Master and Disciple

"Where is this?" When Ren opened his eyes, what appeared in front of him was another foreign sight.

"Don't say that I'm already dead and reincarnated again?" Joking at himself, uncertainty can be seen from his expression. Looking around, he concludes that he is resting in a luxurious chamber. With the wall made of stone and blue orb of flames illuminate the surrounding, it gave him an ancient yet strange eerie feeling.

"My body… is it alright, I guess? Did someone help me to heal my injuries? Just how long I have been unconscious?" After checking his own body, he was confused.

Because he can still remember how bad his body injuries were. Many of his bones were broken or fractured, the majority of his inner organ was ruptured, and his body was bleeding from countless injuries. If not because of his Sage Transformation potent regenerative ability, he would have died countless times in the mid of battle.

"Why did I often wake up in a strange place?" While confusion filled his mind, he chooses to wake up and inspect this place. Wandering alone, row upon row of bluish flame orbs illuminate his path. He can feel something was guiding him, but he isn't sure himself. Looking around, he concluded that this place is an ancient castle.

'System, show me my status.'

Giving command on his mind, he noticed that some of his skills were ranked up and the ridiculous amount of his points.

'Looks like I already passed the trial, and the one that chose me brought me to their place.' Feeling relieved, anticipation is rising in his heart. Quickened his step, he let whatever that is guiding him lead his path. Finally, a gate appeared in front of him, blocking his path.

Suddenly, the gate opened itself. After entering, Ren appeared in a hall. Which grandly decorated and looked luxurious. At the end of it is a throne. Walking toward it he can see a figure sitting on it majestically.

After he arrived in front of the throne, he was stunned silly. What he sees is a goddess with unparalleled beauty. She has long purple hair and deep red eyes that can suck someone's soul. With a long purple dress that can not hide her devilish curvaceous body, coupled with a crown and flower-shaped accessories on top of her head, bringing her beauty and royalty aura to the peak. Everything around her looked so dull with her appearance alone. If his wife's beauty right now can be called bringing downfall to the nation, then the woman in front of him can incite the war of gods. Her beauty really exceeds the domain of human cognition.

Not only her beauty that struck him dumbfounded. Her aura was really extraordinary and unfathomable for him. Just sitting motionlessly was enough to make him feel deep reverence and awe. But, seeing her lonely figure, he can feel the sadness creeping on his heart.

"Little boy, you're already awake? Moreover, you dare to feel pity for this Queen? Interesting." That woman gazed at him slightly. Her deep abyss-like eyes contain a vast amount of wisdom.

"Greeting your Majesty. Please forgive my rudeness." Being startled, Ren hurriedly bowing lightly.

"What is your name?" She asked Ren lightly.

"My name is Ren." Standing straight, he looked directly to her eyes.

"Did you know what is your situation right now?"

"I'm still not sure of myself. But I can guess."

"My name is Scáthach, the Queen of the Lands of Shadows. Just like what you thought, I already saw your trial back then. Just like a rough gem that hasn't been carved, your potential makes my hand itchy. From now on, you will be my last disciple." She smiles lightly while her deep eyes gazing at him appraisingly.

"Disciple greets Master! I will do my best to live up to your expectations." Ren bowing slightly, can not contain his excitement. Because it was already surpassed his expectations. In front of him was someone who surpassed legend and arrived at the mythical realm. A human who arrived at the realms of the gods with just the pure power of her spear arts alone. With only the power of the human body, she slew uncountable numbers of monsters, god, and devil alike. She is one of the few heroes who have the attribute of Star, a Shining Bright and an All-Powerfull Star among the figure among mankind. Representing the hope of mankind, a symbol of overcoming hardship. An invincible Queen of Warrior, there is no better teacher than her for him.

"Good child. As my disciple, you only need to remember a matter. One day, you must satisfy my desire, fulfill my wish. Other than that, I will do my best to help and to train you." Her tone turned serious.

"M-Master is that…" Remembering her story, he felt like ice-cold water pouring over him. She is the ruler and gatekeeper of the Lands of Shadows. A foreign territory which is overflowing with countless ghosts, to ward off the dead. Countless years of slaughtering uncountable of creatures, eventually made her ceased being mortal and her territory under her rule was ultimately forced out to the outside of the world, losing its purpose. In the end, she can not die as a human, beautifully nor hideously, guarding this desolate lands alone for thousands of years with no sense of purpose. Just imagining it was enough to make loneliness overwhelmed his heart, threatening to suffocate him. Hesitation can be seen clearly in his eyes.

"My reason for training my disciples was never changed. To satisfy my desire, to fulfill my wish. This Queen doesn't need your pity, nor I need a useless man to take up my mantle! What is your answer!?" Standing up from her throne, she walked slowly to him. Her cold menacing gaze threatening to tear up his body to pieces. Her bloodthirsty aura was flaring fiercely, enough to make the atmosphere shook chaotically.

"B-but teacher, I-I…" Conflicting thoughts clashing endlessly in his mind. Desire to liven up to her expectation and hesitation in facing his own teacher on the battlefield. His heart shook from agitation, just imagining the outcome was enough to make him timid.

