Some time ago.
'Ughhh… Where is he?!'
A young girl of tall stature with cascading blonde hair and blue eyes was anxiously walking around a luxurious balcony in circles. Her beautiful features were blemished by slight panic as she hurriedly sent texts to Caissa, demanding to know where he was.
"Honey, where's Caissa? The guests will arrive in a few minutes."
"He'll be here soon," she tried to answer in a casual tone, but it was tinted with slight worry.
***
"Sel, your boyfriend's not here?"
"He's just running a bit late, there was an accident on the way." Selene's grip tightened on her drink and phone, her nails digging into part of her skin as she turned her gaze to look out the window again.
She had been anxious looking for that head of white-silver hair for the past 30 minutes for no results.
Opening her phone again, she saw all the messages she sent. All marked unread, which gave her hope that perhaps, his phone had just died and he was still on his way.
***
"He's… not coming… is he…?" Selene mumbled on the balcony, a piece of cake by her lips as she still continued to look in hope of Caissa, though she knew that hope was long shattered.
On her phone, it clearly indicated that he had seen her message many minutes ago, yet didn't make any attempt to respond.
'…why?'
'...he's leaving me? was I not good enough?' Because of her upbringing, she couldn't understand.
She had never needed to reciprocate love and affection to receive it. After all, her beauty and status made up for that.
Now, her eyes were watery. For the first time in her life, she had felt a sense of creeping loneliness gnawing at her heart.
She was blessed with loving parents and friends who were always there for her, and when she was at the age to crave romance, Caissa was there, showering her with endless love and affection.
So used to that feeling, the absence now—on her most special day—was tormenting her.
The opportunistic boys that were hitting on her and shit-talking her boyfriend only made her feel more hollow.
It was then, a radiant spirit appeared before her, bending the light around it while illuminating the dim surrounding like a star.
Colors saturated and nearby shadows behave unnaturally.
This, was a Domain grade Spirit.
***
Waking up, my body was hung-over and still incredibly sore. And against my wishes, my mind was still thinking about Selene.
This time though, it wasn't thoughts of bitterness or resentment, but rather amusement and mockery.
Having intercourse with this random fling, I had made an astonishing realization: even in sex, Selene had put in no effort towards me. She had just laid there while I pleasured her—a true pillow princess.
Being a natural giver, I didn't really mind, and in fact, rather liked the aspect of total dominance. But, it was something very amusing to think about. It was simply too fitting.
Then, there was the fact that this random fling—who I had no emotional attachment towards, and was actively put-off by the idea of sleeping with a promiscuous woman—made me feel better than Selene.
I'd heard many times sex was a two-player game, and now I finally understood why. Effort and little actions went a long way.
These thoughts replaced the bitterness and resentment I felt previously. So, unexpectedly, this one night stand worked wonders. I had been afraid that it would only make me feel lonelier and full of regret in the morning, but now, I was in quite a good mood.
Soon, the stench of the room from the residue of last night hit me, making me head into the bathroom and clean myself up.
Getting out of the shower and clearing the fog on the mirror, I took a good look at myself.
Meeting my gaze in the mirror, for once, the eyes staring back at me felt right, as though they finally matched me. Usually, there was a faint disconnect. The expression I felt and the one the mirror returned never quite lined up.
I looked upwards, my wet silver hair falling in loose, uneven layers that brushed my jaw and neck. Messy wisps slip free around my face, catching the light and softening my features, while the rest lies slightly tousled.
Beneath it, my golden eyes stood out sharply, their brightness made more striking by the cool, muted tone of my hair.
They framed my soft face, which was a balance between beautiful and handsome, leaning more towards beauty.
Below, my well defined, muscular body still dripped with water. My arms lined with veins, my collarbone stuck out prominently, and my abs were finely carved.
At them, I smiled.
They were honed through 3 years of intense training and dieting, and the only reason why was because of Selene.
When I first saw her, with her beauty and status, I knew I wasn't worthy of her. So I forced myself to train relentlessly, until I achieved my ideal physique and became an Awakened.
This is why I don't regret falling in love with Selene.
I only regret staying with her long after when I should have seen her for who she was, and pushing away people who truly cared for me.
***
It was 9:00 AM.
