Kieran

In the novel Raven had read, there was mention of outwardly and unrealistic abilities.

Sword masters with their channeling core called aura,

Mages with their mana,

Families with their unique and sole abilities,

An example would be the family that she was in, right now.

During the battle of the elite slaves, Raven's eyes had never strayed away from the two opponents. She had noticed how the young boy closed the distance between his face and the other. Her eyes had also been sharp to catch the tiny pause. If it were coming from one elite slave, she would have dismissed as a normal reaction when one was faced with fear, but what if the tiny pause came from the two elite slaves?

All of a sudden, the young boy had snapped out his daze and swiftly pierced his sword through the chest of his opponent. His action was not without hesitation as if he had originally meant to kill and not spare.

''....You do not speak, meaning that I am right.'' Raven distanced herself from him. Her eyes took in the appearance of the kneeling slave. His toned skin color, his youthful handsome face, grey hair and eyes staring at her like a prey vigilantly watching his predator.

Though in this situation, Raven knew who exactly the predator and prey were. But she took a risk. A risk that he wouldn't kill her, because he didn't want to be noticed by anyone.

''.....''

Seeing that he had no intention of talking about his eyes, Raven moved on to another yet similar topic.

''I didn't ask for that slave to be killed, yet you went ahead to end his little life. Why did you do that, slave?'' Her head tilted a bit as she put forth that question. Raven had to admit she was impressed with his actions, but there was something she needed to know about this new slave of hers.

''.....''

''Isn't he an innocent one?'' Still not getting a word from the young boy, Raven asked further.

''...He's not innocent...''

''Why do you say so?'' Raven asked, amused yet pleased that she touched a nerve.

''....''

'Back to keeping quiet, are we?' Raven mused, then voiced her guesses. ''This was for revenge.'' Her words were not a question but a statement as if she was absolutely sure.

''.....'' The young boy lowered his head in response.

''You know....'' Raven suddenly appeared very close to him again. Her face leveling his, with their breath fanning against each other. ''I hate people like you, slave.'' Her eyes glinted sharply with a sneer eminent on her lips. ''Always holding your inner desires because of something or someone.''

When Raven said 'someone,' the young boy abruptly raised his gaze and she caught the sight of his grey eyes trembling, even if it was for a fleeting moment.

'Ha.' Her sneer turned a tiny smirk. 'Gotcha.'

''My dear slave, all I need from you are your skills....'' Her fingers returned back to his cheeks, leaving warm fleeting touches. ''I have no need for a person held back by another. That person is considered useless to me. I have goals, and I will do anything and make use of anyone to achieve them, slave.''

''.....'' The young boy said no word as he observed the empty eyes of this woman. Before he dared not to use his power of his eyes on her, but now...he was a bit curious. Even if looking into a glimpse of her future was bit risky, he wanted to do it as his life was chained with hers from the start.

And he did what he wanted. Though it was for fleeting second in reality, it wasn't the same in the world his eyes could only see.

'S-She....' Grey eyes shook at the sight of his new master, all grown up, looking extraordinarily beautiful, both face and body, yet around her were lumps dead bodies, too numerous to count in numbers. The dead bodies were somewhat strange to him as most of them seemed unworldly.

His grown up master, sat on chair like a throne fit for king. Her eyes were unapologetic towards the stacks of dead bodies. All of a sudden, those eyes peered at him as if looking at him, the real him who was peeking into her future.

A knowing smile settled on those glossy lips and her fore fingers hovered over them.

''Shhh...I hope you don't stick your nose where it doesn't belong....Kieran.'' She called his name in such sultry tone and once that happened, he was plunged back to reality.

''You froze...again.'' Raven knew she wasn't mistaken. The slave must have used his eyes on her, but she didn't feel anything weird.

''...'' The young boy's face was pale, yet calm as if nothing was wrong with him at the moment.

''Never again use those eyes on me. If you are going to look like this, then don't bother using the power.'' Raven snorted, lightly.

'....the same to you...' The young boy remarked in his mind. From the beginning of the conversation, his new master seemed sick with her overly ashen face. As an elite slave of the Langston family, he knew about the unique power only belonging to such family. From some gossipy elite slaves, he also knew some things, not entirely known to the public.

Perhaps, the power was the reason for her sickly look, but he hadn't heard anything of this about his new master.

''You can get up now, slave.'' Raven sighed, not feeling comfortable with the fact someone has been on the ground for a long time. Since he was now with her, then she might as well make good use of him, only if he was worth the risk.

''....Kieran.'' The young boy said the same that his grown-up master mentioned in his vision. It was the name he was born with. A name given to him by late mother.

''Kieran...What a lovely name.'' Raven commented with a smile. At least, she didn't have to think of name for him. On her way here, Lily told her that she would have to come up with a name for the slave, but it seemed this slave of hers was unwillingly to bear another name.

Well, it was win-win for them either way.

And so, the new master and subordinate trained after, which ended with both of them fainting from exhaustion upon arriving to their rooms.

*****

*Swish*

*Swish*

In the air, the trajectory of small knives took place until each blades had their tips firmly stuck on the circular wooden board with painted round circles. The first circle traced the entire shape of the board. The second circle followed on suit but the size was smaller. The third and the fourth circles were the same. Each of the circles had spaces in between and on the middle of the board was shaded circle which marked the middle.

The thrown knives stuck on the circular board where either on each layer of circles, but none got to the shaded circle.

''...'' There was a pause until another set of knives were in trajectory again. This time, the knives were thrown in frustration and anger.

*Pak* *Pak* *Pak*

Two knives landed on the same layer of circle, and the last one was the closest to the shaded circle in the middle.

''Hmph!'' In her training clothes, Raven snorted in arrogance. At least she has narrowed the distance to her target. Apart from daggers, small knives and needles were her specialty back in her former world. Raven knew that starting to learn her former skills all over wouldn't be easy, but she never expected the learning process to be damn frustrating.

Especially when she was the boss in these skills in her former world!

Just as Raven was about to throw another set of knives, a familiar voice joined her on the battle grounds.

''Is this what you can only do? So much for agreeing to my challenge, fourth sister.''

At the sound of that voice, Raven paused, then stood upright. Her gaze turned to the side, eyeing the set of people approaching her under the guidance of Jane.

'Ah...' Raven's signature smile appeared on her lips. Her peaceful world will get noisy again.

That's right. She was getting bored of her training with Kieran. Ever since the family dinner, nothing interesting had happened and Raven who loved unexpected and interesting surprises was not happy.

From the memories of the original owner, females tend to hold tea parties and outdoor events, including girls of her young age.

The original owner had been invited to a tea party only once. After that, no one bothered to invite her again. Even if she wanted to organize one, who would bother to attend when she had never received an invitation from anyone.

''Fourth elder brother....'' After Kieran collected the small knives from her hands, Raven greeted the owner of the voice. Her eyes then moved to the side where another set of her siblings stood beside her cute elder brother.

''Third elder sister and second elder sister, what can this younger sister do for you on this fine day?'' Raven asked with her never-ending smile, obviously knowing that her siblings came to her with ill intent.