Proofreader: Me!

There was one indisputable fact that every veteran held dear. The fortress, the wall insurmountable toward all evils. It was a sham. Not in the way it sounds, but because he’s a bit easy.

“Say kiddo, you’ve been making yourself quite known. Only been a week now?”

“Yes, I admit I may have been in some trouble.”

In front of me stood Haruto slathered in blood. Gruesome, but he did take me away from those predators who chewed me up for hours on end…

“But it seems that’s not all of it, right?” He flicked a straw out of his hand.

Dangerous. Laughably so.

I had been too proactive recently, however… it all perfectly worked in my favour. I was planning to do this later down the road, but it is better sooner than later.

For now, I decided to maintain a neutral stance, “I’m not sure what you mean.”

“You know, you have quite a strange karma as if your soul was born just the other day. It makes me wonder if you, yourself, are a demon, perhaps an otherworldly creature.”

According to the game, this man had something not even the Hero could compete with. His ungodly insight into other entities is attributed to his bloodline. And, since he’s sure of his power, no matter his suspicions, he only makes a move if it endangers the people important to him.

I shrugged his threat off, “Yet, I wouldn’t be here if that were true – Is what you’re trying to say?”

“Indeed, if that were the case you’d already be dead," He nodded, " In fact, Abel originally thought that way.”

A shiver was sent down my spine, “He did?”

“I changed his mind.” He spat out saliva as he emptied his throat, now grinning. “Why, you may ask? Well, you’re not from this time are you?”

Now, they've already nibbled the bait. “…”

“Did I strike gold?” He snickered lightly, “I can see the essence of your being, it’s part of my special psyche after all.”

I nodded, “Your lineage, I’ve heard.”

“Hoh, well I guess you’re not trying to hide it anymore.”

“Take it as you will sir. Regardless, the world is in-“

“Danger.” He smirked, “We know, the strings of fate have been tangled up as of late. A whole bunch of problems rising one after another.”

My intentions, and my plans, I'll let them know the surface of it all. “Then, let me suggest something if you allow.”

His eyebrows raised, “Go ahead, I’m interested in the knowledge of an unknown future.”

“As you know, the world’s discourse has been thoroughly set in stone. So, the key persons have all been gathered up in one place to be monitored and act accordingly.”

An amused look spread across his mouth, “Go on.”

“Each of these people is destined to face each of their challenges, trials, and tribulations. Yet, what would happen if it were all to intermix as if all of these world-ending calamities worked in unison?”

“…” Haruto's silence told me everything I needed to know.

"Haha," I chuckled. “The best way to prevent it? Make them stronger, quicker than their destiny preordained.”

“Brute force you say?” He chuckled, “I like its simplicity, but it’s not like we haven’t considered that already.”

“But, as you’ve said, I know their full potential. And I will tell you this, at their peaks, not even Abel could win against one of them." I spoke with full confidence, seeing such a future already posted all over forums and videos.

"You realise the implications of that, right?" Haruto stared me dead straight in the eyes.

I smiled, "Of course, I do."

An irrefutable silence permeated around us, to the point students had begun to step closer towards the two of us. Fortunately, the sound barrier he always had on hand was already placed.

“Interesting, very interesting indeed. Although…” A sigh escaped his lips, “I can’t exactly do anything anyway. I’m a bit too busy with my matters.”

Did you know this story is from Royal Road? Read the official version for free and support the author.

That was also true, considering his role, it’s almost impossible for him to make moves. Which is why now, I’ll fish up the bait they already bit onto.

He continued, “And, of course, how do you suppose we do that?”

“Through this.” I tapped my head with my index finger, imitating a certain green bug. “With my knowledge, who says I can’t accelerate that process? I mean, you’ve seen me talking to all of them already.”

“Yes, I do see that point.” His face turned stern, “Even if I know you’re from the future, this would be the first time you would be guiding them. Risk, upon risk, could build up.”

Haruto spoke with full logic, “Who’s to say this won’t backfire, you wouldn’t be able to back again right? The consequences of such a miraculous wonder don’t come without its price.”

“It’s as you say, which is why for now I have one request.” I pleaded with full sincerity, "If I were to grow stronger, the weakest of all. Then, wouldn't that be proof enough?"

“Enlighten me," Haruto joked.

I bowed, low enough to the point my hair reached the ground. “Please, give me your one-on-one guidance.”

