Lurking enemies

He grimaced at hearing that. As a sign of affection? He doubted that.

"Imsong, be serious, tell me honestly."

"I am being honest. She gave it to you in your past life. Let me help you remember."

She took out the polished portrait of the First Lord and showed it to him.

"This is the first Lord of Soaring Dragon. He is your son or you can also say your ancestor. Look at what is on his hair."

He gasped, "The accessory!"

"Yes, the accessory which is also an artifact. You gave it to the first Lord when you left this world. You meant to cut all ties with this world when you left."

"So, this is really my belonging?"

"Yes, it was your belonging. But now, it is a dangerous artifact."

She continued somewhat perturbed, " The witch who you saw last night, Anna is from a kingdom called Wimbledex. They have different gods. But just like us, they have mortal realms and immortal realms. Guess which realm she is from?"

He fearfully suggested, "Immortal?"

"Ah... yes. Immortal Realm. She is a powerful witch. We were comrades once. That's how you got the artifact. She is a good person. A little feisty but good. But it's her brother who you should be worried about. Roland, the warrior of Wimbledex, an immortal with a personal vendetta against you. He has the blessings of his gods, that makes him almost invincible. Both of you have been fighting for centuries before you disappeared. And it involves a woman."

He had been listening seriously. And he cursed himself. Was he a womanizer in his past life? Why was a woman involved? As far as he was concerned, he was a saint! A hermit! He never had interest in any woman in his previous life. He thought woman only brought unending trouble.

She seemed to have read his thoughts because the next moment she said sternly, "You bring me trouble. You bring trouble to women. Not the other way around. Don't think too highly of yourself."

"Continue with what you were saying, please," he beseeched. He didn't like the

way she had looked at him: full of scorn.

"Hmmm... You will find out about the woman involved eventually. I don't want to bring up painful memories. I don't want to be the harbinger of such suffering. You should learn that by yourself. Well, in any case, Anna may not want to hurt you. But her brother will. And if she finds out that you're back, it is likely that her brother will also know."

"What should we do then? I think she's suspicious of me. She called my name when she approached me," he said not daring to ask about the other woman. Something inside him was reluctant to ask more about her. So he asked about the other situation instead.

"She may be suspicious of you. But you are in a 14-year-old's body. She may not be convinced yet. She will expect you to return in your former appearance. She does not know where you were the past thousands of years. Neither does Roland. They just know that you disappeared."

"That does not make me feel any safer," he retorted angrily.

"Be angry at yourself. Don't you dare raise your voice against me. I am the unwilling one here," she said tightly.

"Okay, I am sorry," he said crying inwardly, he wanted to go back in time and kick his own ass. Why did he have to create such trouble for his future self!

"Hmmph... fine. It's time you leave for school anyway. I'll send you and Wana to a school which is in another kingdom. You will find people from different kingdoms there. Adapt to this world while you wait for your memories to return."

"What? School? With Wana? She hates me! She doesn't say it but I know. The way she ignores me is enough to let me know that she does."

A school you attend with someone you know that hates you was the worst! He had plenty of such experiences in his previous life.

"No choice. Your soul is strong but undeveloped. I admit the Witch Bone is strong but still, it also hasn't awakened completely. And you're like a fragile dandelion right now, easily ruffled and wounded by the wind. So, go to school, stay with Wana and get some education."

"But---" he tried to reject her suggestions.

"No buts! You follow what I say, young man. I'll talk to your father about it," she cut him off sternly.

"Now, how about a game of checkers?" she asked calmly, as a set of board and stones appeared on the table.

She had regained her calm composure from before.

"You're so impulsive. How did I even befriend you in my past life," he mumbled.

"Did you say something?" she asked with a raised eyebrow.

"Nothing. I just told you to start first," he replied innocently and they started playing.