15 My First Mission

After waiting for an hour, Cassius's father came back to take him and just as they had agreed, Nero helped cover for Cassius.

"I'm sorry, Cassius," Nero apologized, "I didn't think you would get lost in the library, and I was too engrossed in my next book to notice."

"No worries, your highness," the duke smiled politely, "I'm sure Cassius doesn't mind, right?" He looked at Cassius.

"Of course not," Cassius smiled, bowing his head slightly, "It was my pleasure to help you, Nero."

Cassius made sure to call Nero by name to show his father how close they were. And by the looks of it, his father seemed pleased. And actually, so did Nero.

"Alright, we will be taking our leave, your highness," the duke turned to face the door, his hand on Cassius's back.

"Your grace, wait," Nero said, and the duke looked back, "I really suggest teaching your son to read. Reading is a wonderful gift to the world." Nero flashed the duke a bright smile.

It was still surprising that Nero liked reading. It didn't suit his personality at all.

"Agreed, your highness," the duke answered. "I was already planning on hiring a tutor to teach Cassius to read."

That was obviously utter bullshit. In his first life, the duke did everything he could to stop Cassius from reading. Was one word from the crown prince enough to change his mind?

"That's good," Nero waved goodbye. "Also, I like your black shoes, Cassius. That color suits you well. That's my favorite brand."

"Thanks." Cassius waved goodbye, and his father left the palace and boarded their carriage. Their carriage went through the same poisonous garden and arrived at the gate they initially entered from.

That's when Cassius noticed a carriage parked by the gate.

Wasn't that the carriage Natalie, Nathan, and Lady Vanessa rode on? Have they been at the gate this whole time?

Could it be due to their lack of identification? But no, that wasn't a problem in his past life so why would it be a problem now?

The duke looked out the window and broke out into laughter, "To think they are still at the gate. That's hilarious."

In his past life, Cassius definitely saw them at his Awakening Ceremony, but now that he thought about it, this time they were nowhere to be found. What changed?

Cassius analyzed the carriage carefully, the wheel was broken and his family stood by the carriage as they watched the guards try and fix it.

<Why is their carriage broken in this life?>

Did he do something differently without realizing and inadvertently caused their carriage to break down? Or...

<Is there someone else interfering with the future?>

The possibility that there was another Regressor wasn't completely out of his mind.

After all, if he could be a Regressor, and so could Kar, then, why not someone else?

"Father, I think their carriage broke down. " Cassius stated.

"Really?" The duke yawned, "What a shame."

He clearly had no intention of letting them ride in the same carriage as him.

They sat quietly in the carriage until they arrived back at their estate. It was a peaceful ride without any issues.

Cassius felt exhausted after such an eventful day, so he immediately went up to his room. He was so exhausted, in fact, that he failed to notice that the door was open.

<I've received a different outcome from my past life. I wonder how differently things will unfold this time.>

Despite his exhaustion, Cassius noticed a shadowy figure in the corner of the room. His guard immediately went up.

[Barrier Activated.]

"Young master," Anna walked out of the corner, and Cassius sighed in relief. 

"Anna, what are you doing here?" Cassius smiled. He was happy to see Anna even in this strange circumstance. Since he had already confirmed the Elixinot was in the potion bullet, he no longer felt the need to be suspicious of her.

Ah, his barrier went up.

"Kar," Cassius whispered to himself, "Don't waste your energy, it's just Anna."

[Kid, have you learned nothing from your first life?]

<What does he mean?>

After reading Kar's message, Cassius glanced to the side and noticed a knife in her hand.

"You fucking bastard," Anna smiled, walking slowly towards Cassius, "Didn't I tell you to eat the cupcake?"

<Anna? >

Cassius froze, stunned by Anna's words. Did she just call him a fucking bastard? Anna had never said anything like that before.

Young master, don't let anyone look down on you for your lineage.

Young master, you're perfect just the way you are. 

Even if no one else is, I will always be on your side, young master.

What's going on? Why was Anna suddenly calling him a bastard? And why was she walking towards him with a knife in her hand?

[Cassius, if you care so much about my energy, then I suggest you dodge now.]

Anna lunged forward, throwing Cassius off guard. Cassius stumbled a few steps back, somehow managing to dodge her attack.

"Why didn't you eat the fucking cupcake!?" Anna slashed her knife through the air, "Because of you, master will abandon me!"

<Master? >

Cassius had no idea who she was talking about. What master? It certainly wasn't him.

"I spent 10 years taking care of an illegitimate child like you." Anna's eyes were filled with hatred, "And this is how you repay me?"

"Anna, what are you doing?" Cassius raised his hands, worried. "Put your hand away, let's talk about this. Who will abandon you?"

"Shut up, Young Master." Anna raised the bottle in her other hand. Was she drinking? "There's nothing for us to talk about. Why didn't you eat the cupcake?"

"Why do you care so much about the cupcake!?" Cassius yelled, before pausing for a moment. That's when he realized he made a hasty assumption that just because the potion bullet had Elixinot, the cupcake didn't. "...Elixinot?" 

"What a complicated word you know, young master." Anna sneered, glancing at the window. "Even if you knew what it was, you should have eaten it anyway. Now, I have to kill a ten-year-old boy."

"Why?" Cassius's felt a strong ache in his heart. But it wasn't because Anna shot a magic missile at his chest, the barrier saved him from that.

She was a mage? More importantly, if it wasn't for the barrier that shot would have killed him instantly.

Anna shot fire arrows, and Cassius barely dodged. He glanced back at his bed that was now on fire.

[You're lucky she's not a very good mage, Cassius. With my help, you will be able to take care of her easily.]

<Take care of her?>

[Mission: Point your hand at Anna. 

Reward: Your first skill.]

All he had to do was raise his hand and point at her? But then, What would happen to Anna... Cassius hesitantly pointed his palm at her like Kar said.

For a moment Cassius was blinded by a sudden light. Where did the light come from?

Oh, the moon.

There was now a hole in Anna's chest. big enough that he could see the beautiful moon shining out the window. It was as if Anna herself had become a window.

Anna sneered looking down at the hole, "I hate you, young master." She glanced up at Cassius, before slowly unwinding her middle finger at him, "Go die in a ditch."

Anna 'fainted' towards Cassius and he could perhaps catch her if it wasn't for the fact he was too stunned to move.

[Congratulations, Cassius. You've completed your first mission.]

<My shoes... Anna...>

He was shocked beyond belief. All he did was point at her, but now he could see his shoes through beneath her chest. His red shoes...