The blades spun rapidly, their loud whirring echoing in my ears. The helicopter took off, heading toward our destination. I sat in the back, relaxed, playing on my phone. Occasionally, I looked out the window, admiring the truly beautiful cityscape.
The city soon gave way to the vast ocean, presenting a view just as stunning as the land. A faint smile formed on my lips.
"Speed up the flight!!"
"Yes, young master."
The helicopter accelerated. With this speed, we would reach Karimunjawa Island in no time.
Sure enough, in just a few minutes, we arrived at Karimunjawa Island. The helicopter began to descend toward the place I had purchased — a villa near the beach.
It landed on a wide field near my villa. The strong wind from the spinning blades blew light objects around. The moment the helicopter touched the ground, I stepped out. The gusts of wind tousled my hair messily.
I walked casually, both hands in my pants pockets, heading toward the villa I had just bought. Just typical rich guy behavior. When I reached the front door, a male servant opened it for me. Inside, a row of about a dozen servants stood lined up on either side of the hallway to welcome me. A sight I'd grown used to seeing.
An older male servant approached me and asked what I needed.
"Young master, what can I prepare for you?"
I answered nonchalantly.
"Bring a glass of warm milk and some snacks to my room."
He bowed slightly and replied,
"If that's your wish, I'll prepare it immediately."
I walked to the room on the second floor. Once inside, I flopped down on the bed. Reaching into my pocket, I pulled out my phone and sent a message to Aldo:
"Send me the test location."
He quickly shared the location via live share.
A knock came at the door. A female servant's voice asked permission to enter. I allowed her in. She walked in carrying a glass of milk and snacks, placing them on the table near the window. She glanced at me, bowed slightly in respect, then quietly exited and closed the door behind her.
I got up from the bed and walked over to the table. I sat down, picked up a chocolate cookie, and took a bite.
I was a bit impressed by whoever made that chocolate cookie — the sweetness was addictive. My gaze drifted out the window, admiring the stunning beach view. The scenery captivated me.
A soft smile appeared on my lips.
"...Three more days."
---
The next day, I strolled along the beach. I saw children playing with their parents, building sandcastles. The sight reminded me of my own parents. Of that incident.
I clenched my fists, trying to suppress the anger that bubbled up from old memories.
Just as my emotions began to rise, someone bumped into me. But instead of me falling, she did. Instinctively, I snapped.
It was a girl, likely around my age. She had long, straight hair, pale skin, and beautiful eyes. She wore a white jacket and black pants. Meanwhile, I was just in a light blue T-shirt and gray pants, rolled up to the knees.
The girl groaned in pain, rubbing her backside. She looked at me, confused, scanning me from head to toe and back up again.
"Watch where you're going! Don't you have eyes!?" I barked at her.
My outburst startled her. She stood up quickly, clearly offended.
"You were the one walking carelessly! Don't just blame people!"
I wasn't about to back down.
"Wow… you're the one who bumped into me, and now you're blaming me? Do you even have a brain?" I mocked.
Her face flushed red with anger.
"What did you say!? No brain?! Who do you think you are calling someone brainless — what am I, an animal!?"
"Maybe," I said flatly.
That made her even angrier. Her fists clenched, ready to throw a punch. But just before she could hit me, her friend came running and held her back.
It was another girl about her age, with shoulder-length hair, fair skin, and a mole under her left eye.
"Calm down, Putri. Don't just punch people. If something happens, you'll be the one in trouble," her friend said.
"But Adel, he started it!" Putri complained.
Still, Adel pulled her away from me with all her strength. Putri let herself be dragged off, but not before flipping me off with her middle finger.
I just smiled and tapped my temple with my finger — mocking her for being brainless.
---
I was still on the beach, sitting at a small stall, sipping a warm cup of milk coffee, when someone approached me.
He was a well-dressed young man, about 23 years old, with neatly combed hair, slightly tan skin, a handsome face, and a tall, athletic build — most likely muscular under those clothes.
"Have a seat, Raka," I said with a smile.
