"I have a question to ask. What exactly happened to Julius? I mean, he said that he's crippled, but with all the things I've seen and heard, he must've been able to cast magic at some point, right?"

Marus paused. A long empty silence sat between the two. Then, after a while, he said.

"That's something I can't say. But if you wish to know more, then you may ask the young master himself. All I can say is that something happened, and due to my own inadequacies... the young master was harmed."

Minhyun dryly heaved.

"I'd like to... It's just, I don't really see myself in the position to ask anything. After all, I'm just a random stranger that intruded on someone else's life like a parasite."

He then laughed before mocking himself.

"And that's not even mentioning all the things I've done. Persuading him to play with his sister, and even this entire journey in itself... They're all something I've basically forced him to do."

Marus just shook his head.

"The young master had his fair share of options to pick from. He's not someone who would blindly follow someone else's requests. If you want my opinion, I think the young master has grown fond of your company."

In response to this, Minhyun just spat. He couldn't believe a word he heard.

"More like convenience. Do you know how many times I've had to drink for him, clothe him, and even walk for him? Like seriously, who's lazy enough to do this."

Marus laughed.

"That's just how he is. You see, the young master has never actually had a friend before. As a member of high ranking nobility, it's his responsibility to be impartial to those around him. Factions create strife, and as a banner for neutrality, the Mondeau family has never participated in Enteim's politics. So, after years of living like that, the only way he knows how to treat others is through a servant-master relationship."

He then smiled.

"If anything, the fact that he accounts for your opinion and judgment shows that he appreciates you more than you think."

Minhyun looked away. Time passed before he whispered.

"Then can I ask a different question instead?"

Marus paused for a little before answering.

"Go ahead."

After thinking for a bit, Minhyun phrased his question.

"How does someone crippled regain their ability to cast magic? I guess you wouldn't know since you're old, but in our previous world, there were many books that detail worlds similar to the one we live in now. Books that contain the future of their inhabitants and hold secrets that many don't know of. Recovering from ineptitude is one of those secrets. However, for some reason, I just can't seem to remember if I've ever read a book of this world before."

Marus ignored the jabs at his age. After pondering for a bit, he answered.

"Being crippled means losing access to the world's authority. The only cure known is by supplementing your existence with the soul of another. However, since you're not native to this sector of realms, your presence has minimal effects. Though, I must say, it is quite the miracle for this to happen. The likelihood of a soul bonding with another is very low, and the only known cases in which success was found were with twins and identical beings. There are other cases like the ones that happened in the Mages Tower and Kunlun's Heavenly Sword Peak, but those are different. Instead of bonding, it'd be more accurate to say that the host's soul devours or parasitizes the souls of its victims."

He then toothily grinned.

"But I think you've got the wrong idea. I never said that I came from the same world as you."

What...?

Minhyun froze. An unsettling feeling sank into his soul.

"What do you mean by that?"

Marus shook his head and said.

"Like I said, you weren't the first of your kind to come here. You're the second."

Hearing that, Minhyun immediately thought of the words he read in Emily's book. A mist shrouded his face as mysteries bogged his mind, but he ultimately asked himself a question.

If a book can be inherited by others. Then does that mean that my predecessor also came from the Mondeau family? Is that why they're so accepting of my existence and have the knowledge of my previous world... But that begs the question. Why is it that only Marus and the head wife know? Just what am I missing? Why am I here?

After checking the time, Marus stood up from his rock. Understanding Minhyun's frustrations, he said.

"Get up. There's not much you can do about it with the state you're in. You see, that predecessor of yours made a lot of enemies when he was still alive. Enemies that have the capability of destroying entire nations of civilization... Take my word and don't pry too deep into things. The more you know, the more you'll be exposed to beings far beyond your comprehension."

Minhyun clenched his fists.

"Right... I understand what you're saying. I promise I won't think too deep into things. Ultimately, we're different people and, to be honest, I don't want to involve myself in conflicts like that."

He then collected himself.

"But I do have a request to ask. In case I do find myself in the presence of one of those beings, what should I expect to see? I want to know what I'm dealing with."

Marus smiled.

"Although I wouldn't call myself a person at the pinnacle, I would consider myself someone who wields near perfect mastery of an authority. A Bakherein. A title given by the world to those who've added their own influence to an already existing authority. Mine is death, and the concept I've added is survival."

He then pulled a book out from his sleeve.

"But I should warn you, this isn't something that many people can get out of unscathed."

As soon as he said that, black smog started to spill out of his body. Poison, blood, and the smell of rot encompassed the surrounding vicinity as all the life around them began to switch between states of life and death. Animals hidden deep within the fields started collapsing one by one, yet with a bit of time, came soaring back up before falling back down in a state of paralysis. Weeds and flowers showed the same signs, wilting before blossoming in full dew, only for them to fall back into a state of death. Cycles and cycles repeated until a voice spilled out from the dark.

Then, all of a sudden, Minhyun's mind overloaded with the shrill cries of screams and agony. Blood began to spill from every orifice of his body, and he felt his existence flicker away like a candle in the wind. Darkness overwhelmed his mind, yet with the pain and cacophony of screams, he couldn't find himself the solace of sleep. In the end, as his mind was about to be transferred elsewhere, within the text of Marus' book, Marus shut his hand and stored it away, preventing it from happening.

All that was left was a paralyzed man. A man who could finally embrace the comfort of death.

...

"Where am I...?"

After opening his eyes, Minhyun heard a voice speak out from beside him.

