chapter1 (includes prologue)
characters:
Cid Kagenou, the main character
Claire Kagenou, mc's elder sister
Alpha, the first member of the Shadow Garden, elf
Beta, she likes books, second member of the Shadow Garden,
Delta, one of the members of the Shadow Garden
Viscount Grease, the first boss
Before mc reincarnated, he always have the fascination about 'shadow brokers' underground boss that controls everything. They are very strong creatures and are very intelligent but they keep themselves hidden. They are like a mob characters in stories and not many knows of their every existence. So mc trained and trained in order to become one. His training were truly bizarre and effective, but it was never enough. He wanted to be so strong that not even anyone or any type or form of attack could even faze of hurt him, even those that are weapons of mass destruction. After realizing that he could not attain such feat even if he train so much, he came to believe in magic. To be precise mana, chakra and such, in a world where it does not exists. Unfortunately, after such training to gain magic, mc became delirious and followed strange lights without knowing said lights are headlights of a truck passing. MC got hit by the truck and soon after he finds himself reborn in a new world. He retained the memories he have, including his ever growing desire to be a 'shadow broker.'
In this world, were it out of coincidence, magic exists. And because of mc's training to magic in his previous world, mc immediately grasp magic exists and soon quickly trained. But he must be vigilant. A 'shadow broker' is never the protagonist but an unknown existence. He trains by the day only showing barely to minimal effort with his father teaching him. At night, he trains with vigor and that growing desire to be the strongest.
One day, mc hears of robbers staying nearby their territory. Come night fall, mc attacked the robbers effortlessly while maintaining his chuunibyou facade. He felt cool about it. Mc took away all the loot the robbers have as a fund to start his own organization. He also found an intact living 'mound of flesh' that is overloaded with magic. Mc experimented with the body as he tries somehow healing it. (I don't think he intended to heal the body) When the body was healed of the overloaded, a beautiful elf girl was left. Mc intended for her to let her go. But somehow he made her part of his group he planned on making. Mc then tells her of an elaborate lie regarding how the elf girl came to be. She was cursed and had a bloodline of heroes. Long ago, a certain evil, Diablos, was sealed by heroes. But before the evil was sealed he cursed the heroes. Which what became of her. And then some followers were able to escape the heroes and formed a secret evil group of their own. Later on, this evil group grew large and influenced the people that the descendants of heroes are cursed and are abomonation which is why they are treated poorly. And they plan on resurrecting Diabolos. Mc's group is to stop this along. He named it Shadow Garden. The elf girl accepted her duty and thus became Alpha, the first member.
Years later, mc continued training, now along with Alpha. All the while, the group seemed to have increased in numbers, about 8 in total. When mc's sister was about to enter the academy. They have a tradition of children of nobles aged 15, they will be sent to the academy to train. His sister vanished. Mc's parents were worried since they couldn't find her and suspected it was a kidnapping.
Mc went to his group and have them help find his sister. It turns out, Alpha, is already looking into it. Beta, a new member recruited by Alpha, was their to assist mc at that time. She was busy trying to explain their findings. Mc thinks that they were still playing with the shadow garden and that his subordinates already knew of his lies and were just playing with him. Mc suddenly threw a knife on a map and blurted out his sister is there. Beta who was there explaining, quickly analyzed mc's sudden answer. She was immediately impressed. Still, mc thought she was just playing with his chuunibyou act, or something.
Later that night in the location where mc just gave, the first boss viscount Grease interrogated mc's sister. He was the one who planned the abduction, i suppose. He asked her if she was somehow afflicted with a curse before. The sister, though was hesitant at first, just explained that she was in fact felt it previously but mc somehow helped him doing basic stretches and such affliction disappeared. Viscount then suddenly became interested with mc, to which the sister suddenly enraged. But because of her shackles she couldn't do anything. When the viscount was about to experiment on the sister, the Shadow Garden infiltrated the hideout. Grease stopped with what he was about to do and went to face the infiltrators. But when he arrived on the scene, all of his guards and men were killed.
Alpha went on to fight Grease on her own. It was a one sided match, with Alpha winning. She wanted to keep Grease alive for interrogation but the first boss used a power up item in order to escape. Right when the other members of the Shadow Garden tries to give chase, Alpha mentions that the mc is already there. Then, they were even more impressed with mc.
In reality, mc was actually lost. Grease finds mc and attacks him. He fended every attack easily. Then Grease used another power up item. But mc was growing even more bored and so he defeated him with a single attack.
After the infiltration, mc and his group left taking all the documentation and such that they needed to investigate further the evil organization, the Cult of Diabolos. When mc's sister left for the academy, the members of Shadow Garden agreed to leave and move on their separate way in order to do more investigation and such while always leaving a single member to stay with mc. Mc thought that it was their way of saying goodbye to him. He thought that his member have 'grown up' and wanted to stop playing with him. Mc agrees but he never mentioned his thoughts. He bade them farewell before sending them off. Mc's fascination of being a shadow broker ever grows strong. So even if he is going to be alone, he will continue to be one.
The of the chapter tells the back story of Beta, the next recruit after Alpha. She joined Shadow Garden because she was only following Alpha. She had no resolve whatsoever. At first, during missions where they were meant to kill, she had a hard time, either she vomit after ward or she couldn't get a goodnight's rest. One night, mc approaches Beta and tells her of children's story from the world before he was reincarnated. These stories help ease Beta's mind. Mc did it many times with her, probably with different stories each time. Soon, Beta found herself a reason of staying the group, not just for following Alpha, but to be with mc who saved her when she was still afflicted with the curse and giving her a second chance in life. And so she followed him as a member of the Shadow Garden.
