A/N: 30k views in just over 2 weeks on a brand new novel is genuinely astounding. So I'll say it again, I adore you lot.
***
I looked down at the white haired and golden eyed youth that I had just neutralised. I looked at my left hand and clenched my fist.
"My hand... it's sore. This guy matches the description and picture of Reinhardt, but according to the researchers, he's an amnseiac who relearnt how to use Mana just over a week ago. How is it possible for someone who might as well be newly Awakened... to exert such strength? Just what sort of freak nature are you?"
I looked at his unconscious body, and smiled softly as I picked him up. Thankfully, he had healed himself before passing out. It was probably a desperate attempt to survive.
Because clearly, he saw me as a threat. And not only that, the way he fought me... wasn't too dissimilar to a beast. It was a fighting style that prioritised survival above all else. It was a saddening style to see such a young man use.
"But... it's fine now. We are here, and... considering how vicious you are, you'll be wanting revenge. But seriously, you got lucky. If we hadn't found you, the commander would've just wiped this place off the map. But don't worry too much, as monstrous as he is, he's thankfully on our side."
***
I opened my eyes, and I found myself... in the arms of a creature with metal plating. I instantly, Enhanced myself and created distance between us. But, when I look at what I thought was a Mana Beast, all I saw was a... human?
"A... Knight?"
The man infront of me nodded his head, and smiled softly.
"Yes, I'm a Knight under the command of Sir Caelus Tempest."
The instant I heard that name, shivers ran down my spine. Caelus Tempest was a monster named 'The Walking Disaster.' He had authority over any and all phenomena caused or related to weather thanks to his bloodline ability.
He was the strongest Knight of The Empire, along with that, his existence warded off war. His existence allowed the empire to prosper, not that it wasn't prosperous before his existence. It was just that it was significantly easier to grow food if you had a being capable of creating ideal conditions for you.
He was able to ward off war with the fact that he could essentially cause the agricultural collapse of an entire nation. So, unless a nation had prepared, then a war couldn't be waged.
It didn't matter if a nation had millions of Awakened, they needed feeding. And Caelus could could essentially cause a country to starve, unless they prepared beforehand.
However, he was also absolute in combat. His swordplay, Mana Capacity and his output were all at high levels. However, he could control the wind, water, lightning, ice and could even cause things like tornados.
His ability made it seem like he had several attributes when he, in actuality, had no genuine attributes. Not that it mattered, his bloodline ability made it seem like he had control over water, ice, wind and lightning.
However, he was the first in his family to have such power, that was due to an astronomical Mana Capacity that dwarfed the vast majority of Awakened. And because of that, causing tornados, thunderstorms and tsunamis wasn't too difficult.
Of course, I wad supposed to be amnseiac. And so, I lied through my teeth and spoke as if I didn't know who he was.
"Who?"
"Oh, right. You don't know him. He's the commander of the Imperial Knight's, the Living Disaster, and also the strongest Knight in the Empire. Anyways, I'm on your side, follow me and we'll get outta here."
Then, he began walking before turning around.
"Wait. You are back to normal right? According to the researchers I... interrogated. You've been awake for 9 days without stopping even for a rest, so because of that, you might be hallucinating. So, are you okay?"
I took a moment, it had been a bit since I had talked to a human so it was a bit disorientating.
"I'm fine."
What I said was nothing short of a lie, I wasn't okay. I was in a world where I knew no one, I had been fighting nightmarish beasts for days without even a moment's rest.
How could I possibly be okay? My mental and emotional states weren't exactly doing great, but, it wasn't like I could stop and complain.
There wasn't anyone who would listen, and honestly, they weren't obliged to listen. I'll deal with it on my own, and it's not like mental health is a priority at the moment.
I need to survive. That's all that matters to me.