18.

After making sure that Felicia is asleep, I picked up the rusty spear from my room and went to a training room in the manor.

I removed the linen and stared at the spear in front of me. This guy has been with me in the shadow world for a very long time. We've been so many life & death battles that I'm already numb about it.

'The Cursed Spear of Fate.'

This weapon is a living weapon that grows alongside its owner. It is said that the past users of the spear are well-known individuals but because the spear hasn't been seen for a very long time, all the records pertaining the users and the spear was buried with the passage of time.

It wasn't until I encountered the person, who once wielded the spear, in the shadow world. He didn't speak much about its abilities but he warned me. I still can't forget what he said at that time.

'Although the spear contains powers that rivaled the Ancient Dragons or even possibly Gods, the moment the spear acknowledged you, your fate is already sealed. The curse that the spear carries is not something that us mortals cannot carry. I've held that spear for a long time but I have never known its name.'

Even so, this spear is the only one I trust in the battlefield, not my comrades, not the plans made by a tactician... only with the spear will I feel safe.

The rusty spear in front of me will shed its cover after acknowledging a new owner. As for the method...

I picked up the spear and started my usual training. I stabbed, sliced, and slashed for so many times that I've lost count on how many times I've been doing it.

Although its a heavy spear, I persevered in training using it. I didn't care if the handle is rough and covered in rust, I held onto it tightly and continued training like a madman. I didn't care if the stab wasn't sharp because of how dull the weapon is.

It wasn't until I heard someone's voice that I stopped training and dropped the spear.

"Big bro!" An anxious voice shouted and I turned to look at the person who shouted. I sat down in exhaustion and panted like a dog. I turned to see a worried Felicia and Wilhelm.

"Are you alright, big bro?" Felicia asked me.

"Well, actually, I'm not." Lying when it was obvious is not good.

"E-Eh? What's wrong with, big bro, grandpa?!" Felicia asked her grandpa who shook his head.

"You've taken things too far again, Aegis." Wilhelm said as he placed me in his back and carried me to my room. He left my room leaving me and Felicia with each other.

'The bones in my arm are hurting and seem to be fractured. Was I too hasty?' I thought to myself. Receiving the acknowledgement of the spear was hard if you didn't know how but I am one of the people who knew. And I did just that. Unfortunately, I still can't receive its acknowledgement because I am still lacking.

Felicia didn't speak the whole time but she was worried at me who is lying on the bed. I wanted to pat her so that she don't have to worry but my arms are currently busted. Wilhelm came back with a bunch of herbs and bandages. He drained the sap within the herbs and grinded it, turning it into a paste and applied it to my arm. He then wrapped bandages to my arm and tightened it hard making me wince in pain.

"Felicia, why don't you go back in your room to rest." Wilhelm ordered Felicia. Before leaving, Felicia took one more look at us before leaving.

"Seriously, Young Lord. Why do you have to be reckless every time? Its like you're in a hurry." Wilhelm's word shook me to the core.

'That's right, why am I in a hurry? Is it because of my deal with the Devil? Or is it because of the influence of the spear?' I thought to myself, I don't know.

"I tried awakening the soul inside the spear. It turns out my strength is still not enough." I said and sighed.

"Aegis, I don't know what kind of spear is that but you don't have to rush. Recklessness will only hurt you and your potential. If that spear will only bring you harm, then its better to discard it." Wilhelm advised and I nodded seriously.

"Aegis, you've been training hard, I know. But keep the balance between playing, training, and resting. You're still a child and the thing that worries us the most is not a problem anymore. You still have a long road ahead of you unlike this old man here." Wilhelm continued and I nodded my head and just kept silent.

I only noticed it now but because I lost track of time while training, it was already nighttime. My arms are unusable at the moment. I'm not hungry either so I just decided to sleep. I was so deep in my sleep because of fatigue and also because my body is craving for rest.

I opened my eyes and saw the desolate land before me. I remember this place, this is the place where Lucifer resides.

"That's correct. So? How was it?" A voice startled me and I immediately tried to find anything I could use to fight. I picked up the red spear lying beside me but then it hit me.

"Turns out it was you." I said as I sighed. I was a little tense since I broke my arms earlier. I then found out that my arms still have the bandage on but I could now use my arms as if it wasn't injured.

"Yes. So, how was the feeling of returning back in time?" He asked me with a smile.

"Its a little hard but satisfying at the same time." I said making Lucifer chuckle.

