I stared at Teacher in surprise. When I first learned that my great grandmother practiced the Mist Sword style, I expected her to have so kind of connection to Teacher. After all, Sky Leone was also a transmigrator like , though she ca from First Murim. However, I never expected sothing like this.
Teacher and my great grandmother were twin sisters. Identical twins, I assud. It explained so much, including why I mistook my great grandmother for Teacher.
There was a story here. A big one. I wanted to ask Teacher about it right away. However, I held back. I didn't want to push too hard and cause Teacher to clam up. So, I sipped my tea and remained quiet despite my impatience.
"Wait, that doesn't make sense," Francis said. "Brandon mistook Sky Leone for you. I get that you two were twins, but that was back in First Murim. If your sister died and transmigrated to Lumina, the two of you wouldn't be related anymore. The genetics don't make sense. So why do you and your sister still resemble each other?"
Teacher snorted.
"So things are soul deep," she said. "Sky and I were-are twins in both body and soul. It wouldn't be inaccurate to call us two halves of the sa being. We may no longer share blood, but that changes nothing."
Francis' eyes widened, before he gestured to .
"Is this why Brandon looks like this now?" he asked. "Are his looks soul deep?"
Teacher shrugged.
"It's possible." She looked at . "Out with it. I know you have plenty of questions. Go ahead and ask them. You won't get another chance. I promise to answer all of them."
"That's the problem," I said. "I have so many that I don't know which one to ask first." I paused. "I guess I'll start with the obvious one. What happened to my great grandmother? How did she end up in Lumina?"
The light in Teacher's eyes dimd a little.
"It was my fault," she said. "She died because I fell in love with the wrong man."
I blinked at her in surprise. I hadn't expected that.
"Let start from the beginning," Teacher said. "Sky and I were orphans. We never knew our parents. For most of our lives, we only had each other to rely on. It was us against the world."
As Teacher spoke, she wore a tender expression on her face. I had never seen her like this before. It was strange. I was used to Teacher acting cold and indifferent. Not… this.
"We stepped into the world of martial arts together," Teacher continued. "We developed the Mist Sword style together. We even founded a short-lived sect together." She sighed. "Those were so of the best years of my life."
I leaned forward, fascinated by Teacher's story.
"And then, like a fool, I fell in love with a villain," Teacher continued. "A martial artist who walked the malefic path. I knew I shouldn't have, but I couldn't help myself. The heart wants what the heart wants."
A villain? Wait a mont. She couldn't an…? My heart rate sped up as I started putting the pieces together.
"So, what happened?" I asked, wearing a calm facade. "Did this villain not love you in return?"
Teacher shook her head.
"No," she said. "The opposite, in fact. He fell in love with as well. The two of us even got married in secret." She paused. "That was the start of Sky's misfortune. I didn't tell her about my marriage until afterwards. When I told Sky the truth, the two of us got into a fight. She wanted to leave my husband, and I refused. We even drew swords against each other, a first for us. It ended in a draw, and Sky left. Unfortunately, I made the mistake of telling my husband about what happened."
Teacher stopped speaking and she closed her eyes.
"He killed her, didn't he?" I asked.
Teacher opened her eyes and nodded.
"My husband is an obsessive man," she said, her voice thick with emotion. "He will stop at nothing to get what he wants, including people. I used to think this was romantic. Now I know better." She shook her head. "When my husband learned that Sky opposed our marriage, he went to see her. I don't know what they said to each other. However, it ended in Sky's death."
A heavy silence fell over us. I didn't know what to say. A part of wanted to comfort Teacher. Another part wanted to condemn her. She fell in love with a villain. What did she expect to happen? Still, I wasn't in a position to judge her.
"After Sky's death, I broke things off with my husband and wandered," Teacher said. "I had no particular destination in mind. I just wandered around. Without Sky, I felt lost. She was my other half. With her gone, I felt incomplete. This went on for years, until I ca across a god, one that offered a sliver of hope."
"What do you an?" I asked.
