'Infinite Primitive Energy?" Edward pondered, 'What on Earth is that supposed to mean?'
In the blink of an eye, the childish voice, sweet as a little girl's, echoed within his mind once more.
[You'll soon know the power of this energy, Master.]
What was even more bizarre was that the voice seemed to take shape, forming words that hovered before his eyes. Edward rubbed his eyes vigorously, triple-checking that he wasn't hallucinating.
Yet, those words remained, shining brightly. Now he knew he was not in his dream. He gazed at them with eyes so widened that he seemed like a dying man with dilated pupils to the onlookers beside him.
"Look at him!" the scar-faced man laughed, pointing at Edward. "This guy's about to kick the bucket. Let me help him out more!"
With that, he delivered a vicious kick to Edward.
"Go ahead, guys," Larry chimed in with a grin, "Even if we finish him off, the boss won't blame us. In a way, it's what he expects from us."
Yvonne was filled with despair, watching helplessly as events unfolded. But Edward, completely unfazed by the insults, was simply preoccupied with the voice in his head.
'Master?' Edward said in his mind, 'Who are you?'
[I am Cici, the guardian of the Infinite Primitive Energy, and after thirty-five thousand years, I've finally found my new master.]
'Really? What can this Infinite Primitive Energy do? Since you're a guardian, can you help my sister and me?'
Edward heard a soft chuckle before Cici's adorable, childish voice rang out again.
[He who wields the Infinite Primitive Energy is the mightiest being in the universe. You'll be the person who can save yourself and your sister. Just fight with your newly-gained power.]
Though Cici's voice was innocent, the words were like a shot of courage for Edward.
In a second, he felt a surge of energy within once again. This time, every cell of his seemed to be awakened by this primal force.
His body began to change significantly, his muscles growing more defined, and a strange glow flickered beneath his skin, like an electric current coursing through his veins.
His injuries healed at an astonishing rate, broken bones knitting back together, wounds closing up, and the pain vanishing, replaced by a feeling as comforting as basking in the sun on a beach.
Then, with a crack from within, a steady stream of energy poured into him from near his navel.
'Did I just... awaken?'
Edward's eyes widened in disbelief, unable to fathom that the awakening he'd longed for had been achieved in an instant. Now, it felt as if he held the power of the cosmos.
He rose abruptly, his eyes gleaming with a green light, shining like the brightest stars in the night sky. He knew it was time to make those who had bullied him and his sister pay.
Larry's men sensed the change in Edward and exchanged glances, all struck by the shocking transformation.
The boy they had just been trampling on was now like a war god descended, radiating an awe-inspiring dignity that made their blood run cold.
A strange fear welled up inside them, and their limbs trembled involuntarily.
"Have you noticed it, Henry?" asked Jim, the moustached man, still lying on the ground. "The boy seems different now. What's going on?"
Edward's sister, Yvonne, wide-eyed with shock, also noticed the change of his brother. Looking at him, she felt the power he exuded was both strange and familiar. It looked like her brother was no longer the weakling who needed her protection; he was now like a proper soldier.
A true warrior!
She couldn't help but wonder,
'Couldn't it be that he has awakened?'
She felt a mix of bewilderment and exhilaration as if she had caught a glimpse of a glimmering hope on the horizon.
Larry, his face still swollen beyond recognition, stood there, his disbelief evident in his frozen stance. He couldn't fathom that the person he had always considered a good-for-nothing could emerge unscathed and transformed after such a beating.
A chill ran down his spine, but soon, his rage overcame his reason.
"What are you waiting for?" Larry bellowed, "Finish him off!"
Larry's followers, loyal to a fault, sprang into action instantly.
"Take this punch!"
One of them, a burly man nicknamed The Cylinder', threw a punch that weighed a ton.
Yet, Edward stood his ground, taking it head-on. The Cylinder felt his punch land like it was on a punching bag, his strength drained in an instant.
