Li Mu walked beneath the rising sun, making his way toward the Li Mansion.
The city had begun to stir.
The scent of roasted peanuts and sweets drifted through the air—a quiet signal that the day had begun anew.
Step by step, he approached the gates.
Sneaking in was pointless.
He lacked the skill to go unnoticed.
As expected—
Selene stood at the entrance.
Waiting camly.
Her gaze locked onto him from afar.
For a brief moment, her face softened—
Then instantly turned cold.
She walked toward him.
Stopped.
And calmly raised her hand.
Li Mu stared into her purple eyes.
Mesmerizing.
Deep.
For a moment—
He drifted.
Until—
"AH—!"
"Wait—don't—!"
She grabbed his ears.
Hard.
"Where have you been?! Do you know how worried I was?!"
Li Mu winced, forcing a small smile, trying to pacify her—
Then his gaze shifted past her.
A figure approached.
Pink hair swaying radiantly.
Not soft—but valiant.
Her presence felt less like a noble lady—
And more like a warrior stepping onto a battlefield.
Li Qian.
She's changed…
Less hidden. More direct.
Li Mu met her gaze.
The air tightened as silence formed
Selene stepped back immediately, her expression smoothing out as she bowed.
"Greetings, Young Miss."
Li Qian's eyes flicked toward her.
"Learn your place."
"Do not grow so familiar with your master."
Selene's gaze lowered, hidden beneath her hair.
Li Mu glanced at his sister—
Then looked away.
"Selene. Let's go. We have things to do."
He stepped forward.
The guards remained motionless, like statues, allowing him to pass.
Li Qian followed.
Selene trailed behind.
Ahead—
The mansion stood tall.
Grand and oppressive in bearing.
Li Mu's gaze lingered.
A faint ripple stirred within him.
Memories deep and painful memories.
Everything began in a mansion.
And now—
He had returned to one.
His hands clenched.
Then slowly relaxed.
His eyes sharpened.
Around him, guards and maids moved to carry out various tasks.
Until—
He saw her.
A woman.
Seated in a wheelchair.
Time had touched her—
Yet failed to diminish her beauty.
She faced the garden.
Still and silent as if locked in a picture frame.
As if detached from the world.
Then—
She turned.
Their eyes met.
Li Mu's heart pounded.
Loud.
Heavy.
His thoughts blurred.
He didn't recognize her.
But his body—
Did.
Something within him stirred.
Familiar.
Important.
Gone.
Li Qian glanced once—
Then continued walking.
Selene gently tapped his shoulder.
Li Mu blinked.
The woman was gone.
Li Qian's voice came from ahead.
"She's a guest."
"The Marshal's daughter."
"He asked us to look after her."
Li Mu nodded.
But said nothing.
They entered the mansion.
The interior expanded before him.
A blend of ancient and modern.
Last time—
He hadn't noticed.
Now—
He took his time,letting it sink in.
Selene led them to his room.
It was simple and warm.A fireplace flickered softly.
A fur rug lay across the floor.
A bed.
A desk.
Shelves lined with books.
A candle burned slowly, releasing the scent of sandalwood.
Calming the mind.
"Your room is quite nice," Li Qian said lightly.
"Maybe I should move in."
Li Mu ignored her.
He sat down then looked at her.
"Why are you here?"
A simple question
Li Qian paused.
Thinking.
Then—
She snapped her fingers.
Selene understood immediately.
She bowed then left.
Click.
The door closed as silence lingered.
Li Qian stared at him.
"Where did you go last night?"
Li Mu leaned back slightly.
"Answering a question with a question…"
"A first."
A pause.
"Now—why are you here?"
His voice grew colder.
Li Qian frowned—
Then composed herself.
"We've been given a task—"
Click!
The door opened.
"Sorry. I'm late."
Li Chen stepped in.
Blue hair and confident deamenor.
Everything he wore screamed excess.
His grin widened as he looked at them.
"Li Qian… still beautiful as ever."
"And Li Mu…"
A pause.
"…still Li Mu."
Snort.
"As I was saying—we've got work."
"The clan gave us three days."
"To hunt a magical beast."
"To prepare for the Academy."
"They'll provide the potions…"
"But not the results."
A grin.
"We hunt it ourselves."
Li Mu remained silent.
Thinking.
His greatest weakness—
His was his body.
He nodded.
Li Qian turned immediately.
Click.
She left.
Li Chen followed.
Click.
Silence returned.
Alone—
Li Mu sat still.
Thinking.
They had all changed.
Li Qian— More direct and straightforward
Li Chen— More cunning.
Unpredictable.
And him—
He paused.
A flicker of white and red crossed his mind.
Of a figure stuck in a mansion.
"…I've changed too."
A quiet breath.
"Empathy…"
A faint smile spreas across his face.
"I hope to see you soon little slave."