ASCENDING DERIS.

I never imagined I would have to see that girl again after saving her. Honestly, I hadn't even bothered to ask her name, convinced that our paths would never cross again.

—Is this Ser Deris's house? —She asked while following me like a lost chick. Her voice was loaded with gratitude that made me deeply uncomfortable.

My house stood imposing before us: a two-story wooden construction, considerably larger than what had been her home, with its one hundred and twenty square meters surrounded by neglected fields. Weeds and tall grass had taken over the terrain, along with everything the wind had decided to plant over time.

I had no intention of getting more involved with her. However, something changed when she lunged at me, knocking me to the ground with an embrace that could only be described as heartbreaking. The way she trembled, her incessant tears, her desperate pleas for me not to abandon her... All of that touched a sensitive fiber inside me that I thought had died long ago.

I perfectly understood her situation. The loss of her family had left her completely alone, and I could feel the fear emanating from every pore of her being.

It was logical: after being rescued, the pain of losing her parents must have been hitting her like a relentless wave. And upon realizing that her beloved house had been destroyed, hatred had begun to grow inside her like a poisonous seed.

But what worried me most was the absolute terror I perceived in her. After her encounter with the contaminants, those life forms of unknown origin, fear had become an overwhelming presence in her heart.

I was forced to take her to my house, even if temporarily. —Come on, get in —I told her, trying to ignore her hesitant look as I opened the living room door.

Upon entering, I couldn't help but notice the obvious: the absence of a feminine presence was painfully evident in the disorder that reigned in every corner. I indicated for her to sit on the sofa, but as soon as she did, she jumped up.

—Please, teach me how to kill contaminants —her voice was charged with a fire that surprised me.

I could feel the fury and hatred burning inside her. «Pure hatred has an unusual beauty,» I thought bitterly.

What a waste! This little one could have had a happy life, surrounded by her family's love, but now she was condemned to carry so much rage.

I didn't want to hear her pleas. I couldn't, I shouldn't rob her of her future due to a reckless decision.

—Why? —I asked, arching an eyebrow—. I mean, why should I help you? What do I gain from that?

I saw how she lowered her head and clenched her fists. It was evident she hadn't expected such a direct rejection. —What do you want? —she asked, raising her gaze with a frown.

—The truth is, I don't think a dwarf who barely reaches my belt can kill anything, not even a rat. And since teaching is a waste of time, I demand compensation —I scratched my chin, looking for something that could dissuade her from her crazy ideas.

I had never wanted to have children of my own, much less deal with others'.

—So, if you want to learn from me, you have to give something in return.

Her next question froze my blood: —Do you want... my body? —Her voice trembled and tears threatened to overflow from her eyes.

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Anger invaded me instantly. —Don't be stupid, girl. You lack enough meat to catch my attention —I snorted, crossing my arms in disgust.

Suddenly, her face lit up. —I can wash clothes, cook and clean! My mom praised me a lot, especially for cooking!

—...Really? —that proposal took me by surprise. Was she trying to appeal to my practical side?

I tried to make her see reason: —Although it's difficult now, sooner or later you'll forget all this. Be a normal girl and live a happy life. Find the man you like, have your own family, and live until your face is full of wrinkles...

She didn't let me finish. —How could I forget it?! —her shout surprised me—. I saw my family murdered before my eyes, you know?! Is living a normal life happiness? Is lying to myself and pretending to forget all this happiness?! I don't want that kind of happiness! What's the difference from being dead? —Tears ran down her cheeks as she looked at me with rage and pain.

Her words hit me hard. I tried to counterattack: —Killing contaminants is a path of blood, it's not so simple. Do you think your deceased family would want you to choose this kind of future?

—At this point, nobody knows what my family wanted for me... —her voice broke at the end, and for the first time in a long time, I was left speechless.

Then she threw at me the question I feared: —So, Ser Deris, can you do it? After the important people in your life are killed, are you capable of continuing to live as if nothing had happened?

It wasn't that I couldn't do it, but it wasn't something I wanted to discuss with a child. I changed tactics: —You need a certain type of build and talent to be an Ascendant, no matter how hard you try to master your skills with any weapon, the amount of talent you're born with will never change. Strength itself is proportional to the amount of muscles you have.

—...I understand that —she responded while gently rubbing her eyes with her hands.

—Even if you become an Ascendant, you might not even be able to decapitate a single contaminant.

She remained silent.

—And do you know what happens to Ascendants who can't kill a contaminant?

I saw her lower her head in pain, but after a moment, she surprised me with her next words:

—My mother always said: If there's someone who can't bear their burdens, then carry half of them for them; if someone is worried, think with them; if someone is wrapped in pain, then empathize with them.

As I watched her, I couldn't help but think about her mother. She must have been an exceptional person: kind, honest, hardworking, and deeply loving with her children. And now she was dead, along with the rest of her family, victims of a power against which they couldn't defend themselves.

—I want to save everyone, whether they're humans or semi-humans —she declared with a sincerity that left me breathless, full of the sadness of feeling helpless.

I raised my head and closed my eyes, sighing slowly. The household chores didn't sound bad, I thought. Lately, I hadn't been able to enjoy a good meal because I was always away from home. If she could cook...

—I treat my disciple quite severely, you know? —I warned her—. Besides, you have to do the household chores and train at the same time. Think that you won't even have time to complain. But I promise you that I will definitely make you stronger... What you decide to use your strength for after that is not my problem. Can you do it?

I didn't promise to teach her how to kill contaminants, but I committed to making her stronger so she could survive on her own.

—Of course! I'll do my best in everything! —The girl forced herself to smile, putting enthusiasm in her voice.

—We'll establish a trial period —I proposed—. I'll judge your work for a week. Of course, I'll treat you as a disciple during the trial period, so you can feel relieved. I'll also add training to make you put on a self-sufficient face.

Her eyes lit up. —R-really?!

—However, I'll cancel it even during the trial period depending on your motivation and effort in household chores.

—Y-yes! I'll do my best!

Her response drew an involuntary smile from me. Now I needed to find her a room.

I felt compelled to explain the state of my house: —Well, about the reason for this state of disorder. I'm not very good at ordering and cleaning. I can know where I put things, but I can't put them into practice when I try to organize. Think of this as just a trivial dump.

—That means Ser Deris's housekeeping is catastrophic —she stuck out her tongue, noticeably more relaxed.

—Ugh...! You say it quite frankly, huh? —I sighed, though I couldn't help but nod.

—Because I'm thinking of being myself! I won't hide anything from you!

«Yes, I'm glad about that», I thought.

—We'll begin large-scale training starting tomorrow. Since it's a good opportunity, dedicate yourself to cleaning today.

—Ser Deris, are you going to help me? —she looked at me with abandoned puppy eyes.

—I suppose it hurts my heart to leave all this chaos to you. I'll help you today. Go on, give me instructions.

As I watched her organize my chaotic home, I wondered what kind of master I would be if I received instructions from my disciple.