Eight o'clock.
The time when all the Satsujin Otoko could be seen gathered at home, around the table, telling each other about their day.
Niyus was listening attentively, as were Bakuzan, Sakolomé, Bakuran, and Salomé.
Their mother's story was probably going to change many things.
Including the fact that she could finally place her children in great schools.
— They said that with my potions, I could easily earn millions, even billions of GKM, explained Amu, her eyes shining. And that makes me happy… Because my children will finally be able to study in great schools, in Gu-HoiT City!
Niyus slightly furrowed his brow.
— That is very interesting, Amu. You focus a great deal on the children's schooling. However, Gu-HoiT City is hundreds of kilometers away from our home.
— That's not a problem. With all that money, we can board them.
— Oh… I see. But Amu… I would like to talk to you about something really important.
Amu looked him straight in the eyes.
— I'm listening.
— If a single potion can bring in millions, even billions of GKM, then we have a good chance of becoming billionaires. And given our situation… wouldn't that risk plunging us into even more unnecessary problems? Already, I would like Salomé never to experience the injustice she suffered today again. That risks driving me out of my mind. I don't agree with people brutalizing one of my children… especially Salomé.
Amu thought for a long time.
— In that case… what do you propose we do with our money?
— I propose that we hide our wealth. That we keep a low profile. Baham, for his part, is already super rich and well known. He will be able to keep our fortune without any problem.
— And what about our use of it?
— He will give us some whenever the need arises. Besides, Baham lives in Gu-HoiT City. That can be beneficial for our children, given that you intend to board them.
Amu was not entirely convinced.
— Don't worry, my love, Niyus continued in a gentle voice. We know: Baham is neither a crook nor a thief. We have absolutely nothing to fear.
— All right… In that case, tomorrow I'll call the medical service and tell them to transfer our money to Baham's account.
Niyus smiled.
— Yes. Meanwhile, I'll tell Baham that he will be the one keeping our fortune… and I'll explain everything to him afterward.
— All right. That works.
The family had reached an agreement on this point.
After the meal, everyone went to bed.
The next day, around nine in the morning, Sakolomé left the house and stopped for a moment in front of the door.
— I'm going to keep training like never before…
His voice was full of determination.
Salomé appeared behind him and looked at him curiously.
— Hey, big brother… What are you doing?
Sakolomé turned around.
— I'm going to train.
He started walking again.
Salomé ran toward him and grabbed his arm.
— Huh?! What are you doing, Salomé?
— I want to come with you… please!
Sakolomé sighed.
— All right… Come with me.
They set off.
For more than half an hour, they walked while talking.
— Big brother… Are mutants genetic modifications of something?
— No. They're just living creatures, a bit like birds, frogs… They exist, and their diet is extremely varied.
— Wow… I've never seen one yet. That's weird.
— You may not expect it the first time. Some of them look like humans.
Sakolomé burst out laughing.
— Haha… Who knows, you may have already seen some, but they had human bodies, so you couldn't tell the difference.
A strange thought crossed Salomé's mind.
— Oh… Yes, big brother, you may be right. The people who spoke badly to me yesterday… they were certainly mutants too. Mutants are super mean, aren't they?
Sakolomé laughed even harder.
— Haaaahahaha! Please, Salomé… Tell me you're not serious?
Salomé kept a serious expression.
— But it may be the case. How can normal people hurt someone who has done nothing to them?
Sakolomé became serious again.
— There are also bad people… just as there are good mutants.
Salomé's eyes widened.
— Really? That's incredible!
— We've finally arrived. This is the place of my colossal training.
Before them stretched a small space surrounded by vegetation and rocks.
— So this is it?
— Yes. Now, go sit down for a moment. I'm going to start.
But Salomé did not move. She remained standing, her gentle eyes fixed on her brother.
— What do you want now, Salomé?
She answered in a timid voice.
— It's just that… all my big brothers are very strong… while I'm not. I would like to become strong… like all of you.
Sakolomé smiled.
— Oh… really? So you want to train with me?
— Yes! Yes! Yes, I do!!!!!
— Very well. You're finally deciding to grow up, my beloved little sister.
— Yes… I want to be grown up now!
— Perfect. First, you're going to do… three hundred push-ups… Oops. Twenty push-ups. We'll take it gradually with you.
Sakolomé did not even have time to watch her do them.
— I'm done!!
— What? That fast? You cheated. Do it again!
— Hey! I didn't even cheat! That's not fair!!
— Fine… All right. Do it again calmly, then. We'll make sure you didn't cheat.
Salomé got back into position and did her twenty push-ups very quickly under Sakolomé's eyes.
