Chapter 17: Past

"Kai," Mina instructed, her tone gentle yet firm, "stay here and rest. Reoul, keep an eye on him." Reoul nodded in acknowledgment.

As she prepared to leave, Kai looked up with a droopy face. "Where are you going, Mina?" he asked, his blue eyes fixed on her.

Mina flashed a warm smile. "I'm going to explore a bit," she replied casually.

Kai's brows furrowed. "Without me?" he inquired, his puppy-dog eyes staring at her.

'He's just so cute!!' Mina thought to herself. She reached out and gently held his face. "I'd love for you to come along, Kai, but I don't want to risk your health further," she explained. "Plus, I'd really like to see more of the city before the exams start in three days."

Kai sighed, a hint of surprise in his voice. "Time's flying by," he muttered, and Mina nodded in agreement.

"Yeah, so I'm off to gather some information about the exams!" Mina said with enthusiasm.

"If that's what you want, then I'm okay with it," Kai replied, a smile gracing his lips.

Mina beamed as she got up from the bed. "I'll catch you later. Make sure to get better quickly!" She added inwardly, 'Because I don't know if I can pass the trial on my own.'

"Have a great time exploring," Kai said, a hint of concern in his voice. "But please, be safe."

"Bye-bye!" Mina waved, leaving Kai to rest.

____

Mina strolled through the city, passing by various stalls and indulging in an assortment of snacks using her money. Her striking appearance attracted the attention of onlookers, yet strangely, none dared to approach her.

As she walked past a bar, a silver-haired man inside couldn't help but notice her. His eyes widened in surprise, and he hastily abandoned his seat, rushing towards her.

He tapped her on the shoulder and gave her a friendly pat on the back. "Senior sister, what brings you here?" he beamed, scrutinizing her with widening eyes.

"Hmm?" Mina responded, a touch bewildered by his sudden approach. 'Why did he call me senior sister anyway?' she wondered, studying him skeptically. He was a tall, brown-skinned, muscular man with long silver hair, emerald green eyes, and clad in a black assassin's outfit with two swords strapped to his back.

He reached out to touch her face, but Mina swiftly swatted his hand away, her expression guarded. "Do I know you?" she asked, her gaze sharp.

"Come on, don't play around. We've known each other for ten years!" the man declared, a big grin on his face. "It's me, your junior brother, Ben!"

"Junior brother Ben?" Mina muttered, her brow furrowing as a sudden wave of pain coursed through her head. In that moment, a faint vision materialized—a tall man gently patting her head, his voice echoing, "Would you like to become my student and have revenge on the Water Moon Sect?" He extended his hand toward her.

"Yes," Mina replied, her voice devoid of emotion, her eyes dark as an abyss.

Her equilibrium faltered, but Ben, swift and sure, caught her before she could fall. He guided her to a nearby chair, concern etched on his face. Mina massaged her temple, wincing from the pain, then looked up at him, her expression a mix of confusion and dismissal. "I think you've got the wrong person," she said, shaking her head.

Ben's unease was palpable. "Come on, if this is some kind of joke, it's not funny," he blurted out nervously, his eyes searching hers.

With unwavering resolve, Mina met his gaze. "I have no memory of you, so you must have confused me with someone else," she declared firmly.

Ben sighed and fell into thought for a moment. He then returned his attention to her, his frustration evident. "You vanished for just a few months—how can you suddenly not remember who you are?" he implored, his voice laced with exasperation. He leaned in, a hint of desperation in his eyes. "Do you have a dragon birthmark?" he asked, directing his gaze to her neck.

Startled, Mina instinctively reached for the spot and was met with a surprise of her own. "How did you know about that?" she inquired, her frown deepening.

"Because you're Black Joker," Ben replied, his tone laden with conviction.

A passing woman, curious about the exchange, approached them and asked, "Miss, are you okay? Is this man bothering you?" She blushed when Mina turned her attention to her.

"No, he's an acquaintance," Mina assured her with a shake of her head, prompting the woman to retreat in embarrassment.

Mina then suggested, "Let's move to a quieter place to talk."

As they found a more secluded alleyway, Mina couldn't help but voice her confusion. "Why do I have these images of you from my past, yet I can't recall you at all?" she asked, her grip on her clothing tightening.

"You couldn't have forgotten a whole decade of your life," Ben mused, genuine concern etched on his face. "It's best not to force it. I've heard that trying to trigger memories in such situations can lead to severe shock and even coma. Given time, perhaps your memories will return naturally."

Changing the topic, Ben inquired, "By the way, how have you been? I'm relieved to see you're well."

Mina simply nodded.

"May I ask your name again?" Mina inquired, her gaze locked on him.

"It's Ben," he replied with a friendly smile.

She couldn't help but scrutinize him for a moment, her curiosity getting the best of her. "You don't strike me as a martial artist or an assassin," she mused, taking in his unblemished face and well-defined muscles. Inwardly, she couldn't resist a thought, 'He looks more like a model.'

Ben chuckled, his laughter ringing out. "I get that a lot," he admitted, seemingly unfazed.

Mina couldn't shake the thought. "You look more like a Techmania, one of those brainy tech enthusiasts," she suggested.

"That's because I am," Ben affirmed with a grin. "And I'm also an assassin. We trained together when we were kids."

Mina felt a flicker of recognition. "I do remember that, vaguely," she said, only to be met with another piercing headache. A memory resurfaced—a glimpse of their younger selves.

"Hey, Mina, how's your training with Master going?" a young Ben had asked a young Mina. The child version of Mina bore the scars of a tumultuous upbringing, but her charm remained undeniable.

"Sometimes, I swear that old man is trying to kill me!" young Mina had complained, sprawled on the ground. "Dumping me in a pool of poison? What's he thinking?"

"Hahah, those were the days," Ben laughed, reminiscing.

'Wait, my body is poisonous? Is that why Kai has been so unwell?' Mina's inner thoughts raced.

Ben, noticing her visible trembling, inquired, "Is everything alright?"

Mina blurted out her fear, her eyes wide with alarm. "Is my body poisonous?"

Ben tried to reassure her. "Technically, yes, but if you can control it, your poison won't harm anyone."

Mina let out a relieved sigh. "Well, that's a relief."

Ben couldn't contain his excitement. "I can't wait for your memories to return! Those times were a blast!"

Mina, however, had a different perspective. "From the fragments I remember, it feels more like a nightmare. What kind of master is that cruel?"

Ben defended their mentor's actions. "Master was tough on you because you were determined to seek revenge on the Water Moon Sect."

Mina was taken aback. "So, you know about that too?"

Ben revealed his knowledge casually. "You told me."

Mina's curiosity was piqued. "Hmm, is there more I should know? You mentioned too much information could cause issues, but I need to understand who I am, how powerful I was, and what's the deal with that name, Black Joker."

Ben sighed, looking thoughtful. "Well, we trained alongside ten other people—four girls and six guys. They all came here to formally join our master's sect."

Mina was intr

igued. "Our master is a big deal, then?" She couldn't help but want to uncover more about her mysterious past.