“Zero did this to her? How can you be 100% sure?”
The old man laughed for a short moment. “Because her memories told me about it.”
I nodded as I got closer to her body. I wanted to truly analyze it. I could feel a similar feeling to the demonic energy I had felt in my life. However, there was a small but noticeable difference between the two.
“Can I ask you another question?”
“Yes, young one. You can ask all the questions on your mind.”
“Do you know about the Zero’s race?”
The old man closed his eyes again, thinking deeply for a few moments.
“No, a lot of things are interfering with his identity and existence. I cannot find information about him easily.”
I nodded, not too sure what any of this meant. However, I glanced toward the body of the girl once more. She was losing strength quite fast.
“Did you find a way to cure her of the energy inside her body?”
“Maybe. However, we are not sure.”
“Oh, and what is that method?”
The old man turned around and sat back down on his chair as he seemed already exhausted from having spent that much time standing up.
“A potion that we created. However, we still lack some ingredients.”
At those words, I just smirked. I had so many ingredients in that bag of mine. I had killed so many dangerous things that there was a good chance that I would be able to have what he needed.
“Just ask me, and I’ll give it to you right away.”
He laughed once more. I wished it was that easy. However, we need a blood sample from Zero, and I have some doubts that you have such a thing.
I nodded as I released a sigh. “That’s true. Oh well, I could get you that blood if you want me to. After all, the reason why I’m here is to either kill Zero or capture him. However, I doubt that I would be able to actually go to the second option.”
The old man nodded once more. “I know of your ambitions. However, if I may, I do not think you are ready to face him.”
For the first time in my life, I didn’t think that this man was underestimating me. I knew that he could see through me. I knew that he had seen what I was able to do in my memories. So, if he was saying such a thing, there had to be reason.
“Is Zero really that powerful? Do you think I won’t be able to deal with him?”
The old man shook his head. “I do not believe so, young one. This Zero isn’t alone. He has strong allies, such as a demonic presence. In a duel, you might have a chance, and even then, it would be a close match. The winner would most likely be different with each fight.”
“Then, what do you expect me to do?”
“Isn’t it obvious?” He smirked.
The more I talked with him, the more I realized why this man was the chief of their Tribe. He deserved it just from his ability alone. However, he could make all the right decisions for his Tribe just by sitting in that chair. He truly was wise.
“Not really…what is it you want me to do?”
“Train here until you are ready to face Zero and his ally alone.”
I shook my head. “I can’t. That would take too much time, and this woman back there might die if I make such a choice.”
“No, you have enough time. She is strong. She will be able to resist this energy for a long time. From my calculations, she has three months left to leave if nothing is done to cure her.”
‘So, three months of training,’ I thought in the back of my mind. It was quite a long time away from the Royal Academy.
My original plan was to return after one month since that was the time I thought was needed to kill or capture Zero. However, if I had to train…then things were sure to take much longer.
‘Still, if he says that I need more strength. Then, it must be true. He has no reason to lie to me.’
I thought about it for a few moments. However, I only had one question on my mind before I accepted his request or declined.
“Can my students participate in this training of yours?”
“As long as they can handle it.”
I nodded. “Then, let’s do it. I will stay here and get stronger until you believe my strength to be sufficient to fight against Zero on even grounds.”
The old man smiled. “Perfect. It’s nice to meet you. My name is Zale. I thought you should know.”
I nodded, not even giving him my name since he already knew it.
“I should go announce the news to the members of the tribe,” Zale muttered as he once more tried to stand up with a lot of difficulty.
“Here, let me help you.”
***
A few moments later, we were outside of his house, and everyone in the village was gathered in front of his house. My students were also there.
However, once more, I noticed that there were no children in the village, which seemed weird. But I didn’t think much of it. Maybe they were running into problems. It wasn’t my place to ask.
“I have gathered you all here to announce you that this man and his students will be training under you guys for as long as necessary. I will be the one who will say once the training is sufficient.”
“Training members outside of the Tribe?! But why?” A member of the Tribe spoke up with a frown.
“Xander. His mind and soul are pure. Do not worry. You can trust him.”
“What about those little guys?” He said, pointing at all my students.
“They will also train with you, guys.”
“Why are you doing this? We need to go and get blood from the one who hurt Phoebe! We can’t waste time on training those useless beings!” Xander shouted, clearly mad about the situation, which was definitely understandable.
However, Zale stayed quiet for a moment, his eyes closed, before opening them again.
“This man is the key to Phoebe’s survival and our goal.”
You can consider the next 10 to 20 chapters a Mini Arc as we get closer to Zero.
