章 6: New Life

3 years later

Lord Shuzen and Myria (Kai's mom) watched as their sons played in the courtyard. Shuzen was never more happy to be right. The boy's connection with his son was... remarkable. Although he had yet to fully form proper sentences befitting a 12-year-old noble, Khazi was finally able to speak coherently.

A small nagging thought did persist through his mind though. 'What makes him so special? What makes him superior to me.'

Even if the voice was quiet, it was ever-present all the same.

Although his face maintained its happy composure, a small drop of contempt was forming in his heart. How could he be bested by a kid?

...

Kai was in the middle of laughing with his new friend when he felt an ominous pressure. He turned to see his mom and Shuzen watching him, instantly noting that the pressure came from Shuzen. His expression turned deadly for a split second. He quickly erased it before Khazi or Shuzen would notice.

Still, the sentiment of malice remained. He understood that right now he was a mouse staring down a cat, but something told him that soon the position would be reversed.

After all, Shuzen wasn't as strong as his status would leave one to believe. He was merely an S-rank Tamer who had the luck of inheriting an SSS-rank venom ability. Kai had heard gossip that the only S-rank beast he ever tamed didn't even have a lesser aspect. Essentially, despite its rank it really should've been classified as A rank.

Unfortunately, Kai still wasn't any rank.

'But that will change. When I unlock my latent ability, you're going to regret this threatening malice.'

Then he turned his attention back to the young master, his second best friend. Khazi.

And it's a good thing he did, or else he would've been tackled. They were playing a more physical game of tag where just tagging the opponent wasn't enough. They had to throw the other to the ground.

Sidestepping with the nimble grace of an elf Kai made a beeline for the other side of the square.

That was part of another rule, put into place so that neither person could just run wild. They were confined into a small 10-yard by 10-yard square, marked by logs they laid on the ground. If one of them left the square, they would lose.

Kai knew he wasn't nearly as strong as Khazi. That was a common trait of elves- their physical strength often paled in comparison to others. However, he was very agile and tactically sound.

He also knew Khazi well enough to be prepared for the young master's reckless charge.

Jumping from the ground with an excited yet graceless leap, Khazi landed squarely on his left foot. From there he pressed against the ground to get the fastest start possible.

'I'm going to throw you to the ground today, Kai!' He thought, filled with a false hope.

One of the things he liked most about Kai was his ruthlessness and his fearless demeanor. His friend wasn't afraid to 'dishonor' Khazi. Kai had no problem beating him again and again. Kai was also ruthless in his path to victory. Whatever it took to win, he'd do. Which also pushed Khazi to think of new ideas to practice against his rival.

So today Khazi knew better than to fall for such an old trick. He already knew that Kai was going to make his momentum betray him, forcing him out of the square.

'That's worked 2 times mister, but not today!' He thought as he grinned in his mind. He tried his best not to leave any outward tale of his new plan.

Maybe he was unsuccessful in that attempt and a grin did form on his face. Or maybe Kai had already thought ahead and was ready for Khazi's deceit. Either way, Kai was one step ahead as always.

Moments before collision, Khazi stopped on his heels, expecting Kai to step aside. Instead, Kai took advantage of Khazi being on his back foot, off-balanced. Standing firm, Kai took a step forward, raising his hands so that his palms faced Khazi. As they connected with his chest, Khazi lost what little balance he had left and fell to the ground.

Once again, despite his inferior strength, Kai had won the game.

Shuzen watched with a mix of admiration and bitterness as the elf boy held his hand out to his son, offering support as he got off the ground. 'That boy never stops outperforming my son.'

Myria playfully grabbed one of Shuzen's arms, purring, "It would appear as though my son's still superior."

Shuzen nodded, admiring her now perfect dialect. In just 2 short years, she had mastered the common tongue and nowadays used the language as a plaything. Quite the commendable feat for anyone, especially a commoner who is supposed to be inherently stupid.

From the moment he saw her son, he knew there was something special about her blood. That theory was proved constantly by her, by her son. By their daughter.

As he looked into her eyes, he wished that he had met her sooner. That he hadn't let his snobbish views keep him from such a great treasure. If he hadn't been so caught up with nobility, Kai would've been his son instead of that-

'It's not his fault. It's his mother's. A man cannot be judged by his heirs, as his genes do not constitute their weakness.'

"Why so gloomy? Does mon amour no longer cherish our moments together?" Myria teased with sparkling eyes.

Another point of attraction for her and her son. Despite their initial status as servants, they didn't seem to fear their superiors. They still held respect if it was reciprocated, but they refused to live under rules that were not their own. It was exhilarating.

Returning his own smile, he said, "No, it's as painful as ever. It's just that for a second there I thought my son would finally win."

Shrugging, Myria said, "Who knows? Maybe tomorrow."

'I doubt he'd ever win if I'm being honest. The only reason he's even this smart is because of Kai. It's a shame how much his damned mother had failed him.'

Now that Myria was back to watching her son, that perfect little devil, Lord Shuzen felt that furious gaze fall upon his face again.

However, it was only there momentarily and was replaced with pure pride in himself.

He had made one mistake in his life. Lady Sasha. For a time it felt as though that singular mistake would lead to his ruin. She had trouble giving birth, and her only son was... stupid.

He had no acceptable heir, no person fit to be the next face of his house. He feared the dynasty his family had built would crumble and fade away.

Then, with his perfect perception, he noticed something amazing. Kai. A 3-year-old with enough intelligence to hide from his guards and act as though he lacked any intelligence.

He had also thought there was something special about his mother, so he didn't consider it lucky that she was also a descendant of the great Goddess Jideva.

Once he saw that great potential, he knew he had to get them into his house. They would be the greatest tools for his success.

It was heartbreaking when Sasha had been poisoned in their own villa while on a hunting trip. Thankfully, the culprit was found and executed quickly. A bitter, old man who used Sasha's love for him to get close and deal the killing blow.

A grin formed on Lord Shuzen's face. Taking note of it, Myria returned her own, completely oblivious to any danger.

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