Chapter 6: Mastering Skills and Misfortunes
As soon as we got halfway home from the woods Lilia woke up in shock, she seemed to think she was kidnapped at first.
"We survived?!"
Lilia shouted as she came to the realization we were in a carriage with Oliver.
"Yes, that's what it looks like, right?"
I responded to her question and she sighed with relief.
"I thought for sure we were going to die…"
"We probably would have if Oliver didn't come to save us…"
"He saved us?"
"No, Natsuo saved you and I saved him."
Oliver hopped into the conversation, even though we both would've died it still made me happy to think he thought I saved her.
I mean I guess I did technically save her so I wasn't totally useless.
"Natsuo, you were ok?"
"What do you mean by, was I ok?"
"I mean you were thrown into a tree, you managed to recover quickly from that?"
Now that she mentioned it I did kinda feel a lot of pain in my back region, it also hurt to move around.
"I was lucky, if I didn't get a sudden rush of adrenaline I would've been out cold."
"Here pull up your shirt, well what's left of it anyways…"
I guess she was right, my shirt was all bloody and dirty with multiple tears throughout it, my shoes were gone and my pants were melted away to just a little under my knees.
I looked like a homeless beggar…
"Why do you want me to take my shirt off, don't tell me. Oh you little rascal, you have feelings for your butler!"
I pushed her lightly and followed it with a chuckle, she got red then quickly spoke up.
"No, I just wanted to see how damaged your back was!"
I finished chuckling and pulled my shirt up, she felt it but she stayed silent.
"How does it look?"
"It's really bruised, I think you might have broken a few parts…"
"How bruised?"
"It looks purple and dark, are you sure you're ok?"
"I don't know, I feel fine…"
I haven't tried walking since my adrenaline ran off so I might not even be able to walk, I can move around slightly but it hurts.
"I think you should rest when we get home, it would be for the best. I won't force you into a dress for a while also."
I would fist pump, but I feel that would make Lilia change her mind about not dressing me up.
"I guess we won't train for a few days also, I will let you have time to rest, Natsuo."
Cool, I get free time to myself.
Although, I doubt I would be able to do anything since I will probably be in bed the whole time, sadly…
"How long until we get home, Oliver?"
Lilia seemed impatient enough to ask Oliver that, I didn't really mind staying in the carriage although it was very uncomfortable.
"In about forty-five minutes, be patient."
I guess Lilia was up for about fifteen minutes or so, time sorta flew by.
I lean back and fall asleep, even though it was halfway through the day.
I think that forest messed up time because it was actually daytime outside the forest but once you entered inside of it, it became nighttime.
That was a very strange feature but I managed to get out so I am fine.
About an Hour Later
I woke up in a sweat, I had a nightmare that suddenly we were being attacked and were killed so when I woke up to see I was fine I was relieved…
"What's wrong Natsuo?"
I look up and see that I was laying on Lilia's lap.
"Why am I here?"
"You looked uncomfortable so I put you here."
I sat up but felt a sharp pain spiked up my back, I quickly shriveled up and lay back down on her lap.
"Natsuo, what's wrong?!"
"I just hurt, don't worry."
It seemed that the pain finally kicked in, surprisingly…
"We are arriving back at the mansion you two, get ready."
It's already orange in the sky, it seemed as if it was getting late.
The carriage stopped and Oliver came to the side, he then proceeded to open the door and let us out.
I let Lilia out first but when I tried getting out my feet felt like they were on fire and I fell off the carriage toward the floor.
I came flying down toward the floor and I could already feel a giant head injury coming my way.
I was suddenly stopped from my sudden head injury by Oliver catching me.
"I will carry you inside, relax tonight."
I guess I was in a decent amount of pain, I am sure I broke a rib and the skin on the bottom of my feet melted away…
He carried me like a princess, I wasn't really ashamed since I was super tired so I let it slide.
I passed by the maids as they welcomed us back, they all looked worried but one looked the most worried about us.
No, let me correct myself, she looked especially worried for me.
"Is he alright…?"
The maid spoke up, it was Almira.
