A few days later, my friends and I returned to Icefall City. We left the day after I recovered from my injuries. Anna decided to accompany us, while her people remained behind to continue searching for our enemies' hideout. Their chances of success were low, but it was better than giving up.

Preparation took little time, since we were already packed up for travel. However, Andre delayed things when he insisted on sparring with me first. I assumed he would wait until after we returned to Icefall City, but his impatience got the better of him.

Andre was a skilled warrior for his age, especially since he could use Aura. However, no matter how skilled he was, he couldn't compare to Anna, who reached Supreme level of mastery. I trounced him. Afterwards, Andre spent the rest of the day sulking because "he lost to his younger cousin".

We also had to decide what to do with the loot we acquired. It turned out that Anna's people retrieved the corpses of the stone tusk boars, the Tier Two monsters we set out to hunt in the first place. Their hides were valuable, and I wanted to make some armor out of them.

The demon summoner we faced also had an enchanted item on him, a bracelet that allowed its user to become invisible. According to Anna, it wasn't as potent as hers, but it could hide more than one person at a time. That was how the demon summoner hid himself and the fiend on the day we met him.

After some back and forth, I ended up with enough hides to make armor and the enchanted item. Cally got everything else, including the reward money for the job commission. I tried to argue against this, but the others insisted.

They said that Cally and I contributed the most when facing the fiend and the demon summoners, so we deserved the reward. I pointed out that Anna and her people were the ones who dealt with the demon summoner, but Anna said she didn't want anything. In the end, I gave up and took my loot.

The journey back to Icefall City was uneventful. With four Second Star martial artists in our group, there were few monsters willing to get near us, let alone attack. Along the way, we explained the situation to Andre and Richard. While we kept out anything involving Anna and Cally's regression, we told him everything else. Our efforts to find the demons and their summoners, shoring up Icefall City's defenses, etc.

"I suspected as much." Andre said, reacting calmer than I expected. "I mean, Gabriel did ask me to summon a squad of Clan Leone's warriors in order to help deal with the demonic incursion. However, I hadn't realized the severity of the threat. Otherwise, I would've summoned more."

"Thank you, Lord Andre," Cally said, "Your aid is still appreciated."

Andre grinned and puffed up his chest. I rolled my eyes at that.

While nothing happened on the way to Icefall City, we encountered trouble as soon as we reached our destination. It was around noon when we arrived. Moments after we entered the city, a squad of House Icefall soldiers blocked our path. Their leader bowed to Cally.

"Lady Calla," he said, "Lord Icefall sent us to escort you back to Icefall Manor." He gave her a pleading look. "Please, don't make this more difficult than necessary. Lord and Lady Icefall are beside themselves with worry."

Cally let out a resigned sigh, as if she expected this. Then again, I wasn't surprised. Hunting the stone tusk boars should have taken us less than a week. Instead, we took twice as long. Lord Icefall's reaction was understandable.

"Everyone go ahead," Cally said, "I'll contact you again when I am able."

After that, the rest of us made our way to the Icefall Adventurers Guild. However, as we walked through the streets of Icefall City, I noticed that our group attracted a lot of attention. A lot of people kept staring at us, women in particular. One woman, who carried a basket full of apples, tripped over her own feet and spilled her apples everywhere. It took me a moment to realize that my face was the cause.

"You know," I said in a strained voice, "When you told me that my face would cause a commotion, I thought you were exaggerating."

Anna snorted.

"I told you." She said. "That's why I wanted to make you mine before we came back."

"Is that why you rejected my advances?" Andre asked. "I'm not as beautiful as my cousin?"

"That, and because you only wanted to marry me to advance your Clan's interests."

Andre looked thoughtful for a moment, before he shrugged.

"Fair enough."

It became worse when we arrived at the Icefall Adventurers Guild. At first, things were normal. The lobby was loud and boisterous as usual, with the smell of cheap beer lingering in the air.

However, people fell silent as they started to notice our group. They stared at us. Rather, they stared at my face. I started to feel self-conscious about it. The usual hustle and bustle resumed after a while, but people kept stealing glances at us.

