《Reborn as an Yandere : Yandere X Yandere》 Fable And Predictor If your best friend were holding a gun to your head, what would your final words be? This very scenario unfolded for a man known only by his alias, "Fable," on the night he became the world''s best hitman. It was a bloody, rainy night. Not only did translucent raindrops fall from the clouds, but the ground was soaked with red liquid¡ªblood. The rain mingled with the blood, creating rivulets of crimson that washed over the scene of carnage. In the middle of an abandoned area, a place often frequented by the most nefarious criminals, the silver light of the moon shone down on a man in his thirties. He knelt on the ground, surrounded by the corpses of the dozen men he had killed moments before. The blood of his victims was still fresh, and the relentless rain turned the ground into a gruesome sea of red. "Fable, today is the day you die!" A manly voice pierced the night, drawing the moonlight''s focus to another man of the same age. He wore a black coat over a white shirt, his appearance immaculate despite the chaos surrounding him. In his hand was a pistol, which he aimed directly at Fable''s forehead. Fable''s eyes, cold and calculating, looked up at the man before him. This man was not just any adversary; he was his best friend, now turned executioner. The betrayal hung heavy in the air, almost tangible in its intensity. The rain poured down relentlessly, soaking Fable''s hair and clothes, the droplets mingling with the blood that stained his skin. His breaths came slow and steady, a stark contrast to the frenetic energy of the battle that had just ended. Despite the imminent danger, he maintained an eerie calm. "Is this how it ends? Codename ''Predictor''... Fable and Predictor," Fable chuckled with a bittersweet nostalgia, the sound incongruous against the backdrop of the bloody, rain-soaked night. "We were the best duo from childhood until now¡ªthe dynamite duo. No one could decide which one of us was stronger." His voice was low, almost a whisper, but it carried the weight of their shared history. His eyes, filled with a mixture of sorrow and defiance, bore into those of his former friend, searching for a glimmer of the bond they once shared. "After everything we''ve been through, this is how you choose to do it?" The man with the gun, his hand trembling slightly, tightened his grip. His face was a mask of conflicting emotions¡ªanger, sorrow, and regret warred for dominance in his expression. "You brought this on yourself, Fable. You left me no choice." "The code was broken the day you betrayed us all," the man snapped, his voice cracking with emotion. "You became a monster, Fable. Your strength now surpasses human limits. Even I can''t predict who would win if we fought." The rain intensified, the sound of raindrops hitting the ground mingling with the silence that followed. Fable closed his eyes for a moment, letting the rain wash over him, cleansing the blood and grime from his skin. When he opened them again, there was a steely resolve in his gaze. "Surpassing human limits? Haven''t you also surpassed human limits?" he said, his voice steady and unwavering. "If I''m a monster, then you are no different. The organization sent you to finish me and you followed their orders like a loyal dog. But after this, What will you do? They''ll hunt you down too." Predictor''s finger hovered over the trigger, his hand shaking. Doubt flickered in his eyes, but his resolve soon returned. "The organization''s orders are absolute. And what will I do after killing you? I''ll kill myself too. There''s no point in living without you, my rival." Fable''s gaze softened for a moment, a rare glimpse of vulnerability breaking through his hardened exterior. "Any last words?" Predictor asked, his voice thick with emotion. Fable tilted his head, rolling his eyes upwards as if in deep contemplation. After a few seconds, a mischievous grin spread across his face. "Ummm..." he began, dragging out the suspense. Finally, with a voice that echoed in the silence, he said, "The last person to die is gay!" Gay! Gay! Gay! Predictor''s eyes widened in shock, the absurdity of the statement piercing through the tension like a lightning bolt. For a moment, he stood there, utterly dumbfounded. The words of Fable rang in his ears, and he could feel his grip on the gun faltering. His mind raced. If he pulled the trigger, Fable would be the first to die, leaving Predictor as the last. But that doesn''t mean he is gay, it was just a normal joke or figure of speech. Yet, Predictor had a complex; he took Fable''s every word seriously, and Fable knew it. Predictor''s face contorted with a mix of confusion and frustration. "What the hell, Fable? You can''t be serious!" he muttered, his hand trembling more violently now. Fable''s grin only widened. "Oh, but I am! You wouldn''t want to be remembered as the guy who proved my point, would you?" Predictor''s mind was a whirlwind of thoughts. He could almost hear the mocking laughter of an imaginary audience. The weight of Fable''s ridiculous yet strangely compelling statement bore down on him. His resolve crumbled as the absurdity of the situation sank in. Finally, with a deep, exasperated sigh, Predictor lowered the gun. "Damn you, Fable," he muttered. " Predictor failed to kill Fable that day. Instead of ending Fable''s life, he found himself unable to pull the trigger, his resolve shattered by Fable''s unexpected and ridiculous final words. This moment marked the end of their legendary partnership. As Predictor hesitated, Fable saw his chance. With a swift, decisive movement, Fable disarmed Predictor and turned the tables. The gunshot that echoed through the night came not from Predictor''s hand but from Fable''s. Predictor fell, his body hitting the blood-soaked ground, a look of shock and betrayal in his eyes. The duo was no more. Predictor''s death left Fable without a rival, but it also propelled him to unparalleled heights. With his greatest competition out of the picture, Fable swiftly rose to become the best hitman in the world. His name became synonymous with fear and respect in the underworld, his reputation unmatched. .... But after that incident, Fable quit being a hitman, hid his identity, and tried to leave his violent past behind. Without even realizing it, four years had passed. Now, at thirty-five, Fable had a new life and a new job. What kind of job? Let''s talk about that later. For now, let''s take a peek into Fable''s current situation. In the middle of a bustling town, there was a big house. Despite it being well past midnight, the lights in the house were still on. Inside, a man laughed heartily, his black hair slightly disheveled and his average face lit up with amusement. Who else could it be but Fable, now 35 and enjoying his life after retirement from being a hitman. "Hahaha... How do you like this ending, you f*cking idiot heroine!" he shouted, his laughter echoing through the quiet house. Fable was engrossed in a game, a strange mix of otome and academy genres where the hero saves the world. "Ugh... this game is shit. The story is shit, and the main character is a goody-two-shoes. But the interesting part is that it has more than three hundred endings, with over a hundred bad ones," he thought, simultaneously badmouthing and admiring the game. His gaze landed on a cup of coffee beside him. It wasn''t some third-class cheap coffee, but a high-priced luxury brew he had ordered from an upscale restaurant. He raised the cup, savoring the rich aroma, and then tentatively took a small sip. Immediately, he grimaced. "Ahh! So bitter! I got scammed," he shouted in irritation. But like it or not, he had to make his money worthwhile. Closing his nose, he gulped down the coffee in one breath. "The coffee is shit, just like this game," he muttered, taking out his frustration on the game again. "I have to hide my location all the time, so I had no choice but to download a game from a third-party application, and this was the only good one there, I even made my account as a female,So no one could suspect me," he grumbled. "I don''t like the main character or the capture heroines, but I''m still playing this game all night, every day, because it has more than one hundred bad endings. I don''t know who thought of this, but I took it as a challenge to complete all the bad endings and make the heroines and hero suffer. Hahaha!" He was clearly addicted to this game, replaying it again and again to discover new bad endings. This time, too, his shout of triumph echoed through the house as he achieved another bad ending. "Another one down!" Fable cheered, his grin wide and mischievous. "Take that, you goody-two-shoes hero! And you, dumb heroine, enjoy your miserable fate!" He cackled with glee, already planning his next strategy to find yet another bad ending. Just as he celebrated his latest victory, a notification popped up on his screen. It was from the game. "A review? This shitty game wants a review?" he laughed at the naivety of the request. His lips curled into an evil grin. "I''ll definitely give you a review!" he chuckled sinisterly and started typing. "Umm... one of the best shitty, dumbest, and worthless games I''ve ever seen. I can complete this game even with some random character, hehehe!" He sent the message with satisfaction and immediately got up. "Time for my job!" he said, turning towards the door. He walked out of his gaming room and headed to another room on the second floor. Reaching the door, he opened it with a bang. Inside the room was a woman tied down with ropes, her mouth covered with a cloth to muffle her screams. Seeing her, Fable''s lips curled into a sinister grin as he took out a knife from his pocket. "My new job, serial killer!" "Mmm!... mmmbb..." The woman trembled, trying her best to scream, but the cloth muffled her cries. As Fable approached, her fear grew more intense. She prepared herself for the worst, her eyes widening in astonishment when, instead of stabbing her, he began untying her ropes. He even removed the cloth covering her mouth. The woman was dumbfounded, unable to comprehend what was happening. "Walk, run, scream all you want! If you manage to escape from this house, I''ll let you live," he said. He was playing a twisted game with her. If she escaped, she would live. If not, she would die. Of course, the whole house was filled with different traps designed to stop her. The woman''s eyes darted around, assessing her chances. Fable''s eyes gleamed with excitement, eager to see how the game would unfold. Without thinking, the woman got up and bolted towards the door, rushing down the stairs with all her might. Fable strolled outside to see how far she would go. Just as she reached the bottom of the stairs, her right leg got caught in an iron trap meant for deers. The trap clamped down with brutal force, nearly tearing her leg apart. She screamed in agony. The unbearable pain brought her to her knees, but she knew she couldn''t stop. If she stopped, she would die. Even if she had to crawl, she still wanted to live. Determined, she reached for a nearby table to use as support. But as soon as she put her weight on the table, it triggered another trap. A heavy wooden block tied with a rope dropped from above, slamming into her abdomen. She fell to the ground again, vomiting from the impact. "I- I can''t escape!" she realized, understanding that there were traps everywhere. "That''s it? You only lasted twenty seconds. That''s the slowest anyone''s survived in my house!" Fable mocked her as he descended the stairs, catching up to her. Seeing her grim reaper approaching, the woman immediately bowed down, crying out loud. "Sob... sob... I don''t want to die... I don''t want to die!" She cried with all her might, tears flowing down her face like a river. Fable chuckled, amused by her desperation. "I found out you were cheating on your husband with four other men. You were a bully in high school. There was even an incident where a student committed suicide because of you, among many other things," Fable said, his voice dripping with contempt. "How do you feel now that you''re the one being bullied, Ms. Cheating Woman?" He chuckled at his own joke. "I''m sorry... I want to live. I''ll never do anything like that again. I''ll even confess everything to my husband. Please let me live!" she sobbed, begging for her life. "Nah, it''s too late," he said coldly, twirling his knife like a pro. He placed his hand on the wall for support and was about to say something more, but his words were cut off abruptly. Blood started pouring from his neck. "What happened? Why do I feel so warm?" he thought, confused. As he had placed his hand on the wall, it triggered another trap¡ªa sharp rod shot out and pierced through his body. He hadn''t even had time to react. "I set this trap four years ago, and no one ever got caught in it. As the days passed, I even forgot it existed," he thought with regret, but it was too late. S§×ar?h the n?velFire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. His body faltered, and he collapsed to the ground. Blood poured from his wounds, which were too deep for anyone to save him now. His breath grew heavy, and it became difficult to keep his eyelids open. He watched as the woman got up and escaped from his house. Seeing her escape, a smile emerged on his lips as he whispered his last words, "I guess someone was right. It''s really hard to defeat a cheating woman." With those final words, the greatest hitman in the world died. ------------------------------------------------------------- First of all, I''m not disrespecting any LGBTQ+ community, It was just the joke, a joke don''t take it seriously. And I''m sorry to disappoint you but The next chapter will be at least one or two weeks later. But the good news is, I''ll upload 10 to 15 chapter at once, After that you can tell me that I should continue this series or not. Also if you have any questions just ask. Transmigrated In a luxurious room of an unknown mansion, a teenage girl with incredibly pale skin with jet black hair lay still. Her skin was so pale that one might easily mistake her for a vampire, though she was undoubtedly human. She wore an ancient frock outfit in a mix of black and red. The dress, neither too flashy nor too plain, seemed to have been made just for her, enhancing her ethereal and fragile appearance. Anyone who saw her would feel an instinctive urge to protect her. Suddenly, her eyes flew open, and she began to dart her gaze around the room. Her eyes, dark red like the depths of an abyss, seemed to glow with an unnatural light. Her pupils, surrounded by multiple ring shapes, gave an eerie yet mesmerizing effect. "Am I in hell?" she whispered to herself, her voice trembling with bewilderment. She sat up slowly, wincing as a sharp pain shot through her back. She placed a delicate hand on her lower back, trying to ease the discomfort. "This doesn''t look like hell," she muttered, scratching her head in confusion. Her eyes continued to scan the room, taking in her surroundings. The room was grand, almost like a suite in a five-star hotel. A long, ornate bed with luxurious linens was where she had been lying. Around her, there were numerous sculptures and paintings adorning the walls, each exuding an air of opulence. The room was filled with elegant furniture¡ªtables and chairs crafted with exquisite detail, and other items that spoke of royalty and wealth. "Why is smoke coming out of my body?" she questioned herself again, a mix of bewilderment and fear etched across her delicate features. There was a faint, soft blue mist-like smoke seeping from her skin, swirling lazily in the dim light of the room. Her heart pounded in her chest, a drumbeat of confusion and anxiety. As her gazes were darting around her body, It directly landed on a pair of melons, Yes!, A pair of melons on her chest, Breast!, It wasn''t too big nor too small, Just the perfect size for an teenage girl of 17 year old. "Breast?, How many years has it been since I last squeeze someone''s breast!" She recalled and without even realising that it was her own breast, She closed her eyes with a smile and started squeezing them. "Hmmm~, So soft," she exclaimed happily, but her eyebrows curled into unease for some reason, "Why does I feel like, Someone is squeezing my chest?" She questions but the next second her eyes fluttered opened and she realised what was going on. She glanced down again, her breath catching in her throat. Her eyes widened as she took in the sight of her chest. "Is that my breast?" she yelled, her voice echoing through the silent room. Panic rose within her, her voice breaking the eerie calm. The door flew open, and a maid hurriedly entered, her face a mask of worry. "What happened¡ª?" the maid began, but her words faltered as her eyes fell upon the young girl before her. Shock painted her features, her eyes widening beyond belief. The clothes she held slipped from her grasp, forgotten. "Young mistress? You are awake?" she stammered, unable to tear her gaze from the faint blue smoke curling around the girl''s form. Her shock deepened as realization dawned. "Is that mana? Young mistress awakened?" she exclaimed, her voice a mix of awe and disbelief. Without pausing to check on the young girl''s well-being, she spun on her heel and dashed out of the room, her shouts echoing through the halls. "Everyone, hear! Young mistress woke up and she has even awakened!" The young girl sat in stunned silence, her mind a whirl of questions and emotions. The strange smoke continued to emanate from her, casting an ethereal glow around her. Fear and wonder battled within her, She could hear the distant commotion as the news spread through the household, the maid''s cries growing fainter as she ran to inform her parents. "Who was she? That''s not the main point. Why do I have breasts?" she questioned aloud, her voice tinged with disbelief and panic. Her trembling hand reached up to squeeze her skin, a sharp pain confirming this was no dream. The sting seemed sharper against her fragile, pale body, making her wince. Reality crashed down on her, but she clung to a sliver of doubt. Her hands continued to tremble as they ventured downward, seeking final confirmation. Her heart pounded, each beat echoing in her ears. "Yep! My little brother is gone!" she thought, her grim expression twisted into a half-hearted, irritated smile as she fought back a surge of anger. "But how? I was dead, wasn''t I? Did I get reincarnated as a girl?" The thoughts spun wildly in her mind. She pushed against the bed, her body unsteady as she slowly rose. Her legs wobbled, unfamiliar with the new center of gravity and the delicate balance required in this different form. Before her stood a large mirror, its ornate golden border almost gaudy in the dim light. She moved toward it, each step a cautious, unfamiliar venture. As she stood before the mirror, her eyes met her reflection. The sight was shocking: long, jet-black hair framed her face, and dark red eyes glowed with an almost eerie intensity. Multiple rings within her pupils gave her gaze an otherworldly look. Dark circles, not of black but of a deep red, shadowed her eyes, adding a haunting quality to her appearance. "Why do I look like a max-level shut-in?What''s with this pale skin? Am I some kind of vampire or witch? Is this some kind of novel where the world''s greatest hitman gets reincarnated as a girl?" She mocked herself with a hollow chuckle, the sound dying quickly in the silence. She placed her hand on her breasts, lifting them slightly. "At least my breasts are not that big, just average for a teenage girl. Every anime has teenage girls with insanely huge breasts. How the hell does someone grow breasts that big while being a virgin? Makes no sense, right?" she complained, a mixture of frustration and bewilderment coloring her tone. The room was silent, save for her soft breathing and the occasional rustle of fabric as she shifted. Her mind was a whirlwind of thoughts and emotions¡ªfear, confusion, anger, and a strange, simmering curiosity. She felt detached from this body, yet undeniably tethered to it. The pain, the sensations, the vividness of her reflection¡ªall too real to ignore. She sighed, her shoulders slumping slightly. The reality of her situation was sinking in. She had been reincarnated, and not just as anyone, but as a girl with an eerie appearance and an unknown past. "Esdeath, Esdeath¡­ my daughter!" a voice rang out loudly from outside the room, growing closer with each passing second. Hearing this, she immediately jumped back onto the bed and sat down just as before, her heart racing. The door burst open, revealing a middle-aged man with crimson hair and brown eyes, his average face lined with concern. Beside him was a woman with the same crimson hair and brown eyes, her features delicate and slightly beautiful. Behind them, the maid who had first seen her awake lingered, her face a mask of worry. As the man entered the room, he rushed to her side and enveloped her in a gentle hug. "Esdeath, my precious daughter. Who told you to drink poison so lethal that even our healer couldn''t fully heal you?" he asked, his voice thick with concern and relief. S§×ar?h the novel(F~)ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "Poison? Esdeath? Is my name Esdeath? And wait a minute, they both have crimson hair and brown eyes. So why do I have black hair and red eyes? Don''t tell me my new mother cheated on my father?" she questioned herself, her mind a whirlwind of confusion. Too many questions, not enough answers. "Okay then, it''s time for acting!" She braced herself, adopting a dazed expression and rubbing her forehead. "Father! My memories are kind of blurry. Can you tell me what happened?" she asked, her voice feigning confusion. The man''s face twisted with worry. "Did you lose your memory? We are in Swann, our homeland in the Anastasia Kingdom. I am your father, Nyx Crimson, and this is your mother, Charlotte Crimson!" he said, looking directly into her eyes with deep concern. She forced a chuckle, trying to appear nonchalant. "Hahaha¡­ of course, I remember that. I was talking about why I was asleep!" she lied, her expression betraying no hint of her inner turmoil. Nyx sighed, his expression softening as he began to explain. "We had no money, and you are already seventeen. We had no choice but to arrange your marriage with the neighboring land''s ruler, Sacturium, that fat pig bastard. But you didn''t want to marry him and drank poison." His voice cracked as he sobbed, hugging her again with a mix of relief and sorrow. "But thankfully, a maid saw you drinking the poison. Before the situation got worse, a healer arrived. The poison was so lethal that he said you could wake in hours, years, or even die in your sleep. But who would have thought you would wake up in just two hours? Don''t worry. Now that you have awakened, we can easily cancel that idiotic arranged marriage. It would have been a problem if word got out that a baron''s daughter drank poison, but it''s only been four hours since everything happened. That''s why no news has spread. It''s truly a miracle, a miracle!" She nodded, her mind racing to process everything. The relief in Nyx''s voice was palpable, and Charlotte''s eyes glistened with unshed tears. The maid stood by, wringing her hands, her face a portrait of anxiety. Esdeath¡ªor rather, the fable inhabiting Esdeath''s body¡ªfelt a pang of guilt. These people seemed genuinely concerned for her, and she was an impostor in their midst. But there was no turning back now. She had to play her part and figure out this new world she had been thrust into. "Thank you, Father," she said softly, hugging him back. "I''ll do my best to adjust and make you proud." "Hehehe... How was my acting? I could even make a career in acting!" she laughed inwardly. "But how the hell did I get stuck in this shut-in NEET''s body? People might think I''m a ghost if they saw me at night!" The thought amused her briefly, but her amusement was short-lived. Suddenly, a realization struck her like a bolt of lightning, shaking her to her core. "Hang on a second... Swann? Anastasia Kingdom? Why does this sound so familiar?" She furrowed her brows in puzzlement, a sinking feeling growing in the pit of her stomach. She already had a nagging suspicion about where she was, but she didn''t want to believe it. "Umm... Father, is this year AD 576?" she asked hesitantly, her voice barely above a whisper. Nyx looked at her with a hint of confusion and nodded. "Yeah, what about it?" he said casually. Her eerie red eyes widened, and her heart pounded violently in her chest. The realization hit her like a sledgehammer: "F*ck, I knew it. I got transmigrated into the game I was playing!" FLF (Free Life Fantasy) FLF :Free Life Fantasy The world of Free Life Fantasy is an intricate blend of an open-world RPG and Otome game, set in a medieval Europe-inspired era with occasional glimpses of advanced technology, like guns and modern clothing, though very few people uses them, Thinking guns are for weak and cowards. Despite its name, there is nothing "free" about this world; it is fraught with peril and high difficulty at every turn, with formidable foes lurking in every corner. The game Free Life Fantasy,is renowned for its immense possibilities, boasting over three hundred possible endings. Players can engage in a variety of experiences, whether seeking adventure, love, or power. - For Boys: They can play as male characters, leading an adventurous life, assembling a harem of waifus, and ultimately attempting to defeat the demon king. This path is fraught with challenges, and players may face countless deaths before achieving victory. - For Girls: They can play as female characters, engaging in a storyline akin to an Otome game. Here, they can build a reverse harem, navigate the complexities of being bullied by villainesses, and experience a range of endings unique to female characters. The game''s vast world allows for virtually any role: savior, agent of chaos, traveler, merchant, or even a slave trader. This freedom of choice is the core reason behind its name, *Free Life Fantasy*. - Awakened Individuals: Rare people who have unlocked their Mana circuit, enabling them to use magic. The rarity of high-tier awakened individuals from commoner backgrounds highlights a society deeply entrenched in noble and royal bloodlines. Yet, as long as someone is awakened, regardless of their birth, can study at the prestigious Academy for Awakened, learning magic and swordsmanship. And that''s where our protagonist,"Ethan Rothslayer", a commoner with exceptional talent in both magic and swordsmanship, represents hope and defiance against the established hierarchy. His journey is one of overcoming insurmountable odds to slay the remaining demon lords and prevent the resurrection of the demon king, 200 years after the last hero''s victory. The narrative unfolds in a world still reeling from the previous hero''s triumph over the demon king two centuries ago. However, the threat persists as surviving demon lords strive to revive their fallen leader. Humanity''s survival hinges on eradicating these dark forces before they succeed. Fable¡ªor rather, Esdeath Crimson¡ªstood alone in the gallery, her gaze sweeping over the vast field of greenery before her. The entire landscape was a lush expanse of grass and trees, with birds soaring gracefully in the sky. Their cheerful chirping filled the air, and despite herself, she couldn''t help but smile at the beauty of nature. The scene was almost too perfect, like something out of a storybook. Her new parents had returned to their work, giving her a moment of peace. She knew they would soon have to enroll her in the Awakened Academy, which was set to start in just a few days. Her happy smile quickly turned into an irritated scowl. "Out of all things, this game? And as a female? And a shut-in female, no less? Who the hell is this girl? After clearing this game dozens of times, I''ve never encountered anyone with this appearance or name!" she thought, her mind racing. She kicked the wall in frustration, only to yelp in pain and hop on one foot, clutching her toes. "Ow! Damn it, why does everything hurt so much more here?" she grumbled, her irritation only growing. With a deep sigh, she leaned against the wall, trying to process her situation. "So, I''ve transmigrated into an extra character," she muttered, feeling a mix of disbelief and annoyance. "An extra! Not even a side character with a cool backstory. Just an extra!" Esdeath glanced around the room, taking in the ornate decorations and luxurious furnishings. "Well, at least the view is nice," she conceded, rolling her eyes. "But seriously, what kind of game is this? And why me? I was just fine living my life, playing this game on my comfy couch." But the next moment, a wave of memories from the game crashed into Esdeath''s mind. Her expression quickly turned pale with worry. "From the timeline, the academy will start in around four or five days. That means... that means all of us are going to die!" she thought, her heart pounding as she remembered the brutal events. Lortell Mariette:The name alone was enough to strike fear into the hearts of many. The daughter of an Arch-duke, she was both a prodigy and a mid-boss in the game. Lortell mastered both magic and swordsmanship, and was the top student of the Awakened Academy. Her fame was so widespread that even the king himself respected her. But to the protagonist, she was one of the most difficult enemies to defeat. At the start of the story, when the protagonist entered the academy, Lortell was about to enroll in third year. But two days before the academy started, she launched a devastating attack on Swann and its neighboring land, Sacturium, where Esdeath''s marriage had been arranged before her awakening had called it off. But that wasn''t the main point. Lortell attacked both lands simultaneously, without warning or the king''s permission. How could two barons possibly defend against an Arch-duke''s army? In a single night, she massacred everyone in Swann and Sacturium. Lortell left the academy afterward, retreating to her palace where she rarely emerged. In the game, she always wore a grim, sad, and bored expression, as if she was merely existing, waiting to die. Despite her potential, the king ignored her slaughter of Swann and Sacturium, but her subsequent actions plunged the kingdom into chaos, forcing them to eventually confront her. And then the protagonist comes and defeats her. But even in the end, as she lay dying, Lortell never showed any emotion. It was as if she had been waiting for that moment all along. Esdeath felt a chill run down her spine as she processed the information. Her thoughts raced, filled with dread and urgency. "The academy starts in four or five days, which means I only have two days left! In the game, this girl probably got killed by Lortell, so she never appeared in the first place," she thought, her mind whirling. "But how should I stop her? Right now, even the protagonist is as powerful as her tiny finger. I don''t even know why she would attack here; it was just a small side story," she thought with annoyance. "This is why this game is shit!" She cursed the game with all her might. What could she do now? She had no choice but to find a way to prevent her untimely demise. Esdeath exhaled deeply, trying to release all her frustration. "Let''s forget about it for now. I think I need to go to the bathroom!" she said aloud, heading out of the room. She walked down the halls of the second floor of the palace, descended the stairs to the ground floor, and turned left to where the restroom was. As she reached the restroom, a thought struck her. "How do I know the restroom is here? Is this muscle memory from this girl?" she wondered, entering the room. It was a modern type restroom, reserved only for family members. She entered one of the stalls and closed the door. But it was at that moment, "The greatest hitman of all time, Fable," who had never feared death or any man, felt true fear. Sweat started emerging from the terror of her thoughts. "How do girls pee?" she wondered, her eyes wide with realization. In her past life, she had been a man. How was she supposed to know how girls did these things? "F*ck, I can''t hold on for much longer. What do I do?" she thought, panic setting in. She looked around the restroom, desperately trying to figure it out. "Okay, okay, calm down. It can''t be that different, right?" she muttered to herself, feeling a mix of embarrassment and urgency. "Just sit down and... do what you have to do." She gingerly sat down, trying to relax despite her rising anxiety. "I can''t look down... I can''t look down... I was a criminal, but I have my pride too!" she thought while slowly removing her panties. She wasn''t embarrassed because if she''ll open her eyes, She''ll see a girl''s body naked, She was the greatest hitman in her previous life, She seen Counteless seductive womens and was immune to such things. But this was different, seeing a girl and being a girl is very different from what one could imagine. Also she had pride as a hitman, Also dignity of a 35 year old man, laying her eyes on a teenage girl. Closing her eyes tightly, she started doing what she had to. The water flowed out, but it was completely different from how a guy''s piss flows. This difference gave her a heightened sense of embarrassment, guilt, and unease, her anxiety peaking with each second. Her legs trembled as she got up. "What face will I show to the world? This was the hardest mission of my life!" she muttered, her voice shaking. With that, she went back to her room, feeling more drained with each step. Just as she entered, she started panting heavily. The short distance left her exhausted. She couldn''t help but jump onto the bed, laying down and staring at the ceiling. Her mind raced. "If this is a game world, then I would have a status too, right?" she thought. sea??h th§× N??eFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "Show what should I call it, status window?" she mused aloud. Suddenly, a message popped up in front of her like a holographic screen. : 1.3 : 1.3 : 1.6 : 12 Current skills in possession: - Sharpshooter (F) Upgradable: When used, time will slow down for three seconds. Can only be used once an hour. - Keen Eyes (F) Upgradable: Can see over great distances with precision. Seeing her status, Esdeath burst out in anger. "What kind of weakling am I? Even an average Awakened has stats of at least three! That means I''m three times weaker than an average Awakened!" she thought, feeling a wave of frustration wash over her. But now, it couldn''t be helped; this was her body. Deciding to set aside her frustration, her gaze fell on the SP section. "SP points?" she muttered, clicking on it. As she did, another page appeared on the hologram. **SP (Self-Worth Points):** As your worth or popularity in the game rises, negatively or positively, you''ll get SP points that you can use to enhance your stats or create skills. The more SP, the better the skill will be. However, you can''t destroy the main storyline; doing so will not earn you any SP points. **Warning:** While creating skills, there is a chance that the skill will have some drawback effects that will hinder you. Seeing this, Esdeath''s eyes widened. "SP points, huh? I guess the more I mess up with the story without destroying the main storyline, the more SP I''ll get!" she thought, a mischievous grin spreading across her face as she considered the possibilities. She then focused on another section. "What the fuck is this? Skills?, job?, aren''t only main character can use skills because of constellations?, I guess that''s something useful I got. " She pondered. Her mind raced with theories. "The sword mode is locked, When will this sword mode unlock? My only guess is through a second awakening. In the first awakening, people awaken their mana circuit and become able to use magic. But many who become strong enough, when facing a life-and-death situation or emotional trauma, experience a second awakening. Their power grows significantly, and they reach a whole new level compared to first Awakened." Esdeath sighed, feeling a mix of determination and anxiety. "I have a long way to go," she thought, clenching her fists. "But if I can just survive long enough to trigger that second awakening, maybe I''ll stand a chance and have a long life." The emotions swirled inside her¡ªfrustration, hope, determination, and a touch of excitement. Despite the overwhelming odds, she felt a spark of resolve. "Alright, Esdeath Crimson. This game world might be tough, but I''m tougher. Time to turn this weakling into a powerhouse." Saying this, She sat up and decided to do some workouts. Dream After getting a clear look at the status window, Esdeath decided it was time to work on improving herself. Determined, she left the palace and headed to the garden, deciding to start with five laps around it as her initial goal. However, after just two laps, she was utterly exhausted. "Huff... Huff..." She panted heavily, inhaling air deeply. "This girl has no stamina, And running in this girly clothe is way too hard but I can''t give up yet!" she muttered, bracing herself as she lay down to attempt some push-ups. "One... two... three..." On her third push-up, her arms started trembling, and she barely managed to push herself up. Just as she completed her third push-up, the same maid who had first seen her awake happened to be passing by. The maid''s face turned to one of concern as she rushed toward Esdeath. "Young mistress... young mistress, what are you doing?" she asked, her voice full of worry. "I''m doing some workouts!" Esdeath replied with a bright smile, giving the maid a thumbs up. The smile stunned the maid. She stood speechless for a second before finally responding, "You can smile?" she asked in puzzlement. "Wait a minute... Was this girl never one to smile? What kind of personality did the original owner have?" Esdeath wondered, realizing she had no idea about the previous Esdeath''s demeanor. The maid quickly gathered her thoughts and got to the point. "Why are you working out? Master and mistress never let you do any workouts, in case it might hurt you," she said. "So, this girl''s parents are the overprotective type who don''t want their child to face any difficulties," Esdeath thought, beginning to understand the dynamics of her new life. Esdeath felt a mix of frustration and sympathy for her new body''s previous owner. "This girl was so sheltered, no wonder she had no stamina," she thought. But instead of feeling defeated, Esdeath felt a surge of determination. "I need to break free from these limitations." Her body was weak, her muscles ached, and her breath came in ragged gasps, but her spirit remained unbroken. She smiled reassuringly at the maid. "Don''t worry, I won''t hurt myself. I just want to get stronger." The maid looked unconvinced but nodded slowly. "If you say so, young mistress. Just be careful." Esdeath gave a small nod, appreciating the concern but knowing she had to push through. She couldn''t afford to be weak in this world. "Alright, back to work," she told herself, steeling her resolve. After slowly working out for a few hours, the sun had set, and it was already evening. Esdeath strolled around the palace, memorizing every room. She even visited the library and took a look at the kingdom''s history, which reinforced her realization that she was indeed in the game world she had once played. She asked some maids about her personality and how others treated her, but all she received were effusive praises. There was no doubt in her mind that they were lying. The day flew by, and soon it was time for dinner with her family. Having memorized the layout of the palace, she quickly made her way to the dining room. She entered and saw a large dining table laden with many dishes and fruits. There were only three chairs around the table: one for her father, one for her mother, and one for herself. As soon as Esdeath entered the room, her mother rose from her seat, turned toward her, and hugged her tightly, planting a gentle kiss on her forehead. "I''m so glad nothing happened to you!" she said, her voice a mix of happiness and concern. Esdeath stiffened slightly in her mother''s embrace. "Ugh... They are so overprotective. Why are they giving me so much love anyway?" she thought, unable to shake the feeling of being smothered. She walked over to the remaining chair and sat down, her eyes scanning the array of dishes before her. "Give me meat, and those vegetables too, and that fruit as well!" she said, pointing at nearly every dish on the table. She was exhausted from her workout and experiencing an intense hunger, her appetite surging. She felt like she could eat everything in sight. Everyone in the room looked at her in shock. Her father, eyes wide with bewilderment, spoke up, "You''re eating vegetables and fruits? Is this because you''re Awakened?" Esdeath blinked, caught off guard by his question. "Awakened? No, I''m just hungry from working out," she replied, reaching for a piece of meat and a serving of vegetables. The taste was more satisfying than she expected, and she realized how much her body craved the nutrients. Her mother watched her with a mix of surprise and concern. "You''ve never shown interest in eating so much before, especially not vegetables and fruits. Are you feeling alright?" she asked, her voice tinged with worry. Esdeath looked at her mother and saw the genuine concern in her eyes. She sighed internally, feeling a mixture of frustration and warmth. "I''m fine, really. I just had a long day and I''m starving," she explained, giving a reassuring smile. As she ate, Esdeath couldn''t help but think about the original owner of her body. "Fufufu..What an idiot parents, Their daughter is being possessed by some random man and they have no clue." She laughed in her heart. "This girl must have been so pampered and sheltered. No wonder her parents are so overprotective," she mused, trying to piece together the life she had inherited. Her father, still looking puzzled, finally nodded. "Well, if it''s because you''re hungry, eat as much as you need. But remember to take care of yourself," he said, his voice firm yet caring. Esdeath nodded, feeling a strange mix of independence and gratitude. "I will, Father," she replied, focusing on her meal. The food fueled her resolve. "About your marriage, I cancelled it," he said with a mischievous grin. "That bastard was making a fuss, but I cancelled it anyway. Hahaha..." He chuckled at his own joke and continued, "I also enrolled you in the Awakened''s Academy. Every student has to take an entrance exam to get ranked in the academy. But since we''re already late, I used my power as a noble to get you in. Your ranking will be low, though. I''m sorry about that," he added with a hint of regret. "No worries!" Esdeath replied cheerfully, shocking everyone with her nonchalant attitude. "You sure are in a good mood today. By the way, the academy starts the day after tomorrow," he said casually. This time, it was Esdeath''s turn to be surprised. Her eerie red eyes widened in realization. "The day after tomorrow? That means today is the day Lortell Mariette will attack," she thought, her mind racing with frustration. "I''m done!" she exclaimed, quickly getting up. She had already eaten enough. She rushed towards her room, her thoughts a whirlwind of anxiety and determination. Once inside, she began pacing back and forth, wracking her brain for a solution. "What should I do? What should I do?" she muttered to herself. "I''m sure of it. Today is the day she attacks. That means she''ll strike at night, right?" She tried to think through every possibility. As she paced, her eyelids grew heavy. She had worked tirelessly and eaten as much as she could, and now her body demanded rest. She yawned loudly, feeling the weight of exhaustion. "Let''s forget it. If there''s chaos, I''ll wake up anyway and escape alone. For now, let''s sleep," she told herself. She jumped onto her bed, and the moment her pale, snow-fairy-like skin touched the mattress, she fell into a deep sleep. In her sleep, her alabaster skin contrasted sharply with the dark red, bruised circles beneath her eyes, making her appear as a fragile snow fairy or a haunting specter. As she drifted off, her mind slipped into a vivid dream¡ªa dream that did not belong to her but to the original owner of her body. In the dream, a young girl of six or seven with flowing black hair and striking dark red eyes, marked by multiple ring patterns, cowered on her knees. It was Esdeath. She clutched her head with small, trembling hands, as if shielding herself from an unseen threat. Her breaths came in shallow, ragged gasps, a mix of fear and resignation etched on her face. Voices of other children pierced the air, harsh and mocking. "You can''t play with us! Get the hell out of here, witch!" a boy yelled, hurling stones at her. Each rock that struck her caused a wince of pain and humiliation, but she remained silent, enduring their cruelty. The boy was not alone; a group of children stood behind him, their faces twisted with scorn. "Yeah! Those ominous eyes and that black hair! My mama said to stay away from you as much as possible. Get the hell out of here, witch!" a girl shouted, flinging dirt at Esdeath. The gritty particles stung her eyes, forcing them shut as tears began to mix with the grime on her cheeks. S§×arch* The n??el Fire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Another child joined in, his voice filled with derision. "Yeah, there won''t be any prince to save you! No one''s gonna marry someone like you!" His words cut deeper than any stone or dirt, lodging themselves in her heart. Esdeath''s small frame shook with silent sobs. She hugged herself tighter, seeking comfort in the only way she knew how. Her body felt cold and frail, the dirt and tears mixing on her cheeks. Just when the pain seemed unbearable, fate intervened¡ªnot in the form of a prince, but a princess. Whosshh..... Out of nowhere, a swift kick sent one of the rock-throwing boys sprawling. The other children froze, their eyes wide with shock, and slowly turned to see who had dared to intervene. Esdeath, too, opened her eyes slowly, squinting through her tears to see her savior. Standing before her was a girl, perhaps a year or two older, with pale silver-white skin and hair that gleamed with hints of light grey. Her skin was as pale as Esdeath''s, almost ethereal, like a vampire''s. She exuded an air of beauty and charm, though in the dream, her face was obscured by sunlight, casting her features in a radiant, blinding glow. "*##"@#?" One of the children called her name, but in the haze of her dream, Esdeath couldn''t hear it clearly. "Get the hell out of here!" the silver-haired girl commanded, her voice laced with authority and anger. The children flinched, their faces paling as they realized she was someone of high status. Not a single one dared to speak or meet her gaze. Muttering in irritation, they dispersed, leaving Esdeath alone with her unexpected rescuer. The girl stepped forward, her movements graceful and deliberate, and extended a hand towards Esdeath. Esdeath''s eyes widened in astonishment as she looked up at her savior. Hesitantly, she reached out and grasped the offered hand, feeling its warmth and strength. As she stood, the pent-up emotions overwhelmed her, and she began to cry, tears flowing from her delicate eyes and dripping onto her soft cheeks. "Y-you," she began, her voice ragged and broken from crying, "You look like me too. Why doesn''t anyone say anything to you? I want to play too!" Her voice wavered, her neck growing heavy with the weight of her sorrow. The silver-haired girl said nothing at first. She took a step forward and enveloped Esdeath in a tight, comforting hug. "Don''t worry," she whispered softly, her voice like a soothing balm. "When you grow up and marry a handsome prince, everyone will respect you." Esdeath, her head resting on the girl''s shoulder, lifted her gaze with an effort. Her eyes, shimmering like stars through her tears, met the girl''s eyes. "But just as they said, no one will marry me. I''ll be alone forever!" she sobbed, her small body trembling with despair. The silver-haired girl hugged her tighter, her embrace firm and reassuring. "Who said you''ll be alone? You have me, right?" she murmured, her voice filled with gentle assurance. "Really?" Esdeath asked, a glimmer of hope lighting up her tear-streaked face. "Then will you marry me when we grow up? I''ll be your bride!" she declared with a mix of innocence and determination. A charming smile spread across the older girl''s face as she laughed softly. "Hahaha... Okay then. You''ll be my bride, and when we grow up, I''ll marry you!" "Promise?" Esdeath questioned, her voice small and hopeful, her tear-streaked face reflecting a glimmer of hope. "Pinky promise!" the silver-haired girl replied, her tone warm and reassuring. She linked her pinky finger with Esdeath''s, sealing their solemn vow. For a brief moment, the world seemed brighter, filled with the promise of friendship and protection. But then, the girl''s charming smile twisted into an eerie grin. She leaned closer to Esdeath, her breath warm against Esdeath''s ear. The older girl''s grin widened unnaturally, and her eyes gleamed with a strange intensity. "Now that you''re my bride," she whispered, her voice low and possessive, "don''t you dare look for someone else. You don''t have to work out, do chores, or anything like that." Her tone, though soft, carried a chilling edge that made Esdeath''s heart race with unease. "But always remember," she continued, her grip tightening slightly on Esdeath''s hand, "you belong to me. You are mine and mine alone." Childhood Crush night''s dim light gradually faded, giving way to the first rays of morning. Esdeath''s eyes fluttered open, and she sat up abruptly, her heart pounding. "It was a dream? But it felt too real," she muttered to herself, her mind racing. "I think it was one of this girl''s memories!" She swung her legs over the side of the bed and stood up, her body still tingling with the remnants of the dream. As she moved towards the window, a wave of worry and hesitation washed over her. Her face tightened with anxiety. "It''s morning already?" she whispered, her thoughts racing like a bolt of lightning. "What about Lortell Mariette''s attack?" Panic surged through her as she rushed to the window. She flung it open and leaned out, her eyes scanning the grounds below. To her astonishment, everything was normal. The mansion''s grounds were serene, with people walking about calmly, their faces showing no signs of distress or fear. Birds chirped merrily in the trees, and the morning sun cast a warm, golden glow over everything. Just as relief began to settle in, a soft chime sounded in her mind, and a translucent status window appeared before her eyes, displaying a notification: "....." Esdeath stared at the window, her mouth agape in shock. Confusion, bewilderment, and astonishment flooded her senses. Her mind struggled to comprehend what she was seeing. "How?" she whispered, the word escaping her lips before she could stop it. "I didn''t do anything, I just slept. So how did she not attack us?" Her thoughts swirled in a chaotic dance, each question more perplexing than the last. She thought about it too much but didn''t get any answers. In the end, she decided not to dwell on it. Instead, she focused on her SP points. "What should I do with these points? Make a skill or raise a stat?" she pondered, but she wasn''t sure if her SP points were enough to create a useful skill. It seemed wiser to invest them in her stats. After deliberating for a few seconds, she decided to put all the points into "Stamina." Esdeath had always struggled with low stamina, and even a few workouts left her utterly exhausted. Increasing her stamina meant she could endure longer workouts, which would lead to gains in strength, speed, and endurance. With determination, she allocated all her SP into her stamina. Ding! "Huh? Only two?" She felt a pang of dissatisfaction with the results. It wasn''t as much as she''d hoped, but it was still an improvement from her previous 1.3 stat. She sighed and accepted the outcome, reminding herself that progress, no matter how small, was still progress. "Now then, it''s already morning and time to do some workouts, but before that, I should write down what I know," she thought, organizing her plan for the day. She moved to her desk, the morning light filtering through the curtains, casting a soft glow on her journal. As she picked up her pen, a wave of determination washed over her. The soft rustling of the pages seemed to echo her resolve. "Firstly, if what I saw in the dream is true, then this girl is being discriminated against because of her black hair," she wrote down, her pen scratching lightly against the paper. The truth weighed heavily on her mind. According to Fable''s memories of the game, there were many characters with red eyes, but the demon king that the hero had defeated had black hair.Unlike earth, In this world, barely anyone had black hair, and it was possible that only Esdeath had this rare trait. This was the main reason everyone called her a witch or a ghost ¨C "Now I know why her parents are so protective. She must have been bullied from birth until now, never having any friends. Basically, a loner!" she thought, finally realizing the depth of her new identity''s isolation. She paused, the pen hovering above the page as she gathered her thoughts. Secondly, the original main character of this novel, Ethan Rothslayer. He was not just an average prodigy kid. The main story of this game was that Ethan Rothslayer was actually a regressor. In his last life, he had failed to protect everyone, and the demon king was resurrected. But after he died, miraculously, he regressed. Of course, that wasn''t the full story. In this world, there were beings called Star Constellations. The demon king was also a star constellation, but he was a fallen constellation, banished from the upper realm and ended up here and started dominate this land and making his power grew more. Although most of his powers were stripped away, he was still a constellation. How could anyone be his match? Constellations had rules that they couldn''t directly interfere with the lower realm. That''s why, seeing the lower realm struggling, many star constellations chose excellent individuals to help defeat the demon king. But even after being defeated, the demon wasn''t fully killed and was revived again. This time, humans and other races failed, but in their last moments, a certain constellation helped our main character, making him regress with his memories. And of course, only people who were chosen by a certain constellation could see the status window. That meant Fable ¨C or should I say Esdeath Crimson ¨C was also chosen by a star constellation. She took a deep breath, the enormity of her situation sinking in. "This is more complex than I imagined," she thought, feeling a mix of excitement and trepidation. The idea of being chosen by a star constellation brought a sense of purpose, but it also came with immense responsibility. However, she was not someone who would go around saving people and doing heroic deeds. To her, constellations controlled the chosen individuals in the name of "responsibility." "Starting phases are easy, but as the story progresses, even if I become strong, there''s no way I''ll survive on my own," she mused. Surviving the initial phases was manageable; even if she did nothing and sat in a corner, the story would still progress, and she would be content living a quiet life. But as the story advanced, there would be massive battles. If she didn''t become strong enough to protect herself, survival would be impossible. Moreover, she knew she couldn''t survive alone. She needed at least one or two companions. "Okay then, this is my first mission: find a companion who can keep me alive, at least someone who can get me to the semi-final boss scenario," she thought with determination. Now, you might be wondering, why not just become the companion of the main character? But no, that was the last thing she wanted to do. Why? Well, that''s a story for another time. Esdeath got up and rushed to her gallery. Upon arriving, she looked up at the sky and raised her hand, showing her middle finger to the empty sky. "F*ck you, constellations!" she yelled, venting her anger at being reincarnated as a girl. She sighed heavily, feeling a sense of relief after letting out her frustration. She then turned towards the shower room inside her bedroom. She decided to work out every morning, so she thought of taking a shower and changing clothes before starting her routine. As she reached the shower room door and placed her hand on the handle, her heart started pounding like crazy. She could easily hear her own heartbeat. "Why''s my heart pounding? Am I scared? Or did I put something bad inside the shower room?" she wondered, trying to make sense of her emotions. Then, it hit her. "It''s not that I''m scared, but I''m actually very excited. Don''t tell me, this girl has a habit of masturbating in the shower?" she thought, chuckling at the absurdity of the situation. But she wouldn''t know for sure until she went inside. With a sudden dash, she was about to open the door when a voice rang out. "Young mistress, your friends are looking for you!" It was Esdeath''s personal maid, the same one who had seen her awake first. "Friends? This shut-in has friends?" she muttered in disbelief. She turned away from the shower room and headed towards the source of the voice. Her heart was still pounding, but now it was mixed with curiosity. Who could these friends be? What kind of relationships did she have in this new world? Esdeath paused for a moment, gathering her thoughts. "This is just another part of the puzzle," she reminded herself. "I''ll figure it out as I go." Taking a deep breath, she straightened her posture and put on a confident expression. "Alright, let''s see who these so-called friends are," she said to herself, stepping out of her room to face whatever awaited her. Her so-called friends weren''t just outside her room but outside the mansion, in the garden. Esdeath walked slowly, her steps echoing through the silent halls as she passed by many rooms. Finally, she reached the main gate and stepped out of the mansion. Walking a little further, she saw a group of four to five teenage girls standing together. Esdeath''s eyes widened in shock as she saw the main figure among the group¡ªa teenage girl with golden silky hair and green eyes. Her face was fair, and she was undoubtedly one of the most beautiful women one could see. "Claus Clandestine?" she thought, her heart skipping a beat. Claus Clandestine, the daughter of the Marquess, a high-ranking noble, and the villainess of the game. She was known for hindering the main heroine at every turn and always being jealous of her. "What''s she doing here?" Esdeath wondered, but then she saw another palace behind the girls. A thought crossed her mind, making her realize the situation. Esdeath''s palace was on the border, not in the middle of the Swann territory. The Swann territory shared a border with two territories: Sacturium and Milton, the Marquess''s territory. There were three palaces on the border between Milton and Swann. Esdeath had assumed all three palaces were hers, but it made sense that a mere baron couldn''t afford three palaces. No wonder Claus was here¡ªone of the palaces belonged to her. "But why did they build their palace on the border instead of in the middle? And whose palace is the third one?" she thought, still unclear about the details. Although she had all these thoughts, barely a second had passed in real life. She continued walking towards the villainess, Claus Clandestine. As she approached, Esdeath noticed the expressions on the girls'' faces. Claus looked particularly angry, annoyed, and irritated. The other girls seemed to be a mix of nervous and curious, their eyes darting between Esdeath and Claus. Esdeath felt a knot of anxiety tighten in her stomach, but she kept her composure. "What could possibly be the reason for their visit?" she wondered. Her mind raced with possibilities, but she had to face the situation head-on. Claus''s eyes locked onto Esdeath''s as she got closer. "Esdeath," she began, her voice dripping with disdain, "How dare you? I''ve been calling you since last week, but you didn''t leave your palace out of fear. Do you think you can take on the consequences of defying me?" Esdeath raised an eyebrow, feigning indifference despite the unease bubbling inside her. "Oh? Damn, now I have to deal with the mess that the real Esdeath created! Claus Clandestine, huh? She''s also an awakened, just like me, but at least no one is allowed to use magic outside before entering the academy," she thought with a sigh. Claus''s expression darkened, her irritation evident. "Tch... not saying a single word? You''ve become so arrogant!" She snorted, raising her palm as she moved toward Esdeath, clearly intending to slap her. As a villainess, Claus was likely a bully before entering the awakened academy. By slapping Esdeath, she wanted to assert her authority and make a strong impression on the other girls. Her movement was fast, and she tightened her palm, about to strike Esdeath''s face. But the next moment, something unexpected happened. Out of reflex, Esdeath caught Claus''s hand at the last second and twisted it in a way that flipped Claus upside down, sending her body into the air. It was a move from martial arts, specifically Aikido. "Huh?" Claus let out a breath in disbelief as she realized her legs were in the air and her head was about to crash into the ground. But she wasn''t a normal person; she was also awakened. With a swift movement, she jumped back, regaining her balance and standing without letting a single speck of dirt touch her. Esdeath''s heart pounded as she realized what she''d done. "Oh shit, I did it out of reflex," she thought in regret. Being a baron''s daughter and daring to attack a marquess''s daughter first? She wasn''t going to get away with this without facing some severe consequences. The other girls gasped, their eyes wide with shock. The tension in the air was palpable, and Esdeath could feel their disbelief and fear radiating off them. She knew she had to tread carefully now. Claus''s face twisted with rage, her green eyes blazing with fury. "You insolent little¡ª" she began, but a sudden voice cut her off. "What''s going on here?" A seductive and charming voice came from behind everyone. Heads turned, and they immediately recognized the newcomer. It was a girl, a year or two older than Esdeath. Although Esdeath was tall, around 170 or 172 cm, this girl was even taller. She had silver hair with a gray tint and piercing red eyes. Her pale skin was so white that anyone could mistake her for a vampire. She was, without a doubt, more beautiful than Claus Clandestine. sea??h th§× n??el Fire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. She wore a mini skirt with a white shirt and a jacket, the uniform of the Awakened Academy for females. Esdeath''s eyes widened as she recognized the person in front of her. "Lortell Mariette, what''s she doing here?" she thought in disbelief. The same Lortell Mariette who was supposed to attack her land and kill everyone, including her, was now standing before her. Even Claus''s expression changed from annoyance to a forced smile. "Hahaha... Lady Mariette, what are you doing here? We were just going to play, nothing else, hahaha..." she chuckled, trying to ease the situation. Claus was the daughter of a marquess, but Lortell was the daughter of an archduke. No one in their right mind would want to get on Lortell''s bad side, and Claus was no exception. Lortell''s eyes flickered with amusement as she looked at Claus, then shifted her gaze to Esdeath. "Is that so?" she said, her voice dripping with sarcasm. "It didn''t look like playtime to me." Esdeath felt a mix of relief and tension. Lortell''s arrival had defused the immediate threat, but her presence also brought new uncertainties. She had no idea what Lortell''s intentions were, and the uncertainty gnawed at her. Claus laughed nervously, her forced smile never wavering. "Of course, Lady Mariette. We were just... um, playing a little game. Right, Esdeath?" She turned to Esdeath, hoping to force her into agreeing through sheer intimidation. But Esdeath was in the midst of an even more complex internal struggle. Her whole face was flushed, her pale cheeks burning red. She was rubbing her thighs together, her body tingling with an unfamiliar excitement. As someone who had been a hitman, she thought she had conquered her emotions. She had seen and dealt with seductive, charming, Latina, Gyaru, cute, chubby, and even Lolicon figures, believing herself immune to such pleasures. "I thought I was past the age of falling into romance," she thought in disbelief. "But why? Why am I feeling so excited after seeing this girl?" she pondered, trying to make sense of her feelings. The realization hit her like a ton of bricks. She could feel her heart pounding, not from fear, but from something far more confusing and exhilarating."Don''t tell me, this Esdeath girl has a crush on Lortell Mariette? Unhealthy Obsession Lortell''s presence was intoxicating, her aura magnetic. Esdeath struggled to maintain her composure, trying to suppress the unfamiliar feelings surging through her. She knew she needed to act normal, to hide this sudden vulnerability. But it was proving to be incredibly difficult with Lortell standing so close, her scent, her voice, and her very presence overwhelming Esdeath''s senses. "No, no... I can''t fall for her, I can''t fall for her," Esdeath thought, giving herself a mental shake. She felt a surge of determination, but there was a deeper reason she didn''t want to get involved with Lortell. "I don''t know why I have black hair and red eyes, but I clearly know why Lortell Mariette has red eyes and pale white skin like a vampire," she thought. "It''s because she doesn''t just look like a vampire; she is a vampire. And not just any vampire, but one from the progenitor vampire bloodline, the strongest vampire bloodline," she thought, shaking her head to clear her thoughts. In this world, there are things called "factors." When a human awakens, these factors can at any time turn an average awakened human into a vampire or werewolf. Usually, when a vampire awakens, they go berserk, killing everyone in sight, and often end up being killed by human armies. Very few can remain calm, and even those who do are often mentally unstable. Lortell Mariette, however, was different. She had awakened at the age of six¡ªan age when most children hadn''t even begun to think about such things. Typically, an average person awakens at fourteen, but Lortell was no average person. She was a prodigy. sea??h th§× novel(F~)ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Esdeath, on the other hand, had awakened at seventeen, explaining why she was so weak compared to others. But that was a problem for another time. When Lortell turned seven, she awakened again, this time as a vampire. Not just any vampire, but a progenitor vampire, and she remained calm. So calm that, aside from her parents, no one else knew she was a vampire. Her parents believed she had avoided the typical drawbacks of becoming a vampire, but only Lortell knew how mentally unstable her personality was. Esdeath''s mind raced as she processed this information. She had to keep her distance. Getting involved with someone like Lortell could only spell trouble. "The main weakness of being a vampire is, they can''t kill themselves even if they want to," she reminded herself. "That''s why in the game, with always a grim and sad expression, she was just waiting for someone who could kill her." "Esdeath?... Esdeath?" Voices called her out of her daydream. She snapped back to reality, her tongue slipping. "Y-yeah, I''ll start by kissing!" she blurted out, unaware of her surroundings. "What?" Claus yelled in puzzlement. Realization bore down upon her as she smacked her forehead. "Oh no, I mean, yeah, we were just going to play!" She was flustered, words tumbling out without coherence. "Esdeath," Lortell''s voice cut through her thoughts, drawing her back to the present moment. "Are you alright?" Esdeath nodded, swallowing hard to push down the lump in her throat. "Yes, Lady Mariette. I''m fine," she managed to say, her voice only slightly wavering. "Lady? Last time I told you to call me Lortell," Lortell said, closing the gap between them a little. Both Esdeath''s and Lortell''s red eyes locked onto each other. Esdeath couldn''t help but mutter something in her mind. "Eyes... eyes meet-meet, my future dar-k~" she started humming in her thoughts. While she stood still, Lortell closed the remaining gap and placed her hand on Esdeath''s head, patting her gently. "I heard your arranged marriage broke up. I''m so glad; I was against it too," she said with a charming smile. The sensation of being petted by Lortell overwhelmed Esdeath. "Ahh~, Lady Mariette is glad, lady Mariette is glad, I''m so happy. She is patting my head like a pet. I want to be her pet. No, I am her pet. Keep patting me like that forever," she thought, Her red eyes glowing even more, Her ring shaoes seem like it was moving at rapid speed, slipping into a state of unhealthy obsession. "Woof... woof!" she exclaimed, shocking everyone around her. "Woof? Are you sure you''re alright? Your whole face is red," Claus said, her anger momentarily forgotten, replaced by confusion and shock. Realization hit Esdeath, and she smacked her head again. "I-I''m sorry, my head went blank for a second. I think I should go and get some rest," she said, trying to maintain a semblance of dignity. "What''s happening? Something isn''t right. My head is going blank, and everything down there is slippery, like some liquid is leaking from my private part!" she thought, panicking internally. Lortell''s eyes softened with concern. "Esdeath, if you''re not feeling well, you should take care of yourself. Don''t push too hard. I can''t take the risk of anything happening to you." Esdeath nodded, grateful for the excuse to escape. "Thank you. I shall be off then," she said, her voice barely above a whisper. As she turned to leave, her mind continued to spiral. "Why am I reacting like this? This isn''t normal. I need to figure out what''s going on with me," she thought, her heart racing and her body trembling with a mix of fear and desire. As she slowly walked back to her palace, Claus forced a smile and turned toward Lortell. "Lady Ma¡ª" Before she could say anything, Lortell Mariette turned on her heel and left without a word, not even a goodbye. It was as if Claus didn''t exist, a clear humiliation. No one would dare to behave like that¡ªexcept the Archduke''s daughter, Lortell Mariette. Claus couldn''t help but grit her teeth in anger. "Why does she always look after that good-for-nothing Esdeath?" she thought, consumed by envy. Back in the palace, Esdeath finally arrived at her room. As soon as she entered, she hurriedly closed the door, exhaling deeply in relief. She slid down to the floor, her back against the door. "Huff... finally, I escaped. I thought I was about to go insane," she muttered to herself, relief washing over her. She lifted her hand and slid her fingers inside her frock, checking something. When she pulled them out, they were covered in a thick, transparent liquid. "Damn, excitement between male and female is way different. I should take a bath and wash myself," she thought, getting up. Esdeath moved toward her shower room, which was inside her bedroom. It only took a few steps to reach the door. Again, as she placed her hand on the handle, she felt her heart racing. This time, she didn''t back down. Determined to find out what was inside, she opened the door with a dash. As she entered the shower room, her eyes widened in disbelief. The entire room was covered with paintings of Lortell Mariette, in different clothes and settings. Her birthday dates were written everywhere, along with detailed measurements of her body. It was a scene both horrifying and unbelievable. Anyone else would have been shocked by the sight¡ªit was clearly madness, an unhealthy obsession. Esdeath fell to her knees, her palms pressing against her cheeks, her eyes wide with realization. "I knew it, this girl is a f*cking yandere!" Her mind reeled as she took in the details. Each painting captured Lortell in an intimate, almost worshipful way, showcasing her beauty from every angle. The dates and measurements were meticulously recorded, as if someone had painstakingly documented every aspect of her life. It was beyond infatuation; it was a deranged devotion. Esdeath''s breathing grew rapid, her body trembling. "This is insane... How could anyone go to such lengths?" she thought, horror mixing with a strange, unsettling fascination. She felt her heart pounding in her chest, the lines between fear and desire blurring in her mind. The realization that this obsession was rooted in the previous Esdeath''s emotions shook her to the core. "I inherited more than just her memories... I inherited her madness," she thought, a cold shiver running down her spine. "Pffftt... Hehehe... Hahaha.... I don''t even know why I am laughing, hahaha..." Her laughter echoed hollowly in the room, a manic edge creeping into her voice. The clear memories of her past lives swirled in her mind, blending fable''s serene determination with Esdeath''s brutal passions. The clash of identities threatened to tear her apart. She clutched her head, trying to steady herself as the world seemed to spin. But with sudden determination, she stopped herself from laughing. "F*ck this, I don''t care if I''m a yandere, tsundere, or kundere. My main priority is being alive!" she thought fiercely. The declaration felt like a lifeline, anchoring her amidst the chaos of her fractured psyche. "I would like to become a vampire too. That couple easily made me strong, but for activating the factors, the person has to be strong, and there''s no doubt I''m a weakling. So no matter how I look, I''m not a vampire and never going to become one unless some other vampire turns me into one," she reasoned, her thoughts gradually clearing as she got up. "Okay then, time to take a shower," she muttered, bracing herself. As she entered the room, her gaze lingered on Lortell''s painting. Every time she saw it, a burst of inexplicable excitement surged within her. She quickly closed her eyes, taking only a small peek outside. She walked towards the wall mirror and started undressing herself. "Hmph... I''m not an average teenage kid who''ll blush at seeing a girl''s body naked," she snorted to herself as she slipped off her frock, remaining in only her bra and panties. Despite her words, she couldn''t resist the urge to look. As she opened her eyes to take a peek at her new body''s reflection, her eyes fluttered open in shock. Her breath caught in her throat, and her heart pounded in her chest. Her wide eyes stared back at her from the mirror, a mixture of astonishment and disbelief written across her face. Her entire body was a canvas of torment, etched with dark, indelible ink and some of them were made with sharp objects likely to be a Knife. Words and symbols marred her skin, with Lortell Mariette''s name dominating the scrawl, as though she were an object of worship. The letters started around bottom of her neck, dipped across her chest, and trailed down to her left abdomen, creating a grotesque testament to her devotion. But it didn''t end there. Her whole back was a landscape of agony, riddled with bruises and cuts, each one a silent scream of pain and obsession. The marks were a testament to a twisted love, a cruel self-sacrifice. She looked down at her body, her eyes catching the chilling inscription just below her navel: "For Lortell only?" The arrow mark with it, seemed to mock her, a reminder that she had branded herself as Lortell Mariette''s possession. Panic surged through her. "Oh, shit," she muttered, her voice trembling. "No wonder she always wore frocks in every family photo, hiding the truth beneath layers of fabric. But what now? At the academy, I''ll have to bathe with others. I''ll be exposed." Engraving Tattoos The Awakened Academy operates on a tiered system with three distinct classes: Class A, Class B, and Class C, each receiving varying levels of treatment and amenities. Class A: is the elite tier, enjoying the finest privileges. Students in this class have private rooms equipped with personal showers, comfortable beds, dining areas, and other high-quality furnishings. Their lifestyle is marked by luxury, with free meals and a monthly allowance, ensuring full privacy and comfort. Class B: is a mixed group, comprising both commoners and nobles. These students are provided with dormitory rooms within the academy. They have access to two spring baths¡ªone for girls and one for boys¡ªensuring they can maintain their hygiene and relaxation needs within the campus facilities. Class C: is mostly populated by commoners who experience the most basic conditions. These students live outside the academy in hotels that, while built by the academy, charge extremely low prices to be affordable. Their external accommodation highlights the disparity in treatment between the classes. Esdeath, despite not having taken the entrance exams, was expected to be placed in Class C due to her baron status. However, given her noble title, it was unlikely she would be relegated to the lowest tier. Thus, the probable outcome was her placement in Class B. This arrangement posed a significant challenge for Esdeath. In Class B, she would have to share her room with another student and use the communal baths with other girls. This situation increased the risk of her secrets being exposed, as the shared living and bathing conditions offered little privacy. S§×ar?h the ¦Çov§×lFire .net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "Then the only way I can hide these marks is with a tattoo," Esdeath thought. "I''ll cover up these scars and cuts with permanent tattoos." She didn''t waste any time and quickly put on her frock, hurrying out of her room. As she rushed through the corridors of the palace, she called out, "Mary... Mary..." urgently seeking her personal maid. Within seconds, Mary appeared, running towards her and bowing her head. "What happened? Do you need anything?" "Yes, I want to engrave tattoos on my body. Go to my father and get some money, then call an artist immediately!" Esdeath ordered. "My parents are so overprotective; they''ll definitely agree. I have to depart for the academy tomorrow; there''s no time to waste," she thought, planning frantically. Mary hesitated before responding, "I''m afraid Master won''t give you money for this." Her words shocked Esdeath for a moment. "Why?" Esdeath asked, puzzled. "Why? Have you forgotten? With all the savings, Master bought this luxurious mansion. Other than for very important things, he doesn''t have any money to waste. That''s why he was arranging your marriage to a no-name baron; he couldn''t even afford the wedding cost," Mary explained. "Oh, now I understand why, despite being a baron, we have such a big and luxurious mansion," Esdeath thought, surprised as the situation became clear. "Then why did Father even buy this mansion?" she asked, hoping to uncover more information. "It''s because of Lady Mariette. She visits here every one or two years whenever she has time for a vacation. Last year, she even built her palace at the border between Swann and Milton and declared that after the third year of her academy, she''ll live there. So Milton''s ruler, Aretham Clandestine, also built a palace at the border and sent Lady Claus Clandestine to live there. In short, they were trying to build a political relationship by befriending Lady Mariette. That''s why Master didn''t want to look small and used all his resources to build a luxurious palace at Swann''s border," Mary explained. After hearing this, many points cleared up in Esdeath''s mind, but many new questions arose. "Oh, that''s why there are three palaces. Last time, that mid-boss said, ''Call me by my first name.'' Are Esdeath and Mariette close friends?" she thought. "But that''s not the main point. "What now? I have no money, so where do I get a tattoo?" Esdeath thought hard, but no answer came to mind. Fortunately, her luck wasn''t entirely bad, and Mary spoke up. "Don''t worry. I also have a passion for drawing tattoos and have learned many techniques. But due to financial constraints, I''ve never had the chance to showcase my skills. If you promise to pay me if you like the tattoos, I can do it," Mary said with a smile. "Okay then. I''ll be in my room. Come in a few minutes but don''t be too late!" Esdeath replied, turning back toward her room. Mary didn''t say anything and went to retrieve her tools for making tattoos. Esdeath entered her room and immediately took off her clothes. She grabbed a pen and began scratching at her skin, trying to obscure the written words. The logic was simple: she wanted to hide all the inscriptions on her body. If Mary saw her like this, she might scream in fear and inform Esdeath''s father, so Esdeath also took a knife with her. If Mary didn''t keep quiet, Esdeath would have no choice but to silence her permanently. About ten minutes later, there was a knock on the door. Without a doubt, it was Mary. Esdeath went to the door and slowly opened it, allowing Mary to enter. Mary carried a tattoo machine, a unique device powered by mana stones with no negative effects on the skin, preventing blood pollution. But when she saw Esdeath''s naked body, her eyes widened in shock and bewilderment. Esdeath had scratched out the written things, but the ink was still there, not erased. Mary could see the cut marks and some of the letters Esdeath desperately wanted to hide. "Umm... I suddenly remember a very important task. I''ll be back in a few minutes, hahaha..." Mary stammered, making an excuse as she tried to escape and inform Esdeath''s father. She backed away and hurried toward the exit, but before she could escape, a knife appeared at her neck. Esdeath held it, her eyes cold and unforgiving. Mary gasped in fear, frozen in place. "Don''t you dare tell anyone about this. Just do what I told you, or else you''ll die," Esdeath whispered menacingly, her voice chilling. Mary trembled, her eyes wide with terror. The room was filled with a suffocating tension, and the threat was clear. Mary had no choice but to comply, knowing her life depended on it. "Y-yes!" she whispered, her voice barely audible. Her entire body shook with fear; for a commoner to be killed by a noble was not uncommon. No one would complain if she were to die right now. "Hmph... Don''t worry, I''ll give you your money in the future. I''m not someone who goes back on my word for little things. Just do what I told you to!" Esdeath''s chilling voice only heightened Mary''s fear. Mary dared not say anything further and followed Esdeath to the bed. Esdeath sat cross-legged while Mary, trembling, positioned herself behind her and began working on the tattoos. The hours dragged on, the afternoon light fading into evening. Normally, this task would only take a few hours, but Mary''s hands trembled so much from fear that she took extra time to ensure she made no mistakes. Despite the delay, the results were impressive. From Esdeath''s neck down to her chest and covering half of her abdomen, red dragon tattoos coiled and twisted. Her back bore an intricate design of two dragons facing each other¡ªone blue, one red¡ªalong with other ancient patterns, giving her the look of a mafia boss. If anyone saw her now, they might think she was some kind of gangster. "Okay then, I''ll be going now!" Mary said, bowing her head low. "Hmm, okay. But if anyone finds out about this, you''ll be the first one to get killed," Esdeath warned, her tone menacing. Mary nodded her head quickly, three times in rapid succession, before hurrying to the exit and slipping away, the fear still etched on her face. The tension lingered in the air long after Mary left, the room still heavy with the weight of Esdeath''s threats and the desperate measures she had taken to conceal her secrets. Esdeath watched her maid retreat from the room, then stood up herself and walked towards her large, ornate mirror. Her reflection stared back at her, showcasing her pale skin adorned with intricate tattoos. The designs gave her an even more menacing and badass appearance. Without wasting any time, she headed to her shower room. As the warm water cascaded over her body, Esdeath felt a strange sensation. Washing her own breasts with her hands felt oddly intimate, almost unsettling. The feeling intensified as she cleaned her private areas, leaving her with a mix of embarrassment and curiosity. This was something she rarely allowed herself to ponder. Within a few minutes, she stepped out of the shower, wrapping herself in a plush towel. She walked over to the window, gazing at the fading golden light of the evening. "Sigh... I thought of working out every morning, but it''s already evening!" she muttered to herself. Regardless of the time of day, she knew she needed to maintain her routine to build her strength. Esdeath moved to her cupboard and began searching for suitable workout clothes. After a brief struggle, she found a sports bra and tight, thigh-high leggings. The modern attire contrasted with the world she lived in, where a few contemporary items like guns and plastic had found their way into existence. As she dressed, her tattoos remained prominently visible, enhancing her tomboyish look. "For the awakened, there are many ways to increase strength beyond human limits," she mused. "Exercise alone won''t suffice or should I say, Exercise is for just beginners, There are many other ways to increase strength without working out. That''s why I need to focus on flexibility more than brute strength. In this girl''s body, flexibility is key." Determined, she left her room and began her flexibility exercises. She started with a few simple moves, not wanting to overburden her body at the outset. Despite the limited routine, she felt the stretch and pull of her muscles, a reminder of her body''s potential. Next, she decided to go for a run. Leaving the palace grounds, she aimed for the nearby mountain cliff. The mountain wasn''t vast, only a couple of kilometers long and modest in height. However, its steep drop was lethal, a fall from the cliff would be fatal. Esdeath chose this route to get a comprehensive view of the ground before her departure to the academy. As she ran, the cool evening breeze brushed against her damp skin, invigorating her senses. The rhythmic pounding of her feet on the path, the sound of her breath, and the steady thump of her heartbeat grounded her in the moment. Each step brought her closer to her goal, not just physically but mentally preparing her for the challenges ahead. ------------------------------------------------------------- Damn, only Fourth day of college and I''m already exhausted. ? it took me four days just to write two chapters. Yandere X Yandere Meanwhile, in the Swann territory, within a modest commoner''s area, a mother busily tended to her chores. The sounds of sweeping and the clinking of dishes filled the small house until they were interrupted by a young voice. "Mom... Mom, I''m going for a walk. I''ll be back before night," called out her ten-year-old son from the doorway. The mother turned, her face a mix of concern and annoyance. "Okay, but remember, don''t climb the cliff of that mountain like you always do. How many times have I told you it''s dangerous?" she warned, her voice stern. The boy grinned, a mischievous twinkle in his eye as he lied, "Okay, I won''t." With that, he turned and started towards the mountain. "Hehehe... Why shouldn''t I go there? Standing up there gives the best view of the surrounding area. Besides, no one has ever fallen from there, and I''m not a child anymore," he thought defiantly. Reaching the cliff, he paused, taking in the breathtaking view. The vast expanse before him was both awe-inspiring and thrilling. "What a great feeling," he thought, his heart pounding with a mix of excitement and a sense of freedom. But the serenity of the moment was abruptly shattered. Push. "Huh?" he gasped as he was suddenly shoved from behind. Tumbling through the air, he twisted to see who had pushed him. His eyes widened in terror as he recognized Esdeath¡ªher pale skin, dark red eyes, and jet-black hair were unmistakable. She was smiling, her lips curling into a cruel grin as she opened her mouth. "You should have listened to your mother, kid," she said with a chilling chuckle. The boy''s scream was cut short as he plummeted to the ground. His body hit the rocky surface with a sickening thud, bones shattering on impact. Blood pooled beneath him, a stark contrast to the serene beauty of the cliff''s edge. He died instantly, his young life extinguished without mercy. Esdeath watched the scene unfold below her, her expression one of perverse satisfaction. "Huff... It''s been two days since I killed anyone. My whole body was itching. Now I feel good," she sighed in relief. With a final breath of contentment, she turned away from the cliff and began walking back towards her palace, her mood lifted by the dark deed she had just committed. With that, Esdeath returned to her palace, the sky already darkening into night. She entered the grand dining room, where a lavish meal awaited her. She ate quickly and silently, her mind preoccupied with thoughts of the coming days. Once finished, she made her way to her bedroom, longing for the solace of sleep. "Finally, this day ends. Tomorrow, I depart for the academy. So much work!" she murmured to herself as she leapt into her bed. Her body, weary from the day''s exertions, sank into the mattress, and within seconds, she fell into a deep slumber. The moonlight poured through the window, casting a silvery glow on her face. The night was tranquil, the palace wrapped in a hushed stillness. But as the clock struck midnight, Esdeath''s finely honed senses tingled. Her eyes fluttered open, and she quickly sat up, her instincts screaming a warning. Sear?h the N?vel?ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "Someone''s coming!" she thought, her eyes darting around the room. She didn''t need any special abilities to detect a presence; a lifetime of danger had sharpened her senses to a razor''s edge. But then, a wave of overwhelming drowsiness washed over her. Despite being someone who could stay awake for a week if she chose, she found herself struggling to maintain consciousness. "I''m feeling so sleepy... my head is going blank," she mumbled. Her eyelids grew heavier and heavier until she could no longer fight it. She collapsed back onto her bed, succumbing to sleep. As she drifted off, the sound of footsteps echoed through the silent room, growing louder with each passing second. A figure emerged from the gallery, moving with an eerie grace. It was a girl with silver hair, dark red eyes, and pale white skin¡ªLortell Mariette, the arch-duke''s daughter and a vampire. A wide grin spread across her face as she gazed at Esdeath''s sleeping form. "Is that tattoos?, It is giving her even more enchanted body, " She thought lustfully. Her vampire fangs gleamed in the moonlight as she leaned in closer, her breath cold against Esdeath''s neck. With a predatory hunger, Lortell''s mouth opened wide, and she bit into Esdeath''s neck, sinking her fangs deep into her flesh. As she drank, the sensation was both painful and strangely euphoric, a mix of sharp agony and a dark, twisted pleasure. Esdeath''s body tensed, then relaxed as Lortell fed, the vampire''s lips stained crimson with her blood. Lortell savored the moment, feeling Esdeath''s senses flowing into her. The act was intimate, almost sensual, as if the vampire was drawing not just blood but something deeper from her victim,She was having extreme pleasure. As Lortell drank, she could feel Esdeath''s strength, her resilience, and the fierce spirit that defined her. The sensation was intoxicating, sending waves of ecstasy through her body. Her face flushed, and a feverish heat spread through her, exciting her entire being. It was as if Esdeath''s very essence was infusing her with a heady, powerful energy. When Lortell finally pulled away, she licked her lips, savoring the last drops of Esdeath''s blood in a lustrous manner. She watched as Esdeath lay motionless, her chest rising and falling in a deep, unnatural sleep. The vampire''s grin widened, a glint of satisfaction and possessive delight in her eyes. "Ahh~, as always, your blood tastes the best," she purred, her voice dripping with lust and obsession. "Do you know why I came here?" she asked, though she knew Esdeath could not reply in her slumber. Her face turned serious, and her red eyes glowed with a dark, red aura. "I came this time to punish you!" she declared, her hand reaching for Esdeath''s neck. "You were going to marry that bastard," she hissed, her voice slicing through the silence of the room like a blade. "How dare you forget about our promise? I told you, you don''t have to do anything¡ªjust stay by my side. I''ll do everything for you, to the point where you don''t even have to breathe. You are mine. Mine... mine... mine... mine..." Her voice grew more unhinged with each repetition, the room''s atmosphere growing colder and more oppressive. Lortell lifted Esdeath''s head by gripping her neck, her touch both gentle and threatening. "But I said, don''t you dare even look at someone else!" "But...but...but...", she bit her lips, "How dare you even think of marrying someone else, huh?" she shouted, the force of her rage making the entire room tremble. Under normal circumstances, everyone in the palace would have woken up, but Lortell had already cast a spell, putting everyone in a deep sleep. Suddenly, her expression shifted, a twisted, pleasurable smile spreading across her face. "But don''t worry, this time I''ll forgive you. Since you canceled the marriage, I originally came here to kidnap you and lock you in my room, so we could never be apart. But now, it''s unnecessary!" Her voice softened, taking on a sickly sweet tone as she caressed Esdeath''s cheek. "You see, my darling, you belong to me and no one else. I''ll make sure you understand that, even if it means I have to break you and remake you as my perfect doll." But then, her expression shifted from a smile to one of concern and worry. "What? Do you think I''m angry at you?" she whispered to the sleeping Esdeath. Hugging Esdeath''s head with her hands, she began scratching her hair violently. "No... No. How could I ever be angry at my beloved? This is a misunderstanding... a misunderstanding I have to solve. I have to solve this," she muttered to herself, her voice trembling with desperation. She lifted Esdeath''s head again and leaned in close, pressing her lips to Esdeath''s in a rough, passionate kiss. Her tongue forced its way into Esdeath''s mouth, colliding and rubbing against Esdeath''s tongue. Their breaths mingled, saliva mixing as Lortell sealed Esdeath''s lips with her own. The kiss was intense, a wild blend of possession and longing, as if Lortell was trying to consume Esdeath entirely. The kiss seemed never-ending, filled with a fervent desperation that bordered on madness. Finally, Lortell withdrew her tongue from Esdeath''s mouth, but not before licking her own lips with satisfaction. She ran her fingers over her lips, savoring the lingering taste. "How was that? I know you liked it," she purred. "I would love to make you a vampire too, but how could I do it without your permission? I''ll wait until we become one." Her voice was a twisted mixture of love and obsession as she gently laid Esdeath''s head back onto the pillow. She brushed a stray lock of hair from Esdeath''s face, her fingers lingering on the soft skin. "I was going to leave, but now because of that kiss, my body is heating up," she whispered in Esdeath''s ear, her breath hot and tantalizing. Lortell lifted one of Esdeath''s hands, intertwining their fingers gently at first. Then, she spread her legs slightly, causing her mini skirt to widen. With a sudden, forceful movement, she guided Esdeath''s fingers between her legs, pushing them inside her. As soon as Esdeath''s fingers touched her most sensitive spot, Lortell moaned loudly, a shuddering gasp escaping her lips. "Mhmnn~ Ahh~, masturbating with my darling''s fingers is the best," she panted, her soft moans escalating into rough, fervent cries of pleasure. "Ahhh~ yes, that''s the spot, just there," she yelled in ecstasy, driving Esdeath''s fingers deeper, rubbing them right and left as she neared her climax. Her movements were frenzied, her body arching with each thrust of Esdeath''s fingers. "Nmmhh~, I''m coming, Ahh... I''m coming," she cried out, her body tightening, muscles clenching as waves of pleasure coursed through her. Her skin glistened with sweat, and her breath came in hot, ragged bursts. Finally, with a primal scream, she reached her climax. The bed and Esdeath''s entire hand were drenched in a dense, hot, transparent liquid. Lortell gave a gentle kiss on Esdeath''s forehead, her lips lingering for a moment. "I''m really sorry, but tomorrow morning, my team and I have to go on a monster extermination mission. It will take at least three months. But don''t worry, I''ll try my best to come back as soon as possible. I''ll also quit the academy and not enroll in the third year. And then... Hahaha, it will be our marriage, the start of our happy family," she whispered, her voice filled with both longing and determination. Everyone knew that Esdeath''s marriage had been canceled, but the news hadn''t spread that she was also awakened. Lortell was making plans to quit the academy to spend more time with Esdeath, her obsession and love driving her decisions. Lortell slowly sat up, her legs trembling from the intensity of her orgasm. Her eyes were wide, mouth agape with pure lust, saliva dripping as she longed for more. But it was already late, and she knew she had to leave. Tomorrow, she had to depart early, and there was no time to waste. With a final, lingering glance at Esdeath, she whispered, "Until next time, my love." Then, she jumped out of the gallery and disappeared into the night, returning to her palace, her mind filled with thoughts of their next encounter. This was the truth of Lortell Mariette. Just like Esdeath, she too was a yandere. Originally, in the game, when Esdeath''s marriage was settled, esdeath had taken poison in despair. Nyx Crimson, unable to afford a high-rank healer, hired a low-rank one who couldn''t fully heal Esdeath. The healer had said she could wake up anytime or never. In the game, Esdeath had died within a few hours, leaving everyone in sorrow. But when the news of Esdeath''s death reached Lortell Mariette, she flew into a rage. Unable to contain herself, she went insane. Without anyone''s permission, she took her soldiers and slaughtered everyone in Swann. She also blamed Sancturiam, believing that if Sancturiam had never existed, her marriage would never have been arranged there. With this twisted psychology, she killed everyone in both Swann and Sancturiam in one night. But what was the point of it all? Esdeath was dead, the person who meant everything to her, the meaning of her life, was gone. Lortell wanted to die. She took poison, slashed her head with a sword, and tortured herself every day. But the main weakness of being a vampire was that she couldn''t kill herself. Suicide was impossible, and no one was strong enough to kill her. That''s why she started committing every evil deed in the empire, hoping to turn the entire empire against her. Finally, she was killed by the main character, finding peace at last. But that was the game''s story. This time, because of fable''s soul entering her body, Esdeath woke up, alive and well. That was why Lortell never attacked Swann in the first place, confusing Esdeath as to why she hadn''t been attacked, even though she had done nothing at all. How could she have known that the only thing she had to do was stay alive? That she had already done. ----------------------------------------------------------- So now''s the time I should ask this question...should I continue this series? If yes, I''ll have to do alot of works, and I''m not even a slightest bit annoyed by that. Well many suggested me some yandere animes and i watched Engage kiss and Happy sugar life but still I think they aren''t crazy enough, kind of like tamed yandere. I kinda wanted someone more crazy women like in the manga, "Do you think you could run after reincarnating, Nii-san? ". I''m going to watch future diary then, if you have watched some crazy yandere anime and manga then tell me. Off To The Academy In a modest yet spacious bedroom, a girl with pale skin and dark red circles around her eyes slept deeply. As the first morning light poured in through the window, illuminating the room with a soft, golden glow, her eyes fluttered open. With a start, she jumped up, standing on the bed in an offensive stance. "Who the fuck dared to attack me? Come out!" she shouted, her voice filled with determination and defense. But then she noticed the light streaming in through the window, and her eyes widened in surprise and realization. "Is it morning already?" she muttered under her breath. She glanced around the room, her gaze sharp and probing, searching for anything out of place. But everything was exactly where it should be. "Strange... Very strange. I have full faith in my senses. Someone really came to my room last night, but why didn''t I wake up? Don''t tell me it''s the work of an awakened person?" she thought, her mind racing. As she pondered, her right hand''s fingers unconsciously touched the fingers of her left hand. She felt a strange, slippery liquid, almost dried but still a little sticky. Her unease deepened, and she brought her fingers up to her face, inspecting them closely. An uneasy smile spread across Esdeath''s face. "Damn... Don''t tell me I masturbated while sleeping?" she thought, a mix of embarrassment and disbelief coloring her features. The idea was so absurd and unexpected that she couldn''t help but chuckle at herself. With that puzzled thought, she climbed out of bed and stretched her limbs, feeling the tension ease from her muscles. She yawned, her mind still whirring with the strangeness of the morning. "Well, that''s one way to wake up," she mused, shaking her head with a bemused grin. As she moved about her room, she couldn''t shake the odd feeling of being watched. She peeked under the bed, behind the curtains, and even in the closet, half-expecting to find someone hiding. "Alright, whoever you are, you''ve got me all paranoid now. Show yourself!" she called out playfully, though she was pretty sure she was alone. She plopped back down on the bed, running her fingers through her hair. "Maybe I''m just losing it," she sighed. But then, a thought struck her, and she looked at her fingers again. "Or maybe I had one hell of a dream," she muttered with a smirk. Esdeath shook her head, deciding it was best not to dwell too much on the mystery of her sticky fingers. "Time to start the day. Today I''ll have to depart for the academy, right?" she declared, feeling a strange mix of amusement and bewilderment. "Young mistress..." A slow, tentative voice came from the doorway. Esdeath''s head turned sharply towards the sound. It was her personal maid, Mary, who appeared both fearful and determined. After all, she had her duties to perform despite her apprehension about Esdeath''s temper. Mary''s legs moved quickly, almost as if propelled by an invisible force, and she reached Esdeath''s bed, placing a neatly folded pair of clothes on it. "T-this is the uniform of the academy. Everyone is ready outside. Please wear this, and you''ll be departing with Marquess''s daughter, Claus Clandestine. Well then, b-bye..." Mary stammered out in a rush, her voice trembling. Without giving Esdeath a chance to respond, she hurried out of the room, eager to escape. With an annoyed look, Esdeath glared at the clothes. It was a white shirt with a tie, a mini skirt, and pairs of bra and panties. Her eyes twitched as she picked up the skirt. "A skirt? Why do I have to wear a skirt, damn it...!" she yelled inwardly. But what could she do? It was the academy''s rules, and for now, she didn''t have the authority to go against them. "And here this, bra and panties," she muttered, glaring at them with irritation. Then she sighed heavily, "Sigh... I have no choice, do I?" Whether she liked it or not, she was a girl now and had to wear them. She trudged to her shower room to change, but her mind was elsewhere. As she passed the photos of Lortell Mariette, her body began to react, a flush creeping up her cheeks. However, her rational mind quickly intervened. "Ohh... I completely forgot. After I leave, someone will come to my room for cleaning or some other purpose, and they''ll definitely see all this. It will cause a huge trouble later on," she calculated, anxiety creeping in. Not wanting to take any risks, she decided to discard all the evidence. "Now, time for work," she muttered to herself, bracing for the task. She reached for the photos, but just as her hand was inches away, it stopped as if an unmovable force was holding it back. "Shit... Don''t tell me this Esdeath girl doesn''t want to remove them?" she thought, frustrated. She put more strength into her palm, but her hand wouldn''t budge. Giving up on brute force, she decided to negotiate with the original owner of the body. "Listen, yandere-chan in me, I''m not removing them. Umm... I''m actually just taking them with me to the academy and placing them in my room. I swear!" She waited for a second, her heart pounding. Slowly, her hand moved towards the photos again. Miraculously, it worked, and she was able to discard them. Esdeath let out a breath she hadn''t realized she was holding. "Finally," she muttered, rolling her eyes at her own antics. She got dressed in the academy uniform, grumbling under her breath the entire time. "Stupid skirt, stupid academy rules..." Just as she put on the skirt, she started rubbing her thighs together, a scowl forming on her face. "What the hell is this? I feel like I''m wearing nothing down there. How the hell do girls wear this?" she thought, a hint of anger bubbling up. She couldn''t help but imagine herself as a middle-aged man wearing a girl''s skirt and bra. The mental image sent chills down her spine every time it popped into her head. "This is ridiculous," she muttered, shaking her head. Compared to the skirt, wearing the bra and panties was relatively easy, but it still left her feeling uneasy. As she put on the white shirt, she left the front buttons open, giving a peek of her chest and the tattoos that adorned her skin. She put on the tie but left it loose, completing the look of a delinquent girl. sea??h th§× N?vel(F)ire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. She checked herself in the mirror, adjusting the tie a bit since it was just way too loose, and smoothing out the skirt. Despite her complaints, she looked quite formidable in the uniform. "Well, at least I still look like a badass," she said with a smirk. As she left the room, she couldn''t help but feel a mix of excitement and dread. "Off to the academy. Let''s see what fresh hell awaits me there," she muttered, her eyes gleaming with a hint of mischief and determination. With a mix of excitement and amusement, Esdeath walked out of the mansion. At the exit gate, her father, mother, a few maids, and many other people were gathered around a luxurious horse-drawn carriage. Just as she got close, a girl wearing the same uniform stepped out of the carriage. It was Claus, the villainess of the game. Her eyes widened and a confused look crossed her face as she rushed towards Esdeath. Upon reaching her, Claus started glancing up and down in a hurry. "I heard this morning that you awakened. Is that really true?" she questioned with utmost surprise, her gut instinct not wanting to believe it. Normally, an average person would awaken at the age of twelve to fourteen, but it was the first time seeing someone awaken at seventeen. Who would even believe such nonsense? But after coming close to Esdeath, Claus already sensed mana in her and confirmed that Esdeath was indeed awakened. "Hmph... Awakened, so what? Don''t even try to compete with me!" Claus snorted, then turned back and sat inside the carriage once again. Esdeath''s parents were there, but Claus still showed no fear in acting this way in front of them. Esdeath''s mother came and hugged her tightly, tears starting to pour down as she cried. "Sob... Sob... Be happy there and make a lot of friends, okay? I''ll meet you whenever you have time. Sob... Sob..." "Urghh... I''m not going to die, dammit. It''s just going to the academy. As always, they are so overprotective," Esdeath thought, feeling both touched and exasperated. Her father, standing tall and stern as ever, gave her a nod. "Do your best, Esdeath." Esdeath rolled her eyes but couldn''t help a small smile. "Yeah, yeah, I will." Just as she was about to step into the carriage, her mother handed her a small lunchbox. "Here, I made your favorite sandwiches. Don''t forget to eat them." "So the sandwiches are this girl''s favorite?" She thought but she had to put the act, Esdeath''s face flushed slightly. "Thanks, Mom." She quickly stuffed the lunchbox into her bag, hoping Claus hadn''t seen. As she climbed into the carriage, Claus eyed her suspiciously. "Sandwiches from Mommy, huh? How cute." Esdeath scowled but decided not to respond, instead opting to sit back and let the ride begin. The carriage rattled down the path, and Esdeath looked out the window, her excitement mingling with a sense of dread. "So much things going to happen,Let''s just hope I''ll stay alive till the end" she muttered to herself. She glanced over at Claus, who was already engrossed in a book, and couldn''t help but smirk,"Just like her, I''ll also come in contact with our dear main character,Main heroine and villains too," she thought, leaning back and letting the excitement of the unknown wash over her. "Let''s see what this academy has in store for me." First Appearance In this world, countless academies train the awakened, and the Anastasia kingdom boasts numerous branches. Among them, Esdeath was headed to the most prestigious one, the main branch of the Awakened Academy, the same institution attended by the game''s main character. The academy was strategically situated at the kingdom''s edge, adjacent to a vast forest teeming with monsters and demons. This proximity served a dual purpose: it provided students with abundant opportunities for practical combat training and missions, and it also allowed them to respond swiftly to the frequent monster waves that emerged from the forest, thereby protecting nearby villages and reducing casualties among ordinary people. The journey took two days, and finally, Esdeath and Claus arrived at the Hero Academy. Its towering spires, adorned with intricate carvings, greeted them. The academy''s architecture was a majestic blend of Gothic and whimsical elements, creating a harmonious dance with the enchanted forest surrounding it. Massive oak doors swung open to reveal vast halls, arenas for duels, practice fights, and training. Sunlight streamed through stained glass windows, casting colorful patterns across marble floors polished to a mirror-like sheen. The beauty and grandeur of the place were awe-inspiring, making Esdeath momentarily forget her irritation with the skirt she wore. Second-year students were already bustling about, training, studying, and chatting, giving the place a vibrant, high school atmosphere. Their faces reflected a mix of determination, camaraderie, and youthful energy. Very few third-year students were visible; they were mostly out on monster extermination missions, applying the skills they had honed over their years at the academy. The academy grounds buzzed with excitement as numerous first-year students arrived, each one brimming with smiles and determination. They were like newborns, eager to explore a new world. Esdeath couldn''t help but smirk at the sight. "Just look at their faces," she muttered to herself. "I bet every single one of them is gonna piss their pants when they encounter real monsters!" Her thoughts turned darker as she recalled the harsh realities of being an awakened. Many of these students probably fantasized about single-handedly defeating dozens of monsters and becoming heroes. They would soon learn that the reality was much grimmer. Only C-rank or higher adventurers could hope to defeat dozens or hundreds of monsters alone. For beginners, it was quite the opposite. Dozens of awakened students would unite to barely defeat a single D-rank monster. B-rank monsters were an entirely different nightmare. Scores of awakened would die fighting them, and their horrifying appearances were enough to make most humans wet their pants on sight. Pushing these thoughts aside, Esdeath watched as Claus emerged from the carriage. Without a glance at Esdeath, Claus marched directly into the academy, heading towards the grounds where the first-year students were gathering. Esdeath followed suit, remembering the academy''s layout perfectly from the game. Few weeks before the admission,An written exam already happens that determined their initial class rankings¡ªA, B, or C. Lower-ranked students could, of course, work hard and improve their ranks, but the initial placement was crucial, Since it give the advantages. She moved with purpose towards a wall where a large poster listed all the ranks. Thanks to her thorough knowledge of the academy''s map, she had no trouble finding it. The poster was prominently displayed, surrounded by nervous and excited first-years. Esdeath scanned it quickly, her eyes sharp and calculating. The atmosphere around Esdeath crackled with a mixture of fear, excitement, and anticipation. Some students whispered among themselves, trying to gauge their competition, while others stood alone, lost in their thoughts. But something eye-catching caught her attention. In front of the poster stood a teenage boy surrounded by a few friends. He had golden hair, transparent light green eyes, white skin, and a sharp jawline, giving him a slightly handsome look. His facial features, however, were contorted in anger. "What the hell... Ethan Rothslayer? Are you telling me a commoner is gonna join Class A?" he yelled, his voice filled with fury as he punched the wall, causing it to crack. "Yeah, you''re right, boss. How could a filthy commoner dare to enter Class A, the class that usually only high-class nobles like you or other nobility can enter?" one of his friends echoed. As Esdeath observed the blond boy, she immediately recognized who he was. "Corin Reynold, the duke''s only son and the arrogant one," she muttered under her breath with a grin. "Ethan, the MC, is a regressor, so of course, he''s gonna top the exams. And so, Ethan also had No. 1 marks in the written exam, and according to the rules, he''s gonna be placed in Class A. But Corin didn''t like it. He always hates Ethan and tries to humiliate or defeat him, but every time he does, he ends up being the one who gets defeated," Esdeath thought, calculating everything. "And because of this, his anger increases and increases to the point it consumes his brain and later on he becomes the first arc boss of the game!" she thought, piecing the events together. A wide, menacing grin spread across her face as she saw Corin''s anger. "Yes! That''s it, be more angry, so you can become the First Act boss!" she thought to herself in a chilling voice. But then she shook her head, reminding herself, "I guess there''s time for this to happen. The academy just started. First, there will be the semi-First Act, and then the main First Act will start," she thought, putting aside any thoughts of interacting with Corin for now. "Let''s go. I''ll talk to the teachers. I will never allow a commoner to be in Class A," Corin said with anger, and his friends nodded in agreement, heading toward a different area. Esdeath approached the poster and scanned for her rank. "Class B - Rank 39? Not bad... Not bad..." she muttered, feeling a mix of satisfaction. ... Meanwhile, a teenage boy with dark blue hair and piercing blue eyes, his extremely handsome face drawing attention wherever he went, walked through the academy grounds. He wore a shirt with a coat over it, along with a tie and pants, following the strict academy dress code. This was Ethan Rothslayer, the undisputed main character of the game, Free Life Fantasy. Beside him was a girl with brown hair and light brown eyes, her smooth white skin glowing in the sunlight. She had an enchanting body and a seductive appearance, catching the eye of many. She was Violet Vondarion, a baroness and Ethan''s childhood friend. In his previous life, it was because of Violet that Ethan could enter the academy and afford the fees. Tragically, she had died, and he couldn''t do anything to save her. But now, in this life, he had trained hard since childhood and vowed to protect her at any cost. A smile appeared on Violet''s face as she spoke, "See, here''s the ranking poster! Let''s check our rankings!" She grabbed Ethan''s hand, pulling him eagerly toward the poster. Upon reaching the poster, Violet scanned it quickly and found her results. "Wow, I got rank 4 in the whole academy! I''m going to be in Class A! Yay!" she exclaimed with enthusiasm. "But where''s yours?" she asked, looking down the list but not finding his name. Suddenly, her eyes landed on the top of the chart. "Ethan Rothslayer? Number 1 ranking?" Her eyes widened, and she gasped in shock. A big, charming smile appeared on her face, and she jumped on Ethan, hugging him tightly. "Wow, you''re first! You really are a genius!" she exclaimed, her body pressing fully against his. sea??h th§× N?vel(F)ire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Ethan felt Violet''s soft round breats against his, and the sensation made him blush with embarrassment. "She''s so careless," he thought as his face turned red, but deep down, he was happy and proud of his achievement and the joy it brought to Violet. Ethan wore a cheerful expression on his face, but internally, he was plagued with confusion. "Lortell Mariette... In my previous life, that girl destroyed both the Swann and Sancturiam territories. But it''s been days, and I haven''t heard a word about any of it. Why? Is this some kind of butterfly effect? Did my regression cause some events to change?" he pondered, a deep frown forming on his forehead as worry and puzzlement gnawed at him. He shook his head, trying to push away the uneasy thoughts. "No, it''s actually a good thing," he reassured himself, feeling a momentary wave of relief. But just as quickly as it came, his relief vanished. His eyes widened as he noticed a girl standing a few meters away, staring directly at him without a hint of shame, as if she wanted him to see her. The girl had long, jet-black hair and dark red eyes that seemed to glow, with multiple rings in her pupils, reminiscent of Makima''s eyes from Chainsaw Man. Her skin was extremely pale, almost ghostly, and her delicate, fragile-looking body gave her a vampiric appearance. Dark circles around her eyes contrasted starkly with her fair skin, adding to her ethereal yet menacing aura, as if she were enveloped in a shroud of darkness, Who else if not esdeath crimson. Seeing her, Ethan''s confusion deepened. "Black hair? Red eyes? I''ve never seen anyone like her in my past life," he thought, his mind racing. He felt an overwhelming mix of fear and curiosity, as if the ground beneath him had shifted. Yandere’s Can’t Remain Peaceful Seeing her, Ethan''s confusion deepened. "Black hair? Red eyes? I''ve never seen anyone like her in my past life," he thought, his mind racing. He felt an overwhelming mix of fear and curiosity, as if the ground beneath him had shifted. Esdeath leaned in close, her previously expressionless face transforming into a wide smile. She extended her hand toward Ethan, her voice cheerful yet somewhat nervous. "Hahaha... So, you''re the genius of this year! Nice to meet you! I''m Esdeath Crimson. Let''s get along well!" She scratched her head awkwardly, a small chuckle escaping her lips. But in reality, it was all an act. Ethan was the main character, after all, and she had to at least stay on his good side for now. "Ugh, I really want to punch him, but I have a use for him later on. Being on his bad side would just cause problems," she thought with annoyance, masking her true feelings behind her bright smile. Ethan, still reeling from the unexpected encounter, could only stare at her in bewilderment, his mind struggling to process the situation. Suddenly, Violet broke the silence, her voice dripping with jealousy. "For how long are you gonna stare at her, you pervert? Hmph!" She puffed out her cheeks, glaring at him with playful annoyance. The realization hit Ethan like a ton of bricks, and he snapped out of his daze. "W-what? No... You''ve got it all wrong!" he stammered, his face flushing a deep shade of red. Hastily, he shook hands with Esdeath, trying to cover his embarrassment. Esdeath, meanwhile, was silently cursing him in her thoughts. "Seriously, why is he blushing because of a teenage girl? She could be around the same age as his daughter, if he had one. That''s why I don''t like this guy¡ªhe should act his age, darn it!" she fumed internally. Despite her frustrations, her expression remained as cheerful as ever. If esdeath wasn''t a yandere and fallen for lortell mariette, She is definitely not someone who could blush that easily, Forget about falling in love. Even though that she is fallen in love with lortell but their age difference should be around 15 years, Not like the main character and Violet''s age difference like father and daughter, I think that''s very common problem in every regresson Stories, That''s the main reason esdeath don''t like Ethan, Since he is childish. Ding! "Hahaha... Well then, I''ll be going!" she said with a bright laugh, turning on her heel and disappearing from their sight, her exit as sudden and enigmatic as her arrival. Ethan and Violet stood there, still processing the whirlwind encounter, each lost in their own thoughts. .... Esdeath wandered through the academy grounds, her pace slow and deliberate. "Hmm... Now that I''m here, there''s so much to do," she mused, her thoughts drifting to her next objective. "First, I need to go near the demon realm, where the body of the only character that i kind of respect lies." A strange connection to that person tugged at her heart. "He might still be alive now, but soon he''ll die. If only I were a overpowered character, I would have savee him," she thought, a deep sigh escaping her lips. The thought filled her with regret, knowing she wasn''t powerful enough to change his fate. "But there''s no way I can save him in my current condition," she admitted to herself, her expression hardening. "Still, his body holds very very very...precious thing. So, in a way, it''s actually a good thing." She calculated the potential advantages, her mind sharp as she considered her options. As she continued walking, a sudden realization struck her, making her scowl. Sear?h the ¦ÇovelFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "But going there will cost money, and I don''t have a penny..." she muttered, her frustration boiling over as she yelled into the empty air. The reality of her situation hit hard, and she felt a mix of anger and desperation. With a sigh, she tried to calm herself. "I have four months to gather the money and get there. Otherwise, there''s no point in going at all," she thought, determination settling into her eyes as she clenched her fist. "Alright, before anything else, I need to make a list of all the people I have to kill. Of course, Ethan''s name won''t be on it. He''s the main character, after all," she said with a hint of annoyance, her mind already plotting her next moves. As Esdeath was lost in her thoughts, she unknowingly bumped into someone. *Dash...* They collided with each other, and Esdeath stumbled a few steps back. The person in front of her, however, didn''t even budge. "Who the f¡ª" Esdeath started to say angrily, but as soon as her eyes met the person standing before her, her words caught in her throat. "Oh, crap! I need to get out of here," she gasped, shock and nervousness flashing across her face. She turned quickly, ready to flee from the scene. But before she could take a step, a voice stopped her in her tracks. "Hang on a second. Are you ignoring me?" The voice was that of a girl, calm yet commanding. Esdeath froze, her chance to escape slipping away as she reluctantly turned back around. "Tch..." she muttered under her breath, annoyed by the situation. Standing before her was a girl who was taller than Esdeath, almost the same height as Ethan Rothslayer. She had soft silver hair and piercing silver eyes, her skin as white as jade. Her beauty was on par with even Lortell Mariette, making her a stunning sight to behold. Esdeath forced a smile onto her face, trying to mask her discomfort. "Hahaha... The Dragon Queen''s daughter, Lady Kaelith Maranthia! How could I possibly ignore you?" she said, bowing her head slightly in a gesture of respect. Kaelith Maranthia was no ordinary jade beauty; she was a dragon, and not just any dragon but the daughter of the Great Dragon Queen, Lilith Maranthia. In the game, she was an overpowered character from the start to the mid-stage, unmatched by even the main character. She defeated every enemy without breaking a sweat. All of Kaelith''s talent and strength came from being a dragon, which also endowed her with a considerable amount of pride. She carried herself with an air of superiority, looking down on everyone as if they were beneath her. No doubt, she was an annoying character to deal with. But what was a dragon doing here, in the academy? When the hero set out on a journey to defeat the demon king, he wasn''t alone. He had a loyal and capable party, and one of them was Lilith Maranthia. After defeating the demon king, humans and dragons forged a peaceful and cooperative agreement, thanks to the hero''s efforts. As a symbol of this agreement, Lilith became the vice-principal of the Awakened Academy. So what was Kaelith doing here? Just like Esdeath, she was also a first-year student, already placed in Class A. She didn''t need to take any exams to prove herself; her strength was already on par with Rank C awakeners. "If I were to make a list of people I want to kill, her name would be at the top," Esdeath thought, her mind filled with anger and irritation. "Kaelith Maranthia, sooner or later, you''ll have to die, and I''ll be the cause of your demise!" she vowed silently, her inner voice filled with menace. Yet, outwardly, her expression remained calm and composed, her forced smile never wavering. Hmm... Thinking why esdeath wants to kill her that much? Well let''s talk about it when she''ll meet, Kaelith''s mother Lilith. Kaelith smirked, a look of pride and authority on her face. "Hmph... Okay, okay. We''re in the academy. No need for such formalities," she said dismissively. "By the way, what''s your name? And did you dye your hair?" she questioned, her tone slightly mocking. "This lowly being is Esdeath Crimson, a baron. I didn''t dye my hair; it''s been this way since birth," Esdeath replied as politely as possible, though irritation simmered beneath her calm exterior. Kaelith studied Esdeath for a moment, her gaze piercing. "Esdeath Crimson, huh? What are you, a vampire or a descendant of the demon king?" she snorted, her tone dripping with mockery and disrespect. Esdeath felt a surge of anger but knew she had nowhere near the authority or power to challenge Kaelith. "Hahaha... Definitely not," Esdeath forced a laugh, hiding her true feelings behind a mask of politeness. Inside, she seethed with frustration, her thoughts racing. "Hahaha... Of course you''re not," Kaelith said, seeming relaxed for a moment. But then, in an instant, her expression changed. She leaned in closer, her face inches from Esdeath''s. Her eyes widened, and she stared directly into Esdeath''s eyes. "Because from the mana I can sense from you, you''re nothing but a weakling!" she said, her voice suddenly cold and frightening. Despite the intimidating presence, Esdeath stood her ground, refusing to show fear. Kaelith''s face twisted with disdain as she continued, "I only said not to bow your head, but how dare a weakling talk to me while making eye contact?" Her voice was chilling, dripping with contempt, and meant to humiliate Esdeath. But Esdeath had anticipated this, steeling herself for the encounter. Kaelith extended her hand and touched the area around Esdeath''s eye, applying just enough pressure to make Esdeath''s eye widen. "How about I ask you a question, and depending on your answer, I''ll decide whether to pop out one of your eyes or not," she said, leaving no room for argument. There was a brief pause before Kaelith asked, "If I only use one finger, who would win? Me or you?" Her tone was mocking, intended to belittle Esdeath even further. Esdeath forced a cheery smile, showing all of her teeth while nervously rubbing her hands together. "Of course, Your Highness, the mighty Kaelith the Silver Dragon would win!" she said, her voice falsely bright and filled with forced admiration. Inside, Esdeath''s mind was a storm of anger and humiliation. She hated how powerless she felt in this situation, but she knew better than to provoke Kaelith. The dragon''s pride and strength were overwhelming, and for now, all Esdeath could do was play along, biding her time and waiting for the right moment to strike back. Kaelith smirked, satisfied with Esdeath''s response, and released her grip. "Good! At least you have some self-awareness," she said, her voice dripping with arrogance. She turned and started walking away, but after a few steps, something else came to her mind and she turned back. "Your eyes and that pale skin remind me of another unsightly person," she said, curling her lips as if she had tasted something disgusting. She leaned close to Esdeath again, her presence menacing. "So how about I change the question this time?" Kaelith mused for a second. "Between me and Lortell Mariette, who''s stronger?" she asked. At that moment, something snapped inside Esdeath. Her yandere mode activated. Her eyes widened, and her anger peaked. Her red eyes glowed brighter and brighter, the ring shapes in her pupils spinning rapidly. It was like a terrifying red-black death aura began to envelop her body. Her voice, now far more chilling and frightening than Kaelith''s, cut through the air like a knife. It was as if a ghost had spoken. "Don''t fuck with me, you lizard bitch!" Calling Great Dragon Queen A Lolicon Her voice, now far more chilling and frightening than Kaelith''s, cut through the air like a knife. It was as if a ghost had spoken. "Don''t Fuck with me, you lizard bitch!" Kaelith''s smirk faltered for a brief second, her confidence shaken by the sudden and unexpected transformation in Esdeath. The deathly aura surrounding Esdeath seemed to pulse with pure rage, making the air around them feel heavy and oppressive. It was pure killing intent. But how could Kaelith be scared by something like this? She was astonished for a second, but the next moment she regained her demeanor and her anger surged. Her eyes widened with fury, her lips curling into an ugly snarl as she raised her hand. "You bitch! I''ll kill you!" she screamed, her voice filled with venom. She was about to strike, a blow that seemed poised to behead Esdeath. But even Esdeath knew that Kaelith, or anyone else, couldn''t kill in the academy. She closed her eyes, bracing herself for at least a few broken bones. The healers would fix her anyway. But before Kaelith could hit, a miracle happened. A miracle in the form of an announcement. "All first-year students, gather at the academy hall! I repeat, all first-year students, gather at the academy hall, at once." The voice was that of an older, muscular person, deep and filled with authority. Hearing this, Kaelith stopped and bit her lip, frustration evident on her face. "Tch... This time, I''ll let you go, but I won''t forget how you humiliated me. I can''t kill you now because of academy rules, but sooner or later, I''ll be the one to end you!" She snorted and threatened Esdeath as she stormed away. Esdeath opened her eyes, the adrenaline slowly ebbing away. She sighed in relief,"I think I should control myself a little." She thought in frustrating,If something like that happens again, It will cause much more damage to her. She felt a mix of relief and boredom as she thought, "Academy rules, huh?.. Now that I think about it, my best ally in this world is ''rules.'' As long as someone is bound by rules, they can''t kill me. Whether it''s Kaelith or anyone else,An if I met someone stronger than me and also doesn''t care about breaking rules, Then I''m done for!" She smirked and started walking towards the halls. But what about Esdeath? Is she going to follow the rules and regulations of the world too? Of course, the answer is an obvious no. She has no intention of following the rules. But why? Even our main character Ethan follows the rules. The main reason is "freedom." Rules and regulations bind you, preventing you from doing what you truly want. They seize your utmost freedom. This applies to relationships and trust as well. People will use your trust as a friend to make you do things, or they''ll leverage your family or girlfriend against you. And where''s the fun in that? "If the heart wills, give your life If the heart wills, take a life That is the power of the almighty." This was Esdeath''s slogan in her previous life. Although she didn''t follow the first line, she really liked the second line: "If the heart wills, take a life." To become an almighty, you don''t need to be the strongest person alive. The real almighty is the one who has rules and regulations at his feet. Esdeath believed that true power came from freedom, from being unbound by any rules. The idea of being controlled by regulations was suffocating to her. She wanted to live her life on her terms, without anyone dictating her actions. This philosophy was what made her dangerous and unpredictable. S§×arch* The N??elFir§×.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. .... Within few minutes every gathered in vast hall, Although esdeath already knew what is going to happen but she still chose to go. There were hundreds of student,Most of them were commoners, Thus in front raw only noble standed at front that''s why esdeath also got first place in her raw. There were big stairs that leads to upper floor and from there above, Few third year student and one middle- aged male teacher with dark skin, Muscular body and beard stood with them with his fierce appearance. Although he was a rank C teacher, everyone''s attention was on Esdeath. All the students were giving her weird looks and whispering among themselves. "Damn... Look at that black hair. Are witches allowed in the academy?" one of the girls whispered to her friends. "I know, right? Apparently, they say she is a human, but who knows? What if she becomes a monster at night? I''m already scared," another girl added. "Her eyes are so eerie too. I''m going to have nightmares tonight!" someone else whispered. Many similar comments floated around the room, loud enough for Esdeath to hear, but she didn''t care. The most irritating thing she faced was Kaelith''s stare. Kaelith had been glaring angrily at her from the moment she saw Esdeath in the hall, like she was going to devour her at any moment. "Cough... Cough... I''m Caelum Nyvaris, an experienced teacher and a class C awakened. First of all, I''m really sorry about this. Due to frequent monster waves, all of the Rank B and Rank A teachers and the principal are busy. But don''t worry, Vice Principal Lilith Maranthia will be here in a few minutes to welcome all of you," he said, pausing for a second before continuing, "So further explanations will be given by the Vice Student Council Chairwoman, third-year student, Liora Lysandria." He pointed towards the middle girl standing between two other third-year students. Lysandria stepped forward and slowly started to speak. Her voice was low, but everyone could hear her clearly since she was using some wind magic. "Ahem... Ahem... As you already know, I''m Liora Lysandria," she said and paused for a second. Her face showed that she was very nervous, like it was her first time giving a speech. "Actually, giving speeches to first-year students is not my usual job, hahaha..." she confessed, trying to ease the tension. "It was supposed to be our sure hit queen Lortell Mariette, the greatest prodigy, who is the second ''S'' rank in the academy rivaling the principal, and also the only one in the world who became an ''S'' Rank awakened despite still being a student." She started listing Lortell''s achievements one after another, and with so many accomplishments, how could anyone not praise her? Hearing all of this, Esdeath couldn''t help but think, "''Sure hit queen.'' This title was given to her because she never missed a single attack. The only thing you can do is block or run. It was not some special skill given by a constellation or anything like that. The reason was because she is a ''boss character,'' and being the mid-boss, this was the fighting style given to her to make her very difficult to beat." "Ahem..." Lysandria coughed and finally got to the point. "So, first of all, now all of you are awakened individuals, and for now, you all are Rank E awakened. The ranks will be divided into E, then D, then C, B, A, and finally, there are very, very rare individuals who showcase their strength and wisdom and become an ''S'' Rank. They are so rare that, even in the whole kingdom, there are only two ''S'' Ranks. They have enough power to go against an entire kingdom alone!" Her words were both chilling and motivating to the students, inspiring them to aim for the ''S'' rank. "I hope that in the future, I will see ''S'' ranks from among you." Her words were both comforting and igniting a fire in everyone. "I''m not done yet. All of you are placed into Class A, B, and C, but that doesn''t mean you''ll always be there. What I''m trying to say is that in our academy, we don''t discriminate between commoners, nobles, or royals. There is going to be so much competition that if you work hard, you can enter Class A." She said. As Esdeath heard this, she could barely hold back her laugh. "''They don''t discriminate?'' That''s the biggest lie I''ve ever heard," she thought. Everyone knew it was just talk, but no one actually followed it. The academy wasn''t entirely at fault; commoners were afraid to tell the teachers because they worried about their families. And discrimination still happened. As Esdeath was lost in her thoughts, the Rank C teacher Caelum suddenly spoke up. "Finally, the moment you''ve all been waiting for! The Vice Principal Lilith Maranthia has arrived!" He announced, turning back to face the entrance. From the shadows, a figure emerged. As soon as the students saw her, their faces twisted in confusion. Rumors had painted a picture of Lilith Maranthia as an imposing figure¡ªover six feet tall, muscular, wielding a long sword, and possessing a fierce, spirited face. But the reality was shockingly different. What stood before them was a small girl, no older than twelve or thirteen, with silver hair and dragon-shaped silver pupils. In her hand was a lollipop that she was casually licking. "A kid?" one of the students exclaimed in puzzlement. He had no idea what he had just triggered. With her sharp senses, Lilith heard his remark. Her expression turned grim and angry, and suddenly, an immense and ominous pressure descended upon the students. "Cough... What is happening? I can''t breathe!" another student yelled. Almost all the students fell to their knees. The weaker ones even collapsed completely, unable to bear the weight of the pressure. However, a few students remained standing, Esdeath among them. "If anyone dares call me a kid again, even in their minds, there will be no second chance!" Lilith declared with a cold, heartless voice that sent chills down everyone''s spine. But as she said this, her eyes were fixed on the students who were still standing. Becoming angry over being called a kid was just an excuse. She hadn''t released her full aura, only a fraction of her killing intent to test the students'' spirits and willpower. "Killing isn''t about physical strength or mana," she thought. "It comes directly from your spirit, your will. It doesn''t matter how strong you are physically. If you lack guts and a strong spirit, what''s the use? By doing this, I can identify those with high spirits." The teachers and third-year students knew this, which is why they remained silent. Her gaze swept over the crowd, landing first on Ethan. His face was fierce, his chest broad, standing like an unbreakable pillar of resolve. "Hmm... blue hair, deep ocean-like eyes, and a handsome face. Ethan Rothslayer. I heard he''s a commoner, but he''s attending Class A. No doubt he''s worthy of it," she thought, moving her gaze to the next group of students. There were three or four others still standing. "Violet Vondarian, a baron; Corin Reynold, the duke''s son; Claus clandestine,Sylvania, Amion..." she noted. These students were still standing, although their legs and bodies were shaking. "Not bad... not bad," she mused, continuing her evaluation. [Note :- i didn''t give everyone''s name, Who were still standing, Since I have to introduce them later, What''s the point of introducing all of them in a single chapter right? ] She didn''t bother to look at her own daughter, Kaelith. It was obvious Kaelith would be standing without any difficulties. Anyone would know that this minor display wouldn''t faze her. Finally, Lilith''s eyes landed on a girl with black hair and red eyes. She stood there without a hint of fear. Unlike the others who showed determination or fierce motivation, her expression was one of sheer boredom, as if this whole situation was a waste of her time. Who else if not Esdeath? Lilith''s expression perplexed. "Esdeath Crimson. So this is the girl Lortell always talks about? Her mana is very low but she has great spirit and willpower. Is it because she''s Lortell''s woman?" Lilith pondered, her eyes drifting to Esdeath''s long, jet-black hair. "Black hair, huh? It reminds me of that day when we fought against the Demon King," she sighed, a wave of nostalgia washing over her. At that moment, Esdeath raised her head and locked eyes with Lilith. Both of them stared at each other, an unspoken tension crackling in the air. "Saying they shouldn''t call you a kid when you look like one, licking a lollipop. What do you expect? Freaking lolicon!" Esdeath thought, a smirk forming in her mind as she labeled Lilith a lolicon. Suddenly, Lilith''s eyes widened, her face turned grim, and her lips twisted in anger. Out of nowhere, a voice rang inside Esdeath''s head. [Did you just call me a lolicon?] Path An ESR Who is Lilith Maranthia? Lilith Maranthia, known as the Dragon Queen Maranthia, is one of the most formidable figures in history. As a member of the legendary hero''s party that fought and defeated the Demon King, her powers were second only to the hero himself. During the epic battle against the Demon King, if one were to ask who contributed the most aside from the hero, Lilith''s name would undoubtedly come first. She took on the brunt of the Demon King''s attacks, shielding her comrades from harm. She poured every ounce of her power into the fight, even sacrificing half of her life force to ensure their victory. It was because of her relentless defense and unyielding spirit that the hero''s party emerged victorious, with most members in good shape. However, the victory came at a steep price. While her human, dwarf, and beastman companions succumbed to old age over time, and died. While Lilith, a dragon and thus an ageless being, faced the dire consequences of her sacrifices. The countless injuries inflicted by the Demon King and the severe drain on her life force had taken a toll. Her immortality was compromised, and she was now bound by age, destined to die after a certain period. Her once-mighty "S" Rank powers had diminished to an "A" Rank. Despite this decline, Lilith''s sheer experience and battle prowess made her a force to be reckoned with. Even after the hero and the rest of her party had passed, she continued to live for 200 hundred years, her skills honed to perfection. Her ability to read minds, though limited by the strength of her opponents, remained a testament to her formidable nature, Thus many people given her title of "Hidden S Rank. But that''s not the main point,The main point is "The ability to hear Thoughts", This very ability to hear thoughts posed a significant threat to Esdeath. While Lilith''s own time was limited, her daughter, Kaelith, was poised to inherit her mother''s immense power and potential. Kaelith, an overpowered character in the world of Free Life Fantasy (FLF), was expected to reach the same peaks of strength and skill. One day, she too would be able to read minds, posing a dire threat to Esdeath. If Kaelith could discern Esdeath''s thoughts, she would uncover every one of her plans, making Esdeath''s ambitions vulnerable. For Esdeath, eliminating Kaelith was not just a desire; it was a necessity. Lilith might eventually die, but Kaelith''s potential to become an even greater force loomed large. Esdeath''s survival and success hinged on removing this impending threat at any cost, ensuring that no one could ever penetrate the fortress of her mind and uncover her secrets. Esdeath deliberately called Lilith a lolicon, not out of mere spite, but to confirm something crucial. She wanted to know if Lilith could really read minds, just like in the game. And the results were exactly what she expected. As Lilith''s reaction unfolded, Esdeath''s expression remained indifferent. "So, the old hag can read minds?," she thought, mocking Lilith even more in her mind. Meanwhile, the other students, completely unaware of the mental exchange between the two, were still trying to recover from the overwhelming pressure Lilith had exerted earlier. The ones who had fainted slowly got to their feet, scratching their heads in confusion. Lilith''s expression was a volatile mix of fury and disbelief. "First she calls me a lolicon, and now an old hag? How dare she!" she fumed internally, struggling to maintain her composure. "If it weren''t for the academy''s rules¡ªand the fact that she''s connected to Lortell Mariette¡ªI would have killed her long ago." Esdeath might not have known about Lortell, but she was well aware of the academy''s rules. The principal and many others knew that Lilith could read minds, which is why they had strictly prohibited her from using this ability on anyone who wasn''t an immediate threat to mankind. So, what was Lilith going to do now? Claim she read Esdeath''s mind only to find out she was called a lolicon? It would only be her fault for breaking the rules. This was why Esdeath was so confident, though she knew there was one loophole¡ª"Outside the academy." Lilith had powerful connections. If she wanted to, the moment Esdeath stepped outside the academy''s boundaries, she could easily arrange for someone else to take care of her. But due to Esdeath''s fortunate connection with Lortell, Lilith knew that even thinking about harming Esdeath could lead to severe consequences. Lilith took a deep breath, trying to control her seething anger. Her voice was icy and commanding as she spoke aloud, [Be careful with your thoughts, Esdeath Crimson. I can hear them.] Esdeath raised an eyebrow, a hint of a smile playing at her lips. [Noted,] she replied casually, her tone almost playful, though her eyes sparkled with mischief. She was careful not to let her mind reveal that she already knew Lilith could read thoughts¡ªwhy give the old hag the satisfaction? The tension between them was thick, a blend of seriousness and underlying humor that only they could truly grasp. The other students looked on in confusion, sensing something important was happening but unable to understand the full scope of it. Lilith finally turned her gaze away, trying to refocus. "This girl... she''s more trouble than I thought," she concluded silently, realizing she would need to keep a close eye on Esdeath from now on. The teacher and third-year students were staring at Esdeath, clearly taken aback. This wasn''t part of their plan, and they were just as dumbfounded as the rest of the class. But soon, Lilith''s gaze shifted, and she adopted her usual authoritative tone. "Ahem... Ahem... I don''t think I need to introduce myself, so let''s get to the point," she began, her voice filled with authority and a touch of arrogance. "You all have taken the entrance exams, but let''s be real here, just because you passed doesn''t mean you''re qualified to be in Class A." The room was silent as she continued, "There are going to be a few tests. The first is the affinity test. All humans have an affinity with at least one element, and many have more than one. You''re all going to find out your elemental affinities. The second test is weapon selection. Our academy holds hundreds of different types of weapons, ranging from pistols to gauntlets. You have the responsibility to choose the weapon you''re most comfortable with." Lilith paused for a moment, letting her words sink in before adding, "But here''s a warning: choose carefully. Once you select your weapon, you can''t change it for the next six months. Your affinity and weapon will soon help you decide which path you''re going to take." S§×ar?h the N??elFir§×.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. The students listened intently, understanding the gravity of her words. "These two factors determine a person''s path," Lilith explained. "If someone has an affinity for wind and chooses a bow, they might follow the Path of Archery. If someone has an affinity for nature and selects a wand, they could go down the healing path. There are many known and unknown paths you can take based on your affinity and weapon choice." As Lilith spoke, the students began to grasp the significance of the upcoming tests. They weren''t just random assessments; these were pivotal steps that would shape their future careers and abilities. The realization brought a spark of excitement and nervousness to their eyes. But soon, many of those eyes turned toward Esdeath. A quiet tension settled over the room as one of the girls leaned over to her friend and whispered, "I bet that girl will have an affinity for the dark element. She''ll probably end up taking the path of Witch, or maybe an Enslavement Master, or even Mind Control!" Her voice was low, but the words carried a hint of malice, planting seeds of doubt in the others. Another student, catching on, added with a smirk, "Yeah, you''re right. This test will prove if she''s somehow connected to the Demon King. And if she isn''t, we''ll just accuse her of being a witch and burn her alive. Hehehe..." "Burn her alive? Like Jeanne d''Arc?" one of them asked, a wicked grin spreading across their face. "Exactly, just like her. That''s when we''ll achieve true salvation!" the other replied, almost giddy at the thought. The whispers spread like wildfire, turning the room''s atmosphere dark and heavy. They weren''t just talking about the tests anymore; they were scheming, imagining a twisted form of justice where they could turn their suspicions into action. Lilith heard the whispers but didn''t react. To her, it was just pointless chatter, not worth her time. Instead, she moved on to the next announcement. "And the last test," she said, her voice sharp and commanding, "is the Essence Stone Refinement Talent. We are going to assess each one of you on your ESR talent." She continued, "The talent will be ranked into four grades: Grade D, Grade C, Grade B, and Grade A. Those who achieve a Grade A in refinement will be immediately promoted to Class A." Her words sent a wave of shock and surprise through the room. The idea of being promoted to Class A so quickly made many of the students'' eyes widen in disbelief. But there was something else on their faces¡ªpuzzlement and confusion. Most of the noble-born students knew exactly what Lilith was talking about, including Esdeath. She understood the significance of Essence Stone Refinement. But the commoners, who had grown up in the slums and had barely seen a monster up close, were completely lost. They had no idea what Lilith was referring to. Lilith noticed their confused expressions and couldn''t hide her disappointment. Her face twisted in annoyance as she asked, "Don''t tell me you don''t even know what essence stones are?" Essence Of Immortality Long ago, before humans and barbarians roamed the earth, before apes evolved into men and chimpanzees became wild beasts, there was the Age of Dinosaurs. Back then, the world had no concept of magic. It was a time when only the strongest survived, and every day was a struggle for life. The world was untamed and wild, with massive creatures roaming the land. There was no sign of the incredible powers that would one day shape the world. S~ea??h the nov§×lF~ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. But one fateful day, everything changed. Out of nowhere, the world''s energy began to surge. It was as if the very essence of the planet had awakened. Golden rays of light started to emerge from every corner of the World, gathering at a single point. This light was so bright and powerful that even the tallest mountains seemed insignificant next to it. The energy swirled together like a massive tornado, glowing brighter and brighter. It was a sight to behold, a force of nature unlike anything that had ever existed. The light grew more intense, and the energy began to condense, pulling itself inward with unimaginable force. For years, this continued until, finally, the light vanished. What remained was something extraordinary¡ªan object, or perhaps a metal, that defied description. It had no clear shape, yet it was solid and powerful, glowing with an otherworldly light. This was the first Essence Stone, known as the "Essence of Immortality." It was said that whoever possessed this stone would become a true god, with powers beyond imagination, Becoming the perfect being. But there was a problem. The world could not tolerate something so absolute. This Essence Stone was too powerful, too perfect. It began to vibrate, the energy within it growing unstable. The light intensified until it was blinding, and then, with a deafening roar, the stone exploded. The explosion was catastrophic. The blast covered the entire planet in dense clouds, and the shockwave was so powerful that almost every living creature weighing more than thirty kilos died instantly. It was a time of unimaginable tragedy, with over 80% of the world''s life wiped out in an instant. Entire species were erased from existence, and the world was thrown into chaos. Yet, life is resilient. It clung to existence through one disaster after another, refusing to vanish completely. Slowly, the earth began to heal. The forests regrew, the rivers flowed once more, and life returned. But the world was different now. The dinosaurs and other gigantic creatures were gone, extinct from the explosion''s devastation. In their place, new species emerged¡ªmonkeys, apes, and chimpanzees among them. But that wasn''t all. The energy from the explosion had seeped into the world, altering the very fabric of life. Some creatures were genetically transformed by nature itself, becoming "Awakened." These beings were stronger and had strange new abilities. They didn''t understand it yet, but they had the power to wield magic, to bend the world to their will. Thousands of years passed. The apes evolved into humans, and chimpanzees became barbarians. Eagles transformed into mighty phoenixes and griffins, while the remnants of flying dinosaurs evolved into the fearsome dragon species. Even among humans, some were altered, becoming elves, beastmen, dwarves, and other fantastical races. And so, the world as we know it was born, shaped by the incredible events of that distant past, where a single Essence Stone set the course of history. The world had changed forever, and the echoes of that explosion still lingered, influencing the fate of every living creature. But wait a minute... Are you wondering about the Essence Stone of Immortality? Well, after that massive explosion, the stone shattered into countless pieces and was absorbed by the world itself. Its power didn''t disappear; instead, it spread across the earth, creating many different types of essence stones. These stones can appear in any shape, at any time, and in any place. Essence stones are mysterious objects. They can be found in monsters, demons, deep underground, in dense forests, or hidden within ancient treasures and relics. Sometimes, an essence stone might even be a part of you¡ªyour soul or your body could be the key. The stones come in all sorts of shapes and sizes, and their powers vary greatly. For example, the "Essence of Feathered Wings" can give you beautiful, feathered wings that allow you to soar through the sky, no matter what species you are. On the other hand, the "Essence of Featherless Wings" might not grant you the ability to fly, but it could let you float and reduce the impact of falling. These are just a few examples¡ªthere are essence stones that can increase your strength, boost your stamina, speed, allow you to breathe fire, or even make your skin as hard as steel. However, finding an essence stone isn''t easy.They''re incredibly rare and have no specific location. You might defeat a powerful monster and find nothing, or you could be lucky and stumble upon one buried in the earth. The stones are graded from Rank E to Rank A, with higher-ranked stones offering more potent abilities. But here''s the catch: ordinary people can''t use essence stones. Why? Because you need to be an awakened person to harness their power. To use an essence stone, you must pour your mana into it, refining the stone until your body can absorb its abilities. This process is far from simple. You need strong willpower and endurance to succeed. If you pour too much mana into the stone, it will break, causing serious damage to your soul. On the other hand, if you pour too little mana and think you can continue later, the stone will start absorbing your mana into thin air, forcing you to start over. Fortunately, you can take short breaks if needed, but it''s still a delicate process. There are some essence stones that don''t require refining, but these are even rarer and harder to find. This is where your ESR talent comes in. The Essence Stone Refinement (ESR) test measures two key factors: your maximum mana output and your recovery rate. While you might think you can just pour out all your mana in a fight, it''s not that simple. Your body needs a certain amount of mana to stay alive, so we''ll check how much mana you can release in one go. The second factor is your recovery rate¡ªhow quickly your body can replenish its mana after using it. Lilith explained the criteria for the ESR talent ranks clearly. "Those who achieve 20 to 40% in both output and recovery rate will have their ESR Talent ranked as Grade D. A range of 40 to 60% will earn you a Grade C, 60 to 75% will place you in Grade B, and those who reach between 75 and 95% will be ranked as Grade A. And remember, anyone who receives a Grade A talent will be immediately promoted to Class A." She paused and scanned the room. "Any questions?" she asked, her tone sharp and authoritative. But the room was silent. It wasn''t that the students were uninterested; they were simply overwhelmed. The information she shared was so intense and new, it felt like they had just stepped into a completely different world. Their faces were a mix of awe and contemplation, clearly indicating that any questions they had were already answered by her thorough explanation. As the initial shock wore off, the room gradually filled with murmurs and whispers. "Wow... I hope I can be a Grade A talent," one student muttered, his voice tinged with hope. Another student, hands clasped together, whispered a fervent prayer, "Please, Goddess Seraphine, let me be a Grade A talent... please, please..." It was clear that almost everyone shared this dream of achieving the highest rank. Lilith, observing their reactions, finally allowed herself a deep breath and sighed. She then clapped her hands, commanding their attention once more. "With that, today''s session will end. There will be no lectures for the rest of the day. I know many of you are exhausted after your long journey. The test will be tomorrow, so use this time to rest and prepare." She continued, "Class C students, you will be staying outside of the academy, in the academy''s hotel area. You can rent a room there for the night. Class B students, please gather at the academy grounds. In a few minutes, a teacher will inform you of your dorm room assignments. Each dorm room will house two students. And as for Class A students, your private rooms have already been prepared. You can head there directly and settle in comfortably." Her instructions were clear, leaving no room for further discussion. With a final nod, she turned and vanished, as if fading into thin air. The students collectively sighed, feeling a wave of relief wash over them after the long and overwhelming day. One by one, they began to leave the academy hall, their minds still buzzing with the possibilities that tomorrow''s test could bring. As Esdeath made her way out, she couldn''t help but think to herself, "She didn''t tell the whole story... only half of it, but I guess that''s fine." Are You A Virgin? The academy dormitories were neatly divided into two sections¡ªone for boys and the other for girls. Each section was lined with identical dorm rooms, each just the right size for two people to live comfortably. The hallways were wide enough to walk through without feeling cramped, with a soft, warm light filtering through the windows. In the girls'' section, a girl with a face that somewhat resembled a horse''s strutted down the hallway. Her neon green hair bobbed with each step, and her long eyelashes fluttered as she hummed a cheerful tune, "La... Lala~... Lla~..." Her smile was so wide and excited that it looked like she had just won a prize. She suddenly paused in her steps, almost as if talking to someone invisible, and chirped, "Are you wondering who I am?" She giggled to herself before continuing, "Well, my name is Luna Cassia! I''m a commoner, but my father''s a merchant, so I don''t have to worry much about money. I got into Class B, and that''s why I''m so happy! I don''t have a single problem in the world, hehehe!" Luna finally reached her dorm room, a slight skip in her step as she reached out to the door. But just as her fingers touched the handle, her cheerful demeanor faltered. She hesitated for a moment, a small frown forming on her lips. "But... there''s one very big problem. A really big one!" she muttered to herself, feeling a knot in her stomach as she slowly turned the handle. The door creaked open, revealing a girl already sitting on one of the beds inside. The moment Luna stepped in, she froze. Her eyes met those of the other girl¡ªblack hair, dark red eyes that seemed to pierce right through her soul. Luna''s breath caught in her throat as she noticed the eerie ring shapes inside the girl''s pupils. A cold shiver ran down her spine. It was Esdeath Crimson. Luna''s mind screamed, "Why in the world do I have to live with this terrifying black-haired girl?",But her voice? It was utterly silent. She was rooted to the spot, unable to speak, her earlier excitement completely crushed by a wave of dread. She wanted to scream, run away, anything¡ªbut all she could do was stand there, staring at Esdeath in wide-eyed horror. Esdeath glanced at Luna, who was standing frozen near the door, her face pale with fear. With a gloomy and bored tone, she said, "Just sit down. Don''t be scared. I''m not gonna eat you." Luna''s heart skipped a beat, but she tried to play it cool, even though her voice trembled as she responded, "S-Scared? I''m not scared of anyone." The lie was obvious, her voice quivering like a leaf in the wind, but she stubbornly insisted on it anyway. With no other choice, Luna leaned her back against the wall and started taking tiny, hesitant steps toward her bed. Every step felt like she was walking toward her doom. Her eyes darted to Esdeath, who was watching her with disinterest, making Luna''s heart race even more. It was almost comical how slowly she was moving, as if any sudden movement might trigger Esdeath into doing something terrifying. S§×arch* The Novel?ire(.)ne*t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. After what felt like an eternity, Luna finally reached her bed and plopped down on it with a loud "Hufff..." She quickly tried to reassure herself, "Okay, okay. If she stays on her bed and I stay on mine, everything will be fine, right? We''ll be separated, and nothing bad will happen to me!" But as soon as she raised her head, her comfort crumbled into dust. Esdeath was nowhere in sight. Luna''s eyes widened in panic, her mouth hanging open as she frantically looked around the room. "W-Where did she go? Don''t tell me... she''s already turned into a monster?" Her thoughts spiraled into sheer terror as she scanned the room, expecting something horrific to happen any second. Then, without warning, Luna felt a sudden weight on her shoulder. She froze, her heart stopping in her chest as a chilling voice whispered in her ear, "Are you a virgin?" It was Esdeath''s voice, sending a bolt of fear through Luna''s entire body. She couldn''t even turn her head to look; she was paralyzed with fear. "Y-Yes... Why ask?" she managed to stammer out, trembling uncontrollably. There was no immediate response, only a heavy, tense silence that filled the room. Luna''s mind raced with all sorts of terrifying possibilities, each one worse than the last. Then, out of nowhere, Esdeath burst into a fit of maniacal laughter. "Ahahaha... Hahahaha!" Esdeath laughed so hard that the entire room seemed to shake with the sound. Her laughter was wild and unrestrained, echoing off the walls, and it sent chills down Luna''s spine. Luna, now completely freaked out, jumped up from the bed and bolted to the nearest wall, pressing her back against it like it might somehow protect her. "Hey... Hey... Hey! Why are you laughing? It''s creepy!" she shouted, her voice high-pitched with panic. But Esdeath didn''t stop. She just kept laughing, her laughter growing louder and more intense. That was it. Luna couldn''t take it anymore. She dashed toward the door, her heart pounding in her chest. "Save me, Father!" she screamed in her mind as she flung the door open and ran out of the room, not daring to look back. As soon as Luna left the room, Esdeath''s laughter died away as abruptly as it had erupted. Her face, once lit with amusement, slid back into its usual cold, indifferent mask, as if the laughter had never existed. She let out a small sigh, shaking her head slightly. "Kids these days... They gets scared too easily," she muttered under her breath, her voice tinged with a trace of disappointment. But beneath that calm exterior, a storm of thoughts churned. "Luna Cassia..."she thought darkly, her eyes narrowing. "You''ll have to die too." With a heavy sigh, Esdeath flopped onto her bed, staring up at the blank ceiling above her. Her mind was a whirlpool of unanswered questions. "How long has it been since I ended up in this twisted world? Three days Or a week?"She rubbed her temples, trying to make sense of it all. "There are so many things I still don''t understand¡­" Her gaze hardened as she clenched her fists, a mix of frustration and anger welling up inside her. "Is this real, or just some absurd, never-ending nightmare?"The sensation of being trapped in a female body gnawed at her. "A bad dream would make more sense... but everything feels too real to be a dream. And of all things, why did I have to end up in this yandere girl''s body? Who''s the idiot responsible for this mess?" Her thoughts seethed with irritation. A flicker of confusion crossed her mind as she recalled the strange dream she''d had. "That silver-haired girl...*"she mused, her brow furrowing. "There are so many characters with silver hair. But who was she?" The memory of the dream was hazy, and she hadn''t been able to make out the girl''s face. "My main suspect is Lortell Mariette..." Esdeath''s mind sharpened on the thought. "She''s been Esdeath''s friend since childhood, but why would she say something like that?" The confusion deepened. "Did Lortell know that Esdeath was mentally unstable all along?" The possibility gnawed at her. "Maybe she just pitied Esdeath that time and said yes in that manner, and that''s why she always looked out for Esdeath."The thought didn''t sit well with her. Her pride bristled at the idea that someone like Lortell might feel sorry for her. It wasn''t that she suspected Lortell might be in love with her¡ªno, that was too simple. It was more that the yandere inside her refused to accept that someone as mighty as Lortell could fall for her. But then, a new resolve began to build within her. Esdeath sat up abruptly, her eyes burning with a fierce determination. She clenched her fists so tightly that her knuckles turned white. "I don''t care what happened between Lortell and Esdeath in the past," she declared with steely resolve. "But now that The Yandere in me is madly in love with her, there''s no reason I can''t make Lortell fall for me too." A wicked smile spread across her lips, a mix of confidence and mischief. "With all the experience I had with girls in my previous life, I''ll have her head over heels for me in no time. Hehehe...Just come back from your Monster Extermination mission Lortell Mariette" Esdeath reveled in the thought, her mind already spinning plans on how to win Lortell over. The thrill of the chase, the challenge of bending someone as formidable as Lortell to her will¡ªit was exhilarating. She was going to make this world hers, one way or another. But Esdeath''s smile quickly faded as she caught a whiff of her own body. Her nose wrinkled in disgust. "Eww... Now that I think about it, I haven''t had a bath in over two days because of all that traveling!" The realization hit her like a wave, and she made up her mind right then and there to clean herself up. The academy had thoughtfully provided hot springs for the Class B students, but there was a catch¡ªonly two hot springs were available: one for boys and one for girls. And that meant everyone had to bathe together, no private baths allowed. Esdeath, now stuck in a girl''s body, knew she''d have to use the girls'' section. The thought didn''t bother her in the slightest; she wasn''t the type to shy away from seeing a bunch of naked girls. With that settled, she headed straight for the hot springs, not hesitating for a moment. It wasn''t long before she reached the changing room just outside the hot spring. The room was warm and steamy, filled with the sounds of girls chatting and giggling as they changed. Esdeath paused for a moment, taking it all in. The other girls were in various stages of undressing, their conversations light and carefree. As she stepped further into the room, a few of the girls glanced her way. Their eyes widened in shock for just a split second, like they''d seen something unexpected. But just as quickly as they''d noticed her, they turned away, resuming their conversations as if she wasn''t even there. It was as if they had decided, all at once, to ignore her existence completely. Esdeath quickly realized the situation, but instead of feeling irritated, a subtle smile curled at the corners of her lips. She was actually pleased with how things had turned out. "Nice, very nice," she thought, her eyes narrowing with satisfaction. "The less attention people pay to me, the better. It''ll be a lot easier to do what I need to in secret if no one''s watching me." The thought brought her a sense of relief, and she quickly brushed off any lingering thoughts of irritation. "Whateve, Just take off your clothes, have a bath, and get out. Nothing special, nothing different." With a quiet sigh, Esdeath began to undress, her hands moving with a calm, steady purpose. She wasn''t here to get caught up in what the other girls thought or how they ignored her. She was here to clean up and refresh herself after the long, exhausting days of travel. As she folded her clothes and placed them aside, her mind started to drift. "This world may be different but some things never change. People won''t pay you any attention unless they see some kind of profit in it." The realization was both sobering and oddly comforting, a reminder that even in this strange new reality, human nature was still the same. Age Of Chaos Someone was having a dream, A Dream Of Battlefield. The battlefield was a scene of utter horror¡ªa blood-soaked wasteland where countless corpses of soldiers lay scattered. The ground was littered with bodies, some beaten to death, others stabbed, and a few horrifically half-eaten by unknown forces. The once-green land was now a deep crimson, the soil soaked through with the blood of the fallen. Among the few knights still standing, there was a man in his forties. He had blue hair that was matted with dirt and sweat, and his deep, soft blue eyes¡ªonce warm like a comforting oven¡ªwere now filled with fear and despair. A slightly unkempt beard framed his handsome face, but his expression was one of complete shock and disbelief. He stood frozen, gripping his broadsword with trembling hands. His mouth hung open in a silent scream, unable to process the carnage around him. Slowly, he turned his head, his eyes landing on the lifeless bodies of his comrades. Blood poured from their wounds, their eyes wide open in death, and their faces twisted in agony. One of them was a young girl, her body half-devoured by something monstrous. It was a sight that would haunt him forever. Tears welled up in his eyes, spilling down his cheeks as he whispered their names, "Cassandra... Michael... Sachet... all of you..." His voice broke with each name, sobs shaking his body. The grip on his broadsword weakened, and the heavy blade leaned against the blood-soaked ground. In that moment, it was clear¡ªhe had given up. His will was shattered, his spirit crushed. He was ready to fall to his knees, to surrender to the overwhelming despair that consumed him. But before he could collapse, a voice cut through the silence. "Captain! You can''t give up yet! Not after our companions gave their lives. We''re not just fighting for a kingdom anymore¡ªwe''re fighting for humanity! We have to win, for all of humanity!" The voice belonged to a young soldier, his words filled with determination and hope. The captain blinked, recognizing the voice. Something in him stirred, a flicker of the man he used to be. He clenched his teeth, forcing himself to take a deep breath. "Yes..." he whispered, his voice growing stronger. He lifted his sword once more, gripping it tightly. "I can''t lose... not after all of this..." He turned, his eyes narrowing as they focused on the figure responsible for this nightmare. His heart hammered in his chest, but it wasn''t from fear¡ªit was a surge of renewed determination. "I won''t let their sacrifices be in vain. For them¡­ for humanity¡­ I will fight," he vowed, his voice strong and unwavering. Before him stretched an army of nightmares, a horde of monsters and demons unlike anything from the stories of old. These weren''t the typical creatures of fantasy¡ªthey were living horrors, each one a twisted abomination. Their faces and bodies were grotesque, their forms so hideous that they seemed to have crawled out from the deepest pits of a nightmare. One of the creatures had the body of a giraffe, but its head was a grotesque parody of a human face, with six eyes and large, sharp fangs. The head was twisted upside down, adding to the monstrosity''s terrifying appearance. Another demon had a bloated, green body, with large, putrid bubbles oozing from its flesh. The stench of rotting flesh clung to it, turning the air sour. It was a sight so repulsive that it was hard to believe it was real. But this was no dream. These were "Anomaly Class Monsters," special-class demons born from the worst nightmares. At the forefront of this unholy army floated their leader¡ªa demon lord like no other. He had the face of an octopus, with slimy, jelly-like flesh that seemed to shimmer with a sickening sheen. From his mouth, countless larvae wriggled out, falling to the ground in a disturbing, endless stream. He was a creature straight out of a Lovecraftian Cthulhu novel, a vision so horrific it felt like reality itself was bending around him. The middle-aged man saw all of this and felt a deep revulsion, but he was not afraid. He raised his sword, pointing it directly at the demon lord. "Demon Lord of Anomaly! I will end you no matter what, and I will put an end to this ''Age of Chaos''!" he shouted, his voice ringing out across the battlefield. The demon lord responded with a chilling laugh, a sound that rumbled deep and unnatural, as if it came from the bowels of some dark abyss. "Hehehe... Just try, human. You''ll end just like everyone else!" The demon''s voice was low and guttural, something no human throat could ever produce. With those words, the battle began. The waves of monstrous creatures surged forward, clashing with the remaining human forces. The middle-aged man charged forward, meeting the demon lord head-on. The force of their collision sent shockwaves through the air, as sword met monstrous flesh in a deadly dance. S§×arch* The Novel?ire(.)ne*t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. The fight raged on, fierce and unrelenting. Morning turned into night, and night into morning again. For three days and three nights, the battle continued without rest. The man''s body ached, his muscles screamed with exhaustion, but his resolve never wavered. He pushed on, driven by the memory of his fallen comrades and the fate of humanity hanging in the balance. Finally, on the fourth day, the impossible happened. With one final, desperate strike, the middle-aged man drove his sword through the demon lord''s grotesque body. A scream of rage and agony tore through the battlefield as the demon lord fell, his monstrous form dissolving into nothingness. The battlefield fell silent, the only sound remaining was the fading echo of the demon lord''s death cry. The man stood there, drenched in blood and sweat, his chest heaving with ragged breaths. He had done it¡ªhe had slain the demon lord. Humanity had won. "Captain, Captain, we won¡ª" came the familiar voice of the young soldier, filled with joy and relief. But before he could finish, something terrible happened. His words were cut short in a way that sent a chill down the captain''s spine. The middle-aged man, still catching his breath, turned to see what had interrupted the young soldier. His eyes widened in horror at the sight that greeted him. A monstrous bird-like creature had swooped down, tearing the young soldier''s head clean off his shoulders. Blood sprayed in the air as the creature flew off, the soldier''s lifeless body crumpling to the ground. "W-what just happened?" the man stammered, his voice shaky with disbelief. He had defeated the demon lord, wiped out the monsters¡ªhow could there still be one left? Where did it come from? Before he could process what had just occurred, the world around him seemed to blur. Bright lights began flashing before his eyes, forcing him to squeeze them shut. When he opened them again, he was met with a sight that made his blood run cold. In front of him floated several other figures. Their forms were indistinct, as if shrouded in shadow. He couldn''t make out their shapes clearly¡ªneither their faces nor their genders could be discerned. They hovered in the air, just like the demon lord had, with the sun shining behind them, casting long, eerie shadows that made them seem almost divine, yet terrifying. One of them spoke, its voice cold and mechanical, like the lifeless tone of a robot. "The Age of Chaos has ended, Ethan Rothslayer. Humanity has lost. With this, the constellation has fallen too. Hahaha..." The man¡ªEthan¡ªfelt the ground give way beneath him as he dropped to his knees. His sword slipped from his grasp, clattering uselessly to the ground. "No¡­ this can''t be," he whispered, his voice trembling with despair. "There are others like him¡­ even stronger than him. Humanity can''t lose¡­" But the truth weighed down on him like a crushing force. The demon lord was only the beginning. If there were others¡ªthese beings who seemed even more powerful¡ªwhat hope did humanity have left? The victory he had fought so hard for now felt like a cruel joke, a fleeting moment of triumph before the true horror began. Just as he was about to sink into despair, the nightmare abruptly ended. In a large, luxurious room, adorned with shimmering gems and beautiful paintings. The room was part of a lavish suite meant for Class A students, complete with a shower room, dining hall, bedroom, study room, and more. It was a space designed for the elite. In that room, a boy with blue hair had been asleep in a chair only moments before. Suddenly, his eyes flew open in a panic. "Humanity can''t lose!" he shouted as he leaped from the chair, his heart racing. But then, he realized where he was. It had all been a dream¡ªa haunting memory from his past, before his regression. "Huff... Huff... It was just a dream," he breathed out, trying to calm himself, sweat trickling down the side of his forehead. He stood still for a moment, letting the reality of the present sink in. Slowly, he regained his composure, his breathing steadied, and his clenched fists relaxed. "In my previous life, by this time I was just a Class C student¡­ a loser," he reflected. "But in this life, because I''ve worked hard since childhood, I''m already in Class A!" He couldn''t help but feel a sense of pride, mixed with a deep resolve. He took a moment to look around the room, taking in the luxurious surroundings that were now his. Then, with renewed determination, he stepped out of his room and into the gallery. From there, he could see the surrounding area, a vast and beautiful view that stretched out before him. His face hardened with resolve, and his ocean-like eyes glowed with a fierce determination. "This time, I won''t let the Age of Chaos come. This time, I''ll win. I''ll protect all of humanity!" he vowed, his voice steady and strong. It was a promise to himself and to the world¡ªthis time, he would not fail. Bath As esdeath went inside the hot spring room, Before her , a tableau unfolded, a mosaic of femininity and grace as the other bathers lounged in the warm waters, their laughter and conversation filling the air with a soothing melody. The bathhouse itself was a marvel of architecture but not too luxury, Just fine type. Adorned with intricate carvings and embellishments that spoke of a rich cultural heritage. A vast chamber filled with steaming hot spring water. The air was thick with the scent of fragrant herbs and flowers, adding to the ambiance of relaxation. The water itself was crystal clear, reflecting the soft glow of lanterns suspended from the ceiling. Around the edges of the bath, stone benches and intricately carved pillars provided places for the bathers to sit and relax. Luxurious towels and robes were neatly folded nearby, inviting the guests to pamper themselves after their soak. As for the bathers themselves, the scene was a vibrant tapestry of diversity. There were Nobles and commoners alike mingled freely, Many commoners were delighted to have access to such a large and beautiful hot spring, their faces glowing with happiness. On the other side, some nobles were clearly upset at having to share the space with commoners, their displeasure evident in their stiff postures and tight-lipped expressions. Yet, even among the nobles, there were a few who seemed to be getting along just fine with the commoners, their conversations light and easy. S§×ar?h the Novel?ire(.)ne*t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. But as soon as Esdeath entered, the entire room fell silent. The laughter and chatter came to an abrupt halt, and all eyes turned to her. For a moment, it was as if time had stopped The reason for the sudden silence wasn''t just Esdeath''s presence¡ªit was her appearance. She had stormed into the bath without a towel or robe,Completely naked. Like she owned the place, her confidence making it seem as though she''d forgotten the concept of modesty altogether. The roomful of women couldn''t help but stare, their eyes wide as they took in the sight before them. Esdeath''s black hair already made her stand out, giving her a slightly ominous aura, but it was the tattoos that really caught everyone''s attention. Her entire back was covered with an intricate design of twin dragons, their heads resting near her neck and their tails curling around to her sides and down to her belly. The tattoos gave her an undeniably badass look, a statement of strength and defiance that seemed to scream, Don''t mess with me. But there was something else that made the girl''s jaws drop even further. Just below her abdomen, right above that intimate area, was another tattoo. Originally, Esdeath had the words "For Lortell only" inked there, complete with an arrow pointing suggestively downward. To cover it up, her maid Mary had crafted a heart-shaped tattoo over it. But this was no ordinary heart¡ªoh no, it was the kind of heart tattoo you''d see on a succubus. Fantasy hearts like this were infamous, often associated with the runes that succubi used to enhance pleasure, for themselves and their partners. Now, Esdeath''s tattoo wasn''t magical, but it sure looked like it. In this world, humans who sported such tattoos were usually making a bold statement about their, shall we say, sexually ctive lifestyles, cough..cough... So, naturally, the girls couldn''t help but fixate on it, their minds running wild with all sorts of assumptions. The thought racing through everyone''s mind was: How on earth did a teenage girl end up with such an erotic, shameless tattoo? And yet, there Esdeath stood, as casual as if she''d just walked into a garden, completely unfazed by the scandalized and shocked looks she was getting. A few of the nobles tried to hide their smirks, struggling not to burst into laughter, while others just blushed furiously, turning their heads away in embarrassment. The commoners, on the other hand, were a mix of confusion and awe, wondering if this girl was a warrior, a delinquent, or just incredibly bold¡ªor maybe all three. Esdeath, completely unfazed by the stares and whispers, made her way toward the water, her tattooed skin gleaming under the soft lantern light. However, as she tried to find a spot to relax, she quickly encountered a new problem¡ªno one wanted her near them. Every time she approached a group, she was met with the same reaction. "Don''t come near me! Go somewhere else! Who would take responsibility if something happens to me?" one girl snapped, even going so far as to splash water at her. Esdeath felt her annoyance rising, her eyes narrowing at the thought of slapping each of them across the face. "Ughh... I want to slap every single one of them,"she fumed internally, "but I''m not in the mood for it right now."She scanned the room, looking for a peaceful spot where she could finally relax. The bathhouse was large, so surely there was a place where she could soak in peace. It didn''t take long for her to find it¡ªa quiet corner where only one girl was bathing. The girl was clearly a loner, sitting by herself, away from the chattering groups. Esdeath smirked as she took in the girl''s appearance. She was tall but had short, Wavy Vermillion hair, browny skin coloured eyes, tanned skin, and a busty chest, but she was also chubby or more like very fat with a heavier build that wasn''t considered conventionally attractive. but she also has red markings around her eyes, and like Leopold, she has one sharp, pronounced canine tooth, No doubt An Barbarian-Known for dumbheaded species.It was obvious why no one wanted to be near her. "An extra character " Esdeath thought with satisfaction. "Just like me. That''s the perfect spot!". Without hesitation, she walked over to the girl''s area, a mischievous grin on her face. "Hello, piggy!" she called out before jumping into the steamy water, causing a small splash. As she settled into the water, her body submerged up to just above her breasts, Esdeath let out a deep sigh of relief, closing her eyes. "Huff... These balloons on my chest... The hot water''s making it feel like something''s tickling my breasts. How do you all deal with this?" she complained, half-playful, half-irritated. The girl, who had been minding her own business, looked at Esdeath in bewilderment. Unlike the others, she wasn''t bothered by Esdeath''s black hair or tattoos. What really confused her was the fact that Esdeath was actually talking to her. "Are you talking to me?" the girl asked, her voice filled with surprise, like she couldn''t believe someone was addressing her directly. Esdeath opened one eye and glanced at the girl, noticing the shock and uncertainty in her expression. "Is there anyone else here?" she replied with a touch of amusement, her voice smooth but with an edge that made it clear she wasn''t one for small talk. The girl, still taken aback by the sudden interaction, blinked rapidly, her mind racing to catch up. "Oh, no... umm... okay, I guess..." she stammered, mentally kicking herself for the awkward response. It wasn''t that she couldn''t speak clearly; she was just thrown off by how fast everything was happening. She quickly tried to regain her composure, a nervous energy bubbling up as she added, "Umm... my name is Maruti. What''s yours?" Her voice was a mix of hope and timidity, as if she was both eager and afraid to hear the answer. Esdeath stared at her for a moment, her cold blooded red eyes piercing through the warm steam of the bath. After what felt like an eternity to Maruti, Esdeath finally spoke. "Esdeath... Esdeath Crimson," she said, her tone flat and uninterested, before closing her eyes again, signaling the end of the conversation. A heavy silence hung between them, the only sound being the gentle ripple of water. Maruti fidgeted, unsure of what to do next. Just as she was about to try speaking again, Esdeath suddenly stood up, water cascading off her smooth, pale skin. Her long hair clung to her body, framing her face as a few strands fell in front of her eyes. A single droplet of water lingered on her full lips, giving her an almost intimate, erotic aura. "I''m done," Esdeath declared, her voice cutting through the air as she turned to leave, her movements fluid and graceful. Seeing her about to go, Maruti panicked. "Wait a minute... does that mean we''re friends?" she blurted out, her words rushing out in a desperate attempt to hold onto this fleeting connection. Esdeath paused, her back still turned, then slowly turned her head to look at Maruti. Her gaze was cold, analyzing the girl before her. For a few seconds, she didn''t say anything, just stared, making Maruti feel smaller and more exposed with each passing moment. Finally, Esdeath spoke, her voice sharp and cutting. "No confidence, no willpower, no attitude... too lazy to do anything, and many other things," she listed, each word like a dagger, pointing out every flaw she saw in Maruti. "Don''t even think of becoming my friend," she finished, her tone final and dismissive. Without another word, Esdeath turned and walked away, leaving Maruti alone in the bath, staring after her, feeling a mix of shame, disappointment, and a strange, lingering hope that maybe, just maybe, things could be different someday. Esdeath dried off with a towel, feeling the warmth of the bath linger on her skin as she slipped back into her clothes. The sun had begun its descent, casting the world in a golden glow. She made her way back to the dorm room, the fading light of the evening following her. When she arrived, the room was quiet and empty. Luna Cassia, her roommate, still hadn''t returned. Esdeath glanced around, the silence almost echoing. She could sense the lingering tension, knowing Luna was still too afraid to come back and face her. As the evening turned into night, Esdeath noticed how quickly time had passed. The room was now bathed in the soft light of the moon, yet Luna''s side of the room remained untouched, the bed still neatly made. Without waiting any longer, Esdeath threw herself onto her bed, her mind briefly wandering to the upcoming test. "Tomorrow''s the test," she murmured to herself, closing her eyes. "I don''t have much hope, but let''s see what happens." Building Harem Without Even Knowing The dim light of the moon slowly faded as the night gave way to the earliest hints of dawn. The sun had yet to fully rise, its rays still weak and barely touching the horizon. It was 5:30 in the morning, and Esdeath stirred from her sleep. Her eyes fluttered open, greeted by the soft, muted light of the pre-dawn sky filtering through the small window of her academy dorm. She had made a promise to herself¡ªto follow the disciplined routine of her past life, even here in the academy. Of course, there were adjustments to be made; after all, she was no longer the hitman she once was, but a student. With a quiet sigh, Esdeath pushed aside the blanket and swung her legs over the side of the bed. The cool air touched her skin, sending a brief shiver down her spine. She quickly washed her face, the cold water jolting her fully awake, and brushed her teeth with the precision of someone who cherished routine. Each action was deliberate, as if anchoring her to the stability she once knew. She then changed into her workout clothes, opting for a snug sports bra and a pair of grey, tight-fitting thigh-high leggings that hugged her every curve. The fabric was soft yet firm, providing the perfect balance of comfort and support. She felt the familiar rush of determination as she laced up her shoes, ready to tackle the morning. Stepping out of her dorm, the crisp morning air filled her lungs, fresh and invigorating. The academy grounds were quiet, almost serene, as the world still lingered in the embrace of sleep. Esdeath''s steps were light, but her heart was heavy with thoughts as she made her way to the academy garden. Once there, she began her routine¡ªfive laps around the garden. Her feet moved rhythmically, her breathing steady, each lap a meditation of sorts. Thanks to raising her stamina stats with SP points, She could now match the stamina of an average awakened individual, a fact that brought a small smile of satisfaction to her lips. But as her body moved, her mind wandered. Memories and calculations swirled in her thoughts like an unsolved puzzle. "Why did I gain 10 SP when I met Ethan Rothslayer, and 20 when I Quarrelled with Kaelith the Silver Dragon?" she pondered, the question nagging at her. "But nothing when I messed with Lilith, that little loli character? Is it because she''s not important to the story?" The thought gnawed at her. "What if power doesn''t matter if the person isn''t vital to the plot? If that''s true, how many SP would I get if I killed Ethan Rothslayer, the main character?" Her mind raced, calculating the potential gains, but then she remembered the system''s warning: SP points will not be rewarded,If Esdeath breaks the main story line. Also The idea of killing Ethan suddenly felt foolish, almost reckless. If the ethan died, then it will cause the future to change greatly and Also who''s gonna defeat the main villains, Other than MC? Unless someone managed to surpass him, Ethan had to remain alive, no matter how tempting it was to consider removing him from the equation. Pushing those thoughts aside, Esdeath headed toward the Academy''s training area. As she approached, the vastness of the space took her by surprise. It was an impressive blend of the ancient and the modern¡ªa gym, yet not quite. The walls and floors were steeped in tradition, with worn stone and aged wood, but scattered throughout were modern pieces of equipment like dumbbells, benches for pressing, and pull-up bars. Alongside them were racks filled with swords, bows, scythes, and other weapons. Esdeath''s purpose here was simple: to work out, to keep her body honed. She started with some stretching, easing her muscles into the routine. But as she moved, she couldn''t help but notice how her tight workout clothes clung to her body, making each pose look almost sensual. Her skin soon glistened with a thin sheen of sweat, the cool air in the room doing little to temper the heat building within her. Sear?h the ¦Çov§×lFire .net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Next came the push-ups and pull-ups, each movement precise and controlled. Unlike the exaggerated workouts often seen in fantasy stories, where heroes did thousands of push-ups to gain strength overnight, Esdeath knew better. That kind of training was nothing but a fairy tale¡ªpushing too hard only led to broken bones and wasted effort. She was practical, realistic. Real strength came from consistency, focus, and, if one was fortunate enough, a bit of magic or an essence stone to boost one''s power. Finally, she moved to the dumbbells, lifting them with a steady rhythm. The weight was light but enough to keep her muscles toned. She could feel each repetition working through her arms, her breath steady as she pushed through the final set. When she was done, she felt a sense of quiet satisfaction¡ªa reminder that even though she was no longer a hitman, she was still strong, still capable. By the time she finished her workout, the clock read 6:30 A.M. As she gathered her things, other students began trickling into the training area for their morning routines. They chatted amongst themselves, their voices a background hum as Esdeath made her way out. She had already completed her training for the day, leaving them to catch up. With her workout complete, the last thing on Esdeath''s list was a much-needed bath. Last time, finding a place to bathe in peace had been a nightmare¡ªno one wanted her anywhere near them. She had practically been chased away, barely managing to find a secluded spot to wash up. But this time, luck was on her side. The hot spring room was completely empty, not a soul in sight. With a satisfied smirk, she slipped into the warm water, relishing the peace and quiet. The steam rose around her, soothing her muscles as she soaked, and for once, she didn''t have to deal with the awkward stares or whispered gossip. After her bath, she returned to her dorm room, feeling refreshed and ready for the day. Slipping into her academy uniform, she couldn''t help but follow her usual routine¡ªleaving the front button undone, just like before. It wasn''t just about comfort; it was about style. The glimpse of her bare skin, the tattoos peeking out, all of it added to her image¡ªthe image of a girl who didn''t care what anyone thought. A delinquent? Maybe. But she liked the way it looked, and that was all that mattered. Esdeath caught a glimpse of herself in the mirror and couldn''t resist smirking at her reflection. "Now, now... what''s next? Ah, breakfast," she muttered to herself, a hint of amusement in her voice. At the academy, everyone was expected to gather for breakfast before 8:30 A.M., with lunch and dinner at set times later in the day. It didn''t matter if you were in Class A, B, or C¡ªunless you were royalty or a top-tier noble, everyone had to eat together. It was one of those academy rules that was meant to show equality. But really, who were they kidding? It was all just for show. Sure, it meant commoners got to eat some pretty luxurious meals for free, That was all that matters. As the idea of breakfast settled in her mind, another thought popped up, one that made her grin mischievously. "Now that I think about it," she mused, "the real jealousy and Agryness between Corin Reynold to Ethan starts from this morning''s breakfast. Too bad I don''t have any popcorn to enjoy that five-minute cringe drama." The image of Corin fuming while Ethan remained oblivious was almost too good. It was the kind of petty drama you''d find in every average anime or manga¡ªa third-rate villain tries to humiliate the main character, only to end up with egg on their face instead. Esdeath had seen it a thousand times, and it always made her roll her eyes. Still, there was something strangely amusing about it, like watching a bad soap opera where you just couldn''t look away. Lost in these thoughts, she arrived at the breakfast area without even realizing it. Before her stood a grand dining hall, with several long tables stretching out, each one lined with dozens of chairs. There were at least three or four massive tables, enough to seat hundreds of students all at once. The room was already buzzing with activity¡ªstudents had gathered in groups, some chatting animatedly with friends, while others sat alone, too focused on their hunger to bother with conversation. At this point, no one even cared to look for trouble with Esdeath; all they wanted was to eat. Esdeath found an empty seat and settled in, ready to dig in. The tables were laden with fruits, breads, and a variety of dishes that looked almost too good to be real. But despite the tempting food, her mind was elsewhere, focused on something¡ªor rather, someone¡ªelse. It didn''t take long before he made his grand entrance. A boy with striking blue hair and eyes like the ocean walked in, flanked by two girls who clung to his arms like lifelines. One was Violet, Ethan''s childhood friend, with her soft brown hair and light brown eyes. The other girl was a new face, someone Esdeath hadn''t paid much attention to before¡ªa cute girl with short dark blue hair, smooth white skin, and matching blue eyes. She wasn''t exactly a loli, just a regular, average-height girl. Her name was Sylvania Nyxaria, destined to become a great mage and, of course, another member of Ethan''s ever-growing harem. As Ethan entered, Violet and Sylvania exchanged angry, competitive smiles, each trying to outdo the other. It was clear they were both vying for his attention, but like every clueless anime protagonist, Ethan was utterly puzzled by their behavior. He was stuck in that awkward position, trying to get them to be friends, blissfully unaware of their rivalry. Esdeath couldn''t help but glare in irritation. "Already building a harem, huh? No doubt he''s got that infamous plot armor," she thought, her annoyance bubbling up. It was like watching the start of one of those clich¨¦ romance dramas where the hero is surrounded by beautiful girls, and somehow, everything works out in his favor. The whole scene made her want to facepalm, but instead, she just picked up her fork and started eating, determined not to get dragged into their ridiculous love triangle. Stupidity Not long after Ethan made his grand entrance with Violet and Sylvania, another figure strode into the dining hall. This one had an air of arrogance that was hard to miss. He had golden hair that shimmered under the dim lighting, and soft green eyes that might have looked kind if not for the sharp jawline that gave him a perpetually smug expression. Esdeath noticed him right away, smirking as she recognized Corin Reynold. "So it''s finally started," Esdeath mused to herself, her eyes narrowing in anticipation. "I don''t think I have to lift a finger. This is a canon event, after all. All I need to do is sit back and watch the show." As Corin entered, his gaze immediately locked onto Ethan. There he was, sitting between Violet and Sylvania, both girls practically fighting over who would get to feed him first. It was a ridiculous scene, like something straight out of a rom-com, and it made Corin''s blood boil. His face twisted in anger as he watched. "That filth," Corin muttered under his breath, his eyes narrowing into slits. "I''ve talked to the teachers, but no one listened. They let this disgrace into Class A, and now look at him¡ªflirting with two girls at the same time. He needs to be put in his place." With anger and determination fueling him, Corin grabbed a food plate from a nearby table, his hands trembling with barely contained rage. Without a second thought, he stormed over to Ethan. The dining hall fell silent as students sensed the tension building, their eyes following Corin as he made his way to his target. Ethan was oblivious to the brewing storm, too busy trying to figure out how to keep Violet and Sylvania from tearing each other apart. Just as he was about to say something, Corin appeared in front of him, glaring down with a look of pure disdain. Before Ethan could react, Corin dumped the entire plate of food over his head. The hall erupted in gasps and whispers as the food splattered everywhere, leaving Ethan sitting there in shock, his hair and clothes dripping with a mix of fruit, bread, and whatever else had been on the plate. "What the hell?!" Violet shouted, jumping to her feet. She glared at Corin, her eyes blazing with fury. "What do you think you''re doing?!" Sylvania was right behind her, standing up and stepping protectively closer to Ethan. "You''re out of line, Corin! What if you''re duke''s son, Apologize right now!" But Corin just sneered, ignoring their protests. "Why should I apologize? I''m just putting this loser in his place," he said, his voice dripping with arrogance. Then, as if to further humiliate Ethan, he turned his attention to the girls, leaning in closer to Violet with a smirk. "You don''t need to waste your time with someone like him. I could show you a much better time." Violet recoiled, disgust clear on her face. "Get away from me, you creep!" she snapped, her voice shaking with anger. Corin didn''t seem to notice¡ªor maybe he didn''t care. He turned to Sylvania next, giving her what he probably thought was a charming smile. "You too, Sylvania. Why hang around with a weakling like him when you could be with someone stronger? Someone who could actually protect you?" But Sylvania wasn''t having any of it. She pushed Corin away, her face twisted in disgust. "I''d rather be with someone you call a ''weakling'' than a jerk like you," she snapped, her voice dripping with disdain. Corin''s anger flared at her words, but then his eyes drifted downward, locking onto Sylvania''s chest. Like every typical harem heroine, both Violet and Sylvania had curves that seemed almost too perfect, with round, full breasts that could make any man''s heart race. S§×arch* The N?vel?ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. A wicked grin spread across Corin''s face as his mind filled with twisted thoughts. Without a second''s hesitation, he reached out, his hand aiming directly at Sylvania''s chest. "You don''t get to tell me what to do, slut!" he barked, his voice echoing in the now silent hall. Fear flashed across Sylvania''s face, and she instinctively shut her eyes, bracing for the worst. But before Corin could lay a finger on her, his wrist was caught in a vice-like grip. Ethan had moved faster than anyone could react, his hand squeezing Corin''s wrist so tightly that it sent a shock of pain up Corin''s arm, nearly making it go numb. The entire dining hall froze. Ethan slowly brushed off the last bits of food from his uniform, his eyes narrowing into a dangerous glare. For a split second, it seemed like he might let it go, but then his expression hardened. The calm, laid-back Ethan was gone, replaced by someone much more serious, much more formidable. "Corin," Ethan''s voice was low, but it carried a weight that silenced everyone. "You''ve crossed the line. You don''t ever lay a dirty hand¡ªor even a gaze¡ªon a girl like that." Corin tried to pull his hand free, but Ethan''s grip was like steel. The pain in Corin''s wrist grew unbearable, and his bravado began to crumble. Across the room, Esdeath watched the scene with a satisfied smile. "So, Corin thought he could play the hero by flirting with those two big-breasted third-rate heroines," she mused to herself. "It''s almost pathetic. Corin already has a crush on Emma, his own girlfriend, yet he''s trying to make Ethan look like a loser by messing with Violet and Sylvania. Too bad for him, he doesn''t realize Ethan has way more experience." "I said don''t tell me what to do!" Corin roared, his voice full of anger. He raised his fist, aiming straight for Ethan''s face. But before he could even swing, Ethan moved faster, his own fist crashing directly into Corin''s face, sending a shock of pain through his nose as blood started to drip down. Corin barely had a moment to process what had just happened when Ethan swiftly bent down, his legs moving in a blur. With a powerful sweep, Ethan struck Corin''s legs, knocking him off balance. As Corin was still mid-air, trying to catch himself, Ethan delivered a brutal kick to his face, sending him crashing to the floor. The whole thing happened in the blink of an eye. Corin hadn''t even had the chance to react. He lay there on the cold ground, his nose and lips bleeding, completely stunned. The room fell into a shocked silence. Every student was frozen in place, eyes wide with horror and disbelief. It was the first time any of them had seen a commoner defeat a noble so easily. But Corin wasn''t ready to give up. In just a few seconds, his mind was flooded with rage and humiliation. Lying there, he could see the faces of everyone around him, staring down at him with what looked like mocking smiles. He felt the sting of their unspoken laughter, their silent judgment. It was humiliating, so utterly humiliating¡­ "You¡­ I''ll tell my father and get you killed!" Corin spat out, his voice trembling with anger and desperation. But before he could say another word, a sharp, commanding voice cut through the tension. "Shut up!" It was a woman''s voice, strong and filled with authority. Everyone turned to see who it was. A teacher stood at the entrance, her face a mix of anger and disappointment. She had clearly seen everything that had just happened. "Corin, I saw it all," she said, her tone leaving no room for argument. "You''re the one at fault here. Come with me and face your punishment. You should be thankful you didn''t use magic, or the consequences would have been far worse!" Her words struck like a hammer, and the room remained silent. Corin''s earlier bravado vanished, replaced by the cold reality of his situation. As Corin bit his lip, his eyes narrowed at Ethan. "I''ll get my revenge next time, just wait!" he spat, his voice dripping with anger as he pushed himself up. Without another word, he followed the teacher out of the hall, his steps heavy with frustration. The drama, brief but intense, had lasted all of five minutes, yet it left an impression. As Corin disappeared from view, the dining hall buzzed with whispers. The news of a noble getting beaten by a commoner spread faster than wildfire. Some students looked pleased, quietly enjoying Corin''s humiliation, while others wore expressions of disappointment, upset by the upset in the social order. With breakfast over, the students made their way to the academy hall. The atmosphere was tense with anticipation; the test of the day was about to begin. It would determine each student''s affinity and guide their weapon selection. Esdeath, calm and composed, arrived at the hall, blending in with the crowd of students already gathered. Lilith stood at the top of the stairs, deep in conversation with other teachers, casting a watchful eye over the students. Among the sea of faces, Esdeath noticed a few new ones, students who hadn''t arrived on the first day. Two girls, in particular, stood out from the rest. The first girl was dressed in the flowing robes of a saintess, a striking choice given that she was a commoner. Her delicate, white-skinned face was charming, with a hint of innocence, yet there was something undeniably seductive about her. Her lips were a tempting shade of red, her long white hair tinged with a soft blue that set her apart from the usual silver-haired beauties. She was voluptuous, her saintess costume hugging every curve, making it impossible not to notice how the boys in the room eyed her with thinly-veiled desire. Oblivious to the attention, she kept her eyes closed, as if in deep prayer or meditation. Her name was Calista Seraphine, a name that echoed her connection to the revered goddess of her homeland, the Kingdom of Church. This kingdom, famed for its justice and unwavering devotion to the goddess Seraphine, hadn''t seen a single crime in over 150 years. Calista''s presence was as much a symbol of her kingdom''s purity as it was a testament to her own allure. She was a paradox¡ªa saintess with the body of a temptress. But even with Calista''s striking appearance, there was another girl in the crowd who drew even more attention¡­ Affinity Test (1) Even with Calista''s striking appearance, there was another girl in the crowd who drew even more attention¡ªRavenna Thorne. Her long pink hair cascaded down her back like a waterfall of rose petals, shimmering with each step. Her pink eyes, with that unique "plus" shape in the pupils, seemed to draw everyone in, as if she could see right through their souls. Ravenna''s smooth skin glowed with a radiance that made her look almost otherworldly, like a goddess who had descended from the heavens. Despite wearing the same uniform as everyone else, on her, it looked like a garment fit for royalty. The fabric clung perfectly to her figure, highlighting every curve with an effortless grace that made her seem divine. She didn''t just look like a princess¡ªshe was one, the princess of Anastasia Kingdom, Ravenna Thorne. Her presence commanded attention without even trying, and those around her seemed to orbit her like moths to a flame. She hadn''t attended the entrance ceremony, and why would she? No one would dare make a princess stand through something so trivial. Now that she was here, it was as if the entire room had shifted to focus solely on her. Boys and girls alike flocked around her, hoping to catch even a sliver of her attention. The crowd around her grew thicker, creating a kind of traffic jam in the hall as everyone tried to get closer. (Let''s be real here, Harem without any princess, pointless right?) Before the situation could spiral out of control, Lilith stepped in. Clearing her throat loudly, she called out, "Ahem¡­ Ahem... So, has everyone gathered? Let''s proceed with your test then!" Her voice cut through the noise, instantly silencing the room. The crowd dispersed, and Ravenna, too, turned her attention to the front. With a swift motion, Lilith summoned a large sphere that appeared out of thin air, hovering above the ground. Pointing at it, she continued, "You all need to place your hands on the sphere, one by one. It will draw in your mana and reveal your affinity and ESR talent." Her tone was all business, but there was an underlying excitement in the room as the students lined up, eager to see what the test would reveal. "So, the first person is, of course, Princess Ravenna Thorne!" Lilith announced, her tone tinged with respect. Ravenna stepped forward without hesitation, her presence commanding the attention of everyone in the room. She placed her hand on the sphere, and it began to glow with an intense light. The students watched with bated breath as the light faded, revealing the results inside the crystal sphere. Within the sphere, two balls of light appeared¡ªa green one and a brown one, resembling the elements of nature and wood. "Princess Ravenna, your affinity is with the Nature and Wood elements¡ªa truly mesmerizing combination!" Lilith declared. The room buzzed with excitement. The Nature element was complex and rare, not often seen among the students. While Wood was well-known, Nature magic was far more intricate. It wasn''t used for healing as Light magic was, but it could grow trees in seconds, negate all kinds of poisons, and even grant stamina boosts. The students were in awe of such a powerful combination. "As for your ESR talent, it''s 80%¡ªan A Grade talent!" Lilith added, causing an uproar among the students. Gasps and whispers filled the hall, everyone stunned by the revelation. An A Grade talent was extremely rare, something very few people possessed. But while the others marveled, Esdeath remained unfazed. She let out a small sigh of disappointment and thought, "She might have an affinity for Nature and Wood, but her real ESR talent is only C Grade. They''re faking it to protect the kingdom''s reputation. Too bad for her, but because of this, the princess is already in the palm of my hand." A sly smile tugged at the corners of Esdeath''s lips as she observed the scene. The students clapped, some admiring Ravenna as she gracefully made her way back to her place. The admiration in the room was almost palpable. "Next is Sylvania Nyxaria," Lilith announced. Sylvania stepped forward, her heart pounding but her face determined. She placed her hand on the sphere, and again, the light began to swirl and shift before settling into three distinct colors¡ªblue, white, and grey. "Your affinities are Wind, Water, and Earth," Lilith said, her voice holding a hint of surprise. "Such a versatile combination!" The students murmured in amazement. Three elements were rare enough, but Sylvania had managed to possess three with such natural ease. It was an impressive feat. "Your ESR talent is 70%¡ªa B Grade talent!" Lilith added. The students clapped, though the excitement was slightly less than before, still high for such a strong talent. Sylvania smiled, feeling a mix of pride and relief. As she stepped back, she couldn''t help but glance at Ethan, who gave her an encouraging nod. "And now, Corin Reynold," Lilith called out. Corin walked up, his face still twisted with anger from the earlier confrontation with Ethan. He shot a glare at Ethan before placing his hand on the sphere. The sphere glowed, revealing a bright red light. "Your affinity is Fire," Lilith said with a knowing nod. "A strong and aggressive element." Corin''s lips curled into a smirk, but it quickly faded as Lilith continued. "Your ESR talent is 68%¡ªalso a B Grade talent," she announced. The students clapped, though there was a noticeable lack of enthusiasm. Corin''s earlier behavior had soured their opinion of him. Corin clenched his fists, his pride wounded, but he kept his head high as he returned to his place, still seething with anger. One by one, other students followed, each placing their hands on the sphere and revealing their affinities and talents. Some had single elements, others two, and a few rare cases had three like Sylvania. The hall was filled with a mix of awe, jealousy, and admiration as each result was revealed. "And the next person is Callista Seraphine," Lilith announced, her voice steady as she called the name. Callista stepped forward with her usual grace, but unlike before, the room was noticeably quieter. There was no buzz of excitement; everyone already assumed what would happen. She placed her delicate hand on the sphere, and as expected, a golden light immediately appeared, signaling her affinity with Light magic. But then, something else began to form inside the sphere, another element that was starting to reveal itself. Before anyone could figure out what the second element was, Lilith quickly moved in front of the sphere, blocking the view and covering half of it. Her movements were swift, almost frantic, as if she couldn''t allow the other element to be seen. "Callista''s element is Light, and her ESR talent is 72%¡ªa B Grade!" Lilith announced in a rushed tone. Without missing a beat, she turned towards Callista and whispered in her ear, "Meet me after class." Callista nodded calmly, not showing any reaction to the odd exchange, and turned to walk back to her place. "Next is Violet Vondarion," Lilith called out. Violet stepped forward, her eyes locked on Ethan with a determined gaze. She clenched her fists tightly as she approached the sphere, her heart pounding with anticipation. She placed her hand on the sphere, and it began to glow with an intense light. When the glow finally settled, the sphere showed a vibrant purple light. "Your element is Gravity," Lilith announced, her voice filled with admiration. "It will be a powerful combination with a heavy sword. As for your ESR talent, it''s 85%¡ªan A Grade!" The room erupted in gasps and whispers once again. Two A Grades in one year¡ªit was unheard of, truly a miracle. Violet couldn''t help but look at Ethan, her eyes sparkling with pride. She gave a little jump of excitement, feeling a sense of superiority over Sylvania. Ethan smiled back at her, already knowing this was going to happen, but still feeling proud. S§×ar?h the N?vel(F)ire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "And now, Maruti¡­ Ummm, no surname? Whatever, whoever is named Maruti, come forward," Lilith called out, sounding slightly unsure. A girl with tanned skin, vermilion hair, and a fat body slowly stepped forward. As she walked, the room''s atmosphere shifted. Disappointment was evident on the faces of the students; some even turned their gazes away, clearly uninterested. Maruti''s shoulders slumped, feeling the weight of their judgment as she approached the sphere. She placed her hand on the sphere, her heart heavy with anxiety. The sphere glowed once more, revealing her affinities. "Your affinities are Fire and Light, and your ESR talent is 65%¡ªa B Grade," Lilith announced. But instead of applause or excitement, the room was filled with mocking laughter. "Pfff¡­ that fat girl thinks she''s going to become a saintess?" one student sneered, his voice dripping with disdain. Another student whispered loudly to his friend, "Can you imagine her trying to cast Light magic? What a joke!" A group of girls giggled cruelly, "She''d better stick to cooking if she wants to be useful." The insults came one after another, each one cutting deeper into Maruti. She knew she wasn''t what they expected, but the harsh words still stung. As she made her way back, Lilith''s voice rang out again, calling the next name. "Luna Cassia, Earth affinity with a 58% refinement rate, a C grade talent," Lilith announced without much enthusiasm. Luna had stayed up all night at her friend''s dorm, and the fatigue showed in her eyes. She knew a C grade wasn''t impressive, but she still forced a smile, trying to maintain some semblance of optimism as she returned to her place. Lilith then shifted her tone slightly, calling out the next name with a hint of personal connection. "Kaelith Maranthia." The room went silent as Kaelith, Lilith''s own daughter, approached the sphere. Her steps were deliberate and heavy, creating an atmosphere of palpable tension. It was as if everyone already knew something extraordinary was about to happen. Kaelith placed her hand on the sphere, and in an instant, it burst into a blinding light, transforming the crystal into a pure white gem. "Kaelith Maranthia," Lilith declared, her voice void of surprise, "affinity with all elements and a 95% refinement rate, an A grade." Gasps filled the hall as students stared in disbelief. Fear and a sense of inferiority rippled through the crowd. "A... A monster," one student whispered, unable to comprehend the magnitude of Kaelith''s abilities. "This must be some sort of cheating! How could anyone surpass her? How us she even a student?" another added, his voice tinged with desperation. But Kaelith''s expression remained mixed of annoyed,irritated, bored and disdain. She scoffed at the spectacle she had just caused. "Just some bullshits," she muttered under her breath. Without waiting for further instructions, she turned on her heel and marched out of the academy hall, leaving behind a stunned silence. "I don''t need any weapons to fight,I''m leaving," she declared arrogantly, as she, leaves academy halls. Affinity Test (2) As the students watched in weary silence, Lilith announced the next name, "Valeria Olyndra." sea??h th§× ¦ÇovelFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. A high elf stepped forward, her long neon green hair flowing gracefully down her back, her pointy ears unmistakable. Valeria''s enchanting, slim figure drew the eyes of many, though the class was already overwhelmed by the sheer number of powerful talents revealed today. She moved with an ethereal grace as she placed her hand on the crystal sphere. The sphere glowed softly, revealing two colors intertwined within it¡ªa gentle green and a vibrant yellow. "Your affinity is Wind and Nature," Lilith declared. "And your ESR talent is 85%, an A Grade!" A heavy silence fell over the class. Four A-grade talents in one year? It felt like life itself was mocking the other students, driving home their own shortcomings. It was a humiliation that weighed heavily on everyone, making them feel small and insignificant. But deep down, most knew that elves were different. Elves, being closely connected to nature, had a natural advantage when it came to magical refinement. A-grade talents were common among their kind, though their population was scarce. Lilith quickly moved on. "Next is Eldon Karthanis," she called. A boy with fiery red hair and golden eyes stepped forward. A noticeable scar ran across his neck, adding to his striking appearance. Despite his strong features, there was something haunting about him. Esdeath''s eyes followed him closely, a sly smile tugging at the corners of her lips. "Eldon Karthanis," she mused to herself. "The most hated character in Free Life Fantasy. Not because he was evil or villainous¡ªno, he actually ends up joining Ethan''s party. But the developers gave him a sci-fi twist, making him the team''s sharpshooter. Rifles, snipers, guns... it should have been cool, but instead, he was like Sakura from Naruto¡ªa trash character. He always missed his shots at the worst times, causing endless trouble for everyone else." Her eyes narrowed, her thoughts darkening. "And the most important thing is, this is the person I''ll have to kill first." Eldon stepped up to the sphere and placed his hand on it. The sphere responded with a dull glow, revealing his results. "Your affinity is Wind magic," Lilith announced. "And your ESR talent is 50%, a C grade." The light faded, and with it, Eldon''s hope seemed to dim as well. He looked down, visibly saddened by the result. A C grade was nothing compared to the talents that had been revealed before him. The disappointment was written all over his face. Esdeath observed him with a smirk. "So even in this world, you''re still a disappointment," she thought. Eldon glanced around, his golden eyes meeting Esdeath''s for a brief moment. He quickly looked away, clearly uncomfortable under her gaze. He stepped back, trying to blend into the crowd. When Lilith called out, "Next is Claus Clandestine," a hush fell over the room. A girl with golden hair that shimmered like the sun and piercing green eyes stepped forward confidently. She was the future villainess in the game, the one who would later make Violet''s life difficult. Claus approached the sphere with an air of superiority, her gaze unwavering as she placed her hand on the crystal surface. The sphere began to glow with an intense light that flickered like a storm. Lilith watched the sphere carefully before announcing, "Your affinity is lightning, and your ESR talent is 70%, a B-grade talent." A round of applause echoed through the hall as many students clapped, admiring her result. Claus allowed a small, satisfied smile to curve her lips, her confidence bolstered by the recognition. As she made her way back, her eyes held a glimmer of pride. "Next is Ethan Rothslayer," Lilith announced, and immediately, every gaze turned to Ethan. The tension in the room grew palpable. He was the one who had topped the academy''s written exam¡ªwhat kind of results would he produce now? Ethan walked towards the sphere slowly, his mind racing with thoughts. "Affinity, ESR talent... In my previous life, I thought these two things determined how far a person could go," he mused, a shadow of sadness crossing his features. "But later, I realized how naive I was. Affinity is nothing but a crutch, something that helps in the beginning. In the end, what really matters is your determination and the bonds you forge with the elements and the elemental spirits. If you work hard enough, You can become saint or a mage or specialize in any element, As for ESR talent, You can raise it by using rare essence stone who are capable of increasing ESR talent. " With renewed resolve, Ethan reached the sphere and placed his hand on it. The sphere remained dim for a moment, then flickered weakly. Lilith''s eyes widened slightly in surprise before she composed herself. "No talent for any element and an ESR talent of 65%, a B-grade," she announced. The hall was silent for a moment before Corin''s mocking laughter cut through the air. "Pfttt... Haha... All bark and no bite!" he sneered, unable to contain his glee at Ethan''s mediocre result. But Ethan just smiled, unfazed. He had already expected this outcome and knew that it did not define his future. He walked back to his place calmly, without any hint of disappointment. As Lilith called out, "Next is Esdeath Crimson," the room grew quiet, and all eyes turned toward her. The tension was palpable as everyone wondered what her affinity would be. If it were dark, many feared it might connect her to the demon king. However, some, like Lilith, Ethan, and a few other teachers, knew better. They understood that having a dark element didn''t necessarily link someone to the demon king, but it could still indicate something sinister. Ethan''s thoughts echoed this, as he watched her closely. "I know dark element doesn''t automatically mean she''s evil, but if she is¡­ I''ll have to deal with her." Esdeath, unfazed by the stares, stepped forward. "Affinity? ESR talent? What does it matter when you have a system," she thought with a smirk. She didn''t care what the results would be. For her, true power wasn''t in the element itself but in how it was wielded. "Element..You don''t have to use them like tools or make friends with them, Creating an grea bond," she mused, a sinister smile playing on her lips. "You''ll have to command them, like you''re their superior, bending them to your will whenever and wherever you want." As she approached the sphere, she couldn''t help but think about the assumptions others were making. "Do they really think I''ll get the dark element just because I have black hair? Fools, Do they even know what element demon king had?....Black hair doesn''t mean dark element. Besides, I already know who has the dark element¡­ Too bad. If I had gotten it, I would''ve been an overpowered character" She thought of advantages of dark element while placing her hand on the sphere, her expression unreadable. The sphere glowed brightly, causing gasps around the room, but the results shocked everyone. "Your affinity is Wind and Fire element, and your ESR talent is 55%, a C grade," Lilith announced., "Hmmm.. Not bad, She is an average, despite awakening at seventeen, Although I don''t know what Lortell''s reaction will be? " She thought with a small smile. The room erupted into whispers and laughter. "What the heck? I thought she''d get the dark element or something¡­ What a letdown!" someone muttered. Others joined in, mocking her results. "Damn, I was scared of nothing,She is a human after all" a girl whispered in embarrassment. Luna, too, felt a flush of embarrassment creep over her. "Shit, now I look like a fool, running away from our room thinking she''s a monster¡­ What face do I show now?" she thought, biting her lip. After Esdeath, the rest of the students lined up to place their hands on the sphere. One by one, they stepped forward. Some students managed to get C grade talents, while many commoners ended up with D grades, which drew some disappointed looks and murmurs among the crowd. Valeria Olyndra, who had earlier been revealed as an A grade talent, was promptly promoted from Class B to Class A. This stirred a mix of envy and admiration among the other students. As the minutes ticked by, student after student went through the affinity test. The once eager crowd now felt the weight of the long session. The excitement that had filled the room earlier had faded into quiet exhaustion. Lilith, who had been overseeing the entire process, showed clear signs of weariness. She let out a sigh and finally addressed the students, "Now, finally, it''s time for weapon selection!" --------------------------------------------------------------------- Tell me how many of you thought, Ethan or Esdeath will get A grade talent or special element? Weapon Selection Lilith, who had been overseeing the entire process, showed clear signs of weariness. She let out a sigh and finally addressed the students, "Now, finally, it''s time for weapon selection!" Her voice carried a hint of relief as she descended the stairs, her steps slow but purposeful. The other teachers quickly fell in line behind her, and the students, curious and eager, followed closely. Within a minute, they arrived at the academy garden. But unlike earlier in the day, the garden was now filled with an array of weapons, each gleaming under the sunlight. Scythes, broadswords, daggers, various types of wands, pistols, bows, gauntlets, and more lay before them, like an arsenal prepared for a great battle. The students'' eyes lit up at the sight. It was as if the sheer number of weapons had ignited something within them¡ªa sense of excitement and anticipation. Lilith turned to face the students, her expression serious. "Now, all of you, go and choose your weapons. But I''m warning you, think carefully before making your choice,You can''t change it for next six months." Without hesitation, the students began to move. Without a doubt Ethan walked towards a long sword, his hand closing around its hilt with a determined grip. Corin, noticing Ethan''s choice, followed suit and picked up a broadsword, his competitive spirit clearly driving his decision. Violet, with her usual composed demeanor, selected a heavy sword, feeling the weight of it in her hands. Sylvania, on the other hand, opted for a wand, its intricate design catching her eye as she imagined the spells it could cast. Calista Seraphine, with her healing nature, naturally gravitated towards a wand designed specifically for priests. The soft glow emanating from it resonated with her, promising to amplify her abilities. The princess with pink hair, exuding elegance, chose a whip, its slender length a reflection of her poised yet dangerous nature. Valeria Olyndra, the elfen girl with her affinity for wind magic, picked up a bow. The sleek design of the weapon, combined with her natural talent, made it the perfect choice for her. Lilith observed the students as they made their choices, her eyes sharp despite her weariness. Each selection told her something about the student¡ªwho they were, what they aspired to be, and how they viewed the challenges ahead. She nodded slightly, acknowledging the significance of this moment, knowing that these choices could shape their futures in the academy. But Lilith''s face turned uneasy as she saw Esdeath walking straight toward the pistols and picking one up. Her usually calm demeanor shifted into concern, and she wasn''t the only one who felt it. "Wait a minute, are you sure you want to take that?" Caelum Nyvaris, a C-rank teacher with a worried expression, spoke up. His voice was filled with genuine concern as he approached Esdeath. "I know pistols have fast attacks," he continued, "but you shouldn''t choose it. It only gives you an advantage in the beginning. As students learn more and become stronger, pistols will become useless. There''s a limit to how much power you can pack into a bullet." Caelum wasn¡¯t wrong. At first, pistols seemed like a good choice¡ªquick, easy to use, and effective against weaker opponents. But as students grew stronger and more skilled, the drawbacks of a pistol would start to show. Unlike other weapons, where the power increased with the wielder''s mana and spellcasting ability, guns had a hard cap. Mana bullets could only hold so much power, and no matter how much your mana increased, the gun wouldn''t enhance your range, power, or penetration. If you tried to force more power into it, the gun would simply explode, injuring the user instead of the enemy. But there was another reason why pistols were looked down upon. That is called "Society". Do you ever hear of a fantasy hero who used a gun as their main weapon? Of course not. No one ever imagined a hero wielding a gun in a world of magic and swords. Guns were originally created for non-awakened people, those who couldn''t use magic, so they could defend themselves by using normal bullets instead of mana bullets. It was a tool for those without other options, not for someone with the potential to wield more powerful weapons. The other students watched this interaction closely, some whispering among themselves. They understood the reasoning behind Caelum''s words, and some even nodded in agreement. Choosing a pistol felt like settling for less, like throwing away the potential for true power. "Here, I can even give you a demo!" Caelum Nyvaris declared confidently, grabbing a gun and pointing it directly at his own forehead. "Bang!" He pulled the trigger. The sound of the gunshot echoed through the air, and many students gasped in shock, their hearts pounding in their chests. But what happened next left everyone speechless. The bullet, despite being fired at such close range, couldn¡¯t penetrate Caelum¡¯s forehead. It didn¡¯t even leave a scratch. "See?" Caelum said, lowering the gun. "Even with wind magic, you can only increase your bullet''s range by 10%, and with fire magic, you might boost the power by 15%. But beyond that, there''s no real growth. No matter what you do, you won¡¯t get stronger with this weapon. I highly advise you to choose a bow, like student Valeria Olyndra," he added, pointing towards the elven girl who had just selected her weapon. S~ea??h the Novel?ire(.)ne*t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. But Esdeath''s response was far from grateful. "Thanks, but did I ever tell you to give me this one hell of an explanation?" she replied, her voice sharp and full of attitude. There was no sign of gratitude, only fierce defiance. Lilith, observing the exchange, sighed deeply. "She''s as arrogant and stubborn as Lortell," she thought to herself as she turned and left the academy hall without another word. It was clear to her that Esdeath wasn¡¯t going to listen to reason. The other students and teachers couldn¡¯t help but sigh as well. To them, Esdeath seemed like a complete fool, someone who was throwing away her future by making such a reckless decision. But just as the tension began to settle, another voice rang out. "I''m taking a gun too!" It was Eldon Karthanis, one of the most disliked characters in Free Life Fantasy, known for his poor decisions. He would later join Ethan¡¯s party, also wielding a gun. This time, no one even bothered to explain anything to him. The teachers and students knew it was pointless. With that, after about half an hour, all of the students finally selected their weapons. As they made their choices, the teachers watched closely, already beginning to predict the paths these young talents might take. Ethan, with his confident grip on a long sword, seemed destined for the Sword Saint path. Violet, who had chosen a heavy sword, might walk the path of a Berserker, her strength and determination guiding her. Calista Seraphine, with her gentle demeanor and healing wand, would likely follow the path of a Healer. Sylvain, clutching a wand meant for powerful magic, seemed on track to become an Arch-mage. The teachers could almost see the future unfolding before their eyes, each student''s journey starting to take shape. As the selection came to an end, many students began to make their way back to their classes. It was only the first day, so there had only been one lecture. The rest of the time had been taken up by the affinity test and weapon selection. Calista Seraphine, a standout among her peers, was also heading back to Class A. As the only one not wearing the school uniform, she was impossible to miss. A bright smile lit up her face as she walked, her footsteps light and full of purpose. But suddenly, she felt the weight of someone¡¯s head resting on her shoulder. Startled, she turned to see a girl with jet-black hair and deep, blood-red eyes¡ªEsdeath Crimson. The chill in Esdeath''s voice was unmistakable as she whispered, "I know everything that¡¯s going on in your Church Kingdom." The words hit Calista like a bolt of lightning. Her eyes widened in shock, fear, and frustration. It was as if the ground beneath her had shifted, leaving her unsteady and vulnerable. How could Esdeath know? The fear of her secrets being exposed caught her completely off guard, and she struggled to maintain her composure. As Esdeath watched Calista¡¯s reaction, a series of notifications appeared in her mind, each one fueling her dark satisfaction. <1000 SP rewarded> ------------------------------------------------------------------------- Hmm.... Can anyone tell me, Why every author gives their discord link? what exactly happens there? well whatever, I can finally start the back story of lortell. Purpose Of Life? In the Anastasia Kingdom, the roles of the three division commanders and their groups were clear-cut but crucial to the kingdom''s stability and power. The First Division was the kingdom''s shield, sworn to protect the royal family and their invaluable treasures. Their dedication was unmatched, as their primary duty was ensuring the safety and well-being of the monarch and those closest to the throne. They were the silent guardians, always present yet never seen, their loyalty to the crown unquestionable. The Second Division held the weighty responsibility of governing the kingdom''s laws and maintaining order. They were the architects of justice, the ones who shaped the very rules by which the kingdom lived. As the main rulers of the police force and guards, they held immense power, ensuring that the streets of Anastasia remained safe and that its people were protected. Their authority was unparalleled, giving them the final say in all matters of law enforcement and public safety. The Third Division that cast the darkest shadow. This group was unlike any other, for it was made up entirely of notorious criminals¡ªindividuals whose crimes were so heinous that ordinary people could barely comprehend them. These were men and women who had been destined for execution, their fates sealed by the terrible deeds they had committed. Yet, before the final sentence could be carried out, a new idea emerged among the kingdom''s highest authorities. Despite their wickedness, these criminals possessed extraordinary talents and powers, abilities that could not be easily found or replicated. No one wanted to squander such potential. And so, the Third Division was born¡ªa collection of the most dangerous individuals from both the Anastasia Kingdom and beyond. Their mission was one of grim necessity: to eliminate monsters and demons that threatened the kingdom, and to carry out the darkest tasks that others would not dare to do. They were the kingdom''s dirty secret, employed for torture, kidnapping, terrorism, and all manner of evil deeds that needed to be hidden from the public eye. But such criminals could not be easily controlled. Many commanders tried and failed to lead them, with strict discipline and harsh measures proving ineffective. It seemed impossible to tame such a group, and after more than fifteen failed attempts, despair began to set in. Then, when hope was nearly lost, they found her¡ªthe one who could finally command these monsters in human form. She was not some hulking warrior, a wise old man, or a legendary beast like a dragon or phoenix. No, she was something entirely unexpected: a nineteen-year-old girl, just on the brink of turning twenty. She was the sure hit queen Lortell Mariette, the daughter of the arch-duke. ... A figure cloaked in darkness emerged, her presence as intoxicating as it was terrifying. Long, silvery hair cascaded over her shoulders, glowing with an ethereal light that contrasted starkly against the black, intricately designed lace veil she wore. Her eyes, twin pools of crimson fire, radiated an unsettling yet mesmerizing intensity, drawing in those who dared to meet her gaze. The delicate porcelain of her skin only served to enhance the sharpness of her features, framing a face that was both hauntingly beautiful and fiercely regal. Her attire was a masterpiece of gothic elegance¡ªan ensemble of raven-black adorned with blood-red accents that seemed to pulse with a life of their own. The bodice, tightly fitted and laced with crimson threads, accentuated her flawless figure, while the intricate patterns of her dress, woven with blood magic, hinted at untold power. From her neck to her waist, the dark fabric was studded with glowing red jewels, like embers from a dying fire, each one a testament to her dominance and allure. As she moved, the long, flowing sleeves of her garment swayed like shadows, their edges embroidered with symbols of ancient power. A single, Red coloured glowing badass long sword was strapped to her side, its hilt encrusted with the same red jewels, signaling her readiness for both battle and bloodshed. Everything about her¡ªfrom her ominous attire to her mesmerizing eyes¡ªspoke of a beauty that was as deadly as it was captivating, a dark angel whose very presence could bring kingdoms to their knees. She was none other than Lortell Mariette. Lortell Mariette stood in the middle of a vast battlefield, a large field that stretched endlessly under the sky. From the southern side, an ominous sight unfolded as waves of monsters began to emerge, their twisted forms charging forward with a ferocity that could shake the bravest of souls. But this was not a job for the faint-hearted¡ªit was a task given to the Third Division, a group feared by all, a group led by Lortell herself. The field had turned into a gruesome landscape, a land of death and decay. Countless monsters and demons lay strewn across the ground, their bodies lifeless and broken. The air was thick with the stench of blood, a mixture of colors that painted the earth¡ªa deep red from some, a sickly green from others, and even a strange purple that oozed from the more unnatural creatures. It was a macabre scene, yet Lortell walked among the corpses with an air of indifference, her expression as cold and unfeeling as the dead around her. With each step, her boots crunched over bones and squelched through pools of blood, but she paid no mind to the horror beneath her feet. After a few steps, she stopped and, without a second thought, drove her long red sword into the ground. The blade, stained with the blood of countless enemies, stood firm in the earth as she lifted her gaze to the sky above, her face expressionless. "Verdes, how many monster waves remain?" Her voice was calm, almost detached, as if she were speaking to herself. But she wasn''t alone. Scattered around her were members of the Third Division, each as dangerous and unpredictable as the next. One of them, a man with unruly green hair and matching eyes, lay atop a pile of monster corpses as if they were nothing more than a bed. His face bore a mischievous grin, a blend of arrogance and charm that made him seem like a troublemaker who thrived in chaos. He casually chewed on a piece of meat, his attitude completely at odds with the carnage around him. "Dunno," he replied with a lazy shrug, not bothering to lift his head from his grisly bed. "Just kill them till they stop appearing. Who cares how many there are, anyway?" He chuckled at his own joke, the sound of his laughter echoing eerily across the battlefield. "Don''t listen to him, Lady Mariette," a concerned voice called out, cutting through the battlefield''s eerie silence. It was a woman, dressed in a nun''s costume, but there was something strikingly different about her. She wore a black blindfold that completely covered her eyes, and her skin was as white as a ghost''s. Despite her religious garb, an unsettling dark aura radiated from her, as if she was cloaked in shadows. Her name was Meldia, known far and wide as the Dark Nun. An A-rank awakened, she was one of the most feared criminals in the kingdom. Even the bravest of warriors would tremble at the mere sight of her. But here, in the midst of the Third Division, she was almost like a caretaker, watching over Lortell with a mix of concern and respect. "You''ve been fighting for three days straight without any sleep," Meldia continued, her voice filled with worry. "I think you should get some rest before the next wave comes." Lortell didn''t respond immediately. Her gaze remained fixed on the sky, lost in her own thoughts. The seconds ticked by in silence, the air heavy with anticipation. Finally, she spoke, her voice calm but resolute. "No, I can''t stop. If we continue at this pace, it will take at least three to four months to finish this." She placed one hand over her chest, her fingers curling into a tight fist as if she were holding onto something deep within her. "I''ve waited nine whole years, and it''s about to become ten. Everyone knows me for my strength, but even I have my limits. I can''t afford to wait another three or four months. I''ll end this in less than two months, and if possible, in just one." Sear?h the N?velFire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Her words were filled with determination, a burning passion that seemed to light up her usually cold eyes. This was not just a battle for her¡ªit was something far more personal, something she was willing to push herself to the brink for. Verdes, still lounging on his pile of monster corpses, chuckled at her intensity. "Hehehe... Did our little vampire kiddo find a boyfriend?" he teased, his voice dripping with playful sarcasm. But before he could say more, Meldia cut him off sharply. "Shh... Don''t call her a vampire out here in the open. Who knows who might hear you!" Verdes rolled his eyes, clearly unbothered by her warning. "What can they do anyway? Protest against the kingdom? We know too many of the kingdom''s secrets. Even if the public demands something, the kingdom can''t do a thing to our vampire kiddo. Am I right?" He turned to Lortell, waiting for her response, a smirk still playing on his lips. Lortell stood silently, her gaze fixed on the vast, open sky above her. The field around her was eerily quiet, filled with the lifeless bodies of fallen monsters and demons, but her thoughts were somewhere else entirely. For a brief moment, she seemed lost in her own world, contemplating something far deeper than the battle they had just fought. Without turning her head, she suddenly spoke, her voice soft and thoughtful, "Verdes, what is your purpose in life?" Verdes, lounging on a pile of monster corpses as if they were nothing more than cushions, blinked in surprise. The question was unexpected, coming out of nowhere. For a second, he was caught off guard, but then a mischievous smirk spread across his face. "Purpose of life, huh? Never really thought about it, but since you''re asking, I guess¡­ I''d like to have a lot of money, buy a big mansion, marry three or four maidens, and have a bunch of kids. Hahaha!" His laughter echoed across the field, carefree and full of life. Lortell''s expression remained unchanged, but she nodded slightly. "Not bad... Not bad at all," she said, her tone carrying a hint of approval. Curiosity piqued, Verdes tilted his head, his green eyes narrowing slightly. "But why ask? He paused, and then, in a more casual tone, added, "Now that you''ve asked about mine, what about you? What''s your purpose in life? You''ve got money, power, status¡ªpretty much everything anyone could want. Is there still something you''re looking for?" Lortell exhaled deeply, her eyes still searching the sky as if looking for something only she could see. "My purpose in life¡­," she began, her voice growing softer, almost as if she was speaking to herself. "I already found it¡­ more than nine years ago." Her words trailed off, filled with a deep, unspoken emotion. As she spoke, memories from her past began to surface, moments she had buried deep within her heart. The first time she had fallen in love, the overwhelming feelings that had driven her to become the person she was today¡ªit all came rushing back. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Yo! I have three version''s of Lortell, all three of them have same appearance as I describe, so please tell me, Who is the most perfect one.? Verson no. 1 This is the primary version and also this was the costume she is wearing currently, that i described in my chapter. Second version is :- And the third is :- Trip To Swann… "Disgusting... Disgusting... Disgusting..." Everything tastes disgusting. A young girl, barely nine years old, with long silver hair and skin as pale as snow, sat by the window of her grand room, gazing out at the sky. Her deep red eyes, sharp and intense, were fixed on the vast expanse above. The word "disgusting" echoed in her mind, over and over again. This girl was none other than Lortell Mariette, the arch-duke''s daughter, living in a luxurious palace that most people couldn''t even dream of. The walls were adorned with gold, the floors polished to a mirror-like shine, and the rooms were filled with treasures beyond imagination. Yet, none of it seemed to matter to her. The beauty of the mansion didn''t stir even the slightest emotion in her heart. Lortell''s face remained expressionless as she let out a soft sigh. Without a second thought, she jumped down from the window, landing gracefully on the floor of her room. She turned back, her eyes no longer on the sky but on the garden below, where other children her age were playing. Down in the garden, laughter and chatter filled the air. A group of children were running around, their faces lit with joy and excitement. But Lortell remained distant, detached from their happiness. "Hey, are you going to do it today, or are you just all talk?" one boy teased his friend. "I know, Gotham," the other boy replied, glancing nervously towards Lortell''s window. "I wanted to talk to Lortell, but her red eyes and that vampire-like skin give me chills. And that expressionless face of hers... it makes any conversation feel so awkward. But I have to get her interested in me, no matter what." Gotham, the first boy, frowned, unease flickering in his eyes. "Sectric, I know what you mean, but she''s the future arch-duke. My parents said that even if she turns out to be a vampire, I still have to make her fall for me!" Sectric chuckled, a sly grin spreading across his face. "Not a bad idea. She is incredibly beautiful... I guess it''s worth the risk. Hahaha!" Lortell stood in her room, watching them from afar. The distance between them was great, much too far for an ordinary person to hear what they were saying. But Lortell was no ordinary girl. Every word they spoke reached her ears as clearly as if she were standing right beside them. "I can hear you," she muttered softly, her voice barely above a whisper. She turned away from the window, no longer interested in the outside world. In the grand halls of the palace, the maids whispered to each other in hushed tones, their voices filled with fear. "It''s been two years since Lady Mariette awakened as a vampire, but I still have nightmares about it," one of the maids confessed, her hands trembling slightly. "We can''t even quit this job. If we do, the arch-duke will kill us. We know too much about this huge secret." "Right," another maid agreed, her face pale with worry. "And if the secret gets out, we''ll be the first ones to die. Oh dear, when will we ever be free from this misery?" Back in her room, Lortell could hear every word they said, even though they were far away. She muttered to herself, "I can hear you too... You... You... And you... I can hear everyone in this palace." Her voice was calm, almost indifferent, but beneath it lay a deep well of emotions¡ªfeelings that she kept hidden from everyone, locked away inside her heart. Despite the luxurious surroundings, despite her status and power, Lortell felt more isolated and distant than ever. The world around her was full of noise, yet all she could hear was the emptiness echoing within her. Lortell Mariette walked through the grand halls of her palace, the sound of her heels echoing against the marble floors. Each step was measured, deliberate, as if she were gliding through the vast, empty spaces. But her mind was far from the beauty of her surroundings. "Why do they fear me so much?" she mused, her thoughts circling like a predator around its prey. The servants, the guards, even the nobles¡ªthey all seemed to tremble in her presence. Yet she could not grasp the reason behind their terror. As she continued down the corridor, her thoughts deepened. "Fear¡­ what is it, really?" Lortell''s brow furrowed in confusion. She had seen fear in others¡ªseen it in their eyes, heard it in their voices¡ªbut she herself had never felt it. It was as foreign to her as the warmth of the sun, a concept she could understand but never truly experience. A sudden realization struck her, stopping her in her tracks. "Now that I think about it, I''ve never felt any emotions in the first place," she whispered to herself, a cold, stark truth settling in. "People fear death¡­ but I don''t. I''ve cut my hands, beheaded myself, and yet I regenerate, time and again. Death holds no meaning for me." She resumed her walk, her thoughts drifting to other emotions. "Anger¡­ I''ve seen it in others¡ªa boss raging at his subordinates, a person lashing out at another. But why would I feel anger at those weaker, poorer, and more pitiful than me? I''ve never felt pity either¡­ because the weak should perish, and the strong should rise. That''s the way of the world." Her gaze drifted over the ornate decorations of the palace, each symbolizing wealth, power, and status. "Greed¡­ happiness¡­ these too elude me," she continued, her voice barely above a whisper. "I''ve never been greedy because I already possess everything one could desire. And happiness¡­ why would I be happy? I was born into wealth, destined to inherit this fortune. What is there to be joyful about?" As she walked further into the palace, her musings took on a cold, detached tone. Emotions were for others, for those who struggled, who feared, who desired. But for Lortell Mariette, emotions were nothing more than abstract concepts, like shadows she could see but never touch. Lortell continued her walk through the grand palace, her steps measured and silent. The further she went, the more the echoes of her heels filled the empty halls until she reached a large room where a group of maids stood chatting. The moment they caught sight of her, their faces drained of color, and they immediately bowed down, their heads lowered in submission. "I''m going to experiment with a new spell," Lortell announced, her voice devoid of any emotion. "Tell everyone to leave the palace." The maids exchanged terrified glances, their eyes wide with fear. Without a moment''s hesitation, they scattered, their voices rising in frantic cries as they hurried to warn everyone. The maids ran through the corridors, shouting for all to evacuate. Children playing in the gardens were quickly sent home, and soon, the once-bustling palace was silent and empty. After a few minutes, every maid and servant had gathered outside the mansion, standing in a nervous huddle as they watched Lortell, who stood at the front, her gaze fixed on the palace. This was not the first time she had done this. In fact, it had become a regular occurrence. Lortell often tested powerful essence stones and spells on her own palace, each time leaving it half-destroyed. But no one ever dared to reprimand her. Her father would simply commission a new palace, each more grand than the last. "Essence of Blood Deity!" Lortell commanded, raising her right hand toward the palace. The air around her seemed to hum with energy. The Essence of blood Deity was an A-Rank essence stone, so powerful that just its aura could reduce anything within a few kilometers to a bloody mess. But Lortell, in her cold precision, only activated a tiny fraction of its power, so small that it was invisible to the naked eye. Yet even that tiny fraction was enough to make the ground tremble. The pressure that descended on the area was immense. All the maids around her began coughing up blood, some collapsing to the ground as their bodies struggled to endure the force. Despite Lortell''s efforts to suppress it, the power was too much for ordinary humans. BAM! A deafening sound split the air as the entire palace was obliterated by an unseen force, collapsing into a massive heap of rubble. The cries and screams of the maids echoed through the courtyard, but their reactions were muted compared to how someone might normally respond to such devastation. They had witnessed this many times before. Lortell lowered her hand, and just as quickly as it had come, the pressure vanished, leaving nothing but the ruins of what had once been a magnificent palace. Where once there had been beauty, there was now only destruction, the palace reduced to tiny pieces of debris. "Restore," Lortell uttered, her voice calm and unwavering. In an instant, it was as if time itself began to rewind. The rubble and broken pieces of the palace started to lift off the ground, fitting back together like a giant puzzle. The maids watched in awe, their eyes wide with disbelief, as the palace was restored to its former glory within seconds. "Dear goodness, what kind of godly magic is this?" one maid whispered in awe, barely able to believe what she had just witnessed. It was a special-grade magic, Restore¡ªa spell that could return any non-living object to the state it had been in up to a month before. And Lortell, with all her cold detachment, wielded it like a divine power. Lortell stared at her clenched fist, the strength in her grip enough to make her knuckles turn white. She let out a sigh, feeling the weight of her thoughts pressing down on her. "Because of being an highest ranked vampire, I can roam freely in daylight and in night I''m invincible, What''s the point of having these godly powers?" she muttered to herself, her voice soft but filled with a mix of frustration and confusion. "What am I supposed to do with them? Save the world? Not interested. Become a villain? Not interested. So then, what should I do? What is the purpose of my life?" Her thoughts spun in circles, going nowhere. She turned her gaze toward the head maid, Lorraine, who was standing nearby. Lorraine was no ordinary maid; she was a B-rank awakened person, strong enough to withstand the earlier pressure without flinching. Lortell''s eyes narrowed slightly as she looked at her. "Lorraine, what is the purpose of my life?" she asked suddenly, her voice laced with a rare hint of curiosity. The question caught Lorraine off guard. She blinked in surprise, trying to grasp what Lortell was asking. "The purpose of your life?" she repeated, clearly puzzled. "I¡­ I don''t know, my lady. Everyone has to find it by themselves." Lortell fell silent, her thoughts once again drifting into the void. "By themselves, huh?" she murmured, almost to herself. The day passed by slowly, the morning sun giving way to the afternoon, then to the evening, and finally, the night. But all through those hours, Lortell''s mind was consumed by one thought¡ªfinding her purpose in life. She sought answers in the only place she thought might help¡ªthe palace library. Time slipped away unnoticed, and soon it was dinner time, but Lortell didn''t come out of the library. Concerned, the head maid sent someone to fetch her. The maid walked into the library, expecting to find Lortell lost in thought or perhaps reading a book. But what she saw made her gasp in shock. There, in the middle of the library, was a massive pile of books, stacked so high they almost touched the ceiling. And on top of that pile, Lortell lay comfortably, using the books as if they were a soft bed. The sight was so strange that the maid could hardly believe her eyes. Lortell sighed, her voice carrying a mix of exhaustion and disappointment. "I''ve read so many books, but I still haven''t found my purpose in life¡­" she said quietly, more to herself than anyone else. Then, as if a switch had flipped, she suddenly sat up, her expression changing from weary to decisive. "I know why you''re here. Let''s go," she said, jumping down from the pile of books with surprising grace. Without another word, Lortell followed the maid out of the library, leaving behind the mountain of books that had given her no answers. .... Lortell entered the dining hall, her steps light yet purposeful. The room, usually filled with the aroma of exquisite dishes, now held a far more unsettling sight. On the dining table, where luxurious meals should have been, a young boy was tied up and his mouth covered, struggling desperately against the ropes that bound him. He was around the same age as Lortell, his face etched with fear and desperation. This was Gotham, the same boy who had once spoken casually about winning Lortell''s affection. But now, fate had placed him here, in the most unimaginable way. The other servants had already left the room, leaving only the head maid to witness what was about to unfold. Lortell''s expression was unreadable as she approached the table, her eyes devoid of any emotion as she looked down at Gotham. His struggles intensified as she leaned closer, her face inches from his neck. Then, without hesitation, she opened her mouth, revealing her sharp fang-like teeth, and bit into his neck. Gotham''s body convulsed as he fought to break free, but the ropes held firm. Lortell began to drink, her face close to his, but after only a few moments, something changed. Her expression twisted in discomfort. She pulled away abruptly, her face contorted as if she had tasted something foul. "Urp... Urp..." Lortell gagged, turning away from the table as she vomited, expelling mouthfuls of blood and whatever else had been in her stomach. The sound of her retching filled the room, each heave a testament to her utter revulsion. When she finally stopped, she stood still for a moment, her breath shaky, before a look of relief crossed her face. "Disgusting... So disgusting," she muttered, wiping her mouth. "He''s just like everyone else. Don''t bother capturing another human from tomorrow. I''m satisfied with animal blood." With that, Lortell turned and left the room without another word, her distaste evident in every step she took. Despite the allure that human blood was supposed to hold, for her, it was nothing but repugnant. The flavor, the texture¡ªeverything about it was wrong. Lortell had tried human blood again and again, hoping for something different, but each time, it was the same. Disgusting. It was why she had settled on animal blood, a tasteless substitute that, though bland, at least didn''t provoke the same violent reaction. S§×ar?h the N?velFire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. The head maid glanced back at Gotham, still trembling and bound on the table, a chilling gaze in her eyes. "Hufff... I brought a kid because I heard fresh young blood tastes better, but who would have thought I''d have to kill an innocent kids now?" she sighed to herself, her voice cold and detached, before turning away for the last time. .... The dim light of the moon slowly faded away as the golden rays of morning began to fill Lortell''s room. The soft glow illuminated the space, casting gentle shadows on the walls. Lortell, still nestled in her bed, finally stirred. She sat up, stretching her arms and letting out a deep yawn, her eyes heavy with sleep. As she blinked away the last traces of drowsiness, her gaze focused on the figure standing quietly at the foot of her bed. It was the head maid, Lorraine, who had been patiently waiting for Lortell to wake up. The moment Lorraine noticed that Lortell was fully awake, she cleared her throat and pulled out a neatly folded letter. "Ahem, ahem..." she began, her voice steady and respectful. "This is a message from your father. He knows that you''ve been feeling quite bored lately, so he''s arranged for you to take a little trip. He suggests you visit a place that''s quiet and filled with green lands, trees, and nature. He has ordered you to go on a vacation to a territory named Swann." Lortell listened as Lorraine read the letter aloud, her expression remaining neutral. When Lorraine finished, Lortell repeated the name softly to herself, as if testing the word on her tongue. "Swann?" Does That Mean We Are Friends? "Hahaha... It''s our greatest honor to serve Lady Mariette!" A man with crimson hair and gray eyes spoke, his voice filled with nervous laughter. It was none other than Esdeath''s father, Baron Nyx Crimson, the ruler of Swann. He stood outside a large countryside house, nothing like the grand mansion it would one day become. Back then, it was just a sizable but simple home¡ªmodest in luxury, yet far better and bigger than the other villagers'' houses nearby. Despite its size, it was still a humble abode compared to the grandeur Lortell Mariette was accustomed to. Esdeath''s father continued rubbing his hands together, a wide grin plastered on his face, unable to contain his excitement and anxiety. In front of him stood the head maid Lorraine, and beside her, Lortell Mariette herself. Lorraine had brought Lortell directly to Baron Nyx Crimson''s home. Lortell, as usual, wore her expressionless face as she took a clear glance at the house in front of her. "It''s nowhere near as big as my palace," she thought, her eyes briefly scanning the building before turning to the lush greenery surrounding the land. "But I suppose it''s not actually a bad place. I can live here for at least a week." The countryside''s quiet charm and natural beauty softened her usual indifference, if only slightly. Behind them were large boxes filled with clothes and other essentials, showing that they were prepared to stay at Esdeath''s house for some time. "I''m going for a walk," Lortell declared, her voice leaving no room for discussion. It wasn''t a question or a request; it was an order. She had only just arrived, but she didn''t bother to even step inside the house. Not that anyone would dare to scold or oppose her decision. She turned on her heel, ready to head out for a walk, but as she took her first step, Nyx Crimson''s voice hesitantly called out. "Umm... If you don''t mind, could I say something?" His voice was filled with concern and nervousness. "Actually, I have a daughter. She doesn''t get along well with others. She might be somewhere nearby, and if you meet her... could you play with her?" He forced a laugh, scratching the back of his head. "She has red eyes, just like you. I think you both might get along well." Nyx intentionally left out the detail about his daughter''s black hair, worrying it might leave a bad impression on Lortell. Lortell paused, turning her cold gaze toward Nyx, her thoughts simmering. "Play? What am I, a newborn child? And with his daughter? Do they think I''m some sort of babysitter?" S~ea??h the N?vel?ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. She stared at him in silence for a few seconds, her expression unreadable. Without a word, she turned back around and continued walking, her steps as deliberate as ever. She didn''t feel the need to respond to such a suggestion, nor did she care to entertain the idea. As she walked away, the air around her seemed to chill, leaving Nyx standing there, unsure whether to be relieved or worried. ..... In a quiet corner of the garden, a little girl, no older than six or seven, knelt on the ground. Her flowing black hair framed a face marked by striking dark red eyes, each eye patterned with multiple rings, adding an eerie depth to her gaze. This was Esdeath. Her small hands, trembling with fear, clutched a book much too large for her tiny frame. She held it tightly against her chest as if it were a shield against the world. Her breaths were shallow, almost gasping, a mix of fear and hopelessness etched across her delicate features. "I said give me that cursed book!" a boy''s angry shout broke through the air as he lunged toward her, trying to snatch the book away. Other children, both boys and girls, crowded around Esdeath, their faces twisted in cruel determination. They all reached out, eager to take the book from her, but Esdeath held on with all her might, refusing to let it go. Summoning all the courage she had left, Esdeath took a deep breath and cried out, "If you become my friend, then I''ll give you this book!" For a moment, silence fell over the group. The children exchanged glances, and then, as if on cue, they burst into laughter. "Hahahahaha..." Their cruel laughter echoed through the garden, taunting her. "Who would even want to be your friend?" sneered one of the boys. "You don''t have the strength or stamina to play any games, and you''re not smart enough either. Just because you can read and write doesn''t make you better than us!" As the boy continued to mock her, a voice suddenly cut through his insults, calm yet commanding. "Umm... excuse me, your voice is irritating. Do you mind going home?" The boy stopped mid-sentence and turned around, only to be met by the sight of a girl with pale, almost vampire-like skin, silver hair, and eyes as red as blood. It was Lortell. "Now who are you? The witch''s big sister?" he sneered, trying to sound tough. Without a word, Lortell''s hand moved swiftly, and the sound of a sharp slap echoed through the garden. The boy didn''t even have time to react before he crumpled to the ground, unconscious from the force of her blow. Lortell remained expressionless, her face a mask of cold indifference. The other children gasped in shock, their eyes widening as they stared at Lortell. Fear gripped them as they realized who stood before them. "Lortell... My name is Lortell Mariette," she said calmly, her voice chillingly devoid of emotion. The mere mention of her name sent waves of terror through the group. One of the kids gasped, "Arch-duke''s daughter Lortell?" The recognition struck them like a bolt of lightning. Without another word, they turned and fled, racing away as fast as their legs could carry them, leaving the boy unconscious on the ground. Esdeath, still clutching her book tightly, looked up at Lortell with wide, astonished eyes. The fear that had gripped her moments ago began to melt away, replaced by a mixture of awe and a small flicker of hope. "Ummm... Thank you so much for saving me!" she said, her voice soft and innocent, filled with gratitude. As the words left Esdeath''s mouth, Lortell finally noticed the little girl before her. She hadn''t even realized she had saved someone from those bullies. But now, as she looked down at Esdeath, something strange struck her. The girl''s dark red eyes and pale skin sparked a thought in Lortell''s mind: "A vampire?" To clarify her suspicion, Lortell stepped closer and placed her hand on Esdeath''s head. She closed her eyes for a brief moment, sensing for any signs of power. But there was nothing¡ªno trace of an awakened person, no hint of anything extraordinary. Lortell realized that she had been mistaken. "Nope, not even an awakened person. I guess that''s what they mean by not judging people by their appearance. Even I was fooled by her features," Lortell thought to herself, her hand still resting on Esdeath''s head. To Esdeath, however, it felt like Lortell was gently patting her head. A bright smile spread across her face, and her cheeks turned a rosy shade of red. It was a simple gesture, but it meant the world to her. As Lortell''s thoughts shifted, she remembered what Nyx had said earlier: "Red eyes... Oh, so she''s his daughter. And if I''m not wrong, this black hair must be the reason everyone avoids her. Hmph, what idiots, as expected of humans¡ªthey only believe what they see!" Disdain filled her mind as she thought about how shallow people could be. With these thoughts, she withdrew her hand from Esdeath''s head, turned around, and began walking away. But before Lortell could take more than a few steps, a small voice called out from behind her, "Does that mean we''re friends?" Lortell stopped and turned her head slightly, taking a clear look at Esdeath, who was staring at her with hopeful eyes. After a brief pause, Lortell spoke, her voice cold and indifferent, "Don''t get full of yourself. I only scared them away because their voices were irritating." With that, Lortell turned back around and continued walking away, leaving Esdeath standing there, still holding her book. Esdeath watched her go, her heart sinking a little. Yet, the faint warmth of Lortell''s touch lingered on her head, and though Lortell''s words were harsh, Esdeath couldn''t help but feel that something had changed. For the first time in a long while, she didn''t feel completely alone. Pain As the afternoon slowly turned into evening, Lortell found herself inside Nyx''s home. A room had been prepared for her, filled with her clothes and other belongings. She stood by the window, staring out at the lush greenery and natural beauty with her usual expressionless face. From the outside, it might have looked like she was enjoying a moment of peace, but that tranquility was soon interrupted. The door creaked open, and Esdeath entered the room. Balancing a large book on her head with her small hands, she also carried a bowl perched on top of it. Her face was lit up with a wide smile, her dark red eyes sparkling with excitement. "Lady Mariette, Lady Mariette! Are you really the Arch-Duke''s daughter? My father told me just now! I made this soup especially for you, to say thank you!" Esdeath''s cheerful voice filled the room, high-pitched and childish, a clear sign of her youth. Lortell turned her head slightly, her gaze landing on Esdeath. For a moment, she couldn''t decide whether she was annoyed by the interruption or simply indifferent. She looked at Esdeath''s eager face, her bright smile, and those eerie yet hopeful eyes. Finally, Lortell sighed inwardly, realizing she couldn''t refuse the girl''s innocent gesture. "Just give it to me and leave," Lortell said, her voice cold as usual, extending her hand while turning her gaze away. Esdeath, eager to please, quickly stepped forward to hand over the bowl. But in her rush, she lost her balance. The book and bowl both slipped from her hands, and she tumbled forward. It all seemed to happen in slow motion¡ªEsdeath falling, the bowl of soup tipping over, ready to crash to the ground. But just as everything was about to hit the floor, a sudden wave of magic filled the room. Lortell, without even turning her head, had cast a spell. The magic caught Esdeath, the book, and the bowl, suspending them all in mid-air. Slowly, Lortell lowered Esdeath gently to the ground, placed the book back on her head, and took the bowl of soup into her own hand. Esdeath, wide-eyed and amazed, looked up at Lortell with admiration. "Wow! You''re so cool!" she exclaimed, her voice full of genuine awe. Lortell glanced down at the girl, her face still expressionless as she took a slow sip of the soup. The warmth of the broth spread through her, and she silently acknowledged the effort Esdeath had put into making it. The taste was surprisingly good, which caused Lortell to reflect, *"Do countryside girls really start cooking at the age of seven?"* As she continued sipping, her gaze shifted to the large book Esdeath was still holding. With her usual indifferent tone, Lortell asked, "What kind of book is that? A cookbook?" Esdeath''s eyes lit up with excitement as she replied, "This? It''s written by Jeanne D''Arc, the Combat Witch!" Lortell raised an eyebrow, a faint trace of interest in her otherwise cold demeanor. "That''s a rare book you have. Give it to me; I''ll return it tomorrow," she said, extending her hand, expecting compliance. But instead of eagerly handing it over, Esdeath hugged the book tightly to her chest and took a step back, her small face determined. "Nope! Say that you''re my friend, and I''ll give it to you!" she declared with a mix of defiance and playfulness. sea??h th§× Novel?ire(.)ne*t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Lortell blinked, slightly taken aback. This was the first time someone had refused her. "It''s an order," she said, her voice a bit louder and firmer than before, a hint of her authority slipping through. But Esdeath stood her ground, her lips pouting slightly as she crossed her arms, "No means no!" she replied, her tone laced with cute stubbornness. Lortell stared at her for a moment, clearly puzzled by the girl''s resistance. With a sigh of dismissal, she turned back to the window, her attention once again focused on the outside world. "Then I don''t need it. Leave," she said, her voice cold and indifferent as she took another sip of the soup. Esdeath sighed in disappointment, her small shoulders drooping. She turned to leave, her footsteps slow and heavy with a sense of defeat. But just as she reached the door, Lortell''s voice stopped her. "This soup¡­ Did you make it?" Lortell asked, her tone softer this time, though still void of much emotion. Esdeath, now a bit frustrated and annoyed, nodded curtly in response, not even turning around. Lortell studied her for a second, trying to gauge whether the girl was telling the truth. After a moment, she nodded slightly to herself. "Hmm¡­ It''s good. I guess you have a talent for cooking. You''ll make a fine wife someday," she added, her tone emotionless, almost as if she was mocking the young girl. However, Lortell''s attempt at humor or mockery went completely unnoticed by Esdeath. Instead, she took it as a sincere compliment. A proud smile spread across her face, her earlier frustration forgotten. With a renewed sense of pride, she walked out of the room, her head held high, feeling triumphant that the Arch-Duke''s daughter had praised her cooking. ... Night had come and gone, and as the morning passed into afternoon, Lortell decided to take a walk in the nearby garden. The sun hung lazily in the sky, casting a warm glow over the lush greenery around her. As she stepped into the garden, a sense of d¨¦j¨¤ vu washed over her, and she couldn''t help but be surprised by the familiar scene unfolding before her eyes. There, sitting on the ground, was Esdeath, surrounded by the same group of kids who were bullying her once again. Lortell paused, her expression calm yet puzzled. "Why does she keep going back to them?" Lortell wondered. It was clear that this wasn''t the first time¡ªEsdeath seemed to do this almost every day. With a resigned sigh, Lortell turned her gaze towards Esdeath. The other kids, noticing her presence, instantly froze in fear, their taunting laughter dying in their throats. But Lortell didn''t spare them even a glance. Her focus remained solely on Esdeath. Without a word, Lortell walked over, grabbing the back of Esdeath''s collar and effortlessly lifting her off the ground. Although there wasn''t much difference in their height and weight, Esdeath felt as light as a feather to Lortell. The other kids watched in silent awe and fear as Lortell carried Esdeath away, leaving them behind. After about ten minutes of walking, Lortell brought Esdeath to the edge of a small mountain cliff. She gently placed her down on the ground, letting her take in the breathtaking view. The landscape stretched out before them, a sea of rolling hills and vibrant greenery. The beauty of the land below was enchanting, and as the sun began to lower in the sky, the scene seemed almost magical. Esdeath''s eyes widened in awe as she gazed out at the view, her earlier distress forgotten. But Lortell, standing beside her, had other things on her mind. "Are you an idiot?" she asked, her voice cold and emotionless, as always. Esdeath turned her head, puzzled by the question. "Why?" she asked, genuinely confused. Lortell''s gaze remained fixed on the horizon as she spoke. "Why? You keep going back to those kids, trying to be friends with them, even though you know they bully you. And it looks like you do this every day. Only an idiot would do that," she said, her tone harsh, but her voice devoid of any real anger or affection. Esdeath''s expression grew serious as she shook her head. "No! You''re wrong!" she replied, her voice firm with conviction. Lortell raised an eyebrow, waiting for her to continue. "They''re just frightened because of my black hair," Esdeath explained, her voice softening. "But when they realize that I''m just a normal human, they''ll all become my friends!" She finished with a determined smile, her eyes sparkling with hope. Lortell, however, didn''t seem impressed. In fact, her expression darkened slightly at Esdeath''s words. "Hmph¡­ Me? Wrong? Nonsense. You think you know everything?" she scoffed, shaking her head in disbelief. "They enjoy bullying you, and it won''t stop¡ªeven if you didn''t have black hair," she added, her voice as cold as ever. With that, Lortell sat down beside Esdeath on the stone ledge of the cliff. The two girls sat there in silence, the wind gently rustling their hair as they stared out at the mesmerizing view below. Despite Lortell''s harsh words, there was a strange sense of calm between them, as if the beauty of the scene had momentarily eased the tension in the air. Esdeath tilted her head, her curiosity getting the better of her. "How about I ask you a question? Why don''t you ever smile?" she asked, her voice filled with genuine wonder. Lortell paused, the question catching her off guard. After a moment of silence, she decided to answer. "Because I can''t feel happiness. Not just that, but I don''t feel any emotions or affection at all," she replied, her voice heavy and serious, a rare hint of something deeper in her tone. But instead of looking sad or concerned, Esdeath smirked. "Like I said, you''re wrong again. It''s not that you can''t feel emotions¡ªyou just subconsciously choose not to feel them!" she said confidently, as if she knew something Lortell didn''t. Lortell turned her face toward Esdeath, her expression cold. "And like I said earlier, this is just more of your nonsense," she replied, thinking to herself, *What am I even doing here, talking to a kid?