"Oh, come on, stop crying already," I let out a tired sigh while Hao Ran kept wiping his runny nose and sobbing.
"How can you be so cruel, Master?" He sniffed and looked at me with his red, puffed eyes. "You just left a letter and thought everything would be okay? That's why I told you I will go with you, you cruel, heartless master."
Hao Ran's voice broke even more, and his sobbing became louder.
My little crybaby disciple!
"Okay, okay. Now, stop crying. Your face will look like a rotten tomato if you don't stop now." I patted his head with a small smile on my face.
Hao Ran pouted his lips, lowering his head. "I thought I wouldn't meet you ever again."
My heart felt at peace seeing Hao Ran again. Even at my final moment, I was more worried about how this crybaby will take over my position without crying every now and then.
I side-hugged him and kissed his head. "But we met again, didn't we?"
Hae Ran's lips curved up into a smile, and he nodded, "Yes."
"Foxy, I didn't know you were planning on opening a harem of men who are stronger and older than you just at the age of 16,"
Oh, right.... Master was still in the carriage.
"How can you give my and Master's relationship such an unlawful title?" Hao Ran snapped at Master almost like barking. I held him back with a tight whisper, "Don't tell him anything."
Master smirked, resting his arms on the surface. He leaned forward, his intense gaze on Hao Ran.
"Is that so? Then, what kind of relationship do you share with Foxy for her being so comfortable with you and pampering you?"
I broke the side hug, and Hao Ran blinked his eyes nervously. He gulped a dry lump in his throat and looked at me anxiously.
I pressed my lips tightly and shook my head lightly to hint to him not to say anything.
"Oho~ Something is cooking here. Hmm", Master sneered as if he had caught onto something interesting, " Don't tell me..." He looked at me while pointing at Han Rao, "Is he someone you picked up from the streets when you were young and then abandoned him?"
My eyes widen at Master's analysis. "Wow! How did you pinpoint it correctly?" Hao Ran looked at Master in amusement.
I looked at Hao Ran in disbelief, you fucking cunt! When did I ever abandon you?
"I never left you, you dramatic brat," I grumbled in my head, but let the lie slide for Master's sake.
Master proudly ran his finger through his hair and leaned back with a satisfied smile.
"I am not called the greatest mage of this age for no reason, of course."
Hao Ran turned his head toward me. His brows shot up, his pupils dilating as if his brain was struggling to process the words.
At this current timeline, only one person earned the title of Greatest Mage of This Age, and that's Edwin Ronald. Hao Ran might consider Master an enemy given the information he has.
I mouthed, "I will explain." Hao Ran understood and looked back at Master.
"I didn't expect to be able to meet Grand Mage Edwin Ronald someday," he expressed his delight. Master's lips curled up a little, which he tried to wipe off to look like a cool person.
"Ahem. I know I am a great idol for anyone who practices magic." He opened his one eye and looked at Hao Ran.
"I didn't know I would get to meet another powerful mage from the Eastern Empire."
I glanced at Hao Ran; he didn't look any older than the time I left him in our past life. How did he come back in time in his 22-year-old form? The magical power surrounding him is less powerful than before. If I say he only has 20% of his original mana, it won't be a lie.
Even with 20% of his mana reserve, he could earn to be called a strong mage by Master. Indeed, my little crybaby didn't become the 2nd Grand Mage after Edwin Ronald himself.
Hao Ran pouted his lips, "I am not half as powerful as I used to be."
Master's eyes widen, his mouth opens in shock, "You... You are even more powerful than this!"
Hao Ran nodded his head innocently. " I can now somehow cast the face changing and memory altering spells."
Master looked at me in disbelief, pointing his trembling finger at Hao Ran. He asked me in shock, "From where did you pick up this puppy? He is talking about casting tier 7 magic like he can prepare some candy."
I pressed my lips tightly to stop myself from smiling. Whenever anyone praised Hao Ran even back then saying,
- No wonder Grand Master Hao Ran is Madam Nyxveil's adopted son. From where did Madam Nyxveil even find him? This master-Disciple duo are dangerous one.-
"I just happen to get lucky," I said.
Master grabbed my hand excitedly, his ruby red eyes shining with pure admiration and excitement. I was taken aaback.
"We should unseal your mana path soon." Master spoke excitedly.
"Does Master have mana?" Hao Ran asked, surprised and... excited?
"Of course, why else would I take her as my one and only disciple? Do you think just anyone can become Edwin Ronald's disciple?" Master smirked, and Hao Ran got closer. His ocean blue eyes sparkling with pure devotion and admiration.
"My master is special," he grinned proudly. Master nodded along with him, "Of course. My disciple is special."
