THE CHOOSEN ONES

The Eastern Market wrapped around me like a living, breathing entity as I stepped into its bustling heart.

The glow of red lanterns swayed gently overhead, casting a soft, crimson hue over the wooden stalls that lined the narrow street. The air was thick with the mingling aromas of fresh produce, sweet pastries, and the earthy tang of dried herbs.

Merchants called out their wares, their voices blending with the chatter of friends and the occasional laughter of children darting through the crowd. It was a place of life, of connection, and yet, for me, it was also a place of haunting memories.

This was the market organized by the merchants of the Eastern Empire, a vibrant hub of trade and culture.

But, in my memories, this place was nothing but ashes—a charred ruin that had sparked a bitter enmity between the Wymhold Kingdom and the Eastern World, and even the secretive Murim.

As I moved through the market, my attention was drawn to an elderly woman sitting behind a stall overflowing with spices.

Her stall was a riot of colors and scents—cinnamon, star anise, cloves, dried chilies, and more. My stomach growled at the thought of the spicy dishes these spices could create. I approached the stall, my eyes scanning the array of offerings.

"You have a huge range of spices, Lǎo Lǎobǎn," I said, my voice polite but distant.

The elderly woman looked up, her eyes sharp despite her age. She wore a dusty pink hanfu, her gray hair tied up with a golden hairpin. Her smile was soft, but there was something in her gaze that made my heart race.

"Watch your steps carefully, Young Lady," the woman said, her voice low and measured.

I frowned. "What do you mean?"

The woman's smile didn't waver. "If there are two paths in front of you, choose carefully. One will be easy, just like you always wanted. The other…"

She paused, her eyes locking with mine. "That will be full of pain and struggles."

Before I could respond, a young man in his early twenties emerged from behind the stall. He looked flustered, his eyes widening as he took in the scene. "Granma, are you doing this again?" he exclaimed, bowing deeply to me. "I'm so sorry, customer! My grandma likes to be playful sometimes."

I waved off his apology, eager to escape the growing attention. "It's okay. I'll come back later for some spices." I bowed quickly and hurried away, my mind racing. What had the old woman meant? And why did her words feel like a warning?

As I disappeared into the crowd, I couldn't shake the feeling that something significant had just happened. But I didn't have time to dwell on it. I had a mission to complete.

---

As Selantia disappeared into the crowd, the young man knelt beside his grandmother, his expression troubled. "Granma, what was that about?"

The elderly woman sighed, her eyes filled with a strange mix of sadness and hope. "That child… she is the master you are to follow."

The young man's eyes widened. "She's my master?" he whispered, his heart pounding. But when he turned to look for Selantia, she was already gone.

-----

I moved quickly, my senses on high alert as I approached Edwin's mansion. The market faded behind me, replaced by an eerie silence.

I climbed a tall tree, my movements fluid and precise, and settled on a branch that gave me a clear view of the estate.

The mansion was beautiful.

The multi-tiered roofs, with their upturned eaves and dark tiles, serve both aesthetic and functional purposes—designed to gracefully shed rainwater while maintaining a sense of grandeur.

Each level is supported by sturdy wooden beams, intricately carved with motifs of nature. The main hall, accessible via a broad stone staircase, feature large wooden doors adorned with detailed latticework, offering both privacy and ventilation. Rows of wooden columns frame the entrance, their rich tones complementing the surrounding landscape.

The windows and balconies is fitted with traditional wooden screens, allowing soft light to filter through while preserving a sense of enclosure. 

In the foreground, a carefully designed garden enhance the estate's harmony with nature. The circular pond, filled with blooming lotus flowers, is accompanied by a stone bridge or a small pavilion for contemplation. Bonsai-like trees, ornamental rocks, and a winding pathway.

I reached into my pouch and began throwing marbles toward the mansion, testing the layers of magical defenses that surrounded it. One by one, the marbles bounced off invisible barriers, confirming my suspicions.

I sat comfortably on the tree branch and started throwing the marbles I got on my way toward the mansion as if I wasn't just breeching the security of the man who is hailed to be the most powerful mage of this age.

And as I expected, the entire mansion is covered with layers of magic defence system which stops anything from outside to enter. And unless broken with great power, this system won't be lifted.

Edwin's defenses were formidable, but I wasn't deterred. I had faced worse in my previous life.

As I waited for my plan to unfold, a voice broke the silence.

"Who are you?"

I turned, my heart skipping a beat as I saw Edwin Ronald floating in the air behind me. He was nothing like I had imagined.

