CHAPTER 3

Solork knew Rachel was true to her words and would never break her promise. So could it be… But that's a one in a million chance. Is this the start of a new protagonist? It has to be or this would not happen. He went to Rachel and Arata's room to meet them. They were still sound asleep. It was 10 AM in the morning god damn it. But after all.. Musicians and assassins also have this thing in common, their work is always late in night. So he waited there.

After 15 minutes, they slowly started to wake up. Both of them curled up in bed. Rachel's eyes looked up to Arata. Arata was looking at someone at the other side..

"You guys up after that ruckus you caused huh ?", Solork asked in an annoyed voice.

"Yeah…..", both of them answered sleepily.

"Come to the office room at once !", Solork barked.

Both of them got up at once. They are now wide awake. Solork had shaken them. They got dressed and went to the office, which was on the floor below. Arata saw this for the first time. It was impressive. It had weapons all over the walls. Some of them were guns and knives and Katanas. Some looked special and some looked normal.

"How many minutes ?", Solork asked.

"More than 5 minutes. I used all variations of Black Vatican.", Rachel answered.

"And did he enjoy it.", Solork asked again.

"He was smiling. Well, as expected from my future husband.", Rachel answered.

"Arata, we are very lucky indeed to have you. If you enjoyed yesterday's fight, you will probably get more enjoyment in the future. But you will have to learn to attack. What did you see in Rachel's attacking ?"

"I heard a beautiful musical piece. It was truly dark and melodic.", Arata answered. "I am curious about cultivation though."

Solork could see similarities between Arata and his old friend. Now that Solork had created his special unit, Solork was happy.

"Ok then, there are three types of cultivation you can follow : Enhancement, Transmutation and Summoners. There is also a specialist class which involves techniques to suit your style. But a specialist has not appeared in this world since the last Koshin war 20 years ago.", Solork said.

"Who was the specialist then ?", Arata asked.

The Koshin war. The building of the Alvarez empire. There were 8 people who had become specialists in the underworld and created units to rage war over the Eastern Clover, Spade kingdoms, Britannia and Gustak kingdoms. They took down armies after armies. And formed the Alvarez empire with the leader of the squad as the King. They left 2 years after formation of the empire to god knows where. But the cultivation techniques still run in the underworld and Alvarez empire battles out the Kingdom in the night. The Alvarez empire uses cultivators to win wars. There are about 50 units and 300 people who are cultivators. But each cultivator is atleast as strong as 250 people. Some are very strong, Some are average. Overall, Cultivation techniques are unique to the Alvarez Empire only.

Oh so that's why we are able to live even after being surrounded by all 4 sides, Arata thought. So it's basically techniques to strengthen one's body. And use techniques.

"What cultivation type is Rachel ?" Arata asked.

"I am an Enhancement type", Rachel replied.

"And I am a Transmutation type. I can use spiritual energy to form blades etc. Those are all my blades on the shelves. That means, I am not really good at fighting but I know the most about weapons. Enhancement types are actually rare. But they are the ones who destroy the armies and force them to retreat.", Solork replied.

"What do summoners do ?", Arata asked.

"We are summoners here.", came Wakatoshi and Igsem's reply.

"We can summon beasts from the other dimension. I know it might seem a bit fantasy type thing but it's true. My beast is an assassin type. Igsem's beast is a healer. We actually fuse with them. I get the power of completely hiding my presence and Igsem can heal any wound and bring the almost dead back to life. But all of us are of course very much trained in martial arts and stronger than official people.", Wakatoshi said.

"Oh, and lastly, where is my Piano ?", Arata asked.

"Oh it's in the next room.", replied Solork.

Arata went and looked at the next room whether it was there or not. It was Steinway & Sons. One of the best in the world. He was very happy. He immediately opened it. He started playing Winter Wind OP 25 11 by Chopin. Rachel was drawn in. She too went into the room.

She was also beginning to understand. The martial arts were very closely related to music. The chorus, the variations, the skillful parts which feel good when they are nailed and the soft parts which give soothness. Just because they kill people does not mean they were ruthless murderers. They worked for the country and did their job skillfully.

Rachel knew she had chosen the right man. They both appreciated skills over anything.

After he finished playing, Rachel gave a small clap. Arata stood up and went and kissed her. There was no need for words. Solork told them to get ready and come down to the 2nd basement for training. Arata and Rachel both agreed.

At the 2nd Basement Floor, Solork was standing waiting for them to come. Both Arata and Rachel walked in. Solork asked them to fight for 10 minutes straight.

Suddenly Rachel took out her knife and aimed for Arata's heart. Arata dodged it and their fight started. There were after images. Arata enjoyed himself. After 10 minutes, Arata was tired.

"So you are tired just after 10 minutes huh ?", Rachel said. "Well you haven't cultivated at all in your life so it's kind of expected. Well, I also just started a month back since I gave the exam and joined here."

"Yes, the next military exam is in 2 days. It happens every month.", Solork said.

"Cultivation isn't something magical. They are just martial art techniques which were developed by various experts in the past. It is also the most secretive knowledge on our land. So, anyways let's look at your attacking.", Solork said.

Well, Arata is not the normal main character. He learns at a demonic speed. That's his talent.

Arata imagined a piece. He thought of his favourite piece 'La campanella' by Liszt and began moving his hands. Just he tried to replicate the action. With the emotions of Lizst and Paganini, he began. 3 jabs on the right and 3 slashes on the left of rachel. Rachel, of course the man before him was as talented as her, if not more and expected. She beautifully dodged those attacks and continued having fun moving her body. Arata got tired after 30 seconds though. He could not continue his attacks due to physical tiredness. He lied down panting.

"This was hard !! How does Rachel manage to keep up.", Arata thought to himself.

"So, from the looks of it, you lack stamina. And the more skilled your opponent is, the more you shine.", Solork said to Arata.

That's Right ! Arata thought. I was only able to dodge those attacks just because I was actually passively listening to the attacks and moving on its Harmonics. What if the piece is bad !? Arata hardened his resolve to get physically stronger. He also chose his weapons as two daggers like Rachel.

"Can you teach me ?", Rachel asked Arata.

"What?", Arata asked her.

"Piano."

"Oh. I will try." Arata said. He sat on the closest bench in the park. He was tired from the running. But he had to build his stamina. From afar, Rachel and Arata looked like a perfect couple.

Arata was thinking. How are we going to remove someone's memories. That sounds kind of stupid. The people in Alvarez are living in the dark. How ?

As he was thinking, the answer came from Rachel.

"There are two ways to remove one's memory actually. Hypnotism and a Summoner. In our squad, Wakatoshi is the intelligence. He can go everywhere without anyone seeing him. So he handles most of the single assassin and target works. And Igsem is the best doctor. She excels in Hypnotism and Acupuncture. So your friend's memories have already been altered, I am sure. And our squad is C rank. Our skills might one day take us to S rank, but right now, we have to focus on cultivation on becoming stronger. And becoming stronger has a weird definition in the world of cultivation. You will understand, don't worry sweetheart."

"Ok !", Arata said as he went for an intimate moment.

After that, Arata went back to the Unit base and continued his training under Solork. Arata wanted to know what happened on the first day.

How were Solork's movements so fast and clean. Arata asked this question while lying, panting on the ground.

"Training. And I have received the assassin Scroll. That's why we are an assassin unit. Not all units are like us. There are some who are into medicine, part of which Igsem was from….. No, I will tell all of this when you finish your exam.", Solork said with a grin.

"I have taken quite a liking to this boy", Solork thought to himself.

Arata continued his training with the special plan given to him by Solrok. But he did miss his piano on the next day.