosphere. He took the chance to speak again, ''I have no problem teaching you these thieving arts you little brats want. But don't you want to avenge yourselves first?''

''Of course, we cannot forget them, old man. We will definitely find them someday and take our revenge. Especially that bastard,'' Ben was the one who spoke this time. His tone was unusually cold. He couldn't help but glare at the face of that bastard who killed him drawn on the blackboard.

''But not now, teacher. We are still currently too weak. We can't defeat them in our current state if we rush over now,'' Jajah added as if she knew their weaknesses well. Her eyes flashed with a cold glint as she added, ''But we will definitely train hard so that someday, we can avenge ourselves.''

She spoke as if she already knew where she could find the perpetrators of their deaths.

''Hmm...'' Heretic Saint nodded his head in thought. He walked forward and stood in front of Jajah and Ben. The two of them was currently sitting side by side.

Heretic Saint suddenly raised the stick in his hand and, without warning, he struck the heads of those two with the speed that couldn't be followed with naked eyes.

Thud! Thud!

''Awww!!!'' The two cried out aloud in immediate response as they quickly held their heads to ease the pain inflicted by their Master. They glared at him as they complained indignantly, ''What was that for?!''

''First of all, call me Master. Not some random rubbish,'' Heretic Saint replied expressionlessly. He raised his stick again and, shortly after, he gave the two of them another thrashing. A loud thud echoed again, then he continued, ''Secondly, don't look at me with those stupid eyes. I am your Master. Not some kind of random beggar.''

''Argh...'' Both Ben and Jajah found themselves holding their heads helplessly. They wanted to refute since the other party really did look like a beggar, but why were their bodies screaming at them not to do so.

They could only bow their heads and cry, afraid to speak a single word or meet the other party in the eyes.

Was that man always this scary?

Jax, who was beside Ben, suddenly began to sweat. He forced out a bitter smile as he rubbed his cheek with his forefinger.

Mecaella only smiled slightly, thinking that they deserved it.

Leovicente looked at them in pity, but he was afraid to speak a single word.

All five of them suddenly saw their Master from a different light. This man was not easy to deal with!

''Now then,'' Seeing that his disciples finally behaved well, Heretic Saint nodded in satisfaction. He turned around and walked back beside the blackboard.

''It's good that you little brats want revenge. I will be disappointed if you forget about that.'' There was a moment of pause before he continued, ''After all, your goal is to defeat at least one of them in the next five years. And this revenge can be a good driving force.''

''De-defeat them in the next five years?'' Jax suddenly repeated. A slight frown took over his face.

Even Mecaella was unhappy about it.

After all, they knew full well how strong those bastards were. Not to mention five years. Even ten years of time was still not enough preparation. They at least needed to sacrifice their enitre youth days if they really wanted to avenge themselves.

''Haha, what's with that look? Do you doubt yourselves?'' Heretic Saint suddenly laughed at the sight of the face of Jax. He smiled slyly as he went on, ''I can see your worries. Normally, you won't be able to defeat them even if you brats are given a hundred years.''

''However, I am your Master. With me around, something menial like this is not worth worrying about.''

''...'' Jax went speechless. He wanted to doubt him. But his gut feeling was telling him to believe in his words. Although he didn't know his Master quite well enough yet, he could give this sense of feeling that he could be trusted.

It was something he couldn't easily feel from someone else.

Jax smiled at the thought of it. And then he replied, ''Alright, since you give us the assurance, we will leave our backs to you, Master.'' His smile suddenly became cold as he added, ''But please, let us do the deeds ourselves. Can I at least ask you that, Master?''

''Hoho, good, good, you're an ideal disciple.'' Heretic Saint replied with a satisfied smile. He rubbed his chin before he continued, ''Don't worry, I won't interfere myself in your revenge. I'm just here to guide you on your way to achieve your goal.''

''Thank you, Master,'' Jax replied with a faint smile as he bowed his head deeply.

''Now then, now then, let's move on,'' Heretic Saint spoke again as he took a few moments of pause before he continued, ''Now that your main goal is clear, let's discuss who you are.''