The start of something new I

"That was good," Eisha commented, sweat dripping down her face as she lay tiredly on Allen's chest, a satisfied smile on her face.

"Yes, it was," Allen agreed, his face also shining with the same light as Eisha. His gaze traveled through the room, suddenly stumbling upon a logo that reminded him of the company his father was a part of: ArcaneTech Consolidated, a co-founder to be specific.

During his spare time from being a monster hunter, he participated in researches, which later led to the creation of the ArcaneEdge sword technique—the manipulation of mana to interact with particles and phenomena on a quantum level.

He had learned during an argument between his mom and dad that many people were after this technique, for reasons yet unknown. However, if he knew one thing, it was that he took after his father a lot.

During his teenage years, he had already studied and mastered almost every piece of information on all forms of science. At that time, he had just begun to put the knowledge into practical use, creating a few minor gadgets that easily earned his father's recognition and support. Receiving resources and guidance, he was able to improve his application of knowledge.

However, after their death and being evicted from the house owned by his parents, he soon wallowed in grief, which led him to abandon his pseudo-dream. "I guess it's time I give it my all," Allen thought internally, wishing to revive something that reminded and respected his memory of his dad.

"Allen, what are you thinking? I hope it's what I think it is," Eisha asked with a serious gaze that contrasted her usual demeanor.

"It's nothing. Anyways, don't you think you should submit your reinstatement form to the academy? There is still some daylight left," Allen suggested as he caressed her smooth, silky skin.

"I don't plan on rushing things. I'm already close to my class advancement, so how about I give you guys a chance to catch up?" Eisha countered, leaving Allen with no room to convince her.

"I have to go," Allen excused himself, leaving the covers of the bed to take a nice warm shower. However, on his way, Eisha stopped him, her gaze full of worry as she asked a question.

Allen turned around, reacting to Eisha's grip, noticing her worried gaze that showed her reluctance to ask a question as he presumed. "Eisha, is everything..."

"Yeah, it's just that I've been meaning to ask... Are we a thing?" She questioned, avoiding Allen's gaze, using her courage to stop herself from burying her head in the bed.

Allen sighed at her question, his initial worry of something major wrong washing away along with it. Sitting back on the bed, holding her face up to his. "Of course, what would make you think otherwise?" Allen asked, though he already knew the answer, after all, he never asked her out in the first place.

"Don't worry, when I get back, we will talk about this," he added, postponing the conversation, needing to do something urgent. Jackie had already sent a message of his achievement of successfully acquiring the training and research facility, where he would begin his goal of striving and delving into technology. Though he would need to hire some researchers and workers who will have to sign the life-death contract, as he would use the research facility as an excuse for the new dragonified type weapons, a perfect cover-up for his plan to strike it rich.

With a little bit of hurry, he finished up, getting into a vehicle which drove him to his apartment. He parked his prototype tech and gadgets he had abandoned after. He quickly locked up, calling the landlord of his departure and paying up his delayed rent.

"Jackie, I have to say, this place is amazing," he commented, glancing around at the professional workstations, architectural design, the white training room, and the robot dummies equipped with high-tech lasers. It was so futuristic that even words could not explain what he was seeing.

"Yeah, but you do know this place cost around 10 million star credits, and our first payment will be at the end of the month, so you better think of how to make money, and fast," Jackie explained, taking away Allen's joy with the thoughts of debt.

"Yeah, yeah, I understand. So what about the researchers or something you plan to hire?" Allen inquired, his lack of knowledge on management lacking by a large degree.

"Jackie just sighed, hearing Allen's words. 'That should be ready by the end of the week, so for now, I would like to get some rest,' Jackie advised before leaving the facility.

Meanwhile, deep in the city, at one of the most luxurious buildings in the city, Emma could be seen in deep thought, a saddened expression on her face as she glanced at the picture of her and Allen in her hand.

Just then, her mom passed by her room's door, opened slightly enough for her to catch sight of her daughter wearing a saddened look, her heart aching as she found Emma staring into the picture.

