Three Years Ago Author: Mageman

Three years ago — at the Filar Estate

“Hello, my name is Sui Ming. I’m fifteen years old, currently a Tier 2 [Gold Vein] Soul Invoker.”

“Since my parents, Xi and Yue, are two hopeless lovebirds who treat me like a third wheel, they’ve sent me here to stay for a while.”

“Who knows, I might even get a little brother soon. Or a sister.”

“Ah… well, that’s… quite something.”
The man before him seemed caught off guard.

Looking at the sincere, golden-haired teenager, the man hesitated but ultimately nodded.

“My name is Hester. For now, I’m the acting king of Mingxi City.”
“From this day forward, Sui Ming, you’re part of our family.”

“You… call this empty place… a family?”

Hester turned to look behind him—
Not a single soul in sight.

“Xia! Come out, we have a guest!”

The moment the words left his mouth, a streak of azure-blue light shot across the air, aimed directly at the golden-haired boy.

“Hey! Xia, you—!”

“Trying to assert dominance on the first day? Excellent.”

[Miracle—As Willed]

A flash of golden light rippled—
The chain meant to pierce Sui Ming’s skull abruptly veered downward, embedding itself in the floor.

“My floor—!”

Realizing her attack had failed, a blue-haired figure flashed into view before Sui Ming—
And threw a punch straight at him!

“Your killing intent’s hidden well… but your strength is sorely lacking!”

Sui Ming abruptly grabbed the girl’s wrist and stepped forward.
Using the momentum of her charge, he pinned her down—
One hand locking her arm behind her back, while the other casually scratched his head.

“Is this… the kind of welcome your household gives?”

“Ahh… that child’s always been like this. I’ve really got no say in it,” Hester said helplessly.

“Bai Luoxia is my younger brother Anserro’s daughter. He perished in the [Abyss War] two years ago, so now I’m raising her.”

“When she comes of age, she’ll become the Empress of Mingxi City. By then, I can finally retire and do other things.”

“Raising kids… what a hassle, huh?”

“You… I… don’t like you…”
The girl growled through clenched teeth.

“You! Let go—!”

Realizing the position was a bit inappropriate, Sui Ming let her go and leaned against the wall, as if it had nothing to do with him.

“Alright, alright, you two really are…”
Hester sighed, pulling them both forward.

“Xia, this is Sui Ming. He’ll be staying with us for a while.”

“Sui Ming, this is Xia. She’s like my adopted daughter. You two had better get along.”

The girl huffed, turned, and walked away—

Leaving a bewildered Sui Ming and a very much unfazed Hester.

“Apologies. She’s still recovering from the trauma two years ago.”

“Yeah? Sounds like you and my old man conspired this together.”

“N-no… Well, alright, fine. I did bring it up. But it’s all for her sake.”

“Mingxi City can’t afford to have a reclusive Empress. It’s simply not acceptable.”

“And you, Sui Ming, are young and talented. I’ve heard some things about you from Rhine. Honestly, there’s no one more suited for this in all of Tanggrelia.”

“So please, I’m asking you—help her. Guide her a little.”

The acting regent of Mingxi City—second only to the Emperor—was now pleading humbly before a teenager.

“Alright, alright, I’ll help. I’ll help. I can’t stand it when people keep begging.”

“Great, all settled then!”

“And with that—I’m off. Xia’s all yours now.”

Hester’s face shifted instantly, as though none of the previous conversation had ever happened.

“…What the hell? Was he born to act?”

Knock knock knock.

“Hey? You in there?” Sui Ming tapped on Bai Luoxia’s door.

“Not in,” came her flat response.

Sui Ming sighed, then casually turned the doorknob.

“Yo, this place’s pretty cute. I mean the decorations.”

The girl’s cheeks flushed the moment she saw him walk in uninvited—

She raised her hand—

An azure chain slammed toward him!

“Whoa, whoa, whoa—is this how you greet your mentor?”

Dodging casually, Sui Ming slowly approached.

“You? My mentor?”

“Oh? Got some spine. But me—”

Clang!

Lightning-quick, Sui Ming struck again.

Bai Luoxia was once more pinned down on the bed—

Both hands restrained behind her, her body completely immobilized.

“I’m stronger than you.”

“Alright, stop squirming.”

“Relax. I’ll only be here for a year or so before I head to Rhine Academy.”

The girl said nothing.

“Your uncle already agreed.

What, you think I enjoy thankless jobs like this?

This is survival, pure and simple.”

Sui Ming released her wrists, then stood nonchalantly by the doorway.

“Alright, let’s do this formally.”

“I’m Sui Ming, sole heir of the Xi Family.

Also, for the next year—I’ll be your teacher.”

“So? What do you teach?”

“Pretty much anything you want to learn.”

“Calligraphy, painting, fighting—even cooking.

Whatever you want, I’ll teach you with no reservations.”

“I… want to learn how to kill you.”

“Oh? Now that’s an interesting answer. I like it.”

“If you want to learn, I’ll teach you.”

“I’ll teach you the deadliest killing techniques this world has to offer.”

“Who knows, maybe one day you will be able to kill me.

How about it?”

“Fine.”

“But let’s set some ground rules.”

“For the next year, you can attempt to assassinate me as many times as you like.”

“I won’t use any Soul Invocation powers to defend myself—only the skills I teach you.”

“But each time you fail, you’ll owe me a favor. Deal?”

Sui Ming extended his hand, his tone earnest.

Bai Luoxia considered it.

From her perspective, it was a good deal.

Given her abilities, she figured she could take him out within three days—especially if he restricted himself to basic combat techniques.

“Deal.”

She grasped his hand.

For some reason, from his palm, she felt a subtle warmth—

Like standing in sunlight.

A feeling filled with hope.

Sui Ming smiled lightly.

He seemed to glimpse a very interesting future ahead.

“I’m sure we’ll get along splendidly, Miss Bai Luoxia.”

“After all… I’m no saint.

I hold grudges really, really well.”

Bai Luoxia, however, understood none of this—

Completely unaware that from this moment forward, her life would be forever entangled with this boy.

Entangled, and inescapable.