My eyes opened once more.
"Ugh…"
Releasing a brief sigh, my gaze meandered across the celestial expanse of the night, where stars shimmered brilliantly against the velvety darkness above.
As if the murky skies didn't matter, these stars showed their radiance to those who could see them.
"Hahh…"
So, I passed out huh?
And seeing that it was night, it seemed I was asleep for about three to four hours.
Gradually rising to my feet, I began to regain awareness in my arm, sensing my fingertips tingling and trembling.
The terror lingered, a haunting memory of clinging to life, as the mere realization that I could maintain my grip and not plummet down the cliff continued to send shivers through me.
I decided to go back
The trek to the camp spanned an entire week, during which I had nothing to eat or drink. However, having experienced such situations sporadically in my childhood, my body had adapted, making this week-long journey more manageable for me.
The problem was the wild animals once I went down these mountain ridges.
Though not too much.
'Amazing…'
Applying the lessons acquired from the academy in this situation was exhilarating. A surge of power coursed through me, and every muscle I had developed seemed to clamor for more of this intense experience.
I went to the camp on the exact day.
Nobody asked where I came from. No one even bothered. In fact, they treat everyone even their peers as the only way to reach at the top of the rankings.
That day of the camp changed me.
Just the way I studied hard, the intensity of my training was the same as well.
My initial ranking, 16,322, had undergone a massive boost up to a thousand ranking in my division alone.
Due to the interclass clashes where divisions competed against each other, I could have gained fame. However, numerous individuals with similar abilities existed, causing my name to be overshadowed by theirs.
It's not like I wanted to be famous anyway.
I persisted in battles, securing victories until I encountered an insurmountable obstacle—a formidable barrier that, at that moment, seemed impossible to overcome.
All I could do was stare at it silently.
"Are we done?"
Her sword bore ethereal petals and fishes crafted from ink, rendering them devoid of color, a mesmerizing blend of blank and white hues.
It didn't look like it was any kind of technique which was likely her power that she had gotten from her Horror when she ate it or came directly from her contracted Horror.
Amongst the battles I fought when I lost, this is one of the times when I faced such force.
"Yes, we're done."
Her name was Neon Stratford, one of the Ten Family Households, a name that has been etched on my mind after the fight.
Despite believing that our connection was severed at that moment, fate intervened, and we coincidentally crossed paths at a library a week later. Upon discovering my exceptional exam results, she was astonished and proposed a deal: she would teach me proper fighting techniques.
Initially, I interpreted her actions as mockery toward my martial arts and combat skills, lacking a solid foundation. However, she soon began elucidating my mistakes, initiating a process of enlightenment for me.
Then I realized, I was indeed making a mistake.
She went on to commend that my fighting style was exceptionally adaptive, lethal, and efficient. Among all the opponents she faced throughout the entire tournament, I was the one who gave her a hard time.
She also learned a lot from me.
And I was the same.
We're both loners so we hang out a lot but all of it is related to studies and exchanging battle strategies.
"Gin, you are swift and fast. A guy like you must gain a weapon but not in a way where it would be visible. I know you are very adept at all kinds but you must practice something which you are most confident with. You understand? Get an instructor to help even though for some reason you don't like them."
Subsequently, she assigned me a task that proved time-consuming, given that everyone possessed unique strengths and weaknesses.
I must find something suitable.
That's when I met the current headmaster of the academy, Gilly.
Put the daggers right under her sleeves and draw them out once needed if necessary. And it's not a technique but just pure skills!
Or maybe it is? I wouldn't really know till I found it out myself.
"Why are you peeking?"
I was so mesmerized by that innate skill alone that I didn't know I was staring for far too long.
As anticipated, I received a scolding from her—a seemingly insignificant student—where she lectured me on various aspects, all grounded in the rules.
But she asked one thing.
"Why are you looking at my arm,"
I told her honestly since lying would not really help me at this point.
"I was trying to see if I can apply what you're doing to mine. You know put those daggers in and out from your sleeves naturally."
