A frail child pointed at one of the most revered people in the world and declared he wanted to take his place.

The crowd erupted. No one had expected the first child to be baptized would say something like that during the ceremony. That was the Holy Son of the Kingdom of Seir, the King's most beloved youngest son!

And some brat, no one even knew where he came from, actually said he wanted to replace him? What a joke!

That kind of statement didn't sound like it came from an innocent child with a pure heart. It sounded like he was possessed by a demon!

Someone in the crowd shouted, "A demon!"

But if he really was a demon, he would have been consumed by the baptismal pool the moment he entered it, suffering unbearable pain. Clearly, that was not the case with this child.

The Holy Son's expression finally changed. After all, he was still just a teenager.

"That will not do. Becoming the Holy Son takes more than talent. You also need the right temperament and learning."

"Oh," Ruan Xing replied, sounding bored. "Then never mind."

It was like a mischievous kid throwing a fit for a toy at someone else's party, only to find out the toy was hard to get and not that fun after all. He left, leaving behind a mess.

No one paid attention to the rest of the baptism ceremony. Everyone was busy discussing who that first child was.

Word came from the Holy Knights that the Knight Commander had picked him up outside.

Picked up? No wonder he was so rude. He was like a feral child.

The Holy Son closed the book in his hand and turned slightly. "You were the one who found this child?"

The young man nodded. "Yes."

The Holy Son chuckled meaningfully. "You have a good eye."

The silver-haired knight said nothing.

Ruan Xing lay on a hard wooden bed, staring at the ceiling, deep in thought.

That city was strange. It could dig into the depths of a person's memories and even pull their consciousness into an illusion. But how could he escape it?

What about his body in the outside world?

For some reason, Ruan Xing had a subconscious feeling that, just like how Fu Zhi could cut down a horde of "Ruan Xings" without flinching, he too would need to do something decisive to break free from this illusion.

The next morning, the freshly baptized children were brought to a classroom in the holy sanctuary.

"You have just been baptized. Some of you have great potential," the stern teacher said from the podium. "But your conduct leaves much to be desired."

The other students turned to look at Ruan Xing. Clearly, they'd all heard what happened yesterday.

"So for our first class, we will be teaching you uneducated children what it means to show respect."

And just like that, Ruan Xing was made to stand the entire morning as a lesson in "respecting" the teacher.

When the bell rang, he did not go back to the dormitory like the others. Instead, he headed toward the sanctuary.

It was the Holy Son's lesson time, so the knight was bound to be outside.

Ruan Xing glanced at the lavish classroom, so different from the rest. He could not help but sigh. The taste of privilege was really something. No wonder people got addicted to it.

"What are you doing here?"

The man looked at Ruan Xing. Today, he wore a new set of white armor with gold trim. A long white sword hung at his waist as he stood guard outside the classroom.

Ruan Xing glanced at the sword. "Came to see you."

"See me?" The man looked surprised.

"Thank you for saving me. If it were not for you, I would have died in the jaws of those hyenas."

Ruan Xing looked at the man before him. His emerald green eyes curved slightly. The smile was far more sincere than the one he had worn during the baptism.

The man looked young. It was hard to believe this was the Knight Commander of the kingdom.

He tilted his head. "You were still conscious back then?"

In truth, he was not. Even after many dealings with the knight later on, Ruan Xing had no idea this man was the one who saved him and brought him to the sanctuary.

But now he knew. "Yes. I saw your face."

The man nodded and was about to speak when the main doors opened.

The Holy Son walked out with his attendants. He looked surprised to see Ruan Xing at the steps below, then said coldly from above, "Let's go."

The knight glanced at Ruan Xing, then politely took his leave.

Ruan Xing watched the golden-haired boy and silver-haired knight walk away. He thought, this guy is even more annoying than I remembered.

That afternoon, there were no lectures. They were supposed to enter the sanctuary for meditation, to maintain a pure and clear heart.

Ruan Xing sat on a chair, now dressed in a white robe that contrasted starkly with his black hair. He propped his hands on the seat and dangled his thin legs, gazing up at the statue above. But all he could think about was the silver-haired youth.

"Ruan Xing, you need to focus during meditation. Otherwise, the gods will punish you."

The supervising teacher's tone was stern and unpleasant. He clearly didn't like this troublemaker.

In his past life, Ruan Xing had been a well-behaved child. He knew it was a stroke of luck to be accepted into the sanctuary, so he was always careful to please everyone.

But being "obedient" would never keep him alive.

The black-haired boy stood up and nodded politely. "Sorry, Teacher. I am not feeling well and cannot meditate properly. I will be leaving now."

Amidst the shocked stares of the other children and the teacher's darkening face, Ruan Xing strolled out.

