A day passed as Lawrence remained in the training room, fighting his clone who was becoming more dangerous and lethal each passing time they spared. . Lawrence's gravity barrier is effectively destroyed once the clone uses the improved spell moonlight beam. Instead of four or five beams emerging, a single beam manifests. It's three times larger than a standard light beam and it's twice as fast. A single hit from the concentrated beam can destroy Lawrence's gravity barrier.
"You have improved" Lawrence commented while looking at the destruction around him. Holes scattered the walls and ceilings while almost half of the floor has cracks running all throughout it.
"Of course, I won't let you always win" the clone smiled
"I have always wanted to ask this. What is your name?" Lawrence asked, wondering what it would reply.
"Lawrence? No..that's your name" the clone pondered for a while before continuing "J-Jack" the clone replied as Lawrence's eyes twitched. Lawrence didn't respond as he simply nodded before leaving the training room. The clone looked at the closed door confusedly before shrugging. Picking up his spear, he started training again.
Inside one of the chapels in the Sekai Kingdom, in front of the altar of the goddess. A lone man is on his knees praying dearly. A faint yet noticeable glow surrounds the man as the white cube in his hands started floating and rearranging like a Rubix cube. A gentle soothing sound of violins appeared out of nowhere but the man didn't react as if it were normal.
"Have you finished my mission, dear one" the woman's voice emanated from the altar itself as the man nodded.
"Indeed, there are no lies. Though it seemed that you have recently encountered someone that reeks the smell of the moon. Can you explain this, dear one?" an irritated tone can be noticed from the voice as the man trembled before grabbing his shoulder with his other hand, stopping himself from shaking.
"I don't know what the goddess is talking about. I would have killed that person if I know, great and merciful goddess"
"Flattering are we?" the woman chucked before continuing "I will forget about this transgression if you bring this man's head." a piece of parchment manifested on the floor as a young man with red hair and handsome features can be clearly seen painted on it. There, a name Geiryst clearly knows is written below. He gulped before meekly nodding.
"Lawrence VonAenir"
Lawrence is walking in the red district to look for the first prince as the sight of beautiful ladies exposing themselves and tempting any man they see is quite common. Lawrence is surprised to find himself not being interested in seeing any of them. No matter how tempting or exciting they are. A bored expression is locked on his face. Looking around, he saw a bright and large establishment with a large sign on it.
"Heaven's bliss.." Lawrence muttered before entering the luxurious establishment as the guard looked up and down before letting him enter. Inside, red curtains and rooms with an eastern design can be seen all around. The chuckling of women and grunting of men resounded across the building as some drunkards boasted about themselves while arrogant nobles looked around with their heads high up. Lawrence with his cold expression was enough to deter some of the girl's plans while some men grumbled upon seeing him. He started looking around before finding the largest room. Entering the room, a few tables can be seen with a simple green mat on the ground where men and women sit as there is a stage where a woman wearing flowing clothes dances with glamour and gentle movement. In the very front is a certain someone as Lawrence smiles.
"As I said my prince, you are the one who should be the one who is crowned and not that woman" a fat noble whined as the prince snickered before sipping a cup full of alcohol.
"I know but my father is too stupid to see my worth! If that bitch isn't that stuck up, I would have left her alone." the prince smashed the cup as the surrounding place went silent.
"Y-yes. Prince. Don't worry. I have a plan" the fat noble smiled
"Yo!, Fatso! Your last plan was a failure. You should've seen your face when the expedition failed" the other noble laughed as the fat noble gritted his teeth.
"S-shut up, trust me, prince. With my father's influence and wealth, I guarantee you that this plan of mine will succeed"
"Hmm…What is it?" the prince responded with a serious expression as the noble was about to explain only to notice a brown-haired man smiling at him.
"Who are you?!" the noble stands up while glaring at the man who simply shrugged and smiled.
"You fucker!" the fat noble cursed as he dashed forward with his fist flying towards Lawrence who easily caught it. His smile deepened as he throws the noble to the side before sitting beside the prince. The prince merely glanced at him before sipping a cup full of alcohol once again.
