章節 72: Chapter 71: Approval Of The Past

"I quit, I F*CKING QUIT!" Ricky's scream tore through the air, a raw, visceral outburst that echoed the turmoil within him.

The scene before him had struck a chord deeper than anything he had ever felt, pushing his emotions to their breaking point.

"I DON'T WANT TO BE THE STUPID BLACK KNIGHT ANYMORE! ERNST WINS, SO LET ME THE F*CK OUT OF HERE!" Ricky screamed, his voice trembling with desperation, but no matter how fiercely he wished for an escape, the scene refused to change.

"Alright, it's a promise." Danielle offered a sad, knowing smile as Ricky covered his eyes, struggling to hold back his emotions.

The little girl, sitting on her neatly made bed, was his long-lost half-sister Danielle, now just a haunting memory.

This was one of the most painful fragments of his past he had always refused to face, desperately burying any recollection of her.

But as he turned to escape, he found himself thrown into another scene.

"Ricky, can we play go-fish-"

"I can't Danielle, I'm going out with friends, next time I promise." Ricky waved her off and walked out through the door, but the present-day Ricky suddenly jerked his head to the side, as if trying to escape the memory unfolding before him.

"Alright, it's a promise." Danielle reappeared, her sad smile lingering as she slowly lowered her head, the door closing in front of her with a quiet finality.

Ricky stumbled backward, turning just in time to see Danielle rushing forward, clutching something tightly to her chest while his past self descended the stairs.

"Hey Ricky, I found this really cool movie-" Danielle, her eyes sparkling like stars, held it above her head with a toothy smile, brimming with hope.

But his past self only sighed, letting her excitement fade into the silence as he walked towards the door.

"Nope, busy. Promise I'll play next time." Ricky waved her off once more, closing the door behind him.

"Alright, it's a promise." Danielle slowly lowered the movie in her hand, her smile fading as she watched the door swing shut in her face once more.

That same understanding, sad smile crept back onto her face, yet the past Ricky didn't even care to spare her a glance.

"Hey Ricky, do you want to play hopscotch?"

"Hey Ricky, let's just talk-"

"Hey Ricky, I found dad's old board games-"

"Hey Ricky-"

Every direction Ricky looked, he was met with scenes of neglect, the words echoing relentlessly around him.

Danielle's attempts to reach out continued, each time met with his turning away, until Ricky finally stopped moving, unable to escape the haunting repetition and finally gazed forward.

"Ricky, is it true what Daddy said before he went away?" Danielle tugged at Ricky's shirt, her voice trembling with uncertainty before he could walk out.

"Who cares about that loser anyway? Just forget about him." Ricky said dismissively, brushing her off but Danielle fidgeted with her fingers, her gaze downcast, as he walked out the door.

"But he said I wasn't his daughter." Danielle's words struck his past self like a tidal wave, freezing him in place at the doorway. In the present, his face flushed with sudden, seething anger.

"Don't you say it, don't you f*cking say it-" Ricky ground his teeth together, pointing an accusing finger at his past self.

"Yeah, you're not his daughter, so just stop thinking about him, alright?" Ricky tried to push her to move on in his own way, but his words only left Danielle devastated.

*Sniff*

"I'm not?" Danielle sniffed, her eyes filling with tears as the past version of Ricky hesitated at the door, visibly unsettled by her response.

"Y-Yes." Ricky's voice wavered with guilt as he delivered the painful news, while Danielle tugged at his shirt once more, her eyes pleading.

"Can you stay with me today?" Danielle asked, her voice quivering with tears threatening to fall as the present Ricky's heart shattered into tiny pieces, already knowing the answer.

"N-No, I've got to go." Ricky fled through the door, escaping from the problem he had created as he left Danielle standing alone, her sadness deepening in his wake.

He stood there, his face etched with heartbreak, as he watched Danielle's tears fall slowly.

Finally, he sank into a nearby chair, his face buried in his hands as he succumbed to his own anguish.

"What is wrong with me?" Ricky asked himself, his voice heavy with despair, as he confronted the reflection of his own flaws.

It was a moment of reckoning, forcing him to finally face the music and after taking a deep breath, he looked up, only to find that the scene had shifted.

"Ricky!" Danielle rushed to his side as he collapsed onto the floor, clearly having drunk himself into a state of numbness.

"Shut up~" Ricky muttered through a drunken slur before slamming face-first into the ground.

*BAM*

"RICKY!" Danielle cried out urgently, running to his side and tapping his cheek with tearful eyes but he was too far gone to stir.

Alone with only each other for company, Danielle began to push and struggle to carry Ricky up to his bed on the second floor.

She employed every method and contraption she could think of, her determination unwavering.

The present Ricky watched in heartache as his younger sister exhausted every effort to ensure he had a restful night, a gesture he would never fully appreciate.

Then as Ricky started to feel that remorse and guilt completely consumed him, the final scene played out as Ricky fell to his knees as he no longer had the strength to stand.

"Please, Ricky, can we go play at the docks?" Danielle begged earnestly but Ricky, already in a foul mood, shook his head in response.

"I'm not in the mood-"

"YOU'RE NEVER IN THE MOOD!" Danielle screeched at Ricky, tears streaming down her face as her frustration and hurt spilled over.

"I ONLY WANT YOU TO SPEND TIME WITH ME BUT YOU NEVER-" Danielle poured out her frustrations, hoping Ricky would notice her sadness but his past self merely snapped his head back, indifferent to her pain.

"WHY SHOULD I SPEND TIME WITH SOME SNOT-NOSED BRAT?" The past Ricky retaliated harshly, causing Danielle to flinch.

Meanwhile, the present Ricky shook his head in disbelief, unable to reconcile with his former self's cruelty.

"Stop." Ricky begged desperately, reaching out to anyone who might hear him, but his cries were met with silence.

But it was no use.

"But I'm your sister-"

"HALF SISTER, YOU'RE ONLY HALF MY SISTER CAUSE YOU'RE A F*CKING BASTARD!" The past Ricky yelled, and as his harsh words cut through the air, tears began to stream down Danielle's cheeks.

"Stop." Ricky breathlessly uttered the words toward his past self, knowing full well what would follow as avein throbbed on his neck as he glared at his former self with seething hatred.

"Y-Your lying-" Danielle shook her head, tears streaming down her small cheeks as she backed away, overwhelmed by the sudden news.

"WHY DO YOU THINK DAD SAID YOU WEREN'T HIS? BECAUSE HE HUNG HIMSELF WHEN HE FOUND OUT OUR MOM CHEATED AND HAD A KID WITH ANOTHER MAN!" Ricky unleashed his frustrations on his young sister, who only ever wanted to spend time with him.

