(Brad's Pov)
[Brad (Chad)
Race: Half-Spirit Familiar
Strength: 999
Agility: 999
Dexterity: 999
Defence: 999
Vision: Endurance and Resilience (Hidden)
Skills: Assimilation (Unique) | Devotion (Special) | Berserk (Rare) | Forest's Blessing (Special) | Drain Touch (Rare) | Dragon Eyes of Truth (Incomplete) (Rare) | Spirit Form (Special) | Return (Rare) | Hand-to-hand combat (Unique) | Fortify (Rare) | Regeneration (Special) | Permeability (Special) | Poison Immunity (Special) | Curse Immunity (Special) | Blink (Special) | Master's Touch (Special)
Titles: Summit of Strength | Summit of Defence | Ascetic | Summit of Agility | Summit Dexterity]
At times, memories of before I became master's familiar would show up in my dreams. In those days, I said that I strove to gain strength, but I really just wanted to explore and become famous. I was so filled with secular greed that I couldn't utilise my talent to its fullest. I was truly disgusted by that me, who did not seek to push himself in battle, but I still accepted it as my past and it drove me to always reach for new heights.
Even so, there was a limit to the amount of motivation I could get by looking at this past. It wasn't long before I stood out as the strongest among the original three familiars, and I kept that title even after Master gained more familiars. Especially after being enlightened to my vision, I began to get complacent. I witnessed Master's fight against Kaili and Alma, but I was still confident in my own strength.
However, one night, Master asked me to spar with him. I already accepted my loss since Master would entering his Dragon Form, but since he wouldn't use magic I thought that I could put up a good fight. Long story short, I was terribly mistaken.
Although he was stronger than me, there wasn't a wide gulf once I used my sigils, but levelling the playing field didn't change anything. As if he knew what I would do before I thought about doing it, Master beat me without allowing me to get a single hit in. Whether it was thinking more or leaving everything to instinct, nothing I did had any effect. At the end of our spar, Master wiped his sweat and thanked me for accompanying him, but I could only force a wry smile in response. It was as if all of the power I thought I had was an illusion and I was finally waking up from it. From then on, I stopped looking back on the past to push myself forward, but to his back instead. I told myself that no matter how strong I got, he would still be above me.
...
My body was getting cold while my senses became more dull, but I smiled when I saw that scaly hand. With one hit, he smashed the guy who gave me so much trouble.
"As expected of, Master."
He then retracted the scales on his arm and stepped out of the spatial crack. After a quick look at the surroundings, he looked down at me and froze with a grave expression.
'Please don't look at me like that.'
I couldn't deny that I felt a little happy, but I was also sad and frustrated that he had to look at me like that. If I had made a mistake and he was scolding me then it would be far better, but then again, didn't I make the worst mistake by losing?
"Sorry, Master. You were right. I wasn't his match."
When I first heard about the plan to assassinate True Ancestor Alcor, I immediately asked to take on the role that Master made for himself. He had straightforwardly told me that my chance of victory was less than 1%, but I still begged him to let me try. I said that I wouldn't die, that I would call for him if it got dangerous, and yet, here we are.
"I'm sorry, Master."
After my second apology, he awoke from his stupor and quickly stooped down to lay his hand on my chest.
"Don't talk. I'll get you out of here."
Soon after I felt his touch, I could feel his warmth counteracting the vortex in my body, but it was too late. It had already eaten the essence of my being so I was like a pot riddled with holes. No matter how much healing I was given, my condition would be stable at best. Surely he knew that as well.
Of course I liked that he showed concern me, but, this was wrong.
I forced my limp hand to grab the wrist placed above my chest.
"Master, please, listen to me."
"Brad, I told you not to talk. I'll handle this. You won't die without my permission."
There was a cold edge to his voice, but the fact that he slipped out my true name was proof that he was shaken.
If it was my master, then maybe he would actually find a way to save me, but I couldn't accept that. Not when I wouldn't be able to repay him.
"Master, I accept this loss. You know, what that means."
Once you walk the path of your vision, no deviations were allowed. My vision was endurance and resilience, so the very fact that I was wounded like this would forever prevent me from drawing out my sigils again. It was one thing to shamelessly die without permission, but I couldn't live like that.
"..."
Master didn't say anything but he bit his lip and continued removing the magic from my wound. I knew my master was a stubborn one, so I didn't talk him out of it anymore and began rambling.
"...You know, one time when I spotted Witch with the girls, I imagined being in her place. Training Aishie and your children, laughing together with them, and watching them grow up splendidly. I thought it was unbelievable for someone who constantly sought battle like me, but it didn't sound that bad either."
"..."
That sort of peaceful life, maybe that was what Master fought for. I would have loved to help him reach it but now...
"It's too bad. It looks I won't be able to see who you pick in the end. Personally, I would say both. Witch, can be, passionate at times, but she's a good girl. And Lady Lia, I know she hasn't truly opened up to us, but I think you'll be able to tear down her walls, Master."
"Brad, I'm-"
"Please don't say you're sorry. A man who does as he pleases, says what he wants and never backs down, isn't that my proud Master?"
"..."
I knew I was being awfully selfish, but I was on my deathbed, surely my master would forgive me for this much.
Rather, I'm sure those two would be more trouble. They would always argue with each other when they met. I hope they've grown after being apart for so long.
Ohh?
Slowly but suddenly, my vision darkened and I lost the minuscule strength I had left. I felt the grip I had on Master's wrist slip, but then he grabbed my hand. I wonder why, when I saw his hand I would usually only think of how strong he was, yet now I fascinated by the comfort it provided. Maybe this was why that girl liked his headpats.
"Brad! Hold on! Stay with me!"
Despite his distraught voice, I felt far away, with only his hand reminding me that I was still here.
"Master, can I, ask you for something?"
"Anything! I'll give you whatever you want, just stay with me!"
"Then, take care of the others. I hope that, I'll be enough."
"..."
He didn't reply with words, but I felt his hand tighten around mine. That was enough.
'Thanks. It was fun.'
"Good. You know, what to do next. I'll always be with you, Master."
Once I said what I wanted to, the last string keeping me to this world, quietly snapped.
In the moment before I was assimilated into the universal nothingness, I chuckled.
Man, I really wish I could have seen the rest of your epic tale, Master.
***
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"Damn it..."