The arena lay in brutal ruin. Anon, Ion, and Xander sat together while a team of 20 healers diligently worked on repairing Ion’s internal injuries.
Suddenly, the head healer stood up and fixed a sorrowful gaze on Xander. He was a human with blonde hair and green eyes, someone Anon recognized as the best healer in the human kingdom after the great mother.
“What? What’s going on? Why are you looking at me like that?” Xander demanded, his expression turning angry.
“Sir, we need to talk,” the chief healer replied.
Xander and the human healer moved to a secluded area and began conversing. Anon used his heightened senses to eavesdrop on their conversation.
“Sir, your father…”
“What? What happened to him? Why do you look so distraught?” Xander asked with a grave expression.
“His heart has been struck by negative mana, and not just any negative mana, but the darkest kind. His heart is beating in reverse,” the chief healer explained.
“What? What do you mean by ‘beating in reverse’?” Xander asked, his face a mask of confusion.
“Let me clarify. Picture our hearts beating in a steady, normal rhythm, processing mana with every pulse. Our hearts absorb impure mana and convert it into pure, usable mana while expelling impurities. But Mr. Ion’s heart is doing the opposite; it’s absorbing impurities and expelling purified mana, much like…”
“…a demon would,” Xander finished, his face aghast.
“Yes,” the healer replied somberly.
“How long until he turns into a demon?” Xander inquired.
“I’m sorry, but we can’t say for certain. However, I would advise you to consider ending his life for the safety of everyone,” the chief healer recommended.
At this suggestion, a heavy aura of malevolence emanated from Xander.
“Hey, Healer, you don’t seem to understand who you’re talking about. He’s my father, and no one talks about killing my father,” Xander growled, grabbing the healer by the neck and lifting him into the air. .
“Ghha… I-I… Cough-Cough Am… Sorry,” the healer choked out, his life nearly leaving him.
Bonk
A cane suddenly struck Xander’s head.
“Ouch… Father…?” Xander exclaimed, looking at Ion.
“Release him,” Ion ordered.
“Yes, Father. He’s one lucky bastard,” Xander remarked as he released the healer, who began to cough and gasp for breath.
Xander promptly went to Ion, grabbing his hand and expressing deep concern. “Father, are you okay?”
“I’m fine. Don’t fret,” Ion assured him with a smile.
“Father, the healer said—”
“I heard what the healer said. Just ignore him; they know nothing about me. He’s just a foolish human,” Ion stated.
“Father, this whole situation is his fault. If he had died in that arena, you wouldn’t have had to face that creature and get hurt like this. I will kill him, Father,” Xander declared, casting an angry glance at Anon.
“It’s not his fault, you foolish son. When will you take responsibility for your own mistakes? This was meant to be a simple deathmatch, but you gave him a banned pill. That’s why I had to intervene in that arena. I had to kill him because of you, because of your mistake. Don’t blame it on him,” Ion rebuked angrily.
“I… I’m sorry, Father. Please forgive me, and let’s go home,” Xander said, looking down and apologizing.
“No, Xander. It’s time for you to take charge of the family business,” Ion declared as he stood up and pointed toward Anon.
“What?!” Xander exclaimed, bewildered and shocked.
“Yes, Son. It’s time for you to officially lead the Jane Family and elevate its name to new heights.”
“But, Father…”
“No buts. As of today, I declare you the official leader of the Jane Family. Let’s go, boy,” Ion urged, gesturing for Anon to follow.
Anon stood and trailed after Ion. He wasn’t certain where they were headed, but he felt it was the best course of action.
“Grandpa, what are you doing? Are you leaving me, your granddaughter, like this?” Jeena questioned, her eyes brimming with tears as she hugged Ion tightly.
“My dear granddaughter, don’t worry. I’ll be back before you know it. You know what? Xander was just like you when he was in the academy, spoiled and full of attitude. But he learned his lesson. Now it’s your turn.
I hope you become a strong and powerful woman rather than a spoiled, attitude-filled brat, okay?” Ion said, smiling.
“Yes, Grandpa,” Jeena replied, tears streaking her cheeks, hugging him once more.
‘What a family drama,’ Anon thought, watching them hug and exchange farewells.
Afterward, Jeena and Ion separated, and Ion resumed his departure.
“Father, at least tell me when you’ll return,” Xander implored, tears now streaming down his face.
“Soon,” Ion answered, pausing for a brief moment and smiling at him.
Xander immediately dropped to his knees, watching his father leave the academy, while Jeena went to his side and held onto his arm for support.
“Father, are you all right?” She asked.
“Yes, dear. Let’s go back,” Xander replied, gazing at Jeena as they walked toward their carriage.
Everyone else left the arena and returned to their homes.
“Where are we going?” Anon inquired of Ion.
“I had planned to teach you this technique with slow demonstrations over the course of 30 years, but I don’t have that kind of luxury now, i don’t have the luxury of time. I only have one week left to live, and I must teach you everything during that time. So, let’s go.”
“What do you mean?” Anon asked, surprised.
“I’m going to take one week from your life to teach you the most valuable technique in the world. I could choose to spend this time with my family, but this technique is more important and valuable than my own life. Now, I’ll ask you this once: Do you want to learn this technique or not? Your answer will change your entire life. Think carefully before responding. You can lose your life easily, but if you learn this technique, no one on this planet will be able to defeat you. So, what’s your answer, human?”