“Chenbo, stop pacing around like that.”

Sans set down a simple teacup, full to the brim of green liquid.

“Sit and drink this.”

Sans gestured toward an empty chair with an open palm while reclining back in his own.

“Sorry, it’s just I don’t know what to do-“

“Sit down already. I said I didn’t know if I could help you, not that I wouldn’t try to help you.”

Chenbo paused mid-step.

“R-Right.”

With clunky and uncertain movements, he sat at the table and stared pensively at the cup before him.

I didn’t notice before but… Chenbo’s body is massive. He was a lot skinnier the last I saw him.

Sans sipped his own herbal concoction while observing Chenbo’s hands.

Rough skin. Callouses with nicks and scars everywhere.

His eyes drifted toward his own delicate and slender fingers. Comparing their differences was like comparing earthy, wooden stumps to crystal and glass. Before he could think much further, Chenbo took a wild swig from the teacup.

“Pffftttt!!!! Yuck!”

Green liquid sprayed out from Chenbo’s mouth, showering both the innocent table and an unamused Sans.

“What in the hells? This tastes awful!”

Chenbo cried out to Sans, who nonchalantly wiped his face clean with a cloth and let out a sigh.

“It’s a meridian restoration tonic. Although it’s only grade A, I intended to have it myself for recovery later on.”

Chenbo straightened his posture. With a fake cough, he pushed the teacup toward Sans.

“You made it for yourself? Please, you have it instead.”

“No, no, it’s a gift for you. I insist.”

Sans pushed the teacup back toward Chenbo. Smiles were plastered across both faces as they wished the disgusting liquid upon each other.

“Stop fighting me on this. It’s a tonic for your own benefit, so drink up. It’ll make you stronger.”

“So, it’s like that? All the more reason for you to take it back.”

“Nonsense, this tonic is too low level and won’t gain me anything. Besides, as you can see, I already have a tea of my own.”

Sans pulled his teacup closer as if it were a shield.

“But you made this tonic for yourself, surely there was a reason.”

“I did, but now it’s for you.”

The two bickered back and forth, each having a firm, but gentle hand pressed on the teacup.

“How often will you come across a grade A tonic such as this? It’s clearly a blessing, so just drink it already.”

Sans pushed a little harder but was met with increased resistance. His mouth twitched.

“If you keep this up then the cup will break, and the tonic will be wasted. Didn’t you want to grow stronger? I seem to remember you wanting to grow stronger. What happened to that?”

Chenbo’s fake smile finally washed away as traces of sorrow replaced it. His grip faltered, allowing Sans to push the teacup onto his side of the table.

“I’m sure that If you had the strength, you wouldn’t have asked me for help. In fact, you would have avoided me altogether… am I wrong?”

A spell of quiet contemplation arose between the two.

Of course he would have. I’m the reason his father is dead. Those around me are always met with misfortune, in one way or another…he should know that best. But this time I’ll be more careful. I’ll help him and then quickly leave. If I stay too long-

Before he could think more further, Chenbo swiped the teacup from the table and held it in front of his face. He grumbled briefly, but then chugged the remainder of the tonic in a single gulp. His face contorted and his hand slapped the table as a distraction. His limbs shook and his body shivered as he fought the urge to vomit. Ultimately, he held it down.

“Whew, that stuff is disgusting. You’re right. If I were strong enough then I wouldn’t need to ask you for help.”

“Right, so-“

Chenbo interrupted Sans with a halting hand.

“But you’re wrong. I regret the way we parted. I only avoided you because I was embarrassed to face you again. What happened in the mountains, none of it was your fault, and… I lost my only friend for acting the way I did.”

Chenbo’s expression dimmed as he explained.

Does he really feel that way? What am I thinking?

Sans drummed his fingertips on the table while Chenbo let out a stretch.

“So then, what have you been through this past year?”

Sans asked the lethargic man.

“After we left the mountains-“

“We?”

Sans interrupted.

“You don’t have to play coy. I know you helped me escape that mountain range. I would have died without you.”

