In the midst of the escalating war, mandatory schooling was replaced with an emphasis on honing individual talents. This change provided Braxis ample opportunity to refine his mana manipulation by day and engage in weapon training. As he prepared for his meeting, Braxis stopped by the palace's armory to grab a spear and a short sword before rendezvousing with Harrison behind the school.
As Braxis rounded the corner of the building, he locked eyes with Harrison. The guy hadn't changed much, his sunken eyes remaining his most distinctive feature.
'He could seriously use a vitamin infusion,' Braxis mused to himself.
Harrison's gaze sharpened as Braxis neared, and he raised an eyebrow, curiosity lacing his voice. "What happened to Dante? Why isn't he with you this time?"
"Why the hell would I drag that brat around with me?" Braxis retorted as he crossed his arms, dumbfounded by Harrison's seemingly ridiculous question.
"Jeez, I was just asking. It seemed like we could've used his help for my project," Harrison replied diplomatically.
"No, we're not on friendly terms with Dante, inform me of his arrival on sight. He is the enemy. Understood? If I could, he'd already be dead.." Braxis snarled, his face twisted with fury.
"Whoa, what the hell is wrong with you? Let's just get this done without any unnecessary deaths, okay? You've been way more aggressive lately," Harrison said, placing a hand on Braxis's shoulder to calm him.
Braxis took a deep breath, realizing how irrational he was acting. "You're right. I have been out of line. I'll try to keep it in check. Let's just go." Braxis said, regaining his composure and leading the way.
"Follow me this way, will you? Or do you need me to hold your hand?" Harrison quipped, smirking.
Braxis met Harrison's gaze, choosing to let the playful jab slide. He knew his friend was only trying to lighten the mood, but he wasn't in the mood to entertain such trivial banter.
'I've been far too lenient with this guy lately. He's just a means to an end; once he's outlived his usefulness, I'll cast him aside,' Braxis resolved internally, maintaining his stride.
Strolling down the path towards the forest, Harrison broached a sensitive topic. "Braxis, I've come across some unsettling rumors about you lately. Now, I usually dismiss the absurd gossip that follows you, especially since getting to know the real you. However, there's been talk of an unusual relationship between you and one of your servants... Julianne. It's a bit odd, and I think you should distance yourself from her to avoid damaging your reputation," Harrison advised, his tone solemn.
Braxis scoffed at the comment, "Thanks for the godawful advice, I hadn't realized that you were so concerned with my relationships with my servants," he grumbled.
Harrison gave Braxis a puzzled expression.
Approaching the entrance to the forest, Harrison turned serious, "Just don't do anything that'll possibly get us killed again, okay? I won't be able to bail you out if things go south," he warned.
Braxis's face twisted into a scowl as he snapped, "What the hell did you just say, Harrison? We've been getting along just fine, but don't forget who you're dealing with, you lone wolf. Need I remind you that I am the one who SINGLE-HANDEDLY defeated Abarak? How about you stay behind and cower while I do the important work!"
"Hey, take it easy! Can we just forget I said anything?" Harrison's voice quavered with unease, remembering Braxis's father's notorious reputation.
"Let's duel, right here, right now. Forget your pathetic little project. You need to find out who you're truly dealing with now and learn your place," Braxis sneered, his unhinged, arrogant grin sending shivers down Harrison's spine.
"No. We're done with the project. Just stay the hell away from me before you do something you'll regret," Harrison retorted, gesturing dismissively as he stormed off.
Braxis stared in disbelief, unaccustomed to being treated with such disdain outside his family. He was growing accustomed to the life he had unintentionally claimed. "Who gave you permission to walk away? Keep going, and I swear on my family's honor that you'll pay with your life," Braxis threatened, his clammy fists clenched.
Harrison froze in his tracks and spun around. "You were the one doing me a favor by joining me in the first place, weren't you? I thought we'd moved beyond your twisted sense of pride. I genuinely believed you were the most normal one in your family. I know I made jokes at your expense and took you for granted, but for a fleeting moment, I thought we could truly be friends…" Harrison's voice trembled as he struggled to hold back tears streaming down his face, his expression solemn as he fought to regain composure.
