Chapter 9: Master

As dawn broke, the sky was shrouded in darkness, but the burgeoning light of the rising sun started to cast a pale red hue across the landscape, gradually dispelling the shadows.

The fading darkness gave way to a soft, dimly lit morning, where the gentle rays illuminated the trees, the land, and everything in between. The air filled with the soothing melodies of the cuckoo and the cheerful chirping of birds.

Meanwhile, in a villa nearby, a young boy lay sound asleep in one of the rooms until the blaring sound of his alarm clock jolted him awake.

With a groan, he clumsily silenced the alarm and begrudgingly opened his eyes. "Ugh, it's Sunday," he muttered irritably, stretching as he reached for his tablet on the nearby table. Glancing at the date—April 2—and the time, 5:30 a.m., he grumbled, "Still have 30 minutes. Let's play some games."

He launched his favorite survival game, Let's Descend, losing himself in its virtual world for the next half hour.

1 hour later

The Singhania family's villa boasted luxurious amenities alongside state-of-the-art training facilities, becoming a norm in this era.

Within one of the training rooms, a middle-aged man sat at a table, leisurely sipping his coffee. His gaze often drifted to the clock hanging on the wall, and occasionally, he couldn't help but mutter to himself, "I can't believe the young master is late again..."

Before he could finish his sentence, a voice interrupted his thoughts, "Master."

The man sighed, placing his coffee on the table. He rose from his seat, scolded, "Rahul, you know the youth championship is coming up this Sunday. You shouldn't waste precious time playing games and being late."

Rahul couldn't help but smile sheepishly, "Master, I play the game to shake off sleepiness, and I'm only five minutes late." He couldn't help but gaze at his master, whom he had met for the first time since regaining memories of his previous life.

Rahul acknowledged his past and admired the master, whose sharp features seemed poised like a sword ready to pierce through enemy defenses. He thought to himself, "In this world, age doesn't seem to affect one's physical prowess."

As Rahul collected his thoughts and approached his master, a sudden flash of a sword came hurtling towards his face. Reacting swiftly, he caught the blade and launched a counterattack toward his master.

"Good reaction, but not quite sharp," Master remarked.

Rahul smiled at the compliment, feeling encouraged. He took two steps towards the master and leaped, executing a vertical slash aimed at the master's head. As expected, his sword was deflected.

Undeterred, Rahul swiftly followed up with a kick aimed at the master's right abdomen, but even that was skillfully blocked. The training persisted for continuous hours; each move was met with a countermove in an unending cycle of learning.

2 hours later

Rahul sat at a table, panting and wiping sweat from his forehead with a training towel.

"Master, can I slay F-rank monsters?" he asked as he caught his breath.

The master chuckled, "Yes, easily, head-on."

A smile spread across Rahul's face, but before he could ask further questions, the master interjected, "Don't you have any questions about the training?"

Rahul paused, pondering. Meanwhile, the master leisurely sipped his coffee, reminiscing about the time when Rahul, a mere six-year-old child, had first arrived for training. Now, eight years later, having taught Rahul the basics of every weapon, the master felt a different aura about him—a refined temperament. Brushing off the sentiment, he blessed Rahul for the upcoming championship.

Rahul, however, expressed his need to hone his abilities in battle. Acknowledging Rahul's awakening as a Necromancer, the master inquired about his choice of a sub-profession. Rahul hesitated, knowing his situation was a tangled mess in documentation. Deciding to keep it a secret, recalling a cryptic remark from a figure in the past, he opted not to disclose anything that might complicate matters further.

Instead, he shifted the conversation to a question puzzling him for days, "Master, I have many questions regarding awakening events."

The master, surprised, replied, "Oh!" and gestured for Rahul to proceed while taking another sip of his coffee.

Observing the master's habitual coffee consumption, he uttered just one word, "Addiction," as several empty cups lay before him. Despite this, he summoned the courage to pose his question, "Master, do you believe the awakening device always displays accurate data?"

The master glanced toward Rahul and replied, "It varies, but not significantly," fixing an intense gaze upon Rahul. "Your thoughts?"

The question made Rahul's heart race, yet he maintained a composed facade, shaking his head. "Thinking what if someone's data doesn't match with awakening and what is the condition to happen?"

Swiftly redirecting, he skillfully inquired, "Master, is it possible for someone to awaken in both their main and sub-professions?"

The master's smile returned, "Indeed, it has occurred."

So, I'm not alone.

"Only a handful," the master answered, eyeing Rahul suspiciously. "What prompts your curiosity in this matter?"

Rahul showed no signs of suspicion on his face as he spoke, his eyes sparking with curiosity. "Master, don't you think that's kind of...?"

His eyes soon lost their sparkle, a sadness replacing the initial curiosity. "Master, I've also become a player, so knowing this question would help me clear my doubts. Who knows whom I might meet in the future? Now that I know it's possible, if I were to awaken both my main and sub at the same time..."

Seeing Rahul's despondent expression, the master's face softened. He gently knocked Rahul's forehead before he could finish his question.

"There's nothing to be sorry about," he said, locking eyes with Rahul. "Everything comes with a cost, kid, so be happy and satisfied with what you have."

Hearing this, Rahul's expression cleared, and he spoke in a motivated tone. "Yes, Master, I understand. With my Necromancer profession, I believe I can win the Young Championship and achieve many things."

The master smiled warmly, "Alright, kiddo, the time has arrived for me to depart."