*SNIFF*

"I-I HATE YOU!" Danielle screamed at his past self, but he only scoffed as he opened the door and walked away.

"STOP!" Ricky shouted, standing up in a desperate plea to his past self.

It would be a moment he would come to regret deeply, a haunting memory that lingered with him to this day.

"And I hate you too." Ricky said in a bitter, pessimistic tone, intending to wound Danielle deeply as his words succeeded, shattering her heart completely.

"FINE!" Danielle yelled, her voice echoing with anguish as she watched his past self walk away.

The present Ricky, consumed by remorse, began shaking his head fervently, unable to escape the torment of his own actions.

"Danielle, stop." Ricky breathlessly stumbled forward, watching as Danielle reached for her yellow rain jacket and paper boat, her small hands trembling with despair.

"I'LL GO BY MYSELF!" Danielle yelled defiantly, but his past self didn't even glance back.

Meanwhile, the present Ricky sprinted towards her, driven by a desperate need to stop her.

"DANIELLE, PUT THAT F*CKING RAINCOAT DOWN, DANIELLE!" Ricky roared in grief, sprinting after her as she headed towards the back door.

She struggled for a moment but finally managed to open the door, and the rain poured in torrents as Ricky's heart pounded furiously.

His pupils trembled violently, reflecting the image of her stepping outside as desperation surged through him as he leaped out the door, determined to reach her before she could disappear into the storm.

"Today, we are gathered not to mourn the loss of Danielle Freeman, but to celebrate the life she lived." The priest said somberly, standing beside a small red oak coffin adorned with a large photograph of Danielle hanging above it.

*BAM*

Ricky was consumed by an overwhelming wave of grief and anguish as he slammed his head into the dirt, having to relive the tragic fate of his little sister.

He later discovered that Danielle had gone down to the docks, fallen into the water, and drowned, taking her last, terrified breaths alone and frightened with her final moments colored by the pain of his earlier words, when he had told her he hated her.

This haunting event left Ricky deeply scarred, unable to form close bonds with others.

The fear of experiencing such devastating loss again prevented him from opening his heart, as he dreaded the heart wrenching pain of losing someone else just as he had lost Danielle.

After that day, if Ricky was considered broken, then after Danielle's death, he was utterly shattered.

He could never forgive himself and drifted through life, consumed by self-pity as he sought to drown his pain with any substance, woman, or can of booze he could find, trying to numb the relentless ache within.

"Would anyone like to say a few words?" The priest asked and one by one, people began sharing their stories, and Ricky's eyes widened in surprise as he turned to look behind him.

"Ricky, as her loving brother, would you like to say some parting words to Danielle?" the priest asked, gesturing towards him as all eyes turned towards him.

The present Ricky, overwhelmed, stood up and rushed toward his past self, who had also risen to his feet.

Without hesitation, his past self turned away and started running with all his might, fleeing from the funeral as tears streamed down his cheeks.

"YOU GO BACK THERE AND SAY GOODBYE, YOU BASTARD!" Ricky screamed, his voice a raw mix of frustration and hatred.

He knew he couldn't change the past, but he refused to passively witness his greatest mistake again.

Despite his desperate efforts to catch up, his past self outpaced him, the distance between them widening until he disappeared completely.

Ricky turned back to the funeral scene, now eerily silent, with empty rows of chairs where grieving people once filled.

The only presence was the departed soul and the vacant podium and after taking a deep breath, Ricky walked toward the podium, determined not to flee this time but to face the sorrow head-on.

He climbed the stairs and positioned himself in front of the podium, facing the empty rows.

As he glanced toward the supposedly nonexistent crowd, his eyes trembled with profound grief when he saw Danielle sitting in the front row, patiently waiting for him to speak, her familiar smile still gracing her face.

"I-" Ricky hesitated, instinctively turning to leave but his hands tightened around the podium, anchoring him in place as he fought against the urge to flee.

*SIGH*

"Danielle, I'm so sorry." Ricky finally found the words he had never managed to say, his voice trembling as he looked her directly in the eyes.

"I was such a bad big brother," Ricky said, his voice breaking with raw emotion. "If I could, I would've traded places with you, because God knows a piece of sh*t like me didn't deserve to live in a world where you couldn't smile." Ricky spoke from the heart, tears streamed down his face, and he choked on his breath, but he pressed on through the pain.

"I-.......I should've been there for you. There isn't a day I don't kick myself for not taking your extended hand when I had so many chances and just blew them all." Ricky began to break down, his voice trembling as the weight of his deepest regret stood right in front of him.

After her death, Ricky had always loathed himself and the crushing sense of loss that accompanied it.

Whenever that feeling resurfaced, he would instinctively run from it, just as he had all those years ago.

"You just wanted to be near me, and all I ever did was push you away," Ricky said, his voice heavy with regret.

As he spoke, Danielle stood up and began walking toward him, her presence a poignant reminder of his failings.

"You deserved so much more and I'm sorry-"

"Ricky." Danielle walked right up to his side and gently tugged on his shirt as Ricky fell to his knees, bringing himself down to her eye level, the gravity of the moment pressing heavily upon him.

"I forgive you," Danielle said softly while Ricky pulled her into a tight embrace, burying his grief in her presence, overwhelmed by the release of his long-held sorrow.

Ricky knew deep down that Danielle would have forgiven him if he had only asked for it, but that was precisely why he never sought her forgiveness in the past.

He tormented himself with grief, fearing that if he were forgiven, it would mean Danielle had died in vain.

*SNIFF*

"I love you so much, Danielle." Ricky choked out, gripping her tightly while Danielle gently patted his back, offering comfort as he let his emotions flow freely.

"But Ricky," Danielle said softly, breaking the hug to Ricky's visible grief as she gently caressed his cheek, her touch tender and reassuring.

"You need to stop running," Danielle said, her words echoing with a deeper meaning that left Ricky puzzled.

"Danielle-"

"Ricky." Danielle pouted at him, gently closing his mouth before returning to a warm smile as she stroked his chin.

"It's time for you to move forward instead of running backward." Danielle's toothy smile was bright, but Ricky shook his head, struggling with the weight of her words.

"No Danielle, I need to stay here and make up all the lost-"

"I'm already gone, Ricky." Danielle's sad smile broke his heart, leaving him staring at her in stunned silence.

"And it's time for you to finally forgive yourself." Danielle said softly, breaking away from Ricky before walking toward the last door.

"W-Wait, can't we talk-"

"No, you have to hurry up. I'll be mad at you if you don't win," Danielle said, crossing her arms and tapping her foot as Ricky couldn't help but let out a chuckle at her determined stance.

"O-Okay." Ricky hesitated for a moment, but then, with renewed resolve, he stood up and walked toward the final door.

