ADAM’S POV

Things thankfully went smoothly with Evy, allowing me to take her away. We traveled by subway again, to Amon's dismay. He groused about the slow speed of the train, which could go up to 200 mph. Of course, we could go much faster by running, but we would stand out like a sore thumb. People would be frightened of our unnatural speed, even if they could only catch glimpses of our afterimage.

What surprised me was that Evy was already enlightened. I didn't follow the timeline of my third—and current—life, but it seemed as if she got enlightened quicker in this life, which made no sense. I chalked it up to confusion from not being able to discern what happened in each of my lives. Whatever the case was, this was a good development.

Evy studied Amon with sparkling eyes of interest. "Do you have strong regeneration?" she asks him while bobbing her head up and down.

Evy was a friend of mine that I cared about more than anyone else, but was also the reason why I lashed out at Amon. I already apologized, but I wanted to do it again. I know I need to be strict with him, but I felt grief for Amon when I harmed him. My mind was confused, as I shouldn't have had any feelings for him, since he's just a weapon. I didn't endanger Amon's life, but I still felt bad for causing him pain, even if he didn't take it to heart.

Amon turned towards me. "Classic. He's always pondering something in that clever noggin of his," he says while striking my head lightly with the soft underside of his clenched fist.

Evy looked at me with a bright smile, which was hiding her fear of Death. I hope to quench that fear of hers one day and get rid of it, showing her that she's free of misfortune. Her eyes looked innocent and happy, but I knew the truth.

"So, what do you need me for?" she asks.

I take out the book that holds the ritual that we need, handing it out to her. "I need you to access the dark forces described here."

She takes a look, flipping through the marked pages. "I don't know the spells mentioned here. These are too complex for my current knowledge. I don't think I'll be able to perform them for another two years, going by what I've learned in Obiwon and its curriculum."

I shake my head, taking another book out. "Don't worry, I have all the information I need. These are books from the Royal Castle, with information that even a school like Obiwon doesn't have."

She takes the second book, returning the first one. "Wow, this is incredible. I don't know what this means, though," she says while pointing at a magical formula that you need to learn in order to better understand the spell.

"Don't worry, I'll help you with anything you need. We'll solve it together, which is why I took you along. I need an expert on dark magic, even if they are a learner. Guille told me that you were exceptional, showing talent in this subject better than anyone else," I say while taking the book out of her hands gently.

Her cheeks redden, as she avoids my eye-contact. "T-thank you, that means a lot coming from such a powerful person."

Right, I'm a Sword Saint. I don't feel all that important, maybe because I've witnessed the presence of a Hand in person.

Amon crosses his arms, his brows furrowing in dissatisfaction yet again. "And what will I be doing while the two of you sit and study dark magic together? It surely won't be a day's task."

I grin at his question widely, as I knew it was coming up. "I've got a special plan for you, one that you'll enjoy thoroughly. You'll learn something that was destined for you, designed for your blood."

His scarlet eyes open up, as his mouth curls into a grin. "My stigmata??"

-

I rented a house on the outskirts of the center of Holdanis. It was just like my mansion where Rache lived, but even more secluded. This one was further away, with at least a mile or two from the nearest house. I didn't want other people to be caught in our dark magic scenario if it went awry. Besides, we needed a sparring ground for Amon and I, since our aura could kill non-enlightened individuals if they were too close.

This story originates from Royal Road. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there.

The house in question was by a riverside, with enough room for all three of us.

There wasn't a lot to unpack, as both Amon and I carried a few outfits and only the necessities. He was a freelancer that followed me, and I don't need any luxury until I defeat my nemesis. Evy carried a small bag, but it seemed like she didn't pack her whole house either, unlike some people when they go on a trip.

The first week we spent there was like a vacation from everything. The trio we made was like fate bonded us. I couldn't help but laugh when Evy and Amon would quarrel or just talk in general.

"Leave the poor animals alone," Evy ordered.

Amon stood victoriously over the burnt deer. "We have to eat something, coco!"

Amon started calling Evy 'coco', because she reminded him of dark chocolate. In his words, it was because 'she looked sweet, but when you take a bite you realize how bitter it is', which I agree to (the chocolate thing, not about Evy).