Raka sat beside me and ordered a cup of black coffee. He was a soldier — a lieutenant. The youngest lieutenant in Indonesia, in fact.
"I went to Ukir City earlier looking for you, but the housemaid said you came to Karimun Island for a test. That's why I came here — to talk to you."
I sipped my coffee, enjoying the blend of milk and bitterness.
"So, why were you looking for me?"
Raka took a sip of his black coffee.
"…I heard you're planning to join ADITIYA. That's why I came — to tell you what I know about them."
About ADITIYA?
So he knew what I'd been wanting to know all this time. But why hadn't he told me earlier?
"…If you knew about ADITIYA, why didn't you tell me before?"
The atmosphere turned tense.
"Because I was still digging deeper into them."
There was a moment of awkward silence. Then I smiled.
"Then tell me what you've found."
Raka swallowed and began:
"ADITIYA wasn't founded by the government. It was created by a figure from the past — Eyang Semar. He was someone deeply respected by all, not just because of his immense power, but also his wisdom and heart. He was the guardian of Java Island."
I continued sipping my drink, listening intently.
"ADITIYA has existed for thousands of years — since the time of the RAHADIAN."
I froze, setting my drink on the table. RAHADIAN. That word had been mentioned by my grandfather before he died.
"Back then, the RAHADIAN were humanity's final defense. They defeated billions — even trillions — of demons. With only six people. They even managed to close the gate of hell."
Now I understood why Grandpa had told me to hide my powers. Six people, trillions of demons — it was insane.
"After they sealed the gate, the RAHADIAN vanished. No one knows where they went. Since then, Eyang Semar created an organization — ADITIYA — to eliminate the remaining demons."
I nodded slowly. It all started to make sense. But how did they defeat demons in the first place? You can't kill demons with ordinary weapons.
"So… how did they kill the demons?"
Raka smiled.
"Good question. Demons can't be killed with normal weapons. That's why ADITIYA uses three methods. First, making a pact with a weapon sealed with a spirit — a 'contract weapon.' If you pass the spirit's test, you gain its power. But if you fail… the spirit takes over your body, and ADITIYA will execute you without mercy."
"Second, using spiritual energy."
"Spiritual energy? I've never heard of it."
"Me neither, until recently. Inside us is a force called spiritual energy. If you train it, your strength, agility, and speed increase dramatically. There are nine levels — from one-star, the weakest, to nine-star, the strongest. The more stars your spiritual core holds, the more powerful you are."
Spiritual energy… sounds interesting. I might consider learning it.
"Third — and last — weapons forged from special materials. These are for people who can't form pacts or awaken their spiritual energy. But they can still kill demons."
"That's how ADITIYA destroys demons."
I nodded, taking in everything Raka explained.
"Is there more?"
He nodded.
"After passing ADITIYA's test, you'll be placed into a team and stationed in a region — usually your home city."
I paused in thought.
[So much valuable info from Raka. But one question lingers — if ADITIYA goes rogue, what can the government do? They're just normal humans — they couldn't stop ADITIYA.]
I sipped my coffee.
"Raka, is there anyone besides the government who can control ADITIYA?"
He choked on his coffee, coughing at my question.
"…Good point. I almost forgot. Sorry, Bili."
He apologized. I raised my hand slightly — gesture accepted.
"The Anemon, also called The Five. They're the pinnacle of ADITIYA — each with incredible strength, the most powerful weapons, and nine-star spiritual energy. They maintain balance, ensure ADITIYA doesn't go rogue, and serve as judges for rule-breakers."
He sipped his black coffee.
"And above them… Eyang Semar still watches over Java."
"The Five…" I murmured.
[The Five — top of ADITIYA. But they're not the real threat. It's Eyang Semar. If he's the founder and still alive, he must be over a thousand years old. I never imagined a human could live that long.]
I gave a small smile and looked at Raka.
"Then teach me how to use spiritual energy. It seems like your body emits a power I've never seen."
Raka laughed and grinned.
"That was my plan all along."
I laughed with him.
To Be Continued…