"Brother to sister, can you give me a hint?" Ricky asked shamefully and Danielle let out a sigh, her exasperation clear as she acknowledged that some things never changed.

"Okay, fine, but only because I love you." Danielle said, gesturing for him to come closer as Ricky leaned down to her level once more, eager for her guidance.

"Just don't run away this time," Danielle whispered. Ricky gave her a deadpan expression, and she simply shrugged, a knowing smile on her lips.

"I thought you loved me," Ricky said, raising an eyebrow at the inadequate hint.

"I do love you, even after knowing how stupid you are," Danielle chuckled, her playful tone lightening the moment.

Ricky sighed, placing his hand on the door knob but pausing as he considered her words.

"A-Are you okay-"

"Ricky, I'm not real," Danielle said, her voice soft but steady as she could already see the words forming on his lips, cutting him off before he had the chance and Ricky paused, then let out a quiet laugh.

"Right, it's all just one big mindf*ck," Ricky muttered, taking a deep breath. He couldn't help but steal another glance at Danielle, her smile warming his chest in a way that rattled him.

With that, Ricky opened the door, confronting the root of everything that had twisted him into the broken mess he had become.

"Hey there, Slick."

Ricky exhaled shakily, freezing at the sight before him as his biological father, Tanner Freeman, was perched on a ledge.

This was the man responsible for it all, the one who gave him the infamous nickname that had haunted his last life.

"Come over here, take a seat, and talk to your old man for a bit," Tanner said, tapping the ledge with an innocent expression.

Ricky hesitated, remembering his sister's warning, but ignored it, turning away and opening the door.

Yet, as soon as he stepped through, he found himself back in the exact same spot, facing Tanner once again.

"Oh, come on, Slick, you know you can't run away this time like before." Tanner laughed heartily as Ricky slammed his head against the door and tried again.

*SIGH*

"I guess some people can never change; you're just like your mother in that regard." Tanner sighed, shaking his head with clear disappointment etched on his face.

Watching Ricky try to leave through the door for the eighth time, but stopped just before stepping out.

"Ha~" Ricky laughed ironically before turning to face Tanner.

"You know, you've got a lot of nerve judging me." Ricky showed a hateful smile, pointing at Tanner but made no move to advance.

"Judge you? I'm not judging you, Slick. I'm just accepting that you'll always be the child of your whore of a mother," Tanner said, his smile unnervingly warm as Ricky's disgust flared at the sight.

"W-What are you talking about dad?"

Ricky was about to speak when he heard a voice from his past and upon turning to his right, he saw his younger self, the version of him before he became the mess he is now.

"What am I talking about? I'm talking about how your mother whored herself out to other men and had their bastards, that's what I'm talking about," Tanner said, leaning back on the ledge as the younger Ricky flinched at the harsh words.

"What are you-"

"I found out that Danielle isn't mine, Slick. She's not my daughter," Tanner scoffed with disdain, gazing towards the side as the younger Ricky looked on in shock, unable to process the revelation.

"I was surprised when I learned that you're actually my boy," Tanner said, taking out a flask and taking a swig, wiping his mouth and then pointing it at him.

"You're nothing like me, you look and act just like your whore of a mother." Tanner continued to belittle Ricky over and over, his words slicing through the air as the younger Ricky stood there, stunned and unable to grasp the cruel reality being thrown at him.

"I should've never met her in Sicily, she ruined my life." Tanner said in a cynical way, throwing the flask to the side, his gaze returning to him

"You ruined my life." Tanner's voice was firm in that stance, believing it wholly as he pointed the blame at the younger Ricky who took a step back.

"She used me for that damn green card, just like how you use women to distract yourself from your own loneliness," Tanner sneered, letting out a hateful laugh while the present Ricky watched, scowling from the side.

"But we can rectify that horrible part of you, salvage the goodness I know you still have within you," Tanner said with a gentle tone, smiling as he grabbed two ropes and held one out to Ricky.

"Come on, let's stick it to her together, like father and son," Tanner said warmly, holding the ropes out only for the younger Ricky to look on in horror at the suggestion.

Without hesitation, the younger Ricky turned his back and ran, not sparing his father a single glance as he fled down the stairs and out the door, driven by a desperate need to escape.

"And after that, you never stopped running from your problems, right, Slick?" Tanner said, finally turning to face the current Ricky as he halted his movements, locking eyes with his father.

"Yeah, you really f*cked me up-"

"Oh Jesus Christ, Ricky, how about you take some accountability for once and admit that I wasn't the entire problem but your inability to face your problems head-on." Tanner scoffed, wrapping the noose around his neck and tying the rope to the side of the building.

"Fine, you can blame me for running away today, but what about when you ran away from your own bastards?" Tanner egged Ricky on, his words driving Ricky to grit his teeth.

"Or what about Cindy?" Tanner raised his gaze, Ricky's eyes turning dangerous when looking at the bastard before him.

"You better watch your mouth old man." Ricky threatened, his hate shining through his eyes as they glared at Tanner.

"How about Daneille-"

"I said shut your f*cking mouth, Tanner!" Ricky yelled out his hate filled words, but Tanner responded with a cruel laugh, his amusement cutting through Ricky's anger.

"How can you act all tough when you can't even take a step forward?" Tanner taunted, pointing at Ricky as he glanced down, realizing he hadn't moved an inch.

"Because-"

"Oh boy, here we go with your classic diversion," Tanner sighed, rolling his eyes while Ricky clenched his fist in response, the silence thickening between them.

"Nothing?" Tanner asked, surprised as Ricky ducked his head, letting out a chuckle filled with disdain.

"Alright, you're free to go," Tanner said, pointing as a door suddenly appeared behind Ricky as he turned around to see it.

"What are you-"

"You passed. I mean, you made it to the end, so you should be able to leave." Tanner said with a smile that was laced with disdain, watching Ricky turn towards the door.

"Let's save us both the awkwardness and just leave," Tanner said, beckoning him away, watching Ricky grasp the handle and turn it.

"Just run away like you always do." Tanner said, the words halting Ricky in his tracks.

"Oh?" Tanner remarked as Ricky's hand shook violently, the handle beginning to crush under his grip.

"You think I like being this way? You think I enjoy hurting everyone around me-" Ricky began, turning back around, but Tanner's laugh interrupted him once more.

"You know what, I think you do Ricky." Tanner spread out his arms, revealing his truth to him.

"I think it's your favorite excuse." Tanner said, his mocking tone silencing Ricky as the reaction only widened his bastard father's grin.

"I think you enjoy the thought of never taking responsibility for your actions after you mess everything up, get drunk, and go f*ck some whore. I think you love it!" Tanner exclaimed out, laughing heartily at his poor excuse of a son.

