Chapter 52

A Slave Mark was more than just a symbol; it was an indelible stain, a permanent reminder of one's past servitude that could never be erased. Once branded as a slave, an individual carried that mark for life, forever condemned to be judged and treated as such by society.

Even in the rare event that a slave was granted freedom by their master, the mark would remain etched upon their skin, an enduring testament to their past bondage. Despite their newfound liberty, they would forever carry the burden of their former status, forever branded as a slave in the eyes of society.

No matter how far they travelled or how much they achieved, they would always be viewed through the lens of their past, judged and scrutinized for a label they could never escape. The mark served as a constant reminder of their subservience, a scar that refused to fade, ensuring that they would always be seen as inferior, unworthy, and lesser than in the eyes of others.

Silence hung heavy between Aether and Stella as they sat by the crackling fire, the weight of the revelation settling upon them like a suffocating blanket.

A Slave Mark itself is a curse that cannot be lifted until death. No matter what, people would judge him just by seeing the Slave Mark... A simple tattoo that gives anyone the right to judge him.

But the mark's significance didn't end there. When a slave ran away from their master's control, the mark took on a new role, a warning to all who crossed paths with the "stray." It glowed with an eerie light, signalling to society that this individual was no longer under the authority of a master. And in a world where strays were viewed as disposable, the consequences were grave.

A stray slave was deemed unfit to exist, a threat to the established order that needed to be eliminated or reported to the authorities immediately.....

Truly, it was Dangerous... and yet, Aether had only just become aware of its dangers.

After a minute or so of sombre silence, Stella broached the subject awkwardly, "Mr. Kai, you might not be aware, but the garment you're wearing is itself an indication of your status as a slave. So, it's hardly surprising that you bear the mark on the back of your neck."

"Is it possible to remove it?" Aether inquired, hope flickering faintly in his eyes.

"..." Stella's response was a weighty silence, her expression conveying more than words ever could.

Sighing deeply, Aether realized the dire predicament he was in. Even if he managed to escape, the mark of his past servitude would continue to haunt him, casting a shadow over any semblance of freedom he might attain, "Why?" he pondered silently, grappling with the unfairness of his circumstances and the harsh reality of his situation.

He began to feel that death was better than this shitty life.

Seeking some solace in understanding, Aether turned to Stella. "What about you?" he asked, his voice tinged with a mixture of curiosity and apprehension.

"Hmm?" Stella tilted her head in confusion.

"I mean, you said you wouldn't snatch me away, right?" Aether clarified, his words tinged with doubt and curiosity.

"Well..." Stella's response came with an awkward smile, her eyes reflecting a sense of compassion, "You helped me, a stranger, in the middle of an unknown forest... So, I don't have the heart to do that".

"Is that so..." Aether muttered, his gaze fixated on her eyes for the first time.... a deep ash colour that perfectly complemented her whitish-grey hair. She truly appeared to be a wonderful girl.

"You have beautiful eyes, Stella," Aether blurted out unconsciously, eliciting a deep blush from her cheeks.

+1 Affection

"So, that's why that man looked at me with a wary face?" Aether inquired, gesturing towards the man who stood guard.

"... Yes, they must have thought you were a stray slave and might have killed you, fearing you could be dangerous," Stella replied with a serious expression, her thoughts drifting to the hardships they had endured, 'Can't blame them, considering all they've been through,' she mused silently.

Aether felt a bead of sweat trickle down his brow as the gravity of the situation sank in. With trepidation, he asked, "Can you tell me about this world? I really don't know anything... Please."

Since Stella believed him and even gave him some affection points, Aether found himself beginning to trust her, if only a little.

Upon seeing Aether's serious expression, Stella smiled warmly and began to explain, "We are in the Empire called Aquaris Naiadae, ruled by Royal Empress Marisandra Naiadia. Currently, we are around the outskirts of the forest near a village called Shia Village, which is renowned for its Hunting Forest."

She continued, her tone becoming more animated as she delved into the details, "This forest is popular among those seeking to increase their levels, as it is teeming with numerous monsters of different varieties. It offers ample opportunities for individuals to significantly boost their levels. However, it can also be dangerous at times, especially when high-level Star Monsters roam the area."

Stella's gaze drifted to the black-haired man who stood nearby, his eyes filled with curiosity when he looked at them.

"High-Level Star Monsters?" Aether raised his eyebrows inquisitively.

"Yes, just like us, monsters are also blessed by Arcane Energy. However, instead of having an Arcane Card, they possess a large crystal stone embedded between their chests or any other parts of their body. These crystals come in colours like Golden, Silver, Copper, and Blank, and inside them are stars that determine their levels," Stella explained.

"I see..." Aether nodded, drawing parallels to his gaming experiences, 'So, it's like in the game where defeating monsters would drop valuable items,' he mused silently before voicing his question, "So, do these crystals help us level up?"

"Yes, with those crystals, we can level up," Stella affirmed.

'Then what about the slim that I countered before...' Aether thought as tried to recall his traumatic incident and yet he was sure he didn't see any kind of crystal, frowning and just about her when,

Stella's gaze turned vigilant as she noticed the black-haired man approaching.

Seeing this, Aether stood up and sat beside Stella.

+1 Affection

"..." Aether blinked his thoughts in disarray, 'I didn't even need to seduce her... do I?' he pondered, surprised by the unexpected turn of events.

"Hello, Ms. Stella," the black-haired man greeted with a respectful nod as he settled before them, his gaze intense as he looked between Stella and Aether, assessing them both.

"Hello," Stella replied warmly, her eyes reflecting gratitude for his acknowledgement.

"I know this might be late, but I truly thank you for your help," the black-haired man continued, his voice sincere as he bowed slightly in appreciation. "If not for your timely arrival, we might have lost a few more people."

Stella's cheeks flushed with a mix of humility and gratitude as she hastily responded, "N-No need for that, Sir..."

"The name is Blake," the black-haired man interjected.

"There is no need for that, Sir Blake," Stella continued, her tone earnest as she explained, "I am simply fulfilling my duty as a member of the healer community. I cannot ignore the call to aid those in need." though there was little embarrassment in her eyes.

Blake's expression softened, his eyes reflecting understanding as he nodded in acknowledgement. "Of course, I understand. Your dedication is commendable."

"Hahah..." Blake chuckled softly before his demeanour turned solemn. "Today, if not for my insistence on staying here, our team might not have lost those members. I know others were angry at me for dragging them out at night, but it was the only chance to enter the tournament of Empress Marisandra's daughter's engagement."

"What?" Aether tilted his head in confusion.