10 years later - Third-Person Point of View
Daytime
A young man with pink hair was sleeping under a tree. A few moments later, he finally woke up as the sunlight hit his face. His irises were pitch-black; the light didn't fade their color at all. Instead, his irises seemed to absorb the light itself.
"Aaaahhh! That felt good," the young man said, stretching his limbs.
He was Carsel, now 15 years old.
"It's noon. Time to go home." He stood up, walking leisurely without a thought in the world, until he felt something was strange. Carsel stopped walking and stood still. "Why is it so quiet? Where are my friends?"
Carsel began to take it seriously. He started running home, but on the path lay a cat.
"Rai!"
Carsel knelt, checking the pulse of the cat named Rai. Rai was one of Carsel's childhood friends, and now his pulse had stopped.
"What happened here? Everything was fine before." Seeing the cat lying there, something was definitely wrong.
"Mama, wait for me!" Carsel then ran home, heading to where the artifact door was.
As soon as he arrived, Carsel was shocked. Outside the entrance lay a deer and a monkey.
"UNCLE REY! UNCLE MARU!"
He checked them carefully, and the result was that none of their organs were working. He then cast a detection spell on the surrounding area. The result showed many animals, Carsel's friends, lying motionless. Without a second thought, Carsel immediately opened the door and went inside.
Tap, tap, tap. Carsel arrived in the living room.
"MAMA! MAMA! WHERE ARE YOU!?"
Carsel searched the rooms but couldn't find her, not in the kitchen or anywhere else. He checked again, and the result was the same. His heart was beating very fast; various bad scenarios began to pop into his head.
But when he returned to his starting point, the living room—which had been empty before—now contained his mother's body.
Without a word, Carsel rushed forward, wanting to hug her body, but from the shadows, a mysterious figure emerged and immediately choked his mother Clara's neck.
"Stop right there," the figure warned. "Or I'll crush her throat. And don't even think about fighting back, because I'm faster than you," the mysterious figure said. Their body was cloaked in a dark purple robe and hood, their face hidden by a mask.
Carsel immediately froze in place, his Adam's apple bobbing. Sweat soaked his forehead. "Who are you? And what is your purpose?"
Impossible. Who is this? What's he doing here, This isn't a place you can just enter as you please.
"I am no one, and my purpose is you," the figure said, pointing at Carsel with their other hand.
"If your purpose is me, then release my mother now!" Carsel said, his jaw tightening.
"You want your mother back?"
"Of course!"
"Then catch me." The mysterious figure merged into the shadows, taking Clara's body with them. The mysterious figure moved from place to place through the shadows. The figure exited the artifact door, heading towards the 500-meter-tall giant tree, while Carsel chased after them with all his might.
It's ineffective to teleport now; they're constantly moving through the shadows, Carsel monologued.
Carsel took a breath, concentrating fully, and cast a long-range spell. "Star Projectile!"
Projectiles of star energy appeared around Carsel, ready to be launched at the mysterious figure. But the projectiles didn't move at all, because Carsel thought twice.
What if they use my mother's body as a shield? If that happens, I'll be the one who kills her indirectly. This is so frustrating.
They arrived at the giant tree in Heartwood. There was a statue of a goddess there and a gate that emitted a light blue glow. The mysterious figure headed for the gate, followed by Carsel. It was a fierce race. The mysterious figure leaped from a shadow towards the gate. Behind them, Carsel almost caught their shadow, but the shadow entered first. By just one centimeter, the mysterious figure disappeared along with the light blue glow.
Carsel fell to the ground. He didn't disappear like the mysterious figure; or rather, the blue light vanished first.
...
Carsel's Point of View
I failed, damn it!
I immediately got up and looked back. There was a gate and a statue, both made of stone. The gate was rectangular but empty. There was nothing inside, hollow like a donut. Before, there was a blue light, and now it's gone. That damn kidnapper took my mother away, and now I'm alone.
I clenched both my fists and bit my lip. This can't be happening. This must just be a dream. I'm definitely dreaming right now. Inhale—exhale. I immediately closed my eyes and opened them again. I'll go back home. They must be waiting for me. That's right, they must be waiting for me.
