Once back home, I slowly removed all my armaments, and lay them out neatly. Grabbing a water bucket and some cloth, I proceeded to clean all the little knives—even those that never saw combat. I gave the same treatment to the katana, before drying them all off. I dumped the now dirty water in the bucket into the sink. The weapons were secreted away in my room.

As for my Halo protective gear, I made sure that there were no rips or faults in the heavy-duty fabrics, before replacing it in my closet. After that, I stepped into the shower, and got myself clean.

You know, somehow showers have always been one of the best places to think. Well, until you get shampoo in your eyes, but that’s not important.

So, it seems that I have some explaining to do, as I may have seemingly acted out of character back there at the Gibraltar family home.

I’ve always wanted a normal life, right? So why did I go through the trouble that I did?

Well, to tell the truth, I don’t really see all this as a big deal. And even if I did, there’s the fact that I simply want to make absolutely certain that no ghosts will come back to haunt me. I want Halif to be damn sure that messing with me, and anyone associated with me is a very, very bad idea. If I simply rolled over and hoped that trouble would simply pass me by, then I would be opening myself up for all sorts of bad things. Besides, I’m not sure if you guys have noticed by now, but it’s not in my personality to simply let annoying things be.

The poison bit was a little annoying, as well as that oath business. But again, not really a big deal. An oath can be circumvented very easily, especially one as vague as the one I swore to Halif. This is a case where my speech problems have helped, rather than hindered. He didn’t think the wording at all suspicious. For one, it was never said that I would obey him. I don’t actually know what the bond ended up affecting, though I suspect it rebounded on Halif, making it so that he would have to obey himself. Teehee~?

As for the poison, well.

I paused in the middle of lathering my hair with conditioner, and spat out a black glob of bile and clotted materials. It washed down the drain.

For once, I’m kinda glad some of those experiments worked.

So, in conclusion, all of this basically amounted to a minor annoyance. Joel was far worse, as far as how much he disrupted my life.

I already have a way to keep this from progressing any further as well. I just need to get everything to align properly, and this mess should clean itself up.

I got out of the shower, and dried myself off. My hair did that handy thing where it dried almost instantly—still not sure how that happens. But hey, who am I to question something so helpful?

Since it was pretty late at that point, I went to bed after that. So much to do tomorrow~

The red sunlight slanting in through the window is what woke me up.

It was a bit odd since I normally wake up sooner. Eh, dealing with that poison must have worn me out more than I’d have thought. Though, I feel super refreshed right now. Benefits of a full night of sleep I guess.

I stretched my arms up high, yawning a little. Getting out of bed, I threw aside the oversized shirt I use to sleep in and changed into street clothes. I brushed out my hair and quickly washed my face before making myself some breakfast. I know my friends would be entering Ashenload in a few hours, but I didn’t think I would be able to join them today. Too many other things to do.

Though, I think I have time before things begin happening, so I might as well relax a little, do some research.

I’m sure you’ve noticed by now, but I’m a fair bit paranoid about people figuring out about my powers. The reasons for this are pretty simple—I just don’t want to be targeted, or have my normal life disrupted.

Now, I know this situation is untenable, but I want to hold onto it for as long as possible.

Why is it untenable? Well, that’s partly my own fault. Even though I’m steeped in paranoia, and very careful, there are times when I can’t help not doing something. There have been several times when I intervened in events using my main powers, and just barely got away with it. I’m sure that the day will come where people figure it out, and come after me.

And they’ll come after me, you can be sure of that. Illusionists have been systematically rooted out whenever they pop up, and handled in ways that lessen their natural abilities and power. Who would’ve thought that people hate the idea of not being able to tell what’s real and what’s not?

There are of course deeper reasons for those seated at the highest realms of power to dislike illusionists. For one, the success of an illusion depends on the mental strength of both powers, not the strength of body nor of the Awakening.

Some of the Divinities seated at the apex of power really, really disliked the thought of people being able to influence them. Especially the ones who got powerful based on their strength of arm. I mean, you could be able to shatter entire planets between your palms, but you’d lose against a good illusionist if your mental strength wasn’t high enough.

In other words, the muscle-heads who made it past the 13th divide didn’t want someone to beat them just because they weren’t as smart. Well, there were also a few events involving unhinged illusionists that lead to a bit of a stigma against them being built up.

Regardless of history and what happened, an unfettered illusionist like me would quickly become the focus of all those powers above me.

It’s just a matter of time. Can I get strong enough to fend them off for good before they find out, or will I have to take…drastic measures? Who can I expect to come? What are their strengths and their weaknesses?

I want to know about things like that before anything happens, so that I’m at least a little prepared.

Which is why I have detailed dossiers on everyone I could find above the 13th divide. Honestly, I scare myself sometimes. Whenever I look at those dossiers, I’m just a bit terrified. And I’m sure those deities whom I have...'lightly' stalked would shit themselves if ever they saw the extent to which I’ve detailed them.