Chapter2
characters:
Princess Alexia Midgard, sister of the renown genius princess and mc's fake girlfriend
Princess Iris Midgard, the renown genius princess in term of swordsmanship
Instructor Zenon Griffey, the sword instructor in the swords class one, also part of the royal army
Po Tato, mc's friend in the school
Skel Etal, mc's friend in the school
Cid Kagenou, mc
When mc was finally sent to the academy, he maintained himself to be not too bad but not too good. Managing only to be at close to the bottom, just enough to be not notice by main characters while being able to observe them. During one occasion, mc lost in a bet and as a punishment, he must confess to their school campus beauty, Princess Alexia. Mc found this to be helpful, even though he somehow lost interest in beautiful girls since his group, the Shadow Garden, is already full of beautiful girls. With mc proposing and then being rejected, it will seal the deal of him becoming one of the many side characters that fell in love and got their heart broken.
Unfortunately, when mc confessed to the princess, she accepted. At first everyone got surprise since mc's a total nobody. But comes next day, he tries changing his attitude to have the princess break off with him but it was to no avail. Mc was also sent to join the princess in the swords class one, even though mc is only from class nine (the lowest).
During the class, the instructor Zenon Griffey would talk to princess Alexia with regards to mc. And the princess seemingly feeling angry and somehow wants the instructor to leave her alone. Mc concludes he was only being used as a shield towards the instructor. When mc confronted the princess, she did not deny mc's allegation. In fact, she even stated that she truly hates the instructor, especially how he portrays himself as mr. perfect. She even remarked that no one is perfect. Mc wanted out of their fake relationship but with the power of money, mc stayed with her. Though seemingly, he's just actually acting.
The two continue on for two weeks with being in a relationship as well training. Then one day, the princess tells mc that she will defeat the instructor, in a spar combat, and once and for all stopping his move towards her. Next day, mc was confronted by the Instructor Zenon. Princess Alexia is missing and the main culprit was the mc. He was invited by the royal army for investigation.
chapter3
characters:
Princess Iris, elder sister and a renown genius in swordsmanship
Princess Alexia, kidnap
Instructor Zenon Griffey
Claire Kagenou, minor scene, she shows up to try and plead for mc's innocence
Alpha, on field commanding officer
Beta, on field assistant to Alpha
Delta, a battle junkie, she really likes cause chaos
Gamma, assigned with battle tactics
Epsilon, support role
Luna, president of Mitsugoshi Ltd. company, they own a mall that sells seemingly otherworldly goods
Millia, the daughter of the first boss.
Labcoat guy
Cid Kagenou, mc
After the interrogation, mc was let go. But there were some people other than the members of Shadow Garden that were tailing him. Back in his dorm, he first met with Alpha who tended to his superficial injuries. Mc asked why she was there when it was supposed to be Beta's turn to be with him. She tells mc that Beta will be with him shortly. When Alpha left, Mc tidied up his place to make it look more like a grand room for an epic bosses. When Beta arrive, she informs mc of their plan to during the many facilities of the Cult of Diabolos within the capital. She also mentioned that they employed '114' personnel to do the ground work. All the while, mc was still thinking that they were just playing with him. He was even somehow surprised that they were able to gather that many people to join their cause, that mc thought that he just made up. During the process, once they find the whereabouts of princess Alexia, they will focus on that. She mentions Alpha will be the commanding officer in the small skirmish. She will assist him in the field. Gamma is assigned with battle tactics. Epsilon will be supporting Delta. Delta will be causing the much chaos among them. Mc then hands beta a letter.
Meanwhile, during the time of interrogation, princess Iris was somehow one of the officers who were leading her sister's investigation. During her talk with Zenon Griffey, mc's sister Claire, barged in and plead mc's innocence. Zenon threw her out. Although, princess Iris felt symphatetic to how Claire felt. On the side of princess Alexia, she woke up and she found herself restraint. She was unable to use her magic. The last thing she remembered was when she bid farewell to mc and then she blacked out. She then saw a creature that to the reader's may already know is afflicted with the curse cause by Diabolos. The creature was tied down, it was restrained and shackled much worse than her. After that, a labcoat guy enters and took blood from both Alexia and the creature, he mentions they needed their blood to make more demons. All of which Alexia is unknowledgeable about.
When they executed the plan, mc tells Beta to accompany her to the place of the abduction. It was mentioned in the letter that mc handed to her. When they arrived at the place, they found princess Alexia's shoes with traces of magic and such. Then appears two knights, the same knights who interrogated and beat mc for 5 days. They thought they could overpower mc. Unfortunately, it seemed like mc couldn't hold his anger much longer or perhaps he just wanted to show off. He quickly disposed of the two. In the capital, sounds of explosions, fighting and swords clashing is heard. The plan was on the way. Among the many destruction caused was when Delta sliced and destroyed a building on her own.
In the side of Alexia. She felt the tremors and heard the distant fighting outside. When the labcoat guy enters feeling both serious and belittling the ongoing onslaught, Alexia tries persuading him to let her go. But labcoat guy was not moved. He then took out a syringe and injected a fluid into the restraint creature that was with Alexia. Suddenly the creature grew in size and power, it broke out of its restraints. The labcoat guy felt himself powerful since he is about to unleash a power monster to aid them against their enemies. Suddenly, the creature smashed labcoat and instantly killing him. The creature somehow helped Alexia to break free from her shackles. When she got out of the cell she was imprisoned, she found Zenon Griffey walking towards her.
The instructor then admitted it was him who planned the princess's abduction and that he, being part of the Cult of Diabolos, required the blood of the princess as well as the creature. He mentioned that he planned to be the one to take credit of rescuing her, so that he may be promoted to the highest rank of the knights, the Knights of Round. The two clashed and with Alexia almost losing, enters mc donned in mask hiding his identity.
Outside, the knights of the order are getting wiped out by the empowered creature. Princess Iris came to help. At first she was winning but with the creature's regenerative ability, she soon find's herself on the losing end. Then enters Alpha. She introduced first introduced herself to Iris and soon after says her empathy towards the creature being beaten but always regenerating. With slash, Alpha managed to slay the creature and from it's corpse appeared the dead body of a young girl. It was Millia and she was holding the dagger that was a present from his father.