For several months afterward, he used the same excuse to skip every meditation session. He never attended prayers or showed any reverence for the gods.

Rumors flew like snowflakes.

Everyone knew the sanctuary had taken in a child with black hair. But instead of being grateful, he insulted the Holy Son during the baptism, refused to pray or meditate, and openly disrespected the divine.

The Inquisition filed a report to the Holy Son.

That report was later passed to the Knight Commander.

The Holy Son smiled as he looked at the uncharacteristically silent knight. "You really did find quite the seedling. I've never seen the Inquisition target a child who cannot even use magic."

The knight's eyes lowered to the documents scattered on the floor, all filled with accusations against Ruan Xing.

If this continued, Ruan Xing would be severely punished. He could even be expelled from the sanctuary.

"What brings you here today?"

The silver-haired youth was not wearing his usual armor but a simple white robe that shimmered like his hair. "I heard about what has been happening."

Ruan Xing's smile faded as he tucked his slightly long black hair behind his ear. "Oh? You came to give me a lecture?"

Life in the sanctuary was not like the hardship outside. His face had filled out, and his skin had become smooth and radiant.

The silver-haired knight shook his head. "I only came to tell you, do not make an enemy of the Holy Son."

"Are you saying that for your master's sake, or mine?" the black-haired boy asked.

The young man had no answer.

If it were for the Holy Son, why would he care about this boy at all? After all, Ruan Xing posed no threat. But he could not say that out loud.

"I see." The boy turned and walked off with a light step.

Later, the knight saw Ruan Xing again during sword training. He was clearly unskilled, his movements stiff and lacking strength.

The young man stepped forward and held his sword hand.

"That is not how you swing a sword."

Ruan Xing looked at him, his pupils filled with the knight's reflection.

The slender sword drew a smooth arc through the air. "Clang!" The wooden training dummy was sliced cleanly at the limbs.

Gasps rose from the other students.

The silver-haired knight looked at Ruan Xing and smiled. "Got it now?"

The chill in his icy blue eyes faded, replaced with warmth.

Ruan Xing shook his head. "No. Can I get private lessons?"

The knight hesitated for a moment. "Sure. Come find me tonight."

When Ruan Xing found the youth behind a grove later that night, sword in hand, he was already waiting. He wore light armor, and his silver hair glowed in the dark.

"Swordsmanship is, in essence, the art of killing. Always remember that…"

The young man was an excellent teacher—young but extremely capable and patient.

Ruan Xing watched the way his lips moved, thin and slightly upturned at the corners. But because he usually kept a stern face, he never looked particularly approachable.

"Are you even listening?" the man frowned, pausing the demonstration.

Ruan Xing quickly picked up the sword and replied, "I was just confused by that move. Can you show it again?"

"This one requires strength from the waist…" The knight pointed to his own waist.

Ruan Xing still couldn't get it.

The young man placed his hand on Ruan Xing's waist. "Here. Can you feel it now?"

"Yeah. I get it now…"

Under the moonlight, their figures gradually overlapped.

In just a few days, Ruan Xing's swordsmanship "improved by leaps and bounds."

The knight said that since they were training as mages, they didn't need to master swordplay, just enough to pass the exams.

Ruan Xing asked, "You have magical talent. Why did you want to become a knight?"

The young man answered, "Family tradition."

Just like in his memories. Ruan Xing smiled. "Ever consider doing both magic and sword? I am a pretty good teacher."

He had plenty of experience teaching magic apprentices and was excellent at breaking things down.

Under Ruan Xing's coaxing, the knight's fingertips finally sparked with a tiny flame.

The warm orange glow reflected in his ice-blue eyes, turning them into a soft brown, like honey.

Ruan Xing smiled. "If you want to learn, I can teach you more."

But the silver-haired knight shook his head. "No need. You do not have the time."

Final exams were coming, and the students' daily schedules were packed. Some studied late into the night.

Even though Ruan Xing said he was fine, the knight did not want to burden him. Anyone who failed the final selection would be sent to the most dangerous and distant places from the sanctuary.

So, their lessons came to a pause.

At the trial arena, the examiner looked at the crystal in front of him and could not close his mouth. "H-High-tier magic?!"

The Holy Son was still a step away from reaching high-tier. Did that mean Ruan Xing had already surpassed him?

But this kid couldn't even use magic two or three years ago!

Ruan Xing became the talk of the sanctuary again.

Only this time, people were not gossiping about the demon child, but wondering what the sanctuary would do with someone who had surpassed all the previous Holy Sons.

He outshone everyone in tests and debates, and reached high-tier magic in just a few years. In both temperament and talent, he was simply too outstanding.

