Stardust city

After finishing his bath,Charlie walked back to the camping site. He couldn't see Sophia anywhere as he made his way to his own camp.

'I see,she went into hiding to save herself more embarrassment. Let's see how long she can hide'. He smiled while thinking and lying down to sleep.

After a night of rest,they packed up their things and continued their journey. Sophia tried avoiding Charlie as much as she could but it seemed as if Charlie was the one ignoring her. He walked in the front as if he didn't even recognise her,just going about lost in thought.

'Hmph!! There he goes again, thinking. I wonder what he always thinks about'. She thought.

'After what happened yesterday, I can't face him. If I do and he brings up that topic, I'll just die of embarrassment '. She thought with a worried expression on her face.

'Argh! Whatever. I'll go talk to him'. She rode her horse slowly as got close to him.

"So,what are you thinking about this time?". She said,trying to start up a conversation with him.

"Nothing much,just thinking about how you went to get fire wood yesterday ". He said with a smile while teasing her.

"You!!"

"Huh? Young miss,how could you go and find fire wood when we already have?. I thought you said you wanted to take a walk? We even volunteered to follow you but insisted you go on your own?". One of the soldiers said curiously.

"Yeah,I did. So,Charlie, you haven't answered my question. What is it that always occupies your mind". She asked, trying to avoid the topic.

"I just said I was thinking about you searching for fire wood. Isn't that enough to think about?". He asked amusingly.

"No,don't think about lying to me. We're friends aren't we? You can tell me anything. Maybe,I'll be able to help you". She said as she walked in fro

nt of him and asked with concern laced in her voice.

"Help? I'm sorry but you wouldn't be able to help me. Don't worry about me and just leave me be". Charlie said as he walked away.

"No I can't. You need to tell me. It's said that a problem said is half solved. So just....."

"I said leave me alone . Don't you understand!!!" He said with anger and walked into the forest.

"You all can go ahead. I'll catch up to guys later. Or you can leave without me". He said.

"Wait! Don't go. I promise I won't ask about it again ". Sophia said anxiously but received no replied. Charlie just left without looking behind.

After getting far from them,he stood still and closed his eyes foe a while. Opening them,he roared loudly with all his strength, sounding like a dragon. It lasted for a few seconds before he stopped. He fell on the ground,out of beneath as he started crying. He stood up after crying and wiped his face.

'Crying won't change anything . I need to stop being carried away by emotions'. He thought before walking away. He got back to the road they were going through and found Sophia and her guards waiting for him. Seeing this,he felt guilty as he walked up to them.They heard sounds of footsteps and they turned in his direction.

"I'm sorry for earlier. I was just feeling a little emotional and didn't realise i had offended you. Please forgive me". He said to Sophia who was sitting in her horse.

"It's fine. Don't be sorry. I was wrong for asking you about your personal life. I should be the one apologising ". She said casually.

"Now that you're back,we can continue. Let's go" she said. The soldiers were silent as they walked behind her and her horse. Charlie knew they were still angry but he also remained quiet,following them quietly.

'After getting into a sect,I'll need to read some books about cultivation.I'm basically clueless about it as dad was against the idea of me being a cultivator. Then I'll be able to cultivate properly and become stronger '. Even though he was the young master of a big family, he was kept in the dark about anything related to cultivation as his father felt he would become distracted. He wanted him to focus on his cultural lessons and etiquette so as to become the next family head.

Being able to know how to awaken was already amazing, more so before he was fifteen. His plan was to read more about martial spirit and cultivation when he got to a sect. They continued as they entered the desert,taking a few days to cross over and got to the villages. During this time,the group was silent as everyone minded their businesses. Charlie walked behind them and could be seen spacing out every once in a while. Sophia who was feigning anger would spy on him every now and then.

'Hmph! He dared to scold me. See how I'll ignore him'.

"Young miss,we're about to reach the city". A guard who was walking beside her said to her as she was lost in her own thought.

"Ohh,that's good. We have to hurry. I'd kill to have a proper bath right now ". She said happily as she saw the city from afar.

Charlie could also see it and it brought back some memories he was trying to suppress.

'Very soon...,very soon and I'll be able to get my revenge. I'm now one step closer'.

It was almost evening when the group got to stardust city. As the name implied,it was very beautiful in the city. Different types of flowers were planted in front of the city,giving it a beautiful look.

"The flowers can glow in the dark,making it very colourful at night. It's truly beautiful ". Sophia said atop her horse and slowed down for him to catch up.

"Have you decided to forgive me? Does that mean you're no longer angry?" Charlie asked curiously.

"Hmph! You're my friend,even though you don't view me as one". She replied,making him feel guilty.

"I'm really sorry. It's really very hard to say". He said while clenching his fists.

"I'm sorry if I'd bring up some bad memories ". She said softly as she came down from her horse and wlaked along side him.

"Thank you,alot. You are probably the only person I can call a friend. If you ever need my help,you can tell me and I'll do my utmost best". He said with determination.

"Sure,I'll take your word for it". She said and giggled lightly.

'You're the only person that's close to me. I'll do everything I can to protect you. I'll make sure to never ever lose anyone close to me,never again '. He thought to himself. They walked on for less than an hour before getting to the city gate. Just like star fall city,they had different gates in all sides of the city.

It had a high wall governing all sides of the city,making it look grand from the outside.

'It's similar to star fall city but it's wall is so high. Also,it has a grand feel to it. It's amazing '. They walked through the gates and entered the city. The insides were also grand as well. There were tall buildings and well spaced roads fit for three chariots to pass through side by side. Even though this was just the outer part of the city,it was still impressive.

It was also bigger than star fall city,at least by two times. Entering the city, he saw people walking about in a swarm. The people were very busy as they went about their daily activities.

"This city is amazing. It's so organised. If stardust city is already like this,I wonder how stardom country would be like". Charlie said in wonder.

"I hate to admit it but this city is better than my city". Sophia said in a sour tone. Charlie just chuckled and said nothing. They walked about for a while before going to an Inn to stay. They checked in and went to their different rooms. Although he wasn't exactly rich,Charlie still had a few dozen gold coins on him.

The people of this world made use of coins for money. They had the bronze coin, the silver coin and the gold coin. A hundred bronze coins were equivalent to a silver coin. A hundred silver coin was equivalent to one gold coin. He managed to grab a few coins before he left his family castle,just in case of emergencies.

Everyone did their own things and had dinner before going to bed for a good night sleep.

Charlie woke up very early and did his morning swordplay routine in his room,being careful so as to not break anything in the room. After that,he went to the bathroom to have a bath.

Knock knock

While he was bathing he heard a knock on his door followed shortly by Sophia's voice.

"Charlie!,Charlie!! What are you doing? Can I come in?" She asked while still knocking impatiently.

'What does she want now? Can't I have a little me Time?' He thought while shaking his head.

"Wait a second, I'll be right out'. He said while tying a towel around his waist.

'What's he doing that he hasn't opened the door yet? Could he be doing something bad? Ahh..,now I'm curious '. She thought shortly before opening the door which wasn't locked. Entering she saw his pants and underwear on the bed while a little steam could be seen coming our from the bathroom.

'Oh no!! He is bathing and I walked in without his permission. Not again,now he'll think I'm some sort of pervert'. She thought with her face ashen. Just as she was about to run out,the door opened as Charlie walked out of the bathroom with his hair wet and a towel round his waist. She was dumbfounded as she couldn't herself.