Chapter 22

"Huff, huff, huff—fuck, this body is weak as hell."

I have been training for three hours, and in those three hours I have been constantly taking breaks. First of all, the worst one is my stamina; compared to F rankers, mine is human level, and when it comes to speed and strength, I could barely match F rankers.

Clank! Clank!

Defending against the dummy's punches, I kicked it away, retreating to catch my breath.

"Huff… Without the Shadow Monarch Technique, they can easily sense my presence… Sigh. Let's do it again."

The training grounds are almost empty; most people are getting ready for today's events. After sunset, all the programs will begin. And today is one of those moments where he and Alicia get closer, enjoying the festival together, creating beautiful moments that they always think and talk about in the war.

Thump! Thump!

Even though I don't want to interfere with their happiness, just thinking about his smug face irritates me to the core so much that I want to rub his face on a hard rock and pour salt in his bruised face.

"Hehehe, maybe I should. It'd be my revenge for not helping me when his character trait is supposed to be kindness."

Buzz! Buzz!

The watch buzzed, jolting me out of my thoughts. Looking at it, I saw Taren's message.

[Taren Reisig: Hey, are you free after this evening? If so, then you want me to pick you up?]

[You: Yeah, I'm free. You don't have to pick me up. Send me the location, and I will come there.]

[Taren Reisig: I can't tell you the exact location; we will be moving here and there, enjoying the scenery and... You know, that too.]

[You: What's? 'that'?]

[Taren Reisig:... ogling and picking up girls, and if god gives me a chance, something might happen tonight.]

"This fucker, I thought this guy might be decent, but boys are boys."

[You: I will message you when I leave the house. Send me the location then.]

[Taren Reisig: Okay.]

"I should grab a shower and get something to eat." I head back to the dormitory. After a quick shower, I make my way to the cafeteria. "There aren't many students around here, either." I finish my meal and wander around the campus. "Maybe I should go explore the city... Nah, I'll do some VR training instead."

Time flies. I check the clock—it's almost 6 p.m. I sent Taren a message.

[You: Hey, send me your location.]

Sending a message, I walked to the entrance gate. As I approach the academy entrance, the guards notice me and immediately close the gate, their stances growing tense.

"Who are you, and how did you enter the academy?" the guard demands, clearly on alert

"It's me, old man."

"…Who? I don't know you," he replied, ready to alert the hidden guards.

"Can't you recognize my voice, old man? It's me, Jadel." I showed my details to the guards. As they saw that, there was a clear shock evident in his face.

Taking out an identity verifying device, he inspected me, and knowing it really was me, his eyes widened in surprise.

"Are you really Jadel?" he asked, not believing in his eyes. "Did you get a face modification?" I shook my head.

"My mana became pure, that's all. Now open the gate; I need to go."

"How the hell did that ugly bastard become this handsome?".

"Ugly? Careful, old man, or I will make your kid mine," I retorted with a grin.

"Well, too bad for you; my son is not gay." To his smirk, my smile stiffened. "… Are you gay?"

"Fucking no" 

"No need to get angry. These days, everyone respects people's choices. I'll support you if that's your thing," he said, almost teasing.

"I said I'm not a fucking gay. Just do your work. I'm going to go." Taking out my hoverbike, I departed.

"Wear a helmet before you ride," he said loudly.

'Always listen to elders words, or something bad might happen.' I thought pressing the button to manifest a helmet over my head.

Wroom! Wrooom!

I slowly rode the bike. The city is bustling with people. The adults moved here and there, busy decorating their shops with lights and colorful banners. Teenage boys and girls walked the streets, conversing with smiles, their playful banter filling the air. Kids laughter resounded; holding their parents' hands, they laughed with joy.

Seeing their joy filled faces brought back memories of my own family. The moments I shared with them. The things we did together and the things they did for me. Remembering my previous childhood memories, a smile bloomed on my face, and at the same time, I felt a pang in my chest. 

'Mom Dad, I wish you guys were here with me so we could enjoy festivals together, eat together, and support each other, not in this world but in our old world where there was no danger lurking around… I… I wish I could see you guys once. Now… I can't even remember your faces.'

My eyes blurred as tears filled my eyes, causing me to lose control over the bike for a moment. Clutching the break, I stopped the bike, taking off my helmet, I wiped the tears that threatened to fall down.

"Are you crying, browtha"

Hearing a child's voice, I looked at my sides and spotted a kid who looked like he was barely 3 years old. Not seeing anyone around him, I worried a little.

"Are you with your parents?" I asked with a smile.

