Reiki placed the books onto the table as a cloud of dust was pushed into the air. He waved his hand to prevent the dust from getting close to him and sat down on the wooden chair that let out an audible creak. Reiki picked up a book at random, he thought. Let’s start with synopsis. He turned the book he was holding and read the summary at its back. Reiki spoke to himself and spoke in a soft tone, he said. “Read the tragic tale of one of the earliest records of necromancy… Victor Frankenstein slowly discovers his natural ability to manipulate dead bodies.”

 

Reiki’s brows furrowed, he thought. … What kind of synopsis is this?... He continued reading and said. “With his growing obsession with the perfect human, he dug up graves, and mutilated bodies. Sewn the severed parts together and created his monster…” He placed the book on the table and thought. Instead of lightning, it was replaced with necromancy… He picked up another book and started reading the synopsis on the back, Reiki said. “Once called the king of vampires, Count Dracula’s reign of terror lasted for an entire century?...”

 

He thought. I’m going to have to read this later. Reiki continued. “The suspenseful story of how humans managed to overcome the odds and-.” He let out a laugh and said. “Oh, it’s written by the victors of history…” Reiki shook his head sideways and started skimming through the synopsis, he said. “Humanity made sure to hunt every vampire but science has proved that there are people with vampires mixed in their genetics although dormant…” Reiki threw the book onto the table, he thought. Then it’s not worth reading. He picked up another book and started reading the synopsis, he said. “The big friendly-.”

 

The door swung open revealing a group of boys from his class. Reiki let out a sigh, he turned his head to face them and said. “I see knocking is one of the things you primates can’t seem to do.” All of them walked into the library as the boy at the back closed the door and locked it. The boy at the front had a hint of confusion on his face, he said. “Primates?” His expression quickly turned angry as he shouted and screamed. “At least I wasn't dumb enough to lose a scholarship at a prestigious school!”

 

The kid had a mocking smile on his face as he waited for his reaction, Reiki just stared at him, he spoke in a casual tone, and said. “And why is a group of kids that doesn't know the difference between y and x axis here?” The mocking smile on the boy's face vanished, he said. “Y and x axis? Kid?” Reiki hid the smile on his face with his hand, he thought. I forgot how creative I need to be to insult people without cursing. The boy seeing Reiki hid a smile, he clenched his hands into fists while one of the boys beside him said. “Teiko, you told us you’d burn his hair or something.”

 

Reiki placed the book on the table, he thought. I am interested to see the mastery of magic humans are at. Teiko wiped his hands on his shirt, he said. “Sure.” His lips curled into a prideful smile as a few inches above the palm of his hand started gathering, Teiko continued. “I’m going to burn this library and pin the blame on you.” One of the boys in the group's expression had uncertainty all over his face, he said. “Teiko, I don’t think that’s a good idea-.”

 

Teiko turned his upper body as he yelled at the boy and said. “Shut it! Do you want to learn fireball or not?!” The boy quickly moved his gaze onto the floor while Reiki stared at the mana moving toward Teiko’s hand. Reiki thought. It’s been eight seconds, it would’ve been faster to surround me and start beating me up. The mana started to condense as it formed into a fireball floating above the palm of Teiko’s hand. He showed off the fireball in the palm of his hand as the boys around him stared at it in awe.

 

Reiki stared at the fireball, he thought. … That’s it?... It’s the same size as a fingernail. Teiko said. “I’m one of the few students who can cast spells-.” Before he could finish his sentence, Reiki interrupted him and said. “Hey, any one of you ever got hit with a corner of a book before?” The boys had looks of confusion on their faces. Teiko was put off as he watched Reiki pick up a book from the table as he stood up from the chair. Teiko subconsciously said. “N-No…”

 

The group of boys took a couple of steps back as Reiki made his way to them while spinning a book on the tip of his index finger. He thought. Same kids who got paid with snacks to bully me… Kussata, I can’t wait to meet you at lunch… I get to kill you not just once but twice. Reiki was roughly an arm's length apart from Teiko. Reiki said. “Do it.” Teiko’s eyes widened, he said. “... What?...” The expression of the boys around him started to change from mocking to panic.