He remained stunned for a moment. It was the very first time she had done any… and yet, she was doing them well, and fast.
— How do you know how to do push-ups?
— I often saw Bakuran doing them.
— Very well. Do five hundred push-ups for me. Right now.
— All right!!!
She got back into position and started.
Sakolomé watched her, surprised and proud.
Salomé finished her five hundred push-ups and got up, still full of energy.
Under her brother's smiling gaze, a question crossed Sakolomé's mind: was it the pure energy of a little girl that allowed her to do so many without suffering… or did she simply take it all as a game, being still a child?
It was necessarily the second option.
— Good. My turn. I'm going to do two million push-ups… right in front of your eyes.
— I want to do some too!!!
— What? … All right. Very well. Let's go.
The two got started together.
They kept going, again and again. As fast as one another.
Soon, Salomé began to feel pain in her arms.
— Big brother… it hurts!
— Haha. We've only done three hundred thousand push-ups, Salomé. You can stop if you want.
But she replied, filled with unexpected determination.
— Out of the question. We keep going!!!
— Haha… That's my beloved little Salomé.
They continued.
— One million nine hundred ninety-nine thousand nine hundred ninety-seven… one million nine hundred ninety-nine thousand nine hundred ninety-eight… one million nine hundred ninety-nine thousand nine hundred ninety-nine… and finally… two million!!!
After reaching the final number, Salomé collapsed onto the ground.
— We did it!!!
Her voice was relieved and joyful.
— Exactly. Your determination makes me want to teach you a few combat techniques. Do you want to?
She got up immediately.
— Yes! I want to learn that!!
— Very well.
Sakolomé took a fighting stance.
— I'm going to teach you my art of combat first.
Salomé, dazzled, opened her eyes wide.
— Woohoo… Go ahead, big brother! I want to see!!!
— Very well. Watch.
He launched into attacks, punches, and kicks into the air, mixing martial arts techniques with impressive fluidity.
Salomé remained fascinated. She would have wanted to do the same right away.
— Did you see my techniques?
— Yes, big brother. I saw everything!!
— Perfect. Do you know how to use magic?
— Yes… a little.
Salomé joined her hands. Violet mana came out of them, undulating like flames.
— That's beautiful. I don't know much about using mana… since I don't have any. I use pure energy. But since you manipulate mana, you should learn to link it to the concept of magic.
Salomé furrowed her brow.
— What is the concept of magic?
— Generally, it can be expressed in various ways depending on the people who use it. Mana is linked to the spiritual things within us. Its purpose is to materialize some of our needs through thought and desires.
Salomé still did not understand.
— Wait. I'll start over. You see… the mana in you provides aura, just like energy. But mana has many particularities. From mana, you can shape magic. And magic needs mana… and your own desires… to create what you want in reality. The use of your level of magic depends on your level of consciousness, your knowledge, and your talent too. That's what Father said.
Salomé remained perplexed.
— Fine… Try to create flames with your mana. Imagine in your head that you want to see flames born from your mana.
— All right, big brother!!!
She held out her hand. A mass of violet aura surged out of it.
— I want flames!!!
Immediately, the mana transformed into violet flames.
Salomé smiled, full of enthusiasm.
— Look, big brother! I did it!!!!!
— Perfect. And what did you understand?
— I understood that mana can forge our desires from our thoughts… Mana becomes the thing we desire!!!
— Exactly. Although mana can have many other particularities linked to our desires as well… and sometimes even to our emotions… in most cases, mana is linked to emotions. You were lucky to be able to modify it immediately into what you wanted. You must have powerful desires… and a talent linked to your consciousness. Now… try with energy.
Salomé nodded and made her mana disappear.
She held out her hand. A violet vapor escaped from it.
She concentrated, tried to transform it into flames… with no result.
— Why doesn't it turn into flames? That's lame!!
— Energy serves to strengthen physical strength. Concentrate on your hand… and strike the ground afterward.
She obeyed.
She concentrated energy in her palm and violently struck the ground.
*Boooommm…*
An explosion rang out, cracking the earth around them.
Salomé smiled, amazed.
— Wow… That's fantastic!!!
— Yes. You'll have to learn to control every amount. And don't forget: mana and energy also run out in us. The more you use, the more you lose… and you'll have to rest to recharge. A little bonus: mana can also strengthen energy if you combine them… and order your mana to do it.
Salomé nodded, attentive.
— Good. Now… I'm going to teach you a few of my secret techniques.
She smiled from ear to ear and cried out with joy:
— Hooray! Thank you so much, big brother! Thank you so much!!!!