I let out a nervous, tired laugh. Their gaze on me looked as if stars were sparkling in them, the overwhelming attention from both my master and disciple!
HOW WILL I SURVIVE THESE TWO!
*************************************************************
[NYXVEIL MANSION]
In the southeast garden of Nyxveil, trees wore a colorful and green look, birds chirped on the branches of trees, colorful butterflies fluttered their wings around the blooming flowers, and water from the white fountain in the middle of the garden trickled down softly, spreading a soft, calm air around itself.
Sylvester stood with his hands resting behind his back, his eyes looking up at the clear blue sky, which contrasted with his life. The calmness of his surroundings didn't make his heart calm; rather, it made him even more restless.
"Zaphery,"
He turned his head and saw Althea standing a little far behind him. Her eyes didn't look at him with the previous emotions; her beautiful, curly white hair was flowing down to her waist; her slender figure was hugged into a simple pastel pink gown; a teardrop-shaped diamond earring hung down from her ears; and her silver eyes fluttered calmly, looking at him.
The usual restlessness surrounding her was gone, her complexion looked better,
"Where is Selentia?" She asked. "She went to Nordwyn Residence early in the morning." He replied.
Althea blinked her eyes; she didn't say anything for a moment and kept staring at Sylvester before nodding.
"I hope you will keep your promise of letting her choose." Saying that Althea turned around, her hair fluttering in the breeze. Sylvester's eyes were stuck on her small figure; he didn't blink, capturing her every movement wholeheartedly.
As if feeling his gaze, Althea stopped in her tracks and slowly turned around.
Under the bright sunlight reflecting on his hair and calm yet restless green eyes, Sylvester looked different to her... Almost as if he were a stranger to him.
For the last few days, she and Sylvester didn't cross paths by any means. She couldn't even hear his voice around or feel his presence and his unique peony fragrance surrounding her.
Did she miss him?
She didn't know.
Did she regret it?
She didn't know.
She parted her lips, "I have packed mine and Alancia's things."
Sylvester gave a small nod. Both of them said nothing for a while, just staring at each other without any words. Althea's heart felt complicated about the situation.
In her eyes, the person standing before her looked like Zaphery Nyxveil, but he hadn't felt anything like Zaphery Nyxveil since the last 16 years. The sense of unfamiliarity she felt from him at first turned into comfort and the most familiar presence in her life.
A being of her all complaints, all hatred, all dislike... all love and hope.
Of course she didn't know it was Sylvester wearing the face of Zaphery, who had been next to her for 16 years.
Sylvester parted his lips with a small, soft smile on his lips; Althea's eyes widened in disbelief.
He was smiling
"Althea, thank you for staying as my companion all these years."
Sylvester's voice was soft, calm, and full of love; his eyes looked at her with heart in them. Althea felt goosebumps all over her body, and her lips trembled from being emotional.
"I have lived long and through lots of things, but with you..." Sylvester lowered his eyes a little; the smile didn't leave his lips.
"Life was bearable. And that's why I was unable to let you go despite knowing how being with me was making life hard for you."
Sylvester confessed honestly.
The corners of Althea's eyes started tearing up; she clenched the hem of her sleeves tightly.
That was the first time he was speaking so honestly with her.
"You won't have make my life miserable if you had just stopped doing whatever you are doing." Her voice trembled. Sylvester lifted his head; his smile looked sad and lonely.
"In this world, everyone is born with a fate. And this is my fate." He replied, his voice heavy and pained.
Althea knew there was something different about him. His eyes looked tired, and his shoulders looked burdened by heavy secrets.
From a distance, he looked lonely.
No, he always looked lonely. He never raised his voice, never cried, never smiled, and never complained in those last 16 years. In Althea's heart , she always buried a fear looking at his back.
He looks as if he will disappear anytime.
In the past she might have walked toward him, but today, her pride and complaint toward him stopped her from stepping forward.
"Walk on your fate, and I will walk on mine. God forbid our fates get twisted with each other again," Althea turned her back on Sylvester; her words were cruel and cold, she knew, but she just wanted to hurt him even if a little as revenge.
"I pray it's when either one of us is dead."
Sylverstar said nothing and Althea continued walking and drifting far from him with each step and he just kept looking at her back with a smile.
A lone tear slipped down from his eyes and fell on the grass under his feet, the grass turned lifeless and dark instantly.
Every part of Sylvester's body was toxic and full of demonic energy. The only reason why Althea was unaffacted by the demonic energy and toxicity of his touch was for one reason.
Sylvester had put a spell on Althea which made her immunie to his demonic energies and touches. Why?
" Meeting you is the greatest miracle of my cursed life, Love."
He whispered under his breathe, his voice creaking and a tear stained smile on his lips spoke louder about the answer of that why.