I walked home, hoping all of this was just a dream, but it wasn't.... The animals I knew, my friends, were all lying on the ground. I slowed my pace. I didn't look at the scattered corpses at all. What happened while I was sleeping? Why was I the only one who survived?
Unconsciously, my face darkened, expressionless. Finally, I arrived at the place that was my home. The bodies of Uncle Maru and Uncle Rey were still there. I knelt, checking once more. My hands trembled, my shoulders shook, and tears fell from my eyes without being asked.
What is this? Why is it like this?
With a trembling body, I tried to stand up, my face covered in tears. I still couldn't believe this all happened in an instant. This tragedy appeared suddenly—unfiltered, leaving me speechless.
My hand trembled as I went to open the door, but I steeled myself and stepped inside. I stood like a statue, because what I feared had truly happened. There was no mama to welcome me home, no scent of flowers or freshly served food. Everything was over here.
But for some reason, there was a piece of paper and my mother's ring on the floor. I swear, the first time I came in, neither of those things was there. I bent down and picked up the paper. I realized there was a sentence on it and read it while standing.
Hahaha.... You want to save her? Don't you? Then go to the giant tree and leave this place through the gate. I know you're curious about who I am, and believe me, even when you get to the outside world, it doesn't mean you'll be able to find me.
What is this? The one who wrote this must be the kidnapper. Unconsciously, I clenched my fist, and the paper tore in my hand.
"Alright, I'll play your game." I turned around and walked out. But before that, I have to bury them. One by one, I buried them. It took a long time, actually, and I did it with a heavy heart. Imagine seeing your childhood friends dead while you were sleeping soundly.
I finished. Everyone was buried. I immediately looked at my mother's ring, which was now in my hand. "This ring... Mama always wore it on her ring finger every day." I then examined the object more closely and realized it was a storage ring.
...
I tightened the laces of my boots, attached my katana to my waist, and put on the Unique-grade artifact.
Magical Change
Description: A necklace forged by the dwarves under a full moon.
Active Power: Allows the user to change their hair color, eye color, and voice—lasts for 12 hours and has a 3-hour cooldown.
Passive Power: None.
Tier: Unique.
I immediately headed to the center of this place, the 500-meter-tall tree. But when I arrived, it was still the same as before. The gate didn't emit a blue light. This was frustrating. Then I looked at the statue of the goddess beside it. I just realized that the statue was holding a plaque. On it was written:
What do you want to become?
I stood there, like a statue myself. I didn't understand at all... What was the meaning and purpose of that plaque? Was it asking me?
Perhaps it was. I answered, "I want to be a hero. To save and help people in need."
And magically, the gate opened. My bangs, which were previously down, flew back because of the wind. The gate lit up with a blue light. It was the same light as the kidnapper's. Is this the gate to the outside world? A world that my mama said was full of hatred, war, and jealousy.
I clenched my fists, solidifying my resolve to save my mother. I then stepped into the gate. My body disappeared along with the blue light.
And this is my journey in a world I do not know at all.
---
Third-Person Point of View
Carsel stepped into the gate. A bright blue light blinded him, and he felt his body being sucked into a massive vortex of energy. When the light faded, Carsel found himself standing inside an iron cage. Carsel quickly looked around and saw other iron cages as well.
"Why am I here?" Carsel asked himself in a confused tone. Then he realized that the cage he was in had another occupant. The occupant was chained, both their hands and their neck. They were not in good condition; they looked extremely weak, perhaps from not being fed at all.
Carsel approached the person. "Hey, what happened to you?" Carsel asked with concern. But the person didn't answer; even breathing was difficult for them. Carsel wanted to save them, but he didn't know how. He had nothing with him right now, only himself.
"BRAK!" The sound of the cell door opening.
A large man, two meters tall, appeared and stepped inside. Carsel immediately stood up and turned around. The two of them stared at each other.
"Looks like Vector forgot someone," the man said. "Alright then, I'll be the one to chain you."
Although the man had a fierce expression, inwardly he was surprised. Who is this person? Why is he wearing neat clothes and looks completely fine? Where did they get this slave? the man thought. Could it be he's a runaway noble's slave?
