Heikale

“Ah… I suppose you could say something happened here, but… can we even call this a disaster?”

Disaster usually described something resembling ruins.

But the Aorah Estate?

Not even rubble remained—just bare bricks scattered across scorched earth.

It couldn’t even qualify as ruins.

“That boy… sigh, I should probably go check on him,” Heikale said lazily.

“Orders are orders after all.

I’ve already spent weeks lounging around here—guess it’s finally time to do some actual work.”

With that, the man’s figure vanished, dissolving into a streak of shadow.

“Ughh… considering I didn’t pass out and die in the street, I guess I’m doing pretty well.”

“At a time like this, isn’t there usually supposed to be a beautiful girl sitting by my bedside or something?

So why is it—?”

“Caw… caw—!”

“…The hell? A crow?!

Where’s my hot anime girl?! Did the species get switched last-minute?!”

“Haha… just teasing.”

A light, cheerful voice chimed in, crisp and melodic like a mountain spring.

“…A talking crow?

Are animals evolving now into things I can’t even begin to comprehend?”

“Next thing I know, monkeys’ll be wielding AK-47s and squaring off with us.

Seriously, why the hell can a crow talk?!”

“You know… Sui Ming, you really don’t need to be so defensive around me.

Or should I say… imposter who took over someone else’s body?”

The air instantly turned cold.

A suffocating wave of killing intent erupted from Sui Ming’s body.

Inch Force burst forth—

A blur of motion sliced through the air.

He grabbed the crow by its neck, deadly grip unrelenting.

But the creature didn’t seem surprised—as if it had expected this.

“Who the hell are you?”

“Answer me honestly…

Or I’ll kill you right now.”

His fingers tightened.

This secret—his transmigration—was something Sui Ming would never allow to leak.

It was the one truth he would guard with his life.

From what he had pieced together, every power in this world stemmed from soul manifestation.

The more unique the soul, the greater its potential.

And last night had proven one thing—

His soul was far from ordinary.

“Hey, hey… is that how you treat your savior?

Sob sob… how heartbreaking.”

“…What?”
Sui Ming hesitated slightly, loosening his grip.

“I’m the one who gave you a second life, remember?

If it weren’t for me, you wouldn’t even be here!”

“The way you were lying in that pool of blood back then… so pitiful.”

“I was moved by compassion and plucked you from the brink of death.

And this is how you repay me?

Waaah… saving a life really earns no gratitude these days…”

“…Where the hell did this drama queen come from?”

Sui Ming couldn’t help but retort internally.

“Waaahhh~ I’m so miserable~ so bitter~”

The crow began rubbing against Sui Ming’s chest, acting like it was on death’s door.

BANG!

“Sui Ming, you’re awake!”

A silver-haired bundle popped its head in from the doorway.

The room fell silent.

“…You… so you actually… swing that way?”

“Wait, Bai Ling! Let me explain!
This isn’t what it looks like! This isn’t some crow! She’s a person! A person, I swear!”

“I’m not one of those freaks!”

“Hahaha~ never mind, never mind, I’m just messing with you.”

Bai Ling grinned.

“Actually, we figured out who she was last night.

We were shocked too, seeing her drag your bloody mess of a body back home.”

She grabbed the crow—who was still affectionately snuggling up to Sui Ming—and said:

“Let’s go downstairs. Uncle Ai has something to talk to you about.”

A strange atmosphere lingered over the dining table.

Uncle Ai’s expression shifted subtly, while Sui Ming remained perfectly calm.

“Young Master… I… I’m sorry…”

“No need.”

Sui Ming spoke flatly.

“It wasn’t your fault.

It wasn’t anyone’s fault.”

After Ai had told him everything—

After the betrayal had been confessed—

Sui Ming didn’t show the slightest anger.

“Besides… I should thank you.

You gave up fifty years of your life…”

“Let the past stay in the past,” Ai said quietly.

“Now, I am simply your most loyal butler.

Nothing more.”

“[Mmph—great stuff, the alcohol in the East District is—munch munch—]”

“Swallow your damn food before you speak!”

Sui Ming snapped, glaring at the two unknown species devouring plates of food.

“Everything’s fine as long as we eat, right?”

The crow calmly polished off its third plate.

“You’re a damn crow! Why do you eat like a pig!?”

Knock knock knock.

Someone rapped on the door.

“…Forget it. I’ll just pretend I’m raising two pigs.”

Sui Ming stood and opened the door.

“Hello, Mr. Sui Ming.

Or should I say—young master of the Xi Family.”

A familiar figure stood at the entrance.

He removed his hat.

“…You’re that gambler uncle?”

“Mr. Heikale?” Ai spoke up suddenly.

“Heikale? I feel like I’ve heard that name somewhere…”

“You’re the inspector general!”

Bai Ling blurted.

Oh no.

A super wanted fugitive with a bounty over 100 million Fal.

And now the top watchdog of the empire was at his door?

Was this the end?

Sui Ming suddenly realized—

Whether in his past life or this one…

He’d never been a “good person.”

Back then, he was the number one assassin—

Now, he topped the wanted list.

Maybe…

He just wasn’t fated to live like a normal person?

“Er… that’s not wrong.

But relax, I’m not here to arrest you, haha.”

Heikale waved his hand casually.

“I came to deliver a message.”

“A month from now, the imperial capital will hold the entrance trials for [Rhine Academy].

You should go.”

“No.”

Sui Ming refused immediately.

“…Huh? Why not?”

Heikale was baffled by the flat rejection.

Did this boy even know what Rhine Academy was?

It was one of the most powerful factions on the entire continent!

Countless [Immortal]-level powerhouses walked its halls.

Rumors even said the headmaster was half-step [Near-God]!

And you just… rejected it?

But in Sui Ming’s mind, only one thought echoed:

You want me—a top-tier fugitive—to walk into a nest of elite enforcers?

Are you trying to get me killed?!

“Say yes.”

A voice whispered in Sui Ming’s ear.

Only he could hear it.

“Also—ask him for a vial of [Golden Marrow Elixir].

It’ll be useful for you.

If he doesn’t give it, threaten him.

He definitely has it.”

Sister, are you trying to feed me to the lions?!

You want me to beg for meat in front of a damn tiger?!

“I’ll go… but on one condition.”

“Get me a vial of [Golden Marrow Elixir].

Otherwise, I’m not going anywhere near the capital.”