Back on mc's side. Zenon tries engaging mc first but he was easily dodging the blows. When the instructor felt himself being underestimated he increased his attack but mc just brushed them off while lightly attacking on vital points. When Zenon finally understands he could not beat mc, he took out pills and ingested it. They were the same power up medicines the first boss used. Much the like the creature from earlier, Zenon grew both in size and strength and somehow his body can hardly be considered that of human. Mc sighed. He was disappointed at how weak his opponent was. He gathered up power around him and unleashed his ultimate attack: I AM ATOMIC. It obliterated Zenon as well as making a giant hole upward from the underground facility they were in. Mc left the scene without much trace. During the whole fight, princess Alexia found herself drawn in on the persona who rescued her. Soon after, the boss fight, princess Iris finds Alexia lying on the ground. The two hugged each other after being reunited for such a long time.
After the incident, mc met with Alexia on the school's rooftop. She thanked mc about his remarks liking her own sword style. Then she reveals that she was just using him against Zenon. Somehow, mc already knew about this long before and now that he no longer has any use for her, he's finally free. He really never wanted to standout. She also asks mc if he would like to continue having a relationship with her to which mc outright refused. Princess Alexia immediately became infuriated with it, she attacks mc with her sword. Rumors of a pool of blood on the rooftop suddenly spread around their school. There was no corpse found though.
Few days later, Alexia and Iris have finally gotten over their estrangement. Alexia asks her sister how to ask for a geniune apology for a guaranteed forgiveness. Iris couldn't answer it as there seemed to be no answer for her question. Alexia then shrugged off any more inquiries her elder sister would ask. Iris then concludes that although her sister is wary of people she must have finally found a true friend. Another few days hence, the two princesses went to a mall that is selling otherworldly goods. The owner of the mall is an elf named Luna.
chapter4
characters:
Cid Kagenou, mc
Po Tato
Skel Etal
Princess Iris Midgard
Princess Alexia Midgard
Sherry Barnett, renown research genius
Lutherans, assistant principal of the academy, father figure to Sherry
Glen, a knight that is stationed to guard Sherry
Gamma, one the original member of Shadow Garden. Considered by mc as the brain of the team. She can sometimes be clumsy.
Nu, also known as Thirteen, she serves under Gamma, she an employee of Mitsugoshi Ltd.
During the last days of classes, before summer break, mc and his two buddies, Po and Skel, were taking their sword class. Since mc has broken up with princess Alexia, he went back to the lower classes. One of them mentions about the up coming sword tournament. Both Po and Skel stated that they will be joining. When mc was about to say he won't, Skel said that he already registered mc. This infuriated mc but he didn't show him. It's because mc just wanted to have a peacefuland quiet outside lifee and joining will just make him standout. In a lightning fast and impossible to see motion, mc smacked Skel into collapsing. The two conscious friends helped their fallen friend to the nurse clinic. Before getting there, mc noticed both princess Alexia and princess Iris as well as other knights entering their school. They were rumored to be conducting an investigation on something. MC remembers Alexia mentioning to him that her sister Iris was forming a new knight unit.
Following the princesses and the knight unit. Princess Iris requested for an aid to the renown genius in research Sherry Barnett. They wanted an artifact found in one of the facility of the Cult of Diabolos to be investigated. Though Sherry was reluctant at first, with the motivation from his father figure Lutherans, she accepts. Glen was assigned to guard Sherry since there was a fire incident with the gathered evidence against the Cult of Diabolos. Any information and items, that went leaked and in possession of the knight orders were destroyed during that incident. And it was highly likely, the Cult would attack Sherry who is currently investigating the artifact. Alexia was permitted to join her sister's knight order, she was allowed to investigate the movement of the Cult and it's involvement with the fire incident case but only when it's not too dangerous.
After class, evening, the three friends, went to the mall as suggested by either Po or Skel in order make up for mc, somehow. He tried cancelling his registration after classes but he wasn't able to since the participants have already been paired. His friends mentioned to mc about chocolates, something otherwordly, and they were supposed to gift it to girls to come like them.
When they got there, there was a line of queue of 80 minutes just to enter. Mc tries persuading the other two that they won't make it back before curfew but his friends were unmoved. Although, one of them also mentioned of a roaming slasher/serial killer, the other laughed it off and says that they are knights in training and they could handle it. Mc was interested with the slasher/serial killer rumors. So the three stayed in line. Suddenly, an employee approached the three students and asked for mc to follow her for an interview. Both Po and Skel wanted to join but the employee said that mc would be enough. Mc agreed and followed. When they entered the mall, mc was guided to the backrooms and into the employee only office door. When mc entered he found a long hallway and a throne at the end. The whole room were glamourously decorated fit only for royalty. Beside the throne was a beautiful elf. It was Gamma, one of the original 7 members of the shadow garden. She may not be the strongest in their team but she certainly has the smarts and brain to keep up with others.
Mc is led and seated to the throne. He was very much impressed on how Gamma prepared everything. He used his magic to recover a portion of everyone health as well as help circulate their magic ability. It's a menial task for mc, he considered it even as nothing but just to put on a show. But to everyone, it was truly a blessing. Everyone in the throne felt exalted, especially Gamma. Gamma reveals that their organization owns the mall as well the Mitsugoshi Ltd. company and they have already branched out to different countries. She got all her product ideas from mc whenever he would tell her about products from the otherworld. Everything was kept hidden from mc. He then felt a bit dejected, since it was from him that they were getting this success. While on the otherhand, mc is left poor. Where his previous money went, it was not mentioned. Mc tries borrowing a bit of money. Suddenly, a big cart loaded with money enters the throne room. Mc was surprised and he felt reluctant at first since it was too much and he could not possibly return it in case he borrowed that many. This was misunderstood by Gamma. Mc noticed and immediately took a few coins that were worth 3 million. Going back into a more serious matter, Gamma reports to mc that they haven't yet found the culprit for the recent incidents. Mc nods automatically. But in truth, he was completely baffled. He do not know what's going on. Gamma continued that the incident was about the recent serial killing, the 'slasher' that was at large. The culprit was mentioned to be claiming as part of their organization, Shadow Garden. (at this point, mc still things that the girls are just playing with him, even the decorated throne room that Gamma prepared for him was just for his grand performance).
