For Her(2)

Knocking politely on the door, a gesture of respect before entering someone's personal space, I greeted my father formally. It was unusual for him to summon me, as he typically opted to barge into my room unannounced.

"...Son, you're here. Please, have a seat."

The gravity in his tone was palpable, causing my expression to mirror his seriousness.

Without hesitation, I took my place on the chair across from him, awaiting his words.

"You've turned six years old now. The Harmonic Elders are growing impatient and insist on commencing your training in all the necessary fields to become the Prime Harmonic. In other words, they are pressuring me to initiate your training. As a father, I had hoped to grant you a few more years of peace, but I'm sorry my son, I can no longer shield you."

Observing my father bowing his head with an expression laced with regret, I let out a sigh in response. Ah, the inevitable training arc. What can one do about it? Besides, I must grow considerably stronger to achieve the standards necessary for my grand plan, so the more training, the better!

"...Father, please, raise your head. This is not your fault. As the young master of the Seraphis family, I will proudly become the first Prime Harmonic of our lineage. I am ready for the training."

I attempted to 'smile' at him, although it seemed to cause him discomfort, for he avoided meeting my gaze. Sensing his unease, possibly believing my words were merely an attempt to spare him the burden, I stood up and patted his shoulder.

Well, I tried to, but being too short, my hand ended up patting his arm instead. Nevertheless, I carefully delivered my words, as if my awkward attempt at physical comfort had never happened.

"I'm not saying this to appease you. I am an ambitious individual, and to achieve what I desire, I require the strength of a Prime Harmonic. Even if it means enduring grueling training, I could never resent such a caring father who always prioritized my well-being over amassing power."

Although I didn't feel a profound emotional connection to my father and mother, I acknowledged that they were the closest figures I had in this world. While my affection for them could never match what I felt for Ais Wallenstein, there was still a degree of sentiment, which made my words genuine.

My words seemed to unleash a torrent of emotions within my father as he tightly shut his eyes, tears escaping despite his efforts to contain them.

"...Thank you, Ren. You may leave now."

His voice trembled slightly, yet I paid it no mind. It is only natural for parents to care deeply for their children, and since he did not require further comfort, I obliged his request.

Unbeknownst to me, my mother stood silently in the distance, watching over our interaction...

---

'What kind of parent would I be...?'

This question arose spontaneously at this moment in time.

I couldn't picture myself with anyone other than Ais. If we were to have a child, I imagined they would inherit some of her features and some of my own.

The mere thought of cradling a baby Ais in my arms evoked a surge of indescribable warmth and tenderness within me, lightening my somewhat heavy mood as I made my way back to my room.

---

"Raise your sword. The battle is far from over."

An imposing figure stood tall, his impressive physique revealing a masterpiece of sculpted muscles, each contour and sinew meticulously defined.

A commanding presence radiated from him, accentuated by a cold gaze and a voice that brooked no dissent. Notably, a scar traced across his left eye, a testament to battles fought and won.

He was one of the Harmonic Elders, possessing unparalleled mastery over the sword. At present, this man was one of my instructors.

After my father informed me the Harmonic Elders would oversee my training, I found myself constantly being relocated to various locations, depending on which Elder was instructing me at the time.

The shifting surroundings became a familiar part of my training, as the Elders who guided me changed periodically. Each new place brought a different atmosphere and set of challenges, ensuring that my growth as a Harmonic Convergence practitioner was comprehensive.

Whether it was a secluded mountain peak, an ancient temple, or a serene lakeside retreat, I adapted to the unique environments presented to me...

10 years flew by in the blink of an eye. Within this extensive timeframe, I encountered several Elders, each imparting their vast knowledge to me within a remarkably short period.

In a mere 10 years, I mastered Harmonic Elder Jin's "Defensive Maneuvers," Harmonic Elder Xiu's "War Strategies," and Harmonic Elder Li's "Godly Footwork."

You may wonder why this peculiar order. The answer is quite simple. Initially, I needed to address my weakest point, which was close-quarters combat.

To my surprise, being a Dark Mage specializing in Illusions, I required a long-range weapon that would synergize effectively with my magic. There were numerous options to choose from, but what immediately captivated me was the whip.

Why such a weapon, you ask? Well, I have yet to fully grasp its usage as these Elders seem to have their own whimsical approach at the moment.

However, I am aware that the whip is a highly versatile weapon that can aid me effectively. Moreover, for some reason, I couldn't envision myself excelling with anything else.

In the midst of my grueling training, I would occasionally ask Lucy to conjure an image of Ais Wallenstein.

But alas, my requests proved fruitless, as the depictions never captured her true essence.

Frustration gnawed at my heart with every imperfect portrayal, yet I refused to be deterred.

Over the course of ten long years, I witnessed Lucy's modest progress. Though still far from the mark, I clung to hope, believing that given enough time—roughly another 780 years—she would recreate Ais Wallenstein in all her splendor.

Was it too much to ask for a mere glimpse of her?

These fleeting thoughts consumed my mind as weariness finally claimed me, and my heavy eyelids drooped.

---

Another three decades slipped away, and I mastered the sword, having honed it to perfection.

Now it was time to turn my attention to the whip—a weapon that intrigued me and complimented my magical abilities.

Why, you might ask, did the Elders indulge my desire to train with a weapon seemingly unrelated to my specialization? Well, I made it clear that if they failed to incorporate my desired practices into my regimen, as the future Prime Harmonic, I would not hesitate to impose taxes or claim heads as a means of asserting my authority.

The Elders soon realized that my potential surpassed their initial expectations. With such strength at their disposal, the dream of unifying the Asura race seemed within reach.

Though we boasted of our might, the truth was that it took a hundred "warriors" or "mages" to match the prowess of a single Harmonic Convergence practioner. But our numbers were meager, a mere fraction of the other two factions.

Thus, our dominance over the continent remained elusive. However, I was their beacon of hope, their chosen one.

The Elders may have been ruthless in their training methods, subjecting me to beatings and endurance tests, but I endured. It was through their grueling trials that I became stronger, inching closer to my goal.

And yet, despite the hardships, I still found myself yearning for Ais Wallenstein.

I would occasionally request Lucy to conjure her image, but for reasons unbeknownst to me, Lucy would withhold the pictures, denying me the sight I craved.

---

...Another century passed.

I had conquered the intricacies of the whip under the tutelage of the Elders. But that was merely the first step.

I delved deeper into the realm of black magic, pushing the boundaries of my abilities. Two illusionists became my mentors, subjecting me to the harshest of trials. One would strip away my senses, while the other inflicted severe wounds upon me. It was a baptism by fire, enduring their onslaught and emerging stronger.

Through the crucible of my training, I glimpsed the true potential of my illusions. As my mastery grew, I turned the tables on my mentors, ensnaring them in their own illusions, toying with their minds before granting them release. Killing them would have been reckless, so I chose to exercise restraint.

Despite my persistent requests, Lucy continued to withhold any further depictions of Ais Wallenstein. It seemed that even the AI had a rebellious streak.

---

Author's Note:

During the process of crafting my schedule, I unexpectedly found myself immersed in this flashback. What began as a brief reflection on Ren's past unfolded into a sprawling narrative that demanded my attention. Although it deviates from the original plan, I felt compelled to preserve this extensive flashback in its entirety, as it holds great significance and adds depth to the story.

It's composed of 3 more chapters I shall release soon.