* She couldn''t help but feel that Esdeath was wasting her precious time. Esdeath, however, wasn''t deterred. "Nope! I read a book¡ªJeanne D''Arc said that every living being has emotions. Sometimes even puppets can grow emotions in them. The only thing you can do is open a pathway for those emotions to flow out!" Esdeath explained, her voice full of determination. Lortell raised an eyebrow, not fully convinced but intrigued enough to listen. Esdeath then pointed down the mountain. "Let''s see¡­ How about I start with them? Can you see those werewolves?" she asked, pointing to a small group of werewolves below. There were three of them¡ªtwo females and one male. The male werewolf was tall, muscular, and quite handsome. One of the females had an injured leg, making it difficult for her to walk, while the other female was in her prime, her fur shiny and captivating. The injured female was the male''s bride, but the younger female was trying to seduce him with all her might. Lortell narrowed her eyes, trying to see what Esdeath was pointing at. "You can see over such a great distance?" she asked, somewhat impressed. "But what about it?" she added, still skeptical. Esdeath smiled, a hint of mischief in her eyes. "What do you think? Who will he choose¡ªthe injured one or the young werewolf?" she asked. Lortell scoffed, her expression turning dismissive. "Hmph¡­ Is that even a question? Just like how humans marry multiple wives for pleasure and strong offspring, animals wouldn''t hesitate to abandon their injured partner and choose someone else. That female is injured and likely infected, probably going to die within a year. She won''t be able to birth strong children either. It''s just a matter of time before he abandons her," she answered with confidence, as if there was no other possible outcome. Esdeath didn''t say anything in response. She simply watched the werewolves below, her eyes fixed on the scene. Lortell, curious despite herself, continued to observe as well. What happened next surprised Lortell more than she expected. Her eyes widened slightly as she saw the male werewolf chase away the younger female, growling at her until she left. Then, he slowly walked over to the injured werewolf and gently nudged her, helping her move forward. "How¡­?" The word escaped Lortell''s lips before she could stop herself. Esdeath turned to her, a gentle smile lighting up her face. "You know what that is? That''s called love," she said softly, as if explaining something as simple as the sky being blue. Lortell felt a strange sensation in her chest, a tightness she couldn''t quite name. She knew, deep down, that for the first time in her life, she might actually be wrong. But admitting it? That was something her pride wouldn''t allow. "Okay," Lortell began, trying to keep her voice steady. "So you see love in them, huh? What about me? What kind of emotion do you see in me?" she asked, hoping that Esdeath would drop the subject and move on. But to her surprise, Esdeath didn''t hesitate. She stood up, her small figure seeming stronger than it had before, and gently placed her soft, small palm on Lortell''s forehead. The touch was warm, almost comforting, but the words that followed sent a chill down Lortell''s spine. "The only thing I see in you is pain," Esdeath said quietly, her eyes full of sincerity. "So much pain." ------------------------------------------------------------------------- Readers:- Can you write a romance between two females? author:- If it''s a romance between two yanderes, Then it might cause me a little trouble. Readers:- But would You Loose? Author:- Nah... I would write... You Just Smiled, Didn’t You? "The only thing I see in you is pain," Esdeath said quietly, her voice gentle but firm. Her eyes, filled with sincerity, locked onto Lortell''s. "So much pain." She took a deep breath, feeling the weight of her words. "I know that having so much power isn''t easy. It''s more suffocating than being just an ordinary person. And your powers¡ªthey''re on a whole different level. Add your status on top of that, and it''s like you''re buried under a mountain of responsibilities. Everyone expects you to act a certain way, to do this, to do that, and you''re left with almost no freedom at all." Esdeath paused for a moment, letting her words sink in. She knew she was speaking the truth, and she could see that truth reflected in Lortell''s eyes. "And I can only imagine how hard it must be for you. Maybe not in front of you, but behind your back, people must say terrible things. They don''t understand you. They judge you, criticize you, and that has to hurt." She could see the impact her words were having. Lortell''s expression hadn''t changed, but Esdeath knew she had hit a nerve. "And that''s why, without even realizing it, you decided to play the role of an emotionless doll. But that was the worst choice you could have made!" Esdeath''s eyes locked onto Lortell''s like a magnet, her gaze intense and unyielding. She wasn''t going to stop until she got through to her. Esdeath turned away, showing her back to Lortell, her voice calm but carrying a deep wisdom. "To forget pain, you don''t need to abandon all your emotions or cut off all your attachments. A person without emotions is nothing but a lifeless corpse. Being strong doesn''t mean you should push away what you feel. Instead, you should take control of your emotions." She paused, gathering her thoughts, then continued with a sense of determination in her voice. "Use your will to do what you want. At first, your emotions might resist. They''ll try to pull you back into your old habits, making you feel lazy, desperate to return to what''s familiar. But in the end, they will have to submit to you, kneeling before you, because you are their master." Esdeath finally turned back to face Lortell, a bright, confident smile lighting up her face. She raised her hand, showing a victory sign with her fingers. "In short, what I''m telling you is, just do whatever the fuck you want, but do it with a smile." S§×arch* The n??el Fire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Lortell stood up abruptly, her face twisting with irritation. "I''ve had enough of your nonsense!" she snapped, her voice sharp as she hurried to leave. But instead of being annoyed or discouraged, Esdeath let out a light chuckle. "I knew it," she said, her tone playful yet confident. "Just now, you felt two emotions¡ªirritation and annoyance¡ªfrom being lectured by some random girl!" Her words echoed through the room as Lortell ignored them, storming out without looking back. As Lortell walked away, Esdeath called out after her, her voice ringing with determination. "I''m not giving up! I''ll make you smile someday, just you wait!" ¡­ Later, in the quiet atmosphere of Nyx''s house, Lortell found herself lost in thought. She turned to Lorraine, her voice soft but tinged with uncertainty. "Lorraine, do I look like someone who''s in pain?" Lorraine was caught off guard by the sudden question. "W-what? No! Of course not!" she stammered, responding quickly without even thinking it through. Lortell seemed a bit more satisfied with that answer, and she returned to her room, trying to push the lingering doubts from her mind. But it didn''t take long for Esdeath to show up again. It was as if she was completely determined, almost relentless. She entered Lortell''s room without hesitation, starting another conversation, then another, and another. She wouldn''t leave Lortell alone. Esdeath began taking Lortell on walks, dragging her outside even when Lortell seemed disinterested. She made her play games, even if it was just for a little while. It wasn''t much, but it was something. The first day passed, and the second day came, with Esdeath repeating the same cycle over and over. She took Lortell to quiet, nature-filled places, slowly but surely trying to reach into her heart. They would sit under the shade of trees, listening to the wind rustling through the leaves, or by a gentle stream, where the water''s soft murmur seemed to ease some of the tension in Lortell''s mind. As the days passed, Esdeath''s persistence began to wear down Lortell''s defenses. Sometimes, Lortell found herself thinking, "What am I even doing here with this kid?" The thought annoyed her, but she couldn''t deny that something was shifting inside her, little by little. A week went by like this, with Esdeath never missing a day. Finally, on the seventh day, Lortell felt the need to speak, to break the silence with something that had been on her mind. She looked at Esdeath, who was still as energetic and talkative as ever, and asked, "Since you talk so much, what''s your purpose in life?" Esdeath immediately flashed a bright smile, her eyes sparkling with enthusiasm. "Of course, I know! My purpose in life is to find someone who truly wants me!" she declared with confidence, her voice filled with excitement. Lortell blinked in confusion, taken aback by the suddenness of Esdeath''s answer. For a moment, she couldn''t quite grasp what Esdeath meant. "Don''t your parents want you too?" she asked, her voice filled with genuine curiosity. Esdeath let out an exaggerated sigh, slapping her forehead in mock frustration. "Tch¡­ Tch¡­ Tch, Lady mariette, you really don''t get it, do you? Love isn''t something you can understand so easily," she said, shaking her head. She then looked up at the sky, her expression softening as she spoke more seriously. "I told you that you should have control over your emotions, but there''s one emotion that you can''t control, no matter how hard you try. It just keeps growing stronger and stronger every day." Lortell watched her closely, her eyes narrowing slightly as she tried to keep up with Esdeath''s train of thought. "And what emotion is that?" she asked, her curiosity piqued. "It''s called love!" Esdeath exclaimed, her smile widening into a cute, charming grin. She turned to face Lortell, her expression so earnest that it made Lortell''s heart skip a beat. "Love isn''t something you should try to restrain. Let it flow, not like a gentle river but like a powerful tsunami. Let it consume you, fall into obsession, and do everything you can to win that person''s heart." She extended her hand, clenching it tightly against her chest as if holding onto something precious. "I want to fall in love too," Esdeath continued, her voice now softer but filled with longing. "With someone who truly wants me and me only. And when I find that person, I''ll give that person everything I have. I''ll stop making friends with others who might try to take me away. I''ll become that person''s bride, and nothing else in the world will matter to me." Lortell felt a strange mix of emotions as she listened to Esdeath''s passionate words. A younger girl like Esdeath, already so sure of what she wanted in life, made her feel a twinge of disappointment in herself. "Even a girl younger than me has a purpose in life," Lortell thought, a slight frown crossing her face. ¡­ As the day passed and night fell, Lortell found herself lying in bed, unable to sleep. Her mind was filled with thoughts of Esdeath¡ªher words, her smile, her unshakeable determination. She couldn''t stop thinking about her, couldn''t understand why Esdeath had such a strong effect on her. Or maybe it was because Esdeath seemed to understand her more than she understood herself. Lortell tossed and turned in bed, her mind racing with thoughts she couldn''t control. She paced back and forth, restless and frustrated. All she could think about was the next day, when Esdeath would come back to disturb her again. And despite herself, she found that she was actually looking forward to it. ..... The night seemed to stretch on forever, with each passing minute feeling like an eternity. Finally, the first light of dawn broke through the darkness, signaling the start of a new day. Lortell sat up in bed, her heart beating a little faster than usual. She was waiting for Esdeath, her mind filled with anticipation. But as the minutes ticked by, Esdeath still hadn''t shown up. "Why isn''t she here yet? Did something happen to her?" Thoughts of worry began to creep into Lortell''s mind, even though Esdeath was only a few minutes late. Unable to sit still, Lortell stood up, her worry growing with each passing moment. She began pacing back and forth in her room, her steps quick and restless. After several rounds, she couldn''t bear it any longer. She decided to go and look for Esdeath herself. But just as her hand reached for the door, it suddenly swung open. Esdeath stepped inside, holding a tray with a cup of tea, a mischievous grin spreading across her face as she noticed Lortell''s anxious expression. "Were you waiting for me?" Esdeath teased, her tone light and mocking. Lortell quickly turned her gaze away, trying to hide the relief that washed over her. "No way! I was just waiting for my tea," she replied, her voice tinged with a tsundere-like tone as she tried to mask her true feelings. In her hurry to cover up her embarrassment, Lortell snatched the teacup from the tray and took a big sip, drinking it all in one go. A few drops escaped her lips, trailing down her chin. Esdeath, noticing the mess, leaned in close. "Bend down a little," she instructed softly. As Lortell obeyed, Esdeath gently wiped the stray droplets from her mouth with a soft handkerchief. Their faces were only inches apart, close enough that they could feel each other''s breath. Both girls had striking red eyes, juicy glowing lips, and pale, vampire-like skin, their similarities making them look like two halves of the same coin. For a brief moment, the world seemed to stop as they stared at each other, but then reality snapped back into focus, and both girls quickly pulled away, feeling a strange mix of emotions. Esdeath, always quick to recover, decided to change the subject. "I''m sorry I took so long," Esdeath said as she led Lortell to a large tree surrounded by a peaceful field. They sat down in the shade, the cool breeze rustling the leaves above them. There was a glint of excitement in Esdeath''s eyes, and she couldn''t hold back her happiness any longer. "Ahem, I took some extra time because I was working on something important," she began, her voice tinged with anticipation. "Today, I came up with a foolproof way to make you smile!" She nodded to herself, her eyes closed, a mischievous grin on her lips as if she were congratulating herself on her cleverness. Lortell raised an eyebrow, still skeptical but curious. "Oh? And what''s that?" she asked, trying to keep her tone casual. Esdeath hopped onto the ground under the large tree, patting the spot next to her. "Here, sit down and get comfortable," she instructed, and Lortell, despite her usual guarded nature, followed without questioning. "Now, close your eyes," Esdeath continued, her voice softening. "Think about the person who makes you happiest, the most important person in your life." Lortell hesitated, confusion flickering across her face. "How am I supposed to know who''s important to me?" she asked, her tone genuinely puzzled. Esdeath let out a small sigh, her patience unwavering. "Don''t overthink it. Just let your mind wander. Focus on the word ''important'' and see where it takes you," she explained gently. Lortell nodded and closed her eyes, her mind trying to focus. Seconds turned into minutes, and when she finally opened her eyes, she looked even more confused than before. "I don''t think it''s working," she admitted, scratching her head. "All I keep seeing is your face." Esdeath''s eyes widened slightly, and for once, she found herself at a loss for words. "Is it because you''re right in front of me?" Lortell asked, her voice uncertain as she tried to make sense of it. But Esdeath remained silent, her usual quick wit failing her for once. She slowly stood up from the ground, turning toward the way she came from. Lortell watched her, confused by the sudden shift in mood. Esdeath walked few steps but didn''t leave. Instead, she turned back, her cheeks flushed with a deep, rosy hue, and her forehead slightly shiny with nervous sweat. With a pouty expression that looked almost childish, Esdeath finally broke the silence, her voice tinged with mock annoyance. "Lady Mariette....is a pervert!" she declared, puffing her cheeks like an adorable yet irritated child. A small, involuntary laugh escaped from Lortell''s lips, a soft "Pffttt..." that she immediately regretted. But it was too late; Esdeath had caught it. The moment Esdeath heard that little laugh, all her previous annoyance melted away. Her eyes lit up with excitement, and a wide, triumphant smile spread across her face. She pointed directly at Lortell, her voice full of delight. "You just smiled, didn''t you?" Lortell''s eyes widened in panic. She quickly tried to regain her composure, forcing her expression back into its usual stoic mask. "Nope, it was just your imagination," Is This…. Fear? the morning that had come and gone, and as night fell, Lortell found herself wandering the halls on her way back to her room. There was a strange lightness in her chest, a subtle happiness she couldn''t quite place or even fully acknowledge. It was as if something within her was quietly rejoicing, though she hadn''t realized it yet. As she moved through the dimly lit corridors, every maid she passed seemed to freeze in place, their eyes widening in shock and disbelief. Lortell noticed the stares, each one filled with a mixture of surprise and confusion. The intensity of their reactions made her feel uneasy, a knot of discomfort beginning to form in her stomach. "Why are they all looking at me like that?" she wondered, her pace quickening. Finally, just as she was about to reach her room, she nearly collided with her head maid, Lorraine. Lorraine''s eyes went wide with surprise, and she stared at Lortell as if she''d just seen a ghost. "Lady Mariette, did something happen?" Lorraine asked, her voice filled with concern. Lortell felt a wave of unease wash over her, the knot in her stomach tightening. "Why?" she murmured, her voice so soft that only Lorraine could hear. Lorraine hesitated, scratching her head awkwardly before speaking. "Umm... It''s probably nothing. I guess it''s just my imagination. It''s just... I didn''t know you could smile, Lady Mariette," she said with a nervous laugh. Lortell''s heart skipped a beat. "Smiling?"The word echoed in her mind as she quickly turned and hurried into her room, closing the door behind her. She moved straight to the large mirror that dominated one wall, the dim light of the night casting eerie shadows across her face. There, staring back at her in the mirror, was her own reflection¡ªher pale, almost ethereal vampire-like skin glowing softly, her red pupils shining like rubies in the dark. But what caught her attention most was the subtle curve of her lips, a small smirk that danced at the edges of her mouth, as if she were holding onto a secret joke. Lortell blinked in surprise, her breath catching in her throat. For a moment, she was shocked, her mind racing to understand what she was seeing. But then, as the realization settled in, the anxiety that had gripped her began to ease. She reached out, her fingers gently touching the cool surface of the mirror where her reflection smiled back at her. Slowly, almost imperceptibly at first, that smirk widened, stretching into a full smile. And then, without warning, a soft chuckle escaped her lips. "Pfft..." The sound startled her, but it only made the smile grow wider, her eyes sparkling with an unfamiliar warmth. She couldn''t help it. The chuckle turned into a laugh¡ªa small, hesitant laugh at first, but soon it grew louder, filling the room with a sound that was both innocent and eerie, like the first laughter of someone who had never known what it felt like to be truly happy. "Hahaha... Bwahahaha!" Lortell laughed, her voice carrying a strange mix of joy and something darker, almost unsettling. She laughed so hard that she fell onto her bed, her body shaking with each breath as she tried to catch her breath. The laughter slowly faded, her giggles turning into soft, contented sighs. She lay there, staring up at the ceiling, her chest rising and falling as she whispered to herself, "I must be going insane... hahaha..." But even as she said it, a lingering smile remained on her lips, a smile that spoke of something deeper, something awakening inside her for the very first time. Lortell lay in bed, trying to find comfort as sleep eluded her. She shifted from one side to the other, but no matter how hard she tried, she couldn''t drift off. With a heavy sigh, she muttered to herself, "Ugh... I can''t fall asleep again." But this time, she thought she knew why. The name that echoed in her mind was Esdeath. Esdeath always seemed to know so much, always had answers for everything. So why not this? Maybe Esdeath could explain why she couldn''t sleep. With a sudden burst of determination, Lortell tossed the covers aside and quietly slipped out of her room. Esdeath''s room was only a few doors down, to the left. The hallway was silent, and the night wrapped the house in a thick blanket of stillness. No one noticed as Lortell crept through the shadows and reached Esdeath''s door. Without hesitation, she slipped inside. There, bathed in the soft glow of moonlight streaming through the window, Esdeath slept peacefully on her bed. She looked almost otherworldly, like a snow fairy resting in a winter wonderland. Yet, despite the serene expression on her face, the faint red circles around her eyes betrayed the exhaustion that clung to her even in sleep. Lortell moved closer, her initial plan to wake Esdeath fading as she took in the sight before her. Something about Esdeath''s contented face sent a strange thrill through Lortell''s body. She paused, sitting on the edge of the bed, her gaze locked onto Esdeath as if she were trying to solve some deep mystery hidden within her. For a few moments, Lortell simply watched, mesmerized. Her hand moved almost on its own, gently brushing against Esdeath''s cheek. The touch was light, hesitant, yet it stirred something deep within her. Without thinking, her fingers trailed to Esdeath''s lips, parting them slightly, revealing the glint of her teeth. Lortell''s heart quickened as she leaned closer, her face mere inches from Esdeath''s. It was as if an invisible force was pulling her closer, urging her to close the gap. Her lips hovered near Esdeath''s, the warmth of her breath mingling with the cool air of the room. For a split second, Lortell imagined what it would be like to kiss her, the thought both thrilling and terrifying. S~ea??h the novel(F~)ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. But just as her fangs began to sharpen with a burning need, she caught herself. The urge to bite, to sink her teeth into Esdeath''s soft flesh, flared up like a spark, but she shook her head, forcing the thought away. No... this wasn''t right. Lortell drew back, her breath coming in soft, shallow puffs. Instead of acting on her impulses, she quietly lay down beside Esdeath, her mind a whirlwind of confusion and curiosity. As she settled in, the warmth of Esdeath''s presence next to her began to soothe her restless thoughts. Before she knew it, her mind drifted into a peaceful void, her worries fading away. The next thing Lortell knew, it was already morning. A gentle ray of golden sunlight streamed through the window, warming her face. The soft light coaxed her awake, and she blinked a few times, adjusting to the brightness. With a satisfied yawn, she quickly sat up, feeling unusually well-rested. As she looked around, it took her a moment to realize where she was. Esdeath''s room. She had fallen asleep in Esdeath''s room. The memory of the night before came rushing back, and her cheeks flushed slightly. Her gaze shifted to the small table beside the bed, where a steaming cup of tea was waiting. There was no doubt that Esdeath had already woken up and made it for her. Lortell reached for the cup but paused as she caught the blanket that had slipped off her shoulders. The scent of Esdeath lingered in the fabric, still fresh and comforting. Lortell couldn''t resist; she brought the blanket closer to her face and took a deep breath, her heart skipping a beat as the familiar smell filled her senses. Her cheeks flushed deeper, and she quickly placed the blanket back, almost embarrassed by her own actions. Grabbing the cup of tea, she drank it all in one sip, the warmth spreading through her body. A small smile of satisfaction appeared on her lips as she settled back on the bed, waiting for Esdeath to come in and greet her with some teasing remark or playful banter. But minutes passed, and Esdeath still hadn''t shown up. Lortell''s smile faded into a frown as she glanced at the clock. "Why is she late again? Is this a new prank like last time?" she muttered, getting up from the bed. The idea that Esdeath might be hiding behind the door crossed her mind, and she quickly went to check. She opened the door, expecting to catch Esdeath in the act, but there was no one there. The hallway was empty. A sense of unease began to creep in. Lortell hurried out of the room and flagged down one of the maids. "Where''s Esdeath?" she asked, her voice tinged with impatience. The maid gave a polite bow and replied, "Miss Esdeath is with her friends in the garden." "Friends?" Lortell echoed, a sinking feeling in her chest. The only ''friends'' Esdeath had were the kids who constantly bullied her. Worry gripped Lortell, and without even changing out of her nightclothes, she rushed toward the garden. As she neared the garden, she could already see a group of children gathered there, but one person was noticeably absent¡ªEsdeath. Panic welled up inside her. She pushed through the group and grabbed one of the kids by the arm, her grip firm. "Where''s Esdeath?" she demanded, her eyes flashing with urgency. The boy she had caught looked terrified. His face paled as if he might faint at any moment. "T-t-that idiot Morgan," the boy stammered, pointing to a grey-haired boy standing at the edge of the group. "He hid her book inside the jungle, and Esdeath went to retrieve it. But we... we heard cries of a werewolf from there!" Lortell gasped, her blood running cold. "What?!" she gasped, her eyes widening in shock. Her mind raced, thoughts swirling in a chaotic storm. Esdeath was in danger, and it was all because of that foolish boy, Morgan. For a brief moment, all she wanted was to tear into him, to make him pay for putting Esdeath at risk. But now wasn''t the time for revenge. There were more important things at stake. Ignoring the fearful glances of the children around her, Lortell turned and dashed toward the forest. She barely noticed the others watching her, their eyes filled with worry and fear. All that mattered was getting to Esdeath. As she entered the dense woods, Lortell withdrew her mana, letting it spread out like an invisible net, searching, feeling. Her senses sharpened, and soon, she could detect the presence of two figures deep within the forest¡ªone human girl and one female werewolf, facing off against each other. There was no doubt in her mind¡ªthe girl was Esdeath. Lortell''s breath caught in her throat as panic began to set in. Her breaths grew heavy, her chest tightening with each inhale. Sweat beaded on her forehead, trickling down in thin streams as her entire body became drenched in cold perspiration. She was panting now, her initial burst of speed slowing to a crawl. Her heart pounded in her chest, each beat feeling heavier and more labored than the last. "Huff... Huff... I''m faster than this. So why... why can''t I move?" she thought frantically, her hand clutching at her chest as if trying to calm the wild rhythm of her heart. And then, suddenly, it hit her. The realization was like a bolt of lightning. Her eyes widened in shock as the truth dawned on her. "Is this... fear?" Lortell, who had always been so strong, so confident, felt the icy grip of fear wrap around her for the very first time. At just ten years old, a girl who was already on par with B-ranked awakened, Lortell had never known what it was to be truly afraid. But now, standing alone in the foreboding forest, she felt it deep in her bones¡ªthe fear of losing someone precious to her. Wanna Do It? Lortell was afraid for the first time in her life, but she couldn''t let fear stop her. Not now, not ever. With fierce determination, she clenched her fists and whispered, "Warrior Guts Essence." Instantly, the power of the C-rank essence stone she carried flared to life, flooding her mind with strength. The stone''s energy amplified her mental fortitude a hundredfold, sharpening her focus and pushing the fear to the back of her mind. She took a deep breath, her resolve solidifying as she forced her trembling legs to move. "Lightning Charge Essence," she commanded, and immediately, her feet began to glow with crackling red lightning. *Woshh...* In a flash, she dashed forward at a speed so fast that normal eyes couldn''t even track her movements. Within seconds, she had reached the place where Esdeath was. There she saw Esdeath, clutching a book tightly in both hands¡ªa precious book written by Jeanne d''Arc. But standing before her was a young female werewolf, in her prime, muscles tensed and eyes filled with fury. It was the same werewolf that had been rejected by a male, and now she was ready to unleash her rage on Esdeath. But Lortell was too late. The werewolf let out a vicious roar, her jaws opening wide as she lunged at Esdeath, aiming to bite her head off. Esdeath, in a desperate attempt to protect herself, stumbled backward. Her foot caught on a stone, throwing her off balance. Lortell''s heart skipped a beat as she watched in horror. But then, something unexpected happened¡ªEsdeath''s unsteady movement caused her to fall backward just in time, dodging the fatal bite. Instead, the werewolf''s powerful jaws clamped down on Esdeath''s hand, tearing through her four fingers and shredding the book she was holding. Blood sprayed from Esdeath''s palm as she cried out in agony, her voice echoing through the forest. "You bitch!" Lortell''s voice was filled with fury, her face contorted in rage. She had never felt such anger before¡ªnot like this. It wasn''t just anger; it was an overwhelming, all-consuming wrath that burned hotter than anything she''d ever experienced. Without hesitation, before the werewolf could strike again, Lortell appeared right in front of her, her movements faster than a blink. BAMM!.... Lortell''s fist connected with the werewolf''s face in a powerful punch, the impact so forceful that it caused half of the werewolf''s body to explode on the spot. The shockwave from the blow was so immense that it sent trees crashing down and boulders flying, carving out a new pathway in the forest. "So, is this anger?" Lortell stood there, panting heavily, her hand still trembling from the force of her punch. Her heart pounded in her chest, a wild mix of fear and the intense rage that had driven her to strike so violently. The werewolf was defeated, but the sight of Esdeath''s bloodied hand wouldn''t leave her mind. It gnawed at her, filling her with an overwhelming sense of dread and guilt. Without a second thought, she rushed over to Esdeath''s side. "Heal, heal, heal... heal... heal!" Lortell chanted the healing spell over and over, her voice frantic as she poured all her mana into mending Esdeath''s wounded hand. The magic flowed endlessly, her desperation evident in each word. Esdeath''s hand had already healed, the skin smooth and unmarked, but Lortell couldn''t stop. Her healing was an overkill, a frenzied way of showing how much she cared. "Stop... stop... it''s already healed," Esdeath''s soft, cute voice finally reached Lortell''s ears, pulling her out of her panic. The words made Lortell freeze, her hands hovering above Esdeath''s now-perfect hand. But instead of relaxing, Lortell suddenly grabbed Esdeath and hugged her tightly, as if she were afraid to let go. "W-w-why? Why, why, why, why... why... why do you always get into trouble?" Lortell''s voice was trembling, filled with a menacing tone that bordered on obsession. She pulled back just enough to take Esdeath''s face in her hands, forcing her to look directly into her eyes. "Should I cut off your legs so you can stay in front of me?" Lortell''s voice dropped to a chilling whisper, her red eyes glowing with an intense, almost terrifying light. For a moment, she looked like a yandere, her love twisted into something dark and dangerous. But just as quickly as the thought came, Lortell snapped back to herself. "Wait... what am I saying? I can''t hurt you, can I? Haha... how foolish of me," she muttered, her voice shaky as she tried to laugh it off, like she was talking to herself. It was clear to anyone watching that something was wrong¡ªLortell''s mind was not stable, her emotions swinging wildly from one extreme to the other. But instead of being scared, a charming smile appeared on Esdeath''s face. She gently wrapped her arms around Lortell, pulling her into a comforting embrace. "Calm down... calm down... I''m not going anywhere again, I promise," Esdeath whispered soothingly, her voice steady and warm. She held Lortell close, hoping to ease the storm raging inside her. Lortell''s face flushed a deep red as she looked at Esdeath''s face and body again. Her cheeks burned, and a wave of intense heat washed over her, spreading through her entire body as if she were on fire. It wasn''t just warmth¡ªit was an overwhelming sensation that made her heart race and her thoughts blur. "Were you always this seductive?",As Lortell''s gaze lingered on Esdeath''s youthful and enchanting form, she felt a hunger stirring inside her, something raw and uncontrollable. Her mouth began to water, and she couldn''t stop the saliva that dripped from her lips. Every inch of Esdeath''s body seemed to call to her, igniting a deep obsession that drove Lortell to the edge. With her eyes filled with lust and greed, Lortell leaned in closer, her mouth opening as she gave in to the overwhelming urge. She sank her teeth into Esdeath''s neck, biting down with a mix of desire and need. "Tch..." Esdeath gasped softly, feeling the sharp sting, but she quickly relaxed, realizing that Lortell was a vampire. She didn''t cry out, instead letting Lortell drink her blood without resistance. Lortell''s large fangs sank deeper, and she drank eagerly, each drop of Esdeath''s blood bringing her an almost unbearable satisfaction. But it wasn''t just satisfaction¡ªthere was something else, a rush of arousal that swept through her like a tidal wave. The taste of Esdeath''s blood was so intoxicating that it made Lortell''s body react in ways she couldn''t control. A thick, warm liquid started to flow from Lortell''s private parts, an undeniable sign of how deeply she was affected. She wasn''t like a normal human, and the amount of liquid was overwhelming, a physical manifestation of her intense emotions. Finally, Lortell pulled her fangs out of Esdeath''s neck and clung to her, her legs trembling so much that she could barely stand. She held onto Esdeath for support, breathing heavily as she whispered, "I... I came so hard." A wave of intense pleasure had washed over her, bringing her to orgasm just from the act of drinking Esdeath''s blood. A satisfied smile spread across her face, her eyes half-lidded as she basked in the afterglow. Lortell stared at Esdeath, who stood there, completely unfazed by the fact that Lortell was a vampire. Esdeath''s calm demeanor made Lortell''s hunger for her even more intense, her desire not fading in the slightest. "Don''t worry, I''m not gonna tell anyone. Rest assured!" Esdeath said with her usual gentle smile, as if nothing had happened. But Lortell wasn''t focused on her words. Her gaze lingered on Esdeath, and she couldn''t shake the deep craving that gnawed at her insides. She licked her lips slowly, a lustful gleam in her eyes. "Say, Esdeath, wanna do it?" she asked, her voice low and filled with unspoken desire. Esdeath blinked, puzzled. "Do what?" Lortell was about to explain, her lips parting to give the answer, but before she could finish, a voice interrupted her. "Esdeath... Esdeath, my daughter!" came the frantic cries of a man and a woman. "Lady Mariette, are you here?" called out the head maid, Lorraine. "Tch, ruined my mood!" Lortell sneered, irritation flashing in her eyes. "There they are! I saw them!" Lorraine shouted, rushing forward. Esdeath''s parents, Nyx and her mother, spotted Esdeath and hurried to her, their faces filled with concern. As they reached her, they pulled her into a tight embrace, tears welling up in their eyes. Lorraine, too, approached Lortell to check on her, but her attention was suddenly drawn to a large puddle of thick, transparent liquid on the ground. "What''s this? What happened here?" Lorraine asked, puzzled, as she reached out to touch the liquid. Before she could, Lortell quickly intervened. "That''s just the werewolf''s saliva. It attacked Esdeath, and I killed it. Nothing else happened!" Lortell''s voice was calm, without a hint of deception. "Really? This smell is kind of familiar, but if you say so... It''s not hard to believe you could defeat a mere werewolf," Lorraine replied, still slightly confused. Her gaze shifted to the half-corpse of the werewolf nearby, confirming Lortell''s story in her mind. Esdeath''s parents turned to Lortell, their expressions full of gratitude. "Thank you for saving our daughter," they said, their voices thick with emotion. Lortell simply nodded, but her mind was elsewhere. The encounter had left her unsatisfied, her desires unfulfilled. She watched as Esdeath''s parents fussed over her, feeling a strange mix of emotions¡ªrelief that Esdeath was safe, but also frustration that their moment had been interrupted. Lorraine walked calmly toward Lortell, her expression composed as she came to stand beside her. Though her eyes seemed focused elsewhere, she leaned in close and whispered, her voice low and careful, "My lady, I''ve been noticing your behavior for quite a while now. I think you owe me an explanation for what''s going on between you two... and especially about that ''saliva,''" she said, her tone hinting at suspicion, all while maintaining a warm smile directed at Esdeath''s parents to keep them from realizing that something might be wrong. sea??h th§× Nov§×l?ire.n(e)t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Lortell remained still, her face unreadable as she listened. But inside, her mind raced. She knew Lorraine was perceptive¡ªshe always had been. Lortell could feel the pressure of Lorraine''s silent demand for the truth, but now was not the time to reveal everything. She needed to act carefully. Without turning to face Lorraine, Lortell replied quietly, her voice steady and authoritative, "Lorraine, I know you have to report everything to Father, but before you do, I have an order for you..." Lorraine''s breath caught slightly, sensing the seriousness in Lortell''s words. "Kill every werewolf in this area," -------------------------------------------------------------------------- I think I''m definitely going hell after writing this novel. Hmmm.. did I did the right thing by writing backstory first? or I should have wrote it after fifty or sixty chapters later? well whatever, anyone who''s wondering there''s still two or three chapter of back story still remains, And then we move on to present. What do you think, Which version is more accurate of kid esdeath?, well I does have more versions btw... Desire (18+) Lortell sat alone in her dimly lit room, her fingers delicately holding three clear, round stones and two small, square, grey stones that resembled little cement blocks. The weight of her thoughts seemed to match the stones in her hands as she studied them closely, her brow furrowed in deep contemplation. "I have two ''Week Eraser Essence Stones'' and three ''Liar Essence Stones,''" she murmured, her voice tinged with dissatisfaction. "But this isn''t enough." She sighed heavily, the sound filled with frustration. The Week Eraser Essence Stone was a rank D stone, appearing as a crystal-clear orb that could erase the memory of someone for the past seven days. The Liar Essence Stone, a rank C stone, was small and grey, resembling a tiny brick of cement, capable of making someone believe any lie told to them. Both were expendable essence stones, meant to be used once before vanishing into nothingness. The advantage was that they required no refining; a simple infusion of mana would activate them. "If I merge two Week Eraser Essence Stone with one Liar Essence Stone, I''ll get a Rank C Brainwash Essence Stone," Lortell calculated, her eyes narrowing with a mix of ambition and unease. "With that, I could brainwash Esdeath''s parents, make them forget they ever had a daughter, or even convince them to send her to my palace... Yes, that should do it." But doubt flickered in her mind, casting a shadow over her determined thoughts. "But what about Esdeath?" she whispered, her heart suddenly heavy. "I haven''t even told her that I love her. Does she love me too, or is she just being nice? She''s barely eight years old¡­" Her mind raced with conflicting emotions. She could feel the obsessive pull tightening around her heart. "I''ll have to make two Brainwash Essence Stones," she decided, her tone resolute. "One for her parents, and one for Esdeath herself. That way, she''ll belong to me and only me." A satisfied smile curled her lips as she envisioned the future she desired. But the smile faded quickly as another problem presented itself. "I''ll need another Week Eraser Essence Stone for that... Where do I get it?" She frowned, realizing the limitations of her resources. Being the daughter of an arch-duke had its perks; she had access to these rare mind-manipulating essence stones that most politicians used to control and deceive others. But finding another stone would be difficult, especially one that could protect against similar manipulations. But that wasn''t the main point, Main point is she isn''t at palace anymore, if she wants another essence stone then she''ll have to get by herself, Of course she can''t tell anyone about this either. Her thoughts darkened as the most challenging question arose. "Lorraine..." Lortell whispered the name with a mix of dread and irritation. "What about her? She''s a B-rank Awakened. This Rank C Brainwash Stone or the Rank D Week Eraser won''t work on her. And if I try to kill her, I might cause a ruckus... I can''t afford that." The room seemed to close in around her as Lortell considered her options. Her mind was a storm of fear, obsession, and ruthless calculation. Every plan had its risks, and every risk brought her closer to danger. But the thought of losing Esdeath, of not making her entirely hers, was unbearable. Lortell exhaled deeply, feeling the weight of her thoughts fade away as she stretched her arms above her head. "Let''s forget it for now," she murmured to herself, letting the tension in her muscles release. "I''ll think about it tomorrow." At that moment, the door creaked open, and Esdeath stepped inside, carrying a tray of food. Lortell hadn''t bothered to go for breakfast, lunch, or dinner today, so it had become routine for Esdeath to deliver her meals directly to her room. Esdeath''s gaze was fixed on the ground, her steps hesitant and nervous. She had recently discovered that Lortell was a vampire, a revelation that would terrify even the bravest warrior. But while Esdeath hadn''t screamed or run away, the fear still lingered in her heart. Esdeath stood there, unsure of how to start. The silence between them was thick with unspoken words, her mind racing to find the right thing to say. But before she could gather her thoughts, Lortell made the first move. Lortell got out of bed, her movements graceful and deliberate. She walked over to Esdeath, took the plate from her hands, and set it down on the nearby table without a word. Then, without warning, she wrapped her arms around Esdeath from behind, pulling her close. Lortell leaned in, her breath warm against Esdeath''s ear, sending a shiver down her spine. "I don''t need to eat that," Lortell whispered, her voice dripping with desire. "Today, my meal is you." Lortell''s lips brushed against Esdeath''s ear, her voice low and sultry. "Say, Esdeath, wanna do it?" she asked, the words heavy with implication. Esdeath''s breath hitched as she felt Lortell''s warmth pressing against her. "Do... do what?" she asked, her voice barely a whisper, her nerves tingling. Lortell''s eyes darkened with an intense lust as she leaned in closer, her voice a hushed whisper, "Fuck." She chuckled softly, her breath warm against Esdeath''s skin. "Hehehe... Don''t tell me you don''t know what I''m talking about. Don''t worry, I''ll make you understand," she teased, her hands slipping beneath Esdeath''s skirt with a slow, deliberate touch. "I... I love you," Lortell declared, her voice filled with a mix of hunger and desperation. "I want you, and only you. So, you''ll have to love me too. Become mine," she whispered as her fingers gently found their way to Esdeath''s most intimate spot. As Lortell''s finger slid inside her, Esdeath gasped, her body trembling at the unfamiliar sensation. A soft moan escaped her lips, her eyes wide with surprise and confusion. "What''s this? I feel... strange," she murmured, her voice shaky as she experienced something entirely new and overwhelming. Esdeath''s innocent eyes sparkled like those of a lost puppy, seeking comfort and understanding in Lortell''s gaze. Seeing that look of vulnerability, Lortell couldn''t hold back any longer. She captured Esdeath''s lips in a deep, passionate kiss, her tongue sliding into Esdeath''s mouth, exploring and tasting her. Their mouths moved together, tongues dancing, and their breaths mingled as the kiss grew more intense. The heat between them was undeniable, and even their saliva mixed as their desire for each other became overwhelming. Esdeath''s heart raced as she surrendered to the moment, her body responding to every touch and kiss. The emotions swirling within her were confusing and new, but Lortell''s touch made everything feel right, even if it was overwhelming. In that heated embrace, the space between them vanished as Lortell''s fingers delicately slid under Esdeath''s T-shirt. The fabric lifted slowly, revealing Esdeath''s smooth, flat chest. Lortell''s fingers traced over her skin, sending shivers down Esdeath''s spine. When Lortell pressed her fingertips against Esdeath''s sensitive nipples, a sharp breath escaped Esdeath''s lips. "NMHH~..." Esdeath''s moan echoed through the room, growing louder with each playful touch Lortell made. The sensation was overwhelming, and Esdeath''s body responded eagerly to every caress. With a graceful motion, Lortell lifted Esdeath into her arms, cradling her like a precious treasure. She carried Esdeath to the bed with ease, her gaze filled with a mix of affection and desire. Gently, she began to undress Esdeath, starting with the T-shirt, then slowly peeling off the skirt, and finally removing the delicate fabric of her panties. Each piece of clothing fell to the floor, leaving Esdeath exposed to Lortell''s hungry gaze. Lortell''s smile was filled with lust as she slowly undressed herself, piece by piece. Her eyes never left Esdeath''s trembling form. Once she was free of her clothes, she wasted no time and leaped onto the bed, her body pressing eagerly against Esdeath''s. Her mouth found Esdeath''s nipples, and without hesitation, she bit down gently, causing Esdeath to gasp. "Ahh... Mhhnn.~" Esdeath''s moans grew louder, her voice thick with pleasure as Lortell''s tongue teased her relentlessly. The warmth of Lortell''s breath against her skin sent waves of sensation through her body, making it hard to think of anything else. "Say my name!" Lortell commanded, her voice husky as she licked Esdeath''s flushed cheeks, her breath hot against Esdeath''s ear. "Lady Mariette... Ummhh~" Esdeath moaned, her voice trembling as she called out Lortell''s name, her tone filled with need. S~ea??h the N??elFir§×.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "Louder... Louder!" Lortell demanded, the sound of Esdeath''s voice only heightening her pleasure. Every moan, every breathless cry from Esdeath, fed Lortell''s desire, pushing her to claim Esdeath''s body even more fiercely. Lortell''s eyes gleamed with a mix of mischief and desire as she lowered herself towards Esdeath''s p*ssy, her breath warm against Esdeath''s trembling skin. With a teasing smile, Lortell began to explore, her tongue tracing delicate patterns that sent waves of pleasure coursing through Esdeath''s body. Esdeath gasped, her breath hitching as her muscles tightened, the overwhelming sensations making her grip Lortell''s head more firmly. Every touch, every movement sent Esdeath spiraling deeper into a sea of ecstasy. Her moans grew louder, each one escaping her lips with increasing urgency. "I¡­ I can''t hold it¡­ something''s coming¡­ I feel like I''m going to burst!" Esdeath''s voice was a breathy whisper, filled with a mix of embarrassment and undeniable pleasure. Splash... Splash.. Splash... And then, with a final, shuddering gasp, Esdeath felt herself release, a wave of intense pleasure washing over her. Lortell''s eyes sparkled with satisfaction as she felt the warm liquid on her skin. She smiled up at Esdeath, her lips brushing against Esdeath''s thigh as she whispered, "There it is¡­" Lortell''s tongue flicked out to taste the sweetness of Esdeath''s release, savoring the moment with a sense of fulfillment. Her own body thrummed with the shared intensity of the experience, and the room seemed to hum with the lingering electricity of their connection. Lortell didn''t stop there. She made Esdeath come again and again, pushing her to the brink of losing consciousness. Esdeath''s pupils were dull, barely focusing, as if she could faint at any moment, but her moans only grew louder, echoing through the room and beyond. "No more... Please, no more... AH... ahhh..." Esdeath begged, her voice shaky and desperate. "Then say it," Lortell commanded, her voice firm and unyielding. "Say, ''I love you.''" Esdeath, completely broken by the overwhelming pleasure, obeyed like a loyal dog. "I love you... Ahh... I love Lady Mariette so much... hahah," she laughed breathlessly, her mind lost in the waves of ecstasy that consumed her. Lortell had lost track of how long she''d been ravaging Esdeath, but finally, she stopped. They both collapsed onto the bed, their bodies exhausted. Lortell lay back, her breathing steady as she looked at Esdeath, who curled up beside her like a helpless child. Esdeath''s eyes fluttered shut, her face peaceful, as she nestled close to Lortell''s chest, the two of them wrapped together in the same milky white sheets, almost like a husband and wife. "I should make this day memorable," Lortell thought, a wicked smile playing on her lips. She raised one hand, murmuring, "Photo-Audio Magic." "Chtick..." A small sound echoed in the room as a magical photo was taken, capturing the intimate moment. Lortell made a playful pose, sticking out her tongue and licking Esdeath''s cheek, a silent declaration that Esdeath''s body now belonged to her, completely and utterly. Just as Lortell thought everything was going perfectly, her luck suddenly ran out. The door swung open with a loud crash, and there, standing in the doorway, were Esdeath''s mother and father, with Lorraine, the head maid, beside them. They had followed the sounds of moaning, curious and concerned, only to find their daughter lying in bed, ravaged by none other than Lortell, the Archduke''s daughter. For a moment, the room was filled with a heavy, suffocating silence. The shock on Esdeath''s parents'' faces quickly twisted into something far darker. Rage. Pure, unfiltered rage. Esdeath''s mother''s eyes burned with fury, her hands trembling as she took in the sight before her. She had always imagined her daughter growing up, finding love in a way that was proper and dignified. Lortell was the Archduke''s daughter, someone powerful and respected. If she had only waited until Esdeath was older, perhaps then they could have accepted her proposal. They might have even celebrated their love, telling the world that their daughter and Lortell had found happiness together, despite being two women. But now? This reckless act had shattered any hope of that. Esdeath''s father clenched his fists, his knuckles white as he struggled to contain the anger boiling inside him. His daughter, his precious little girl, had been defiled in a way that no parent could forgive easily. The trust they had in Lortell, in the Archduke''s family, was now broken. How could she do something so reckless, so selfish? -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Yeah, I''m pretty bad at writing smut and used some illogical things but better ignore it. I''m still novice in writing Week Eraser Essence Stone Lorraine''s eyes narrowed as she glared at Nyx and Charlotte, her mind consumed with a single thought: she had to kill them. The weight of her loyalty to Lortell pressed down on her, even though every fiber of her being screamed that this wasn''t right. Deep down, Lorraine was a good person. She didn''t want to kill them, but her loyalty wasn''t to them¡ªit was to Lortell. And Lortell was the one in the wrong here. But what did that matter? Lortell was the arch-duke''s daughter, and Esdeath was just a baroness. Lorraine knew that if this situation got out of hand, it could cause irreparable damage to the arch-duke''s reputation. Protecting that reputation was worth any cost, even if it meant killing a baroness and her entire family. Lorraine''s hand slowly moved towards the long, sharp needle-like weapon hidden beneath her cloak. She would kill them silently, quickly, before anyone could realize what had happened. But just as she was about to act, Lortell suddenly leaped out of bed. Lorraine froze, her heart pounding in her chest. She watched as Lortell rushed to the table and grabbed one of the three crystal-clear magic stones resting on it. Lortell pour her mana into the stone. The stone began to glow a deep, ominous purple. And then¡ªboom! The stone exploded, sending a burst of purple smoke billowing through the room. Everything happened so fast that Esdeath''s parents didn''t even have time to react. Lorraine coughed as the thick smoke filled her lungs, her vision blurring. She saw Nyx and Charlotte collapse to the floor, unconscious before they even realized what had happened. But Lorraine¡­ Lorraine wasn''t normal. She wasn''t just a human but an awakened. Her head spun, her thoughts growing foggy as the smoke clouded her mind. But soon in few seconds she regained her mentality, rubbing her forehead to shake off the dizziness. And then, suddenly, it hit her¡ªshe knew what this was. Her eyes widened in shock and realization as she muttered under her breath, "Is this¡­ Week Eraser Essence Stone?" Lorraine immediately realised what Lortell is trying to do, despite that she asked for confirmation, , "Lortell, what are you planning? Kill them?" She didn''t call her "Lady Mariette" this time, only "Lortell," the distance between them suddenly feeling much smaller and yet much more profound. Lortell looked at her with that same emotionless expression she always wore, but Lorraine saw the brief flicker of something else behind her eyes¡ªregret, maybe, or doubt. "This is partly my fault too," Lorraine continued, her voice tinged with regret. "I should have acted sooner when I saw the changes in you." Lortell shook her head slightly and replied in her usual flat tone, "No need to kill them. Their memories of the past seven days have been erased. I just want you to make them believe they are still living in the past." Her voice was cold, detached, as if the lives she was toying with were mere pawns on a chessboard. Lorraine stared at her, the anger bubbling up inside her. She couldn''t believe what she was hearing. For a moment, she didn''t say anything, just glared at Lortell with a mix of disbelief and disappointment. Finally, she moved closer, placing a firm hand on Lortell''s shoulder. "How old are you?" Lorraine asked, her voice serious, almost stern. Lortell hesitated before answering, her voice small and sad, "About twelve." "And that girl, Esdeath? How old is she?" Lorraine pressed on. Lortell looked down, her voice even quieter as she answered, "Eight year, I guess." Lorraine''s grip on Lortell''s shoulder tightened, her anger barely contained. "You''re both just kids," she said, her voice heavy with emotion. "Why did you do this? You were cold-hearted, yes, but I still admired you as my master. But now... I''m disappointed. Look me in the eyes and tell me that what you did was right." But Lortell didn''t say anything. She couldn''t even raise her head to meet Lorraine''s gaze. How could she? Even she knew that what she did was wrong, deeply wrong. Lorraine sighed, her anger slowly giving way to sorrow. "Do you even know what kind of consequences that girl might face? This might cause her deep trauma. Do you understand that?" The room fell into a heavy silence, the weight of Lorraine''s words hanging in the air. Lortell remained silent, unable to find the words to defend herself because she knew there was no defense. And in that moment, the roles between them blurred¡ªno longer master and servant, but two people bound by their shared guilt and the heavy burden of their actions. sea??h th§× N?vel(F)ire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Lorraine finally turned her gaze to Esdeath, who lay peacefully asleep on the bed. A tired sigh escaped her lips as she thought, "She forgot to use silence magic, and in a panic, she used the essence stone without thinking. Even the lady Mariette can make mistakes. Kids are kids, after all." Lorraine shook her head, her expression a mix of frustration and pity. "Are you sure you want to do this?" she asked, her voice soft yet serious. "Both Nyx and Charlotte''s memories are erased, but... Esdeath''s memories are erased too." Lorraine''s words trailed off as she noticed Lortell''s eyes widen in shock, the realization hitting her like a cold wave. Lortell hadn''t even considered that Esdeath might have been caught in the smoke as well. "Did she really not realize Esdeath was here too?" Lorraine thought, her disappointment deepening. She could see the guilt spreading across Lortell''s face, and for the first time, Lorraine felt a twinge of sympathy for her. Lorraine sighed again, this time with a touch of sadness. "If you want to restore her memories, we can use the Lost Memories Essence Stone. But if you do that, Esdeath''s parents'' memories will also return, and we''d have no choice but to kill them. What''s your decision?" Lortell''s shoulders slumped as she exhaled, her voice barely above a whisper, "Let''s go with the first option." Lorraine looked into Lortell''s eyes and saw the deep regret and sadness swimming in them. It was clear this wasn''t easy for her. Lorraine hesitated for a moment before asking, "One last question... Do you love her? Or is it just... affection for her body?" At that, Lortell''s eyes flashed with anger, and she shot Lorraine a deathly glare that made her break into a cold sweat. But Lortell quickly composed herself, though a small "tch" of annoyance escaped her lips. "Of course I love her," she said, her voice filled with raw honesty. "More than anyone." Hearing this, Lorraine''s expression softened. She stepped forward and gently wrapped her arms around Lortell in a comforting hug. "Then promise me," she whispered, her voice tender, "promise me you won''t touch her again unless she accepts you herself." Lortell''s breath hitched, and after a moment of silence, she replied, her voice trembling slightly, "I... I promise." The room was heavy with the weight of the night''s events. Lorraine broke the silence first, her voice steady but gentle. "Go and put on your clothes, Lortell. Leave everything to me." Without waiting for a response, she moved to the unconscious Esdeath, carefully lifting her onto her shoulder. Then, she turned her attention to Nyx and Charlotte, their bodies still and silent, as she prepared to take them away too. Lortell watched as Lorraine walked out of the room, leaving her alone. The task ahead was clear¡ªremove all evidence, send everyone back to their rooms, and cover up what had happened. Lortell felt the cold emptiness of the room closing in on her she slept. . Lorraine, meanwhile, used a "Liar Essence Stone" to alter their memories, making them believe that only a day had passed since she and Lortell had arrived at the house. There was no time to rest. Lorraine worked tirelessly through the night, burying the truth beneath layers of lies and deception. As the night gave way to dawn, the golden light of the morning sun streamed through the windows, painting the room in soft, warm hues. Lortell stood by the window, her face as emotionless as ever, staring out at the lush greenery and the beauty of the world outside. From a distance, she might have appeared calm, even at peace, but that illusion was shattered when the door creaked open. Esdeath entered the room, balancing a large book on her head, It was another copy of Jeanne D''arc''s book with one hand and carrying a cup of tea in the other. Her face was lit up with a wide smile, her dark red eyes sparkling with excitement. She looked like a child who had just discovered something wonderful. "Lady Mariette! Lady Mariette!" Esdeath''s high-pitched, cheerful voice filled the room, breaking the stillness. "Are you really the Arch-Duke''s daughter? My father told me just this morning! I don''t know why I don''t remember anything after what happened yesterday afternoon... I guess I''m still just a kid, but I made this tea especially for you, to say thank you!" Lortell turned her head slightly, her gaze settling on Esdeath. She looked at the girl''s eager face, her bright smile, and those strange yet hopeful eyes. For a moment, something softened inside her. Unlike before, when she had found Esdeath''s energy irritating, Lortell felt a small smile tug at her lips. "Really? Give it to me," she said, her voice cool but laced with a hint of warmth, as she extended her hand. Esdeath''s eyes sparkled with joy as she stepped forward to hand over the tea. But in her excitement, she lost her balance. The book on her head wobbled, the cup of tea tipped dangerously, and before she knew it, Esdeath was tumbling forward. Everything seemed to slow down¡ªthe book falling, the tea spilling, Esdeath''s tiny form heading for the ground. But before disaster could strike, a sudden wave of magic filled the room. Without even looking, Lortell had cast a spell. The magic caught Esdeath, the book, and the cup, suspending them all in mid-air. Slowly, Lortell lowered Esdeath gently to the ground, placed the book back on her head, and took the cup of tea into her own hand. Esdeath''s eyes were wide with amazement as she looked up at Lortell. Her face was glowing with admiration. "Wow! You''re so cool!" she exclaimed, her voice full of genuine awe. Lortell chuckled softly as she stood up, taking the cup of tea from Esdeath''s small hands. Without hesitation, she drank it all in one gulp. "It''s tasty, just like you," she said with a playful smirk, her voice carrying a hint of humor. She then reached out and gently patted Esdeath''s head. Esdeath''s face lit up with joy at the praise. The feeling of Lortell''s hand on her head made her blush a deep shade of red. She remembered the last time Lortell had saved her from being bullied, she had mistakenly thought Lortell was patting her then, but this time, the touch was real. The warmth of that genuine gesture filled Esdeath with a happiness she had never felt before. Her heart started racing, beating faster with every second. Her cheeks grew hotter, turning an even deeper red, until she could barely contain her emotions. The strange yet wonderful feeling of being patted by Lortell overwhelmed her. Without thinking, she turned and ran out of the room, too embarrassed to say a word. Lortell watched her go, a look of mild confusion crossing her face. She didn''t understand why Esdeath had left so suddenly, but then a satisfied smile curled on her lips. "Just how long will you keep running from me?" she murmured to herself, "Just you wait, Esdeath. I''ll make you fall for me all over again." Madness Lorraine, the head maid, was a striking figure. Despite her young age, her beauty rivaled that of royalty, and many would say she was even more charming than most models. The maid''s uniform she wore only added to her allure, giving her an air of both seduction and authority. With nothing pressing to do at the moment, she busied herself with cleaning the mirrors, ensuring every surface gleamed perfectly. As she was just about to finish, something caught her attention¡ªa folded paper fluttering outside the window. It was red with golden borders, clearly something special. Lorraine immediately recognized it as a "Golden Flying Letter Essence," a rank "B" essence stone used to send messages across great distances. These stones were rare and expensive, typically reserved for the highest authority. Ordinary people couldn''t even dream of affording one. Essence stones came in all shapes and sizes, despite the name containing the word "stone." Their forms and features varied widely depending on their purpose. Lorraine opened the window, allowing the letter to glide smoothly inside. It landed gently in her hand, the golden glow around it fading as it settled. She quickly unfolded the letter and began to read. As her eyes scanned the contents, they widened in shock. The message was from Lortell''s father, and whatever it said was urgent. Without wasting a moment, Lorraine turned and rushed out of the room. ... "Lady Mariette... Lady Mariette... A letter has come from your father!" Lorraine announced urgently as she stepped inside the room. Lortell, who had been secretly licking the cup of tea Esdeath made for her, quickly hid the cup behind her back when she saw Lorraine enter. Though Lorraine noticed the odd behavior, she knew there were more pressing matters to attend to. "Your teacher has returned from the monster subjugation mission. You have to go back to the palace!" Lorraine said quickly, her voice full of urgency. "Tch... Lilith Maranthia," Lortell muttered, her face twisting in displeasure as if she had tasted something bitter. Just saying the name seemed to annoy her. Lilith Maranthia, also known as the Silver Dragon and the Dragon Queen, was Lortell''s tutor. In law, where everyone is forbidden from using magic or essence stones before entering the academy, But let''s be real here...high-class nobles and royals had no such restrictions. They were taught these skills early on to ensure they had a significant advantage over commoners when they joined the academy. It was a simple yet effective strategy. By the time they entered the academy, these nobles and royals were far ahead of commoners in power and skill. This created a clear divide, where low-level awakeneds, often commoners, were forced to serve the nobles, just as in society where the rich grew richer and the poor grew poorer. Commoners were little more than cannon fodder for the nobles and royals. However, only the highest-ranked nobles dared to take such risks. Lesser nobles, like barons or marquesses, couldn''t afford to get caught breaking the rules. But Lortell was no ordinary noble. As the daughter of an arch-duke, her father had made sure she received the best training possible. He had appointed Lilith Maranthia as her tutor to ensure she could even outmatch royals if needed. ... Nyx stood outside his house, worry etched on his face as he watched Lorraine and Lortell prepare to leave. "B-but it''s only been a day since you came here, and you''re leaving already?" he asked, his voice filled with concern. "Did I do something wrong? Please forgive me! Just tell me what I did wrong!" Nyx pleaded, almost ready to fall to his knees and grab Lorraine''s leg, begging for mercy. From his perspective, it had only been a day since Lortell arrived, and now they were leaving so suddenly. His mind raced with worry, fearing that he had somehow offended them. Before Nyx could kneel, Lorraine quickly stepped forward and gently stopped him. "No, no, Nyx. You haven''t done anything wrong. We should be the ones apologizing. Something urgent has come up, and we have no choice but to leave. I''m really sorry," she said, her tone soothing, hoping to ease his tension. Nyx''s eyes glistened with unshed tears, but he quickly wiped them away. "Okay... It must be really important for you to leave like this. But please, make sure you come back again!" he said, his voice trembling slightly but filled with sincerity. Lorraine nodded with a warm smile. She lifted the bags containing her and Lortell''s belongings. Lortell stood beside her, her face expressionless, lost in thought. The idea of leaving without saying anything to Esdeath felt wrong to her, nagging at the back of her mind. "I''m going to say goodbye to Esdeath. I''ll be back in a few minutes," Lortell said, turning back to find Esdeath. Lortell had already checked the room where Esdeath usually stayed, but she wasn''t there. That left only one place to search¡ªthe garden. Without another word, Lortell headed in that direction, determined to find Esdeath before they left. .... In the garden a young girl of six or seven with flowing black hair and striking dark red eyes, marked by multiple ring patterns, cowered on her knees. It was Esdeath. She clutched her head with small, trembling hands, as if shielding herself from an unseen threat. Her breaths came in shallow, ragged gasps, a mix of fear and resignation etched on her face. Voices of other children pierced the air, harsh and mocking. "You can''t play with us! Get the hell out of here, witch!" a boy yelled, hurling stones at her. Each rock that struck her caused a wince of pain and humiliation, but she remained silent, enduring their cruelty. The boy was not alone; a group of children stood behind him, their faces twisted with scorn. "Yeah! Those ominous eyes and that black hair! My mama said to stay away from you as much as possible. Get the hell out of here, witch!" a girl shouted, flinging dirt at Esdeath. The gritty particles stung her eyes, forcing them shut as tears began to mix with the grime on her cheeks. Another child joined in, his voice filled with derision. "Yeah, there won''t be any prince to save you! No one''s gonna marry someone like you!" His words cut deeper than any stone or dirt, lodging themselves in her heart. Esdeath''s small frame shook with silent sobs. She hugged herself tighter, seeking comfort in the only way she knew how. Her body felt cold and frail, the dirt and tears mixing on her cheeks. Just when the pain seemed unbearable, fate intervened¡ªnot in the form of a prince, but a princess. Whosshh..... Out of nowhere, a swift kick sent one of the rock-throwing boys sprawling. The other children froze, their eyes wide with shock, and slowly turned to see who had dared to intervene. Esdeath, too, opened her eyes slowly, squinting through her tears to see her savior. Standing before her was a girl, perhaps a year or two older, with pale silver-white skin and hair that gleamed with hints of light grey. Her skin was as pale as Esdeath''s, almost ethereal, like a vampire''s. She exuded an air of beauty and charm, though in the dream, her face was obscured by sunlight, casting her features in a radiant, blinding glow, She was none other than lortell Mariette. "Lady Mariette" One of the children called her name, but in the haze of her dream, Esdeath couldn''t hear it clearly. "Get the hell out of here!" Lortell commanded, her voice laced with authority and anger. The children flinched, their faces paling as they realized she was someone of high status. Not a single one dared to speak or meet her gaze. Muttering in irritation, they dispersed, leaving Esdeath alone with her unexpected rescuer. Lortell stepped forward, her movements graceful and deliberate, and extended a hand towards Esdeath. Esdeath''s eyes widened in astonishment as she looked up at her savior. Hesitantly, she reached out and grasped the offered hand, feeling its warmth and strength. As she stood, the pent-up emotions overwhelmed her, and she began to cry, tears flowing from her delicate eyes and dripping onto her soft cheeks. Esdeath''s voice trembled as she spoke, her tears streaming down her face. "Y-you," she stammered, her voice choked with emotion, "You look like me too. Why doesn''t anyone say anything to you? I want to play too!" Her words were filled with a deep sorrow, and her small shoulders shook with the weight of her grief. Lortell stood quietly for a moment, watching Esdeath''s pain unfold before her. Without a word, she stepped forward and wrapped Esdeath in a warm, comforting hug. "Don''t worry," she whispered gently, her voice soft and calming. "When you grow up and marry a handsome prince, everyone will respect you." But while she spoke these soothing words, Lortell''s thoughts were far darker. "Hehe¡­ Don''t worry, Esdeath. I''ll be that prince, and if anyone else tries to take that role, I''ll just get rid of him. You''ll be mine alone," she thought with a twisted sense of satisfaction. Esdeath, her head resting on Lortell''s shoulder, lifted her tear-filled eyes to meet Lortell''s gaze. Her eyes shimmered like stars through her tears. "But just as they said, no one will marry me. I''ll be alone forever!" she cried, her small body trembling with despair. Lortell hugged her tighter, her embrace firm and protective. "Who said you''ll be alone? You have me, right?" she murmured, her voice filled with gentle reassurance. "Really?" Esdeath asked, a flicker of hope lighting up her tear-streaked face. "Then will you marry me when we grow up? I''ll be your bride!" she declared with innocent determination. For a moment, Lortell was taken aback, puzzled by Esdeath''s proposal. But then, a charming smile spread across her face as she laughed softly. "Hahaha¡­ Okay then. You''ll be my bride, and when we grow up, I''ll marry you!" "Promise?" Esdeath asked, her voice small and hopeful, her eyes reflecting a fragile hope. "Pinky promise!" Lortell replied warmly. She linked her pinky finger with Esdeath''s, sealing their solemn vow. For a brief moment, everything seemed brighter, as if the promise had cast away the shadows of their worries. But then, like a sudden flash of lightning, a thought struck Lortell. She remembered the promise she had made to Lorraine¡ªnot to touch Esdeath unless Esdeath accepted her first. And now, Esdeath herself had proposed to her, which meant Lorraine''s promise was fulfilled. "Does this mean¡­ Esdeath belongs to me now?" Lortell thought, a twisted sense of triumph filling her mind. "Yes, she accepted me herself. We even made a promise. Hahaha¡­ She''s officially mine now!" Lortell''s charming smile slowly twisted into an eerie grin. She leaned closer to Esdeath, her breath warm against the younger girl''s ear. Her grin widened unnaturally, and her eyes gleamed with a strange, unsettling intensity. "Now that you''re my bride," she whispered, her voice low and possessive, "don''t you dare look for someone else. You don''t have to work out, do chores, or anything like that." Her tone was still soft, but there was a chilling edge to it that made Esdeath''s heart race with unease. "But always remember," Lortell continued, her grip tightening slightly on Esdeath''s hand, "you belong to me. You are mine and mine alone." Esdeath''s heart pounded in her chest, a storm of emotions swirling inside her¡ªrelief at Lortell''s acceptance, but also a deep, unsettling feeling she couldn''t quite name. The mixture of warmth and dread left her feeling light-headed, her thoughts racing as she clung tightly to Lortell. "Finally... Hahaha... Finally, I found someone who wants me and only me," Esdeath murmured, a smile slowly spreading across her face as the realization hit her. Her body began to heat up, her breaths quickening as she hugged Lortell even tighter, feeling a surge of intense emotion. "Yes, Lady Mariette, I''m all yours. My everything belongs to you, hahaha," she confessed, her childish voice carrying a sense of devotion that contrasted sharply with the darker undertones of Lortell''s intentions. But their intimate moment was interrupted by Lorraine''s voice cutting through the air. "Lady Mariette, where are you? We''re getting ready to leave!" Lorraine called out, her tone laced with urgency. She had come on purpose, worried that Lortell might repeat her past actions, something Lorraine couldn''t allow. Hearing Lorraine''s voice, Lortell took a step back, her face quickly returning to its usual expressionless state. "Esdeath, I''m going back to palace," she said, her voice devoid of emotion. The words hit Esdeath like a ton of bricks, her eyes widening in shock. "W-what? It''s been just a day since you came here! What about having more moments together?" she cried, tears spilling down her cheeks. "No, don''t go! At least take me with you!" she pleaded, her voice trembling with desperation. Lortell''s heart twisted painfully, like someone was squeezing it. She didn''t want to leave either, but she knew she had no choice. "I also don''t want this, but right now, there are too many people stronger and with more authority than me," Lortell thought, her heart tightening with each word. "I have to report everything to Father, kneel before the king, deal with Lilith Maranthia and so many others. If I take you now, I won''t be able to protect you from them. They won''t let me do what I want." Lortell gently placed her hand on Esdeath''s shoulder, trying to reassure her despite the turmoil in her own heart. "Don''t worry, I will come back for you, and when I do, I''ll marry you," she promised, her voice soft yet firm. "And by then, don''t you dare forget our promise!" Lortell added, her voice turning cold and serious as she began to walk away toward Lorraine. As she walked, Lortell''s thoughts grew darker, her mind spinning with twisted plans. "I may be weak right now, but by the next time we meet, I will have both the power and authority to challenge even the king. And when that time comes, no one will question a single thing I do¡ªwhether it''s making you my wife or even fucking you in public, no one will dare to object." Lortell''s eyes gleamed with a sinister light as her thoughts continued. "I didn''t choose the second option and kill your parents just because of you, but don''t you dare forget our promise. And when I return, if your parents try to stop us, I''ll kill them, If my parents object, I''ll kill them too, If the world objects I''ll kill the whole world. And if you object, I''ll make you a slave and buy you again just to officially become the owner of your heart and body. You have to understand, Esdeath¡ªyou belong to me!" S~ea??h the novel(F~)ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Finally, Lortell reached Lorraine, but before they could leave, Lortell spoke again. "Lorraine, I have another order for you. After we arrive at the palace, send some soldiers and kill all of those kids and their families who bullied my wife," Esdeath Is A Witch As Esdeath watched Calista''s reaction, a twisted smile formed on her lips. Suddenly, a series of notifications flashed in her mind, each one feeding her dark satisfaction. <1000 SP rewarded> Calista''s eyes narrowed as she instinctively raised her hand, aiming straight for Esdeath''s neck. There was no hesitation, no thought of how dangerous it might be. She just wanted to silence the girl who had dared to mock her. But before Calista could even get close, Esdeath effortlessly jumped back, dodging the attack with a graceful ease. "My, my... The future saintess is attacking me! I''m so scared!" Esdeath exclaimed, her tone dripping with mockery as she feigned fear, clutching her chest in a dramatic display. Her words had the desired effect. All eyes were now on Calista. Some had seen her take the first swing, but they couldn''t believe that someone as peaceful and charming as the future saintess would actually attack another person. The disbelief in their faces made Esdeath''s grin widen. "Tch..." Calista snorted, her cheeks flushing with embarrassment. She quickly turned her back on Esdeath and stalked off to her class, deciding it wasn''t worth the risk of causing a scene. Not now, not with everyone watching. As Calista retreated, Esdeath let out a small sigh of relief. "Well, that was close," she muttered to herself, the adrenaline still pumping through her veins. But then her mind began to churn with new thoughts, connecting the dots from the notifications. "So, the more people acknowledge my presence, the more SP points I get. Whether they see me as a friend, an enemy, or just someone important, I can rack up those points. If the whole world knows my name, just how many SP points could I collect?" she pondered, her eyes gleaming with a newfound understanding. A mischievous grin spread across her face as she imagined the possibilities. But then, just as quickly, she shook her head, banishing the thoughts from her mind. "No, I can''t trust this system either," she murmured to herself, her expression turning serious. "I don''t even know who my constellation is. I can''t rely solely on this." ..... Today''s schedule had only one lecture, but it was a "Joint Class Lecture," meaning students from Class A, B, and C had to sit together in the same room. The reason for this unusual gathering wasn''t to teach magic or anything like that, but to go over some important academy rules, discuss upcoming competitions, and address a few other topics that needed to be communicated to all three classes at once. Ethan Rothslayer walked through the academy halls with his two friends, Violet and Sylvania. The three of them chatted casually as they made their way to the lecture hall, but something else was occupying Ethan''s mind. "I still don''t know where that Esdeath girl came from," he muttered under his breath, his thoughts slipping out loud enough for Violet and Sylvania to hear. Sylvania''s eyes narrowed as she turned to him, her voice tinged with jealousy. "You''re still thinking about her?" Realization hit Ethan like a ton of bricks. His words had leaked out, and his cheeks turned a deep shade of red. "No, no! That''s not what I meant! I was just curious, that''s all." Before he could dig himself out of the awkward situation, a chilling voice cut through the air behind them, stopping him mid-sentence. "Don''t get involved with her." The three of them spun around to see who had spoken. Standing before them was a girl with golden hair, green eyes, and smooth, flawless skin¡ªthe Marquess Claus Clandestine. "Why?" Ethan asked, his curiosity piqued. "Esdeath is a witch," Claus said with an indifferent expression, causing everyone''s eyes to widen. "There were many kids who bullied her when she was a child, but one day, both those kids and their families disappeared in a single night, never to be found again. Some say she ate them or killed them for her witchcraft. There are many rumors about her." Claus''s words hung in the air, spreading a sense of unease among the group. But then, her expression softened, and she laughed lightly, waving off the tension. "But I don''t actually believe those rumors. Hahaha¡­ She''s just a shut-in NEET, nothing more. I''m only saying this so the Count''s daughter, Miss Sylvania, can be careful." With that, Claus pointed at Sylvania, making her blink in surprise. Then, without another word, Claus turned and walked ahead, entering the classroom first, leaving the trio standing there, stunned and slightly confused. As soon as Claus was out of earshot, Sylvania crossed her arms, pouting a little. "A witch, huh? Sounds like she''s got quite the reputation." ... One by one, all the students entered the room. The classroom was much bigger than the usual ones, at least twice the size. The benches were arranged in a half-circle, giving everyone a good view of the large table and big board at the front, where the teacher would stand and teach. The benches were divided into three sections: the left side was for Class A students, the middle for Class B, and the right side for Class C. Each section was separated by a small gap, clearly marking the distinction between the classes. Class A had around twenty students, while Class B had about fifty to sixty. On the other hand, Class C had more than a hundred students, making their section look much fuller. Ethan sat in the middle of Class A''s row, with Sylvania and Violet sitting on either side of him. The three of them glanced around as the rest of the students settled into their seats. Once everyone had gathered, the teacher entered the room. She was a woman in her thirties, with long dark green hair and piercing yellow eyes. Her name was Sylvia, and the students greeted her respectfully as she walked in. She nodded in return, her voice calm and steady as she began the lecture. She started by going over some basic academy rules. As she spoke, Ethan tried to focus, but he quickly grew bored. He already knew all these rules, having heard them before, so he found it hard to stay interested. He yawned deeply, his thoughts drifting elsewhere. "When will this end? I have bigger things to worry about... like getting stronger." His mind wandered to his first plan¡ªretrieving the "Golden Key Ring." That ring was rumored to be the key to unlocking a great inheritance, something that could give him the power he needed. Inheritances were treasures left behind by powerful individuals who had passed away. Rather than giving their valuable items to the kingdom or their children, many of these people hid their treasures in secret locations, creating what was known as an inheritance. These inheritances could contain all sorts of things¡ªessence stones, gold, silver, and even ancient relics. But not all inheritances were the same. Some were considered good, following the simple rule of "first come, first serve." If you were lucky enough to find one, all the treasures inside were yours to keep. But evil inheritances were different. They required you to pass tests, and failing those tests could be deadly. On top of that, humans and other friendly species weren''t the only ones who created inheritances. Demons made them too, mostly evil ones. Demons didn''t care who found their inheritances¡ªthey just wanted to cause chaos by making people fight over them. The more people that died trying to claim these treasures, the better, as far as demons were concerned. But those who did manage to claim a demon''s inheritance often gained more valuable treasures than they would from any other kind. Inheritances were also ranked from D to A. The higher the rank, the bigger and more dangerous the inheritance, but also the greater the rewards. Ethan knew this well, and the thought of retrieving a high-rank inheritance excited him. But he also knew it wouldn''t be easy. As the teacher continued her lecture, Ethan''s mind drifted back to his plan. He couldn''t stop thinking about the Golden Key Ring. "The ring is in the basement library, where only third years are allowed. The school year has just started, so the security down there is going to be tight. I''ll have to wait at least two weeks before I can make my move," he thought with a sigh of disappointment. He recalled a story from ten years ago about a librarian who worked in that very basement. "That librarian suddenly quit his job one day and picked up a sword. Within a few years, he became one of the kingdom''s sword saints. But even then, he said, ''I can be stronger once he truly starts teaching me,'' but unfortunately not long after he dies in a battle against a demon. I don''t know what he meant, but I''m sure that ring is in the basement library," Ethan calculated, determined to uncover its secrets. "Now, we have three final announcements," Sylvia, the teacher, said, pulling Ethan out of his thoughts. "First, in one and a half months, there will be a competition between students. The top three will be rewarded with essence stones and money, and some may even be promoted to Class A," Sylvia announced. The room buzzed with excitement. The thought of competing and proving themselves had students practically bouncing in their seats. "So work hard for the upcoming competition. The second point is that from now on, you''re allowed to challenge each other to duels, but only if the other person accepts. You can duel with or without magic," Sylvia continued. Ethan''s mind wandered again, this time to Esdeath. "Duels, huh? That reminds me of her... Esdeath. If she''s truly as dangerous as they say, she must be planning something." sea??h th§× Novel?ire(.)ne*t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Curious, Ethan glanced over at the middle row where the Class B students sat. His eyes found Esdeath, and what he saw made him pause. "She''s... sleeping? And why does it look like she''s having a perverted dream?" Ethan thought, his eyes widening. Esdeath''s face was flushed red, and a small trail of drool ran down her cheek as she rested her head on the desk, clearly lost in some rather inappropriate fantasy. The sight was so out of place that Ethan had to stifle a laugh. It was hard to believe that this girl, who supposedly had such a dark reputation, could look so hilarious. Second Place? "Third and last thing," Sylvia announced, her voice cutting through the chatter, "is the Essence Stone Refinement Test." The room went silent, and students gasped in surprise. A test on the first day? No one had expected that. Sylvia opened a drawer in her desk and pulled out a small, star-shaped crystal about the size of a finger. "This is a rank E Essence Stone, called Moonblade," she explained, holding the shimmering crystal up for everyone to see. "It gives you the ability to draw out a sharp crystal blade from your hand, like a knife. Each of you will take one of these stones and try to refine it." She paused, letting the information sink in. Some students looked nervous, while others seemed eager for the challenge. "There''s no punishment if you can''t refine it," Sylvia added, trying to ease the tension. "But... the first person to successfully refine the stone will earn twenty silver coins." That announcement sent a ripple of excitement through the room. For the commoners, twenty silver coins were a small fortune. Their eyes lit up with anticipation, their excitement reaching a fever pitch. Even the wealthier students couldn''t help but be interested. Everyone loves a chance to prove themselves, and the idea of showing they were better than the others made their competitive spirits flare up. Sylvia knew this well. The teachers wanted to see who had the most talent, who would stand out in this diverse group of students. The room buzzed with energy, the students all mentally preparing themselves for the challenge ahead. Ethan couldn''t help but glance at the star-shaped stone, already strategizing how he would approach the test. .... Ethan sat cross-legged on his bed in his private room, staring intently at the star-shaped Moonblade crystal in his hand. He gripped it tightly, feeling the weight of the challenge ahead. "On the surface, it looks like those with high ESR talent have the advantage," he thought, analyzing the situation. "But in reality, they''re taking the biggest risk. This is just a rank E stone, not one that needs a massive amount of mana. High aptitude students might push too hard and end up causing their stones to explode, losing their chance entirely. On the other hand, students with lower ESR talent might take longer, but they have a better shot at succeeding... that is, if this is their first time." He considered the different levels of talent. "For normal students, it might take at least two weeks to refine this stone. B-grade students, if they do everything perfectly, could manage it in six or seven days. And the A-grade talents? They could finish in just two or three days. I remember the princess was the first to refine hers, doing it by the next evening. With her natural talent and high ESR, she won the competition," he thought, feeling a mix of admiration and curiosity. Although even ethan didn''t know that the princess is only a C-grade talent. The teachers helped her win to build her reputation. Ethan glanced out the window, noticing that night had already fallen. The rain poured down steadily, each drop creating a soothing rhythm that washed over the scene outside. The peaceful atmosphere seemed to relax everything around it, even sparking a hint of romantic feelings in the air. Ethan couldn''t help but smile, finding comfort in the serene moment. But his thoughts soon shifted back to more serious matters. "Status," he muttered, and instantly, a holographic screen appeared in front of him, displaying information. --- Name: Ethan Rothslayer Title: Regressor Attributes: - Strength 6 - Stamina: 7.2 - Speed: 6.5 - Magic Power: 80 Current Skills in Possession: - Genius Hour (B) Upgradable: When activated, Strength increases by 20%, Stamina by 25%, and Speed by 30% for one hour. Cooldown: 24 hours. - Righteous (B) Upgradable: The body slowly heals over time while fighting for a righteous cause. If near defeat, Stamina snd fatigue resets once, and pain is numbed for an hour. - Bleeding (C): Wounds inflicted by you continue to bleed until fully healed with magic. Ethan stared at the floating screen before him, a mix of curiosity and frustration in his eyes. "This thing... I''ve been able to see it ever since I regressed," he thought, trying to make sense of the mysterious system that had become a part of his life. "Who gave it to me? Why do I have it?" These questions had plagued him since the moment it first appeared, but no answers had come. He knew one thing for certain: the system had its benefits. "It gives me skills, sometimes even rewards, when I defeat monsters," he mused, recalling the times it had proven useful. But there was still so much uncertainty. "What will it give me if I manage to defeat a demon?" The thought lingered in his mind, sparking a flicker of both excitement and apprehension. Ethan sighed deeply, pushing aside the questions that had no immediate answers. With a thought, he dismissed the status screen, watching as it faded from view. "For now, I have to focus on what''s ahead," he reminded himself, knowing that dwelling on the unknown wouldn''t get him any closer to his goals. Ethan''s status screen was noticeably different from Esdeath''s. She had SP (Self-worth Points) and a "job" section, things that Ethan''s status lacked. But how could he know? As far as he was concerned, he was the only one with this mysterious system. He returned to his bed, sitting cross-legged with the star-shaped Moonblade essence stone in hand. "If I start refining now, With my previous life''s experience, even as a B-rank student, it''ll still take me two or three days, just like the A-grade students," he sighed, feeling a bit disappointed. "But that won''t be enough to win the competition." However, he reminded himself that he didn''t actually need to win. "When I topped the exam, I was rewarded with twenty silver coins. I don''t need to come out on top¡ªI just need to prove my worth as a Class A student," he thought, feeling more satisfied with his plan. Determined, he decided to spend the entire night refining the essence stone. Just as he was about to begin, something unexpected happened. A notification flashed before him. "Ding!" Ethan''s eyes widened in surprise. "What? How?" he gasped. "Ding!" Ethan breathed out loudly, astonished. This was the first time he''d seen something that could refine an essence stone instantly. "Yes!" he shouted, hardly able to believe his luck. The essence stone flew out of his hand and was absorbed into the status hologram. For a moment, panic gripped him¡ªwhat if something went wrong? But just as quickly, another notification appeared. As the message popped up, a shuriken-shaped tattoo appeared on Ethan''s right hand, marking the successful refinement of the essence stone. Ethan couldn''t contain his excitement. A wide smile spread across his face as he thought, "Does this mean I''m the first?" As the thought struck him, Ethan couldn''t stay still any longer. He jumped out of bed, not even bothering to grab an umbrella, and sprinted out of his room, heading straight for the academy. Reputation was everything, especially for someone like Ethan who had big plans for the future. He knew that if he could build a solid reputation and rack up some achievements, it might even lead to a promotion to nobility¡ªa crucial step in forming a strong team to face the calamities he knew were coming. The rain poured down heavily, soaking his clothes within moments, but Ethan didn''t care. Ordinary rain wouldn''t make him sick, and his determination was stronger than the discomfort. It was around 9 PM, and he was sure that Sylvia and other teachers who lived on campus would still be around, likely in their offices. With his intimate knowledge of the academy''s layout, it didn''t take long for him to reach Sylvia''s office. He knocked on the door, his heart pounding with anticipation. Knock... Knock... Knock... The door swung open, revealing Sylvia, her free-flowing hair framing her surprised face. Her yellow eyes widened as she took in Ethan''s drenched appearance. "What are you doing here? Your clothes are soaking wet!" Ethan, too excited to care about his soaked clothes, thrust his right palm forward. "Forget about that! Look at this!" sea??h th§× n??el Fire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Sylvia''s eyes shifted to his hand, and her shock deepened. "You... you refined the Moonblade Essence Stone?" A proud smile spread across Ethan''s face as he scratched the back of his head, ready to bask in her praise. "Does that mean I''m the firs¡ª" But before he could finish, Sylvia interrupted him, clapping her hands in excitement. "I can''t believe it! You refined it so early despite being a B grade! Just what is happening today? First her, and now you... Anyway, congratulations on getting second place!" Her words hit Ethan like a bucket of cold water. His smile froze, and his eyes widened in disbelief. "Second place? Second place?" he repeated, the shock clear in his voice. How could he not be the first? ------------------------------------------------------- Sooooo...... How many of you want predictor back? and if yes then, As a girl or boy? I actually planned to kill him forever but let''s see... Finally Average Stats Esdeath burst into uncontrollable laughter, rolling around on her bed in her dorm room. "Bwahahaha... Hahaha!" She laughed so hard that tears formed at the corners of her eyes. Finally, after what felt like an eternity, she calmed down, sitting up and taking a deep breath. "I bet Ethan''s face was priceless..." she chuckled, imagining the shock on his face. She knew the importance of the system she had. Unlike others, system could instantly refine essence stones¡ªexcept for the highest-ranking ones. In the main storyline, Ethan was supposed to discover this ability later that night, making him the first to refine the Moonblade Essence Stone. But Esdeath had swooped in and stolen his thunder. "I don''t need everyone''s attention, but I couldn''t pass up twenty silver coins," Esdeath mused, pulling out a small pouch filled with coins and feeling their weight in her palm. "My idiot father didn''t give me any pocket money, and I''m broke. But for my future plans, money is something I absolutely need." She frowned, calculating her finances. "Hmm... Twenty silver coins isn''t enough. I need more, especially since I''ll soon be going on a small trip. The travel costs will eat up most of this." But as she thought about the SP (Self-worth Points) she might have earned from winning, a sly grin crept onto her face. "Let''s see how many SP points I got. I bet I''ll get a lot more when everyone hears I won the competition." With that thought, she willed her status screen to appear. Suddenly, a notification popped up: Esdeath stared at the floating text, her jaw dropping in disbelief. "....." Then, as the realization hit her, she exploded. "....!!!" "Fuck... you... Constellation!!!" she yelled, throwing up a middle finger at the status window in pure frustration. "Why do I have to be stuck with this third-rate system? Why, why, why...?" she groaned, slamming her fists into the bed repeatedly, her earlier excitement replaced by sheer exasperation. Her carefully crafted plans had backfired, and now, she was left with nothing but her own annoyance. Suddenly, another notification popped up on Esdeath''s screen, interrupting her thoughts: Esdeath stared at the screen, her emotions a mix of frustration and curiosity. "So, if someone is unsure about me or doubts my abilities, I get fewer SP points? That''s something new," she muttered, frowning slightly. She then focused on the last part of the notification. "And 100k SP points to change the rules of the system... Does that mean if I gather that much, I could make it so breaking the main storyline actually gives me SP points?" The thought made her eyes light up for a moment, but she quickly shook her head. "No point thinking about that now. I''m nowhere near 100k SP. Better focus on what I can do with what I have." Determined to make the most of her situation, Esdeath turned her attention back to her current SP points. "Let''s see what I can do with these 1330 SP points," she thought, a hint of excitement creeping back into her voice. With a simple thought, she willed her status to appear: S§×ar?h the Novel?ire(.)ne*t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. : 1.8 : 3.6 : 2 : 18 Current skills in possession - Sharpshooter (F) Upgradable: When used, time will slow down for three seconds. Can only be used once an hour. - Keen Eyes (F) Upgradable: Can see over great distances with precision. Esdeath examined the screen closely, noting the changes since the last time she checked. "My strength went up by 0.5 thanks to my workout routine and eating healthier," she thought, feeling a small sense of pride. "And my stamina increased too, by 0.2 on its own, plus the 200 SP I spent on it earlier." But the biggest improvement was in her speed and magic power. "Speed went up by 0.4, and magic power jumped by 8 points. Not bad," she mused, feeling a surge of confidence. She knew she still had a long way to go, but seeing the tangible results of her efforts fueled her determination to keep pushing forward. Esdeath sat on her bed, deep in thought, her expression growing serious as she mulled over the complexities of the game''s system. With a sigh, she muttered, "The main reason this game is such a mess is because you can''t just increase your stats without thinking. A single mistake could even get you killed!" She knew how absurd it might sound to someone unfamiliar with the game, so she continued, explaining it to herself as if talking to a curious outsider. "You must be thinking, ''What kind of joke is this?'' But no! It''s real. For example, if you put all your points into increasing your ''strength'' stat, it doesn''t magically turn you into Saitama from *One Punch Man.* Instead, at some point, your body could literally explode or break apart because it can''t handle the power." Esdeath shook her head as she calculated the risks in her mind. "If you want to increase your strength further without any dangerous side effects, you''ll need something like an essence stone that can fortify your body¡ªstrengthening your skin, bones, and muscles. Things like Iron Bones Essence Stone or Bronze Skin Essence Stone... In short, if you want to get stronger, you also need to boost your endurance. But unfortunately, the system doesn''t have an ''endurance'' stat, so I have no choice but to focus on those essence stones." She paused, thinking about how speed worked in the game. "And the same goes for speed. Speed is the riskiest stat of them all. It''s got so many ways to kill you. If you boost your speed but don''t have enough stamina, you''ll be out of breath after just a few meters. Push yourself too far, and you might end up coughing blood. Worse, if you put too many points into speed, your legs could break from not being able to control it." Esdeath frowned, realizing it wasn''t just about physical stats. "But that''s not all. Even if you have enough stamina and speed, if you don''t strengthen your soul and mind, you won''t be able to think as fast as you''re moving. That could lead to you crashing into a wall and becoming a bloody mess. There are essence stones that can help with that too, like the ''Guts Stone,'' which can sharpen your mind and let you think at lightning speed. But again, there''s no ''intelligence'' stat in this system." She sighed, her mind still working through the complexities. ,"stamina is probably the safest stat to focus on. It has the fewest drawbacks, and you can never have too much of it." Esdeath sat cross-legged on her bed, her eyes fixed on the floating screen in front of her. After a moment of contemplation, she decided on how to allocate her SP points. "Alright, let''s do this," she whispered to herself, feeling the weight of her decisions. She started by funneling 300 SP into her Strength stat. Immediately, she felt a surge of power course through her body, as if every muscle had suddenly become denser and more capable. She clenched her fist, feeling the difference. Satisfied, she then directed 200 SP each into her Speed and Stamina. As the points were absorbed, she felt a rush of energy in her legs and lungs, like she could run faster and longer without tiring. Esdeath stood up on her bed, a menacing smile spreading across her face. She flexed her arms, feeling the new strength coursing through her veins. "Finally, my overall stats are at the same level as an average awakened," she thought with satisfaction. The sense of power was intoxicating, and for the first time in a while, she felt like she was finally catching up to the others. But she wasn''t done yet. "I think I should create a new skill with the remaining SP points," she mused, her mind already whirling with possibilities. She needed something practical, something that would give her an edge in future battles¡ªespecially when it came to dealing with humans. After some thought, she decided on a paralyzing effect. "This will be perfect," she thought. "It''ll help me take down targets silently, especially when it comes to killing humans." She briefly entertained the idea of creating an ultimate skill that could paralyze even S-rank monsters, but she quickly dismissed it. "I don''t have nearly enough SP points for that," she realized. Instead, she decided to make the skill upgradable, starting with a basic paralyzing bullet. <500 SP points reduced> "Hmmm... I guess this should be enough for now. I''ll leave the remaining SP as it is," she concluded, feeling content with her decisions. She had made significant progress today, and the thought of what she could do next filled her with excitement. For now, though, it was time to rest and let her new power settle in. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- Team B won with 6-1....predictor gonna come back as female but if course there''s time for that.... Class B Rank 6 Esdeath stretched out her arms, feeling the newfound strength pulsing through her body. "Hmm... I guess this should be enough for now. I''ll leave the remaining SP for later," she mused, a satisfied smile curling on her lips. Today had been productive. The thought of how much stronger she had become filled her with a sense of excitement. She couldn''t wait to see how much more she could push herself, but for now, it was time to relax and let everything settle. However, before Esdeath could even lie down, the door to the dorm swung open with a soft creak. Her moment of peace was interrupted as Luna, her roommate, finally entered the room. Luna hadn''t shown up the night before, too terrified after their first encounter with Esdeath. But now that Luna realized Esdeath was just a human like herself, the embarrassment of her overreaction weighed heavily on her. Luna slipped inside, her gaze glued to the floor, clearly trying to avoid eye contact. Her steps were hesitant, almost as if she was walking on eggshells. As she approached her bed, the room filled with an awkward silence. Esdeath raised an eyebrow, watching Luna''s shy behavior. Luna stopped for a moment, then, forcing a smile onto her face, she awkwardly broke the silence. "Are you having a good day?" Luna asked, pretending like the fear from the previous night had never existed. "Just play it cool, Luna¡­ play it cool..." she mentally scolded herself, trying to act casual. Instead of being irritated by the interruption or Luna''s attempt to act normal, Esdeath returned the smile, calm and collected. "Of course," she replied, her voice soft but steady. Luna gave a nervous nod, letting out a forced chuckle. "Haha..." The air between them grew thick with awkwardness, and neither knew what to say next. Luna fidgeted with her fingers, her eyes wandering the room until they landed on a stack of books beside Esdeath. Curious, Luna''s eyes lingered on the titles. Luna grabbed all of the magic books from Esdeath''s desk and started reading the titles aloud, her brow furrowing with confusion. "Strength Boost Magic? Photo-Audio Magic? Change Hair Color? And... Silence Magic?" She blinked, clearly puzzled by the strange mix of spells. "Are you... preparing for the upcoming competition or something?" Luna asked, trying to keep a straight face. "But other than Strength Boost Magic, none of these are going to help you, right? I mean, what are you gonna do? Silence your enemies or... change their hair color?" She couldn''t help it. The thought of someone winning a fight by magically giving their opponent a new hairstyle made her burst into laughter. "Pfft... Seriously? Change their hair color?" Luna''s mind wandered, her imagination running wild. "Maybe she''s planning to change her own hair color with magic. Poor thing. If I had black hair like her, I might have done the same. But what is she planning to do to her enemies? Give them a makeover? Talk about useless magic!" She stifled another giggle, completely missing the growing tension in the room. When Luna finally glanced at Esdeath, she noticed the serious expression on her roommate''s face. Esdeath''s eyes were narrowed, her lips pressed into a thin line. Clearly, Luna''s teasing hadn''t been well-received. Luna''s heart skipped a beat, realizing she might have overstepped. Without another word, she quickly shuffled toward her bed, pulling the blanket over herself as fast as possible. "Goodnight!" she blurted out, pretending to sleep, hoping Esdeath wouldn''t hold a grudge. It was a scene straight out of a comedy sketch, and if someone had been watching, they''d probably burst out laughing at how awkward it was. Esdeath, however, didn''t say a word. She just stared at Luna, shook her head slightly, and climbed into her own bed. "Childish," she muttered under her breath. Soon enough, she drifted off to sleep, and before she knew it, morning had already arrived. Esdeath''s usual routine kicked in. She woke up at 5:30 sharp, brushed her teeth, washed her face, and put on her sports bra and thigh-high leggings for her morning run around the academy grounds. But today was different¡ªshe pushed herself harder, completing a solid 15 laps. After her run, she headed straight to the academy''s training room. Instead of her usual workout routine, Esdeath grabbed a gun for training. This wasn''t your typical gun with bullets, though. Here, you had to pour your mana into the gun, solidifying it into bullets before shooting. No magic circles, no incantations, no complicated formulas¡ªjust pure mana. At first, it was a little tricky. Aiming wasn''t easy, and the gun felt awkward in her hands. But Esdeath wasn''t one to give up easily. After a few tries, she adjusted to the weight, and soon, her shots were hitting the targets with perfect accuracy. By the end of her session, she had the best aim of anyone in the academy. Feeling accomplished, she treated herself to a hot bath before slipping into her academy uniform. ..... Unlike yesterday, Class A, B, and C were now separated, each group heading to their own classrooms. Esdeath, part of Class B, walked calmly through the hall, her mind focused, but as soon as she entered her class, she could feel the tension in the air. Whispers filled every corner of the room, boys and girls alike murmuring the same thing¡ªEsdeath. It was clear that the news had spread fast. She hadn''t even sat down before she could already hear their gossip. "Seriously? There''s no way I''m gonna believe that!" one girl said in disbelief, shaking her head. "Yeah, out of all people, *she* was the first to complete the refinement?" another chimed in, her voice dripping with doubt. "It''s impossible with a C-grade aptitude. She must have cheated!" a third girl added, crossing her arms as if the very thought of Esdeath''s success was offensive. "Definitely cheated!" the whispers grew louder, spreading like wildfire through the classroom. The word "cheated" hung in the air like a dark cloud, clinging to every conversation. But when it came to how she could have cheated, no one seemed to have an answer. Esdeath was just a baron¡ªshe didn''t have powerful connections or any teachers who would help her. So how could she have possibly pulled it off? By the time Esdeath finally stepped into the classroom, the whispers abruptly died down. The room fell into an uncomfortable hush, and everyone pretended to focus on anything but her. No one dared accuse her out loud, and yet no one congratulated her either. The tension was thick, like an invisible wall separating her from the rest of the class. Esdeath noticed the sudden silence but didn''t care. She kept her usual calm expression, as though their opinions didn''t bother her at all. She could feel their eyes on her, burning with curiosity, doubt, and even jealousy, but she didn''t acknowledge them. As she moved to her seat, her system buzzed, sending her a few notifications. But she ignored them for now, sliding into the second-to-last bench in the middle row. She leaned back, her eyes scanning the room briefly before closing for a moment of peace. It didn''t take long before the classroom door creaked open, and in walked the teacher. To everyone''s surprise, it was Sylvia, one of the more respected instructors. As soon as she entered, the students rose from their seats to greet her in unison. "Good morning, Miss Sylvia!" They quickly sat back down after she waved them off. "Ahem... ahem..." Sylvia cleared her throat as she stood at the front, her eyes sweeping over the class. "Today''s topic will be about Aura and Stealth." She paused, glancing around the room, and then her eyes landed squarely on Esdeath. "But before we get into that, I have something important to announce." Esdeath''s heart skipped a beat, already knowing what was coming. The teacher''s gaze made it clear. Sylvia turned to the rest of the class, her voice loud and firm. "I''d like to congratulate Esdeath Crimson. She is the first student to refine the Moonblade Essence Stone! Let''s give her a round of applause." For a moment, the room was frozen, and then the slow sound of reluctant clapping began to fill the classroom. The applause was forced, barely sincere. No one truly wanted to celebrate Esdeath''s success, but with Sylvia standing right there, they had no choice. The students glanced at each other, silently fuming, but their hands continued to clap. The sound echoed awkwardly, a mix of frustration and jealousy hidden behind every clap. Esdeath, however, remained calm, showing no reaction. She kept her face neutral, only nodding slightly to acknowledge the forced praise. She knew they didn''t mean it, but that didn''t matter to her. Finally, Sylvia raised her hand, signaling for the clapping to stop. "Alright, alright, that''s enough," she said with a small smile. "I''ve already rewarded Esdeath with 20 silver coins for her achievement." A wave of jealousy rippled through the room as Sylvia continued, "And one more thing¡ªher rank has gone up. Esdeath Crimson is now ranked Class B, Rank 6." The announcement stirred another round of bitterness from the students, but none of them dared to say anything out loud. Their silent jealousy filled the air like an invisible storm cloud. Esdeath could feel their eyes on her, burning with resentment, but she didn''t let it show. Instead, she nodded calmly, as if none of this mattered to her. Sylvia glanced at Esdeath one last time before clearing her throat again. "Okay, okay, now that''s settled. Let''s begin the lecture for today." S§×ar?h the n?velFire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Side Quest Sylvia stood at the front of the class, her gaze serious as she began the lesson. "Today, we''ll be talking about something crucial: Aura and Stealth. These two are closely related, and understanding them could be the difference between life and death on the battlefield." "When a person first awakens their powers," Sylvia started, "a strange thing happens. A blue, fog-like aura surrounds them for about fifteen minutes. During that time, anyone, even normal people, can see this aura without any trouble. It''s as if the air around them is alive. But after that... things change. After those fifteen minutes, that same aura becomes invisible to regular people. Only those who have awakened¡ªpeople with magic or special abilities¡ªcan see it after that." She took a step forward, gesturing with her hands as she explained further. "When you start using your mana and mix it with your killing intent, it creates a visible effect. A smoke-like aura forms around your body, visible only to other awakened individuals. This is what we call your true aura. And let me tell you, each aura is unique. Some people will have an aura that looks righteous, glowing with pure colors like golden, Yellow, blue, green, or pink. Others might have a more sinister aura, like black or blood-red. That''s what we call a death aura." The students leaned in, intrigued. Esdeath, sitting quietly near the back, was already started falling asleep. Sylvia continued, her voice taking on a more intense tone. "To use aura, you first need killing intent. Now, don''t misunderstand me. Killing intent doesn''t mean you need to be a murderer. It''s more about your spirit, your will to fight. And it''s not just the strong who have it¡ªsometimes weaker people can have a stronger killing intent than someone who''s physically stronger. It''s all about your heart and mind." A few students glanced at each other, clearly wondering how strong their own killing intent was. Esdeath, however, already fallen asleep without anyone noticing. "When you combine your killing intent with your mana, you can give it form, making it appear as a thick, smoky aura that wraps around your body. This aura can create immense pressure on your opponent. A weak person''s aura might only affect a small space, but as you get stronger, so does your aura''s range and impact." Sylvia''s expression grew more serious as she explained the power differences. "For example, a D-ranked awakened individual''s aura might cover something as small as a garden, while a C-ranked person can affect an entire district. B-ranked individuals can release an aura so powerful that normal people might faint or even die just from being near it. Their aura can spread across a whole city!" "Now, let me tell you about the higher ranks. A-ranked individuals have a terrifying aura. Their aura can crush mountains and affect large cities, creating a pressure so strong it can bring entire buildings down. But," she paused, her voice dropping, "the gap between A-rank and S-rank is even greater. An S-rank''s aura can affect an entire region. And their aura is so overwhelming that normal people would be turned into nothing more than... meat paste. They wouldn''t even know what hit them. Even C-rank awakened individuals can die if they''re caught in the aura of someone at S-rank." Sylvia stood at the front of the class, her expression calm but serious. "If any of you are thinking that aura is something you can control to just appear or disappear when you want it to, you''re wrong." "This is where *stealth* comes into play," she explained, pacing slowly. "Every awakened individual has a thin or sometimes large layer of aura surrounding their body *at all times*. It doesn''t just vanish when you''re not using it¡ªit''s always there, like a protective barrier. Some people who are skilled at detecting aura flow can sense anyone around them without even needing to see them. But, there are times when they can''t. That''s when stealth becomes important." Sylvia paused to make sure everyone was following. "A small layer of aura surrounds you constantly, whether you''re aware of it or not. The only exception to this is when you''re asleep." Sear?h the N?vel(F)ire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. One of the students raised a hand. "Why when we''re asleep?" Sylvia smiled slightly. "Good question. When you fall asleep, the mana in your body stops flowing around and starts gathering in your heart. That''s why, when you''re asleep, you automatically go into what we call *stealth mode*. Your aura is hidden, and no one can detect you unless they have touch sleeping person''s body and try to detect mana inside that person''s heart. "But," Sylvia continued, "you can''t just go around falling asleep whenever you need to hide, can you? That''s why *stealth magic* was invented. By mastering stealth, you can gather all your mana into your heart while awake, just like when you''re asleep, and hide your aura. This makes it difficult¡ªthough not impossible¡ªfor other awakened individuals to sense you." She raised a finger to emphasize her next point. "However, the effectiveness of your stealth depends on how good you are at it. If your opponent is more skilled at detecting aura, they may still find you, even if you''re trying to hide. But falling asleep is the best, automatic stealth mode¡ª"Even other awakened individuals can''t always tell if the person sleeping in front of them is awakened or not. Unless they pour their own mana into your body to check whether or not you have mana gathered in your heart, you could pass as an ordinary person." Also this was the reason when lortell that night came to esdeath''s room but couldn''t able to find out that esdeath is an awakend person, Esdeath by falling asleep, Was already in automatic stealth mode. Lortell had assumed Esdeath wasn''t awakened because she never bothered to check by pouring mana into her. Esdeath''s stealth had worked perfectly, hiding her true nature from even someone like Lortell, who was usually sharp and hard to deceive. "Ahem¡­ Ahem¡­ But there are species like dragons. They have dragon eyes that can tell if a person is awakened or not with just a glance, whether they''re asleep or awake," Sylvia had explained during the lesson. A few students groaned in frustration. "Damn... Dragons sure are formidable!" one of them exclaimed. "Yeah, I wish I was a dragon!" another student added, their voice filled with envy. After teaching about how to use stealth and aura, the lesson had flown by, and before anyone realized it, the class was over. Three more teachers came and went, and by the time the lectures ended, it was already afternoon. Esdeath walked down the academy halls, her mind drifting. "If I''m right," she thought, "the semi-first act should happen in an hour or two." She was ready to head back to her dorm room to prepare, but before she could take another step, a group of boys surrounded her. The boys had smug, arrogant looks on their faces, their eyes filled with lust and mischief. Their cocky, spoiled attitudes made it clear they were trouble. They formed a tight circle around Esdeath, blocking her path. Esdeath''s eyes narrowed slightly as she observed them. "Now, what kind of side quest is this?" she thought, unimpressed by their presence. Despite being tall herself, the boys were still taller, looming over her with dirty grins. One of the boys, with a sneer on his face, stepped forward. "Hehehe... nice hips, long legs, and pretty face," he said arrogantly, his voice dripping with lust. "Now that I''m looking closely, you''re not bad at all." The other boys snickered, feeding off his words. "But let''s get to the point," the boy continued, puffing his chest out as if he had something important to say. "We''re second years. Of course, we have to welcome some chosen first years, and guess what? You should feel honored. You''re one of them! Hahaha..." Bully In *Awakened Academy*, things were far from peaceful. Have you ever done something bad just because you were angry? It''s a natural reaction for some¡ªbreaking things, yelling, tearing up papers, anything to release that pent-up frustration. But for others, those simple acts aren''t enough. They need something more... satisfying. For some, the thrill comes from targeting another person. Just the thought of unleashing all that anger on someone who can''t fight back is enough to send a shiver down their spine. Yelling at them, pushing them around, humiliating them in front of everyone¡ªit gives a sense of power, a twisted satisfaction. That''s why they call it *bullying*. At *Awakened Academy*, the basketball court wasn''t just a place for sports. Sure, it looked like a regular modern-day arena with rows of seats for an audience to cheer and watch and it could be used for both vallyball and basketball. But in this academy, no one ever came to play basketball or vallyball, Why? Because it had become something else entirely¡ªa hunting ground for bullies. In theory, students were allowed to use magic and essence stones to make the game more interesting, as long as they didn''t use offensive spells. But that wasn''t the reason the court was deserted. It wasn''t about the game anymore. It had become the place where second-year students would gang up on the first-years. The bullying here was like a ritual, a cycle that never ended. The second-years, having been tormented themselves the year before, now turned their pain into a weapon. They bullied the first-years simply because they could, or sometimes just for the fun of it. They didn''t need a reason. It was all about power, and power was addictive. You''d think the academy would step in and stop it, right? But no. No one ever reported it. The bullies made sure of that. They would threaten to ruin your family, destroy your reputation, and a scared first-year would always back down. What could they do? The bullying grew bigger and bigger each year, and by the time someone thought of standing up, it was already too late. They had to endure the torment for a whole year, sometimes even all three years, until they became the bullies themselves. It was a vicious cycle that everyone knew about, yet no one dared to stop. The basketball court was filled with tension. Around nine second-year students stood in the center, their presence commanding attention. Six of them were tall boys with strong physiques, while the three girls wore extremely short skirts, the front buttons of their shirts undone, giving them a seductive and careless look. These girls weren''t just troublemakers¡ªthey were delinquent girls, and they didn''t care who knew it. The group''s leader, Mirael Saphirion, stood at the front, smirking. He was the son of a famous landlord, and he carried himself like someone who knew he could get away with anything. Mirael had a sharp, clean-cut face, his light-colored hair hanging casually over his eyes, which were a striking shade of green. He wasn''t just another bully; he had status, and that made him even more dangerous. In front of him, sitting on the volleyball ground, were about twenty to twenty-five students. All of them were either barons or commoners. After all, they couldn''t bully someone of higher status, could they? Each one of the students had a makeshift nameplate around their necks, like some kind of collar, made by the bullies so they could easily identify them, as if they were pets. The humiliation was thick in the air. These nameplates weren''t just labels¡ªthey were signs that these students were nothing in the eyes of Mirael and his gang. Mirael cleared his throat, the mockery dripping from his voice as he spoke. "Ahem... Ahem... I''m Mirael Saphirion, this year''s president of cheering and welcome activities. And it''s our job to make sure we welcome some of the first years in the most *unique* way possible," he said, his lips curling into a smug grin. "And those chosen individuals are... all of you!" he added, clapping for himself like it was the funniest thing in the world. For a moment, no one moved. The only sound was Mirael''s lonely clapping, echoing awkwardly in the empty court. His grin widened as he watched the uncomfortable silence stretch. Then, one of the bullies snapped, "Hey! What are you all staring at? Clap, you idiots!" The shout startled everyone, and before they could think, the first-years began to clap out of fear. Their claps were slow and hesitant at first, but soon the sound filled the court. Clap... Clap... Clap... The sound was hollow, lifeless, as it bounced off the walls of the court. It felt wrong, but none of them dared to stop. "Okay, okay... stop!" Mirael said, raising his hand with a laugh, as if he''d done them all a favor. The clapping died down, but the fear didn''t. For the first-years, this was only the beginning, and they knew it. The humiliation, the bullying¡ªit was all part of the game. And in this court, there were no rules to protect them. "Alright," Mirael began, pacing back and forth in front of the seated students, "Let''s get this started. We can''t let our special guests just sit around and look so bored, can we?" The second-years behind him snickered, the sound sharp and cruel. One of the girls, her short skirt swaying as she moved, leaned against one of the taller boys and whispered something in his ear, causing him to laugh under his breath. Mirael clapped his hands together, his grin widening. "Bring it here," he ordered sharply. Two of the boys, following his command, dragged out a board on wheels. They pulled it into the center of the court, positioning it in front of the group of first-years. The board had a paragraph written on it, scribbled in messy handwriting. Mirael pointed at it with a smirk. "Alright, listen up!" he said, his voice filled with mockery. "This is a very simple song, even little kids can sing it. So, I expect all of you to sing it with enthusiasm. But don''t worry, we''ll give you a demonstration first." With that, Mirael stepped back, his grin never leaving his face. "Ready, set, go!" he shouted, and two of the second-years, a boy and a girl, started singing. Mirael joined in, his voice low at first but growing louder. When I was raped, When I was raped~ He spread my legs, He spread my legs~ He forced me, He forced me to close my eyes~ If it were few men, It''d be alright But there were 50 to 60 men~ The song was disgusting and filled with vulgar lyrics, the kind that made your stomach turn just listening to it. But they sang it with the same seriousness as if it were some kind of holy chant. The second-year girls struck obscene poses as they sang, lifting their skirts to flash their panties or shaking their hips in exaggerated ways. The boys weren''t much better, grinning and making gestures that only added to the humiliation of the moment. The entire scene was like some twisted performance, and every action felt like a slap in the face to the first-years. It wasn''t just a song ¡ª it was a way to mock them, to make them feel small and powerless. But the first-years stayed silent. They didn''t sing along, didn''t react. Their faces showed fear and disgust, but they sat there, taking it, their gazes darting to one another as if trying to find a way out of the nightmare. No one dared to say a word or even move. They were trapped, forced to endure this cruel and demeaning "welcome." Mirael''s grin grew even wider as he saw the first-years'' nervous faces. "What''s the matter?" he asked, his voice dripping with mockery. "Cat got your tongue? Or are you just too scared to sing?" The silence stretched on, no one daring to respond or join in the horrible song. Mirael didn''t seem angry, though. Instead, his smile became even more sinister. "Oh, I get it," he said, pretending to be thoughtful. "You''re not singing because you''re hungry, right?" It was an excuse none of the first-years had thought of, but the moment he said it, one of the boys quickly jumped at the chance to escape. "Yes! We''re hungry! That''s why we''re not singing. I''ll just go grab something from the cafeteria!" he said, forcing a smile as if he''d found the perfect way out. Mirael clicked his tongue, clearly amused by their desperate attempt. "Tch... Tch... Tch... Is that so? Are all of you hungry?" The first-years exchanged glances, and realizing this might be their only chance to avoid further humiliation, they all nodded quickly. "Yes, we are!" they replied in unison, voices hopeful. Mirael tilted his head, still grinning. "Are you all hungry?" he repeated, this time louder. "Yes, we are!" They shouted again, their voices stronger as they thought they might actually get away. Mirael clapped his hands, feigning excitement. "Well, of course we knew that! We''re not that cruel, you know. We''ve already prepared some food for you!" He waved his hand, and a few of the boys and two of the girls disappeared behind the court. They returned moments later, carrying several bowls¡ªsix or seven in total. The bowls were large, filled with something that looked like soup, though it was hard to tell exactly what was inside from a distance. Mirael smirked. "Here''s the deal," he said. "We''ll split you into groups of four, and each group has to finish one of these bowls." All the first-years grouped themselves into circles of four, standing nervously around the large bowls placed in front of them. Each bowl was covered with a red cloth, and the air was thick with tension. When they finally pulled off the cloth, their eyes widened in horror. Inside the bowls was something that looked worse than anyone could have imagined. The food was rotten, filled with squirming worms, crawling over what seemed like a meal left out for weeks. The sight and smell were so bad that even animals wouldn''t touch it. But what could they do? They had no choice. They had to eat it or face even worse punishment. One boy, however, couldn''t take it anymore. He slammed his fist on the ground, making a loud thud. "I''ve had enough of this! I''m not eating this garbage!" he shouted, his face red with anger. A delinquent girl with a smug look on her face stepped forward. Her mini skirt barely covered her legs, and the top buttons of her shirt were undone, showing off her cleavage. She crouched down in front of the boy, her lips curling in disappointment. "Oh, really?" she said, pretending to be upset. "I thought you were braver than that." She then leaned closer, tugging her shirt down to reveal more of her chest. "But if you eat it," she whispered, her voice sweet and tempting, "I''ll let you squeeze them." The boy''s face turned bright red, unable to look away from her chest. His heart raced, and the thought of refusing suddenly became much harder. "I-I''ll eat it! I''ll eat it!" he stammered, grabbing a handful of the disgusting food and stuffing it into his mouth. The moment the slimy, foul taste hit his tongue, he gagged, coughing and then throwing up immediately. The others around him recoiled in disgust. But even after that, the thought of the girl''s offer still lingered in his mind. Driven by his desire, he shoved more of the rotten food into his mouth, fighting back his nausea. The delinquent girl laughed, watching the boy humiliate himself. "Look at him! He''s really eating it! What an idiot!" she said, her laughter ringing through the court. Bam!.... she kicked the boy hard in the face, knocking him onto the ground. He lay there, dazed, as she stood over him, pressing her foot onto his face. "You really thought I''d let you touch me?" she sneered, her voice full of contempt. "You''re nothing but a fool. Like I''d ever like someone like you!" She threw her head back and laughed, her cruel laughter echoing in the court as the boy lay there, humiliated and broken. The others stood around, silent and terrified, knowing that this was their reality now. "Anyone else here who doesn''t want to eat this *delicious* food?" Mirael''s voice echoed through the court, dripping with mockery. The crowd of first-years fell silent, too scared to answer. For a moment, the only sound was the faint rustling of leaves in the distance. Then, a bold voice cut through the tension. "I don''t want to eat this garbage either!" It was a girl''s voice, firm and filled with confidence. Mirael''s smirk faltered, surprised that someone actually dared to speak up. His eyes scanned the crowd, finally landing on the source of the defiance. Standing in the middle of the group was a girl with long, jet-black hair that cascaded down her back, contrasting sharply with her ghostly pale skin. She looked delicate, almost fragile, like a porcelain doll that might break at the slightest touch. But her stance was strong, and her crimson red eyes¡ªfilled with rings that seemed to swirl within¡ªgave off an eerie, unsettling aura. She was beautiful, yes, but there was something about her that made anyone who looked at her pause, unsure whether to be captivated or afraid. Mirael squinted, his curiosity piqued. His gaze flicked down to the nameplate hanging around her neck, and he read it aloud, with a touch of disbelief. "Class B, Rank 6... Esdeath Crimson?" S§×ar?h the ¦ÇovelFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. ------------------------------------------------------------------------- I don''t know why but whenever I thinks of older version of esdeath then only yor from Spy x family and Unohana from bleach comes to my mind... This Girl Is Just Too Shameless Mirael squinted, his curiosity piqued. His gaze flicked down to the nameplate hanging around her neck, and he read it aloud, with a touch of disbelief. "Class B, Rank 6... Esdeath Crimson?" Before he could dwell on it, one of the delinquent girls snickered, crossing her arms as her gaze swept over Esdeath. "Oh, please. You think you''re something special?" She eyed Esdeath''s tattoos and unconventional outfit, a smirk tugging at her lips. "And those tattoos? Trying to be like us? Pathetic." Her tone dripped with mockery. Mirael stepped forward, closing the distance between him and Esdeath, his gaze boldly sweeping over her. "Seems like someone needs to be taught what happens when they don''t follow orders." His eyes lingered on her chest, tracing the lines of her form with a sinister glint in his eye. Esdeath stood tall, her expression calm, despite the tension building in the air. "Take off your shirt," Mirael ordered with a twisted grin, his voice laced with arrogance. "Let everyone see what''s underneath." A shocked gasp rippled through the crowd, first-year girls covering their mouths in disbelief, while even the boys shifted uneasily. The tension was thick, everyone expecting Esdeath to back down. "Okay," Esdeath said simply, her voice smooth, not a hint of hesitation. "What?" Mirael blinked, clearly not expecting such compliance. Before anyone could react, Esdeath swiftly raised her hands and ripped open her shirt, sending the buttons flying in all directions. Her bra, toned stomach, and the intricate tattoos snaking across her neck and midriff were now exposed, shocking the crowd with both their boldness and beauty. "She really did it... does she not know fear?" a first-year girl whispered in awe, her eyes wide as she stared at Esdeath. For a brief moment, Mirael''s smug expression faltered, his eyes widening in surprise. But just as quickly, an evil smirk crept back onto his face. "Well, well... I didn''t expect this," he said, his voice low and taunting. "Maybe you''re a masochist. Do you like being humiliated like this?" He chuckled darkly. "I bet you''d enjoy being ravaged in front of everyone." He stepped closer, his hand reaching out toward Esdeath''s chest, his intentions clear. The air was thick with tension, but no one dared to move or speak. Just as his hand was about to make contact, Esdeath''s arm shot up, her fingers wrapping around his wrist with a firm grip, stopping him cold. Mirael froze. A small smile played on Esdeath''s lips as she held his gaze, her voice soft but full of conviction. "Now, that''s enough. You''ve made my job easier." Her grip tightened ever so slightly. The room fell eerily silent, the tension so thick it was suffocating. Then, a loud, piercing scream shattered the stillness. "Ahhhhhhhh¡­ Help me! Someone, please!" Esdeath''s voice rang out, filled with sheer panic. Her expression transformed in an instant¡ªgone was the calm, confident girl from moments before. Now, she looked terrified, like a helpless woman being chased by her worst nightmare. Without a second thought, she let go of Mirael''s hand and bolted toward the door, her feet pounding against the ground. Her face was twisted in fear, her eyes wide with panic as she frantically glanced around. "They''re trying to rape me! Help me, please!" Her cries echoed off the walls, each one more desperate than the last, as if she genuinely believed her life was in danger. The sudden shift in Esdeath''s demeanor had everyone stunned, their eyes following her as she made a dash for the exit. Her posture, her voice¡ªeverything about her screamed vulnerability. But Mirael wasn''t fooled. Realization dawned on him as he cursed under his breath. "Don''t just stand there! Stop her!" he barked at his lackeys while breaking into a run himself. He knew what she was trying to do. Esdeath was already nearing the door, her hand outstretched toward the exit, freedom just a few steps away. But then Mirael''s voice boomed, "Vertical Charge Essence!" Golden light flared from his feet, and in an instant, he closed the gap between them as if he had teleported. Before Esdeath could react, he grabbed a fistful of her hair, yanking her backward with brutal force. She stumbled, her escape halted in an instant. "You shameless little bitch," Mirael growled, his voice low and dangerous as he pulled her closer. His grip on her hair tightened. "Do you even know what you were trying to pull?" He hissed, anger flashing in his eyes. Mirael''s bluff seemed to deepen as he spoke, his voice dripping with false confidence. "You think you''re the first to challenge us? We''ve crushed others before, sent their families into poverty. Yours will be next. You''ll all be humiliated. No one will ever want to help you again." He sneered, clearly enjoying the moment, believing that Esdeath would crumble under his threat. But what he didn''t anticipate was the way Esdeath''s eyes subtly flickered, already calculating how to respond. She had dealt with worse threats before. Suddenly, Mirael''s grin faltered when he noticed tears welling up in Esdeath''s eyes. Real, glistening tears streamed down her cheeks as she let out soft sobs, her shoulders trembling. "Sob... sob... My family..." Her voice wavered, sounding fragile, vulnerable, but also oddly rehearsed. "My father... he bought a mansion with everything we had... now we''re drowning in debt. Even if you don''t do anything... we''re going to lose it all soon. We''ll end up living in the slums anyway." Her voice cracked, filled with despair, and her sobs grew louder. Tears dripped down her face, painting a heartbreaking picture of hopelessness. For a moment, everyone stood still, unsure of how to react to the sudden emotional outburst. The first-year students watching started to shift uncomfortably, exchanging glances as Esdeath''s words struck a chord. Even Mirael''s confidence wavered for a brief second, stunned by the sudden flood of emotion. He blinked, unsure if this was genuine or some sort of trick. Esdeath''s lips twisted into a smirk as she wiped the remaining tears from her cheeks, her eyes hardening with sudden resolve. "Yes, that''s it," she declared, her voice louder now, carrying a weight of finality. "It would be better if I just go and tell everyone that you tried to ravage me!" Her tone was sharp, almost mocking, as if daring Mirael to challenge her. Mirael''s confident grin faltered. A bead of sweat appeared on his forehead, trickling down as reality set in. His mind raced. "One can''t blackmail someone who has nothing to lose,"he thought, his panic rising. Esdeath, with her defeated act earlier, seemed to be a person who had already lost everything. And here, in the academy, where secrets rarely stayed hidden, killing someone without consequences was impossible. There were always eyes watching. Realizing he had no easy way out, Mirael''s lips twitched into a nervous chuckle. He released Esdeath''s hair and stepped back, trying to regain some semblance of control. "Fine," he sneered, masking his fear with false bravado. "Go ahead, tell everyone. But how exactly are you going to prove we tried to hurt you?" He thought he had won, but he couldn''t have been more wrong. Esdeath''s eyes gleamed with something darker, more sinister, as she reached into the waistband of her skirt. Slowly, she pulled out a small photo, holding it between her fingers like a weapon. "Of course I have proof," she said, her voice dripping with satisfaction. Mirael''s eyes widened in shock. His gaze locked onto the photo in her hand, and the color drained from his face. It was a photo-audio magic, the kind of magical photo that could never be edited or altered, capturing real events as they happened. No lies. No tricks. Inside the photo was a perfectly timed snapshot of the earlier moment¡ªhis hand, just inches away from Esdeath''s chest. The angle was damning, making it appear as though he was moments away from actually touching her chest. Esdeath''s voice broke through his horrified daze, her expression shifting from feigned helplessness to a grin filled with menace. "I wonder what will happen if I show them this?" Her words were slow, deliberate, as she waved the incriminating photo in front of him. Mirael''s thoughts spiraled into panic. "This bitch¡­ she was playing with us from the start¡­"He cursed inwardly, realizing far too late that Esdeath had controlled the situation all along. She wasn''t the victim here¡ªhe was. And now, she held all the power. But still mirael wasn''t someone to back down, Now only thing remained¨CNegotiation. Mirael took a deep breath, regaining his composure as he looked at Esdeath. "Fine,"he sighed, trying to sound reasonable. "What do you want? You want to be free? You''re free to go, none of us will bother you again."His voice carried a hint of defeat as he gave up on trying to control the situation. But Esdeath only chuckled, her eyes narrowing with a mocking gleam. "Like hell that would be enough!" she spat, her tone dripping with amusement. Mirael rubbed his forehead, feeling frustration mounting. "Do you want to be a hero by saving them? Fine! We''ll let all of the first years go. Just hand over that photo."He gestured impatiently, hoping to settle this quickly. The delinquent girl standing beside Mirael was caught off guard, her mouth hanging open as she tried to speak, but no words came out. Meanwhile, the first-year students exchanged relieved smiles, thinking they might finally escape this nightmare. But just as hope flickered in their hearts, Esdeath shattered it with her next words. "Let them go? Why?"she asked coldly, her expression as indifferent as ever. "What I really want is you to bully them." Mirael blinked in confusion. "What?" He couldn''t quite process what she was saying. Esdeath leaned in slightly, her smirk widening. "You heard me. I know you all take money from these first years so they won''t get bullied, right? I want 50% of that income." "50%?" Mirael''s mind raced, disbelief and anger flashing across his face. "This girl is getting out of control." Before he could react, the delinquent girl, seething with rage, charged forward. "Let me handle her," the delinquent girl muttered, her anger boiling over. She thought she could easily handle Esdeath, but as she raised her hand to slap her, Esdeath moved faster. With lightning speed, she pulled out a gun and shoved it into the delinquent girl''s mouth, forcing her jaw open wide. Esdeath''s voice was icy, her gaze chilling as she pushed the gun further into the girl''s mouth. "I bet you have a defensive essence stone outside your body," she said, her voice calm and deadly. "But what happens if I shoot you from the inside?"She pushed the gun upward, the barrel pressing against the girl''s mouth. "Do you want a bullet in your brain?" Then, she lowered the gun slightly. "Or would you prefer it to exit through your ass?"Esdeath''s eyes glowed menacingly, rings shapes swirling in her irises, giving her a terrifying creepy stare. The girl, however, chuckled through her fear. "Ha... we''re in the academy. I bet you won''t do it!" she said, trying to sound brave. But Esdeath''s confidence didn''t waver. "And I bet I will,"she whispered, her voice low and dangerous. "Move even a little, and I''ll shoot." The confidence in her voice made even the delinquent girl doubt herself, her bravado faltering. Mirael''s heart raced. "If what she''s saying is true, she might actually shoot," he thought, panic creeping in. "She''s got nothing to lose, she''s backed into a corner. But me? If this gets out, and a complaint is registered, all my past wrongdoings will come to light. I''m screwed!" Before the situation could escalate any further, Mirael grabbed the delinquent girl''s arm and yanked her back. SLAP!..... The sound echoed in the room as he slapped her hard across the face, the force of it leaving a red mark on her cheek. "You idiot!" Mirael growled, his anger boiling over. "When two people are negotiating, the third one should stay out of it!" He glared at her, all the frustration he had bottled up now directed at the girl. Mirael clenched his fists, trying to maintain his composure. "Fine. I accept your proposal,** but this matter better not leave this court." He turned towards Esdeath, hoping to get this over with. S§×arch* The ¦ÇovelFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Esdeath''s expression completely changed. The helpless look she had earlier was now gone, replaced with a sly smile. "You can count on me." "... " "....!!!! " An awkward silence fell between them, the tension growing as they stared at each other for a few seconds. Finally, Mirael broke the stillness. "Why are you still here?" he asked, his frustration evident. Esdeath raised an eyebrow, her confidence growing. "Oh, I''m not done yet." She pointed to her exposed chest, where her shirt had been torn. "You made me ripped my clothes, remember? So, who''s going to compensate me for that?" Mirael groaned, rubbing his temples in annoyance. "Alright, alright... how much do you want? Two bronze coins?" He shrugged, clearly trying to dismiss it as unimportant. Esdeath''s smile widened. "Ten silver coins." "Ten silver?!" Mirael''s eyes nearly popped out of his head. "Now you''re pushing it, Esdeath!" His irritation was building. Esdeath didn''t back down, her tone turning sharp. "Oh? So, you''d rather I walk outside naked then? No need for a photo at that point; the whole academy will know what you did!" She crossed her arms, daring him to argue. Mirael''s thoughts raced, a bead of sweat forming on his brow. "She''s not even afraid of going outside naked... this girl is just too shameless." He reached into his pocket and pulled out a small pouch. With a heavy sigh, he counted out ten silver coins and handed them to her. Esdeath beamed as she pocketed the money. "Pleasure doing business with you. See you around!" She turned and strolled out of the basketball court, as if nothing had happened. As she walked away, she glanced at the coins in her hand, smirking to herself. "I was surprised when I first saw them. These idiots were supposed to show up during Claus Clandestine''s villainess arc, but hey, I''m not complaining. Extra cash is always welcome!" She chuckled at the thought, shaking her head."And those first years? Please. Why should I save them? I''m not some hero. When the villainess arc kicks off, Ethan will swoop in, beat these guys up, and save the day. Why should I bother?" ------------------------------------------------------------------------- I had very important question, Is this story is going slow? like it''s been about 40 chapter but out mc hasn''t fought with anyone and I made lortell go on a mission..... well I had to do that, Or else if lortell was here at start the story would have stuck at one place. but if you want I can fast the story a little by cutting off few scenes and making lortell come back 15 days early?..... Easy Win For Both As Esdeath made her money from bullies, the second-year students, something significant was brewing elsewhere in the academy. She already knew about it but arrived late because of her little "business deal" with Mirael. The "Semi-First Act" had already started¡ªan event where Corin, the duke''s son, would challenge Ethan Rothslayer to a duel. Esdeath sighed, knowing the outcome. She had seen this all before. The arena was packed with excited first-year students, their eyes wide with anticipation. The air buzzed with energy as everyone waited for the fight to begin. But this duel wasn''t just any fight. For Corin, this was his chance to impress someone special. His gaze flicked over to "Emma", his girlfriend and long-time crush. She stood in the middle of the audience, impossible to miss. Emma had a striking presence. With her strawberry blonde hair cascading down her shoulders and a busty figure, she easily drew attention. Her body was as refined as that of Violet or Sylvania, but her style screamed **gyaru**, standing out even more among the students. Her seductive, charming aura made her the center of attention, and Corin''s eyes were locked on her, determined to win and prove his superiority in front of everyone. Meanwhile, Violet and Sylvania were also in the crowd, quietly cheering for Ethan, though their faces were tense with concern. They both knew Corin had something to prove today, and that made the fight more unpredictable. In the center of the arena, Ethan and Corin stood face to face, glaring at each other. The tension between them was thick enough to cut with a sword. Corin sneered, making the first move. "Ethan," he spat, "I purposely chose only a swordsmanship duel¡ªno magic or essence stones. That way, after I beat you, you can''t cry and say it was because of my background or resources." His words were dripping with arrogance, the confidence in his voice making the crowd murmur. Ethan, however, just sighed, seemingly unfazed by Corin''s taunts. .... The excitement in the arena was reaching its peak as the students placed their bets on the upcoming duel between Corin and Ethan. "I bet two bronze coins, Corin will win this!" shouted one of the students confidently, his voice carrying across the buzzing crowd. The boy collecting the money smirked as he gathered the coins. "Anyone else? Who wants to place a bet? Corin or Ethan?" he called out, but most students were betting only on Corin. They all knew that Corin had been trained since childhood, unlike Ethan, who was just a commoner. Before long, a decent sum of 10 silver coins and 16 bronze coins had been collected, all in favor of Corin. It seemed like everyone was certain of the outcome. But then, suddenly, a voice rang out from the side. "I''ll bet five silver coins on Ethan Rothslayer." The voice was female, calm yet chilling. Heads turned toward the speaker, and the students blinked in surprise. There she was¡ªEsdeath. Her black hair hung loosely over her shoulders, and her piercing red eyes sent a shiver down the spines of those around her. She hadn''t even changed her clothes after her earlier encounter. Esdeath was still holding both sides of her torn shirt to cover her chest, but even so, it was obvious that the fabric had been ripped in her recent scuffle. The boys looked at her, exchanging glances. "Weird," they muttered in unison. But Esdeath didn''t seem to care. She confidently handed over five silver coins, her lips curling into a small smirk as she sat beside the others, enjoying herself as if she had already won. The boldness in her expression was undeniable, as if she could already see Ethan triumphing over Corin. Esdeath simply shrugged. "In this world, you can''t win money by lottery or gambling. The outcome always changes, so there''s no point in relying on luck. You have to *know* when to bet." The battle between Ethan and Corin had already begun, and despite the rules prohibiting magic or essence stones, the tension was real, as were the swords in their hands. Corin let out a loud battle cry as he charged toward Ethan, his sword raised high for a powerful, straight slash. Yet, Ethan''s calm expression didn''t change, as if Corin''s reckless aggression meant nothing to him. With a subtle shift in his stance, Ethan barely exerted pressure on his feet, stepping aside just before Corin''s blade could strike. *Swish¡­* The sword slashed downward, hitting the ground with a thud as Ethan dodged with such ease that it almost seemed like the sword itself had avoided him. "OMG! He dodged it!" a student exclaimed, his voice bursting with excitement from the crowd. Corin, now frustrated, gritted his teeth. "What the hell? Was that¡­ footwork?" His thoughts raced, trying to comprehend how a commoner like Ethan could display such mastery. "No way, it must''ve been luck," he reassured himself as he gripped his sword even tighter, charging once again. *Clang! Cling!* Their swords clashed repeatedly, the sounds of metal ringing out as sparks flew. Each of Ethan''s strikes was precise, efficient, as if he was playing with his opponent. The crowd noticed a strange difference ¡ª while Corin gripped his sword with both hands, sweat already beading on his forehead, Ethan was calmly holding his sword with only one hand, showing no signs of struggle. "Why¡­ why can''t I see any openings?" Corin''s thoughts spiraled in confusion. His strikes were growing wilder, more desperate, as he threw more force into every swing, but nothing worked. No matter how hard he pushed, Ethan met each attack effortlessly. Corin didn''t know the truth¡ªEthan wasn''t some commoner with no experience. In a previous life, Ethan had fought in countless battles. To him, Corin was still a child, fighting clumsily with no understanding of real combat. Meanwhile, Ethan remained cool and composed, barely breaking a sweat, his eyes focused as he watched Corin unravel before him. Corin, determined not to lose, tried a few more moves, but Ethan blocked every one with ease. Ethan didn''t just rely on his sword either. He threw in a few well-placed kicks and punches, which caused Corin to bleed from the nose and lips. Soon, Corin found himself on his knees, panting heavily, completely worn out. Ethan was about to claim victory, certain Corin had lost. But Corin wasn''t done yet. He decided to cheat, wth a burst of energy, he activated magic in his feet, increasing his speed drastically. In a last-ditch effort, Corin charged straight at Ethan, slashing his sword with everything he had. But what Corin didn''t know was that Ethan had incredibly fast reflexes. In a split second, Ethan sidestepped the attack, barely dodging the fatal strike. However, the tip of Corin''s sword managed to cut through Ethan''s shirt. The entire crowd gasped as Ethan''s shirt tore, revealing his finely chiseled muscles underneath. His body wasn''t overly large, but it was perfectly toned from years of hard work and training, with abs that seemed sculpted by a master. The sight of his muscles left the students wide-eyed in shock. S§×ar?h the n??el Fire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "Wow, look at those muscles!" one of the students exclaimed. Even Sylvania and Violet, who had known Ethan for years, couldn''t help but blush at the sight. Around the arena, several other students turned red with embarrassment and awe. One of them was Emma, Corin''s girlfriend. Her eyes widened as she stared at Ethan, her face turning a deep shade of red. "Wow¡­ such refined muscles¡­ and that handsome face¡­" she murmured to herself, realizing with a jolt that she was developing a crush on him. But not everyone was impressed. Esdeath, sitting casually on the sidelines, crossed her arms and snorted. "Hmph, I''ve got better muscles," she muttered under her breath, rolling her eyes at the attention Ethan was getting. Back in the arena, Ethan, still focused on the battle and unaware of the crowd''s reaction, took his chance. As soon as he dodged Corin''s strike, he kicked him square in the face. Corin staggered, falling to the ground, and before he could get back up, Ethan pointed his sword directly at him, signaling the end of the fight. The referee quickly stepped forward and raised his hand. "The winner is Ethan Rothslayer!" The arena exploded with cheers, but Corin lay there, defeated and humiliated, while Ethan stood tall, calm as ever, completely unaware of the stir he had just caused, His reputation reaching heaven. Without saying a word, Ethan left the arena, his expression calm and composed, as though the fight hadn''t even fazed him. Behind him, Corin remained on the ground, his face twisted in rage. He clenched his fists, cursing inwardly, "Just you wait, Ethan. I''ll kill you for humiliating me like this!" Every word dripped with anger and bitterness, his eyes burning with hatred as he glared at Ethan''s retreating figure. But Corin wasn''t the only one furious. The students who had bet their money on him were equally upset, groaning in frustration. They had expected an easy win from the duke''s son, and now their coins were slipping away. Esdeath, on the other hand, smiled triumphantly. Standing up slowly, she extended her hand toward the students who were sulking nearby. "My money," she said, her tone light but commanding. With reluctant sighs, the students handed her back the five silver coins she had bet, along with the extra winnings¡ªan additional ten silver and sixteen bronze coins. The weight of the coins jingled in her palm, and a satisfied grin stretched across her face. "Hehehe..."Esdeath chuckled softly, clearly pleased with her victory. Without saying anything more, she turned and left the arena, her footsteps light and confident. Her destination was clear in her mind¡ªher dorm room, where she planned to change her torn clothes. Her indifferent expression gave nothing away, but inside, her thoughts had already moved on to her next task. "It''s time to kill Eldon Karthanis." BANG! In *Free Life Fantasy* (FLF), Ethan wasn''t the only one who managed to obtain a special inheritance at the beginning of the game. There was another character who did¡ªEldon Karthanis. Eldon was unique because he chose to wield guns as his main weapon. Sear?h the n?velFire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Now, in this world, guns were often considered a weak choice. Unlike swords, magic, or other weapons, guns didn''t seem to grow in power as the user became stronger. But for Eldon, that wasn''t a problem. Why? Because of the **inheritance** he found. This inheritance held something rare¡ªan object that allowed guns to become stronger as the user grew in power, just like other weapons in the world. This made him special, and it also made this inheritance incredibly valuable. For Esdeath, who also wanted to use a gun as her primary weapon, obtaining this inheritance was essential. Without it, her choice of weapon would be weak in comparison. But how would she get it? In *Free Life Fantasy*, the game didn''t provide much detail about where Eldon found the inheritance. All that was mentioned was a vague backstory. Eldon, known for his bad luck, wandered near a gambling den on the second day at the academy. He had a weakness for gambling, and even though he usually lost, his addiction kept him trying. During one of his gambling sprees, he stumbled upon a map, leading him to the inheritance. That''s how the game presented it¡ªjust a short backstory, without explaining where exactly the gambling den or the map could be found. For Esdeath, there was only one solution left: kill Eldon Karthanis. She knew he would find the map and reach the inheritance first if she didn''t act quickly. The moment he obtained the map, he would become powerful and too troublesome to defeat. Her only chance was to stop him before he reached that point, And just as he obtain that map, Kill him. If she failed, there would be no point in sticking with guns, and she''d have to change her weapon entirely. ... Esdeath decided to head out, so she changed into her casual clothes. Despite the relaxed, modern look, she still carried her usual confidence. First, she put on a "beanie", a simple knitted hat that gave her a cool, laid-back vibe. She threw on an "oversized jacket"¡ªor maybe it was more like an oversized shirt. It was loose, hanging comfortably over her frame, making her look effortlessly stylish, like she wasn''t even trying. The street-style outfit didn''t feel too feminine, which she liked. Esdeath wasn''t one for dresses or skirts. Underneath, she wore a "graphic t-shirt", with a bold design printed on the front. The shirt was slightly cropped, showing a little bit of her toned midriff. To complete the look, she slipped into "high-waisted jeans" that fit her perfectly, balancing the crop top and making the outfit come together. Overall, she looked kind of "boyish", but it suited her perfectly. She wasn''t the type to care about dressing up in fancy or girly clothes. And even though she had a modern look, no one on the streets seemed to care much. Why? Well, despite being a medieval era, there were many modern things in this world, thanks to the "Dwarf Kingdom". That kingdom was far ahead in technology, making things like modern fashion and gadgets pretty normal here. With her outfit ready, Esdeath wandered out of the academy and into the bustling marketplace. She had only one goal in mind¡ªto find Eldon. ... As Esdeath wandered through the streets, she eventually came across a gambling den. It wasn''t too big, but it had a strange charm, with rocks stacked around the entrance. The sign hanging over it read **"Mud-Stone Gambling."** Inside, people were gathered around, talking excitedly. The game here was simple: you picked a **mud-stone**, and if luck was on your side, you''d find an **essence stone** inside, something valuable and magical. But if your luck was bad, all you''d be left with was a pile of worthless dirt, and your money would be gone. There were different types of mud-stones to choose from: green, red, purple, black, and the rarest of them all, "golden". The "green stones" were the cheapest, while the "golden ones" were the most expensive. The higher the price, the better chance you had of finding an essence stone. Just as she was scanning the place, Esdeath''s eyes landed on someone familiar¡ª"Eldon". "There he is," she whispered to herself, quickly hiding behind a nearby shop. She didn''t want him to see her just yet. For now, all she needed to do was observe him quietly. Eldon stood at the counter, his face twisted with frustration. "I want that "red one", here''s one silver coin," he said sharply, tossing the coin at the shop owner. The shopkeeper, an older man with a mischievous glint in his eyes, rubbed his hands together eagerly. "Hehehe¡­ dear customer, you''ve been coming here for a week now, always buying the mid-rank mud-stones," he said, his voice smooth and persuasive. "Why not try the "golden one"? It has a much higher chance of success!" Eldon snorted, clearly irritated. He had already wasted so much money on this stupid game, but his pride wouldn''t let him quit now. He wasn''t going to leave until he finally won something. "Just do what I told you!" he snapped, his patience wearing thin. The shop owner didn''t argue further. With a knowing smile, he handed the "red mud-stone" to Eldon. Without wasting time, Eldon took the stone and began washing off the dirt with his bare hands. His heart sank with every bit of mud he wiped away, convinced he had thrown away his money once again. His thoughts spiraled, "Great, another waste of a silver coin..." But then, something unexpected happened. His fingers hit something hard within the stone. His heart skipped a beat as he rubbed the mud away faster, and soon enough, a faint, "glowing light"began to shine from within. The shopkeeper''s eyes widened. "Woah¡­ it''s a Pink Lotus Essence Stone! A storage type! If you sell it in the market, you could not only cover your losses but make a decent profit," he said, sounding impressed. However, Eldon wasn''t listening. His thoughts were racing. The stone in his hand was half the size of his palm, shaped like a delicate lotus with a soft pink glow. It wasn''t just any essence stone. This one was already "refined", and that meant only one thing¡ªthere was "something inside it". His eyes flickered toward the shopkeeper, suspicious. "If I sell it or not, that''s none of your business!" he snapped, clutching the stone tightly as he quickly left the shop. Eldon walked about a hundred steps away, his mind spinning. His heart pounded with excitement and uncertainty. "Should I open it now? Or wait until I''m back at the academy?"" he wondered, his thoughts jumping back and forth. But the more he tried to push the idea aside, the more his "eagerness" got the best of him. He couldn''t wait any longer. His curiosity burned too strongly. "I have to see what''s inside!" he decided, stopping in his tracks, ready to uncover the mystery that lay within the essence stone. He pour some man inside that essence stone and the closed lotus begun to glow further and it''s petals begun to opens and magically a golden paper came out. Eldon put back the essence stone in his pocket And took that paper in his hand and opened it, His eyes shunked in a little confusion, "A map? " .... A little distance away from Eldon, Esdeath was silently observing him, her sharp gaze tracking his every move. Suddenly, she felt a light tug on her oversized jacket. Startled, she turned around to see who it was. To her surprise, standing behind her was a small child, no more than seven or eight years old. The boy had a round, innocent face, with a pair of wide eyes staring up at her. His clothes were simple and worn, clearly marking him as a commoner, yet his cute expression softened her cold exterior for a moment. Esdeath looked at him with a hint of confusion, unsure of what he wanted. Breaking the silence, the boy blushed, his cheeks turning as red as a ripe apple. "Are you a noble?" he asked in a small voice, avoiding eye contact out of embarrassment. "You''re so pretty! This is for you!" With shaking hands, he extended a single flower toward her, too nervous to meet her gaze. His innocence and the shy smile tugging at his lips made it obvious¡ªthe boy had a crush on Esdeath at first sight. For a brief moment, Esdeath didn''t know what to say or how to react. Should she laugh? Should she walk away? But just then, an idea struck her, and she smiled. A plan. Her mind began calculating. "Eldon is a student at the academy. If I just kill him outright, they''ll likely trace it back to me. I need something more subtle. Even if they suspect me, they won''t have proof." The gears in her mind turned quickly, and her eyes twinkled with mischief. Esdeath leaned down to the boy''s level, her smile turning gentle. "Owww..., thank you so much!" she said, accepting the flower with a sweet tone. The boy beamed with joy, his entire face lighting up. "Wanna play a game with me?" she asked, tilting her head slightly. The boy''s eyes widened with excitement, "Yes!" he nodded eagerly, unable to hide his enthusiasm. Esdeath reached into her pocket and pulled out her gun. The boy''s face immediately paled, and he took a step back, frightened. Esdeath quickly laughed and waved a hand to calm him down. "Don''t worry! It''s just a toy!" she said with a playful wink. "See?" She pointed the gun at the boy''s forehead, still smiling. The boy hesitated, closing his eyes in fear. He wanted to run away, but something about Esdeath made him want to believe her, even if part of him was scared. With a quick motion, Esdeath pulled the trigger. **Click.** Nothing happened. Just a small sound echoed from the gun, but no bullet. The boy opened his eyes in surprise, staring at her in disbelief. Esdeath burst out laughing, her voice full of amusement. "See? It''s just a toy! You got scared for nothing!" she teased, chuckling. The boy''s fear melted away, and soon he was laughing too, realizing how foolish he''d been. His laughter was innocent and pure, and even Esdeath couldn''t help but join in. "Now it''s your turn," she said, handing him the gun. "Shoot me!" The boy''s eyes sparkled with excitement. "Okay!" he said, holding the gun with both hands. Esdeath crouched down, leaning her forehead closer to him. "Go on, shoot me right here," she said with a grin, pointing to her own forehead. **Click.** Again, nothing happened, but this time Esdeath exaggerated her reaction. She spun around dramatically, clutching her chest. "Oh no! I''ve been shot!" she cried out, pretending to fall in slow motion. The boy couldn''t stop laughing, his small body shaking with joy. Esdeath finally stopped spinning and wiped the fake tears from the corner of her eyes, her laughter mixing with his. She smiled warmly at him, leaning down once more. "Did you have fun?" she asked. The boy nodded, still giggling. "Yes!" Esdeath''s eyes gleamed with mischief as she bent down to the little boy and pointed towards Eldon, who was standing in the distance, still focused on his map. She leaned in close to the boy and whispered, "Do you see that guy over there? Go play with him too. If you do that, I''ll give you a bronze coin... and a kiss on the cheek!" She winked, her smile widening. The boy''s eyes sparkled, not because of the coin, but at the mention of the kiss. Though he was a commoner, he wasn''t too interested in the coin, but the idea of getting a kiss from such a beautiful lady made his heart race. He blushed again and quickly nodded, eager to impress her. Esdeath smirked, pleased with his reaction. She gently took the toy gun back from the boy''s hand and poured her mana into it, forming a small glowing "Mana Bullet" within the chamber. To the boy, it still looked like a harmless toy, but Esdeath knew better. Afterwards, she placed her hand on his head, as if to pat him affectionately, but secretly whispered a spell. "Strength boost magic," she murmured under her breath, sending a wave of invisible energy into the boy''s body. His small frame trembled slightly, but he didn''t notice anything unusual. Without wasting any more time, the boy grinned and dashed off towards Eldon, holding the gun behind his back. Esdeath, still smiling, took a few steps back, creating more distance between them. She folded her arms and stood quietly, watching the scene unfold from afar. Eldon, meanwhile, was scratching his head as he studied the map in his hands. His brow furrowed in confusion as he tried to figure out where the map led and what location it pointed to. His focus was entirely on the parchment, oblivious to what was happening around him. Suddenly, a small voice interrupted him. "Hands up, mister!" the boy exclaimed, standing just a few steps away, his voice filled with childlike enthusiasm. Eldon glanced down and blinked in surprise at the boy. For a moment, he was puzzled, but then he noticed the toy gun in the boy''s hands. A small smile tugged at the corner of his lips as he realized what was happening. "Toys these days... they look too real!" Eldon thought to himself, letting out a soft sigh. Though he was a noble, he wasn''t like the arrogant ones who treated commoners like dirt. Eldon had always been more down-to-earth, even a bit shy, but kind-hearted in his own way. The idea of playing along with the boy seemed harmless. "Well then, I guess I should play along," he muttered to himself, raising both his hands in mock surrender. "Oh no! I''m so scared!" he said with a grin, trying to act frightened. But his acting wasn''t very convincing, and he quickly burst into laughter, feeling silly for pretending. "Hahaha¡­ Alright, go ahead, shoot me!" he chuckled, leaning closer to the boy and pointing to his own forehead. The boy, still grinning ear to ear, raised the gun with both hands, just as he had done with Esdeath earlier. "Here I go!" he shouted, thinking this was just another harmless game. He fully believed the gun was a toy, just like before. He pulled the trigger. **BANG!** The deafening sound of the gunshot echoed through the air, much louder than the boy or Eldon had expected. Time seemed to freeze for a moment. Eldon''s eyes widened in shock as a sharp pain tore through his forehead. The Mana Bullet had pierced him cleanly. His breath hitched, and he stumbled backward, clutching his forehead. For a brief second, Eldon tried to understand what had just happened. His mind was spinning, unable to process the reality of the situation. His hands, once raised in playful surrender, now trembled as they pressed against the wound, trying to stop the blood that was already staining his shirt. Without even a chance to cry out or speak, his body collapsed to the ground. The world around him blurred, and within moments, he was gone. From her vantage point, Esdeath watched the scene with a satisfied smirk, her eyes cold and calculating. The boy, however, stood frozen in place, his face drained of all color. His small, trembling hands could no longer hold the gun as it slipped from his grasp and fell to the ground with a soft thud. His wide eyes stared at Eldon''s motionless body, trying to make sense of the impossible. "What just happened?" his mind screamed, but the shock was too much. He couldn''t think, couldn''t move, couldn''t even cry out. It was as if his whole world had shattered in an instant. He had never imagined¡ªnever even dreamed¡ªthat a simple game could end like this. Esdeath, watching from a distance, saw the gun fall. With a swift movement, she raised her hand and whispered a spell under her breath. A sudden gust of wind appeared, swirling through the street like a silent thief. It carried both the gun and the map into the air with ease, guiding them directly into Esdeath''s waiting hands. "Perfect," she whispered to herself, her voice barely audible as she inspected the items with a satisfied gleam in her eyes. Not even sparing the boy a second glance, she turned on her heel and melted into the shadows, disappearing from the scene without a trace. To her, the job was done, and there was no need to linger. But the peace was short-lived. The loud bang of the gunshot had echoed through the streets, drawing the attention of nearby townspeople. One by one, they rushed toward the scene, their eyes wide with fear and confusion. "Oh my goodness!" a woman shrieked as she ran closer, her hands covering her mouth in horror. "That boy! I saw it! That boy shot him!" she screamed, pointing a trembling finger at the stunned child. People began to murmur, their voices growing louder with panic. "Is he... is he a noble?" a man called out, pushing through the growing crowd. "Someone, check! Hurry!" he urged, his face pale with shock as more and more people gathered around the fallen Eldon and the frightened child. It wasn''t long before the street guards arrived, their faces grim and determined. The moment they laid eyes on the scene, they moved quickly, pushing aside the onlookers and seizing the boy by his arms. "Take him in for questioning," one of the guards ordered, his voice stern and unwavering. The boy, still too shocked to speak, didn''t resist as they dragged him away, his small feet stumbling over the cobblestone. His wide, tear-filled eyes looked back at the crowd, but no one came to his defense. No one seemed to care that he was just a child "Take him in for questioning," one of the guards ordered, his voice stern and unwavering. The boy, still too shocked to speak, didn''t resist as they dragged him away, his small feet stumbling over the cobblestone. His wide, tear-filled eyes looked back at the crowd, but no one came to his defense. No one seemed to care that he was just a child. The crowd parted as the guards led the boy away, their whispers filling the air. Some felt pity for him, others judged him harshly, but none of them knew the truth. None of them knew the real mastermind behind the tragedy had already vanished, leaving behind only chaos and confusion. ------------------------------------------------------------------------- Hmmmm.... Who''s this character?, I don''t know, I found it on the internet, She was wearing the same outfit that I describe in the chapter so I uploaded it as example. And well I have good news.... My stitches and bandages were removed and I can finally freely use my hand This is what wound is right now... Almost healed. ZK-20 Esdeath stood atop the "Quing Chin Mountain", surveying the path ahead with a satisfied smirk. "Hmm... the inheritance isn''t far from here,"she muttered, her sharp eyes focused on a cave nestled within the rocky landscape. The air was still, and there was an eerie calm around the entrance, but Esdeath wasn''t the type to be intimidated. After wandering for what seemed like hours, though it had only been around thirty minutes, she had finally found the location the "Map" had guided her to. Her footsteps crunched over the dry ground, and she stopped just before the dark cave entrance. The cave was unlike anything she''d seen before¡ªan impenetrable blackness, as if it were an endless void. The pitch-black interior seemed to swallow all light, giving it a particularly **frightening aura**. Esdeath, however, wasn''t deterred. "It doesn''t look like any monsters or beasts are around... maybe this inheritance was left by someone who didn''t feel the need to trap it. Safe area means no surprises." Confident in her assessment, she took a step into the cave, her boots clicking against the stone floor, her breath steady. Inside, it was pure darkness. "After killing Eldon I''m getting notifications from system but I can''t waste time checking the system notifications right now. The faster I get this inheritance, the sooner I can get back to the academy." Esdeath pressed on, feeling her way deeper into the cave. From the outside, the cave hadn''t looked this large But now it seemed endless. Time dragged as she wandered forward, the unsettling silence amplifying her worry. Even with her sharp senses, the blackness was so consuming that she could hardly see her own hands. "It''s already been fifteen minutes! Where does this even lead?!" Esdeath''s confidence faltered slightly as she walked further, the anxiety of a possible trap creeping into her mind. If something were to spring up now, she''d have no way of avoiding it. But turning back wasn''t an option. She had come too far. And then¡ªfinally¡ªa faint light flickered in the distance. Her heart skipped a beat, a mixture of "relief" and "anticipation" flooding her. The moment she saw that light, her instincts kicked in. She bolted forward, her body moving swiftly toward the exit, eager to leave the suffocating darkness behind. The inheritance was near. As Esdeath continued running toward the light, it grew brighter and larger, guiding her forward until she finally emerged into a room. The cave opened up into a square chamber, bathed in soft white light that reflected off smooth, "glowing stones" lining the walls. The entire space screamed of an old laboratory¡ªone that had once been bustling with activity but now lay abandoned and decayed. Esdeath scanned the room. "Wow... an old lab?" she muttered to herself, a bit amazed by what she saw. Iron tables were scattered around, most of them either rusted or broken down from age. Some of the tools and materials were so old, they''d long since fallen into disrepair. Whatever experiments had been done here were left behind in ruins. As she walked deeper into the lab, her eyes landed on a single "unbroken table" at the center. On it, there was a letter¡ªold, but still intact. Esdeath''s fingers trembled slightly as she reached for it. ""What could this be?""she thought, intrigued. As she began to read, her eyes narrowed. The "inheritance" she had been searching for was created by a "dwarf" named "Zephyrus Kalyndar". Of course, only the dwarves had the expertise to craft something this advanced. It was all making sense now. The letter described how Zephyrus had spent his life working on an invention¡ªa "liquid alloy" known as "ZK-20"". This wasn''t just any metal¡ªit was a revolutionary creation. The alloy had "mana-circulating properties", meaning that the more "mana" and "offensive essence stones" merged into it, the stronger it would become. But that wasn''t the most shocking part. The liquid could "change shape". "Guns, rifles... anything you can imagine," the letter explained, as long as the user had enough mana to control it. Esdeath''s heart raced as she realized the implications. This dwarf had designed the liquid specifically for "gun users", knowing that while legendary weapons existed for swords, axes, and other traditional weapons, guns had been left behind. "With this liquid, even a gun can become a force to be reckoned with," she thought, her mind reeling at the possibilities. But there was more. Zephyrus had spent his entire life perfecting the alloy. The name "ZK-20" came from his initials and the fact that it took him "20 attempts" to get it right. This invention had consumed him, taking nearly all his time and energy. However, when he tried to introduce his creation to the world, it wasn''t received well. The letter explained how "powerful businessmen", especially those invested in the trade of other weapons, saw the alloy as a threat. After all, guns had never been seen as worthy weapons for heroes or legends. If guns became powerful through Zephyrus''s invention, the entire weapons industry would be turned upside down. In their "fear" and "greed", they plotted to kill him. Fearing for his life and the future of his invention, Zephyrus had hidden the alloy here, in this cave, hoping that someone worthy would find it. Esdeath lowered the letter, her mind racing. ""So, that''s why he created this inheritance... to protect his legacy."" She couldn''t help but feel a sense of "respect" for Zephyrus, a man who had been "hunted" for trying to change the world. Now, the power of the "ZK-20" was hers. As Esdeath finished reading the letter, a sudden crack echoed through the room. The roof above her had broken slightly, and with a loud thud, a metal box fell right in front of her. Dust flew into the air as the box landed heavily. Esdeath quickly knelt down, her curiosity piqued, as the box slowly creaked open on its own. Inside, she found three items. The first was twenty silver coins, their dull sheen hinting at their age. Her eyes then settled on a bronze-colored, coin-shaped ruby. But as she looked closer, she realized it wasn''t just a gem¡ªit was an essence stone. "Bronze Muscle Essence Stone,"she thought, recognizing it from her studies. This particular stone could boost a person''s strength by **15 points** according to the system''s stats, but there was a catch. Esdeath held it in her hand, the coldness of the stone sinking into her skin. But despite its value, she didn''t feel any excitement. "This stone is useless unless you have the "Bronze Skin Essence stone first," she murmured. "And even if I find that... I''m not going to use it." A thoughtful look crossed her face as she considered why. "Bronze Skin Essence gives you tanned skin," she mused. "But I prefer the way I look now¡ªfragile, delicate. Everyone underestimates me because of it, and that''s a huge advantage in battle." She smirked at the thought of people underestimating her, only to face her true strength when it was too late. Still, it was free, and Esdeath wasn''t one to waste valuable resources. "I can always sell it for a good price," she thought with a mischievous grin, pocketing the stone without hesitation. Finally, her attention turned to the last item in the box¡ªan "orange liquid" sealed in a **plastic wrapper**. The liquid shimmered faintly, and as Esdeath placed her hand on it and poured a small amount of her mana into the wrapper, the liquid began to glow. The plastic floated into the air, responding perfectly to her mana, moving right and left at her will. Esdeath''s eyes widened slightly¡ªthis was no ordinary creation. "This dwarf really was a genius," she thought, impressed by the ease of control. She focused and willed the liquid to form a pistol, and as if by magic, the liquid obeyed, It tored through plastic and transforming into the shape of a small handgun in her palm. The sensation was surreal¡ªit was light, warm, and almost alive. But something felt off. The pistol was much smaller than she had expected. It was only half the size of a normal pistol. An uneasy smile crept onto Esdeath''s face as she realized the problem. "I guess that''s what happens when you don''t have enough mana," she muttered to herself. "For now, this pistol is even weaker than a normal one. Looks like I''ll need to work on boosting my mana before this becomes truly useful." .... Esdeath lay back on her bed, letting out a soft sigh as the dim golden light of the evening filtered through the dorm room window. She had returned from the old laboratory after searching it for hours, hoping to find more treasures, but left empty-handed. Now, she lay on her bed, staring up at the ceiling, the weight of the day''s events pressing down on her. She slowly raised her hand in front of her, inspecting it as it trembled slightly, a familiar, almost "itching" sensation crawling under her skin. "It would''ve been so much more satisfying if I had killed him with my own hands," she thought, her voice laced with disappointment. Esdeath''s eyes narrowed, her lips curling into a smirk. "That feeling when someone is at your feet, begging for mercy, and you snuff out their life anyway... that is so satisfying," she whispered to herself, her grin growing wider. "There''s hardly anything that compares." She exhaled deeply, closing her eyes, and let the day''s exhaustion pull her toward sleep. But just as she started to drift off, a thought crossed her mind. "I wish Lady Mariette was here!" Her eyes flew open. "Wait... what?! Why the hell am I thinking about her?" Esdeath bolted upright, her heart racing as confusion filled her. "Lady Mariette? She''s just a mid-boss... MID-BOSS!" she practically yelled, her voice echoing in the quiet room. "I don''t miss mid-bosses! What''s wrong with me?" She tried to shake the thought off, closing her eyes again, but the name kept echoing in her mind like a bad song stuck on repeat. "Lady Mariette, Lady Mariette," the name whispered inside her head like an annoying little bug she couldn''t swat away. Frustrated, Esdeath tossed and turned on the bed, her hands gripping the sheets as she tried to force herself to sleep. But no matter how hard she tried, the image of Lady Mariette wouldn''t leave her mind. "Shut up! Shut up!" she growled, sitting up in a fit of anger. "I swear, yandere-chan, this is your fault! You''re ruining everything!" She waved her hand in the air as if addressing some invisible force. "I said I''d handle things when that mid-boss comes back, but noooo, you had to go and make me think about her NOW! That''s why I can''t stand yanderes¡ªthey ruin everything with their impatience!" Esdeath muttered, glaring at the empty space as though someone was standing there. But just as she was about to launch into another rant, her eyes drifted to the door¡ªand there, standing frozen in the doorway, was Luna. Her eyes were wide, her mouth slightly open in shock. Luna''s face paled as she processed what she had just seen. "She... she''s lost it!" Luna exclaimed, backing away slowly before slamming the door shut with a loud BAM! She bolted down the hallway, leaving Esdeath staring after her. Esdeath blinked, then sighed, falling back onto her bed with a defeated groan. "And there goes my reputation..." she muttered to herself, rubbing her temples in frustration. Knock! Knock! Knock! The sound echoed through the quiet room, breaking the silence. Esdeath, lying lazily on her bed, raised an eyebrow at the sudden disturbance. "Now what?" she muttered to herself, already feeling the annoyance rise in her chest. Pushing herself up, she made her way toward the door, her steps slow and deliberate. Whoever it was, they had better have a good reason for interrupting her. Without a second thought, she swung the door open in one swift motion, her expression ready to match her irritation. S~ea??h the n?vel_Fire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. But the sight that greeted her made her eyes narrow in surprise. Standing in front of her were several guards, their armor gleaming under the hallway lights. At the front of the group stood a man clad in full armor, a sword hanging at his waist. His posture was rigid, exuding authority, and it was clear he was the leader. Before Esdeath could say a word, the leader''s voice boomed with a stern, commanding tone. "Miss Esdeath Crimson, you are under arrest on suspicion of killing your classmate, Eldon Karthanis." -------------------------------------------------------- hold on a minute, I have a very important things to say..... you might know that this is my second NovelFire ans first one is, "That time i got turned into a dragonoid", Actually because of taking two weeks of breaks my views from that books has literally fell by 158%. that''s why I want you to give it a try to that novel. as being my first book, I gave my 200% of potential in writing that. the mc is not actually a Overpowered but you might mistake it for overpowered. since it''s not weak to strong mc but strong to stronger mc, So yeah in the current timeline you can think of mc as overpowered character. So please give it shot! Testimony "Did you kill, Eldon karanthis?" "Negative!" "Did you really not kill eldon karanthis? " "Nope!" "Did you kill your classmate eldon karanthis? " "Yesn''t!" Esdeath sat calmly in her chair, her expression showing no signs of concern, despite the furious leader of the guards standing across from her. A single, stark table separated the two of them, the plain white room adding to the oppressive silence. The guard leader''s fist slammed down onto the table with a resounding **BAM**, his frustration clear as he glared at her. "I said answer with one word! That doesn''t mean you can joke around!" he barked. Esdeath tilted her head slightly, an amused smile playing at her lips, unfazed by his anger. She kept her voice light, teasing even. "Who''s this Eldon, anyway? A girl?" she asked, feigning ignorance as her eyes rolled upward, as though thinking hard. The guard''s face reddened with fury. "Don''t play innocent! You don''t even know your own classmate?" he shouted, his patience fraying. Esdeath let out a small sigh, her voice calm but dripping with false innocence. "How should I know? I''m just a lonely girl who always falls asleep in class." She batted her eyelashes, leaning back in her chair as though bored with the entire interrogation. The leader gritted his teeth, forcing himself to remain composed. "Eldon Karanthis, a boy from Class B, was shot in the market by a bullet. And guess what? Aside from Eldon, you''re the only one who uses guns, am I right?" He threw out the accusation, trying to get a reaction out of her. But Esdeath barely blinked, her smile never faltering. "There are countless people with guns in the kingdom. How can you pin this on me?" she replied smoothly, her tone indifferent. The leader leaned forward, narrowing his eyes. "Then tell me where you were this afternoon." Esdeath acted surprised, pointing to herself in mock innocence. "Me? I was up by the mountain, hunting animals. You know, for survival training." She paused for a moment, letting her words hang in the air before adding, "If you don''t believe me, ask my best friend, Luna Cassia¡ªmy roommate." She was lying, of course. She and Luna weren''t friends at all. But how could the guard leader know that? She could practically see the gears turning in his head. The guard leader muttered under his breath. "Her roommate? Best friend? Then there''s no point in questioning Luna. She''ll just take Esdeath''s side, of course." He leaned back, clearly trying to process what Esdeath had just said. Inside, Esdeath''s mind was gleeful. "What a fool! I said Luna was my best friend on purpose so they wouldn''t question her. This is easier than I thought." Though her expression remained charming on the outside, a sly, evil grin was forming in her mind. The leader, Caelum Nyvaris, sat down opposite Esdeath, the tension between them thickening the air. For a moment, they locked eyes, the room silent except for the faint sound of their breathing. Esdeath''s voice cut through the quiet like a sharp blade. "Caelum Nyvaris, how about I ask you a question?" Her words seemed casual, but there was a hint of mischief behind her smile. Caelum blinked in surprise. "How do you know my name?" His brow furrowed with suspicion. Esdeath chuckled softly. "Just guessed," she teased, then leaned forward with a grin. "Since you''ve got that tough body of yours, I''m sure you''ve got plenty of girlfriends, right?" Caught off guard by the sudden shift in conversation, Caelum stiffened. "No! I was married," he answered firmly. Esdeath''s eyes sparkled with amusement. "Was, huh? Well, that''s not really important. Since you were married, I bet you''ve had plenty of¡­ experience, haven''t you?" Caelum frowned. "Experience in what?" "Sex, of course," Esdeath answered without hesitation, her tone still playful. She leaned back in her chair, smiling as if they were discussing the weather. "Don''t go on my age, I have my own fair share of experience, but I just wanted to hear about it from someone else''s perspective. Is that so wrong?" Caelum crossed his arms and sighed, trying to maintain his composure. "It''s not wrong¡­ unless you have kids without being ready for it. Raising a child is difficult, especially financially." Esdeath nodded thoughtfully, as if she genuinely cared about his answer. "So, would you say it''s good to have children?" "Yeah," Caelum replied, softening a little. "Raising a child right should be praised." Esdeath tilted her head slightly, her voice now curious. "So, not having children¡­ is that bad?" Caelum''s patience was starting to wear thin, and he clicked his tongue in irritation. "That''s not what I meant!" But Esdeath''s next words made his blood run cold. "Then how about killing children?" Her voice was calm, almost too calm, and it sent a shiver down his spine. Caelum''s eyes widened, his body reacting instinctively as he shot up from his chair, slamming his fist into the floor in anger. "Are you insane?! Of course, it''s bad! And shouldn''t I be the one asking questions here?" His voice trembled with fury. Esdeath didn''t flinch. Instead, she hugged herself, her voice soft and trembling. "Of course I know¡­ Killing is bad. It''s the worst thing. So terrible." She shuddered, as if the very thought of it horrified her. "Just thinking about it makes me feel sick," she whispered. But then, as if a switch had been flipped, Esdeath stopped trembling. Slowly, she raised her head, and the innocent expression melted away, replaced by a dark, twisted grin. "I just asked because there was once a man¡­ a man whose wife cheated on him. One day, she ran away. When he finally found out that even his son wasn''t really his, do you know what he did?" Esdeath''s voice was cold now, her words dripping with malice. "He killed his own child. Isn''t that terrible?" She hugged herself tighter, as if savoring the horror of the story. "How could anyone do that?" Her gaze turned to Caelum, her smile widening as she saw the fear and confusion in his eyes. Caelum''s face was pale, his body trembling as he struggled to find his voice. "How¡­ How did you know?" His voice was barely a whisper, his mind racing. Esdeath''s grin only grew wider, her eyes sparkling with cruel satisfaction. She didn''t need to answer; the truth was already clear. The game had just begun, and she was in complete control. Esdeath leaned back in her chair, her expression calm and unbothered. "Oww... Don''t worry," she said, her voice almost playful. "I''m not gonna tell anyone. And even if I wanted to... I can''t, right?" She raised an eyebrow, her words dripping with irony. Caelum took a deep breath, collecting himself as he sat back down. His eyes narrowed as he studied her. "What are you getting at?" he asked, trying to regain control of the conversation. Esdeath tilted her head and chuckled softly. "What I''m saying is, I have no proof against you. Just like you don''t have any proof that I killed Eldon Karanthis." Her tone was light at first, but then it shifted, sharp as a blade. Her smile vanished, replaced by a cold, deadly seriousness. "So don''t waste my time. I''m leaving." She pushed her chair back and stood up, ready to go. But just as she was about to walk away, Caelum''s laughter filled the room. "Hahaha... Who said I don''t have proof?" His voice was confident, laced with an edge that made Esdeath pause. She stopped in her tracks, one eyebrow raised in curiosity. Slowly, she turned and sat back down. Her eyes fixed on him, unblinking. "Then show me," she said, her voice low and steady. Caelum didn''t respond immediately. Instead, he stood up and left the room without a word. Esdeath remained seated, her expression unreadable, though there was a flicker of intrigue in her eyes. A few moments later, Caelum returned¡ªbut he wasn''t alone. A small, trembling child followed behind him, barely able to look up. Esdeath''s eyes flicked to the child, but her expression didn''t change. She let out a short laugh. "Pfft... A kid?" she mocked, not the least bit shaken. Caelum stopped beside the boy, his grin widening as he gestured toward him. "Do you recognize him?" he asked, his voice low and triumphant. The child stood frozen, eyes glued to the floor, his entire body trembling. "He was the one who shot Eldon," Caelum continued, watching Esdeath''s every move. "And he said that a black-haired woman gave him this." He pulled out a gun and placed it on the table between them. "She told him to shoot Eldon." Caelum leaned closer, his voice a deadly whisper as he delivered what he thought was the final blow. "Now, tell me, Miss Esdeath Crimson... how many women in this kingdom have black hair?" Esdeath stared at the gun, her face a perfect mask of indifference. Her mind raced, calculating, but outwardly, she remained calm. The tension in the room thickened, and for a moment, it seemed as if she might crack under the weight of Caelum''s words. But then, a faint smirk tugged at the corners of her lips. Esdeath leaned back in her chair, her expression almost smug as she watched Caelum. "If I really told him to shoot Eldon, then ask him¡ªwhat''s my name?" Her voice was calm, but there was a sharp edge to it, as if daring Caelum to prove her wrong. Caelum''s gaze shifted to the child, who still hadn''t lifted his eyes from the floor. The tension in the room thickened. How could the boy know Esdeath''s name? She had never told him, and Caelum, confident in his assumption, hadn''t thought to ask. Now, the air of certainty he had clung to began to unravel. "Don''t worry," Esdeath said with a smirk, "I know,what if I didn''t told him my name in the first place but i have more ways to prove my innocence." Slowly, she pulled her gun from her side and handed it to the trembling boy. "Let''s see how well he shoots now." Her smile grew, almost playful. The boy''s eyes widened in terror at the sight of the weapon. His small hands trembled, beads of sweat forming on his forehead. Memories of that horrific afternoon flashed through his mind, and his breath quickened. His body began to shake uncontrollably. But Caelum, determined to prove his point, placed a hand on the boy''s shoulder and encouraged him. "Go on," he said firmly. "Shoot at the wall." The child could barely lift the gun. His arm wobbled under its weight, but with great effort, he managed to raise it and pull the trigger. BANG! The sound of the shot echoed through the room, but unlike the last time, the recoil was too much for the boy. The force knocked him off his feet, and he fell backward, the gun clattering to the floor beside him. Before Caelum could react, Esdeath moved swiftly, crouching beside the boy and grabbing his small, trembling hand. She turned his palm toward Caelum, revealing a fresh wound from the recoil. "Look at this," she said, her voice icy. "You claim this child shot Eldon because I told him to, but now, after firing a single bullet, he''s got a wound on his hand." She let her words hang in the air for a moment, watching as Caelum''s confidence faltered. "When this kid came in, his hands were fine. So tell me, why didn''t he have a wound before? Are you trying to frame me?" Her voice rose slightly, anger flashing in her eyes. In truth, Esdeath had used her magic to strengthen the boy''s body, ensuring he wouldn''t miss. But now, without her magic, the truth was working in her favor. "And as for the black hair," she continued, standing up and brushing off her clothes. "You think there aren''t any people in this kingdom who can change their hair color with magic? If I really killed Eldon, why would I do it with my black hair? You''d have to be a fool to believe that." Her words were laced with sarcasm, expertly turning Caelum''s accusation against him. Caelum stood there, speechless, as Esdeath turned her attention back to the boy. She crouched down once again, grabbing his face in her hand, their faces inches apart. Her red eyes bore into his, cold and terrifying. "Look at me," she whispered in a chilling voice. "And say it was me." The boy''s fear reached its peak. Tears welled up in his eyes, and his body trembled even more. "I-I don''t know... I don''t know..." he whimpered, his voice breaking as sobs escaped his lips. "Hey, stop!" Caelum shouted, stepping forward and pulling Esdeath away from the terrified child. "You''re scaring him!" He placed himself between them, glaring at her. Esdeath simply dusted off her clothes, her expression bored once again. "I don''t think I need to prove anything else. You''ve been fooled by a scared kid. I was cooperating with your testimony out of kindness, but now you''ve pissed me off. I''m done." She turned on her heel, walking toward the door with the same confidence she''d had when she first entered. Caelum clenched his fists but found himself unable to say anything. He knew, deep down, that Esdeath had turned the entire situation on its head. And now, there was nothing he could do to stop her. With a smirk still playing on her lips, Esdeath left the room, leaving Caelum standing there, defeated, as the child''s quiet sobs filled the silence. Just as Esdeath exited the room, the heavy door swung open, and several guards entered. One of them, tall and broad-shouldered, stepped forward. "Captain, what happened in there?" the guard asked, his brow furrowed in confusion. Caelum let out a deep, frustrated sigh, shaking his head. "That''s the problem. Nothing happened," he muttered, clearly annoyed. His mind raced with thoughts, trying to piece together what had just transpired. "I don''t know if she killed Eldon or not. We have no solid proof now, and soon, we''ll have to answer to Eldon''s family." He rubbed his temples, sighing again in frustration. "But one thing''s certain¡ªshe''s not normal. Either she''s incredibly stupid... or way too smart for her own good." The guard glanced at Caelum, worry flickering across his face. "So, what are we going to do now?" Caelum stepped closer to the guard, lowering his voice so only the guard could hear him. His tone was cold and calculating. "Tell everyone that the kid... was part of a revolutionary group. We''ll blame him for Eldon''s death and execute him in public." ------------------------------------------------------------------------- Finally it''s time for Predictor to come back.... one thing I''m gonna say, I think I have a crush on predictor now! Sear?h the n??el Fire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Shopping As soon as Esdeath left, the news spread like wildfire. Everyone in the kingdom was talking about the horrible event¡ªEldon Karanthis, a well-known student, had been killed, and a young boy was being blamed for the crime. People couldn''t stop whispering. After all, it wasn''t just anyone who was killed; it was a student of "Awakened Academy," the most respected academy in the entire kingdom. It wasn''t just a death; it was a blow to the academy''s perfect reputation, a scar that would take time to heal. Eldon''s murder felt like an attack on the academy''s pride, and by extension, on the kingdom itself. "How could something like this happen?" people asked. "How could one of the academy''s own be murdered so easily?" Thankfully, the murder had taken place outside of the academy''s grounds, so the school wasn''t required to offer compensation to Eldon''s family. But still, the academy''s leaders were shaken. This was the first time in many years that a student had been killed so early in the school year, and it had everyone on edge. The academy even shut its doors for two days¡ªa rare event¡ªto mourn the loss and investigate how something like this could have happened. Even with the temporary closure, whispers and rumors filled the streets. The murder, the academy''s response, and the mystery of how such a tragedy could occur left everyone uneasy. It wasn''t just about the crime¡ªit was about the fear that came with it. If something like this could happen once, who''s to say it couldn''t happen again? Meanwhile, in Esdeath''s dorm room, something entirely different was happening, despite the dark cloud hanging over the academy after Eldon''s death. "You must be feeling uneasy about Eldon''s death, right? Since the academy is closed, how about going shopping with me to clear our minds?" Esdeath said with a warm smile. But inside, she was thinking something completely different, "Shopping is the easiest way to make friends with a girl!" she thought to herself, feeling clever about her plan. Luna, who was sitting on her bed, raised her eyebrows in surprise. "What''s with this all of a sudden?" she wondered, not expecting Esdeath to offer her something like this. Luna had always thought Esdeath was too intimidating to be friendly, and now she was confused. Should she say yes or no? She felt a bit awkward, unsure of how to respond. "Come on, hurry! There''s a big sale in the market today!" Esdeath''s voice snapped Luna out of her thoughts. A small smile appeared on Luna''s lips. "A sale, huh?" she thought, unable to resist the temptation. "Yes, let''s go!" she replied, her excitement building. It wasn''t every day that someone asked her to go shopping, especially someone like Esdeath. As they reached the bustling market, the streets were filled with merchants selling all kinds of goods. The smell of fresh bread and spices filled the air, and the colorful stalls were packed with clothes, accessories, and everything else you could imagine. Esdeath led Luna straight to a shop with beautiful dresses hanging in the window. "Look at this one!" Esdeath said, holding up a frock with lace and pretty flower patterns. "This would look so cute on you, Luna!" Luna blushed a little, not used to such attention. "Do you really think so?" she asked, feeling shy but also a little excited. "Of course!" Esdeath said with a grin. "Try it on!" Luna hesitated, but she eventually picked a few dresses to try, including a light blue frock that she secretly adored. She spun around in front of the mirror, feeling the soft fabric swirl around her legs. Esdeath picked out a few things for herself too, a sleek black jacket that hugged her figure and a stylish skirt that gave her an edgy but fashionable look. They laughed and chatted as they tried on clothes, with Esdeath giving tips on what matched with what. After a while, they wandered into a shop selling more personal items, like underwear. Esdeath teasingly nudged Luna. "Don''t be shy, we all need these things!" she said with a playful wink, grabbing a random set for herself, just to show luna,,not because she needed it. Luna turned bright red, laughing nervously as she picked a couple of plain but comfortable pieces. "I wasn''t expecting this today," she thought, but she couldn''t deny she was having fun. At the end of their shopping trip, Luna stood by the counter, ready to pay for her things, but Esdeath quickly stepped in, pulling out her coin pouch. "I''ll cover it," she said, smiling. Luna''s eyes widened in surprise. "Wait! You don''t have to do that!" Esdeath waved her off. "Don''t worry about it. Consider it a treat, okay?" Luna bit her lip, feeling both grateful and a bit guilty. "Thank you, Esdeath," she said softly. "I''ll pay you back later." "Nonsense!" Esdeath laughed. "We''re friends now, right? This is what friends do." Luna couldn''t help but smile as they left the shop, their bags full of new clothes. She felt a warmth in her chest, a feeling she hadn''t expected. Esdeath, despite her intimidating exterior, was kind and surprisingly thoughtful. As they walked back to the academy, their conversation was light and easy. They talked about the clothes they bought, the upcoming academy events, and even joked about the sale being too tempting to resist. For the first time in a long while, Luna felt a sense of companionship she hadn''t known she needed. Maybe Esdeath wasn''t so scary after all. ..... By the time they finally returned to the dorm, the night had already settled in, and the moonlight cast a soft glow through the window. Without wasting a second, both Esdeath and Luna collapsed onto their respective beds, the exhaustion from their shopping trip catching up to them. But something felt different tonight. Unlike the previous nights, when Luna had always been a little tense, worried about Esdeath''s presence, tonight her mind was at ease. There was no nervousness, no constant glancing at Esdeath in fear that she couldn''t sleep. Instead, Luna felt strangely comfortable. As she lay on her bed, sinking into the softness of her pillow, Luna turned her gaze towards Esdeath, who was already peacefully lying on her own bed, her eyes closed. A small smile crept onto Luna''s face as she quietly observed her roommate. "She''s so tall," Luna thought, her eyes tracing the length of Esdeath''s figure. "I can barely reach her shoulders. She''s not like a princess Ravenna, but still¡­ she''s prettier than me, for sure. But what surprises me the most is her personality. She''s so open and friendly¡­ I guess what people say is true: tall people really are the calmest ones!" Luna chuckled softly at her own thoughts, exhaling deeply as the weight of the day finally started to settle in her bones. The weariness from all the walking and laughter made her eyelids heavy. Before she even realized it, sleep took over her, and her mind drifted into peaceful dreams. ... The night quietly slipped away, and morning arrived before anyone knew it. Esdeath, ever the early riser, had already woken up at 5:30, but Luna? She was just an average girl, waking up around 7:30 with a big, sleepy yawn. The sun peeked through the curtains, and Luna stretched her arms, feeling her muscles relax after a long, restful night. She sat up in bed, rubbing her eyes and letting out another soft yawn. Her usual morning routine began. She shuffled into the bathroom, brushed her teeth with slow, sleepy movements, then washed her face to fully wake up. After that, she picked out her clothes for the day¡ªsomething simple and comfortable since there were no academy lectures due to the two-day closure. Once she was dressed, Luna headed to the bath for a refreshing soak. The warm water helped chase away the last traces of sleepiness, and she felt rejuvenated. By the time she was done with her morning routine, it was already 8:00 AM. Luna dried her hair with a towel, feeling more awake and ready for the day, though the academy was still quiet. It was the second day of the shutdown, so there were no classes, no hurried footsteps in the halls, just the peaceful calm of a free day. "What should I do today?",Luna wondered to herself, her mind wandering back to the fun she had with Esdeath the day before. Maybe today would be another chance for something unexpected. Just as Luna was wondering what to do with her day, the door opened, and Esdeath walked in. Her presence always seemed to fill the room with energy. Spotting Luna, she flashed a smile. "Oh, good! You''re here. Let''s eat together at the cafeteria," she suggested casually, as if it was the most natural thing in the world. Luna''s face lit up. "Let''s go!" she agreed without hesitation. It didn''t take them long to make their way to the cafeteria. The breakfast area was lively, filled with students enjoying their morning meals. Some were dressed in the academy''s uniform, while others took advantage of the academy''s temporary closure to wear casual clothes, making the atmosphere feel more relaxed. There were even students flaunting their expensive, branded outfits, using this chance to show off their wealth. Luna and Esdeath didn''t pay much attention to any of that. They grabbed their food and sat down together at a table near the center. Luna was genuinely happy to be eating with Esdeath, still feeling a bit surprised that a noble like her would want to spend time with someone like herher, Even though Esdeath was just a baron and Luna despite being a commoner was a merchant''s daughter, They still are a noble and commoner. But Esdeath seemed distracted. As they began eating, Luna noticed Esdeath''s eyes weren''t focused on the food or their conversation. Instead, Esdeath kept scanning the room, her gaze shifting from one group of students to another. Finally, her eyes landed on a particular person sitting alone¡ªa chubby girl with short, wavy vermillion hair and tanned skin. It was Maruti. Maruti, like Esdeath, was somewhat of a loner, but for different reasons. While Esdeath''s presence commanded kind of respect (and sometimes fear), Maruti was an easy target for bullies. She sat quietly at a table, eating alone, her eyes downcast. But peace never lasted long for someone like her. Just as Esdeath had predicted, a group of girls spotted Maruti and immediately saw her as an easy target. Mischief sparked in their eyes as they shared knowing glances. One of the girls, wearing a smug smile, casually walked past Maruti''s chair. Without warning, she kicked the leg of chair, causing Maruti to lose her balance and crash to the ground. The sound was loud¡ª*BAM!* The heavy thud echoed through the cafeteria, making heads turn. For a moment, there was silence. And then, it started¡ªsnickers and laughter from all around. "Hahaha! This fat bitch can''t even handle her own weight!" one of the girls from the bullying group laughed loudly. Her friends joined in, their mocking laughter filling the room, and even some bystanders couldn''t help but chuckle, not caring how cruel the scene was. Maruti slowly turned her head towards the girl who had kicked her chair, her eyes flashing with anger for just a brief moment. But instead of acting on it, she quickly shifted her gaze away, knowing there was no point. She had been through this too many times before to think it would end any differently. Saying anything would only make things worse. Without a word, she got back up, dusted off her clothes, grabbed her chair, and sat down again. Quietly, she resumed eating as if nothing had happened. Esdeath watched the scene unfold, her face filled with disappointment. She let out a small, annoyed sigh. "Hmph... I can''t stand people like this," she muttered to herself, her eyes still on Maruti. "They endure everything, thinking they''re doing something noble, some heroic act of patience. Especially when they have the power to fight back." Esdeath''s sharp gaze examined Maruti. "She''s an Awakened Barbarian," she thought, her mind analyzing every detail. "Even a regular barbarian has high strength, but she''s Awakened. That means she''s much stronger than most of the students here. And with that tall, sturdy body¡­" Esdeath, who was around 172cm tall, noted that Maruti must be at least 178 or 180cm, towering over most people, including herself. "And that tanned skin¡­ it''s not natural. Someone, either her or someone else, must''ve used a bronze essence stone on her skin. If she wanted, one slap from her could knock those girls out cold." Esdeath clenched her teeth in frustration. "But no, these kinds of people never stand up for themselves. They lack the courage, and it''s pathetic." She shook her head, her disappointment clear as she refocused on her plate, trying to enjoy her meal despite the scene. Meanwhile, the girl who had tripped Maruti wasn''t done. She was still angry. "What''s with that glare earlier, huh? You think you''re sparing me by not fighting back?" she said, her voice dripping with arrogance. She took a few steps toward Maruti, her lips curling into a cruel smirk. Without hesitation, the bully grabbed a dish of noodles, still dripping with gravy, and poured the entire plate over Maruti''s head. The room fell silent for a second as everyone stared, waiting for Maruti''s reaction. "Pfft... Now what are you gonna do? Fight me?" the bully taunted, her friends laughing hysterically at the humiliating scene. It seemed like another typical moment of cowardice from their victim. But as the noodles and gravy dripped down her face, something in Maruti''s expression shifted. She didn''t look angry, sad, or even humiliated. Instead, her face was completely emotionless, as if none of it mattered. Her eyes were filled with a strange emptiness, not anger or sadness, but boredom¡ªlike she was completely tired of everything around her. For a moment, even the bully seemed confused by Maruti''s reaction. The usual mocking laughter around the room started to fade as everyone noticed her lack of response. Sear?h the N?vel?ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Maruti exhaled deeply. Then, without a word, she stood up from her chair, her face still blank and emotionless. In a voice too low for anyone to understand, she muttered under her breath, "???? ??? ???? ??..." (Fuck everything.) Predictor?…. Fable? In a voice too low for anyone to understand, Maruti muttered under her breath, "???? ??? ???? ??..." (Fuck everything.) The bully, confused by Maruti''s quiet words, took a step closer. "What did ya say¡ª" Before she could finish her sentence, Maruti grabbed the steel plate in front of her with a lightning-quick movement. BANG! Without hesitation, Maruti slammed the plate directly into the girl''s face. The impact was so powerful that the girl''s body flipped backward, her legs flying up as she crashed onto the floor with a thud. Her eyes were wide, blinking in shock, not even understanding what had just happened. The cafeteria went completely silent. Maruti stood tall, her once emotionless face now lit up with a fierce determination. The rest of the bully''s group stared at her in disbelief, frozen for a moment. But Maruti wasn''t done. She calmly cracked her knuckles, her gaze cold and unbothered. One of the other girls stepped forward, trying to act tough. "You think you can¡ª" Before she could finish, Maruti moved with blinding speed, despite her size. She delivered a swift roundhouse kick to the girl''s stomach, sending her flying into the nearby wall. The force was so strong that a small crack appeared in the wall where she hit. The girl slumped to the ground, groaning in pain. Another girl from the group lunged at Maruti, but Maruti blocked her punch with ease. She grabbed the girl''s arm and twisted it, flipping her onto the ground with one smooth motion. The girl screamed in pain as Maruti''s supernatural strength pinned her down with ease. "How... how is she this strong?!" one of the bullies gasped, backing away in fear. Maruti''s eyes were sharp and focused now, her movements quick and efficient. She wasn''t just strong¡ªshe had trained combat skills. With each motion, she was showing off her martial arts ability, a mix of brutal strength and precise technique. Another girl, desperate to fight back, grabbed a chair and swung it at Maruti. But Maruti ducked effortlessly, dodging the attack. In one fluid motion, she threw an elbow strike into the girl''s chest, knocking the wind out of her and sending her crashing to the floor. The last two girls of the group tried to run, realizing they had no chance against her. But Maruti wasn''t going to let them escape that easily. She grabbed one by the collar and tossed her aside like she weighed nothing, her body slamming into a table. The other girl made a desperate dash for the door, but Maruti, with her towering height and long legs, reached her in seconds. She grabbed the back of the girl''s shirt and lifted her off the ground effortlessly. With a simple flick of her wrist, she tossed the girl against the wall, leaving a noticeable dent in the plaster. The entire cafeteria watched in stunned silence as Maruti stood victorious. The group of bullies was scattered on the floor, moaning in pain, bruised and defeated. Maruti stood there, panting heavily. Although she had taken down those bullies with such speed and power despite her larger frame, the toll it took on her body was starting to show. Her breaths were ragged, her chest heaving as she wiped the sweat from her brow. Instead of feeling victorious, though, a deep wave of disappointment washed over her. She glanced at the fallen girls, the mess she had caused, and shook her head, her face contorting with frustration. "Shit... I ruined everything," she muttered under her breath, rubbing her forehead as if trying to ease the headache forming there. Her stomach twisted with regret. Without another word, Maruti picked up her things and hurried out of the cafeteria, her sad expression drawing confused looks from the other students who had watched the whole scene unfold. --- Later, on the academy rooftop, a place where one could see the entire campus and the surrounding area, Maruti stood alone. But instead of admiring the view, she had something far darker on her mind. She stood right at the edge, inches away from the fall, staring blankly at the horizon. The cool breeze whipped through her short vermilion hair, but it did nothing to calm her. Her eyes were tired, her heart heavy. She clenched her hands into fists, feeling the roughness of the rooftop beneath her feet. Maruti closed her eyes tightly, trying to block out everything, the pain, the shame, the overwhelming emptiness that had been gnawing at her for so long. "Time to end this fucking life!" she yelled, her voice raw, filled with a mixture of anger and despair. Her foot hovered over the edge, ready to step forward and fall. But before she could, a voice from behind startled her. "It''s already the third time you''re yelling this. When are you actually going to do it?" the voice said, calm but with an undertone of boredom, as if the speaker had heard this all before. Maruti''s eyes shot open, her heart skipping a beat. She quickly turned around to see a girl leaning casually against the rooftop railing, arms crossed over her chest. Her long black hair moved gently with the wind, and her sharp red eyes fixed on Maruti with an unimpressed gaze. It was Esdeath Crimson. Esdeath didn''t look concerned, scared, or even curious. In fact, she looked like she had grown tired of this scene, as if Maruti''s cry for help was nothing more than a routine she''d witnessed before. Maruti blinked in surprise, her mind racing. "Esdeath..." she whispered, her voice shaky. Esdeath sighed and pushed herself off the railing, walking slowly toward Maruti with an expression that could only be described as exasperated. "If you''re going to jump, just do it already," she said flatly, her voice cutting through the silence. "You know what?, I bet you can''t do it!" She challenged. Maruti''s mouth went dry, her heart pounding in her chest as she clenched her teeth in frustration. She shot a glare at Esdeath, who stood there unfazed, her red eyes gleaming with a mixture of boredom and challenge. Maruti had planned on jumping just moments ago, but something about Esdeath''s presence and her dismissive tone made her hesitate. Instead of leaping forward, she took a step back, her fists trembling. "You know what?" Maruti said, her voice strained with annoyance. "Why should I follow your orders? I''m not jumping!" Esdeath let out an exaggerated sigh, crossing her arms as if the whole situation was a waste of time. "I told ya''," she said with a mocking smile. "You don''t have the guts to jump." Maruti''s face twisted with anger, her pride wounded. "Fuck!" she cursed, her voice cracking with frustration. "You think I can''t do it? I was going to jump after you left! I''m tired of this life anyway!" In a burst of prideful defiance, Maruti spun back toward the edge of the rooftop, once again standing mere inches away from falling. The cold breeze sent a chill down her spine, but her mind was too clouded with anger to feel it. Her body was shaking, not from fear, but from the overwhelming desire to prove Esdeath wrong. "It''s not like it''s my first time dying," Maruti muttered under her breath, her voice lowering as she stared at the ground far below. Then, almost as if talking to herself, she continued, "But you know what? You remind me of my friend. He was always irritated for no reason and hated romance stories..." Maruti didn''t look at her, but she let out a bitter laugh. "That''s why I''m giving you a tip," she said, her tone suddenly shifting, a strange calmness settling in her voice. She turned her head slightly, just enough for Esdeath to hear her next words clearly. "You might not believe me, but I was a man once, The greatest hitman in the world but... I died and got reincarnated into this fucking female body." she said bitterly. "I''m stuck in this body, in this stupid world. And just like me, you shouldn''t bother trying to do anything important. This whole world... it''s just a game. A game where you''re just a side character¡ªor maybe even just an extra." Maruti laughed again, though there was no humor in it. "All of you exist just to be bystanders in the story of the main character, Ethan rothslayer. You want my advice? Just cling to him, and maybe you''ll survive. That''s all this world is about. Nothing you do matters unless you''re part of his story." Her voice trailed off, and she took a deep breath, a strange sense of finality in her tone. "I hope this information finds you well," Maruti said, her voice growing quieter. "Goodbye." Just as Maruti was about to jump, her body leaning forward over the edge, Esdeath''s next words stopped her in her tracks. S§×ar?h the ¦ÇovelFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "Predictor?" Esdeath called out, her voice sharp and cutting through the air like a blade. Maruti''s heart skipped a beat. Her eyes widened in shock, her breath catching in her throat as the word registered in her mind. Without thinking, she whipped her head around to face Esdeath, disbelief written all over her face. "Fable?" she gasped, her voice trembling with a mixture of recognition and confusion. But in that split second, her body lost its balance. The abrupt stop in her jump, combined with the sudden movement, caused her foot to slip. Her eyes widened in panic as the ground below seemed to tilt. Her stomach dropped as she felt herself falling backward, the solid roof beneath her feet disappearing. Time seemed to slow down as her body tilted toward the open air, her arms flailing for something¡ªanything¡ªto grab onto. "No¡ª!" she gasped, the fear hitting her all at once. Her heart pounded in her chest, the sensation of weightlessness overtaking her as her foot slipped completely off the edge. Hell Yeah! Maruti''s heart pounded in her chest, the sensation of weightlessness overtaking her as her foot slipped completely off the edge. Her body was falling, and for a split second, she thought this was really it. But before she could fully plummet, Esdeath acted swiftly. The world seemed to shift as the seconds stretched, everything moving in slow motion. Esdeath, eyes sharp with focus, darted forward with blinding speed, reaching out just in time to catch Maruti''s hand. She gripped it tightly, her muscles straining as she leaned back, trying to stop Maruti from falling off the roof. Time snapped back to normal, and the sounds of the world rushed in again. "Holy shit, pull me up, Fable!" Maruti yelled, her voice shaky as she dangled helplessly over the edge, gripping Esdeath''s hand with all her strength. Esdeath grunted, struggling with the weight. "Fuck! Why are you so heavy?!" she cursed under her breath, her arms trembling as she slowly, inch by inch, hauled Maruti back up onto the roof. With one last heave, Maruti flopped onto the roof, panting hard as she lay there, sprawled out. "Huff... I''m saved..." she muttered in sheer relief, staring up at the sky. Her chest rose and fell rapidly as she caught her breath. Esdeath, on the other hand, stood next to her, bending over with her hands on her knees, catching her own breath. Both of them were silent for a moment, the weight of what just happened sinking in. And then¡ª "Hahahaha!" esdeath suddenly burst into laughter, clutching her stomach as she rolled onto her side, her laughter ringing out across the rooftop. "Predictor, is that you? Pfft! What were you saying? The greatest hitman in the world? Lying in broad daylight! Hahaha!" S§×ar?h the n?velFire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Maruti wiped the last of her tears from laughing so hard and looked at Esdeath with a playful smirk. "What? Look at yourself! How did you even die, huh? Pfft... you''re no different from me." It was now her turn to mock, her eyes sparkling with amusement. Esdeath shot her an unimpressed look, but before she could say anything, Maruti suddenly stopped laughing. Her expression shifted, becoming serious as she furrowed her brows. "Can I punch you in the face?" she asked, her tone dead serious. Esdeath blinked, caught off guard by the sudden shift. "No!" she snapped back. "C''mon!" Maruti whined, leaning forward like she was bargaining. "At least let me slap you! You totally forgot that you *killed* me, didn''t you? That''s the reason I''m stuck here in this messed-up world. The least you can do is let me slap you once! Just once!" Esdeath crossed her arms, standing firm. "No means no. I just saved your life, didn''t I? Now we''re even." She said it so calmly, like the whole thing was just a matter of fact. Maruti groaned, throwing her head back dramatically. "Ughhh... that''s cheating!" She looked at Esdeath like a kid denied candy. "I deserve a slap! You''re being so unfair!" Esdeath rolled her eyes, her lips curling into a smirk. "So, I''m the guy who''s always irritated and annoyed for no reason, huh?" she teased, catching Maruti off guard with the sudden callback. Maruti sighed heavily, then spread herself out on the ground like a starfish, her limbs flopping dramatically. "I guess there''s no helping it," she muttered, exhaling deeply. Esdeath joined her, lying down beside her on the cold rooftop, both staring up at the vast sky above. After a moment of silence, she spoke again. "You know what? I''m disappointed in you." Her tone had a sharp edge to it, cutting through the calm. Maruti raised an eyebrow, turning her head to look at Esdeath. "Disappointed? How?" she asked, genuinely confused. Esdeath clicked her tongue. "What do you mean how? Weren''t you the guy who used to brag, ''I''ll live for 99 years'' back when we were... well, guys? And now here you are, so weak-willed that you were ready to jump off the roof just because some teenage girls bullied you!" Maruti blinked in surprise, then sat up quickly, her face twisting in frustration. "Huh? Who told you I was gonna kill myself because of them?" she snapped back, her voice rising. Esdeath sat up too, crossing her arms as she raised an eyebrow. "Then why were you about to jump, huh? What was that all about?" Maruti''s voice rose in anger, her eyes blazing. "Why? You''re asking me why?!" She stood up, pacing as she ranted. "Look at you! Look at me! We''re "girls" now, Fable. GIRLS! Do you know how messed up that is? Every time I have to pee, from that weird part¡ª" she shuddered visibly, "¡ªit makes my brain feel like it''s about to melt! And don''t even get me started on bras and panties! I have to wear and wash them every. Single. Day." Esdeath just stared, her expression slowly changing from amusement to something closer to horrified realization. Maruti wasn''t done though. She threw her arms up in the air, yelling, "We''re nothing but grown men trapped in teenage girls'' bodies, walking around in bras and panties! Like, what the actual hell?!" Suddenly, the absurdity of it all hit Esdeath like a truck. Her eyes widened as she imagined herself and Maruti as grown men, awkwardly stuffing themselves into teenage girls'' undergarments. The mental image was so ridiculous that her smirk faded, replaced with pure horror. "Holy shit..." Esdeath whispered, sinking lower. "Now I think I want to die too!" Maruti''s tone shifted back to normal as she continued explaining, "I used to play this game when I was a kid, but honestly, it was so bad it gave me anger issues. So I deleted it! That''s why I only know some basic stuff about it." She shrugged, looking like she had just confessed some deep, forgotten sin. Esdeath raised an eyebrow, curiosity piqued. "Wait, this game is that old? No wonder I found it on some sketchy pirate site. It didn''t even have ads!" she muttered under her breath, piecing it together. Maruti rolled her eyes, a bit of frustration in her voice. "About a week ago, I woke up in this body. I don''t know much about this girl either, except she''s some kind of barbarian who ran away from her tribe to join the Awakened Academy. Thanks to her, I got stuck with this weird accent, like someone from Afghanistan trying to speak English." She paused, shaking her head before continuing. "And somehow, I know a strange language, like it''s my first one." Maruti laughed dryly. "Since I didn''t know much about what''s coming next, I decided to play the part of a weak, bullied girl. You know, the type Ethan, our so-called main character, would have to save. That way, I could join his team, hang back, let him kill all the bosses, and survive until the end. Easy plan, right?" She smiled, though it looked more like she was poking fun at herself now. "When I first saw you, I thought you might be some super-overpowered side character, so I tried to befriend you. But, well... that didn''t exactly work out." Esdeath smirked, catching Maruti''s slip. "Your plan was fine, but you forgot one thing. You suck at acting¡ªespecially when it comes to playing weak." "Yeah, I kinda overdid it. I beat those girls up way too hard, and now, surprise, surprise, I''m definitely facing punishment!" Maruti rolled her eyes dramatically. Esdeath raised an eyebrow, leaning forward with a playful grin. "Don''t tell me you''re actually afraid of the punishment?" Maruti scoffed, immediately firing back, "Like hell I am!" Esdeath burst out laughing, slapping Maruti''s back several times. "Relax! I actually know a lot about this game, believe it or not." Her words made Maruti freeze for a moment, completely shocked. "Wait... you know about this game?" Maruti stared at Esdeath like she''d just seen a ghost. "The Fable I know was never into games or stuff like that." Esdeath''s smirk widened as she leaned back confidently. "Looks like you underestimated me." She made herself look cool, But how could predictor know that, this all happened after he died. Maruti, still in disbelief, fidgeted for a second before feeling the familiar annoyance rise inside her. "Got any cigarettes?" Esdeath asked casually, like it was the most normal thing in the world to ask right after such a weird confession. With an exasperated sigh, Maruti reached into her skirt pocket, pulling out a small bundle of cigarettes. "Here," she said, handing one over, clearly annoyed but not surprised. Esdeath took the cigarette, placed it between her lips, and raised her index finger next to it. With a quick flick of her hand, her fingertip lit up like a lighter, igniting the cigarette in one smooth, badass move. Esdeath raised an eyebrow, taking a drag from her cigarette. "You don''t even smoke, so why do you still have these on you?" she asked, blowing out a thin trail of smoke. Maruti smirked, leaning back as she crossed her arms. "Well, until a moment ago, you were pretty much dead to me. But back in the day, you were always smoking. The problem was, you never bothered to buy your own cigarettes, so I always had to carry some around, even though I don''t smoke." She smiled fondly, her eyes softening as she thought about their past. "I guess old habits really do die hard." There was a bit of nostalgia in her voice, a reminder of the friendship they once had. Esdeath chuckled, taking another puff. The smoke drifted lazily into the air, causing Maruti to immediately pinch her nose. "Ugh! Gross! That''s so dirty!" Maruti protested, waving the smoke away dramatically. Esdeath just rolled her eyes, not bothering to reply as she took a moment to enjoy the cigarette. She closed her eyes for a second, savoring the rare moment of relaxation. Then, as she opened her eyes, her expression shifted, becoming serious. "Alright, enough with the jokes," she said, her tone suddenly firm. "I was planning to go solo and join Ethan''s party too. You know, keep my head down, stick to the main storyline, and maybe survive till the end." She paused, a wicked grin slowly spreading across her face as her eyes gleamed with mischief. "But now that you''re here, screw the main story, screw Ethan, and screw this world!" Her voice took on a dangerous edge, and she extended her hand toward Maruti, the grin never leaving her face. "How about it? Let''s shake hands again. Since we''re both stuck here, why not mess up this world together?" For a second, Maruti stared at Esdeath''s outstretched hand, and then a wide, equally wicked grin broke across her face. "Hell yeah!" ----------------------------------------------------------------------- I wanted to ask something, in her status window there Gun mode on and sword mode locked, So should I change sword to Scythe mode? Bronze Muscle Essence Stone For a second, Maruti stared at Esdeath''s outstretched hand, and then a wide, equally wicked grin broke across her face. "Hell yeah!" Esdeath chuckled, but before she could pull away, Maruti raised an eyebrow. "But... do you have any plans?" Esdeath paused, scratching the back of her head awkwardly. "Umm... no," she admitted with a sheepish smile. "But we''ll figure something out soon, don''t worry!" "Alright, but first, answer my question: Are you the incarnation of some kind of constellation?"esdeath questioned. The moment the question left Esdeath''s lips, Maruti''s face twisted in confusion. "A constellation? What''s that supposed to be?" she asked, her tone genuinely puzzled. Esdeath facepalmed, groaning in frustration. "You seriously don''t know what a constellation is? Have you barely played this game? Like, only a few minutes?!" Her voice dripped with disappointment, as if she couldn''t believe what she was hearing. Maruti crossed her arms defensively. "Hey! I''ve been busy, okay?" Esdeath sighed, her frustration softening as she realized Maruti wasn''t joking. "Alright, alright, I don''t have the time to give you a whole history lesson, so I''ll make it simple," she said, pausing to collect her thoughts. "Constellations are like minor gods. Super powerful, but not immortal. And even though they''re gods, they have this rule not to meddle with mortals. But some constellations chooses peoples to be their incarnations, giving them extra powers and something called a ''system'', In return when incarnation gets famous and because of being incarnation of that constellation, The constellation will also become more strong and popular ." Maruti''s expression didn''t change much, but there was a spark of curiosity in her eyes now. "So, these constellations hand out powers just to get more famous? Are they like... idols or something?" she teased with a smirk, clearly finding the idea amusing. Esdeath laughed, though there was a glint of amusement in her own eyes. "Honestly, yeah, kinda like that. I''d explain more if we weren''t short on time. By the way,I''m also an incarnation of a constellation. If I say ''status,'' my status window pops up. Of course, you won''t be able to see mine, but try saying it yourself¡ªsee if something happens." "Status!" Maruti shouted, her voice filled with both curiosity and excitement. To her surprise, a holographic window appeared right before her eyes, glowing softly in the air. But as she stared at it, confusion settled in. "Uh... Esdeath, something''s wrong with my system," she said, frowning. "It''s not showing any of my stats. All it says is ''Imperfect Incarnation.''" Esdeath''s eyes widened in sudden realization, her breath catching for a moment. "I see¡­," she murmured to herself. Noticing Esdeath''s reaction, Maruti raised an eyebrow. "What? What does that mean?" "There are two types of incarnations," Esdeath began, her tone shifting to something more serious. "First, there''s the Perfect Incarnation. That''s when a constellation fully chooses someone as their incarnation, no doubts, no hesitation. They''re completely accepted by the constellation. But then, there''s the Imperfect Incarnation. That''s what you are right now." Maruti tilted her head, still not fully understanding. "Imperfect? Why?" Esdeath nodded, taking a deep breath before explaining further. "It happens when a constellation hasn''t fully decided whether to make someone their incarnation. They''re unsure about you, or... there might be other candidates they''re considering. Basically, they''re watching you, but haven''t made up their mind yet." "Oh, I see¡­" Maruti said, her brows furrowing. "So I still have a chance to become someone''s incarnation? But how do I do that?" Esdeath''s expression softened as she continued. "There''s a way. Sometimes, constellations leave behind inheritances, kind of like trials or challenges. If you find one of these places and prove yourself worthy by completing their challenges, then you can become their Perfect Incarnation." Maruti''s puzzlement deepened. "But how do I even know who my constellation is?" Esdeath shrugged lightly. "Sometimes they''ll introduce themselves to you, or they''ll contact you through your status window when the time''s right. But for you, you are a special case¡­ well, you''re a barbarian, right? There''s a good chance your constellation is *him*." Maruti''s eyes narrowed in confusion. "Him? Who''s *him*?" Esdeath just smirked and instead of answering, playfully slapped Maruti''s back. "I''ll tell you more later," she teased. "Meet me at the basketball court tonight. We''ll talk then." With that, she pulled a small stone out of her pocket and tossed it to Maruti. Maruti caught it on instinct, looking down at the object in her hand. It glowed with a faint, bronze hue. "What''s this?" she asked, inspecting it closely. "That''s a Bronze Muscle Essence Stone," Esdeath said casually, walking ahead. "I don''t really have much use for it, so you take it. You''ve already used the Bronze Skin Essence Stone, so this one should work perfectly with your body." Just as Esdeath was about to leave, Maruti''s voice called out, stopping her in her tracks. "Hey, I answered all of your questions. How about answering one of mine?" Maruti''s tone was casual, but her eyes gleamed with curiosity. Esdeath paused and turned back, raising an eyebrow. "Alright, shoot." Maruti grinned mischievously. "Since you''re an incarnation¡­ who''s your constellation ?" Esdeath''s expression flickered for a moment, her usual confidence replaced by something more guarded. She hesitated but quickly masked it with a sly smile. "Mine? Oh, it''s a very high-ranking one." Her words came out quickly, almost too quickly, as she turned on her heel and left before Maruti could ask anything else. She hadn''t answered the question fully. But the truth was... even Esdeath didn''t know who her constellation was. As Esdeath disappeared from view, Maruti''s grin widened, her eyes narrowing with amusement. "Hmmm¡­ she didn''t answer my question. That means she doesn''t even know who her constellation is!" she thought, her mind working swiftly to put the pieces together. Maruti folded her arms, deep in thought. "She also didn''t tell me how she died, which makes me think she probably died in a really dumb way. If she''s avoiding the topic, there''s no doubt about it." Her grin turned wicked as she continued her mental calculations. "And I''m sure she started playing this game after I died... meaning she lived for quite a while longer than I did. A year? Ten years maybe?" She tilted her head, her thoughts racing as she pieced together more clues. "Esdeath said she had no plan, but I''ve seen her sneaking into the library, picking out books on silent magic and hair color changing spells, "She''s definitely plotting to kill someone. Now the real question is¡­ who''s her target?" ------------ Esdeath sat cross-legged on her bed and quietly willed the "status" window to appear. Instantly, a holographic screen floated in the air before her, glowing faintly as several notifications began popping up, one after the other. <300 SP received.> Esdeath''s brows furrowed slightly. "Only 300 SP?" she muttered. It felt like a small reward for such an accomplishment. She knew many doubted her, thinking she cheated rather than acknowledging her true effort. Still, the fact she received any points at all was a sign that, even in their skepticism, they had no choice but to recognize her existence. Another notification appeared, this one making her eyes narrow. Esdeath stared at the window with irritation, glaring at it as if it had stolen something from her. "Figured as much," she thought bitterly. But before she could dwell on it, a new message flashed. <1000 SP received.> "Pfft even system knows that eldon was a trash character!" She chuckles but her eyes widened in surprise. "A thousand SP?!" she gasped, her heart racing with excitement. This was far more than she expected, and it felt like a victory after the disappointment of the earlier notification. She paused, weighing her options. "I should invest these in skills," she thought, her mind already working out how best to improve her abilities. Without hesitation, she decided her first upgrade would be her "Keen Eyes" skill. Without hesitation, Esdeath decided her first upgrade would be for her "Keen Eyes" skill. <400 SP deducted> Eagle Eyes (E): Can see over great distances with precision + Can see the flow of mana. A satisfied smile spread across Esdeath''s face as she looked at her new skill. Her vision shifted almost instantly, and she glanced to the right and left. At first glance, everything seemed normal, but soon she noticed something new¡ªrays of light floating through the air in all directions. sea??h th§× ¦ÇovelFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "Is that¡­ mana?" Esdeath realized, her smile widening. "I actually gained mana sense without needing to learn it." The rush of excitement built in her chest. Mana sense was a powerful ability, especially in battles against awakened individuals. Being able to see the flow of mana would not only help her block incoming attacks but also allow her to counterattack with perfect timing. "This is a must-have for any serious swordsman," she thought with satisfaction, already envisioning how useful this would be. Though she hadn''t planned on gaining this skill, it was a fantastic bonus. After smirking for a few moments, Esdeath decided it was time to upgrade another skill. <1,000 SP deducted> Sharpshooter (E): When used, time will slow down for five seconds. Can only be used once every 50 minutes. Esdeath''s eyes widened in disbelief as she saw the deduction. "....!!" She was momentarily stunned, then her jaw dropped. Rage welled up inside her, and she couldn''t contain herself any longer. "Are you serious?! 1,000 SP for this?!" she screamed, showing the status window her middle finger in frustration. "Give me my points back! All you gave me was two extra seconds and reduced cooldown by ten minutes?! That''s robbery!" Ultra Instinct As the afternoon faded into night, the basketball court seemed to take on a quieter, more intense atmosphere. Just as Esdeath had predicted, Maruti arrived at the court first, sitting casually on the ground. Not long after, Esdeath appeared, standing tall in contrast to Maruti''s relaxed posture. Their eyes met, the silence hanging in the air between them before Esdeath finally broke it. "So, I called you here to share some important information. But first¡ªwhat happened of that fight? Did you face any punishment?" Esdeath asked, her tone curious yet direct. Maruti grinned and waved her hand dismissively. "Nah, nothing too serious. Just a two-week suspension. No big deal." Esdeath sighed, shaking her head lightly. "Of course, typical you." After a moment, she got back to the real reason they were there. "Well, forget about that for now. Use the suspension to refine the bronze muscle essence stone on your own." Without waiting for a reply, Esdeath shifted into a more serious tone. "Listen up, Predictor. What we need to focus on isn''t magic, but essence stones. There are many ancient inheritances tied to these stones¡ªones I know about and can guide you through," she explained, her voice taking on the tone of a mentor. Maruti, with her usual carefree attitude, protested, "Why not magic? I wanna learn magic and look cool!" Esdeath''s lips twitched in irritation as she turned her back to Maruti. In front of her was a large board, hidden beneath a red cloth. She yanked the cloth off, revealing an intricate magic circle drawn on the board. It was big, detailed, and overwhelming. "Do you have any idea whose magic circle this is? Or what level it belongs to?" Esdeath asked, staring at the board. Maruti squinted at it, then laughed. "Looks like some kind of ant hill or something!" Esdeath slammed her fist against the board, frustration clear in her movements. "That''s the point! I don''t know either! It took me half an hour just to copy it from a book, and the book said it''s only an intermediate-level spell. Not even close to being a high-level one!" Maruti''s playful expression faded, replaced by one of realization. "Okay¡­ now I get your point," she admitted, her voice quieter as the gravity of Esdeath''s words sank in. Esdeath finished her explanation with a firm voice, "That''s why, unless it''s absolutely necessary, we won''t waste time learning high-ranking spells. We''re just starting out, so it''s not too difficult yet." She paused briefly, signaling that her little speech had come to an end. "Alright, that''s it for now. I''m heading to sleep. Let''s meet again in two weeks. I''ll be focusing on my own tasks, and you can refine that essence stone," she said as she turned to leave, clearly ready to wrap up the conversation. "Wait, wait, wait... what about telling me who my constellation is?" Maruti quickly called out, halting Esdeath in her tracks. Esdeath chuckled awkwardly, rubbing her forehead with a slight smile, "Oh yeah, I totally forgot." Her grin turned a bit mischievous as she spun back around to face Maruti. "Okay, listen. We''re going to try a little experiment," Esdeath began, her eyes sparkling with a mix of amusement and seriousness. "I''ll hit you with this board¡ªdon''t worry¡ªand knock you out. if this works then I''ll find out who your constellation is... Trust me, And I''ll tell you who it is after two weeks, once we''re back in class." Esdeath''s face remained completely sincere, though the plan sounded a bit ridiculous. Maruti stared at her, torn between disbelief and curiosity. Should she trust Esdeath''s bizarre plan? After a moment of hesitation, she let out a long sigh. "Fine... just do it," she muttered, resigning herself to the weird experiment. Esdeath grinned, grabbing a nearby board with a mischievous gleam in her eye. Without further warning, she swung the board straight at Maruti''s face. **CRACK!** The board shattered into pieces on impact, the sound echoing in the empty court. Maruti''s eyes widened for a second before everything went blurry. She could feel herself slipping away into darkness, sinking deeper and deeper into an unconscious void. sea??h th§× N?vel(F)ire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Esdeath stood still, her gaze fixed on Maruti''s limp body sprawled on the ground. A silence hung in the air, the stillness of the basketball court broken only by the faint rustling of the wind. She let out a long, exasperated sigh. "Hmph¡­ nothing happened," she muttered to herself, disappointment creeping into her voice. "Guess I was wrong after all." Shaking her head, Esdeath turned on her heel, ready to leave. But just as she took a step, something strange caught her attention. The air around her felt different¡ªheavy, charged with a presence she hadn''t noticed before. A low, eerie sound began to echo in the silent court, like a distant chant. Esdeath paused mid-step, her instincts sharp. She glanced over her shoulder, her eyes narrowing. Maruti, who had been lying still just moments ago, was slowly rising from the ground. Her movements were unnatural, like a puppet being pulled up by invisible strings. Maruti''s body stood upright. Her eyes snapped open, revealing her sclera turned pitch black, glowing with an otherworldly intensity. The stare she gave was cold, devoid of humanity, yet it radiated an ancient power. The weight of her presence pressed down on the surroundings, thick and almost suffocating. Even without looking, Esdeath could feel the shift, the sudden surge of something far greater than just Maruti. But instead of being startled, her smirk widened into a wicked grin. "Well, well," Esdeath murmured, her voice low and dripping with amusement. "You told me your name was Maruti, but you never mentioned it was "Maruti Vanara", did you?" Her words hung in the air, sending a chilling thrill through the court as she slowly turned to face the possessed girl. Maruti stood motionless, her eerie black sclera locked onto Esdeath. The chilling sight sent a shiver down Esdeath''s spine, but her mind raced. "Ultra Instinct," she thought, her eyes narrowing as she analyzed the situation. "I never imagined I''d come across someone else with it¡­" Her pulse quickened. The power radiating from Maruti was overwhelming, and Esdeath knew exactly what it meant. "Ultra Instinct... only granted to those who are incarnations of the Primal Constellation¡ªLord Hanuman." The realization struck her with exhilaration. "One of the strongest constellations, said to be closest to achieving immortality." For a moment, Esdeath stood frozen, her mind weighing the situation. "If she attacks now, with the power I have, I don''t stand a chance," she admitted to herself. Her heartbeat drummed louder in her chest as the pressure of the situation sank in. But Esdeath wasn''t one to stick around when the odds were against her. She stretched her arms, trying to keep calm, but her nerves tingled with urgency. "Now''s the only thing I can do is..." she muttered under her breath. Without warning, she spun on her heel, yelling, "Run!" Her feet moved before her mind could catch up, and she sprinted off the basketball court, her heart pounding in her ears. Behind her, Maruti stood like a looming shadow, but Esdeath didn''t dare look back. As she raced through the darkness, she recalled what she knew about *Ultra Instinct*. "When it activates, the person only attacks those within their immediate range," she reminded herself, her breath ragged from running. "I just need to get far enough away before it triggers." The night air was cool against her skin as she dashed toward the dorms, her legs burning from the effort. "Since it''s nighttime, no one should be around," she thought, hoping Maruti wouldn''t encounter anyone else. "After wondering few hours, she''ll return to normal... hopefully." Finally reaching the safety of her dorm room, Esdeath collapsed onto her bed, her chest heaving as she caught her breath. A smile tugged at her lips, a mixture of exhaustion and triumph. "I''ve stumbled upon something priceless..." she whispered to herself, staring up at the ceiling. The discovery of Maruti''s connection to Lord Hanuman was more than she could have hoped for. With that thought, she let herself drift off to sleep, satisfied with the treasure she had found, but fully aware of the danger that still lingered. ---------- As the night faded, the soft golden light of dawn crept into the world, casting long shadows over the quiet basketball court. Outside, near the court, was a large dustbin area¡ªnormally filled with trash and debris. But today, something unusual lay hidden inside one of the bins. Amidst the garbage, a figure began to stir. A heavyset girl, her clothes wrinkled and slightly stained, was sprawled inside the dustbin. The morning light streamed through the cracks, and slowly, her eyes fluttered open. At first, her mind was groggy, still heavy with sleep, but as she blinked away the haze, her surroundings started to come into focus. A sudden wave of fury surged through her, and she clenched her fists. "What the fuck did you do, Fable?" Killing Two Birds With One Stone As the teacher''s voice droned on, the class sat in quiet anticipation. Finally, he wrapped up, "So, the lecture ends here for today, but before you leave, I have an important announcement. In two weeks, the selection program for the upcoming competition will begin." His voice became more serious, and everyone in Class B perked up. "First, there will be solo participants, followed by team matches. Those who collect enough points will qualify for the competition and face one-on-one duels," the teacher explained. His eyes scanned the class, gauging their reactions. "You all have two weeks to prepare. Don''t just focus on lectures¡ªpractice hard and be ready." "Yes, sir!" The class shouted in unison, their voices echoing in the room. Excitement buzzed in the air, but Esdeath remained silent, lost in her own thoughts as she stared into the distance. "Two weeks, huh?" she muttered to herself, her mind swirling with thoughts of both the competition and her own personal plans. "The time for my little mission is coming up soon too¡­ but now that I have Predictor with me, I''m running short on money again," she thought, her lips curling into a frustrated frown. Her gaze shifted out of the window, her mind wandering to something¡ªor rather, someone else. "By now, Ethan''s probably getting ready for his own inheritance. I''d love to snatch that from him, but... that treasure is only meant for the pure-hearted. Of course, I don''t stand a chance at being that," she sighed deeply, her fingers drumming against the wooden desk in boredom. Knowing the location of a priceless treasure, but being unable to claim it, gnawed at her. The frustration bubbled up inside her. "Knowing exactly where it is but not being able to take it... this is so annoying!" she groaned quietly, leaning her head onto her desk, feeling the weight of disappointment pressing down. Her eyes lazily scanned the room as she fought the dull ache of boredom. That''s when they landed on a group of girls nearby, giggling and chatting among themselves. They were the same group that had bullied Maruti but ended up getting beaten by her. Esdeath''s sharp gaze lingered on the group of girls across the room. As she stared at them, her eyes locked onto one of the girls. The girl quickly noticed and scowled in response, recognizing Esdeath''s intense gaze. Despite having been beaten by Maruti the previous day, their arrogance hadn''t faded. "Hey! That cheating witch is staring at us ," one of the girls hissed to her friends, flipping her hair dismissively. "Looks like we''re short on some losers to mess with. Let''s give her a little lesson," she added, smirking. With a sneer, they all turned and began walking toward Esdeath, their intention clear. Esdeath raised an eyebrow in confusion at first, wondering why they were approaching her so boldly. She hadn''t done anything to them¡ªyet. As they got closer, it dawned on Esdeath what they were planning. Before they could make their move, she suddenly stood up, catching them off guard. Without any warning, she swung her hand forward, aiming directly at one of the girls. In her hand was a pen. Its sharp tip stopped just inches from the girl''s eye. The girl froze, her breath caught in her throat as the sharp pen hovered dangerously close. Her face turned pale as she gasped, stumbling back in fear. "Shit! I thought I was dead for sure. This crazy bitch!" she muttered in shock, her voice trembling. The rest of the group glared at Esdeath, anger flashing in their eyes. They had come expecting to bully her, but now it seemed like they were the ones at a disadvantage. Esdeath, however, wasn''t finished. A plan appeared on her mind at lighting speed and Her expression shifted, instead of lashing out further, a sly smile spread across her face. She tilted her head slightly, eyes gleaming with an idea. "Oh, did I make you angry? Do you really want to beat me up?" she asked with a playful, taunting tone. The girls looked confused, not sure what she was getting at. Esdeath chuckled, her voice low and mocking. "How about I''ll let you hit me as much as you want¡­ but it''ll cost you. How about one silver coins for each punch?" She smiled wider, clearly enjoying the tension in the air. The group of girls paused, not because they were scared, but because they simply didn''t have enough money for Esdeath''s bold offer. The silence stretched awkwardly until it was broken by a voice cutting through the tension. "I''ll pay." It was a boy''s voice, confident and commanding. They all turned to see Corin Reynold, a tall boy with striking blonde hair and an air of authority. Esdeath''s eyes narrowed as she recognized him. She briefly wondered why Corin, a high-ranked student from Class A, was here in Class B, her gaze quickly moved to the girl standing beside him¡ªEmma, his girlfriend. Emma was also part of class B, No double he came to class B to took her. Although Emma had a crush on ethan at first sight but for now, she was still loyal to Corin. Esdeath understood Corin''s game almost immediately. He wasn''t just here to humiliate her. No, he wanted to show off in front of Emma and indirectly vent his anger toward Ethan, who Corin hated so much. Esdeath could see it in the way his arm boldly rested around Emma''s shoulders, his possessiveness clear. "Alright then," Corin smirked, tossing a bag of coins toward the group of girls. "I''ll pay for the punches." ----------- They led Esdeath and Corin up to the academy rooftop, a place notorious for settling grudges and challenges out of sight. Corin stood at the edge of the rooftop, leaning casually against the railing with Emma by his side. His arm was draped around her, a smug grin on his face. BAM! The first girl With a swift punch, she landed a blow to Esdeath''s abdomen, causing her to double over in pain, knees hitting the cold ground. The force of the punch made her gasp for air, but she didn''t cry out. Instead, she gritted her teeth and looked up at them, a flicker of amusement in her eyes. Before Esdeath could fully recover, another girl took the opportunity to strike. With a powerful kick. Swishh..... she slammed her foot into Esdeath''s face, sending her sprawling to the ground. The impact was hard enough that Esdeath''s cheek stung with a burning sensation. But rather than wince or whimper, Esdeath simply chuckled, her breath raspy as she coughed. Blood dripped from the corner of her mouth, but she wiped it away with the back of her hand. "Cough¡­ cough¡­ Not bad¡­ not bad at all," she muttered, her voice low but filled with a twisted kind of praise. Her lips curled into a grin, despite the pain. "You!" the girl growled, her teeth clenched in frustration. She was seething with anger, her hands shaking as she prepared to land another kick on Esdeath. But what she didn''t know was that Esdeath was purposely provoking them, baiting them into attacking her for the money. Before the girl could strike, a sharp voice rang out. "Stop!" Emma yelled, stepping forward. Her face was filled with irritation as she glared at Corin. "I don''t like these kinds of games!" she snapped, grabbing Corin''s hand off her shoulder and turning away, her movements full of disgust. Corin froze for a moment, his smug confidence crumbling. Instead of looking cool, he realized he had made himself look like a villain. Panic flashed across his face as he called after Emma, "Wait a minute!" His voice trembled with desperation as he hurried to follow her. Watching Corin leave, Esdeath smirked to herself. She wasn''t about to let him off that easily. "Hey! I took twelve blows. You owe me twelve silver coins!" she called out, her voice steady, demanding. Corin stopped in his tracks, clearly irritated, but there was no escaping it now. Begrudgingly, he pulled out a pouch of silver coins and tossed it toward Esdeath. Without breaking a sweat, she caught it mid-air, her reflexes sharp. A sly smile spread across her face as she felt the weight of the coins. The group of girls who had been part of the beating glanced at each other. There was a mix of disappointment and satisfaction on their faces¡ªdisappointment that they couldn''t hit her more, but satisfied that they had bruised her enough. They walked away in silence, their steps heavy with frustration. As Esdeath watched them leave, her body was aching, her face bruised from the hits. Yet, she didn''t flinch or show any sign of pain. Instead, her smile widened, her eyes gleaming with mischief. "I''ll definitely pay them back for beating me," she murmured under her breath. "But for now, money is what matters." ------ In the academy hall, Ethan walked alongside Violet and Sylvania, a smile tugging at his lips. The chatter around them was light, but Sylvania, with her usual confident charm, couldn''t resist teasing him. "I will definitely win this competition! Just don''t get in my way, Ethan!" she said, her voice full of playful determination. Her cute tone didn''t hide the seriousness in her words. Ethan chuckled softly, shaking his head. "We''ll see about that. If you want, I can train both of you personally. But don''t expect me to go easy on you in the competition," he warned, his eyes flashing with friendly challenge. As he spoke, thoughts swirled in his mind. "I need strong, determined companions for future events. This competition isn''t just for fun. It''s for their growth too, even if they are my friends," he calculated, his gaze sharpening. Just as Ethan was deep in thought, something caught his attention. Out of the corner of his eye, he saw a girl struggling to walk, her body covered in bruises. His heart skipped a beat as he realized who it was. "Esdeath Crimson?" Ethan gasped softly, recognizing her instantly. His smile faded, replaced by concern as he watched her barely managing to stay on her feet. Sylvania and Violet''s eyes widened as they noticed Esdeath, struggling to stay on her feet. Without hesitation, the three rushed toward her, catching her just before she could collapse to the ground. S§×ar?h the N??elFir§×.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "What happened? Who did this to you?" Ethan asked, his voice filled with concern and anger as he gently held her up. Esdeath looked up slowly, her tear-filled eyes sparkling like someone desperately seeking comfort. Before anyone could react, she threw her arms around Ethan, hugging him tightly. Her body trembled as sobs escaped her lips. "Sob¡­ sob¡­ It was Corin¡­ and his friends¡­ sob¡­ They beat me up and took my twenty silver coins that I won in the competition!" Esdeath cried harder, pressing herself even closer to Ethan, her tears soaking his shirt. "We need to go to the teachers and report them right away!" Violet said urgently, her voice trembling with worry as she glanced at Sylvania, who nodded in agreement. But Esdeath quickly shook her head, panic flickering across her face. "N-no! Please, we can''t! I¡­ I cheated in the competition. I used an Instant Success Essence Stone to refine the Moonblade Essence Stone, and they know it. If I tell the teachers, they''ll expose my cheating too! My family¡­ they''re in debt, and I need money, even if it''s just a little. But now¡­ now I don''t even have a single coin left¡­ Sob¡­ sob¡­" Esdeath cried harder, her body shaking uncontrollably, her tears flowing endlessly. Ethan''s expression hardened, his fists clenching in anger. "Corin¡­ you''ve crossed the line this time¡­" he muttered through gritted teeth, rage burning in his eyes. "Tell me where they are," he demanded, his tone cold and serious. "No! If you go, they''ll tell the teachers everything. We can''t do anything!" Esdeath gasped, fear flashing in her eyes as she grabbed his arm in desperation. "Tch¡­" Sylvania bit her lip in frustration, her fists trembling at her sides. "Fine, then we''ll get your revenge in the competition! I swear, I''ll show them no mercy," she vowed, her voice sharp and determined. Ethan took a deep breath, calming his anger as he searched through his pocket. After a moment, he pulled out a small leather pouch filled with silver coins and held it out to Esdeath. "Here, take this. It''s twenty silver coins. I hope it helps," he said softly, handing it to her. Esdeath slowly let go of Ethan, taking the pouch with trembling hands. Her tear-filled eyes sparkled with gratitude. "Thank you¡­ thank you so much¡­" Tears of joy streamed down her cheeks as she held the coins tightly. "Now, come on. We''ll help you get to your dorm," Violet said gently, taking one of Esdeath''s arms and placing it over her shoulder. Sylvania stepped in on the other side, supporting Esdeath as they began to walk. Together, they balanced her carefully, their faces filled with concern for their friend. But as they started walking, Esdeath''s tearful expression twisted into a sly grin, hidden from the others. "Sometimes I even forget I''m acting," she thought to herself, amused. "Well, with this, my money problem is solved, and I''ve made sure Ethan sees Corin as his enemy now. Hehe¡­" Her heart raced with satisfaction as she glanced at the unsuspecting trio supporting her. "Talk about killing two birds with one stone." -------------------------------------------------------- Damn.... If lortell found out about this, These guys''s three generation will fucked up. well, you might already guessed, It''s time for two weeks time skip and finally only few chapters left till lortell comes back, So that i can finally call this novel a yandere novel. Seductivness Of An Mature Woman Esdeath had spent the past two weeks deeply focused on improving her fighting skills. Each day, she pushed herself harder, growing more comfortable with her new female body. Every move felt smoother now, each punch and kick more precise than before. Meanwhile, Maruti, her friend, was locked in her own world, working on refining a "bronze muscle essence stone". Since Maruti had been suspended for two weeks, she used this time wisely, dedicating herself to her task without distractions. The days passed in a steady routine. Esdeath would wake up, work out intensely, attend class, and then return to her dorm to rest and start again the next day. This pattern repeated itself like clockwork, until finally, the two weeks of Maruti''s suspension came to an end. It was now the morning before the big competition, and everyone in the classroom was on edge, feeling the excitement and tension building. Esdeath sat at her usual desk, quiet and composed as always, though her red eyes occasionally flickered toward the classroom door. She was waiting for someone¡ªMaruti. Today marked the end of Maruti''s punishment, and Esdeath knew she would return today. Other students were busy chatting or preparing for the teachers to arrive, but Esdeath''s attention remained elsewhere. Her thoughts swirled, wondering how Maruti had been during her suspension, whether she had succeeded in refining the stone. As the minutes passed, the atmosphere in the classroom settled into its usual buzz. Suddenly, the door creaked open, and instead of a teacher walking in, a figure stepped into the room. She had an eye-catching appearance. Her fiery red hair was short and messy, with a few wild strands sticking out, giving her a rebellious yet fierce vibe. Her sharp, brownish-yellow eyes gleamed with confidence, almost as if they could pierce right through anyone. A lollipop hung lazily from her mouth, adding a playful touch to her otherwise bold and intense look. Her school uniform hugged her figure snugly, especially around her chest, giving her a seductive and daring appearance. The white button-up shirt looked crisp and clean, but she had casually rolled up her sleeves, making her seem more laid-back and comfortable in her own skin. Over the shirt, she wore a tan sweater vest that fit perfectly against her body, and her black pleated skirt ended just above her knees, adding to her relaxed, yet stylish, look. Despite the simplicity of her outfit, there was no denying the confident and fearless aura she gave off. As she entered the classroom, the effect was immediate. Every boy''s eyes widened in surprise. "Whoa, who''s this beauty, A transfer student?" one of them whispered. "Man, look at her chest... so big!" another added, unable to stop staring. No matter how hard they tried, they couldn''t look away. Even some of the girls were caught off guard by her striking appearance. A few glanced at her with envy, while others couldn''t help but feel a bit jealous. Esdeath, sitting quietly in her seat, smirked as soon as she saw the girl. She recognized her instantly. "Pftt... Predictor," she chuckled to herself, her eyes glinting with amusement. "To think you''ve changed this much." Esdeath''s sharp eyes took in every detail. "Her muscles have toned up, losing all that fat. And it looks like using those two bronze essence stones has even darkened her hair into this reddish-brown shade," she observed, calculating her friend''s transformation with a smirk of satisfaction. Maruti walked in confidently, ignoring the whispers around her. She didn''t bother paying any attention to the curious gazes or hushed voices that followed her as she made her way to her usual seat. As soon as she sat down, one by one, the students around her finally began to realize who she was. "Wait¡­ Maruti? Is that really you?" one of the girls gasped, her jaw dropping in disbelief. "Oh my gosh! It''s really you! How did you change so much in just two weeks?" the same girl exclaimed, her mouth still wide open in shock. Within moments, the whole class had gathered around Maruti, boys and girls alike. Unlike before when they teased her for her appearance, now, they couldn''t stop staring, amazed by how different she looked. Esdeath, on the other hand, remained in her seat, watching silently from a distance. Maruti could feel the pressure of everyone''s eyes on her. It was almost overwhelming. "This is so frustrating¡­" she thought, forcing a small, uneasy smile to hide her discomfort. Before she could lose her patience, the teacher walked into the room, immediately making everyone rush back to their seats. Even the teacher seemed caught off guard by Maruti''s transformation. She stared at her for a few moments, puzzled. "Do we have a new student in class today?" the teacher asked, still staring at Maruti with curiosity. One of the boys quickly stood up, eager to impress. "No, ma''am! She''s my friend, Maruti!" he declared, emphasizing the word ''friend'' to make himself look good. Maruti sighed inwardly, feeling annoyed by his bold claim. "Friend? Tch¡­ pathetic," she thought to herself. The teacher''s eyes widened in surprise. "Maruti? Really? You look completely different!" she said, her voice filled with astonishment before starting the lesson. Even though the class had begun, many of the students couldn''t help but steal glances at Maruti. It was almost impossible not to. While the princess ravenna with her pink hair may have dazzled everyone with her delicate cuteness, Maruti now exuded the beauty of a mature woman, with an undeniable air of seductiveness. A few times, Maruti noticed their eyes meeting hers. Instead of looking away, the boys seemed even more thrilled. They whispered to each other, trying to read into every little thing. "Did you see that? She looked at me! I think she''s telling me to meet her after class!" one of the boys whispered excitedly. The chatter continued quietly, but the attention on Maruti never faded until, finally, the lessons ended for the day. As soon as class ended, Maruti already knew what was coming. She could almost feel the stares burning into her back, and she had no interest in facing the crowd again. Without wasting a moment, she quickly stood up and hurried out of the classroom before anyone could corner her. Esdeath, still sitting at her desk, smirked, amused by the whole situation. Watching Maruti flee from her admirers felt like some sort of comedy drama, but Esdeath felt no need to chase after her. With her head resting lazily on the desk, Esdeath let out a small sigh. There wasn''t much to do right now, except wait for tomorrow''s qualification round for the upcoming competition. That was all that mattered¡ªbeing selected. She would do whatever it took to make sure she stood out and advanced. Boredom started creeping in as she leaned down, still resting her head on the desk. Even though she felt restless, she didn''t want to move. Silence filled the classroom, and Esdeath allowed herself to enjoy the quiet¡ªuntil voices from outside interrupted her peace. "What? You want to be like Lortell Mariette? Why her, out of all people?" A boy''s sharp voice cut through the air, his tone filled with arrogance. "Why not? She''s the youngest person to become an S-Rank and the Third Division Commander! Who wouldn''t want to be like her?" a girl argued back, her voice heated. "Huh, so what?" The boy''s tone turned bolder. "I''ll surpass her, no problem. And you know what? Other than her, there''s only one other woman in her whole division. The rest are top-level criminals¡ªmen who don''t listen to anyone except her." The boy scoffed loudly, and his voice took on a nastier edge. "Who knows what kind of dirty things she''s been doing to make those criminals follow her orders? That slut¡­" Esdeath''s entire body tensed as the last word reached her ears. Something inside her snapped. Her eyes shot open, glowing with a fierce red light, the rings in her irises spinning rapidly. Her lips twisted into a bitter, disgusted expression, as though she had just tasted something vile. "Who said that?" she muttered, her voice dripping with fury. "Who dares to talk about my Lortell like that?" Her anger surged, and without realizing it, her sharp nails dug into the desk, tearing into the wood. She stood up abruptly, the chair scraping against the floor as she stormed out of the classroom to find the source of those filthy words. Luckily, she didn''t have to look far. There, in the hallway, were Corin and Emma, walking away as if nothing had happened. Esdeath''s eyes narrowed, but instead of calming down, her rage twisted into something darker. A wide grin spread across her face as her yandere nature took over. She didn''t sigh or relax like a normal person would. No, instead, she let out a low chuckle, which soon turned into uncontrollable laughter echoing through the academy halls. "Hehehe¡­ Hahahaha¡­" The students passing by couldn''t help but feel uneasy as they glanced at her, wondering what had made her laugh so maniacally. "Corin¡­" Esdeath whispered to herself, her voice laced with venom. "I''ll make you eat those words." ------------------------------------------------------- S§×ar?h the nov§×lF~ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. This is picture of predictor btw..... What do you think? Hunt Begins! Who exactly was Corin? He wasn''t just anyone. Corin was the only son of Duke Reynold, a man with power and influence that far surpassed that of others. If something happened to Corin, it wouldn''t be a simple matter. The Duke would move heaven and earth, calling upon all his resources to track down whoever dared lay a hand on his precious son. This wasn''t like the case with Eldon, where only a basic investigation took place. If Corin were harmed, it would be a whole different story. Investigators¡ªthose who had awakened with the gift to uncover truths¡ªwould be summoned. They would use their unique essence stones and magic, leaving no stone unturned to find the culprit. In short, getting away with killing Corin was as good as impossible. Esdeath knew this all too well. Despite the burning desire inside her to kill him right there and then, her every muscle tensing with the urge, she couldn''t. Not now. Not yet. She bit her lip hard enough to draw blood, her fists clenched tightly by her sides. To take out her frustration, she slammed her fist into the wall, shattering it with a deafening crack. The sharp pain in her hand did little to ease her anger. She threw herself onto her bed, pounding her fists into the soft mattress until her rage finally started to cool. The room around her was a mess¡ªbroken pieces of the wall scattered everywhere, her bed now crumpled from her blows. She took a deep breath, forcing herself to calm down. As much as she hated it, Corin would have to live a little longer. There was something more important on her mind now. Today wasn''t about him. No¡­ today was about something else¡ªa different hunt. The hunt for Luna Cassia. Before Luna returned to the dorm room, Esdeath took a deep breath and got to work cleaning up the aftermath of her earlier outburst. The cracks in the wall from her punches were the only real damage left, and she quickly covered them up. The room was almost back to normal, looking as if nothing had happened. Minutes later, Luna walked into the room. The moment she entered, Esdeath forced a friendly smile. "Hey, Luna! Did you hear? There''s another sale at the market tonight. Wanna come with me?" she asked, her voice sounding unusually cheerful. Unlike the last time when Luna was full of worry, this time she didn''t hesitate. "Sure!" she answered with a quick nod, surprising Esdeath. "Great! I''ll meet you tonight then. Be ready!" Esdeath said, giving Luna a casual wave as she left the room. Her smile lingered even as the door closed behind her, but there was something unsettling behind it. As soon as Esdeath left, she met up with Maruti. "Did you set all the traps?" Esdeath asked, her voice low and serious now. Maruti flashed a confident smile, giving her a thumbs up. "Of course! Everything''s ready. Just like you wanted," she said brightly. --- The afternoon faded, and soon the evening came and went. By 9 PM, the dark of the night had settled in. The streets around the academy were still bustling with people, enjoying the lively market. But Esdeath and Luna were not at the market. Instead, they were walking through a place on the opposite side of town¡ªa quiet, shadowy area. Sear?h the N?vel?ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. The further they walked, the more Luna''s body started to tremble. Her eyes darted around nervously. The roads here were empty, and even though there were houses, they looked abandoned. The area felt like a slum, forgotten by the rest of the city. "Umm¡­ Esdeath?" Luna''s voice shook as she spoke. "Aren''t we in the wrong place? I mean¡­ forget about a sale, there''s not even a single person here." Esdeath, walking behind her, suddenly stopped. Luna turned to look, but before she could ask anything else, Esdeath smiled¡ªa twisted, dangerous smile. In her hand, a sharp blade started to form, glowing faintly as her moonblade essence stone activated. The blade wasn''t big, about the size of a knife, but it looked ancient, as if carved from stone, A stone age blade. "No," Esdeath said softly, her eyes gleaming in the dim light. "We''re exactly where we need to be." She took a step closer, her smile widening. Luna turned back in confusion, "What to do you mean? " She was going to question this but for some reason her voice didn''t came out. She touched herself at neck trying to cough.."What happened? Why can''t I speak?" She thought in confusion and fear but just as she looked at esdeath who was holding blade of moonblade essence stone, Her eyes widened in realsation, Her instinct were screaming,She had to run from here, As fast as possible. --------- Meanwhile, in the basement of the academy, Ethan stood quietly behind a large stone pillar, his eyes fixed on the small library in front of him. The dim light barely reached the place, but it was enough for him to see what he needed. A smile of satisfaction spread across his face as he peeked into the library again. "As I thought," he murmured to himself, "everyone''s too busy preparing for tomorrow. No one''s here. I couldn''t have picked a better time." After checking his surroundings one last time, he took a deep breath and made his move. With quick, quiet steps, he slipped inside the library. "Wolf Stealth," he whispered under his breath, and immediately felt his skill activate. His presence became harder to detect, like a shadow blending into the surroundings. "This skill¡­ I got it just a few days ago, and it''s already so useful," he thought, feeling the tension in his muscles ease a bit. "I can''t afford to get caught." The library wasn''t huge, but compared to the academy''s grand, towering main library, this one felt much smaller¡ªcozy, almost. It was about the size of a typical apartment floor, filled with rows of bookshelves. The faint smell of old paper lingered in the air. "I still have a lot of stat points saved up," Ethan reminded himself as he scanned the room. "I could use them to boost any of my stats later. I''ll hold onto them for now." This was one of the things that made Ethan''s abilities so useful. He had universal stat points that could be used to increase any stat he wanted, whenever he needed it¡ªexcept for intelligence and endurance. Unlike Esdeath, who had to spend Skill Points (SP) to create new skills, Ethan could unlock skills by battling stronger opponents. He moved deeper into the library, walking silently between the shelves. His eyes darted from book to book, but he couldn''t find what he was looking for. He pulled out one book, opened it briefly, then shut it and shoved it back. "Not this one¡­ not this either!" he muttered in frustration. He was looking for a specific item¡ªa golden key ring. But after nearly thirty minutes of searching, he had come up with nothing. His frustration was starting to show as he checked every corner of the room, opening and closing books rapidly. The more time passed, the heavier the doubt in his mind grew. "Was I wrong? What if the golden key ring doesn''t even exist?" he thought, his mind swirling with uncertainty. Ethan let out a long sigh, feeling the weight of disappointment settle in his chest. "It''s already late... I guess I should come back some other day," he thought, giving up on the search for the golden key ring. His body felt heavy from the wasted effort as he turned towards the door, ready to leave the library. But when his eyes fell upon where the door should have been, confusion struck him like a cold wave. His brow furrowed in puzzlement, and his heart gave a small, startled leap. "Where''s the door?" he muttered under his breath. He stared at the wall in front of him¡ªthere was nothing. No exit, no sign of the door he had just entered through. Panic began to creep into his thoughts as he started walking quickly, his eyes darting around, searching for any sign of an exit. But the more he walked, the stranger it all became. It felt like he was going in circles. Each bookshelf, each row of dusty old books¡ªit was as if he was passing the same spot over and over again. The library, which had seemed small before, now felt endless, as though it was growing around him. A cold realization hit him, and his throat tightened. "Did I just get trapped in an infinite loop?" His voice was shaky, the words barely louder than a whisper. Ethan''s mind raced. This wasn''t something that could happen on its own. Someone had done this¡ªsomeone skilled enough to trap him without him even noticing. Whoever it was, they were no amateur. Whoever it was, they were watching him. His eyes narrowed, his frustration turning into anger. He clenched his fists, trying to control the rising panic. Lifting his head, Ethan shouted into the emptiness, his voice echoing through the quiet, eerie library, "Who are you?! Come out!" The room fell silent again, his words fading into the darkness. For a moment, all he could hear was his own breathing, quick and unsteady. Then, from the shadows, a voice broke the silence¡ªa low, gravelly sound, filled with amusement. "Ho... Ho... Ho... To think a young lad like you is this skilled. I''m quite impressed!" The voice was unmistakably that of an old man, Around in his 80s Or 90s. Boar Strength Essence Stone Luna turned back in confusion, "What to do you mean? " She was going to question this but for some reason her voice didn''t came out. She touched herself at neck trying to cough.."What happened? Why can''t I speak?" She thought in confusion and fear but just as she looked at esdeath who was holding blade of moonblade essence stone, Her eyes widened in realsation, Her instinct were screaming,She had to run from here, As fast as possible. Without wasting time, Luna bent down, her mind racing as she chanted a spell, "Earth Spikes!" The ground responded, sharp spikes shooting up from beneath Esdeath. They weren''t massive, but they were sharp enough to wound. Esdeath, however, was swift. With an almost graceful movement, she dodged the spikes and bolted toward Luna. "Why? Why is she attacking me?",Luna''s thoughts spiraled, but no answers came. As Esdeath closed the gap, Luna''s survival instincts kicked in. She willed another spell into existence, "Crystal Needles!" With one hand extended forward, sharp crystal needles materialized, hovering in the air. In a flash, she fired them at Esdeath. Clink... clink... clink... Esdeath deflected the incoming projectiles effortlessly with her Moonblade, her movements fluid and precise. In a split second, she was right in front of Luna. BAM! Esdeath''s fist collided with Luna''s abdomen, knocking the air from her lungs. Luna''s mouth hung open from the impact, drool escaping as her body doubled over in pain. "Cough¡­ cough¡­" Luna gasped for breath, her mind clouding with fear. Desperation filled her as she whispered the last two spells she could muster, "Mind Strengthening, Physical Boost!" Her body surged with power, but she knew¡ªit was draining the last of her mana. Luna threw punches, kicks, and every technique she could muster, but none of it worked. Each time she tried to land a hit on Esdeath, she found herself on the receiving end instead. Her body ached from the constant blows, and exhaustion was creeping in. "My mana¡­ it''s gone. I can''t win¡­ I can''t win¡­" Luna''s thoughts spiraled into despair. With no other option left, she turned and started to run, using every bit of strength she had left. Esdeath didn''t chase after her immediately. Instead, she smiled, a wicked gleam in her eyes. "Yes, run¡­ That''s exactly what I want. The more helpless you feel, the more your negative emotions will surface. And when they do, my plan will be complete," she thought as she began to follow Luna, but at a slow and calculated pace. Luna panted heavily as she ran, her breaths ragged. Her mana was depleted, her body drained, but she couldn''t stop. Every glance back at Esdeath pushed her to run faster, her heart pounding in fear. Eventually, she could see the distant glow of lights¡ª*the market!