Today is a good day. I mean I did get cut all over again. The pain is pretty bad. But over all the experience is not that bad. If I'm not mistaken the worst in getting tortured should be the helplessness. The fact that I'm a willing party does make it easier. Still it is more painful than when I was cutting myself a while back. Mostly because my brain isn't as prepared to the pain.

But if anything, I think it is helping somewhat. I can endure more. I can also control my healing process better. Before I was able to use or abstain from using my powers even when under pressure. Now I'm also able to have fine control over the process.

As dumb of a training method as it sounds, I get the feeling that it should help me in other domains too. Right now, I'm back in the cell with my beggar friend. He's not very talkative so I don't know anything much about him. If anything, I get the feeling my life isn't in any real danger anymore. I trust Luna that much? Yes.

*CLANG*

Oh? Who is this? Some really old man. He's the kind of man one would imagine being an immortal. More importantly he is carrying something…is that wine! Damn.

"Hello young master. How have you been?"

Young master? What is this about?

[Young master? Haha. I'm actually a sinner in the sect. One of the worst there is in fact.]

"Well, that matter not. You are the young master because the young mistress chose you. That is all. I've brought you some medicinal wine. Care to share some with an old man?"

[Oh? Isn't medicinal wine wasted on someone that has already been sentenced to death?]

"Hehe. You see this dungeon here is my domain. Not even the sectmaster has any say in what happens here. If I decide to keep you here what can he do? 😉"

I like him already.

[I see. I'll gladly partake then. Care to unchain me?]

*Rattle*

Ha! Feels good to stretch a bit. *GULP GULP GULP* HAAAAAA. This is the best. I can already feel something. I feel a warm and powerful current surging inside me.

[This wine is even better than what the sectmaster gets to drink. Good stuff]

My beggar friend seems shocked for some reason. He's intently fixing the wine gourd in my hands.

[Want some?]

"Young master I'm afraid this prisoner has vowed to abstain from alcohol."

[A pity.]

"Tell me young master. Aren't you afraid? What if I had poisoned the wine?"

[No need. A friend of Luna is a friend of mine.]

"Young master I beseech you to be more careful in the future. There are countless tasteless poisons in this world."

[It is pretty simple…. hum old man how should I address you?]

"This old man is but a humble alchemist in the service of the young mistress."

[An old man like you…swearing loyalty to such a youthful young lady?]

"Let's just say that I'm too old now. I just wish to watch over the next generation and experiment at my own pace."

I don't know why, but I trust him. Gut feeling I'm getting.

[Understandable. Well let me be frank Grandpa. I may not have much confidence in anything else. But I really doubt you'd have the capabilities to poison me even if you so desired.]

I have divine power cursing trough me as we speak. So what is a little poison?

0_0

[But don't worry. I won't throw my life away. After all it would be too much of a shame. Being dead I wouldn't be able to taste your medicinal wine anymore. You carefully mixed it yourself am I right?]

".... Y-yes young master. I have carefully mixed countless poisons in there. All to achieve the best effect possible."

[Impressive.]

"Y-Young master? Didn't you hear me say about the poisons in the wine?"

[I did.]

"Then why aren't you worried young master?"

[Poison and medicine. It is all the same. Why should I be worried? Do you perhaps wish to harm me?]

"Of course, not young master! *sigh* But to be honest people called me mad exactly because I use poison to develop medicine. It took me a long time to realize the simple fact that the deadliest poison can cure people. If I may ask, how could you know of such a thing at your young age?"

[That much is common knowledge isn't it? A tool is never good or evil. It remains a simple tool. So, what If you like to use poisons? What matters is only the end result.]

"*chuckle* Indeed. This much should be common knowledge."

[By the way why is this man here?]

"Him? A prisoner. He serves an enemy god. He has two choices. Either swear a soul oath and fight for the Lunar goddess's glory or stay here the remainder of his lifespan."

[If he could be broken down so easily why would you guys even need him. If he cannot be broken why even bother torturing him?]

"It does have little chances of success indeed"

[If he can be shackled by such a thing as a soul-oath why even bother?]

"Young master a soul-oath is nothing simple."

[Oh. Do you know about me?]

"I'm aware of your story young master."

[Oh? Do you still think a soul-oath is reliable?]

"That makes one wonder indeed. But by now it is too late to try a new approach."

[Is it now?]

"I'm afraid so…"

[How about leaving us for a while?]

"Alright young master."

Just before exiting the room he looks back.

"Young master. Why are you not doubting me? Are you simply going to trust everything I tell you?"

[Why? You brought me such good wine and are a friend of Luna. That much should be enough.]

"That's it? …."

[The goddess's champion. He's one that fears the strong and oppresses the weak. I don't believe such trash would ever reach the rank 5. If you truly wish to foster the new generation Luna's your only choice. Wouldn't you agree?]

"HAHAHA. WELL SAID. But what about you? Aren't you one that will reach rank 5 too?"

[Never.]

"Why? Shouldn't the youth have dreams?"

[Dreams is it?]

"How about I teach you alchemy? Such a profession is mostly about insights rather than raw power. I've heard about your potential. But so what? I think you could be my successor"

[Hehe potential is it? Tell me grandpa do you know what potential even means?]

"The higher the more likely you are to progress and become stronger!"

[You missed something important you see.]

"What would that be"

[It's the world evaluation. So what if one's potential is low? One simply needs to go against the world.]

"To go against the world is it? HAHAHAHA. Do forgive me. It seems I've been blind this whole time! To go against the world! HAHAHAHA I guess for once I am not the mad one! HAHAHAHAH"

[So what if I am mad grandpa.]

"I'll wait for you to become a legendary rank 5! You better achieve it before I breath my last! I'll be counting on you young master!"

[Rank 5. I'm sorry but I have no such aspirations.]

"But …."

[Can that rank 5 of yours kill gods?]

"What!? Of course not!"

[Then I'm afraid you've underestimated my madness.] (ƪ¬ ‿¬)

"...."(◎_◎)