[Are you expecting me to tell you it’s okay to be scared?
That you can run away from this forever?]
I pressed my lips together, the weight in my chest growing heavier by the second. "I just… I don’t know what will happen. I don’t know what he’ll do when he sees me. I don’t even know what I am to him."
[And that terrifies you, doesn’t it?]
I clenched my jaw. "...Yeah."
There was no immediate response. The silence stretched, cold and suffocating.
Then Damien finally spoke, his voice carrying none of the usual playful amusement. It was calm.
[Noah, listen to me. I am not your babysitter.]
I flinched slightly at the bluntness of his words.
[You’re waiting for me to give you an answer. For me to tell you something that will make it all easier.
But life doesn’t work that way. The world isn’t going to slow down just because you’re scared.
Your enemies won’t pause their hunt just because you’re unsure.]
I swallowed hard, feeling something physical holding on to my neck.
[You are scared of the future. Scared of what will happen when you stand before your grandfather.
Scared of what you will become.
But fear doesn’t stop time.
It doesn’t stop fate.
I exhaled, my breath shaky.
[You keep running, but you can’t run forever. Sooner or later, you will have to stand.
Sooner or later, you will have to fight. Not just for your survival, but for the right to exist as yourself.]
My fingers curled into fists.
[You are afraid because you don’t have power. But tell me, Noah—do you plan to stay powerless forever?]
I squeezed my eyes shut, hearing the heartbeat loud in my ears.
[Because the moment you stop being afraid is the moment you start taking control.
And once you take control, once you stop hesitating, the people who hunted you will no longer be the ones in charge.]
Opening my eyes again, I realised that my breath had calmed down.
[The world is cruel. It does not wait for you to be ready. So stop waiting, Noah.]
I lowered my gaze, staring at my hands—hands that had already been stained with blood.
[Make them fear you instead.]
Something inside me shifted.
A quiet, deep realization.
Fear wouldn’t stop the inevitable.
Fear wouldn’t protect me.
If I wanted to survive, if I wanted to live on my terms, then I couldn’t keep running.
I had to move forward, even if it meant walking straight into the lion’s den.
I clenched and unclenched my fists, letting out a slow, controlled breath.
[Now that is the right question.]
And with those words, the first ember of something new sparked within me.
Damien’s words echoed in my mind long after he had fallen silent.
Fear didn’t stop time.
It didn’t stop my enemies.
I let out a slow breath, feeling the weight of those words settle into my bones.
He was right—I knew he was right. Running wouldn’t change anything.
No matter how much I wanted to avoid it, sooner or later, I would have to face my grandfather.
Face the people hunting me.
Face the truth of who I was.
But knowing that didn’t make it any easier.
I turned my gaze toward the darkened window again, watching how the faint flickers of neon light seep through the edges of the curtains.
The city outside continued as if nothing had changed. But for me… something had.
I had already started down that path, but it wasn’t enough. The Slave Body Refinement Technique, the training, the battles so far— they were steps forward, but not enough to tip the scales in my favor.
I had to push further.
I closed my eyes. "Damien."
"I need more. The body refinement technique is a good start, but it’s not enough.
I need to grow stronger. Faster."
For a moment, he didn’t reply. Then—
[You’re finally thinking like someone who wants to live.]
I ignored the comment. "Do you have anything else for me?"
My heart quickened. "Then—"
[But you’re not ready for it yet.]
I scowled. "You just said—"
[And I meant every word,] Damien cut me off smoothly. [But strength isn’t just about power—it’s about control. Your body is still adjusting to the refinement technique. If I give you something too advanced now, it could kill you.]
I pressed my lips together.
[For now, focus on your training. The technique you have might not seem flashy, but it’s designed for you.
Your body isn’t meant to grow like others. Your strength is hidden, waiting.
Train, refine, and when the time is right, I will give you more.]
I exhaled sharply, forcing myself to accept his words. As much as I wanted a shortcut, I knew he wasn’t lying.
Power without control was useless.
Silence stretched between us for a moment before I spoke again.
"Earlier, when I asked where you’ve been, you never really answered."
The system had gone quiet for a long time before suddenly giving me the body refinement technique.
For a moment, there was no response.
I deadpanned. "Busy doing what?"
"...That’s not an answer."
I gave him a long, blank stare, not that he could see it. "You’re suspicious."
"...You’re hiding something."
[I have many secrets, Noah. If I told you everything, I’d lose my mysterious charm.]
I sighed. "You’re impossible."
[And yet, you keep coming back.]
I let out a small, tired chuckle. As frustrating as Damien was, I couldn’t deny that I needed him.
Maybe not just for power—but for something else, too.
I shook my head, rolling my shoulders. My body still ached, but not as much as before.
I could already feel the difference from the refinement technique, even if it was subtle.
There was no more time to hesitate.
Sylvie would be back soon, and tomorrow, we would leave for the portal.
The unknown awaited me on the other side, but this time, I wouldn’t face it as the same hesitant, fearful version of myself.
I clenched my fist, feeling the quiet strength beneath my skin.
If the world wouldn’t stop for me?
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Magic Castle = 7 Bonus Chapters~