Blackmail of the Second Degree

(Author's note: For this chapter, Q: = Quis' POV and S: = Spiravit's POV)

The stars glowed brightly in the night sky as the even brighter and bigger moon blanketed the world in lunar light. It gave a blue luster to the green grass I was stepping on. An emerald luster to the leaves that rattled in the slight breeze. And a black shadow to the brown trunk that pierced the moon. I stepped forward as my hair was blown to the left of me, approaching the manifestation of nature.

A figure came into view.

His now shoulder-length black hair had a shimmer of mysteriousness as it got thrown around in the wind. His body leaned against the trunk of the tree, an exposed root securing him. His genuine smile brought me confusion as I neared him and his eyes grew clearer. Eyes led by a steady mantra. Eyes holding something back.

S:

Eyes that held the grand pit of nothingness. That was the eyes that he belonged to. Even I knew that much, but it was much more intense tonight. Maybe it was the moonlight exposing its true form or the way that he moved, but it felt a lot more suffocating to look at now.

Yet I still met his gaze.

I had to.

The only contact we've made since after Pulchra's death has been quick-matched stares and the times we brawled, so this was going to be the first time we've actually talked in a while.

I had to make a good impression.

It was strange. I did respect him a lot. He was almost like a fantastical hero to me, one I didn't want to let down. But at the same time, he was someone I wanted to defeat. Someone I wanted to prove I was better than.

He brought out admiration and fighting spirit alike. He presented to me a challenge that my pride as the number one genius of this sect can not ignore. And this was just the beginning of how I would wrap him around my finger.

So let's begin, no?

Q:

"You made it, that's good. I don't know what I would do if you decided to ignore me."

He said this with a sarcastic tone, he was being cocky because of his higher position. That was good, I need him to stay cocky. Cockiness creates opportunities for one to be taken advantage of. And in a drawn-out war, those opportunities are of absolute importance. Victory doesn't come from you making a correct decision, but from your enemy making the wrong one.

"Of course I did. I couldn't exactly ignore the contents of the letter you sent. I just didn't expect to see you, but it makes sense now. Do you want to take out your grievances by blaming me? Well, then you'd better stop while your ahead. I didn't kill Pulchra, and that's final. Even Iusus knows that much."

S:

Oh, he really was good.

Continuing your deceit just in case what I was saying was a bluff? How shameless can you be?

I felt the corners of my lips lift slightly as I thought about it.

He could be as shameless as needed. That was why I respected him so much. He won't give up until the bitter end, doing whatever is necessary to live just a second longer. I'm sure he wouldn't have a problem sacrificing this whole sect if it meant he could live longer or grow stronger. Could I do the same? I like to think so, but in all likelihood, I wouldn't be able to make that decision. But he could, and in that way, he was powerful.

But I also held another power. The power of secrets.

Q:

Suddenly, a 50-centimeter blue paper-like screen appeared in front of me. It was a re-inaction of the night I killed Pulchra. So he really did have evidence... I guess an act is no longer necessary.

I let the 10-second-long recording finish playing, and as it disappeared, Spiravit's person replaced it.

"You see now? There is no reason to act in front of me."

What to do. I can't just kill him like I did others, people were much closer now, and a sudden commotion would definitely cause people to come over in suspicion. Then I would be hanged or stoned, or something like that. Spiravit was different than just some random Stone Class Cultivators, after all, he was the grandchild of a Grand Elder. His position was similar to Pulchra's.

I also can't destroy what he used to record that night since he wasn't making it obvious what he used to record it. It could be a Fruit or even a special Magic Art, both of which were impossible to destroy. Which meant I only had one choice I could take.

S:

"What do you want from me?"

What a turn in character. He really was shameless, to have no pride he cared to keep. I would never bow my head to someone unless they were much stronger than me in every way, but that would never happen. I guess this was just how he was. He knows he has no other choice, so he does what he needs to do to survive. Even if that means tossing away his pride to someone physically weaker than him.

I could feel my smile grow more satisfied.

I would complete my original objective, but was it wrong to relish this moment a little? He has beaten me in almost every subject recently, so I take great pleasure in finally having the upper leg. And I wanted to most out of this moment.

With my eyes closed, I leaned my chin onto my fist, and in false deep thought mumbled, "What do I want from you? I guess I could make you eat your own shit at the front of the school gate right after school. I could have you stripped and tied to the front gate instead. Oh, and that way everyone could take turns beating your body black and blue."

I took a moment to open my eyes to get a good look at his face, but, just as I expected there was nothing on his face besides the same emotionless expression he always had on. I knew it probably wouldn't do much, but at least I tried. I'll just get to the point then.

Q:

After he spouted some obvious nonsense, he straightened his gaze and looked at me seriously, "I want you to help me with something." He leaned his arm against the rough bark of the tree behind him and sighed, "You see, I don't have exactly the best impression in the minds of most people on this campus, well, the entire sect at that. And especially now. Who I considered to be two good friends of mine before Pulchra died are more distant than ever. I want that to change."

An obvious lie. Firstly, there is nothing in his character that would actually make him worried about how others perceive him. Second, there were two times when he was talking to me that his eyes looked off to the left, another obvious tell. And finally, Spiravit wouldn't do something like this without a serious desire for something.

He was prideful of himself, too prideful to ask for help from someone else. So he would at least try to do it himself before asking for help, something that he has obviously not done. So he was asking for my help in this with another motive in mind.

How interesting.