There was also a flash back scene of how Gamma got to join the Shadow Garden. From how it was hard for her when she was still afflicted with the curse to when she joined and got curse lifted. At first, she had it roughed since she wasn't as strong as the others. But somehow, mc tells her of his 'Shadow Wisdom' knowledge about otherworld products (mainly from things mc normally find in stores, chocolates, perfumes, items and such). This motivated Gamma. She thought that mc knew of her weaknesses and so he imparted her with knowledge to able to stand beside her collegeas. She then went on to be a successful business tycoon, all in order to serve the cause of Shadow Garden.
After hearing the report, mc already arrived at a conclusion. He was once more misunderstood by subordinate, Gamma felt helpless since shouldn't be of any use to mc. But she will try harder. She then calls for Nu, to serve directly under mc. She was the same employee that guided mc into the throne room. Mc accepted her service. Before leaving, he asked for some chocolate for him and his friend. He was willing to pay at a discounted price but Gamma just gave him anyway.
Mc suspected it was princess Alexia who was the culprit. Since after breaking up with her, she went on a bloodlust raged that made the incident on the rooftop. And it was only Alexia who was alive to see Shadow. As for the reason, she has none.
After leaving the mall, the three friends went hurrying home since they were past their curfew. But suddenly, mc hears clashes of swords. His two friend didn't hear anything. Mc wanting to go investiage, he made an excuse that he could no longer control his bowel movement, he needed to take a shit even out in the street. The two friends understood and promised to keep it a secret. When the two left, mc went to the fighting scene.
When he arrived, he found Alexia fighting a figure cloaked in black. His hunch was incorrect and his suspect was found innocent. The figure cloaked in black kept repeating: we are Shadow Garden. Mc waited and observed.
Alexia overpowers the figure but suddenly she was attacked from behind. Two figures suddenly appeared. Now she had to face three of these strong figures cloaked in black. When she was finally backed at a corner, she took out a pill, it was the same the power up medicine used by the first and second bosses. But before she could use it, mc suddenly showed himself in guise of Shadow. He quickly eliminated one of the figure. The other two ran away. Before he could follow after them, Alexia tried to ask him questions. Mc stayed to humor her questions with no concrete answers. He was making an effort to sound cool. Then she states that she will kill those who try to hurt his love ones. Mc suddenly let out his bloodlust, the battered princess fell and trembled. Mc disappered in the darkness. Alexia then desperately stood and tried walking to get back to and call for help. She knew her condition would only get worse if she stayed there. Fortunately, her sister, Iris, showed up to help her. In the scene where the fight happened, Iris noticed the power up medicine on the ground. Alexia tried to make her sister not mind it.
MC gave chase to the fleeing figures. He killed another one. When he was about to subdue the survivor, Nu appears. She tells mc that she'll take care of the rest. She has an effective way of extracting information. Mc left it to Nu. Next day, a body hanged on the main street of the capital. Its face warped in agony and despair. Written on its stomach: Path of Fools.
Back to princess Alexia who is now in the comfort of her dorm room. She was resting in her own room and her elder sister taking care of her. Alexia then tells Iris not to fight the Shadow Garden but Iris's mind is unchanged. She tells her little sister that her fear as well her sympathy to the Shadow Garden was probably the due to the trauma she had when she was kidnapped and also of the medicines she was taking. Nonetheless, be it the Cult of Diabolos or the Shadow Garden, as long as the pose a threat to the kingdom, they are Iris's enemiies. She also added that the cult may have already infiltrated not only the knight orders but also the higher ups of the government, which is why she was funding the new knight unit out of her own pocket. Alexia is moved by her sisters conviction and declares she will help her. But Iris rejected it. Alexia was under house arrest for the crimes of stealing evidence, the power up medicine Iris noticed in the scene of the fight.
chapter5
characters:
Cid Kagenou, mc
Po Tato
Skel Etal
Sherry Barnet, academy of science student research genius
Lutherans, assistant principal of the academy, father figure/poster father to Sherry
Lukreia, the deceased mother of Sherry, also a researcher
Nu, an employee of Mitsugoshi Ltd. She serves under Gamma and is lent to assist mc with the slasher/serial killing incident
Rose Oriana, princess of an allied kingdom, Kingdom of Oriana. Daughter of King Raphael Oriana. Currently, the known strongest student in term of swordsmanship in the academy, after Princess Iris graduated. A transfer student and also president of the Student Council. She is currently in her second year.
The next day, mc noticed that everyone were trying hard to hide their laughter towards him. Apparently, mc's excuse of taking a number outdoor spread throughtout class. Mc glared at his two friends. It was apparent his two friends were 'good' at keeping secret, especially if it would damage mc's reputation. Skel then tells them that they will commence their prior plan during lunch. They will give the chocolate they got to girls in order to woo them.
During lunch time, Skel tries giving his chocolate to an upperclassman. But he was stopped by the girl's fiancee. He was then invited to a serious, fun and nice chat by the fiancee of the girl. Both mc and Po leaves the scene. With Skel now left behind, mc and Po went to the library. Apparently, Po had been eyeing a girl. He went on explaining to mc, unlike Skel who just go and give gift to a random girl without knowing who they were, Po already knew everything about the girl he is tracking/stalking. When Po went to his target, he was chased off. The girl was screaming and calling him a stalker.
Having no interest at the mission. Mc gave his chocolate at the first random girl he met in the library without any context or what so ever. When the girl tries asking mc, he just hurriedly left.
Going back to the researcher commissioned by princess Iris knight order. Lutherans find Sherry holding a box of chocolate in her hands. She explains it to his foster father that it was given to her in the library by a student she have never met. Lutherans tells her it was love at first sight and that she must give him a proper response. He went on saying that the box of chocolate she got was from a famous company and acquiring such thing is by no means an easy task. Afterwards, he asks Sherry how her research is going. She tells him there's a unique code written in the artifact and it was the same as the ancient code her deceased mother, Lukreia, was researching on. Lutherans then tells Sherry she is requested by a college town to study there, right before having a fit of coughs. Sherry refuses the opportunity and tells him that she'd rather stay with her foster father to take care of him instead. She was grateful to Lutherans to how he took care of her when her mother died.