Seeing that the fat noble was thrown easily and the prince didn't seem to be angered by this, the noble who remained decided to not speak up and instead turn his head to see the dance.
"It seems that the first prince knows about me" Lawrence smiles as the first prince stared at him briefly.
"You are that genius alchemist from Duke Leonard. I have heard about you" the prince replied calmly
"So you know why i'm here"
"I guess so but why me? I'm simply a blasted fool who will die once the crowned princess gets coronated" the first prince snickered before staring at the cup grimly and drinking the alcohol.
"Maybe but I can help you. Unlike your friends" Lawrence smiled as the noble who remained at the table glared at Lawrence.
"Don't you know my name? I'm-
"Marcus deVolve, from a viscount family. You are not part of the 8 great families nor are you talented. You are not even the heir. Still, you're quite impressive to be friends with the first prince" Lawrence snickered as Marcus gripped his fist while still glaring at Lawrence. Still, the first prince didn't even react to the insult. It was baffling since no one can openly insult him in the presence of the first prince but the fact that this man can, means that the prince favors the man and sees him as more important. He can only grit his teeth before leaving the table.
"It seems that you are as shameless and brave as they say" the first prince commented without taking his eyes off from the stage.
"All for my goal, first prince. Don't you want to win at least once against the crowned princess?"
"You're assuming that I never won" the first prince peered with a frown.
"Am I wrong?" Lawrence smiled sweetly as the first prince scoffed.
"Tell me your plan tomorrow morning at the palace. I might be a fool but I have some influence left." the first prince ignored the question and shakes his hand as if to shoo Lawrence away who simply smiled. Standing up, Lawrence walks away from the room as his job is done. His sly and cheeky expression vanished as a cold and uncaring expression returned.
After a full hour, the first prince finally left the establishment before entering a nearby alleyway. He looked around briefly before opening the door to one of the dilapidated buildings.
He sat on the nearest chair and he sighed. Looking at his office, a stack of parchment is on top of the table with information about anyone that caught his eyes. He grabbed a single piece of parchment with a frown on his face.
"Has there been no information about this man?" the first prince muttered as a man wearing a knight's armor appeared from the shadow.
"We didn't find anything, my liege"
"Hmm…can this man be trusted. What do you think?"
"Though the crowned princess denying his help is indeed true, still he has no information when, how, or why he entered the kingdom. Though, the single fact that Duke Leonard who is famed to be a great warrior and strategist while being one of the sword saints seems to support him. The man can be trusted in my opinion, my liege"
"Interesting but still. The Wind Sword Saint might be strong but he isn't as strong as our sword saint, also, he isn't one of us. He's someone that works for the other kingdom. The fact that he can influence your choice is quite troubling." The first prince smirked
"My choice has nothing to do with the Duke, my liege. If he indeed has the cure for red rot, your standing in the royal palace will improve"
"It's true. Well, make sure to find more information about him. It would be preferable if you can find his weakness. Other than that, I guess it's time to rest"
"My liege, please take care of the work at your table. I don't want to waste my effort collecting those" the knight warned as the first prince chuckled. He glanced at the knight only to find that it was gone. With a sigh and stretch, he went to his chair and started working.
"I guess I won't be sleeping tonight"
In the mansion, Catalinna opened the door with a fatigue expression and her left arm facing the other way. Her right arm's insignia glows faintly as slashes and wounds surrounded it. Her clothes are ragged and dirty and her white hair was partially burnt in some areas. Vania looked at her with shock before rushing while Samantha opened her bag fixed in her belt as she pulled out a healing potion. Luke stared at her with disbelief as she gave a helpless smile.
"W-what happen?!" Vania blurted with a grimaced expression on her face. Samantha handed Catalinna the potion who can only look at her in turn with a sigh.
"I can't use my arms.." Catalinna said weakly
"Oh.." Samantha opened the potion before letting Catalinna drink it with both of their help as Vania looked at her with concern.