"This god told that Sky's soul was reincarnated into another realm," Teacher said. "If I wanted to find her again, I needed to find this realm. So, I left First Murim and spent the next several decades traveling the cosmos, searching for my sister." She smirked at . "Who knew that the little twerp I decided to take in as my student would end up being the key to everything?"
I took a mont to digest everything. Francis let out a whistle.
"Talk about one hell of a coincidence," he said.
I shook my head.
"It's not a coincidence," I said. "It was fate, wasn't it?"
Teacher nodded.
"I knew from the mont I saw you that we had a connection," she said. "I didn't know what kind of connection, but I knew it existed. Still, I didn't think you were Sky's descendant. That surprised ."
I shrugged.
"Well, I didn't know I was her descendant either," I said. "My parents never talked about that side of the family. At least, not during my first life."
Silence fell over our group when I finished speaking.
"So," Himiko said. "What happens now?"
"Simple," Teacher said. "I need to find a way to get to this Lumina." She gestured to . "Unlike Brandon here, I can't go there as a soul."
"I don't know if it's possible for to return to Lumina as a soul," I pointed out. "Alysha and I are still working on that."
Teacher furrowed her brow at .
"What do you an?" she asked. "Isn't it obvious? We just need to separate your soul from this body. Afterwards, you can follow the silver thread to your other one."
I rolled my eyes.
"We figured that part out," I said in a sardonic tone. "The problem is that I can't see the silver thread. How can I follow sothing I can't even find?"
Teacher looked thoughtful for a mont, before she nodded.
"Fair enough," she said. "In that case, you'll just have to wait until we find a way to physically travel to Lumina."
My heart clenched when I heard that. For , that was the second-to-worst case scenario. During my second life, I spent years searching for a way to return to Lumina and found nothing. How long would it take this ti around? Granted, I knew more this ti than I did before, but that did little to calm my unease.
The worst case scenario was being unable to return to Lumina at all.
I felt a comforting warmth through my bond with Aurora. I looked over at her and found her looking at with a concerned expression on her face.
'Don't worry,' she said through our bond. 'We'll find a way to get you back ho.'
I gave her a grateful smile.
'I hope so,' I said. 'I don't want to be separated from everyone for another two and a half decades.'
'Even if that happens, at least you'll have .'
While Aurora and I were having our own telepathic conversation, Francis was speaking with Teacher.
"Why don't you co to the Vanguard Guild?" he asked. "Our guildmaster is working on a way to travel to Lumina. Together, I'm sure the two of you can figure it out."
Teacher sneered.
"I don't need that whelp's help," she said. "I traveled the cosmos for decades. I'm more than capable of finding my own way there."
The tale has been illicitly lifted; should you spot it on Amazon, report the violation.
"Then why don't you do it for my sake?" I asked, turning my attention to her. "Lumina is facing an invasion from the Infernal Lands. It's in the early stages right, but things will soon heat up. Receiving help from other realms would make a significant difference."
Teacher pursed her lips. While she didn't reject my idea outright, it was clear that she didn't like it.
"Think of it like this," I said. "By helping save Lumina, you are also saving your sister."
Teacher made a dismissive gesture.
"I can just take Sky and flee from Lumina," she said. "There's no need for us to fight the demons."
Himiko sneered at her.
"I never took you for a coward," she said.
Teacher fixed Himiko with a look. The pressure from her gaze felt stifling. I wasn't the target of it, but I still felt overwheld. I could only imagine how Himiko felt. Despite this, my teammate didn't back down.
"Careful, girl," Teacher said. "The only reason why I tolerate your presence is because of Brandon." She smirked. "That, and because your unrequited love for him amuses ." Her expression hardened. "However, don't push your luck."
Himiko snarled at her. She opened her mouth to say sothing, but I held up a hand to forestall her.
"Let ," I mouthed to her.
Himiko studied for a mont, before she backed down with a reluctant expression on her face. I turned towards Teacher.
"Please leave my friends alone," I said.
Teacher scoffed.
"Why should I?" she asked. "Your friend insulted first."
"Yes, but you're not so petty as to quarrel with a junior, are you?"
Teacher rolled her eyes.
"Smart ass," she said. "Fine. I'll leave your friend alone, as long as she apologizes for calling a coward."
