Chương 20: Chapter 20

"Teach me, Master," Haruko declared, his voice steady despite the nervous energy coursing through him. He knew the path ahead would be grueling, but he was ready to embrace the challenge.

A smirk tugged at the corners of Lucifero's lips as he assessed his new pupil. "At least you aren't a wimp," he remarked, a glint of approval in his eyes. With a nod, he signaled the beginning of Haruko's journey into the world of combat mastery.

Each day brought new trials for Haruko as he delved deeper into his training regimen. Under the relentless guidance of Aurora, he absorbed knowledge like a sponge, pushing himself to the limits of his intellect.

Raiden, the master of his Control class, tested Haruko's resolve as he meticulously broke down and rebuilt his Core multiple times. Each iteration was a lesson in resilience, teaching Haruko to embrace failure as a stepping stone towards growth.

But it was in the combat class with Lucifero where Haruko truly faced his demons. The air crackled with intensity as the master demonstrated his prowess, leaving no room for hesitation or weakness. Haruko bore the brunt of every blow, each broken bone a testament to his unwavering dedication.

Despite the physical and mental toll, Haruko persisted. Day after day, he rose to the challenge, pushing himself beyond his limits.

It had been a year since he embarked on his journey of training, and yet, despite the passing of time, life within the floating castle remained as intense and exhilarating as ever.

As Haruko went through his usual morning routine, he couldn't help but marvel at the surreal nature of his surroundings. Sharing living quarters with the three strongest beings in the universe was anything but ordinary, yet it had become his new normal.

After washing up, Haruko made his way to the kitchen, a space tailored to accommodate not only himself but also Aurora and the other two formidable mentors. Despite their lack of need for sustenance, Aurora insisted on maintaining the facade of a typical morning routine, complete with breakfast for all.

Entering the kitchen, Haruko was greeted by the familiar sight of Lucifero and Raiden engaged in their daily banter. Lucifero's booming voice echoed off the walls as he berated Raiden, who seemed unfazed, a small smirk playing on his lips. Meanwhile, Aurora stood nearby, a subtle air of exasperation evident as she attempted to diffuse the situation.

Haruko couldn't help but smile at the scene before him as he approached. "Good morning, Teachers," he greeted them warmly, his voice a calming presence amidst the chaos.

Aurora's eyes lit up with genuine warmth as she turned to Haruko. "Haruko, please, have a seat," she said, gesturing towards the table. "I made some toast and eggs today."

Haruko took his seat at the table, feeling a sense of gratitude wash over him.

"Thank you," Haruko murmured gratefully as he took his seat, the aroma of the food filling his senses.

Raiden's voice broke through the din, drawing Haruko's attention away from the commotion beside him. Lucifero's shouting seemed to fade into the background as Raiden spoke, his words carrying weight and importance.

"You have another mission today," Raiden announced, his tone serious and unwavering. Haruko's heart sank slightly at the prospect of yet another mission. It seemed like he had been on missions non-stop for the past year, traversing the three realms in search of challenges and dangers that awaited him.

Haruko's missions were no ordinary tasks; they spanned across the entirety of the universe, from the depths of the celestial realms to the darkest corners of the mortal world. Each mission was categorized into one of four ranks: S, A, B, and C. These ranks represented the level of difficulty and danger associated with each mission, with S rank being the most perilous and C rank being the least.

"What rank?" Haruko inquired, his gaze locking onto Raiden's face. Despite the casual nature of the question, there was an underlying seriousness in his tone. Even the seemingly simplest of missions posed a significant threat to his well-being, a fact that had been drilled into him by his mentor, Aurora.

"This mission is..." Raiden's voice trailed off momentarily, his gaze shifting between Haruko, Aurora, and Lucifero. The tension in the room was palpable as everyone awaited Raiden's next words.

"It's an S rank mission. Your first S rank mission," Raiden declared, his tone solemn yet resolute. Haruko's eyes widened in shock at the revelation. The memory of his near-death experience during an A rank mission in the Ashura Realm just a month ago flashed through his mind, serving as a stark reminder of the dangers that awaited him on his next assignment.

Despite the apprehension gnawing at his insides, Haruko braced himself for what was to come.

"The good news is that the mission is in the Middle Realm on your home planet, Astrion," Aurora interjected, her voice a soothing contrast to the gravity of the situation. Haruko's thoughts raced as he processed this information.

As Haruko processed Aurora's words about the mission being on his home planet, Astrion, a whirlwind of conflicting emotions churned within him. While the familiarity of returning to his roots brought a sense of comfort, it was overshadowed by the painful memories that lingered beneath the surface.

The last time he was on Astrion, the wounds of his sister's death still felt raw, a constant ache that he struggled to come to terms with. Though he had attempted to bury his grief and anger, they remained simmering beneath the facade of composure he presented to the world.

Returning to Astrion was a double-edged sword for Haruko. It was a reminder of the life he once had, the person he had lost, and the pain that still haunted him. Yet, it also offered a chance for closure, an opportunity to confront his past and find a sense of peace amidst the turmoil.

Despite the conflicting emotions swirling within him, Haruko knew better than to voice his concerns aloud. Lucifero's teachings echoed in his mind, reminding him that complaining was a sign of weakness, a luxury he couldn't afford in the face of his responsibilities.

"What is my mission, teacher?" Haruko's voice was steady as he addressed Raiden, his gaze unwavering despite the storm of emotions raging within him. He was ready to face whatever challenges awaited him on his first S rank mission, even if it meant confronting the ghosts of his past on his home planet once more.

"Boy, as Aurora told you, as to why Raiden brought you here. You are the key. I have also accepted that," Lucifero's voice echoed in the silence, commanding attention. Haruko's mind raced with questions, each one vying for his attention as he struggled to make sense of his newfound role.

"It is time for you to find out what the key exactly is. This is something you will find out after this mission. Because your mission this time is to find the lock," Lucifero continued, his words carrying an air of mystery that left Haruko intrigued yet unsettled.

"The lock?" Haruko's voice was barely above a whisper as he turned to face Lucifero, his eyes searching for answers in the depths of the demon's gaze.

"As you are the key, there has to be a lock where the key must be used," Lucifero explained, his tone grave yet tinged with a hint of anticipation. The weight of his words hung in the air, leaving Haruko with more questions than answers as he grappled with the significance of his mission.

With each passing moment, the mystery surrounding his role as the key deepened, leaving Haruko with a sense of foreboding as he prepared to embark on his mission to find the elusive lock that awaited him.