40 The day before departure

Riyku would slowly open his eyes to the soft see-through fabric draped above him thanks to the bed he was laying in. "Oh right... I stayed at Cira's place." Riyku would mutter to himself before swinging his legs over the bedside and sitting up. The soles of his bare feet touching the soft carpet as a yawn escaped his lips.

'You are well-rested. +200 Shield Points.'

'The elements have graced you during your sleep. +400 Mana Points for 4 hours.'

The text appeared before him on his UI. "It has been some time since I have got a full eight hours of sleep huh?" Riyku murmured as he scratched the back of his head. He would brush bangs of his hair behind his shoulders before finally getting up. Flicking his wrist caused a cybernetic screen to appear before him. Without delay, he navigated towards his inventory tab and opened it up which revealed the tiny replica of himself along with several slots surrounding that replica. Besides that screen had been the storage section. The section was filled with various items, armors, and weapons. His finger hovered over a second tab near the lower section of the screen called Preset Outfits. Pushing upon that cycle the storage screen to another screen with two sections divided down the middle. Section one was labeled Casual and section two was labeled Armors. Each section had several slots just like the Inventory Storage did. Both sections of the slots held numbers though, starting with one and ending with fifty. However, only a few slots were filled in, while the others remained empty. Pushing his index finger upon slot number five of Casual would cause an entire outfit to appear upon his person. Interestingly enough the outfit was business style. Black slacks, black dress shoes and a black overcoat with a white undershirt and a black tie to match everything together. Swiping the screen aside to dismiss it the male would yawn once more. His eyes would shift towards the jiggling of the doorknob which opened a second later.

"Pardon the intrusion. Oh! You are already up. Good morning, Master Riyku. I also see you are already dressed for the event." Henry would greet him. "Good morning Henry. The time for the meeting is at nine. That has not changed, correct?" Riyku inquired and Henry would nod. "You are correct sir. You have some time life, would you like a quick meal or perhaps a cup of coffee or tea?" Henry asked and Riyku shook his head. "No thank you, Henry. I am sure there will be refreshments at the meeting. Though I appreciate the offer." Riyku stated and Henry nodded. "Well alright. If you do not need anything I will be heading off. Have a good day, Master Riyku." Henry would bow once more before turning to leave. "As do you, Henry," Riyku replied as he watched the door shut. He would shift his eyes over to a nearby clock on the wall. "Forty till Nine eh? Well, I can kill some time." Riyku muttered as he moved to a study desk and pull the chair out. Taking a seat he would flick his wrist to bring up his status screen, only this time around he left it on the status screen for a moment.

Name: Riyku Von Rosario

Level: 92

Shield Points: 920/920

Mana Points: 1,152/1,152

Energy: 446/446

Form duration: 3:00:00

Age: ???

Gender: Male

Grade: 1A

Club: Non-Affiliated

Class: UnDefined

Weight: 90.71Kg

Height: 213.36Cm

Blood Type: AB

Stats: SSS

Basic Status:

Strength: 158

Toughness: 151

Agility: 158

Wisdom: 149

Intelligence: 149

Charisma: 158

Skill points to spend: 32

Buff:

+2 Mana regeneration per second

"I still have thirty-two bonus skill points to spend; however, I do not know what I should put them into. My lowest stats are Wisdom and Intelligence, and I do use my Mana fairly often so perhaps I could split ten each to even things out. That would leave me with twelve of course, but I am only limited to these points and god knows when I'll leave up again since I am not told how much experience points I have." Riyku would sigh heavily. "So far, I have yet to come up against anything or anyone in this world who can't take me on. But in the other world that is an entirely different story. The first-floor demon wasn't anything special, but he did catch me off guard a few times. As for the second-floor demon... If Seraphina had not been with me I dread to know what would have happened. It's clear as day to me that the only reason I am even here today is because of whatever awoken within me thanks to Seraphina. I can't afford to lose any battles.... not now and not ever." Riyku muttered to himself, crossing his hands over his chest.