The overwhelming pressure disappeared. Teacher gave Himiko an expectant look. The latter clenched her jaw, but bowed her head.
"I apologize for calling you a coward," Himiko said through gritted teeth.
"I accept your apology," Teacher said in a magnanimous tone.
Himiko made a disgusted sound and stood up.
"I need to clear my head," she said.
With that, she walked off. The rest of us watched her go, before facing each other again.
"You know," Teacher said, a sly smile on her face. "If you chased after her and took her into your arms, she'd more than welco you."
I narrowed my eyes at her.
"Enough," I said.
Teacher let out a disappointed sigh.
"How boring," she said. "You're young. There's nothing wrong with playing around and sowing your wild oats."
"I'm engaged!"
Teacher held up a finger.
"Gabriel Sturm is engaged," she said. "Brandon Norwood is not."
Francis wore a thoughtful expression on his face.
"She's not wrong," he said. "You are technically a different person right now. In that case, would it even be considered cheating?"
I looked Francis right in the eyes.
"If you say sothing like that to ever again," I said. "I will break your jaw."
Francis shut his mouth and mid zipping it up.
"And you," I said, turning towards Teacher. "Stop ddling in my personal life."
"Why should I? As your teacher, ddling in your personal life is my right and privilege."
I just looked at her.
"Fine," Teacher said. "You're no fun."
"I'm plenty fun," I said. "However, I have neither the ti nor the patience for petty nonsense." I tapped the table. "Now then, shall we get back to the topic at hand?"
Teacher gestured for to go right ahead.
"Saving Lumina is in your best interests because it ans saving Sky Leone's life," I said. "And don't bring up running away. From what I know, it's difficult for anyone to leave Lumina once they get there." I paused. "With being an exception."
Teacher gave a disdainful look.
"You learned this from an enemy," she said. "How do you know they weren't lying to you?"
I smirked. Ti for to reveal the one detail I managed to keep hidden from Teacher.
"I don't know," I said. "I think this particular enemy was telling the truth. He was looking for soone. So much so that he was willing to work with demon worshipers to find her."
"He sounds like a fool to . Why should I trust the word of a fool?"
I shrugged.
"Even if you don't, I do. I an, he let live because I'm the student of the one he was looking for."
Teacher's expression frosted over. Before I could react, she reached over and grabbed by my shirt.
"Explain," she demanded.
I gave her a faux innocent look.
"Oh? Did I forget to ntion that part?"
Teacher pulled closer until our noses were touching.
"I'm being serious, Brandon," she said, an edge to her tone. "Don't play gas with right now. I'm not in the mood. Tell about this man."
I shrugged.
"There isn't much to tell. I already told you all the important parts." I paused. "Well, except for his na and his appearance." I grinned. "Are you familiar with a man nad Blood Demon?"
The look of shock on Teacher's face was so gratifying that I would rember it for the rest of my life. A mont later, Teacher closed her eyes and took a deep breath. When she opened her eyes again, I found a fire in them that hadn't been there before.
"Blood Demon is on Lumina," she said.
I nodded.
"Blood Demon, the man who murdered my sister, is on Lumina."
I took a mont before responding.
"Okay, I didn't know that part," I said. "But yes."
Teacher looked like she wanted to strangle .
"This is why you should reveal all the details instead of keeping them hidden!" She tightened her grip. "You idiot! Why did you hide the most important part of your story?"
"I wanted to see your reaction because I didn't know if you would tell the truth or not. You have to admit, you're not exactly a forthcoming person."
"Oh, that's rich coming from you."
"And who do you think I learned it from, you damned shrew?"
The two of us were on the verge of another fight, before Francis interrupted us by clearing his throat. Teacher and I both looked at him.
"As entertaining as this is," he said. "I think we should focus on the bigger picture here." He looked at Teacher. "You want to find your sister and protect her from this Blood Demon, correct?"
Teacher nodded.
"That gives you even more of a reason to work with our guildmaster," Francis said. "The sooner we find a way to reach Lumina, the better. Our progress would go much faster with an experienced traveler such as yourself advising us. And I'm sure your own efforts will benefit from the connections and resources we can provide."
