Returner's Revenge

The Darkness That Holds Me

“I want Johannes to enter the Heroes Hall in three years after the graduation from the academy. I want to tell that news to you since you are the students that seem to be close to him.” The headmaster said to them whilst sitting on the floor. “Isn’t that great? Johannes in the past did not like the heroes and stuff but I always see him do heroic things. That’s just abound to happen.” Kris says with a positive tone but Johannes takes this differently because he is showing no other signs of stopping him from walking a different path.

“Don’t get me wrong Johannes, you are like a brother to me and I want you to stay beside me all the time like we used to, but I can’t rob you of your future just for my selfish desires.” Kris pat his friend’s back and turns to the headmaster.

“Being in the Heroes Hall doesn’t mean that we will not see each other again. We are going in the same path so our paths in the future are destined to cross. Can’t you see I’m trying my best to be as strong as you? Without a stigma, I can still be a hero.”

The headmaster smiles when he hears what Kris said and acknowledges his desire. “Those who believe shall succeed. Just put faith in it and you will reach your goals without any hindrance.” The headmaster says as he proceeds to leave the room after telling them the news. “Oh! It’s a good thing that you kids are using this part of the training area. Its almost a full ten years since this area was used but now I think this place will not be as lonely as ever.” The headmaster says with a smile and then leaves.

Jhonas briefly forgets about his family secret methods but quickly remembers after the headmaster left entirely. “Kris Grindall, a name that does not even belong in our kingdom and yet he knows a method that my family only knows. Don’t you think this is fishy?” Jhonas wants to pull an explanation out of Kris’ mouth but the young man decided to keep his mouth shut until the right time has come for him to tell everybody.

[Now that the first calamity, the person that the organization tried to recruit but failed has not joined them. I need to figure out the others that are involved. Most of the pillars are in this academy but due to this academy’s rules, I can’t act recklessly, I don’t want to cause needless troubles for everyone around me. Especially when a lot of people that I don’t even came across in my past life are actually supporting me in this lifetime.] Kris firmly grip his fist when the image of the ruins that is the kingdom.

“Calm down Jhonas, I will tell you when the time is right.” Kris then turns to Flora who is still confused of what the both of them are actually talking about. “This is actually connected to your questions in some way. I know that Johannes were giving you answers that does not actually answers anything so if you all want to have your questions answered, you better stick around.” Kris declares and then reminds them to eat the plum before it spoils.

“It only has a few hours before it rots once its taken out of the jar. So better consume it before it rots. Jhonas knows more about it so if you ever doubt me, just look at his expression if you plan to throw away the plums. That will confirm and kill you suspicion of me tricking you all.” Jhonas glares at Kris but the latter just winks at him .

“You trying to make me your tool huh? I could not care less about the plums at all. I can just buy them if I ever want to so why would I care if they throw all of those away?” Kris turns to him like he doesn’t know that but then reassures him.

“I don’t, because the rarity and the word that I got from a source saying the trees that produce those plums are dying and some are being burnt to prevent monopoly. The price of each plum in the future will skyrocket to more that 100 gold a piece. I’m sure the inheritor of the kingdom in the west will be able to buy.” Jhonas eyes shot up when he hears what Kris says and grab his collar yet again. Johannes reacted and wants to stop him but Kris gestures him that its fine. He looks directly at Jhonas’ eyes and then move to whisper something to Jhonas.

The latter then slowly let go of him. “Are you certain about that?” Kris nod his head. “Of course.” Kris responds with a confident tone. Everyone felt the aggression on Jhonas’ face fade but what Kris whispered to his ear puzzle them. Considering what Kris has been saying, it doesn’t look like he will answer them if they even asked so they decided to stay quiet and observe the situation for a while.

Seeing the value of the plum that they are holding has quite a price, everybody hesitated to eat thinking that they get to eat something so precious for free even without doing anything good to him in the past. They felt guilty and hurt thinking that they are taking advantage on Kris but he just shrug their worries of saying that its not a big deal and that they will not regret ever eating that plum in the future.

Trusting his words, all of them ate the plums. “You will not automatically feel the changes but after a good night of sleep, you should be able to feel the changes. Don’t worry, it can also improve your mana pool. More spells, more physical prowess, the more likely for you to achieve more. But keep this a secret from everybody else. We can’t have the kingdoms fighting over a mere plum when there are more important things to look out for.”

Jhonas as well as the other student continues to observe them until Kris calls it a day and tells everyone to rest well. “Here, I can’t give the others and miss you guys as well right?” Johannes and the others walks out of the training area first trying to help the new ones to have a great time and tells that that they should celebrate. Busy talking about it did not make them realize that Kris is still with Jhonas and the other student.

“Should you really be giving me something this precious?” Jhonas asked and Kris laughs. “Is there something wrong about giving something to someone? And besides, a human can only eat one plum in his entire lifetime. Eating the second time will kill a human. That is the sole reason why your ancestors kept it a secret and that’s why people are only allowed to take a small bite to heal injuries and deadly diseases. I’m not as greedy as those people that wanted power and died in the process. Power acquired easily without effort doesn’t taste good in the mouth. But if it comes from hard work, then the rewards are even more tastier.”

Kris turns to follow the others when Jhonas called out to him. “Why does this kingdom not value person like you? If you come to my kingdom with that kind of mind, you will be valued highly.” Jhonas tries to coerce Kris to come to his kingdom for a better treatment after seeing how he is treated by his fellow men.

“Even if they don’t value me as much as your kingdom might value me, this is where I was born. My homeland, and it needs me, I can feel it calling for me. I am nothing but a fragment of my past. And it is actually the opposite, I am the one doesn’t value my kingdom first.” Kris said as he wave his hand. “See you tomorrow.”

[But now its different. The old me lived in darkness and I continue to throw away everything just to get a hold of a power that I have been chasing for without knowing that I have sacrificed everything that I should have been poured my attention to. The past me that chase after power alone is now gone. Now, this time, this life, I will grow stronger with the people I threw away in my past life.] He thinks to himself when he met the others waiting for him at the door.