章節 22: Chapter 22: Family of Masochists.
The testing grounds were quiet under the faint glow of the moon, its light casting long shadows across the cold stone path. Kaden walked steadily, his thoughts swirling but his expression unreadable. As he approached the door of the dojo where the first tests were held, the stillness was broken by muffled voices. He slowed his steps and moved closer, staying hidden behind a stone pillar near the entrance.
"Look at you, pathetic as always. You only managed to get a middle Tier One," a sharp voice spat, dripping with disdain.
Kaden leaned out slightly, his eyes narrowing at the scene inside. A girl with silver hair stood stiffly, her head bowed, clutching the gourd on her back as though it was her lifeline. Facing her was a tall boy, also silver-haired, his uniform bearing the insignia of a second-year student. He stood with an air of authority, his piercing gaze colder than the night air.
"You've never earned anything in your life," the boy continued. "Everything you have was handed to you. You don't deserve the Ainsworth name, and you sure as hell don't deserve what our parents left for you. If it were up to me, you'd be out in the outskirts, branded with a chain tattoo, begging for scraps like the rest of the useless nobodies."
The girl trembled, her fingers gripping the straps of her gourd so tightly her knuckles turned white. Tears streamed down her face, glistening like liquid pearls under the dim light, but none reached the ground. Instead, the tears flowed unnaturally into the gourd on her back, as if her grief had a purpose beyond her pain.
"I—I'm trying, Corin," she whispered, her voice cracking. "I'll prove myself."
Corin scoffed, stepping closer to loom over her. "You? Prove yourself? Don't make me laugh. You're an embarrassment to this family."
Kaden's chest tightened as he watched the scene. He remembered his own sister, Lila. "This isn't how an older brother should treat his sibling." His blood boiled, and before he could stop himself, he stepped out from the shadows.
"Oi, oi, oi," he called, his voice cutting through the tense air like a blade.
Both Lira and Corin turned, their surprise quickly replaced by annoyance.
"And who the hell are you?" Corin snapped, his icy glare fixed on Kaden.
"Someone who doesn't stand by while bullies run their mouths," Kaden said coldly, stepping between them. He glanced at Lira, his tone softening. "You okay?"
Lira wiped her tears quickly, her face flushed with humiliation. Her silver eyes locked onto him with a sharp glare. "This isn't your business. Stay out of it."
Corin sneered, crossing his arms. "She's right. This is a family matter. Go back to whatever gutter you crawled out of, kid."
Kaden ignored him, his anger directed at Corin. "Family? That's what you call tearing her down when she's already trying her best? You're just a coward who picks on people weaker than you."
Lira stepped forward, her voice trembling with frustration. "I don't need you to fight my battles!" she snapped. "You think I'm weak too, don't you?"
Kaden blinked, caught off guard by her outburst. "That's not—"
"See?" Corin interrupted with a mocking laugh. "Even she knows you're out of line. You're nothing, kid. Just a loser trying to act like a hero. Go play savior somewhere else before I teach you a lesson."
Kaden's fists clenched at his sides, but he stopped himself. He knew he couldn't win against Corin, and they were right, it was none of his business, he shouldn't have interfered.
"Lira, you're wasting your time letting this trash speak to us," Corin said, turning toward the door.
But then Lira's voice rang out, stopping him mid-step. "Brother, thank you for tonight."
Corin hesitated, his back still to her. "Stay strong," he said quietly, a hint of pain laced in his tone as he waved and walked out of the dojo.
Kaden stood frozen, his confusion evident. One minute Corin was bullying her, and the next, he was encouraging her. "What kind of family is this?" he thought. Are they a family of masochists?" Before he could voice his thoughts, Lira turned to him, her silver hair catching the moonlight as she approached.
"You don't know me," she said sharply, her voice low but firm. "Don't pretend you do."
Kaden said nothing, watching as she brushed past him and left the dojo.
For a moment, he stood in silence, staring at the empty doorway. Then, with a deep breath, he turned back to what he had come to do.
He stood before the testing wall, his jaw tightening as he readied himself. Black veins spread across his hands, pulsing faintly with energy as he let the demon blood surge freely.
This time, he wasn't holding back.
Kaden ran toward the wall, his fist flying forward with all his strength. The impact reverberated through the dojo, the reinforced wall cracking under his power.
He stepped back, his breathing heavy, his gaze fixed on the glowing number that appeared on the wall: 11.
Upper Tier One.
Satisfied, Kaden flexed his fingers, the black veins fading as he calmed himself. Without another glance, he turned and left the dojo, heading back to the dormitory.
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From one of the dojo's windows, Lira watched him, her eyes wide with disbelief. She had returned to check on him out of curiosity, but what she saw stunned her.
"Why did he come here in the middle of the night?" she wondered.
When Kaden punched the wall, her breath caught as the number lit up. 11?
Her gaze followed him as he left, her mind racing. "He is hiding his strength, but why?"
每周推薦票狀態
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-- 推薦票