Our group entered one of the lines in front of the receptionists' desk. Once again, we ended up in Marilyn's line. The line moved slower than usual, since the adventurers and the receptionists kept getting distracted by my appearance.

"I'm going to take a page out of Leroy's book and wear a mask next time." I said. "This is ridiculous."

"Don't you mean your book?" Leroy asked. "The mask was your idea in the first place."

Anna tapped her chin with her finger.

"Why not a veil?" She asked. "Like Cally." She smirked. "It would give you a mysterious allure."

I rolled my eyes at her.

"I'm not a doll for you to dress up and play around with."

"Maybe not." Anna leaned in and whispered into my ear. "However, I think you would look lovely in a dress."

I sighed. At some point, Anna and I needed to have a long conversation about boundaries.

"Young Master," Richard murmured under his breath, "I think it was for the best that Lady Anna rejected you."

"I agree." Andre murmured back.

I ignored both of them.

When it came time for Marilyn to help us, the perky woman with elfin-like features stared at me with wide eyes. I almost chuckled at her reaction to my real appearance.

"Hey there, Marilyn." I said. "We're here to turn in the job commission for the stone tusk boars."

Marilyn's jaw dropped.

"Brandon?!"

"Yes, it's me."

Marilyn sputtered.

"This is what you really look like?" She asked. "Why would you hide it?"

I jerked a thumb towards the rest of the lobby.

"Because this happens everywhere I go if I don't cover my face."

Marilyn glanced behind me, before giving me a sympathetic look.

"I see." After a moment, she gave me a flirtatious smile. "Listen, if you're free later-"

Anna wrapped an arm around my waist and pulled me closer to her.

"He's taken." She said with a not-smile on her face.

Marilyn narrowed her eyes at Anna. The two of them engaged in a stare-off, before Marilyn looked away. She clicked her tongue in disappointment.

"The good ones are always taken." She muttered.

Afterwards, Marilyn helped us with brisk efficiency as we turned in the job commission and received our payment.

"Can I meet with the guildmaster?" I asked when we finished. "Now that it's come to this point, I might as well register with my real name."

Marilyn gave me a puzzled look.

"Why would you…?" She trailed off. "Oh. You're a House scion."

I nodded.

"I see. Um, let me go see if she's available."

Marilyn hurried out of the lobby.

"This is where I leave you." Anna said. "I have some business to attend to." She grinned at me. "But first, I need to mark my territory."

Anna leaned in and gave me a long, lingering kiss. Her lips felt soft and warm. Despite that, they seemed to devour me. By the time the kiss ended, I felt a little lightheaded. My reaction delighted Anna.

"You didn't even ask first." I said, putting up a weak protest.

"Please, you enjoy that I'm like this."

Well, she wasn't wrong.

"See you later, Gabriel."

With that, Anna turned to go. I gave her a weak wave as she left. Andre threw an arm over my shoulder.

"For a self-proclaimed novice at romance," he said, smirking, "You seem to be doing well for yourself."

I shrugged.

"I can't take any credit. Anna is the one who pursued me first."

Andre's expression grew serious.

"Out of curiosity," he said in a low voice, "Do you know her real identity?"

I nodded.

"I have my suspicions." I said, matching his tone. "The rose motif made it obvious. I mean, Anna is just an abbreviated version of her actual first name." I raised an eyebrow at Andre. "Unless my suspicions are wrong."

Andre chuckled.

"No," he said, "You're right. As long as you're aware, I have nothing more to say." He pulled his arm away and stepped back. "I need to leave as well. I also have my own business to attend to. However, we'll see each other again soon. Goodbye, Cousin."

You might be reading a pirated copy. Look for the official release to support the author.

"Goodbye to you as well, Cousin."

Andre left the Icefall Adventurers Guild with Richard in tow. Leroy let out a forlorn sigh.

"Cheer up." I said. "If Andre and I accomplish our goals, you'll have more opportunities to see your brother in the future."

Leroy nodded.

"In that case, I pray for your success."

Marilyn returned a few minutes later.

"The guildmaster will see you in her office." She made a point of looking around. When she realized that Anna was gone, she leaned closer towards me. "If it doesn't work between you and Anna, let me know."

I gave her a polite smile.

"I don't think that would be a good idea." I said.

