I hope I don't get killed for trespassing."
"Oh god, why did I step into this shit." Melvin cursed himself wondering why the hell had he listened to that bastard.
After escaping, he decided to play around and didn't want to follow that guy's instructions. But after a few days of mirth and joy, he could feel a shadow cast over his heart that was drowning him in bitterness.
From the moment he awakened his talents, he wanted to become a great puppet master and make a new way for those who couldn't use spirit as puppets.
For this, he needs support and backing. The Black Wizards support was quite good however he was reluctant. He wasn't willing to band together with that group of maniacs.
He wanted to leave his name in the history of great people, not in the record of criminals. So, even if he couldn't believe that guy's words, he still had faint hope.
Maybe… just maybe he can get his wish fulfilled if he follows his instruction.
Thinking about his words, he reached Willer's place in Hines town as instructed by Lucas.
There was a detached house with a big garden. The road outside the hollowed metal gates allowed four carriers to pass through at once. Street lamps lined the sides of the road.
The black metal gate was closely appressed to the dark rot wall, forming a checker with flickering lamps over it. It was intriguing as darkness and light coexisted.
Watching along the pathway blanketed by the rays of the moon, Melvin stared at Willer's place through the ajar metal Gates.
Facing the main entrance was a cemented road that led straight to the two-floored bungalow, Melvin pushing the metal gates stepped in.
"Huuhhut!"
"Kyaaaak!"
Melvin screamed in panic hearing a piercing howl. Upon turning around, he saw an owl squealing at him. Bats started to fly around emitting a screeching voice making his heart shudder.
"What is this place? Another syndicate for black wizards?"
As soon as he reached the house, Melvin shivered on peering around.
He felt that in the garden, somewhere on the lawn, on the roof, and behind the swing something was staring at him with an inexplicable gaze.
There was no one around here, but Melvin felt as if he was on a crowded street.
Tolerating the chilly feeling and acting as if not noticing the preparator despite being followed and observed, Melvin reached out and knocked on the door.
"Who are you? Why have you come here?" A seemingly ethereal voice came from inside the place.
Melvin's back tingled, feeling the chilly wind blowing around him.
Gulping his saliva, he rummaged through his pockets and pulled out a badge with trembling hands.
"I… I want to enter the Puppet Club of Twin-Headed Dragons to meet Sir Crest. Here is the token."
The door was pushed open and an obscure figure covered in black haze appeared.
Melvin's heart thumped wildly wondering if this was a ghost.
"Give me the badge for a moment."
"H..Here!"
Taking the badge, the obscure figure pointed at it and poured his mana. The badge glowed and a twin dragon image appeared in the empty air.
"It's authentic. You can come in." The man muttered, extending him the badge.
"By the way, what would've happened to me if this was fake?"
The obscure veil covering the figure disappeared and a man nearing 40 appeared in his vision.
"I am Gunn Heath."
"As per your question, just look outside."
Melvin, following Gunn's gaze, stared behind.
The space before his eyes distorted and countless dark grotesque figures appeared roaming in the place seeing which Melvin's heart jumped out in fear.
He opened his lips to speak but words got struck over his chest seeing the horrible figures wriggling outside.
'What the hell is this?!! This looks like a den of a ghost!! Oh my god!'
Melvin clutched his chest tightly.
"If this was a fake, you wouldn't have walked out of here. Death is imminent for those who try to barge into Twin Dragon Society."Gunn spoke calmly but it was this calmness that scared the shit out of Melvin.
"Okay!"
"By the way, I don't know anything about this secret society. It was someone who referred me here."
"This is a gathering for groups who just look out for each other. Occasionally when members find someone with great potential, they send them here. You can also learn some useful skills. We have many clubs that will allow you to pique your interest."Gunn winked at Melvin.
"Come in, gentlemen. Since you are going to be part of us. Let's have a pleasant chat."
As Gunn led Melvin inside, Melvin turned his head to watch the horrendous scene behind him and almost cried.
'I shouldn't have come here. I don't belong here.'
.....
It had been two days since Harris started pounding Lucas mercilessly.
Training continuously, and crying out in pain, Lucas didn't even know when the days went.
In between the fights, Harris would preach stories of ancient times to broaden his horizon and garner his interest.
The first step was to use mana efficiently.
The second step was to use aura by coating it over the body or your weapon.
On advancing to the advanced weapon level, the aura starts to condense and you can slowly start using ki.
Once you perfect the use of ki you will step into the level of Mastery and above it stands the level of Perfection.
The realm where you can become one with your weapon.
"In ancient times, the power levels were divided into these five levels but with the improved techniques and standards, it was classified broadly into Star Cultivation."
"There have been records of people who couldn't use mana. However, with different techniques and methods, they have managed to use aura and sword ki. Some even reached perfection in swords and are said to have the prowess to cut an entire continent with a casual flick."
BOOM!BOOM!BOOM!
Gales emerged as Lucas's sword struck Harris who just stood leisurely swaying his hand to and fro holding the toothpick.
Each time Lucas's sword collides, he would be pushed back by a few steps.
What annoyed Lucas to death, was the bored and carefree expressions of Harris.
