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"

I'll call you later

"Aight"

-Tak!

on my face, I hung up the

it's about time I

sword back and left

I was only a few days away from reaching the

...

Morning, Saturday.

-Ring! -Ring! -Ring!

from my sleep was the constant

tapped all over my bed until I

the phone, I answer

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

voice, the other person on the phone paused

me...Did you just

"Yea.."

about that but I came to tell you

"What good news?"

all the fees your total profit stands

lot

that seriously how a normal person reacts to having just made

I'm still quite sleepy so it still hasn't hit me

there's a bigger issue at

"What?"

bed, I held

you on the phone as someone might tap on

"...is it that serious?"

[...yes]

I let out a long breath

when do you plan

at Epsilon cafe in Refton road, 10

I'll

-Tak!

the middle of my brows for a couple of

going to be a

...

I headed outside

my bank account that was now 14 million U heavier, a smirk appeared on my face.

Not bad...

are you

"Section C please"

"Okay"

waited for the

headed to the C section of the campus which was quite far from

had enough money, it was about time that I finally get in contact with the person that could provide

of dreaded

that the person I was going to interact with was very...hm,

"Section C? Which area?"

"Northside please"

arrive in fifteen

the engine, the van soon

looked outside of the

a lot. With everything that was going

at the constantly changing scenery, my stomach slightly churned

about to do next would either make or

hope everything goes

"We're here"

van stopped in

"Thank you"

driver I walked

metal fences covered the facility, where enormous buildings could be seen behind them.

"Stop"

at the entrance of the facility, two guards appeared before me. They were wearing black uniforms with the school insignia imprinted on their chests. They had black military

less, as although the pressure

the guards my student ID card, they scanned it briefly and after everything

-Shlup!

the main building of

wave of cold refreshing air coming from the AC instantly hit

interior of the building was very modern and slick. The most dominant color was white, and

in front of the reception of the building, a beautiful young

I

would like to

What replaced it was a look

but this is a research facility, not a place where you can come as you please to court Melissa. Frankly, you're not the

berated by the young clerk lady, my eye

it turn

not here

lady smirked and

are you

didn't believe me