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 once

"Aight"

-Tak!

the phone. I

it's about time I headed

my stuff, I deposited my sword

few days away

...

Morning, Saturday.

-Ring! -Ring! -Ring!

sleep was the constant

my bed until I finally

the phone, I

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

the other person on the

you just

"Yea.."

I came to

"What good news?"

the fees your total profit

lot

normal person reacts to having just made

quite sleepy so it still hasn't hit me yet...but

there's a bigger issue

"What?"

up on my bed, I held the phone closer

if I tell you on

"...is it that serious?"

[...yes]

Smallsnake's solemn voice I let out a long breath and

when do you plan to meet

tomorrow at Epsilon cafe in

okay, I'll see

-Tak!

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

was going to be

...

up, I headed

heavier, a smirk appeared on my face. Was this how it

Not bad...

are you headed

"Section C please"

"Okay"

minibus, I patiently waited for

headed to the C section of the campus which was quite

money, it was about time that I finally get in contact with the person that could provide me with below-market

of dreaded this

I was going to interact

"Section C? Which area?"

"Northside please"

we'll arrive in fifteen

soon sped off into

outside

lot. With everything that was going on,

scenery, my stomach slightly churned

do next would either

hope

"We're here"

stopped in front of a

"Thank you"

driver I walked towards the

could be seen behind them. The sheer size of the buildings

"Stop"

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

to be at around rank D or less, as although the pressure they exuded was strong, it wasn't to the

card, they scanned it briefly and after everything checked out, they

-Shlup!

building of section C, two transparent

wave of cold refreshing air coming from

slick. The most dominant color was

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

I help

to meet Melissa

young clerk lady instantly disappeared. What replaced it was

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

by the young clerk lady, my eye twitched

did it turn out like

I am not here to court

said, the young lady smirked

are you here for?

believe me at