Chapter 52

At the same time.

[???]

"Hah... Look at how much she had grown." An old man sitting on a chair in a cold, dark, and desolate room. "She looks a lot like her mother, doesn't she, Jeong?"

Step.

Step.

A tall old man with silver hair and snake-like yellow eyes with pale skin walked out of the shadow. "Yes, she does, Grand Master." Jeong smiled as he handed over the tea to the Grand Master. Like any butler, Jeong dressed in a formal attire, which consists of a black six-buttoned double-breasted tailcoat, a gray vest, a black tie, a white crisp and clean shirt, black leather dress shoes, black socks, and a white pocket square, along with white gloves, a pocket watch, and a chained black lapel pin bearing the Scorpion crest.

The Grand Master smelled the tea and then took a sip. "What a pleasant smell. The taste is very smooth as usual."

Jeong bowed. "I do not deserve your praise."

The Grand Master placed the empty tea cup on the table. "Don't be absurd. Your years of service have been nothing but impeccable."

Jeong closed his eyes and remained silent. "..."

The Grand Master flicked his fingers, and a screen appeared, showing Llyne happily chatting with her friends. The Grand Master looked at the screen and smiled. "Finally, after so many years, all the pieces are now in place. I wonder, will my final wish be fulfilled, or will everything turn to nothing but dust." The Grand Master looked back at Jeong. "I hope you will provide the necessary help to her as you did for me, Jeong."

Jeong kneeled down on one knee and bowed. "I will obey every command."

The Grand Master shook his head. "I'm only asking as a favour. Why such formality, old friend?"

"But I-" Jeong stood back up and looked away.

The Grand Master smiled bitterly. "Whatever happened in the past was not your fault, Jeong." The Grand Master looked up. "In fact, my time was long up. For me to be standing here till today mentally is already a blessing."

Jeong looked at the screen and asked. "But can they really do it?"

The Grand Master chuckled. "No one can predict the future. All we do is observe and provide support for their future."

Jeong nodded. "Understood. I will have everything prepared. Please excuse me." Jeong took the empty tea cup and disappeared into the shadow.

The Grand Master looked at the screen. "When the time comes when you realized what you truly wish for, will you push through and sacrifice those who are precious to you, not knowing your wish will be achieved or will you stop and hold onto whatever you have left? It's hard. Truly, but I hope you will make the right decision and don't let history repeat itself, stud."

[Llyne's side]

After I told them what happened between me and Master, except the part where Rona might be a GMO or a weapon capable of mass destruction, I scratched my ear. 'Is someone talking about me? My ear has been itching nonstop.'

Isaac slapped my hands away. "Can you stop being so disgusting?"

I laid on the ground. "My ear is itchy. What can I do? Besides, what to do next? Do we stay here till we rot?"

Ronald, who was tying Rona's hair, said. "Mr. James said 10 days from now, there will be a ceremony for the winner, where the 8 Masters will choose their disciples."

"Eh? When did Mr. James said that?" I grabbed Ronald and shook him.

Ronald calmly replied. "Just before he knocked us out, I heard him saying that."

I turned towards Isaac. "How many days left?"

Ronald counted and started panicking. "Tomorrow is the ceremony."

"EEEHHHHHHH!!!!!!" I screamed.

Isaac shrugged. "Not like we can do anything but wait." I hugged Rona and said. "... You're right, I guess."

[Next Day]

I sat up and stretched my back. "Wow... It's been a long time since I've slept properly. Although, it's only been a few hours. Everything is so clear. It feels scary..."

I looked at Rona and Ronald cuddling together. 'Aww~ So cute ... But aren't they a bit too close together?' I walked towards them and pulled Rona further away from Ronald. I wiped my sweat. "Yup. There. A nice distance." Rona was pulled 1 meter apart from Ronald. "Social distancing is important. I don't care what other people say."

"Hmm... Mom... Dad..." I turned around and saw Isaac tossing and turning around. I sat next to him and wiped his sweat off his forehead. I held his hand and whispered. "It's going to be okay. Everything is fine. Breathe." Isaac breathing became steadier, and he struggled less. I carefully placed his hand on his body. "He is like an angel when he sleeps but a demon when he talks. Ouish." I leaned on the wall and closed my eyes. I had a flashback of the time I fought Alma. 'Even though Alma was strong, he was only a Devo rank. What about the other ranks; COOP and Master rank? How strong would they be? Will I ever be able to reach that rank?' I bit my lips. 'No. I need to be stronger. I can't falter now. Even if I can't beat them now but with training and perseverance, I can do this. I have to.' I looked at Isaac, Rona, and Ronald. 'I have to be stronger for everyone, and when the time comes, I'll free everyone. I can do this.' I clenched my fist. "I can do this."

