Waiting to see him

While Shui was within the Angel of Shadows' treasury, Kate had exited her seclusion. She was already at the limit of her realm so there weren't any visible signs of improvement, but she knew that she had grown after her battles in Malirin Forest. 

She first reported to Elder Ren, who was both her teacher and Reinhart's master. His office was in the collective administration headquarters at the center of the core section, so it wasn't far from her residence on the south-western side of the core section.

Elder Ren was the core elder in charge of the Resources Department, and he had the appearance of a kind old man while sitting across from Kate, but she knew that he would use the same expression to dryly deny requests for resources and shamelessly accept bribes before condemning the act. Although Kate didn't acknowledge him as her master, he was still someone she admired.

After reporting that she had finished her seclusion, she also inquired into Reinhart's status.

"Ah yes, he still hasn't returned but according to his last message I believe he should arrive soon."

Kate believed him, but she was beginning to grow impatient. She was confident that she would be able to break through to the Earth Realm, but without the core material that Reinhart was supposed to bring, she could only remain stagnant. After leaving her teacher's office, Kate was wondering how she should pass the time, when Cassandra suddenly appeared and invited her to have tea. Kate didn't have a particularly good relationship with Cassandra, but she was one of the few people within the core section that she could comfortably talk with, so she agreed.

Cassandra's maids helped set up the venue, but once they had served the tea only Kate and Cassandra remained. At first, the topics were trivial or simply boring to Kate, so she responded casually with an air of indifference, but that changed once Cassandra went into the main topic.

"By the way, Kate, did you hear about the new genius that joined the inner section while you were in seclusion? I believe his name was, Shui."

"...Is that true, Sister Cassandra?"

"Oh my, you should really see your face right now. I haven't even confirmed whether he's the one you're thinking of or not."

Kate suppressed the embarrassment that came as a result of Cassandra's teasing and looked her straight in the eyes.

"Then, was it him?"

"Yes, it was Shui of the former Heaven clan."

Kate stood up as soon as she heard Cassandra's confirmation, but Cassandra stopped her with mental control before she could make another step.

"Compose yourself, he's not in the manor."

"But you said he became an inner section disciple?"

"That's right, but he left the city over a month ago and hasn't returned since."

"Do you know why he left?"

"Not exactly, but I did hear that he visited the mission center before leaving, so perhaps that has something to do with it."

If Shui was out on a mission then he could be in danger, but since he had survived the Heaven clan disaster Kate didn't want to believe a simple mission could be his end. Though it was disappointing, she understood that there was no point in leaving now and sat back down.

"Sister Cassandra, did you meet him?"

"That's right. After all the stories you told me, I had to see him for myself."

"And what did you think?"

Although Kate asked the question, Cassandra could tell that she had no doubt about what the answer would be.

'My my, I'm almost jealous.'

Cassandra briefly considered subverting her expectation, but the thought seemed too immature so she let it go.

"Certainly, I understand why even you would consider him a genius. His cultivation was only in the early Soul Realm, but besides you I doubt there's any Soul Realm cultivator in the city that could be his match."

As if she was the one being praised, a big smile appeared on Kate's face. Cassandra rarely saw her smile like this so although she didn't like the cause, she had to appreciate the view.

"Did he use any weapons? What spells did he use? How did he attack?"

Cassandra was caught off-guard by Kate's bombardment of questions, but she answered them as best as she could with a wry smile. She had thought that Kate was so excited because of romantic interest, but now it seemed as if she was just looking forward to a worthy opponent.

"You seem really interested in how he fights. Did you two spar when you were younger?"

"That's right. I could never beat him but he was the only one who could push me to improve."

"I see. What about Nathan? Did he pose any challenge?"

At the mention of Nathan, Kate's cheery expression finally had a hint of displeasure.

"Hmph, as if he could be my opponent. He might have the upper hand now, but I can easily trounce him once I break through to the Earth Realm. In fact, it'll be one of the first things I'll do after my breakthrough."

Cassandra knew that there had been some friction between Kate and Nathan after they entered the manor, but she brought him up so that she could mention a certain detail.

"That might be difficult. Shortly after Shui entered the manor, Nathan went missing and hasn't been seen since. Core Elder Conta went out to look for him, but it's likely that Nathan has been killed."

"Hmm, that arrogant fool."

Although she didn't have any fond feelings for Nathan, he was still a fellow clansman so she would at least visit his grave if he was really dead. Cassandra didn't bring up Shui as a suspect because she had no solid evidence and it would likely sour her relationship with Kate.

"Well, let's put aside that gloomy story for now. Kate, you always talked so much about Shui, but why didn't you mention his looks?"

"His looks? He is amazingly cute, but he doesn't like it very much when I compliment him."

Cassandra could see how Shui could be considered cute instead of handsome, especially if she thought about how he would have looked as a child, but if that was the sort of compliment Kate gave him she could understand why he wouldn't like it.

"Yes, he is rather cute. So cute that on his first day in the manor, he got very close to a senior sister in the inner section."

"Is that so? He always was popular among the older girls in the clan."

As she said this, Kate recalled the woman who helped her in Malirin Forest. She still wasn't completely sure, but now that Shui's survival was confirmed, it seemed very likely that he was the one who sent her. 

'He was always reserved before, but if he's become a womanizer after regaining his cultivation then I'll have to be the one to correct him on behalf of Aunt Suiri.'

Unaware of Kate's thoughts, Cassandra continued to talk about Shui with Kate. Over the next couple of days they frequently met to talk about that same topic, and as Kate's longing seemed to reach its peak, Reinhart's group returned to Silver City.