Chapter 34: A cruel game
Jaden sat at the edge of the bed as he stared at the wall with a distant expression on his face while mumbling.
"This is not an illusion..."
He continued to stare at the wall with the same expression. Until someone knocked on the door of his room, and a soft voice called out to him.
"Young master, your bath is ready."
"Alright..." Jaden replied in a low voice, which the maid didn’t quite hear, as she asked again.
"Young master?"
He let out a sigh as he stood up and walked towards the door while forcing himself to give his usual playful smile. He pulled open the doors and looked at the startled maid, who was looking at him with a confused expression on her face.
"I’ve heard you. You may leave."
The maid hurriedly bowed to him and left with quick steps. He looked at the departing figure of the maid as he remembered the mistwraiths who had attacked him and Selina.
’Picturebook.’
A blue screen appeared before him.
————[Picturebook]————
Entries Catalogued: 1
Sections: [Summons] [Spells] [Arts]
[Summons]
Mistwraith – [E]
Description: A being of flowing mist and a glass-like body.
Abilities: Mist Form, Wraith Claw
Summon Cost: 30 Mana
[Spells]
[1-star spells], [2-star spells - Unmastered]
[Arts]
[ Iron Body Form★ : 80%], [Shattering Fist ★ : 75%], [Dashing Step ★ : 77%], [Basic Sword Forms ★ : 69%], [Falling Petal Sword ★★ : 20%], [Gale Steps ★★ : 24%]
————[Picturebook]————
Jaden looked at the screen before him with a solemn expression as he moved his hand to touch it, his hand phased through the screen, and he let out a dejected sigh as he dismissed the screen.
He then walked to the bath a few steps away from his room. Entering the bath, he looked at himself in the mirror before taking off his clothes and collapsing into the golden tub filled with warm water.
He closed his eyes and let the warm water take away his fatigue. He stayed like that for about half an hour before a curse slipped out of his lips.
"Blasted hell..."
"When I first found the name of this grimzone, I believed it was a prison for me and the others... but who would have thought it was a prison for everyone." He muttered with a slight hint of bittersweetness and stepped out of the bath.
"It changes a lot of things... but it doesn’t change the fact that we have to escape from here." He mumbled as he walked out of the main bath area and stood before the wide mirror in the other part of the bath.
Looking at himself in the mirror, he concluded.
"I haven’t changed much, but I do appear a little muscular than before."
He picked up the blue shirt with golden patterns and white trousers placed on a nearby bronze shelf and wore them as he got ready to leave the bath. He checked himself in the mirror for one last time and stepped out of the bath.
His steps echoed within the empty hallway of the mansion as he made his way towards Shelly’s room.
A few moments later, he stood before the door of Shelly’s room and knocked on it. A moment later, the door creaked open as Shelly looked at him with her glassy grey eyes; her shoulder-length auburn hair was wet, hinting that she had just taken a bath.
Jaden let out an awkward cough and asked.
"Do you need some time?"
Shelly simply shook her head and pulled the door further. Jaden also shook his head and stepped inside.
She closed the door and turned to look at Jaden, who had a playful smile tugging at his lips.
"Did you go to meet the others?" he questioned as he sat at the edge of her bed.
Shelly nodded at his question.
Jaden, seeing her nod, asked.
"What did you all talk about?"
"Mark, Affinity and drainage system," Shelly answered in her usual flat tone.
"I see... Can you tell me everyone’s mark and affinities?"
Shelly looked at him for a moment and began listing.
"I, Mark of Storm, Water, Wind, Light, Darkness, Ice and Lightning.
Sir Navin, Mark of Nature, Earth, Wind, Water and Light.
Sir Arden, Mark of Sun, Fire and Light,
Sir Jamie, Mark of War, Lightning and Earth.
Young Lady, Mark of Moon, Water, Light, Ice and Wind."
Jaden listened to her words and raised an eyebrow as he questioned.
"Did you refer to Selina as ’young lady’?"
For the first time, Shelly showed a reaction, and a smile appeared on her face as she nodded.
"Why?"
She didn’t reply and just stood there like a lifeless statue. Seeing her act like that, He let out a sigh and spoke.
"Never mind... Can you ask them to meet again?"
She nodded.
"When?"
"Hmm... Tomorrow."
"Ok."
The room fell into silence as Shelly didn’t speak anymore, and Jaden simply had nothing to say...
’Not like she is a good chatting partner.’
"Please make sure everyone joins the meeting tomorrow."
She looked at him and replied with the same usual expression and voice.
"Don’t worry."
Jaden gave her a wry smile as he thought.
’How reliable...’
Turning around, he pulled the door as he left while chuckling to himself.
As he walked towards the hall, his path met with Theron, who had just returned from outside.
He greeted him with a bow and called out.
"Father."
Theron looked at him with his usual stern expression and gave him a nod before asking.
"How did your visit to the arcane library go?"
"It went great... Father."
Theron looked at Jaden with pride as he placed a hand on his shoulder and pressed it a bit before adding.
"I hope you are rewarded for your hard work... Son."
Even though Theron tried to hide it, Jaden caught the slight unwillingness in his words.
"I will be," Jaden added with confidence.
Theron smiled and gave him a small nod before continuing his steps.
’How cruel a game this is... even if it’s a stranger, you must call it a son.’