56 I am...

"Lord, is it true?" A red-haired witch asked as soon as the meeting began. All the other members looked expectantly at Alexander, hoping that he would answer the question truthfully.

"Although it is not proven yet, there is a high possibility of it being true." Alexander said seriously. "I believe you've all read the letter I've sent to each of you?"

"Yes, my lord." They said in scary synchronization.

Casimir felt very confused. If they were about to talk mysterious, discussing about things that he obviously had no clue about, then, what was the purpose of him being dragged here?

Help! I am very confuzzled! Casimir sweat dropped.

"Now, then... To address the matter at hand, I presume that you all know what had happened in the underground city by now?" Alexander said and, curiously, the faces of some of the members turned red in embarrassment from having been caught peeking into matters they shouldn't have while others fidgeted in discomfort. Only Verna cackled and loudly said yes.

Well, of course, she would say yes. She was there herself!

"Since we're all in the same group and dealing with the same business, there's nothing to be embarrassed about." Alexander said lightly although his eyes turned cold. "But... If you were to deal with matters you should not... We all know what happens."

Omg! Dad, you're actually so cool! If only you stop glancing at me every few seconds... I can see you, you know?

Still, Casimir felt extremely confused. If they weren't surrounded by imposing witches and wizards, ten out of ten, Casimir would've thrown down his shoe and walked away already. If you don't plan on telling what's going on then, don't bother inviting this master to your get together party, okay!

Fortunately, it didn't take long before he finally realized why they needed his presence there.

With an emotionless face, Alexander pulled out a large chest from his bag and slammed it down hard on the long table, startling many members.

It took a few seconds until they all finally realized what was going on.

Could it be?

They all knew what took place in the underground city concerning the unrest brought by the reverse world, a dimension created by the reverse tree. And, they all knew the connection the reverse tree had with the great founder, specifically, the founder's weapon. So, could it truly be?

Has his heir risen after all these years? Finally?

They all turned to look similarly towards Casimir who inwardly felt unnerved but was outwardly calm. Then, they all seemed to nod to themselves. If this is our new lord then, we have no complaints. So young yet, already having such composure!

Finally, Alexander opened the chest, revealing a scythe inside, wrapped within cushions of velvet. Suddenly, Casimir began feeling that familiar pull once again, whispering, screaming, pleading for him to touch it, grasp it, and complete the bond. It was as if his very soul was ordering him to do it, like it was fated and he had no power to deny it. Not that he wanted to anyways.

Unlike the previous time when he had successfully resisted the Scythe's pull, this time, he found it physically harder to resist, his body moving closer towards the scythe unconsciously, his eyes becoming glazed over, his feet moving closer towards the scythe as if he was possessed.

Under the eyes of thirty four great wizards and witches, he reached towards the scythe and... Held it with his bare hands, something that was impossible to do unless one was the rightful master of it, hence, why Alexander used leather gloves when he had previously placed the scythe in the chest.

Looking closely on the scythe, one would realize, the body of the scythe, which looked to be gleaming in a metallic light from afar, was actually made of certain type of wood, which looked suspiciously like the reverse tree's branches, polished to the extreme. Perhaps, because of being bathed in blood so frequently, the wood had taken on a darker color.

When his hand made contact with the scythe's body, the scythe buzzed, as if overjoyed by the reunion with its master. And, as everyone watched in silence, the moment they had been waiting for finally arrived.

The scythe vibrated wildly, as if it would fly off at any moment but, it didn't. Soon, it calmed down and, just when the members were feeling disappointed, thinking that eventually, their conclusion had been wrong and the leader was mistaken, they saw it.

Something so beautiful and ethereal but so scary that it would haunt them in their dreams for a long time.

A small, tender child, with his hair billowing around him, but, there was no wind. His eyes wide open but had no pupils, only showing the whites of his eyes. Tears of blood flowed down his cheeks of porcelain. It looked otherworldly, akin to an artwork.

An artwork that brings nightmares.

The blood dripped down from his eyes, down his cheeks, and fell onto the now glowing scythe but, the scythe wasn't tainted by the blood. In fact, it seemed to be drinking it up greedily, absorbing it into its body.

As everyone watched with bated breaths, they were stunned to silence, watching the spectacle unfold. Outside the manor, the previous weather which was considered as mildly pristine, had turned into a heavy blizzard, the wind roaring and howling like a vengeful spirit.

Right then, Casimir regained his consciousness and was made aware of what was happening. He looked at the scythe which was now firmly grasped in his hand and was trembling with joy.

Casimir's expression became complicated. Such a weird weapon.

Although he seemed to have become dazed when the scythe was revealed, in truth he had actually been imparted a set of memories that belonged to the previous owner of the scythe, the so-called great founder.

It told him of the scythe's origins and its connections with the reverse world as well as the identity he had been giving along with becoming the owner of the scythe.

This wasn't just simply taking a weapon and mastering it. With it, you also have to master the new identity given with it.

With this... I am...

I am Death.