"Mm-mm, I'm with my mom." Nodding his head, he replied.

'Is he lost? How did such a small kid end up here?' I wondered. "Where is your mom?"

The boy looked around, and when he didn't see his mother, his eyes began to water.

"Hey, hey, don't cry. Can you tell me which way you came?"

His eyes streamed with tears, which slowly started flowing down. As I saw he was on the verge of burst into crying, I quickly got the best idea.

"Don't cry. How about this? We'll look for your mom together, and while we're at it, I'll buy you some candy." At the word 'candy' his eyes lit up, but then the excitement faded. 'Huh, what's wrong?'

"Mom said don't go with strangers and eat what they give."

'Huh, so that's why.'

Touching my watch, I showed my identity.

"See, I'm from the royal academy." I pointed at the academy, "You see those big buildings over there? I'm from there." The academy was so big that it could compare to a city. Upon mentioning the academy, his eyes widened. 

"Big bwotha, are you strong?" He asked, his shining with twinkling stars.

'Man, he is so excited that I can see stars in them... Wait, stars?' I observed the child and made sure that I wasn't mistaking it.

'This kid was born with a genetic mutation.' Genetic mutations only occur when met with harsh conditions, such as enduring abnormal mana phenomena, entering cracks, etc. These changes happen when a normal human's genetic makeup mixes with an abnormal mana, which helps in developing the core and mutating body parts. But the body only mutates when the core is fully developed.

But it doesn't matter what this kid's potential is. If he manifested his eyes now, then when he awakens at age 11, his eyes would become absurd.

'I can confidently say his eyes will par with Lukostrelec or even surpass them. But it might potentially threaten him in the future. Those power hungry people will target them.

"Bwotha you're not answering; are you strong?" I nodded.

"I'm strong but not enough."

"Enough?" he asked, tilting his head.

"When you get big, you will get what I mean. Now let's find your mom."

Storing my bike I walked with the kid. After walking for a minute, he got tired. Picking him up, I held him in my hand and started walking.

"Here, as promised." 

"Candyy" He cheered, giggling.

Suddenly, a hand grabbed my neck, cutting off my words. The child was ripped from my grip, and before I could react, I was slammed to the ground.

"Guahh!" The impact rattled my skull, and the metallic taste of blood filled my mouth. My head spun, but I quickly sent mana into my brain, clearing my vision. Blinking through the haze, I saw a woman standing over me, her expression furious and desperate.

I jerked her hand away and lashed out with a kick aimed at her jaw, but she tilted her head just enough to dodge it effortlessly. My foot whiffed through the air, and I scrambled back, putting distance between us. I drew my dagger, releasing a faint hint of bloodlust.

"Why did you attack me? And why did you snatch the kid from—"

"Mama!" The child called out to her, his voice brimming with joy.

I froze. 'Mama?'

Around us, a crowd began to gather, murmuring and casting curious glances in our direction.

"Why did you kidnap my child?" She demanded, her voice sharp and accusing.

"What the hell would I gain from doing that?" I snapped, not caring if the kid could hear me curse. Frustration boiled over; I had just been trying to help, and this was the thanks I got?

She looked bewildered for a moment. "You don't know who I am?"

"Know you?" I scoffed. "Lady, I don't give a damn who you are. I was just helping the kid. Ask him if you don't believe me!"

She glanced at the child, and he nodded innocently, confirming my words.

"If you can't keep an eye on your own kid, that says plenty about how incompetent of a mother you are," I continued, my anger spilling out unchecked. "Having a big title doesn't make you a good mother. Doing what mothers do does."

Her face flushed with rage, and she released a wave of killing intent so intense it felt like all the air around me had been sucked away. I couldn't breathe, but my mind went immediately to the child in her arms.

'Shit, the kid—!' I realized he was unconscious.

Seeing where my gaze had landed, she quickly reined in her intent, panic flashing in her eyes. "Reijin! Reijin!" She called out desperately, tears brimming.

When the child stirred and opened his eyes, she breathed a sigh of relief, but her glare turned back to me. "What's your name, kid?""

Why should I tell you?" I retorted.

"…So I can repay you," she muttered, her earlier fierceness dissipating.

'Is she an idiot or acting like one?' I wondered.

"Jadel. Jadel Wayner. First-year student at the Royal Academy," I said flatly, getting on my bike. "If you really want to pay me back, come find me at the academy." I started the engine, giving her a final smirk. "See you around."

'Lets see what you would do after hearing the Wayner family name.'

The bike roared to life beneath me, and I left the place. But little did I know I would also have another unexpected situation and meet the most mysterious character.