37 Why are they here?

The days in Shrek were relaxing and fulfilling. Sometimes Aiden will associate with the only other three students and they overtime came to understand each other, especially Dai Mubai. That guy pestered Aiden with spars all the time to improve himself. Another time Aiden will spar with Zhao Wuji and never won even once. He didn't use second spirit abilities, neither he revealed Storm Wings, but they really won't help much, that man's cultivation was three realms higher, no matter how strong one is making a jump like that is simply impossible.

It is not only about overall body power, but every realm has a tremendous leap in terms of energy, power, and purity. Although Aiden's power came from the platinum dragon and was very tyrannical, it was at most on par with low-level Spirit Emperors, but far from Saints. Even his body was not on par with Zhao Wuji.

All in all, what he excelled in is battle techniques and versatility, but that bear can negate all that with a cultivation base.

But most of the time he will train in sword path and zither, coupled with soul artifact craft and body training. The later stagnated at fifteen marks for a long time already and he recognized that normal means won't help. This body training routine was mainly so he won't get rusty with technique. The former was even more complicated, but he still made significant progress.

What he did of significance was teaching the trio body refinement art. Mubai took character "Blood", that mark prominent feature to enhance regeneration. As for Ma Hongjun his choice was one of the lesser elemental ones - "Fire". With his constitution and martial spirit, it was proven to be the best. As for Oscar, for him Aiden gave "Devour" mark body type – one of the strongest.

After guys saw the arts and experience them on their own skin, everyone was either speechless or dumbfounded which is pretty much the same. Surprisingly, the most potential in body training had Ma Hongjun. His evil flame could help condense a slightly unique mark with no problem appearing.

But in terms of the quality of marks, the winner was unexpected.

Oscar.

The reason for that remained a complete mystery up to this day.

At present a twelve years old Aiden was walking through the streets of Suotuo city he remembered from the time when Na'er was still by his side. It took him about six months after coming to Suotuo city again, to have a mood to walk somewhere they walked before. He bought some sweets on a wooden stick, gazing around while walking, and his eyes noticed someone he knew full well.

Golden long hair, arrogant look, and two beauties by his side. And they were twins! Who else can it be if not Dai Mubai, that arrogant prick?

'Didn't he have enough beatings? Should I add a bit more? Ah! It should be time for him to meet Tang San and Xiao Wu.'

Aiden followed the guy, putting on a hood and shifting color in the valley from platinum to purple-black. Sure enough, our kitten Casanova again found trouble with his long tongue and unrivaled battle craziness. Well, he actually crossed paths with Tang San and there were even more people this time. Aside from Tang San and Xiao Wu pair, two more girls were standing there.

They were exquisite, with blue hair and sapphire eyes, but who really made most people to constantly shift eyes at her direction is the one standing to the right. Her hair went down to the back and was slightly wavy, giving a feeling of being in presence of a waterfall. Her figure was well developed and accurate face brimmed with life and curiosity without even as much as a single blemish. Aiden walked in and sat at the corner. In the novel, Tang San forced Dai Mubai to use the last skill and eventually won.

This time Dai Mubai trained in his body enhancement art and was way stronger. He really went into it and was ready to give out some trashing.

'Did I really need to clear every single thing he does? That guy is such a child!'

"I see you are having a delightful time." - Dai Mubai was having a time of his life until he heard this voice and knew that show is over. Here comes the most notorious party pooper of the entire city!

"You jest, senior brother!" - he put the most humble smile on his face and gave it for all to see.

Tang San stepped back with widened eyes. If Dai Mubai was dangerous, nearly invincible than this young man gave him such a vibe that it is clear. He can kill them all here in seconds. Albeit he also sensed familiar vibes from him.

"Really now?" - Aiden smiled warmly, removing the hood, and gazed at two girls who directed coquettish gazes at him in return. It could be seen how ready they were to do the deed. - "I see you have so much energy! I didn't know that brother Bai actually will have so much in store. Looks like training needs to be enhanced. Hey, brother San, little Wu."

"Long time no see." - Tang San walked up and gave a polite nod with a slight smile. That guy is grumpy as usual. But it can be seen that their meeting delighted him. Even if their first meeting wasn't exactly pleasant, both ended up as friends.

"Aiden, what are you doing here?" - Xiao Wu came up and smacked him on the shoulder. She was furious at him the first time they met, but after his prolonged stay near Na'er's grave, both she and Tang San came to understand Aiden better and no longer thought of him badly. On the contrary, she considered him a good friend.

The trio had a chat, not noticing another pair of girls. One of them stood up in disbelief, staring at Aiden with the turmoil of emotions in her eyes. She tried to keep herself together and not to run up to him and eventually sat on the sofa sighing but never moved her gaze away.