"That's your true love, Ricky. Never taking any accountability and blaming everyone else except yourself," Tanner concluded, gesturing toward him as if summarizing his final point with a glorious conclusion.

""Ha, I guess you're right." Ricky said, letting out a self-deprecating laugh, actually agreeing with him.

"I guess I have been that guy," Ricky admitted, his voice heavy with resignation, holding his forehead with that stupid smile of his.

"A part of me just wants to do it right because, well, it's the easy route. I mean, the door is right there." Ricky gestured to the door with a short laugh, and Tanner responded with a mocking smile.

"But f*ck that." Ricky said, surprising both himself and Tanner as he took a step forward instead of retreating.

"I'm tired, I'm worn out, and I'm sick of just doing nothing, being nothing!" Ricky yelled at Tanner, causing his father to stand up and take a step back.

"Are you finally gonna join me-"

"No, I don't want to be this guy anymore! AND YOU KNOW WHAT, I'M GOING TO DO WHAT I SHOULD'VE DONE THE FIRST F*CKING TIME I SAW YOU ON THIS GODDAMN LEDGE!" Ricky roared, rushing at the man who, in his mind, had long since ceased to be his father.

"What are you-" Tanner started, but he couldn't finish as Ricky grabbed his collar, yanked him off the ledge, and threw him down to the ground.

*BAM*

Ricky began pounding on Tanner, delivering punch after punch as the man tried to shield his face and despite Tanner's attempts to cover up, Ricky's fists relentlessly collided with his face.

"STOP-"

*BAM*

"I'M YOUR FATHER-"

"NO, YOU'RE JUST A LOUSY EXCUSE FOR A MAN!" Ricky yelled, pummeling his fist into Tanner's face.

Blood started to splatter on his being but Ricky was firm, letting out all his deep rooted anger and resent that had haunted him throughout his life.

Ricky's downward spiral reached a crucial point here, where he ceased to grow as a person and began to shatter throughout his life.

Though some things would remain unchanged, Ricky resolved to confront the part of himself that always ran, determined to rid himself of the feelings that had plagued him for so long.

It was his way of breaking the cycle, refusing to let the weight of his past dictate his future any longer.

Standing over his beaten father, Ricky felt a profound sense of peace for the first time in what felt like centuries and as he stood there, a door materialized before him.

*Huff*

"You know, a part of me still thinks that all of this isn't my fault, that I didn't lead myself to this very spot." Ricky huffed, standing over Tanner with a resolute look, wiping the blood off of his fists.

"But the real answer is that it is."

"It's my fault that I'm an idiot, it's my fault that I'm a coward, and it's my fault that I act the way I do," Ricky admitted, his voice steady and finally acknowledging that he is the problem, instead of blaming everything around him.

"But I don't want to be this person anymore, I don't want to be this weak of a man, I want to be different." Ricky declared with a firm resolve, kicking Tanner in the chin one more time and turning his back to him.

"I want to be better."

A light shone through the door, and Ricky, drawn by its warmth, instinctively walked toward it and as he approached, the warmth began to fill his barren heart once more.

"ARE YOU JUST GOING TO LEAVE? TURN YOUR BACK ON ALL OF US?" Tanner screeched at Ricky who turned back to see every person he had ever wronged, their faces a mosaic of guilt, anger, sadness, smiles, and acceptance.

Until his gaze finally settled on Danielle, who waved at him with a gentle, encouraging smile.

"I'm not turning my back on you," Ricky said with a smile, his eyes fixed on his new beginning.

"I'm just moving forward, that's all." Ricky scoffed at the pitiful excuse for a father, taking his first step of liberation and as he did, the people around him began to fade into obscurity, except for one.

Danielle watched with a smile as Ricky was enveloped in a warm, life-like glow and as the light surrounded him, her entire body began to fade away.

"Goodbye, Ricky." Danielle said, having finally achieved her last wish.

As her form slowly started to fade, Ricky didn't walk forward completely; instead, he slightly turned his head, catching the last glimpse of her farewell.

"Goodbye? That means I won't ever see you again, and that's not happening, Danielle." Ricky side-eyed the shocked Danielle, who could only laugh through her tears as they streamed down her cheeks.

"I can't play today, but next time, you have to promise to play whatever I want!" Danielle shouted at the top of her lungs as her form began to slowly trickle away into nothingness.

Ricky rubbed his eyes, stepping fully into the light, leaving her final words echoing in the space behind him.

"Alright, it's a promise."

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章節 73: Chapter 72: The Power Of An Ancestor

"YOU'VE RETURNED!" Percival exclaimed just as the clock neared its final tick.

His eyes sparkled as he watched Ricky step out from the far side of the cave, perfectly timed to his anxious delight.

"YOU ALMOST BECAME LOST-" Percival his face lit up with a wide smile, but as he drew closer, the grin wavered, and one eyebrow arched in sudden doubt.

*Sniff*

"Are you crying?"Percival, his expression sharp with accusation, spoke up beside a visibly relieved Father Sebastian, with Henry and Alexander standing attentively nearby.

"I just got something in my eye, dick wad." Ricky muttered, rubbing his eyes, clearly not crying or at least, that's what he insisted as Alexander started ;laughing.

"What's a 'dick wad'?" Percival muttered under his breath, genuinely puzzled, having never encountered the term in his life.

"Young Ricky, you're as bad a liar as I am a loser at Go Fish!" Alexander squeaked, his tiny voice filled with bellows of laughter, just before Ricky scooped him up and perched him on his shoulder.

"I am glad you've returned, Ricky. You've been in there for exactly 23 hours and 28 minutes." Father Sebastian revealed, the unexpected statement making Ricky's eyes widen in surprise.

"Really? It didn't seem that long to me." Ricky replied, puzzled, as it had only felt like a couple of hours to him.

"My descendant, you have exactly thirty-two minutes before the next event. Let me break down what it is so you can-"

"I'm going to stop you right there." Ricky interjected, reaching into his jacket to pull out a letter.

"Descendant this is-"

"Sir Percival, let us give this child a moment," Father Sebastian said, sensing the tension as Percival opened his mouth to retort but ultimately nodded in agreement.

Ricky walked to the side and sat down, his gaze fixed on the letter addressed 'To: Ricky' in Eddy's handwriting and with a sense of anticipation, he carefully opened the envelope.

Dear Ricky,

I reckon this letter might come off as a jumbled mess of confusion, but I need to spill it all before the darkness swallows me whole. I want you to hear me loud and clear: none of this is on you, and it never was.

I'm truly sorry for dragging you into my whirlwind of troubles, for prodding at your heartache and coaxing you into this chaos.