Chenbo continued.

“Anyway, I temporarily joined a caravan. It was run by a family of traders who were headed South. They offered to teach me their craft after learning I was alone, but I wasn’t interested in trading. I sought power, and I would have it by any means necessary.”

He revealed a self-deprecating smile and folded his arms with his elbows on the table.

“Anthor City was along the caravan’s trading route, and that’s where we parted ways. I joined the Royal Academy… it was a uh—a dark time for me.”

Sans briefly squinted his eyes before asking.

“Was the academy not what you imagined?”

Chenbo chuckled and shook his head.

“The academy itself was not a problem. It was everything I imagined and more. The issue was me. I pushed everyone away and worked alone as much as I could. If I were forced into a group… well, let’s just say I acquired an unfavorable reputation for greed. I did everything I could in the pursuit of strength. I just thought if I were stronger…”

He clenched his fists, but quickly released them.

“All of that is in the past though. After a few months of attending the academy, word got out that Prince Marlow was seeking a personal aide. He was hosting a tournament that only first years could attend. Since I had already burned every conceivable bridge around me, I decided to fight for it. I also figured it would be the quickest path for more power.”

Chenbo revealed a nostalgic smirk while Sans gestured around the room.

“Looks like you won. All your effort must have made that tournament pretty easy.”

“I did win, but I wouldn’t say it was easy. I nearly lost my life in the final round. When it came time for my opponent to deliver the final blow, he hesitated—a dumb thing to do in the middle of a duel. I took advantage of his foolishness to turn the tables. The poor fellow never knew what hit him.”

Sans eyed Chenbo suspiciously.

“Never knew what hit him? Your opponent had the upper hand, but somehow you still took him out? How did you manage that?”

Chenbo reached into his pouch.

“I’m glad you asked—with this!”

In his hand was thin tome. Jagged yellow lines streaked across its sleek black surface, giving it an aesthetic and powerful touch.

“Here, take it.”

Intrigued, Sans received the tome.

“The Art of Lightning?”

He flipped to the first page.

“From the tiniest of sparks to the unbridled wrath of the firmaments…”

Chenbo nodded his head with closed eyes, almost as if Sans were preaching some type of gospel.

“So, you used the power of lightning to the turn the tables?”

“That’s right. His hesitation allowed me to store just enough energy to retaliate. One of the initial stages of mastery is a technique called Flicker Strike. After building enough charge, one can release a swift and vicious strike—a strike that’s as fast as lightning. The more advanced version is called Surge.”

Sans nodded his head as he flipped through the early pages of the book.

The author's tale has been misappropriated; report any instances of this story on Amazon.

…Whether gifted or with external force, adapt the body to be capable of channeling lightning… At the initial stages, the body builds enough electric energy, but it can’t be released until it reaches the tipping point, which is known as a capacitance level.

He leafed ahead a few more pages.

The intermediate stage is when the user’s capacitance level has reached the lowest point possible, resulting in near instantaneous command of the lightning element.

He flipped toward the end of the book.

The advanced stages of lightning control have to do with the rate of flow. The body is now used as a conduit to provide a constant flux of energy that can shift anywhere the user deems necessary. With this, the user can either move extremely quickly, attack viciously, or perhaps both. All of which depends on the user’s mastery and affinity for lightning. This is also possible as a beginner but requires some time to charge up.

Sans closed the book before sliding it back toward Chenbo.

“You can have this back. I read that in order to channel lightning, the user either has to be naturally gifted or has to take in an external force. So, which is it for you?”

Chenbo placed a hand on the book, his grim face a mixture of sadness and detachment.

“I was certainly not naturally gifted. On one of my earliest missions, I came across a particular mountain, Firmament Mountain. Most days of the year, a torrent of lightning gushes down from the sky and devours the mountain, resulting in certain death for anyone who draws too close. It’s a phenomenon that can be so intense that the mountain isn’t even visible.”

“You climbed this lightning mountain of certain death?”