* It wasn''t far now. "I can make it. I can survive," Luna thought with newfound hope. The bustling market was just ahead, full of people¡ªher chance for safety. She stumbled into the market, relief washing over her. The sight of people buying food and clothes made her feel like she''d finally escaped. A smile tugged at her lips. "I survived. I made it!" she thought triumphantly. But that relief quickly turned to panic again as she realized¡ªthere were no guards in sight. Luna''s heart sank as she desperately scanned the market for help. Spotting an old woman nearby, she rushed over. "Ahmm... Nmnbb..." Luna tried to ask where the guards were, but no words came out. Her throat felt tight, still unable to speak. The old woman looked puzzled. "What? What are you trying to say?" she asked, completely confused. Luna slapped her forehead in frustration, her mind racing. "How do I make her understand?" She tried using hand signs, drawing her finger across her neck in a gesture to show danger. But the gesture only seemed to confuse the woman more. "Is she¡­ mentally unstable?" the old woman thought, her face twisting in discomfort. "I have to go," the old lady mumbled quickly before hurrying away. "Jobz¡­ stob¡­ (Stop¡­ stop!)" Luna tried to shout, but still, her voice wouldn''t work. Luna didn''t give up. She ran to another person, trying to signal for help. Then another. And another. But each time, the communication failed. The crowd in the market began to notice her, but instead of understanding her plea for help, they only looked at her like she was losing her mind. Luna''s desperation grew. She was trying everything¡ªevery gesture, every action¡ªbut no one could understand that her life was in danger. Her eyes filled with tears of frustration, and all she could do was keep trying, hoping someone would see the terror in her eyes. Luna''s breath hitched as a voice echoed through the crowd. "I''m sorry, truly sorry for my sister''s behavior," the voice said smoothly. Luna''s eyes widened, her body freezing in place. She recognized that voice¡ªit was Esdeath. Esdeath stepped forward, her expression calm and polite. She gave a deep bow to the onlookers. "My sister is mentally unstable. I lost her in the market, and all this happened. I''m terribly sorry for the trouble. Please, I''ll take her away now," she said, turning to Luna with a falsely sweet smile. The crowd exchanged glances. One man pointed at the two of them, nodding. "Hmm...Both of them have Black hair.Yep, they sure look like sisters!" he exclaimed, and others murmured in agreement. Luna felt her heart stop for a moment, disbelief washing over her. "Black hair?" Her mind raced as she glanced down at her own hair, which was now a deep, inky black instead of her usual green. Panic filled her as the pieces clicked together. "Wait¡­ silence magic¡­ hair color change magic¡­ She''s been planning this all along!" Luna suddenly recalled the time she saw those magic books on Esdeath''s bed¡ªsilence magic and disguise spells. The realization hit her like a punch to the gut. "Esdeath''s been planning to kill me from the start!" S§×arch* The novel(F~)ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "Let''s go, little sister," Esdeath said sweetly, stretching out her hand toward Luna, but Luna knew better. Behind that smile, she could feel the cold malice hiding in Esdeath''s eyes, waiting to strike. Luna''s heart raced as her eyes darted around, searching for a way out. Her gaze landed on a nearby fruit vendor, who was using a large knife to chop coconuts. Without thinking, she sprinted toward him and yanked the knife from his hand. The crowd erupted into chaos. "Oh my god! That girl has a knife! She might stab someone¡ªsomeone call the guards!" people yelled, backing away in fear. Luna gripped the knife tightly, a wild smile forming on her lips. "Perfect," she thought. "Once the guards come, they''ll arrest me for holding the knife, and Esdeath''s plan will fall apart. Then, when the silence spell wears off, I can explain everything!" But Esdeath was quick to react, her voice full of fake panic. "No! No! Please, don''t call the guards! I told you, she''s my sister! She''s not going to hurt anyone¡ªjust let me handle this!" Her words were laced with concern, but Luna could sense the hidden urgency. "No! Don''t listen to her!" Luna thought desperately, slashing the air with the knife, trying to make the crowd even more nervous so they''d call for help. But before her plan could work, Esdeath was already moving. In a flash, she closed the distance between them. Luna didn''t even have time to react before Esdeath''s hand clenched tightly and gave a solid chope to luna''s neck. She gasped for air, eyes wide with terror, and everything went black as she lost consciousness. Before Luna''s body could hit the ground, Esdeath caught her with ease. She turned to the onlookers, flashing them a polite smile. "I''m really sorry about all of this. We''ll be leaving now," she said smoothly, hoisting Luna''s limp body over her shoulder and walking away, leaving the crowd speechless and none the wiser to the truth. ------- The night was eerily silent in the forest, the moon casting long shadows through the trees. Esdeath walked with calm, calculated steps, her grip firm around Luna''s ankle as she dragged her unconscious body along the dirt and leaves. Luna''s limp form left a trail on the ground behind them, but Esdeath didn''t seem bothered by the mess. After a few moments, Esdeath paused, her eyes scanning the dark surroundings. A cold smile played on her lips. "We''re here," she thought to herself. The Boar King''s territory was unmistakable. The trees had thinned out slightly, and the ground beneath her feet felt firmer, almost as if the earth itself was preparing for a fight. Esdeath glanced down at Luna, who was still motionless, and resumed walking, dragging her along effortlessly. "The Boar King¡­ a D-rank monster. Not too tough, but not weak either," she mused silently. "There are stronger ones out there¡ªthe Hundred Boar King, a C-rank, and the Thousand Beast King, far more dangerous." Her mind raced with calculations. "But that''s not what matters right now," Esdeath thought, her eyes gleaming in the dim light. "What matters is feeding a awakend virgin woman filled with negative emotions to the Boar King." Whether those emotions stemmed from fear, depression, or hatred, the important thing was that they were dark, negative. And Luna, full of fear and helplessness, was the perfect candidate. "Once the Boar King devours her alive, it''ll go berserk for fifteen minutes. That''s when I''ll strike." Esdeath''s excitement grew as she calculated her odds. If she managed to kill the beast within those fifteen minutes of madness, there was an 80% chance of obtaining the Boar Strength Essence. The Boar Strength Essence Stones could permanently increase a person''s strength by 15 stat points. But there was a catch. "There are different types of stones¡ªBlack Boar, White Boar, and even Pink Boar Essence Stones," she reminded herself. "You can only use one of each kind. Once you''ve consumed a White Boar Essence Stone, for instance, it''s useless to consume another. You''ll need to hunt down a Black or Pink one next time." Esdeath dragged Luna''s limp body and, without hesitation, pulled out a thick rope. She wrapped it tightly around Luna''s torso, binding her securely against a large, rough tree trunk. The forest around them was deathly quiet, save for the occasional rustling of leaves in the night breeze. Esdeath''s movements were quick and precise as she withdrew her Moonblade. Without a second thought, she sliced into Luna''s arm, causing blood to spill onto the forest floor. Esdeath stepped back, wiping the blade and quickly climbing into the branches of a nearby tree. Her eyes gleamed in the darkness as she settled in to wait. The scent of blood would soon attract the Boar King. She knew it wouldn''t take long before the beast arrived, drawn by the scent of fresh prey. The searing pain from her arm jolted Luna awake. Her mind raced in confusion. "Where am I?" she thought, her heart pounding. The thick darkness around her was disorienting, and her head spun. She looked down at the ropes binding her to the tree, panic rising in her chest. A sickening realization hit her as she tried to move¡ªshe was trapped. Just then, a low, guttural growl echoed through the forest. Grrrrrrr..... Luna''s eyes darted forward, and her breath caught in her throat. Emerging from the shadows was a massive, wild boar, its size dwarfing her. The beast was nearly one and a half times larger than an average human, its enormous tusks curving forward menacingly. Its black fur shimmered in the dim light, giving off an aura of wild, untamed power. The creature''s bloodshot eyes locked onto Luna as if recognizing her as its next meal. "No¡­ no¡­ no!" Luna''s voice cracked with terror, her heart hammering in her chest. Tears filled her eyes, blurring her vision as she struggled violently against the ropes. "I don''t want to die!, I don''t want to die! " she cried out, desperation thick in her voice. Her entire body shook as the reality of her situation settled in. "Please... someone help me... help me!" Easy Battle "I don''t want to die! I don''t want to die!" Luna''s voice echoed through the silent forest, her cries filled with desperation as her body trembled uncontrollably. Fear wrapped around her heart like icy chains, suffocating her. She struggled against the ropes binding her to the tree, but it was no use. Her strength was failing, and no one was there to save her. Her pleas for help dissolved into the night, unheard by anyone. Esdeath, perched in a nearby tree, watched the scene unfold with cold, emotionless eyes. The darkness of the night only made the red glow of her eyes more menacing. There wasn''t even a flicker of pity on her face as she observed Luna''s futile struggle. She was waiting ¡ª waiting for what was inevitable. The boar closed the distance quickly, its massive form looming closer and closer until it was right in front of Luna. In one swift motion, it thrust its sharp tusks into her chest. Luna let out a bloodcurdling scream as the searing pain exploded through her body. Blood poured from the wound, staining the forest floor, and her vision started to blur. But the creature didn''t stop there. It began tearing into her flesh, first ripping at her neck, then moving to her chest. Luna''s breath came in shallow gasps as her strength faded away. She felt her consciousness slipping as the monster feasted on her body, tearing into her with savage hunger. The pain became too much to bear, and her mind went numb as it devoured her heart and lungs. Minutes passed, and the Boar King continued its gruesome feast. Slowly, methodically, it consumed half of her body, even reaching her brain. But after a while, the beast slowed, its hunger sated. Luna''s mutilated body was barely recognizable now, and yet, even with only half of her left, the creature felt full. It didn''t bother finishing the meal, for it had already devoured the parts it needed ¡ª the heart and brain, where mana flowed most strongly. Suddenly, a dark light enveloped the boar''s massive form. It roared, a deep, earth-shaking sound that echoed through the forest. Its tusks grew longer and sharper, and its body swelled with newfound power. The beast, now larger and stronger, reared up on its hind legs, standing on two feet like a terrifying, mutated monster. Its transformation was complete, and its strength had multiplied, making it a fearsome predator of the night. From her perch in the tree, Esdeath''s lips curled into a cold smile. Her plan had worked perfectly. BANG! The sharp crack of a gunshot pierced the night, shattering the eerie silence. A bullet slammed into the Boar King''s eye, shattering it instantly. Blood sprayed as the beast let out a monstrous roar of pain, shaking the very air around them. "Grrroooaaarrr!".... The beast, now blinded in one eye, reared up on its two hind legs, its massive form trembling with fury. With a furious snarl, it charged toward the tree where Esdeath had been moments before, the ground trembling beneath its powerful hooves. BAM! The Boar King''s head collided with the tree, causing it to snap and fall, but Esdeath was already ahead of the game. She had landed smoothly on the ground, her movements swift and calculated. "I fired a paralysis bullet," she muttered under her breath, glancing at the beast. "Even though it''s a D-rank monster, Right now it won''t be paralyzed. But it''s slowed down significantly." Esdeath''s mind was sharp, always thinking two steps ahead. Instead of facing the Boar King head-on, she turned on her heel and sprinted into the darkness. The Boar King, enraged and single-minded, roared and charged after her, not thinking about anything but crushing its prey. Esdeath zigzagged through the trees, her feet barely making a sound as she dodged between the trunks. She knew running in a straight line would only get her caught, but with the beast''s massive body, its clumsy attempts to follow her quick, erratic path were hindered. The beast snarled and crashed into trees, but Esdeath remained just out of its reach. After running for a hundred meters, her eyes locked onto something ahead. "There it is..." she breathed, a smirk forming on her lips. A rope was tied down tightly between two nearby trees, part of the trap she had set. Without wasting a second, Esdeath activated her Moonblade. The sleek weapon hummed in her hand as she sprinted toward the rope. At the last moment, she dropped low, drifting across the ground, and sliced the rope with a single, clean stroke. A moment of stillness passed. SHWOOOOSH! Suddenly, a barrage of needles shot out from the trees, hurtling at the Boar King. The beast barely had time to react before the trap triggered, and sharp, gleaming needles embedded themselves into its flesh, tearing through its thick hide. Esdeath stood up, her cold gaze fixed on the wounded Boar King. The needles had pierced its flesh, yet it still stood, refusing to fall. She knew this wasn''t over yet. In that instant, everything seemed to move in slow motion. Esdeath''s hand moved swiftly as she drew her gun, her mind and body in perfect synchronization. Bang! Bang! Bang! Bang! In just five seconds, she fired twenty bullets, each one finding its mark on the Boar King''s massive body. Blood poured out from countless wounds, painting the ground beneath it. Despite the onslaught, the Boar King didn''t collapse. Its legs shook violently, its body wavering, but it refused to give in. Its once mighty form was now struggling, barely able to stand on all fours as it dragged itself toward Esdeath, like a beast using the last of its strength to defy death. Every step was slow, heavy, and painful¡ªone step¡­ two steps¡­ three steps¡ªuntil it was only a breath away from her. Esdeath stood firm, her cold eyes meeting the beast''s one remaining eye. The Boar King glared back, a mixture of rage and helplessness in its gaze. But Esdeath didn''t flinch. "Your time''s up," she whispered with a smirk. Without hesitation, she drove her fist into the beast''s last eye. The Boar King howled in agony as she grasped the eye and ripped it from its skull. It let out one final, pained roar before its body collapsed, limp and lifeless. The night was dark, and Esdeath felt no time to waste after her battle. She knew that the blood and noise might soon attract more dangerous monsters, so she quickly drew out her moonblade. With practiced efficiency, she started cutting through the Boar King''s massive body, its flesh heavy under her blade. She pierced its head first, but nothing. Esdeath grimaced, then opened the beast''s enormous belly. The gaping wound was large enough for her entire body to fit inside. Without hesitation, she climbed into the warm cavity, ignoring the grotesque feel of blood and organs sticking to her skin. Inside, she dug through the Boar King''s insides, tossing aside chunks of flesh and slippery organs. Her hands were slick with blood, and her body was now drenched in it, but she didn''t stop. Finally, after what felt like minutes of searching, her fingers brushed against something solid. "Got it." She pulled it out¡ªa pitch-black stone, shaped like a boar''s head with two long tusks. The Black Boar Strength Essence Stone. Esdeath climbed out of the body, breathing heavily, and stared at the stone, her eyes gleaming with satisfaction. S§×ar?h the nov§×lF~ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. She accessed her system to refine it immediately. A satisfied smile curled her lips as she checked her stats. "At least her death wasn''t in vain," she muttered, briefly thinking about Luna, whose sacrifice had enabled her to gain this new strength. Wasting no time, Esdeath pulled out a pink lotus-shaped essence stone, the storage item she had acquired from Eldon after killing him. She channeled a bit of mana into it, raising the pink stone above her head. Swrrr¡­ A rush of water poured out, washing away the blood that had soaked her from head to toe. The coolness of the water brought a sense of relief. After cleaning herself, she took out a fresh set of clothes from the pink lotus essence stone and swiftly dressed. The bloodstained clothes were tossed into a small fire she conjured, watching them burn to ashes. "Phew, now everything''s finished. I can head back." Esdeath exhaled, satisfied that the night''s work was finally complete. Tower Of Heaven Then, from the shadows, a voice broke the silence¡ªa low, gravelly sound, filled with amusement. "Ho... Ho... Ho... To think a young lad like you is this skilled. I''m quite impressed!" The voice was unmistakably that of an old man, Around in his 80s Or 90s. Ethan spun around, his eyes widening in surprise. There, floating in mid-air, was an elderly man with long, thin white hair that cascaded over his shoulders. His beard matched, equally long but wispy with age. His sharp, triangle-shaped face gave him a regal, almost ancient look. He caressed his beard as his ocean-blue eyes stared intently at Ethan, like they were probing into his soul. "Who... Who are you?" Ethan stammered, still processing the man''s sudden appearance. "Me?" The old man chuckled softly, his eyes glinting with mischief. "I''m just a nobody who died long ago and became a spirit. But, since you''re curious, my name is Gareth Rivenhart." Ethan froze, his heart pounding in his chest as recognition hit him like a wave. "Gareth Rivenhart? You mean *that* Gareth? The one who taught Sylas the Hero, 200 years ago?" A sly grin spread across the old man''s face. "Oh? You know of me, do you? Am I that famous in the outside world?" He chuckled again, but his tone quickly turned serious. S~ea??h the ¦Çov§×lFire .net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "Yes... I am that Gareth. But enough about me. I''m far more interested in you." His eyes narrowed as he studied Ethan with renewed curiosity. "Who in the world are you?" Ethan blinked, confused. "What do you mean?" he asked, glancing down at himself. Gareth''s voice softened, but the intensity remained. "Look at yourself, and you''ll understand." Frowning, Ethan lowered his gaze to his body¡ªand gasped in shock. His entire form was glowing with a golden light, as if his skin was made of pure gold. The light pulsed around him, warm and radiant, making him feel both powerful and alien. Gareth''s expression grew more serious, his blue eyes narrowing. "How? Just how many people have you saved during your lifetime?" he mused aloud. "You look no older than 17 or 18, yet this glow... it shouldn''t be possible at your age." His voice deepened with suspicion. "Tell me the truth¡ªwho are you?" Ethan''s jaw tightened, and his fists trembled as he spoke. "Tch... That''s the problem. I couldn''t save anyone! Not a single person!" His voice wavered, filled with bitterness. He then poured his heart out to Gareth, explaining everything¡ªhis life before and the mysterious regression that brought him back in time. The weight of his failure bore down on him as he recounted his story. Gareth, stroking his long, wispy beard, finally broke his silence, his expression contemplative. "Hmm... A regressor, huh? This could be the work of a time path star constellation," the old man mused, his voice low and thoughtful. "What are you talking about?" Ethan blurted out, confusion flickering across his face. Gareth raised an eyebrow. "Yes, you''re looking for the one responsible for your regression, aren''t you? But there''s a high chance that whoever sent you back paid the ultimate price. Their existence was likely erased as the cost. There''s still a slim chance they survived, but most likely... they''re gone. Chasing after them would be a pointless endeavor." His voice held a note of finality. Ethan''s eyes widened in disbelief, but before he could respond, Gareth leaned in, a sly grin spreading across his face. "But what does matter is that I have chosen you to be a candidate for becoming my disciple." "Disciple?!" Ethan exclaimed, bewilderment flashing in his eyes. "But I didn''t do anything to deserve that!" Gareth''s chuckle echoed through the air. "Oh, you''ve done more than you think. I''ve been here for two hundred years, boy, and you''re not the first to come seeking me. Many have come, thinking they could win my favor. But I have placed myriad soul essence stones here. They reveal the true nature of anyone''s soul once they step into my domain." His face darkened. "Those with demonic hearts, I kill without hesitation." Ethan felt a shiver run down his spine. "Kill them? Can''t you just reject them and let them go?" he asked, unease creeping into his voice, regret tugging at his conscience. Gareth''s eyes narrowed, his expression hardening. "That''s your weakness¡ªyou''re too soft. Life is cruel, more cunning than you know. If you let your enemies walk away, they''ll come back, stronger, and ready to end you. Sometimes killing doesn''t make you a bad person. It''s simply survival." His words carried the weight of years of experience and harsh wisdom. Ethan nodded slowly, though doubt still gnawed at him. Was that really true? Was it right? "So, what are you going to teach me?" Ethan asked, pushing down his uncertainty. "Sword arts? The same ones you taught the hero Sylas?" Gareth chuckled, the sound both amused and serious. "There''s much I have to teach you, but not yet. You''re not ready to understand the full truth of this world," he said cryptically. "Truth? What truth?" Ethan pressed, his curiosity piqued. Gareth let out another low, deep laugh. "Ho... Ho... Ho... As I said, life is cruel, more insane than you can imagine. But first, you''ll have to prove that you''re worthy of being my disciple. Then, we''ll talk about the rest." "Prove myself? How?" Ethan asked, the challenge lighting a fire of determination within him. "This form you see now is only a fragment of my soul. I''ve grown weaker over time, and I don''t have much left. Prove your worth by obtaining a rank B inheritance, and I will grant you entry into the Tower of Heaven," Gareth replied, his tone leaving no room for argument. "Tower of Heaven?" Ethan repeated in disbelief, his mind racing at the idea of such a place. "Yes," Gareth said with a nod, his eyes glowing with wisdom. "That is the inheritance I left behind, much like this spiritual domain I created to keep you here. But the Tower of Heaven... it''s a small world within this world¡ªa tower made of golden stone, reaching so high it touches the clouds. My true soul resides there, and it''s where we''ll begin your training once you''ve proven yourself worthy." Ethan stared, still trying to wrap his head around everything, as Gareth pulled out a shimmering golden ring. "For now, take this," Gareth said, holding it out. "This ring is no ordinary relic. It''s legendary¡ªit preserves souls. I''ll reside inside it, and whenever you''re in desperate need of my help, you can summon me." With that, Gareth''s body faded, his form dissolving as his spirit entered the golden ring. The ring, now without anyone to hold it, floated for a moment before beginning to fall. Ethan instinctively reached out to catch it. But just as his hand closed around the ring, his eyes widened. It passed right through his palm, as if his hand was made of water. The ring clattered onto the floor with a soft metallic sound. "Why can''t I touch it?" Ethan gasped, looking down at his hand in shock. A voice echoed from the ring. "Fool! What you''re seeing is only your soul¡ªyour real body is lying unconscious on the floor right now," Gareth explained, his voice filled with amusement. Suddenly, the spiritual domain Gareth had created dissolved, and Ethan''s soul was pulled back into his body. His eyes fluttered open as he gasped for breath, the sensation of being back in his own skin overwhelming him for a moment. Slowly, he sat up, his mind still swirling with the surreal experience. He spotted the golden ring lying next to him on the floor. Reaching out, he hesitated for a moment, then grasped it. This time, his hand closed around it solidly. He slipped it onto his finger, its weight a reminder of everything that had just happened. "So... it wasn''t just a key after all," Ethan muttered to himself, the realization dawning. "That ring was the relic... the one holding Gareth''s soul all along. That''s how we were able to speak." He sat there, piecing it all together. Just as he was deep in thought, Gareth''s voice echoed from the ring again, now sounding groggy. "It''s late, boy. Go back to your room and get some sleep," Gareth yawned. "Remember, you''re not my disciple yet, but that doesn''t mean I won''t teach you a thing or two. There''s more I want to discuss with you, but I''m too tired right now. I don''t think I''ll wake up for the next three or four days..." With a final yawn, Gareth''s voice faded, as if he''d truly fallen asleep inside the ring. Ethan stood up, still feeling a mix of awe and disbelief. He quietly left the library, the ring on his finger glinting faintly in the moonlight. With his mind full of questions and his body heavy with exhaustion, he made his way back to his private dorm outside the academy. As Ethan walked through the quiet academy halls, something instinctive tugged at him¡ªa sense of unease. His gut told him someone was nearby. Acting on pure instinct, he quickly activated his wolf stealth skill, making his presence vanish into the shadows. Swiftly, he pressed himself behind one of the large stone pillars, holding his breath as he peeked around the corner. His heart skipped a beat. There, walking silently down the hallway, was a girl with long, black hair that shimmered in the dim light, still wet as if she had just washed herself. Her crimson eyes glowed faintly, a sharp contrast against the darkness of her surroundings. Esdeath. There was no mistaking her. "What''s she doing here at this hour?" Ethan whispered to himself, puzzled. He could see her moving towards the dorms, her expression cold and distant, as though nothing in the world could touch her. But something about the way she carried herself felt off. As Ethan''s mind raced, trying to make sense of it, a sudden voice broke the silence behind him. "Hmm¡­ This girl¡­" Ethan spun around, his eyes wide in surprise. Floating in the air above him was Gareth, his figure translucent and ghostly, clearly in spirit form. "You''re still awake?" Ethan asked, confusion filling his voice. Gareth didn''t answer right away, his piercing blue eyes locked onto Esdeath''s retreating form. "Such an evil aura¡­" he muttered, almost to himself. "That girl''s presence¡­ it woke me up." Ethan''s stomach churned. There was a tension in Gareth''s voice that he hadn''t heard before¡ªa quiet warning. He glanced back toward Esdeath, now disappearing around the corner, heading toward her dorm room. Gareth''s voice was low, his eyes narrowing as he continued to watch her even though she was now out of sight. "She didn''t wash herself just to feel clean. She washed to cover something up." Ethan felt a cold shiver run down his spine as the realization hit him. "You think¡­ she killed someone?" he asked, his voice barely a whisper. Gareth gave a slow, deliberate nod. "Yes! She definitely killed someone but It''s more than that,boy. I''ve felt this aura before¡ªan aura steeped in death. This is the aura of someone who killed his own parents" ------------------------------------------------------- Say hello to tower of Heaven Btw..... Competition Begins! The dark night had slowly given way to the soft light of dawn, with the peaceful sound of birds chirping in the distance. Today was the long-awaited selection day for the upcoming one-on-one duel. The academy was buzzing with anticipation. As morning slipped into the afternoon, the academy''s students gathered near the edge of a nearby forest. The forest behind the academy, known for being dangerous and teeming with monsters and demons, was strictly off-limits. Entering it would be the same as walking straight to death. So, the academy wisely chose a safer forest with no threats lurking in the shadows. Standing at the entrance of this forest were teachers and professors, all of them gathered near a large, open tent, with its fine, luxurious fabric catching the breeze. Despite the lavish setup for the teachers, all of the students stood in neat rows under the open sky. Fortunately, the weather was pleasant; the sun wasn''t too harsh, and a gentle breeze made standing in place bearable. In the back of the tent, Lilith was with her daughter, Kaelith. Though they were mother and daughter, they could have easily been mistaken for sisters¡ªLilith''s youthful appearance contrasted her actual age. "Hold still," Lilith said, her voice steady as she placed another seal on Kaelith. A soft, glowing energy briefly appeared before settling on her daughter''s body. Kaelith rolled her eyes, a trace of irritation clear on her face. "Mother, it doesn''t matter how many seals you put on me. I''m going to win this competition, seal or no seal," she said, her voice dripping with annoyance. Her confidence was unmistakable, almost brimming with arrogance. Lilith sighed, narrowing her eyes slightly. "Tch¡­ I''m doing this to make the competition fair. If you go all out, you''ll end up killing everyone without even trying." Kaelith smirked, though her irritation didn''t fade. "Fair, huh? You''re just holding me back." Lilith ignored the comment, giving her daughter a final look before speaking again. "It''s done. Now go." Without another word, Kaelith turned on her heel and left. But as she walked away, her thoughts drifted back to one particular person. **Esdeath**. The very thought of that girl sparked a dangerous glint in her eyes. A small, twisted smile tugged at her lips. "If I fight her... I''ll kill her," Kaelith muttered to herself, her voice barely above a whisper. "After all, accidents happen in competitions." ----------- Meanwhile, Esdeath and Maruti stood side by side in their row, waiting for the event to begin. Maruti, true to her nature, was never one to stay silent for long. Barely three seconds had passed before she turned to Esdeath, her curiosity getting the better of her. "Hey, what do you think? Who''s stronger, me or Ethan?" Maruti asked, her voice brimming with energy. Esdeath didn''t even flinch. Her gaze remained cold, her voice even colder. "For now, you are¡­ but with time, Ethan will surpass you and eventually everyone¡ªif everything goes as planned." Maruti''s eyes sparkled with a mischievous glint as she leaned in closer, her voice dropping to a whisper. "Then why not just kill him now?" Without hesitation, Esdeath shot down the idea, her sharp tone cutting through the air. "No, not yet. I still have use for him," she replied, her gaze already shifting toward Sylvia, who was preparing to make an announcement. Maruti pouted for a moment but quickly let it go, while Esdeath''s eyes narrowed, focusing on the Class B teacher as she cleared her throat to speak. "Ahem, ahem... As you all know, I''m Sylvia, the Class B teacher," Sylvia began, her voice commanding attention. "The first competition will be a group match. Each of you will form a group of four, and every group will be given a large crystal¡ªabout the height of an average human. Your task is simple: protect your crystal and break at least one of your opponent''s crystals to move on to the next round. Easy, right?" she said with a smirk, clearly enjoying the tension building in the crowd. She paused, letting the information sink in before continuing. "But here''s the twist. There are some rules," she said, her smile widening. "First, you cannot break your opponent''s crystal unless you defeat them in combat. For example, if two people are defending their crystal, you must take them down before you can even think about destroying it. The goal of this competition is to sharpen your combat skills, not to sneak around like thieves," Sylvia finished with a playful but challenging tone. The crowd murmured with excitement, some students already eyeing potential teammates and strategies. "Rule number two," Sylvia''s voice rang out clearly, pulling everyone''s attention back. "If, by chance, your team''s crystal is broken, that doesn''t mean you''ve lost. You still have hope. If your group manages to break three of your opponents'' crystals, you can still qualify for the next round." A murmur of relief spread through the crowd. This rule gave them a second chance¡ªa lifeline. Sylvia didn''t let them linger on that for long. "Now for rule number three," she said, her tone sharpening, "In this round, no one is allowed to use offensive or defensive essence stones. You can''t use magic either. This fight will be purely about physical strength." The announcement sent a wave of shock through the students. Gasps and mutters of disbelief filled the air, and it felt as if the tension had tripled in an instant. Many of them, being awakened, had spent years relying on their magic and essence stones. To fight without them seemed absurd. "Is she serious? No magic?!" one student whispered furiously to another. "This is ridiculous," another muttered, shaking his head. Sylvia didn''t seem fazed by their reaction. She let the chatter die down before continuing with a knowing smile. "I understand why you''re all so upset. But let me explain," she began. "Time and time again, in the early stages of training, awakened individuals burn through their mana too quickly in battle. And once their mana is gone, they''re even weaker than a normal person. Why? Because they''ve never trained themselves to fight without relying on magic. It leaves them vulnerable. Even a regular person could defeat them if they were out of mana. This test is about survival¡ªhow well you can fight when you don''t have your mana to fall back on." The explanation made sense, but the students still seemed uneasy. Training without magic was one thing, but being forced to compete without it was something else entirely. Then Sylvia''s lips curled into a mischievous smile. "Hold on, I''m not done yet," she said, her eyes glinting with excitement. "There''s one more thing you need to know. Somewhere in the forest, we''ve hidden an orange crystal." Everyone leaned in, curiosity piqued by this sudden twist. "It''s small¡ªsmall enough to fit in your pocket," she explained, pausing for a moment to let the suspense build. "Whoever finds this crystal and manages to keep it until the end of the competition will automatically qualify their entire team for the one-on-one duel event." A ripple of excitement shot through the crowd. The orange crystal sounded like a cheat, a shortcut to victory. If they could find it, their path would be set. But they knew there had to be a catch. "But, but, but¡­" Sylvia added, her voice teasing as she continued. "As soon as anyone gets their hands on the orange crystal, their location will be revealed to everyone. So, guess what? Every other team will know where you are and will likely come for you. Many teams may attack at once, all for the chance to steal it." The students'' faces shifted from excitement to nervousness. It was clear that getting the orange crystal wasn''t going to be easy¡ªit could just as easily become a trap. "And remember," Sylvia added, her voice growing serious, "If your main crystal is destroyed while you''re holding the orange one, it doesn''t matter. You''ve still lost. To qualify for the final event, you must have both crystals intact¡ªthe orange and your team''s crystal." The crowd fell into a tense silence as the rules sank in. They knew now that this was not going to be an easy competition. It wasn''t just about power, but also about strategy, endurance, and protecting themselves from every angle. "I know it sounds difficult," Sylvia said, her smile softening slightly. "But the rewards will be worth it. The duration of this competition is only two hours. That''s all you have to do¡ªprotect your crystals and survive for two hours." Esdeath couldn''t help but smile as she listened to Sylvia''s announcements. "This competition is practically made for us. We''re going to crush everyone," she thought confidently. The thrill of competition was already igniting a fire within her, and she could feel the excitement building. S§×ar?h the N?velFire(.)net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Sylvia, standing tall before the crowd, continued with her usual confident demeanor. "I don''t have time to read out every team''s name," she said, waving her hand. "So, I''m distributing this paper. Look for your teammates on it." With a flick of her fingers, Sylvia used wind magic, sending a large number of papers flying into the air. They fluttered down like leaves in autumn, each landing neatly in someone''s hand. Esdeath grabbed her paper and scanned the names quickly. Maruti, Luna Cassia, and... Valen Vandris from Class A. The moment she saw Valen''s name, she groaned softly and slapped her forehead. "This idiot... not him." The mere thought of him made her head hurt. Valen Vandris was a skinny guy with absolutely no confidence. He wore glasses and always seemed like he was on the verge of fainting. Just looking at him, anyone could tell he was hopeless in a fight. The only reason Valen mattered in the grand scheme of things was that he was a total nerd, he got into class A because of this. Despite his lack of strength, he had this strange habit of explaining every fighting technique he saw, even though he couldn''t do any of them himself. Whenever Ethan pulled off a cool move, Valen would be right there, narrating it to everyone with his glasses perched on his nose like some kind of expert. In short, he was the typical guy who explains everything for literally no reason. As the crowd started to break up, students rushing to find their teammates, Esdeath stayed put, already feeling a headache coming on. She didn''t need to wait long before a skinny figure with orange hair came nervously walking over. "Umm¡­ are you my teammate?" Valen asked hesitantly, his eyes darting between her and Maruti. Esdeath glared at him for a moment, her icy red eyes making him flinch. But finally, she gave a slight nod. Just as Valen turned his gaze toward Maruti, his eyes went wide. "Whoa¡­ I''m teamed up with two beauties? What kind of luck is this?!" His face lit up with excitement, almost forgetting the danger that lay ahead in the competition. "But where''s our last teammate?" Valen asked, looking around nervously. How could she tell him the truth¡ªthat she had killed Luna last night? No, that secret was hers to keep. Instead, she quickly came up with a plan. "Go tell the teacher that our last teammate is missing and ask what we should do," she commanded, her voice cold and sharp. Valen straightened up, giving a nervous salute. "Yes, ma''am!" He rushed off toward Sylvia, eager to follow the order without questioning her further. Esdeath turned toward Maruti, who was already yawning, clearly bored from all the waiting. "This is taking forever. I just want to start smashing stuff," Maruti grumbled. Esdeath smirked, knowing how impatient Maruti could be. "Listen carefully,"she said in a low, serious tone. "You already know where the orange crystal is, right? , that guy"¡ªshe pointed toward where Valen had rushed off¡ªand I will defend our crystal. You''re going to go after the orange crystal." Maruti blinked, suddenly more interested. Esdeath''s plan was bold and direct, just the way she liked it. "We don''t have time to play around and waste energy in every round," Esdeath continued, her voice growing colder. "We must get selected today, and we need to be promoted to Class A." Maruti gave a dramatic roll of her eyes, clearly amused but not entirely convinced. "And what if your precious Ethan gets in my way?"she asked, her voice teasing but with a hint of challenge. Esdeath''s eyes narrowed dangerously. "Fuck anyone who gets in your way!" Ehhhh?! The competition kicked off, and each team was assigned a different part of the forest, with enough distance between them to prevent immediate confrontations. The air was thick with anticipation, and the trees cast long shadows as the sun rose higher. Valen returned to Esdeath''s side, his expression a mix of guilt and helplessness. "The teachers can''t do anything for us," he reported, glancing away. "They''ll search for Luna, but our team has to play with just the three of us." Esdeath simply nodded, unfazed by the news. "It''s fine," she muttered under her breath, more to herself than to him. "If anything, this might be better," she thought. With Valen''s lack of combat skills, it was almost like having only two actual fighters on their team, rather than three. Far away from the main areas of the competition, deep in the dense forest, Esdeath and Maruti prepared themselves. They both knew that fighting in skirts was impractical, especially in this kind of terrain. After all, while they had once been men, now in their new female bodies, they weren''t about to fight like normal girls, used to handling things in skirts. With swift movements, Esdeath discarded her academy uniform. She pulled on her usual morning training outfit: a sports bra that hugged her chest, and tight thigh-high leggings that molded to her athletic form, giving her an aura of both elegance and intimidation¡ªlike a mafia boss ready for action. Maruti followed suit, slipping into a white sleeveless athletic shirt. The fabric clung to her sculpted muscles, with black accents tracing the edges, perfectly matching her black cycling shorts. Her arms and legs rippled with strength, showcasing her athleticism. Dressed like this, she looked every bit the professional athlete. Meanwhile, off to the side, Valen covered his eyes with both hands, his face flushed red. "Girls nowadays really have no fear changing in front of boys¡­" he mumbled to himself, peeking through his fingers, though his conscience told him to look away. "I should act like a good boy and not look," he whispered, his inner conflict obvious, though temptation gnawed at him. Esdeath''s sharp eyes locked onto the large crystal resting between the three of them. Its surface shimmered faintly under the light filtering through the trees, radiating power. Without looking back, she turned her head slightly toward Maruti, her expression hardening. "Now, go!" she commanded, her voice cold and filled with authority. Maruti rolled her eyes in response, a scoff escaping her lips. "Yeah, yeah, I''m going," she muttered. As if on cue, she reached into her pocket and pulled out a pair of glasses¡ªround, like the kind someone with vision problems would wear. She casually placed them on her face, adjusting them slightly with a smirk. Esdeath said nothing, though her mind registered the oddity. Maruti and her fake glasses.It was one of those strange habits that lingered from her past life, back when she was still a man. Now, even as a woman, she believed it made her look cool, though Esdeath knew better. In her new body, with those seductive curves and athletic form, the glasses only added to Maruti''s allure, making her look less "cool" and more dangerously attractive. Still, Esdeath didn''t mind. It wasn''t the time to point out such things. --- A few minutes later, Maruti had already reached her destination, the orange crystal hidden deep within the forest. It was almost laughable how close their team had started to it, It was just pure coincidence that they were this close. The crystal was nestled inside a cave that appeared completely ordinary. The teachers had clearly placed it here without trying too hard to hide it, probably hoping for someone to stumble upon it and cause chaos. Maruti stood at the entrance of the cave, eyeing the glowing orange gem with narrowed eyes. She knew exactly what would happen the moment she touched it. "The second I collect that thing, my location will be broadcast to every other team. They''ll all come rushing toward me like dogs after a bone." A mischievous smile crossed her lips. She wasn''t one to charge blindly into danger. No, she preferred strategy over brute force. "Better to leave the crystal where it is," she whispered to herself, her voice barely audible in the quiet of the forest. "Let the others come and search for it. I''ll just wait¡­ for the right moment." With that, Maruti glanced around the area, scouting for a place to hide. Her gaze landed on a large tree nearby, its thick branches perfect for her plan. She swiftly climbed up, settling on a branch that overlooked the cave and crystal below. From here, she had the perfect vantage point. She lay back against the sturdy trunk, her arms crossed behind her head, her legs dangling lazily off the branch. The sun filtered through the leaves above, casting dappled shadows across her relaxed form. She would wait here for as long as it took, biding her time until someone else came close. Only then would she make her move. And so, time began to pass. Maruti lay on the tree branch, her eyes occasionally drifting shut as the soft rustle of leaves surrounded her. The forest seemed peaceful, but her mind remained sharp, constantly on alert for the slightest movement. Before she knew it, an hour had passed, and the stillness was finally broken. She heard it first¡ªa voice, clear and determined, coming from the bushes nearby. "The crystal has a faint mana signature. It''s hard to sense, but not impossible. The orange crystal should be around here!" the voice said, filled with confidence. Maruti''s eyes snapped open. She shifted slightly, peeking through the leaves at the figures moving below. There they were¡ªRavenna, the princess of Anastasia Kingdom, and her team, all of them from Class A. The sight of Ravenna made Maruti narrow her eyes. Ravenna stood out, her long pink hair flowing like silk, her eyes unusually captivating, almost hypnotic with the small plus-shaped pupils. Her face was delicate and charming, with an innocence that belied her power. Despite her beauty, there was a sense of responsibility in her stance, a weight that she carried as the future princess of the kingdom. Maruti watched as they moved with precision, each step calculated, as if they had been given an advantage. Though the academy claimed the teams were matched randomly, Esdeath and maruti knew that Ravenna''s team was anything but random. The princess had been paired with the best of the best¡ªClass A students handpicked to support her. Of course, they didn''t go as far as putting Kaelith, Lilith''s daughter, in the team. That would''ve been too obvious, even for the students. "Poor Ravenna", Maruti thought. "She knows she''s cheating, but what can she do? She''s the future of Anastasia, a symbol for her people. She can''t afford to fail, even if it means getting help from others." As Maruti continued to observe, she took in the details of Ravenna''s group. There was another girl with short azure hair, her body muscular and toned, clearly a martial artist like Maruti herself. One of the boys had long, grey hair and a deep scar running down his face, giving him an air of danger. The final member of the group was a good-looking boy with glasses, likely their strategist. Maruti sighed softly, feeling the familiar tension rise in her chest. Her moment of rest was over. "I guess it''s time," she whispered to herself, stretching slightly before readying herself to drop down from the tree. ------------- Far from the bustling capital of Anastasia, nestled in the quiet lands of Swann, stood the grand mansion of the territory''s ruler, Nyx Crimson. The mansion towered over the landscape, majestic and old, surrounded by lush gardens and towering trees. Outside the mansion''s grand entrance, a young woman in her twenties could be seen running gracefully toward the door. Her long, flowing silver hair shimmered in the sunlight, and her bright red eyes seemed to glow against her pale, almost ethereal skin. She looked like a being from another world, her beauty so striking that even the princess of Anastasia, Ravenna, paled in comparison. It was as if she wasn''t human at all, but something more. She was Lortell Mariette, the Archduke''s daughter. A wide, bright smile lit up Lortell''s face as she hummed happily to herself. "Secrets that I held in my heart¡­ are harder to hide than I thought... Maybe I just wanna be yours~ I wanna be yours¡­ I wanna be yours¡­" Her voice was sweet, carrying through the air as she playfully skipped and hopped with excitement, her heart racing with joy. Finally, she reached the large doors of the mansion, pushing them open with a dramatic swing before dashing inside, her shoes sliding on the polished floor. sea??h th§× ¦ÇovelFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "Aunty! Where''s Esdeath?!" she called out, her voice echoing through the grand hall. Downstairs, Esdeath''s mother, Charlotte, was polishing an antique vase when she heard the sudden entrance. Startled, she looked up to see Lortell standing there with a bright, eager expression. Without hesitation, Charlotte quickly bowed. "My lady," she greeted respectfully. "If you''re looking for Esdeath, she''s not here." Lortell''s eyes narrowed in confusion, her excitement pausing for a moment. "Not here? Is she in the garden, then?" she asked, her voice laced with curiosity. Charlotte stood up straight, offering a soft smile. "No, miraculously, she awakened and is now attending the academy," she explained with pride. For a moment, Lortell froze. Then, her eyes widened in shock. "Huh?!" Her jaw dropped as the realization hit her. "Ehhhhh?!" Esdeath Crimson! Princess Ravenna walked with confidence as she reflected on her plan. "We hid our team''s crystal, There wasn''t any rule that you can''t hide your crystal, Also I hired a few students to protect my team''s crystal while we go fight others," she thought, feeling a surge of pride. "That gives us a huge advantage. While other teams will be forced to divide their focus between defending and attacking, we''re free to attack with all four members." She smiled to herself, realizing how much of an upper hand this gave her. "Most teams would need to keep two people on defense and only send two to attack, but we can all focus on winning." However, her face shifted into a more serious expression, her heart weighed down by a hint of guilt. "I know it''s cheating... but as the future queen of this kingdom, I have to be strong. I need to be able to protect my people. I was just lucky to be born into the royal family, with all the resources and opportunities." She sighed quietly, her steps slowing. "I just have to wait until Father finds an Essence Stone to boost my ESR talent." As she and her team approached the cave, a voice suddenly broke the silence, startling them. "Alright, fellas, you can stop right there!" came a tough voice, full of confidence. Ravenna''s team turned to see a girl stepping out from behind the trees. It was Maruti from Class B. The boy with the scar snorted in disbelief, his voice dripping with arrogance. "A Class B student? Alone? She dares to stop us?" But while her teammates scoffed, Ravenna''s mind worked quickly, calculating the situation. "She''s alone? That means she knows where the orange crystal is, but she''s planning to wait and collect it at the last minute. The crystal must be close by. But what if she has a trick up her sleeve? What if she''s got backup, hiding in the shadows?" Ravenna''s eyes narrowed in suspicion as she stood her ground, ready for whatever Maruti had planned. Maruti stood with a bright smile, the bec-de-corbin resting confidently on her shoulders, This was the weapon that sh chose in weapon selection. The weapon was a fearsome polearm, its long wooden pole contrasting with the menacing sharp hook at the front, resembling a bird''s beak, ready to pierce through armor. On the back was a flat hammerhead, perfect for smashing through defenses. It was an elegant yet brutal weapon, and the sight of it made Ravenna feel a twinge of unease. With a dramatic flair, Maruti adjusted her glasses and said, "You know what? Now that I''m looking closely, you''re very cute! Lemme have a taste!" Her tone was playful, but there was an undercurrent of mischief in her eyes. "Taste?" Ravenna thought, puzzled, her mind racing to understand the bizarre comment. Before she could process what was happening, Maruti swiftly closed the distance between them. In one bold move, she kissed Ravenna, her tongue slipping inside. The shock of the kiss left Ravenna frozen in place, her eyes wide as she registered the unexpected intimacy. Even the others nearby were taken aback, their expressions a mix of disbelief and outrage. As Maruti pulled back, licking her lips with a satisfied grin, she exclaimed, "Yummy! Eight out of ten!" Her cheerful tone contrasted sharply with the heated glares of Ravenna and her companions. Maruti stepped back, suddenly aware of the anger swirling around her. Ravenna''s face burned red¡ªnot only from embarrassment but also from the sheer audacity of having her first kiss stolen by someone she considered a nobody, even if that someone was a girl. "Hahaha... You all look very angry! I guess I''ll pass," Maruti joked, turning to leave. But then, with a playful glint in her eyes, she spun around again. "Kidding!" she shouted, raising her bec-de-corbin as if it were an extension of her whims and attacked on ravenna. But before the weapon could make contact, Ravenna nonchalantly raised her right hand and caught it mid-air, not even bothering to look. She tilted her head upward, her eyes flashing dangerously as she glared fiercely at Maruti. "You''ll pay for this!" she growled. BAM! With one swift punch, Ravenna''s fist collided with Maruti''s abdomen, the sheer force causing Maruti''s body to lift off the ground ever so slightly, suspended in the air for a moment. Ravenna''s lips curled into a smile as she proudly declared, "I have the Crocodile Strength Essence Stone. It gives me the strength of a crocodile. Since it''s a permanent effect and consumes no mana, it''s not cheating. It''s part of my body now." She turned to the others, her eyes sharp as she signaled them to join in the attack. "Now!" Without a second thought, the girl with azure hair¡ªSonia¡ªlaunched herself at Maruti, knees bent as she smashed her knee into Maruti''s head, the impact brutal enough to send Maruti flying backward. Maruti''s voice cut through the air, still playful despite the punishment she was taking. "Hey! Hey! Time out! Time out! That''s cheating!" she laughed, but the others weren''t holding back. Kicks and punches rained down on her from all sides. "I said I was just kidding! How about we grab some coffee instead?" Maruti offered cheekily, only to be met with another fierce punch from Ravenna. "I don''t need it!" Ravenna snarled, delivering a solid punch aimed directly at Maruti''s face. Maruti managed to swiftly take off her glasses just before the blow could land. "Okay, okay! How about a date then?" Maruti teased again, her voice strained as Ravenna''s punch slammed into her abdomen, this time causing blood to spurt from Maruti''s mouth. The teasing had officially worn thin. Maruti staggered to her knees, but the group showed no mercy. Ravenna''s eyes flashed once more as she shouted, "Sonia, finish her!" At the command, Sonia leaped into the air, her fists merging together as she prepared to land the final, crushing blow. Her figure cast a shadow over the trembling Maruti, and for a split second, the world seemed to hold its breath. **BOOM!** The impact echoed like a small explosion, shaking the surrounding area as leaves were blasted from the nearby trees, fluttering to the ground. The handsome boy with glasses smirked triumphantly, adjusting his frames. "This is what happens when you mess with Class A," he scoffed, pride dripping from his voice. But as the dust settled, Sonia''s face told a different story. Her once confident expression had melted into one of sheer terror. She stood shakily, her face pale, and suddenly began to scream in agony. "My hand¡­ my hand!" she wailed. Blood poured from her palms, dripping onto the ground, as everyone''s eyes widened in horror. Both of her hands¡ªcompletely severed at the wrists¡ªwere gone. Meanwhile, Maruti lay flat on the ground, staring up at the sky with a face full of utter boredom. Her earlier playful energy seemed completely drained. She sighed dramatically, turning her head slightly. "You know what? I just realized something... you''re not cute at all," ------- As they wandered through the dense forest, Violet couldn''t help but chatter excitedly, her eyes sparkling as she praised Ethan non-stop. "Wow, you were so cool back there! You moved swishhh.....and then whooshhh....! It was amazing!" Ethan chuckled awkwardly, rubbing the back of his neck. "I just did what I could, really," he said, trying to downplay her enthusiasm. Their team was made up entirely of girls¡ªViolet, Sylvania, and Emma, who was Corin''s girlfriend from Class B. Right now, Sylvania was stationed back at the camp, keeping a close eye on their crystal. If anything happened, Sylvania was strong enough to hold off enemies long enough for the others to return. The strategy had already worked once, and Ethan''s team had successfully broken another team''s crystal earlier. As they pushed forward, Emma, who had been walking a little too close to Ethan, sidled even closer. Her eyes sparkled with admiration, and she leaned in until her chest was practically pressing against Ethan''s side. "Seriously, where did you learn to fight like that?" Emma asked, her voice dripping with interest. Then, in a more seductive tone, she added, "I wonder if you''re that good in bed too?" Ethan''s face immediately flushed, and he laughed nervously, scratching his head. "Haha... I just practiced every day, that''s all!" he stammered, trying to play it off, though his embarrassment was obvious. Before Emma could push any further, Violet stepped in, frowning in annoyance as she tugged Emma away from Ethan. "Hey, give him some space, alright?" she said, her voice laced with jealousy. Emma had developed a crush on Ethan after witnessing his duel skills that day, even though she was still Corin''s girlfriend. Now, it was becoming increasingly clear that Emma was trying to get closer to Ethan, flirting in a way that even Violet couldn''t ignore. But while the others chatted and walked, Ethan''s mind was somewhere else, calculating every move with a specific plan in mind. His expression remained calm, but underneath it, he was focused on a different goal entirely. "Even though we''ve already qualified for the second round, there''s something more I want. That orange crystal," he thought to himself, his eyes narrowing slightly. "I avoided going there at the start because that''s where everyone would be fighting. The best strategy is to wait until they''ve all tired themselves out, and when they''re too exhausted to defend it, we''ll swoop in and take it easily." He smirked at his own cleverness. "According to my memories from my previous life, there are two paths that lead to the orange crystal," he thought. The memory of Corin''s arrogant face popped into his mind, making him clench his fists. "The first path goes straight through Corin''s team. As much as I want to punish him for what he did to Esdeath... I''m still not sure if Esdeath is on the right side. I can''t act rashly, not yet." Ethan let out a small sigh, shaking his head slightly. "There''s another reason to avoid that path," he added in his thoughts. "Kaelith. She''ll likely be heading that way soon too, and with my current strength, there''s no way I could defeat her." The thought of facing Kaelith''s overwhelming power made him shudder for a second. "This path," he thought, glancing at the trail ahead of them, "is much safer. Once we arrive, we can hide in the bushes, wait until the moment is right, and strike." A small, satisfied smile played on his lips as he mentally ran through his plan again. But before he could dwell on it much longer, Emma, who was a few steps ahead, suddenly called out. "Hey, look! There''s a team up ahead!" she yelled, pointing forward. "A team?" Ethan''s eyes widened in surprise. "But according to my memories, there shouldn''t be any teams here!" Confused, he quickly picked up his pace, moving forward to see just who this unexpected team was. As they arrived at the scene, a horrifying sight awaited them. In front of them lay a pile of students, all unconscious and beaten so badly they could barely move. Every single one of them was covered in bruises and cuts, groaning softly from their injuries. Most were from Class C, but a few were from Class B as well. It looked like they had been caught in an intense fight, and they clearly hadn''t come out on top. But what really caught everyone''s attention wasn''t the beaten students¡ªit was the girl sitting on top of them, almost as if they were nothing more than a throne for her. She had long, jet-black hair cascading down her back, and she wasn''t wearing much, just a tight sports bra and thigh-high leggings that showed off her well-toned body. Her skin was covered in intricate tattoos that seemed to tell a story of danger. In one hand, she held a cigarette, and in the other, a matchbox. With a practiced, almost careless motion, she took out a match, struck it against the box, and lit the cigarette. She placed it between her lips and took a drag, her posture screaming confidence and defiance. Then, she slowly opened her eyes¡ªbright red and menacing, glowing with a creepy intensity that sent chills down Ethan''s spine. Those eyes didn''t just look at them; they seemed to pierce through their very souls. It was like she was silently daring them to step forward, to challenge her. Ethan clenched his fists, his jaw tightening as a wave of realization hit him. He knew exactly who she was. "Esdeath Crimson!" ------------------------------------------------------------------------- Should I take a break and then upload few chapters at once till where lortell comes back? S§×ar?h the n?vel_Fire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Or just one chapter regularly like always? That Was So Cringe! Predictor and Fable might friends, but their personalities couldn''t be more different. Fable always thinks ahead, carefully planning for the future before taking action. Predictor, on the other hand, is impulsive¡ªshe acts first, then thinks about the consequences afterward. And today, at the academy, Predictor¡ªMaruti¡ªproved just how unpredictable she was by kissing Ravenna, the princess of the Anastasia Kingdom, without even pausing to think. It was bold and reckless, something Fable would never dare to do. Fable would''ve considered the risks, knowing that a public scandal involving the princess could seriously harm Ravenna''s reputation. Even though it was just a kiss between two girls, it could still stir gossip and damage Ravenna''s image. But the real danger wasn''t just the potential damage to Ravenna''s reputation¡ªit was what this reckless act could mean for Maruti. To insult the princess in her own kingdom was asking for trouble, and that kind of trouble could be fatal. Yet, somehow, Maruti''s wild luck held out. Outside of the forest, a giant magic screen was broadcasting different parts of the forest to the second-year students and teachers, who were watching the competition closely. If that kiss had been shown on the screen, there would''ve been chaos. But by sheer fortune, the screen hadn''t captured that moment. It was as if fate had given Maruti a free pass¡ªat least for now. However, her luck didn''t last long. The screen did show something else¡ªsomething far worse. The moment when Sonia''s hands were brutally cut off by Maruti''s attack. Sonia''s screams filled the air, and the sight of her bleeding hands was too much to ignore. The teachers watching in the academy turned pale. One of them, a stern-looking man, shot up from his chair, his face tight with panic. "Quick! Teleport that girl here immediately!" he shouted, his voice filled with urgency. The moment was tense as one of the female teachers hurriedly used teleportation magic. In the forest, Sonia''s body glowed faintly, and in the blink of an eye, she vanished. When she reappeared outside the forest, a Rank B healer rushed to her side, immediately attending to her injuries. The healer''s hands glowed softly as he focused on healing her severed hand, sweat forming on his brow from the effort. "Phew... That was a close call," a professor seated next to Lilith remarked with a sigh of relief. His voice shook slightly, as though the unexpected turn of events had rattled him. "It was a smart decision to bring a Rank B healer along with us. Who would''ve thought a simple competition would take such a dangerous turn?" His surprise was evident, and a few other teachers nodded in agreement, their faces pale. But Lilith wasn''t concerned about Sonia or the chaos the battle had caused. Her silver eyes narrowed as she gazed at the glowing screens displaying different parts of the forest. Her focus was on Maruti. "What interests me more," Lilith said with a hint of curiosity, "is that girl, Maruti. What''s her background?" Her tone carried a mix of intrigue and mild admiration. She continued to watch, her sharp eyes assessing every movement on the screen. --- Back in the forest, Maruti stood up calmly. She dusted off her clothes as if nothing had happened, while the others, still reeling from Sonia''s sudden disappearance, exchanged uneasy glances. They all knew it was the teacher who had saved Sonia, but that also meant she could no longer return to the fight. She was as good as disqualified. But no one''s attention stayed on that for long. The real threat stood before them¡ªMaruti, her smile still bright, as if she carried no guilt or remorse for what she had done. Her actions were cold, calculated, and it sent chills down their spines. All three of her opponents were furious. But despite their anger, they were frozen in place, wary of making any reckless moves. They had seen what Maruti was capable of and knew better than to act impulsively. With a playful, yet dangerous smile, Maruti broke the silence. "Since you aren''t coming to me, I''ll do the honors." Her voice was soft, but it carried an unsettling confidence. In one smooth motion, she twirled her bec-de-corbin like a spinning top, the weapon whirling in her hand with ease. She didn''t need magic to move it, nor did she seem strained. It spun like it was an extension of her, effortlessly gliding between her hands, sometimes swirling around her body like a deadly dance. One of the boys, the one with a scar across his cheek, clenched his teeth in frustration. "Tch... Stop showing off!" he growled. With a roar, he charged at her, fists clenched and his gauntlet ready for battle. But then... Swish... Sap... Sur... In three swift moves, it was over. Three strikes landed on him¡ªone on his neck, another across his belly, and the last on his thigh. Blood oozed from his wounds like a river, but his mind couldn''t process what had just happened. His face twisted in confusion, eyes wide. "H-How...? When...?" His thoughts were a blur. He hadn''t even seen her move. Before he knew it, his knees buckled, and he collapsed to the ground, defeated. sea??h th§× Novel?ire(.)ne*t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. But Maruti wasn''t done. Her smile had morphed into something more twisted, more sinister. "You haven''t accepted your defeat yet, have you?" she asked, her voice laced with mockery. Without waiting for an answer, she turned her weapon around, striking him with the wooden side of her bec-de-corbin again and again. Thwack. Thwack. Thwack. Strike after strike, her weapon landed with brutal force, turning his body into a bloodied mess. Yet, she didn''t stop. She smiled, almost gleefully, as if she found pleasure in each hit. The boy''s groans turned into whimpers, and soon, the fight left him completely. His broken body lay crumpled on the forest floor like a discarded doll. Maruti''s smile lingered¡ªit was the smile of someone who thrived on chaos, someone who found joy in others'' suffering. It was a smile of a demon. Watching the scene unfold, the boy with glasses turned pale as fear clawed its way into his heart. His legs trembled, and without thinking twice, he turned and ran. His heart pounded in his chest, racing with the desperation to escape. He didn''t care anymore. Leaving the princess behind, he bolted, disappearing into the forest, the echoes of his fleeing footsteps mixing with the rustling leaves. Maruti was using a martial art called "Silambam." It wasn''t something common in this world; it came from a much older place¡ªEarth, specifically from the Tamil Nadu region of India around 1000 BC. Silambam was one of the oldest martial arts in human history, with its name having two significant meanings. The word "Silambam" meant either Mountain or Merely to Sound. The reason behind this was simple but terrifying. Each strike felt like a mountain crashing down on you, the impact so strong that the pain would become unbearable. On the other hand, "Merely to Sound" came from the fact that the weapon would move so fast, whistling through the air, that only the sound of the weapon''s movement could help someone dodge it. Normal eyes couldn''t follow the speed¡ªit was simply too fast, too precise. Only true experts could see and avoid the strikes. Typically, Silambam was practiced with a simple wooden stick, a way to prevent fatal injuries. But right now, Maruti wasn''t holding a mere stick. She wielded a bec-de-corbin, a weapon much more deadly than a wooden staff. Her strikes weren''t meant to wound or injure lightly¡ªthey could be fatal. If she wanted, Maruti could have killed each one of her opponents with a single blow. In the world of Free Life Fantasy, this kind of martial art was almost unknown. Even Lilith herself, the master of many forms of combat, had no clue about the origin of this deadly technique. In this world, such arts were regarded as "Ancient Fighting Styles", lost knowledge from a time long forgotten. Very few people in this world knew about them, and many of these arts had already vanished from existence, extinct like a legend. Yet, here was Maruti, performing this ancient art with ease, as if it was second nature to her. Seeing the boy with glasses run away like a coward, Ravenna couldn''t help but feel disappointed. She clicked her tongue in frustration. "Tch... If only he had stayed, we actually had a chance of beating her if we''d worked together." Her thoughts raced as she stood her ground, staring daggers at Maruti. "I have the White Jade Skin Essence Stone on me. My body''s not that easy to pierce through." She reassured herself, her hand instinctively gripping her weapon tightly. "And I''ve got a pretty dangerous weapon too." With a bitter smile, she pulled out her whip. The leather gleamed in the sunlight, looking as sharp and deadly as she felt. "If this is a contest of speed," she thought with pride, "my whip isn''t slow either. The tip breaks the sound barrier. In the final seconds, it''ll move faster than sound itself!" She braced herself, putting all her strength into the attack as she lashed the whip towards Maruti. The whip *snapped* through the air with a loud crack, heading straight for its target. The real trick, though, was to change the direction just before it hit. That''s where the real magic happened. As expected, Maruti moved slightly to avoid the strike. But Ravenna''s eyes gleamed with triumph. "Gotcha!" she thought, grinning as she changed the whip''s direction at the last moment. The tip shot towards Maruti, ready to hit. But... she couldn''t have been more wrong. With a bored expression on her face, Maruti simply raised her bec-de-corbin as if it was nothing. The whip wrapped around it like a snake coiling around a branch. Maruti looked at Ravenna with sheer disinterest. "What''s with that lame attack? Even a kid back in my area could block that." She snorted and bent down, adjusting her stance. Ravenna felt her stomach drop. "Is she underestimating me? No matter, my skin''s protected by the White Jade Skin Essence Stone. She can''t get through that!" she thought with fierce determination, ready to take the hit. Maruti shifted her grip on the bec-de-corbin, holding it like a sword. There was something final, something... almost graceful in her next move. "Abhimanyu sword style," Maruti whispered under her breath, and in the blink of an eye, she was right in front of Ravenna. Ravenna''s brain couldn''t process it. "Huh?" Her eyes went wide. She hadn''t even seen the attack. The next thing she knew, blood began dripping from her body, and a sharp pain spread across her chest. A huge horizontal slash had torn through her, even piercing her White Jade Skin Essence Stone and clothes. Her knees buckled, and she collapsed to the ground. "It hurts... it... hurts... it hurts so much," she whimpered as tears rolled down her face. The pain was unbearable, and for the first time, she felt truly powerless. But meanwhile, Maruti stood up, her expression... annoyed? She clenched her fist and yelled out to no one in particular, "That was so cringe!" One, Two, Three, Four! "Absurd! This student must be punished immediately. Attacking Princess Ravenna in such a way... this is a direct insult to the kingdom!" A teacher rose to his feet, his face flushed with anger, as he pointed toward the large hologram screen floating in the air. The screen displayed the fight in the forest, with Princess Ravenna kneeling in defeat, bloodied and humiliated. Gasps of surprise and murmurs of concern spread through the teachers'' gathering, but one person remained completely unmoved¡ªLilith. "There''s nothing wrong here," Lilith''s chilling voice cut through the rising tension like a blade. Her words silenced the angry teacher at once. "In this competition, no one is a princess, and no one is a commoner. Everyone is just a student. No special treatment." Her silver eyes gleamed with an eerie calm as she continued, "In fact, this is a good lesson. The taste of defeat is something everyone must experience at least once in their lives. If not, they''ll never truly mature. The reason Princess Ravenna and her team lost so quickly is because they''ve never been exposed to real pain. They''ve lived their lives in comfort, barely even scratching the surface of hardship. This wound was too much for them to handle." Lilith''s words were harsh, but they were the truth, spoken without a hint of sympathy. The angry teacher clenched his fists, still not willing to give in. "Hmph... if it had been a contest of mana, our princess would have definitely won!" Lilith''s lips twitched, a shadow of amusement flickering across her face. "Who knows?" she said, her voice soft but dangerous. At that moment, **Sylvia**, the class teacher of Class B, decided to add her own perspective. "There was an incident not too long ago. The princess of Leviath Kingdom... she went on a hunting expedition with her party. They had mana, powerful essence stones, and incredible battle skills at their disposal, and yet..." Sylvia paused for effect, her expression somber. "Even with all that, they were overwhelmed by monsters and demons, Most members died and every female members including princess herself got raped for three days and three nights and then finally an army of soldiers came and rescued her. In the end, the princess couldn''t bear the humiliation and defeat. She took her own life." The room fell silent. No one had the courage to speak after that. Sylvia shook her head slowly, her gaze faraway as if recalling the tragedy. "It''s because she never had real combat experience. She had only ever fought in controlled duels at her academy. Real battles are different. Fighting demons is nothing like fighting humans. The difference is like night and day." The weight of her words settled over the room. Everyone knew she was right. The truth was bitter but undeniable. There was a world of difference between sparring in the safety of an academy and facing the horrors of real battle. -------- Meanwhile, on the second path leading to the orange crystal, Corin Reynold and three of his classmates from Class B stood their ground. Their strategy was simple but effective¡ªdefend first, wear down the attackers, then strike back with all their might. All four of them were prepared, their eyes sharp, weapons ready to face any threat. But what they hadn''t anticipated was that the person coming toward them wasn''t just any ordinary opponent. No, the figure that approached was Kaelith Maranthia. Alone. Corin''s heart skipped a beat when he recognized her. Kaelith was a dragon¡ªa being of raw power and grace. However, she approached them barehanded, without a weapon. She hadn''t even bothered to pick one from the academy. Was she underestimating them? Corin sneered and stepped forward, determination written on his face. "I''ll handle her!" he commanded, motioning for his teammates to back off. He was confident. Even though Kaelith was a dragon. The battle began with lightning-fast moves, Corin lunging forward with brutal strikes. Kaelith, despite her draconic heritage, struggled to keep up with his relentless assault. Every time she tried to counter, Corin deflected her attacks effortlessly, his strength overwhelming her. She gritted her teeth, trying to match his pace, but it was clear that Corin was dominating the fight. His fists connected with her again and again, each blow heavier than the last. A sharp jab to her stomach caused Kaelith to stumble back, blood splattering from her mouth. Her body was battered, bruises and wounds covering her once pristine skin. Corin didn''t stop. He pressed on, determined to make her submit. Finally, Kaelith''s legs gave out, and she collapsed to her knees in front of him. The sight was humiliating for a dragon to be brought down like this, but she had no strength left to fight back. Corin smirked, towering over her, savoring the victory. "Bow down," he said coldly. His voice was laced with contempt. He wanted to humiliate her further, make her remember this moment of defeat. Kaelith''s silver eyes blazed with anger, but she had no choice. Her body trembled as she lowered her head, forced to bow before him. And then, to make things worse, Corin raised his foot and placed it on her face, pressing down with a cruel smirk. "Not so tough now, are you?" he taunted, his voice dripping with arrogance. Corin rubbed his foot on Kaelith''s face, expecting to feel an overwhelming sense of satisfaction. Yet, all he felt was¡­ bitterness. His chest tightened with a strange discomfort. "Why¡­ why isn''t this as satisfying as I thought it would be?" The thought nagged at him, twisting in his mind. As his foot pressed harder against her, the triumph he craved never came. It felt hollow. Suddenly, a realization hit him like a cold gust of wind, freezing him in place. His eyes widened in shock as the truth dawned on him. "Oh¡­ I know what''s happening¡­ It''s all just a dream!" The words echoed in his mind. sea??h th§× N?velFire(.)net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. And just like that, the dream shattered. Reality rushed back, and Corin found himself lying on the cold ground, the taste of defeat fresh in his mouth. Pain coursed through his body as he blinked, dazed and disoriented. His half-conscious eyes managed to look up¡ªonly to see Kaelith''s feet walking away from him. He had lost. Kaelith, unbothered and unscathed, strode confidently toward the crystal his team had been defending. With a swift and effortless motion, she destroyed it, sending shards scattering across the battlefield. Corin could do nothing but watch, his body heavy and unresponsive. His teammates were already beaten, lying around him, utterly defeated. There was no glory, no victory for him today. Only the bitter taste of humiliation. ------------ Maruti was in her own world, singing loudly as she half-danced down the cave towards the orange crystal. "One, two, three, four~ Get on the dance floor~ Booty shake, booty shake... Do the Dappangathu Hardcore!" She wiggled her hips, shaking her shoulders with a playful grin. It was impossible to tell she had just come from a bloody fight. Her upbeat, carefree attitude was a stark contrast to the chaos she had left behind. "Sho¨Cul¨Cder...Hitchick michik, Body... Hitchick michik....Gemme, Gemme, Gemme, Gemme, Gemme... some more!" she sang, still moving to the rhythm only she could hear, as she reached out and grabbed the glowing orange crystal without missing a beat. The moment she took it, a blinding orange light filled the cave, shooting up like a beacon into the sky, practically screaming her location to the world. But Maruti didn''t care. She laughed and twirled, "Leave your worries aside and come here~ Shake your waist on the beat~" She shook her waist dramatically as if performing her own personal dance number, completely unbothered by the exposure. As she started to leave the cave, humming the next lyric, her voice caught in her throat, and she froze. Her eyes narrowed as she stopped mid-step. Standing in front of her, with silver hair and icy silver eyes fixed on her, was none other than Kaelith Maranthia. Kaelith''s gaze was cold and unwavering, cutting through the air like a sharp blade. "Where''s Esdeath Crimson?" she asked, her voice low and serious. Maruti blinked, still holding the crystal, her carefree dance mood crashing to a halt. For a split second, she considered responding with another silly dance move, but something told her Kaelith wasn''t in the mood for jokes. But who cares? Maruti Doesn''t Give a Shit. Without a second thought, she resumed her wild dance, humming louder than before. She twirled on her toes, the crystal held up high as if it was part of her routine. Her carefree attitude radiated, as if Kaelith wasn''t standing there at all. "There''s a wall behind me, and a valley in front of me~ Now you tell me, where should I go?~ Is it a blessing or a curse, that I landed here?~" Just leave your worries aside and come here~ One¨Ctwo¨Cthree¨CFour, Get on the dance floor~ ------------------------------------------------------------------------- Does anyone know more platforms where I can publish this story? I already published it on wattpad, Scribble hub, NovelFire and Royal road, So other than that..... Ethannn…. You Are Dead! Maruti''s hips swayed in rhythm as she danced carelessly through the clearing, humming her ridiculous tune. Kaelith, standing nearby, crossed her arms and sighed deeply, her silver eyes narrowing. "What is she even doing? Has she finally lost her mind?" Thoughts like these buzzed through Kaelith''s head as she watched Maruti''s carefree performance. But then, in a sudden twist, Maruti froze mid-dance, her eyes widening in shock. "Esdeath? Why are you here?!" she gasped, eyes darting behind Kaelith with exaggerated alarm. Kaelith''s brow furrowed in confusion. "Esdeath?" she muttered, spinning around to check behind her. But there was no one. No Esdeath, no surprise arrival. It was all a trick. When Kaelith turned back, realization dawned just in time to see Maruti bolt into the dense forest, her feet kicking up dirt as she sprinted away, laughing. Kaelith''s jaw clenched, her face flushing with anger. "Oh, you''ve got to be kidding me," she growled, her patience snapping. "You''re not getting away with this!" Without another second of hesitation, she launched herself forward, chasing after Maruti with renewed determination. --------- "Esdeath Crimson!" Ethan exclaimed as he looked at Esdeath, clenching his fists in frustration. "So, all this time, you were just pretending to be helpless?" His thoughts raced with anger and confusion. He couldn''t believe that the girl who had once seemed so vulnerable was now overpowering everyone without a hint of mercy. The shock was even more evident on Emma and Violet''s faces. This was the same girl they had seen crying just days ago. For Violet, the memory of Esdeath, broken and teary, was fresh. For Emma, it was even more baffling¡ªthis was the same girl who had been beaten down without resistance. And now, seeing the pile of beaten students scattered around her, both of them froze in place, unable to move. They were just normal girls, and witnessing this level of brutality made their stomachs churn. Outside the forest, a magic hologram projected the scene for others to see. Gasps filled the air as the crowd watched, jaws dropping in astonishment. "Is that really a Class B student?" someone murmured, disbelief in their voice. "No doubt she was the first to refine the Moonblade Essence Stone," a second-year student whispered in awe. Among those watching was Lilith, her eyes narrowing with interest as she observed Esdeath''s display of power. She watched silently, her expression unreadable, but there was no denying the intrigue in her gaze. Back at the scene, Ethan''s team wasn''t the only one shocked by Esdeath''s actions. Valen, the quiet nerd from Class A, stood off to the side, his clothes still pristine, untouched by the chaos around him. His finger adjusted his glasses dramatically, sunlight gleaming off the lenses and hiding his eyes behind the glare. "Hmph¡­ just more victims," he muttered, looking at Ethan and the others with cold detachment. "I was so worried about qualifying for the competition," he thought, eyes flicking over to Esdeath, "but now my worries are gone." His mind buzzed with admiration for her skill. "Who *is* she? She took down everyone without even using her hands. Just her legs! Such precision, such power¡­ such mastery." Valen couldn''t contain his excitement any longer. His eyes gleamed as if he''d found his new hero. "Yes! From this point on, she''s my lady boss!" His heart raced, his face flushing as he looked at Esdeath with admiration bordering on worship. "I''ll be in your care, Lady Boss!" Ethan''s voice rang out, "Take your formation as we discussed!" Violet and Emma immediately took their stances, ready for battle. Ethan, opting for caution, wielded a simple wooden stick in place of his usual sword, knowing a real blade could cause fatal harm. They surrounded Esdeath, forming a tight circle, the tension building as each prepared for the attack. Meanwhile, Esdeath jumped gracefully from the pile of beaten students, her calm yet intense gaze never leaving the trio. With a quick glance, she assessed their strategy. Ethan, Violet, and Emma all jumped towards her legs simultaneously, hoping to trap her in place, making her vulnerable to their strikes. But for Esdeath, this was a trivial challenge¡ªan opportunity to show her superiority. Before they could even close in, Esdeath''s body seemed to blur. Her legs moved with the grace and speed of a whirlwind, and suddenly, their formation began to unravel. Esdeath, a master of Capoeira, danced effortlessly between their strikes, her movements fluid, unpredictable, and lethal. Her kicks snapped through the air, invisible to the untrained eye, and before anyone realized, her legs connected with devastating force. Violet was the first to feel it¡ªa powerful strike to her midsection. She gasped, the air knocked out of her lungs as she crumpled to the ground, blood dripping from her mouth. She could barely register what had happened before Emma suffered a similar fate. Esdeath''s foot swung in a wide arc, landing a clean hit on Emma''s side. The impact sent her tumbling backward, her body hitting the ground with a sickening thud, blood spilling from her lips. sea??h th§× N?vel?ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. In mere seconds, Violet and Emma were incapacitated, beaten down with such ease that it looked almost like a dance. Ethan, wide-eyed and heart racing, barely had time to react before Esdeath''s foot was aimed at him. But this time, he managed to block it with his stick, though the force still pushed him back. His arms trembled from the impact, but unlike the others, he remained standing. Outside the forest, the magic hologram showed the entire scene, leaving the crowd of onlookers in stunned silence. Teachers and students alike couldn''t believe what they were witnessing. "That''s¡­ impossible," one of the senior students muttered, eyes wide in disbelief. "How can a Class B student be this powerful?" "Her mana is low but because use of mana is prohibited in this round and She is having the greatest benefit from this" a second-year student remarked, realising why she was winning. Even the teachers were at a loss for words. Lilith, who had been watching intently, narrowed her eyes. "Interesting¡­ her technique isn''t just brute strength. It''s like she''s mastered an art of movement I''ve never seen before." Back at the scene, Valen adjusted his glasses dramatically, his awe for Esdeath only growing. "She didn''t even need her hands to destroy them¡­ " Ethan''s voice echoed in the air. "Don''t give up! Strike again!" Even though Emma and Violet had suffered brutal blows, they stood tall once more. Pain etched across Emma''s face, but a bitter smile crept on her lips as she and Violet charged toward Esdeath with renewed determination. Their goal remained unchanged: to catch her legs. The onlookers, including the students watching through the magical hologram, couldn''t help but shake their heads. "Are they seriously trying the same thing again?" someone muttered, knowing it would likely end in another disaster. Esdeath sighed. "Same move? Really?" Her expression showed both boredom and a hint of disappointment as she readied herself to end this quickly. But just as she moved to strike, something unexpected happened. *Woosh!* Esdeath aimed a punch directly at Ethan''s face, the force of her fist slicing through the air. But at the last possible moment, Ethan dodged! He stepped backward, his feet shifting with precision, causing Esdeath''s eyes to widen. *What''s this?!* Her mind raced as she realized too late that it was a trap. In an instant, Emma grabbed Esdeath''s left arm and abdomen, locking her in place. Violet was already on the move, jamming Esdeath''s right arm and neck with a swift maneuver. Their legs worked in unison, blocking Esdeath''s powerful kicks. Esdeath struggled, but for the first time, she was unable to move. "Damn it!" she muttered under her breath. Ethan, seeing his teammates successfully immobilize Esdeath, grinned. He raised his wooden stick high, exclaiming, "Jigen-ry¨±!" His stance shifted into the iconic Dragonfly Stance, the wooden stick poised for a single, powerful strike. This wasn''t just any move¡ªit was one of the academy''s most famous techniques. Outside the forest, spectators gasped. "That''s Jigen-ry¨±! The first-strike technique!" "Can he actually pull it off?" another student wondered, watching the tension rise as Ethan prepared for the final blow. Jigen-ry¨± is known for its emphasis on the first strike: Jigen-ry¨± teachings state that a second strike is not even to be considered. The basic technique is to hold the sword in a high version of hasso-no-kamae called tonbo-no-kamae (òßòȘ‹ Dragonfly Stance), with the sword held vertically above the right shoulder. The attack is then done by running forward at your opponent and then cutting diagonally down on their neck. But there was a problem. Violet''s hand was still wrapped around Esdeath''s neck, blocking Ethan''s target. "I can''t hit her neck like this¡­",he thought quickly. He made a split-second decision and jumped into the air. Esdeath''s gaze snapped upwards. Time seemed to slow as Ethan soared above her, his stick raised high in preparation for the strike. Before she could react, Ethan came crashing down, aiming directly for her face. BAM! The impact was so powerful that a shockwave rippled through the air. The loud crack of wood splitting echoed across the battlefield as Ethan''s stick shattered into pieces, blasted apart from the sheer force of the blow. Dust and debris kicked up around them, and for a moment, the forest fell silent. Everyone watching was in shock. Even the teachers couldn''t hide their surprise. "Finally someone worthy of being InClass A, It feels like we have another genius",somone exclaimed. Their attitude changed not even thinking that, Ethan was a commoner. "Unbelievable, Just what is happening today? Everything is unexpected¡­" one of them whispered. "He actually landed a hit on her." The students outside watching the hologram were speechless. "No way... did Ethan actually win?" As the dust settled, a tense silence took over the battlefield. All eyes were fixed on Esdeath. Emma and Violet cautiously let go of her, expecting her to fall, but instead of collapsing, Esdeath remained standing. The seconds ticked by, and a chilling realization crept into the minds of everyone watching. Blood dripped from her nose, a cut etched across her face from Ethan''s strike¡ªbut she hadn''t gone down. A sinister chuckle escaped Esdeath''s lips, low at first but quickly growing into a manic laugh. "Hehehe... Hahahaha!" Her face twisted into a disturbing smile, her eyes gleaming with a wicked light. "Do you really think I''d go down like this?" she snarled, her voice dripping with malice. Her gaze was no longer that of a mere student; it was something far more terrifying, almost demonic, sending chills down the spines of those watching. She cracked her knuckles, stretching her arms as if ready to unleash her full fury. "I''ll show you what real techniques look like," she threatened, her entire body radiating an eerie, dangerous energy. But suddenly, her expression shifted. Her eyes widened, pupils swirling in tight, ring-like patterns as she touched the blood dripping from her face. "My face¡­," she whispered in disbelief. Her breath quickened as panic set in. "My face got damaged!" The realization sent her spiraling into a frenzy, her obsession taking control. Esdeath''s thoughts tumbled out in a frantic stream, her fingers twitching as she brought her hand to her mouth. "What will Lortell think of me now? Oh no..no..no..no¡­ What if she doesn''t find me beautiful anymore? What if she¡­ rejects me?" Her voice trembled, the very idea tearing her apart. She began chewing her nails aggressively, drawing blood as her mind descended deeper into her obsession with Lortell. "No, no, no... this can''t be happening!" she muttered, her eyes wide with madness. Even though she knew that healers could easily fix the damage, her love-fueled paranoia drowned out any sense of reason. In her mind, the smallest flaw was enough to ruin everything with Lortell. Violet and Emma, watching her from a distance, were equally confused. "What... is she doing?" Violet whispered, unsure whether to strike or wait. But Emma wasn''t about to waste this opportunity. "Now''s our chance!" she yelled, charging forward with Violet right behind her. "Pay attention, Esdeath!" Emma shouted, raising her fist for a powerful punch. But in the blink of an eye, their world flipped upside down. They barely had time to register what happened before their legs were in the air, their heads plunging toward the ground. *It was Aikido.* Before they even hit the ground, Esdeath unleashed a series of brutal strikes. Bam! Bam! Bam!. . . .Without even looking, she punched both of them so hard it was as if an invisible force had launched them across the battlefield. Emma and Violet crashed into the ground with bone-crushing force, unable to move from the sheer pain. Esdeath didn''t even spare them a second glance. Her glowing eyes, filled with rage and unhinged devotion, locked onto Ethan. Her voice, dripping with fury and twisted love, rang out. "Ethannn.... You are dead! " Unexpected Trio Esdeath''s eyes burned with unrelenting fury as she charged toward Ethan. "Ethannn... You''re dead!" she screamed, her voice echoing across the battlefield. Her speed was blinding, and before Ethan could react, she launched a barrage of devastating martial arts techniques. First, her knees flew up, smashing into Ethan''s ribs with the deadly precision of *Muay Thai*. His breath hitched as the blows connected, but before he could even stagger back, her legs swung around in a flurry of *Taekwondo* kicks. The sheer force of her spinning strikes sent him reeling, his arms barely blocking in time to stop his face from being hit. With brutal efficiency, Esdeath shifted into *Kyokushin Karate*, her fists striking with the intent to crush. She pounded into Ethan''s body like a sledgehammer, each punch landing with bone-rattling force. Ethan grunted with each blow, trying to strike back, but every punch he delivered was met with three more from Esdeath. His arms were trembling, bruises rapidly forming, but he refused to back down. Ethan gritted his teeth and swung a punch at Esdeath''s jaw, but she leaned back with ease, using *Jeet Kune Do* to fluidly redirect his momentum. Her open-palm strike hit him squarely in the chest, sending shockwaves through his body. Esdeath followed up with a brutal *boxing* combo, jabs, and hooks landing with pinpoint accuracy on Ethan''s face and torso, drawing blood with every strike. Desperately, Ethan reached out to grab her arm and counter with *Judo*, but Esdeath anticipated it. She twisted her body like a snake, using *Systema* techniques to throw him off balance, her elbow crashing into his temple. Ethan''s vision blurred, but somehow, he was still standing. Bones cracked under Esdeath''s relentless assault. Ethan''s legs wobbled as his body bore the brunt of the damage, blood dripping from his mouth and his muscles screaming in agony. Every breath he took hurt, yet his body kept healing, slowly knitting his wounds together thanks to his skill: *Righteous (B)*. His bones realigned themselves, and his bruises faded, but the healing wasn''t fast enough to keep up with Esdeath''s onslaught. Ethan struck back, his fists colliding with Esdeath''s ribs and arms, landing blow after blow, but Esdeath barely flinched. Her body was marked with bruises and cuts, her face smeared with blood, but she remained as terrifying as ever, her smile only widening with each punch. She was enjoying this. "Is this all you''ve got, Ethan?" Esdeath taunted, a wicked grin on her face. " Her fists pummeled him, cracking his ribs further. "Where''s your strength?" Ethan growled, spitting blood from his mouth. "I''m not done yet!" He threw another punch, his arm trembling with effort, but Esdeath easily dodged it, laughing. The onlookers¡ªthe students, the teachers¡ªwatched in awe and horror. This wasn''t just a fight anymore; it was a brutal display of Esdeath''s mastery over countless martial arts. Every move she made was precise, calculated, and devastating. Her ability to switch between styles so seamlessly left the crowd speechless. "She''s... She''s using countless different techniques", one student gasped in disbelief. "How can Ethan still be standing after that?" another whispered, his voice filled with admiration and fear. Even the teachers were stunned. "That girl...," one of them muttered, shaking his head. "*Her control, her power... it''s on another level." Meanwhile, Emma and Violet, who had been watching from the sidelines after their own defeat, could only stare in shock. Emma clutched her side in pain but couldn''t tear her eyes away from the fight. "Is she even human?" she whispered, fear creeping into her voice. But Ethan, though his body was trembling, refused to fall. His willpower was unbreakable, "I won''t lose!" he roared, charging at Esdeath again despite the odds. Ethan''s body trembled, but it wasn''t just the skill *Righteous (B)* that kept him standing. He wasn''t some ordinary teenage boy. In his previous life, before the regression, he had been a general in the army, a battle-hardened warrior who had faced countless enemies and brutal encounters. He knew the pain of being beaten within an inch of his life yet continuing to fight, pushing through exhaustion, hunger, and thirst. His experience made him resilient, and no matter how much Esdeath tried to break him, his body and spirit refused to give in. Esdeath had tried to land a fatal blow, but Ethan''s slow regeneration kept him in the fight. Her strikes couldn''t render him unconscious. His past experiences had prepared him for this moment, and his skill gave him enough of an edge to keep moving. Suddenly, Ethan charged forward again, and the air around the arena tensed. Everyone''s eyes widened, not expecting what happened next. * Systema,Boxing, then Judo...* Without hesitation, Ethan unleashed a precise boxing combo, quickly transitioning into a Judo throw, catching Esdeath off guard for the first time in the fight. *Jeet Kune Do, Aikido, and Kyokushin Karate...* Ethan fluidly mimicked all of Esdeath''s previous techniques with stunning accuracy. His movements were almost identical to hers¡ªstrikes, blocks, counters¡ªevery motion was a mirror image of what Esdeath had done to him. "Did... did he just copied her techniques?!" one second-year student exclaimed in disbelief as he watched the screen. At that point, no one even bothered to look at other students in the forest. Esdeath, for the first time, took a few steps back, retreating slightly as she assessed the situation. Ethan stood tall, his breath ragged but a confident smirk stretched across his face. "You might have noticed it by now," he said, his voice echoing across the battlefield. "Yes! Since childhood, I''ve had this special ability. For some reason, I can copy any technique, any sword skill, just by seeing it once!" His words carried the pride of someone who had just uncovered a major advantage. Sear?h the N?velFire(.)net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Esdeath rolled her eyes, her expression shifting to one of boredom. "I already know that, you idiot," she thought to herself, unimpressed. Ethan chuckled, feeling the energy course through his body. "Why bother learning when you can copy!" he roared, rushing toward Esdeath once again, his fists ready to land the final blow. But Esdeath wasn''t the least bit intimidated. A menacing smile curled on her lips as she stood her ground. Just before Ethan could land his punch, Esdeath''s fist moved like lightning, connecting squarely with Ethan''s face. The force of the blow was so intense, it felt like her punch had gone straight through him. "Dumb fuck!" Esdeath taunted, her voice cold and mocking. "Why copy when you know it all?" Ethan stumbled back, blood dripping from his face as he struggled to recover. But Esdeath wasn''t done. She lunged forward, continuing their fight with an unrelenting barrage of punches and kicks, each one landing with bone-crushing force. The teachers exchanged worried glances, their faces tight with concern as they watched the fight spiral further out of control. "Should we stop the competition?" one whispered, fear evident in their tone. "They might end up killing each other¡­" Just as it seemed that the two might actually fight to the death, a loud voice echoed from the bushes, completely unexpected. "Faaabbbllleeeeeee!" A girl''s scream cut through the tension like a knife. It was frantic, desperate, and oddly comical. Esdeath''s eyes widened, recognizing the voice instantly. She snapped out of her rage and glanced back toward the bushes, where the voice had come from. The bushes rustled violently, and then Maruti came barreling out, running at full speed. Her expression was frantic, and she flailed her arms as she shouted, "A silver buffalo is after me! Save meee!" Her panic was enough to shock everyone in the arena, even Emma and Violet, who immediately grew concerned. "Now there are two of them," they thought, both alarmed. Ethan was already barely holding on, and now with Maruti and Esdeath together, he was severely outnumbered. But neither of them had any idea who this "silver buffalo" could be. Their confusion didn''t last long, though. Behind Maruti, sprinting toward her with an angry expression, was Kaelith Maranthia, her silver hair flowing behind her like a comet. "You dare to call me a buffalo?!" she roared, her eyes blazing with fury as she chased Maruti. Esdeath let out a deep sigh and slapped her forehead, clearly exasperated. "Of all the people, why does it have to be her?"she thought grimly. Kaelith Maranthia, the strongest competitor in the entire tournament. The one person Esdeath had hoped to avoid at all costs. And now, here she was, furious and ready to fight. Maruti finally reached Esdeath, leaning against her as she caught her breath. "Phew¡­ I finally made it!" she panted, clutching Esdeath''s shoulder for support. Kaelith, still fuming, skidded to a halt when she saw the group gathered around Esdeath. She crossed her arms and glared. "Now I''m pissed. You all are going to get beaten until I calm down," she declared, her voice cold and threatening. Her words sent a shockwave of fear through the others. Violet and Emma nearly had heart attacks at the thought of facing Kaelith. "She''s the greatest threat here," they realized in an instant. It didn''t matter how much damage Esdeath and Ethan had done to each other¡ªKaelith was on a completely different level. If they didn''t work together, they stood no chance. Esdeath seemed to come to the same conclusion, glancing toward Ethan with a serious expression. "Look, I don''t like you," she began, her tone blunt but filled with urgency. "But Kaelith''s the biggest threat here. We need to team up if we want to survive this." Ethan stood silent for a moment, thinking over her words. "She''s right," he thought. "Kaelith is the real danger. I can''t defeat her by myself, but if we work together¡­" His eyes drifted toward Kaelith, who stood tall, her presence almost radiating power. "She might have a few screws loose, and she gets angry over the smallest things¡­ but she''s actually a good person, More like a tsundere type person. In my previous life, her arrogance was her downfall. She got herself killed because of it. But if I can guide her properly, she could be one of my greatest allies." He calculated carefully. "But first, we need to show her that she can be defeated." His mind made up, Ethan turned back to Esdeath. "Fine. I''ll join forces with you, but first, I need to know one thing." His tone was serious, almost accusatory as he asked, "Did you¡­ did you kill your parents?" Esdeath blinked in confusion, raising an eyebrow. "What? my parents are alive," she replied casually, as if the question was the most ridiculous thing she''d ever heard. Ethan felt his face flush with embarrassment. He had clearly made a fool of himself. "Was Master Gareth wrong?" he thought to himself, mentally kicking himself for asking such a dumb question. "Did he make a mistake? Or maybe someone else in the academy is pretending to be Esdeath?"He quickly pushed those thoughts aside. Right now, that didn''t matter. What mattered was defeating Kaelith. Esdeath, Maruti, and Ethan stood side by side, all focused on Kaelith, who was still glaring at them with fiery eyes. The three exchanged glances, a silent understanding passing between them. "Ready?" Esdeath asked, holding up her hand. Ethan nodded and smirked. "Let''s do this." Maruti, still panting from her run, grinned nervously. "Yeah, let''s not die." With that, the three slapped their hands together in a high-five, their spirits rising as they prepared to face Kaelith as a team. MVP–Valen Vandris The three of them slapped their hands together in a high-five, their spirits soaring as they prepared to take on Kaelith as a team. Determination filled the air, and a sense of camaraderie built between them. Just as they were about to launch into battle, something changed for Ethan. A sudden notification flashed in his mind: His exclusive skill, *Righteous (B)*, had activated, making his body go numb as the fatigue drained away. He felt light, almost weightless, and ready for whatever lay ahead. His confidence surged as he realized he could fight without holding back, at least for now. Without waiting, Maruti was the first to make a move. She charged forward, raising her bec-de-corbin high before swinging it in a powerful horizontal slash aimed directly at Kaelith. Her aim was precise, and for a moment, it seemed like she had landed a clean hit. But Kaelith didn''t even flinch. The impact never came. Instead of Kaelith''s body suffering any damage, Maruti''s weapon shattered into pieces as if it had struck an immovable wall. The force sent vibrations through the air, leaving a small scratch on Kaelith''s outfit, but she remained unharmed. "Oops... my bad," Maruti muttered, her eyes widening in disbelief as she realized what had just happened. But Kaelith was far from amused. With blinding speed, Kaelith bent down, grabbing Maruti''s ankle with one hand. Effortlessly, she lifted her into the air as if she weighed nothing. "Woohoo, a roller coaster ride!" Maruti joked, still in her usual playful tone despite the danger she was in. Kaelith''s expression hardened as she swung Maruti through the air and slammed her into the ground with tremendous force. BAM! The ground shook as Maruti''s body hit the earth. BOOM! Another impact as Kaelith smashed her down again. BAM! For a third time, Maruti''s body crashed into the dirt. "Ow! My back hurts!" Maruti exclaimed, her voice still somehow lighthearted despite the brutal beating she had just endured. Esdeath and Ethan exchanged a glance. They couldn''t just stand by and watch Maruti take all the hits. Without hesitation, they leaped into action, attacking Kaelith from both sides. The sound of their fists and kicks clashing against Kaelith''s defenses echoed through the battlefield, each move calculated, each strike aimed at wearing her down. In the distance, several teams had gathered, drawn by the orange crystal Maruti had activated earlier. But as soon as they saw Kaelith, their bravery quickly evaporated. One of the leaders gulped, his face going pale as he recognized her. "Is that¡­ Kaelith?" he stammered, backing away. "Yeah, no thanks! I''m not getting turned into paste today!" another teammate muttered, already retreating. The rest of the group quickly followed, not daring to step any closer to the battle unfolding in front of them. Back in the fray, Maruti shook off the pain and charged at Kaelith again, her grin widening as if she thrived in the chaos. Kaelith caught her mid-movement, her hands gripping Maruti''s arm tightly. Without a word, Kaelith reared her head back, then brought her forehead crashing down onto Maruti''s face. BAM! Blood splattered from Maruti''s nose, trickling down her face. But instead of groaning in pain, she gave a wicked smile. Her eyes gleamed with a mix of determination and excitement as she looked Kaelith dead in the eye. "Is that it? Is that all you''ve got?" Maruti taunted, her voice dripping with defiance. Before Kaelith could respond, Maruti retaliated, throwing her own forehead directly into Kaelith''s face. BAM! The force of the impact caused Kaelith to stumble backward, surprised by Maruti''s unrelenting aggression. She wiped the blood from her lips, glaring at Maruti. But the brief stumble was all Esdeath needed. Seizing the opportunity, Esdeath lunged forward, leaping onto Kaelith''s shoulders with cat-like agility. In one swift motion, she wrapped her legs around Kaelith''s neck, positioning her hands around Kaelith''s chin, ready to twist it and incapacitate her. "Got you now," Esdeath whispered, her grip tightening. At the same moment, Ethan darted in, grabbing hold of Esdeath''s legs to add more force. Together, they swung Kaelith''s body in a brutal, spinning arc. SWING! Kaelith''s body spun through the air, her jaw twisting as her head was thrown back by the sheer force of the move. Blood sprayed from her lips as she crashed into the ground, her body rolling across the dirt. For a moment, the battlefield went quiet, dust swirling in the air as everyone waited to see if Kaelith would stay down. But Kaelith wasn''t one to go down easily. With an almost inhuman resilience, she pushed herself off the ground, spitting blood onto the dirt as she stood. Her eyes burned with fury, and a low growl escaped her throat. Despite the beating she had taken, Kaelith was far from finished. "Not bad¡­" she muttered, wiping the blood from her face. "But this isn''t over." The three of them exchanged a quick glance, their bodies battered and bruised, but none of them were ready to give up. They knew Kaelith was strong ¡ª stronger than any of them individually ¡ª but together, they still had a chance. Each of them had scars and cuts from the relentless back-and-forth battle, their exhaustion clear in the way their chests heaved for air, but their resolve hadn''t wavered. From afar, Violet and Emma continued to watch, their faces filled with a mix of awe and disbelief. The coordination between Maruti, Esdeath, and Ethan was unlike anything they had ever seen before. Each one of them moved as if they were part of a single unit, covering each other''s weaknesses and striking with perfect timing. "It''s like they were born to fight ," Violet whispered, her voice filled with admiration. Emma nodded, her eyes wide with amazement. "Yeah¡­ it''s incredible. I''ve never seen such perfect teamwork before." Outside the forest, the teachers and second-year students observed the fight on the large monitors that broadcasted the live feed. One of the instructors, a seasoned fighter himself, narrowed his eyes as he watched the battle unfold. "They''re actually holding their own against Kaelith¡­" he muttered, a hint of surprise in his voice. "I didn''t expect that." A second-year student leaned closer, his eyes gleaming with excitement. "That Maruti girl¡­ she''s insane! She''s taking all the hits like a tank, but her teammates are using her as a shield to land their attacks. It''s genius." Another second-year crossed her arms, shaking her head slightly. "Yeah, but look at them. They''re barely holding on. Kaelith''s not going down easy." Back in the battlefield, the fight continued to rage on. Kaelith, now fully enraged, launched herself at the trio with newfound ferocity. Her fist flew toward Esdeath, aiming to break through their defenses. But Esdeath was quick. She spun mid-air, blocking Kaelith''s punch with her foot, her body absorbing the impact before Ethan leaped into action. He landed on Kaelith''s back, wrapping his arms tightly around her to restrict her movement. This momentary distraction was all Maruti needed. With a fierce yell, she launched both her legs forward, slamming them into Kaelith''s face, knocking her backward. They could feel it ¡ª the tide of battle was turning in their favor. The three of them began to move as one, attacking in perfect sync. Punch after punch, kick after kick, their teamwork was seamless. No longer was one person taking all the hits while the others fought. Now, their roles switched effortlessly. Who was attacking? Who was defending? It didn''t matter. They were a single unit, acting with unspoken coordination, flowing like a river in battle. Before Kaelith could catch her breath, she was hit from all sides. A punch to her abdomen, a kick to her leg, followed by a judo throw that sent her staggering. Ethan and Maruti pounced, while Esdeath spun in with wrestling moves, each strike landing with precision. Kaelith gasped for air, her clothes torn and her body bruised. Though her raw physical strength was superior, the seal Lilith had placed on her limited her full power. Esdeath, Ethan, and Maruti were no better off ¡ª their bodies ached with exhaustion, their breaths ragged from the relentless battle. But they had something that Kaelith lacked ¡ª teamwork and timing. At this point, everyone knew: this was the final exchange. Whoever stood tall after this would be the victor. With a guttural roar, Kaelith charged forward, and the trio did the same. Kaelith was the first to attack, throwing a wild punch at Esdeath. But instead of being hit, Esdeath pivoted, using her foot to catch the punch mid-air. She spun, using the momentum to land a powerful heel kick directly to Kaelith''s face. BAM! The impact was swift and brutal, and Kaelith stumbled, barely able to register what had just happened. That was when Ethan darted forward, faster than a blur, delivering a powerful punch straight to her abdomen, knocking the wind out of her. Kaelith gritted her teeth, her eyes blazing with determination. She had only one thought ¡ª end this in one final punch, and her target was Esdeath. But before she could even raise her fist, Maruti stepped in. She threw herself between Kaelith and Esdeath, taking the hit directly on her face. Blood splattered, but Maruti didn''t stop. With a ferocious grin, she swung her own fist, aiming directly at Kaelith''s face. BAM! Both of their fists collided with each other''s faces simultaneously. The impact echoed across the battlefield, and for a split second, everything seemed to freeze. Then, with a soft *thump*, Kaelith''s body crumpled to the ground. She had finally fallen, unconscious and defeated. A wave of relief washed over Esdeath, Ethan, and Maruti. The battle was over. They had won. But as they watched Kaelith fall, their own bodies began to betray them. First Esdeath, then Ethan, and finally Maruti, all collapsed to the ground, utterly exhausted. Their muscles refused to lift their weight anymore. The fatigue of battle had caught up to them. Yet, despite the pain and weariness, they all wore smiles on their faces. As the fight seemed to reach its conclusion and the adrenaline began to wear off, something unexpected happened. With a faint clinking sound, the orange crystal from maruti''s pocket tumbled to the ground, rolling a short distance away from her. The bright glow caught everyone''s attention, but their bodies were too drained to react. Ethan''s eyes widened in alarm as he watched the crystal lie vulnerable on the ground. "What are you staring at?! Go and grab that crystal!" he shouted toward Emma and Violet, his voice hoarse from the intensity of the battle. At that moment, the delicate balance of their temporary alliance shattered. The competition wasn''t over yet, and the stakes were higher than ever. Emma and Violet blinked, as if waking up from a dream, and quickly sprang into action, charging toward the orange crystal. sea??h th§× N?vel(F)ire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. It was a tense moment. No one had the orange crystal now, and whoever claimed it would secure victory. Esdeath, Maruti, and Ethan couldn''t move; their bodies refused to listen. If Emma or Violet reached the crystal, it would be over. Maruti''s eyes flickered with worry, her breath shallow, as she strained to move even a finger. But she couldn''t. None of them could. Violet''s hand reached out toward the orange crystal, her fingers inches away. But then¡ªsomething even more unexpected happened. A shadow darted in from the side, and in the blink of an eye, a hand reached out and grabbed the orange crystal. Everyone froze in disbelief. The figure that none of them had paid any attention to throughout the fight¡ªValen Vandris¡ªnow stood holding the crystal in his hand, a small smirk playing on his lips. Just as the weight of what had happened sank in, a loud siren echoed through the forest. *Piiiiiiiii...* The sound signaled the end of the competition. Everyone''s bodies went rigid as the voice of Teacher Sylvia boomed through the trees. "All students, stay where you are. The competition has ended. There''s no point in continuing." A heavy silence followed her words. It was clear to everyone that, without lifting a finger during the chaos, Valen Vandris had become the MVP of the competition in the final moments. He had swooped in at just the right time, seizing the victory for himself and for his team when no one expected it. Ethan, Esdeath, Maruti, Emma, and Violet exchanged tired glances, too exhausted to feel anything. Future King After the competition ended, the forest buzzed with activity as healers hurriedly tended to the injured students. Ethan, Esdeath, Maruti, and others who had taken part in the intense battle lay still while the magic-infused healing began mending their wounds. Bruised and bloodied, they all seemed exhausted but relieved that the ordeal was finally over. No one had anticipated the competition to turn out like this. Most students were caught off-guard by the sheer intensity of the fight. But beyond the shock, there were whispers and suspicious murmurs surrounding the trio of Ethan, Esdeath, and Maruti. The one person who seemed most troubled by their unexpected display of advanced techniques was none other than Lilith, the academy''s overseer and an accomplished warrior herself. Lilith watched from a distance, her eyes narrowing as healers worked on Ethan''s team. "How could they know these fighting styles? These aren''t ordinary techniques teenagers would possess." She frowned, her mind racing. There was no way even some of the academy''s more advanced students knew such moves, let alone these first-years. She couldn''t prove anything just yet, but her suspicion was clear. With a sharp wave of her hand, she summoned her information team and gave them a simple but stern order: "Run a full background check on them. I want to know everything." She turned away, her thoughts swirling with questions, knowing that something deeper was at play. Still, without solid proof, she couldn''t confront them directly. As the dust settled and the competition''s results were announced, it became official: Esdeath and her team were qualified for the upcoming one-on-one duels. The forest echoed with the excited chatter of students, many of them still in disbelief. They had seen the footage of Esdeath, Ethan, and Maruti''s coordinated attacks, their precise teamwork, and their almost otherworldly fighting styles. The trio quickly became the talk of the academy. In every hallway, dining room, and dorm, students were buzzing with conversations about the "mystery team." Clips from the competition circulated among the returning students, and with each passing hour, more and more of the academy was abuzz with the names of Ethan, Esdeath, and Maruti. Whispers filled the air, their names on everyone''s lips, and they became the center of attention¡ªboth for admiration and envy. However, not everyone was pleased with the results. In one particular corner of the academy, a group of defeated students sat fuming, none more so than Princess Ravenna. Her team had been eliminated without even managing to break a single crystal, leaving them disqualified from the second round. "How did this happened?" Ravenna seethed, her fists clenched tightly. The pride of the royal family, the celebrated princess, had been utterly humiliated. Her reputation as one of the strongest fighters now felt tarnished. Her teammates sat in stunned silence, not daring to speak. The humiliation stung even more knowing that Esdeath, someone of common birth, had advanced while Ravenna had not. But how could a princess loose in her own kingdom? The academy had announced a special challenge: the defeated students would have one more chance to redeem themselves. All th defeated students will fight against other defeated students and The two fighters who stood victorious in the end would earn their spot in the one-on-one duels. Why two? Because they wanted to show that they didn''t organize this special event solely for ravenna and also because of this, It will give opportunity to one more student to qualify. Also essence stones and use of mana will be allowed in that fight, So no doubt ravenna will win. Before anyone noticed, night had fallen. It was around eight or nine in the evening, and in a lavish, private room, Corin Reynold paced in frustration, unable to contain his growing rage. He clenched his fists, recalling the events of the competition. His mind kept replaying the moment Kaelith had swooped in, destroying his team''s crystal in an instant. He hadn''t even had the chance to defend himself, let alone break anyone else''s crystal. It was humiliating¡ªutterly demoralizing. "Why?" he yelled, his voice filled with fury. "Why is it always me?" In a fit of anger, he swept everything off his table, sending papers and objects crashing to the floor. His chest heaved as he panted from the intensity of his rage. But something suddenly caught his attention. He felt a strange presence. Turning towards his gallery window, which overlooked the night from his second-floor room, he noticed a faint glow. At first, it was just a small, round, red light floating in the darkness. It seemed to pierce the night, staring at him with an eerie, deathly gaze. As his eyes focused, the light resembled the glow of an eye, cold and menacing. For a brief moment, fear gripped Corin. His anger vanished as a chill ran down his spine, and he instinctively took a step back, his heart pounding in his chest. The pale, ghostly face that followed the glowing eye seemed unreal¡ªlike a specter from a nightmare. His fear was short-lived, however, as recognition settled in. Letting out a shaky breath, he slapped his forehead and shook his head at his overreaction. "It''s not a ghost," he muttered to himself, the tension in his body loosening. "What are you doing here, Esdeath Crimson?" His voice had calmed, but there was still a lingering unease as he stared at the girl standing on the fence of his gallery, her pale face contrasting sharply against the dark night. Esdeath leaped gracefully into Corin''s room, landing with ease. She let out a light laugh that echoed in the quiet room. "I just came here to be friends with you!" she announced, her eyes gleaming with mischief. Corin blinked, caught off guard by her sudden entrance. "Friends? Why?" he asked, confusion knitting his brows together. Esdeath wrapped her arms around herself dramatically, tilting her head in mock pity. "Well, someone like you¡ªcompletely alone, with no friends, no comrades, and no girlfriend¡ªI thought I''d show some mercy and become your friend." Her words dripped with sarcasm, and Corin''s face twisted in anger. "Stop joking! I have friends. I have a girlfriend. Now, get lost!" he snapped, his voice rising. Esdeath stifled a chuckle, shaking her head. "Oh, you call them friends?" she asked mockingly. "And that girl¡­ her? You really think that slut is your girlfriend?" At that, Corin''s face flushed red with fury. His fists clenched tightly at his sides as he barely held back his rage. "You¡ª!" he started, but he froze as Esdeath stepped closer, her eyes gleaming with something unsettling. She leaned in so close that Corin could feel her breath against his ear. Her voice dropped to a chilling whisper. "Do you want to know how I mastered those skills? How we knew exactly where that orange crystal was? How we knew you were going to lose?" Corin''s eyes widened, his body stiffening as her words sank in. "What... what are you talking about?" Esdeath smiled coldly. "I can see the future, Corin. I''m an esper," she whispered in a low, spine-chilling tone. "I knew everything from the start." Corin staggered back, shock and disbelief clouding his features. "That''s¡­ that''s absurd! You''re lying!" His voice wavered, but the seeds of doubt had already been planted. Esdeath stood still, her expression calm, a smirk playing on her lips as she watched his fear grow. Esdeath smirked as Corin stood frozen. "How about I show you some proof?" she said confidently, her voice laced with amusement. S§×ar?h the N?vel?ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Before Corin could respond, Esdeath grabbed his arm, and in the blink of an eye, they were back at the academy. The night had settled in, and the moon cast long shadows across the academy grounds. Most students were already gathered in the cafeteria, eating dinner and preparing for an early night''s rest. The cafeteria buzzed with low conversations, the clatter of utensils against plates filling the air. Corin and Esdeath stood outside, hidden in the shadows as they peered inside. From where they stood, they could overhear a group of students sitting together, grumbling over their meals. "Ugh... My back still hurts. That lizard hit me way too hard!" one of the students groaned, rubbing his shoulders as he took a bite of food. "Yeah, we really shouldn''t have teamed up with Corin," another sighed, his disappointment clear in his tone. The third student, however, smirked and waved them off. "So what? There''s a lot of perks to sticking with him. No money problems, we get luxury weapons, eat whatever we want... Plus, we get to act like we''re better than everyone else, and no one dares to challenge us because of who we''re with. We''re his friends, after all!" he chuckled smugly. "Yeah, his temper is annoying and i want to punch him in face, but it''s worth it. We''re practically gold diggers!" they all laughed, making jokes at Corin''s expense, their voices dripping with mockery. Outside the cafeteria, Corin stood still, staring at them through the glass. His face was completely blank, but his eyes betrayed the confusion and hurt he felt. He had trusted these people, and now he could see what they really thought of him. Just as he opened his mouth to speak, Esdeath''s voice came from behind him, playful but sharp. "Oh, I''m not done yet!" she whispered, her tone daring and triumphant. Corin turned to face her, but before he could protest, she grabbed him again, pulling him toward their next destination. -------- Ethan tried to pull his hand back, but Emma''s grip was surprisingly strong. "Hey¡­ hey! Where are you taking me?" he exclaimed, his voice full of confusion. He looked at her as she led him away from the crowds, pulling him toward a more secluded spot. Finally, Emma stopped. They were in a quiet area, away from the hustle of the academy and the competition that had been consuming everyone''s attention. Her face flushed bright red, and she fidgeted with the hem of her shirt. "Um... you know," she began awkwardly, her eyes darting away from Ethan''s, "there''s the competition right now, but if... if you''re free afterward... maybe we could, um, go shopping together?" Her voice wavered with embarrassment, clearly avoiding the word ''date.'' Ethan raised a brow and scratched his head in confusion. "Shopping? Shouldn''t you be going with Corin?" he asked, sounding genuinely puzzled. "C-Corin? Why would I¡ª" Emma''s flustered expression turned to frustration as she stumbled over her words. Ethan blinked. "Well, aren''t you two... you know, girlfriend and boyfriend?" he asked casually, not realizing the bombshell he''d just dropped. Emma''s face went even redder, her hands shooting up in protest. "W-what? No! We''re not like that! I''m totally single!" she blurted out, her embarrassment turning into a frantic denial. Unbeknownst to them, Corin stood a little way off, hidden from sight. His fists clenched tightly as he overheard the entire exchange, his anger boiling over at the sight of Emma''s confession and Ethan''s cluelessness. His blood felt like it was burning in his veins, but he said nothing. He was too exhausted, too emotionally drained to even confront them. The truth had already wrecked his mind. As he turned to leave, determined to walk away from the scene, Esdeath''s voice stopped him in his tracks. "Hey! Why are you walking away like that?" she called out teasingly. "Don''t you want to hear about your future?" Her voice was taunting, filled with a chilling amusement. Corin paused, still facing away from her. After a long moment, he slowly turned back. Though he had little interest in whatever game she was playing, he sighed and replied with a hollow voice, "Fine. Tell me, Miss Esper... what''s my future?" Esdeath''s smile widened, her eyes glittering with mystery. "You," she said in a low, almost whispering voice, "your future is to become the next king of this kingdom." Corin''s eyes narrowed as Esdeath''s words sunk in. "What are you getting at?" he asked, his voice filled with suspicion. Her cryptic behavior only made him more doubtful. Esdeath giggled darkly, her voice carrying an eerie sense of certainty. "Hehehe... Tomorrow at midnight, roam around the academy. I promise you," she leaned in slightly, her eyes gleaming, "your life will change forever." She straightened up, her smirk never fading, before turning her back on him. As she began walking away, her voice called out again, lingering in the air. "Don''t forget... midnight." Her figure disappeared into the shadows as she made her way toward her dorm room, leaving Corin standing there, conflicted and more confused than ever. Poor Esdeath! In the bustling marketplace, a shopkeeper stood outside his small stall, his voice ringing out through the air. "Breaking news... Breaking news... The Dwarf Kingdom has just released something new on the market!" His tone was loud and enticing, designed to grab the attention of passersby. The man, a newspaper vendor, knew he had to make the news sound exciting to draw customers in. "They''ve created a carriage with four wheels that can move without horses or an earth wyvern pulling it! They''re calling it a ''car!'' Is the Dwarf Kingdom really a hundred years ahead of us? Want to know more? Buy the latest newspaper!" Curiosity sparked in the crowd. People had never heard of anything like a ''car'' before. The concept of a vehicle that moved without animals seemed impossible, almost like magic. "Give me one!" A lady from the crowd eagerly stepped forward, holding out her hand. "I''ll take one too!" another person quickly followed. Soon, more people were clamoring for the newspapers, forming a small crowd around the vendor. A middle-aged man flipped through the paper, his eyes widening in surprise. "New guns that can shoot long distances? Rifles and snipers, they''re calling them?" He looked closer at the pictures showing the sleek weapons and the strange four-wheeled carriage. The illustration of the car showed a vintage model, nothing fancy like the luxurious carriages nobles were used to, but it was revolutionary. The newspaper estimated its price to be around fifty thousand gold¡ªa sum far beyond the reach of common folk. It was clear that this innovation was meant for the wealthiest, the nobles, and the royals. Owning one would be a status symbol, akin to having a modern Rolls-Royce in the real world. "Did you hear?" Another man in the crowd read aloud, his voice tinged with excitement. "Archduke''s daughter, Lortell Mariette, is already planning to open a company for manufacturing these cars and new guns! The company will be called *Esdeath Industrial Limited*!" The murmurs of excitement quickly turned to confusion. "Esdeath? Where did that name come from?" one person wondered aloud, puzzled by the sudden mention of the unfamiliar name. The crowd buzzed with speculation, eager to learn more. ------------ At the academy, the atmosphere was filled with excitement. All eyes in the hall were locked on one person¡ªLortell Mariette. She walked gracefully, her luxurious red dress trailing behind her as it brushed the floor, radiating an aura of power and elegance. Beside her stood the dark nun, Meldia, but today, Meldia looked different. Instead of her usual nun''s attire, she wore a sleek black dress with a matching blindfold, holding a black umbrella above Lortell''s head as if shielding her from the world. "Is that Lortell Mariette?" one girl whispered in awe, her voice trembling. "She looks so elegant... It makes me feel like I should worship her." Many other students, boys and girls alike, stood frozen, unable to take their eyes off her. Despite the attention, Lortell''s expression remained blank, cold. She didn''t acknowledge them, not even a glance as she continued walking, focused on her destination¡ªthe office of Vice Principal Lilith. --- Inside the office, Lilith sat at her desk, her youthful appearance always catching people off guard. With the look of a 13-year-old child, it seemed like a kid had accidentally taken the seat of authority. However, her expression was far from childish¡ªit was serious and composed. Lilith''s secretary, standing by the door, spoke softly, "Vice Principal, Lady Mariette has returned from the monster subjugation mission. She requests to see you." Lilith nodded without hesitation. "Bring her in," she ordered firmly, maintaining her professional air. The secretary left and, moments later, Lortell entered the room, still exuding the same unshakable presence. Meldia, however, waited just outside, not stepping into the room, her blindfolded eyes still covered as she stood like a shadow at the door. As soon as Lortell entered the room, Lilith''s mind was flooded with a relentless wave of thoughts. A single word echoed over and over in her head: "Esdeath, Esdeath,Esdeath,Esdeath,EsdeathEsdeath,Esdeath,Esdeath,Esdeath,Esdeath,Esdeath,Esdeath,Esdeath,Esdeath, Esdeath, Esdeath, Esdeath, Esdeath, Esdeath, Esdeath, Esdeath, Esdeath, Esdeath, Esdeath, " The name repeated like a chant, filling her thoughts with intensity. It was coming from Lortell, who despite the storm in her mind, kept her face emotionless and indifferent. Lilith winced, pressing her palm against her forehead. "Tch... I forgot to turn off my thought-hearing ability," she muttered under her breath. With a subtle mental adjustment, she shut off the unwanted flood of thoughts. Lortell approached Lilith with calm but deliberate steps. Her voice was sharp, cutting through the silence, "Where''s Esdeath?" Lilith raised an eyebrow, curious but cautious. She had questions herself but knew it wasn''t the time to ask. "Okay," she simply agreed, focusing on the task. Using her telekinesis, she sent a mental message to Sylvia, a teacher from Class B. "Sylvia, bring Esdeath Crimson to my office immediately." The two women stood in silence for a few moments, exchanging nothing but tense stares. But soon, Sylvia reached out to Lilith telepathically, delivering unexpected news. Lilith''s eyes widened in shock. Her hand slapped the desk as she realized the gravity of the situation. For the first time in a long while, she felt uneasy about what she had to say. Lortell, noticing the shift in Lilith''s expression, narrowed her eyes. "What happened?" she demanded, her voice cold but pressing. Lilith rubbed her forehead, chuckling bitterly. "Well... actually, Esdeath... has run away from the academy. She left with someone named Maruti." S§×arch* The N?vel(F)ire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Lortell''s crimson eyes flared with anger. Her normally perfect, serene face twisted in fury, her lips curling as if she had just swallowed something revolting. "The fuck did you just say?" Her words dripped with venom, her rage palpable, and the air in the room suddenly felt heavy. "She left a letter," Lilith began cautiously, watching Lortell''s reaction closely, "saying that her best friend, Luna Cassia, has gone missing. She claims the academy hasn''t been able to locate her, so Esdeath and Maruti decided to find her on their own. They promised to return before the one-on-one duel competition, whether they succeed or not." But Lortell wasn''t having any of it. Her eyes burned with obsession, cutting through Lilith''s words as if they were nothing more than excuses. "Don''t give me that crap!" she snapped, her gaze locked on Lilith, piercing and unyielding. "I know what your academy has done to her. Everyone has a problem with her, for no reason. No one wants her to be near me! Your teachers must''ve pushed her too hard, punished her, trained her like a beast until she couldn''t take it anymore. That''s why she ran!" Lortell''s voice rose in intensity, her feelings pouring out without restraint. Her obsession with Esdeath was clear in her every word and movement. She hugged herself, her voice softening into something twisted and delusional. "Yes, yes¡­ that must be it. My poor Esdeath, She is delicate as a flower, and you brutes tried to break her." Her eyes fluttered closed as she turned slightly, as though retreating into her own world. Her breath came faster, more shallow, and her words became an intimate murmur. "Poor esdeath?, Which world you are living in? ", Lilith chuckled bitterly but lortell didn''t even bothered hear her voice, She was still in her own world. "Oh, my Esdeath¡­ her soft hands, her perfect curves, her body that melts at the slightest touch," Lortell''s voice turned sultry, her obsession now fully consuming her. "That pillow-like ass, That sinks as soon as you grab them¡­ those inverted nipples that bloom under my touch, the way they feel when I bite down on them¡ª" She started recalling the memories of ten years ago, The night she spend with Esdeath. Her fingers traced along her body as if lost in her fantasy, her lips parting as she gasped with pleasure. "Mnhhh~ Esdeath," she moaned, her mind wholly absorbed by thoughts of the girl she adored. Her other hand began to move lower, edging toward the most intimate parts of herself as she reveled in her vivid daydream, unbothered by Lilith''s presence, "Ahh~, I wanna fuck you in academy uniform",. Lilith''s patience snapped. Her expression darkened, frustration and disgust mixing on her young face. Red marks appeared on her forehead as she grabbed a ruby stone from the table and hurled it at Lortell. "Stop masturbating in front of me!" Star Constellations Red marks appeared on Lilith''s forehead as her irritation boiled over. Without thinking, she grabbed the nearest object, a ruby stone, and hurled it at Lortell with all her strength. "Stop masturbating in front of me!" she shouted, her voice high-pitched with frustration. Lortell blinked and slowly turned around, her expression grim. "I was your personal teacher! For heaven''s sake, show me some respect!" Lilith yelled, her tiny body trembling with rage. Lortell''s expression darkened. "So what? You didn''t do me any great charity by that," she snapped. "My father gave you a ton of resources in return. Don''t act like I owe you anything," she added with a dismissive snort, her voice dripping with contempt as she strode toward Lilith. Lortell loomed over Lilith, her tall figure casting a shadow over the small girl. Lilith looked up, her frustration momentarily replaced by a tiny flicker of apprehension. Lortell leaned in closer, bending down slightly so their faces were only inches apart. Lortell''s piercing red eyes locked onto Lilith''s silver ones, the tension thick between them. "Ten days," Lortell whispered, her voice low and menacing. "I''m giving you ten fucking days to find her, or on the eleventh day, I''ll kill you¡­ and burn this entire academy to the ground." Without waiting for a reply, Lortell straightened up and stormed out of the room, her footsteps echoing ominously as she disappeared from sight. Lilith stood there in stunned silence, watching Lortell''s retreating figure. The room felt heavy with the weight of her threat. The moment the door slammed shut, Lilith''s anger flared up again. She kicked the table with all her might, yelling into the empty room, "Ten days, or I''ll kill you! Blah blah blah!" Lilith shouted, her little legs kicking the table again for good measure. -------- "Phew, so where are we going again?" Maruti asked, squinting up at the sun as it blazed overhead. The two girls were walking through the outskirts of the bustling city, heading into nowhere. Esdeath was dressed casually, a hoodie covering most of her face, and she wore a pair of vercity shorts that barely reached halfway down her thighs. The shorts were so short that the thin straps of the thong she was wearing, bought during her shopping trip with Luna, peeked out from the sides, leaving little to the imagination. S§×arch* The N?velFire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Maruti, on the other hand, was in a loose white T-shirt, clearly still in her night clothes. The top of her bra was visible beneath the shirt, and it was obvious that her large breasts strained against the fabric, as if they might tear through at any moment. Esdeath glanced around at the busy marketplace before turning to Maruti. "What are you going to do with that information?" she asked, her voice calm and slightly teasing. Maruti groaned, rolling her eyes in frustration. "Ugh! Come on, don''t be like that! We ran from the academy early in the morning, and you won''t even tell me why? I mean, look at me! I''m still in my night clothes!" She gestured down at her outfit dramatically. Unable to bear Maruti''s constant whining, Esdeath sighed and finally answered, "We''re going to Seven King''s Mountain." At the mention of Seven King''s Mountain, Maruti''s eyes widened in shock. "Seven King''s Mountain?" she exclaimed, recognizing the name. Even though she hadn''t played *Free Life Fantasy* for long, she knew enough to understand the danger. The Seven King''s Mountain was infamous, situated just before the entrance to the demon realm. The mountains formed a half-circle, each peak linked to the next, creating a formidable natural barrier. For most people, the Seven King''s Mountain was just as dangerous as the demon realm itself. The area was ruled by seven powerful demons, with the strongest, a female demon, controlling the others. Setting foot there was practically a death sentence. "Why would you want to go there? Are you trying to sneak into the demon realm illegally?" Maruti asked, her voice filled with concern. The only legal way into the demon realm was through the heavily guarded borders, where adventurers and travelers needed special permission to pass. Using Seven King''s Mountain as a shortcut was a dangerous and illegal alternative. But Esdeath''s next words only deepened Maruti''s confusion. "No," Esdeath said, shaking her head as they continued to walk. "I said we''re going to the Seven King''s Mountain." Maruti hurried ahead, blocking Esdeath''s path. "But it''ll take about three months to get there by foot Or carriage! You left a letter saying we''d be back before the competition. How is that even possible?" Esdeath smirked, a confident glint in her eyes. "Oh, I know that. We''re using portal crystals. They''re expensive, but I have enough money saved up." Her tone grew more serious as she continued. "And just because we left a letter doesn''t mean the academy won''t send people to find us. They''ll think we''ve been kidnapped or something. There are a lot of possibilities, which is why we need to move fast." Esdeath''s eyes narrowed as she laid out her plan, her mind racing with calculations. The path to Seven King''s Mountain was straightforward but long. Esdeath and Maruti were currently in the farthest corner of Anastasia Kingdom, a remote area that housed the Awakened Academy''s main branch. Usually, the primary academies were built in the heart of kingdoms, near the capital. However, the Anastasia Kingdom''s academy was unique, located near the edge of the kingdom for one important reason: the Great Forest. The Great Forest, which bordered the academy, also led to the demon realm. It was invaluable for practical training, where students could test their skills in a real-world environment, and many ventured there to discover hidden demon inheritances. However, since Esdeath and Maruti were only first-year students, they hadn''t yet been given the opportunity to enter the forest. Now, back to their current mission. Seven King''s Mountain was located in the exact opposite corner of the kingdom, miles away from the academy. Their first step was to reach the capital of Anastasia Kingdom. Once there, they could use a teleportation portal to instantly travel to the Seven King''s Mountain, saving them months of travel time. Esdeath had other plans for the capital too. Knowing that the marketplace in the capital was filled with rare essence stones, she was already thinking of which ones to buy, hoping to stock up on valuable materials for their journey. But first, they needed to get to the capital, which meant taking a train. In this world, trains existed but were reserved for long-distance travel. These trains resembled the old-world steam engines but ran on mana stones instead of coal. Powerful and fast, they would be Esdeath and Maruti''s best bet to reach the capital. As Esdeath and Maruti continued their walk, they soon passed by a large church. The building itself was grand, with tall spires and beautifully crafted stonework. Outside, there was a peaceful garden, and standing at the heart of it was a magnificent statue of Goddess Seraphine. Though carved from stone, the statue captured the ethereal beauty of the goddess, with flowing robes and delicate features that seemed almost alive. Even Esdeath, with her usual calm demeanor, couldn''t help but appreciate the craftsmanship. But Maruti, ever playful, couldn''t resist making a cheeky comment. "Is that Goddess Seraphine''s statue? Look at her, she''s got huge melons!" she snickered. Esdeath shot her a sharp look, clearly irritated. "Aren''t yours bigger too?" she snapped, her voice laced with sarcasm. Maruti either didn''t hear or simply chose to ignore the retort. She skipped ahead before falling back in step with Esdeath. Her curiosity soon shifted to another topic. "You still haven''t told me how the star constellations were born! We have plenty of time now, so how about telling me?" Her wide, puppy-like eyes made it impossible to say no. Esdeath sighed heavily, giving Maruti a sideways glance, but eventually relented. "It''s simple, really," she said, her lips curling into an almost mischievous smile. "The birth of constellations is like the beauty of nature, woven with magic." Maruti raised an eyebrow, clearly intrigued and eager for more. Esdeath continued, her tone growing more serious. "All creatures need someone to follow. No one can survive without putting their trust in another. We all need someone stronger, someone we see as more worthy than ourselves, to rely on." "And when those worthy individuals shoulder too many responsibilities, They seek someone even more superior beings and those superior do the same, looking for even stronger individuals,They can belive in. And that is how all kings are created and it is also how gods are born.. " "Through the desire to find something greater. It''s a never-ending search for power and protection,In other words, "Worshiping", When everyone starts thinking that person as God, A day comes when, That person leaves his mortal body and becomes a star constellation" Maruti blinked, processing Esdeath''s explanation with a thoughtful frown, but then her eyes lit up with a playful idea. "So, that means Goddess Seraphine was like an idol? Like Michael Jackson or BTS or Blackpink or..or..Critiano ronaldo with a massive fan following?" she asked, her voice laced with curiosity and amusement. Esdeath immediately slapped her forehead, clearly exasperated by the comparison. "No! Ugh.... I guess I''ll have to tell you the legend of Goddess of humanity ", Exams…. I''m sorry guys a problem and sworn enemy of every students has appeared. Yeah¨CExams.... My exam has started and i need to focus on study a little because this morning i didn''t even know how many subject are gonna appear in exam or even name of every subjects. Yeah, I''m completely doomed ?, I''m just trying my best to pass. And the end date is 11 oct....so wish me luck guys...and i hope you understand about my situation and don''t abandon this book for late updates. And yeah hears good news, After the exams there''s will be holiday for about a week, So yeah very frequent updates and i might relase two chapters at once. And Yo!, again bad news because from November, My main exams, In short semester exams will start, So I''m cooked ?. Let''s pray that I will come back alive. Sear?h the n?vel_Fire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Legend Of Goddess Of Humanity–(Long Chapter) Hundreds of thousands of years ago, before kingdoms or the reign of demons, the world was divided into tribes rather than nations. In this ancient time, humanity faced threats from powerful beasts and restless spirits rather than the demons that would one day emerge. The social structure was simple¡ªsmall, mid-scale, large, and above all, the super-tribes, which wielded the greatest influence. Among the most revered and powerful, one of these tribes was the Seraphine tribe, ruled by a beautiful woman named Savitri Seraphine. She was the epitome of grace, her golden hair and golden eyes shining like a goddess, her beauty renowned across the world. She was said to be the most beautiful woman of her era, her elegance and charm so captivating that every man desired her hand in marriage. Some believed she could have easily created a reverse harem if she wished, as her beauty held sway over hearts across every tribe. S~ea??h the N??elFir§×.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Despite the legions of powerful suitors, to everyone''s shock, Savitri fell in love with someone unexpected¡ªa simple servant named Satyavan. He had no noble title, no extraordinary abilities, not even a family name, but he had a pure heart and a gentle, honest nature that deeply touched her. Satyavan was an ordinary man, a lowly servant with no magical awakening or special powers, but Savitri saw in him what no one else did. When the time came for Savitri to ascend to the throne of the Seraphine tribe, she did something that no one could have anticipated. She proposed to Satyavan, asking him to be her husband. The world was stunned by the news. How could the heir of the mighty Seraphine tribe¡ªa woman desired by so many¡ªchoose a mere servant as her partner? But for Savitri, it wasn''t about status or power. Satyavan''s kindness, sincerity, and the way he cherished her as a person, not just for her looks, was what won her heart. Their marriage became a sensation. Word of the union spread quickly, despite the limited communication methods of the time, igniting envy and outrage across the world. The men who once dreamed of marrying Savitri now burned with jealousy. Satyavan became the sworn enemy of every man who had ever hoped to win her favor. He was hated not for who he was, but for what he represented¡ªthe unattainable dream of being with Savitri. As days turned into months, Satyavan and Savitri faced more challenges than they had ever imagined. Despite their love, the world was not kind to them. The envy of those who couldn''t bear to see a servant as the queen''s husband turned into cruel schemes. Assassination attempts became so frequent that it almost became routine. People close to Savitri, even her own trusted servants, began betraying her, trying to harm Satyavan in secret. Although many loyal to the queen stood by their side, protecting him, there was only so much Savitri could do. Satyavan was not an awakened individual, and his lack of powers made him an easy target. After five long years of constant threats, the inevitable finally happened. One fateful day, one of the enemies succeeded in their plan. Satyavan was killed. The moment Savitri saw his lifeless body, her world shattered. It was like a bolt of lightning had struck her, leaving her breathless and in disbelief. How could she go on without him? Her heart ached with unbearable grief, and for a fleeting moment, she thought of joining him in death, burning the world along with her. But her will, as strong as iron, refused to bend. Tears poured from her eyes as she knelt beside his still body, touching his face gently, the warmth of his life fading. She sobbed uncontrollably, her body trembling with the weight of her pain. But deep inside, something stirred, a fire of defiance that would not be extinguished. "I won''t let them win. I won''t let this be our ending," she whispered through her sobs, wiping her tears with one determined swipe. Her eyes flared with resolve, her face hardening with a new purpose. "No! I will not accept this. I''ll bring my husband back to life, no matter what it takes!" she shouted, her voice full of anger and desperation. Her words echoed through the hall, and everyone around her¡ªmaids, guards, and council members¡ªgasped in shock. It was an impossible declaration. If Satyavan had been an awakened person, there might have been a way to resurrect him. But reviving a normal man who had already passed? It was madness. Whispers filled the air. Had their beloved queen lost her mind in her grief? Had Satyavan''s death driven her to foolishness? Savitri, despite the murmurs and doubts of those around her, didn''t waver. In her heart, she already knew the answer to her grief¡ªshe would seek out the wisdom of Lord Parshuram. Lord Parshuram was no ordinary sage. Though he lived as a saint, he was always seen with his axe, Parshu, held firmly in his right hand. The two had a history, one that stretched back to Savitri''s childhood. She had once wandered off into the forest, lost and afraid. It was Parshuram who had found her, protected her, and guided her back. Even after returning to her tribe, Savitri sought him out regularly. Under his tutelage, she learned not only combat skills and martial arts but also the wisdom of battle tactics¡ªknowledge that shaped her into the warrior queen she would become. Now, in her time of despair, she was certain that Parshuram would hold the answers she sought. ----- "Lord Parshuram, please enlighten this disciple of yours onto the right path," Savitri pleaded, bowing low, her forehead touching the ground. Despite being a queen, her reverence for the sage was clear, addressing him as "Lord" and humbling herself before him. They stood in the heart of the forest, the quiet air around them thick with unspoken grief. Parshuram, an elderly man with a long, flowing beard, sat before her, dressed in a simple monk''s robe. His aura, however, was anything but simple. "Do not bow your head," Parshuram''s voice was firm yet warm, "You are like a daughter to me. There is no need to hesitate when asking something of your father. Please, do not disrespect me by lowering yourself so." Savitri slowly lifted her head, tears still streaming down her face, unable to contain the overwhelming emotions surging within her. Parshuram, already aware of her heartache and loss, spoke gently, his voice layered with both wisdom and warning. "I can help you, but what I will tell you goes against the very laws of nature. Once I reveal this knowledge, you will never be able to see me again. Do you accept this?" he asked, his gaze deep and unwavering. For a brief moment, Savitri paused, the weight of his words heavy on her shoulders. But then, with renewed determination, she bowed her head again. "I know I cannot apologize enough for this. I know the value of having you in my life is priceless. One of your greatest teachings was to never become too greedy, but... my heart and soul already belong to someone else. I have become too greedy, and I have failed your expectations." Parshuram listened, his expression softening rather than showing any sign of anger or disappointment. A small, understanding smile crept across his face. "There are times when greed can be a powerful force for good," he said, his voice calm and reassuring. "Now that you have chosen your path, don''t allow that greed to falter. Walk this road with conviction. I will tell you the way to bring your husband back to life." Parshuram''s voice was calm and steady as he said, "Grant Wish Essence Stone." Savitri''s eyes widened with confusion, her heart pounding as she raised her head and sat back, trying to understand. "Grant Wish Essence Stone?" she echoed, the words foreign and puzzling. "Yes," Parshuram replied, his tone still indifferent. "Once you refine it and use it, you''ll be able to summon a being capable of granting any wish. But remember, even that being cannot go against the laws of nature. It won''t give you things like true immortality or bring a normal person back to life," he explained. Savitri''s brow furrowed. "Then how can I bring my husband back to life?" she asked, her voice tinged with frustration. Parshuram''s lips curled into a small smile. "That''s for you to figure out. You can''t make your wish directly. You''ll have to approach it in an indirect way, and only you can think of that path," he said. Savitri remained silent, absorbing his words. She knew better than to press further. Parshuram then began to reveal the recipe for the Grant Wish Essence Stone. The list of ingredients and steps seemed endless. Parshuram spoke for half an hour straight, detailing every component. And as he explained, he made it clear¡ªhe would only say this once, and then he would disappear forever. Savitri had to remember everything after hearing it just one time. When the final word of the recipe was spoken, there was a soft "swosh," and Parshuram vanished before her eyes. The forest was quiet again, leaving Savitri alone with her thoughts and the enormous task ahead of her. Her heart raced, not with fear, but with determination. Savitri wasted no time once she returned to her tribe, her heart burning with determination. She gathered her people and urgently commanded them to search for the elusive Longevity Essence Stones. These stones, rare and incredibly valuable, were ranked from D to A, each rank increasing in power. Rank D stones could extend life by ten years, Rank C up to a hundred years, and Rank B stones by five hundred years. But the most powerful of them all¡ªRank A stones¡ªcould stretch a lifespan by a full thousand years. Savitri needed nothing less than the highest rank if she was to accomplish her goal. For twenty long years, her tribe scoured the land, searching tirelessly for Longevity Essence Stones. The journey was grueling, but Savitri''s will never wavered. One by one, they found stones of lower ranks, but she was not satisfied. She needed the Rank A stone, and at last, after two decades, she finally managed to refine one. With the stone in hand, Savitri extended her life by a thousand years, her spirit strengthened and her resolve unshaken. But the battle was far from over. With her newfound time, she set her sights on her ultimate goal¡ªrefining the Grant Wish Essence Stone. Her quest was long and brutal. She fought in countless battles, annihilating tribes and forging a path through the world. Her reputation as a warrior queen spread far and wide. Many sought her hand in marriage, but she refused them all, her heart still tied to the love she had lost. Nothing could distract her from her mission. After one hundred and fifty years of searching, fighting, and gathering the necessary ingredients, at the age of 195, she finally had everything she needed. Without hesitation, she left her tribe and traveled to the towering Himalaya Mountains, where she would refine the Grant Wish Essence Stone. At the very peak of the Himalaya Mountains, Savitri sat cross-legged, surrounded by storage essence stones filled with rare essence stones and countless other ingredients. Her task was clear¡ªrefine the Grant Wish Essence Stone, no matter the cost. As soon as she began, the skies responded. Dark clouds gathered, lightning cracked through them, and the ground beneath her trembled as if struck by waves of countless earthquakes. It felt as if heaven and earth were in turmoil, breaking apart under the sheer power of the refining process. Yet, Savitri remained unmoved, her mind focused and her body steady. Seasons came and went, testing her resolve. Torrential rain soaked her from head to toe, but she didn''t flinch. A scorching summer followed, with sweltering heat that could break the strongest of wills. But still, she did not move. And as time passed, cold, unforgiving snow covered the mountain, piling upon her, yet Savitri refused to be distracted. Slowly, the river of time flowed onward. Five hundred years passed, unnoticed by anyone in the world below. The kingdom she left behind assumed she was dead, as she had vanished without a trace. Only her legendary battles remained in the hearts of those who remembered her. On the mountain, Savitri''s body had been buried beneath layers of dirt and mud. Her form, once radiant, had become part of the cliff itself, her face hidden under the earth. Then, finally, after centuries of unwavering focus, a mystical light appeared. The clouds above shifted into a rainbow of colors, and the air itself seemed to shimmer with anticipation. The moment had arrived¡ªSavitri had successfully refined the Grant Wish Essence Stone. The stone took the form of a white buffalo''s head, with two simple horns. However, what made it truly extraordinary was the glowing halo that floated above it, marking it as a divine creation. The stone, roughly the size of a basketball, pulsed with a power beyond imagination. As the dirt and mud cracked away from her body, Savitri stood tall, her muscles stiff from centuries of stillness. A smile of triumph spread across her face¡ªshe had done it. Without wasting a single moment, she reached for the essence stone, ready to use it. Savitri gathered all her mana and activated the Grant Wish Essence Stone, her hands trembling as she channeled every last bit of her energy into it. Instantly, the very fabric of reality seemed to crack open. The air in front of her rippled, and suddenly a jagged tear appeared in space and time. Her breath caught as she watched, eyes wide in disbelief, as a hand emerged from the rift, followed by the figure of a towering being. This being, made entirely of cosmic energy, radiated an otherworldly blue light. His form was that of a muscular middle-aged man, yet his presence was far beyond anything she had ever felt. His aura was so powerful, so overwhelming, that it was as if the entire world bent around him. Savitri could only stare, her heart racing. He looked down at her for a moment, his gaze piercing but calm, and then spoke with a voice that was both gentle and commanding. "Speak, child. What is your desire? But remember, I cannot grant you something like true immortality," he said, his words filled with the weight of universal law. Without hesitation, Savitri''s eyes lit up with determination. "I don''t seek immortality," she replied firmly. "I just want my husband back!" Her voice wavered, but the fire in her heart did not. The cosmic being paused, falling into deep thought. He scratched his head thoughtfully before responding, "I am truly sorry, but that is also against the law of nature. Your husband was a mortal. If he had been an awakened being, I could have done something, for they go to the Gate of Judgment, Heaven, or Hell. But your husband, as a normal man, has gone to the Hollow Land, where there is no return. In time, he will become part of the essence that replenishes heaven and earth. This is nature''s law, and it cannot be broken." Savitri''s heart shattered. Tears welled up in her eyes, and she collapsed to the ground in despair. "No!" she cried out, her voice breaking. "I want my husband back! Bring him back!" Her pleas echoed across the mountain, but the being remained firm. "I cannot," he said softly, his tone filled with regret. "Please, wish for something else." But Savitri wasn''t ready to give up. Parshuram''s words echoed in her mind¡ª"Only you can find the way." She paced back and forth in desperation, trying to think of a solution. Time passed, and without her realizing it, a whole month had gone by with the cosmic being silently watching over her. Suddenly, an idea struck her. Her eyes lit up with renewed hope as she turned to the being. "Yes! I don''t have to wish directly for him to return¡­ I have one wish!" she declared, her voice filled with confidence, as a spark of possibility glimmered in her mind. Savitri turned to the cosmic being, her heart racing with excitement. "O Great Deity, grant me this wish..." She paused, taking a deep breath as the idea solidified in her mind. "I wish to bear three children by my husband," she declared with determination. The cosmic being scoffed, a smirk tugging at the corners of his mouth. "Wish of having kids? Hmph...Such a simple wish? Granted!" he said dismissively. His body began to fade into thin air, as the laws of nature required that he disappear once the wish was fulfilled. But as he started to vanish, his eyes widened with sudden realization. He had been tricked. Savitri''s wish to bear her husband''s children required her husband to be alive. Without him, how could she conceive? Her wish, though indirect, demanded that he be brought back to life. "Tricks... such cowardly tricks!" he shouted in rage, his once calm cosmic-blue eyes turning a furious red. As his form began to fully dissolve, his voice rang out one last time, filled with spite. "I curse you! Your children will only bring disaster to this world!" Despite his angry words, Savitri paid no attention. She brushed off the curse as if it had no meaning, her focus entirely on the moment she had long waited for. Then, in a flash of light, the space before her twisted and shimmered. The form of her husband, Satyavan, slowly appeared, his body whole and alive once again. After over six hundred years, they were reunited. Savitri couldn''t contain her joy. She ran to him, embracing him tightly, tears of happiness streaming down her face. Satyavan smiled warmly, returning her embrace with love and affection. Together, they returned to her tribe, and the world trembled with the news of their reunion. It was as if a divine miracle had occurred, and soon word spread across the lands. People hailed her as a goddess, the one who had defied death and brought her husband back to life. Her fame soared beyond imagination, and she became the most revered figure of her time. Upon reclaiming her throne, she expanded her territory across the known world, becoming a ruler without equal¡ªa woman who had conquered everything. This time, no one dared harm her beloved Satyavan. She was worshiped as an angel, a fallen divine being, and countless people prayed in her name. Years passed, and eventually, Savitri became pregnant. When the time came, not with twins, but with triplets, her joy knew no bounds. However, when the maids held her newborns in their hands, their eyes widened in shock. When Savitri laid eyes on her newborns, she was filled with awe and confusion. All three of her sons had different appearances, but two features stood out as eerily similar. First, they were all boys. Second, their eyes glowed a vivid red¡ªeach with its own unsettling intensity. Aside from this, they couldn''t have looked more different from one another. The first child had dark blue hair, contrasting sharply with his piercing red eyes. His pupils were unlike any human''s¡ªthey were slit like a snake''s, or perhaps even like a dragon''s. He also had large, sharp fangs peeking out from his mouth, giving him an animalistic appearance. He was the first of his kind, a being who would later become known as the first wolf-man, **Lycaon**. The second child looked completely different. His hair was silver-white, shimmering like moonlight, and his skin was pale, almost ghostly. His red eyes were more normal than his brother''s, but his beauty was striking. Even as a baby, it was clear that he would grow into a breathtakingly handsome man. This child would be known as the first vampire, **Cain**. The third and final child had the most chilling presence of all. His hair was as black as night, and his red eyes were far darker than those of his brothers. His aura was filled with an overwhelming sense of gloom, as if he carried a shadow with him wherever he went. His sclera¡ªthe whites of his eyes¡ªwere pitch black, and beneath his crimson gaze, his pupils bore strange, multiple ring-like shapes that seemed to spin in a hypnotic, eerie manner. This child was unlike anything the world had ever seen; he was the first true demon, destined to become the **Demon King, Aurora**. Like Father, Like Daughter Esdeath and Maruti were walking through the bustling streets, Maruti''s curiosity getting the better of her as she eagerly asked, "What happened after that?" Esdeath, instead of answering, came to a halt and glanced up at the sky for a moment, a subtle smirk playing on her lips. "We''ve arrived," she said, her voice calm and composed, "Let''s continue this story another time." Maruti followed her gaze to see they had reached the station. The platform was crowded, bustling with people in expensive clothes, clearly from wealthy backgrounds, as they prepared for their respective journeys. Mixed among them were groups of slaves, bound in chains and being escorted onto different trains. Slavery was still a common sight, as long as it followed the legal boundaries of society. What truly caught Esdeath''s attention was the massive board at the entrance of the station. Written in bold letters were the words, **"Use of magic and essence stones is prohibited."** It was a clear reminder of the strict regulations that kept the power of magic in check within certain public spaces. They stepped onto the station grounds, weaving through the crowd as they searched for the platform where their train would arrive. Esdeath had been practical, already prepared with their tickets, which she had bought in advance. They would be traveling in second class¡ªnot as luxurious as first or business class, but it was what they could afford for now. Money was tight, and Esdeath knew every coin mattered. After few minutes they arrived at their plateform and started waiting for their train. As Esdeath and Maruti stood at the station, waiting for their train, something unexpected happened. A folded paper appeared, fluttering in the air before them. The paper was crimson with golden borders, clearly something of great importance. It hovered in front of them, gently spinning in the air. Esdeath''s eyes widened slightly as she recognized it immediately. "A Golden Flying Letter Essence," she thought, noting its rank. It was a powerful, rank "B" essence stone used for sending messages over vast distances. For a brief moment, a sense of unease crept over Esdeath. "Have they already found us?" she wondered, her thoughts racing. But then, she quickly dismissed the idea. "To use a Golden Flying Letter, the sender would need something personal¡ªlike hair or blood of the recipient. Or, they must have a blood relation," she reasoned. "There''s no way the academy has my blood or hair, so why would this letter be here?" The letter began attracting attention from the nearby crowd, something Esdeath wanted to avoid. Her sharp eyes tracked its movements as it floated near her. She reached out to grab it, wanting to stop the commotion, but to her surprise, the letter evaded her hand and floated backward, refusing to be touched. "What?" she muttered under her breath, confused. "Is this letter not meant for me?" Before she could think further, the letter drifted gently toward Maruti and came to rest on her shoulder. Maruti''s face was a mix of surprise and confusion. "Is this letter for me?" she whispered, bewildered by the situation. She reached up, took the letter in her hands, and immediately unfolded it to read the contents. Her expression shifted from curiosity to complete disbelief, her lips twisting into a strange, half-amused, half-annoyed smirk. "What the hell is this?" she muttered under her breath, shaking her head as though she''d just read the most ridiculous thing. Esdeath, still puzzled by the situation, raised an eyebrow. "What''s in the letter?" she asked, but before she could say more, Maruti interrupted. sea??h th§× N??eFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "If the train arrives, go ahead and board. I''ll be back before it leaves," Maruti said quickly, her voice unusually serious. Without waiting for a response, she turned around and hurried away, leaving Esdeath standing there with more questions than answers. Esdeath stood at the station, waiting and waiting, but there was no sign of Maruti. She had even tried looking around a bit but couldn''t find her anywhere. The train, an old-fashioned steam engine with clouds of white smoke billowing from its chimney, finally arrived, its loud whistle echoing across the platform. Looking around one last time, Esdeath sighed and made her way into the second-class carriage. "I''ll just find our seat and wait there," she thought to herself as she entered the train, hoping Maruti would return soon. The carriage was modest but comfortable, filled with passengers ready for their own journeys. Meanwhile, from the business class section of the train, two women stepped out. The first was a striking figure¡ªdressed in a black blindfold and a matching black dress, she held an open umbrella despite the clear sky. This was none other than Meldia, the Dark Nun. Her calm and eerie presence immediately drew the attention of those nearby as she waited patiently for someone else. Moments later, another woman exited. With silver hair cascading down her shoulders, a red dress hugging her elegant figure, and sunglasses shielding her face, she was just as stunning. Even through the sunglasses, the sharp glint of her crimson eyes was noticeable, glowing in the bright daylight. This woman was Lortell, regal and commanding. In mere seconds, they became the center of attention, heads turning to catch a glimpse of them. "When will Verdes and the others arrive?" Lortell asked, her tone clipped as she adjusted her sunglasses. "Probably tomorrow. We came in such a rush that you didn''t even bring your academy uniform," Meldia replied, suggesting they head to the palace and rest for a few days. But Lortell shook her head firmly. "No, we''re going to the academy right now." Her decision was final, leaving no room for discussion. Meldia simply nodded in agreement, silently following her lead. Unbeknownst to both of them, Esdeath had boarded the same train moments earlier. Despite being so close, neither of them realized the other''s presence. As Lortell and Meldia departed for the academy, Esdeath settled into her seat, waiting for whatever was to come next. ---------------- Inside the office, Lilith sat behind her large, imposing desk, her small hands resting on top of neatly stacked papers. Despite her youthful appearance, which made her look no older than a 13-year-old girl, her serious expression told a different story. She had the kind of authority that commanded the room, making it clear that she was no ordinary child. The door suddenly creaked open, and Lilith''s secretary entered with a stack of files in her arms. "Vice Principal, here''s the report on all three of them," she said, her voice calm as she handed over the files to Lilith. Lilith picked up the files, listening intently as the secretary continued. "I checked their backgrounds several times, but there''s nothing unusual about Ethan and Esdeath. They seem like ordinary students¡ªno hidden secrets or extraordinary history to explain their impressive skills," she explained before her tone shifted, becoming more serious. "But this girl, Maruti... she''s different." A sly smile crept onto the secretary''s face. Lilith raised an eyebrow in curiosity and opened Maruti''s file. Her eyes quickly scanned the document, and as she read, her lips curled slightly in surprise. "Oh¡­ well, this certainly explains her raw power," she thought, feeling a mix of intrigue and frustration. She placed the file down on her desk and let out a soft sigh, pressing her hand against her forehead. "Like father, like daughter," Lilith muttered under her breath, exhaling deeply. Her thoughts raced, already forming strategies. She glanced up at her secretary, her face returning to its usual serious demeanor. "You''re dismissed," she ordered calmly. Without a word, the secretary nodded and exited the room, closing the door softly behind her. But just a few moments later, the door swung open again. The secretary hurried back in, her face slightly tense. "Vice Principal, Lady Mariette has returned from the monster subjugation mission. She requests to see you," she announced. Lilith nodded immediately, her sharp eyes showing no hesitation. "Bring her in," she commanded firmly, her voice filled with authority. Kidnapped As Esdeath sat in her seat, she waited patiently for the train to start moving. Eventually, the train''s wheels began to turn slowly, the rumble of the engine filling the air. Esdeath let out a sigh of disappointment. "I guess I''ll have to go out and slap her for making the trip late," she muttered to herself, already planning to jump off the train before it gained too much speed. She stood up and walked toward the train''s door, ready to leap out. But just as she reached the door, her eyes caught sight of Maruti, running frantically toward the train, her large breasts bouncing as she sprinted. Esdeath finally felt a bit of relief. "Phew, you''re finally here. Take my hand!" she called out, extending her arm toward Maruti. Maruti picked up speed, running as fast as she could to catch up with the moving train. She reached out, grabbing Esdeath''s hand just in time. With a firm pull, Esdeath hoisted Maruti onto the train. As soon as she was safely aboard, Maruti doubled over, gasping for air. She had been running for a while to make it to the station on time. "Cough... cough..." Maruti sputtered, still catching her breath. She hurried to the opposite door to spit, clearly exhausted. Esdeath said nothing, though she was about to scold her for being late. But before she could turn around, her eyes caught sight of something else¡ªthree more people were desperately running toward the train, trying to make it before it left the station. "Oh, I guess today is my day for doing good deeds!" Esdeath smirked, extending her hand toward the approaching figures. "Take my hand! I''ll pull you up!" she shouted. The three runners, grateful for her help, smiled with relief. One by one, they grabbed Esdeath''s hand, and with her strength, she pulled them onto the train with ease. sea??h th§× N??eFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. All three of the men Esdeath had helped onto the train were tall, middle-aged, and dressed in casual clothes. Despite their size¡ªeach of them standing at least six feet five inches tall¡ªthey seemed surprisingly light when Esdeath pulled them up. Even though she was tall herself, Esdeath barely reached their shoulders. Oddly, unlike Maruti, the men didn''t even seem winded. It was as if they hadn''t used up any stamina at all. "Dhanyavaad (Thank you)," one of the men said, placing his large hand on Esdeath''s shoulder. Esdeath frowned, confused. "What did you just say?" she asked, not understanding a word of it. "Whatever, we''re done here," she muttered, brushing it off as she turned back toward Maruti. Maruti had finally stopped coughing and turned to face them. But as soon as her eyes landed on the three men inside the train, her expression changed drastically. Her eyes widened in shock, and her mouth hung open slightly. Without saying a word, Maruti quickly sat down in her window seat, her eyes glued to the outside as if trying to avoid the situation. Esdeath was confused by Maruti''s reaction. She sat down in front of her, also on the window side, and glanced back at the men. To her annoyance, the three men casually took seats as well¡ªtwo sitting beside Maruti and the other beside Esdeath. Esdeath''s temper flared. She shot up from her seat, glaring at the men. "Yo! Misters, just because I helped you get on the train doesn''t mean you can take our seats! Get up!" she shouted. But the men didn''t respond. They sat there as if they hadn''t heard her. Esdeath turned to Maruti, still confused. "Hey, they''re not listening. You deal with that one, and I''ll beat up this one!" she said with a smirk, ready to fight. But Maruti''s expression was dull, lacking any of her usual energy. "I think you should let them sit," she replied quietly, avoiding eye contact. "What?" Esdeath blinked, completely puzzled. Then, one of the men stood up. He placed his hand on Esdeath''s shoulder, and in a calm voice said, "Bahot bolti hai tu (You talk too much)," pressing down on her shoulder with surprising force. In an instant, Esdeath found herself slammed back into her seat. "Such strength," she gasped in shock. She hadn''t expected that level of power from a simple touch. Swiftly, she slid sideways in her seat, turning to Maruti with an uneasy smile. "Do you know who these guys are?" she asked, her confidence shaken for the first time. Maruti gave an uneasy smile, like she was trying to hide her mistake. "They were sent by my father. I didn''t realize that the girl whose body I''m possessing had run away from her marriage and came here to the academy to hide. Since their power can''t reach into the academy, they''ve been waiting for me to step outside. I barely escaped them, but thanks to your ''heroic deed,'' now we''re kidnapped," she said with a hint of annoyance. Esdeath blinked, realizing she had extended her hand and helped them onto the train without knowing who they really were. "Why don''t we just fight them? What if we have a chance to win?" Esdeath asked, still thinking of a way out. Maruti sighed. "They''re concealing their aura, but all three of them are Rank C Awakened." "Oh... crap," Esdeath muttered under her breath. A single Rank C Awakened was nearly impossible to beat, let alone three of them. The chances of winning were basically zero. "We can talk to each other freely though," Maruti said, "they don''t understand our language." Esdeath was still puzzled, but she couldn''t accept defeat that easily. She quickly got up, determined to try something else. In the middle of the moving train, she went to find help. A few moments later, Esdeath returned with a man in tow. "Sir, these two guys don''t have tickets and they''re threatening us!" she said sweetly, putting on her best innocent act. The man she brought was the ticket checker. Wanting to look impressive in front of Esdeath, he immediately got fired up. Marching toward the three men, he grabbed the collar of one of them. "Hey! Threatening innocent girls? You better get off at the next station, or else!" he shouted, his voice full of anger. Esdeath watched the scene unfold with a sly smirk. "Hehe... Ticket checkers are legal enforcers. Attacking him will be considered a huge crime. There''s no way they''d risk breaking the kingdom''s rules!" she thought, confident in her plan. But to her shock, the next moment, a loud **BAM** echoed through the train. Esdeath''s eyes widened in horror as she saw the man whose collar the ticket checker had grabbed swing his fist. His punch landed squarely on the ticket checker''s face, and with one brutal strike, the man''s face exploded like a balloon, blood spraying everywhere¡ªeven splattering across Esdeath''s face. "Ahhh! He killed him!" passengers screamed in fear, and chaos erupted as people began running toward different sections of the train. Esdeath stood frozen for a second, her mind racing as the situation spiraled out of control. Victim Of Bully Esdeath froze for a moment, her mind racing as chaos erupted around her. Blood spattered across her face, warm and sticky, while the passengers screamed and scrambled in panic. She wiped the blood away with her hand. One thing she knew for sure¡ªnobody could harm her as long as they were bound by the rules. Breaking the academy''s or kingdom''s rules meant punishment, and no one wanted that, right? But what if someone didn''t care about the rules? As she watched that man brutally kill the ticket checker without hesitation, not even thinking about the consequences. The others could call the guards at the next station, but this man seemed utterly fearless. He didn''t care. "Crap! Our strength isn''t enough to handle a Rank C Awakened!" Esdeath thought, forcing an innocent smile to hide her fear. Sear?h the Nov§×l?ire.n(e)t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Instead of reacting, Esdeath slowly sank back into her seat, pretending to stay calm even though her heart was racing. She let out an awkward laugh, trying to break the tension. "Hahaha... He just came on his own. I didn''t call him! I swear... We''re cool, right? Cool!" But the men ignored her completely, acting like she didn''t even exist. Instead, they turned their attention to Maruti, speaking in a language Esdeath didn''t understand. Esdeath blinked, feeling even more frustrated. As always, she had no idea what they were saying. Her only option was to ask Maruti. "What did he say?" Maruti leaned back casually, like none of this was bothering her at all. "He said he doesn''t understand what you were babbling about, but he knows exactly what you were trying to do. He said there won''t be a next time." Esdeath gritted her teeth, her face twisting in frustration. "Tch... you know what? Tell him ''Fuck You'' for me," she snapped, her anger flaring up. Maruti''s eyes sparkled mischievously. "Really? Alright, here I go!" She stood up, ready to deliver the message. Esdeath''s eyes widened in panic. "Hey, hey! I was joking! Joking!" She grabbed Maruti''s arm and pulled her back down, her voice a desperate whisper. ------------ Every time the train stopped at a station, the three men blocked the path, making sure there was no way for Esdeath and Maruti to escape. They sat there, waiting and watching for an opportunity to run, but not a single one came. Esdeath and Maruti tried to come up with excuses, like needing to go to the bathroom or saying they were hungry. But each time, one of the men would follow them to the bathroom, standing guard outside. When they asked for food, one of the men would go get it while the other two stayed behind, blocking their way. Esdeath sighed deeply, glancing at Maruti. Despite their bulky, muscle-headed appearance, these men were no fools. They were clearly professionals, and any attempt to slip away was met with careful monitoring. Both Esdeath and Maruti felt the weight of the situation pressing down on them, realizing how trapped they truly were. ----------- The academy''s small force had been searching for Esdeath and Maruti all day, and Lortell had also ordered her head maid, Lorraine, to join in the search for Esdeath. Time passed quickly, and before anyone realized it, night had fallen. Lortell, instead of returning to her palace, stayed in a private room provided by the academy. She sat in a chair, lost in deep thought, her expression serious. "Careless¡­ so careless¡­" Lortell muttered to herself, frustration clear in her voice. "I never imagined Esdeath would awaken or have the guts to leave her territory. I didn''t place any investigative essence stones on her, and now I''m paying for it." She sighed deeply, her fingers tapping the chair''s armrest. "It''s all my fault¡­ The world is full of dangers, and what will I do if something happens to her?" she questioned herself, her worry growing by the second. But then another thought crossed her mind, and her eyes narrowed in anger. "That Luna¡­ her friend. She went missing and esdeath went to find her, If she comes back, I swear I''ll kill her for getting so close to esdeath!" Lortell clenched her fists, her teeth grinding together. "And who the hell is Maruti anyway? Is she close to Esdeath too? Damn it, I leave for just two months, and now I have more competitors for Esdeath''s attention? I can''t accept this!" she fumed, her thoughts spiraling. Suddenly, the door creaked open, snapping Lortell out of her stormy thoughts. Lorraine, her head maid, stood at the door with a grim look on her face, clearly indicating bad news. "My lady, we searched everywhere. We even questioned many criminals in the area, but no one knows anything. But there''s registration for train ticket by her name, It seems¡­ she might have gone to another state of the kingdom," Lorraine reported, her voice heavy with disappointment. Reaching out to criminals wasn''t unusual. Sometimes, kingdoms and criminals worked together for mutual benefit. After all, if there were no threats or crimes, what would the king have to protect the people from? Sometimes, kingdoms even staged attacks to later save their people and appear as heroes, gaining the trust and loyalty of the citizens. Lortell''s anger boiled over as she gritted her teeth and stormed toward a nearby table. Without a second thought, she grabbed a small object and hurled it directly at Lorraine. It struck the maid''s head with brutal speed, yet Lorraine''s face remained expressionless, as though nothing had happened. "Can''t you do a single thing right? What are you even good for?" Lortell screamed, her voice sharp with fury. Despite the object hitting her, Lorraine showed no sign of pain or discomfort. She continued to report in her usual calm tone, "My lady, as you instructed, I''ve also been investigating on Esdeath''s activities at the academy. She''s been caught up in some trouble. The murder of a noble named Eldon was blamed on her, but since there was no evidence, no action was taken." Lorraine paused before continuing, her words measured. "And... she''s also been a victim of bullying." The second Lorraine mentioned the bullying, Lortell''s eyes widened in rage. Her entire body stiffened, and her face darkened as if a storm was brewing inside her. "Say more!" she demanded, her voice dripping with cold fury. Lorraine spoke without hesitation. "A group of students took Esdeath to the rooftop of the academy and beat her badly." As the words left Lorraine''s mouth, Lortell''s body trembled with uncontrollable anger. Her hands clenched into fists so tightly that her knuckles turned white. She whirled toward the wall, slamming her forehead into it with a sickening *thud*. "It''s all my fault¡­ My fault! My fault! My fault!" Lortell screamed, smashing her head into the wall over and over again. "I''m nothing but scum! What right do I have to face her now? I promised her I''d protect her. I told her to never worry about anything! I should die of shame!" She continued slamming her head against the wall, each hit louder than the last. Her voice was filled with self-loathing, and tears of frustration mixed with the insanity growing in her eyes. Lorraine, watching the entire scene unfold, didn''t flinch. She stood by, completely indifferent to Lortell''s violent outburst. Her thoughts, however, were a different story. "Why am I even here? Shouldn''t I stop her? No¡­ I''m actually feeling sorry for the wall. There''s no way it can hurt Lady Mariette even a little." Lorraine''s thoughts were cold and detached, and as she predicted, cracks began to form on the wall while Lortell''s forehead remained unscathed. "Ten years ago, I thought it was pure love between two girls, but her obsession with Esdeath grows worse by the day. I should''ve reported this to Master back then¡­ but now it''s too late. Lady Mariette is an S-rank awakened. Even Master can''t do anything at this point. All I can do is watch." Lorraine sighed internally, her mind heavy with regret. After what felt like an eternity, Lortell finally stopped, breathing heavily. She turned toward Lorraine, her eyes burning with hatred and madness. "Tell me their names. Every single one of them!" she demanded. Without hesitation, Lorraine listed the names of the girls involved in Esdeath''s bullying. There weren''t many, just a few students, Of course in this mess ethan''s and kaelith''s name did not appear, Because Lorraine didn''t bothered to check competition''s photazes, Because anyone can injured in a competition, Right? And unknowingly Lorraine saved ethan and kaelith. but the last name caught Lortell off guard. "And the last person is Corin Reynold," Lorraine said calmly. "Corin?" Lortell repeated, surprise flickering in her wild eyes. She whispered to herself, "Yes¡­ that boy must be the mastermind behind it all." Suddenly, a twisted, maniacal smile spread across Lortell''s face. She threw her head back and let out a chilling laugh, her voice echoing through the room. "Hehehe¡­ Hahahaha!" Her laughter grew louder, more unhinged, as she stared at the ceiling above. The look in her eyes was deranged, consumed by obsession. "I have to make things right. I need revenge for Esdeath¡­ And Corin? I''ll deal with him last. I''ll give him the cruelest death imaginable." -------- Corin paced back and forth in his luxurious private room, his mind a mess of confusion. It was already midnight, but he couldn''t stop thinking about what Esdeath had told him. His thoughts kept circling, never settling. "Should I go outside like she said? Or was it all just a big lie?" He muttered to himself, trying to make sense of everything. Every step he took felt heavier, his head buzzing with doubts. "What if it''s a trap?" he wondered, stopping for a moment. His gut twisted at the thought, but something about the way Esdeath had looked at him made him hesitate. There was something in her eyes¡ªsomething he wanted to believe. No matter how many questions spun in his mind, that look kept haunting him. "What if she''s telling the truth? What if my life could actually change?" Corin whispered, gripping his hair in frustration. The possibility tugged at him, making it harder to think straight. He stopped in front of the wall, took a deep breath, and slammed his fist against it. "I can''t shake this feeling! I need to know!" His heart pounded as he stared at the wall, breathing heavily. "I''m going out," he decided, the tension in his body easing just a little. "Whatever happens, I have to see for myself." Mysterious Person After the ticket checker was killed, almost all the passengers panicked and ran to other parts of the train. When the train stopped at the next station, they hurriedly got off. Many of them immediately went to inform the guards and knights about what had happened. But by the time they did, the train had already left that station, moving forward. Unlike modern Earth, there weren''t many train stations in this world. There were probably only six or seven more stations before reaching the main destination, not the usual twenty or thirty stops you''d expect. Still, it was enough to give the knights a chance to catch up. The guards quickly used telepathy essence stones and magic to send warnings to the knights at the next station, hoping to stop the train. Time passed, and the knights at the next station waited. Eventually, one of the knights picked up his telepathy essence stone and spoke, frustration clear in his voice. "Hello? Can you hear me? I''ve been waiting here for forty minutes, but there''s no sign of any blue train with the number 1089. Are you sure it was that train?" he asked, clearly confused. A reply came from an older man, his voice high-pitched and concerned. "What? But we saw it clearly! And many people reported that a man was killed on board. Why would all those people lie?" The old man''s voice trembled with worry. "I think the train might have already left before you checked. I''ll contact the next station," the knight said, cutting off the telepathic link. He quickly reached out to the next station, but after an hour, the response was the same: no train matching that description had arrived. This same confusion spread to the other station guards as well. No one could find the train Esdeath was on, and it seemed to have vanished into thin air. Just one station before reaching the capital of Anastasia Kingdom, a guard was waiting, yawning nonstop. It was already midnight, and the long night shift was taking its toll on him. Unlike other stations, however, he was diligently checking the list of trains and their arrival times. "Hmm¡­ there *is* a blue train with number 1089," he said to himself, eyes narrowing at the list. "So, those people were telling the truth." He glanced at the arrival times. "According to this, the train should be arriving at platform number three." Without thinking, he looked over toward platform three, but what he saw made him raise an eyebrow. A yellow train with the number 6818 was sitting there instead. "Huh? That''s strange¡­ I''ve been looking at the train schedule, and there''s no mention of a train with number 6818. Wait a minute..." His mind raced as realization hit him. The train they were looking for hadn''t disappeared. Instead, it was hiding in plain sight, using an illusion to change its appearance. As he watched carefully, he noticed something even stranger¡ªno one was getting on or off the yellow train. Not a single person. Then, a bird tried to fly into the train but was stopped by something invisible, as if blocked by a barrier. "Ohh... so the killer is an awakened individual!" he muttered, his heart pounding. "After killing the ticket checker, they must have put up a barrier around the train. But in the chaos, many passengers escaped before the barrier was activated. Then, the killer used illusion magic to disguise the train, making it look like a normal one." Realizing what was going on, the guard jumped out of his office and sprinted toward the train. His thoughts raced. "Even though I can''t see inside, there are probably people trapped in there, screaming for their lives." Reaching into his pocket, he pulled out an essence stone shaped like a small tower. Speaking into it, he commanded, "Guards, quickly attack the train on platform three! It''s covered by an illusion. I think many people, including the driver, are involved." He activated his movement-type essence stone, which boosted his speed, and ran faster toward the platform. But just as he got closer, the train''s engine roared to life. The driver, realizing they had been exposed, was starting the train before its scheduled departure time. The guard cursed under his breath as the train began to pull away, his heart racing with the fear that they might escape again. Unfortunately, the train had already sped up, moving fast toward its escape. But before it could fully get away, the head guard sprang into action. He quickly pulled out his sword and activated an essence stone. The sword began to glow a bright blue, and its length almost doubled in size. Without hesitation, he leaped forward, aiming at the train. **Clingg¡­!** The powerful impact of his strike sent him flying backward, and he hit the ground hard, getting slightly injured. But despite the pain, he managed to slice off a part of the train from the rear. The damage was enough to break the illusion covering the train, revealing its true appearance. However, the sword slash only cut off the back portion of the train. The front section, including the engine, managed to escape, speeding away into the distance. The head guard sighed in frustration, watching as the rest of the train vanished. He shook his head and prepared to report the situation to the guards at the next station, hoping they would have better luck. --- Corin''s heart pounded as he stood in his room, staring nervously at the wall. His breaths came quickly, and he felt his chest tightening with anxiety. After a long pause, he finally made a decision. "I''m going out," he muttered to himself. The tension in his body eased just a little, though his heart still raced. "Whatever happens, I have to see for myself." He slipped out of his house and made his way to the academy. The night was dark, and the academy grounds were eerily silent, blanketed in shadows. Every step he took made his heart beat faster. His palms were sweaty, and his nerves were on edge. Corin cautiously walked through the academy halls, taking different paths as he tried to move unseen. With each step, he cast detection spells, trying to sense if anyone was nearby or if there were traps laid in his path. But no matter what he tried, he found nothing. The silence only made his anxiety worse. After several minutes of wandering, he finally reached a turning point in the corridor. Just as he was about to turn right, a hand suddenly appeared from the shadows and grabbed him, yanking him forward. Corin''s instincts kicked in, and he opened his mouth to scream. But before he could make a sound, another hand clamped over his mouth, silencing him. "Shh¡­ I''m not your enemy," came a low, mechanical voice. Corin''s panicked breaths slowed, and he stared at the figure in front of him. It was a man, but his entire body was covered in dark clothes, concealing every inch of skin. His face was hidden, making it impossible to tell who he was. "I''ve been trying to contact you for days," the man whispered, his voice steady. "And finally, I got my chance." Corin''s mind raced with questions, but he remained still, waiting to see what this mysterious figure wanted from him. S§×ar?h the N?velFire(.)net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Daughter Of Patriarch "I''ve been trying to contact you for days," the man whispered, his voice calm yet firm. "And finally, I''ve got my chance." S~ea??h the N?vel?ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "What do you mean by that?" Corin asked right away. He wasn''t relieved at all by the presence of this mysterious figure. In fact, he wanted to leave as soon as possible. Sensing Corin''s unease, the man raised a hand to reassure him. "Like I said, I''m not your enemy. I''m an ally. I know how angry and frustrated you''ve been these past few weeks after losing three times in a row," he said, clearly referring to Corin''s defeats¡ªhis two fights with Ethan and his loss in the recent competition. "Your reputation is in ruins because of those losses, but don''t worry. I''ve got something that will change everything for you, something that can bring back your glory," the man''s voice was deep and full of promise, igniting a flicker of hope in Corin''s eyes. The man then pulled out a small cylindrical box, about 15 cm in length, along with two tiny, spiral-shaped essence stones. Before Corin could ask what they were, the man quickly explained. "Tomorrow, all the participants who lost will get a second chance to fight. There''s still time for you to make a comeback. With this," the man held up the box, "you can dominate the competition and win every single match." Corin frowned. "What is this?" he asked, suspicion clouding his voice. "In this box," the man replied, "is a special powder drug I''ve personally developed. It enhances both your magic and physical abilities. Not only that, but it also sharpens your instincts and reaction time. The more you take, the stronger the effects will be. But, I must warn you¡ªtake it in small doses." He then pointed to the two essence stones. "These are space-path essence stones. The first one is called ''Input,'' and the second is ''Output.'' Here''s how it works: You put the input essence stone into the box, and the output essence stone anywhere on your body." Corin listened intently as the man continued. "Whenever you want to use the drug, you''ll activate the output essence stone by channeling your mana. This will connect the two stones, and the drug will be sent directly into your bloodstream. Since you''re using essence stones, it won''t be considered cheating¡ªit''s perfectly fair." Corin stared at the box and the essence stones, feeling conflicted. The promise of strength and a chance to regain his reputation tugged at him, but deep down, he knew there could be consequences. Corin hesitated for a moment before voicing his concern. "What if there are side effects?" he asked, his brow furrowed with worry. The man shook his head quickly, almost too quickly. "No... no, nothing like that," he replied, waving his hand dismissively. "I''ve tested this on several humans already. As long as you take it in moderation, everything will be fine!" His voice was confident, almost reassuring, as if he had all the answers Corin needed. But Corin''s mind wasn''t at ease. Memories flooded back, sharp and painful. He remembered losing to Ethan¡ªhow humiliating it had been, how the crowd had looked down on him. Then there was the betrayal, his girlfriend choosing someone else. And Kaelith... that moment still haunted him, how she had defeated him effortlessly, like he wasn''t even worth her time. His heart burned. It wasn''t just anger or frustration anymore¡ªit was a deep, consuming need for revenge. He couldn''t stop the fire inside him from growing, and he knew that without something drastic, nothing would change. He''d stay at the bottom, always the one who lost, always the one people pitied. At this point, there was no reason to refuse the man''s offer. He wanted power, and here it was, right in front of him. All he had to do was take it. "I accept," ----------- At the bustling station in the capital of Anastasia Kingdom, a sense of tension filled the air. Several high-ranking knights and guards stood in place, their eyes locked on the tracks, waiting. They were all focused on the arrival of train number 1089, a sleek blue locomotive. In their hands, they clutched investigative essence stones, tools designed to detect any form of illusion or delusion. This time, they were prepared¡ªthere would be no escape for those onboard. One of the guards, looking slightly puzzled, glanced at his subordinate. "I don''t get it. Why are those killers so focused on hijacking a train? I mean, they never asked for money or treasure to release it. What''s the point?" The subordinate smirked confidently. "If they''re taking this much risk, something valuable must be on that train. We''ve blocked every possible exit. They''re trapped now, no way out," he chuckled, feeling certain of their plan. --- Inside the train, Esdeath sat by the window, her cold gaze fixed on the passing scenery. The train was snaking along the side of a mountain, not at its peak but nestled midway down. Below stretched an endless forest, vast and untamed, home to various beastmen and barbarian tribes, including the infamous Vanara tribe. Her expression darkened, a grim look of disappointment crossing her face as she watched the mountain slip by. "They''ve figured out that these guys are using illusions," she thought, glancing at the three men sitting near her. "But it''s too late now," she mused bitterly. "If they had realized it just one station earlier, maybe we could have made an escape. But now¡­" Just as the thought passed through her mind, the train screeched violently, a loud crashing sound echoing through the carriage as the wheels ground to a halt. After a few moments of jarring stillness, the train came to a complete stop¡ªright in the middle of the mountain pass. Even at this point, Esdeath and Maruti were desperately trying to think of a way to escape. But before they could even come up with a plan, two of the three men acted quickly. One of them grabbed Maruti, and the other caught Esdeath by the back of her hoodie, lifting her into the air like a bag or a helpless kitten. Their bodies hung in the air in a comical, awkward way. Esdeath''s eyes narrowed in an annoyed, cat-like expression, her irritation clear. Escape wasn''t an option now. They were stuck, and the men carried them out of the train with ease. As they stepped off the train, three more figures emerged¡ªone from the driver''s compartment and two from different carriages. These were the masterminds behind the illusion and the continuous train ride. They all exchanged glances, and without a word, started descending the mountain path, still carrying Esdeath and Maruti. Esdeath, dangling from the man''s grip, couldn''t resist making a sarcastic comment. "Predictor, since your dad went to all this trouble to capture you, he must be pretty important in his tribe. We could use this chance to grab some resources. What do you think?" she asked with a smirk. Maruti, however, was still feeling down. "Bruh¡­ that''s a good idea and all, but my main problem is the marriage! Even at that time, I chose to die than being called gay!, That''s why I''d rather die than marry a guy. No way in hell am I gonna go through with that!" she snorted angrily. Esdeath, knowing that her teasing had once led to Maruti''s previous death, looked away awkwardly. "I was just joking back then. Who told you to take it so seriously?" she mumbled, feeling guilty. Despite their bickering, the men kept walking, carrying Esdeath and Maruti as if they weighed nothing. The train was left behind, with no concern about what would happen to it. Their focus was now on the vast forest they were walking through. The forest was dense, filled with the sounds of rustling leaves and the occasional growl of wild animals. As they continued through the woods, several groups of wolves and other beasts attacked, but these men were no ordinary travelers. They were barbarians, strong and fierce, and many of them were awakened warriors. Every attack from the beasts was swiftly dealt with, the men cutting down the creatures with ease, barely slowing their pace. By the time they finally reached their destination, it was early morning. The golden rays of the sun gently bathed the landscape, and the peaceful chirping of birds could be heard in the distance. In front of them was a large tribe village, sprawling with life. There were many houses, some even built high up in the trees, giving the village an unusual but impressive appearance. Fields of crops and resources were scattered around, along with various tools and equipment used by the tribespeople. But what caught Esdeath''s attention the most was the crowd waiting at the village''s outskirts. Almost a thousand people had gathered, their eyes fixed on the newcomers. It was clear they had received word that Maruti was returning. Most of them appeared to be soldiers, armed with various weapons, standing ready. Esdeath''s eyes widened as her gaze fell on one figure standing at the front of the group. The man was massive, towering over everyone else. His muscular body seemed to radiate power, and he was more than seven feet tall. His skin was covered in intricate tattoos that gave him a fierce, menacing aura. His face was rugged but handsome, with a sharp jawline and an air of authority. His hair was brown, and though he appeared middle-aged, there was no mistaking his strength and presence. Esdeath gasped, her heart skipping a beat. "I thought your father must be some high-ranking guy... but I never imagined you were the daughter of the *Patriarch* of the Vanara tribe!" she whispered in shock. Lovers? In the long history of *Free Life Fantasy (FLF)*, there were only two star constellations known to grant the legendary power of "Ultra Instinct" to their incarnations. These constellations not only gave this ability to their chosen ones but also possessed it themselves. The two beings tied to this incredible power were the Fallen Star Constellation, **Demon King Aurora**, and **Lord Hanuman**. Since Aurora was a villain in the game, only Hanuman was known to grant this rare and extraordinary power to his incarnation. Ultra Instinct was so rare that, aside from Lord Hanuman and Aurora, only one other character was known to have it. This person was **Sasha**, a fierce barbarian woman from the Vanara Tribe, and the one and only incarnation of Lord Hanuman. Sasha was a remarkable warrior, and it made sense that she came from the Vanara Tribe, as they had worshipped Lord Hanuman since the ancient times, when barbarians were still closely linked to their chimpanzee ancestors. Sasha was also the first daughter of the Vanara Tribe''s patriarch, and by the second year at the academy, she would enroll in the Awakened Academy, eventually becoming a key member of Ethan''s party. When Esdeath first discovered that **Maruti**, her best friend, also possessed Ultra Instinct and was an incarnation of Lord Hanuman, she was completely stunned. She had never imagined that there could be another character with such a rare power. To find out that it was her own best friend left her utterly surprised. As she pieced together the clues, Esdeath quickly realized that Maruti had connections to the Vanara Tribe. At first, she thought Maruti might be a member of the tribe or perhaps the daughter of a high-ranking official. But the truth was far more shocking¡ªMaruti was actually the younger sister of Sasha, the tribe''s first daughter and the incarnation of Lord Hanuman. "Mourya!" Esdeath muttered Maruti''s father''s name under her breath. He was an A-rank awakened, a powerful figure rarely seen in the game. "How come Sasha never mentioned her sister in the game?" she thought, frowning. "Tch... That''s exactly what you''d expect from a trash game¡ªno minor details!" she snorted, annoyed at the game''s lack of depth. **BAM!** The man holding Esdeath abruptly let go, causing her to tumble straight to the ground. "Mother f*cker!" she cursed as she slowly pushed herself up, dusting off her clothes. She glared at the man but he was already walking away, unfazed. Meanwhile, the other man who was holding Maruti gently carried her over to her father, Mourya, and set her down like she was made of porcelain. Silence fell over the forest. Despite the number of people around, not a single person uttered a word. They all took a few steps back and stood still, waiting as if something monumental was about to happen. Esdeath, standing awkwardly about twenty steps away, scanned the scene. "Great. No way to escape now," she thought, glancing at Maruti and her imposing father. They were deep in the middle of the forest, miles away from any civilization. She knew an escape route, but she couldn''t just leave Maruti behind. **Slap!** Mourya slapped Maruti across the face, the sound echoing through the air like a crack of thunder. Maruti instinctively touched her cheek, her eyes wide with shock. But it wasn''t really Maruti¡ªinside her body was the Predictor, and the Predictor wasn''t about to take this lying down. "You!" Maruti gritted her teeth in fury. **Slap!** Another slap followed, this time on the other cheek. Mourya''s hand was so massive it nearly covered her entire face. The two "weak" slaps left Maruti''s cheeks puffed up like a squirrel storing nuts for winter. Tears welled up in her eyes, making her look surprisingly cute, given the situation. "You''re not getting away with this!" Maruti shouted. In a fit of rage, she launched herself at her father, punching and kicking him wildly. The surrounding men gasped, shocked that she would dare attack Mourya, but her punches had as much effect on him as a fly landing on a boulder. He didn''t even flinch. After a few seconds of her flailing, Maruti stopped, breathing heavily. "So, am I gonna die for attacking this giant gorilla?" she muttered under her breath, calling her own father a gorilla because of his huge, muscular build. She half-expected him to retaliate with something far worse than a slap. For a moment, the forest held its breath. Mourya stood there, his expression grim, staring down at Maruti. The tension was unbearable. It looked like he might actually kill her on the spot. S§×ar?h the nov§×lF~ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. But then¡ª Hahahahaha! Mourya suddenly burst into laughter, the deep sound rumbling through the trees like an earthquake. He grabbed Maruti by the arms and effortlessly lifted her into the air, swinging her around like she was a little kid. "Hamesha ki tarah ghamndi ",(You''re as arrogant as always!) " he said between chuckles, his voice filled with nostalgia. At this moment, all of the silence faded away and chatter filled in air. Everyone finally relaxing after the intense moment. Mourya, still holding Maruti, looked down at her with a stern expression. "Tumhe pata hai, Mai kitna pareshaan Tha? (Do you know how worried I was?)" he said, pulling her into a tight hug before turning his gaze to Esdeath. His eyes narrowed. "Who is she?" Maruti, still rubbing her sore cheeks and a bit shaken, quickly replied, "(Meri Dost Hai) She''s a friend!" The moment the words left her mouth, Mourya''s face changed. He crossed his arms, his expression hardening. "Hmph¡­ No need to be friends with the kingdom''s people," he said coldly. "Everyone knows the Vanara Tribe exists, but does anyone know where it is? Barely. We''ve hidden our village behind powerful illusions, keeping it safe from monsters and enemies alike. If she stays here, the kingdom''s people will come for her. Or worse, we''ll be forced to hand her over." His voice grew colder, sending a chill down everyone''s spine. "And after what we did to get you back, I doubt they''ll let us off easily." Then, without warning, Mourya''s voice dropped to a dangerous tone. "Kill her." Esdeath''s stomach dropped, but before anyone could move, Maruti jumped in front of her father, flailing her arms in a panic. "Ruko...ruko..ruko.."(Stop! Stop! Stop!)" she shouted, practically hopping in place. "Who said she''s staying here?" Maruti added hurriedly. "Now that you''ve seen I''m fine, we''re going back to the academy. And I swear we won''t tell anyone a thing!" But Mourya shook his head. "No," he said firmly. "In our tribe, only the elder daughter and son have the right to education, to learn about the outside world. But you¡ªyou whined and begged to go to the Awakened Academy. Your elder sister even agreed to a one-on-one match with you, and you lost! As per our rules, you should have been married off by now, but instead, you ran away and snuck into the academy." His tone was harsh, his gaze piercing as he looked directly into her eyes. "I''m forgiving you for your past mistakes. So, get back here and marry your betrothed!" Maruti''s face turned pale. She already knew what was coming next, and as Mourya''s attention shifted back to Esdeath, her heart raced. "Wait, wait, wait!" she shouted, throwing herself between him and Esdeath again. "She''s not just my friend. She''s my best friend! My *besttttttt* friend!" Mourya didn''t even blink. "Farak Nahi Padta "(Doesn''t matter). Esdeath stood about twenty to thirty steps away, utterly clueless. She couldn''t hear everything clearly, and even if she could, she didn''t understand the Vanara language. But as Mourya took a step toward her, she felt a deep sense of dread, her instincts screaming that something bad was about to happen. Without thinking, she took a step back. Mourya raised his hand, clearly preparing to do something dangerous, but before he could make a move, Maruti blurted out, "We''re not just friends¡ªwe''re lovers!" Mourya was taken aback, his hand pausing mid-air as he slowly turned to look at his daughter, eyebrows raised. "Premi ?(Lovers?)" Yes? No? I Reject Them Both! Mourya froze, his hand still in the air, slowly turning towards his daughter with wide eyes and raised eyebrows. "Premi? (Lovers?)" Maruti stammered, clearly panicking, "Y-yes! We''re in love! So much love! We''re... uh, very lovey-dovey!" She was just saying whatever nonsense came to her mind at this point. Desperately, she glanced at Esdeath, motioning her to nod in agreement. Esdeath, still utterly confused by the situation, saw Maruti''s frantic gesture and quickly bobbed her head up and down three times, not knowing why but figuring it couldn''t hurt. The moment Esdeath did this, the air in the atmosphere changed. It was as if someone had lit a fuse. The entire crowd erupted in fury. Gasps filled the air, and everyone''s faces contorted with shock and rage. How could someone claim to love the patriarch''s daughter, especially when her marriage was already arranged? It was like breaking a sacred law! "Kill this girl!" one man shouted, waving his weapon in the air, and the others quickly followed, all raising their swords and spears, ready to strike Esdeath down. Even Esdeath was taken aback, her eyes wide with panic. She had no idea what she''d just agreed to, but clearly, it was not good. Before the mob could rush at her, Mourya bellowed, "STOP!" His voice boomed with such authority that everyone froze in place, not daring to take another step. He then turned back to Maruti, his expression caught somewhere between disbelief and frustration. "Are you messing with me, Maruti? What could you possibly see in her? She looks like she could collapse at any second!" His voice carried both concern and annoyance, as though he was truly baffled. But Maruti could sense this was working. "Love is blind, Father! She even promised me she''ll never leave me, no matter what!" she said dramatically, her eyes sparkling as she spun her latest lie. Then, she quickly turned to Esdeath again, urgently signaling her to play along. Esdeath blinked, now under the intense gaze of the entire village. Her face screamed confusion, her thoughts racing with a single question: *What in the world is going on?* She hesitated, her lips parting slightly as she considered what she''d just been roped into. The villagers'' eyes were practically burning holes into her, waiting for her next move. Esdeath''s head was spinning. "What was that?! The moment I nodded ''yes,'' they screamed like they were ready to kill me!" Her thoughts were in complete disarray. "Is Maruti trying to get me into trouble while saving her own skin?" Esdeath glanced at Maruti with suspicious eyes. "What if this is revenge for what happened between us before?" The idea made her even more paranoid. But one burning question kept bouncing around in her mind: "So... should I nod ''yes'' or ''no'' this time?" After overthinking for a moment, Esdeath came to a decision. She would nod ''no'' this time. Maybe that would fix things. So, without any hesitation, she shook her head ''no.'' But the result was immediate¡ªand terrible. A man in the crowd angrily yelled, "She shook her head ''no!'' That means she''s saying she''ll never leave the young mistress!" "KILL HER!" "KILL HER!" The villagers raised their weapons again, their roars shaking the ground as they prepared to attack Esdeath once more. Esdeath''s heart skipped a beat. "Wait, what?! What did I do now?!" Once again, Mourya had to step in, forcefully stopping them. "STOP!" His voice echoed with authority, and the mob had no choice but to pause, though they still glared at Esdeath with anger in their eyes. Mourya was stuck in a complicated situation. On one hand, he had already promised his younger daughter''s hand in marriage to the son of another tribe''s leader. But now, here was Maruti, claiming she had already found the love of her life. Mourya, despite being a tough leader, was surprisingly soft when it came to family matters. He didn''t want to break his daughter''s heart, but he also didn''t want to go back on his word. Maruti could sense her plan was working better than she had hoped. "This is perfect!" she thought to herself. She knew exactly how to play her last card. "Father," she said in a hurried voice, "she hasn''t eaten since last night! Look at her, she''s so weak! We should go back to the village and discuss this in peace. I''m sure she''s already feeling dizzy!" She turned quickly to Esdeath, desperately signaling her to agree. Once again, all eyes were on Esdeath. The tension in the air was thick enough to cut with a knife. Esdeath was on the verge of losing her mind. "I nodded ''yes,'' and they nearly killed me. Then I nodded ''no,'' and they went absolutely wild! What do I do now?! What choice do I even have? Should I nod ''yes'' or ''no'' again? What on earth is Maruti telling them about me?!" Her mind was in a mess, her confusion plain on her face as the entire crowd stared, waiting for her next move. Esdeath finally had enough. Her mind was a mess, and she could no longer figure out whether to nod ''yes'' or ''no.'' She gritted her teeth and thought angrily, "Yes? No? I reject them both!" In a fit of frustration, she began shaking her head wildly, swinging it back and forth like she was caught in some strange dance of confusion. To her surprise, the crowd gasped. Everyone thought she was dizzy and about to collapse! In an instant, the rage that had filled the air melted away, replaced by concern. Several people rushed toward her, their anger forgotten. "She''s fainting!" one of them cried. Before Esdeath knew what was happening, three men grabbed her at once and lifted her into the air like she was some kind of fragile trophy. She blinked in disbelief. "What the fuck? " Meanwhile, Maruti''s father, Mourya, sighed heavily. He was tired of the whole mess. "Alright, let''s head back to the village," he commanded. "We''ll deal with this later!" With that, everyone started moving back to the village. As they prepared to leave, two carriages were brought out¡ªone for Mourya and one for Maruti. But now that Esdeath was part of the situation, the men carrying her didn''t bother to ask where she wanted to go. Instead, they simply tossed her into the same carriage as Maruti, as if it was the most natural thing in the world. Esdeath landed with a soft thud inside the carriage but, surprisingly, she didn''t mind. In fact, she was¡­ happy? "I don''t know what just happened, but it worked!" she thought to herself, a small smile spreading across her face. She glanced at Maruti, who finally seemed to relax, letting out a deep breath and closing her eyes. Clearly, she was exhausted from the whole ordeal. She quickly fell asleep, probably trying to clear her mind. Sear?h the N??eFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Esdeath settled back into her seat, still a little dazed but relieved. "It looks like we''re heading to the Vanara Tribe," she mused. "Once we get there, I''m definitely asking her what she just did!"* With that thought, she leaned back, enjoying the bumpy ride, secretly proud of how things had turned out¡ªeven though she had no idea how! Bullying The Bully It was just after 9 AM, a time when most students gathered in the cafeteria for breakfast. Normally, the cafeteria was filled with first-year students and a few second-years, but today was different. A third-year student, Lortell Mariette, had joined them for breakfast. This was a rare sight. Dressed in her academy uniform, she sat with a group of her third-year classmates. Everyone around kept sneaking glances at her, curious yet cautious. However, what caught everyone''s attention even more was the first-year student sitting beside her¡ªBella. Bella was trembling, clearly uncomfortable, even though Lortell was smiling at her. Her fear was obvious. "Why... why are you doing this?" Bella whispered, her voice shaky, filled with fear, yet still polite. It was clear she didn''t want to upset Lortell further. Lortell raised an eyebrow, pretending to be surprised. "What do you mean? We''re just playing a little game," she replied, her voice soft but carrying an undertone of malice. Bella kept her head down, unable to look Lortell in the eye. "I''m sorry... I''m really sorry for whatever I did. Please, let me go... I''m begging you." Bella''s words were barely audible, filled with desperation, but she didn''t want to make a scene. She was scared of what Lortell and her friends might do. But Lortell''s expression suddenly twisted into one of disgust, as if Bella''s plea had offended her. "Are you trying to order me around, you little bitch?" Lortell''s words hit hard, making Bella tremble even more. The other third-year girls sitting with Lortell burst into giggles. One of them, with an evil grin, said, "Pftt... Let''s give her another glass!" "Hey! This girl wants a huge glass of juice! Bring it over, quick!" one of the girls called out, smiling brightly, but the intent behind her words was anything but kind. Bella''s eyes widened in terror. "No... no... please don''t do it!" she begged, her voice quivering, but it was clear they weren''t going to listen. Soon, an academy maid arrived with a large glass of fruit juice and placed it on the table. Lortell''s smile widened as she picked up the glass and turned to Bella, her voice unnervingly sweet, "Here, drink it!" she ordered, though her polite tone masked the cruelty behind her words. Bella shook her head, refusing to look at Lortell, turning her gaze away in fear. But Lortell''s smile faded instantly, replaced with cold rage. "I said, drink it!" she barked, standing up abruptly. She grabbed Bella''s face with one hand, her grip tight and painful, forcing Bella''s mouth open. Without hesitation, she tipped the glass, pouring the juice down Bella''s throat. Bella choked as the juice spilled down her mouth, with most of it spilling onto her clothes. Her body shook as she struggled to breathe, but Lortell didn''t stop. The surrounding students froze, their eyes wide with shock at the sudden commotion. Everyone''s attention was now on Bella, watching as Lortell finally pulled the glass away. It wasn''t because the glass was empty, but because something even more humiliating had just happened. S§×arch* The N??eFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. One of Lortell''s third-year companions burst into laughter, pounding her fist on the table as she laughed cruelly. "Pftt, hahah! Look! She peed herself! Hahaha!" she cackled, her laughter echoing across the cafeteria. The room was silent for a moment as everyone stared in disbelief. Bella had wet herself, right there in front of everyone. Her face turned ghostly pale, her body trembling with shame. The stain on her skirt was painfully obvious. It was humiliating¡ªtoo humiliating. Tears streamed down Bella''s face as the reality of her situation sunk in. The reason for her misery, for this public humiliation, was simple: Lortell. Bella was one of the four girls who had beaten Esdeath on the rooftop not long ago. This was her way of revenge¡ªbullying Bella far worse than anything she had done to Esdeath. Bella had been holding in her need to pee since the night before. When she woke up that morning, she found herself trapped with Lortell and the other third-year students. They had cruelly refused to let her go to the bathroom and had forced her to drink more and more juice, watching her beg and cry, but never showing any mercy. Now, the inevitable had happened. Bella couldn''t hold it any longer, and she had wet herself in front of the entire cafeteria. Her tears continued to fall, streaming down her face in an endless flow. "My reputation... my family''s name... it''s all ruined. What do I do now?" she thought desperately, her heart sinking with each passing moment. She could hear the whispers, the quiet laughter, the judgmental stares from the other students. It was too much. Lortell and her friends stood over her, grinning wickedly, satisfied with the misery they had caused. Bella''s humiliation was their entertainment, and they showed no remorse. Bella''s whole body trembled with shame and fear. There was no escape from this nightmare. She felt all eyes on her, whispers filling the cafeteria as the other students exchanged nervous glances. "Should we... should we stop them?" a boy muttered to his friend, his voice trembling. "Are you crazy?" his friend snapped back, his eyes wide with fear. "Who would dare go against Lortell Mariette? I don''t want to die!" The murmurs spread, but not in Bella''s favor. "That girl must''ve done something wrong," one girl whispered, her voice low but judgmental. "Why else would someone as graceful as Lortell bully her?" "Yeah, I know her," another student added, her tone filled with disdain. "She''s always acting high and mighty in class. She probably deserved it." The crowd quickly fell in line with Lortell, siding with her without question. Bella, sobbing quietly, felt the weight of their judgment. Her tears blurred her vision, her heart sinking further into despair. But then, someone stood up, cutting through the whispers. "Stop it! This is clearly bullying, and you all know it!" A voice rang out, filled with determination. Every head turned to see who had dared speak against Lortell. A young man with striking blue hair and deep ocean-colored eyes stood tall, his expression a mix of anger and courage. It was Ethan. Lortell raised an eyebrow, annoyed. "Cavya, who''s this idiot?" she asked, her voice dripping with contempt. Cavya, one of Lortell''s classmates, chuckled. "Oh, him? That''s Ethan. A commoner, but apparently he topped the theory exams." Ethan''s fists clenched at his sides, his anger barely contained. The sight of Bella''s humiliation burned in his mind, reigniting memories from his past life. He loathed Lortell, knowing the terrible things she had done before. In that life, she had been crueler than anyone could imagine, but it was all because Esdeath had died. But how could Ethan know of this? "I thought you might have changed when you didn''t attack Swann," Ethan thought to himself, his jaw tightening. "That''s why when I first saw you, I decided to completely ignore you But now I see you''re the same evil person you were before." His clenched fists didn''t go unnoticed. Lortell''s eyes flashed with irritation, her anger rising. "Oh, you think you''re brave, huh?" she sneered. "If you''re so smart, maybe you should stick to the wall¡ªlike a poster." With a flick of her fingers, a powerful force slammed into Ethan. **BAM!** His body shot through the air, crashing against the cafeteria wall with a thunderous impact. The force was so great that the wall crumbled, and his body flew past it, disappearing into the rubble. Gasps filled the room. Shock rippled through the crowd, their eyes wide with horror. No one dared to move, unsure if Ethan had even survived the brutal attack. The cafeteria was deathly quiet, save for the chilling sound of Lortell''s cold, mocking laughter. Her voice echoed in the silence, sending a shiver through everyone still seated, frozen in fear and disbelief. After a few moments, she finally stopped, wiping away imaginary tears of amusement from her eyes, as if this whole scene had been the most entertaining part of her day. She rose from her seat, casting her gaze over the others, their expressions a mixture of confusion and horror. It was the first time they had seen this side of Lortell¡ªvicious and heartless. Not one person dared to move, let alone check if Ethan was still breathing after the brutal attack. "Tch... don''t look at me like that," Lortell scoffed, rolling her eyes at their pitiful expressions. "He''s alive. I didn''t hit him that hard," she added, her tone dripping with arrogance. With that, she stood up fully, stretching as if the whole situation had simply bored her. Her gaze shifted to Bella, who was still trembling in her seat. Without warning, Lortell reached down and grabbed Bella''s vibrant vermillion hair, yanking her head back cruelly. "And you, bitch," she spat, her voice low and dangerous, "I''m not done with you yet. Come with me." Bella whimpered but had no strength left to resist. Lortell dragged her out of the cafeteria by her hair, forcefully pulling her along as if she were nothing more than an object. Everyone watched in stunned silence, wincing at the sight of Bella''s hair being pulled so brutally. Some even ran their hands through their own hair, wincing at the imagined pain, but not one person dared to move or speak up. "Show''s over, guys!" one of Lortell''s third-year classmates called out, her voice laced with cruel amusement. The group laughed as they followed Lortell out of the cafeteria, leaving behind the faint echo of their heartless mockery. 5000 SP Esdeath and Maruti sat quietly in their dimly lit room, nerves on edge. They had been thinking of different ways to escape, but every plan seemed too risky. The Vanara tribe was deep within a vast forest, teeming with dangerous monsters and wild beasts. One wrong move and they could easily be caught or worse. The only glimmer of hope was the capital of Anastasia Kingdom, just beyond the forest. If they could somehow make it through, they would be safe. But for now, all they could do was wait. Meanwhile, in another part of the village, Maruti''s father, Mourya, was holding an important meeting. The tribe''s elders, advisers, and key figures were gathered to discuss a serious matter¡ªMaruti''s marriage. Although everyone else mistook Esdeath for a vampire, Mourya had seen through the natural illusion. With his sharp intuition, he knew Esdeath was just a human, despite her strange appearance. Though the meeting was tense, the solution was surprisingly simple. One elder, his long beard brushing against his chest, spoke up with authority, "I think we should follow the tribe''s rules." The tribe had long-standing traditions, especially concerning marriage. In Vanara culture, women were often undervalued. They had limited access to education, were married off at a young age, and even child marriages were not uncommon. But Mourya was different. Using his influence, he had fought against child marriages and pushed for more progressive reforms, From no education to education to the eldest child, Even though it was not much but still far better than before. Over time, many of the tribes came together to establish new rules. One of those rules was particularly important here: if a girl''s marriage was already promised to someone but wished to marry another, her lover had to step forward and challenge her arranged husband. A duel would take place, and only if the lover won in front of everyone would the arranged marriage be canceled. The tribe would respect the outcome, and no one could object. A young man with a strong build and broad chest suddenly spoke up, his tone filled with frustration. "This isn''t fair! Maruti''s future husband is Ujjain, the youngest son of the Lothal tribe. He''s a rank D awakened, and there''s no way that clumsy girl can beat him. It''s completely unfair!" His voice was firm, clearly believing that the challenge would be impossible. Another man, sitting nearby, nodded in agreement. "Yeah, a rank D awakened is equal to several top-tier rank E awakeneds. I even sensed that girl''s mana¡ªshe''s nowhere near the level of an average awakened. She''ll die from the first hit!" Despite their objections, not everyone agreed. A soft but confident voice cut through the room, surprising everyone. "How about we let both Maruti and her fight him together? If they still lose, then she''ll have to marry him. This way, Maruti can''t say it''s unfair, right?" All eyes turned to the speaker. It was none other than Maruti''s older sister, Sasha. Her blue eyes gleamed faintly in the dim room, adding weight to her suggestion. "Hmph, your idea is interesting," Mourya responded, standing up slowly. "But the tribe''s rules don''t say anything about that. If she''s not strong enough, that''s her problem, not his. However, it will be up to Ujjain whether he accepts the challenge or not." Mourya took a moment to consider, then continued, "I''ll go speak to the Lothal tribe and see what they say. Either way, she''ll have to fight. Go and tell her to be ready. Also, give her permission to enter the low-level treasure room. That way, she can''t say we didn''t support her." He spoke with authority, making it clear that this decision was final. The elders and advisers nodded in agreement as Mourya and a few others prepared to head to the Lothal tribe to discuss the matter further. At Mourya''s house, Esdeath was being treated like royalty. Women of all ages, from older to middle-aged, kept coming in waves, patting her head gently and showering her with blessings, even though she had no idea why. Each one presented her with extravagant jewelry and beautiful clothes. Esdeath couldn''t even keep track of who these women were¡ªprobably some kind of distant relatives of Maruti, but she had no clue. The only thing that caught her interest was the stunning antique jewelry, which she quickly stashed away in her pink lotus essence stone. Meanwhile, Mourya''s six wives were in full force, preparing an enormous feast just for Esdeath. The table was piled with 56 different dishes¡ªmore than she could ever hope to finish. Despite the overwhelming hospitality, Esdeath felt uneasy. As she dug into the lavish spread, she turned to Maruti, who was already seated beside her, eyeing the food hungrily, even though it clearly wasn''t meant for her. "Why are they giving me such royal treatment?" Esdeath asked with a raised brow, a little suspicious. Maruti shrugged, but then, out of curiosity, asked her mother. When the answer came back, Maruti couldn''t help but burst into laughter. "Pfttt¡­" Esdeath narrowed her eyes, now more curious than ever. "What did your mother say?" "She said, ''The sacrificial goat has to be fed well before it''s slaughtered.''" Esdeath''s face went blank, her expression frozen mid-bite. She glared at both Maruti and her mother, clearly not amused by the remark. But after a moment of processing, she gave a resigned sigh and took another big bite of the delicious food. "Whatever... I might as well enjoy the free stuff while it lasts," she muttered, continuing to eat with a slightly annoyed but determined look, as if savoring every bite out of sheer spite. After finishing her meal, Maruti decided to stretch her legs and take a stroll around the village. She had always been curious by nature, with a habit of exploring new places whenever she could. The village had no restrictions on her movements, so she was free to wander wherever her feet took her. As she left the house, Esdeath quietly headed back to her room, her mind racing with thoughts. Sitting on the edge of her bed, Esdeath let out a sigh. "What now?" she muttered, feeling the weight of boredom creeping in. She wasn''t the type to waste time, especially not in an unfamiliar place like this. "I have a feeling that whatever lie the so-called ''predictors'' are telling will eventually lead to a fight," she mused to herself, the corners of her lips curling into a sly smile. She crossed her arms and leaned back, already planning her next move. "But of course, I have my trump card," she thought with confidence, a glint of determination in her eyes. With a single thought, she willed her status window to appear before her, its glowing display reflecting off her face as she gazed at it with satisfaction. : 19.8 : 5.6 : 4 : 18 S§×arch* The n?vel_Fire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Current skills in possession - Sharpshooter (E): When used, time will slow down for five seconds. Can only be used once every 50 minutes. - Eagle Eyes (E): Can see over great distances with precision + Can see the flow of mana. - - Yes, something was different about her status. It was her **SP points**. After winning the competition, people started talking about her, and her reputation surged as more acknowledged her abilities. The best part was, despite her victory, she hadn''t disrupted the main storyline. In the original story, it was **Kaelith** who won the competition, with **Ethan** losing and using that defeat to motivate his hard work. Esdeath''s win didn''t interfere, as the plot wasn''t bound by who exactly won, just that Ethan wouldn''t. That kept the flow of the narrative intact. Because of her rising fame and the way she handled things, Esdeath was rewarded with **5,000 SP points**. But as she thought it over, her excitement dimmed slightly. "Even though my strength has increased," Esdeath mused, "I''m still nowhere near Kaelith''s level." She knew her **strength stat** was at 19.8, and increasing it beyond 20 would be risky. To safely raise her strength further, she would need essence stones like the Iron Muscles Essence Stone, Bronze Strength Stone, or higher-quality stones such as the White Jade or Green Jade Skin Essence Stones. Without these enhancements, pushing her body too far could be dangerous. "But that''s not my biggest issue," she frowned, feeling a hint of worry. The system gave her a powerful advantage by letting her refine essence stones, even up to rank B, instantly. She could refine as many as she wanted, but the real problem was using them. Essence stones that boosted the body, like muscle or skin stones, were straightforward. However, many other useful stones, especially those affecting magic or other abilities, required **mana** to activate. And here lay Esdeath''s major problem ¡ª her body had only a fraction of the mana an average person possessed. "I should focus on increasing my mana," she thought, biting her lip. "But how? There''s a limit to how much I can raise my stats with the system." With that realization, Esdeath decided to prioritize her mana for now, pushing it to its maximum potential. Esdeath decided to use her **SP points** to increase her **mana stats**. She thought it through carefully. "An average person has around 60 mana points, so I should aim for that," she reasoned. Confident, she spent her SP points to make the increase. Suddenly, she heard a familiar **ding** from the system: **<500 SP points reduced>** **** **** Seeing the boost brought a brief smile to her face, but that joy was short-lived. Without warning, a sharp surge of pain shot through her body like a bolt of lightning. It felt as if her heart had stopped, and a wave of nausea overcame her. Esdeath collapsed to her knees, her entire body trembling. Blood spewed from her mouth, her coughing violent and uncontrollable. "Cough... Cough... How could I forget?" she thought, her mind clouded with pain. "This body... it''s even weaker than the average awakened one. Of course, it can''t handle average level of mana!" Her vision blurred as she struggled to stay conscious. Her legs shook uncontrollably, and darkness crept into the edges of her sight. Damn System Esdeath''s vision blurred, her legs trembling as she fought to stay conscious. Shadows crept at the edges of her sight, closing in as her body strained against her injuries. Desperate, she thought of her system and tapped into her SP points, hoping to gain a powerful healing skill. "A high recovery skill!" she commanded. But then, a notification chimed in her mind. Esdeath felt a wave of frustration but couldn''t argue with it. Healing skills, after all, were rare and came at a high price. In this world, resources like essence stones and magic formulas used for healing were incredibly valuable. Healers were among the wealthiest and most sought-after people, paid handsomely for their abilities. the types of elemental affinities capable of healing¡ªNature, Light, and Dark. Each offered healing, but with unique methods and limitations. Nature, for instance, was a defensive-type element, providing limited but steady regeneration. It couldn''t instantly heal or cure wounds but offered resilience. Those with Nature affinity gained resistance to poisons, enhanced stamina, and gradual recovery. During battle, it kept the body going, slowly mending internal injuries, keeping vital organs functional even in dire situations. It couldn''t heal fatal wounds instantly, but as long as the heart or brain remained intact, it could prolong life by repairing damage over time. the Dwarf Kingdom, known for its skilled healers and surgical practices. Instead of using instant healing magic, they performed "operations" similar to Earth, transplanting organs to save lives. Nature-based magic was essential here, keeping patients stable during procedures and ensuring that even critical injuries could be managed. This healing method was slow, but it made medical care accessible even for commoners, bridging the gap between magic and practical medicine. Next was the light element. Those who have this affinity often go on to become skilled healers, as light magic excels at quickly healing others rather than the user. A master of light magic, especially one with enough healing stones, can repair internal organs or even regenerate limbs in an instant. This power allows them to heal multiple people at once, making them incredibly valuable on the battlefield or in areas struck by disaster. Light magic also provides additional benefits, like granting protective boosts or temporary barriers, making it as much about support as it is about healing. Because of these unique abilities, light magic is often practiced in the Kingdom of the Church, a place known for its saints and priests, where healers are trained as masters of this sacred art. Finally, there was the dark element, which was entirely different. Unlike the supportive nature of light, dark magic is primarily offensive. However, it still offers the user some self-healing abilities. Those who master the dark path can heal their own wounds rapidly in the heat of battle. But dark magic has a big limitation: it can''t be used to heal others. So while a dark-element user can fight fiercely and recover quickly, they must face their battles alone, unable to lend their abilities to others. Esdeath groaned, her frustration mounting. "Fine! Just give me a basic, slow recovery skill!" She thought back to Ethan''s righteous skill, which provided gradual healing, thinking how that would be more than enough to keep her steady. But as soon as she made her request, another notification from the system appeared. Esdeath''s mind went blank with irritation. She was already on the edge of passing out, and now, the system was playing games with her. The mention of "Time Path" healing sparked all sorts of questions, but her body was too exhausted to even think. With one last burst of frustration, she muttered in her mind, "Fuck you, system!" before her body gave in, collapsing to the ground as she slipped into unconsciousness. --- At Awakened Academy, in the nurse''s room, Ethan''s eyes fluttered open. Dazed but alert, he quickly sat up on the soft bed, glancing around the unfamiliar room. To his surprise, three girls sat by his side, their faces etched with worry. "Ethan, thank goodness you''re awake!" Sylvania exclaimed, relief flooding her eyes as she reached over and took one of his hands. Emma, clearly just as concerned, quickly grabbed his other hand. "We were so worried about you." Violet couldn''t hold back either; her face softened with relief as she pulled him into a quick hug. "I was scared," she said quietly, "Your injuries looked so bad, but I''m glad you'' recovered so quickly." Ethan managed a weak smile, though his mind was still clouded with memories of what happened. He touched his forehead, recalling his fight with Lortell, the blow that had knocked him out in one strike. "No¡­ I was careless," he admitted, frustration and regret in his voice. "I forgot just how powerful she is." Violet pulled back, looking at him with worried eyes. "But¡­ why did you go against someone like Lortell? She''s not the kind of person you can just pick a fight with." The memory of Bella flashed before him, the way she had been bullied while no one did anything. "I couldn''t just stand by," he said, anger simmering beneath the surface. "She was clearly bullying Bella, and no one tried to stop her." Both Sylvania and Violet stared at him in shock. "Lady Mariette? A bully?" they echoed in disbelief. Sylvania shook her head. "Isn''t she known for being kind-hearted and respected throughout the kingdom? She leads the Third Division Squad, the heroes who saves countless people every year¡­" "Yeah! She''s more than just my role model¡ªshe''s every girl''s inspiration!" Violet added, her voice full of admiration. "Everyone wants to be like her!" Ethan''s expression turned bitter. "An idol, huh? That''s all just a flat lie. She''s not what you think¡ªshe''s an evil person, and her so-called squad is nothing more than a group of criminals who''ve killed thousands." His fists clenched tightly as he spoke, anger simmering in his eyes. Violet gasped, shaking her head in disbelief. "N-no¡­ you have to be joking, right? There''s no way she could be like that!" From behind them, Emma chimed in, her voice hesitant but firm. "Ethan''s right! Corin told me about this more than once, but I never wanted to believe it. Now that Ethan''s saying the same thing, maybe¡­ maybe it''s true." Her words hung heavily in the air. Sylvania''s eyes widened in shock, as if her world had just shattered. "Corin said that? And he''s the duke''s son¡­ if anyone knows the truth, it''s him. I can''t believe she''s this kind of person!" Her voice wavered, filled with horror. Ethan took a deep breath, steadying himself as he pushed himself up from the bed. Violet reached out, almost stopping him, but seeing he was steady, she hesitated and let him go. "Don''t worry," Ethan said firmly, looking at them with determination. "No matter how powerful she is, she can''t fight the whole world alone. Now that we know the truth, let''s work together. How about we form a team and expose her for what she truly is?" His words sparked a glimmer of hope in their eyes. S~ea??h the N?vel(F)ire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Sylvania and Violet exchanged glances, determination settling on their faces as they nodded in agreement. ------------- At vanara tribe, Esdeath was laying on the floor unconscious but finally her body moved and slowly she regained her consciousness, She''s been unconscious for more than half hour. She touched her forhead in dizziness and slowly sat up, Her body felt heavy and filled like it was at it''s limit of mana storage capacity. Esdeath recalled her last memories an had a long breath, "Phew... I actually survived, But I can''t take the risk of raising my mana even once", She thought as she looked around her, The floor was filled with her blood. She quickly sat up and wiped the blood out of her mouth and also started finding an clothe to remove blood from floor. She was lucky and actually there were many clothes placed in room that can be used for cleaning. She took one an started cleaning, As she was cleaning se couldn''t help but think of something, "My ESR talent is only 55%, That means,even if I have large mana, I can only draw out only 55% at once, For example, If I''m at a situation where I''m going to use all mana as I can took from my body to use, Then despite my best effort I can only draw out 55% , Around 38-40 mana only, And recovery will also be at 55%, Means after drawing out around 40 mp, I can recovery only 20-22 in a whole day, This thing is clearly giving me a broad disadvantage! ", she couldn''t help but feel disappointed. After a few minutes, Esdeath finished scrubbing the floor, making sure every last trace of blood was gone. She gathered the cloths, tossed them into the fire, and watched as the flames consumed the evidence, leaving nothing behind. A deep sigh escaped her as she finally felt a wave of relief. She sank onto her bed, letting her body relax for the first time. But the calm didn''t last long. Suddenly, the door burst open with a loud bang. Maruti stood there, her face serious and her eyes wide with urgency. "We''ve got a big problem!" Maruti exclaimed, her voice tense. Please Kill Him "What kind of problem?" Esdeath asked immediately, her curiosity piqued. Maruti didn''t answer right away. Instead, she stepped into the room, closed the door behind her, and began to explain. She recounted her walk around the village, where she had bumped into her elder sister, Sasha. Sasha had given her the news of an upcoming battle with Ujjain, Maruti''s future husband, who was set to challenge them. Maruti went over the rules of their tribe, though Esdeath already had some idea of the challenges they might face. "So¡­ we only have tonight to prepare for tomorrow''s battle," Maruti said with a sigh, her frustration clear. "And my so-called elder sister is waiting outside, ready to take us to a low-tier treasure room. We can use any essence stone we find and refine it ourselves, as much as we''re able. But that''s the issue¡­ there''s no telling if we''ll be able to do it in time or not." Esdeath''s eyes lit up with a different reaction. "We can take as much as we want?" she mused, thinking of the possibilities. "That might actually be helpful. But going up against a D-rank while we''re both just E-rank¡­ even together, our chances are maybe fifty-fifty." A seasoned D-rank could handle multiple E-ranks with ease. Forget about Ujjain, Who is a mid-upper tiersomee "Do you have any essence stones you''ve already refined?" Esdeath asked, her gaze sharp as she looked at Maruti. Every advantage counted, and she knew they''d need it. "Well¡­ at first, I didn''t realize it," Maruti admitted, scratching her head. "But then I found a diary left by this girl, and it turns out she had refined a few essence stones. I guess I got lucky, but do you think you can actually refine one in such a short time?" she asked with genuine concern. Refining essence stones wasn''t simple; it required intense focus, not only to activate the stone''s power but also to link it to one''s mind. Some stones, like the "Boar Strength" essence stone, offered permanent boosts. But for stones that needed mana activation, just knowing you possessed them was critical. Maruti had lucked out by finding a note detailing which stones were refined by the previous owner of her body. Through practice, she managed to access some of their powers. However, without if a person has lost his melodies and didn''t left any notes or diary, Then He would need a complete "Appraisal" from an expert to identify their refined stones. But that carried risks¡ªrare stones,Specially Rank A, can intimate their greed and they end up killing him and take those essence stone for themselves. Esdeath''s eyes gleamed as she took all this in, a smirk crossing her face. "Guess it''s time I show you why I''m the world''s greatest hitman and why you''re just a rival. Now, where''s your so-called sister?" "Oh, getting bold now, huh?" Maruti grinned, standing up from the bed. "She''s right outside, waiting for us." They stepped out to find Sasha waiting impatiently. Sasha was waiting outside, When she saw esdeath, She didn''t say anything but her face was saying that she didn''t like esdeath much, She just turned back and started walking while Esdeath and Maruti followed her from behind. As they began walking, it seemed like they''d reach the destination in just a few minutes. However, more than ten minutes had passed, and Sasha showed no signs of stopping. They walked through winding paths, passing by small houses, while villagers greeted Sasha and Maruti with warmth and respect. Maruti was already losing patience. "Ugh! Isn''t this supposed to be a small village? Why''s it taking forever?" she muttered in an exhausted tone. It wasn''t the walking that wore her out; it was the boredom. Esdeath smirked, glancing at her. "Did you think the village is just an illusion from the outside? This place is much larger than it looks. If you''re not a native, you''d get lost easily¡ªand escaping is nearly impossible. The village''s boundaries have illusions that loop back to the starting point." "Seriously? I never thought barbarians could be this clever!" Maruti sighed, momentarily forgetting she was one herself. Bored, Maruti decided to dig deeper. "How about you finish that story you were telling? So, was she the first of the Star Constellations? Are they all human, or could some be other mortal species, like barbarians, elves, or dwarves?" Maruti''s constant questions started to wear on Esdeath''s nerves. "No! Not all mortals become Star Constellations. Some are born as constellations!" she replied, irritated. Maruti blinked. "Born as one?" "Yeah. There are two types," Esdeath explained. "First, there are those born by nature''s will, like the goddesses of water, Ganga and Narmada, or Agni, the god of fire. They exist to preserve life. Second, there are those created by the faith and desperation of mortals." She paused, glancing at Maruti''s curious expression. "In ancient times, people were desperate for survival. When it rained endlessly, destroying their crops, they''d beg the sun to return. Or when there was drought, they''d offer prayers and sacrifices for rain, hoping some unseen god would hear them." "And¡­?" Maruti urged her to continue. "Eventually, these wishes gave birth to beings like Surya, the Sun God. And later, other gods of rain, like Indra and Zeus, were born from similar beliefs. Some gods became powerful, like Indra and Zeus, while others, like Freyr and Alyta, remained lesser deities of rain." Esdeath''s voice grew serious as she finished, "It''s not just nature that shapes this world. People''s beliefs, their hopes and fears¡ªthey make things real, even gods. Like Yama, the god of death, born from humanity''s understanding of mortality." Maruti fell silent, absorbing the weight of Esdeath''s words as they continued to follow Sasha''s silent figure through the maze-like village. But not just after after few more seconds, As they passed by another house, Maruti''s face grew puzzled. She slowed down, her eyes narrowing as she looked at the walls of the nearby home. It was like something was clicking together in her mind, but she couldn''t quite figure it out. She finally turned to Esdeath. "Fable, I''ve been noticing this for a while now. Almost every house in this village has these¡­ paintings? Or designs, maybe?" She pointed toward the front wall of the house they''d just passed. S§×arch* The nov§×lF~ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. On the wall, there was a rough, almost childlike painting of a monkey-like figure with a long tail. The figure looked young, maybe around three or four years old. What caught Maruti''s attention was that the monkey child was drawn as if floating, with one hand reaching up toward an orange, glowing ball hovering above him. Esdeath followed Maruti''s gaze and let out a deep sigh, her own impatience with the endless walk making her shoulders droop. She was just as tired of the slow pace, and this little discovery offered the perfect excuse to break up the monotony. With another sigh, she shrugged and glanced at Maruti with a smirk. "Alright," she said, her voice a touch dramatic. "Looks like it''s time for the next part of the story." ------------- Seraphine gave birth to three male childs. The third and final child had the most chilling presence of all. His hair was as black as night, and his red eyes were far darker than those of his brothers. His aura was filled with an overwhelming sense of gloom, as if he carried a shadow with him wherever he went. His sclera¡ªthe whites of his eyes¡ªwere pitch black, and beneath his crimson gaze, his pupils bore strange, multiple ring-like shapes that seemed to spin in a hypnotic, eerie manner. This child was unlike anything the world had ever seen; he was the first true demon, destined to become the **Demon King, Aurora**. The three children of Savitri Seraphine were being held by three maids, each carefully cradling a child. Aurora, the third child, was in the arms of an elderly maid whose eyes widened in horror as she looked down at him. Something in his appearance stirred fear deep within her, making her whole body tremble. Her face went pale, and panic overtook her as she shouted desperately, her voice filled with terror, "T-this¡­ this child must not live. He has to die, he must die!" Her hand rose, trembling but determined, as if she was about to hurl Aurora to the ground, intending to end his life right then and there. Gasps filled the room as the other maids froze in shock, horror plastered across their faces. "Someone stop her!" one maid shouted, her voice strained with urgency. But before the old maid could follow through, a nearby soldier, noticing the commotion, reacted quickly. He threw his sword, and with deadly accuracy, it pierced through the old maid''s belly. Blood splattered as she staggered, her face twisted in pain. She crumpled to her knees, her grip on Aurora loosening. A maid rushed over to pull the baby safely from her trembling hands. The old maid''s body slumped to the ground, her life slipping away. Even with her last, fading breaths, she clung to her fear, whispering weakly, "Kill him¡­ please, someone¡­ kill that child¡­" Even Gods Can Make Mistakes In a distant corner of the universe lay an endless expanse of pitch-black emptiness. Darkness stretched far and wide, an all-consuming void so deep it seemed to swallow any hint of light¡ªexcept for one radiant sight in the distance. Glowing softly, almost like a shimmering river, a stream of light flowed, twisting and winding with a surreal grace. This was the legendary "Cosmic River," an unending flow of celestial energy that seemed to have neither beginning nor end, a mystery of the universe itself. Yet, in the midst of this Cosmic River was an even greater enigma. There, floating peacefully, was a man, seemingly asleep. He rested atop a massive, seven-headed serpent, each head still and silent, yet unmistakably alive. The serpent''s vast body coiled below him, its thick tail providing the man with a secure place to rest as though he were a child held gently in its grasp. The serpent didn''t stir, its loyalty clear; it protected the man, its master, in this strange realm. The man''s face was calm, his eyes closed in a serene slumber. His skin was dark, a deep ebony shade that contrasted against the glow of the Cosmic River, giving him an otherworldly beauty. His features were handsome, his presence radiating both grace and strength. Adorned with elegant jewelry and a robe of luxurious fabric, he appeared as a figure of ancient royalty, lost in dreams amidst the eternal river of stars. S§×ar?h the ¦Çov§×lFire .net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Suddenly, the calm of the vast, dark space was broken. A disturbance rippled through the air, and in front of the sleeping figure, space itself began to crack, like glass shattering under unseen force. From this fractured space, a figure stepped forward¡ªa man formed entirely of shimmering blue cosmic energy. Power radiated from him, almost tangible, filling the quiet with a sense of awe. This new figure, unlike the sleeping man, was dressed simply in rough animal skins, enough only to cover himself modestly. He stepped forward silently, casting a glance at the man who lay asleep, but he didn''t disturb him. Instead, he lowered himself into a seated position, hovering mid-air, a calm silence settling around him. Slowly, the cosmic energy surrounding his body faded, revealing a handsome man with deep blue skin, his face now clear and defined. A look of concern flickered in his dark eyes, as though he held something important he wished to share but hesitated, not wanting to disrupt the other''s peaceful sleep. As he pondered silently, another crack split the air, and from it emerged another being. This one was an elderly man, his face lined with age and wisdom, draped in a pure white monk''s robe. Although he looked nearly human with normal skin, he was far from ordinary¡ªfor he possessed three heads, each lined with deep wrinkles and expressions of timeless knowledge. The blue-skinned man glanced up, about to speak, but the three-headed elder chuckled, his voice echoing with mirth, "Hahaha¡­ Shiva, I already know why you''re here! Regretting that rash action born out of anger, are you? Feeling guilty now, I see!" His laughter was a gentle mockery, laced with familiarity. The cosmic man, Shiva¡ªthe Destroyer¡ªclicked his tongue in irritation, his gaze sharp as he replied, "Tch¡­ Brahma, God of Wisdom and Creation, but not an ounce of manners. If you''re just here to mock me, then go back." Shiva''s expression was a mixture of annoyance and self-restraint, showing both his temper and the depth of his regret. Brahma''s mocking grin softened, watching his old friend''s struggle with a touch of understanding. Brahma took a deep breath, looking toward the sleeping figure in front of them. "Alright... alright... Let''s wake Vishnu. He might have an answer for the consequences of your actions," Brahma said, turning his focus to the resting man beside them. The man''s name was Vishnu, also known as the Preserver. Together, Brahma, Vishnu, and Shiva¡ªsometimes called Mahesh¡ªformed an eternal trio, though they were beyond what mortals might call gods or constellations. To call them mere gods would fall short of the truth. They weren''t born of human worship nor created to govern life. Instead, they *were* the universe, embodying its core nature and purpose. Brahma, the one who creates; Vishnu, the one who preserves; and Mahesh/Shiva, the one who brings all things to an end. As Brahma moved closer, intending to awaken Vishnu, the sleeping figure''s eyes opened calmly, surprising the others. Vishnu sat up with a serene smile. "I''ve been awake. I was simply waiting for you both to gather," he said in a voice so gentle and mesmerizing that it could captivate anyone who heard it. Shiva''s frustration flared slightly as he looked to Vishnu, his eyes troubled. "If you already know so much, then answer me. I know I could stop all of this by ending her children, but how? If I take action against a mere mortal woman, I would be bound by karma. The world would see it as a petty grudge against one who is only mortal." His words hung heavy with his inner turmoil. Vishnu nodded, considering Shiva''s dilemma with a thoughtful expression. "Mahesh," he began, his voice gentle yet firm, "that woman indeed went against nature''s rules, but isn''t that the nature of mortals themselves? They''re cunning, unpredictable, driven by emotions." Vishnu paused, allowing his words to settle. "Remember, you were the one who created the Grant Wish Essence Stone, a way for mortals to aim higher, to reach beyond their limitations. It was your way of rewarding those who strive relentlessly. She endured her hardships and found her way to that reward. Can we really blame her for trying to change her fate?" Vishnu''s tone softened, but then he continued with a grave note, "However," he said, voice growing firm, "by cursing her out of anger, you too have crossed a line, breaking the balance you vowed to uphold." Shiva''s shoulders slumped as he lowered his gaze. "I know¡­ but once an arrow is shot or a word is spoken, it can''t be taken back," he admitted, a trace of remorse in his voice. Vishnu''s expression softened, his hand reaching out in a comforting gesture. "Don''t worry, Shiva. Accepting your mistake is the first step. Instead of dwelling in guilt, make amends. If you created this imbalance, then it''s also within your power to restore it." Vishnu''s wisdom brought a calm over Shiva, easing the weight of his guilt. Vishnu, who had been giving his advice with a confident smirk, crossed his arms, leaned back slightly, and shut his eyes with an air of pride. "But don''t worry," he said, rubbing his nose as though to emphasize his self-assuredness. "You have me, the Protector. I''ll be the one to handle your¡ª" Before he could finish, he felt a sudden surge, an overwhelming wave of energy. His eyes snapped open, and he turned, stunned, to find Shiva glowing with an intense cosmic blue light. Vishnu''s mouth fell open as he saw a shimmering piece of Shiva''s essence¡ªalmost liquid in appearance¡ªseparate itself from his form and drift downward, vanishing into the endless space below. "Shiva! What did you do?" Vishnu gasped, still absorbing what he''d just seen. Shiva shrugged, calm as ever. "What? You told me to fix the mess I made," he replied. "So I did. I just split a part of my essence and will to create an incarnation. It''ll be born into that woman''s world and set things right." Vishnu and Brahma stared at him, speechless. Then, as if by instinct, they both slapped their foreheads in sync, a look of exasperation on their faces. "Really, Shiva? Did you even think this through?" Vishnu groaned. "You''re the Destroyer; creating and guiding incarnations is my job! I should have been the one to take on mortal form and fix this." Brahma chimed in, his brows furrowed with concern. "Not only that¡ªyou just gave up a significant part of your will and cosmic energy! Do you have any idea how powerful your incarnation will be now?" Birth In the Seraphine Kingdom, a place that had evolved over the centuries from a super tribe into a thriving kingdom, the ancient tree houses had been replaced with grand palaces fit for royalty. Among them was the palace of Savitri Seraphine, who, though weary from giving birth to triplets, had been stirred by the commotion around her and had managed to sit up despite her exhaustion. The guards, sensing her distress, swiftly removed the body of the old maid, carrying it out to keep the room calm. Watching the scene, a chill ran through Savitri as she recalled Shiva''s dark prophecy that her children would bring ruin to the world. But she quickly dismissed his words, casting aside any trace of doubt. "Bring my children to me!" she commanded. Her voice held strength, and the three maids hurried forward, gently placing each child in her arms. Savitri looked down at each of her newborns with a soft, unwavering gaze. As she touched each of their tiny foreheads, her thoughts turned to her mentor. "I am Parshuram''s disciple," she murmured to herself, recalling his teachings. "He always taught me that with proper guidance and education, even the greatest evils can become saints." Determination filled her heart as she resolved to prove Shiva''s prophecy wrong. A small, yet defiant smile spread across her face. "I won''t let you become monsters," she whispered to her children, her voice full of hope and resolve. "I''ll show that deity that his words may yet be proven wrong." With a deep breath, she looked at her children with a newfound resolve. "Now," she said softly, "it''s time to give you each a name." She turned to her first child, noticing his unusual blue hair and striking red, snake-like eyes. "Your look reminds me of the wolfman stories from my childhood," she murmured thoughtfully. "Your name will be Lycaon." Her voice carried a hint of nostalgia as she made her choice. Then, her gaze softened as she looked at her second child¡ªthe most charming of the three, with snowy white hair and a serene face. "And you," she chuckled, "you''ll be a real heartbreaker someday. I''ll name you Cain, a name as handsome as you are!" Finally, she turned to her youngest, her expression shifting as she took in his son''s unique appearance: black hair, red pupils with intricate rings, and an ominous aura that seemed to pulse around her. "You''re different¡­ so unique," she mused softly. "I''ll name you Aurora." Having named her children, Savitri felt a swell of pride. She turned to the maids with newfound energy. "Go and prepare a festival. This is a blessed day! Distribute food to the poor, lower the taxes by ten percent, and start building churches across the kingdom!" The head maid hesitated, then asked, "Churches, my lady? But in whose name?" Savitri''s eyes sparkled with resolve as she rose from the bed. "In my name," she declared firmly. "From now on, I will be this kingdom''s goddess. I''ll ensure my people prosper and live happily¡ªit is my duty." With a steady, fiery gaze, she spoke with conviction, "From this day forward, I vow, as long as I am alive, no one will suffer. I''ll be the goddess of humanity ." ---------------- In a remote area within Seraphine''s kingdom, there lay a vast forest. Since this was the beginning of the early kingdom era, much of the land was still wild and untouched, with many regions left undeveloped and covered in thick forests. Deep within one of these forests lived several tribes, groups that did not consider themselves part of Seraphine''s kingdom, instead living freely and independently. Among these, the most powerful tribe was the Vanara Tribe. In this age, the ancestors of barbarians, the Vanara people, were part-human and part-monkey in appearance. They had faces resembling monkeys, long tails, and sparse hair covering their bodies. Although they walked on two legs like humans, their appearance was undeniably primal. sea??h th§× NovelFire.net* website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. At the head of the Vanara Tribe was a strong, wise monkey-man named Kesari, and his wife, Anjani, who was now carrying their first child, although only in the early stages of pregnancy. That night, Anjani rested peacefully in their simple treehouse, lying on a bed woven from grass and wood. In her deep sleep, she was unaware of the cosmic forces about to change her life. Suddenly, a powerful surge of cosmic energy descended from above and struck her directly, focusing its immense power on her belly, where it was absorbed almost instantly. The sudden energy shocked her awake. Anjani''s eyes flew open as intense pain flooded her body. She screamed as waves of agony wracked her frame, her hands gripping her bed tightly. In moments, her belly began to swell, growing so rapidly it was as though months of pregnancy passed in just seconds. In the blink of an eye, she appeared as if she were already nine months pregnant, the cosmic energy taking root within her in an instant. Hearing Anjani''s screams, many tribe members hurried toward her room, including Kesari, who had been in a meeting. The sight that met their eyes left everyone shocked. Anjani''s rapid, unnatural pregnancy had transformed her appearance in a matter of moments. "Someone call the governess!" Kesari shouted in their native tongue, a language unique to the tribe. To any outsider, his words would have been incomprehensible, but to his people, they understood perfectly. At his command, several maids rushed to fetch the governess, who soon arrived with a few other female attendants. She entered Anjani''s room, while the others were asked to wait outside. Everyone waited anxiously, hearing the fading sounds of Anjani''s screams. The uncertainty gripped their hearts, leaving each moment feeling stretched and intense. Eventually, the screams ceased altogether. Just as they began to worry, the governess stepped outside, a broad smile on her face. "Congratulations, Patriarch," she announced, "your wife has given birth to a son!" Her joyful expression was infectious, and a wave of happiness rippled through the gathered crowd, lifting the tension. Kesari''s eyes sparkled as he hurried inside, eager to see his wife and newborn. Inside, he found Anjani lying in bed, exhausted but unharmed. She was breathing heavily, recovering from the ordeal, but relief washed over her face as she gazed lovingly at her child. Next to her lay their son, a small bundle with a monkey-like face, a tail, and a largely human body. His black hair and golden-brown eyes gleamed with a serene, almost divine aura. However, the sight of his son''s black hair puzzled Kesari, as it was the first time he''d seen this trait in a child from their tribe. Turning to the guards, he ordered with curiosity, "Bring the old sage here!" Kesari was referring to his trusted adviser, an elderly sage known for walking on both wisdom and time path. This adviser, a man nearing ninety, had spent years honing his skills with essence stones, Although he didn''t get much rare ones but he refines some essence stones by himself to make deductions about someone, While these predictions often turned out to be true, he always spoke in cryptic, poetic language, leaving it to others to interpret his words correctly. Soon, the adviser entered the room, his frail body moving with a slow but steady purpose. His face was lined with deep wrinkles, evidence of his long life, and his expression was one of quiet focus. Without a word, he approached Kesari''s newborn son, knelt down, and gently placed his hand on the child''s forehead. He then activated five essence stone in his body at once. As the adviser activated the stones, his eyes suddenly opened wide, glowing with a mysterious white light. A soft hum filled the room, and then, as if guided by the power of the stones, he began to speak in a low, resonant voice. "UGRAMA, ASAMA SHOURYA BHAAVA" (He Is Strong, Without An Equal In The Ability To Fight) "RUDRAMA, NAVA BHEETHIRMA" (His Anger Will Cause New Fears In His Foes) "DHIVARA, PRASARA SHOURYA BHAARA" (The Brave And Preserving One, Your Braving Taking You Forward In Life) "UTHSARA, STHIRA GAMBHEERA" (Leaping Higher You Are Firm, Stable And Seriously Determined) Sun God–Surya Kesari listened closely to the old sage''s words, feeling a sense of relief wash over him. From the sage''s prophetic lines, it seemed his newborn son was destined for greatness, a future full of promise and praise. However, he understood that this destiny could change. If the child wasn''t guided well, the potential for destruction lay hidden beneath the promising future the sage spoke of. The sage finally came back to his senses, his eyes returning to normal as he let out a weary breath. "I never expected such a powerful prediction to be so exhausting. This child is truly remarkable!" he exclaimed, still panting slightly. Kesari nodded, pride and curiosity mixing in his gaze as he looked down at his son. "Yes, I can sense something extraordinary myself," he murmured, noticing the baby''s calmness and unusual black hair. Driven by a hunch, he reached for his Rank B Body Appraisal essence stone, intending to check if his son held any special stones within him. The moment he activated the stone, Kesari felt a jolt of shock. "What is this?" he gasped, stumbling back. "He...he''s already awakened! And not only that¡ªthere are more than eight essence stones within his body and soul! That''s...unheard of. To be born awakened is rare enough, but to have multiple stones¡ª" For a moment, Kesari was lost in disbelief, staring in awe at his son. Then, he steadied himself, taking a deep breath. Suddenly, a booming laugh filled the room. "Hahaha! What a precious gift the heavens have granted us!" he roared, his eyes alight with a newfound excitement and pride. Being awakened at birth was a phenomenon that went beyond rare; even those who awakened at nine or ten were hailed as future geniuses. But Kesari''s son was different¡ªnot only awakened from the very moment of birth but carrying more than eight essence stones within his tiny body. Such a combination was beyond extraordinary. The existence of essence stones within one''s body was a rarity in itself, often even surpassing the rarity of being awakened. Some non-awakened individuals were occasionally born with essence stones, but without the ability to use them, these stones became nothing more than unused potential. Tragically, if awakened individuals discovered these stones in others, they would often kill to retrieve them, seeing the stones as valuable resources. It was a misfortune for non-awakened people to bear such stones, marking them as targets. And yet, Kesari''s son held more than eight¡ªa chance so slim it could only happen once in tens of millions. Excitement and pride swelled in Kesari''s heart. Traditionally, his tribe named their children at the age of five, but today he was breaking that rule. This child, with his exceptional birthright, deserved a name immediately. With a joyful laugh, he declared, "Your name... your name will be Maruti!" His words echoed proudly through the room. Although his wife Anjani had already fallen into an exhausted sleep, the old sage bore witness, nodding in quiet approval as Kesari''s voice filled the air with the promise of a great destiny. ----------------- As dawn broke over the Seraphine Kingdom, Seraphine prepared for a day of important revelations. She had summoned an appraiser. A expert represented the pinnacle of his field, but today''s task was special, and the appraiser was there to evaluate her three children. The appraiser was unlike anyone in the kingdom, possessing the rare ability to sense a person''s elemental affinity through visions. In this age, there were no machines to measure such abilities, Instead a imagination falls into Appraisaler''s mind and then he can identify the elements based on that. As he inspected each child, his expression grew more serious. Finally, he turned to Seraphine, his voice uncertain. "My lady, I have never encountered anything like this before." Seraphine stood up, a mix of anticipation and concern in her gaze. "Explain," she demanded. The appraiser hesitated before responding. "Your eldest, Lord Lycaon, shows a natural affinity for wind and fire. This is quite remarkable, but not unusual. However, your other two children¡­" He gestured to the twins, Cain and Aurora, his eyes filled with both awe and puzzlement. "These two possess essence stones within them from birth, which is itself incredibly rare. But even more astonishing, I cannot fully identify the type of essence they carry." Seraphine''s eyes sparkled with a mixture of pride and astonishment. "Essence stones? And from birth?" She knew how valuable and powerful such a gift could be. "Yes," the appraiser confirmed, "but the mystery deepens. Your middle child, Lord Cain, has affinities I have never seen. One is like a blood-red energy, another is a dark, spirit-linked element. Then, there''s a pink aura that seems to enchant anyone near it, and finally, a vibrant purple light that suggests a form of gravity." He shook his head, still trying to comprehend. Seraphine''s expression turned to shock. "What? I understand the Dark element, but aren''t there only nine elements¡ªLight,Dark, Wind, Fire, Earth, Water, Light, Nature, and Wood? What kind of elements are these?" she asked, her voice filled with rare uncertainty. In her six hundred years of experience, she had never encountered anything like this. The appraiser raised a trembling hand. "I''m not done yet, my lady. Lord Aurora''s case is even more peculiar. He has a single affinity, but it''s unlike anything I''ve sensed. It feels like¡­ a complete void, a force that consumes and nullifies all things. It''s¡­ it''s pure chaos!" His voice grew louder, almost frantic, as he repeated, "Chaos! Pure chaos!" Suddenly, the appraiser began to laugh, a crazed sound filling the room. The unsettling laughter echoed as Seraphine felt a chill run down her spine. Before she could react further, the appraiser gasped, his body seizing up. Blood trickled from his mouth, eyes, and ears as he coughed violently. "Someone get the healer!" Seraphine shouted, rushing forward, her tone urgent. But by the time the healer arrived, it was too late. Seraphine touched his neck, feeling for a pulse. She drew her hand back, her face solemn. "He¡­ he''s dead." The shocking news spread quickly through the kingdom. In the short time since Seraphine''s children were born, two people had already died under strange circumstances. Rumors began to swirl, and whispers spread that Seraphine might be hiding something dangerous. Yet, who dared confront the ruler directly? The people could only wait in suspense, wondering what these ominous events meant for the future. S~ea??h the ¦ÇovelFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. ------------ Three years flowed by like a gentle river, and Maruti, now three years old, was growing up happily in the Vanara tribe. It was the end of the summer season, and the mango trees were heavy with ripe, juicy fruit. One warm afternoon, Anjani, his mother, placed a large, golden mango in Maruti''s small hands. The mango was almost too big for his tiny hands to hold, and it felt heavy and cool. Anjani beamed, her eyes shining with joy. "It''s our little lord''s first time trying a mango, right? Go ahead, have a taste! You''ll remember this for the rest of your life!" she encouraged him with a cheerful smile. Hearing her words, Maruti took a bite of the mango. His eyes widened, and a look of pure delight spread across his face. "Woah¡­ mango¡­ very sweet¡­ very like it!" he exclaimed. Though his words were clumsy, his expression was full of innocent wonder. From that day on, Maruti didn''t want anything else to eat. Morning, noon, and night, he only wanted mangos. Anjani couldn''t help but laugh at first, but soon, she started regretting her decision to give him the fruit. But as with all things in nature, the season eventually changed, and mango season came to an end. Maruti grew sadder by the day when he realized he couldn''t have his beloved fruit anymore. Soon, he became so disappointed that he refused to leave his room or eat anything at all. Seeing him this way, Anjani felt worried. She came to him with a gentle smile and sat beside him, trying to comfort him. "Maruti, it''s the rule of nature. Mangos can only grow during their season. You can have them again next year! But until then, please don''t worry your mother like this. Eat something else for now," she pleaded, holding out a plate of food to him. Maruti looked down, sighed, and finally agreed, "Kay¡­ I''ll wait!" He took a small bite, and Anjani''s face lit up. After three long days, her son was eating again, and she, too, finally felt she could eat. She had gone without food herself, hoping it would encourage Maruti to break his fast. As they ate together, Anjani felt a deep sense of relief, grateful that her little one was happy again, even if he would be waiting eagerly for the next mango season. No one could have known, but the following year brought a crisis not just to the Vanara tribe, but to the entire world. The sun''s heat became unbearable, rising to levels that no one had ever experienced before. The lakes and rivers dried up, turning once-vibrant forests into barren landscapes. Trees turned brown and brittle, their leaves shriveled under the fierce sun, and the air felt dry and lifeless. People everywhere struggled under the relentless heat, and over three million souls were lost to heatstroke. Animals, plants, and every living creature suffered as if the world itself was nearing its end. At the Seraphine Kingdom, on the palace balcony, Savitri stood in a flowing golden gown, her golden eyes reflecting the blazing sun above. She gazed up, troubled and pensive. "Only three years have passed, and already a crisis has begun? Is this truly because of my children? Will I fail to change their fate?" Her voice, usually calm, now held a note of doubt and sorrow. Deep inside, she couldn''t help but feel responsible, but she knew the cause wasn''t her children. Instead, it was the work of one powerful figure¡ªthe Sun God, Surya. Far away, within the very heart of the sun, Surya sat upon a grand throne of lava and fire, his laughter echoing through his palace of molten flames. "Hahaha¡­ I am the greatest, the one true god!" His prideful voice boomed, his laughter filled with arrogance. Surya wore a full suit of bright orange armor that glowed like the fire itself, and atop his head rested a long, blazing crown. His throne room, forged from the sun''s essence, shimmered and crackled around him. Though the sun was his true form, this armored figure was like his avatar¡ªa body through which he could freely experience the world without ever leaving his eternal place in the sky. "My Liege, is this truly the right thing to do? Look down at that planet¡ªthe people there, they''re suffering, barely clinging to life!" a voice said with a tinge of worry. The speaker was a being of pure lava and flame, a creature whose body glowed and rippled like a man made of living fire. He was from a unique race, known as the Lava Men¡ªthe fierce inhabitants of the sun. Surya sneered, dismissing the concern with a wave of his hand. "And what of it? Look at them! They''re on their knees, praying to me, begging me to ease the heat. The more they pray, the stronger my power grows! Soon, I''ll melt all the icebergs on that world, and then they''ll have endless water. They won''t need to look to the rain or other gods for help. Instead, they''ll worship me alone!" A smile curled on his face as he leaned back on his throne, his pride almost tangible. "Ha! Who are Indra and Zeus to me? They''re nothing. They''re beneath me. I am the one true god, greater than any of them!" His laughter echoed through his throne room, the sound like a crackling fire, full of arrogance and delight. The Lava Man shifted uncomfortably, his gaze lingering below, "My Liege was not like this, He was used to be very calm and respected other gods/star constellations, Just what the hell happened in one night? He thought in his heart. The One Who Swallowed The Sun Surya''s laughter echoed powerfully through his palace, filling the vast hall with an intimidating presence. Suddenly, a flash of blinding light split the room, and a divine gate opened, pouring radiant light that overpowered even the sun god''s fiery surroundings. Moments later, six figures stepped through the gate. Leading them was a striking, muscular man with a sharp jawline and hair as white as clouds, crackling with white lightning. His mere presence exuded authority and power¡ªhe was none other than Indra, the God of Thunder and Rain. Beside Indra stood a dignified elderly man, tall and imposing, with yellow lightning sparking from his eyes and coursing over his white hair and sturdy frame. Dressed in flowing white robes, his age only added to his formidable aura. This was Zeus, his presence as intense as a gathering storm. Following them were four women of enchanting beauty, unlike anything mortal eyes could behold. The first two wore matching armor with graceful pink skirts, exuding elegance and charm. The one with flowing green hair was Freyr, and her companion with azure hair was Alyta¡ªboth lesser goddesses of rain, their delicate yet strong appearance mirroring their command over gentle showers and life-giving waters. Behind Freyr and Alyta walked two identical women with flowing, intricate dresses adorned in golden jewelry. These twin goddesses, Ganga and Narmada, ruled over the rivers. But unlike their usual graceful forms, they were breathing heavily, their bodies covered in bruises, and a frailty shadowed their faces. Surya''s relentless heat had drained their rivers to dryness, leaving them weakened and on the edge of collapse. Each of them gazed at Surya with somber expressions, the weight of the world''s suffering evident in their eyes. The Lavaman lowered his head seeing them. Indra''s voice boomed through the hall, filled with anger and authority. "Surya, what in the heavens do you think you''re doing? Have you lost your mind? If you keep this up, life on Earth will end!" The force of his voice created ripples of shockwaves around him, but Surya remained unfazed. With a dismissive scoff, he replied, "Indra, you don''t get to tell me what to do. Go back and enjoy yourself with your nymphs!" Zeus stepped forward, his gaze piercing, "Enough of this nonsense! Look at those goddesses," he said, gesturing toward Ganga and Narmada. "Do you see the suffering they''re enduring? This is your doing, Surya! It is the natural order to respect mortal lives. Whether they thrive or perish, our duty is to maintain balance, not disrupt it." His voice was tinged with restrained fury, adding weight to his words. Surya''s eyes flashed with irritation. "Rules, rules, rules... why should I be bound by them? Mortals are mere insects, and I have no need to cater to their weakness. They are beneath me." His voice dripped with arrogance, dismissing his fellow gods as he leaned back on his throne. Freyr and Alyta looked away, disappointment etched on their faces. Indra took a slow, deep breath, composing himself before speaking again. "So this is your answer? It seems you''ve truly lost your way." His tone turned cold. "We will give you one day, Surya, out of respect for our past bonds. But make no mistake: if you continue, there will be war." With a final glare, Indra turned and opened the divine gate, signaling to the others. Each god cast Surya one last look of disapproval before they vanished through the gate, leaving the sun god alone in his throne room, with his lava man. ------------ A vast crowd had gathered outside the royal palace in the Seraphine Kingdom, their faces etched with despair as they looked up toward the balcony. There, Lady Savitri stood, her gaze steady as she took in the sea of commoners below. A man in the crowd, eyes sunken from dehydration, raised his voice, "Water¡­ my lady, I haven''t had a drop in three days!" Near him, a woman clutched a small child to her chest, her voice trembling with grief. "My children¡­ they died from hunger. I only have this one left, and even I haven''t eaten in days. Please, save us, my lady!" The crowd erupted in cries of agony, each person''s suffering layering over the next, creating a wave of desperation. Hearing this, Savitri''s heart burned with anger. Her hand clenched so tightly against the balcony railing that it cracked under her grip. "These gods think they can play with human lives as they please?" she muttered, her beautiful face contorted in fury. Without a second thought, she leapt down from the balcony, landing gracefully amidst the people. Gasps of hope and awe spread through the crowd as they recognized her. "She''s here! Lady Seraphine has come to save us!" they cheered, their weary faces lighting up with newfound hope. Savitri''s voice rang out with strength and command, "From this moment on, no one shall worship the Sun God or beg for his mercy! Destroy every sculpture of him!" Her eyes burned with determination as she addressed the royal guards stationed nearby. Her authority was absolute; they bowed and moved swiftly to carry out her orders. Determined to help her people herself, Savitri knelt, pressing her hand to the parched earth. She closed her eyes, summoning every bit of mana within her body. As her powers activated, the ground beneath her began to pulse with life. Savitri''s unique affinity with Nature, Light, Earth, and Water was further enhanced by the power of two rare essence stones: the Rank A "Landscape As Before" and "River As Before." These stones allowed her to return any land or water source to its former, thriving state. She poured her energy into the ground, her body glowing faintly as she concentrated, the dry land around her beginning to change. Cracks in the soil softened, and a subtle green hue started to spread. Savitri''s hands trembled as she realized the scale of the task ahead. Even with her powerful essence stones, she had to use hundreds more supporting essence stones. The demand on her energy was intense, and the advanced nature magic she wove to form a protective barrier around the kingdom drained her to the core. The crowd gasped, their eyes widening in shock. To the people watching, it felt like witnessing a god''s power in action, reviving life from barren land with a mere touch. Their reverence for Seraphine deepened, their faith in her transforming into an almost worshipful awe. Slowly, a nearly invisible shield took shape above the kingdom, shimmering with a faint, protective glow. Beneath it, rivers flowed again, and the once-dry lands flourished with greenery. But even this incredible feat had limits¡ªSavitri could only restore about two-thirds of the kingdom. Completing the entire region was beyond even her capabilities, But still it was an great feat even that even Lortell Mariette can''t beat. Though human, Savitri held a strength that could rival the gods, one capable of turning the tide for an entire kingdom. "Cough¡­ cough¡­" Blood trickled from her mouth, the price of her extensive mana use. A grim expression shadowed her face. *The barrier will only hold for a few days,* she thought, aware that the sun''s scorching power would inevitably return to threaten her people once more. S~ea??h the N?vel?ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. *"I have to find a way to stop this for good,"* she resolved, her body lifting off the ground as she flew back to her palace, determination blazing in her eyes. Behind her, the people''s voices rang out in admiration and hope. "Glory to our goddess Seraphine!" they cried. "She is our true goddess!" Others cheered as they rushed to the newly revived rivers, drinking the water they had so long been deprived of, their faith in her stronger than ever. ---------- The night came and passed, and by the very early morning, the sun began to rise, casting its warm colors over the vanara tribe. Sadly, their tribe was still caught in the heatwave, their land untouched by Seraphine''s powers. The forests were dry, and the air carried a heavy, cracked silence. Inside his small, dim room, a four-year-old boy named Maruti lay on his bed, staring outside the window. He felt a craving gnawing at him. "I want to eat mangoes," he murmured, feeling his annoyance grow. "Mango... Mango¡­" He was young and innocent, and the only thing on his mind was his favorite treat. He pouted, waiting as if mangoes might just fall from the sky. When nothing happened, his eyes turned to the rising sun¡ªa brilliant, orange-yellow sphere glowing against the horizon. Maruti''s eyes lit up with a flash of realization. "Orange¡­ Yellow¡­ It must be a mango!" "Mango!" he shouted, imagining it in all its juicy glory. Without a second thought, he jumped up with such energy that he cracked the walls of his room. With astonishing speed, he launched himself toward the sky, driven by his sheer desire. "Mango, I''m coming!" Maruti''s speed was extraordinary; he flew faster and faster, his small body zipping upward like a streak of light. In less than two minutes, he shot past the clouds and burst through the atmosphere, ignoring the lack of air and the intense heat around him. His innocent mind was too focused to feel fear or pain¡ªonly the thought of that "big mango" in the sky filled him as he chanted in his mind, "Mango... Mango... Mango!" Meanwhile, in Surya''s fiery palace on the sun, his lava servants hurried in, their molten forms crackling with urgency. "My Liege," one of them stammered, "something very strange is happening! Someone is coming this way!" Surya, puzzled and annoyed, narrowed his eyes. "Who?" The servant hesitated, clearly uncomfortable. "Um¡­ it appears to be a monkey boy¡­" Surya''s eyes flared with anger. "What? A mere monkey boy? In space?" His voice thundered, filling the chamber. The pressure in the room became suffocating, forcing his servants to kneel. "Forgive me, my liege, but it''s true. See for yourself!" Surya closed his eyes and extended his consciousness outward. To his disbelief, he saw a small monkey child hurtling toward him through the emptiness of space. "How can this be? How is he surviving out here, unaffected by my heat?" "Prepare for battle! Kill that brat before he dares come any closer!" Surya commanded, his voice a fiery roar. Gripping his sword forged from searing lava and scorching flames, he readied himself to face this impossible threat. All around him, his loyal lava warriors brandished their blazing spears, forming a line of defense, waiting anxiously for the boy to draw near. Time passed as Maruti sped closer to the sun, his small form hurtling through the darkness of space. Surya, however, could not shake the suspicion that this was some scheme by the gods, with Indra''s name flickering bitterly in his mind. He seethed, vowing to make whoever was behind this pay. After more than half an hour, the long-anticipated moment arrived. The fiery army stood tense, their spears raised, eyes fixed on Maruti as he neared. But then, something completely unexpected happened. "Mahim¨¡!" Maruti exclaimed, his innocent voice carrying a strange power. Instantly, his body began to grow, larger and larger, beyond all natural limits. Every lava warrior froze, jaws dropping as they stared in shock. They couldn''t believe what they were seeing¡ªthe small boy expanding like a god, his form growing greater than any giant, beyond any mountain. In mere moments, Maruti''s body had swelled to the size of the sun itself, his form casting an enormous shadow over Surya''s palace. Even Surya, the mighty Sun God, felt a jolt of fear pierce his heart. "Just¡­ what is this child?" he whispered, his grip tightening on his sword. And still, Maruti''s body grew, stretching until planets themselves seemed like marbles beside him. The sun was now nothing more than a round mango in front of him¡ªa mango he had craved all along. Without hesitation, Maruti opened his mouth wide, and in one swift gulp, he swallowed the sun whole. Darkness swept through the space as he devoured it, not even leaving a burp in its place. Damn System (2) "What the... He actually swallowed the whole sun? How is that even possible?" Maruti exclaimed, eyes wide and her voice full of shock. She looked to Esdeath, who was walking beside her, seeking an answer. Esdeath glanced at her with a knowing smile. "And why does he have the same name as me?" Maruti asked, still puzzled. Esdeath chuckled softly. "He doesn''t have the same name as you. You share the same name as him. Lord Hanuman is actually a nickname, you know? He''s the reason the name Maruti became so famous. People admired him so much that they named their children after him." Maruti''s eyes widened as realization dawned on her. "Oh¡­ That makes sense! But wait, we see the sun every morning, right? So¡­ where did this sun come from? And what happened after he swallowed it?" Her curiosity was overflowing, and her voice was filled with excitement as she looked up at Esdeath, hoping for answers. But Esdeath stayed quiet, her gaze focused ahead. After a few steps, Esdeath suddenly stopped and looked forward, a small smile tugging at her lips. "We''re here," she said simply. In front of them stood a small, weathered house, built entirely of wood. The place looked humble¡ªalmost too humble¡ªand it was barely big enough for one person to live in comfortably. The wood creaked slightly in the breeze, and there was an air of solitude surrounding the place. Just then, Sasha turned around and tossed a key toward Esdeath, who caught them with ease. Without a word, Sasha turned and walked away, disappearing down the path they''d come from. Both Esdeath and Maruti understood what they needed to do. Together, they stepped up to the door and tried the handle. To their surprise, the door swung open easily, without even a lock holding it shut. They exchanged a quick glance, curiosity mirrored in each other''s eyes, and stepped inside. The interior was plain, almost sparse. It was just a single, square room, with rough wooden walls and a faint smell of old timber. The only thing that stood out was a small, square trapdoor set into the floor. The metal ring on it looked well-worn, as if many hands had lifted it over the years. But unlike the front door, this one had a thick lock securing it tightly. Esdeath glanced down at the key Sasha had given her. She knew exactly what needed to be done. Taking a breath, she slid the key into the lock and turned it. With a satisfying click, the lock released. Maruti''s heart pounded with excitement. Together, they lifted the trapdoor, revealing a dark stairway leading down into the first basement level. The air was cool and damp, carrying the faint scent of earth and stone. As they landed, the sight that greeted Esdeath and Maruti made them pause in awe. The first basement room was huge¡ªat least three times larger than the small wooden shack above. It felt like they had stepped into a hidden treasure vault. Tables and shelves lined the walls, each one stacked with glittering gold coins, piles of clothes, and an assortment of essence stones scattered across the surfaces. The essence stones weren''t of the highest quality, but to Esdeath and Maruti, it felt like discovering a treasure trove. Esdeath''s lips stretched into a wide, wicked grin as she took in the scene. "Hehehe¡­ In the third arc, Sylvania got here first and explored all the basement levels. We only have access to the first level, but this is still a pretty big deal," she said, practically rubbing her hands together in excitement. Maruti looked at her and made a face. "Ugh, stop smiling like that! You look creepy," she said, half-joking, half-serious. Esdeath only chuckled in response, her eyes gleaming as she scanned the room. There were so many different types of essence stones scattered around¡ªsome big, some small, some with vivid colors, and others completely colorless. But there was one problem. Most of them were practically useless. Out of all these stones, Esdeath figured only four or five would be of any real help to her. Maruti sighed, her shoulders slumping. "I mean, seriously, how many essence stones could we even refine in one night? I already have a few with me, so I don''t even need to refine any more. Let''s just grab a weapon and wait for tomorrow. If we both fight together, we''ll definitely win." She pointed to a pile of weapons stacked in the corner, her tone casual, almost bored. Esdeath shook her head and gave Maruti a look. "Do you really think winning will solve everything?" she asked, her voice calm but serious. She turned back to the stones, searching for the ones she needed. "Even if we win, do you have any idea what they''ll do next?" Maruti blinked, clearly clueless. "Nope, not a clue," she replied with a shrug. Esdeath leaned in, her voice lowering as if sharing a secret. "They''ll make us marry each other. They''ll set up a whole wedding, make us exchange vows, and then celebrate like it''s the best thing ever. All according to tradition." Maruti burst out laughing, clutching her sides. "Pfft¡­ Yeah, right! There''s no way I''m marrying you!" she laughed, her voice echoing around the room. "I guess we really have to do something, Do you have any plans? ", Esdeath smirked, her gaze turning sharp. "Of course I have a plan. But for now, focus on finding the useful essence stones," she said with an evil glint in her eye. With determination, the two of them split up and began searching through the room, examining each stone. After some time searching, Maruti''s eyes lit up as she spotted a unique essence stone, about the size of her palm. It had an unusual shape¡ªalmost like a small bone, but made of a dark, iron-like material. It felt different from the other stones, almost alive with energy. Curious, she turned to Esdeath, holding it up. "What kind of essence stone is this?" she asked, eyes wide with wonder. Esdeath''s gaze landed on the stone, and a big, joyous smile appeared on her face. "It''s an iron bone essence stone!" Without hesitation, she took it from Maruti''s hand, her excitement clear. Maruti tilted her head, intrigued. "It looks useful. Let''s refine it! I think there are three of them here," she suggested, gesturing to the nearby stones. But Esdeath shook her head, her expression turning serious. "Yes, it''s useful, but no way. Do you remember what happened last time when you used the bronze muscle essence stone?" she asked, raising an eyebrow. Maruti frowned, recalling the experience. "Um¡­ yeah. It was weird! My whole body felt all tingly, and I was sweating like crazy. Plus, my skin ached for two days straight!" she said, grimacing at the memory. Esdeath nodded, her tone patient. "Exactly. If you use this iron bone essence stone, it''ll make your bones as hard as iron. But the process will be painful, much worse than before. You won''t even be able to move for two or three days!" "Oh¡­ I see¡­" Maruti replied, a bit taken aback. "Yeah," Esdeath said, giving her a reassuring smile. "Let''s just take all three of them with us and save them for another time." With that, she took out her pink lotus essence stone, which could hold other stones inside it, and carefully placed the three iron bone stones inside. Maruti gave her a puzzled look. "Why take all three? There are only two of us, right?" she asked, scratching her head in confusion. An evil smirk played on Esdeath''s lips as she replied, "Simple. We can sell one and make some good money off it, don''t you think?" Maruti scoffed, folding her arms with a playful pout. "Hmph, gold digger!" she muttered in mock annoyance, rolling her eyes. ------------- After over half an hour of searching, Esdeath and Maruti finally settled down in a quiet corner, surrounded by a pile of essence stones they had gathered. These were the stones they''d chosen to refine, and each one held a unique power they hoped to harness. Maruti glanced at the large collection and sighed. "This many? Refining all of these will take at least a month!" she exclaimed, looking a bit overwhelmed. Esdeath shook her head, a small smile on her lips. "We don''t have to refine all of them. Some are already partially refined, so we just need to merge them and create a new essence stone," she explained calmly. As she spoke, Esdeath picked up a small, green stone shaped like a fingernail. The color reminded her of another stone she knew well¡ªthe moonblade essence stone. But this one was different. "This is a moonnail essence stone," she murmured, turning it over in her hand. "It''s a support type. It only works if you already have a moonblade essence stone." With a confident smile, Esdeath said, "As for refining, leave that to me!" She focused, willing her system to start the refinement process. S§×arch* The n??el Fire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. The notification from her system rang in her mind, and in an instant, the moonnail essence stone dissolved, its power absorbed directly into her body. Maruti''s eyes went wide with shock. "Damn¡­ How did you do that?" she gasped, barely able to believe what she''d seen. Esdeath grinned, unable to hide her pride. "Hehehe¡­ I''m a pro, after all!" she replied, smirking as she enjoyed Maruti''s amazement. Next, Esdeath took hold of a lightning charge essence stone. It was a D-rank stone that could boost her speed for just three breaths of time. She absorbed it smoothly, and then picked up a lightning smash essence stone. This one was also a support type, made to work with the lightning charge. Together, they created a powerful combo effect. In lightning smash, running at high speed would store energy in her legs. When she released it all in one kick, it could cause serious damage¡ªa perfect critical hit. Esdeath could feel the power of her new combo attack building up inside her. Maruti just stared, her mouth slightly open in awe. "I know that ethan can do something like this because of his system but fable can also do this?, Her constellation also gives this kind of power, I thought it was only for main character!" she thought, still stunned. Then another question hit her. "Wait, isn''t your affinity with wind and fire? So why are you using lightning essence stones?" she asked, confused. Esdeath sighed, a bit tired but still patient. "Huff¡­ There''s nothing here that''s useful for wind, and it''s not like you can only use essence stones that match your affinity. The effects are a bit weaker, sure, but they don''t disappear completely!" she explained. Having an affinity was definitely helpful, especially when it came to bonding with spirits. If Esdeath had lightning affinity, her speed boost would have lasted for nine breaths instead of just three, and she could charge even more power in her legs. But she knew she had to make do with what she had. Next, she picked up two light path essence stones. These were D-rank, offering a small boost to her overall strength. She handed one to Maruti, who looked at it curiously. "This will give you a 5x boost for five minutes since you have a light element affinity," Esdeath explained. "For me, without the affinity, I''ll only get about a 2x boost." Maruti nodded, not saying a word but clearly understanding. "And now, it''s time for merging!" Esdeath announced with a confident grin, picking up the last four essence stones. She could feel the energy pulsing through them, ready to be combined. But as soon as she began, she realized it was harder than she thought. Merging four essence stones was supposed to be simpler than refining one essence stone, but there was a big problem¡ªEsdeath had no experience in merging at all. In the game, merging and refining essence stones was easy; all a player had to do was watch an ad to boost the chances of success and remaining thing the character can do by himself. But this wasn''t a game¡ªit was real life. Sweat started to bead on her forehead as she focused, trying to keep the energy steady. She could feel it slipping out of control, her heart pounding harder with each second. Then¡ªBOOM! A small explosion burst out from the stones, sending up a puff of black smoke. Esdeath coughed as the smoke cleared, her face now covered with a thick layer of black dust. She stood there, completely speechless, her eyes wide with surprise and embarrassment. Maruti took one look at Esdeath''s soot-covered face and burst out laughing, unable to hold it in. She banged her fist on the floor, rolling around as she laughed harder and harder. "Hahaha¡­ What were you saying? I''m pro...Hahaha!" Esdeath glared at Maruti, her frustration growing. The failure actually made sense¡ªher system allowed her to refine essence stones, but not to merge them. In the game, Ethan had years of experience with merging, and he rarely ever failed. She, on the other hand, was starting from scratch. Luckily, it had only been a low-level merge attempt. If it had been a higher-level merge, involving her body or soul, the explosion could have seriously hurt her already weak body and fragile soul. "Motherf¡ª!" Esdeath cursed under her breath, then turned to Maruti, narrowing her eyes. "How did you refine your bronze muscle essence stone the first time you tried, anyway?" she demanded, still wiping the black dust from her face. Maruti smirked, clearly enjoying the moment. "Maybe because I''m actually a natural at this, This girl''s body actually have talent for refining," she teased, flashing a mischievous grin. Esdeath rolled her eyes, trying to hide her frustration, but a small smile crept onto her lips. "Fine, then. If you''re so confident, go ahead and refine these for me!" she said, gesturing toward the essence stones she''d tried to merge. They had become practically useless after her failed attempt, but luckily, they were still part of a set and could be salvaged. Maruti finally managed to stop laughing, wiping away her imaginary tears. With a sigh and a little smile, she nodded. "Alright, alright, no more teasing. I''ll handle it." She settled herself down, sitting cross-legged and fully focused, ready to merge the stones, though she knew it would take her most of the night. As Maruti began her work, Esdeath decided to make the best of her time as well. She willed her system to open, ready to dive into her own tasks. : 19.8 : 5.6 : 4 : 68 Current skills in possession - Sharpshooter (E): When used, time will slow down for five seconds. Can only be used once every 50 minutes. - Eagle Eyes (E): Can see over great distances with precision + Can see the flow of mana. - Esdeath glanced at her status screen and muttered to herself, "Hmm... Other than this Eagle Eyes skill, everything else I have is linked to time." A realization struck her as she stared at her skills. "Could my star constellation be on the Time Path?" she wondered. It was a strong possibility. She thought of Seraphine, another star constellation with ties to time, but quickly dismissed it. "No, it can''t be Seraphine. That bitch is already dead," she scoffed, shaking off the thought. Instead, she decided it was better to focus on what she had now than waste time overthinking. Esdeath went to her SP (Skill Points) and decided to increase her stamina and speed. She allocated her points without hesitation. <1000 SP Points deducted> <1000 SP Points deducted> As the changes kicked in, a wave of energy rushed through her. She felt lighter, as if all the tiredness in her body had vanished. Her limbs felt ready to go, like she could sprint miles in seconds without even breaking a sweat. Encouraged, Esdeath thought of upgrading one of her time-related healing skills next. But as expected, a notification flashed on her screen: "Motherf¡ª" Half Job Done At the Vanara tribe, Maruti spent the entire night merging those four essence stones, while Esdeath slept soundly, having nothing left to do for now. By the time Maruti finished merging, it was already early morning. Exhausted, she finally lay down to sleep, drifting off just as dawn broke. Around 8 AM, they both woke up at nearly the same time, though Maruti, despite her late night, was the first to stir. Esdeath slowly opened her eyes, her gaze landing on Maruti, who was already digging through a pile of clothes nearby. These weren''t ordinary garments; they were from outside the Vanara tribe, brought from the kingdom Or more like stolen from kingdom. They held a special value, almost like lesser treasures. Esdeath yawned and stretched, watching as Maruti triumphantly pulled out a tracksuit. Maruti slipped into the pants first, which fit perfectly, but when she tried the jacket, things got complicated. As she zipped it up, the zipper stopped halfway up her chest. Esdeath smirked, shaking her head as she took in the sight. "You might want to give up and wear something else," she suggested with a playful grin. "It''s clear your chest isn''t letting that zipper go any higher." Maruti huffed, refusing to back down. "No way! My chest isn''t that big!" Determined, she held her breath, pressing down on her chest with all her might and tugging the zipper with extra force. Finally, with a proud smile, she zipped it all the way up. "See?" But the victory was short-lived. As soon as she released her breath¡ª BANG! The zipper burst open, and the metal piece shot straight at Esdeath. She dodged just in time, the zipper whizzing past her head. Esdeath let out an exaggerated sigh. "One day, those things are going to be the death of me!" ---------- Meanwhile, Mourya returned from the Lothal tribe, where he had spoken with their leader, Rowan, about an important matter concerning mourya''s daughter. Rowan was a close friend of Mourya, Thus he listened carefully, and after discussing things with his son, Ujjwal, they came to an agreement. Ujjwal accepted the challenge to face both opponents at once, and the meeting ended without any problems. Mourya arrived back at the tribe earlier than the others, who were set to arrive by the afternoon. The battle, which would decide the fate of Esdeath and Maruti, was scheduled for the evening. Mourya was worried about Esdeath''s chances; he believed she''d likely lose and might even be killed. So he decided to show his respect for her courage in advance. He had already asked his wives to prepare a special meal for her, and even server her as best as she can. After returning, he invited Esdeath for a quiet game of chess. They sat across from each other in a calm room, with Maruti standing behind Esdeath and Sasha behind Mourya, both watching the match closely. The game turned out to be unexpectedly intense. To everyone''s surprise, Esdeath defeated Mourya two rounds in a row. For a girl new to the tribe and its ways, she was holding her own against Mourya, who was known as the tribe''s best strategist. Even Sasha, usually hard to impress, looked a bit stunned. Mourya let out a low chuckle, his voice gruff but admiring. "Looks like you''ve got some talent, little girl." He spoke in Esdeath''s language, a skill rare among the Vanara tribe. Other than Maruti, only Mourya could understand and speak the kingdom''s language fluently. Sasha, the eldest child, had once been given the chance to learn the kingdom''s language, but she rarely took her studies seriously. She was far more interested in fighting and getting stronger. Maruti, however, had secretly read Sasha''s books, learning the language on her own. In the story of "Free Life Fantasy", Sasha although enrolls in the academy but couldn''t understand what others were speaking, She was having a really hard time. But then ethan comes in her life and teaches her everything, because of this, she later joins his party. Esdeath moved another piece confidently, a small smile spreading across her face as she declared, "Checkmate again! Hahaha!" Her laughter filled the quiet room, and for a moment, everyone was caught off guard by her surprising victory. "Hmph... I can do that too! Remember when we were in school, I beat a grandmaster at chess, even though I didn''t even know how to play!" Maruti crossed her arms proudly. Esdeath smirked. "Oh, that? Nah... you cheated, so that doesn''t count!" Mourya watched them, raising a brow in thought. "School? Are they talking about the academy?" he wondered to himself, curious about their world. As Esdeath''s laughter faded, the room fell silent, the calm only broken by her gaze drifting back to Mourya. With a seemingly innocent look, she asked, "Um... can you tell me, who exactly are we going to fight?" Even though she already knew the answer, her voice sounded so curious. Mourya answered without suspicion. "His name is Ujjwal, the youngest son of Rowan, the leader of the Lothal tribe." The mention of the name made Esdeath''s eyes widen dramatically. She gasped, sounding genuinely shocked. "Rowan? You mean... Rowan Lothal, the one who killed your brother?" Mourya shot up from his seat, eyes blazing. "What?!" he demanded, his voice low and dangerous. Behind him, Sasha froze, too stunned to react, She couldn''t understand what esdeath said but mourya stood up means itvwss something serious. But Esdeath''s expression was perfect. Her body started to shake, her face filled with fear as she stammered, "W-what? I... I should be asking you! Outside the kingdom,Many knows this! I thought... I thought you knew too!" Her voice trembled, soft and full of innocence, like someone who didn''t know any better. Mourya glared at her, his voice sharp. "Explain. Now." Esdeath stood up on shaky legs, taking a deep, unsteady breath. "Rowan¡­ a few years ago, he went to the kingdom and hired skilled assassins to go after you. He believed that his family''s attack by the Rivenhart family was your doing. Since you''re the only one who speaks the kingdom''s language and made deals with them, he thought you wanted to destroy the only tribe that could rival yours." She paused, as if gathering her thoughts, before continuing, "B-but the assassins got confused. You and your brother looked so alike that they ended up killing him by mistake." As Esdeath finished her tale, Mourya''s laughter cut through the tension, a cold, harsh sound that sent chills across the room. He stopped, his eyes fixed on her with an icy glare. "You think I''m a fool?" he sneered. "Good story, but you made one big mistake. You said Rowan went to the kingdom to hire assassins, but how could he? He doesn''t even know the kingdom''s language." He chuckled darkly. "Too bad, too bad¡­" "N-no, he knows! I swear he knows the language too! I can guarantee it on the honor of my family name!" Esdeath''s voice was full of desperation, her wide eyes and trembling tone making her seem like an innocent girl caught up in a mess far bigger than herself. Her words were so sincere, her expression flawless. There was no hint of a lie¡ªshe looked like someone who truly believed what she was saying, even if she had no proof. For Mourya, ignoring her words felt risky. What if there was truth in her claims? What if Rowan, his closest friend, had really been behind his brother''s death? "Is that so?" Mourya finally muttered, narrowing his eyes. "Then I''ll look into it myself. But don''t think that this means you''ll get out of the fight." He turned his back on her, his voice dropping to a chilling tone. "If your words turn out to be false... I''ll make sure you pay with your life." With that, he walked out of the room, leaving Esdeath behind. As he left, Sasha, who had only caught bits and pieces of the conversation due to the language barrier, asked, "Father, what happened?" But Mourya was already gone. As the door closed, Esdeath''s innocent expression melted away, replaced by a sly, triumphant grin. Maruti, standing beside her, smirked as well. "Half the job is done," Esdeath said in a low, wicked tone. "Now it''s Rowan''s turn." With their objective in reach, the two of them quietly left the room, pleased with how perfectly their plan was unfolding. sea??h th§× N??elFir§×.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Esdeath Rivenhart As the afternoon sun reached its peak, Rowan and his son Ujjain arrived at the Vanara tribe. But they didn''t come alone¡ªover two hundred tribe members and guards traveled with them. Even though Rowan counted Mourya as a friend, he knew that in the world of tribes, friendship was fragile, and trust was scarce. Here, deep in the Vanara territory, he could never fully relax. Upon their arrival, they received a warm welcome from Mourya''s family. Mourya''s three sons, his daughter Sasha, and other tribe members were all present, greeting Rowan and Ujjain with respectful nods and smiles. Only Maruti was noticeably absent. Rowan and Ujjain, as father and son, bore a striking resemblance. Both had fiery red hair, broad muscular frames, and powerful chests¡ªclassic marks of the tribe''s strength and stature. Towering over most, their tall, sturdy forms embodied the warrior spirit, though among the other tall tribesmen, they didn''t stand out as much. Ujjain, with his youthful face and intense gaze, looked like a younger mirror of his father. Rowan''s eyes wandered to the grand structure that Mourya called home. It wasn''t a typical palace, but a vast, unique building with multiple connected houses, forming a massive half-circle around a beautiful garden. The place radiated power and status. "Hmm¡­ Soon, all of this will be mine," Rowan thought with a smirk as he stepped through the entry gate, feeling the weight of his ambition settle over him. After the initial greetings and formalities, Rowan and Ujjain were shown to their rooms, each spacious and welcoming. Ujjain was encouraged to rest, and while Rowan was offered the same, he decided he''d rather explore this vast home. As he strolled through the open corridors, he took in every detail¡ªthe solid stone and wooden walls, intricate carvings, and open spaces where flowers bloomed and birds chirped. Rowan could almost feel the pulse of the tribe within these walls, a mix of strength, history, and pride. The garden scenery stretched wide around the circular complex, and Rowan''s mind wandered, envisioning it all as his own one day. Rowan walked slowly, his steps quiet as he explored Mourya''s home. The halls were calm, filled with the soft sounds of the tribe going about their day. But then, he stopped abruptly. At a turn in the corridor, he caught the sound of voices drifting around the corner. Curiosity sparked, and he moved forward carefully, peeking around the edge to see who was talking. What he saw surprised him¡ªthere stood Maruti, talking closely with Esdeath. Rowan recognized Maruti right away, and Mourya''s words flashed in his mind as he looked at the other girl. "Ah, so that''s Esdeath Crimson," he thought, studying her. He stayed hidden, listening as Esdeath laughed, her voice carrying a mocking tone. "Hahaha¡­ I know! It''s hilarious that he still hasn''t noticed what an idiot he is," Esdeath chuckled, her laughter echoing through the hallway. Rowan''s eyes narrowed as he listened. Then, Maruti sighed dramatically, crossing her arms. "But what bad luck¡­ We made a deal with your family and almost wiped out Rowan''s entire family, but unfortunately, he and his youngest son managed to survive. And now that fool wants to marry me!" Hearing this, Rowan felt a chill creep over him, but he kept his expression calm. He strained to hear every word. Esdeath placed a reassuring hand on Maruti''s shoulder, her eyes gleaming with pride. "Don''t worry, my love. My family and the Vanara tribe''s warriors are ready. Today, we''ll kill Ujjain, and your father will finish off Rowan. Once we do, we''ll seize the Lothal tribe. With the second-strongest tribe under our control, we''ll have enough power to rival the entire kingdom." The word "seize" rang in Rowan''s ears like a thunderclap, and his eyes widened in shock. "Seize the tribe¡­?" The betrayal was almost too much to process. "Let''s go!" Esdeath said, giving Maruti a quick nod. They turned to leave, their confidence clear in their stride. But then, Rowan stepped forward, his voice cold and commanding. "Stop, daughter-in-law!" The sudden sound of his voice made both girls freeze. Maruti spun around, her face instantly draining of color. Panic flickered in her eyes. "Did he hear us?" she whispered frantically, her mind racing. Esdeath, however, smirked, unfazed. "Of course not. He can''t understand the kingdom''s language. Even if we talk right in front of him, this fool wouldn''t understand a word," she sneered, her tone dripping with arrogance. Rowan scratched his head, feigning confusion, and spoke in the Vanara tribe''s language. "Did you just say something, little girl?" His voice was laced with puzzlement, but his sharp gaze never left Esdeath. Although esdeath didn''t understand what he said but his gesture was clearly saying what he was saying. Esdeath''s smirk widened, confidence gleaming in her eyes. "See? He doesn''t understand a thing!" she scoffed, barely holding back a laugh. Relief washed over Maruti''s face. She let out a shaky sigh and quickly forced a respectful smile, nodding politely. "No, nothing, Elder Rowan. We were just chatting," she said in the Vanara language, trying to keep her voice steady. She bowed low, paying her respects, while Esdeath''s expression remained defiant. "We''re in a hurry to prepare for the battle," Maruti said quickly, grabbing Esdeath''s hand to pull her away. Her heart pounded as she tried to guide Esdeath out of Rowan''s sight, eager to escape before anything more could go wrong. But Esdeath stopped, pulling her hand free. "Wait a moment," she said with a sly smile, turning back to Rowan. "I didn''t introduce myself, did I?" With a mischievous glint in her eyes, she walked toward Rowan, extending her hand confidently. "Hello, Mister. My name is Esdeath," she said, her tone smooth and lighthearted, but she spoke in her own language, knowing Rowan wouldn''t understand. Maruti sighed, a hint of frustration in her expression as she translated, "She said her name is Esdeath Crimson." Rowan raised an eyebrow, not looking surprised. "Oh¡­ I already know. Your father told me about her¡ªEsdeath Crimson," he replied, his voice calm but with a hint of caution. Maruti rolled her eyes slightly, feeling like she was merely a translator at this point. She relayed Rowan''s words to Esdeath with a bored tone, "He says he already knows. Your name is Esdeath Crimson." Esdeath''s eyes sparkled with a bit of defiance. "What? Crimson is just a nickname my mother gave me because of my crimson eyes. Tell him my real name is Esdeath Rivenhart¡ª" Before Esdeath could finish, Maruti''s eyes widened, and she quickly clamped her hand over Esdeath''s mouth, stopping her words. "Don''t say your family name so freely!" she hissed under her breath, shooting her a sharp look. Her hand gripped Esdeath''s arm tightly, and she forced a smile as she turned back to Rowan. "We really should be going!" Maruti blurted out, laughing nervously. Without waiting for Rowan''s reply, she tugged Esdeath away with urgency, practically dragging her down the corridor as she gave Rowan one last awkward wave. The corridor fell silent as their footsteps faded away, leaving Rowan alone. His mind spun with the strange encounter, and his expression darkened, tension evident in his stance. A storm of emotions twisted inside him¡ªsuspicion, anger, and an unsettling feeling . "Rivenhart¡­ Esdeath Rivenhart!" he murmured to himself, clenching his fists as he processed what he''d just learned. The name stirred up bitter feelings, and his eyes burned with anger. The name "Rivenhart" always brought a dark shadow over Rowan''s heart, filling him with anger and bitterness. Years ago, in their relentless quest for power and territory, the Rivenhart family had invaded the lands of his tribe, the Lothal, pushing them deep into the dense forests to fend for themselves. The invasion was ruthless, leaving scars on Rowan''s soul that would never heal. In that brutal clash, he lost nearly everything. Many of his fellow tribesmen fell to the Rivenharts'' soldiers, their lives taken in an instant. Worse, many of those who survived the attack were taken as prisoners and turned into slaves, forced to toil day and night under the Rivenhart''s cruel rule. Rowan''s family was nearly wiped out, leaving him with few loved ones and even fewer allies. The memories haunted him, each one stinging like a fresh wound. That day, standing among the ruins and bodies, Rowan swore revenge on the Rivenhart family and anyone who dared to ally with them. His anger burned so deeply that he even decided to learn the language of the kingdom¡ªa language few in his tribe bothered with. "If I can''t understand the words of my enemy, how will I ever defeat them?" he''d told himself. And so, he learned, silently preparing for the day he''d face the Rivenharts again. But Rowan was no fool. He knew his own forces could never match the size and strength of the Rivenhart army. So, he came up with a plan. If he could ally himself with the Vanara tribe, they might stand a chance against the Rivenharts. The Vanara leader, Mourya, was a friend, but Mourya''s son lacked his father''s wisdom and strength, making the tribe vulnerable in the future. Rowan saw his opportunity. Marrying his son, Ujjain, into Mourya''s family would strengthen the bond between the tribes, and one day, Rowan hoped to gain influence over the Vanaras through this connection. Sasha, Mourya''s eldest daughter, was not an option for marriage¡ª Being The Eldest daughter she had ambitions to study at the academy and explore her own path. That left Maruti, who, although not beautiful by traditional standards, had the family name and position Rowan needed. Ujjain, loyal as always, accepted the marriage without a word of complaint, following his father''s wishes completely. Now, as Rowan hid in the shadows, listening to Maruti and Esdeath''s conversation, he understood every word they spoke. They thought he was clueless, but in truth, their words were crystal clear to him. Despite his anger, he kept his face blank, pretending not to understand. He was in enemy territory, and any reckless move could cost him and his men dearly. "All my plans to gain the Vanara tribe''s support and then stab on their back¡­ wasted." Gritting his teeth, he fought to keep his expression neutral. "Every Rivenhart deserves to die," he swore quietly to himself, fists clenched so tightly his knuckles turned white. "And everyone tied to the Rivenharts will pay too. I will have my revenge¡­ no matter the cost." Turning away from the scene, he began walking back down the corridor, anger blazing in his eyes. But his mind remained sharp and calculating. "Good thing I learned the kingdom''s language," he thought, almost mocking their assumption of his ignorance. "They think I''m a fool, but I''ll play this game carefully. I only have my son, Ujjain, and 200 of my warriors here. The rest of my people need to know what''s happening. We''ll need every bit of strength we can muster." Rowan strode through the dimly lit corridor, his mind churning with plans, when he suddenly bumped into his son, Ujjain. Standing before him with his usual calm expression, Ujjain''s sharp green eyes narrowed slightly as he stopped and bowed his head in respect. "Father, it''s almost evening," Ujjain began, his tone steady but with a hint of reluctance. "According to our plan, I''ll spare that girl. Killing a weak, lonely girl with no backup might hurt our reputation with other tribes." Rowan''s gaze hardened, his face a mask of cold, calculating indifference. "Kill both of them," he ordered, his voice utterly devoid of emotion. "W-what?" Ujjain blinked, genuinely taken aback by his father''s words. Rowan''s eyes darkened, and his tone grew sharper. "I said kill both of them. No matter what." Sear?h the n?vel_Fire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Swallowing his surprise, Ujjain bowed his head again. "As you wish, Father," he replied, his voice steady but his expression troubled as he turned and left. --- As the sun dipped lower, casting a warm orange glow across the land, evening finally arrived. It was a moment everyone in the Vanara tribe had eagerly awaited. In the heart of the tribe''s village stood a grand battle arena¡ªmassive and ancient, a structure that seemed like it belonged in a myth. The arena, made entirely of sturdy stone, was circular, with seating rising around it in tiers to accommodate hundreds of spectators. Unlike the arenas in the academy, however, this one had no protective barriers. Any mistake could put the crowd in danger, but the thrill of risk only added to the excitement. The arena was buzzing with anticipation. People filled the seats, whispers and murmurs spreading like wildfire as they waited for the battle between Ujjain and the unlikely duo of Maruti and Esdeath. Rowan sat beside Mourya, the chief of the Vanara tribe, in the special seats reserved at the top center of the arena, giving them the perfect view. Beside Rowan lay a large briefcase, one that had not gone unnoticed by Mourya. "What''s with the large briefcase?" Mourya asked, his tone curious but guarded. Rowan smiled, giving a small nod. "This? It''s a gift for you," he answered smoothly, "but I''ll give it to you later." Mourya chuckled politely, though his mind raced with questions. He didn''t want to appear suspicious in front of Rowan¡ªany misstep could offend him and tarnish the tribe''s reputation. "If I ask about "that" Directly, he''ll think I don''t trust him. I can''t risk that," he thought, masking his concerns with a practiced smile. Suddenly, the chatter in the arena quieted, and all eyes turned toward the center. Ujjain, a towering figure at 6 feet 7 inches, strode into the ring, his powerful build casting an imposing shadow. Despite his size, he was dwarfed by Mourya, who stood over seven feet tall,Practically no on was as tall as him, Not even Rowan. Still, Ujjain''s presence was enough to make the crowd murmur with excitement. Across the arena, Maruti and Esdeath entered together. Maruti, wearing a tracksuit with a broken zipper, looked determined but a bit flustered, her expression a mix of nervousness and resolve. Next to her, Esdeath walked with a calm confidence, her gaze steady and focused on Ujjain. As they reached the center of the ring, Esdeath shrugged off her hoodie, revealing a simple sports bra beneath. The intense heat of the sun had already started to make her sweat, and she decided it was better to stay cool. Esdeath''s mind raced as she recalled the history between the tribes. "In original story line, Rowan''s plan had actually worked." she thought with a sly smile. "He managed to join forces with the Vanara tribe to attack the Rivenhart family. But that was one and half year later, things can change." The Rivenhart family now had powerful offspring, Sylvania Rivenhart, a student at the academy and Ethan''s friend. And At that time, Ethan''s group(Harem) even included Princess Ravenna, which meant the entire kingdom was backing them, including the story''s main hero. With support like that, how could the Rivenhart family ever lose? "But none of that really matters to me," Esdeath mused, her smile widening. "If these two tribes go to war, it''ll just give me the perfect chance to slip away from here." It’s Over The Vanara tribe''s battle arena buzzed with excitement. There was no referee, no rules¡ªthe fight would start as soon as both sides entered. As Ujjain spotted Esdeath, his face lit up with excitement. His fighting spirit burned, and he let out a loud laugh, showing all his teeth. "Today''s the day you die¡ª" BANG! Before he could finish, a loud shot rang out. Esdeath had fired her gun straight at his leg without any hesitation. But to her surprise, the bullet didn''t even leave a mark. Instead, it was deflected with a metallic clang as a glowing golden barrier appeared around his leg. Ujjain sneered, clearly annoyed. "You couldn''t even let me finish my sentence?" Esdeath''s eyes narrowed as she recognized the glowing shield around him. "A Golden Body Qi Essence Stone?" she murmured, realizing he was protected by a rare defensive power. In the game''s storyline, Ujjain was just a minor character who didn''t have much screen time before his death. Because of that, Esdeath hadn''t known what special moves or hidden powers he might have. Still, she''d assumed he was on the strength path, given his barbarian background, with Rank D awakened strength and a tough physique. She''d guessed they had a fifty-fifty chance of winning. But now, seeing him with the powerful Golden Body Qi Essence defense, her calculations shifted. "With this," she thought, "our chances just dropped to forty-sixty." Yet instead of feeling nervous, Esdeath felt her excitement grow. The challenge only fired up her fighting spirit. She grinned, ready to throw everything she had into this fight. "Let''s go!" Esdeath shouted, darting to the side, while Maruti charged straight at Ujjain. As she ran, Esdeath''s thoughts raced. "I don''t have any defensive stones like Bronze Skin, Bronze Muscle or Body Qi,Nor I have same level of strength as him. If he gets in even two hits on my head, I''m dead for sure. Only Predictor has a chance of matching his strength." She kept her distance, knowing her safety depended on keeping out of his reach. BANG! BANG! BANG! Esdeath fired three shots in quick succession¡ªone aimed at his head and two at his chest. At the same time, Maruti reached Ujjain, throwing powerful punches to meet his attacks head-on. SLAM! BOOM! BAM! The sound of their fists colliding echoed around the arena. Maruti grinned, impressed. "Not bad at all!" she said, throwing punch after punch. But Esdeath''s bullets were useless. Ujjain''s entire body was still shielded by that golden glow, blocking each shot like stone against an ant''s bite. He smirked, barely glancing her way as he fought with Maruti. "Stop poking me from the sidelines like an insect," he sneered. "If you''re so brave, come fight up close." Esdeath wasn''t going to fall for that. She kept her distance, watching for any chance to strike. Suddenly, Ujjain crouched down, slamming his hand into the ground. Maruti sensed danger and leaped back just as¡ª SWISH! Sharp mud spikes shot up from the ground, barely missing her. Watching from his seat, Mourya felt a chill. "Why is he fighting like he actually wants to kill them?" he muttered, feeling uneasy. "So, he has earth affinity?" Maruti thought, keeping a safe distance from Ujjain, trying to figure out her next move. But this was exactly what Ujjain had wanted. Turning his back on Maruti, he focused on Esdeath. With a swift move, he stomped on the ground, forming a square platform beneath his feet. It lifted him up, shooting him forward like a speeding arrow aimed straight at Esdeath. Ujjain clenched his fist, pulling back to strike Esdeath square in the face as he charged toward her. Just as he was a few steps away, Esdeath dropped her gun, quickly ducking down to aim for his legs. Caught off guard by her sudden move, Ujjain couldn''t slow down. In one swift motion, Esdeath grabbed both his legs, tripping him. WHAM! A fierce kick smashed into Ujjain''s face¡ªit was Maruti! She had a speed booster essence stone just like Esdeath did. Her foot was engulfed in flames, making it look like she wore fiery shoes that matched her affinity for fire and increased her speed drastically. She didn''t stop there. Flipping in mid-air, Maruti spun around and aimed another kick at the back of Ujjain''s head. But just as her kick was about to land, Ujjain caught her foot effortlessly, sneering, "Nice try!" With ease, he lifted Maruti off the ground, holding her like she weighed nothing. BAM! He smashed her down hard, then picked her up and slammed her in the opposite direction. BOOM! Still, he didn''t release his grip. Raising her once more, he threw Maruti into the air, sending her flying a long distance away. Esdeath, lying on the ground, smiled, aiming her gun at Ujjain. "Who said my bullets can''t pierce you?" BANG! BANG! BANG! BANG! BANG! BANG! In just one second, Esdeath fired six bullets in rapid succession. Each shot carried far more power than before, surprising even Ujjain. The first bullet hit his golden shield of Qi but didn''t break through. The second and third cracked it, and by the fourth, her bullet pierced his abdomen, followed by the last two that struck the same spot. "How¡­?" Ujjain muttered, struggling to understand how her gun could fire so many rounds at once. He didn''t know that Esdeath''s weapon wasn''t an ordinary gun. It was the ZK-20 in the shape of a gun. She had infused it with a Rank D Speed Aggressor stone to make it fire faster and a Rank E Fire Fuel stone to boost its power. Blood trickled from the wounds on his body and mouth as Ujjain looked at her, stunned by her unexpected strength. "Hehehehe... Hahaha!" Ujjain''s laughter suddenly echoed, filling the tense silence and confusing even Esdeath. She glanced back, uncertain and slightly wary of his strange reaction. Without waiting for a second thought, Esdeath quickly dashed across the battlefield to Maruti''s side, reuniting with her ally. Maruti, coughing as she brushed dirt off her clothes, lifted her head just in time to see something incredible. The gunshot wound on Ujjain''s body was healing right before their eyes, flesh mending until the wound completely disappeared. Her eyes went wide in surprise. "He... he even has a Healing Essence Stone?" Maruti exclaimed, disbelief lacing her voice. Esdeath clenched her teeth, though excitement sparked in her gaze. "With that, our chances have dropped to 30-70," she muttered, calculating their odds with grim satisfaction. But Ujjain''s mind held a secret truth. "Hehehe... Perfect. They actually believe I have a healing essence stone," he thought, grinning slyly. "But in reality, I only have a one-time healing stone, An expenditure type that vanishes after one use. I started with two, and now I''ve used one, which means... I can only heal once more!" Esdeath steadied herself, determination hardening her expression. "Predictor," she called to Maruti with fierce resolve. "Let''s go all out this time!" Rather than drawing her gun, Esdeath decided against using her ZK-20, knowing its massive mana cost would only drain her faster. She''d already felt the toll; her mana had plummeted from 68 to 46 in mere seconds after using it. She''d need to save her strength for a truly critical moment. Maruti pulled her hand back and reached into her track suit''s jacket , revealing a shining iron sword she had kept hidden. Esdeath responded by activating two of her own essence stones. She activated both at once: the Moonblade Essence Stone and the Moonnail Essence Stone. The moment Esdeath activated the moonblade essence stone, a sharp green crystal blade extended from her palm, shimmering like a slice of emerald moonlight. But as she pressed her moonnail essence stone, the energy shifted, covering her entire hand in a layer of sleek, green crystal. Five sharp points, each about five centimeters long, jutted out from her fingertips like deadly claws. This weapon had a name: "Knife Hand." Esdeath grinned, admiring the weapon. "With this, I can pierce through his defense too," she murmured to herself, a thrill sparking in her chest. Both sides let out fierce roars, charging forward as the battle began in full force. Maruti was the first to strike, her voice ringing out as she called her move. "Abhimanyu Sword Style¡ªPhase Two: Straight Slash!" Her sword moved so smoothly, it looked as though it was slicing through water, leaving a faint ripple in the air. In one fluid motion, Maruti brought her blade down, landing a straight, clean slash across Ujjain''s broad chest. "Tch..." Ujjain scowled, stepping back with a look of irritation. But he had no time to counter, because in the next instant, Esdeath lunged at him, her crystal-coated fist crashing down where he stood. He barely dodged, her hand slamming into the ground with a force that cracked the earth, showing just how powerful her Knife Hand was. Esdeath didn''t relent. She pressed forward, her strikes coming rapid-fire, each hit aimed to break through his defenses. Ujjain''s expression grew tense as he raised his hand, channeling the energy of his own essence stone. His hand transformed, becoming encased in thick, impenetrable stone¡ª known as Stone Hand. The clash of their powers was intense. Esdeath''s swift, relentless blows crashed against Ujjain''s solid defense, green crystal clashing with rugged stone in a dazzling display of sparks and sound. Yet, Esdeath was holding the advantage, and she knew why. Maruti was by her side, her blade flashing in sync with Esdeath''s strikes. As Esdeath drove forward from one side, Maruti''s sword would slice from the other, keeping Ujjain constantly on the defensive, unable to block both attacks at once. It was a relentless combination of strength and precision, and Ujjain was visibly struggling to keep up, his movements growing slower with each passing second. The audience watched, their eyes wide with amazement, whispering among themselves. They couldn''t believe what they were seeing¡ªEsdeath and Maruti working together in perfect harmony, taking the lead with skill and strategy. "They¡­ they''re actually winning?" one spectator gasped, his voice full of disbelief. "Unbelievable! I thought they''d be crushed in under two minutes!" another person muttered, shaking his head as if he couldn''t believe his own eyes. Then, as the realization settled in, the crowd''s excitement erupted. Cheers began to echo around the arena, building in volume with each passing moment. Many shouted loudly for Ujjain, their voices mixing into a roar of encouragement, while some cheered for Maruti with equally hopeful cries. However, a quiet tension rippled through a few spectators who hesitated to cheer openly for Maruti and Esdeath. They exchanged nervous glances, worried that cheering too loudly might draw the attention ¨C and possibly the anger ¨C of powerful figures like Rowan or Mourya. But their hopes were quickly crushed. "I never thought I''d have to go all out against some Rank E awakened. Now I''m pissed!" Ujjain growled, his eyes narrowing with irritation. He stopped dodging, standing firmly in place, a new intensity burning in his gaze. In the next heartbeat, Ujjain unleashed his Rank D aura ¨C powerful enough to almost feel like a Rank C. A thick, greyish energy poured from his body, surrounding him like a storm. The weight of it slammed into Esdeath, forcing her to her knees with sheer pressure. The gap between Rank E and Rank D was like a wall. Rank D awakened could unleash an aura that pressed down on their opponents, unlike Rank E. Ujjain''s aura might not match a true Rank C, but it was more than enough to make Esdeath''s legs buckle. "He¡­ he''s actually close to Rank C¡­" Esdeath thought in shock, her heart pounding. But beside her, Maruti was still standing, though she felt the crushing weight too. The pressure didn''t affect her as badly as it did Esdeath. With a determined look, Maruti seized her chance and dashed toward Ujjain, her sword aimed straight at his neck, hoping to end it in one decisive strike. Her blade connected, slicing into his neck. But instead of cutting through, the sword embedded only a few centimeters deep and stopped, hitting something hard as steel. Ujjain''s neck was incredibly sturdy, far tougher than she''d imagined. A smirk spread across Ujjain''s face as he used this moment to grab Maruti''s wrist in an iron grip. With a swift movement, he pulled back his leg, gathering his strength. Maruti had always been proud of her strength. Her bronze skin and brozne muscles essence stone gave her impressive power, and recently when she read her diary she discovered that she had Pink gorilla strength Stone too that boosted her abilities even more. She''d thought she could match Ujjain''s strength. But Maruti hadn''t known about the other essence stones Ujjain possessed: black bear strength, white boar strength, Brown elephant strength, pink gorilla strength ¨C all combined with an iron bone essence stone and a white jade skin essence stone. His body was fortified beyond what either Esdeath or Maruti could handle alone. With every ounce of power, Ujjain unleashed a brutal low kick directly into Maruti''s leg. BAM! The force of his kick tore through the air with a loud shockwave, echoing across the arena. A sickening CRACK! sounded as the blow connected, and pain shot through Maruti''s leg. Her Left leg''s bone shattered under the impact, her muscles tore, and blood poured from the open wound. The agony was instant and overwhelming. She crumpled to her knees, gasping in shock and pain, her voice escaping in a strangled cry. "Holy¡­ holy shit!" she stammered. "Ahhh!" Esdeath roared, gathering every ounce of her strength as she struggled to get back up. She charged at Ujjain, her face twisted with determination and rage. But before she could close the gap, Ujjain turned swiftly and caught her wrist with a vice-like grip. Without a moment''s hesitation, he grabbed the top of Esdeath''s green crystal weapon, which had a sharp, knife-like tip, and snapped the point off. S§×ar?h the novel(F~)ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. *Clink!* A shattering sound rang out as the crystal tip broke off in his hand. With a cold smile, Ujjain took the sharp piece and, without mercy, drove it into Esdeath''s left eye. A searing pain exploded in her head as the tip pierced deep, breaking through her eyeball. Blood poured down her cheek as the crystal remained embedded in her eye, leaving her vision in that eye completely gone. Her breaths came in ragged gasps as agony overwhelmed her senses. But Ujjain didn''t stop there. He released her hand and, with ruthless precision, slammed his fingers into her right eye. Esdeath''s mind barely had time to register the fresh wave of pain before Ujjain used his brute strength to yank her eyeball out of its socket. The entire arena fell silent, horrified by the cruelty of the scene. People in the stands froze, too shocked to look away. With a twisted grin, Ujjain opened his mouth and placed Esdeath''s eyeball between his teeth, biting down with a sickening crunch. A crazed glint danced in his eyes as he chewed, but Esdeath couldn''t see it. Her world had gone completely dark. "Hehehe¡­ It''s over!" Killer Move–Golden Punch Mourya let out a deep sigh, watching the scene with a heavy heart. "So, this is your decision, huh?" he murmured, glancing toward Rowan. His words held a weight, a silent question: was Rowan really going to let Esdeath be killed? Mourya knew it was Rowan''s call¡ªwhether to spare her life and let her be defeated or to allow Ujjain to take her life. By the look on Rowan''s face, it was clear he had chosen the latter. Rowan remained silent, his gaze cold and fixed on the arena, showing no mercy. Ujjain''s laughter echoed across the stunned crowd. "Hehehe¡­ It''s over!" But just as his words filled the air, a voice rang out from behind him. "Of course, it''s over!" Maruti''s voice was strong, despite the pain radiating from her broken leg. She stood, gripping her sword with fierce determination, and with a quick, desperate movement, she plunged it deep into Ujjain''s side. Ujjain''s eyes widened as he coughed up blood, stumbling backward. He staggered back twenty steps, his face twisted in fury. Without hesitation, he gripped Maruti''s sword and, with a loud *snap*, broke it in two. Quickly, he activated his healing essence stone, the energy surging through him and mending his wounds once again. Maruti watched in frustration, gritting her teeth. "Tch¡­ he healed himself *again*!" Ujjain clenched his fists, his face set in determination. "With this I can''t heal myself any longer.This time, I have to end it for good," he thought, feeling the toll the repeated healing was taking on him. Meanwhile, Esdeath''s mind was in a completely different place. She wasn''t defeated, and she wasn''t trembling in fear or despair. No, what she felt was pure, boiling anger. Her face burned with rage as she pressed her hands against her cheeks, her fingers digging into her skin. "Why!" she spat, her voice trembling with fury. "Why, why, why, why does everyone go after my face?" "Predictor, give me the location!" Esdeath yelled, her voice sharp as she bolted sideways, instinctively dodging to avoid any attacks from Ujjain. Even with her sight gone, her movements were swift and focused. She could still feel the heat of the battle, the tension crackling in the air. She quickly drew her ZK-20, in a gun-shaped weapon,her fingers pressing against its trigger, ready to fire. Maruti, gritting her teeth as pain pulsed through her broken leg, quickly caught on. Despite her injuries, her focus sharpened, and she scanned the arena for Ujjain''s movements. She felt the heavy responsibility on her shoulders; Esdeath was depending on her for direction. "North, 91 degrees!" Maruti called out, her voice unwavering despite the pain. Without hesitation, Esdeath adjusted her aim, tilting her head as she mentally mapped Maruti''s direction in her mind. *Click-click-click*¡ªshe fired a series of bullets straight in the direction Maruti had given. The ZK-20''s powerful mana bullets shot across the arena, each glowing with a fierce energy. Even Ujjain seemed surprised as he dodged, feeling the pressure of Esdeath''s attack despite her blindness. Ujjain smirked, trying to brush off his surprise. "A blind girl thinks she can aim at me? Pathetic!" he taunted, stepping forward as he prepared to attack. But Maruti wasn''t having it. She kept her gaze locked onto Ujjain, focusing on every subtle movement he made. "Esdeath, move back! He''s coming at you from the east¡ª60 degrees!" Esdeath leaped back instantly, trusting Maruti''s directions. She felt the rush of Ujjain''s attack miss her by inches, the force so close she could almost feel it. Her heart pounded, but she stayed calm, holding her ZK-20 steady. Maruti, despite her pain, continued to direct Esdeath with careful precision. "Left side, 40 degrees! Shoot!" she shouted. Esdeath twisted her body, adjusting to Maruti''s command and pulling the trigger. The bullet zipped through the air, catching Ujjain off guard as it skimmed past his shoulder. He growled in frustration, realizing that Esdeath and Maruti had figured out a way to work together, using Maruti''s vision and Esdeath''s marksmanship. Esdeath couldn''t help but smirk, her fingers tightening around her weapon. "Just keep those directions coming!" she called back, her confidence growing. Ujjain''s annoyance turned to anger. He clenched his fists, deciding it was time to end this clever little game of theirs. He lunged forward with a burst of speed, aiming straight for Esdeath. "You''re just delaying the inevitable!" Maruti''s eyes widened as she saw Ujjain close the distance in a flash. "Esdeath, dodge! Now!" she yelled, panic lacing her tone. Esdeath immediately threw herself to the side, feeling the wind of Ujjain''s attack rush past her once more. The ZK-20 pulsed in her hand, ready for the next shot. "Where is he now?" Esdeath demanded, her voice fierce. Maruti squinted, focusing. "He''s directly south, moving fast! Aim at 180 degrees!" Esdeath took aim, firing two more powerful shots in the direction Maruti had given. The mana bullets whizzed through the air, forcing Ujjain to dodge left and right. His face twisted with frustration; these weren''t ordinary bullets¡ªEsdeath''s ZK-20 packed more power than he''d expected, and dodging them was draining him. Seeing his frustration, Maruti''s spirit lifted, and she grinned through her pain. "Now, aim 10 degrees to your right, low shot!" Esdeath didn''t hesitate. She adjusted her angle slightly and fired at Ujjain''s legs. He barely avoided the shot, stumbling slightly as he did. Maruti noticed the slight falter in his steps and saw an opportunity. "He''s losing his footing! Esdeath, follow up with a high shot, straight ahead at 5 degrees!" Maruti shouted, determination in her voice. Esdeath adjusted once more and fired, her heart pounding with the thrill of their coordinated attacks. This shot grazed Ujjain''s arm, drawing blood. He staggered back, visibly shaken. The crowd gasped, astonished by the perfect coordination between the two girls, who seemed to be working as one mind in two bodies. Esdeath''s heart hammered as she heard Maruti''s words. "Just run backward, I''m coming into the fight too!" Despite Maruti''s leg being broken, her fierce spirit hadn''t dimmed. She took in a shaky breath,but her eyes held a steely determination. Ujjain glared at them, wiping a streak of blood from his arm. His eyes narrowed, and a smirk twisted his face. "Enough of this game!" he snarled. In one swift movement, he activated four essence stones at once. The power around him surged as he braced himself. The first essence stone encased his hand in a massive layer of solid rock, making it look like a gigantic fist of stone. The second created a metallic sheen over the stone, transforming it into something like a steel gauntlet. The third was a dangerous one¡ªan Explosion Booster essence stone. Instantly, a jet-like exhaust emerged from his transformed arm, flames sputtering to life at the back. It looked like he was wielding a hand-powered rocket. And finally, he activated the golden Qi essence stone. His entire stone-metal hand shimmered with a radiant gold, making his transformed arm look like a colossal golden fist, ready to crush anything in its path. With a roar, he bellowed, "Killer move¡ªGolden Punch!" His speed doubled, and in a flash, he lunged toward Esdeath. "Why does a D-rank warrior have a killer move?" Esdeath''s instincts kicked in, warning her of the danger heading straight for her. She quickly attempted to step back, but a thick, clay-like substance shot up from the ground, gripping her foot tightly and locking her in place. Panic surged through her, and she struggled to free herself, her fingers digging into the mud as she tried to wrench her leg out. The vibrations of Ujjain''s approach grew stronger, his voice close enough to feel the heat of his breath. "One down",Ujjain sneered, his voice echoing with twisted joy as he launched his powerful punch, aiming right at her head. A deafening *BAM!* echoed through the silent arena as the punch landed. Shockwaves tore through the air, making the ground shake and the nearby trees rustle in response. When the dust settled, a tense silence fell. For a moment, everything fell silent. No cheers, no gasps, just a heavy, tense stillness. Esdeath felt the rush of air that followed the impact, but strangely, she was still standing. Her heart pounded as she realized what had happened. Her hand instinctively reached out in the direction of the noise, but she grasped only empty air. When dust settled,Everyone saw Maruti''s crumpled form lying meters away, a trickle of blood staining her face. Maruti had thrown herself between them, taking the full force of Ujjain''s attack. Her body had been launched into the air, and she crashed to the ground thirty paces away, unmoving. "Predictor? Predictor, can you hear me?" Esdeath called out, desperation thick in her voice as she watched her friend''s still body. The lack of response gnawed at her, filling her with dread. S~ea??h the Nov§×l?ire.n(e)t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Her mind raced, and she tried to reassure herself. "She should be alive. With that thunderous impact¡­ if it had been me, my head would''ve popped like a balloon. But Predictor''s body is sturdier. She''s¡­ just unconscious." Even though Maruti was still alive, Esdeath knew she was in deep trouble. Without Maruti''s guidance, facing Ujjain alone felt nearly impossible. "But what now?" She took a shaky breath, pushing down the anxiety swelling in her chest. "I''ll have to fight without Predictor''s directions." On the other side, Ujjain was panting heavily, sweat dripping from his brow. His healing essence stone was used up, and activating four stones at once had taken a massive toll on his mana and his mental strength. He looked at Esdeath, his breath coming in ragged gasps. "My mana is nearly depleted, but it''s a good thing I took down one. Just this half-dead girl to finish now," he muttered to himself, an arrogant grin spreading across his face. Esdeath''s gaze hardened, her eyes glinting with defiance. She squared her shoulders, refusing to back down. With or without Maruti, she would keep fighting. Every muscle in her body tensed as she took back her ZK-20 in her pink lotus essence stone. "Changes in plans, I should think of escaping now! ", Exam again… Bad news guys... My semester exam is going to start from 12th well, I''m the type of person who studies one day before exam but let''s just take a look at my time table... Now if you by chance read the Bcom(my course), T. T. You can see 11 subjects and with no fucking time gap, Means you''ll have to give one exam and next day is another one and look at the time 8AM? Who the hell gives that time? , I''ll have to wake up at 5 AM to arrive at college at 8, this is the distance between my home and college. And if I have to do revision before exam, Means wake up at 4AM ?, Only two time I have given one day break but guess what, Next day is two exams at once ?, They just want me to fail... Well it''s not like I''m afraid of failing jn exams but they charged money to retake the exam, if you fail in one subject, You''ll have to give around 7-8 dollar and this cycle repeats if you fail again.. Well moral of the story, College is hell and I''ll have to take a break again ?, Damn my viewssss... They already fell from last break and now this time I''m finished. S§×ar?h the n?vel_Fire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. So I''ll be back from 22, Hope see you all again.. And yeah I might publish chapters of my first novel, Since it feels like I''m discriminating with my that novel, Publishing one chapter a week... Goodbye!, it feels like I''m gonna be part of Russian sleep experiment, #no sleep or more like not enough sleep F*cked Up! "Plans have changed¡­ I need to think of a way to escape now!" Esdeath''s thoughts raced as she struggled to stand. The battle arena was in chaos, the air thick with dust and the lingering shockwaves of Ujjain''s attacks. Esdeath knew her situation was dire. The only person who could endure Ujjain''s devastating punch was Maruti, but she was already lying unconscious on the ground. Her hands trembled a little as she wiped away blood that wasn''t even visible to her anymore. Both of her eyes were gone, leaving her completely blind. The darkness was suffocating, and her senses were only just enough to vaguely comprehend where she stood. Her breaths came in short, sharp bursts, and her body ached with every movement. At this point, there was no more room for bravery or strategies. Survival was the only thing that mattered now. "I have to get out of here¡­ somehow." The thought repeated like a desperate mantra in her mind. --- High above the arena, sitting on a throne-like chair carved from stone, Mourya observed everything. His usual calm and composed demeanor was nowhere to be seen. Instead, his face was twisted into a complicated mix of emotions¡ªstunned disbelief, confusion, and even a hint of sadness. His gaze wasn''t focused on the battle itself, nor on Ujjain, who was dominating the arena. Instead, his eyes were locked on Maruti. Maruti, his younger daughter. She had always been prideful, lazy, selfish, and demanding. Traits that, strangely enough, Mourya had found endearing. He had always enjoyed the fiery temper she carried, even if it often led to arguments. But now¡­ the sight before him was one he couldn''t have imagined in his wildest dreams. When Ujjain unleashed his ultimate move, one that guaranteed Esdeath''s death, Mourya had thought it was the end for her. But then, in an act so selfless it bordered on madness, Maruti had thrown herself into the path of the attack. She had taken the blow head-on, shielding Esdeath from certain death. It was a miracle that Maruti was even alive. Mourya''s heart tightened at the thought. If it hadn''t been for the essence stones enhancing her body, and the strength she inherited from him through his genes, she would undoubtedly be dead. Even now, she lay unconscious, her body bruised and battered from the sheer force of the attack. Mourya leaned forward, his fists clenched as his thoughts swirled. "Did you really do this because of love?" he murmured, his voice low and full of disbelief. His piercing eyes stayed on Maruti''s still form. "Do you really love her so much that you''ve changed this much?" Mourya''s mind replayed the scene over and over. The daughter he knew¡ªso selfish and demanding¡ªhad made the ultimate sacrifice. Was this love truly powerful enough to transform her so completely? For the first time in years, Mourya found himself unable to understand his daughter. Mourya let out a long, weary sigh, the weight of the situation pressing heavily on his chest. After much thought, he had finally made up his mind. He was going to cancel this battle. Even though he had promised his daughter''s hand in marriage and breaking that promise would tarnish his reputation built over years of unyielding honor, Mourya was willing to endure that shame. After all, what was reputation compared to his daughter''s desperation? Truthfully, he had never cared much for what others thought of him. With slow and deliberate movements, Mourya rose from his stone throne. His imposing figure, though worn by years, still radiated authority. He prepared to call Rowan and put an end to this madness. But just as he opened his mouth to speak, his sharp eyes caught something unusual. Blood. A dark red liquid was seeping from the corner of the large briefcase Rowan had been holding tightly. Mourya frowned, his sharp gaze narrowing as unease crept into his heart. Rowan had previously mentioned that the briefcase contained a gift for Mourya, but now Mourya''s instincts screamed that something was wrong. "Why is there blood dripping from your briefcase?" Mourya''s voice was deep and steady, yet it carried a razor-sharp edge that demanded an answer. Rowan, who had been watching the battle in the arena with an eerily calm expression, flinched slightly at Mourya''s words. His focus broke, and his eyes darted to the briefcase in his hand. For a brief moment, he seemed surprised, but then he slapped his forehead with a small chuckle. "Oh¡­ I was planning to show this to you at the end," Rowan said with a sly grin, his voice unnervingly casual. "But I guess now is as good a time as any. Everything is about to end, after all!" He stood up slowly, his movements deliberate, as if savoring the moment. His eyes locked with Mourya''s, and there was a spark of malice in them that sent a chill through the air. "Behold, my precious gift!" Rowan declared, his voice dripping with mockery. He bent down and lowered the briefcase to the ground. Mourya''s heart clenched as Rowan unlatched it and opened the lid with deliberate slowness. One by one, with small thuds, severed heads rolled out of the briefcase onto the cold stone floor. The arena fell silent as if the world itself was holding its breath, All of the attention went from esdeath to mourya and Rowan. There were three heads in total. Mourya''s chest tightened as he stared at them. These weren''t just any heads¡ªthey belonged to his sons. His own flesh and blood. For a moment, Mourya''s expression faltered, his usually calm and controlled face showing a flicker of shock. But it was brief, almost imperceptible. He forced himself to remain stoic, his jaw tightening as he lowered his gaze to the ground. Rowan''s laughter broke the silence, sharp and cruel. "Hehehe¡­ They didn''t even put up a fight," Rowan sneered, his tone oozing with sadistic glee. "They barely screamed when I killed them. Forget about struggling¡ªthey were nothing more than ants under my feet! That''s the difference between an awakened being like me and mere mortals like them." sea??h th§× NovelFire.net* website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Rowan''s eyes gleamed with twisted pride as he looked at Mourya, waiting to see the cracks in the unshakable man. Mourya had three sons and two daughters. Despite his large family, none of his sons had awakened, a critical requirement to lead the tribe. According to the tribe''s ancient rules, only a son could inherit the position of the tribe''s head. Daughters, no matter how capable, were excluded from such a role. This tradition had long been a source of unease among the people. Whispers of doubt about the tribe''s future had spread like wildfire. How could they secure their survival if the next generation of leaders lacked the strength and power required to protect them? But Mourya knew one thing for certain¡ªhis sons, no matter their shortcomings, were his blood. To have them killed without his knowledge meant one undeniable truth: there were traitors within the tribe. The realization hit Mourya hard, like a crushing weight on his shoulders. This wasn''t just an act of betrayal. This was the beginning of a power struggle, a fight for control of the tribe. He knew, deep down, that Rowan''s influence had spread like a silent poison. If he was right, more than half of the tribe''s soldiers had already aligned themselves with Rowan. They likely believed that with Ujjain''s talent¡ªRowan''s son¡ªthe future of the tribe would be secure under his rule. Despite knowing the extent of the treachery surrounding him, Mourya remained calm. His expression was unreadable, his eyes sharp and calculating as he sat there, bloodied heads of his sons still on the ground before him. Rowan''s brow furrowed as he watched Mourya''s stoic demeanor. The calmness was unnerving. "Huh? You''re not angry?" Rowan asked, his voice laced with disbelief. Mourya looked at him, his gaze steady but devoid of any emotion. "Why should I be angry at you?" His voice was low and expressionless, yet it carried a strange weight. "It''s my fault," Mourya continued with a soft sigh. "I failed to act when I should have. I let this happen because I was blind to the signs. This is the price of my negligence." Rowan tilted his head, confusion flickering across his face. He had expected rage, defiance, perhaps even despair. But this¡­ this was not what he had prepared for. Suddenly, the air was split by the sharp sound of a sword slicing through it. Before Mourya could react, a long blade pierced through his chest, the steel gleaming under the dim light. Blood surged from the wound, staining his robes a dark crimson. Mourya''s body stiffened as his hands instinctively went to the sword''s hilt. Pain radiated through him, but his mind raced faster than the agony. Slowly, he turned his head to see the one who had attacked him. Standing behind him was an elderly man, his face lined with deep wrinkles, his hunched form clad in a white robe. Mourya''s eyes widened slightly in recognition. "The old adviser¡­?" Mourya''s voice was barely above a whisper, his strength rapidly fading. The man, once respected for his wisdom and guidance, now stood as a symbol of betrayal. His grip on the sword was steady, but his face was marked by sorrow. "Forgive me, my liege," the adviser said, his voice heavy with regret. "But this is the only way. After your death, there will be no one left to lead the tribe. Without a leader, our people will descend into chaos. They will fight amongst themselves until there is nothing left. The history of the Vanara tribe will be erased, swallowed by time and bloodshed. I cannot allow that to happen." He paused, his eyes glistening with unshed tears. "It is better¡­ better to have an outsider like Rowan take over than to let everything we''ve built crumble to dust." Mourya coughed, blood spilling from his mouth as he looked at the man who had once been his trusted adviser. His voice, though weak, carried the weight of his disappointment. "I''m disappointed in you, old adviser," Mourya said, his gaze unwavering despite the pain that wracked his body. The adviser closed his eyes briefly, as if trying to block out the words. "I''m disappointed in myself too, my liege," he replied with a heavy sigh. "But look at yourself¡ªyou''ve grown old. So old that you didn''t even notice my presence. I didn''t even try to hide it, yet you couldn''t dodge my blade." Mourya''s hand reached for the hilt of the sword lodged deep in his chest. His movements were unhurried, almost casual, as though the blade piercing his body was no more than a minor inconvenience. Slowly, he turned his gaze toward the old adviser, his sharp eyes gleaming under the dim light. There was no rage in his expression, no sorrow or pain. What radiated from Mourya was something far more unsettling¡ªpity. A faint smirk tugged at the corner of his lips as he spoke, his voice low and deliberate, cutting through the tense silence like a blade. "I''m disappointed in you, old man. Not because you betrayed me. No, that''s expected from pests like you and Rowan." He paused, his tone turning sharper, colder. "I''m disappointed because you thought *this*¡ª" he gestured toward the sword protruding from his chest, "¡ªcould stop me." His smirk deepened, a chilling edge creeping into his words. "Did you really believe I needed to dodge something so¡­ insignificant? You couldn''t even bring something more powerful, Are you fucking kidding me?.....You underestimated me. All of you have. And for that, I pity you." The weight of his voice made the old adviser''s hands tremble against the hilt of the sword, his face pale with fear. Rowan, standing nearby, felt his throat tighten, his confidence crumbling under Mourya''s unflinching gaze. It was at this moment, Old adviser knew he fucked up. Last One Standing! The battle arena stood in tense silence, with only two figures remaining¡ªEsdeath and Ujjain. However, the attention of the crowd began to shift. Whispers turned to loud murmurs as all eyes moved toward Mourya and Rowan. Among the spectators were not just onlookers but also traitors¡ªsome who had secretly pledged their loyalty to Rowan, while others remained loyal to Mourya. Chaos began to stir as those loyal to Mourya rushed to his aid, determined to protect their leader. "Betrayal! Protect Lord Mourya at all costs!" voices cried out, ringing through the arena like a battle cry. The tension escalated, and the arena, once meant for a duel, became a brewing storm of uncertainty. Rowan, who had been standing confidently moments ago, now took a step back. His expression faltered as he locked eyes with Mourya. Rowan was a top-tier B-rank awakened, only a few steps away from breaking into the A-rank. But he knew all too well the vast difference in power between himself and Mourya, who was already a top-tier A-rank awakened. Rowan''s entire plan had hinged on pushing Mourya into a berserk rage. Killing Mourya''s sons had been a calculated move, one meant to provoke the wise leader into wasting his strength and cards in a blind fury. After all, a rampaging bull was easier to slay than a calm, calculating man. But who could have predicted that Mourya would remain so composed? The sound of rushing footsteps echoed through the arena as hundreds of awakened barbarian soldiers swarmed toward Mourya. Their weapons glinted in the light, their expressions fierce. Mourya''s calm yet powerful aura seemed to shake the resolve of even the most hardened traitors. Amidst the chaos, Ujjain stood unwavering, his focus entirely on Esdeath. The shouting and clamor around him barely registered in his mind. Though he was momentarily surprised by the sudden chaos, his expression quickly returned to normal. He had his orders¡ªhis father''s commands were clear. Esdeath and Maruti had to die. Ujjain''s gaze sharpened as he stepped forward, He tightened his fist, his eyes cold and ruthless. "One hit". That''s all he needed. If he could land just one strike, Esdeath wouldn''t stand a chance. ------------- Meanwhile at the main house of Mourya was a grand structure, and its bath area was no less magnificent. The bath resembled a natural hot spring, surrounded by stones that gave it a serene, mountain-like background. Steam rose lazily from the water, creating a hazy, tranquil atmosphere. Sasha reclined in the steaming bath, her arms resting along the edges as she let the warmth ease her muscles. She hadn''t bothered going to the battle arena to watch Ujjain and Esdeath fight. Why? Because she already knew how it would end. "Esdeath will lose," she thought with a hint of boredom. "A top-tier D-rank could easily crush hundreds of E-ranks alone. So what if Esdeath and Maruti teamed up? The result would still be the same. It''s pointless to waste my time watching a foregone conclusion." Instead, Sasha chose to spend her time relaxing, letting the soothing waters calm her mind. But her peaceful moment didn''t last long. "Power struggle has started! Kill Sasha at all costs!" a man''s voice echoed from outside the bath area. The shouting grew louder, followed by the distinct sound of dozens of footsteps storming toward her. S§×arch* The N?velFire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "Kill her! Kill her!" the voices chanted, filled with bloodlust and urgency. Sasha''s eyes shot open, sharp and blazing like a predator awakened from its slumber. Her gaze flicked toward the entrance as the sounds grew closer. Within seconds, a group of over thirty men burst into the bathhouse, their weapons gleaming even through the thick steam. The bath was enormous, large enough to accommodate a hundred people, though it was exclusively reserved for women. But now, it was invaded. "Who the fuck dares to enter here?" Sasha''s voice thundered through the air, cutting through the noise like a blade. Her tone was cold, commanding, and filled with the raw, chilling authority she inherited from her father. "I''ll kill you a hundred times over if you don''t run out of here with your tails between your legs!" The men hesitated, their steps faltering under the weight of her words. But then, one of them sneered, his confidence bolstered by their numbers. "Kill us? Hah! The one who''s going to die is you, Sasha! Your brothers are already dead, your father won''t last long, and now it''s your turn. Once you''re gone, Lord Rowan will rule the Vanara tribe!" he shouted, his voice laced with arrogance. At his command, three men knelt down and activated investigative essence stones. The stones inside their body emitted a soft hum as they were activated, sending a green light surging across the floor. *Swish!* In an instant, the steam that had cloaked the bath dissipated, leaving the room crystal clear. "You think I''m that easy to kill?" Sasha''s voice cut through the air like a blade, smooth yet laced with a deadly chill. The man who had boasted about killing her froze, his eyes widening in disbelief. Her voice¡ªso close, so unnervingly close¡ªwasn''t coming from across the room. It was coming right in front of him. He gasped and stumbled back instinctively. Sasha was there, standing only a few inches away from him. The sight before him made his blood run cold. Sasha was completely naked, water dripping from her toned body, her wet vermillion hair clinging to her skin in a way that gave her an almost ethereal yet menacing appearance. The soft glow of the bath''s light reflected off the droplets on her skin, highlighting every scar etched into her flesh. Her body wasn''t just beautiful¡ªit was terrifying. Her tall, imposing frame radiated strength. Muscles rippled under her skin, but not in the bulky way of a bodybuilder. Instead, her physique was lean and deadly, like that of a seasoned boxer. Every inch of her radiated power and experience, a body forged in the fires of countless life-threatening battles. Her vibrant blue eyes locked onto his, piercing through him with a gaze so cold and unrelenting it felt as though she could see straight into his soul. The man tried to step back, his breath hitching in panic, but he didn''t get far. *Smash!* In a blur of motion too fast to comprehend, Sasha raised both hands and brought them together on either side of his head. It was almost like she was clapping, except her target was the man''s skull. The sound that followed was sickening. Blood sprayed in all directions as his head crumpled under the force of her strike. His skull caved in like an overripe fruit, his eyeballs bursting from their sockets, and brain matter splattered across the stone floor. The air filled with the metallic tang of blood and the stench of death. It was over in an instant. Silence fell over the bathhouse as everyone stared in shock. The lifeless body slumped to the ground, headless and unrecognizable. "Wasn''t he a D-rank?" someone muttered, their voice trembling. "How¡­ how could he die like that? With just one hit?" Sasha turned her head toward the source of the voice, her lips curling into a wicked grin. Her aura seemed to grow darker, heavier, as if the air itself was bowing under her presence. "I''ll show you how he died!" she growled, her voice brimming with malice. The ground beneath their feet trembled violently. Sasha raised her hand, and with a loud *rumble*, the earth responded to her will. A solid stone wall erupted from the ground, sealing the entrance shut. Panic set in as the realization struck. "No! She''s trapping us in here!" someone screamed. Sasha''s eyes scanned the room, her grin widening, revealing sharp teeth that added to her demonic aura. "None of you are leaving this place alive," she declared, her voice calm but dripping with a sadistic promise. "It''s either you kill me¡­ or you all die here together." At that moment, they had no choice. It was either kill or be killed. The room filled with the sound of roars and battle cries as the group surged forward in desperation. Many hung back, their hands glowing as they activated magic circles, ready to bombard Sasha with spells from a distance. But Sasha didn''t flinch. *BAM!* She stepped forward, her fist plunging straight into the abdomen of the first man who dared to attack her. Her hand went through his body as if he were made of paper. Blood and chunks of internal organs splattered everywhere as the man''s lifeless body collapsed to the ground. Before the others could react, Sasha swung her leg up with terrifying speed, locking her foot around another man''s head. In one brutal motion, she slammed him down into the stone floor. The sickening crunch of his skull shattering echoed in the room, his head reduced to a gruesome pulp. Panic spread like wildfire among the attackers, but the mages pressed on. Magic circles glowed brightly as they unleashed spells at her. Earth spikes shot toward Sasha''s body, but as soon as they touched her skin, they crumbled into dust. Shards of crystal broke apart, unable to pierce her flesh. Even roaring flames danced harmlessly across her wet skin, unable to leave so much as a scorch mark. "W-what is she?!" one of the mages stammered, his voice trembling. Sasha didn''t answer. She didn''t need to. The battle turned from a chaotic charge to sheer carnage. The roars of her enemies gave way to panicked screams, and then even the screams began to fade. One by one, bodies fell to the floor, lifeless and broken. It was over in less than two minutes. Sasha stood in the middle of the room, surrounded by a sea of corpses. Blood covered the floor, splattered across the walls, and even stained her own body. She had dragged the fight back to the spring bath, and the once-clear water was now a dark, crimson red. The sight was chilling, but Sasha didn''t seem disturbed. Instead, she looked down at the blood-filled bath with a grin. "It''s not every day you get to enjoy a bloodbath," she said cheerfully, her voice carrying an unsettling excitement. Without hesitation, she stepped into the pool, letting the warm, blood-tainted water embrace her. She sank into it, leaning back with her eyes closed, completely at ease. Her lips curved into a smile as she thought, **Kill my father? Dream on. He''s not someone just anyone can kill.** Her grin widened as she opened her eyes slightly, glancing at the lifeless bodies strewn around. "As for these invaders¡­" she murmured, her tone light but laced with menace. "In the tribe, it''s considered the greatest shame for an outsider man to see a woman naked¡­ unless he''s her husband." She paused, letting the thought linger. "But then again," she added with a smirk, "none of it matters if they''re all dead, right?" ----------- Ujjain finally managed to catch his breath, his chest heaving from exhaustion. He had regained a bit of stamina, but the fierce fight had taken its toll on him. On the other side of the arena, Esdeath stood wounded. Blood continuously dripped from the area around her stabbed eye, painting her face with streaks of crimson. The sight was both terrifying and tragic. If this continued much longer, she risked dying from blood loss. But Esdeath wasn''t one to give up so easily. Despite her dire condition, a faint smile tugged at her lips. She still had a few tricks up her sleeve. Reaching into a tiny pocket, she pulled out a golden, peanut-shaped essence stone. Without hesitation, she gulped it down as though it were a mere pill. Immediately, a surge of energy coursed through her body. Her aura doubled in strength, and a newfound vitality replaced her fatigue. It was a **Light Path Essence Stone**, capable of giving a fivefold boost to someone with light element affinity. However, since Esdeath lacked that affinity, it only granted her a twofold boost¡ªbut even that was enough to reinvigorate her. She didn''t stop there. From the same pocket, she retrieved a small, transparent crystal that contained a thick, water-like liquid. Holding it up, she crushed the crystal in her hand. In an instant, the liquid poured out, coating her entire body. It wasn''t ordinary water; it was thicker, almost gel-like, and clung to her skin like a second layer. Ujjain, watching her from across the arena, let out a mocking roar. "Puny tricks!" he bellowed, charging toward her with renewed determination. Esdeath, unable to see clearly due to her injury, focused. She honed in on the sound of his footsteps, listening carefully to his movements. The ground trembled slightly as Ujjain closed the distance in an instant. His fist shot forward with deadly force, aimed directly at her face. It seemed like the end for Esdeath. But just as his fist was mere inches from her cheek, Esdeath calmly raised her palm in front of his attack, blocking it in a fluid motion. "What difference will that make?" Ujjain sneered, confident that his strike would shatter her hand and destroy her face in one blow. However, what happened next left him utterly stunned. *Splash!* Ujjain blinked in confusion. His fist didn''t connect with the solid resistance he expected. Instead, it slipped off her palm as if it had hit something impossibly smooth. "What¡­ splash?" he gasped, pulling back his hand in disbelief. Esdeath stood still, her expression calm as she tracked his movements with her ears. Frustrated, Ujjain attacked again, this time aiming for her stomach. Esdeath heard the whistle of his fist cutting through the air and shifted her body slightly in the same direction as the punch. *Splash!* Once again, his fist slipped harmlessly off her body, sliding away without causing any damage. Ujjain stumbled back, his eyes wide with shock. "What is this¡­?!" he growled, staring at his hands and then at Esdeath, who stood there unbothered, her blood-soaked face eerily serene. The secret lay in the liquid coating her skin. Esdeath had used a rare **Mobility Denial Essence Stone**, a consumable stone that released a large quantity of slippery, water-like liquid. The liquid was notorious for its effects. Often used by criminals to stop carriages or hunters to trap animals, it created a frictionless surface that rendered physical attacks nearly useless. Esdeath, wearing nothing more than a sports bra that tightly hugged her chest and a pair of mini shorts that barely reached mid-thigh. She had deliberately chosen this minimal attire, not out of carelessness, but strategy. With her body coated in the slippery liquid from the Mobility Denial Essence Stone, every inch of her became an ungraspable surface, making her an untouchable force. Ujjain''s frustration boiled over. He attacked again and again, his fists swinging wildly, but every punch either slid off her skin or missed entirely as Esdeath subtly adjusted her movements. BAM!.... Esdeath''s kick landed squarely on Ujjain''s face with a loud, resounding impact. Her movements were sharp and relentless. Not giving him a moment to recover, she twisted her body mid-air and followed up with another powerful kick, flipping gracefully as her foot connected again. BAM! BAM!... The second and third kicks struck Ujjain''s chest like a drumbeat. Her strikes were swift and precise, each blow pushing him back. But just when it seemed like she could press on with her momentum, Esdeath suddenly stopped and leaped back, putting distance between them. "Lightning Charge!" she willed silently. A surge of yellow lightning danced around her feet, crackling with energy. Her speed shot up in an instant, like a bolt of light streaking across the battlefield. Though the effect was fleeting, lasting only a few breaths, it was enough. Esdeath dashed around Ujjain in a full circle, her white shoes glowing with an electric hue. They seemed to absorb the energy, turning vibrant yellow, as though they were alive with power. Ujjain, still reeling from her earlier attack, recovered and glared at her with bloodshot eyes. "Let''s end this, Esdeath Crimson!" he bellowed, his deep voice echoing through the arena. His roar was a challenge, a declaration that the next exchange would decide everything. Ujjain raised his massive fist, the sheer force behind it causing the air to hum with power. She charged straight at him, her electrified steps pounding against the ground like a drumroll leading to a crescendo. But the sound of her own footsteps drowned out everything else, including the subtle whistle of Ujjain''s fist slicing through the air. It happened in a flash. His fist closed the gap and grazed her skin. It landed. Or so it seemed. The world around her suddenly shifted. Time slowed to a crawl, and every motion became exaggerated. She could feel the cold touch of his knuckles on her cheek, and her instincts screamed at her to act. "Not yet!" she thought fiercely. Twisting her body with almost impossible precision, Esdeath dodged the blow at the last second. The cold sensation faded, replaced by the rush of air as she jumped into the sky. Ujjain''s eyes widened as he struggled to comprehend her sudden burst of speed. "When did she become so fast? No¡­ it feels like I''ve slowed down!" he thought, panic creeping into his expression. "Lightning Crash!" Her voice rang out like thunder, and she descended from the sky, her leg glowing with concentrated lightning energy. **BOOM!** Her kick connected with his face, and the explosion that followed shook the ground beneath them. The impact blew half of Ujjain''s cheek apart, sending a shockwave through the air. Blood sprayed like a crimson mist, and for a moment, it seemed like the battle was over. But it wasn''t enough. Even as the five seconds of slowed time began to wane, Ujjain stood firm, his towering figure battered but unbroken. Esdeath landed lightly on the ground, her breathing ragged. She clenched her ZK-20 weapon, pouring every ounce of her remaining mana into it. The liquid weapon shifted, elongating into a sharp rod that glimmered with a deadly light. Without hesitation, she darted behind him, her movements fluid and precise. Ujjain turned, too slow to react, as she drove the weapon forward with all her might. **Tsk!** The rod pierced his chest, slicing through muscle and bone to reach his heart. Ujjain froze, his eyes wide with shock. For a brief moment, he looked as though he wanted to say something¡ªbut no words came. With a soft thud, his massive body crumpled to the ground. Blood pooled beneath him, staining the arena floor. Esdeath stood over his fallen form, her chest heaving as she tried to catch her breath. Her clothes were torn, her body bruised and battered, and blood dripped from her injuries. Yet, despite the pain, a faint smile played on her lips. She had done it. After a fierce, grueling battle, she was the last one standing. Escape (1) The battle that had started in the early evening had stretched far into the night. By now, it was close to 7 PM, but the dense forest surrounding the arena made it feel much later. Darkness cloaked the area, shrouding everything in shadows as if it were midnight. Esdeath stood victorious, but her victory came at a steep cost. Her mana was completely drained, and her body had been pushed far beyond its limits. The final kick she delivered with her **Lightning Charge** had created a powerful shockwave, but it left her right leg in ruins. Her shoe had exploded from the force, leaving her barefoot, and the bones in her leg were shattered, unable to support her weight. The muscles felt as if they were tearing apart with every slight movement. Her outfit, once functional and sleek, was now in tatters. Her mini shorts were torn, exposing raw cuts on her thighs, and her sports bra barely hung on, frayed from the intense battle. Bruises and scratches covered her exposed skin, painting a grim picture of what she had endured. As she finally took a moment to breathe, relief washed over her¡ªbut only for an instant. Her body, unable to bear the strain, gave out. She collapsed onto the cold ground, unable to stand. Pain surged through her mangled leg, and despite her iron will, she couldn''t move it. She could only crawl. "Predictor¡­" she murmured, her voice strained. Her hands clawed at the damp earth as she dragged herself forward, ignoring the agony that wracked her body. She couldn''t see anything. Both of her eyes were gone, lost in the heat of the battle, leaving her in complete darkness. The forest, the arena, everything had disappeared from her world. All she had now was touch and sound to guide her. Still, she pressed on, crawling in random directions, desperately feeling the ground in search of Maruti. "Predictor?" she yelled hoarsely, her voice echoing in the empty arena. "Predictor, have your dreams ended yet? Answer me!" Her tone was a mix of anger and desperation. She wanted to scream in pain, but the urgency of finding Maruti forced her to hold it in. The silence stretched, broken only by her labored breathing. Her body throbbed with pain, her movements slow and uneven. Every inch forward felt like a mile. And then, just as her hope began to waver, something cold touched her hand¡ªa single droplet of water. "Water?" she whispered, confused. Her mind raced, trying to make sense of what was happening. Before she could react, more droplets began to fall. Within moments, the heavens opened, and rain poured down in a torrential shower. The cold water drenched her battered body, washing away some of the blood and grime. It was as if the earth itself was showing mercy, offering her a brief respite. Unbeknownst to her, the rain wasn''t just falling on her¡ªit was also soaking Maruti''s unconscious form. The cold droplets splashed against her skin, stirring her awake. A faint groan escaped Maruti''s lips as her eyes fluttered open, the rain pulling her back to consciousness. "The world''s greatest hitman is meeeeeeee!" Maruti screamed at the top of her lungs as she jumped to her feet, her voice echoing through the arena like a war cry. For a brief moment, she stood there, her fists clenched triumphantly. But as her eyes adjusted to her surroundings, the excitement drained from her face. Reality hit her like a brick. The arena was utter chaos. On the audience''s side, soldiers clashed against one another, the metallic clang of weapons and the grunts of combat filling the air. Fists flew, swords clashed, and the entire scene looked like someone had thrown a wild party with way too many uninvited guests. Above them, atop the spectator stands, Maurya was surrounded by hundreds of soldiers. Maruti''s memories came flooding back like a poorly edited flashback montage. She gasped and immediately looked down in front of her. Ujjain''s lifeless body lay sprawled on the ground, motionless and battered. A few meters away from him was Esdeath, crawling on the ground like an injured cat. Her clothes were in shreds, her right leg looked like it had been through a meat grinder, and her overall state was¡­ well, a complete disaster. "Whoa¡­ Whoa¡­ Whoa!" Maruti shouted, her hands flailing dramatically. "Fable! You are completely fucked up! "Finally awake, huh?" Esdeath said, her voice hoarse but steady. "Take me on your back, and let''s get out of here before things go from bad to worse." Maruti didn''t reply. She didn''t need to. She already knew what she had to do. Without wasting a moment, she crouched down and hoisted Esdeath onto her back. "Geez, Fable, you''re as light as feather, Do you even eat anything?," Maruti muttered as she adjusted her grip, though the faint smirk on her lips betrayed her teasing tone. "Shut up and run," Esdeath growled, though there was a hint of amusement in her tired voice. Maruti wasted no time. With Esdeath clinging to her back, she bolted toward the exit, weaving through the debris and chaos of the arena. Her heart pounded in her chest, but adrenaline pushed her forward. The rain pouring down made the ground slippery, but she didn''t slow down. Suddenly, an overwhelming pressure slammed down on her like a mountain. Maruti gasped as her knees buckled under the weight, and she collapsed to the ground. Esdeath groaned in pain as they fell, but before Maruti could even think about what was happening, a deafening shockwave ripped through the arena. *BOOM!* The upper section of the arena split cleanly in two as if a giant sword had sliced through it like butter. Dust and debris rained down around them, and Maruti instinctively shielded Esdeath with her body. Her breath hitched as she turned her head to see what had caused the destruction. Sear?h the N?velFire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Maruti''s instincts screamed at her to run, but her body trembled, frozen in place. There was no fear in her heart, yet her muscles refused to obey her. When she finally looked up, her eyes widened. A blazing red aura erupted from Maurya''s body, swirling around him like a raging inferno. The sheer intensity of it made the air crackle and shimmer, and the shockwave had been just the *initial release* of his energy. His aura rose majestically, reaching over forty meters into the stormy sky, as though challenging the heavens themselves. Maurya stood in the center of the chaos, his eyes fixed on the stormy clouds above. His voice echoed across the arena, deep and resonant, as though the rain itself was listening to his words. "Years ago, it was a day just like this," he said, his tone heavy with nostalgia. "The rain poured down, and I was nothing more than a fierce beast¡ªunrestrained, untamed." "But then my brother died," Maurya continued, his voice tinged with regret. "I was forced to take up the mantle of leadership. I became a calculating man, a leader burdened with responsibility. I married, had children, and thought my time as a warrior was over." Maurya tilted his head slightly, his eyes gleaming with renewed determination. "But now¡­ now I think the time has come to reclaim what I once was." The sheer force of his voice shook the arena, and Maruti''s heart skipped a beat. She gasped, her voice trembling. "What¡­ what is this level of power? Is this what it means to be an A-rank?" Esdeath let out a dry chuckle from behind her, though her voice was sharp with urgency. "Idiot. This isn''t even ten percent of his true aura. If he unleashed it all, we wouldn''t even be alive to see it." Maruti''s eyes widened in disbelief. "Not even ten percent?!" Esdeath''s tone grew harsh. "This isn''t the time to gawk! Before the battle starts, you need to get out of here. Run as fast as you can!" Snapping out of her stupor, Maruti nodded. Her legs shook as she stood up, but she tightened her grip on Esdeath and began running again, faster than ever before. The pressure from Maurya''s aura made every step feel like she was wading through a storm, but Maruti pushed forward, her determination unwavering. She didn''t dare look back, even as the sounds of crackling energy was continuously echoing in her ears. Anomaly Class–The Beheaded Man Humans can only use about 30% of their real muscle strength, even less for normal people. The brain limits this to keep the body safe. Only trained athletes or fighters can push close to that limit. But Maruti is different. She has something called Ultra Instinct. When she faints in battle, her body goes into a sleep-like state. In this mode, she feels no pain, and her muscles can use almost 80-90% of their strength. Her instincts and essence stone powers also become super sharp. If Esdeath had triggered Maruti''s Ultra Instinct, the fight against Ujjain would''ve been easier. But when ujjain unleashed his killer move and after taking it head on, Maruti went unconsciousness¡ªMaruti didn''t enter this state. Why? For Ultra Instinct to activate, Maruti needs to faint from something like exhaustion, dehydration, hallucinations, or normal injuries. But Ujjain''s attack wasn''t normal. He hit her so hard that it sent her into deep unconsciousness, skipping the window for Ultra Instinct to kick in. There was still a small chance it could''ve activated since luck plays a role, but it didn''t this time. And honestly, it was a good thing. "If her Ultra Instinct had activated, sure, she''d have beaten Ujjain easily," Esdeath thought. "But after him, she might''ve turned on me too. In that state, everyone around her¡ªfriend or foe¡ªbecomes an enemy." Esdeath thought. Maruti''s right cheek was swollen so badly it looked like a balloon ready to burst. She had taken Ujjain''s killer move straight to her face, and it was a miracle she was even alive. The pain was unbearable, but she gritted her teeth and kept going. S§×arch* The n??el Fire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. After what felt like forever, Maruti finally stumbled out of the chaotic battle arena. The moment she crossed the threshold, Mourya''s suffocating aura lifted, and she felt like a massive weight had been taken off her chest. Her body immediately felt lighter, and her speed increased drastically. She didn''t waste any time and activated a movement-type essence stone. Her shoes erupted in red flames, propelling her forward at three times her usual speed. BOOM!... A powerful attack whizzed past her, barely missing her by inches. It tore through everything in its path, leaving behind a trail of destruction. Maruti''s heart leaped into her throat, but she didn''t stop. The village around them was a warzone. Awakened warriors clashed against each other, while normal barbarians fought tooth and nail. The air was filled with the sound of clashing weapons, roaring magic, and agonized screams. Water surged like waves, fireballs rained from the sky, and sharp crystals burst out of the ground. Houses were ablaze, and bodies littered the streets. "This place is insane!" Maruti shouted, her voice barely audible over the chaos. "Aren''t there tons of illusions in this village? How are we supposed to escape in this mess?" "Relax!" Esdeath replied with a smirk, despite clinging weakly to Maruti''s back. "Since the battle began, all the illusions have been deactivated. It would be a disaster if their own soldiers got caught in their traps. I planned this chaos so the illusions would stop and we could escape!" Maruti glanced around, dodging flying debris and stray attacks. "And which way do we go?" "Head straight east! I know a shortcut that leads back to the capital!" Esdeath instructed, her voice steady despite the pandemonium. Maruti darted through the chaos like a fish slipping through dangerous waters. Her instincts were on high alert, her eyes darting left and right to spot incoming attacks. Every few moments, she would yell out the structures and scenery around her, and Esdeath would guide her where to go next. "Turn left!" Esdeath shouted. "Got it!" Maruti swerved, narrowly avoiding a collapsing building. Twenty grueling minutes passed like this, with Maruti weaving through the chaos. She was panting heavily, her legs trembling from the strain, but they had already covered half the distance. "We''ve come so far already, but are you sure this is a good idea?" Maruti gasped as they reached a quieter part of the village. "It''s night! We''re bound to run into beast groups in the forest!" They had finally left the heart of the battle behind. The sounds of clashing metal and screaming were distant now, and the cold night air brushed against Maruti''s sweat-drenched skin. She stopped to catch her breath, her body shaking from exhaustion. "Don''t worry," Esdeath reassured her. "We''re almost there. Once we leave the village, you''ll see a massive cave. That cave connects to the outside of the forest, and it''s only about two hundred meters from the capital''s border!" They finally made it out of the village. Surprisingly, it wasn''t as hard as Maruti had expected. The most difficult part had been scheming against Rowan and Mourya, and fighting Ujjain. But now, all those challenges were behind them. Compared to that, escaping the village seemed almost¡­ easy. The only real danger during their escape had been Mourya''s attacks. His strikes didn''t just aim for enemies¡ªthey destroyed everything in their path. Massive explosions, shattered large houses, and torn ground marked where his power had landed. Maruti had narrowly dodged his attacks several times, her heart pounding in her chest each time she came too close. Half the village was already in ruins, but none of that mattered to Esdeath or Maruti. Their focus was only on survival. As they left the chaos behind, their ears kept ringing from the sounds of the battlefield¡ªclashing weapons, roaring magic, and panicked screams still echoing in their minds. The silence of the forest felt unnatural, almost eerie after the deafening noise. Just as Esdeath had said, Maruti finally came across the cave. It was massive, with spiral-shaped walls that looked like they twisted endlessly into the darkness. The entrance was cold, unwelcoming, and completely black, with no light at all coming from within. "Huff¡­ Finally here, huh?" Maruti let out a tired chuckle, her shoulders slumping as she wiped the sweat from her brow. She stepped forward, ready to enter the cave. "Let''s get this over with!" But before she could take another step, Esdeath grabbed her arm sharply. "Wait. Don''t go!" Esdeath''s voice was firm, her grip unyielding. Maruti blinked, confused. "What? What''s wrong?" Esdeath''s face turned serious, her blind eyes narrowing as if she could see something Maruti couldn''t. "There''s a monster inside," she said quietly, her tone grave. "An Enomaly-type one." Esdeath''s eyes were gone¡ªcompletely blind. Darkness was all she had left. Yet, despite that, she didn''t feel helpless. She had Her "Eagle Eyes" skill allowed her to sense and see the flow of mana It might seem strange. After all, how could someone without eyes see anything at all? But here''s the thing¡ªif you''ve studied a bit of science, you''d know something fascinating. It''s not your eyes that truly see; it''s your brain. Your eyes are just the middlemen, passing along the information. Esdeath didn''t need middlemen anymore. Her connection to mana had grown so strong that she could sense the mana directly through it. At first, all she could feel was endless blackness, cold and suffocating. But then, as she focused, she saw it¡ªif "seeing" was the right word. A faint, neon-green glow began to form in her mind. It wasn''t light in the normal sense. It was mana. And only one type of beings have neon green mana¨CAnomaly Class. "So what?" Maruti said, her voice full of confidence. "You''ve already lost so much blood, let''s kill whoever''s inside and get you to a healer to treat you!" She spoke without any hesitation, her eyes filled with determination. Fear wasn''t something that bothered Maruti in battle. She was used to facing enemies head-on. Esdeath gritted her teeth, looking more tired than ever. "Tch... It''s not that I don''t want to," she replied, wincing slightly. "Anomaly-class monsters have the lowest IQ, but they don''t die easily. They''re a real pain. If it''s not some Anomaly King inside, though, it might not be as bad." Maruti wasn''t having it. She raised her chin in defiance, her eyes sparkling with excitement. "Then I''ll definitely go!" she shouted, her voice filled with fire as she rushed forward into the dark cave without another word. "Hey! Stop! Don''t go!" Esdeath called out, but it was too late. She punched Maruti lightly on the back, but Maruti didn''t even flinch. She was already too far ahead. Inside the cave, it was pitch black. The kind of darkness that felt like it could swallow you whole. But as they moved deeper, glowing crystals began to light up the walls, casting eerie, shimmering light. The further they walked, the brighter the cave became, until it felt almost like walking through a strange, glowing forest. After a few minutes, they stumbled upon a small pond. The water looked clear and fresh, a welcome sight in the midst of their exhaustion. Esdeath felt dizzy from the blood loss.Maruti, despite her injuries,still full of energy, knelt by the water first, drinking deeply, then handed Esdeath some. The cool liquid helped, but it didn''t do much to ease the growing weakness in her body. Maruti glanced at her, concern flickering in her eyes. "You good?" she asked, though her voice still held its usual strength. Esdeath nodded, though she didn''t feel it. The blood loss made her feel like her whole body was shutting down. "Just tired," she muttered, pushing through the dizziness. Without waiting for Esdeath to say much more, Maruti carefully lifted her onto her back again, and they continued on. Time passed, and the deeper they went into the cave, the quieter it became. Hours stretched on. The minutes seemed to slip away unnoticed. It was around 9 PM when they first entered, but now, it was past midnight. The cave stretched on endlessly, winding and twisting, and with every step, Esdeath couldn''t help but wonder if there was anything inside at all. "Was I wrong?" she thought to herself, her voice quiet in her mind. "There are no monsters here... Was I just imagining things? Even In the game, there were very less chances for monsters to be here.... Maybe I was wrong to worry so much." The two of them had already passed halfway through the cave. Esdeath could tell they were close to the end, even though it was now 2 AM. They were almost there. But suddenly, Maruti stopped. Her sharp eyes scanned the darkness ahead, and she saw something moving. A shadow, just out of reach. Someone, emerging from the blackness. It was a man¡ªor at least, it had been a man once. His flesh was rotten, sagging off his bones like it had been left to decay for years. His tattered clothes clung to him in shreds, barely covering his zombie like frame. But the most interesting thing about him wasn''t his rotting body. It was the fact that he had no head. The man was headless. His neck ended in a jagged stump, oozing a faint green mist. Yet, in his right hand, he clutched his own severed head, holding it like a grotesque trophy. And the head¡ªdespite being detached¡ªhad its eyes wide open. He was an anomaly-class monster....."The Beheaded Man." Finally Escaped The Beheaded Men were a anomaly-class of monsters, categorized by their ranks. At the bottom were the ordinary Beheaded Men, still dangerous but manageable for skilled adventurers. Above them stood the Beheaded Kings, far more powerful and relentless. But at the very top of the hierarchy were the Beheaded Emperors. Esdeath had calculated that the likelihood of encountering a Beheaded King or Emperor was close to zero. She had considered it a risk, but not an immediate threat. However, fate seemed to have other plans. The figure standing before them was no ordinary Beheaded Man, nor a King. It was an Emperor¡ªa high-level anomaly-class monster. Despite his fearsome rank, the Beheaded Emperor didn''t immediately charge at them. He stood eerily still, his body a grotesque testament to centuries of experience. His head, clutched tightly in his right hand, bore open, lifeless eyes that still seemed to perceive everything around him. But something about him was different. His body was riddled with deep scars, the flesh cracked and torn as if he had barely survived countless battles. His tattered and decayed garments told a story of a long life spent on the battlefield. Despite his rank, he didn''t exude the overwhelming presence expected of a Beheaded Emperor. He was worn, his aura faint and unsteady. Age and time had taken their toll on him, a reminder that no creature¡ªno matter how powerful¡ªwas truly immortal. This Beheaded Emperor was in the final stages of his existence, his strength diminished to a fraction of what it once was. His injuries told another story¡ªa recent one. Deep gashes and burns marred his body, signs of a violent encounter with a foe strong enough to force even an Emperor into retreat. It was clear he had barely escaped, retreating to this cave to recover and hide. Even with his diminished state, his presence was unsettling. The low intelligence typical of anomaly-class creatures was still present, but there was a glimmer of understanding in his empty gaze. He didn''t attack, not because of hesitation or fear, but because he lacked the capability. He was aware of his weakness, of the futility of engaging in a battle he was certain to lose. "Umm... Fable?" Maruti called out, squinting at the figure before her. "I see a zombie-like man holding his head like he''s about to lick his own stomach. What kind of monster is this?" she asked, her tone half-confused and half-amused. She waited for a response. None came. "Fable?" she tried again, her voice louder this time as she turned to look over her shoulder. But her heart nearly jumped out of her chest when she saw Esdeath slumped unconscious on her back. "Wha¡ª?! Are you kidding me right now?!" Maruti blurted out, panic flashing across her face. Esdeath had already been pale from blood loss, her breathing shallow. She must have been holding on with sheer willpower. Even unconscious, her grip on Maruti was surprisingly strong, as if her body refused to let go, even in this state. Her gaze snapped back to the monster ahead of them¡ªthe Beheaded Emperor. It stood motionless, still clutching its severed head. Its glowing eyes stared unblinkingly at her, which only made the situation weirder. "Why isn''t he attacking?" Maruti''s mind raced. She remembered Esdeath''s earlier words about anomaly monsters and how unpredictable they could be. "Could it be... he doesn''t want to fight?" She took a slow, cautious step forward, her heart pounding. The Beheaded Emperor didn''t move. She took another step, half-expecting him to lunge at her. Instead, he took a step back. Then another. Finally, he shifted to the side, almost like he was... making way for her? For a moment, she just stared at him, unsure if she should laugh or cry. "I thought you were some big scary villain," she muttered under her breath. "Turns out, you''re just a misunderstood softie, huh?" Her voice softened, her earlier panic now giving way to something that felt almost... respectful? Maruti walked closer, her steps hesitant but steady. The Beheaded Emperor stayed still, his imposing figure no longer feeling as threatening as it did a moment ago. When she was just a few feet away, Maruti stopped. She straightened her back and gave the monster a clumsy but heartfelt salute. "Such a noble guy, even with no head. Truly, you''re a gentleman among monsters." Then, with a wave of her hand and a bittersweet smile, Maruti added, "You''re a real example of how not everyone is bad. But too bad, this is goodbye." Just as she turned to leave, a hollow, ghost-like voice echoed through the air. "Not... beheaded guy... Penetrator... Penetrator¡­" Maruti froze mid-step, her eyes widening in shock. Slowly, she turned back to face the Beheaded Emperor. His severed head, still held firmly in his decayed hand, was staring at her with dull but conscious eyes. "You can speak?" she blurted out, blinking rapidly. "Wait... is your name Penetrator?" The head''s jaw moved stiffly as it rasped again, "Penetrator..." Maruti stood there in silence for a second, processing the absurdity of the situation. Then, as the realization hit her, a wide grin spread across her face. With a playful thumbs up, she replied, "Nice to meet you, Penetrator! I''m predictor, but you can call me Maruti, and this here is Esdeath!" She gestured toward the unconscious girl on her back with a little shrug. For a fleeting moment, She just unexpectedly made a friend but she couldn''t stop here now. As she turned and continued forward, carrying Esdeath on her back, she couldn''t help but glance over her shoulder one last time. The Beheaded Emperor remained where he stood, watching them disappear into the dim light of the cave, his severed head tilted slightly¡ªas if to say farewell. Maruti shook her head in disbelief. "What the heck just happened? First, Fable passes out, and now the big bad monster just lets me walk past? This is definitely going in the ''weirdest days of my life'' list." After Maruti and Esdeath left the cave, the Beheaded Emperor watched their silhouettes disappear into the darkness before turning around and heading deeper into the right side of the cavern. It turned out, He actually digged a big hole in the cave and made a small hideout for living. Nestled against the stone walls, he had carved out a surprisingly well-organized living area. There was a crude but sturdy wooden table with matching chairs, along with makeshift shelves holding piles of weathered books and wooden armor pieces. The faint smell of damp wood and dust hung in the air. For an anomaly-class monster, known for their lack of intelligence, this setup was unexpectedly impressive. It hinted at a mind that had overcome its limits¡ªa genius, perhaps, among his kind. The Beheaded Emperor trudged to his table, the sound of his uneven, shuffling steps echoing softly. He carefully placed his head on the table''s surface, angling it to face forward, while his body sat down heavily in the chair. The movements were slow and deliberate, as though even this routine took great effort. Once seated, his head began to mutter softly. "Mar... u... ti... Es-death... Maruti... Esdeath..." His voice was low and raspy, almost like the faint rustling of dry leaves. Over and over, he repeated their names, his lifeless eyes staring blankly at the wooden grains of the table. For creatures like him, remembering something as specific as a name required immense effort. His fractured mind worked tirelessly to imprint these two names into his memory. --------------- It was close to 3 a.m.,The capital city of the Anastasia Kingdom, Celsius, stood surrounded by its mighty walls, their imposing height a testament to the kingdom''s strength. At the main gate, two guards sat lazily slouched in their chairs, snoring softly. Dreams of peaceful days and warm meals danced in their heads, but the tranquility shattered as a piercing scream cut through the stillness. "Emergency! Emergency! We''re in danger!" a frantic, yet elegant voice cried out, jolting the guards awake. Their eyes fluttered open, panic gripping them as they jumped to their feet. "Wha¡ªWho''s there?" one guard stammered, his heart racing. Blinking through his daze, he saw a young teenage girl sprinting toward them. Her short hair was messy, her muscular build suggesting a life of physical hardship. On her back, she carried another girl, limp and unconscious. "Stop right there!" the second guard shouted, stepping forward to block her path. "You''re not allowed to enter without an identification card!" The running girl, none other than Maruti, came to an abrupt halt, panting heavily. Sweat dripped from her forehead as she struggled to catch her breath. "We... we were attacked by a large group of beasts!" she gasped, forcing the words out. "Our party... we didn''t stand a chance... Everyone else was killed. We barely escaped with our lives!" Her voice trembled, and made up a fake story, though her story was entirely fabricated, the raw exhaustion on her face made it believable. Maruti wasn''t a natural liar like esdeath but she still had acting skills. One of the guards stepped closer, his sharp eyes scanning both girls. Maruti''s injuries were evident¡ªscratches, bruises, and torn clothing¡ªbut it was the unconscious girl on her back who caught his attention. The guard''s breath hitched at the sight of Esdeath. Her pale skin was sickly, her body covered in blood and dirt. The sheer amount of injuries made his stomach churn. S§×ar?h the NovelFire.net* website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "Holy hell!" he muttered, his face paling. "Her condition is awful!" He turned away for a moment, fighting the urge to throw up. "Damn it," the other guard muttered, shaking his head. "This is why we need stricter rules for adventurers. Sixteen may be the age of adulthood, but they''re still kids! They shouldn''t be facing those kinds of monsters!" The first guard sighed deeply, his gaze softening as he looked at the battered girls. "Poor things. They must''ve just turned adults recently. Go ahead¡ªyou''re free to enter. But hurry. Find a healer. There''s a skilled one named Scarce in the market district, though her services cost money. If you''re broke, take her to the government healing facility." He stepped aside, gesturing toward the open gate. "Be quick. Every second counts for her." -------------- Scarce was a Rank C healer, a decent position in the healing community. Healers were always in high demand, which often made them wealthy. Scarce was no exception. She owned a small shop where she sold healing potions and provided treatment. The shop wasn''t anything extravagant¡ªjust a modest wooden house tucked away in a quiet corner of Celsius. It was small, but it served her needs. Customers rarely arrived in droves, but when they did come, they often paid well, which kept her pockets full and her life comfortable. At the moment, Scarce, a woman in her mid-twenties, was sound asleep. Her soft snores filled the room as she lay bundled under a blanket, enjoying the peaceful silence of the early hours. Then came the knocking. **Knock¡­ knock¡­ knock¡­** The sound startled her awake. She groaned, rubbing her eyes as she sat up in bed. Her eyebrows furrowed in annoyance, and she let out a long yawn. "Who in the world is knocking at this hour?" she grumbled, her voice groggy. Dragging herself out of bed, she shuffled toward the door, her steps slow and heavy. When she opened it, her tired eyes were met with the sight of a disheveled teenage girl standing outside. It was Maruti, her short hair matted with dirt, her clothes torn and stained with mud. On her back was an unconscious Esdeath, pale and battered, her injuries looking worse in the dim glow of the night. "It''s urgent! We need healing!" Maruti shouted, her voice loud and desperate. Scarce frowned, her irritation flaring. Her gaze swept over Maruti''s ragged appearance, and with her years of experience, she immediately pegged her as a barbarian. Healers like Scarce were known for their pride, and she was no exception. Her skills were in high demand, and she wasn''t one to waste her time on anyone who couldn''t pay. "Do you have any idea what time it is?" she snapped, her tone dripping with disdain. "The shop is closed. Come back tomorrow with money. I don''t do charity, and I certainly don''t do credit. If you''re broke, head to the government healing facility!" Scarce''s voice was sharp and arrogant, and she reached for the door, ready to slam it shut. But before she could, Maruti raised her hand and stopped the door in its tracks. In her hand was a small pouch, the faint clinking of coins echoing in the quiet night. When she opened it slightly, the soft glow of silver coins spilled out, gleaming under the moonlight. Scarce''s sharp eyes caught the shine, and her demeanor changed instantly. Her mouth curved into a wide, eager smile as she rubbed her palms together. "Hehehe¡­ well, although the shop is technically closed, I can make an exception for kind customers like you!" Kirmada While Esdeath was away on her separate journey, life at the Awakened Academy was anything but peaceful. Lortell Mariette had taken it upon herself to ensure the four girls who once bullied Esdeath couldn''t sleep peacefully. Lortell was relentless, tormenting them at every opportunity, and no one dared to challenge her openly. Even Lilith, who could stand toe-to-toe with Lortell in authority, found herself unable to fully curb Lortell''s actions. The tension between the two was palpable, but Lortell''s cunning left Lilith with little to no ground to intervene effectively. The situation escalated to such an extent that even the parents of the four girls became aware of their daughters'' plight. Yet, despite their influence, they couldn''t do anything to stop Lortell. Her dominance within the academy remained unshaken. But today was different. It was early morning, and the academy grounds buzzed with the usual hum of students arriving. However, a commotion broke out before the day even properly began. Crowds of students gathered in the academy garden, forming a wide circle. Murmurs and gasps filled the air as all eyes fixated on the lifeless body lying in the center of the crowd. It was Bella¡ªone of the four girls who had bullied Esdeath and had since been the target of Lortell''s vengeance. The sight was grisly. Bella''s body was in a horrifying state, her skin marred by countless scars and wounds. Blood had seeped into the ground beneath her, and her lifeless face bore an expression of frozen agony. As whispers of blame and speculation swirled, many students instinctively turned their gaze toward Lortell. Far from the scene, Lortell stood on the academy''s balcony, leaning casually against the railing. Her silver hair glistened under the morning light, and her sharp crimson eyes flickered with a hint of amusement as she noticed the stares directed at her. Raising an eyebrow, she snorted loudly enough for the crowd to hear. "What are you all looking at? If I''d done it, she would''ve died in a far worse state than this!" she scoffed, her voice laced with sarcasm and a touch of irritation. For the first time, Lortell was telling the truth¡ªshe wasn''t responsible for Bella''s death. Yet her claim of delivering a "worse death" seemed almost laughable, considering the condition of Bella''s corpse. The lifeless body bore evidence of unspeakable horrors. Deep, jagged wounds covered her arms and legs, as though her very organs had been cut and replaced. Her pale skin was marked with faint traces of stitches, and the effects of drugs were visible in her discolored veins. Lortell''s eyes, sharper than most, noticed details that others couldn''t. Though she stood far away, it was as if Bella''s body lay mere inches from her. Her gaze narrowed as she analyzed the injuries. "Stitch marks... drug traces... experiments?" she muttered under her breath, her tone tinged with genuine shock. She leaned back against the railing, her mind racing. "So, she was kidnapped, experimented on, and then killed? But who could pull this off? Who has the kind of power to kidnap a student, perform inhuman experiments, and dump the body here without anyone noticing?" Even Lortell, with all her arrogance and influence, was taken aback. The sheer audacity of such an act within the academy walls left her momentarily stunned. She knew the limits of her own authority; if she were to kill a student, it would undoubtedly spark an uproar. Of course, It not like anyone can do anything to her but still, Pulling off something like this, was surely a great feat. "Well, the investigation hasn''t started yet. Since this is a case of human experimentation, many high-level authorities will get involved. The person behind this will likely be exposed soon enough," Lortell thought to herself, her crimson eyes narrowing as she glanced once more at Bella''s lifeless body. Without another word, she turned on her heels, her silver hair catching the morning sunlight, and walked away from the balcony, disappearing into the academy corridors. --- Despite the murder that had shaken the academy earlier that morning, the competition to decide the final duelists continued as planned. Bella was no noble after all, Why academy would bother their events for a commoner? For the past several days, fierce trials had been held to determine which students would qualify for the highly anticipated one-on-one duel match. The competition was grueling, testing not only strength but also strategy, adaptability, and determination. Many outstanding students had already secured their spots for the finals. Esdeath Crimson, Maruti, and Valen, the team that had triumphed in the first round, were naturally among the finalists. After countless battles, others like Ethan Rothslayer, Sylvain, Violet Vondarion, Kaelith Maranthia, Claus Clandestine, and a handful of other top-tier students had also claimed their places. However, not everyone could emerge victorious. Among those who had failed to qualify were two particularly surprising names: Princess Ravenna Thorne and Corin. The defeat of Princess Ravenna, in particular, sent ripples of shock through the academy. She was a figure of prestige and power, the beloved princess of the Anastasia Kingdom¡ª To see her not just lose but fail miserably was unthinkable. Had she placed second or third, it might have been excusable, though still embarrassing for someone of her stature. But to fail outright? It was a devastating blow to her reputation. "How could a princess¡ªsomeone with her status and resources¡ªfail like this?" whispered many students in disbelief. The murmurs grew louder with each passing day, and Ravenna''s failure became the subject of endless gossip. --- Today, the academy had organized a special duel for those who had failed the trials. It was a chance for redemption¡ªa last opportunity for the fallen contenders to fight for two remaining spots in the main finals. Despite the gruesome events earlier, the competition moved forward. The battle arena was filled with students eager to witness the intense matches. In the arena, Princess Ravenna was a force to be reckoned with. Her previous defeat seemed to have ignited a fire within her. With her pink hair flowing like silk in the wind and her piercing pink eyes glowing with determination, she dominated every opponent who dared step into the ring. The arena resounded with gasps and cheers as she defeated one challenger after another. Her movements were graceful yet fierce, a perfect blend of elegance and power. Her opponents barely had time to react before they were either disarmed or forced to surrender. "She''s completely overwhelming them," one student murmured. "She''s the princess of Anastasia Kingdom, after all. This is the strength she should''ve shown from the start!" another chimed in. S§×ar?h the Nov§×l?ire.n(e)t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. The reason for her earlier failure became clear to those watching. The academy''s competition rules had prohibited the use of mana and essence stones, a restriction that had significantly limited her capabilities. In her kingdom, Ravenna had access to an abundance of resources and Without them, she was forced to rely solely on her physical skills and combat instincts¡ªareas where others, like Esdeath and Maruti, excelled. "If they''d allowed mana and essence stones, she could''ve easily defeated both Esdeath, Maruti and by herself," a noble remarked confidently. As Ravenna continued to dominate the duels, her earlier humiliation seemed to fade. The princess of the kingdom wasn''t going to let her reputation crumble so easily. After several matches, it was finally Corin''s turn to step into the arena. He walked to his spot confidently, holding his long sword tightly in one hand. His opponent, Zekt, stood on the other side of the arena, gripping his own sword with determination. Zekt''s eyes were fixed on Corin, and it was clear he was ready to give it his all. Corin, however, wasn''t too worried about this fight. "I''m sure I can win against Zekt," he thought to himself, glancing at his opponent. But his mind wasn''t fully focused on the duel. His thoughts drifted back to what had happened the night before. "Just like Esdeath said," Corin thought with a frown. "I went out for a midnight walk and met a strange person. Ever since then, my life became different¡ªjust like she predicted." He hesitated for a moment, his grip on the sword loosening slightly. "Could Esdeath really be able to see the future? Is she some kind of psychic?" Corin shook his head, trying to push the confusing thoughts away. Right now, he had something more important to think about. The mysterious person he met had given him a drug, promising it would increase his strength and abilities. Corin didn''t fully trust it, but he was curious. "If it works, it could give me a huge advantage. But what if it fails at an important time?" That''s why this fight with Zekt was perfect¡ªit was the best chance to test the drug. Corin planned to use Zekt as a way to see how the drug worked. "I''ll try it out here," Corin decided. "Better to find out now than to use it in a real emergency and regret it." Taking a deep breath, Corin focused his energy and activated the essence stones. The "Output" stone, which was connected to the "Input" stone hidden in his personal room, began to glow faintly. Even though the drug was stored far away, its effects flowed into Corin''s body instantly. As the drug took effect, a powerful feeling surged through Corin. His muscles felt stronger, his vision sharper, and his body lighter. A confident grin spread across his face. "This¡­ this power," Corin muttered under his breath. "It''s incredible." As the drug coursed through Corin''s veins, his instincts sharpened in a way he had never experienced before. It was as if a door had opened to an entirely new world. He could hear the sound of people breathing around him, their soft inhales and exhales filling the air. Even the distant chirping of birds, far beyond the arena, reached his ears. His body felt incredibly light, almost as if he could float away. A strange happiness bubbled up inside him, overwhelming and intoxicating. His grip on the sword loosened without him realizing it, and the weapon clattered to the ground. A bright, almost childlike smile spread across his face. "This feels¡­ amazing," Corin muttered, his voice filled with awe. "I feel invincible!" But while Corin was lost in this euphoric moment, the spectators were in shock. "Did he just drop his sword?!" one student gasped. "What is he even doing?!" another shouted, frustration in their voice. In the arena, Zekt''s face twisted with anger. To him, it felt like Corin was mocking him¡ªacting like he didn''t even need a weapon to win. "Stop underestimating me!" Zekt roared, his voice echoing across the arena. Without hesitation, he charged forward, his sword gleaming under the sunlight. As he closed the distance, he swung his blade in a flurry of quick, powerful strikes. "Dodge! Dodge! Dodge!" The crowd held their breath, expecting Corin to struggle. But Corin didn''t even bother to open his eyes. Moving with precise, effortless motions, he dodged each attack as though he had been trained for this moment his entire life. Then, without warning¡ªBAM! Corin spun and delivered a powerful flying kick to Zekt''s chest. The impact sent Zekt flying backward, and he hit the ground hard, unconscious. For a moment, the arena was dead silent. No one could believe what they had just seen. "Was Corin always this strong?" someone whispered. After this, one thing became clear in that instant: Corin had secured his place in the finals, alongside Princess Ravenna. The competition had just become far more interesting. -------------- Ethan sat quietly in his room, lost in his thoughts. He couldn''t shake the image of Bella''s lifeless body, and the uneasiness it brought him only grew stronger. Unable to focus on anything else, he skipped his classes and returned to his personal space, seeking solitude. "Just like in my previous life," Ethan thought, his expression dark and grim. "This is the time when everything started falling apart. Back then, one by one, students were killed, and soon after, monster waves began to appear. It got so bad that even the academy couldn''t protect itself." He clenched his fists, his nails digging into his palms as he remembered the coward he used to be. "At that time, I ran away. I was too scared to face what was happening. I ended up joining a mercenary guild, thinking I could escape the chaos. But in the end, I learned that Violet¡­ Violet didn''t survive. She died in that disaster, and I could never forgive myself for abandoning her¡­ for being a coward." Anger bubbled up inside him, directed at his past self. He bit his lip, his frustration clear. But then, as if a spark had ignited within him, his resolve began to grow. "This time, things are different," he whispered, his voice steady and full of determination. "I won''t let anything happen to Violet. She''s done so much for me. No¡­ it''s not just about her. I''ll protect everyone I care about. I''ll save as many people as I can." For a moment, a flicker of doubt crossed his mind. The memory of his defeat at Lortell''s hands resurfaced¡ªher overwhelming strength, how easily she had beaten him. Fear crept in, cold and sharp, but he pushed it away. "It doesn''t matter how strong my opponents are or how impossible my goal seems," Ethan said aloud, his voice rising with conviction. "I''ll walk my path, no matter what!" "Quit dreaming, young man!" A deep, calm voice suddenly interrupted him. Startled, Ethan looked up to see the floating form of Gareth''s soul emerging from the golden ring on his finger. "Determination alone won''t get you far," Gareth said, his tone steady but firm. "You need strength, too. Without it, your resolve means nothing." "I know that!" Ethan replied with a sigh, running a hand through his hair. "But that''s easier said than done." Gareth tilted his head slightly, a faint smirk on his ghostly face. "By the way, the last time we spoke, you said there was something you wanted to discuss with me. It''s been several days now. Are you finally ready to talk?" Ethan asked. "Of course," Gareth began, his voice calm and steady as always. "It''s not much, really. I just wanted to let you know that I''ve already seen glimpses of your potential through your soul. You''ll definitely acquire a rank B inheritance one day. So, I thought it was time to share some things about our upcoming journey and give you an idea of what lies ahead." "Journey? What kind of journey?" Ethan asked, raising an eyebrow in curiosity. Gareth''s tone grew slightly more serious. "It''s about the treasures left behind by the hero. Although he''s been gone for ages, humans were only able to recover a small portion of what he left behind. Many of his most valuable items were stolen, especially one of the most crucial¡ªhis sword. That sword is still in the possession of someone to this day." Ethan leaned forward, intrigued but cautious. "Who is this person?" Gareth''s expression darkened. His next words carried an air of gravity that made the room feel colder. "Kirmada." Ethan froze. His entire body began trembling, and his eyes widened in shock. "K-K-Kirmada? That Kirmada?" "Yes," Gareth confirmed, his calm exterior hiding the unease in his voice. "That Kirmada. One of the Four Lords of Hell. Even among the most feared beings, he stands as a legend. If the Four Lords work together, they can even stand toe-to-toe with the Demon King himself." Kirmada was one of the Four Lords of Hell, each of whom held immense power. Together, the four of them could even go toe-to-toe with the Demon King. But Kirmada wasn''t feared just because of his strength or title. What made him truly terrifying was,He was among those few people,Who refined the "Grant Wish Essence Stone," a legendary that only a handful in history had ever refined. The essence stone couldn''t grant something like true immortality, but it could grant a twisted version of it. Kirmada''s wish was cunning: "As long as someone has refined an essence stone in their life, they cannot kill me." To understand the weight of this wish, one had to know what an essence stone was. Much like magic, essence stones were fundamental to the awakened. Every awakened being¡ªwhether human, demon, monster, or beast¡ªrefined at least one essence stone in their lifetime and have it insde Or outside of their bodies. It didn''t matter what type it was; Kirmada''s wish meant that anyone who had ever refined an essence stone was powerless against him. And even if someone managed to discard their essence stone, it wouldn''t matter. His wish covered them too. The condition was simple: once you refined an essence stone, it was over, You are not qualified to kill him. Because of this, Kirmada was immune to almost the entire world. Not even the strongest heroes or villains could harm him. Ethan, Esdeath, Maruti, Lortell, Mourya, Gareth¡ªnone of them were qualified to take him down. Even the most powerful beings, The demon king, Star constellations also can''t kill him. "Although we can''t kill him, that doesn''t mean we can''t defeat him," Gareth said, his voice calm and steady as he tried to ease the tension in the room. "He''s been defeated twice in his life already. If it happened before, it can happen again." His words weren''t just meant to reassure Ethan; they were a test. Gareth wanted to see how Ethan would react. Would he crumble under the weight of despair? Or would he rise with unshakable determination? Ethan let out a bitter laugh, shaking his head. "Heh... here I was thinking my only goal was to surpass Lortell. Turns out my future opponents are way more troublesome than her! Fine then. I''ve already made up my mind¡ªI won''t hold back anymore!" With a determined glint in his eyes, Ethan reached into his bag and pulled out several essence stones. Their soft glow illuminated the room, each one brimming with untapped power. "The competition starts the day after tomorrow, but I''ve already sent a letter requesting two days off," he said, standing up. He opened his status window, revealing a list of stats he had carefully saved and nurtured over time. Unlike Esdeath''s system, his granted rewards like skills and essence stones for killing monsters. Ethan had been holding onto his universal stat points for far too long, waiting for the right moment. That moment was now. He quickly allocated the points, increasing his overall stats with precision and purpose. Then, with deep focus, he poured his mana into all the essence stones at once. The room was filled with a radiant glow as the stones activated. Among them were: - The Boar Strength Essence Stone, - The Flying Elephant''s Strength Essence Stone. - The White Boar Strength Essence Stone. But the last two were the most important: - The Jade Emphasis Skin Essence Stone. - The Silver Muscle Essence Stone, designed to enhance both flexibility and raw power in his muscles. - And finally, the Iron Bone Essence Stone, reinforcing his skeleton to be as tough as steel. Ethan''s body trembled violently as the essence stones took effect. Surprisingly, it wasn''t the strength-enhancing stones that caused the intense pain¡ªit was the Jade Emphasis Essence Stone and the Iron Bone Essence Stone. His skin began to undergo a drastic transformation, replacing its natural texture with a jade-like sheen. It exuded a soft moisture while boasting incredible endurance. At the same time, his bones started turning black, reforging themselves into Iron Bones. Each snap, crackle, and shift in his skeleton felt like his very existence was being remade. Ethan was ready for this. He clenched his jaw, his teeth grinding against each other as beads of sweat dripped down his face. His hands gripped the edge of the bed, and with a trembling voice, he whispered, "Pain Nullification Essence Stone... activate!" The pain disappeared almost instantly, replaced by a strange calmness. However, the relief was short-lived. Ethan''s body collapsed onto the bed, completely paralyzed. Though the stone nullified the pain, the overwhelming process had drained his energy, rendering him immobile. He stared blankly at the ceiling, his breathing steady but shallow. This was why he had planned ahead, requesting leave from the academy and informing his friends that he wouldn''t be available for a while. "One and a half days... I''ll be like this for that long," he thought, his mind still sharp despite his body''s state. Gareth floated nearby, observing the changes with an approving gaze. "Hmm... using more than five essence stones at once. You''ve got some talent, young man," Gareth said with a faint smile, his tone calm but impressed. With that, he returned to the golden ring, leaving Ethan to rest. As Ethan lay there, his status window reflected the results of his efforts, his stats now significantly enhanced: Name: Ethan Rothslayer Title: Regressor Attributes: - Strength 112 - Stamina: 128 - Speed: 94 - Magic Power: 686 Current Skills in Possession: - Genius Hour (B) Upgradable: When activated, Strength increases by 20%, Stamina by 25%, and Speed by 30% for one hour. Cooldown: 24 hours. - Righteous (B) Upgradable: The body slowly heals over time while fighting for a righteous cause. If near defeat, Stamina snd fatigue resets once, and pain is numbed for an hour. - Bleeding (C): Wounds inflicted by you continue to bleed until fully healed with magic. Quick And Easy Disposal Esdeath''s eyes fluttered open, but this time, it wasn''t her. This time, "he" was awake¡ªFable. Sear?h the nov§×lF~ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. His vision blurred, and a wave of dizziness washed over him, making it feel as though he had just awakened from a sleep that spanned centuries. Slowly, he rubbed his eyes, and as his senses sharpened, a strange realization hit him. He wasn''t lying down. He was standing. Completely naked. Shock coursed through him as he glanced down at himself. "Did I¡­ return to my body?" he wondered aloud. The thought filled him with a strange mixture of relief and confusion, but before he could dwell on it, his eyes fell on something¡ªor rather, someone¡ªlying on the ground a short distance ahead. It was a girl with raven-black hair, her body still and lifeless as though she had fainted. Her skin was pale as snow, so hauntingly delicate it seemed unreal. And yet, what caught Fable''s attention the most wasn''t her beauty or her fragile state. It was the fact that she was unmistakably the real Esdeath Crimson. For a moment, he could only stare, a mixture of awe and disbelief spreading through him. But before he could make sense of it all, he finally noticed their surroundings. They were standing in a vast, endless void. It stretched in every direction, a blank expanse of pure white with no beginning or end. Fable''s brows furrowed as unease settled in his chest. "Where am I? Heaven? Who in their right mind would let someone like me into heaven?" he muttered under his breath, a bitter smile briefly flickering across his lips. But just as the thought crossed his mind, the void began to shift. Slowly, colors seeped into the emptiness like paint spreading across a blank canvas. At first, it was faint¡ªstreaks of green, brown, and blue¡ªthen more vivid, until the scene around him changed entirely. The ground beneath his feet became soft grass, the air filled with the sweet chirping of birds and the distant sounds of animals. He looked around, his heart racing, as he found himself standing in what appeared to be a village from centuries past. The village was quaint, with modest wooden houses scattered across the landscape, smoke curling from chimneys, and people going about their lives. Everything seemed alive, yet strangely surreal, like a memory brought to life. And then, his gaze was drawn to something¡ªor someone¡ªat the center of it all. A large tree stood tall and proud in the middle of the village, its branches sprawling wide, its leaves rustling softly in the breeze. It wasn''t enormous, but it towered just enough to feel significant, commanding attention without overwhelming the scene. Tied to the tree by thick ropes was a woman. The ropes were wrapped tightly around her waist, binding her to the trunk, yet her hands were free. She made no effort to escape, no attempt to untie herself. Instead, she held something in her hands. A harp. "Esdeath?" Fable muttered. The woman standing before him was hauntingly familiar. Her features mirrored Esdeath''s, yet they bore the unmistakable marks of time and something far more sinister. Her hair was pitch black, cascading down her back like an endless shadow and were as big as her body, and her skin was ghostly white, almost luminescent, like freshly fallen snow under the moonlight. But it was her eyes that held him captive. They glowed an eerie red, their pupils forming multiple concentric rings that seemed to twist and shift, as though alive. Fable couldn''t look away, the sight filling him with both awe and dread. And then there were the "horns. Two sleek, dark horns curved gracefully from the sides of her head. They weren''t large, just average in size,The horns made her seem otherworldly, a being teetering between beauty and terror. This wasn''t the Esdeath he knew. This was something else¡ªsomeone else. Before he could utter another word, the woman turned her glowing gaze toward him. Slowly, she raised her hands to the harp she held, her fingers gliding across the strings with practiced grace. The melody that followed was unlike anything he had ever heard¡ªhaunting, melodic, and heavy with sorrow. And then, she began to sing. --- "When the blood moon ascends, its crimson glow will light the sky, And the heart of the demon, pulsing, dark, shall you defy. A fate intertwined, both cruel and divine, You shall consume him whole, his power made thine. Yet the stars above will weave their schemes, Constellations aligning to shatter your dreams. Thou shall succeed. Thou shall succeed. To the world that wronged me, hear my hymn, Your sins will drown in the echoing din. The harp shall sing, the strings will cry, Justice reborn in the crimson sky. Raise the throne beneath your feet, Turn the tides of karma, make the cycle complete. For those who scorned, who cast shadows deep, Bestow the reckoning, make the strong weep." --- As the melody ended, The woman''s lips, once serene, twisted into a grotesque snarl, her expression a storm of fury and anguish. "Ha-te¡­ Hate¡­I Hate¡­" Her voice grew louder, each word trembling with raw emotion¡ªanger, grief, and an unrelenting thirst for vengeance. The once-soothing melody of the harp was now a discordant echo, each note resonating with despair. And then, without warning, flames erupted from the base of the tree. The fire was not natural¡ªit burned a deep, furious red, consuming the trunk and the ropes binding her in an instant. Yet the woman remained untouched by the inferno, standing tall in the blaze as though it were an extension of her fury. "Hate¡­ Hate¡­Hate Animals, Hate Humans, Hate Demons, Hate Friend, Hate Enemies, Hate heaven, Hate earth, Hate Constellations, Hate unsightly things, Hate Beautiful Things,Hate the scenery, Hate Nature, Hate Man-made¡­" she screamed again, her voice piercing through the roar of the flames. Her glowing red eyes were wide open, locked onto Fable, their ringed pupils spinning violently as though reflecting the chaos within her soul. The fire climbed higher, enveloping her completely, but still, she didn''t stop. Her screams of hatred echoed through the sky, louder and more chilling than the crackling of the flames. Fable could only stand there, watching the scene without blinking. "H-a-t-e¡­ Hate¡­ I hate¡­This world" And then, silence. The flames vanished, leaving nothing behind but ash. "What just happened? Was there any other character with black hair besides the Demon King?" Fable thought, his mind racing as he tried to make sense of the strange events. He felt dumbfounded. Nothing about this made sense¡ªnothing at all. His gaze shifted to Esdeath, hoping for some sign that she was unaffected. But then, his heart nearly stopped. Her legs were gone. Out of instinct, he glanced down at his own legs, and what he saw left him stunned. His legs weren''t his own anymore¡ªthey were "hers". They had transformed into the same legs as Esdeath''s, as if their bodies remained separate, but their souls were beginning to merge. The realization struck him like a bolt of lightning. From the moment he entered Esdeath''s body, their souls had been merging. And now, the process was nearly 25% complete. But before he could think further, his vision began to blur. The white void around him flickered like a dying flame, and then¡ªdarkness. Everything went black. --------- Inside the dimly lit room, Esdeath''s eyes fluttered open. She sat up abruptly, her head darting from left to right as she scanned her surroundings with a blank expression. It took her a moment to register where she was. Her gaze fell on Maruti, standing at the foot of the bed, wearing a smug smirk. The realization hit her instantly. They had escaped. Maruti wasted no time and launched into an animated explanation of her encounter with the "Penetrator." She recounted the bizarre meeting, their conversation, and how she ended up here with Esdeath. Esdeath''s expression remained flat as she listened. When Maruti finished, Esdeath raised an eyebrow and said dryly, "So, you''re telling me you met an anomaly, he gave you his name, and then you had a *farewell* moment?" Maruti grinned and nodded enthusiastically. "Yeah! Exactly!" Esdeath stared at her, speechless for a moment. Then she blurted out, "Fuck you!" Maruti''s grin vanished, and she snorted in irritation. "Hmph! Don''t believe me, then! I''ll prove it to you someday!" Maruti stood up, brushing off the conversation. Esdeath groaned and got to her feet as well, but as she moved, her bra suddenly slipped loose. It had already been tattered from countless struggles, and now, it gave out entirely. Before it could fall completely, Esdeath caught it with one hand, pressing it against her chest with an irritated sigh. "How much did the healing cost?" she asked, her voice sharp. Maruti scratched the back of her head awkwardly. "Uh... fifty silver coins. Thirty five for you, fifteen for me," she said, trying to sound casual. Esdeath''s eye twitched. Anger flared inside her like a storm. Teleportation gates cost twenty silver coins per person. That meant she needed forty silver coins to cover both of them. She thought back to the painstaking effort she''d gone through to gather her savings: - Refining the Moonblade Essence Stone first in her class, earning her a reward of twenty silver coins. - Winning a gamble during Ethan vs corin''s duel, gaining ten silver coins and sixteen bronze coins. - Discovering the inheritance of that dwarf, which included another twenty silver coins. - Purposefully getting beaten by a group of girls just to earn twelve silver coins in compensation. - Deceiving Ethan by blaming Corin and taking twenty silver coins from him. After all that effort, she had finally managed to amass eighty-two silver coins and sixteen bronze coins. And now? Some random woman had come crashing into her life and taken fifty silver coins in one go. Esdeath clenched her fists, her chest heaving with frustration. After all that work, they were short by eight silver coins again. Esdeath''s anger simmered beneath the surface, but she kept her face calm. There was no time to waste on emotions; she had work to do. With a sharp exhale, she straightened her posture and motioned for Maruti to follow her. They stepped out of the cramped bedroom and into the main room of the small wooden house. The air felt heavy inside, the dim light casting long shadows across the room. At the center of the space was Scarce, sitting cross-legged near what looked like a small, square pond. The pond wasn''t filled with water, though¡ªit held a thick, bubbling black liquid that hissed softly as bubbles popped on its surface. It appeared as though the liquid was boiling, though no fire or heat source was visible. The container, a sturdy grey metal, seemed unnaturally durable, as if it were designed to withstand extreme conditions. Scarce glanced up when she noticed Esdeath and Maruti entering. Her sharp eyes locked on Esdeath, and a knowing smirk tugged at the corners of her lips. "Oh, you''re awake. Quite the different look you''ve got there," she remarked, her tone casual but curious. Esdeath frowned slightly, instantly aware of the unspoken observation. Scarce was clearly hinting at her black hair and red eyes. But Scarce didn''t seem concerned or alarmed, Who cares how her patients looks like? The only thing she cared about is money. Esdeath narrowed her eyes. "What''s that?" she asked, pointing at the mysterious black liquid. Scarce followed her gaze and chuckled. "That? Oh, it''s a very toxic solution. Dangerous stuff. It can melt flesh and bones down to nothing. I use it when I need to, uh, ''clean up'' injuries." She shifted her position and tapped the edge of the container. "For example, if someone loses a limb and their wound closes over time, I have to cut through the old bones and flesh to regrow the limb fully. Whatever''s left over gets tossed in here. Makes disposal quick and easy." Maruti nodded as though she completely understood, but Esdeath felt a nagging sense of unease. Something about Scarce seemed¡­ off. Her eyes narrowed as she observed Scarce more closely. "What''s that on your tongue?" she asked suddenly. Scarce blinked, clearly taken aback. "What? Is there something on my tongue?" she asked, sticking it out slightly and scratching at it with her finger. Esdeath sighed, shaking her head. "No, not there. A little further back," she instructed, gesturing toward her own mouth for clarity. Scarce leaned her head back and probed deeper, her expression growing increasingly confused. Esdeath sighed heavily and slapped her forehead in exasperation. "Ugh... wait. Let me help you." She stepped forward, determination replacing her irritation. Whatever this was, she wasn''t going to let it slide. Esdeath stepped forward, her eyes gleaming with cold intent. Scarce leaned closer, sticking her tongue out slightly so Esdeath could inspect it. "Hold still," Esdeath said calmly. But just as her hand got close to Scarce''s tongue, a wide, wicked grin spread across her face. Scarce''s eyes widened in shock, but it was too late. With a quick motion, before Scarce could react, Esdeath shoved her entire hand into Scarce''s mouth. Scarce gagged and struggled, but Esdeath''s hand pushed deeper, reaching her throat. Esdeath had the ZK-20, in her palm. In the shape of a bracelet. She poured her mana into it, and Then, with a chilling focus, Esdeath manipulated the ZK-20. Krrrrr... The ball transformed into a large, spinning shuriken. The sound of metal tearing through flesh echoed as it beheaded Scarce in an instant. Blood sprayed everywhere, covering Esdeath''s face and upper body. Scarce''s lifeless body fell to the ground. She had no chance to react,She was excelled at healing not combat or defense¡ªher healing abilities were useless against such a swift attack. Without hesitation, Esdeath grabbed Scarce''s head and body and threw them into the bubbling black liquid. The solution hissed loudly as it dissolved the flesh and bones, leaving nothing behind. In her rush, Esdeath''s hand slipped, causing her bra to fall to the ground. Now half-naked, blood ran down her face and chest. She didn''t care. Licking some of the blood from her lips, she smirked and said coldly, "What a quick and easy disposal". -------------------------------------------------------------- Now that i think about it, I never showed any art of fable... Did i? This was the photo in my drive saved for a long time, I actually show it one day and it looked quit familiar... Although I don''t remember but still, Fable is based o that... He is Not too old Colac Village Normally, healers aren''t skilled in combat or defense. Only a few are capable of fighting while healing, and those rare ones, And only priests or saintesses¡ªare usually gifted with light magic, which grants them high defense. Scarce, however, was none of these. She lacked both the strength to defend herself and the awareness to sense danger. She might have survived if she had even the slightest idea of what Esdeath was planning. But it was too late. Her life had ended abruptly, and her body was disposed of so quickly and cleanly that no one had any idea what had just happened. Esdeath, unfazed by the gruesome act, used Scarce''s bath to wash the blood off her body. The warm water ran red as it rinsed away the evidence of her brutal deed. Once she was clean, she calmly changed into a set of clothes she found in Scarce''s room. Her new outfit was striking¡ªoversized red-tinted sunglasses hid her sharp eyes, adding a layer of mystery. Her deep crimson lips curled into a confident, almost smug smile. She wore a high-neck black top that fit snugly around her slender neck and shoulders, paired with a flowing red dress that moved gracefully with her every step. The vivid red fabric stood out sharply against her pale skin, making her seem both elegant and dangerous. Silver cross-shaped earrings dangled from her ears, swaying faintly as she moved. A delicate silver chain rested around her neck. Esdeath glanced at Maruti and firmly told her to change out of her tracksuit, suggesting it would be better to wear something else. However, Maruti stubbornly shook her head, crossing her arms as she replied, "This tracksuit is way more comfortable. I''m not changing." Her tone was casual, but her stubbornness was clear. Esdeath sighed, deciding not to argue further. After Esdeath finished changing into her new attire, they turned their attention to the silver coins that maruti had given scarce as payment earlier. Without hesitation, they collected every single one of them. However, when it came to Scarce''s own money and her stash of healing-type essence stones, Esdeath didn''t even touch them. Why? Of course, they''re valuable. But that''s exactly why they can''t take them, If Scarce''s disappearance ever leads to an investigation, and they discover her money and essence stones are missing, it won''t just be a mystery anymore¡ªit''ll turn into a case of theft. Once that happens, they''ll dig deeper, and they don''t need anyone poking around unnecessarily." sea??h th§× nov§×lF~ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. That''s why it was better to avoid trouble before it finds you. With that, Esdeath and Maruti stepped out of the room, leaving the silence behind as the lively atmosphere of the bustling city greeted them. The capital was alive under the warm rays of the sun, its streets crowded with countless people. Most were humans, but here and there, you could spot elves with their elegant features and dwarfs carrying heavy tools and goods. The air was filled with overlapping voices¡ªmerchants advertising their goods, children laughing, and the faint melodies of street performers. Maruti''s eyes sparkled as she took it all in, her smile widening until her cheeks hurt. "Now *this* is what we call a fantasy world!" she exclaimed, her voice trembling with excitement. Her eyes glistened, overwhelmed by the sheer beauty and liveliness of the scene before her. Esdeath glanced at her with a faint smirk. "Don''t get too carried away. We''re late already," she said, her voice carrying a sharp edge of urgency. Realizing the truth of her words, Maruti nodded, and the two began their journey through the bustling streets. As they walked, they passed by numerous shops lined up on both sides of the wide cobblestone road. The vibrant banners flapped gently in the breeze, and the scent of fresh bread and roasted meats wafted through the air. Merchants called out loudly, their voices competing with each other to draw attention. "Massive discounts today! Buy three Rank E paper blast stones for just five silver coins!" "Fresh yellow light banana fish king''s flesh! Only twenty silver coins for one kilogram!" Big and small shopkeepers alike stood proudly by their displays, each trying to outdo the other. Since this was the capital city, wealth was evident everywhere. Shiny silver coins exchanged hands with ease, while the humble bronze coins were nowhere to be seen¡ªhere, they were simply unnecessary. The duo walked for what felt like ages, taking in the sights and sounds of the lively city. Eventually, hunger got the better of them, and they stopped at a cozy restaurant tucked into a corner of the market. The aroma of spices and sizzling meat filled the air as they savored a warm, hearty meal. Maruti hummed in satisfaction after every bite, while Esdeath ate quietly, her eyes scanning the crowd outside through the restaurant''s large window. After finishing their lunch and resting for a bit, they resumed their journey. Another hour of walking brought them to their destination¡ªa grand structure that resembled a museum but carried the air of something far more official. The large building was surrounded by soldiers in polished armor, standing guard with unwavering focus. "This is it," Maruti muttered, glancing at the imposing structure. The property belonged to the government, marked by the intricate sigils carved into the tall gates. Inside, dozens of shopkeepers managed small counters, each bustling with customers. These shops specialized in a single, highly sought-after item¡ªteleportation essence stones. The stones were magical artifacts capable of instantly transporting people to predetermined locations. However, there was a catch: they weren''t permanent. Once teleported, you had to return within the specified deadline or pay extra to fully claim ownership of the stone. Without wasting any time, Esdeath strode up to a nearby shopkeeper, her steps confident and purposeful. The shopkeeper, a middle-aged man with a wrinkled face and a cautious expression, looked up as she approached. "I want to go to Colac Village," Esdeath said plainly, her tone casual as if she were asking for directions to a park. The shopkeeper froze for a moment, his hands trembling slightly as he adjusted his spectacles. "Colac Village?" he repeated, his voice laced with unease. "Why in the world would you want to go to such a dangerous place?" Esdeath raised an eyebrow but kept her composure. "Don''t worry," she replied with a calm but firm tone. "I''m just going for a little survey. I''m not planning to go any further. And besides," she added with a faint smirk, "I''m an awakened individual. There''s no need to worry about my safety." Her words carried an air of authority that made it hard to argue, though there was no real need for her to explain herself. Yet, Esdeath knew that she and Maruti, being young girls in appearance, could be easily dismissed or even refused. The shopkeeper might think they were reckless and unfit for such a journey. The moment Esdeath mentioned being an awakened, the shopkeeper''s demeanor shifted. Awakened individuals were known to possess extraordinary powers, and some could even alter their appearance to look younger or older. His eyes flickered with uncertainty as he studied Esdeath. Her confidence, maturity, and the unwavering tone of her voice made her seem far beyond her years. "What if she''s older than she looks?" the shopkeeper wondered to himself. The possibility made him hesitant to press further. Without another word, Esdeath pulled out forty silver coins from her pouch and placed them on the counter. The coins clinked softly as they settled, shining under the shop''s dim lighting. The shopkeeper nodded and handed over two essence stones, each shaped like a miniature Rubik''s Cube with intricate patterns etched on every side. "Take care," he muttered, still unsure but unwilling to question her further. Esdeath and Maruti stepped out of the shop, their new destination set. After finding a quiet, secluded spot away from the bustling crowd, they inspected the essence stones. "These look more like toys than something that can teleport us," Maruti said, tilting her head as she examined the cube in her hand. Esdeath smirked. "Don''t judge by appearances. They''re filled with magic, enough for two uses each." She placed her stone on the ground and activated it, and Maruti quickly followed her lead. The essence stones began to hum faintly, a soft vibration running through them. Without requiring any mana input from the users, the magic stored inside sprang to life. The Rubik''s Cube-shaped stones suddenly split apart, each one dividing into four glowing pieces. The pieces hovered in the air, moving outward until they formed a square, about one and a half meters apart from one another. Between the floating pieces, a hollow, blurry light shimmered into existence. The light was faintly colorless, almost like a rippling veil of water. Esdeath and Maruti exchanged a quick glance. The faint excitement in Maruti''s eyes was mirrored by Esdeath''s calm determination. With a slight nod, they both stepped forward, each entering their respective gates. The moment their feet crossed the threshold, the light enveloped them, and the world around them seemed to stretch and blur. For a brief second, it felt like stepping through a dream¡ªweightless, soundless, and surreal. And then, with a flash, they were gone, leaving the quiet corner of the city behind. ------------- Well..... I found two different arts of the kid, Tell me which one is better... Seven King’s Mountain The Seven Kings'' Mountain was an imposing sight¡ªa series of seven mountains connected in a half-circle. This cursed land was home to countless monsters and demons. It wasn''t the sheer number of dangerous creatures that made this place so feared. No, the true horror lay in the rulers of these mountains¡ªseven powerful demons who each claimed dominion over their respective peaks. These weren''t just ordinary demons; they were mid- and high-class beings of immense power, each residing in castles that loomed ominously atop their mountains like dark crowns. To outsiders, it might seem as though these seven rulers were independent, managing their territories without interference. But the reality was far more sinister. In the center of the half-circle stood the fourth mountain, the heart of this dread domain. She was the true sovereign, the one who held dominion over all seven mountains. Trynne Transylvania, a vampire queen of chilling beauty. Despite her title as the fourth ruler, the other six kings were merely her pawns, their loyalty bound to her by power and fear. Trynne''s influence extended beyond her mountain, weaving a web of control that stretched a little bit in across the entire region. Her bloodline was renowned among vampires, known as the Transylvania Bloodline. Though not as exalted as the Progenitor Bloodline of Lortell Mariette, which was considered the strongest and most royal among vampires, the Transylvania Bloodline was still a noble lineage. It was the third strongest, granting Trynne significant influence and command over a formidable vampire force. Lortell Mariette''s bloodline could outshine Trynne''s in strength and prestige, but Trynne''s was clearly not someone to be underestimated. Colac Village was the closest settlement to the infamous Seven Kings'' Mountain. Its proximity to Trynne Transylvania''s domain meant it lived under her shadow¡ªboth figuratively and literally. The rules imposed on the villagers were cruel and inescapable. No one was allowed to leave the village, no matter the reason. Every woman was required to bear at least four children, ensuring a steady supply of humans for Trynne''s purposes. Outsiders were permitted to enter and live in Colac Village if they dared, but their safety was far from guaranteed. Trynne''s whims were law. Whenever she needed humans to turn into vampires, experiment on, or use as ingredients for refining essence stones, she took whomever she pleased. It didn''t matter if it was a crying child or a promising young adult; none were spared from her cold, unfeeling grasp. Yet, despite years of such terror, one might wonder: did the Anastasia Kingdom truly not know about this horror? Of course, they knew. The kingdom''s highest authorities were well aware of Trynne''s reign of terror. But they chose silence over action. A direct confrontation with Trynne and her forces, even with the mighty Lortell Mariette on their side, would result in devastating losses. Victory was certain, but the price would be immeasurable. Too many lives would be lost, and the kingdom itself face many losses. Sacrificing one medium-sized village, no matter how heartless, was the "practical" choice. It was a silent agreement between the kingdom and Trynne¡ªan unspoken truce to avoid total war. But now, something had changed in Colac Village. For the first time in years, the air was lighter, and the despair that once clung to the villagers had lifted. Laughter filled the streets, and a cautious joy spread among the people. Why? Because for over two months, Trynne hadn''t come. She hadn''t taken anyone, not a single child, mother, or young man. The usual dread of her arrival was replaced by tentative hope. The villagers didn''t know why she hadn''t appeared, and frankly, they didn''t care. For the first time in their lives, they could breathe without fear. Happiness was a fragile thing in Colac Village, and though it might be fleeting, they clung to it with all their might. Suddenly, two glowing teleportation gates appeared in the middle of the village square. They stood about one and a half meters tall, crackling with an blurry energy. From each gate stepped a girl. No doubt, the figures emerging were none other than Esdeath and Maruti. As soon as they exited, the essence stone that had powered the gates closed back into its Rubik''s cube shape, floating gently back into Esdeath''s hand. Maruti''s eyes sparkled with curiosity as she glanced around the village. The wooden houses, dirt roads, and ancient structures gave the place a distinctly old-world charm. She let out a small laugh. "It looks like we''re back in the 16th century!" she remarked, clearly amused by the primitive surroundings. Esdeath, however, wasn''t in the mood for jokes. She shot Maruti a sharp glare. "Stop wasting time. We''re already late, thanks to your identity issues!" she snapped, her voice cold and impatient. For the villagers, this was an unsettling and awkward moment. The two girls had teleported right into the heart of their village, an act so strange, it left them frozen in shock. Dozens of villagers stood around, staring at them like they''d just seen something like alien. Esdeath, ever aware of her surroundings, noticed the gazes but paid no attention to them. She didn''t care about the villagers or their thoughts. All she needed was a place to teleport safely. If she had told the shopkeeper earlier that her destination was the Seven Kings'' Mountain, they would never have allowed it. This village was merely a stepping stone, nothing more. But a young man, likely in his twenties, stepped forward from the crowd. His clothes were plain, but there was a hint of arrogance in his posture. In his hand, he carried a spear, though he held it upside down, more for show than actual use. He was an Awakened, but being born in this village had limited his opportunities. He hadn''t even managed to acquire a proper essence stone, yet his status as an Awakened made him act as though he ruled the place. "Hey, you two! Where did you come from? And why are you here? Answer me now!" he demanded, his tone loud and filled with false bravado as he stepped closer. Esdeath didn''t even spare him a glance. She simply began walking forward, her expression cold and indifferent. Her lack of reaction was more insulting than any words could have been. The villagers watching couldn''t help but chuckle nervously at the sight. The man''s self-important stance was completely ignored, leaving him looking like a fool. His face turned red with anger as he clenched his fists. "You! Don''t ignore me! Do you even know who I am? I''m Ma¡ª" Before he could finish his sentence, Esdeath cut him off with a sharp, icy voice. "Stop whining." BANG!... In the blink of an eye, she struck him in the forehead. The force of the blow sent him crashing to the ground, blood pooling around his lifeless body. The villagers gasped in horror, their fear paralyzing them for a moment before the realization set in. "He¡­ he''s dead!" someone screamed, breaking the tense silence. Sear?h the novel(F~)ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Panic erupted instantly. Villagers scattered in every direction, running for their lives. It didn''t matter that the two girls looked human; their actions made it clear they were far more dangerous than any demons lurking in the mountains. Esdeath glanced briefly at the chaos she''d caused but didn''t spare it a second thought. Esdeath manipulated the ZK-20, The object shimmered, transforming back into its liquid form with an almost mesmerizing fluidity. The substance glided smoothly into her body, vanishing without a trace. With that done, Esdeath gave Maruti a brief glance and began walking out of the village, her footsteps calm and deliberate. Maruti quickly fell into step beside her, her expression a mix of curiosity and unease. "You just killed someone out here in the open. Isn''t that going to cause trouble?" she asked, her voice tinged with concern. Esdeath turned to her, a small smile playing on her lips, though her eyes remained sharp and calculating. "Nope," she replied with unsettling confidence. "First of all, he wasn''t an academy student or a noble. And, more importantly, he was just a member of this village¡ªan isolated place the kingdom doesn''t control. Nothing''s going to happen, even if I kill the whole village." Maruti stared at her for a moment, processing her words, before shaking her head with a sigh. There was no arguing with Esdeath''s logic¡ªtwisted as it might be. With that, the two of them departed, heading toward the Seven Kings'' Mountain. The mountain was already visible in the distance, its towering presence dominating the horizon. It wasn''t a massive peak that reached the skies, but it was a little big than a small hill. As they walked, the mountain grew closer, revealing more of its rugged slopes. From this vantage point, Esdeath could already tell that it was tall enough to offer a clear view of the village they had just left behind. Maruti, meanwhile, seemed to have no intention of staying quiet. She twirled as she walked, humming a cheerful tune that quickly turned into a song. "Me and the devil~ Walking side by side~ Me and the devil~" She spun on her shoes, adding a little dance to her steps as she sang. "Stop calling me a devil!" Esdeath snapped, her voice laced with annoyance. "Huh? I didn''t even include your name!" Maruti shot back with a playful grin, her tone mocking. Esdeath sighed, realizing there was no point in arguing with her. Maruti always had a way of twisting words, and Esdeath knew better than to waste her energy on such trivialities. Instead, she turned her attention to the scenery ahead. "Finally, after so much trouble, we''re here," she said, a rare smile gracing her lips. For once, it wasn''t her usual smirk of confidence but a genuine expression of accomplishment, as though she''d just overcome a great hurdle. In front of them stood the Seven Kings'' Mountain¡ªa series of seven peaks connected like siblings standing shoulder to shoulder. Each mountain had a grand castle perched atop it, their silhouettes stark against the sky. But it was the castle on the central peak that truly stood out. It was the tallest of them all, its spires reaching higher than the others, exuding an aura of dominance and majesty. Maruti whistled softly, her eyes widening as she took in the sight. "Wow¡­ they really went all out with the architecture, huh?" Esdeath''s lips curled into a daring grin. "Is that so? How about we go a little deeper inside?" she challenged, her voice carrying an edge of excitement. Without waiting for Maruti''s response, she started moving forward, her boots crunching against the uneven ground at the mountain''s base. Maruti followed hesitantly, glancing around at the serene landscape one last time before reluctantly keeping pace. They had barely walked a hundred steps when an inexplicable sensation washed over them. It felt as if they had passed through an invisible wall¡ªa momentary shift that sent a strange tingle up their spines. Maruti instinctively halted, her eyes darting around. "Did you feel that?" she asked, her voice shaky. Esdeath didn''t reply immediately, her sharp gaze fixed on the path ahead. Something was wrong. The vibrant scenery they had admired moments ago¡ªthe lush green trees, the breathtaking mountains, and the majestic castles perched high above¡ªhad vanished. In its place was a scene straight out of a nightmare. The once-thriving forest was now a graveyard of charred trees, their branches skeletal and lifeless. Many trees were completely bare, stripped of leaves, while others were consumed by flames that burned endlessly. Thick mud covered the ground, and scorched earth stretched as far as the eye could see. Even the air was thick and heavy, carrying the acrid stench of smoke and ash. The ground was riddled with massive craters, clear signs of a fierce battle. The once-pristine mountainside now bore scars of destruction on an unimaginable scale. But the most unsettling sight lay further up the mountain. All six of the seven castles that had once stood proudly atop the peaks were now in ruins. They had been reduced to nothing more than shattered remains¡ªwalls crumbled into rubble, towers split in half, and debris scattered everywhere. Only the central castle, the tallest and grandest of them all, still stood. But even it had not been spared. Its structure was battered, with massive sections of its walls collapsed and its spires broken. What had once been a symbol of majesty now loomed like a ghostly monument to despair. The silence was deafening. There were no animals, no beasts, no monsters, no demons¡ªnothing that indicated life. Even the cheerful chirping of birds had been swallowed by the eerie quiet. The only sounds were the crackling of flames and the faint whistle of a chilling wind that seemed to seep into their bones. "What the hell happened here? This place is even bigger chaos than the Vanara Tribe¡­" Maruti gasped. Micheal Winters "What the hell happened here? This place is in even bigger chaos than the Vanara Tribe¡­" Maruti gasped, her wide eyes scanning the wreckage around them. Crumbled stone walls, scorched ground, and broken weapons littered the area. The silence was deafening, with only the faint rustling of the wind breaking through the eerie stillness. Behind her, Esdeath let out a low, amused chuckle. "Hehehe¡­" Maruti glanced at her, puzzled. Esdeath didn''t seem surprised by the destruction. In fact, there was an unsettling confidence in her stride as she moved forward without hesitation. Unable to suppress her curiosity, Maruti hurried to catch up, her boots crunching against the debris. "Do you know what''s going on here?" she asked. Esdeath tilted her head slightly but didn''t stop walking. Her voice was calm, almost casual. "You know, even if we keep growing stronger, there will always be moments when death is just one misstep away. The challenges ahead won''t care how powerful we''ve become. This is no longer a game, Maruti. Anything can happen now." Maruti furrowed her brows, feeling uneasy at the ominous tone in Esdeath''s voice. "What''s your point?" "We need insurance," Esdeath said, her pace quickening. "Insurance? What kind of insurance?" Maruti pressed, trying to keep up. Esdeath finally turned her head slightly, a sly smile tugging at her lips. "An insurance¡­ in the form of a subordinate." Maruti blinked. "A subordinate? So that''s why we''re here?" "Exactly," Esdeath confirmed with a mischievous glint in her eyes. "But that''s not all. Look around. There''s no one here¡ªno demons, no monsters, no living beings besides us. Everything you see belongs to us now. The resources, the treasures¡ªit''s all ours. We''ve got two full days before the competition starts, and we can use this time however we like." Maruti''s gaze swept over the desolate landscape again. The silence was unnerving. She felt a chill run down her spine. "But isn''t this place supposed to be crawling with deadly creatures? This is Trynne Transylvania''s land¡ªhome to demons and monsters. Where the hell did they all go?" Esdeath didn''t reply. Her steps remained steady, her focus locked on the massive castle in the distance. Its tall spires reached into the darkened sky, surrounded by an oppressive air of foreboding. The two walked for what felt like an eternity, with Maruti''s unease growing with every step. Finally, after ten long minutes of silence, she couldn''t take it anymore. She grabbed Esdeath by the shoulder, forcing her to stop. "C''mon, just tell me already! What happened here?" Maruti demanded, her voice filled with both frustration and desperation. Esdeath turned her head slightly, a chuckle escaping her lips. Her expression was calm but carried a hint of mischief. "The answe is right in front of you." she said, gesturing ahead with her hand, " Maruti followed Esdeath''s gaze, her eyes narrowing in curiosity. Just twenty meters ahead, a man knelt on the ground in silver-white armor. His entire body was encased in the armor except for his head, which was exposed. The helmet lay discarded beside him. Maruti raised an eyebrow in surprise. Despite being clearly dead, his presence was overwhelming. His face was gaunt and decayed, with hollow cheeks and patches of rotting flesh. It was obvious he had been dead for months, yet an incredible aura of mana surrounded him. The sheer amount of mana was staggering¡ªhundreds of times more than what both Esdeath and Maruti could muster combined. Maruti''s breath hitched. How strong must he have been when he was alive? But it wasn''t just the mana that caught her attention. In one of his armored arms, the man cradled a newborn child. The other arm gripped a sword that was partially buried in the ground. Maruti''s stomach tightened as she realized something was wrong. The newborn wasn''t alive. Its tiny body was golden, shimmering like a statue crafted from solid gold. It looked delicate yet unnatural, as though it had been frozen in time. "Is he the reason behind all this mess?" Maruti asked, her voice trembling slightly. Esdeath nodded, a sly smile forming on her lips. "I''d say so. But since your tiny brain probably can''t keep up, let me spell it out for you from the beginning." Maruti scowled but kept her eyes fixed on the eerie sight in front of her, waiting for the story Esdeath was about to share. ----------------- If one day, you were to die because someone took your life, many would gather at your funeral. They would surround your lifeless body, tears streaming down their faces. S~ea??h the n?vel_Fire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. But... were those tears truly for you? The harsh truth is, no. Your friends would cry, but their sorrow stems from losing the joy and laughter you brought into their lives. It''s not about you; it''s about the emptiness they now feel. Your brother might shed tears, but beneath those tears, a twisted thought may linger¡ªrelief or greed. After all, your share of the property or inheritance now belongs to him. If you were married, your wife would cry too, her wails filling the room. Yet, part of her anguish might come from fear¡ªfear of how she''ll manage without you, how she''ll provide for herself without begging for help. Others might weep for debts you haven''t paid or for promises you left unfulfilled. People cry, yes. But their tears have reasons tied to their own losses, their own pain. "Everyone is crying over you, but no one is crying for you." No one... except one person. Your mother. She is the only one whose tears flow from the purest grief, without selfishness, without ulterior motives. Her heart breaks not for what she''s lost but for the loss of *you*. Her child. Her son. For her, no other reason is needed. But... there''s one more. In a quiet corner, a figure sits still, not shedding a single tear. His hands are clenched into fists, his jaw tight with suppressed fury. His eyes, dry of tears, burn with a deep, searing bloodlust. This man doesn''t mourn the way others do. His sorrow transforms into something sharper, something darker¡ªanger, hatred, and an insatiable hunger for vengeance. He doesn''t cry because he doesn''t have time to. He is consumed by a singular purpose. To avenge you. To bring justice to your soul. To ensure the one who took your life pays for their crime. This man is different. While the others cry and move on, he won''t rest. He won''t stop. Not until he avenges you and everything your family has lost. His silence speaks louder than any tear.¨CYes this man is none other than¨CFather. Something similar had happened to the kneeling dead man before Esdeath and Maruti. He wasn''t just a warrior or some nameless figure; he was a true man¡ªa father. His name was Michael Winters, a man whose life had once been simple yet filled with happiness. He lived quietly with his parents, his loving wife, and their precious daughter, only two months old. None of them were Awakened; they didn''t have powers or great wealth, but they didn''t need those things. They had each other, and that was enough. But fate was cruel. One dark, unforgiving night, their peace was shattered. A group of demons invaded their home, their monstrous presence tearing through the walls like paper. The sound of destruction was deafening, and their arrival was swift. Michael''s parents were the first to fall, their screams cut short by claws and fangs. His wife tried to shield their infant daughter, her cries for mercy echoing in the chaos, but the demons showed no compassion. She, too, was slain before his eyes. Michael was powerless to stop it. He had no abilities, no weapons, no way to fight back. As the house collapsed around him, a heavy piece of the wall struck his head, sending him spiraling into unconsciousness. But before he blacked out, he saw her¡ªthe mastermind behind it all. A woman stepped forward, her long brown hair wild like tangled roots, her sharp nose and elongated face resembling that of a grotesque horse. Her presence was suffocating, her cold gaze filled with malice. She bent down, scooping up his crying daughter in her arms. Before Michael could even reach out or scream, the ground erupted in a swirling cloud of black bats. The woman disappeared into the darkness, taking his daughter with her. Why? Why would she take his child? Michael''s family had no wealth, no magic, no precious resources. They were ordinary people, simple and content. What could she possibly want from him or his family? He had no answers¡ªonly pain. When he woke up, the demons were gone, having left him alive by mistake. They hadn''t bothered to check; after all, what threat could a powerless, broken human pose to them? But Michael was alive, and his survival felt like a curse. His home was in ruins. His family was gone. Days passed as he sat in the rubble of what was once his life, his mind consumed by grief. He had no reason to go on. Should he end his life? Or try to move on, pretending that any of this could be forgotten? No. He couldn''t move on. He couldn''t forget. The image of that horse-faced woman haunted him. The sound of his wife''s screams echoed in his ears. The thought of his daughter in the hands of monsters burned like fire in his chest. Grief turned to rage. Anguish became a thirst for revenge. He wasn''t Awakened. He didn''t have the power to challenge demons. But none of that mattered anymore. Michael made his choice. He chose chaos. Michael grabbed a shovel, the only thing he could find, and stormed out of his broken home. His vision was blurred with rage and grief, his heart pounding like a war drum. He didn''t know where he was going, but he didn''t care. His legs carried him toward the forest, driven by nothing but the need to act, to do something¡ªanything. The trees loomed ahead, their shadows stretching out like claws, but Michael pressed on. He knew the forest was dangerous, filled with beasts and creatures he couldn''t hope to fight, but fear had no place in his heart anymore. He was ready to face whatever waited for him, even if it meant his death. But just as he was about to step into the dense forest, a voice echoed in his mind, stopping him in his tracks. "You''ll die if you go there." Michael froze, gripping the shovel tightly. His head whipped around, but there was no one there. His breath came in ragged gasps as he shouted, "Who''s there? Who''s speaking to me?" "I am Indra, the God of Rain and Thunder," the voice boomed, calm yet commanding. Michael blinked, his anger momentarily replaced by confusion. "Indra?" he muttered, his voice trembling. He looked around again, his eyes scanning the trees and the sky, but he saw nothing. "There''s no need to look for me," the voice continued, gentle yet firm. "I am with you, Michael Winters. I''ve seen your pain. I know your loss. A poor soul like you, lost and directionless, deserves guidance. Allow me to help you." Michael''s heart raced. "Help me?" he asked, his voice hoarse with desperation. "Yes," Indra said. "I will give you the power you need. I will grant you the knowledge to find your daughter and the strength to exact vengeance on those who destroyed your family." For a moment, hope flickered in Michael''s chest, but it was quickly doused by suspicion. He narrowed his eyes and tightened his grip on the shovel. "And what do you want in return?" Indra''s reply was swift. "Nothing." Michael''s jaw clenched, his teeth grinding together. He stomped his foot on the ground, the sound echoing in the stillness around him. "Don''t lie to me!" he shouted, his voice breaking. "Nothing is free in this world. Even I know that much!" Indra''s voice remained calm, almost soothing. "I want nothing for myself, Michael. All I ask is that if you succeed¡ªif you save your daughter and avenge your family¡ªyou let the world know who helped you. Tell them about me. Spread my name. Let people remember Indra, the God of Rain and Thunder." Michael''s breath hitched. He stared at the ground, his mind racing. It wasn''t a bad deal¡ªnot at all. He had nothing left to lose, and if spreading Indra''s name could bring him the power he needed, then so be it. He tightened his grip on the shovel, his resolve hardening. "Fine," he said, his voice steady now. "If you help me save my daughter and destroy those demons, I''ll do as you ask. I''ll tell the world about you." The air around him seemed to hum with energy, and Indra''s voice echoed in his mind once more. "Good. Then I choose you as my incarnation! " As Michael stood there, still gripping the shovel and trying to process Indra''s words, a sudden crack echoed through the air. The sound wasn''t natural¡ªit was as if the very fabric of reality was tearing apart. He spun around, eyes wide, as a jagged fissure appeared in the space before him, glowing with a pulsating crimson light. From the crack, something emerged¡ªa red lotus, radiant and mesmerizing. It floated gracefully, no larger than the size of a hand, but its presence was overwhelming. The petals glowed a vivid red, each one etched with intricate, otherworldly patterns that shimmered like liquid fire. The sight of it stole Michael''s breath, its beauty both terrifying and captivating. But this was no ordinary flower. That was a Rank A essence stone, "Forceful awakening". The lotus began to unfurl, its petals peeling back slowly to reveal a glowing orb of golden-yellow light at its core. The light pulsed like a heartbeat, growing brighter with every moment, until it suddenly shot forward at blinding speed, slamming into Michael''s chest. Michael staggered back, his breath hitching as the searing light surged through him. He dropped the shovel, his hands clawing at the ground as his body convulsed. The energy raced through every inch of him, igniting a fiery pain that felt like his very blood was being rewritten. "Endure it!" Indra''s voice urged, firm and commanding. Michael''s vision blurred as the raw energy coursed through him, forcing his dormant potential to awaken. His veins glowed faintly, like rivers of molten gold beneath his skin, as the mana circuits carved themselves into existence. He screamed, the sound torn from the depths of his soul, but he refused to give in. Moments that felt like an eternity passed before the pain began to subside. Michael collapsed to his knees, gasping for air, his body trembling but alive. He looked at his hands¡ªthey glowed faintly with an aura of newfound power. He was no longer just a broken man. He was awakened. Divine Rank After awakening, he emerged with a B-grade ESR talent. However, the joy of his newfound strength was fleeting. His attention quickly turned to the matter at hand: his missing daughter. Through indra, he discovered the truth. The one who had taken her was none other than Trynne Transylvania, the inheritor of the third-strongest bloodline in existence. The reason behind the kidnapping was as terrifying as it was extraordinary. Michael''s daughter was no ordinary child. From the moment she was born, two Essence Stones were embedded within her¡ªone in her body and the other in her soul. The first was the "Primal Genesis Vessel Physique Essence Stone", nestled in her body. The second was the "Mimic Core Spectral Soul Essence Stone", entwined with her very soul. Both were "Divine Rank", a level of rarity and power that surpassed even the legendary Rank A stones. Such Divine Rank stones were almost mythical, their numbers so scarce that even entire star constellations lacked them. But these two stones came with a limitation. They were "expenditure-type Essence Stones", meaning they could only be used once before fading into nothingness. Despite this, their power was awe-inspiring. These stones granted Michael''s daughter a unique ability: the power to mimic and become any bloodline creature. With just a fragment¡ªbe it blood, flesh, or hair¡ªof a creature''s essence, she could transform into it completely. A drop of phoenix blood could turn her into a phoenix, dragon blood into a dragon, and even the Demon King''s blood would allow her to inherit that infamous pure demon bloodline. This was the reason Trynne had kidnapped her. Trynne''s goal was clear: she planned to extract the Divine Rank stones from Michael''s daughter. These stones, once removed, would grant Trynne the ability to use their power for herself. She intended to transform into a pure Demon King bloodline and claim the title of the next Demon King. However, the process was anything but simple. Extracting Divine Rank Essence Stones was an arduous and dangerous task. These stones were deeply integrated into their owner''s body and soul. Attempting to detach them could cause irreparable damage¡ªor even death¡ªto their host. Yet Trynne was undeterred. She was willing to take any risk to achieve her ambition. The plan didn''t end there. To realize her transformation, Trynne would also need a fragment of the Demon King''s essence. A single drop of blood or a strand of hair would suffice. It was a monumental challenge, but one Trynne was determined to overcome. Here''s a rewritten version with simple words, added details, and emotions: --- The easiest way for Trynne to achieve her goal was to extract the essence stone embedded in the child''s soul and replace her own soul with the child''s body. By doing so, the second essence stone, the one in the body, would automatically belong to her. But this method came with a severe risk. If she transferred her soul into the child''s body, she would lose all her current strength and powers. Once inside, she would be nothing more than a newborn child with no ability to defend herself. However, none of that mattered to her¡ªTrynne was willing to gamble everything for power. Michael, upon learning the truth, made his decision without hesitation. He would venture into the perilous **Seven Kings'' Mountain** to save his daughter. Indra, his ally, gave him a small set of essence stones and shared some of his battle experience. But that was it. The rest was up to Michael¡ªhis strength, his determination, and his will to fight. With only his resolve to guide him, Michael entered the Seven Kings'' Mountain. He started by facing ordinary beasts and monsters, cutting them down and collecting their essence stones. S§×arch* The N?vel(F)ire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Each battle left him scarred and battered. His body was covered in wounds, his muscles ached, and his breath came in ragged gasps. Yet Michael refused to stop. His daughter''s face, her laughter, and her smile burned in his mind. He couldn''t fail her. Time passed, and Michael''s strength grew with each fight. He began hunting down demons, and soon his name spread as he became a force to be reckoned with. Eventually, he took on one of the Seven Kings in a deadly battle. Despite being grievously injured, Michael triumphed, slaying the King and claiming the spoils of victory. After victory came treasure, Among the treasures were powerful weapons and essence stones. Michael didn''t stop there¡ªone by one, he challenged the remaining Kings, enduring grueling battles and near-death experiences. By the time he reached the sixth King, he had become a legend, a man whose determination defied all odds. Finally, Michael confronted Trynne. The fight was fierce and brutal. Trynne''s power was overwhelming, but Michael''s determination was unshakable. He fought with everything he had, pouring his heart and soul into the battle. In the end, Michael defeated Trynne and freed his daughter from her clutches. But the cost was devastating. His body was riddled with swords, his internal organs torn apart and bleeding. His legs were broken, and every breath felt like fire. Still, Michael held his daughter in his arms. The experiments conducted by Trynne had left her in a horrifying state. She had turned into a golden statue¡ªneither fully alive nor entirely dead. Michael''s heart broke at the sight, but he knew there was still hope. She could be saved. Dragging his shattered body, Michael moved forward. His legs gave out, yet he walked, refusing to let go of his daughter. "Someone! Someone, please save my daughter!" he screamed, his voice echoing into the silence. "Please, I''m begging you! Indra, where are you?" But no answer came. Michael''s strength began to fade. He staggered and fell to his knees, but even then, he held his daughter close, shielding her from harm. His blood stained the ground, yet his grip never wavered. In his final moments, Michael looked into his daughter''s unseeing golden eyes and managed a weak, trembling smile. "You''ll be safe¡­ I promise¡­" And with that, he passed away, still kneeling, his body lifeless yet unyielding. Even after Two months, he remained in the same position, clutching his daughter tightly in his arms. Can’t Defeat A Overpowerrd Character? Just Make Another One! "In *Free Life Fantasy* (FLF), Ethan comes to this place during his second semester," Esdeath began, her voice calm but filled with intrigue. "From the second semester onward, students are given tasks to complete as part of their training. Ethan''s task was to check the situation inside the Seven Kings'' Mountain. For months, there had been no activity from Trynne, so he was sent to investigate. When he arrived, he found this exact scene and uncovered what had happened here." Maruti tilted her head, her eyes narrowing in thought. "So, you''re saying this girl originally belonged to Ethan? Are we about to snatch her from him before he even gets the chance?" Esdeath shook her head, her gaze shifting to Michael''s lifeless body, still kneeling on the ground as if protecting his daughter. "Of course not. Look at her condition." She pointed to the golden statue-like child in Michael''s arms. "Because of Trynne''s experiments, this girl is neither fully alive nor truly dead. Right now, she''s in a limbo state, but as time passes¡ªone or two months at most¡ªshe will completely die." Maruti frowned, her expression conflicted. "What happens then?" "In FLF, by the time Ethan arrives, this child is already gone. The divine-grade essence stones embedded in her vanish when she dies. However, because of their overwhelming power, her very body transforms into something incredible¡ªa Rank A essence stone called the "Echo Ability Essence Stone". It''s an expenditure-type stone, meaning it can only be used once before disappearing forever." Maruti''s eyes widened. "So Ethan uses this stone in the game?" "Yes," Esdeath replied, nodding. "In the game, Ethan finds the stone and uses it to copy one of the best abilities available at that moment. What ability he copies depends on the player''s choice. But now, in the real world¡­If Ethan were to obtain it, the ability he copies will depend entirely on him". Esdeath''s lips curled into a mischievous smile as she glanced at the golden statue-like child. "But now that we''re here, this girl belongs to us. We''re saving a child¡ªwhat could be more noble than that? It''s a good deed, right?" Her tone dripped with mockery, making her intentions painfully obvious. "Liar!" Maruti huffed, crossing her arms. But as she mulled over Esdeath''s words, another thought popped into her head. "Wait a second. I get it¡ªby the time we gather the Demon King''s essence, she''ll already be dead. But wouldn''t that be a complete waste of her potential? Are you planning to make her a human with your blood? Or a barbarian with mine? What''s the point of that? What would we even gain?" Esdeath smirked and slowly walked forward, her boots crunching softly on the debris-laden ground. She stopped in front of Michael''s lifeless, kneeling body. Without hesitation, she reached down and grabbed the newborn child from his cold arms. "Both wrong," she said with a playful lilt in her voice. "The right answer is¡­ a dragon. And everyone knows the power that comes with being a dragon." "A¡­ dragon?" Maruti''s jaw dropped in shock. Her mind raced, piecing together the puzzle. "Wait. When did you even get dragon blood?" But as she stared at Esdeath''s sly expression, the answer clicked in her mind. "¡­Kaelith." Esdeath chuckled softly. "Exactly. When we fought Kaelith, I used my *Pink Lotus Essence Stone to store some of her blood. It was risky, of course. If anyone had noticed, I would''ve been in serious trouble. But Pink Lotus is such a low-rank stone¡ªneither defensive nor offensive¡ªand it barely uses any mana. No one paid attention to it." Her voice turned cold as she yanked the child free from Michael''s stiff arms. The moment the child was separated, Michael''s body, which had been kneeling in silent protection for months, fell to the ground with a dull thud. Esdeath didn''t even glance at him. She held the child tightly, her eyes gleaming with triumph. "Kaelith is a overpowered character, you know. Even when we fought her, she was still strong, despite her seals. She wasn''t at full power, sure, but she could''ve crushed us with little effort. Did you notice how she fainted during the fight? Doesn''t it seem strange?" Maruti frowned, her expression turning serious. "Yeah, I noticed. Although she was injured but She could''ve kept fighting, but she collapsed on purpose. She let us win. But why? Isn''t she supposed to be arrogant and full of pride? Why would she do that?" Esdeath didn''t respond right away, but in truth she don''t know either. The truth was unsettling. When Esdeath, Maruti, and Ethan had fought Kaelith, it was clear she wasn''t at her full strength. The first reason? Lilith. Kaelith''s mother, a Rank A powerhouse, had sealed a significant portion of Kaelith''s top tier Rank C level powers. The second reason? The Dragon Heart. A dragon''s heart stores massive amounts of mana. It''s a core of their power. Normally, their mana circuits¡ªformed through their veins¡ªdetermine their ESR talent. Kaelith''s heart is what fuels her regeneration, allowing her body to heal rapidly without the need for external magic. But because competition forbade the use of her mana, Kaelith''s regeneration slowed to a crawl. Even then, she had enough strength to wipe the floor including all three of them. But she chose not to. Esdeath shrugged casually, but for a moment, a flicker of unease crossed her eyes. "Only Kaelith knows why she let herself lose. But does it really matter? She''s an overpowered character we can''t defeat easily. So, we''ll do the next best thing¡ªwe''ll create another overpowered character to fight for us!" Her voice was full of confidence, but there was a chilling undertone to her words. With that, Esdeath pulled out her *Pink Lotus Essence Stone* and poured the stolen blood of Kaelith onto the newborn child. At once, the golden body of the child began to glow brightly, like a miniature sun radiating warmth and power. The brilliance was almost blinding, making Maruti shield her eyes for a moment. "Predictor, give me the essence stone I told you to refine!" Esdeath ordered sharply. Without hesitation, Maruti reached into her bag and pulled out a unique-looking essence stone. It was mesmerizing¡ªlike a tiny, dark blue solar system captured within a crystal. At its center was a glowing sphere representing the sun, and tiny planets orbited it in intricate, fluid motion, resembling an atom''s structure. The stone was small, no larger than a fingertip, but its beauty held a certain power. "Here," Maruti said, handing it to Esdeath, her fingers trembling slightly. Esdeath snatched it with practiced ease, her eyes narrowing in focus as she poured her mana into the stone. It shimmered to life, the planets spinning faster as she activated it. "This is a Break¨CConnection Essence Stone," she explained, her voice steady but full of intent. "It''s only Rank D, but it''s incredibly useful." Maruti tilted her head, curious. "What does it do?" "It severs the blood connection between two related individuals," Esdeath began, her tone calm but tinged with excitement. "And then it rebuilds a new blood connection with someone else. For humans, it''s almost useless. But for other species, like beasts or dragons, it''s incredibly powerful." Maruti''s eyes widened as realization dawned. "You mean¡­" Esdeath nodded, a sly grin spreading across her face. "That''s right. This child is about to become a dragon thanks to Kaelith''s blood. If we don''t use this essence stone, she''ll be blood-related to Kaelith. And you know what that means¡ªKaelith will sense her as kin, even from a distance. That would be a disaster." Maruti frowned, thinking deeply. "But will the essence stone really work? She''s about to transform into a dragon¡ªwon''t that make her too strong for a Rank D stone?" "Normally, yes," Esdeath admitted, her voice cool and calculating. "But she''s still in her weakest state, caught mid-transformation. This is the perfect moment to use it. And once I sever her connection to Kaelith. " Well...this was the technique, Slave traders use this stone on newborn beasts to cut them off from their real parents and bond them to their masters. Even after the beasts grow up, they still see that person as their parent. But don''t misunderstand¡ªit doesn''t make them obedient. That part depends on how well you train them. Still¡­ wouldn''t it be easier to use a Rank A slavery essence stone to control her completely? Of course it would be easier, but do Those essence stones are way out of their league for now. Esdeath glared at Maruti, frustration etched across her face. She had no time to argue, but the situation was slipping through her fingers. " Predictor, give me your blood! I''ll connect you to her. You''ll take care of her until she grows up," Esdeath demanded, urgency clear in her voice. Maruti''s eyes widened in shock. She immediately stepped back, holding her hands up as if to ward off the suggestion. "Me? Hell nah!, Do you want to kill her? I don''t have any parenting skills, and I definitely don''t want to take care of a kid!" she protested vehemently. Esdeath''s anger flared. "You think I have parenting experience? Do I look like someone who enjoys playing nanny?" she snapped, her voice rising in frustration. "No means no," Maruti insisted, shaking her head stubbornly. She crossed her arms, standing her ground. A bead of sweat rolled down Esdeath''s temple. She gritted her teeth, her heart pounding as she glanced at the child. Time was slipping away like sand through her fingers. The newborn''s transformation was nearing its completion, and once it was over, her power will start to rise. S§×ar?h the N?velFire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. She had no choice. She placed the newborn carefully on the ground, her gaze hardening. Without hesitation, she raised her right hand and willed, "Moonblade!" she commanded. A sharp, crystal-like blade emerged from her palm, shimmering faintly under the dim light. Esdeath grimaced but didn''t hesitate. *Tsk...* She slashed her own hand, creating a deep cut. Blood flowed freely, dripping onto the child''s body in steady rivulets. The crimson liquid spread across the glowing form, and with it, the connection was sealed. The moment her blood made contact, a faint hum of energy filled the air, signaling the completion of the bond. Breathing heavily, Esdeath clenched her wounded hand, her expression unreadable as she watched the child''s transformation continue. Finally Obtained! As the brilliant light finally faded, the transformation was complete. The child lay there, no longer glowing but now looking like a normal newborn. Her hair was striking¡ªhalf of it a deep black, reminiscent of Esdeath, while the other half gleamed with a radiant silver- reminiscent of kaelith. Though the child had black hair, there wasn''t a single trace of humanity in her being. She was a pure dragon through and through¡ªa silver dragon at that. The black hair was merely a symbolic mark of her bond with Esdeath. Slowly, the baby opened her eyes, revealing deep, glowing silver irises that seemed to shimmer like starlight. Unlike Esdeath''s eerie crimson gaze, the child''s eyes held an otherworldly beauty, innocent yet powerful, a mesmerizing contrast to her smooth, pale white skin that radiated both cuteness and a divine elegance. Hidden within the soft tufts of her hair were tiny dragon horns, barely noticeable and small enough to blend with her locks. Despite her draconic nature, the child looked peaceful, fragile even, as if the world itself would need to tread carefully around her. Esdeath knelt down and carefully scooped the child into her arms. The moment their skin touched, the baby instinctively recognized her as her mother. A soft, contented sigh escaped her tiny lips, and she snuggled closer into Esdeath''s chest, her eyelids fluttering shut. The child drifted into a serene sleep, as if she knew she was finally safe in Esdeath''s embrace. "Let''s go. Most of the resources here are already destroyed. We''ll take everything that''s left," Esdeath ordered, her voice steady as she turned toward the ruined castle. The structure ahead loomed in the distance, a haunting reminder of the battle that had unfolded. The upper section of the castle was completely destroyed, leaving jagged edges and crumbling walls, while the middle and lower portions still stood, albeit damaged. The entire structure appeared as though a colossal blade had sliced through it horizontally, leaving a clean yet devastating cut. And, in truth, that was precisely what had happened. It had been Michael''s killer move, who had cleaved the castle in two with his sword, a single swing cutting through stone as effortlessly as slicing through butter. His power as an awakened was undeniable, a testament to his raw talent and potential. Though he had awakened only a few months ago, Michael''s strength had already been comparable to Ethan''s in his previous life. He was a prodigy, someone destined to ascend to greatness. If fate had been kinder, Michael could have risen to become the third S-rank awakened of Anastasia Kingdom. Upon entering the castle, Esdeath and Maruti found that the interior was surprisingly well-preserved. Unlike the crumbled exterior, the rooms and hallways inside remained intact, their sturdy walls showcasing intricate carvings and regal designs. The upper levels'' damage allowed daylight to spill through, casting natural patterns of light and shadow across the stone floors, adding an odd serenity to the ruined fortress. Esdeath headed upstairs without hesitation, carrying the sleeping child securely in her arms. Maruti followed quietly, her footsteps echoing behind Esdeath''s purposeful strides. They stopped at a nearby bedroom on the second floor. The room was modest compared to the grandeur of the rest of the castle, with a simple canopy bed that looked untouched by the chaos outside. Esdeath gently laid the newborn on the bed, smoothing the sheets over her tiny body. The child stirred slightly, but as soon as Esdeath''s hand brushed against her soft cheek, she settled back into a peaceful slumber. The two continued to the third floor. The collapsed roof above left the halls open to the sky, and with it came a quiet brightness that lit the way ahead. Instead of stars twinkling in the night, the vast expanse of blue spread overhead, the gentle daylight contrasting with the cold and somber air inside the castle. Esdeath''s strides quickened as they neared their destination, the treasure room. Finally, they stood before the room''s entrance, marked by a massive, partially broken metal gate. The gate wasn''t an ordinary door but a Rank B essence stone known as "Determined Metal Door", its enchantments once making it nearly impossible to breach without Trynne''s direct permission or advanced space-path techniques. Now, with Trynne dead, the traps and spells woven into the door had faded, leaving it vulnerable. The thick gate was warped and bent, its imposing structure reduced to nothing more than an obstacle to step around. Esdeath and Maruti slipped through the wide gap with ease. The moment they stepped inside, their surroundings shifted from somber ruin to dazzling splendor. The treasure room was massive, with the daylight streaming in and illuminating the treasures within. Essence stones, ranging from Rank E to Rank B, were scattered across the room in countless numbers. Their ethereal glows painted the walls with soft hues of blue, green, and red, their sheer quantity staggering. In one corner, crates and barrels brimmed with refining materials like Lightning Jaguar Flesh, Etheral Fox, Emerald teeth shark etc. Weapons of every kind adorned racks along the walls¡ªblades, spears, axes, and bows¡ªall radiating an aura of latent power. Intricately crafted armor sets stood like sentinels, their polished surfaces gleaming in the open space. And then there was the wealth: mountains of gold and silver coins stacked carelessly across the room, their radiant luster almost blinding. Bars of precious metals and gemstones were piled high, a fortune beyond comprehension. Maruti blinked, momentarily stunned by the sight. "Did we just unlock a cheat code?" she muttered, her voice a mix of disbelief and excitement. Sear?h the n?velFire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Esdeath, standing in the midst of the treasure, couldn''t help but let a small smile curl at her lips. "Nice... Very nice," she said, her voice calm yet chillingly resolute. "We need resources to grow stronger and protect ourselves. If we don''t, the higher-ups or our enemies will rob us blind. What we don''t need, we can sell at a high price and buy more essence stones." She was absolutely right. If kingdom found out about this treasure, it wouldn''t end well. Of course, they''d take everything and hand Esdeath a measly 5 to 10 percent as a so-called reward. That might work for someone like Ethan, but Esdeath? She wasn''t someone to accept scraps from the table. But keeping this hoard came with a cost. If they started using "Rank B essence stones", they would attract attention¡ªdangerous attention. The academy would notice, the kingdom might catch wind of it, and assassins could come crawling out of the shadows. Rank B essence stones were in such high demand that even a few appearing on the market would sell in seconds. To flaunt such power openly was to paint a massive target on their backs. Either hand over to kingdom or be assassinated. "Even though we have Rank B essence stones here, we can''t use them recklessly," Esdeath warned, her crimson eyes narrowing as she calculated their next moves. "They should be our trump cards, hidden until the right moment." Maruti wandered further into the room, her eyes scanning the glowing essence stones scattered everywhere. "Isn''t that common sense? Of course, I know that," she replied with a hint of sarcasm. She paused, her hand resting on her hip as her sharp gaze darted around the room. "From the sheer aura they''re giving off, I can already tell¡ªthere are several Rank B stones, dozens of Rank C, and the rest are Rank D and E." Esdeath nodded, her expression calm but thoughtful. "Hmm¡­ It''s better to check what kind of essence stones suit us the most. We''ll decide accordingly," she said casually, her tone betraying the weight of the decision they had to make. Maruti nodded back in agreement. There was no point in denying the logic. "It''s a shame that this is only the second treasure room, made partially by Trynne," Esdeath muttered, "The first one, the main treasure room on the top floor, was completely destroyed¡­ along with all its essence stones. If it had survived, we might''ve had a chance to get a Rank A essence stone." She let out a sigh, but she had no regret. The first treasure room had been meticulously designed to preserve Trynne''s personal collection¡ªessence stones tied exclusively to her blood path abilities. They would''ve been useless to Esdeath anyway. This second room, however, held a much darker story. It was a chaotic assortment of spoils, collected from humans, demons, and beasts that Trynne had killed for sport. Some were even tributes taken from lesser kings under her rule. Essence stones, despite their immense power, were fragile by nature. A simple hammer could shatter them, let alone the catastrophic battle that had unfolded here. Thousands of stones had likely been reduced to dust during Michael''s devastating assault. Esdeath and Maruti got to work, combing through the room and assessing their options. The treasure room''s roof had been blown away, allowing natural light to pour in, illuminating the glittering hoard of resources. The sheer quantity was staggering, yet not all of it was worth keeping. After about two hours of careful sorting, they focused on quality over quantity. In the end, they had gathered eight Rank B essence stones, a dozen Rank C stones, and a sizeable number of Rank D stones. Rank E stones were pushed aside into the far corner; they were practically useless to anyone aiming to grow stronger. Esdeath picked up a bundle of refining materials, inspecting them with a critical eye. They were decent¡ªabout Rank C in quality¡ªbut still disappointing. These materials could help refine lower-grade stones, but they weren''t planning on crafting new essence stones anytime soon. Right now, their priority was immediate growth. They wouldn''t even sleep tonight if it meant absorbing as many stones as they could. But one decision loomed larger than the rest. The essence stones wouldn''t be split into two shares but three. No doubt the third will belong to the new companion. They were no longer a duo but a trio, and this new addition would need her share of resources to grow strong enough to protect herself and more importantly protect them. Among the treasures, two essence stones caught Esdeath''s eye immediately. They gleamed with a strange aura, standing out from the rest like jewels among pebbles. The first was the "Soulpiercer Essence Stone". It''s shape was, jet-black surface heart as though alive with its own rhythm. The second was the "Forcebreaker Essence Stone", a translucent shard with stormy patterns swirling inside, glowing faintly with an almost predatory energy. Esdeath''s crimson eyes fixated on them with unshakable resolve. These weren''t just stones; they were keys to something far greater. These two stones were crucial for a rare S-rank killer move, strong enough to heavily damage Rank S Awakened or even demon lords. For Esdeath, they were non-negotiable. Esdeath would take them whether Maruti agreed with it or not. Strengthening Themselves Esdeath wasted no time and immediately grabbed the Soulpiercer Essence Stone and the Forcebreaker Essence Stone. "First, these two are mine!" Esdeath declared with a confident smile, holding the stones tightly in her hands. Maruti glanced at her for a moment, her face calm and indifferent. She didn''t argue since these two essence stones had nothing to do with her preferences or abilities. Instead, her attention turned to the remaining six rank B essence stones scattered before them. Among them, one immediately caught her eye. It was a round crystal, glowing in a bright orange hue, with faint smoke curling off its surface as though it were alive. Intrigued, Maruti picked it up. The moment it touched her hand, she felt a strange, slippery sensation, as if it were made of molten liquid. Then came the heat¡ªintense and scorching. Her skin began to burn, small blisters forming on her fingers. Yet instead of crying out in pain, Maruti''s lips curved into a wide, excited grin. "I''ll take this one first!" she said firmly, her voice filled with determination. Maruti knew exactly what she had chosen. It was the Fire Body Qi Essence Stone, a powerful Rank B offensive stone. Its abilities were remarkable¡ªit could amplify any fire-type attack by more than threefold, turning ordinary flames into devastating infernos. Though it offered only average defense, its offensive power was unmatched, making it the perfect choice for someone like Maruti, whose fiery nature thrived on overwhelming strength. Without hesitation, she set the stone aside and turned her attention to the next. Among the remaining options, her eyes fell on a stunning yellow crystal that seemed to glow like sunlight. Its shape was unique¡ªa cross-like structure with intricate patterns carved into its surface, making it stand out even more. She carefully picked it up, feeling a warm, soothing energy flow through her body. Unlike the searing heat of the first stone, this one felt divine, almost like a gentle blessing from the heavens. "This one is mine too," Maruti said with a smile, holding it close. This was the "Self-Healing Essence Stone", a rare Rank B light-path stone. Its ability was nothing short of miraculous¡ªit could regenerate lost limbs, repair internal injuries, and even restore mana as long as the user had some left to fuel it. For Maruti, who already had a strong affinity with light, this stone''s effects would be amplified even further, making it an invaluable asset. At this moment, four essence stones remained. They both agreed that two of the stones should go to the newborn dragon to aid her future growth, leaving just two for themselves. As they looked at the remaining stones, their gazes landed on the same one at the exact same moment. The essence stone was unlike any other. It was shaped like four stars joined together to form a circle, with each star glowing in a different color¡ªblue, white, gray, and a deep earthy brown. Its unique and captivating design made it stand out, but its true value lay in its ability. "This is the Five Element King Essence Stone," Esdeath said, her eyes gleaming with excitement. This was no ordinary stone. It had the power to grant its user affinity with five elements: water, fire, earth, wind, and wood¡ªthe basic building blocks of magic. For someone like Esdeath, who already had an affinity with two elements, this essence stone would allow her to command all five. However, it had a limitation¡ªit couldn''t grant affinity with rare or special elements like light, dark, or nature. Those required specific stones, like the One with Nature Essence Stone, which granted nature affinity, or the Grant Enlightenment Essence Stone, which granted light affinity. Such stones were far rarer than the Five Element King and only bestowed one affinity each. Even so, the Five Element King Essence Stone was an incredible find. After all, who wouldn''t want the ability to control five different elements? Both Esdeath and Maruti reached for the stone at the same time, but Esdeath was quicker. She snatched it first, her hand closing tightly around it. Without wasting a moment, she activated her system and refined the stone, claiming it for herself. Maruti crossed her arms, narrowing her eyes but saying nothing. It was clear that she wasn''t happy about losing such a treasure, but she knew she had no right to complain. However, Esdeath''s excitement faded quickly as reality set in. She glanced at the stone and sighed. "I can''t even use it yet," she muttered. The reason was simple¡ªmana cost. Rank B essence stones were like trump cards, incredibly powerful but just as costly to use. Activating the Five Element King Essence Stone would require a minimum of one thousand mana points, a number far beyond what Esdeath or Maruti currently possessed. Even if they combined their mana, it still wouldn''t be enough to activate even a single Rank B essence stone. They both have a long way to go. Esdeath sighed, "What a pity. Even with eight Rank B stones and dozens of Rank C, we can''t use a single one. The only ones we can use are Rank D. We need to increase our mana," she remarked before getting back to work. S§×ar?h the ¦Çov§×lFire .net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Maruti scanned the room, her gaze locking onto a fiery orange stone. It radiated intense heat, and thin trails of smoke curled from its surface. She recognized it instantly as the Fiery Whirlwind Essence Stone, a Rank B treasure and part of a powerful series. The set began with the Rank E Fiery Thrust, advancing through Rank D Fiery phantom form and Rank C Fiery Storm and Rank B Fiery Whirlwind. The highest tier, the Fire Deity Essence Stone, was missing from the collection, but Maruti wasn''t deterred. Although if it was before she wouldn''t have recognized any of them but after meeting esdeath/fable, She started learning about essence stones as well as their types. She carefully collected the entire series, Since Esdeath took Five element King, She without a doubt took Rank B feiry Whirlwind too but She decided to focus on the Rank E and D stones for now. The higher-ranked ones would remain out of her reach until she could accumulate enough mana to activate them. Meanwhile, Esdeath''s eyes glinted as she claimed her prize¡ªa series of Forcebreaker Essence Stones from Rank E to Rank B. She knew their potential and wasn''t about to let them go. Just like maruti, Rank A Forcebreaker was missing. For the next two hours, the two meticulously sorted and negotiated over the Rank C stones. Esdeath secured the complete Forcebreaker set while Maruti finalized her claim on the Fiery stones. They worked efficiently, dividing the abundant Rank D and E stones without much discussion. These were plentiful, and they even set aside duplicates to sell later. By the time their selections were complete, the sun had dipped below the horizon, casting a soft glow through the treasure room. Despite the exhaustion creeping in, both of them looked satisfied with their choices. Esdeath glanced at her refined selection. Though her ambition urged her to test the Rank B stones immediately, she knew the limitations of her current mana. They would have to wait, serving as a reminder of the long path ahead. It was finally time for refinement. The Rank C and B essence stones were few but powerful. Esdeath refined them with her system, letting her weapon, ZK-20, absorb the energy instead of her body. The weapon glowed faintly as it absorbed the refined power. Meanwhile, Maruti directly absorbed the stones into her body, focusing on the flow of energy. When it came to Rank D and E stones, they pushed aside the Rank E ones. They were useless now. The Rank D stones, especially those for physical strength, were their priority. They started with the Steel Tendons essence stone, designed to make tendons as strong as steel. Pain spread through their bodies as the stones worked. Esdeath gritted her teeth, sweat running down her face, while Maruti let out a small gasp, her fists tightening. It was painful, but nothing compared to the Iron Bone essence stone, which turned bones into black iron. Simultaneously they used Third Clock essence stone, it was a expenditure type time path essence stone. It sped up the body''s growth threefold but shortened lifespan by the same rate. For example, The third Clock will work for one who else days but esdeath and maruti''s lifelspan will be reduce by three days. She felt her body heat up as the energy surged through her. What would have taken an hour now took only twenty minutes, but it cost them three days of life. Maruti absorbed hers silently, her expression calm but her eyes determined. Unlike Ethan, who could use five or six stones at once with ease, Esdeath and Maruti could barely handle two or three. Still, they continued. Esdeath moved on to the Silver Jade Skin and Silver Jade Muscle essence stones. The skin stone made her sweat heavily, with small drops of blood mixed in. Her body felt like it was on fire, and her breathing grew labored. The muscle stone pushed her further, strengthening her body but leaving her muscles sore and trembling. The stones had a drawback¡ªthey turned the skin pale¡ªbut Esdeath''s skin was already ghostly white, so it made no difference. Maruti didn''t need the same refinement. She had already used Bronze Skin and Bronze Muscle essence stones, so she focused on consuming strength-type stones refined by Esdeath. Her body absorbed them efficiently, showing no signs of struggle. After strengthening her body, Esdeath used strength, stamina, and speed-enhancing essence stones. The effects were immediate, her body feeling tougher and more responsive with every refinement. By the time they were done, it was already midnight. Without the Third Clock essence stones, it would have taken much longer. The time acceleration saved them hours, but both Esdeath and Maruti had reached their limit. No matter how effective the stones were, there were rules they couldn''t ignore. Absorbing the same essence stone repeatedly didn''t increase their strength, and their bodies could only handle so much before reaching a breaking point. When Maruti suggested using the Iron Bone essence stone, Esdeath immediately refused. "Absolutely not," she said, shaking her head. "The pain is unbearable, and it''ll leave us numb for two or three days. We don''t have any more Third Clock essence stones to speed up the recovery." Maruti shrugged but said nothing, though it was clear she could handle more than Esdeath. Being a barbarian and the daughter of the legendary Mourya, Maruti''s body was naturally built for extreme endurance. Esdeath snorted, annoyed but unwilling to argue. Because of high endurance, Maruti absorbed more essence stones than her, but Esdeath''s pride wouldn''t let her admit feeling outdone. By now, their exhaustion was overwhelming. Their entire bodies trembled, muscles aching from overuse. They could barely stay on their feet. Even their minds felt drained, as if pushed to the edge. Maruti groaned, flopping down onto a chair. "I just want to sleep. Let me sleep!" she whined, rubbing her eyes like a tired child. Esdeath leaned heavily against the wall, catching her breath. "Let''s go to the room where Michael''s child is sleeping," she said after a moment. "There''s no one around now, but this isn''t a game. Anything could happen. We should stick together." Maruti nodded reluctantly. Step by step, they stumbled their way to the room. Each movement felt like a challenge, their bodies screaming for rest. When they entered, Maruti froze, her eyebrows raising as she looked at the dragon child. "Wait a minute¡­" she muttered, pointing at the baby. "Didn''t she look like a newborn before? Why does she look like she''s eight or ten months old now?" Esdeath sighed, leaning against the doorframe. "Of course. It''s the power of two divine-rank essence stones. They don''t just help her adapt to her new body; they also accelerate her growth and intelligence. She''s growing fast now, but it''ll slow down soon. By tomorrow, she''ll look like a five- or six-year-old. Reaching sixteen will take a year or two. After that, her growth will return to normal." Maruti yawned loudly, waving off Esdeath''s explanation. "Whatever, whatever. I just want to sleep." Without another word, Maruti collapsed onto the bed. Esdeath followed, sliding under the covers. The dragon child, nestled between them, was already asleep. But even as they closed their eyes, both women felt uneasy. A strange tension lingered in the air, as if something was about to happen. Their worst fear came true. "Oahhh¡­ Eargghh¡­!" The child suddenly began crying. Her voice wasn''t just loud¡ªit was powerful. Shockwaves rippled through the room, shaking the walls. The noise was deafening, like a thunderclap echoing endlessly. Esdeath and Maruti both fell from the bed, clutching their ears. "Holy shit!" Maruti screamed, her voice filled with desperation. "Someone shut this kid up! I just want to sleep, damn it!" Selene Crimson Or Selene Mariette? "Holy shit!" Maruti screamed, her voice cracking with desperation as she pressed her hands over her ears. "Someone shut this kid up! I just want to sleep, damn it!" Esdeath, equally annoyed, pointed a finger at her without hesitation. "How should I know? You probably did something to upset her. This is all your fault!" Maruti glared at Esdeath. "Me? What could *I* have done?! She was fine a second ago!" The child''s cries were powerful at first, shaking the air like a dragon''s roar. But, being a newborn, she soon ran out of energy. Her wails softened to the level of a normal baby''s crying¡ªstill irritating but no longer ear-splitting. Finally, both women caught their breath, slowly removing their hands from their ears. They sat on the bed, staring at the tiny, tear-streaked face of the dragon child. Maruti broke the silence first. "I think she''s hungry. She''s alive now, so she needs food, right? Give her something to eat!" Esdeath turned to Maruti with a look that could pierce steel. Her eyes narrowed in utter disappointment. "You really don''t know how to take care of a child, do you? How the hell is she supposed to eat at this age? She needs milk!" Maruti blinked in confusion, scratching her head. "Milk? Where the hell are we supposed to get milk in a place like this?" Unlike Maruti, Esdeath had a very clear idea. She stared at Maruti''s chest without blinking, her gaze fixed and determined. Maruti followed her gaze, and realization struck her like lightning. Her eyes widened in sheer panic. "NO! No way!" she shouted, crossing her arms over her chest. "Don''t even think about it! You have your own damn chest, and you''re legally her mother or fathr whatever...! You feed her!" Esdeath crossed her arms smugly, raising an eyebrow. "Excuse me? I''m only seventeen. How on earth would I have breast milk? Your body, on the other hand, is way more mature, especially in that department." She took a slow step forward, her lips curling into a mischievous smile. "Come on, Maruti. You want to sleep in peace, don''t you? It''s the quickest solution. Just get it over with!" Esdeath''s predatory grin sent shivers down Maruti''s spine. She backed away, her face pale as a ghost. "You''ve lost your mind! I''d rather die than do something like that!" Maruti shouted, holding up her hands like a shield. "We have to try something else!" Maruti''s brain fired at full speed, her thoughts racing like a storm as she struggled to find a solution. She scanned every corner of her memories, and suddenly, a flash of inspiration struck her. "The treasure room!" she exclaimed, her eyes lighting up. "There were so many food-type Rank E essence stones in there¡ªlike Turn Water and Turn Meat essence stones! If there''s one for water and meat, there''s gotta be one for milk too!" Esdeath paused, considering the idea. It made sense. "Hmm, not a bad thought for once," she muttered, though her tone carried a hint of sarcasm. Grabbing the crying baby, they forced their exhausted bodies to climb up to the third floor where the treasure room was. Every step felt like a mountain, their legs trembling and threatening to give up, but the baby''s wails gave them no choice. Finally, they arrived. Among the countless essence stones neatly stored on shelves, their eyes locked onto a glowing pile labeled "Turn Milk Essence Stones." Relief washed over both of them like a soothing wave. "Finally!" Maruti breathed, slumping against the wall, her energy completely drained. Esdeath wasted no time. She grabbed one of the essence stones, poured her mana into it, and positioned her hand right above the baby''s mouth. With a sharp snap, she broke the stone. What happened next was pure chaos. Instead of a gentle stream, a torrent of milk gushed out like a broken dam, splashing all over the baby. The poor child flailed her arms, her tiny face scrunched in panic as she tried to gasp for air. Milk drenched her clothes and soaked the bed beneath her. The crying didn''t stop¡ªit got worse. "Hahaha! Hahaha!" Maruti burst into uncontrollable laughter, falling to the ground and rolling as tears streamed down her face. "You¡­ you drowned her! I can''t¡ªHahaha! This is too much!" She even punched the ground as if it would help her catch her breath. Esdeath''s face turned bright red, a mix of embarrassment and frustration bubbling inside her. "Shut up, you idiot!" she snapped, but Maruti was too far gone, her laughter echoing in the room. Esdeath looked around and spotted a beautiful golden cup sitting on one of the treasure shelves. She grabbed it with quick precision, ignoring Maruti''s continued chuckles. "Let''s try this again," Esdeath muttered under her breath. She picked up a second Turn Milk essence stone, infused it with mana, and carefully directed the flow into the golden cup. This time, the milk poured smoothly, collecting in the cup like liquid moonlight. With a firm but gentle touch, she cradled the baby and slowly fed her the milk from the cup. The child immediately stopped crying, her little hands grasping the edge of the cup as she eagerly drank. Maruti finally calmed down, wiping tears of laughter from her eyes. "I can''t believe you nearly drowned her with milk. And you called me clueless!" Esdeath shot her a glare that could freeze lava. "One more word, and I''ll drown you next," she growled, though her voice lacked real venom. "Oops, no more jokes then!" Maruti raised both her hands in exaggerated surrender, her voice dripping with exhaustion. But instead of getting up, she flopped down where she had been sitting and let out a long, dramatic sigh. "I''m not walking back to that room again. Nope. I''m sleeping right here." Closing her eyes, she stretched out on the cold floor. Esdeath, equally drained, nodded in agreement. "Yeah, it''s better this way." She gently placed the baby beside her, then collapsed onto the floor as well. The hard, cold surface should''ve been uncomfortable, but their exhaustion turned it into the most inviting place in the world. They both smiled, feeling a rare moment of peace. Sweet dreams were finally within reach. Until¡­ "OAHAHHHH¡­ EARAGGHHHH!" S§×arch* The novel(F~)ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. The baby''s cries erupted like a siren, shattering the calm. Maruti shot up, clutching her head as if the sound physically hurt her. "AHHH! Someone save me! I''m gonna die at this rate!" She glared at Esdeath with wild eyes. "I''m sure this kid is doing it on purpose. She totally resembles you!" Esdeath groaned, rubbing her temples. "I think we need to do something to make her fall asleep before we lose our minds." Maruti jumped to her feet, determination burning in her eyes. "Fine! Watch and learn, Esdeath. How real world''s greatest hitman charms this kid to sleep in no time!" She crouched in front of the baby and began making the most ridiculous faces imaginable¡ªsticking out her tongue, puffing up her cheeks, and crossing her eyes. "Blah-blah! Look at me!" she babbled, waving her hands wildly. Esdeath leaned against the wall, arms crossed, watching with a raised eyebrow. "Are you auditioning to join the circus, or is this your actual plan?" she mocked. Maruti ignored her, doubling down on her antics. She even started dancing awkwardly, her movements resembling a mix between a chicken and a robot. Then, as if that wasn''t enough, she began singing off-key. "Twinkle, twinkle, little staaaaar¡­ How I wonder what you aaaare¡­" To everyone''s surprise, the baby stopped crying. Her little eyes widened, and a gurgling laugh escaped her lips. Maruti froze mid-dance, blinking in disbelief. "It worked? It actually worked!" She collapsed onto the floor with a relieved sigh, her hands over her heart. "Finally, some peace!" But the moment she stopped, the baby''s laughter turned into another loud wail. "NOOOO!" Maruti screamed, her head falling back dramatically. "Why, cruel world, why?!" Fueled by frustration, she scooped up the baby and began tossing her gently into the air, catching her each time. "There, there! Wheee! Isn''t this fun?" Esdeath''s eyes widened in alarm. "Maruti! Are you sure that''s a good ide¡ª" Before she could finish, Maruti threw the baby a little too high¨CI mean tooooooo high. It was only then they remembered the roof was still destroyed from Michael''s earlier attack. The baby soared into the open night sky, her tiny form silhouetted against the glowing full moon. For a brief moment, she looked like a celestial being¡ªa true child of the moon. "PREDICTOR!" Esdeath shrieked, her heart leaping into her throat. Maruti panicked but managed to catch the baby on her way down. She clutched her tightly, her face pale with shock. "Got her! See? I got her!" Esdeath rushed over, glaring daggers at Maruti. "Are you insane?! What if you''d dropped her? All of my effort would have gone to waste!" Maruti tried to laugh it off, though her voice wavered. "She''s fine, see? She even looks happy¡ª" The baby, now safe in Maruti''s arms, let out a giggle. Esdeath groaned and took the baby from her, cradling her protectively. "You''re done. No more circus tricks," she said firmly. Walking back and forth, Esdeath began to gently rock the baby, softly shushing her. "Shh¡­ Ssshhh...For fuck''s sake, Please fall asleep¡­" Her voice was soothing, her movements slow and rhythmic. The baby gradually quieted, her tiny body relaxing against Esdeath''s chest. Finally, the baby drifted off to sleep, her soft breaths filling the air. Esdeath let out a long sigh of relief, sitting down beside Maruti. "Let''s just pray she stays asleep this time," Esdeath whispered, her voice heavy with exhaustion. Maruti nodded. "If she wakes up again, I''m joining her in the crying competition." All three of them finally settled on the cold floor, their exhaustion overpowering any discomfort. Their heads formed a triangle, each pointing in a different direction, with the baby nestled safely in the center. The silvery glow of the full moon bathed them in its soft, ethereal light. Maruti lay on her back, gazing up at the serene sky. The moon seemed especially beautiful tonight, its light pouring directly onto the trio as if blessing them. "You know," she murmured, breaking the peaceful silence, "does this kid even have a name? If not, why shouldn''t we just give her one?" Esdeath, her eyes half-closed, turned slightly toward Maruti. "You''re right," she admitted, her voice soft with fatigue. "But what should it be?" Her gaze shifted upward to the moon. The image of the baby earlier¡ªsoaring through the sky, framed perfectly by the moon''s glow¡ªflashed through her mind. The memory of the moonlight cascading behind the child, making her look like a celestial being, lingered. A small smile crept onto Esdeath''s face. "I''ve got it," she said quietly. "Her name will be Selene. It means ''moon.'' In Greek mythology, Selene was the goddess of the moon." Maruti tilted her head to look at Esdeath, a hint of surprise on her face. "Selene¡­ Crimson, huh? That''s a pretty nice name," she mused, her lips curling into a soft smile. She closed her eyes, letting the peaceful moment wash over her, the exhaustion finally winning. Esdeath, however, gazed at the moon at the moon, her thoughts swirling. "Selene Mariette, Now that¡­ is quite the wonderful name." She thought as she fell asleep too. I Want A Friend! The night slipped away, and the golden light of morning bathed the academy in its warmth. It was 7:00 AM, the usual time when the gym buzzed with activity. For most students, this was a sacred hour dedicated to building their physical strength, a crucial part of being an awakened individual. Even the girls, who were just as strong and determined as the boys, never skipped this routine. But today was different. The gym was unusually quiet, or rather, a specific area of it was. Crowds of students moved cautiously around the room, making sure to avoid one particular corner. Why? Because in that corner, Kaelith¡ªthe daughter of Lilith and the infamous Silver Dragon¡ªwas working out. Kaelith was not someone who typically worked out. In fact, she had never needed to. Her dragon blood gifted her a physique far superior to everyone else''s. Her body was built for power, speed, and resilience, and she had always relied on her natural abilities. Yet, for the past few days, she had been a regular at the gym, shocking everyone who laid eyes on her. "Do you know why she''s been coming here every morning?" whispered one girl to her friend, her voice low with curiosity. The other girl stole a quick glance at Kaelith, careful not to make it obvious. "How should I know? Maybe it''s because she lost the competition recently? But whatever the reason, we''d better not get too close. Nobody wants to accidentally get on her bad side." Kaelith, who was doing push-ups with massive weight plates stacked on her back, heard every word. Her dragon senses were sharp, far beyond human levels. She could hear them clearly. S§×arch* The Novel?ire(.)ne*t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Her face remained blank, her breathing steady, even though the plates on her back weighed hundreds of tons. To her, it felt no different than lifting paper. But her calm exterior was a mask. Inside her mind, a single question echoed over and over. "Why?" Kaelith couldn''t stop thinking about it. The question circled in her mind like an unrelenting storm. For days now, the thought had consumed her, taking over every waking moment. She remembered the fight vividly. It wasn''t just any ordinary battle¡ªit was the one where she faced Esdeath, Maruti, and Ethan. For the first time in her life, she fought people who challenged her. It wasn''t easy. The three of them were skilled, clever, and determined. But it wasn''t enough to defeat her. Kaelith knew she could''ve taken them all on her own if she wanted. Her power, her heritage as the daughter of Lilith, ensured that much. Yet something about that battle lingered in her mind. "Why were they so desperate? Why were they fighting like their very lives depended on it? What is there to gain from a simple competition?" These type of thought came to her mind at that time. She closed her eyes, replaying the moment when their gazes burned with unshakable resolve. "Are they in the same situation as me?" Her thoughts turned inward. Kaelith was Lilith''s daughter¡ªthe daughter of the great dragon queen. From the moment she was born, her path had been laid out for her. People didn''t see her as Kaelith; they saw her as Lilith''s daughter. No matter what she accomplished, the reaction was always the same: "As expected of Lilith''s daughter!" No matter what she wanted to do for herself, the response was predictable: "This doesn''t suit you. You''re Lilith''s daughter. You''ll surpass your mother one day. You should follow the path she walked." Lilith, Lilith, Lilith, Lilith, Lilith, Lilith, Lilith, Lilith, Lilith, Lilith, Lilith, Lilith, Lilith, Lilith, Lilith, Lilith, Lilith, Lilith, Lilith, Lilith, Lilith, Lilith, Lilith, Lilith, Lilith, Lilith, Lilith, Lilith, Lilith, Lilith,Lilith, Lilith, Lilith, Lilith, Lilith. It was suffocating. Her mother''s name echoed endlessly in her mind, as if it were a curse. She was always in Lilith''s shadow, no matter how brightly she tried to shine on her own. Kaelith gritted her teeth, her chest tightening. Every time she wanted to follow her own desires, someone interfered. Every time she succeeded, her achievements were credited to her mother''s legacy. And every time she failed, it was as if the world reminded her of how she was falling short of that impossible standard. She hated it. It was strikingly similar to Lortell Mariette''s. Lortell, the daughter of the Archduke, had endured the same expectations. Every step she took, every word she said, was scrutinized. As a child, Lortell had no choice but to create a barrier around her heart. She became emotionless, detached¡ªa perfect doll with no feelings, no desires, no weaknesses. But then Lortell met Esdeath, and everything changed. Her carefully constructed walls crumbled, and emotions she had buried for years surged forward. She fallen in love with esdeath but in the blink of an eye Love turned into obsession, and the once-detached Lortell became fiercely possessive of Esdeath. Kaelith wasn''t so different. To protect herself from the weight of expectations, she had built her own shield¡ªan arrogant, domineering attitude. She acted tough, spoke with the confidence of a tyrant queen, and pushed people away with her sharp tongue and prideful demeanor. But it was all a mask. A fragile shield hiding a vulnerable heart that desperately wanted to be free. What hurt Kaelith the most was knowing that no one truly understood her. Even in Free Life Fantasy, Kaelith''s character was left as little more than an arrogant side character. There was no backstory, no depth, no explanation for her behavior. Even esdeath didn''t know about this side of kaelith. "No!" Kaelith shook her head as the thought troubled her. "Ethan is just a commoner, and Esdeath is only a baroness. They don''t have the kind of family pressure I have to win. As for that girl, Maruti¡­ she''s probably just some nobody with no background." But as Maruti''s name crossed her mind, Kaelith couldn''t help but recall that moment. The truth was, Kaelith hadn''t been fully defeated in that fight. She had chosen to lose. And the reason? Maruti. From the very beginning, Maruti had been the one taking the brunt of Kaelith''s attacks. She was like a shield for her team, absorbing hit after hit to protect Ethan and Esdeath. Out of every eight punches Kaelith threw, seven of them landed on Maruti. Her face was swollen, her body battered, and bruises covered her from head to toe. But despite all of that, she stood firm, refusing to back down. She was the perfect tank, holding her ground for her teammates, especially Esdeath. Kaelith had noticed it. "Why are you blocking my punches? My strikes can shatter your jaw. If your injuries become severe, the academy will charge you for healing, and there''s no way someone like you can afford it. They''ll do the bare minimum, and your face will be permanently disfigured. Do you even realize what you''re risking? A girl''s face is everything!" These thoughts flooded Kaelith''s mind as she swung another punch toward Maruti. But just before it connected, something stopped her. Kaelith hesitated. Her grudge wasn''t with Maruti; it was with Esdeath. She wasn''t a heartless monster, and the idea of permanently harming someone who wasn''t her true target felt¡­ wrong. So, she pulled back slightly, reducing the power in her punch. Even then, when the blow landed, it was still strong enough to make Maruti stagger. She saw Maruti''s body sway, her legs faltering, but the girl didn''t fall. Maruti stood there, blood dripping from her lip, and looked at Kaelith with unyielding determination. Kaelith stepped back, retreating for a moment, and her gaze shifted to Esdeath. "Are you doing this for her? But why? What''s in it for you to be so desperate? Did she save your life or something? From what I know, you two only met here in the academy. How could your bond be so deep already?" Her anger grew. No matter how hard Kaelith tried to land a finishing blow on Esdeath, Maruti was always there. She intervened every single time, even at the very end. Kaelith remembered it clearly. She had aimed a decisive punch at Esdeath, but Maruti had thrown herself between them, taking the full force of the blow yet again. Even as Kaelith''s fist slammed into Maruti''s face, the girl retaliated with a punch of her own, striking Kaelith across the cheek. The crowd watched as Kaelith collapsed to the ground, seemingly unconscious. But the truth was far from that. She wasn''t unconscious. Lying there on the ground, Kaelith stared up at the sky, her thoughts swirling in confusion. She didn''t feel defeated, but she felt¡­ hollow. "Why? Why does Esdeath have someone like her? Why does she have someone willing to stand by her side, no matter the cost?" Kaelith''s chest tightened, and her fists clenched. "I want that too," she thought, her heart aching. "I want someone who will stay by my side no matter what. I want¡­ a friend." Closing her eyes, she pretended to faint. The crowd cheered for Esdeath''s victory, but Kaelith didn''t care. Winning no longer mattered to her. "Let them win," she told herself. "I can win the next rounds if I feel like it. This fight doesn''t matter anymore." -------------- "Lalalala... Lalalala..." Lortell hummed softly as she strolled through the academy''s bustling hallways, her steps light and carefree. Her voice carried a melodious tune that caught the attention of nearby students, but she paid them no mind. Let them whisper, let them stare¡ªit didn''t matter. Today was a good day. She was in an unusually great mood because of the news brought to her by her trusted head maid, Lorraine. Lortell smirked as she thought about the rare essence stone Lorraine had mentioned. "Blood Connection." A C-rank blood-path investigation stone. Its ability was simple yet powerful: if someone had ever consumed another person''s blood, the essence stone could track the location of that person, provided they weren''t using strong concealment techniques. And Lortell? She had drunk Esdeath''s blood plenty of times. "Esdeath is just an E-rank anyway," Lortell mused, her crimson eyes gleaming with excitement. "She wouldn''t have any advanced methods to hide herself. She''s probably just wandering around looking for luna. There''s no way she could block the stone''s effect." Her smile widened as she hugged herself, practically vibrating with excitement. The thought of reuniting with Esdeath filled her with a strange, obsessive joy. "The person who owns the essence stone is in the Awakened Kingdom. Lorraine has already gone to make contact. And Lorraine never fails me. Once she gets the stone, it''s only a matter of time before Esdeath and I are together again." She twirled in the hallway, her skirt swishing dramatically, oblivious to the students who paused to gawk at her eccentric behavior. But her daydreams were interrupted when a young maid rushed toward her. The maid bowed deeply, her voice trembling slightly. "My lady, Vice Principal Lilith has summoned you to her office." Lortell''s hum ceased. Her crimson eyes narrowed slightly as her thoughts shifted. "Lilith? What does that hag want now?" She had a pretty good idea why. The academy was buzzing with rumors about five girls she had been tormenting. One of those girls had mysteriously died, and suspicion had naturally fallen on her. Her lips curled into a sneer, and she snorted disdainfully. "Hmph! That old hag is calling for me over this nonsense? Didn''t I already tell her I didn''t kill that girl?" Despite her irritation, Lortell knew she couldn''t ignore the summons. Refusing a direct order from Vice Principal Lilith wasn''t an option. She adjusted her posture, flicked her long hair over her shoulder, and began walking in the direction of the Vice Principal''s office. ----------- Lortell reached the Vice Principal''s office and, without hesitation, pushed open the door. She didn''t bother knocking¡ªwhy would she? She had never felt the need to respect anyone''s authority. But as the door swung open, her sharp eyes caught sight of something unexpected. Her brows furrowed slightly, a flicker of surprise crossing her face. Lilith wasn''t alone. Seated across from Lilith was someone unexpected¡ªa student, not a professor or member of the academy staff. It was Princess Ravenna. Lortell''s mind raced as she assessed the situation. "So that''s her plan," Lortell thought, her lips curving into a bitter smirk. Lilith and Lortell were equals in authority, bound by academy rules. Despite Lilith''s warnings and complaints about Lortell''s actions, she couldn''t take direct action against her. But Ravenna was different. Who held the highest status in the academy? Not Lortell. Not Lilith. Not even the Principal. It was the Princess of the Kingdom¡ªRavenna Thorne. Although Ravenna was a first-year and far weaker than Lortell in terms of raw power, her royal status gave her authority that even Lortell couldn''t ignore. Lortell clicked her tongue in irritation. She had been cornered. She turned sharply on her heel, intending to leave without a word. But just as she reached for the door¡ª "Stop. Do not leave," Ravenna''s firm voice rang out. Lortell froze, her body tense. She gritted her teeth in frustration but turned back reluctantly. With an exaggerated sigh, she strode over to the chair opposite Lilith and Ravenna and sat down. Even seated, Lortell''s towering height was intimidating. She met Ravenna''s gaze with an air of defiance, her head held high. Ravenna, though tall for a girl, couldn''t match Lortell''s presence. Still, the Princess didn''t falter. "I''ve heard you''ve been bullying some students," Ravenna began, her voice calm but with a sharp edge. Lortell rolled her eyes. "Bullying? That''s a bit much. I was just having some fun with the freshmen. If they''re too sensitive, that''s not my problem." Her tone was dismissive, her words dripping with arrogance. Ravenna''s expression didn''t change. She pulled out a folded paper from her lap and began reading. "You refused to let a girl use the washroom, forcing her to humiliate herself by wetting her clothes. You put a dog collar on another girl, made her crawl on all fours, and paraded her naked through the halls. And there''s more." Ravenna''s voice was steady, but her eyes were filled with disappointment. Lortell''s smirk faded slightly as Ravenna continued. "It''s fortunate the second incident happened at night when most of the academy was asleep. But the few who witnessed it were appalled. Your actions aren''t just cruel¡ªthey''re damaging the academy''s reputation." Ravenna''s tone hardened with anger as she finished speaking. Lortell shrugged, leaning back lazily in her chair. "It was just a little hazing. They''re overreacting." Lilith''s lips pressed into a thin line, but she remained silent, letting Ravenna handle the situation. Ravenna sighed, pinching the bridge of her nose. "Let''s set the past aside for now. I''ll compensate the victims'' families and ensure no rumors spread beyond these walls. But from this moment on, you are to stay away from the remaining four girls. You can''t just go around doing whatever you please, Lortell." Her voice carried authority, but Lortell wasn''t impressed. Leaning forward, Lortell''s crimson eyes locked onto Ravenna''s. Her voice was low and dangerous. "Is that a request?" Ravenna didn''t flinch. She met Lortell''s gaze head-on, her own pink eyes burning with determination. "No," she said, her voice steady and firm. "It''s a royal order." The room fell silent. Lortell''s jaw tightened as she sat back in her chair, her expression unreadable. But deep down, she knew she had been forced into a corner. For now, she had no choice but to comply. Lortell gritted her teeth as she stood up, her eyes blazing with fury. "Kids these days think they can bark orders at me!" she spat, her voice dripping with disdain. With a swift kick, she sent the chair flying across the room. BAM! The chair slammed into the wall, shattering into pieces. "My whole damn mood is ruined!" she hissed, turning sharply on her heel and storming out of the office. As much as she hated it, she had no choice but to follow Ravenna''s order. She couldn''t bully those girls anymore, no matter how much she wanted to. The thought of slapping Ravenna across the face crossed her mind, but she knew better. She clenched her fists tightly, her frustration burning like fire as she walked away. Back in the office, Lilith let out a small sigh of relief. The situation had finally been resolved, and she could feel the tension leaving her body. But Ravenna was a different story. As soon as Lortell was out of sight, Ravenna''s confident facade crumbled. Sweat poured down her face, and her breathing became ragged. "Pant¡­ pant¡­ That was so scary!" she thought, clutching her chest to steady herself. Her legs felt weak, and she barely managed to stay standing. "I thought I might faint at any moment!" She had been putting on a brave act, but inside, she was just a nervous girl facing someone far more powerful. Lortell''s overwhelming presence had been suffocating, and Ravenna couldn''t shake the fear that had gripped her throughout the conversation. --- Meanwhile, Lortell''s face was still twisted with anger as she stomped through the hallway. Her thoughts were consumed by frustration until she spotted her head maid, Lorraine, waiting for her. Lorraine quickly bowed her head upon seeing her mistress. "My lady," Lorraine began, her tone calm but serious, "I''ve contacted the owner of the Blood Connection essence stone through telepathy. He''s a blood mage, without a doubt a criminal who''s taken many lives. However, he''s agreed to give us the essence stone. But there''s a catch¡ªhe''s too afraid to come here. We''ll need to go to him and retrieve it ourselves." Lortell''s fiery anger began to cool as she listened. Her scowl softened into a smirk. "That''s good news," she said, her voice regaining its usual composed tone. She took a deep breath, pushing aside her earlier rage. "I can''t wait any longer. I''ll go with you personally," she declared, her crimson eyes gleaming with determination. Character Introduction (1) Okay... So first I wanted to ask something. I have finally decided to open an account to interact with readers, I don''t this will go well but just wanted to try out. But I''m confused for in which plateform, Instagram or discord. I never downloaded both of the application in my life but I already know what Instagram is while have no idea how to use discord... sea??h th§× N??elFir§×.