*** Fifty-seven days after arriving in Luminosa ***

Dawn painted the training yard in shades of gold as I found Lia in our usual meeting spot. She sat on the stone bench, already in her training gear, watching the magical flowers shift from night-purple to morning-blue.

"Happy birthday," I said, holding out a small package wrapped in leaves—proper paper being too expensive for an outsider like me. Inside was a water lily I had carefully preserved using some basic Air Mana techniques I had developed. It wasn't much of a gift, but it was the best I could manage.

"You remembered." Her smile lacked its usual fierce energy as she took the gift. "Today's my last fight as an Initiate. After this, I'll advance to Tier 1—as a Primalist."

"About that..." I tried to keep my voice casual. "I prepared another surprise for you, which you'll see when we fight. Something to make your advancement day special."

She raised an eyebrow. "Oh? And here I thought you'd just try not to embarrass yourself too badly in our final spar."

"Maybe I'll even give you a challenge this time."

She laughed, but it sounded forced. "You've improved, but..." She glanced toward the tribunes, where nobles were already gathering to watch the day's training. "Just... don't push yourself too hard, okay? After today, I'll be one step closer to my dream. Once I reach Tier 4, I can finally earn noble status and protect my hometown properly. The border won't defend itself."

The training yard filled quickly. News of Lia's advancement had drawn quite a crowd—though I noticed most were there to curry favor with Princess Saella, who sat in her usual elevated position, looking even more bored than usual.

Sir Roland called us to the center of the yard. "Today marks a special occasion," he announced, his scarred face betraying no emotion. "Show us what you've learned."

Lia assumed her stance, practice sword held with perfect form. I mirrored her, feeling Air Mana stirring in response to my excitement. This was my chance to show her she wasn't alone—to prove I understood the path she walked.

"Come on," I called out, loud enough for others to hear. "Show everyone your true power. Let them see what makes you special!"

Her eyes widened slightly, but then determination set in. Water Mana gathered around her blade, extending it like a living stream. The crowd murmured—such precise control was rare even among full cultivators, let alone an Initiate.

She struck first, her water-enhanced blade singing through the air. I dodged, adding just enough Air Mana to my movements to match her speed. Her second strike came faster, but I was ready. Three rapid slashes followed, each a perfect arc of water that could have severed stone. I wove between them, my reflexes enhanced by the Mana Boost, allowing me to predict her patterns.

"Not bad," she said, smoothly transitioning into a complex series of thrusts. Each strike left afterimages in the air, her water extension creating multiple potential attack angles. "But you're still holding back."

"So are you."

Her next attack came like a tidal wave—water spiraling around her in intricate patterns as she pressed forward. I gave ground, relying more heavily on Air Mana to evade her increasingly precise strikes. The crowd’s murmurs grew louder as I managed to parry attacks that should have overwhelmed me.

She shifted tactics, using her water to create a constantly shifting barrier around herself while striking through gaps that appeared and vanished like breaking waves. It was beautiful and deadly—the mark of a true Primalist’s control.

Then she caught me with a feint. Her water whip wrapped around my ankle just as I dodged what I thought was her main attack. I hit the ground hard, rolling away just as her practice sword struck where I’d fallen.

This was it. The moment I’d been waiting for.

Pride and eagerness overwhelmed my usual caution as I gathered Air Mana for the technique I’d developed in secret. The wind responded to my will, condensing into visible ripples around my blade—just like her water extension, but with my element, proof that I too walked the Primalist path.

She can handle this, right? I thought as power built within my blade. She's the strongest Initiate in the kingdom. My two months of training won’t be enough to overcome her, but at the very least, I'll show her that I'm worthy of my Chosen Hero title!

Her eyes lit up with recognition, a smile starting to form—she understood what I was showing her. But as I unleashed the attack, her smile faltered. The Air Mana, amplified by my excitement and desire to impress, surged beyond the power I’d demonstrated before. The force flowing through my blade became a raging tempest I didn’t know I was capable of.

Amazing! I thought. With this, I can win!

Lia tried to defend, raising a wall of water, but the compressed air tore through it like paper. The violent currents of Air Mana sliced through her right side even as she attempted to dodge, catching her arm, shoulder, and a portion of her face in the assault.

Her arm, decimated by the power of Wind itself, hit the ground with a wet thud, reduced to a mangled mess. Her face—disfigured. Her eyes filled with shock as she cried out in pain and collapsed to her knees.

