"Say that again..."

All that filled my mind was blind rage towards this lowly mustached pig...

I'm fully aware I had previously preached for self-control and all of that cliché stuff... But seriously...

He had just insulted, mocked and hurt my friend Myria with his abusive words... He had verbally abused his princess, my friend and a hero to everyone... while she was in clear grief and pain...

There was truly no sparing a guy like this. I just wanted to end him.

And as he stared at me with his stupefied and blank expression riddled with fear, I looked deep into his eyes and grabbed him by the collar.

He seemed taken aback by my sudden action, but as I put a bit of strength into my arm, his expression changed too much, too quickly...

He immediately became alarmed and desperate as I began raising him from the ground with not much effort involved. All the while, he panicked and flailed his arms and legs in fear as he squealed:

"HELP MEEEEE!!! YOU IDIOTS!!! KILL HER!!!!! HELP MEEE SOMEONE!!!!! PLEASE!!! YOU ARE SUPPOSED TO BE SOLDIERS, YOU COWARDS!!!"

But nobody came...

Nobody surrounding us dared to move a muscle...

Nobody... Not a single soldier, peasant or soul wished to aid the man...

Everyone stood frozen as if great pressure made them unable to move...

...

Yeah, that's exactly what was happening here actually...

Of course, this wasn't natural. Speaking truthfully, it's likely that many of the soldiers, currently struck by fear, would've likely taken action when being requested to.

But, as I had predicted this possibility, I had made the aura of killing intent around us, thick enough to kill even a C-rank monster if exposed for too long...

The soldiers surrounding us were probably scared enough from afar... But if they got closer... They would likely meet their creator in a matter of seconds...

But, returning to the main subject of torture...

The man who I currently held by the collar kept gazing in fear and cowardice as he unsuccessfully tried to reach out for help...

It was stupidly cute and pathetic at the same time seeing him struggle with no results to show for...

He looked like nothing more than a mere insect...

An insect I wanted to kill...

Frankly speaking, I didn't really care about consequences at this point. After all, I've already messed up far enough...

And as such, with the hand I wasn't using to raise the mustached pig off the ground, I began unsheathing Boukyaku...

The deadly weapon in my belt was finally being released once more...

I guess I could try and repeat self-control over and over again in my mind in order to hold back. But I was a little too lost in rage for that...

I mean, I did say I wanted to regain some of my self-control through this but... THIS PIG DESERVES IT, OK!? Don't judge me...

And as a creepy grin appeared on my face, while I became ready to murder the swine before me...

Something... or rather... someone... interrupted me...

In a way, I hadn't been expecting...

...

...

...

*SLAP*

I turned around startled after I felt someone slap my hand strong enough to force my grip to let go of Boukyaku...

I immediately let go of the mustached pig as I suddenly turned around ready to fight the person who had just interrupted me...

I was ready to fight God, if necessary, in order to execute my punishing...

But rather than finding some soldier, that strong chained guy, or even Callum stopping me... Who was behind me, was a smirking Myria followed by a curious Scarlet...

...

I obviously was quite surprised by my finding of Myria suddenly slapping my hand as I tried to release Boukyaku from its scabbard...

But as my surprise took over and my focus was dispersed, I wasn't able to react as the mustached pig, who I had been so ready to murder, crawled away in fear while crying and wailing...

And as soon as those annoying cries reached my ears... I knew what I had to do...

His cries were far too annoying to ignore... It was as if a baby was fused with some sort of crying walrus and an angered swine... I knew what I wanted to do... I knew I wanted to finish what I started...

As such, ignoring my friends who were staring at me with quite the smirks, I turned around in anger and frustration. And, I immediately tried to give chase...

To be honest, I knew Myria and Scarlet were probably concerned about my recent impulsive actions. But I couldn't resist... It was impossible to do so...

I just wanted this guy to die...

But before I could even take my first step... Before I could even get my mind ready on the thought of murder...

Myria took hold of my hand...

...

Once again, I turned around startled...

This had been the second time I had been interrupted... So I actually stopped and analyzed the situation for once... But as I turned around, I could only feel dread...

I wasn't sure what expression I had been expecting to see on her face...

But rather than seeing her usual smirk, serious expression or simple loving smile...

What was left, was a soft, sorrowful and apologetic smile...

An unease instantly began swirling around in my stomach as I became worried, preoccupied and even desperate from her current expression...

I didn't know what to say or do... but as I opened my lips to ask just what was she feeling or what she wanted to tell me... I was interrupted by a voice fitting the atmosphere that currently embraced her entire body...

"Reika... Stop... Give them time... It's not their fault... Just let them go... Please... I know what he said, and I understand your concern as your friend... but Reika... just... give them time... they make mistakes... so do you and me... Just forgive them, please..."

"..."

I was instantly moved by her words... I had not expected to see Myria like this, especially here in front of an entire army of terrified soldiers...

This expression, these words, this tone... wasn't like anything I've seen before...

At least... never from Myria...

And just as I became deeply moved by her words... I also became remarkably concerned...

I knew perfectly what she meant... And I knew she had a point... But, I simply couldn't let go of the fact, a swine... no more than a simple ant... Had even dared to insult my friend... His princess... when in pain...

That was cowardice...

"Myria... He hurt you... We can't let things go on... Even your parents... They called the kingdom's personal army and even your unc-"

"-That doesn't matter Reika..."