Suffice to say, everyone has a weakness, no matter how strong they are. And I know pretty much all their weaknesses.

Though, I sure some of you out there have been wondering about the 13th divide, and what makes it so special when compared to the other 12.

Well, let me put it this way. Each divisionary line represents a limit on humanity, and crossing that divide represents breaking past said limit. Someone who’s broken past the first divisionary limit can be said to be in the 1st divide, and now can make use of an Awakening. This is the initial limit—the one that keep mankind from accessing the wonders of Mana. Breaking past the second limit places you in the 2nd divide, and allows you greater control and power over your mana and Awakening. Breaking the third limit places you in the 3rd divide, and so on, so on.

Things only really change once you’ve reached the 12th divide, however. It represents a kind of ultimate limit imposed on mankind.

At the moment, there’s something like 20,000 people in the 12th divide. Maybe as many as double that.

However, it’s widely accepted that there are only 50~70 people who have made it to the 13th divide. That’s how difficult the last step is.

However, that change from the 12th to the 13th divide represents the casting aside of one’s mortality, and human self. Hence why people who have reached that level are referred to as Divinities. They are akin to gods when compared to the rest of us.

And really, these are the guys I’m most afraid of at the moment.

Some of them could even checkmate me.

But, given time to plan and prepare, I’m confident of at least outrunning them for a time.

So, basically I’m researching ways to fool and otherwise occupy 13th divide Divinities. And so far, the research has gone well. It’s wondrous what you can find through the quantum web given enough of a hacking ability. I’m sure I could make a fortune just selling what I know to gossip circles.

The fact that I’ve discovered so much doesn’t mean that I can stop, however. There’s always another secret to be uncovered, another hidden desire to exploit.

I’ll probably only stop doing this once I reach a level where I’m confident of nothing being able to hurt me. And even then I might just keep doing it for the amusement factor. I wonder what it is that motivates so many powerful people towards thinking that love triangles are going to work out in the end? Hint: the one’s I’ve observed so far haven’t. Like, at all. It’s really, really funny.

Unfortunately though, my information gathering session was cut short by an expected knock on the door.

That’s probably one of Halif’s henchmen, here to deliver further orders as well as some more of that poison suppressant crap. I mean, that’s what I was thinking.

So imagine my surprise when I open the door, and it’s not a henchmen standing there.

“Hello my dear girl. Invite me in, would you?” Said Halif himself, hovering right outside the doorway.

Fighting the urge to roll my eyes and tell him to fuck off, I opened the door all the way, and motioned with my hand.

“Come in.”

“Mh, thank you. Quite a…cozy place you have here.” He said, while walking over to an empty chair and sitting down elegantly.

“What do you want?” I ask him.

Halif eyes me with distaste.

“No need to be rude, girl. I’m simply here to clarify your mission details, as well as ensure that you are well and truly under my thrall. It pays to be careful, after all.”

Well, I agree with that sentiment. However, I wonder how he intended to verify that I’m under his control. Because I’ll tell you now, if this guy tries anything nasty, he’ll lose important bits—Perhaps without even realizing it.

“Do you have anything to drink in this…home?” He asked.

I nodded, and walked off to go make some tea. Somehow, I have a feeling that this guy would appreciate that more than something like coffee or plain water.

A few minutes later, I walked back to Halif with a steaming pot of tea and some cups in my hands. I set one of the cups down on the stand next to the chair Halif had chosen to sit in, and poured him some tea. He then daintily gathered the cup in his hands, and brought it to his mouth for a taste.

I almost expected him to pucker his lips and refuse to drink any of it or something, but he drained the whole cup in short order, leading to me pouring him another.

Once that was gone, he set down the cup, and motioned for me to sit opposite him.

“Tell me, Revian—what do you think about killing people?” He asked, taking me somewhat aback due to the bluntness of his question.

“Good sometimes?” I say, slightly uncertainly.

“What constitutes ‘sometimes’ for you, then?” He presses on.

“When necessary.” I replied, more confident this time.

“Hm, that’s right. Thinking back, you did murder those guards, who were simply in your way. So, you seem to be perfectly fine with death. An unusual attribute for one as young as you. Tell me, what is your background?”

Huh. Normally I’d lie here, but I don’t know enough about the situation to risk it. After all, if I’m caught in a lie, Halif will know I’ve not been affect by the oath business. So, I decided to simply tell the truth. Act as I would were I actually bound by that oath. At least for the origin bit.

“Exiled from Earth.” I said, knowing that this would sum up my history succinctly.

Halif’s eyes lit up.

“Oh! So you’re the member of a High-Family. That certainly explains quite a bit. Now, tell me, what is your Awakening? What sort of abilities do you have?”

“Human Awakening, Superhuman abilities.”

“Somehow, that doesn’t sound quite right to me. That’s it? I would expect a member of a High-Family, even one sent into exile, to have a better Awakening than that. Though, I can believe the Superhuman abilities. Those are said to scale with the divides, no?”

I nodded.