"How was my gift? Did you like it?" He asked me about the skill I received from him.

"It is good but I don't think its time for me to use it yet." I said and Lucifer smiled at my answer.

"At least you know that its not the time yet. I wasn't supposed to see you this early but I had to." Lucifer said seriously and the atmosphere between us turned serious.

"What do you mean?" I asked him.

"That spear, its done its job, and I think its time for it to return to its real owner." He said making me startled.

"What do you mean?" I asked as I calmed myself forcibly.

"That spear is not meant to be wielded by you. Also that spear will only harm you." He explained while I became confused.

"What do you mean that it will harm me? And what does it mean that I'm not meant to wield it when I was able to receive its acknowledgement in the past run?" I asked him since I'm confused about so many things.

"The thing that will harm you is its curse. Not only will it harm you, it will also harm those who are around you. The reason why you were able to use it is because of me, I wanted to meet you and strike a deal with you. Now that it has served its purpose, its time for it to return to its owner. Just so you know, I borrowed it from an old friend of mine so I know who is its true owner and the true name of that spear." Lucifer said making me flinch.

"So the reason why you allowed me to use it is so that you can see me?" I asked him. I'm not a narrow-minded person who just gets angry because I was manipulated or something. I'm not the smartest person in this universe, there will always be someone above me. It just means that Lucifer is way smarter than me in that regard, besides he did give me the chance to return back in time.

"I'm surprised. I thought you would be angry at me for that. I guess you really are different. That's right, I wanted to see you and form a pact with you. Also, I'm not an unfair person, because I'll take your partner away from you, I'll give you something in return that is equal to or much better than that spear. I thought of letting you keep that spear, its just that, the owner of your spear has been hounding me for thousands of year and the interest I had to pay is increasing every single year so I had to return it or I'll be bankrupt." He said while chuckling. He then opened his hand and called out to my spear.

"Gae Bulg, come back to your owner." He said and I could feel the excitement of the spear when Lucifer said that it could return. It struggled out of my hand and flew to who knows where.

"I never knew that it was Gae Bulg. Its a bit different from what I know. So it returned to Cu?" I asked but Lucifer just smiled and didn't answer.

"That spear was created and was supposed to kill only one person, but instead, it took the life of those who are close to that person, hence, its curse. You don't want that, do you? Don't worry though, I'm sure that you'll meet the owner of the spear in the future. Although I'm not sure if it will be a boon or disaster for you." He said to me but I just shrugged my shoulders.

"I'm sure it'll be disastrous, you know that my luck is sh*t." I said making Lucifer laugh.

"True, you're one of the people I know who is blessed by the Goddess of misfortune. And it seems that she likes you a lot." He said to me in a teasing manner.

"No wonder my luck is garbage." I said gloomily.

"Well, don't worry about it. Now, for my compensation to you." He said and he waved his hand and a golden spear appeared in front of me.

"This spear is the weapon of the God, Indra. A weapon of legends. I modified it for your own personal use and will grow alongside you. As for whether you'll be able to call out its true name and release its full power and potential, it'll be up to you." He said and I stared at the spear dumbly.

I know that spear, although not very well. All I know is that it was given as compensation for the honorable warrior who kept his noble behavior even when he lost the boon he received from the warrior's father and was about to fight his own son in the final battle.

I tried calling it by its name but it seems that I cannot speak of its true name.

"Are you surprised?" Lucifer said with a smile.

"Indeed. So if I need to use its full power, I need to be acknowledged by the true owner of the spear?" I asked him for information but Lucifer just shook his head.

"I see. I'll take it." I said and grabbed the spear. The moment I touched the spear, a tattoo was embedded in the back of my hand which surprised me a little bit.

"It has formed a pact with you. Anyway, its time for you to leave. Oh, and also, don't be pressured about the deal we made. I don't care how long it will take because I know it will happen one way or another. Its just your fate." He said while I smiled at what he said.

"Thanks, I needed it." I said and was about to ask him to send me out.

"Also, let me inform you about something. Your fate is special and interesting at the same time. Your fate, not only does it interfere with others fate, it will also pull them up." Lucifer said and waved his hand.

"Thank you." I replied before my body faded into existence.

=================================

So I was annoyed what to name the Mc's initial spear and can't think of what to name it so I just replaced it. I just made an excuse to name it Gae Bulg because I don't know what to call it.

I saw it on Yu Ilhan's wiki but I still haven't found out its name so I scrapped it and chose another spear, that's why I changed the cover of the novel.