20 Time to prove yourself 3 (2/2)

A couple of years earlier, in the Headquarters of the Mana Congregation

”Master, I don't understand. Why one can only use strength to fight? Is it forbidden to use tricks?” Asked a confused Helial.

”Boy, you can't drag in the mud the name of a Congregation, Guild or Clan while fighting. Only mercenaries and bandits use silly tricks to save themselves. And that's wrong!” flared up Vidio, who always cared more about his honor as a warrior than as a man. ”A victory is not a real victory unless you haven't trampled your enemy and your strength ha-”

”Bullshit.”

”How dare you!?” Vidio's face darkened in anger.

”So, according to you, when you are faced with someone too strong, the only thing left to do is run or die. To me it sounds like nonsense. Following this logic, running away from someone too strong for you would be a good solution, and so would be letting that person kill you. It's ludicrous. It would be like wanting to banging your head to take down a wall, instead of just picking up a tool. I have no intentions of renouncing to win against someone stronger than me just out of principle!”

”You will lose all credibility. They'll say that without those tricks you would have los-”

”Exactly! But what if I'd always win? What would a small trick matter, a little cheat? Having a trick up your sleeve, like poison or some weird substance, could save your life. It makes no sense to die doing what is right just for fear of doing something 'wrong'!”

Helial went on: ”Let's say that I'm facing a weakened opponent who is two Phases higher than me. Why shouldn't I kill him, knowing that once healed he will kill me?”

”Kid, you can't always reason like that. Sometimes that could work, but not always. And you must think about the reputations of who is backing you u-”

”So, are you saying that if there was no one to back me up I could act as I pleased, without having to worry about whose reputation I am ruining?”

”Stop interrupting me while I'm talking, kid! Yes, it would be just like that.”

”Master, I think giving up victory because the enemy is too strong is a way more cowardly thing to do rather than fight back in every possible way.”

”Listen, boy. Using tricks and killing an enemy while he's down is not unheard of. But, if who's behind those enemies found out, then they would hunt you down to the end of the world. They'll call you a coward and a criminal. That's why people do not normally pull stunts like those, to avoid giving others an excuse to target them… You'll understand when you're older. Now you're too young still.”

How can using tricks be wrong? Dying is wrong! People are just afraid to get their hands dirty… but I'm not. I won't let anyone hurt me or the people I love. I won't be restrained by some stupid formalities. And if this will prevent me from getting into a Clan or a Guild? Fuck them! I don't want to join them, I'll go on by myself and I have Lumia. Or I could found my own Guild one day, a Guild of people that share my views, who do not want to be constrained by pointless rules. People that want to live free. A Guild of freedom, without rules, a place for people that want to live light-hearted. A Guild for outcasts, for people who do not want to fit inside their stupid box.

Scared of strong powers? Scared of not being good enough? Scared of death?

I am scared of losing myself. I'm scared of not knowing right from wrong anymore, confused by the rules imposed on us by fear and weakness. I'll become strong, the strongest of all. I won't let anyone tie me down. I won't let fear clip my wings.

And when I say I'll be the strongest, I mean that I will never lose. I won't take shit from anyone. I chose to be free and I'll pay the price of it with my own blood.

Helial has suddenly stopped asking questions. Vidio turned towards him and noticed that the boy had an unusually serious look on his face. He was sure the kid was thinking about something that went beyond his comprehension as Master of the Mana Congregation.

”Enough with the long face. Let's go on.”

Helial nodded, but the shadow did not disappear from his eyes.

***

In the present

Helial took a deep breath and narrowed his eyes. He could see the Shadow approaching fast. The hand that was gripping the Longsword of Mana was held behind the body, ready to strike a lethal blow.

The corners of Helial's mouth curled upwards.

Your body is damaged by excessive mental strain.

You lost 400 HP!

There was blood on his lips now, but not even the scarlet liquid could wipe the smile on Helial' face. His cheeks were streaked with blood that, mixed to tears, ran down from his blue eyes.

Helial was crying.

He's… crying? But why? He knew what he was facing. Is he hoping to move me? He wouldn't be the first genius I watch dying, and he won't be the last one. I'm sorry kid, you were blind. Did you really think you were that strong? You're just a toad at the bottom of a well, whispered Kirin to no one in particular.

The Skill Mana Pistol has been amplified by 500%.

Helial felt the Meridians in his arm were about to rip. He had to hurry up. He had pushed the density of Mana in his fingertips to the limit. It was going to generate a bullet with devastating powers, but it also threatened to make permanent damages to his Meridians.

Boy, that won't be enough. If you could shoot him right in the face maybe you'd have a chance, but your shot won't be fast enough. You can just hope to injure him. Your Shadow is too quick, you'll never be able to hit him… Wait a second!

Kirin noticed something hidden in Helial's right hand. Something was shining in his palm.

A smile spread on Helial's face.

I am free and no one will stop me.