"T-this can't be!" The words slipped out as horror gripped me. "Y-you should've handled something like this easily, right?! I thought... I thought you were stronger!"

I could never forget the glance Lia gave me at that moment. It was filled with a mixture of fear, anger, and... something else. In the end, to my complete surprise, she smiled before fainting in a pool of her own blood.

The world seemed to stop. Then, impossibly, I heard clapping.

Princess Saella was on her feet, applauding with genuine enthusiasm. "Magnificent!" she exclaimed, her voice filled with cruel delight. "Such power from our supposed hero! Finally, you show some promise!"

The other nobles quickly joined in, their faces alight with the savage joy that comes from reveling in others' suffering. Their applause echoed off the castle walls, mocking the notion of celebration.

Even Sir Roland nodded approvingly. "Excellent display of power," the knight remarked, as if we had just completed a routine spar. "The raw force behind that technique... truly impressive."

"No..." I rushed to Lia's side, my mind racing. Without immediate treatment, even if she survived—which I believed was nearly certain—the damage would be permanent. Even if they eventually managed to regenerate her arm, the Mana channels would never reform properly. Her dream of reaching Tier 4, of earning noble status and protecting her hometown—all of it would remain forever out of reach.

"We need healers! Now!" My voice cracked with desperation. "If we act quickly, there's still a chance to save her!"

"Oh?" Princess Saella's voice dripped with mock concern. "Whatever for? She has the Water Element, doesn't she? Surely a would-be Primalist can handle a little injury." She leaned forward, savoring the moment. "Though I suppose this ends her ridiculous dream of nobility. How fitting."

I looked up to see her smiling—that same cruel smile she always wore when inflicting pain on others. Only now did I fully grasp the meaning behind that smile.

"This is what happens to peasants who reach beyond their station," she declared, her melodic voice carrying to every corner of the yard. "Let this be a lesson to all who would forget their place."

The healers had started to step forward, but at her words, they hesitated. None would dare defy the princess.

"Please..." My voice broke as I cradled Lia, trying to staunch the bleeding with my bare hands. "Without proper healing now, she'll never advance beyond Tier 1!"

"Then she was never worthy to begin with." The princess turned away, already losing interest. "Come, everyone. I believe the kitchens have prepared a delightful breakfast. Let the peasants tend to their own."

The nobles followed her like obedient dogs, their earlier enthusiasm forgotten. Some continued to discuss my technique, debating its applications with academic detachment. Not one spared a glance for the fallen girl whose dreams they had just watched shatter.

Only Sir Roland remained, observing dispassionately as Lia's blood soaked into the sand.

"Well done," he said to me. "You've finally shown some promise. The raw power behind that technique... with proper refinement, it could become a signature move worthy of a hero."

Then he too walked away, leaving me alone with the consequences of my actions.

That was the day I truly understood the world I had been summoned to. Not a fantasy adventure, but a nightmare dressed in golden robes and false smiles. The day I learned that those people understood only one language. The language of power.

And somewhere in the back of my mind, as I watched Lia's life path crumble beneath my blood-stained hands, I made a promise: one day, I would make them pay—all of them.

Starting with that smiling princess.

*** Current time ***

[Warning! You've killed an E-Rank User at a Safe Zone. You receive no EXP. 1000 System Points deducted.]

Yes, I killed them. My companions.

[Warning! You've killed an E-Rank User at a Safe Zone. You receive no EXP. 1000 System Points deducted.]

Sure, they were strangers, but they trusted me. Relied on me.

[Warning! You've killed an E-Rank User at a Safe Zone. You receive no EXP. 1000 System Points deducted.]

There was a risk that their deaths meant more than just waiting until their revival... that I just ended a "version" of them that would never be truly recreated.

[Warning! You've killed an E-Rank User at a Safe Zone. You receive no EXP. 1000 System Points deducted.]

But did it matter when there was a chance—no matter how slim—that my sister's life was at stake?

[Warning! You've killed an D-Rank User at a Safe Zone. You receive no EXP. 2000 System Points deducted.]

Now that they were dead, I had nothing holding me back.

[What a terrible Mama Goose! Killing her little babies... how cruel! Additional penalty: 5000 System Points. Hope it was worth it!]

No one the Pope could use against me if it came to us becoming enemies.

Unauthorized tale usage: if you spot this story on Amazon, report the violation.

