Gerald (3)

Lucavion's breath came in ragged gasps, his eyes wide with disbelief and awe as he watched the titanic clash unfold before him. He had never imagined witnessing such power, such raw emotion.

The sight of Gerald and Alexander, once brothers and rivals, now enemies locked in a battle to the death, had left an indelible mark on Lucavion.

'Starscourge Gerald.'

That was his master's name.

The name that he had heard just once.

The name that was said to have stormed through the world on his own, winning countless different battles.

'Master.'

He could not help but remember what the old man had said to him when they first met.

"A long time ago, I had a friend. He was much like you—brave, passionate, and unwilling to back down in the face of injustice. He stood up for the weak and fought against those who abused their power. But the world wasn't kind to him. He faced many hardships, and his path was not an easy one."

At that time, he thought that this old man was just speaking rubberish. After all, what kind of beggar old man would just have experienced many things? Though the pain in his eyes was clear and the sorrow was there, he thought the old man was ascribing to his own experiences while sugarcoating his words.

But, now, after the time they had trained together and after he saw his master's name, Lucavion realized.

He realized the fact that he was a disciple of one of the strongest people in the world all along. But what did it matter after his master was far, long gone at this point?

Did it matter if he had realized the identity of his master when the said master was no longer in this world?

'I did not even show my respect to him….'

While he became a bit rough after battling all that time, he also became someone who was not honest with his feelings.

While he became a bit rough after battling all that time, he also became someone who was not honest with his feelings. The pain of losing so many had hardened him, making him wary of forming new bonds. He thought that by keeping people at arm's length, he could protect himself from the heartbreak of loss.

At least, that is what he thought, but inwardly, he always knew he respected his master. It was just that he could not accept it and say it out loud. The old man's guidance, his wisdom, and his relentless push for Lucavion to better himself were things he had grown to cherish deeply.

But now…

Now, standing in the clearing where the stars above seemed to mourn the loss of his master, Lucavion felt a profound sense of regret and longing.

He wished he had expressed his gratitude, his respect, his love for the man who had become more than just a teacher to him. Gerald had been a guiding star, and now that star had fallen, leaving Lucavion to navigate the darkness alone.

He sank to his knees, the weight of his grief and regret pressing down on him. "Master," he whispered, his voice breaking. "I'm sorry… I should have told you…"

The starlight around him seemed to pulse gently as if in response to his words. The warmth of the celestial light seeped into his very soul, offering a comforting embrace in his moment of sorrow. Lucavion closed his eyes, letting the tears fall freely.

As the starlight continued to envelop him, Lucavion felt a surge of energy within him. It was as if the cosmos itself was empowering him, covering his body and entering his mind.

'Huh?'

He will feel like the world is getting darker and darker with each second.

'Ah….I am losing my consciousness.'

He wanted to resist so that he would not fall down in front of his when he was in such a state. But he couldn't.

–THUD!

As he fell down, his world went dark.

*********

"Kid."

The voice was distant but familiar, cutting through the darkness that enveloped Lucavion's mind. Slowly, he opened his eyes, his vision blurred and hazy.

"Kid, you have finally woken up."

As his vision cleared, he saw the stars all around him, twinkling brightly in the night sky. It felt surreal like he was floating in an endless expanse of starlight.

"Master?" he whispered, his voice trembling.

Gerald stood before him, a gentle smile on his face. He looked just as Lucavion remembered him, wise and serene. The sight of his master filled Lucavion with a mixture of relief and confusion.

'Am I dreaming?' Lucavion thought to himself.

"No, you are not dreaming."

Hearing this, Lucavion scrambled to his feet. As he stood up, he saw the vast expanse around him: an endless cosmos with the color of darkness, countless stars shining brightly, and many small particles drifting by. His eyes widened in awe at the sight.

The old man laughed at his reaction. "Do you like what you're seeing?"

Lucavion nodded, still taking in the breathtaking view. "Where is this place?"

"We are in the Spiritual Realm," the old man said.

Lucavion's eyes widened further. "The Spiritual Realm? That spiritual world?"

The old man nodded. "That's right."

"But how…?"

"We are here thanks to my connection to the stars," the old man explained.

Lucavion was about to ask more, but the old man raised his hand, gesturing for him to stop. "I know you have many questions, but would you mind asking them after listening to this old man's story?"

As the old man spoke, Lucavion noticed that his master's silhouette was slowly losing its color, becoming more translucent. Seeing this, Lucavion nodded and shut his mouth, understanding what his master meant.

'Master is already gone.'

This was most likely his soul, which would be sent away from this world. Right now, he was here because he was forcefully keeping himself from going away.

The old man began his story, his voice filled with a nostalgic warmth. "Once, there was a child living in the slums. Life was harsh, unforgiving, and full of hardships. But that child had an ambition, a fire that burned brighter than the suffering around him."

Lucavion listened intently, picturing a young version of his master struggling to survive in a world that seemed intent on breaking him.

"This child faced countless difficulties," the old man continued. "Hunger, cold, and danger were his constant companions. But he never gave up. He practiced under the open skies, always trying his best. From a young age, he was an avid fan of swords, always loving their elegance and power."

Lucavion could almost see the young boy, his master, swinging a wooden sword with determination, his eyes filled with dreams of a better future.

"The child trained and survived. By the age of twelve, he had become the head of a gang in the slums, and his strength and cunning earned him respect. It was then that he awakened, using the Mana Accumulation Art he had developed on his own."

Lucavion's eyes widened at this revelation. His master had not only survived but thrived in such harsh conditions, creating his own path to power.

"But the child was more ambitious," the old man said, his voice growing softer. "He didn't want to remain in the slums. He wanted to become someone strong, the strongest in the world. So, he embarked on a journey, and it was during this journey that he met someone. A girl."

The old man's eyes shone with a distant light, the memory of the girl clearly still dear to him. "She was a noble, riding in an attacked carriage. The boy saved her, and at that moment, he fell in love. It was love at first sight. But he knew that with his origins, he could never meet the requirements of marrying such a girl."

"So, the boy trained harder than ever. He earned a scholarship to the world's best academy, gaining fame for himself and making friends and enemies alike. Among those friends, he made one particular friend with whom he became sworn brothers. A friend he could trust with his back."

Lucavion felt a pang of empathy for his master, understanding the drive to prove oneself and the bonds formed in the pursuit of greatness.

"They became one of the strongest duos on the continent, each rising to the rank of general. But then, something happened. The boy's friend fell in love with the same girl he loved. From that point on, a rift opened between them."

The old man's voice grew heavy with regret.

The old man's voice grew heavy with regret. "At first, it was not that deep. While there were occasional fights, their bond was strong. They were still brothers, but at the same time, they became rivals in the feeling of love. They promised each other that they would respect the decision she made."

"But then everything became cursed on that damned day."

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