New Life.

The man took her through different route but as soon as he turned to take one more turning behind him the girl fainted. He immediately picked her up. His eyes flashed.

It's not doubt with such harsh conditions she has to go to the hospital. He sighed. 'I should have found her earlier.'

With no choice he hurriedly took her to the only hospital in O city.

The most elderly doctor said, "The girl is tough, but her immune system has weakened considerably." He added after a while, "You have to take great care of her to help her regain her prior healthy body. If not, she might face extreme diseases in the future."

The man shook his head sighing. He calmly said, "I got it. Life here is difficult. If not for an accidental encounter, she..." He didn't continue. It followed with a long silence.

The doctor sighed too, "I will retire next year."

But his face was gloomy. He uttered, "Merrick, I don't think the situation here will change at all."

Marrick also had a solemn expression. He knew nothing can change the lawlessness here. He took a deep breath and changed the depressed topic "I decided to adopt her."

The doctor smiled and said, "Is that so? Is she that good?" 

Otherwise, how can someone like Merrick who is as astute as hawk pick someone useless.

Merrick nodded and firmness flashed through his eyes, "Someone who is at the verge of collapsing, her visions were blurry, and her thinking muddled. To think that a small girl like her can actually... Can actually act with such calmness at the mouth of danger. I'm truly impressed."

The doctor stunned, seeing him actually praise someone after their first meeting. As he listened to the entire story. He smiled and said, "You truly lucked out this time."

Merrick is known for his cold and indifferent approach towards those people of upper-class. It is unknown as for why such astonishing person stayed here in slums. He appeared one day out of nowhere and settled here. 

Many people came here in those shiny cars and clothes in search of him. They even stayed here for a week and when Merrick, furious decided to beat them up, only then did those people left. Why is he here? One can think of him as someone kind and compassionate person, but it did also not seem to be the case. He never does something good for anyone. It was only if someone or something is bothering him, he decides to take action. He won't help even a dying person let alone a little girl. 

He disciplined the people he could and lived a languid life. But he always appears to be lost. It is unknown what he is thinking and in these past years, he never let any child near him. No matter how strong they are but now he suddenly decided to adopt someone. It is somewhat confusing. Theo was also puzzled. But he didn't dare to ask. He can't understand someone like Merrick.

Merrick has his own life. He can do anything he wants but with his intolerable and easily irritable personality, it is surprising that he didn't leave this horrible place till now.

Anyone who lives in city O has thorough understanding of life and death. In this lawless place everyday someone dies and someone lives. The corner of every street has groups of people who will never yield to other and are in complete disharmony. No one wants to stay here willingly. It is always forced. So, Merrick is really an anomaly. 

Theo soon left and Merrick took care of the girl. She woke up after three days. 

Once she opened her eyes, she caught the sight of a man beside her. It goes without thinking he is the one, that day, who made a deal with her. She nodded politely at him. She studied him since last time she couldn't even take a look at him properly. The man has deep eyes of those who are very experienced. He has smiling face which makes him look very kind, but those eyes are extremely indifferent. Looking at him makes her feel like looking at a mirror. It felt very weird.

She decided to look around and studied the room.

Merrick said, "Good morning, you have been admitted here. I'm afraid it will be at least a month before you will be discharged."

The girl obediently nodded. She asked, "Water."

Merrick smiled, " Sure, sure. I'm sorry I forgot."

The girl drank water unhurriedly. It's as if she wasn't thirsty at all. Theo who was beside him also took note of her action.

After drinking Merrick asked, "Your name?"

The girl indifferently replied, "I don't have any."

What name will an abandoned child have? She was abandoned and in turn she also abandoned that name and title given to her by her so-called father. It was although done by her without declaring to anyone, it is in her power to change and start anew from here. She does not wish to have any more trouble in the near future because of an empty name and title. 

Merrick chuckled, "How about I, your adoptive grandfather, give you a name then?"

The girl paused a moment and slowly nodded. For her, everything prior to this has no existence. Everything before was a dream and she wants to stay in reality.

"So you shall be named Nova Winter." His aged voice sounded kindly.

She accepted her new name. Nova smiled for the first time a bit. Merrick was extremely pleased, and Theo was no different. From the girl's expression and words, it is clear how detached she is from her past life. It is shocking for an eight-year-old girl to have such calmness and indifference.

Theo gave thumps up to Merrick in secret.

Merrick happily passed her porridge, "Here eat it while it's warm. I'm sure you also want to become healthy and strong."

Nova had countless things to ask him. Why did he decided to save her? What does he actually want from her? But looking at those eyes, she knows there won't be any answers. 

Nova was content that she is alive through and accepted the porridge. She knew that from this point onwards she has really left her past behind and everything is a fresh start. Other people who left her here, for her, they are long death. That extremely wealthy family is no longer her home, and she is glad. Her mother will be happy to see her like this too.

Nova had no complaints and so does Merrick. She was discharged from hospital in a month and her health gain prior vitality. The colony where the two lived were also different from where she was. It has cleaner and livable environment. Merrick took her to their home which was no different from the rest of the place here. It was tattered but the inside was warmly decorated. 

She studied the room as Merrick told her where the kitchen, bathroom, and bedrooms are. After gaining understanding Merrick give her few clothes. They were clearly worn out but Nova accepted.

She helped him in the kitchen and the days passed by. It was during November, Merrick decided to start her training. She obediently followed him into the training ground changing into a full sleeves swimming suit. No one was there. So, she was going to train alone.