Braxis halted abruptly, recognizing the havoc he was wreaking. "I may have taken this too far, but it's too late now! Harrison, I need to know if you're really as worthless as they say you are."
Unknowingly to Braxis, the memories that he had gained had bits of the original 'Braxis' intertwined within them. When he gained that insight, he also gained some of his aggression, to which he wasn't used to dealing with.
As he contemplated his next move, Braxis considered the possibility of exploiting Harrison for his own benefit. 'If I eliminate him, ransack his possessions, and search for any valuable books or techniques, then reverse time, it might justify my actions. Regardless of whether he sacrificed himself for me in a past life, I must prepare for what lies ahead...' he mused, carefully weighing the options.
"Alright, you want a fight? You've got one," Harrison declared, unsheathing his sword and bracing for battle.
Braxis mirrored his stance, gearing up for a lethal confrontation.
"Hehehehe... Young folks these days are so audacious," a voice cackled as it approached.
"Would either of you gentlemen care to help an old man like me?" A wizened figure inquired as he drew nearer.
Braxis instantly straightened up, his urge to fight dissipating at the sight of the elder.
"You're a real buzzkill, old man," Braxis complained, sighing in disappointment.
"Oh, cheer up! I've got a priceless treasure that could be yours if you choose to assist me," the enigmatic old man countered, chuckling.
"Who are you?" Harrison questioned, maintaining a defensive posture with his sword at the ready.
"Me? I'm just a wandering merchant in need of aid from someone strong. You see, something precious was stolen from me, and I desperately need it returned," the stooped merchant explained, his voice sending shivers down their spines as he shuffled past them.
"Sure... And what's stopping me from telling you to piss off and going about my business?" Braxis inquired, visibly unimpressed by the man's appearance.
"If you insist on being so disrespectful, perhaps this ancient fellow could teach you a lesson," the decrepit man retorted, his voice quavering as he suddenly straightened his spine into a flawless posture.
CRRAAACKKK
"If you want me to end you and snatch that so-called treasure from your cold, dead hands, you've made yourself one hell of a target. Bring it on, you ancient bastard!" Braxis bellowed.
Harrison hastily interjected as he stepped just in front of Braxis "Apologies for my deranged... I mean, disturbed friend here. We won't trouble you any further and will be on our way." As he spoke, he realized he'd made a grave error.
"Thanks for making it easy," Braxis sneered, yanking a dagger from Harrison's pocket and plunging it into his abdomen.
Harrison's Impression: -9999
Harrison Impression Progress: 9897/300
Harrison gazed at his wound in disbelief, then at Braxis's malicious grin. "Braxis... Why?" he gasped, stumbling backward in agony before collapsing, driving the blade even deeper.
Harrison fell back onto the ground, his life fading rapidly.
Braxis mercilessly plunged his foot onto the blade embedded in Harrison's flesh, grinding it deeper as he began walking towards the stranger. Harrison's face contorted with agony, beads of sweat dripping down his forehead as he struggled to process the searing pain and the heart-wrenching betrayal. These were his last thoughts before he finally perished.
"Now we can fight without any useless distractions. Show me what you've got," Braxis taunted the old man, brandishing his spear with a sinister grin.
Fox's Impression (Tenzent's Primary Assassin): +3
Fox Impression Progress: -7/300
'Fox? What's going on? I thought I was off Tenzent's' radar... And where the hell is this "Fox" anyway?' Braxis wondered, taken aback by the notification.
"I received orders from Master Tenzent not to kill you. Lord Gravis wants to assess your full capabilities, and apparently, there'll be no consequences for testing you. Whatever that means," Fox explained, scratching his head as his body materialized into a young adult male donning a distinctive fox mask.
"Great, another goddamn lunatic who wants me dead for no reason. Is today gonna be a repeat of yesterday?" Braxis groaned, recalling the previous day's tribulations.
"Don't worry, Braxis, I'm here to assist. So, if you'd kindly allow me to come closer, I can give you exactly what you need," Fox suggested, inching his way forward.
"This guy can die too. With my in game knowledge, I'm sure I can take out his guy too, especially if he's not ambushing me," Braxis said confidently.