 

Reiki’s eyes were hidden by his unkempt and scraggly hair, he said. “Burn the library down.” One of the other boys decided to lean forward, he said. “G-Get back! Teiko will do it!” The group of boys shoved Teiko forward as he almost tripped but managed to catch himself. Teiko extended his hand with the fireball floating above his palm to try and get Reiki to back off. Teiko said. “Stay back! I-I’m warning you!” He thought. He told me this kid was a coward! Teiko was unsettled by the simple smile on Reiki’s face, he let out a chuckle and spoke under his breath. Reiki said. “Coward.”

 

Teiko forced himself to take a step forward as the fireball was a few inches away from Reiki’s face. Teiko said. “Not so tough now are you!” Reiki didn’t even flinch and thought. It’s not even warm… Ender, you’re limiting the amount of stats I can use right? Teiko tried his best to maintain the angry look on his face while Reiki slightly tilted closer to the fireball in his hand. Teiko quickly moved his hand away while Ender’s voice rang in Reiki’s head. He said. [Just make sure you don’t accidentally kill them.]

 

Teiko took a few steps back as the group of boys tried to shove him forward, Reiki thought. I’ve never ‘accidentally’ killed anyone. He stopped spinning the book on the tip of his finger and grabbed it mid-air, Reiki said. “Heads up.” 

 

[System: User has dealt 9 Damage.]

 

He threw the book as it hit Teiko straight in the face while the boys around him panicked as they tried to avoid the fireball that started falling onto the ground. Teiko fell onto the floor as the back of his head hit the ground as he let out a scream from pain.

 

One of the boys kneeled on the floor and grabbed Teiko by the shoulder, he said. “Are you okay?” The rest of the others saw the fireball hit the ground as a small flame formed. The boys instantly started to repeatedly stomp on the flame to prevent it from spreading. Teiko shoved the boy away from him, he stood up from the floor and said. “Forget magic, let’s just beat him up!” They turned their heads at the last spot where they saw Reiki and noticed he was missing. One of them said. “Where did he go?”

 

Reiki was near the door as he was staring at a bookshelf, he said. “Behind you.” All of the boys turned around as they saw him take out the thickest book on the shelf. Teiko sprinted at him and tackled Reiki. Teiko slammed into him, wrapped his arms around Reiki, and tried to make him fall on his back. Teiko thought. Why isn’t he moving?! Reiki grabbed Teiko by the neck which made him let go of his arms around him as he started letting out gagging noises. With the book in Reiki’s hands, he smacked Teiko’s head with the corner of the book's spine.

 

[System: User has dealt 12 Damage.]

 

The group of boys watched in disbelief as they watched Reiki smash the edge of the book on Teiko’s head again.

 

[System: User has dealt 15 Damage.]

 

Teiko was gasping for air as he desperately tapped on Reiki’s arm hoping he'd let go. The disbelief on the boys' expressions turned into horror as they watched Reiki slam the corner of the book on Teiko’s head.

 

[System: User has dealt 18 Damage.]

 

Reiki let go of Teiko’s neck as he limped onto the floor with a loud thud. The edge of the book had some blood on it as a few drops fell on the ground, Reiki said. “Which one of you wants to be next?” He stepped on Teiko’s body as he made his way toward the group of boys who were staring at him with fear all over their faces as they avoided making eye contact with him. Reiki took a couple of steps as one of the boys kneeled on the ground, and placed their forehead against the floor.

 

The bowing boy said. “I-I told them this was a bad idea!” One of the boys in the back pushed someone in front as they fell onto the floor. The boy managed to place both his hands on the floor to prevent his face from hitting the ground as the one who pushed him made his way toward the window. Reiki ran after the boy who was trying to escape while the boy managed to reach the window and frantically looked for the handle. Reiki effortlessly vaulted over the table as he reached the boy and slammed the corner of the book at the back of his head.

 

[System: User has dealt 19 Damage.]

