The Dawn of the New World

"Son as in Son of Chaos."

"Yeah what is that? Some kind of a title you guys made up just for me?" Hao Xuan joked but upon seeing the serious looks he was getting from both the grimoire and Claudia he held himself back.

The grimoire said something to Claudia and she in turn asked Hao Xuan.

"Are you saying...you don't know what you are?"

Thinking they were just messing with him he shook his head, "Well I was always under the assumption that I'm a human but you let me know if that's not the case anymore."

The answer left both of them speechless for a moment. Only after a brief moment of contemplation did Claudia finally speak up.

"What do we do now? Do we still take him to her?"

The grimoire swayed left and right obviously answering no.

"Then what?"

But rather than answer, the grimoire shrunk to a third of its size and simply disappeared in a puff of smoke just like how it arrived, leaving Claudia and Hao Xuan staring at each other in awkward silence.

"So? Now what?" Hao Xuan broke the silence after a few seconds.

"C-Could I just follow you around until you're ready?"

"When I'm ready? When do you think that will be?"

"I think after you talk to the others. Once you listen to their lies 'she' will tell you the truth and you can decide what to do then."

Hao Xuan had no particular feelings towards this woman personally but in any case, she was an unknown variable and it was better to keep her close where he could keep an eye on her.

And since she was the one who suggested it there was no reason to decline. In fact, he could make use of her abilities.

"Fine but there is no such thing as a free meal, understand?"

A red hue covered half of Claudia's pale face as she nodded lightly.

"Y-Yes. I will 'serve' you wholeheartedly."

"Good. Very good," Hao Xuan smirked, "It won't be easy but I hope you won't disappoint. I've never had one of your kind before," he said in reference to having a follower that got all its abilities through dark magic as she had.

But to Claudia's ears his words meant something entirely different. She couldn't even look him in the eye but was elated inwardly nonetheless.

'I knew this new form would prove to be useful. No man can resist my charms, not even one such as him. Ahhn, it's only a matter of time before...hehehe..'

She was already a hundred steps ahead lost in her imagination envisioning a life together with the 'Chosen One'. She saw herself sitting beside Hao Xuan in a throne room, a whole liter of children running outside as they embraced one another in blissful passion.

"Hehehe..."

"What are you doing? Hurry up!" Hao Xuan's already distant voice brought her back to reality.

Wiping the drool from the side of her mouth she ran after him, "Yes, Chosen one."

"Just call me Hao Xuan."

"I dare not. Please allow me to call you master."

"Yeah sure, whatever gets you through the day."

"Thank you....master~"

"...."

'I don't like how she said that but no reason making an issue out of it just yet.'

Having unwittingly gained another follower Hao Xuan quickly made his way back to the city gates where Hazel was waiting for him.

As soon as he turned the corner she yelled at him at the top of her lungs, "Where the hell have you been?!" prompting a number of curious looks in their direction from both the natives and other cultivators.

Claudia stepped out from behind Hao Xuan with a furrowed brow, incensed at Hazel's rude behavior.

"Who is this uncivilized creature? Please allow me to teach her a lesson, master."

She waved her hand and the grimoire was once again forcibly summoned. But before she could cast a spell Hao Xuan pulled her back.

"You will do no such thing. Know your enemies before attacking. She will beat you to a pulp at such close proximity before you can even get a single spell off," is what he said but what Claudia heard was;

[I can't bear to put you in danger, step back]

And she melted in his arms right then and there, "Yes, whatever my master wants."

Hazel's deathly glare only landed on Claudia for a moment before she was struck out of her mind completely. There were more important things at hand.

"Where is Ma Jiang?"

"She is...indisposed off at the moment. Take me to Henrik first, let me examine him myself."

"What good will that do? Can you cast healing magic?"

"No, but she might be able to," he gestured towards Claudia, "We won't know if we don't try. Stop wasting time and take me to him."

Hazel ground her teeth in annoyance but turned around and walked towards one of the nearby structures without saying another word.

Only when she was far enough away did Claudia whisper into Hao Xuan's ears.

"Master, I don't know any healing magic. I've only acquired the grimoires a few hours ago."

"Don't worry, I'll teach you a few spells if need be."