"What happened?" A cold voice washed over Catalinna's body as she gritted her teeth. Lawrence looked at her calmly as she didn't even look back at him.
"I fought the flame dragon's descendant" Catalinna replied with difficulty as Lawrence nodded.
"Flame Dragon's descendant?" Luke asked
"Did it drop anything?" Samantha also asked but for a different reason. A hint of greediness gleamed in her eyes as Catalinna shakes her head. As Samantha droops her shoulder in disappointment.
"Keise the daughter of the Flame Dragon Igrath. Although half-blood, she still possesses the blood of dragons. Why would she attack you?" Lawrence asked, there wasn't a point in the novel where Catalinna got attacked by Keise. She was someone who helped Cain a few times and a dear friend of his. She has a peculiar stature that of a child, with red flaming hair and pale skin. Although she looks like a child, she's a few hundred years old. One of the many cliches written in the novel as Lawrence chuckled just thinking about a child slamming Catalinna around.
"Hey! Did you just fucking chuckle?" Catalinna glared at Lawrence.
"So how did it feel? Getting your ass kicked by a child" Lawrence smiled at the fuming Catalinna
"She's a hundred years old. She's not a child!" Catalinna replied under the gritted teeth.
"That's what all they say when caught" Lawrence shrugged
"You asshole!" she was about to stand up only to show a grim expression "Ghk..that fucking kid. Anyway, she attacked me since she felt the power of a dragon and a demon in me."
"Dragon?" Lawrence asked
"Demon?" Samantha quipped
"Uh.." Catalinna looked at Samantha awkwardly.
"Secrets are supposed to be hidden, Miss Samantha" Luke replied with a smile.
"Really? I have never hidden a secret before though"
"What?! I mean, did you tell everyone that you can do dark magic?" Catalinna replied with a mix of confusion and shock.
"No one really asked me." Samantha replied while rummaging into the bags she has been holding before handing another potion to Catalinna who stared at it briefly before letting Vania help her drink it. IT immediately fixed her bones as her left arm returned to normal.
"Um…So what do we do now boss"
"Nothing. We can't take revenge since the repercussion would be devastating. Also, we have a lot of enemies. The Empire, The Black Syndicate, The Crowned Princess of the Sekai Kingdom, and lastly, the Silver Moon Cult." Lawrence sighed. They are too weak yet they have a lot of enemies already. Their freedom is thin and a single mistake will result in their deaths.
"What do you propose we do, boss?" Luke asked
"I'll join the tournament and win the first place. If any of you are willing to join, just tell me"
"Hah! Do you think you would win against Cain? It's simply impossible. The system I created can evolve and make choices that will fit the main character. No matter what happens, Cain will remain unkillable and especially unbeatable." Catalinna laughed. It wasn't a laugh ridiculing Lawrence but a laugh that ridiculed herself. She already lost to someone who lost to Cain. Just thinking about fighting Cain is already discouraging.
"What is the first place price anyway?" Luke asked, wondering why it's so important.
"The key to the highest treasury of the Empire. There are relics and artifacts that we can only dream to have."
"I see..Oh well. I would like to join. I have two enemies that I would like to take my revenge on.
"How about you Catalinna?" Luke added
"No..I'm fine. I'll just train." Catalinna stood up and started walking away only to be grabbed by Lawrence by the wrist. She was about to lash back but an expression she has never seen appeared on Lawrence's face. An expression of worry was clear on his cold demeanor.
"Don't do anything risky. We'll get stronger..together" Lawrence replied as Catalinna meekly nodded before going upstairs and to her room.
"It's already nighttime. I'll guess ill hit the bed" Luke smirked while Vania nodded. Samantha yawned as she went back downstairs and into the basement. Each of them went to their room as Lawrence lay in his bed, staring at the moon floating in the dim night through the window. For him, the moon is a sign of danger. A danger that he must pass no matter what. What he didn't see was a white glimmer in the distance. A hooded figure gazed through his window from afar while sitting on the roof of a house. He drew a cold breath and readied himself.