Marilyn seemed disappointed by this, but nodded in understanding. Afterwards, I headed upstairs to see Guildmaster Charity.

Guildmaster Charity studied me with her right eye. If my appearance affected her in any way, she didn't let it show. She sat behind her monstrous desk, the one that made the office feel so cramped. Leroy and I sat facing her. The smell of tobacco lingered in the air. Mementos from the guild master's adventuring days decorated the office. Light from the noon sun filtered in from the windows.

"I knew you were trouble when I first saw you," Guildmaster Charity said, "However, I never expected you to be a Sturm."

I raised an eyebrow at that.

"I didn't realize that being a Sturm meant trouble." I said.

Guildmaster Charity snorted.

"Lady Sturm's story is rather famous throughout all of Murim." She said. "There are even songs about it."

Huh. There were songs about what happened with Mother, Father, and Clan Leone? I hadn't expected that. I wondered where I could hear one of them.

"Please tell me you aren't a member of House Sturm's main family." Guildmaster Charity said, her expression strained.

"I am." I said. "Lord and Lady Sturm are my father and mother respectively."

Guildmaster Charity let out a resigned sigh.

"First a Leone, and now a Sturm." She muttered under her breath. "Why me?" She raised her voice. "I take it you want to join the Adventurers Guild under your real name?"

I nodded with a polite smile on her face.

"Fine," Guildmaster Charity said, "I'll make sure the paperwork goes through. I already let one House scion join. What's the harm in letting a second one join?"

"Well, Andre is more of a Clan scion than a House scion." I said.

Guildmaster Charity gave me a pointed look.

"No one likes a smart ass." She said.

I almost said that Anna likes me, smart ass or not, but I held my tongue. There were times to strike, and there were times to retreat. This was one of the latter.

"Now, will that be all?" Guildmaster Charity asked. "Or did you have some other business with me?"

I took a moment before responding.

"I have some business with the head of Clan Frostheart." I said.

The atmosphere in the office grew frosty. I couldn't tell if that was because of the cold look on Guildmaster Charity's face, or if the temperature in the room actually lowered. Either way, I felt a chill.

"You do, do you?" Guildmaster Charity asked.

I nodded.

"Very well."

Guildmaster Charity removed the patch covering her left eye. The moment she did, I sensed the mana coming from it. Ah, so it was an enchanted item. Guildmaster Charity's hair turned pure white, like Cally and Lord Icefall's. Her left eye was also the same icy blue. However, her right eye remained dark brown, providing a stark contrast.

"What business do you have with me, Lord Gabriel?" Clan Head Charity said.

"Some time ago, I asked Calla if she knew of any good places to go into seclusion, and she said to ask you." I paused. "She also told me to be prepared to pay a price for it."

Clan Head Charity raised an eyebrow at me.

"Did she tell you anything else?"

I shook my head. The clan head studied me for a moment.

"My niece is correct." She said. "We do have a place suitable for seclusion. However, it's restricted to members of Clan Frostheart and a few special guests. Not just anyone can enter." She nodded towards me. "You may come from House Sturm, but that means almost nothing in Murim."

Despite her words, I didn't feel discouraged or dejected. She hadn't said no, which meant I had a chance.

"Not yet." I said. "If we follow the usual course of things, I may end up founding Clan Sturm as an offshoot of House Sturm." I shrugged. "However, that's still a long ways off, if that ever happens. Instead, I propose a deal."

"Oh?" Clan Head Charity said, looking interested. "What sort of deal?"

"The kind that a House scion can offer, but not a Clan scion." I said. "Cally is attending the Solarian Imperial Academy this coming autumn, correct?"

Clan Head Charity nodded, but didn't say a word.

"In addition to being the Solarian Empire's most prestigious academic institution," I continued, "The Solarian Imperial Academy is also a prelude to high society. The connections that Cally makes there can determine the future of House Icefall. Since they're an offshoot of Clan Frostheart, this will indirectly affect your Clan as well."

Clan Head Charity made an impatient gesture.

"Get to the point." She said, irritated.

"My sister also attends the Solarian Imperial Academy." I said. "I can ask her to look after Cally, so your niece benefits from House Sturm's backing."