[Warning! You have a negative System Point balance.]

The System Points? Betrayal of trust? Those were a price I was willing to pay.

[Ringmaster disapproves of your methods]

[Mr. Chuckles is watching you with great interest]

[You've unlocked a new Archetype: Cold-Blooded (Rare)]

Lucius didn't even glance at his Cardinal struggling under 100,000 pounds of force created by my Gravity Mana. "'Be still, and know that I am God,'" he said with practiced serenity, though I noticed the slight tremor in his voice. His plans clearly hadn't accounted for this. "It seems I understand what kind of person you are a bit better now."

"Yeah? Glad to hear that."

"You lack humility. But perhaps rightfully so. You don't want anyone to have control over you... or over what is yours. I understand, Clinton." His tone became more relaxed, perhaps revealing a bit more of his true self. "So, let me get straight to the point—what do you want, exactly?"

Honestly, I had been ready for a confrontation in the worst-case scenario. I wasn't afraid, but that would definitely slow me down and make it harder to reach my goals. It seemed my little bet paid off, and the Pope really wanted to borrow my power.

Mille was a monster in her own right for resisting such pressure from my Gravity Mana. Through my Mana Sense, I could feel her dual Virtues burning like white flames—Chastity opposing Lust and Charity countering Greed. Like me, she'd only recently begun to tap into the System's power, so she still mostly relied on her other abilities.

I took a few measured steps forward, approaching Lucius. Even as I stood close enough to reach him, he managed not to step back. Whether he truly wasn't afraid, believed I wouldn't attack, or just didn't want to lose face before his subordinates—I couldn't tell. Honestly, I didn't care.

"What I want, Lucius, is simple. I want sincerity. I want you to earn my trust."

"This... sounds logical," the Pope said carefully. "But perhaps first you could release my subordinate? I'm not sure she can withstand that pressure much longer. We don't want any losses before our cooperation even starts, do we? Unlike your companions, we people with Tutorial difficulty at Nightmare or higher don't simply revive after dying, even in the safe zone."

"Oh, I didn't want to kill her. Just making a point." I released my Gravity Mana, and the woman finally caught her breath. Her appearance was far from dignified.

"I don't know anything about you or your group, Lucius. And what I've heard doesn't give me the best impression. You know more about me than you're supposed to. So, I'm not asking much. If you want to cooperate, I have an idea."

"And what do you have in mind?"

I pointed at the Cardinal still on all fours. "I want this woman, Mr. Pope."

His expression froze. It seemed I'd finally cracked through his facade. "She is... with all due respect, she is a nun. And a Cardinal of our Church. I expected you to keep some decency, no matter how attractive you find her."

The woman in question looked at me with such ferocity that I half-expected lasers to shoot from her eyes.

"No, no, you're a man of God. How could you even think something like this? I mean, it's simple, really. Out of your entire group, she's just the right amount of useful while being harmless. If I chose you to accompany me, I'd have to worry about having someone by my side I don't really trust, and who has enough power to pose a danger to me. Your other people would just slow me down. As for her..." I grinned at Mille. "She can be helpful, but as I just demonstrated, she poses no threat. Who else could better prove you mean no harm and only good for me and humanity?"

"'The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak,'" Lucius quoted thoughtfully. He studied me with renewed interest. "You wish to take my most devoted Cardinal as... what? A guide? Or do you want to learn more about our faith from her?"

"Both, actually. I need someone who can keep up with my pace and help with reconnaissance. Plus, who better to tell me about your Church than one of its highest-ranking members?" I kept my tone light and reasonable. "Besides, something tells me the System didn't put us in the same Tutorial zone by accident."

Mille's shoulders stiffened at my words, her Chastity flaring like a supernova. She opened her mouth to object, but Lucius raised his hand slightly—a gesture so subtle I might have missed it if I hadn't been watching for this kind of interaction between them.

"And of course," I added, "having someone of her caliber around would make exploring these attractions much easier. The System seems to appreciate teamwork, after all. She's also a pleasure to the eye, so there's that."

"'Judge not by appearances, but judge righteous judgment,'" Lucius said, a hint of reproach in his tone at my last comment, though his smile suggested he was more amused than offended. "Very well. If Sister Mille is willing to serve as your guide through these trials, the Church has no objections."

