The Author's POV

-Clank! -Clank!

The sound of metal clashing together reverberated across the surroundings as individuals could be seen sparring against each other or against the puppets in the training ground.

Not so far from them, in the middle area of the training ground, a lone boy was currently sheathing and unsheathing the katana in his hands.

As this had been a common sight for the past three weeks, no one paid attention to it any longer. They just brushed it off as the guy being crazy.

"I can feel myself reaching the threshold to the minor realm of mastery"

After spending most of my time training and attending classes, a week had passed.

Before I knew it, my level of mastery of the [Keiki style] had improved drastically.

If before I could only execute the first movement once or twice, now I could do it five times before running out of mana.

Gripping the handle of my katana tighter, I emptied my mind and focused on training.

'I must constantly unsheathe the sword in my heart.'

'Draw, slash, draw, slash, and accumulate the mana in my body that was constantly growing stronger as I trained.'

'If I could do this 10,000 times flawlessly without any loss in movement, only then would I achieve the minimum standard required to seamlessly execute the [keiki style]'

Soon everything around me disappeared. The scornful glances from the people around me, the loud sound of people practicing...only me and my mind

Draw the katana, slash out.

Draw the katana, slash out.

Draw the katana, slash out.

As if I was in a trance, I didn't stop until my mana and stamina were completely spent.

Taking a look at my surroundings, it was currently already dark outside. Around me, I could only see the silhouettes of a few individuals training.

-Ding!

Wiping off the sweat that had accumulated on my forehead, I glanced at my phone which was constantly ringing since a while ago.

Turning on my phone the first thing I saw was a large notification in red.

"...It finally happened"

[Breaking news]

—Thobias Church of C.B. pharmaceuticals has been assassinated last night in his high-security apartment. Reports and investigations point the killer to be rank 37 Silent creeper.

Lightly smiling, I turned off my phone and went back to training.

...talk about perfect timing. Was starting to get impatient from my slow progress.

By the end of today, I could finally kiss goodbye to my poor life...well to be honest, as I will spend most of my money on potions the luxurious life that I was dreaming of was still a long stretch away.

Actually, now that I thought about it, wasn't it a bit fucked up that I was celebrating someone's death?

Though I indeed made a lot of money, it was at the expense of someone's life...

Thinking thus far, I slapped my cheeks. He was destined to die anyway, nothing I could do about it. I only took advantage of the inevitable...could I have stopped it? Yes, I could've. But having been in this world for a while now, I realized that compassion was unneeded. It was every man to himself in this world, there was no need for such thing like compassion. If I wanted to be strong, I needed to become apathetic to this sort of stuff as this probably won't be the last time a similar situation happens.

-Ring! -Ring! -Ring!

"...Hm? who could be calling me at this hour?"

Noticing that someone was calling my phone, I went and picked it up. Soon a large smirk appeared on my face.

Picking up the phone, I cheerfully answered.

"~oh my, who could this be?"

[...you—how?]

After a short pause, the person on the other side of the phone spoke. His voice which was usually deep raised a few pitches.

"What are you talking about?"

Cheekily smiling, I teased smallsnake who was on the other side of the phone.

[...sigh, well it doesn't matter. You were right—how do you wish to proceed]

"Hmm, hold it until tomorrow and sell it in the morning as soon the stock exchange opens at 9:30 a.m."

[...but wouldn't it be better if we hold it for a bit longer?]

"Well from a normal person's point of view yes...but well, let's just say that its better if we don't become too greedy and play it safe"

[...Alright, I'll trust you this once]

"Next time you see me I bet you'll get on your feet to kiss my shoes"

sure, I'll call you later once I've

"Aight"

-Tak!

up the phone. I wasn't sure why, but I really enjoyed teasing

time I

my sword back and left for my

few days away from

...

Morning, Saturday.

-Ring! -Ring! -Ring!

was the constant

I tapped all over my bed until I finally

phone, I answer

"...Hello? who's this?"

person on the phone

me...Did you just

"Yea.."

that but I came to tell you some good

"What good news?"

the fees your total

a lot

how a normal person reacts to having just made this

hasn't hit me

there's a bigger issue

"What?"

on my bed, I held the phone closer to

not safe if I tell you on the phone as someone might tap

"...is it that serious?"

[...yes]

Smallsnake's solemn voice I let out a long

when do you plan

cafe in Refton road, 10

okay, I'll see

-Tak!

pinched the middle of my brows for a couple of seconds before finally letting

was going to be a

...

up, I headed outside

that was now 14 million U heavier, a

Not bad...

you

"Section C please"

"Okay"

waited for the driver to start the

C section of the campus

money, it was about time that I finally get in contact with the

of dreaded this

I was

"Section C? Which area?"

"Northside please"

arrive in fifteen

the engine, the van soon sped off into the

I looked outside of the

I was sighing quite a lot. With everything that was going on, I couldn't get one moment of

scenery, my

was about to do next would

hope everything goes

"We're here"

van stopped in

"Thank you"

I

the facility, where enormous buildings could be seen behind them. The sheer size of the

"Stop"

the facility, two guards appeared before me. They were wearing black uniforms with the school insignia imprinted on their

although the pressure they exuded was strong, it wasn't to

card, they scanned it briefly and after everything checked

-Shlup!

main building of section C,

coming from the

slick. The most dominant color was white, and everything was decorated with a simplistic

the reception of the

may I help

like to

disappeared. What replaced it was a look

not a place where you can come as you please to court Melissa. Frankly, you're not the first one that has tried this and

berated by the young clerk lady, my eye twitched a couple of

did it turn

am not here to court

I said, the young lady smirked and proceeded

so what are you here

believe me