Chapter 3: Breakthrough

He didn’t know how much time passed within this endless darkness, but it was definitely very long.

The crazy “masters” took turns instilling and explaining the many mysteries and meanings of the world. From their lectures, they really sounded like masters. However, their battle demonstrations were pathetic, and whenever Fang wanted to give up, even with the lack of strength the old madmen came up with new improved threats to keep him going. He hoped all the time that they would quickly fade away.

This place, although it defied common sense, still required sleep, and that was the only bit of respite Fang could get.

One day, when he woke up, the old lunatics didn’t immediately crowd around him to impact their teachings; instead, they stared at him seriously.

“Boy, we have to go.”

When he heard Kaesar say this, Fang couldn’t help but be surprised. Ever since their first meeting, it had be forced, harsh practice all the time, and he really looked forward to this moment. However, now that the time came, he couldn’t muster up any sense of relief.

Although the dead souls were crazy and severe with their training, they also tried their best to teach and help comprehend the meanings of their arts. When he couldn’t understand, they were patient. And they congratulated him, encouraging him to put out his top effort. He hadn’t felt this warm or cared for after his parents died. Disappointed, he asked, “Why? Are you souls going to dissipate and head off to a better place?”

“You really are an idiot,” Kaesar said. Despite the scolding tone, his voice carried a concealed hint of warmth. “You really think you are dead?”

Stunned, Fang replied, “Aren’t I?”

“Of course not! This is your spiritual world, you didn’t die. Maybe you don’t believe, but soon, you’ll come to understand.”

“Remember everything that we taught you, it’ll be surely useful.”

“Even if we die, don’t you dare to slack off!”

“Boy, we’re reluctant to part, but time is running out!”

As the masters sent off their farewells, their shapes started to fade away, and Fang shouted, “Hey, you haven’t told me what’s going on, don’t go yet!”

But no matter how much he cried, the dead souls faded away, leaving behind a whisper, “There are things that you don’t know, but when you have enough power, the soul bracelet will tell you about it. Don’t listen to the others, you have talent! Your body had a slight defect, but with the last remains of our power, we restored it. In this world, many people have power, but remember, with your effort you won’t be weak anymore. Fang, we will not be at your side, but inside this bracelet, let us witness the strongest person, even surpassing the gods! Farewell!”

“Wait!”

Swirling, the void disappeared. With a cry, Fang woke up on a bed.

I’m… not dead?

He looked at his body, and felt a strong heartbeat resonating throughout his body. As well, he felt so much energy coursing through his body that it surprised him.

Novice!

The levels of power were divided into different classes, and when enough strength was in the body, it would advance into another stage. Right now, at the novice rank, his strength was faintly detectable to others, an aura that other fighters could find.

The ranks of power went from apprentice, novice, intermediate, advanced, expert, master, lord, king, supreme, and within each rank, there were 9 grades of mastery. In the past, Fang was only at the level of an apprentice, unable to continue and bypass the restriction that stopped him from advancing.

However, the bottleneck that has bested him for a long time has been finally broken!

And he felt it wasn’t just the 1st grade novice; his aura covered the majority of his body, meaning it was at least the 8th grade novice.

I am… the 8th grade novice!

Fang felt ecstatic, from the lowest of all the stages to a sudden jump into the 8th grade – anyone would be driven mad with happiness.

More importantly, it wasn’t without reason.

The dream wasn’t a dream!

Those old madmen, were they actually supreme?

On his right arm, there was a thin, black armband tightly coiled; Fang was sure that he didn’t wear any accessories at all before.

Before the dead disappeared, they said they would watch the progress by a bracelet, was this it?

Fang tried to take the bracelet off, but the bracelet was rooted deeply into his skin, and no matter how hard he pulled, wouldn’t release its grasp.

Forget it, I’ll just keep wearing it, they said that when I reached a certain level of strength, the soul bracelet will tell me everything.

