Aether executed a swift series of punches, each blow calculated and efficient. He targeted the first lackey’s chin, immediately followed by a precise punch beneath the chest to the second.
“Fuck!”
As the third lakey swung at him, Aether, left with no alternative, blocked the attack, feeling the telltale crack in his forearm’s bone. Undeterred by the searing pain and the overwhelming fatigue enveloping him, he compelled his feeble body forward, landing a final, powerful punch on the last lackey’s jaw.
‘aarrhhhh!!’ Aether screamed inwardly when he felt his hand bones breaking up part, a mix of agony and determination in his eyes. Every blow took a toll on his weakened frame, and his body, ill-suited for defence.
Aether, just about to sigh in relief after the brief fight, found himself abruptly interrupted,
“sssshooooossss”
“BOOM”
“pfffffrrrr”
Aether was struck by a powerful punch to his gut, causing him to cough violently and roll, ultimately collapsing on the ground.
The boss, observing the scene with a mix of irritation and superiority, rebuked his lackeys, “Are you guys idiots or what? Can’t you use your Arcane Powers?”
It was in that moment of realization that the groaning idiots comprehended their oversight…. they had forgotten to employ their magical abilities.
This situation wasn’t entirely their fault; every previous encounter with Ether involved physical beating without the use of magic, leading to forgetfulness of their arcane potential.
Yes, they just forget it…
Upon their boss’s rebuke, those idiots hastily rose, their prior haughty expressions replaced with a newfound awareness and approached Aether, who still lay on the ground, clutching his aching stomach.
Meanwhile, he muttered inwardly,
‘FUCK!! I forget this world has fucking magic!!’
As the idiots, donning haughty smiles, converged on Aether, he anticipated their intent to employ magical enhancements in their assault. The blows that followed were now infused with some kind of energy, delivering a barrage of intensified punches.
“You fucking bastard!!”
“How dare you hit my nose!!”
“BOOM!’
“You ugly slave has some nerve to hit us!!”
“BOOM!’
“Just because you forgot everything doesn’t mean you can raise your hand against us!!”
“BOOM!’
‘Crack, Crack’
“Who are you to compare us worse than dogs!!”
“BOOM!’
“You dog shit!!”
“BOOM!’
‘Trrcck, Trcckk’
“BOOM!’
….
…
The onslaught continued each magical-imbued punch adding insult to injury. Aether, battered and bruised, endured the assault with gritted teeth.
A torrent of attacks rained down on Aether, who found himself with no choice other than holding. In an attempt to shield himself from the blows, he covered his head with his hands, bracing for each punch that seemed capable of taking his life.
As the blows continued, Aether’s stoic silence prevailed. He suppressed every sound that sought to escape his mouth, knowing that crying out or shouting would only invite further sadistic delight from those eager to revel in his pained moans.
“Hmm,” the boss observed with a satisfied smile, though a hint of scepticism lingered in the air, and he couldn’t help but notice the absence of groans from Ether.
He was the very individual who had orchestrated the event at the lake, a brutal beating preceding Ether’s near-death experience. Their intent had been clear… they wanted Ether dead.
But, against all odds, he was aliv–
“What are you doing?” Suddenly, a soft whisper delicately entered his ears, causing an involuntary flinch before he calmed down, recognizing the familiar voice.
With an awkward expression, he turned to face a distinguished white-haired old man, Alfred, and greeted him with a somewhat strained, “Hello, Father” as he waved his hands to stop his Iackeys… but truly focused on beating only.
“…” Alfred stared at his son, his eyes scanning the chaotic scene where the group continued to pummel Aether mercilessly.
“Did you forget the principles I taught you, Timmy?” Alfred asked, his voice laced with an indifferent tone that echoed disapproval.
The Boss, Timmy stuttered as he began to sweat, vividly recalling his father’s stern beating earlier that morning in response to his attempt to kill Ether. Just as he was about to shout at his lackeys to stop, a surprising intervention occurred.
“Here, I am just your teacher, and you are my disciple, Timmy,” Alfred calmly stated.
“H-Huh?…” Timmy wore a taken aback expression before managing a forced smile and said, “Forgive me, Teacher” Not understanding whether his father came here to discipline him or not.
And then, silence descended, the only audible sounds being the continued merciless beating.
Alfred’s gaze remained fixed on Aether…. To be truthful, from the moment Timmy and his friends entered Aether’s room, Alfred had silently observed every detail.
Alfred found himself seriously taken aback when he witnessed how Aether spoke like a wise man, and what’s more, Aether’s unique fighting stance intrigued him.
‘An egoless person suddenly speaking like a wise man and displaying a unique fighting stance… something is amiss,’ Alfred thought, his brows furrowing as he contemplated the possibility of someone manipulating Aether.
He felt a pressing need to inform both of his masters, just to ensure clarity and address the growing suspicion that had taken root in his mind.
Being over-cautious was not too bad…
“I know the reasons behind your actions, but….” Alfred’s voice cut through the tension, his eyes piercing as he fixed his gaze on the perspiring Timmy, “Do not cross the line, just as you did before. Otherwise, I will be left with no choice but to end you!!!”
“Y-Yes, Fa—I mean, Teacher!” Timmy hastily bowed 90 degrees, beads of sweat trickling down his forehead.
Alfred maintained his intense scrutiny of Timmy, almost as if delving into the recesses of his thoughts, before abruptly disappearing. However, before vanishing, he left behind a few words that hung in the air,
“Make sure he wears this.”
A muffled ‘Thud’ resonated as a sack dress landed on the floor.
Not only he but Aether also who was being beaten heard whispers in his ears, “This is what will happen if try to act arrogant. Don’t forget…. you are a slave!!”
“…”
After a nerve-wracking minute, Timmy released a breath he hadn’t realized he was holding, signalling his lackeys to cease their brutal assault when he sensed Aether was going to die.
Aether, seemingly on the brink of death once more, prompted Timmy to instruct his lackeys to tear Aether’s new dress and cover him with the sack.
His sycophantic idiots executed the order promptly.
“See you tomorrow, Ether,” Timmy declared with a sinister undertone, his figure receding into the shadows as he strolled away, flanked by his loyal followers.
Aether, weakened and unconscious, remained oblivious to the unfolding drama until,
!~Ding~!
“FUCK!”