The cool evening sky stretched in breathtaking hues of purple and orange, casting a soft glow over the city.
We had arrived late, Ye-rin had spent a questionable amount of time on her makeup and selecting what dress to wear. Apparently it wasn't just a casual party. Atleast not from what it looked like from her perspective.
Stepping out of a sleek black limousine that fetched for us at the hotel. It had created a lot of attention. As I looked at Ye-rin stepping out from the limousine, I wondered why she had left this huge mansion for an hotel. Heck, It was a million times better than shack I used to live in.
I gazed at the mansion before me, it stood like a grand palace at the heart of it all, a masterpiece of wealth and elegance. Towering columns framed the massive entrance, and golden chandeliers sparkled through the tall glass windows, illuminating the vast courtyard. A long, pristine driveway led to the entrance, where luxury cars lined up, each one sleeker than the last. The sprawling estate was adorned with beautifully trimmed gardens, marble fountains, and intricate stone pathways.
I could see a lot of the press around some certain individuals as flashes of camera illuminated that surrounding. They were probably Politicians, military personnel, or even celebrities. There were no commoners at the entrance, but I was sure a considerable lot were present.
I could see two figures approaching us though there were some distance between us. She was clinging onto a man's hand.
I wasn't sure what happened but as soon as one of the press glanced over at me. A whole lot swarmed in around me and Ye-rin, stopping our movements. Camera light flashed everywhere. Even if we might had prepared a bit. It was still nerve cracking.
"Miss Ye-rin, is he your new boyfriend?" One of the press spoke out. Ye-rin hesitated for a fraction of a second before nodding with a fake smile, "yeah he is," she said grabbing onto my arm as she pulled herself closer to me.
I winced a little, her body pressing against my arm. "Are you a model from overseas, or a top ranked officer from the united states?" Another asked. "None of the above," I said blankly trying to escape the sudden interrogation.
I felt a sharp tug at back, the hood on my sweater was pulled exposing my cap which didn't do much to hide my white hair. The noise grew even louder than before. At the corner of my eye I noticed even the remaining press that hovered around the other influential people at the entrance where now flooding towards me and Ye-rin.
"Is this your real hair?" One asked, "no way!" Another shouted. "Of course it's my real hair," I said with a frown. There was a momentarily pause from the press as a certain figure walked towards us. The more he got closer, the more the engulfing crowd parted way for him. He wore a black suit that made him look like a country boy, his left sleeve hanging loosely as the wind blew it into different directions.
"I think that's enough questions for now," Joon-Seok spoke out, gesturing with his right hand. "We meet again Ji-ho," he said smiling a bit. "With another date no less, it would seem you're quite the cassanova" he said playfully, but something about his tone wasn't all that playful.
Ye-rin confused looked at me, "I can explain," I said staring at Joon-seok. "There's no need. I already knew it was a fake, though I wouldn't oppose if it was true," he said plainly, it was only then he looked at Ye-rin. His brow rose slightly and he smiled a little. "You are really a mysterious man Ji-ho.
"Good evening, Miss Ye-rin. You might not be familiar with me, but I was at your eighteen birthday last year," he said extending his right hand towards Ye-rin. "I know you, you're the boy wonder. The pride of the future." She said extending her hand towards him. My curiosity of him only increased even more. He was about to say something else when the two figures I saw before approached. A man and a woman.
"Well I'll leave you to your family reunion. And Ji-ho do see me later." He added as he walked towards the hall, it was only then I remembered I forgot to ask about Rin-ah.
"Sister!" The girl shouted as she leaped, giving Ye-rin a hug. Though Ye-rin reciprocated albeit begrudgingly. Despite the softness in her tone, I could tell it laced with malice. "Ye-rin you made it, and a with a date no less." she said with a smile not quite reaching her eyes. "Well I couldn't let you steal the whole show," Ye-rin said with a smile equally fake.
The tension hung in the air like a knife, admist their chattering, the other figure who had been standing quietly turned his gaze towards me.
He stood at this same height as me, his wheat-blond hair tied to the back, letting two bang appear at the front of his head. He had a well trimmed beard and looked to be someone who exercised a lot. A handsome young man, I could tell why both sister were fighting over him.
"Lee Do-hyun, nice to meet you," he said stretching his hand towards me. I hesitated a little. "Ji-ho," I said not adding my first name. As I shook his hand in what was a firm grip. He didn't let go of my hand, but squeezed tightly. Was he trying to gauge my physical strength or was he trying to intimidate me. I wasn't sure, after a few seconds he gave out, releasing my hand. "To my side is Ji-ah, Ye-rin's sister and my lovely girlfriend.
I slipped my hands to my pocket, signalling to Ye-rin we should start moving. "Wait," Do-hyun said staring curiously at me. "Are you an E-ranked officer? Or perhaps a foreign model by any chance," he asked almost immediately he replied to himself, "no I would have known. Considering I'm one myself," he said. "I'm not a model," I said with a sigh tired of that question over and over again.
"I find it hard to believe. You're above six feet tall, a perfect face, and ur hands. It's almost like you haven't done a single hard labour in your life and to be acquinted with Ye-rin you must be Popular." He spoke almost like he wanted me to be what he had imagined.
"I work at a wild life sanctuary in South Africa. Taking care of rescued animals, mostly injured and orphaned ones. It's a simple life really nothing special," I said. I noticed a little a bit of a smile on his face. "I take you're an ascendant then?" He asked. "You know people blessed with the gift to use mana like me." He said trying to flex his aura.
