~One of the major changes the 'Rip' made was the reform of the educational sector, as well as the establishment of a new educational institute. This Institute was created specifically to foster and raise young ability users in order to secure for them a definite future~
YEAR: 2161
LOCATION: Unknown
Michael had been watching, ever since Tenny passed out. He had observed all that ensued between his brother and the beast, and most significantly, the 'Awakening' of his brother's innate special ability.
He had wanted to interfere countless times, but he kept being surprised by how Tenny managed to survive and fight back. It was at that moment he decided that he would not step in at any point in the battle. Even if it meant his brother's death.
As he now looked at his brother, who was paralyzed, lying on the rough ground, bleeding and bruised, he felt a tinge of pity. However, that was not all he felt bad about. The eyes the injured boy used to look at him pierced his soul, though he did not show it.
"W...Were you the one who saved me?" The silence was finally broken.
Tenny looked at Michael, with more fire in his eyes than before. He was obviously angry, no, furious, enraged, bitter at Michael for his betrayal.
"And what if I did? Is that the way to look at your rescuer?" Michael asked with a smug look on his face.
"Don't give me that crap! If it weren't for you my life wouldn't have been in danger, to begin with!" Tenny's rage grew more intense as he kept looking at Michael's calm face.
"Is this guy even human?" Tenny found himself asking.
All the pain he was feeling faded and the only feeling he had left was pure rage. He now had no doubt, this guy was not his brother.
"Wrong! It's not on me that you ended up like this. I remember giving you a choice, and telling you I did not much care. It's also definitely not my fault that you passed out right before the 'Gate'. And most of all, it's absolutely not my fault that you were such a weak person who couldn't easily defeat a mere Grade 2. It's all on you." Michael spoke in steps, allowing his hurtful words to sink in, and they did.
Tenny was angry, but he knew Michael was right. And his fatal battle was with a Grade 2? Pathetic! The whole fight he assumed the beast was at least a Grade 6 monster. That was the difference in strength... he truly was hopeless.
"However, you exceeded my expectations. I never would have imagined you lasting so long, talk less of killing it. I was so sure you would die." Michael spoke up, smiling.
His expression changed as he now looked compassionate. "W...Wait... Did you say... I killed it?" Tenny said, nearing tears. He did not believe it.
"Yes, you did... Take pride in that. I could never have pulled that off if I was at your level. There exists no one your age who can do what you've done. And as a Grade 2 by my standard, that Harbinger you killed is a Grade 4 by this world's measurements" Michael said.
'... Though it was considerably weak and nutrient deprived.' He added in his thoughts.
Tenny could not believe what he was saying. He had killed a Grade 4 monster all by himself. He had survived all on his own... He did not die. Tears started pouring down his face as he started to bawl
"I really thought I would die! I thought it was the end... I actually did it. I pulled I off..."
Tenny felt a bittersweet feeling surging within him. Though his entire body stung like hell, and his future remained uncertain, he had never felt better.
Michael looked at his brother wet his cheeks like a baby and smiled. He could have told him that the Harbinger he fought was a weakened one, as it had probably not anything to eat in more than a decade.
Some Harbingers could handle it, but that condition was especially worse for this one.
By his observation and the powers it displayed, the Harbinger must have been a degraded Vampire Cyclops, 'Vampcyclops' for short. As a species that depended on blood for energy and physical prowess, not consuming any was a major Debuff for it.
That was why it was slow at Tenny's first encounter of it. It became considerably faster and stronger after it grazed him and absorbed the blood that leaked out.
Michael looked at Tenny, noticing his excited expression, and decided against telling him the details, at least not for the moment.
They had more urgent matters to attend to. He would need Tenny with him in order to confirm something that kept bugging him.
However, at the moment, Tenny did not trust him. He needed to build up some level of fidelity between them before he moved on to the next phase of his plan.
Ultimately, he would require Tenny's help and abilities later in the future as well.
"Tenny, do you hate me?" He asked suddenly.
Tenny, who was also taken aback by the sudden question kept silent for a while, looking to the ground for a moment.
"No, I don't... After all, it was my decision to come here in the first place. I have also Awakened just like you said. It must have required a painful experience to suddenly trigger the ability that was dormant within me. I don't blame you. After all, I'm alive, with a sweet ability, I slew a Grade 4 monster... And now... I can finally say, that I'm not weak! So thank you... You may not be the brother I knew, but you're definitely Michael, and I'm sorry I doubted you." Tenny said, with a smile on his face, and tears flowing down his eyes.
Michael felt waves of emotions surging through him, but he kept them in check.
"Tenny, you.... you called it a monster again! I told you already, It's a Harbinger! What did I say? Harbinger!" Was what Michael's reply was to Tenny's heart-filled words.
"WTF?" Was the only question that Tenny's tired brain could respond with.
Michael sighed and asked, "So, you believe me now?"
Tenny, who had already made up his mind a while back, looking convicted said "Yes, I do! The fact that you knew of this place, the fact that you know so much about me, the fact that you were not lying about the Awakening, and the fact that you could have killed me whenever you wanted but didn't. I have decided... I believe you!"
Those warm words hit Michael's cold heart, and a crack appeared. He was amused by Tenny's naivete, he was still too young and inexperienced.
Michael could still find at least 10 reasons to distrust himself, but he did not mention them. He was however happy. For the first time in over 200 years, he finally had someone to talk to. He would have it no other way!
"[Healer's wish]" Michael spoke softly.
TO BE CONTINUED...