Chenbo gave a hesitant laugh, refusing to meet Sans’ stern gaze.

“I said it was a dark time for me, didn’t I? It worked out in the end though. Apparently, I scaled the mountain during its weakest moment. You can imagine my confusion when I reached the mountain peak without any trouble.”

Chenbo traced a finger over one of his hands, caused a small arc of lightning to close the distance.

“When nightfall arrived, I was already at the mountain peak, awaiting my doom. That’s when the skies above me split open and a sea of blue began to fall. Oddly enough, it was slow. At first it was peaceful. Only a mild tingly sensation was in the air. I would even say the scene was quite beautiful.”

Sans sipped his tea once more and let out a sigh. He continued listening.

“The sea of blue was lightning in a solid form. By the time some of the tiniest particles reached me, I was already being relentlessly shocked at every second. It was then that I realized that I wasn’t ready for death. I raced off the mountain as quickly as I could, and just in the nick of time as well. Half of my body was badly burned, and I returned to the academy with a failed mission.”

Chenbo grinned triumphantly as Sans shook his head.

“But it all worked out! The next morning, I was able to command small bits of lightning. Initially I was confused, but an academy elder gave me this book and explained my fortunate encounter. Every day since, I’ve practiced lightning control. Currently, I’m trying to breakthrough to the intermediate stage.”

“I’m happy that you were able to find fortune within misfortune.”

Sans smiled helplessly.

“As am I! Also, take this book. At least read it during your stay.”

Chenbo tried sliding the book back toward Sans but was stopped midway.

“I already skimmed through it. This book won’t be able to help me.”

Sans awkwardly looked away.

“What? If anyone were to be naturally gifted it’d be you. Are you telling me my judgement is wrong?”

“Well no. Actually on that point—your book is wrong. You don’t need to be naturally gifted or risk your life in some electrifying encounter.“

Chenbo skeptically stared at Sans and slowly slid the book back into his pouch.

“What do you mean by that?”

“Ahem, let me explain.”

Sans sat up straight and outstretched his hands to his front. The next moment, arcs of blue and white formed a crackling bridge between his appendages.

This lightning element… it seems rather weak. Any of my flames would certainly have more power than this. Maybe I’m using it wrong?

The lightning danced around his fingers and traveled up the length of his arms before suddenly disappearing entirely.

“T-That’s… I knew you were naturally gifted! Wait, how did you do that? You completely skipped the beginner stage.”

Chenbo cried out ecstatically as he pointed at Sans’ wiggling fingers.

“This is where the book is wrong. You don’t have to be naturally gifted. In fact, you can teach someone lightning control without any type of encounter. All that is required is to visualize the path of lightning. Imagine instead that you are the clouds, the roaring sky, and channel that energy through your body. With enough practice, you can teach your meridians the true path of lightning. After determining the path, they can then…”

Sans explained patiently, but at some point Chenbo’s eyes seemed to glaze over as the information passed into one ear and out the other. Seeing that his lecture was going amiss, Sans merely let out a sigh.

“You know, never mind all of that. Thank you for sharing your book with me.”

Sensing the lecture was over, Chenbo shook himself awake and nodded vigorously.

“Of course, of course! Ah! Where was I in my story?”

“You were describing your victory in the tournament.”

Sans sipped his tea, but internally his was thinking about his newfound ability—Lightning Control.

It seems… powerful, but why did the book’s author skip over the imagery foundation when it’s so simple? Who is the book’s author anyway? He can’t be that important if he didn’t know about such a basic detail.

“That’s when Prince Marlow took me in. Also, when he first came to shake my hand, he must have misheard my name and has been calling me Bobo ever since. He’s not actually a bad fellow, but I can’t say he’s kindhearted either. I’ve known him for almost a year now, and I can say that he usually has good intentions, even if his actions might be controversial at best.”

Chenbo smiled wryly, seeming to remember some distant happenings.

“Controversial? What do you mean by that?”

“Eh…”

Chenbo scratched the back of his hand and mulled over his next words carefully.