After classes, before mc went back to his dorm, he was approached by an upperclassman. It was Nu. Mc was somehow shocked at how different she looked. She tells mc that she's good at using make up. She always wanted to feel being a student at a school. She remembers a bit of her past. She was a daughter of a marquess until her the curse of Diabolos appeared. Her wanting to meet mc in broad daylight is just one of her many desire she couldn't simply ignore. Mc understood her fantasies and her apparent regret.
After going to a lonely place in the campus, Nu begins her report. She was not able to acquire any information from the figure mc caught no matter how she interrogated the person. She tells mc that the figure is perhaps a Third child of the Cult of Diabolos.
She explains to the reader that the Cult have been abducting orphans and children. They experiment on them and put them many training to make super soldiers. The Third Children are the weakest of the few who've successfully complete such experimentation and training. They normally have low intelligence and have unstable mind. The Second Children are intelligent enough to be ordered with more complex task and have stable mental capacity. The First Children are those who are the greatest of the three and their prowess are comparable to world class fighters and such. Beyond these three type of children are those who exceeded expectation assigned to them or have made great contribution their cause. They are given names. And they are called Named Children. Most of these Name Children usually came from the First or the Second. They are given more incentive to the point of being able to join higher positions in the government as well a position in the Round of the Knight Order. All of these information came from a Named Child of Diabolos that is now part of the Shadow Garden.
Nu didn't mention these to mc because she thought he knew already. For mc's subordinate, probably the main reason why he is mostly kept in the dark is because they thought mc already knew everything. And them telling mc something he already know or something that is common knowledge within their organization is a taboo, it was insulting to mc. Though, in truth, mc knows little to nothing at all.
Nu continues with her report that a certain Named Child of the Cult had appeared in the capital, Rex, the game of betrayal. He was seen gathering their forces for some purpose.
After her report, Nu requested her to walk with mc. Mc indulges her with her fantasy. The two walked away with their arms linked together. Although Mc was nervous all the while.
Next day, the preliminary for the sword tournament commences. Mc is pitted against Princess Rose Oriana. Although he could withdraw and just stay with his friend who in their own circumstances have to withdraw, one got hurt badly by the fiancee of an upperclassman, while the other is accused of criminal offense, MC chose to fight. He want to give his most beautiful perfomance of being a weak mob character. He will make himself in the most brilliant, spectacular and very believable way any audience will see.
The battle went with mc being complete overpowered but he kept standing up trying to face his opponent no matter how heavily beaten he may seem to get. Somehow, due to this, mc got misunderstood. Princess Rose acknowledged mc's indomitable will in face of an opponent many folds stronger. Even though all of it were an act. And in order to show her respect to mc, she readies to unlease her ultimate attack. Unfortunately, the referee stepped in and ended the match. Mc wanted to keep on going but to how the referee sees it, mc is about to die. It was an overwhelming victory for Princess Rose. She bowed her head to the fallen mc to show him her respect.
After the fight, mc slipped out so as not to be taken to the doctor. It was all staged and it would only be suspicious in case he went to the doctor and he was already fine even though in the perfomance there were blood, may blood, and he's badly beaten. When he was about to go back, Sherry suddenly appeared. She tells mc that even though she didn't like fights and battles, she watched his match. She asks him if he was alright. Mc says he is. Then she handed him a box of cookie. She tells mc that they should start as a friend first. Mc didn't know but it her who he gave his chocolate in the library. The assistant principal appears to help Sherry just in case. Only when mc saw Lutherans that mc realized who the girl he was talking with. When Lutherans finds the two have became friend he left them. Sherry insisted on taking mc to see the doctor but he refuse. instead, he invites her to have a cup of tea to go along with the cookie she made for him. Sherry gladly accepts.
Mc finds Sherry to be a main character type, someone he must not get connected with if he so want to conitnue being a background character.
After their little, get together, in his mind, Mc wishes for them to no longer meet. Afterwards, mc asked to have a five days of leave to recuperate from his bruise, this is so to make himself not to be seem suspicious. If he get back to class being alright and fine with no injury or whatsoever after the performance of him being thrashed and beaten during the prelimenary match, his cover would be totally blown.
Back to Sherry who was doing her research with the artifact. There was something that keep bugging her mind or rather her heart. Since Mc was absent for quite while. She couldn't stop thinking about him. Especially, since after the match, though he was badly beaten, he still went out his way to have a tea with her. She also heard rumors that mc and princess Alexia, one of the knights who asked her for the artifact research, had actually dated. When she could no longer concentrate with the research, she went to the person closest to her for inquiry. She went to princess Alexia's dorm room.
When Sherry got to Alexia's dorm, the princess thought she would be asking for assistance for the research she was commissioned. Both her tone and demeneor were serious. But it was not for the research. Instead, Sherry wanted to talk about mc and what's her relationship with him. Alexia tells Sherry that they did date but it was all fake and the two have just broken up. Upon hearing this, Sherry's tone and attitude began to cheer up. She tells the princess that she was glad and both mc and her have just became friends. When Sherry left the room, a sound of glass breaking can be heard.
Chapter6
characters:
Cid Kagenou, mc
Skel Etal, mc's friend 1
Po Tato, mc's friend 2
Princess Rose Oriana
Sherry Barnett, genius researcher
Rex, Game of Betrayal, a Named Child of the Cult of Diabolos
Glen, Lion's Mane, vice commander of the Crimson Order, the knight unit of Princess Iris
Marco Granger, a knight of the Crimson Order
Sir Gaunt, seemingly a superior officer in the Cult of Diabolos. Former part of the knights order's Knights of Round.
When mc returns back to school, after his supposed rest. an ongoing campaign of the student council was being held. He was with his two buddies. Skel asks where the higher years were, po answers they're out for an after school program. so basically only the first and second years were in school. Right when the speeches began, mc suddenly felt his magic powers being blocked it was not only for him but for everyone in the academy. A certain anti magic field seemed to have appear. Suddenly a loud explosion sounded outside. Figures claiming to be part of shadow garden enters the classroom and tells everyone they're taking over the school.
