The Mage Of Primordial Chaos Chapter 4
Advertisement
- 2022, November 7th. Present Time. -
Classes were over for the day and I returned to my room, reminiscing - no, that's not a good word - remembering about the past. I opened the windows and made myself some tea.
In any case, that's the story on how my parents died.
Indeed, they died because of me.
As I was thinking of this while sitting on the couch, the cool and gentle evening wind blowing against my face, I unconsciously stared at the area on the floor where I had once collapsed holding the stone pendant. I opened the secret compartment in my bed and took out the necklace that had once belonged to my mother. I had not touched it ever since that day. As I held it in my hands, I remembered the familiar feeling of the stone, each surface and vertex.
All the despair and frustration I had at the time came rushing back to me at once, and a tear streaked down my right cheek against my will. I couldn't help it. They gave up everything for me - by that time, the only thing they had left was their life - and they gave that to me as well. But I'm still the same as always. Useless. Incompetent. The insults that come at me everyday? They are all true. That's why I can't refute.
I suddenly heard knocking at my door and immediately wiped the tears from my face, clearing my mind. Ever since my parents passed away, I've turned into a cold, merciless, and devious person, not showing an ounce of weakness - I cannot let anyone see me with a tear on my face. I readied myself for whoever it is and walked calmy towards the unknown visitor.
"Big Brother Xuan Kai, are you there?" a cute and playful voice called out.
Although separated by the block of wood known as a door, I could immediately identify who it was by hearing her voice alone, and just knowing that immediately lifted my spirits, ever so slightly. But that joy quickly turned into skepticism as I frowned.
"How are you here?" I asked through the sound transmission technology implemented in the wall.
"Oh c'mon, I'll explain later. Can't you let me in first?"
I unlocked the door and pushed it open.
"Come in," I said.
"I've been standing here for a while now, what took you so long?" the girl about my chest's height asked as she entered my room and slid right past me.
I closed the door and followed behind her. "I was...uh, thinking about things."
"Mmm...is that so? Why are your eyes red then?"
"I couldn't sleep well last night." A lie.
"Ah. Very believable," the feminine figure said as she plopped on my couch and made herself comfortable. "A boy like you who doesn't have a care in the world? I know you too well. How is it even possible for you to 'not sleep well'?"
"Think as you wish," I answered briskly and sat down next to her.
This girl is my only friend in this world, the only person apart from my parents that didn't abandon me and treat me like trash. Her name is Qing Yue, from the Qing family just like my mother, and one of the top beauties in Shenzhen along with Yu An Xue. We aren't related by blood, but I still treat her as a little sister even though she is only one month younger than me.
"Ah mou~don't be mad!" she exclaimed hurriedly, thinking I was angry at her. "Look what I brought you!"
Advertisement
"I'm not mad," I replied honestly.
"Well, whatever," Qing Yue shrugged off my reply as she took out a neatly wrapped box out of the bag she was carrying. "Here!" she yelled excitedly as she presented the box to me.
I was confused as she held out the box to me. Was this what you call a 'present'? But for what? I took it from her hands and asked, "What is this?"
She blinked a few times. "Um...Big Brother Xuan Kai, don't tell me you really forgot..."
"...I'm not sure I understand what you mean."
She sighed and shaked her head. "Then I, as your little sister, shall remind you. What day is it today, Big Brother Xuan Kai?"
"It is...I don't know. November?" I replied truthfully.
To me, there was never anything to look forward to tomorrow anyway, so I never really kept track of dates. It would just be the same cycle of getting insulted and humiliated, repeated over and over again. Not really amusing, is it?
"Wow...how do you not even know the date?!" my little sister yelled.
She pouted a little as I remained silent, then finally said, "It's November the 7th."
"...I see."
"So? You know what the occasion is now?"
"It's...November the 7th."
"AHH MOU~~! You are such a dimwit!" Qing Yue exclaimed angrily.
Just calling me a 'dimwit'? That kind of verbal attack won't even scratch me. After all, I am exposed to insults and humilations a hundred times worse everyday. And besides, this girl would never insult me for real. She was too nice for that.
