Painful Lesson

Seeing Satoru approach, Theodore didn't move a single muscle, standing there motionless as if the attack hadn't even registered in his brain yet. Smugly confident as a result, Satoru's punch barrelled straight towards him, seemingly about to break his nose any second now... but then it inexplicably missed.

There was no elaborate evasion manoeuvre, no deflection of the blow–nothing. Except for the simple fact that an attack which by all rights and laws of physics should have hit its mark... was ever so slightly off course.

As Satoru was still staring wide-eyed in disbelief, Theodore lifted his right hand and–ever so gently–flicked him in the stomach, causing him to fly back violently for dozens of meters, his innards shattered and coughing up blood uncontrollably. Yet, the pain didn't make him afraid–instead, it awakened and stimulated him.

'I have no idea what just happened, but he probably used some sort of trick. I don't believe I won't be able to hit him eventually! Let's see who can outlast who!'

Feeling an improvement in his all-around strength and his ridiculously rapid regeneration kicking in, almost instantly mending the majority of his wounds, he showed a bloody grin. Charging forward once more, his approach didn't change in the slightest. That cursed face was screaming for a beating!

'Oh? He got stronger after being damaged. There's also that recovery in the mix. Not bad! It seems like I'll have to change my approach.'

Needless to say, the improvements of Satoru's various Attributes couldn't escape Theodore's scrutinizing gaze. This was mostly due to the enraged man either not knowing how to veil his true capabilities, or not caring enough to do so.

"Take this!!"

Right as Satoru's clenched fist began to move forward, amidst his powerful roar, Theodore stretched out a single finger, lightly pausing the attack in its tracks before it could be fully unleashed. As a result, Satoru felt deeply uncomfortable, yet he hadn't been physically hurt in the slightest. It was as if he had been prevented from taking a long-overdue dump, causing his face to scrunch up in vexation.

"How cute. Try that again."

Theodore's mocking tone of voice poured fuel upon the fire in his heart, making it flare up into a roaring blaze, whilst his amused gaze was akin to daggers cutting his spirit. Putting aside what had just happened, he changed his approach, this time dashing slightly behind and to the side of his opponent before unleashing a strong kick.

"Ugh!"

But again, a single one of Theodore's fingers became its premature doom, making him feel played with as well as tormented–and not in the way which he would have liked and had grown familiar with.

"Bastard! Come face me properly!"

Reaching out for a tackle, as that one would be far more difficult to so easily prevent, Satoru rushed forward, his right shoulder positioned to hit Theodore's chest, aiming to take his breath away. Yet even this didn't work, as that hateful guy took two steps closer at the same time, interrupting him with a single finger placed on his shoulder before he could reach his maximum speed. The worst part of it all was that he had perfectly controlled his strength to not harm him in any way, shape or form.

"Do you take me to be as foolish as you? Why would I actively make you stronger? Your ability isn't bad, but if you can't hide it properly, you're practically doomed."

Despite his scoffing, Theodore's reminder was still kind in nature. It was as if he was facing an unruly child, intending to teach it little by little and snapping it out of its ignorance. Yet so far, the one being educated had yet to learn a single thing–however, his opponent's words still caused a cold shiver to run down his spine.

'H-How does he know? Was it... that obvious? This guy... could it be that he's not actually just full of hot air?!'

As the realization was settling in, Satoru quickly shook his head and focused on the present. He was already riding a tiger, so he couldn't possibly get off at this juncture. How would that make him look in front of Miss Rún?! He wasn't a quitter!

Vigdis, of course, had been snickering to herself ever since the confrontation had begun, her eyes forming crescents in delight. There was little that was more pleasant than witnessing someone arrogant being forced to swallow some bitter medicine and rattled awake from their delusions of grandeur.

Once more mixing up his method of attack, Satoru picked up a stone from the ground, intending to flick it at his enemy, because in that manner, he would avoid any potentially interrupted physical contact. But before he could let go of his impromptu projectile, Theodore appeared in front of him and nipped his actions in the bud! Although his intestines felt as if they were brutally twisting themselves, ultimately, his frustration was still all in his head–he hadn't actually sustained any physical damage.

"You...! This is unfair!!"

Almost brought to tears, he couldn't help but shoot a look at Vigdis, yet the sight he was met with only further battered his already fragile heart. Schadenfreude was written all over the beauty's face, tears of delight being wiped away by her right hand as her left one held her stomach trembling from silent laughter.

'Wait... was I... the clown all along?'

As the recognition of this fact hit him, a palm as heavy as multiple mountains was put on his shoulder, locking him in place and almost forcing him to his knees. If it hadn't been for Theodore not particularly employing much of his strength, he could have literally ground Satoru into dust.

"Did nobody tell you? Life isn't fair. The moment we're conceived, everything about us and our surroundings is pretty much decided by a roll of the dice. You can already be considered to be amongst the lucky ones–but there are always going to be those more fortunate than you. Or even me."