This man exudes an aura of dark allure and raw power. His long, flowing black hair cascades over his shoulders in wild, untamed strands, accentuating his dangerously captivating presence.

His piercing red eyes glow with an otherworldly intensity. His face is strikingly sharp and symmetrical, with high cheekbones, a defined jawline, and pale, flawless skin that contrasts beautifully with the darkness surrounding him. In his worn is black robe that exposes his chiseled, sculpted chest—each muscle defined to perfection.

His long, flowing black hair and piercing red eyes gave him an almost demonic allure, but there was a cold, calculating intelligence in his gaze that sent a shiver down my spine. . A rugged, well-tied sash secures his outfit,.He wore a black robe that exposed his chiseled chest, his muscular frame more befitting a warrior than a mage

BUT WAIT.... IS THIS MAN REALLY CLAUDE'S FATHER????? THAT LUNATIC EDWIN RONALD?????

HE LOOKS NOTHING LIKE THAT DUMBASS CLAUDE. ALSO RATHER THEN A MAGE, HE SEEMS MORE LIKE A WARRIOR.

"I asked who you are," Edwin repeated, his voice deep and commanding.

I smirked, my hand resting on the hilt of my sword. "Just a passerby, admiring the view."

Edwin's expression didn't change. "If you have nothing to do here, leave."

" If you have nothing to do," He turned around, fuck, I let my guard down.

I grabbed my sword on the hip and waited for his attack,

 " Leave." " Huh?"

I looked at him like a dumb person, blinking my eyes again and again.

Leave? Isn't he going to kick me and attack me? Isn't he the man who sold his soul to the demons??? Isn't he the same man who kills innocent people as a sacrifise ?

" If you are send by someone tell them, Edwin Ronald has no interest in anything they would give me."

He sounded cold but I couldn't understand this man much.

He is totally giving off different vibe than what I have heard about him all this time. Is this a trick or trap?

Let's test the water a little. It's bit reckless to trigger this lunatic- But, I need to be sure about my guts.

My grin widened. "What if I'm here to offer you something? Something that could revive your dead lover?"

The air around Edwin seemed to crackle with energy as his red mana flared to life, wrapping around him like a living thing.

His eyes burned with fury. "How dare you speak of my wife!" he roared, his voice shaking the very ground beneath us.

I jumped down from the tree, landing lightly on my feet. I drew my sword, the blade glowing faintly as I channeled my aura into it. "You're pretty powerful, Sir Edwin Ronald," I said, my tone mocking.

"But let's see if you can back it up."

Edwin's expression darkened. "Who sent you?" he demanded, his voice low and dangerous.

I didn't answer. Instead, I lunged forward, my sword slicing through the air with deadly precision. Edwin raised a hand, and a barrier of red mana materialized in front of him, deflecting my strike. But I was already moving, my body a blur as I darted around him, testing his defenses.

The fight was a whirlwind of motion and energy. Edwin's spells were devastating—fireballs, lightning bolts, and waves of crushing force that tore through the ground. But I was relentless, my aura-infused sword cutting through his magic with ease. I moved like a shadow, my strikes precise and calculated, each one pushing Edwin to his limits.

As the battle raged on, I couldn't help but feel a thrill of excitement. This was what I lived for—the clash of steel and magic, the test of skill and strength. And as I faced Edwin, I realized that this fight was more than just a mission. It was a chance to prove myself, to see just how far this fragile young body could go.

The two of us circled each other, our breaths coming in ragged gasps. Edwin's red mana flared brighter, and my aura burned like a star. We were evenly matched, each one pushing the other to their absolute limit.

And then, with a final, earth-shaking clash, the battle reached its climax. My sword met Edwin's magic in a burst of light and energy, the force of the impact sending us both flying backward. When the dust settled, we stood facing each other, our bodies battered but unbroken.

I could feel my body reacting to the over use of aura. I need to finish this fast, if only, I was on my old sturdy body, I would have enjoyed playing with this person a little more.

"You're strong," I admitted, my voice grudgingly respectful. 

I AM NOT SUPPOSED TO RESPECT THIS MAGIC LUNATIC!

" Are you surrendering?" Edwin looked at me shocked as if he didn't expect me to surrender. 

" Well, I don't wanna die yet," I laughed nervously. Of course I died but I am back in life somehow.

And as the sun dipped below the horizon, casting the mansion in twilight. Edwin scanned me from to bottom and suddenly he said something....

That made me question everything I knew and had idea about.

" Be My Student."