"If anything... my Shield Points seem to have been lacking lately. They are being drained far too quickly during my battles. Even in the other world... Sure my bones may not break, but I can still die. I've already experienced that near-death time once with that whole ordeal Who is to say something like that may not happen again. For this, I could invest in my toughness and strength. But... even the most durable beings fall. I would need the perfect balance of speed and perception as well... Sure I have my perception skill and abilities, but there have been times that I was unable to notice things going around me. If I had noticed what had been going on with Iris, or even before that with that triple attack...." Riyku would grasp his clothing tightly in frustration before releasing a heavy breath and relaxing his muscles. "No. What is done is done. I need to move forward, to protect what I have now." Riyku stated to himself.

"Still, I am at a loss." Riyku sighed softly before saying screw it and invested ten points each into Wisdom and Intelligence by pressing the plus button near the stats. His new status was now as such.

Name: Riyku Von Rosario

Level: 92

Shield Points: 920/920

Mana Points: 1,186/1,186

Energy: 446/446

Form duration: 3:00:00

Age: ???

Gender: Male

Grade: 1A

Club: Non-Affiliated

Class: UnDefined

Weight: 90.71Kg

Height: 213.36Cm

Blood Type: AB

Stats: SSS

Basic Status:

Strength: 158

Toughness: 151

Agility: 158

Wisdom: 159

Intelligence: 159

Charisma: 158

Skill points to spend: 12

Buff:

+2 Mana regeneration per second

So his Mana Pool increased by a whole sixty-one points eh? Of course, the only reason his Mana Pool was above one-thousand was simply due to the Mana Cultivation he had from sleeping for eight hours. The same could be said for his Shield Points. So, in reality, his Mana Pool was seven hundred eighty-six and his Shield Points were eighty hundred twenty. Still relatively low in his eyes, but for now it would have to do. If he wanted to he could top everything off at one hundred and ninety, but for the sake of his sanity, he was going to dismiss the screen with a quick swipe of his hand. Riyku would lean back in his chair and glance at the white ceiling above him for a moment.

"It truly does seem like I am overpowered in this world. I wonder... was it like this in the past? Nah, I died several times. I doubt I was overpowered back then. Still... I can't help but become curious as to why I sought out such strength. Those Forms... they are double edge sword. What purpose did my past self have to ascertain such forms? At times even I can feel myself slipping away and steadily being consumed by their power." Riyku would close his eyes with a soft breath. "There is still the fact of Coco being locked up and now Seraphina seems to be missing as well. I haven't heard anything from Harvester or even Blaze at that, though Blaze did say she was going into hiding after all." Riyku would mutter to himself. His eyes would open to glance at the clock on the wall which read eighty-forty-nine. "Well, I guess should focus on the tasks at hand. Right now I need to deal with Cira's engagement." Riyku would push from the desk so he could stand from the chair and make his way towards the door, but not before giving himself a final check off.

The time was now nine o clock in the morning. Riyku, Cira, and Dom were sitting at the dining room table adjacent from three other people. A businessman, a beautiful woman and someone a teenaged male. "Dominic, care to explain who this person is, and why he is here?" The businessman seemed to inquire from Dom who would clear his throat. "But of course, but first we should all introduce one another. Riyku." Dom would look to Riyku who would nod. "My name is Riyku Von Rosario, I am a student at the University of Strife, Class One A. My present ranking is Pro rank eleven," Riyku stated firmly, his eyes held a friendly demeanor to them just as much as his smile did. The businessman would nod. "My name is Alexander Wayne. This is my wife, Esa Wayne and our son, Alex Wayne." The businessman, Alexander, seemed to introduce the respective person and Riyku would nod. "Pleasure to meet you," Riyku stated.