The only time he was allowed to rest was when his body, unable to bear any longer collapsed, for a few moments or an hour at best.
There was no time to sleep or to eat. All they were doing was going over each other's throats.
His eye had become bloody due to being devoid of sleep and it looked as if they would pop out at any time and shoot lasers at Harris.
On Day five things became more intense.
"Lucas, stop lazing like a girl," Harris yelled and whipped his hand.
"Please Sir Harris let me have a moment of re… ahhhhhhh!'' Lucas shrieked loudly as Harris stepped over his knees and stomped on his legs.
"Ahhhhhhh!"
Lucas's horrendous cries echoed but Harris just kept pressing him down with a blank expression as if he was not interested.
"Stop…Stop it…I may die."
Harris bent down and lifted Lucas, grabbing his neck.
Lucas felt suffocation and tried to get out of his grip but Sir Harris tightened his hold further.
"Stop bitching around." A cold voice echoed.
Lucas's body shivered on hearing Harris's words.
His eyes quivered seeing his darkened bloody gazes without any shed of empathy.
"It seems you are misunderstanding something."
"I don't care whether you live and die."
"If you can't handle this much pain and start begging like a coward, you are not worth my effort."
Lucas's breathing stopped on hearing this. He felt his heart being crushed into pieces by his sentence.
'What do you mean by that?'
'Are you saying I am not worth the effort of being taught by you?'
'Am I really useless and a pathetic piece of shit?'
'I…I..'
Lucas's eyes became numb and his mind became messy hearing Harris's words.
"Your pathetic self disgusts me." Harris without any mercy kicked Lucas's gut and threw him away like a rag doll.
Lucas's bloodied body rolled on the ground and as it stopped, Lucas's eyes became blank.
Harris gave Lucas a deep look and turned around to walk back but just as he took a step, his body shivered.
A dazzling reddish light flashed that shot at Harris and brushed past his cheek leaving a small cut.
His eyes widened with disbelief seeing the scene and Harris immediately attacked.
Lucas's body, which was lying on the ground, got up instantly in a robotic motion as if a switch had been pressed.
"This isn't over."
"I…I will prove you wrong."
Lucas's eyes were immediately drawn by the sudden sneak attack.
A fierce reddish-golden aura unfolded and condensed over his sword. Without looking at it, Lucas slashed his sword drawing a huge fiery arc of sword light
CLING!
The entire place resonated with the clashing sound of hard steel following a small blast sweeping away dust debris.
The day hung high, the air was cool and provided comfort as the soft cool breeze passed over his body.
Hours passed by as Lucas bore the full brunt of Harris's attack. Lucas used every ounce of strength unleashing an unrelenting barrage of sword attacks wishing to at least touch Harris's body.
However, everything was for nought.
With effortless movement, Harris destroyed everything with a slight swing of his toothpick.
It was annoying and humiliating to the point that Lucas felt his mind clouded by an unbearable rage.
Finally, a roar like that of an awakened dragon bellowed across the mountain.
BOOM!BOOM!BOOM!
The ground under Lucas's feet cracked. Dense energy like a flood bursting out from a dam filled Lucas's veins.
The mana inside his body pulsated fiercely. His face swelled and thick veins bulged over his body. A reddish mass of energy encased him.
Mana swirled around him.
Harris frowned, seeing the oddity in Lucas's body as if something was changing in Lucas but then his eyes gleamed with excitement.
'Finally, it is here. The moment I have been waiting for.'
The ground beneath his feet shook with each step he took. With a step, Lucas's image vanished and appeared straight before Harris.
Crimson lightning flickered over his sword as he slashed at Harris with all his might.
Harris's expression turned serious. Throwing away his toothpick, he pulled his blade and slashed at Lucas.
For an instant, the time seemed to stop flowing while the world watched them come to a standstill seeing the clash but the peace didn't last long enough.
Following the clash, the grounds started to shake and tiny cracks formed on the ground which started to enlarge while rocks and debris started to blow away.
Then a huge circularised mass of air gathered with both fighters at the centre which emitted a huge rumbling sound.
BOOOOOOOM!
The sphere of condensed energy exploded and soon the entire place was illuminated.
When the light subsided, like a rag doll, Lucas crashed onto the ground and landed a few metres back.
Gasping heavily, Lucas coughed blood and clutched his chest to suppress the pain.
"I lost."Lucas murmured with a saddened voice.
"No, you win."
As Lucas' surprised gaze fell on Harris, he raised his sword.
"You forced me to use a weapon and honestly, the last attack was quite unbelievable."
"It's time."Harris then closed his eyes and stared up at the sky.
"It's time for me to pass my mantle."
"Lucas, I am satisfied with you."
Lucas raised his brows and then chuckled.
"I know Sir Harris. If you weren't, you wouldn't have brought me here. I know your previous words were a lie."
"However, damn it hurts. Your gaze was too cold."
Harris scratched his cheek feeling a bit embarrassed.
"Sorry, it just happened in the flow.''
"Hahahaha!" Lucas laughed out loud.
"One day you might kill me in the flow."
"But,I am sure you wouldn't," Lucas reassured himself but stopped seeing Harris's weird expression.
"You wouldn't?"
A hush silence prevailed.
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