At this moment, Mc felt joyous. he was waiting for this to happen all his life. A terrorist attack in school.
When the figure orders everyone to stand down and obey their orders, the student council Rose Oriana, did not obey. She stood up against the terrorist. Mc knew that no one else, at that very moment, have realized that their magic power is being blocked. The figure suddenly launched an attack against the Rose Oriana. When she tried to fight back she could not feel her magic power. She suddenly felt helpless because it was too late for her. But Mc cannot have that. The main protagonist cannot be the first one to die. He suddenly put on a dramatic show as her shield to the in coming attack. Mc 'receives' the full brunt of the attack. It was a background character's duty to be the first victim, as said by mc.
Mc is thrown on ground. Rose Oriana saw the pool of blood beneath mc growing larger and larger. She went to mc to hold him in her hands. Somehow, she misunderstood mc as she connected every pieces from when they first met, their match in the preliminary, how always stood up with all her attacks then and now him saving her. She felt mc's dying love for her. She had many suitors before but no man would have ever done that for her. She vowed to avenge mc. But at a proper time. Rose Oriana bowed her head and obeyed the terrorists. The students were ordered to form a line and go to auditorium in an organized manner with their hands tied to each other. Mc is left 'lifeless' on the floor.
When everyone is out of the classroom, Mc revives himself. The bruise he sustained was real but not enough to be fatal. He managed to get pass the anti magic field by manipulating his mana, barely. He used his magic to heal himself, although it took a while longer. When mc felt was able to move more freely, he leaves the classroom.
Mc went to rooftop to assess the situation. He always wanted to do this. 'To gaze down at the campus from the rooftop.' Mc also scrutinized how unartistic the terrorists planned their attack. A black costume must be worn during the night, mc says. In his disappointment, mc used his slime ability to make a bullet and killed two black figures. He then spotted Sherry who was raning away hysterically. He shoots her pursuer dead. But Sherry was too paranoid to notice. Mc then gets to the hallway to join her. But before that he finds yet another dark figure about to grab her. Mc rushed at attacker at full speed.
Sometime during the start of the attack, Sherry was too absorbed with her research. It was to the point that she was unaware of the surrounding commotions. She was only brought back to her when broken mirror stinged her face when a dark figure impersonating Shadow appears bursting from the window. At first he wanted to announce he is from the Shadow Garden but he him threw away his black mask and tells his real name. It was Rex, Game of Betrayal. His mission is to retrieve the artifact Sherry was investigating. The two knights guarding her, Glen and Marco tries fighting the villain in order to give Sherry a chance to escape. She ran off with the the pendant artifact all the while covering her ears muffling the sound bloodcurdling screams behind her.
In Sherry's pov. She was trying her best to hide and run away from her the terrorst. Everytime, she find herself about to be attacked or discovered, she hears a 'woosh' and she find herself alone and safe. It happened a few times until she tripped and found mc. He was covered in blood and was having a hard time catching his breath. After checking up on him, mc scolds Sherry for being clumsy and wearing loud tapping shoes while she was running and hiding. Sherry only nodded as her response.
Mc and Sherry went to the assistant principal's office. She rummages through files and documents. She then showed and explained to mc that the terrorists are using an artifact, Eye of Avarice in order to absorb the magic thereby making an anti magic field. Registered personnel coded in the Eye of Avarice makes able to use magic. She then show mc the artifact she was investigating for the knights unit of princess Iris, the pendant. She tells mc it is part of the Eye of Avarice and that it may deactivate the artifact if it is tinkered with and joined together.
The said device/artifact that was storing magic and making the use of magic impossible was part of a research she had conducted before. It posed potential dangers to the academy so Sherry had surrendered it to the kingdom to be stored away.
Sherry planned to modify the pendant artifact she has and use it to disable the Eye of Avaric the terrorist are using. It doesn't have to be put together. Simply having the two artifacts in close proximity would deactivate the anti magic field. That way the captured students as well school personnels would be able to fight back against the terrorists. She went on to tell mc about an underground passage hidden behind a bookshelf in the assistant principal's office. She tells mc that only the principal and her knows this secret passage way. Upon opening it, there were no trace of it being used. Sherry felt her foster father was being held captive as well. At this point, even though Sherry was fearful, upon thinking about how she was always helped by his foster father. She felt herself the need to also help and save others. That is what made her think of their plan. Basically, go to the auditorium, where the Eye of Avarice is and throw the artifact she currently has. It will outright disable the anti msgic field.
But before all that, she have to tinker with the pendant artifact first. Mc is thrilled to hear the plan of Sherry. There will be another great performance for him to act once they start rescuing the students and school personnel. Mc goes out to go to the 'bathroom.'
In the auditorium where the students are being held hostages, Rex enters and reports to his superior, Sir Gaunt. He tells his superior that they have complete overtaken the campus and the knights order were outside. He goes on to say that the knights were not worth their time. But Sir Gaunt, didn't mind the situation. He only wanted the artifact pendant that was in the possession of the Sherry. Rex tells him not to worry since he knows where the artifacts is.
Before leaving, Rex tells Sir Gaunt that they may have a bit of a problem. A few of their men died. Sir Gaunt immediately concludes it's the real Shadow Garden. Sir Gaunt belittles the might of their oppositions, after all he was formerly part of the knight's strongest. After Rex leaves, Sir Gaunt tells himself his goal was about to become real and he will once again be part of the Knights of Rounds.
When Rex and his lackey starts walking down the hallway, his subordinates kept disappearing one by one after sound of a fast flying swoosh. Although he noticed it first, Rex was too late when he orders his men to stay alert. They have all disappeared. Rex then powers up. He saw a glimpse of a boy drenched in blood going at incredible speed hardly any eye could keep track. Rex could hardly keep up with the attacks of his fast foe. But then he realized, his opposition was only using an artifact to power himself up. He claimed the blood the boy was covered is enough evidence. He tells his discovery to the ultra speed attacker. He thought that sooner or later, the boy will eventually run out. He was then suddenly thrown into a classroom, there he found his missing men, all dead with signs of only a single attack done to each of them. Unfortunately, the attacks he keep getting seemed to have grown heavier and stronger. Soon enough his limbs went flying one by one. It was far too late for Rex to realize that his opponent have infinite power. In Mc's barrage against Rex, he could help but be impressed on the latter's resilience. It ended with Rex head flying.
