"And even in the mana drainage, you were practicing 24/7 like a monk. I'm assuming you're way stronger now."
He nodded, "You knew, but acted like you didn't. Smart guy. Now move out of my bed."
I grinned, "Sure. Have a great dream."
He looked at me and said, "Listen, in this blood-filled world, only the strongest survive.
And to be specific, I'm the strongest. Don't go telling people about it."
We all replied, "Yep. Good night, broski."
Then we left.
"Is he really—?" someone whispered.
I said, "He really is. Trustworthy, too.
So don't worry. Just be nice.
He doesn't talk much and loves training. Let's keep that in mind and maybe train with him."
That night, Jian came out and called someone.
The living room was dark. He flipped on the lights and saw us all passed out on the ground—messy clothes, food everywhere.
He cleaned everything up and carried us to our rooms.
Then he began talking on the phone.
I said, "Thanks, though I wasn't asleep."
He replied, "I'll talk to you later," and hung up.
Then he turned to me and said, "Listen, Kurai. Tell me this isn't you. Still, tell me what the hell is going on."
I answered, "Let me tell you the whole thing. After what happened, I used the last of my mana to survive.
But I ended up in demon territory.
I thought I was done for… then an AI robot came.
Just when I thought luck had run out, serpent demons showed up and covered for me.
They took me to their nest.
That's when I realized—I didn't lose all my mana. I just couldn't replenish it.
I couldn't reuse it because of a seal. Normally that would kill any human. But I didn't die.
You might ask why? It's simple.
Let's say demon mana is negative.
The more they grow stronger, the more they grow into negative infinity.
Humans, on the other hand, go toward positive infinity.
When a human loses all mana, they become neutral.
But if they absorb negative mana, they die.
For demons, when they become neutral, they're just physical beings.
If they absorb positive mana—they die.
But that wasn't the case for me."
Its because I can use both mana, and I appear neutral as well because they cancel each other out when they are in equal amounts.
he said, "Fascinating, that means you're the first ever to exist." Then I said, "I guess so.
I mean, the 8 are super strong when it comes to magic, then there's you—mage-type fighter—and then there are the 4, the strongest.
They have infinite mana because they are vessel and aura.
And lastly me, who awakened from the 4, who can use demon and human mana and become neutral as well.
Not to mention aura, but additionally blood as well."
Then he said, "That's because you awakened from the 4.
That's cool. What if someone awakens by you?"
I said, "That's another disaster." He said, "How so?"
I said, "Well, I saw slimes divide themselves based on the elements they use."
He said, "Yeah, I know that one—when they have water and fire, they split into two.
The first one only water, and the other one fire."
Then I said, "I used my demon mana and divided myself into 4.
The first one—demon mana.
The second one—blood. The third one—who can use mana but since can't replenish mana, got into combat.
And the last one—hunter." And he asked their names.
I said, "Well, you know it's kinda hard, but yeah. The first one is Alpha."
He was shocked and said, "Alpha? Alpha the serial?!" Then I said, "Yes."
He said, "So he's killing those who have connection to mana drainer and using demon's name, right?"
I said, "Yep, he is one of the demon imperial's assassins."
He said, "Man, what about the second one?" I said, "It's Beta.
He is leading in war between demons. He's a vampire kingdom strategist." And he said, "Damn man, you used your lack of mana and perfectly changed it to a clear advantage.
" I said, "I'm the third here. I'm protecting my lover and friends, maintaining wealth in my hand."
He said, "Damn bro, you've gone that far. I thought I already knew a lot about you."
I said, "Nah bro, you probably know about the fourth me.
Don't worry, it's Sigma—the streamer hunter."
He said, "You're gonna be the most powerful person on this planet if you get back to being one."
I said, "After I finish the mission and make sure those who I care about are safe."
he said, "I'm gonna assist you. Just tell me the one you're after."
I said, "But you may have to sacrifice your lover, you know? If they find out that you know about it, it's all over for me.
You know that, right?" He said, "I'm not sloppy enough to do something like that."
I said, "It's Lord Alistair—the one who created the mana draining. The one I met alone.
The old man who is the principal of our school and an imperial of the demon kingdom ranked 5th."
Jian said, "I suddenly know a lot, bro. A lot." he said, "First thing's first—I'm gonna teach you how to fight.
You're not gonna say you're fighting Combat One."
And I said, "Then what is it?" He said, "I watched some of your videos from Zephyr's phone while I was spying.
It opened my eyes.
You fight with agility, quick response, and flash dash techniques—making your speed on another level.
That made you defeat even the giant serpent. That's a lot. If you get to struggle with... What if I teach you?"
How to fight? Then I said, "Okay cool."
He said, "You respond to attacks by forcing your body to react logically.
But what if I told you that you can adapt to any fighting style if you learn Qi or Ki?
With it, you will have the ability to tell people apart and even know who they are without hearing their voice or seeing them."
I was shocked by his offer and accepted it.
Then he said, "Go change."
I said, "What do you mean by that?"
He said, "Go and change. You're not gonna sleep after motivating me, are you?"
I said, "Nah broo, I'm gonna go with ya. Let's train."
I actually regret what I said.
He took me to the nearest mountain
We stayed at the waterfall meditating the whole night. It was kinda getting close to class's first day.
Then we finished the meditation and he said, "Let's go home.
But this time, we are gonna go from this mountain top by running to the ground while covering our eyes and running full speed."
I said, "Let's go."
There were so many trees there.
I slammed into one, blacked out, then woke up again and continued.
After a while, I lost all my teeth—but good thing even my teeth can regenerate.
Then we ran the whole district at the fastest speed we have using just normal strength speed, and it was remarkable.
But he beat me to the dorm.
We changed clothes and got out.
We said, "Let's eat something first."
We headed to the cafeteria and ate a whole lot of food.
Once we finished eating, we went straight to class.
We pressed the class bell and Rowan said, "Get in, please."