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. So what should I choose! Which one is better,If discord is better than I just learn how to use it from YouTube . Well this Chapter only contains arts of some characters that I found and old arts that I once used as my book cover and then replaced it.... So firstly our main FLF Mc... Ethan Rothslayer... Now both of her girlfriend.... First Violet... I actually have three arts choose whichever you like.. Now now Sylvania Princess Ravenna... Kaelith Maranthia...... And one more art of kaelith Now guess who''s this? Nothing But our father-in-law Mr. mariette. And now Selene Crimson/mariette ??this also looks quit cool. Now maruti... ummm... My instinct kinda kicked in with this third one.. I know, There''s still many characters Remaining and I haven''t given given arts of esdeath and Lortell yet.. I''m going to publish another chapter that will contains many old arts of esdeath and Lortell that I used on my book before.... And in future when I get other Characters''s arts I''ll publish them as well.. Too Many Questions It was already past 11 AM, but at the Seven King''s Mountain, Esdeath and Maruti were still fast asleep. They had pushed their physical and mental limits the night before and were utterly exhausted. The two lay sprawled out, mouths wide open, snoring softly in unison. The sun''s rays filtered through the cracks in the walls of their makeshift shelter, casting warm light across their faces, but it wasn''t enough to stir them from their deep slumber. Then, out of nowhere, two tiny, soft hands touched Esdeath''s larger ones. "Mother¡­ Mother, wake up!" The sweet, high-pitched voice of a child, no older than four or five, rang out cheerfully. Esdeath''s eyelids fluttered open just slightly, her half-awake gaze falling on a tiny figure perched on her stomach. The little girl had sparkling silver eyes and a head of messy white-black hair reaching to her waist. Most shockingly, the child was completely naked, her innocent smile lighting up the room. Still groggy, Esdeath muttered, "Five more minutes¡­ just five more minutes," before turning her head and drifting back to sleep. Ordinarily, Esdeath would have been on high alert. Years of combat experience had honed her instincts to detect danger instantly. But for some reason, she sensed no ill will from the child¡ªonly warmth and purity. The little girl tilted her head, a mischievous glint in her eyes. Then, leaning close to Esdeath''s ear, she shouted at the top of her lungs, "MOM! MY WHOLE BODY IS STICKY! I WANT TO BATHE!" Her voice echoed through the small space like a drumbeat, rattling Esdeath''s very soul. Esdeath''s eyes flew open in shock. Startled, she sat up so fast that the child nearly toppled off her belly. "I SWEAR I WASN''T CHEATING ON YOU!" she yelled, still half-dreaming. Nearby, Maruti jerked awake, her eyes wide and her body stiff. "ALIEN ATTACK!" she screamed, leaping to her feet in sheer panic. Before she could take another step, her head collided with the nearest wall with a loud *thud*. "Ouch¡­" she groaned before slumping to the ground and promptly passing out again. Esdeath blinked, finally coming to her senses. She looked down at the child, who was now tugging on her arm impatiently. "Bath! Bath!" the little girl demanded, her pouty face scrunched up in frustration. Esdeath rubbed her temples, her voice exasperated. "Who even are you? And why are you calling me mom?" The child tilted her head again, a sweet smile spreading across her face. "Because you''re my mom! Duh!" Esdeath''s jaw dropped. "What kind of nonsense¡ª" But then her memories of last night flooded back to her mind. Before she could finish, the little girl threw her arms around Esdeath''s neck, nuzzling against her like a kitten. "Mom smells nice!" Meanwhile, Maruti, lying crumpled on the floor, twitched and mumbled in her unconscious state, "Save me from the aliens¡­" --------------------------------- Esdeath and Maruti stood towering over the small child who sat on the ground, their intimidating figures casting long shadows across her. Their expressions were a mix of confusion and mild irritation as they stared at the sticky, milk-covered child before them. Selene, the supposed child of Esdeath, blinked up at them with her innocent silver eyes, completely unfazed. Her tiny body was a mess, the sticky residue of spilled milk clinging to her white-black hair and smooth skin. Maruti tilted her head, rubbing her chin thoughtfully. "So¡­ this is Selene? Isn''t she growing a little too fast? You said about one day but it''s only been around 18 hours". Before Esdeath could answer, Selene interrupted in her sweet, chirpy voice. "Mother, is that daddy?" She pointed a tiny finger at Maruti, her face full of curiosity. Esdeath crossed her arms instantly, scoffing. "Never. Not even in your dreams." Maruti let out an exaggerated sigh, muttering, "Thank the heavens." But Selene wasn''t done. She pointed to the sky with wide eyes. "What''s that blue thing up there?" Esdeath sighed and followed her gaze. "That''s the sky." Selene nodded, her curiosity growing. "And the white fluffy things?" "Those are clouds." "What are clouds?" she asked, tilting her head like a curious bird. Esdeath''s eyebrow twitched. The barrage of questions continued relentlessly. Selene wanted to know what mountains were, why the ground was brown, and why the sun was so bright. Even though her voice was as sweet as honey, Esdeath and Maruti couldn''t help but feel their patience wearing thin. "Shh! Enough questions for now," Esdeath finally said, holding up a hand to stop her. "Didn''t you say you wanted to bathe? Let''s go take a bath." Selene''s eyes sparkled with excitement, but Esdeath turned to Maruti with a suspicious look. "Isn''t she only a dozen or so hours old? Why does she talk so fluently?" Esdeath shrugged, scratching the back of her head. "Maybe she got some basic knowledge Like how to speak. But she doesn''t seem to know much about the world¡ªthings like the sky, clouds, or mountains." Esdeath sighed again, rubbing her temples. "Whatever. Let''s get her cleaned up first." Without warning, she grabbed Selene by the waist and effortlessly lifted her into the air. The little girl squealed with delight, her laughter echoing through the ruins of the castle. "Wheee! Higher, Mother, higher!" The three of them made their way through the castle ruins, Esdeath carrying Selene like a sack of flour. Yesterday, she and Maruti had explored nearly every corner of the castle, discovering a bathhouse, a library, and even a creepy experimentation and torture room. Though they didn''t find anything particularly useful, the bathhouse was a blessing¡ªespecially since none of them had bathed since last day. The castle had three baths on each floor, each modestly sized. Esdeath and Maruti decided to use the bath on the ground floor. It was a small bathhouse, enough for four people to fit comfortably. The ground floor bath in the castle wasn''t anything grand, just a small bathhouse big enough for four people at most. But for Esdeath, Maruti, and little Selene, it was perfect. After all, Selene was just a small child, and the cozy space seemed like a good fit for the three of them to relax and enjoy. Esdeath and Maruti removed their clothes, stepping into the steamy bathhouse, closing the door behind them. Maruti, always the energetic one, dove straight into the warm water with a loud splash. "Ah, this feels amazing!" she exclaimed, her voice echoing slightly in the small room. Esdeath, however, took her time. She grabbed a small stool and sat down by the side of the bath. The steam curled lazily around her as she pulled Selene into her lap. Picking up a bar of soap, she began gently scrubbing the sticky residue of milk off Selene''s tiny body. S§×arch* The n??el Fire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Selene, ever curious, couldn''t take her wide eyes off Esdeath''s body. Her gaze lingered on the intricate tattoos covering Esdeath''s pale skin. The tattoos wound their way from her neck, down her shoulders, and across her chest, belly, and back. They stood out starkly against her unnaturally pale skin¡ªShe used silver jade skin to enchance durability of her skin by making a new inner layer of skin that was hundreds of times more durable, And making the main skin layer smoother and stronger, but it had also left her main skin paler than before. Despite the change, her tattoos remained untouched. They spread across her body like intricate, dark patterns. The designs started at her neck, trailing down to her chest, wrapping around her sides, and continuing over her back. "Mother, what''s all this?" Selene asked, her tiny finger tracing a line on Esdeath''s arm. Esdeath sighed, her hands not stopping as she continued washing Selene. "It''s nothing important. And stop calling me ''Mother.'' Call me something else." Selene tilted her head, her silver eyes sparkling. "What should I call you then?" Esdeath paused, thinking for a moment. She didn''t want the child to call her by her name¡ªit felt odd. "Call me whatever you like," she finally said, assuming Selene would pick something simple. "Then I''ll call you Mother!" Selene declared with a bright smile. Esdeath''s hand froze mid-scrub, her face twitching slightly. "Wait¡­ didn''t I just tell you not to call me that?" Selene blinked up at her innocently. "But didn''t you say I could call you whatever I like?" Esdeath''s eye twitched again. She let out a frustrated sigh. "This little brat¡­ why is she so smart?" Maruti, lounging lazily in the bath, burst out laughing. "Pfft! How does it feel to get checkmated by a kid?" she teased, leaning back with a grin. Before Esdeath could retort, Selene suddenly leaned forward and wrapped her tiny arms around Esdeath in a tight hug. Her small head rested right between Esdeath''s chest, and she let out a content sigh. "It feels so peaceful here," Selene mumbled, her voice muffled. But the again a question rose to her mind, "Who am I? " Officially Rank D "Who am I?" Selene tilted her head up, her small, curious eyes locking with Esdeath''s. Her voice was soft, almost hesitant, as she asked the question that had clearly been weighing on her mind. Esdeath paused for a moment, her hand resting mid-air with the soap she was using to wash Selene. Her piercing gaze softened slightly as she thought about how to answer. Then, without warning, she grabbed Selene with both hands and lifted her effortlessly into the air. A mischievous grin spread across Esdeath''s face as she replied, "You''re my insurance!" Selene blinked, her confusion evident. "Insurance? What''s an insurance?" she asked, tilting her head like a curious little bird. Esdeath chuckled, shaking her head. "You ask too many questions, kid. If you want answers, you''ll have to figure them out yourself. Now, let''s finish this bath quietly," she said, her tone playful yet firm as she resumed washing Selene. S§×ar?h the N?vel(F)ire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. But Selene wasn''t done. She wriggled free from Esdeath''s grasp and stood up, water dripping from her tiny frame. "I''ll wash your back!" she declared with enthusiasm, grabbing the soap and getting to work before Esdeath could object. Esdeath raised an eyebrow but let the little girl do as she pleased. There was no harm in it, and, surprisingly, Selene seemed genuinely happy scrubbing away. It was a rare moment of innocence, something that felt strangely out of place in Esdeath''s chaotic life. Once the bath was over, Esdeath and Maruti got dressed quickly, slipping back into their usual clothes. However, the real problem arose when they turned to Selene¡ªshe had no clothes of her own. Esdeath sighed, glancing around for a solution. Eventually, she found some of Trynne''s old clothes tucked away in a corner. The clothes were far too big for Selene, but Esdeath wasn''t one to give up easily. She grabbed a pair of scissors and set to work, cutting and reshaping the oversized garments with surprising precision. In a matter of minutes, she managed to fashion a smaller shirt from the oversized one. "Alright, let''s see how this fits," Esdeath muttered, slipping the newly altered shirt over Selene''s head. It was still a little baggy, but the loose fabric gave it a charm that suited the little girl. The sleeves were trimmed neatly, and though the stitching looked hand-done and rough, the overall result was oddly cute. Selene looked down at herself, turning this way and that as the shirt swayed around her knees. It was big enough to act as a dress, and there was no need for additional undergarments for now. After leaving Selene in the library, Esdeath watched from a distance as the little girl eagerly grabbed a book and began flipping through the pages. It was a gamble, but Esdeath had guessed correctly¡ªif Selene could speak fluently, there was a good chance she could read and write too. To her surprise, Selene not only knew how to read but seemed genuinely excited about it. Selene''s small figure sat amidst towering shelves filled with books, her eyes shining with curiosity as she immersed herself in a world of words. Esdeath gave a small nod of approval. "At least she won''t be a bother for now." With Selene preoccupied, Esdeath and Maruti finally had some quiet time to focus on more pressing matters. The two made their way to the treasure room, where the faint glow of various potions and essence stones illuminated the space. Esdeath walked to a shelf lined with mana potions, each bottle shimmering with vibrant colors. Without hesitation, she picked one up and downed it in a single gulp. The notification flashed in her mind, followed by a slight warmth spreading through her body. She reached for another bottle and drank it. Maruti, standing beside her, did the same. They continued consuming potion after potion, the effects slowly stacking up. Some potions gave a small boost, while others provided a noticeable surge. Despite the treasure room''s wealth, most of the mana potions available were of low to mid-quality, meaning the boosts were limited. The effects added up over time, but Esdeath and Maruti both knew their bodies had a limit to how much they could absorb in one session. Even so, the progress was substantial. Esdeath stretched her arms, feeling the energy coursing through her. A confident smirk spread across her face. "I think my problem of having a weak body is officially gone. I can finally call myself a Rank D awakened!" Maruti gave her an approving nod, but Esdeath''s thoughts were already racing ahead. Strengthening my body was just the first step. Now, there are three other weaknesses I need to deal with."She thought The first issue was her soul. Strengthening the soul was incredibly valuable¡ªit allowed someone to maintain multiple essence stones at once, resist mental fatigue, and stand firm against the oppressive aura of more powerful opponents. It also provided defense against soul-based attacks. Unfortunately, as Esdeath scanned the treasure room, she found nothing that could help in that regard. The second weakness was her ESR talent. With only a C-grade ESR talent, her ability to refine and merge essence stones was limited. It was a frustrating handicap that placed her below the more talented individuals she sought to surpass. The third and most critical issue was her refining and merging experience. While Esdeath relied heavily on her system to instantly refine essence stones, she knew this crutch wouldn''t serve her forever. True mastery required knowledge, skill, and practice. Without understanding the intricate process of refining and merging, she would hit a wall in her growth. Esdeath''s sharp eyes fell on two specific essence stones tucked away on a shelf. They pulsed faintly with energy, their unique glow setting them apart from the rest. Her lips curled into a determined smile. "These will do," she muttered to herself, taking the stones in her hands. While they weren''t a complete solution to her problems, they were a step forward¡ªa small but significant tool to help her gain the experience she needed. The first essence stone Esdeath picked up was a Silver Veins Essence Stone, a Rank D treasure known for its unique properties. It glimmered faintly, its surface laced with intricate silver lines that resembled tiny veins. These veins weren''t ordinary¡ªthey mimicked mana circuits, pathways within the body where mana flowed. In awakened individuals, mana didn''t just circulate randomly; it coursed through these specialized veins, leaving traces in the blood. The quality of the blood and the strength of these veins directly determined a person''s ESR talent. Simply put, the purer the blood and the stronger the mana circuits, the higher the talent grade. Esdeath clenched the stone in her hand, her eyes narrowing thoughtfully. "To improve my ESR talent, I''ll need to purify my blood and reinforce my veins. Blood path essence stones would be ideal for purification, but I don''t have any." Instead, she had this stone¡ªa Silver Veins Essence Stone. While it couldn''t purify blood, it could strengthen the mana circuits. For someone like Esdeath, whose ESR talent was only Rank C, this stone was invaluable. It could increase her talent by a full "10%", making her ESR talent 65%, a B grade . However, this stone would be useless for Maruti, whose Rank B ESR talent required at least a Rank C essence stone to show any effect. Esdeath smirked. "This is just perfect for me." Holding the stone tightly, she focused her will. "Refine," she commanded, letting her system handle the process. System Activated and The stone began to glow brightly in her hand, gradually disintegrating into tiny specks of light that sank into her body. At first, there was nothing, but then a sudden and overwhelming sensation hit her. Her veins felt like they were on fire, an unbearable itching sensation spreading throughout her body. It was as if tiny insects were crawling under her skin, and she had the uncontrollable urge to rip herself apart just to stop the torment. She bit down hard on her lip, her fists clenching tightly. Sweat poured down her face as she forced herself to endure. "I can''t stop now. I have to see this through," she thought, her determination shining through the pain. For an agonizing hour, she bore the torment until, finally, the sensation began to fade. Her breathing was ragged, but a wave of relief washed over her as she realized the refinement was complete. But she didn''t stop The next essence stone was vastly different. It was a Rank E Bookworm Essence Stone, small and shaped like a caterpillar. On its back, a tiny, book-like growth made it look almost comical. Iron Gaze Despite the Bookwarm''s peculiar appearance¡ªa caterpillar-shaped stone with a tiny, book-like structure attached to its back¡ªEsdeath knew it held immense value. For someone like her, who lacked the foundational experience in refining and merging essence stones, it was a priceless find. "Knowledge is power," she murmured to herself, holding the stone delicately as if it were the most precious treasure. Without hesitation, she activated it. The moment she did, an overwhelming surge of memories flowed into her mind. These weren''t her own but belonged to someone else The memories belonged to a man named Arith Apro, a seasoned expert in essence stone refinement and merging. He was around sixty years old and had devoted most of his life to the art of essence stone manipulation. Esdeath''s brows furrowed as fragments of his life began to take root in her mind. It was as if she could see glimpses of his work, his thoughts, and his struggles. This was the unique ability of the Bookwarm essence stone. It wasn''t just a memory archive; it was a vessel capable of transferring knowledge directly into the user''s mind. The memories weren''t complete. She only gained snippets: his name, his chosen paths of sound and soul, and the tragic fate he met. Arith Apro had once been the owner of two powerful essence stones¡ª"Soulpiercer" and "Forcebreaker"¡ªbefore his life was cut short by none other than Trynne Transylvania. The Bookwarm essence stone likely contained only a fraction of Arith''s lifelong knowledge, but even that was valuable. Esdeath now understood the basics of refining and merging essence stones. This wasn''t just written or verbal knowledge; it was as though the techniques had been etched directly into her brain. The sensation was indescribable¡ªa sudden clarity, like pieces of a puzzle falling into place. Of course, the Bookwarm was only a Rank E essence stone. Its capacity was limited, and it couldn''t hold the full depth of Arith''s expertise. But basics were the foundation of mastery. Even the most advanced techniques started with simple principles. It wasn''t hard to imagine Trynne refining hundreds of Bookwarms like this, spreading knowledge among her fellow vampires who lacked experience. It was an efficient and clever technique, one that had now worked to Esdeath''s advantage. With all her work in the treasure room finally complete, Esdeath sighed in relief. But now came the exciting part¡ªusing her SP points. She closed her eyes and willed her system to open. A sudden chime echoed in her mind, followed by a notification that appeared in front of her. Esdeath''s eyes widened slightly, her lips curling into a small, surprised smile. "Fifteen thousand? That''s... unexpected," she murmured. But deep down, she already knew the reason behind this surge. All the chaos esdeath caused in the Vanara tribe... it actually paid off. After winning the competition, her reputation had soared. She''d earned a solid 5,000 SP just for that victory, raising her total to 5,030 SP at the time. She had used 500 SP to boost her strength, which left her with 4,530 SP. But now, thanks to the scandal she stirred in the Vanara tribe, she was reaping the rewards. The tribe was abuzz with her name. Hundreds of people had witnessed her battle against Ujjain, and word had spread like wildfire. Rowan now saw her as a serious threat, a true enemy to watch out for. Meanwhile, Mourya¡ªwell, Mourya''s perspective was complicated. Part of him seemed to view her as daughter-in-law. *Whatever the case, they all know who esdeath is...Recognition equaled power, and in her system''s terms, that power translated into SP points. S§×arch* The nov§×lF~ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. The best part? None of this disrupted the main storyline. Esdeath had been careful. In the original timeline, Ethan Rothslayer never even visited the Vanara tribe. And while she had taken a few essence stones from Mourya''s treasure room, It was only Level One treasure room, rest of them were untouched, keeping things mostly as they were supposed to be. The only real deviation was the brewing tension between Rowan and Mourya. Their eventual battle might play out differently, but since her system awarded her SP points, it was clear the main story hadn''t been significantly altered. With so many SP points at her disposal, Esdeath''s mind raced with possibilities. The first thought that came to her was clear¡ªhealing. In her battle with Ujjain, she had realized just how much she lacked in this area. Relying on healers wasn''t always practical, especially in critical moments where every second counted. It wasn''t just her; every awakened warrior dreamed of having their own healing abilities, something they could rely on without depending on healers. Her gaze turned thoughtful as she considered her options. "If I''m right about my star constellation, it''s aligned with the time path. ." But there was a problem. Esdeath only knew about high-level time path healing techniques. They were immensely powerful, capable of reversing even fatal injuries, but they were expensive and required massive SP points she didn''t have. Worse, low-level time path healing techniques were practically useless, offering minimal benefits for significant effort. Esdeath frowned. Back when she played as Ethan Rothslayer, she hadn''t explored the time path much. Ethan wasn''t someone who used it, so she didn''t have a wealth of options to draw from. "I''ll leave it to the system,"she decided with a sigh. "Find a random time-path healing skill," she willed. After a moment, a notification appeared. "" "" <10,000 SP deducted> Esdeath stared at the notification, her eyes twitching slightly. "Ten thousand SP¡­ just like that?" she muttered. Annoyance flickered across her face for a moment. She had worked so hard to accumulate those points, and now half of them were gone in an instant. But as she reread the description of the skill, her irritation faded. Echo of Restoration wasn''t just a healing skill¡ªit was a lifesaver. The ability to gradually restore her body to a previous uninjured state was exactly what she needed. A small smile tugged at her lips. For once, she didn''t yell at her constellation. "Not bad...not bad," she admitted quietly. With 9,530 SP remaining, Esdeath quickly turned her attention to her other skills. She decided to upgrade her "Sharpshooter" skill, thinking it would be a good investment. But as soon as she made the selection, another notification popped up. A large red cross appeared in front of her, mocking her attempt. Esdeath''s forehead twitched in frustration. "Nine thousand SP isn''t enough? Seriously?" She groaned, crossing her arms. Fine, then. I''ll work on something else. Her gaze landed on Eagle Eyes (E), a skill that had served her well in the past. "Let''s see if I can improve you," she said, activating the system once more. This time, the notification was much more satisfying. Esdeath''s eyes lit up as she read the description. Human eyes can see at thirty to sixty frame rate per second but here, this skill can help her seeing in 250 FPS? It was simply incredible. Multiple times more than normal humans, It was really a good deal, while how much points got deducted? <2500 SP deducted> It was a kind of large but esdeath didn''t mind it. But she still had remaining SP that she decided to not use all of it and just used a part of it on her Strength, Speed and stamina accordingly. Esdeath had strengthened endurance of her body, So she could use more SP to increase her stats. "Let''s keep them for now! ", She thought. For now her stats looked like this. : 146 : 122 : 116 : 717 Current skills in possession - Sharpshooter (E)Upgradable: When used, time will slow down for five seconds. Can only be used once every 50 minutes. - Iron Gaze (D) Upgradable: Can see over great distances with precision + Can see the flow of mana + Can see at 250 FPS rate.> - Skill: Paralyze Bullet (E) Upgradable ¨CAfter using this skill, the first bullet fired by you will have a paralyzing effect that can immobilize both monsters and awakened individuals up to D-rank for around 10 minutes. -Skill (C) Upgradable: Echo of Restoration : Heals injuries gradually by "echoing" moments in time when the user was uninjured, slowly mending wounds to mirror their former state. (Reminder : I have changed the Sword mode to Scythe mode, Although I told about it in past but just in case if someone forgot) Esdeath let out a sigh of relief. Everything she had worked for so far was finally paying off. All the battles, the risks, and the chaos¡ªit felt worth it in this moment. But her moment of peace didn''t last long. "Fable, do you know any essence stone that can turn me back into a man?" Maruti''s voice cut through the silence, her tone filled with curiosity. Esdeath blinked and shook her head. "How would I know?" she replied plainly. Maruti snorted, crossing her arms with an annoyed look. "Hmph. You said you''ve played this game, and now you''re saying you don''t know this? What''s the point of your so-called knowledge then?" Esdeath shook her head again, this time with a hint of exasperation. "I know about temporary ones, like the Yin-Yang Rotation Essence Stone. It can turn you into a man for about six months, but that''s about it. I didn''t play this game to mess with gender mechanics. I played it to fight. Combat is what I focused on!" She wasn''t lying; she genuinely had no idea about permanent solutions. "Six months, huh?" Maruti''s eyes lit up with excitement. "Well, that''s good enough for me! Just tell me all the details later, and I''ll refine a hundred of them. Problem solved¡ªeasy peasy!" Esdeath stared blankly at her, her face unreadable. Her mind wasn''t on Maruti''s excitement anymore. Instead, she was focused on something else¡ªsomething strange. When she narrowed her eyes slightly to focus, her instincts sharpened, and suddenly, everything around her seemed to slow down. It was surreal. Esdeath realized she was seeing the world in extreme detail, almost frame by frame. Her Iron Gaze skill had activated without her realizing it. At 250 FPS, she could see every flicker of Maruti''s expression, the subtle movement of her lips, and even the smallest twitch of her fingers. Esdeath blinked several times, and the effect faded, returning her vision to normal. She sighed inwardly. "It''s like switching between two different lenses. This could be incredibly useful." "Hello? Did you fall asleep with your eyes open or something?" Maruti waved a hand in front of Esdeath''s face, snapping her out of her thoughts. Esdeath''s expression turned serious as she remembered something important. She straightened up, her tone firm. "Predictor, I need you to take things seriously from now on." Maruti blinked in confusion. "Huh? What''s with the sudden mood change?" Esdeath shook her head, her face solemn. "I''ve been meaning to talk to you about this for a while now, but we kept getting caught up in the mess, Like with the Vanara tribe." She paused for a moment before continuing. "You''ve been treating everything like a joke, like it''s all fun and games. But this isn''t our world anymore. We almost died back there" Her voice was calm but carried a weight that couldn''t be ignored. Maruti''s playful expression faltered slightly. "I mean¡­ I know that, but¡ª" Esdeath cut her off. "No buts. You need to switch into your serious personality, just like you used to back in our world when things got tough. I''m not gonna save you, if you fall in danger. " For a moment, there was silence. Maruti''s usual cheerful and carefree expression vanished, replaced by a blank stare. For the first time, her face turned completely serious. Her gaze carried an intense pressure, like a towering monolith that could crush anyone beneath it. Her eyes appeared hollow, devoid of light, and her expression was filled with an infinite pride that seemed to look down on all living things. Her tone was ice-cold when she spoke. "Let me ask you something. Are you serious?" Esdeath blinked, confused by the sudden shift in mood. "What do you mean by that? I''m always serious¡ª" But before she could finish, Maruti interrupted sharply, her words cutting through like a blade. "Of course you''re not. Not anymore. You used to be so much more serious back then. You never trusted anyone, not even in me. You lived to kill. That''s why the hitman life suited you so well." Maruti''s voice grew heavier, filled with unshakable certainty as she continued. "I was with you for decades, remember? Killing for money, torture, scandals, scams, massacres¡ªwe committed countless crimes together. Even high table was wary of us. Only until you fought with "him" And the very next day, You said you want retirement. She took a step closer to Esdeath, her voice lowering but gaining even more weight. "If I were to sum it up in one sentence, you were the biggest shameless bitch before. But now¡­" She paused, placing her hand lightly over Esdeath''s chest, her gaze unyielding. "It feels like your heart has started beating again. Do you think I wouldn''t notice?" Esdeath remained silent, her expression unreadable. "You''ve gotten a little soft," Maruti continued, her tone sharp. "Now, you fight to survive and defeat, not to kill, It feels like you are now afraid of dying. And if you''re not fighting to kill, then why should I? " The heavy words hung in the air, but they didn''t faze Esdeath. Her face stayed calm, completely emotionless, as she replied with a quiet but firm voice. "Are you disappointed?" Maruti blinked, then let out a small, amused chuckle. Slowly, her lips curled into a smile. "Disappointed? No. I''m actually glad." Her tone softened, and for a moment, the tension in the room eased. "It''s kind of nice seeing you like this for a change." But before Esdeath could react, Maruti''s expression shifted again. Her smile turned wicked, her eyes gleaming with mischief. She leaned in close, her lips almost brushing against Esdeath''s ear as she whispered, "But I do have one question." Esdeath stayed still, her face like a blank canvas. "The change," Maruti murmured, her voice dripping with curiosity. "Is it because of a girl?" No reaction. Esdeath didn''t even blink. "Or¡­ a boy?" Maruti added, her voice teasing and soft. Still, Esdeath''s expression didn''t waver. She gave absolutely nothing away. Maruti smirked and stepped back, her playful demeanor returning as quickly as it had left. "Ah, I see. You''re not going to admit it, huh? Let me predict¡ªit''s a girl, right? Never thought someone who hated romance would fall in love." She laughed lightly as she turned away, her usual carefree grin plastered back on her face. Esdeath finally let out a small snort, folding her arms. "Think whatever you want, " "Think whatever you want," Both said in unison. "I knew you were going to say that! ",Maruti waved her hand dismissively as she moved toward the pile of armors and resources in the room. "Whatever, whatever. Anyway, I''m going to store all Armours, Spears, Sword and other resources in my storage essence stone." She threw a quick glance over her shoulder. "The competition starts tomorrow, and we''ve got to get moving. Let''s go." Competition Begins Today was a day of excitement and anticipation¡ªit was finally the day of the one-on-one duel competition. Hundreds of students flooded the enormous battle arena, their chatter and cheers echoing throughout the colossal structure. This arena was far larger than the academy''s training grounds, boasting ample space for spectators and a vast battlefield that could accommodate even the most intense matches. At the center of the arena''s uppermost section, luxurious seats were arranged for VIPs. Lilith sat in one of the most prominent positions, her commanding aura drawing attention from the surrounding professors and esteemed guests from the royal palace. Their presence added a weight of importance to the event, making it clear that this wasn''t just an ordinary competition. Despite the lively atmosphere, a flicker of concern crossed Lilith''s otherwise composed expression. She glanced at her schedule, then at the arena below, her thoughts momentarily drifting. "The day of the competition has arrived, but there''s still no sign of Esdeath," she thought, her brows furrowing slightly. "If she doesn''t return today, it will cause more trouble than we need." As Lilith pondered, the excitement in the arena grew. Teams that had previously worked together were now split, each student fighting for their own glory. Among the competitors were well-known names that had become the talk of the academy: Ethan, Violet, Kaelith, Claus Clandestine, Corin, Princess Ravenna, and Sylvania. The competition''s rules were straightforward¡ªwinners would advance to the next round, climbing the ranks until they reached the semi-finals and, eventually, the grand final. Losers, however, would be immediately eliminated. The stakes were high, and every duel would be a test of strength, strategy, and determination. At the center of the arena, a confident second-year girl stood tall, holding a microphone-like device that amplified her voice across the space. Her energetic tone cut through the buzz of the crowd, demanding everyone''s attention. "Ladies and gentlemen, the time has come to begin the duel competition!" she announced, her voice carrying an electrifying enthusiasm. "Our first match will feature... "Claus Clandestine" and "Emma Atherton!" The crowd erupted into cheers and applause as the two contestants stepped onto the battlefield from opposite sides. All eyes turned to them, analyzing their every move and expression. Claus, with her striking golden hair and piercing green eyes, walked onto the battlefield with the confidence of someone born for the spotlight. She exuded a quiet strength, her every step radiating poise and control. On the opposite side stood Emma Atherton, Corin''s ex-girlfriend, whose playful smirk betrayed her mischievous nature. She had a very big chest...cough...cough...i mean very big heart, Though her personality could be described as "naughty," her skill in battle was not to be underestimated. Emma had a curvy figure, but more importantly, she was serious right now, She knew she can''t afford to take Claus lightly. Both fighters were striking in their own way, but their combat styles couldn''t have been more different. Claus had an affinity with lightning, known for its speed and destructive power. On the other hand, Emma''s strength lay in her earth affinity¡ªsturdy, unyielding, and resourceful. Despite Emma''s confidence, the crowd murmured with speculation. "No doubt Claus has the advantage. Earth is weak against lightning," someone whispered. "Still, Emma''s no pushover," another added. The referee, the second year girl, stepped forward. Her voice rang out clearly across the arena. "Start!" The duel had begun. Claus stood still, her long sword strapped to her waist, but she made no move to unsheathe it. Her sharp eyes tracked Emma''s every move, her expression calm and calculating. Emma didn''t waste any time. Her face grew serious as she knelt to the ground, placing her palm firmly on the dirt. "I''ll use my trump card right from the start," she muttered. "Mini Stronghold!" A large magic circle glowed beneath her, intricate and brimming with energy. The ground rumbled as dirt and stone rose up, forming a massive castle-like structure around Emma. The stronghold was impressive, its thick walls standing tall and impenetrable. Gasps rippled through the crowd. "Isn''t that the Mini Stronghold formation? An earth-type spell ormation that''s both defensive and offensive!" someone exclaimed. "It''s not just any spell. It uses a dirt modifier, dirt collector essence stone as core, and complex magic formulas to keep itself stable. It''s rare to see someone pull it off so smoothly. Emma must''ve trained hard for this," another added in admiration. Inside the stronghold, Emma''s voice echoed. "Let''s see how long you can keep dodging, Claus!" Magic circles appeared in the air around the fortress, and sharp stone spikes shot out with incredible speed. Swish! Swish! Swish! The spikes flew toward Claus, aiming to pin her down. But Claus didn''t panic. With practiced ease, she dashed in an arc, her movements graceful and swift as she dodged each spike. Her golden hair trailed behind her like a streak of light, her green eyes focused and alert. The spikes kept coming. As soon as one wave ended, another began. Claus snorted in frustration but didn''t lose her composure. "She''s not holding back," Claus muttered under her breath. She stopped momentarily, her gaze locked on the towering stronghold. Some in the crowd wondered why Claus wasn''t attacking. "Why doesn''t she just destroy the stronghold?" someone asked. "She can''t," another explained. "That formation is designed to recover using dirt and stones from the ground. As long as Emma has mana, it''ll keep repairing itself." Claus knew this too well. Destroying the stronghold wasn''t the solution. No matter how much damage she inflicted, the fortress would rebuild itself as long as it had access to the earth. "It''s a battle of endurance," Claus thought, her lips curling into a smirk. "She''s betting I''ll run out of stamina before she runs out of mana. Clever move, but¡­" Claus smirked confidently as she whispered, "Lightning Charge." In an instant, her shoes glowed bright yellow, crackling with flickers of lightning. Energy surged through her legs, and her speed increased dramatically. She became a blur, her movements too fast for the average eye to follow. Gasps echoed through the crowd. "She''s too fast!" someone exclaimed. "I can''t even follow her with my eyes!" another added. In the distant Vanara Tribe, Esdeath had used the same essence stone to mimic this technique. However, Esdeath lacked an affinity for lightning, and while the results were impressive, they were nothing compared to what Claus was now displaying. The raw synergy between her lightning affinity and the essence stone amplified the ability far better than when esdeath used it. Claus dashed around the stronghold, leaving streaks of yellow light in her wake. She moved in a perfect circle, running around the fortress nine times. Each step left crackling sparks on the ground, forming a glowing arc that seemed to trap the stronghold in an electrified ring. Inside, Emma felt the ground tremble under her feet. Panic spread across her face as she realized Claus was preparing for a devastating attack. Claus''s smirk grew wider as she abruptly shifted her path. Instead of circling, she drew a sharp arc and charged directly at the stronghold. Her golden hair trailed behind her like a streak of sunlight, and her green eyes gleamed with confidence. "This is the end!" she shouted, her voice echoing through the arena. S~ea??h the ¦Çov§×lFire .net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Emma''s heart pounded in her chest. She hadn''t expected Claus to attack head-on like this. Desperation flooded her as she raised her hands and focused her mana, commanding the stronghold to form an additional protective layer in front of Claus''s attack. "Come on, come on!" Emma muttered, sweat dripping from her forehead. The walls of dirt and stone began to rise, but the process was slow¡ªtoo slow. Claus was too fast. Before the additional layer could form, Claus leaped high into the air. Her left leg extended forward, every muscle in her body taut with power. "Lightning Crash!" she roared. BOOM! The moment her foot made contact with the stronghold, an explosion of lightning erupted. Sparks flew everywhere, and a deafening crack echoed across the arena. A massive hole appeared in the stronghold, debris flying in all directions. The crowd gasped in awe as Emma''s figure was revealed, her defenses shattered. Her face was pale, and beads of sweat rolled down her forehead. But Claus wasn''t done. Without losing momentum, she darted into the stronghold through the hole she had just created. Her speed remained unstoppable, and in one fluid motion, she delivered a devastating kick to Emma''s abdomen. BAM! The force of the kick sent Emma flying. Her body crashed through the other side of the stronghold, breaking through its weakened walls like paper. She soared through the air before slamming into the lower walls of the arena with a loud thud. The impact left cracks in the arena wall, and Emma''s limp body slid to the ground. She lay motionless, completely unconscious. The crowd erupted into cheers and gasps of disbelief. "Duel ended, Claus clandestine wins", Refree announced. Claus smiled before turning back to get out of the arena. While ethan, Sylvania, Violet also saw the whole battle from the audience''s side, They all had bitter expression. ----------- "Next, Kaelith Maranthia and Valen Vandris!" the referee announced with a clear, loud voice. For a moment, the entire arena fell silent. The crowd: "....." Lilith: "....." Everyone, from the spectators to the dignitaries seated in the luxurious VIP section, had the same thought: What kind of ridiculous bad luck was this? It was like sending a newborn rabbit into a den of lions. Kaelith Maranthia, known for her overwhelming strength and near-invincible aura, was paired against Valen Vandris, a boy with all the confidence of a puppy challenging a dragon. There was no hope. Absolutely none. --- Fifteen Minutes Later "Ahhhhhhh!" Valen let out a desperate roar, his twin daggers gleaming under the arena lights as he launched himself at Kaelith with everything he had left. His face was drenched in sweat, his chest heaving from exertion. The crowd watched in tense silence as his daggers slashed down towards Kaelith''s motionless figure. CLANG! Instead of cutting into her, the daggers shattered into countless pieces upon contact, scattering to the ground like broken glass. Kaelith stood still, her silver hair shimmering under the sunlight, her face blank and unimpressed. She hadn''t moved a single muscle since the duel began, and it was clear she had no intention of doing so. Valen stumbled back, staring at his broken weapons in disbelief. His eyes twitched as he looked up at Kaelith. She didn''t even flinch. She hadn''t dodged. She hadn''t raised a hand. "She didn''t even care." The audience couldn''t suppress their laughter any longer. "This is too cruel!" one student chuckled. "She didn''t even try to defend herself. Poor Valen!" another snickered. Valen''s face turned red with frustration. He clenched his fists, his whole body trembling as tears welled up in his eyes. He had tried everything. Magic attacks, essence stones, physical techniques¡ªnothing had worked. He even attempted to kick her out of sheer desperation earlier, but that only resulted in him hurting his own leg. Now he sat on the ground, utterly defeated, tears streaming down his cheeks as he cried out, "No! I don''t acknowledge this! This is CLEAR cheating! Why?! Why did my opponent have to be this... this monster?!" His sobbing grew louder, his voice cracking in frustration. "It''s unfair! Sob... Sob... This is bullying!" His tear-streaked face, combined with his pitiful cries, only made the scene more comical. The crowd erupted into laughter, and even some of the professors in the VIP section struggled to keep a straight face. Valen''s theatrics continued as he pounded his fists on the ground like a child throwing a tantrum. "I hate this! I quit! Sob... Sob..." The referee, who had been leaning lazily against a pillar, finally straightened up and stretched. "Duel ended," she announced in a monotone voice, clearly unimpressed. "Winner: Kaelith Maranthia." Violet Vs Kartes The duels continued after Kaelith and Valen''s battle, keeping the crowd enthralled. Corin''s match came next, pitting him against another Class A student. It wasn''t even a contest¡ªCorin dominated with ease, leaving his opponent no chance to retaliate. Then it was Ethan''s turn. As soon as the duel started, Ethan showcased his mastery with the sword. Each movement was precise, fluid, and calculated. His blade seemed to dance in the air, striking with purpose and elegance. The audience gasped in awe, utterly captivated. "How is he so skilled?" someone murmured. Unbeknownst to them, Ethan''s skills were the result of countless battles and experiences from his past life. The techniques he displayed weren''t just for show¡ªthey were born from years of practice and survival. His combat instincts and swordsmanship could rival the likes of Maruti and Esdeath. With a final, swift strike, Ethan claimed victory. The crowd erupted into cheers, and Violet jumped up from her seat, clapping enthusiastically. Ethan gave her a small smile, brushing his hair back as he returned to the sidelines. Finally, it was time for the next match¡ªSylvania versus Sestina Clarence, a battle of mages. The air grew tense as the two girls took their positions on the arena stage. Both wielded wands, and the crowd murmured in anticipation. A duel between mages was always a spectacle, showcasing not only raw power but also creativity and skill. "Begin!" the referee announced. Both Sylvania and Sestina immediately raised their wands, their voices ringing out as they chanted spells. Sestina''s choice was clear¡ªshe was forming a *Wind Blade*, its sharp edges promising a decisive strike. But Sylvania was quicker. While Sestina was still halfway through her incantation, Sylvania''s spell was already complete. A translucent ball of water materialized out of thin air, shimmering like liquid glass. With a swift motion of her wand, Sylvania sent the water ball flying toward Sestina. Before Sestina could react, the orb engulfed her head entirely. The effect was instantaneous. Her vision blurred, and she gasped, struggling to breathe. Panic set in as she clawed at the water, but it wouldn''t budge. The lack of oxygen broke her concentration, and her incomplete spell backfired. The backlash sent a sharp jolt of pain through her body, forcing her to stumble backward. In mere seconds, her breaths faltered, and her legs gave out. "Stop!" the referee shouted, stepping forward to intervene. With a wave of her hand, the water dissolved into mist, freeing Sestina. "Sylvania wins!" the referee declared. The crowd burst into applause, amazed by Sylvania''s quick thinking and skill. Sestina was helped off the stage, still coughing and trembling from the ordeal. "Yay! Did you see that, Ethan?" Sylvania''s voice rang out, brimming with excitement. She jumped in the air, her face glowing with pride as she looked toward him in the audience. Ethan smiled warmly, nodding in approval. Violet clapped loudly, her cheers echoing above the crowd. "Sylvania, you''re amazing!" she shouted, her face lighting up with joy. Sylvania beamed, her victory solidifying her as one of the most promising mages in the academy. As the cheers from Sylvania''s victory died down, Violet''s name was called next. The crowd''s excitement reignited as she stepped into the arena. She was up against Kartes, a fellow Class A student. Kartes stood tall with shoulder-length hair and a fierce expression. The scar on his neck added to his intimidating presence. His weapon of choice was a dagger-like sword with a sharp, gleaming tip, perfect for close combat. Kartes often referred to himself as a berserker, relying on brute force and relentless attacks to overpower his opponents. In contrast, Violet entered the arena with a weapon that drew gasps from the crowd¡ªa massive greatsword nearly as tall as her and visibly heavy. She rested it casually on her shoulder as though it weighed nothing. But the secret lay in her magic. Using her gravity magic, Violet manipulated the sword''s weight, making it light enough for her to wield effortlessly. Of course, the real power of her greatsword was revealed when it struck an enemy, as the gravity magic ensured it hit with devastating force. "Begin!" the referee announced. Kartes wasted no time. He charged forward like a bull, his dagger-like sword gleaming in the sunlight. But it wasn''t just blind aggression; Kartes was smart. He knew Violet''s gravity magic gave her a clear advantage in prolonged battles. He needed to close the distance and end this quickly. Violet, however, was prepared. "Gravio, 10x!" she shouted, her voice steady and confident. An invisible force surged through the air, and Kartes suddenly felt like the weight of the world was pressing down on him. His knees buckled, and he crashed to the ground, gasping for breath. But Kartes wasn''t one to give up easily. He roared in defiance, veins bulging on his neck as he gritted his teeth. With sheer willpower, he forced himself to stand, taking shaky but determined steps toward Violet. Then the pressure vanished. Kartes froze for a moment, realizing what had happened. "Heh... I see," he said, a smirk forming on his lips. "You can''t manipulate gravity across the whole field, can you? You''re just targeting small areas." Violet didn''t respond. She simply smiled¡ªa quiet, confident smile. Raising her greatsword, she charged forward, her boots kicking up dust. The crowd held their breath as the two fighters rushed toward each other. "No more tricks, huh?" Kartes taunted, tightening his grip on his weapon as he prepared to strike. But just as their weapons were about to clash, Violet jumped. "Zero gravity!" she shouted, her voice echoing through the arena. Kartes''s eyes widened in surprise as Violet soared into the air, higher than anyone expected¡ªnearly 2.5 meters above the ground. Her zero-gravity spell allowed her to defy physics, making her movements both unpredictable and swift. Kartes''s attack missed entirely, and he looked up, realizing he had fallen into her trap. "Graviol, 20x!" Violet yelled, her voice filled with determination. At that moment, the gravity around her body and sword multiplied by twenty times. Her descent was rapid, like a meteor hurtling toward the earth. The sheer speed and force were terrifying to behold. Kartes gritted his teeth, refusing to back down. He planted his feet firmly on the ground, raising his dagger-like sword to block her strike. **BAM!** The clash sent shockwaves rippling across the arena. The ground beneath Kartes cracked from the raw energy of Violet''s attack. Dust and debris flew into the air, obscuring the fighters for a moment. When the dust settled, Kartes was still standing, but his knees were trembling, and sweat dripped down his face. The strain of holding back Violet''s immense power was evident. The crowd erupted into cheers and gasps, amazed by the display of skill and strength from both combatants. Kartes clenched his teeth, his arms trembling as he struggled to hold his ground. Violet''s power was far greater than he''d anticipated, but he refused to give up. With a roar, he pushed back against her greatsword and managed to shove her away, creating some distance. He took a deep breath, his eyes sharp and calculating now. "You''ve got some tricks, Violet," Kartes admitted, spinning his blade with renewed focus. "But let''s see how you handle this!" He lunged again, his movements quicker this time. Violet narrowed her eyes, watching him carefully. She didn''t react immediately, allowing Kartes to close the distance. Just as he was about to strike, she smirked. "Gravio: Inverse!" At once, the gravity around Kartes flipped, pulling him upward instead of holding him down. His body lifted off the ground uncontrollably, his arms flailing as he tried to regain balance. "What the¡ª?!" Kartes yelled, his face a mix of shock and frustration. Violet didn''t give him a chance to recover. She slammed her greatsword into the ground, using her magic to propel herself upward like a rocket. Within seconds, she was face-to-face with the floating Kartes. "You''re not the only one who can fight up close," Violet said with a grin. "Gravio: 5x!" she shouted, increasing the gravity on her own body slightly to add weight to her swing. Her greatsword moved like a thunderous arc, slamming into Kartes''s weapon. sea??h th§× ¦Çov§×lFire .net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. The force of her strike sent Kartes spinning through the air, but Violet wasn''t done. She quickly adjusted the gravity field again. "Gravio: Zero!" Her body became weightless, allowing her to dart through the air with precision. She appeared behind Kartes in an instant, her greatsword poised for another attack. Kartes managed to block her swing, but the impact was too much. His weapon was knocked from his hands, and he crashed to the ground as Violet canceled the inverse gravity spell. The audience gasped as Kartes struggled to get back on his feet, but Violet didn''t let him. "Gravio: Full Force!" she shouted, slamming her greatsword into the ground. A localized wave of gravity pulsed outward, pinning Kartes to the ground with a crushing force. He groaned, his body unable to move under the intense pressure. His fingers twitched, but he knew it was over. "Winner: Violet Vondarion!" the referee announced. The gravity field vanished, and Violet rested her greatsword on her shoulder, flashing a confident smile toward the audience. She glanced at Ethan, who was cheering from the stands, and gave him a small wave. "Well, that was fun," she said, turning to Kartes. "You put up a good fight, but gravity''s on my side." Kartes chuckled weakly. "Yeah... no kidding." ------------ "The next is Esdeath Crimson From Class B versus Gilbert Rhe from Class A", Refree Announced. The referee¡¯s voice boomed across the arena, announcing the next match. All eyes turned to the stage as Gilbert Rhe made his entrance. His massive frame, standing at an imposing 6.5 feet tall, commanded attention. His bulky body, thick arms, and round belly gave him a menacing presence, while his bald head gleamed under the sun. Despite his average-looking face, Gilbert was well-known among his peers in Class A. His title, "Magic Lover," was a testament to his dedication to raw magic. Unlike many others, he refused to rely on essence stones, firmly believing that magic alone surpassed all other forms of power. He entered the arena with heavy, deliberate steps, each one sending faint vibrations through the ground. Excitement gleamed in his eyes as he flexed his gauntlets, his chosen weapon. The crowd murmured in anticipation. The referee called again, asking Esdeath Crimson to step forward. A wave of anticipation washed over the crowd. By now, nearly everyone had heard of Esdeath and Maruti''s incredible performance during the First Round of competition. They were the duo who had managed to outsmart the academy¡¯s top students, including Ethan, Violet, and Sylvania. They had even defeated the prodigious Kaelith, and more notably, the high-status Princess Ravenna. The audience sat in eager silence, every eye on the arena, waiting for Esdeath¡¯s appearance. Her reputation had already spread like wildfire, and now, her moment to prove her strength was here. The referee''s voice broke the silence once more, but this time, there was an edge to the announcement. "Esdeath Crimson, if you do not step into the arena, Gilbert will be declared the winner by default!" Then, out of the shadows, a figure emerged. The crowd¡¯s murmurs stopped as Esdeath Crimson stepped onto the arena. Her presence was cold, eerie, and unshakable. Her long, jet-black hair fell freely behind her, framing her pale white skin that almost seemed too delicate for sunlight. Crimson eyes burned with a quiet intensity, their gaze unyielding as they locked onto Gilbert. Why the rush?¡± she said with a smile that didn¡¯t quite reach her eyes. ¡°I¡¯m going to win anyway.¡± CQC Selene''s wide eyes sparkled with excitement as she looked around the arena. Her tiny hands gripped Maruti''s head as she sat on her shoulders, marveling at the sea of colors in the crowd. "Woah¡­ so many people with different hair colors!" she exclaimed, her voice filled with childlike wonder. Maruti sighed, glancing up at the little girl perched on her shoulders. "Why are you so surprised? Didn''t you see plenty of people when we were on our way here?" she replied, her tone slightly exasperated. The arena was bustling with energy, divided neatly into three distinct sections. The center section was the most prestigious, reserved for high-status individuals. At the very top, special luxury seats gleamed, reserved for Lilith and other royals. The air around them felt distant and unreachable, a clear distinction between them and the rest of the audience. The second section catered to the academy''s students and the wealthy. Rows of comfortable seats lined this area, occupied by neatly dressed nobles and merchants who had paid a hefty fee to witness the battles. For them, this was a thrilling form of entertainment, and their contributions helped fund the academy. The last section, at the bottom, was vastly different. It was a crowded standing area filled with commoners and non-awakened individuals. The fee to enter was low, allowing ordinary people a glimpse of the extraordinary world of battles. Yet, they had no seats to rest on and stood shoulder to shoulder, craning their necks to see the action. For many, this was a rare opportunity to witness power they could only dream of. Among the sea of commoners stood Maruti, towering over everyone else in her section. Her tall frame made her stand out, but she didn''t seem to care. Sitting on her shoulders, Selene gleefully scanned the arena, her small hand steadying herself on Maruti''s head. "Aunt, which one of them is my daddy?" Selene suddenly asked, her voice curious and filled with innocence. Maruti rolled her eyes and sighed deeply. Her pupils darted upward to glance at the child. "I already told you, none of them is your daddy. Why do you ask so many questions?" she muttered. Selene puffed her cheeks slightly, undeterred. "Hmm¡­ figured. I have black and white hair, and Mother has black hair. So, my daddy must have white hair!" she declared confidently, nodding to herself as if she had solved a grand mystery. Maruti froze for a moment, the words sinking in. Her mind wandered to Kaelith, whose silver-white hair matched Selene''s description perfectly. "Now that I think about it¡­ Kaelith does have white hair¡­" she thought, her lips twitching slightly at the realization. Her gaze softened as she looked at Selene. "This kid is smarter than she looks," Maruti mused, feeling a mix of admiration and exasperation. ------------------ "Why the rush?" Esdeath asked, a playful smile curling on her lips. Yet her eyes remained cold and unfeeling, sending chills down anyone who dared to meet her gaze. "I''m going to win anyway." Her voice was casual, almost bored, as if this match wasn''t worth her time. She was wearing her usual academy uniform, though, true to her personality, she had styled it in her own daring way¡ªcarefree and almost provocative. The outfit clung to her figure in ways that made heads turn, but Esdeath didn''t care about the attention. From the royal seating above, Lilith let out a long sigh of relief as she watched Esdeath enter the arena. "Hah... thank the gods. My problem is finally over," she muttered to herself, slumping slightly in her chair. Esdeath had been missing for the past week, and her absence had caused chaos in the academy. Lortell, ever the unpredictable force, had threatened Lilith herself. She had made it very clear that if the academy didn''t find Esdeath within ten days, she would personally turn the campus into a bloodbath. And knowing Lortell''s reputation, Lilith had no doubt she would follow through with the threat. But now, seeing Esdeath safe, sound, and radiating power, Lilith felt like a heavy weight had been lifted off her shoulders. For now, at least, peace was restored. The referee''s voice echoed across the arena. "Take your positions! Start when I say start!" All eyes were on Esdeath and her opponent, Gilbert. The crowd was buzzing with anticipation, their curiosity piqued. Was Esdeath all talk and no substance? Was her reputation as a top-tier combatant well-earned, or was it just because of her physical prowess in non-magic scenarios? The referee raised her hand high into the air. "Start!" she shouted, and the match officially began. Gilbert wasted no time. The moment the signal was given, he began chanting spells at lightning speed. "Physical Strength Boost! Greater Physical Strength Boost! Magic Boost! Magic Boost!" As he chanted, a faint glow surrounded him, signaling the effects of his buffs. Boosting magic didn''t take as long to cast as elemental spells, but it came with its own challenges¡ªit drained a lot of mana. However, Gilbert had prepared in advance. He had consumed several mana-enhancing potions before the match, temporarily expanding his mana pool. He looked confident, assured that his preparation would lead him to victory. Meanwhile, Esdeath didn''t move. She didn''t chant or raise her hands. She simply stood there, her cold gaze fixed on Gilbert. Her red eyes burned with an intensity that made even the bravest onlookers shudder. For some reason, just looking at Gilbert filled her with irritation¡ªno, anger. She couldn''t quite place why at first, but then it hit her. Gilbert''s tall, bulky frame reminded her of someone she hated¡ªUjjain. The memories came flooding back. Ujjain, the man who had nearly killed both her and Maruti. His towering figure and arrogant demeanor. She had defeated him in the end, but the victory hadn''t been enough to satisfy her. His death had been too quick, too merciful. Now, seeing Gilbert, something inside Esdeath snapped. He wasn''t Ujjain, but the resemblance was close enough to ignite a storm of fury within her. After all the boosts, Gilbert roared as he charged at Esdeath. "Purgatory Dash!" he bellowed. At once, two magic circles appeared beneath his feet, glowing brightly. His body shot forward like a bullet, dashing through the air and closing the distance toward Esdeath at a frightening speed. S§×ar?h the N?velFire(.)net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. But then¡ª As if time itself had slowed down¡­ And then¡ª Esdeath slowly shifted her posture, her movements sharp and deliberate as she took a stance that looked deceptively simple but exuded overwhelming intent. It was "Close Quarters Combat"¡ªCQC¡ªa stance refined for direct, brutal efficiency. Her body crouched slightly, knees bent for balance, with one hand positioned close to her face while the other hovered in front, prepared to strike or defend. Her stance was reminiscent of a predator moments before it lunged for the kill, muscles tensed and ready. The world around her started to fade into darkness, as though the arena itself was being swallowed whole. The ground beneath her feet turned pitch black, rippling like a river of endless void. Perfect white circles, sharp and glowing, appeared at measured distances on the ground, radiating outward like ripples in still water. The circles pulsed faintly, creating a stark contrast against the inky blackness. The noise of the crowd¡ªthe cheering, the gasping, the murmuring¡ªfaded into nothingness. Silence fell over her ears, leaving her with only the steady rhythm of her own breathing. In this silent void, Esdeath''s mind sharpened to an edge. The circles beneath her became her battlefield¡ªimaginary yet absolute. They represented control, precision, and her dominance over the space. Her crimson eyes flickered, glowing faintly in the darkened illusion she created. There was no hesitation, no wasted energy. Only the calm, focused silence of a storm about to unleash itself. From above, to those watching, Esdeath looked like she had melded with something unworldly. Lilith, sitting at the topmost luxury seats, gasped sharply. "That stance¡­ CQC?" Her voice carried just enough to startle the nearby professors. One by one, their gazes locked on Esdeath, and recognition dawned. "CQC?!" murmured several teachers in shock, their eyes widening. The crowd, though unaware of the full significance, could sense something ominous. All eyes turned to Gilbert, who was still in midair, charging straight toward Esdeath. But his expression had changed. The confident smirk he wore moments ago had vanished. His eyes were wide, pupils trembling, as a sickening dread crawled up his spine. *"Why? Why do I feel so scared? I''m fine¡­ I''m completely fine¡­ But why?"* Gilbert''s thoughts raced, his breathing quickening. Sweat began to bead on his forehead, trickling down his face. *"Am I going to die? This is a match, right? Someone¡­ Save me¡­ Please¡­"* Then¡ª Swish.... BAM!.. Srrrk¡­ A series of sharp sounds exploded across the arena, so fast they merged into one blinding moment. Shockwaves rippled outward, strong enough to make some spectators shut their eyes and clutch their ears. When they opened their eyes again¡ª A thud. Gilbert was on the ground, collapsed in a heap. His entire body was drenched in sweat, his limbs trembling violently. But more importantly, he was alive. Not a single scratch marred his body. The arena fell into stunned silence. Confusion flickered across the faces of the crowd as their eyes darted toward Esdeath. And there she stood¡ªcompletely still¡ªbut surrounded. Lilith''s hand was clamped around Esdeath''s neck, her face pale and strained. Two professors flanked her sides, blocking her arms from moving, while three female teachers hovered around her with grim expressions, ready to intervene again if needed. It was clear to everyone who could process the moment: They had stopped Esdeath just in time. Had they been a second late¡­ Gilbert would have been dead. Lilith exhaled shakily, though she tried to maintain her composure. She gave Esdeath a forced smile, but her voice betrayed her unease. "Too bad, but killing isn''t allowed," she said bitterly, as if trying to make light of the situation. She released her grip and stepped back. "You''ve been given a warning, Esdeath Crimson. If you try something like this again, you''ll be disqualified. Oh, and¡­ meet me in my office later." Before anyone could blink, Lilith was already gone, returning to her seat with a flicker of movement, as though she had teleported. The other professors and teachers withdrew as well, leaving Esdeath standing alone once more. The referee finally raised her hand, clearing her throat with a shaky voice. "Esdeath Crimson from Class B wins!" she announced, though her voice carried a hint of disbelief. Gilbert, still trembling, didn''t argue. He stood up as quickly as his shaking legs would allow, nodded weakly, and left the arena without a single word. The crowd watched him go in stunned silence. Then, as though someone had flipped a switch, the arena erupted into cheers. The audience roared with excitement, their voices echoing throughout the massive space. None of them understood exactly what had happened, but they could sense it had been extraordinary. From the side, Ethan''s expression darkened. Unlike the others, he wasn''t cheering. Instead, his sharp eyes were locked on Esdeath, his brows furrowed in thought. "How does she know so many ancient martial arts? Who even teaches CQC anymore? Something''s not right about her¡­ There''s something fishy going on." Meanwhile, Esdeath stood in the center of the arena, completely unbothered by the chaos she had caused. "Tch¡­ fucking lolicon," she muttered under her breath as she leaves. -------------- After the previous duel, the atmosphere in the arena slowly settled back to normal. The referee stepped forward, raising her voice to announce the next match. "Next match, Maruti from Class B versus Mariah Adler from Class B!" Cheers and murmurs rippled through the crowd, but Esdeath didn''t stay to watch. She quietly pulled Selene with her, disappearing from the arena. Her movements were deliberate, avoiding unnecessary attention. Esdeath wasn''t about to take the risk of someone spotting her with Selene. Meanwhile, Maruti entered the arena with a carefree attitude, cracking her knuckles as she prepared for the fight. However, the crowd''s focus wasn''t entirely on her¡ªthey were distracted by whispers and subtle glances toward her opponent''s absence. Maruti frowned as the seconds ticked by, glancing toward the other side of the arena where her opponent was supposed to appear. But no one came. The referee waited a few moments, her voice echoing as she called out again, "Mariah Adler, if you do not come, Maruti will be declared the winner by default!" The arena fell into a tense silence, eyes darting to the entrance. But still, there was no sign of Mariah Adler. --- Away from the arena, a teacher approached Lilith, her face pale and grim. She leaned close to the vice principal, her voice a low, urgent whisper. "Vice Principal, a serious problem has occurred. We found three more bodies of academy students¡­ two boys and one girl." Lilith''s sharp eyes turned to her in shock. "Three more?" The teacher hesitated, as if reluctant to continue. "I''m afraid¡­ the girl is Mariah Adler." Lilith froze, her body rigid as the weight of the words hit her. First Bella, and now this. Four students¡ªdead. "Who¡­?" Lilith''s mind raced with thoughts. "Who would dare kill academy students one after another?" A mix of fury and dread simmered in her chest. Her expression remained composed, but inside, the anger was boiling. Taking a long breath to steady herself, she rose from her seat, her calm voice barely masking her frustration. "Okay, I''m coming." The teacher nodded, leading Lilith out of the arena. --- Back in the arena, the referee''s voice rang out, snapping the crowd''s attention back to the match. "Maruti from Class B wins by default!" Maruti blinked in surprise, scratching the back of her head. "Well¡­ that was unexpected," she muttered under her breath before shrugging and leaving the arena. --- The day continued as more matches unfolded, the energy in the arena rising and falling like waves. Princess Ravenna''s match was one of the highlights, and, as expected, the elegant and powerful princess claimed an effortless victory. As the matches wrapped up and the sun began to dip toward the horizon, the crowd grew restless, worn from the excitement of the day. The sky turned orange, signaling the arrival of evening. The referee stepped forward one last time, raising her hands to quiet the crowd. "That''s it for today! All winners will proceed to tomorrow''s matches. With that, today''s event officially comes to an end. Thank you, and have a good evening!" A mix of cheers and tired sighs echoed across the arena as students and spectators began to file out. Mental Trauma Ancient Arts¡ªwhat are they, really? If explained simply, they are the same as the martial arts from the modern world¡ªstyles like kung fu, boxing, karate, jeet kune do, aikido, and others. The only difference between them and what exists now is time. In the world of Free Life Fantasy (FLF), martial arts were once widespread, something nearly every fighter knew to some degree. But this raises an important question: Why would anyone need martial arts when they have mana, essence stones, and powerful magic? The answer lies in the ancient times. First of all, during those times, magic wasn''t something people could easily perform. While a few exceptional individuals, like the legendary Savitri Seraphine, could wield magic, they were extremely rare. The common people relied heavily on essence stones. The second reason was the rarity of awakened individuals. In the present day, about two out of ten people becomes an awakened¡ªblessed with natural talents to use mana and abilities. But back in the ancient era, things were drastically different. The ratio wasn''t two in ten; it was closer to four or five out of a thousand. Awakened individuals were so rare that they were often misunderstood. In some regions, they were feared, treated as curses or as the puppets of some evil god. Healers, for example¡ªwho are highly respected and essential in the present day¡ªwere often shunned back then. Instead of being praised, they were seen as strange and dangerous. Many were mistreated or cast out of their communities. Because of these circumstances, martial arts flourished. People didn''t have mana to rely on, and awakening was rare. So, they developed their bodies, their skills, and their techniques to survive and fight. Masters of martial arts were seen as legends, their skills passed down through generations. But over time, as the number of awakened individuals increased and magic became more common, the need for martial arts faded. Mana and magic were easier to use and far more destructive. Why spend years training your body when magic could destroy mountains in seconds? By the present day, those skilled martial arts became almost extinct. Very few people even knew of their existence, let alone practiced them. Someone like Lilith, for example, barely knows two or three martial arts styles¡ªnot that she ever needs them. With her overwhelming strength and magic, martial arts seem outdated and unnecessary. This is why, when people saw Esdeath and Maruti using ancient martial arts, they were completely shocked. How could two teenage girls¡ªwho should have been born in an age dominated by magic¡ªknow these ancient, forgotten techniques? But was this enough reason for everyone to be wary of Esdeath and Maruti? "So what if they know some ancient martial arts? Who cares?" That''s what most people thought. Martial arts, after all, couldn''t possibly compare to the power of magic¡ªright? Wrong! Everyone held that belief until one man changed it all: Xing Liang, the legendary beastman known as the "Martial God" or "The One Who Walked the Path of Taoism." Xing Liang was born during the same era as the hero who went to fight the demon king. But what made him truly unique was how he revolutionized combat. He didn''t just rely on martial arts¡ªhe merged them with essence stones and magic, creating deadly killer moves and powerful combos. His name became legendary, and his feats shook the world. One of the most famous achievements in history was Xing Liang defeating a Rank S awakened when he himself was only Rank A. To put this in perspective: the gap between Rank A and Rank S was enormous. A Rank A was like a small hill, while a Rank S was like a towering mountain. A Rank A could be compared to a river, but a Rank S was like the ocean. It was said to be impossible to cross that gap. But Xing Liang did it. His martial techniques were deadly, precise, and unmatched. Among all of them, the one that struck fear into the hearts of anyone who witnessed it was "CQC"¡ªa combat technique that allowed him to overwhelm even the most powerful opponents at close range. And there was one person alive who witnessed this firsthand: Lilith. It had been two hundred years since then, but the memory of Xing Liang and his "CQC" was still fresh in Lilith''s mind. Back then, she had been part of the hero''s party alongside Xing Liang. They had traveled together, fought alongside each other, and witnessed each other''s growth. Everyone else from that time had long passed away, but Lilith remained¡ªforever carrying the weight of that memory. So, when Lilith saw Esdeath''s stance¡ªwhen she recognized the unmistakable technique of CQC¡ªShe panicked. Of course, Esdeath''s version of CQC was countless times weaker than Xing Liang''s. But even so, it was still dangerous. It was sharp, precise, and lethal. If Lilith hadn''t intervened, Gilbert would have died on the spot. With no other choice, Lilith stepped in to stop Esdeath''s attack. ------------------ When Maruti went for her match, Esdeath didn''t stand around to watch. Without wasting a moment, she grabbed Selene and left the arena. There were two reasons for this. First, Esdeath didn''t want anyone to see her with Selene. If anyone found out, it could cause unnecessary trouble. Second, most of the academy was empty during the competition, making it the perfect chance to take Selene to her room unnoticed. Her old roommate, Luna, was long gone¡ªkilled by Esdeath''s hands. With no one around to witness her actions, it was easier to hide Selene. In fact, this was one of the reasons Esdeath wanted to win the first round of the competition and get into **Class A**. The reward for Class A students was a **personal room**, and Esdeath needed it. A private room meant safety¡ªshe could hide Selene there without anyone knowing. For now, Esdeath left Selene in the room. "Stay here quietly and don''t make any noise," she ordered. To keep Selene occupied, she handed her a book. "Read this. I''ll be back soon." Selene nodded, her innocent eyes looking up at Esdeath, trusting her completely. --- Both Esdeath and Maruti were now walking through the academy halls. Their destination was Vice Principal Lilith''s office. "We''re going to demand our personal rooms now that we''re in Class A," Esdeath said firmly. "And before anyone sees Selene, we''ll take her to the new room." Maruti, however, had other things on her mind. "But won''t Lilith ask a bunch of annoying questions? Like where we disappeared to during the matches, why we''re using ancient martial arts, and all that crap? Ugh, it''s gonna be such a pain!" Maruti sighed heavily, clearly not thrilled about the idea. Esdeath, as usual, didn''t seem to care. She shrugged. "It''s nothing. We''ll deal with it when it happens." Maruti rolled her eyes, mumbling something under her breath, but kept walking beside Esdeath. They were moving quickly, determined to get to their destination¡ª Until a familiar voice echoed through the empty halls. "Esdeathhh¡­" The sound of her name froze Esdeath in her tracks. Her footsteps stopped immediately. Her heart skipped a beat. That voice¡ª It was familiar. Very familiar. Esdeath''s eyes widened as she turned her head sharply to look behind her. "Mid-boss?" It was none other than Lortell Mariette. Lortell had returned from her journey earlier than expected. Behind her walked her head maid, slowly and silently, her gaze fixed on the floor. Lortell didn''t say a word. Instead, she ran toward Esdeath without hesitation. Before Esdeath could react, Lortell''s arms wrapped around her tightly, pulling her into a hug. Lortell was so tall that she had to bend down slightly, hugging Esdeath around her chest. Esdeath''s entire body stiffened. "...¡­" Her mind went completely blank. She had been preparing herself for this moment, telling herself she''d act calm and composed when she saw Lortell again. But reality hit her much harder than she expected. The overwhelming flood of emotions¡ªthe secret love she held for Lortell¡ªwas unbearable. Her heart pounded wildly in her chest as if it would burst. S~ea??h the NovelFire.net* website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Instinctively, her arms moved on their own. She hugged Lortell back, holding her just as tightly. Time seemed to freeze around them. Esdeath closed her eyes for a brief moment, trying to hold back the emotions threatening to spill over. "Lortell¡­" She didn''t say more. She couldn''t. Lortell''s warmth, her presence, the way she clung to Esdeath¡ªit was too much. "What the fuck is happening?" Maruti muttered under her breath, completely puzzled. She knew who Lortell Mariette was. Everyone did. But this was her first time seeing the legendary arch-duke''s daughter in person. Lortell''s elegance, her overwhelming presence¡ªit was like standing in front of royalty. But that wasn''t even the strangest part. What truly baffled Maruti was Esdeath''s reaction. Esdeath, the girl who treated everything and everyone like a joke, was standing there frozen like a child caught doing something wrong. Not once had Esdeath even mentioned that she and Lortell knew each other. The situation was beyond awkward. Maruti glanced between them, her mind racing. "Is this real? Did I miss something huge?!" --- Lortell finally pulled back a little, just enough to look Esdeath directly in the eyes. Her face held a slightly annoyed expression, but there was also a faint trace of concern. "Why did you go out of the academy like that?" Lortell scolded gently, though her tone was firm. "Do you know how worried I was? What if something happened to you?" Esdeath panicked. Her heart started beating faster as she scrambled to come up with an excuse¡ªanything to get her out of trouble. "I¡ªI was just¡ª" But Lortell didn''t give her a chance to finish. "And," Lortell continued, her gaze narrowing, "I heard you started smoking?" Esdeath froze. Her eyes widened in shock, and she immediately started waving her hands in denial. "W-What? No! Absolutely not! I don''t smoke! Who even told you that?!" she stammered, her voice rising in panic. She looked away, unable to hold Lortell''s piercing gaze. It was so obvious she was lying that even Maruti facepalmed from the side. But instead of pressing further, Lortell simply smiled softly. "It''s okay. I believe in you," she said, her voice gentle. Esdeath blinked in surprise. That smile¡ªLortell''s calm, forgiving smile¡ªmade her chest tighten. --- Lortell''s gaze shifted downward, and her expression quickly turned into one of disapproval. She clicked her tongue softly. "Tch, tch¡­ What have you made yourself into?" Esdeath flinched slightly, unsure of what Lortell meant until¡ª Without waiting for permission, Lortell reached forward and started fixing Esdeath''s messy uniform. Her shirt''s top button was undone, offering an obvious glimpse of her cleavage. Her tie hung loosely, and her skirt barely covered half her thighs, looking unkempt and improper. Lortell sighed as she began closing the buttons of Esdeath''s shirt, her movements both careful and precise. "Don''t show your skin so much," Lortell said, her voice soft but serious. "I can''t bear to see someone laying their dirty gazes on you." She adjusted Esdeath''s tie, smoothing it out until it was perfectly straight. Finally, she tugged at Esdeath''s skirt, pulling it down to make her look like a neat and proper student. Esdeath stood there completely still, her face bright red and her heart pounding so loudly it felt like it would burst. --- Maruti, standing off to the side, watched the whole thing with her jaw hanging open. "Is this really happening?" she thought, stunned. From what she knew, there were two basic rules when dealing with Esdeath, also known as "Fable." 1. Never tell Fable what to do. 2. Always remember the first rule. Maruti had been fully prepared to see Lortell get roasted for daring to scold and fix Esdeath''s clothes. After all, Esdeath didn''t take orders from anyone¡ªlet alone let someone boss her around like this. But the reality? The complete opposite happened. Maruti couldn''t believe her eyes. Esdeath, the ruthless and fearless Esdeath, had her hands pressed against her cheeks. Her entire face was bright red, almost glowing. Her sparkling eyes looked like fireflies in the night, filled with a mix of embarrassment and wonder. It was like she was trying to hide her face, as though Lortell''s words and actions had struck her too deeply. Then, in a small, barely audible voice, Esdeath spoke. "...The thing you said earlier¡­Were you really¡­ worried about me?"she whispered, her voice trembling Her tone was soft, almost fragile¡ªso unlike her usual self. Maruti''s mouth fell open even further, her eyes practically bulging out of her skull. "Eh?... EHHHHHHHHHHHH?!" The sound echoed through the hallway like a broken trumpet. Her brain short-circuited. For a moment, she just stood there frozen¡ªeyes wide, jaw slack, as if it were about to hit the floor. There was no doubt about it. She had just taken mental trauma. Princess Like Treatment "What the hell is happening? Am I dreaming? Am I dead? This must be hell!" Maruti thought, her mind spinning in disbelief. Her surroundings didn''t make sense, and Lortell''s piercing gaze only made her feel more out of place. Lortell looked at Maruti with narrowed eyes, her expression cold yet sharp. "So, you''re Maruti? Her new friend?" she asked, her tone laced with something unreadable¡ªannoyance, perhaps. "Umm¡­ yes?" Maruti replied hesitantly, her voice shaking. She had no idea what was going on and said the first thing that came to her mind without thinking. Lortell''s face twisted slightly, a flicker of annoyance and jealousy passing through her usually composed features. Her pale, slender fingers twitched, and she muttered under her breath, "Her childhood friend is here, so now she doesn''t need any external friends." Before Maruti could process those words, a glowing magic circle appeared beneath her feet, humming with energy. "C-childhood frien¨C?" she managed to blurt out, her eyes widening in panic. But before she could finish the sentence, swish! The magic circle activated, and in an instant, Maruti vanished, teleported somewhere far away within the academy. She turned her attention back to Esdeath, her entire demeanor shifting. The cold edge disappeared, replaced with warmth and concern. "Of course I was worried about you," Lortell said gently, offering a rare, soft smile. "Let''s go eat something. You must be starving." Esdeath blinked, still reeling from everything that had just happened. "W-worried?" she muttered under her breath, her cheeks heating up. Then Lortell finally stood up straight, and Esdeath felt her breath catch in her throat. When Lortell had hugged her earlier, she had bent down slightly, their faces close as though they were equals. But now that she stood at her full height, Esdeath realized how *tall* she really was. Lortell towered over her with an elegant grace, her long legs and straight posture making her seem almost statuesque. Esdeath was considered an average height for a girl, but compared to Lortell, she barely reached her shoulders. When they had first met, Esdeath had been too overwhelmed by her emotions¡ªby Lortell''s beauty, by the intensity of the moment¡ªto notice such details. She had assumed Lortell''s height was similar to Maruti''s. But standing here now, it was impossible not to see the difference. A strange mix of awe and embarrassment filled Esdeath. She didn''t know whether to feel intimidated or flustered. "How can someone look this perfect?" But love, they say, is blind. It doesn''t care about who is tall and who is short. It doesn''t care about anything but the connection between two hearts. Esdeath smiled shyly, brushing her hair behind her ear. "Y-yes, let''s go!" she stammered, her voice softer than she intended. Lortell''s expression softened further, her calm mask slipping just a little as she gazed at Esdeath. Without any warning, she stepped forward, bent down, and effortlessly lifted Esdeath into her arms. "Wha¨C? Huh??" Esdeath''s eyes widened in disbelief, her voice a squeak of surprise. Before she could protest, she found herself cradled like a princess¡ªLortell''s arms steady and strong as if carrying her weight was nothing. Esdeath''s already flushed face turned a deeper shade of crimson, her entire body going stiff. "W-what are you doing!?" she stammered, her voice cracking in embarrassment. "What if you walk and get a stain?" Lortell replied smoothly, her tone calm and full of twisted logic. "I''ll take you there myself." But anyone who knew Lortell could tell this was an outright lie. The truth was far simpler¡ªLortell just wanted to touch Esdeath as much as possible. On the outside, Lortell''s expression remained serene and dominating, but inside, her thoughts were in chaos. "Oh my god¡­ oh my god¡­ I can feel her¡­"Lortell''s fingers twitched against Esdeath''s soft form, her self-control barely holding. ""I want to grab her butt¡ªno, squeeze her¡ªwait, no! Control, Lortell, control! You can''t make the same mistake as ten years ago!"" she scolded herself internally, her face remaining the picture of calm. Meanwhile, Esdeath could barely breathe, the heat rising in her cheeks spreading throughout her entire body. Her hands clung nervously to Lortell''s shoulders as her heart raced. Esdeath thought, stunned. "I-I think this might be the best day of my life!" Trailing behind them was Lortell''s ever-loyal head maid, Lorraine, who watched the scene unfold with a mix of disbelief and concern. "Lady Mariette has truly lost it," Lorraine thought, her brow furrowing as she followed. "This poor girl must be overwhelmed by the situation¡­ I have to find a way to help her!" As Lortell walked through the academy halls, holding Esdeath in her arms with ease, students stopped in their tracks, their jaws practically hitting the floor. Wide-eyed and stunned, they stared, trying to make sense of what they were seeing. "What the hell is happening?" one student whispered, his voice trembling. "Is Lady Mariette carrying that girl¡­ like a bride? Wait a minute,Is that esdeath crimson?" "I can''t believe my eyes¡­!" "Who is she to Lady Mariette?" The whispers grew louder, but neither Lortell nor Esdeath paid the slightest attention to them. It was as if the rest of the world didn''t exist. Esdeath, on the other hand, tried to keep her head down, her face still burning with embarrassment. She could feel the curious eyes on her, but she didn''t dare look around. Finally, after what felt like an eternity to Esdeath, they reached the cafeteria. Lortell gently set her down, her movements so careful it was almost tender. Esdeath wobbled slightly when her feet touched the ground, but she quickly steadied herself, avoiding Lortell''s gaze. The entire cafeteria had fallen silent. Every pair of eyes was glued to the two of them. Sear?h the N?velFire(.)net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. But Lortell didn''t care. She dusted her hands off as if this was the most natural thing in the world, completely ignoring the crowd''s baffled stares. "Hehehe¡­ after years of waiting, I finally held Esdeath in my arms," Lortell thought to herself, a satisfied grin tugging at the corners of her lips. "It''s only a matter of time before I explore every inch of her body¡­" Lortell casually sat down on a chair in the cafeteria, leaning back as if she owned the place¡ªwhich, in a way, she did. Without hesitation, she crossed one leg over the other and patted her thigh before turning to Esdeath with a calm but commanding smile. "Here. Sit on my thigh. I''ll feed you with my own hands," she said, her tone leaving no room for argument. Esdeath blinked, her eyes widening in disbelief. "W-What? I¡­ I can eat by myself!" she stammered, her voice shaky and flustered. Lortell''s sharp, narrowed gaze locked onto Esdeath, cutting her off immediately. "Tch¡­ I said you don''t need to do anything when I''m here," Lortell replied with a hint of annoyance in her voice. Before Esdeath could protest again, Lortell stood up, grabbed her gently but firmly, and pulled her onto her lap as though she were a doll. "W-Wait! H-Hey!" Esdeath squirmed, her face blazing red, but Lortell was already seated again, holding her securely on her thigh. "Hey! Bring me the most premium food here¡ªright now. Hurry," Lortell commanded, her voice echoing through the stunned cafeteria. The entire room froze. Whispers ran through the crowd as servers scrambled to fulfill Lortell''s request. After all, no one dared disobey the mighty Lortell Mariette. Within mere seconds, plates of the finest dishes¡ªroasted meats, golden-buttered bread, rich stews¡ªwere set in front of them. Lortell picked up her knife and spoon, cutting a perfect, tender piece of meat. Carefully, she brought it to Esdeath''s lips, her expression calm but with a hint of possessiveness in her gaze. Esdeath''s eyes darted between the steaming meat and Lortell''s face. She opened her mouth instinctively, unable to fight back, and let Lortell place the food inside. The taste exploded in her mouth¡ªjuicy, seasoned to perfection¡ªbut she barely noticed it. She couldn''t look away from Lortell. "W-Why is this happening? Why am I letting her do this?" Esdeath thought, completely overwhelmed. Her face was now as red as a sunset, her heartbeat pounding in her ears. The room was dead silent except for the clink of utensils and whispers from the other students. "Is this real?!" a boy muttered, almost shaking with envy. "I wish I was her¡­ I''d give up everything for that," another said with a sigh. Esdeath, still sitting stiffly on Lortell''s lap, tried to calm herself, but her mind was in chaos. "This is so embarrassing! Why am I letting her feed me? Where''s my masculinity? I-I''m losing all my pride!" she screamed internally. But then, something shifted. Gathering her courage, Esdeath grabbed a small piece of food herself and held it out toward Lortell. "I-I wanna feed you too!" she declared, her voice shaky but determined. Lortell raised an eyebrow, her lips curving into a mischievous smile. "Is that so?" she said softly, leaning in. Esdeath held the food closer, waiting nervously. Lortell took the bite, her lips brushing against Esdeath''s fingers in the process. But she didn''t stop there. As Esdeath started to pull her hand back, Lortell leaned forward again and¡ªwithout hesitation¡ªbegan licking Esdeath''s fingers, slow and deliberate. Esdeath froze, her entire body stiffening as she stared down at Lortell, her mouth slightly agape. "It was delicious," Lortell said in a sultry voice, her gaze locking onto Esdeath''s. The air between them thickened. It felt as though time itself had stopped. Their eyes met, and for a moment, it was like the world had disappeared. Esdeath''s heart raced faster than ever. Lortell''s smile softened as she watched Esdeath, her own heart secretly racing, though her composure never wavered. But then¡ª "Ahem¡­ Ahem¡­ My Lady," Lorraine''s voice suddenly broke the silence, snapping them both back to reality. "I think¡­ she can eat by herself now," the head maid said firmly, her expression somewhere between concern and exasperation. Separated Again "Ahem¡­ Ahem¡­ My Lady," Lorraine''s voice suddenly broke the silence, snapping them both back to reality. "I think¡­ she can eat by herself now," the head maid said firmly, her expression somewhere between concern and exasperation. Lortell blinked, clearly displeased by the interruption, but before she could respond¡ª Swish¡­ A soft hum filled the air as a glowing magic circle appeared beneath Lorraine''s feet, teleporting her away in an instant. "Let''s continue!" Lortell said cheerfully, smiling as if nothing had happened. And so, the two of them resumed their strange yet oddly intimate meal. They fed each other like it was the most natural thing in the world. But it wasn''t the food they cared about¡ªoh no. Their eyes were locked, lost in a silent conversation only they could hear. The world around them faded, leaving just the two of them in a bubble of unspoken feelings. It was so obvious, even to the casual observer. This wasn''t just some friendly moment. This was love¡ªpure, raw, undeniable. But then, another magic circle appeared, glowing softly as it pulsed with energy. Swish¡­ Lorraine reappeared, stepping out of the teleportation spell as if she had never left. Esdeath blinked in surprise. Lortell, on the other hand, scowled. Didn''t lortell just sent her away? Of course, Lorraine wasn''t Maruti. She was Rank B¡ªa skilled individual in her own right. Teleporting herself back wasn''t a challenge, but defying Lortell''s orders was another matter entirely. Lorraine wouldn''t dare come back unless it was urgent. "My Lady," Lorraine began, her tone calm yet firm. "Your father has summoned you to the mansion." Lortell froze for a second, her irritation bubbling to the surface. She gritted her teeth, her frustration evident in every tense muscle in her body. "Why the fu¡ª" she started, anger flaring in her eyes. But then she stopped. Her gaze shifted to Esdeath, who was watching her with wide eyes. Lortell''s expression immediately softened, and an awkward smile stretched across her face. "Haha¡­ I wasn''t angry!" she lied, waving her hand dismissively. "It''s nothing. Just some¡­ family matters." Lorraine, unfazed by the performance, interrupted again, her voice sharper this time. "My Lady, this isn''t something you can ignore," Lorraine said as she held out a letter sealed with the family crest. The sight of the seal was enough to wipe the fake smile off Lortell''s face. She grabbed the letter, her eyes scanning the contents quickly. Her hands trembled slightly as she read. "Why at a time like this?" Lortell muttered under her breath, frustration thick in her voice. It was clear she didn''t want to leave¡ªnot now, not when she was finally spending time with Esdeath. For the first time in ages, Lortell looked genuinely conflicted, caught between her duty as the archduke''s daughter and her personal desires. Lortell stood up, She couldn''t refuse it after all. Her expression softened as she reached out and gently took Esdeath''s hand, her touch warm and reassuring. Esdeath''s heart skipped a beat. The feeling of Lortell''s steady yet tender grip sent waves of emotions crashing through her. It was as if Lortell''s hand was made to guide her, to protect her. Lortell didn''t say a word, but Esdeath understood everything. The silent exchange between them spoke volumes. As they left the cafeteria together, leaving the baffled onlookers behind, they walked through the academy halls side by side. Esdeath''s earlier embarrassment began to fade, replaced by a quiet warmth that fluttered in her chest. Every few steps, she couldn''t resist sneaking glances at Lortell''s composed face. The calm yet determined aura around her made Esdeath feel safe in ways she couldn''t describe. Lorraine trailed behind them silently, observing the two with a mix of curiosity and concern. After walking for some time, Lortell finally stopped. She turned toward Esdeath, her tall figure bending slightly to match Esdeath''s height. Her warm eyes locked onto Esdeath''s as she reached out, placing both hands gently on her cheeks. "Esdeath," Lortell began, her voice soft but filled with an unusual seriousness. "Listen to me. I''ll be back tomorrow when the competition starts. But¡­ I need to ask you something." Esdeath blinked, puzzled by Lortell''s sudden shift in tone. "What is it?" she asked. Lortell took a deep breath, her thumbs lightly brushing Esdeath''s cheeks. "Can you¡­ not participate in the competition?" she asked, her tone almost pleading. Esdeath''s confusion deepened. "But why?" Lortell hesitated, her hands still cradling Esdeath''s face. Finally, she spoke, her words like a heartfelt confession. "You know how much I care about you, don''t you?" Lortell said, her voice trembling ever so slightly. "I can''t bear the thought of something happening to you. Why not just stay with me? You don''t need to do anything¡ªjust live by my side. I''ll take care of everything. We''ll be happy together¡­ forever." The sincerity in Lortell''s voice made Esdeath''s breath hitch. It wasn''t just a favor¡ªit felt like a proposal. Esdeath''s heart began to race, and her yandere instincts kicked in. The unique ring-like patterns in her eyes spun wildly, reflecting her chaotic emotions. "Lortell is asking me for a favor¡­ for the first time! I have to say yes. Lortell''s words are absolute. I''ll do anything for her!" Esdeath''s mind went into overdrive, her thoughts spinning out of control. She wanted to scream "yes," to throw her arms around Lortell, to confess her undying love right then and there. But¡­ something stopped her. Fable. Fable knew, Even though Lortell was an S-rank, the pinnacle of the academy''s ranking system, she was still just a mid-boss in the game. Esdeath/Fable knew that even if she agreed, they wouldn''t live happily ever after. Sooner or later, the battles would come, And they both die. Inside her, the clash between her yandere side and Fable was intense, a storm of emotions and logic battling for control. Finally, Esdeath took a deep, shaky breath and made her choice. "N-No, I can''t," she said, her voice trembling as she forced the words out. Her heart felt like it was breaking, but she continued, her determination shining through. "I''m awakened now. I want to get stronger. I want to become strong enough to protect you, my lady!" For a moment, an awkward silence hung in the air between them, heavy and palpable. Esdeath shifted her gaze to the floor, her hands clenched tightly. Her thoughts churned, "Being protected by Lortell feels like an insult to me. If anything, I should be the one protecting her. That''s how it should be!" But then¡ª "Hahahaha!" Lortell''s sudden laughter broke the stillness like a sharp blade slicing through tension. Esdeath looked up, startled, as Lortell chuckled, a soft glimmer in her eyes. "You''re just like when we were little," Lortell said, brushing away invisible tears from her laughter. "Always so determined to do things your way." Esdeath blinked, caught off guard by the warmth in Lortell''s voice. Before she could respond, Lortell reached into her pocket and pulled something out with a flourish. "Tadaa! A gift for you!" Lortell said with a proud grin, holding out a shimmering golden essence stone. Esdeath hesitated, then carefully took it from her hands. It was shaped like a turtle shell, with a beautiful flower design carved onto its surface. She recognized it immediately¡ªit was a Rank B storage essence stone. Her fingers tightened around it as she realized something more: the stone had already been refined. Lortell''s mana was embedded in it, meaning Esdeath could use it without needing to activate it herself. "This¡­ this is too much," Esdeath murmured, her voice barely audible. "Nonsense," Lortell said, waving her hand dismissively. "It''s yours. Use it wisely, and don''t lose it." Before Esdeath could protest further, Lortell straightened up and began to walk away. Her long strides carried her down the corridor, but after a few steps, she glanced over her shoulder and waved. "Don''t disappear on me again, got it?" Lortell called out with a teasing smile. Esdeath watched her go, a small smile tugging at her lips. "I won''t," she whispered, though her voice didn''t carry. Lortell''s figure receded into the distance, Lorraine trailing silently behind her. But as they turned a corner, Lortell''s playful expression shifted into something more calculating. "Well," Lortell thought to herself, "even if she tries to escape again, it won''t matter. I''ve already planted over three hundred essence stones on her and throughout the academy. I won''t make the same mistake of underestimating her again." Her lips curled into a mischievous smile as she disappeared from view. ----------------- Esdeath slid into her dorm room on her knees, her arms raised in triumph. "Yyyyyesssss! I knew it! I knew she likes me!" she shouted with uncontainable enthusiasm, her voice echoing off the walls. Her excitement made her heart race as she twirled in place, her cheeks flushed with a mix of joy and embarrassment. She let herself fall back onto the floor, staring at the ceiling with a goofy grin. "There''s definitely some romantic connection between us. I mean, it''s so obvious!" she thought, her face heating up further. But as quickly as the excitement bubbled up, a serious expression took over her features. "But if I confess now¡­ I''m not a hundred percent sure she''d say yes. Women''s minds are so unpredictable! Even if she did agree, it''d mess up all my plans. I can''t have distractions like that." She sat up, tapping her finger against her lips, deep in thought. "No¡­ it would be much better if she confessed to me first! That way, everything would fall into place." A sly smile spread across her face at the thought, but it faded just as fast. She let out a long, exaggerated sigh, flopping back onto the floor dramatically. "But how do I stop acting like a blushing fool around her? I could barely form a sentence today! It''s not my fault! My heart beats so fast when I''m near her that I can''t even think properly." Esdeath placed her hand over her chest, feeling the rapid thudding of her heart. She sighed again, this time even harder, trying to calm herself down. As she stared at the ceiling, her eyes wandered down to her legs. That''s when she noticed it¡ªa thick wetness dripping onto her thighs and even pooling on the floor. "Shit!" she cursed under her breath, her face instantly turning red again. "I''m completely soaked! No wonder I could barely stand earlier. I need to hurry and change!" She was about to move when¡ª "What do you mean by that, Mother? Who likes you?" A small voice broke through her thoughts, followed by Selene dashing into the room. The little girl jumped straight into Esdeath''s arms, grinning mischievously. "Ah! Selene!" Esdeath instinctively caught her, her arms wrapping around the energetic child. She tried to compose herself, clearing her throat. "Ahem¡­ ahem¡­ it''s nothing! Don''t ask silly questions!" Selene tilted her head, her grin growing wider as she observed Esdeath''s flushed face. "Hehehe¡­ You''re blushing, though! Your whole face is red! Did you secretly meet Daddy again? How much longer are you gonna hide Daddy from me?" Esdeath''s heart skipped a beat. She was not entirely wrong. "Hmph!" Esdeath puffed out her chest, trying to regain her composure. "Naughty girl! Mind your own business and don''t interfere with adult matters!" she said with a proud smile. Selene''s eyes sparkled with curiosity. "What''s an adult? Is it something we can eat?" Esdeath let out a long groan, placing a hand on her forehead. "You really ask too many questions for someone so small. Did you already finish that last book I gave you?" ------------------ Somewhere in the sprawling academy garden, a tall girl with flowing silver hair and piercing silver eyes stood perfectly still. Her serious expression made her seem untouchable, almost like a statue carved from pure moonlight. She was none other than Kaelith Maranthia, the feared "Tyranny of the Academy." But in her arms¡ªheld bridal-style, no less¡ªwas someone who shattered the gravity of the moment completely. Sear?h the N??eFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. A girl with sun-kissed, tanned skin and messy, vermilion-brown hair blinked up at her captor, looking like the picture of a mischievous tomboy. Her busty figure and carefree grin were at odds with her current predicament, which would have left most trembling in fear. This was Maruti¡ªcaught in Kaelith''s arms like a stray cat that didn''t know how it got there. Maruti gave a sheepish grin, scratching the back of her head awkwardly as she realized just how bizarre the situation looked. "Uh¡­ yo! I think we know each other!" she said, her tone casual, as if she wasn''t being cradled by one of the most intimidating figures in the academy. Kaelith''s silver eyes narrowed as a flicker of annoyance crossed her face. She didn''t release Maruti, but the corner of her mouth tugged up into a half-smile¡ªthough it was the kind of smile that made people gulp nervously. "Oh, of course I know who you are," Kaelith said, her voice low and calm, but her words carried the weight of a storm brewing. "What I don''t know is why in the hell you just fell out of nowhere into my arms? Spitting Bullshit Everywhere Kaelith''s voice was like a calm breeze carrying the promise of a thunderstorm. "Oh, of course, I know who you are," she said, her golden eyes narrowing with annoyance. "What I don''t know is why in the hell you just fell out of nowhere into my arms." Maruti felt a chill run down her spine at Kaelith''s sharp tone. That annoyed smile on Kaelith''s face was a clear warning: she was in deep trouble. Her mind spun desperately, searching for an escape plan. Then, a ridiculous thought popped into her head. "What was that in the survival guide? If a wild animal pursues you¡­ play dead!" "Yeah, play dead!" she decided, determined to go through with her harebrained idea. Maruti let her eyes roll dramatically, her tongue lolling out of her mouth as she slumped in Kaelith''s arms like a rag doll. "Oh no¡­ I''m dead!" she croaked out in an exaggerated, comical tone. Kaelith didn''t seem remotely amused. Her eyebrow twitched as she raised a single finger and flicked it against Maruti''s forehead with enough force to make her wince. "Stop playing around," Kaelith said coldly. "You still haven''t given me an answer." She remained perfectly poised, still holding Maruti like some kind of unruly princess. Maruti opened one eye, her dramatic act abandoned in favor of a sheepish grin. "Umm¡­ well, it''s a crazy story, really! I don''t have a clue myself!" she said shamelessly, shrugging as though her explanation made perfect sense. Kaelith''s annoyed smile didn''t waver. Without a word, she released Maruti, letting her fall unceremoniously to the ground with a loud *thud*. "Ouch! Holy cow¡­ my back!" Maruti yelped, clutching at her spine. She groaned theatrically, but Kaelith didn''t spare her so much as a glance. Instead, Kaelith stepped forward, her boots clicking against the ground, and then¡ªwithout warning¡ªsat down squarely on Maruti''s stomach. "Ugh!" Maruti''s breath hitched as the full weight of Kaelith pressed down on her. She wheezed, her hands flailing helplessly. "H-Hey! Shameless woman, get off! You''re way too heavy for this!" Maruti''s face flushed crimson as the crowd around them watched, some with wide eyes and open mouths. It was clear everyone was asking the same question: "What the hell is going on?" Maruti''s grin turned into a nervous, bitter smile. "W-Wait! Why here, in front of everyone? Let''s go somewhere quiet, okay? And¡­ and if you really have to do this, Bareback would be much nic¡ª" SMACK! Kaelith''s hand landed firmly on Maruti''s forehead again, making a sharp sound that echoed in the garden. "Stop thinking unnecessary things and just answer my question," Kaelith said with a sigh, her silver eyes narrowing. "Then be on your way." Maruti winced, rubbing her forehead. "Okay, okay! I''ll answer. Just get off my stomach first!" --- The two of them sat cross-legged in the middle of the academy garden. The surrounding trees swayed gently in the wind, but the air between them was heavy with awkward tension. Both girls had serious expressions, like they were about to discuss the fate of the world. Maruti tilted her head slightly, raising an eyebrow. "Alright, so¡­ what''s your question?" Kaelith hesitated, her lips pressing into a thin line as her gaze flickered between Maruti and the grass beneath them. For someone so confident, she suddenly looked uncertain, like she wasn''t sure how to put her thoughts into words. Finally, after what felt like an eternity, she asked softly, "Um¡­ what is a friend?" Maruti froze. Her jaw dropped slightly, and the silence between them stretched on. Kaelith''s question hung in the air like a puzzle no one wanted to solve. Then, out of nowhere, Maruti burst out laughing. "Bwahahaha! Hahaha!" she howled, clutching her stomach as she doubled over. Tears formed in the corners of her eyes as she rolled on the ground. "This¡­ this silver lizard¡­ she''s gone insane! Hahaha! Oh, my sides hurt!" Kaelith''s expression darkened, her cheeks flushing faintly as her patience evaporated. BAM! BOOM! SLAM! Maruti was left sprawled on the ground, her face red and swollen from Kaelith''s "lessons." She groaned, clutching her cheeks. "I-I was just joking! Why are you so serious about it?!" Kaelith crossed her arms and stared down at her. "So? Feel like answering now?" Maruti let out a long, dramatic sigh, her earlier smugness fading as she sat up straight. "Fine, fine. I''ll answer," she muttered. Her swollen face made her words slightly garbled, but Kaelith didn''t seem to care. Clearing her throat, Maruti''s expression turned thoughtful. "Okay, so¡­ there are three types of friends. Best friend, good friend, and just¡­ friend." Kaelith blinked, tilting her head in curiosity. "Three types? Really?" "Yup!" Maruti nodded confidently, puffing out her chest like she was about to deliver a lecture. "Let me start with the top level. If you have someone who, just by seeing their face, makes you want to slap them right then and there¡­ someone you''re absolutely sure is the reason for all your life''s problems¡ªlike not being able to get a girlfriend, failing your tests, or even stubbing your toe in the morning¡ª" Maruti paused, panting slightly from saying everything in one breath. She grinned mischievously and gave Kaelith a thumbs-up. "That person is your best friend!" Kaelith stared at her, her expression frozen in a mix of disbelief and faint amusement. Kaelith was about to ask another question, but Maruti held up her hand to stop her mid-sentence. "Wait, wait, I''m not done yet!" Maruti said, her tone confident and playful. "Now, let''s talk about good friends. Just the term ''good'' itself says a lot. A good friend is someone who''s your age, encourages you, helps you with a bunch of stuff, and always stays positive. They make you feel good, even when things seem rough. That''s a good friend," she explained, nodding to herself as if she were a wise sage. Kaelith blinked, her curiosity now piqued. She opened her mouth to speak, but Maruti''s grin widened. "And as for the third type¡­" she paused dramatically, her smile never wavering. "I''ll give you a live example!" Kaelith tilted her head, confused. "A live example?" Maruti suddenly extended her hand toward Kaelith. "Alright, extend your hand for a handshake and introduce yourself!" she said confidently, her tone leaving no room for argument. Kaelith hesitated, clearly puzzled. She looked at Maruti, then at her extended hand. "Why do I need to¡ª?" "No questions! Just do it!" Maruti interrupted, her voice filled with enthusiasm. Kaelith sighed, still not understanding what Maruti was up to. But something about Maruti''s unwavering grin made her feel like she should go along with it. Awkwardly, she extended her hand and clasped Maruti''s. "Uh¡­ I''m Kaelith Maranthia?" she said, her voice uncertain, as though she was questioning her own name. Maruti shook her hand firmly and beamed. "Nice to meet you, Kaelith Maranthia! I''m Maruti Vanara!" she said brightly as she let go of Kaelith''s hand. Kaelith stared at her, bewildered. She glanced around the garden, as if expecting some kind of magical event to happen. But all she saw was Maruti sitting there, grinning like a mischievous child who had just pulled off a great prank. Maruti clapped her hands together. "Tadaa! We''re friends now!" Kaelith froze, her mind struggling to process Maruti''s declaration. "Huh?" she stammered, But Maruti didn''t wait for her reaction. She dusted off her clothes, stood up, and waved a hand dismissively. "Alright, now that we''re done, I''ve got some other urgent things to do!" she called over her shoulder as she began jogging away. After running at full speed, Maruti finally slowed down, panting slightly. "Friend? Is that even something you can explain in words?" she muttered to herself. A smirk played on her lips as she shrugged. "I just spat out the most random nonsense I could think of. Whatever, who cares?" With that, she picked up her pace and ran off again, disappearing into the distance. S§×ar?h the nov§×lF~ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Back in the garden, Kaelith remained seated, her gaze fixed on the spot where Maruti had vanished. The silence around her was almost deafening as the realization slowly dawned on her. "Did¡­ I just make a friend?" Fallen In Love Kaelith strolled through the academy garden, her thoughts swirling around the strange encounter she had just experienced with Maruti. She spotted a random student¡ªa petite girl with short brown hair¡ªsitting on a bench, happily munching on what looked like a flaky pastry. The bench was one of those public-use chairs scattered around the garden for students to relax. Kaelith''s tall figure loomed over the girl, her shadow stretching across the bench. The girl paused mid-bite, her chewing slowing as she noticed the dark shadow creeping over her. Slowly, she tilted her head upward, her eyes meeting Kaelith''s piercing gaze. "Um¡­" the girl blinked nervously, her mind already screaming, Danger! Run! Run NOW! But before she could even think about bolting, Kaelith extended her hand toward her. "Umm¡­ I''m Kaelith Maranthia," Kaelith said in an almost hesitant tone. The girl froze. Her eyes widened like saucers, and the color drained from her face. It was as though the name "Kaelith Maranthia" had triggered every alarm bell in her brain. The pastry slipped from her hands onto the bench as panic set in. Sweat beaded on her forehead, and her hands began trembling uncontrollably. She quickly scrambled to her feet, almost knocking the bench over in her haste. "I-I-I¡­ um¡­" she stammered, her voice quivering like a leaf in a storm. Kaelith waited patiently, her hand still extended. The girl gulped, her throat dry as sand. She tried to say her name, but her lips just wobbled. "I-I am¡­ uh¡­ uh¡­" Her knees buckled. Her trembling increased to the point where it looked like she might vibrate right off the ground. And then¡ª*thud!*¡ªshe fainted on the spot, landing back on the bench with a small, unceremonious flop. Kaelith stared at the unconscious girl, her silver eyes blinking slowly. She glanced at the girl''s half-eaten pastry on the bench, then back at the fainted figure sprawled awkwardly before her. She tapped her chin thoughtfully. "Huh. Making friends is harder than I thought." --------------- Inside Esdeath''s dorm room, the air was filled with a faint, floral fragrance. Esdeath sat in front of a large wall mirror, her chin resting in her palm as she gazed at her reflection. The room around her looked like a boutique, cluttered with cosmetics, jewelry, and clothes. It wasn''t from Trynne''s treasure room, but from Lortell''s storage-type essence stone, which Lortell had personally given to her. The essence stone held countless valuable items¡ªancient, rare rank-D essence stones, magic formulas, and even high-grade mana-increasing potions. Some potions boosted mana temporarily, while others did so permanently. Esdeath, however, hadn''t taken everything out. She knew that exposing such valuable items would draw unwanted attention. Instead, she had only retrieved the fashion-related items. Though Esdeath wasn''t particularly concerned about how she looked or what she wore, she couldn''t ignore the fact that these things were from Lortell. That alone made them precious to her. For the past thirty minutes, Esdeath had been indulging herself by smelling the clothes, accessories, and cosmetics, all of which carried a faint scent of Lortell. A satisfied smile graced her lips as she finally put them down and focused on the jewelry. She picked up a set of earrings¡ªsix pairs in total. Esdeath frowned slightly as she held them up to the light. "I only have two ears. How am I supposed to wear all of these?" she muttered to herself. After a moment of deep thought, a mischievous idea crossed her mind. She decided to wear *all six pairs* at once. Carefully, she arranged the earrings along her ears. Small studs sparkled near the top, while a long, bell-like earring dangled dramatically from the bottom. She tilted her head and examined her reflection. Surprisingly, the chaotic arrangement actually looked quite good on her. Meanwhile, Selene sat quietly in the corner of the room, her nose buried in a science book about human anatomy. She flipped a page and paused, her eyes narrowing as she read something interesting. "Mother," Selene called out, her voice calm yet curious. "It says here that all mothers feed their babies with breast milk. But¡­ I don''t remember you ever doing that for me. Why?" Esdeath froze. The question hit her like a bolt of lightning. Her mind instantly flashed back to that chaotic day when she had accidentally spilled milk all over Selene. She gulped nervously, trying to maintain her composure. "Well¡­ uh¡­" Esdeath began, forcing a tight smile. "You grew up so fast that I didn''t have time to do anything like that!" Selene tilted her head thoughtfully. "Oh, I see," she said, nodding in understanding. For once, she didn''t ask any follow-up questions, much to Esdeath''s relief. Taking advantage of the moment, Esdeath grabbed a lipstick from the pile of cosmetics. It was a deep red shade, one of Lortell''s favorites. As she applied it to her lips, she began humming a little tune to herself. "Lalalala¡­ Lalala¡­" Suddenly, the door burst open with a loud BANG! Sear?h the n?vel_Fire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "FABLLEEEE!" a voice bellowed, startling both Esdeath and Selene. Esdeath yelped, immediately shoving the lipstick back into her drawer in a panicked rush. Her heart raced as she turned to see who had stormed in. Selene''s face lit up with excitement as she recognized the intruder. "It''s Aunt!" she exclaimed, her usually calm demeanor replaced with pure joy. Esdeath, still recovering from the shock, muttered under her breath, "Couldn''t she knock first?" Who else could it be but Maruti? Her tall figure entered the room confidently, her sharp eyes immediately scanning everything. Without hesitation, she rushed toward Esdeath. "Fable! What happened to yo¡ªwait, what''s this?" Maruti froze mid-sentence, her gaze bouncing between Esdeath''s messy face and the cluttered room. "What?" Esdeath asked, raising a brow. Maruti squinted at her, crossing her arms. "Did you drink blood or something? Why are your lips covered in red stains?" Esdeath blinked, confused, before glancing at the mirror. Her eyes widened in shock. While she had been dazing off earlier, she hadn''t realized that she had smeared lipstick all over her lips¡ªand even a little around them. It was an uneven, messy disaster. She groaned and quickly grabbed a cloth to wipe the lipstick off. After scrubbing furiously for a moment, her lips were clean again, but they were naturally so red and soft that it still looked like she was wearing lipstick. "Now what?" Esdeath asked, a little annoyed by Maruti''s intrusion. Maruti placed her hands on her hips, her tone rising with exasperation. "What? Are you seriously asking me what? What was all that earlier? Was it one of your dramatic acts or something? Care to explain why you went completely red and froze like a statue?" Esdeath''s mind wandered back to that moment with Lortell. Her face flushed bright red again as her heart raced. To silence her embarrassment, she slammed her head against the wall several times, earning a concerned look from Maruti. "Oi, calm down! What are you doing?!" Maruti exclaimed, half-panicked. Finally, Esdeath stopped, her hands still on the wall as she turned her face toward Maruti. Her cheeks were glowing, her lips slightly parted, and her eyes glistened with unshed tears. She looked so shy, so innocent, so *adorably vulnerable* that even Maruti, who wasn''t easily moved, found herself stunned for a moment. If Lortell had been there, she would''ve melted on the spot. She probably wouldn''t have been able to resist pulling Esdeath into a kiss. But unfortunately¡ªor fortunately¡ªit wasn''t Lortell standing there. It was Maruti. And instead of feeling touched, she was left feeling annoyed and irritated. Esdeath finally spoke, her voice quiet but filled with a strange mix of joy and nervousness. "What you said before¡­ you were right. I think¡­ I actually have fallen in love." Maruti: "...¡­.." At once, Maruti''s brain seemed to give up on processing everything, and she fainted on the spot with a soft thud, her tall frame slumping to the floor. ------------ Maruti slowly opened her eyes, blinking at the dim light in the room. She sat up groggily, only to see Esdeath and Selene sitting beside her, watching her closely. "Finally awake, huh?" Esdeath sighed, crossing her arms. "So¡­ it wasn''t a dream, huh?" Maruti muttered, rubbing her forehead as she sighed in disbelief. "Don''t be so dramatic," Esdeath said, rolling her eyes. "It''s not my fault, you know. This is all because of this *Esdeath girl*! She had such a deep crush on her, and now I''m here, taking her place. It''s messing with me!" Maruti blinked in confusion. "Uh¡­ what?" Esdeath groaned and tried to explain further. "Our personalities are merging! I didn''t talk about it with you before, but I''ve been feeling it more and more. I''m guessing you must be facing similar problems, right?" Maruti stared blankly for a moment before shaking her head. "What? No way. I''m perfectly fine! No weird personality issues here!" she replied confidently. Esdeath tilted her head, genuinely surprised. "Really? Huh¡­ so I''m the only one dealing with this? Why is my luck always so bad?" she muttered to herself, letting out a long, frustrated sigh. Maruti shrugged as she stood up, brushing off her clothes. "Well, you''re definitely¡­ unique," she teased. Esdeath ignored her and clapped her hands together. "Whatever, whatever. It''s going to be night soon. We need to go talk to Lilith and get a personal dorm room sorted out as soon as possible!" she declared, extending a hand to Maruti to help her up. Maruti grabbed Esdeath''s hand and stood up. "Fine, fine," she said, stretching lazily. Just then, Selene, who had been quietly sitting on the bed, looked up with her usual curious expression. "What''s love?" she asked out of nowhere, tilting her head innocently. Maruti smirked and glanced at Esdeath mischievously. "Oh, love? That''s the same thing that happened between your daddy and mama," she said with a cheeky grin, indirectly mocking Esdeath. Esdeath''s face turned red in embarrassment. "Stop saying unnecessary things and let''s go already!" she snapped, quickly turning to open the door. Pre-Planned Thoughts Esdeath and Maruti stepped out of the dorm room, leaving Selene behind to stay in the room. The academy corridors were quiet, with only the faint sound of footsteps echoing around them. As they walked, a figure appeared ahead of them, approaching with calm, steady steps. Maruti immediately recognized him, her eyes widening in shock. "It''s¡­ Corin," she whispered, her voice filled with surprise. "The duke''s son. Why is he here? Corin stopped right in front of them, his face emotionless. He wasn''t here by accident; it was clear he had come to meet them on purpose. Without a word, he reached into his pocket, pulled out a small pouch, and handed it directly to Esdeath. "Your advice was very helpful to me," Corin said in a flat, casual tone. "This is your reward. If you have any more suggestions in the future, don''t hesitate to share them." Maruti blinked, "Advice? What advice?" she asked, looking at Esdeath with a mix of confusion and shock. Corin didn''t stay to explain. He turned around and walked away without another word, leaving Esdeath and Maruti standing there in silence. Esdeath watched him go, a mischievous smile slowly spreading across her face. She then opened the pouch he had handed her and peeked inside. Her eyes lit up as she saw the glittering contents¡ªgold coins. A dozen of them. Esdeath snorted and held the pouch up. "Hmph! If this were before, it might''ve been a great help," she said, tossing the pouch lightly in her hand. "But now? We don''t lack money in any way!" Maruti raised an eyebrow. "Then why not just throw it away?" Esdeath smirked but didn''t toss it. Instead, she tightened her grip on the pouch and slipped it into her pocket. "Future''s unpredictable," she said, grinning. "You never know when a single coin might save you." Maruti crossed her arms, giving Esdeath a sly look. "So¡­ what are you planning now?" Esdeath didn''t answer. She just chuckled softly, her eyes gleaming with amusement, and began walking forward again. ---------- S~ea??h the NovelFire.net* website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Esdeath slammed her hand on the wooden table with a loud thud, her face twisted with frustration. Her sharp voice echoed in the room as she shouted, "What do you mean, you can''t give us private rooms?" Lilith, seated comfortably in her chair behind the table, didn''t even flinch. She leaned back casually, her legs crossed, twirling a lollipop in her mouth as if she had all the time in the world. Her sliver eyes glinted as she replied in a calm but firm tone, "Like I said earlier, it''s not possible. Four students have already been killed, and the beast tide is coming. Things are getting dangerous." Esdeath''s eyes widened slightly at the mention of deaths, but her anger didn''t fade. Lilith sighed, leaning forward as she placed her elbows on the desk, her fingers interlocked. "Our forces are currently busy fighting off massive waves of beasts and monsters. The students are unsafe, and we still don''t know who''s behind the murders. Because of this, the academy has decided that all students must stay inside the academy grounds. No exceptions." Esdeath clenched her fists, her teeth grinding together as she listened. Lilith continued, her tone still calm but with a hint of seriousness. "Even the Class A rank students will start living in the dorms. Second-year and third-year students have been assigned to protect the first-years since they''re the easiest targets." Lilith gave Esdeath a small shrug, pulling the lollipop from her mouth and tapping it against her teeth lightly. "So for now, no private rooms outside the academy. However, A-class students will each have a room to themselves, unlike B or C classes, where two or three students have to share. So, technically, it''s private enough, don''t you think?" Esdeath''s frustration boiled over, and she gritted her teeth harder. Her mind raced as she thought about what Lilith had said. Killing? Beast tide? Why is this happening so soon? And about no private rooms, It never happened in the first place.." she wondered, her brows furrowing deeply. This didn''t align with the timeline of the game she remembered. The beast tide wasn''t supposed to happen until a week later, certainly not while the first arc was still ongoing. Her chest tightened with unease as a chilling thought crossed her mind. "Is this happening because of me?" Her system only rewarded her with SP points when she increased her self-worth without disrupting the storyline. But Esdeath had bent¡ªno, broken¡ªthat rule multiple times since arriving here. The possibility that her actions had caused this early chaos gnawed at her. Esdeath took a long, deep breath, exhaled slowly, and forced herself to calm down. "Okay then, we''re done here!" she said firmly, trying to keep her composure. Her tone was sharp, but she was already turning to leave. Maruti, who had been standing silently by her side, took the cue and started stepping back to follow Esdeath out of the room. But then¡ª "Not so fast, kids," Lilith''s chilling voice stopped them in their tracks. Esdeath and Maruti froze, slowly turning back toward Lilith, who was now leaning forward slightly in her chair. Her silver eyes glimmered with an unsettling intensity. "It''s your turn now," Lilith said, her voice calm but laced with an edge of authority. "Tell me where you''ve been. Did you really leave to search for Luna? We sent officials after you, and they couldn''t find you anywhere. How can that be?" She paused, her gaze narrowing dangerously. "You''re definitely hiding something. Don''t even think about lying to me." Her tone was enough to send a shiver down anyone''s spine. Esdeath and Maruti exchanged a brief, panicked glance. Lying wasn''t an option. They both knew that. Why? Because Lilith could read thoughts. It didn''t matter how convincing their words were¡ªif their minds told a different story, Lilith would know. And she wouldn''t hesitate to expose them. Esdeath swallowed hard, her heart pounding in her chest. She clenched her fists, trying to come up with something, anything, that wouldn''t get them into deeper trouble. "Luna¡­" Esdeath muttered softly, her voice trembling. She lowered her gaze, letting her expression shift into one of grief. Her cheeks flushed red, and without warning, tears began streaming down her face like a broken dam. She wiped at her tears, but they only kept coming. Her voice cracked as she started to speak. "S-sob¡­ Luna was such a kind girl. We heard she had a boyfriend in the Quin Ming Mountain slum area. She used to talk about how he''d become more aggressive lately. They had a fight recently, so¡­ so we went there to meet him. We thought maybe we could help her, but¡­" Esdeath''s voice broke completely, and more tears ran down her cheeks. "But we didn''t find anyone. Sob¡­ sob¡­" Her crying was heartbreakingly genuine. Every time she wiped one tear away, two more rolled down her face, as if her sorrow were an endless river. Lilith watched her with a cold, unreadable expression. If Esdeath''s tears moved her at all, she didn''t show it. "Is that so?" Lilith said flatly, leaning back in her chair as she began to probe Esdeath''s thoughts. Inside Esdeath''s mind, Lilith heard, "Luna¡­ I''m sorry I couldn''t save you. You were one of my best friends¡­ sob¡­ sob¡­ I''ll never forget you. Please forgive me!" Lilith''s eyes widened slightly in shock. Wait¡­ wait¡­ wait¡­ What? Am I hearing this right? she thought, completely caught off guard by the raw emotion in Esdeath''s thoughts. She quickly turned her attention to Maruti, wanting to see if her thoughts aligned with Esdeath''s. But the moment she entered Maruti''s mind, she was met with chaos. "A2+2AB+B2¡­ The square root of 144¡­ If X=5, then what is Y? No, wait, solve for Z instead¡­ Okay, focus, quadratic equations next. Oh! How do I simplify this fraction? 5/7 + 3/4¡­ hmm, okay¡­" Lilith blinked in confusion as the endless stream of mathematical formulas and calculations continued. Maruti''s mind was a whirlwind of complex problems, ranging from algebra to geometry to trigonometry. There were easily more than twenty equations swirling around in her head at once. "What the hell is this?" Lilith thought, utterly baffled. Meanwhile, Maruti stood there with a calm expression, completely oblivious to the confusion she was causing. Lilith sighed heavily, rubbing her temples as she pulled herself out of their thoughts. Esdeath''s voice trembled as she continued, her sclera reddened from crying. "But as we were returning¡­ we actually found something¡ªa fortunate encounter. It was an inheritance¡­ from someone called Xing Liang," she said, her tone still laced with grief but now carrying a hint of awe. At once, Lilith stood up from her chair, her eyes wide with shock. "Xing Liang?" she repeated, her voice sharp and filled with disbelief. "Yes!" Esdeath nodded quickly, wiping at her still-wet cheeks. "Because of this, we were able to learn so many combat techniques in such a short amount of time!" Lilith''s gaze darkened, her sharp mind instantly analyzing the situation. "Is that so? Then you must already know the rules. Any inheritance found must be shared with the academy so others can benefit from it as well," she said firmly, her piercing gaze locked on Esdeath and Maruti. Esdeath hesitated, her face contorting as if she was in a difficult position. "I¡­ I want to, but I can''t," she said finally, her voice breaking slightly. "It was an information-path inheritance. The knowledge was directly engraved into our minds. Other than that, we gained nothing." Lilith froze, her sharp gaze narrowing as she probed their thoughts. "Everything she''s saying matches her thoughts¡­ Could this be true?" Lilith wondered. Esdeath''s acting was flawless. Every word, every tear, every detail seemed genuine, leaving Lilith in a tough spot. If the inheritance truly engraved knowledge directly into their minds, there was nothing tangible to share with the academy. Lilith frowned, her mind racing. "Should I demand they teach these techniques to other students? No, that would take years of practice to master and adapt to essence stones and magic. But¡­ what should I do?" For a moment, Lilith was silent, lost in thought. Finally, she sighed and waved her hand dismissively. "Fine. You''re free to go for now. I''ll discuss this matter with other higher-ups later," she said, her tone heavy with frustration. Esdeath and Maruti didn''t waste a moment. They quickly bowed and left without another word. As soon as they stepped out of Lilith''s office and into the corridor, Esdeath''s grief-stricken, tearful expression disappeared like smoke in the wind. Her face shifted into a sly, wicked grin, her red eyes gleaming with pride. Maruti looked at her, startled. "You were crying buckets a second ago, and now you look like a villain who just stole a treasure!" she whispered. Esdeath chuckled softly, a satisfied look on her face. "That''s because I am a villain who just got away with it," she said, holding her chin high. From her pocket, Esdeath pulled out a small essence stone. It was a dull brown color and shaped like a human ear, with a drop of blood coming out of it. The essence stone in Esdeath''s hand was no ordinary find. It was a "Pre-Planned Thoughts Essence Stone," something the world had never heard of before. Why was it unknown? Because it wasn''t supposed to exist yet. This type of essence stone was meant to be refined by someone else in the future. Even though it was classified as D-rank, its potential was said to rival C-rank essence stones due to its unique ability and versatility. Esdeath''s mind wandered back to earlier that day, when she first learned Lilith wanted to meet her. The thought alone had troubled her deeply. How could she get past Lilith, someone who could read minds and unravel lies effortlessly? At first, Esdeath considered making endless excuses to avoid the meeting entirely. "I could say I''m too busy, or that I don''t want to talk about it or just refuse to say anything regardless of what conclusion she goes to," she had thought. After all, what could Lilith do? Suspend her for a week? Punish her? None of that mattered, as long as Lilith didn''t have the authority to kill her. But then fate intervened in the form of Lortell Mariette. Lortell had given Esdeath a large number of resources¡ªvaluable materials for refining essence stones. Among them were sound-path essence stones and a recipe for crafting a telepathy-type essence stone. It was supposed to be a task for Esdeath to refine the stone so that she and Lortell could communicate through telepathy in the future. However, the resources Lortell provided were far more than necessary, likely in case Esdeath failed in her first few attempts. But when Esdeath inspected the materials, she realized something astonishing: they could also be used to refine a completely different essence stone, one that wasn''t supposed to exist yet¡ªthe Pre-Planned Thoughts Essence Stone. This essence stone functioned like a magical recorder. You could "record" your thoughts in advance, and later, when needed, it would play those exact thoughts on repeat. It was perfect for fooling someone like Lilith, who relied on hearing real-time thoughts to catch lies. Esdeath smirked at the memory of her careful preparation. Before stepping into Lilith''s office, she had recorded her fake thoughts¡ªgrief-filled and full of regret over Luna. She knew Lilith would hear only those thoughts, no matter what Esdeath was truly thinking. And it had worked flawlessly. Back in Lilith''s office, the powerful instructor had been completely checkmated¡ªnot by a high-rank weapon or an elaborate scheme, but by a simple D-rank essence stone. Esdeath couldn''t help but chuckle at the irony. Lilith, for all her strength and experience, had no way of countering something she didn''t even know existed. As Esdeath walked back to her dorm room, her smirk grew wider. She glanced at the essence stone in her hand, admiring its dull brown glow. "Hehehe¡­ too bad,It''s my win, lolicon!" Maruti, walking beside her for a while, split off to head to her own dorm. Esdeath continued on alone, her steps light and confident. The cool night air brushed against Esdeath as she walked through the academy grounds, the Pre-Planned Thoughts Essence Stone still clutched tightly in her hand. Its once-solid surface was now cracking, droplets of deep red blood oozing from its edges. Before her very eyes, the stone shattered into fragments and disappeared into thin air, leaving nothing behind. It was an expenditure type after all, It was bound to vanish after one use. Letting out a small sigh, she shook her head. She couldn''t dwell on it now. There was something more pressing she needed to do. Esdeath didn''t head straight to her dorm. Instead, she made her way to the academy cafeteria. Selene, her little secret, was waiting for her, and she needed to be fed. Esdeath couldn''t risk showing her to anyone else, not even accidentally. In the cafeteria, she collected enough food to feed both herself and Selene¡ªor at least that''s what she thought. She carried the tray carefully back to her room, making sure no one noticed her, and laid out the dishes on her desk. "Here, this should be enough for both of us," Esdeath said confidently as Selene sat down beside her, her bright, curious eyes lighting up at the sight of the food. The two began to eat, but within just a few minutes, the plates were empty. Selene wiped her small mouth with her sleeve and looked up at Esdeath. "Still hungry," she said softly, her tone innocent but firm. Esdeath stared at her with narrowed eyes, glancing at the empty dishes. "You ate everything?! How are you not full?" Selene simply tilted her head, waiting patiently for more food. With a long sigh, Esdeath got up again. "Fine. I''ll go back to the cafeteria." This time, Esdeath returned with double the amount of food¡ªenough to feed three grown adults. She placed the heavy tray down, watching as Selene immediately dug in with enthusiasm. Finally, after what felt like ages, Selene leaned back with a satisfied sigh, patting her stomach. "Full now," she said with a small smile. Esdeath slumped into her chair, exhausted from the repeated trips. "How can you eat so much with that tiny belly?" she muttered under her breath. After cleaning up, Esdeath changed into her sleeping clothes¡ªa casual, oversized t-shirt. The shirt was so big and loose that it hung off her frame, barely clinging to her shoulders. If she bent over a little, it would reveal more than she was comfortable with, but the soft fabric made it perfect for sleeping. Selene had also changed. Unlike before, when she had nothing to wear, Esdeath and Maruti had bought her some simple clothes on their way back to the academy. Selene now wore a light, comfortable outfit that made her look even more adorable. As the night deepened, the two climbed onto Esdeath''s bed. The small mattress was barely big enough for both of them, but Selene didn''t seem to mind. She scooted closer to Esdeath, wrapping her small arms around her waist and resting her head against Esdeath''s chest. The night passed peacefully, and Esdeath was in a deep, dreamless sleep. Her body had completely relaxed, her breathing steady and calm. Selene, on the other hand, was wide awake. The room was dim, but the moonlight streaming through the window was enough for her to see Esdeath clearly. Her eyes wandered over to Esdeath''s chest, where the oversized t-shirt had shifted slightly. Two soft, round shapes were visible through the fabric, rising and falling gently with every breath. Selene tilted her head, staring intently. Her tiny fingers twitched as if some instinct had taken over. Her curiosity grew stronger by the second until it reached a point where she couldn''t resist. "This is... milk, right?" Selene whispered to herself, her voice barely audible. Driven by what she thought was a perfectly logical conclusion, Selene leaned closer. She hesitated for a moment, but her instincts won out. ------- Esdeath''s peaceful sleep began to waver. A strange tingling sensation spread through her chest, and her brow furrowed as she stirred slightly. "Why does my chest feel weird?" she mumbled groggily, still half-asleep. She slowly opened her eyes, the blurry room coming into focus. As her gaze dropped down, she froze. Selene was perched over her, her tiny mouth latched onto Esdeath''s nipple through the loose fabric of the t-shirt. Her little cheeks puffed out as she sucked, her expression dead serious like she was completing a vital mission. Esdeath''s scream shattered the midnight silence. "AHHHHHHHH!!!" With a speed that would put most martial artists to shame, Esdeath sprang out of bed, landing on the other side of the room in a defensive stance. One hand instinctively covered her chest while the other was ready to strike. Her face burned bright red, her heart racing with shock and embarrassment. "WHAT THE HELL ARE YOU DOING?!" she shouted, her voice a mix of outrage and confusion. Selene tilted her head innocently, licking her lips. "I thought there would be milk¡­" Esdeath''s jaw dropped. She blinked several times, trying to process what she just heard. "M-MILK?! I''m not a cow, you little gremlin!" Defeated In One Move Esdeath''s jaw tightened as she muttered under her breath, "M-milk¡­ I''m not a cow, you little gremlin!" Deciding she couldn''t risk another "incident," Esdeath grabbed a spare bedsheet and threw it onto the floor. "That''s it. You get the bed, and I''ll take the floor. No arguments!" she said firmly, glaring at Selene, who blinked innocently. Selene, still hugging the blanket, yawned and smiled sweetly. "Goodnight, mother." Esdeath huffed, rolling herself in the bedsheet like a cocoon and lying down on the cold, hard floor. "Finally, peace and quiet," she muttered. And for the rest of the night, she did get her peace, though every so often, she''d glance over at Selene''s sleeping form just to make sure there wasn''t another surprise attack. --- Morning arrived, and the first rays of golden sunlight poured through the dorm room window, illuminating the room in a warm glow. Despite the bright light, Esdeath remained sound asleep. Why? Because she no longer needed to follow her grueling physical training routine. Her strength had already reached a level where further improvement was only possible with the use of essence stones. Moreover, there were no classes scheduled for students selected for the one-on-one duels. So, Esdeath had every excuse to enjoy sleeping in for once, allowing her body to rest until around 10 AM. When she finally stirred, her eyelids fluttered open, and she let out a loud yawn, stretching her arms lazily. "Ah, this feels nice," she murmured groggily. As her gaze shifted to her side, her expression froze. Selene was lying on the floor right next to her, hugging her tightly like a stuffed toy. Esdeath blinked in disbelief, her face heating up as a wild thought popped into her head. "I hope she didn''t try sucking my breast again while I was asleep!" she thought, her fingers instinctively covering her chest. After a few moments, Esdeath sighed in resignation. "Whatever¡­" she muttered, carefully untangling herself from Selene''s tiny arms without waking her. Deciding she needed to freshen up, Esdeath grabbed her toiletries and headed toward the academy''s public bath. --- As she arrived at the bathhouse, the cool morning air was replaced by the warmth of the steaming water. The faint smell of herbs wafted through the air, creating a calming atmosphere. To her surprise, she spotted Maruti near the entrance. The girl gave her a nod and gestured for her to follow. "You''re up late today," Maruti said casually. "Had a rough night," Esdeath replied with a shrug, not bothering to explain further. The two of them entered the bathhouse together, their footsteps echoing softly against the tiled floor. But as they stepped into the main bathing area, they were greeted by an unusual sight. A large crowd of students had gathered near one side of the bath, their whispers and excited chatter filling the air. "What''s going on?" Maruti asked, frowning as she tried to peer over the heads of the crowd. Esdeath didn''t respond but tilted her head, curious. It didn''t take long for them to figure it out, as the center of attention revealed herself: Princess Ravenna. Standing amidst the crowd, Ravenna looked both graceful and slightly uncomfortable. Her long pink hair cascaded down her back, and her glowing presence made it impossible for anyone to ignore her. It seemed the academy''s recent dormitory rules, which required all students to live on campus, had finally caught up with the princess. Even royalty wasn''t exempt from the academy''s expectations, and Ravenna now had to use the public bath like everyone else. The princess''s pink eyes darted around nervously, clearly overwhelmed by the sheer number of people watching her every move. But then, her gaze locked onto Esdeath and Maruti. Esdeath raised an eyebrow. "What''s her deal?" she whispered to Maruti, who remained silent. Ravenna''s expression quickly shifted. Her initial discomfort melted away and was replaced with a sharp, determined look as she continued to stare. But it wasn''t Esdeath she was focused on¡ªit was Maruti. Maruti noticed Ravenna''s intense gaze and crossed her arms with a smirk. "Looks like someone''s not over what happened last time," she muttered. Esdeath glanced between the two of them, putting the pieces together. The last time Maruti had faced Ravenna, she had defeated her entire team with ease. And from the way Ravenna''s eyes burned with determination, it was clear she hadn''t forgotten¡ªor forgiven¡ªthat humiliation. Not like esdeath and maruti care. Esdeath and Maruti barely paid any attention to the crowd or the tension radiating from Princess Ravenna. To them, it was just another day in the academy. Esdeath''s focus wasn''t on petty grudges or curious stares¡ªit was on the upcoming competition. There were two reasons she had decided to participate, and both were too tempting to ignore. The first reason was the rewards. The first-place prize was a Warrior Spirit Essence Stone, a soul-path essence stone that could greatly enhance the strength of one''s soul and fortify the mind. It was something both Esdeath and Maruti desperately needed, as they were lacking in soul-related abilities. Their deal was simple: whoever won first place would keep the stone. But the rewards didn''t end there. The second-place prize was a Six-Horned Horse Strength Essence Stone, a powerful stamina-enhancing stone. And third place offered materials and a recipe for refining a soul-enhancing essence stone. However, refining it would depend entirely on the skill of the person attempting it¡ªsuccess wasn''t guaranteed. Both Esdeath and Maruti were determined to come out on top. For them, this wasn''t just a competition; it was an opportunity to fill the gaps in their abilities. The second reason Esdeath decided to join was equally compelling but far more personal: SP points. Ever since people had spotted her walking around the academy with Lortell Mariette, the infamous arch-duke''s daughter, rumors had spread like wildfire. The entire academy was buzzing with gossip about their supposed "relationship." Esdeath could almost feel the gazes of her classmates and hear their whispered speculations wherever she went. But the most amusing part? Every time someone gossiped about her or mentioned her name in connection with Lortell, she could feel the steady stream of SP points popping up in her status window. As Esdeath and Maruti walked past the gathered crowd, whispers grew louder. People pointed discreetly at Esdeath, their voices filled with curiosity and excitement. "She''s the one who was with Lady Mariette, isn''t she?" one girl murmured. "I heard they''re really close! There must be some dirty secret between them," another girl whispered, leaning toward Ravenna to share her suspicions. Ravenna didn''t react much. Her expression remained calm, but her sharp pink eyes flickered with thought. She had already suspected something was going on between Esdeath and Lortell, though she wasn''t entirely sure what. With a slight nod, she acknowledged the girl''s comment but didn''t say anything. ---------- After her bath, Esdeath returned to her dorm and changed into her academy uniform. However, unlike her usual gyaru style, where she exposed a good portion of her skin, this time she dressed as neatly as possible. Her shirt was properly tucked in, her skirt wasn''t scandalously short, and her overall appearance was polished and elegant. There was only one reason for this sudden change: Lortell Mariette. Esdeath knew Lortell preferred neatness and proper attire, so she took extra care to make herself presentable. She didn''t care about what others thought¡ªit was all about leaving a good impression on Lortell. After all, the arch-duke''s daughter was also going to be at the competition, and Esdeath wanted to good impression. By the time the competition was about to start, the arena was packed once again. Almost every seat was occupied, and the air buzzed with excitement. Up in the royal section, a new chair had been added, clearly reserved for Lortell. However, she hadn''t arrived yet, leaving an air of anticipation hanging over the crowd. Meanwhile, in the middle section, which was designated for academy students, Ethan sat with his three girlfriends: Emma, Violet, and Sylvania. Ethan''s situation, however, was far from comfortable. He fidgeted in his seat, feeling incredibly awkward as all three of his girlfriends seemed unusually quiet, their gazes locked on something¡ªor rather, someone. Esdeath Crimson. She was sitting directly beside Ethan, completely unbothered by the glaring stares coming her way. Her presence seemed to dominate the space, even as she casually nibbled on a carrot. Emma, clearly irritated, crossed her arms and broke the silence with an annoyed tone. "Today was my turn to sit beside Ethan! What the hell are you doing here, human vampire?" The nickname "human vampire" was one of the many that students had come up with for Esdeath. Others included "ghost girl," "whitest doll," and the ever-popular "strongest pudding." These nicknames mocked her delicate and fragile appearance, which starkly contrasted with her immense strength. But Esdeath didn''t flinch at Emma''s words. Without sparing her a glance, she took another bite of her carrot and replied in her usual deadpan tone, "Shut your mouth, big tits." Her delivery was so calm and casual that it caught everyone off guard. A wave of laughter rippled through the surrounding students, making Emma''s face flush bright red. Emma instinctively looked down at her chest, then huffed in embarrassment. "Hmph¡­ It''s not my fault my breasts are big!" Despite her flustered state, Emma didn''t press the argument any further. Instead, she reluctantly moved to sit behind Ethan with Sylvania, still grumbling under her breath. Sear?h the n?vel_Fire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Meanwhile, Violet quietly took the seat on Ethan''s other side, her expression calm but her hands slightly fidgeting in her lap. Esdeath remained unbothered by the commotion. Her attention was focused on the arena below, her expression blank as she continued munching on her carrot. Her relaxed demeanor only seemed to irritate Emma more. The referee raised her voice, commanding the attention of the crowd. "So now, whoever wins the matches will proceed to the semi-finals," she announced, her words sending waves of anticipation through the audience. After a brief pause, she continued, "The first match is between Princess Ravenna versus Maruti from Class B, uhh¡­ Class A." The correction wasn''t unnoticed. Esdeath and Maruti had recently been officially promoted to Class A after their previous performances. Yet, the matchup itself sparked curiosity and whispers among the spectators. Maruti versus Ravenna? It couldn''t possibly be a coincidence. Not when Maruti had defeated Ravenna and her entire team before. Now, fate seemed to have brought them face to face once again, offering Ravenna a chance to reclaim her lost pride. But this wasn''t fate¡ªfar from it. The truth was clear to those who understood the politics at play. This duel was carefully orchestrated, scripted by the royals who had gathered to watch. They wanted to restore Ravenna''s glory, to erase the humiliation of her previous defeat by ensuring she triumphed over Maruti in this public setting. "Hehehe¡­" The royal guests exchanged smug smiles and quiet laughter, their confidence in the outcome as unshakable as the crowns on their heads. Seated high above the arena, they looked down with satisfaction, fully expecting Ravenna''s victory to be a foregone conclusion. Both combatants entered the arena from opposite sides. The contrast between them was stark. Ravenna''s eyes burned with determination, her expression fierce and unyielding. She held her whip tightly, her weapon of choice exuding elegance and precision. Every movement she made radiated confidence, as though she were already envisioning her victory. Maruti, on the other hand, seemed completely indifferent to the atmosphere. She strolled casually into the arena, her steps unhurried, her posture relaxed. A yawn escaped her lips as she lazily rested her Bec de Corbin¡ªa long polearm with a sharp spike¡ªon her shoulder. Her demeanor made it seem like the match was more of a chore than a challenge. The referee stepped into the center, raising her hand high. The crowd fell silent, their anticipation palpable. "Start!" Her voice echoed through the arena, signaling the beginning of the match. Yet, nothing happened. Ravenna stood still and pinche with her fingers. And then on the other side. Maruti didn''t even lift her weapon. She simply stood there, staring at Ravenna with half-lidded eyes, as though she had better things to do. The audience shifted uncomfortably, their excitement giving way to confusion. What was happening? Why weren''t they moving? Then, without warning, Maruti staggered. Her weapon slipped from her grip, clattering to the ground. Her legs wobbled, and before anyone could react, she collapsed, unconscious. The arena was silent. Ravenna hadn''t moved a single step, hadn''t raised her weapon. Yet Maruti lay defeated on the ground, she lost in just one move. The referee blinked, clearly as shocked as the rest of the audience. Slowly, she raised her hand toward Ravenna. "Winner: Princess Raven¨C Maruti Vs Ravenna Round—2 Maruti, still unconscious, drifted into a state of Ultra Instinct, a rare and extraordinary power bestowed by her constellation. This gift was so unique that only two known constellations possessed it: the Demon King Aurora and Lord Hanuman. Even Lilith, who had seen and battled countless warriors, had never truly understood Ultra Instinct. She had encountered the Demon King Aurora only once, during a fierce battle. Aurora, even at his weakest, had been too powerful to kill, forcing them to seal him instead. As for Lord Hanuman, Lilith had never even caught a glimpse of him. Watching Maruti now, Lilith''s sharp mind raced. "What is this? Is this some new type of essence stone?" she wondered, unable to mask her confusion. Suddenly, it felt as though time slowed down. Maruti, still in her Ultra Instinct mode, began to use multiple essence stones instinctively. Her body moved on its own, guided by a power far beyond her control. An orange flame erupted around her hair, blazing brightly. Yet, strangely, her hair wasn''t consumed by the fire¡ªit shimmered, glowing with a divine brilliance. Maruti''s muscles tensed as she let out a powerful roar, "AHHHHHHHRRRR!" The sound echoed through the arena, shaking the very ground beneath everyone''s feet. Her veins bulged, pulsing with energy, as if they might burst from her skin. Gasps filled the arena. She had no idea what she was doing. Her Ultra Instinct state consumed her, leaving her unaware of her surroundings or actions. She stood there, her powerful physique on full display. Her body was flawless, her muscles rippling with strength that made even seasoned bodybuilders look weak. Her skin shone with a divine glow, and her perfect proportions made her look like a goddess. Her full, round chest didn''t sag but stood firm, creating an air of power and grace. She was unintentionally mesmerizing, a mix of raw strength and unmatched beauty. Princess Ravenna, on the other hand, felt a chill run down her spine. Her confidence shattered as fear gripped her heart. She stepped back instinctively, her hands trembling. "N-no! Someone stop her! She has lost her mind" Ravenna screamed, her voice high-pitched and desperate. For everyone watching, it felt as though Maruti was pulling out her trump card¡ªa secret, ultimate move meant to turn the tide of battle. Everyone had their own trump card, after all. Some might have a berserk mode, while others relied on hidden skills or forbidden techniques. Still, the tension was palpable, and teachers held their breath, waiting for Lilith''s orders. Maruti''s eyes gleamed with determination as she bent her knees slightly, channeling all her strength into her feet. The ground beneath her cracked as she shot forward like a cannonball, a blur of raw power aimed directly at Ravenna. Her speed was blinding, almost impossible to track with the naked eye. If not for Ravenna standing far from Maruti, she would have already been caught. Realizing the danger rushing toward her, Ravenna raised a trembling hand and summoned her power. "Earth Vines!" she shouted, her voice a mix of urgency and confidence. The ground around her trembled violently before crumbling. From the broken earth, thick, towering vines shot up into the air like serpents waking from their slumber. Each vine was over three meters tall and half a meter thick, their rough surfaces glinting with an earthy glow as they surged forward to intercept Maruti. But Maruti didn''t falter. Her speed didn''t slow for even a moment. Her eyes blazed with focus as she clenched her fists, and in that instant, she activated four essence stones at once. The first, a D-rank Overall Boost Essence Stone, surged through her body, enhancing all her physical abilities fivefold for the next five minutes. ¨C¨CD-rank Fiery Phantom Essence Stone, gave her an aura of burning flames that danced wildly around her figure. ¨CE-rank Fiery Thrust Essence Stone ¨CD-rank Phantom Fuel Essence Stone The air around Maruti grew suffocatingly hot as she roared with raw power. Without hesitation, she unleashed¨C Killer Move¡ªLion Roar! Her fist slammed into the air with such force that it shook the battlefield. From her arm, a massive phantom lion, forged entirely of blazing fire, erupted with a deafening roar. Its eyes burned with golden flames, and its mane crackled like an inferno as it lunged forward. The fiery lion collided with Ravenna''s towering vines, instantly setting them ablaze. The thick vines were reduced to ash in mere moments, unable to withstand the lion''s scorching power. But the attack didn''t stop there. The fiery lion continued its charge, heading straight for Ravenna. Her eyes widened in panic as she instinctively tried to move back, but the attack was too fast. It roared past her, grazing her so closely that a single strand of her pink hair burned away. The battlefield fell silent for a moment. Ravenna stood frozen, her hand trembling slightly as she touched her hair. The burned strand was insignificant, but the heat she felt and the sheer power of the attack left her shaken to her core. But Ravenna wasn''t ready to admit defeat just yet. Her fiery pink eyes glinted with determination as she unfurled her whip. With a confident smirk, she declared, "Fine! I''ll use my trump card, then!" At her words, the whip in her hand began to transform, twisting and writhing as it turned into a series of thick, living vines. Leaves sprouted from its surface, and the vines grew taller and taller, expanding rapidly as though fueled by an endless source of energy. "Let''s see how you handle this!" Ravenna shouted, her voice brimming with confidence as she lashed the vine whip toward Maruti with blinding speed. The sharp tips of the vines shot toward Maruti like piercing spears, their aim unrelenting. But Maruti, unfazed, caught the vines mid-air with her bare hands. Summoning fire into her palms, flames roared to life as she began burning the vines, watching them turn black and crumble into ash. But just as she smirked in satisfaction, Ravenna let out a mocking laugh. "It''s not that easy to burn them completely!" she taunted, a bitter smile curling on her lips. To Maruti''s dismay, the vines began regenerating almost instantly. The more she burned, the faster they grew, as if fueled by the flames themselves. Within seconds, the vines multiplied, attacking from every angle. Before Maruti could react, the vines coiled around her like living ropes, wrapping tightly around her arms, legs, and torso. She struggled against their grip, but they only tightened, binding her completely in a matter of moments. Ravenna''s smirk widened as she watched Maruti struggle. "I guess you''re not so powerful after all!" she mocked, her voice laced with triumph. With a sharp tug on the whip''s handle, she poured all her strength into the vines. Ravenna wasn''t weak either. She had consumed multiple strength-enhancing essence stones, and her supernatural power was nothing to scoff at. With a single swing, she sent Maruti flying high into the air, her body spinning helplessly like a ragdoll. The crowd gasped as Maruti soared upward, but Ravenna wasn''t done. Tightening her grip on the vine whip, she yanked it downward with all her might, slamming Maruti''s body toward the solid ground with terrifying force. But just as Maruti was about to crash, she twisted her body mid-air, landing gracefully on her feet as though the attack hadn''t bothered her at all. Dust swirled around her as she straightened, her piercing gaze locked on Ravenna. sea??h th§× NovelFire.net* website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Without wasting a moment, Maruti poured strength into her arms. With an audible snap, she broke free from the vines binding her. The crowd gasped again, their shock mounting. Before the vines could regenerate and attack once more, Maruti grabbed hold of them herself. Her muscles tensed as she pulled with immense force, and in a split second, Ravenna found herself yanked off the ground, her body flying upward like a leaf caught in a storm. It was like an Uno reverse¡ªwhat Ravenna had done to Maruti just moments ago, Maruti was now doing to her. Ravenna soared high into the air, her grip on the vine whip the only thing keeping her connected to the ground. She clung to the handle desperately, unwilling to let go, but that decision sealed her fate. "That was your biggest mistake," Maruti muttered under her breath, a dangerous glint in her eyes. Channeling every ounce of her strength, Maruti pulled the vine whip downward with a ferocity that sent Ravenna hurtling toward the ground. Ravenna''s eyes widened in terror, her body completely out of control as she plummeted. "NO¡ª!" was all she managed to cry out before she hit the ground with a deafening BAM! The impact cracked the earth beneath her, sending a cloud of dust and debris into the air. The sound echoed across the battlefield, silencing everyone who had been watching. When the dust began to settle, Ravenna lay sprawled on the ground, groaning in pain. Her head throbbed, and her body ached from the force of the crash. She tried to move, but her limbs refused to respond. "Now this is getting dangerous!" Lilith''s sharp voice cut through the silence. Her expression was grim as she turned to the teachers. "Stop her immediately!" At her command, the teachers sprang into action, moving with lightning speed toward Maruti. Their swift movements signaled the seriousness of the situation, and it was clear that this fight had escalated far beyond what was allowed. Maruti Vs Five Rank C At Lilith''s command, the teachers sprang into action, moving with precision and lightning speed. Two male teachers flanked Maruti from both sides, their goal clear: suppress her without causing harm. Behind them, three female teachers stood ready as backup, watching closely for any unexpected moves. After all, Maruti was just a first-year student. The teachers weren''t trying to kill her¡ªthey only wanted to stop her from moving or knock her unconscious to prevent further chaos. For that reason, they refrained from using magic or essence stones, relying instead on their physical skills to subdue her. The male teachers advanced cautiously, their eyes focused on Maruti, but before either could strike, she made the first move. With explosive speed, Maruti charged at the teacher on her left. Her movements were a blur as she unleashed more than five strikes in rapid succession, her fists pounding like hammers. The teacher raised his arms to block the attacks, gritting his teeth as the force of her punches pushed him back. "Such strength!....It''s like fighting someone at Rank C in hand-to-hand combat!" he exclaimed, his voice tinged with disbelief. S§×ar?h the n??el Fire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Gathering himself quickly, the teacher retaliated with a straight punch aimed at her chest. But Maruti reacted instantly. She lifted her leg, blocking his punch with her foot, and used the momentum to propel herself into the air. Her body spun in a smooth, controlled arc, completing a perfect 180¡ã turn. In one fluid motion, her foot lashed out and connected with the teacher''s face. BAM! The sound echoed across the field as the kick landed squarely, sending the teacher staggering backward. His head reeled from the blow, and for a moment, it felt like his entire world was spinning. Before Maruti could fully regain her footing, the second male teacher saw his chance. He lunged at her, aiming to grab her while she was vulnerable. But Maruti was faster. Planting her palm firmly on the ground, she pushed with incredible force, flipping her body backward. The sudden move took her high into the air, out of the teacher''s reach. In the blink of an eye, she twisted mid-air and locked her legs around his neck like a vice. The teacher''s eyes widened in shock. It all happened so quickly that he had no time to react. "I... I can''t breathe!" he choked out, struggling against her iron grip. Maruti''s legs tightened, her strength unrelenting as she held him in place. The teacher flailed, trying to free himself, but she didn''t give him the chance. With a sharp, controlled movement, Maruti used her legs to pull him downward, slamming his head into the ground with a sickening THUD. The other female teachers wasted no time after seeing their colleagues struggle. They leapt into action, engaging Maruti in close combat. The two male teachers, though battered, also pushed themselves to their feet, unwilling to admit defeat so easily. After all, they were all Rank C fighters¡ªhow could a first-year student defeat them so easily? Now, all five teachers surrounded Maruti, each determined to bring her down. The scene turned chaotic as punches, kicks, and defensive maneuvers blurred together. Yet, despite the overwhelming odds, Maruti still seemed to be in the lead. "Is this really happening?" a student muttered in disbelief. "How can she fight five teachers at once?" Maruti moved with almost inhuman precision. Her strikes were fluid, sharp, and calculated¡ªlike a perfectly engineered machine built for combat. Her accuracy was impeccable, and her movements were as slippery as a fish in water. Every time a teacher tried to grab or strike her, she dodged effortlessly, counterattacking with devastating force. In mere moments, Maruti displayed countless martial techniques that left even the audience stunned. From rapid kicks to lightning-fast punches, she overwhelmed the teachers, using her essence stones at precise intervals to amplify her attacks. "She''s incredible," someone whispered from the crowd, their tone filled with awe. "she is beating five Rank C teachers at once? Am I dreaming?" another gasped, unable to believe their eyes. One of the male teachers, his patience wearing thin, finally snapped. His face flushed with frustration as he growled, "That''s it! I''m done holding back. If this goes on any longer, I''ll lose my dignity completely!" He poured mana in his body, preparing to activate his essence stone. But before he could make a move, a sudden THUD echoed through the field. Maruti''s body collapsed onto the ground, motionless. The sound was quiet, almost anticlimactic, but it silenced the entire area. She lay there like a machine that had abruptly shut down, her chest rising and falling faintly with labored breaths. "Phew..." one of the female teachers exhaled in relief, brushing sweat from her brow. "Looks like whatever technique she was using drained all her mana. Or maybe it just ended on its own." The male teacher who had been about to use his essence stone cautiously stepped forward, kneeling beside Maruti''s body. He reached out to check her pulse. "She''s still alive," he said with a sigh. "But whatever that killer move was, it was terrifying." A heavy silence fell over the field as the audience finally let out a collective breath of relief. Whispers rippled through the crowd, some praising Maruti''s strength, others expressing their confusion over what had just happened. The healers arrived swiftly, surrounding Princess Ravenna with calm urgency. Her neck was visibly injured, a result of the harsh impact with the ground. Without wasting time, they gently lifted her onto a stretcher and carried her out of the arena. Though the injury was severe, there was no panic among the healers. Her natural affinity with nature had already begun its work. As long as her vital organs remained unharmed, her body would slowly regenerate. A faint glow seemed to radiate from her skin, slowly healing her wounds. The audience watched quietly as she was taken away, the tension in the air beginning to dissipate. The referee did not announce a winner between Maruti and Ravenna due to the uncertainty surrounding the outcome. Although Maruti had initially fallen unconscious and seemed on the verge of defeat, she unexpectedly regained her composure, went berserk, and ultimately overcame Ravenna. Furthermore, Maruti''s subsequent attack on the teachers added to the confusion. To avoid controversy, it was decided that the final verdict would be postponed until a formal meeting between Maruti, the teachers, and the academy''s higher-ups. With that unresolved, it was time for the next match. The referee stepped forward and declared, "The next match is between Sylvania Rivenhart from Class A and Kaelith Maranthia from Class A." Lilith: "..." Audience: "..." A wave of silence swept over the arena. Everyone knew the outcome before the match even began. Kaelith, the prodigy with unmatched skills and elemental mastery, was a sure winner. The only thought running through the audience''s minds was sympathy for poor Sylvania. As the competitors entered the arena, Sylvania looked like she had already lost. Her hands trembled, her face was pale, and her eyes darted nervously toward Kaelith. Her lips quivered as she muttered under her breath, "Why is my luck so terrible? Why me?" Her body trembled visibly, and it was clear she wished she could be anywhere else but there. Kaelith, on the other hand, stood still with an air of indifference. Her cold gaze scanned Sylvania lazily, and a bored expression played on her face as if the match was a waste of her time. The referee signaled the start. "Begin!" Sylvania, mustering all the courage she could, raised her wand and began to chant. "If I''m going to lose, I should at least use my strongest spell!" she said with a shaky voice. Sweat dripped down her forehead as she gathered mana, her trembling hands trying to stay steady. A faint, shimmering sphere began to materialize in the air before her. It was large and powerful¡ªpotentially destructive¡ªbut the casting took too long. Sylvania''s nervous eyes flicked toward Kaelith repeatedly, expecting her to attack at any moment. But Kaelith didn''t move. She just stood there, arms crossed, her face a mask of irritation. "Tch¡­" Kaelith clicked her tongue. "If you''re going to do something, hurry up. Don''t waste my time. Even Valen was better than you¡ªat least he attacked!" Her sharp words cut through the tense air, laced with contempt. Sylvania''s heart pounded violently in her chest. Thump. Thump. Thump. It felt like a drum in her ears, drowning out all other sounds. Her fear spiked, and her concentration wavered. Her trembling lips faltered, and her chant broke. The incomplete spell backfired. A surge of mana exploded within her body, sending shockwaves of pain through her veins. Blood sprayed from her mouth as she collapsed to the ground with a dull thud, unconscious before she even knew what had happened. The audience let out a collective gasp, though no one was surprised by the outcome. Kaelith let out a sigh of disappointment, brushing a strand of silver hair out of her face. "Pathetic," she muttered under her breath as she turned and walked away, not sparing Sylvania another glance. Refree sighed as she announced, "Winner kaelith Maranthia". Overlord Essence Stone A short break was announced following the battle between Kaelith and Sylvania. During this time, Maruti regained consciousness, Sylvania was healed by the academy''s healers, and Princess Ravenna''s injuries were fully treated. After half an hour, the audience returned to their seats, buzzing with excitement. The atmosphere was different now¡ªthis was the second half of the battle arena, and everyone knew the fights would only grow more intense and terrifying. Sear?h the N??elFir§×.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. As the crowd settled back into their seats, Esdeath made her way to her spot but chose to sit next to Maruti instead of Ethan this time. "Ugh¡­ I feel like throwing up. What the hell even happened back there?" Maruti grumbled, scratching her head with frustration. "There''s no need for you to know," Esdeath replied bluntly, her tone dismissive but calm. On the other side of the arena, Ethan sat beside Sylvania, who slammed her head onto the seat in front of her. Her face burned a deep crimson, radiating embarrassment. "So humiliating... I fainted because of my own spell! Why?! Why, why, why?!" she groaned, burying her face in her hands. "Don''t beat yourself up over it," Violet said, her voice kind and reassuring. "It happens to the best of us, and besides, it''s not like your opponent was just some nobody." Hearing this, Sylvania gave a small, reluctant nod, though her cheeks still flushed with embarrassment. She sat quietly, trying to shrink into her seat as murmurs and whispers echoed through the arena. But then, as if on cue, the entire crowd went silent. The air shifted, growing heavy with tension. All eyes turned toward the top section of the arena¡ªthe luxury seating reserved for the academy''s most esteemed guests. But it wasn''t the seats themselves that captured everyone''s attention; it was the figure who had just arrived. Lortell Mariette. Her tall, commanding presence was impossible to ignore. As always, she wore extravagant clothing¡ªlayers of fine fabric so large and flowing they dragged across the ground despite her towering figure. Her every movement exuded an air of untouchable authority, and as she took her place on the throne-like seat, her piercing eyes swept over the arena. Not a single person dared to meet her gaze. "Lortell¡­" Esdeath muttered softly, her lips curling into a faint smile as she caught sight of the woman. "The next match is between Valeria Olyndra from Class A and Esdeath Crimson from Class A!" the referee announced, his voice echoing through the arena. "Me? Already?" Esdeath thought, a hint of surprise flashing across her face. She glanced up toward the luxury seating where Lortell Mariette had just taken her place. "What a coincidence," Esdeath mused. "She shows up, and now it''s my turn?" Lortell sat on her throne-like chair, her face uncharacteristically serene. Something good must have happened between her and her father¡ªit was the only explanation for her good mood. But as soon as the referee called Esdeath''s name, her expression shifted ever so slightly. Her lips curled downward, and her eyes narrowed as they settled on Valeria. "Hmph¡­ If that elf dares to injure my Esdeath too much, I''ll make sure she pays for it!" Lortell muttered coldly, her voice dripping with menace as she glared at Valeria from her seat. Valeria Olyndra, the only elf in Class A, walked toward the arena gracefully, her bow strapped securely to her back. Unlike human archers, she didn''t carry any arrows. She didn''t need to. As an elf, Valeria''s connection to the elements was far deeper than any human''s. She could summon arrows made purely of wind and mana, forming them into physical shapes. It was a skill that required immense talent and precision¡ªsomething that even most Rank C human awakeneds could only dream of mastering. Esdeath followed shortly after, walking into the arena with her usual relaxed yet confident stride. She casually patted her shoulders and adjusted her skirt as she moved, ensuring nothing was out of place. She didn''t want to risk disappointing Lortell¡ªnot even for a second. As she approached the center of the arena, her head was slightly lowered, but her sharp, calculating eyes peeked upward toward the luxury seats. Her gaze locked onto Lortell, who was watching her intently. "She''s looking at me, right?" Esdeath thought, her heart pounding with determination. "I need to make this look good¡ªI need to flex! Her lips twitched into the smallest of smirks, and she rolled her shoulders back, standing tall as her fingers lightly tapped the grip of her gun. "Begin!" the referee shouted, her voice ringing across the arena. BANG! Esdeath wasted no time, firing her gun the moment the match started. The bullet shot through the air with deadly precision, but just as it was about to hit Valeria, a translucent green sphere of energy enveloped her. The bullet disappeared the moment it touched the shield. "Pftt... What a joke!" Valeria chuckled, her confidence unshaken. She casually reached for her bow and pulled back its string. As she did, an arrow began to form, glowing with a mix of green and white. The energy shimmered like it was alive, giving the arrow an almost spiritual appearance. "Say goodbye, tall girl!" Valeria smirked before releasing the arrow. The glowing projectile shot through the air at a blinding speed, heading straight for Esdeath. But then¡ª Swish... Just as the arrow was about to hit its mark, it vanished into thin air. The crowd gasped, their eyes wide with shock. Even Valeria froze, her confidence crumbling as her face turned pale. "W-what happened?" she stammered, her voice trembling with disbelief. "Fufufufu..."A soft chuckle escaped Esdeath''s lips as she stood there, calm and unscathed. "What? What did you do?" Valeria demanded, panic creeping into her voice as she tried to summon another arrow. But this time, nothing happened. Only a faint breeze stirred in the air, her attempt failing completely. "Nothing personal," Esdeath said with a sly grin. "I just have a stronger connection with the wind element than you. That''s why you can''t attack me using it." Her words echoed through the arena, leaving everyone stunned. The crowd erupted into murmurs, disbelief written all over their faces. Even Lortell and Lilith, who rarely showed much emotion, looked visibly surprised. "What? A human has more control over the wind element than a high elf? How is that even possible?" "This is absurd! Completely absurd!" Valeria''s face twisted in rage. Her pride as an elf, and a descendant of the great Hou Yi Olyndra, was being shattered. "A-ABSURD! HOW CAN THIS BE?" she screamed, her voice filled with frustration. "ME? A MAIN FAMILY DESCENDANT OF THE OLYNDRA CLAN?. ..THE GREAT HOU YI OLYNDRA, HOW CAN A MERE HUMAN SURPASS ME IN CONNECTING WITH THE ELEMENT?" Desperation flickered in her eyes as she pulled her bowstring again, determined to fight back. This time, instead of relying on her usual friendly connection with the wind, she forced the element to obey her will. Slowly, the arrow began to form, its glowing energy more intense than before. Valeria''s face twisted in concentration, sweat dripping down her brow as she poured everything she had into dominating the element. Esdeath''s calm demeanor wavered, her teeth gritting in anger. Watching the wind element respond to Valeria''s forceful will sparked a fire in her chest. "You dare to betray me and go to her?" Esdeath muttered under her breath. Her voice rose into a furious shout. "COME BACK!" But nothing happened. Valeria''s arrow continued to take shape, glowing brighter with power. Esdeath''s fists clenched, her anger growing. She took a step forward, her voice booming this time. "I SAID FUCKING COME BACK TO ME!" Swish.... The arrow in Valeria''s hands suddenly vanished, just like before. But because of shouting, a bright green aura began to leak from her body, swirling around her like a storm. The aura expanded, filling the entire arena. But only the awakened could see it. To ordinary people, the arena appeared unchanged, leaving them confused. "A-A Rank C essence stone?" Ethan gasped, his eyes wide in disbelief. "Yes! There''s no doubt about it!" Sylvania exclaimed, her voice trembling. "It''s the aura of a Rank C essence stone. But¡­ how does she even have one? And how can she use it? Even I can''t!" Even Violet''s face turned pale, her usually calm demeanor shaken. Lilith, standing among the teachers, narrowed her eyes as she recognized the aura immediately. "Overlord Essence Stone?" she muttered under her breath, watching Esdeath closely. The Overlord Essence Stone, It was a rule-path essence stone, one that granted complete domination over the element the user has affinity with. Normally, the connection between Esdeath and the wind element would be nothing special¡ªa typical human affinity. But with this essence stone, Esdeath had full control over the wind element. "How could Valeria possibly compete against that?" Lilith thought, her mind racing. She quickly reached a conclusion. "Only top-tier Rank C users or those above can negate the effects of an Overlord Essence Stone. No wonder Valeria couldn''t do a single thing against her." But another question gnawed at her. "How did Esdeath get such a powerful essence stone? The Overlord Essence Stone is one of the rarest Rank C stones." Her gaze shifted toward Lortell, who sat calmly in the luxury seats, watching Esdeath with an almost possessive look in her eyes. "Did Lortell give it to her?" Lilith wondered, her thoughts growing heavier. Then, as she turned her attention back to Esdeath, her eyes widened in shock. "Her mana¡­ It''s grown over 80 times more than last time!" Lilith''s mind reeled. The last time she had assessed Esdeath, her mana pool was far below average for an awakened. But now, it was nearly comparable to that of a Rank C. "What kind of monstrous growth rate is this?" Lilith thought, unable to hide her surprise. But what could anyone do? The battle arena was a place where the strong thrived, a brutal test of survival of the fittest. It wasn''t Esdeath''s fault she possessed such a rare and powerful essence stone¡ªor that she could wield it so effectively. Meanwhile, Valeria stood frozen, the realization sinking in. Without the ability to use her wind element, and with no physical arrows to fight, she had no way to continue. The match was already over. "The winner is Esdeath Crimson!" the referee announced, his voice cutting through the stunned silence of the arena. Esdeath concealed the faint green glow of the Rank C aura as she turned and walked away from the arena. A bright smile spread across her face, full of satisfaction. "It''s a good thing I used Lortell''s potion to temporarily increase my mana. Lortell must be very impressed with me now!" she thought, her heart racing with excitement. It wasn''t that Esdeath''s mana was particularly low. After looting the treasures of Trynne and using them to enhance her strength, she had accumulated enough mana to barely use a Rank C essence stone. However, sustaining it for a long period of time was another matter entirely. Overusing it would drain her mana pool, leaving her unable to use other essence stones when needed. That''s why she had decided to drink the potion Lortell gave her. The potion temporarily boosted her mana, just enough for her to "flex" in front of Lortell during the match. Satisfied with her performance, Esdeath left the arena with a content expression, feeling proud of her cleverness and the attention she believed she had earned. --- Meanwhile, in the spectator seats, Emma sat with a puzzled look on her face. Something Valeria had said earlier was still bothering her. "Who''s Hou Yi that Valeria was talking about?" Emma finally asked, breaking the silence. At once, Violet, Ethan, and Sylvania all turned to stare at her like she had grown a second head. "What? You *really* don''t know who Hou Yi is?" Sylvania asked, her tone almost disbelieving. "N-No¡­ Is he really that famous?" Emma stammered, feeling embarrassed by their reactions. Ethan let out a sigh before answering, "In ancient history, it''s written that Hou Yi was one of the greatest archers in existence, and the most legendary archer from the White Elves. Despite being mortal, he is said to have defeated a god and later married the second moon goddess, Chang''e." Emma''s eyes widened in awe as Ethan continued. "But because a mortal can''t have children with a god, Hou Yi married other women and had many descendants. All his descendants are known for their incredible natural talent in archery." "Wow¡­ You really know a lot!" Emma said, genuinely impressed by Ethan''s knowledge. Ethan, however, left out an important detail. What the ancient stories didn''t reveal was that the "god" Hou Yi defeated wasn''t some divine entity but a star constellation known as Desolate Rising Flames. Likewise, the "moon goddess" Chang''e wasn''t an actual deity but another star constellation. Arthur Mariette ONE DAY AGO Lortell said goodbye to Esdeath and left for her real home¡ªher father''s palace. She had received a letter from him earlier, saying he wanted to speak with her about something important. By the time she arrived at the palace, it was already night. As she stepped inside, the grand halls were filled with the soft glow of golden lights. The moment the maids and workers noticed her, they stopped what they were doing and bowed deeply in respect. "I greet the young mistress!" one of the maids said, her voice filled with formality. "Welcome home, my lady!" another greeted, smiling warmly. Lortell, however, didn''t even glance at them. Her crimson eyes remained cold and focused as she walked upstairs with graceful but determined steps. She already knew where her father would be. Pushing open the large wooden doors of his study, she stepped inside. The room was elegant yet simple, with soft lighting and a faint scent of cedarwood lingering in the air. Sitting on a plush sofa was a man who looked far too young to be her father. He appeared to be in his early thirties, with strikingly handsome features. His sharp jawline, lightly muscular build, and bluish-white hair made him look almost like a noble sculpture come to life. His bluish-white eyes gleamed with a mysterious charm, so similar to Lortell''s. It was clear where Lortell had gotten her stunning appearance from. She was nearly a mirror image of him, except for her crimson eyes, which made her stand out in a way he didn''t. This was Arthur Mariette, her father and the current Archduke. Despite his youthful looks, Arthur was over sixty years old. His aura of authority and power filled the room, even when he was just sitting there. "Father¡­" Lortell called out softly, her voice carrying a rare trace of warmth. Arthur''s sharp ears caught her voice immediately. He turned to look at her, and his expression softened into a bright, genuine smile. "So, you actually came," he said warmly, clearly pleased. He gestured to the chair in front of him. "Come, come¡­ Sit here!" Though Lortell''s face remained calm, She silently obeyed and walked forward, taking the seat he had pointed to. "I heard you''ve been causing trouble in the academy," Arthur said, his tone suddenly serious. His face, however, remained calm and emotionless. Lortell''s crimson eyes narrowed slightly, and a faint curl of distaste formed on her lips. "Oh? Now you want to lecture me too?" But instead of scolding her, Arthur chuckled softly. His usual composed demeanor shifted into something warmer. "No, no¡­ I''m not here to lecture you. I was just surprised by this sudden change in you. Do you remember how you used to be? You barely spoke back then¡ªalmost never. At one point, your mother and I even thought you were mute," he said, his voice tinged with both warmth and sadness as he reminisced about the past. Arthur lowered his head slightly, his shoulders sagging. "I thought it was all our fault¡­ what your mother and I put you through," he said quietly, his voice filled with regret. Lortell didn''t respond right away, but her sharp gaze softened slightly. What Arthur remembered so painfully was not entirely his fault. It was Lortell''s mother who had insisted on conducting experiments on her when she was only a toddler. At the age of two, Lortell was forced to endure things no child should ever face. Her mother made her bathe in dense mana elixirs, the blood of ancient beasts, and other concoctions that burned like fire on her skin. Her diet was no better. Lortell was made to consume raw meat from monsters in the demon realm¡ªmeat so tough it could break steel. It was more torture than experimentation. Her mother had been cautious and constantly monitored her health, but the process was brutal. Yet, it yielded results. By the time Lortell turned seven, she had experienced her first awakening. At nine, her second awakening transformed her into a Progenitor Vampire¡ªa being of immense power. While this was a monumental achievement, it came at a heavy cost. Lortell became detached from the world, speaking little and withdrawing from social connections. She had grown strong, yes, but she had also grown distant. Arthur and her mother blamed themselves deeply for what had happened. Arthur, in particular, bore the weight of guilt for allowing his wife to carry out those experiments on their child. "I can only hope you''ll find it in your heart to forgive me for being such a terrible father," Arthur sighed, his voice heavy with remorse. Lortell''s lips twitched upward into a faint, almost imperceptible smile. She waved her hand dismissively. "No, no. I''m actually grateful for everything. If you hadn''t done that to me, how could I have become this strong?" Her words were sincere. Lortell cherished her strength. It gave her the ability to protect Esdeath and exert dominance in a world that valued power above all else. For that, she truly felt grateful, even if the path to this strength had been paved with pain. Arthur smiled faintly, leaning back in his sofa. "You really have become livelier than before," he said, his voice warm but with a trace of curiosity. "I still remember the time you came back from that small trip to Swann. It was as if you had become a completely different person. You started talking, socializing¡­ and now, I hear you''ve been bullying a few girls." His tone remained casual as he continued, "Not that I care about those minor figures, but what surprised me was the reason. You did it for someone¡ªa girl who''s also from Swann." Arthur paused, studying his daughter with sharp eyes. He was an arch-duke; he rarely paid attention to the names of low-ranking nobles like barons or their children. But he wasn''t blind to the connection. "Tell me, Lortell. Is this person the reason for your change and the reason you bullied those girls?" For a moment, the room fell into an uncomfortable silence. Lortell didn''t say anything, but the slight flush in her cheeks. Finally, Lortell raised her hands to her face, covering her burning cheeks as her crimson eyes glistened with emotion. Her lips trembled, and then, with a voice full of raw vulnerability, she confessed, "I want to marry her!" An instant confession. Arthur''s calm and collected demeanor shattered for a brief moment. His perfect poker face¡ªa mask he had worn through countless schemes and negotiations¡ªalmost broke. His pale blue eyes widened in disbelief, and his usually calm features showed a flicker of genuine surprise. Lortell''s words echoed in his mind. "She wants to marry her?" Arthur Mariette was not a man who was easily shaken. He was known as "The Perfect Poker Face," a title he had earned during his past life of crime. He had once been a notorious criminal, feared across many kingdoms for his mastery of the transformation path. Arthur was a man of many faces, capable of changing his appearance and identity at will. Using this skill, he had traveled the world under countless aliases, robbing and scamming his way to infamy. His name became a legend when he even managed to fool and steal from two demon lords, escaping with their precious resources. His talents went beyond mere disguise. Arthur had a natural gift for manipulation, acting, and plotting. No one could tell if he was lying or telling the truth. His deals were flawless, his schemes nearly impossible to unravel. But his luck didn''t last forever. Five kingdoms eventually allied against him, launching a massive campaign to bring him down. Arthur found himself cornered and gravely injured, with no way to escape the mess he had created. It was then that he made a desperate decision. He offered a deal to the Kingdom of Anastasia, trading the immense wealth and rare resources he had stolen, along with critical intelligence about his enemies. The king, recognizing his value, pardoned his crimes and made him the arch-duke of Anastasia. Arthur''s past as a criminal was buried, erased slowly from history, and he took on his new role with the same precision and cunning that had once made him infamous. Because of Arthur being on Anastasia kingdom''s side, They benefited greatly. Arthur''s presence always commanded respect, whether in negotiations or within his family. His sharp wit and unshakable demeanor earned him the nickname "The Statue of Sand." He only reveals the emotions he wished others to see, while hiding everything beneath a thick layer of mystery. But now, as Lortell''s confession echoed through the room, his composed exterior cracked ever so slightly. It was as if a tiny hole had appeared in his carefully built statue, and grains of sand were slowly slipping through. For a brief moment, Arthur''s shock was evident, but he quickly recovered, regaining his usual calm demeanor. "Well¡­" Arthur leaned back against the sofa, chuckling softly to ease the tension. "I must admit, I''m surprised. I never imagined you''d be interested in girls, of all things." His tone was light, and his smile carried a hint of amusement. Lortell stared at him, her heart still racing from her impulsive confession. "Father, are you¡­ really okay with this?" Arthur sighed, folding his arms across his chest. "Why wouldn''t I be? If that''s what you want, just marry her whenever you''re ready." Lortell''s crimson eyes widened in disbelief. "What? Really? You''re not going to argue?" she asked, her voice filled with shock. Arthur''s lips curled into a knowing smile, his eyes gleaming with brilliance. "Your acting, my dear, is far inferior to mine. You weren''t asking for my permission; you were simply informing me of your decision. Whether I said yes or no wouldn''t have changed anything, would it?" His words left Lortell speechless. He had seen right through her, as he always did. Arthur''s expression softened as he continued. "Besides, it''s not like I''m in any position to oppose you. In my prime, I was a Rank A awakened, but you''ve surpassed me in every way. As a Rank S, your strength is leagues above mine. And let''s not forget¡­" He paused, his tone becoming somber. "I''m not the man I used to be." Arthur glanced at his hands, his fingers trembling slightly as he clenched them into fists. "Ever since that battle with the five kingdoms, my body has never fully recovered. Those injuries, I might look fine on the outside, but my strength is fading with each passing day. I''m not even at the level of a top-tier Rank B awakened anymore." His voice grew quieter, tinged with sadness. "And truth be told, I don''t have much time left." "Father, don''t say such things!" Lortell exclaimed, her voice filled with concern. She stepped closer to him, her crimson eyes softening. Arthur smiled at her encouragement, though his eyes carried the weight of reality. "That''s why I called you here, Lortell." He straightened his posture, his gaze steady and full of resolve. "Out of all my children, I believe you are the most suitable to succeed me. I want you to become the next arch-duke." Lortell froze, a mixture of surprise and joy flooding her expression. "Me?" she whispered, barely able to process his words. Arthur nodded. "Yes, you. I know you''re not the eldest, nor are you human. But none of that matters to me. You''ve proven yourself in ways your siblings haven''t. You''re strong, intelligent, and capable of leading." For a moment, Lortell''s mind raced. Out of all his children, why her? She wasn''t even the firstborn. Arthur had five children in total¡ªtwo sons and three daughters. And beyond that, there was the unspoken truth of their world: she was a vampire, not a human like the rest of her family. Arthur had five wives, all Rank B awakened, and three hundred lower ranked concubines. It wasn''t out of indulgence or preference, but necessity. Awakened individuals, due to their immense power, had heightened physical needs¡ªsexual urges that far surpassed those of ordinary people. Their libidos were unmatched, thousands of times greater than that of an average human. This wasn''t something they could control, nor was it a matter of indulgence. It was simply a fact of their biology. A single partner, especially one who was not awakened or of a lower rank, couldn''t keep up with their overwhelming needs. This was why it was common for high-ranking awakened individuals to have multiple wives and numerous concubines. It was both a necessity and luxury or a sign of greed. In fact, in most awakened societies, it was considered a standard practice. Lortell Mariette was no exception, she inherited her father''s strength but had far surpassed him, becoming a Rank S awakened. This elevated her to a realm of power few could even comprehend. However, with her immense strength came even greater challenges. Her physical urges were far more intense than even her father''s had been in his prime. If Lortell ever decided to abandon all restraint, her stamina and energy could allow her to indulge her needs continuously for months without stopping. It was an aspect of her awakened nature that she chose to control with unwavering discipline, but it was a reality she couldn''t ignore. In fact, if Lortell had been born a man, she could have fathered hundreds of children in a single night, given her Rank S abilities. The thought wasn''t something she dwelled on, but it was an undeniable truth of her existence as an awakened being. Despite these societal norms and the expectations placed on high-ranking awakened, Arthur''s decision to name Lortell as his successor to the position of arch-duke was unprecedented. She was his middle child, not his eldest, and she wasn''t even human¡ªshe was a vampire. Typically, in noble families, the firstborn had the first opportunity to inherit the title and responsibilities of leadership And yet, despite these customs, Arthur had chosen Lortell¡ªa middle child and a vampire¡ªto inherit his title. How amazing was this? Being the archduke''s daughter was one thing, but becoming the archduke herself was on a completely different level. Her status could tower above most, even surpassing the great Lilith. In the grand hierarchy of the kingdom, she would be second only to the king in terms of authority and influence. S§×arch* The N??elFir§×.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. But her power wasn''t just about titles. It was built on the unshakable foundation of her father''s secrets and contributions to the kingdom¡ªthings even the king wouldn''t dare challenge easily. Lortell was untouchable in a way that few could ever hope to be. As for her plans to marry Esdeath? There was no room for doubt. Not a single soul would dare speak against it, not openly, at least. The world they lived in still clung to outdated prejudices¡ªracism, classism, and scorn for same-sex unions. For many, such a marriage would be scandalous, a blow to Lortell''s pristine reputation. But what did reputation matter when you held power? In this world, strength rewrote the rules. Lortell knew it better than anyone. Rules were made by the strong, bent by the strong, and enforced by the strong. She smiled to herself, her joy uncontainable. "Yes," she thought, her heart fluttering, "no one will dare object. Our marriage will happen in peace, and it will be a grand celebration of fortune and strength." Her musings were interrupted by Arthur''s voice. His tone was calm but carried an edge of seriousness. "But my decision will stir up trouble for your siblings. They won''t be happy about this, you know. That will be your problem to handle." Lortell''s expression hardened, her joy replaced by a look of quiet determination. She stood tall, her sharp gaze meeting Arthur''s for a moment. "Leave that to me," she said firmly. Her voice carried confidence, unyielding like steel. She gave him a slight bow, a gesture of respect but also one of finality. "I shall depart now." Arthur raised an eyebrow, a mix of curiosity and amusement flickering in his eyes. "Huh? You''re leaving already?" Lortell turned slightly, glancing over her shoulder with a faint smile curling her lips. Her words were soft yet filled with a heartfelt purpose. "How could I miss my future wife''s match?" And with that, she left. Violet Vs Claus (1) After the match between Esdeath and Valeria, Esdeath calmly returned to her seat, while Valeria left the arena in silence. Her face was pale, her expression grim, as though she had just faced something that shook her to her core. In Valeria''s eyes, Esdeath wasn''t just an opponent¡ªshe was an unbreakable wall. A wall that had suddenly appeared in her life, blocking the path to her dreams and potential. It was suffocating, frustrating, and terrifying all at once. Her fists clenched tightly, her nails digging into her palms as she whispered to herself with trembling determination, "I have to overcome this wall... no matter what!" With those words, she walked away. --- When Esdeath returned to her seat, she noticed that Maruti wasn''t there. She tilted her head slightly, wondering where the girl could have gone. Moments later, Maruti came running towards her in the most carefree manner imaginable. With both arms raised at a 45¡ã angle like airplane wings, she dashed through the wind, laughing softly to herself. "Wooo¡­ Fable! Why didn''t you tell me all of this happened?" Maruti said excitedly as she plopped down beside Esdeath, her energy as boundless as ever. Esdeath raised an eyebrow, unsure where this was going. "What are you talking about now?" she asked with a sigh. Maruti, her eyes wide with wonder, began explaining. "I heard that I went unconscious at the start of my match¡­ and then suddenly went berserk! I fought that cheeky princess and even some teachers, didn''t I?" she said, a mix of surprise and pride in her voice. Esdeath sighed deeply, her hand resting on her forehead as though Maruti''s excitement was already tiring her out. "Let me explain¡­" She went on to recount the events in detail. By the end of the explanation, Maruti looked completely satisfied. Her eyes sparkled with excitement as she crossed her arms, nodding proudly. "Ultra Instinct, huh? Now that sounds like a proper cheat skill! I''m amazing!" Esdeath gave her a flat look. "It''s a good thing you had that¡­ ''cheat skill,'' or else you''d have been defeated before you even got started. We need to be more cautious from now on. People with more power will always try their hardest to stay at the top. They won''t hesitate to crush others to win," she warned seriously. Maruti immediately waved her hand in denial, puffing out her chest proudly. "Hmph! It''s not like I won just because of that Ultra Instinct thing! I''m sure I would''ve gotten back up and given that princess a proper beating!" she declared with a confident snort. Esdeath''s lips curled into a sly smirk. "Really?" she asked, her tone dripping with mockery. Maruti raised her chin high, closing her eyes like an arrogant child boasting about their accomplishments. "Of course! Did you forget what we always say? ''This foundation always reaches twice!''" she exclaimed, clearly proud of the odd phrase. "I would''ve beaten her in my second round, no doubt about it!" Esdeath groaned, rubbing her temples as though hearing the line physically pained her. "Whatever, whatever. Just don''t say that weird phrase again! It''s so embarrassing. I don''t even know why you came up with something like that!" "The next match is between Violet from Class A and Claus Clandestine from Class A," the female referee announced in a clear, steady voice. As Violet stood to leave, she exchanged a quick glance with Ethan. His subtle nod conveyed encouragement, and she returned it with a small, determined smile before walking toward the arena. Her heavy sword rested on her shoulder, its weight seeming like nothing to her as she made her way forward. Claus entered the arena shortly after, her steps graceful but firm. A confident smile played on her lips as she surveyed her opponent. Without hesitation, she drew her long sword, the polished blade gleaming under the sunlight. She didn''t dare underestimate Violet¡ªnot after what she had seen. "Earth is weak against Lightning," Claus mused, recalling her easy victory over Emma earlier. "But my lightning element is at a disadvantage against Violet''s gravity element. This won''t be as simple." Her eyes narrowed slightly as she studied Violet. "Not only that, she placed fourth in the written exams, and I saw her last battle. She''s no pushover." Still, Claus''s confidence didn''t waver. She unsheathed her sword and pointed it at Violet, a proud smirk tugging at her lips. "But even so, a marquise like me can''t lose to a lowly baron!" Her words were filled with certainty, as though her victory was already decided. Violet, on the other hand, was calm and collected. She drew her heavy sword in a single smooth motion, the massive weapon glowing faintly with a dark violet energy that radiated power. She adjusted her battle stance, her grip firm and steady, waiting for the referee to start the match. The referee raised her hand, her voice sharp and clear. "Begin!" She quickly stepped back to avoid the clash. *Clang!* *Clash!* S§×ar?h the N?vel?ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. *Cling!* The sound of swords colliding filled the arena almost instantly. Sparks flew as Violet and Claus exchanged a series of rapid blows. Violet''s heavy sword pulsed with dark violet energy, while Claus''s blade crackled with fierce yellow lightning. The energy surrounding their weapons created an intense aura, making the audience watch in awe. Violet was the first to go on the offensive. She jumped high into the air with surprising agility, her massive sword raised above her head. With a loud cry, she brought it down in a powerful, straight slash aimed directly at Claus. "20x Gravity," Violet willed, her voice low but steady as the air around her sword seemed to warp under the immense force. Claus raised her sword just in time to block the attack. CLANG! The impact was so powerful that the ground beneath Claus cracked, spiderweb-like fractures spreading outward. Claus gritted her teeth, her arms shaking slightly as she held her ground. "This sword¡­ it''s unbelievably heavy," she thought, deflecting the blow with all her strength. Instead of countering immediately, Claus stepped back, her instincts urging her to create distance. Without hesitation, she began to run in a wide circle around Violet, her speed increasing rapidly. "From what I''ve observed, she can only manipulate gravity in a small area, not the entire arena," Claus analyzed, her mind racing as she darted around. "If I keep moving quickly, she won''t have a chance to adjust her gravity field to trap me. I just need to wait for the right moment to strike!" Claus dashed forward in a rapid arc, her speed blurring her figure, and swiftly closed the distance behind Violet. Just as she was about to strike, an immense pressure crashed down on her body. Claus''s knees buckled under the force, and she fell to the ground, unable to move. Violet turned around slowly, a confident smirk on her face. "Did you really think you could sneak up on me?" Violet teased. Claus''s hands trembled as she gritted her teeth. "ARRRGHHH!" she roared, summoning every ounce of strength in her legs. With a burst of effort, she stood up against the crushing force of the gravity magic and charged forward like a storm. Violet''s smirk faltered for a moment, her eyes widening. "What?!" she muttered. Before Violet could react, Claus''s blade slashed across her shoulder. Pain seared through Violet, but before she could counterattack, Claus had already created distance between them, retreating with swift, calculated movements. "You''re quick," Violet admitted, clutching her injured shoulder. Her voice carried a taunt as she added, "But all this running around... aren''t you tired of playing coward? Fight me head-on!" Claus smirked, flipping her long sword in her hand as she caught her breath. "I''m not some child who falls for empty words," she replied coldly. "Save your prideful speeches for someone else. Winning is all that matters in the end." Her words were sharp, but Violet couldn''t deny the truth behind them. Claus''s strategy wasn''t flashy, but it was effective. The crowd murmured, some booing at what they saw as "cowardly" tactics, while others watched with admiration for Claus''s intelligence and endurance. Then, Claus struck again, darting at Violet with blinding speed. This time, Violet was prepared. As Claus closed in, Violet raised her hand and called out, "Zero Gravity!" Immediately, Claus''s momentum stopped, her body suspended in mid-air. She floated helplessly, her sword swinging uselessly in the air. The pressure of gravity was gone, leaving her unable to control her movements. But Claus''s expression remained calm. She had expected something like this. Focusing her energy, she whispered, "Wind-Thunder Steps." Her body surged with lightning energy as she created invisible platforms beneath her feet. Using these platforms like stepping stones, she began to dash through the air toward Violet. Violet''s confident smirk deepened. Claus noticed the glint in her eyes¡ª"It''s a trap! ", Claus gasped. But it was too late. "Gravio Inverse!" Violet commanded, flicking her fingers. In an instant, Claus''s world turned upside down. Her body was yanked upward as gravity reversed, pulling her higher instead of down. The sudden shift threw her off balance, and she struggled to reorient herself. Violet didn''t waste a second. Slash..... She swung her heavy sword in a calculated arc, slashing Claus''s leg. The sharp pain shot through Claus''s body as she let out a gasp. Blood stained her leg. Claus gritted her teeth and drove her sword into the ground, her face twisted in agony. "Thunder Charge!" she growled. The ground beneath Violet''s feet pulsed with waves of crackling lightning. The attack was sudden and violent, forcing Violet to retreat, but the shock still surged through her legs. She stumbled, her muscles screaming in pain from the intense electric jolt. Beautiful of this, Claus got free from upsde down gravity. Both fighters were visibly injured now, breathing heavily as they sized each other up. Dust and blood covered their bodies, and the once-pristine arena had turned into a battlefield littered with cracks and scorch marks. The audience held their breath, their eyes darting between the two combatants. Both fighters were now covered in cuts and bruises, their clothes slightly torn and their hair disheveled. The audience was on the edge of their seats, their cheers echoing through the arena. "She''s incredible!" one student murmured. "But Violet''s got her cornered, right?" another whispered. "I''m not so sure¡­ Claus doesn''t seem like she''s giving up," someone else replied. Claus pushed herself upright, leaning on her sword for support. Violet steadied herself, her breaths shallow but steady. Her gravity magic had taken a toll on her mana reserves. But in the battle they both a difference, Claus had a healing essence stone while violet did not. Right now while standing firm, Claus was actually healing her injuries of her leg, She couldn''t use something like Rank C essence stone to rapidly heal her body. But being lower rank, The healing costed high mana and more time, Very slowly healing. But after few breaths, They both rushed at each other, They exchanged many strikes. "Now i don''t have enough to Manipulate even a small area''s gravity, I can only focus on my sword right now! And my mana is also almost running out", violet thought. While Claus was in no better, "My healing and other thing costed my so much mana and I was running at rapid speed using the essence stones The whole time, I don''t have much mana left ", she thought. But despite being in tough situation, Not one of them showed a worried expression, So that the other person couldn''t become confidence. Suddenly, both fighters stopped moving. Their swords dropped slightly as a strange realization hit them. Their mana¡ªcompletely drained. The energy around their weapons flickered and vanished. Claus felt it first. Her breathing slowed as the realization dawned upon her. "No mana..." she thought, her heart sinking. The warm flow of energy she had been relying on throughout the fight was completely gone. Her healing essence stone had drained what little remained. Now, all she had left was her body¡ªand that wasn''t in the best condition. Across from her, Violet came to the same realization. Her heavy sword, previously light as a feather thanks to her gravity magic, suddenly became unbearable. "No..." she muttered under her breath as the sword slipped from her grasp. It hit the ground with a deafening thud, kicking up dust. "I can''t lift it without my magic," she thought, clenching her fists. She glared at Claus, masking the dread building in her chest. Her opponent still held her longsword, and though Claus was breathing heavily, her advantage was painfully clear. The audience erupted in murmurs. "Violet dropped her weapon!" a young man exclaimed, his voice tinged with worry. "She''s completely defenseless now!" another added, leaning closer to the railing. Nearby, a girl frowned and crossed her arms. "Claus has the upper hand," she said confidently. "She can still use her sword, and Violet doesn''t even have the strength to fight barehanded." But a voice from behind chimed in, "Don''t be so quick to decide! Even if Claus has her sword, she''s just as exhausted as Violet. Without mana, neither of them is as strong as they look. They''re practically normal people now." The young woman beside him scoffed. "Normal people? No. Awakened without mana are worse than normal people if they don''t have any combat training." Violet Vs Claus (2) Both Claus and Violet were at their limits. Their mana had completely run out, leaving them unable to use magic or essence stones. Claus, however, had the upper hand. She still held her longsword, while Violet was barehanded. Violet''s breath steadied as she took a combat stance, her eyes sharp with focus. "I have an A-grade ESR talent. My mana will recover faster than hers. I just need to stall for a bit. One good punch with mana, and I can turn this around," she thought with determination. Claus wasn''t oblivious to this plan. She could feel the tension in the air. Without hesitation, she charged forward with her sword, her movements quick and forceful. Claus slashed, and Violet barely dodged the blade, her body twisting at the last second. But Claus didn''t relent. She attacked again and again, her strikes relentless and precise. Dodge. Sear?h the Nov§×l?ire.n(e)t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Dodge. Dodge. Violet narrowly avoided every blow, her body moving on pure instinct. Sweat dripped down her forehead as her heart pounded in her chest. But Claus wasn''t going to let up. Then, in a sudden move, Claus hurled her longsword straight at Violet. Violet''s eyes widened in shock. "She threw her sword?" she gasped, dodging it instinctively. But it was a trap. As Violet dodged, her movements faltered for a split second, and that was all Claus needed. She closed the distance in a flash. Before Violet could react, Claus delivered a powerful kick to her face. The force of the blow sent Violet stumbling back, caught completely off guard. Claus didn''t stop. She followed with a fierce punch to Violet''s abdomen, knocking the air out of her lungs. A pained gasp escaped Violet as she felt the impact deep in her core. Without missing a beat, Claus grabbed Violet as if embracing her and executed a flawless judo throw. She slammed Violet''s head into the ground with a heavy thud. Violet''s vision blurred. Her head spun, and her body felt like it was on fire. Her breaths came in ragged gasps, each one heavier than the last. But Claus wasn''t done. She leapt onto Violet''s prone body, pinning her down. Raising her fists, she began punching Violet''s face without mercy. "Just give up already!" Claus shouted, her voice filled with frustration and pride. "There''s no way I''m losing to someone like you! Your A-grade aptitude and gravity magic are the only reasons you''ve lasted this long!" Violet winced as she tried to block the punches with her arms. Her body ached, her strength was failing, but deep in her heart, she refused to give up. Violet''s vision blurred as her consciousness wavered, but a memory from her past kept her from slipping into darkness. Years ago, when she was still a child and hadn''t awakened, she was just a little girl trying to navigate a harsh world. On one particular day, a group of bullies had cornered her. They laughed cruelly as they taunted her, shoving her around. Fear gripped her small frame as she tried to hold back tears. But suddenly, a fist came out of nowhere, landing squarely on one of the bully''s faces and knocking him out cold. The others froze for a moment, startled by the interruption. It was a boy, about her age, with vibrant blue hair and eyes as deep and clear as the ocean. He stood defiantly in front of her, his small body shielding her from harm. His face was both cute and determined, a mix of innocence and courage. "Leave her alone!" he shouted, his voice unwavering despite the odds. The bullies, however, weren''t intimidated. There were too many of them, and he was alone. They quickly regained their composure and lunged at him. Punch after punch, he fought back, his small fists landing wherever they could. But for every punch he threw, he took several in return. The bullies'' strength and numbers were overwhelming. Violet watched in fear, convinced he would be beaten down. Yet, even as blood dripped from his lips and bruises formed on his small frame, he didn''t back down. "Stop! Just run! You can''t win against them!" Violet cried out, her voice trembling with worry. But the boy didn''t retreat. His determination was like a blazing fire. One punch, then another¡ªhe kept going. His movements were clumsy and untrained, but his will was unshakable. Finally, after what felt like an eternity, he managed to knock out four of the bullies. The remaining two, panting heavily and clearly shaken, began to hesitate. "Damn it¡­ this kid just doesn''t know when to quit. Let''s go¡ªI''m done with this!" one of them muttered, trying to mask his fear. And just like that, the bullies ran off, leaving Violet and the boy alone. Violet stared at him, wide-eyed and amazed. Despite his injuries, he stood tall, wiping the blood from his lip with a small, triumphant grin. "Who¡­ who are you? Why did you help me? What if they had hurt you even worse?" Violet asked, her voice filled with a mix of curiosity and gratitude. The boy turned to her, his ocean-blue eyes shining with warmth. He smiled brightly, revealing all his teeth, as if the pain didn''t matter to him. "I''m Ethan," he said proudly. "And I''m a hero. Heroes don''t give up. We''re meant to protect everyone." "A hero doesn''t give up?" Violet repeated softly, the words echoing in her heart. In that moment, something shifted inside her. A sense of righteousness, a desire to be strong, began to stir in her young heart. From that day on, Ethan and Violet became inseparable friends. As the years passed, things began to change. Violet awakened at the age of eleven, her status as a Baroness granting her privileges and power. But Ethan, to her surprise, had yet to awaken. The roles reversed. The boy who had once stood up to protect her now found himself being shielded by her. Whenever someone tried to pick on Ethan, Violet would step in without hesitation. Her strength and status made sure no one dared harm him. "You don''t have to do this," Ethan would say, his voice tinged with frustration. "Even though I''m not awakened, I can protect myself!" But Violet would only smile brightly, her eyes full of the same determination she had seen in him years ago. "Don''t worry," she''d say confidently. "Aren''t heroes meant to protect everyone? From now on, I''ll protect you." ------------ Remembering those moments, a surge of fire ignited inside Violet''s heart. Her tired eyes widened, blazing with a fierce resolve as though she had seen a ghost. "Heroes don''t give up!" she screamed, her voice raw and filled with everything she had left. Her clenched teeth dug into her lip as she pushed past her exhaustion, channeling the last remnants of her strength. Her fist crackled with dark violet energy, glowing with an faint glow. With all her might, she swung her mana-infused fist and landed a devastating blow on Claus''s jaw. BAM! The sound was deafening. Claus''s body was sent flying backward, her head snapping to the side as her momentum carried her. She hit the ground hard, her body sprawled out as two of her teeth broke instantly, scattering onto the arena floor. "Cough¡­ cough¡­" Claus gasped, blood trickling from the corner of her mouth as she struggled to breathe. Rage flared in her eyes as she managed to push herself halfway up, glaring daggers at Violet. "A lowly baron dares to do this to me?!" Claus yelled, her voice trembling with fury and humiliation. Violet, panting heavily, struggled to sit up. Her body screamed in pain, but her resolve didn''t waver. She knew she didn''t have the strength to keep fighting. Every inch of her ached, and her legs felt like they could give out at any moment. But she wasn''t done yet. Ignoring the pain, Violet forced herself to her feet, staggering toward Claus''s discarded longsword. She reached it, her trembling hands wrapping around the hilt as she picked it up. The weapon felt heavier than ever in her exhausted state, but she tightened her grip, willing herself to move. Claus, still on the ground, tried to rise, but before she could fully get up, Violet was already standing over her. The blade of the longsword now rested firmly against Claus''s neck. The crowd fell silent. Claus froze, her body tense and shaking with anger. Her fists clenched so tightly that her nails dug into her palms, leaving red crescents on her skin. She glared at Violet with pure hatred, her lips trembling as she felt the cold steel against her throat. Her face was contorted with rage and humiliation. She wanted to scream, to fight back, to do something¡ªanything. But deep down, she knew. It was over. She had been defeated. Claus''s vision blurred, and for a moment, she thought she might cough up blood from the sheer frustration choking her. The referee raised his hand, his voice cutting through the tension. "Winner: Violet Vondarion!" The announcement echoed across the arena. For a brief moment, there was silence. Then, the crowd erupted into cheers and applause, their excitement filling the air. The match had been breathtaking, thrilling to the very end. No one had been able to predict the victor until the last moment, and now they celebrated the triumph they had just witnessed. Violet''s chest rose and fell with heavy breaths as she lowered the sword. Her body felt like it was about to collapse, but she stood tall, her pride shining through the exhaustion. Slowly, with unsteady steps, she began to walk away from the battlefield. Her legs trembled with each movement, but she held her head high. Claus, still on the ground, clenched her teeth, her fists trembling. She had no choice but to accept defeat. Both combatants left the arena, their bodies broken but their spirits unyielding. Dad? While Violet and Claus''s match was taking place, back in Esdeath''s dorm room, Selene''s small body stirred. Her eyes fluttered open as she let out a soft yawn. Slowly sitting up, her tiny figure stretched as she extended her small limbs. She rubbed her sleepy eyes before fully opening them. Her body had changed again. She noticed it right away. She had grown a few centimeters taller, and the small horns hidden beneath her silver hair were now starting to peek through. She touched them lightly, her fingers brushing over the sharp tips. "Mother¡­ where are you?" she mumbled softly, her voice carrying a mix of longing and confusion. She looked around the room, but it was empty, as quiet as ever. Selene sat on the bed for a while, her little legs swinging back and forth. "Should I go outside?" she wondered. Her gaze turned to the door, and she slid off the bed, padding over to it. Her hand rested on the doorknob, but she hesitated. Esdeath''s warning echoed in her mind: "Don''t go outside without permission." The memory made her pause, and she withdrew her hand. Feeling restless, she began to wander around the room, circling it aimlessly. She ended up at the window, peeking outside. The sunlight was bright, and the academy garden below was calm. Only a few people wandered about, most having gone to the arena to watch the competition. As she stared out at the people walking outside, a wave of emptiness washed over her. It felt like she was trapped, her freedom locked away in this small room. She really wanted to go outside, to feel the open air and explore. Her eyes shifted back to the door. She glanced at it several times, debating with herself. Finally, she made up her mind. "Just a small peek¡­ a very small one. Nothing more," she whispered, convincing herself. Cautiously, she cracked the door open and peeked outside. Her wide, curious eyes darted left, then right. "Left is empty¡­ right is also empty. All clear!" she thought with a mischievous smirk. With deliberate care, Selene stepped outside for the first time. Her bare foot touched the cold floor, sending a small shiver through her. It felt both exciting and nerve-wracking, like she was committing some kind of crime. "I''ll find where food is and come back. Easy peasy!" she decided with determination. Selene walked carefully through the corridor, her tiny steps almost silent. Every movement was cautious, and her small figure made it easy for her to hide behind the tables placed along the walls. She would pause, peek out, and analyze if it was safe to move forward. But her journey didn''t go smoothly for long. She suddenly spotted two girls talking up ahead. One of them was a human with long, straight hair, while the other was a beast-kin. The beast-kin girl had human-like skin and features but also had a fluffy tail swaying behind her and cat-like ears poking through her hair. "Okay then, I''ll be going, Melia. Be careful¡ªstudents are getting kidnapped by some unknown person," the human girl said with concern, waving goodbye as she walked away. The beast-kin girl, Melia, smiled casually. "I''ll be careful," she said, turning to head in Selene''s direction. Selene''s heart skipped a beat. She was hiding behind a table where decorative showpieces were placed. From where she crouched, Melia couldn''t see her yet, but once she walked past the table, it would be impossible to avoid detection. "What do I do? What do I do?" Selene thought in panic, her mind racing. But she had no time to come up with a proper plan. Without thinking, Selene shut her eyes tightly and covered them with her tiny hands, as if that would make her invisible. A few seconds passed. No sound came. Selene peeked through her fingers cautiously, only to see that Melia had stopped right in front of a door nearby¡ªthe door to her own room. "Ugh! Why isn''t it opening? Today''s my date and my clothes are in there!" Melia complained, visibly annoyed as she fiddled with the door. Her frustration grew as the key refused to work. In her anger, she accidentally snapped the key in half, making it completely useless. "Ugh, great! Now I have to find the duplicate key," she muttered with a sigh, dropping her bag to the floor and digging through it for the spare. Selene watched nervously from her hiding spot, her forehead covered in sweat. Time felt like it was crawling. "She''s taking too long! What if Mother finds out I''m not in the room? Should I go back?" Selene''s thoughts were in chaos as she considered her options. But then, an idea popped into her mind. Her eyes lit up as she remembered something she had read in a story once. "In stories, doesn''t the protagonist knock someone out from behind and sneak away without being caught?" she thought, her tiny fist slamming into her palm as if she had just discovered a brilliant plan. Selene moved quickly, her tiny steps silent as she approached Melia. Her heart raced, and her small figure was almost a blur as she jumped into the air. Melia didn''t even notice as Selene arced toward her, aiming to knock her out from behind. But the moment her foot connected, Selene''s breath hitched. She had made a mistake. No¡ªtwo mistakes. First, she couldn''t reach Melia''s neck as she had planned. The kick landed awkwardly on her upper back instead. Second, Selene didn''t know how to control her strength. BAM! A deafening explosion echoed through the corridor. The force of the kick was so strong that Melia''s body smashed straight through the door. No¡ªthrough the entire room. The door, the walls, and even the furniture inside the room shattered into pieces. Debris flew everywhere, scattering wood and personal belongings across the hallway. Melia''s body was sent flying through the room''s window, disappearing outside. Selene stood frozen, her face pale. Her eyes widened as she realized what she had done. "Oh no... no, no, no! I messed up! I really messed up!" she muttered, panicking as she heard voices approaching. "Is the academy under attack?!" one student shouted, rushing toward the sound of the explosion. Selene didn''t wait to see what would happen next. She turned and bolted down the hallway, her small legs carrying her as fast as they could. "I''ll just go back to my room and pretend none of this happened!" she decided, her heart pounding with fear. When she reached the dorm room, she grabbed the handle and tried to open the door, but it wouldn''t budge. "What?! It wasn''t locked when I left!" she gasped, tugging on the door. She quickly realized it was sealed with a magic circle. The glowing symbols on the door confirmed it. "It''s a magic lock," she whispered, her panic growing. "What do I do now?" Selene touched the door and channeled her mana into the circle, trying to figure out how to unlock it. After a few moments, she discovered something. "It''s asking for a code... numbers," she murmured. "What numbers could it be?" Her mind raced until she remembered something important. "Mother''s birthday!" she thought, her eyes lighting up. Esdeath had once told her about the birthday of her current body, Esdeath Crimson. Selene had a habit of asking questions all the time, she was the one who asked that question and as for the answer she remembered it clearly. She carefully input the numbers and held her breath. With a soft swish, the lock released, and the door creaked open. "Success!" Selene whispered excitedly, a relieved smile spreading across her face. But her excitement was short-lived as she hurried inside and closed the door behind her, leaning against it with a sigh. Selene''s eyes widened as she stepped into the room. The atmosphere was unfamiliar, and the air felt heavy. "This¡­ isn''t my room," she whispered, her tiny voice trembling. Her gaze wandered cautiously, and on the right wall, her eyes landed on a massive portrait. It depicted a tall woman with flowing silver hair and piercing crimson eyes. Her beauty was striking, almost divine, but the menacing red sword in her hand gave her a commanding presence. Selene froze. "Who is she?",she muttered, confused. Realization struck her like a bolt of lightning. "Oh no! I got into the wrong room!" she gasped, her small hands clutching her chest. Her heart raced. "But why did the door open with mother''s birthday? That doesn''t make sense." She shook her head, deciding not to linger. "I need to leave before someone finds me," she whispered. But as she turned to leave, something on the left wall caught her attention. It was another large portrait. Selene hesitated, her curiosity overpowering her sense of urgency. Slowly, she turned back and looked at the painting. Her small mouth parted in shock. In the portrait, two young girls lay together under a sheet. The younger girl looked about eight years old, with black hair and skin so pale it resembled freshly fallen snow. Her eyes were closed, and her expression was serene, but there was a subtle exhaustion etched on her delicate face. Beside her was an older girl, maybe eleven or twelve, with long silver hair and crimson eyes. Her features were eerily similar to the woman in the first portrait. Unlike the younger girl, her eyes were wide open, her gaze intense and possessive. Her tongue was touching the younger girl''s lips, and the look in her crimson eyes was chilling. Selene felt her body freeze as her gaze locked on the silver-haired girl. It wasn''t just the way she looked; it was the way the painting seemed to radiate a silent message. "This girl is mine," the crimson-eyed girl seemed to say. Selene''s gaze shifted to the younger girl, and her heart sank. Her hands trembled as recognition struck her. "Mother?" she whispered, her voice barely audible. It was unmistakable. The black hair, the pale skin¡ªthere was no one else it could be. The younger girl was her mother, Esdeath. S~ea??h the n??el Fire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. But then her eyes returned to the older girl in the painting. Her silver hair, her crimson eyes, and the way she looked at Esdeath¡­ her instinct were screaming only one word in her mind "Dad?" Ethan Vs Corin The referee raised her hand and announced, "Next match, Ethan Rothslayer versus Corin Reynold!" The arena buzzed with anticipation. This was the final match of the day, and all eyes were on Ethan and Corin as they stepped into the ring. Both wielded identical swords, as Corin had deliberately chosen the same weapon Ethan had selected earlier. Corin''s lips curled into a cruel smile, his grip on the hilt tightening. "Today''s the day I''ll finally get revenge for everything I''ve endured," he muttered under his breath, his eyes filled with fiery determination. Watching from the sidelines, Esdeath stood with her arms crossed, a wicked grin spreading across her face. "Finally, the end of the first arc begins. Tonight''s going to be... chaotic," she mused. "Begin!" the referee shouted, her voice ringing out across the arena. Ethan and Corin both took their stances, their swords steady in their hands. Corin was the first to act. He poured mana into his body, activating his "Output Essence Stone." Instantly, the drug coursed through his veins, heightening his senses. He could hear the faintest sounds¡ªthe audience''s breaths, the shuffle of feet in the stands. A predatory smile crept onto his face as he surged forward with blinding speed. CLANG! His sword clashed against Ethan''s in a burst of sparks. Ethan reacted swiftly, blocking the strike, but the force of the blow sent a shockwave rippling through the arena. Dust swirled around their feet as the wind picked up from the impact. Corin''s grin widened. "He blocked it, but I landed a strike. Unlike last time when I couldn''t even land a single hit," he thought with grim satisfaction. The two exchanged blow after blow, their swords ringing out like thunderclaps in the tense silence of the arena. Clang. Clang. Clang. Ethan''s movements were sharp and precise, every block calculated and firm. But Corin fought like a man possessed, relentless and wild, his strikes coming faster and harder. Corin''s thoughts burned with a single word: More. More. More! He activated the *Output Essence Stone* again, flooding his body with even more of the drug. His muscles swelled with strength, his strikes growing heavier and faster. S§×arch* The novel(F~)ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Ethan began to falter, his steps growing uneven as he struggled to keep up. Sweat dripped down his pale face as his breathing became labored. "How does he still have so much stamina?" Ethan wondered, gritting his teeth as he blocked another strike. He had no idea Corin was using a drug to enhance his body and senses. Corin''s grin turned almost feral. "This is it," he thought, pushing forward with unrelenting force. His strikes came down like a storm, each one threatening to break through Ethan''s defenses. The crowd watched in silence, their breaths held as the intense battle unfolded before them. But the next moment, The air around the battlefield shifted. Corin staggered back as a sudden and intense pressure burst forth from Ethan. The overwhelming force felt like a weight pressing down on his chest, forcing him to retreat. The entire audience froze in shock, their gazes locked on Ethan. A brilliant golden light radiated from his body, shimmering like stars scattered across a night sky. The aura glowed with a soft yellowish-golden hue, both beautiful and commanding. "What¡­ What is that?" someone whispered from the crowd. Lilith, standing on the sidelines, couldn''t hide her shock. "Righteous Aura?" she muttered, her eyes wide. Even Lortell, who rarely showed interest, raised an eyebrow. "Huh. This one might have potential," she said with a shrug, though her lips curled into a small, dismissive smirk. "Not that it matters." The murmurs in the crowd grew louder as everyone realized what they were witnessing. Aura. It was something everyone understood but rarely saw. Outside the body, mana often manifested as an aura, similar to the glow of essence stones. Low-ranking essence stones had faint auras, while high-ranking ones shone with brilliance and majesty. In awakened individuals, aura appeared during the moment of their awakening. For about fifteen minutes, their aura was visible to everyone, glowing brightly. Afterward, it faded, becoming a faint blue shimmer visible only to those with trained eyes. But something special happened when someone approached or reached C-rank. Their aura transformed, becoming unique¡ªan identity of its own. Some had fiery red auras, others calming pink or ominous black. Auras often revealed a person''s emotions or the essence of their personality. But even among these, two types of auras stood above all others, rare beyond belief and mentioned only in ancient texts. And now, Ethan was surrounded by one of those legendary auras. "Righteous Aura¡­" someone whispered in awe. The golden light emanating from Ethan wasn''t just a sight to behold¡ªit was a feeling. To those who were kind-hearted, it felt like a warm embrace, comforting and safe. To those with dark intentions, it burned like scorching flames, unrelenting and terrifying. The aura wasn''t massive or overbearing, but it was mesmerizing. Anyone who looked at it felt a deep sense of calm, as if all their worries had been washed away. But not Corin. Standing opposite Ethan, Corin felt anything but calm. His body tensed, his heart raced, and his palms grew sweaty. "Why¡­ Why him?" Corin muttered through gritted teeth, his anger boiling over. His mind spiraled with envy and frustration. "Why does he have a Righteous Aura and is already close to C rank? It should''ve been me!" His fists clenched so tightly that his nails dug into his palms, drawing blood. The golden light in front of him was like a cruel joke, mocking his efforts and dreams. Ethan, oblivious to the chaos he was causing in Corin''s heart, stood firm. "Golden Sword Qi!" Ethan commanded, his voice resolute. Immediately, a portion of the golden aura shifted and flowed into his sword. The blade began to shine with an ethereal golden glow, almost blinding to those watching. In one swift motion, Ethan slashed his sword downward. Slash! A huge golden arc erupted from the blade, speeding through the air like a wave of light. It moved with blinding speed, leaving the audience gasping. Corin barely had time to react. The golden slash struck him before he could even raise his sword to defend himself. A sharp, searing pain shot through his body as the attack slashed across his left arm. Blood splattered onto the arena floor, but the limb wasn''t severed. It was clear to everyone¡ªEthan had held back, intentionally pulling his power just short of causing permanent damage. Corin staggered back, clutching his arm. His breaths were ragged, but he had come prepared. Gritting his teeth, he activated his healing technique. The wound on his arm began to close, but the pain lingered. "You think you can look down on me?!" Corin growled, his voice shaking with rage. "Sword Qi!" Dark purple aura erupted from his body, surging into his sword. The blade glowed menacingly as he charged forward, his movements fueled by anger and desperation. "More¡­ more¡­ MORE!" he screamed, his veins bulging as he activated an essence stone he had. The drug''s energy surged into his body, filling him with artificial strength. The drug coursing through him enhanced his speed and power. Corin''s strikes became relentless. His speed increased to a dizzying level, and every slash of his sword sent shockwaves rippling across the arena. Dust and debris flew into the air as he pushed himself harder and harder, determined to overpower Ethan. But no matter how fast or strong Corin became, Ethan remained calm. Each of Corin''s strikes was met with precision. Ethan''s movements were effortless, as if he was dancing instead of fighting. Corin''s attacks began to falter. His strikes became sloppy, his breathing uneven. He was losing ground. "Why?!" Corin shouted, his voice cracking with frustration. His mind spiraled into chaos. "Why isn''t it enough? I''ve given everything!" He gritted his teeth, his vision blurring with tears of anger and despair. "Why is this happening to me?! After everything I''ve been through because of him?" Memories of his suffering flashed through his mind like a storm. He remembered the humiliation of being beaten by Ethan before¡ªtwice. He remembered losing his fans, who abandoned him after those defeats. He remembered the betrayal of his girlfriend, who had left him and chosen Ethan instead. "This is my chance¡­ my revenge¡­" Corin muttered to himself, his voice trembling. His thoughts boiled with anger and desperation. He didn''t care how¡ªit didn''t matter what he had to do. He just wanted to win. His body screamed in protest, his muscles aching from the strain of the drugs and the endless attacks. But Corin refused to stop. "I''ll make him pay¡­ I''ll make him regret everything!" he roared, forcing himself forward with sheer willpower. But deep down, a cold truth began to settle in his heart. "It''s not enough," he whispered, his voice filled with despair. "It was never enough." The realization hit him like a punch to the gut. No matter how much he pushed himself, no matter how many shortcuts he took, Ethan was still stronger. But then, an idea crept into his mind, dark and desperate. His gaze flickered with determination as he gripped his sword tighter. "If it''s not enough¡­" he thought, his lips curling into a crazed smile. "Then I''ll take everything at once." Wolfman "If it''s not enough¡­" Corin thought, his lips twisting into a crazed smile, "then I''ll take everything at once." sea??h th§× n??el Fire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Without hesitation, he activated the essence stone at its full capacity, drawing every ounce of its drugged energy into his body. An immediate surge of power coursed through him like molten lava, but it came at a cost. His skin turned a deep, unnatural red, and veins bulged across his arms and neck, threatening to tear through his flesh. The transformation was horrifying. A wave of killing intent radiated from him, chilling everyone to the bone. His bloodshot eyes locked onto Ethan with raw hatred. "ARRRGHHHH!" Corin roared, his voice guttural and feral, as he threw his sword aside. He charged at Ethan, barehanded, like a wild animal. His speed was shocking¡ªblinding. The audience barely had time to blink before he was upon Ethan. Ethan stood firm, unfazed. A smirk played across his lips, and his eyes gleamed with confidence. "If a fistfight is what you want," he said calmly, pulling his arm back, "then take this!" Both fighters threw their fists forward with immense power, their strikes colliding mid-air with a thunderous *BAM!* The impact shook the entire arena, sending a shockwave rippling outward. Dust and debris scattered as the ground trembled. But Corin was the one who paid the price. The sheer force of Ethan''s punch sent him flying backward, crashing onto the ground thirty steps away. He tumbled like a ragdoll before coming to a stop, his body battered and his hand mangled from the impact. The audience erupted into murmurs. "They''re both monsters, but Ethan''s on a whole different level!" one spectator exclaimed. "I think Corin should just accept his defeat," a girl said sympathetically. "He fought well this time. It''s nothing like before¡ªhis image will be way better now." But Corin wasn''t listening. Slowly, shakily, he pushed himself up. His hair hung messily over his face, hiding his expression. Blood dripped from his knuckles, and his body trembled with pain. Every inch of him felt like it was on fire, his injuries screaming for him to stop. But he couldn''t. His mind raced with a single, tormenting thought: *Why isn''t it enough? Why am I still losing?* "WHY?!" Corin suddenly screamed, his voice filled with rage and despair. He raised his head, glaring at Ethan with wide, unblinking eyes. The arena fell silent¡ªan eerie, almost oppressive silence. Then someone whispered, barely audible over the tension. "His eyes¡­ they''ve turned red." Ethan''s smirk faded, replaced by shock. His sharp gaze focused on Corin. "Second Awakening¡­?" Corin''s eyes glowed a deep, unnatural red. His pupils had shifted, becoming slitted like those of a snake or a predator. His teeth lengthened, sharp fangs emerging, and his nails grew into claws, ten times their normal size. The transformation was horrifying to witness. Corin no longer looked human. The next moment, golden fur began to grow all over Corin''s body, spreading rapidly. His entire form twisted and expanded, bones cracking and reshaping as his transformation took hold. Gasps erupted from the audience, their faces pale with fear. "There''s no doubt about it," someone whispered in horror. "He''s had his second awakening¡­ and turned into a wolfman!" The arena descended into chaos. The transformation was sudden and without warning, leaving everyone in shock. Lortell, however, broke into a chilling laugh as she stood from her seat, her crimson eyes gleaming with excitement. "Hahaha¡­ Who would''ve thought I''d get to see the future Duke killed right here in front of everyone today!" Panic rippled through the spectators, their voices rising in confusion and fear. "Wait!" Lilith shouted, stepping toward Lortell. "He''s still the Duke''s son¡ª" But Lortell silenced her with a cold, dismissive glance. Her lips curled into an evil smile. "Basic laws of the kingdom," Lortell said, her voice dripping with malice. "If anyone awakens as a vampire, wolfman, or any other anomaly, they''re to be killed on sight¡ªregardless of their status." Lilith froze, unable to argue further. She clenched her fists, trembling with frustration. Lortell''s words were correct, and Lilith knew it. But the bitter irony stung¡ªLortell herself was a vampire, But all she could do was watch as events unfolded. "ROARRRR!" A deafening roar shattered the tense silence as Corin, now fully transformed, rose to his feet. His ripped clothes lay in shreds on the ground, unable to contain his new form. He now stood over six feet tall, his body covered in thick golden fur. His muscles bulged with raw power, and his sharp claws gleamed under the light. Corin no longer resembled the boy he once was. He was a beast¡ªa wolf on two legs. The wolfman''s glowing red eyes locked onto Ethan, and he roared again, shaking the arena with the sound. Ethan''s face turned pale as panic gripped his heart. "No way¡­ no way¡­ Wolfmen have the highest physical strength upon awakening! Unlike vampires or anomalies, they''re monsters in raw power. I can''t fight him. I have to run!" But before Corin could lunge, another figure appeared in front of him. Lortell. She moved so fast that it was as if she had teleported. Her very presence made Corin halt instinctively, his feral rage subdued for a brief moment by the sheer force of her aura. Lortell stood tall, towering over the newly awakened wolfman. Despite his newfound size and strength, Corin had to look up to meet her gaze. Her wide, sinister smile deepened as she looked down at him, her crimson eyes glinting with amusement. "Say goodbye to your life,boy," Lortell said, her voice low and menacing. Slap! Lortell swung her palm toward Corin with deadly precision. To her, one strike was more than enough to end his life, to snuff out the raging wolfman before he became a threat. But just as her hand was about to connect, Corin''s body shimmered and vanished into thin air, as though he had never been there. "What?" Lortell''s hand stopped mid-air, her crimson eyes narrowing in frustration. "He teleported!" Lilith exclaimed, her voice urgent. "It''s a unique ability of wolfmen. They naturally have affinity with the space element. He can teleport anywhere within a limited range. But his mana isn''t strong enough to take him far!" Lortell''s expression darkened ,"Of course, I know that!" she snapped, her tone dripping with annoyance. But the crowd didn''t take the news calmly. "Teleport anywhere?" someone gasped, their voice trembling with fear. "That means he could appear right behind us! He could kill us at any moment!" The realization sent waves of terror through the audience. "Run! Run!" a man shouted, his voice cracking with panic. At once, chaos erupted. People began pushing and shoving, desperate to reach the exits. Fear gripped the arena like a storm, and no amount of shouting could stop it. "Don''t panic! Leave in an orderly fashion! Everything is under control!" several teachers yelled, their voices booming in an attempt to calm the crowd. But their words fell on deaf ears. How could anyone believe them after what they had just witnessed? They had seen a boy transform into a monstrous wolfman, Like a creature out of nightmares. Meanwhile, Esdeath sat calmly amidst the growing chaos, her sharp gaze scanning the panicked masses. "I suppose it''s time for me to leave too," she muttered, her voice indifferent as she stood from her seat. Her eyes briefly glanced at the empty chair beside her, Maruti''s seat. Maruti had left a while ago, Corin vs Ethan was the last match of today and her match was already over, She had not much intrest in watching a fight with obvious outcome. Without another word, Esdeath melted into the crowd, moving gracefully amidst the chaos until she disappeared entirely. Back on the arena floor, Lilith approached Lortell, her expression a mix of worry and determination. "We need to prepare to capture him," Lilith said firmly. "He hasn''t killed anyone yet. There''s still a chance to save him." Lortell''s crimson eyes flickered with a brief, hidden smirk, but she quickly masked it with a solemn nod. "Fine," she said, her tone neutral. "Let''s go." Lilith and Lortell were about to leave when a B-rank teacher rushed toward them, his face pale and his voice trembling with urgency. "Vice Principal!" he called out, his breath heavy. "Another wave of beasts and monsters has appeared! Our B-rank teachers and the third-year students are holding the line, but it''s becoming difficult to manage. We need reinforcements!" He didn''t wait for a response. Turning on his heel, he sprinted back toward the forest, knowing every second counted. There was no time for long discussions¡ªhe had come to deliver the message and return to the fight. Lilith''s eyes darkened, her jaw tightening. "Another wave? Why is our luck so terrible right now?" she muttered through gritted teeth. Turning to Lortell, she tried place a hand on her shoulder but of course due to height difference,She could barely reach her waist. "You go with him and help them defend the academy. I''ll stay behind and focus on capturing Corin." But Lortell''s face twisted with anger, her crimson eyes blazing. "Don''t give me that nonsense!" she snapped. "What if something happens to Esdeath? If she so much as gets a scratch, I''ll peel the skin off your body!" Her voice was sharp and threatening, each word like a dagger. Lilith sighed but held her ground. She grabbed Lortell''s arm, her grip firm yet reassuring. "Trust me," she said, her voice steady. "I''ll take full responsibility this time. Nothing will happen to her. I promise." Her eyes held a sincerity that even Lortell couldn''t ignore. Lortell narrowed her eyes, her lips pressing into a thin line. She didn''t fully trust anyone when it came to Esdeath, but Lilith''s confidence made her hesitate. Finally, she scoffed. "Hmph. I''ve placed multiple investigative essence stones on Esdeath. If she''s in any danger, I''ll know immediately," she muttered under her breath. Reluctantly, she nodded. "Fine. But if you break your word, I won''t forgive you." Without waiting for a reply, Lortell turned and strode off toward the back of the academy, heading deep into the large forest where the waves of monsters were attacking. Her tall figure disappeared into the shadows, her presence as commanding as ever. Lilith watched her leave and let out a small sigh of relief. "Sending her away was the right decision," she thought, her expression serious. If Lortell had found Corin first, there was no doubt in Lilith''s mind that she would kill him without hesitation. Lortell didn''t care about Corin''s status or his circumstances¡ªshe would see him as a threat and eliminate him. "Corin is the Duke''s son," Lilith reminded herself. "He can''t die without the Duke knowing what''s happening. If I don''t handle this carefully, the entire academy will be in chaos." Wolfman, Vampire, Anomaly Second Awakening. This is a rare and powerful phenomenon that many awakened individuals experience when their growth reaches a limit. It happens when someone''s abilities hit a wall, unable to advance any further. But then, under extreme circumstances¡ªlike a life-or-death situation¡ªor through sheer willpower, they break their limits and undergo a second awakening. This event grants immense strength, new insights into their powers, and often unlocks abilities they could never have imagined. However, there is a darker side to this transformation. Some individuals are not so lucky. In rare cases, a person''s second awakening can turn them into something that is no longer human. These unfortunate individuals awaken as one of three feared creatures: a wolfman, a vampire, or an anomaly-class monster. Once this transformation happens, society views them as dangerous threats. No matter their past, no matter their intentions, others will stop at nothing to eliminate them. This is because these creatures often lose their humanity, becoming beings that kill without hesitation. Firstly Anomaly-Class Monsters Anomalies are the most unpredictable and terrifying of all. Unlike wolfmen and vampires, any species can awaken as an anomaly¡ªbe it a human, elf, or even an animal. Anomalies are unique because their awakening happens at the moment of death. Just as their life ends, they are reborn as an anomaly with powers tied to their manner of death. For example, someone hanged for a crime might awaken as an anomaly called "The Hanged Man," with powers tied to ropes or suffocation. Another who dies by decapitation might awaken as "The Headless Man,". Merits : - Each anomaly has unique powers based on their death, making them extremely unpredictable. - They are nearly impossible to kill permanently, as their bodies are often unstable or regenerative. - Can range from low-level threats (like "The Shy Girl,Spiral stairs, Upisde down") to catastrophic beings that can destroy entire cities. Anomaly-class monsters are generally weak compared to other awakened creatures, but they are incredibly frustrating to deal with. Killing them is no simple task. Some have specific conditions that need to be met to end their existence, while others have strange, durable forms that make it nearly impossible to deal a fatal blow. However, the biggest drawback of being an anomaly-class monster is their extremely low intelligence. These creatures lack common sense and survival instincts, which often leads to their downfall. In fact, six out of ten anomaly-class monsters either kill themselves or get killed by fighting others of the same type. Because of this, people often take a passive approach when encountering someone who has awakened as an anomaly. Instead of risking their lives, they might abandon the area entirely, leaving the anomaly alone. In many cases, the anomaly eventually destroys itself, and the people return once it''s safe again. There are two types a person can awaken as an anomaly-class monster: 1. The Normal Awakening This is the most common form. A person dies and then awakens as an anomaly. For example, someone hanged for a crime may awaken as "The Hanged Man," or someone burned alive might return as "The Burning Phantom." These creatures are often grotesque and unsettling, their forms tied to the way they died. 2. The Unaware Awakening This is far rarer and much more terrifying. In this case, the person dies but doesn''t realize they are dead. For example, imagine falling from a tall tree and hitting your head on a rock. You wake up thinking, "Wow, I survived!" But in truth, you are already dead, and your "life" is now an illusion. At first, nothing seems wrong. The person might even go about their daily life as if nothing happened. But slowly, they begin to lose their intelligence and humanity, becoming like a zombie possessed by a ghost. Over time, their mind deteriorates completely, and they turn into a full anomaly-class monster. The transition is horrifying not only for the person but for those around them, as they witness the gradual loss of the individual''s sense of self. Once they''ve fully transformed, whether they survive depends entirely on their luck and the circumstances. And secondly Vampires... If someone awakens as a vampire, the transformation is immediate and violent. They fall into a berserk state, attacking everything in sight. This leads many people to assume that the awakened vampire is at their strongest during this moment. But the truth is far more shocking: this berserk state is actually their weakest point. When a vampire first awakens, they lack control over their abilities and are easily overwhelmed by their thirst for blood. This is the most vulnerable moment in their existence, and if they are hunted quickly, they can be killed without much difficulty. However, if the vampire survives this initial phase, their true power begins to manifest. Vampires are among the longest-living species in existence. An average vampire has a lifespan of ten thousand years, and progenitor vampires can live for hundreds of thousands of years without showing signs of aging. Over time, a vampire''s abilities grow exponentially. Their regeneration becomes near-instantaneous, their physical strength rivals the strongest creatures, and they develop unique abilities like controlling blood or influencing minds. Despite their immense potential, vampires are not without weaknesses. The biggest drawback is their insatiable thirst for blood. From the moment they awaken, this thirst consumes them, making them dangerous even to those they once loved. sea??h th§× N?vel(F)ire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Their berserk state at the beginning of their transformation is another major flaw. During this time, they cannot think rationally and are often killed by humans or other species before they can fully develop their powers. And the last one, Wolfman. Wolfmen are the rarest form of second awakening. Only a handful of people in history have ever awakened as Wolfmen, and interestingly, only humans can become Wolfmen¡ªthere are no records of a "Wolfwoman." When a person awakens as a Wolfman, they fall into a berserk state similar to vampires. However, there''s a critical difference: Wolfmen are at their strongest the moment they awaken. Their physical abilities multiply several times over, and they are consumed by uncontrollable rage, hunger, and an overwhelming lust for destruction. They lose all sense of rationality and start attacking and devouring others without hesitation. One unique characteristic of Wolfmen is their natural affinity with space elements. While the space element is extremely rare and highly coveted, every Wolfman inherently possesses this affinity, making them even more dangerous and unpredictable. This was precisely what happened to Corin. When he awakened as a Wolfman during his match with Ethan, Ethan''s face turned pale. He immediately understood that Corin''s power had grown immensely, putting him on par with Ethan himself. However, Ethan was fortunate. Powerful figures like Lortell and Lilith were present, ensuring his safety. Lortell, determined to eliminate Corin, tried to strike him down immediately. But Corin instinctively tapped into his space affinity, teleporting away before anyone could stop him. --- The chaos from Corin''s awakening left the academy in disarray. It was evening when the incident occurred, and as night fell, the arena was completely empty. The once-bustling academy now seemed eerily quiet, with teachers patrolling the grounds, searching for any sign of Corin. In one dorm room, a group of eight students huddled together. Fear gripped the air, and tension hung heavy over them. "Don''t be afraid," one girl said, her voice trembling slightly. "We''ve set up a magic formation around this room. No one can enter without breaking it. If anyone tries, the teachers will have enough time to come and save us." Her words brought a sliver of hope to the group, though her shaking hands betrayed her own fear. "Yes¡­ I think you''re right¡ª" Before the boy could finish his sentence, his words were abruptly cut off. His eyes widened in shock as his vision turned upside down. A thud echoed through the room. Everyone froze, their faces pale with terror. The boy''s headless body collapsed to the floor, blood pooling around him. His severed head rolled to a corner. Standing beside the lifeless body was a tall, hulking creature covered in golden fur. Corin. "Ahhhhhhh! Corin is here!" someone screamed, their voice filled with panic. "How?! How did he get in without breaking the formation?!" the girl who had cast the spell shrieked, her voice cracking with fear. "Fuck you, Sarah! This is your fault! We''re all going to die because of you bitch! " another boy yelled angrily, his voice trembling with despair. Suddenly, the sound of alarms filled the air. Beep! Beep! Beep! The academy''s emergency sirens blared, alerting the teachers to the danger. "Stay focused!" Sarah shouted, trying to regain control of the situation. "We have to stall for time¡ª" Her sentence was cut short as Corin lunged at her with terrifying speed. He kicked her with such force that her body flew across the room and slammed into the wall. BAM! Her lifeless body slid down, leaving a trail of blood on the wall. She was nothing more than a crushed heap of flesh. "No¡­ no¡­" one of the boys stammered, his voice barely audible. Corin didn''t stop. He grabbed another boy by the neck, his massive claw-like hand tightening with an iron grip. The boy thrashed and struggled, but it was useless. Corin opened his jaw unnaturally wide, revealing sharp, glistening teeth. The boy''s screams were cut off as Corin brought his head closer. Gulp! Corin bit down, swallowing the boy''s head in one horrifying motion. Blood splattered everywhere as the lifeless body slumped in his grip. The remaining students screamed, their terror reaching a fever pitch. "I don''t want to die! I don''t want to die! Someone, please save me!" a girl sobbed, collapsing to her knees. Her cries echoed through the room, but no one was there to answer. The teachers finally arrived at the dorm room door, their faces tense and filled with urgency. But as they tried to enter, they were stopped by the magic formation surrounding the room. "You fools!" the female teacher yelled in frustration, her voice sharp and commanding. "He has an affinity with space! A normal formation can''t hold him unless it''s specifically made for space-path magic!" Without hesitation, she raised her hand, her fingers glowing with a bright light. With a single motion, she shattered the formation, the magic barrier crumbling like broken glass. As the teachers rushed inside, the sight before them froze them in place for a brief moment. Blood stained the walls and floor, and three lifeless bodies lay scattered across the room. "Damn it!" one of the teachers cursed under his breath. But Corin was gone. Before they could reach him, he had teleported again, vanishing without a trace. "Shit¡­ we''re too late," another teacher said, his voice heavy with regret. The room was eerily quiet except for the muffled sobs and ragged breathing of the survivors. Five students remained, huddled in corners, their faces pale and eyes wide with terror. The horror of what had just happened was etched into their expressions, and their bodies trembled as though the air around them had turned freezing cold. Among them was the girl who had been crying moments earlier, repeatedly muttering the same words under her breath. "I don''t want to die¡­ I don''t want to die¡­ please don''t eat me¡­" she whispered, her voice hollow and shaking. The female teacher approached her slowly, her own heart aching at the sight. She knelt down beside the trembling girl and gently wrapped her arms around her, pulling her into a comforting embrace. "You''re safe now," the teacher said softly, her voice kind and steady. "He''s gone. No one''s going to hurt you." But the girl didn''t respond. Her wide, tear-filled eyes stared blankly at the floor as though she couldn''t hear the words. Her lips kept moving, repeating the same plea over and over. "Please¡­ don''t eat me¡­ I don''t want to die¡­" Kill Her Corin ran through the empty corridors of the academy, his breath ragged and his body drenched in sweat. His vision was still clouded, the world around him painted in an unnatural, blood-red hue. He stumbled as he teleported again, his mana nearly drained from overuse. Slowly, the berserk rage that had consumed him began to wane, allowing fragments of clarity to seep into his mind. "What happened? Why am I running?" he wondered, his thoughts hazy and jumbled. His heart pounded in his chest as he tried to piece together the events of the past few hours. "Everything feels so red... so chaotic... I can''t remember anything clearly." As he sprinted through the dimly lit hallway, he spotted a boy ahead of him¡ªblue-haired and blue-eyed. The boy moved cautiously, his body tense with fear. When their eyes met, the boy froze in place, his face turning ghostly pale, and his entire body began to tremble. "Ethan?" Corin''s muddled thoughts latched onto the name as it echoed in his head. The sight of the boy triggered something deep within him, an uncontrollable fury rising like a tidal wave. "That''s right... Ethan! I remember now. He''s the reason for all this! I''ll kill him! I have to kill Ethan to reclaim my honor!" Without hesitation, Corin lunged forward, his sharp nails glowing faintly under the dim lights. In one swift motion, he drove them deep into the boy''s abdomen. Blood sprayed out like a crimson fountain, splattering onto Corin''s face and hands. The boy didn''t even have a chance to scream before his body collapsed lifelessly onto the cold, hard floor. Corin stared down at the corpse, his chest heaving. A twisted grin spread across his face. "Hehehe... Ethan is dead. I killed him!" he bellowed, his voice filled with savage satisfaction. "Finally! I''ve done it!" But his moment of triumph was short-lived. A commanding voice rang out from behind him. "Corin! Surrender now, or we''ll have no choice but to end this!" Corin spun around, his blood-soaked hands trembling. His red-tinted vision revealed three figures standing at the end of the corridor. To his shock, they all looked like Ethan¡ªbut with slight differences. One was taller and leaner, another shorter and stockier, and the third appeared almost identical to the boy he had just killed. "What?! More Ethans?!" Corin growled, his rage bubbling to the surface once again. He clenched his fists, his sharp claws glinting menacingly. "Is this some kind of trick?! Fine! If you want to keep coming, I''ll kill every single Ethan that crosses my path!" His muscles tensed, and he prepared to charge at the three figures. His bloodlust blinded him to the truth. The boy he had just killed wasn''t Ethan at all¡ªit was another student, an innocent bystander who had the misfortune of crossing Corin''s path. And the three figures before him weren''t Ethan either. They were academy teachers, two men and one woman, who had tracked Corin down to stop his rampage. But in his berserk state, Corin''s mind twisted reality. Every person he saw became Ethan. His hatred consumed him, leaving no room for reason or logic. All he could see was the face of the boy he blamed for everything, and all he could think about was spilling more blood. Corin charged forward like a wild beast, baring his fangs, his body trembling with uncontrollable rage. His target was clear¡ªto kill the "Ethan" in front of him, no matter the cost. The female teacher stepped forward, her gaze cold and unwavering. "It seems like I have no choice but to stop you," she said firmly. With a swift, precise motion, her sword sliced through the air and severed Corin''s arm. Blood sprayed onto the floor, but she showed no hesitation. Corin gasped, stumbling back as pain shot through him. His eyes widened in disbelief. "This Ethan is so powerful¡­ I have to retreat!" he thought, his mind still unable to comprehend reality. Before anyone could strike again, Corin''s arm began to regenerate with unnatural speed. Without a second thought, he teleported away, vanishing before their eyes. But this wasn''t the end. Everywhere Corin teleported, the same thing happened. Whenever someone injured him, he would teleport again to escape. Each time, he pushed his body further beyond its limits. His mana was almost gone, his stamina drained, and his muscles screamed in agony. Yet his berserk state didn''t allow him to stop. Finally, he teleported again and landed in a quiet dorm room. The air was still, and the faint scent of lavender lingered. Corin''s bloodshot eyes scanned the room. In the corner, he saw a trembling figure¡ªa girl with a soft, feminine frame. To him, she looked like a female version of Ethan, with the same face but with a more alluring and curvier body. "Another Ethan?!" Corin growled, baring his teeth. His vision blurred, the world still coated in red. He stepped closer, ready to attack. But the girl suddenly spoke, her voice shaking yet familiar. "Corin, why are you doing this? Don''t you recognize me? It''s me, Emma¡­ your friend!" Corin froze. Her words hit him like a thunderclap. "Emma?" he muttered, confusion flickering in his crimson-stained eyes. For a moment, the rage inside him dimmed. Pieces of memories began to surface¡ªmemories of Emma. He had always admired her, She was more than a friend to him, Her first crush. Slowly, her image built itself in his mind, breaking through the haze. The girl stepped forward cautiously, tears glistening in her eyes. "Do you remember now? You used to say you wanted to be a hero, to slay the Demon King and protect everyone. Why are you doing this, Corin? Why are you killing innocent people?" Her voice was soft but filled with pain, and each word felt like a dagger piercing his chest. Corin''s eyes widened as clarity finally returned. The red in his vision faded, and the girl in front of him no longer looked like Ethan. She looked like Emma¡ªthe real Emma. Corin fell to his knees, shaking as the weight of his actions came crashing down on him. "Oh my god¡­ what have I done?" he whispered, his voice trembling. His mind replayed the scenes of the students he had brutally killed, their terrified faces haunting him. His hands, still soaked in blood, seemed like a stranger''s. "They weren''t Ethan¡­ None of them were Ethan," he sobbed, tears streaming down his face. "I didn''t want this. I just¡­ I just wanted people to respect me¡­ to see me as someone important!" Emma knelt beside him, her fear replaced with pity. She placed a trembling hand on his shoulder. "It''s not too late, Corin. You''ve done horrible things, but you can still stop this. Surrender now. Maybe¡­ maybe you can find a way to make up for it later." Her voice was gentle, soothing, like a faint light in the darkness he had been consumed by. Corin was about to nod, ready to surrender, when a chilling voice broke the fragile moment. "Becoming soft again?" a female voice said mockingly, dripping with disdain. Both Corin and Emma turned to see who it was. Standing in the doorway, a girl leaned casually against the frame, smirking as though she was amused by the situation. Her long black hair cascaded over her pale skin, and in the dim light of the room, she looked like a ghost stepping out of a nightmare. "Esdeath?" Emma gasped, her voice trembling. "Don''t say my name with your filthy mouth, you pathetic slut," Esdeath snapped, her tone sharp as a blade. She strode into the room with an air of confidence, completely unfazed by Corin''s monstrous wolfman form. Where others would tremble in fear, she showed nothing but disdain. Corin''s breath hitched as her piercing gaze locked onto him. "I''m disappointed in you," Esdeath said coldly, her voice laced with venom. "I thought maybe you had the guts to change your pathetic life. But here you are, groveling for a girl''s pity. Still the same weak fool who chases after a woman''s shadow." Corin opened his mouth to protest, but Esdeath raised a hand, silencing him. Her words were sharp, each one digging into his already wounded pride. "Did you forget, Corin?" she sneered. "Did you forget how she chose Ethan over you? How she never looked back when you were humiliated by him? How she didn''t care when you were crushed and alone?" Corin flinched, her words hitting him like punches to the chest. Flashes of the past filled his mind¡ªEmma smiling at Ethan, Emma walking away when he needed her most. "She calls herself your friend?" Esdeath continued, her voice dripping with mockery. "Even now, she''s just pretending to care. But if you surrender, what do you think will happen? They''ll kill you, Corin. No hesitation, no mercy." "That''s not true!" Emma cried desperately, stepping forward. Tears streamed down her face as she pleaded with Corin. "Don''t listen to her! Corin, please, you know me. You trust me, right? I would never want to hurt you!" Esdeath snorted, rolling her eyes. "Spare me the theatrics," she said with a cold laugh. "You''re just putting on a show, aren''t you? Hoping he''ll die so you can run back to Ethan and live happily ever after." "Liar!" Emma shouted, her voice cracking. "You black-haired witch¡­ you''re twisting his mind! Corin, please, she''s trying to manipulate you! I care about you, I always have. Don''t let her get into your head!" Esdeath tilted her head, smirking. "Witch?" she chuckled, her laugh low and eerie. "Close enough. But let me correct you¡ªI''m not just some witch. I''m an esper. I see the future, Emma. From the moment Corin awakened as a wolfman, I knew he would end up here. How else do you think I came at the perfect time?" Emma froze, her body trembling. Her lips parted as though to protest, but no words came out. Her fear and doubt crept into her expression. "That''s ridiculous! There''s no way you can see the future!" Emma finally managed to say, though her voice wavered. Esdeath smirked, ignoring her entirely. She turned to Corin, stepping closer. Her eyes softened slightly as she placed a hand gently on his shoulder. "I don''t need to prove anything to her," Esdeath said softly, her voice almost tender. "I''ve already proved it to someone who matters¡ªyou." Corin''s breathing grew heavier as her words sank in. Her eyes bored into his, their intensity drawing him in. "What¡­ what are you talking about?" Emma stammered, her voice cracking. Esdeath didn''t answer. She leaned closer to Corin, her voice dropping to a whisper, barely audible to Emma. "She''s the final obstacle standing in your way," Esdeath whispered in his ear, her tone hypnotic. "You need to free yourself, Corin. Free yourself from weakness. From doubt. From her." Corin''s heart pounded in his chest as her words echoed in his mind. Sear?h the nov§×lF~ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Esdeath''s lips curled into a wicked smile as she delivered her final command. "KILL HER." Emma’s Death Esdeath''s lips curled into a wicked smile as she delivered her final command. "KILL HER." For a moment, the room was silent, the tension thick and suffocating. Emma''s eyes widened in terror as she realized what Esdeath had done. "Corin, no!" Emma cried, stepping back in fear. "Please don''t listen to her! You''re better than this!" But Corin stood frozen, his claws trembling as he stared at Emma. In his mind, a storm raged¡ªa battle between Esdeath''s poisonous words and the faint hope Emma offered. Corin''s thoughts were in turmoil, spinning wildly between guilt, fear, and confusion. But in the end, he made his choice. He decided to believe in Esdeath. With a roar of anguish, he raised his claws high. "ARRRGHHH!" Emma''s scream pierced the room as Corin''s sharp claws tore into her abdomen. Blood spilled out like a crimson flood, staining the floor beneath them. But Corin didn''t stop. His claws slashed again, brutally ripping into her chest. Her clothes were shredded, and her body was left mutilated. One of her breasts was severed in half, while the other hung barely intact. Her intestines spilled out, her lifeless body a grotesque sight. Her eyes remained open, wide and blank, but her soul was gone. Emma was dead. Corin stood over her motionless body, panting heavily. Tears streamed down his face, but he told himself this was necessary. He had to do this to break free, to achieve the freedom Esdeath promised. sea??h th§× NovelFire.net* website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. But then, a panicked voice broke the silence. "Here! He''s here! Corin killed Emma!" Esdeath''s voice rang out, trembling with horror. Corin spun around, his heart dropping. Standing behind Esdeath were a female teacher, two male teachers, and someone else¡ªEthan. The real Ethan. Esdeath''s body shook as if in fear, her eyes wide and filled with what seemed like genuine terror. "He actually killed her," she said, her voice cracking. "I saw him talking with her, and I rushed to find help, but I never imagined he would kill his own girlfriend!" Her performance was flawless. Corin''s mind reeled. "W-What? But you told me to¡ª" Before he could finish, Esdeath interrupted, her voice trembling as she clung to the chubby male teacher. "This monster has completely lost his mind!" she cried, hiding behind the teacher. "Please, kill him before he teleports away again!" Behind her act of fear, Esdeath''s lips curled into a sinister smile. In that moment, everything clicked in Corin''s mind. He realized the truth. He had been manipulated, schemed against from the very beginning. His teeth clenched, his hands trembling with rage. "ESDEATH¡­ YOU FRAMED ME, YOU LIAR!" he roared, his voice echoing in the room. But his shout was drowned out by an even more furious presence. Ethan. Ethan stood frozen, staring at Emma''s mangled corpse. Her lifeless body lay twisted and broken, her insides exposed in a horrific display. His hands trembled, his entire body shaking with rage. "Emma¡­" he whispered, his voice barely audible. His eyes reddened, blood vessels bulging as tears of fury welled up. Then his rage exploded, raw and unrestrained. "CORIN, YOU MOTHERFUCKER!" Ethan roared, his voice shaking the very air. Without hesitation, he unsheathed his sword. His grip was tight, his knuckles white with rage. He charged at Corin, his blade gleaming as his emotions fueled his every step. There was no hesitation, no mercy. Corin barely had time to react as Ethan closed the distance between them, his sword swinging with deadly precision. Corin''s mind was racing, his body trembling as he stood on the brink of collapse. "There''s no way I can defeat three teachers, let alone Ethan," he thought, his fists clenching. "But I have to survive¡­ I have to expose the truth. For Emma, I need to do this!" With sheer willpower, Corin focused his energy, channeling what little strength he had left into one final act. "Teleport!" In a flash, his body vanished just as Ethan''s sword came crashing down, missing him by inches. "YOU!" Ethan roared, his voice filled with rage. "You''re not getting away with this! Today, you die!" Without a second thought, Ethan charged forward, his fury blinding him. He broke through walls like they were paper, smashing everything in his path as he searched for Corin. "Ethan! Calm yourself!" one of the teachers yelled. "Vice Principal Lilith has already set up a formation. The moment Corin steps outside a two-kilometer range, we''ll pinpoint his location and capture him. If he stays within range, he''ll end up in our hands!" But Ethan wasn''t listening. His mind was consumed by one thought: Kill Corin. Meanwhile, Esdeath stood back, watching the chaos unfold with a sly smile. She stepped out from behind the chubby teacher, her body language relaxed and carefree. Everything was going according to her plan. Humming a cheerful tune, she skipped down the hallway, her steps light and bouncy. "La, la, la, la¡­ La, la, la~¡­" she sang softly, waving her arms in the air like a child without a care in the world. The chubby teacher glanced at her retreating figure and muttered under his breath, "Looks like she''s lost her mind in all this chaos too¡­" --- "Huff¡­ Finally done!" Maruti let out a long sigh as she flopped onto the bed, her arms and legs sprawled out. "Now I can go back to my room and sleep!" The clear night sky was visible from the window, with the full moon glowing brightly and countless stars twinkling in the distance. It was a beautiful, peaceful sight, but Maruti was too exhausted to fully appreciate it. She wasn''t alone. Beside her, Kaelith lay on the bed as well, her silver hair shimmering faintly in the moonlight as she gazed out at the sky. "You know," Kaelith said softly, her voice calm, "we finally finished all the work." Maruti''s face twisted with irritation as she sat up slightly. "We? Who''s we? You made me do everything! I cleaned, arranged the furniture, polished the windows¡ªyou didn''t even lift a finger!" Kaelith didn''t deny it. Instead, she turned her head to look at Maruti with a faint smile. "Didn''t you say friends help each other? The academy made everyone live in dorms. I didn''t bring any maids, and I don''t know how to do housework." Maruti''s eyes twitched in frustration. "Friends help each other? Then let me tell you something: friends also slap each other!" The room fell silent after her remark, the only sound coming from the faint rustle of the wind outside. Both girls stared out at the glowing moon above. After a moment, Kaelith broke the silence, her voice softer than before. "You know¡­ being a Silver Dragon isn''t easy. Sometimes, I wish I was born as someone like you." Maruti glanced at her, a flicker of surprise in her eyes. But then she smirked, leaning back on her elbows. "Then why don''t you just die? Maybe you''ll be reborn as someone you like. But make sure to leave me all your property before you go!" Kaelith''s eye twitched at the blunt comment, but then she shook her head with a small chuckle. "You''re painfully honest," she said, her tone carrying a hint of annoyance. But then she turned her head toward Maruti and smiled¡ªa genuine, warm smile. "Still¡­ I kind of like that about you. You''re the only one who talks so friendly to me like this, I tried your method to make friends but it seems like it is not working.", Kailith said in solemn voice. She paused, her eyes shifting to the moon again, before she continued, "For some reason, every time I''m around you, I feel happy." Kaelith hesitated for a moment, as if debating something in her mind, before pulling out a delicate white flower with five leaves. Its soft petals shimmered faintly under the moonlight, giving it a magical appearance. She extended it toward Maruti. "Here. This is for you," she said in a solemn voice. Maruti took the flower, examining it with a raised eyebrow. Her expression shifted to one of disappointment. "A flower? Really? You''re so cheap," she said with a smirk, rolling her eyes. Without warning, she popped the flower into her mouth, chewing it and swallowing it in one go. Kaelith stared at her, wide-eyed. "What... what a weird way of accepting things!" she said, shaking her head with a bewildered smile. Maruti paused, her smirk fading for a brief moment. She glanced at Kaelith, who still wore that small, genuine smile. For a second, the mood shifted, but Maruti quickly broke it with a sigh. "Well, I''m going back to my room," she said, pushing herself to sit up. But before she could get to her feet, Kaelith suddenly lunged forward, pinning her down on the bed. Maruti''s eyes widened in shock. "What the hell¡ª" she stammered, but her words caught in her throat. Kaelith''s breathing was heavy, her chest rising and falling quickly. Her long, silvery hair fell over Maruti''s shorter hair, mixing together in the dim light. Kaelith''s body hovered over Maruti''s, her face just inches away. She grabbed Maruti''s wrists, holding them firmly down against the mattress. Maruti''s heartbeat raced. She stared up at Kaelith, her wide eyes meeting the intense, almost desperate gaze of the Silver Dragon. Their faces were so close she could feel the warmth of Kaelith''s breath. "Don''t go yet," Kaelith whispered, her voice shaky but firm. Maruti gulped, trying to ignore the strange flutter in her chest. "B-but... why?" she asked hesitantly, her voice barely audible. Kaelith didn''t answer right away. Instead, she reached into the pocket of her skirt, her hand fumbling for something. After a moment, she pulled out a small, silver, spiral-shaped locket. She held it up in front of Maruti''s face, the locket swinging gently from side to side like a hypnotist''s charm. The soft silver glint caught Maruti''s attention, and she stared at it in confusion. Kaelith leaned in closer, her lips almost brushing Maruti''s ear. In a low, almost enchanting whisper, she said, "Break up with Esdeath... and be my best friend forever." For a moment, the room was filled with silence. Kaelith held her breath, her heart pounding as she waited for Maruti''s reaction. "Did it work? Did I succeed?" Kaelith thought nervously, her grip on the locket tightening. Maruti blinked, her blank eyes meeting Kaelith''s hopeful ones. Then, after a long pause, she spoke. "Umm... should I say Fuck you? " Lortell Obsessed Maniac "Huff... Huff... I escaped!" Corin panted heavily, collapsing to his knees. His chest heaved, and his vision blurred as exhaustion overwhelmed him. "To think I got teleported to the opposite side of the forest, where the monster wave isn''t coming... Even the world wants me to take revenge!" he thought with a weak, bitter laugh, clinging to the fleeting hope of survival. But then¡ª "Ouch!" A sharp, searing pain shot through his legs, and they gave out beneath him. He crumpled to the ground, clutching the dirt in frustration. "Tch... My body''s completely shut down," he thought, gritting his teeth. "I already pushed myself past my limits, and now this..." Slowly, painfully, he began to crawl forward, dragging his battered body through the forest floor, his arms trembling with every movement. The forest around him was eerily quiet, bathed in the faint glow of the moon. He wasn''t deep enough into the woods to be surrounded by deadly beasts, nor close enough to the outskirts to call it safe¡ªhe was stranded somewhere in between. "I don''t think the teachers can find me so easily out here," Corin murmured to himself, his voice raspy and weak. "If I can hold out until morning¡­ just till morning¡­" The thought looped in his mind like a desperate mantra. But fate, as always, had other plans. As Corin pulled himself closer to a tree to rest, his eyes caught movement in the shadows ahead. His heart froze. Emerging from the darkness was a creature that made his blood run cold. It had the face of a giant rat, its long teeth yellowed and sharp, but the muscular, hairless body of a bear. Its claws scraped against the dirt, and its glowing red eyes locked onto him with predatory hunger. "A rat bear?" Corin''s mind raced. "Damn it... Of all things, why now?" He tried to push himself up, to run, but his body refused to obey. His arms trembled beneath him, and his legs remained useless. Beads of sweat rolled down his pale face as the realization hit him. "I can''t fight it. I can''t even move¡­ To think I''d die at the hands of a lowly monster," he thought, despair settling deep in his chest. His hands clenched the dirt beneath him as tears welled in his eyes. "I had so many things to do¡­ so many people to prove wrong¡­I don''t want to die...i don''t want to die" The rat bear snarled, saliva dripping from its maw as it crept closer. Corin''s breath hitched, and for a brief moment, he closed his eyes, accepting his fate. And then¡ª *BANG! A sharp, distant sound echoed through the forest, quiet but unmistakable. Corin''s eyes shot open in shock. BAM! The rat bear collapsed with a heavy thud, its massive body crashing lifelessly to the ground just feet away from him. Blood seeped from a small, precise wound on its head. Corin stared, wide-eyed and trembling. "What...?" he whispered, his voice barely audible. His gaze darted around the dark forest, searching for the source of the gunshot. The forest was silent again, save for the rustling of leaves in the breeze. Someone¡ªor something¡ªhad saved him. But who? Or why? The rat bear collapsed but remained alive, its massive body twitching slightly as it lay immobilized. From the shadows emerged a figure¡ªa girl with long, cascading jet-black hair, red, eerie eyes that seemed to glow in the darkness, and skin so pale it almost appeared translucent. Her delicate, almost fragile-looking body contrasted with the smug expression on her face. She smirked as her eyes fell on Corin. "E-Esdeath?" Corin muttered, his voice trembling. "Did you really think you could run away from me?" she said, her tone calm yet dripping with menace. "From someone who can see the future?" Esdeath walked toward him slowly, her movements deliberate, each step echoing her confidence. When she reached him, she grabbed a nearby stone, dragged it in front of Corin, and sat down on it, her piercing gaze locked on him. "Are you here to sa¡ª" Corin began, but his words were cut off as Esdeath pulled out her gun and pointed it directly at his head. His entire body trembled, his breathing uneven. "N-No! Please don''t kill me! I don''t want to die yet!" His legs gave out entirely, and he collapsed to the ground, shaking. Esdeath chuckled darkly, her voice filled with mockery. "Oh, don''t be so scared. This is the most attention you''ll ever get in your short, pathetic life." Corin''s heart pounded in his chest, his mind racing. "Why? Why are you doing this?" he stammered. "Weren''t you the one who suggested that plan¡ªthe one where I let those girls beat me up in exchange for paying you? Is this¡­ is this revenge for that?" Esdeath shook her head firmly, her smirk fading as her expression turned deadly serious. "Who cares about that? You still don''t recognize the grave mistake you made, do you?" Corin''s mind blanked as panic consumed him. He crawled forward, dragging his weakened body to Esdeath''s feet. His hands clutched at her boots as he sobbed, desperation pouring out of him. "I''m sorry! I''m so sorry! I don''t remember what I did, but please tell me! I''ll fix it¡ªI''ll do anything! Just¡­ please don''t kill me!" Tears streamed down his face as he begged, his voice cracking. Corin was nothing more than a privileged teenage noble. Unlike warriors who could accept death with dignity, he had no such resolve. Right now he would do anything¡ªanything¡ªto survive, even if it meant groveling before someone as terrifying as Esdeath. "Is that so?" Esdeath said, her voice low and dangerous. She leaned forward, her eyes narrowing. "Do you remember that day in the academy corridors when you were talking with Emma¡­ about Lady Mariette and her Third Division group?" Corin''s breath hitched as the memory resurfaced. His face paled. "T-That¡­ but¡­" He hesitated, confusion flickering across his features. "I think there''s some misunderstanding! I wasn''t talking about you or anything! It was about Lortell¡ª" BAM! A fist crashed into his mouth, silencing him mid-sentence. Blood dripped from the corner of his lips as he coughed violently, gasping for air. "Don''t say her first name with your filthy mouth," Esdeath hissed, her voice trembling with fury. "Say Lady Mariette! Do you understand?" Corin clutched his bleeding mouth, nodding frantically. "Cough¡­ Y-Yes! Lady Mariette! It was about Lady Mariette!" SLAP! A sharp slap struck his cheek, the force whipping his head to the side. His face burned, turning red from the impact. Esdeath''s entire body trembled with anger, her eyes wild, the ring-like shapes in her pupils spinning rapidly. Her voice cracked as she spoke, filled with unrestrained emotion. "That''s the reason. It''s all because of what you said about my dear Lady Mariette!" Her hands clenched into fists, and her words grew more venomous. "You insulted her¡ªmy perfect goddess¡ªcalling her a¡­ a slut. Unforgivable!" Her voice shook with obsession, her words dripping with devotion. To Esdeath, Lortell Mariette wasn''t just a noble or a leader. She was a divine figure, a being worthy of worship. Corin''s insult had crossed a line that could never be forgiven. "But it was me who did it! Why did you make me kill Emma? What was her fault?" Corin''s voice trembled as he argued, desperation clear in his tone. "Emma?" Esdeath''s voice was cold, her eyes sharp. "Of course, there was her fault too. Her fault was silently watching." her gaze piercing through him. "If she had slapped you for insulting my goddess, I might have forgiven her once. But she didn''t. She stood there and did nothing. Anyone who insults or tolerates an insult to my dear Lortell deserves to die!" Her declaration was firm, laced with cruel satisfaction. "Please!" Corin whimpered, his voice barely audible now. "I didn''t mean it! I''ll apologize! I''ll beg for forgiveness!" Esdeath''s eyes narrowed, her smirk growing more twisted. His begging only seemed to entertain her further. "Hehehe¡­ Is that so?" she taunted, tilting her head. "You want forgiveness? Then lick my feet and beg for forgiveness from Lortell. Say this¡ª''Mighty Lady Mariette, I, a worm, committed a grave mistake by insulting you. Please forgive this worm''s lack of knowledge!''" Corin froze. The humiliation was unbearable. As the son of a duke, lowering himself to this level¡ªlicking the feet of a mere baroness and begging¡ªwas worse than death. But Esdeath''s cold, unrelenting gaze left him no choice. His only hope was to comply and pray she would spare him. Slowly, trembling, Corin lowered himself. His head dipped, his lips brushing against Esdeath''s foot. A shudder ran through him, the ultimate humiliation sinking deep into his soul. "Mighty Lady Mariette," he whispered, barely audible, "I, a worm, committed a grave mistake by insulting you. Please forgive this worm''s lack of knowledge." "Louder!" Esdeath barked, her voice sharp like a whip. Corin flinched. "Mighty Lady Mariette, I, a worm, committed a grave mistake by insulting you. Please forgive this worm''s lack of knowledge!" he repeated, slightly louder. "Louder, louder, louder!" Esdeath snapped, her grip tightening on her gun. She slowly slipped it beneath her skirt, the cold metal pressing against her heated core. A soft moan escaped her lips as she began to pleasure herself, rubbing the gun against her most sensitive flesh. Corin, seeing Esdeath''s arousal, mustered the courage to speak louder. "Mighty Lady Mariette, I, a worm, committed a grave sin by insulting you. I beg for your forgiveness, Your Highness." "Yes, yes, just like that," Esdeath panted, her eyes locked onto Corin. She squeezed her breasts, her fingers trailing over her hard nipples. Licking her fingertips clean, she let out a low groan of pleasure. Corin continued his apology, his voice growing steadier with each repetition. "Mighty Lady Mariette, I, a worm, committed a grave sin by insulting you. I beg for your forgiveness, Your Highness." Esdeath''s breathing grew heavier, her body tensing as she neared her climax. "I''m close," she gasped, her hips bucking slightly. "Don''t stop!" S~ea??h the ¦ÇovelFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Corin, his face glistening with sweat, repeated the apology once more. "Mighty Lady Mariette, I, a worm, did a grave mistake..." "I''m Cumming!