Sophia Anderson

A group of five bulky men ran out of the forest and surrounded them in a semi circular formation. The men dressed in soldier uniform were all bulky and radiated terrifying auras. They wore solemn and unfriendly looks on their faces as they stopped a few feet away from them.

"Get away from the young miss this instant" one of the guards shouted in a loud voice.

"Yeah, I was about to, you don't need to remind me " Charlie replied indifferently.

"Sorry again for the misunderstanding, I'll be taking my leave" he said to the girl before walking away.

"Wait,I understand but can we talk?" She said as he was about to walk farther. He continued walking away as if he didn't hear her.

"The young miss is talking to you so you'd better not ignore her or else..."

"Or else what. First, I was wrongfully accused,then you guys told me to get away from her. And now I'm leaving and you're threatening me? What the hell do you think I am? A puppet that you can command as you like? I'm leaving and there's nothing you can do about it. If you've got guts,try stopping me". Charlie said angrily and walks away calmly.

"All of you stop,sir,I'm sorry about accusing you blindly. It was my wrong and I apologise " the girl said as she runs to him. She got in front of him and stared at him with her beautiful eyes.

"I'm also at fault here so there's no need to apologise. But your guards are just too arrogant and I can't stand them" Charlie said .

"I'm sorry about them too. I'll talk to them later about it l. So,can we talk for a sec?" She asked innocently.

"Sure,we can talk. "He said casually as he walked up to a nearby tree and sat underneath it. The girl followed him and sat with him.

"So,how come you're here all by yourself,aren't you afraid or something?"

"Sorry,I forgot to introduce myself. My name is Sophia Anderson, I'm from starlight city and I'm the daughter of the city lord. What about you?who are and where are you from?"

"Me? My name is Charlie, and i have no home " he replied with an impassive look.

"Oh..I'm just curious. Why are you living here. Don't you find it boring, you know, being here all alone?,if I were in your place,I'd definitely run away. I can't stay here all by myself for a day,talk less of a month ".

"I like it here. It's quiet and full of nature. Also,I like being alone". He stood up and picked up his bag.

"Now,if you'll excuse me,I'll be taking my leave" he walked away as he said to Sophia.

"Wait!!" She called out before he was about to walk away.

"What is it now?" He said with a tinge of annoyance laced in his voice. She noticed it but chose to ignore it as she walked up to him.

"For you to be able to live here,you must have awakened for martial spirit. Will you be going for star regional sect recruitment?" She asked.

"Star regional sect recruitment?what's that?" His curiosity was piqued as he asked. Seeing that she finally got his attention, she smiled triumphantly.

Seeing her smile,Charlie fell into a daze as he said absent mindedly.

"You're a really pretty girl,you know?,you should always smile like that". After saying that,he realised he had said something he shouldn't have.

"I'm sorry,I was a little carried away. Forgive my bluntness "he apologised so that she wouldn't be offended.

"It's alright. Anyway, thanks for the compliment". She said with a little blush on her face.

"The thing you talked about,what's it all about?" Seeing that she wasn't offended,he asked as he was really curious.

"The star regional sect recruitment is an event where people from all over the star region gather to be selected to become disciples of the near by sects. Teenagers who have awakened are accepted as disciples. By being selected,you'll become an outer sect disciple unless you have a powerful or special type of martial spirit ".

"So,if you're an awakened, you'll get to become a sect disciple?" He asked with his shining eyes.

"Yeah,and if you're special,you'll get to receive some special privileges "

"Wait,what about those who didn't awaken,will they get recruited?"

"A select few are chosen but they would become the servant disciples".

"So was that why you were asking me if I had awakened? Why would you ask me though?" He was confused about why she was interested in him.

"Well,I like you,that's why" she said smilingly.

"Huh?"

"I like your bravery and wanted to be friends with you,that's ok with you,right?"

"It's OK.i mean,who wouldn't want to befriend a beautiful princess? So,about that sect recruitment..."

"Yeah, we're actually headed there so you can come along if you like"

"Are you sure?,your guards don't like me that much and I wouldn't want to get into a fight with them "

"It's alright. Like i said,I'll talk to them. You're coming along with us then"

"Sure, are we heading out now or are you going to continue with your bath?" Right after asking that question, he noticed that Sophia had her lowered as she blushed and realised he said something wrong again.

'What the hell is wrong with me today?' He thought while smiling wryly.

"I'm sorry"he said with a low voice.

"Don't be. I'll be having my bath" she said shyly with her head lowered.

"OK,then I'll be waiting for you. See you later" he said as he left hurriedly.

'What a stinking fellow. He actually dared to flirt with me. He's kinda sweet though' she thought as she watched him leave. She walked back to river and met up with the soldiers.

"Young miss,are you alright? Did that bastard barbarian hurt you? We'll go teach him a lesson " said the leader of the soldiers as he folded his sleeves and was about to go after Charlie.

"He didn't hurt me and he's not a barbarian. Also,he'll be joining us for the trip. He's actually not a bad guy,he's just doesn't do well with people " she said to them.

"Alright,you can leave. I want to have my bath" she ordered as she walked to the river bank and was about toctake off her clothes.

"Yes,young miss" they said in unison and left the area. She took off her clothes and walked into the river.

**************

Star fall city,George O'brien could be seen outside the O'brien castle as he was talking to his son along with a few guards outside.

"The star region sect recruitment Is about to begin. I want you to go there and become a sect disciple. If you succeed, our family will gain a great master of cultivation,allowing us to grow more influencial".

"But father,I don't want to become a sect disciple. I'll rather stay here and cultivate". He said to his father with an unrefined look on his face.

"Shut up,I'm doing what's best for you and the family. You're almost sixteen and can still be selected. Along with your martial spirit,you will definitely be chosen. I'm pretty sure that boy Charlie will not miss this opportunity. If he is accepted, his future growth will be limitless ".

"But father,even though those sects have cultivators, don't we also have them within us?"

"You ignorant child,even if all the cultivators in the entire star region join forces,they still wouldn't be able to defeat one sect. In the eyes of the sects,we're all ants!". He said to his son,Georg.

"Also,you're not the only one going . Chu Feng and Damien Dickson are going as well. But unlike you,they have no martial spirits,so they'll be lucky if they can even become servant disciples. We can use this chance to one up both families" he said with an evil smile plastered on his face.

"Ahh!! Father, you're a genius. I didn't even think of that " he said to his father in admiration .

"Of course, I'm your father after all" he said proudly.

"Oh,and one more thing. If you come across Charlie, avoid him. That kid Is dangerous".

"Huh.. father,I thought you would have said I should finish him off? I don't understand ".

"I'm not sure either. I've just got this feeling. Anyway, avoid him as much as possible. Is that clear? "

"Yes father"

"Now go and make me proud ". He said to them and walked away. Georg looked at his father and promised himself to make him proud.

Similar scenes could be seen happening in the the Chu and Damien family as the patriarchs sent off their children.

Meanwhile,Sophia finished taking her bath and wore her clothes before meeting up with her guards. They left and went in the direction of Charli to search for him. They were on their way when four magical beasts ran out them and encircled them.