"Hey, brother Bai, do you still need a room? I think the training field of the Shrek Academy suits you way better. It is spacious enough to accommodate any exercise you can ever imagine. Isn't it exceptional? Isn't it?" - Aiden finally asked with a smirk on his face. Albeit it was strange, but only the girl on the sofa understood it and her heart contorted in pain. His cheerfulness was a careful disguise to hide completely different feelings of loneliness and hollow pain.

She gripped the handle.

"Sister... are you all right? What is wrong with you, has someone of them bullied you before?" - another girl with short hair and energetic tomboyish looks asked with obvious concern.

"No, on the contrary actually." - came the answer in a barely audible soft voice. It was very pleasant to hear and contained an unspeakable charm. - "Let's go, we will stay in another inn."

It almost sounded like a retreat in panic. She momentarily stood up and went to the exit, but just as her body passed the closest distance from Aiden, the latter unexpectedly turned around and noticed her.

Their eyes met, both froze in place.

Platinum-purple eyes, so familiar yet distant, stared at the face adorned with sapphire orifices. Confusion and some longing were written all over his visage. Aiden stretched his hand and touched her face in a daze, earning himself not a reproach, but a warm smile.

It was inexplicably the same one Na'er always gave him.

"What are you doing?!" - a scream brought him to his senses, and a hand flung his own away. It was a man he never saw before. He looked like someone of the Dai Mubai age. - "Is it how you were brought up by your parents? What do they teach you? Apologize immediately!"

Aiden didn't even pay attention to him, he still was looking at the girl with utmost confusion written on his face, trying to find reasons for his behavior.

"I'm sorry miss, I didn't intend to... I don't even know why..."

"Good, now scram!" - the man waved his hand, thinking he scored something somewhere. But what astonished him was that usually aloof fairy of his heart shook her head a bit and hung it low with clear shyness.

"It's fine... I know you didn't do it on purpose." - she finally lifted her gaze and said with all seriousness.

At this moment, a guy wanted to say something again but felt a hand on his shoulders.

"Buddy, the third wheel needs to know how to behave like it. Don't poke your nose where it doesn't belong and scram!" - Dai Mubai smiled with his signature sadistic battle maniac grin and shoved the guy further from the pair.

"May I ask, what is miss doing here?" - he asked while frowning and mulling over his emotions that literally went wild like the last time... last time... he again looked at her and was stunned by the discovery.

'It is her?! From arena years ago!'

"We are here to enroll in Shrek. I'm Shui Bing'er, this is my half-sister here Shui Yue'er." - she answered readily, getting hold of her own beating heart. She was actually afraid. Afraid to make him suspicious of her and scare him away, or even worse, became a target of his sword.

How is she supposed to explain that one night she just woke up with a red ring inside her body hovering in a dantian and a set of life memories of another, already dead girl? She lived through all that Na'er lived and eventually came to feel the same way about Aiden.

She loved him deeply, only him.

But Shui Bing'er was not Na'er. She, as a daughter of Shui ancient family, was known throughout the continent and had a massive amount of social experience. She knew very well what might happen if her secret is known now. Most likely Aiden will interrogate her or outright kill her on the spot as someone connected to her death. Also, he will point his sword at her family afterward.

That is why she will take it slowly. For that very reason, she didn't even dare to learn the unfathomable method of body training from Na'er memories. She was willing to forgo it if it means to have a chance to be with him openly.

Totally another matter astonished Aiden.

'Wasn't they part of the Skywater Academy primary team and she was even a captain! What are they doing here to enroll in a different place? These changes are too much for me to fathom. What could have happened?'

"In that case, we will attend the same place." - he finally came to senses and looked straight at her.

"En." - she gave soft confirmation, averting her gaze with slight redness on silk-like white skin.

"I'm going back. Call me if you need anything." - that was said to Tang San, who nodded. - "See you all in two days."

When Aiden went away Dai Mubai stood there rooted, and everyone directed curious eyes at him.

"Don't ask me, never saw Aiden like that before. I even thought he is gay for quite a while."

"Filthy." - said Shui Yue'er with displeasure, only to suddenly stop with all others and look over at Shui Bing'er who exuded real killing intent on the mister third wheel.

"I don't know you and not interested in knowing. Remember, only one thing. If you ever dare to talk bad about him again you are dead." - she finished and was about to walk out but stopped, unable to control her anger. Let alone others. Even Shui Yue'er was stunned when they saw a little fist covered in ice slamming into the nose of an unlucky guy. - "And never in your dog's life ever mention his parents again!"

She straightened herself, scoffed, and walked out.

"Wow, that was... awesome. I'm smitten!" - whistled Dai Mubai loving the thrill.