"..." I fell silent once more, unsure of what to say in response.
"It's your birthday today!" she yelled at last, exasperated.
Wait...are those tears in her eyes? Did I make her cry? Oh, shit...
"Today is my birthday?" I asked in a softer tone.
She nodded. "Yes! And this cake is a gift from me, to you." she smiled happily.
Funny how girls' emotions can change so easily.
"Uh...your face is red," I remarked.
"Yes! Because I'm happy! But that's the part you pay attention to?!" she yelled, irritated again.
"Er, no-"
Qing Yue then suddenly got up and headed towards the door, clearly in a bad mood.
"Leaving?" I asked.
"Yes! Because you're such a dummy!"
Her attack was ineffective. However, I still decided to apologize, even though I'm not sure what exactly I did wrong.
"I'm sorry," I said quietly. But it was enough. She heard it. "And thank you for bringing me...a present."
She stopped in her tracks. "...You're welcome."
"Sorry...I made you mad."
"Hmph. As long as you know. I forgive you," she said as she headed back towards me and sat down next to me on the couch once again.
Because I had no experience doing this kind of thing as my parents never really celebrated my birthdays like this, and instead just told me 'happy birthday', Qing Yue took the initiative and led me. I was told to close the lights. When I returned, Qing Yue had a lighter in her hand as for illumination, and I could see the cake was already taken out and placed on the small table in front of the couch. The lighter was no normal tool, however. It was a Magic Artifact - using mana as its energy source. She lit the candles with the flame carefully and beckoned me to come over.
Advertisement
"Come here, Big Brother Xuan Kai!" she told me. "You have to now make a wish then blow out all the candles in one breath!"
Make a wish?
"...I see," I replied.
I sat down on the couch and closed my eyes.
I've never done this before...and I have no idea who exactly I'm making a wish to. But whoever is on the other side - if there's something I wish for - it's Qing Yue's safety. I don't have the power to protect her right now...so please - watch over her for me.
And as for my other, more bloodthirsty wish...
...I'll fulfill that with my own strength.
"I'm finished," I said.
"Nice! What did you wish for?" Qing Yue asked.
"I...wished for you."
"H-Huh?" Qing Yue appeared confused, caught by surprise, but then suddenly started blushing. "R-Really?"
"I mean, I wished that you can have a happy life."
"Oh, so that's what you meant..." she looked slightly saddened. But then she took a deep breath and continued after clearing her throat. "A-Ahem, why...why didn't you wish for something for yourself?"
I shrugged. "Nothing is going to help me. Instead of wasting this wish, I would rather use it for you."
"Ah..." she said slowly, before turning and looking the other way so I couldn't see her face. I could hear her sniffling.
She...seems to be crying.
"Hehe...Thank you, Big Brother Xuan Kai," she murmured quietly.
"Sorry, I didn't mean to make you cry." What did I do wrong this time?
But Qing Yue shook her head slowly. "No no...I'm not crying because I'm sad. I'm crying because I'm happy."
"..." once again, I fell silent.
Crying because you're happy, huh? I wonder...I wonder if I can do that someday as well.
"A-Anyway! Happy 14th Birthday, Big Brother Xuan Kai," she beamed happily at me, wiping her tears away.
As an aside, anyone that saw her like that would've gotten an urge to protect her. The cuteness was overbearing, but I was used to it - and besides, even if she was ugly, I would still protect her no matter what. I'm not about to let the one friend I have in this cruel world die.
But in any case - 14? These numbers were meaningless to me - after my parents died, every time my birthday rolled around, it just painfully reminded me of just how weak I am, surviving for yet another year as worthless, useless trash. So before long, I forgot. Whether that was completely accidental or subconsciously on purpose...I didn't know, nor did I care.
Then, as I moved to follow her instructions and extinguish the flames, something strange happened. All the fires suddenly went out before I even blew it - the candles and the flame in Qing Yue's hand.