Dressed in a simple casualwear I brought in my storage ring, I headed down to the main tavern area. My fling was still in bed, disheveled. She wasn't going to get up anytime soon.
The caravan was going to set off in a bit over an hour, so I still had some time.
Taking a seat at the dining area, a friendly looking worker called out to me. "Here for breakfast? What do you want, pretty boy?"
"Hmm… What do you recommend?" I asked.
He tapped his chin. "Ah, let me think… Our waffles and pancakes are to die for, want to get both and tell which one's better?"
"I want a hearty meal, I don't want to be exhausted after a bit."
He nodded "I see. How about a steak and eggs with baked potato?"
"Sounds good."
"That'll be 20 copper, ready in 15," he stated before making his way to the kitchen.
Hmm, that's quite cheap. For an adventurer's guild, I'd expected to pay closer to double that amount.
Turning my gaze away, I looked at the T.V. which was on Eastern Vance Empire News.
It touched on the miraculous resonance between a Domain grade Spirit and a humble councilman's daughter in the small city of Edgelorn, occurring right on her 18th birthday, moments before she'd be required to bind a lower grade spirit.
Allegedly, it was born from her desperate longing for her lover who abandoned her that very day.
I snorted.
They really know how to spin a story huh? Did Selene herself come up with that to exploit maximum engagement?
The broadcast soured my mood, causing me to quickly look away, searching for something else to occupy my thoughts.
My gaze drifted across the room until it settled on an elderly man locked in a game of Magichess with a middle-aged opponent, a small crowd gathered around them.
Curious, I got up to watch. I had an interest in Magichess, having played it since I was four. Pretty much only against my grandfather though. He began teaching me from time to time and I got good.
When I played against friends, I always had to go easy or give them advantages. And my grandfather forbade me from playing matches online—said they went against the spirit of Magichess or whatever.
Looking at the board, my gaze sharpened.
The old man is winning. Up four points of material and with better positioning, the game was as good as over.
Aghh…! After an atrocious blunder from the middle-aged man, I grimaced… Wait, why did the old man not play Aegis D6u? He just missed mate in twelve.
As I was analyzing the game, the elderly man took notice of me.
Soon, the game ended and the middle aged man sighed as he got up and placed a stack of silver coins at the old man's side.
"Hey kid with the white hair. You look sharp, wanna play?" The old man amiably called out, motioning me to come over.
Nodding, I headed in his direction. I hadn't played in over a week, and it would be something fun to pass the time with until my food arrived.
The few people watching made way for me.
Sitting down, he pushed the previously captured pieces to me, prompting me to start arranging my board. "So, I'm guessing you know how to play?"
I nodded in response again, drawing a smirk from him. "Wanna bet? Ah, and the name's Shen, what's yours?"
"Caissa. And… sure, let's bet. Five silver."
It was a pretty hefty sum for me, but as someone who made up my mind to Awaken and planned to become a Spiritbound soon, I'd need to stop being afraid of spending money and learn to take risks. This'll be a start.
Actually, I guess I've taken many risks already—selling the house, choosing to move out of the empire, spending two thirds of my entire net worth buying the storage ring… I can't even say I'm afraid of spending money. Guess I'm just afraid of gambling. Seems like my grandfather ingrained some good lessons in me.
He raised an eyebrow at my bet. "Confident, or just rich? That's almost a week's pay for normal folk."
"I think I'm pretty good. I have faith in myself" I replied, finally finished setting up my pieces in the formation I always used.
Looking at my formation, some people shook their heads. Shen frowned. "Boy, that's how grandmasters set up their pieces.
If you're not one—or a titled player at least—you shouldn't be copying them. Without great skill and experience, that formation will only bring you a swift loss."
I frowned back as I tilted my head up. "Really? This is how my grandfather always set it up since I was a kid," I replied, genuinely confused.
"Hmm… Was your grandfather a grandmaster perchance?" He mused, eyebrows shifting before letting out a sigh. "Ah, whatever. Let's play! Five silver it is."
Brushing off the previous comment, I complied, making the first move as white, and playing like I always did.
A few moves in, I frowned.
Why is he playing so badly?
Is this deception to lure me into a false sense of security?
A/N: If you don't like the chess aspect, don't worry. It really won't be a big part of the novel. If you do, tell me on my review and I'll make it a bigger part.