S:

I could see his lips raise a little as his mind moved a million miles per hour. Just what was he thinking? Was he trying to look for a way out of this? Or was he already trying to find a solution to my problem? Hmm, no, that's not right. Quis has the amazing ability to discern someone's deepest secrets just by talking with them for a little while. He probably already saw through my lie and was trying to figure out what I actually wanted. But it wouldn't matter too much, who would guess that the person who used to beat you up actually wanted to learn something from you? I doubt that Quis would jump to such a wild conclusion.

He gestured his hands for me to listen, and replied, "It's obvious to me now in which way you changed. You probably saw me kill Pulchra, went through some crazy self-awakening that seemed so important to you, and ended up deciding that I was doing something right. After figuring that much out you decided to observe me while trying to learn how I work. You copied how I think and how I act hoping to achieve the feats that I have. So now you've hit a roadblock and decided to take matters into your own hands, and now we are here. So just skip the roundabout schemes and tell me what you actually want. That way this is easier for the both of us." ...?!

It looks like I greatly underestimated him. He has such an uncanny ability, it's insane! I really wanted it, and I did hold this evidence, so why should I hold back? Now that I think about it, my original plan was kind of stupid. Get him to do that and then what? What would I gain from it? Being direct works well in a scenario such as this one.

Q:

It was so obvious now. His stares of admiration mixed with stares of anger and competitive spirit. All I needed was this last puzzle piece to put it together. For reasons I don't care to know, his watching Pulchra die in my hands made him begin to admire me. But he is still conflicted because he used to believe me to be completely inferior to him in every way. Now that I was better than him in both mental and physical fighting, he was breaking.

He always believed himself to be the best in everything, no questions asked. And his confidence took a huge leap after he unlocked his A+ Talent. He was at the top of the world. But now he was suddenly having someone, who was the same age as him, prove himself to be better in certain areas he held pride in. It would leave him numbed in anger if weren't for him also respecting people who were stronger than him.

He was completely conflicted. He wanted to learn from me but at the same time prove he was better than me.

It was the perfect opportunity for me to break him.

But it needed to be taken slowly.

He still believes himself to be better than me because of two things. One: the video evidence he holds of me killing Pulchra. And two: the A+ Talent he has. But if those two things were also beaten by me, judging by his character, he would admit defeat and subservience to me. This would prove to be much more effective than using only Capcis.

While Capcis had her good points, I still needed her to believe that I held righteous views, so I couldn't order her to do "evil" things. But if I had a subordinate that knew of how I did things, but still blindly trusted me, then I could have them do anything I wanted. And who better than the number one genius of the sect and the grandson of the most powerful Grand Elder, Spiravit Nima?

I mustn't get ahead of myself. One step at a time.

First, let's start with hearing what he wants from me.

S:

"I want you to teach me how to observe others. I have been watching you for the past couple of weeks, and I can tell. You are amazing at observing others, so show me how to do it. Of course you could refuse... but then who knows what'll happen once news of this video gets out."

I looked at him and, even with my subpar observation skills, could see the surprise on his face. Was he not expecting me to say such a thing? I guess there are limits even he has. But even with limits, I still want to learn it, I know it will prove very useful in the future.

He steadied himself and then opened his mouth, "I can help you with that. But it isn't some Magic or Martial Art. It is something you gain along a long journey filled with betrayals, broken hearts, and most importantly, death. It isn't something I can exactly teach, although I will try. But I do have one condition. I want you to hand over the Video Device that contains that incriminating video once I'm done."

"Hmm? No way." Did he understand his situation? He was in no position to be making demands.

In response to the immediate rejection he only gave me a devilish smile and replied, "You're probably thinking something along the lines of, "He has to listen to my demands or his crimes will be exposed", but you're wrong. I still have the choice to kill you and run. It's the middle of the night, and you may not think so, but I could kill you without a sound. Do you think I didn't make preparations after getting your threat? Let me give you a hint, you aren't going to be more difficult to kill than two Stone Class Cultivators. And then after I kill you, I'll dissolve your body in acid, then run away. We'll both end up missing, and they'll search for us. But they won't be quick enough since I already had the entire night to get away. I would then begin anew somewhere else. Who knows, I might be able to get into the Jungle Lotus Sect with my strength. Of course, I would rather not do that. I already have plans for this sect so I don't want to give it all up. That is the only reason you have some leverage over me." His pupils shrunk to the size of a needle as a suffocating killing intent invaded every corner of my body, "So don't overestimate yourself."

Well, that was certainly threatening. Note to self: Don't push a beast too far into a corner, or they'll lash out regardless of the consequences.

As the killing intent disappeared I sighed and murmured, "Fine, I'll give you the Video Machine if you can do it." Of course, I was just saying this. I would never give up such a big advantage.

He's too hopeful if he thinks I'll give it over so easily.

Q:

Heh, he still has some work to do. He just confirmed that his recording is on a Video Machine, something I could steal or break. Well, now that I know that, I guess I'll try and figure out how to teach this kid something so vague. I did have to put some effort into it or he really would rat me out. And I don't hold the same advantages during the day that I do now, so I can't afford for that to happen.

I turned around and began to walk away, "Alright then, your first lesson will be at the Food Hall in between Martial Arts Class and Magic Arts Class, get ready."

S:

Just like that huh?

I expected some more resistance, but it would end out like this either way, so I guess he just decided to make this as quick as possible.

As he walked away I looked down to watch how his legs moved forward. I took notice that there was not a single wasted movement. I tried to move in the same way and was successful after practicing for around half an hour.

I looked up at the big, shining, beautiful moon contrasting the dark night sky and laughed:

"Haha, I'm amazing!!"