HAAAAAAAA! Living alone in this large city is really lonely and boring. I don't even have anything to do; there aren't any entertaining events coming up. I'll just take a walk; maybe I'll find something to do. Hmmm? Is that an explosion? But this energy didn't originate purely on this continent. Its internal energy is mixed with unknown energy from those unknown continents. Is it another unknown beast, or an unfortunate event again? Well, who cares? At least there's something new; I might as well check it out. 'Flying!' "Hmm, hoooo! Is that you, little demon and little star? Hoho! Now this day is getting more and more interesting, hoho!"
Heavenly Demon: "Good day, Heaven Master. Indeed, a good day. Looks like you're also going to that explosion. Do you perhaps know anything about it?"
Sword Star: "Good day, Alliance Leader."
Elder: "Hohoho, little star, I've already passed that burden to the next generation. I'm nothing but an old man now, hoho! And little demon, it's a little unfortunate, but I also don't know what that explosion is. Do you perhaps have an idea, little star~?"
Sword Star: "Unfortunately not, Elder. I also just arrived in this city a week ago, so I don't know anything about it. After seeing the Heavenly Demon, I thought it had a connection to him, so I was wondering why he came here if it has anything to do with him. So I think none of us has anything to do with that..."
Elder: "Hohoho, is that so~? Well, let's just go and take a look~."
Hmmm, is that a child? Impressive! To be able to carry two adults and still run that fast! Hmmm? What a crude technique she's using; it's burning her energy too fast for a little boost; it's wasting most of the energy, too.
Elder: "Child, are you okay?"
Diana: "'Looks at old man'... Pl...please help...bro...ther...there..."
Elder: "Hmmm, looks like he overused his energy to fight and tried to walk while having no energy. This girl's will is truly admirable... Looks like he just used all his energy and passed out, too. Other than that, a little stress, nothing more. Little star, can you escort them to the infirmary?"
Sword Star: "But Elder, you will be alone with him. I cannot allow that!"
Elder: "Oh, come on, little star! Little demon won't hurt me. Besides, I'm still interested in this."
Sword Star: "Yes, Elder. Please be careful, Elder." Swish
Elder: "Tsk tsk, he's 100 years too early to be worrying about me."
Hmmm, what happened here? Signs that sword energy techniques and talismans were used, but why is the earth in this shape? There's also weird energy in the air. If other people come here besides us, they might suffocate in this dense air everywhere. And this boy... he's still alive? Hmmm? He's a decade old and he survived here?!!!
Heavenly Demon: "Elder, look! A charred, gigantic humanoid monster."
Elder: "Indeed, but the damage to his body isn't normal; it's connected to this heavy atmosphere here. Looks like the boy tried to fight this beast to buy time for that girl, based on the footprints. Sigh, a genius has been lost because of this unfortunate event."
Heavenly Demon: "Hmmm, the child is a martial artist?"
Elder: "Hmm, yes, a genius at that. His body is one of the best for practicing martial arts, but I can't feel any energy in him. Even so, he seems alive... interesting."
Heavenly Demon: "Really? What a pity, but I think this is also a gift for him. To think he's still alive without energy... he's unique. Looks like fate didn't abandon him."
Elder: "You're right. Let's go, little demon. Do you want to take the monster's body?"
Heavenly Demon: "You sure, Elder? Doesn't the alliance also want this?"
Elder: "Hohoho, what are you saying? There's nothing here besides the boy~~"
Heavenly Demon: "'I see,' smile. 'Indeed, let's go. There's nothing more here.'"
City's Hospital (Infirmary)
Elder: "So, how is it, Doctor Tang? Are they fine?"
Doctor Tang: "Ahh, Elder, welcome! And yes, they're okay, especially the two elders. Based on their bone age, they should be in their 70s, but their health and bodies can be considered in peak form. Though, their energy cores are destroyed. Based on the chaotic energy in their bodies, they seem to be above master-level martial artists. I don't know the reason why they would destroy their cores. Anyhow, with the condition of their bodies right now, they should be able to re-cultivate their lost martial arts. On the other hand, the girl has a unique situation. Her body is in great heat; you wouldn't be able to tell if you're not a doctor when you touch her. Although her body is in great heat, her body is also undergoing intense adaptation. A few more uses of the technique, and she should be able to use it without losing consciousness after the duration. While the last child you brought... is umm... should I say this? He should only be sleeping with no problem to his health, but I'm sorry to say this, but he cannot learn martial arts anymore."
