Chapter 40

While Juno was away, Kyon picked up the handkerchief smeared with blood that she had thrown away and put it in his pocket. Then he returned to his place and decided to apply the healing ointment that Flitz had given to him. There it was, his panacea. He wondered how it worked, and most importantly, how effective it was.

He squeezed a bit of the golden ointment onto his finger and applied it to the most painful bruise on his hip. A pleasant cooling sensation spread over the raw spot.

{Oh… It feels so nice…}

He sent Synergy to analyze the changes under his skin and came to a stunning conclusion.

{As I thought, this world does not work like mine. The energy in my world is invariable, with fixed constants that describe its behavior. In this world, the energy has an internal memory that can change its behavior beyond recognition!}

Kyon observed the ointment energy transform under his skin into organic matter to heal his wounds and increase the speed of processes inside his body. It must have been programmed according to a certain logic. Nanorobots could do this, but what on earth nanorobots were doing in this world? Kyon wondered if he could set a behavioral reaction, change the internal information, or set off specific trigger reactions. He knew that the attributes of darkness and light were even more unique and unusual. He wanted to find out more about all this.

His scratches rapidly healed on their own, bruises and contusions disappeared. The ointment was precise and coordinated as if it knew too well where and what it should do. In Kyon’s world, it was possible only using complex technologies like nanorobots or bioprinting, not programmed energy.

Juno returned five minutes later and was surprised to find the slave lying on the floor. She explained to herself that he could not stand upright anymore. It didn’t even occur to her that he could disobey her order.

«Stand up and defend yourself. I’m not done with you yet.» – The girl said haughtily, waving her hand.

Kyon obeyed the formation and rose to his feet with a grim expression on his face.

Juno shrugged her shoulders up and down to warm up, clenched her fists and attacked Kyon. She would knock this slave on the ground to make him feel the overwhelming disgrace he had inflicted upon himself in the very first seconds of their acquaintance. If he would survive after that or not… Who cares?

The dangerous dance lasted for about two minutes when a drop of sweat treacherously rolled Kyon in the eye. He had to blink and missed a fatal blow to his leg, losing his balance at once. In a split second, Juno seized the moment to knock him down.

{I did it! Come on, beg me for mercy!} – It was very timely as she had nearly run out of energy. Juno generously infused her legs with the rest of it to give the slave nice sidekicks.

He curled himself into a ball, holding his head in his hands, groaning in pain. Ah, it was music for Juno’s ears! However, she didn’t hear his cries for mercy. And his groans were too quiet… He wasn’t making any other sounds, which was rather unusual. This slave must be defective. She was not pleased with Flitz’s gift.

Half a minute later, Juno wiped off the sweat from her forehead, stretched languorously and estimated the damage her arms and legs had done. She left the half-dead slave lying on the ground and hurried to the mansion with a spring in her step to take a shower and get changed. She couldn’t care less for the beaten boy, just as she wouldn’t bother about a dying fly. He was a thing that belonged to her. What was wrong with that?

Kyon gave her a black stare as she walked away. He sprawled on the ground groaning in pain. Every muscle in his body ached, he was bruised all over. There were so many bruises they could cause anemia. Kyon’s face was deathly pale, one of his legs was numb and didn’t respond. Synergy darted about his body like a hurricane, trying to cover all the injuries at once. Kyon had an empty feeling in his head. Being capable of almost anything, he couldn’t get out of this jam. Fate played a dirty trick on him. Discontent with the guest, it decided to show him his place.

Anyway, he was alive. It was the only ray of light in this pitch darkness. Kyon would never have thought that he’d have to look for something positive in a hopeless situation.

Apparently, the little sadist took a particular pleasure in kicking him when he was down, enjoying his groans. Kyon could have yelled properly, but he had strictly forbidden himself to give the bitch what she wanted. It was evident that all she needed was his humiliation and pain, pain, pain… It really didn’t matter that they hadn’t got off to a good start… She wanted him to suffer no matter what. Wasn’t it ironic? The former emperor of the illusory planet had to scream and beg a young girl for mercy. Screw her!

It might seem that Kyon was humiliated and devastated, but it wasn’t so. His spirit was hardened enough never to give up, especially when it came to surviving. He could suppress his pride, as well as his ego if need be, but his spirit was indestructible.