Man, this is hard. Now that I'm writing my goodbyes, I find I can't quite find the words I've been practicing. To sum it all up, it feels like trying to capture something elusive, struggling to explain why I made the choices I did.

When I stared out that window, it was like I was peeking into a world untouched by these heavy feelings. I dreamt of soaring through the clouds and it sounds silly, I know, but losing my legs made me realize just how desperately I craved the wind rustling through my hair, free from the weight of these broken limbs.

Everything felt hollow as I gazed out at the city, watching life go on without me while I felt trapped in place, frozen in my own struggle.

Ricky, old buddy, I hope you can find it somewhere in the crisscross of your heart to forgive me. As you read this, I don't want you to remember me as I was in that hospital bed. Instead, hold on to the good times, the laughter we shared that echoed like a favorite tune. Think of the moments with me, Rocco, Jake, and the bond we had felt tighter than a jazz band playing the blues. I'm sorry for slapping' sadness onto your plate, and I hope, in time, you can shake it off and maybe forgive me.

P.S. Tell Jake I love him like a brother, and take care of my bro for me. He may look like a burly guy, but he's softer than a marshmallow on the inside.

See ya on the other side.

Yours truly, Eddy

*Sniff*

Ricky ducked his head, tucking the letter back into his jacket and for the first time since the accident, he felt a glimmer of the old Eddy he used to know.

The person he had seen lying in that hospital bed felt like a stranger, as if he were lost in a fog.

But now, reading the letter, he felt a sense of relief wash over him, knowing he had found Eddy again, alive within the words.

"There, there, young Ricky. One does not stand cold when reflecting on the memories of a fallen comrade, but rather with the warmth of the times they shared together." Alexander said, having refrained from reading the letter out of respect.

"But right now, you have a decision to make, young Ricky," Alexander said, gently pushing the letter aside as he leaned in, ready to offer the vulnerable Ricky some much-needed advice.

"Are you a boy perpetually looking back at what he's lost, or a man looking forward to what he might become?" Alexander asked, directing the question at Ricky, who had always been focused on the past.

Ricky looked down for a long time until he nodded at Alexander, the weight of the choice settling heavily on him.

'System, accept the rewards.'

Ricky murmured to himself, finally resolving to move on and as he made that decision, pain rippled through him, but alongside it came a surprising surge of strength and dexterity.

"Alright, let's go," Ricky said, standing up with Alexander and Henry by his side and just then, Percival appeared to guide him forward, ready to lead the way.

"This way."

Ricky followed Percival down the old tunnel, the air thick with history and as they emerged into a wide circular chamber, he was met by a crowd of church members, their faces a mix of curiosity and concern.

"Finally, you've arrived." Ernst smirked, crossing his arms as he took in Ricky's worn-down expression.

"How does it feel knowing that I'm about to take your birthright?" Ricky asked, crouching down to Ernst's level with a challenging look.

Abrham burst out laughing from the side, clearly enjoying the exchange while slightly intoxicated.

"Hmph." Ernst scoffed, glancing over at the Pope, who nodded in approval, as if giving him the green light.

"Ernst, since you were the first to exit the cave, would you like to defer your fight or go first?" Pius asked, watching Ernst step forward, puffing out his chest in confidence.

"I would like to go first." Ernst declared, and at that moment, his father materialized before him, clad in the armor of the Black Knight.

"Ernst's guide do you acknowledge-"

"No, I do not," Ernst's father, Julian, interrupted, fixing the Pope with a serious gaze while Ernst stared in shock, caught off guard by his father's unexpected intervention.

"Alright, what's the deal here?" Ricky asked, glancing at Percival before nodding to Julian, who stood resolutely ahead.

"Before the duel of blood, the participants' guide must approve your standing to be considered for the title," Percival informed him, scrunching his eyebrows as Ricky stifled a yawn, observing as Ernst's whole world seemed to crumble around him.

"I'VE DONE EVERYTHING YOU'VE ASKED, AND YOU TURN ME AWAY ON THE CUSP OF MY GLORY!" Ernst screeched, his fists clenching in pure, unbridled rage as he glared at yet another obstacle in his path.

"Ernst, my son, you've lost your way under that horrid government-"

"DO NOT SPEAK OF THE GREAT FÜRER WITH THAT DIRTY MOUTH OF YOURS!" Ernst screeched, drawing his sword as the holographic Black Knight looked on with a disheartened expression.

"What a tear-jerking scene about to unfold: the struggles of father and son, laid bare as they each seek to shine their own light for the other." Alexander whispered, his eyes sparkling with wonder, while Ricky remained oblivious to the unfolding drama.

"Young Ricky, are you seeing this?" Alexander asked, but Ricky's gaze was fixed on the scene, even if it seemed distant to Alexander.

Ricky's sight:

[SHOP]

IP: 300,000

Refreshable Items:

Remote Vibrator: 15,000 Impregnation Points

Description: Works in any place, any scenario, and will deliver a brisk message to whoever you wish for.

Addicting Saliva: 65,000 Impregnation Points

Description: Your Saliva will become like nicotine in a sense that after having it for a while they will have withdrawals without it.

Infatuated Scent: 100,000 Impregnation Points

Description: Makes the user's scent irresistible to every woman.

Condition: Must have Promiscuous scent(Passive), Wild scent(Passive), and Liberated scent(Passive)

{Refresh Available in 147:56:12}

Daily Item:

Pent-Up Ring: 20,000 Impregnation Points

Description: Anyone who wears this ring cannot cum for 24 hours and the effect will reapply even if it's even touched by another individual.

Weekly Item:

Favorability Meter: 50,000 Impregnation Points

Description: Allows you to check the favorability of a mission target once a day.

Monthly Item:

Amplifying Hands: 175,000 Impregnation Points

Description: The user's hands will amplify the current pleasure as they lustfully course throughout a woman's body.

'This is such a scam. Why do I have to purchase other skills to get another one?' Ricky frowned, frustration brewing inside him, while Alexander boisterously jumped up and down as Ernst shouted in the background.

"TAKE ARMS FATHER, FIGHT ME!"

'Whatever, I'll buy Amplifying Hands, Favorability Meter, and Addicting Saliva,' Ricky quickly decided, watching his hard-earned points dwindle down to just 10,000.

'Now receive the rewards,' Ricky muttered through gritted teeth, feeling a surge of power as his dexterity finally soared into the realm of the superhuman.'

*Ding*

Received:

(Epic Item) Dust of Disappearance: Sprinkling this magical dust on oneself grants temporary invisibility from all and any eyes.

(Epic Item) Scroll of Meteor Fragment: Unleashes a part of a meteor when read, causing significant damage to enemies in the vicinity.

*Sigh*

'One-off items,' Ricky thought with a sigh, dismissing their value since he preferred tools he could use multiple times.

