Skyler finally crawled his way out of the volcano on the ninth day. His new clothes, the ones he had worn before being tossed in the volcano, were now tattered rags. He gasped for air, each breath an effort, his vision hanging by the thinnest of threads.
Yet, he still caught sight of the pairs of silver-clad, infuriating long legs that came to a stop before him. The calamity raised his gaze and looked behind him, or more specifically, at the big army of ice giants emerging from the volcano after him.
His lips curved upward.
"It only took you nine days to understand another Mythic skill. And to think this one was ten times more challenging than the last, requiring a lot of mental strength to form and direct. Amazing, indeed."
The calamity crouched down, meeting Skyler's gaze with a bitter, empty smile.
"I can't even fathom your comprehension speed. It's as powerful as my current self. I remember, when I was your age, I failed to learn even the weakest spell given to me. I guess things have changed in your time."
Skyler's head was throbbing, a relentless hammer against his skull. His elemental crystals were depleted, clouding his mind.
So, the man's words were a jumbled mess to him. He strained to understand, but only a few words pierced the fog, leaving him grasping at meanings he couldn't catch.
A light tap landed on his forehead, making him dizzy as a golden light rushed into his body, healing every single of his injuries.
"You must have been an excellent student who made your parents proud. I was not. I was useless who couldn't even memorize a simple essay. When I awakened as a 1-star Light, life became even more miserable."
The calamity paused for a second.
"Mother and Father were always there, but they could do little to help me. I guess my only redeeming deed was that I sacrificed myself to save Mother at the age of 20."
He looked at Skyler, who had fainted again, and then at the army of ice giants opposite him that vanished into the cold wind since the one who created them had fainted.
"I'm jealous. You now have an exceptional mind, a powerful special constitution, likely because it's not your first life. You aren't so miserable anymore. You even found a cute partner. Unlike me, who will vanish. How is this fair? Why didn't I win? Why did I die?"
His voice faded into the air as he dragged Skyler back to the same bed so the young man could rest his exhausted body.
The next time Skyler woke up, he didn't immediately sit up or move. He simply lay on the wooden bed, staring blankly at the dark ceiling, pondering if this was how his days were going to be from now on? Fight, faint, then fight, and then faint again? If so, he wanted to cry so badly. He missed Riruru and his parents. He wanted to go back!
To hell with becoming stronger!
He could become stronger with time! He doesn't need a cruel master who, for some unfathomable reason, wants to kill him!
Skyler flinched as the familiar voice, now sounding more like a devil's, echoed near him again, this time filled with calmness.
The same situation, the same voice, the same master. He knew what was coming next, but he was powerless to stop it!
"You didn't tell me your main weapon. Is it that spear? Or are you just using whatever is available and swinging it around?"
Skyler stayed silent, his lips sealed.
Still, his master got the answer.
"I see, the latter it is. No main weapon."
The calamity hovered above him. He had ensured Skyler wasn't hungry or in pain. He had treated all his injuries and provided his body with energy to ensure the kid wouldn't collapse due to the overwhelming pressure.
He opened his lips.
"Have you ever wielded a scythe?"
Skyler blinked. His interest was piqued. Instantly forgetting about the suffering he had gone through the past many days, he whipped his head toward his master.
"A scythe? Not used, but I've seen one."
His master nodded, a thoughtful look flashing in his eyes, and moved back.
"That's my main weapon. Now that you don't have a main weapon, how about I teach you what I have learned so far?"
Skyler immediately sat up.
"How suspicious. That actually doesn't sound evil or dangerous... This training will be different, right? In weapon training, you'll be teaching me personally. So, I won't be thrown into a pit or volcano, right?"
Silence followed his words. And he felt a shiver run down his spine. Why did he feel as if the weapon training would be even more evil than the ones he had done?
Still, he was distracted when suddenly the calamity took out a weapon and stabbed the space before the bed he was lying on.
Skyler moved closer to take a better look. What greeted him made his breath hitch. It was a weapon he felt was made for him. A dark scythe pulsing with golden energy. Its curved blade crackled with faint sparks of golden and crimson flames, fused with a blue core. The sleek shaft was connected to a smaller, reverse-edged lower blade.
It looked brutal, chaotic, and, more importantly, sparkling so exquisitely!
He lunged at the weapon.
"This weapon is mine from now on! Remember, you can't take it back!"
The calamity merely chuckled at his antics. He actually hadn't expected any less from him, considering his own reaction had been the same when he first saw the weapon.
He had actually wielded this scythe for many years, a span too vast to quantify. Its blade and shaft had broken many times in battle, but he had always repaired it, each time using even finer materials.
Suddenly, he reached out to ruffle Skyler's hair, eyeing the hint of brown it still held.
"Take care of it. It's precious to me."
Skyler nodded rather eagerly, hiding the weapon in his storage ring so his master wouldn't take back his words.
"I will. It's precious to me as well."
What he failed to notice was how the man standing beside him stiffened hearing his words. Then a bright smile lit up his gaze.