"Promise me." Arriving in front of him, she said it calmly with a serene gaze.

Gritting his teeth, he tried to calm his mind. He chooses to face his teacher's eyes directly. Gazing at her beautiful deep red abyssal eyes, he can see numerous things. Loneliness, expectation, resolve, and determination. Feeling all of that he feels shame for his hesitation. It was really unfair, he doesn't have any choice from the start.

Taking a deep breath, exhaling a sigh, he erased all chaotic thoughts from his heart and mind. Straightening his body, he stares at her majestic figure directly. Determination can be seen clearly in his crimson red eyes.

"Yes, Master!" His voice rang out loud and clear, void of hesitation. He is staring at her eyes resolutely. Suddenly the air becomes static. They're staring at each other for a while.

"Good child." She said while ruffling his hair, sweeping the tense atmosphere away. A beautiful smile blossoming on her gorgeous face. Satisfied with his answer.

"…" Ren was stunned silly by her charming appearance. Not regaining his calm for a while after. Even though he gained quite a high level of immunity toward beautiful women because of his wife, but this teacher of his effortlessly trampled it to the ground like nothing. He can only smile helplessly in his heart.

"You passed my test. If you're cowered in fear just because of this little pressure, I would rather kill you quickly in disappointment." Even though she said it jokingly with a light tone, he can feel the message is real.

"To celebrate this moment, let me give you a gift." Suddenly, he can see an astronomical amount of energy gathering in her finger, enough to make the atmosphere become chaotic and space tremble fiercely. Her appearance becomes solemn, sacred and dignity aura overflowed from her majestic figure. Using her fingers to draw numerous rune in the air, forming a complicated design.

After it was completed, it suddenly flew into his body. Ren can feel foreign energy was flooding every part of his body, like probing him. After it was done, it's settled to occupy his dantian, resonating with him.

"Master, what is this?" Ren asked confusedly.

"My magic crest, you should be glad. Because you're the only one who received it from me."

"Of course I'm really happy, but why? I don't have mana and I can't do even simple magic. You should already know that I have cultivated 3 kinds of energy because they are compatible."

"Of course I know that. My magic crest would only act as a symbol that you're my disciple. If you will it, it would be manifested on the back of your hands according to your characteristic."

After trying it, strange red-colored symbols appeared on both of his backhands. Three large magatamas formed by countless ancient runes stacking together, connected by a ring forming a circle. In the circle is a dot surrounded by chaotic lightning. It gives him solemn and sacred feelings, warning him constantly.

"What is this, so cool." Fascinated by it, his chuunibyou self trying to break free. After appreciating it for a while, he willed it to disappear.

"Silly child. Tell me your story and abilities. I will decide how to train you afterward." Drawing runes in the air, a table, and two chairs materialized instantly. Complete with tea sets.

Afterward, he tells her all about him. From his transmigration, his life in the Blue Wind Empire, his abilities, even his strange system. She was the second person that he told about it, other than his beloved wife. Not hiding anything at all, because he doesn't feel the need of it, nor he is afraid at all.

Occasionally sipping his tea, he tells her about his planning for future growth while asking guidance for obstacles that he found. Asking questions upon questions, he marveled upon her wisdom. All kind of difficulties was a mere trivial thing in front of her.

"Maybe your system and transmigration was a product of some certain vampire up to mischief. It wasn't that rare that he tried to mess up something just because he is bored. You don't need to think it too much, it isn't that important anyway." Is what she said about his experience. He was struck dumbfounded with her nonchalant comments.

According to her, his system grading from EX, A, B, C, D, and E corresponding to Mythical, Legendary, Epic, Heroic, Unique, Rare, and Common rarity. With B-rank as the limit of mortal and A-rank arrived at the boundary of gods. While (+)/(-) indicate it was superior or inferior. Even though the items have a direct ranking, but the skills can only be measured with their mastery.

For his quest system, there are many available quests that he can choose freely, with a never-ending list. From mundane things like doing chores to ridiculous levels like destroying a world. Because of this, he didn't need to worry about how to get points at all.

Lastly, the summoning system. It makes him quite helpless. When he access it, it would manifest as a summoning circle. He needs to give the corresponding sacrifice to use and a vivid image of what he wants to call. If what he summoned was a sentient being, he needs to achieve an agreement to form a contract. Fortunately, he doesn't feel any needs to use this function often. Maybe, just for fun.

After chatting for a long time, they choose to end it for today. His training would be starting from tomorrow.

"You should go back to your room to rest. You need to prepare a lot of energy from tomorrow." She said with a strange glint in her eyes.

"Wait, Master. There is one last thing that I want to ask."

"Hmm… What is it?" She stares at him amusedly.

"Well… Master, can I call you as Shishou?" Prompted with a sudden impulse, he asked a strange question.

"Silly child. Isn't that the same thing? You need to rest." Giggling lightly, she teleported away leaving him alone.

"Y-yeah… Maybe I should." Feeling ashamed with his chuunibyou self, he hurried his step to his room while covering his face. Even he wondered why he can't control himself today.