Soulless (Part 2)

Krista's right fist, ignited by the violet aura that pumped from deep within her very soul pushed through the air… sizzles accompanied her fist as a powerful strike instantly smashed against Cole's face with force enough to send the young man into the air – only for his hand to be held by Krista's other fist, soul energy slowly burning away at his skin as he gritted his teeth.

'I need to get away from her,' Cole thought as he used his free hand to punch Krista in his face, Krista was faster to react, slapping his fist away in an instant.

'If only I wasn't Soulless,'

Krista drew upon Cole's hand, pushing him forward and nearer to her and a smirk adorned her lips – at the moment, she was only focused on winning the battle… pushing forward like a true warrior. With each strike filled to the brim with Krista's destructive soul energy landing on Cole, his body trembled – each blow sending his mind reeling, he couldn't endure it…

'Why… why… why…'

A punch landed on his face and blood spouted profusely from his nose, staining the Beastkin's face yet she was relentless, A warrior did not falter when facing an opponent even if this was an ally- she had learned that from Rem.

'Why… why wasn't I born with Soul energy?!!'

Cole felt like screaming out loud but there was nothing he could do, his body constantly being attacked by Krista… he was starting to lose consciousness.

'If only!'

Even his Sister, she had soul energy… everyone had it, all except him! How was he supposed to be able to fight against Monsters which lay in dungeons if he couldn't even use Soul energy? How was he supposed to reinforce his weapons and fists with them?

Tears threatened to pour down from his bruised eyes… Cole bit his lips and blood streamed down as Krista rose up her fist, ready to deliver the last blow only for Maria to appear behind the Beastkin, holding her fist down.

Rem raised his eyebrow as he noticed Maria holding back Krista's fist, powered to the brim with soul energy easily- surely the Instructors here were something else.

"Stop," Maria said, her voice sounding more stoic than ever- Krista turned to her Instructor, her eyes filled with beastly rage as she gnashed her teeth.

'So this is what Drew meant by a Beast, huh?' Maria thought with a slight sweatdrop only for her deep azure eyes to lock onto Krista's, crimson energy surrounding their azure figures – Krista slowly blinked, her feet losing strength rapidly.

Krista fell to her knees and inhaled air greedily.

"Wha- What happened?" Krista muttered under her breath.

"Congratulations Krista, you unlocked your soul energy," Maria said while folding her hands, the crimson energy in her eyes vanishing in an instant, "Since Rem is a natural at manipulating his own soul energy, you can have after-lesson classes with me,"

Krista nodded and looked over at Cole- she was surprised at the amount of damage she had given him and prompted to apologize only for Maria to hold her shoulder before she could utter a word.

'Congratulations…' Cole thought as he gritted his teeth spitefully, his bones were aching him but he felt like he could still stand, 'Congratulations for unlocking your soul energy… It seems Krista is a very valuable apprentice,'

Under Rem's surprised gaze, Cole rose to his feet albeit slowly but he did rise to his feet- staggering up, his bones creaking eerily.

'Although the boy doesn't have Soul energy, his determination is on a whole new level- it's a shame that he doesn't have any soul energy though, he could have become a good Cavalier,' Maria thought.

It only took Rem a glance at her face to read it all – she was the kind of person that based on the current potential of people, Cole without soul energy wouldn't get any sympathy in her class but Rem wasn't sorry for him in the least… Why would he be? Was it his fault that Cole was born without Soul energy?

'I have to prepare for my imminent confrontation with this guy,' Rem thought while narrowing his gaze at Tobi who looked every bit as innocent as expected- Maria's eyes landed on the boy and smiled softly at him.

"Tobi, your own training is different," Maria said and Tobi nodded his head.

Cole despite showing his extreme resilience fell shortly after, he was caught by the maids and then taken to the Infirmary leaving only the last three Apprentices in the room with Maria.

"You have been briefed on what will be happening for a month till the Apprentice tournament where you will have to represent the mansion," Maria said, "If you want to take other physical classes, go ahead but your Sparring classes as well as Magical weapon classes will be held in this room, at 9AM sharp every single day till the Tournament,"

Rem sighed, there was bound to be a lot of work to do.

"There is also another class that is highly recommended by me – Instructor Maybel's Soul Enforcement class, Soul energy is energy brimming from deep down within the soul, unlocked by varied mysterious ways like the one we just witnessed… to ensure that you thoroughly master the use of Soul energy before the Apprentice tournament, Instructor Maybel has decided to teach you Soul enforcement," Maria said while rolling back her hair a bit with her finger, "Her class is at the end of this floor and don't worry, your fellow Apprentices are informed of this as well,"

'Not like Cole could go even if he wanted,' Rem thought as he looked back at Krista, 'She's a beast but she did a lot to be able to win the battle,'

Although there was a tinge of guilt in his heart, something he tried to ignore for so long yet it couldn't go away – maybe he shouldn't have hit Maria so hard… Rem instantly cleared those thoughts and reminded himself of Survival.

'I should pay a visit to the Soul Enforcement class right away,'

The class was already concluded and the Apprentices were allowed to leave the room.

-

Author's Note:

If you're enjoying the book so far, don't hesitate to add this to your library and throw in some power stones for me, and if you're feeling really generous- you can support me with a golden ticket or two, and a gift too! Support People, Support!