He was horrified, trying to pull back, but it was too late; his strength continued to be siphoned away by Edward. His robust body twisted and withered in the invisible current, his muscles vanishing before his eyes.
Finally, he crumpled to the ground like a dead dog, unconscious.
"Cylinder, what are you doing? Get up and keep hitting him!" the scar-faced man shouted in disbelief, "What kind of black magic did you cast on him, boy?"
Without a moment's pause, he leapt into the air, shouting,
"Tornado Kick!"
In the blink of an eye, his leg connected with Edward. Just as he was about to gloat, a howl of agony escaped his lips.
"Ouch!"
It turned out that Edward's body was now as hard as steel, and with a series of cracks, all five of his toes were broken.
"Now it's my turn," Edward said through gritted teeth, his voice ice-cold.
The scar-faced man, sweating from the pain, tried to limp away, but Edward was faster than lightning. Before he could even turn, Edward's fist connected with his jaw. With a scream, the man was sent flying, crashing to the ground, unconscious.
"Who else wants a taste of my power?" Edward sneered, letting out a cold harrumph. Larry's remaining men, seeing their companions' fate, hesitated, none daring to make a move.
"Well done, brother!" Yvonne revealed a big smile, so excited that she would like to give him a round of applause if she could. "Have you truly awakened, brother?"
Yvonne's eyes welled up with tears. Edward nodded silently.
"This can't be!" Larry shouted in denial, "He's supposed to be a good-for-nothing who can't awaken. How is this possible? All of you, attack!"
Reluctantly, Larry's men charged at Edward. With another cold snort, Edward moved like the wind, appearing before Larry in an instant. Behind him, Larry's men had already fallen, punched down without even seeing the blows coming.
"It's your turn, Larry! You dared to harass my sister. It's time to pay the price."
Completely shocked, Larry swallowed hard and said,
"How can you be so fast? Have you been hiding your true strength? You're such a jerk. Even if you're awakened, I'm not afraid of you.
You know, I'm a second-level awakener and will be much more powerful than you a new awakener. Now, it's my show time."
With that, he whipped out his belt, which transformed into a thin, almost translucent sword with a flick of his wrist.
"Snake Strike!"
In an instant, the sword lunged like a striking viper, hissing menacingly.
"Look out!" Yvonne screamed in alarm.
Larry's sword was swift, but Edward was even faster, sidestepping the attack with ease. What Edward didn't expect was the sword's thinness and lightness, allowing it to change direction mid-air and strike at him again.
"Since you're courting your death, I'll grant your wish!" Larry sneered, "Let me tell you, the master of the Gold family won't blame me for killing you."
Larry thought he had the upper hand, but when his sword was just inches away from Edward, it was repelled by the Infinite Primitive Energy radiating from within Edward.
The force was so great that Larry's hand holding the sword ached from the impact. He had to drop the sword, which was sent flying into the air and then embedded itself deeply into a stake supporting a pumpkin vine in the courtyard.
"Are you some kind of magical monster?" Larry roared, "Windbreaker Fist!"
Larry charged at Edward like a raging bull, gathering all his energy into his fist. The air around his fist vibrated violently, creating a small whirlwind that not only amplified the punch's force but also had the effect of a blade, capable of tearing through flesh upon impact.
"Go to hell!"
Nevertheless, as his fist and the ensuing whirlwind neared Edward, they were absorbed entirely by his body. Edward stood unscathed, as calm as a still pond.
He casually grabbed Larry's fist in his hand, and Larry felt his energy being drained. His body expanded and contracted as his vital energy inside was rapidly transferred to Edward.
Larry tried to pull back, but it was futile. He could only stare as Edward, in a moment, left him parched and gasping, his eyes bulging as his energy was nearly sucked dry.
Instantly, he collapsed and fell to his knees as his legs gave way. As his vital energy was taken away, he looked as if he had aged a decade. If he could not stop this, he would end up like a dry corpse.
"Spare me!" Larry started to beg.
Yet, Edward decided not to let him go so easily. He raised his other hand and gave him a hot slap in the face. Instantly, blood gushed out of his nose and mouth.