“For example, one time he bedded a man’s woman. Now obviously, he should not have done that, but he wasn’t thinking about the morality of it at the time. In his heart, he just wanted the woman to have a better life after noticing her poverty and the mistreatment she received from her husband.”

Sans gave Chenbo a blank look.

“…Bedded? What is that?”

Chenbo paused upon hearing Sans’ question, before bursting into laughter.

“Are you serious? You don’t know what that is?”

Sans’ cheeks flushed in embarrassment.

“No? Should I? Tell me then.”

“Bahaha!”

More laughter followed with Chenbo ultimately waving his hand through the air in a dismissing motion.

“I can’t believe this. No, no. You should ask your partner about these things instead.”

Chenbo wiped a tear from his eye as Sans could only watch on helplessly.

“Partner? You mean Elsie? I definitely won’t be asking her. She’s as insidious as it gets, an absolute demon should she be given the chance. And she’s completely mysterious. She doesn’t share anything with me.”

Sans pouted with his arms folded.

“What do you mean? She doesn’t share what with you? I could have sworn that you two were together.”

“Of course we are together! She’s owner of my soul contract.”

Chenbo’s eyes squinted in thought.

“Are you saying that you don’t want to be around her?”

“Uh…”

Sans glanced at the ceiling as his mind swiftly reeled through all their past interactions. From her childish schemes to her indirect efforts to help him, each and every moment fanned a small yet warm flame in his chest. Finally, remembering her duel in the Trial of Man, he frowned in confusion. The panic and regret he felt when he realized he might have lost her was as real as life.

Why do I feel this way toward her? It’s because I pressured her into fighting her clone. Isn’t that why? Is there something more? Wait… am I really charmed?! No, I’ve thought this before. Surely I am not. But could I be?

Chenbo leaned forward after noticing Sans’ strange silence.

“I came to you for help, but I didn’t realize that you could be the one needing help instead. If you’re stuck in a contract, I’ll do anything I can to help-“

“It’s not like that.”

“Are you sure?”

Sans neglected to respond as he internally processed his relationship with his supposed master. Chenbo glanced around the room before speaking up.

“Where is that woman anyway?”

That’s right, where is she?

Sans concentrated on the invisible tether that seemed to bind his being to hers. It was the mysterious draw that had always existed ever since he first met the woman. The same one that he assumed came from their soul contract.

Why does the contract connection between me and Elsie seem way stronger than the one I had with Madam Lexene? It’s so vivid—I can even sense that she’s on the way here from somewhere below. She’s so fast… it’s like she’s walking through the walls.

“I always knew there was something strange going on there. My instincts are never wrong, you know? If she’s that demonic. You know, I had a feeling. Yes, I had a feeling that day we met in Kenchi City. Right when she smiled so innocently toward Prince Marlow, I knew we struck disaster. To think she’s such a hidden witch! A soul contract? Bah!”

Sans, only half-listening, robotically nodded to Chenbo’s constant spew of nonsense.

“An ugly shrew I say! Come on, say it with me. A free man you are! Away with these bindings! Evil woman begone!”

“A free man… evil—wait what?”

Sans, finally alert to Chenbo’s willful speech, quickly realized the impending doom that was about to strike.

“Banish the evil woman from your life! A terrifying and ominous beast! Live for-“

“Hush—Quiet! You fool!”

Sans flew from his chair with precision and grace, swiftly clamping Chenbo’s mouth shut. However, it was already too late.

She… she heard everything!

Chenbo sat with wide eyes, likely shocked at Sans’ unnatural speed. Meanwhile, Sans despaired internally as a dark and foreboding sensation swept through his body.

“Ominous? Beast? Who is an ominous beast?”

A sweet voice, laced with venom, called out. At the same time, a pressure that felt like the incarnation of nonphysical violence permeated throughout the room.

Beads of sweat collected across Sans’ forehead as he racked his brain for damage control. Just then, Chenbo shook off Sans’ hand away from his mouth and piped up with a beaming smile.

