Book gets a bit gruesome so that's a warning.
Zen lay on the cold ground outside the village. Morning mist curled around him, carrying faint voices that stirred him awake.
"That boy has cursed mana, right?" a woman whispered.
Zen's ears twitched. Slowly, he stood and pressed his ear to the wall, listening. His fists clenched as the words sank in.
"Ever since I was ten… treated like a demon…"
Black mana pulsed from him, lifting pebbles before he forced it back down.
The old man chuckled.
"It's good he's outside," he muttered to his wife—then spat his tea when Zen moved.
"HEY, YOU!" he shouted. Two blades flew through the air. Zen dodged lazily, still half-asleep.
"Get out, bastard! No demons allowed!"
Zen blinked fully. "What?"
"YOU HEARD ME!" the man roared, charging.
Zen's cold eyes met his. "Kill me, then," he said.
The man swung wildly. Zen caught the blade effortlessly and snapped it in two.
"Arghh!" The man stumbled into the mud. Zen smirked at his shock.
"You… you…" the man gasped as black mana swirled around Zen.
Before he could react, Zen vanished, appearing behind him, one hand resting lightly on his shoulder.
"Say it," Zen whispered.
The man froze, turning slowly to meet his unblinking stare. "Please… let me live—"
Zen pressed a finger to his lips, silencing him. Then he chuckled softly and released him. "You were going to call me a devil, weren't you?"
The man's jaw dropped as Zen repaired the broken sword.
Before he could relax, Zen appeared again, startling the man. The man nearly fell, but Zen caught his beard effortlessly. "Here," Zen said, handing him the glowing blade.
Zen glanced down at the sword. Black mana pulsed softly from it.
The old man bolted, screaming, slamming the door behind him.
"Devil. The word burned in his mind, even as he fled.
Zen turned, locking eyes with the village chief, who stood smirking.
Zen looked up. "He's… tall."
The chief chuckled.