"Huh? Where did my fire go?" she asked no one in particular. "Woah! No way! You blew out all the candles and the fire in my hand together? How is that possible!"
No...the flame in her hand was too far away. It is impossible for me to blow it out from this distance without any magic.
"Eh? Wait! What is that glowing thing on your neck?" Qing Yue asked.
I looked down to see what she was talking about. Sure enough, there was a faint orange glow coming from the stone pendant I got from mother. However, it vanished after a couple of seconds.
"Probably just a hallucination. Don't worry about it," I said to her reassuringly. She agreed and moved to turn on the lights.
By the time we finished eating the cake, I had forgotten about it as well.
Although I knew of this tradition known as a 'birthday', I have never received a cake for it before. Qing Yue always came and found me on my birthday every year to accompany me, but never actually brought a gift like today. This was because the Qing family prohibited her from being with me, so she can only make up some excuse to sneak out of the house.
However, it wasn't possible for her to bring anything along, it was too risky - someone might notice that whatever she brought, is gone from the house. Hence, we could only enjoy the night with each other. But I was content this way. I was already overjoyed that she would risk getting caught by her family in order to spend time with me.
But ever since that fateful night when my parents were assassinated, I've never felt any emotion. Right now, however, I am more concerned about the fact that she was able to come to the school. She had told me she would explain later. Now is the time.
"How did you convince your family to allow you to leave the house with a cake in your hands?" I asked suddenly. "And how did you get through the front gates?"
I had expected Qing Yue to be caught off guard, but it looks like she was prepared for this.
"Believe it or not, I will be going to this school from now on!" She said proudly.
...
Wait. What?
"Aren't you attending a private magic school?" I quickly inquired.
"I WAS. But I wanted to come to this high school instead, and after some begging my parents allowed me."
"Why?" The private school is much better than Shenzhen Magic High School. I've heard that their principal is a Golden Monarch stage expert. I really don't understand why she would come to this school instead.
"Eh?" It seems she didn't think I would pry this much. Then, she suddenly broke into laughter, and snuggled up to me tighter. "I just want to experience a public high school too, y'know?"
"...I see," I replied, although I don't believe her one bit.
"...And to be with you, Big Brother Xuan Kai..." she whispered faintly, barely audible under the cool evening breezes. But I heard it.
"...I see."
So that was the real reason she wanted to come here. Had my emotions not been brutally killed along with my parents, I would've been overjoyed that someone was willing to be with me to the point of transferring schools.
"Huh?! You heard that?!" She stood up and pointed at me, her face gradually turning red.
"I did," I answered. I could not lie to her on this matter. It would be hard to explain if I were to be exposed afterwards.
"W-Well, you heard nothing!" She exclaimed, desperate to cover up her mistake.
"You are my only friend, and also my precious little sister. I know that I am too weak to protect you...but I am at least going to try my best. I cannot lose anyone else," I said. "I am really glad you are going to come to this school."
Qing Yue averted her gaze. "Does that mean...you want to be with me too?"
I pulled her into an embrace. It was awkward, considering our height difference, but at the same time, also comforting. "I don't have anyone else left."
"..."
"Just remember one thing," I continued. "No matter how much other people harass and insult me, you cannot interfere. Do you understand?" This was for her protection. I don't want her to become a target as well. Even if she was in one of the 4 Great Families of Shenzhen, the Qing family was still weak compared to the other 3 families. Scum like Li Yi Fei won't be afraid of offending the Qing family.
"How can I just stand by and watch my big brother get bullied?!" she responded aggressively.
"It's fine. I'm used to it. Don't get yourself caught up in my mess."
"We're family, aren't we? We share our happiness and troubles together."
"This...is different. You cannot get involved."
"...Fine," she agreed reluctantly at last, with a deep sigh.
But I wasn't convinced. And soon enough, I would find out that I was right.
