Realm Lord
Chapter 149: Today’s the Day

Chapter 149: Today’s the Day

Arthur was sleeping peacefully and blissfully under the soft covers of his bed, lost in dreams that were mercifully free from the nightmares that had plagued him recently. The morning light filtered gently through his curtains, casting warm patterns across his relaxed features. For once, his face held no tension, no worry lines creased his brow, and his breathing was deep and even.

Then, without warning, his entire body tensed and began to convulse desperately.

The peaceful moment shattered like glass as Arthur’s muscles seized involuntarily. His eyes shot open in pure panic, pupils dilated with shock and confusion. His teeth clenched together forcefully, the sound audible in the sudden silence of his room. His entire body vibrated with uncontrolled spasms, as if electricity was coursing through his nervous system.

’What... the... hell,’ Arthur’s mind struggled to form coherent thoughts through the overwhelming sensation that had hijacked his body.

The strange episode continued for what felt like an eternity but was probably only a few more seconds. Then, as abruptly as it had begun, peace returned. The violent sensations left his body all at once, like a switch being flipped. His muscles relaxed so suddenly that he felt boneless, his limbs heavy and unresponsive.

Arthur rolled over heavily and let his head hang off the edge of his bed, his dark hair falling in disheveled strands as he desperately tried to catch his breath. His chest rose and fell in rapid, shallow movements as his body attempted to recover from whatever had just happened to him.

It was in those moments of gasping recovery that realization dawned on him. The pieces clicked together with devastating clarity, and soon anger filled him like molten metal poured into a mold. His face contorted with rage as understanding replaced confusion.

Arthur lunged upward with surprising speed and spun around to face the other side of his bed, his eyes blazing with fury.

"Are you insane!!" he yelled, his voice hoarse from sleep but carrying the full weight of his indignation.

There, standing on the opposite side of his bed with the most mischievous grin Arthur had ever seen, was Aziel. Small arcs of electricity danced playfully between his fingers, the residual energy from whatever technique he had just used still crackling with barely contained power. His eyes sparkled with amusement, and he looked entirely too pleased with himself for Arthur’s liking.

Aziel giggled—actually giggled—like a child who had just pulled off the perfect prank. "It’s time to leave," he said, his voice cheerful and completely unapologetic. "I thought I’d put some pep in your step, you know?"

Arthur stared at his friend in complete disbelief, his mouth opening and closing as he struggled to find words adequate to express his outrage. The casual way Aziel had just electrocuted him awake, as if it were the most natural thing in the world, left him momentarily speechless.

Finally, Arthur managed to let out a deep, frustrated sigh and palmed his face, shaking his head.

"Whatever," Arthur muttered, his voice muffled by his hands. "Just get out so I can get ready."

Aziel’s laughter followed him as he left the room, the sound of his footsteps receding down the hallway. Arthur remained standing there for a moment, still trying to process the rude awakening he had just experienced. Then reality set in fully—today was the day. Today was the day they would leave for the 3rd district.

The thought sent a mixture of anticipation and dread coursing through his system, but Arthur pushed those feelings aside. He had made his decision, and now it was time to follow through with it.

Arthur’s first destination was the bathroom, where he planned to wash away both the lingering effects of Aziel’s electric wake-up call and the last remnants of his peaceful sleep. The shower was exactly what he needed—hot water cascading over his shoulders and back, washing away the tension that had built up in his muscles.

As the steam filled the small bathroom, Arthur found himself thinking about what lay ahead. The 3rd district was a war zone, a place where even experienced Chosen were falling on a daily basis. Part of him wondered if he was making a terrible mistake, if his newfound resolve would crumble the moment he faced real danger.

After his shower, Arthur went through his usual morning routine with mechanical precision. He brushed his teeth thoroughly, the mint taste sharp and clean in his mouth. Then he washed his face with cold water, the sudden temperature change helping to fully wake him up and clear his head.

It was while he was patting his face dry with a towel that Arthur got lost staring at himself in the bathroom mirror. The reflection that looked back at him was startling in its transformation, and he found himself marveling at how different he looked now compared to just five months ago—or technically two years ago.

It was currently August, and in about a month he would technically turn eighteen. When his core had first begun to develop at fifteen, he had been a completely different person. His hair had been long and raggedy, hanging in greasy strands that he rarely bothered to maintain. Dark bags had perpetually underscored his eyes, growing more pronounced with each passing day as stress and poor nutrition took their toll. He had been skin and bone, malnourished and weak, wearing what he now recognized as a mask of cowardice that had defined his every interaction with the world.

Now, looking at himself in the steam-fogged mirror, Arthur was struck by how completely different he had become. His hair was now a smooth, silky black that fell to just below his ears, clean and well-maintained. The dark circles under his eyes were gone, replaced by clear skin. He had filled out considerably, his once-skeletal frame now supporting a rather impressive physique built through months of training and combat.

The mask of cowardice was still there—Arthur could see it in the set of his jaw, in the way his eyes sometimes avoided his own reflection—but every day another crack appeared in that facade. Every day he became a little closer to being a man he could actually be proud of, someone who could look at himself without flinching away from what he saw.

After finishing his morning routine, Arthur moved efficiently through the process of packing his bags. He had learned to pack light but efficiently during his time as a Chosen, taking only the essentials while ensuring he had everything he might need for an extended period away from home. Changes of clothes, basic toiletries, and essential equipment all fit into a single duffel bag that he could carry comfortably.

When he was finally ready, Arthur headed out to meet Aziel, who was now fully prepared as well and waiting in their small living room. His friend had traded his usual casual clothes for more practical gear suitable for travel. Despite the early hour and the rude awakening, Aziel looked alert and eager, practically vibrating with excitement about their upcoming departure.

Arthur approached him slowly, and for a moment they simply stared at each other in silence. The weight of what they were about to do hung between them like a physical presence. This wasn’t just another trip to the second realm for some casual hunting—this was something far more serious, far more dangerous, and potentially far more permanent.

Arthur felt the familiar flutter of doubt begin to rise in his chest, but he consciously pushed it down. He closed his eyes for a moment, centering himself and drawing on the resolve he had found after his encounter with Josh. When he opened his eyes again, he was wearing a mask of confidence that, while not entirely genuine, was convincing enough to fool both Aziel and himself.

"Let’s go," Arthur said, his voice steady and determined.

Aziel’s face broke into a wide smile, and he nodded enthusiastically. "Finally," he said, shouldering his own pack. "I thought you might change your mind again."

Together, they left their modest apartment, perhaps for the last time. The hallway seemed longer than usual as they walked toward the elevator, their footsteps echoing off the worn carpet and faded wallpaper. Neither of them spoke during the descent to the ground floor, each lost in their own thoughts about what lay ahead.

Outside, a black sedan was waiting for them, its engine running quietly. The driver, a middle-aged man in military fatigues, nodded professionally as they approached. This was clearly a government vehicle, part of the official transportation network that had been established to move volunteers to their departure points.

In this car they road to an airport where they boarded a plane that would take them to there first destination.

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