"Now that, that is out of the way. Do tell me, why this man is here." Alexander gave Dom a stern glare. "Ah yes, about that... Riyku here has proposed to my daughter. I--" Before Dom could get another word out, Alexander would interject himself. "Are you serious!? Tell me, Dominic, do you plan on accepting this man!?" Alexander was quite bold and firm in his statement. The wife seemed to care less about this whole ordeal and as for the son, well he was glaring at both Cira and Riyku.

Dom would sigh heavily. "I was getting to that point, so settle down. If you have any problems after I finish you are more than welcome to put them on the table." Dom stated which caused Alexander to grumble as he backed down. Clearing his throat, Dom would proceed onward, "Now then, As I said before Riyku has proposed to my daughter. I already informed him that Cira is to be engaged to your Son, Alex. However, Riyku will not back down. The main reason he is here today is to find some way to settle that." Dom stated which caused everyone to look at Riyku. "Settle this? Is this a joke, Dominic? We already agreed that your daughter will be marrying my son. There is nothing to settle." Alexander stated firmly and Dom would sigh softly. "You have a point...." Dominic seemed to be backed into a corner. "But, is that what Cira wants?" Riyku interjected himself without delay.

This caused everyone to look at him once more. "Of course she does!" Alex called out. "Cira is in love with me." He added and Riyku looked to Cira. "Is that true?" Everyone shifted their attention to Cira. "Well... Umm....." Cira seemed to be stumbled from the glare that Alex was giving him. "Speak your mind," Riyku stated firmly, the look in his eyes seemed to give her courage. A smile curved across her face and she nodded softly. "The truth is, I do not love your son, Alex. I do not wish to marry him either and I wish to marry Riyku." Cira would be firm in her statement after taking a deep breath. This caused Alex to grind his teeth and Alexander to glare at Dom. "What is this madness? Why is this the first I have heard of this as well?"Alexander was holding himself back from raising his voice.

Dom would shake his head. "It happened last night. There was no way of telling you of the events that transpired." Dom would reply to Alexander who would massage the bridge of his nose in annoyance. "So... you won't back down no matter what?" Alexander would glare at Riyku. The look in his eyes showed his motive clear as day. Money. Riyku was a threat to him becoming more wealthy, he had identified that much now. "That is is. We can settle this if that is a problem." Riyku stated firmly. "Of course we will!" Alex called out which caused Riyku to shift his eyes towards him. The look in his teen male's eyes caused him to narrow his own. What he saw was... lust. Pure evil intentions. So that was the feeling that Dom was getting from this guy. Well, now he was glad he stepped in.

"Since you appear to come off from a wealthy family, do you know any form of martial arts?" Riyku inquired which caused Alex and Alexander to go eye wide. Even Dom and Cira were surprised. "Are you suggest this be settled by a duel?" Alexander inquired after regaining his composure. "Yes, is that a problem?" Riyku inquired which caused Alexander to look towards Alex. "Son?" He inquired as to if to ask Alex if he was okay with that and Alex would shake his head. "No problem. I have attended all of my classes father. I may not be higher than Rank Eleven even if he is what he says he is. But, I am fairly certain I will come out on top. For the good of the company and my love, Cira." Alex stated boldly and Alexander nodded. Esa who was just sipping upon her cup of tea and glancing over her cybernetic screen from her ID wristband would perch up. "Good luck, Alex." She stated before returning to her screen. Riyku took a glance to notice that she was shopping. It was clear as day to him that this family did not care for anything but their gain. His eyes shifted back towards Dom. "Sir, do you have a sparing area?" Riyku inquired and Dom would nod. "I do." This was a bit surprising since he wasn't expecting a yes, but regardless it worked out for him. "Henry!" Dom called out to the head butler Henry who would approach from another room. "You call, Sir." Henry would address Dom who would nod. "We are heading to the sparing room. Please prepare the proper gear for them." Dom stated and Henry would nod before giving a light bow. "As you wish. Follow me, Master Alex, Master Riyku." Henry would call out to both of them and they would rise from their seats to follow Henry to prepare.

