Caserie's elegant footsteps echoed softly against the forest floor, leaving Keiran with no choice but to follow. The lush foliage framed their path, sunlight filtering through the leaves to create a mesmerizing dance of shadows. As they ventured deeper into the heart of the forest, Keiran's gaze was torn between the enchanting scenery and the enigmatic woman who led the way.
His eyes couldn't help but be drawn to her ethereal presence. Caserie's silk white gown flowed like a cascade of moonlight with each graceful step, its delicate fabric catching the sunlight and shimmering like a halo around her. Her porcelain skin seemed to glow with an otherworldly radiance, a stark contrast to the verdant surroundings. Long strands of golden hair swayed with the rhythm of her movements, the gentle breeze carrying a sweet floral scent that added to her mystique.
Keiran cleared his throat, breaking the silence that had settled between them. "I thought you said you would give me an explanation about what's happening."
Caserie turned around, her lips curving into a gentle smile that seemed to hold a hint of amusement. "I did. Why? Are you growing impatient?"
"More like I'm fed up with not knowing anything about what the hell is going on," Keiran retorted, his irritation evident in his voice. "You owe me an explanation, goddess or whatever you are. I don't appreciate being dragged around by some random chick with big tits without any clue about the situation."
A soft chuckle escaped Caserie's lips, like the tinkling of wind chimes in a breeze. "Being reborn in another world didn't do much to tame that foul mouth of yours, did it? Some things never change, and in your case, they might have even gotten worse." With that, she resumed her stride, her steps graceful and confident.
However, she halted abruptly when she realized Keiran had come to an abrupt stop. She turned back to him, her inquisitive gaze meeting his bewildered one.
"What are you saying?" Keiran's voice quivered with a mix of confusion and seriousness. "Reborn? What do you mean by that?"
Caserie's gaze held a mixture of sympathy and understanding as she regarded him. "Keiran Greystone," she began, her tone soft but carrying an air of solemnity. "You were originally from Eteria, but you became one of the few souls to be reincarnated in another world after death."
Keiran's brows furrowed in disbelief, his mind struggling to process this revelation. "Reincarnated? Are you saying I've been... reborn?"
Caserie nodded, her eyes never leaving his. "Yes, precisely. Reincarnation to another world occurs when a soul possesses an overwhelming desire for it. Given your past life and your perspective on Eteria, it's not surprising that your soul sought another existence and ended up in Earth."
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Silence lingered between them for a moment, Keiran's mind a whirlwind of emotions and thoughts. "You... You know who I was in my past life?"
Caserie paused for a second, then nodded, her eyes locking onto Keiran's with a mix of determination and a hint of vulnerability. "Yes. And I really wanted to respect his decision," she admitted, her voice laced with sincerity. "I was planning to let you be, to let you live your life without interference. But the situation in Eteria turned grave, so I have no choice but to take you back and ask for your help to bring peace to that world."
The weight of her words hung heavily in the air, a palpable tension that wrapped around Keiran's thoughts like a vice. He couldn't deny the curiosity that gnawed at him, nor the sense of destiny that seemed to echo through his very being. He turned his gaze away, a swirl of emotions battling for dominance within him. A few seconds of silence ensued, neither of them moving, each lost in their own thoughts.
Keiran's face gradually cleared as understanding dawned upon him, like a fog lifting to reveal the path ahead. His contemplations were interrupted by a slow, deliberate nod. "To be summoned back here, even after reincarnation, to save an entire world. Does that mean I was some kind of great figure in my past life?" His voice held a mixture of amazement and disbelief as he raised both hands in a theatrical gesture. "Or perhaps... I was a hero? I must be a... Hero."
Caserie couldn't help but chuckle at his bravado, her lips curling into an amused smile. "Uhm... Not really," she responded, amusement dancing in her eyes. "But I must say, you are ideal enough for the task at hand."
Keiran's shoulders lifted and fell in a casual shrug, a nonchalant grin playing on his lips. "Doesn't matter. Getting transported to another world is definitely better than going back to my boring life." His eyes held a glint of mischief, a newfound excitement coursing through his veins.
"I am glad you decided to accept this monumental task so easily," Caserie acknowledged, her tone tinged with genuine appreciation.
"You don't seem surprised about it," Keiran mused, his arms crossing over his chest. A flicker of suspicion danced across his gaze. "Now that I think about it, even if I contemplate leaving my parents and little sister behind— my loved ones, I can't seem to feel anything. It's like my emotions have been dampened. Do you have something to do with it?"
Caserie's pace slowed momentarily, her head tilting as she regarded him with a steady gaze. "Perhaps, forsaking those who truly and profoundly held concern for you is an inherent aspect of your character," she replied cryptically, her words leaving more questions than answers.
"Ha? What's that supposed to mean?" Keiran quirked an eyebrow, his eyes narrowing as he observed Caserie's enigmatic demeanor.
"Nothing," Caserie responded, her voice carrying an air of mystery. She resumed her forward march, her steps graceful yet purposeful. "Anyway, we should head to the Fountain of Power now. Let's go get you a powerful skill for you... Hero." As she spoke those words, a fleeting glimpse of a smile, brimming with genuine happiness, played across her features—a brief revelation of her own hidden reasons. "Welcome home."