I looked at her and gave her a slight smile, she replied to my smile with a tearful, but joyful, smile.
Was she really that worried about me…?
"I thought you were dead…"
Oliver walked past her and toward my bedroom, he entered it and then laid me down lightly.
"A magician who can use healing magic will be here tomorrow which means after tomorrow we will go straight back to training."
He still had his cold stare and monotone look the whole time, I swear, this guy only likes to train…
I laid down flat and the aching pain slowly faded in but before it could fully kick I fell asleep.
Next Day
"Good Morning, Natsuo."
I woke up suddenly and saw Lilia standing over me with a bottle that had red liquid in it.
"The magician will be here shortly but this will heal a decent amount of it and make you not feel so sore."
She seemed concerned about me, I realized someone also stood behind her.
Almira was with her it seemed, was she tasked to stay with her while I rest?
"Why are you here, Almira?"
"Sir Vincent told me to stay with Lilia today, that's why I am here."
"Ok, I am glad I can rest today."
I take the potion, well I assume that's what it is anyways…
"This won't kill me or put me in a dress will it?"
I said jokingly, Almira let out a tiny giggle but Lilia made a pouty face, I smiled then drank what was in it.
It tasted weird, not flavorful but not bland. It was a weird mix but wasn't terrible…
I instantly start feeling a bit better and I can sorta start to move around without being in so much pain.
I heard a few pairs of footsteps then I saw Vincent, a man in a black robe, and Oliver entered the room.
"The magician is here."
Oliver said in his monotone tone with his cold stare.
"Hello, are you Natsuo?"
The magician walked over to me, while I was just sitting in bed.
"Yes, I am Natsuo."
I would've really liked to say something like, "No that's Natsuo." Then point at someone who was uninjured, although everyone was here so that would be disrespectful…
"Please lay down flat for me."
I nodded and then moved a bit so I am flat. It hurt like hell but I managed well.
He put his finger on my forehead and started chanting something.
My body softened up and everything felt like it calmed down from its panicking.
"Do you feel better?"
The magician asked, he seemed curious.
"Yes, although my feet still really hurt."
"I see, you were burnt with devil's blood so it's expected that it won't be healed by regular magic…"
He rubbed his chin then came to a conclusion, he grabbed something out of his little side pouch he had.
It looked like an eyeball, a black eyeball with a red spade as the pupil.
"Eat this."
Everyone stayed silent except Lilia and me when he said that.
Lilia said,
"Ew…"
And I followed with a,
"Eh…?"
Lilia's face looked disgusted and I had a feeling that's what mine looked like also.
"You heard me, just swallow the eyeball and the pain and injury should go away."
"What, how does that work?"
I asked why looking back and forth between the eye and the magician.
"Because this is a special demon eyeball that Sir Vincent bought to heal you."
What? He cares about me…?
My mouth was wide open and I felt confused.
"Am I allowed to know how much it was…?"
The magician looked toward Vincent and Vincent nodded lightly.
"Two thousand gold."
Everyone except Vincent and Oliver gasped, even Lilia let out a small one.
"Why was it so much!?"
I yelled, the magician put a finger over his lips and then proceeded to talk after putting it down.
"Usually Devil's Blood will leave a curse so people will use a special type of demon's eyeball to remove the so-called curse. It's very useful but the eye is hard to come across so it's sold for what it's worth."
I nodded.
I understand what he means but damn, for Vincent to spend that much on me must mean he cares.
Thank the lord I was chosen by these fortunate people.
"Fine, hand me it…"
He handed me the eyeball and I took it from him, it felt slimy and squishy.
I gulped and put the eyeball in my mouth.
"Chewing it is gross but will make the process go by faster."
The magician said quietly.
I have to chew it, I have to chew it, I have to chew it…
I chewed it and felt it squirting in my mouth, after a few bites I swallowed and almost threw up.
I looked at the magician, he had brown hair and from his forehead over the left eye to just a bit below it.
He also had an evil grin on his face, I think that might just be his look though…
"Well, I have to go now…"
He turned around and walked out, Vincent followed but Oliver stayed.
"Are you feeling better Natsuo…?"