Still, he couldn't shake the feeling that he might find a use for them in the future and tucked them away in the back of his mind.

'Alright, give me my gacha.'

*Ding*

Received:

(Legendary Item) Piercing Telescope: No illusion is safe from this telescope as it can actually see through any and all illusions in front of it.

(Legendary Armor) Constantine Trench Coat: Being sentient and demonic, the coat houses powerful hellish powers. This includes the ability to curse and jinx people, mind control them into rageful berserks, and snuff out life out of his victims by strangling them.

(Epic Item) Twelve ply toilet paper: A roll of toilet paper constructed by a high civilization for the purpose of wiping's one ass with maximum decency. X 198

'Wait, there's such a thing as twelve-ply toilet paper?' Ricky thought, his curiosity piqued, having only ever seen four-ply before, he couldn't help but stare at it in disbelief.

*CLANG*

Ricky shifted his head just in time to see a sword hurtling toward the spot where he had been standing moments before.

Turning back to the battle, he found Ernst sprawled on the ground, badly beaten and bruised.

Towering over him was the ethereal image of Ernst's father, gazing down with sorrowful eyes at the man his son had become.

Raising his sword for the finishing blow, the ethereal figure hesitated, memories of young Ernst flooding his mind.

Visions of laughter and innocence momentarily softened his resolve, and he faltered, caught between duty and the remnants of love.

He was conflicted; he wanted to end the very thing he created, but how could he?

As the hesitation deepened, Ernst, no longer passive, seized a hidden dagger and lunged forward, driving it into the ethereal silhouette.

The blade met its mark, and a shockwave rippled through the air, echoing the turmoil within him.

"Goodbye, Father," Ernst whispered, closing his eyes as the ethereal figure slowly faded away.

The last thing Ernst saw was the deep look of disappointment in his father's eyes, lingering like a heavy shadow.

"I'm sorry, my son."

"Ernst has passed the test!" Father Sebastian announced in a neutral tone, his voice echoing through the chamber.

The only sound of applause came from the bishop, who clapped slowly, standing alone in recognition of Ernst's hollow victory.

"Ricky, please step forward!" Father Sebastian gestured towards Ricky who nodded in understanding and stepped forward.

As Ricky stepped into the circle, both Alexander and Henry were abruptly denied access.

An invisible barrier sent Alexander tumbling from Ricky's shoulder, and Henry, trying to follow, knocked his beak against the force field, unable to break through.

"Only descendants of the Black Knight may enter the circle," Father Sebastian clarified towards Ricky who shrugged, accepting the situation, and walked toward the center of the arena.

"Ricky's guide, please show yourself to all and give your judgment!"

*GASP*

Gasps rippled through the crowd as they suddenly noticed Percival, whose presence had been hidden until now.

The moment they laid eyes on him, recognition swept over the onlookers that hadn't had the pleasure of seeing Percival when summoned, witnessing the first-ever Black Knight in the flesh.

"Can't believe that brat got the founding Black Knight," Abraham scoffed, leaning back with a sneer, his eyes filled with disdain at the thought of Ricky being paired with THE Black Knight.

Ricky strolled to the center nonchalantly, waiting for Percival to give his approval so he could move on and face the pipsqueak scowling at him from the side.

But as he glanced at Percival, he noticed a mischievous smile spread across the knight's face.

"I don't approve."

*GASP*

"Seriously, are we really doing this?" Ricky sighed, realizing what was coming as Percival shifted into a fighting stance.

"Did you really think I'd let it slide, even though you're my descendant, after you tossed me into that strange space?" Percival's eyebrows twitched with annoyance, his old armor beginning to materialize around him, fully prepared for a confrontation.

"I've known of your power, but I want to see it at full force, so I'll allow you to use your weapons," Percival beckoned Ricky who let out a laugh, thinking this was still a joke.

"Your kidding-"

"Do I look like the type to do so?" Percival interrupted, catching Ricky off guard as he frowned and clicked his tongue in frustration.

As he pulled out the new trench coat from the system, it seemed to come alive, gazing at him before giving him a playful smack.

"W-Wait!" Ricky exclaimed, holding up his hands as the trench coat continued to swat at him as it didn't hurt, but the persistent annoyance was becoming hard to ignore.

"Why are you-DAMMIT STOP!" Ricky shouted, just as the trench coat smacked him right in the face.

In that moment, a sphere of fire suddenly encased the two, intensifying the chaos around them.

"What's your problem? I didn't do anything to you!" Ricky yelled at the trench coat, which crossed its arms defiantly, seemingly unfazed by his outburst.

The trench coat began to make signs that Ricky could only briefly understand, but the gist of it was clear: it was offended.

It wasn't just some magical item from a fantasy role-playing game; it was a demonic being, indignant at being summoned in front of Ricky as if it were merely a rare item from an RPG game.

"Can we shelve your disgruntlement until I beat the crap out of that weird ghost behind you?" Ricky asked earnestly, feeling mentally drained from earlier events and not wanting to deal with a stressed out trench coat.

The trench coat turned to see Percival, who wore an arrogant expression, and for some reason, that infuriated it even more.

"Whoa," Ricky said, surprised as the trench coat suddenly wrapped around him, the collar puffing up dramatically.

He reached for the gauntlets, which exuded an unsettling aura and despite the ominous vibes, Ricky equipped them without a second thought, fully aware there would be consequences.

He surprisingly decided he'd read the entire description later; for now, he needed their power to take on Percival.

Then a bright light suddenly filled the hall as the ethereal glow of a bow materialized out of thin air.

Father Sebastian's eyes lit up with fascination; he couldn't help but smile, having already been impressed by Ricky conjuring flames.

'Has he been blessed by Uriel?' Father Sebastian wondered to himself as Ricky extinguished the fire, a smirk forming on his face.

'Let's give these old geezers a little scare,' Ricky thought as he activated the 'Radiant Harmony Aura,' causing the eyes around him to widen in surprise.

"Holy sh*t, Seb was actually right." Abraham stood up, joined by the other priests, as they sensed the familiar holy aura, one typically associated with angels.

"I knew it!" Father Sebastian exclaimed in a geeky demeanor, looking up at Abraham, who immediately scoffed but didn't refute his words.

"I see." Percival said, his voice steady as any trace of relaxation he had felt vanished, replaced by a fierce thirst for battle.

"Hey old man, you ready?" Ricky asked out towards his ancestor, drawing his Nova bow and pulling the shimmering bowstring back, ready for action.

However, Ricky didn't give him a chance to respond; he shamelessly released the arrow, which rocketed out of the bow's embrace.

A powerful wave of air pulsed around him, and those watching blinked in shock as a loud boom reverberated through the hall.

