"Right," Stanley responded, a slight thrill flickering across his face.
"But certainly not stronger than me, of course," he chuckled.
"I doubt that," Akin mumbled, a hint of mockery in his tone.
"I shall surpass you for sure!" he resolved, not willing to lose this opportunity to be Stanley's student.
Then His thoughts shifted to the inns.
"And as for them,"
"this is the end for them." A burning determination ignited in his eyes, fueled by a subtle rage for revenge over what they had done to the orphanage, killing the only family he had ever known—Hickson's situation weighing heavily on him.
"Certainly!" Akin suddenly grinned, his expression almost menacing as his vengeance against the inns brewed within him.
Just then, he heard Stanley's sarcastic remark, which only irritated him further.
"Ending your race? That's cold-blooded, Akin!"
Akin glared at Stanley, who stood smiling in front of him, clearly aware of how his words affected Akin's reaction.
"I'm not an—" Akin started, but his words were cut short as his eyes widened.
His hands and legs, once bound by chains, were suddenly free. Stanley hadn't moved; he was still standing in front of him, but now he held a sword in his hand, a playful smile on his face.
"Seriously, how do you do that?" Akin asked in admiration.
"It's 'Teacher' to you from now on!" Stanley replied, placing his palm on Akin's face.
"Alright, teach! Please tell me!" Akin said, eager to learn, impressed by Stanley's insane speed.
"Teach?" Stanley mused, contemplating the title. He noticed Akin's lack of sophistication—likely due to his upbringing in the orphanage—but decided to let it slide.
" umm, I kind of like it."
Stanley reconsidered
"Anyway, if they are truly my race, as it you said—though I highly doubt it. I'm sure you know I don't give a damn about them. All I feel towards those trash beings is a burning rage and a desire for vengeance to exterminate them all!" Akin declared, rising from his knees.
His heart constricted tightly with the emerging suppressed hatred he felt for the inns, vivid images of the orphanage massacre flashing in his mind as he furrowed his brow.
" if you'll help me get stronger, I promise to end them all in return," Akin said, his tone slightly pleading as he fought to restrain the emotions brewing within him.
Meanwhile, Stanley watched with interest, intrigued as he saw Akin struggling to control his emotions, while he could feel ominous presence around Akin as his teeth grinding in a way that felt eerie.
"An inn in human form, who isn't even aware of his true existence?" a voice said, its tone familiar yet cold.
"That's quite strange, you know," the individual continued.
Stanley smiled at the statement, aware the individual also find akin slightly intrusive "Indeed," he thought, addressing the individual speaking to him.
"I'm very much fascinated by him and his true background, Stan."
Stanley added, grinning as he contemplated the direction Akin's future might take during their short time together.
"Teach, is everything alright?" Akin's tone snapped Stanley out of his thoughts as he waved a hand in front of his face.
"What's up with him?" Akin wondered, waiting for Stanley's response as he finally managed to calm his anger.
"Come on, let's get you healed up. You have an important exam to pass if you want to get accepted into HQ, let alone become stronger and a certified inns killer, or killed them all."Stanley said.
"Wait, there's an HQ for inns killers?" Akin asked, astonished.
"Never in my wildest dreams did I think we'd have an HQ for inns killers."
"Ehh… but then again, what's HQ?" Akin's mind blanked at such a strange term, and he felt slightly embarrassed.
"It's called the Headquarters, a branch in itself dedicated to inns assignments," Stanley explained as they both headed out.
"Though it's part of the Empire's military, it's also separate, if that makes sense, since we deal with supernatural beings, like you."
"Nope, not clicking. Sorry? "Akin responded.
"And I'm not an inns!"
giving up on getting Stanley to acknowledge his humanity.
"Guess I'll do more explanation than I thought," Stanley said nonchalantly.
"It's a small branch with only few installation, and only a few people join each month. We also work with civilians. So, in a nutshell, we keep humanity safe—and we get paid!" Stanley added excitedly when he mentioned the money.
"Oh, and here's the catch: we get paid weekly! Isn't that magnificent? Plus, we get other perks as special government workers," he continued.
Akin was intrigued by the government connection, as he hadn't even been informed of any hierarchy related to inn killers.
"No way," Akin suddenly responded, matching Stanley's enthusiasm for money.
"And once a week? Talk about heaven!" Akin thought, but just then, Stanley cut into his thoughts by patting Akin's head.
"Trust me, we deserve it. After all, we're risking our lives, you know!"
Akin looked at Stanley's sudden friendly gesture, loosening up at his strange affinity for money, which he could slightly relate to.
"Though they're gone, I promise I'll never save Hickson!" Akin thought coldly, the weight of losing everyone in the orphanage crashing down on him.
Keeping his emotions in check, he took a deep breath.
"I'm sure I—" Akin stopped his thoughts abruptly.
He had been vividly seeing Lotanna and Lady Lisa death in his mind, as it constantly bugs him causing a hint resentful feeling toward Hickson.
"Anyway, where is the HQ located again?" Akin asked, trying to distract himself from his feelings.
Stanley smiled, letting him shift the topic, aware akin is in emotion turmoil.
"In the capital!"
"Specifically, in the largest metropolis of our empire, the most well-known metropolis in the world!"