Oliver asked, he seemed genuinely concerned but he still was monotone and serious.
"Yes I am fine, I can already feel my feet healing."
They weren't feeling any different, I just said that to put everyone at ease.
"Well, we should all get out of here and let Natsuo rest."
"But Olive-"
"Come, Lilia."
"Ok…"
Oliver left the room and the girls trailed behind him.
I get comfy and close my eyes.
I feel like this is my first actual break in a while, I mean I have been getting up early and doing butler work for a few years, I have been fighting for my life, I have been enslaved, kidnapped, my father and sister were killed.
Much more to say but I just appreciate a good break.
I feel tired, I think I might just fall asleep.
But if I do, someone is bound to barge in…
Maybe I can give it a shot…
I feel my body lighten and I fall asleep, I was successful in this mission to sleep…
Part Two
My eyes open and I feel drenched in sweat, it seemed to be morning.
Did I really sleep all day and night…?
I sit up and feel a massive headache coming on.
My feet are fine so that's a plus…
I get off the bed and look around, I feel like I am spinning…
"H-Help…"
I collapse and everything goes black…
I can still hear and feel but I just can't open my eyes, why…?
I can't yell for help, that's what I want to do…
I heard a group of footsteps heading toward the outside of my door and my door swung open.
I heard a shout but it was distorted and all messed up…
I can feel them move me around, I didn't know what to do…
After a few seconds, which felt like hours, passed I felt like a thread snapped.
Like it was the final thread keeping me conscious.
I lost my last remaining sense and then my eyes opened.
I couldn't feel or hear but I could see, but I didn't see what I thought I would see.
It was a grass field with a tree on a hill.
There were flowers and butterflies, it was pretty.
I stepped around but it felt off since I couldn't feel anything.
I tripped on accident and I face-planted into the grass.
Well, I thought I was going to but instead I fell through it like it was mud.
When I arrived at the other side I floated around.
It was dry and there were rocks everywhere.
The sky was red and there were black ashes just floating around.
I heard a voice but nothing else, it stayed silent.
The voice echoed and rang in and out of my head but I couldn't tell what it was.
"Survive."
The voice was deep, it made me slightly uneasy.
My senses came back when I finally understood the voice.
After floating a decent height in the air I fell and hit a rock, I bounced off but it wasn't a soft bounce.
I got up and coughed a bit since I landed on my chest.
I stood up and felt a violent shaking as if I was in the middle of an earthquake.
I look behind me and see a giant black snake, its scales were off though.
It had distorted faces that looked like they were screaming, as for the head of the snake it had red gems for eyes and its fangs were large.
It was way greater than me in size, it was terrifying and it sent a chill down my spine.
The snake slithered at me and I started running away from it.
"Why does this have to happen to me!"
I jump over smaller rocks and run around the larger ones.
There were mountains of this black rock for miles, it seemed as if there was nothing either…
The snake caught up since it just smashed through the rocks.
"[Soul Energy]!"
I run faster and almost trip a few times.
I continued to run as this slithery beast followed closely behind, it was terrifying I will give you that.
"Give me a break please!"
I started feeling tired as I ran but my adrenaline kept me going.
The snake attacked and it came at me at great speeds.
"[Soul Dash]!"
I barely dodge and stumble as I land, I fall onto my belly and turn around in a panic.
The snake was struggling to get out since its fangs were deep in the ground.
I stood up and walked over to the snake, it was a giant cobra.
"After chasing me for fifteen minutes you get what you deserve…"
I jump up slightly to its eye level and then strike it with my fist.
It jolted and started wiggling.
I seemed to have cracked its eye with my punch.
It loosened up and I started running again, I think I truly made a mistake there…
"I am sorry! Let's talk this out! Right! That sounds like a great idea! Forgive me!"
It seemed faster now and it took more energy to try and make myself faster.
If I didn't have my power activated I would be dead meat right now…
About thirty minutes passed of this constant running, my legs felt dead and the snake was catching up.
I heard the voice once more, it was louder and echoed even longer.
I still couldn't catch it and it made my eardrums feel like they wanted to burst.