*BOOOM*

A cloud of dust swallowed Percival as Ricky drew his bow, ready to fire another shot.

But just as his fingers tightened around the string, a burst of laughter echoed through the air, not from ahead where he expected, but from behind.

"Oh, my dear descendant." Percival's voice echoed in Ricky's ears, sending a jolt of warning through his mind as he turned back, instinctively sensing that something was about to go very wrong.

*CRASH*

Ricky raised a mental shield, but the slash tore through it like paper, the force rippling through the air.

His instincts kicked in and he drew back his bow in one swift motion, releasing an arrow just as the air slash came within inches of him.

The arrow met the air slash with a violent clash, sending sparks flying before a loud explosion rippled and engulfed him.

*BOOM*

The force of the impact rocked Ricky, and before he could react, a shockwave slammed into his chest.

He was hurled backward, his body twisting as he tumbled across the ground as dirt and debris kicked up around him as he struggled to regain his footing, his breath ragged.

His grip tightened around the bow, eyes locking onto his opponent, knowing the next strike would come fast.

But instead of focusing on where the attack had come from, Ricky's eyes widened in horror as he looked toward Percival.

The knight hadn't moved, at least, not in any way a human should as instead his form stretched impossibly, as if caught between moments, his sword seemingly frozen mid-swing.

"Are you wondering how I reached you without even moving a step?" Percival chuckled, his voice calm and taunting as he lowered his sword, the blade gleaming faintly.

"I cut through the space between us, which is why you heard my voice so close, in case you were wondering." Percival explained, gesturing as if lecturing a student.

"WHAT?" Ricky let out a baffled laugh, incredulous as he exclaimed, stunned that someone could cut through space when he himself was holding power that defied the realms of the impossible.

"I've fought literal gods, young descendant; your power is mere child's play," Percival said with a smile, clearly looking down on him.

Ricky's expression shifted, growing serious as he instinctively stood up and backed away, realizing the true depth of the challenge before him.

Honestly, at first, Ricky had assumed Percival wouldn't be this powerful or demanding, dismissing him as just another opponent.

But that assumption shattered the moment he caught a mere glimpse of Percival's ancestral power.

Alexander had always emphasized the importance of maintaining distance when using the bow and even if you felt far enough away, taking an extra two steps back was wise.

Behind Percival, two holes appeared on either side of him, but no one except Alexander and Ricky noticed the new small indentations forming in the ground.

"RICKY, YOU MUST TAKE TO THE AIR! YOU CANNOT BEAT HIM ON THE GROUND!" Alexander urged, his brow slick with sweat as he was the only one who had witnessed the serene strike Percival had made with his sword.

'His skill trumps mine,' Alexander thought, realizing that even he couldn't arc his sword with the same graceful precision as Percival.

*WHOOSH*

Ricky's feet erupted in a surge of flames, propelling him upward with violent force. As he ascended, their eyes remained locked in a tense, unbroken stare with Percival's confident smirk meeting Ricky's fierce determination.

The flames beneath him abruptly ceased, leaving Ricky hovering mid-air on an invisible mental platform.

His body steadied as he gripped his bow tighter, feeling the weight of the confrontation ahead.

This time, there would be no holding back or any underestimation.

With a deep breath, Ricky unleashed his radiant harmony, the energy exploding outward in a brilliant wave of light that illuminated the battlefield.

His gauntlets, the very ones holding the bow steady, ignited with eldritch flames, a dark and chaotic fire that crackled with malevolent energy.

Ricky felt the opposing forces within him as his radiant harmony aura, pure and bright, clashing with the eldritch flames' twisted hunger.

The two energies snarled at each other like beasts, viciously fighting for dominance within his body.

But Ricky wasn't finished as he forced them together, commanding the radiant harmony to mingle with its dark counterpart, fueling the eldritch flames with its purifying light by fueling the flames with his own pyrokinetics.

In that brief moment, the two enemies morphed into a grotesque abomination that was Ricky in his entirety.

Percival bent his knees, taunting Ricky by allowing him the first move but it didn't phase him in the least.

Ricky pulled back the bowstring, his veins bulging with effort and as he drew the string taut, the arrow swirled in his grasp, the monstrous flames consuming it.

The usual bright orange arrow was slowly being replaced by a horrid murky red, pulsing with dark energy yet oddly majestic.

*WHOOSH*

The arrow exploded out of Ricky's embrace, a slight air ripple sounding around him as the very space around him started to shift.

*BOOM*

Then, with a resounding boom, the arrow launched toward Percival, who merely smirked, unfazed.

But Ricky wasn't finished yet as behind him, a sea of cannons materialized, the very same design as the one he received from his gacha.

Ricky had accidentally taken it out before he left for the Vatican and with his mechanical energy coursing through him, Ricky grasped the intricacies of its design.

He was able to visualize its mechanics, replicating them with his mental energy, and in an instant, a tsunami of cannons formed behind him, their barrels poised and ready.

*BOOM*

The cannons erupted in a cacophony of sound, unleashing a barrage of mental cannonballs that surged toward Percival.

Each shot rippled through the air like a shockwave, a fierce storm of energy raining down upon him.

Ricky's eyes remained locked on Percival, who was already gazing at the arrow, its trajectory warping the very air around it.

The contrast was striking: the singular, focused arrow against the chaotic onslaught of cannon fire.

Ricky felt a surge of exhilaration as he unleashed his full power, the relentless assault aimed to overwhelm even the most composed of foes.

*WHOOSH*

A sudden red flash erupted, consuming the surroundings in an instant. Everything within its reach was cleaved in half, a horrifying spectacle that left the onlookers gasping in disbelief.

*THOOM*

An even louder explosion followed, reverberating through the air as the sheer force of the attack obliterated everything that wasn't Ricky.

The platform beneath him shattered, splintering into fragments that scattered like confetti in the wake of the destructive wave.

Ricky stood at the eye of the storm, untouched amid the chaos, the embodiment of a power that defied comprehension.

The shockwave rippled outward, transforming the battlefield into a surreal landscape of destruction, while the spectators could only stare, their mouths agape, at the horrifying might displayed before them.

"Never take your eyes off your opponent," Percival whispered, his voice slithering behind Ricky.

A chill ran down Ricky's spine at the mere tone, heightening his senses as he felt the weight of Percival's presence lurking just behind him.

*BAM*

*COUGH*

Ricky's body was suddenly propelled across the circle, crashing into the field surrounding them as he let out a loud cough, struggling to regain his breath as the impact left him disoriented.

*COUGH*

Only then did Ricky feel the mental backlash as Percival unleashed a counterstrike, obliterating everything he had conjured.