{The tormentor in the guise of an angel will surely kill me if I don’t stop her…} – He laughed bitterly at his own misfortune. His body immediately took revenge with sudden and sharp pain.

When he felt a bit better, Kyon rose slowly, holding his side, and sat on the only bench. The ground was cold. It was not a good idea to lie around all day long. The last thing he needed was to die of pneumonia to please the little monster.

His numerous injuries required loads of Synergy, energy, and body resources to heal. At that moment, Kyon regretted the moment of vanity when he had tuned up his body to the state of “the muscular athlete.” He could use a minimal layer of fat now. Shock absorption would have been better, the energy reserve would have been higher. Flitz might have hesitated to give him to that bitch.

Two hours passed, the gate to the training area opened, and the demoness in angelic guise fluttered inside and ran up to the bench.

Kyon flinched just looking at her green eyes, pretty face, golden curls. Ah, how gladly he would wring her pretty neck! Would she keep smiling then?

{I need a big stick, please…} – Kyon begged heaven, raising his eyes. He would have to break the order and start talking. Otherwise, he stood no chance.

His state of health pleased Juno. Her “rehabilitation method” worked. She could make a good warden, after all..

No matter how pleased she was, Juno put on an angry, irritable face for the pathetic, living (for now) dummy:

«I did not allow you to lie on my bench, wretched slave! Punch yourself in the face three times and get lost. I’ll deal with you another time.»

Kyon opened his mouth in surprise. It was too early to jump to conclusions. There was still a chance. He stood up with clenched teeth, landed three punches (faked, of course, he had enough of beating for the day) and walked to the pile of dummies, his head hung down. His pride cried for bloody revenge. Wring her neck or beating her to a pulp would do. Everything should fall into its rightful place as soon as possible.

Juno was pleased with his self-beating. She pressed on her wrist, and two servants arrived five seconds later. They carefully washed the bench from any dirt that the slave might have left.

While the servants were working, Juno began to warm up for her practice with the master. She reached her toes, arched her back, gracefully did the splits…

Her actions looked appealing and attractive, but Kyon was not up to admiring the wretched girl. The only thing he appreciated was her flexibility. He imagined tying her tight and kicking her across the training ground like a soccer ball. Suddenly, he gave himself a mental slap. Did he really reach the point of planning brutal revenge? Shame on him. He thought it was impossible to sink any lower, and then he heard a knock from below.

As soon as the servants left, a man entered the training ground. He was in his fifties, with long dark hair that he wore in a messy ponytail. The man was wearing the traditional uniform used for practice, which suggested that he was the evil lady’s master.

On his way in, the master caught a glimpse of the boy hiding among the dummies. The mark on his forehead told him it was an ordinary slave, not worthy of his attention. He had seen slaves like him before. He thought it was weird enough, but he knew better than to meddle in lady Juno’s private affairs.

He approached the young lady and bowed low to her. «Greetings, lady Juno.»

Juno finished doing the splits with a graceful somersault and said respectfully:

«Greetings, master Jean.»

Kyon raised his eyebrows at her courtesy! The master had a lower rank than his lady, but she spoke to him much more respectfully than she did to Flitz. What a hypocritical evil snake!

Jean smiled:

«How is your ether bending going?»

Juno’s radiant smile made the master look away, or he would go blind.

«I’ve made some progress, master Jean. I have reached the advanced grade! Check me out!»

Her pleasant voice made him a bit nervous.

Jean muttered in surprise:

«Re-re-really?! Lady… I must be a terrible master if I can’t take your word for it… Please, do show me! I need to see it with my own eyes!»

Juno proudly raised her little chin and theatrically raised her hand. After a loud crack, her finger lit up with silver sparkles of electric current.

Jean’s eyes widened in disbelief:

«What self-control! What quality! Lady Juno, you… You have really upgraded your ether, haven’t you?! You’re even more talented than your sister!» – His delight was so overwhelming that he could not help adding: – «It’s too bad your keys are not pure enough…»

His words hurt her too deep. The key purity was any practitioner’s weakest point. Pure keys at the moment of connection with soul was a matter of luck. Those who had a 100 percent pure key of a single element existed only in legends. The best geniuses’ keys were not far from absolutely pure, especially in the most simple elements, but there existed neither perfectly pure keys nor absolutely impure. Kyon could be proud of himself.