Nu somehow managed to slip into the room where Sherry was originally supposed to do her research. She was wearing a disguise as a student of the campus. She looks at the bodies lying on the floor. She immediately identified the corpse belongs to Glen, the supposed next in line to the commander of the knight order, Crimson Order. Near him is an unconscious knight, Marco Granger. She knew who he was. He was the knight who she was supposed to be married off to. She was not fond of the knight but she did not hate him. She then reminisced what it would be like if the arranged marriage happened. She then thought it would have been one confining life.
Mc enters the room. Nu tells her who the unconscious man was. Mc tells her whether he will kill him or not. But that was not mc main concern as he opens the materials cabinet and looks for some things.
Nu reports that the Shadow Garden are now inside the campus and they were not in a good position to proceed with any plan since most of the members are not able to use their magic. Only the original 7 members would be able to. But the only original member in the capital is Gamma, and she is by no means good when it comes to fighting. Mc tells her he already got a plan. But it would take a while for him to set things up. He plans on altering an artifact that he got in order to deactivate the artifact used by their enemy that neutralize magic usage. Nu is impressed by what mc had just said. Mc asks Nu for some stuffs he was actually looking for. Nu easily found and gave them to mc.
When mc left. Nu somehow wanted to killed her ex fiancee but she chose to spare him. Although, she left a shallow cut on Marco's nape. Before leaving.
When mc returns to Sherry, he handed the items she needed in order to modify the artifact pendant she had. She took a while to finish tinkering. Mc stayed with her all the while. Although he had to occassionally go to the 'bathroom.'
When Sherry finished, she asked mc if he needs any medicine for his bowels because he seemed to have frequent the restroom while she was tinkering. Mc refused and tells her he was fine. She then proceeded with their plan. Mc then tells Sherry that it will be her and her alone that will save everyone in the campus. She let her travel the underground passage alone.
While travelling the dark passage, she reminisce her past. How she never met her biological father. How her mother killed during a robbery when she was 9 and the laughter of the murderer. How she was unable to talk due to the trauma she was scarred with. How at those dark moments, she immersed in her research and her studies just to follow the footsteps of her deceased mother. It was Lutherans that took and showed her kindness. He was her savior in her darkest times. Lutherans supported her in her research as well gave her a loving family. Through that, Sherry was able to recover. And now it's her time to repay and show her gratitude.
When she got beneath the auditorium, Sherry threw the modified artifact she had. It will automatically react with the Eye of Avarice thereby deactivating it's anti magic field.
chapter7
Cid Kagenou, mc, his alter ego, 'Shadow'
Rose Oriana, a princess from the Kingdom of Arts, Oriana.
Sir Gaunt, the 3rd boss
Nu, the subordinate under Gamma, she was lent to mc in order to assist their investigation on the slasher/serial killing happening in the capital
Lutherans, assistant principal of the academy, the third and final boss of the volume. His alter ego, Sir Gaunt of the cult of Diabolos
Lukreia, artifact researcher. deceased mother of Sherry Barnett
Alpha
Gamma
In the auditorium, Rose Oriana, the student council president, never truly yielded to the terrorists who took them hostage. With a hidden knife, she cut off the restraint binding her hands and she passed it on to the student who was near her. But she didn't act immediately, she knew they wouldn't stand a chance if they act at that moment. Especially since they cannot use their magic. And somehow, she feels that their magic is being slowly drained. She must act fast but not yet. They would only be crushed in case they do. They need an opportunity to fight back.
Suddenly, a bright light poured into the auditorium. Rose Oriana felt her magic returning. She was now able to use magic once more. She quickly kills one of the hostage takers with her barehand infused with her unrestraint magic. She took the sword and yelled to her fellow hostage magic has returned and they must now fight back. Using the sword she had, she cut left and right the restraints binding the other hostages and heads of the hostage takers. The student who got free also fought back. But it seems the were just outnumbered. Rose's magic started to diminish. She had been using her power at full all the while. But kept on with her lead. She thought of the student who sacrificed his life to save her. Then she pondered for a brief moment of herself being a princess of a kingdom of arts who wants to excel in swordsmanship.
When Rose Oriana finally felt exhausted, she looked at the bravery that her classmates were showing. She felt relieved. She had done her part. She thought perhaps that in the afterlife, she would once again meet the boy who have every truly loved her. But it was not yet her end. Right before her attackers were about to pierce her with their swords, mc in the guise of Shadow appears. He dealt with the attackers, saved Rose Oriana and told her he was impressed with her swordplay.
Mc then summons the rest of the shadow garden to continue with the rescue of the hostages. Nu appears and tells mc that the enemy leader have started a fire in the campus and fled. Mc says that he will pursue the enemy leader himself. Mc leaves in the most spectacular way.
The members of the shadow garden continued fighting the terrorists. Rose Oriana can't feel astonished and impressed on how great and magnificient the swordplay of the sudden force that appeared. They were all too different from the swordplay that she always knew. When the auditorium was caught on fire, Rose Oriana came back to her senses and helped in evacuating the other hostages.
When all the hostages have been evacuated. The group that helped them suddenly vanished without any trace. Rose Oriana can't help but wonder who they were.
Back in the assistant principal's office, Sir Gaunt is seen rummaging through the books and burning them. Mc as cid the student, suddenly appears and calls out to the villain. Mc already knew it Lutherans, the assistant principal, himself who was the leader of the terrorist attack. The villains asks mc how he knew it was him as he threw away his costume. Mc answers he just know when he saw him. Then mc asks why he did it.
