Branches whipped at Kael's skin as he tore through the forest.
Behind him, 3 cloaked men with daggers chased swiftly.
There he is, kill him before we lose sight of him again, the one on the left said.
No, we can still torture him to get more information, the one on the right protested.
Just kill him, the middle one snapped. If he escapes, we lose everything, both the intel and the target.
The one on the right still wanted to argue, but the left man did not even listen; he threw his dagger towards Kael.
The dagger pierced Kael's chest easily, causing him to fall limply to the ground.
The assassins reached him, and one of them checked his pulse.
He is dead, the left man muttered as he stood up.
He's only an Initiate. How the hell did he outrun us?
I guess his Ashen clan gene only awakened to speed, the middle man said.
The other two laughed at his words as they turned to leave.
While all of this was going on, they failed to notice the shining glow on the amulet he was wearing.
Kael was in another place entirely.
Where is this? So this is the afterlife.
It is going to be more boring than I thought.
But as he closed his eyes, a blue panel flickered in his sight.
[Host is in danger]
[No method to save him.]
[Initialising critical protocol.]
That was the last sound he heard.
Where is this? Kael opened his eyes gently, the shimmering light making him feel uncomfortable.
He sat upright on the bed and looked around.
This looks just like my room from 20 years ago before the war, he thought.
Was it created in the afterlife so I could find something comforting, he thought.
The person in charge of the afterlife sure is doing a great job.
He stepped out of bed.
My body feels lighter, like I could run twice as fast as when I ran away from those assassins, he thought.
Huh, he heard a sudden gasp, then the sound of a tray hitting the floor.
He raised his brows slightly to look at the person in front of him.
When Kael saw the person who came in, he could not say anything.
Young master, you are awake.
Kael looked at the girl again, conflicted.
I thought I had died. Why is Maya here with me?
He raised his hands slightly and ran them down over her hair.
This is real, he thought.
Young master, what is this? Maya asked, her face flushed red.
Ohh, sorry, he said.
What happened to me? Why are you bringing these? he asked.
Have you forgotten? You got into a fight with the young master of the Astralborn clan 3 days ago.
He easily won and even broke some of your bones.
As Maya continued to talk, Kael remembered.
Did I go back in time? Was it because of the blue thing I saw in that dark place?
Kael looked back at her and smiled.
I am fine now, you don't need all of this.
But, how can we be sure?
Kael looked her in the eyes.
If you really feel like helping, how about you let me hug you?
Maya blinked uncontrollably as she heard this.
Where is this coming from, she asked, her brows slightly raised.
Me, Kael responded almost immediately.
Maya looked at him and stretched her arms wide.
Kael went closer and fell into her embrace.
As he got closer, silent tears began to flow down his face.
I really missed you. Back then, you sacrificed yourself just to buy me time to escape from the house.
As he spoke, his hands tightened around her.
Don't worry, in this life, I won't be the same useless Kael, I will grow strong enough to defeat anyone who comes against me, you and the clan, he made a promise with himself.
Don't think of this as anything, I am only doing it so you will get better quickly Maya broke his thoughts.
Kael chuckled softly, Yeah, I understand.
After hugging for over 3 minutes, Kael finally let go.
Get better quickly, Maya said, then packed the tray before running out of the room.
Still the same old Maya, he muttered.
He returned to his bed and sorted out what he knew.
I returned to 20 years before the fall of the Ashed clan, and that gives me a 20-year advantage. If used wisely, I might even make the Ashen clan rise higher than now.
If I remember correctly, this should be year 199 of the Caldrin calendar.
Then the rights to Red Fen haven't been sold yet.
I've got work to do, Kael said as he stormed out of his room, towards the Lord's study.
What are you still doing here, he asked, surprised as he saw Maya standing by his door.
I wasn't sure if you were fully healed, so I stayed behind to help if I heard any commotion.
Kael looked at her, his eyes gentle.
Don't worry, I am fine, you can go.
Maya felt reluctant to leave, but finally bowed and left.
Kael looked at her as she left. Just don't worry, he muttered under his breath.