He simply stared at me, as if gauging the value of my existence.

...

“Hahaha!” Hysteric laughing resounded from his side.

“You’ve really gone and said it!” He slapped his stomach, hunching over. “All that serious talk for a bit of time with ol’ me! Just why would you ever?”

I satisfied his curiosity, “Ki. The life force of all beings, I wish to learn how to use it.”

His eyes opened wide, “Wow! The future has revealed everything to you!”

“Who wouldn’t want to learn from a master swordsman anyway?”

He smirked, “That’s true.”

“So, what do you think?”

Haruto rubbed his chin momentarily, “I’ll have a bird friend of mine pick you up and every now and then, sound good?”

“Yup!” I had to resist the action of pumping up my hand like an idiot.

Hook, line, and sinker! Perfect play, not even L*bron could match that level of game.

But, really… Doormat God! Truly, you have lived to your name. Praise the almighty doormat.

“Aren’t ya excited? I'd love to talk more, but I gotta report to buddy ‘Bel," He waved, "Ciao."

It seemed he also dropped any sense of formality.

As the pure white barrier let up, a chill climbed up my back. Haruto had already disappeared into the far distance with his unique footwork, leaving me amongst a crowd of crows.

“Lookie here! Mr Lie every chance you get, hanging out with the crazy!” Percy shouted.

“Are you okay?” Julia tugged my arm slightly.

Ignoring her, my lips formed a crescent, “Hehe.”

“Is your head alright?” Her concern now turned to condemnation.

“I couldn’t be happier! You have no idea, Julia!” I grabbed her hand in the heat of the moment. “I got a freebie from the start, how monumental!”

“Boss, have you fallen off the deep end?” Frennia scratched her head.

I cheered, “I can’t, and won’t hear any insults. I’m too high up on this hill to fall!”

Even if some of my recent friendships are stuck in a bit of a rough spot, right now I knew I was on the right path.

“Ouch!” A burning sensation had landed on my shoulder.

“Hey! I’m sorry for earlier man. I was a bit… on edge,” His green eyes held a deep regret. “You said it right, that we should spar?”

“…”

I’ll pretend I didn’t hear anything.

Nudge.

I didn’t expect anyone to have interrupted me but, there was only one person who would. “What is it, Serina?”

I turned my head around, expecting the normalised cold expression she’s always had since I met her.

“Thank you, Luke.”

It was indescribable, it felt as if I was rewarded for surviving a week in this hell.

“I- I….”

Mountains of questions piled on top of one another, but that ‘thing.’ Words I wanted to form couldn’t. A blank white canvas spread throughout my mind.

That crescent shape was so perfect and charming… that not even I, her once biggest fanboy, could remain neutral.

I stammered, “You…”

Serina, you finally smiled.

I couldn’t imagine the reason. But her sincerity, it seems I finally felt it.

-x-

??? POV

In the forest, as the monsters had been cleaned up, a small shack had been entered.

A knight of familiar origins kneeled, “I’m here, my lady.”

“How did it go?”

“Perfect, he didn’t suspect a thing. I joined his party on the consensus that my lady, the Saintess has reformed me.”

“Now, now, such a title isn’t befitting of me just yet.”

“…”

Her wicked, unturned eyes opened. “Well, did you confirm it?”

“Unfortunately, there were no gaps for that. It seemed as if his body blocked any attempt of analysis magic.”

“Tch.” Her sharp, clear, nails peeled the wood off her chair. Yet somehow, her hands remained spotless. “That junior doesn’t seem as cute anymore…”

“I apologise my lady.”

“Hah…” Incomparable to her previous outrage, she sighed with a refined sense of elegance. “It’s fine, you are forgiven.”

“The honour is forever yours.”

“Let yourself out before anyone questions you.”She turned the knob of an inconspicuous trap door.

“Then, take care of yourself, my lady.”

Step. Step. Step.

As he left the building, she stood there ever so silently. The wood in the cabin was left unperturbed as she contemplated.

“These Gods and their prophecies, what stupidity led to the conclusion about a ‘Great Disturbance?’”

She lay flat on the bed, spreading her arms out beside a potted plant. “Hah… how comfy.”

Stroking the plant’s stems, she asked, “Do you miss your other half? Should I reclaim it soon?”

The small plant swayed, its leaves shaking in some weird sense of affirmation.

“If that’s what you wish.”