“Then I’m assuming you are at quite a high level of power now. Tell me, exactly what heights have you reached?”

I hesitated, as if I didn’t wish to speak, but the oath was compelling me to. Meanwhile, Halif watched me eagerly as I opened my mouth, and spoke.

“At 10th divide, ninth step.” I said.

Funny thing about the steps. Basically, those are measures of how close you are to breaking through to the next divide. The steps themselves are measured out in three groups of three per divide, with 1 through 3 being classified as the lower steps, 4 through 5 the middle steps, and 6 through 9 being the upper steps.

The power level I’ve given Halif then, at the 10th divide and ninth step, puts me as being just under the 11th divide.

More importantly, I know from Ussen that Halif’s Awakening is somewhere in the upper steps of the 10th divide.

Personally, I’d guess that he’s somewhere around the 10th divide, and the seventh or eighth step. So, I named a power level that would appear strong to him, but not so threatening as to make him feel insecure.

“Ah. Yes, that makes a fair bit of sense. Incredible luck for me, really. Who would have known that such a talented young lady would pledge herself to me!” Laughed Halif to himself.

Ooh, I want to punch him. But that would jeopardize the plan I’ve come up with, unfortunately.

“Now, I suppose I still need to test your loyalty oath. Here.” He said, placing an ornate looking dagger on the table.

“Cut off your left hand's little finger.” He said.

Instantly, I felt a sharp pain, as my right hand picked up and slammed the dagger down onto my finger, severing it instantly. I whimpered a little, and pulled my left hand back against my body, cradling it while pain shot up my arm.

Halif nodded in approval.

“Good, good. No hesitation at all. You are truly bonded under my service from the oath. Now, I suppose I should explain what I want for you to do in greater detail. First of all, my pervious order still stands. You are to kill yourself if you observe Ussen acting in a manner unbefitting his status as a member of the Gibraltar house, and as an assassin. However, there are additional commands I wish to add on now. I am going to require you to keep an eye on Ussen for as long as you possibly can. That means that whenever you have free time, it’ll be spent watching my son. Whenever you are eating, eat while observing. You may only cease your observation during the night, once he has turned in to sleep. Then, and only then may you come back here in order to get your own rest.

“Additionally, you will defend Ussen from the shadows. If his life is ever in danger, discreetly take care of the problem, okay? If there is no defending him, then use your own life to exchange for his. Under no circumstances may you let harm come to Ussen, and should he lose his life, you are to commit suicide immediately.”

“Anything else?” I asked sarcastically.

“No, I think that should cover most, if not all of it. I will of course inform you of any changes to the oath I wish to make. Until then, those are your rules to live by.” Halif responded gamely. He got up, and took a last look around.

“I’ll be seeing myself out, thank you very much.” He said. His knife was still on the table.

“Wait.” I called out.

He turned around, and froze.

“What are you doing, girl?” Asked Halif, when he saw that his knife was currently pressed tight up against my throat.

“Swear to leave Ussen alone.” I said.

Halif sneered.

“Put that knife down girl. You might hurt yourself with it."

I looked him straight in the eyes.

“Try me.” I said, my voice dead of emotion, and my eyes seemingly having lost all their light.

“You….”

“Tell me I can’t.” The dagger dug into my neck a little, little beads of blood dribbling out.

Halif sighed.

“Fine girl. Have it your way. I won’t interfere with Ussen.”

“Swear it.” I said, my voice giving nothing away.

“Put down the dagger first.”

I answered by digging the blade a few centimeters deeper into my skin.

“Alright, alright! Jeez, kids these days…I swear to not interfere with my son Ussen any longer. Are you happy now? Put down the damned dagger.”

I let the blade drop from my grip, and wiped up the blood dribbling down from my neck with a napkin. However, it mostly just smeared the blood all over the place.

I heard Halif laugh a little, in a distainful manner.

“I’m adding a clause to your oath. You may only take your own life in the cases where Ussen acts un-befitting, where you cannot defend him in any other way, and if he should die. Otherwise, you are not allowed to kill yourself, or engage in an activity that might see you killed.” Said Halif, smiling fiendishly.

“Oh, and you are an idiot. Why would an assassin be bound to his word? We are liars. You should really grow past your naivety.” He said, picking up the knife, as if he had expected all this.

"I'll be seeing you soon, Revian."

He left.

As soon as the door closed behind him, I smiled to myself slightly.

I looked at my left hand, which was completely whole. I felt at my neck, which had healed nearly the moment the blade left it.

I washed off the blood that had gotten on my skin and clothes, noting it’s curiously black tint—a quality my blood has always had. That blood has made things difficult, since I couldn’t make use of my Awakening while bleeding, else the whole thing would have been given away. Ergo, no illusions.

But still, things worked flawlessly.

Poor Halif. I wonder when he’ll realize what he’s done.

I’m reasonably sure Ussen will appreciate it for a while though.

And the best part is that the whole afternoon is still completely ahead of me. Looks like I’ll make it to Ashenload after all.