The night air was cool, and the moon cast an eerie glow over the cobblestone streets. Maris's strides were small and hesitant, each step a reminder of her exhaustion and the recent fight. In contrast, Draven walked with long, steady strides, showing no sign of weariness. She couldn't help but pout slightly, feeling a pang of frustration at his apparent indifference to her condition.
Just as she was about to utter a complaint, Draven stopped abruptly.
"Look there," he commanded, pointing towards a nearby alley.
Maris peered into the shadows and saw a small figure huddled on the ground. A shop owner stood over the child, berating and striking him. The boy's cries of pain echoed through the narrow passage. Maris's heart clenched at the sight, but before she could react, Draven held up a hand, motioning for her to stay silent.
The boy, bruised and bleeding, eventually scrambled to his feet and limped away. Maris and Draven followed at a distance, watching as the boy approached a group of older, bigger kids. The older boys laughed and sneered at him, and it became clear that the child had been forced to steal by these bullies. Maris's anger flared again, but she held her tongue, sensing that Draven had something to say.
"The world is unfair, Maris," Draven began, his voice calm and measured. "It always has been and always will be, whether you are rich or poor. Unfairness is a constant in our lives. To fight it, you need strength. Every day, every second, someone is deprived, beaten, or wronged by another. In such moments, what can the weak do?
Should they sacrifice their remaining lives and the chance to protect their loved ones for the sake of vengeance?"
Maris listened intently, feeling the weight of his words. There was a cold truth in what he was saying, a truth she had experienced firsthand.
"It's foolish," Draven continued, a hint of disdain in his voice. "The weak have no place in the fight for vengeance if they continue to blame their circumstances, the people around them, or the world itself. Does this make them villains? No. The villain is always the one who starts the cycle of harm. Those who suffer are merely pitiful, caught in the crossfire of others' cruelty."
Draven snorted, his eyes narrowing as he watched the group of older boys. "We imagine that bandits, assassins, or natural disasters are distant threats, unlikely to touch us. But the truth is, the probability of danger is always there, a constant 100%. It is up to us to be prepared. This does not make the victims wrong or deserving of their fate."
The original Draven, despite of his villain-like trait, disdain other villains and deemed them as scums. But as a serious person who follows his principles well, the original Draven holds the principles of noblesse oblige, which fades because of his curse and his insecurities.
While the Draven in the second life, the man genius professor in the modern world, Dravis Granger, is the ideal and perfect version of Draven. A genius with an outstanding mind, trained-well body, sharp eyes, moderate empathy, and a big sense of responsibility and justice.
He turned to face Maris, his gaze intense. "The scum and villains will always be the ones in the wrong. Even if the world cares little for the victims, it is the responsibility of the strong and capable to lend a hand in their vengeance."
As he finished speaking, Draven raised his hand, and with a flick of his wrist, the older boys were suddenly lifted off their feet by an unseen force. They hung in the air, struggling and gasping for breath. Draven's psychokinesis held them immobile. With another motion, he lifted a discarded club from the ground and placed it in the hands of the beaten boy.
"You need power and strength," Draven said, his voice soft but unwavering. "But the strongest weapons are information and the power of the mind." He turned back to Maris, a faint smile playing at the corners of his lips. "What happened to your family is a tragedy, and you have every right to seek vengeance. But do it with utmost elegance. Befitting a magician."
Maris stared at Draven, his words sinking deep into her consciousness. She glanced at the boy, now standing over his tormentors with the club in his hands. There was a moment of hesitation, a flicker of doubt in the boy's eyes, before he raised the club and struck. The older boys cried out in pain, their arrogance and cruelty finally meeting a fitting response.
As the scene unfolded before her, Maris felt a surge of conflicting emotions. The boy's actions were brutal, yet there was a certain justice in it. Draven's lesson was harsh but undeniably true. She realized that if she was to succeed in her quest for vengeance, she needed more than just anger and basic magical skills. She needed strength, intelligence, and a strategic mind.
Draven's voice broke through her thoughts. "Remember, Maris, true power lies not just in raw strength, but in knowing when and how to use it. The mind is the greatest weapon you possess. Hone it well."
Maris nodded, the weight of his words settling in her heart. She understood now that her path was not just about brute force or blind rage. It was about becoming a master of her abilities, using her wits and knowledge to outmaneuver her enemies. She needed to be more than just a victim seeking revenge; she needed to become a force to be reckoned with.
As they continued their walk through the city, Maris felt a renewed sense of purpose. The exhaustion that had weighed her down earlier seemed to lift slightly, replaced by a determination to learn and grow stronger. She still had a long way to go, but with Draven's guidance, she believed she could achieve her goals.
Draven led her through the winding streets, eventually stopping at a secluded courtyard. The area was quiet, with only the soft rustling of leaves and the distant hum of the city providing background noise. Draven turned to face her, his expression serious.
"This is where we will train," he said, gesturing to the open space. "You will learn to harness your magic more effectively, to strategize and think ahead. But most importantly, you will learn to control your emotions. Anger and vengeance can be powerful motivators, but they can also cloud your judgment and lead to mistakes."
Maris nodded, her resolve strengthening. She was ready to learn, to push herself beyond her limits. The image of her family's lifeless bodies flashed in her mind, fueling her determination.
Draven began the lesson with a series of exercises designed to test her control over her magic. He pushed her to the brink of her abilities, forcing her to maintain illusions while conserving her limited mana. It was grueling work, but Maris pushed through the pain and fatigue, driven by the desire to avenge her family.
As the hours passed, she could feel herself improving. Her illusions became more stable, and her control over her mana more precise. Draven watched her progress with a critical eye, offering corrections and advice when needed. Despite his harsh demeanor, Maris could sense a genuine desire to see her succeed.
Finally, as dawn began to break, Draven called a halt to the training. Maris was exhausted, her body aching and her mana reserves nearly depleted. But there was a sense of accomplishment, a feeling that she was one step closer to her goal.
"You've done well today," Draven said, his tone unusually gentle. "But this is just the beginning. There is much more to learn, and the path ahead will not be easy."
Maris nodded, her eyes filled with determination. "I'm ready," she said, her voice steady. "I will do whatever it takes to become strong enough to avenge my family."
Draven's gaze softened slightly, and for a moment, Maris thought she saw a hint of compassion in his eyes. "Good," he said. "Remember, Maris, strength and intelligence must go hand in hand. Use both wisely, and you will achieve your goal."
With that, Draven turned and began to walk away, leaving Maris standing in the courtyard. As she watched him go, she felt a surge of gratitude. Despite his harsh methods, Draven was giving her the tools she needed to succeed. And for that, she was thankful.
As the first rays of sunlight touched the city, Maris took a deep breath and squared her shoulders. She had a long road ahead, but she was ready to face whatever challenges came her way. With Draven's guidance and her own determination, she knew she could overcome anything.
She would avenge her family, no matter what it took. And she would do it with the strength and elegance befitting a true magician.
At the distance, with his proper strode, he walked towards the carriage of the Drakhan Family that is waiting loyally for him.
"That should be enough. But I guess giving a certain warning towards these hooligans should be appropriate," Disdain filled his tone.