Turn of events

Raven touched the imprints on his neck and groaned.

" This is beyond explanation at all, the Duke thinks that kid is just mere entertainment. "

" He was very wrong, he didn't know how strong that kid was. "

When I was in the middle of my downward strike, I know for sure that my sword's end made contact with his chest.

I could've broken his ribs but then, that's when the true fear rises.

His black eyes turn red and his arm started to reach my neck, what's more, he grabbed the sword that almost break when he made contact with it, without hesitation he stabbed himself just to pull me closer to him.

Because of that, he managed to touch my neck but fortunately, he only managed to touch. Only God would know what would happen to me if he grabbed it.

I just hope that he doesn't use his strength for evil purposes.

Because sooner or later, no one would be able to stop this man.

In the medication room, Haenami's parents were still devastated by what happened to their son.

The door opens and it was the Duke along with the rest of his family with him.

" Is he awake? " The duke grins as he carries a bag of fruits.

" Yes, thankfully the sword isn't so deep. "

" Once again, I'm very sorry about what happened. I didn't expect my butler to let his emotion win over in this fight. "

" That's okay, I also want to apologize for hitting your butler. That was so improper of me. " Taek-soo laughs awkwardly as he scratches his head.

" Yeon seems to be very sad about his brother. " Yeon was sleeping soundly beside his brother as they speak.

" Would you mind if I accompany your son for a while? " Haenami's parents' bow as they leave the room along with the Duke's spouse and daughter.

The Duke sat on the chair beside him and closed his eyes.

" How long are you planning on pretending to sleep? " says the duke.

Haenami chuckles and opens his eyes.

" You didn't have to do that to him, it wasn't his fault after all. "

" It's my fault for holding back that made him lost towards his emotion. " I added as the duke's face seems to still be bothered by the incident.

" Why is it that you're so mature, young man. "

" I always feel like, you're not a kid at all. " He grins as Haenami clears his throat often while looking at the duke.

" Oh-how could you say that! There's no way, don't joke around like that. " The duke grabs an apple and took a bite.

This bastard, that's for me and you're eating it when you're the one who gave it to me.

" Is there a wish I can give you? "

" Anything? "

" Yes, as long that the Maxwell family can provide it. "

" Then your can- "

" No. "

" Access to librar- "

" You're allowed even if you don't ask me to. "

Is he trying to piss me off?

" Then can you provide me a piece of information about Academia? "

Once he opens his eyes, his demeanor changes.

He lightly lifts his cane and when he taps the end of it on the floor, a barrier suddenly covers the entire room.

" With this, no one could hear anything besides us. "

" I knew you'd be asking soon but I guess this is the right time. "

So this must be a really important topic for him to even be this grand.

This might be a reliable source since it came from the duke himself.

" So, you're going to be my daughter's classmat- "

" What? "

" What? Is Alice too bad for you? "

" What are you even talking about? "

" Haenami, the Academia you're going to is very well known through Antaria, it's very hard to get one in and the students that made it in are all strong. "

" But there's no need to worry about you, on the other hand. My daughter, Alice. Isn't well verse like you. So if you could protect her while you're in with her would be enough for this exchange. "

" You see, Alice always comes home with a frown on her face. I had a hunch that someone is bullying her ever since and no one is standing up for her. " The duke suddenly reached out and grab my hands.

" Alright, I'll do it. But in return gather information about something for me. "

This deal is beneficial to me after all, exposing the base of my plans isn't a threat because the duke can be trusted despite of his cunning attitude.

" The tower. " Duke's eyes widen after hearing those words, after being silent for a minute he stands up and tips his hat before leaving.

And with this, my plan has finally started.

Just you wait, Gwan Chul.

You might've won the battle, but the war is still going.

After three more days, I finally left the infirmary and locked myself in my room for an entire week.

Focusing only on improving my Dantian after losing in my previous fight.

Working out for an entire week wouldn't be enough even if you tire yourself out that's why there's another method if you want to leap onto another level.

And that's fighting your own self.

It might sound complicated but the name says it all.

To double to speed, you need to create a clone of yourself while gauging its power to the max so it can par with your level.

To improve the difficulty, I decided to design the clone enough to copy Raven's movement and abilities.

And that includes Flash Steps.