Jean’s words drove Juno up the wall. She straightened her shoulders and growled:

«I’m even more talented. I will surpass her! Even the goddess won’t stop me!» – She waved her hand…

*bam*

A bolt of lightning hit the dummy straight in the head. The wood smoked and nearly caught fire.

Jean stared at the place where the lightning struck, shocked:

«It’s incredible! It can’t be! You’ve definitely raised the ether to the advanced grade! Just in three months! It’s impossible! It’s unbelievable!»

Jean had lots of students. He knew very well how long it took to master the elements, especially such a complex element as ether. The young Stone generation was absolutely hopeless!

It takes up to six months to acquire the basic grade of ether, five years to raise it to the advanced grade, and so on infinitely. But Juno had mastered ether in just a couple of months in addition to other elements and techniques! The baby girl was an unsurpassed genius of her family. Perhaps, she was really better than her sister. Too bad her keys were so impure… Well, nothing could be done about that. It’s like being born with one arm. Nature didn’t endow her with pure keys, and it had always been her sore point. Small wonder. An easy test determined your future in this world. You can stay mediocre for the rest of your life or become a respected genius with a great future ahead of you, with hundreds of fans and admirers. The world is cruel. Key purity doesn’t only enhance attack/defense power but also significantly increases cultivation rate. And yet, Juno managed to raise hers to the 5th stage in no time, which also spoke of her extraordinary talent.

It is known that cultivation speed largely depends on life goals, aspirations, will, and fortitude. And this young lady is an excellent example to prove this theory. Her dream to beat Elsa, wipe the floor with her elder sister, prove herself to everyone helped her move forward like a stubborn donkey.

Juno was pleased with Jean’s reaction. She’d always been a bit of a show-off.

Kyon was shocked. He saw Juno launch a coin lightning fast. As it hit the dummy’s head, a spark drew a line from her finger to the coin with the speed of light.

{Holy cow! If this crap hits me, I will be paralyzed for life! Was she restraining herself during the fight?} – Kyon grunted skeptically. He couldn’t depend upon Juno’s kindness. She must have spared him for later. She never stopped smiling while beating him. It gave her sadistic pleasure to get physical contact with his soft flesh without using magical effects.

Jean could finally keep his emotions under control. His heart was still fluttering, though. He put his hand to his chest and bowed:

«Lady Juno, your heavenly talent is greater than mine… It took you only three months to develop the advanced grade of ether. It’s my limit. I don’t have the skills for more. But, please, don’t give up on me. I can still teach you the wind element you’ve chosen to acquire next.»

Juno tilted her head to the side, which made her look even more charming. She pressed her finger thoughtfully against the dimple on her cheek. She liked Jean’s edgy look. He was so anxious to keep his position.

A few painful seconds passed, which seemed to him an eternity. Jean was sweating over with worry when Juno smiled cheerfully:

«Oh master, how could I?»

Jean nearly fell with relief.

Kyon moaned inwardly, stupefied by Juno’s nasty character. {She’s quite a handful… What is this place? Flitz, you old asshole!}

«In this case… Let’s master the advanced grade of the wind element…» – Jean muttered in a weak voice, wiping the sweat off his forehead.

Juno took a fighting stance and attacked the master. Her punches contained the wind element. The air swirled around them, making Jean’s sleeves and hair flutter every time he dodged.

A stage of cultivation rose faster in sparring than by doing cycles. Juno could raise the element grade easier when she could feel the wind fluctuations that came from Jean.

The masters could hold their ground as long as they had at least one element a grade higher than their student’s. In rare cases, the master could keep their job if they knew a technique their student had yet to learn. They also had to own the formations with those techniques and spheres with the element grades.

While the two of them were dancing in battle, Kyon watched them intently, trying not to miss a single detail: {To my regret, Juno is very talented… According to Jean, she is second to none in her family. As for the master, his mind is pretty dirty. It will come as no surprise if he is a bit too much attached to this demoness in the guise of an angel. That’s for sure… The way he stares at her when she doesn’t look. He looks away if she holds eye contact for longer than three seconds. Ugh, he’s totally into her! Once, I met a pervert master with the same sultry look… May he rest in peace.}

Apparently, Jean was a secret pervert. Maybe, an explicit one. And small wonder… The beautiful creature was always before his eyes. It must be hard for him to keep himself in check.

Kyon started hatching a plan.