"Huh...?"

'I thought that was what mattered? I thought that was what was making her depressed...?'

I was thrown into confusion and even further concern as I tried and question Myria's meaning behind her words...

"Myria... what do you mean...?"

"Don't you get it...?"

I could feel the tension growing around us... as the same soft and apologetic smile on Myria's face was passed on to Scarlet as well...

This time... I was truly concerned...

I understand if Myria becomes serious for a while... that's not too uncommon...

Yet, Scarlet's sudden change in expression terrified me. And while I truly became wary of their expression and words. Myria finally released even heavier words than before... bringing all my doubts, anxiety and stress at an all-time highest...

As I remained focused on Scarlet's sudden expression shift, Myria uttered words that sent chilling shivers down my spine...

"Reika... Your condition... is getting worse..."

'Huh...? Condition? What condition? What does she mean?'

I was truly lost there... But her tone... her attitude... her words... It was all making me feel uneasy, I would even go as far as to say that I felt far more anxious right now than what I had felt back in that pathetic attempt of a trial...

But, as my anxiety levels were already way past their safe zones, they kept escalating as Myria's words became far deeper and concerning...

"You may not see it... but we do..."

...

'What does she mean...? I have no condition...?'

Her suspense, her pauses, all of her intentions... I was incredibly confused as my stomach felt as if it was burning from the anxiety this moment was generating me...

...

"Ever since meeting you... your actions, drive, even personality..."

...

'Personality? Drive? Actions? Just what does she mean...?' At this point, I was simply far too desperate seeing the tensions and delay in Myria's speech...

I was sure it was something important...

And seeing the way Myria was conveying her feelings and words... this was no joke...

And, as I could feel the world around me spinning, Myria released her final words...

Words... which went directly into my mind, heart, and soul...

...

"All of your being, has become far more impulsive, careless, and even aggressive... Reika, it has gotten to a point where we don't even recognize you anymore at times... We've been concerned about it for a while now... But we can't allow this to continue Reika... I understand all that you went through... I really do... But whatever that sword is doing to you... it's getting stronger... Reika... please... stop this... I beg you... You're my friend... I respect you, care for you and even love you as a sister... And for those same reasons, I cannot allow this to go on any further... Please Reika... Stop..."

...

I could no longer think straight as Myria's apologetic and sorrowful monologue came to an end.

I hadn't ever considered it thoroughly... But it might be because I was scared or perhaps simple stupidity... But speaking truthfully... Boukyaku's influence was truly starting to show within every single one of my actions...

I am not even similar to my old self... I do not have anything in common with my Reiki self anymore... Only my knowledge and memories...

'Everything about me has changed...'

...

I didn't know what else to say or do anymore...

Besides, with that realization... I wasn't even sure who I truly was anymore...

And as I kept processing all of that in my mind, I lowered my gaze to see the ominous and sinister sword hanging on my belt...

At some point in time, I had come to embrace this stupid sword which I used to fear... I had come to accept its influence over me in exchange for power...

And I had pledged my soul in exchange for revenge...

Feeling defeated and depressed, I simply kept my gaze lowered as I slowly and silently muttered:

"You're right, Myria... I don't know what's happening... Everything is happening too fast... too soon... too overwhelming... I can't hold on anymore... Please... Please help me..."

I had no other moves left...

All I could do anymore was call my friends for help... Hope that Myria or Scarlet would somehow save me from the dark pit of despair I had unknowingly fallen into...

...

But as I sulked within myself...

I was completely taken aback when Myria simply took hold of my other hand as she happily said:

"That's exactly what I wanted to hear! Scarlet if you please?"

I did not really understand how her mood could possibly change so quickly... Only Myria...

But what actually surprised me the most, was her calling for Scarlet which I didn't really understand...

But somehow, hearing Myria's words, Scarlet simply smiled as she began running towards us with a huge smile...

At first glance, one might think she was innocently running towards us with the purest and kind-hearted of intents... but as she approached... to the trained eye... One could see she was actually amassing magic power...

I was actually scared for a second... And for a good reason. As Scarlet approached she suddenly grabbed hold of both of us in her tight and euphoric embrace as she sent a huge amount of magical power through our bodies... As she began to chant...

...

...

...

I honestly thought we were going to explode...

I was ready to say goodbye cruel world...

But, I became surprised when Scarlet suddenly chanted a certain skill I recognized...

"[Greater Instant Vanishing]!!!"

All of a sudden, white and dark lights began enveloping us as the scene around us became blurry...

Bright light flooded my eyes as Scarlet's embrace became tighter...

'Wasn't this... that guy's skill...?'

I didn't know what to think or feel, but for now... I had other things to worry about...

I could clearly see the confusion, fear, and anxiety on everyone's faces as we began to fade away...

I honestly felt incredibly relieved to see us leaving this horrible moment in the past...

But as I became relaxed and simply enjoyed the embrace of my friends...

A certain unsettling and teasing duo mentioned something quite disturbing, in unison...

""Now, Reika... will you please tell us who Reiki is supposed to be?""

...

'I wanna go back...'

(AN: Heyyyyy theeeereeee! I'm really tired so I'll keep it short:

How do you want Myria's and Scarlet's reaction to Reika's old gender to be like?

I'm kinda thinking of ideas already but, I still feel I could improve. As such, I need your ideas!

Anyways, thanks for reading, voting and sharing my story.

Thanks!)