章 6: Hospital Stay [2]

"Haha. Just like her."

Lami knew what it was all about. She would most likely start the next sentence with 'just kidding'.

"Just kidding." Lami smiled and kept on reading. "Your father gave me this box before passing away. He told me to give it to you after your awakening, but it seems like I need to do it a little bit earlier."

"If you are reading this, you would be awakened anyway, so I don't think it matters that much. With this money, enroll in the academy."

Lami put the paper aside. The money coming from Aurelio and not Angela made sense.

If he couldn't find a way to finance his enrollment, he would have to wait for a year or go in debt; however, that wasn't an issue anymore.

'But this note confirms that Mom knew everything beforehand and was ready to give the ring to me.'

He felt slightly disturbed but paid it no mind. There was one more item inside the box, or two.

"Earrings?"

The pair of earrings depicted a serpent coiling around what appeared to be a sword. They were around four centimeters long and felt quite light in his hands

Lami concluded that they had to be Relics instead of random earrings; they looked too flashy not to be one.

"I'll check it after I get a Pocket."

The next item he pulled was a blood-red katana; it also had a note from his mother.

"This Blood Katana is a weapon I specifically crafted for you with the help of someone I trust. It'll rank up as you do."

"The more enemies you slay, the more resilient and deadly the blade will get. I am certain it'll reinforce and be of use to you."

Despite not knowing how to wield a katana or even fight at all, it suited him exceptionally well, radiating a cold aura with his crimson eyes locked onto the blade.

'Why katana though? Isn't it too cliche?'

Lami engaged in his thoughts for a couple of minutes and then sent back the katana.

It certainly would be helpful for him, but he was still in the hospital.

He decided to practice after he got dispatched.

Lami called for the remaining item. As it materialized, his body shuddered.

A plain-looking matte-black dagger appeared before him.

There was no more ominous feeling lingering around, so Lami decided to test the weapon. He held it with his right hand and spun it a few times, but nothing happened.

"It is just a normal dagger. So, where was that chilling feeling coming from?"

He contemplated whether he was imagining the feeling the dagger gave off while materializing.

But suddenly...

"Shi—"

A shiver ran through his spine.

... an agonizing pain engulfed his whole being. He felt as if he was burning alive, while his lungs filled with water—drowning, at the same time getting bitten by countless snakes, their venom making way to his nerves.

He clenched the bedsheets with all his might, his body convulsing uncontrollably.

He felt like his veins were bursting open, his nerves getting plucked by tweezers, getting skinned alive.

"…!"

Lami couldn't even make the smallest of noises. The pain was too much for him to handle, and the same could be said for his body.

First, his nose started to bleed, then it was his ears, and at the end, blood was pouring down his eyes. It was a creepy sight to encounter.

The torment felt like an eternity with no end in sight.

He couldn't even lift a finger, and the pain never went away. On the contrary, it was only getting worse. After a time that felt like endless suffering, Lami lost consciousness.

…

"Test, test."

A deep, authoritative voice resonated deeply in Lami's head, but he couldn't see or feel anything.

Lami tried to turn his body; however, it was to no avail. He had no control over his movements. It felt like he was sinking deeply into quicksand.

"Shit! Where am I? Did I die?" Lami groaned, his confusion blended with fear of the unknown.

"Lami, if you hear me, it means I'm dead and you have awakened."

The voice paused for a short while, and Lami connected the dots.

"Father."

"… I left something with Angela; use the money inside for your academy."

The deep voice of Aurelio disappeared. Lami thought it would come back soon enough, but…

… He waited and waited. Being in a dark, abyss-like place filled with nothing but darkness was a dreadful experience.

Ba- thump! Ba- thump!

…

Ba- thump! Ba- thump!

…

Ba- thump! Ba- thump!

Lami's heart was beating rapidly and his breathing was intensely labored, each breather a challenge.

"Shit!"

Even his silent mumbling echoed throughout the void.