If Kaylee was also a regressor, then she would've done this anyway. However, I saw no reason to point this out to Clan Head Charity. Besides, what if Kaylee wasn't a regressor? Either way, this deal benefited me the most with the least amount of effort on my part.

Clan Head Charity didn't respond right away.

"A tempting offer." She said. "However, if I accept, Cally would also earn the ire of House Sturm's enemies."

I nodded in acquiescence. House Sturm had several enemies in high society. It came with being an old House with a long history. Feuds and grudges tended to accumulate.

"True," I said, "But the benefits of accepting my offer outweigh the downsides."

Clan Head Charity made a so-so gesture.

"We'll see." She said. "However, even if I accepted your offer, my Clan would see little direct benefit."

I frowned. Damn. Given Clan Head Charity's love for Cally, I hoped she would accept my offer right away. Still, I didn't blame her for hesitating. Her position demanded that she consider the wellbeing of her entire Clan, no matter how much she loved Cally.

"I'm not sure what I can offer Clan Frostheart." I admitted, even though it lowered my chances of success. "As you implied earlier, House Sturm has no influence in Murim."

Clan Head Charity grinned at me.

"Oh, you have much more to offer than you realize." She said. "While Lady Sturm left Murim a long time ago, people still tell stories of her exploits. From what I've heard, she was quite skilled in unarmed combat. It just so happens that Clan Frostheart also specializes in unarmed combat."

Ah, I saw where this was going.

"If I recall, you have a daughter around my age, correct?" I asked.

Clan Head Charity's grin widened.

"I do." She said. "My heir, Lorelei. If Lady Sturm were to mentor her, even just for a little bit, she would benefit immensely. That is what I want from you, in addition to your offer from earlier."

"I can write to my mother and ask, though I can't promise anything beyond that." I frowned. "However, I need to ask. Are you sure you want this? I assume you know why my mother left Murim."

Clan Head Charity nodded.

"Yes. Clan Leone disowned her."

"In that case, you must know that associating with my mother may hurt your daughter in the long run."

Clan Head Charity fell silent for a while, a solemn expression on her face.

"My daughter is talented," she said, "More so than me. Clan Frostheart can reach great heights under leadership. However, there is only so much I can teach her. She needs someone who can help her fulfill her potential, someone like Lady Sturm."

I took a moment to mull things over.

"Very well," I said, "I accept. I will ask my mother to mentor Young Mistress Lorelei. However, I can't promise anything more than that."

Clan Head Charity nodded.

"That's all I needed to hear." She said. "Thank you." She cleared her throat. "Now then, is that all?"

I nodded.

"In that case," Clan Head Charity said, "I will send someone to your residence this evening. In the meantime, I suggest you make whatever preparations you deem necessary."

"Thank you, Clan Head Charity." I said.

She put her eye patch back on, becoming Guildmaster Charity once more.

"Now get out of here." She said, making a dismissive gesture. "I have a guild to run."

With that, Leroy and I left her office.

I spent the rest of the day preparing to go into seclusion. First, I picked up my new ID card from Marilyn. Afterwards, I went to the rented house and packed up my remaining Spirit Elixirs, since I would be taking them with me. On the way, I bought a bunch of supplies, including enough food and water to last me for a while. Once I went into seclusion, I didn't plan on coming out until either I reached Second Star, or the demonic incursion attacked Icefall City.

I also wrote letters for Anna, Cally, and Andre, informing them of my plans. That way, they wouldn't worry. I also wrote a letter to my mother, telling her about my deal with Clan Head Charity and asking if she could mentor Lorelei Frostheart.

When I finished, I gave the letters to Leroy and instructed him to send them as soon as possible. I also told him to focus on his own training while I was in seclusion. If anything happened regarding the demons, I wanted him to work with Cally to handle the matter.

As for Richard, that was Leroy's personal business. If he wanted to spend time with his older brother, I was fine with that. Now that Andre knew about me, there was no reason for the two brothers to keep their distance from one another. When Leroy heard this, he gave me a grateful smile.

Afterwards, I took the stone tusk boar hides and brought them to an armorer to have some armor made. The two of us negotiated a bit, before we settled on a price. The armorer then took my measurements. When we finished with that, I paid a deposit and left. With any luck, the armor would be done by the time I left seclusion.