 

The boy slowly fell unconscious as he slowly slid down the wall and onto the ground. Reiki turned around as he tossed the book a couple of times in the air, he saw the rest of the boys frozen in place while one of them was still bowing on the ground. Reiki thought. On the off chance, someone walks in here… I need to hide their bodies until they wake up. He stood beside the unconscious body and turned to face them. One of them turned his back towards him and said. “Why are you guys so scared? He’s all alone, we can just-.”

 

『Flash Has Been Activated. Mana Cost: 500.』

 

Reiki appeared behind the boy's back as he hit the back of his head with the corner of the book.

 

[System: User has dealt 15 Damage.]

 

The boy instantly went unconscious as he dropped onto the floor. One of the boys tried to run away, Reiki grabbed the back of his shirt and slammed the edge of the book at his head.

 

[System: User has dealt 14 Damage.]

 

The boy’s body limped as Reiki let go of his clothes as he hit the floor with a soft thud while the boy on his right threw a punch at his face and hit Reiki’s nose.

 

[System: User has received 5 Damage.]

 

The boy had a smile on his face as he stared at the hand that he used to punch. He looked up to Reiki and saw that blood started coming out of his right nostril. The expression on the boy’s face was slowly replaced with a shock look along with a hint of fear seeing he didn’t even flinch. Reiki used his thumb to wipe the blood off his upper lip. The boy forced himself to let out a laugh, he said. “T-Truce?” Reiki used the front of the book to slap the boy's face as he spun around once and fell on the floor.

 

[System: User has dealt 21 Damage.]

 

The boy used his hand to feel the side of his face which started to swell, he slammed the ground with his hands as he quickly stood up. Reiki wiped the blood on his thumb on the back of his shirt while the boy ran toward him and shouted. “I’m going to-!” Reiki grabbed him by the hair and smashed the edge of the book on the boy’s forehead as it scraped off a layer of skin.

 

[System: User has dealt 18 Damage.] 

 

Reiki let go of the boy’s hair as he fell onto the ground face first creating a loud thud, he wiped his hand against his shirt to get rid of the strands of hair between his fingers. The last boy standing stared at his friends lying on the ground unconscious. He moved his gaze to the book Reiki held onto as the blood on the edge seeped into the pages. Reiki made his way to the boy as he spoke in a panic and said. “D-Don’t forget we’re classmates!” He saw Reiki stop as a hint of hope appeared in his eyes.

 

The boy continued. “W-We’ll see each other every day at school so I think it’d be better if you don’t cross the line…” He thought. Please work. Reiki let out a cold chuckle which made his heart drop, he raised the book above his head while the boy tried to protect his face with both his hands and leaned back. Reiki bashed the corner of the book on the boy's head.

 

[System: User has dealt 23 Damage.]

 

The boy dropped to his knees as he lost unconsciousness and fell onto the ground leaving the only one bowing on the ground as he was visibly shaking in fear. With each step Reiki took made the bowing boy slightly flinch, he cleared his throat and extended his hand at him. Reiki said. “Are you alright?” The bowing boy’s expression brightened up, he thought. I’m safe! He looked up at Reiki and for a split second saw his dead and hollow eyes along with a small smile on his face. In one swift motion, Reiki slammed the edge of the book at the boy's head as his chin hit the ground.

 

[System: User has dealt 25 Damage.]

 

Reiki looked at the book in his hands and saw the blood start to dry on the pages, he thought. At least I got something to use to start fires for barbecues now. From his pocket as black tentacles started growing as it reached for the corner of the book and sucked the blood off the pages. Reiki patted the black tentacle and said. “Thanks Q.” One of the black tentacles patted the back of his hand while the tentacles went back into his pocket. Reiki made his way to the shelf near the door and placed the book back.

 

Reiki placed both his hands inside his pocket, he stared at the scene of boys lying on the ground unconscious. He thought. It’s a bit early but spring cleaning is in order. He made his way to the window and opened it as a gust of wind blew the dust off the table creating a dust cloud. Ender’s voice rang in his head, he said. [Aren’t you ashamed of beating up children?] Reiki grabbed the unconscious boy near the window as he threw him out of the room, he thought. If you want to get all technical about it. I’m also a ‘kid’.