Boom!

A loud explosion echoed in Lami's head. He wanted to look around him but he couldn't. Something was holding him back.

But soon, Aurelio's authoritative voice returned.

"Lami, your demonic energy will be sealed for a while—I can't risk you getting caught; he shouldn't find you when you are still weak."

'He?'

"And, yes, you must have touched the dagger for you to hear this message. I shall give you a warning; don't do it again."

"If you come into contact with that thing, you will... die. At least for the time being. You're going to notice when it is time for you to use it. .... I don't have much time, so I will cut it short."

The voices didn't give him any more time to think.

Boom!

"The 'Will of the Omniscient' will be transferred to you. In time, uncertainties will be revealed. And lastly, don't worry about hiding it—you're completely safe.

'Will of the Omniscient.'

The echoing voice sounded one last time.

"Get strong, Lami."

It was the last thing Lami had heard. Shortly after, he lost consciousness once again.

…

A jet-black-haired youth opened his eyes, revealing two gemstone-like crimson eyes. His stare was cold and menacing but at the same time confused.

He studied his surroundings, and soon with the past events quickly flashing past his eyes, his confusion dimmed.

Lami clenched his fist to test his body. Surprisingly, he felt great. His body was fully healed, and none of that terrible pain dwelled in his body.

He was alive and kicking.

Even thinking about the pain he had felt made him shiver. It was a pain that was hard to explain with words; he would do everything to completely erase its memory from his mind.

Creak!

The uncomfortable metal bed creaked with Lami's sudden movement as Lami stood up and jumped a few times.

He was feeling great; ready to train.

He was quite excited to train with his new sword, despite not being sure about the combination of illusion and a katana.

Clank!

"Huh?"

The curtain suddenly opened, revealing a tall, dark-skinned boy who was most likely close to Lami's age.

"It took you a while, man," the boy said with a friendly smile. "I thought you were a goner you know."

His voice was sparking with joy and relief.

"...Who are you?" Lami asked, narrowing his eyes at the stranger.

The boy smirked, standing casually just outside the curtain's fold.

"What do you mean? I'm your neighbor. Don't tell me you haven't even noticed my beautiful face."

The boy was quite handsome, but his golden-colored braids took the spotlight.

"I mean, I guess you look alright."

'Come to think of it, the nurse said about someone else being assigned to this room. I probably didn't realize as I was too concentrated in my mana training,' Lami recounted.

"Alright? Well, I'll take it as a compliment since you are quite the looker yourself. Name's Lucian, by the way."

"Lami."

"Lami huh? That's a… cool name."

"Thanks." Lami nodded, his face stiff. "...But you don't look injured; what are you doing in the hospital?

"I have my reasons; don't worry about it," Lucian said, his face filled with a stupid smile. "Anyways, you've been asleep for three days."

Lucian put his hand on his chin as if thinking.

"I guess you feel good now."

Lami was stunned. He scowled.

"Three days?"

"Yeah, whole three days. But I am glad you look healthy. Your bed started creaking savagely three days ago."

Lucian's smile broadened even more.

"Hehe, I thought you brought a lady over, so I didn't even dare to check. I left the room instantly…"

"You are just a pervert," Lami said with a straight face.

Pervert? Me? Maybe I am," Lucian replied with a shrug and a sly grin, but soon after his voice took a serious tone.

"After a long while, I decided to check for you, and the state I found you in was just terrible."

Pat! Pat!

"I am glad you are alright, man," Lucian said, patting Lami on his back. "Well, it is time for me to go. I was only waiting for you to wake up. I'mma see you at the academy."

Grabbing his bag, Lucian made his way toward the door.

"How did you know I would be attending that academy?"

"How? Man, you were talking to yourself like a madman. 200,000 Crowns. What other academy is that expensive? Like, even that much isn't a lot for it."

With that, Lucian left the room as Lami stood stunned.

"Fuck!"