The force hit him like a physical blow, and he slumped to the ground, gasping for breath.

He coughed violently, expelling heapings of spit, the taste of blood mingling with the acrid remnants of his shattered concentration.

"Interesting," Percival mused, rubbing his chin as he gently descended to the spot where Ricky had just stood.

"For your age, the power you command is indeed impressive," Percival continued, his tone measured and calm.

"But there's no refinement, only brute strength." Percival then let out a disappointed sigh, as if lamenting the wasted potential before him.

"What the f*ck just happened-" Ricky finally muttered out, looking up only to see Percival had disappeared.

*BAM*

In an instant, Percival vanished from view, reappearing above Ricky with blinding speed.

Before Ricky could react, Percival slammed the heel of his foot into the back of his head, the force driving him down into the ground with brutal precision.

*BAM*

The impact reverberated through Ricky's skull, leaving him momentarily disoriented as the world around him blurred.

Percival's weight pressed down, a reminder of the overwhelming power he commanded, forcing Ricky's face into the ground

"Is that all?" Percival taunted lightly, his voice dripping with mockery.

"I must say, you are powerful, but I assumed you were much stronger to justify such arrogance." Percival chuckled, pressing his heel deeper into the back of Ricky's head, emphasizing his dominance, a smirk playing on his lips.

Ricky struggled to lift his head, but no matter how hard he pushed, he couldn't budge it from beneath Percival's heel. Frustration ignited within him, a fire kindling alongside the physical pain.

With a sudden burst of resolve, he reached up and grasped Percival's ankle, his gauntlets shimmering with that abominable fusion of flames.

The moment the heat touched Percival's skin, the knight's smile vanished, replaced by a frown of surprise and concern.

*BOOOOOM*

The horrid flames erupted around them, a tempest of energy that engulfed both Ricky and Percival in a chaotic inferno.

The explosion sent Percival hurtling backward, but with remarkable agility, he caught his balance midair, driving the tip of his sword into the ground to anchor himself.

The force of the blast sent shockwaves through the arena, scattering debris and igniting the air with flickers of radiant light and shadow.

*DING*

In the next heartbeat, Percival effortlessly deflected two arrows that shot toward him, their tips gleaming ominously.

The arrows collided with an invisible barrier behind him, exploding in a shower of sparks and smoke, but he didn't even acknowledge their presence.

His focus remained unwavering, his expression calm and composed, as if the arrows were mere afterthoughts in a game far beyond Ricky's understanding.

"Alright, that's it," Ricky scornfully laughed, the smoke clearing to reveal him smirking, a mix of intense annoyance and newfound determination etched across his face.

His eyes locked onto Percival's form, unwavering in their intensity and in that moment, the Emperor's gaze transformed, a crimson light surging through his pupils as he focused on Percival, analyzing every inch of the knight's ethereal figure.

"Do you have even more little tricks up your sleeve?" Percival inquired with a curious smirk, his tone playful yet laced with caution as he circled around Ricky.

"Oh, believe me, you wannabe King Arthur, I've got a whole arsenal of wonderful tricks hidden away." Ricky shot back, his smile dripping with disdain, making Percival's eyebrow twitch, and he let out a dry laugh, the sound echoing through the tension-filled air.

In the next instant, Percival's glorious figure materialized before Ricky, his sword arcing downward with lethal intent.

But Ricky was ready; he swung his leg upward in a fluid motion, intercepting the blade just in time.

The clash of metal against flesh sent a shockwave through both combatants, btu Ricky didn't feel the pain as his adrenaline surged through him, widening his smile as he held his ground.

"!" Percival's eyes widened as Ricky's foot struck the ricasso of the sword, halting its deadly descent aimed at his arm and leaving Percival's chest completely exposed.

Seizing the moment, Ricky pulled back the bowstring, the tension in the air thickening with anticipation, and released the arrow without hesitation.

Percival, quick to react, let go of the sword and shifted his grip, swinging the hilt to the other side.

The arrow collided with the blade, a sharp crack echoing through the air as it split at its seam amidst Percival's serious eyes.

In the same breath, Ricky conjured a shimmering dome around Percival, sealing him within a barrier that suddenly coursed his horrid flames.

*BOOOM*

A loud boom erupted as fire engulfed Percival, flames licking at the edges of the mental dome that surrounded him.

Ricky concentrated fiercely, unleashing a torrent of blazing energy that coated every inch of the barrier, turning it into a radiant inferno.

With the heat intensifying, he drew back his bowstring once more, the arrow shimmering with the essence of his power.

The crackling flames danced in his eyes as he prepared for the next strike, determined to break through Percival's defenses and seize control of the battle.

*Gulp*

Ricky gulped, a chill racing down his spine as he realized that just as he was about to release the bowstring, Percival's sword had materialized right above his jugular.

*Whoosh*

In the next instant, the sound of the barrier being cut in half echoed through the arena, a sharp and devastating noise that silenced the spectators.

Eyes widened in disbelief as they saw Ricky trapped at the mercy of Percival, the knight's sword poised ominously above him.

"I accept you," Percival said with a calm smile, nodding to himself as he sheathed the sword.

Ricky, still reeling, finally managed to draw in a breath, confusion washing over him.

"What the hell just happened?" Ricky Muttered, disbelief etched across his face at the results of their confrontation.

He had thought he had him cornered; even his instincts had screamed victory and yet here he was, feeling as if Percival had cut through fate itself, shifting the very fabric of their confrontation in an instant.

"Amazing," Alexander breathed, unable to hide his awe at witnessing such serene swordsmanship in his lifetime.

It was a display of skill that left him almost breathless, each movement fluid and precise.

"Seb," Abraham whispered urgently to the shocked Father Sebastian, who flinched at the sound of his name.

"R-Ricky has been accepted and will be privy to the Duel of Blood for the chance to wield the Ebony Blade!" Father Sebastian announced, his voice echoing through the stunned silence.

Ernst, who had been watching the duel from the sidelines, cast his gaze downward, grappling with a mix of emotions.

The weight of Father Sebastian's words hung in the air, heavy with significance as Ricky's fate had shifted in an instant, and the stakes had never been higher.

The crowd's murmurs began to swell, a mixture of excitement and disbelief at the prospect of Ricky claiming such a powerful weapon.

Without uttering a single word, Ernst turned on his heel and strode out of the arena, determination etched into his features.

As he walked, he pulled a small vial from his clothes, the liquid inside catching the light and glimmering with promise.

A palpable thirst for power rippled in his eyes, igniting a fire of ambition that drove him forward.

'I must win.'

Author's Note: Thanks for 9k collections, I appreciate everyone reading this far and enjoying my story. I do see all your comments but have crazy busy and won't be able to see all of them until the weekend.

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