Vengeance of the Returner

At the top of the explanation was an intricate messy design that connected with each other like a web.

One of the most extremely rare and a type of core that stands at the higher level to Devastation is what Mana manipulation is.

'Fuck yeah!'

Nix smiled and decided to not leave out any single part about it and began reading it.

Manipulation is just a combination of Mana integration and mana circulation with a few upgraded features. You could think of it as a mixed evolved version of both the cores with some real deal of capabilities.

Manipulation is not like the other cores that are innate to one. It is more like an artificial core yet, cannot be considered as an artificial core. Just assume it as an evolved version of the other cores except for devastation which is very much naturally obtained. And the core is something that can be only awakened with a certain environment that doesn't support mana or to put it clearly. It is obtained by forcefully awakening it in another world where there is no concept of mana.

'Now this here is the real deal... If I think back correctly. I already gained a system back on earth unlike any other Outsider. I woke up overly fatigued and drenched in sweat after having a dreadful nightmare that day... So I have possibly awakened my Mana core on that day. To simply put, this was one of Dark Nix's necessitated plans to make me survive yet still asked for my permission to merge it...'

Nix couldn't fathom how far Dark Nix saw, to already make things prior to his transmigration. His interest in his past once again surged into him yet, he had another job before venturing it. Driving his fixation on revenge against Feroz khan away to get once again threatened to death is something he was very much against.

First, clear the threat and move to the next part. That was what he had in his mind. If possible he may venture his path to obtain memories of his past soon or try to retain clues.

Once again he began to continue going through the details of the book.

Just like its name suggests. One can manipulate mana around them and Empyrean is a world filled with mana. Meaning, you could use it like psychic ability.  Everything can be connected since Empyrean is vastly filled with mana around. The interlinked Mana can be controlled to a certain extent according to the user's capacity.

Now, coming to how to put it into use,

This is something that's too hard. One needs to put their full concentration on a certain object to find or at least feel the flow. Note, you can only feel to a certain distance meaning you can't just try to move or do the thing that's too far away. Mainly try to go step by step. First, learn how transmission works then next learn how the integration works, and lastly move on to the manipulation part.

'Hmm, Now I guess the sword I controlled back in the desert is because of the distance and the desperate need I had for the sword as I deliberately concentrated on it.'

He mumbled after closing the book and left for his clan house.

"Where have you been? Thought you'd be here soon...Well, I am surprised to hear that you hired Aizen and Helina from Requiem and another additional assassin into our clan without any advertising..." Cinzia said with a smile.

Nix first sipped his coffee sitting on the sofa with his legs crossed and then stared at her.

"Yeah? You said we need to get permission from the Royal council, so I thought this is a better choice."

"I am really glad but, I feel like you've been contributing a surplus amount for the growth of the clan..." Cinzia said hesitantly.

"Hah, Seriously? At the end of the road, I am doing this for me... Just think about it! The members that joined this clan joined for their own good." He said and then added.

"The reason is simple. They wanna survive in-group rather than being alone and I am paying for them to work for me. In any case, as the clan lord I am ought to do so for the well-being and motives of mine and you've contributed enough by creating a crew before establishing the clan and it's quite equal to my contribution. So I don't know what you are fretting about." He shrugged.

Cinzia couldn't properly reply to his words; she just gave him a wry smile while staring at his eyes and said.

"You've outgrown yourself a lot past these days... Well, We are stuck right now. What are we gonna do? Just work as bandits for a while?"

"I want to buy combat slaves. Then open a business firm before that I need to clear things with the king. He is kind of tactical and threatening. I don't want to be a pawn for him neither do I wish my clan to be one? So I wanna eat the city from its depth and take over power before he grabs my tail..." Nix said indifferently.

"But we need capital for that... Let's talk about it later. Told me that you have captured an angel right? What are you gonna do with her?"

Cinzia asked with a worried expression.

"hmm, come with me first."

He said after placing his coffee mug on the table.

She nodded her head and followed him to the storage room where Zariniel was tied up with a slave restraining chain.

Cinzia was dumbstruck and stood in a daze as soon as she saw Zariniel and turned to Nix for an explanation. Nix noticed her complexion and asked.

"Perhaps she is the one that killed Bulziey during the subjugation?"

Cinzia could help other than giving a slight nod.

"Yeah, she is the one..."

She probably killed a few in defending and obeying Ferandel's orders to repel the Outlaw subjugation team.

"I see." 

He said and crouched towards Zariniel splashed water on her to wake her up since she was unconscious.

"Hey! Wake up!"

"Uhmm..."

She squinted her eyes for a second and jumped away in a startle as soon as she saw Nix.

"So, did you make a choice? 

"Please...Let me go."

"My bad..."

Nix muttered and kicked her face with an extremely immense force making her fly towards the wall. Cinzia just watched the scene in a daze.

"Such a waste of time..."

Nix said and slowly walked towards her and grabbed her by her hair.

"You proud angel bitches work for some god and do anything without thinking if the person is at wrong or right... "

He said and slowly took his face towards her ear.

"What do you seek?"

He asked. He needed to know her true intention behind why she was following the gods or what are her prime goals.

"I want to live...I want to kill you..." She said with a red shimmer in her gaze.

Nix couldn't help but get angry. He clicked his tongue.

"Tch, well forget about it."

Swiftly he pushed her face against the wall and began to stomp at her face which was already bleeding, a few times until he heard a crackling sound of her skull breaking.

Cinzia couldn't help but stare at Nix as though she was looking at a monster with small fear in her heart. It's not like she was not cold to anyone but, this was her first time noticing him behaving like that. It clearly portrayed his hatred towards Angel and his pent-up issues that he kept stagnated in his heart.

"Hah, Such a fucking waste..."

He mumbled smacking his head. He wanted to make her taste what some outlaws that had a good mindset was going through but, nothing goes as planned. He sighed and walked towards Cinzia feeling angry and frustrated.

Cinzia's pupils dilated for a second observing how miserable and pent up he was inside and quickly hugged him.

"It's okay! Don't feel bad... Everything will be alright."

" "

He did have sex with her and did some things but for the first time, he was feeling warm.

"Cinzia... I went through something because of the ruling authority of Saragame city. That thing is driving me crazy... Like a lot. I don't know what I am supposed to do. Why am I here..."

"SHh! It's fine. Everything will be alright... I am there for you. I will support you..." 

She said, patting his shoulder.

"Really? will you?" Nix asked, staring at her eyes brimming with joy.

"Yes, I will." She said, giving a warm smile.

He was not good at expressing his feelings. Other than going out of his way to behave however he felt like was the only thing he was able to come up with.

He couldn't help but feel glad. He tightly drew her close and kissed her forehead.

"Thanks for telling me. I am glad."

Ever wondered why feeling happy is a great thing? Because it is something we gain only a little bit even though we go through sufferings and hard things for the most of our lives to achieve those limited happy moments that we long for. It would be satisfying and relieving that we live reminiscing those moments although one can't continuously go through extremely happy moments.

Well, in the End, his meager happiness is only a limited free trial as he'd be always going through the trouble just like his initial days roaming alone and joining in jobs and facing ordeals.