“We were just talking about how wonderful you are.”

Sans gave Chenbo a foreign gaze.

“Wonderful?”

He asked his old friend in a confused whisper.

“Yea, just repeat after me. First, tell her that you missed her.”

Chenbo replied with a matching whisper.

“Elsie, I missed you…?”

A wave of embarrassment flushed over Sans’ body. He glared at Chenbo before hissing through his teeth.

“How is this supposed to help?!”

“Now tell her that she is gorgeous today, and how much you love her hairstyle.”

“What…”

“Just do it.

Sans grimaced upon meeting Elsie’s steely gaze. He swallowed his pride while panic set in like rising waters in a capsized ship. Straightened his posture, he called out to her.

“You are looking gorgeous today! And… I really love your hair.”

Chenbo nodded his head in mutual confirmation as if everything Sans had said was merely a matter of fact.

“Oh…”

The dark lines etched across Elsie’s face melted away and were replaced by pink shaded cheeks.

“I-If you insist…”

She turned away briefly while wiggling her hips in glee.

“What just happened?”

Sans muttered under his breath. Chenbo stood up from his chair and placed a firm hand on Sans’ shoulder.

“You really don’t get it, huh. Not to worry, I will teach you. I consider myself something of an expert in this subject, especially after dealing with Lyra for so long. That cursed woman has a natural instinct for mischief.”

Sans had an idea on who Lyra might be, but he decided to ask anyway.

“Right—Who’s Lyra?”

He turned to Chenbo as he asked, only to be dumbstruck by Chenbo’s reaction.

Wow, it’s almost like his eyes have turned into hearts!

The tall man wore a dreamy expression as he let out a drawn-out sigh of longing.

“Lyra is a beautiful soul, the kind that you could have never thought to exist. She’s such a sweet woman. The apple of my eye, the oyster to my world. A fairy that walks this mortal plane, a lovely flower that-“

“She’s an imprisoned Twilight Fox.”

Elsie interrupted Chenbo’s solitary serenade. Sans frowned upon hearing a familiar race.

“Twilight Fox… could it be the same one?”

“The exact same one.”

Sans shared a knowing look with Elsie, confirming his suspicions. Chenbo stood by the side with furrowed brows and a serious expression.

“You two already knew about Lyra? How is that possible? Her existence has been hidden away since birth. The only reason I’ve even come across her is due to my relationship with Prince Marlow.”

Sans squinted his eyes as he gleaned new information from Chenbo.

“Hidden away since birth? Chenbo—how old is Lyra?”

“Her age? Well she’s never directly told me. It’s rude to ask a woman her age, but if I were to guess-“

“Twenty, or close to it.”

Elsie interjected once more. A hint of melancholy emanated out from her.

“Twenty? But Elden Hoplin said that Twilight Fel came about twenty years ago. Are you suggesting that she’s been the source the whole time? Perhaps there was a different Twilight Fox.”

Sans suggested with a pained look, but Elsie merely shook her head.

Born into captivity, her blood essence has been siphoned away daily to create some useless drug. How is she still alive? She must be incredibly weak. After all, a beastman’s blood essence is equivalent to their life energy.

He balled his hands into fists and clenched them. With everything he had been through, captivity was a sore spot for Sans. It was easier to turn a blind eye to such a thing when the victim was a stranger, but Lyra’s relationship with Chenbo brought things closer to home.

“Chenbo, I still don’t know if I can help free her, but I promise I will do everything in my power to do so.”

Sans spoke grimly to his old friend.

“…Thank you. If that’s the case then I have a suggestion.”

Chenbo walked forward and stood at the entrance of the room. His eyes lingered on the helmet that he held between his hands, as if he were ready to put it on. Sans briefly glanced from Elsie to Chenbo before crossing his arms over his chest.

What is he up to now?

Eventually, Chenbo looked up from his helmet with a sly grin.

“Become good friends with Advisor Karbone! I must go now, until next time!”

Without another word, he fitted on his helmet and walked out the door.