 

Reiki made his way to the group of boys knocked out on the floor as he grabbed two of them by the shirt and dragged them toward the window. He continued his train of thought. The moment I saw my sisters alive and well again. I lost all interest in my ‘normal’ life. Reiki threw the two unconscious boys out the window as they started to pile outside. He made his way toward the unconscious boys on the floor and grabbed two of them by the shirt, Reiki thought. These seven ‘kids’ are the ones responsible for making my junior high school hell. Now it’s my turn to ruin their lives.

 

Reiki threw the two unconscious boys out the window as they landed on the other he threw out first. He made his way to the last two unconscious boys on the ground as he dragged them toward the window while Ender’s voice rang in his head. [Weren’t there eight of them?] Reiki threw the last two boys out the window, closed the window, and used his hand to comb his hair revealing his empty and hollow eyes. He said. “Seven, number one dies today Ender. I hope you’re ready to get rid of those blessings those gods gave me.”

 

Reiki’s eyes slowly turned back to normal as he went toward the book he threw earlier that was still on the ground, he squatted down, picked it up, and said. “Big Friendly Giant.” Reiki stood up as he made his way to the table and sat down on the chair, he continued. “A story during the forgotten era, a young boy managed to befriend a giant. Which was the beginning of humans' amiable relationship with giants?...” Reiki raised a brow and thought. We have a good relationship with giants? That’s surprising…

 

He fanned through the pages and unfolded a couple of pages that were folded from the throw, Reiki went back to reading the synopsis on the back. He said. “Before the incident of David and Goliath fight-.” Reiki let out a laugh, he shook his head sideways and thought. That’s more like it, humans have always stabbed each other in the back. Other species are not an exception as I assumed. He placed the book along with the others he already skimmed through. Reiki picked up another book and started skimming through the synopsis.

 

He said. “The story of two of the most famous witch hunters Hansel and Gretel, abandoned in a forest when they stumbled upon a house with the windows open. That led to their first encounter with a witch who disguised herself as an old lady.” Reiki turned the book as he stared at the front cover, he said. “It’s more or less the same…” He flipped the book at the back, Reiki said. “The two young witch hunters noticed something odd about the grandmother and made a plan to protect themselves…” Reiki thought. And on the off chance that grandmother was a normal one?

 

He threw the book along with the others he already read and picked up another one, Reiki said. “Little Red Riding Hood, a tale of an innocent girl wanting to surprise her grandmother who lived in the forest with a visit. While the little girl made her way along the path she didn’t notice the large figure lurking in the darkness stalking her.” Reiki thought. Seems normal so far. He continued. “After surprising her grandmother a large wolf towering around twelve feet tall destroyed the house with a single swipe of its paw…” Reiki thought. And here I thought it would blow on it.

 

Reiki continued. “At their moment of peril, a lumberjack who was near the area heard the loud crash and fought the wolf with his ax. After a fierce fight, the lumberjack's weapon broke as he fought the wolf with his bare hands.” He threw the book onto the rest of the pile and thought. A lumberjack fought a wolf that was the same size as an elephant. Reiki shook his head sideways, picked up another book, and said. “The heroic tale of King Arthur, born as a peasant and a son of a baker. When he reached of age he was added to the list to pull the sword out from the stone.”

 

Reiki continued. “To everyone's shock, the holy sword excalibur chose him. With the fear and greed of nobles, they wanted the holy sword for themselves.” He raised a brow and thought. I’ll stop here, I actually want to read this. He placed the book in front of him and picked up the last one, Reiki said. “Let’s see.” He started skimming through a few chapters of the art of war and stopped at a random page. Reiki said. “Nope, this book has not been altered. Sun Tzu is still one of the world's greatest, not so much of a surprise.”

 

He closed the book and took a tattered pouch from his pocket, Reiki started shoving books inside of it. He thought. Art Of War, King Arthur, Red Riding Hood caught my interest, and… Frankenstein for good measure. He placed the pouch back in his pocket and glanced at all the books on the shelves, Reiki said. “I need to find a library near Onee-chan’s house. I need to learn how much of an impact that wish had.” He stood up from the chair and started going through all the shelves.