"Your Holiness!" Mille's composure finally cracked. "Surely you can't—"

"'The Lord works in mysterious ways,'" Lucius interrupted smoothly. "Perhaps this is an opportunity to spread our message to one who might benefit from it most." His eyes met mine. "Though I trust you'll treat our Cardinal with the respect her position demands?"

"Of course. I'm not a complete barbarian." I glanced at the bodies of my companions, which had begun to dissolve into motes of light. Just a few hours for Sergio to Revive. The others should be back even sooner. "Just... occasionally murderous."

"We'll ensure your companions are properly oriented once they revive, unless you complete your matters beforehand," Lucius said, following my gaze. "They'll find themselves in the safety of the Revival point, given enough time. Consider our hospitality the first step in building trust between us."

I nodded. "Mille, shall we? We have some attractions to visit, and time is ticking."

The Cardinal straightened her dust-covered habit with as much dignity as she could muster. Her Virtues had settled into a steady burn, like twin pilot lights waiting to ignite. "As His Holiness commands," she said stiffly.

"Well then," Lucius gestured to his followers, "'Be fruitful and multiply'—our numbers at the Happiest Chicken, that is. I believe we have some business to discuss with the owner." He turned back to me. "Until we meet again, Mr. Clinton. May your path be... enlightening."

"Drop the act for a moment," I said, causing him to pause mid-turn. "You're not nearly as holy as you pretend to be. I can respect someone who gets his hands dirty for what he believes in, but this whole 'divine messenger' routine? It's getting old."

Lucius's smile shifted ever so slightly, becoming sharper, more real. "And you're not nearly as ruthless as you pretend to be," he replied, dropping the scripture quotes for once. "A true monster wouldn't care about keeping his companions safe." His eyes flickered to the dissolving bodies. "Even if his methods are... unconventional."

"Guess we're both playing our parts," I shrugged. "Just try not to get too method with yours. I'd hate to have to prove which of us is better at violence."

"Indeed." His gaze held mine for a moment longer. "Sister Mille, do try to keep our new friend from causing too much chaos. The System tends to notice such things."

I couldn't help but laugh at that. "Come on, Mille. Let's leave the good Pope to his preaching. We've got a Ferris wheel to visit."

As I walked away with my reluctant new companion, I heard Lucius beginning to organize his followers, his voice once again assuming that perfect holy tone. The man might be dangerous, but at least he knew how to put on a good show.

"We're in a bit of a hurry, so you can stop glaring at me and show if you can actually keep up with my speed," I said to Mille as I transitioned from a walk to a run. At first, I relied purely on physical strength, launching myself in powerful leaps that carried me over startled pedestrians and occasionally landing on the gaudy rooftops of carnival buildings.

Mille kept pace with surprising ease, barely drawing on her Virtues. The way Charity enhanced her movements reminded me of how demons used Greed for speed—different sources, similar results. Unlike the complex manipulations required for Elements, Sins and Virtues worked more directly, though they weren't as simple as they appeared. While each granted basic enhancements corresponding to their nature, they could also manifest in unexpected ways.

Just as Elements had their ranks, Sins and Virtues operated on similar principles—though they scaled with purity rather than raw power. Back in Luminosa, demons were classified by their Sin's Authority: Lesser, Greater, or Supreme. Lesser Authority was common among rank-and-file demons, while Greater Authority marked the nobility. Supreme Authority had been the exclusive domain of the Demon Queen herself.

Watching Mille's fluid movements, I estimated she wielded Greater Authority with her Virtues. As for the Pope... I could only hope his power hadn't reached Supreme levels. That would be an absurd amount of power for someone from Earth—though I still knew nothing about their true origins.

"Don't fall back," I called to Mille as I noticed her slight lag. She responded with a derisive snort that somehow sounded holy.

I channeled Lightning Mana through my limbs, transforming my movements completely. No more simple leaps—now I shot through the carnival like a human cannonball, each jump carrying me closer to the looming Ferris wheel. The neon-lit attractions blurred past us as we raced toward our destination, the twisted metal structure growing more imposing with each bound.

Mille poured more energy into her Charity Virtue, but the strain was becoming obvious. I didn't want to torture her, especially considering we had about ten minutes of travel ahead before reaching the Ferris wheel. Might as well use the time productively.

"So, your group—just devoted Christians, or is your faith different from what most people believe?" I asked.