Looking straight into the eyes of the unreconciled, yet wavering youngster, an encouraging beam lit up his face, the rays of sunlight falling just perfectly to make him appear sacred and akin to a deity blessing a mortal.

"What really matters is what you'll make of the hand you've been dealt. Will you succumb to self-destructive envy–or will you try to do the best with what you have? Treat the following as well-meant advice: While the Talent that you have has a lot of potential, you'll need to grow strong enough to properly make use of it first. And even once you've made it that far, there is always going to be someone more powerful who'll be able to obliterate you entirely without you being capable of resisting. Tread carefully, especially when you don't know what or who you're dealing with."

Letting go of the poor soul, Theodore turned around and walked back to his seat, reclining comfortably on it once again. The result of their spar was obvious, there was no need to announce it and harm the guy any more. He wasn't a true enemy, merely a misguided, arrogant kid–but there was still hope for him left.

"I... You're right. I'm... sorry."

The bloodlust from before having disappeared entirely, a pale Satoru fell to his knees, breathing heavily and sweating bullets. Although it had merely been momentarily, at the very end of Theodore's advice, he had felt as if an unprecedentedly terrifying presence was staring at him. A mere thought of it would be enough to extinguish everything about him! Only then had he truly realized how much of an idiot he had been.

'Those Supreme Pillars... they aren't at the top for no reason. I... why did I think I could wipe the floor with one of their people? I'm just... a normal guy...'

All of the confidence in himself, which he had built up over the course of his slaughter of hundreds–if not thousands–of Imperial Han Family members, evaporated like a block of ice approaching the sun. Memories of his utterly ordinary existence prior to the Heavenly Succession resurfaced, making a self-deprecating smile twist his lips.

"Apology accepted. Also, don't look down on yourself too much. If I thought you were worthless and didn't show some sort of promise, do you think I would waste my time with you?"

Theodore's words were harsh and his gaze uncomfortably penetrating, yet they caused a flicker of hope to be reignited within the fresh ashes of Satoru's ambition. Catching his breath again, he looked up at this man who he had found oh so loathsome only a minute or two prior–and was eerily freaked out by the fact that he was feeling the opposite way about him now. Still, he couldn't restrain his curiosity.

"... please elaborate."

Motioning at a nearby table, which had been prepared in advance, Theodore led the way in silence. After both of them had taken a seat and Vigdis–who had recovered from her joyful bout of elation–had poured each of them a cup of tea, he finally spoke up.

"I'll be honest with you. You are a diamond in the rough, who might become a fantastic, fiercely destructive meat shield leading the way on countless battlefields with considerable amounts of polishing. However, that doesn't mean you'll be able to become the Heavenly Emperor–far from it. Your chances are infinitely close to zero. Even mine aren't outrageously high, despite having a lot more to rely on than you do."

Taking a sip of tea, he paused for a while and observed Satoru, who was patiently waiting for him to continue. The young man appeared like a student who had misbehaved and was now being chewed out by his teacher, yet was also aware that he was getting valuable guidance, therefore he should listen carefully.

"Amongst the strongest of us Heaven's Chosen, many would kill you on sight, while others might make you a recruitment offer. But more still would simply enslave you against your will and squeeze out all of your potential until there is nothing left, then end you. I'm not a saint either. All three options have come to my mind, yet the first one would be my last resort. Ideally, you'll join me of your own free will. If not... well, the decision isn't truly up to you, is it?"

Even though his smirk was slight and carried no malice whatsoever, Satoru still felt as if a blade had been pressed against his throat, the coldness of the metal seeping straight into his soul. His eyes trembling, he gulped heavily, then gave a short nod. What a fool he had been for walking directly into the dragon's den, practically throwing himself into its maw! Yet... now that he thought about it a little more, perhaps this decision had saved his life? After all, if he hadn't been 'gently' snapped awake...

"I... I understand. Thank you."

Pleased by his interviewee's sensible conduct, Theodore's smile widened. Taking another sip of tea, he relaxedly sighed, then stared directly into the youngster's panic-stricken eyes.

"Retainer or Slave, it's your choice."

[ Theodore Winter has offered to become your Master.

Will you accept this offer and become his Retainer?

Warning: Your Heaven's Chosen Level will be transferred to Theodore Winter as a result, causing you to lose the qualifications to be a contestant in the Heavenly Succession. ]

Reading the notification which had appeared in his field of view, Satoru felt deeply conflicted. A part of him wanted to rebel and keep his full freedom–yet he knew this wouldn't be possible. As a regular person, had he ever been without any shackles? Compared to the wage slave he had been, a Retainer... sounded a step better, at least.

Gritting his teeth and closing his eyes, he took a long and deep breath, then he chose to accept. The moment after, he almost fell off his chair in astonishment as his Standard Attributes ballooned significantly, with his mind-bogglingly high Endurance giving him the illusory feeling of having become invincible!

'T-This... it's utterly insane!'

His eyes darting between the description of Coattail Ascension and his new Master, even more of his lost confidence returned.