"No I'm not. Well if you don't mind, I flew across the country just so Ye-rin wouldn't be lonely. I wouldn't want to spend the rest of the night outside." I said grabbing hold of Ye-rin's hand. I noticed a frown on Ji-ah's face even though she tried to hide it. As we walked past, a huge relief washed over me and I noticed Ye-rin smiling as she stared at the floor as we walked.
"You really sold it back there," Ye-rin finally spoke out looking at me. Her smile never fading. "Well I am bounded to you, so it's normal," I said. She freed her self from my grip and pushed me a little. "What was that for," I asked. "For saying weird shit," she replied flustered.
"Ye-rin darling!"
A clear, elegant voice cut through the noise of the party. Ye-rin stiffened beside me. Walking towards us was a beautiful middle-aged woman, her orange hair tied to her back. She wore a green long dress and beside her – that had to be her father.
The crowd gave way as they approached. "You made it and with a guest no less," she said with a warm smile as stood before us. "Mom," Ye-rin said as she pulled her into a tight hug. "Ofcourse I came. You'd never let me hear the end of it otherwise."
Her mother laughed and then looked at me. Her eyes were sharp. Almost like she was looking deep into my soul. "And you must be…?" I straightened slightly and stretched out my hand. "Seo Ji-ho, ma'am. It's an honor to meet you." I said bowing slightly, "Seo Ji-ho and you are Ye-rin's…?" "Boyfriend," Ye-rin said instantly, looping her arm around mine.
I felt her grip tighten for half a second.
"Boyfriend," her mother repeated, surprised. Then she smiled. "I guess the incident outside wouldn't cause you much trouble then. Right dear," she asked staring at her child. Ye-rin forced a laugh and replied, "yes mom, beside I already told you earlier. " I wasn't sure of what to believe dear," she said in sad tone. "Our baby girl is all grown up. Isn't that right, Geon-woo?"
Her father stepped forward. He was tall. Broad-shouldered. Two lines ran through his face. The kind of man who didn't need to say anything for a room to notice him.
"So you're the guy," he said, then suddenly pulled Ye-rin into a hug and lifted her off the ground. "You've been hiding things from us, Yeti." "Dad!" she protested, red-faced. Then he turned to me resting a heavy hand on my shoulder. "So, Ji-ho. What do you do?" Here it comes.
"I work at a wildlife sanctuary in South Africa," I said. "Taking care of injured animals." He raised a brow. "That far huh? You might know Kabelo then."Who? "No, sir."
He stared at me for a second, then laughed. "Strange. But no matter. Must be tough work." he said with a loud laughter. "It is. Especially since I don't have any… special talents," I said, scratching my head.
He laughed even harder. "I like you. You're an interesting kid you know. Come on, let's get a drink and ditch these sophisticated people." "You better not get him drunk," his wife warned. "No promises!" he shouted, already dragging me away before I could protest.
We ended up on a quieter balcony. The scene up here was calm and peaceful. The gentle breeze brushing against my skin. He handed me a glass filled with alcohol and leaned on the railing, looking out over the lights.
"I don't drink alcohol sir," I said still holding the glass."well that's fine, we'll get you some apple juice later," he said somewhat pleased.
As we gazed upon the scenery he spoke out, "You know people like to pretend life is about what you're born with." He took a sip. "Be it an ascendant, or a non battle mage we all have mana running through us. Who gets to protect and who gets to be saved it all comes down to dumb luck."
I stayed quiet. Eager to listen to what he was saying.
"At the end of the day, be it a non-ascendant or an ascendant, what matters is what you choose to protect," he continued. "And what path you decide to walk while you're still breathing." He glanced at me.
"We… beings like us don't get infinite chances. You either move forward or you get left behind."
"Ye-rin is stubborn," he said. "Too kind for her own good. She is the type to sacrifice herself to protect her loved ones no matter the cost. If you're going to stand beside her… then you don't get to be half-hearted."
He looked straight at me. His eyes stern, "If you ever reach a point where you can fight for something bigger than yourself… don't run from it." Those words lodged themselves somewhere deep in my chest.
"You might be mistaken sir, but I'm not an ascendant and I don't have a shred of mana within me." I said trying to switch the topic. His expression never faltered. I was expecting something cliche, but he said something unexpected. "Then forge a path through your fists," I froze, the words sank deep in my chest. "Yeah, with my fist huh," I said unconsciously unaware I had said it aloud.
Then he laughed and slapped my back. " Just think about it kid, now come on. Let's not bore ourselves there is one more surprise left."
When we returned, he announced loudly that I was "a decent kid" and went on to change his shirt. The moment he left, I sighed. "You didn't tell me I was walking into an interrogation." Ye-rin smirked. "Scared of my parents? You're supposed to be a grim reaper."
"Your dad is terrifying." I replied, she laughed. The party continued with people coming to greet us. Or rather, came to inspect me. That's when I noticed her sister and Do-hyun watching us from a distance. Trouble. Then the music stopped. A blond woman stepped forward.
"As per tonight's program, we will begin a special exhibition duel between EDC rookies. And a special guest will also make an appearance." Murmurs spread. Everyone seemed excited.
Everyone except me. For some reason… I had a very bad feeling about this.