Merrick strictly spoke, "From now on you must wake up at 4 AM and submerge in that ice water for as long as you can. It will help reduce inflammation and sharpen your mind. Afterwards you must carry those pound of weights and run 30 minutes everyday. Start from the lightest and the difficulty shall increased by each day. Train your body to endure pain."

"This should go on for a week and I will revise the plan according to your progress."

He added, "Afterwards I will teach you everything till 12 grade. From now on, you can't be lazy and focus on gaining knowledge and strengthen yourself."

Nova nodded without any expression. After all this is what she promised to do. Not long after Merrick took her to the nearest cold-water pool. He signaled her to go in.

Since it is winter, the water is beyond cold. She took her deep breath and didn't take steps. Instead, she just jumped in. She shrieked a bit but stayed under water. Merrick gave her a thumbs up.

She stayed there completely without moving for five minutes straight. Merrick waved at her to come out. She hurriedly swims out.

Her body shivered and just after putting some clothes Merrick had her warm-up and run right away. She followed his instructions without any questions and ran around the field carrying the weight.

Since she is still 8 years old, Merrick let her carry weight depending upon her strength. She didn't disappoint him either. She carried the bag with five kg and ran the field four times without stopping. She was no doubt tired but just slowing down sometimes she never stopped.

Such willpower of a little girl astounded Merrick greatly. He really did pity her; he almost led her back home. But in this world, she has only one option and it is to be strong. So strong that she will never be suppressed and target of bully. Marrick as her grandfather never wish to see her in disadvantageous position before anyone. Not even before death. 

Afterwards, Merrick walked to her as she was gasping for air. He pushed a bottle of mineral water for her to drink.

As she was about to drink hurriedly, Merrick said, "Start with small sips."

Nova nodded and drink slowly and after a while gulp down the whole bottle. She looked at her grandfather with a smile in her eyes. Merrick patted her head gently. He said, "The feeling of accomplishment will give you confidence. Just follow every steps like instructed. You will become more disciplined and definitely stronger."

Nova nodded, "Let's go I will make some breakfast." She walked ahead.

Merrick followed behind her. She is extremely diligent and even after working so hard, she still went to make breakfast. It seems she has adapted the life of poor. That's best for her.

The days went by and soon winter passed away. The years soon followed, and it was followed by another year. Five years later at February, Nova was taken to join a school for combat. Although Merrick taught her everything he knew, it is necessary to gain practical experience.

The first day, Merrick drop her at the school where thousands of people were present. She looked around and saw everyone standing in groups. Merrick said, "Nova remember, no one is your friend here." His aged voice sounded as if a cold call from the abyss.

These girls and boys might appear normal but once get involved with them, life might become horrific and even deadly. Nova understands his words as she studied the people around her. She wore black suit of tracks. It is best for training, and her long dark hair was made into a bun. She looked extremely fair and beautiful. However, her lips have no smile at all. Even her eyes were dull. The years of training has made her strong, so strong that her aura reflects her strong disposition. Though she looked so beautiful even with her cold and poker face. It is unbelievable. She has grown taller than most of the adults present. The height alone is a characteristic enviable enough for other people. 

Merrick left her there.

Nova looked around and found nothing interesting. She is here for combat. It is an opportunity to test herself and become stronger. She leaned against the wall and remained nonchalant.

Her appearance though caught everyone's eyes. Like an ice sculpture, untouched and even preserved for so many years, she remained distant and cold.

However not everyone was afraid. Soon a group of guys and girls approached her. The leader smiled mischievously, "Hey, what's your name?"

Nova glanced at them and spat out one word, "Nova."

The girls disdainfully looked at her body. One of them asked curiously, "Why are you here though? This place is not for beauty contest. It is for combat."

The other people laughed. But Nova remained silent as if she didn't heard her at all.

The girl's face immediately darkened at being ignored. Without another word she moved her long legs and kicked at Nova's face. Just as everyone thought what a pity, a fair beautiful hand held her legs by her knee taking a step side and moving one step ahead. Extremely fast.

The girl remained still as her leg was held by Nova. She tried shake her hand off but no avail. She was wearing a skirt. Although underneath were black shorts, it was still embarrassing.

She screamed, "Leave me!"

Nova frowned and threw her legs away. Her movement appear gentle but the girl fell hard on the floor. She howled in pain.

Other people looked at her seriously by now. However the indifference on her face was enough to crumble their willpower to fight. She appear as if, she can just kill someone right away. It's just she didn't want to.

The guy from earlier still smiling moved. He threw a punch at her, but she dodged without any effort. In the next second she gave him a slap. He fell on the ground. The slap sound resonated in the hall.

"Damn bitch!" He cursed rubbing his cheek that has swollen. The smile was no longer on his lips. 

The people around her moved away.

Soon the InCharge of the examination came and brought them towards the arena. This is an examiner of today's fight competition. A test to decide who can enter the school selection.

No one stood near Nova.

The examiner above noticed everything but he started without any care, "The competition will determine the top hundred students eligible for O High School. The rule is simple, there are thousands of you here and we have divided everyone into five groups, meaning two hundred in each. You will fight with each other, and every twenty winners of each group shall be selected. Although there is additional competition afterwards. It is merely to determine strength of each individual, and we will rank them accordingly."

"I hope everyone is ready. Please enter the designated group's hall number as per your number."

Nova glanced at the patch of paper handed by her grandfather. It is twenty-five. Looking around and slowly walked towards the hall number one.

Those behind her were relieved but those in number one where already sweating. It appeared that some have lost the match even before stepping into the arena.

The match started soon afterwards.

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