Sighting this, she couldn't help but blame herself for this. After all, she could have at least tried to convince her husband to allow the relationship to go on. But it actually seemed like a part of her did not support the relationship. But could she really allow her daughter to continue to be sad? After making a decision, she knocked on the door.

"Come in," Emma complied, hiding the picture as fast as she could. "What do you want, Mom?"

"Oh," she sighed in response to her daughter's expression that failed to create a facade for her tumultuous emotions. "Emma, what's wrong?" she asked, hoping her daughter would at least willingly open up to her.

"It's nothing, Mom. There is nothing wrong," she answered, though her words seemed to be in contrast with her wavering gaze.

"Is this about Allen?" Anna pressed, willing to finally put an end to her daughter's pain, even if it was by her initiative.

Emma paused in silence, bringing out the picture she had hid, tears dripping from her eyes as she finally let out all her pain and frustration in the hands of her mother. "Mom, I still love him," she explained.

"I know, honey. I'm sorry I didn't do anything about this all these years ago, but now I will talk to your father about this, I promise," she affirmed, with assurance in her voice.

Emma, hearing her words, was a bit hesitant, but with the light of hope in her presence, a smile formed on her teary face. "Thank you, Mom. I will appreciate this," she expressed, jumping into her arms, her joy evident as she hugged her mom tightly.

"It's nothing, my darling. Anything for you," she comforted before leaving the room, her gaze lingering behind as she closed the doors, heading straight for her husband Christoph's home office.

"Christoph, we need to talk," she explained, barging in without prior notice, causing him to abruptly end the dungeon facility sale business deal.

"What is it, Anna? If it is about that wretched boy, then you can forget about it," he disregarded, uncaring about her daughter's life.

"Really, Christoph? Do you hate the boy so much that you don't care about your daughter's choice? If you really loved Emma, you would have known that this decision is hurting her," Anna continued, her voice carrying a mix of frustration and concern. "The way you say this, you make me seem like an uncaring monster," Christoph retorted lightly.

"Well, yes! That's how I see you. If you really cared, you wouldn't use threats to separate your daughter from him. And I promise you, if you don't change your decisions fast, you might lose her permanently. She's a diamond-ranked system holder for God's sake! What do you think will happen once she's strong enough? And I doubt you want to become an enemy of your daughter."

After contemplating the future consequences it might have on his relationship with his daughter that was growing ever distant, Christoph now saw that this was the only way to fix it, something he wished he would not have to do.

"Fine... but on one condition, you have to use your divine revelation skill on him," Christoph proposed.

"I'm okay with that," Anna agreed, walking out of the office with a small, satisfied grin on her face.

Meanwhile, somewhere unknown, somewhere mysterious veiled by the dark atmosphere that denied all light, two figures stood a few meters apart, with one kneeling on the ground.

"Paul Arccom, have you made your decision so quickly?" The female figure, Caroline, dressed in a draping black cloak, asked with her back turned to the boy whose eyes were filled with rage and a mix of pain.

"Yes, I have. I have decided to worship the great master," he affirmed.

"Good. I can feel the rage and anger in your eyes... but you don't possess the will," she explained. Paul, unable to retort in his weakness of being unable to awaken.

"No need to fret. If you are ready to do anything for power, have this," she instructed, an eldritch, horrifying-like creature appearing in her hands.

Seeing this, he couldn't help but gulp down saliva in response, his fear evident as he wavered a bit.

"Paul, this will hurt like hell, but it is too little of a price to pay to destroy those who have inflicted pain on us. Will you just let it slide and do nothing, or receive this and become something?" she convinced, erasing any form of doubt in him as he hardened his heart.

"I'm ready," he said, opening his eyes as he prepared for pain. Dropping the slithering, horrific worm, it began to crawl towards him, unto his body, and entering through his mouth. Finding its place in his body, Paul's veins began to turn black, a transformation occurring as agonizing, unexplainable pain descended upon every and all of his nerves before he let out a heart-wrenching roar that crossed through the heavens and beyond. "Arrrghhhhhhhhhh!!!!..."