Advertisement
Rise of the Archmage Alister
Rival and murderer of the divine, the legendary Archmage Raalin Wynnryte has returned after 5,000 years.The infamous mage brutally died at the hands of the gods, hunted to the ends of the earth. Now, in the year 4,008 Post-Fall, Alister Severin, son of Duke Severin of the Mare Kingdom, is only eight. In his past life, he fought the gods for their injustices. In this life, the most he’s had to worry about was making friends.In the world of Bellianis, children remember bits and pieces of their most recent past life once they unlock their mana. Alister, however, remembers everything. Will his hatred for the gods of the past cause problems for who he is today? He is determined to make good on his threats, to kill the gods he failed to before he died, to become an Archmage again... but the world has changed. Five thousand years is a long time, after all. No matter what, however, he refuses to let those he holds dear fall to the gods again.First thing first? Get stronger.Posting Schedule: Unsure. I'm writing this while doing my master's, and I have my other stories to work on as well.Written by KeraNyx.Edited by LifeiestLizard.Cover Art by @Blookphobia
8 413Skyfire Magus
Lynne Hyorn, seventeen years old laziness-personified, manages to enter one of the four prestigious Academies for the Arts of Magic, Skyfire Academy for Magical Arts. However, unlike others, the reason he enrolled was not to pursue Magic, but rather because his father promised him hefty allowance if he manages to enter. His temporary tranquility soon comes to an end, though, as his father is drafted for war and his home is confiscated shortly after, leaving him to sleep on the streets. With no other choice, he decides to finally dedicate himself for the first time in his life, rising up from being just a lowly, Unranked Mage, to the ultimate guardian of the Academy: Skyfire Magus. A coming-of-age story set in a world of Magic follows young Lynne through the perils of strength, dedication, and world where fist isn't always the answer to every question. ~If you find any mistakes, please do comment on them or send me a message. Even though I proofread my chapters, mistakes stay from time to time.~ Glossary of terms (may include spoilers): https://freelanceronfire.wordpress.com/skyfire-glossary/ ~~COMPLETED~~
8 255Chain of Ascension
Oftentimes, our suffering plays out in the things we’re drawn to, and out of all of his amazing & powerful friends, Xander was the one stuck in a vicious time loop. Either he’s the most unfortunate soul on the planet or he really is destined for something more. This is the journey of discovery Xander Harris never got.
8 214Quietus - Penumbra Online
After being diagnosed with a rare brain parasite, Christine agrees to a radical and intensive treatment. While the doctors remove her infected neural tissue and attempt to regrow it, her mind is uploaded into Penumbra for three months, possibly never to return. Her goal is to lose herself in the adventure and freedom of this new world. One of the three most popular VRMMOs in the world, it offers those who wish a chance at finding a new and better life. For a cost.
8 124Nowhere to Run
Nina is a young priestess that just started her journeys in the Highlands, in a faraway land. But everything falls apart when greater forces are scheming and unknown men are suddenly after her. She will have no choice but to resort to her wits, make unexpected allies, and navigate her way through unforgiving lands in order to survive. Will she be up to the task? Greetings, reader! First of all, thank you for taking an interest and read my story. This is a story I've been working through all my life. But since I'm a first-time writer, I wanted to start with something small. This is just a small part of something much greater that hopefully one day I'll be able to translate into words as well. I will try to make it interesting as possible but please bear with me. Please understand that English is not my native language, I worked really hard to write in English the best I could. So please if you find any typos and grammar errors let me know. I'll try to upload new chapters as soon as I can. Although I had originally planned to deliver a chapter a MONTH, I think the real estimate would be a chapter EVERY 3 MONTHS since I also have to earn the daily bread. Cover picture made by me. The background picture is from Google but I modified it enough from the original. The story is also available on Wattpad, Inkitt, Scribblehub, and Webnovel.
8 215I HAVE NEVER, EVER BEEN HAPPIER - on hold
You, an eighteen year old, inherited a home from your late grandmother that you never knew about. But you're now living with the most dangerous slashers.Slasher X Female ReaderBIG fat warning the writing absolutely SUCKS.a few things might not make sense.also, anytime i post a new chapter the cover changes. only because i usually take a while to update.btw, slow updates.
8 210