~...." With a final cry, Esdeath''s body convulsed, her thighs clamping together tightly. A flood of her essence poured forth, drenching her undergarments and streaming down her legs. Her breath ragged, she finally stilled, her eyes fluttering closed in satisfaction. Esdeath, overwhelmed by the rush of pleasure, lost her balance. Sitting on a stone moments ago, she now found herself lying on the ground. But instead of surprise, her expression remained serene. Her eyes drifted upward to the full moon shining above, its soft glow illuminating her pale, sweat-slicked skin. She panted heavily, her chest rising and falling as though she had run a great distance. Her cheeks were flushed a deep red, and warmth radiated from her body. "I came so hard," she murmured under her breath, her lips curling into a warm, almost innocent smile. "It shows just how much I love you. Just thinking about you makes me feel this way." Her voice was soft, almost dreamy, as she gazed at the night sky, lost in her thoughts. On the ground nearby, Corin lay motionless. Some drops of an unidentifiable liquid dotted his face. He stared at the sky above, his mind racing. "This girl¡­ she''s insane," he thought, his anger and frustration boiling beneath his fear. "Who does something like this in front of someone who''s on the verge of death? She''s shameless. Mentally unstable." But despite his disgust, another thought crept into his mind: survival. "I''ll endure this. No matter what, I''ll survive. And when I do, I''ll make her pay. I''ll burn this Lortell-obsessed lunatic alive!" he vowed silently, his fury giving him a shred of courage. Esdeath slowly pushed herself to her feet, her movements shaky as though her body hadn''t yet recovered. She patted down her clothes, brushing away the dirt and dust. Her legs trembled slightly, and a faint shimmer of moisture clung to her thighs. Corin seized his chance, his voice trembling with desperation. "I did what you asked! Now save me! I swear on my name I won''t say anything about you! Just let me live!" Esdeath turned her head slowly, her pale blue eyes locking onto him. Her face was blank, unreadable at first. But then, ever so slightly, her lips curved into a smirk. That smirk grew wider, twisted into a wicked grin that sent a chill down Corin''s spine. "When did I ever say I''d save you?" she asked, her voice icy, each word cutting into him like a blade. Corin''s breath hitched. "W-What?" Esdeath''s smirk deepened. "I said I would forgive you. And I have." She crouched slightly, leaning forward as if to make her words hit harder. "But forgiveness doesn''t mean saving you. It just means you can die with a clean conscience,So just lay there and die peacefully." With that, she turned away, her steps slow and unsteady as she walked into the shadows. The moonlight barely clung to her figure before she disappeared completely, leaving Corin alone with the growing dread in his chest. Minutes passed. The night grew colder, quieter. Then, a low growl broke the silence. "Grrrrrr¡­" Corin froze. His heart hammered in his chest as his eyes darted toward the sound. The Rat Bear, the monstrous creature Esdeath had subdued earlier, was stirring. Its massive body began to move, the effects of its paralysis wearing off. Its glowing eyes locked onto Corin. "No¡­ no¡­ NOOOOOOOOOOO!" First Arc Ends Maruti blinked, her blank eyes locking with Kaelith''s hopeful gaze. After a long, awkward pause, she tilted her head and spoke, her tone completely flat. "Umm... should I say ''screw you'' or something?" Kaelith froze, both puzzled and shocked. "What? It didn''t work?" she thought, her surprise evident. "But this enchantment is strong enough to permanently hypnotize several rank-C awakened at once! What''s going on here?" She furrowed her brows, her expression serious as she tried again, focusing harder this time. But Maruti remained unaffected. With a sharp, unimpressed look, she pushed Kaelith off her with surprising ease. "Stop playing these childish games. You''re supposed to be a grown-up now!" Maruti snapped as she sat up straight. Kaelith didn''t resist. Instead, she stayed lying on the bed, her eyes fixed on the ceiling above. A faint flush crept onto her cheeks, betraying her embarrassment over what had just happened. Maruti, meanwhile, muttered to herself as she stood up hurriedly. "I swear, I''m getting a bad feeling about this girl. I better leave before things get weirder." She made her way quickly to the door, her steps urgent. But just as her hand reached the door handle, Kaelith''s voice broke the silence. "Do you know how to cook?" she asked softly, her tone surprisingly subdued. "I''m hungry. The academy''s locked down while they search for that worm Corin, and the canteen''s closed too." Maruti paused, turning slightly to glance at her. "Cook? Well, my cooking is... better than someone trying for the first time, at least." She laughed a little, thinking out loud. "But now that I think about it, Fable makes the tastiest food. Still don''t know where she learned all that from. She''ll definitely make the perfect housewife one day. Hehehe..." Kaelith''s gaze sharpened at the mention of this mysterious person. "Who''s Fable?" Maruti slapped her forehead lightly, chuckling. "It''s Esdeath. Just a nickname I use for her." She smiled as she turned fully back toward the door. "Anyway, I''ll be going now. Take care!" And with that, she left, the door clicking shut behind her, leaving the room in silence. Kaelith''s expression darkened immediately. Her teeth clenched in frustration as a dangerous glint flashed in her eyes. "Esdeath again," she hissed under her breath, seething with rage. Her fingers curled into fists as she grabbed the hypnotizing artifact and hurled it against the wall. The loud *crack* echoed in the quiet room, a sharp reminder of her anger. -------------- After subduing Corin, Esdeath quietly returned to the academy as if nothing had happened. Her steps were calm, her face expressionless, betraying none of the chaos that had just occurred. She moved silently through the academy halls, the faint moonlight spilling through the windows casting her in a serene glow. It was late, and the quietness of the night seemed to match her mood perfectly. Soon, she reached the dormitory area, her door just a few steps away. Esdeath''s thoughts were elsewhere, her mind replaying everything that had unfolded earlier. S~ea??h the n?velFire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. But then, out of nowhere, two hands slid from behind her, grabbing her breasts gently but firmly, as if teasing her. It was an intimate touch, the kind a lover might use. "Your breasts have really grown much bigger!" a soft, romantic voice whispered warmly in her ear. Esdeath''s entire body froze, her face instantly turning red. She quickly turned her head, and her wide eyes met the familiar, radiant face of Lortell Mariette. Her face was glowing, even in the dim light of the night. "L-Lortell?" Esdeath stammered, her voice unsteady, her cheeks burning. Lortell let out a soft laugh, her fingers lingering for just a moment before she released Esdeath and stood straight, her smile playful yet dazzling. "Of course, it''s me. My dorm room is right next to yours," she said with a teasing tone, as if the situation was completely normal. Esdeath blinked in surprise, her thoughts racing. She had completely forgotten about the dorm assignments. Of all the coincidences, Lortell''s room had to be right next to hers? "That''s¡­ great¡ªI mean, what a coincidence!" Esdeath blurted out, almost unable to contain the excitement in her voice. But as quickly as the excitement bubbled up, her expression turned serious. *"If Lortell is in the next room, what if she finds out about Selene?"* Esdeath thought, her heart sinking at the possibility. Her mind spun in frustration. Thankfully, she reminded herself of the academy''s protective measures. Investigative magic or essence stones were completely banned in the academy to prevent students from spying on others. The teachers had set up an intricate trap to catch the person behind the mysterious kidnappings¡ªany attempt to investigate would trigger a deadly counterattack, instantly incapacitating the culprit and alerting the staff. This explained why the teachers themselves hadn''t used such methods to find Corin. Removing those measures would take too long, and by then, Corin would have fled. But Esdeath knew the truth: Corin wasn''t fleeing anymore. He was dead. Pushing those thoughts aside, Esdeath forced a smile. "It''s late. I should go to sleep now," she said softly, her tone lighter. Her warm smile was small, but it caught Lortell off guard. The normally cold and composed Lortell felt something shift in her heart. She reached out suddenly, her hands cupping Esdeath''s cheeks gently. "Why are you so cute?" Lortell murmured, her voice almost tender as she began poking Esdeath''s soft cheeks playfully. Esdeath''s blush deepened, the redness spreading from her cheeks down to her neck. Her heart pounded in her chest as Lortell''s touch lingered. "Goodnight!" Esdeath quickly turned around, her heart racing as she strode toward her door. She knew that if she lingered even a moment longer, her emotions would spill out, and she couldn''t afford to let that happen. Reaching the door, she placed her hand on the handle, ready to step inside and escape this growing tension. But then, she hesitated. Her hand froze, and something inside her urged her to look back. Turning her head slightly, she asked, her voice polite but tinged with curiosity, "Why are you still here?" Lortell stood casually behind her, her posture relaxed yet confident, as if she had all the time in the world. Her crimson eyes met Esdeath''s, gleaming with mischief. "Because I''m coming too," she said matter-of-factly. "That Corin has turned into a wolfman. What if he comes after you? I''ll protect you." Her words were spoken with such conviction, leaving no room for argument. Esdeath blinked, her mind scrambling for an excuse. Before she could respond, Lortell stepped forward, her hand reaching out toward the door handle. "Now stand aside and let me enter first. What if he''s already in there?" Panic surged through Esdeath. Moving instinctively, she spread her arms wide, blocking the door like a human barricade, her posture stiff and awkward. "No need! No need!" she said quickly, her voice almost too loud. "I''m safe, really. There''s no need for you to force yourself. And besides, you''re just next door anyway! If anything happens, I''ll let you know right away!" Lortell stopped, raising an elegant eyebrow at Esdeath''s sudden outburst. "Are you sure?" she asked, her tone skeptical but amused. "Yes, absolutely sure!" Esdeath nodded quickly, her expression overly earnest as she tried to keep her composure. But Lortell wasn''t convinced. She tilted her head slightly, her long silver white hair cascading over her shoulder, and took a small step closer. Her tall frame loomed over Esdeath, and she bent slightly, bringing her face level with Esdeath''s. Before Esdeath could react, Lortell leaned in, her lips brushing lightly against Esdeath''s ear. The closeness sent a shiver down Esdeath''s spine, and her breath hitched. "Do you know you''re so beautiful? ," Lortell whispered, her voice low and sultry, every word dripping with warmth and affection. "So beautiful that every night, when I''m in bed, I can''t help but think of you." Esdeath''s entire face turned crimson, the blush spreading rapidly as if her body had overheated. Her lips parted, but no words came out. Her heart pounded so loudly she swore Lortell could hear it. Lortell pulled back just enough to look at her face, her crimson eyes sparkling with amusement. A soft chuckle escaped her lips. "You really are so adorable," she said, her tone light and teasing. Without giving Esdeath a chance to respond, Lortell straightened up and waved casually. "Well then, goodnight!" she said cheerfully before turning and walking toward her own dorm room. Esdeath watched, frozen in place, as Lortell disappeared through her door. The hallway felt quiet again, but her heart was anything but. She clutched her chest, trying to calm the rapid beating. Just as esdeath saw lortell entering, She entred her room too. As Esdeath stepped into the room, she immediately noticed Selene pacing back and forth like a restless child caught in a dilemma. The small girl''s movements were quick and erratic, her hands nervously fidgeting with the hem of her dress. The moment Selene caught sight of Esdeath, she froze like a deer in headlights. Without a word, she dashed to the bed, plopped herself down, and sat stiffly, her legs dangling over the edge. Her wide eyes darted around the room, refusing to meet Esdeath''s gaze. Esdeath stood silently by the door, her sharp eyes narrowing. Something felt off. There was an unusual tension in the air, and Selene''s frantic energy only added to it. "I didn''t do anything!" Selene blurted out suddenly, her voice high-pitched, almost squeaky, like a guilty child trying too hard to appear innocent. Her expression was a mix of panic and feigned composure, her lips curling into a forced, awkward smile. Esdeath tilted her head, a skeptical look crossing her face. "What?" she asked, her tone flat but her eyes inquisitive. Selene quickly shook her head, her silver hair swaying with the motion. "I said... nothing happened!" she stammered, her words stumbling over each other. "Everything is fine! Totally fine! N-normal... everything is normal," she added, her voice trailing off into a nervous whisper. It was painfully obvious she was lying. Selene''s hands gripped the edge of the bed tightly, her knuckles turning white. Her feet kicked lightly against the floor as if trying to distract herself from the weight of her own words. Esdeath sighed deeply, her lips curving into a bitter, annoyed smile. She crossed her arms and leaned against the doorframe, watching Selene''s increasingly suspicious behavior. "Something must have happened," she said calmly, her voice carrying a hint of exasperation. "Now, tell me what happened. Don''t make me drag it out of you." Great Damage (Arc-2 Begins) "Something must have happened," Esdeath said calmly, her voice carrying a slight edge of exasperation. Her sharp gaze bore into Selene, leaving no room for excuses. "Now, tell me what happened. Don''t make me drag it out of you." Selene gulped nervously, her small frame trembling slightly under Esdeath''s intense stare. Realizing she had no choice, she finally spoke, her voice barely above a whisper. She hesitated at first, but then the words tumbled out. She confessed to sneaking out of the room and, in her excitement, accidentally causing some chaos in the academy halls. However, Selene carefully avoided mentioning one particular detail¡ªher brief venture into Lortell''s room and the unsettling discovery that, in some twisted theoretical sense, Lortell might be her "father." She kept that part buried deep, her wide eyes darting away from Esdeath''s piercing gaze. Esdeath sighed heavily and ran a hand through her hair. The weight of Selene''s actions pressed on her, but at least the timing worked in their favor. Sitting down on the edge of the bed, she exhaled deeply. "It''s a good thing Corin turned into a wolf-man and caused havoc. The academy will likely blame this incident on him instead of investigating further. If not for that, we''d both be in trouble right now," she said, relief softening her features for a moment. Selene watched Esdeath, her big, innocent eyes filled with guilt. She flinched as Esdeath leaned over and lightly tapped her on the head. "Ouch!" Selene squeaked, rubbing the spot with both hands as her lips curled into a cute pout. "Don''t ever do that again," Esdeath warned, her tone firm but not harsh. Selene puffed up her cheeks, her expression shifting from guilt to frustration. She suddenly flopped backward onto the bed, her arms and legs spread wide as she began to whine like a child denied a treat. "Why can''t I go outside? I''m so bored in here! I want to explore, see the world, and play! I wanna go! I wanna go!" Her voice rose in pitch, her small fists lightly thumping the mattress in protest. Esdeath closed her eyes and pinched the bridge of her nose. Thankfully, she had already set up a sound barrier in the room to ensure no noise escaped. Otherwise, Selene''s dramatic outburst would have drawn attention by now. As much as Selene''s complaints grated on her, Esdeath couldn''t entirely blame her. Selene was barely a few days old, her curiosity about the world beyond these four walls was natural. But keeping her locked up in this tiny space felt cruel, even if it was for her own safety. After a moment of silence, Esdeath sighed and opened her eyes. "Alright," she said finally, her voice softening. "Just wait for a month. By then, I''ll figure out something that will let you go outside safely." Selene''s entire demeanor changed in an instant. She shot up from the bed, her face lighting up with pure joy. "Yay!" she cheered, her arms flailing excitedly. Selene tilted her head, a curious thought crossing her mind. "How much is a month again?" she wondered aloud. Without waiting for an answer, she grabbed a nearby book and flipped through its pages. Her expression quickly turned pale as she found the answer. "Thirty days? No way!" she exclaimed, her voice filled with disbelief. Esdeath raised an eyebrow and tried to console her. "It''s just thirty days. It''ll flow by like a river," she said, her tone light and encouraging. Selene, however, was not convinced. Her cheeks puffed up in frustration, her face turning red with annoyance. She stomped over to the bed with tight, exaggerated steps and plopped down, crossing her arms like a sulking child. After a moment of silence, she muttered, "I might be able to compromise if Mother lets me drink her breast milk¡ª" Before she could finish the sentence, Esdeath flicked her forehead lightly, cutting her off. "Enough with your nonsense," Esdeath said, trying not to smile at Selene''s outrageous request. "Let''s sleep." Selene grumbled but eventually nodded. Without further complaints, she snuggled into Esdeath''s arms and closed her eyes. It didn''t take long for Selene to forgive Esdeath. After all, her mood was too good to hold a grudge. As she nestled closer, a mischievous smile spread across her face. "Hehehe¡­ Mother didn''t find out I learned about Dad. It''s just a matter of time before I meet dad!" she thought gleefully before drifting into a peaceful sleep. Esdeath, however, didn''t find sleep so easily. She lay there in the darkness, her mind restless. Time ticked by, and even as Selene''s steady breathing signaled she was in deep sleep, Esdeath''s thoughts refused to quiet. With a frustrated sigh, she opened her eyes. "Lortell is in the next room, and just thinking about her is making me restless," she thought, her cheeks heating up slightly. "I want to see her sleeping face¡­ just once." The idea lingered in her mind, tempting her. After a moment of hesitation, she carefully pried Selene''s tiny arm off her and sat up slowly, ensuring the child wouldn''t wake. With quiet, deliberate steps, she made her way to the door, her heart pounding with a mix of excitement and guilt. Esdeath opened the door just a crack and peeked outside, glancing left and right down the dimly lit corridor. Seeing no one, she gently pushed the door open and stepped out into the hallway. But before she could take another step, the door to the neighboring room opened. Esdeath froze. Her breath hitched in panic as Lortell stepped out, her silver-white hair catching the faint light in the hall. Their eyes met. Esdeath''s mind raced, and her first instinct was to retreat back into her room. But before she could move, Lortell spoke, her soft voice breaking the tense silence. "Esdeath? What are you doing outside your room at this hour?" Esdeath panicked, her face flushing as she scrambled for an excuse. "I¡­ uh¡­ I should be asking you the same thing! What are you doing out here? Don''t you have a lot of work? Why aren''t you asleep?" At this, Lortell''s composed expression faltered for a brief moment. Her breath hitched slightly as if caught off guard. She hesitated, her own cheeks taking on a faint pink hue. The truth was, she had come out for the same reason as Esdeath¡ªto sneak a glimpse of her sleeping face. Lortell''s crimson eyes narrowed slightly as she came up with an excuse. "I... well, I smelled something strange, like trash, outside my door. So I just came to check if there was anything out here." Her tone was calm, almost too calm, and her words felt oddly rehearsed. Esdeath quickly latched onto the excuse, nodding with exaggerated agreement. "Yes! Same here. I smelled it too, so I came to check as well. But, uh, there''s nothing here, so I guess I''ll just go back to sleep now! Hahaha..." Her awkward laugh echoed faintly in the quiet hallway. "Right," Lortell replied smoothly, turning back toward her door. "There''s nothing here. Let''s both get some rest." She disappeared into her room, closing the door behind her without another word. S§×ar?h the ¦Çov§×lFire .net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Esdeath quickly slipped back into her room and shut the door as well, leaning heavily against it. She let out a deep breath she didn''t realize she was holding. "Phew... That was close. I was almost exposed," she muttered under her breath, feeling her heartbeat slowly settle. With no other choice, Esdeath crawled back into bed, pulling the blanket over herself. "I guess I''ll have to sleep now," she sighed. In the room next door, Lortell leaned against her door as well, her hand resting lightly on the handle. She let out a soft exhale. "Who knew she''d be awake at this hour? I''ll just have to try again tomorrow," she whispered to herself before slipping into bed. --- The full moon drifted from the night sky, replaced by the golden light of dawn. Warm sunlight filtered through the curtains, illuminating Esdeath''s room. Her eyelids twitched, and with a quiet yawn, she sat up, rubbing her eyes. "Morning already?" she mumbled, her voice groggy. Stretching her arms above her head, she glanced around the room. Just as she started to get up, a faint rustling sound caught her attention. She turned to see an envelope slipping through the crack under her door. Curious, she walked over and picked it up. Breaking the seal, she unfolded the letter and began to read. The letter''s contents made her brows furrow in confusion: "We have discovered a large amount of blood, believed to belong to Corin, along with traces of a monster. Although his body has not been recovered, he is presumed dead. Due to the events of last night, which resulted in the deaths of several students, a special funeral will be held this morning. Classes will resume in the afternoon." Of course there were many things written but that was more or less summary of the whole letter. Esdeath reread the letter, her mind racing. A puzzled look flashed across her face. "Corin''s body wasn''t found? But... ratbear monsters don''t devour everything. They always leave behind bones or at least half a corpse," she thought aloud. She sat down on her bed, gripping the letter tightly. "And what about me?" she wondered, her thoughts growing more chaotic. "I was there. How could someone kill so cleanly without leaving any traces? Only someone ranked A or higher could do something like that,Thus I was mentally prepared for it." Her confusion deepened as she continued to think. "Or is this just because it''s reality and not a game? Did the academy actually make a mistake in their investigation?" She leaned back, staring at the ceiling as her thoughts swirled. Despite the chaos of last night, the academy remained open. The deaths of so many students hadn''t led to its closure,Since fortunately all of them were commoners including emma and the only main figure to die was Corin, the Duke''s son. "But Corin wasn''t really Corin anymore," she muttered, "He was a wolfman when he died. If they gave him a grand tribute or closed the academy, it would cause political uproar. But if he had died as a human, the academy might''ve been shut down for a month or more." Esdeath sighed, folding the letter neatly and setting it aside on the table. She stood up, glancing down at her attire¡ªa loose, oversized T-shirt that hung off her shoulders, giving a teasing glimpse of her bra straps and a hint of her cleavage. "I should change into something proper," she thought, brushing her hair back. But then, a sly smirk appeared on her face. "But before that..." she muttered, her voice filled with excitement. "Status!" she willed, her eyes gleaming with anticipation. She couldn''t hide her happiness. Over the past few weeks, her reputation at the academy had skyrocketed. Everyone was whispering about her and Lortell''s rumored secret relationship, and her performance in the competition, where she exposed the Rank C essence stone, had only added fuel to the fire. And now? She''d done something monumental¡ªkilled Corin, the supposed boss of the first arc¡ªall without breaking the main plotline. In Free Life Fantasy, Corin''s fate always revolved around a critical turning point: his meeting with a mysterious man who gave him drugs that triggered his transformation into a wolfman. Esdeath had only manipulated the timeline, pushing the event to happen earlier. The outcome? Corin was dead, and she had her revenge. She replayed Corin''s possible outcomes in her mind, as they played out in the original story: 1. Corin surrenders to Emma: If he believed in Emma and surrendered, his status as a Duke''s son spared him. However, after that, he disappeared from the story and never appears again. 2. Corin fights and dies: If he chose to fight, he would eventually be killed by Ethan. 3. Corin kills Emma and flees: In this scenario, Corin, in a fit of rage, kills Emma and flees to the forest, where he encounters a Ratbear and is devoured, meeting a gruesome end. Esdeath had guided him toward the third option, ensuring he died by the Ratbear''s claws while fulfilling her own revenge. It felt like a perfect plan¡ªno major changes to the plot, just a nudge in the right direction. Or so she thought. But as soon as the status screen appeared, her smirk vanished. Her face paled as red flashing text filled her vision. Spread Your Legs But as soon as the status screen appeared, her smirk vanished. Her face paled as red flashing text filled her vision. For a moment, she stood completely still. Her face was blank, devoid of any expression. Slowly, she walked toward the window, her steps quiet and deliberate. She opened it, letting the cool air brush against her face. Then, her expression shifted, and she clenched her fists. "FUCK YOU, STAR CONSTELLATION!" she roared at the sky, her voice echoing through the quiet morning. The sudden outburst broke the silence, and for a second, it felt almost comedic. Esdeath panted lightly, trying to calm down, her frustration spilling out all at once. Her shout startled Selene awake. The little girl rubbed her eyes, blinking groggily as she sat up. But before Esdeath could fully recover, another notification appeared before her eyes: <20,000 SP Points Received> Esdeath''s eyes widened slightly. She stared at the screen in disbelief. "Twenty thousand SP points?" she whispered, her voice barely audible. Her thoughts raced. "What should I do with them now? Should I wait until I reach 100k, or use them to upgrade my skills and strength?" She frowned, her logical side taking over. "If the system says the consequences may be severe, I should focus on strengthening myself now. What''s the point of saving points if I can''t survive the present?" With a sigh, she decided to hold off for now. "I''ll think about it tonight when I have time," she muttered, closing the status screen. From behind her, Selene''s sleepy voice interrupted her thoughts. "Mother, my body is stinking again. I want to take a bath!" Esdeath turned, raising an eyebrow. "Brush your teeth before the bath, or no food!" she warned, scooping Selene up and carrying her to the sink. Both of them stood side by side, brushing their teeth. Esdeath glanced at Selene, who was half-awake and lazily moving the brush in her mouth. The sight made her chuckle softly¡ªit was almost like they were a real mother-daughter duo. After finishing, Esdeath led Selene to a small wooden tub she had bought from the market on her way back to the academy. It wasn''t big enough for Esdeath herself, but it was perfect for Selene. Using a water essence stone, she filled the tub with warm water. Selene climbed in, her small body sinking into the water, while Esdeath knelt beside her, carefully scrubbing her back. Esdeath''s hands moved gently, her fingers running through Selene''s wet hair as she washed it. "When are you going to learn to bathe by yourself?" Esdeath asked with a teasing hiss. Selene pouted, splashing the water lightly with her hands. "When I grow up," she replied cheekily, sticking out her tongue. ----------- In one of the academy''s dorm rooms, a seductive girl stirred from her sleep. Her tanned skin glowed softly in the dim light, her curves accentuating her mature aura. It was Maruti¡ªHer heavy chest rose and fell as she half-sat up, still half-asleep. "Aliens, boss, I''ve finally caught you! You can''t escape me now!" she mumbled, chuckling as if she had won a great victory. Slowly, her eyes fluttered open, only to find herself staring at her bed. "Aliens? Where did they go?" she muttered, dazed. A moment later, she realized she had been dreaming. "What bad luck. I almost defeated the boss!" she sighed dramatically, rubbing her face before sitting up fully. Maruti, like Esdeath, wore a loose white T-shirt. But unlike Esdeath, her enormous chest stretched the fabric to its absolute limit, making it seem like it could tear apart at any moment. She swung her legs off the bed and stood, stretching with a soft groan. Walking over to the mirror, she splashed cold water on her face. Droplets clung to her lips, and her damp hair framed her face, giving her a sultry look without her even trying. Staring at her reflection, she tilted her head. Something looked different. She touched her hair thoughtfully. "My hair''s getting longer¡­ and more brown. Even the yellow highlights at the front are turning brown," she murmured. Running her fingers through the strands, she added, "And the rest is getting darker¡ªalmost a reddish, vermillion brown, like it used to be." She sighed, pouting at herself in the mirror. "The color''s not the problem, but who''s going to take care of all this long hair? Ugh, I need to make time to leave the academy and get a badass haircut!" A bright smile lit her face at the thought. With a quick decision, she grabbed a set of her academy clothes. "Let''s head to the bath," she said to herself, her mood lifting. --- The public bath area in the academy had a different atmosphere now. With all students¡ªnobles and commoners alike¡ªliving in dorms, everyone had to share the same bath facilities. This meant that even the academy''s most prominent figures, like Princess Ravenna, Sylvania, Claus, and Lortell, would be bathing here. Because of this, many students deliberately timed their visits to coincide with these big names, hoping for a chance to talk or at least be noticed. As Maruti reached the door to the bath, she nearly collided with Princess Ravenna, who was also entering. Maruti stopped abruptly, stepping back just in time. Ravenna''s piercing pink gaze landed on her, sharp and intense. The princess didn''t say a word, but her glare was enough to make anyone freeze in place. Maruti, however, wasn''t one to back down. She met Ravenna''s fierce gaze with a playful smirk. "Don''t look at me like that. You might end up falling in love with me," she teased, brushing past her into the bath with a carefree stride. Ravenna''s glare didn''t waver, but a faint twitch in her eyebrow suggested she wasn''t amused. But who cared? Maruti shrugged it off, changed into her bathrobe, and entered the steamy bathing area. As she stepped in, she spotted Esdeath sitting comfortably in the warm water. "Ah, I knew you''d be here!" Maruti grinned, walking over and giving Esdeath a playful high-five before sinking into the water with a sigh. She leaned back, closing her eyes to relax. Her moment of peace didn''t last long. A cold hand suddenly rested on her shoulder. Maruti jolted, spinning around to see what¡ªor who¡ªit was. Her vision was completely blocked by two enormous¡­ well, assets. "Who the hell¡ª" Maruti stammered, stepping back to get a proper look. Her eyes flickered in recognition. Standing tall and regal, with a slightly bitter smile, was none other than Lortell. "Didn''t I warn you to keep your distance from Esdeath?" Lortell said, her voice calm yet commanding. "Lortell?" Esdeath''s face flushed red in an instant. She quickly crossed her arms over her chest as though trying to hide herself. This reaction was odd. Esdeath was never shy about her body, regardless of who was around. But for some reason, being exposed in front of Lortell made her feel¡­ different. Embarrassed, even. It was like she saw Lortell as the opposite gender rather than just another girl. "Huff¡­ these two lovebirds," Maruti muttered with a sigh, throwing her hands up in surrender. "Alright, alright. My bad! I''m leaving!" she said playfully, walking away with slow, deliberate steps, leaving Esdeath and Lortell alone. Maruti found a spot not too far away, settling into the warm water and glancing around the bustling bath area. The place was chaos. Groups of students surrounded the academy''s big figures, particularly Princess Ravenna. Some were trying their hardest to strike up conversations, hoping to strengthen their connections with her. Others even approached Maruti, now a figure of equal fame to Esdeath. Many saw her as a potential ally¡ªor a powerful warrior worth recruiting in the future. But Maruti had no interest in any of it. She hissed, her eyes narrowing. "Back off, or I''ll beat you up!" she snapped, sending her would-be conversationalists scattering. Finally, with a relieved sigh, she leaned back against the edge of the bath. Her expression was blank as her gaze drifted to Esdeath, who was sitting a little further away. Lortell was behind her, gently washing Esdeath''s back. Maruti shook her head. "I could wash your back too!" a familiar voice chirped behind her, startling her out of her thoughts. Her body stiffened. That voice was way too familiar. Turning her head slowly, she saw none other than Kaelith, smiling mischievously. Maruti let out a strained laugh, raising her hand as if to refuse. "No, no, I''m fine¡ª" But before she could finish, Kaelith plopped down behind her. "I''ll take that as a yes!" she said cheerfully, grabbing a cloth and starting to scrub Maruti''s back without waiting for permission. Maruti sat stiffly as Kaelith continued washing her back. Her brows furrowed, her thoughts uneasy. "Why does this girl keep popping up in my life? She always gives off such weird vibes," Maruti thought, staying alert despite the seemingly harmless situation. Kaelith''s hands moved methodically, scrubbing Maruti''s back, arms, and belly. But then, her hand accidentally brushed against Maruti''s chest. Kaelith paused, her eyes widening slightly in amazement. "I wonder¡­ how did you manage to grow them this big?" she asked, her voice filled with genuine curiosity. Maruti scoffed, crossing her arms. "It''s not like I wanted to, you know. And yours aren''t exactly small either!" Kaelith laughed lightly. "Not as big as yours, though." Her mischievous smile returned. "Can I wash them too?" she teased. S~ea??h the N?velFire(.)net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Maruti''s face turned red as she immediately shrugged off Kaelith''s hands. "No need! I can handle it myself," she snapped, scooting a few inches away. But Kaelith simply followed her, slipping into the water to close the distance again. "She''s like a magnet!" Maruti thought in frustration, glaring at Kaelith, who seemed completely unfazed by the tension. --- Meanwhile, on the other side of the bath, Lortell was struggling to keep her composure. Drool threatened to escape her mouth as her eyes roamed over Esdeath''s bare back. She quickly turned her head to the side, trying to hide her flushed face. "I can touch almost any part of her right now," Lortell thought, her excitement building with every movement of her hands. Her fingers glided across Esdeath''s smooth skin, tracing the curves of her waist and hips. But her gaze kept darting to Esdeath''s exposed neck. Her breath hitched as an overwhelming urge rose within her. "I want to suck her blood," Lortell thought, struggling to stop herself. She shook her head violently. "Endure. Endure," she muttered under her breath, tightening her body to suppress her impulses. Esdeath, oblivious to Lortell''s internal turmoil, gulped nervously and mustered the courage to speak. "I-I can wash your back¡ª" Before she could finish, Lortell''s hand shot up, gently stopping Esdeath from turning around. "Don''t turn back. I''m not done yet," Lortell said quickly, her voice steady despite the chaos inside her. She couldn''t let Esdeath see her drooling, flushed face. Taking a deep breath, Lortell forced herself to focus on the task at hand. Her hands moved down to Esdeath''s legs. She couldn''t help but marvel at the length and shape of them. Esdeath''s legs were stunning, long enough to cover 60% of her height and toned, with thick, smooth thighs that would make anyone with a thigh fetish lose their mind. Lortell''s lips curled into a lustful smile as she admired them. Unable to resist teasing, Lortell leaned closer to Esdeath and whispered, "Spread your legs." Esdeath froze, her face heating up. "W-What?" she stammered, her voice rising slightly in embarrassment. Lortell chuckled, leaning back just enough to seem innocent. "Relax. I just meant spread your legs a little so I can wash all of your thighs." Esdeath let out a shaky breath, her cheeks still flushed. "O-Oh, okay," she muttered, reluctantly doing as Lortell asked. Lortell''s smile deepened as she continued, her eyes glinting mischievously. "I wonder when I''ll get to put my fingers in there?" she thought, biting her lip to stop another wave of drool. Elara Erevan The academy was slowly waking up to a new day, but the atmosphere was heavy. While some students tried to move past the events of the previous night, others were consumed by grief. Families mourned for their lost children, and friends grappled with the empty spaces left behind. At the academy''s graveyard, where students and soldiers who had passed were laid to rest, the fresh graves stood as a solemn reminder of the tragedy. The academy buried them here to honor their sacrifice, to show that their deaths were not in vain. Ethan stood before one of the graves, his face grim, his shoulders heavy with guilt. The headstone read: Emma Atherton. He stared at it in silence, his hands clenched tightly at his sides. As the wind rustled the trees, a gentle hand rested on his shoulder. "Don''t blame yourself too much," Violet said softly, her voice carrying both sadness and determination. "It wasn''t your fault that Emma died. Life can be cruel, Ethan. The dead don''t come back, no matter how much we want them to. All we can do is keep moving forward." Ethan''s jaw tightened, his teeth grinding in frustration. His mind raced with bitter thoughts. "What''s the point of my rebirth if I couldn''t even save one person who was actually my friend?" he thought, anger burning in his chest. "In my previous life, Emma survived. But here, after my second chance, instead of saving more lives, I let someone who should''ve lived die. All because of my recklessness." he thought in his mind. The weight of his failure threatened to crush him, but then, like a ray of light cutting through the darkness, a spark ignited in his mind. He looked up at the clear sky, his eyes narrowing with resolve. "No," he said firmly, his voice low but growing stronger. "This can''t stop me. I lost one person because of my mistakes, but I''ll atone for it. I''ll save thousands of others. I can''t give up¡ªnot without trying." Violet stepped closer, her gaze softening as she heard his words. "That''s more like it," she said, a small, encouraging smile forming on her lips. "Emma may be gone, but we''ll always remember her. She''ll live on in our hearts." As Ethan absorbed Violet''s words, another voice joined them. "Well said," Sylvania added, her tone filled with quiet strength as she placed a comforting hand on Ethan''s other shoulder. "Honoring her memory doesn''t mean stopping. It means pushing forward, doing better, and making sure her loss wasn''t meaningless." Ethan nodded, a flicker of determination lighting his eyes. He turned to the two girls, his closest allies, and felt a renewed sense of purpose. "I''ll keep moving forward," he promised. "For Emma. For everyone. I won''t let her sacrifice go to waste,Let''s go back to the academy." Sylvania and violent looked at each other and nodded. ------------- The sun was high in the sky, marking the time at 11 a.m., but there were still a couple of hours before the afternoon classes began. However, none of that mattered at the moment. A large crowd had gathered near the academy''s main gate, buzzing with curiosity and excitement. Among the crowd stood students and teachers, and even notable figures like Lilith and Lortell were present. Everyone seemed to be waiting for someone important. Suddenly, a strange, sleek, pitch-black contraption rolled into view. It had four small wheels and moved without any visible horse or earth wyvern pulling it. The sight left the crowd astonished. "What is that?" whispered a student, eyes wide. "That''s a... car," another murmured in awe. The car came to a smooth stop just outside the academy gates. The door opened, and out stepped a striking figure. He had sharp, pointed ears and dark, tanned skin that contrasted with his bright green robe and glittering jewelry. His facial features were so handsome that many of the students, especially the girls, couldn''t help but blush. "A dark elf¡­" someone whispered in amazement. The man''s presence commanded attention, but his warm smile and confident demeanor kept the crowd at ease. Lilith stepped forward and greeted him with a respectful bow. "Finally, you''ve arrived, Principal." The man chuckled softly, his white teeth gleaming as he spoke. "No need to be so formal, Ms. Lilith. You are my senior, after all." His words carried both respect and charm, leaving several students swooning. The other teachers followed Lilith''s lead and bowed their heads in greeting. Everyone except Lortell, who remained unmoved, arms crossed, her expression indifferent. The man was none other than **Elara Erevan**, the principal of the Awakened Academy. He was a living legend among the awakened, a dark elf who had lived for over two centuries. He had been alive during the time of the great hero, Lilith, and the team that sealed the Demon King. However, unlike the others, Elara hadn''t joined the final battle. Why? At that time, Elara was only a Rank A awakened, lacking the strength to fight alongside the hero''s team. Instead, he stayed behind to manage the academy and support from afar. When the hero and his team returned, they were victorious but gravely injured. Lilith, in particular, had suffered the most, her rank dropping to A after the battle. Though they had sealed the Demon King, the cost was great. As time passed, the hero and the rest of the team succumbed to old age, leaving only Lilith and Elara behind. But unlike Lilith, whose strength diminished over time, Elara continued to grow stronger. Now, Elara Erevan stood as an S-rank awakened, a master of the time path, and the principal of the Awakened Academy. His rise in strength and status placed him above even Lilith within the academy''s hierarchy. Beyond his position, Elara had another critical role: to keep Lortell Mariette in check. Lortell, with her own S-rank power and enigmatic presence, was a force that could challenge the academy''s authority. Elara, being one of the few who could rival her, acted as a safeguard. For weeks, the academy had been plagued with chaos¡ªstudents disappearing one after another, leaving everyone on edge. With no other choice, the academy sought help from Principal Elara Erevan. S§×ar?h the n?vel_Fire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Elara arrived, his presence commanding respect and reassurance. Standing before the gathered crowd of students and teachers, he declared with unwavering confidence, "There''s no need to worry anymore. Now that I''m here, let''s see who dares lay a hand on my students." He walked through the academy gates with a calm demeanor, but as he scanned the crowd, his gaze landed on a particular girl. **Esdeath Crimson.** His sharp eyes narrowed slightly as he took her in¡ªa girl with long, flowing black hair and an unsettling grin that stretched wide across her face. Her eerie eyes locked onto him, brimming with something almost inhuman. "A black-haired girl?" Elara thought, a flicker of surprise crossing his usually composed features. Her grin sent a shiver down his spine, making even someone as powerful as him feel momentarily uneasy. He quickly composed himself, dismissed the thought, and walked inside. The crowd began to disperse, and soon, it was time for classes. --- Esdeath and Maruti entered their classroom together. But this wasn''t Class B anymore. They had both been promoted to **Class A**, the most elite group of students in the academy. The classroom was spacious, designed to accommodate sixty to seventy students comfortably. However, Class A had barely thirty students, leaving much of the room empty and adding to its imposing atmosphere. As Esdeath and Maruti stepped inside, the room was already in chaos. "Hey! You''ve been staring at my skirt and my chest, haven''t you?" snapped a red-haired girl, her tone filled with disgust. Her name was Ria, one of the Class A students. With thick eyebrows, long eyelashes, and a well-toned figure, she was as fiery as her appearance. She had a firm grip on the tie of a pale, scrawny boy¡ªValen Vandris. He was a classic nerd, complete with glasses, a weak posture, and little to no confidence. Or so everyone thought. To everyone''s surprise, Valen seemed unusually bold today. Adjusting his glasses, he responded in a calm, matter-of-fact tone, "Staring at you? Please, don''t flatter yourself. I was looking at your outfit. You''re clearly trying to imitate my lady boss by wearing a short skirt, leaving your shirt buttons undone, and tying your tie so loosely. Am I wrong?" His words hit Ria like a thunderbolt. Her face flushed with embarrassment as the truth of his observation sank in. "You¡­!" she growled through gritted teeth, her grip on his tie tightening before she abruptly let go. Her frustration boiled over as she jumped onto a nearby bench, raising her leg high in the air to deliver a powerful kick aimed straight at Valen''s face. But the moment her leg shot up, her skirt shifted, exposing far more than she intended. Valen froze, his face turning a deep shade of red as his glasses fogged up. "D-Did I just see¡­ heaven?" he stammered, unable to believe what had just happened. The entire room erupted in laughter, some students smirking while others whispered and snickered among themselves. Ria quickly realized her mistake, her face burning red as she adjusted her skirt and glared daggers at Valen. "Y-You pervert!" she screamed, pointing an accusing finger at him. Valen, still dazed from what he saw, muttered, "It''s not my fault you did that¡­" But before he could finish, Ria clenched her fist, her face red with embarrassment. "Shut up, you pervert!" she yelled, swinging her fist at him with her eyes squeezed shut. **Swish.** The punch was just inches away from Valen''s face when it suddenly stopped. Ria opened her eyes, startled, only to see her fist caught mid-air by Maruti, who blocked it effortlessly with her palm. "Lady Boss''s friend?" Valen muttered in surprise, staring at Maruti. With a bored expression, Maruti glanced at Esdeath, ignoring Ria entirely. "Is this kind of stuff normal in school genre manga and anime? Why are these mangakas so obsessed with panties?" she asked in a completely serious tone. "Beats me," Esdeath replied casually as she walked into the classroom, her expression unreadable. "What¡­ What are you even talking about?" Ria stammered, looking completely lost and uneasy. Maruti turned her gaze to Ria, her tone blunt. "And you, flat-chested girl, what''s the big deal? You raised your leg, and he saw something. So what? It''s not like he stole your virginity. If you don''t want anyone to see anything, then wear pants." The room fell silent for a moment before bursting into laughter. "Flat¡­ Flat-chested?" Ria repeated, her face turning an even deeper shade of red as she trembled in embarrassment. Maruti shrugged, her expression indifferent. "Of course. Anyone can see you''re using magic to make your chest look bigger. That means you want people to notice, right?" Ria clenched her teeth, struggling to keep her composure. Finally, she pulled her fist back, huffing. "Forget it. I''ll let it go this time!" she snapped, retreating to her seat in a storm of frustration. Valen, still standing, turned his attention to Esdeath as she walked further into the classroom. His glasses gleamed as his jaw dropped in surprise. "Lady Boss, did you¡­ change your style?" Esdeath scratched the back of her head, smiling awkwardly. "Y-Yeah. Exposing too much skin isn''t all that cool, you know. Wearing stylish clothes that cover you up but still manage to enhance your beauty is, uh, way more impressive!" She nodded to herself, clearly making up nonsense on the spot. Valen''s eyes sparkled with admiration. "Lady Boss is so wise!" he exclaimed, as if she''d just shared the secrets of the universe. Spiral Head Girl The classroom was settling down as students moved to their respective seats, but something kept drawing everyone''s attention¡ªthe last seat in the middle row. Why? Despite more than half the classroom being empty, Esdeath and Maruti were both seated there, relaxed as if they owned the place. Meanwhile, Ethan was seated in the middle row, with Violet on one side and Sylvania on the other. Valen, who had been nervously hovering nearby, made his way toward Esdeath, clearly intending to sit next to her. But Esdeath raised her hand, stopping him. "Go sit on the first bench like you usually do. There''s no need to force yourself to prove anything." Her tone was casual, almost dismissive, as if she were giving an order instead of a suggestion. Valen hesitated, looking a little disappointed but nodded. "As you wish, Lady Boss," he muttered and shuffled to the front row. Esdeath smirked as she leaned back in her chair. "That guy''s useful. He can do our assignments for us, so we don''t waste time on boring stuff," she said, her voice dripping with amusement. Maruti, sitting beside her, didn''t seem to share the same lightheartedness. Instead, she glanced at Esdeath, a curious frown forming on her face. "You said it''s time for Arc 2. So, what''s the plan? Reap some benefits? Rob people when they''re in a tight spot?" Esdeath''s smirk disappeared, replaced by a serious expression as she met Maruti''s gaze. Her voice was firm, leaving no room for argument. "Nothing. We avoid it with everything we''ve got." Maruti raised an eyebrow, clearly not expecting that answer. "Avoid it? Really? Why?" Esdeath let out a sigh, leaning forward slightly. "The first and second arcs are complete opposites. In the first arc, you can survive even if you do nothing. But the second arc? It''s like comparing an ant to a mountain. The difficulty skyrockets. As long as you''re in the academy during this arc, the chances of dying are ridiculously high." Maruti tilted her head, still unconvinced. "Then why stay here? Why not just leave?" Esdeath''s lips curled into a bitter smile. "Do you think I haven''t thought of that? I wanted a private room outside the academy for this very reason. But the academy has rules. No one is allowed to live outside the dorms during this time. You can only leave for a few hours at most,This was one of the reasons I wanted to get an private room, So that when time comes I just give some excuses and won''t come to academy." She leaned back in her chair, frustration flickering in her eerie eyes. "Bad luck, huh? We''re all trapped here, whether we like it or not." Maruti leaned back, crossing her arms as she processed Esdeath''s explanation. "Is this a game? Or some twisted scheme to get us all killed?" Esdeath let out a bitter laugh, her eerie eyes narrowing slightly. "That''s exactly what you''d expect from a trash game. They don''t even know how to properly increase difficulty step by step as we grow stronger. It''s like someone threw a broken challenge at us and hoped for the best. Honestly, even I could design a better game than this!" She sighed, running a hand through her hair. Before Maruti could respond, the sound of chairs scraping interrupted them. The entire class stood up at once, greeting the teacher with a respectful bow. Esdeath and Maruti exchanged a quick glance before reluctantly following suit. The teacher, a tall woman with sleek black hair and a calm demeanor, gestured for everyone to sit. "Good morning, everyone," Sora said, her voice soft yet commanding. Once seated, Esdeath leaned slightly toward Maruti and continued in a hushed tone, "At least now that we''re in Class A, it''ll be easier to avoid her. We don''t even have to try." Maruti''s expression darkened as she mulled over Esdeath''s words. "If it''s as you say, she might already be here." --------- Meanwhile, in Class B The mood in Class B was somber as the teacher, Sylvia, walked in. Her green eyes flickered with a stern light as she stood at the front of the room. "You all already know about the recent tragedies," she began, her voice firm. "Many students have lost their lives. To honor their memory, let''s observe a minute of silence." The class fell silent, heads bowed in respect for their fallen peers. After the solemn moment passed, Sylvia''s tone shifted. A soft smile appeared on her face as she spoke again, "But today is a fresh start. We also have someone new joining us." She turned toward the door, her smile widening. A girl stepped into the classroom. She had short gray hair that fell neatly over her forehead and an above-average appearance. Her soft smile seemed warm, yet unremarkable. "This is Caramel," Sylvia introduced. "She was supposed to join us when the academy term started, but her carriage was attacked by bandits, and she suffered an injury on her forehead. Thankfully, she''s recovered and is finally here. Please help her adjust and share your notes." Caramel bowed politely. "Please take care of me," she said with a small, pleasant smile. As she bowed, a strand of her hair shifted, briefly revealing a spiral-shaped scar on her forehead. The air in the room changed instantly. Sylvia''s green eyes widened, her pupils transforming into heart shapes. She took a step closer to Caramel, her voice trembling with uncharacteristic excitement. "Caramel, are you single? Are you free today? We could go on a date¡ªwhat do you think?" The class erupted into chaos. "No fair! Caramel, I fell in love with you at first sight. Marry me!" "No, me! I''ll be the perfect partner for you!" "Forget them, Caramel! I''ll do anything for you¡ªeven die if that''s what you want!" It wasn''t just the boys; the girls were no exception. Everyone was shouting over each other, their voices filled with desperate obsession rather than love. Some students had even climbed onto their desks, reaching toward Caramel as if trying to claim her. Caramel, for her part, simply stood there with an innocent smile, her eyes glimmering with a faint, mysterious light. -------------- Esdeath leaned closer to Maruti, her tone low and serious. "Yeah, she''s already dead. She just doesn''t know it yet. The scar on her forehead, It''s a symbol her a rare second awakening of an anomaly class¡ª''Spiral Head Girl.'' For now, anyone who sees that scar will fall head over heels for her. But soon, just being near her will make people fall in love." Maruti raised an eyebrow, skeptical. "So¡­does that mean you could fall for her too?" Esdeath rolled her eyes and let out a small chuckle. "Of course not. Unfortunately, I''m already madly in love with someone else. This only works on people with low spirit. Ethan will definitely not be affected." She paused for emphasis, then added, "People with high spirit¡ªlike Lilith, Kaelith, and Violet¡ªwon''t be. Violet being in love with Ethan,Thus despite being weaker physically she won''t be affected. Sylvania might feel a slight pull, but if she keeps her head on straight, she can resist it." Maruti tilted her head, grinning. "What about me?" Esdeath slapped her own forehead dramatically, exasperated. "Didn''t I tell you back in the arena? With your ultra instinct , you''re also protected from charm and mind effects to some degree. As long as you don''t turn into a simp, your chances of falling in love are basically zero." Maruti''s grin grew wider as she crossed her arms behind her head, looking smug. "Well, that''s a relief! No need to worry, then!" Her cheerful moment, however, was short-lived. The classroom door opened, and Kaelith stepped in, her presence commanding as always. Her piercing silver eyes scanned the room like a hawk searching for prey. Her gaze briefly landed on Maruti, and with a casual wave of her hand¡ªalmost like a expressionless yet deep hidden meaning of "hiii... ". Maruti groaned quietly, slapping her forehead. "Not her again¡­" she muttered, shutting her eyes in frustration. Kaelith''s attention then shifted to Esdeath, who sat beside Maruti. Her expression instantly soured, and she let out an irritated "Hmph!" before striding purposefully to the back of the classroom. To Esdeath''s confusion, Kaelith didn''t sit anywhere else. Instead, she wedged herself "forcefully" between Esdeath and Maruti, practically shoving them apart. Kaelith crossed her arms and leaned back with a haughty air, her expression smug as if she''d just won a grand victory. Esdeath blinked, completely baffled, her face showing the rare "What the heck just happened?" expression. She glanced at Maruti for answers, her eyes silently pleading for an explanation. But every time Esdeath tried to meet her gaze, Maruti would quickly look away, pretending not to notice. Her expression screamed, "Don''t ask me! I have no idea either!" As the class dragged on, Kaelith remained seated between Esdeath and Maruti, her presence a silent but palpable barrier. Esdeath maintained a calm demeanor, accustomed to such disruptions, while Maruti''s frustration simmered beneath the surface. When the class finally ended in the early evening, the two friends finally somehow reunited outside, eager to distance themselves from Kaelith''s unsettling presence. They headed toward the cafeteria, where Esdeath planned to grab a meal and collect extra food for Selene. Maruti''s anger boiled over as she stomped her foot on the ground three times, her voice rising in exasperation. "That Kaelith! Who does she think she is? A silver dragon? Big deal! I couldn''t care less," she fumed. Her eyes sparkled with determination as she continued, "If she''s a silver dragon, then I''ll become a golden dragon and eat her alive!" Esdeath''s expression remained neutral, as if such outbursts were part of her daily routine. "Did you pick a fight with that overpowered character?" she asked, her tone casual. "And just so you know, there''s no such thing as a golden dragon. Silver dragons are the only ones, a half-constellation species." Maruti''s eyes widened in surprise. "Really? But how?" she questioned, her curiosity piqued. Esdeath sighed, a hint of boredom creeping into her voice. "I guess it''s time to pick up where we left off," Sear?h the nov§×lF~ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. J?rmungandr Maruti''s body grew, stretching until planets themselves seemed like marbles beside him. The sun was now nothing more than a round mango in front of him¡ªa mango he had craved all along. Without hesitation, Maruti opened his mouth wide, and in one swift gulp, he swallowed the sun whole. Darkness swept through the space as he devoured it, not even leaving a burp in its place. For a brief moment, remnants of the sun''s glow lingered, casting faint, fleeting light. But those moments quickly passed, and pure darkness took over. On the planets below, chaos erupted. Beings who had suffered under the sun''s relentless heat now found themselves plunged into a night unlike any they had known. Celebrations broke out in some places, with people cheering and praising the unexpected relief. "Finally! No more scorching heat!" they shouted, dancing in the sudden coolness. But elsewhere, fear and despair gripped the hearts of many. People cried out in panic. "First the unbearable heat, now complete darkness? Are we cursed? Is this the end of the world?" Seraphine, standing on her palace, stared at the darkened sky with a deep frown. Her thoughts were a whirlwind of confusion and frustration. "What''s going on? First, the sun''s extreme heat, and now this? Calamity after calamity¡ªjust who or what is behind all this?" She sighed, her body relaxing slightly. "Well, at least I don''t have to keep using my killer move to create artificial greenery anymore," she muttered, her voice tired. Maintaining her move had drained her strength day after day. Now, at least, she could rest. Meanwhile, in the vastness of space, panic rippled across the realms. Divine beings from countless corners of existence gathered near the sun''s former position, teleporting in one after another. Their faces were filled with shock and concern as they searched for the Sun God, Surya. But instead of Surya, they saw a colossal figure¡ªa monkey child so massive that even the now-missing sun seemed tiny in comparison. It was Maruti. He stood where the sun once blazed, his enormous form dominating the void. His face was a mix of dissatisfaction and frustration as he rubbed his belly. "That mango wasn''t tasty at all," he grumbled, his voice booming across the empty expanse. "It even burns! What kind of mango is this?" The gods stared at him in stunned silence, their minds struggling to process what had just happened. One of them whispered, "This¡­ this child swallowed the sun?" Another deity, his face grim, stepped forward. "Wait a minute. If he''s this big, won''t his gravity pull the planets towards him? They''ll collide into him and destroy themselves!" Indra floated forward from the group, his presence commanding as he raised his hand to calm the growing panic. His voice was steady as he said, "There''s no need to worry. Look at the planets¡ªthey''re still in their orbits, just like before. Do you know what that means?" He paused briefly, letting his words sink in before continuing, "It means that although he''s grown massive, his mass is only virtual. After swallowing the sun, his weight matches that of the sun¡ªnot more, not less. The balance remains intact for now. We have time to decide our next move." Indra''s calm and confident explanation eased the tension among the gods, and murmurs of agreement rippled through the group. "I suggest we vote," a goddess with emerald-green hair and matching eyes said as she stepped forward. She held an elegant wand, her presence both enchanting and commanding. "We should decide whether to negotiate with this being or attack and destroy him." It was Gaia, the Goddess of Earth and Land, revered by many as Mother Gaia. Her voice was firm, leaving no room for argument. As one of the most powerful deities, equal to or possibly even stronger than Zeus and Indra, her words carried immense weight. "If that''s what Mother Gaia proposes," Indra said, nodding, "then we shall vote." The gods quickly cast their votes, and unsurprisingly, the majority sided with killing Maruti. Indra took a deep breath, raising his hand to announce the decision. "Very well, as per the results of the vo¡ª" Before he could finish, a shockwave tore through space, breaking their balance and forcing many to steady themselves. "What was that?" a god gasped, his eyes wide. As they turned toward the source, their collective breath hitched. One word filled their minds: *J?rmungandr.* A massive serpent, far larger than anything they had seen before, loomed in the distance. Its thick, silver-scaled body shimmered, and its dragon-like head radiated pure menace. The sight of it was enough to strike fear into even the bravest gods. "Why is J?rmungandr¡ªthe World Snake¡ªhere? He never leaves his resting place!" Indra exclaimed, his voice laced with disbelief. "And why does he look¡­ even larger than before?" The gods exchanged nervous glances, their confusion growing. "What in the heavens is going on?" a bald-headed deity croaked, his voice hoarse and trembling. Before anyone could answer, a sudden burst of light illuminated the space. From the light emerged a man, his body battered and covered in blood. His wounds were severe, and blood trickled from his lips as he struggled to stand. "Who did this to you?" Gaia demanded, her voice sharp and authoritative. "And where is Zeus? Wasn''t he the one tasked with keeping J?rmungandr in check?" The wounded man panted, clutching his chest as he spoke. "Kratos¡­ Kratos has returned. He''s going to kill Zeus!" "Wasn''t he died like two times already?, how can he come back every time? "Indra said in frustation. The wounded man, still panting heavily, replied, "It seems Kratos made a deal with Kirmada, one of the Lords of Hell, and managed to return to life again!" "Please¡­ save Lord Zeus!" the man pleaded desperately, but as he looked around, no one dared to meet his gaze. A heavy silence hung in the air before one of the gods muttered under his breath, "Who even wants to fight him? I''m not ready to die!" The same thought echoed in the minds of many others. Sensing the unease, Indra quickly changed the subject. "First, we need to handle the current situation," he said, his sharp eyes fixed on J?rmungandr. "We''ll deal with Zeus later." The gods exchanged hesitant glances but nodded in agreement. One by one, they summoned their mana, their bodies radiating immense energy. Auras burst forth, filling the vast space as they prepared to face the World Snake. But just as they braced themselves¡ª Swish¡­.. J?rmungandr ignored them completely. He slithered past even Gaia and Indra, as if they were insignificant specks of dust. Gaia: "¡­" Indra: "¡­" Other gods: "¡­" For a moment, the gods stood frozen, stunned by the blatant disregard. Then a realization struck Indra. His voice trembled with astonishment as he said, "Wait¡­ don''t tell me¡­ is he trying to help us?" It was true. J?rmungandr wasn''t interested in the gods. His massive body surged through space, heading directly for Maruti. As the snake raced forward, his thoughts swirled. "Srrrr...I don''t know why I am doing, but it feels like fate is guiding me. I need to stop this reckless child before it''s too late,Srrrrrr..." Meanwhile, Maruti noticed the enormous snake approaching him. The gods were so small compared to him that they didn''t even catch his attention. But the snake? Maruti tilted his head in curiosity. "A toy snake?" That was his first thought. Before J?rmungandr could reach him, Maruti stretched out his massive hand and grabbed the snake with ease. Compared to Maruti, J?rmungandr was like a tennis ball next to a basketball. With a playful grin, Maruti wrapped the snake around his waist like a belt. "What a nice piece of jewelry!" he thought, admiring his new accessory. Shock rippled through the gods as they watched the scene unfold. "Did he just¡­ turn J?rmungandr into a belt?" one god stammered, disbelief etched across his face. But then, a deep, booming laugh erupted, breaking the tense silence. "Hahahaha! HAHAHA!" It was J?rmungandr. Tears of joy glimmered in his eyes as he laughed. "After thousands of years, I''ve finally found someone who reminds me of my battles with that damn Thor!" His laughter faded into a fierce growl. "But don''t think I''ll be defeated this easily. Not without finishing my fight with Thor!" Sear?h the ¦ÇovelFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. In an instant, J?rmungandr''s body began to grow. He expanded, doubling, then tripling in size, until he was four times larger than before. Without hesitation, he coiled tightly around Maruti, squeezing with all his might. Maruti''s eyes widened in panic. He had no combat experience¡ªhe was just a child after all. As J?rmungandr''s grip tightened, Maruti''s stomach churned painfully. "Urghhh¡­" he groaned, his massive form trembling under the pressure. And then, he vomited. But what came out wasn''t food¡ªit was the sun. The fiery orb burst forth, glowing brilliantly as it returned to space. Light flooded the void, washing away the darkness that had consumed the realms. Birth Of First Silver Dragon The fiery orb shot out, glowing brilliantly as it returned to its rightful place in space. Its warm light began to dispel the darkness that had engulfed the realms. But something was wrong. The sun''s radiance wasn''t as scorching or vibrant as before. The Sun God, Surya, materialized in a weakened state. His body, a construct of divine essence and will, crumbled to the ground. Panting heavily, he muttered, "What¡­ what happened?" As he tried to make sense of his condition, memories hit him like a tidal wave. He saw himself scorching rivers, drying oceans, and causing unimaginable suffering to all living beings. "Why? Why did I do such things?" he whispered, his confusion growing. Meanwhile, Maruti''s enormous body began to shrink rapidly. In moments, the colossal figure that had swallowed the sun was gone, replaced by a small child. His tiny form fell floating in space. Maruti lay unconscious, his chest rising and falling weakly. He was only four years old. No ordinary being, let alone a child, could have swallowed the sun without suffering severe consequences. It was a feat that defied all logic. J?rmungandr, his mission seemingly complete, spared no further attention to the child. Without a word, the massive serpent turned and slithered back to his distant lair, leaving the gods to decide Maruti''s fate. Gaia was the first to break the silence. Her emerald eyes burned with resolve as she spoke. "This is our chance. We voted to eliminate him, and now he''s defenseless. Even as a child, he had enough power to defeat a high-ranking deity like Surya. If we allow him to grow, no one will be able to stop him." Her words carried weight, and the other gods hesitated only briefly before nodding in agreement. One by one, they summoned their power and flew toward Maruti''s unconscious body. Their speed was incredible, and they arrived in the blink of an eye, surrounding the child like a storm about to strike. The air grew heavy with tension, and all eyes were on Maruti, his small form lying helplessly in the vast expanse of space. Many deities hesitated, their expressions heavy with doubt. "Killing an innocent child... it doesn''t feel right," one of them murmured. Gaia sighed, her face stern but conflicted. "Do we have another choice?" she asked, summoning a glowing dagger into her hand. "If no one else will do it, I''ll bear the sins and karma of killing this child." Her hand trembled as she raised the blade, her teeth gritted in determination. But just as she was about to strike, her arm froze. It was as if an invisible force was holding her back. "Why¡­ why can''t I move my hand?" Gaia thought, panic rising in her chest. "I''ll try," a courageous god volunteered, stepping forward. He grasped his weapon and aimed at the unconscious Maruti, but his hand stopped mid-swing, unable to move any closer. The other gods exchanged puzzled glances. Something beyond their understanding was happening. Gaia closed her eyes and exhaled slowly, a hint of awe softening her voice. "It''s fate," she whispered. "Fate won''t allow us to kill him. That means¡­ this child has a greater purpose." The others weren''t fools. They immediately understood the weight of her words. "If fate wants him alive, then we should send him back where he came from," one deity suggested. Gaia nodded, determination replacing hesitation in her voice. "Let''s do that." --- Far from where the gods stood, a woman floated in the void of space. She appeared to be in her early thirties, her long, greyish-white hair cascading over her tanned skin. Her beauty was striking, but her dark and revealing attire gave her an ominous air. Her body was covered in injuries, and her movements were sluggish, as though every moment was a struggle. S§×ar?h the ¦Çov§×lFire .net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Suddenly, glowing blue chains materialized around her, crackling with lightning that surged painfully through her body. The woman gasped and turned to see who had bound her, and her eyes darkened at the sight. Indra stood before her, his divine aura radiating power and confidence. A sly smile spread across his face. "I knew it was you, Atrox Fortuna, the goddess of misfortune," he said. His voice was sharp with accusation. "You were the reason behind Surya''s madness." --- Three days had passed since the incident. The gods had returned Maruti to his home, erasing his memories of what had happened. Their methods were powerful, leaving no trace of his actions or the events in his mind. Meanwhile, Zeus had fallen at the hands of Kratos. The gods, paralyzed by fear, had done nothing to intervene. None of them dared to face the Ghost of Sparta and risk their own lives. But the most pressing issue was Surya. He had broken divine law, raising his temperature to such an extreme that millions of lives had perished in agony. Now, the gods gathered in a grand chamber, their faces grim as they prepared to pass judgment. Surya sat in the center of the room, his weakened form hunched on the cold floor. He looked like a prisoner, his once-bright essence dimmed by guilt and shame. The gods sat in a half-circle around him, their voices hushed but heavy with the weight of what was to come. Everyone knew this moment would determine the Sun God''s fate. The chamber grew tense as soldiers dragged a woman in chains to stand beside Surya. Her once-proud demeanor was gone, replaced by a cold resignation. She was none other than Atrox Fortuna, the goddess of misfortune, her presence causing unease among the gods. Indra stood first, his voice sharp and unwavering. "Before we pass judgment, let me say this¡ªSurya''s actions were not entirely his own. He was manipulated by Fortuna, whose powers filled his heart with pride and ego. Consumed by such thoughts, he committed these atrocities." A god with a long beard and piercing blue eyes frowned deeply. "But that does not absolve him of guilt. A high-ranking god, brought low by the schemes of a lesser deity? It''s a disgrace to his status and our divine order." The council murmured in agreement. Fortuna, despite being a low-mid-ranking goddess, had managed to corrupt Surya, something that was unthinkable for someone of his rank. This failure was not easy to overlook. Fortuna clenched her fists, her lips trembling with frustration. "Am I truly going to die?" she thought bitterly. Her mind raced. "Hundreds of years... I planned for centuries to slowly corrupt Surya''s mind, to lead the gods into a great war. That war was supposed to be my chance to rise in power. And now... all of it ruined in minutes by that cursed monkey child!" Her gaze darted toward the floor, her anger bubbling beneath the surface, but she remained silent. Gaia rose to speak next, her tone heavy with anger. "As the goddess of earth and land, I''ve suffered the greatest losses because of Surya''s recklessness. Because of him, rivers dried, oceans burned, and countless lives were destroyed. I demand that Surya take full responsibility by self-detonating, allowing nature to choose a new Sun God." Her words struck the council like a hammer. Many hesitated, their faces dark with conflict. Gaia''s proposal was harsh, almost unthinkable. But could they deny it entirely? Surya''s actions had caused immeasurable pain, and justice demanded a heavy price. Surya himself broke the silence, his voice soft yet filled with sorrow. "I accept," he said, bowing his head. There was no fight left in him, only regret. He closed his eyes, preparing to end his existence right then and there. But before he could act, a voice cried out, trembling with anguish. "No, you can''t!" All eyes turned toward the speaker. It was Selene, the goddess of the moon, her silver hair flowing like a river of light. Tears streamed down her face as she stepped forward, her hands trembling. "Please, don''t do this," Selene begged, her voice breaking with each word. "I can''t bear to lose you like this, my love. Not this way." The gods watched in silence as Selene turned to face them, her knees hitting the ground as she pleaded. "I''ll take his place. Let me self-detonate instead. I''ll bear the punishment for his actions. But please... spare him." Her tears fell freely, glistening like stars as they hit the floor. Her pain was palpable, piercing through even the hardest of hearts. The council members looked at one another, their stern expressions faltering under the weight of her plea. Surya''s voice broke in desperation as he reached out, "No, Selene¡ª" Before he could finish, Selene''s body turned to stone before his eyes. The room fell silent as cracks began to appear on her fragile form. A moment later, her body shattered into countless pieces, scattering like ash in the air. She had self-detonated. But it wasn''t her true body. The real Selene was the moon itself, and her soul and essence resided within that celestial sphere. When her will shattered, so did her essence, and in that instant, Selene was no more. "NOOOOO!" Surya''s cry echoed through the chamber, filled with unbearable grief. He fell to his knees, his hands trembling as he clutched the ground. The goddess he loved, the one who had sacrificed everything for him, was gone. But Selene had made a critical mistake. Unlike a planned self-detonation, which left behind a will and properly redistributed power, her impulsive act left her essence untethered. The moon, which once glowed brightly in the night sky, turned grim and dark. Its lightless surface looked lifeless, like a reflection of her death. But moments later, something extraordinary happened. A stream of silver light, radiant like flowing water, poured from the moon''s surface. It glimmered like a river of stars, cascading through the void of space before piercing Earth''s atmosphere with unstoppable force. The celestial silver essence, raw and powerful, searched for a host. It didn''t choose a human, elf, or dwarf. Instead, it found something far more ancient¡ªa massive creature with two long wings, sharp horns, and shimmering white scales. A female white dragon. The essence struck her like lightning, embedding itself deep into her being. The dragon let out an earth-shaking roar. "ROOOAAARRRR!" Her cries were deafening as her body writhed in agony. She thrashed violently, her massive wings flapping uncontrollably as she clawed at the ground. Her pain was unimaginable, as if her very flesh and bones were being torn apart. The agony continued for days, each second stretching into an eternity. The dragon''s mighty roars echoed across mountains and valleys, shaking the earth itself. Her body glowed with a radiant silver light, so bright it was blinding. Slowly, the essence began to merge with her. Her white scales turned to shimmering silver, glowing faintly like moonlight. Her horns gleamed with a metallic sheen, and her eyes became orbs of pure silver, reflecting the heavens above. When the pain subsided, she stood tall, her powerful body radiating divine energy. Her transformation was complete. The first Silver Dragon had been born. What To Do? "Oww... What a tragic love story! I''m in tears!" Maruti mocked dramatically, wiping away invisible crocodile tears. Esdeath remained expressionless, her cold demeanor unchanging. The two of them arrived at the cafeteria, picked up their food, and began eating, each bite filled with a strange, contrasting calmness given the tension surrounding them. --- Meanwhile, in the principal''s office, a tense atmosphere filled the room. Principal Elara sat behind his grand oak desk, his brow furrowed as he examined the stack of papers handed to him by Vice Principal Lilith. Several other faculty members stood around, their faces reflecting the gravity of the situation. Elara''s eyes scanned the documents with a sharp gaze. "So, this is the record of all the students who went missing or were found dead?" he murmured, his voice low and heavy. Lilith leaned back in her chair, her silver eyes cold and focused. "Yes, these are all the cases. And in my opinion, there''s one common thread tying them together¡ªEsdeath Crimson," she stated firmly. Elara looked up at her, his expression cautious but curious. "Esdeath? Why do you suspect her? She''s only been here a few months. How could she be capable of something like this?" Lilith''s tone turned sharper as she leaned forward, resting her elbows on the desk. "That''s exactly the problem, Elara. Nothing like this has ever happened before in the academy. Decades of peace, and suddenly, the moment she steps foot here, students start dying or disappearing!" Elara stayed silent, letting her continue. "Let''s not forget the first incident," Lilith pressed. "Eldon Karanthis. He was killed by a child. And what did the child say? That Esdeath told him to do it. We had no evidence, so nothing could be done, but that alone was suspicious." She paused, letting her words sink in. "And then there''s Luna Cassia. She goes missing, and guess who her roommate was? Esdeath." Elara rubbed his chin thoughtfully, his fingers tapping lightly against the desk. "It''s strange, yes. But how could she manage all of this so flawlessly? She''s just a first-year student, someone who awakened mere months ago. She has no formal training, no history of advanced skills." Lilith''s eyes narrowed. "That''s what makes her even more dangerous. She''s black-haired, Elara. You know the rumors. What if she''s cursed? What if¡ª" "That''s just speculation," another professor interrupted, raising her hand. She was a calm woman with soft features, but her voice carried authority. "Her affinity wasn''t dark, remember? And we have no evidence against her. We can''t act based on theories and assumptions." Lilith let out a frustrated snort, her annoyance evident. "Dark affinity?" she thought bitterly. "Who''s going to tell them that the Demon King doesn''t even have a dark affinity? That''s just a convenient stereotype everyone clings to!" It was true. Over the years, people had built a myth that dark magic and evil went hand in hand. Most believed it without question. But those who knew the truth understood how na?ve that belief was. But the second point was truly on point, "We have no evidence, so what can we do?" Elara''s calm demeanor persisted as he smiled knowingly. "But there''s something new to note. Today, no students went missing or were killed. That tells me one thing¡ªwhoever the suspect is, they''re aware that I''m more than just someone who understands time magic. They know I''ve made strides in investigation as well, and they can''t fool me easily." Lilith nodded thoughtfully. "That does make sense," she admitted. "But we have another issue¡ªthe waves of monsters keep coming. It''s wearing down our defenses and morale." Before the conversation could go further, a male professor burst into the room without knocking. His face was lit with excitement, so much so that he seemed to have forgotten basic decorum. "Vice Principal! Principal! The monster waves have stopped!" he exclaimed, his voice full of enthusiasm. A stunned silence filled the room, broken only by the incredulous voice of the female professor. "Really?" she nearly shouted, her eyes wide with disbelief. Lilith let out a relieved breath, her tense shoulders relaxing. "Finally, after all these days of constant fighting, our forces can rest. I can rest," she thought, the weight on her chest lifting slightly. Elara clapped his hands together, his expression bright. "That''s excellent news! Now we can turn our attention to other matters. Let''s resume the first-year competition. Make sure it starts and ends tomorrow to avoid any unnecessary pressure," he ordered. The room collectively nodded in agreement, the air lighter now. ------ Back in the cafeteria, Esdeath stood up abruptly, brushing off her uniform. "I''m done," she said flatly, finishing her meal with her usual cold efficiency. Maruti looked up in shock, her mouth still full of food. "Wait, already? I''m not even halfway done!" she protested, her words muffled by a large piece of meat stuffed into her cheek. Esdeath glanced at her with a faint smirk. "If you eat that much, you''ll get fat again. But it''s your choice. I''m leaving." Without waiting for a reply, she turned and walked away. S~ea??h the N?vel(F)ire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "Go on, then! I''m not a child who needs help eating!" Maruti snorted, stuffing another piece of meat into her mouth. Her peace, however, was short-lived. A group of students entered the cafeteria, their loud chatter silencing the room. At the center of the group was a girl with caramel-colored spiral hair, her presence commanding the attention of everyone present. Maruti froze mid-bite, her breath hitching. The piece of meat slipped from her mouth back onto her plate. Sweat beaded on her forehead as she stared at the girl in disbelief. "Caramel¡­ What is she doing here? According to the fable, she should be arguing with Ethan right now. Did something change in the future?" She shook her head quickly, trying to focus. This wasn''t the time to think about changes in the timeline. What mattered was leaving¡ªimmediately and unnoticed, especially by Caramel. But as the group fully entered, two boys stationed themselves at the door, blocking the exit. "No one is allowed to leave or enter during Goddess Caramel''s meal! No disturbances are permitted!" one of them declared loudly. Maruti bit her lip in anger, her annoyance growing. "Of course they''d pull this nonsense now," she thought bitterly. The rest of the cafeteria, however, seemed unaffected¡ªor rather, completely affected in the opposite way. A wave of admiration swept through the students as they rushed toward Caramel, showering her with compliments. "You''re so beautiful, Goddess Caramel!" "Can I carry your tray for you?" "You''re perfect!" Even the cafeteria maid, who was placing dishes on a nearby table, froze when her eyes fell on Caramel. Her cheeks flushed as she rushed forward. "Your name is Caramel, right? I think I''m in love with you. Let me feed you with my own hands!" she said breathlessly, immediately picking up a spoon and offering it to Caramel. The students gasped, jealousy flashing in their eyes. "Hey, no fair! I should be the one feeding her!" "No, me!" "No, it''s my turn!" Chaos erupted as the crowd surged forward, each person desperate for Caramel''s attention. Maruti, however, stayed rooted in her seat, watching the ridiculous scene with wide eyes. And then it hit her. "Oh no! If I act indifferent, she''ll notice me for sure! I need to blend in, pretend like I''m just as smitten as everyone else!" She hurriedly began to stand, ready to join the frenzy. But it was too late. Caramel''s grey eyes locked onto her. Maruti froze again, her heart sinking. "I''m doomed." Caramel stood up gracefully, her eyes locked on Maruti like a hawk spotting its prey. The cafeteria grew silent, all eyes following Caramel as she walked toward Maruti with a calm but commanding presence. Maruti''s heart raced, and she hunched over her plate, pretending to be deeply fascinated by her half-eaten piece of meat. "Don''t look up, don''t look up. Maybe she''ll think I''m invisible." But Caramel stopped right in front of her. "Hey, you!" Caramel''s voice rang out. "Why are you so quiet? Do I not look beautiful to you? Do you not like me?" Maruti froze, her mind scrambling like a squirrel on a slippery branch. She slowly lifted her head, meeting Caramel''s intense gaze. Her thoughts went into overdrive. "Okay, think, Maruti, think! If I say yes and act all lovey-dovey, she''ll know I''m faking it and if I say no, I''ll be the first person in history to deny her, and that might just get me in more trouble or worse... dragged into a drama where I can''t escape. What to do¡­ what to do?" She swallowed hard, glancing at the spoon in her hand. "Maybe I can fake choking? No, too dramatic. Or maybe I could just faint? But what if she makes me confess while unconscious?!" It’s Love, Isn’t It? She swallowed hard, glancing at the spoon in her hand. "Maybe I can fake choking? No, too dramatic. Or maybe I could just faint? But what if she makes me confess while unconscious?!" She cleared her throat and plastered on the most awkward smile ever seen. "Y-You¡­ look¡­ very, um, shiny?" Caramel blinked, tilting her head in confusion. "Shiny?" Maruti nodded frantically, beads of sweat flying off her forehead. "Yes! Like, you know, the sun? Very¡­ radiant! Blinding, even!" Caramel''s expression softened slightly, but her curiosity remained. "Radiant, huh?" Maruti quickly nodded again, adding, "Absolutely! So radiant, I couldn''t even speak! That''s why I was quiet!" Caramel studied her for a moment longer, and Maruti held her breath, praying to every deity she could think of. "Please buy it, please buy it¡­" But everything can''t go as you expect. Caramel''s eyes narrowed, her voice rising in frustration. "That''s it? That''s all you have to say?" She slammed her palm on the table, a small but sharp sound echoing in the cafeteria. Everyone froze, the tension between the two thick enough to cut with a knife. Maruti, who had been panicking a moment ago, suddenly went quiet. Her expression shifted, and her once frantic eyes turned cold¡ªblank, even. Why? Because now, Maruti was angry. Maruti had always been a free spirit. She thrived on living her life on her own terms, her easy-going and careless attitude giving her the freedom she valued above all else. She hated rules, orders, or anyone trying to force her into submission¡ªespecially when there was nothing in it for her. If you are giving something that meets her expectations like money or women then it''s fine but Or else FUCK YOU! This situation felt all too familiar. It reminded her of Kaelith, who always tried to boss her around. Every time Kaelith forced herself into Maruti''s space, it felt suffocating, as if someone had taken a leash and tied it around her neck. And now Caramel was doing the exact same thing. Her jaw clenched as irritation boiled over. Caramel''s high-and-mighty attitude, her demand for validation¡ªit was unbearable. Without thinking, Maruti stood up abruptly, the chair screeching against the floor. Her grip on her plate tightened, her knuckles white. "You know what?" Maruti muttered under her breath. Then, louder, "FUCK YOU!" BAM! In one swift motion, Maruti slammed the plate of meat directly onto Caramel''s perfectly groomed face. The impact was so strong that pieces of food splattered everywhere, and the plate itself shattered into pieces. The cafeteria collectively gasped, the room falling into stunned silence. All eyes were on Caramel. Her face, once flawless and radiant, was now smeared with grease, meat chunks, and sauce. Strips of vegetables hung awkwardly from her hair like decorations. Her wide eyes stared straight ahead, completely still, as if her brain had temporarily shut down. Time seemed to slow down for her. Shock. Pure, unfiltered shock. Her mind reeled, fragments of thought crashing together." Did that really just happen?" The sticky mess dripping down her face wasn''t just food¡ªit was a metaphorical slap to her reputation. And, in that frozen moment, flashes of her past began to resurface. -------------- The memory was as clear as day. A few months ago, Caramel''s carriage had been ambushed by bandits. It was a brutal attack, leaving everyone else dead. The carriage was destroyed, the broken pieces scattered across the mountain trail alongside the lifeless bodies of the guards and servants who had been with her. Caramel stirred awake as the afternoon sunlight hit her face. Slowly opening her eyes, she winced at the sharp pain on her forehead. Her hands instinctively went to her head, rubbing the spot gently. "Ugh, what...?" she mumbled. The pain was unbearable, but as she sat up and glanced around, the memories came flooding back. The attack. The screams. The chaos. Her heart pounded as anger, fear, and pain overwhelmed her. But amidst it all, the pain was the strongest. Suddenly, a realization hit her. "I... I remember now," she whispered, touching her forehead. "I got shot in the head with an arrow!" Her voice quivered as the image of the arrow flashed in her mind. Yet, she was alive. Somehow, she had survived. A small, bitter laugh escaped her lips as she thought, "Well, that''s lucky, I guess." But luck didn''t seem to be on her side anymore. She was in the middle of nowhere, surrounded by nothing but rugged mountain terrain. With no other choice, Caramel began to walk. Each step was agony, her head throbbing, her clothes in tatters, and her body caked in dirt and mud. She stumbled over rocks and roots, hungry and exhausted, but her sheer will kept her moving. Hours passed, and just as she felt like she couldn''t go any further, she saw it¡ªa small village nestled in the valley below. Relief flooded her. Tears welled in her eyes as she thought, "Thank the heavens! I can survive this. My dream of making everyone love me... it''s not over yet!" The villagers, however, had a very different first impression of her. As Caramel walked into the village, the people stared at her, their expressions a mix of curiosity and pity. To them, she looked like a beggar¡ªher once elegant dress was now little more than rags, her face smeared with dirt, and her hair a tangled mess. Ignoring their stares, Caramel headed straight to a water fountain. She cupped her hands, splashing the cool water on her face to wash away the grime. When she glanced at her reflection, she noticed the faint, spiral-shaped scar left by the arrow. "A spiral?" she muttered. A small, ironic smile crept onto her lips. "Well, that''s... unique." But what happened next left her completely stunned. As she lifted her head, the atmosphere around her shifted. People began approaching her¡ªat first just a few, then the entire village. "Miss, I must say, you''re the most beautiful woman I''ve ever seen," one man declared, dropping to his knees. "No, no! She''s an angel! Please, let me serve you, my lady!" cried another, practically shoving the first man aside. Even women and children weren''t immune. "Miss, I love you!" "Please accept my loyalty!" The crowd swelled, villagers abandoning their daily chores, their families, and even their dignity to profess their love for her. Caramel''s mouth hung open in shock. "What... what is happening?!" she stammered, backing away. But the more she moved, the closer they followed. "Stop! Please stop!" she yelled, but it was no use. One man grabbed her foot. "Please, my lady, let me massage your feet!" "I''ll massage your hands!" another woman exclaimed, pushing her way forward. Caramel was overwhelmed. Her fear turned to awkwardness, then to something much stranger. This wasn''t normal¡ªthis was something else entirely. Within hours, the villagers had crowned her as their leader. Now she sat on a crude throne, made of wood and cloth, but still commanding authority. Despite her exhaustion, she let out a deep sigh of relief. Caramel used these villagers to reach her home again. When Caramel finally returned home, she thought everything would go back to normal. But she quickly realized her life had taken a strange, irreversible turn. No matter who saw her, whether it was family, friends, or strangers, they all fell in love with her instantly. Even her cousins, who had always been jealous of her and treated her with disdain, were no exception. Their hatred melted away, replaced by obsession and adoration. At first, Caramel was overwhelmed by the attention. But as the days turned into weeks and weeks into months, she began to embrace it. People from all walks of life showered her with gifts, devotion, and unwavering affection. Her once modest life was now filled with luxury and abundance. She stood at the grand window of her newly acquired mansion¡ªa mansion far beyond what someone of her status could ever dream of owning. She wasn''t a noble, yet the sheer number of people offering their properties and wealth just to earn her favor had made her richer than most aristocrats. The world around her had changed, but so had she. Her delicate features, once soft and innocent, now carried an air of superiority. Her lips curled into a wicked smile as she gazed at the sky, her reflection shimmering faintly in the glass. "This is it," she whispered, her voice dripping with arrogance. "This power... it was given to me by the gods themselves." Her laughter echoed through the room, cold and confident. "Yes, this is my destiny! To create a utopia¡ªa utopia filled with my harem. Men, women¡ªit doesn''t matter. They will all belong to me!" The thought sent a rush of excitement through her. She believed it was a divine rule, an unchangeable law of the universe: everyone had to love her. Everyone was meant to adore her. Her mind repeated the same mantra over and over: Love me. Worship me. Compliment me. Her once simple dreams of being liked had twisted into something much darker. "This is how it should be," she thought. "Everyone should love me. Everyone has to love me!" The obsession consumed her. To her, love wasn''t just a feeling¡ªit was a command, a rule that the world was bound to obey. But what was happening right now? Caramel''s body trembled as she pressed her palm against her stinging cheek as she slowly stood up. Her thoughts were a chaotic mix of anger, disbelief, and humiliation. Her face, once a picture of pride and control, now looked distorted with rage. "What the hell just happened?" Caramel muttered under her breath, her voice shaking. The cafeteria was thick with tension, the other students glaring at Maruti with bloodshot eyes. They looked ready to pounce, their rage boiling over as if Maruti''s audacity had insulted them personally. But before anyone could make a move, a sharp, authoritative voice cut through the chaos like a blade. "What''s happening here?" The voice was calm yet icy, carrying an undeniable weight. Everyone froze. Even Maruti, who had been bracing herself for whatever was about to come next, felt her heart skip a beat. Turning around, Maruti immediately recognized the source. Kaelith. Kaelith stood just inside the room, her silver eyes cold and piercing. She wasn''t much taller than Maruti, but her presence was towering. Her gaze swept across the room like she was sizing up everyone''s worth¡ªand finding them all lacking. Maruti''s eyes darted to the door behind Kaelith. The two students who had been guarding it earlier were now sprawled on the ground, beaten to a pulp. Maruti swallowed hard, her annoyance with Kaelith momentarily overshadowed by a twinge of unease. Caramel, on the other hand, was frozen in shock. "Kailith?" she murmured, her voice cracking. Everyone knew who Kaelith was. You didn''t need to see her to know her reputation. If someone at the academy didn''t know her, they were either new or clueless idiot. Caramel''s eyes widened further as realization dawned¡ªKaelith wasn''t affected by her. "Why isn''t she in love with me?" "Are you deaf?" Kaelith''s voice snapped Caramel out of her daze. It was low and chilling, sending shivers down everyone''s spines. Caramel hesitated, her voice trembling as she stammered, "D-Do you not like me?" Kaelith raised a brow, her expression unreadable but faintly tinged with amusement. "What?.." Meanwhile, Maruti stood silently, still fuming but now with added frustration. Her earlier rage with Caramel had yet to fade, but Kaelith''s sudden involvement wasn''t helping her mood. Kaelith''s silver eyes shifted to Maruti, catching her annoyed expression. For a moment, Kaelith narrowed her eyes, a smirk tugging at her lips. She seemed to piece together her own version of events. "Are they fighting over me?" Kaelith thought, her amusement growing. Without missing a beat, Kaelith stepped closer and casually wrapped an arm around Maruti''s shoulders, pulling her close like they were old friends. "But I like her more though," Kaelith said smoothly, tilting her head toward Maruti. Her voice was light, almost teasing, but her words hit Caramel like a thunderclap. The room fell silent. Maruti blinked in confusion, her annoyance momentarily replaced by disbelief. "What is she even talking about now?" Kaelith, on the other hand, seemed perfectly at ease, her arm still draped around Maruti''s shoulder as if they were the closest of friends. Caramel, however, wasn''t so calm. Kaelith''s casual statement echoed in her mind like a cruel taunt. "Is she saying I''m less beautiful than her?" Caramel''s gaze shifted to Maruti, her mind racing. "Even Kaelith chose her over me?" Her hand trembled as she placed it over her chest, where an unfamiliar tightness was growing. Complicated emotions churned within her¡ªenvy, disbelief, frustration And something else. It felt like her carefully constructed pride was being torn apart. Meanwhile, Maruti saw her chance and seized it. "I just remembered something urgent I need to do. I''m going!" she said hastily, twisting out of Kaelith''s grasp and practically bolting toward the door. "Wait! I''m coming too!" Kaelith called, her voice filled with amusement as she strode after her, leaving Caramel and the others behind. Caramel stood frozen, her hand still on her cheek where the plate had struck her earlier. Her other hand clutched her chest as she stared at the ground, her expression unreadable. "Don''t be sad, Ms. Caramel! You don''t need her. We''re here for you," one student said gently, his voice filled with sympathy. "Yeah, I''ve always loved you!" another chimed in eagerly, trying to comfort her. A small crowd gathered around her, offering their words of devotion and support. But Caramel wasn''t hearing them. Their voices faded into the background as her thoughts spiraled deeper. Sear?h the N?velFire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "Inferior..."The word echoed in her mind like a curse. Her cheeks flushed red as unfamiliar heat rose within her. Slowly, she lifted her head, her watery eyes fixed on the doorway through which Maruti and Kaelith had left. Her fingers grazed the edge of her cheek where the dish remnants still clung. Her lips parted slightly as she rubbed the spot absentmindedly, smearing the sauce further. Then, as if possessed by a strange longing, she brought her finger to her lips, licking the mixture with an almost sultry deliberation. The taste mingled with her chaotic emotions, fueling the realization dawning upon her. Her cheeks deepened in color, and her breath hitched. "I know this feeling..." she murmured, Her lips curved into a small, dazed smile as her heart pounded uncontrollably. "It''s love, isn''t it?" Spiritual Gaze Caramel''s face flushed a deeper red, her breath quickening as an overwhelming excitement coursed through her. "It''s love, isn''t it?" she whispered again, her trembling lips forming a crazed smile. That''s what she decided this feeling must be¡ªlove. A new kind of love she had never experienced before. To Caramel, everyone who adored her was beneath her. Their love was only natural because they were inferior beings compared to her beauty. But now? Now, she saw herself as lesser than Maruti. "Yes, that''s it," she thought, her eyes wide with determination. "As an inferior being, I should love her! I should dedicate myself to her completely. Be hers forever! Do whatever it takes to make her mine!" Her crazed grin widened, and her eyes sparkled with a fiery excitement. "Ms. Caramel, did you hear what I said? You don''t need anyone else! You have me!" a concerned female voice cut through her thoughts. But Caramel barely spared her a glance. Her lips curled into a sneer of disgust. "No! I don''t want anyone else. I only want her. I *need* her!" she muttered, her tone filled with conviction. Without another word, she turned and stormed out of the cafeteria, her steps quick and purposeful. --- The sky had darkened by the time classes ended, and the academy halls were quiet under the moonlit evening. In Esdeath''s dorm room, however, the air was filled with the sound of fists meeting flesh and feet thudding against the ground. Esdeath and Selene were locked in intense combat training. Selene, though just a few days old, had already grown at an extraordinary pace. Her physical strength was at least two to three times greater than Esdeath''s, and her height had increased again. She now stood just shy of Esdeath''s waist¡ªa feat considering Esdeath''s long, graceful legs accounted for 60% of her height. Despite Selene''s natural strength, Esdeath held the upper hand with her superior combat experience. She moved with precision and restraint, teaching Selene through action rather than overpowering her. "Focus," Esdeath said, her voice calm but firm as she dodged a wild punch from Selene. Selene gritted her teeth, trying to mimic Esdeath''s fluid movements, but her punches were still unrefined. Esdeath countered with a low kick, sweeping Selene''s legs out from under her. "You''re relying too much on your strength," Esdeath instructed, extending a hand to help Selene back up. Selene''s frustration was evident, but her eyes were filled with determination. She refused to give up. Esdeath observed her with a mix of pride and urgency. "We don''t have much time," she thought. "Even if she''s only a few days old, she needs to learn how to fight¡ªand even kill¡ªwithin a year." Esdeath stretched her arms and let out a tired sigh, sitting down on the bed with a sense of accomplishment after finishing Selene''s training for the day. Her eyes softened as she glanced at the young girl, who was still catching her breath. "That''s it for today," Esdeath said with a small smile. Selene nodded but stayed standing, her determined gaze still fixed on Esdeath. As soon as Selene stepped away to grab some water, Esdeath whispered, "Status," and a glowing interface appeared in front of her, visible only to her. ------ : 146 : 122 : 116 : 717 Current skills in possession: - Sharpshooter (E) Upgradable: When used, time will slow down for five seconds. Can only be used once every 50 minutes. - Iron Gaze (D) Upgradable: Can see over great distances with precision + Can see the flow of mana + Can see at 250 FPS rate. - Paralyze Bullet (E) Upgradable: After using this skill, the first bullet fired by you will have a paralyzing effect that can immobilize both monsters and awakened individuals up to D-rank for around 10 minutes. Sear?h the N?velFire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. - Echo of Restoration (C) Upgradable:Heals injuries gradually by "echoing" moments in time when the user was uninjured, slowly mending wounds to mirror their former state. --- Esdeath''s gaze lingered on her skills as she thought about upgrading one of them. "Sharpshooter is incredibly useful," she mused, recalling how many times she used it in battle. But upgrading it would likely require over 20,000 SP. If she used that much, there wouldn''t be enough left to boost her other skills or stats. She shifted her focus to another skill. "Paralyze Bullet," she decided. With a single thought, the interface responded. ------- <500 SP deducted> Effect: The first ten bullets fired by you will have a paralyzing effect that can immobilize both monsters and awakened individuals up to D-rank for around 20 minutes. --------- Esdeath''s lips curled into a satisfied smile. "Now that''s a real upgrade," she thought. Previously, only her first bullet could paralyze, and the effect lasted just 10 minutes. Now, the first ten bullets carried the same effect, and the paralysis time had doubled. Though it was still limited to D-rank monsters, it was a solid improvement. "Efficient and worth the SP," she nodded, mentally congratulating herself. As she contemplated her next move, Selene suddenly waved her hand in front of Esdeath''s face. "What are you doing, just staring at the air like that?" Selene asked, tilting her head in confusion. "Shhh..." Esdeath hushed her, turning back to the glowing screen. Her focus shifted to her remaining skills. "Echo of Restoration is already a C-rank skill. Upgrading it would cost far more SP than I have right now," she thought, tapping her fingers lightly on the bed. "Besides, it''s already powerful enough to heal most injuries." She then considered Iron Gaze. While it was tempting to upgrade, she decided against it for now. A new thought crossed her mind. "Should I buy a new skill?" But after weighing the idea, she dismissed it. "The skills I know from the time path are too expensive for my current SP. And taking the time to learn and master a new skill isn''t practical right now. A big battle is coming, and I need to prepare for that instead." Esdeath''s gaze darkened slightly as another realization surfaced. "My star constellation," she murmured, her fingers tightening into a fist. "Unlike Ethan, whose constellation is dead, mine can be still alive. If It made me its incarnation, then it can discard me just as easily." Her heart beat heavily as the thought lingered. She couldn''t rely entirely on her constellation''s power. "I need to build my own strength. I need essence stones , physical strength, and abilities that belong to me alone." Her determination burned brighter with each word. Next Esdeath Used SP to increase her stats. Esdeath sat cross-legged on the bed, her crimson eyes glowing faintly as she focused. She decided it was time to boost her stats and strengthen her body further. With a quick thought, she began the process. --- <400 SP deducted> <2000 SP deducted> <2000 SP deducted> --- Esdeath stretched her arms, feeling a strange rush of energy flow through her veins. Her muscles felt tighter, her breath steadier, and her body lighter. It wasn''t the first time she had experienced this sensation, but it still left her momentarily stunned. "It never gets old," she murmured, cracking her neck. A faint smirk tugged at her lips. "But this is the limit for now. My body''s foundation can only handle so much improvement at once." She thought about the Iron Bone Essence Stone, she could use it to further strengthen her durability. However, the process would take time¡ªa luxury she didn''t currently have. Sighing, she turned her attention to her skills, her eyes narrowing on Iron Gaze. She immediately made the decision to upgrade it. ------- <10,100 SP deducted> - Can see over great distances with precision. - Can see the flow of mana. - Can see at 400 FPS rate. - Can perceive spirits --------- As the upgrade completed, Esdeath felt a sharp jolt in her eyes. Her pupils glowed brighter, spinning mechanically for a moment before settling. She blinked a few times, her vision sharper than ever. Two key changes caught her attention. First, her ability to perceive motion had improved from 250 FPS to 400 FPS, making the world appear slower and more manageable in combat. Second, a new power had been added¡ªthe ability to perceive spirits. Her heart skipped a beat as she processed what this meant. "Spirits," she muttered under her breath. "That includes phantoms, ghosts, and even anomaly-type monsters that can''t normally be seen." A cold realization hit her. These spirits were a significant threat to most people, as they couldn''t be easily detected or fought. Even Kaelith, with her immense talents, still couldn''t see spirits due to her current limitations, There was still some time for her till she reaches to that level. She scanned the room instinctively, her newly enhanced eyes darting to every corner. That''s when she spotted it¡ªa small, glowing orange bat hovering near the ceiling. Flames flickered softly along its tiny body. "A lesser fire spirit," Esdeath thought, her eyes narrowing. It wasn''t dangerous, merely curious. She observed it quietly, noting how unusual it was to find a spirit in a place like this. Good spirits typically resided in nature, far away from the chaos of human dwellings. "Lucky," she muttered to herself. Still, her curiosity wasn''t satisfied. She crouched down and checked under the bed, her eyes sweeping the dark space for anything unusual. She moved to the cupboards, peering into their depths, her breath slightly heavier with anticipation. But she found nothing¡ªno evil spirits, no phantoms, no ghosts. Esdeath sat back on her heels, frowning slightly. "I''ve killed so many people," she murmured. "I thought their vengeful spirits would be clinging to me, haunting me... but there''s nothing." Her chest tightened briefly, though she wasn''t sure if it was relief or disappointment. Perhaps a bit of both. Esdeath lay on the bed with a satisfied smile. "I''ll save the rest for later. That''s enough for today." As she relaxed, Selene suddenly jumped onto her belly. "Time to sleep, right?" she said with a grin. Esdeath sighed, gently grabbing Selene''s hands and guiding her to lie beside her. Selene snuggled close, resting her head between Esdeath''s breasts, and quietly drifted to sleep. Love Letter The night passed, and morning arrived. Almost everyone had already gone to their tasks for the day. S§×ar?h the nov§×lF~ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. In Maruti''s room, she woke up with a yawn and a smile. "Phew¡­ I finally defeated that alien boss!" she said, feeling proud of herself. As usual, she washed her face and brushed her teeth. But when she checked the time, her heart skipped a beat. "Oh no, I''m late!" she shouted, scrambling to grab a set of clothes before rushing to the bathhouse. When she arrived, she noticed it was completely empty. Everyone else had already left. Instead of feeling upset, she smiled brightly. "Woohoo! Bathing alone is the best!" She jumped into the warm bathwater, leaning against the edge with a contented sigh. "What a relief," she murmured, letting her body relax. Her eyes wandered around the spacious bathhouse before finally landing on herself. "When will I finally be free of this body?" she muttered, feeling a twinge of frustration. But her thoughts, as usual, started drifting to ridiculous places. "I once heard women''s¡­ erogenous zones are more sensitive than men''s. Was it true? Something about a¡­ G-spot?" Her face turned slightly red as curiosity took over. She hesitated, but eventually, her fingers slid under the water, lightly touching the outer layer of her skin. "Huh? Nothing''s happening¡ª" she began, but then her finger brushed a sensitive spot, and an unexpected moan escaped her lips. "Ahhh~" Her eyes widened in shock. "What was that?" she whispered to herself, completely startled. Embarrassed and panicking, she stood up quickly, grabbed a towel, and ran out of the bath area. "I''m never touching that part again!" she swore under her breath. Back in her room, she started getting dressed. But as she put on her shirt, she struggled with the buttons. It felt way too tight, and the fabric stretched uncomfortably across her chest. "Don''t tell me¡­ I grew again?" she groaned. After a lot of effort, she managed to fasten the buttons, but the shirt was clearly straining, with small gaps between the buttons. "I really need to buy bigger clothes," she sighed, grabbing her things and heading off to class. Unlike most theory days, today was a physical session. The first lecture was about testing everyone''s physical capabilities and combat practices. Maruti walked through the corridors, heading toward the garden. As she strolled, she noticed Esdeath walking in the opposite direction. "Wait... I think you forgot the garden is this way!" Maruti called out, pointing behind her. Esdeath stopped and snorted. "Of course I know that. I''m not attending today''s lecture. I have some work outside the academy, so I''ll be gone for a few hours." "Really? Should I come with you?" Maruti asked, her tone brimming with enthusiasm. "No need," Esdeath replied, shutting her down instantly. Maruti sighed in disappointment but quickly perked up. "Well, then do me a favor. Buy a set of academy clothes from the official shop, and grab some casual ones too." She paused for a moment, then turned slightly. "Come with me for a second. I''ll give you my measurements¡ªit''ll only take a moment!" Esdeath gave Maruti''s figure a once-over, smirking mischievously. "No need. I''ve got a pretty good idea of what size will fit you, fufufu..." she chuckled. Annoyed, Maruti felt a vein pop on her forehead. "For some reason, your words are really making me want to slap you right now!" Esdeath chuckled again, walking past her. "Well then, see you later!" she said with a wave. "Don''t forget to buy them!" Maruti yelled as she turned and continued toward her session. The students gathered in the academy gardens for today''s session, which was focused on testing their stamina and speed. It felt more like a physical education class, and leading it was Kaya Lysandria, the instructor for the session. Kaya had a tanned complexion, short brown hair, and a curvy figure with a noticeable bust. She looked like she was in her early thirties and wore a tracksuit with a whistle hanging between her chest. Her playful and confident demeanor gave off strong gyaru vibes. "Damn, she''s like an older version of me," Maruti muttered with a bitter smile, glancing at Kaya. Kaya blew her whistle, the sharp sound echoing in the garden. "Alright, the first ten students, step forward! You''ll be running twenty laps. Let''s see who''s the fastest!" she announced enthusiastically. Twenty laps sounded like a lot, especially with the garden''s size, but for the awakened students of Class A, it was more of a warm-up than a challenge. Maruti was part of the first group, so she stepped up and took her position. As she scanned the area, she noticed someone missing. "Kaelith isn''t here," she thought, letting out a small sigh of relief. But then her gaze fell on Ethan, who was nearby. He kept glancing at Violet repeatedly, as if afraid she might vanish the moment he looked away. "Why do I keep running into love-struck people these days?" Maruti muttered to herself, thinking of Esdeath and Caramel. Then a smirk crept onto her face. "Good thing Esdeath and Kaelith aren''t here today. This is my chance to completely dominate. Let''s see who''s the real main character now, Ethan!" She chuckled inwardly, ready to show off. "Start!" Kaya shouted. The moment the signal was given, a shockwave tore through the air as the students sprinted. Maruti shot forward like a lightning bolt, leaving others far behind. Her speed was incredible, and she was clearly in the lead. However, while most students admired her athleticism, many were distracted by her bouncing chest. Despite the bandages she had used to secure herself, her movements made it impossible to ignore. Panic flashed across Maruti''s face. *Oh no, my bandage is ripping! If this keeps up¡ª* Before she could finish her thought, her worst fear came true. The bandage snapped, and the strain on her shirt''s buttons was too much. One of the buttons burst off with incredible force, hitting a bystander right in the face. "Ouch!" the student yelped, stumbling backward. A faint trail of smoke rose where the button had struck him. For a brief moment, Maruti''s chest was exposed, and the sight left the surrounding students speechless. "Wow¡­ Totally worth watching," one student muttered, while others tried to hide their nosebleeds. Embarrassed and furious, Maruti dropped to her knees, her face red as she covered her chest. She punched the ground in frustration. "Second time! This is the second time this has happened! I swear, I''ll cut these damn things off and be flat-chested instead!" she shouted, glaring at the ground. The commotion had brought the entire running session to a halt. Kaya, fully aware of what had happened, sighed, knowing all too well the struggles of having a busty figure herself. "Student Maruti, come with me to the nurse''s office," Kaya instructed firmly. Turning to the rest of the class, she added, "Everyone else, stay here. I''ll inform another teacher to take over this session." Maruti quickly stood, using her shirt to cover her chest, and followed Kaya through the corridors. She felt everyone''s eyes on her back. Once inside the nurse''s office, Maruti sat on the bed, her upper body exposed to Kaya. But it didn''t bother her much¡ªafter all, they were both women. Kaya crossed her arms and raised an eyebrow, her tone sharp. "Who told you to use regular bandages? There are special combat bandages for things like this! And more importantly, you''re old enough to wear a proper bra. Did you forget to wear one, or¡­ have you never worn one at all?" Maruti stayed silent, avoiding Kaya''s eyes. Her silence said it all. Kaya let out a deep sigh and walked to a nearby drawer, pulling out a bra. "Here, this is one of mine. It should fit you. And don''t forget to buy your own later," she said, handing it over. Maruti took it reluctantly, but a smirk crossed her face. "Pfft¡­ Okay, I''ll put it on. But there''s no way my chest is as big as yours! It won''t fit!" she teased. However, as she slipped it on, her expression changed. Her eyes widened, and sweat dripped from her forehead. "It¡­ it fits perfectly," she muttered with a bitter smile, glancing nervously at Kaya''s impressive figure. Kaya gave her a knowing look. "Hmm, that''s what I thought. Now, you''re excused from today''s class. But if I ever catch you without a bra again¡­" Her voice dropped as she leaned closer, her smile turning ominous. "Let''s just say you won''t like what happens." With that, Kaya left the room, leaving Maruti to get dressed. A few minutes later, Maruti finished changing into a fresh set of academy clothes. As she stepped out, she jumped in excitement, fluttering her hands in the air. "Wow, this bra thing is amazing! My breasts aren''t bouncing all over the place anymore!" Feeling more comfortable than ever, she couldn''t help but hum a tune as she walked through the corridors, even swaying her hips and dancing slightly. "LIVING OFF LIKE MATTER, MP5 LIKE SCATTER, BLOOD JUST LEAVE ME STAGGERED¡­" "I SEE HER FACE I''M LIKE " OMG" GRAPPLE TAPE ON MY SMG TALK TALK BUY YOU WON''T BEAT ME~" Her voice grew louder, her movements carefree as she closed her eyes, fully immersed in her little performance. "COVER FIRE, I NEED RUMOR, I''M JUST COOLER¡ª" As she sang, her slightly open eyes caught sight of someone ahead. Her steps faltered, and her breath hitched. Standing right in front of her was Caramel, Maruti froze mid-sentence, her carefree mood vanishing in an instant. Maruti stood frozen, staring at Caramel''s blushing face. Caramel looked like a shy bride, her cheeks bright red as she extended her trembling hand, holding a letter. Her voice barely above a whisper, Caramel mumbled, "T-this is for you¡­" She couldn''t even meet Maruti''s eyes, turning her head away in pure embarrassment. The bustling corridor fell silent as passersby stopped to watch the unfolding scene. Curious whispers filled the air, everyone''s attention glued to the two girls. Maruti hesitated for a moment but eventually reached out and took the letter. From the weight and design of the envelope, it was clear what this was. A love letter. Curiosity got the better of her, and Maruti carefully opened the envelope. As she unfolded the letter, everyone''s eyes widened in shock. The letter kept unfolding and unfolding, stretching until it touched the ground. It was unbelievably long¡ªso long that no one could believe someone had written it by hand. Gasps and murmurs filled the hallway. This was the first time anyone had seen such a ridiculously long love letter. Caramel, now smiling nervously, clasped her hands together. "Hehehe¡­ I stayed up all night writing my feelings. I-I hope you read it all and¡­ accept my feelings!" Her voice wavered, but her sincerity was evident. Maruti looked at the letter, then at Caramel. "What the fuck happened to her? ", Her mind spun as she tried to process the absurd situation she''d just found herself in. It Must Be Tough….. Maruti stared at the absurdly long love letter, then at Caramel, completely dumbfounded. "What the hell happened to her?" she thought, her mind spinning as she tried to make sense of the bizarre situation. How could she not be surprised? Just yesterday, Caramel had forced Maruti to compliment her. Annoyed, Maruti had done the opposite¡ªhumiliating her instead. "Is she¡­ a masochist?" Maruti wondered in disbelief, shaking her head. But in the end, who cared? Maruti casually threw the love letter onto the ground and said plainly, "No." Without another word, she walked past Caramel. Before she could take more than a step, Caramel blocked her path, her face a mix of desperation and frustration. "What do you mean, no? You didn''t even bother to read it! Do you know how much love I poured into that letter?" Caramel''s voice trembled with anger, her eyes pleading. Maruti glanced at her shoulder, where Caramel had placed her hand, and shrugged it off. Her tone turned cold, devoid of any sympathy. "I don''t care." With a swift motion, Maruti grabbed Caramel''s wrist and effortlessly flipped her over using Aikido. Caramel wasn''t trained or flexible like some of the academy''s top students, and her head slammed hard against the floor as she landed with a thud. Maruti snorted, brushing her hands off like she''d just swatted away an annoying fly. "Hmph. Come back when you''re stronger," she said coldly, turning and walking away without a second glance. Caramel groaned, sitting up slowly, her face red with embarrassment and anger. Her hands trembled as she gritted her teeth. "Maruti!" she screamed, her voice echoing through the corridor. "I''m expressing my love with sincerity! Don''t make me use force!" Maruti didn''t even flinch. She kept walking, completely ignoring Caramel''s outburst. Caramel''s scream grew louder, more guttural, as rage consumed her. The spiral-shaped scar on her face began to grow, twisting and turning as more layers were added to it. Her body trembled with unrestrained anger, and something within her shifted. Caramel was inching closer and closer to becoming a full-fledged anomaly. ---------------- In Lortell''s room, the atmosphere was heavy with the scent of ink and parchment. Lortell sat slumped at her desk, her chin resting on her palm as her other hand reluctantly scribbled on a document. A tall stack of paperwork loomed before her, an endless sea of obligations. Her face twisted with frustration as she muttered under her breath, "Why do I have to do this boring stuff? I''d rather be on a date with Esdeath!" Lorraine stood beside her, her gaze scanning the documents. Unlike Lortell, Lorraine looked calm and collected. With a patient smile, she replied, "You''re going to be the next arch-duke, Lortell. Learning how to handle paperwork is part of the job. Don''t worry; it feels overwhelming now, but with practice, you''ll finish this in no time." Lortell groaned, leaning back in her chair and crossing her arms. "Can''t I learn all this after I become the arch-duke? Why so early?" Lorraine''s eyes sparkled mischievously as she delivered her reply with a knowing grin. "So that you can spend more time with Esdeath after your marriage." The mention of Esdeath worked like magic. Lortell''s face flushed bright red, and she quickly turned back to her work, her pen moving faster than before. "Fine, fine! No need to manipulate me. I''ll do it!" Lorraine chuckled softly, her innocent smile masking her satisfaction. "Using Esdeath always works," she thought, barely hiding her amusement. ----------- Meanwhile, outside the academy, Esdeath walked through the bustling streets, her expression tinged with mild annoyance. The reason for her mood was perched atop her head¡ªSelene. Selene, tiny and full of energy, sat on Esdeath''s shoulders like a queen on her throne. Her little hands clutched Esdeath''s hair as if they were reins, tugging left and right to "guide" her. Esdeath sighed. The only reason she wasn''t attending today''s lecture was because Selene had begged her nonstop to see the outside world. Giving in, Esdeath decided to spend the day showing Selene around. The morning had been a whirlwind of activity. Esdeath recalled their first stop¡ªa magical roller coaster. "Woahhhhhh! I''m flying!" Selene had screamed, her eyes tightly shut in a mix of fear and excitement. Esdeath, on the other hand, remained utterly calm. As the ride twisted and turned at breakneck speed, her long hair whipped behind her. Yet, she held a coffee in one hand, sipping through a straw as if she were on a leisurely stroll. "A dragon being this thrilled about flying¡­ what a strange freeling," she had thought, her expression as neutral as ever. After the ride, the duo explored various attractions: swings, a ghost villa, climbing challenges, and even an eating competition. Selene''s energy seemed endless, bouncing from one activity to the next without a hint of fatigue. Now, sitting atop Esdeath''s shoulders, Selene spotted another attraction. Her small fingers tugged excitedly at Esdeath''s hair. "Mother! Look, that shooting game over there!" Esdeath sighed deeply but didn''t protest. "Yeah, yeah¡­ I see it," she muttered, her voice flat as she adjusted Selene''s weight and headed toward the shop. The balloon shooting stall was lively, with bursts of laughter and excited chatter filling the air. Esdeath stood before it, arms crossed, her expression tinged with mild exasperation. She let out a sigh. "This has to be the easiest game for me," she muttered under her breath. Selene, still perched on her head, tugged at her hair eagerly. "Mother! Do your best!" With a gentle motion, Esdeath grabbed Selene and placed her on the ground. "Watch and learn, little dragon," she said with a sly smirk, her confidence radiating. She handed a bronze coin to the shop owner, who handed her a toy gun and three bullets. BANG! BANG! BANG! The sound of precise shots rang through the air. Esdeath didn''t waste a single bullet, hitting the three long-range balloons effortlessly. Selene''s jaw dropped in awe. Her golden eyes sparkled as she stared at Esdeath with a newfound admiration. Esdeath picked up the prize¡ªa plush dragon toy half the size of her arm. She held it with pride, her smirk widening as she handed it to Selene. But their moment was interrupted by a hand gently resting on Selene''s head. Selene turned to see an older woman in her fifties, with long brown hair tied back neatly. She wore a simple robe and squinted through tiny eyes that seemed almost shut. The woman''s fingers brushed against Selene''s horns. "Are those... horns?" the woman asked, her tone filled with curiosity. Selene froze for a second before scurrying behind Esdeath, clutching the edge of her skirt. She peeked out cautiously, her cheeks puffed up in annoyance. "Only Mother can touch my horns! Hmph!" she declared with a cute pout, crossing her arms as she glared at the old woman. The woman''s gaze shifted between Selene and Esdeath. Her sharp eyes scanned Esdeath''s black hair, then Selene''s half-black locks. A light bulb seemed to go off in her head. "So that''s how it is..." the woman mumbled to herself, convinced she had solved a great mystery. "It''s not a horn," Esdeath explained with an awkward smile, trying to clear up the misunderstanding. "It''s just a hairband." But the old woman ignored her entirely. Her face softened with pity as she turned to Esdeath. "You''ve had a child at such a young age... Poor girl, it must be so tough for you!" Esdeath blinked, stunned by the sudden leap in logic. "What?" Before she could say more, the woman continued, her voice rising with indignation. "And you''re wearing an academy uniform! How could your parents allow this? And the academy hasn''t punished the father for this? What is the world coming to?" The woman paused dramatically, her face filled with righteous fury. "Tell me, child, who''s the father? I''ll hunt him down and beat the shit out of him! ", Esdeath''s patience snapped. A vein throbbed on her forehead as her face flushed with both anger and embarrassment. S~ea??h the NovelFire.net* website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. She leaned forward, her voice booming, "YOUR HUSBAND, YOU OLD HAG! NOW SHUT UP AND GET LOST!" The woman flinched, covering her ears from the sheer volume. She crossed her arms and sniffed indignantly, muttering as she walked away. "Kids these days... no manners, no patience. And they''re raising children like this? Unbelievable..." She disappeared into the crowd, still grumbling. Esdeath stood there, fuming. Her face was red as a tomato, her fists clenched tightly at her sides. "First, Wasn''t being a yandere enough?, that now people think I''m a teenage mother!" she muttered under her breath, glaring at the space where the old woman had vanished as she stomped her feet on ground several times. Selene tugged at her sleeve gently. "Mother... are you okay?" Esdeath sighed, forcing a small smile as she patted Selene''s head. "My whole mood got ruined, Let''s go back to academy before I lose my sanity completely." Selene nodded, clutching the plush dragon tightly as they walked away, leaving the chaos behind. Date? Esdeath carefully sneaked back into the academy, Selene clinging to her tightly as they maneuvered through the halls. Avoiding the watchful eyes of students and staff was an exhausting task. By the time they reached her dorm room, Esdeath was drained. She plopped onto her bed, her mind racing. Every day, she wondered how to reveal Selene''s presence without causing chaos or breaking academy rules. It was frustrating beyond belief, and the constant worry gnawed at her. After resting for half an hour, Esdeath remembered an errand. She had bought new clothes for Maruti and needed to deliver them. Taking a deep breath, she grabbed the package and headed to Maruti''s dorm room. When she knocked, the door opened just a crack. Before Esdeath could say anything, a hand shot out, grabbed her wrist, and yanked her inside. "What the hell¡ª" Esdeath started, startled. "Shhh!" Maruti hissed, pressing a finger to her lips. Her eyes darted nervously around the room. Esdeath narrowed her eyes, lowering her voice. "What''s going on?" she asked, her tone laced with suspicion. Maruti hesitated before speaking. "I think¡­ I might have messed up," she muttered, avoiding Esdeath''s gaze. Esdeath crossed her arms, leaning against the wall. "Messed up how?" Maruti fidgeted with her fingers, her face red with embarrassment. "I got into a small argument with Caramel yesterday. It wasn''t a big deal, but this morning she gave me a long love letter and¡­ well, she confessed to me." Esdeath raised an eyebrow. "And?" "Of course, I rejected her!" Maruti said proudly, puffing out her chest. Esdeath pinched the bridge of her nose. "Go on." "Now I feel like someone''s following me everywhere! And the other students¡­ they''re looking at me like they''re possessed or something!" Maruti whispered, her voice trembling slightly. Hearing this, Esdeath immediately understood. She began pacing the room, muttering to herself. "I *told* you not to get involved with her. You can''t do anything right, can you?" Maruti shrank under her scolding, her shoulders slumping. Esdeath sighed deeply, her frustration evident. "She was supposed to fall for Ethan, not you! Now who''s going to distract him tomorrow?" Maruti perked up at the mention of distraction, her curiosity piqued. "Distract? If that''s all you need, I can handle it," she offered confidently. Esdeath stopped pacing and gave her a pointed look. "You? Handle it? You couldn''t even stay out of trouble with Caramel!" Maruti straightened up, her pride wounded. "I''ll make it work this time! Just tell me who thing about second arc first. " ---------------- The evening faded into night, and like a flowing river, the night passed quietly, giving way to the soft hues of morning. Lortell woke up early, hurriedly changing into her usual elegant clothes. She felt a burst of energy as she moved toward the door, ready to greet Esdeath with a cheerful good morning. But as she opened the door¡ª "Good morning!" Esdeath stood just outside, her innocent smile radiating charm. Lortell''s face lit up instantly. She bent down slightly, matching Esdeath''s height, and pulled her into a tight hug. "Seeing your face first thing in the morning¡­ how fortunate!" she praised, her tone warm and genuine. Yet inwardly, Lortell cursed herself. *Damn it! I''m late! I should''ve been the one to greet her first. I''ll wake up even earlier tomorrow!* What Lortell didn''t know was that Esdeath had woken up extra early deliberately. She couldn''t risk Lortell standing by her door and potentially noticing Selene. Worse, what if Lortell decided to sneak into her room for a surprise and discovered Selene? That would cause utter chaos. As Lortell hugged her, Esdeath''s face turned slightly red, her heart racing as she felt Lortell''s soft curves pressing against her. "Urgh¡­ no matter how much I prepare myself, I can''t stop this feeling," Esdeath thought, frustrated. "If only I had a soul path method to separate my soul or a wisdom path essence stone to control my emotions." Even though Esdeath owned hundreds of essence stones, not a single one could separate souls or suppress the overwhelming emotions she was feeling. She sighed inwardly, resigned to her fate. When Lortell finally let go, she smiled brightly. "Let''s go for a bath!" Esdeath nodded, and they began walking toward the academy''s bath area. Lortell casually rested an arm over Esdeath''s shoulder, their closeness resembling two best friends heading out together. Sear?h the n?vel_Fire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. As they strolled down the corridor, Lortell leaned in, her lips just inches from Esdeath''s ear. "Today''s the end of your competition, right? So¡­ how about we go on a date tomorrow?" she whispered in a sultry voice, her warm breath sending shivers down Esdeath''s spine. "D-Date?" Esdeath stammered, her whole body stiffening as her face turned crimson. Lortell chuckled at her reaction, enjoying every bit of Esdeath''s flustered state. "I was just teasing," she said, her tone light and playful. "What I meant was, the weather will be beautiful tomorrow. Let''s hang out somewhere. You must be bored staying in the academy all this time, right?" Esdeath let out a small sigh of relief, though her heart was still racing from the earlier comment. "Sure," she replied, her voice steady but her mind a mess. Without waiting for Lortell, Esdeath quickened her pace, practically darting towards the bath area. Her steps were hurried, almost as if she were running away, leaving Lortell behind. In her head, one word repeated over and over like a mantra: Date, date, date, date, date... Lortell stood in place, watching Esdeath''s retreating figure with an amused smile. Her sharp eyes glimmered with a mixture of satisfaction and intent. "She does have some feelings for me," Lortell mused, her smile softening. "Just a little push, and she''ll be mine." Her expression shifted slightly, her gaze growing serious as darker thoughts crept in. "If only she would propose to me," she thought. Her fingers tightened slightly as an old memory surfaced, filling her chest with a mixture of longing and regret. "I can''t afford to make the same mistake as before, not again." Her jaw clenched, and for a brief moment, her thoughts darkened. "But If she rejects me... I don''t think I could bear it. I might¡ªno, I mustn''t think like that." Lortell''s jaw tightened briefly, a shadow crossing her face as old memories surfaced. But just as quickly, she brushed them aside, replacing the grim look with her usual confident smile. She thought firmly, stepping forward. "I know my sweet Esdeath won''t reject me. She''s already mine in every way that matters." With that, Lortell followed Esdeath, her steps calm but purposeful, her thoughts a mix of affection and determination. ------------ In Ethan''s dorm room, the first rays of morning light seeped through the curtains. Ethan woke up, stretching his limbs before rubbing his eyes. Despite the early hour, his expression was serious, not a trace of sleepiness lingering on his face. He looked down at his hand, noticing the faint trembling in his fingers. He clenched them into a fist, his jaw tightening. He knew exactly what this feeling was. "Today is the day Violet got kidnapped," he muttered to himself, his voice heavy with regret. "And I couldn''t do anything back then. But this time¡­ this time, it will be different. I''ll protect Violet, no matter what!" For the past few days, Ethan hadn''t been idle. Late at night, he had wandered the academy grounds, searching for clues, hoping to find the man who had been abducting students. Every corner, every shadow, he had checked for anything out of the ordinary. He had also been investigating Corin''s disappearance. The academy had declared Corin dead after finding large amounts of his blood in the forest. But Ethan couldn''t accept it¡ªnot without seeing Corin''s body with his own eyes. Yet, despite all his efforts, he had found nothing. No clues, no traces, no leads. It was as though the culprit had vanished into thin air. The only thing Ethan had to rely on were his memories from his previous life. He knew that today was the day Violet would disappear. He couldn''t let history repeat itself. "I''ve been keeping an eye on her since the day before yesterday," he thought, his mind racing. "What if they decide to act earlier this time? What if she''s already in danger?" His fists clenched tighter, his nails digging into his palms. "I made a grave mistake before. I let Emma die because I was careless. But not this time. I won''t let anything happen to Violet. I''ll protect her, no matter what!" A voice broke the tense silence. "I like your resolve, young man." Startled, Ethan turned to see Gareth''s soul floating in the air like a faint, ghostly figure. The old warrior stroked his ghostly beard, his gaze steady. "Although I''m just a split soul now," Gareth said, his tone grave, "I haven''t been able to find anything either. Whoever is behind this is a high-ranking individual. Be cautious." Ethan nodded firmly. "I can''t stay here. What if they try to take her now, in the early morning?" Without another word, Ethan grabbed his belongings and left his room. Princess Confesses Her Wrongdoings Ethan walked with Violet and Sylvain toward the classroom. While they chatted lightly, his focus was elsewhere. His eyes darted back and forth, scanning for anything unusual. He knew the chances of someone trying to kidnap Violet in such a crowded, open environment were slim, but he couldn''t shake the tension gripping him. In his previous life, Ethan had been a Class C nobody, barely noticed by anyone. He hadn''t known the details of how Violet had been kidnapped or who was involved. All he remembered was the date¡ªit was supposed to happen today. The lecture hall buzzed with the usual chatter of students settling in. Today''s schedule was lighter than usual, with only half the normal number of lectures. The rest of the day was reserved for the resumed competition, including the much-anticipated fight featuring Kaelith, Ethan, Esdeath, Maruti, and Violet. Ethan kept his head low but his mind sharp. "In my past life, by this time, monsters and even demons had already invaded the academy grounds," he thought, his brow furrowed. "The competition never fully resumed because of it. But now¡­ something''s changed." The realization struck him. The monster waves hadn''t come this time, and the academy remained safe for now. He let out a soft sigh of relief. "Fewer lives lost¡­ that''s something to be grateful for," he thought, momentarily easing the tension in his chest. His gaze drifted toward the last bench in the middle row of the classroom. It was completely empty. Usually, Maruti, Kaelith, and Esdeath sat there together. Ethan couldn''t help but frown. "Maruti and Kaelith seem decent enough," he thought. "But Esdeath¡­ she''s different. She always gives me the chills. Why would they stick around someone like her?" He shook his head, deciding it wasn''t worth overthinking. Meanwhile, elsewhere in the academy, a meeting was taking place in a dimly lit chamber. The atmosphere was heavy, oppressive even, as if the room itself held its breath. At one side of the long table sat figures of immense power and authority¡ªPrincipal Elara, Vice Principal Lilith, Princess Ravenna, and several other nobles and royals. Their faces were solemn, their presence demanding. On the opposite side, a far less intimidating group sat¡ªMaruti, Esdeath, a few academy teachers, and a handful of second-year students. Despite their ordinary appearance, their expressions carried a quiet confidence, though Maruti fidgeted slightly, clearly uncomfortable under the weight of so many powerful gazes. The dim light flickered, casting long shadows across the room. The stillness felt like the calm before a storm, as though a judgment was about to be passed. The silence in the room was finally broken by a royal man seated at the far end of the table. His face was red with anger, and his voice carried a sharp edge. "I would like to reconfirm the situation," he began, his tone heavy with frustration. "This brat Maruti used some unknown demonic method to defeat our princess. We must investigate this matter further and check historical records. Such a move must surely be illegal!" It was evident from his words that he was still fuming over the competition. He had been one of the royal guests in attendance and clearly held a bias. The meeting was focused on one thing¡ªdetermining whether Maruti had cheated during the competition and deciding who should truly be declared the winner. The air grew thick with tension until a cold, chilling voice shattered the stillness. "From my perspective, it''s actually the opposite," Esdeath said, her tone calm yet cutting. "Our dear princess was the one who cheated." Her words hung in the air like a sharp blade, cutting through the room''s tension. The room fell into utter silence. "W-What absurd nonsense is this?!" the royal man stammered, his composure cracking. Principal Elara, seated at the head of the table, glared at Esdeath with a gaze so sharp it could pierce through steel. His tone was cold as ice. "Student Esdeath, do you even know the weight of your words? To falsely accuse a princess is a grave sin!" But Esdeath didn''t falter. If anything, her smirk grew more pronounced, a wicked edge curling at her lips. "Hmph... Everyone saw it," she said, her voice dripping with mockery. "The princess used some unknown method to knock Maruti unconscious in mere seconds. As someone with a Rank C essence stone myself, I can identify such things clearly." She paused for effect, allowing her words to sink in before continuing. "Of course, using a Rank C essence stone isn''t illegal," she added, her smirk growing wider, "but we all know the princess isn''t strong enough to wield one. That means someone must have helped her. And *that* is clearly cheating." Her words sent a ripple through the room. Esdeath''s boldness held weight not just because of her confidence but because, as a noble herself, her words carried some authority. If she had been a commoner, her accusations might have been dismissed outright. The royal man who had spoken earlier began to sweat. A single bead of perspiration ran down his forehead as he struggled to respond. "What rubbish are you spouting?" another voice chimed in, this time from a noblewoman seated across the table. She lifted her chin arrogantly, her tone filled with scorn. "Do you have any proof to back up such outrageous claims?" S§×ar?h the N?velFire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "Yeah!" another royal, a man clad in platinum-colored armor, added. His tone was threatening as he glared at Esdeath. "Don''t think you can just walk away after throwing out such baseless accusations!" The tension in the room thickened as Esdeath''s smirk remained unwavering. But before she could respond, Maruti suddenly spoke up, her voice brimming with confidence. "Proof? Of course, we have proof," Maruti said, her eyes narrowing as she turned toward Princess Ravenna. The princess''s expression darkened, but before Maruti could elaborate further, another voice broke through the heavy silence. "I saw it too," said a mesmerizing yet commanding female voice, deep and unwavering. All eyes turned toward the back of the room. There, standing casually, was Kaelith, her silver hair catching the faint light in the room. Her gaze was sharp and piercing, a small smirk playing on her lips. "I saw it clearly," Kaelith continued, her voice calm but firm. "Princess Ravenna used an unknown essence stone. It wasn''t ordinary¡ªit was in liquid form." Gasps rippled through the room. "Kaelith!" Lilith''s voice roared as she shot up from her seat, slamming her palm onto the table. The loud thud echoed, adding to the already tense atmosphere. Lilith''s fiery gaze burned into her daughter. She was clearly furious that Kaelith had spoken against the princess, someone she was clearly allied with. But Kaelith, as always, remained unfazed. She rolled her eyes dramatically, her nonchalant demeanor almost taunting her mother. The turn of events was something no one had predicted¡ªnot even Maruti or Esdeath. Kaelith''s sudden testimony against Princess Ravenna was shocking enough, but now an opportunity presented itself, one that could be used to their advantage. Maruti''s lips curled into a small, sly smile as she leaned back in her chair, her expression carefree yet calculating. "Of course, we have other proof as well," she said, her voice calm but laced with confidence. The room fell into stunned silence, all eyes fixed on Maruti. "What proof could she possibly have?" people whispered among themselves. Maruti''s gaze shifted to Princess Ravenna, and she spoke again, her tone dripping with mockery. "Just ask the princess whether she cheated or not. That''s it. Let her answer." Her statement sent a ripple of shock through the crowd. "Why would anyone admit to their crimes?" most people thought, their disbelief evident on their faces. All eyes turned to Princess Ravenna, who sat rigid in her chair. Her face was pale, her lips trembling. There was no trace of the proud, graceful demeanor she usually carried. Instead, her expression was grim, her pink eyes clouded with fear and guilt. But what came next shook everyone to their core. "Y-Yes," Ravenna stammered, her voice barely above a whisper. She lowered her head, unable to meet anyone''s gaze. "I cheated¡­" Her words, though quiet, thundered through the room. Shock. Utter and complete shock. The princess¡ªthe princess¡ªhad actually confessed to cheating? Gasps erupted, followed by murmurs of disbelief. "Princess, what are you saying?!" one of the royals shouted, rising from his seat. He pointed accusingly at Maruti and Esdeath. "Did those two threaten you? Tell us the truth!" But the situation had already spiraled out of control. "Shut up! Shut up! Shut up!" Ravenna suddenly screamed, her voice breaking as tears welled up in her eyes. Her hands clenched into fists on the table as she glared at the royal who had spoken. "I''ve had enough of this! I don''t want to lie anymore!" Her voice cracked, and she choked back a sob. "I didn''t want to lose! I was so afraid of losing that I chose to cheat. And now¡­ now I can''t lie to myself any longer!" Tears streamed down her cheeks, glistening like dew as they fell onto the polished wooden table. Her sobs grew louder, shaking her slender shoulders. Despite her emotional breakdown, her beauty remained undeniable¡ªher tear-streaked face was as captivating as ever, her pink cheeks flushed with emotion. For the first time, Princess Ravenna wasn''t hiding behind lies. She wasn''t justifying her actions for the sake of the kingdom or her pride. This time, every word she spoke came straight from her heart. "I don''t want to deceive myself anymore," she whispered between sobs, her voice heavy with regret. The room was silent, save for the sound of her crying. The royals and nobles were stunned, unsure of how to react. In the midst of the chaos, Esdeath watched the scene unfold, her crimson eyes gleaming with satisfaction. A faint smirk played on her lips, but she kept her expression composed, hiding the amusement bubbling inside her. "Hehehe¡­ this settles it," Esdeath thought to herself, her mind racing with triumph. "I knew this princess would make a perfect chess piece." To everyone else, it seemed like Ravenna had broken down under the weight of her own guilt, confessing her wrongdoing out of genuine remorse. But the reality was far more sinister. This wasn''t an act of redemption¡ªit was manipulation. Esdeath had orchestrated the entire situation from the very beginning. Because I Can See Future Last Night : The academy required every student, even royalty, to stay in the dorms. Of course, Princess Ravenna''s room was far more luxurious than the others, with its soft, silky sheets and a bed fit for royalty. She slept soundly, her body half-covered by the luxurious blanket, her serene face radiating beauty even in slumber. Anyone who saw her like this might feel the urge to protect her or hold her close. But her peaceful sleep didn''t last long. A sharp knock on her forehead jolted her awake. "Ouch¡­" Ravenna mumbled as she stirred, her dream fading away. Slowly, she opened her eyes, her vision blurry at first. After a moment, her surroundings came into focus. The first thing she saw made her heart skip a beat. Standing over her, wearing a smug expression, was a woman she could never forget. "Knock, knock. Anybody home?" the woman teased, tapping her forehead with her knuckles. "Maruti?" Ravenna gasped, her voice trembling. Panic surged through her as she quickly sat up, pressing her back against the wall for support. Her defensive stance was shaky and unsteady, but it was all she could manage. Maruti didn''t flinch. In fact, she laughed. "What''s with that pitiful reaction? If I were an assassin, you''d already be dead," she said mockingly, her eyes glinting with amusement. Ravenna''s gaze darted around the room, and that''s when she noticed another figure leaning casually against the doorframe. Her stomach churned. "Esdeath? What¡­ what are you two doing here?" she stammered, her voice shaking as fear crept into her. "If you try anything, I''ll scream!" Esdeath smirked and waved her hand dismissively. "Relax, princess. We''re not here to hurt you. We just need a favor." Her tone was calm, almost playful, as if they were discussing something trivial. Ravenna''s shoulders eased slightly, though her unease didn''t completely vanish. "A favor?" she repeated cautiously. Esdeath nodded, stepping closer with a sly smile. "Yes. We already know you cheated in your match against Maruti." Her voice was soft but firm, and her words carried a weight that made Ravenna''s breath hitch. "What?" Ravenna whispered, her eyes wide. She clutched the blanket tightly, as if it could shield her from their piercing gazes. Esdeath continued, her tone as casual as ever. "You used a Rank C Soul Cracker Essence Stone to knock Maruti unconscious, didn''t you? All we want is for you to admit the truth at tomorrow''s meeting." Ravenna''s heart pounded in her chest. How did they know? She thought she''d been careful. Her trembling hands gripped the blanket tighter as she stared at Esdeath in disbelief. "How¡­ how do you know about that?" she asked, her voice barely above a whisper. S§×ar?h the novel(F~)ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Esdeath''s crimson eyes gleamed with mischief as she added, "Just like we know your actual ESR talent is Rank C, not the Rank A you''ve been pretending to have." Ravenna''s jaw dropped, her face pale. It felt like the ground beneath her was crumbling. They knew everything¡ªher secret, her lies, all of it. "You must be kidding, right? Do you think I''m some kind of fool?" Princess Ravenna let out a nervous, awkward laugh, trying to mask the growing fear in her voice. "Everyone saw my ESR talent during the affinity test. It''s Rank A!" Esdeath didn''t reply. She didn''t need to. Slowly, she stepped closer to the princess, her every movement deliberate, calculated. The closer Esdeath got, the more Ravenna''s composure crumbled. Her hands gripped the blanket tightly, and her entire body trembled. The once-proud princess now looked as if she wanted to disappear. Finally, Esdeath stopped at the edge of the bed. Without a word, she leaned down until their faces were mere inches apart. Ravenna froze, her breath hitching as she found herself staring directly into Esdeath''s eyes. Those eyes¡­ They weren''t normal by any means. Pure crimson red with intricate ring-like patterns that seemed to shift and move even though they were perfectly still. It was like staring into a swirling abyss. Ravenna felt her body grow cold as if she were being pulled into an endless black hole. Her chest tightened, and an invisible weight seemed to crush her. The eerie deathly aura surrounding Esdeath made it hard to breathe. "Tell me, princess," Esdeath said, her voice low and chilling. "Have you ever seen anyone with eyes as ominous as mine?" Ravenna swallowed hard, her throat dry. Her mind screamed at her to look away, but she couldn''t. *"Not just her eyes¡­ I''ve never seen anyone who looks as ghostly as her,"* she thought, her heart pounding in her chest. Esdeath smirked slightly, then leaned even closer, her lips near Ravenna''s ear. Her voice was barely above a whisper, but it sent shivers down the princess''s spine. "You asked how I know your secret? It''s simple. I can see the future." Ravenna''s eyes widened in shock. "What?" she whispered, her voice barely audible. Esdeath straightened up, taking a step back, her expression amused. She chuckled softly. "That''s right. I''m an Esper. I can see the future. And in the future, someone exposes your little secret¡ªhow you really have a Rank C ESR talent, not Rank A. If I''m wrong, feel free to deny it. Go ahead, tell me you don''t have a Rank C ESR talent," she said with a mocking smile. Ravenna''s mouth opened, but no words came out. She couldn''t deny it. The words Esdeath spoke were true, and the fact that she knew this terrified her. "This was a top-secret matter," Ravenna thought, her mind spinning. "No one except a handful of people knows about my actual ESR talent. Could she really see the future?" But then, Ravenna forced a bitter laugh, trying to regain some control. "Oh, really? So, you''re going to tell everyone you can see the future? Do you actually think anyone will believe that nonsense?" Before Esdeath could respond, Maruti burst out laughing. She laughed so hard she nearly fell off the bed, clutching her stomach as she rolled back and forth. "Haha! This cheeky princess is such an idiot!" Maruti said through fits of laughter. She finally managed to sit up, wiping a tear from her eye as her expression turned serious. "Listen closely, Princess," Maruti said, her voice sharp. "Esdeath didn''t just say she saw your secret get exposed. She also saw how it happened. Which means¡­" Maruti''s eyes narrowed as she leaned forward, her tone dark and threatening. "¡­we can do exactly what she saw. Whether you cooperate or not, the truth will come out." Ravenna''s heart sank, and a cold sweat dripped down her back. Maruti crossed her arms and continued, her glare piercing. "And don''t even think about trying to silence us. Do you really think we''d come here without a plan? We have backers, Even if you somehow got rid of us, the truth would still be revealed. So, you only have one choice." The room was eerily quiet as Princess Ravenna''s mind spiraled into chaos. For seventeen years, she had lived a life of luxury, doted on as the beloved princess of the kingdom. She had never been cornered like this before and didn''t know how to escape. Esdeath and Maruti weren''t giving her time to think. Why? Because they couldn''t let her regain control. Maruti had claimed they had evidence and powerful backers to expose her secret. But was that true? Of course not. Esdeath and Maruti had no backers, no evidence, nothing concrete to use against her. The only reason Esdeath even knew about Ravenna''s secret was because, in the near future of *Free Life Fantasy*, Ravenna confided this to Ethan. Beyond that, they had nothing. Yet Ravenna didn''t know this. To her, this felt like an inescapable trap. She believed she had no way out, no option but to give in. But in reality? All she had to do was say, "No". That''s it. Esdeath and Maruti couldn''t do anything. Ravenna was the princess of the kingdom, a figure too important to be harmed. Esdeath couldn''t afford to make a reckless move like that. But who would tell this to Ravenna? In her mind, this was an impossible situation. She lowered her head, her hands clutching her knees as her body trembled. Her eyes glistened with tears that threatened to fall. "Okay," she whispered, barely audible. Maruti tilted her head mockingly. "What was that? I didn''t hear you!" Ravenna clenched her fists, her voice shaky but louder this time. "Okay! I''ll do as you say!" Maruti''s face lit up with joy. "Yay!" she exclaimed, spreading her arms wide. Before Ravenna could react, Maruti pulled her into a tight hug. Her embrace was firm, unyielding. Then, without warning, Maruti leaned in and pressed her lips against Ravenna''s. Ravenna''s eyes widened in shock. She tried to pull away, but Maruti''s strength overpowered her. The kiss was deep, invasive, and completely dominating. Ravenna felt utterly helpless. After a few moments, Maruti finally withdrew, her tongue sliding out of Ravenna''s mouth as a thin trail of saliva dripped onto Ravenna''s chest. "Ahh," Maruti said with a satisfied grin, her eyes gleaming. "What a delicious taste. No arrogance, no ego, no pride¡­ only pure helplessness, 9.5/10." Ravenna sat frozen, her face flushed with embarrassment and anger, but she didn''t dare speak. Maruti''s laughter echoed in the room, and Esdeath simply watched with an amused smile. The princess had been defeated¡ªnot by strength, but by fear. Maruti jumped off the bed and rushed to the door with the energy of a playful child. "Let''s gooo!" she called out mockingly, throwing the door open. She turned back to grin at Ravenna one last time. "Sweet dreams, Cheeky Princess! Hahaha¡­" she jeered before stepping out and disappearing into the hallway. Esdeath followed Maruti to the door. Her hand rested on the handle, but she paused, turning back to Ravenna with an amused smirk. "Do you want to know who exposes you in the future?" Esdeath asked, her voice low and taunting. Ravenna didn''t respond, her trembling lips unable to form words. Esdeath didn''t wait for an answer. "It was Ethan," she said coldly. With that, she stepped out and closed the door behind her. The room fell silent, and Ravenna felt as if the walls were closing in around her. Her hands clutched the edge of the blanket, her body shaking. Tears began to spill down her cheeks, one after the other, as her sobs broke the silence. "What am I going to do tomorrow?" she whispered to herself, her voice trembling with despair. Her fingers traced her lips as fresh tears welled up. "That bitch even stole my kiss¡­ again. Sob¡­ Sob¡­" She cried for what felt like an eternity, her tears soaking the sheets. Eventually, her sobs quieted, leaving only the sound of her shaky breathing. Her trembling hands clenched into fists. Anger and regret burned inside her as she slammed her fist against the bed. "This is all my fault!" she yelled, her voice breaking. "If I hadn''t cheated, none of this would''ve happened!" Her breathing quickened as the truth she had been avoiding for so long hit her like a tidal wave. "Every time I cheated, I told myself it was for the kingdom¡­ but deep down, I knew it wasn''t true. It was all for me. I was too afraid to lose. I wanted to keep winning, no matter the cost!" She wiped her tears away, her pink eyes shimmering with a new determination. Her trembling stopped, and she sat up straight. "That''s it," she whispered to herself, her voice steadier now. "No more running. No more lies." She clenched her fists tightly, her nails digging into her palms. "Tomorrow, I''ll confess everything. Not because I''m being blackmailed. Not because they forced me. But for me. For my own peace of mind. No more running away from the truth." Loyalty Essence Stone Princess Ravenna confessed her cheating in the competition. The reaction was swift and unforgiving. Gasps, whispers, and murmurs of disbelief filled the air. Ravenna lowered her head, unable to meet anyone''s gaze. As expected, she was disqualified from the competition While Maruti was officially declared the winner. For Ravenna, this was the beginning of another storm. Her already fragile reputation took a devastating hit. The rumors of her dishonesty will spread like wildfire, tarnishing her once-pristine image. But what could she do now? Ravenna walked out of the meeting hall, her steps heavy with regret but also a sense of resolution. She had chosen this path, and now she was determined to face the consequences head-on. ---------- Sear?h the n??el Fire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. After the meeting, the students dispersed, returning to their daily activities. Maruti, on the other hand, had a very specific task ahead of her: distracting Ethan Rothslayer. According to Esdeath, Violet Vondarion was in grave danger today. In the original timeline of Free Life Fantasy, Ethan had kept a close eye on Violet, but his attention had been diverted by Caramel, who had become infatuated with him. This distraction had allowed Violet to be kidnapped. But in this timeline, Caramel was obsessed with Maruti instead of Ethan. Maruti''s actions had caused a shift in the chain of events, leaving no one to keep Ethan preoccupied. Maruti had decided to take responsibility for her mistake. ---------- Meanwhile, Esdeath returned to her dorm room, her mind sharp and focused. The duel competition was later today, and she needed to prepare. Closing the door behind her she put her hands on her storage type essence stone. Her collection was staggering¡ªhundreds, possibly even close to a thousand essence stones. A treasure trove like this was unheard of for a student. If the academy ever discovered it, they would stop at nothing to claim it for themselves. Esdeath''s lips curled into a sly smile as she picked out a Rank B essence stone. Its radiant glow illuminated the room, a clear testament to its incredible power. In the open market, even Rank C essence stones were considered a luxury item. Their prices were so high that only the wealthiest could afford them. Rank B stones, on the other hand, were far more elusive. They were treasures only found in high-profile auctions attended by royalty and the elite. Entire fortunes could be spent just to obtain one. And Rank A essence stones? Those were beyond priceless. They were national treasures, a measure of a kingdom''s strength and influence. Only Rank S awakened individuals could dream of wielding them. Esdeath placed the Rank B stone back into her storage type essence stone. She sat on the edge of her bed, her fingers tapping her chin as she thought. "Even though I have more than a thousand essence stones, thanks to the ones Lortell gave me," she muttered, her voice tinged with frustration, "I''m still far behind someone like Seraphine. She has tens of thousands of stones, and most of them are time-path stones. Meanwhile, I barely have a few, and that too because of Lortell. If it weren''t for her, I wouldn''t have a single one." Her gaze fell to the floor, and she sighed again. Time-path essence stones were critical for her because, based on her star constellation might being a time path, it seemed that her path was aligned with time. If she could properly refine and use them, they would provide immense help. But essence stones weren''t her only concern. "What I truly lack is experience," she murmured, her voice quieter now. "Unlike Ethan, who''s skilled in refinement, sword arts, and using essence stones, I know almost nothing. I''m just fumbling through." The only advantage Esdeath had was her knowledge of the future. However, even that was becoming less reliable as events slowly began to change. She was losing her edge, and her challenges were growing more difficult with each passing day. Still, a small smile played on her lips. "The harder the challenge, the more fun it is to overcome," she said to herself with renewed determination. Reaching into her chest, she pulled out a small, pink-colored essence stone shaped like a puppy''s head. It was adorable, almost out of place among the other powerful stones in her collection. "Rank C Loyalty Essence Stone," she whispered, holding it up to the light. This stone was one of the most important ones she owned, not because of its power but because of its purpose. Essence stones, once refined, fused with a person''s body. However, there were rare and sinister methods to extract these stones, even from living people. These methods were mostly used by criminals and dark practitioners, and the danger of having essence stones stolen was always a looming threat. When someone died, their essence stones could be retrieved if the body was found within a week. Experts from kingdoms often extracted the stones and returned them to the deceased''s family. However, the same techniques could be abused to steal stones from the living. To counter this, many people refined self-detonation essence stones, a common Rank E stone. These stones allowed the user to destroy all their refined essence stones with a single thought. It was a drastic but effective way to deter thieves, as no one wanted to risk stealing from someone who could obliterate everything they had. But Loyalty Essence Stones were a step further. The Loyalty Essence Stone ensured that no one but the owner could use their essence stones, even if they were stolen. The Loyalty Essence Stone was specially designed for expenditure-type essence stones, particularly those that didn''t require mana to use. These types of essence stones were usually placed outside the body and were highly vulnerable to theft. Stones already filled with mana could be used by anyone who managed to get their hands on them, even for a moment. Esdeath thought back to the teleportation essence stone she had received from the shopkeeper in Colac Village. It was already filled with mana, allowing her to use it immediately, even though she hadn''t refined it herself. That convenience, however, came with a risk¡ªif someone else had grabbed it, they could''ve used it just as easily. This is where the Loyalty Essence Stone came in. It acted as a safeguard, ensuring that even if someone else held an expenditure-type essence stone, they couldn''t use it without the owner''s permission. It was like setting a password on a smartphone. Of course, the Loyalty Essence Stone wasn''t perfect. Skilled individuals could bypass its protection with time and effort. However, that delay could be enough to regain the stolen item or foil their plans. Esdeath had already refined her Rank C Loyalty Essence Stone a long time ago. To do so, she used a special time-path essence stone called "Hours Pass Like Months"¡ªa gift from Lortell. This stone accelerated her body''s time, allowing her to refine the Loyalty Essence Stone faster. The process wasn''t easy. Refining the stone took Esdeath four hours, but with the time acceleration effect, her body experienced it as if four months had passed. Her hair grew longer, her nails extended, and her body felt slightly worn. She had to cut her nails and hair afterward, but thankfully, her face remained unchanged¡ªafter all, four months of aging wasn''t enough to leave a visible mark. Although the price was steep, it was worth it. The Loyalty Essence Stone gave her peace of mind. Now the only question was¡ªwhere would she use it? Esdeath wasn''t planning to use it on a typical essence stone. Instead, she intended to use it on her ZK-20 weapon, a unique and highly valuable piece of equipment. The ZK-20 was no ordinary weapon. It had its own mana circuit, allowing it to absorb and utilize essence stones. By infusing it with mana, Esdeath could activate various powerful functions. However, this also meant that if someone else got their hands on it, they could easily use it for themselves. That was a risk Esdeath couldn''t take. -------- After binding the Loyalty Essence Stone to her ZK-20 weapon, Esdeath decided to explore more items that might prove useful. She sifted through the countless gifts from Lortell. There were piles of jewels, gold, and even a strange erotic set of clothes made entirely of elastic gold. Esdeath''s face turned bright red as she held it up. "Urghh...." she muttered, quickly tossing the garment behind her like it burned her hands. Moving on, she inspected the rest of the items. Most of the essence stones, aside from the time-path ones, weren''t particularly helpful since she already possessed the most important ones. Her eyes then landed on a golden letter with red borders, shimmering faintly in the light. Her expression changed as she realized what it was. "A Rank B Golden Flying Letter Essence Stone," she murmured, picking it up carefully. This essence stone didn''t require mana to use but demanded an enormous amount of mana during refinement. What made it stand out was the Third Division Commander''s official stamp engraved on it. "Lortell Mariette," Esdeath whispered. She stared at the letter, recalling how Lortell must have included it as a way to stay in touch. A smirk crossed Esdeath''s lips as she thought about how unnecessary it was now. "But at that time, She didn''t know that, that academy will force all students to live in dorms? And that she would end up being in the room next to mine?" Esdeath let out a dry laugh before sighing. "But honestly, is she an idiot?" she grumbled, holding the letter up. "If I sent this to someone with a message written on it, they''d think it came from Lortell herself. Why give me something so valuable if it can be used to stir up trouble?" Shaking her head, she flung the letter behind her like trash, not caring where it landed. Perfect Fairness Or Equality Doesn’t Exists The classes had ended, and there was still some time left before the competition began. The academy grounds buzzed with excitement as students prepared themselves, either practicing, strategizing, or nervously fidgeting. However, amidst all the chatter and speculation, one thing was oddly clear in everyone''s mind: Who would take second place? Wait, second place? Not first? Well... it wasn''t hard to figure out why. Kaelith, the Silver Dragon, was there. Everyone knew that beating her was next to impossible. She was a league of her own, and the idea of someone else taking first place felt more like a fairy tale than reality. So, the real fun was in watching the battle for second place. Would it be Violet, Maruti, Ethan, or Esdeath? The anticipation filled the air. -------- Meanwhile, Ethan was walking alongside Violet and Sylvania through the academy corridors. They were on their way to prepare for the competition, their casual conversation occasionally interrupted by the excitement around them. As they approached a room, Violet and Sylvania suddenly stopped right in front of the door. Ethan, who had been distracted, nearly bumped into them but stopped just in time. He tilted his head in confusion as they both turned around to face him, their cheeks slightly flushed. "Ethan, are you doing this on purpose, or are you just clueless?" Sylvania asked, her voice tinged with both irritation and embarrassment. "Huh? What are you talking about?" Ethan replied, genuinely baffled. Sylvania''s face turned a deeper shade of red. She clenched her fist and, before Ethan could piece things together, landed a solid punch on his head. "That''s the ladies'' washroom, you idiot!" she snapped. "Oh¡­ shoot!" Ethan finally realized his mistake, his eyes widening. "I was so focused on keeping an eye on the surroundings, I didn''t even notice!" he thought in his mind. "If you ever do this again, we will kill you," violet warned, her tone dead serious despite her flushed cheeks. The two girls huffed and walked into the washroom, leaving Ethan standing outside, rubbing the back of his head where Sylvania had punched him. "Great, just great," Ethan muttered to himself, glancing nervously around to make sure no one had seen the embarrassing scene. He sighed, deciding to stay outside and keep watch. "At least I can guard the door... I guess." After a few tense moments that felt like hours, Violet and Sylvania finally came out. Ethan immediately straightened up, letting out a long breath of relief. "Thank goodness nothing happened!" he mumbled under his breath. They both looked Ethan with still pissed look but soon their anger faded away and they walked towards the cafeteria. Meanwhile someone else was watching from the surroundings that even Ethan didn''t notice. Yep! It was none other than maruti. She had her bored as she thought, "How am I gonna distract him? ", she thought. But then a idea appeared on her mind. ----------- The atmosphere in the cafeteria was lively, filled with chatter and laughter as students discussed the upcoming competition. Ethan, Violet, and Sylvania had just picked up their dishes and were making their way to an empty table. But before they could reach it, a loud voice echoed through the room. "Step asiddeeee!" Out of nowhere, Maruti came bolting toward them at full speed. She didn''t even give anyone time to move aside before crashing directly into Ethan. BAM! The collision sent Ethan''s plate flying into the air, scattering food everywhere. Both of them fell to the ground with a thud¡ªEthan flat on his back, and Maruti landing squarely on top of him. Her large chest smothered Ethan''s face, and her body was now covered in sauce and bits of food from the spilled plate. The entire cafeteria froze. To anyone watching, the scene looked ridiculously intimate. Maruti lay sprawled on top of Ethan, her chest completely covering his face. Some students stared in shock, while others were already whispering amongst themselves. "I¡­ can''t¡­ breathe¡­" Ethan''s muffled voice came from beneath her. He flailed his arms weakly, desperately trying to push her off. Realizing this, Maruti finally rolled off him, collapsing beside him with an exaggerated sigh. The cafeteria erupted into chaos. "Lucky bastard!" someone yelled. "Why couldn''t it be me? I''d happily let her crush me like that!" another voice groaned in jealousy. Meanwhile, Violet and Sylvania rushed forward, their faces a mix of anger and concern. Violet quickly extended her hand to Ethan, while Sylvania helped Maruti up. Ethan stood up slowly, scratching his head in confusion. "What just happened?" he mumbled, still dazed. But Maruti wasn''t done yet. As Sylvania helped her up, Maruti suddenly extended her hand dramatically, and the moment Sylvania''s fingers touched hers, she let out an exaggerated scream. "Owwww! My hand! It''s broken!" Maruti cried, clutching her hand as if it was about to fall off. She rolled back and forth on the floor like a child throwing a tantrum. The students in the cafeteria stared in confusion, unsure whether to laugh or take her seriously. "I can''t stand up! My foot''s fractured too!" Maruti wailed, clutching her leg and wincing like she was in unimaginable pain. "What? Who gets a fracture from a tiny bump?" Ethan said, raising an eyebrow. Maruti suddenly pointed an accusing finger at Ethan, glaring at him with mock anger. "You! You did this on purpose, didn''t you? You wanted to injure me so I couldn''t participate in today''s competition!" "What kind of nonsense is that?" Violet snapped, crossing her arms. "You were the one who ran into him!" "Yeah, it feels more like you''re the one trying to damage Ethan''s reputation," Sylvania added with a glare. Before the argument could escalate further, Ethan raised his hands, trying to calm them down. "Relax, everyone! It''s just a small fracture¡ªif it''s even real. The nurse will heal her in no time." Maruti shot Ethan a dramatic look, fake tears shimmering in her eyes. She gestured toward the bits of food and sauce smeared across her clothes and even on her chest. "Do you really think I can go to the nurse''s office like this? Look at me!" Ethan looked at the mess on her outfit and sighed. S§×arch* The n?velFire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Maruti crossed her arms and demanded, "Since you''re the reason this happened, you should take me to my room so I can change. After that, you can escort me to the nurse''s office!" Ethan felt a headache coming on but nodded reluctantly. "Fine," he said with another sigh, "I''ll take you." But before Ethan could even move, Violet and Sylvania stepped in, both glaring furiously. "There''s no need for that!" they said in unison. Sylvania rushed toward Maruti and bent down, attempting to lift her up. Her hands strained, her face turning red from the effort, but Maruti didn''t budge an inch. "Why is she so heavy?" Sylvania muttered through clenched teeth. She tried again, groaning with effort, but in the end, she gave up, panting in exhaustion. Violet stepped forward confidently. "Let me handle this," she said, cracking her knuckles. With a flick of her hand, she cast her spell. "Zero Gravity!" Instantly, Maruti''s weight was supposed to disappear, and Violet grinned as she reached down to lift her. But to her shock, even with zero gravity, Maruti still didn''t move. Violet tugged harder, her confusion growing. "H-how?" Violet stammered, her eyes wide with disbelief. What neither of them knew was that Maruti was secretly using her immense strength to hold herself down. Without anyone noticing, her fingers were gripping the flat ground beneath her, preventing them from lifting her. In the end, with no other options, Ethan stepped forward, rubbing the back of his neck. "I guess I''ll have to do it," he said. He crouched down and, with surprising ease, lifted Maruti into his arms like a princess. "Wow," Ethan muttered as he carried her, "you''re lighter than I thought." Of course, Maruti didn''t resist at all. Instead, she relaxed in his arms, hiding her smile as her plan had gone exactly as she wanted. "It worked!" Maruti thought to herself, feeling triumphant as she leaned slightly into Ethan''s chest. -------------- Kaelith sat at her desk, quietly flipping through the pages of a thick book, her silver hair glowing faintly in the soft light. She was focused, her sharp silver eyes scanning every word. But suddenly, the in the shape of lenses she wore over her eyes slid off, landing on the desk with a faint crack. Before she could react, the lenses shattered. A bright glow erupted from her now-uncovered silver eyes, a light so intense it reflected off every surface in the room. Kaelith froze, her breath hitching as she felt an overwhelming surge in her aura. It was as if a dam inside her had broken. Realizing what was happening, she quickly pushed her chair back and sat cross-legged on the floor. Closing her eyes, she concentrated, trying to steady the wild energy coursing through her body. It took half an hour of deep focus, her chest rising and falling with controlled breaths, before the pressure finally subsided. Slowly, Kaelith opened her glowing silver eyes, now calm but still luminous. "The seal my mother placed on me has broken," she murmured, her voice tinged with both concern and urgency. She stood up, brushing her silver hair over her shoulder. "I need to inform her." ------- Kaelith arrived at Lilith''s office moments later, her steps quick but steady. Pushing the door open, she found her mother seated at a large desk, buried under piles of paperwork. Lilith, wearing a pair of small glasses, looked up briefly, her youthful face showing no surprise at Kaelith''s sudden arrival. It was always jarring to see them together. Lilith, with her petite frame and youthful features, looked more like Kaelith''s younger sister than her mother. The sight of her diligently working with her small hands only added to the impression. Kaelith didn''t waste time. "Mother," she began, her tone firm. "The seal you placed on me has broken. I need you to put a new one on me." Lilith sighed heavily, setting down her pen and removing her glasses. She rubbed her temples, exhaustion clear on her face. "Kaelith, do you see how much work I''m drowning in right now? Putting the seals on you again will take hours, and honestly¡­" She trailed off, her voice softening. "I don''t think it''s necessary anymore." Kaelith blinked, taken aback. "What do you mean? If my strength isn''t reduced, it won''t be fair to the other students in the competition!" Lilith let out another sigh, this time with a hint of sadness. She leaned back in her chair, her silver eyes meeting Kaelith''s glowing silver ones. "Kaelith," she began gently, "you still don''t understand how this world works, do you?" Kaelith frowned slightly, confused by her mother''s tone. "There''s no such thing as ''fair'' or ''equal'' in this world," Lilith said, her voice steady but laced with bitterness. "People like to talk about fairness¡ªthat anyone can succeed regardless of whether they''re born a commoner, a noble, or even royalty. But do you think that''s really true?" Lilith paused, letting the weight of her words sink in. Then she continued, her gaze unwavering. "Of course not. In reality, someone born into nobility has clear advantages over commoners. And someone born into royalty? Their opportunities are limitless. The rich get richer, and the poor¡­ well, they struggle just to survive." Kaelith stayed silent, her hands clenched at her sides. Lilith leaned forward, her expression softening with sympathy. "The reason I placed those seals on you wasn''t to make things fair for the other students. It was to make things fair for Princess Ravenna, But now that she''s disqualified, there''s no need for you to hold back anymore." Kaelith''s heart sank at this revelation. Another truth about the world''s cruel reality had been laid bare before her. But rather than feeling anger or frustration, she simply lowered her head, her silver hair falling over her face. "Understood," she said quietly, her voice devoid of emotion. Without waiting for a response, she turned on her heel and walked out of the room, the door clicking softly shut behind her. That’s So Gay! Ethan carefully carried Maruti like a princess all the way to her dorm room. His arms, though strong, felt a little strained under her surprising weight, but he didn''t complain. He opened the door with his foot, entered the cozy room, and gently placed her on the edge of her bed. "There, happy now?" Ethan asked, exhaling as he stretched his arms. Maruti crossed her arms, tilting her head dramatically. "Not yet. Go grab a wet cloth and clean where the food dripped on me," she demanded, her tone bossy. Ethan sighed, clearly not thrilled but too tired to argue. "Alright, fine." He walked to the small sink in her room, wet a clean cloth, and returned. He started wiping the sauce and food stains on her back and skirt, carefully ensuring he wasn''t being rough. It wasn''t as bad as he thought until he came to the final stain. The last spot was right in the middle of Maruti''s chest. Her large, round breasts seemed to taunt him, sitting prominently and creating an incredibly awkward situation. They were full and smooth, practically defying gravity. Ethan''s hand froze mid-air, trembling slightly as his face turned a deep shade of red. "Are you¡­ sure you want me to do this?" Ethan stammered, his voice uneven. Maruti raised an eyebrow, completely unfazed. She didn''t blush or show even a hint of embarrassment. Instead, her expression was serious, almost bored. "Yeah, of course. Don''t waste time¡ªjust clean it up." Her indifference only made Ethan more flustered. He hesitated for a moment before finally pressing the damp cloth against her chest. His fingers accidentally brushed against her skin, and he was instantly aware of how soft and warm it felt. The fabric of her shirt clung slightly, and the gentle give of her body under his hand made his heart race. But then, Maruti let out a deliberate moan. "Ahhh~ Be gentle! You''re being so rough~" she exclaimed, her voice loud and sultry. Ethan froze, completely mortified. His entire face burned as if it were on fire. "Y-you! Don''t shout like that!" he stuttered, quickly pulling his hand back as if he''d been burned. Maruti raised a hand to her lips, feigning an apologetic look. "Oops, my bad! I wasn''t expecting that; you caught me off guard!" she said, her tone full of mock innocence. Inside, however, she was fighting to keep a straight face. Her thoughts were smug and triumphant. "Fuhahaha! This is too easy! He''s too easy mess with!" Ethan, meanwhile, stood stiffly, unsure if he should finish cleaning or just run out of the room to save himself. His thoughts were a chaotic mess as he tried to avoid looking at Maruti''s chest, which seemed to mock him with every passing second. "Can you hurry up already?" Maruti said, her tone sharp as she waved her hand dismissively. "You''re making this more awkward than it needs to be." Ethan sighed deeply. "Okay," he muttered, trying to focus as he resumed cleaning the stain. He wiped slowly, his hand brushing lightly over the fabric. But Maruti wasn''t going to let him off so easily. "Yes!~ Keep going like that. That''s the spot!" she moaned deliberately, her voice dripping with mockery. Ethan''s face burned red, but this time he refused to react. He gritted his teeth, ignoring her antics, and continued wiping. Still, no matter how hard he tried, the stain was stubborn and wouldn''t completely come off. Maruti sighed loudly. "You can''t even do this properly? Use some water, genius!" she ordered, rolling her eyes like a bossy tyrant. Ethan exhaled in frustration, but he went to grab a glass of water without saying a word. As he returned and leaned forward to pour a little water on the stain, Maruti extended her leg and gently nudged his balance. "Whoa¡ª" Ethan stumbled. **Splash! Splash! Splash!** The water spilled all over Maruti, soaking her face and chest completely. Her shirt, now drenched, clung to her body and turned semi-translucent, revealing her bra underneath in startling detail. Ethan froze, his face heating up as he realized the situation had gone from awkward to downright embarrassing. Maruti glanced down at herself and then back at Ethan, her expression unimpressed. "What did you just do? Now I have to change! Go get my clothes¡ªbring me a new shirt!" she barked like a tyrant giving orders. Ethan clenched his fists in frustration. *Someone just kill me already!* he thought, desperately wanting to escape. His patience was wearing thin, but when he looked at her, his words caught in his throat. Her soaked shirt, sticking to her skin, was way too distracting. He quickly averted his gaze, his mind screaming at him to stay composed. With no choice, he grabbed a clean shirt from her wardrobe and handed it over. Maruti raised her hands with an exaggerated sigh. "My arm''s injured. Take this shirt off and dress me in the new one," she said nonchalantly. Ethan''s jaw dropped. "What?!" he shouted, his voice filled with embarrassment and disbelief. --- Meanwhile, back in the cafeteria, Violet and Sylvania sat at their table, finishing their lunches. "We''re already done eating. How long is Ethan going to take?" Violet asked, leaning back with a tired sigh. Sylvania shrugged. "Who knows? Maybe something came up. Let''s just take a stroll around the academy while we wait for him," she suggested with a smile. Violet nodded, standing up from her seat. The two girls left the cafeteria, completely unaware of the chaotic and awkward situation Ethan was enduring at that very moment. ---------- Inside Maruti''s dorm room, Ethan was battling his nerves. With a blindfold tied over his eyes, he managed to awkwardly pull off Maruti''s shirt and dress her in a new one. The only task left was buttoning it up, but that seemed like a mountain to climb. "Calm down... calm down. Only the buttons are left," Ethan muttered to himself, trying to steady his trembling hands as he began fastening them. But as his hands reached the upper buttons, he hit a problem¡ªMaruti''s large chest. The fabric strained, making it difficult to close the buttons. And he was doing this blindfolded, which didn''t help. "Don''t squeeze the shirt so hard. My breasts hurt!" Maruti snapped, her voice sharp. "S-sorry!" Ethan stammered, his face red as he fumbled to finish. After what felt like an eternity, Ethan fell to the ground, exhausted. He let out a deep sigh of relief. "Finally done!" he said, pulling off the blindfold and wiping the sweat from his forehead. Maruti, on the other hand, looked unimpressed. She crossed her arms and huffed. While she didn''t feel embarrassed at all¡ªhaving no shame in exposing herself¡ªshe was silently cursing her situation. "If it weren''t for my mistake, I''d never have taken this ridiculous job of distracting Ethan," she grumbled under her breath. Ethan stood up, eager to escape the room and forget this ordeal. But just as he turned to leave, Maruti called out. "Wait a minute. Now that you''ve changed my shirt... why not change my skirt too?" she asked, giving him a teasing, sultry look. Ethan froze mid-step, his face turning a shade of crimson. He turned back slowly, his eyes wide. "Are you serious right now?" he asked. Maruti just smirked, leaning back casually. Ethan stared at her for a moment before letting out a deep sigh. "Okay, I have to ask," he said, crossing his arms. "Are you, by any chance, interested in me? You''re making me do all this on purpose, aren''t you?" S~ea??h the nov§×lF~ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Maruti :".... " The room fell silent. Maruti stared at him, her expression unreadable. She didn''t blink, didn''t flinch, and the heavy silence made Ethan regret asking. He felt a chill run down his spine. "I-I''m sorry¡ª" he began, but Maruti interrupted him. "That''s so gay," she said flatly. "What?" Ethan blinked, completely baffled. "I said, that''s so gay," Maruti repeated, this time with a hint of disappointment in her voice. "How is that gay?!" Ethan protested, his voice rising. Maruti sighed dramatically. "You wouldn''t understand," she said, rolling her eyes. Of course, Ethan didn''t know that Maruti was once a man. For him, it was a normal interaction between a guy and a girl. But for her, this entire situation was laughably ironic. Before Ethan could argue further, Maruti kicked his leg lightly. "Shoo! Shoo! Get the hell out of here. I''ll handle the rest myself!" "Are you sure?" Ethan asked, raising an eyebrow. "Yeah, yeah! I don''t want to see your face anymore. Go!" Maruti waved him off like she was swatting away a fly. Ethan didn''t need to be told twice. He bolted for the door, muttering, "I swear, I''ll never set foot in this room again." As the door closed behind him, Maruti smirked to herself. "Let him go," she murmured to herself. "My job''s done anyway. Violet must be kidnapped by now, right?" But the thought wasn''t enough to keep her at ease. She couldn''t just sit around and hope everything had gone according to plan. She needed confirmation. Maruti stood up effortlessly, her supposed injury completely forgotten. It had been nothing more than an act to get Ethan to stay longer. With quick, silent steps, she slipped out of the dorm room and began tailing Ethan from a distance. Ethan wandered through various places in search of Violet. The dining hall, the courtyard, even the library. Every spot he checked and found empty brought a growing, triumphant smile to Maruti''s face. "He''s panicking," she thought, her grin widening. "This has to mean Violet''s already been taken. Everything''s going smoothly!" But her confidence shattered in an instant. Up ahead, Ethan turned a corner, and there she was¡ªViolet. Safe and sound. Maruti''s breath hitched, and her smile froze before completely fading. Her eyes widened in disbelief. "She didn''t get kidnapped?" she whispered to herself, unable to process what she was seeing. She watched as Ethan and Violet exchanged a few words, their faces lighting up with relief as they reunited. "This can''t be happening," Maruti muttered, her mind racing. From what Esdeath had said, Violet should''ve been long gone by now. She clenched her fists, her frustration growing. "The competition starts in twenty minutes. There''s no way I can make a move now. How is she supposed to get kidnapped in this short time?" Her shoulders slumped, and she let out a long, exasperated sigh. There was nothing she could do. Her plan had failed¡ªfor now. "Whatever," she muttered under her breath as she turned and walked away. "I tried my best. There''s still the evening¡­ and then the night. It''s out of my hands now. If she''s going to get kidnapped, it''ll depend entirely on luck." She Kissed Someone --- Esdeath''s sharp eyes bore into Maruti as she scolded her in a low, tense voice, making sure no one else passing by could hear. "What do you mean she didn''t get kidnapped?" Maruti threw up her hands, her tone defensive yet honest. "How should I know? I did my best to distract Ethan, but Violet was still there, even after all that time!" She huffed, clearly annoyed but trying to stay truthful. Esdeath let out a long sigh, her frustration evident. "Whatever, whatever. There''s still the evening, and then the night. Even if she doesn''t get kidnapped, there''s still a high chance the outcome won''t change!" Her words were curt, but there was a hint of determination in her voice, as if she had already calculated the next steps in her mind. Maruti opened her mouth, ready to protest or perhaps explain further, but Esdeath raised her hand sharply, cutting her off. "Enough. Let''s meet at the arena later. I''m going first." With that, she turned on her shoes and strode away, her long hair swaying behind her as she left without another word. Maruti slumped against the nearby wall, letting out a deep breath of relief. The tension that had built up during their conversation finally eased. "Really? What''s the point of me doing all this nonsense if the outcome isn''t going to change much anyway?" she muttered to herself, shaking her head in exasperation. She lingered there for a few moments, letting her mind wander before stretching her limbs with a groan. "Not like I care," she said with a shrug, her tone dismissive. She pushed herself off the wall and made her way toward the weapons rack to grab her bec de corbin. ------- Meanwhile, in the academy corridors, Kaelith walked with her usual air of confidence, but the whispers around her caught her attention. Students in small groups huddled together, their voices hushed but loud enough to carry. "You heard about it, right? Ethan lifted Maruti like a princess and carried her to her dorm room! Can you even imagine what might''ve happened after that?" one girl whispered dramatically, her voice dripping with excitement. Her friend giggled, her cheeks flushed. "Kyaa~! I wish my knight in shining armor would sweep me off my feet like that! It sounds so dreamy!" Kaelith''s sharp hearing picked up every word, though she kept her face carefully neutral. The rumor was spreading like wildfire, and why wouldn''t it? Ethan had carried Maruti in front of the entire cafeteria¡ªdozens of students had seen it firsthand. Both Ethan and Maruti were popular in their own ways, so the story was bound to become the talk of the academy. Kaelith''s mind turned over the information as her shoes clicked softly against the stone floor. "Is that true?" she wondered, a fleeting thought crossing her sharp mind. But she didn''t stop or bother to confirm it with the gossiping girls. It wasn''t worth her time. Kaelith''s pace quickened, the faint murmurs fading into the background as she turned a corner. Suddenly, a figure collided with her. While Kaelith remained steady, the other person stumbled backward, landing on the ground with a soft thud. The girl was none other than Maruti. "Who the fu¡ª" Maruti''s frustration flared, but the words died on her lips when she recognized Kaelith. Her expression shifted to an awkward smile. "Oh, it''s you¡­" Kaelith extended a hand without a word, and Maruti hesitated briefly before taking it. As she helped Maruti to her feet, Kaelith''s senses, sharp beyond human comprehension due to her unsealed abilities, caught something peculiar. A faint, unfamiliar scent clung to Maruti, one that stirred a strange sense of familiarity. Kaelith''s brows furrowed slightly as her mind raced. "This scent¡­ I''ve smelled it before, but where? Her mind briefly wandered to the rumors about Ethan and Maruti. But she quickly dismissed the thought. She had encountered Ethan before and knew his scent. The same went for Esdeath¡ªit wasn''t hers either. " I''ve met this person before but who is this person?," she thought, the faint familiarity tugging at her mind like a distant echo. Maruti dusted herself off, her smirk returning as she teased, "Should I say thanks? But friends don''t say thanks, right?" Kaelith''s gaze locked onto Maruti, her usual composure faltering. Her heart thudded in her chest, an unfamiliar rhythm that caught her off guard. For a moment, time seemed to slow. Her eyes took in every detail¡ªMaruti''s long, thick lashes, the curve of her lips, and the natural beauty in her soft, glowing features. Those lips¡­ they looked impossibly inviting, tempting her with thoughts she couldn''t understand. Before she realized what she was doing, Kaelith reached out and placed her hands gently on Maruti''s cheeks. Maruti froze, her teasing words forgotten as confusion flickered in her wide eyes. "What are you¡ª" Kaelith leaned in slowly, her thumb brushing against Maruti''s lips, the soft texture making her breath hitch. The touch was tender, almost reverent, as Kaelith''s thumb traced the edge of Maruti''s lips, her gaze lingering on them like they held a secret only she could unlock. The moment felt impossibly intimate, as though the rest of the world had faded away, leaving only the two of them suspended in that delicate stillness. Maruti''s breath hitched, her heart racing in her chest. She couldn''t move, couldn''t think, completely overwhelmed by the unexpected closeness. Then, as if waking from a dream, Kaelith blinked, her hands suddenly retreating. She stepped back, her face flushing as she clenched her fists at her sides. She turned back so Maruti couldn''t see her flushed face. "What the hell was I thinking?" she muttered under her breath, her voice barely audible. Her heart pounded erratically, confusion and embarrassment warring within her. "I must be going insane! ",She thought unable to meet Maruti''s wide-eyed gaze any longer. "Hey! Were you trying to hypnotize me again?" Maruti''s tone was sharp, annoyance clear on her face. Kaelith blinked, quickly regaining her composure. Turning back, her usual confidence shone through. "I saw something in your mouth. You didn''t brush your teeth today, did you?" Maruti froze, her face flushing with embarrassment. "How did you¡ª" She clenched her teeth, Kaelith''s observation striking true. "I was busy fighting that zombie boss in my dream and didn''t got the time to brush my teeth! How did she notice with just a glance?" Maruti thought, frustration bubbling up. "No wonder fable created Selene to counter her." But Kaelith''s sharp gaze caught something else. As Maruti gritted her teeth, her mouth exposed for a moment, Kaelith stepped forward without hesitation. "Wait, what are you¡ª" Maruti''s words were cut off as Kaelith gently slipped her index finger into her mouth. Maruti tried to back away, but Kaelith calmly retrieved a small drop of saliva, studying it intently. "Hey! Are you playing scientist today?" Maruti snapped, her cheeks reddening. Kaelith didn''t respond, her focus fixed on the saliva. Her expression shifted subtly, her eyes narrowing as her face turned unreadable, the usual confidence replaced with a solemn neutrality. Without a word, Kaelith wiped her finger clean and stood still for a moment. Maruti sighed, crossing her arms. "Cough..cough....Whatever. Let''s just go to the arena together now, okay?" But Kaelith shook her head, her tone oddly firm. "No. You go first. I''ll join later." She didn''t wait for Maruti''s reply, turning on her heel and walking away briskly. Maruti shrugged, dismissing the interaction and heading toward the arena. Meanwhile, Kaelith''s calm exterior hid a storm brewing inside. A single thought echoed in her mind, shaking her composure. S§×arch* The ¦Çov§×lFire .net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "She kissed someone." ------------- The arena was bustling with energy, packed with more spectators than usual. Today was the final day of the competition, and most people preferred to watch the decisive matches. Despite the entrance fee being higher than usual, the arena was completely full, showing just how popular the event was. All the competitors and important figures arrived early. However, two special guests stood out: Elara, the academy''s principal, and Princess Ravenna. Special seats were arranged for them, emphasizing their importance. There was, however, a notable issue. The competition had five participants, but the matches were one-on-one. This meant one person would be left without an opponent in the first round. To solve this, the higher-ups decided beforehand that Kaelith, known as the strongest competitor, would advance directly to the semi-finals without needing to fight in the first round. This left the remaining four to compete in the quarter-finals, and one of them would face an extra challenge. That unlucky person was Maruti. Why Maruti? The reason was clear to everyone. Her strained relationship with Princess Ravenna played a role. This decision seemed like another way to make things harder for her. Here''s how the matches would proceed: 1. In the first round, Maruti would fight Violet Vandarion, both from Class A. 2. If Maruti won, she would face one of the remaining three competitors: Esdeath, Ethan, or Kaelith, in the semi-finals. The other two would fight each other. 3. If Violet won instead, she would follow the same path as Maruti, fighting one of the three and aiming for the finals. The referee entered the arena, and all eyes turned to her. Raising her hand to quiet the crowd, she announced the first match: "The first match is between¡ªMaruti from Class A versus Violet Vandarion from Class A!" This Foundation Always Reaches Twice As soon as the referee announced their names, both Violet and Maruti stepped into the arena, the tension in the air thick enough to cut with a blade. Violet entered first, her eyes filled with determination. Her practice sessions with Ethan had paid off¡ªher movements were sharper, her aim more precise, and her confidence stronger than ever. Today, she was ready to prove herself. Maruti followed, her demeanor completely opposite. She strolled into the arena lazily, her expression bored, as if she would rather be anywhere else. Holding her bec de Corbin weapon casually over her shoulder, she sighed. "Huff... Beating up kids is so boring. Should I just quit?" she wondered to herself but quickly shook her head. "Withdrawing would just create more trouble. Better get this over with." The referee couldn''t help but shiver when Maruti stepped closer. Memories of their last encounter flashed through her mind¡ªthe moment when Maruti had punched her square in the face, knocking her out cold and breaking several teeth. Swallowing her fear, the referee quickly raised her hand and shouted, "Start!" before dashing to the sidelines, as far away from Maruti as possible. The moment the match began, Violet didn''t waste a second. "20x Gravity!" she called out, and the entire arena seemed to shift. Maruti instantly felt the gravity around her increase by twenty times, but to everyone''s shock, she didn''t even blink. She stood there calmly, unaffected, as though the spell was nothing more than a gentle breeze. The crowd murmured in disbelief. This was Violet''s signature move¡ªthe same ability that had brought her countless victories by forcing her opponents to their knees. Yet, Maruti acted as if it didn''t exist. "Is that it?" Maruti asked, her tone dripping with boredom as she casually adjusted her grip on her weapon. Violet clenched her fists, her heart pounding. She had anticipated Maruti would be a formidable opponent, but seeing her like this was unnerving. Still, she wasn''t going to back down. "I knew she was strong," Violet thought, determination burning in her chest. "But I came prepared for this!" sea??h th§× ¦Çov§×lFire .net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Letting go of her heavy sword, Violet raised her hand high above her head. A faint blue glow began to form in the air above her palm. The light grew brighter, swirling and crackling as debris and small fragments from the arena floor began flying toward it, drawn in as if by a powerful force. The blue sphere pulsed and expanded, humming with energy. Violet''s face was set with fierce concentration as she poured her mana into her new technique. "This will work! It has to!" "Take this!" Violet shouted, her voice ringing across the arena. "Blue Sphere!" With a flick of her hand, Violet sent the massive blue energy sphere forward. It crackled with power, its glow illuminating the arena. However, despite its strength, the ball was only the size of a basketball and much slower than Maruti''s incredible speed. Maruti immediately recognized the danger. Without hesitation, she sprinted across the arena with astonishing agility. Her speed was unbelievable¡ªpure physical strength with no magic or essence stones aiding her. The blue sphere tried to follow her, but it was left far behind as Maruti moved like a blur, weaving effortlessly through the arena. She drew a wide arc and then charged directly toward Violet. The crowd sat in stunned silence, their mouths hanging open. Nobody could believe what they were seeing. Maruti was so fast that most of the audience couldn''t even track her movements. In the blink of an eye, Maruti was right in front of Violet. Violet''s heart raced as she gripped her heavy sword tightly, raising it just in time to block the incoming punch. "You left a gap!" Maruti shouted as she stretched her right hand back and unleashed a powerful strike. BAM! The punch landed with such force that the ground beneath Violet cracked. But Violet, prepared for the attack, held her ground and blocked it with her heavy sword, gritting her teeth from the impact. Her arms trembled under the sheer strength of Maruti''s punch. "Such raw power!" Violet thought, her eyes wide with shock. Even though she had expected Maruti to be strong, experiencing it firsthand was overwhelming. But Violet wasn''t just defending¡ªshe had a plan. A sly smirk crept onto her face. Exposing a gap had been intentional, a clever trap to lure Maruti into attacking. "Gravity Inverse!" Violet shouted. At once, Maruti''s gravity flipped. Her body was pulled upward, leaving her spinning helplessly in midair. The sudden reversal caught her off guard, and she had no way to defend herself. Violet seized the opportunity without hesitation. She curled her index finger, and a brilliant red light appeared, forming a glowing red sphere of energy in her palm. "Red Sphere!" Violet declared, sending the attack hurtling toward Maruti. The entire sequence happened in the blink of an eye. Maruti had no time to react, and dodging was impossible. Her only option was to block the attack. "Phoenix Shield," Maruti willed, her voice steady yet commanding. In an instant, a shimmering shield with the image of a blazing phoenix etched across it materialized before her, glowing with fiery energy. The moment the red sphere collided with the shield, chaos erupted. Unlike the blue sphere, which attracted everything, the red sphere''s power was pure repulsion¡ªit pushed away everything it touched with an overwhelming force. *BOOM!* The impact was devastating. The Phoenix Shield shattered instantly, unable to withstand the immense energy Violet had poured into the attack. Maruti was launched backward like a cannonball, tumbling and crashing across the arena floor. Dust and debris flew in all directions as her body slammed into the ground multiple times. Despite the brutal force, Maruti regained control mid-flight, twisting her body and landing firmly on her feet at the edge of the arena. Her breaths came heavy, but she stood tall, brushing off the dirt like it was nothing. "Hahaha¡­ interesting," she muttered to herself, a wild grin spreading across her face. "Is she trying to play wannabe Gojo?" Her fiery determination flared. She raised her hand, summoning a wall of flames in front of her. The red sphere, relentless in its pursuit, crashed into the fire wall. The flames roared and hissed, holding the red sphere back, but cracks began to appear in the barrier. Maruti gritted her teeth. "This thing''s not stopping. I just have to wait until she burns through all her mana!" But then, her instincts screamed danger. A chill ran down her spine. She turned her head sharply to the side¡ªand her heart sank. The blue sphere. The same slow-moving, destructive sphere she had dodged earlier was now inches away, hurtling toward her. In her focus on dealing with the red sphere, she had completely forgotten about the blue one. Violet smirked from the other end of the arena, blood dripping from the corner of her mouth. She had planned this all along. Knowing the blue sphere''s speed was slow, she used the red sphere to keep Maruti occupied, setting up the perfect trap. BOOM! The blue sphere smashed into the fire wall alongside the red one, the combined forces of attraction and repulsion colliding in a devastating explosion. The ground beneath the arena cracked and crumbled. Smoke and debris shot into the air like a volcanic eruption, leaving a massive gaping hole in the arena floor. The protective barrier around the audience shimmered, absorbing the shockwave and ensuring no one was harmed. But the sheer intensity of the explosion left many spectators covering their ears, their faces pale with shock. Violet stumbled forward, her body trembling. Drops of blood trickled from her lips, and her vision blurred from exhaustion. She had poured every ounce of mana into her two ultimate moves, leaving her mentally and physically drained. But despite her exhaustion, a faint smile tugged at her lips. "Two moves¡­ to conquer the world," she whispered to herself, pride and relief washing over her. The crowd erupted into murmurs. "Did Maruti actually lose to Violet?" one man gasped, disbelief written all over his face. "She underestimated Violet and paid the price," a girl snorted, crossing her arms with a look of disappointment. "A win is a win," someone else said with a shrug. "Doesn''t matter how it''s achieved." The tension in the arena was palpable. All eyes were on the smoking crater, waiting to see if Maruti had truly been defeated. As the dust began to clear, Violet''s heart skipped a beat. Her eyes widened in disbelief. No one was there. Before she could process what was happening, a voice came from right behind her, soft yet playful. "What''s up, girl?" The words sent shivers down her spine. Violet spun around quickly, her breath caught in her throat. There, just inches away, stood Maruti, unharmed and grinning. "How?" The only word Violet managed to whisper, her voice trembling with shock. Maruti smirked,"Too bad, but this foundation always reaches twice." Three Moves "How?" The only word Violet managed to whisper, her voice trembling with shock. Maruti smirked,"Too bad, but this foundation always reaches twice." Violet''s body tensed as she watched Maruti''s fist speeding toward her face. The sheer force of the wind from Maruti''s punch brushed against her skin, sending chills down her spine. But just before the impact¡ª "I accept defeat!" Violet shut her eyes and spoke firmly. For a moment, there was silence. Then¡ªSwish!¡ªthe air trembled from the leftover pressure of Maruti''s halted punch. Her fist hovered just inches away from Violet''s face. Maruti sighed, lowering her hand. She had wanted Violet to fight until the very end, but it seemed she knew when to back down. "The winner of this match¡ªMaruti from Class A!" the referee announced. The arena erupted in cheers. The audience, who had been holding their breath, now roared with excitement. Even though Violet lost, her performance was nothing short of impressive. Up in the stands, Esdeath watched the match unfold with an amused smirk. She leaned back, arms crossed. "Young ones are full of energy and make reckless choices," she murmured to herself. "But she knows when to surrender. Quite knowledgeable for her age." But suddenly¡ª**Slap!** She smacked her own face, her expression twisting in frustration. Why? Because although her eyes were supposed to be on the arena, her right eye kept trying to steal glances at the VIP seats. Specifically¡ªwhere Lortell Mariette was sitting. "Stop looking at her!" Esdeath scolded herself inwardly, gripping the armrest of her seat. She forced herself to focus on the competition, but the weight of her emotions, influenced by the real Esdeath''s lingering presence in her mind, made it increasingly difficult. Meanwhile, Maruti walked over and sat down beside her, still grinning. "This ''Turn Phantom Essence Stone'' is amazing," Maruti said, stretching her arms. "For three whole breaths, my body turned into a phantom, making all physical attacks useless." Esdeath smiled faintly but didn''t seem too interested. "Forget about that," she said. "What I really want to see is the second match. Let''s see who''s fighting next. The best outcome would be Ethan versus Kaelith. If that happens, we''ll gain the most benefit from this." But The moment the referee announced the next match, both Esdeath and Maruti felt their excitement drain away, replaced by deep disappointment. "The next match is between Maruti from Class A and Kaelith Maranthia from Class A!" the referee declared. A collective sigh spread through the audience. Some students even leaned back in their seats, shaking their heads. Everyone already knew the outcome. Maruti let out a frustrated sigh, rubbing the back of her head. "Seriously? Just my luck." Esdeath crossed her arms, exhaling. "It seems your luck is even worse than mine. Now, it''s all up to me whether we win this competition or not." Maruti turned to her with a hopeful look. "Is there any chance I can win?" Esdeath didn''t hesitate. She shook her head firmly. "Nope. Right now, it''s impossible. Just stick to the plan. If I were the one fighting, I could make it work¡ªbut your chances are still high if you do it right." Maruti nodded. She had no choice but to trust Esdeath''s judgment. With a deep breath, she stood up and walked toward the arena. --- The battle between Violet and Maruti had lasted only a few minutes, and now the next match was about to begin. Kaelith Maranthia stepped onto the battlefield with absolute confidence. Her silver hair floated upward, as if defying gravity, while her cold silver eyes scanned the surroundings with an icy sharpness. She carried no weapon. She didn''t need one. Kaelith was the strongest first-year student¡ªeven among the second years, no one could rival her. Only a few third-year students could match her power. Her very presence was overwhelming. Maruti entered the arena with a casual smile, trying to ease the tension. But Kaelith didn''t react. Her face remained cold, her expression unreadable. The referee raised her hand. "Begin!" Maruti stepped back¡ª And then¡ª Splash! Splash! Splash! A mighty aura erupted from Kaelith, surging like cold silver flames. The sheer force of her energy sent a violent shockwave across the battlefield, splitting the ground clean in half like a sword slicing through butter. The air grew heavier¡ªthicker¡ªas her aura intensified. Cracks spread across the arena floor. Then¡ª Swoosh! Silver horns¡ªsharp and radiant¡ªburst from her head. She looked like a deity descending onto the battlefield. Even though she hadn''t moved, her presence alone was enough to make Maruti stumble, her knees threatening to buckle. Even the audience felt an eerie chill crawl down their spines. Maruti clenched her fists, gritting her teeth. "A B-rank level aura?! Even the barrier is struggling to hold it back!" This wasn''t just a difference in strength. It was absolute domination. If it were anyone else, they would have pissed their pants by now. But instead of fear, a wide smile stretched across Maruti''s face. "Hahahaha¡­ very nice! As expected from you," she said, her voice filled with excitement. Then, with a teasing tone, she added, "But are you really satisfied with winning without even taking a single hit from me?" Kaelith narrowed her silver eyes. For the first time, she spoke. "What are you trying to say?" She adjusted her aura slightly, making the pressure a little more bearable. Maruti grinned. "What I mean is¡ªeveryone already knows you''re stronger and will win. But where''s the fun in that? Let''s make a game out of it." Kaelith raised an eyebrow but stayed silent, listening. "I''ll make three moves on you," Maruti continued. "You can''t dodge or attack¡ªonly defend. Then, you get to make three moves on me, and I''ll do the same. Whoever stays standing in the end wins!" She paused, then smirked. "Of course, you can refuse¡­ if you''re afraid." Kaelith''s lips curled into a sly smile. "Me? Afraid?" she scoffed. Then, she chuckled and added, "Fine. But let''s change the rules. I''ll only make one move. If you''re still standing after that, you win." Maruti nodded quickly, feeling a sense of relief. She had used Kaelith''s pride against her to get a huge advantage. Kaelith withdrew her intense aura, making the air around her feel less suffocating. Her eyes softened slightly, but inside, she was smiling for a different reason. "This will also give me a chance to show her my true strength," she thought. The truth was, she had let her aura explode so fiercely earlier because she wasn''t just angry¡ªshe was sad. She wanted to prove her superiority to Maruti. Or rather¡­ she wanted to show off. Why? The reason was short but left a deep impact on her heart. ¨C¨C¨C¨C¨C¨C¡ª¡ª When Kaelith first found out that Maruti had kissed someone, she froze in shock. Maruti¡­ had a boyfriend? Her mind struggled to accept it. Of course, she didn''t know the full story¡ªthat the person Maruti kissed was actually Princess Ravenna. If she had known, her reaction would have been even more extreme. But even with just that much information, her heart felt¡­ weird. She acted normal on the outside, as if it didn''t bother her. But before the match even started, she had been alone in the gym, punching a solid iron training dummy¡ªone that was reinforced with enchantments to make it even harder. She wanted to forget about it. She wanted to focus on something else. But no matter how hard she tried¡­ the same thoughts kept circling in her mind. "Of course, she''s beautiful and popular¡­ it''s no surprise that she has a boyfriend." She threw another punch¡ªharder this time. Then, she gritted her teeth. "But why? Why does my chest hurt so much?" Her fists trembled. "Is it because she won''t be interested in being my friend anymore? Will she start spending all her time with him instead?" She didn''t know the answer. All she knew was that her mind was a mess. BAM! Kaelith''s fist slammed into the iron dummy with all her strength. CRACK! The metal dummy shattered into pieces, breaking apart like bricks hit by a hammer. Her breathing was heavy¡ªnot because she was tired, but because something inside her felt unbearably heavy. Her heart was restless, her thoughts a tangled mess. Just then, a voice called out from behind her. "Umm¡­ Ms. Kaelith? The competition has already started. Why aren''t you there yet?" It was a girl''s voice. Kaelith turned around with an icy gaze. The girl flinched. Her name was Althea¡ªone of the volunteers responsible for making sure the tournament ran smoothly. She had come to remind Kaelith to hurry up before she caused delays in the schedule. But the moment Kaelith looked at her, Althea felt her breath hitch. "Why do her eyes feel so heavy? Was she¡­ crying?" Althea thought in frustration. Kaelith didn''t answer her thoughts, of course. Instead, she spoke in an expressionless voice. "Let''s go." With that, she started walking. Althea followed beside her, feeling the weight of silence between them. It was awkward. Althea was naturally a talkative girl, and this tense atmosphere was suffocating. She wanted to say something¡ªanything¡ªto break the silence. Then, an idea popped into her head. "Are you feeling down because of something?" she asked casually. Kaelith didn''t reply. But Althea wasn''t discouraged. "You know," she continued, "I''ve been feeling a little sad too. I broke up with my boyfriend last week,He was a Rank C." She sighed dramatically, then smiled. "But it''s fine! I already found a new boyfriend¡ªand he''s even better!" she said with excitement. Kaelith''s silver eyebrows rose slightly. For the first time, she showed a bit of interest. "Is he Rank B?" she asked. Since Althea claimed her new boyfriend was "better," Kaelith assumed he must be a Rank B Awakened. That would be impressive, considering how rare and powerful they were. Rank B individuals were basically elites¡ªthey had wealth, strength, and endless opportunities. But to her surprise, Althea shook her head. "No! He''s Rank D!" Kaelith froze. "¡­Huh? But wasn''t your previous boyfriend Rank C?" she asked, confused. "Wouldn''t that make him better?" For a second, irritation flashed across Althea''s face. "Hmph! My ex acted all high and mighty just because he was a Rank C," she scoffed. "He always did whatever he wanted during our dates, but he never actually showed his strength. Who knows? Maybe he was faking it the whole time." Kaelith frowned slightly. "Maybe he had a reason to hide it," she said. Althea rolled her eyes. "What reason could he have to hide things from his own girlfriend? Why even date me if he wasn''t going to be real with me?" Kaelith didn''t answer. Althea continued, her voice firm. "You''re a girl too, so you should understand." She took a deep breath and then said, "Every average girl wants someone who gives her attention. When she''s with him, she should feel safe and comfortable." Kaelith listened quietly. "No woman wants a weak loser who just acts tough leven if it''s a good boy," Althea continued. "A mother wants a strong child. A wife wants a strong husband. A sister wants a strong brother. Every average girl wants her partner to have superior genes." She let her words settle for a moment before finishing with a soft, dreamy sigh. "Compared to my ex, I feel so much safer with my new boyfriend. Every time I hug him, his chest is so wide¡ªI feel like a little cake in his arms. He really cares about me." Her face turned pink as she hugged the air, lost in her thoughts. But Kaelith wasn''t paying attention to that anymore. Her heart stopped for a moment. A deep realization hit her like a bolt of lightning. "¡­Does that mean Maruti also thinks all my strength is just a bias? That I''m all talk?" Her mind spun in shock. "She might be right. Everyone naturally follows someone stronger than them, someone superior." "If I show off my powers¡­ will Maruti start paying more attention to me? Will she see me as someone superior to her ''boyfriend''?" Her hands clenched. For the first time, she realized she didn''t just want to win. She wanted Maruti''s attention. No! Sear?h the n??el Fire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. More like needed it than ''want it''. I Accept Defeat "Well then, I''ll be the first!" Maruti said with excitement. Kaelith didn''t respond. She simply restrained her frightening aura, making it feel less overwhelming. Maruti''s brown eyes sparkled like polished emeralds as she pulled out her weapon, a bec de Corbin, a long polearm with a sharp beak-like tip. "Here comes my first move!" she declared with a grin. At that moment, an orange glow surrounded her body, flickering like flames. Her weapon started to shine, turning a bright, fiery orange, like it had just been pulled out of molten lava. The heat in the air intensified. Maruti dashed forward, closing the distance between them. But before reaching Kaelith, she suddenly jumped high into the air. She raised her bec de Corbin above her head. And then¡ª Something shocking happened. The weapon started to grow. First, it extended two feet. Then three feet. In just seconds, it became over ten times bigger than Maruti herself! A wild, confident smile spread across her face as she prepared to strike. "Blazing Stick!" she roared. With all her strength, she brought the massive weapon crashing down toward Kaelith as she descended from the air. A deafening explosion rang out as the weapon neared Kaelith''s face¡ª But¡ª Before it could land, Kaelith casually lifted her hand and grabbed it. Just like that. As if it were a mere toy. A massive shockwave erupted from the impact, shaking the entire arena. The ground beneath Kaelith shattered, deep cracks spread out in all directions. Dust and debris flew everywhere. And yet¡ª Kaelith remained completely unharmed. Not a single scratch. She stood there, holding the gigantic flaming weapon effortlessly. Then, she let out a small snort. With just a slight twist of her wrist¡ª The bec de Corbin snapped in half. Just like that. "Is that it?" Kaelith asked in a calm, casual tone. It wasn''t a direct insult, but the way she said it made it clear¡ª She wasn''t impressed. Maruti immediately jumped back to create distance, but instead of looking disappointed, she grinned. "There''s still two moves left!" she thought with excitement. Maruti took a battle stance with full confidence. She clenched her fist, and then¡ª She punched the air with such force that the entire battlefield shook. From her arm, a massive lion made of pure fire erupted, roaring loudly. Its eyes burned with golden flames, and its mane crackled like a raging inferno as it charged forward. Killer Move¡ªLion Roar! Yes! This was the same move Maruti had used against Princess Ravenna when she was in Ultra Instinct Mode. But¡ª Something was different. The fiery lion was now much bigger and stronger¡ªdozens of times more powerful than before. A powerful aura swept through the entire arena. The audience immediately recognized it. "A Rank C Essence Stone?!" many people gasped in shock. With the Fiery Storm Essence Stone, this move had reached Rank C Top-Tier Level! The lion wasn''t just a simple fire beast anymore. It was now surrounded by a storm of flames, its size towering over eight feet tall. Everyone could see it clearly¡ªit was like a massive beast from an ancient legend. Kaelith''s expression changed. "Not good!" Even she had no choice but to take this seriously. The lion let out another deafening roar and charged straight toward Kaelith. Kaelith quickly crouched down and slammed her palm into the ground. "Glacier Wall!" A surge of silver ice spread across the battlefield. In an instant, half of the arena was covered in a thick, frozen wall¡ªtall, strong, and shining like crystal. Boom! The fiery lion crashed into the ice barrier. Shards of frozen crystal flew in all directions like debris from an explosion. But¡ª The lion didn''t stop. With overwhelming force, it broke through the ice wall, crashing directly into Kaelith. Bam! Kaelith was sent flying backward¡ªskidding across the ground for at least twenty steps. Her entire body was covered in flames. But¡ª She didn''t fall. With some effort, she steadied herself and stood back up. Her clothes were half-burned, revealing parts of her body. But she didn''t seem embarrassed at all. Instead¡ª For the first time¡ª She laughed. "Hahaha¡­! As expected of my friend. I really underestimated you!" Kaelith said, her eyes shining with excitement. The entire arena fell silent. Then¡ª Shock! Intense shock ripped through the crowd. "Wait¡­ Kaelith¡­ actually has a friend?!" "How is that possible?! Kaelith made a friend?! And it''s Maruti?!" Many people gasped in disbelief. How could this be? Kaelith¡ªthe arrogant, proud, and strongest girl, full of ego¡ªactually called someone her friend? And Maruti, of all people? Even Lilith, watching from the side, was stunned. Esdeath was also quite shocked. "She''s friends with Kaelith? Since when?" she thought in confusion. Even she had no idea about it. But Maruti didn''t show any emotions on her face. She was focused¡ªready for her last attack. She knew Kaelith had incredible healing abilities. If she gave her too much time, Kaelith would fully recover. So¡ª She had to finish this now! Maruti charged forward. Kaelith didn''t move. She just stood there, waiting to take the final attack head-on. Maruti clenched her fist tightly. At once, her arms started glowing like burning lava. The heat around her intensified, and the air wavered as if she was standing inside a furnace. She closed the distance between them. Then¡ª She threw her punch straight at Kaelith''s abdomen. But¡ª The moment Maruti''s fist slightly touched Kaelith''s skin¡ª Something shocking happened! All the fiery energy that had been glowing around Maruti''s arm suddenly gathered into one point. It compressed¡ªshrinking into a small, dense, marble-like shape¡ªright between Maruti''s fist and Kaelith''s abdomen. Then¡ª BOOM! The fiery marble exploded like a bomb! A massive beam of fire erupted, completely engulfing Kaelith. The sheer force of the blast even shook the entire arena, leaving scorch marks on the ground. Maruti herself was thrown backward by the impact¡ªflying dozens of steps before she barely managed to stop. The audience went silent for a moment¡ªthen gasps and murmurs filled the air. "Such power¡­ Is this even a fight between first-years?!" Many second-year students were in shock. "This year''s students are real prodigies!" others gasped in amazement. But Maruti said nothing. She hadn''t even thought of a name for this move. She had just created it a few minutes ago¡ªon the spot¡ªafter seeing Violet''s Red and Blue Sphere. She had simply mimicked the concept and made it her own. Creating a killer move in just a few minutes? That was true talent. But¡ª The aftermath of the attack was devastating. Kaelith coughed up blood, her legs trembling slightly. A deep injury had formed on her abdomen, and burn marks covered her skin. She looked weak, as if she might collapse at any moment. But then¡ª sea??h th§× Nov§×l?ire.n(e)t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Something terrifying happened. All her burns began to disappear. Her injury healed in mere moments. Within seconds¡ª She was back to normal. Seeing this, Maruti clicked her tongue in frustration. "Tch. This damn dragon blood!" she muttered. But there was nothing she could do. Even after taking three powerful attacks head-on¡ªKaelith was still standing. And now¡ª It was her turn. Kaelith looked at Maruti. Her eyes gleamed with excitement. A wide grin spread across her face. "It''s my turn," she said, her voice as cold as ice. "Finally, it''s time!" Kaelith thought to herself, feeling a surge of excitement. Maruti, on the other hand, immediately felt a chill run down her spine. "I''m fucked!" she thought, gulping nervously. Kaelith took one step forward and stomped her foot on the ground, preparing for a devastating attack. Bam! The ground beneath her cracked and split in two from the sheer pressure of her strength. The entire arena fell silent. Everyone''s eyes widened in shock. They were too focused to even breathe, let alone speak. At that moment, they knew¡ªthis match was worth every coin they had spent to watch it. Kaelith pulled her arm back and bent her body slightly. Swish! Then¡ª She charged forward at blinding speed! Her attack was fast¡ªtoo fast. It was an attack that couldn''t be dodged or defended against. But just as her fist was only a few inches away from Maruti''s face¡ª A voice rang through the arena. "I accept defeat!" Maruti''s voice echoed loudly. Kaelith''s fist stopped¡ªjust inches away from landing. Then¡ª Boom! Even without making contact, the sheer force of her punch sent a powerful shockwave through the air. Maruti''s hair flew wildly, as if she had been struck by lightning. The shockwave crashed into the arena''s protective barrier¡ª And then¡ª Crack! The barrier shattered completely! The audience gasped. Many people even jumped up from their seats. "The barrier broke?! Was she trying to kill her or what?!" someone shouted in disbelief. Of course, the barrier had already been weakened by Violet and Maruti''s earlier attacks. But still¡ª For Kaelith''s attack to finish the job¡ª That meant it was just as destructive, if not more. But Kaelith wasn''t thinking about that. She stood frozen, her eyes wide in shock. "What...?" she muttered, dumbfounded. Maruti rolled her eyes dramatically. "I said I accept defeat! You win!" she announced casually, already turning toward the exit. Kaelith snapped out of her shock. "Wait... wait! This isn''t how it was supposed to go!" she called out. Maruti glanced back and shrugged. "Huh? I never said it''s necessary to go through with the deal till the end. I''m just admitting that I can''t take your attack. You win," she said in a casual tone. Then, waving her hand lazily, she added¡ª "Well then, congrats! I''m leaving." With that, she walked away. The entire arena fell silent. Then¡ª Shock. Everyone had the same stunned expression. Maruti had attacked three times¡ªbut when it was Kaelith''s turn, she backed out. She had completely fooled Kaelith! Even though Kaelith had won¡ª It didn''t feel like a real victory at all. 5–2= Maruti Even though Kaelith had won¡ª It didn''t feel like a real victory at all. Kaelith''s face twisted in frustration. When she finally had the chance to show off her true power, Maruti had surrendered just like that. She clenched her fists tightly, her nails digging into her palms. She watched as Maruti casually walked out of the arena, acting as if nothing had happened. Kaelith gritted her teeth. Then¡ª Bam! She kicked a loose stone on the ground with all her strength, sending it flying across the arena. "Tch... I''m not playing anymore! I withdraw from this competition!" she shouted angrily. Without waiting for anyone''s reaction, she turned around and stormed out of the arena. The entire crowd was left in shock. Kaelith actually withdrew?! That meant both Maruti and Kaelith were now out of the competition. Nobody dared to stop her. Nobody even dared to speak. Everyone was simply too stunned. Well¡ª Everyone except Esdeath. She was smiling. A mischievous, knowing smile. "It all went according to plan after all!" she thought, her eyes gleaming. Actually¡ª Before the competition even started, Maruti and Esdeath had made a secret agreement. The deal was simple¡ª If either of them ended up facing Kaelith before the final round, that person had to make Kaelith withdraw or at least injure her. Maruti had been the unlucky one to fight Kaelith first. But by hurting Kaelith''s pride, she had managed to make her quit the competition¡ªjust as they had planned. Esdeath chuckled softly. "Now, it''s all up to me¡­ Whether I get first place or not," she thought with a smirk. -------------- A few minutes ago, outside the arena¡ª Two guards stood at their posts, wearing¡­ rather unusual outfits. Bright yellow chicken costumes. Complete with shiny, oversized rockstar goggles. One of the guards let out a deep sigh. "Seriously¡­ We''re guards. Why do we have to wear these ridiculous costumes? It''s so embarrassing!" he grumbled. He adjusted his goggles in frustration. "Especially these stupid goggles! I can''t even see properly because of them!" The second guard just shrugged. "What can we do? It''s part of the job. Besides, this year''s competition is crazier than ever. More than twice the usual number of people are coming to watch," he explained. Just then¡ª BOOM! BAM! The ground shook as loud explosions echoed from the arena. But the two guards didn''t even flinch. They had already gotten used to it. The first guard sighed again. "I can tell just by the sounds¡­ This fight must be insane. I wish I was inside watching," he muttered. S~ea??h the N?vel(F)ire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. But then¡ª A girl walked towards them. At once, the guards moved to block her path, standing tall at the entrance. "Stop right there!" one of them said firmly. "You''re an academy student, right? If you want to enter, you have to pay! Five copper for an economy seat, two silver for a first-class seat. No one gets in for free!" The girl nodded quickly. "Umm¡­ S-sorry! Wait a minute!" It was Caramel. She had a gloomy aura around her, and her bangs covered most of her forehead. She reached into her pocket and pulled out five silver coins. "I have five silver coins¡­ and I need to pay two silver coins¡­" she mumbled, staring at the money in her hands. "That means¡­ Five minus two is¡­" She paused. Her expression stiffened. Realization hit her like a bolt of lightning. "Wait¡­ How much is five minus two again?" She froze. No matter how hard she thought¡ª She couldn''t figure it out. The guards watched her in silence as she murmured to herself. "Five minus two¡­ Five minus two¡­" They exchanged confused glances. "Hey, girl¡­ Are you okay?" the second guard asked, raising an eyebrow. Caramel blinked at them. "Umm¡­ Yes, I''m fine! I was just trying to figure out¡­ If five silver coins minus two silver coins equals six copper¡­ or eight copper?" she asked seriously. The two guards stared at each other. Was this girl¡­ Mocking them?! Or was she actually struggling to do basic math? The first guard sighed, then placed a gentle hand on Caramel''s shoulder. "I think you should go back and rest," he said in a calm, concerned voice. "Your condition doesn''t seem too good. Make sure to visit a healer, okay?" Caramel eventually nodded as she turned away, her footsteps light but her mind heavy with thoughts. She left the area and headed back toward the academy dormitory, her heart still racing from the lingering excitement. Upon reaching her room, she sat on her bed, staring at the ceiling with wide eyes. Her thoughts ran in circles, her mind grasping at something just beyond her reach. "Let''s start again from the beginning," she muttered, her voice filled with determination. "Five minus two¡­ One, two¡­ Six, nine, three, eight¡­" She continued to mumble an absurd string of numbers, her brows furrowed in deep concentration. Then, suddenly¡ª "Maruti!" she gasped. Only one word escaped her lips, but it carried the weight of a revelation. "Yes! That''s it!" Caramel jumped up, her golden eyes gleaming like crystals under the moonlight. A crazed smile stretched across her face as she clapped her hands together. "Five minus two equals Maruti! Maruti! Maruti is my everything! One is also Maruti! Two is also Maruti!" Her voice was filled with a strange mix of excitement and obsession. She started spinning in circles, whispering, then chanting, then outright screaming¡ª "Maruti, Maruti, Maruti, Maruti, Maruti, Maruti, Maruti, Maruti¡ª" She repeated the name endlessly, as if the very sound of it was the answer to life itself. Her room echoed with her crazed devotion, her entire existence reduced to that one word. Her breathing turned heavy, her chest rising and falling with excitement. Her face was flushed, her hands trembling. She finally collapsed onto her bed, hugging her pillow tightly. "Maruti¡­" she whispered, her voice soft now, almost like a prayer. "You are my everything." Her obsession had taken root¡ªdeep, unwavering, and unstoppable. Meanwhile, at the grand arena, an unexpected turn of events had shocked the spectators. Kaelith had withdrawn from the competition. This sudden withdrawal changed everything. Now, only two contestants remained¡ªEsdeath Crimson and Ethan Rothslayer. The semi-final match had instantly turned into the final battle. Whoever won this fight would take first place. Some people in the audience were disappointed that Kaelith had withdrawn, but the majority were thrilled. Why? Because if Kaelith had stayed in the competition, she would have likely won. There would have been no tension, no excitement, no suspense. But now? Now, anything could happen. The atmosphere buzzed with anticipation. The crowd murmured in excitement, their eyes locked onto the two remaining contestants. The referee stepped forward, raising his hand. "Ethan Rothslayer! Esdeath Crimson! Step into the arena!" Both fighters moved forward. Ethan carried a long, gleaming sword, its sharp edge reflecting the golden sunlight. His expression was calm but focused, his grip on the hilt firm. Esdeath, on the other hand, held a sleek, black pistol in her hand. It was small, seemingly unimpressive compared to Ethan''s powerful blade. The audience whispered among themselves. "Does she really think she can fight with a gun?" "Guns are useless! She''s already lost!" "There''s no way she can defeat Ethan with that!" Esdeath ignored the chatter. She knew the truth. Guns were weak in this world. But that didn''t mean she was. She tightened her grip on the pistol, her sharp blue eyes calculating. "I can''t use my full power," she thought, her mind racing with strategy. "If I start pulling out advanced weapons from my inventory, it''ll cause too much attention. The ZK-20¡­ I can''t reveal it until the second arc ends." She knew the dangers. If the higher-ups¡ªespecially Lilith¡ªsaw her using weapons far beyond this world''s technology, they wouldn''t be amazed. They would be afraid. They would want to take those weapons for themselves. This wasn''t some clich¨¦ ecchi isekai where the protagonist shows off their power and everyone just admires them or falls in love. This world was cruel. This world had politics. If someone had power, that power had to benefit the rulers¡ªor they would eliminate the threat before it could grow. Esdeath knew her own personality too well. She was not the kind of person who could be easily controlled. Even Lilith understood that. That''s why she had to be careful. "But," she smirked to herself, "I can still use the newly developed weapons from the Dwarf Kingdom. They look similar, but their power levels are much lower. Even if someone notices¡­" She glanced at Lortell Mariette in the audience. "I can just say Lortell provided me with the blueprints, and I only modified them a little. Then I can call myself a genius." It wasn''t even a lie. Lortell had given her information on firearms¡ªrifles, snipers, even other advanced weapons. But Lortell didn''t know one thing. Esdeath knew far, far more about weapons than Lortell ever would. She hid her smirk and focused back on the match. The final battle was about to begin. Mountain Cutting Slash "Match start!" the referee announced before quickly stepping back to give the fighters space. Ethan adjusted his stance, sliding his right foot backward while raising his sword to his shoulder. The tip of his blade pointed directly at Esdeath, steady and unwavering. Slash¡­ Splash¡­ Splash¡­ A brilliant golden aura exploded from his body, spreading across the arena like a warm wave of sunlight. It was as if a powerful river of life itself had burst forth, washing over the spectators. The air felt lighter. The tension in the audience''s hearts melted away. A soothing warmth filled the arena, making everyone feel safe¡ªprotected. Lilith narrowed her eyes, watching closely. "Righteous Aura¡­ also called the Radiance of Hope," she muttered under her breath. "An aura that represents hope itself." Lortell, however, was far from calm. Her face was pale, her forehead damp with cold sweat. Her fingers curled into the fabric of her dress as worry clawed at her chest. "Only one in a hundred thousand can possess a Righteous Aura," she thought, her mind racing with panic. She clenched her fists tightly. "I told you not to enter the competition! What if you get hurt? My heart aches just thinking about it!" Her stomach twisted with unease, and she instinctively wanted to interfere, to stop this match before it was too late. But she couldn''t. Esdeath had made it very clear¡ªno one was allowed to interfere. "If anyone dares to stop the match, I''ll be angry," Esdeath had warned her. Lortell had no choice but to watch. To suffer through the agony of waiting. To pray that Esdeath would be okay. *** In the arena, Esdeath remained completely unfazed. She didn''t summon any aura. She didn''t take a defensive stance. Instead, she simply raised her right hand. With her index and middle fingers extended, her ring and pinky curled inward, and her thumb sticking up, she made the shape of a gun with her palm¡ªaiming it straight at Ethan. A smirk curled her lips. "You should feel honored," she said casually. "I''m pointing my gun at you." Ethan scoffed, unimpressed. "Hands don''t shoot," he said, his voice firm. BANG! Esdeath mimicked the sound of a gunshot with her mouth. Ethan''s instincts kicked in instantly. His body reacted before his mind could process the ridiculousness of the situation. A shimmering green shield materialized in front of him, blocking the supposed "attack." Then¡ª Laughter. Loud, carefree, echoing laughter filled the arena. "Hahahahaha¡­" Esdeath grinned, her sharp red eyes glinting with mischief. "You just said hands don''t shoot," she teased. "So why did you put up a defense?" Her mocking words cut through the air like a blade. The audience fell into an awkward silence. She had just openly mocked Ethan¡ªone of the strongest contestants¡ªin front of everyone. But no one laughed. Not a single person. Why? Because this was a serious competition. A high-stakes battle in front of countless spectators. Who jokes around in a place like this? The situation felt¡­ strange. Uncomfortable. Awkward. But if there was one person who wasn''t bothered by it¡ª It was Esdeath. She stood there, her expression relaxed, completely at ease, as if the battle didn''t concern her at all. Ethan ignored Esdeath''s laughter and charged forward, chanting a spell in his mind as he moved. Unlike Esdeath, Ethan had years of experience in magic, the use of essence stones, and sword techniques. As he rushed at her, two magic circles appeared on both sides of Esdeath¡ªone to her left and one to her right. In an instant, sharp crystal needles shot out from them. Bang! Bang! Bang! Esdeath fired her pistols at the incoming crystals, shattering them before they could reach her. Yes, pistols¡ªplural. Since there were no rules about how many weapons she could carry, she simply pulled out another gun from thin air and fired with both hands, her accuracy almost perfect. Meanwhile, Ethan took advantage of the moment and closed the distance between them. As soon as he was close enough, he swung his sword down at her. But Esdeath reacted instantly¡ªshe aimed at his sword and shot, disrupting his momentum before turning her gun toward him. Ethan quickly dodged. The battle between them grew fiercer, with the constant sound of gunfire echoing throughout the arena. Bang! Bang! Bang! "I can''t aim for his head or chest. If I hit him, he might die. Using guns is really holding me back!" Esdeath thought, feeling frustrated. But she didn''t give up. She jumped backward to create more space. Then, in a flash, her pistols disappeared, and in her hands appeared an AR rifle¡ªa much stronger weapon. Ethan''s eyes widened in shock. As someone from the future, he knew exactly what kind of gun this was. Tat! Tat! Tat! Drrr! Esdeath opened fire, and Ethan had no choice but to run at full speed, dodging the bullets as best he could. Even though she had gained some distance, Esdeath still felt uneasy. "I can''t let him have enough time to use his sword arts!" she thought. "Wind Steps!" She stepped onto thin air and shot upward, increasing the distance between them even more. Her wind affinity made such movements possible. At once, she drew her gun again¡ªbut this time, instead of an AR rifle, she was holding a long, sleek, futuristic-looking sniper rifle. Everyone watching the fight was stunned. "Just how many guns is she carrying?!" But what they didn''t know was that Esdeath wasn''t actually pulling out different weapons. Everything she was using was the same gun¡ªher ZK-20. She simply stored it inside her storage-type essence stone and re-summoned it in a different form each time. This trick made it seem like she had countless weapons at her disposal. Of course, she did have other guns in her arsenal¡ªbut none of them matched the sheer power of the ZK-20. As Esdeath hovered in the air, a huge glowing energy sphere started forming at the tip of her sniper rifle. Electric currents crackled wildly around it, making it look even more dangerous. Ethan''s eyes widened. He immediately knew that letting this attack happen would be a terrible mistake. "Warp!" He activated an advanced teleportation magic that only a handful of people could use, instantly vanishing from his spot and reappearing behind Esdeath. Before Esdeath could even react¡ª BAM! Ethan delivered a powerful kick to her back, sending her crashing straight toward the ground at high speed. The impact was brutal. Dust exploded into the air as she landed with a loud thud. The ground trembled from the force. Lortell, watching from the stands, smacked her own head repeatedly, her face filled with worry. "That must''ve hurt¡­ that must''ve hurt¡­" she muttered, squeezing her eyes shut. But as the dust began to settle, Esdeath stood up. She didn''t look hurt at all. However, when she glanced around the arena, she noticed something strange¡ªthere were multiple Ethans. No, not just multiple¡ªdozens. No¡­ nearly a hundred of them! The entire arena was filled with Ethans, and each one looked as real as the original. "Water Path Killer Move¡ªHundred Sea Clones!" All the Ethans roared in unison as they charged at Esdeath from all directions. A smirk spread across her lips. sea??h th§× ¦ÇovelFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "So, he finally gained an affinity with the water element," she thought. Gaining an elemental affinity wasn''t exactly difficult, but it wasn''t easy either. If someone had an essence stone that granted affinity, all they had to do was use it. But finding such stones was the real challenge. Esdeath also had an Elemental King Essence Stone that could grant her affinity with five different elements. However, since it was a B-rank essence stone, she couldn''t use it yet. As all the clones rushed toward her, Esdeath''s smirk widened into a wicked grin. "Hundred clones? Then I''ll counter with a hundred guns," she whispered to herself. In an instant, dozens of AR rifles, resembling M4A1s, materialized in mid-air around her. They hovered in a perfect circle, as if controlled by some unseen force. It almost looked like she had transformed into some kind of mechanical war machine, prepared to unleash destruction. "Open fire!" With her command, a surge of mystical energy flowed through the floating weapons. Then¡ª Drrrrrrr! A deafening storm of gunfire erupted. The rifles fired in all directions, bullets raining down like a relentless storm. The sheer intensity of the attack was overwhelming. Even as Esdeath moved, the guns floated with her, proving that she wasn''t restricted in her mobility. The battlefield turned into chaos. Dozens of clones were wiped out almost instantly, their bodies bursting into water upon impact. Even the protective barrier around the arena suffered damage, barely holding on against the insane barrage. In just a few moments, all of Ethan''s clones had been destroyed, leaving only the real him standing. Although he had managed to shield himself with an invisible barrier, he was still injured from the attack. But¡ª The wounds on his body healed at an unnatural speed. After all, he had a Rank B Righteous skill. The crowd was stunned. "W-What was that move?!" someone gasped. "You can use guns like that?!" Esdeath casually let go of her weapons. One by one, all of them dropped to the ground, many of them breaking apart due to being used to their absolute limits. Ethan gritted his teeth and gripped his sword tightly. "It''s time to end this¡ªRising Sea Slash!" He roared as he swung his sword¡ªnot from top to bottom, but from bottom to top, like an enormous wave rising from the ocean. A powerful crescent-shaped slash of water shot toward Esdeath. But Esdeath remained calm. "Turn Phantom!" Her body shimmered as she activated her essence stone''s ability. In an instant, she became intangible. The massive sword wave passed right through her, crashing into the arena walls and sending shockwaves everywhere. Ethan narrowed his eyes. "Ohh¡­ so that''s it!" He immediately realized what she had done. "She used a Turn Phantom essence stone¡­" Then, he smirked. "I guess it''s time to use my sword arts." "Azurelion sword style¨CFirst Form", He said as he swung horizontally. "Mountain Cutting Slash! ", Death Aura Ethan and Esdeath both had their strengths in battle. When it came to hand-to-hand combat, Esdeath was far superior. She was faster, stronger, and more skilled in close-quarters fighting. If they fought without weapons, she would easily dominate him. But when it came to sword skills, Ethan had the advantage. And when he used sword arts, his advantage became overwhelming. Unlike in a normal world where sword arts only meant better precision, accuracy, and technique, this world had powerful, destructive sword arts that could change the tide of battle in an instant. In his previous life, Ethan had become a mercenary. Years into the future, he traveled to the Kingdom of the Awakeneds, where he discovered a hidden inheritance by sheer luck. That inheritance belonged to Neil Azurelion, a legendary swordsman. From it, Ethan learned the Azurelion Sword Style¡ªa powerful sword art with six forms. However, in his current condition, he could only use three. This meant that if Esdeath wanted to win, she had to survive three breathtaking attacks. The Battle Continues Ethan gripped his sword tightly. His gaze locked onto Esdeath as he prepared to unleash his sword art. "Azurelion Sword Style¡ªFirst Form!" He swung his sword in a smooth yet powerful horizontal arc. "Mountain Cutting Slash!" A crescent-shaped sword wave shot out from his blade. At first glance, it didn''t look particularly flashy. But anyone who truly understood swordsmanship could see its greatness. It carried years of training and effort¡ªproof of Ethan''s mastery over the technique. Esdeath''s expression changed. She knew that once Ethan started using his sword arts, he wouldn''t stop until all three were unleashed. She had no choice but to go all out with her defense. Taking a deep breath, Esdeath activated four essence stones at once. - Rank C - Five Leaf Myriad Fragrance Essence Stone - Rank D - Phantom Shield Essence Stone - Two Rank D - Vitality Essence Stones She wasn''t taking any chances. "Defensive Killer Move¡ªFive Myriad Leaf Phantom Shield!" At once, a red flower cocoon formed around her. The cocoon pulsed with mystical energy. Then, without wasting a second, it bloomed into a massive, glowing five-leaf flower. The petals had a phantom-like appearance, flickering between reality and illusion. But Esdeath didn''t stop there. "Wind Shield!" A green aura wrapped around the flower, adding another layer of protection. The shield was stronger than ever. BAM! Ethan''s sword wave crashed into it with immense force. The ground beneath them cracked once again. It had been repaired earlier by the awakened healers, but now, it was damaged all over again. Esdeath gritted her teeth as she poured her mana into the shield, doing everything she could to resist the attack. But instead of fear, a wide smile appeared on her face. "Ethan only has a C-grade ESR talent. Once I survive all three sword arts, he won''t have enough mana left to continue the match!" she thought. But the real challenge was surviving all three. There was a high chance she would lose before that. One leaf from the shield broke. Then another. The third followed quickly. Just as the fourth leaf began to crack¡ª The sword wave vanished. It was over. Ethan didn''t stop. "Azurelion Sword Style¡ªSecond Form, Sword General!" he declared. Unlike the first form, where he unleashed a powerful slash, the second form didn''t attack¡ªit strengthened him. His aura grew wilder. His hair turned completely white, lightning sparking through the strands. His sword was now surrounded by a thick layer of aura, extending its reach by nearly forty centimeters. He looked majestic, almost like a battle god, as his sword transformed into something closer to a heavy blade. The audience watched in stunned silence, eyes wide in shock. Esdeath didn''t bother keeping up her shield¡ªit was almost shattered anyway. She didn''t use her sword either. Instead, she charged forward, directly engaging Ethan in close combat. Her hands were covered in black gloves, looking like some kind of artifact. But in reality, they were her ZK-20 firearms¡ªmodified into melee weapons. Esdeath had greater physical strength than Ethan. Her punches were heavy. BAM! BAM! BAM! She directly clashed with his sword, blocking and striking with brute force. She left no opening for Ethan to counterattack. Ethan couldn''t find a single weakness. But Esdeath? She knew exactly where his weakness was. As they fought at close range, she leaned in and whispered in a chilling voice, "Ethan, do you know where Violet is right now?" Thump¡­ Thump¡­ Ethan''s eyes widened. His heart pounded like a drum. His gaze darted toward the audience, looking for Violet. She was gone. His heartbeat quickened. BAM! Esdeath took her chance. Her wicked grin widened as she delivered a devastating punch straight to his face. She didn''t stop there. Jab! Uppercut! Hook! Straight punch! She landed hit after hit, her fists moving like a storm. Then, without hesitation¡ª She kicked between Ethan''s legs. The crowd groaned in disgust. "Eww¡­ That''s cheating! You can''t hit there!" people shouted, but Esdeath didn''t care. With one final kick, Ethan was sent flying. Even as he soared through the air, his mind raced. "How¡­? How could she get kidnapped right in the middle of the arena?" Then, something even more shocking hit him. "Wait a minute¡­ How does Esdeath know that Violet was going to get kidnapped?" He gritted his teeth, flipping in midair. Instead of crashing to the ground, he landed safely on his feet. His aura, which had been weakening, suddenly grew even stronger¡ªtwice as powerful as before. He pointed his sword at Esdeath, his eyes burning with determination. "You¡­ I have a lot of questions for you," he said firmly. "I hope you''ll answer them after I defeat you!" He glanced toward Violet''s seat. She was back. Maruti stood beside her, smirking. The truth was, Violet had never been kidnapped. Maruti had simply taken her away on purpose¡ªto distract Ethan. This gave Esdeath the perfect opportunity to use that information against him. But instead of weakening Ethan, it made him even stronger. Lilith sighed from her seat. "This is one of the advantages of those who possess a Righteous Aura," she muttered. "The more their fighting spirit rises, the stronger they become¡­ Though he''s definitely going to feel all that pain once the fight ends." Her gaze shifted to Esdeath. "Even with your strength and techniques, there''s no chance for you to win." Ethan roared and charged forward with blinding speed. His movements were so fast that he seemed to disappear and reappear instantly. "I just need one cut," he thought. "With my skill, her bleeding won''t stop unless she uses proper healing!" His speed kept increasing. One moment he was in front of Esdeath, the next he was behind her, then to her left¡ªmoving so fast it almost looked like teleportation. Slash! A deep cut appeared on Esdeath''s shoulder, blood dripping down her arm. Slash! Another wound opened on her thigh, even slicing through the fabric of her skirt. Ethan''s eyes burned with determination. "This is it!" he thought, preparing for one final, decisive slash. But just as he appeared in front of Esdeath for the last strike¡ª She was already ready for him. She didn''t dodge. She didn''t block. Instead, she raised her hand and pointed her fingers at him, forming the shape of a gun. The tip of her finger was aimed directly at Ethan''s forehead. BANG! Ethan''s breath hitched. His body tensed. His balance wavered¡ªand he stumbled, crashing onto the ground. "Pfffff... You got fooled for the second time!" Esdeath''s laughter rang through the arena as she pounced on him. Her hand transformed¡ªher skin turning to solid stone. BAM! She rained down brutal punches on Ethan''s face. BAM! BAM! BAM! Violet, watching from the audience, shut her eyes tightly. She couldn''t bear to see it. Ethan groaned in pain, but then¡ª BAM! With a powerful kick, he threw Esdeath off him and quickly got back on his feet, retreating several steps. His transformation faded. His white hair slowly returned to its original dark blue color. Even though he had used three of the Azurelion Sword Style techniques, they were only weaker versions¡ªfar from their full power. On top of that, he had to use several essence stones just to keep them active. His mental exhaustion was catching up to him. But despite everything, a small smile appeared on his face. "I got her to bleed in three different places," he thought. "She won''t last long now!" However¡ª His smile vanished instantly. Before his eyes, the wounds on Esdeath''s body slowly began to heal. The cuts disappeared, her skin returning to its unblemished state. "Hmph... You''re not the only one with healing abilities!" she snorted. Ethan clenched his teeth. "Let''s end this battle!" he roared, his aura surging like a blazing sun. The entire arena was bathed in his golden glow. For most of the spectators, it felt warm, like a comforting light washing over them. But for Esdeath¡ª It felt like she was being burned alive. Her skin tingled as if flames were licking at her body. Yet instead of screaming in pain¡ª She laughed. Like a maniac. Ethan''s grip on his sword tightened. A golden-orange aura covered his blade, flickering like flames. Everyone watching held their breath. "It''s finally over," they thought. "Esdeath is going to lose!" But then¡ª S~ea??h the novel(F~)ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. BOOM! A shockwave exploded from Esdeath''s body. Her aura burst open, dark and ominous. A reddish-black energy spread like a deadly fog, bringing an overwhelming sense of despair and fear. Her power clashed directly against Ethan''s righteous aura, the two forces pushing against each other. It was like light and darkness colliding, neither side backing down. Even Lilith and Lortell, who had been calmly watching the battle, were left stunned. "Esdeath... has this?" Lortell whispered, her eyes widening. Lilith, nearly jumping from her seat, could only mutter two words. "D¨CDeath Aura!" End Of Competition The competition had finally ended, and now it was time for the rewards. Almost everyone had already left the arena, especially the outsiders. Only a few dozen people remained to witness the award ceremony. The principal was not there from the beginning. He had left for the capital city to meet with the king for other important matters. Being the head of the academy, he had many responsibilities. This Awakend Academy was not the only one in the Anastasia Kingdom¡ªthere were several other branches as well. That left Lortell and Lilith, but Lilith had gone somewhere quite a while ago and still hadn''t returned. Still, some important figures remained, and Lortell was among them. Ethan''s expression darkened every time he looked at Lortell. If someone asked him who he hated the most in the academy, his answer would be either Corin or Lortell. But right now, he wasn''t in a position to say anything. Meanwhile, Sylviana and Violet were also there. Even though they hadn''t won, Ethan had secured second place, which was still an achievement. A volunteer girl stepped forward, holding a silver tray in her hands. On it was the reward for the first-place winner. But just as she was about to move forward, Lortell suddenly snatched the tray from her hands. "Let me," Lortell said with a smile, stepping forward confidently. "Esdeath Crimson, for achieving first place, is awarded the Warrior Spirit Essence Stone," a girl announced from behind. The arena filled with the sound of applause as everyone clapped. Lortell approached Esdeath, handing her the silver tray along with her reward. The reward was a dark blue essence stone, about the size of half a palm. It had a carved figure of a warrior holding a long sword, giving it a majestic appearance. But Lortell didn¡¯t stop there. She leaned in, bending down slightly to match Esdeath¡¯s height, and then, without hesitation, she pressed a soft kiss against Esdeath¡¯s left cheek. "Good job," Lortell whispered in a sultry voice, her warm breath brushing against Esdeath¡¯s skin. Esdeath¡¯s cheeks flushed red as she felt the soft warmth lingering on her skin. Meanwhile, Lortell casually returned to her position with a proud grin, looking completely satisfied with herself. The volunteer girl, still holding the second-place reward, turned toward Lortell and offered it to her, expecting her to hand it over to Ethan just like she did with Esdeath¡¯s reward. But Lortell immediately refused, waving her hand dismissively. ¡°You go. I already did my part,¡± she said, clearly uninterested. Of course, she had only bothered to give the reward personally because it was Esdeath. --------- More than half an hour ago¡ª Outside the academy, in a small, peaceful garden where many students and staff often came to relax in the evening, two girls sat quietly on a wooden bench. At first glance, they looked like an older and younger sister pair. But in reality, they were mother and daughter. Yes! They were none other than Lilith and Kaelith. Lilith, with her small childlike body, turned her head toward Kaelith, her sharp silver eyes serious. ¡°Kaelith, what you said earlier... is it true? You¡¯re friends with Maruti?¡± she asked. Kaelith nodded without hesitation. Lilith let out a deep sigh, shaking her head. ¡°No! You shouldn¡¯t be,¡± she protested firmly. Kaelith frowned, her irritation growing. ¡°Why? Why are you always trying to take away the little happiness I have? Can¡¯t I even make a single friend?¡± she snapped, her voice filled with frustration. Lilith¡¯s eyes narrowed slightly, but her tone remained calm. ¡°That¡¯s not it. I¡¯m not telling you not to make friends. In fact, make as many as you want¡ªhundreds if you like. I have no problem with that.¡± She paused before continuing, her voice turning serious. ¡°The problem is with *her*¡ªMaruti. Do you even know who she really is? She is Maruti Vanara.¡± Kaelith tilted her head slightly, confused. ¡°So what?¡± Lilith sighed again. ¡°Her father is Mourya Vanara, an A-ranked barbarian. His talent is immense. Normally, barbarians who live in the forests as tribes don¡¯t have enough resources to grow strong. Most of them never even reach B-rank. But Mourya¡­ he¡¯s different. He has great influence and intelligence, and he¡¯s already an A-rank awakened. In another ten years, he¡¯ll likely become an S-rank.¡± Kaelith still didn¡¯t see the issue. ¡°I don¡¯t understand. What¡¯s wrong with that?¡± she asked. S~ea??h the NovelFire.net* website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Lilith¡¯s voice became softer, but there was sadness in her tone. ¡°The problem is that Mourya is against the kingdom. He wants to expand his territory, which could lead to war. And¡­ there¡¯s another reason, a personal one.¡± She took a deep breath, her expression turning grim. ¡°A long time ago, I noticed Mourya¡¯s immense talent and knew he would become dangerous. So, before he could grow into a real threat, I sent assassins to eliminate him.¡± Kaelith¡¯s eyes widened slightly, sensing that the story was about to take a dark turn. ¡°But¡­ they made a terrible mistake,¡± Lilith continued. ¡°Instead of Mourya, they killed his older brother. The two of them looked almost identical, and my assassins targeted the wrong man.¡± Lilith¡¯s silver eyes locked onto Kaelith¡¯s with a piercing gaze. ¡°Sooner or later, Mourya will find out the truth about his brother¡¯s death. When that happens, all hell will break loose. And when that day comes, Maruti will stand by her father¡¯s side. And you¡­¡± She hesitated for a moment before finishing, ¡°You will have to stand by mine.¡± Kaelith¡¯s breath caught in her throat as the weight of those words sank in. Lilith leaned closer, her voice calm yet sharp, like a dagger to the heart. ¡°If your friendship with her continues¡­ if you grow more attached to her¡­ it will only hurt you more in the end.¡± Kaelith clenched her fists, trying to push away the unsettling feeling creeping into her heart. Lilith¡¯s final words struck like thunder. ¡°Sooner or later¡­ you will have to kill her with your own hands.¡± Lilith had no idea that Esdeath had already turned Rowan, the head of the Lothal tribe, against Mourya. Esdeath had cleverly framed rowan for assassinating his brother, shifting all of Mourya¡¯s hatred toward Rowan instead. And as for Lilith being responsible for Mourya¡¯s brother¡¯s death? Now That was nothing more than a mystery. But how could she know that? Lilith stood up from the bench, brushing off her skirt. ¡°Well, I think I¡¯ve explained everything to you. I¡¯m heading to the capital now. Principal Elara is already there. I¡¯ll be back by tomorrow morning,¡± she said, her voice calm but firm. Without waiting for a reply, she turned and walked away. Kaelith watched her mother¡¯s disappearing figure and scoffed. ¡°Well, it was actually a good thing that you failed,¡± she muttered to herself. ¡°If you had succeeded, Maruti wouldn¡¯t even exist. And as for you being Mourya¡¯s enemy¡­ that¡¯s your problem. Why should I care?, it''s too late for me to leave her.¡± ----------- Meanwhile, back at the academy dorms, Maruti was lounging in her room, stretching her arms lazily. ¡°Phew¡­ what bad luck,¡± she sighed, shaking her head. ¡°I should have gotten first place¡­ Sigh¡­¡± Still, she had no real regrets. ¡°I ran straight here after the competition because I was afraid Kaelith might come after me and beat me up for what I did at the arena,¡± she chuckled to herself, remembering her little stunt. As she was thinking about it, a sudden knock at the door made her pause. ¡°Now who could that be?¡± Maruti grumbled, annoyed as she got up to open it. Standing at the door was a boy from Class B, looking nervous. ¡°M-Maruti¡­ Ms. Kaya has called for you urgently!¡± he said in a panicked voice. ¡°Kaya, huh?¡± Maruti raised an eyebrow, thinking about the teacher who had once gifted her a pair of bras. ¡°Well, I wouldn¡¯t go if it were anyone else calling me, but since she helped me in the past, I guess I can do her this small favor,hahaha,¡± she chuckled to herself. ¡°Alright, let¡¯s go!¡± she agreed, stepping out. The boy led her through the academy grounds, taking the garden route. But as they walked, Maruti started feeling uneasy. The path they were taking led deeper and deeper into the back of the academy, where hardly anyone went. After a few more steps, Maruti suddenly stopped. Her expression turned grim as a cold chill spread through her voice. ¡°Hey¡­ just spit it out. Where are you really taking me?¡± The boy froze in place and swallowed hard. Then, he forced a nervous smile and said, ¡°Well¡­ see for yourself.¡± At that moment, a shadowy figure stepped out from behind a tree. It was a girl wearing the academy uniform, but she also had a robe covering her face. Maruti narrowed her eyes as the girl slowly removed her hood. Short, messy hair fell over her forehead, but it wasn¡¯t enough to hide the large spiral-shaped scar stretching from her forehead down to her left eye. Maruti¡¯s expression darkened as recognition hit her. ¡°You¡­!¡± The girl standing before her was none other than Caramel. Maruti clenched her fists. She knew something was off! Meanwhile, the boy next to her grinned excitedly and turned to Caramel. ¡°Ms. Caramel, I did exactly as you asked! Now, you¡¯ll hold my hand, as per the deal, right?