Princess Merlin, known for her blue eyes, was widely assumed to be blind due to the distinct color of her eyes. It was evident to everyone, and no one doubted her blindness.
However, contrary to their assumptions, Merlin was not blind. She could still see perfectly well, although her eye color remained unchanged.
One night, Merlin decided to secretly leave her home to gather information. Her objective was clear—she needed answers and sought revenge against the friend who had caused her blindness.
Since becoming blind, Merlin had left the academy. But now that her sight had returned, she was determined to re-enroll and settle the score.
Using a flying technique she had mastered, Merlin quietly leaped over the tall perimeter wall of her home. She successfully escaped by disguising herself as an ordinary villager. She borrowed a set of clothes from Lia, one of the male servants, and dressed as a man. Merlin knew traveling as a woman would make her more vulnerable, especially since she was sneaking out in secret.
Once outside, Merlin wandered through the familiar roads leading to the academy. She kept her head low as she passed by, pulling her hood tightly over her face. Her striking blue eyes made her easily recognizable, so she covered her face with a cloth for added concealment.
As she walked through the market, Merlin was astonished by the bustling scene. The crowd of vendors and customers haggling over goods was a sight she had never encountered. This world was entirely different from her own—its wooden structures and ancient design, ruled by a feudal kingdom, left her in awe.
As she continued, a commotion nearby caught her attention. A group of men was attacking a merchant who could not repay his debts.
The chaotic scene revealed the harsh reality: the market's onlookers stood silent, too terrified to intervene. The attackers were part of a feared gang, notorious for their cruelty and their ruthless leader, who was known for his unparalleled strength.
Merlin scanned the area, noticing how everyone turned a blind eye to the injustice. Anger surged within her as the gang's actions crossed every moral boundary.
"Alright, I'll step in. This is a good opportunity to test my skills," Merlin thought. She approached the scene without hesitation.
The largest of the gang members was mercilessly beating the merchant. Merlin boldly stepped in and stopped him.
"What do you think you're doing, assaulting a defenseless person like this?" Merlin shouted, drawing the attention of everyone around.
The gang turned to face Merlin, surprised by her interference. With her face partially covered, her identity remained hidden, and her appearance seemed peculiar to them.
"Who are you to interfere with us? Do you not know we are from the Black Clan? Our power is unmatched—we could crush someone as weak as you in an instant!" one of them barked, furious that their actions were being interrupted.
Normally, no one dared to challenge the Black Clan. Their reputation for killing those who failed to repay their debts was enough to instill fear. Now, seeing someone stand up to them enraged the gang members, who immediately attacked Merlin.
The group of seven surrounded her and launched a coordinated assault.
Merlin deftly evaded their strikes using her light-body technique, a skill she had perfected. With precision, she countered by disarming one of the attackers, seizing his sword, and swiftly striking back.
The fierce battle drew the attention of the entire market. Shopkeepers closed their stalls, hiding indoors while observing the fight from a distance.
The Black Clan was infamous for their strength, often overwhelming anyone who opposed them. If one group fell, reinforcements from the entire clan would follow, creating an unstoppable force.
Despite knowing the risks, Merlin courageously fought alone, unarmed at first. She had intended only to gather information about the academy, but now she found herself caught in a battle with the Black Clan.
Merlin refrained from fatally injuring her opponents. Instead, she targeted their legs, rendering them immobile and ensuring they couldn't fight back.
By the end of the intense battle, Merlin emerged victorious. All seven attackers lay incapacitated on the ground, unable to stand.
Merlin discarded the sword and sternly warned them, "Never cause trouble in this market again."
The gang's brutality had long tormented the merchants, extorting them with exorbitant interest rates and seizing their stalls when they failed to pay. Merlin didn't know the full extent of their crimes, but she couldn't stand by and watch such cruelty unfold before her.
After ensuring her opponents were defeated, Merlin helped the merchant to his feet and led him to safety.
"Are you alright?" she asked.
"Son, you shouldn't have gotten involved," the merchant replied, his voice trembling with fear. "They'll call for reinforcements and bring their leader here. This isn't over."
Merlin shook her head. "Don't worry about me. I'll handle whatever comes next."
The merchant's eyes widened with concern. "You don't understand. Their leader is incredibly strong and ruthless. No one has ever survived opposing him."
True to the merchant's warning, the sound of galloping horses soon filled the air. A large group of Black Clan reinforcements arrived, led by their formidable leader. His menacing presence silenced the market once more.
"Who dares attack my men?" the leader roared, his voice echoing through the market.
The merchants cowered in fear, knowing the reputation of the Black Clan and the terror their leader inspired.