The Black Clan leader erupted in fury, searching for the one who had defeated his subordinates. Chaos engulfed the marketplace as people scrambled to escape, trying to save themselves from the escalating turmoil.
Realizing the destruction she had caused, Merlin took a deep breath and stepped forward, accepting responsibility.
"Hey, Black Clan leader! I'm right here! Why waste your time looking for me? Your men were nothing—they couldn't even lay a finger on me!" Merlin shouted, her voice filled with defiance.
The Black Clan leader turned his fiery gaze toward her, puzzled by how someone so small and seemingly fragile had managed to overpower his well-trained subordinates.
"You've got some nerve, defeating my men without so much as a weapon. Now, I'll teach you a lesson about the power of the Black Clan!" he declared, lowering into an aggressive stance, ready to attack.
Merlin calmly readied herself, channeling her internal energy to her hands and feet. She remained cautious, keeping her hood and face covering intact. The disguise was crucial to maintaining her anonymity—her piercing blue eyes were too distinctive and would draw unwanted attention.
The leader launched his first attack with immense force, creating a gust of wind that scattered everything in its path. But Merlin didn't flinch; she stood firm, observing his every move.
Frustrated, the leader intensified his assault, delivering a blow strong enough to send nearby debris flying. Yet Merlin remained unscathed, shielded by an invisible barrier formed by her mastery of internal energy.
Enraged by his futile efforts, the leader drew his sword and charged. However, as he closed in on Merlin, her hood slipped slightly, revealing her blue eyes.
The sight stopped him in his tracks. His expression shifted from fury to shock, and then to fear. He immediately dropped his weapon and sank to his knees.
"Forgive me. I didn't know you were from the Blue Clan," he muttered, bowing his head. His subordinates, equally shaken, followed suit, dropping to their knees in submission.
Merlin was stunned. "What are you talking about?" she asked, utterly confused.
The leader refused to explain. Overwhelmed with humiliation, he quickly retreated, calling for his men to withdraw.
As they rode away, he grumbled under his breath, "Of all the people to cross paths with, it had to be someone from the Blue Clan. If not for that cursed pact and their protective power, I could've eliminated her easily."
Merlin stood frozen, bewildered by the sudden turn of events. Why had the feared Black Clan leader fled in such terror? And what did the mention of the Blue Clan mean?
As she pondered, the marketplace began to stir. The once-fearful merchants emerged from hiding, celebrating the unexpected victory. They cleaned up the aftermath of the fight and reopened their stalls, returning the market to its usual lively state.
The merchant Merlin had saved approached her with gratitude.
"Thank you for helping us, sir. Would you honor us by visiting our tavern and enjoying a meal on the house?" he asked, bowing respectfully.
Merlin, her hunger now undeniable, accepted the offer. She retrieved her hood from where it had fallen during the fight and followed the merchant to the tavern.
Inside, the merchant served her a variety of dishes. Merlin removed her hood to eat more comfortably, unaware that someone from a distance was watching her closely.
The moment Merlin's blue eyes became visible, the observer's expression changed. They immediately rolled a small, smoke-emitting orb into the tavern.
Thick smoke engulfed the room, causing panic. Merlin quickly stood, but before she could react further, a hand grabbed her and whisked her away into the sky.
Merlin struggled against her abductor, but the flight made it nearly impossible to fight back. They eventually landed in a secluded forest near a serene lake.
Once grounded, Merlin attempted to strike, but her captor easily deflected her attacks. They sprinkled a black powder onto her eyes, momentarily blinding her.
"What have you done to my eyes, you scoundrel?!" Merlin shouted, trying in vain to wipe the powder away.
The figure spoke calmly. "Blue Clan members must never reveal their eyes to outsiders. This powder will conceal your identity. Do not let anyone else see your eyes again."
Merlin froze, her confusion deepening. "What is the Blue Clan? Why does it matter that my eyes are blue?"
Her captor scoffed. "You don't even know about your own clan? I don't have time to educate a fool. I'm on a mission to find the missing princess of the Blue Clan," they said before taking off into the sky, leaving Merlin alone by the lake.
Merlin stood there, overwhelmed. Disguised as a man, she had no idea about the so-called Blue Clan or its significance. Her blue eyes, long regarded as a mark of blindness by society, now seemed to hold a deeper mystery.