Lutherans narrates his past. He was at his peak when he was suddenly afflicted with some kind of illness. Soon after, he was no more. All his greatness have diminished. Then he found a researcher that could potentially help him, it was Sherry's real mother, Lukreia. He helped her with researches and such. But when she found the Eye of Avarice, she instead chose to surrender it to the kingdom as she thought, just like Sherry, it posed a potential risk/danger. And so Lutherans killed her. The villain vividly described how he killed the researcher. And his narration went on with him meeting another researcher that will help him, it was Sherry, the daughter of Lukreia. It was thanks to them, both the mother and daughter, that the artifact is finally complete and was in his possession.
After the narration, the two had a philosopical conversation afterwards:
*
In response, Cid cracks open his eyes. “I think I understood most of it.
But…there’s one thing I don’t get.”
“Try me.”
“You said you killed Lukreia and used her daughter. Is that really true?”
Cid shifts his eyes off the book and fixes his gaze on Lutheran.
“Of course it is. Does that anger you, Cid?”
“You’ll never know… I can clearly separate what’s important to me and
what’s not, you know.” Cid slightly lowers his eyes.
“May I ask why?”
“I do it to stay focused. I have this one dream I always wanted to achieve,
and it used to seem unattainable. Which is why I kept cutting things out of
my life.”
“Oh?”
“We all go through life amassing things we cherish. We acquire friends
and lovers and jobs…and it keeps going from there. But on the other hand, I
cut things out of my life. Deciding what I don’t need. I’ve thrown so much
away. At the end of the day, all that’s left are the things I couldn’t live
without. That’s all I live for, and I don’t really care what happens otherwise.”
Cid snaps the book closed. He rises to his feet and tosses it into the fire.
“You’re telling me the fates of the foolish mother and daughter don’t
matter to you.”
“No. I said I don’t really care, but that doesn’t mean I don’t care at all.
Right now, I feel slightly…disturbed.” Cid brandishes the sword at his waist.
“I think it’s about time we start. Someone might barge in if we take too
long.”
“Yes. Sadly, we must part.”
*
It is beautifully written, at least in my opinion as a reader.
After that, they clashed swords. Unfortunately, Mc, as cid the student instantly lose and 'dies.'
When Lutherans was about to leave the scene, mc, as Shadow, appears. the villain attacks mc but seeing that he could not win, he took out a red pill (power up medicine), ingested it and he also took out the Eye of Avarice artifact. It seems to be able to pour into it's user the magic it had absorbed. With the previous bosses, when they used the the red pill, they grow in strength but their physiology becomes grotesque to a point of being no longer human. With the artifact that Lutherans used, he regained back his youth and he probably grew in strength. (I say probably since the fight with mc is completely one sided. And that's the only fight this villain in his powered up state ever fought)
At the end of the fight, Lutherans tells mc that even if defeats him, his organization, the Shadow Garden, is no more as the villain made sure that all evidence are pointed towards them. Mc laughed at the enemy's threat.
This is their conversation:
*
“I didn’t think this would be a struggle. Heh, I’m impressed. But no
matter how strong you are, I’ll end all of you.”
“What do you mean…?”
“Well, I’ve arranged for the incidents to look like they’re the work of the
Shadow Garden. From the evidence to the testimonies—everything has been
prepared. Regardless of your strength in battle, you’ll only suffer in the end.”
Lutheran chortles, screwing up his face before observing Shadow’s
response.
But Shadow is laughing. A dreadfully deep guffaw spills out of him.
“What’s so funny?”
“It’s amusing how you think something this insignificant could end us.”
Lutheran stops smiling. “You’re just afraid to admit defeat.”
Shadow shakes his head as if to say, You don’t know a thing.
“From the beginning, we’ve walked the path of neither justice nor evil.
We walk our own path.”
Shadow holds out his burning ebony coat.
“You talk big. Accuse us for the sins of the world. We’ll accept them as
our own, but nothing will change. We’ll still do what we’re meant to do.”
“You say you don’t fear opposing the world? Mighty arrogant of you,
Shadow!”
“Then crush it out of me.”
*
Mc kills the villain the same way as he, Lutherans, kills Sherry's mother. After their fight Sherry arrives in the scene. She walked past mc and towards her foster faster, who had now reverted back to his original state. Sherry asks mc, still as Shadow, how and why her foster father died. Mc answers that it would be better if she didn't know. Mc leaves as Sherry cries.
Rose Oriana rushed towards the first aid tent. She heard of a rumor of a first year boy who had a back injury. All the while after the hostagr crisis in the auditorium, she was actually looking for mc. When she got there she found mc who somehow 'miraculously' survie a fatal attack. He tells her that she accepts his feelings for her. Something that is completely onesided. Their conversation is a bit funny. The two, Rose Oriana and mc misunderstood each other. In mc's view, Rose Oriana is asking how he survived the attack. When he tells her it was miracle, and Rose Oriana says she accepts it. Mc thought Rose Oriana accepts that that is how mc was alive. In Rose Oriana's view, when she tells him that she accepts her feelings, she was actually telling him that she will love just like how he showed his love for her. With her misunderstandingly connects the pieces together previously.
Mc takes a rest afterwards with Rose Oriana by his side until dawn. Her heart race as she strokes mc's hair in his sleep. She whispers to him: *“Since you’ve saved my life…I shall give my heart to you…”*
Some time after the incident, in the Mitsugoshi Building, late at night, Alpha and Gamma were having a conversation. She was disappointed that they weren't able to join the fight. They also talked about the news articles that points out their leader Shadow as well their organization, Shadow Garden, as an enemy of the people. Alpha used to think that their organization was part of justice. But their leader was not like that. He was much more. And their Shadow Garden must be like that.
Alpha orders Gamma to gather all the original seven members of the Shadow Garden.
The chapter ends with Sherry meeting mc for one last time before leaving. She tells mc that she'll be studying abroad, Laugus, the college town that her foster father always tell her about. Before parting, mc asks her what she'll do then. Sherry answers it's a secret and then she asks him if he'll listen to her stories after she's done with what she's supposed to do. Mc promised he will. The two part ways. In the distance, mc somehow heard something from Sherry that he was not supposed to hear. He turned around to see her getting smaller as she go further. He turned his back and went on his way.
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