"You've been reincarnated as a god, not a mere servant. Seek vengeance, display the might of your newfound power, for you are a unique presence in this world," Rowan urged, but Arion hesitated.
He clenched his fist and gritted his fist, glaring at the dragon. He thought he must be insane to have thought anyone cared about him.
Arion knew that the dragon and the mysterious figures who had reincarnated him had nothing else in store for him but revenge.
However, he now yearned not only for revenge but also to uncover the truth behind his family's extermination.
The morning starts with a soft glow filtering through the curtains as birds chirp outside, signaling the beginning of a new day.
Suddenly, the peaceful ambiance is shattered by the sharp clatter of swords as disciples engage in vigorous practice, their determined shouts echoing through the air and piercing into Arion's dorm window, jolting him awake with a sense of urgency.
Jumping to the edge of his bed, Arion buried his chin in his palms, beginning to contemplate what to do.
He couldn't simply dismiss the dragon's warning, yet he found himself wavering on the path of vengeance as he got deeper into the world's affairs.
"I should focus on my own business, not the world's!" He muttered, vexed. Just waking up, he had developed slight headache from rasp thoughts.
Just then, a knock on his door interrupted his thoughts. He hastily put on a shirt, leaving it unbuttoned, and opened the door to find Liora holding a plate of creamy baked goods.
Arion's temper flared further, annoyed that someone he considered an adversary was wasting his time. "Hey! Are you gonna sulk at the door?!"
Her gaze momentarily lingered on his chiseled abs, her eyes widened as icy chills ran down her spine and her lips curled into an amazed smile.
Diverting her attention away, she explained that she had brought him some cookies.
Annoyance surged within him, and he abruptly closed the door.
Liora shrugged, believed that his old self had located him.
As he dressed in a long black jacket and gripped his sword, Arion decided to leave and get the answer he demanded from Master Chen.
To his surprise, Liora was still at the door when he opened it again.
"Hey, woman! Don't you know when someone doesn't want to see you?!!! I have my life and you have yours so why must you frustrate me this much?!" he yelled, startling the passing disciples who watched with astonishment.
Liora looked at him, not surprised but displeased. The plate slipped from her hands, cookies scattering on the ground.
Unfazed, Arion remained resolute in his decision to distance himself from her and world affairs. "Stop lingering around me, woman. You infuriate me!" He turned his back and left, leaving the stunned onlookers behind.
Clenching her fists, anger coursed through Liora's veins as she walked away to her room. One of the male disciples standing nearby instructed a passing maid to clean up the mess, intrigued by the apparent tension between them, even when Arion was just a stable worker.
Arion propelled into the sky, rainbow magic propelling him away from Golangane towards Silver Land. He remembered the promise Master Chen had made to reveal the truth about his family's demise if he could master self-control.
Now that he had regained control over himself, Arion intended to hold Master Chen to his word, no matter the cost.
He pondered if the Rowan's words had been correct and if he had become too entangled in worldly affairs.
"Nothing will stand in my way now! Just the truth and their heads would be played as volley in heaven!" he declared.
Landing infront of Master Chen's previously invisible house, he dispelled the magic concealing it. As he prepared to enter, a young girl ran out, smiling broadly as she hugged him.
Arion's resolve wavered for a moment. He couldn't fathom why he felt half of his anger dissipate when the girl hugged him.
Most importantly, he was surprised that the girl was living with the old ass.
Before he could react further, the girl spoke. "Master said that a man with great power and a kind heart would come, and when he does, I should welcome him with a big smile and a hug. He said you'd like it!"
He smirked, bending down to her level. He placed his palms on the girl's shoulders.
The girl continued to smile brightly, gazing into his eyes. With a feigned smile, he asked, "What do you see in me?"
Her innocent response surprised him.
"I can see the kindness in your eyes, the kind that doesn't wish harm upon others. You're as kind-hearted as Master said you'd be."
Arion couldn't help but acknowledge the girl's perceptiveness. "Kind-hearted? You and your master must be mistaken," he retorted, rising to his feet. He glanced at the door, looking for Master Chen.
"It doesn't matter if you don't see yourself as kind. You have a powerful demon system within you, yet you never use it," the girl said, locking eyes with him. "That's the mark of a good person."
That just woke his memory of his day of reincarnation: he had an unactivated demon system.
Arion met the girl's gaze and, his mind supplied her name: Sarah. She was undoubtedly the daughter of the possessed man, the girl who had lived in the palace charity home. But...
Arion didn't allow his mind to dwell on this revelation. He realized that Master Chen had saved her when he had already forgotten he had someone to save.
Nevertheless, people's affairs were no longer his concern.
He shrugged nonchalantly and heard Master Chen's voice from the house's wooden gate. Arion turned at him.
Arion glared at him, and when Master Chen sensed the tension, he instructed the girl to take the fish he was holding to the kitchen.
"Sarah, could you take this fish to the kitchen? I also have to talk with this mister," said Master Chen.
"Yes, master," Sarah ran to him and collected the catfish from him. Then she frolicked inside.
Master Chen questioned Arion's presence.
"Why are you here? To demand the truth about your family's death, I presume?" he asked.
"Tell me now, or I won't spare the girl's life," Arion threatened. Master Chen cackled, underestimating Arion's resolve. Did he just think this was a joke?
Stretching his arm toward the entrance door, an invisible force dragged Sarah out and pinned her neck to Arion's hand, "Are you going to tell me or not?"
Arion knew what he was doing wasn't proper, but that's all he could do to get answer.
Surprisingly, Master Chen smirked, a reaction Arion hadn't expected.
Then, the girl whispered a strange spell into Arion's ear, causing him to lose his balance. He released his grip on the girl, his vision fading rapidly. His legs gave way, and he fell.
"What....what have you done?" Arion questioned painfully. He sprawled in the ground, preventing himself from giving up.
Through fading sight, Arion saw Master Chen transform into someone else.
"An imposter!" Arion mumbled under his breath.
His vision blurred further as he witnessed the girl transform into a fair-skinned and moderately built woman in black attire, having a slanted mark on her face.
It was then Arion realized that he had suppressed a vital memory earlier. Even now, neither the dragon nor his own power could save him. The imposter laughed hysterically, donned in royal attire with flowing hair, confirming Arion's suspicions.
"So, Golangane's mountain god is nothing more than this?" the Silver King taunted. His soldiers emerged from hiding, surrounding Arion's limp body.
"Take him away!" the Silver King ordered. Arion was lifted into a casket, and was taken away. The woman, who served the demon realm royals, approached the Silver King.
"I can only be compensated in one way, Your Highness," she said.
"Very well, let's return to my palace," the Silver King decided.
The woman was an immortal witch and the last member of the witch clan after others were eliminated by the first Silver King.
For every mission she helped the Silver Kings do, she got to have a night with them.
Then the woman sensed a powerful presence on the ground, a sword she believed dropped from the mountain god. Unsheathing it, she was awestruck by the intricate runes adorning the blade.
"My king, I believe we've stumbled upon something extraordinary!" she exclaimed, passing the sword to the Silver King. He marveled at the intricate spells etched into the blade.
"A dragon-forged sword? This is a magnificent find!"