¡± he said, practically jumping with excitement. Caramel’s First Kiss "Ms. Caramel, I did exactly as you asked! Now, you''ll hold my hand, as per the deal, right?" the boy asked, practically bouncing with excitement. Caramel waved him off without even looking at him. "We''ll talk about that later. First, I need to make her mine!" Maruti''s eyebrow twitched. "You crazy psycho! Do you *want* me to beat you up, huh?" she snapped, her fists clenching. But instead of being scared, Caramel''s lips curled into an unsettling, twisted smile. "Yes, that''s it¡­ your voice is just too alluring," she whispered, her eyes gleaming with excitement. "Scold me all you want after we become one!" Suddenly, the spiral-shaped scar on her forehead moved. Srrrr¡­ A chilling sound echoed as the spiral actually started rotating, like a real black hole forming on her forehead. Then¡ª Her eyes started twisting inside that spiral, spinning rapidly before sinking deeper and deeper¡­ and finally¡ª They disappeared. It was beyond creepy. Maruti, who had been ready to punch Caramel a moment ago, immediately changed her mind. "Yeah¡­ nope. I''m out of here!" she thought. Without wasting another second, she bolted. She turned on her heel and ran at full speed, leaving Caramel and the boy behind in the dust. Caramel, watching her escape, gritted her teeth. "I told you not to make me use force!" she screamed in frustration. But Maruti didn''t care. She wasn''t stopping. Caramel took a deep breath and then raised her hand. "Everyone, follow Maruti and bring her to me!" she commanded. And then¡ª Dozens of students suddenly came out of hiding. Their eyes were wide with obsession as they charged after Maruti, chasing her like maniacs. Caramel ran too, and for some reason, her speed was insanely fast. As they got closer to the academy''s garden area, Caramel shouted, "Catch Maruti and bring her to me!" "Ms. Caramel is giving us an order! We must obey!" one girl yelled. "I would even die for my goddess!" another screamed. "Maruti, just surrender already!" some of them shouted as they ran after her. Maruti glanced back and saw the horde of students coming after her with crazy eyes. Her face twisted in frustration. "Tch¡­ Yeah, nope. I''m not dealing with this shit. I should just go tell the teachers!" As Maruti was just about to enter the hallway, a boy with weird, fluffy hair suddenly leaped at her from the side. His mouth was wide open, his red eyes filled with madness¡ªhe looked like some kind of zombie. Bam! Without hesitation, Maruti lifted her leg and kicked him straight in the stomach. The boy flew backward like a broken doll, crashing into the wall with a loud thud¡ªhe looked like a painting stuck on the surface. But before she could take another step¡ª "Wind Blade!" A girl appeared right at the entrance, casting a spell in Maruti''s direction. However¡ª Before the girl could even finish her chant, Maruti lunged forward and punched her directly in the face. Crack! The girl''s front teeth shattered instantly, and she collapsed onto the floor, unconscious. Maruti didn''t even glance back. Her speed was too fast for anyone to catch her. She dashed through the corridor, dodging every obstacle in her way. Then, by sheer luck¡ª She spotted two female teachers walking ahead, chatting casually. A relieved smile spread across her face. She slid toward them, stopping right in front. "Teacher! A girl from Class B has awakened as an Anomaly-Class!" she said, panting. Both teachers'' expressions darkened immediately. "What?!" "First the Wolfman incident, and now this?! You better not be joking!" one of them said in a panic. But then¡ª Her eyes widened in horror. A massive horde of students was charging down the hallway¡ªsome were even running on all fours. At the front¡ª Leading them¡ª Was Caramel. The teacher with a bow instantly pulled out her weapon, ready to shoot. "You! Stop this at once!" she commanded, aiming directly at Caramel''s head. But the moment she got a clear look at Caramel''s face¡ª Something changed. Both teachers'' pupils suddenly shifted. Their golden irises twisted into heart shapes¡ªcompletely filled with love. "So¡­ beautiful!" they gasped in unison. Caramel''s lips curved into a wicked smirk. "Whoever brings Maruti to me, I''ll give them a kiss!" she announced. Silence. Utter, absolute silence. And then¡ª The teachers turned back to Maruti, their eyes burning with desire. "I''d even kill my parents for that kiss! Hahaha!" the archer teacher cackled like a lunatic. Maruti''s jaw dropped. "So even the teachers aren''t safe?!" Whoosh! An arrow whizzed past her head, destroying the wall behind her. Maruti barely dodged in time. "You''re mine now!" the second teacher yelled, pulling out a massive axe before charging straight at her. Both of them were C-Rank Awakened. Their strength was no joke. Maruti quickly activated her skill. "Turn Phantom!" The axe passed through her body like she was a ghost. Without wasting a second, she ran. S~ea??h the N??eFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "There''s no point fighting them. I need to take out Caramel, but¡­ what if she has a trump card?" It was too risky to fight blindly. Instead¡ª She darted into a nearby classroom, rushing straight to the window. Without hesitation¡ª She jumped! Her body soared high into the air, flipping gracefully¡ª And she landed directly on the second floor. Everyone below froze in shock. Maruti didn''t stop to enjoy their confusion. She sprinted forward, moving swiftly and silently like a shadow. "I need to hide in someone''s room. If I wait it out, someone else will notice Caramel and deal with her!" With that plan in mind¡ª She disappeared into the darkness, her footsteps making no sound at all. ------------- Meanwhile, on both the ground and upper floors, dozens of students were running around frantically, searching every corner for Maruti. On the ground floor, Caramel stood in the middle of the hallway. Her sharp eyes darted around, scanning the area. Behind her stood the two Rank C teachers¡ªthe archer and the axe-wielder. For now, they were her strongest bodyguards. But then¡ª Something completely unexpected happened. "Haiya¡­!" Out of nowhere, a figure came flying through the air¡ª And the next second¡ª BAM! Her foot slammed directly into the axe-wielding teacher''s face! The impact was so strong that the teacher was sent crashing into the wall, breaking through it and disappearing inside the room. Dust and debris filled the hallway. Caramel and the archer teacher stared at the attacker, completely dumbfounded. Standing before them was a tall woman with a well-toned yet curvy body, brown hair, and sharp brown eyes. She looked like an older version of Maruti. It was none other than Kaya¡ªthe academy''s fitness instructor. Swish! The archer teacher snapped back to her senses and immediately shot an arrow at Kaya. But¡ª Without even flinching, Kaya casually caught the arrow mid-air with her bare hand. Not even a scratch. Her gaze sharpened as she looked at Caramel. A strange neon green aura was oozing out of the girl''s body. "An Anomaly, huh? No wonder I was confused about why the students were attacking me," Kaya muttered to herself. Unlike most people, she was completely unaffected by Caramel''s charm ability. "Attack her!" Caramel shouted in frustration. The archer teacher quickly pulled back her bowstring, preparing another shot. But before she could release it¡ª Kaya vanished from her spot in a blur¡ª And in the next moment¡ª She grabbed the teacher''s leg and, with a powerful dash, swung her like a ragdoll¡ª Sending her flying down the hallway. But she didn''t stop there. Using the momentum¡ª She twisted her body mid-air and delivered a crushing kick straight to Caramel''s face! The force behind the kick was enough to completely blow her head off¡ªan instant kill. But then¡ª Nothing happened. Not even a scratch. Even Caramel herself looked shocked. Kaya narrowed her eyes. "Physical attacks don''t work, huh?" she snorted, realizing the issue. Caramel blinked in surprise¡ªthen her lips curled into a delighted smirk. "So¡­ physical attacks don''t work on me!" she muttered, amazed by her own ability. But despite her excitement¡ª Sweat dripped down her forehead. Kaya was dangerous. She knew that if she stayed here any longer, she would be doomed. "I need to get out of here!" Caramel thought, her heart racing. Meanwhile, Kaya infused mana into her legs, preparing for another devastating kick. But¡ª She was too late. Caramel let out a soft chuckle¡ª And the next second¡ª Her body began to sink into the wall. Like a ghost, she merged with the surface, her entire form fading into nothingness. In the blink of an eye¡ª She was gone. Kaya lowered her leg and clicked her tongue. "Huh? Now what? How the hell am I supposed to find her?" she muttered in annoyance. -------------- At the girls'' washroom area, inside one of the stalls, Maruti was quietly sitting on the toilet seat. Of course, she wasn''t actually using the washroom. She was hiding. A mischievous and prideful grin stretched across her face. "Hehe¡­ Everyone is searching for me all over the dorm rooms, but here I am, hiding in the washroom. I guess I''m just too smart for them! Hahaha!" she chuckled to herself, feeling proud. But then¡ª Something strange started happening. A grey, jelly-like substance began materializing on the floor right in front of her. Maruti blinked, confused. "Huh? What''s this?" she muttered, tilting her head. Curious, she stood up and bent down to get a closer look. The strange grey jelly kept growing, becoming darker and thicker. Then, all of a sudden¡ª A hand burst out of it and grabbed Maruti''s neck! "The hell?!" Maruti gasped, her eyes widening. She tried to stand up and escape, but the hand had already wrapped tightly around her throat, keeping her in place. And then¡ª Caramel''s head started rising from the floor. Then her shoulders. Then her stomach. She smirked, her big spiral-shaped scar rotating with excitement. "I finally found you," she whispered, tightening her grip on Maruti''s neck. Before Maruti could even struggle¡ª Caramel suddenly leaned in¡ª And pressed her lips tightly against hers. Maruti''s eyes shot open in shock. Caramel''s soft, warm lips melted against her own, and then¡ª Her tongue slipped inside. She kissed her deeply¡ªhungrily¡ªlike she had been waiting for this moment forever. Saliva mixed as Caramel''s tongue danced inside Maruti''s mouth. The kiss was full of passion, filled with raw desire. It was long. It was intense. It felt like it would never end. But Maruti wasn''t just going to sit there and let it happen. Summoning all her strength, she finally pushed Caramel away. She stumbled back, panting, her back hitting the wall. Her face was completely red,not because of embarrassment but because se was very angry now. She wiped her lips aggressively. Caramel, on the other hand, looked completely satisfied. A dreamy smile spread across her face. "I finally got my first kiss from my honey!" she sighed in pure happiness. Caramel’s Death She wiped her lips aggressively, her expression twisted in disgust. Caramel, on the other hand, looked completely satisfied. A dreamy smile spread across her face as she hugged herself like she was floating on clouds. "I finally got my first kiss from my honey!" she sighed in pure happiness, swaying a little as if the world around her no longer existed. Maruti''s face turned red¡ªnot from embarrassment, but from pure, unfiltered rage. At first, she had tried to handle the situation without causing a scene, hoping to move past it with as little commotion as possible. But now, her patience had snapped like a brittle twig. Her fists clenched so tightly that her knuckles turned white. Her whole body trembled with anger. "Fuck you, bitch!" Maruti roared, her voice echoing through the bathroom walls. She didn''t wait for a response. Without hesitation, she swung her fist straight at Caramel''s smug, grinning face. Caramel chuckled, still lost in her delusions. "Hahaha... Physical attacks don''t work on¡ª" BAM! Before she could even finish, Maruti''s fist landed right on her cheek with bone-crushing force. Caramel''s head snapped to the side, her face distorting from the impact. Teeth flew out as blood splattered across the cold bathroom tiles. BAM! BAM! BAM! Maruti didn''t stop. She let loose a storm of punches, each one more brutal than the last. Caramel barely had time to react, let alone speak. Her body jerked violently with each hit, her breath coming out in ragged gasps. "How?! How?!" Caramel''s voice was filled with shock and panic. This wasn''t supposed to happen. Physical attacks shouldn''t work on her! Her instincts screamed at her to escape. Without another word, her body began melting, seeping into the floor like liquid. She disappeared in an instant, vanishing before Maruti could land another punch. Maruti slammed her fist against the ground in frustration. Her breathing was heavy, her chest rising and falling rapidly. "You''re not getting away this time!" she snarled, her voice filled with fury. She kicked open the bathroom door and stormed out, her eyes scanning the hallway like a predator hunting its prey. But the moment she stepped out, a crowd of students came rushing at her. Dozens of them. Maruti didn''t hesitate. She charged forward, swinging her fists and kicking anyone who got in her way. People yelped as they were thrown to the side, some tumbling to the floor, others slamming into walls. But there were too many. "Tch¡­ annoying pests!" she muttered under her breath. Without wasting another second, activated her essence stone. "Fire Arm¡ª" Just as she activated it, the ground beneath her cracked with a loud rumble. Magical chains shot out from the floor, glowing with an eerie dark blue hue. They moved unnaturally fast, wrapping around her arms, legs, and waist before she could react. "What the¡ª?!?" Maruti gasped, struggling against the chains, but they held firm, squeezing tighter with every movement. A loud, triumphant laugh echoed through the hallway. "Fuahahaha! I caught her! I finally caught her!" A woman stepped forward, her long white robe flowing behind her. A massive hammer rested on her shoulder, looking almost too heavy for a normal person to carry. Her piercing blue eyes shone with amusement, and her white hair swayed slightly as she took another step closer. Maruti recognized her instantly. Catherine. One of the academy''s professors. Maruti gritted her teeth. Of all people, why did it have to be her? This was one of the many traps set up around the academy to catch the kidnapper who had been abducting students. But something wasn''t right. Caramel and few other teachers was the one who set up this trap¡­ But now, as main person, Catherine under Caramel''s control, it had been modified. It wasn''t meant for the kidnapper anymore. It was meant for her. The moment she activated her essence stone, the trap had triggered, binding her in place. Maruti struggled against the chains, her muscles straining as she tried to break free. "Damn it¡­" she muttered under her breath, her mind racing for a way out. Catherine smirked as she watched Maruti struggle helplessly in the chains. Then, with a satisfied nod, she gave her order. "Take her to Ms. Caramel." Two male and two female students stepped forward and lifted Maruti onto their shoulders, carrying her like a prize. Maruti thrashed violently, her face burning with fury. "Motherfuckers! I''ll kill every single one of you!" she screamed, her voice dripping with rage. But her threats didn''t faze them at all. They carried her like she was nothing more than a sack of potatoes, unfazed by her curses. The crowd followed behind, whispering excitedly among themselves. The hallway buzzed with murmurs, students eager to see what would happen next. At the end of the hallway, Caramel sat patiently, her legs crossed, a relaxed smile on her face. The injuries from Maruti''s punches were completely gone, as if she had never been hit at all. Her eyes gleamed when she saw Maruti being brought to her. Her lips curled into a satisfied smirk. Catherine proudly presented Maruti, stepping aside like she had delivered the most precious gift. "Here. She can''t do anything in this state." Then, Catherine leaned in close to Caramel, her expression eager. "Now, please give me the reward!" she whispered, her eyes shining with anticipation. But Caramel immediately waved her hand dismissively. "I''ll give it, but not now. Let me finish my work first." Catherine''s shoulders drooped, her lips forming a small pout. She sighed like a sad puppy but didn''t argue. Meanwhile, the students placed Maruti on the ground in front of Caramel. She was still wrapped in the glowing chains, lying flat on her back with her legs slightly lifted. The position felt oddly intimate, making Maruti grit her teeth in anger. She continued to struggle, her body tensing as she pulled against the chains. To an outsider, it looked useless, but Maruti knew better. "I think I can break free¡­ but I need a few more minutes!" she thought desperately. Unfortunately, time wasn''t on her side. Caramel''s hungry eyes scanned Maruti''s body, drinking in every inch of her with deep fascination. Saliva started dripping from the corners of her lips. "You should have submitted to me from the start," she purred, her voice thick with excitement. "You made me use force¡­ and now look at you. So tempting¡­ It''s like your body is purposely seducing me." Her breath grew heavier as she leaned down, her hand grazing Maruti''s exposed stomach. Normally, Maruti''s shirt covered her belly, but during the struggle, it had ridden up, revealing her toned, tanned abdomen. Without warning, Caramel pressed her lips against it, placing a slow, deliberate kiss. A shudder ran through Maruti''s body. Not from pleasure, but from sheer frustration. "I don''t even have a dick! What''s the point of this?! At least wait till I get it back" Maruti shouted, kicking her bound legs in defiance. But Caramel ignored her. She dragged her tongue across Maruti''s skin, licking her belly like a piece of candy. Maruti clenched her teeth. Caramel finally pulled away, her eyes dark with desire. Then, she started unbuttoning Maruti''s clothes. One by one, the buttons popped open, revealing more of Maruti''s tanned skin. And the throwed her shirt behind without caring where it landed. Before long, she was left half-naked, her toned body exposed to everyone''s eyes. But no one had any dirty thoughts, They were just glaring at her with jealousy and envy since caramel was giving much more importance to her than them. Then, Caramel turned her attention to herself. She slowly undid her own buttons, revealing her own bare skin underneath. Green marks covered her body¡ªdeep, glowing lines that pulsed faintly. It was a sign of her monstrous transformation. Maruti''s breath hitched. Caramel''s smile widened. "You were provoking me from the start, You wanted this happened to you right? It''s finally time to become one, I know you are not saying anything but you actually likes it underneath," she whispered, reaching down to grab Maruti''s waist. Maruti''s mind raced. "Oh, hell no. I still need one more minute! I guess I have no choice but to play along until I can break free," she thought, shutting her eyes as if surrendering. Caramel''s hands slid lower, squeezing Maruti''s hips and then her thighs. "Fantastic," she moaned. "It''s even softer than any pillow¡­ Now, let''s take this off completely." Her fingers moved to Maruti''s waistband, ready to strip her completely. But just as she was about to pull it down¡ª A hand suddenly clamped down on her shoulder. A chilling sensation ran down Caramel''s spine, freezing her in place. Her body stiffened. A cold, commanding voice sliced through the air. "You. What the hell do you think you''re doing?" Caramel turned her head, her face already losing its color. Standing behind her was a tall girl with long, flowing silver hair. Her silver eyes glowed with an eerie light, and her pupils were slitted like a dragon''s. Caramel''s heart skipped a beat. "K-Kaelith¡­?" she stammered, her voice barely above a whisper. Her face turned pale as fear gripped her chest. Caramel turned her head, her breath hitching in her throat. Her eyes widened in pure shock. In just a few moments, Kaelith had single-handedly taken down dozens of students, three Rank C teachers, and even one professor who had the potential to become Rank B in the future. The speed¡­ the power¡­ It was unbelievable. Caramel felt a cold shiver crawl up her spine. "No! Maruti is mine! I won''t let anyone take her away from me!" she growled, clenching her fists. But before she could do anything, Maruti''s voice rang out, filled with excitement. "Nice timing, lizard!" she grinned, her eyes lighting up. If it had been anyone else calling her a lizard, Kaelith would''ve beaten them to death on the spot. But this was Maruti. So, she let it slide. Not to mention¡ªshe was already furious. Before Caramel could even try to pull out any tricks, Kaelith lunged forward, grabbing a fistful of Caramel''s hair. With one swift motion, she slammed Caramel against the wall. BAM! A loud crack echoed through the hallway. Caramel let out a choked gasp, her vision going blurry from the impact. But Kaelith wasn''t done. S§×ar?h the n?velFire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Her mind was in complete chaos. "First Esdeath¡­ then a bunch of other students proposing to her every damn day¡­ and now a secret boyfriend that I don''t even know about¡­ And then my mother telling me to stay away from her?!" Kaelith gritted her teeth. "And now she wants Maruti too!.. ", She could feel her blood boiling inside her veins. Her grip on Caramel tightened as her emotions surged like a raging storm. "Why?" Her voice came out low and dangerous. "Why?! WHY?! WHY?! WHY DOES EVERYONE WANT TO TAKE HER AWAY FROM ME?!" Her hand glowed with mana¡ª And then she punched. BAM! Kaelith''s fist connected with Caramel''s face, exploding half of it in an instant. Blood splattered everywhere. But Kaelith wasn''t done. "Why can''t she just be with me?! Is that so much to ask?!" Another punch. And another. And another. Each one more brutal than the last. By the time she finally stopped, Caramel''s body was still standing, but her head was completely gone. A bloody mess. The hallway was silent. Only Kaelith''s ragged breathing could be heard. Then¡ª "Yo! I think she''s dead!" Maruti''s casual voice snapped Kaelith out of her trance. She froze. Her chest rose and fell as she panted, slowly regaining control of herself. Caramel''s lifeless body stayed in place, but there was nothing left of her head. Kaelith clenched her fists, forcing herself to calm down. Maruti glanced around at the other unconscious bodies scattered across the hallway. She let out a long sigh. "Damn, you really beat everyone up." Kaelith smirked, rubbing her nose proudly. "Now you see how powerful I am?" she boasted. Maruti rolled her eyes. "I already knew that. What''s new?" Kaelith blinked. "Huh? You knew¡ª" But the moment she turned to look at Maruti again¡ª Her face immediately turned red. Maruti''s bare chest was right in front of her. Her smooth, tanned skin. Her perfectly shaped breasts that seemed to defy gravity. It was¡­ too much. Kaelith''s breath hitched. She immediately shut her eyes and looked away. Her heartbeat was out of control. She hurriedly pulled off her own shirt and threw it over Maruti''s shoulders. "Wear it! It looks very inappropriate!" she said in a deep, serious voice, trying to act composed. It was like something straight out of a drama¡ª A proud and powerful warrior giving her shirt to the heroine for comfort and protection. But¡ª Maruti raised an eyebrow. "If it''s that inappropriate, then give me my own shirt back, not yours!" Kaelith froze. She hadn''t even thought of that. Maruti smirked. "Now look at you¡­ You''re the one standing half-naked here." Kaelith''s eyes widened. She quickly looked down at herself¡ª And realized she was standing there in nothing but her bra. Her face immediately turned bright red. "W-what?!" she stammered. Maruti chuckled, shaking her head. She walked over, picked up her own T-shirt from the ground, and held it out to Kaelith. "Here¡­ wear mine." Kaelith hesitated for a moment, then snatched the shirt from her hands. Her face was still burning as she quickly put it on. Warrior Spirit Kaelith had killed Caramel. With her death, the strange power that had bound so many people vanished, and those under her control were finally freed. Many of them slowly opened their eyes, blinking in confusion as they rubbed their faces. Their gazes darted around, taking in the unfamiliar surroundings. ¡°What happened¡­? Why am I here?¡± some mumbled, their voices shaky. But not everyone was simply confused. There were some who had lost themselves completely. Those who had been under Caramel¡¯s control for too long had gone mad. As their eyes landed on Caramel¡¯s lifeless body, horror twisted their faces. A wave of agony washed over them, and then, as if something inside them had shattered, they began to act in ways no one could understand. ¡°No! This can¡¯t be happening! I can¡¯t live without my goddess!¡± someone screamed, clutching their head. One by one, they started banging their heads against the walls with such force that their skulls cracked open. Others clawed at their own skin, ripping out their hair, their nails digging deep into their flesh as if trying to tear something out of themselves. Some bit their own tongues, blood spilling from their mouths. Others grabbed whatever they could find¡ªsharp objects, their own nails¡ªand cut into their own arms, their eyes empty, lost in despair. Their madness had taken them beyond saving. The teachers who had also been freed from Caramel¡¯s control gasped as they regained their senses. They rushed to help, trying to stop the students from hurting themselves any further. But then, all at once, their own memories came flooding back¡ªthe things they had done while under Caramel¡¯s influence. The cruel words they had spoken, the actions they had taken against their own student. ¡°No¡­ I did this?¡± a teacher whispered in disbelief, their hands trembling. Many of them felt a deep sense of guilt and horror. They couldn¡¯t believe that they had been controlled so completely, that they had lost themselves without even realizing it. Kaelith and Maruti stood back, watching the chaos unfold before them. But neither of them moved to help. Kaelith let out a long sigh. ¡°You see that?¡± she said, tilting her head toward the scene. ¡°I saved you, not your boyfriend. Or¡­ don¡¯t tell me he was one of the ones under Caramel¡¯s control?¡± She smirked slightly. Maruti blinked several times, taken aback. ¡°Boyfriend? Who said I have a boyfriend?¡± she asked, her voice filled with disbelief. Kaelith snorted. ¡°Hmph! Like I don¡¯t know? Stop trying to keep it a secret,¡± she said, crossing her arms in what seemed like mild jealousy. Maruti made a face, her expression filled with disgust. ¡°A boyfriend? Me? I¡¯d rather die than have a boyfriend!¡± she said firmly. Kaelith¡¯s eyes suddenly lit up with interest. A small smile played on her lips as she leaned in slightly. ¡°Ohhh¡­ so it¡¯s actually a girl?¡± she teased. ¡°You¡ª!¡± Maruti¡¯s face turned red with anger, and she kicked at Kaelith¡¯s legs several times. ¡°I¡¯m not the type to be tied down in a relationship! I like being free¡± she huffed. Kaelith chuckled but said nothing. Maruti turned her back and started walking away. ¡°Didn¡¯t I already tell you? Rule number three¡ªfriends don¡¯t lie to each other. It¡¯s up to you whether you believe me or not,¡± she said over her shoulder before leaving. Kaelith watched as Maruti¡¯s figure disappeared into the distance. She sighed, rubbing the back of her neck. ¡°Was I just overthinking it?¡± she muttered to herself. ¡°Maybe it was some accident¡­ Maybe she fell down the stairs and landed on someone, or something else like that. Yeah, that has to be it!¡± Deciding to believe in Maruti¡¯s words, she pushed aside her doubts. But then, her gaze dropped to the shirt she was wearing. The moment she focused on it, a familiar scent filled her nose. ¡°This shirt¡­ It smells just like Maruti.¡± A warm, overwhelming fragrance surrounded her, making her feel as if she were wrapped in Maruti¡¯s embrace. Her heart skipped a beat as she brought her hands close to her face, inhaling deeply. It was strange. She had never felt like this before. Her cheeks felt a little hot, She actually thought of holding maruti''s soft cheeks and about to kiss but she quickly shook her head, pushing away the weird dirty thoughts. ¡°Ugh, what am I even thinking?¡± she whispered before heading toward her own dorm room. Even as she walked, her heart continued pounding in her chest, refusing to calm down. ----------- While all of this chaos had been unfolding inside the academy, Esdeath had been outside. By the time she returned, everything had already settled. She didn¡¯t need to ask what had happened¡ªone glance was enough. The aftermath spoke for itself. Her sharp eyes scanned the scene as she pieced everything together in her mind. ¡°In *Free Life Fantasy*, Caramel was supposed to survive until midnight,¡± she thought. ¡°She was like a firecracker¡­ glowing brightly for a short time before burning out forever. Her strength grew fast, but in the end, she died on her own.¡± But whatever the case, it didn¡¯t really matter anymore. Caramel¡¯s main purpose had been to distract Ethan so that Violet could be kidnapped. Yet, Violet was still here. That meant Caramel had failed completely. With a shrug, Esdeath continued walking through the academy corridors, deep in thought. As she turned a corner, she spotted someone heading in her direction¡ªMaruti. ¡°Yo¡ª¡± Esdeath started, lifting a hand in greeting. But before she could finish, Maruti scoffed, her face twisted in irritation. ¡°Eat shit and die,¡± she snapped, not even slowing down as she walked past. Esdeath blinked, then let out a dry laugh. ¡°Yeah, fuck you too,¡± she said casually, not bothering to look back as she continued on her way. The encounter was brief, but Esdeath immediately understood the reason behind Maruti¡¯s bad mood. ¡°Not in the mood, huh?¡± she muttered. It wasn¡¯t hard to guess. The only person who could have annoyed Maruti this much was Caramel. With a sigh, Esdeath shook her head. ¡°She¡¯ll be back to her usual self by tomorrow,¡± she said to herself, her voice light with amusement. And with that, she headed toward her own dorm room, ready to put the day behind her. ------------------ Inside Esdeath¡¯s dorm room, Selene was sitting on the bed, completely focused on a book. It wasn¡¯t a storybook or anything about science. Instead, it was a mix of history and general knowledge. But the real reason she was reading it had nothing to do with studying¡ªit was all because of Lortell Mariette. When Selene had gone out with Esdeath earlier, she had purposely chosen this book just to learn more about Lortell. Esdeath, having no idea about Selene¡¯s true reason, had simply nodded and agreed, thinking that learning general knowledge would help Selene understand the world better. Selene¡¯s eyes sparkled as she read a certain section. ¡°Daughter of the Arch-Duke and captain of the Third Division¡­ Dad is just so cool!¡± she whispered to herself, feeling a deep admiration for Lortell. After finishing the page, she closed the book and lay down on the bed, staring at the ceiling. ¡°From what I know, other people don¡¯t seem to know about Dad and Mother¡¯s relationship. That means¡­ this is just like the story I read yesterday,¡± she thought. A bittersweet smile formed on her lips as she remembered the story. ¡°It was about a heroine who secretly loved the hero, and even though they had a child together, the hero¡¯s rich family didn¡¯t allow them to marry. So, the heroine had no choice but to raise the child alone. The hero could only visit her a few times, and whenever they met, they had small conversations before parting ways again.¡± Selene sighed, feeling sad as she imagined her own parents in the same situation. But then, her eyes suddenly lit up with excitement. ¡°But in the end, the hero ran away with the heroine! After facing many hardships, they finally got to live a happy life together.¡± She sat up, her heart filled with determination. ¡°If that¡¯s the case, then I¡¯ll just have to reunite Dad and Mother myself!¡± she declared, clenching her small fists. Just then, the door swung open, and Esdeath stepped inside. As always, the moment Selene saw Esdeath, her mood brightened even more. She quickly put the book aside and ran toward her, throwing her arms around Esdeath¡¯s thighs. ¡°Mother! I finally refined a Rank C essence stone! All by myself!¡± she announced proudly, looking up at Esdeath with shining eyes. Esdeath smiled and gently patted Selene¡¯s head. ¡°Good job,¡± she praised. Selene¡¯s face turned slightly red, her heart swelling with happiness. Letting go of Esdeath, she quickly ran back to her bed, eager to read more books. Meanwhile, Esdeath was in a good mood as well. Today had been a successful day¡ªshe had won first place and obtained a soul-strengthening essence stone. Although this wouldn¡¯t completely fix her soul-related problems, it was definitely a great help for now. Holding the essence stone in her hands, she looked at it with determination. ¡°I should refine it as soon as possible,¡± she muttered to herself. Esdeath sat on the ground without wasting any time and took out the Warrior Spirit Essence Stone. Unlike the Loyalty Essence Stone, which had Trynne''s will inside it, this one was pure. Her system allowed her to refine any essence stone up to Rank B instantly, but because Trynne had placed her will inside the Loyalty Essence Stone, things were different. Trynne had done it so that if someone used the stone on a weapon to make it loyal to them, she would also have access to it. Even though Trynne was dead, there was always the chance that one of her subordinates could still use it. Because of that, Esdeath had no choice but to remove Trynne''s will before refining it. Since she didn¡¯t have much time, she had to make a sacrifice¡ªfour months of her lifespan. But the Warrior Spirit Essence Stone was different. It was completely pure. Esdeath used her system and refined it instantly. ¡°At least that¡¯s the best use of my system,¡± she sighed. This essence stone was a one-time-use item. As soon as she refined and used it, the stone vanished. Suddenly, Esdeath''s soul was pulled out of her body. It appeared as a small, glowing dark blue orb, but something about it was unusual. The orb wasn¡¯t whole¡ªit looked like two half-spheres stuck together, slowly merging into one. One half was Esdeath. The other half was Fable. It was a beautiful sight, but ordinary people couldn¡¯t see it. Even Selene wouldn¡¯t be able to see this happening. A mystical energy surged through the air, and then the orb began to change. It expanded, slowly forming limbs, a head, and a body. It grew larger, shifting into the shape of a small girl. Half of her body was dark pink overflowing with obsession, while the other half was dark blue. As time passed, the small girl grew into a teenager, and armor formed over her body. The armor was deep blue, gleaming under the faint light. She floated in the air, looking like a true warrior. Most souls started as tiny orbs and had to go through several stages¡ªexpanding, forming limbs, then gradually taking a human shape. But Esdeath¡¯s soul had skipped three whole steps, transforming into a warrior form instantly. S~ea??h the n?velFire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. That was why the Warrior Spirit Essence Stone was so rare and valuable. But it came with a risk. "Strengthening my soul also means I''m strengthening Esdeath''s soul¡­ She will start affecting me even more," Esdeath thought, her expression serious. As expected, a powerful current of energy rushed toward her body. It wasn¡¯t painful, but it was an eerie sensation¡ªlike someone was trying to take control of her. Esdeath gritted her teeth and focused, refusing to give in. Her will remained strong, unshaken. After about an hour, she finally opened her eyes, feeling satisfied. ¡°No matter what, my soul and will are stronger than Esdeath¡¯s. There¡¯s only a slim chance she can take control of my body ,¡± she whispered to herself with a small smile. Looking outside, she realized it was already nighttime. Feeling tired, she picked up Selene and carried her to bed. Snuggling beside Selene, she closed her eyes, but sleep wouldn¡¯t come. Her heart was racing with excitement. "Tomorrow is my first date with Lortell¡­ I wonder how it will go," she thought, her face turning red just from imagining it. That Smile Is Mine! Esdeath was too excited to sleep properly that night. Her mind kept spinning with thoughts of Lortell, making her roll back and forth on the bed. No matter how hard she tried, she couldn¡¯t calm down. Only in the early morning did she finally drift into a deep sleep, but it didn¡¯t last long. Soon after, she woke up, feeling groggy but still excited. "They aren''t monsters, It feels like they are just projection of my mind, They don''t exists! ", However, the academy was filled with bad news. Many students had taken their own lives last night under Caramel¡¯s influence. Even some teachers weren¡¯t spared. As teachers, they were supposed to protect the students, yet they had fallen for Caramel¡¯s tricks. It was truly shameful. Though it wasn¡¯t entirely their fault, punishment was inevitable. Either Lilith or Principal Elara would make sure of it. Because so many students had died, the academy was shut down for two days. No one was surprised. This year had been full of disasters. So many terrible things had happened in just a single month. It was draining everyone''s spirit. The reputation of the Awakened Academy had dropped significantly, but at this point, who even cared anymore? After waking up, Esdeath went straight to the bathhouse. To her surprise, she found Maruti already there. "Umm¡­ You know, today is my date with Lortell, so help me decide what I should wear!" Esdeath said, scratching the back of her head. Maruti grinned and gave a thumbs-up. "Cool!" Since it was a holiday, the bathhouse wasn¡¯t as crowded as usual. People came and went at different times, so Esdeath didn¡¯t see Lortell, and Maruti didn¡¯t see Kaelith either. Maruti, however, wasn¡¯t in a rush. She casually glanced around the bathhouse, her eyes taking in the tempting bodies of all the women present. "The best thing about being a girl¡­ No one cares how much or where you look at other girls," she chuckled to herself. Esdeath, on the other hand, wasn¡¯t in the mood to stay any longer. "I¡¯m going!" she announced, standing up and leaving the bathhouse. Her heart was still racing. Today was the day of her date with Lortell. It had to be perfect. But things never go as planned. Esdeath hurried back to her dorm room, quickly changing into her academy uniform. Then, she pulled out dozens of outfits, laying them on the bed, waiting for Maruti to arrive and help her choose. Minutes passed, but Maruti still hadn¡¯t shown up. Esdeath started pacing back and forth, feeling restless. Then, out of nowhere, a strange sensation washed over her. Her movements slowed. Her eyelids felt unbearably heavy. The world around her spun, making it hard to stay upright. Her legs gave out. Before she could even utter a single word, she collapsed onto the floor, losing consciousness. --- A few minutes later, Esdeath¡¯s fingers twitched. Then, her body slightly moved. Slowly, she opened her eyes. Her head was pounding. Her vision was blurry, and a deep, aching pain throbbed in her skull. She rubbed her eyelids, then placed a hand on her forehead. "Ouch¡­ my head¡­ it hurts so much," she murmured weakly. She glanced around, confusion filling her mind. "Mom? Dad? Where are you?" she called out in a daze. Her eyes darted around the room. "Where¡­ where am I?" Then, suddenly, strange, fuzzy memories flooded her mind. The rush of thoughts made her head feel even heavier. She groaned, gripping her temples in frustration, trying to make sense of the overwhelming images flashing in her brain. And then¡­ she gasped. "Awakened Academy? I¡­ got awakened?" Something felt off. Esdeath should have already known about this. But the Esdeath who just woke up¡­ wasn¡¯t the same Esdeath from before. She was the real Esdeath¡ªthe original owner of the body. Her soul had never fully vanished. It had only weakened. But when Fable used the Warrior Spirit Essence Ston, it had strengthened Esdeath¡¯s soul as well, Giving her a huge boost at once and allowing her to take back control of her body¡­ at least for a few days. That meant¡ªfor now¡ªEsdeath had completely regained her body. But her memories were a mess. Most of them were blurry and unclear. Only a few things stood out: First, she had somehow survived being poisoned and had awakened her powers. Second, she had killed someone¡ªor maybe even multiple people¡ªthough she didn¡¯t know who. Third, Lortell was at the academy. Everything else was a haze. Slowly, she got to her feet, deep in thought. "My memories are so fuzzy¡­ but it feels like I¡¯ve done a lot of things¡­ fighting¡­ even killing." Her chest tightened. "It feels like I was the one doing all those things¡­ but at the same time, it wasn¡¯t me. Like¡­ like I developed another personality." A shiver ran down Esdeath¡¯s spine as she came to that realization. For the past few days, someone else had been in control of her body. Someone who had fought, killed, and made decisions she had no memory of. "I need to figure out what I did during those days¡­" she thought, determined. But then, a rush of excitement filled her chest. "The main point is¡ªLortell is here!" The thought made her nearly jump in joy. She clenched her fists, trying to stop herself from getting carried away. After a deep breath, she calmed herself down. She had to focus. But just as she lowered her gaze, her entire body froze. Something was gripping her ankle. A cold, lifeless hand. Her breath hitched. Chills crawled up her spine as her head turned slowly, heart pounding in her chest. And then¡ªshe saw it. A decaying hand, its skin grayish-green and covered in deep wrinkles, was wrapped tightly around her leg. It belonged to an old woman with long, messy black hair. Her flesh was rotting, her veins dark and twisted, and worst of all¡ªher eyes were completely hollow. Esdeath felt a scream build in her throat. She yelped and jumped back out of reflex, but in her panic, she tripped over herself and crashed onto the floor. Her breathing grew uneven as she scrambled back. "A ghost! An anomaly class Monster!" she gasped, eyes wide in horror. But before she could process anything¡ªanother hand shot out from the ground. This time, it grabbed her other leg. Her body stiffened. She wanted to scream, to yell, to kick, but her voice wouldn¡¯t come out. Slowly, another corpse emerged from the floor. It was an old man with a slightly fat belly, his clothes tattered and his skin as rotten as the woman¡¯s. His cloudy, dead eyes stared straight at her, filled with an eerie sorrow. Then, he spoke. ¡°My son¡­ why did you kill us?¡± Esdeath felt her heart drop. ¡°We did everything we could,¡± the old man continued, his voice filled with agony. ¡°We gave you food, shelter, education¡­ and this is how you repaid us?¡± The old woman clutched her chest as if she was crying. ¡°We were a happy family¡­ why did you do it? Just why?¡± Esdeath¡¯s face turned pale. "W-What?! What are you talking about?!" she snapped, trying to shake them off. ¡°What son?! Who¡¯s son?! I¡¯m female! Can¡¯t you see that, you idiots?!¡± But her protests meant nothing to them. They just kept staring at her with sorrowful, lifeless eyes. Then¡ª A soft, haunting voice whispered in her ear. "Fable¡­ I loved you so much. Why did you kill me?" Esdeath¡¯s blood ran cold. Her body turned stiff, her breath caught in her throat. Slowly, she turned her head. Standing behind her was a tall woman with long, silky black hair tied in a braid. Even in death, she was beautiful. Her pale face was delicate, but her hollow eyes were filled with deep sorrow. ¡°We could have been happy together,¡± the woman whispered. "I only love lortell, Who the hell are you? " She thought in panick. Esdeath¡¯s instincts screamed at her. "I need to scream! I must inform everyone!" She clenched her fist and swung a punch straight at the woman¡¯s face. But¡ª Her fist passed right through. ¡°Huh?!¡± She stumbled forward, completely baffled. These things weren¡¯t real. Her gaze darted to the old man, the old woman, and the black-haired lady. They were repeating their words again. The same sorrowful cries. The same accusations. The same pain. Like a recording stuck on repeat. Sear?h the N?velFire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Esdeath frowned. "What the hell¡­?" All the fear she had felt moments ago vanished. Instead, it was replaced by confusion. She waved a hand in front of them. No reaction. She took a step back. They followed, but their grip on her legs didn¡¯t tighten. They weren¡¯t actually harming her. No matter where she moved, they remained attached to her, repeating their desperate words over and over. It was as if they were nothing more than a projection. Esdeath took a deep breath, forcing herself to think clearly. "I think¡­ they don''t exist," she told herself. "They¡¯re just projections of my mind!" She clenched her fists, trying to steady her heartbeat. It all made sense now. The voices, the illusions¡ªthey weren¡¯t real. It must have been the result of her other personality. A sigh of relief escaped her lips. Even though these ghosts looked terrifyingly real, now that she knew they weren¡¯t, she decided to ignore them completely. She acted as if they weren¡¯t even there. But there was still one big problem. "Their voices are so irritating!" No matter how hard she tried to ignore them, their sorrowful cries and accusations echoed in her ears. She groaned in frustration and decided to clear her mind. Walking toward the window, she pushed it open. A cool, gentle breeze brushed against her face, making her long black hair sway. She took a deep breath, letting the fresh air fill her lungs. Her eyes wandered outside, taking in the peaceful view of the academy gardens. The trees, the neatly trimmed hedges, and the open courtyard all looked calm and beautiful. Then, her gaze shifted downward to the ground floor hallway. There, a group of students walked and chatted happily, their laughter filling the air. A small smile appeared on Esdeath¡¯s lips. Her tense shoulders relaxed a little. But her peace didn¡¯t last long. Her smile disappeared in an instant. Her expression twisted into pure disgust. Her eyes widened so much they might pop out of her skull. Her heart pounded loudly in her chest, not from fear¡ªbut from anger. Because right there, standing in the hallway¡ª Was Lortell. But she wasn¡¯t alone. A girl was standing beside her. Esdeath''s hands trembled slightly as she gripped the window frame. The girl was much shorter than Lortell, barely reaching her chest. But what infuriated Esdeath the most¡ª Was how close they were standing. They were chatting like they were old friends. The girl¡¯s face was lit up with a bright, joyful smile. She looked so happy, her eyes sparkling with excitement. And Lortell¡ª Lortell was smiling too. Even though it was just a small, faint smile, it was still there. Esdeath''s breath hitched. Her fingers dug into the wooden window frame. Her mind buzzed with questions. "Who is that girl?" "Why is she talking to my lady like that?" Her blood boiled with rage and jealousy. She stared at Lortell¡¯s soft smile, the one that should only belong to her. And then, in a whisper filled with possessiveness, she muttered: "That smile¡­ That smile is mine." That’s Right I’m Your Mother! The academy hallway buzzed with activity, students walking past in small groups, chatting about their day. But amidst the crowd, two girls stood out. One of them had bright azure hair and an average height, her expression full of excitement. She talked non-stop, her voice filled with admiration. She barely took a breath between sentences, eager to say everything on her mind. The other girl, however, was completely different. She was tall¡ªextremely tall¡ªand had a presence that made others step aside without thinking. Her crimson eyes held a natural sharpness, and her long red and silver-white hair cascaded elegantly down her back, glowing under the academy lights. She was none other than Lortell Mariette. And right now, she was trying her best to keep her patience. The azure-haired girl had been rambling for what felt like an eternity, her voice never stopping, never slowing down. She was a devoted fan of Lortell, and now that she finally had the chance to talk to her, she wasn''t going to waste it. Lortell, however, was barely listening. Her eyebrow twitched. Her fingers itched. "I want to give this girl a tight slap so badly..." But then she took a deep breath, calming herself. "No, let¡¯s forgive her. I¡¯m in a good mood today. After all, today¡¯s my date with Esdeath! Let¡¯s not ruin this." Forcing herself to stay composed, she gave the girl an awkward smile, hoping it would make her stop talking. But she had no idea. She had no idea that, just a short distance away, Esdeath had been watching. And Esdeath misunderstood everything. Her heart skipped a beat. Her mind blurred. To her, that awkward smile wasn¡¯t forced. It wasn¡¯t polite. It was real. Lortell was genuinely smiling at another girl.. "That smile¡­ That smile is mine," Esdeath muttered under her breath, her hands clenching into fists. A strange noise filled her head. Kill. Kill. Kill, kill, kill¡­ The voices grew louder, echoing endlessly in her mind. Kill, kill, kill, kill, kill, kill, kill, kill¡­ The whispers surrounded her, pressing down on her like a heavy weight. They crawled into her thoughts, twisting her anger into something sharp and deadly. She took a deep breath. Her heart pounded. And then¡ª S§×arch* The N?velFire(.)net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. A sleek, white sniper rifle appeared out of thin air. The ZK-20. It was long and elegant, its surface smooth with sharp carvings. A weapon built for precision, for destruction. Esdeath lifted it, her fingers wrapping around the cold metal. Her breath steadied as she lined up her shot. "Die, you bitch!" she thought, her finger hovering over the trigger. But before she could pull it¡ª A hand landed gently on her shoulder. "What are you doing? ", a voice came. The rage inside her vanished in an instant, replaced by shock. She froze. Her mind, which had been drowning in violent thoughts just moments ago, was now blank. Slowly, she turned her head. And there, standing behind her, was a girl she didn¡¯t recognize. Maruti. Esdeath''s face remained calm, unreadable. But inside, her thoughts raced. Who is this girl? She saw my weapon, but she¡¯s not freaking out. Does she already know about it? Does that mean my other personality was friends with her? Too many questions, no answers. After a short pause, she finally spoke. "Nothing. I was just getting used to my weapon," she said, her voice steady but cautious. Then she narrowed her eyes slightly. "And why are you here without knocking?" She had no idea how her past self used to talk, but from what little she remembered¡ªthere was fighting, there was blood. Maybe she was the kind of person who spoke roughly. Maybe she was a troublemaker. So Esdeath decided to act tough. Maruti blinked before crossing her arms with an amused smirk. "What do you mean why I¡¯m here? You were the one begging me to help you pick an outfit for your date with Lortell!" she scoffed. Esdeath felt her stomach drop. "A¡­ date?", She thought. She blinked, staring at Maruti, trying to process what she had just heard. What was even more shocking was that her date was with none other than Lortell¡ªher childhood crush. "Wait¡­ Wait¡­ Did I hear that right? I¡¯m actually going on a date with Lortell?" Just thinking about it made her face turn completely red. Her heart pounded in her chest, excitement rushing through her veins. But on the outside, she remained calm. She quickly understood that the girl in front of her must be someone close to her. Taking a deep breath, she said, "Well, that was in the morning. Now, I don¡¯t need you. I¡¯ve already figured out what I want to wear." Without waiting for a reply, she placed her hand firmly on Maruti¡¯s shoulder, turned her around, and pushed her out of the room. Esdeath didn¡¯t hold back at all. "Okay, okay¡­ I¡¯m going! I¡¯m going!" Maruti huffed as she walked away on her own. The moment Maruti was out, Esdeath hurriedly shut the door, leaned against it, and took several deep breaths. And then¡ª She jumped high in the air. "Yay! A date! A date with Lortell!" she squealed, her excitement overflowing. She spun around in joy, unable to contain her happiness. "I don¡¯t know how, but I think this is the best thing my other self has ever done!" she said, feeling grateful. But just as she was celebrating, her eyes landed on ZK-20. Her excitement faded as curiosity took over. She slowly walked toward it, then sat down and ran her fingers over its smooth surface. It looked strange¡ªalmost unreal. "What is this thing? This is the first time I¡¯ve ever seen one¡­ I just took it out on instinct." She had no idea what it was, but she could tell it was something valuable. "I don¡¯t think I have a personality disorder¡­ I think it¡¯s something else. Someone else¡¯s soul must have entered my body. And that person¡­ is really powerful!" She quickly realized her situation. "But how do I put it back? It came out on instinct, but I have no idea how to return it!" Just as she was deep in thought, a strange sensation filled her mind. Without thinking, she placed her hands on the weapon. And then, something incredible happened. The sniper started to melt¡ªits solid form turning into a liquid. The liquid moved on its own, flowing around her hand. Within moments, it reshaped itself into a bracelet and wrapped snugly around her right palm. "Woah¡­ I did it!" she whispered in amazement. She stared at the bracelet, feeling both proud and fascinated. Finally, Esdeath let out a deep sigh of relief. The strange situation with the weapon was over, and now she could focus on more important things. She looked around the room and spotted a pile of clothes scattered on the floor. And then, a single word popped into her mind. "Date!" Her heart started racing again. Her first date¡­ with Lortell! "First, we go on a date¡­ then we become girlfriends¡­ and then it¡¯ll be our marriage¡­ and then¡­ and then¡­" Just thinking about it made her breath quicken. "And after marriage¡­ it¡¯ll be kids!" She came to that conclusion instantly. Even though both she and Lortell were women, having children wasn¡¯t impossible. "There are so many types of essence stones. And now that I¡¯m an awakened too, there¡¯s a high chance I can get pregnant with Lortell¡¯s child!" she muttered to herself, her excitement growing. Her gaze dropped to her belly, and she gently rubbed it. "I¡¯m already grown up¡­ I¡¯ll bear as many kids as you want, my lady!" she thought with pure happiness. But then¡ª A small voice came from somewhere nearby. "Mother¡­ I¡¯m hungry¡­" Esdeath¡¯s entire body stiffened. The voice had come out of nowhere! She snapped her head toward the source of the sound, her eyes darting around in confusion. And then, under the bed sheets, she saw something move. A small figure slowly sat up, rubbing her sleepy eyes. Esdeath froze in shock. A little girl. A little girl with half-black and half-silver-white hair. Esdeath¡¯s mouth hung open. "Are you taking to me?" The girl looked at her and spoke again, "Who else would I be talking to? And it¡¯s a bad time to joke, Mother!" Esdeath¡¯s brain stopped working. "Mother?" "Who¡¯s a mother?" "When did I become a mother?!" Her thoughts spun wildly, trying to make sense of what was happening. Then, a chilling thought entered her mind. "She¡¯s calling me mother¡­ What if Lortell finds out about this?" She clenched her fists. "I have to get rid of her." Yes¡­ that was the only way. "Kill her. Kill her. Kill her. Kill her¡­" The dark thoughts rushed into her mind like a violent storm. She almost reached a terrifying conclusion. But then¡ª She stopped. She forced herself to take a deep breath. No. She needed to figure this out first. Slowly, she stepped closer to the little girl. Half-black hair. Half-silver-white hair. Esdeath¡¯s confusion deepened. She knelt down and examined the girl more closely. She smelled¡­ familiar. Almost exactly like Esdeath herself. "Don¡¯t tell me¡­" Esdeath immediately shook her head. No, that was impossible. But then¡ª Her eyes landed on the white part of the girl¡¯s hair. A new thought struck her. "This hair¡­ Does it belong to Lortell?" Her heart pounded as she reached out and placed her hand on the girl¡¯s head. And then¡ª She felt something hard. Esdeath¡¯s breath caught in her throat. She quickly moved her fingers, and¡ª Horns. The little girl had horns. Esdeath''s heart nearly stopped. "She¡­ She¡¯s a dragon!" The girl¡ªSelene¡ªchuckled softly. "Don¡¯t touch them like that, Mother! It tickles!" Esdeath¡¯s mind went into overdrive, forming theories faster than she could process them. "She looks about seven years old¡­ so she couldn¡¯t have come from my belly, right?" "Don¡¯t tell me¡­ This is one of those special methods where two women can have a child together?" "Lortell must have used half of my blood and half of hers¡­ to create Selene¡­ as a proof of our love!" Esdeath finally reached her usual, bizarre conclusion. A huge smile spread across her face. She gently pulled Selene into a warm hug and whispered softly into her ear¡ª "That¡¯s right¡­ I¡¯m your mother!" A Real Headache–First Date Esdeath walked into the academy cafeteria, her steps confident as always. The place was bustling with students chatting and enjoying their meals. She walked straight to the counter and placed her order, requesting the food to be packed for takeaway. "I¡¯ll eat in my room today," she said casually. For a moment, the cafeteria workers looked puzzled. It wasn¡¯t common for students to take food to their rooms. Most preferred to eat here with their friends. But Esdeath was no ordinary student. Her reputation had skyrocketed ever since she won the competition. Almost everyone in the academy knew her name. She was already considered one of the strongest first-year students, likely the second strongest. No one dared to question her decision. The workers quickly nodded and prepared her order without hesitation. Once she received the food, Esdeath walked back to her room, carrying the neatly packed meal. Inside, Selene sat on the bed, waiting. As soon as Esdeath set the food down, the little girl¡¯s eyes sparkled with excitement. The two of them ate together, enjoying their meal in a peaceful atmosphere. Esdeath, in a rare moment of affection, picked up a small portion of food with her fingers and brought it to Selene¡¯s mouth. "Here, eat this," she said with a warm smile. Selene was surprised. She blinked a few times before taking the bite. "Mother, I think you¡¯re in a really good mood today!" she said, happily chewing. Esdeath chuckled, "I guess I am!" she replied with a soft laugh. After finishing the meal, Esdeath took a deep breath. Now, it was finally time. Her precious date. She turned toward the pile of clothes in her room, scanning through them carefully. "What should I wear?" she murmured to herself, picking up different outfits and holding them up in front of the mirror. After a while, she finally decided on an outfit. But as she removed her clothes to change¡ª Her eyes widened in shock. She quickly turned toward the large mirror in her room, her heart pounding. And then she saw it. Her entire body¡­ was covered in tattoos. Her breath caught in her throat. "What?!" She slowly traced her fingers over her skin, disbelief washing over her. All the scars that once covered her body¡ª They were gone. Every single one of them had been replaced with intricate tattoo designs. Esdeath felt her knees weaken, and she sank to the floor. "No¡­" Her scars¡­ they were more than just marks. Each one was a symbol of her devotion, her worship, her faith in Lortell. A reminder that her body, her soul, her everything belonged to her lady. And now¡­ they were gone. All the pain she had endured while making those scars¡­ all the meaning behind them¡­ gone in an instant. For a moment, she wanted to scream. To demand an explanation. But Selene was still in the room. She couldn¡¯t let the little girl notice anything strange. She took a deep breath, forcing herself to calm down. "Well¡­ these tattoos aren¡¯t bad either," she muttered, trying to accept the change. With a resigned sigh, she pushed her thoughts aside and focused on her outfit. She picked up a white, ribbed turtleneck top. It was tight-fitting, with long sleeves covering her arms completely. As she put it on, she noticed how it emphasized her figure, making her breasts look slightly bigger than they actually were. Next, she wore a black skirt, simple yet stylish. Underneath, she slipped on a pair of opaque black tights that covered her legs entirely, reaching up to her waist and hidden beneath the skirt. Finally, she picked up a small metallic hair clip. It had the letters "UL" as its design. She carefully clipped it onto a section of her black hair, securing it in place. "UL" stood for "Your Love." It was a hidden message, a secret confession. A way to silently tell Lortell¡ª "I am your love" Esdeath finally took a deep breath, calming herself. She placed a hand on her chest, feeling her heart pounding with excitement. "This is it," she whispered. She reached for the door handle and stepped outside, the cool evening air brushing against her skin. Just as she took a few steps¡ª A hand suddenly rested on her shoulder. Her body tensed. She immediately turned around, ready for anything. But the moment she saw who it was¡ª Her breath caught in her throat. A tall woman stood before her, with pale skin that almost glowed under the soft academy lights. Her crimson eyes held a deep, mysterious glow, sharp yet gentle at the same time. She was the very image of elegance, nobility, and royalty. Lortell. She wore casual clothes, yet they carried a regal charm that only she could pull off. A black coat with intricate fantasy-style gems sewn into the fabric. A neat, buttoned-up shirt inside, tucked into smooth, well-fitted pants. She also wore a pair of long earrings, red crystal drops encased in a thin layer of silver metal. Everything about her screamed power, refinement, and grace. Yet, despite her noble air¡ª With her tall frame and natural authority, she looked less like a girl who had just turned twenty¡ª And more like a husband figure straight out of a romantic fantasy. Esdeath¡¯s face immediately turned red. "My¨CMy lady!" she stammered, quickly bowing her head. Lortell sighed, shaking her head slightly. "Just how many times do I have to tell you?" she said gently but firmly. "Stop calling me that. Call me Lortell." Esdeath straightened up quickly. "Y¨CYes!" she responded, almost like a soldier following an order. Lortell took a moment to look at Esdeath properly. And then, she blushed. Esdeath looked stunning. Her tight-fitting white turtleneck, her black skirt, her long, smooth legs wrapped in dark tights¡ª She was breathtaking. "You look beautiful as always," Lortell admitted, her voice carrying a hint of softness. Esdeath¡¯s eyes widened, and her face burned even hotter. "You¨CYou also look beautiful!" she blurted out. "Way more than me!" Lortell smiled at her reaction. Unable to resist, she reached out and patted Esdeath¡¯s head, her fingers running through her silky black hair. Esdeath froze for a second. And then, she melted into the touch. Lortell sighed, as if accepting something within herself. "Let''s go," she said. "You''re right on time. I was about to come to your room." Esdeath nodded, feeling satisfied. She was the one who came out first. That meant she wasn¡¯t late. She took a deep breath and followed Lortell. They walked through the academy together, side by side. Once they stepped outside, Esdeath¡¯s eyes flickered with excitement. She reached out¡ª And gently took Lortell¡¯s hand in hers. Lortell turned to her, slightly surprised. But Esdeath only smiled, moving even closer. Their arms pressed together, and Esdeath¡¯s body leaned into Lortell¡¯s side like a couple taking a romantic stroll. For the first time in a long while, Lortell felt warmth rush to her cheeks. Esdeath was soft. And warm. Her scent, her presence¡ª And most of all¡ª The soft sensation pressing against Lortell¡¯s arm¡ª Lortell gulped, trying to ignore it. "I¨CI can feel her breasts rubbing against me," she thought, feeling flustered. She clenched her jaw, trying to stay composed. But Esdeath only smiled even brighter, completely comfortable in their closeness. Lortell sighed internally. This was going to be a long day. But how could their luck be so perfectly refined? Just as they stepped outside the academy, an old couple suddenly ran toward Lortell and fell to their knees in front of her. Their clothes were rich and elegant, the kind worn by noble families or wealthy merchants. But despite their fine appearance, they acted like beggars, their desperate eyes filled with fear and sorrow. Tears streamed down the old woman''s wrinkled cheeks as she clutched the hem of Lortell''s cloak. "My lady, I have been trying to meet you for weeks, but you never left the academy. Now that I finally found a chance¡ªplease, I beg of you!" The old man beside her also bowed low, his voice trembling. "My lady, please spare my daughter, Liliana. She made a mistake out of ignorance! She didn¡¯t know what she was doing! Please don¡¯t kill her!" Their cries immediately caught the attention of many people nearby. Curious onlookers slowed their steps, whispering among themselves. Some gasped, while others watched with wide, startled eyes. Lortell stood frozen for a moment, her breath hitching in her throat. Her sharp red eyes narrowed slightly, unable to hide her confusion. "What the hell...?" she muttered under her breath. She recognized these people. They were none other than the parents of one of the girls who had bullied Esdeath, just like Bella had. Lortell had made sure to teach those girls a lesson, bullying them relentlessly in return¡ªas payback for what they had done to Esdeath. And that included this couple¡¯s daughter, Liliana. But how had things escalated to this? S~ea??h the n??el Fire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. The situation had spiraled out of control ever since Bella was found dead. Everyone¡¯s first suspicion had fallen on Lortell, though no evidence was ever found against her. Even though she hadn¡¯t killed Bella, many people still believed she had. And no one was more afraid than the parents of the remaining girls who had tormented Esdeath. They feared that their daughters would be next. Before Lortell could even process everything, another couple rushed forward, falling to their knees until their foreheads touched the ground. "My lady, please forgive our daughter, Sima, too!" the man pleaded desperately. Lortell felt her head spin. A heavy, suffocating feeling settled in her chest. She clenched her fists, trying to push away the strange emotions welling up inside her. Esdeath, who had been standing nearby, tilted her head in confusion. "What¡¯s going on?" she asked. The moment Lortell heard Esdeath¡¯s voice, a chill ran down her spine. Her heartbeat quickened, and cold sweat trickled down her forehead. From Lortell¡¯s perspective, Esdeath had done nothing wrong in her entire lifetime. She was just an innocent, cheerful girl¡ªsomeone who didn¡¯t deserve to be caught up in such messy affairs. Lortell swallowed nervously, forcing a strained smile onto her lips. "N¨CNothing! It¡¯s nothing, really! They must have misunderstood something. I¡¯ll take care of it! Give me two minutes, just stand over there for a second!" Esdeath blinked at her but nodded, stepping back slightly. Her long black hair swayed gently as she moved. The moment Esdeath was far enough, Lortell¡¯s expression darkened. Her jaw tightened, and her eyes flashed with irritation. "You idiots! What the hell do you think you¡¯re doing?" she hissed in a low voice. "Can¡¯t you see I was in the middle of something important? Making a scene like this¡ªat such a crucial time!" The old man trembled under her sharp gaze. "P¨CPlease forgive us, my lady! We¡¯ll leave right away! Just¡ªplease swear that you won¡¯t hurt our daughter!" Lortell felt her patience snapping. Panic clawed at her throat. She just wanted them gone. "Fine! I swear I won¡¯t do anything! Just go! Leave! Disappear, you insects!" The old couple¡¯s faces lit up with overwhelming relief. Tears of joy welled in their eyes as they bowed deeply. "Thank you, my lady! Thank you so much! We will never forget this kindness!" "Yes, yes, thank you very much!" the other couple chimed in, their voices filled with gratitude. Slowly, they got up and stepped back, wiping their tears. Even as they walked away, they turned to wave at Lortell, their faces now full of relief and hope. Lortell let out a long sigh, rubbing her temples as if trying to ease an oncoming headache. What a mess. Lortell had never been the type to walk around outside the academy. She always used the official teleportation portal that the academy provided. It was a special portal, only available to teachers, high-ranking officials, and a select few students like herself. Whenever she needed to leave, she would use the portal to teleport directly to her palace or to the royal capital, where she could access government-run teleportation facilities. Those facilities had countless portals that could instantly send her anywhere within the human territories. The only times she ever walked anywhere were when she had to visit specific locations, like her father¡¯s estate. In those cases, she would first teleport to the capital and then travel the rest of the way on foot. Otherwise, she only ever walked when she was extremely bored. But today, because she was on a date with Esdeath, she had chosen to walk outside the academy for a change. And now¡­ she was starting to regret it. She had barely taken a few steps before she got ambushed¡ªby desperate people begging her for help. But what could she do? She could only sigh¡­ Lortell finally took Esdeath¡¯s hand and started moving again, trying to shake off the strange encounter. However, before they could get too far, an old woman suddenly came running toward her. "My lady, I finally got a chance to meet you!" the woman cried, her voice trembling with desperation. "Do you remember me? My son was falsely accused of being part of a revolutionary group and was taken into custody by the Third Division! Please, I beg you, spare him!" The old woman¡¯s face was filled with sorrow, and tears streamed down her cheeks. "The last time I saw him¡­ he had already lost one of his limbs¡­ and his eyes¡­" she choked out, barely able to finish her sentence. Lortell felt her breath hitch. Again? She hesitated for a moment before turning to Esdeath, checking her reaction. Esdeath¡¯s innocent red eyes blinked at her in curiosity. Lortell quickly forced a smile, though it came out awkward. "I think there¡¯s been another misunderstanding! I swear, it¡¯s nothing!" Then, turning back to the old woman, Lortell let out a small sigh. "Don¡¯t worry," she said, her voice softer this time. "Your son will be released tomorrow. I¡¯ll personally make sure he¡¯s healed properly." The woman gasped, fresh tears spilling from her eyes. She dropped to her knees, bowing deeply. "Thank you, my lady! Thank you so much!" she cried before finally leaving, still wiping her tears. Lortell let out a deep breath, shaking her head. Before she could even collect her thoughts, Esdeath beamed at her with a bright smile. "You¡¯re really kind, Lortell!" she said cheerfully. Lortell stiffened for a moment before letting out an awkward laugh. "Hahaha¡­ Of course, I am!" she said, scratching the back of her head. She quickly started walking again, eager to put some distance between herself and any more problems. But no matter where she went, someone always managed to catch up to her. One person begged her to release their debts. Another pleaded for their imprisoned relatives. Everywhere she turned, there was someone begging for her help. Lortell could feel a massive headache building up. By the time they finally arrived at the restaurant, she had reached her limit. She let out a tired sigh and turned to Esdeath. "Go inside first. I¡¯ll be there in a second." Esdeath, unaware of Lortell¡¯s suffering, nodded happily and stepped into the restaurant. The moment Esdeath was out of sight, Lortell couldn¡¯t hold it in anymore. She dropped to her knees, hugged her head with both arms, and let out a long groan. "Urghhh¡­ Why is this happening?! Today of all days?!" Her head was pounding, and she felt like she was going to collapse from exhaustion. A Real Headache! Kailith’s First Kiss Lortell stepped into the restaurant, taking a deep breath and pushing all the earlier troubles out of her mind. She had finally left all those stressful encounters behind and was determined to enjoy this moment. The restaurant was one of the most luxurious caf¨¦s here. Lortell had booked the seats long ago, making sure everything was perfect for today. As she entered, her eyes immediately landed on Esdeath, who was already sitting quietly at their table. Lortell smiled and walked over. "Sorry for being late!" she said cheerfully as she took her seat across from Esdeath. The table between them was decorated with fine silverware, delicate candles, and a soft floral centerpiece. Esdeath, however, simply shook her head, as if to say it wasn¡¯t a big deal. But there was something about the way she was sitting¡­ Her arms were crossed, and she was subtly pushing her chest up, making her already impressive bust look even larger. It was obvious that she was trying to intimidate Lortell with her figure. Lortell raised an eyebrow, suppressing a smirk. "Really?" Before she could say anything, a waiter arrived, carrying several top-class dishes. The aroma of the delicious food filled the air as he carefully placed each plate on the table. Everything looked perfect. Lortell relaxed, ready to enjoy her date in peace. ¡ª------------ Meanwhile, back at the academy, a heated match was taking place inside the volleyball court. Well, technically, the court could also be used for basketball, and today, it had been transformed into a battleground for an intense basketball match. This was the same court where second-year students usually bullied the weaker freshmen. Those with lower status were often forced to "pay respect" in the form of money or gifts to avoid trouble. They had even tried to extort Esdeath once¡­ but that had backfired horribly on them. Right now, though, none of that mattered. Because all eyes were on the basketball game. Two teams were going head-to-head. One team was wearing bright yellow jerseys with "LAKERS" written across the front in bold, capital letters. Their matching yellow shorts made them stand out even more. The opposing team wore red jerseys, with the word "SERUMS" printed in bold letters. The game was fierce, but one girl was outshining everyone else. A player from the Lakers team. Jersey number 13. She had tanned skin, short brown hair, and a curvy figure with wide hips. Despite being busty, her body was also lean and muscular. Her leg muscles were toned yet soft, showing both strength and agility. Every movement she made was graceful, yet powerful. And somehow, despite all logic, her chest bounced wildly as she ran, completely defying the laws of physics. Despite being a match between girls, Dozens of male students stood on the sidelines, watching the match with wide eyes. But truthfully, most of them weren¡¯t here for the game itself. They were here to watch her. She was none other than Maruti. A grin stretched across her face, showing her sharp teeth as she dribbled the basketball effortlessly. She weaved through the enemy team like a pro, dodging their attempts to block her with ridiculous ease. Her movements were fast, smooth, and filled with confidence. "Hahaha¡­ Ain''t no way I''m gonna be defeated by a bunch of girls!" she laughed in her mind, her golden like brown eyes gleaming with excitement. Maruti felt like this was her court. There was no way she was going to lose. She charged forward, her grip tightening on the ball, but just as she was about to score, someone blocked her path. A tall girl with long silver hair and piercing silver eyes stood in front of her, staring at her with a focused expression. "Tch¡­ She always gets in my way," Maruti muttered under her breath. "If I can''t beat you in real life, I''ll beat you in this game!" She dashed forward at full speed. Kaelith moved to intercept her. Their eyes met, both filled with determination. Just before reaching her, Maruti suddenly stopped and stepped back, raising her hand as if to shoot. "It¡¯s a feint!" Kaelith realized, her eyes widening. She jumped, fully stretching her arms to block the ball¡ªonly for Maruti to smirk. Maruti didn¡¯t shoot. Instead, the moment Kaelith was in the air, Maruti dashed past her and jumped toward the basket, scoring with ease. The whistle blew. "Lakers team wins!" Cheers erupted from the sidelines. "Whoa!" "That was crazy!" "Lakers did it!" Maruti grinned, but instead of celebrating normally, she decided to show off. She grabbed onto the rim, intending to flip her body through the hoop and land smoothly on the ground. She had done it plenty of times before in her previous life. It was easy as breathing. Her head passed through. Her chest squeezed through tightly. But it was smoother than any pillow, It got past easily. Then¡ª She got stuck. "Huh?" Maruti blinked. She tried wiggling, but her waist wouldn¡¯t budge. Realization hit her. She was no longer the lean guy she used to be¡ªnow she had a curvier body with wide hips. And those wide hips were exactly why she was stuck. Her jersey slid down slightly, revealing her tanned stomach and the lower part of her breasts. It wasn¡¯t completely exposed, but the way it looked made everyone¡¯s imagination run wild. The court fell silent. The boys on the sidelines stared. Maruti¡¯s face turned red. "Umm¡­ Kaelith," she called out awkwardly. "I think I got stuck." Kaelith, who had been watching with her arms crossed, raised an eyebrow. Maruti wiggled, struggling to move. "Help your friend out, will you?" ------------- Lortell and Esdeath sat across from each other, enjoying their meal while stealing glances at one another. A warm, comfortable silence lingered between them, broken only by the occasional chuckle or soft exchange of words. Esdeath, usually confident, found herself growing nervous. She wanted to keep the conversation going, but she struggled to find the right words. Her mind raced, trying to come up with something clever or interesting to say. And then¡ªher fingers slipped. The spoon in her hand fell to the floor with a small clink. "I''ll get it," Lortell said with a smile, already moving before Esdeath could react. Lortell was tall, so if the spoon had fallen beside her, she wouldn¡¯t have even needed to stretch. But it had landed closer to Esdeath, meaning she had to lean forward to reach it. As she bent down, Lortell¡¯s eyes landed on Esdeath¡¯s legs. Her breath hitched. Esdeath wasn¡¯t looking at her. Instead, she kept her gaze fixed straight ahead, pretending not to notice as she subtly lifted the corner of her skirt. A hint of black panties peeked out, framed by the sheer fabric of her thigh-high stockings. The dark material hugged her legs perfectly, disappearing beneath her uniform skirt that rested against her soft skin. A deep blush spread across Esdeath¡¯s face. She was embarrassed, but she was also doing this on purpose. "Take the hint... Take the hint..." she repeated in her mind, hoping Lortell would understand what she was trying to do. Lortell''s lips curled into a smirk. She understood. Oh, she understood very well. But why give Esdeath what she wanted so easily? Lortell loved watching her squirm. Instead of reacting right away, she picked up the spoon casually, dusted it off with a napkin, and then¡ªrather than sitting back in her seat¡ªshe slid into the space beside Esdeath. Esdeath¡¯s heart pounded. "Here," Lortell said with a teasing smile, handing back the spoon. Just as Esdeath reached for it, Lortell placed her free hand on Esdeath¡¯s thigh. Her fingers pressed in slightly, squeezing gently. The warmth of her touch burned through the thin fabric of Esdeath¡¯s stockings. Then, leaning in close, Lortell brought her lips near Esdeath¡¯s ear. "Eat slowly," she whispered, her breath hot against Esdeath¡¯s skin. "No need to rush. We still have a lot left to do... especially at night." A visible shiver ran through Esdeath¡¯s body. Her grip tightened around the spoon, her mind going blank for a moment. Lortell chuckled under her breath, enjoying every second of Esdeath¡¯s reaction. From her perspective, Tonight was going to be fun. -------------- Basketball Court Changing Room. S§×arch* The N?vel(F)ire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Inside the changing room, the sound of running water from the nearby showers had faded, and the once-crowded space was now empty¡ªexcept for Maruti and Kaelith. Maruti had finally gotten unstuck from the basketball hoop, thanks to Kaelith¡¯s help. Even though they had played on opposite teams, they were still friends. And right now, they were changing together in the same room. But Kaelith was not happy. "I''m telling you, stop being so careless about exposing your body!" she scolded, crossing her arms. "Do you have no shame? Do you even care that people look at you with dirty gazes?" Unlike in modern Earth, this world was more like medieval Europe. Women had fewer rights and were often treated as lesser than men. In most places, same-sex relationships were considered a taboo¡ªsomething people despised, sometimes even punished. Only awakened women, those with power and status, could refuse marriage. Normal girls were usually married off by the age of sixteen. Kaelith had grown up with these beliefs, and seeing how carefree Maruti was made her extremely uncomfortable. But Maruti didn¡¯t care in the slightest. "Who cares?" she said with a shrug. She grabbed the hem of her jersey and pulled it over her head. As she did, her large breasts bounced freely, unrestrained now that the tight fabric was gone. Kaelith turned red with anger. "I care¡ª!" She whipped around to give Maruti another scolding, but the moment her eyes landed on Maruti¡¯s exposed body, her words caught in her throat. A deep blush spread across her cheeks. Her heart started pounding wildly. Without thinking, she spun back around, facing the lockers instead. "Hurry up and change already!" she snapped. Maruti blinked, then smirked as she put her hands on her hips. "Huh? Is your face red from looking at a girl¡¯s body?" she teased. "I-It¡¯s not!" Kaelith stammered, keeping her back turned. Maruti grinned mischievously. She jumped in front of Kaelith, spreading her arms wide. "Then open your damn eyes and look!" Kaelith gasped and immediately turned the other way, eyes shut tight. Her face felt like it was on fire. "Stop playing around and put something on already!" she shouted. Maruti chuckled. "Huh? I don¡¯t want to, though." She kept moving in front of Kaelith every time she tried to turn away, enjoying the rare opportunity to tease the strongest first-year student. Who else could make Kaelith Maranthia this flustered? No one. Maruti was the first to accomplish it. And she was going to enjoy every second of it. Kaelith¡¯s patience finally ran out. She took a deep breath, turned back, and grabbed Maruti¡¯s wrist firmly. Her silver eyes were sharp and serious. "Stop provoking me," she said, her voice low. "If you keep acting like this, what if someone forces themselves on you? You don¡¯t know what people are thinking. How will you defend yourself then?" Maruti rolled her eyes. "Huh? Why so serious?" She waved a hand dismissively. "I¡¯ll just beat the shit out of them. Simple." Kaelith shook her head, tightening her grip. "You¡¯r beauty is top tier Maruti. But beauty alone won¡¯t protect you. When it comes to overall strength compare to world, even I am considered mid-tier and You can¡¯t even defeat me. What if I lose my patience and lay my hands on you?" "Pfft¡­" Maruti burst into laughter. "You? Lay your hands on me?" She grinned, mocking. "You always say the funniest things that''s why I decided to continue being friends with you. I still haven¡¯t forgotten how you used a stupid necklace to hypnotize me. Hahaha!" Kaelith¡¯s face turned red. Her grip on Maruti¡¯s wrist tightened, and the next thing Maruti knew¡ª SLAM! Her back hit the cold metal locker. "What the¡ª?!" Maruti gasped. Kaelith was close. Too close. Her face, usually so strong and untouchable, now looked¡­ vulnerable. Embarrassed. Even a little desperate. Maruti had never seen her like this before. "It¡¯s all your fault¡­" Kaelith whispered. And then¡ª She kissed her. Maruti froze. Kaelith¡¯s lips pressed tightly against hers, stealing her breath. Her warm, wet tongue pushed inside, intertwining with Maruti¡¯s. It was deep, intense¡ªalmost like she had been holding it in for years. Maruti was too shocked to react. Then Kaelith¡¯s free hand moved¡ªto her chest. She squeezed. Maruti¡¯s eyes widened. After what felt like an eternity, Kaelith finally pulled back. Her face was flushed, her breathing uneven. "I told you to stop provoking me," she said, her voice shaking. "I was already struggling to control myself. I didn¡¯t want to ruin our friendship¡­" Her silver eyes shimmered¡ªa single tear fell. "It¡¯s all your fault¡­ It¡¯s all your fault¡­" she whispered again. Then she kissed her again. Not just on the lips¡ªon her neck, her collarbone¡­ She licked her upper chest, her hands grabbing Maruti¡¯s breasts, lifting her slightly off the ground as she kissed her even deeper. Kaelith had completely lost control. Meanwhile¡ª Maruti didn¡¯t move. Her eyes were wide, her body frozen in place. Her mind was blank, except for one thought. "I¡¯m fucked." Can’t Read The Room "Umm¡­ Pardon?" "I said I really like you! Please go out with me!" Alena''s voice was loud and clear, but her eyes were shut tight. Her short white hair swayed slightly in the breeze, and her smooth pale skin glowed under the afternoon sun. She held out a small, neatly wrapped chocolate box with both hands, trembling slightly. In front of her stood a tall, well-built boy. His lean yet strong frame gave off a powerful presence. His red hair was slightly messy, and his sharp jawline made him look even more striking. There was an undeniable mischievous aura around him, something that made him stand out as a bit of a troublemaker. Daniel scratched the back of his head and let out a laugh. "Alena, what are you saying? Is this one of your pranks? Where¡¯s the camera? You¡¯re filming me, right?" He grinned, looking around as if expecting someone to jump out and yell, *Gotcha!* The two of them were standing behind the school, surrounded by trees, grass, and flowers. A few students were nearby, some watching them with curiosity, others too busy with their own conversations. "It¡¯s not a prank! I¡¯m serious!" Alena insisted, her grip tightening around the chocolate box. Daniel raised an eyebrow. "Huh? Ain¡¯t no way I¡¯m falling for that!" He smirked, eyeing her with even more suspicion. The attention from the other students was making Alena feel more and more embarrassed. It had taken all her courage to confess like this, and now she felt like she was making a fool of herself. Her hands clenched into fists. "You¡ª!" Without thinking, she threw the chocolate box straight at his face. "Daniel! If you don¡¯t want to say yes, then just say so! What¡¯s the point of doing all this?!" Her voice cracked with frustration, and before he could respond, she turned and ran away. Tears welled up in her eyes as she disappeared into the distance. Daniel stood there, stunned. The box had burst open, and chocolate pieces were scattered on the ground. A few had even smeared onto his cheek. He wiped some off with his fingers and licked them. "What a waste," he muttered. "She could¡¯ve just given it to me¡­" With a shrug, he walked back to class. Inside the classroom, near the window, a boy with black hair sat quietly in his seat. His expression was blank, his face just a little above average, but his cold eyes held a depth that was hard to read. He stared outside, completely uninterested in whatever was happening inside the room. Daniel walked up to him with a grin. "Yo, Fable. Silent as always, huh?" The black-haired boy turned to Daniel with an annoyed expression. His dark eyes narrowed, and his voice was sharp. "Predictor, stop calling me Fable here. Call me Ryan." Daniel let out a chuckle and casually dropped into the seat beside him. "What difference does it make? I already announced to everyone that we¡¯re future hitmen! Woohoo! We¡¯re gonna kill people!" He waved his hands dramatically, as if he were making a grand speech. *Smack!* Ryan slapped him across the face without hesitation. "Wow, how intelligent of you," Ryan said, shaking his head. "I¡¯ve been wanting to slap you for that. It¡¯s a miracle everyone thought you were joking." He sighed deeply, rubbing his temples. Daniel groaned and rolled his eyes. "Whatever... It¡¯s been seven months since we came here. It¡¯s just training and school, training and school. When are we finally gonna take missions and kill someone?" He slumped in his chair, flailing his arms and legs like a restless child. "I wanna shoot someone. Pew pew!" he whined, making finger guns. Ryan scoffed, crossing his arms. "If you¡¯re so bored, why don¡¯t you go play with all those friends you made?" Daniel perked up. "Oh, speaking of friends, Alena confessed to me earlier." He smirked. "I thought she was pranking me, and that chocolate box had some kind of trap inside¡­ but turns out it was real chocolate!" Ryan gave him a tired look and rolled his eyes. "Obviously. She¡¯s been sticking to you like glue for months. Anyone could tell she liked you." Daniel¡¯s eyes widened in shock. "Wait¡­ so it wasn¡¯t a prank?!" Ryan simply nodded, looking unimpressed. Daniel shot up from his seat, grinning. "Then I¡¯m off! I finally got myself a girlfriend!" Ryan leaned back in his chair and sighed. "I suggest you don¡¯t. For what we¡¯re planning to do, a relationship will only slow you down." Daniel shrugged. "I know, but it seems interesting! I kinda wanna know what it feels like to be in love!" Without another word, he ran toward the door, disappearing into the hallway. Ryan watched him go and shook his head. "Brainless Idiot," he muttered under his breath ----- After half an hour, Daniel and Ryan met again in the hallway. Daniel¡¯s face was swollen and bruised, his cheeks puffy like he had been used as a punching bag. His lips were slightly busted, and there was even a faint red mark on his forehead. Ryan raised an eyebrow, arms crossed. "What happened?" Daniel sighed dramatically, rubbing his sore jaw. "Well¡­ I don¡¯t know. I was just¡ª" --------- Earlier, on the school rooftop¡­ Alena sat alone on the rooftop, her knees pulled up to her chest as she wiped her tears. Even with her red, puffy eyes and sniffling nose, she still looked beautiful. The wind played with her short white hair, making her seem delicate and lonely. Just then, a hand suddenly rested on her shoulder. "Yo!" She gasped and turned around¡ªonly to see Daniel standing behind her, grinning awkwardly. He let out a bitter chuckle and scratched the back of his head. "Well¡­ I kinda got carried away, you know? Let¡¯s become boyfriend and girlfriend!" Alena''s eyes widened in surprise. Her sadness instantly disappeared, replaced by pure happiness. "Really?" she asked, her face lighting up. Daniel leaned in closer, so close their noses almost touched. His red hair swayed as he ran a hand through it, giving his best cool guy expression. "Yeah! And let¡¯s go to a motel and fuck!" He didn¡¯t even get to finish before Alena¡¯s eyes twitched. "What?" she said, her voice dangerously low. Daniel, oblivious as ever, smiled and gave her a thumbs-up. "Yeah! That¡¯s what boyfriend and girlfriend do, right? Let¡¯s fuck! " Before he could finish the sentence, a dark aura surrounded Alena. Cross marks of pure rage appeared on her face as she clenched her teeth. "You¡­ fucking¡­ piece¡­ of¡­ SHIT!" BAM! A fist slammed into Daniel¡¯s face. BOOM! Another punch sent him rolling across the rooftop. BAM! BAM! BAM! Fists, kicks, and who-knows-what-else rained down on Daniel like divine punishment. Back in the hallway¡­ "¡­And that¡¯s what happened," Daniel said with a groan, gently touching his bruised cheek. Ryan stared at him, utterly unimpressed. "You know¡­ you think everyone who talks much is like you, especially women," he said, shaking his head. Daniel blinked. "Huh?" Ryan sighed and met his gaze. "Just admit it. When it comes to women¡­ you suck at reading the room." -------------- Maruti let out a shaky breath, her mind racing as she felt Kailith¡¯s hands on her waist, the warmth of her touch sending shivers down her spine as kailith removed her skirt. "I guess¡­ I really suck at reading women," she thought, realizing too late that teasing Kailith had pushed things to an entirely new level. Kailith leaned in, her silver eyes glowing with a mix of frustration and something deeper. "Now tell me, Maruti¡­ how are you going to escape from me?" Her voice was husky as she traced a slow line along Maruti¡¯s ear with her lips. A smirk tugged at Maruti¡¯s lips despite the heat rising in her cheeks. "If you had an interest in me, you could¡¯ve just said so. I wouldn¡¯t have minded spending a few nights with you," she teased, wrapping her arms around Kailith¡¯s neck before pulling her in for a kiss. Kailith stiffened at first, caught off guard by the sudden shift. When she had kissed Maruti earlier, it was forceful, an attempt to prove dominance. But this¡­ this was something entirely different. Maruti''s lips were slow, teasing, almost knowing. There was a fire behind them that made Kailith''s body melt in a way she hadn''t expected. "That¡­ that wasn¡¯t a beginner¡¯s kiss," Kailith thought, her heart pounding. "Just how much experience does she have?" Maruti pulled away slightly, her lips brushing against Kailith¡¯s as she whispered, "Like it? That¡¯s what an adult¡¯s kiss feels like, my little lizard." The balance of power shifted in an instant. The predator had become the prey. Maruti smirked as she playfully nudged Kailith¡¯s legs, causing her to stumble back onto the floor. The air between them grew thick with tension, their breaths mingling as Maruti sat on kailith''s thighs and straddled her, her fingers trailing teasingly over Kailith¡¯s warm skin. She leaned in, brushing her lips over Kailith¡¯s abdomen, pressing a lingering kiss that sent a shiver through her. Kailith¡¯s body tensed, her silver horns beginning to glow faintly, a clear sign of her rising emotions. Maruti¡¯s fingers traced the delicate curve of Kailith¡¯s waist before moving higher, her touch featherlight yet electrifying. She tilted her head, her lips curling into a mischievous grin. Kailith''s horns grew out as a sign of intense erection. Maruti loomed over and licked her horns gently. S§×arch* The novel(F~)ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Kailith''s maons grew even louder to the point of called growl. "Nhmn~...Don''t lick it, It''s very sensitive part! ", ¡°Hehe¡­ I read about dragons, you know. Sensitive horns, sensitive everywhere¡­¡± she whispered, her voice laced with playful seduction. Maruti''s naughty fingers slid inside kailith''s panties and two fingers directly pierced her erogenous zone. "Ohh Lord~... ", Kailith just couldn''t handle it anymore, It was too much forn a virgin like her. As Maruti''s fingers continued to explore Kailith''s most intimate parts, the young dragoness found herself unable to resist any longer. Her claws dug into the soft ground beneath her, her muscles tense with anticipation and desire. The feel of Maruti''s tongue lapping at her sensitive flesh sent waves of pleasure coursing through her entire body. Maruti finally withdrew leaving kailith having rough and heavy breaths, Her chest falling uo and down rapidly. She finally withdrew her fingers and licked it in a lustry manner. Her mischievous thirsty look in her eyes and lips curled as her fingers were inside her mouth and she said, "I guess it''s time to eat you whole! ", Her voice was seductive to the max. Even bravest man could fall for it. It''s as if a kuro gyaru from some smut manga has decended. Kailith wasn''t even close to resisting it. "B-be gentle!", She said while shutting her eyes. The Nightmare Begins The day had been nothing short of perfect. Esdeath and Lortell had eaten together, then spent hours shopping. Though Esdeath insisted she didn¡¯t need anything, Lortell wouldn¡¯t take no for an answer. She kept buying one thing after another¡ªjewelry, dresses, rare accessories, even books Esdeath might like. The sheer amount of gifts was beyond extravagant; the total cost was enough to be a lifetime¡¯s savings for most people. After shopping, they wandered through the city, playing games at stalls, exploring hidden alleyways filled with unique shops, and visiting places that held a certain charm. Lortell had thought this date would be challenging, that Esdeath might resist her advances, but to her surprise, everything felt¡­ natural. Smooth. Before they knew it, the sky had darkened into a warm evening glow, and they found themselves under a small bridge that crossed a quiet river. It was secluded, a place where no one usually passed by. The soft ripples of water reflected the golden hues of the sunset, casting a peaceful atmosphere around them. Sear?h the nov§×lF~ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Lortell moved closer, pressing Esdeath gently against the stone wall. One of her hands rested against the wall beside Esdeath''s head, while her forehead touched Esdeath¡¯s, closing the space between them. Esdeath¡¯s face turned red. She lowered her gaze, unable to meet Lortell¡¯s intense stare. Her heart pounded against her chest. ¡°Esdeath,¡± Lortell¡¯s voice was deep, soft, her warm breath tickling Esdeath¡¯s skin. ¡°You know¡­ there¡¯s something I¡¯ve been wanting to tell you.¡± Esdeath hesitated but finally looked into Lortell¡¯s red eyes, her own red ones shimmering with emotion. ¡°M-Me too¡­ I wanted to tell you something, too.¡± Lortell smirked slightly. ¡°Oh? Then you go first.¡± Esdeath swallowed hard. Her hands trembled slightly as she balled them into fists, gathering all her courage. She took a deep breath, her lips parting. ¡°I-I lo¡ª¡± BAM! A sudden force interrupted her. Something flew in and smacked Lortell right in the face. Lortell¡¯s expression turned dark, her brows twitching with annoyance. ¡°Who the¡ª¡± She was about to curse but paused when she saw a golden letter floating in the air. Her sharp eyes recognized it instantly. A Golden Flying Letter Essence Stone. Her heart sank. She reached out, catching the letter as it glowed faintly in her hands. With a tense expression, she unfolded it and scanned the contents. Her entire body froze. Her breath hitched, and her fingers tightened around the letter. Her red eyes, which moments ago held warmth and mischief, were now filled with shock and disbelief. The words in the letter burned into her mind. Her father, Arthur Mariette, was gravely ill. He was taking his last breaths¡­ and he wanted to see her. One final time. For the first time in a long while, Lortell felt something heavy settle in her chest. A feeling she couldn¡¯t ignore. Lortell turned to Esdeath with an apologetic look. "Esdeath¡­ I''m really sorry, but something urgent has come up," she said, her voice laced with regret. ¡ª------------ They stood at the edge of the market, right where the path led back to the academy. The evening breeze was gentle, but the moment felt heavy. Lortell leaned forward and placed a soft kiss on Esdeath¡¯s cheek before pulling back. "Please forgive me. I won¡¯t leave you alone next time, I promise. Just this once, let me go," she said, her voice gentle but firm. She had already apologized more times than Esdeath could count. Esdeath let out a small chuckle, shaking her head. "I understand. You don¡¯t need to apologize so much. Honestly, it doesn¡¯t suit you. You should¡¯ve just said, ¡®I¡¯m leaving,¡¯ and I would¡¯ve obeyed without a second thought," she said, smiling. Lortell smirked. "I see. Well, I¡¯m glad you understand. We¡¯ll meet again soon," she said, waving her hand before turning to leave. Esdeath stood still, watching Lortell¡¯s figure grow smaller in the distance. Her red eyes dimmed slightly. ¡°I wanted to tell you¡­ I love you,¡± she whispered to herself, her voice barely reaching the wind. Both of them had wanted to confess that night. Both had gathered the courage. But a single letter had interfered. Lortell had two choices: rush her confession and then leave or meet her father first and confess later. She wanted her confession to be special, not something hurried in passing. Besides, Esdeath wasn¡¯t going anywhere. She could always confess next time. But what Lortell didn¡¯t know was¡­ She had just made the worst decision of her life. --------------- Esdeath arrived back at the academy just as the sun was beginning to set. The golden light spread across the sky, painting everything in warm, soft hues. The gentle evening breeze brushed against her skin, making her feel oddly calm. It was a beautiful, peaceful moment. But the second she stepped inside the academy, a strange sensation washed over her body. She froze for a brief moment, her red eyes narrowing slightly. "What¡­ is this feeling?" she wondered. It was unsettling, but she quickly shook her head. "It must be because my date got interrupted halfway," she muttered, trying to push the uneasy feeling aside as she continued walking. ¡ª------------ "Ugh¡­ I actually let my lust take over me. My mind has been completely corrupted," Kailith groaned, burying her face in her hands. A deep blush covered her cheeks as she fidgeted on the seat, her bare legs shifting uncomfortably. She was still half-naked, her body covered in light marks from everything she and Maruti had done¡­ multiple times. Now that her mind had cleared, guilt started creeping in. Maruti, who was calmly putting on her uniform, glanced at her with an amused look. "Why the fuss? Weren¡¯t you the one who started all this?" she asked with a sigh. "I know, but¡ª but girls aren¡¯t supposed to do things like this! And with another girl at that! It¡¯s¡­ it¡¯s completely taboo!" Kailith said in frustration, gripping her own arms tightly. Maruti let out a small, bitter laugh. "Does she really not know she has an interest in girls?" Maruti thought, It was first time watching Kailith''s flustered expression. It was actually kind of cute. She couldn''t help but chuckle softly. "Just hurry up and put on your clothes before someone walks in," Maruti said, leaning in slightly. Then, with a teasing smirk, she added, "And if this bothers you so much¡­ just call me whenever you feel horny." Her tone was playful, but the effect was immediate. Kailith shot up from her seat, her expression suddenly serious. "Does that mean¡­ we¡¯re in that kind of relationship?" she asked hesitantly, looking away in embarrassment. Maruti blinked in surprise before shaking her head. "Nope. I don¡¯t like being in relationships," she replied casually. Kailith frowned and crossed her arms, pouting slightly. "Then tell me¡­ how many times have you done this before?" she asked, her voice carrying a hint of jealousy. Maruti tilted her head. "Huh? What?" "Don¡¯t play dumb," Kailith huffed, her silver eyes narrowing. "You¡¯re way too experienced at this." Hearing that, Maruti chuckled. How was she supposed to explain? In her previous life, she was a man¡­ and let¡¯s just say, she had plenty of experience. She let out a sigh. "Believe it or not, theoretically, I¡¯m a virgin. You¡¯re my first," she said with a half-smile. "Let¡¯s just say¡­ I¡¯m half-virgin now." Kailith¡¯s eyes widened in shock. "I was your first?" she asked, completely caught off guard. Maruti waved her hand lazily as she walked toward the door. "Rule number three¡ªfriends don¡¯t lie, I practiced a lot at home and got pro at these kind of things," she said before stepping out. As she left, she couldn''t help but smirk to herself. "If I still had my thing, this would¡¯ve been way more fun. It felt weird in a girl¡¯s body¡­ but it was still pretty good. Guess I¡¯ll let it slide," she thought as she disappeared down the hall. Inside the room, Kailith sat still for a moment, rubbing her hands together as a slow, excited smile spread across her face. "That means¡­ I¡¯m her number one," she murmured to herself, her silver eyes shining. Then, she straightened up with sudden determination. "Ahem¡­ ahem¡­ now I just need to make sure I stay her number one for life," she declared to herself. As she put her clothes back on, another thought crossed her mind. "What did she mean by ¡®call me whenever you feel horny¡¯? Does she not know that as a pseudo-Constellation species, we have no such physical limits? If one wanted and had control over emotions, They could stay completely calm for their whole life¡­ or do it every single day for years without stopping." Her face turned even redder at the realization. "She really has no idea what she just got herself into," ------------------ The back side of the academy, near the outskirts of the giant Colossal Forest, was usually a place of relaxation for many lower and middle-ranked mercenaries, along with the academy''s high-ranking teachers. Among them were two Rank A Awakened. One was an older man in his fifties, with slight wrinkles, a small beard, and a cool mustache. He sat calmly, sipping tea. Beside him was a woman in her early thirties, in the prime of her youth. She had striking purple hair, thick eyelashes, and wore a gown-like dress with revealing cuts that drew attention. Her bold red lipstick and makeup gave her an alluring charm. "Hahaha¡­ Another peaceful day! No monster waves, no students getting abducted. That means tomorrow, I can finally relax and go on a date with some young men," the woman, Ms. Felicia, laughed cheerfully. The old man let out a satisfied sigh. "You¡¯re right, Ms. Felicia. I can finally visit my grandchildren again," he said, closing his eyes and taking in the taste of his tea. Just as he was about to take another sip, he noticed his cup was empty. He turned toward a Rank C Awakened, an assistant teacher who was currently acting as a waiter. The assistant quickly grabbed a fresh tea box and rushed forward. "Here¡ª" Swish! The sound was sharp, cutting through the air like a whisper of death. Fast¡­ fast¡­ Too fast! The assistant never got the chance to finish his sentence. An arrow filled with dense mana zipped through the air at terrifying speed. Before anyone could react, his head was gone¡ªbeheaded in an instant. The entire group froze. Their eyes widened in shock. "What just happened?!" The two Rank A Awakened immediately stood up, and the others rushed forward in alarm. One of the awakened members quickly took to the air, trying to spot the direction from which the attack had come. But the moment he laid eyes on it, his face went completely pale. Cold sweat covered his entire body, and a shiver ran down his spine. His breath hitched, his limbs trembled, and for a moment, he felt as if he might lose control of his bladder. What he saw was something straight out of a nightmare. A massive wave of monsters was emerging from the forest¡ªan army so vast it stretched nearly beyond sight. Goblins, Orcs, Skeletons, and even humanoid creatures filled the land like an large river. But that wasn¡¯t the worst part. Among them were terrifying Rank A-level monsters: ¡ªScorching Lava Snake slithered forward, its body made of molten rock, oozing with liquid fire with bull like face and horns instead of snake head. ¡ªSpider Queen Madam Eight Legs, a grotesque creature with an eerily human-like face, scuttled alongside them, her many eyes gleaming with hunger. Even Rank B-level monsters were present: ¡ªThe Eight-Horned Raging Bull, a creature with muscles like steel, stomped the ground, its breath thick with steam. ¡ªThe Lightning Charm Wolf, its fur crackling with blue electricity, growled lowly, its piercing eyes scanning for prey. But even more horrifying were the figures mixed within the army. Real demons. Some had human-like bodies with ominous horns protruding from their heads, while others had grey, monstrous forms, their eyes glowing with pure malice. But that was only half of the terror. The man turned his gaze to the sky¡ªonly for his breath to hitch. There, soaring high above, were creatures that should never have been enemies of humans. A Divine Flame Phoenix¡­ and Red Dragons. His mind spiraled into chaos. "Why¡­? Why are red dragons here?!" he muttered in horror. The dragons had long established treaties with humans¡ªagreements of peace that had lasted for generations. Then why¡­? Why did it feel like every species had suddenly joined forces to wipe out humanity? His thoughts crumbled. His reason collapsed. The overwhelming terror consumed him entirely. "This is the end¡­! Hahaha¡­ HAHAHAHAHAHA!" His mind snapped. His body trembled violently as he let out a crazed, hopeless laugh. And then¡ª FWOOOSH! The Divine Flame Phoenix flapped its massive wings once. A wave of fire erupted, roaring across the vast distance like a tidal wave of destruction. The heat alone was enough to turn steel into liquid. Before the man could even react, the flames engulfed him entirely. His body didn¡¯t burn. It melted. It''s as if His existence was erased in an instant. He was beyond dead. Let’s Not Meet Again! Beep!¡­ Beep!¡­ Beep!¡­ Loud sirens suddenly echoed across the entire academy. The sharp, shrill sound pierced the air, making everyone''s hearts pound with unease. It wasn''t just the academy¡ªthis alarm rang across the vast city, warning everyone of an incoming catastrophe. Students who had been resting in their dorm rooms rushed out in panic. Some looked confused, others were already gripping their weapons, their instincts screaming that something was terribly wrong. Then, a powerful voice boomed across the academy through the magical announcement system. "All students, listen carefully! This is Vice Principal Lilith Maranthia. A massive tide of monsters is heading this way. An S rank Level Formation has appeared, Covering a large portion of land, We can''t ran away, Our communication systems are down, which means there is definitely a traitor among us. Right now, we have no choice but to fight until we can restore communication and call for reinforcements!" The message ended, leaving an eerie silence for just a moment¡ªbefore chaos erupted. Many students gasped in shock. Others clenched their fists, adrenaline surging through their veins. "Hahaha! This is my chance!" one boy shouted excitedly, his eyes burning with ambition. "I''ll kill these puny monsters and become a hero!" Meanwhile, some students rushed to the rooftop, eager to see what they were up against. The moment they saw it, their bodies froze. A massive, endless wave of monsters stretched across the horizon. The ground trembled beneath their feet as thousands of creatures moved forward like an unstoppable tsunami. Goblins, orcs, skeletons, humanoid beasts¡ªcreatures from nightmares, all surging toward the academy. Some students gasped in horror. "I¡­ I won''t survive this¡­" one student muttered, his legs trembling. His breathing grew rapid, panic creeping into his voice. "I need to run! If I stay here, I''ll die!" He wasn''t alone. Many students shared the same thought. Their survival instincts screamed at them to flee. -------- Ethan Rothslayer stood among the students, his expression dark and serious. He clenched his fists. "I had a feeling something was off yesterday. It was too quiet. But something this big¡­ it was bound to happen sooner or later." His gaze turned sharp. He knew what he had to do. Reaching to his side, he grabbed his sword and tightened his grip around the hilt. "Last time, I ran away¡­ and people died,Who could be saved!", He exhaled, steadying himself. "But this time¡­ I won''t run. I''ll fight. I''ll save even more people", ------ Meanwhile, inside a quiet dorm room, Esdeath Crimson stood before her daughter,Selene. Her deep red eyes were calm, yet serious. "Stay in the room," Esdeath ordered, her voice steady. "Don''t leave until I come back. Okay?" Selene silently nodded, her expression unreadable. Esdeath turned toward the door. She wasn''t the fable but real Esdeath. This was her first time stepping into battle, her first time fighting in a real war. But even as she stepped forward, her heart did not waver. ------------- It didn''t take long before many students lost their courage. Fear gripped their hearts, and dozens of them decided to run for their lives. Without looking back, they sprinted towards the academy gates, pushing and shoving in desperation. For a moment, relief filled their faces as they made it past the gates. But just a few minutes into their escape, something invisible struck them like a solid wall. BAM! Students tumbled backward, some falling onto the ground, others rubbing their foreheads in shock. "What was that?" one boy gasped, blinking in confusion. Then the realization hit. "The vice principal wasn''t lying¡­ There really is a barrier!" Another student exclaimed in horror. A girl with long red hair dropped to her knees, tears streaming down her face. "Sob¡­ sob¡­ So we really can''t escape? We have no choice but to fight?" Her voice trembled as she clenched her fists. "I don''t want to fight! This must be a dream¡ªno, a nightmare!" another student cried out, hugging themselves as panic spread. But in the midst of their despair, a sudden burst of laughter echoed through the air. "Haha! I''m saved! I actually made it through!" A few students turned to see a boy standing on the other side of the barrier, cheering in excitement. Another girl, her face full of happiness, jumped up and down. "I got past too! I can escape!" The ones trapped inside stared with wide eyes, their mouths slightly open in shock. "How?! How did they get out while we''re stuck here?" one boy asked, his voice filled with disbelief. That was when another voice spoke up. A tall, thin boy with orange hair and glasses calmly adjusted his frames. His expression remained cool and collected as he observed the scene. It was Valen Vandris. "It seems," Valen said, his voice smooth and confident, "this formation is only restricting those with a certain level of power. In other words, it treats the weaker ones as useless and lets them go." A silence fell over the students as the weight of his words sank in. "You!" One boy, his face red with anger, pointed at Valen. "Why are you acting so smug? You''re standing outside the barrier too! That means you''re just as weak as them!" Valen chuckled, completely unfazed. "So what?" He shrugged. "Sometimes, the weakest survive the longest. Unlike you, I don''t plan on dying today." With a carefree wave, he turned around and took off at full speed, disappearing into the distance. Meanwhile, beyond the academy, a few monsters were still lurking, their glowing eyes fixed on the city instead of the school. Their numbers were smaller, but the danger was still very real. But valen clearly had greater advantage of surviving outside of formation. "Don''t worry lady boss, I''ll bring reinforcement with me!",He thought as he ran. ------------------ A few minutes had passed, and the academy was already in chaos. Explosions, flashes of lightning, and deadly attacks echoed from every direction. The ground trembled from time to time, and the horrifying screams of humans mixed with the roars of monsters, sending waves of fear through the air. Many students were so terrified that they fainted just from hearing those dreadful sounds. Even though most of the monsters and demons were fighting against the academy forces outside, some had managed to sneak inside. One such intruder was a low-rank demon. He had gray skin, a narrow black horn, and bloodshot red eyes. Right now, he was fighting against two female students. Even though he was only a low-rank demon, for those girls, he might as well have been the Demon King himself. They exchanged a few moves, trying their best to hold their ground, but soon, exhaustion overtook them. They collapsed onto the ground, gasping for breath. The demon showed no mercy. With a swift swing of his sword, he beheaded them both in an instant. "Tch. Damn humans," he muttered in disgust. "After everything we did for you, you ridiculed us. And now, you think we''ll just stay silent while you steal what''s rightfully ours? You all deserve to die!" But then, his sharp senses picked up something. He turned his head towards a nearby pillar. "Who''s there?" he demanded. He was right¡ªsomeone was hiding behind it. It was none other than Esdeath Crimson. Her expression was grim as she clutched her head, trying to figure out a way out of this situation. S§×ar?h the N?vel?ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "Urgh...shit, What shitty situation i rank into?", "I''ve never learned any magic," she thought anxiously. "I only have fragments of memories of what my other personality did these past few weeks!" She had weapons, but she didn''t know how to use the storage-type essence stone. And even if she took something out, she wasn''t sure how to wield it properly. The only weapon she somewhat understood was her ZK-20, but she wasn''t like Fable, who could turn it into guns or snipers. Her knowledge was too limited. "There''s no point in hiding," the demon sneered. "Come out and accept your death!" Esdeath took a deep breath, calming herself. "I guess you got me," she said, still behind the pillar. "But what exactly are you trying to prove by killing me?" The demon frowned. "What do you mean?" "I heard you earlier," Esdeath continued, her voice steady. "You''re attacking because humans took your resources, and now you want revenge, right? But I assure you, I don''t have anything valuable. Killing me is just a waste of your time." The demon scoffed, crossing his arms. "Hmph¡­ It''s not just about resources. You humans killed our innocent people¡ªeven children to take away our resources and Now, I''ll take revenge by killing all of you!" At that moment, a slow, wicked smirk spread across Esdeath''s face. "Huh? Then aren''t you doing the exact same thing by killing an innocent person like me?" she asked, her voice dripping with mockery. "What''s the difference between you and the humans you hate?" The demon''s breath hitched. For the first time, doubt flickered in the demon''s eyes. Esdeath''s words struck something deep within him, making him question his own sense of justice. But he quickly shook off the hesitation and tightened his grip on his sword. "Enough chit-chat¡ª" he began, raising his weapon. Before he could finish, Esdeath interrupted with a soft, almost playful voice. "Besides, we''re on the same side." The demon narrowed his eyes in confusion. "Same side?" Esdeath slowly stepped out from behind the pillar, finally revealing herself. Her skin was ghostly pale, almost like a fairy from a dark tale, and her deep red eyes glowed with an eerie light. The demon instinctively lowered his guard. He understood now. "What is a vampire doing here in the academy?" he asked, still holding his sword but without the same hostility. Esdeath was so close to looking like a vampire that even Lortell had been fooled. Forget about this low-rank demon¡ªit was easy to trick him. Adding to the illusion, she was still wearing the same outfit from her date with Lortell. It was elegant and far from the standard academy uniform, making it easy for the demon to assume she wasn''t a student. On the outside, Esdeath''s expression remained calm and composed. But inside, she was brimming with excitement. "Thank goodness he took the bait!" she thought to herself. She looked at the demon with a serious face, her voice carrying a hint of pride. "I''m Esdeath Bloodborne, a low-rank vampire. I saw the commotion and figured it would be a good opportunity to suck some human blood and get stronger." The demon let out a small sigh of relief. "I see. Alright then, just don''t get in my way." Esdeath took a step closer to him, lowering her voice as if sharing a secret. "There are some students over there," she said, pointing towards a direction. "They''re too strong for me, but I think you can handle them." The demon smirked, satisfied with her words. "Hmph, leave it to me." He turned and started walking towards the area she had pointed to. "Alright then, let''s not meet again¡ª" *Srrrrrr...* A chilling sound echoed in the air. The demon''s eyes widened in shock. A long, thin sword had pierced cleanly through his back, stabbing straight through his chest. It was over a meter long, yet barely three centimeters thick¡ªa deadly weapon meant for swift and precise kills. He coughed violently, blood dripping from his mouth. Slowly, he turned his head, struggling to look behind him. There stood Esdeath, holding the sword with a wide, wicked grin. "Yeah, let''s not meet again," she whispered, her voice dripping with amusement. Who Are You? Another announcement echoed through the battlefield. "All students, form groups and fight together! This will increase your chances of survival. And make sure to have a healer with you!" Lilith¡¯s voice rang out, firm and commanding. Of course, many students had already teamed up even before Lilith made the announcement. It was common sense¡ªfighting alone in a large-scale battle was too risky. Among the many groups, a handsome blonde-haired boy stood confidently, dressed in shining armor. He smirked as he addressed the four girls standing behind him. "Don¡¯t worry, ladies! I¡¯ll show these low-rank goblins their place!" he boasted, puffing out his chest. The girls giggled and cheered for him as he unsheathed his sword with a dramatic flourish. They were positioned a little behind the academy, where tall trees and patches of grass covered the area. Many students had chosen to fight outside rather than hiding within the academy walls. The blonde boy''s confidence soared. After all, goblins were weak and cowardly creatures. What was there to fear? "Come at me, you punks!" he taunted, waving his sword. But what he failed to realize was that goblins were not just weak¡ªthey were also cunning and filthy. Instead of charging straight at him, the goblins changed their strategy. From the trees, small, clawed hands began throwing rocks, hurling them toward the four girls behind him. At the same time, dozens of goblins rushed toward him from the front. "Ahh!" one of the girls screamed as a rock hit her shoulder. "An ambush!" another cried out in panic. The blonde boy turned back in alarm, just as another group of goblins emerged from the bushes and attacked the girls from behind. "Damn it!" he growled, about to step in¡ª But in that moment, a goblin threw a handful of dirt straight into his eyes. His vision blurred. Pain and irritation burned through his eyes as he stumbled backward. "You filthy creatures!" he roared. "Do you have no honor? No pride?" Honor? Pride? Such things didn¡¯t exist for monsters. The only thing that mattered to them was survival and victory. Blindly, he swung his sword in all directions, but the goblins were faster. They swarmed him like a pack of starving wolves, their sharp claws grabbing at his armor. "Get off me!" he screamed, trying to shake them off. But there were too many. With a sickening rip, they tore through the straps of his armor, exposing his flesh. He fell to the ground. And the moment his back hit the dirt¡ª It was over. "AARRRGHHHHH!" His screams filled the air as the goblins clawed at his body. One of them bit into his neck, tearing through his flesh. Another stabbed its dagger into his stomach, twisting it cruelly. His intestines spilled out as warm blood soaked the ground beneath him. He flailed, but it was useless. His body jerked, then stiffened as his life slipped away. The girls met the same fate. sea??h th§× ¦Çov§×lFire .net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. They shrieked and pleaded for mercy, but the goblins showed none. Their bodies were torn apart, their flesh devoured. By the time the goblins finished, there were no clear corpses left. Only shredded pieces of flesh and scattered bones remained. And the battlefield moved on, as if they had never existed. ------------- The night was deep, and under the pale glow of the crescent moon, a large team charged forward with determination. This group was made up of second-year students, a few teachers, and leading them was Rank B teacher, Astral. Anyone who reached B Rank had both power and experience, and under his guidance, the team had already taken down hordes of orcs and skeletons. "Charge! Charge! Charge!" Astral''s voice rang across the battlefield. "Go from the left! Healers, cast enhancement spells! Archers, fire at the skeletons and support the front lines! Swordsmen, follow me!" The battle raged on for what felt like hours. Their swords clashed, spells flew through the air, and bodies of monsters piled up. But even for skilled warriors, exhaustion was inevitable. Astral could feel his mana reserves running low. His breaths became heavy, and his movements slower. The rest of the team was in the same condition¡ªthey had fought too long without rest. They had to retreat before it was too late. But just as they were about to fall back¡ª A huge shadow loomed over them. Astral turned to look, and for the first time in a long while, his eyes widened in fear. Standing before them was a fifteen-meter-tall spider, its monstrous legs clicking against the ground. But this was no ordinary beast. Its upper body was that of a woman, with eerie multiple eyes blinking at them, filled with hunger and amusement. It was a Rank A Monster¡ª Madam Eight Legs. Astral¡¯s heart sank. "An A Rank¡­?" His voice trembled. A Rank B like him had no chance against a Rank A¡ªespecially in his exhausted state. Even running away wasn¡¯t an option. If he were at full power, maybe¡ªjust maybe¡ªhe could escape. But now? There was only one thing he could do. He took a deep breath, turned to his team, and forced a smile. "Everyone, listen!" he shouted. "You all run away while I distract this damn thing! Split up and run in different directions¡ªat least half of you will survive that way!" His voice was steady, but deep down, he knew this was the end. The students and teachers trembled in fear. They wanted to help. They wanted to fight by his side. But against an A Rank monster? They would be nothing more than fodder. With tears in their eyes, they nodded and ran, their hearts heavy with guilt. "We will never forget your bravery, Teacher Astral!" "You¡¯ll always be in our hearts!" "You were a true comrade!" Hearing their words, Astral smiled. He unsheathed his sword, gripping it tightly, and turned to face Madam Eight Legs. The monstrous spider raised one of her massive legs, ready to crush him. Astral braced himself. Then¡ª Boom! A massive lightning bolt shot down from the sky, striking Madam Eight Legs'' head. The force of the impact sent her staggering back by dozens of steps, shrieking in pain. Astral blinked in shock. That power¡ª! A figure floated down from the sky. An old man with slight wrinkles, a cool mustache, and an aura of authority. Astral''s eyes lit up in recognition. "Professor Voltez!" he gasped. A Rank A Mage¡ª One of the guardian patroling the forest. As Astral stood frozen in shock, another figure appeared in the sky. A young woman, floating gracefully, her long purple hair flowing behind her like silk in the wind. She was in the prime of her youth, and her presence alone was enough to captivate anyone who saw her. Then, in a voice both elegant and powerful, she called out¡ª "Starlight Blast!" Her words echoed across the battlefield, carrying a strange beauty despite the chaos around them. With a simple wave of her hands, the sky lit up with countless twinkling lights¡ª Like stars coming to life. And then¡ª Boom! Bam! Bam! One after another, the sparkling starlights rained down upon the battlefield. Explosions erupted everywhere, sending shockwaves through the ground. Hundreds of monsters were instantly blasted away, their bodies torn apart by the overwhelming force. Even Madam Eight Legs, the terrifying Rank A monster, let out a piercing shriek as the explosions engulfed her. The sheer power of the attack was enough to shake the earth, causing the ground beneath them to crack and crumble. Astral, despite the chaos, felt nothing but relief. A bright smile appeared on his tired face. "Ms. Felicia too¡­?" he muttered in disbelief. Felicia¡ªanother Rank A awakened. With both Voltez and Felicia here, he was saved. Voltez turned to him, his voice strong and commanding. "Go retreat. We¡¯ll take care of the rest." Astral hesitated for a moment, but he knew the truth. Compared to Rank A awakeneds, he was nowhere near strong enough. Letting out a deep sigh, he nodded. "I really can¡¯t compare to the power of Rank A," he said softly before turning away and retreating without another word. --- Meanwhile, inside the principal¡¯s office¡ª Lilith and Elara had both risen from their seats. Their faces were serious, their gazes sharp. A mix of calm determination and quiet fury burned in their eyes. "It seems¡­" Elara¡¯s deep voice broke the silence. "It¡¯s time to join the battle." Lilith let out a slow breath before gripping the hilt of her saber-like sword. The blade was taller than half of her small body, yet she held it effortlessly. "You¡¯re right," she said, her voice carrying a cold edge. "I¡¯ll take care of the traitors who dared to break the treaty between humans and dragons." Elara smirked slightly, cracking his knuckles. "Then I¡¯ll handle the high-rank demons causing havoc." The two locked eyes for a moment before nodding to each other. Then, without another word¡ª They left the room, stepping into the battlefield that awaited them. -------------------- "Yeah, let''s not meet again," Esdeath whispered, her voice full of amusement. The demon gritted his teeth in rage. "You traitor!" he spat. With trembling hands, he struggled to cast a spell. Esdeath noticed it immediately, but she didn¡¯t know how to stop him from using magic. So, she did the simplest thing¡ªshe charged straight at him. Letting go of her ZK-20 gun, she turned it back into a bracelet, which wrapped around her right wrist. Then, without hesitation¡ª BAM! She punched him square in the face. A powerful shockwave exploded from the impact, completely blowing his head apart. Blood splattered everywhere¡ªon her face, on the floor, and staining her white turtleneck in deep red. She looked down at her fist, eyes wide in surprise. "Was I always this strong?" she wondered. She had no idea. Thanks to Fable, she had absorbed so many strength-enhancing essence stones over time that her physical power had grown without her realizing it. And now, it was enough to completely destroy a low-rank demon with a single hit. The demon''s lifeless body collapsed onto the ground, blood still pouring from the headless neck. Esdeath stared at the corpse. "I killed someone." But she felt nothing. No guilt, no fear. "Is it because he was a demon?" she asked herself, placing a hand on her chest. Then, unexpectedly, a grin spread across her face. "It actually felt kind of good. Should I kill another one?" The thought lingered for a moment before she shook her head. "Ugh... what am I thinking?" She quickly cleared her mind. Lortell had told her not to do chores, Training or anything like that, Just stay by her side, For all eternity. "She¡¯ll always be by my side," Esdeath reminded herself. "I can¡¯t ignore my goddess¡¯s words. Her words are absolute." She had only fought because she had no other choice. If there was ever a chance to avoid fighting, she would follow what Lortell had said ten years ago. Just as she settled her thoughts, a loud voice echoed down the hallway. "Fableeeee!" There was only one person who could be that loud. Maruti. The girl came running toward Esdeath, panting hard. "What are you doing here?! Why did you leave Selene alone in the room like that?" she demanded. "Selene? Alone in the room?" Esdeath froze. Her daughter¡ªSelene, with her half-black, half-white hair. "How does Maruti know about her?" Esdeath wondered, feeling a chill down her spine. It was supposed to be a secret. Only she and Lortell knew. "Maybe¡­ she was close to my previous personality?" Esdeath didn¡¯t have an answer, but for now, she decided to play along. "Yeah! I was just checking the area before taking her out. Let¡¯s go get her!" She quickly turned back toward her dorm room. As they walked, Maruti spoke up again. "You once said you know the best hiding place, right? Now¡¯s the perfect time to go there and survive!" Esdeath nodded without thinking. "Yeah, I¡¯ll tell you once we get Selene!" she replied, walking even faster. But then¡ª Maruti stopped. Esdeath noticed immediately. "Why did you stop?" she asked, turning around. Maruti¡¯s face had changed. Gone was the usual cheerful and carefree expression. Now, she looked serious¡ªtoo serious. Esdeath felt a strange sense of danger creeping in. "You know what?" Maruti said, her voice low and cold. "You never told me about a hiding place. So how did you just agree to my words so easily?" Her eyes locked onto Esdeath¡¯s. "Who are you?" Divine Rank–Freedom "Who are you?" Maruti asked, her voice serious and sharp. Esdeath lowered her head slightly, then let out a scoff. "I guess there¡¯s no point in hiding anymore¡­ I¡¯m Esdeath Crimson¡ª" Before she could even finish her sentence¡ª "Switch back!" Maruti¡¯s loud voice rang out, cutting her off. "What?" Esdeath blinked, confused. But before she could react, Maruti ran toward her and grabbed her arms, shaking her wildly. "I said switch back! Switch back! Switch back!" Maruti yelled, her tone filled with irritation and urgency. "You little fool! Do you even understand what¡¯s happening right now? This isn¡¯t something you can handle! Switch back to Fable!" Esdeath gritted her teeth. She yanked her arms free from Maruti¡¯s grip. "Stop it!" she shouted, her frustration spilling over. "But why?" Maruti yelled back, eyes burning with disbelief. "It¡¯s my body!" Esdeath snapped. "It¡¯s up to me whether I want to switch or not! Besides¡­ I don¡¯t even know how to switch back!" Maruti¡¯s eyes narrowed like a cat sensing danger. "Huh? You don¡¯t know?" she muttered. That was bad. That was really, really bad. Maruti felt like she had fallen into a nightmare. She wasn¡¯t the type to come up with plans, and now she had to protect this Esdeath because if she died, then Fable would probably die too. And how long would it take for Fable to return? She had no idea. "What a shitty situation!" Maruti groaned, rubbing her temples. But then¡ª A deafening roar shook the sky. Maruti and Esdeath''s heads snapped upward looking outside from large window in second floor corridors. A Divine Flame Phoenix soared above the academy, its massive wings flapping with power. Its golden-red feathers glowed like molten fire, illuminating the night like a second sun. Then, it opened its beak¡ª And a huge orange beam blasted from its mouth. The beam streaked across the sky¡ª Splash! Splash! Splash! Everything it touched melted instantly. The academy, one of the strongest magic institutions in the world, was cut in half. The middle section simply vanished, reduced to molten liquid. Anyone standing in its path didn¡¯t even have time to scream. They melted on the spot. Their bodies turned into liquid, then evaporated into nothing. The ground where the beam landed was now a glowing pool of lava, and anything nearby erupted into flames. Students who had been close to the blast stumbled away, flames clinging to their clothes, their skin. "Aaaahhhh! HELP! Water magic isn¡¯t working!" "It hurts! It hurts! It hurts!" Panicked screams filled the air. Some students, desperate to escape, ran toward the academy doors¡ª But in just seconds, their burning bodies collapsed into piles of ash. Not even their bones remained. And the worst part? The beam had struck just a few steps behind where Maruti and Esdeath had been arguing. Maruti swallowed hard. If they had moved just a little slower¡­ They would have been gone. She took a deep breath, forcing down the panic clawing at her chest. There was no time to think about Fable anymore. She turned to Esdeath, grabbing her hand in a tight grip. "Fuck Fable for now! Take Selene and run! Now!" She yanked Esdeath forward, sprinting toward the dorm room where Selene was. If they didn¡¯t move fast, they¡¯d be next. Outside the academy, two massive red dragons were wreaking havoc. They showed no mercy, tearing through both humans and monsters alike, their enormous claws ripping apart everything in their way. Each dragon was over fifty meters tall, their colossal bodies casting terrifying shadows over the battlefield. From their mouths, scorching breath poured out like liquid fire, melting everything it touched¡ªthe ground, the buildings, the people. Nothing could withstand their destructive flames. Above them, the Divine Flame Phoenix let out another deafening roar. It flapped its mighty wings, ready to unleash a second beam of destruction. But just as the phoenix was about to attack¡ª A blur of movement flashed through the sky. It was fast. So fast. Faster than the wind. Faster than lightning. Before the phoenix, or even the red dragons, could react¡ª A sharp sound echoed through the air. Tck! The next moment¡ª The phoenix¡¯s head was gone. Its massive body plummeted to the ground, lifeless. As soon as it landed, an explosion of fire erupted from its corpse, lighting up the entire battlefield. The two red dragons instantly turned their attention to the cause of this sudden death. And the moment their eyes landed on the figure before them¡ª They froze. Their dragon faces twisted into something close to fear. Then, without hesitation, they flapped their enormous wings and moved back, putting distance between themselves and the one who had just appeared. It was as if a towering mountain had suddenly descended upon them. Because standing before them¡ª Was a dragon over a hundred meters tall. More than twice their size. Its silver scales gleamed under the moonlight, each one shining like polished steel. Its sharp fangs looked strong enough to crush anything in a single bite. And its claws¡­ They were long, curved, and deadly. Just one swipe could tear apart anything in its path. One of the red dragons finally spoke, its deep voice filled with unease. "Lilith Maranthia¡­" At that moment, blue lightning crackled across the silver dragon¡¯s body. And then¡ª The enormous creature began to shrink. Its body rapidly transformed, shrinking down into a much smaller figure. Within seconds, the towering dragon had turned into a young girl. She was petite, almost doll-like, with long dragon horns curling from her head. Her silver hair flowed down her back, and her eyes burned with fury. Despite her small size, she radiated an overwhelming presence¡ªlike a deity who had descended upon the battlefield. Lilith Maranthia gritted her teeth and pointed her sword directly at the red dragons. "You traitors!" she shouted, her voice shaking with anger. "You broke the treaty between dragons and humans! That treaty has lasted for two hundred years! From this moment on, all dragons will be your enemies!" But the red dragons'' reaction was not what Lilith expected. Instead of backing down¡ª A red glow surged through one of them. The dragon in front began to change. Its massive form shrank down, shifting into a human shape. And when the transformation was complete¡ª A tall woman stood in its place. Her skin was dark, almost bronze, and her long red hair cascaded down her back like flowing fire. She had a fierce, sharp gaze and a powerful aura. She was also incredibly well-built¡ªher chest heavy, her frame muscular yet feminine. She looked like some kind of battle-hardened warrior, a force of nature in human form. But more than anything¡ª She looked furious. "You," she growled, her voice deep and filled with rage. "You, who are nothing but a slave to humans¡­ What right do you have to accuse us of breaking the law?" Lilith¡¯s eyes widened in shock. "What?" she muttered. The woman¡¯s fiery gaze locked onto her, filled with hatred. "You kidnapped my newborn son!" she roared. "The prince of the red dragons! I can sense that he is here!" Her fury burned hotter than dragon fire. "By doing this, you and your pathetic humans were the first to break the law! And now¡ª" Her eyes narrowed, her voice shaking with wrath. "You are all enemies of the dragon race." Lilith¡¯s heart pounded. This was bad. Very bad. The dragon race was small in number, and they rarely sought out conflict. They avoided war unless absolutely necessary. But by stealing a newborn prince¡­ The humans had committed an unforgivable crime. This wasn¡¯t just a provocation. It was a declaration of war. "Wait, Vaelthara!" Lilith shouted, her voice desperate. "We didn¡¯t do anything! This must be some kind of misunderstanding!" But Vaelthara¡ªthe red dragon queen¡ªonly glared at her. Her body shimmered¡ª And in an instant, she shifted back into her dragon form. Her enormous wings spread wide, her claws digging into the ground. She raised her head high, preparing to unleash a devastating attack. "There is nothing to discuss!" Her voice thundered across the battlefield. "We will talk¡ª" Her mouth opened, flames flickering in her throat. "After your death!" -------------- "Ahh... Where are we even going? And what the hell is happening?!" Selene shouted, her voice shaky as she clung tightly to Esdeath. Her whole body was bouncing up and down as Esdeath sprinted at an incredible speed, carrying Selene on her shoulders like she weighed nothing. The world around them was a blur, and Selene''s stomach felt like it was flipping over itself. Meanwhile, Maruti ran ahead, leading the way. The entire area was in chaos¡ªmonsters howling, trees collapsing, and the ground trembling under the weight of the destruction. But the three of them kept moving, dodging debris and cutting down anything that got in their way. Selene, still confused and terrified, tried to get answers. "Hey! Can someone at least tell me what¡¯s going on?! Why are we running?!" "Shut up, question kid! First, we need to get the hell out of here!" Maruti snapped, not even looking back. Despite her words, she made sure to punch or kick away any monster that got too close. Some of them were cut in half, while others were sent flying like ragdolls. Esdeath also fought when needed, but she couldn¡¯t help but notice something. "She''s insanely strong for a first-year..." Esdeath muttered under her breath. She was fast, but compared to Maruti, she felt like a snail. As they kept running, Esdeath finally asked the question that had been bothering her. "How the hell are we getting past the barrier?" Maruti grinned, her confidence radiating. "Simple. The barrier only blocks beings above a certain power level, meaning it scans mana to check who gets stopped." Esdeath narrowed her eyes. "And?" sea??h th§× ¦Çov§×lFire .net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "And..." Maruti smirked. "At the very last moment, I''ll drain my mana to zero using a Rank B essence stone. That way, my mana will be too low to register as a threat, and the barrier will let me pass. Since I''m holding onto you, you¡¯ll come through with me!" She grabbed Esdeath''s hand tightly, her grip warm and firm. "Alright, full speed ahead!" The barrier was now just a step away. Maruti grinned and activated her ability. "Rank B Fire Body¡ª!" But before she could even complete the spell, her body had already passed through the barrier effortlessly. Esdeath and Selene, however, slammed into it like they had hit an invisible wall. BANG! Both of them were sent flying backward, landing hard on the ground. For a moment, there was silence. Then, as if their brains had just caught up with reality, Esdeath and Selene exchanged looks of pure disbelief. "What the hell just happened?!" Maruti shouted, just as confused as them. She took a step back inside the barrier. Then she stepped outside. Then back inside again. She kept repeating the motion, stepping in and out with a look of amusement on her face. It looked ridiculous¡ªalmost like a comedy skit. Esdeath, on the other hand, stood up and placed her hand on the barrier. Unlike Maruti, who could only sense it, Esdeath could *see* it clearly. A transparent green wall shimmered before her, with tiny electric currents running through it. The moment she touched it, a strong force repelled her hand, pushing her back. She glanced at Maruti again, who was still stepping in and out like she was testing a new toy. "There¡¯s no way she¡¯s weak¡­ So why isn¡¯t the barrier stopping her?" Esdeath thought to herself. Her eyes widened slightly as she came to a realization. There was only one answer. One word formed in her mind. "Divine Rank Essence Stone¡ª''Freedom''." Ohh Shit……(Long Chapter) If someone were to ask, which is the most famous Essence Stone in history? The answer would likely be the same for almost everyone¡ªthe Divine Rank Essence Stone: "Freedom." This legendary stone became famous because it was used constantly by the Hero two hundred years ago. His name echoed throughout the world, and so did the Essence Stone he relied on the most. As the name suggests, "Freedom" grants absolute freedom. But this stone was unlike any other. Most Essence Stones run on mana, but Freedom didn¡¯t. It worked on something else entirely¡ªlets talk about it later. What truly made Freedom special was its power to break free from anything that tried to control, bind, or restrict its user. - Mind control? Useless. - Hypnosis? Won¡¯t work. - Enslavement? Completely ineffective. - Barriers, mana circles, or sealing spells? They simply don¡¯t exist for the user. It didn¡¯t matter if it was a lowly Rank D barrier or an S+ Rank barrier made by the strongests. As long as it wasn¡¯t something physically real¡ªlike an actual wall or chains¡ªFreedom would let its user walk through it as if it never existed. And that was exactly why Maruti had passed through the S-Rank barrier without even trying. It was also the reason why, when Kaelith had used her Rank C-level hypnosis¡ªa spell powerful enough to control multiple people at once¡ªMaruti wasn¡¯t affected at all. Sure, her constellation ability gave her some resistance to charms and mind control. But that alone wouldn¡¯t have been enough to resist Kaelith¡¯s hypnosis. The Freedom Essence Stone, however? It made it laughably easy for Maruti to ignore it. And the funniest part? She didn¡¯t even know she had it. Of course, the power of the Freedom Essence Stone didn¡¯t stop there. It also had unique side abilities¡ªone of them being Happiness. Because what is freedom without happiness? Freedom gives happiness. Whoever possessed the Freedom Essence Stone would have an invisible aura around them. Anyone who got close would start feeling happy for no reason at all. If a person stayed with the user for a long time, their personality would start to change. They would become more lighthearted, more carefree. They would laugh in situations where they should be serious. They would joke around even when things were dangerous. And worst of all¡ªthey would stop fearing death. That was exactly what had happened to Esdeath. At first, it wasn¡¯t noticeable. When she was with Maruti for short moments, nothing really changed. But then they left the academy together. They spent hours, even days, traveling side by side¡ªfirst to Vanara Tribe, then to Colac, and finally to Trynne¡¯s Castle. During all that time, Esdeath had unknowingly fallen under Freedom¡¯s influence. Maruti hadn¡¯t done it on purpose, but her very presence had manipulated Esdeath¡¯s thoughts. That¡¯s why Esdeath had started acting differently¡ªlaughing in serious situations, making reckless decisions at train and vanara tribe, and treating life like a joke. She had somewhat become like Maruti without even realizing it. But then she returned. The moment she was back in her dorm room¡ªalone¡ªher mind slowly started clearing up. She was thinking straight again. She was going back to normal. This was both a blessing and a curse. Because while the Freedom Essence Stone spread happiness to those around its user¡­ It didn¡¯t do the same for the user themselves. The most important part? Freedom didn¡¯t use mana as fuel. It used happiness. That meant if the user wasn¡¯t happy, then the stone wouldn¡¯t work at all. That¡¯s why the true value of the Freedom Essence Stone was only realized in the hands of someone like Maruti¡ªsomeone who was always happy for no apparent reason. The Freedom Essence Stone was so famous that almost everyone in the world knew about it. Many people had dreamed of obtaining it. Esdeath stared at Maruti, her eyes wide in shock. But Maruti? She was still playing around, stepping in and out of the barrier like it was some kind of joke. She hadn¡¯t even heard what Esdeath had said. "For two hundred years, no one has been able to obtain that essence stone... But to think she actually has it!" Esdeath muttered, still finding it hard to believe. Then she let out a sigh. "So, what are you going to do? You can leave right now. You can escape and survive." Hearing those words, Maruti finally stopped. She turned her head and looked at the battlefield. Monsters were everywhere, storming through the academy grounds. Humans were fighting back, slashing and casting spells, their attacks filling the air with fire and blood. The ground was breaking apart. The buildings were crumbling. It was pure chaos. But then, Maruti just smiled. She reached into her pocket and pulled out her fake glasses, slipping them on like some kind of hero preparing for battle. She adjusted them with a confident touch and raised her head high. "It seems I have no choice, do I?" she said, grinning. "Well, I¡¯m not the type to run away anyway!" With that, she took a step back inside the barrier. "I already know who¡¯s behind all this," she said. "Let¡¯s end that person." ¡ª---------------- Meanwhile, at the academy, things were even worse. Half of the academy had been completely destroyed. The left side, in particular, was barely standing. A huge chunk of the wall suddenly tore away from the building, falling straight toward the ground. Below, a group of students was hiding inside the library on the ground floor. They saw the massive wall coming toward them, but there was nowhere to run. All of them crouched down, covering their heads, waiting for the worst. BAM! A loud sound echoed through the air. The students slowly opened their eyes, shocked to find that they were completely unharmed. They looked up¡ª And there he was. A boy with dark blue hair and soft blue eyes that looked as deep as the ocean. His face was sharp and handsome, like a noble prince from a storybook. "Ethan?" one of the girls gasped, her voice filled with joy. He wasn¡¯t alone. Sylvania and Violet stood beside him, both of them busy fighting off the surrounding monsters. Ethan turned to the group of students. "Come with us. We¡¯re heading to the academy gardens!" There was no hesitation. No one asked questions. There was no time for that. They simply nodded and followed him. As they stepped outside, they saw dozens of other students gathered there. Ethan and his group had been saving students non-stop, using every bit of their strength to protect them. Not even the academy¡¯s teachers had managed to save this many students on their own. And because of that, everyone who followed Ethan felt something deep in their hearts¡ª A sense of safety. A feeling of admiration. At that moment, Ethan wasn¡¯t just another student. He was someone they could trust. Ethan and his large group rushed out of the academy and ran straight toward the academy gardens. ¡°There¡¯s an underground tunnel here,¡± Ethan explained as he walked quickly. ¡°It connects to the underground library in the academy¡¯s basement.¡± The students felt a small sense of relief. If there was a tunnel, then maybe they could hide there. But then Ethan frowned. ¡°I don¡¯t think the basement is safe,¡± he said. ¡°If the academy collapses, there¡¯s a high chance the basement will go down with it. So let¡¯s just hide in the tunnel instead.¡± Everyone nodded without hesitation. At this point, they had completely forgotten their status, their pride. Right now, they were only thinking about survival. And Ethan was the one leading them to safety. But just as they were heading toward the tunnel¡ª A massive creature stepped in their path. It was over eight feet tall, with a body as hard as steel. Its grey skin looked like it was made of metal. Eight thick, sharp horns sprouted from its head, and its bloodshot eyes glowed with rage. Smoke puffed out of its nostrils as it took a deep breath, the ground shaking beneath its weight. It was a Rank B Monster. The Eight-Horned Raging Bull. Ethan¡¯s face turned pale. ¡°Oh, shit¡­¡± ------------------ Meanwhile, on the battlefield, Maruti was on a rampage. She had already killed dozens of monsters, and yet, she still had a big grin on her face. ¡°Wohoo! This is so much fun!¡± She slammed her fist into the ground, and the earth cracked beneath her. From the shattered ground, several worm-like monsters shot into the air. Each one had six eerie eyes covering its disgusting face. But Maruti didn¡¯t even flinch. ¡°Fire Thrust!¡± She punched the air, and a powerful wave of fire exploded outward. The worms barely had a chance to scream before they turned to ashes. Maruti sighed, shaking her head. ¡°Sigh¡­ I never even use holy magic. What¡¯s the point of having light affinity if I never use it? What a waste¡­¡± Behind her, Esdeath and Selene were also fighting. Selene was completely destroying the monsters with her raw physical strength. No monster even came close to matching her. Esdeath, on the other hand, was using guns. Yes, guns. The more time passed, the more fragments of Fable¡¯s memories were merging into her mind. She suddenly winced in pain. ¡°Ugh¡­ My head hurts even more¡­¡± But while she was dazed, Maruti was still going crazy. ¡°Hahaha! Who here can defeat me?!¡± Maruti shouted, laughing like a maniac. ¡°I¡¯m just born stronger than you fools!¡± But then¡ª Something hit her. A tail. A massive tail. ¡°Oh¡­ shit¡­¡± Maruti barely had time to react before her body shot through the air like a cannonball. She was flying so fast that if it were anyone else, they would have been torn apart instantly. Within moments, the distance between Maruti and Esdeath had become so huge that Esdeath couldn¡¯t even see her anymore. She had no idea whether Maruti landed safely or if she was still flying. But there was no time to worry about that. Because¡ª All of the monsters suddenly ran away. Like cockroaches fleeing from the light. An overwhelming aura spread across the battlefield, pressing down on everything. Even breathing became difficult. Esdeath fell to the ground. Selene, despite her strength, was no exception. They both looked forward. And what they saw made their faces turn pale. A massive snake stood in front of them. Its entire body was blazing orange, covered in flames and flowing lava. But instead of a snake¡¯s head, it had the head of a bull¡ªwith huge, curved horns. It was none other than the Rank A Monster¡ªScorching Lava Snake. Two words escaped their mouths. ¡°Oh¡­ shit¡­¡± --------------- ¡°We will talk after your death!¡± Vaelthara roared, her mouth opening wide as flames flickered in her throat. Then¡ª Splaash¡­ Splaash¡­ Splaash¡­ A massive beam of fire erupted from her mouth. It was huge. More than four times bigger than the divine flame phoenix¡¯s attack. The scorching light filled the sky, roaring toward Lilith like an unstoppable tidal wave of destruction. BOOOOM! The fire beam struck Lilith directly. But Lilith had already transformed into her dragon form. A powerful, almost invincible aura surrounded her, forming a barrier to block the attack. Yet¡ª This beam was different. It didn¡¯t stop. The endless fire kept pushing, burning, and grinding against her defenses. Then¡ª CRACK! The barrier shattered. The flames landed on Lilith¡¯s body. But they couldn¡¯t burn through her dragon scales. Even so, the sheer force behind the attack was terrifying. Lilith was sent flying backward. She crashed straight into the academy. SWOOOOSH! Dust and debris exploded into the air as Lilith¡¯s massive dragon body smashed through the academy walls. The whole academy rubbed off from the ground, There was no academy no now, It was just flat space. Her head scraped against the ground, dragging along the ruins. Finally, after tearing through the earth, her body came to a stop. Lilith groaned. Her head ached. Shaking off the dizziness, she opened her eyes. And then¡ª She saw someone standing in front of her. A girl. She had pure white hair, a delicate, innocent face, and¡­ A very seductive body. Her chest was especially large¡ªtoo large for the modest nun outfit she was wearing. Lilith blinked. Then she recognized her. ¡°Calista!¡± The girl turned toward her with wide eyes. ¡°Oh! Vice Principal, it¡¯s you! I was really scared!¡± But Lilith had no time for small talk. She immediately sat up. ¡°Do you remember what I told you to do?¡± she asked urgently. Calista nodded. ¡°Then do it,¡± Lilith ordered. ¡°This is your best chance! Don¡¯t hesitate to use your secret. I¡¯ll take full responsibility!¡± She spread her wings wide. ¡°Now go! Hurry!¡± Calista didn¡¯t argue. ¡°Okay!¡± She turned and ran. The battlefield was complete chaos. Monsters and demons roamed everywhere, tearing through the academy grounds. But Calista moved like a shadow. Despite her long nun¡¯s robe, she was agile, slipping between the creatures like a fish in water. Minutes passed as she ran, her heartbeat racing in her chest. Then¡ª She stopped. Right in front of her¡ª A massive wolf stood tall, its piercing yellow eyes glowing like lanterns in the dark. It was more than seven feet tall, its black fur crackling with energy. From its forehead, a long, sharp horn gleamed like polished steel. Sparks of lightning flickered along its length. A single glance told her what it was. A Rank B Monster. The Lightning Charm Wolf. Calista¡¯s face turned pale. Her breath hitched in her throat. Only two words escaped her lips. ¡°Oh¡­ shit¡­¡± ----------- Lilith was locked in a massive battle against Vaelthara and another dragon. All three of them were in their dragon forms, their enormous bodies soaring through the stormy sky. They clashed fiercely¡ªbiting, scratching, and tearing at each other with their razor-sharp claws. The red dragon, Vaelthara, roared and slashed her claws deep into Lilith¡¯s side. But Lilith didn¡¯t flinch. Instead, she opened her jaws wide and *chomped* down on Vaelthara¡¯s neck with terrifying force. "ROAAARRR!" Vaelthara howled in pain. At the same time, Lilith swung her long, powerful tail around¡ªcoiling it tightly around the other dragon¡¯s neck, choking it. Even though Lilith was no longer in her prime like she was two hundred years ago, she was still stronger than both of them combined. But then¡ª A voice called out from below. ¡°Ms. Lilith! Hold on for a few more minutes! I¡¯ll join you once I¡¯m done with these scoundrels!¡± It was none other than Principal Elara. He was locked in battle against three high-ranking demons. One against three. But he was an S-rank fighter. And even against those odds, he had the upper hand. Lilith gave a quick nod, acknowledging his words. But just then¡ª Vaelthara sucked in a deep breath, her chest expanding as flames crackled in her throat. She was about to unleash a devastating fire beam! Lilith¡¯s eyes narrowed. Without hesitation, she let go of both dragons and shot backward into the air. The sudden movement made Elara glance at the sky, momentarily distracted. That was a mistake. The three demons smirked. They saw their chance. "You damn elf! You dare take your eyes off us?!" one of them sneered. "You¡¯ll regret this!" another hissed. Without wasting time, all three demons shot high into the air, positioning themselves in a triangular formation. Then¡ª They raised their hands. Their lips moved in unison, chanting an ancient, forbidden spell. A thick, dark energy gathered between them. The sky trembled. A massive vortex of black energy swirled into existence. It grew bigger. And bigger. Until it was so large, it looked like it could swallow the entire battlefield. The three demons grinned wickedly. "Combination Killer Move¡ªDark Vortex!" they roared together. Elara looked up from the ground, his sharp eyes widening at the terrifying sight. For a moment, he was silent. Then, only two words slipped from his lips. ¡°Oh¡­ shit.¡± ---------------- Lilith flew backward, her body trembling as she was forced out of her dragon form. She landed on the ground, stumbling slightly before steadying herself. Her breath was heavy, her chest rising and falling. She gritted her teeth, frustration flashing in her golden eyes. "It''s getting harder to stay in my dragon form..." she muttered under her breath. She wasn''t as strong as she had been two hundred years ago. Back then, she could fight endlessly in her dragon form. But now... Her human body was more stable, easier to control. Yet, despite her weakened state¡ª A smirk crept onto her lips. "Of course, I''ll still win this." She lifted her head, her eyes gleaming with confidence. "I can hear their thoughts... every single word they''re sending to each other." At that moment, a voice echoed in her mind¡ª [Now''s the time. I''ll create a smoke field to blind her. Veldia will fly high and attack from above while I act as bait in the front.] Lilith¡¯s smirk deepened. "So that¡¯s their plan?" Vaelthara was preparing to be the decoy while Veldia¡ªmost likely the other dragon¡ªwould strike from above. She had read them like an open book. And just as she expected¡ª BOOM! Thick smoke exploded into the air, covering the battlefield in a dense fog. It wasn¡¯t just any smoke. It was the Famous "Lost Direction Smoke"¡ªa rare technique that distorted both sight and sense of direction. To anyone caught in it, the world would spin, making it impossible to tell left from right, up from down. But Lilith¡ª She only grinned. "I know exactly where you are!" She tilted her head back, opening her mouth wide. S§×arch* The novel(F~)ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. A brilliant white light began forming in front of her throat¡ª A devastating beam ready to pierce through the sky and strike Veldia before she could attack. But then¡ª Swishhhhh........ A sharp pain exploded in her chest. Lilith''s body stiffened. Her eyes widened in shock. She gasped¡ª Blood spilling from her mouth as she coughed out blood. The glowing beam in her mouth vanished instantly. Slowly, with trembling hands, she looked down. A massive sword had pierced straight through her chest¡ªfrom behind. She turned her head, struggling to see. And there, standing with a cruel grin¡ª Was a dark-skinned girl with twin-tails. Her crimson eyes burned with amusement. She looked young, almost like a teenager. But Lilith knew¡ª This was no ordinary girl. It was Veldia. The second red dragon. In human form. "You relied too much on reading our thoughts," Veldia whispered mockingly. Lilith¡¯s heart pounded. Her vision blurred. Realization hit her like a hammer. "They trapped me..." She had walked right into their trap. She gritted her teeth, barely able to form words. "Oh¡­ shit." Succubus and Ex-Fiancé Lortell ran through the long, elegant corridors of the grand palace. Her heels clicked against the polished marble floors, her steps quick and urgent. Maids bowed and greeted her as she passed, but she didn¡¯t spare them a single glance. Her heart pounded in her chest. Something felt wrong. She reached a large wooden door and, without hesitation, shoved it open with a loud bang. "Father! Are you alright?" she nearly shouted. Inside, Arthur Mariette sat comfortably on a luxurious sofa, sipping tea from a delicate porcelain cup. He didn¡¯t even flinch at her sudden entrance. Instead, he slowly turned his head toward her, his face completely calm¡ªexpressionless, as if she had merely interrupted a peaceful night. "Huh?" he muttered, raising an eyebrow. Lortell¡¯s eyes widened in relief. He was fine. She let out a small breath¡ª But then, realization hit her, and a flicker of surprise crossed her face. "Wait¡­ you¡¯re not dead yet?" she blurted out. Arthur choked on his tea. "What do you mean dead yet?!" he snapped, his tone suddenly childish and irritated. "I¡¯m not dying that easily!" Before Lortell could respond¡ª Beep¡­ Beep¡­ Beep¡­ A sharp, rhythmic pulse echoed in her mind. And then¡ª A violent shock, like lightning, coursed through her body. Her breath hitched. She knew what this was. It was the signal from the essence stones she had placed on Esdeath¡¯s body. She had set up hundreds of them¡ªmeant to track Esdeath¡¯s location and detect danger. And right now¡ª All of them were signaling at once. Danger. Extreme danger. Lortell¡¯s face paled. Her pupils shrank. "Someone set me up! They made me think my father was dying!" she gasped, realization crashing into her like a tidal wave. Her hands clenched into fists. "Oh, shit¡­ Esdeath is in danger!" Arthur, still seated, heard her words. He didn¡¯t understand everything, but he caught enough to know it was serious. Lortell wasted no time. She reached into her pocket and pulled out a rare-looking essence stone. It was an Emergency Teleportation Stone¡ªa one-time-use item that could instantly transport her to the academy. Without hesitation, she poured her mana into it¡ª Crack! The stone shattered into pieces. She froze. Her heart sank. "Damn it¡­ I knew it wouldn¡¯t work!" she growled under her breath. She turned sharply toward the door. "I need to get to the government teleportation facility!" she thought, ready to sprint out of the room. But before she could¡ª "Wait," Arthur said casually, taking another sip of his tea. "I have a teleportation portal here. Let¡¯s use that." Lortell whipped her head around, her eyes blazing with urgency. She didn''t ask any questions. "Let¡¯s use it! Hurry!" she said, her voice sharp with desperation. Arthur didn¡¯t waste any time. Both of them rushed down to the basement. A massive portal stood in the center, glowing with a swirling, water-like energy. Arthur quickly adjusted the coordinates. His hands moved swiftly, setting everything in place. "Alright, let¡¯s go!" he called out. But then¡ª Crack! A sharp shattering sound echoed through the basement. The portal¡¯s glass-like surface broke into countless pieces, scattering across the floor. Arthur¡¯s eyes widened in shock. "Someone definitely knew we¡¯d use this teleportation too¡­" he muttered, his face darkening. Lortell clenched her teeth. Her fists tightened. "Shit¡­ shit¡­ SHIT!" She had no time to think. She had to move. Now. BAMMMM! A massive shockwave exploded from where she stood as she launched forward at full speed. The entire palace trembled. Walls cracked. Ceilings collapsed. Within seconds, the entire grand palace crumbled into dust, reduced to nothing but ruins. Trees were uprooted. Debris flew in all directions, covering the sky in a thick cloud of dust and rubble. Screams of panic filled the air. Who knew how many people had been buried alive under the falling stone and wood? Then¡ª A hand pushed through the debris. Arthur slowly climbed out, his body covered in dust and dirt. He coughed, shaking off the rubble. "Hold on, I¡¯m coming too!" he shouted. But Lortell was already gone. Kilometers ahead. Her speed was insane¡ªfar beyond what even S-rank fighters could match. Everywhere she ran, powerful shockwaves followed, tearing apart the land beneath her. She was like a red flash of lightning, unstoppable and blinding. Then¡ª BAM! With a single leap, she spread her long bat-like wings. A powerful flap sent her soaring high into the sky. The moment she took flight, her speed doubled¡ªno, tripled. She was nothing but a streak of red light, cutting through the sky like a meteor. "Just hold on for a few minutes, Esdeath!" she shouted, her voice lost in the wind. "I¡¯m coming!" ------------------- Calista¡¯s face was pale as she stood frozen, staring at the Rank B monster in front of her¡ªLightning Charm Wolf. Her heart pounded in her chest. But as her eyes quickly scanned the beast, she felt a small sense of relief. The wolf was badly injured. Deep wounds covered its body, blood dripping onto the ground. Its breathing was heavy. Its strength was nowhere near its peak. But¡­ That didn¡¯t mean it wasn¡¯t dangerous. "Howl¡­!" The wolf raised its head and let out a deafening roar. A bolt of lightning crackled from its sharp horn¡ªrushing straight at Calista. Her eyes widened. But instead of running, she took a deep breath, closed her eyes, and pressed her palms together in prayer. A golden magic circle appeared in the air. Sacred symbols and complex patterns glowed brightly. The lightning strike hit the magic circle¡ªbut it didn¡¯t break through. Instead, the holy energy absorbed the attack and retaliated. A brilliant beam of holy light shot forward, striking the wolf head-on. "Arghhh!" The Lightning Charm Wolf howled in pain. It staggered backward, its fur burning where the holy light touched. Holy magic was extremely effective against monsters like him. Calista sighed in relief. But then¡ª The wolf moved. Instead of charging straight at her, it used its speed. With a flash of lightning, it circled around her at incredible speed, blurring in and out of sight. It was waiting for the right moment to strike. Calista didn¡¯t hesitate. She pressed her palms together once more, whispering a desperate prayer. A glowing barrier of holy light formed around her, keeping the wolf at bay. BAM! BAM! BAM! The Lightning Charm Wolf slammed into the barrier again and again, trying to break through. Calista¡¯s breath grew heavy. Sweat dripped down her forehead. She knew she couldn¡¯t outrun this beast. The Lightning Charm Wolf was one of the fastest monsters known. Crack! Her heart sank. A small crack appeared on the barrier. The wolf saw it too. With a gleam in its eyes, it became even more aggressive, its attacks turning wilder and fiercer. Calista clenched her fists. Her magic was strong, but¡­ "I''m not strong enough!" She bit her lip in frustration. She was good at healing. She was good at defending. But she wasn¡¯t a fighter. That was why¡ª She never made it to the finals in any competition. BOOM! With one last, powerful lightning attack¡ª The barrier shattered. Holy light scattered into the air like glass breaking into tiny pieces. Calista stumbled back, eyes wide. She was completely exposed. The Lightning Charm Wolf didn¡¯t waste a second. With a burst of speed, it lunged straight at her. Calista gritted her teeth. "It seems I have no choice!" Calista clenched her fists, her heart pounding. Then¡ª A strange energy burst out of her. A dark pink aura swirled around her body, filling the air with a sweet, intoxicating fragrance. Her body began to change. A single horn grew from her forehead. Her pupils turned sharp¡ªlike a cat¡¯s, Her usual vibrant blue eyes turned into dark pink. Her teeth became fangs. And from behind her, a long black tail emerged, curling slightly at the end in the shape of a heart. She smirked, her lips parting to reveal her sharp teeth. "You fucking wolf!" With lightning speed, she stepped forward and swung her fist. Bam! Her punch smashed directly into the wolf¡¯s forehead. The massive beast flew backward, its body skidding across the ground, leaving deep marks in the dirt. It groaned in pain. But it wasn¡¯t down yet. The wolf tried to get up, its legs shaking¡ª But it was too late. Calista¡¯s dark pink eyes locked onto the beast. Her aura surged, flowing into the wolf like an invisible wave. The wolf¡¯s body trembled. Then¡ª Its struggles stopped. The once ferocious beast now lowered its head. It sat down like an obedient dog, its glowing eyes staring up at her. A satisfied smile spread across Calista¡¯s lips. She reached out and patted the wolf¡¯s head. "You¡¯ll make a good pet," she whispered. There was no doubt about it. Calista wasn¡¯t fully human. She was half-succubus. She had an affinity with both the Light Element and the Charm Element. The Lightning Charm Wolf was already at its weakest. With her charm magic, she immediately enslaved him. She turned her gaze back toward the battlefield, a wide grin spreading across her face. "Now then¡­ shall we continue?" Her innocent aura was gone. In its place was the presence of a cunning woman¡ªone who had bad intentions. ------------ At the same time¡­ Esdeath and Selene coughed up blood. The sheer pressure in the air made it impossible to breathe. Before them stood a terrifying beast¡ª The Scorching Lava Snake. An Rank A monster. It had originally been fighting two Rank A teachers, but somehow, it had escaped from them¡ª And now¡­ It was here. Although it had used up some of its mana, it was still strong enough to kill ten Esdeaths with ease. There was no doubt about it. They were going to die here. They could not even stand. Running was impossible. The Scorching Lava Snake opened its massive jaws. A fiery glow shone from deep within its throat. Molten lava bubbled inside, ready to be unleashed. A single breath from this beast¡ª And everything would be turned to ash. Esdeath and Selene stared at it. Their bodies refused to move. Their minds screamed for them to run¡ª But there was nowhere to go. This was it. They could only wait for their deaths. Splash¡­ Splash¡­ Splash¡­ S~ea??h the N?velFire(.)net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. The sound of thick, bubbling liquid filled the air. The Scorching Lava Snake hissed and opened its massive jaws. A bright, molten glow shone deep within its throat. And then¡ª Boom! A scorching beam of lava shot forward, rushing straight toward Esdeath and Selene at terrifying speed. Their eyes widened. At that moment, time seemed to slow down. Death was right in front of them. There was no way to dodge. No way to survive. But then¡ª A shadow suddenly appeared before them. A figure stepped in, standing between them and the deadly attack. And just before the lava could reach them¡ª Whoosh! A massive green magic circle flared to life, blocking the fiery blast. The lava crashed against the barrier, sending shockwaves in all directions. Esdeath gasped. She could barely believe what she was seeing. The one who had saved them¡­ He had green hair and soft green eyes. His face was tense with effort, his arms shaking as he struggled to keep the barrier up. He was wearing the academy uniform¡ª Which meant he was one of the students. But Esdeath couldn¡¯t shake off the strange feeling in her chest. He looked familiar. Too familiar. Her heart pounded as she quickly asked, "Who¡­ Who are you?" The boy turned to her. A warm, genuine smile appeared on his lips. And then, with a voice filled with certainty, he said¡ª "It¡¯s me. Your ex-fianc¨¦." Wish You A Happy Life It was eleven years ago¡­ I still remember that day clearly. I was on my way to meet Marquee¡¯s daughter, Claus Clandestine, in Swat. Sitting inside a horse carriage, I sighed, feeling bored out of my mind. Outside, guards rode alongside us, their serious expressions making the whole trip feel even more suffocating. I had already begged my parents to let me use a teleportation portal instead of traveling like this, but they refused. They said it was rude to use a portal when meeting someone of higher status¡ªespecially when the place wasn¡¯t too far away. So, I had no choice but to endure this long, tiresome journey. At that time, I was fat and chubby. My only entertainment was eating snacks and staring out the small window of the carriage. Honestly, I kind of felt like a bride being sent away for marriage. It was embarrassing as hell. We were passing through Swann¡¯s territory on our way to Swat. Swann was a quiet, rural village surrounded by nature. The air was fresh and filled with the sweet scent of flowers. The sight of green fields, small hills, and birds chirping from the trees made my eyes sparkle with excitement. It was so peaceful. But then¡ª As we passed by a two-story house¡ªthe biggest one in the village¡ªI noticed something that made my heart clench. In the garden, a group of arrogant kids were bullying a weak-looking girl. She had delicate pale skin, long black hair, and striking red eyes that stood out even from a distance. For a moment, I was stunned. She was eerie yet beautiful. But then anger surged in me. Why were they being so cruel to her? Without thinking, I turned to the butler sitting beside me. "Stop the carriage!" I ordered, my voice firm. I clenched my fists, my heart pounding with frustration. "I¡¯ll teach those guys a lesson!" But just as I was about to step out, the butler beside me stopped me with a firm voice. "I advise you not to do that, young master," he said, his expression serious. I frowned, feeling my anger rise. "But why?" I demanded. He turned his gaze toward the black-haired girl. "Young master Edward, Can''t you see? She is Baron¡¯s daughter¡ªEsdeath Crimson. She has black hair and eerie red eyes. People say she¡¯s a witch or a cursed child. You should stay as far away from her as possible," he explained. Hearing his words, I felt even more confused. "Black hair? It¡¯s just hair! That¡¯s not how we judge a person!" I argued. The butler let out a sigh. "You are being rude again, young master. This is an order from your father. We can¡¯t interfere." His words immediately shut me up. As the carriage continued moving, my eyes remained fixed on Esdeath Crimson. She was running away from those kids, holding a book almost half her size. My heart ached. Not just because I was angry¡ªbut because I saw myself in her. Yes! At that time, I was a chubby, fat kid who was terrible at sports and hard work. I, too, was once bullied by the local kids. Even the maids in my house would joke about me when they thought I couldn¡¯t hear them. It hurt. It really did. It made me feel small. It made me lose confidence in myself. But one day, I used my noble status to teach those kids a hard lesson. I even fired the maids who mocked me. After that, everything changed. The kids who once bullied me? Their parents came begging for my forgiveness. The maids I fired? They pleaded for another chance. And yet¡­ Instead of feeling happy, I just stopped going outside even more. I stopped playing with other kids. I thought standing up for myself would make me feel better. But it only made me feel lonelier. And that¡¯s why¡­ Watching Esdeath being bullied made me remember my own past. It was like I was watching myself all over again. But then¡ªsomething shocked me. Even as she ran toward her home, even after being bullied¡ªshe still had a smile on her face. I was baffled. Sear?h the n?vel_Fire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "Why?" I whispered to myself. "You can use your noble status to punish those kids. You can make them suffer like they made you suffer¡­ but you¡¯re not doing it? Just what are you trying to achieve, Esdeath Crimson?" Many questions flooded my mind as the carriage moved further and further away from the garden. ------------ After that incident, Three whole year passed like flowing water. But no matter how much time went by, I kept thinking about that moment. Esdeath¡¯s smile, her small figure running away, the way she held that large book tightly in her arms¡ªit all stayed in my mind. And before I even realized it, I somehow found myself back in Swann¡¯s territory. I didn¡¯t plan it. I didn¡¯t know why I was drawn there. But when I arrived, I heard something that broke my heart even more. Esdeath was just trying to make real friends. She wanted to play with them, spend time with them, and be accepted. That was why she did everything to be with them¡ªeven forgiving them after they bullied her. Hearing this, I felt a deep sense of pity for her. She just wanted what everyone else had. A normal childhood. A group of friends. But then, I heard something terrifying. The kids who once bullied Esdeath? They¡ªand their families¡ªhad mysteriously disappeared one night. Just like that. Gone. Of course, I didn¡¯t believe such rumors. I knew Esdeath wasn¡¯t the type to do something like that. She was kind. She forgave them. That¡¯s why I went to meet her. And for the first time¡­ we talked. She was nervous¡ªvery nervous. Her face had deep wrinkles, like she hadn¡¯t slept in weeks. There were small scars peeking out from under her clothes. Some bruises, too. When she noticed me looking, she quickly covered them with her hands. I wanted to ask about them. But we weren¡¯t close enough for that. So instead, I simply extended my hand toward her. "Ms. Esdeath, I¡¯ll get straight to the point. I want to be friends with you," I said with confidence. I thought she would be happy. I thought she would immediately accept. But to my surprise¡­ She shook her head. Then, she smiled. "I already have one," she said. Her face turned red. And the next thing I knew¡ª She quickly turned around, slammed the door shut, and disappeared inside her house. I stood there, stunned. "Did¡­ Did I just get rejected?" I muttered to myself. I looked down at my chubby body. "I guess so¡­ Who would want to be friends with a lazy, fat guy like me?" With a bitter chuckle, I turned around and left Swann. But even after I left¡­ I couldn¡¯t stop thinking about her smile. It was charming. It was mysterious. And before I even realized it, I was drawn to her. Maybe¡­ it was love at first sight. But Esdeath and I were different, i was an awakened noble. She was a baron without any special power. I went to the academy and climbed the ranks. Time passed quickly, and soon, I was about to enter my second year. But then, I heard something that made my heart sink. Esdeath was already seventeen. And no one wanted to marry her. Everyone still believed she was cursed. That was when I made my decision. If no one would marry her¡ªthen I would. To be honest, I had already wanted to marry her long ago. But now, I finally had a reason to do it. My parents were furious. They immediately rejected the idea. But I was determined, I threatened them, I told them I would take my own life if they didn¡¯t agree and all that crap. I did everything I could to force them into accepting. And in the end¡­ They had no choice but to say yes. Esdeath''s parents were under pressure. A noble girl, already seventeen, still unawakened and unmarried? It was disgraceful. People whispered that she was cursed, some doubted her character, and others simply pitied her. But none of that mattered to me. I wanted to marry her. I thought everything was set. I would give her the happy life she deserved. But then, everything fell apart. One day, news spread¡ªEsdeath had awakened. And with that, my marriage to her was canceled. I fought against it. I begged her parents, argued that nothing had changed, but they refused. I locked myself in my room, unable to eat or sleep. Before I realized it, I had fallen into depression. A month passed before I finally stepped outside. The maids gasped when they saw me. ¡°Was young master always this handsome?¡± they whispered. I had lost all my weight, my face had sharpened, and my body had become lean. Even my parents struggled to recognize me. But I didn¡¯t care about any of that. I went straight to the academy to see Esdeath¡ªonly to find out she had left. She was searching for someone, and no one knew when she would return. I thought I had lost my last chance to see her. But fate had other plans. I finally saw her again¡ªon the battlefield of a grand competition. She stood tall, fighting with fierce determination, a smile on her face as always. But something had changed. Her aura was stronger, her presence overwhelming. Yet, despite everything, she was still the same Esdeath. And at that moment, I realized something. All I ever wanted was for her to be happy. With one last look, I muttered, ¡°Well then, I guess we¡¯ll never meet again. Have a good life, Ms. Esdeath Crimson.¡± And I walked away. I thought it was over. That our paths would never cross again. But I was wrong. Because in the middle of chaos¡ªwhere people were dying, where the world was crumbling¡ªwe met once more. ---------------- Edward gritted his teeth as the intense heat of the Scorching Lava Snake¡¯s lava wave bore down on him. The sheer power behind the attack was enough to melt solid rock, yet he stood firm, channeling his family''s secret technique to create a protective barrier. Normally, this move required twenty trained mages standing in formation, each drawing power from dozens of essence stones. But Edward didn¡¯t have that luxury. Instead, he was using a far more dangerous substitute¡ªhis own life force. Every ten seconds drained away two years of his lifespan, like sand slipping through an hourglass. It had already been fifteen seconds. Three years gone. Just like that. His vision blurred slightly, exhaustion creeping in, but he forced himself to focus. He turned his head just enough to catch sight of Esdeath, standing frozen in shock. Next to her was a girl he didn¡¯t recognize¡ªSelene¡ªbut now wasn¡¯t the time for questions. "Ms. Esdeath, run!" he shouted, his voice hoarse from strain. "Run as fast as you can! I''ll hold him off!" Esdeath hesitated for a fraction of a second before nodding. She grabbed Selene¡¯s hand and bolted, her academy uniform flapping behind her. Edward exhaled heavily, shifting his stance as the Scorching Lava Snake hissed in fury. He had to hold out until Esdeath was out of sight. Just a little longer. The intense heat made his skin blister, sweat pouring down his face like rain. The barrier flickered, demanding more energy, more years of his life. Another ten seconds. Two more years. His body felt heavier, his limbs weaker. He could feel his youth slipping away, replaced by aching joints and a worn-out heart. By now, he was already like a fifty-eight-year-old man with long hair like a girl and heavy beard and slight wrinkles in academy uniform and long nails. Still, he held on. Only when Esdeath¡¯s silhouette finally disappeared beyond the burning landscape did he let out a shaky breath. He smiled weakly. "I wish you a happy life, Ms. Esdeath," he murmured. His legs gave out. He collapsed onto the charred ground, gasping for air. His vision darkened, his body failing him at last. The Scorching Lava Snake reared back, ready to strike the final blow. Edward smirked, his cracked lips barely moving. "I guess this is the end." He closed his eyes, waiting for the inevitable. But then¡ª BOOM! A deafening explosion shook the battlefield. Edward¡¯s eyes fluttered open in shock. His blurred vision caught the figure of a Rank A Awakened charging straight into battle, their aura radiating sheer power. The Scorching Lava Snake let out a furious roar as flames and energy clashed. Edward blinked, barely able to process what was happening. "Am I¡­ saved?" he muttered weakly, watching the battle unfold before his fading consciousness took over. ------------------ Esdeath ran as fast as she could, her breath coming out in ragged gasps. Her feet pounded against the dirt path, her legs aching, but she didn¡¯t stop. She had to keep moving. The academy gardens were ahead¡ªthe safest direction. There were barely any monsters there, only a few in the distance. But something was wrong. Her head throbbed violently, a sharp, stabbing pain shooting through her skull. Her vision blurred, and a wave of dizziness almost made her stumble. A storm of memories¡ªmemories that weren¡¯t hers¡ªrushed into her mind, like a dam breaking and flooding her thoughts. Her steps slowed. Her body trembled. Then, voices. "What is wrong with this kid? Is he really my son? Don''t tell me you cheated on me? He¡¯s a failure!" A deep, scornful male voice echoed in her ears, full of disappointment and disgust. Before she could process it, another memory surfaced. A woman knelt in front of a door, her hands clasped together, pleading desperately. "Husband, don¡¯t do this! He¡¯s still very young!" But then, in an instant, the same woman was standing over a small child, her face twisted in fury as she raised a whip. Crack! The child flinched, his small hands clutching their arms, trying to shield himself from the blows. "If you want to stay inside all day, why weren¡¯t you born as a girl?!" the woman shouted, her voice filled with frustration and rage. "You can¡¯t even speak properly in front of others! What will they think of me? How badly I¡¯ve raised my child?!" The whip lashed out again. Esdeath¡¯s breathing grew ragged, her entire body trembling. She got another fragment of memory where she stood in front of a big cupboard, Inside the cupboard was rotten death body of a old couple. "I killed my own parents?", He/she muttered and Turned and sat down on the bed. It was like he/she had two choice,Either cry or be happy. And She chose the latter one. "Hehehe hahahahaha........", And then¡ªanother memory. This time also she wasn¡¯t a girl. She was a man again but tall and strong, gripping a gun in his hands. A beautiful black-haired girl layed down before him, smiling softly but her body was heavily injured. "I wanted to say something before I die," she said, her voice calm despite the situation. "Actually¡­ I always liked you." Her smile was genuine, warm, filled with emotions. But instead of feeling moved, he¡ªno, she¡ªsmirked, an eerie, twisted grin stretching across his face. "Hehehe¡­ Fuck you!" And then¡ª Bang! The gunshot rang in her ears, loud and deafening. Esdeath let out a sharp cry, clutching her head as she fell to her knees. Her heart pounded wildly, her entire body drenched in sweat. "My head¡­! It hurts! It hurts so much!" Tears welled in her eyes, but she didn¡¯t even realize it. The flood of memories, the voices, the pain¡ªit was too much. Beside her, Selene¡¯s face twisted in panic. The little girl¡¯s blue eyes filled with tears as she reached for her mother. "Mother, what¡¯s wrong?!" Selene sobbed, her tiny hands shaking Esdeath¡¯s shoulders. "Please, wake up! Don¡¯t leave me!" But before Esdeath could answer, before she could even open her mouth¡ª Her vision went black. She collapsed onto the ground, completely unconscious. Esdeath was in her most venerable condition right now. You… Traitor…. Lilith gasped as pain shot through her body. A long sword had pierced her back, the cold steel slicing through her flesh. Blood trickled from her mouth, her body trembling. She had been hearing the thoughts of Veldia and Vaelthara, but now she understood¡ªthey had planned it all. But how? How could they manipulate her ability? There was no time to think. Gritting her teeth, she spun around and swung her fist at Veldia, but the enemy had already retreated, smirking. Lilith staggered, her vision blurring. Blood dripped from the gaping wound in her chest, soaking her clothes. Her breathing was ragged, her body weak from exhaustion. Vaelthara transformed into her humanoid form, unable to contain her laughter. "Hahaha¡­ How does it feel, Lilith? We knew we''d have to face you one day, so we spent years creating something special just for you!" She pulled out a small, eerie-looking essence stone shaped like a human ear. "This is the Pre-Planned Essence Stone. A mere D-rank. Can you believe it? The mighty Dragon Queen, checkmated by a rank D stone! Hahaha!" Her mocking laughter echoed across the battlefield, while Lilith stood there, a bitter smile forming on her lips. ¡ª------------ Meanwhile, a distance away from the battle, Maruti groaned as she slowly sat up. Her body cracked like a skeleton being put back together. "Ouch¡­ ouch¡­ ouch¡­" she muttered, stretching in an awkward way. Her eyes scanned her surroundings. "Who was it? Who the hell dared to send me flying?!" she growled, looking left and right. But she saw no powerful enemy nearby. What she did see, however, was something far more interesting. The academy was in ruins. Smoke and dust filled the air, the once grand structure now nothing but rubble. A sly smile formed on her lips. "Oh? The academy¡¯s already destroyed? I''m not so far away from it too, This makes things a lot easier." Cracking her neck, she sighed and took off running toward the destroyed academy. As Maruti ran through the chaos, she suddenly crashed into someone. "Oof!" she grunted, stumbling back. Before she could react, strong arms wrapped around her. She blinked in surprise, realizing it was Kaelith. "Thank God you¡¯re alive! I¡¯ve been looking for you everywhere!" Kaelith said, her voice filled with relief. Without hesitation, she pulled Maruti into a tight hug and kissed her hard. Maruti''s eyes widened in shock. Without thinking, she shoved Kaelith away. "We¡¯re in the middle of a battlefield! Now¡¯s not the time for this!" she snapped. Kaelith blinked, as if coming back to her senses. She quickly wiped her lips, looking a little embarrassed. "Oh¡­ right! I got carried away," she admitted with a sheepish smile. Maruti sighed, deciding to let it go. "Anyway, it¡¯s actually good that you¡¯re here," she said, turning serious. "Come with me. Our goal is the academy¡¯s basement." Kaelith frowned as she started running beside her. "Basement? Why?" "I don¡¯t have time to explain! Just follow me!" Maruti called out, picking up her speed. ¡ª------------ Meanwhile, across the battlefield, the sky was filled with massive red dragons, their powerful wings beating against the wind. A few moments ago, Lilith had struggled against just two of them. But now, sixteen of them hovered above her, their glowing eyes locked onto their prey. Of course other than Veldia and Vaelthara,Other dragons were not mature enough but being a dragon was itself meant powerhouse. It looked like the end. She stood alone, her small human form barely holding itself up. Blood dripped from the wound in her chest, staining her clothes. Every breath she took was heavy, filled with pain and exhaustion. Yet, she remained standing. The dragons roared, their deep voices shaking the ground. They were massive¡ªmountains of scales and fire, their shadows covering the land below. Against them, Lilith looked no different than a tiny insect. And yet¡ªshe laughed. A bright, childlike laugh that echoed through the battlefield. "You insects, You think I, who fought with the demon king, Only relied on my thought hearing abilities?", She drove her sword into the ground, resting her palms on the hilt. Her silver dragon eyes gleamed with unshaken resolve. "Dragon¡¯s Last Stand," she whispered, her voice calm, yet filled with power. As soon as Lilith spoke, an overwhelming aura burst from her body. It was powerful. Majestic. Breathtaking. Yet, at the same time, it was terrifying¡ªlike standing before something divine and unstoppable. The silver energy expanded into a massive sphere of light, shining as brightly as the stars. It spread across the entire battlefield, filling the air with something that felt both soothing and dreadful. It didn¡¯t crush the enemies with sheer force. Instead, it lingered, like a fragrant perfume¡ªbeautiful, yet carrying an unshakable sense of doom. For a brief moment, nothing happened. Then, Vaelthara¡¯s face turned pale. Her entire body stiffened as realization struck her. "Everyone, charge! Attack her now!" she roared in desperation. "The rest of you, form a defensive line! Use every last ounce of power¡ªblock her, even if you die!" The red dragons let out deafening roars, their massive bodies lunging toward the glowing sphere, their claws outstretched¡ª But they were too late. A single wave of silver energy shot out. Swish! In the blink of an eye, two red dragons were beheaded. Their massive heads hit the ground with a heavy thud, blood splattering across the battlefield. The remaining dragons froze in midair. Their eyes widened in horror. And then¡ªshe emerged. From within the silver light, a figure stepped forward. Not a little girl. A woman. She was tall¡ªmore than eight feet. Her silver horns, nearly fifty centimeters long, curved gracefully from her head. Her body had transformed, no longer small and delicate but powerful, mature, and breathtakingly beautiful. Her figure was mesmerizing¡ªfull curves, long legs, and a strong, commanding presence. She wore a tight white outfit, sleek and futuristic, almost mechanical in design. Parts of it had intricate silver lines running across, and certain areas left daring glimpses of her flawless skin. The silver light around her faded. And then¡ª Boom! A crushing pressure fell upon the battlefield. It was like a mountain had descended from the sky. The air itself became heavy, suffocating. S§×ar?h the Novel?ire(.)ne*t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Those who were weaker¡ªanyone below Rank D¡ªbecame meat paste instantly, their bodies unable to withstand the force. Blood splattered across the ground and bone were like crushed fruits. It did not spare anyone, Hundreds of students died while thousands of monsters like goblin , Skeleton,Orcs horde died too, At once the battlefield actually got quite. The only ones who were alive was all elites, The weakest only received death. Even the red dragons¡ªcreatures known for their overwhelming strength¡ªtrembled. Out of the fourteen that remained, more than half fell from the sky, their gigantic bodies slamming into the ground, unable to stand back up. Meanwhile¡ª Maruti and Kaelith had been running toward the academy basement, but before they could react¡ª Boom! The pressure hit them like a tidal wave. "What the¡ª?!" Maruti gasped. Her legs gave out instantly. Her body crashed against the dirt, her arms barely able to move. Kaelith wasn¡¯t spared either. She dropped to one knee, her entire body trembling. No matter how much she tried to resist, she couldn¡¯t lift her head. Her breathing became ragged, her heart pounding violently in her chest. "Such overwhelming power¡­?" Kaelith thought, struggling to move. Then, as realization struck her, her eyes widened. "Mother¡­? Is that you¡­?" -------------- Lilith spread her massive dragon wings and rose high into the sky. But then¡ª Srrrrr... Something fell from above. At first, it seemed like blood, thick and red, dripping down onto her skin. But when she touched it, she realized¡ª It wasn¡¯t blood. It was water. A strange, crimson rain poured down from the dark clouds, soaking the battlefield in red. "What¡¯s happening?!" students gasped, looking up in confusion. Before anyone could understand¡ª Thump... Thump... Thump! Thunder roared across the battlefield. BOOM! Thick, golden lightning crashed down like giant pillars from the sky. Each bolt was massive, far larger than normal lightning, and wherever it struck¡ª BOOM! Bodies were turned to ash in an instant. RUMBLE! Then, the earth itself began to shake. Cracks spread across the battlefield. The ground split open, tilting and breaking apart. Buildings trembled, some even collapsing under the intense quake. Even Lilith, despite her strength, felt a chill run down her spine. Her silver eyes widened as realization struck her. "This... Don''t tell me!" she muttered, her heart pounding. She immediately withdrew her powerful aura and shouted with all her strength¡ª "EVERYONE WHO IS ALIVE, LISTEN TO ME! SOMEONE IS REFINING A DIVINE-RANK ESSENCE STONE!" Her voice echoed across the battlefield. A wave of shock spread among the survivors. "A Divine-Rank Essence Stone?! Here?! In the middle of this chaos?!" a Rank A teacher gasped. The students and teachers exchanged stunned looks. "Who would even dare to refine something so powerful in a battlefield?!" another person muttered in disbelief. Meanwhile, high above, the academy¡¯s principal, Elara, narrowed his eyes. His face was grim as he thought deeply. "If all these natural disasters are happening, then¡ª" he turned towards Lilith. "THE ESSENCE STONE BEING REFINED MUST BE SOMETHING THAT DEFIES THE LAWS OF NATURE!" Elara shouted. His words sent another wave of panic across the battlefield. Lilith clenched her fists. "Principal Elara is right! FIND AND STOP THAT PERSON AT ALL COSTS!" she ordered. Then, she turned back toward the red dragons, her silver eyes burning with fury. She bared her fangs. "It¡¯s time for all of you to die!" she growled. But now that she had withdrawn her overwhelming aura, the dragons who had been pinned to the ground finally found their chance. One by one, their massive bodies lifted off the ground. Whoosh! With powerful flaps of their wings, they soared back into the sky, ready to fight once again. All the dragons transformed into their humanoid forms, knowing that their massive dragon bodies made them easy targets. They wouldn¡¯t let themselves be hunted down like simple beasts. But they weren¡¯t unprepared. Three dragons charged straight at Lilith, while the remaining eleven quickly formed a battle formation. Suddenly¡ª Swish! Swish! Swish! Dozens of essence stones shot into the sky, glowing with bright, colorful light. They swarmed around Lilith like fish swimming through water, their radiant energy humming with power. WHOOSH! A blinding surge of magic erupted as countless glowing ropes of different colors shot out, wrapping tightly around Lilith¡¯s body. "Combined Killer Move¡ªULTIMATE ROPE BINDING!" the eleven dragons shouted in unison, pouring all their strength into the technique. Meanwhile, the three dragons leading the charge¡ªVeldia and Vaelthara among them¡ªrushed toward Lilith at full speed. But could they reach her in time? BAM! Lilith didn¡¯t struggle. She simply clenched her muscles¡ª CRACK! The glowing ropes shattered like fragile glass, breaking apart in an instant. In the very next second¡ª Lilith was right in front of Veldia. Their eyes locked. Veldia¡¯s body froze, drenched in cold sweat. Her instincts screamed at her to move. Run! Dodge! Do anything! But she couldn¡¯t. BAM! Lilith punched. Just one punch. And Veldia¡¯s head exploded like a watermelon. Her lifeless body fell to the ground, leaving a trail of blood behind. "VELDIAAAAA!" Vaelthara screamed, her voice filled with rage and grief. "You bitch!" she roared. Blink¡ª Lilith was gone. Then¡ª BOOM! She reappeared right in front of Vaelthara. "You said something?" she asked coldly. Before Vaelthara could even react, Lilith kicked. CRASH! Vaelthara shot toward the ground like a meteor, smashing into the earth with such force that her body didn¡¯t stop¡ªshe kept going, digging deep into the ground as if she had been fired from a cannon. It was terrifying. But the battle wasn¡¯t over. The remaining dragons roared in fury and charged at Lilith. They used everything they had¡ªcombat skills, sword techniques, essence stones, powerful magic. Some even sacrificed their lifespan to unleash forbidden techniques. But nothing worked. Lilith was simply unmatched. BAM! SWISH! CRACK... CRACK... Lightning flashed. Fireballs exploded. Water magic flooded the battlefield. Smoke filled the air, making it impossible to see. Yet¡ª Lilith remained untouched. She was a force of nature. The definition of an overpowered monster. And in the blink of an eye¡ª Only four dragons were left standing. Lilith, alone, stood against them. She rose high into the air, her silver eyes gleaming with a menacing glow. Raising her sword above her head, she declared¡ª "WORLD CUTTING SLASH!" Light! White light! It was everywhere! Painting the world in white void. A blinding white light filled through everything. The four remaining dragons looked up in despair. Their bodies were exhausted. Their energy was drained. "There¡¯s no point in resisting¡­ This is the end," one of them muttered. BOOM! A deafening explosion erupted. It was as if a nuclear bomb had just gone off, shaking the battlefield to its very core. Smoke and dust covered everything. When the smoke finally cleared¡ª The battlefield was silent. The dragons lay lifeless on the ground. Some didn¡¯t even have bodies left, only scattered remains. But it wasn¡¯t just the dragons who had suffered. The academy students¡ª Almost all of them were dead. Close to Thousand of fresh recruits had entered the academy while many previous year students, but now only a few dozen remained. The ones who had survived had only done so because they were protected by the Rank A teachers. Lilith, exhausted, knelt on the ground. Her massive, intimidating form had shrunk back to her childlike body. She gasped for air, her small hands gripping her sword for support. A slow, victorious smirk appeared on her lips. "I win," she whispered, forcing herself to stand. But then¡ª A weak voice echoed through the battlefield. "It¡¯s not over yet¡­!" Lilith¡¯s eyes snapped toward the sound. Vaelthara. Her bloodied hand broke through the ground, followed by half of her upper body. She coughed up blood but still glared at Lilith with pure hatred. Both of them were barely standing. Both of them were at their limits. ------------ Meanwhile¡ª Kaelith and Maruti had long since escaped from Lilith¡¯s terrifying pressure. They ran as fast as they could, desperate to reach academy basement. But then¡ª Kaelith glanced back¡ª And saw Lilith. Her small, frail body barely standing. Kaelith¡¯s heart clenched. Her mother was in danger. Her eyes widened in panic. "MOTHER IS IN DANGER! I¡¯M GOING TO HELP HER!" she shouted. "Wait¡ªDON¡¯T¡ª!" Maruti tried to stop her, but Kaelith was already gone. Maruti froze. Then she clenched her fists, her face twisting in frustration. "Go fuck yourself! I¡¯m not coming!" she yelled, turning to run the other way. But¡ª A memory flashed in her mind. That time¡ª That moment when Kaelith had saved her from Caramel. Maruti gritted her teeth, cursing under her breath. "Damn it¡­ I hate owing people favors," she growled. Then¡ª She turned around and ran after Kaelith. ------------- Lilith gritted her teeth, her breath ragged. Blood dripped from her lips as she forced herself to stay on her feet. ¡°To think¡­ I would die by your hands,¡± she muttered, her voice filled with pain and exhaustion. Vaelthara coughed, blood trickling down her chin, but compared to Lilith, she was in much better shape. The only reason she had survived the devastating "World Cutting Slash" was because she had been buried deep underground when the attack landed. It had shielded her from the worst of the destruction. Even though her body ached, she could still stand. But Lilith¡ªLilith could barely hold onto her sword. Then¡­ footsteps echoed across the battlefield. The once-roaring battlefield was now eerily silent. The air was thick with the smell of blood and burnt flesh. Almost all the dragons, demons, and monsters lay dead, their corpses scattered like broken dolls. In this eerie stillness, the sound of slow, deliberate footsteps rang out. Step¡­ step¡­ step¡­ Lilith¡¯s ears twitched at the sound, and despite her pain, she managed a weak smile. A long shadow stretched over her from behind. She didn¡¯t need to turn around to know who it was. ¡°You finally came¡­ Elara,¡± Lilith sighed in relief. Her legs trembled, and she nearly collapsed, but she held on just a little longer. ¡°I can finally¡­ rest in peace,¡± she murmured, her voice filled with quiet satisfaction. A warm, nostalgic smile crossed her face. She had done everything she could to stop this chaos. She still remembered that day. The old hero, the man she had admired, lay on his deathbed. His once-strong hands were frail, and his breaths were shallow. Lilith knelt beside him, gently holding his hand. ¡°Lilith¡­¡± His voice was weak but firm. ¡°I want to be selfish one last time.¡± ¡°Please¡­ protect the peace of this kingdom.¡± Tears welled in her eyes, but she nodded. ¡°I-I will try my best,¡± she promised. And she did. For a hundred years, she worked tirelessly. She became the vice principal of the academy, maintaining the fragile treaty between humans and dragons. She eliminated threats before they could grow, forcing herself to follow the rules¡ªeven when she hated them. She dedicated her entire life to keeping the peace. And yet¡­ this was the result. She let out a slow, tired breath. ¡°I couldn¡¯t protect it this time¡­ but I hope that from now on, everything will finally be at peace.¡± Her smile softened as her body finally relaxed. But then¡ª A voice whispered in her ear. ¡°That¡¯s right, Ms. Lilith¡­ rest in peace.¡± Her eyes widened in shock. What¡ª? Before she could turn around¡ª Swish! Pain exploded through her back. A sharp blade pierced her body, sinking deep into her flesh. Lilith gasped, her vision blurring as the strength in her legs gave out. She fell to her knees, blood pouring from the wound. Her hands trembled as she reached for the sword lodged in her back, but she was already too weak. Finally, she forced herself to turn her head. And there¡ªstanding behind her¡ªwas Elara. His long dark-elf ears twitched as she smiled, his face splattered with blood (From Blood Rain). Lilith¡¯s breath hitched. ¡°You¡­ traitor¡­¡± she choked out. But her voice was barely a whisper. Her fingers twitched, trying to grip her sword¡ªbut it was too late. Her body hit the ground. Her vision darkened. And then¡ªnothing. The mighty Lilith was dead. Just like that. Elara looked down at Lilith¡¯s lifeless body, a cruel smirk on his lips. he raised his hand to his hair, brushing back the blood-soaked strands. Then, tilting his head towards the dark sky, she chuckled. ¡°Now¡­ now¡­¡± he murmured, his eyes gleaming with excitement. ¡°Let the massacre begin.¡± Massacre "Let the massacre begin," Elara whispered to himself, a wicked smile forming on his lips. He had done so much to reach this moment. The kidnapping of students. The horrible experiments on them. Misinforming Lortell, making her leave the academy to search for her father. Stealing the demons¡¯ resources. Kidnapping the Red Dragon Queen¡¯s son. It was all his doing. From the very beginning, he had planned everything. For 150 years, he had worked in the shadows, preparing for this exact moment. And now¡­ finally, his patience had paid off. ------------ THUMP!..... A golden lightning bolt shot down from the sky, striking the ground with an earth-shaking force. It crashed into the academy¡ªor at least, what was left of it. The grand academy had already been destroyed during the fierce battle between Lilith and the Red Dragon. Only the basement remained intact, hidden beneath the ruins. But¡ª BAM! As the lightning struck, the earth trembled violently. The impact was so strong that the basement collapsed in on itself, the ground caving in like a sinkhole. A huge cloud of dust and debris rose into the air. For a moment, everything was silent. But then¡ª A figure shot up from the buried ruins, rising into the sky like a comet. Blinding divine light surged around him, illuminating the battlefield. He hovered above the ground, sitting cross-legged in mid-air as if gravity had no hold on him. His eyes were closed, his expression calm. Floating before him was a swirling sphere of purple liquid energy, pulsing with a strange, mysterious power. With inhuman speed, he moved his hands, pouring valuable resources into the sphere. His arms blurred, moving so fast that they created the illusion of four extra hands working alongside him. But the most shocking thing¡ª He looked exactly like Principal Elara. An identical face. The same long dark-elf ears. The same powerful aura. And yet, this wasn¡¯t him. This was his clone. The real Elara narrowed his eyes, his expression turning serious. ¡°I have to protect my clone at all costs,¡± he thought, his heart pounding. ¡°The refinement cannot be interrupted. If anything goes wrong, my 150 years of struggle¡­ all my efforts¡­ will be for nothing!¡± He clenched his fists, his gaze burning with determination. No matter what, he would not let anyone stop him. Just as Elara turned away, a voice came from behind him. "Mother...?" It was a trembling, broken voice filled with pain. Elara slowly turned back. Kaelith was standing there, frozen in place. Her silver eyes were locked onto her mother¡¯s lifeless body, lying in a pool of blood. Her face was pale, completely blank, as if her mind refused to accept what she was seeing. Then, her body started to shake. "You...!" Her voice cracked with raw fury as her fists clenched so tightly that her nails dug into her skin. "Why... Why did you do this!?" Her teeth ground together as her rage surged, her silver dragon aura beginning to leak out, making the air around her tremble. Elara sighed, shaking his head. "There''s not much time to explain, and even if I did¡ª" His gaze turned cold. "You wouldn''t remember anything anyway." Without hesitation, he lifted his hand and pointed his index finger at her. "Pan." A sudden force struck. Blood splattered everywhere. Kaelith¡¯s eyes widened in shock, her breath catching in her throat. She couldn¡¯t even react. For a moment, she felt nothing. No pain. No wounds. Then she touched her belly. It was fine. No injury. Not even a scratch. But then¡ª Her heart nearly stopped. If she wasn¡¯t hurt¡­ then whose blood was this? Her gaze slowly moved forward, her pupils shrinking to tiny dots. Maruti stood in front of her, her body swaying. A massive hole was blown through her abdomen. Blood gushed from the gaping wound, her organs torn apart. She coughed violently, blood spilling from her lips as her body collapsed backward. Before she could hit the ground, Kaelith rushed forward and caught her, carefully laying her down. Tears streamed down Kaelith¡¯s face as she clutched Maruti¡¯s trembling hand. "Why... Why did you do that!?" Her voice cracked as she sobbed, her shoulders shaking uncontrollably. Maruti let out a weak, painful chuckle. "Don''t misunderstand, lizard," she rasped, her breaths shallow. "I only saved you... because I don¡¯t like owing favors." More blood spilled from her lips. She tried to laugh again, but her voice was barely a whisper now. "I guess... I really cut out to be a tank... huh?" And then¡ª She stopped moving. Her eyelids didn¡¯t flutter. Her fingers didn¡¯t twitch. Her chest no longer rose and fell. She was gone. Kaelith¡¯s breath hitched. The rain continued to pour, washing away the blood. The whole battlefield was painted red, and yet everything was quiet. No sounds of fighting. No screams. Only the soft, rhythmic pattering of raindrops echoed through the silence. Then, Kaelith''s sorrow turned into pure, uncontrollable rage. Her eyes burned red with fury as she gritted her teeth. "YOU MOTHERFUCKER!" She shot to her feet, her icy silver aura exploding outward, causing the very air to crackle. Her fists clenched so tightly that her knuckles turned white. And then¡ª She lunged forward, raising her fist to punch Elara straight in the face. But before she could reach him¡ª "Time Cutting Edge." Elara¡¯s calm voice rang out as he waved his palm. A ripple spread through the air. Kaelith¡¯s body suddenly froze in place. Then¡ª Swish. Her head separated cleanly from her shoulders. For a brief second, her body stood still, her expression frozen in shock. Then her head hit the ground. A moment later, her body followed. She was dead. Elara looked down at her lifeless corpse and scoffed. "Did you really think an immature dragon could match an S-rank?" He turned away, unfazed, as if killing her was nothing more than swatting a fly. The rain continued to fall. The massacre had only just begun. As Elara walked through the battlefield, his gaze fell upon Vaelthara. She stood there, frozen in shock, unable to process the devastation around her. Her hands trembled, her lips slightly parted, but no words came out. Her mind was blank. She had just witnessed Kaelith , Lilith died by his hands. It was terrifying. Elara¡¯s piercing gaze locked onto her. "What are you looking at?" His voice was cold and indifferent, as if she were nothing more than an insect. Vaelthara¡¯s body tensed. She tried to move. She tried to run. But then¡ª "Time Cutting Edge." A sharp slicing sound filled the air. Her head separated from her shoulders in a single, clean cut. Her body collapsed onto the ground, lifeless. She never even got the chance to scream. Elara barely spared her a glance. His eyes swept across the battlefield. Everything was in ruins. The academy, the dorms, the training grounds¡ªeverything had collapsed. The once beautiful trees surrounding the academy were now uprooted, their trunks snapped like twigs. The air was thick with dust and the metallic scent of blood. Bodies lay scattered across the field, both human and monster alike. The powerful creatures that once roamed this place¡ªthe Scorching Lava Snake, the monstrous Madam Eight Legs, and even the dangerous B-rank beasts¡ªwere all dead. Only a handful of students had survived. And yet, there was still one thing standing in his way. Lightning. Bolts of golden lightning rained down from the sky, crackling with immense power, preventing him from reaching his true goal. His eyes narrowed. His final objective was simple. He needed to protect his clone. That body was currently refining something precious¡ªhis Divine Rank Essence Stone. Once the refinement was complete, Everything Will Be At Peace. Without wasting any time, Elara flew toward his clone. But then¡ª "Mountain Cutting Slash!" A thunderous voice echoed across the battlefield. A massive golden energy wave surged forward, cutting through the air like a blade. It was fast. It was powerful. But Elara barely glanced at it. Raising his hand, he conjured a protective shield. The golden slash struck the shield with a deafening impact¡ªboom¡ªbut it failed to even leave a scratch. His gaze slowly shifted toward the attacker. Ethan. Of course, it was him. "You were right, Sir Gareth," Ethan said, his voice firm. "He really is the one behind all this!" He transmitted the message through his mind. But before he could continue, a voice echoed inside him, urgent and sharp. "Why did you attack him? I told you to go for his clone first! Now it¡¯s too late!" It was Gareth. "But¡ª" Ethan hesitated. But then¡ª "You pest!" Elara''s face twisted in irritation. He waved his palm. "Time Cutting Edge." Swish. Before Ethan could even react, his head was severed from his body. His head hit the ground with a soft thud. His lifeless body followed, collapsing onto the dirt. Just like that¡­ The main protagonist of Free Life Fantasy. The one who was supposed to rise, to fight against the Demon King one day¡­ Now lay motionless on the ground. Dead. Clearly dead. Elara landed on the battlefield, his expression calm. S~ea??h the N?vel(F)ire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. With a flick of his wrist, a massive teleportation formation appeared beneath him. A brilliant pentagram magic circle glowed brightly, and five figures emerged from it. Two women. Three men. Each of them clad in heavy armor, wielding powerful weapons. All of them were Rank A warriors. Elara looked at them with satisfaction. "There are still teachers and students alive," he said, his voice steady. "They will figure out what¡¯s happening soon and try to stop me." He turned toward his clone, still sitting in meditation, refining the Divine Rank Essence Stone. "Your job is simple¡ªprotect my clone until the refinement is complete." The five warriors nodded, stepping into formation around the clone. Elara exhaled slowly, then turned his gaze upward. The sky had darkened. A blazing red light shone above the academy, illuminating the battlefield in a crimson glow. A bitter smile tugged at his lips. "As for me," he murmured, his voice carrying a strange amusement. "It¡¯s time to face the biggest threat." The red light grew brighter. And then¡ª Boom. The academy¡¯s final barrier¡ªthe strongest defense spell ever created¡ªshattered into millions of pieces, crumbling like broken glass. And through the broken remains, a figure descended. Lortell Mariette. She landed gracefully, her long platinum hair flowing behind her. Her crimson eyes swept over the battlefield, scanning everything in an instant. Her gaze landed on Lilith¡¯s lifeless body. Then on Maruti. Then on Kaelith. Then on Ethan. All dead. Her expression darkened. And then¡ª She saw Elara¡¯s clone. Her sharp mind only needed one second to understand everything. Elara smirked. "Too late¡­ too late, Lortell Mariette!" he roared, launching himself toward her like a streak of light. Lortell¡¯s red broadsword gleamed as she raised it high. Her lips curled into a snarl. "You¡¯re dead meat, pointy ear!" A wave of pure killing intent burst out of her. A red death aura leaked from her body, as vast as an ocean, filling the battlefield with an overwhelming sense of doom. Elara pulled out his own sword, its blade glowing with brilliant white light. His aura exploded outward, clashing against hers. Then¡ª They charged at each other. Esdeath ‘s Death? A Few Minutes Ago Ethan and his team stood frozen as they faced a massive beast¡ªa Rank B monster known as the Eight-Horned Raging Bull. Steam rose from the bull¡¯s nostrils, and its hooves scraped against the ground, kicking up dirt. Its eyes burned with fury, locked onto them like a predator ready to charge. The sheer size of the monster made it feel like an unshakable wall standing before them. Ethan swallowed hard. As a Rank C level, defeating a Rank B monster was an extremely difficult task. The difference in strength was overwhelming. His grip tightened around his sword, but he didn''t let fear take over. "I can do this¡­" he muttered under his breath. In his previous life, he had fought against countless monsters¡ªRank A, Rank B, it didn¡¯t matter. He had survived battles where he had to face dozens of Rank B monsters for days without rest. Especially in the "Age of Chaos," when death lurked around every corner. He knew monsters better than anyone. He knew their strengths, their weaknesses, and most importantly¡ªtheir habits. Ethan took a deep breath and turned to his team. "Listen up! Don''t panic!" His voice was firm, steady, cutting through the tension like a blade. The others looked at him, their faces pale, their hands trembling. Ethan pointed at the bull. "Monsters have low intelligence, especially this one. It only attacks in a straight line, charging with its horns. Blocking it is impossible for us, but dodging? That¡¯s a different story." Hope flickered in their eyes. "If we can distract it long enough, Sylvania will cast an illusion spell to make us invisible and hide our scent. Once that happens, we¡¯ll slip through the tunnel and escape," Ethan continued. Sylvania immediately nodded. "Got it!" She gripped her wand tightly, determination shining in her eyes. "I¡¯ll help too!" Violet stepped forward, drawing her heavy sword. "And me!" A muscular boy stepped beside her. It was Kartes¡ªthe same boy who had fought Violet in the competition. He held twin daggers, his eyes blazing with battle spirit. "Me too!" Another voice joined in. "And me!" "I¡¯ll do whatever I can!" One by one, the others stepped forward. Ethan''s heart swelled. Their fear was still there, but their willingness to fight was stronger. He smiled, feeling his own confidence soar. "Alright, let¡¯s do this!" But then¡ª A gentle breeze swept through the battlefield. A silver fragrance spread in the air, drifting around them like mist. It was sweet and intoxicating, wrapping around them like an invisible embrace. Ethan¡¯s eyes widened. "What¡¯s this sweet scent¡­?" Before anyone could answer¡ª BOOM! A massive force exploded in the air. A heavy silver aura crashed down on them like an unseen weight. It was suffocating, pressing against their bodies like a mountain. Thud! One by one, they dropped to their knees, gasping for breath. Even the monstrous Eight-Horned Raging Bull, who had seemed unstoppable moments ago, let out a pained cry and collapsed, its legs trembling under the immense pressure. It was none other than Lilith¡¯s silver aura. A force so heavy, so overwhelming, that it pressed against the air like an invisible storm. The entire battlefield trembled under its might. But Ethan didn¡¯t falter. His hands clenched into fists, his breathing steady. He had faced strong enemies before¡ªhe wasn¡¯t going to let this crush him. Splash¡­ Splash¡­ Splash¡­ A golden glow spread through the academy garden, like the first light of dawn cutting through the night. It was Ethan¡¯s Righteous Aura. His body radiated with warmth and strength, pushing back against Lilith¡¯s suffocating presence. Auras not only depended only on raw power, but also an one¡¯s fighting spirit and power in soul. And Ethan? He was born with one of the rarest auras in existence¡ªthe Righteous Aura. It gave him the ability to resist powerful auras, even Lilith¡¯s. At least to some extent. Especially when she was far away. Lilith wasn¡¯t even in the academy anymore¡ªshe was floating high above the ruins, far from them, yet, her aura had still reached them. Even so, Ethan stood up. And one by one, his subordinates followed. The weight in the air hadn¡¯t disappeared, but it had become bearable. They could move again. They could fight again. But the one suffering the most was none other than the Eight-Horned Raging Bull. The monster groaned in agony, trapped between two powerful auras. Its massive body trembled, bloodshot eyes darting around in confusion. "This is our chance!" Ethan¡¯s voice rang out, filled with determination. "We can actually kill him!" Without hesitation, he charged forward. "Rising Sea Slash!" His sword glowed with golden energy as he swung it in a wide arc. The attack sliced through the air like a crashing wave, slamming into the bull¡¯s thick hide. Slash! S~ea??h the N?vel?ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. A deep, bloody wound appeared on the monster¡¯s side. "ROAR!!" The bull howled in pain, staggering. The others didn¡¯t waste a second. They attacked together. Swords, spells, arrows¡ªthey threw everything they had at the beast. But despite their efforts, their attacks barely left a scratch. After all, this monster¡¯s skin was as tough as steel. Even so, the constant attacks began to take their toll. The bull was gravely injured. Blood dripped from its wounds, its breaths becoming ragged. Then¡ª Everything changed. Suddenly, the crushing weight disappeared. The air felt light again. But instead of relief, everyone¡¯s faces turned pale. Lilith¡¯s aura was gone. And that could only mean one thing¡ª The Raging Bull could move again. As if on cue, the massive beast let out a furious snort. It stomped its hooves, rising back to its feet. Even though its body was covered in wounds, even though blood poured from deep gashes¡ª Its eyes burned with rage. And then¡ª "Sword General!" Ethan¡¯s roar shook the battlefield. A golden light exploded around him, and in an instant¡ª His hair turned white. Golden sparks danced around him, crackling like tiny stars. His entire body glowed with radiant energy. Swish! He moved so fast it was like he had vanished. Then¡ª SLASH! The next moment, he appeared behind the Raging Bull. And one of the bull¡¯s legs fell to the ground. A clean cut. A deep, painful groan tore from the monster¡¯s throat as it struggled to stay upright. With just three legs left, it stumbled. But instead of attacking again¡ª It turned around. Not toward Ethan. Not toward the other students. But toward the edge of the garden. Then¡ª It ran. It ran as fast as it could, fleeing. Just like animals, monsters also had survival instincts. And right now, the Eight-Horned Raging Bull knew¡ª If it stayed here, it would die. So it did the only thing it could. It ran for its life. The massive beast disappeared into the distance. No one chased after it. Instead, they all let out a deep sigh of relief, their bodies trembling from exhaustion. But then¡ª Drip. A single drop of water hit the ground. Then another. And within seconds¡ª Rain poured down in thick, heavy sheets. Cold. Icy. Unforgiving. But something was wrong. The rain wasn¡¯t clear. It wasn¡¯t normal. It was red. Dark red droplets fell from the sky, staining the ground, their clothes, their faces. "It¡¯s blood!" A female student shrieked, her voice filled with horror. More students looked up in shock, their eyes wide with fear. "I don¡¯t want to stay here!" "I wanna go home!" Their cries filled the air, panic spreading like wildfire. They had all dreamed of becoming awakened warriors, of gaining power and standing tall. But now, standing in the middle of a battlefield drenched in blood, they realized the truth¡ª This was nothing like their dreams. This was terrifying. Many of them regretted their choices. If they had known it would be like this, they would have chosen a peaceful life at home instead. But then¡ª A voice echoed in Ethan¡¯s mind. It was Gareth. "Lad, I think I finally understand what¡¯s happening." Ethan¡¯s brows furrowed. "What do you mean?" "You know, my inheritance is in the underground library," Gareth said. "You weren¡¯t the first person to reach me." "One of the people who found me¡­ was Principal Elara." Ethan¡¯s breath hitched. "What are you trying to say?" "Before he discovered me, I noticed something strange. He was gathering countless valuable resources in the academy¡¯s basement. He visited almost every day." Gareth paused before continuing, his voice grave. "And judging by what¡¯s happening now¡­ someone is refining an essence stone of divine level!" Ethan¡¯s eyes widened. "You mean¡ªPrincipal Elara is refining a divine rank essence stone right now?" "Yes. We even met once years ago," Gareth admitted. "He told me something back then¡ªhe wanted to revive someone." There was a short silence before Gareth added, "If I had to sum up his character in one sentence, I¡¯d say this¡ª He is a good person willing to do the wrong thing to achieve something good." Ethan clenched his fists. "I don¡¯t fully understand what you¡¯re saying¡­ but we have to stop him!" His mind was set. He spun around to face the other students. "You all go hide in the tunnel! I still have something important to do!" Violet and Sylvania immediately panicked. "What important thing?! You¡¯re not going anywhere!" Violet snapped. "Yes! This is our last chance to survive!" Sylvania cried, tears welling in her eyes. But Ethan shook his head, his expression firm. "I can¡¯t stop now. Just do as I say!" "Then let me go with you!" Violet shouted desperately. "Me too! I¡¯ll come with you!" Sylvania insisted. "No!" Ethan refused without hesitation. "You two take care of the others while I¡¯m away. Don¡¯t worry, I¡¯ll be back!" And with that¡ªhe turned and ran. "Ethan!" Their desperate voices rang out behind him. "For our friendship¡¯s sake¡­ don¡¯t chase me. I¡¯ll be back. I promise!" His voice grew smaller and smaller as he disappeared into the storm. ¡ª--------- Meanwhile, just a little away from the academy garden¡ª Esdeath lay unconscious on the cold, muddy ground. Beside her, Selene clung to her mother¡¯s body, sobbing. "Mother¡­ wake up!" Her tiny hands shook Esdeath¡¯s shoulders, but there was no response. Selene''s cries echoed in the eerie silence. And then¡ª A deep, rumbling sound broke through the air. Thud. Thud. Thud. Heavy footsteps. Growing louder. Selene looked up, her tear-filled eyes widening in horror. It was a monster. A massive beast with jagged horns and bloodshot eyes. The Eight-Horned Raging Bull. He was injured. One of his legs was missing. His body was covered in wounds. Blood dripped from his mangled flesh. But that didn¡¯t stop him. His gaze locked onto Selenea md Esdeath. Although he was injured but what can a little girl and teenage female who is unconscious do to him? His nostrils flared. And then¡ª He charged. Selene¡¯s heart pounded in terror. "Mother, wake up!" She glanced between Esdeath and the monster, her tiny hands shaking. Selene stood up with a determined expression, her small fists clenched tightly. The giant monster was coming closer, its heavy steps making the ground tremble. Fear gripped her heart, but she refused to back down. But then¡ª BANG! A massive wave of black energy shot out, crackling with the power of death. The air turned cold, and the Eight-Horned Raging Bull let out a deafening roar. Its monstrous eyes widened in shock as half of its body was instantly erased, leaving nothing but ashes. With a final groan, it collapsed to the ground, lifeless. Selene gasped and quickly turned around. Standing there, completely unharmed, was Esdeath. Her long black hair was damp from the red rain, her uniform was torn in places, and her skin was smeared with dirt and blood. But her face... her face was completely blank, as if nothing had happened. "So what the fuck is going on here?" Esdeath muttered, looking at the chaotic battlefield around her. Yes. The one who had woken up was not the real Esdeath. It was Fable. Her sharp red eyes scanned the ruins of the academy grounds. Blood was everywhere. The bodies of students and monsters lay scattered like broken dolls. The sky rumbled with lightning, and the air smelled of burning flesh and rain. "Did I wake up too late?" she wondered. But then, a sharp pain shot through her head. Flashes of memories poured into her mind¡ªthe real Esdeath''s actions from the past few hours. "Ouch¡­!" She touched her forehead, feeling dizzy. But as more memories surfaced¡ª "FUCK YOU, ESDEATH!" she suddenly screamed, her face turning red with embarrassment. Selene flinched. "Mother has gone insane¡­ she''s cursing herself¡­" Esdeath exhaled sharply, trying to calm down. The memories were overwhelming, but at least she understood the situation now. She quickly turned to Selene. "Selene, go to the academy garden," she ordered. "Fly up and check if there''s a dark-skinned man floating in the air. He should have a purple vortex in front of him." Selene hesitated for a moment, but seeing Esdeath¡¯s serious expression, she nodded and ran toward the academy garden. Esdeath, meanwhile, took a deep breath and looked around, thinking about her next move. But then¡ª A chilling warning shot through her body. Danger. She instantly turned around¡ª A Lightning Charm Wolf was racing toward her at full speed, its golden eyes glowing like burning suns. Sparks of electricity crackled around its sleek fur as it charged straight at her, ready to rip her apart. "Another Rank B monster?" Esdeath muttered. She quickly manipulated her ZK-20, reshaping it into a long, white sniper rifle. With steady hands, she aimed directly at the wolf''s head¡ª But before she could pull the trigger¡ª A voice whispered behind her. "You fell for it." SLASH! Cold steel pierced through her back. Her body stiffened. Pain exploded in her chest as blood gushed out from the wound. She staggered, her breath hitching in her throat. A sickening taste of iron filled her mouth. Slowly, she turned her head¡ª A girl with long, white hair and glowing dark pink eyes stood behind her, holding a blood-stained sword. It was Calista Seraphine. "Hehehe¡­ How does it feel, Esdeath Crimson?" Calista giggled, her eyes filled with cruel amusement. Esdeath gritted her teeth as her legs gave out. She collapsed to the ground, coughing violently. Blood dripped from her lips, staining the dirt beneath her. Calista yanked her sword out of Esdeath¡¯s body and stepped back. The Lightning Charm Wolf stopped as well, watching the scene with sharp eyes. "Vice Principal Lilith told me to do this," Calista said, her voice strangely calm. "She knew about my succubus identity and told me to do this But I never have agreed to kill a fellow classmate" She looked down at Esdeath''s motionless body, her expression darkening. "But¡­" A memory flashed in her mind¡ªthe day after the affinity test. Esdeath¡¯s voice echoed in her head. "I know everything that¡¯s happening inside your church kingdom." Calista clenched her fists. "For so long, Day and night i wondered¡ªhow do you know? I was constantly afraid that what if you expose us the very next moment ", "But now¡­ none of it matters " "You are dead!", With a satisfied smirk, Calista turned around and walked away, leaving her lying in the dirt. She didn¡¯t look back. But she should have. The Final Showdown Boom! Bam! Slam! The ground shook violently as shockwaves tore through the battlefield, sending debris and shattered earth flying everywhere. What was already a ruined land was now breaking even more, turning into a true wasteland. In the middle of this chaos, Lortell Mariette and Elara clashed like two unstoppable forces. Their attacks sent waves of power crashing against each other, shaking the air itself. Two Rank A fighters stood in front of Elara¡¯s clone, protecting it like a shield. Meanwhile, three more Rank A fighters rushed forward, joining the battle to support Elara. "Earth Fetus Prison!" One of the Rank A women raised her hands, her voice echoing through the battlefield. The ground trembled¡ªthen, all of a sudden, a massive wave of sand exploded from below, rising like a tsunami. It surged forward, swallowing Lortell whole in an instant. Before anyone could react¡ª "Eternal Vacuum Chamber!" Another Rank A fighter shouted, and thick layers of solid iron formed in the air, sealing Lortell inside a steel prison. For a moment, the battlefield went silent. Then¡ª Crack! A sharp sound echoed as red swords and spears stabbed through the iron chamber from the inside. Boom! The entire prison shattered into pieces. And from within, Lortell emerged. She floated high in the sky like a tyrant queen, her cold red eyes glowing with terrifying power. Her long, silver hair flowed wildly in the wind, and the blood covering her body only made her look more menacing. "Blood Absorption." With just those two words, every drop of blood on the battlefield¡ªthe blood of monsters, demons, and fallen warriors¡ªrose into the air. It gathered together, twisting and swirling, forming a gigantic vortex. A brilliant red aura spread out, painting the entire battlefield in its crimson glow. But unlike Lilith¡¯s overwhelming aura, Lortell kept hers restrained. She made sure it didn¡¯t affect Esdeath, who might be nearby. Slowly, she lifted her right hand. Then, she raised a single finger. And flicked it downward. "Blood Sea Slash." At her command, the swirling vortex of blood shifted, transforming into a sea of swords, spears, and arrows. The three Rank A fighters froze. Their faces turned pale. They knew what this was¡ªan S-rank killer move. It was too much. Too strong. Too fast. The sky, which had been dark with storm clouds, was now filled with countless crimson weapons. Blades so sharp they could cut through mountains. Arrows so fast they could pierce through steel. Spears so deadly they could shatter defenses in an instant. And all of them pointed downward. "Descend." At Lortell¡¯s cold command, the blood weapons shot down like a rainstorm of death. Fast. So fast. One moment, the weapons were high in the sky¡ª The next moment, they were only ten meters away. But just as they were about to hit¡ª "S-rank killer move¡ªReverse!" Elara¡¯s voice rang out. Swish! In an instant, all the blood weapons stopped. Then¡ª They turned around. Now, instead of striking the Rank A fighters, they aimed straight at Lortell. A deadly rainstorm, now falling back toward its own master. But Lortell only scoffed. "Blood Manipulation." With just a thought, she took back control. The weapons halted in mid-air, trembling under her command. But instead of attacking again, she made them merge back into the swirling vortex of blood. It descended onto the ground, pooling like a crimson lake beneath her feet. Her red eyes swept across the three Rank A fighters¡ªone woman, two men. She snorted. "You¡¯re all a hindrance." Then she lifted her hand once more. "Blood Summon." At Lortell''s command, something¡ªno, someone¡ªbegan to rise from the swirling vortex of blood. The pool of crimson shrank as the liquid took shape, forming three massive, hound-like creatures. They stood on two legs, towering over the battlefield with their muscular bodies. Their eyes glowed red, their sharp claws dripped with fresh blood, and their bodies pulsed with raw power. Each one was a Rank A monster, created purely from blood. "Go," Lortell ordered coldly. With a deafening roar, the three blood hounds charged forward, crashing into the Rank A fighters. The battle turned fierce as claws clashed against weapons, and the ground trembled from the impact. Elara, watching from a distance, couldn''t help but feel a strange mix of admiration and dread. "She''s only twenty years old, yet she''s stronger than me," he thought bitterly. "Even though I''m an S-rank Time mage, I''m more skilled in defense, deduction, and investigation. But in direct combat¡­ she''s a monster." Lortell¡¯s sharp gaze locked onto him. "Now," she said, pointing her blood-red sword at him, "no one can interfere." Meanwhile Elara¡¯s clone remained focused, his hands carefully holding a golden egg, far larger than any normal egg. It was a Divine Flame Phoenix¡¯s Egg¡ªthe very reason the Divine Flame Phoenix had attacked the academy. Without hesitation, he threw the egg into the purple liquid vortex in front of him. The vortex pulsed, absorbing it completely. "That''s it," Elara thought, his heart pounding. "I only have one shot at this. Everything is going according to plan." He then pulled out something even more precious¡ªa tiny red dragon, no bigger than a child¡¯s arms. Its ruby-red scales glowed faintly, its small chest rising and falling. Though weak and unconscious, it was alive. It was the son of the Red Dragon Queen. Without hesitation, Elara tossed the baby dragon into the vortex. "Krrchh... Arhchhh!" The dragon¡¯s eyes fluttered open in shock, but it was too late. The moment it entered, its tiny body was sucked inside, vanishing into the abyss. At that same moment, Lortell continued raining down attacks on Elara. He was fast¡ªan expert at dodging and blocking¡ªbut for some reason, he couldn¡¯t avoid a single one of her attacks. Slash! A blood sword buried deep into his side. Stab! A second pierced through his shoulder. His once-pristine robe was now torn and drenched in blood. "What¡¯s happening¡­?" Elara gritted his teeth, feeling pain shoot through his entire body. "Why can''t I dodge anything?!" Lortell saw his confused and frustrated expression. Her lips curled into a mocking smile. "What¡¯s wrong?" she asked, her voice laced with amusement. "Trying to figure out why you can¡¯t dodge?" Elara¡¯s breath was ragged, his mind racing for an answer. Lortell¡¯s red eyes gleamed as she raised her sword. "You are at your wits end anyway, How about i tell you?" she said with a chuckle. Then, she laughed¡ªa cold, merciless sound. "It¡¯s because I hold a Divine-Rank Essence Stone...Sure Hit." Elara¡¯s face turned pale. The Sure Hit essence stone was a Luck-path essence stone. In Free Life Fantasy, Lortell was known as the "Sure Hit Queen". Because of this essence stone, dodging her attacks was nearly impossible. Only someone with another Luck-path essence stone that countered hers could avoid her strikes. But Elara wasn¡¯t one of them. His mind raced for a way to stop Lortell, but almost every plan had already failed. He had set up multiple traps across the academy, specifically to stop her, but none had worked. ¡°Her regeneration is almost instant... It¡¯s like she¡¯s immortal¡­ All my attacks are useless!¡± Elara clenched his fists, frustration boiling inside him. Then, a commanding voice rang out from high above. S§×arch* The n?velFire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. ¡°Everyone who is still alive, all teachers and students¡ªattack Principal Elara''s clone who is floating in air! Stop whatever he is doing at all costs!¡± It was a man¡¯s voice¡ªstrong, authoritative, and impossible to ignore. ¡°This is an order from me, Arch-duke Arthur Mariette.¡± The moment those words echoed across the battlefield, people who had been hiding slowly stepped out. All eyes turned to the sky. There, floating high above, was Arthur Mariette himself. ¡°It¡¯s really the Arch-duke!¡± A Rank A teacher, Voltz, gasped in shock. ¡°Do as Sir Arch-duke says, even if it costs your life!¡± Another voice called out. Felicia, a high-ranking mage, soared into the air, her long purple hair flowing behind her. Dozens of students rushed forward, all charging toward Elara¡¯s clone. ¡°Damn it!¡± The two Rank A fighters guarding the clone cursed, their expressions darkening. Chaos erupted once again. Felicia lifted her palm, and countless shimmering starlights filled the sky. ¡°Purple Star Dust!¡± she called out. The lights shot forward like a meteor shower, raining destruction upon Elara¡¯s defenders. But a female Rank A with white hair stepped up, her breath cold as ice. ¡°Ice Flow.¡± A wave of freezing mist spread out, forming solid snow walls that intercepted Felicia¡¯s attack. The students who had rushed forward were nothing more than cannon fodder. Many died in an instant. ¡°Lightning Bolt!¡± ¡°Light Saber!¡± ¡°Malevolent Spikes!¡± Deadly attacks clashed in the air as both sides engaged in fierce combat. Meanwhile, those fighting against the blood hounds finally saw hope. ¡°I killed one!¡± A fighter, covered in thick, dark-red blood, cheered in victory. But Lortell smiled. She raised a hand, her red eyes glinting with amusement. ¡°Blood Explosion.¡± Bubbles began forming all over his body. Then¡ª BOOM! His body exploded into pieces. The battlefield fell into a stunned silence. The realization struck instantly¡ªif any of the blood hound¡¯s blood got on them, they would meet the same fate. ¡°We can¡¯t let their blood touch us!¡± someone shouted in horror. At that moment, Elara¡¯s voice roared through the chaos. ¡°Focus on me!¡± He charged straight at Lortell, determination burning in his eyes. Lortell scoffed. ¡°Running straight at me? How bold.¡± She tightened her grip on her sword. In a flash, she moved. Her blade pierced straight through his chest. Elara coughed, blood trickling from his lips¡ªbut then, he chuckled. ¡°That¡¯s it¡­¡± Lortell¡¯s eyes widened. Something felt wrong. Before she could react¡ª ¡°Time Prison.¡± A strange silence swept over the battlefield. A ripple in the air spread out, warping everything around them. Lortell¡¯s body froze in place. Elara, too, was trapped. Both were locked inside the Time Prison. It was an S-rank defensive move¡ªa desperate measure. But Elara had planned for this. He knew Lortell wouldn¡¯t be trapped for long. So he got as close as possible¡­ even imprisoning himself to ensure she stayed trapped for a while. The moment Lortell was sealed, her blood hounds collapsed into pools of liquid. The two remaining Rank A fighters looked at Elara¡¯s motionless body. They knew he was frozen. Without hesitation, they turned away from him and rushed back to defend Elara¡¯s clone. ------------ All four Rank A awakened fighters were locked in an intense battle against two powerful Rank A warriors, Arthur Mariette¡ªwho was far from his peak condition¡ªalong with three Rank B fighters and dozens of students. The pressure was immense, but instead of feeling threatened, Elara¡¯s clone only laughed. "Only one last material remains!" he declared, his voice filled with excitement. From his storage-type essence stone, he pulled out a person. A young man with golden hair, sharp claws, and two beast-like golden ears above his forehead with humanoid body, he was no longer a tall wolfman but actually very cute looking femboy wolfman that resembled cute flat chested wolf girl instead . His body was still, his eyes shut¡ªhe was clearly unconscious. Corin Reynold. He was alive. And now, he was the final ingredient needed to refine Elara¡¯s Divine Rank Essence Stone. Without hesitation, Elara¡¯s clone tossed Corin¡¯s limp body into a swirling purple vortex. The moment Corin was absorbed, the air itself seemed to change. Woosh... A brilliant purple light burst forth, illuminating the entire battlefield. The blood-soaked rain that had been falling suddenly stopped. The roaring thunder and wild lightning strikes vanished. The dark storm clouds faded, turning back to white, and the trembling earth finally became still. Elara¡¯s clone stood frozen, his eyes locked onto the Divine Rank Essence Stone as it began to take shape before him. At first, it was cracked, resembling a broken mechanical gemstone, but then... it started to change. The gemstone transformed into something ancient, something powerful¡ªan artifact resembling the heart of an old clock. Tick... Tock... The faint sound of gears moving echoed through the battlefield. The gemstone¡¯s surface smoothed out, the cracks sealing themselves shut, as it fully formed into a deep purple, flawless time essence stone. The second hand on its surface moved like a real clock, ticking steadily with each passing moment. Meanwhile... Guh! A sharp cracking sound rang through the air as Lortell shattered the Time Prison and broke free. She didn¡¯t attack Elara. She didn¡¯t say a word. Her piercing eyes, filled with cold determination, locked onto Elara¡¯s clone. "Charge! Don¡¯t stop¡ªattack now!" The remaining warriors roared as they launched themselves toward Elara¡¯s clone, their desperation growing with each passing second. Arthur Mariette clenched his fists, pulling every last bit of strength from his exhausted body. His form flickered with violent energy as he activated his current fastest transformation. "Myriad Lightning Charm Wolf Transformation!" Swish! His body shifted into the form of a massive lightning-cloaked wolf, moving at a speed that no human could possibly match. The air crackled around him as he streaked forward, faster than the eye could follow. Lortell, with her bat-like wings unfurled, also shot forward like a crimson comet, her speed matching Arthur¡¯s lightning-fast charge. But then¡ª "Hahahaha... too late! You''re all too late!" A chilling laugh cut through the battlefield. It wasn¡¯t from Elara¡¯s clone. It was from the real Principal Elara, laying down in ground, watching everything unfold with a twisted smile. As he spoke, he lifted his trembling hand and touched his own blood and coughed more blood from his mouth. In that instant¡ª It was as if time itself had slowed down. The battlefield fell into complete silence. No sound of wind. No sound of battle. Only one thing remained. Tick... Tock... Tick... Tock... The Divine Rank Essence Stone was now fully refined. Elara¡¯s clone slowly extended his hand toward it. He didn¡¯t need to merge it into his body¡ªthis was an expenditure-type essence stone. That meant he didn¡¯t have to integrate it into his soul and body. One touch. Just one touch was all it took to activate it. A huge, triumphant smile spread across his face. His fingers, trembling with excitement, reached closer... just inches away from the artifact. At that moment, countless memories flashed through his mind. The pain. The sacrifices. The endless years of suffering. One hundred and fifty years of struggle¡ªall leading to this very moment. Divine Rank—Ago Two Hundred Years Ago!... "Sob... sob... My son, it''s all my fault... I should never have pushed you... I''m responsible for your death!" A woman cried endlessly, her body shaking as she clutched the cold tombstone. Beside her, her husband knelt, tears streaming down his face, his hands trembling as he held onto the grave marker. They were in the academy¡¯s graveyard, mourning the loss of their son. But they were not the only ones. Dozens of parents stood among the rows of graves, their cries filling the air. Fathers, who once held their children with pride, now stood broken, their shoulders hunched in sorrow. Mothers, who once dreamed of their child''s bright future, now collapsed in despair, wailing over the lifeless names carved into stone. A terrible tragedy had occurred. A mission gone wrong. An unexpected disaster. And many young academy students had lost their lives. But to the Awakened Academy, this was nothing unusual. From the very first semester, students were sent on missions¡ªexploring ancient ruins, clearing dungeons, facing dangers far beyond their years. By the second year, the missions became even harder. The risks grew deadlier. It was a well-known fact: each year, nearly a thousand students joined the academy, yet only a few hundred made it to the second year. Many perished. Some, fearing death, chose to leave. Others simply could not keep up. By the third year, only a handful remained. Why? Because the missions given to third-year students were nothing short of brutal. Monster hordes. Warfront assignments. Life-or-death situations where the odds of survival were painfully slim. Yet, those who conquered these trials became legends, stepping into a future filled with glory. But what of those who fell? The students buried here were among them¡ªyoung souls who fought, struggled, and died before they could reach their dreams. Their parents wept, drowning in regret. They had once been proud, watching their sons and daughters enter the prestigious academy, believing it was the path to greatness. But now, standing before their children''s graves, all they felt was unbearable grief. A short distance away, Principal Elara stood, watching the grieving families with a cold expression. His face was unreadable, but inside, he was puzzled. Twenty years... It¡¯s been twenty years since he became the principal, yet he still didn¡¯t understand. Why do they cry so much? They had signed the contracts before they were assigned to mission. They had agreed to let their children face these dangers so that they can earn more credit points. They knew the risks. So why did they act so surprised? Why did they weep as if they hadn¡¯t known what was coming? Elara never understood why those parents felt such unbearable pain. Weren¡¯t they the ones who made the choice? More importantly, couldn¡¯t they just have another child? They weren¡¯t too old. They could still move on. He simply couldn¡¯t understand their feelings. Until... Another twenty-five years passed. In those years, Elara got married and had a daughter. She was the light of his life. Every day, he played with her, held her in his arms, and took care of her every need. She was full of energy, always asking questions, always running around with bright eyes filled with curiosity. She had a special love for healing magic. From a young age, she would sit beside injured animals, gently placing her hands over them, trying to heal them. She had an affinity for both light and nature elements, making her a rare and gifted healer. As the years passed, she grew into a beautiful young woman. At sixteen, she enrolled in the academy, just like many before her. She worked hard, performed brilliantly, and soon became the class representative. Elara was proud. He truly believed she had a bright future ahead. His wife, a professor at the academy, always watched over their daughter, guiding her, protecting her, and helping her grow stronger. With such talent, such potential, nothing could go wrong. That¡¯s what he thought. But tonight, in the dead of night, he stood in the academy graveyard. Rain poured from the sky, soaking his clothes, but he didn¡¯t notice. His eyes were wide open, unblinking. His body trembled violently. Because in front of him, lying cold and lifeless on the ground, were the bodies of his wife and daughter. Two soldiers had carried them back from their mission. Their leader stepped forward, bowing his head. "We are very sorry, Principal. The dungeon was linked to the inheritance of the Demon Lord of Anomaly. Your wife was assigned as the guide, so she had to go as well. In the end¡­ not a single one survived." Elara barely heard him. The soldier continued, lowering his voice. "You were¡­ lucky. Their bodies were retrieved intact. Some of the others¡­ there was nothing left to bring back." Elara said nothing. His hands clenched into fists. His nails dug into his palms so hard that blood trickled down his fingers, but he didn''t even feel the pain. "You all go. Leave me alone," he said in a hoarse voice. The soldiers nodded and silently walked away, leaving him alone in the graveyard. Elara stood there for a long time. The rain continued to fall, but he did not move. Slowly, he lifted a trembling hand and placed it over his heart. "So this¡­ this is what they were feeling?" His thoughts were rough, broken. Such unbearable, unimaginable pain. Tears slid down his face, mixing with the rain, but he didn''t care. He cried for a long, long time, his sobs echoing in the empty graveyard. When his tears finally dried, he buried them with his own hands. After that, everything felt meaningless. He fell into deep depression. He took months of leave from the academy, hoping that time would heal the pain. But nothing worked. No matter how much time passed, the ache in his heart never faded. In the end, he made his decision. He would end his life. One evening, he traveled far, far away to the tallest mountain he could find¡ªa place so high that it seemed to touch the sky itself. The wind howled around him as he stepped to the edge of the cliff. Without hesitation, he closed his eyes and jumped. Falling¡­ The wind roared in his ears, his heart pounded in his chest, but he felt no fear. This was the end. But suddenly¡ª Thump! Instead of hitting the ground, he felt himself land on something soft. His eyes flew open. He wasn¡¯t dead. He wasn¡¯t even hurt. He had fallen onto a cloud. But instead of passing through it, he felt his entire body being pulled away¡ªteleported. Then¡ª Thump! He crashed onto hard ground. Dazed and confused, he slowly lifted his head. Darkness surrounded him. The air was damp and heavy. A single torch flickered weakly on the cave wall, casting eerie shadows around him. He was in an unknown cave. Breathing heavily, he pushed himself up, his mind still spinning. "What¡­ happened? How did I get here?" Elara stood up and saw the torch giving only faint light. Elara stood up and saw the torch giving only a faint light. He walked slowly and approached the torch, closely inspecting it. The moment he got near, he felt a strange heat coming from the flame. It wasn¡¯t normal fire. "Nirvana Fire?" he muttered in surprise. This fire was legendary, known for its extreme heat and its eternal nature. But it had disappeared around thousand of years ago, ever since it was used to burn Jeanne D''Arc. People started calling it cursed, and over time, its recipe was lost, fading into history. Yet here it was, still burning. Elara took the torch in his hand and continued exploring the cave. The path ahead was rough, with uneven ground and sharp rocks blocking his way. Strange echoes filled the air, and the deeper he went, the colder it became. He encountered obstacles, but as a top-tier Rank A awakened, he easily overcame them, pushing forward without hesitation. After what felt like hours, he finally arrived at the end of the cave. But instead of treasure, what lay before him was a ruined library. The shelves were burned, books reduced to ashes, and the air smelled of old, charred paper. Only one thing remained¡ªa half-burned book placed on a half-burned table. He stepped forward and picked up the book, his fingers brushing against the rough, damaged pages. Only two pages were still intact. The words were written in an ancient language, but he understood them. Sear?h the N?vel?ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "Kratos is determined this time. No one is coming forward to save Zeus. He also killed the Fate Sisters. The Divine Rank Essence Stone, Ago, on them is now destroyed. Should I refine it?" "I even have the recipe for it, but the materials are very valuable and rare. It will be difficult, but soon I will give it a try. For now, I can only watch Zeus come closer to his end. There is nothing I can do." At the bottom of the page, three words were written. "Written by Odin." Elara''s eyes widened. Just how old was this book? His hands tightened around the fragile pages. The contents alone were shocking, but what truly mattered was the Divine Rank Essence Stone, Ago. Ago was a stone that could send a person¡¯s will and memories back in time. Whether it was three days ago or three hundred years ago, it didn¡¯t matter. A deep emotion surged in his chest. A rare smile formed on his lips, something he hadn¡¯t felt in years. "That means¡­ I can actually save my daughter and wife?" His heart pounded with hope, his mind racing with possibilities. But as he read the recipe again, his smile faded. The materials needed were rare, some of them completely extinct. And the most important one¡­ Four-Winged Divine Pegasus. Pegasus only existed in heaven. How could anyone reach heaven without dying? His fingers curled into a fist. Even obtaining a normal Pegasus was impossible. But he wasn¡¯t going to give up. "Either it takes decades or centuries, I''ll make a substitute for this recipe," he muttered. Determination filled his voice as he turned to leave the cave. There was no exit. He didn¡¯t hesitate. Gathering his strength, he clenched his fist and struck the rock ceiling with full force. The impact sent shockwaves through the cave, cracks spreading in all directions. With a final push, the wall shattered, sending debris flying. He stepped outside and saw the Vanara Tribe in the distance. Without stopping, he turned away and headed straight back to the academy. Years passed like a flowing river. Elara never stopped searching, even as time continued to slip through his fingers. He wasn¡¯t alone anymore. Over the years, he gathered a few people who shared the same goal. His team was small but extremely secretive¡ªso well-hidden that no one even knew they existed. He had been careful. He never involved Lilith or anyone close to him. Because he knew. Lilith would never approve of something like this. But despite all the effort, despite the years spent chasing the impossible, there were no significant results. No matter how hard they tried, the materials needed were either too rare or simply didn''t exist anymore. He was beginning to lose hope. But then, on a day that would change everything, a miracle happened. One of his subordinates returned with something unexpected. "Leader, look at this!" A man in a green robe came running toward him, panting heavily. His face was flushed, his breath ragged, as if he had traveled a long distance without stopping. Elara turned to him, surprised. "Howard, take a breath first. Weren''t you in another kingdom for the past few months? How did you get here without any notice?" Howard shook his head. "There''s no time to talk about that! Look at what I found! We don¡¯t need to modify the recipe anymore. Someone else already did it before us!" Elara''s eyes widened. "What?" "Yes! But it¡¯s in the form of a story." Howard took out a glowing stone, its surface shimmering with strange energy. "We just need to decide what to do with it!" Elara recognized it immediately. A Bookworm Essence Stone. Without hesitation, he refined it. The moment he did, something flashed in his mind¡ªa story buried deep in history¡ª God Of Wealth A flood of memories surged through Elara¡¯s mind. It was a story from an era long lost in time¡ªnine hundred thousand years ago, in what was known as The Age of Constellations. At that time, there was a merchant unlike any other. A man who traded across the entire world, whose name was known in every kingdom, empire, and tribe. Though he was a king, people did not call him by his royal title. Instead, they called him "The Merchant King" or "The God of Wealth." Why? Because under his rule, his kingdom had become the greatest trading hub in the world. No one was richer than him. No one could match his influence. Even though he was human, there were those who worshipped him as if he were a true god. Merchants across the world saw him as their greatest idol. His name was Kuber. His life was one of unimaginable luxury. He owned countless palaces spread across different lands. Millions of people worked under him. Wherever he traveled, nobles and rulers welcomed him with the highest honors. Even his food was prepared by the best chefs in the world, which was why he was a little chubby. Yet, despite all his wealth and power, he had only one woman in his life¡ªhis wife. He never took a concubine. Never sought more. For him, his wife was enough. And together, they had a son, a boy who would one day inherit everything he had built. Kuber loved them both. He truly did. But... He barely spent time with them. There was always too much work. Too many things to take care of. Months would pass, sometimes even an entire year, without him seeing his wife or son. One day, while he was buried in paperwork, a trusted subordinate entered his chamber with a troubled expression. "My liege, your son is ill. He has been coughing non-stop," the man reported. "The mistress has been asking you to finish your work and visit him as soon as possible!" Kuber barely looked up from his documents. With a wave of his hand, he dismissed the concern. "I have too much to do," he said firmly. "Send for the best healers from all over the world. Tell them to treat my son. He will be fine in no time." And with that, he continued working, unaware that his world was about to shatter. Soon, terrifying news spread across the world. A plague had appeared. But this was not an ordinary disease. It was a deadly illness that only affected awakened people. The mana circuits inside their veins would start to break down, corrupting their blood. At first, the symptoms seemed minor¡ªjust a simple cough. But as time passed, their organs would slowly decay from the inside. In simpler words, it was like cancer, but it only happened to awakened people. And there was no cure. When Kuber learned of this, his heart nearly stopped. His son had been infected. His hands trembled as he clutched the message. His entire body felt cold. He needed to go back. He had to see his son. But when he tried to return home, he realized it wasn¡¯t so easy. All transportation was blocked. The plague was spreading too fast. Kingdoms had declared curfews. Chaos had broken out. People were fighting in the streets over medicine and supplies. No one even understood how the disease was spreading, so fear gripped the world like a nightmare. What should have been a short journey turned into a desperate, agonizing struggle. Days passed. Every moment felt like a blade cutting into his heart. By the time he finally reached his kingdom, he had no time to think. He ran. Despite his heavy body, he ran as fast as he could. He burst through the doors, gasping for breath, desperate to see his son¡ª But it was too late. His son was already gone. His wife sat beside the bed, crying uncontrollably. The room was filled with relatives, their faces full of sorrow. Kuber felt like the air had been sucked out of his lungs. Slowly, step by step, he approached the lifeless body of his child. His hands shook as he reached out¡ªbut before he could touch his son¡¯s cold face, his wife¡¯s voice shattered the silence. "Money, money, money!" she sobbed, her voice full of rage and despair. "Can your money bring our son back to life?!" Her words struck him like lightning. He wanted to scream. He wanted to tear himself apart. But he couldn¡¯t even cry. Because he knew this was his fault. And yet¡ª He still refused to accept it. There had to be something he could do. Anything. But what? There was nothing. He was the richest man in the world, yet he was completely powerless. And then, the next day¡ª Another piece of news spread across the world. The cure had been found. After three months of suffering, the top healers had finally discovered the medicine to save those infected by the plague. The world rejoiced. But Kuber¡­ Kuber was not happy. He was furious. He slammed his fist against the stone wall so hard that blood dripped from his knuckles. "One day¡­" he whispered, his voice shaking. "If my son had lived for just one more day, he would still be alive¡­!" His chest burned with pain. It felt like fate had played a cruel joke on him. He had everything¡ªwealth, power, influence¡ª But not the time to save his son. And then, a terrifying thought entered his mind. "Money, money, money¡­ Can money buy me time?" His eyes gleamed with mad determination. "I won¡¯t back down unless I try." If time had taken his son away¡ª Then he would buy time itself. After that day, he devoted everything¡ªhis time, his wealth, his very soul¡ªto his new goal. He traveled across the world, searching for answers. He hired the greatest historians to dig through ancient records, recruited artifact collectors to find lost relics, and commanded top awakened warriors to work under him. Years passed, and finally, his efforts bore fruit. One day, deep within a hidden archive, he discovered something extraordinary¡ª A book written by none other than Odin himself. Its pages contained a recipe for an essence stone called *Ago.* This stone, according to legend, had the power to manipulate time. His heart pounded as he read through the ingredients. But his excitement quickly turned into despair. Most of the materials required to refine *Ago* had long gone extinct. It was impossible to create. But Kuber refused to accept that. If he couldn¡¯t follow the exact recipe¡ª Then he would create a substitute. And so, his journey continued. He traveled to lands no one had ever set foot in before, searching for materials that could replace the ones lost to time. After countless months, he finally learned about a place that might hold what he needed. A realm unlike any other. A world beyond their world. It was called *Terra Divina.* Determined, he gathered a team of elite warriors and ventured into this unknown land. But the moment they arrived, they realized¡ª This was no ordinary place. It was a world full of creatures beyond imagination. The first nightmare they encountered was a massive flock of *Ancient Cranes.* At first glance, they looked like normal cranes found on Earth¡ª But they were dozens of times larger, their feathers as hard as steel, their wings strong enough to create hurricanes with a single flap. The battle was brutal, but in the end, Kuber and his men prevailed. He carefully collected the wings of the fallen creatures, knowing they would be useful. Next, they encountered a monstrous tiger-like beast with impossibly long, curved fangs¡ªsharp enough to tear through solid rock. It pounced on them with terrifying speed, but after a fierce struggle, they managed to slay it. Kuber took its fangs. He didn¡¯t know if they would work as a substitute, but he wasn¡¯t taking any chances. As they journeyed deeper, they came across a towering tree¡ª Only, it wasn¡¯t just a tree. It was alive. The massive branches moved like arms, attacking anything that came near. Each strike could crush a man into dust. But Kuber and his team refused to back down. After an exhausting fight, the living tree finally fell. Kuber collected its powerful branches. But the greatest challenge lay ahead. They reached a vast river¡ª No, it wasn¡¯t just a river. It was as wide as an ocean, and its waters glowed with a deep purple hue. The moment they stepped near it, something emerged from its depths. A giant leviathan. It was unlike anything they had ever seen¡ª A monstrous being covered in unbreakable scales, its roar shaking the entire realm. The battle that followed was their hardest yet. One by one, his subordinates fell. Swords shattered. Spells failed. Blood stained the river. But Kuber refused to die here. With his last remaining strength, he struck the final blow¡ª And the leviathan collapsed. Breathing heavily, barely able to stand, Kuber took its unyielding shells. But the cost of victory was devastating. By the time he reached his final destination¡ª He was the only one left. His entire team had perished. His body was covered in wounds, his once-lavish robes torn and stained with blood. Yet, despite the pain, he kept walking. This strange realm didn¡¯t follow the laws of nature. Though it was daytime, the sky was filled with shining stars. He staggered forward across a vast desert. Hours passed. The stars above grew brighter, glowing like diamonds scattered across a dark canvas. And then¡ª Something incredible appeared before him. A rainbow. But it wasn¡¯t like any rainbow he had ever seen. It shimmered with a deep, glowing purple, stretching across the endless horizon. His breath hitched. He had finally made it. After what felt like an eternity¡ª He had reached his goal. He stood before the legendary place known as¡ª The River Sand of Flawless Time. Kuber¡¯s face lit up with happiness. He laughed out loud, running toward the river of sand in front of him, completely forgetting his exhaustion. He had finally made it! But just as he was about to step forward¡ª A tall knight in silver-grey armor appeared before him. The knight stood firmly, his presence overwhelming. In his hands, he held a sharp saber that gleamed under the starry sky. "Stop right there!" the knight commanded. His voice alone created a powerful shockwave, knocking Kuber off his feet. Kuber hit the ground hard. His heart pounded. "No! Please, don¡¯t stop me now! I¡¯ve finally reached my goal!" he pleaded, pushing himself up. "I came here for¡ª" But before he could finish, the knight interrupted. "I already know," he said in a calm, deep voice. "Anyone who sets foot in this realm¡ªhis past and present become known to me." Kuber froze, stunned. The knight continued, "I¡¯m stopping you, but not as a guardian. I am a *trader* of this place." Kuber blinked in confusion. "Trader?" The knight didn¡¯t answer right away. Instead, he reached into the air and pulled out something. An *hourglass.* Its glass shimmered with an eerie glow, and inside, golden sand slowly flowed. He placed it gently on the ground, then sat down. "Pay me the price," the knight said. "The more valuable the payment, the more sand will fall. That will be the time you earn. Your will can return to the past for that much time." Kuber¡¯s eyes widened in disbelief. "Really?!" he shouted in excitement. His face broke into a wide grin. "I have so much money! Take everything! Take it all!" He couldn¡¯t stop laughing as he pulled out treasures from his storage-type Essence Stone. Endless mountains of gold coins, rare gems, and priceless artifacts spilled out, enough to make entire kingdoms feel like beggars. The knight, unfazed, waved his hand. Out of nowhere, a large pond appeared before them. Its waters were still, reflecting the night sky. "Pour any valuable thing into this," the knight instructed. Kuber nodded eagerly and started tossing his wealth into the pond. Gems sparkled as they sank. Gold coins clinked as they disappeared below the surface. But then¡ª Something strange happened. The hourglass remained still. Not a single grain of sand moved. Not even a second was earned. Kuber¡¯s smile vanished. His face turned pale. "What¡­?" he muttered. He poured more. Nothing. He threw in even rarer treasures. Still nothing. "What¡¯s happening?!" Kuber¡¯s voice shook with panic. "Is it broken? Is there some kind of mistake?!" The knight simply shook his head. "Money can indeed buy time," he said. "But not your time." Kuber¡¯s breath hitched. "You can buy the time of others. The present. The future. But the past¡­" The knight met Kuber¡¯s desperate eyes. "Not even all the wealth in the world can buy back the past." Kuber¡¯s hands trembled. His mind refused to accept it. "Tell me Kuber, What is more valuable than past?", But kuber ignored him. "No¡­ No! You¡¯re lying!" He lost control, frantically pulling out every last treasure he had. Gold, jewels, rare artifacts¡ª Everything he had ever gathered. One by one, he threw them all into the pond. Still¡ª Nothing changed. Finally, Kuber had only a few things left. His breathing was heavy. His hands shook as he reached into his storage. Then, his eyes fell on a small object. A single egg. The Egg of Divine Flame Pheonix. A hesitant moment passed. Then, with trembling hands, Kuber dropped it into the pond. The moment it touched the water¡ª The hourglass glowed. Kuber¡¯s heart nearly stopped. Then¡ª A single grain of sand dropped down. A golden message appeared in the air. "One year." His eyes widened. It worked. Without hesitation, Kuber took out more treasures and poured them into the pond. The giant leviathan¡¯s scales, the wings of the ancient cranes, the long-toothed tiger¡¯s fangs, and the branches of the living tree¡ª One by one, he dropped them all in. The hourglass glowed again and again. More and more sand fell. He had earned even more time. Only then did the knight, still sitting calmly in his armor, finally speak. "Now do you understand?" he asked. "What is more valuable than the past?" Kuber¡¯s eyes widened with realization. "It¡¯s the future, isn¡¯t it?" he said. The knight nodded. "Yes." He gestured toward the pond. "The phoenix¡¯s chick was inside that egg. It had a future. But now, its future has been swallowed by this place." He continued, "In this realm, very few living beings can breed. But from the ancient cranes¡¯ wings, new ancient cranes are born. From the long-toothed tiger¡¯s fangs, newborn tigers are born. From the living tree¡¯s branches, countless new living trees grow. And from the scales of the giant leviathan, new baby leviathans are born." The knight looked into Kuber¡¯s eyes. "All of them had a future¡­ but now, that future belongs to me." Kuber swallowed hard. Then, the knight glanced at the hourglass. His expression remained calm, but his voice carried a hint of finality. "But you already wasted so many years," he said. "These gained years will not be enough for you, will they?" Kuber clenched his fists. No. It wasn¡¯t enough. But he had one last option. "I still have one thing left," he said with determination. Reaching into his storage, he pulled out something¡ªor rather, someone. A figure dropped onto the ground. It looked human¡­ but wasn¡¯t. The person had two blue animal ears on top of his forehead, along with a long blue-furred tail. A wolf-man. And he was still alive. Kuber took a deep breath. "He is a slave," he admitted. "I bought him after a lot of effort. This was my final trump card¡­ something I kept for when I had no other choice." The knight remained silent, watching him closely. Kuber continued, "He has a very special affinity. He¡¯s incredibly strong¡­ but he also goes berserk. That¡¯s why I made him fall into a deep sleep." Then, without hesitation¡ª He pushed the wolf-man into the pond. The moment the body touched the water, the hourglass shined brightly. A powerful glow filled the entire space. Then, golden words appeared in the air. "Ten Years." Kuber¡¯s heart pounded. He had done it. His lips trembled as he stared at the glowing hourglass. "I succeeded¡­" he whispered. Then, louder¡ª "I actually succeeded!" Tears streamed down his face. Yes! He had bought time. And as per the trade¡ª His will, along with all his memories, was sent back in time. This time, he already knew the cure. This time, he saved his son. After that, he spent more time with his family. He no longer cared about wealth. Instead, he cherished every moment with his loved ones. And he lived a happy life. The End. ----------------- The story was long, but it entered his mind in just seconds. Elara slowly opened his eyes. "Ohh¡­ so this is it!" he muttered. He turned to his subordinate, his expression deep in thought. "Even though I don¡¯t know if this story is true or false¡ªsince it talks about an unknown realm, Terra Divina, and it never explains how his will actually went back in time¡ªit still feels like a fantasy adventure," he said. "The hero faces struggles, overcomes them, and wins in the end." His voice lowered as his eyes gleamed with realization. "But¡­ what I do know for sure is that the substitute recipe still exists!" His green-robed subordinate¡¯s eyes widened in surprise. "Really?" he asked eagerly. Elara nodded firmly. "Yes. The ancient crane is a Rank B time-type beast, and the giant leviathan is a Rank A space-type monster. Their wings and scales are extremely valuable materials." He paused, his lips curling into a knowing smile. "That means this story isn¡¯t just a tale¡ªit¡¯s a hidden message about the substitute recipe!" The green-robed man nodded in understanding. "Now that I think about it¡­ it does seem possible," he agreed. "But¡­" Elara hesitated. S§×arch* The N?velFire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "But?" the subordinate prompted. Elara frowned, his brows furrowing in deep thought. "But what does it mean by the last ingredient? The wolf-man¡­ or someone with a special affinity?" he mused. Silence fell between them. Both of them were lost in thought. No matter what, though, one thing was certain. They finally had the substitute recipe! Elara clenched his fists, excitement bubbling inside him. "I know that refining this essence stone will lead to a lot of bloodshed¡­" he admitted, his voice heavy. "But once I go back in time, I won¡¯t harm those people. I¡¯ll save my daughter. I¡¯ll save my wife. Nothing will be lost!" A smile formed on his lips. Then, a new thought crossed his mind. "Wait¡­ why stop at saving my family? I can also help the hero and Miss Lilith!" His heart pounded faster. "If I warn them in advance¡­ if I tell them about all the traps and information on the demon king¡­ they can actually kill him!" Excitement filled his chest. "Yes! This is it! I can save the entire world from the demon king!" A chuckle escaped his lips. His green-robed subordinate watched him silently, sensing the determination in his voice. Then, Elara¡¯s expression turned serious again. "As for the last material¡­" he muttered, tapping his fingers against the table. "I don¡¯t think it¡¯s actually a wolf-man." His eyes sharpened. "Although wolf-men are one of the rarest species, what connection do they have with a time-path essence stone?" His voice grew confident. "No¡­ it must be someone with a special affinity!" XX Days Ago Let''s do a recap of what actually happened in FLF Second Arc. Elara had already found almost everything he needed to refine his divine-rank essence stone, Ago. But there was still one crucial thing missing¡ªthe last material. A person with a special affinity. Without it, he couldn¡¯t complete the refinement. So, what did he do? Since he was a Rank S awakened with hundreds of years of experience, he came up with a dangerous plan. He created a clone of himself¡ªone that was also Rank S. This clone allowed him to act freely without anyone suspecting him. Even Lilith, one of the strongest beings in the academy, had no idea what he was doing. Then, he started kidnapping students. He took them one by one, choosing those with unique talents or unusual magic. Deep inside the academy¡¯s basement, he built a secret base where he gathered all the resources he needed. There, he experimented on the students. He wanted to see if any of them could serve as the missing ingredient for his essence stone. Each time he tried to refine the essence stone, something terrible happened. Since his actions broke the laws of nature, the world fought back. Every time he started refining, a monster horde attacked the academy. These weren¡¯t ordinary attacks. It was as if nature itself was punishing him. But strangely, while the monster hordes were large, they were never truly life-threatening. No powerful monsters appeared¡ªonly weaker ones. There were also small-scale natural disasters like sudden earthquakes or storms, but nothing the academy couldn¡¯t handle. It was almost as if nature was warning him rather than outright stopping him. And every single time, his refinement failed. The failure caused the monster hordes to disappear eventually, and the natural disasters stopped on their own. Each failure also injured Elara. But since he always failed in the early stages of refinement, the injuries were minor. He would recover in a few days and try again. The academy was unknowingly acting as his shield¡ªfighting off the disasters and monsters, while he remained hidden in the shadows, continuing his dark experiments. Elara wasn¡¯t just refining the essence stone¡ªhe was also experimenting with new ways to increase power. He was the mysterious person who created "Magic Power," an artificial substance that could increase a person¡¯s strength. And one of the people who received it was Corin. Corin, desperate to become stronger, took a large dose of Magic Power. Something unexpected happened. He underwent a second awakening¡ªsomething extremely rare. And in doing so, he transformed into a Wolf-man. Elara watched this with great interest. A Wolf-man¡­ After Corin transformed into a Wolf-man, chaos erupted in the academy. He lost control, going on a rampage and attacking students and teachers alike. The academy did everything to stop him. Eventually, after a long struggle, they managed to subdue him. (Or how you perceive it, Out of the three conclusion, Either Subdue, Captured Or Banished from the kingdom) The situation finally calmed down. But Elara wasn¡¯t done yet. He had one final plan. This time, he wouldn¡¯t fail. This time, he would pour everything into one last refinement attempt. And for that, he needed the perfect last material. He found it¡ªViolet. Yes! Violet had an affinity with the gravity element. Elara thought, "What if gravity is somehow connected to time?" "Maybe it can help stabilize the refinement." A slow smile spread across his face. This had to be the answer. So, he kidnapped Violet. Once again, he set everything into motion. He had already gathered all the other materials¡ªthe Red Dragon Queen¡¯s son, the Divine Flame Phoenix¡¯s egg, and many more rare treasures. And once again, the academy took the full brunt of nature¡¯s punishment. Monsters attacked. Disasters struck. But his clone, safely hidden in the basement, continued refining the essence stone. The academy was struggling to survive, but Elara didn''t care. Just like this time, he even managed to kill Lilith. But wait. If Lilith was dead and Lortell wasn¡¯t there at that time, then¡­ Who stopped him? There was only one answer. Ethan. Yes! Ethan was the one who saved everyone. While searching for Violet, he discovered Elara¡¯s secret. And just when Elara was about to use Violet as the last material¡ª Something unexpected happened. Pa! The purple vortex in front of him¡ªthe heart of the refinement process¡ªrejected Violet¡¯s body. Cracks spread across the vortex. The refinement had failed! Violet wasn¡¯t the crucial person after all. BAM! The backlash was immediate and brutal. Elara was already in the final stage of refinement, and the failure caused a powerful explosion of energy. His clone was destroyed instantly. And his real body¡ª It was badly injured. His strength fell drastically, from Rank S to Rank B. And at that moment, Ethan arrived. A fierce battle broke out between Ethan and Elara. Elara was still strong, but he was weakened. And Ethan¡ª Fueled by rage and determination, he fought with everything he had. The battle was intense. It pushed Ethan to his limits. But in the end¡ª After a long and grueling fight¡ª Ethan won. Elara was defeated. And that was the end of the second arc. Ethan became the hero of the academy. For his bravery, he was given the title of Marquess, instantly making him a noble. He also saved Violet¡¯s life, which was a great relief. But the victory wasn¡¯t without loss. Many students and teachers had died. And among them¡ª Was Lilith. --------------- In reality, things played out very differently from what happened in FLF. The reason? Esdeath. Not Maruti. Not Lortell. Not anyone else. The one who completely changed the flow of events was Esdeath¡ªEsdeath alone. Of course, Maruti made a mistake. And yes, Caramel fell in love with her. But that? That was a minor thing. Nothing too important. Nothing that could change the course of everything. But Esdeath? She was the true reason everything went off track. ------------ Elara was searching for the last and most crucial material for his refinement. The one person who could complete his divine-rank essence stone. And then¡ª His clone saw Esdeath for the first time. And in that moment, only one thought filled his mind¡ª "Perfect material." Yes! This time, his target wasn¡¯t Violet. It was Esdeath herself. Of course, it made sense. She was far more unique than Violet. She had black hair¡ªthe same color as the Demon King¡¯s. What if she had a special body? What if she carried a power unknown to the world? That¡¯s why¡ª His target was Esdeath. ----------- But capturing Esdeath? That was a different story. It wasn¡¯t going to be easy. He had to be careful. So, he planned to kidnap her in the dead of night. At 4 AM¡ªwhen everyone should be deep in sleep¡ª He moved. Silent. Hidden in the darkness. But when he arrived¡ª Esdeath was awake. He didn¡¯t know why. But he knew¡ª He had to retreat. Something wasn¡¯t right. Then, a few hours later¡ª He discovered something even stranger. Esdeath had disappeared. Sear?h the N??eFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. She had run off with a student named Maruti, searching for her missing friend, Luna. That meant she was outside the academy. So, he waited. And after days¡ª Esdeath finally returned. This time, he was ready. He would make his move. But as he followed her¡ª He noticed something unusual. "Two hundred investigation-type essence stones?!" Who did this? Who knew his target was Esdeath? Who was watching her so closely? Lortell. It was her. She had placed all these essence stones on Esdeath to keep an eye on her. Tracking her every move. But who would tell him that? And because of that¡ª Kidnapping Esdeath became nearly impossible. First, he had to deal with all those essence stones. That meant removing them one by one without alerting their owner. A difficult task¡ª But not for someone like him. He was a master at this. A true expert. So, he prepared a powerful move¡ª A technique that could neutralize all the essence stones in one go without informing it''s owner. And just when he was about to use it¡ª Something unexpected happened. Something that shocked him to his core. In the middle of the forest¡ª He saw Corin, He was on his knees., begging Esdeath to spare him Elara froze. He couldn¡¯t believe what he was seeing. That delicate-looking girl¡ª So cold. So ruthless. So¡­ cruel. She was toying with Corin. Humiliating him. And he realized¡ª She wasn¡¯t just some normal girl. She was dangerous. Smart. And obsessed. Obsessed with Lortell. But none of that really mattered to him. What truly mattered was the realization that struck him like lightning. An idea¡ª A possibility¡ª That changed everything. "I¡¯ve been searching for a person with special affinity this whole time¡­" "But what if¡ª" "The crucial person isn¡¯t someone with a special affinity at all?" "What if the crucial person¡­ is a Wolf-man?" His eyes widened. Yes! Wolf-men had a natural connection to the space element. It was in their blood. It wasn¡¯t just an affinity¡ª It was something deeper. Normal people with a space element affinity had to train hard to use space magic. But Wolf-men? They could instinctively use it. Space magic affects time. Wormholes. Teleportation. Closing distances in an instant¡ª All of it was related to time itself. And then¡ª Everything made sense. One after another, the missing pieces of the puzzle fit together. The story he read¡ª It was from nine hundred thousand years ago. Back then, affinities weren¡¯t fully understood. Wolf-men¡¯s natural talent for space magic wasn¡¯t even discovered yet. So, the writer of that story¡ª They must have described it as "a person with special affinity. But in truth¡ª It was always a Wolf-man. And what Esdeath did? Esdeath had left Corin behind, abandoning him to be devoured by that monstrous rat-bear. She didn¡¯t care. In her eyes, he was nothing more than a stepping stone, an insect beneath her feet. But fate had other plans. Elara¡¯s clone had been watching the entire time, hidden in the shadows. He had seen everything¡ªthe humiliation Corin suffered, the way he begged for his life, and how Esdeath had mercilessly walked away. But instead of letting Corin die, Elara made a different choice. He saved him. Not because he cared about Corin¡¯s life. No, he only did it because he needed him. And in doing so, he erased all traces of his own presence. Every footprint, every drop of evidence¡ªgone. But there was one unintended consequence. He also erased the proof that Esdeath had been there. To ensure no one suspected anything, he poured a ridiculous amount of blood over the scene, making it seem as if Corin had been torn apart and devoured. As far as anyone was concerned, Corin was dead. So while Esdeath and Maruti later argued about why Elara hadn''t kidnapped Violet, the truth was simple. He had already found his answer. Violet wasn¡¯t needed anymore. Esdeath figured it out too. She wasn¡¯t stupid. She realized Elara had identified the real crucial person and was about to succeed. She wanted to make a plan, to stop him before it was too late. But before she could even act¡ªsomething unexpected happened. Something no one could have foreseen. The real Esdeath woke up. And just like that¡ªeverything changed. All of Elara¡¯s careful planning, all his patience, all his efforts¡ªit all bear fruit. And now, here they were. Elara had completed his refinement. There was no backlash. No interruption. His plan had worked. And now, with the essence stone fully refined, there was only one question left. Who could stop him now? The essence stone floated in the air, radiating a soft, almost hypnotic glow. Its presence was overwhelming, filling the entire battlefield with an eerie silence. For a moment, no one moved. No one spoke. Every eye was locked onto it. Then¡ª A mad rush. Everyone bolted toward it, their bodies moving at full speed, desperate to reach it first. The world itself seemed to slow down. Time stretched impossibly thin. Tick. Tock. Tick. Tock. The rhythmic pulse of the essence stone echoed in the air, beating like a second heart. Just one touch. That was all it would take. Elara¡¯s clone reached out, his fingers trembling, mere inches away from claiming his ultimate victory. Then¡ª Pain. A sharp, searing pain tore through his arm. Bite! Something clamped down on his flesh, teeth sinking deep into his skin. His hand jerked back on instinct, eyes snapping downward in shock. Selene! That damn girl had bitten him! Her jaw was locked, her grip unyielding, her teeth embedded so deep that blood dripped freely from the wound. Elara¡¯s face twisted in rage, but before he could shake her off¡ª Another hand shot forward. Pale. Delicate. White as fresh snow, yet carrying an unnatural chill. Elara¡¯s clone felt his breath catch. His real body¡ªElara Alonso¡ªfelt an unbearable pressure crash down on him. It was too late. The moment that hand touched the essence stone, the battlefield fell into absolute silence. Fingers wrapped tightly around the glowing core. A chilling voice rang out, calm yet impossibly heavy. "XX days ago." Esdeath Crimsonnnnn…… Calista stood over Esdeath¡¯s unmoving body, her lips curling into a crazed smirk. "For so long¡­ day and night, I wondered¡ªhow did you know?" Her voice trembled slightly, not with fear, but with the excitement of victory. "I was constantly afraid¡­ What if you exposed us the very next moment?" She took a deep breath, the weight of that fear finally lifting from her chest. "But now¡­ none of it matters anymore." Her dark pink eyes gleamed with satisfaction as she took a step back. "You are dead." With those final words, Calista turned on her heel and walked away. She didn¡¯t hesitate. She didn¡¯t look back. But she should have. Because just as she took a few more steps forward, a soft sound filled the air¡ªthe faint shift of dust settling. And then¡ª A voice. Calm. Steady. Unshaken. "Ever heard of Thanos?" Calista¡¯s breath caught in her throat. Her body stiffened as pure disbelief shot through her veins. No¡­ She whipped around, her heart pounding. And there she was. Esdeath Crimson¡ªstanding tall, completely unscathed, not a single wound on her body. Her crimson-red eyes locked onto Calista, filled with amusement and something far more terrifying¡ªcontrol. A black death glow pulsed briefly around her body as a system notification rang in the air. <200 Mana Points Consumed> It cost her 200 mana, a significant amount. But when compared to the mere 18 MP she started with, it was proof of how far she had come. Esdeath clenched her fist. "You should have gone for the head." Her voice was cold, emotionless, as if she was merely stating a fact. In the next instant, her ZK-20 shimmered, twisting and reshaping itself. The once simple weapon expanded into a massive cannon-like firearm, futuristic symbols glowing along its surface. Three large openings lined the front, each pulsating with power. It was enormous. More than twice Esdeath¡¯s own size. Three times thicker than her body. A true monstrosity of destruction. She hoisted it onto her shoulder, her body bending slightly under its sheer weight. The very air crackled with the overwhelming energy gathering within it. This was no ordinary attack. It was a Killer Move¡ªa condensed, modified version of an S-rank killer move from the future. A technique once created by the Eldon Karanthis in future. Esdeath used several Essence stone to form this killer move, But core essence stones were Force breaker, Soulpiecrcer and Phantom Thrust essence stone. It was an attack that targeted both body and souls and it was also effective against something, Where physical atta ka are useless for ex; Ghost or Beheaded Man. Esdeath¡¯s fingers tightened on the trigger. "Killer Move¡ªOblivion Nova." For a brief moment¡ªsilence. Then¡ª Light. Blinding. Pure. Overwhelming. A massive white beam erupted from the cannon¡¯s barrels, illuminating the battlefield like a miniature sun. The force of the blast sent shockwaves rippling outward, forcing Esdeath to take several steps back. Calista barely had time to react. Her breath hitched, her pupils shrank, and in that fleeting second¡ªshe knew. Knew there was no blocking this. Knew there was no surviving this. A strangled gasp left her lips¡ª And then¡ª Splash¡­ Splash¡­ Splash¡­ The light consumed her. Her body. Disintegrated. Her soul broke into countless fragments disappearing in air. Not even a speck of dust remained. And the same fate awaited her Lightning Charm Wolf. The once proud beast didn¡¯t even get the chance to howl before it, too, vanished into nothingness. Esdeath lowered the cannon, watching as the last traces of her enemy faded from existence. Cold. Unmoved. She had no need for unnecessary words. Esdeath looked at the battlefield with a small smile on her lips. "Time-related skills are really useful," she thought to herself, feeling quite pleased. The battlefield was in complete chaos. Strong shockwaves rippled through the air, kicking up powerful winds. Her long black hair flowed behind her, making her look like a true warrior standing amidst the destruction. But no one paid attention to her. The reason? Lortell Mariette had arrived. She was locked in battle with Elara, and the force of their clash was shaking the entire area. Compared to that, the massive white beam Esdeath had unleashed earlier seemed like nothing. It had come and gone in an instant, vanishing without a trace. And now, another figure came running toward her. "Mother!" Selene called out, her voice urgent. "I identified the man! He¡¯s in that direction, about 600 meters from here!" She pointed into the distance, her expression serious. "Nice," Esdeath replied simply, nodding in approval. Without wasting any time, she manipulated her ZK-20, reshaping it once again. This time, she used a Rank D Iron Wheel Essence Stone and a Rank D Sharp Arrow Essence Stone to create something new¡ª A massive drill. "Come with me," Esdeath commanded. "We¡¯re going underground. We¡¯ll dig a tunnel and reach him from below." Selene nodded, following her orders without hesitation. To make sure they weren¡¯t detected, Esdeath activated Silent Magic, silencing all sounds coming from the drill. As the drill spun, tearing through the ground, she couldn¡¯t help but admire the efficiency of her weapon. "Using multiple Essence Stones at once is exhausting¡­ Normally, I¡¯d have to carefully control each one and split my focus, which would be a huge burden on my brain¡­" She glanced at her weapon, her grip tightening. "But thanks to ZK-20, everything is so much easier. It acts as a middleman, processing everything for me. All I need is a clear thought and enough mana, and I can use even multiple Rank C Essence Stones at once." This was exactly how she had managed to unleash Oblivion Nova earlier. And now, she was doing the same¡ªcontrolling several Rank D Essence Stones while using Silent Magic at the same time. ZK-20 was proving to be more useful than she had ever imagined. ¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª Esdeath drilled forward, carving a tunnel through the ground. Selene followed closely behind, her footsteps light and silent. They were about thirty meters deep now, moving steadily forward. Then, after covering about five hundred meters, Esdeath suddenly stopped. Selene tilted her head. "Why did you stop?" "If we go any further, the enemies might notice us," Esdeath explained, lowering her voice slightly. "We need to wait for everyone to fully engage in battle first. The moment they¡¯re all distracted and focused on defeating him, that¡¯s when we¡¯ll make our move." Selene nodded in understanding. She didn¡¯t ask who he was. She didn¡¯t ask why he needed to be stopped. She simply followed Esdeath¡¯s command. Just like a daughter following the will of her mother. After a while, Selene glanced at Esdeath and asked, "What are we gonna do till then?" Esdeath rolled her eyes and let out a small sigh before sitting down on the dirt. She stretched out her hand, a playful smirk forming on her lips. "We¡¯re gonna play rock, paper, scissors," ¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª Above ground, chaos had reached its peak. Arthur Mariette¡¯s words had pushed everyone into a desperate fight. Weapons clashed, spells exploded, and killer moves lit up the battlefield. It was a brutal struggle where life and death hung by a thread. Elara and Lortell had vanished, trapped inside Time Prison for a brief moment, sealing lortell and himself away from the battle. Even Elara¡¯s clone, who had been in control of the situation all this time, was now feeling the pressure. No one knew that beneath them, hidden under the very ground they fought on, two figures were waiting. The final showdown was reaching its climax. And then¡ª Elara¡¯s clone poured the final material into the swirling purple vortex. Corin. The moment his body was absorbed, everything changed. The storm stopped. The lightning disappeared. The rain vanished. All the chaos came to a sudden, eerie silence. Only one sound remained¡ª Tick. Tock. Tick. Tock. sea??h th§× n?vel_Fire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. As time itself seemed to count down to something inevitable, what were Esdeath and Selene doing? Still playing rock, paper, scissors. Their breaths had turned rough. Sweat covered their skin. Their hands were dirty from the soil. They had been underground for so long that the air was getting thin. Breathing was becoming difficult. But then¡ª Esdeath¡¯s ears caught something. The sudden silence above sent a chill down her spine. Her crimson eyes sharpened. "It¡¯s time. Let¡¯s go!" Without wasting another second, she gripped her drill and pushed it forward at full speed. The sharp metal spun violently, carving through the dirt like a beast breaking free from its cage. ¡ª ¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª On the battlefield, everything was happening in slow motion. Elara was laughing like a maniac, his voice echoing in the stillness. "Too late¡­ Too late¡­!" he shouted, his eyes filled with madness. His clone¡¯s hand reached forward, just inches away from the Divine Rank Essence Stone. It was over. Or so he thought. Crack! The ground exploded as Esdeath broke through, bursting out from the earth like a phantom emerging from the underworld. her pale black-haired figure flowing from ground like river, just a few steps away from where Elara¡¯s clone was floating. Her red eyes locked onto the floating Essence Stone. She didn¡¯t hesitate. And then¡ª Push! With all her strength, she shoved Selene forward. "Go!" Selene shot through the slowed time like a bullet, her sharp fangs glinting under the eerie light. She opened her mouth and bit down on Elara¡¯s clone¡¯s hand. Hard. Her teeth sank deep into his flesh, piercing through skin and muscle until warm blood spilled into her mouth. Elara¡¯s clone¡¯s eyes went wide in shock. But it was too late. Before he could react¡ª Another hand reached forward. Pale. Delicate. Cold as ice. Esdeath¡¯s fingers wrapped around the Divine Rank Essence Stone. And then¡ª A chilling voice echoed through the battlefield. "XX days ago." Swish! A sudden surge of power erupted from the Essence Stone. The air trembled, cracks forming in space itself. The battlefield, once filled with noise and chaos, seemed to hold its breath. Reality itself wavered as if unsure whether to continue forward or rewind. Elara¡¯s clone froze, his eyes widening in horror. An unbearable pressure crushed down on him, forcing his mind into turmoil. He couldn''t think¡ªhe couldn''t breathe. In that very moment, far away, Elara¡¯s real body stiffened. A sharp pain stabbed through his chest, and before he could process what was happening, he coughed up blood in anger and shock. No. No. He looked up, and his eyes landed on the person standing amidst the swirling energy. The one who had stolen it. The one who had undone everything. A furious scream tore from his throat. It was raw, filled with rage, disbelief, and utter despair. "ESDEATH CRIMSONNNNNNNNN...!" As if those words carried a curse, Esdeath¡¯s body trembled. Her knees buckled, and she fell toward the ground. The Essence Stone in her grasp, the very thing that had changed the flow of fate¡ª Disintegrated. Vanishing into thin air. The battlefield was silent. All eyes turned toward her. Some were filled with shock. Others with jealousy. Some burned with anger. But Esdeath¡ª She smiled. A bright, clear smile. She raised her gaze to the sky, which was now cracking. Thin fractures spread across the heavens like shattered glass. Then¡ª She laughed. "Hehehe¡­ Hahahaha¡­ Hahahahahaha¡­!" A sound that carried no fear. No regret. Only exhilaration. And then¡ª Blink!... Her body broke apart. Like fragile glass shattering, pieces of her form crumbled away, dissolving into specks of light. The world trembled. The very fabric of existence began to fold inward. The sky twisted. The ground curled. Laws of reality bent and snapped, obeying no logic. And then¡ª Whoosh! With one final pull¡ª The world shattered. Let The Game Begin Esdeath stood still, her red eyes locked onto something in the distance. All around her, the air was filled with gasps and murmurs of shock. But before she could process anything¡ª A sharp pain struck her mind like a lightning bolt. "Argh¡­!" She let out a low groan, clutching her forehead as a wave of dizziness washed over her. But just as suddenly as it came, the pain vanished. Her vision cleared, her thoughts sharpened, and a strange sense of awareness settled in her mind. Then¡ª A grin spread across her face. She took a deep breath and looked around. She was standing inside the arena. The grandstands were packed with students and teachers, their eyes glued to the battlefield below. And in the center of it all¡ª Maruti, her body glowing faintly, was fighting against five Rank C teachers at once. Her movements were sharp and precise, her body flowing like water as she dodged attack after attack. The teachers, however, looked nothing short of humiliated. Their expressions were twisted with frustration, sweat dripping down their faces. They were seasoned warriors. Powerful instructors. And yet¡ª They couldn¡¯t land a single hit on a student. The audience was in a frenzy. Some cheered, others watched in stunned silence. One of the male teachers, his pride pushed to the edge, finally snapped. His face turned red with anger as he clenched his fists. "That¡¯s it! I¡¯m done holding back!" he growled. "If this goes on any longer, I¡¯ll lose my dignity completely!" Mana flared around his body, his essence stone was about to activate. He was about to unleash his true power. But before he could make a move¡ª THUD! A dull sound echoed across the arena. Maruti¡¯s body swayed. Then, like a puppet with its strings cut, she collapsed onto the ground¡ªcompletely unconscious. Silence. The teachers froze. The audience froze. Esdeath, standing above in the arena stands, stared down at the scene with a cold, unreadable gaze. Then, she let out a quiet chuckle. "I really got back in time¡­ just exactly where I wanted," she murmured to herself, a spark of excitement flashing in her eyes. ----------------------- A short break was announced after the last fight. During this time, Maruti slowly regained consciousness, groaning in pain. Meanwhile, the academy¡¯s healers tended to Sylvania¡¯s wounds, and Princess Ravenna¡¯s injuries were completely healed. Half an hour passed. The audience returned to their seats, their excitement at an all-time high. The air felt different now¡ªeveryone knew the second half of the tournament would be far more intense and dangerous. Maruti rubbed her temples, still feeling lightheaded. ¡°Ugh¡­ I feel like throwing up. What the hell even happened back there?