"Heh, No one stands a chance against Alex. I have hired only the best of the best to instruct him on swordplay. After Alex beats him, Cira will marry my son and the rights to your company will be signed over, Dominic." Alexander stated firmly, with pure confidence... or well, in this case, utter arrogance. "Let us see for ourselves. If you will follow me." Dom would raise from his seat and lead the three of them to the sparing room where they would be seated on the sidelines. Dom and Cira sitting by one another and on the other side of Dom were Alexander, besides Alexander was Esa. Shortly after did Henry stand beside Dom and lean over to whisper into his ear. "Excellent work as ways, Henry. If I can bother you a bit longer to stay and watch the outcome just in case." Dom would ask and Henry would bow lightly before standing beside him. "Of course sir."

It was a few moments later did Alex enter the sparing room. He would take his place by one of the white lines on the floorboard. Fully decked out in the protective gear the male would give his blunt sword a few swings. "It's rather light, a crappy sword but I guess it'll work." The male complained before looking around. "Well, if that guy even shows up. He wasn't even in the fitting room when Henry left." Alex sneered, though Riyku would shake his head as he entered the room. "I needed to take care of a few things." Everyone's eyes were widened. "Riyku!?" Cira called out which caused him to look towards her as he took his place at the other white line. "Hm?" He mused towards the girl. "Why aren't you wearing any protective gear? And where is your weapon?" Cira inquired hastily which caused Riyku to smirk and shake his head. "I don't need them for this bout. It'll be over before you know it. Afterward, I'll take you out to the arcade." Riyku stated with a wink, though it wasn't just the fact that he wasn't wearing any protective gear. The male was dressed in a completely different outfit from the business style he had previously. He was fitted as if he were going on a date. Crimson color, black thin striped button-up shirt with the collar tucked perfectly and a few buttons unknitted around the collar and waist area which gave off a glimmer of his flesh making him appear well... sexy. If that wasn't all his black slacks with thin crimson lines seemed to match the shirt perfectly, but more than anything the pants were skinny style with relief around the waist. If anything this only amplified his sexy factor. Letting one hand rest in the pocket of his pants his other would rest at his side as he eyed the male with his crimson eyes. "Ready," Riyku stated with a soft yawn almost as if he were completely bored.

"Scerw you! Being all cocky, because you think you are better than me! I'll show you!" Alex would charge at Riyku, bringing the dull blade from overhead as if going for a straight slash; however, he changed the trajectory mid-swing to an angled strike. Riyku would lean away from the strike, showing no signs of falling for the feint. Alex would drop down low while spinning to break Riyku's line of sight. For a second, and only a second Riyku was impressed by how the male maneuvered himself to come back upward and follow up swiftly with an upward strike. This would have struck if Riyku did not flip backward to avoid the strike while making some distance between him and Alex.

"Not bad." Riyku would call out to the boy. "Honestly, if it were anyone else you may be able to win. Alas... Your opponent is me." Riyku would still have his other hand in his pocket the entire time as he motioned with his free hand with a gesture of come on. Alex would grind his teeth before charging at Riyku again. "Make fun of me will you!" Alex shouted as his dull blade began to glow with a blue aura. "Alex!" Alexander called out sternly as if scolding his son. Though Alex pursued with this strike. The slash was evaded; however...

'Debuff: Frost Bitten.'

Appeared upon Riyku's UI which caused him to narrow his eyes, but before he could think any more Alex was swinging yet again and again. Each time Riyku would evade the strikes; however, he felt his body becoming sluggish.

'Debuff: Frost Bitten.'

This text appeared again, which caused Riyku to grit his teeth. Instead of evading the next slash the male would grab hold of the dull blade and pull Alex towards him. He would release the blade swiftly and sucker punch the male before stepping back. "Alex! That is enough! You would dare disgrace yourself in a duel!? Have your trainers taught you nothing!?" Alexander scolded the male who would stumble back trying to catch his breath. A growl would erupt from the male, "Shut the fuck up Father! All you cared about was your money, your wealth! You never cared about me once! You never asked how my training went! How my day was! Nor have you ever allowed friends over! Not once have you done a damn thing for me! And now, when I am finally able to obtain something with my own hands you restrict me with some stupid honor code for duels!? Cira is mine! All mine! And no one will rip me from her! She is my toy! I will do as I please with her! So you shut the fuck up you sack of shit!" Alex would shout with seething anger like a crazy madman. A crazy look in the male's eyes as he looked from Cira to Riyku.

