Chapter 62 - 062: Discussion Among Old People(2): Fear the Unknown, Old Man

Chapter 62: Chapter 062: Discussion Among Old People(2): Fear the Unknown, Old Man

There are a few groups of people who should always be feared in any fight: a wounded opponent, an opponent who has nothing to protect, and an opponent who has no fear of death.

"And this lad is the third. I see not a single hint of fear of death in those eyes. Best not to provoke him," Malcius said, gazing down at the youths walking around below him. "Or these children will get involved." He sighed. Youth these days were really something else.

But still, it had been an interesting period of over forty minutes, listening to Mikael recount what could be stories about Heaven, the realm of Celestials. About what Mikael believed to be the personalities of the archangels. It all sounded like a severe case of delusion, but it was interesting nonetheless.

"Your invention? You haven’t answered my questions about it, Mikael. I’d be honoured if you enlightened me a bit."

Smart man. He didn’t want to get those weaklings involved, Mikael noted mentally as they talked. Probably one of the reasons he settled down. But that also means there is no one of his level around. I might as well talk to him. After all, I’ve got nothing to hide.

"The Rank Bre—"

"A mere construct to increase the number of worthy enemies to battle during my journey. Though I doubt I’ll be making more now, since I’ve got to change up my plan."

"Worthy enemies?"

"Can’t explain, but in the end, it would have indirectly helped the human race get more strong warriors to help in the coming war. Really bad business for me, but your race is at least in luck."

"Who told you there is a war coming? Huh. I remember you first showed up in that border town that was attacked, which means you might be one of the Khyronians, here to sabotage us."

Mikael scoffed.

"And why should I bother helping the offspring of those brutes from the Underworld? I’ve got my standards, please. And trust me, they are really tight, those standards."

"And the fragment?"

Inwardly, Malcius was a bit happy, though fearful. Mikael seemed to have quite an honest side to him, and it was brutally visible for all to see.

"Riddle me this, Headmaster. That little piece of scum that manifested earlier—you saw it. I thought humanity couldn’t experience Celestial beings?"

The old man had a smug look on his face.

"Don’t look down on the human race, boy."

"Sure, whatever. That fragment was from the Sovereign, Aetherion."

"The Angel of the Sun!?"

"Huh, who’s that?"

"You said the name Aetherion just now. That is the Sun Angel, or Sun God, according to some religions. I’ve never heard of the Seven Sovereigns before, but like I said, I do know of the archangels and the One True Goddess. The archangels are assigned roles, patrons. Vaelthiela, for instance, is the patron of the dead."

Wonder how even mortals got to know their names.

Mikael yawned.

"Be sure to propagate my name and have it added to that list. So Orion and the others are revered as gods now... I wonder what else happened since I was gone." He shrugged. "Whatever. Anyways, your ’Sun God’ wants to kill me, so I have to power up as quickly as possible. Any more questions? I’ve got somewhere to be later tonight."

"Interviewees are mandated not to leave the prem—"

"I don’t remember ever saying I was your student, old man. Don’t forget that."

"Fair point, lad. So where do you intend to go to power up, Mikael?"

"There are Heavenly fragments scattered all over the world, no? Relics, as you call them. That should also be one of the reasons those hideous brutes are attacking you in the first place." Mikael sighed, rubbing the bridge of his nose.

Why didn’t I think of a safe, better place to gather and hide my relics? And now I’ve got to fight to reclaim them. Nice one, Mikael.

"Say, old man. There is a Fragment here, no? Sorry, a relic. Below this school!"

The glare he got in response was quite intense and cold.

"And what if there is, lad? Think you can take on this old man now?"

The Headmaster threatened, a little sigil hovering over his pinky finger.

Mikael laughed, either not seeing the fierce emotion in the old man’s eyes or pretending not to.

"Relax, old man. I’d lose quite too much just to beat you completely. Not a smart move."

The sigh of relief came unconsciously.

"But rest assured." He smiled now at Malcius. "I will be coming for it."

The Headmaster slowly levitated, floating directly to face Mikael.

"And who’s to say I won’t subdue you right here, on this roof?"

"Subdue, huh? Not kill? Now I’m being underestimated. Severely."

Mikael slowly floated to his feet.

"I must leave, Mr. Headmaster. The night is young. Who knows, I might get lucky and get a fragment tonight."

He slowly walked to the edge of the roof.

"Your honesty," the old man began, stroking his grey beard and gazing at the moon, "might be your greatest undoing. Since I know your plans, do you think we won’t be able to stop you from pulling it off? I’d say you are the one underestimating us, Mr. Sovereign."

Mikael clicked his tongue before tilting his head over his shoulder. His gold eyes gleamed with visible excitement, which slightly unsettled Malcius.

"This is exactly why I love the human race so much. The spirit hasn’t changed over millennia. Always willing to take on things much stronger than them. But..." He turned to face Malcius fully. "Old man, never forget to fear the unknown."

Saying so, he leapt off the roof but vanished before even reaching the ground.

His voice still hovered above the roof.

"Fear the Unknown."

A moment later, a shadow stood beside the old Headmaster.

"I hope you recorded this conversation, Shadow Six?"

"Yes, my lord."

"Send it to General Lithorne. He should know how to deal with this evolving menace before things go wrong."

"Yes, my lord."

The shadow slipped away into the darkness whence it came from.

"It’s been a very long time since something invigorated these old sacks of bones." Malcius cackled. "We will be awaiting you then, Mikael. Be sure not to disappoint me."