Elder: "Wha...t? But you just said his body doesn't have any complications. Why can't this child learn martial arts suddenly?"
Doctor Tang: "I'm not sure myself, Elder, but his body doesn't even have a speck of energy in his body, you know? Only normal people have that. Something must have happened to him, making him lose that ability, or he just doesn't really have it. I'm sorry."
Impossible! If he didn't cultivate martial arts, how did he defeat that monster? Is it another master who passed by and killed it on a whim? It's not impossible, but it's also not probable. Hmmm, his grandparents must have almost been killed and were just lucky to have the last strike. If it's not that, I don't know what's happening.
Time skip (with author's energy)
Two weeks later
Diana's POV
Diana: "Hmmm...? Where...? Am...I?"
Little Child Helper: "Ohhhh, you're awake, sister! Don't move too much. I'll call Grandpa. Grandpa Tang!!!! Big sister is awake!!!!!!"
Diana: "...."
Doctor: "You little!!! What did I say about you shouting, huh!!!! Go over there and reflect again, face on the wall this time!!! Ahem... How are you feeling, Miss Diana?"
Diana: "Who?"
Doctor: "Ahh, right. Where are my manners? I am Doctor Tang Yue. You can just call me Doctor Tang or just Doctor if you want."
Diana: "Okay, Doctor Tang... Why... am... I here, Doctor Tang? Where are Grandpa and Grandma? Are they okay?"
Doctor Tang: "Ahh, yes, they're okay. You can rest assured they're not here right now. Since they woke up a week earlier than you, they decided to wait for you in their house instead of waiting here. No worries, I already sent someone to tell them that you're awake. 'Smile.' Anyhow, how are you feeling? Any discomfort? Any pain? Just tell me anything about your feelings right now."
Diana: "'Nods' I don't feel anything right now. I'm just concerned. Do you perhaps know if my brother is safe?"
Doctor: "Ahhh, that's delightful. And yes, your brother was admitted here for a few days, but after knowing his condition, your grandparents took him with them. They should have a doctor there, too, so you don't have to worry. Anyways, if anything changes and you feel something, don't be shy to ask me for help. Just call someone, or just shout if you can't do both. You can just pull this rope here; it's connected to the helpers' notice. If there's nothing more, I will leave you now. You just woke up; don't exert yourself too much."
A few minutes later
After I heard someone talking just outside my room, the door opened, and Grandma ran and hugged me while crying. After she entered, Grandpa entered, and he cried more than Grandma. After they cried and hugged me, they asked me how they were alive. When I was going to ask another question, someone else entered the room—it was the Elder I saw before I fell asleep. He said that he wanted to hear what happened, too, so he sat close to Grandpa. Old Grandpa then raised his hand, and then I heard a humming sound. After a short conversation with each other, they then looked at me again and asked again how they managed to survive. I then told them all I knew. I first told them about our fight with the slim guy and the muscle guy who looked like 10-year-olds. I also told them how I managed to survive the big explosion thanks to my brother using an odd technique that controlled the earth to shield us. Then I told them how he asked me to bring Grandma, who I thought was already a corpse, while he brought Grandpa. After that, he asked me to bring Grandma closer to Grandpa, and then put his hand on them. Then suddenly, a bright light came from his hand, and the light got so bright I couldn't look anymore. After the light was gone, all I saw was them looking normal again. And then the monster came back to life, and my brother decided to stay behind while I carried both Grandpa and Grandma on my shoulder. After running for what felt like eternity, I suddenly felt weak, and the heat I used suddenly stopped, and I fell. Then I got up after a few seconds and gritted my teeth to try and walk, but I couldn't. So, after the old Grandpa talked to me with a soft voice, I asked him to help my brother. After that, I don't know anymore. They nodded and hugged me one last time before asking me to get to bed early to rest. I complied since I was also tired.
Outside the room
Elder: "It should be true what she said because I did see him when she was running while carrying you both. Also, I think the reason why the child lost his martial talents is because all his energy was used to heal you both. This is only speculation, so you don't need to think too much about this. You're really lucky to be able to survive this calamity; both your talents must have been enhanced."
Grandpa: "While we are happy to be alive and upgraded our talents, we are also unhappy because, in exchange for this talent, the future of my grandson is gone. I... just accept it."
Elder: "You don't need to. I can tell that Zen was a super genius at a glance, so this decision was surely calculated by him. He healed you both knowing this risk. You should respect the decision of your grandson, and be the best grandparents you both can be."
Grandpa: "You're right, Elder. Thank you."