I laid on the ground. "I wonder who will be my Master starting from tomorrow? I hope my new Master will be as kind as Master but not as cheapskate as him. If I ever meet Master, I hope we can have a proper conversation." Slowly , I fell back to another dreamless sleep.

[2 hours to ceremony]

Whack!

"Ayayayayaya! Why did you hit my head for? What did I do to you?" I sniffed while massaging my injured head.

Isaac clenched his fist again. "Want another hit? Get up. There's 2 hours left."

I pouted. "Eh~ Why? Why? Why? I'm so lazy~"

Isaac smiled and raised his fist. "Is that so?" I backed away and shook my head. "Oui. My head will be dented if you hit my head one more time."

Bzzt.

A screen appeared with Mr. James's face. "Hello, my little bunnies, or should I call you all caged birds now? It's an upgrade. Now that you all are going to meet your Masters."

Ronald asked. "Why birds? Bunnies can't evolve to birds. Bunnies can't fly."

Mr. James chuckled. "Caged bird can't fly too since their wings have been CHOPPED off. Get the joke?"

"Oui? That was a joke?" I was confused. "More like horror."

Isaac shook his head. "He is just an attention seeker. Ignore him."

"Rona, don't get anything, but Rona is fine." Rona smiled.

I elbowed Isaac. "Hey, Isaac. Is Rona really fine? They said that when a person keeps saying they're fine, it means 'I need help', kind of fine." I looked at Rona. "Maybe she needs help?"

Isaac rolled his eyes. "If she says she's fine, then she is fine. Why complicating things. Looks how happy she is." We looked at Rona happily playing tag with Ronald. "I don't see anything wrong with her except the fact she is being too close to Ronald." Isaac started walking towards them to separate Rona and Ronald.

I sighed. "Maybe I'm worrying too much."

"Ehem. Ehem. Hello? Did you guys really forget about me? I can't believe this. You 4 bunnies are getting more rebellious as days passed. Your daddy's poor heart will soon fade into dust and poof off with the wind." Mr. James complained.

Isaac immediately replied. "Good, then it's finally goodbye. What a relief."

Rona screamed. "What? Mr. James gone? Nooo~"

"Aww~ Thanks, bunny no.3. And you, bunny no.2. How could you say that? I raised you like my own. Bunny no. 1 and 4, don't you have anything to say?"

Isaac rolled his eyes. Ronald shook his head. I asked. "When is the ceremony?"

Mr. James stared at me and cried. "I raised 3 ungrateful children. Buhuhuhuhu~"

Isaac smirked. "It's 4. Look." Isaac asked Rona. "Rona, if I threw a chunk of meat and Mr. James into the sea. Who would you rescue? Meat or Mr. James? You can only choose one."

Mr. James scoffed and said. "Of course, she'll choose -"

Rona immediately replied. "Meat!"

Mr. James shouted. "WHAAATTTT?!! Why not me? I'm more important than useless meat!"

Rona shook her head. "Meat is Rona's life."

Mr. James placed his hands on his chest and was left speechless.

Ronald pitied Mr. James and said. "That must have been a big blow to Mr. James." I nodded. "Oui. Rona the Merciless."

Tring.

A sound rang.

"Hmm? What's that sound?" I looked around and found nothing.

"The ceremony is 15 minutes away. Are you little bunnies excited? Well, I know I am since we might never know who might be chosen and who might become Munchy's snack~." Mr. James said.

"Food?! You mean not everyone gets picked?" Ronald became nervous.

"That's right. Don't worry, Munchy is a good dog. He will slowly savour every piece of muscle and drop of blood in your body." Mr. James smiled creepily. "Here is a photo of Munchy." Mr. James showed us a few photos of Munchy eating people. We looked at each other and kept silent.

"Oh. Would you look at the time, we have a ceremony to attend. Better hurry. We don't want to anger the Masters." Mr. James flicked his finger, and we disappeared again.