¡± she grumbled to herself, scratching her head in frustration. She took her usual seat in the arena and looked around, trying to find Esdeath. But no matter where she looked, Esdeath was nowhere to be seen. Frowning, she scanned the crowd once more. And then¡ªher gaze moved upward. She froze. There, in a place she never expected¡ª Esdeath was sitting on Lortell¡¯s lap. Unlike last time, For some reason Lortell returned half an hour early this time. Not in the students¡¯ seats. Not among the teachers. In Lortell Mariette¡¯s lap. S§×arch* The nov§×lF~ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Lortell¡¯s arms were wrapped around Esdeath¡¯s waist, holding her close. Her head rested comfortably on Esdeath¡¯s shoulder, and her lips curled into a soft smile as she whispered something in her ear. Esdeath, on the other hand¡ª Her face was slightly red, clearly embarrassed, but she tried her best to keep her cool. From the way Lortell was leaning into her, speaking with that teasing smile, it was obvious¡ªLortell was boldly flirting with her. Maruti¡¯s jaw almost dropped. ¡°What the hell is she doing there?¡± she thought, her mind full of confusion. She wasn¡¯t the only one staring. All around the arena, students were glaring at the two with puzzled expressions. Whispered conversations spread like wildfire. It wouldn¡¯t take long for strange rumors about Esdeath and Lortell to start. But before the whispers could grow any louder¡ª The referee raised her hand and made an announcement. ¡°Next match¡ªEsdeath Crimson vs. Valeria Olyndra!¡± Lortell let out an annoyed sigh. ¡°Tch¡­ so soon!¡± she muttered under her breath. Reluctantly, she unwrapped her arms and let Esdeath go. Then, with a playful smile, she gave a thumbs-up. ¡°Best of luck. Don¡¯t push yourself too hard, or else I¡¯ll be the one feeling pain.¡± Esdeath smiled back, her confidence shining through. She pointed at herself with her thumb. ¡°Don¡¯t worry. Just watch me.¡± The match began. And just like before, it ended in a single move. Esdeath defeated Valeria instantly, without breaking a sweat. She already knew exactly how the fight would go, and that made her even more confident. After the fight, Instead of going back to lortell, Esdeath returned to maruti''s side. She sat on the seat beside maruti with cold face. "Fable! Why didn''t you tell me all of this happened?" Maruti said casually yet hint of curiousness. Esdeath raised an eyebrow, unsure where this was going. "What are you talking about now?" she asked with a sigh. Maruti, her eyes wide with wonder, began explaining. "I heard that I went unconscious at the start of my match¡­ and then suddenly went berserk! I fought that cheeky princess and even some teachers, didn''t I?" she said, a mix of surprise and pride in her voice. Hearing this made Esdeath remeber last time when maruti asked the same question. She sighed in boredom but decided to tell everything again. "Let me Explain¨C" Esdeath explained everything. Hearing all the information maruti nodded excitement,"Ultra instict huh...Now that sounds like a proper cheat skill! I''m amazing!" Her energy never runs out. Esdeath gave her a flat look. "It''s a good thing you had that¡­ ''cheat skill,'' or else you''d have been defeated before you even got started. We need to be more cautious from now on. People with more power will always try their hardest to stay at the top. They won''t hesitate to crush others to win," she warned seriously. Maruti immediately waved her hand in denial, puffing out her chest proudly. "Hmph! It''s not like I won just because of that Ultra Instinct thing! I''m sure I would''ve gotten back up and given that princess a proper beating!" ------------ "Next match is between Violet from Class A and Claus Clandestine from Class A," the referee announced. The match started, but Esdeath watched with boredom. She already knew the result. And just like before¡ªViolet won. Esdeath yawned slightly, but then¡ª The real excitement began. The referee raised her hand again. "Next match is between Ethan Rothslayer and Corin Reynold from Class A!" A small smile appeared on Esdeath¡¯s face as she leaned forward, her interest finally piqued. Minutes passed as Ethan and Corin clashed fiercely in battle. Their weapons struck with force, sending sparks flying. The ground trembled under the weight of their attacks. But it was clear¡ªEthan had the upper hand. Corin¡¯s frustration grew with each passing second. His attacks were getting blocked, his movements were getting slower, and Ethan¡¯s confidence never wavered. "Not enough¡­ not enough¡­ not enough!" Corin raged in his mind. Then suddenly, a crazed smile stretched across his face. "If it¡¯s not enough, then I¡¯ll take everything at once!" Without hesitation, he took whole several magic-enhancing drug at once. A terrifying change took over his body. His veins bulged unnaturally, glowing with energy. His muscles tensed, and his entire body felt weightless yet overwhelmingly powerful. With a wild roar, he charged at Ethan at full speed. But even after pushing his body beyond its limits¡ª He was still at a disadvantage. "WHY?!" Corin suddenly screamed, his voice filled with pure rage and despair. His body trembled. His breathing was ragged. Then¡ªsomething changed. The arena fell silent. An eerie, heavy silence. A single whisper broke through the stillness. "His eyes¡­ they''ve turned red." Ethan¡¯s smirk faded. His sharp gaze locked onto Corin. His expression darkened. "Second Awakening¡­?" Corin''s eyes glowed a deep, unnatural red. His pupils shifted¡ªno longer round, but slitted, like a predator''s. His teeth sharpened into fangs, and his nails stretched into long, deadly claws. The transformation was terrifying to witness. Corin no longer looked human. A shiver ran through the crowd. Gasps echoed across the arena. And then¡ªit got worse. Golden fur began to sprout across Corin¡¯s body, covering him completely. His muscles swelled, his limbs stretched unnaturally, and the sound of bones snapping and reshaping filled the air. A monstrous, inhuman figure stood in the arena. People in the audience clutched their seats, their faces pale with fear. ¡°There¡¯s no doubt about it,¡± someone whispered, their voice trembling. ¡°He¡¯s had his second awakening¡­ and turned into a wolfman!¡± Panic spread like wildfire. The once-lively arena was now filled with fear and confusion. No one had expected this. No one was prepared. And Corin¡ªnow more beast than man¡ªlet out a low, menacing growl. Panic spread like wildfire. Screams filled the air as the audience scrambled to escape, pushing and shoving each other in blind fear. The once-organized arena turned into complete chaos. People tripped over seats, some fell to the ground, and others desperately ran toward the exit gates, their only thought being survival. The whole arena was in an uproar. But just like before¡ªbefore Ethan could even react¡ªLortell stepped in. Lortell sighed as if she found everything bothersome. Then, raising her hand, she spoke in an eerily calm voice. "Say goodbye to your life, boy." Without hesitation, she swung her hand down toward Corin¡ª A simple slap from her was enough to end his life. But then¡ªPlop! Just before Lortell¡¯s hand could reach him, Corin¡¯s body flickered. His eyes widened in sudden fear, and¡ªinstinctively¡ªhe vanished. He had teleported. ---------------- "Don''t panic! Leave in an orderly fashion! Everything is under control!" several teachers shouted, their voices booming across the arena. But their words fell on deaf ears. How could anyone believe them? They had just seen a student transform into a monster. A wolfman straight out of nightmares. They had witnessed something unnatural, something terrifying. People ignored the teachers and continued to rush out, fear clouding their minds. Meanwhile, amidst the chaos, Esdeath remained seated. She didn¡¯t move. She didn¡¯t flinch. Instead, she calmly observed the madness unfolding before her. Her eyes gleamed with amusement as she rested her chin on her hand. A small, knowing smile curved her lips. "Now, now¡­" she murmured to herself. "Let the game begin." Esdeath Saves Emma The chaos from Corin¡¯s awakening had left the entire academy shaken. It had happened in the evening, but now, as night settled over the academy, an eerie silence took over. The once-lively academy felt empty. The arena, where the shocking battle had taken place, was completely deserted. Only the teachers remained, patrolling the grounds, their eyes scanning every corner in search of Corin. Meanwhile, in one of the dorm rooms, eight students sat together, fear hanging heavy in the air. They huddled close, their faces pale, their breaths shaky. "Don¡¯t be afraid," a girl with trembling hands whispered. "We¡¯ve set up a magic formation around this room. No one can enter without breaking it. If anyone tries, the teachers will have enough time to come and save us." Her words brought a sliver of hope, but deep down, everyone knew she was just trying to comfort herself as much as the others. "Yes¡­ I think you¡¯re right¡ª" But before the boy could finish his sentence, a cold chill ran down their spines. Their eyes widened in horror. Corin was here. They didn¡¯t know how. They didn¡¯t know when. But he was here. "Aahh... Corin is here!" a girl screamed, her voice breaking into sheer terror. "How?! How did he get in without breaking the formation?!" the girl who had cast the spell shrieked, her face twisting in fear. But Corin didn¡¯t answer. His glowing red eyes locked onto one of the boys, and in an instant¡ªhe moved. With terrifying speed, he swung his massive claws, aiming straight for the boy¡¯s head. The force behind the attack was enough to rip his head clean off. But¡ª BAM! The wall behind them shattered into pieces, sending dust and debris flying everywhere. And before anyone could even process what had happened¡ª A powerful kick landed directly on Corin¡¯s face. The impact sent him crashing to the ground. Everyone¡¯s eyes widened in pure disbelief¡ª And then, in overwhelming relief. "It¡¯s Maruti!" the girl with brown hair gasped. BAM! BOOM! BAM! Maruti and Corin engaged in a fierce hand-to-hand battle. Their blows shook the room, cracking the floor beneath them. The other students could only watch, wide-eyed, their bodies frozen. This was a battle they couldn¡¯t interfere in. Right now, the most important thing was that they were saved. Minutes passed, and finally, the sound of hurried footsteps echoed from the hallway. The teachers had arrived. They stopped at the dorm room door, their faces tense with urgency. But as they tried to enter¡ª They were blocked. The magic formation was still in place, stopping even them. "You fools!" the female teacher snapped, frustration clear in her voice. "He has an affinity with space! A normal formation can¡¯t stop him unless it¡¯s specifically made for space-path magic!" Without wasting another second, she raised her hand, her fingers glowing with a bright, powerful light. With a single motion, she shattered the formation. The magic barrier broke apart like fragile glass, disappearing into the air. The teachers entered the room and saw Maruti locked in a fierce battle with Corin. Their eyes quickly scanned the room, and a sigh of relief escaped them when they realized no one had died¡ªyet. But their relief was short-lived. Their gazes immediately locked onto Corin, their bodies tensing, ready to strike. Corin, however, sensed the danger. His instincts screamed at him, and before anyone could attack¡ª He vanished. "Tch," the female teacher bit her lip in frustration. The chubby teacher behind her let out a relieved sigh. "Well, at least we arrived on time!" He turned to Maruti, offering a nod of approval. "Student Maruti, right? You did a very brave and commendable job by saving¡ª" Before he could finish, Maruti dashed past him and bolted out of the room. "I don¡¯t have time for this!" she called over her shoulder as she ran. The teachers blinked in surprise. "Is she¡­ going after Corin?" the chubby teacher muttered in shock. "Such bravery!" Even the female teacher couldn¡¯t help but be impressed. ---- But this wasn¡¯t just bravery¡ªthis was all part of Esdeath¡¯s plan. She already knew where Corin would attack. After all, she had seen this all happen before. That¡¯s why she had told Maruti in advance and given her the job of interfering. But wait¡­ Didn¡¯t Esdeath want Corin to kill people? Didn¡¯t she want him to lose control and die in the end? Yes¡ªshe did. At least, she did last time, before she turned back time. But things were different now. She had already taken her revenge. There was no need to repeat the same path. This time, she wanted to play her cards more carefully. Corin wasn¡¯t just some wild beast to be discarded¡ªhe had value. Duke''s son. A best space path material. A powerful pawn. So, as Corin attacked different places, Maruti appeared¡ªagain and again¡ªinterrupting him every time. Neither Esdeath nor Maruti told the teachers or Ethan about their plan. If they did, it would raise too much suspicion. How could they possibly know where Corin would strike? And besides¡­ they didn¡¯t want Corin to get captured. Not yet. --- Half an hour passed. Corin had been teleporting again and again, trying to escape and attack. But now¡ª His energy was running out. His body was at its limit. Breathing heavily, his fur damp with sweat, Corin stumbled as he teleported one last time¡ª That''s right, he teleported in Emma''s dorm room. Corin teleported into Emma''s dorm room. His bloodshot eyes swept over the space, and in the far corner he saw a trembling figure¡ªa girl with a soft, gentle frame. To him, she looked like a female version of Ethan, with a similar face but a more alluring and curvier body. "Another Ethan?!" Corin growled, baring his teeth. His vision blurred, and the world still seemed to be washed in red. He stepped closer, ready to attack. Before he could strike, the girl spoke in a shaking yet familiar voice. "Corin, why are you doing this? Don''t you recognize me? It''s me, Emma... your friend!" Corin froze. Her words hit him like a sudden shock. "Emma?" he muttered, confusion flashing in his crimson-stained eyes. For a moment, the anger inside him faded, and small pieces of long-forgotten memories began to surface¡ªmemories of Emma. He had always admired her. More than just a friend, she was his first crush. Slowly, her image grew clear in his mind, breaking through the red haze of rage. The girl stepped forward carefully, tears glistening in her eyes. "Do you remember now? You used to say you wanted to be a hero¡ªto slay the Demon King and protect everyone. Why are you doing this, Corin? Why are you trying to hurt innocent people?" Her soft voice was filled with pain, each word striking him like a sharp blow. Then, memories of that painful time flooded his mind. He remembered the moment when she had chosen Ethan over him. He remembered how she had told Ethan she was single, even though he had confessed his love long ago. At that time, Emma had acted as if nothing had changed, and Corin had believed that meant she accepted him. But when she found someone he considered better¡ªsomeone like Ethan¡ªshe left him behind, as if he were nothing. Corin stood torn between the warm, happy memories and the bitter pain of rejection. His heart ached as he struggled with these conflicting feelings. And just as the battle between his memories reached a peak, a cold, chilling voice spoke from behind him. "She is right!" A female voice cut through the tense air, dripping with mockery and disdain. Both Corin and Emma turned toward the doorway. A girl leaned casually against the frame, a smirk playing on her lips as if she were watching an entertaining play. Her long black hair cascaded over her pale skin, and in the dim light, she looked almost ghostly¡ªlike a nightmare stepping into reality. "Esdeath?" Emma gasped, her voice trembling. Esdeath¡¯s smirk vanished in an instant. "Don''t say my name with your filthy mouth, you disgusting slut," she snapped, her tone sharp as a blade. She strode into the room with the confidence of a queen, completely unfazed by Corin¡¯s monstrous wolfman form. Where others would have trembled in fear, she looked at him with nothing but disdain. "Gulp!" Emma swallowed hard, her body stiff with fear. Esdeath was terrifying. Corin, too, felt his breath hitch as Esdeath¡¯s piercing gaze locked onto him. But then¡ªdisappointment flickered across her face. She sighed as if scolding a foolish child. "Corin, are you really letting your emotions weigh you down? She¡¯s a hindrance. If you want a bright future, let go of her. Forget about her. Leave your past behind. Only then will you be able to become a king." Esdeath¡¯s voice was smooth, calculated¡ªlike a snake whispering into his ear. Her words were manipulative. If she could make him kill Emma, she could also save Emma. "You still haven¡¯t killed anyone yet," she continued, stepping closer. "Surrender now, and you can survive. You can continue being a student. Your life doesn¡¯t have to end here." Corin hesitated. It was an unspoken rule¡ªanyone who awakened as a vampire, a wolfman, or any anomaly was meant to be executed. That was the law. That was what had happened to others before him. But Esdeath was right¡­.. he hadn¡¯t killed anyone yet. Seeing his hesitation, Esdeath leaned even closer. Her red eyes, with multiple moving rings in the pupils, locked onto his red wolf eyes. "Are you doubting me?" she whispered, her voice laced with something dangerous. "Do you know who I am, Right?" There was something in her tone¡ªsomething that made Corin shudder. It wasn¡¯t just a threat. It was a reminder. Reminder that she is an expert and can see future, If she says that Corin will survive,Then he''ll survive. Corin didn¡¯t hesitate anymore. He was exhausted, his body barely holding on. With one last deep breath, he fell to his knees. "Well then¡­ I¡¯m counting on you." The moment he surrendered, his body collapsed onto the floor. His eyes fluttered shut, and he fell unconscious. Esdeath¡¯s cold gaze flickered toward Emma. "Shoo..shoo¡­" she hushed her while waving her palm dismissively,"Leave. Now. Before I change my mind." Emma¡¯s heart pounded. She had so many questions¡ª How did Corin and Esdeath know each other? What did Esdeath mean when she said, "Do you know who I am?" And what about him being a king? But now wasn¡¯t the time for questions. With shaky breaths, Emma turned and bolted out of the room, her lungs burning as she ran. A few moments later, the teachers finally discovered Corin¡¯s location and rushed to the scene. As they stepped into the room, their eyes widened at the sight before them¡ªCorin lay unconscious on the ground, completely defeated. And standing right next to him was Esdeath, looking as calm and composed as ever. She gave them a small smile. "I captured him," she said casually, as if it had been the easiest thing in the world. The teachers exchanged shocked glances. She actually did it? They couldn¡¯t believe it. Corin had been teleporting all over the academy, dodging every attempt to stop him. Yet here he was, completely knocked out¡ªand Esdeath didn¡¯t even have a single scratch on her. Just how powerful was she? Their eyes filled with respect and curiosity. The leader of the teachers, a stern-looking woman, stepped forward. "Your contribution to the academy won¡¯t be forgotten. I¡¯ll make sure to arrange rewards for both you and Student Maruti." Esdeath simply tilted her head, looking amused. "As for now," the teacher continued, "leave him to us. According to Vice Principal Lilith¡¯s orders, we can¡¯t kill him yet." Sear?h the N?velFire(.)net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Esdeath shrugged. "Do whatever you want," she said lightly. Then, without a care in the world, she turned and strolled out of the room. Humming a cheerful tune, she twirled around playfully, her steps light and carefree, as if she had just finished playing a fun game instead of capturing a dangerous enemy. Loyal Slave The first arc had finally ended. But unlike last time, nothing gruesome had happened. Corin was captured and taken for a full-body examination to find out what had caused his transformation. The teachers wanted to check if he had been manipulated by someone or if his awakening had happened naturally. Meanwhile, Esdeath repeated everything just like before. Especially the bath scene. But this time, it wasn¡¯t because she was afraid of causing a mistake in the timeline¡ªit was because she *wanted* Lortell to touch her body all over again. The more, the better. After that, when it was time for classes, Maruti was sitting at the last bench in the middle row, waiting for Esdeath. "Why isn¡¯t she making contact?" she thought in irritation, tapping her fingers on the desk. "She told me to save everyone, but why? Aren¡¯t we villains? We¡¯re supposed to kill people, not protect them. Has she really gone soft? Or¡­ is she just trying to impress Lortell?" Maruti narrowed her eyes in suspicion. Before she could think further, the teacher walked in. "Good morning, everyone," the teacher said with a warm smile. The students immediately stood up and greeted her. "I know yesterday was a shocking day for all of you," she continued. "But today, I have some good news!" She turned toward the classroom door with an expectant look. A moment later, a student walked in. It was a¡­ girl? No, not quite. The person was of average height, with a cute and charming face. But the most striking feature was the pair of golden animal ears on her head. And there was something else¡ªsomething that stood out even more than her non-human features. She wearing a male uniform. That¡¯s right. She was actually a he. The teacher turned back to the class and smiled. "Please welcome him. You might find this hard to believe, but this is your fellow classmate, Corin!" A wave of shock swept through the classroom. The same Corin who had rampaged through the academy just yesterday¡ªthe same Corin who had nearly killed several students¡ªwas now standing before them looking like a¡­ femboy?! "Wait, is that really Corin? How did he turn into a girl?" someone blurted out. "No, no! He¡¯s still a boy! His features just changed somehow!" Teacher replied. The entire class was in an uproar. Eyes widened. Jaws dropped. Some students rubbed their eyes as if they were hallucinating. Others whispered among themselves, trying to make sense of what they were seeing. Corin, however, stood there awkwardly, his face expressionless as if he wanted to disappear into thin air. The teacher smiled as she addressed the class. "Actually, after examining his body, we discovered that Corin was manipulated by a mysterious person. He was drugged, and unfortunately, that triggered his awakening as a Wolfman," she explained, pausing for a moment before continuing. "But don¡¯t worry! He has fully regained his senses. There¡¯s no mental damage, and the academy has confirmed that he is stable. If anything happens, the academy will take full responsibility!" She then glanced around the class, her voice firm yet gentle. "So please, treat him like any other student." There was a moment of silence before Corin stepped forward, his golden ears twitching slightly. He looked around the room, his expression unreadable. "I¡¯d like to forget the past and start fresh," he said in a soft voice. His voice had changed¡ªit was gentler now, smoother, and almost¡­ feminine. "I hope you all can support me," he added before bowing slightly. With that, he turned and walked to his seat. Every eye in the room followed him, but he ignored them, pretending not to notice the stares. Meanwhile, Maruti sat at the back, staring at Corin with a complicated expression. "Now I have to see a femboy every day?" she muttered under her breath, frowning. She couldn''t help but recall a memory from dozens of years ago¡ªa memory that was burned into her mind. For her, it was a nightmare. Something so painful that it had scarred her for life. Maruti quickly shook her head, forcing the thoughts away. "No! I need to stay at least ten meters away from the femboy at all times!" she decided, her face slightly pale. But before she could even catch her breath, another headache entered the room. Kaelith. She strode into the classroom with confidence, her piercing gaze scanning the room like a queen inspecting her kingdom. Corin, with his new appearance, clearly stood out. But Kaelith didn¡¯t even spare him a second glance. Instead, her sharp eyes landed directly on Maruti. Raising an eyebrow, Kaelith walked straight toward her. Without hesitation, she sat down beside Maruti, crossing her arms with a smug expression. "What a great day," she said, her voice dripping with satisfaction. "That annoying Esdeath isn¡¯t here." Then, leaning slightly closer, she smirked. "Now do you understand who will always be by your side? A true friend!" She nodded, as if she had just given Maruti some great wisdom. Maruti, on the other hand, buried her head into the desk, her shoulders trembling. "Someone, please save me!" she internally cried. For the entire lecture, Kaelith stuck to her like glue. Every time Maruti tried to move even slightly, Kaelith would shift even closer, refusing to give her any space. At one point, Kaelith even placed a hand on Maruti¡¯s shoulder, gripping it lightly as if to say, You¡¯re not going anywhere. Maruti felt like her soul was slowly leaving her body. After classes finally ended, Maruti somehow managed to escape from Kaelith¡¯s clingy presence. As she walked down the hallway, she kicked the air in frustration, muttering to herself, "That Kaelith! Who does she think she is? Just because she¡¯s the Silver Dragon, she acts all high and mighty! Hmph! If she¡¯s the Silver Dragon, then I¡¯ll become a Golden Dragon and beat the crap out of her!" She had said the same thing last time too, but there was one difference¡ªback then, Esdeath was walking beside her. And instead of heading to the cafeteria like before, this time she was going straight to Esdeath¡¯s dorm room. She had too many questions to ask. As she reached the door, she didn¡¯t even hesitate to knock. Instead, she slammed the door open. "Yo! Fable, answer my questio¡ª" But before she could finish, her words got stuck in her throat. The scene inside the room completely shocked her. There should have been only two people in the room¡ªEsdeath and Selene. But there were three. And the third person was none other than Corin. Maruti¡¯s eyes widened. Corin was on all fours, like a chair. And Esdeath¡­ S§×ar?h the Nov§×l?ire.n(e)t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Esdeath was casually sitting on his back, sipping tea like some tyrant queen. Her outfit was different from usual too. She was wearing a neatly buttoned white shirt that covered her arms and chest, making her look professional. Unlike before, she wasn¡¯t showing even a hint of cleavage. Instead of her usual skirt, she wore tight black pants¡ªalmost like jeans¡ªthat hugged every curve of her body perfectly. Maruti was completely baffled. "What the hell is happening?" she blurted out. Esdeath paused mid-sip, then, without hesitation, she poured the rest of her tea onto Corin¡¯s head. The hot liquid soaked into his hair, but he didn¡¯t react at all. He just endured it. Finally, Esdeath turned to look at Maruti. "Great, isn¡¯t it?" she asked with a smirk. Maruti blinked. "What?" she responded instinctively. "My loyal slave, of course," Esdeath said proudly, patting Corin¡¯s head. Maruti stared at her in disbelief. "When did you make him your slave?" she asked as she stepped into the room. She didn¡¯t ask how¡ªbecause knowing Esdeath, she could definitely do something like this. She just wanted to know when. Before Esdeath could answer, a small voice interrupted. "Mother, I wanna play with him too!" Selene, who had been sitting beside Esdeath, tugged on her sleeve. Esdeath smiled and gently ran her fingers through Selene¡¯s hair. "Not now, dear," she said softly. "I¡¯ll let you play with him later." Maruti sighed and sat down on the bed behind Esdeath. "You still haven¡¯t answered me," she said, crossing her arms. Esdeath finally put her cup down. "Just a few minutes ago," she answered casually. Maruti narrowed her eyes. "A few minutes ago? How?" Esdeath chuckled. "Hehehe¡­ well, it¡¯s a short story," she said, leaning back. "The reason I saved Corin in the first place¡­ was because I wanted him as my slave." She then started explaining. When Corin had fainted, Esdeath hadn¡¯t tried to make him her slave right away. Because if she did, it would have caused a huge problem when the academy did a full-body inspection on him. But she had already predicted that Corin wouldn¡¯t mention her name during the investigation. And just like she expected, Corin had only talked about the mysterious person who manipulated him¡ªhe never said a word about Esdeath. After the full-body check-up, the academy found no abnormalities. And what had Esdeath been doing during that time? She had been preparing a killer move. In fact, she hadn¡¯t attended classes today because she had been finishing her plan. She had spent four months of her lifespan refining A Loyalty Essence Stone. Fused with a Slavery Essence Stone with Human Slavery and Wolfman slavery essence stone to creat a Wolfman slavery essence stone. It was also backed by a Falling Morale & Demotivation Essence Stone, along with several others. With all those combined¡­ She had finally created her killer move¡ª Loyal Slave. But Esdeath never had any slave path Essence stone, Specially rare ones like human slavery essence stone and Demotivation and Falling moral. So where did she get this? If I were to answer this in one word¨CThen it would be¨CLortell. Elite Shooter After Maruti went berserk in the battle arena, the match finally ended, and a half-hour break was announced. Most of the students left the arena to eat, take a walk, or just relax. But instead of doing any of that, Esdeath walked straight toward Lortell. She found Lortell sitting with her head maid, Lorraine, going through some documents. Esdeath hesitated for a moment¡ªshe didn¡¯t want to disturb her. But she had no choice. She knew Lortell would help her. Taking a deep breath, she started walking toward them. Before Esdeath could even get close, Lortell noticed her presence. Her face immediately brightened, and without a second thought, she set the documents aside. Esdeath didn¡¯t say anything right away. She simply stood there, looking hesitant. Her fingers fidgeted slightly as if she was struggling to find the right words. Lortell tilted her head. "Do you want to say something?" she asked. "Umm¡­ yeah," Esdeath mumbled. "But I don¡¯t know how to say it." She swallowed hard before finally speaking. "Actually¡­ I know you¡¯ve already given me a lot, but I need something¡ª" Before she could even finish her sentence, Lortell placed her hands firmly on Esdeath¡¯s shoulders. "You need something?" Lortell¡¯s voice was eager. "Why are you hesitating? Just tell me. Do you need money? Jewelry? A palace? Land or territory? Don¡¯t be shy! Whatever it is, just say it! You know that everything I have is yours, right?" Her words were strong and full of determination. This was the first time Esdeath had ever asked Lortell for anything. And if Esdeath had asked for something as extreme as Lortell¡¯s own heart, Lortell would have given it without a second thought. Esdeath quickly shook her head. "N-no! I just need a few essence stones," she explained. Lortell¡¯s excited expression suddenly turned into one of surprise. After a moment of silence, she raised an eyebrow. "That¡¯s it? You¡¯re not hesitating, right?" she asked, almost suspiciously. Esdeath nodded. "No, it¡¯s just that¡­ I know I can handle my next match, but I¡¯m not so sure about the future ones," she admitted. "So I want to enslave some wolf beasts and human-type monsters to fight for me in the arena." Lortell listened carefully as Esdeath continued. "That¡¯s why I need slavery-path essence stones¡ªhuman slavery and wolf slavery, specifically. And if possible, I¡¯d also like a Falling Morale and Demotivation Essence stone." Esdeath¡¯s plan made sense. Using slaves in battle wasn¡¯t considered cheating. However, there were strict rules. sea??h th§× ¦ÇovelFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. There was a limit to how many slaves a person could use in a match. Also, the slaves couldn¡¯t be stronger than their master. And most importantly, the owner had to capture the slaves themselves. But of course, summoners didn¡¯t have to follow those rules. If someone was a summoner, there was no limit at all. Lortell immediately turned to her head maid, Lorraine, and ordered, "Give her at least a thousand of each!" Lorraine¡¯s eyes widened in shock. "But¡­ we don¡¯t have that many in storage," she hesitated. "Especially human slavery and demotivation essence stones¡­ They¡¯re mind-type and extremely rare. If we want a thousand of them, we¡¯ll have to buy them." Hearing this, Lortell¡¯s sharp eyes locked onto Lorraine. "Are you defying my order?" she asked coldly. Her voice sent a chill down Lorraine¡¯s spine. She felt her entire body freeze under Lortell¡¯s gaze. Just when Lorraine thought she was done for, Esdeath quickly interjected. "No need, no need! Just a dozen of them is fine!" Esdeath waved her hands in a hurry. Lorraine clenched her teeth. "A dozen is still too much, you greedy girl!" she screamed in her mind, but she didn¡¯t dare say it out loud. Instead, she lowered her head and replied, "I will prepare them as soon as possible." With that, she quickly turned and left. Meanwhile, Lortell turned to Esdeath, her expression lighting up with excitement. "Let¡¯s take a stroll around!" she said happily. Before Esdeath could even respond, Lortell grabbed her arm and started walking. They strolled around the academy grounds, chatting lightly. Lortell took the chance to talk about some of her past heroic deeds, obviously trying to impress Esdeath. She told stories of how she handled important matters, crushed her enemies, and outwitted countless nobles. Esdeath listened with interest, but she knew Lortell was just trying to look cool in front of her. After the break ended, Lortell led Esdeath to the upper-middle section of the arena. This area was reserved only for royals and high-ranking figures. The seats here were special, positioned close to the main figures of the academy. Lortell sat down gracefully and then patted her lap. "Here, sit on my lap," she said with a smirk. Esdeath¡¯s face turned slightly red. "Wh-what?!" Before she could refuse, Lortell grabbed her hand and pulled her down, making her sit right in her lap. Lortell¡¯s arms wrapped around Esdeath¡¯s waist, holding her close. "Don¡¯t be shy," she whispered in a sultry voice, her breath brushing against Esdeath¡¯s ear. "Who knows? You might have to experience this every day in the future." Esdeath shivered slightly at her words. Lortell continued to tease her, flirting shamelessly, whispering playful words in her ear, and holding her waist tightly. She didn¡¯t stop until Esdeath¡¯s match was finally announced. ---------- Now that Corin was fully enslaved, Esdeath had made sure that from the outside, no one would suspect he was under her control. She also chose to wear a non-revealing outfit today, remembering Lortell¡¯s words about dressing more properly. Maruti, on the other hand, looked at Corin with a complicated expression. "Whatever¡­ whatever! Just keep him away from me!" she huffed. But at that moment, a wicked smirk formed on Esdeath¡¯s lips as she stood up. "Oh? Is that so?" she teased. "I finally got a hold of your weakness¡­ hehehe." Maruti immediately tensed up. Her body went on full alert as she saw that playful yet dangerous look on Esdeath¡¯s face. "Hey¡­ hey¡­ hey! Don¡¯t do that! Don¡¯t you dare¡ª" "Corin, hear my order!" Esdeath suddenly commanded. "Jump on the girl in front of you and give her a big hug!" Corin instantly stood up, ready to obey. Maruti¡¯s face turned pale. "I¡¯ll remember this, Fableeee!" she screamed before bolting out of the room as fast as she could. Corin was about to chase after her, but Esdeath stopped him. She then checked the time. "Hmm¡­ I¡¯ve wasted enough time," she muttered. "Caramel might be with Ethan right now," she thought, a sly smile forming on her lips. Reflecting on everything she had done so far, she realized that she had already gained a lot of benefits. But the biggest benefit of all? Her SP points! "Status," she willed. Her system screen appeared before her, displaying her current SP balance. Yep! That was over twenty thousand more than what she previously had. Of course, she could have gained even more¡­ But the biggest reason for this increase was her interference in the main storyline. Saving Corin. In all three original endings, Corin either died, got banished, or never returned. But Esdeath had created a fourth ending where Corin was saved. And that had earned her less amount of SP points. Still, the number was ridiculously high. Without hesitation, Esdeath used a large portion of her SP to restore her previous stats from her past life. After spending a huge chunk, she still had a lot left over. "Hmm¡­ I can''t raise it any further or it''ll might be a problem except MP," she thought. That left only one exciting option¡­ "Sharpshooter!" she decided with a grin. Esdeath immediately used her SP points to upgrade her Sharpshooter skill. A system notification popped up. [Description: Time slows down for 12 seconds. Can be used once every 30 minutes.] [Additional Effect: Increases projectile speed by 20% and reduces recoil by 30%.] <20,000 SP deducted> Esdeath stared at the update and had mixed feelings. Her lips curved into a smile, but there was also a hint of frustration. "It skipped one rank but cost 20,000 SP... That¡¯s kinda expensive." She sighed, but then her smile widened. "Well, not bad! I¡¯ll approve it!" But she wasn¡¯t done yet. Her eyes glowed with determination. "I need more mana. Instead of wasting SP on stats, I should use it to improve my ability to consume mana potions." She had a lot of mana potions, but there was a problem¡ª She couldn¡¯t drink them all at once, and the amount of MP she gained from them was too small. She crossed her arms and smirked. "You know what I want, right? Just give it to me!" The system immediately responded. <7,000 SP deducted> [Description: Potion cooldown(digestion and absorption time) is reduced by 70%, and potions can now stack up to 3 times.] Esdeath couldn¡¯t stop herself from grinning. "This¡­ is perfect! 70% already? What will happen if it gets to Rank A or S" With this, she could drink more potions in a shorter time. Feeling satisfied, she turned to Corin and waved her hand. "You can leave now. Go wash your hair, and remember to behave exactly how I told you to!" Corin nodded and quickly left the room. Then, Esdeath turned her gaze to Selene. With a mischievous smile, she declared, "It¡¯s time for a potion party! Let¡¯s have a competition¡ªwho can drink more?" Selene blinked in surprise before smirking back. "Mother is going to loose!", ------------------- Meanwhile, in the academy corridors, Caramel had an irritated expression on her face. "Lick my feet and apologize! And don¡¯t go around crying, saying you love me or anything," she demanded, crossing her arms. The boy standing in front of her had blue hair and soft blue eyes. His face was filled with confusion. Yes, he was Ethan. "Huh? But I already said sorry for accidentally bumping into you... And why would I say I love you?" Ethan was completely puzzled. Caramel¡¯s expression darkened as she stared straight into his eyes. "Huh? What? You don¡¯t love me? Am I not beautiful?" she asked, her voice filled with disbelief. Ethan felt extremely awkward. He let out a nervous laugh. "Yes, you are beautiful, but¡ª" "But? But what?" Caramel almost shouted, stepping closer. Ethan''s heart pounded. "Oh, crap. This girl is crazy! I need to get out of here as soon as possible!" he thought. Forcing a sudden look of realization, he slapped his forehead dramatically. "Oh! I just remembered something really important! I have to go! I¡¯ll meet you later!" Without waiting for a response, he turned around and rushed off. Caramel¡¯s eyes widened before she quickly ran after him. "Hey! Stop running! You¡¯re not getting away from me!" she shouted, chasing after him down the corridor. Date Again The night passed, and morning arrived. Just like before, everything happened the same way as last time. Esdeath and Maruti crossed paths again¡ªEsdeath was leaving while Maruti was heading toward the academy garden to attend the session. As Maruti walked through the corridors, she spotted Esdeath coming from the opposite direction. "Wait¡­ I think you forgot! The garden is this way!" Maruti called out, pointing behind her. Esdeath stopped and snorted. "Of course, I know that. I''m not attending today''s lecture. I have some work outside the academy, so I''ll be gone for a few hours." "Really? Should I come with you?" Maruti asked eagerly. "No need," Esdeath replied flatly, rejecting her without hesitation. Maruti sighed in disappointment but quickly perked up. "Then do me a favor. Buy me a set of academy clothes from the official shop, and grab some casual ones too." She paused for a moment, then turned slightly. "Come with me for a second. I''ll give you my measurements¡ªit¡¯ll only take a moment!" Esdeath glanced at Maruti¡¯s body from top to bottom, smirking playfully. "No need. I already have a pretty good idea of what size will fit you, fufufu..." she chuckled. A vein popped on Maruti¡¯s forehead as she clenched her fist. "For some reason, your words really make me want to slap you right now!" Esdeath laughed and casually walked past her. "Well then, see you later!" she said, waving her hand. And just like last time, during the session, something embarrassing happened again. Because of Maruti¡¯s curvy, seductive body and her big assets, the buttons on her shirt suddenly popped off, exposing her chest in front of everyone. The entire class froze, eyes widening in shock. Maruti''s face turned bright red as she quickly covered herself. "Ahhh! Not again!" she screamed before running out of the session. Because of this, she had to leave in the middle of the lecture. Teacher Kaya sighed and followed her out, taking off her own extra set of undergarments. The only difference this time was that Maruti didn¡¯t run into Caramel afterward. And how could she? This time, she didn¡¯t go to the cafeteria, and Caramel was busy chasing after Ethan instead. Honestly, that was a great thing for Maruti¡ªCaramel was way too irritating for her to deal with. --------------- Just like last time, Esdeath took Selene with her to the market to show her the outside world. They visited many fun places, played games, explored different shops, and even stopped by a restaurant to eat. Selene had a huge appetite¡ªfar bigger than Esdeath¡¯s. In just a short amount of time, Selene had already grown to almost 60% of Esdeath¡¯s height. While Esdeath ate like a regular human, Selene devoured plate after plate, stacking them high on the table. As Selene happily dug through her meals, her sharp eyes noticed something interesting. A couple was sitting at a nearby table, facing each other. The woman had a red face, and she was rubbing her thigh nervously, trembling slightly. Selene tilted her head in confusion. "Mother, is that girl in pain? Why is she shaking so much?" she asked. Esdeath followed her gaze and observed for a moment before smirking. "Well, I think it¡¯s natural. They seem to be a couple. The girl probably has a huge crush on him and really loves him. That¡¯s why she¡¯s listening so carefully to every word he says, and she can¡¯t even make eye contact because she¡¯s too embarrassed. Most women in love act like that when they¡¯re around their husband or boyfriend," Esdeath explained. Selene¡¯s lips curled into a playful smirk. "Does Mother act like that when she''s around Dad?" she asked innocently. Blush! Esdeath¡¯s face instantly turned red. She coughed and waved her hand dismissively, trying to act calm. But her mind was already filled with memories of her blushing in front of Lortell Mariette. "Cough¡­ cough¡­ I-I''m a tough person! You know that!" she said, lifting her head proudly. But Selene¡¯s smirk only widened. "Your face clearly says you¡¯re lying!" Of course, Selene knew exactly who her "Dad" was¡ªthe Dominator, Lortell Mariette. There was no way Esdeath could ever be more dominant than her! "Enough questions for now! Let¡¯s leave!" Esdeath quickly stood up, avoiding the topic altogether. ----------------- After leaving the restaurant, Selene eventually met the old woman again. And just like last time, yes! The old woman was completely shocked to see that a teenage girl like Esdeath was Selene¡¯s mother. Even though Esdeath had already heard it last time, the rage still bubbled up inside her. She scolded the old woman, not holding back her words, and then quickly left with Selene. They made their way back to the academy, but Esdeath couldn¡¯t just walk in openly with Selene. No one could find out about her. So, they waited for half an hour, carefully hidden, before sneaking inside unnoticed. After resting for a bit, Esdeath suddenly remembered something¡ªan errand she had almost forgotten. She had bought new clothes for Maruti and needed to deliver them. Taking a deep breath, she grabbed the package and headed to Maruti¡¯s dorm room. When she knocked on the door, it opened just a crack. Before Esdeath could say anything, a hand shot out, grabbed her wrist, and yanked her inside. "What the hell¡ª" Esdeath gasped, startled. "Shhh!" Maruti hissed, pressing a finger to her lips. Seeing Maruti¡¯s cautious expression, Esdeath was immediately reminded of last time when Caramel fell in love with her. Could it be happening again? Was Maruti also acting strange because of that? "Don''t tell me¡ª" Esdeath was about to jump to conclusions, but Maruti cut her off. "It''s that lizard Kaelith!" Maruti groaned. "She gives me no privacy! The only place she won¡¯t follow me is the washroom! And honestly, I wouldn''t be surprised if she showed up there too!" Esdeath smirked. "Pfft¡­ That¡¯s what happens when you make the wrong friends." Maruti looked a bit shocked. "Wait, how do you know?" Esdeath crossed her arms and looked away, pretending to be mysterious. "I have my ways," she said casually. Of course, she knew because in her past life, Kaelith herself had said that Maruti was her friend. "Hmph!" Maruti huffed. "She acts more like an owner than a friend! What does she think she is? A mighty silver dragon? Who cares!" Her frustration boiled over, and she stomped her foot. "If she¡¯s a silver dragon, then I¡¯ll become a golden dragon! Just you wait, lizard!" she declared. Hearing this, Esdeath sighed. "Golden dragons don¡¯t exist," she said flatly. "Wait, what?" Maruti¡¯s mouth hung open. Since Esdeath and Maruti never went to the cafeteria together yesterday, she never told Maruti about silver dragons. "I guess I¡¯ll have to explaining it again," Esdeath muttered, shaking her head. ------------ Esdeath repeated the same story again, explaining how the Silver Dragon came into existence. She spoke in detail, making sure Maruti understood everything. After finishing that, she also shared some important information about the second arc. S§×ar?h the N?vel(F)ire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Maruti listened carefully, her eyes narrowing in thought. When Esdeath finally stopped talking, Maruti leaned back and crossed her arms. "Hmm... So, what do you think we are doing this time?" she asked. Hearing that question made Esdeath remember something¡ªMaruti had asked her this exact question before. Back then, she had confidently said they would avoid the second arc as much as possible. The reason? The second arc was too difficult. Strength alone wouldn¡¯t be enough to survive¡ªit also required a huge amount of luck. Recalling that moment, a wicked grin slowly spread across Esdeath¡¯s face. "Hehehe..." She chuckled, her eyes gleaming with mischief. "We are gonna rob the shit out of him!" --------------- After their conversation, Esdeath left Maruti¡¯s room and returned to her own. The night passed quickly, and morning arrived. Lortell woke up early, stretching lightly before slipping into her usual elegant clothes. She felt unusually energetic as she walked to her door, eager to greet Esdeath with a bright smile. But just as she opened the door¡ª "Good morning!" Esdeath was already standing outside, her innocent smile glowing like morning sunshine. Lortell¡¯s eyes sparkled with joy. Without thinking twice, she bent down slightly to match Esdeath¡¯s height and pulled her into a tight hug. "Seeing your face first thing in the morning¡­ how fortunate!" she murmured, her tone soft and full of affection. Esdeath¡¯s cheeks turned pink¡ªnot as badly as before, though. She had expected this reaction from Lortell, so she had woken up even earlier to prepare herself. When Lortell finally let go, she smiled cheerfully. "Let''s go for a bath!" Esdeath nodded, and they started walking toward the academy¡¯s bath area. As they strolled through the corridors, Lortell casually draped an arm over Esdeath¡¯s shoulder. The way they walked together made them look like two best friends heading out for a fun day. Then, just as they passed a quiet corner, Lortell suddenly leaned in close. Her lips hovered just inches away from Esdeath¡¯s ear. "Today''s the last day of your competition, right?" she whispered in a teasing voice. "So¡­ how about we go on a date tomorrow?" Her warm breath tickled Esdeath¡¯s skin, sending shivers down her spine. "D-D-Date?" Esdeath stuttered, her whole body freezing in place. Her face burned with embarrassment, turning as red as a ripe apple. Lortell chuckled at her reaction, clearly enjoying every bit of Esdeath¡¯s flustered state. "I was just teasing," she said playfully. "What I meant was, the weather will be nice tomorrow. Let¡¯s go out and have some fun. You must be bored staying in the academy all the time, right?" But what Lortell didn¡¯t know was that Esdeath was thinking about something else entirely¡ª She was remembering the real Esdeath. "Last time, she woke up and ruined everything. This time, I won¡¯t let that happen!" A huge smile spread across Esdeath¡¯s face. Her cheeks still red, she suddenly dashed forward, running toward the bath area ahead of Lortell. In her mind, one word echoed again and again like a song¡ª Date, date, date, date, date¡­ In Ethan''s dorm room, the first rays of morning light slipped through the curtains. He slowly opened his eyes, stretching his arms before rubbing his face. Even though it was still early, his expression was serious. He wasn¡¯t sleepy at all. He glanced down at his hand and noticed a slight tremble in his fingers. He clenched them into a fist, his jaw tightening. He knew exactly what this meant. "Today is the day Violet got kidnapped," he whispered, his voice filled with regret. "And back then¡­ I couldn¡¯t do anything. But this time¡­ this time, it will be different. I''ll protect Violet, no matter what!" Just as he made that promise to himself¡ª Bang! Bang! Bang! Loud knocking sounds suddenly echoed through the room, making him flinch. Knock¡­ knock¡­ knock¡­ The sound was loud and forceful. Ethan immediately walked to the door and peeked through the tiny hole. His eyes widened in shock. Outside stood Caramel. "Ethan, I know you''re there! Open the door!" her voice rang out. "I''m here to confess my love for you! I even prepared a love letter!" Ethan stared at her, frozen. "Has this girl lost her mind?" he thought. He quickly turned away from the door, leaning against it with a troubled expression. "Should I open it and tell her to go away?" he considered. But before he could decide¡ª Bang! A heavy punch landed on the door, leaving a dent. Bang! Bang! Bang! "Open the door! Open the door! Open the door!" Caramel repeated over and over. The strange spiral scar on her forehead started to widen, twisting unnaturally. Then she began laughing. It was a wild, crazy laugh, like she had completely lost her mind. Ethan slid down to the floor, his back still pressed against the door. "This girl is completely insane!" Cute As the day went on, it was time for an important meeting. A meeting where it would be decided¡ªwho won the match between Maruti and Princess Ravenna? Just like last time, during the meeting, Princess Ravenna confessed to her wrongdoing. It was all thanks to Esdeath¡¯s threat the night before. The difference this time was that Maruti didn¡¯t have to go after Ethan to distract him. Caramel, now completely in love with him, had already taken on that role. With her obsessive nature, she was fully distracting Ethan without anyone¡¯s help. Esdeath walked through the corridors, her face blank as she thought about everything that had happened. "I don¡¯t think Violet will get kidnapped today," she muttered to herself. "Or maybe¡­ she won¡¯t get kidnapped at all? Whatever happens, it will definitely be tomorrow!" Meanwhile, somewhere else... Kailith had a blank expression on her face, but her mind was filled with one thought. "She kissed someone!" Kaelith¡¯s eyes darkened slightly as she stared at Maruti, but she said nothing more. Maruti, standing in front of her, sighed again and crossed her arms. "Cough¡­ cough¡­ Whatever. Let¡¯s just go to the arena together now, okay?" But once again, Kaelith refused. She simply shook her head. "No. You go first. I¡¯ll come later." And with that, she turned and walked away. Maruti watched Kaelith leave, feeling a little confused. "She¡¯s acting weird today¡­ Oh well, I should just go!" she thought before heading toward the arena. At the Arena As the matches began, the first one was just as expected¡ªMaruti versus Kaelith. Maruti smirked, trying to provoke Kaelith like last time. And just as before, Kaelith responded confidently. "I¡¯ll let you use three moves on me first," Kaelith said calmly. "After that, I will make my move once. If you survive, you win." But Kaelith had no idea that Maruti was far smarter than she thought. Maruti made her three moves, attacking quickly. But when it was Kaelith¡¯s turn¡ª Instead of standing her ground, Maruti backed off. She smiled, raised her hands in surrender, and accepted defeat. The entire arena fell silent for a moment before whispers spread through the crowd. Maruti had lost on purpose. Kaelith¡¯s expression darkened instantly. Even though she had won, she wasn¡¯t happy at all. Her victory felt empty. Her rage bubbled inside her, and in frustration, she left the match entirely. She didn¡¯t even stay to fight in the finals. She stormed away from the arena, too angry to care. -------- The final match had arrived¡ªEthan versus Esdeath. Esdeath walked into the arena with a big smile. She was confident, and why wouldn¡¯t she be? She already knew what kind of moves Ethan was going to use. That made her chances of winning even higher. And just like she expected¡ªshe won. The fight was intense, both of them pushing their limits, but in the end, Esdeath stood victorious. The only difference this time was that she never revealed her Death Aura. Last time, she had to use it as her trump card to secure victory. But this time? There was no need. She had won without it. Of course, Ethan wasn¡¯t fighting at his full strength either. He only went all out when he had to kill someone. And while Esdeath had a bad attitude, she wasn¡¯t truly evil in his eyes. The crowd erupted into cheers and gasps. Even Lortell, who had been watching closely, was stunned. "To think she actually won!" Lortell murmured, her eyes wide with surprise. It hadn¡¯t even been six months since Esdeath awakened, yet here she was¡ªdefeating strong opponents and winning the entire competition. Back in the Dorm Room After receiving her reward, Esdeath returned to her dorm. sea??h th§× N??eFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. She reached into her pocket and pulled out a small, glowing stone¡ªthe Warrior Spirit Essence Stone. She stared at it, deep in thought. "Last time, I used this and got a huge boost in my soul foundation¡­ But it also strengthened Esdeath¡¯s soul, which caused her to awaken." She didn¡¯t want that happening again. Carefully, she placed the stone inside her storage-type Essence Stone, deciding not to use it for now. "I don¡¯t need to strengthen my soul right now. I can do it after the second arc!" With that thought, she left her room and took a slow walk around the academy, her mind analyzing everything. After about an hour, she finally returned to her dorm. She lay on her bed, her thoughts drifting to the upcoming chaos. "Hmm¡­ unlike last time, Caramel hasn¡¯t gone berserk yet. She¡¯ll last until midnight, just like in FLF." There was a reason why things had changed. Last time, Maruti rejected Caramel again and again without hesitation. That had pushed Caramel over the edge, making her lose control earlier than expected. But this time, Ethan hadn¡¯t rejected her outright. He wasn¡¯t accepting her love either¡ªjust running and hiding from her. And that made all the difference. Caramel believed that if she kept trying, Ethan might eventually accept her. That¡¯s why she was holding back¡­ for now. But tomorrow night, everything would spiral into chaos. Esdeath knew it all. Still, as she lay on her bed, she smiled. "Whatever happens tomorrow¡­ the only thing that matters is my date with Lortell!" ------------- Esdeath woke up early, feeling both excited and a little nervous. Today was the day of her date with Lortell. She quickly took a bath, the warm water washing away any sleepiness. As she dried herself, she thought about what to wear. She wasn¡¯t sure what kind of outfit would be best, so she decided to ask Maruti for help. After getting dressed in something simple, she sent a message to Maruti, telling her to come to the dorm room later. And just as she had instructed, Maruti arrived. Both of them sat on the floor, facing each other with serious expressions. A pile of clothes and jewelry lay beside them, as if they were about to decide something of great importance¡ªlike the fate of the world. Maruti was the first to speak. "So, first question¡ªwhat kind of outfit do you want to wear?" she asked, tilting her head. Esdeath rolled her eyes and thought for a moment before answering. "Something cute!" she said confidently. Maruti blinked, surprised. "Cute? Why?" Esdeath smirked, crossing her arms. "Because people don¡¯t want something they already have." Maruti frowned. "What does that even mean?" "I mean, Lortell is the strongest in the academy. Since she¡¯s already strong, she might not be interested in a tomboyish girl who¡¯s full of confidence and power. Maybe she¡¯d like a cute, weak-looking Esdeath more," she explained. Maruti nodded slowly, considering her words. "That actually makes sense!" Without wasting time, Maruti started digging through the pile of clothes, pulling out different sets one by one. She made Esdeath sit in front of a large wall mirror and handed her outfit after outfit to try on. There were crop tops, shorts, off-shoulder dresses, and elegant frocks¡ªeach one designed to make Esdeath look like a delicate maiden in love. Some were soft and sweet, while others carried a hint of seduction. But there was a big problem. No matter how cute the clothes were, her tattoos stood out too much. The twin dragon tattoo on her back, the marks on her arms, and the heart-shaped one near her belly made her look too intimidating. Even in the cutest outfit, her fierce presence remained. Esdeath sighed. "Tops can¡¯t hide the tattoos on my belly and arms. I need something that can cover these¡­ and my legs too." Maruti hummed in thought, glancing at the pile again. After a moment, her eyes lit up. "Here! Wear this!" she said, holding up an outfit with excitement. Then, grabbing some hair tools and jewelry, she grinned. "And as for your makeup and hairstyle¡ªleave it to me!" Esdeath raised an eyebrow, doubtful. "Wait¡­ do you even know how to do this kind of stuff?" Maruti scoffed. "Of course I do! Just trust me!" As Maruti got to work, someone else in the room was watching them with amusement. Selene sat in the corner, pretending to read a book, but every now and then, she stole a glance at them with a mischievous smirk. Her eyes sparkled with mischief as she thought to herself. "Mother is going on a date with Dad, and she thinks I wouldn¡¯t know? Hehehe¡­" ----------- After a while , Everything was done. In front of mirror, Esdeath sat gracefully, draped in an elegant, vintage-style white gown like frock that cascaded around her like liquid moonlight. The flowing fabric, adorned with delicate lace trims, enhanced the ethereal allure of her presence. The sleeves were long and billowy, cinched at the wrists with intricate embroidery, giving her an air of regal sophistication and also hiding her tattoos. A striking contrast to the purity of her dress was the deep crimson lace that framed her d¨¦colletage, weaving seductive patterns against her pale skin. The bodice, modest yet enticing, hinted at an old-world charm, its delicate fabric hugging her form while leaving much to the imagination. Around her waist, a corset-like black belt adorned with golden embellishments and metal clasps cinched tightly, accentuating her silhouette with a refined yet commanding presence. Her dark, cascading locks framed her porcelain face, complementing the opulence of her ensemble. The flickering window light cast soft shadows upon her, illuminating the gold jewelry that dangled from her ears¡ªdelicate chains that whispered secrets of aristocracy and intrigue. Of course that was not it, Maruti also did her job. She styled her hair. Esdeath''s long, raven-black hair cascaded down her back in soft, flowing waves, framing her delicate features with an air of elegance. A few strands gracefully curled around her face, enhancing her mysterious allure. Intricate gold hairpins adorned the sides, securing sections of her hair in an ornate yet effortless style. The contrast between her dark locks and pale skin made her look both ethereal and captivating. After everything was done, Esdeath stared at her reflection in the mirror, her eyes wide with astonishment. She slowly raised her hand, touching her cheek as if making sure the person in the mirror was really her. Her long, silky hair was neatly styled, with soft curls framing her face. Her usual fierce and sharp gaze was softened by the delicate makeup Maruti had applied. The outfit Maruti had chosen covered her tattoos perfectly, making her look less like a warrior and more like a refined, elegant young lady. For the first time in her life, Esdeath looked¡­ cute. "Wow, Predictor, how do you know all this so perfectly?" Esdeath asked, still amazed. Maruti grinned and rubbed her nose, clearly proud of herself. "I spent quite some time in the red-light district," she said, puffing out her chest. "After sleeping with dozens of girls, I even tried cosplaying. So many times, I was the one dressing them up to match exactly how I wanted. After a while, I just got really good at it!" Esdeath rolled her eyes and crossed her arms. "Well, at least you have one good skill," she snorted. She stood up and turned in a slow circle, checking her outfit from every angle. The dress flowed perfectly, the accessories sparkled just the right amount, and her overall appearance was nothing short of stunning. She smirked, satisfied. "Now, the only thing left is for me to act cute!" But the moment she thought about it, her smirk faded. Her fingers twitched slightly, and her face turned a little pale. She looked at herself in the mirror again, but this time, instead of admiration, doubt filled her eyes. Wait¡­ how does someone act cute?" ------------------- Here''s an reference image of Esdeath rn.... Spying On Date "Wait¡­ how does someone act cute?" Esdeath muttered under her breath, staring hard at her reflection in the mirror. Anxiety gnawed at her. Her fists clenched tightly as a nervous feeling settled in her chest. In her past life, she was a tall, muscular man with a broad chest and strong features. There was no way anyone would ever describe her as cute back then. In fact, if she had ever tried to act cute, she would have looked like a complete clown. That¡¯s why she never even bothered to try. But now¡­ things were different. She looked back at her reflection. Her cheeks were slightly flushed, her hair delicately styled, and the outfit made her look like a delicate maiden. "Imaginations are scarier than reality¡­ I just need to face whatever happens!" Determined, she turned to Maruti, her face blank again. "Okay, your job here is done. Now get lost!" Maruti blinked in disbelief. "Huh?! You literally begged me for help a while ago, and now you''re¡ª" Before she could finish, Esdeath shoved her toward the door. "Yeah, yeah, whatever! Thanks for the help. Now disappear from my sight!" Bang! Esdeath kicked Maruti out and slammed the door shut behind her. --------- Fifteen minutes later, Esdeath was pacing back and forth in her room, her stomach filled with a mix of excitement and nerves. Finally, she shook her head and forced a confident smile. "It''s time!" Without wasting another moment, she dashed out of her room and made her way toward Lortell¡¯s dorm. Her heart pounded fast as she approached the door, but just as she was about to knock, the door swung open. Esdeath froze. Standing there was Lortell Mariette, the most feared and powerful figure in the academy ¡ª and yet, she looked absolutely stunned the moment her gaze fell on Esdeath. For a brief second, there was silence. Then¡ª A deep red blush exploded on Lortell¡¯s face. Her eyes widened in disbelief, her mouth slightly open, and sweat formed on her forehead. "S-soo cute¡­," Lortell stuttered, her voice trembling. Esdeath blinked. "H-huh?" Before she could react, Lortell''s excitement shot through the roof. Blood started dripping from her nose, and she quickly covered it with her palm. "She¡­ she got a nosebleed?" Esdeath''s face turned crimson. "A-ahem, y-you look very stunning too!" Esdeath quickly said, trying to keep her cool, but her voice cracked slightly. Lortell couldn¡¯t take it anymore. With a soft squeal, she rushed forward and wrapped her arms around Esdeath, pulling her into a tight hug. "Awww! You''re so adorable, Esdeath!" Esdeath''s face flushed deep red as she froze in Lortell''s embrace, her heart racing like crazy. After a few seconds, Lortell finally released her but still couldn''t stop grinning. "Let''s go! I can''t wait for our date! I mean stroll" Lortell said excitedly, grabbing Esdeath''s hand. Esdeath gulped, her mind still struggling to process everything that just happened. "My chances of loosing my Virginity today increased again!", -------------- As Esdeath and Lortell stepped out of the academy, Esdeath''s eyes widened when she saw a luxurious vintage car parked in the area. Its sleek black body, polished to perfection, shone under the afternoon sun. It was the kind of car only the wealthiest could afford ¡ª something that screamed status and power. Lortell turned to Esdeath with a bright smile and casually grabbed her hand, leading her toward the car. "A car?" Esdeath blinked in surprise, her brows furrowing. Lortell chuckled softly, placing a gentle hand on Esdeath''s shoulder. "It''s yours," she said casually. "I bought it in your name." Esdeath froze on the spot. "What?! You didn''t have to do that! I mean, I have no use for a car either!" she blurted out, trying to push the idea away. The world of Free Life Fantasy was still in the steam engine age, and cars were something extremely rare. Owning one was like having a Bugatti in modern times ¡ª something only the rich could afford. And here Lortell was¡­ gifting it to her like it was a mere trinket. Lortell, however, simply patted Esdeath''s back, her expression unbothered. "Chill. It''s just a small thing," she smiled warmly. "Now come on, let''s get inside." Before Esdeath could protest any further, the driver quickly stepped out of the car and politely opened the door for them. Esdeath still felt conflicted, but seeing Lortell''s excited face made it impossible to refuse. With a deep breath, she finally got in, and Lortell quickly followed, sitting right beside her. The interior was nothing short of magnificent. The seats were made of smooth leather, and the detailed carvings on the wooden panels showed how much work had gone into crafting the car. Everything inside screamed luxury. Lortell just giggled. The car soon set off, driving smoothly toward the market area. -------------- After a short drive, they finally arrived at the bustling main market area. Only then did the two of them step out of the car. The moment they did, the attention of everyone around immediately shifted toward them. The vintage car alone was enough to turn heads, but seeing two beautiful girls ¡ª especially the infamous Lortell Mariette ¡ª stepping out of it made the crowd gasp. Whispers filled the air. "Isn''t that Lortell Mariette¡­?" "And who''s that girl with her? She''s kind of cute!" "A Black haired girl in black car? This doesn''t look good, I should get home and rest for today!" "Today''s day gonna be waste!" Lortell, however, didn''t care at all. In fact, she looked extremely pleased. With a radiant smile, she looked up at the sky. The afternoon sunlight kissed her face, making her silver hair shine like silk. "Good¡­ I have the whole day with her," she smiled inwardly, feeling a warm sense of happiness. Without wasting another second, she grabbed Esdeath''s hand ¡ª her fingers intertwining with hers ¡ª and pulled her toward the market. --------- Meanwhile, at the same time in the academy¡­ Inside the basketball court''s changing room, Kaelith sat on the wooden bench, her face completely buried in her hands. Her entire body radiated embarrassment. "Urrgh¡­ what have I done¡­? I actually let my lust take over me. My mind has been completely corrupted," she groaned, her cheeks burning bright red. Her bare legs shifted uncomfortably as she tried to calm herself down. Her entire body still had faint marks from everything she and Maruti had done¡­ not once, not twice¡­ but multiple times. Now that her mind was clear, guilt flooded her. "What the hell was I thinking¡­? Girls aren''t supposed to do¡­ stuff like that without marriage! Especially with another girl!" Kaelith cried out in frustration, gripping her own arms tightly. Maruti, who was casually putting on her uniform beside her, shot her an amused glance. "Why the fuss?" she asked lazily. "Weren''t you the one who got all touchy and started everything?" Kaelith''s blush deepened. "I-I know, but that was different! I-I didn''t think it would go that far! And¡ª and girls shouldn''t do stuff like that with each other! It''s a taboo!" she stammered. After a few more minutes of Maruti teasing her and Kaelith spiraling in shame, the two of them finally finished getting dressed. As maruti left, she couldn''t help but smirk to herself. "If I still had my thing, this would''ve been way more fun. It felt weird in a girl''s body¡­ but it was still pretty good. Guess I''ll let it slide," she thought as she disappeared down the hall. ------------- After a while, Maruti finally returned to her room. She let out a long sigh before throwing herself onto the bed, her body sinking into the soft mattress. She stared blankly at the ceiling, her mind still processing everything that had happened earlier. "Ouch¡­ ouch¡­ my chest¡­ my breasts¡­" Maruti whimpered as she hugged her own body, wincing slightly. "Damn it, she grabbed them way too much!" Even though she acted all dominant in front of Kaelith, the truth was far from that. There was a clear difference in strength and stamina between the two of them ¡ª and Maruti was definitely on the losing side. "Ugh¡­ and what was I even thinking?! I told her ''Call me whenever you feel horny''¡­ Oh my god, that was so cringe!" she groaned, covering her face with both hands. Her narcissistic personality now felt like a curse. "What if she actually starts demanding it every day now?" Maruti shivered, imagining Kaelith shamelessly clinging to her. "It''s a good thing she''s still inexperienced¡­ but what if she gets some experience later on?" Maruti''s body shuddered as a cold chill ran down her spine. The thought of a confident, experienced Kaelith pinning her down made her gulp nervously. "But no way¡­ I have dozen years of experience she''d never¡ª" THUD! Suddenly, something landed directly on her stomach, causing her to jolt. "What the¡ª!?" Maruti was about to jump up in shock, but then she saw what it was. Sitting comfortably on her belly was a small girl ¡ª no older than six ¡ª with long, silky hair that was half silver and half black. Her sharp silver eyes sparkled mischievously as she looked down at Maruti. "Selene?!" Maruti blinked in disbelief. "What are you doing here?" Selene, with her usual smug expression, slid back and comfortably settled herself on Maruti¡¯s thighs. "Aunt, let¡¯s not waste time," Selene said, folding her arms. "Today¡¯s the day my mom¡¯s going on a date with my dad, right?" Her smirk widened even more. Maruti froze. "What?!" she sat up immediately, placing Selene on the bed beside her. "How do you¡ªWait, no! Who told you about that?" Maruti demanded, looking flustered. Selene simply stood up on the bed, her small height now allowing her to stare directly into Maruti¡¯s eyes. Her smirk never once faded. "Don¡¯t play dumb with me, Aunt," Selene said confidently. "I already know my dad is Lortell Mariette, right?" For a brief moment, Maruti felt a jolt of shock. But then she quickly realized something ¡ª Selene was born from Kaelith¡¯s blood¡­ but Esdeath¡¯s blood was also mixed in her. And Esdeath¡¯s likes Lortell. "Hmm¡­ well technically you¡¯re right," Maruti finally admitted, her tone defeated. "So what do you want?" Selene didn¡¯t hesitate for a second. "What else? Let¡¯s go spy on them! I promise I won¡¯t get in the way at all!" she grinned mischievously. Maruti raised an eyebrow. "Spy on their date?" Selene¡¯s grin widened even more. "Yup. I wanna see how my mom tries to act all cool but ends up blushing like crazy." Maruti thought about it for a moment and then smirked. "Hmm¡­ you know what? I like your style, little demon. Yeah, let¡¯s do it!" She then stood up and stretched, a devilish grin plastered on her face. "I wanna see Fable ¡ª I mean, Esdeath ¡ª blushing too. Heh, maybe I¡¯ll even record it and use it as blackmail material later. Just like how she blackmailed me with that stupid femboy." S~ea??h the n?velFire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Maruti turned to her with a sly grin. "Alright then, let¡¯s go, little demon." Before Selene could react, Maruti suddenly grabbed the back of her small cloak and hurled her into the air. ---------------- Maruti and Selene walked through the corridors. Thankfully, no one was around, but as they reached the ground floor, Maruti chose the front way instead of sneaking from the back. Selene grew worried. "Aunt, aren¡¯t we supposed to be careful so no one sees us? Why are we going straight out instead of the back?" Maruti yawned. "Hiding isn¡¯t my style, and honestly, no one really cares about their surroundings like you think," she replied casually, leading Selene toward the exit. As they walked outside area of academy,Many students were going inside and outside. Some with a lots of paper works in their hands while some in group chatting and laughing. "I feel like everyone is staring at me," Selene muttered, clutching Maruti¡¯s hand tightly. "Is that so?" Maruti chuckled but didn¡¯t say anything further. Many people did look at them but then minded their own business. Just then, a female student noticed them and walked over, curiosity shining in her eyes. She bent slightly, her gaze fixed on Selene. "Aww¡­ who''s this little cutie?" the student asked with a smile. Maruti placed her hand on Selene''s head and grinned. "My niece. She came from my village to visit me. We''re just heading out for a stroll," she said, brushing off the student''s curiosity. The student blinked in confusion. "Niece¡­?" she mumbled, trying to figure out the connection. But after a brief moment, she simply let out a nervous laugh. "Ahaha¡­ I see! Well, have fun, you two. Bye!" she waved before walking off. As they resumed walking, Maruti smiled smugly. "See that? You were both right and wrong," she said. Selene tilted her head. "Huh?" Maruti chuckled. "You thought everyone would care about you. And yeah, some people did look. But no one really cared enough to bother us, right?" Selene thought about it and slowly nodded. "Yeah¡­ I guess so." Maruti sighed, glancing up at the sky. "Most people are too busy with their own problems. They barely care what others are doing. Even if you tripped and fell flat on your face, most people would just glance and move on," she explained with a carefree smile. "Many people don''t do anything thinking everyone is looking at them, Thinking bad about them but In reality no one really cares, The only thing matters is confidence, If you are doing something with confident then more than half of people think of that person is that confident, Then there wouldn''t be anything bad happening, It''s all about psychology!", By the time they reached the front gate, both of them walked out freely without any trouble. There were no teachers in sight, and everything went smoothly. After stepping outside, Maruti suddenly stopped and turned to Selene. "So? What are you feeling now?" she asked, smirking. Selene paused for a moment, then smiled brightly. "I feel¡­ free!" she said, her silver eyes shining with excitement. Maruti laughed and ruffled Selene¡¯s hair. "Good! Now, let''s go find your Dear mom and dad," she said mischievously. ------------- They walked through the market, stopping occasionally to grab snacks while looking around. Half an hour passed with no sign of Esdeath and Lortell. Selene started getting impatient. "Did we miss them?" Maruti shook her head. "Nah, couples always stand out." Just as she said that, her eyes landed on Esdeath and Lortell near a shop. "There they are!" Photoshoot "There she is!" Maruti exclaimed excitedly. Selene quickly turned her head and spotted Esdeath and Lortell standing in front of a couple photo booth. The booth had a large magic machine with glowing runes, acting like a camera. It captured the moment and engraved it on paper. This place was usually popular among couples. Selene¡¯s mouth fell open as she saw Lortell making Esdeath do different poses ¡ª ones that were clearly meant for very very very very.... romantic couples. First, Lortell scooped Esdeath into her arms like a princess and posed for the photo. Then she pressed Esdeath against the wall, resting one hand on her side like a dominant lover. Esdeath, despite being embarrassed, simply obeyed without complaint. Lortell, on the other hand, looked thrilled. As for why Esdeath said nothing because lortell gave a ridiculous reason. "Esdeath , I''m starting a new manufacturing company for guns, So I''ll using some intimate poses for banners, You gonna help me out okay?", She said. Of course Esdeath felt puzzled. "But what relationship between intimate poses and guns have?", But lortell didn''t let her question any further,"Leave that to me, You will not understand!", Essa felt more confused but without questioning further she nodded in agreement. "Okay! Now try this one!" Lortell grinned, pulling Esdeath close again. Their chests pressed against each other, making Esdeath¡¯s face flush even more. Lortell gently grabbed Esdeath¡¯s chin, lifting it. "Look me in the eyes," she said softly, her voice dripping with seduction. Before Esdeath could react, Lortell grabbed her thigh, lifted it in the air, and leaned her forehead against Esdeath¡¯s. Their faces were so close that their breaths mixed. Lortell flicked her fingers. CLICK! ...... The photo was taken, but Lortell still wasn¡¯t satisfied. "One more! One more!" she said excitedly and ran into the shop. The shop owner, who was sitting behind the counter, stared at nothingness in disbelief. "To think Lady Mariette would come to my shop¡­" he mumbled, his face full of shock. He glanced at the photos piling up. "Two photos cost one copper coin¡­ she¡¯s already taken over thirty! Today''s revenue is insane!" he muttered happily. Just then, Lortell pointed at the back of the shop where props like chairs, fake swords, wand, Hammer, and even a small bed were placed for special photoshoots. "How much is it to use that section?" she asked quickly. The shop owner hesitated. "Uh¡­ Th-three¡ª no, fi¡ª" he stammered, unsure what to charge the arch-duke''s daughter. Lortell didn¡¯t have time for his nonsense. Without a word, she pulled out a gold coin and threw it directly at his face like tossing charity. Thud! The shop owner flinched, feeling annoyed, but the moment he saw the gold coin on the ground, his eyes almost popped out. "A G-GOLD COIN!?" --- Lortell didn''t even care about the gold coin; she simply grabbed the first one that came out of her pocket and tossed it to the shopkeeper without a second glance. Her attention was entirely focused on Esdeath. Without wasting a second, she grabbed the wooden chair from the shop and dashed outside, quickly placing it behind Esdeath. "Here, sit on it!" Lortell said eagerly, her eyes sparkling with anticipation. Esdeath hesitated for a moment, blinking in surprise. "Ah... okay," she muttered softly before slowly sitting down on the chair. Lortell, however, was not done. Without any warning, she approached Esdeath and lifted one of her long, slender legs before resting her foot on the seat of the chair. It was clear what she was about to do¡ªshe was going to sit on the chair as well. But instead of sitting beside Esdeath, she positioned herself to sit facing Esdeath directly, her gaze locking with Esdeath''s. S§×ar?h the N?vel?ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "Low weight ma¡ª" Lortell began to chant, intending to use magic to reduce her weight since she was quite tall and naturally heavier. However, just as she was about to finish the spell, Esdeath quickly interrupted. "No! I-I mean... it''s fine... really," Esdeath stammered, her face already beginning to turn a deep shade of crimson. Her eerie, red eyes looked away, and her hands gripped the edge of the chair nervously. "I-I actually kind of... Want t-top.. feel your weight..." Lortell froze for a moment before a mischievous smirk crept onto her lips. "Is that so?" she murmured teasingly. Without hesitation, she slowly lowered herself onto Esdeath''s lap, her long, smooth legs wrapping around the back of the chair, more like around Esdeath''s waist. Her hands gently coiled around Esdeath''s neck, and her soft, silky silver hair cascaded over Esdeath''s shoulder, tickling her skin. The intimate position made Esdeath''s heart pound furiously. The heat from Lortell''s body pressed against her, and she could feel the weight of Lortell sinking into her lap. And just as all of Lortell''s weight settled on her, a soft, involuntary sound escaped Esdeath''s lips. "Nmhn~" Lortell''s ears perked up, and she leaned forward, her face now inches away from Esdeath''s. "Huh? Did you just... moan from that?" Lortell teased, a devilish grin spreading across her face. "N-No! I-I didn''t! It was just¡ª" Esdeath''s words got caught in her throat as her face burned brighter than ever. Flustered and embarrassed, she tried to stand up quickly to escape the situation. But in her haste¡ª Thud! They both lost their balance and came crashing down onto the ground in a tangled heap. However, the position they landed in was far from ordinary¡ªit was incredibly awkward and undeniably intimate. "A-Ahh~!" A seductive moan filled the air. Esdeath''s eyes widened in horror. "W-Wha¡ª!?" But to her shock, the sound didn''t come from her. It came from Lortell. She quickly realized her position. Esdeath was now straddling Lortell, her hands instinctively gripping Lortell''s large, soft breasts to steady herself. The moment she realized where her hands were, her mind short-circuited. Dum! Dum! She could feel Lortell''s heartbeat through her palms, and worse¡ªLortell''s breasts bounced slightly in her grasp. Completely dazed and overwhelmed, Esdeath unconsciously gave Lortell''s breasts a small squeeze. "So soft..." the words slipped out of her mouth before she could stop herself. "Ara, ara~," Lortell purred, her voice laced with amusement. "To think my good Esdeath is such a naughty girl... squeezing my breasts like that~" Esdeath''s face erupted like a volcano. "I-I didn''t mean to! It was an accident! I-I¡ª" Lortell, however, simply chuckled and stood up with an unreadable expression. As she did, Esdeath slid back onto Lortell''s thigh, her heart racing faster. "Forget it for now," Lortell said calmly, brushing the dust off her clothes. Then, with a mischievous smile, she added, "I''ll talk about this matter later. There''s still one pose left!" "W-What!?" Esdeath''s eyes widened. Before she could protest, Lortell gently picked her up from her thigh, placed her back on the chair, and stood up again. A sharp pang of guilt filled Esdeath''s heart. She quickly grabbed Lortell''s hand, her voice shaky like a lost puppy. "Y-You''re not angry, right? I-I swear I didn''t mean to do that... please don''t be mad..." Lortell turned her head slightly, flashing a sly grin. "Hmm... I wonder about that," she teased before casually strolling back inside the shop. Esdeath''s expression instantly darkened with panic. "OMG... OMG... Lortell is disappointed in me! I''m such an idiot! Today was supposed to be the perfect day to confess my feelings, and I ruined it!" she muttered frantically, gripping her hair and chewing her nails nervously. Her mind was spiraling into chaos. What if she never talks to me again? What if she hates me now? What if she felt offended?" But then... a sudden realization struck her like lightning. "Wait a minute... why am I worrying about confessing to her? She''s supposed to confess to me!" Esdeath quickly shook her head, her face still burning. "Ugh... This Esdeath personality is messing with me again! I''m the one who''s supposed to be chased, not the other way around!" Taking a deep breath, she tried to calm herself, though her heart still pounded like crazy. ------------ Meanwhile, not too far away, Selene and Maruti were peeking from behind a wall, watching the hilarious scene unfold. Selene''s face was bright red, her mouth slightly open in shock. "I-Is this what an adult date looks like?" she stuttered, her voice filled with embarrassment. "F-For some reason... I''m feeling so awkward just watching it!" Maruti, on the other hand, was grinning like a mischievous cat. "Hehehe... " ---------- Suddenly¡ª "Hyaa!!" Lortell came bursting out of the shop once again, but this time, she was dragging a small wooden bed behind her. However, in her hurry, she didn''t bother tilting the bed sideways to fit through the door. Instead, she forcefully shoved it through, completely shattering the wooden wall of the shop in the process. CRASH! "My wall!!" the shopkeeper screamed in horror, his jaw dropping to the floor. "Y-You just destroyed my shop wall!" But before he could complain any further¡ª "Shut up, old man!" Lortell barked, not even sparing him a glance as she casually threw a handful of gold coins directly into his face. The coins clattered on the ground, completely silencing the man. The shopkeeper''s mouth opened and closed like a fish out of water, but upon seeing the amount of money Lortell had thrown, he immediately shut his mouth and decided not to intervene. After all, he was still getting paid. Meanwhile, a small crowd had gathered around, curiously watching the wild scene between Lortell and Esdeath unfold. However, the shopkeeper quickly shooed them away. "Move along! Nothing to see here!" Lortell, without a care in the world, kicked the chair aside and placed the small wooden bed behind Esdeath. "This is the last one, I promise!" Lortell grinned as she gestured toward the bed. "Come on, sit here!" Esdeath, still confused and flustered, slowly stood up and walked toward the bed, sitting cautiously on the edge. "Lortell... I still don''t understand. How is this going to help your armor manufacturing company?" "Tch, tch, tch... no questions allowed!" Lortell shut her up immediately with a playful wag of her finger. However, little did Esdeath know, Lortell''s mind was working on something completely different. "Hehe... who''s gonna tell her that this isn''t for my company... but actually for my personal bedroom and pillow collection~" Lortell smirked deviously, already picturing Esdeath pinned beneath her later. As Esdeath sat nervously on the edge of the bed, Lortell smoothly slid beside her, their shoulders slightly touching. "Now, look at the camera," Lortell instructed casually, trying to sound composed, but her heart was already racing. Esdeath glanced at the camera as told, but the next thing she felt was Lortell''s warm hand resting on her shoulder. Before Esdeath could react, Lortell''s hand slowly slid down ¡ª from her shoulder to her upper chest ¡ª stopping dangerously close to her breast. Lortell, on the other hand, maintained a dominant aura as her face inched closer to Esdeath''s cheek. Her warm breath lightly brushed against Esdeath''s skin, making her shiver. Without hesitation, Lortell opened her mouth slightly, letting her tongue slip out as if she was about to lick Esdeath''s cheek. The scene looked incredibly intimate ¡ª almost possessive ¡ª as if Lortell was trying to silently convey to the camera, "She''s mine." But deep down, Lortell¡¯s real thoughts were elsewhere. "Perfect! With this photo, I can finally replace that old picture from ten years ago... and completely erase the memory of that dark night!" Just when the camera was about to capture the moment, Esdeath turned her head slightly, catching a glimpse of their position. Her heart pounded fast, but suddenly ¡ª "Aghh!!" A sharp, unbearable pain shot through Esdeath''s head like lightning. She instantly clutched her forehead, her body swaying before falling to the ground with a soft thud. "Ahhh..." she winced, her voice filled with pain. A few fragmented and unclear memories from ten years ago flashed through her mind ¡ª unfamiliar yet agonizing. But just as quickly as the pain came, it vanished completely. "Esdeath!!" Lortell''s voice cracked with panic as she immediately kneeled beside her. "What happened? Are you alright?" Esdeath''s mind cleared instantly ¡ª and a cunning plan sparked in her brain. "This... this is my chance!" Without wasting a second, Esdeath slowly looked up at Lortell with watery, adorable eyes. Her expression resembled that of a helpless, lost child ¡ª soft, fragile, and unbearably cute. She clutched her belly pitifully. "I-I didn''t eat anything since morning... I''m really hungry..." Esdeath mumbled in a soft, trembling voice, making her look even more vulnerable. Freeze! Lortell''s entire body froze, her face turning deep red, and her legs trembled. "So... So... C-Cuteeee...!" she stammered, a heavy nosebleed instantly gushing from her nose. Her mind almost blacked out from the sheer cuteness overload. "Damn it!" Lortell mentally cursed, clenching her fists tightly to resist her impulsive desire to smother Esdeath with kisses. "I-I can''t! I planned to confess my love after everything was over! If she keeps being this cute... I won''t last much longer!!" Swallowing her urge, Lortell exhaled deeply and composed herself, despite her rapidly beating heart. She immediately reached her hand out to Esdeath. "I-I''m so sorry... I should''ve asked you earlier! Let''s go to a restaurant and eat something, okay?" Esdeath looked up, pretending to be weak and pitiful. "R-Really?" "Of course! It''s my fault for not noticing sooner!" Lortell said sincerely, still flustered but determined to take care of Esdeath. Esdeath smiled softly and took Lortell¡¯s hand, standing up. "Let''s go then!" As they started walking side by side, silence hung in the air ¡ª but only for a moment. After walking a few meters, Lortell suddenly couldn''t control herself anymore. She gently pulled Esdeath close to her, causing Esdeath''s head to accidentally press against Lortell''s soft chest. Esdeath froze for a moment, feeling the softness of Lortell''s chest against her cheek. "Again...So soft..." But surprisingly, Lortell didn''t say anything nor did she let go. She just continued walking as if nothing happened, her arm protectively wrapped around Esdeath''s shoulder. Meanwhile, not far behind them, Selene and Maruti were witnessing everything. Selene¡¯s face was completely red, her hands clutching her cheeks. "I-i never thought dad would be this romantic!", Maruti, on the other hand, was grinning ear to ear. "Hehehe... Come on, my little demon, let''s follow them!" -------------------- Okay just a fan service questions, I''m thinking of making a scene of where Esdeath will let her breasts squeezed by lortell in exchange for accidentally groping Lortell''s breast. Umm yeah fan service so let me know..... Esdeath I Love You! The warm afternoon light slowly shifted into a golden hue, signaling the early evening. The sky was painted in soft orange and pink shades, giving the city a peaceful and dreamy atmosphere. Lortell and Esdeath arrived at a fancy restaurant, where everything looked luxurious and elegant. The moment they stepped inside, the waiters greeted them politely and led them to their reserved seats. Unlike a usual restaurant filled with customers, this one was completely empty. That was because Lortell had booked the entire restaurant just for them. She wanted to have some private time with Esdeath, without any disturbances. Their table was placed beside a large glass wall that was transparent, giving them a beautiful view of the city outside. The golden light of the setting sun reflected off the glass, creating a warm and cozy atmosphere. Meanwhile... Not too far from the restaurant, behind a large tree, two familiar figures were hiding. Maruti and Selene stood there, spying on Lortell and Esdeath¡¯s date. Maruti let out a tired sigh. "Huh? Selene, don¡¯t you think it¡¯s getting a little boring?" Selene, who had been excited before, now looked disappointed too. She crossed her arms and pouted. "Yeah... Dad is just flirting as usual, but nothing really interesting is happening!" Maruti hummed in thought, her eyes narrowing mischievously. "Hmm... What if we do something?" Selene¡¯s eyes suddenly lit up as she turned toward Esdeath with a smug expression. "Ooooh! Me! Me! I have an idea!" Maruti¡¯s lips curled into a grin. "Go on..." Back Inside the Restaurant Lortell and Esdeath were sitting across from each other, enjoying their meal. The food was absolutely delicious, but the atmosphere had become a little... awkward. Neither of them knew what to say. So, instead of talking, they just kept chewing their food in silence. Esdeath secretly glanced at Lortell, hoping she would say something first. But when their eyes accidentally met, both quickly looked away, pretending to focus on their plates. The table was beautifully set, with silver plates, fancy cutlery, and two elegant silver glasses filled with water. A large silver jug was also placed on the table for refilling their drinks. However, it was on Lortell¡¯s side, making it slightly difficult for Esdeath to reach. After finishing a bite, Esdeath realized her glass was empty. She hesitated for a moment, then stood up and reached for the jug to pour herself some water. Her fingers were just about to grasp the handle... but it was a little too far. She stretched her arm further, her fingertips barely brushing against the jug. Lortell noticed her struggle and immediately spoke up. "Wait, I''ll do it¡ª" But before Lortell could pick up the jug or Esdeath could grab it¡ª Selene, from far away, smirked. "Trip!" she whispered playfully. At that very moment¡ª Esdeath¡¯s foot suddenly slipped! Her balance was completely thrown off, and her hand accidentally smacked against the silver jug. The jug tilted¡ª And in the blink of an eye, a stream of water splashed forward¡ª Right onto Lortell¡¯s chest! The cool water soaked through her clothes, creating a noticeable wet patch on the front of her outfit. Though it wasn¡¯t a lot, it was still enough to feel cold and uncomfortable. Lortell froze. Esdeath¡¯s eyes widened in shock. "Ahh! I¡ªI¡¯m sorry!!" she panicked, grabbing a napkin and quickly trying to help dry Lortell¡¯s chest. Outside, Selene and Maruti burst into silent laughter, covering their mouths to avoid getting caught. ------------ Esdeath hurried over to Lortell with a napkin, determined to clean up the mess she had made. She stretched out her hand to wipe Lortell¡¯s chest, but just as she got close¡ª A sudden memory flashed in her mind. The way she had squeezed Lortell¡¯s chest just a while ago. Her face immediately turned bright red. Her hands started trembling, and her heart pounded in her chest. But even with her embarrassment, she still moved forward, gently dabbing at the wet spot. However, because she was leaning in so close, the loose fabric of her dress slightly shifted¡ª And for just a second, a glimpse of her soft, smooth breast was exposed. Lortell, who had been trying to stay calm, completely froze. Her face turned red, and she quickly looked away. "No! Don¡¯t look! If I do, I¡¯ll instinctively squeeze them! she thought in panic." A small nosebleed trickled down her nose. But her eyes betrayed her. She had to take another glance. And the moment she did, she nearly lost her composure. "No. This had to stop before it got worse. " Lortell quickly grabbed Esdeath¡¯s hand and smiled, though her voice sounded a little stiff. "No need! I¡¯ll just go to the washroom and wash it there!" Esdeath panicked. "N-no, it¡¯s fine! I can do it! I¡¯m really sorry, I¡¯m really sorry!" Lortell gently patted Esdeath¡¯s head, making her freeze. "You don¡¯t need to say sorry so many times. I¡¯ll be back in a few minutes, okay?" With that, she turned and walked toward the washroom, leaving Esdeath standing there, her face pale with guilt. "Why am I tripping so much today? I¡¯m such an idiot! Lortell must be disappointed in me! I have to do something to make it up to her! she thought, clenching her fists. Inside the washroom, Lortell took a deep breath and activated a simple dry magic spell. A warm breeze surrounded her, and within seconds, her wet clothes were completely dry. She adjusted her outfit to make sure it looked the same as before. She sighed heavily, rubbing her temples. "Urgh... just a few more hours. I need to hold back for a few more hours!" After calming herself, she turned to leave the washroom. But the moment she stepped forward, she stopped. Standing right in front of her was Esdeath. Her face was red, and she was looking away, nervously playing with her fingers. Lortell narrowed her eyes. "What are you doing here?" Esdeath hesitated for a moment before finally speaking in a soft, serious voice. "I... I tried to calm myself, but I still can¡¯t forgive myself." She took a deep breath, then looked up at Lortell with a determined gaze. "Please, tell me anything I can do to make up for what I did! Anything!" Lortell raised an eyebrow. "Anything?" she repeated. There was a brief silence. Then, a mischievous smirk slowly appeared on Lortell¡¯s face. "Then let me do what you did," she said, stepping closer. Esdeath blinked in confusion. "Huh?" Lortell leaned in, lowering her voice. "Let me wet your chest and squeeze your breasts two times as payback." Silence. Esdeath¡¯s brain completely shut down. Her face turned even redder than before. "Wh-what?!" Of course lortell was just joking. "She¡¯s so easy to mess with," she thought with a smirk. She let out a playful chuckle. "Fufufu¡­ I was just jok¡ª" Before she could finish, Esdeath¡¯s voice cut through the air. "Okay!" Lortell¡¯s mouth fell open. "What?" "I said okay. You can squeeze as payback for me squeezing you." Esdeath even lifted her chest slightly, looking away with a faint blush. Lortell froze. Her brain struggled to process what she just heard. "Wait¡­ wait¡­ wait¡­ Am I dreaming?! Did she actually agree?!" But after a second, it made sense. "Right. From what I know, she barely has any experience with society¡­ Maybe that¡¯s why she doesn¡¯t fully understand things like modesty or chastity," Lortell thought. Her smirk grew wider as she stared at Esdeath. "Alright then," she said, trying to keep her voice steady. "Go sit on the toilet seat." Esdeath obeyed without hesitation. She opened one of the many stall doors, stepped inside, and sat down. Meanwhile, Lortell grabbed some water and poured it on Esdeath¡¯s chest. The cool water soaked through her clothes, making the fabric cling tightly to her skin. Lortell¡¯s eyes gleamed. "Hehe¡­ her uniform is thin! It¡¯s gonna turn see-through!" But¡ª Her excitement deflated a little when she noticed something. "Huh? She¡¯s wearing something underneath?" Lortell frowned. "Tch. That¡¯s disappointing." Still, she quickly regained her enthusiasm. "Whatever¡­ the main event is just about to start!" She leaned into the small stall, her face dangerously close to Esdeath¡¯s. Esdeath looked away, her cheeks red, and lightly puffed up her chest. Lortell could feel her own breath getting heavier, heat pooling in her chest. "Huff¡­ huff¡­" Her hands moved closer. And closer. Since Esdeath had squeezed her with both hands, it was only fair that Lortell did the same. And then¡ª Plop!... Plop! Lortell squeezed gently at first, then pressed deeper. Her fingers sank into the soft flesh, molding and folding them with ease. "Ahh~ Do it slowly!" Esdeath let out a small moan. Lortell¡¯s heart pounded. "One more left!" Squeeze! This time, she was rougher. Lortell was taller than Esdeath, and her hands were big too¡ªbig enough to grab all of Esdeath¡¯s softness in her palms. She squeezed again, rolling them like a soft, bouncy ball. And then she noticed it. Because of her touch, Esdeath¡¯s inverted nipples had hardened, poking through the damp fabric. Lortell¡¯s breath hitched. "Ahh¡­ I want to lick them so bad¡­" She swallowed hard, her mind spinning. "What should I do?" Lortell''s thought turned into lightning speed as she thought of an idea. "Hmm..what If I tell her that, The different between our status is too big, Squeezing a arch-duke''s dughter is a big crime and thus she have to pay with her body? And let her have sec with me? Not once, I can maybe do it dozens of times?", Lortell''s thought turned evil. But then¨CSmack! She slightly smacked her head, Clearing her thoughts. "I love her,not her body, My desires are only coming from my overwhelming love for her not because I have greed for her body!",lortell cleared her thoughts. "Something like that only be reserved if she rejects me and leave me no other choice!, and I know my good Esdeath will never reject me!",Lortell finally cleared her head and stood up tightly. Esdeath who was closing her eyes because of lortell finally opened her eyes. "Why did you sto¡ª, No I mean, Why are you in daze?", Lortell looked at Esdeath and sighed,"Nothing,The payment ends here, Let''s go back!", Esdeath nodded,"Okay, As lortell want!", Esdeath stood up happily. Her smile was brighter like some heavy weight lifted from her shoulders. ---------------- Lortell¡¯s thoughts raced at lightning speed, and a sly idea formed in her mind. "Hmm¡­ What if I tell her that the difference in our status is too big? Squeezing an arch-duke¡¯s daughter is a serious crime, and she has to pay with her body? And then¡­ I could have sex with her? Not just once¡ªI could do it dozens of times?" A wicked smile almost curled on her lips. But then¡ª Smack! She lightly smacked her forehead, shaking off those thoughts. "No¡­ I love her, not just her body. My greed, desires and Lust for her comes from my overwhelming love for her not because of body." She took a deep breath, calming herself. "Something like that¡­ should only happen if she ever rejects me, if she leaves me no other choice! But I know my good Esdeath would never reject me." With her thoughts finally clear, Lortell straightened up. Esdeath, who had been closing her eyes the whole time, slowly opened them. "Why did you sto¡ª" she paused, then quickly corrected herself, "No, I mean, why were you in a daze?" Lortell looked at her and sighed. "It¡¯s nothing. The payment ends here. Let¡¯s go back." Esdeath nodded with a bright smile. "Okay, as Lortell wants!" Her expression looked lighter, as if a heavy weight had been lifted from her shoulders. --- The day had been nothing short of perfect. Esdeath and Lortell ate together, spent hours walking around, even went shopping, took photos, and played couple games. One of the games they played was a guessing game where one person had to find their partner among a crowd while blindfolded¡ªusing only their sense of touch. Amazingly, both Esdeath and Lortell won every round without a single mistake, shocking everyone around them. Just like that, the afternoon faded away, and evening arrived. The clock ticked closer to 5 PM. S§×ar?h the N?vel(F)ire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. --- Before they knew it, the sky had darkened into a warm, golden hue. They found themselves under a small bridge, standing by a quiet river. It was a secluded spot, a place where no one usually passed by. The soft ripples of water reflected the sunset¡¯s glow, painting everything in peaceful light. Lortell stepped closer. Slowly, she pressed Esdeath against the cool stone wall, one hand resting beside Esdeath¡¯s head, trapping her in place. Their foreheads touched. The space between them grew smaller¡­ and smaller. "You know, Esdeath," Lortell murmured. "When someone confesses their love, they usually do it in a grand way¡ªlike proposing with a diamond ring, giving expensive jewelry, or planning a big event." Esdeath blinked, confused. "But for me," Lortell continued, "those things are too ordinary. I can give someone thousands of jewels every day if I love them. But words¡­ simple, honest words mean much more." She looked deep into Esdeath¡¯s eyes. The world around them fell silent. The only sound was the gentle flow of the river. Lortell leaned in even closer. She could feel Esdeath¡¯s breath against her lips. "You know what I¡¯m trying to say, right?" Lortell whispered. At this point, she knew Esdeath had already noticed her feelings. "And I can feel your feelings too," she admitted. "I was waiting for you to say it first, but¡­" Her breath grew warmer, heavier. Esdeath¡¯s breathing matched hers, deep and unsteady. "But I can¡¯t hold back any longer," Lortell whispered. "I¡¯m at my limit." Their lips brushed¡ªjust barely. And then¡ª "Esdeath," Lortell said, voice trembling with emotion. "I love you. Do you love me too?" 3 Days? 18+ "Without a doubt!" Esdeath didn¡¯t hesitate. She grabbed Lortell¡¯s face with both hands, her fingers trembling with excitement, and closed the tiny gap between them. Their lips met in a deep, passionate kiss. "I love...be...yu...sho...mush..." Esdeath¡¯s words were muffled, lost between the kisses as they melted into each other. Their tongues intertwined, curling together like snakes, as they tasted and explored each other. The heat between them only grew stronger. They could feel each other¡¯s breath, hear the soft, wet sounds of their lips moving together. It felt like an eternity before they finally pulled away. "Huff... huff..." Both of them panted heavily, their eyes filled with burning desire. "One more time!" Lortell couldn¡¯t hold back. She hugged Esdeath tightly, pressing their bodies together, and captured her lips once again in another fiery kiss. This one was even more intense than before. Their breaths mingled, their hearts pounded against each other¡¯s chests. Meanwhile, far away, a hidden figure blushed furiously. Selene¡¯s face turned bright red. "They kissed... They actually kissed!" She quickly covered her eyes with her hands, but curiosity got the best of her. She peeked through her fingers, watching every second of the scene unfold. Beside her, Maruti sighed in disappointment. "I guess the fun ends here," she muttered, stretching her arms and exhaling deeply. ¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª Back under the bridge, Lortell was completely lost in the moment. Her hands moved on their own, slipping beneath Esdeath¡¯s clothes, her fingers brushing against bare skin. She was so focused on Esdeath that she forgot where they were. Even though this place was quiet and secluded, it was still too risky to do something so intimate in the open. Esdeath¡¯s mind snapped back to reality, and she quickly grabbed Lortell¡¯s wrist. "Let¡¯s go to a motel or somewhere else," she whispered, her cheeks flushed. Lortell froze, then slowly nodded. They straightened their clothes, trying to calm their racing hearts, and turned to leave. Lortell placed her hand on Esdeath¡¯s shoulder, guiding her forward. ¡ª ¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª From their hiding spot, Selene¡¯s excitement returned. "Let¡¯s follow them!" she whispered, already preparing to run after them. But before she could move, Maruti grabbed the back of her collar and effortlessly lifted her into the air. "Nope. The spying ends here," Maruti said firmly, turning back toward the academy. "They¡¯re about to do private things." Selene dangled in the air, kicking her legs slightly. "Private things? What kind of private things?" she asked, tilting her head in confusion. Maruti thought for a moment, then smirked. "Probably making a sibling for you." Selene¡¯s eyes widened. "A sibling?!" She gasped. "Wait¡­ Kids are made by kissing?" A determined look crossed her face. "I think I need to learn more about this..." She stopped struggling and allowed Maruti to carry her away, deep in thought. And with that, they disappeared into the academy once more. ------------- Lortell booked a private room for her and Esdeath. As soon as Lortell closed the door behind them, she turned back to Esdeath with burning desire in her crimson eyes. Without hesitation, she grabbed Esdeath by the waist, pressing her against the door before capturing her lips in a deep, hungry kiss. Esdeath gasped, but she didn¡¯t resist. Instead, she wrapped her arms around Lortell¡¯s neck, pulling her closer. Their bodies pressed together as their lips moved in sync, the passion between them igniting like fire. Lortell¡¯s hands wandered, exploring Esdeath¡¯s curves. She trailed kisses down her neck, biting softly at her collarbone, making Esdeath let out a quiet moan. The heat between them grew stronger, their breaths heavy with anticipation. Lortell wasted no time. She swiftly removed her own clothes, tossing them aside until she was left in only her bra and panties. Then, her fingers moved to Esdeath¡ªfirst removing her accessories, then her wristbands. Finally, Lortell placed a finger on the zipper at the back of Esdeath¡¯s gown. With a slow pull, the fabric slid down, revealing Esdeath¡¯s flawless skin. But the moment Esdeath¡¯s dress fell, Lortell¡¯s crimson eyes widened in shock. "A... lingerie?" she muttered, staring at the black lace that hugged Esdeath¡¯s body perfectly. Esdeath¡¯s face turned scarlet, and she looked away, clearly embarrassed. Lortell smirked, a playful glint in her eyes. "So, my good Esdeath is actually a naughty girl in bed?" she teased. "You were expecting this moment didn''t you?",Lortell said. "I... umm... I just thought it would make you happy," Esdeath admitted shyly, still avoiding eye contact. "Pfft¡­" Lortell chuckled. "You¡¯re still so cute, even in such bold clothing." Without warning, she grabbed Esdeath¡¯s waist and squeezed tightly. "Ahn~!" Esdeath moaned softly, her body trembling at the sudden touch. Lortell¡¯s grip only tightened before she suddenly lifted Esdeath into her arms. "Let''s go to bed," she said with a mischievous grin, carrying Esdeath effortlessly. She tossed Esdeath onto the soft mattress, making her let out a small yelp. "You¡¯re so rough," Esdeath pouted, looking up at Lortell with flushed cheeks. "I just can¡¯t control myself tonight," Lortell admitted, climbing onto the bed, her tall figure looming over Esdeath. Her silver-white hair cascaded around them, framing her red eyes that burned with desire. Esdeath¡¯s breath hitched as Lortell leaned in, their lips just inches apart. Lortell opened her mouth and bit Esdeath''s lips. She then slid down and grabbed Esdeath''s breast and folded them tightly Making Esdeath groan in pleasure immediately. Esdeath''s inverted nipples opened and erected in pleasure. Lortell wasted no time in closing in and sucking Esdeath''s nipples like a toddler. Esdeath''s body tensed with intense sensation as lortell sucked like Vaccume, She withdrew for a moment , Esdeath''s nipples were bright pink because of erection and Lortell''s teasing. Lortell grinned wickedly as she bite them and streched them up. "Ahh~ don''t bite don''t bite!", Esdeath groaned. "I would listened to you and might have been more gentle if you were not provoked me by wearing such sexy thing!" Lortell said,"I''m so horny because of you and now you have to take care of it, Got it?" At this point Esdeath was in no position to listen anything, her legs wrapped around Lortell''s waist.l tightly. While Lortell''s fingers slipped through Esdeath''s pale smooth skin and it directly hit her intimate area. "My...my..to think you are overflowing here!",She teased. Esdeath''s eyes immediately widened as she moaned so hard that her voice started going outside of the room. "No!, Three fingers is too much!"Esdeath groaned but lortell didn''t stop. "Ohh, So you G-spot is here?,Does my finger feel good here?", lortell said as she digged deeper. Esdeath''s whole body curled and tensed and her leg grip around lortell tighted even more. "Kiss me...kiss me..", Esdeath begged as she kissed lortell and even bit Lortell''s neck and collarbone. While Lortell''s fingers traced through Esdeath''s intimate area not giving her a single break. "This is too much...I''m Cumming!.. I''m Cumming!..", Esdeath''s whole body tensed as she had a huge organism. The thick liquid overflowed and wet the bed and then her legs gave up, Falling down from lortell''s waist and her body trembled and gasped heavily. "Who said you can stop?, We are not done yet!" lortell''s sultry voice echoed as she sat on Esdeath''s belly. She held a small glass can like some medicine with pink glowing liquid inside it. "Open your mouth,It will raised your powers to Rank B for three days!"Lortell said as with her left hand, she poured it all on Esdeath mouth and some even dropped on her breast. Gulp!..Gulp!.. After drinking Esdeath questioned,"But why?", "Fufufu why?, Well..I booked the room for three days and three nights, being our first time like this, i should get to fuck you at least for three days, Isn''t that natural?", Lortell''s slutty smirk grew wider as she raised her right hand,It had thick liquid stuck on it. Yep! It was from Esdeath''s intimate area. She put the fingers inside her mouth and licked it like licking some candy. Esdeath only looked at lortell like a puppy as Lortell''s grin grew wider. "So my naughty Esdeath,You are not getting out of here till I fuck you brain out¡ª She was about to finish, but then, out of nowhere, something broke the window and crashed directly onto Lortell''s face. "Who the f¡ª" She was about to curse but immediately stopped. "A golden flying letter essence stone?" Lortell muttered, narrowing her eyes. The letter floated in the air before gently landing in her hand. Lortell''s eyes widened as she read through the contents. It said that her father, Arthur Mariette, was in bad condition and was taking his last breaths. For the last time, he wished to meet his daughter, Lortell. Smirk. Lortell smirked for a moment as she read it, but the next second, her face turned panicked. Now, she had two choices¡ªeither stay and have sex with Esdeath for three days or leave to meet her dying father. Esdeath slowly sat up, her body still trembling slightly. She took the letter from Lortell¡¯s hand and read through it. "I think you should go. We can do it anytime. Meeting your father is more important," Esdeath said in a low voice. But of course, Esdeath clearly knew the letter was fake. It was just a plan to make Lortell leave the academy. "But I want Lortell to go away from the academy for some time too, or else we will only be having sex, and all my plans will go down," Esdeath thought. Of course, she loved Lortell too. It was a hard choice. "I''m sorry¡­ I''m so sorry," Lortell said as she hugged Esdeath and gave her a kiss. Then, with a deep breath, she stood up and walked toward the door. But just as she reached it, she turned back and saw Esdeath still sitting on the bed, wearing only lingerie. So sexy. She couldn''t hold back. "One more time!" Lortell ran back toward Esdeath and gave her a passionate kiss. After she withdrew, she walked to the door again. But then, she looked back at Esdeath. "One¡­ one more time!" She muttered and ran toward Esdeath again. It became an infinite loop until Esdeath finally resisted, stopping Lortell from kissing her anymore and kicking her out of the room. After Lortell finally left, Esdeath sat up, her balance wavering as thick liquid was still flowing down her lower body. Her whole leg was trembling. She placed one hand against the nearby table for support, trying to steady herself. But then, a ringing sound echoed in the room. She willed her storage-type essence stone to activate, and a communication device flew out. She held it near her ear and spoke. "What happened, Predictor? I was just coming to the academy anyway." sea??h th§× Nov§×l?ire.n(e)t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. But then, a voice came from the device. "What happened? You idiot! You said there would be monsters, but what are these disgusting creatures?" The Nightmare Begins (Re) Some Time Ago¡­ In the academy corridors, outside a random classroom, Ethan was chatting casually with Sylvania, Emma, and Violet. They were having a lighthearted conversation when Violet suddenly frowned, tilting her head as she looked at Ethan. "Ethan, why does your face look so heavy? Like you haven''t slept for days?" she asked, concern in her voice. "Yeah, I noticed it too!" Sylvania added, crossing her arms. Ethan hesitated for a moment before sighing. "Actually, there''s this girl who keeps stalking me. She won¡¯t let me rest at all. She¡¯s been a pain in the ass for the past few days." "A stalker?" Emma gasped. "You should have reported her long ago¡ª" Before she could finish, a chilling voice suddenly echoed through the hallway. "Ethan¡­!" The voice was feminine yet filled with anger and obsession. All four of them turned toward the source of the voice. There she was¡ªCaramel, Ethan¡¯s stalker. Her appearance was a mess. Her long hair was tangled and unkempt, her uniform was wrinkled, and there was a wild, desperate look in her wide eyes, as if she had completely lost her mind. She stared directly at Ethan, her expression twisted with rage. "What are you doing here with a bunch of girls? Are you cheating on me?" she demanded. The three girls exchanged glances, and in that brief moment, they all understood¡ª**this** was the stalker Ethan had been talking about. Emma, always the bold one, stepped forward without hesitation. "Hey, cut your crap! You¡¯re not his girlfriend or anything! It''s time to wake up to reality!" she snapped. Caramel''s expression darkened. Her hands clenched into fists, her body shaking with anger. "Shut¡­ up¡­ shut up! You don¡¯t know anything!" she shrieked. Then, without warning¡ª She lunged forward and swung her fist straight at Emma¡¯s face. Emma barely had time to react. She raised her arms to block the punch, but the sheer force behind it was overwhelming. **BAM!** The impact sent Emma flying backward. She tumbled across the floor, skidding nearly ten steps before slamming into the hard wall behind her. A sharp gasp left her lips as pain shot through her body. She coughed, and a small trickle of blood dripped from the corner of her mouth. "Such raw power¡­" Emma muttered, her hands shaking slightly as she wiped the blood off her lips. "This girl has lost her mind! Stop her!" Sylvania yelled, quickly turning to run. "I''ll inform the teachers!" Ethan clenched his fists, ready to step forward, but before he could move, Violet grabbed his arm. "No need, Ethan. I''ll handle her," Violet said, a confident smirk on her lips. "And me too!" Emma, despite the pain, pushed herself back up. She wiped her lips again, her eyes burning with determination. Bam! Boom! Slam! The sound of fists clashing, feet stomping, and mana colliding filled the hallway. Emma, Violet, and Caramel were locked in a fierce battle. Sparks of energy flashed in the air as Caramel unleashed her mana, forcing Emma and Violet to use theirs as well. Even though Caramel''s strength kept increasing, it still wasn¡¯t enough to defeat both Emma and Violet at the same time. Soon, she started losing ground, but she refused to back down. "All of you, attack them!" Caramel shouted. Suddenly, dozens of students appeared from nowhere, rushing toward them with deadly intent. "What? Why are these students with her?" Ethan gasped, his eyes widening in shock. Without hesitation, the students attacked, their eyes filled with an eerie, murderous look. It was as if they had lost control of themselves. Ethan clenched his fists. He had no choice but to join the fight. "Wait¡­ Serii too? She¡¯s my friend! Why is she with them?" Violet''s face turned pale as she recognized one of her classmates among the attackers. "Don''t tell me¡­ she can actually control people?" Emma muttered, her eyes narrowing as she dodged a punch from a chubby boy and countered with her own fist. Caramel grinned, her eyes gleaming with madness. "Not enough. Everyone, come out!" she yelled. A massive horde of students suddenly appeared, charging toward them like wild beasts. Ethan¡¯s heart pounded. "This is bad¡­ really bad," he thought. "We¡­ we can¡¯t fight all of them!" he shouted. "Let¡¯s retreat and wait for the teachers to come!" Without wasting time, he grabbed Emma¡¯s wrist and pulled her back. Violet followed as they ran down the corridor, trying to escape the overwhelming number of enemies. But no matter where they ran, the controlled students chased them relentlessly. Caramel, on the other hand, stood behind, watching everything with an unsettling smirk. In the middle of the chaos, the three of them got separated. Ethan ran through the hallways, his breath heavy. He had no idea where Emma or Violet had gone. But soon, he found himself in the academy gardens¡ªand there, he saw Sylvania. And next moment, Emma got there too. His heart pounded harder. Something was wrong. He rushed toward her. "Sylvania! Did you see Violet?" Sylvania¡¯s face showed concern. "Yeah, We met. She was with me a little while ago, but then she suddenly disappeared! I thought she went to you!" Ethan''s stomach dropped. "Shit¡­ shit¡­ shit¡­" His mind fell into chaos. "Don¡¯t tell me she got kidnapped¡­ even after all my efforts?!" He clenched his fists, feeling helpless and frustrated. "Calm down!" Sylvania snapped. "Panicking won¡¯t help!" She took a deep breath, then quickly came up with a plan. "What if she¡¯s still around somewhere? I¡¯ll check the academy dorms. Ethan, you search the garden, hallways, and backyard area. Emma, you go inside the academy building. And be careful of Caramel and her minions!" Ethan and Emma nodded without hesitation. Without wasting another second, they split up to find Violet. ------------- In the academy cafeteria, Maruti was enjoying her lunch with great satisfaction. Dozens of plates were already empty in front of her, showing just how big her appetite was. She ate as if she hadn¡¯t had a proper meal in years. The cafeteria was filled with students, all eating peacefully and chatting among themselves. "Hah... I should eat as much as I can before the horde of monsters comes!" Maruti thought as she stuffed more food into her mouth. But what she didn¡¯t know was that something very disturbing was happening right there in the cafeteria. A few tables away, a very thin boy with a body like a skeleton was also eating. His hollow cheeks and bony frame made him look weak, but the way he devoured his food was unnatural. "I''m hungry... not enough... not enough..." the boy muttered to himself as he kept eating. Even though he looked like he could barely stand, he was eating even more than Maruti. Plate after plate disappeared into his mouth, and strangely, his body started growing. But something was off¡ªonly his height was increasing. No matter how much he ate, he didn¡¯t gain any fat or muscle. Maruti blinked as she watched him. "Am I seeing things? Why does he look so weird?" Just as she was thinking that something was wrong, the boy suddenly slammed his hands on the table and screamed. "I SAID I''M HUNGRY!!!" His neck stretched unnaturally, like a giraffe. Then, his mouth opened wide¡ªwider than any human should be able to. Inside his mouth, his teeth were not normal. They were round, like the sharp rings of a worm¡¯s mouth. And then, in one horrifying moment, he lunged forward and swallowed the head of a nearby girl in a single bite. Blood splattered everywhere. The girl''s body slumped to the ground, lifeless. Screams filled the cafeteria. "Ahhhhhh!" Students panicked and started running in all directions, desperately trying to escape. "He... he just turned into a monster!" someone shouted in terror. Chairs were knocked over, food spilled onto the floor, and people pushed and shoved to get out. Amidst the chaos, one girl was trying to pull her friend along. "Hey, Zei! What are you doing? Get up and run, or we¡¯ll die here!" she pleaded, gripping her friend¡¯s wrist. But Zei didn¡¯t move. She sat there with her face buried in the table, her arms wrapped around herself. Her whole body trembled. "So shy... I¡¯m feeling so shy... Everyone is looking at me... Don¡¯t look... don¡¯t look!" Zei kept whispering to herself. "Zei! I know you¡¯re always shy, but this isn¡¯t the time for that! We have to run!" her friend begged, shaking her. Then, Zei suddenly lifted her head. Her friend gasped in horror. Zei¡¯s face was completely distorted. Her eyes were not where they should be¡ªthey were on her cheeks. Her nose was on her chin. And worst of all, her mouth was on her forehead. A terrible, twisted smile spread across her face as she stared at her friend. "I said... DON¡¯T LOOK AT ME!" In an instant, her friend felt the world flip upside down. No¡ªit wasn¡¯t the world. Her head had twisted 90 degrees, turning completely upside down. Thud! Her body collapsed onto the floor, lifeless. She was dead. There was no doubt about it. At this point, it was clear. Both the thin boy and Zei had turned into monsters. The thin boy had transformed into the terrifying Worm Headman. And Zei had awakened as The Shy Girl. Maruti didn¡¯t waste a single second¡ªshe turned around and ran straight out of the cafeteria. "What the hell just happened?" she thought, trying to process the horror she had just witnessed. Before she could think any further, a sharp, loud noise suddenly rang through the entire academy. Beep!¡­ Beep!¡­ Beep!¡­ The sirens echoed through the air, piercing through every hallway, every classroom, and even beyond the academy walls. It wasn¡¯t just the academy¡ªthis alarm was blaring across the entire city. Students who had been resting in their dorms rushed out in panic. Some had confusion written all over their faces, while others already had their weapons drawn, their instincts telling them that something terrible was happening. Then, a powerful voice echoed from the magical announcement system. "All students, listen carefully!" The voice belonged to Vice Principal Lilith Maranthia. "A massive tide of monsters is heading toward us. An S-rank level formation has appeared, covering a large portion of land. We can¡¯t run away. Our communication systems are down, which means there is definitely a traitor among us. Right now, we have no choice but to fight until we can restore communication and call for reinforcements!" The message ended, leaving behind an eerie silence. And then¡ªchaos erupted. Many students gasped in shock. Others clenched their fists, feeling adrenaline rush through their veins. "So... the monsters are finally here?" Maruti thought as she hurried through the academy¡¯s ground floor hallway. All around her, students were running, their faces pale and filled with fear. Then, her eyes landed on a fat student who was also trying to run. But¡­ he was just too slow. Of course, fat people weren¡¯t usually fast, but this guy was unbelievably slow. Even a toddler would be ten times faster than him. It was as if time itself was dragging him down. S§×arch* The N??elFir§×.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Sweat was pouring down his face, soaking his clothes so much that he looked like someone had dumped a bucket of water on him. A boy ran past him, laughing. "Run faster, fatty! Hahaha!" he said, kicking the fat student¡¯s back before running ahead. But then¡ªsomething strange happened. After just a few more steps, the boy¡¯s movements slowed down too. "What¡¯s¡­ happening? Why do I feel¡­ so slow?" he mumbled, his voice dragging as if his thoughts were slowing down too. "I-It¡¯s¡­ so¡­ sweaty¡­" he gasped. And then, he collapsed onto the ground. The fat student also fell at the same time. And right before everyone¡¯s eyes, their bodies started to change. Their backs became round. Their legs shrank and became smaller. And in just a few moments, they no longer looked human at all. They had turned into large, human-sized snails¡ªbut with their original faces still attached. Their skin turned into a slimy mix of blue and green, looking like wobbly jelly. A student nearby gasped in horror. "I¡¯ve heard of them! They¡¯re *Snailmen*! An anomaly class! They¡¯re painfully slow, but if you touch them, you¡¯ll turn into one too!" As soon as those words were spoken, everyone in the hallway bolted in the opposite direction, running as far away as possible. Maruti didn¡¯t hesitate¡ªshe ran too. But as she moved through the academy, she saw even more horrifying sights. A monster with an extremely long tongue and eyeballs that spun rapidly in their sockets. Another creature with multiple hands coming out of its mouth. She saw a girl whose entire body was covered in sharp teeth¡ªeven her tongue had turned into a massive tooth that took up her whole mouth. And a bald student who now had hair growing uncontrollably all over his body, so thick and long that he couldn¡¯t even see through it. Maruti felt no fear. But she was utterly disgusted. "What the hell are these things?" she muttered under her breath. Without stopping, she dashed up to the second floor, running through the corridors. Then, she pulled out a communication device and quickly connected to Esdeath. A voice came through. "What happened, Predictor? I was already on my way to the academy anyway." Maruti took a deep breath and shouted into the device. "What happened?! You idiot! You said there would be monsters, but what are these disgusting creatures?!" I’m Your Star Constellation In her past life, before Esdeath turned back time, the same chaos had happened. Back then, it was all because of Elara refining a divine-rank essence stone called Ago. But during that time, there was only one anomaly-class monster¡ªCaramel, the girl with the spiral head. So why were so many anomaly-class monsters appearing this time? Why was everything so different? The answer was simple¡ªCaramel herself. Just think about it. What time was it right now? It was the exact same moment when, in the previous timeline, Caramel had tried to force herself on Maruti. But that time, Kaelith had saved Maruti and killed Caramel right there. But what about this time? Caramel was still alive. And her powers were like a virus, spreading and infecting others. Even in FLF¡¯s main storyline, Caramel had lived until midnight. And because of that, many anomaly-class monsters had rampaged through the academy, killing countless students. What was happening right now was just the beginning. Soon, Caramel would attract even more anomaly-class monsters from the massive forest behind the academy. More of them would come, and the situation would get worse. Of course, Esdeath already knew all of this. But she decided not to tell Maruti. She knew that Maruti wasn¡¯t afraid of these creatures. But she also knew that Maruti found them extremely disgusting. When Maruti finally managed to contact Esdeath, Esdeath simply told her, "I''m on my way to the academy. Just stay where you are." Esdeath didn¡¯t take long to arrive. The academy¡¯s barrier was still up, preventing anyone from escaping. But there were no restrictions on who could enter. And that was exactly what Elara wanted. The more people inside, the more fighters he would have to deal with the monsters for him¡ªwhile he sat safely in one place, quietly refining his essence stone. -------- After arriving at the academy, Esdeath and Maruti met in the dimly lit corridor. The air was heavy with tension, and distant screams echoed through the halls. Maruti, impatient as ever, crossed her arms and asked, "What do you think? Should we go there now?" But Esdeath shook her head. "It''s too early. He just started refining the essence stone. We need to wait until the middle or later stage before interfering. More importantly, Elara will be around too. If he sees us now, he¡¯ll kill us in a single attack!" Maruti frowned. "Tsk, so annoying¡­" Esdeath was right. In the previous timeline, Elara had purposely dragged the battle around the academy. It wasn¡¯t just because he was waiting for Lilith to get injured¡ªit was also because he was guarding the academy¡¯s basement, where his clone was secretly refining the essence stone. Esdeath gazed out of a broken window, watching the chaos outside. Students were screaming, running for their lives as monstrous creatures hunted them down. Fires had already started in several places, casting eerie shadows against the walls. "We have a long way to go before we reach the basement," Esdeath said with a smirk. "And there¡¯s a lot of work to do while we¡¯re here." She reached into her pocket and pulled out a stack of papers. Each one had names and drawings of different students. "Here," she said, handing the papers to Maruti. "These are the students who will become stronger in the future and help Ethan a lot. Since we can¡¯t kill Ethan for now, we should at least weaken his influence as much as possible." Maruti took the papers and flipped through them. Some names seemed familiar, but others she had never heard before. Then, Esdeath pulled out another paper and held it up. "Especially this one. She¡¯s from Class B-3. Try your best to find her and kill her. She¡¯ll be a big problem later on." Maruti narrowed her eyes as she looked at the name written on the paper. Alice Arlecchino. Esdeath continued, "She has long hair that covers her eyes like max level shut in introvert, and she gives off a gloomy aura." Maruti raised an eyebrow. "Gloomy aura? Like Diana?" Esdeath nodded. "Yeah, exactly like Diana." Maruti let out a sigh and stuffed the papers into her pocket. "Alright, alright, I got it. But what about you? What are you gonna do now?" Esdeath grinned, her eyes gleaming with excitement. "There are too many obstacles in our way. If we want to reach Elara¡¯s clone, we need someone''s help". "Help?,Are you sure you can trust someone other than me?", Maruti snorted. "Hehehe...a bad person would always take help from a good person, Now go, We''ll meet later and only if we could or else I''ll do it all alone and don''t worry about shares, we''ll split equally later!" She turned on her heel and dashed toward the academy¡¯s entrance, heading straight for the battlefield where monsters were running wild. Meanwhile, Maruti took a deep breath and turned back inside the academy. Her mission was clear¡ªfind those students on the list and kill them before they could become a threat. ------------- The academy¡¯s backyard was in complete chaos. Ethan was surrounded by several students, their eyes vacant, their bodies moving unnaturally¡ªcontrolled by Caramel¡¯s power. They attacked him without hesitation, like puppets on strings. But Ethan didn¡¯t fight back with full force. He couldn¡¯t. He didn¡¯t use his sword. He didn¡¯t use any lethal moves. He only blocked their attacks with his hands, dodging when he could and pushing them away instead of hurting them. Because to him, they were still human. They were innocent. Even if their bodies moved against their will, it wasn¡¯t their fault. He couldn¡¯t bring himself to kill them. But there were too many of them. Their numbers kept growing, and with every second, Ethan¡¯s defense weakened. His arms felt heavy, his breathing grew rough, and exhaustion began to creep in. At that moment¡ª BANG! A gunshot rang through the air. BANG! BANG! BANG! BANG! One by one, the controlled students collapsed to the ground, lifeless. Ethan¡¯s eyes widened in horror. Sear?h the N?vel(F)ire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. A girl had appeared beside him, holding a gun. Her cold red eyes glowed under the moonlight. Esdeath. She lowered her smoking gun and turned to him, completely unfazed. "What are you doing?!" Ethan shouted, his voice trembling with anger. "You killed them!" But Esdeath didn¡¯t care. BANG! She fired another shot. Another student fell. "Stop, you idiot! You¡¯re killing innocent people!" Ethan lunged at her, trying to grab her gun¡ªor at least hold her back. But Esdeath was faster. She dodged effortlessly, then shot again. One by one, she killed them all. Only when the last body hit the ground did she finally stop. Ethan stood frozen, staring at the lifeless students scattered across the yard. His hands clenched into fists, shaking. "You¡­ I need to talk to you," Esdeath said, her voice as cold as ever. Ethan¡¯s heart pounded with rage. He withdrew his sword, his grip tight with fury. "Shut up! You¡¯re a murderer!" Esdeath scoffed. "Murderer?" She tilted her head, a twisted grin forming on her lips. "I killed a few students who were already turning into monsters, and that makes me a murderer?" She stepped forward, closing the distance between them. "Stay back," Ethan warned, his sword raised. But Esdeath didn¡¯t stop. Her piercing red eyes locked onto his, so close he could see the reflection of the moon in them. She pointed at the fallen students. "Look at them," she said. "Their skin was already turning green. They were never going to turn back. If killing them makes me a murderer, then what does that make you?" Ethan¡¯s breath caught. "W-what are you saying?" Esdeath let out a chuckle¡ªdark, mocking. "Don¡¯t act so innocent now. You knew, didn¡¯t you?" Her voice was ice-cold, pressing into him like a dagger. She leaned in even closer, her gaze cutting straight through his soul. "Before your regression," she whispered, "all those monsters and demons you killed¡ªthey were human. Every single one." Ethan¡¯s body stiffened. "No¡­ no, that¡¯s not true! They weren¡¯t fully human!" he protested. But then¡ª It hit him. A realization crashed down like a bolt of lightning. "Wait¡­ h-how do you know that?" His voice trembled. His heart pounded so loudly he could hear it in his ears. Esdeath stepped back and covered her face, laughing softly. Then, she looked at him with a knowing smile. "Of course, I know." She lowered her hand, her eyes gleaming with amusement. "Because, Ethan¡­ I¡¯m your Star Constellation." She grinned. "I¡¯m the one who made you regress." First And Last–Only Lortell Esdeath grinned, her red eyes glowing under the moonlight. "I''m the one who made you regress," she said in an icy cold voice. Then, without looking at Ethan, her gaze shifted slightly to his right. "Isn''t that right... Gareth?" Ethan''s heart nearly stopped. Gareth? But that was impossible. Gareth was just a soul¡ªsomething that normal people couldn¡¯t see and it was mighty gareth''s soul at that. Even Kaelith was still early to see him. Only someone like Elara or Lilith should have been able to notice him. But what they didn''t knew was Esdeath had spiritual eyes, she could see him as clearly as daylight. Floating in the air beside Ethan, Gareth flinched. His translucent form trembled as panic flashed across his face. "She¡­ she can see me?" he thought, his mind racing. "Lies!" Ethan shouted, his voice filled with denial. "You''re lying!" But deep down, something gnawed at him. If she was lying, how did she know about Gareth? How did she know about the past? Esdeath scoffed. "Do I really need to explain everything from the beginning?" She folded her arms, her tone dripping with amusement. "I planned this carefully. But I didn¡¯t just want to turn back time¡ªI needed someone who wouldn¡¯t give up, someone strong, someone who could help me." Her lips curled into a smirk. "And you, Ethan, were the perfect choice. The embodiment of hope. A man with a righteous aura." She spoke as if it was the absolute truth, as if she had chosen him like a piece in a grand game. But then¡ª A flicker of disappointment crossed her face. She sighed, shaking her head. "But from the way you''re acting right now¡­ it feels like I made a mistake." Her sharp gaze landed on Gareth, a teasing smile tugging at her lips. "What do you think, Gareth?" she asked playfully. "Wouldn¡¯t I have been a better choice? I could kill Kirmada for you¡ªeasy peasy." Gareth¡¯s soul shuddered. His voice was firm, without hesitation. "Never," he said coldly. "You reek of evil." Esdeath chuckled, unfazed by his rejection. "Fufufu¡­ well, that¡¯s true." She placed a hand on her hip, grinning. "But in the end, I¡¯m still doing a good thing, aren¡¯t I?" Ethan narrowed his eyes. His grip on his sword tightened. "Wait a minute," he said cautiously. "How do you know about our conversation about Kirmada?" Esdeath¡¯s smirk deepened. "Of course I would know," she said as if it were obvious. She raised a hand and tapped her temple. "I was the one who turned back time. A big shot. And as your constellation, I created the system for you." She let out a long sigh, stretching her arms as if tired. "I gave you everything I had left instead of keeping it for myself," she continued. "Do you have any idea how hard that was?" Ethan remained silent, his breath uneven. Esdeath''s expression softened for just a second. "I used to be a man, you know," she said, almost lazily. "Green hair, blue eyes. A gentle, righteous person." Then, she grinned again. "But as a sacrifice for this regression, my entire existence was erased. No one remembers me. Not even the world itself while keeping your existence fully." She tilted her head. "You should be thankful to me, Ethan." "You and righteous?" Gareth scoffed, shaking his head. "Don¡¯t make me laugh." But Ethan was too confused to argue. His thoughts were a mess. "Wait¡­ what? That system¡­ it came from you?" he asked, his voice rising. "Constellations create systems? What kind of god were you before?" He bombarded Esdeath with questions, struggling to make sense of everything. But before Esdeath could answer, Gareth turned to him, frowning. "You have a system, Ethan?" Ethan hesitated, then nodded. Gareth closed his eyes and stroked his beard, deep in thought. "Hmm¡­ Then she might be telling the truth," he muttered. "Constellations do create systems. It¡¯s a long story, and I¡¯ll explain later, but for now¡­ just accept what she says." Ethan clenched his fists but eventually lowered his sword. Not because he trusted Esdeath. But because he trusted Gareth. Esdeath smirked. "Good. We don¡¯t have much time. I need your help." Her eyes gleamed as she continued, "You recently got a Wolf Stealth Amplification skill, right?" Ethan stiffened. "How do you¡ª" "Of course, I¡¯d know," Esdeath interrupted smoothly. "It was mine to begin with." Ethan¡¯s body tensed. Every time she spoke, she revealed something even more shocking. Esdeath crossed her arms. "Now, listen. I know you¡¯re looking for Violet. And I also know exactly where she is right now." Ethan¡¯s eyes widened. Violet¡­ He almost lost his composure, but this time, he forced himself to stay calm. After everything Esdeath had already said, nothing surprised him anymore. Esdeath stepped closer, lowering her voice. "We can¡¯t get to her without your stealth skill. So, I want you to cast it on both of us, and we¡¯ll go together." Ethan didn''t hesitate. "Alright, I¡¯m using it now¡ª" But before he could activate the skill, Esdeath grabbed his wrist, stopping him. "Not yet," she said with a sly grin. Ethan frowned. "Why?" "There¡¯s still one more person who¡¯s joining us." She smirked knowingly. Ethan had a bad feeling. And then¡ª Esdeath turned around and ran. "Just stay here!" she called over her shoulder. "I¡¯ll be back soon. And don¡¯t you dare follow me!" Ethan watched her disappear into the distance, gripping his sword tightly. He didn¡¯t like this. Not one bit. ------------ Esdeath ran through the academy grounds, cutting down any monsters that got in her way. Even the low-level anomaly-class monsters were nothing but an annoyance to her. She was still feeling the effects of the potion Lortell had given her. It had temporarily boosted her strength to Rank B, making her feel unstoppable. "Tsk, these weaklings are wasting my time," she muttered in frustration, slashing through another monster without slowing down. After making her way through the academy gardens, she stopped and waited. She was supposed to meet someone. Maruti. But after waiting for fifteen minutes, there was still no sign of her. Esdeath frowned and tried to contact her, but got no response. "Tch¡­ Looks like she ran into trouble," she muttered, shaking her head. "I guess I''ll have to do this alone." She sighed, then left the garden, walking calmly as if the chaos around her was nothing more than the sound of birds chirping. But then¡ª She suddenly felt it. A powerful, bold aura. She stopped in her tracks, her sharp eyes scanning the area. And then she saw it. A massive wolf stood before her. Its body was covered in thick blue fur, and a single horn jutted out from its forehead, crackling with electricity. "A Lightning Charm Wolf?" Esdeath smirked, recognizing the creature immediately. It was a Rank B beast. Unlike the injured one Calista had fought before, this one was in perfect condition. But Esdeath felt no fear. Instead, her lips curled into a wild grin. "Alright, let''s see what you¡¯ve got," she challenged. The wolf howled, and lightning surged from its horn, crackling across the ground. Esdeath tensed, ready to face the attack head-on¡ª But before they could clash, a figure suddenly appeared between them. A bright green magic circle flared to life, blocking the lightning wave. Esdeath¡¯s eyes narrowed in surprise. "What the¡ª Who are you?" The young man turned his head slightly, his green eyes meeting hers. His green hair swayed in the wind, and despite the intense situation, he smirked. "Me?" he said casually. "I''m your ex-fianc¨¦." Silence. The world seemed to freeze. Esdeath¡¯s mind went blank as she stared at him, her red eyes wide in shock. For a moment, neither of them spoke. Then, the young man turned back to the wolf, his body tensed as he kept the magic barrier up. "Now¡¯s not the time to talk about this," he said, panting. "I¡¯ll block him¡ª You need to run¡ª" But before he could finish his sentence¡ª BANG! The sharp crack of a gunshot echoed through the battlefield. The young man¡¯s body jerked. A bullet had pierced straight through his forehead. His green eyes widened in shock as he stumbled, turning slightly¡ª And the last thing he saw was Esdeath, standing there, holding a gun. Sear?h the novel(F~)ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Thud! His body collapsed to the ground. Lifeless. Esdeath lowered her gun, her face cold and emotionless. "Ex?" she scoffed, stepping over his corpse. "There¡¯s no ex. My first and last is only Lortell." Penetrator "Now it''s your turn!" Esdeath said, her sharp eyes locking onto the Lightning Charm Wolf. Without hesitation, she raised her ZK-20 and activated its transformation. It shifted, its form expanding and reshaping into something massive¡ªa giant cannon-like weapon with three large barrels and glowing futuristic carvings. It was more than twice as big and three times as thick as Esdeath''s own body. One word could describe it¡ªGigantic. She lifted the heavy weapon onto her shoulder, her body bending slightly under its weight. Even with her enhanced strength, it was no easy task. She had used several Essence Stones to form this weapon, including several high-quality Rank C stones. This was her ultimate attack. "Killer Move¡ªOblivion Nova!" she declared. Then¡ª A blinding white light exploded from the barrels. It was everywhere. The entire battlefield lit up like a second sun. A massive beam of pure destruction surged forward, its power so overwhelming that Esdeath had to step back, struggling to keep her footing. The ground shook, and a deafening roar echoed through the air. The wolf didn¡¯t even have time to react. In a single instant, its entire body was erased¡ªcompletely obliterated by the attack. Silence followed. Esdeath took a deep breath, then casually manipulated the ZK-20 back into its liquid state, storing it away. She glanced up at the sky. "Hmm¡­ it''s already midnight," she muttered. "I should deal with Caramel first, or she''ll cause even more problems." Without wasting any more time, she turned and headed toward the academy backyard to meet Ethan. As she arrived, a powerful surge of green energy filled the air, spreading throughout the entire academy. She narrowed her eyes. "I told Ethan to stay in the backyard, but now it''s past midnight¡­ her powers are getting stronger, and if we don¡¯t stop her, she¡¯ll attract even more anomaly-class monsters." Her thoughts raced as she finally reached Ethan. "Hey! You can feel that energy, right? We''re going to deal with her first!" Esdeath said firmly. "But¡ª" Ethan hesitated. "What now?" Esdeath smirked, crossing her arms. "Aren''t you supposed to be a justice-bringer? Are you really going to let other students die just because you want to save your friend early?" Ethan clenched his fists. Esdeath turned away. "Let''s go, then!" she said, already walking forward. ----------------- Esdeath and Ethan entered the academy, searching for Caramel. But the inside was no different from a horror movie or game. Almost everyone inside had turned into monsters, or worse, monsters had already invaded the place. Both Ethan and Esdeath wasted no time cutting them down. The normal monsters were strong but easy to kill, while the anomaly-class ones were weaker but far more annoying to deal with. As they fought, Esdeath kept slamming into walls every time she tried to run too fast, trying to show her flexibility. Bam! She crashed into the wall again while dodging an attack from a humanoid monster. It had a long giraffe-like neck and a mouth filled with worm-like teeth. The wall cracked from the impact, but Esdeath didn''t have a single scratch on her body. "Tch... Rank B power is way stronger than Rank C. I can¡¯t fully control my speed yet," she muttered in frustration. It felt like her own strength was causing her more trouble than help. But then¡ª Clank! Ethan moved swiftly, slicing off the monster¡¯s long, slimy tongue with his sword. In one smooth motion, he spun and slashed again, beheading the creature completely. "Let¡¯s go inside!" Ethan said, offering his hand to Esdeath. Esdeath scoffed and stood up on her own. "Let¡¯s go!" she said, ignoring his hand. They ran through the dark corridors. The walls were covered in strange, green, jelly-like bubbles. It was disgusting. The deeper they went, the stronger the green aura became. Soon, they spotted a classroom at the end of the hall. The energy was overwhelming there. Esdeath and Ethan exchanged looks. It was obvious Caramel was inside. They slowed down, walking carefully toward the room. As they got closer, they noticed something disturbing. Words were written all over the walls, the ceiling, and even the floor. One word. Ethan. It was written everywhere. And it looked like someone had scratched it into the surface with their own nails. Ethan felt a shiver crawl down his spine. It was beyond creepy. But he still moved forward and reached for the door handle. Krrkkkrr¡­ Krrrkkkrrrr¡­ The door creaked as it slowly opened. Inside the room, Caramel was there. Her back was facing them. She sat on a bench, her nails scratching into the wood as she kept writing his name. Green blood dripped from her fingers. Her nails were broken, torn apart, but she didn¡¯t stop. "Ethan! Ethan... Ethan, Ethan... You''re finally here! Hahaha!" She laughed as she turned around. And when she did, her face was horrifying. Before, she had only a single spiral-shaped scar. But now, her nose, her eyes, her mouth¡ªeverything was gone. All that remained was a large, endless spiral where her entire face used to be. It spun and twisted inward, like a bottomless void. Her skin had turned green, and strange, unnatural mutations covered parts of her body. Ethan felt his whole body freeze for a moment. This was no longer the Caramel he once knew. But The moment Caramel saw Esdeath, her rage exploded like a storm. Her face twisted with fury as she screamed, "You are cheating on me with another woman again!" Her voice sent a powerful shockwave through the room, shattering every mirror in sight. Glass shards scattered everywhere, reflecting the chaos unfolding. Ethan, standing beside Esdeath, tightened his grip on his sword. "We should make the first move!" he shouted, wasting no time as he lunged forward. Esdeath, watching him charge in, bit her lip in frustration. "I can''t use my ZK-20 at full power while he''s here," she muttered to herself. There was no way she could reveal her trump card¡ªnot in front of Ethan. But there was no time to hesitate. She rushed in right behind him. Before Ethan could strike, Caramel''s body melted into the ground like liquid, vanishing in an instant. "You need to be punished!" Caramel¡¯s voice echoed ominously. Then, like a nightmare, she reappeared right behind Ethan. Her fist lashed out in a blur. BAM! The impact sent Ethan flying across the room, slamming him hard against the wall. Cracks spread like spiderwebs before the entire section of the wall nearly collapsed. BANG! BANG! BANG! Without wasting time, Esdeath fired her ZK-20, sending a barrage of bullets toward Caramel. But Caramel only smirked. Her face twisted unnaturally as it spiraled outward. With a sickening motion, her mouth opened wide and devoured the bullets whole. Esdeath clicked her tongue in annoyance. "Guns won¡¯t work¡­" she muttered. Her gaze flickered to Ethan, who was coughing as he struggled to get back on his feet. Even though he had taken a serious hit, he wasn¡¯t out of the fight just yet. "Nice," Esdeath smirked. She swiftly shifted her weapon, transforming the ZK-20 into a sleek sword. "I found a weapon too! Let''s fight!" She raised her voice so Ethan could hear. At that moment, Ethan¡¯s aura flared up. His hair turned pure white, and an immense wave of energy surged from his body. "Sword General!" he shouted. His speed exploded beyond human limits as he dashed toward Caramel, his sword slicing through the air at lightning speed. Clang! Shockingly, Caramel blocked the strike with her mutated hand, stopping Ethan¡¯s blade with ease. Ethan¡¯s eyes widened. "She¡¯s fast enough to keep up with me?!" Before he could react, Caramel twisted her body and sent a brutal kick straight into his chest. BAM! Ethan crashed into the wall again¡ªbut this time, it shattered completely. The impact sent him flying straight out of the third floor, the highest floor in the academy. Esdeath barely spared him a glance as she dashed forward, meeting Caramel head-on. Both threw their fists at the same time. BOOM! Their punches collided with a deafening shockwave, shaking the entire building. Even Esdeath was caught off guard. "She actually blocked my Rank B-level punch?" Esdeath thought, her eyes narrowing. She had been certain that she could break Caramel¡¯s arm with a single punch, but instead, they were evenly matched. Still, despite the surprise, a grin spread across Esdeath¡¯s face. "It doesn¡¯t matter," she thought. "She¡¯s running out of time. Just a few more minutes¡­ and she¡¯ll die on her own." --------- Esdeath quickly pulled back, retreating through the air as she transformed her ZK-20 into a floating skateboard. She soared effortlessly, gliding across the sky with her body nearly brushing against the ceiling. "Don''t you dare run!" Caramel shouted furiously. Her speed was unnatural¡ªalmost like she was teleporting. She dashed forward and leaped high, reaching out, nearly grabbing Esdeath¡¯s foot. But then¡ª Esdeath smirked. Raising her hand, she formed her fingers into the shape of a gun. Bang! A massive wave of black death energy exploded from her fingertips. The powerful blast hit Caramel directly, sending her crashing through several walls before she plummeted from the third floor. But Esdeath didn¡¯t stop there. She knew Caramel wouldn¡¯t die from just that. Without hesitation, she tilted her skateboard downward, chasing after Caramel as she fell. As soon as she was close enough, Esdeath leaped off the skateboard. She clenched both hands together, forming a single massive fist. "You¡¯re dead, you green shit!" she yelled. With all her strength, she slammed her fist straight into Caramel¡¯s stomach. Boom! Caramel¡¯s body shot downward like a cannonball, crashing into the ground with an earth-shattering impact. Meanwhile, Esdeath landed gracefully, as if she had barely exerted any effort at all. She dusted herself off and turned to see Ethan. Surprisingly, he looked only lightly injured. Of course. He must have used some magic. Most likely slime magic to soften his landing. "I was just about to come up there," he said with a small grin. But that grin didn¡¯t last long. As the dust settled, an ear-splitting roar filled the air. sea??h th§× n?vel_Fire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "Ahhh... Ethannnn!" Caramel¡¯s furious scream echoed through the academy. And then¡ª A terrifying presence filled the area. Dozens of monstrous creatures surged toward them from all directions attracted from caramel''s roar. Many were students¡ªonce normal, now under Caramel¡¯s control. Even worse, several Rank C teachers and professors stepped forward, their eyes cold and their weapons drawn. They weren¡¯t just under Caramel¡¯s influence¡ªthey were ready to kill. In mere moments, Caramel had formed her own personal army. Esdeath exhaled, trying to keep calm. "Just two more minutes¡­ That¡¯s all I need," she reassured herself. But then¡ª Splash... splash... splash... A massive wave of green energy exploded through the air. The sheer force of it sent Esdeath to her knees. Ethan, who was standing, was slammed into the ground instantly. Even Caramel¡ªwho had just been roaring with rage¡ªfell onto her hands and knees, unable to move. Her minions weren¡¯t any better. In fact, some of them died on the spot, their bodies unable to withstand the overwhelming pressure. The energy stretched far beyond the academy walls. Even people outside could feel it. Esdeath¡¯s eyes widened in shock. "Did she¡­ attracted an even stronger anomaly-class monster?" Before she could fully process the thought¡ª Swishhh... A massive sword pierced straight through Caramel¡¯s back. The blade didn¡¯t just stab her¡ªit lifted her into the air, impaling her like a skewer. Caramel groaned in pain, struggling to break free, but she was powerless. Dark green, venomous energy oozed from the sword, seeping into her body like a deadly poison. With a small flick of his wrist, the attacker flung Caramel¡¯s body off his blade. Ethan, struggling against the pressure, clenched his fists. His golden aura flared around him as he used every ounce of strength just to push himself up onto his knees. Esdeath, unlike Ethan, could stand up freely. She had her own death aura that could resist the pressure. But she didn¡¯t move. Instead, she slowly lifted her head to see who had arrived. A tall, armored figure stood before them. A humanoid man, over seven feet tall, clad in shining knight armor. He held a long, imposing sword. But the most terrifying part¡ª He was beheaded. His head wasn¡¯t on his shoulders. Instead, he held it in his own hand. Even without seeing his face, Esdeath recognized him immediately. A cold chill ran down her spine. "A¡­ Beheaded Emperor?" she whispered, her mouth slightly open in shock. Ethan let out a bitter laugh, gripping his sword tightly. "Are you kidding me¡­? Now we have to fight a Rank A anomaly-class monster?" But even as he spoke, he didn¡¯t hesitate. Despite the odds, he forced himself to stand, unsheathing his sword again. Then¡ªsomething unexpected happened. The Beheaded Emperor didn¡¯t attack. Instead¡ª He calmly lifted his own severed head and placed it back onto his neck. With his face hidden beneath his knight¡¯s helmet, he looked as regal as ever. Then, he did something that should have been impossible. He spoke. His voice was deep, mechanical, and eerily calm. "E-s-dea-th... Crimson..." Esdeath¡¯s breath caught in her throat. "Did he just¡­ say my name?" The Beheaded Emperor continued, his words slow and deliberate. "Pe-net-trator... Me... Penetrator..." Then, with one final sentence, he turned his back to them. "Half... debt... has been repaid..." Without another word, he walked away. Esdeath and Ethan stood frozen, too stunned to speak. Alice Arlecchino Half an Hour Ago... In the dormitory corridors, chaos had taken over. Everywhere was filled with danger. It was obvious that moving alone was a death sentence, so most students had formed groups to survive. One such group ran through the dimly lit hallway, their footsteps echoing as they moved cautiously. Some students constantly looked back to check for threats, while others focused forward, making sure nothing ambushed them from ahead. In this group, there were four girls and three boys. Among them, the strongest was a boy with violet hair and a sturdy build. He wasn¡¯t particularly handsome, but his height and physique made him stand out. His name was Xavier. At this moment, he was undoubtedly the leader of the group. But just as they reached a turning point in the corridor¡ª Swish... A soft breeze passed. For a second, nothing seemed unusual. Then¡ª Thud. Xavier¡¯s head rolled onto the floor. His body followed right after, collapsing lifelessly onto the cold ground. The group froze in horror. Standing just a few steps away was a woman, holding a crimson-red katana in her hand. She had a tanned, toned body¡ªmuscular enough to show strength but not enough to take away from her curves. Her figure was striking, her chest full, and her posture confident. She looked seductive. Dangerous. It was none other than Maruti. A smile played on her lips as she casually wiped the blood off her katana. "Another one down!" she said cheerfully. "This is such a nice weapon. So sharp, so light¡­ I love it!" She had received many weapons from Trynne¡¯s treasure room, just like Esdeath, but until now, she had never used them. Now was the perfect time. While she admired her new sword, the rest of the students could only stare at her in horror. "Maruti?!" One of them finally spoke¡ªthe vice leader of the group. "Why did you kill him?!" The others immediately stepped back, their hands trembling as they gripped their weapons. They were on full alert. Maruti blinked, as if she had just realized what she had done. "Oops..." She rolled her eyes, trying to think of a quick excuse. Then, with the most innocent expression she could muster, she said¡ª "Umm¡­ actually, he was turning into a monster! Yeah! He was about to attack you guys, so I killed him before that happened!" It was the worst excuse possible. Even Maruti herself thought no one would believe it. She sighed internally, preparing to kill the rest of them. But then¡ª Their reaction shocked her. Maruti is a Class A student, an elite. If she says it, then it must be true!" a girl in the group said confidently. The others thought for a moment and nodded in agreement. "Thank you for saving us!" Maruti stood there, stunned. They actually bought it? Even she was surprised. Then, a smirk formed on her lips as she praised herself. "Alright, guys! I still have some other people to save, so goodbye!" She waved her hand and turned to leave. "Are you sure you want to go alone? We can help you!" a boy in the group offered. Maruti didn¡¯t even hesitate. "No need! I¡¯m more than enough on my own! Gonna save the world!" she said enthusiastically before disappearing into the chaos. As she moved swiftly through the academy, dodging fallen debris and passing by terrified students, one thought kept running through her mind. Alice Arlecchino¡­ Where the hell are you? At the outskirts of the academy, near the ground floor, there was a path leading to the academy gardens. Benches were placed along the walkway for students to sit and rest. But in the middle of this disaster, who had time to sit down and relax? Yet, despite all the chaos, one girl was sitting quietly on a bench. She had long, flowing purple hair that covered her forehead and eyes. A dark gloomy, eerie purple aura surrounded her. She looked human, but there was something different about her. Wrapped tightly around her waist, as if she were hugging herself in fear, was a small, cute purple tail. Her body was curvy and beautiful, and the way her academy uniform stretched over her chest made her figure stand out. She had a perfect body, but her gloomy aura completely overshadowed her beauty, making her look distant and unapproachable. What should I do? Where should I go? Should I call for help? Her thoughts were a mess. "But I''m not good at talking to people¡­ I don''t know how to cooperate¡­ I''m not even that strong¡­ I won¡¯t last in a team for long. They¡¯ll just kick me out like they always do!" She let out a quiet sigh, pulling her legs up onto the bench and hugging them. She had chosen this place because it was quiet. It seemed like no one thought coming here was a good idea. And because of that, this place had unintentionally become a safe zone. But her luck didn¡¯t last long. Suddenly¡ª A powerful gust of wind blew through the area, sending a shockwave in all directions. The force of the wind made her hair fly back, uncovering her face. Her fluffy, now slightly messy hair revealed a pair of striking purple eyes. And for the first time, her true beauty was fully visible. She looked breathtaking. Her face was enchanting¡ªmature, seductive, and elegant all at once. It was as if the wind had blown away all her gloominess, revealing the stunning woman hidden underneath. But before she could even appreciate the moment¡ª Her face turned pale. Because standing in front of her was the cause of that powerful gust of wind. A massive, towering beast. "A¡­ giant ape?" she whispered in shock. The creature was covered in thick fur, its eyes filled with wild, uncontrollable rage. It was a Rank C wind-type beast. But despite its rank, its strength was terrifying¡ªalmost comparable to a Rank B monster. Her entire body froze. She had nowhere to run. "No way! I won¡¯t even be able to block a single attack! " Panic filled her heart as she quickly got up, her only thought being to run away. But just as she took one step¡ª Thud! She tripped and fell to the ground. Her body froze as she looked up at the giant ape. The massive beast raised its hand, swirling with powerful winds. Its eyes glowed with wild rage, and it was ready to strike. She squeezed her eyes shut, bracing for death. But then¡ª "Divine Circle!" A powerful voice echoed through the air. BAM! A loud sound shook the ground. The girl flinched, but after a moment, she realized¡ªshe was still alive! Her eyes fluttered open, and she gasped in shock. A huge golden magic circle stood in front of her, blocking the giant ape¡¯s attack. And behind it, standing tall and strong, was a muscular girl. "Finally! I got to use light magic! Its defense is really good!" The girl smirked, completely unfazed by the battle. Who else could it be but Maruti? "She saved me!" The purple-haired girl stared at her savior with wide eyes, her heart racing. But then, her gaze shifted. She noticed something in Maruti¡¯s hand. "A piece of paper? A letter?" Before she could think too much, Maruti turned to face her. "Hey, pretty girl! Have you seen a gloomy, introverted girl with long hair covering her eyes? I need to find her as soon as possible!" Maruti asked. "Pretty girl?" The purple-haired girl¡¯s face turned bright red. "Haha¡­ no, no, I¡¯m not that pretty!" She shook her head so fast it looked like a blur. But then, something clicked in her mind. "Wait a minute¡­ Is that letter in her hand a love letter?" Her eyes widened slightly. "Is she¡­ going to confess to that girl? " Her cheeks turned pink at the thought. "It¡¯s not impossible¡­ With all this chaos around us, maybe she wants to confess before it¡¯s too late? So she won¡¯t have any regrets? " But then she shook her head aggressively. "I need to stop reading so many yuri romance novels! My mind is becoming more and more perverted!" As she spiraled into her own little world¡ª BAM! The giant ape struck the magic barrier again, causing another powerful shockwave. But Maruti held firm, her stance unwavering. "Hey, you! Stop shaking your head and answer me already! Do you know her or not?" "I-I don¡¯t know!" She quickly hugged her head, shrinking under Maruti¡¯s scolding voice. Maruti sighed, a hint of disappointment flashing across her face. "Is that so?" she muttered. But then, as if struck by an amusing thought, a smirk slowly crept onto her lips. At that moment, the purple-haired girl''s eyes widened in realization." A gloomy girl with her eyes covered by her hair? Wait a minute¡­ Isn''t that me? " She quickly turned towards Maruti, her mouth opening to speak. "I¡ª" But before she could utter another word, Maruti had already made her move. "Then I should finish him first!" She smirked, shifting her gaze back to the towering giant ape. She crouched slightly, tightening her grip, and gathered immense power in her right fist. At the same time, flames erupted around her knuckles, crackling like a roaring wildfire as she prepared to leap forward and strike. But then¡ª Crack¡ª Without warning, the ground beneath them shattered. S~ea??h the N??elFir§×.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. A deep, gaping hole opened up beneath Maruti¡¯s feet. Her expression flickered with momentary shock. Her balance broke. Her golden magic circle wavered and vanished. And in the next instant¡ª She fell. "No!" Without thinking, the purple-haired girl lunged forward. Her fingers stretched out desperately, and by sheer luck¡ª She caught Maruti¡¯s finger. Only one. A single, fragile connection. But for Maruti, it was enough. She immediately tried to channel her magic, her eyes narrowing in focus. But then¡ª Her expression twisted in confusion. "What¡­? Why isn¡¯t my magic working?! My essence stone¡ªit¡¯s not responding!" Panic flickered in her gaze for the first time. "Pull me up! Hurry!" she urged. The purple-haired girl gritted her teeth, her arms straining as she tried to lift Maruti with all her might. But her strength¡ªcompared to Ethan, Esdeath, or even Maruti herself¡ªwas insignificant. Her entire body trembled from the effort. Her vision blurred, overwhelmed by the weight of the moment. "I can''t pull you up¡­! I can¡¯t¡­!" Her voice quivered, her confidence crumbling. At that moment, dark memories of her past surfaced like a cruel whisper in the back of her mind. Just like before¡­ I¡¯m not strong enough. Just a coward, too weak to do anything right¡­ Her grip weakened. Her fingers slipped. And then¡ª Slurp¡ª They completely separated. "NOOOOOO!" Her scream tore through the air as Maruti plummeted into the abyss below. But even as she fell, Maruti showed no fear. Instead, she smirked, her voice carrying through the air. "I¡¯ll be back in no time! Find Alice Arlecchino for me by then! I need to ki¡ª" Before she could finish, the void swallowed her whole, and she disappeared into the darkness. A sharp, suffocating pain pierced through the purple-haired girl''s chest. Her entire body felt hollow. Tears streamed down her cheeks like an endless river. Her voice trembled as she whispered, "It¡¯s me¡­ Alice Arlecchino is me¡­" "You died because of me¡­ I let another person die because of me¡­ Sob¡­ sob¡­ If only I had the courage to join a team¡­ If only¡­" Her small sobs soon turned into uncontrollable weeping, her body shaking as regret drowned her. But then¡ª Grrrrr¡­ A deep, rumbling growl filled the air. The giant ape, now completely unbothered by the earlier commotion, pounded his massive fists against his chest and roared. His glowing, beastly eyes locked onto Alice. It was his turn to attack. "Stop growling," Alice muttered. The ape ignored her, letting out another deafening roar before charging straight at her, the ground quaking under his monstrous strength. Alice clenched her fists. Something inside her snapped. "I SAID STOP GROWLING!" Her voice echoed like thunder. Her eyes burned with a deep, luminous purple glow. In the blink of an eye, she lunged forward. BAM! Her fist connected. A ripple of condensed purple energy burst through the air, crackling like violent lightning. BOOM! The ape never even had the chance to react. His massive body was instantly reduced to nothing but ash. But the destruction didn¡¯t stop there. The residual force of Alice¡¯s attack expanded outward, a devastating purple shockwave obliterating everything within a thirty-meter radius. The once chaotic battlefield had turned into a wasteland of silence. Alice stood alone, panting heavily, her fists still trembling with leftover energy. Her gaze hardened. "Heheh...hahahahhaa ...",She started laughing like a maniac. Her personality took 180¡ã turn. "What a fucking weak monkey, Stronger...I need someone stronger.." The Honoured One—Xing Liang Near the academy, a fierce battle raged in the skies. The Dragon Queen was locked in combat against a swarm of red dragons, including their powerful queen. The roars of the mighty beasts echoed through the land, shaking the ground beneath them. The sky was painted red with fire, as flames clashed against each other in a chaotic dance of destruction. It was a battle she had fought once before(Before Turning Back Time). Back then, she had relied too much on her ability to hear thoughts, believing she could predict every move her enemies would make. But she had been deceived. The red dragons had tricked her, leading her into a trap that left her gravely wounded. But just like last time¡ª She would not fall so easily. A powerful energy surged within her, pushing her beyond her limits. She had activated her ultimate move¡ªDragon''s Last Stand! Gone was the small, childish form of a girl who looked no older than eight or nine. Now, in her place stood a towering woman, over eight feet tall, radiating overwhelming strength and authority. Her once petite figure had transformed into something breathtaking¡ªa body of pure power and allure. She was taller than even Lortell Mariette, a rare feat in itself. Her curves were dangerously enticing, her beauty undeniable. Her presence alone was enough to make the world stop and admire her, and yet, it was not just beauty that defined her¡ªit was the sheer, unshakable aura of dominance she exuded. Her silver eyes gleamed with confidence. Even though she knew the consequences of using Dragon''s Last Stand would be severe, she did not hesitate. There was no fear, no regret. Only excitement. Lilith spread her massive dragon wings and rose high into the sky. But then¡ª Srrrrr... Something fell from above. At first, it seemed like blood, thick and red, dripping down onto her skin. But when she touched it, she realized¡ª It wasn''t blood. It was water. A strange, crimson rain poured down from the dark clouds, soaking the battlefield in red. "What''s happening?!" students gasped, looking up in confusion. Before anyone could understand¡ª Thump... Thump... Thump Thunder roared across the battlefield. BOOM! Thick, golden lightning crashed down like giant pillars from the sky. Each bolt was massive, far larger than normal lightning, and wherever it struck¡ª BOOM! Bodies were turned to ash in an instant. RUMBLE! Then, the earth itself began to shake. Cracks spread across the battlefield. The ground split open, tilting and breaking apart. Buildings trembled, some even collapsing under the intense quake. Even Lilith, despite her strength, felt a chill run down her spine. Her silver eyes widened as realization struck her. "This... Don''t tell me!" she muttered, her heart pounding. She immediately withdrew her powerful aura and shouted with all her strength¡ª "EVERYONE WHO IS ALIVE, LISTEN TO ME! SOMEONE IS REFINING A DIVINE-RANK ESSENCE STONE!" Her voice echoed across the battlefield. A wave of shock spread among the survivors. "A Divine-Rank Essence Stone?! Here?! In the middle of this chaos?!" a Rank A teacher gasped. The students and teachers exchanged stunned looks. "Who would even dare to refine something so powerful in a battlefield?!" another person muttered in disbelief. Meanwhile, high above, the academy''s principal, Elara, narrowed his eyes. His face was grim as he thought deeply. "If all these natural disasters are happening, then¡ª" he turned towards Lilith. "THE ESSENCE STONE BEING REFINED MUST BE SOMETHING THAT DEFIES THE LAWS OF NATURE!" Elara shouted. His words sent another wave of panic across the battlefield. Lilith clenched her fists. "Principal Elara is right! FIND AND STOP THAT PERSON AT ALL COSTS!" she ordered. Then, she turned back toward the red dragons, her silver eyes burning with fury. S§×arch* The N??elFir§×.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. She bared her fangs. "It''s time for all of you to die!" she growled. But now that she had withdrawn her overwhelming aura, the dragons who had been pinned to the ground finally found their chance. One by one, their massive bodies lifted off the ground. Whoosh! With powerful flaps of their wings, they soared back into the sky, ready to fight once again. All the dragons transformed into their humanoid forms, knowing that their massive dragon bodies made them easy targets. They wouldn''t let themselves be hunted down like simple beasts ------------------- Maruti had no idea what just happened. One moment, she was about to finish off the giant ape, and the next, the ground beneath her feet had cracked open, swallowing her whole. She fell. For a brief moment, she thought it was over¡ªthat she was going to die just like that. But strangely enough, she was still breathing. Her eyes fluttered open. Darkness surrounded her. It was so silent that even her own breathing sounded loud. She moved her fingers¡ªno pain. Then, she tried moving her whole arm¡ªstill fine. ¡°Wait¡­ I¡¯m not dead?¡± she mumbled, rubbing her eyelids. But where was she? It was pitch black. There was no sky, no ground, nothing but endless darkness stretching in every direction. "Am I in hell?" she muttered under her breath. Then, taking a deep breath, she shouted, ¡°HELLO? ANYONE HERE? HELL DEMONS? GRIM REAPER? OR SOME OTHER POOR SOUL WHO GOT DRAGGED INTO HELL LIKE ME?¡± Her voice echoed, but there was no answer. Tsk. She stood up and started walking. The silence was eerie. Every step she took sounded louder than it should. It felt like she was walking in an endless void, where even time had lost its meaning. Then¡ª A faint glow. Far in the distance, she spotted a flickering orange-yellow light. Her eyes lit up. ¡°Fire?¡± Excitement surged in her chest. "If there¡¯s fire, that means there are people¡­ or demons camping!" Without hesitation, she sprinted toward the light. The closer she got, the clearer it became. The glow was coming from inside a cave¡ªa mid-sized cave, to be exact. Maruti slowed down, tilting her head. ¡°So the only thing in this whole dark void turns out to be a cave?¡± Weird. But whatever. ¡°Better than nothing,¡± she muttered, climbing over a few rocks to reach the cave¡¯s entrance. She stepped inside¡ª And froze. What she saw was not what she expected. A bonfire crackled in the middle of the cave, its flames casting dancing shadows on the walls. But what really caught her attention was the man standing beside it. No, not a man. Something else. He was ridiculously muscular. Broad shoulders, chiseled abs, arms thick with veins, and legs that looked like they could crush a boulder. But despite his extreme physique, he wasn¡¯t overly bulky¡ªhe was lean, sturdy, and built like a warrior. His upper body was completely bare, showing off every sculpted muscle, while his lower half was covered with nothing but a pair of boxing shorts. But what stood out the most¡ª Were the two beast-like ears on his head. And a long, swaying tail. Definitely not human. His back was facing her, but even from this angle, she could tell he was posing¡ªhis muscles flexed like a bodybuilder showing off on stage. And to make things worse¡ª He was smirking. As if he could see her reaction without even turning around. Maruti¡¯s face twitched. ¡°Eww¡­ What a weirdo.¡± Before she could say anything, the man finally spoke. ¡°Hehehe¡­ You must be wondering how you got here, why you¡¯re here, and how you can leave. And most importantly¡­¡± His voice was deep and masculine, matching his ridiculous appearance. ¡°¡­who I am, right?¡± His tone was way too enthusiastic, like a ten-year-old kid showing off his new toy. Maruti narrowed her eyes. This guy¡­ was seriously giving her second-hand embarrassment. Maruti slowly raised her hand, like she was giving her opinion in a boring class. "Umm¡­ no, I have no interest in you," she said casually. The moment those words left her mouth¡ª The man''s eyes widened in pure shock. His entire body stiffened like he had been struck by lightning. Then, with dramatic speed, he spun around to look at Maruti, his jaw dropping open. For a few seconds, he just stood there, frozen. The cave was still dimly lit, and Maruti was only halfway inside, so only her face and wild hair were visible. But that was enough. "A¡­ a woman?" His voice cracked in disbelief. His face lost all life. His eyes turned hollow, like someone who had just lost everything. "All these years¡­ All these years I spent waiting here¡­ preparing for this grand introduction¡­ and it''s for a woman?" His body trembled. "A womannnnn???" Then he dropped to his knees in despair. And before Maruti could react¡ª He started rolling on the ground like a baby throwing a tantrum. "Sob¡­ sob¡­ this is cheating! Cheating! What the hell am I supposed to do with a delicate, weak woman as my disciple?!" His loud wailing echoed through the cave. But then¡ª Bam! A foot slammed directly into his face. He crashed onto the ground, his legs twitching in the air. Of course, the kick came from Maruti. "Don''t you dare call me weak!" she snapped, cracking her knuckles. "And what¡¯s with this woman nonsense?! You¡¯re seriously sexist!" The man groaned, rubbing his cheek where the kick had landed. "Ow¡­ since when did females get this strong?" But as he looked up at Maruti¡ª He froze. His eyes sparkled like a man who had just discovered treasure. With shocking speed, he jumped to his feet and started inspecting her body. Maruti had no idea what was happening. "Oooohhh!" He let out an exaggerated gasp. "Such refined abs!" Before Maruti could react, his hand lightly poked her stomach. "Look at these arms! So daring!" His fingers prodded her biceps like a jeweler inspecting gold. Then his gaze lowered¡ª "Look at those thighs!" His voice rose in excitement. "You could choke even Rank C Awakeneds to death easily with these!" His long beast tail flapped behind him like an excited puppy. Maruti blinked. Then¡ª A smug grin slowly spread across her face. She crossed her arms, puffing out her chest, and let out a small hmph. "Hah! Don''t think I''ll melt just because you''re praising me!" She rubbed her nose with a proud smirk. "But what you said is definitely true, I¡¯ll give you that!" The man nodded rapidly, his face full of admiration. "I knew it! Using that was the right decision! Only barbarian women are real women!" His expression was filled with the excitement of a hardcore barbarian fanboy. Then, with an imposing aura, he straightened his back and towered over Maruti. The fire behind him flickered, casting long shadows. His presence felt massive, like some legendary warrior from an ancient tale. "Feel honored, little barbarian girl!" he declared, his voice booming. "From this moment forward, you shall be my first and last disciple!" For some reason, his body started glowing. Light surged around him dramatically, like he was about to ascend to godhood. Maruti squinted, stepping back and covering her eyes with her palm. Then, without hesitation, she casually said¡ª "Nope. Not interested. Now take me back." Silence. The glowing aura shattered into tiny imaginary pieces, like a glass window breaking in slow motion. The man¡¯s confident pose collapsed instantly. His face twisted in shock, his eyes shaking as if Maruti had just stabbed him in the heart. "But¡­ but why?" He gasped. "Do you even know who I am?! Even kids know about me! My name! My face! My physique! I was the role model for men in my generation!" Maruti¡¯s lips twitched. Oh great. This guy was an even bigger narcissist than she was. She let out a sigh, rolling her shoulders. "Alright, alright. Fine. Great man, tell me¡ªwho are you?" The man smirked to himself, cracking his knuckles like he had been waiting for this moment. "Now that is a good line!" He took a deep breath¡ª Then spread his arms wide. "Behold!" "The Great Heavenly Demon!" "The Martial God!" "The one who went to defeat the Demon King and fought toe-to-toe with the Hero as a reliable comrade!" He pointed dramatically at the sky¡ª "The Honored One!" "Xing Liang!" Divine Rank—Fate Maruti blinked. Wait a minute. She suddenly remembered something¡ª Esdeath had mentioned this guy before. And not just that, she and her even used his name as an excuse to get away from Lilith once. She narrowed her eyes. "Fable never told me there was a Xing Liang inheritance here," she muttered to herself. Then her gaze snapped back to the half-naked man standing proudly before her. "Hold on," she said, tilting her head. "Weren''t you dead? And why are you standing here half-naked like it¡¯s completely normal?" Xing Liang scoffed, crossing his thick arms over his chest. "First of all, I am *not* naked," he declared confidently. "I have my masculine body as a cover, and that¡¯s way better than any cloth!" To prove his point, he struck a series of dramatic poses, flexing his arms, turning to show off his back, and even doing a weirdly elegant twirl. Maruti just stared at him blankly. "¡­Right," she said. "And second," he continued, "of course I¡¯m dead! Or, well, my main body is dead. But this?" He spread his arms wide. "This is just my will, left behind as a legacy!" He grinned, gesturing around the cave. "This place was created by my real body," he explained. "It¡¯s an inheritance ground. Anyone who comes here will receive my legacy! And by that, I mean they become my disciple. Cool, right?" Then, with a smug look, he added, "Oh, and by the way, in this place, you can¡¯t even use your magic or your Essence Stone. Noticed that, right?" Maruti blinked and glanced down at herself. Now that he mentioned it¡­ Her magic really wasn¡¯t responding. Her Essence Stone, which she always relied on, felt completely useless here. She clenched her fist and relaxed it again, feeling a bit impressed. "Ohh¡­ yeah. That¡¯s pretty cool," she admitted. "How did you do it? Is this some kind of dark magic? A special Essence Stone?" Xing Liang laughed proudly, puffing out his chest. "Heheh¡­ of course not! There are so many things you don¡¯t know!" He waggled his finger like a teacher scolding a student. "But don¡¯t worry¡ªI¡¯ll tell you everything!" Then he smirked. "But only after you become my disciple!" Maruti tapped her chin in thought. "Hmm¡­" For a moment, she just stood there, considering. Then, with a shrug, she nodded. "Well, there¡¯s no harm in accepting it," she said. The moment the words left her mouth¡ª "YAYYYY!" Xing Liang jumped into the air, spinning around like a child who just got their favorite toy. His tail wagged furiously, and his whole body radiated pure excitement. But just as he was about to do another celebratory pose¡ª "Wait, wait, wait¡ªBUT!" Maruti held up a hand, stopping him in his tracks. Xing Liang blinked, frozen mid-jump. Maruti crossed her arms and narrowed her eyes. "Aren¡¯t you kinda stupid?" she asked bluntly. Maruti said flatly. "You said whoever comes here will become your disciple, right? Well, what if the wrong person came here? What if some complete lunatic or an enemy showed up instead?" Xing Liang was silent for a moment. Then¡ª He let out a low chuckle, raising a hand to his face. "Heh¡­" His shoulders shook slightly. Then he slowly dragged his palm down his face, revealing a smug smile. "Stupid?" he repeated. "My IQ is 245, you know?" Maruti¡¯s lips twitched. "It¡¯s only natural that a little barbarian girl wouldn¡¯t understand my supreme intellect," Xing Liang continued, lifting his chin arrogantly. "Can¡¯t you see this place?" He gestured around them. "This isn¡¯t just some random cave. It¡¯s a small world, completely separated from the real world yet connected by a single thread acting as a passageway." He spread his arms dramatically. "This is my personal domain!" But then he frowned. "But no one is invincible, Mistakes happen. And there are definitely people out there who can force their way into places like this." Xing Liang grinned. "That¡¯s why I used this!" With a proud flourish¡ª Xing Liang reached into his shorts and pulled something out. Maruti leaned in slightly, trying to get a better look. It was bright blue with white edges, like a piece of shattered glass. The shape was strange¡ªalmost like a broken star or some kind of crystal fractal. Xing Liang held it up proudly. "See? This is a piece of a Divine Rank Essence Stone¡ªFate," he announced. Maruti blinked. "Fate?" "Yeah!" Xing Liang nodded. "A million years ago, Fate shattered into many pieces, and my real body just happened to get one of them." He puffed up his chest, looking very proud of himself. But Maruti frowned, tilting her head. "Wait, hold on," she said. "Don¡¯t Essence Stones disappear when they break? And if Fate shattered, doesn¡¯t that mean it''s gone for good?" Xing Liang immediately waved his hand. "Of course not!" he scoffed. "Fate will always exist! The Fate Essence Stone and fate itself are two different things. It¡¯s like¡ª" He paused for a second, searching for an example. "Oh! It¡¯s like a Fireball Essence Stone!" he said suddenly. "That stone doesn¡¯t become fire. It just gives you the power to control and throw fireballs, right?" Maruti slowly nodded. "Yeah¡­?" "Same thing with all Essence Stones and magic," Xing Liang continued. "Fate Essence Stone doesn¡¯t create fate, but it lets you manipulate it¡ªat least to a certain extent!" He then grinned and leaned in slightly. "And Fate isn¡¯t just some random Essence Stone, you know. Some rare Essence Stones have special qualities of their own!" Maruti raised an eyebrow. "Like what?" Xing Liang held up a finger. "For example," he said, "the Wisdom Essence Stone can move and use its own powers even without an owner. It¡¯s got intelligence!" Maruti¡¯s eyes widened a little. "Huh. That¡¯s actually kinda cool." Xing Liang smirked. "Exactly! And then there¡¯s the Pure Love Essence Stone¡ªit can heal itself." He crossed his arms, nodding. "And the Obsessed Love Essence Stone? It¡¯s so strong that even some of the toughest materials in the world can¡¯t break it!" Maruti''s expression twisted slightly. "Wait, what? Obsessed Love?" Xing Liang ignored her reaction and continued proudly. "Just like those, the Fate Essence Stone doesn¡¯t just vanish when it breaks. It only disappears if it¡¯s shattered into countless tiny pieces!" Finally, he took a deep breath, finishing his explanation. Maruti crossed her arms. "Alright," she said, thinking it over. "So what now? Are we gonna do some crazy training? Like¡­ spending thousands of years here while only a few days pass outside?" A small spark of excitement lit up in her eyes. That would be so cool. But¡ª "Of course not!" Xing Liang shot her down immediately. Maruti¡¯s shoulders slumped. "Huh? No secret training arc?" she muttered. "I¡¯m not some god," Xing Liang said, rolling his eyes. "Just go outside for now. We¡¯ll meet again later." Maruti pouted a little. "That¡¯s boring¡­" But then¡ª Xing Liang pulled out a small, golden ring and held it up. "Here!" he said, tossing it to her. "Every time you pour your mana into this ring, you¡¯ll be teleported back here!" Maruti caught it and turned it over in her palm. A golden ring, huh? Her mind wandered for a second. "Ethan also got a golden ring¡­" she muttered. "Is this some kind of golden ring supremacy thing?" Xing Liang just stared at her. Maruti quickly shook her head and dismissed the thought. "Anyway!" she said, smirking. "I¡¯ve still got tons of questions, but I¡¯ll let them slide for now. I¡¯m running late as it is!" Xing Liang clapped his hands together. S~ea??h the Nov§×l?ire.n(e)t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "Alright then! Stay still¡ªI¡¯m teleporting you out of here!" ------------------ Outside the academy, Esdeath and Ethan moved together. They had fought against Caramel outside the academy grounds, and now that Caramel was dead, they had also taken care of the remaining minions. But the aftermath of Caramel¡¯s death was far worse than they expected. Many teachers and students lost their minds¡ªsome took their own lives, while others went berserk, attacking anything in sight. Only a handful of people managed to survive. Ethan had quickly instructed them to hide in the hidden basement of the academy¡¯s garden for safety. Now, as Esdeath and Ethan made their way back to the academy, their breaths were heavy¡ªnot just from exhaustion after fighting so many teachers, students, and monsters, but also from what had just happened moments ago. Lilith had unleashed her overwhelming aura. It had been suffocating, forcing them to their knees, unable to move. But now, that pressure had disappeared, allowing them to move freely again. As they walked, their feet splashed into puddles, sending ripples through the red liquid covering the ground. It was raining¡ªbut this wasn¡¯t normal rain. The water was red, thick like blood, soaking their clothes. Esdeath was completely drenched. She was still wearing the same dress she had worn to her date with Lortell, but now, with blood-soaked fabric clinging to her skin, she looked even more terrifying¡ªlike a ghostly figure emerging from a battlefield. As she ran alongside Ethan, her thoughts drifted to her recent encounter with the Penetrator. "So, he wasn¡¯t just talking nonsense¡­ He was actually telling the truth," she thought. "I need to talk to Predictor about him in detail." She lifted a hand and wiped some of the red rain from her forehead with her fingers. Then, without hesitation, she brought them to her lips. The metallic taste spread across her tongue. "Hmm¡­ real blood tastes much better," Maruti’s Death? Inside the academy¡¯s basement, there were many sections¡ªan underground library, storage rooms, and even old prison cells. The prison area had been built long ago, back when crime rates were much higher than they were today. Now, most of it was abandoned, but some areas were still used for secret activities. Between the prison, storage rooms, and library, right in the center, Elara¡¯s clone floated in mid-air. His eyes were closed as he focused deeply on refining his essence stone. A sphere of pure purple energy slowly formed around him, pulsing with power. Finally, after what felt like forever, he opened his eyes. "Finally¡­ it¡¯s time for the middle stage," he muttered, feeling a sense of accomplishment. But the moment he opened his eyes¡ª "Yo!" Esdeath¡¯s face was right in front of his, her expression completely blank as she held up a victory sign with her fingers. Elara¡¯s clone was stunned. His focus almost shattered, nearly ruining his entire refinement process. "How did you get here?" he asked, his voice filled with anger. "I¡¯m not alone," Esdeath replied casually, pointing to Ethan, who stood a few steps behind her. Ethan¡¯s face twisted in rage. "To think you¡¯d do something so shameless¡­ Tell me, where is Violet?" His voice was cold and sharp, filled with barely contained fury. Elara¡¯s clone was still in the middle of refining his essence stone. He couldn¡¯t move, let alone attack. If he did, all his efforts would go to waste. Under normal circumstances, he would have killed these two without hesitation. But he had Violet. And as long as she was in his hands, Ethan wouldn¡¯t dare do anything reckless. The only real threat here was Esdeath. Esdeath folded her arms and smirked. "I know where she is. Go to the prison section and find her. My job is done here. Freeing her is up to you." Ethan didn¡¯t waste a second. Without hesitation, he turned and ran toward the prison section, his heart pounding with urgency. Meanwhile, Elara¡¯s clone kept his focus on his refinement, but his eyes stayed locked on Esdeath. "Now, why did you come here?" he asked, smirking. "You¡¯re not the hero type, are you?" Esdeath gave a sweet, polite smile, but her words were like poison. "Of course not. I¡¯m here to rob the hell out of you." Elara''s clone was silent for a moment before he chuckled. "You¡¯re talking big about robbing me when you don¡¯t even know if you¡¯ll make it out of here alive," he said with a smirk. Esdeath tilted her head slightly, looking amused. "Oh, but I do know. You¡¯ve already contacted your main body, and it¡¯ll be here any minute now," she said casually. Elara''s clone¡¯s confident expression stiffened. Esdeath started pacing in a small circle, scratching her head dramatically. "Oh no, oh no! I know that you can¡¯t store your most valuable resources inside your storage essence stone right now. It would drain too much of your mental energy, and you wouldn¡¯t want that while you¡¯re refining your essence stone, right?" she said, feigning panic. She was absolutely right. Storage-type essence stones could store almost anything, but the more powerful the object, the more mental energy it consumed also costs more mana when storing or taking out things. Right now, Elara¡¯s clone was already using a huge amount of his concentration to refine his essence stone. If he tried to store something too big, it would weaken his focus and possibly ruin everything. "But the basement is so big! By the time I find your stuff, your main body will be here. Then I¡¯ll be in trouble!" she said, pretending to be frustrated. Elara¡¯s clone smirked. He enjoyed seeing her looking so helpless. But then¡ª Esdeath suddenly stopped moving. Her expression changed, and a slow, wicked smirk spread across her lips. "Let me make a guess, What if The most valuable stuff would be in storage room number 14?" she said, her voice filled with certainty. "Huh?...but There are so many storage cabinets there, but what if the one I¡¯m looking for¡­ is the blue cupboard with a small eagle statue on top?" Elara¡¯s clone froze. His face paled instantly. Esdeath grinned. "Oh, what if you have places a strong barrier around it, That also acts as a password type lock?," she said, pacing back and forth. She tapped her chin again, pretending to think hard. "What could the password be¡­?" she mused out loud, then clapped her hands together. "Oh! Let me guess¡ªit¡¯s your daughter¡¯s birthday, isn¡¯t it? 1407?" Elara¡¯s clone¡¯s face drained of all color. His body stiffened as if he had been struck by lightning. "H-how¡­ how do you know that?" he stammered. Esdeath was absolutely right. Elara had stored his most valuable resources in that exact place. He had even placed a space-type barrier on it, which acted as both a lock and a transporter. This way, he could access his resources anytime without needing to store them in his storage essence stone, avoiding unnecessary mental strain. But for Esdeath to know not only where it was but also the exact password¡­ that was something he never expected. For a moment, Elara''s clone was completely stunned. But then, suddenly¡ª He started laughing. "Hah! Do you really think you can outsmart me?" he sneered. "I¡¯m the owner of that storage. I don¡¯t need to open it manually like some common thief. I can summon everything inside it with just a single thought!" "The pasword thing i only used so that if anyone else found it by chance, they shouldn''t open it and they''ll end up reporting me, The principal hahaha.." His eyes gleamed with confidence as he prepared to retrieve all of his treasures. But the moment he tried¡ª His expression changed. His confident smirk faded, replaced by confusion. His body stiffened slightly, and his fingers twitched as if trying to grasp something that wasn¡¯t there. Esdeath, who had been watching him closely, grinned. "What¡¯s wrong?" she teased, tilting her head. "You can¡¯t get them?" Her smirk deepened as she folded her arms across her chest. "You think this is some kind of movie where I¡¯ll reveal all my plans and then give you the chance to stop me?" Her voice was full of amusement. "Of course, I already took it all. I didn¡¯t even leave a speck of dust behind." ----------------- Outside the academy, Lilith stood victorious. The battlefield was covered in blood and dragon corpses. The once-mighty red dragons had all fallen. Only Vaelthara, the Dragon Queen, was still alive, but she was in no condition to fight anymore. Lilith, now back in her child form, was barely standing. Her body was covered in wounds, and exhaustion weighed down on her like a heavy chain. The only thing keeping her on her feet was her sword, which she used for support. She closed her eyes for a brief moment, memories flashing through her mind¡ª A promise. A promise she made to the hero before his death. "I will protect the peace of the kingdom," she had told him back then. But now, looking at the destruction around her, she sighed. "I couldn''t protect it this time¡­ but I hope that from now on, everything will finally be at peace." A tired smile formed on her lips. She exhaled a long, weary breath. "I can finally rest in peace." But then¡ª A voice whispered in her ear. "That''s right, Ms. Lilith¡­ rest in peace." Her body relaxed at the words, as if accepting them. But something was wrong. That voice¡ª Her eyes widened. It was Elara. And he was standing right behind her, his sword already swinging toward her back. "You!¡ª" Lilith tried to move, but she was too slow. The sword sliced through the air¡ª Swishhh¡ª Blood splattered. Lilith¡¯s eyes went wide, not in pain but in shock. Not because Elara had turned out to be a traitor. But because she wasn¡¯t the one who got stabbed. Someone else had stepped in front of her. It was a women but totally opposite of how she looked. Tall, muscular, mature looking with dark skin and short hair. Maruti. The sword had pierced her left side, just above her abdomen. She coughed violently, blood spilling from her lips. "That motherfucker teleported me here?¡­ to die?" She gritted her teeth, her voice filled with anger and disbelief. "Fuck you, Naked man!" Her knees buckled, and she fell to the ground, clutching her wound. Not far away, Kaelith had seen everything. She had been rushing toward the battlefield to help her mother, but now¡ª Her feet froze. Her heart stopped. Her eyes widened, and tears spilled down her cheeks uncontrollably. "Maruti¡­" Her lips trembled, barely able to form words. Lilith, still struggling to stand, smiled bitterly. "You should have let me die¡­ I can¡¯t fight him in this condition." Maruti let out a weak, pained laugh, her voice slurred. "Fuck¡­ who wanted to save you¡­?" But her words were gibberish, no one understood what she said. Elara smirked, his expression filled with twisted amusement. "She¡¯s right," he said, his voice mocking. "Your actions don¡¯t change anything." But then, suddenly¡ª His expression shifted. His brows furrowed, and his eyes narrowed. "My clone is in danger?" A silent signal from his other self had reached him. "I need to hurry." He turned away from Lilith and Maruti. Instead of finishing them off, he set his sights on the strongest opponent here (At least right now)¡ª sea??h th§× ¦ÇovelFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Kaelith. Raising his hand, he pointed it at her. "Time Cutting Edge." Are You A Tsundere? Elara was about to cut Kaelith in two. His sword gleamed under the dim light, slicing through the air¡ª But before it could reach her, thick green vines burst from the ground, wrapping around his body like living chains. "What the¡ª?" He struggled, trying to move, but the plants tightened around him, growing thicker and stronger with each passing second. Elara gritted his teeth and forced himself free, tearing through the vines with sheer strength. But more kept growing, even faster this time, twisting around him like a wild beast refusing to let go. Realizing he was at a disadvantage, he clicked his tongue and retreated. And then¡ª A cheerful voice echoed through the battlefield. "No need to worry, Third Division is here!" It was a man¡¯s voice, full of confidence. Lilith, barely conscious, lifted her head. Through her blurry vision, she saw them¡ª The Third Division. Lortell¡¯s group. The one who had spoken was Verdes, a tall, broad-shouldered man with messy green hair and matching sharp eyes. His muscular build and delinquent-like face made him look intimidating, but the easygoing grin on his lips showed he was far from serious. Even in her weakened state, a faint smile appeared on Lilith¡¯s face before she finally lost consciousness, her body collapsing onto the ground. Verdes landed smoothly, followed by four more members of the Third Division. But among them, one stood out the most¡ª A woman dressed in a nun¡¯s robe, her body almost ghost-like, floating in the air. A blindfold covered her eyes, giving her an eerie presence. Meldia, the Dark Nun. She pressed her fingers together in a prayer, her soft voice carrying an unearthly chill. "Dark spirits¡­ heed my call." The ground beneath them cracked. From the shadows, eerie figures began to rise, their twisted forms resembling undead warriors. Each one radiated power, at least at a B-rank strength. But Meldia wasn¡¯t done. She slowly raised one hand, dark energy swirling around her palm. The energy grew denser, twisting and compressing into a massive, black sphere that pulsed like a hungry void. S~ea??h the N?velFire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "Dark Vortex." With a flick of her wrist, she hurled the sphere straight at Elara. The dark mass roared through the air, expanding as it neared him, like a miniature black hole that could swallow everything in its path. But Elara was no ordinary opponent. His eyes sharpened. "Time Cutting Edge." He swung his sword. A rift in time and space rippled outward like a blade of pure distortion¡ª Swoosh! The Dark Vortex was sliced cleanly in half. The two halves of the sphere twisted and collapsed in on themselves before vanishing. But the attack didn¡¯t stop there. The same space-cutting wave surged forward, heading straight for Meldia. Her blindfolded eyes widened in shock. She barely had time to react¡ª Boom! A dark barrier formed in front of her at the last second. But the force of the attack was too great. The barrier shattered, and a sharp wave of energy grazed her cheek. A thin line of blood appeared. Silence followed. Meldia lifted a hand and touched the cut on her face. Then, she let out a small chuckle. "A S-rank¡­ is an S-rank after all." ------------- Elara was locked in a fierce battle against Verdes, Meldia, and two other male members of the Third Division. Their attacks clashed against his power, shaking the ground beneath them. Meanwhile, one woman stood back, not joining the fight. Her name was Mary¡ªa support-type mage. She wasn¡¯t skilled in direct combat, so she focused on watching over her allies. But Kaelith? She didn¡¯t care about the battle at all. Her mind was only on one person. "Maruti!" Tears still ran down her face as she rushed forward, catching Maruti just before she could collapse to the ground. Maruti¡¯s lips curled into a weak smirk. "Lizard¡­ cough¡­ cough¡­" Blood dripped from her mouth. Kaelith¡¯s breath hitched. "I guess this is the end," Maruti mumbled, her voice barely above a whisper. "I still have regrets¡­ I wanted to try all those dishes at the restaurant¡ª" Her body stopped moving. Her eyes stopped blinking. She was dead. "MARUTI!!" Kaelith¡¯s scream echoed through the battlefield. Her hands trembled as she held Maruti¡¯s lifeless body. But then¡ª A small blink. "Huh?" Maruti¡¯s voice suddenly came out. "Why am I not dead?" Kaelith¡¯s tear-filled eyes widened in shock. She blinked rapidly, unable to process what just happened. "Hyaa!.."Maruti sat up and touched her stomach, feeling around her wound. "Ohhh¡­ the sword didn¡¯t pierce my vital organs!" she realized. "I avoided a fatal wound! I¡¯m alive!" She turned to Kaelith, expecting her to be relieved. But¡ª Kaelith was completely frozen, staring at her with wide eyes. Maruti scratched her cheek awkwardly. "Umm¡­ miracle¡­ miracle¡­ miracle.. I got resurrected?" She cheered. But before she could say another word¡ª Kaelith lunged forward, grabbed Maruti¡¯s face, and locked their lips together in a deep, passionate kiss. Maruti¡¯s eyes went round as Kaelith¡¯s warmth pressed against her. Kaelith didn¡¯t hold back, pouring all her emotions into the kiss. And when she finally pulled away, a thin string of saliva connected their lips. "Don¡¯t ever do something like that again!" Kaelith¡¯s voice trembled¡ªnot with anger, but with fear and relief. It was so unlike her usual confident, dominating tone. For a moment, they just stared at each other, frozen in place, lost in the intensity of the moment. Kaelith¡¯s silver eyes were filled with something undeniable¡ªlove. But then¡ª BAM! Maruti kicked Kaelith straight in the face. "What¡¯s with that dramatic line, huh, lizard?" she huffed. Kaelith, recovering from the hit, rubbed her face and scowled. "What? I was just worried about you!" Maruti¡¯s expression shifted. She suddenly looked away, her usual confident smile nowhere to be seen. Her face lowered slightly, her voice quieter. "Don¡¯t be concerned about me," she muttered. "We¡¯re not in any kind of relationship." Kaelith frowned, sensing something different in her tone. Maruti hugged her legs looking away at ground below "People get attached too easily," she continued, voice filled with something heavy. "And when they do¡­ it only hurts more later." A painful silence hung between them. Kaelith¡¯s lips pressed into a thin line. Then¡ª "Are you a tsundere?" she asked with a blank face. Maruti¡¯s head snapped toward her. "You bastard¡ª!!" WHAM! She kicked Kaelith again. And just like that, the serious moment dissolved into a chaotic cat fight between the two. They rolled on the ground, throwing weak punches and kicks at each other like bickering children. Then¡ª A gentle green light washed over Maruti¡¯s body. Her wounds faded. Her pain vanished. "Alright, enough, lovebirds," Verdes¡¯ voice interrupted. Both girls stopped mid-fight, turning toward Verdes. He stood there with his arms crossed, but his eyes weren¡¯t on them. He was watching Elara carefully. "I healed you," he said casually. "Now take Ms. Lilith and get out of here." Kaelith frowned. "How come you all are here? Isn¡¯t communication blocked in this area?" Verdes blinked. "Huh? We got a letter from the captain." "A letter?" Kaelith¡¯s expression darkened. "Yeah," Verdes continued. "She said there was a secret mission and told us to come at this exact time. We were a few minutes late, though. Who cares, haha¡ª" He scratched the back of his head and laughed. But then¡ª He suddenly looked around, his confusion growing. "Wait¡­ where is the captain, anyway?" he asked. His carefree tone dropped slightly. "And this is the secret mission? I don¡¯t fully understand, but¡­ I think the principal is the villain here?" His words made the rest of the Third Division glance at each other uneasily. They had come here because their captain had summoned them. But now¡ª She wasn¡¯t even here. Something was wrong. And none of them had any idea what was really going on. Because the one who sent that letter¡­ Wasn¡¯t their captain. It was Esdeath. Yes. She had planned for this from the very beginning. She needed the Third Division to arrive at the perfect time. To keep Elara busy. So she could deal with her clone. But how? How did Esdeath make the Third Division follow her orders? It all started a long time ago. Back in the first arc¡ªbefore Esdeath turned back time¡ªLortell had given her many things. One of those things was Loyalty Essence, which she had used on her ZK-20 weapon. But that wasn¡¯t all. Lortell had also given her a Rank B Golden Flying Letter Essence Stone. But more importantly¡ª The letter had an official Third Division Commander¡¯s stamp. At the time, Esdeath thought Lortell had given it to her so they could communicate easily. She hadn¡¯t expected the academy to force students to live in dorms. Or that Lortell would end up in the next room to her. So, in the end, the letter had become useless. At that time, Esdeath had stared at it and grumbled¡ª "But honestly, is she an idiot?" She had held the letter up, annoyed. "If I sent this to someone with a message written on it, they''d think it came from Lortell herself. Why give me something so valuable if it can be used to stir up trouble?" Shaking her head, she had tossed it behind her like trash. She hadn¡¯t cared where it landed. But now? This time, she used it to its fullest. She wrote a letter to Verdes, Meldia, and the other three strongest members of the Third Division. Telling them to come. But not at the start. Because Esdeath wasn¡¯t some hero. She only wanted them to arrive at the perfect time¡ª When it would benefit her the most. And in the end¡ª Everything went according to her plan. (If you forgot, Just read chapter 147''s last parts, You''ll understand) Kailith’s Revenge…Or Something Like That Verdes ordered Kaelith and Maruti to take Lilith and leave. Maruti didn¡¯t want to stay either. Why would she even try to fight an S-rank? She quickly stood up, ready to leave. "Maruti, take Mother and go. I¡¯ll catch up in a while," Kaelith said. "Huh? Where are you going?" Maruti asked, frowning. "Nothing much. Just some payback. I¡¯ll be back soon," Kaelith replied. Maruti didn¡¯t question her any further. She simply lifted Lilith¡¯s unconscious body onto her back and rushed away. Kaelith let out a breath of relief as she watched Maruti head toward the academy. But then¡ª Her expression changed. Her face twisted in irritation and frustration. Her teeth clenched. Her fingers curled into a tight fist. Her whole body trembled with anger. "How dare someone touch her¡­ other than me?" she muttered under her breath. "You¡¯ll pay for this!" --- Meanwhile, Elara was locked in a fierce battle. He was up against four A-rank experts¡ªVerdes, Meldia, and two others from the Third Division. Yet, even against all four of them¡ª He was still winning. He had hundreds of years of experience and knowledge, after all. "You should just give up," Elara said as he swiftly moved backward. "You can¡¯t defeat an S-rank like me!" "I don¡¯t care if you¡¯re an S-rank or whatever!" Verdes shouted as he launched himself into the air. Then¡ª "Mary!" he called out. At once, Mary¡ªone of the Third Division members who hadn¡¯t fought until now¡ªnodded. She was a support-type fighter, not meant for direct combat. But this¡ª This was her moment to shine. "Holy Magic¡ªThousand Boost!" A pillar of golden light surged from her body. The light shot up into the sky before crashing down on Verdes. In an instant¡ª His whole body overflowed with strength. His muscles burned with power. His energy soared to its peak. A fiery determination filled his eyes. "Combined Killer Move¡ªWorld of Plants!" SWOOSH! Suddenly¡ª The battlefield transformed. Greenery spread everywhere. Flowers bloomed. The fresh scent of nature filled the air. The ground¡ªonce covered in blood, corpses, and the rotting stench of death¡ªbecame a breathtaking garden of colorful plants and beautiful blossoms. It no longer looked like a battlefield. It looked like a dream. Like a world untouched by violence. But just as Verdes prepared to attack¡ª A sly smile curled on Elara¡¯s lips. "Gotcha." He raised his fingers toward Verdes. "Time Prison!" And in the next moment¡ª Everything froze. --------- Before Esdeath turned back time, Elara had used this exact killer move against Lortell. But Lortell was far stronger. Even when he used his full power, he had to imprison himself along with her just to hold her back for a few moments. But right now? He was up against Rank A fighters. Strong, yes. But not even close to Lortell¡¯s level. Everything froze¡ªbut only for Verdes. Everyone else could still move. Because of this, Verdes¡¯ combined killer move broke halfway. The beautiful battlefield of plants and flowers disappeared in an instant. Mary suddenly collapsed to her knees, coughing up a mouthful of blood, but she quickly placed a glowing hand over her chest, forcing herself to recover. Even so, Verdes was still frozen in place. "It''s time for you¡ª" Elara started. But before he could finish¡ª A heavy punch crashed straight into his face, sending him flying across the battlefield. His body bounced off the ground multiple times, breaking stone and shattering debris as he tumbled away. But before he could even regain his balance¡ª A powerful kick slammed into his abdomen, launching him into the air. As he soared through the sky, he caught a glimpse of the one who attacked him. Long, flowing silver hair. Shining silver horns. Pale, flawless skin. A face filled with power and beauty. "Lilith¡­?" he gasped, his vision still blurry. But as he focused, he realized it wasn¡¯t Lilith. It was Kaelith. For a brief moment, her powerful aura and glowing silver energy had made him mistake her for Lilith in her prime. Elara¡¯s heart sank. His pupils shrank as he quickly pointed a trembling finger at her. "Time Pri¡ª" Nothing happened. She didn¡¯t freeze. She didn¡¯t even slow down. His breath hitched in his throat. Even though Kaelith wasn¡¯t as strong as Lortell, her body¡¯s resistance to restrictions was at Lortell¡¯s level. If he wanted to imprison her in time, he would have to physically touch her and imprison himself as well. Not an option. Kaelith smirked. "It¡¯s good that you dared to attack her now¡­" Her silver eyes gleamed dangerously. Then¡ª She vanished. No¡ªshe moved so fast it looked like teleportation. Before Elara could react¡ª Hundreds of punches rained down on his body in mere seconds. The sheer force of the blows sent shockwaves rippling through the air, shaking the battlefield. "If you had come a year later, I would have killed three generations of your family for this!" Kaelith roared, delivering another devastating punch to his gut. Elara coughed up blood, his body barely able to withstand the relentless assault. Meanwhile, Meldia and the others could only watch from the ground as Kaelith completely destroyed him. "This aura¡­ Is she already Rank A?" Mary gasped, her voice trembling with shock. "Not just that," Meldia murmured, her eyes narrowing. "She¡¯s far beyond an average Rank A." "At this rate, she¡¯s not far from reaching our level." She sighed. "I guess silver dragons really are built different¡­" At that moment, Verdes finally broke free from Time Prison. His body jolted awake, and he sucked in a sharp breath¡ª Then¡ª A mouthful of blood sprayed from his lips as he stumbled forward. "Shit¡­ I messed up," he groaned, clutching his ribs. ---------- With one final, powerful kick, Kaelith sent Elara crashing straight into the ground. She, on the other hand, landed gracefully, her silver hair flowing in the wind. A massive crater formed where Elara had slammed into the earth. Dust and debris filled the air, making it impossible to see what had happened to him. For a brief moment, everything was silent. Then¡ª A terrifying surge of energy erupted from the crater. A Rank S aura. It was overwhelming. Suffocating. Even the Rank A fighters nearby felt an immense pressure weighing down on them, though they managed to stay standing. But for the weaker students and the nearby monsters, it was a different story. Some collapsed instantly. Others, who were too close, perished within moments. Only one place remained untouched by this overwhelming power¡ªthe academy. Why? Because Elara didn¡¯t want his clone to be disturbed while refining the essence stone. Right now, the academy was the only place where his aura remained weak. "Now you''ve made me go all out!" Elara¡¯s deep, furious voice echoed across the battlefield as he stepped out of the crater. But then¡ª He saw Kaelith. Unlike the others, who were preparing to fight, she wasn¡¯t even looking at him. She was running. "My revenge is done! You guys take care of him!" she shouted, dashing in the direction Maruti had gone. "I just reached Rank A! I was pushing myself too hard to exert more power, I should get out of here before I end up dead!" She thought. And with that, she disappeared into the distance. --- Deep in the academy¡¯s basement, Ethan sprinted through the dark prison corridor, his heart pounding. He ran past rows of iron bars, his eyes scanning each cell, searching desperately. Then¡ª S§×arch* The n?vel_Fire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. He found her. Violet. She was sitting in the corner of her cell, her head lowered, completely still. "Violet!" Ethan called out, his voice filled with urgency. At the sound of his voice, her eyes widened in shock. She quickly looked up, disbelief and hope flashing across her face. "Ethan?!" she gasped, scrambling to her feet and running to the bars. "How did you get here?!" "There¡¯s no time to explain!" Ethan said, unsheathing his sword. With a swift motion, he swung at the metal bars. CLANG! The impact sent a powerful shockwave through the air¡ª But then¡ª A shimmering barrier appeared, absorbing the attack completely. Violet let out a heavy sigh. "If breaking out was that easy, I would¡¯ve already escaped," she muttered, frustration in her voice. Ethan frowned. "Let me try something else." He placed his palm against the invisible barrier, his expression focused. "It¡¯s a password-type lock," he muttered. "We need to shape mana into the correct numbers to open it." Violet¡¯s heart sank. "A password?" she repeated. "How are we supposed to know what the right password is¡­?" Her hope faded as she lowered her head again, despair creeping back into her eyes. "If we don¡¯t know the password, then I¡¯ll just have to get it from him!" Ethan muttered to himself, determination flashing in his eyes. He turned around and sprinted back the way he had come. "No! Don¡¯t go!" Violet shouted, panic rising in her voice. "You can¡¯t defeat him!" But Ethan didn¡¯t stop. He acted like he hadn¡¯t heard her and rushed straight toward where Elara¡¯s clone was. --- A little distance away, Esdeath sat cross-legged in front of Elara¡¯s clone, completely relaxed¡ªlike she was waiting for food to be served. Her calm expression was in sharp contrast to the serious atmosphere. "So, what do you think?" she asked, tilting her head slightly. "If you tell me where I can find more Time Path Essence Stones or any other resources, I might just help you out." Elara¡¯s clone immediately scoffed. "Greedy girl," he said, his voice filled with annoyance. "You already took too much, and you¡¯re still not satisfied?" Esdeath only smiled. "I¡¯m human, you know," she replied playfully. "Human wants are unlimited." Elara¡¯s clone narrowed his eyes. "Whatever the case, once I succeed, I will fix everything. No one will have to suffer anymore." He sneered. "Unlike you, who reeks of selfishness." But before Esdeath could reply¡ª WHOOSH! A powerful gust of wind rushed through the room as Ethan appeared at high speed. He didn¡¯t hesitate. Without warning¡ª He swung his sword directly at the swirling purple vortex in front of Elara¡¯s clone. CRACK! A sharp cracking sound echoed as the vortex split open. Elara¡¯s clone¡¯s eyes widened in shock. "No!" But it was too late. The entire chamber was filled with a blinding purple light. The refinement process¡ª Was completely destroyed. Be Mine! The entire chamber was filled with a blinding purple light. The air crackled with unstable energy, and a low humming noise filled the space. The refinement process was completely destroyed, all because of Ethan¡¯s reckless attack. "You fucking idiot!" Esdeath yelled, her voice filled with frustration. The purple light slowly faded, and everything became clear again. Elara¡¯s clone was on his knees, coughing up a mouthful of blood. His once-powerful aura flickered and weakened¡ªhis body trembling from the backlash. S§×arch* The N?velFire(.)net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. For a moment, it seemed like he was going to collapse completely. But then, the coughing stopped. And he was still alive. Ethan¡¯s attack had interrupted the refinement process, causing a heavy backlash. But unlike in Free Life Fantasy, where Elara¡¯s clone had died instantly and his real body had suffered a serious setback, this time, things were different. There were two reasons for this. First, Elara was only at the beginning of the middle phase of his refinement, unlike in Free Life Fantasy, where he was at the very end. The closer he was to completion, the stronger the backlash would have been. That was why, back then, his real body had suffered a huge drop in power, falling to mere Rank B strength. But now? His real body was completely unaffected. Esdeath narrowed her eyes as she watched Elara¡¯s clone slowly stand up. A smirk played on his lips. "Even so¡­ his strength should have fallen to Rank B level," she muttered, piecing things together. "So does that mean¡­" Before she could finish, Elara¡¯s clone spoke, answering her unspoken thoughts. "When you were busy chatting with me, I already realized the refinement process couldn¡¯t continue," he admitted casually. "So, I slowly started reverse refining¡ªstopping the process bit by bit. That way, I wouldn¡¯t suffer a complete backlash." His smirk widened as he chuckled. "As long as I survive, I can always refine it again in the future." Esdeath¡¯s expression darkened. He had planned ahead. But then, his gaze shifted toward Ethan, who was gripping his sword tightly, standing in a ready stance¡ªprepared to fight at any moment. "But he," Elara¡¯s clone pointed at Ethan, his voice filled with amusement, "he destroyed it in the middle of the process, making the backlash unavoidable." His fingers twitched slightly as he clenched his fist. "But even with that," he continued, laughing heartily, "I still have Rank A Awakened level strength! Is there anyone here who can rival me? Hahaha!" Of course, there wasn¡¯t. Esdeath gritted her teeth. She was only at Rank B high-tier. And Ethan? He could barely fight against Rank B opponents. Even if there were four more of them, they still wouldn¡¯t be able to match Elara¡¯s clone¡¯s overwhelming power. Esdeath suddenly started laughing. Her laughter echoed through the chamber, sending chills down the spine. It was eerie¡ªscarier than any monster or demon lurking in the dark. She wiped away invisible tears as if she had just heard the funniest joke in the world. "Do you really think I wasn¡¯t prepared for this?" she asked, her voice sharp and confident. She stopped laughing and locked eyes with Elara¡¯s clone. "I planted bomb traps, fire scrolls, and even magic circles all over this place. With just a single thought¡­ everything will explode like a raging volcano," she declared. Elara¡¯s clone frowned, his expression shifting from amusement to disbelief. "Huh? Are you stupid? You¡¯ll die too!" he said, narrowing his eyes. But Esdeath simply covered her mouth with her hand, letting out a soft chuckle. "Fufufu¡­ Unlike a certain someone, we both have a way to survive this," she smirked. She wasn¡¯t bluffing. Esdeath had her unique ability, "Echo of Restoration," which could restore her body completely after suffering fatal injuries. And Ethan? He had his "Righteous" skill¡ªan ability that could reverse his condition once, nullifying all pain for an hour and fully restoring his stamina. They had a full chance of survival. But Elara¡¯s clone? Even if he managed to survive the explosion, his strength would plummet to the lowest level. It was checkmate. Esdeath had prepared everything in advance. ---------- Elara¡¯s clone stared at Esdeath. Years of experience told him one thing¡ª She was telling the truth. "I need to run!" he thought, panic rising in his chest. Without wasting a second, he turned and bolted toward the exit. But then¡ª Esdeath flicked her fingers. "Too late," she whispered. And then¡ª She activated everything at once. Elara¡¯s clone froze in place, bracing himself for an earth-shattering explosion. But then¡­ Whoosh. A gust of wind blew past him. That was it. Nothing happened. "What?" Elara¡¯s clone blinked, utterly confused. Slowly, he turned around to look where Esdeath and Ethan were standing just moments ago¡ª And they were gone. Yes. They had run away. Esdeath had tricked him again. Elara¡¯s clone clenched his fists, his face twitching in anger. "Are you kidding me?!" he shouted, his furious voice shaking the walls. -------- Outside the academy, Maruti was sprinting toward the entrance, panting heavily. "I¡¯m late, I¡¯m late! I couldn¡¯t even find that gloomy girl!" she muttered, frustration clear in her voice. But then¡ª BOOM! A loud explosion erupted from inside the academy. The ground trembled. Smoke and debris shot into the sky. Maruti stopped in her tracks, her eyes widening. "What the hell was that?" she gasped. Before she could even process what had happened, two figures suddenly burst out from the thick smoke¡ª Esdeath and Ethan. More like¡­ They were falling from the sky. They twisted their bodies mid-air and managed to land on the ground without much trouble. Esdeath¡¯s eyes immediately locked onto Maruti, who was just a short distance away. "Run¡­ run¡­" Esdeath said between breaths, her expression serious. Maruti had no idea what was going on, but she didn¡¯t need to be told twice. She immediately spun around and started running, glancing back over her shoulder. Then she saw it. Another figure emerging from the smoke. Elara¡¯s clone. His entire body radiated an overwhelming pressure. His violet eyes burned with rage. "You¡¯re not getting away, you brats!" he roared. Even his voice alone created a shockwave, shaking the ground. Esdeath looked at Ethan. "Hey, you! Why are you running? Go fight him! You¡¯re the protagonist!" she yelled. Ethan¡¯s eyes widened in disbelief. "What?! How the hell am I supposed to fight a Rank A?!" he shouted, trying to make himself heard over the chaos. Esdeath grinned. "I know you can do it! Just go and die by his hands!" she encouraged him. Ethan almost tripped. "Huh?! Are you seriously telling me to die?!" he asked, his expression blank. "I have zero trust in you!" The situation was already chaotic, but his completely dumbfounded expression somehow made it even funnier. Esdeath waved him off. "Come on, you can do it!" she pushed. Ethan didn¡¯t even get the chance to argue. Elara¡¯s clone was getting closer¡ªfast. His speed was insane. Only Maruti could match him in pure agility. Ethan¡¯s mind was screaming. This was not how things were supposed to go. --------------- Esdeath gritted her teeth and abruptly stopped running. "Fuck this! Running won¡¯t solve anything!" she cursed, her voice filled with frustration. There was no point in escaping. Elara¡¯s clone was too fast¡ªsooner or later, he would catch up to them. Ethan skidded to a stop as well, gripping the hilt of his sword tightly. "Alright, let¡¯s do this!" he said, determination flashing in his eyes. Without hesitation, he unsheathed his blade and got into his stance, ready to fight. Only Maruti kept running for a while before she finally slowed down, glancing back with a hesitant expression. "Let¡¯s see how things play out first," she muttered, choosing to keep her distance. Elara¡¯s clone smirked as he slowly drew his sword, the blade gleaming under the moonlight. "Walking straight into your death," he said, his voice cold and mocking. But then¡ª Swish! A blur of purple lightning suddenly flashed across the battlefield. Before Elara¡¯s clone could even react, a devastating kick struck the side of his face. The impact sent a sharp shockwave through the air. He barely had time to recover when¡ª BAM! Another kick landed. Then another. Suddenly, a surge of purple lightning crackled around him, illuminating the area in a dazzling glow. A fist came rushing toward his face, aiming for a direct hit. But this time, he was ready. BAM! BAM! BAM! A fierce exchange began. Dozens of punches and kicks rained down on Elara¡¯s clone, each one fast and powerful. But he was no ordinary opponent. He swiftly blocked each attack, his movements precise and calculated. Sparks flew as his sword parried the relentless assault. Then, in a single leap, the attacker retreated, landing gracefully on the ground a few meters away. Elara¡¯s clone wiped the side of his mouth, his expression unreadable. "To think there would be another strong student," he muttered, his gaze locked onto the figure in front of him. The person stood tall, completely unfazed by the intense battle. It was a girl. An academy student. Her presence alone was striking. She had a mature and alluring face that made her seem older than her actual age. Her body was both athletic and curvaceous, her movements smooth yet deadly. Her long, flowing purple hair shimmered under the night sky, while her glowing purple eyes carried an air of mystery and danger. She radiated confidence. She radiated power. She was the Alive Arlecchino. ¡°Are you with us? Nice! We got another subordinate!¡± Ethan¡¯s morale surged, feeling relieved that at least someone strong had joined their side. But his excitement was short-lived. Alice turned toward him, her expression sharp. ¡°Subordinate? I¡¯m not anyone¡¯s enemy or subordinate,¡± she said firmly, lightning crackling around her body. ¡°I only want someone strong!¡± Before Ethan could react, she vanished from her spot and reappeared right in front of him. Bang! A powerful kick was aimed straight at him, but Ethan instinctively raised his sword just in time to block it. The impact sent vibrations up his arms, and he gritted his teeth. ¡°She¡¯s strong¡­ way too strong for an ordinary student!¡± he thought, barely holding his ground. But before he could counterattack, she disappeared again, only to reappear in front of Esdeath. A punch came flying toward Esdeath¡¯s face. Boom! Esdeath lifted her elbow at the last second, blocking the attack with precision. The sheer force behind the punch sent a shockwave around them, stirring up dust and debris. ¡°Tch¡­ that idiot didn¡¯t kill her?¡± Esdeath muttered, thinking about Maruti. Alice took a step back, lowering her hands as she stared at the ground for a moment. Then¡ª Fufu¡­ A soft chuckle escaped her lips before it grew louder. ¡°Hahahaha!¡± She threw her head back and laughed, eyes burning with excitement. ¡°One, two, three¡­ three strong opponents in one place! Today is such a great day!¡± Her grin stretched wide as she looked toward Elara¡¯s clone, Esdeath, and Ethan, as if she was savoring the moment. But then¡­ Her eyes shifted. And landed on Maruti. The playful grin vanished. Her eyes widened slightly, her lips parting in shock. For a second, she froze, staring at the girl in the distance. Then¡ª Whoosh! Alice vanished in an instant. She reappeared right in front of Maruti, their faces inches apart. Maruti blinked, caught off guard. ¡°Wait¡­ aren¡¯t you¡ª¡± She recognized Alice, but before she could finish speaking¡ª Alice¡¯s arms wrapped tightly around Maruti¡¯s neck. ¡°I knew it,¡± Alice whispered, her voice laced with relief. ¡°I knew you would survive!¡± And then, without warning¡ª She leaned in and kissed Maruti. Passionately. Right in front of everyone. Elara¡¯s clone: ¡°¡­¡­¡± Ethan: ¡°¡­¡­¡­¡± Esdeath: ¡°¡­¡­¡­¡­¡± Maruti¡¯s eyes widened in shock. Her body tensed as Alice¡¯s warm lips pressed against hers. Before she could even process what was happening, she felt Alice¡¯s tongue slide inside her mouth, deepening the kiss. A shiver ran down her spine as they exchanged breath, their lips locked in a heated moment. Finally, Alice pulled away, licking her lips with satisfaction. Her gaze burned with desire as she stared at Maruti. ¡°I¡¯ve taken a liking to you,¡± she said with a smirk. ¡°Be mine.¡± Break! So...You might have already guessed it by now. Break. Yes, Hate to say this, But I''m gonna take a break because of my upcoming exams from 7April. The reason I''m taking 7days early because this ewho joined discord might know that I went to my hometown and I have absolutely no idea about studies, Nod have any notes, Nothing. So I have start from scratch + All remaining homework. But if I wanted to, I could still write two or three chapter but if I have did that, i would have to take a break in a big cliffhanger and humanity''s worst enemy is a cliffhanger. So that''s it. As for how long break is. It''s umm... till 19 or 20April ????...I have 11 subjects so I have no choice. S§×arch* The NovelFire.net* website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. I can only hope that once I return, you will be there. So don''t forget me okay? -------- As for my first NovelFire, That time I got turned into a dragonoid...I will be publishing chapters whenever I get free times since for her, Starting phase is mostly slice of life for now, So it''s easy. But publishing schedules can be rigid. So that''s it! Give me best of luck! Strongest Transformation—Silver Dragon Finally, Alice stepped back, licking her lips with a slow, satisfied motion. Her eyes gleamed with heat as she stared at Maruti, like a predator who had just found something she didn¡¯t want to let go of. "I¡¯ve taken a liking to you," she said with a confident smirk. "Be mine." Maruti stood frozen, blinking fast. Her heart skipped a beat, not out of affection ¡ª but complete confusion. This wasn¡¯t the same Alice she remembered. The coward , weak girl from before¡­ was now acting like a bold flirt who had completely lost her mind. But then¡ª BAM!! Maruti¡¯s fist flew straight into Alice¡¯s face. The impact was so strong that Alice¡¯s body flew back several meters, tumbling across the ground like a ragdoll. Dust kicked up all around her. Still, Alice flipped in the air and landed on her feet like a cat, sliding back with a small grunt. Maruti cracked her knuckles, glaring. "The hell is wrong with you?! You could¡¯ve asked for a kiss, idiot! I hate when people force themselves on me!" she snapped, clearly annoyed. Her voice was sharp, but her cheeks were slightly red. Alice spat to the side, wiping a bit of blood from her lip. She stared back at Maruti, her gaze full of fire. "I wasn¡¯t asking for your permission," she said coldly. "You belong to me now¡ª" But she couldn¡¯t even finish her sentence. Suddenly¡ª Wooshhhhhhhhhhhhhh... A violent gust of wind passed by, and in the blink of an eye, a hand appeared in front of Alice¡¯s face. Even Alice, who was known for her speed, couldn¡¯t react fast enough. The hand stopped just inches from her skin ¡ª but the pressure behind it was terrifying. "The fuck did you just say?" The voice was low. Cold. Sharp enough to send chills down everyone¡¯s spine. And yet¡­ it sounded familiar. "K-Kaelith?" Maruti muttered, her eyes wide as she stared at the girl who had appeared out of nowhere. Kaelith¡¯s silver hair shimmered like moonlight, her silver eyes glowing with fury. Without another word, she grabbed Alice¡¯s face and slammed it straight into the ground. BAM!!! The earth cracked beneath the force. A crater formed instantly. But Kaelith didn¡¯t stop. Without turning her head or saying a single word, she dragged Alice¡¯s face across the ground like a mop while dashing forward at a frightening speed. Sparks and dirt flew everywhere as Alice¡¯s body scraped through stone and soil. Maruti gulped. A bead of sweat rolled down her forehead. Her legs felt weak just watching it. "O-Oh shit¡­ she¡¯s really mad¡­i guess that''s what happens when you have toxic followers..." She glanced awkwardly at Esdeath and the others, who were also trying to process what just happened. "I¡­ I don¡¯t think I can even fight that crazy lizard if I wanted to," Maruti thought nervously. "Alice is so screwed¡­" She slowly turned her head away, pretending to be completely uninvolved in the chaos. "Welp, not my problem anymore." By that time Esdeath finally reached Maruti, her face was full of anger. "Why can¡¯t you do a single thing right?" she snapped, her voice sharp and annoyed. "I told you to kill that Alice, not turn her into your girlfriend! And how the hell did that even happen?!" Maruti looked completely confused and frustrated. "Wait¡­ she¡¯s Alice? But you said she looked gloomy and introverted, like Diana!" she argued. "You¡ª" Esdeath was just about to explode at her again, but Elara¡¯s clone had enough of just watching from the side. "You''ve survived long enough," he said with a cold voice, stepping forward to attack. With Alice now out of the way, he had fewer enemies to deal with. That made things easier for him. "Time ripple," he said, flicking his fingers. Small, invisible waves started spreading through the air like the ripples on a quiet lake. Everything around them began to feel distorted and off. Esdeath turned serious. "This isn¡¯t the time for arguments. We have to move! We can¡¯t dodge this!" she said quickly. Without hesitation, she dashed forward. Ethan and Maruti didn¡¯t waste a second and followed right after her. Time-based powers like this were nearly impossible to resist unless you had strong defenses or another time skill. But none of them had that. Their only option was to escape. "Reverse speed," Elara¡¯s clone said. A strange wave of energy rushed out. Elara didn¡¯t actually move faster. Instead, everyone else around him suddenly slowed down. The pressure was heavy, as if time itself had turned against them. It was like Esdeath¡¯s skill, two different things but kind of similar effect. Bam! Elara kicked Ethan straight into the ground. The next second, he was already standing in front of Maruti. Bam. Then again. Bam. And again. Bam. They exchanged a few fast strikes, but Elara was clearly in control. His movements were sharper, faster, and stronger. Maruti was barely holding on. "He¡¯s just too strong... we can¡¯t win against him!" Ethan groaned as he slowly pushed himself off the ground. "Focus on running!" Elara¡¯s clone didn¡¯t care about Ethan or Maruti anymore. His eyes locked onto Esdeath. His expression twisted with hate. There was something personal in the way he looked at her¡ªlike he wanted her to suffer more than anyone else. "It¡¯s your turn," he said coldly. He pulled out his sword and rushed toward her, swinging with full force, aiming straight for her head. Esdeath tried to dodge, but her foot suddenly slipped on a small rock. She tripped. Her balance broke, and she fell backwards. Her eyes widened in shock. Her face turned pale. There was no space to dodge. "Even luck isn¡¯t on your side," Elara said with a cruel smirk. He raised his sword high to finish her. But suddenly, Esdeath¡¯s frightened expression turned into a sly grin. "Gotcha," she whispered. A small glow appeared around her body. Swishhh... The air shifted. Time itself began to slow. Elara¡¯s eyes opened wide. He understood what was happening. "A time-based thing..." But it was already too late. A huge cannon started forming on Esdeath¡¯s shoulder, glowing with energy. "Killer move... Oblivion Nova." A bright white light burst out of the cannon. It was blinding. The beam hit Elara with full force. He flew back like a broken doll, tumbling over fifty meters away. His body was burned, parts of him broken and scorched. He hit the ground hard, smoke rising from his body. Esdeath''s body was slightly trembling, breathing heavily. "Pant... pant... I have no mana left..." she whispered, as the massive cannon disappeared into thin air turning back to ZK-20. Esdeath had already used her killer move, Oblivion Nova, more than once. She had been controlling her ZK-20 weapon for quite some time, while also dealing with other things. She only had B-grade aptitude, so it was natural that she¡¯d run out of energy eventually. Ethan wasn¡¯t in good shape either, though at least he still had a little mana left. The only one who had plenty of mana remaining was Maruti. --- -------- "Did we kill him?" Ethan asked, rushing over to Esdeath. "I don¡¯t think it¡¯s that easy. Besides, my mana¡¯s gone. Just run ahead! Backup should be here soon¡ªif we make it to them, we¡¯re safe," Esdeath said, walking quickly in the opposite direction. "Predictor, give me a speed boost and come with me. I don¡¯t think the academy is safe anymore. We also have to bring her with us," Esdeath added, glancing at Maruti. By "her," she clearly meant Selene. Esdeath had left Selene in the dorm room under Corin¡¯s protection¡ªwho was now a wolfman¡ªand told Selene not to come out unless Esdeath herself came to get her. S§×ar?h the Nov§×l?ire.n(e)t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. At this point, everything seemed like it might be okay. The rain and thunder had stopped ever since Ethan broke Elara¡¯s refinement process. But then, Elara¡¯s clone let out a loud, furious roar. "You¡¯re not going anywhere!" he shouted as he stood up, his body half-burned and smoking. He ran straight at Esdeath with eyes full of rage. His body started healing, though it looked like it was some strange power helping him recover. Still, he coughed up blood. Even though he could heal his body, Esdeath¡¯s attack had damaged his soul, which was something not so easy to recover from. The hit had done serious harm. But it still wasn¡¯t enough to kill him. He charged at Esdeath. For some reason, she didn¡¯t notice him coming. Maybe she was too tired. With no mana left, she was no stronger than a normal person now. "ESDEATH!" Ethan shouted with all his strength, trying to warn her. But it was already too late. Elara swung his sword upward and stabbed. Blood splashed through the air as Esdeath suddenly turned around, her eyes wide with shock and confusion. But strangely¡­ she wasn¡¯t hurt at all. Not even a scratch. Why? Because the one who took the stab¡ªwas Ethan. The blade had gone straight through his stomach, and it wasn¡¯t just any ordinary sword. It was filled with dangerous energy, tearing apart his insides and spreading destruction through his body. ¡°Cough... cough¡­¡± Ethan coughed out a mouthful of blood. His face twisted in pain as he slowly looked back at Esdeath. ¡°Even though you¡¯re really annoying¡­ and kinda evil looking... you haven¡¯t really done anything too bad. I just couldn¡¯t watch someone die in front of me like that,¡± he said with a weak, bitter smile. ¡°Ethan¡­ you¡­¡± Esdeath stood frozen, stunned by what he had done. Her eyes softened, just a little. ¡°Ha¡­ no need to thank me. Just¡ª¡± Before he could finish¡­ ¡°You¡¯re such an idiot, aren¡¯t you?¡± Esdeath suddenly grinned. But her eyes weren¡¯t soft anymore¡ªthey were sharp and wicked. Shock. Ethan¡¯s eyes widened in horror. Just by looking at her face, he realized something. Something terrible. Jrrppp¡­.... Elara¡¯s clone pulled his sword out with a squelching sound, and Ethan¡¯s body dropped to the ground with a dull thud. ¡°Damn it¡­ I got tricked again¡­¡± Ethan whispered. There was a huge hole in his belly. He wasn¡¯t moving anymore. And Esdeath¡­ she just stared down at his motionless body, showing no emotion at all. Why should she? This was all part of her plan. She had lied about having no mana left¡ªeven though she had just a little remaining. She also didn¡¯t try to dodge Elara¡¯s attack on purpose. Why? Because she knew Ethan would protect her. Even if he didn¡¯t like her¡­ even if he found her annoying¡­ he was still a good person. A na?ve, soft-hearted boy who couldn¡¯t watch someone die in front of him. But what if he hadn¡¯t saved her? Well, Esdeath would¡¯ve just used her Echo of Restoration skill with the little mana she had. She had a backup plan. But that wasn¡¯t needed anymore. The result? Ethan ended up taking a hit he couldn¡¯t survive¡ªfrom someone far stronger than him. Still, Esdeath didn¡¯t feel thankful. She didn¡¯t feel guilty. She just scoffed and said coldly, ¡°You should be thankful to me¡­ I gave you a speedrun.¡± ------------------- Meanwhile on the side, A fierce fight was going on between Third Division members and real elara. But the problem was, Be summoned some Rank A awakened for his help. They were the same that he summoned to keep lortell busy. (Before turning back time) But now with the help of them, He was clearly dominating the field. Other than Verdes and meldia, Everyone was already down while out of five people that elara summoned two were got killed too, Both faced casualties but elara''s side was clear at advantage. "I guess I''m dying here! ", Verdes said to himself but he was still smiling, He was not afraid of dying, He was more enthusiatic about fighting to death. But then, A voice that sounded like savior or messiah echoed all over the field. "All of those who are alive gather at academy grounds, The Royal army has arrived to keep you safe, The execution of the traitor, Elara is now should commence ", It was heavy and Authorative voice. Everyone who survived looked above towards the voice and saw the floating figure. "It''s the arch-duke.. ", Someone gasped. " We are saved, That means the reincforcment have finally now arrived ", Others cheered too. " Let''s go, Go towards the academy garden", ------------- Meanwhile, not too far away from where Ethan and Esdeath stood, a brutal and intense battle was still raging between the members of the Third Division and the real Elara himself. The problem? Elara wasn¡¯t alone. He had summoned some Rank A awakened warriors to fight for him¡ªstrong, dangerous people. They were the same ones he had used to keep Lortell busy back when he had turned back time. Now, with their help, Elara was clearly winning. The battlefield was covered in damage, blood, and fallen warriors. Other than Verdes and Meldia, all the other Third Division members were already down. Elara¡¯s side wasn¡¯t untouched either¡ªtwo of his five summoned allies had been killed¡ªbut he still had the upper hand. ¡°I guess I¡¯m dying here¡­¡± Verdes muttered to himself, smiling even as he stood surrounded. He wasn¡¯t afraid. In fact, he looked almost excited¡ªhe¡¯d always dreamed of fighting until his last breath. But then¡ª A loud voice suddenly echoed through the entire battlefield, deep and powerful like thunder. It carried hope in its words. ¡°All those who are still alive, gather at the academy grounds! The Royal Army has arrived to protect you! The execution of the traitor Elara shall now begin!¡± Everyone looked up in shock and surprise. Floating above them, surrounded by a glowing aura, was a man with a strong and regal presence. ¡°It¡¯s the Arch-Duke¡­¡± someone gasped. ¡°We¡¯re saved!¡± another shouted. ¡°The reinforcements are finally here!¡± The survivors didn¡¯t wait. ¡°Let¡¯s go! Head toward the academy garden!¡± they yelled as they started retreating. --- Meanwhile, Arthur, the Arch-Duke, floated in the sky with his cape fluttering behind him. His eyes locked onto Elara, who stood on the ruined battlefield below. Elara clicked his tongue and gave a mocking laugh. ¡°A dying man¡­ and a lazy army of royals who only eat and drink all day. Do you really think you can stop me?¡± he scoffed. But deep inside, Elara wasn¡¯t as calm as he looked. He could see it now¡ªhundreds of royal soldiers were approaching. Their armor shined, their weapons ready. It was clear he was outnumbered. ¡°She¡¯ll come too¡­¡± Elara thought, his face tightening. ¡°If she comes, I¡¯m finished. It¡¯s better to leave and start everything from the beginning.¡± He wasn¡¯t wrong. Most of his plans were already ruined. His resources, his soldiers, his refinement process¡ªall wasted. But he was an elf. He had a long lifespan. He could rebuild it all. Running away now was the smart move. However¡ªArthur, as if reading his thoughts, spoke out. ¡°Don¡¯t even think about running,¡± Arthur said, his voice filled with resolve. ¡°Even if I¡¯m dying¡­ I¡¯ll take you down with me!¡± He raised his hands, Hundreds or close to thousand essence stone activated at once and his body began to glow. The air shook with pressure. A silver light started to wrap around his body, shining brighter and brighter with every second. Elara¡¯s eyes widened. ¡°No¡­ that¡¯s¡­¡± Arthur¡¯s voice roared like a storm. ¡°Behold¡ªmy strongest transformation!¡± He spread his arms wide. ¡°Silver Dragon!¡± Because I Don’t Exist! Arthur Mariette, the Arch-Duke of the Kingdom, was known across the lands for something truly terrifying¡ªhis mastery over the transformation path. He could become anything. A bird flying through the skies, a beast crawling on the ground, or even a lifeless object like a rock or a sword. And the scary part? He did it so perfectly that even if you looked from up close, you¡¯d never be able to tell it was him. But there was more¡ªhe wasn¡¯t just copying the look. Even though he was only a Rank A awakened, Arthur could copy parts of someone¡¯s power and strength too. That was what made him truly dangerous. Long ago, it had taken the combined strength of five kingdoms to bring him down, Because he was too cunning and sneaky. And now, in his final moments, he was using his most powerful transformation¡ª He was copying Lilith, the legendary Silver Dragon. This wasn''t easy. To do it, Arthur had to use not only his vast magic, but also activate nearly a thousand essence stones at once. He had to organize them all in perfect order, like solving a giant puzzle in seconds¡ª And he was doing it while dying. His body was damaged, his strength fading, yet he still managed to do the impossible. It wasn¡¯t as strong as the transformation he used in his prime, but even weakened¡ª It was terrifying. Arthur¡¯s human body slowly twisted and expanded. Bones cracked. Flesh shimmered. And then, a massive silver-scaled dragon stood in his place. Its eyes burned with fury. Its wings blocked out the sky. Its fangs were long, sharp, and deadly. "ROOOAAARRRRR¡ª!!" The dragon¡¯s roar was so loud that the entire battlefield shook. Dust flew up. The wind howled. Even the trees bent under its force. Elara¡¯s face turned pale. Sweat rolled down his forehead. "Not good¡­" he whispered. "I guess I have no choice," he muttered, taking a deep breath and closing his eyes. "Protect me for a second!" he shouted at the three remaining fighters on his side. Without hesitation, the three moved quickly, forming a tight circle around Elara, ready to shield him from any attack. Every S-rank awakened had some secret trump card. Even as Rank A, Arthur had his Silver Dragon form. Elara had something too. A strange energy pulsed around Elara¡¯s body. The air around him rippled like water. The ground beneath him cracked as space itself began to twist. His body flickered like a reflection in a shattered mirror. Arthur, sensing danger, didn¡¯t wait. He opened the dragon¡¯s mouth and fired a massive silver beam straight at Elara. But before it could hit¡ª "Killer Move¡ªChrono Mirage: Tenfold Paradox!" Elara shouted. Boom! The silver beam struck something¡ªsomething invisible¡ªand exploded with a thunderous shockwave. The blast was so powerful it tore the earth and filled the air with smoke and dust. But when the dust settled¡ª Arthur froze. Standing in front of him were ten different figures. They all looked like Elara¡­ yet each one was a little different. One held a spear. Another carried a sword. One had a bow. A few were clearly female. Some were young teens, others were adults. One of them¡­ was a tiny, cute girl. But all of them had the same dark skin and sharp eyes¡ªthey were all dark elves. Elara smirked as he watched Arthur''s confused eyes. "My best killer move¡­" he thought proudly. "I summoned ten different versions of myself¡ªeach from a different future but same past." Ten Elaras stood, shoulder to shoulder. Each one born from a different timeline. The reason Elara never used this skill until now was simple. He could only summon those versions of himself for a short time, and even worse¡ª There was no guarantee they¡¯d be strong. It all depended on luck. Sometimes, his other versions were weaker than him. And if that happened in a serious battle, it could easily get him killed. But this time¡­ he got lucky. Right at the front stood a tall, muscular version of himself. That version had a massive greatsword resting on his shoulder, and he had been the one who stopped Arthur¡¯s deadly dragon beam. Elara stared at him with wide eyes. "He''s¡­ stronger than me," Elara thought, feeling a mix of surprise and relief. Without wasting time, Elara shouted to the ten versions of himself. ¡°All of you, listen! Do whatever you want¡ªattack, defend¡ªI don¡¯t care! Just make sure I get out of here alive!¡± He didn¡¯t wait for a reply. He turned and ran at full speed, wind pushing against his face. All ten looked up at the huge silver dragon above them, their eyes burning with determination. None of them were afraid. They were ready for battle. ¡°There¡¯s no point in staying here any longer,¡± Elara thought. His legs moved fast, almost blurring, as he rushed to escape the battlefield. ¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª At another part of the field, Elara¡¯s clone was still locked in battle¡ª Facing Esdeath and her group. He had stabbed Ethan deep in the stomach with his sword. Blood dripped down as he slowly pulled it out. Ethan¡¯s body hit the ground with a soft *thud*. ¡°You should be thankful,¡± Esdeath said casually, her voice cold. ¡°I gave you a speedrun.¡± Ethan¡¯s body stopped moving. Suddenly, a loud scream echoed through the area. "Ethannnnnn¡­!" The voice was female¡ªnot one, but two overlapping screams. Esdeath and Elara¡¯s clone turned toward the source. Three teenage girls stood there, their faces pale with shock. Their eyes wide, filled with horror and disbelief. They were Sylvania and Emma. Sylvania and Emma both liked Ethan. Seeing him lying there like that¡ª It filled their hearts with pain and rage. Esdeath¡¯s lips curved into a smile. ¡°What perfect timing,¡± she thought. She had been wondering how to deal with Elara¡¯s clone. Now, these girls would be the perfect distraction. Without saying another word, Esdeath turned and dashed away, leaving the clone behind to deal with the emotional and furious girls. Maruti quickly followed her. Her speed was greater than Esdeath¡¯s, especially now that most of Esdeath¡¯s mana was drained. ¡°What the hell was that?!¡± Maruti snapped as she caught up to her. ¡°Didn¡¯t you say we¡¯re not supposed to kill him yet?!¡± ¡°Who said he¡¯s dead?¡± Esdeath replied with a small grin. ¡°I should¡¯ve done that from the beginning. His clone is handled. Now we just need to run and hide.¡± ¡°Hide? Tch, not really my style,¡± Maruti rolled her eyes, clearly annoyed. ¡°Let¡¯s do what the Arch-Duke said. Let¡¯s go to the academy gardens. We¡¯re not far from there anyway,¡± Esdeath suggested. Maruti nodded. She didn¡¯t like the idea of running or hiding¡ª But she didn¡¯t have a better plan either. ¡°You¡¯re too slow!¡± Maruti suddenly said, without waiting for Esdeath¡¯s answer. Before Esdeath could react, Maruti picked her up and placed her on her shoulder. Then, with one big step, she dashed forward at blinding speed. ¡°You really should eat more. You¡¯re way too light!¡± she commented. ¡°Shhh!¡± Esdeath hissed, quickly shutting her up. ¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª Back near Ethan¡¯s fallen body¡ª Sylvania screamed in rage. ¡°You bastard!¡± Her voice cracked with fury as she charged at Elara¡¯s clone. The clone gritted his teeth. ¡°Another strong student?¡± he muttered under his breath. He had already faced so many powerful students today. As the principal of the academy, he was honestly shocked. He never knew there were this many hidden talents. But what happened next made him¡­ disappointed. ¡°Water Bullets!¡± Sylvania shouted. She pointed her wand forward and dozens of water spheres formed in front of her. With a flick of her wrist, they shot out one after another at high speed. They hit the clone¡¯s body¡ª Splash! Splash! Splash! But nothing happened. The water just turned back into droplets and fell to the ground. Not a single scratch. ¡°What kind of weak magic is this?¡± the clone thought. Then he sighed. "Right¡­ I forgot. They''re just students. Not all of them are exceptional", He had been fighting such strong, skilled students that for a moment, he thought everyone in the academy was at that level. Then Emma stepped up. ¡°Earth Spikes!¡± she yelled. She knelt down and pressed her palms on the ground. The earth cracked under Elara¡¯s clone, and sharp spikes suddenly shot up. But again¡ª He didn¡¯t even dodge. With one powerful slap of his hand, he shattered the spikes like they were nothing. He let out another sigh. This wasn¡¯t going to be as challenging as he thought. ---------------------- Meanwhile, inside Ethan¡¯s mind... It felt like he was falling¡ªno, sinking¡ªdeeper and deeper into a cold, dark ocean. The water wrapped around him like chains, heavy and endless. His arms wouldn''t move, and his heart was beating slower and slower. Was this death? "Am I... dead?" Ethan said softly. His voice echoed around him, but there was no answer. Just silence, and the weight of the water dragging him down. "This easily?" he whispered. "Even when I was weak and couldn¡¯t do anything, I always survived. Even when I didn¡¯t want to live... I still did." His lips shook as he bit them hard. "But now... now that I want to live more than anything... I''m just going to die like this?" He couldn¡¯t open his eyes. His whole body felt frozen, but inside, something was burning. "No! I won¡¯t accept this! I haven¡¯t saved anyone yet! Violet, Sylvania, Emma, my teachers, my mother... they all need me!" That thought lit a fire in him. Suddenly, his spirit began to struggle, kicking and swinging like a fish trapped underwater. His arms moved, his legs fought back against the pull of the ocean. But his eyes still stayed shut. Then... he heard something. A voice. It was soft at first, like a breeze. "Ethan..." He barely noticed it, but then it came again, louder this time. "Ethan..." And again, even louder. "ETHAN!" "Haah!" Ethan gasped, and his eyes flew open. He saw a soft green light glowing ahead of him. A hand reached out from it¡ªstrong and warm, like someone pulling him out of a nightmare. Without thinking, he grabbed it. The moment he did, the hand pulled him up fast. He burst out of the water like he was being rescued from the bottom of the sea. He coughed hard, water spilling from his mouth. He took deep breaths, his chest rising quickly. But when he looked around... He was standing on the surface of the water. "I was just drowning... What is this place?" He turned quickly to look at the person who helped him. At first, he wanted to say thank you. But then his face changed. Sear?h the Nov§×l?ire.n(e)t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. He looked confused. Scared, even. "Wait... what¡¯s going on?" he said as he stepped back. "I can see you have green hair, blue eyes, a long nose... You look like a good person. But why can¡¯t I see your face clearly? It¡¯s like... you have a face, but I still can¡¯t see it right. It¡¯s all blurry, like my brain just can¡¯t understand it..." The person didn¡¯t answer at first. They only gave a small smile and let out a soft laugh. "That¡¯s normal," the person said gently. "Because I don¡¯t exist." With This Treasure I Summon– Lortell "That''s normal," the person said gently. "Because I don''t exist." Ethan fully creeped put. "What?" he whispered, his voice trembling. His heart pounded as confusion and fear filled his chest. "What do you mean you don¡¯t exist?" The person turned away slowly and began walking, his footsteps silent on the glowing water. "I''m the one who made you go back in time... the one who made you regress," he said quietly. "But doing something like that isn''t easy. Not just anyone can do it." He paused, his voice growing softer. "And I did it... without even using ¡®Ago¡¯, the legendary one. I did it more cleanly, more quietly... so perfectly that not even the those great constellations¡ªcould sense what I did. They don¡¯t even know that someone has gone back in time." Then, he turned around to face Ethan again. "But everything has a price," he said calmly, his voice almost too calm. "Because of what I did... my whole existence has been erased. I no longer exist." Ethan slowly stood up, his legs still weak. He couldn¡¯t believe what he was hearing. "But... aren¡¯t you standing right in front of me?" "Yes," the person nodded, a faint smile on his face. "But that doesn¡¯t mean I¡¯m alive. I was once your constellation... , I gave you the system. I left behind just a small part of my will, just enough to meet you one last time." Ethan looked down, his hands clenched. There were so many things he wanted to ask. "Is that so... then I have so many questions¡ª" But the man interrupted him, shaking his head. "No. Don¡¯t ask anything. I can¡¯t answer. I didn¡¯t have enough time. I had to prepare everything in a rush. So just listen to me now... before it¡¯s too late." Ethan¡¯s eyes widened as he saw something shocking. The man¡¯s body... it was falling apart, little by little, like ash floating away in the wind. "I made you regress... but mistakes can happen," the man said. "What if you had died by accident? That fear was in my heart. So, when I created the system, I placed a hidden trigger inside it." His voice became heavier, slower, more emotional. "If you died even once... the system would activate this backup. This moment right now. I¡¯d save you... just once." He looked at Ethan with calm, sad eyes. "But remember... this is the first and last time we will ever meet, You will not be saved again." Then, he slowly lifted his hand and pointed it toward Ethan. At that moment, Ethan¡¯s body began to shine with a powerful green light. It was warm. So warm that it made him feel safe, like someone was giving him a new chance to live. "I changed the system a little," the man said, his voice starting to fade. "I gave you an extra 4000 stat points in everything. Right now, you are a high-tier Rank B Awakened." "But your skills will stay the same for now. To unlock more, you¡¯ll need to defeat stronger enemies." His eyes, still visible, looked straight into Ethan¡¯s soul. "But remember this¡ªdon¡¯t rely on the system too much. It¡¯s weak. It¡¯s built only from the leftover scraps of what little power I had." The man¡¯s voice cracked, the final pieces of him starting to vanish. "It will help you in the beginning... but after that, you¡¯re on your own." Ethan clenched his fists. His throat felt tight. His heart ached. "But... who are you really?" The man smiled one last time. "Someone who wanted to give you another chance... because I believed in you." "You are the Hope!". And then, just like that, he was gone. Only silence remained. --------------------- Meanwhile Sylvania and Emma lay on ground utterly defeated, Wound was all over their body as they coughed hard. In front of them elara''s clone stood tall with his sword in his right hand pointing at them,"I lost them because of you two idiots, Now you shall bear the consequences!", He raised his sword high ready to behead both of them in single strike. Sylvania and Emma looked up and all they could see was their death. Death was coming at them to take their souls, They shut their eyes in fear and despair and only one word came out of their mouth. "ETHANNN!...",Both screamed. Clang ........ The sword strikes and a loud metalic sound appeared. Both Emma and Sylvania opened their eyes in disbelief,They were still alive. They looked in front and their face flourished and express turned Happy. Because in front, Ethan stood with his wound fully healed, He was blocking elara''s sword with his. He had deep and angry look on his face,"You are going to die today!", He said in chilling voice. It was at that moment, Ethan surpassed both maruti and Esdeath in strength. ---------------------------- Meanwhile, Sylvania and Emma were lying on the ground, completely defeated. Their clothes were torn, blood stained their skin, and deep cuts covered their bodies. Every breath they took was heavy and painful as they coughed up blood. In front of them stood Elara¡¯s clone, tall and terrifying. His eyes were filled with rage, and in his right hand, he held a large sword, its sharp edge shining under the night. He pointed it at them with cold hatred. "I lost them because of you two useless fools," he growled, his voice filled with venom. "And now¡­ you¡¯ll pay the price." He raised his sword high above his head, ready to bring it down and finish both of them in a single swing. Sylvania and Emma looked up, their faces pale with fear. They couldn¡¯t even move. Their bodies were too weak, their vision blurry. All they saw above them was death. It was coming fast, like a dark shadow ready to steal their lives. Tears welled up in their eyes. In that moment of helplessness, they shouted with every bit of strength left in them¡ª "ETHANNN!!" CLANG!! A loud metallic sound echoed across the battlefield. Their eyes shot open in shock. They blinked rapidly, confused. They were still alive. S§×ar?h the NovelFire.net* website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Their hearts beat faster as they slowly looked up. And there he was. Ethan. He stood right in front of them, glowing with green energy. His wounds were completely gone, and he looked stronger than ever before. His sword was raised high, blocking Elara¡¯s blade with ease. His eyes were dark and serious. There was no fear in them. Only cold anger. "You..." Ethan said, his voice low and chilling. "You¡¯re going to die today." Elara¡¯s clone took a step back, suddenly unsure. And in that moment, something changed. Ethan had surpassed both Maruti and Esdeath in strength. ------------------ At the same time, on the other side of the academy¡­ Maruti was running fast with Esdeath slumped over her shoulder. But suddenly, Maruti¡¯s pace slowed down. In front of them was a huge crowd of students gathered near the academy garden entrance. They weren¡¯t moving forward. They were stuck, scared, and frozen in place. That¡¯s when Esdeath saw it. A gigantic snake¡ªits body made of burning lava, its head shaped like a buffalo¡¯s, complete with massive horns. The heat coming from it was intense, and the ground around it was already scorched black. It was the Scorching Lava Snake, a powerful Rank A monster. Most of the weaker monsters had already been killed, but this one still stood tall, alive and raging. But instead of running away, the students just watched. Why weren¡¯t they escaping? Because someone was fighting the monster. A woman in a black and white maid outfit, graceful but deadly, was facing off against it. It was Lorraine, the head maid of the Mariette family. Even though she was only a Rank B, she was experienced and skilled. She was holding her ground against the lava snake, dodging its fiery attacks and slashing back with perfect precision. Everyone was watching in silence. No one dared to step in. No one had the courage to help. Esdeath frowned. Her instincts told her to stay away. "Let¡¯s go back," she said quickly. "We¡¯ve already won. There¡¯s no reason to fight anymore. We can¡¯t beat that thing anyway. It¡¯s just as strong as Elara¡¯s clone!" But Maruti didn¡¯t answer. "Hey... Predictor?" Esdeath called again. Then she looked down and saw Maruti¡¯s eyes, wide and burning with fire¡ªnot fear, but anger. "I remember now..." Maruti muttered. Her voice shook with rage. "That bastard... he was the one who sent me flying earlier!" Suddenly, without any warning, Maruti dashed forward at full speed toward the lava snake. "I¡¯M GONNA GET MY REVENGE!" she screamed. Esdeath¡¯s jaw dropped. "WHAT THE HELL ARE YOU DOING, IDIOT?!" She struggled to hold on as Maruti ran faster and faster. "WE DON¡¯T NEED TO FIGHT THAT THING!!" Esdeath yelled. But Maruti didn¡¯t listen. Maruti ran straight at the giant lava snake with fire in her eyes. Without a second thought, she threw Esdeath off her shoulder. ¡°Woah!¡± Esdeath spun through the air but landed smoothly on the ground with a light step, brushing off her cloth like nothing happened. ¡°That¡¯s nice. Go die alone, idiot,¡± she muttered, crossing her arms with a sigh. ¡°HYAAAAA!!¡± Maruti yelled as she jumped high into the air like a wild beast. Even Lorraine, who had been battling the lava snake, looked up in shock. ¡°What the¡ª?!¡± Maruti flew straight at the monster¡¯s huge face. ¡°Taste my kick!!¡± BAM!! Her powerful leg smashed into the lava snake¡¯s head. The impact echoed through the area as several of the monster¡¯s teeth went flying and shattered on the ground. ¡°GRAHHH!¡± The lava snake groaned in pain, shaking its head. It was clear that kick actually hurt him! But before Maruti could celebrate¡ª WHOOSH! The lava snake suddenly spun around with shocking speed and slammed its thick, burning tail into Maruti. BAM!! ¡°Gahhh!!¡± Maruti tried to block, but the tail still sent her flying through the air like a broken doll. She crashed hard onto the ground right beside Esdeath. ¡°Oww! It burns¡ªit burns!¡± Maruti rolled back and forth on the grass, smoke rising from her body as the burned spots sizzled. But after a moment, she got back up like nothing happened. ¡°Let¡¯s go! One more time!¡± she shouted with excitement, her fists clenched, eyes glowing with battle lust. Esdeath stared at her. ¡°Are you a cockroach or what?¡± Lorraine turned toward the girls and frowned. ¡°Hey! Students aren¡¯t supposed to interfere!¡± she said, her voice strict. But then her eyes fell on Esdeath¡ªand her face changed completely. ¡°Oh thank goodness¡­ she¡¯s alive,¡± Lorraine whispered, relief washing over her. A smile formed on her lips. She clearly knew about Esdeath¡¯s importance to Lortell Mariette. If something had happened to her, Lorraine would¡¯ve been in big trouble. ¡°It was a good idea to help these crowd of students ... I knew Esdeath would be among them¡± she thought to herself, leaping back just in time to dodge another lava-filled strike from the snake. ¡°How much longer can I keep this up?¡± Lorraine bit her lip, sweat dripping from her forehead. Just then, a small, cute high-pitched voice echoed through the garden¡ª ¡°Dragon Punch!!¡± Everyone looked up in surprise. A little girl¡ªno more than six or seven years old¡ªwas flying in the air. She had two tiny, adorable dragon wings on her back, flapping like butterflies. It was Selene. BOOM!! Her tiny fist¡ªglowing with silver energy¡ªslammed right into the lava snake¡¯s head, breaking one of its horns clean off. ¡°SRCHHHHBB!!¡± the lava snake roared in pain and fury, its tail whipping wildly. ¡°SELENE!!¡± Esdeath screamed, her heart jumping to her throat. The snake¡¯s tail lashed out like lightning. WHAM!! It smacked Selene hard, sending her flying through the air like a ball. ¡°NO!¡± Esdeath ran as fast as she could, heart pounding like a drum. She leaped into the air¡ªand caught Selene just before she hit the ground. ¡°Are you crazy?!¡± Esdeath scolded, hugging Selene tightly. ¡°I told you to stay in the room! You¡¯re not ready for battles like this!¡± Selene¡¯s small body trembled a little, and she looked up with big teary eyes. ¡°Ouch... I just wanted to help¡­¡± she said softly, her cute voice full of guilt. Then a soft, calm voice spoke behind them¡ªneither deep like a man¡¯s nor soft like a woman¡¯s. ¡°I¡¯m really sorry. I couldn¡¯t stop her.¡± Esdeath turned her head sharply. She knew that voice. It was Corin. She gritted her teeth. ¡°I told you to protect her! Can¡¯t you do even one thing right?!¡± She raised her fist to punch Corin out of frustration¡ª But stopped mid-air. Corin¡¯s cheek was red and swollen like a balloon. ¡°Huh? What happened to your face?¡± Esdeath asked, confused. Before Corin could answer, Selene quickly looked away, her little hands fidgeting with her fingers. ¡°Umm¡­ actually... he did try to stop me,¡± she said in a shy, nervous voice. ¡°So... I gave him a slap¡­¡± Esdeath blinked. Selene gave her the sweetest, most innocent smile she could manage. ¡°¡­You slapped him?¡± Esdeath asked, speechless. Selene nodded slowly. ¡°I didn¡¯t mean to hit so hard¡­¡± Corin just stood there, looking like he¡¯d accepted his fate. Esdeath let out a deep sigh. She didn¡¯t even know what to say anymore. Everything was happening too fast, and now even Selene had gotten herself involved. "Take her back to her room!" she said firmly, handing Selene to Corin. "What? No!" Selene shouted, trying to resist, but Esdeath didn¡¯t budge. Without even looking back, she turned and ran straight to Maruti. "So, do you have any idea what we can do now?" she asked, catching her breath. Maruti rolled her eyes. "Did you really think I¡¯d have a plan? I mean, I did break one of his teeth, so¡­ revenge kinda taken? But if I try again, he might just break my bones." Esdeath went quiet for a moment. Her sharp eyes scanned the field, her vision enhanced by a skill that let her see farther and clearer than normal people. She saw Arthur still fighting with ten different versions of Elara. He hadn¡¯t died yet, which meant the real danger was far from over. Her mind raced. ¡°The Archduke is here. Lorraine is here. But¡­ where¡¯s Lortell? She¡¯s not anywhere on the battlefield...¡± Then suddenly, her eyes lit up with hope. A bright smile spread across her face. ¡°There¡¯s only one person who can save us now!¡± she said. She didn¡¯t wait for Maruti to ask who. She filled her lungs with air, took a deep breath, and shouted with everything she had¡ª ¡°LORTELLLLLLLLLLLLL!¡±