Rena had returned to her Family and Ray did too. And both of their families were very interested in what happened during their travels. But they were forbidden to speak a word about what they saw. Their families tried to coarce the truth out of them.
For Rena who was a quiet kid suddenly started to communicate a little. And Ray who would always want to go on a murderous rampage. Suddenly was traumatized every time he was shown a picture of a pile of corpses.
And these were some positive changes that the Redcliffe family Head and the Sword Saint were relieved to see it in them.
But they were curious about one outsider the Capital suddenly took in out of nowhere and who was included in the supposed field trip. Since his information was even not accessible to the highest society as them.
Rena would answer trivial questions about him.
Such as "Where did he come from or What does he likes.
But she ignored questions such as
" Why is his information been concealed or What did he do during the field trip "
The hierarchical structure of the capital is very simple.
The more contributions you pile up the more you go up in society. But one shall be always underneath the absolute power the Heads and their disciples.
The Redcliffe family built up the codex and their family members are spread out in many services which involves mainly giving some form of security services under the family banner.
While the Genase family runs a training centers for aspiring swordsman and mana swordsman.
As well as working under the Head. Acting as the Director for the Wilcoxin institute
Rena :
I have learnt how truly terrifying our enemies are.
These were the only words she could let out after constant coercion.
Ray :
I saw some things that no humans should ever see.
These kids were not raised in a garden where sword play is just safe. But they were made used to killing. Put in difficult survival situations since they were minor for such kids to such these things it was definitely something they saw that was disturbing.
And they couldn't pry into it because of Phoenix's name.
Rena :
I'm going to be leaving tomorrow as well, Father.
Redcliffe Head :
I have already let you go on that trip since Sir Phoenix was with you. Now you want to leave for another trip that too no reason at all.
Rena you're going to be the successor of our family. You should be contributing to the family not going around the world. Maybe give a thought to the prospects we have bought you.
Rena :
I have made it clear the only one who can marry me should be stronger than me. No matter his status and societal condition. I'll marry him.
And anyone marrying me would be for my position
Redcliffe head ;
Your strength combined with your Codex I doubt anyone other than the Sword Saint or those related to them can touch you rather defeat you.
Rena :
I thought that too. But since I started attending the institute I have been defeated once.
Redcliffe head :
Must've been that Jay kid right. Since he came he has met the head twice at this point. And I can't even get one appointment despite being the head of this family.
What is so special about that boy.
Rena :
It couldn't be any good since the sword saint's grandson always tries to assassinate him.
I pity him and decided to protect him from injustice.
Redcliffe head :
If that kid is dying then let him. We can't have any fights with the Sword Saint.
Head :
Ray Genase should be a great prospect then. He's strong that he was known as the Sword Demon. And he's learning under the Sword Saint. In a few years he should become much more stronger.
Rena walked out of the room after hearing this. After that she sneakily filled left the mansion with a bag of food and water.
Meanwhile at the Genase Household.
The sword saint was drilling the Sword Demon in lesson as son as he came back. But it seemed that he was too hesitant to even hold his sword. The one called the sword demon was fearing his own sword.
Saint :
What happened during the tip. Why are you hesitating to hold your sword.
Ray :
It's nothing. Grandpa. I'm just tired.
The sword saint let out a mana slash towards his grandson and he absorbed the mana slash.
Saint :
Something happened didn't it. Is it because of that Jay kid.
Ray's emotion changed and within those emotions The Saint found his answer.
Saint :
You've become afraid of that outsider. He has done something I've been trying to teach you.
You have become afraid of death of yourself and others.
Saint :
Then let me ask you this. When you take up your blade towards others what do you feel.
Ray :
I used to feel that everyone except those above me were inferior the moment I held up my sword. I used to sit on top of corpses filled with pools of blood. But now I felt that someday I myself might become one of the corpses I used to brag about.
Saint : concerned
My child what has he done to traumatize you this much.
Ray tried to speak but every time he would recall the moment he would just shun it away involuntarily.
Saint : inner thoughts
I'm conflicted whether I should send him to a therapist or let him be.
As the grandson of the Sword Saint and the future heir of the genase family. Ray was born with everything money, power and fame. Everyone would bow before him, everyone would suck up to him and many would fear him.
At first he would be concerned and try to console others. But they would just turn him away to save their own lives.
The one so called his friends were those who would suck up to him. They were the ones who made Ray feel superior over others.
Ray would learn swordsmanship from both his father and grandfather and magic from an expert. He was deemed to have Affinity in lightning magic same as the Third Head.
His grandfather during lesson was strict in him and tried to beat some sense in him. That's why Ray would turn more towards his followers.
They made him feel that he was superior than everyone else. One day they would accompany him outside the walls.
That day had been a bad day for him as he had been beaten some sense into by his Grandfather.
Thus he was in an awful mood. It was just that all he needed was a trigger. Just like other days today also his peers tried to cheer him up by offering him compliments and respect.
Until someone spoke about his grandfather.
Peer :
I don't know why does that old ass forces you to train everyday. If it were me I would have already put him on a stretcher.
Ray was triggered by the statement.
Ray : furious
What did you say?
Ray walked up to his peer and without any hesitation or remorse. He grabbed his skull and smashed it in a nearby tree. Leading to instant death. And blood started to cover his body and clothes.
His peers who saw this could do nothing but be afraid of him. One tried sucking up to him like always but even his head was smashed in.
Ray at that moment when he killed his peer didn't feel any regret, fear or any sign of remorse. Instead he felt a sensation of peace and a soothing sensation.
As if something had been lifted from his mind.
He felt joy and happiness when he did it. Thus to experience the same thing he killed all of his peers in gruesome ways.
And the area was pooled with blood and in the pool of blood was Ray as his hands were covered with the blood of his peers he looked at his hands and bathed in the blood.
This was the birth of the sword demon.
To prevent anyone from raising suspicion he pretended to be a victim of a bandit attack and as they were outside the range of the Capital at that time. There was no one who could prove his guilt.
And the Genase family also pressured to bury the case.
Although entire investigation took place. Ray was found not guilty due to lack of evidence and was sent for counceiling.
Counseling was ineffective. As his behavior started to change more and more. He shed more blood outside the capital just going for a walk and slaughtering villages.
And eventually doing the dirty work for his family. Like clearing cults or bandit camps. Meanwhile becoming stronger and keeping his true nature hidden.
Only his grandfather knew. And tried to beat it into him. But he wouldn't budge. While he was beat he would store his anger inside him and then wreak havoc on the outsiders, beasts and innocents and religious organizations and cults. Who were unfortunate enough not joining the capital.
He would always go alone and return back bathed in blood of others. And this cycle continued. Till Jay arrived. The Sword Saint was suspicious of him and Ray who thought himself as superior was looking for a thrill. And the stars just happened to align. One day after leaving with Phoenix. He came back home traumatized.
Ray had learned what true fear and malice is. And how his ways were full of error as that day he recalled everyone he had ever killed.
The sword saint threw a sword towards him and it landed before him.
Saint :
Pick up that sword. If you truly realize the error in your ways.
Then this time use the sword with the Genase name in the line. Protect everything you have. And kill the Gods with the sword.
Ray laughed and picked up that sword and once again sparred with his grandfather. Who went easy on him today.