Chapter 2

As I gradually pulled away from my reverie, I raised my gaze and looked at the orderly rows of disciples standing in the great hall. The corners of my lips lifted into a subtle smile.

This was great.

Right away, I recognized the familiar figure among the disciples.

Since fate had given me another chance, I intended to make the most of it. This time, I wanted to see what kind of path Aria would walk after choosing the mentor she had always yearned for.

Kalix was seated beside me, watching me make my choice with a smile.

From the very beginning, he had always enjoyed competing with me for everything. I had simply never cared enough to reciprocate his provocation. Little did I know that he would go on to commit such a grave wrong.

My eyes fell on the scruffy fox who was only mediocre in terms of talent among the disciples.

It was Aria, my disciple from my previous life.

Back then, I had thought she was a quiet, well-behaved child. Compared with the other disciples, she had seemed timid and somewhat cowardly, which stirred my sympathy and made me want to give her a helping hand.

Because of that, I had overlooked the disciple standing beside her, who possessed the greatest natural talent of them all. Later, I discovered that she had the most steadfast heart and was the most devoted to walking the righteous path. So, I gave her a little guidance.

When my soul had wandered the realms after my death, I had watched her refuse to believe the lies Aria spread about me. She had traveled from place to place, trying to clear my name and telling everyone that I was the person she respected most.

I knew that if I chose her now, Kalix would inevitably compete with me for her again. So, just as I had done in my previous life, I raised my hand and pointed toward Aria, who was just a scruffy little fox at the moment.

"You, little fox. Would you like to become my disciple?"

The scene from my previous life replayed before my eyes, and I still couldn't suppress the sorrow rising in my heart.

I wasn't made of stone, after all. How could I feel nothing? The disciple I had trusted and cherished most had eventually killed me with her own hands.

Kalix's eyes shifted.

Just as he had in my previous life, he spoke first. "What a coincidence, Caelus. I happened to take a liking to her as well. But since she's the one you favor…"

Before he could finish, Aria suddenly dropped to her knees.

To my surprise, she said, "Lord Kalix, please take me in. I came here today for the sole purpose of becoming your disciple. I only wish for you to serve as my mentor."

A collective gasp swept through the hall. No one had expected Aria to reject me, one of the most powerful immortals in the realm, and choose Kalix instead.

I froze for a moment as I looked at her. Then, I understood everything.

Her eyes were filled with excitement, and she was desperately trying to seize this opportunity. She was nothing like the timid, submissive girl I had known in my previous life.

This could only mean that she had been granted a second shot at life, too.

It seemed I didn't even need to deliberately push events in a different direction this time. She would go down that path all on her own.

I ran my fingers over the gift I prepared for my new disciple.

Before Kalix could say another word, I said casually, "Well, it seems Kalix wants you too. I never force anyone to do something against their wishes. From now on, you'll be his disciple."

Then, I stepped down from the platform. I walked over to the disciple standing beside Aria and handed her my gift.

I asked, "What is your name? Would you like to become my disciple?"

The young lady I spoke to stared at me in shock. In the next moment, her face lit up with joy as she curtsied respectfully.

She replied, "My name is Rhea Claude! I'd be honored to become your disciple! Thank you, Lord Caelus!"

Her excitement amused me, and my mood improved considerably. Kalix and Aria, however, stared at me with probing expressions.

Aria was shocked. She had never expected me to give up on choosing her as my disciple so easily. Even so, that surprise quickly faded from her mind.

After all, she had already gotten the mentor she had always wanted.