"Oh, you're awake."

Turning his head, he saw a young man with red eyes reading a book. Although he couldn't understand what the cover meant, he could make out some of the words it spelled.

Princess... Slayer... M*'r*n. What the hell does that mean?

Ignoring his thoughts, he asked.

"What happened to me?"

However, Julius just ignored him. Instead, he flipped to the next page and clicked his tongue.

"This makes no sense. This is clearly the part where Mo'ron gets slayed by Princess BonBon... So why did they change it?"

Minhyun wryly smiled.

"Uhh... Nice talk, I guess."

Julius took a deep sigh and explained.

"Haaa... Do you really need me to tell you? After Marus invoked his authority, your puny little brain couldn't comprehend what you saw, and so you passed out. Simple as that."

He then rolled his eyes.

"Also, could you stop getting hit next time? It's distracting."

But after he said that, he just froze.

"Oh, I get what you mean. I'd also worry if something like this happened to my body."

Hearing this, Julius secretly heaved a sigh of relief.

"Yeah. It's good you understand."

Then, after placing his book to his side, he said.

"Let's go eat. Marus said he'd be done cooking by the time you woke up."

After sitting up, a refreshing and cooling sensation engulfed Minhyun's body. Only now did he see that a patch of medicinal paste was applied to his cuts and bruises. Feeling the strength of a thousand men, he took a step outside before taking a look at the dark sky. He had been asleep for so long that evening had been skipped. Yet once he took a second look, he felt like something was missing...

Where's the moon...? Also, why are there no stars in the sky?

Wait... was there even a sun?

...

How did I not notice all of this?

He paused. Then asked.

"Hey, how come I don't see any stars in the sky? Also, where's the moon and sun?"

Julius just looked at him as if he'd gone crazy.

"Sun..? Moon.? Stars... What the hell are you talking about?"

Minhyun rubbed his head in pain. Since his intelligence was being questioned, he retorted.

"If there's no sun, then where does the light come from?"

Julius froze. Completely stunned.

"I-I don't actually know...?"

Luckily, Marus stepped up from the side and answered for him.

"The light of this world comes from a person. More specifically, the remains of one."

He then looked over and asked.

"Are you doing well, young master Minhyun? It must've been quite taxing on your mind."

Minhyun rubbed his head and awkwardly said.

"Yes, I feel much better now, but I told you not to call me that."

Marus nodded his head.

"How about you, young master? It must've been very difficult to concentrate after feeling the effects of my authority."

Minhyun paused.

"Wait, whuh?"

Julius glared, but Marus just ignored him.

"Oh, did the young master not tell you? Since your souls are bonded, anything that happens to you is shared with the young master, and anything that happens to the young master is also shared with you."

Minhyun rubbed his nose before questioning.

"So if I were to stab myself right now, then Julius would also feel the effects of it."

Marus nodded his head.

Immediately, a mischievous smile began to form on Minhyun's face, but after a while, he just huffed before slowly sitting back down.

"Although it stings a bit, I don't blame you for not telling me. To be honest, I'd probably do the same thing."

He then reassured him.

You don't have to worry, though. I'm not going to do anything. Not anymore, at least. I know that this entire fiasco was me overstepping my boundaries, and I truly apologize for that. I promise it'll never happen again."

Julius glanced away, then sighed.

"It's fine. Just don't do it again."

Minhyun looked at the sky, weakly laughing as he stared into the abyss above.

"Wow, I guess the books really did lie to me. You really aren't the despicable POS that they describe you to be."

Julius grit his teeth.

"I asked you before, and I'm asking you again. Tell me the name of the person who wrote that."

Minhyun stuck his tongue out and pulled on his eye.

"I'm not telling you. The two of you keep too many secrets from me. It's only fair for me to keep some of my own."

Julius arrogantly looked down at him.

"I order you to tell me."

Remembering Marus' words from before, Minhyun retorted.

"I'm not your servant. You can't tell me what to do."

"You!"

Minhyun then covered his ears and monotonously yelled.

"Blah blah blah blah blah, I can't hear you."

Julius pointed his finger and screamed.

"What are you, a child!"

Marus, the perpetrator of all of this, wryly smiled. After sneaking back to his cooking spit, he continued to char a piece of mysterious meat until it turned pitch black. He quivered a little as a small laugh escaped from his lips.

"Young master, the food is ready."

Still heaving, Julius ordered.

"Go eat it for me."

A glimmer shone in Minhyun's eyes when he heard this.

"Yeah, yeah, I get it. This is the one thing you don't have to ask me for."

After saying that, he quickly ran over to Marus.

Marus then handed him a mysterious bowl. A chuckle escaped from his lips as he monotonously said.

"I hope my cooking is to your taste."

Hurriedly rubbing his hands together, Minhyun froze as his expectations were suddenly dashed.

"...Why the fuck is it this again!"

Marus walked back. This time, with a bowl of stew in his hands.

"You don't remember. During our last combat, you died under the pressure of my authority."

Minhyun cried.

"That doesn't count. I wasn't even trying to fight you. Plus, what kind of lesson would even help me survive that."

Marus just shrugged while Julius continued to read his book. Then they both answered.

"When you're weak, don't try to pick a fight with those stronger than you." x2

...

Minhyun slammed his fists. Tears spilled out of his eyes as he consumed the rotten meat like substance, and for the first time in his life, he couldn't wait for school to start.

Just how long am I going to have to eat this cursed thing?