"The True Faith isn't something ordinary people should know about," she answered reluctantly. Her tone suggested she'd rather fight me than engage in conversation, though I couldn't blame her given our recent interaction. "It's knowledge that must be kept hidden from common folk."

"What, like Scientologists or something?"

She coughed in disgust. "You're as ignorant as you look. But if you must know, both Christianity and Islam are based on the True Faith. They each use only parts of the True Scripture."

"So your god is different from the monotheistic one?"

"Indeed. Do you really want to learn about our God? That's the kind of knowledge that can have... consequences."

"Now I'm even more intrigued."

Her voice took on an almost reverent quality. "Our God, the God of Humanity, is the source of everything. He has no past and no future, yet He isn't born yet. He will be created by humans, and simultaneously, He is the one who created humans. We and God are one."

"What?"

"Those who know about Him have the responsibility to ensure God is born. For this, we must follow His command." Her eyes hardened. "Knowing about God while not following His Will makes you His enemy."

"Let me get this straight—your God doesn't exist yet, but at the same time, He created humanity, and now your believers' goal is to make sure He's born?"

"Indeed. God will be omnipotent when He comes into existence, but He can't change the past. He can only find His true power after He is born. Until then, it is our reason for existence to follow a path that will ensure His birth." She gave me a sidelong glance. "I don't expect you to understand the true profundity of our faith, but all the miracles we've witnessed, the Scripture itself—they're proof enough that our faith is the true one."

"And you were given power by this God as well? Not like those bloodsuckers who prey on humanity and use human life force to convert into Mana?"

"We meditate at Holy Grounds," she said sharply. "I've already told you too much. Even though His Holiness seems to place great importance on you, I remain unconvinced. I cannot trust someone so merciless to his own allies."

"Fair point. So now you want me to prove myself to you?"

"I'll be observing you to see if you're truly fit to be our ally."

"Surprising. I thought you just blindly followed Lucius."

Her eyes flashed dangerously. "If you dare insult His Holiness again, I won't forgive you. You can make me bow with brute force, but I won't acknowledge you."

"Actually, I don't need your approval." I shrugged. "I just want to know if there's any benefit to helping your group. So work hard to prove your worth, too. As for you inspecting me, keeping an eye on me—I don't really mind. Make your own conclusions. It's not like you're the one who decides your group's actions anyway. You'll have no choice but to obey Lucius. Seems hierarchy is strict in your faith."

She was about to reply when I raised my hand. "Now for the first test—let's see how well you can fly." I shot into the air as we approached the barrier preventing unauthorized entry to the grand attractions' premises.

With Air Mana guiding me, I soared upward. I wanted to gauge the barrier's true scale, and flying was arguably the most efficient approach. My companions had previously limited what I could do, but now I had no one holding me back. Most beings at Tier 4 could fly, or at least imitate flight, using their Mana alone—though it was less effective without an element or power compatible with flight. All my elements excelled at it.

The same could be said for Mille. Her Chastity Virtue, focused on mental control, worked similarly to how Primalists handled Mana. She could use her power directly like I did, though she generated pure force rather than elemental effects. As for her Charity, it could accelerate her on a fundamental level just like the Time Element could, which, by the way, was one of the Supreme elements, just like my Gravity.

About two hundred feet up, I hit the barrier. It wasn't like slamming into a wall—more like trying to push through thick syrup that grew denser with each inch. My Air Mana dispersed against it like water hitting hot steel, evaporating into nothing. Interesting.

I hovered in place, gathering Gravity Mana into a concentrated point. If anything could punch through this defense, it would be my strongest element. The dark energy condensed into a sphere the size of a marble, containing enough force to level a building.

"That won't work," Mille called from beside me, her form sustained in the air by pure Virtue energy. "The barrier adapts to whatever force you use against it. The harder you push, the stronger it becomes."

I released the Gravity Mana anyway, watching as the barrier absorbed it like it was nothing. She was right—I could feel the defensive field growing stronger where I'd struck it. The System had clearly thought this through.

"Worth a try." I shrugged. "Though I notice you didn't try to stop me from potentially causing massive destruction."

"His Holiness ordered me to assist, not prevent your foolishness," she said. "Besides, I was curious what would happen."

"I guess we'll try to get in the proper way." I started descending toward what I assumed to be the entrance. Mille followed, her movement graceful and controlled despite her apparent inexperience with flight. "After all, knocking on the door is only polite."

The only question was—would the door still be there after I knocked...