The breeze, laden with humidity, brought with it the murmur of water as it slid between the rocks. Birds with vibrant plumage flew across the sky, their wings reflecting the sun in fleeting flashes. Everything about the scene seemed serene, but calm was rarely absolute in such a place.
Under the shade of the trees, a young woman stood motionless, gazing at the horizon with an inscrutable expression.
Her purple dress contrasted with the earthy tones of the landscape, and though her gaze followed the movement of the clouds, she did not seem lost in thought, but rather in expectation.
Vernar nodded towards her.
—That's Luci. She was an escort to one of the King's concubines. She has refined manners... and can handle a sword.
Louis watched her carefully now that she had a name to associate with her image. She did not look resigned or desperate to be bought. Her posture and expression reflected something deeper, as if she had not yet decided whether to accept the imposed fate or defy it.
—The King wanted her for his own, but she refused, She was dismissed. Her family was left with an imperial debt... and she chose to sell herself to pay it.
Aron let out a derisive laugh.
—All this fuss over a woman? She doesn't look like much.
Luci looked away from him coolly. A heavy silence fell over the group before she moved her hand slightly.
Without warning, the air cracked in a series of icy arrows aimed at Aron.
He reacted with sharp instinct, dodging them at the last second. His face no longer reflected the same contempt as before.
—Heh... it seems the girl is a bit cold.
Luis snapped his fingers.
—Silence.
The order fell like an unbreakable wall, and Aron obeyed without objection.
Luis took a step closer, his tone soft but firm.
—Excuse my partner. My name is Luis. I need someone to teach manners... and serve as an escort.
Luci looked at him differently this time. She tried to see him beyond his words, beyond the superficial calm he displayed.
Why don't you teach them yourself?
Luis smiled. But there was calculation behind the gesture.
—I don't have time. And it's not just for him, but for my whole sect. We are few now, but we will grow.
Luci bowed her head slightly.
—You don't look like someone who needs protection. I can't see your cultivation, which means you don't have... or surpass mine.
Luis held her gaze, his expression unchanged.
—Perhaps not. But it is not always convenient for me to take care of certain matters personally. There are low-level jobs that others can do for me.
The air grew colder. Luci felt her chest tighten. Did he see her as just another tool?
—Don't get me wrong—Luis added, his voice enveloping but firm—, As leader of my cult, I need an escort. Besides, it wouldn't look good if I taught myself manners.
A spark of fury crossed Luci's eyes.
She didn't respond with words. She responded with action.
Without warning, she launched a storm of ice arrows as her sword surged in her hand. Her attack was swift, without hesitation.
But Lucius did not dodge.
He raised his hand, and the world changed.
The temperature dropped suddenly. Snow began to fall with impossible force, covering the ground in seconds. Arrows of ice were caught in spheres of snow that rose into the air. His sword reached for Ludwig's neck, but when it pierced it, it found only an icy reflection that crumbled on contact.
—Behind you.
Luci whirled, his sword clashing against a wall of ice that appeared out of nowhere. Icy thorns rose from the ground with lethal intent, but when she tried to move, she found that her feet were trapped by frost. At the last second, the thorns disappeared.
Silence fell as she regained her composure.
Luis was still in place, with the same calm smile.
—You have talent—he said—, You lack experience, but you have a future.
Luci looked at him. This time, for real.
She didn't answer right away.
Because in that instant, for the first time in a long time, she wasn't sure what her next move should be.
Everyone was delighted with the little fight. Aron, surprised, began to trust even more that Luis could help him in his revenge.
Vernar and Marin, on the other hand, remained motionless. They realised that Luis was only testing the young woman. If he really wanted to, he could have killed her instantly. What was his true power? They could not fathom it.
Luci frowned, still stunned by what she had just witnessed.
—You can use ice attacks too... How is that possible?
Luis smiled reassuringly.
—Nothing is impossible for me. I could teach you how to do it too. You could even go beyond your own limits. What you saw now are just basic techniques for me.
Luis' words surprised her. If he had that knowledge, the King would never have dared to even look at her.
Luis took another step forward, his tone becoming firmer.
—Join my sect. Pledge your allegiance. I will help you overcome your limits. And while we're at it, I'll take down the current King for you. He's my enemy too... and he stands in my way. Obstacles must be removed. What do you say?
Luci pondered for a moment. The proposal was interesting, even more so because it meant she could continue to grow and learn new skills. She had never thought of joining a cult before, let alone going back to being someone's escort.
He analysed the pros and cons carefully. Then he made his decision.
—I accept... but on one condition.
Luis arched an eyebrow.
—Condition?
—Yes. Swear you will not attempt the same as the King. I don't want to be your concubine.
Luci's words made the group burst into laughter.
But Louis did not laugh.
In an instant, he appeared in front of her. With a single finger, he lifted her face and body a few inches off the ground. Luci couldn't react, couldn't even move. It was as if an absolute force was holding her immobilized.
Luis's eyes flashed with a calculating glint.
—What I want, I take. But I promise I won't try. However, if one day you yourself decide... you will have to settle for being just a mistress. You cannot be my wife. Your words today, created this outcome, never forget that.
Then he released her, returning to his original position as if nothing had happened.
Luci regained her mobility, but her body trembled. She couldn't believe what had happened. The strength Luis had shown in that instant was far greater than in the fight. She hadn't even been able to react. To him, she was just a toy.
The worst thing was that she would now be the escort of someone who could kill her like an ant. And stranger still... he had set a limit for her. It wasn't she who was rejecting the possibility of something else. It was he who had decided it.
Luis looked her up and down and snapped his fingers.
—That outfit is good... but this one is better—At the same time pointing his finger at her.
A black flame engulfed her body. In a matter of seconds, his clothes changed: he now wore a tight black suit, with the insignia of the Creation sect emblazoned across the chest. Over it, a long robe covered part of her slender figure.
—From today, you are my guard. Anyone who tries to attack or molest me, you will deal with. In addition, you will be my Sect's teacher of manners. But you can only teach when I don't need you.
Then, as always, Luis handed a bag of gold to Vernar. This time it contained 120,000 gold coins.
—I like your work. If you get any unique merchandise in the future, or anything you think I might be interested in, let Marin know. From now on, she will be your only means of communication with me. No one else will be able to contact me. She represents me here. Understood?
Vernar bowed his head respectfully.
—Of course, Señor Luis. It will be a pleasure.
He meant it sincerely. After seeing everything, he realised that Marin had been right: Luis could take it all down if he wanted to, and no one could stop him. Working with him was the best option.
With the deal done, they all left the place.
Luis was satisfied. He had gotten what he wanted. Now it was time to go back to the hotel and prepare his plan. Although, for it to work, there were still other things to do.
However, as they reached the gate sector, they came across a group of newly arrived slaves, to be assigned to their respective sectors.
Luis frowned slightly. A sixteen-year-old girl caught his eye.
—Interesting," he muttered to himself. An elf.