Whispers filled the sanctuary. All eyes turned to the Holy Son, who was buried in his studies as usual. But his silver-haired knight looked somewhat troubled.

Soon, shocking news arrived.

All the graduates of that class had died in the abyss during their final trial—including the black-haired boy stronger than the Holy Son.

Ruan Xing opened his eyes.

He was not staring at the same black ceiling as always.

Fate had reached another crossroads.

"You do not look surprised."

The golden-haired Holy Son stood outside a cell, staring at Ruan Xing.

Behind him, the young trial participants huddled together in fear. In the distance, the roar of beasts and human screams mingled into a symphony of hell.

This was the sanctuary's dungeon. Those who betrayed the gods were punished here.

When he saw Ruan Xing glance behind him, the Holy Son chuckled. "If only you had gone missing, it would have seemed too suspicious. So they all came to keep you company."

Ruan Xing stared at him quietly.

"What is that look on your face?"

Ruan Xing stood up and looked down at the chain piercing through his collarbone. It clinked as he moved, but he showed no pain. "I once heard a story."

The Holy Son smiled. "Go on."

"There were three princes. When the King died, the eldest cried so much he went blind. The second sailed off seeking a resurrection elixir and drowned. The third inherited the throne."

"Unlucky bunch," the Holy Son said.

"But later, people found out the eldest was loved by all and had been blinded by the third. The second was powerful and had been thrown into the sea. Only the third, out of jealousy, eliminated his brothers to seize the throne."

The Holy Son's face turned cold. "You think I am jealous of you?"

Ruan Xing looked at him and said nothing, but his expression said everything.

The Holy Son scoffed. His golden hair glinted sharply in the dungeon's darkness.

"No matter the reason, the third prince still won in the end. I bet whoever uncovers the truth ends up badly."

He reached out, tracing the outline of Ruan Xing's face from a distance.

"Thanks for the story. But just because the eldest prince escaped does not mean you can."

Ruan Xing raised his eyes.

"With the potential to become a grand mage, your body, your blood, your green eyes, and your black hair will all become stepping stones on my path to greatness."

The white robes rustled against the black floor. The golden-haired youth leaned down with a cruel smile. "You are only fit to be the sanctuary's dog. My stepping stone."

Ruan Xing looked up calmly. "If you talk to a dog, does that not make you a dog too?"

The Holy Son tilted his head. "Such a sharp tongue. Then stay here."

Ruan Xing was imprisoned, just as the golden-haired youth had said. His flesh, his bones, even his nails were ground in this hell.

He endured the most wicked punishments and underwent the most painful transformation.

Yet no matter how many times the Holy Son came, Ruan Xing remained calm. He even had the leisure to count bricks on the wall and watch the rats in the corner.

Winter turned to spring. Time barely moved in this place.

One day, light spilled in again. The golden-haired youth burst in, furious. "What did you do to my knight?! He actually talked back to me for your sake! If he saw you now, would he be too disgusted to eat for three days?"

"You are just some half-decent witch's son. Everyone here is nobler than you. Picked up off the street, and you think you can become a grand mage?"

Ruan Xing slowly turned from the ceiling. His unbandaged left eye stared at the tantrum-throwing youth like he was a loud little clown.

With the purest face, the Holy Son spewed the vilest words. "You little bastard. You will always wallow in the mud, just like your mother!"

Ruan Xing frowned. Did that part exist in his memory?

"You were there, right? When your mother was burned alive. Watching her writhe in the flames, begging you to run. You must have been even more miserable than now."

Even with a collar around his neck, the long-haired youth remained composed.

"You really pissed me off," Ruan Xing said, smiling with green eyes.

A violent magical surge burst from him, making the air tremble.

The chains on his body shattered in an instant. In a blur, he appeared in front of the bars and grabbed the Holy Son's throat.

The black-haired youth tilted his head. His cold breath hit the other's face, raising goosebumps.

His gaze was indifferent. "What exactly are you? You can access my memories?"

The Holy Son's eyes widened in shock. Beneath his skin, something writhed and pulsed.

This thing was definitely not human. It was not the Holy Son from his memory.

Suddenly, his perfect skin split open, and a long vine shot out at Ruan Xing. But he tilted his head and grabbed it.

The fake Holy Son struggled. "How? Was my act not convincing?"

Ruan Xing chuckled. "That guy never knew I was there when my mother died."

Power surged and swallowed the golden-haired youth. His eyes rolled back, and Ruan Xing clenched his throat. A loud crack echoed. The neck bent unnaturally.

The thing went limp like trash and was tossed aside.

Ruan Xing's eyes were cold as the illusion around him began to melt like wax.

 

 

 

Author's note: I know flashbacks aren't everyone's favorite, but don't worry, it won’t be too long!