Hot steam was coming out of the wooden tub, the green clear water shivering, pulling all the excess out of Kain's.
"Hey... Maybe I should join them in the pool?"
Kain jerked his head in Greyna and Yerez's direction. They were swimming in the hot springs, discussing something over a glass of wine.
"And, what the hell is that?"
A black tar-like liquid floated around Kain, gradually coming out of his body. The longer he sat in the tub, the more tar there was.
"Damn it! Relax, I'm telling you!"
Derek's palm slammed into his back, leaving a distinct red mark.
"Guards and knights, even regular people, have to go through the Body Purge at least once. You can't gain muscle fast even if you eat a ton of meat, but you can strengthen your body right now!"
Kain raised his hand, viscous clots falling from his fingers.
"All of this was in my body? What is this stuff? It doesn't look like dirt..."
Instead of Derek, Greyna decided to answer that question.
"It's dead runes."
Kain turned around, shocked. "What...? Runes can die?"
"Hah... not literally. Think of it as dust, only it settles not in the corner of your house, but in your body. It's an extra weight that keeps your body from working at its peak."
"How many times do I need to take these baths to get all the 'dust' out of my body?"
With a playful smile, she sipped her wine. "Knights serving wealthy families do it once every half year, those who are poorer once a year or never at all. But, you as a Tainted shouldn't worry too much about it."
"Why?"
Derek pocked his chest. "Because when you become Awakened, you won't need it anymore. The runes will be constantly refining your body, not only gathering around you but passing through you like a gust of wind."
"I'll just relax..." Kain plunged lower into the water.
"In that case, I'll go get a drink!" Derek rushed into the store.
While Kain went through the cleansing, Greyna and Yerez swam off to the side, eyeing the new guest in their company who came out of nowhere.
"What do you think of him?" Greyna asked as she glanced at Yerez.
"Well... I've known him for a couple of minutes longer than you," he scratched his cheek. "He seems capable, even though he's young, he knows what he wants and isn't afraid of a challenge. It's a shame he's become a Sacrifice, but that's not the end of it. I'm surprised at how Derek treats him... He's already done so much for him, and he doesn't ask for anything in return."
"Pha, we both know why Derek is doing this," a bitter smile smeared over Greyna.
Darkness filled Yerez's eyes. "Yeah... Kain is a replica of Taren, they even have the same height and personality... Derek is a great friend, there's no doubt about that, but the two of us can't even come close to how important his little brother was to him."
"Hah, and Derek lost exactly him. The irony of our cruel lives."
"By the way," Greyna turned to Yerez. "You got an invitation from Old Eye, didn't you?"
"Yeah, that grumpy bastard decided to invite all of Awakened, Tainted, but he chose only the most important of the regular people."
Thump.
She gave him a friendly tap on the shoulder.
"Come on. You should be happy about this. The chances of becoming an Awakened are low, but that doesn't mean life is over. To achieve recognition from someone like Old Eye for an ordinary person is a worthy result."
"Hah, it's a simple invitation to a feast - nothing special."
Then, Greyna's eyes narrowed to stare intently at Kain.
"Wait... Our young friend is also Tainted. So, in three days, we're all going to the Fang Tower?"
"Looks like it," Yerez scratched the back of his head. "It doesn't matter who you are. At the Hollow Patch, no one will dare refuse an invitation from Old Eye. I heard that the offspring of the Fraun Family and even the Ash Feather will be there."
"Ash Feather...?" Greyna's eyes went wide for a moment. "Right, they've had a major change recently. Their rebel branch left and settled here. I don't know if it's true or not, but it seems they managed to find the missing young lady, the heir."
"Argh, those clans. There is always so much trouble with them. They want to rule over others, though they can't even bring order to their own ranks. It's just a mess."
At the same moment, Derek returned with a bag full of beer. He looked at Kain, his bathtub was black.
"Hey! Get out of there, that's enough!"
Kain stretched out his arm, staring at his distinct muscles. They didn't get bigger, but they became more explicit.
'That actually worked. Good,' he clenched his fist tightly. 'One week until the needle breaks. Either I become a Keeper, or Valkyra will find me. She won't let me escape a second time.'
...
Three days later. The backyard of the Flaming Duck.
Under the blazing sun, a wooden sword came down on Kain, throwing him aside. Rolling on the ground, he coughed from the dust.
"Get up!" Derek exclaimed menacingly, walking over. "Didn't you want to learn how to fight with a sword? If you wish to succeed, then work hard!"
Kain spat out a clot of blood, wiping his mouth.
"I just didn't know what to answer that time. The sword is a common thing. I said the first thing that came to mind. I never thought about it at all."
Tap.
The tip was at his neck, not sharp but threatening.
"This is important, not only because it will determine the choice of artifacts you will use in the future, but also for your Codex."
Kain's eyes rolled full of desire. "C-Codex...?"
"Yes. It's not only for you but for me too. I am far from the strongest Awakened in the world, but I have much to teach you - Tainted."
It was true.
In the past three days, Kain went from a mere youth who only engaged in street fights in his village to a candidate for guard.
'Hah... If Max and Daniel were to spar right now, I could take down the two of them alone, easily. Shit, that's never going to happen again, is it?'
The door opened, and Greyna standing in the passage caught their attention.
"Boys. Practice is good, but Yerez's amazing pie is getting cold, and we still have time to pick out outfits."
Kain and Derek looked at each other, baffled.
Only after a few moments did they remember.
"Right, Old Eye's feast... Do I have to go there?" Kain turned around.
Derek laughed. "Of course. In your situation, you just need some useful connections. It's the great place to find the best people!"
"And the worst..." Kain muttered.