Carsel immediately drew the katana at his waist and prepared to fight. Carsel was currently a Tier 3 [Master] Swordsman and a Tier 5 [Advanced] Mage. Carsel clearly prioritized the Swordsman role over the Mage role. His katana was enveloped in a yellow aura, while the man didn't draw any weapon, meaning he was bare-handed.
He must be a high-level mage. Can I do this? No, I have to, Carsel monologued.
Carsel charged recklessly. He slashed horizontally at the man—but from the dirty floor, chains emerged and shackled Carsel's body. His arms, legs, and neck. Carsel immediately fell. He struggled, trying to break free, until he realized they weren't ordinary chains. "Ouch, these are anti-magic shackles."
"Yep, that's right," the man replied.
He cast a spell without hand seals or incantations. This person must be a Tier 4 Mage or even higher, Carsel monologued.
The man dragged Carsel out of the cell. The prison corridor was long, with dozens of cells on the left and right. Inside each cell, Carsel saw people in pitiful conditions—tattered clothes, emaciated bodies, eyes empty of hope. Some of them were still children.
"What is this?! Why are you doing this!" Carsel asked emotionally.
"It's business, kid," the man replied.
"Business? What kind of business involves children and leaves people on the verge of death?!"
"...."
The man didn't answer at all; he ignored Carsel's rambling. They climbed a new set of stairs, heading to the upper floor. The sounds of a commotion grew clearer—laughter, conversations, and occasional applause.
"Where are you taking me?" Carsel asked the man.
"To a place where fine slaves like you are sold," the man replied. "There's a big auction today. Rich nobles are looking for quality slaves."
Carsel felt sick hearing that. "You sell people?"
"Don't ask so many questions. Get in!" the man said as he shoved Carsel.
A large door opened, and Carsel was greeted by a sight that shocked him. A spacious room with luxurious decorations—crystal chandeliers, gold-plated walls, red silk carpets. Dozens of people dressed in expensive clothes with sparkling jewelry were gathered there.
The nobles.
In the middle of the room was a small stage, and on it stood a thin man with a pointed beard, speaking loudly.
"...and now, the next slave!" the man shouted—he seemed to be the auctioneer. "A young man in his teens with a special appearance!"
The guards pushed Carsel onto the stage. A bright light blinded him, and dozens of pairs of eyes stared at him with a gaze that made him uncomfortable.
"Look at the quality!" the auctioneer lifted Carsel's chin forcefully. "Beautiful, rare-colored hair, and his silver eyes! Perfect to be a BDSM slave for you lonely ladies!"
Whispers began to spread through the crowd:
"Black hair... so rare."
"His body isn't muscular; he must have never worked hard."
"His eyes... silver. Never seen anything like it."
"Even if his face isn't handsome, who cares? As long as he can be used, it'll be entertaining."
Carsel felt like an animal on display. Damn it, I just arrived and I'm already this unlucky, Carsel thought. He tried to cover his face, but the auctioneer held his shoulders firmly.
"The bidding starts at 50 gold coins!"
"60!" shouted an old woman with a diamond necklace.
"75!" a fat man with a ring on every finger chimed in.
"100!" another voice joined.
[1 bronze coin = $1. 1 silver coin = $10. 1 gold coin = $100. 1 platinum coin = $1,000.]
The price continued to rise rapidly. Carsel looked at the greedy faces with a mixture of disgust and fear. This was the outside world his mother had told him about—cruel and full of lust.
But from above, there was a beautiful woman—and beside her, a maid. The maid was fanning the woman. "I'm not interested in him. Even though his eye and hair color are rare, his face is ugly," said the woman, who was the mistress.
"So we'll just pass?" the maid asked her mistress.
"Yes. Whoever buys that slave must be a fool," the noblewoman said, her hazel eyes shining behind a mask.
"1 platinum coin!"
A clear voice cut through the noise. All eyes turned to the source—a young woman of about fifteen years standing at the back of the room. Her appearance was different from the other nobles. Her clothes were luxurious but not excessive—a navy blue gown with silver accents, dark brown hair tied neatly, a beautiful face with sharp, plum-colored irises. There was an aura of power around her.
