Chapter 18 - Asteria

A tall man with a sharp and beardy face was standing inside the room. He wore a tight military greatcoat with a cape on his back and a green cap on his head. His aura was filled with bloodlust and fierceness.

This was the room of the general who lead the army to front line in case of wars. Yes, my friend was someone who had a military background…..quite unlike the former me, or even the current me.

I put my hand on his shoulder as our body became visible again.

"Still remember me, Waner?"

Waner was alrmed by my sudden entrance as fire formed on his hand as he decisively turned around and clawed on my neck, but before his hands could reach me it was completelynuetralized by Mei's aura.

"Is he really your friend? how come he is attacking you?…."

Mei whispered in my ears as I said while smiling.

"He just did that on instinct….dont mind that...."

Waner finally opened his eyes clearly to see who blocked his strike and was so surprised that his body shook as he fell over the bed behind him on his hip.

"E-ephistios?.....what the fuck!? am i dreaming?! how are you still alive dude?!"

Ah…..it's been a while since I've heard people call me by that name again.

Ephistios was actually my spaceship's name. Back when the name was engraved on the ship people mistook my name as 'Ephistios' since I never bothered telling people my name. And also I never corrected then after nbeing called by a wrong name. I never told anyone since my real name is very close and unique to me and it highlighted my connection with Mei as she was the one of the only two people who know my true name.

"Oh man...your mouth is still as foul as ever...…let me sit down and tell you what happened."

I said to him with an exasperated look on my face.

He quickly shot a glance at Mei and was dazed for a moment before he quickly recovered and a profound smile formed on his face.

"Come come sit!...This must be my sister-in-law!"

He laughed loudly as he made us sit on the sofa .

Mei's face reddened but she still nodded gently expressing her affirmation.

Waner was again a bit dazed by her elegant and beautiful actions, he quickly glanced at me before suddenly leaning forward to ask " Who the hell is she?! How can someone so mystically beautiful be not known by me?! She doesn't look like from this stellar field too by her outfit….."

"Chill out man! She's my wife! Celestial Gu Mei! You must have at least heard of her?"

I said as a proud expression formed on my face. Due to being an ancient celestial and her peerless looks, my Mei Mei was quite famous even in other stellar fileds too.

"Wtf?! How?! So it was you who married her!"

Waner was very surprised by my revelation. Celestial Gu Mei's paintings had captured many men's heart. She was a dream girl for many and the news of her marriage caused many people to be depressed.

"Shhhh….quitely…..we came without the entrance procedure!"

"Ah...oh….still as unruly as ever huh..."

Waner watched us together with a complex expression on his face as he thought 'Should i tell master? no no…..she would likely be so angry that the whole galaxy will burn down from her wrath…..but if I don't tell her…..she would most likely kill me if she comes to know from a different source...Fuck!'

I sensed his thought as I asked him with a earnest and serious expression on my face "How's teacher doing? Is she fine? where is she?"

Waner nodded his head as he said "Calm down I'll answer all your questions."

"First, master had locked herself inside Golden Origin Star since you left….and has never came out even once since then….but she should probably be alright since she still occasionally replies to my messages…."

"Oh….."

I nodded absent-mindedly with a lost expression on my face. My heart felt heavy.

Mei noticed my thoughts as she said "Dont worry…we'll meet her if you want to...don't worry about me….."

"Ah….you don't understand Mei….our relationship is very complex...."

My teacher was the first member of the star-spirit race and also the strongest person in Anatatos galaxy. Her name was Asteria. It literally meant stars. She was my mentor and taught me many things about magic and soul cultivation.

Though her behaviour was very eccentric when we first met and we were incompatible like fire and water. Time reshaped our relationship as soon I came to term with her behaviour and she with mine. Our relationship was formed by a war that took place when I enrolled in the army in order to experience a battlefield. The troops were lead by Asteria because of the unknown dangers.

By a coincidence the troops were trapped inside a mysterious realm which made it harder for her to keep the troop's morale up. This was when I felt compelled to step out and help. We became closer and closer as the time passed. Her sharp eyes would soften a bit whenver she saw me. Together we led the army to victory after a milion years with almost no casualties. Yeah the cosmic wars are pretty long.

I thought that this would be end of our time together and was a bit hesitant but then she suddenly proposed to me the idea of living with her on her star so that I could 'learn' from her by saying that I had immense talents.

We lived together under the same roof for almost a billion years until I finally decided to leave and continue my journey. Our relationship wasn't actually student-techer like but became more of a husband and wife type after we started living together.

I didn't get my feelings but I got the same vibe as with Mei so I liked being with her very much.

We got closer and closer until one day...I took her first time.

It was purely on instinct. My body moved itself. But our feeling of that time were still as real as ever.

Next day, I was so ashamed to face her that I left before dawn leaving a letter saying 'I am sorry Asteria…..l am not worthy enough for this...but we will surely meet again one day...'

Now that I could understand my and her feelings. All that's left is regrets.

"Mei Mei…..can I be selfish this one last time…..?"

Since we shared our feelings Mei understood what I was talking about.

"I know the pain of losing one's beloved and I think you should meet her…..I support you"

Mei said with a complex face but her eyes were still worried and anxious.

I hugged her tightly while bringing her head on my chest.

"Thank you Mei Mei..."