Exactly what kind of secrets were they hiding?

--- --- ---

On the streets of Victoria City, a maid walked in silence, her head lightly bowed towards the ground, her shoulders scrunched up accompanying a tired face full of sadness.

Ever since the master went into a coma without any reason, it has been six months; although he showed all normal signs of life, the best healer in town couldn’t wake him up.

A month later, the examinations for college would begin – if he missed it, there would be no more opportunities in the future. And after that, in half a month, her examinations for magic would commence, but their entire future rested on that. With such a big responsibility pressuring down on her, and her master in such a sad state, she couldn’t help but be stressed.

“Mii.”

When she arrived at the house, a voice interrupted her train of thought. She looked up, only see an uninvited, unwelcome guest. Her face immediately turned cold. “Yato, why are you here?”

“Hey, don’t be so unfriendly,” the young man said. “For my master, I came here to talk to you.”

Mii’s face stayed cold. “Between me and Vincent, there’s nothing to talk about!”

“Well then, I must say farewell, but you should consider talking,” Yato advised, “unlike Fang, who’s a piece of waste that isn’t worthy for you. He sees to what, any jewelry, clothing, education? Nothing, not even a basic magic robe – if you were to work for my master, as long as you follow all his commands, we’ll gift you everything. Wouldn’t it be a wonderful life? And all you have to do is quite simple; Fang is a vegetable, and as long as you don’t continue to feed him, Fang will die and you’ll be free. No one would care about Fang’s death, he is as significant as an ant anyways.”

Vincent and Fang were both sons from prominent families at the same age. Although she served Fang, Vincent has been unrelenting in his pursuit for her, trying his hardest to make her submit, yet, Fang was always in the way.

But now, Fang is asleep in a coma. Vincent patiently waited for his death, however, it never happened. Every day, Mii desperately made enough money to feed Fang, and after half a year, Vincent finally lost his patience. By now, he reasoned, she would give up.

He was wrong; trembling, Mii shouted, “Kill my master and come to him? He must be dreaming!”

Seeing her defiant attitude, Yato took a step back. “Mii, don’t forget, your family is poor – even if you raise money, you still have to use the family’s savings. Now, with all the savings gone, sooner or later, Fang will die because he can’t get the expensive nutrition he needs, am I wrong?”

Mii gritted her teeth, as Yato pointed out her worst fears.

Because Fang was in a coma, he couldn’t eat, so an expensive blend of nutrients had to be fed to him. Already poor, the treasury was desolate of any gold, and it seemed clear that there was no wealth to support Fang.

But Mii couldn’t give up. “You don’t have to worry, although the nutrients require a lot of money, I’ll work hard to earn it!”

Yato smiled. “Mii, why must you be so stubborn? Vincent, the gracious master, offer you the best of both worlds: a good life, and the ability to keep Fang alive. Doesn’t it sound reasonable?”

Although she knew that Vincent had malicious intents, she couldn’t help but struggle against the enticing chance to keep Fang alive.

Kindly, Yato softly declared. “Mii, the master will commit to keeping Fang alive, saving his life. All you have to do is repay the kindness of the master, as you see fit, isn’t this the best solution for everyone? Think about the generous proposal again.”

Inside Yato’s mind however, he lecherously sneered at Mii. This was a done deal, he thought. Unfortunately, he underestimated the loyalty of this little beauty.

After a long period of silence, Mii spoke again, her voice calm, yet firm. “I refuse, because if master was alive, he would never accept anything Vincent would offer! And if the master is gone, I cannot live; I’m Mii, of the family of Fang, and I will die in the family of Fang!”

Viewing that resolute Mii, Yato grew very angry. “Then you will watch Fang starve to death, he will never wake up!”

“Really? I don’t think so!”

Yato and Mii were stunned as they followed the sound; a man leaned on the opened door.

For six months, he was in a coma. But today, in front of their wide eyes, Fang was there, awake!