As if she was slightly perturbed, Gilly simply stated.
"You're basically saying to steal this."
Well, yeah! I mean, that looks like something that perfectly fits how I do things! I'm going to get no matter what!
Naturally, I retained my intrusive thoughts, leaving them undisturbed in their usual place. However, in response to her clear suspicion, I simply offered a nod.
I'll just leave her how she interprets it.
I merely closed my eyes and waited for my verdict.
Well, beyond my expectations, Gilly threw something solid on my head that made me open them very swiftly.
"This is a technique I solely made. Or is it one? Well, normal techniques are ones where practitioners use the power of a Horror and make them into their own, but it is slightly different from mine… Hmm… I don't know what to say—"
Nevertheless, I paid no heed to her words after she tossed me a scroll, as my eyes were simply fixated on its contents.
"W-why did you throw me that?"
"…"
"Are you using this to make me jealous?"
"You brat!"
Calming her nerves down, she continued.
"Use it however you like. I'm done with it anyway. Unlike some normal techniques where they need a soul to activate, this one is purely on skill."
My eyes gleamed with greed.
"I will shamelessly take it!"
"Good!"
"Then, I'm off."
Following that incident, our conversations became sparse, limited to occasional encounters with no genuine connection established—merely a formal interaction between a student and the headmaster.
But we still talk.
'Huh,'
For some reason, I felt strange.
Gilly, Neon, and a few other cadets were acquaintances I had gotten to know, yet I gradually lost connections with them despite not actively severing ties.
I'm suddenly starting to regret not communicating with them so well.
My family as well.
They didn't do anything that could hurt me physically, mentally, or emotionally. They cared for us and did everything to raise us with good hearts.
Mom, Dad, and my sister… I should've returned some mail and not just cut off everything.
What was I doing?
Is it because of the training inside the academy that I don't have time for anything? It is because I was afraid to fail and let my parents be disappointed? No, they didn't look like they would do it. They would even congratulate me for trying.
Right, I'm just a bastard.
-I said to call me commander!
-Newbie, bring that torch down.
-I'll retire from my position.
These voices… what are these?
Their faces were obscured by a hazy white fog, making it impossible for me to discern their features, but I was certain they were part of the military.
-Gin…
Instantly I turned around once I felt the voice on my back.
A woman with a striking figure called out my name, her hair swaying in this space devoid of anything.
There was a gunshot on her head.
It's so dark yet I could see it clearly.
"Who are you?"
-Kill
"What?"
-Avenge
For some reason, the lips of the woman were moving but I couldn't hear everything she was saying.
-Destroy everything.
"Can you speak clearly?"
-Gin
Repeatedly, the woman called my name, and it became the singular sound that echoed amidst the numerous times she uttered some words from her mouth.
-Thank you.
Huh?
Wait—
"Who are you?"
Suddenly, tears welled up in my eyes, a deep sense that this woman held significant importance in my life washing over me.
No matter how much I pondered, no matter how intensely I pressed my head for answers, nothing emerged.
"Ugh—!"
Almost suddenly, a painful groan escaped my lips while feeling immense pain in my head. It was painful, much more distressing than anything.
-You take it from here on.
As I looked up, I heard the woman's words, yet she was nowhere to be seen.
"That woman…!"
Remember who the hell is she!
"Fuck! Who the hell are you!?"
There was a lady with an insatiable passion for fans, a woman who served as my captain, an adult burdened with numerous responsibilities as the vice commander, and a soldier who executed her duties with utmost diligence.
Memories started to surge in my head and much more pain was inflicted.
'This is too painful…!'
Unable to bear the pain, my eyes opened on their own.
My breaths came ragged, and my heart pounded, realization striking my mind with force.
"Hahh… Hahh…"
It all came rushing back.
Every detail of what transpired.
I recalled who that woman was.
And remembered the events that unfolded.
'Ariana…'
Creak—!
"Hey, did someone send you?"