Ughhhh… it's too bright.
Another morning. Another boring start.
I dragged myself out of bed, barely lifting my feet as I shuffled toward the bathroom. After splashing cold water on my face, I stared into the mirror, blinking at the strands of white hair that had returned overnight.
"Tch... more of them again?" I muttered, then lifted my hand, fingers brushing against the cool surface of the golden bracelet around my wrist. "Can you help me, Master?"
The bracelet shimmered in response. A faint vibration tickled my skin as a small, eerie red eye blinked open in its center. Wisps of thin, red smoke curled outward, swirling around my face and body before being drawn into my skin. In seconds, the white strands vanished, replaced by silky black hair once again.
I couldn't help but smile as I caressed the bracelet softly.
"Thank you… Master."
To anyone else, it was just an artifact. A supposedly defensive tool passed down from my father — the infamous Silver Slasher, an S-rank hunter feared across nations. Even he didn't realize the truth: that a sentient soul was slumbering inside the artifact he gave me. He entrusted it to me to protect myself in case of emergencies, never knowing the full extent of its power.
Honestly… neither did I.
"ren, come down for breakfast!"
The maid's voice snapped me out of my thoughts. I hurried downstairs where my whole family was waiting at the long dining table — my father, my mother, and my two overly proud older brothers.
"So, ren. How's school?" my father asked without even lifting his gaze from the newspaper.
"It's fine… We're learning about Gates. How to detect, classify, and analyze them…" I replied with the most neutral tone I could muster.
My father gave a single nod — his version of a pat on the back. He wasn't the affectionate type, but he had this silent way of making sure we were always safe. That was enough.
He then turned to my brothers and launched into a discussion about the latest Gate he cleared. I tried to focus, but my bracelet started to twitch. Master was… restless.
I kept him a secret from everyone — not because I didn't trust my family, but because I knew what they'd say. Dangerous. Forbidden. Cursed. They'd try to take him away.
After breakfast, I got ready for school. I paused at the mirror near the door, adjusted my glasses — another artifact, one that subtly altered my appearance. My brother's idea. That overprotective, annoying siscon said, "You're too pretty. Use this to blend in. I don't want creeps hovering around you." Whatever. I rolled my eyes every time I remembered it.
As I stepped outside, the black car was already waiting by the gate. The driver opened the door with a polite nod, and I climbed in.
On the way to the Academy, I spoke to Master telepathically. He was unusually agitated today.
> "There's a pulse. Mana… strange and familiar. Dangerous."
That word made me sit straighter. Dangerous. Master rarely used it.
Sigh. This world just keeps getting crazier.
I arrived at the Academy and hopped out of the car. One final glance in the side mirror — check. Plain. Average. Safe.
As I stepped onto the school grounds, my body tensed. Something wasn't right. My bracelet buzzed against my wrist like an angry bee.
> "Leave. Turn back. Danger."
I ignored it, scanning the area until I saw him.
He was in my class. We'd never spoken. Heck, I don't think he spoke to anyone. He looked so… average. Like a background character in someone else's story. But his eyes were off — dull, lifeless.
Yet something about him felt… wrong.
I followed him quietly. He seemed lost, which was strange. Who gets lost in their own school?
He stopped a teacher to ask for directions and got completely ignored.
Pfft. So cute.
I walked up, keeping a slight distance. "Hey. Are you lost?"
He turned to look at me. Just stared.
Master practically screamed in my head, cursing at him. Telling me to stop. To walk away. But I couldn't.
Then it happened.
His lips curled into a smile — but not a sweet one. It was twisted, sinister, almost playful. His eyes flickered with something that wasn't amusement. It was hunger.
I stepped back instinctively. I hadn't meant to… but it just happened.
Maybe he noticed. Because in the next moment, he apologized and asked for directions. Calm. Normal. Almost as if the smile hadn't happened at all.
I gave him the directions, watched him walk away toward the classroom.
And only then did my legs tremble.
That smile… that look… it sent shivers down my spine.
But not in fear.
No.
Something deep inside me whispered:
> "I want him."