Teacher stared at him for several long monts.
"Fine," she spat out. "You win. I'll work with that insufferable man." She faced and poked my chest. "As for you, you little shit, don't hide sothing like this from again. And don't try to claim ignorance. You knew I had a connection to Blood Demon. Otherwise, you wouldn't have pulled this little stunt in the first place."
I studied her for a mont, before nodding.
"I promise," I said.
"Good." Teacher let go of . "Now let's go. We don't have ti to waste. The sooner we find a way to travel to Lumina, the sooner I can see my sister."
I took a mont to straighten myself out.
"Wait a mont," I said. "I have a few more questions. You promised to answer all of them, rember?"
Teacher gave an impatient look.
"I've already told you all the important parts," she said. "What more do you want to know?"
"First of all, and I ask this purely out of curiosity, why did you marry Blood Demon? I an, he has the word 'demon' in his na."
Teacher sighed.
"His face."
Francis and I stared at her.
"What?!" I blurted out.
"His face," Teacher repeated. "Sky and I have a weakness for beautiful n. It's gotten us into trouble more than once."
I stared at Teacher in disbelief, my mouth opening and closing several tis.
"That's it?" I asked when I found my voice again. "You married Blood Demon because of his face?"
Teacher scoffed.
"Of course," she said. "What other reason would I need?"
I loved and respected Teacher, but I never expected her to marry soone for such a shallow reason. I guess character, status, and wealth mattered little to her. All she cared about was a man's appearance.
Wait a minute. Was that why Sky Leone married Grandfather Gabriel? His looks? My intuition told that this was the truth.
By the gods, I owed my entire existence to my great grandmother's weakness for beautiful n.
"What else do you want to know?" Teacher asked. "The sooner you ask, the sooner we leave."
I closed my eyes and rubbed my temples.
"Sorry, give a mont," I said. "I'm having a small existential crisis."
"Save it for later. We have things to do."
I opened my eyes and glared at her.
"Fine," I said. "Let's get going."
I stood up, before pausing.
"Wait, there was one more thing I needed to talk with you about," I said.
I told Teacher about our encounter with Rowan and his subsequent request.
"Oh that," Teacher said. "Yes, I rember now. So brat kept intruding into my valley. I let him go the first few tis, but he kept coming back so I left him in my mist. He should still be there."
I let out a resigned sigh.
"Please tell he's still alive," I said.
"Of course. I just toyed with him a bit. If I wanted to kill him, I would've done so already."
Relief filled . Good. I could fulfill my promise to Rowan, and get myself a spirit core. Whether or not I'd be able to bring it with to Lumina remained to be seen.
Francis and I helped Teacher pack her things, not that there was much to pack. Afterwards, we headed to the entrance to the valley. Himiko joined us on the way there. She still looked unhappy. Francis and I tried to engage her in conversation, but she shook her head at us and remained silent.
When we arrived at the entrance, Teacher dispersed all of the mist. We found a man in his mid-twenties laying on the ground, covered in wounds. I gave him a quick check and muttered a prayer of thanks when I realized he was still alive. Afterwards, I gave him a Healing Potion to deal with the worst of his injuries, before hefting him over my shoulder.
After our group exited the valley, my teammates and I headed towards Little Portland. It took us a mont to realize that Teacher wasn't following. Instead, she was fiddling with the wooden sign post that stood at the entrance to the valley.
"What are you doing?" I asked her.
"Packing up," Teacher said in an absentminded manner.
I opened my mouth to ask what she ant, but I never got the chance. Instead, as soon as Teacher finished fiddling with the sign, the entire valley rumbled and started to shrink. Within a matter of seconds, it disappeared from sight, leaving behind a plot of barren earth. On the ground sat a small glass globe with the valley secured inside it. Teacher picked up the glass globe and placed it inside her main inventory ring.
What. The. Fuck.
My teammates all stared at Teacher in astonishnt. She smirked at us.
"Alright," she said. "Let's go."
With that, she headed off toward Little Portland. After we regained our composure, my teammates and I followed suit.
Reviews
All reviews (0)