"Who exactly are you? I'm only giving you ten seconds."
When Asher came back to his senses, the first sentence he heard was this.
The language sounded unfamiliar, but for some reason, he could understand it.
"I am—"
Saying this, Asher froze.
This childish voice... is this really me?
Da—da—da—
High-heeled military boots stepped on the soft red carpet, making a series of oppressive sounds. A woman with purplish-red long hair walked up to Asher. She was much taller than the child-like Asher, and now looked down at him.
"Answer my question."
Asher secretly glanced at the woman who was talking to him.
Then, an astonished expression appeared on his face.
Scáthach?!
Did I transmigrate?
Asher felt a trace of astonishment.
But he quickly felt relieved.
Well, after all, he had been studying overtime every day in high school. It wouldn't be strange if he suddenly died one day.
"Didn't you hear my voice? Or are you saying you don't even have the courage to speak to me?"
When Scáthach's voice came again, Asher raised his head and met her pair of majestic red eyes. The moment he saw those eyes, Asher subconsciously wanted to look away.
But he still held back.
Without a doubt, the woman in front of him was Scáthach.
At this time, she was wearing a purple tight-fitting suit, and her full and perfect breasts were highlighted. That queen-like aura of being high above everyone else was something no one could imitate. Just making eye contact with her was extremely pressuring.
After staring at her for a moment, Asher finally gave in and looked away, whispering,
"Asher."
Judging by his age, Asher was only about ten years old, and his behavior was naturally taken by Scáthach as shyness. The queen who reigned over all things smiled faintly,
"Asher? A very nice name. Now tell me, how did you appear in my castle? And where are your family?"
This was a very strange matter. Someone had actually appeared in the Land of Shadows castle without her noticing, and the other party was just a child. Even if that younger sister of hers wanted to scout out enemy information, she wouldn't send a child, right?
As for the kingdom across the island, it was even less likely that they would send such a child.
Most importantly, this child had just been wandering around the castle, without any attempt to sneak in.
Without a doubt, he had simply gotten lost and was discovered by the guards, who then brought him before her.
"I don't know," Asher honestly replied, "I don't have any family."
He couldn't possibly tell Scáthach that he had just transmigrated from another world, right? Even if he told the truth, the other party wouldn't believe him.
Rather, right now, no matter what he said, Scáthach wouldn't believe him.
After all, suddenly and inexplicably appearing in someone else's castle was indeed too suspicious.
Would he be executed or something?
Thinking of this, Asher couldn't help but feel a little uneasy. What were the tortures like in this era? Hopefully, there wouldn't be anything as terrifying as pulling out fingernails, right?
Thinking of that scene, Asher couldn't help but shiver.
Seeing Asher's reaction, an interested smile appeared on Scáthach's face. She reached out and placed her hand on his face.
"Are you afraid?"
Scáthach could see the fear in the eyes of the little boy in front of her. Although he was desperately trying to hide it, she easily noticed it.
While speaking, Scáthach was also observing the little boy, who looked to be about ten years old, with soft black hair and wearing somewhat strange clothes. His slightly trembling body represented his fear of her, this "enemy."
"Raise your head."
Scáthach's cool and soft fingers brushed across Asher's cheek. Her voice was very calm, but it was like a queen issuing an order, brooking no disobedience.
So, Asher slowly raised his head.
The queen of the Land of Shadows—Scáthach. In this kingdom, she possessed absolute power, and everyone else could only obey. At this moment, she slightly bent her knees, her gaze meeting Asher's directly.
When Asher raised his head, his dark pupils naturally reflected Scáthach's beautiful face, along with the faint smile on it. Those magnificent red eyes were captivating, making people unconsciously focus their gaze on her eyes.
Why was she smiling?
Asher couldn't explain it, or rather, he completely didn't understand. He just stared at her and inexplicably felt at ease.
"You're called Asher, right?" Scáthach said.
"Now you have two choices."
"The first is to leave the Land of Shadows. Considering your young age and the fact that your eyes didn't lie when you just spoke, I will let you go."
"The second," she paused, her smile suddenly gaining a hint of pleasure,
"is to stay here. If you have no family, this kingdom will become your home. I will teach you my martial arts and spells, and then—"
"Wait until the day you can come and defeat me. Of course, I will also go all out without holding back."
If it were just an ordinary person, Scáthach naturally wouldn't waste so many words on him. Instead, she would have the guards directly take him away. But she sensed a certain magical power in Asher, and during their brief skin contact, Scáthach was very certain of one thing—Asher could become an excellent warrior; he possessed such talent.
"So, you should make your choice, Asher," Scáthach said, looking at the little boy in front of her.
Although she said this, she had already extended her hand, seemingly with an inner certainty that the outcome was already decided.
Looking at Scáthach's outstretched hand, Asher hesitated slightly.
If he followed Scáthach, without a doubt, he would definitely receive her careful guidance and become an excellent warrior. Moreover, with her protection, his life should be worry-free.
In that case, there should only be one answer, right?
Under Scáthach's gaze, Asher reached out and shook her hand.
Then, as a confident faint smile appeared on Scáthach's face, Asher slightly bowed,
"I'm sorry, I choose the first option, Lady Scáthach."
The smile on Scáthach's face froze.
Asher felt a little helpless in his heart.
Without a doubt, staying by Scáthach's side was the best choice. After all, according to the legends, this kingdom had almost no enemies except for Scáthach's younger sister, Aife.
Under Scáthach's protection, he should be able to grow up smoothly.
But—
That would be very good, but Scáthach just said that later she would have him defeat her.
What a joke!
He was supposed to fight and defeat an existence who had lived for who knows how long, and the other party even said that "she would definitely not hold back at that time."
In other words, Scáthach would raise him to adulthood, teach him all her martial arts and spells, and then he would use what he learned to fight Scáthach and defeat her.
But how was that possible? How could he possibly defeat Scáthach?!
In that case, it would be better to leave the castle. Maybe he could find other opportunities.
Scáthach was stunned for a while, then suddenly laughed,
"Can you tell me the reason?"
"I don't think I can defeat Lady Scáthach," Asher replied neither humbly nor arrogantly,
"So I hope you can grant my wish and let me leave."
"You are very interesting," Scáthach's smile faded slightly.
"Very well, I am a person who knows how to respect others' thoughts, and everyone in the Land of Shadows knows this."
"So, I will also respect your choice."
Scáthach stood up and ordered the guard beside her,
"Take Asher to my room!"
After saying that, she strode out of the hall.
Asher was taken aback and shouted in the direction Scáthach left,
"Lady Scáthach, this isn't right! This isn't what we agreed on!"
"Asher, as your future teacher, let me give you your first lesson," Scáthach stopped, turned her head back, and said with an arrogant and contemptuous smile on her face,
"Adults are creatures who go back on their word!"
--------More Bonus Chapters!!!!
Every 300 power stones = 1 Bonus Chapter