"This slap is for my sister, you scum!"
"Sorry, I promise I won't do anything like that again!" Larry begged one again. "Please! I'll tell you a secret to make up for what I did."
"Spill it!"
Until then, Edward released his grip. And in a second, Larry collapsed, falling to knees and moaning in agony. After gasping for a few seconds, he continued,
"The attack two days ago, the one that sent you off a cliff, it was your girlfriend's brother who hired the hit!"
Is that so?" Edward pondered over the whole story, "So, the master of the Gold family is involved in this too, right?"
"I didn't say that, but I have to say you're smart!" Larry stammered, "Now let us go, and I promise we won't bother you or your sister again."
"I'll let you go, but promise me that you'll never appear in front of me."
"I promise!" Larry gave a quick reply, who was eager to leave now.
"You know," Edward sneered, "if you break the promise and I see you again, you'll get the punishment like this!"
With that, Edward delivered a powerful kick to Larry's rear, sending him flying through the air. Larry crashed to the ground with a resounding thud right at the courtyard's entrance.
"Shall I show you guys how to get out of here…with a bit more force like that?"
His voice was laced with a dangerous sneer as he pivoted to face the other men, his eyes boring into them with a fierce glare.
In a second, a chorus of hasty denials filled the air.
"No!"
"Absolutely not!"
"I'll pass if it's all the same to you!"
Larry's men, their faces etched with pain, immediately forced themselves up to their feet.
Though wincing in pain, they hobbled awkwardly towards the entrance, each step a testament to their desire to put distance between themselves and the wrath of Edward.
Even the man with the little moustache, who had been sprawled on the ground, groaning from his injuries, now found a well of strength within him. He heaved himself to his feet and limped toward the exit, too.
Seeing Edward gaze at him, he at once quickened his pace, his voice trembling as he stammered,
"No, thank you. I assure you, I can manage to leave on my own two feet."
"Get lost!" Edward dismissed them with a snort.
Yvonne, witnessing the comedic turn of events, couldn't contain herself. A burst of laughter escaped her lips.
"Well done, brother!"
Her eyes suddenly welled up with sparkling tears—tears of relief, of joy, and of the sweet release that came with the knowledge that the tide had turned in their favour.
Suddenly, Larry's voice rang out in the air. Once again, he lapsed into his old self, seeing he was temporarily safe outside the yard.
"How dare you treat me this way, Edward? My master will not let this stand. " Larry seethed, his voice filled with venom.
"Mark my words! You and your sister will pay dearly. As per the Gold Family's ancient edicts, you are summoned to the Awakening Trial in two days. If you fail to show up, you'll be expelled from the family forever.
And if you fail the trial, you'll also be expelled. At that time, the master of the Gold family will see my honour avenged."
"I'll be there," Edward shot back, his voice as unyielding as steel. "I'll take back what's rightfully mine from your 'master'. But listen well, Larry. It's in your best interest to stay clear. Next time I see you again, it won't just be a kick on his ass; I'll make damn sure you never walk again."
His words sent a chill through those who heard it.
And with that parting shot, Larry and his gang made tracks, leaving the courtyard in a dead silence.
It was in this hush that Edward remembered his sister could not move. With a swift motion, he gently placed a hand on her shoulder, channelling his newfound energy towards Yvonne.
The warmth of his Infinite Primitive Energy washed over her, and in an instant, she was able to move with an ease that hadn't been there before.
Her eyes sparkled with a newfound strength, a clear sign of her awakening abilities having taken a new leap.
"This is... this is just incredible, my dear brother!" Yvonne's voice was a mix of awe and excitement. "I never thought I'd see the day you'd not only awaken but do so at a level that outshines my own. It's nothing short of a miracle!"
"Indeed," Edward's voice softened. "You won't have to be afraid anymore. I'll be your shield from this day forward.
Those who've cast us aside, who've tried to grind us into the dust with their contempt and insults, they'll pay for every slight!"