"So you've finally revealed yourself. Well..." Riyku would sigh heavily, "Now, I can finish this." He would dash forward towards Alex who would charge at Riyku and swing the dull blade with the intent to kill. Riyku would swift circle around Alex, evading this strike and coming around to grasp the male by the protective gear and pull him down towards the ground. The force caused the male to bounce, but Riyku slammed the sole of his shoe upon the male keeping him against the ground. The sudden force shocked the male and he released the dull blade which caused the blue aura to fade away. "Look, kid, maybe you should get your self treated. I get your family is shitty. You were raised shitty, but that doesn't mean things can change. Like I said earlier, your swordplay isn't bad. You combination between whatever icy magika you used and your swift style of swordplay can take you higher in life. Perhaps you should think about joining the Hunter's Legion or becoming a Knight for the kingdom. Though I'll make this clear as day, your duel against me is lost. Cira is mine, and she will be free. Yes, I plan to marry her and take over Dom's company when he resigns, but I have no intention of using Cira for anything let alone Dom's company for wealth. The reason I am marrying Cira is for her freedom." Riyku narrowed his eyes as he glared at the male who stared up at him in frustration.

"Alex!" Alexander was about to run towards his son, but Dom stopped the male by taking hold of his wrist. "Alexander!" Dom called out sternly which made Alexander look at him. "Sit down," Dom stated, but when Alexander was about to rebuttal, Dom would reaffirm that he was not suggesting or asking, but demanding the man take a seat. "Sit. Down." This would cause Alexander to take his seat, having noticed the look in Dom's eyes. "Riyku..." Cira would place her hands over her mouth when she heard Riyku's statement. It indeed was what he had told them last night, but seeing his conviction was a whole other story. As for the mother... well she still did not seem to give a damn.

Removing himself from the male he would step away from Alex, but before walking towards Cira he would say one thing more to the male who sat up in a daze. "One final piece of advice. Friends are not toys, lovers are not things and women are not objects. If you ever wish to find true love or even make real friends. I suggest that you change your ways. Change how you view others and change yourself as a whole. Otherwise, you may find yourself to be all alone." Riyku would state without looking at the male who looked at Riyku's back. However... those words did not cause him frustration or anger. Everything Riyku stated seemed to strike his heart which caused tears to form and flow from his cheeks as if he found some form of regret in his actions.

"Sir, I will be taking Cira on our date now," Riyku stated to Dom who nodded softly. Riyku would turn his glance towards Alexander. "But before that..." He would make his way in front of both Alexander and Esa. "You, Alexander, you abandoned your son for wealth... It makes sense why his mind became warped since he had taken after you. And you... Esa." Riyku's vicious glare caused the woman to look up at him when a shiver ran down her spine. "You don't seem to care about anything. You've let your husbands wealth and fame consume you. You don't even care about your son, let alone do you even give him any attention. You are stuck in your little world of materialism. It's sad... Your corruption caused your son's downfall. I suggest one thing to both of you, if Alex wishes to join either the Hunter's Legion or Knight's Academy then you better support him. Because if you don't he may just leave you two for good. Those tears... are tears of regret." Riyku would move out of the way to show them the state Alex was in. "From here on out, I suggest you three act as a proper family." Riyku left them with that final statement before going towards Cira. A soft smile touched his lips as he offered her his arm since she was already standing and waiting. "Are you ready?" Riyku inquired. "Of course!" Cira exclaimed happily and the two made their way out of the sparing room. Riyku stole a glance from his UI and noticed that the debuff was gone.