Sid stood at the edge of the gathered students, his posture rigid, his mind heavy.
Just last night, his world had come crashing down.
Upon returning home from the caravan journey, he had been met with devastating news—his father, the Town Mayor, had secretly fathered another child. A four-year-old boy.
Not just any child.
This boy had awakened his Soul Imprint at the age of four—an almost unheard-of feat. More than that, he possessed a double-attributed Soul Imprint, a rarity that signified overwhelming talent in cultivation.
Sid had spent his entire life believing he was destined to be the next family head, the rightful heir to the Garnett Family's authority in town. He had trained, planned, and carried himself as the future leader.
But in one night, it was all taken from him.
His father no longer acknowledged him as the heir. The position of Young Lord was stripped away.
Even worse—his father had gone as far as to expel him from the family estate.
"Fend for yourself," his father had said.
His so-called friends and followers abandoned him overnight, eager to ingratiate themselves with the new heir.
Only two of his lackeys—Lars and Dain—had remained by his side, still loyal despite his fall from grace.
Sid had spent the night in a cold alley, his mind running through the situation again and again. Anger had burned within him, but he had forced himself to remain calm. He was not a fool. Breaking down wouldn't change anything.
Instead, he planned.
He needed a base, a place to call his own, somewhere he could start rebuilding his influence. His eyes had fallen upon the ruined shop that had collapsed under mysterious circumstances.
The location was perfect.
If he could claim it, he could restart his life.
But there was one problem—it was now in Nile's name.
That nobody, that cursed boy, had become the owner of the one place Sid needed most.
Sid clenched his fists.
That shop will be mine.
And for that, he had devised a plan.
He would manipulate the situation, turn it to his advantage. He knew how to play the game. He knew how to make people move.
---
Sid's eyes locked onto Nile, who stood idly near the gate, seemingly uninterested in everything happening around him.
A smirk curled on Sid's lips. This was his moment.
Lars was the first to act. His voice rang out in mock surprise, loud enough for the crowd to hear.
"Well, well—if it isn't the Cursed One."
A few heads turned.
Dain followed up, pretending to whisper dramatically. "Careful, Lars! Don't stand too close! He might bring the whole school down just like he did with that shop!"
Whispers spread through the students.
"Wait… wasn't he staying in that shop?"
"I heard it just collapsed out of nowhere. What are the chances…?"
"My uncle says some people carry bad karma. Maybe he's one of them."
Sid watched with satisfaction as Nile's name was dragged through the mud.
Perfect, Sid thought. They're buying it. He's isolated now. Let's see if the boy can resist.
Sid's mind raced with the possibilities. Nile, isolated and vulnerable, would be an easy target. Sid just had to push him a little further, taunt him enough, and he would crack.If he just lashes out and starts a fight here just like before, Sid and his lackeys can play victim and have Nile arrested by the guards and later for settlement he will demand for the land deed of the shop in cultivation Market. Feeling assured of success Sid feels joy in his heart.
But to his frustration—Nile did not react.
Instead, the boy stood still, his golden eyes unreadable.
Sid's smirk faltered. Come on, Nile… show me your weakness.
Sid was not ready for this. He thought he was in control. He waited, silently coaxing Nile to retaliate, to lash out.
Jessica, who had overheard, tensed. But when she saw Nile's calm demeanor, she sighed in relief.
Sid gritted his teeth. This wasn't enough.
Then he remembered something from the caravan journey.
Back then, Nile had only lost control after his mother was insulted.
Sid's lips curled into a grin.
He leaned toward his lackeys and whispered, "Spread rumors about his mother."
They hesitated for a moment, then obeyed.
A new wave of whispers began.
"I bet his mother's just as useless."
"His father probably abandoned his mother and him because they are cursed"
"Like mother, like son—trash."
A shift occurred.
Nile, who had remained perfectly calm, suddenly stiffened.
Jessica's heart pounded.
James narrowed his eyes, stepping forward slightly—but before he could interfere he froze.
Slowly, Nile turned his head toward Sid.
His golden eyes locked onto him.
Sid smirked—until something changed.
A foreign presence rippled through the air, like an invisible storm gathering strength.
Deep within Nile's soul, a butterfly stirred.
It wasn't an ordinary butterfly—it was his Soul Imprint, an entity that had yet to fully reveal its nature.
In that moment, it reacted.
A ripple of primordial energy spread outward.
Sid's entire body froze. His breath caught in his throat. His mind screamed at him to run, but his legs wouldn't move.
For the first time in his life, Sid felt something terrifying.
A presence older than time itself.
A whisper of death brushed against his soul.
James felt it too.
Then, just as suddenly—it was gone.
Nile took a deep breath. Swallowed his fury.
He turned away and walked out of the school grounds.
Jessica and James silently followed.
Sid collapsed to his knees, soaked in sweat, feeling the weight of the encounter as his confidence shattered into pieces. His plan had nearly succeeded—but in the end, it was he who had been played.
And James, watching Nile from behind, thought to himself:
This boy… is dangerous.
Sid, still trembling, struggled to his feet. He had planned to snatch a land from Nile, but the overwhelming presence Nile had just displayed had shaken him to his core.
But no matter how terrifying Nile's power was… Sid still had his resolve.
His plan was about that land was over. He had underestimated Nile once, and that was a mistake he would not repeat.