Evening arrived by the time I finished making all the necessary preparations. A servant belonging to Clan Frostheart arrived soon after. I said my goodbyes to Leroy, shouldered the pack I prepared, and followed the servant to Clan Frostheart's estate in Icefall Undercity.

It turned out that Clan Frostheart had their own private passageway to the surface, so we didn't have to go through Icefall Undercity. Convenient. The servant led me through this passageway. We soon arrived at Clan Frostheart's estate.

Similar to Icefall Manor, Clan Frostheart's estate was tasteful and well-appointed, despite being underground. In fact, its location gave it an added charm. Rather than paintings and such, carvings and etchings were the most common forms of artwork. A part of me wanted to stay and study them. However, I didn't have much time to spare. So, with regret, I hurried past.

I didn't see many people, most servants going about their duties. They bowed when they saw me, but otherwise left me alone. I wondered if the lack of people was due to the late hour, or if Clan Head Charity arranged for this. Either way, it mattered little to me.

The servant brought me to a door located deep within Clan Frostheart's estate. It was a massive wooden monstrosity, reinforced with metal bands, that looked like the entrance to some kind of foreboding dungeon. It had all kinds of magical symbols and arcane runes carved into it. A pair of intricate glowstone lamps flanked the door, shining with blue light. Atmospheric.

Clan Head Charity stood in front of the door, waiting for me. The servant brought me to her, before bowing and leaving.

"This is the entrance to the Heart Chamber," Clan Head Charity said after the servant disappeared from sight, "The foundation of Clan Frostheart." She eyed me up and down. "Fair warning: The temperature inside is just above freezing in there."

I wore my usual outfit of tough and practical clothing. However, I also bought other supplies, just in case.

"I have everything I need in here." I said, tapping my pack.

Clan Head Charity nodded, before she reached for the handle and heaved the door open. An abundance of mana flooded out of the now open door, accompanied by a biting cold. On the other side lay a large circular chamber made entirely of white, translucent crystals. The walls, the floor, the ceiling, everything. At first I thought the crystals were ice, but they didn't look right. They glowed with a faint inner light.

In the center of the chamber sat a blue irregular-shaped crystal about the size of a boulder. This was the source of the abundant mana and the cold. It wasn't an elemental crystal. It was something else, though I didn't know what. The sight of it stirred something within me. I felt a resonance with it, though I didn't know why.

"That's the Frostheart," Clan Head Charity said, nodding towards the blue crystal, "My Clan's most sacred treasure. In addition to the mana it emanates, you may gain other benefits by cultivating in here. It depends on your luck."

I frowned at her.

"What do you mean?"

Clan Head Charity paused before answering.

"We're not sure why, but certain people have an… Affinity with the Frostheart. It stimulates their growth, allowing them to cultivate at a faster speed. The exact rate varies from person to person." She gave me a sideways glance. "The really lucky ones gain an affinity for Ice. However, this has only happened a handful of times in my Clan's history."

I stared at her with wide eyes, before I chuckled.

"That is amazing." I said. "No wonder this is your Clan's sacred treasure. There are plenty who would kill to get their hands on something like this."

Clan Head Charity gave me a serious look.

"Exactly. I hope you keep the Frostheart's existence a secret. My Clan's safety depends on it."

"I promise." I said.

Clan Head Charity studied me for a moment, before nodding.

"I'll station someone outside the door at all hours," she said. "When you're ready to leave, knock three times."

"Noted."

"Now then, are you ready?"

I nodded. Clan Head Charity gestured for me to enter the Heart Chamber. I stepped inside. It felt like stepping into a freezer. Clan Head Charity hadn't been kidding when she said it was just above freezing in here. It was cold enough that I breathed out plumes of smoke every time I exhaled.

"Good luck, Lord Gabriel." Clan Head Charity said.

She closed the massive wooden door. It shut with a heavy thud, sealing me in the Heart Chamber.

My seclusion had begun.

If you find any errors ( broken links, non-standard content, etc.. ), Please let us know < report chapter > so we can fix it as soon as possible.