"You won the first test."
I finally caught the first voice, I didn't understand what it meant though.
The rumble from the movement of the snake disappeared so I turned around while running.
The snake was gone.
It was truly a miracle!
I stopped running and sat against a rock.
My feet were aching and I felt drenched in sweat.
I wish I wasn't transferred here in my sleepwear, that's probably the most unfortunate part…
I heard the echo of the voice again, it was quieter again.
It also came in sooner which I was thankful for since it usually gave me a headache when it was longer.
"Attack."
I sank through the rock like I did with the grass and started falling.
I fell for a while in pitch blackness.
My senses also vanished once more.
I reemerged and found myself sitting on what seemed to be on the top of one of those stone mountains, the sky was still red and there were still black ashes everywhere.
I look around and see the figure of six knights in black armor.
They all started walking toward me like zombies with swords in their hands.
I couldn't feel anything and it scared me.
I stood up and my senses came and hit me like a semi-truck.
I felt something in my hands, it was two one-edged swords that were roughly the length of my arm.
The first knight came at me and swung down with his claymore.
I dodged and kicked the sword.
It easily shattered and the knight fell forward, I spun the sword and impaled the knight in the back of the neck where it was open.
It went in and the knight just disappeared with the armor left behind.
I looked up at the remaining knights, then the second and third came at me.
Oliver taught me how to deal with two people coming at me, I just can't tell if I have the strength for it though.
The second one swung down on me so I dodged but the third came swinging in the direction I dodged.
"[Soul Dash]!"
I moved back toward the other knight and grabbed his head, twisting it.
He fell and also vanished so number four stood in at his place.
Third took his sword from the floor and swung at my side.
I blocked both of my swords since his sword was large.
I can't believe I am keeping up right now…
The fourth grabbed my collar and violently threw me to the floor.
I skipped across the floor and dropped my weapons around the knights.
My eyes spun for a second then I clenched my fists, and just like that my eyes caught themselves and I stood back up.
"You're bullying a ten-year-old, how do you feel…"
I put my hands up as if I was ready to fight.
"Come at me…"
I stared at my hands which had white flames on them.
They suddenly disappeared and I burst into a cold sweat.
Soul energy was the only thing allowing me to defeat these bastards but now I ran out of it…
I felt somewhat tired also…
No, this doesn't mean it's over though…
The remaining knights came at me and I ran through them toward my weapons.
I pick them up and feel a bit relieved.
I don't think I have any mana left so I will do this naturally…
Knight number three and four come at me so I decide to attack back.
Number four swung down on me and I dodge barely, I felt the wind from the attack on my legs as I moved away.
Number five punched me back toward the two, I didn't even realize he was there.
Four decided to punch me also but I stabbed my sword through his hand and pulled him down toward me.
His head came into kicking distance so I jolted my foot toward his face.
I landed my attack but I ended up hurting myself more than hurting the knight.
I think I might've even fractured something but that isn't one of my biggest worries right now…
The knight seemed stunned so I used my other sword to penetrate his neck.
It fell over and vanished.
I picked up my second sword but as I grabbed it whilst I was bent over my face was kicked by a metal foot.
I get sent backward and flip all the way around back onto my knees.
I felt dazed and a massive headache appeared.
I fell onto all fours and looked up, it was number six who kicked me.
He seemed stronger than the rest…
Number three and five walked toward me.
I got up but barely managed to stand straight.
I walked toward the knights and let out a shout.
"Come at me, you bastards!"
I felt blood dripping down my head and my clothes were torn.
I used my last bit of energy to charge toward the knights.
I kick number five and it falls over, while still mid-air I twirl and use the heel of my opposite foot to kick number three in the head.
It stumbled a bit as I landed.
I walked behind it and hit it in the back of its leg, it then proceeded to fall onto its knees.
"Say goodnight…"
I stab both swords into the sides of its neck.
It vanished and number five stood up.
Number six stood still with its sword in the ground and his hands on the hilt.
He stood respectfully for his turn, he seemed off.
Number five came at me with his sword coming at the top of my head.
