(So this is what it means to be strong. Amazing!)
Luck had watched the whole scene play out with stars shining in his eyes. Watching the guard dominate the terrorist from the very start of their fight and then subject him to obey his whims truly opened his eyes.
Since the beginning of modern civilisation, there has always been one rule. A rule that became even more apparent with the emergence of the new age 400 years ago.
The strong ruled over the weak.
It didn't matter whether you had a big heart and were a fair and just ruler, or ruled with an iron fist, forcing those under you to follow your rules; the important part was that you were the one in control.
Luck had always been aware of this rule, but witnessing this fight, even if it was a watered-down version of the real deal because of the magic dampener. Normally, mid-awakeners can't even be in the area when high-awakeners battle, as just the rampant mana could instantly kill them. So witnessing was really a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for him.
"Hey, kid."
Luck was removed from his thoughts to see the guard walking towards him, Sarah, the basilisk, slithering beside him.
(When the fuck was this happening?!) Luck thought. He turned back to face his group. "What sho-"
There was nobody behind him. Searching around him, he finally spotted them several feet away. His brother even had the gall to give him a thumbs-up of encouragement.
(Fucking traitors.) Luck cursed internally as he turned back to face the still approaching duo. He took a deep breath as he calmed his heart that raced with both excitement and fear.
(Just a guy who could kill you with a sneeze and his murderous pet snake. No pressure.)
"Did you enjoy the fight?" The guard suddenly asked as he reached Luck.
"Huh?"
"The fight. I was pretty sure I slowed down the fight enough for someone of your level to follow. Was it still too fast?"
"... Was the fight that one-sided?"
The guard chuckled lightly. "That guy was barely a warm-up. " He petted his snake lovingly with a doting smile on his face. "And Sarah was particularly helpful today, weren't you love?"
Luck watched as the snake hissed in agreement, clearly enjoying her owner's head pats. She looked so gentle that if he hadn't seen her brutally murder a gang of terrorists in a second, with his very own eyes, he would have thought she could never hurt a fly.
(Unfortunately, reality is cruel.) Luck thought blandly as he watched the killer duo
Eventually and thankfully, for Luck, the guard soon regained his bearings.
"What rank are you, kid?"
"Why do you want to know?"
The guard chuckled. "Cautious. I like that. You're an Enma ranker, right?"
Luck looked at him lamely. (Why the fuck did you ask me that if you already sensed it yourself?)
The guard seemed to understand what he was thinking, as he said. "Oh, don't get me wrong. I may have known, but I wanted to test you to see if you're dumb enough to reveal your rank to a total stranger, even if he just saved your life."
(Clearly, it's the other way around.) Luck thought as he said aloud. "I know the rules already. Besides, it's better to play your cards close. Surprise them instead of the other way round.
The guard nodded. "I like the sound of that kid. How old're you, by the way?"
Seeing no reason not to answer, he said. "Fourteen" caused the guard to show a face of mild surprise.
"Not really the expression I was looking for." Luck commented. To him, the guard may as well have made no expression at all if he was gonna make that face.
"Yeah, although it's not common, I've actually seen those who reached the mid-awkener level in their first year of being awakened."
"I hear I thought I was some kind of supreme genius." Luck muttered with a chuckle laced with mirth.
"Oh, you are," the guard rebutted. "Don't confuse my words. I just said I've seen this situation in cases where the newly awakened possesses immense talent."
Seeing that Luck had supposedly brightened up, the guard smiled. "Let me let you in on a little secret. The low and mid-awakening stages are the foundation realms, meant to prepare you for the later stages. So I advise, once you've reached Aspirant rank, you stay there for as long as possible to improve the quality of your foundation. Besides," he let out a small laugh. "You can't reach the high stages now, even if you try to."
Luck tilted his head in question. "Why?"
"Cause-"
"Hello, I'm sorry to disturb, but we're still here." One of the other travellers spoke timidly. He had seen the gruesome show that this particular guard had displayed. The last thing he wanted to do was get on his bad side.
"Sorry about that." The guard said sheepishly. He turned to Luck. "Can I give you and your friends a ride?"
Thinking about it for some time, he eventually shrugged in response. "Sure"
And that was how Luck and the rest found themselves on the head of a Sarah as she slithered through the streets of the city.
The city itself was a sight to behold. Rows upon rows of various buildings were lined up neatly to create a maze of streets and alleyways. The streets were well organised, with just enough room to separate travelling citizens into three different categories. The pedestrian, motorists and monster riders.
And just above, one could faintly make out the wall, as it surrounded the city in a protective cocoon of steel.
It was a beautiful city. Lively too, as people of various races were hurrying along the streets and into buildings, and whatever people do.
"We're here." The guard suddenly said as they stopped at a giant building, its structure almost resembling that of a medieval castle.
Its walls were high and thick with turrets and cameras planted on top. Written in neat black letters on the giant silver colored gate were the words 'Lysarrieth Academy'.
"Now," the guard said lightly as Sarah lowered her head just enough for them to hop off. " Let's get you guys registered."