Evy shook her head, her ponytails swinging while she did so. "We can't eat that, you burnt it beyond recognition."

Amon laughs in her face. "It's not about the food, but about the hunt."

I flicked him on the forehead. "How exactly is this 'hunt' any challenge for you if the deer is a lower being? It literally cannot run away from you," I reason.

Amon walks away, towards the house. "There goes grandpa, ruining all of the fun. When will we be able to spar!?" he asks impatiently.

"You're in the process of attaining your stigmata. When you get it, we can spar since you'll be strong enough."

He clicks his tongue and enters the house.

Evy and I are left alone outside, sitting down at the table beside the river.

The lecture starts, where I give her the basics and she decrypts the more advanced stuff. I was learning alongside her, seeing her approach to dark magic. She was truly talented, working with insane speed and for hours at a time.

After we were done, she made us lunch since neither Amon nor I were proficient cooks. I stared at the river, sitting down beside one of the rocks.

"Man, I would like this kind of life," I sigh, thinking about the possibility of returning to Obiwon with Evy and Amon, maybe as a teacher rather than a student. "What kind of school would accept a 12 year old as a teacher," I mumble to myself.

As I was about to stand up and leave for lunch, something averted my attention. "You again," I scoff, seeing a burnt-in message on the rock I was sitting beside previously.

'Bring Cidion and let him teach you his technique'

This was one of the more straightforward messages I've received. I knew following these messages was imperative for my survival, so I just sighed, as it seemed I would have to go against my precursory decisions.

Entering the house, I told Amon and Evy I would be gone for the rest of the day.

Evy raised her thin eyebrow. "Where are you going?" she asks in puzzlement.

My eyes trail off to the side. "I have to get someone here."

Amon squints his eyes, staring at me suspiciously. "Didn't you insist on the three of us training in seclusion, far away from other people?" he questions me while tilting his head.

I already start walking out, closing the door slowly. "Change of plans, I guess."

-

It didn't take me long to reach Cidion, as he gave me his address, or at least the place I would find him. Unsurprisingly, he was there, talking with a few non-enlightened old guys. It was a shrine of some sort, or at least it looked like it. Considering that the old heads were drinking alcohol, I wouldn't call this place sacred. When Cidion saw me enter this establishment, his face lit up, his finger pointing at me to the other guys while saying something I couldn't hear.

The other guys bowed, which wasn't weird, but it was because I was a Sword Saint, not because I was royalty like it had been in my first life.

Cidion's hand slapped my back as his lips turned into a mischievous smile. "What's up champ?"

I grabbed the upper part of my nose and rubbed it out of frustration, but I had to follow the message. Explaining that I wanted him to teach me, he said yes before I could finish my short monologue.

I stared at Cidion as he started exiting the establishment, ready to go wherever I take him. Maybe Cidion is strong enough to cease any potential danger that relying on him might befall me. Can I bond myself to yet another teacher? I'm blindly following the message now...

It was the first time that the message told me the opposite of what I intended to do, which is why I was afraid. Is whoever is leaving these messages always right, or could they make a mistake?

-

When I reached Amon and Evy, I wasn't surprised one bit. Cidion, however, got his money's worth of laughter.

Evy was studying by herself, while Amon climbed up the river and then floated down atop it arms and legs stretched out. His body was spinning slowly as the current dragged him down the path. This really was something that a kid would do, and I have to be honest, it looked pretty fun. When the demon child saw Cidion, he jumped out in a single motion, drying himself off while doing so. "You! I want a rematch!" he states loudly.

Evy stands up and offers a hand. Cidion introduces himself, which shocks the young girl once again. "Another Sword Saint?? And one of the best at that!"

Cidion waved his hands while shaking his head. "You flatter me, kid. I'm nothing more than a geezer that was obsessed with the sword," he says while walking over to the table she was studying at.

"So this is the dark magic prodigy you spoke off?"

Evy's face lights up like a sunny summer day. I'm glad she got the attention and praise she deserves. Now that Cidion is here, things should go smoother than ever.

The white-haired Sword Saint turns towards me, resting his hands on his hip.

"So, want me to teach you my technique?"

During the next month, he would teach me his 'Spear', while he simultaneously helped Amon to get his stigmata and with Evy's study. His help was well-needed, and it will assure my victory over the Dreamer.