I dashed toward it and its sword went over me, I struck number five in the chest with my fist and it dented its armor.
I spin around and twirl my sword around in my hand until the blade is facing downward.
I stab into where I dented and it goes inside.
I pulled it down then pulled the knight onto the floor, I stood over it and used my other sword to stab it into its neck.
It proceeded to vanish also.
I heard a snicker come from number six, it now seemed really off…
The rest were like dolls but this guy has some emotion to him…
The aura he gives off is also different, I feel like I wouldn't stand a chance against him…
"You passed…"
I heard the voice again but this time it didn't echo and actually came from something.
It came from the knight…
"What do you mean, I passed?"
"You are worthy enough of one of my abilities…"
What does he mean…
"You ate my eye, correct?"
That's what happened!?
This all makes sense now…
"Anyways young one, I will give you the title of being my master if you do this last thing."
I tilt my head in confusion as he spoke.
"[Mana Regeneration]."
He pointed his finger toward me and his fingertip glowed slightly.
I instantly felt less tired and felt like I could run another mile.
"Fight me."
He pulled his sword out of the floor and pointed toward me.
He grew in size and so did his sword, he then chuckled a bit.
I gulped and got ready to fight.
If he restored my mana then I should be able to use my ability…
"my minions were far weaker than I…"
"Got it… [Soul Energy]"
I ran toward him and jumped as I was ready to attack, he returned my attack with a block and I was sent backward toward the edge of the mountain.
"[Soul dash]"
I almost fall off but with quick thinking, I dash forward.
I swung down toward his head with my right sword and he blocked with his gauntlet, he dropped his sword and punched me in the stomach with the other hand.
"Haha, be faster, young one."
I spin my blades until they face down again and glare at the knight.
He picked up his sword with his left hand and signaled me to come at him with his other.
I smiled and chuckled a bit, I have to win.
"[Soul Dash]!"
I dashed toward him and he swung, it's hard to dodge midair so I blocked with my sword that was in my right hand.
I use my other sword and try stabbing it into him, it instantly shattered.
The knight started laughing and then kicked me backward, I managed to catch myself so I only slid back a bit.
"Why are you beating up a kid, I mean come on you can do better than that!"
His laugh cut abruptly and he then charged at me with his sword by his side, he lunged at me and swung down at my shoulder.
I slide under him and his sword strikes the floor, as he is occupied I jump onto his back and start stabbing in his neck region.
Although it was different from the other knights, he had neck protection.
"Get off!"
Two metal wings popped out of his back and one cut off my left hand.
"Ack!"
I fall onto my back and crawl backward trying to get away from him.
I was this close to defeating him…
Why do I keep losing my hands also! That's another thing!
I stand up with blood dripping out of where my hand was and I point my sword toward him with the other.
"Don't give up, even if they have the advantage. I was told that by my trainer, it wasn't exactly like that obviously but you get the point."
The knight chuckled then put his fists up, it seemed he didn't care to get the sword out of the ground.
"[Soul Dash]!"
I am surprised I can already control this power, it's really an amazing thing!
I head upwards and then when I get above him I use my ability once more.
"[Soul Dash]!"
I struck his head with my heel and he fell backward, I then jumped off his face and landed on the floor in front of him.
"Imagine losing to a ten-year-old…"
"Haha, I was just getting ready!"
His voice was deep but he seemed joyful…
His eyes lit up and glew a bright red, he didn't seem to have two for some reason…
Wait, could it be he doesn't have two since I ate one…?
I stare at the bright red light coming from the open area of his helmet.
"[Berserker's Bloodlust]"
He became engulfed in bright red flames and then once they cleared up he was 2x bigger in size and so was his sword.
Damn, I stand no chance against him now…
I have an idea that might just help me in my victory, maybe if I am able to strike him in the right places I could be able to kick him off the mountain to his demise…
"I need to get home so hurry this up!"
His leg was about as big as me so this might be a difficult task.
I charged at his leg and then bear-hugged it.
"what are you thinking?"
He tried kicking me off but I stayed on, he then kicked upwards and I let go.
I was sent flying but I managed to get above him.