"Princess Seraphina von Heartstone!" the auctioneer bowed respectfully. "The Princess of the Heartstone Imperial Family bids 1 platinum coin!"
"What the?! Why is Seraphina interested in that ugly slave?" the previous noblewoman asked. "Did I miss something?" The noblewoman then made an offer. "10 platinum coins!"
This time, all eyes turned to her. They were shocked that someone dared to challenge the Imperial family. It meant she was also a high-ranking noble.
Seraphina wouldn't be outdone. "20 platinum coins!"
"30 platinum coins," the woman countered.
The maid beside her was a little worried. "Will this be alright, Lady Lyanna?" the maid whispered to her mistress who was bidding. "I'm afraid His Majesty the Emperor will be angry for spending money on a slave."
"You're a fool. If Seraphina is bidding on that slave, it means there's something special about him," Lady Lyanna replied to her maid. "And I want to interfere with Seraphina's plans a little, hehe," she said with a small laugh.
"100 platinum coins!" said Lady Seraphina.
"Damn, it seems that slave is really being targeted by her."
"Anyone dare to go higher than 100 platinum coins?" the auctioneer asked, scanning the room. "100 platinum coins for this special young man!"
Silence.
"One..."
"Two..."
"Three! Sold to Lady Seraphina von Heartstone!"
Thunderous applause erupted. Carsel looked at the woman who had just "bought" him with mixed feelings—relieved not to have fallen into the hands of the other evil-looking nobles, but still angry at being treated like an object.
Lady Seraphina walked towards the stage with confident steps. Her plum-colored eyes met Carsel's silver ones.
"Your name?" she asked directly, ignoring the protocol that slaves should not speak first.
"Carsel," he answered quietly.
"Carsel," Seraphina repeated the name, as if tasting the sound of the word on her tongue. "A good name for someone with such a special appearance."
She took out a pouch filled with platinum coins and handed it to the auctioneer. "The transaction is complete. I will take this slave now."
It didn't stop there. Carsel also had to fulfill a contract with Seraphina. The contract was written on special parchment with blood ink and magic. Carsel didn't want to, but the choice was no longer in his hands. He was forced to accept it, and a slave seal quickly appeared on his left chest.
"Don't defy me, okay?" Seraphina asked with a friendly smile. "Because it will only hurt you. Be a good boy."
Seraphina looked at Carsel's silver irises with an unreadable expression. "Follow me, Carsel."
As they walked out of the auction hall, Carsel tried to process everything that had just happened. In a matter of hours, he had lost everything—Heartwood, his uncles, his friends, his mother, and his freedom. And now he belonged to a stranger.
Lady Seraphina stopped for a moment at the exit, turning to Carsel. "One thing you need to know," she said in a low voice that only Carsel could hear. "I didn't buy you to be an ordinary slave." Her plum eyes stared intensely. "There's something about you that's... interesting. And I'm going to find out what that is."
A luxurious carriage was waiting outside—drawn by four white horses with silver decorations. Seraphina got in first, and Carsel followed, looking as neat as before. As the carriage began to move away from the slave market, Carsel looked out the window. The evening sky was orange, very different from the auroras in Heartwood.
"Now, take off your clothes," was Seraphina's first command to Carsel.
Carsel was shocked to hear this, his expression one of refusal. "No."
But suddenly, his body was wracked with pain. He fell from his seat, his body paralyzed, and inside, his organs felt like they were on fire.
"Didn't I tell you? Don't defy me."
"Argh... P-please—"
Seraphina bent down, placing her palm on Carsel's left chest—where the slave seal was. And magically, the pain Carsel was experiencing disappeared.
Seraphina sat back down. "Now, take off your clothes," she said, her tone leaving no room for argument. Carsel returned to his seat. Sweat appeared on his forehead, but without another word, he obeyed her command.
Carsel lifted his shirt, and the slave seal on his left chest was revealed, along with the two necklaces he wore.
Seraphina's eyes narrowed. "Take off those necklaces, one by one." Carsel obeyed weakly.
First, he took off the 'Magical Change' necklace. And quickly, his previously black hair returned to its original pink color, and his silver irises turned pitch-black again.
[I'm sorry, the chapter is cut off, I'm sleepy now.]