The clone completely replicates sword movements and Raven's abilities perfectly and even improved the original.

On the third day, I fully mastered the Flash Steps Improved Version and started to create sword formations by observing the strikes Raven managed to show up until now.

The sixth was the day when I can finally create the spinning sword attack which creates a wall by moving the sword at insane speed, I also manage to tweak this arsenal by adding more force on the rotation.

Because of this harsh training, I manage to receive scars and marks on my body but I can easily hide them by wearing clothes.

On the last day, which is the seventh. I manage to finally enter the Middle Dantian and strengthen every bone in my body.

The thought of going straight to Upper Dantian came in me but the requirement for it to be unlocked is a strong mind that can survive and remain calm through life and death situations.

Although it's a shame that I lost the majority of my past life skill, they were all given by the tower itself.

Hence, learning outside skill greatly increase my pool and improves my individual capabilities.

I also noticed that in the middle of my cultivation on the fourth day, my heart seems to vibrate loudly despite the normal rate.

After my seclusion, I finally got out and the first thing I saw was Alice.

She had a piece of bread in her mouth while she was fixing her buttons.

Our eyes met but she quickly storms off after taking a good look at my face.

Strange, do I have something on my face?

" Haenami, you're up! " My dad suddenly rushed at me and locked me in the head, he then starts rubbing it while he laughs.

" Guess what, I finally got a decent job and that's being a guard here! Now I can work and protect our family at the same time, so don't worry and do your best at school. "

He then looked at my body and pinched my shoulder.

" Woah, what's this? " Him lifting my shoulder he started to pat it.

Not to brag but because of that training, the body seems to expand into a better condition and it's also thanks to the Middle Dantian.

I blushed and pull my arm away.

" Enough about that, where's mom? "

" Oh right, she asked me to tell you to meet her in the kitchen once you're out of your room. " I then wave goodbye at him and head to the kitchen.

I was surprised to see my mom cooking with the duke's wife.

I seems to startle them and mom looked at me with confusion.

" Who are you? " She said and Elaine started giggling.

" That's your son, Haenami. " Mom then started to approach me and pinched my cheeks.

" Is that so? The one who locked himself at his door without telling us why? " She started to pinch it harder while narrowing her eyes at me.

" I have to rest for a bit and learn for the Academia. " she then pats my head.

" I'm just kidding, go sit beside Yeon because you have school tomorrow. "

I walked slowly as I saw Yeon chomping down the food, she then turn her head and looked at me with her mouth full.

" Who are you? " I sat beside her and wipes the food left in her mouth.

" Don't talk when you're eating. "

A plate suddenly slides to the other side of me and there I saw Alice once again who seems to be well dressed for her class.

" D-don't mind me, I'm just gonna eat! You have a problem with that? " she was looking down as she speak which made me laugh.

" W-what so funny? " She softly punches me in my shoulder.

" I'm glad you're finally okay, I hope we can be good friends. " she smiles.

That's when I finally realize that she was really pretty, but I was too focused on eating and just nod at her.

I choked because of it.

When I finished eating I decided to check the duke who's watching the new guard who's being trained by Raven.

" Oh there you are, I've been trying to find you these past days but turns out you just locked yourself in your room. " I sat next to him and noticed him be holding a paper.

" What's that? " He then looked at the paper, " Oh this? It's just a report about the recent bandit attack, they said that their pattern started to change and so is their objectives. "

" From our team's recent findings, one of the bandits stated that their new priority is to abduct students of, you've guessed it. The same school where my Alice is going. "

" As a parent, you can't help but feel alarmed for your child's safety. That's why I'm always sending Raven as an escort every time. However, I got news from Raven the other day when you're locked up. Alice was attacked by the bandits, thankfully Raven manage to take all of them down while only suffering minor injuries. "

Whoever this organization working on this thing, they seem to be strong or just plain stupid to even attack the Maxwell family.

It might be because of Warren but to even attack the daughter of your enemy, they're more than scum to be this low.

" Also, here. " The duke handed me one specific paper that contains a heavy amount of text in it.

" Read it when you're alone, all you want to know is in there. " He left while leaving the papers on the table while I look at him.

This old man seems really pissed about the sudden attack.

Now, now.

Let's look at what this paper contains.

Wait?

This is!