"[Soul Dash]!"
I came at him with my foot and struck his forehead, he stumbled backward and I grabbed onto his shoulder piece.
I rip it off and see a dark melted looking skin color, it's almost as if he burnt to death…
I held onto the chest piece as I fell back down to the floor, it was heavy but I could still carry it.
This next part better work…
I spin in circles and gain momentum with the shoulder piece, I then release it and throw it toward his chest.
It struck his chest as he was dazed and he coughed up blood, he stumbled backward then fell.
He attempted to grab onto something as he was falling but he only grabbed the ashes.
As he fell he gave me a thumbs up and then vanished leaving nothing behind.
The armor of the other knights also disappeared with him.
I felt like I succeeded…
I sat down and then a red flame appeared not too far in front of me.
The knight came out of the flame and then bowed down to me like I was a king.
"You are now my master, I am glad I went easy on you."
"Eh…?"
Really now!? That was easy!? I lost my hand! My goddamn hand!
"Allow me to heal your wounds, my lord."
He grabbed my wrist and then a flame appeared, after the flame went out I had a brand new hand.
"Th-Thanks…?"
"Now, let me award you with one of my passive skills."
"What, I got something out of you?"
"I, Pistos the Demon Knight, award you with the passive skill called Knight's Hope."
"What does it do…?"
"It allows its user to regain energy and mana just by killing enemies, the stronger the enemy the more the mana and energy."
"I see, does this work for all races?"
"It works for all races but it doesn't work for weak enemies, that's about it. Please accept my gift."
"Ok, well how do I do that…?"
"Take my hand."
He lifted his hand and I hesitated to grab it but I proceeded.
After I grabbed his hand I felt intense energy where our hands met, it started glowing and then flashed a bright white. I felt blinded.
"There, I will now let you get home."
I salute and then I sink into the mountain.
Instead of losing all my senses this time, I just felt like I was submerged in slime that was breathable.
I reemerged in the field of the mansion although something felt off…
I stood up and looked around, it was late already…
I walked toward the stairs to get to the mansion and as I could see the mansion my body froze.
The same thing that happened last time is happening again…
I saw three people on their knees with their hands tied behind their backs and gags in their mouths.
There was also someone laying on the floor as if they were defeated…
The mansion was in flames and they stood outside of it.
I see four people in black robes with black masks on.
Those horrible, smooth, black masks…
The people on their knees were familiar faces also…
It was Vincent, Eris, and Lilia…
And the worst part is, Oliver was the one defeated on the floor…
His face was all bruised and bloody and his hands were tied behind his back, his legs also seemed broken and twisted in all the wrong ways, so were his fingers.
Lilia and Eris were crying but Vincent looked guilty, the look in his eyes made it seem as if he made a grave mistake.
Lilia noticed me and she looked joyful, in that moment of happiness in her eyes it quickly faded.
Vincent's throat was slit in a matter of seconds.
Eris screamed and threw up with the gag still in her mouth so most of it went out of her nose.
Lilia froze and became pale…
I clenched my fists, if I wasn't teleported away this probably wouldn't have happened…
The black-masked demon who killed Vincent then put his blade to Eris's throat and slit it, she fell to the ground also dead.
The man then walked to Lilia and stroked her cheek, proceeding to speak afterward.
"You're coming with me, you pretty little girl…"
He sounded like a pervert, it was almost unsettling how creepy he sounded…
He then picked her up and put her on his shoulder, I stood up and shouted as he was walking away.
"You douchebag, let her go!"
"Natsuo, No!"
Oliver uttered those words to the best he could, I think I might've made a mistake…
"Well, what do we have here…?"
He dropped Lilia and she fell onto the floor, she hit her head and became unconscious.
"Another kill to the board…"
He cracked his knuckles and pulled out two daggers, the other masked demons also pulled out their weapons.
The aura that these people give off is more intense than I have ever felt before…
Is this even safe…?
I don't think this was the right choice but I am too pissed off to think straight…
I will save Lilia. That's my only job…
Weekly Power Status
-- Power
Ranking 
-- Power
stone