Soon after.

"Impossible!"

Ouyang Shi’s denial echoed through the study.

Unfazed by his daughter’s outburst, Ouyang Long simply lifted his teacup, savoring the premium black tea. After a slow sip and a contented sigh, he set it down and finally met her gaze.

"Reasons."

"If I leave like this—who’ll take care of my brother?! With Mother gone, he only has me! Without me, he’ll die!" Ouyang Shi’s voice cracked raw with fury as she hurled her protest at her father.

"Tsk. What about our agreement?"

"Ugh..."

Just those words. Just one sentence from Ouyang Long made Ouyang Shi’s face twist with bitter resentment.

"You obey me, and Ouyang Ge lives. That was our deal. Now *you’re* breaking it. To make you listen, I’ll have to say things that sting."

"......"

Teeth clenched, Ouyang Shi’s expression darkened further.

The room’s temperature began dropping unnaturally. Sensing the shift, Ouyang Long merely smiled, calm and untroubled.

"Ouyang Shi," he raised a finger, "understand this: Your Magic is the strongest in the Ouyang Clan. Outside, it’s peerless. To make our clan greater, you *must* lead it. I care for nothing else. Just etch the Ouyang name into history."

Hearing this hollow ideal, nausea coiled in Ouyang Shi’s gut.

"So you threaten me with my brother? For your *boring* dream?!"

"*Boring* dream?" Ouyang Long stood, towering over his daughter. "Do you think our lives now fell from the sky? They’re built on the last generation’s blood and sweat. I won’t bury the Ouyang legacy just because I lack Magic talent."

"Xiao Ge is *your son too*! Don’t you feel *anything* for him?! Born with a death sentence, living like this—do you even deserve to be called a father?!"

Her roar didn’t flicker his expression.

"This world devours the weak to feed the strong. Ouyang Ge’s birth was a mistake. A useless burden. Why waste Ouyang resources keeping him alive?!"

"You bastard! You’re not even human!"

"*Silence!*" Ouyang Long’s gentle mask shattered. Lion-like ferocity seized his face. Ignoring the thin frost creeping over his right hand, he gripped her jaw. "What do *you* know? For the Ouyang Clan, I’d shed my humanity and become a demon. What could a child like you understand?!"

Ouyang Shi’s eyes widened. The air turned glacial. Snowflakes materialized from nothing, swirling in the room—her Magic spiraling out of control, freezing even herself...

"You *will* attend the Exchange Conference. Whether you want to or not."

He released her jaw, his face smoothing back to calm.

"Unless you want something... *happening* to Ouyang Ge."

"Tch!" Ouyang Shi rubbed her jaw, glaring pure hatred.

"L-let me think..."

"Departure is Monday at 8 a.m. You have ten hours. Say your goodbyes to your brother."

Brimming with fury and helplessness, Ouyang Shi stormed out.

She didn’t care if her brother was asleep. Half an hour later, she kicked open the door to Ouyang Ge’s small house.

His eyes snapped open.

*Who...? No one comes at this hour. An enemy?*

Facing away from the door, Ouyang Ge swiftly turned his head. Beneath the blanket, his small hands tightened around a palm-sized stone—the only weapon he had. Not meant to kill. Just strike the right acupressure points to paralyze.

But he loosened his grip instantly. No need. He knew that presence.

"Xiao Ge? Are you asleep?"

"Eh? Jie-jie? What’s wrong so late?"

Rubbing his eyes with feigned sleepiness, Ouyang Ge turned over. He *could* sit up—but to spare his sister worry, he stayed lying down.

"Xiao Ge, I..."

Three words. Fat tears already rolled down Ouyang Shi’s cheeks.

"Jie-jie?! What’s wrong?"

This time, Ouyang Ge’s shock was real. He’d never seen his sister this broken.

"I... I have to go far away. For a whole month..."

"........"

Distant memories surged. Ouyang Ge froze for a split second—then understood.

*It begins. The prelude to tragedy...*

His calm heart churned violently. But he couldn’t reveal himself. Not yet.

Forcing stillness, he kept his voice childlike. "Jie-jie, what happened? Why are you crying? Did I do something wrong?"

"No! Xiao Ge, you’re perfect. It’s just..."

Sobs choked her. She couldn’t tell him. Not at eight years old. She couldn’t let him see Ouyang Long’s true face. She had to endure. Until she was strong enough...

"Just...?"

"N-nothing. Xiao Ge, I leave tomorrow. But I can’t—I can’t stop worrying about you!"

She crushed his small body against her chest, lost.

"Jie-jie..."

The act was pointless now. To ease her mind, Ouyang Ge loosened his restraint. Tiny arms wrapped around her. In one fluid motion, he flipped over her back.

Startled, Ouyang Shi whirled around. Her brother stood before her, scratching his black hair with an awkward grin.

"Xiao Ge..."

More tears spilled. She covered her mouth.

"So don’t worry about me, Jie-jie! I can take care of myself now. People bring meals every day—I won’t starve. Though..." he pouted playfully, "nothing tastes as good as yours."

"Xiao Ge! My Xiao Ge!!"

She hugged him again, fiercely—as if trying to fuse him into her very being.

"Jie-jie! I—I can’t breathe!"

Ouyang Ge squirmed against her chest. She loosened her grip instantly—but now she was laughing through tears.

"To see you so grown-up... I’m so happy..."

"Then go, Jie-jie. I won’t let you down."

"I won’t! I *have* to go... but I’ll rush back the moment it’s done!"

Wiping her tears, Ouyang Shi kissed his forehead and left, finally at peace.

Waving goodbye, Ouyang Ge’s smile vanished the moment the door closed. His face hardened into a demon’s grimace.

"The Magic Exchange Conference. The Unified Kingdom’s annual gathering of Sorcerers. This is where it all begins..."

He stared at his small hands, urgency clawing his chest.

*Is there still time?*

Memories of utter carnage flashed—every Ouyang slaughtered, his sister’s heart pierced before his eyes. He’d survived, somehow. But Ouyang Shi’s body? Vanished without a trace.

*She was probably saved. By someone.*

He wouldn’t stop the coming tragedy. He wouldn’t take her away. The Ouyang Clan’s protection was still her shield. The outside world’s cruelty? He knew it well. A former assassin knew too much.

*At the very least... I must learn what truly happened to her. For that—*

His tiny fist clenched tight.

*—I need power.*