Illya Vel’aeris

  áine lifted her hands from Raiden’s chest, exhaling softly as the last remnants of healing aura faded from her fingertips.

  The glow around his body dimmed, but the sigils embedded in the training hall remained active, their energy continuing to flow through him, repairing what was left.

  She stood, her expression calm, unreadable as always. Then, she turned to me and Ella.

  “He will recover.”

  Ella let out a shaky breath, her shoulders visibly loosening.

  áine continued, “The Madela tech is still stabilizing his body and restoring his vitality. His strength will return within a few hours.” She shifted her gaze toward me, her voice even, but firm. “He will be fine.”

  Despite the reassurance, I still felt the weight of my mistake pressing down on me. I nodded, but said nothing. Raiden would be fine. But that wasn’t what was truly bothering me. Because even now, as I looked at him, I couldn’t shake the feeling that I had just witnessed something I wasn’t meant to see.

  áine brushed her hands off, as if shaking away the remnants of her work, before turning to me and Ella.

  Then, she simply asked, “What happened?”

  Her tone wasn’t accusatory, not yet. But there was a weight behind her words, a quiet demand for an explanation.

  Ella hesitated, her golden-green eyes flickering toward me, waiting for me to answer first.

  I swallowed, exhaling slowly.

  How was I even supposed to explain this? That I had challenged an unawakened kid to a fight he had no business being in? That I had underestimated him twice, only for him to prove me wrong twice? That by the end, I had been the one who felt outclassed? That he had stolen my technique in a matter of minutes? That he had nearly killed me?

  No he couldn't have killed me… the killing intent was just so dense it felt as if he genuinely could.

  I clenched my fists, jaw tightening, “I made a mistake.” The words came out heavier than I expected. “I challenged him. He pushed me to take him seriously, so I did.”

  I felt áine’s sharp gaze on me, but I kept my expression neutral.

  Ella crossed her arms. “It was supposed to be a spar.”

  áine’s brows furrowed slightly. “A spar…?”

  Ella sighed. “You weren’t here to see it. He—” She paused, shaking her head. “He did agree to spar with Illya. It was fine at first but both of them seem to get carried away towards the latter part of it. Soon after they got more intense, and then—”

  Her voice trailed off, her expression twisting into something uncertain. áine turned back to me, waiting for me to continue.

  I exhaled through my nose, finally meeting her eyes, “…I believe I saw something I wasn’t meant to see.”

  áine frowned. “What do you mean?”

  I hesitated for a second before answering.

  “He almost awakened,” I said. “I could feel it. His aura shifted in the fight. He was right there—right on the edge. And then…”

  I faltered, because I didn’t understand what happened next. It was because he didn’t awaken. His aura snapped back as if something had yanked him down.

  As if something had bound him from moving forward. Then it seemed it aggravated him to the point of throwing away any rationality.

  I swallowed, “Something stopped him. And when it did—” I turned slightly, glancing at Raiden’s unconscious form. “…He changed.”

  áine’s lips pressed into a thin line, “Changed how?”

  I flexed my fingers, thinking back to that moment. The pressure, the sheer, suffocating weight of his killing intent.

  I looked back at her, voice quieter this time, “I’ve only felt something like it once before.”

  áine’s expression didn’t change, but I could tell she was listening carefully now.

  I inhaled slowly, “The only time I’ve felt a pressure like that,” I continued, “was when I met our patriarch.”

  Ella’s face paled. áine’s shoulders tensed. For a long moment, she said nothing.

  Then, in a much quieter tone, she finally spoke, “…You’re serious?”

  I nodded once. áine’s gaze drifted back to Raiden. She didn’t say it aloud, but I already knew what she was thinking.

  What we were all thinking.

  What kind of monster is he?

  Then áine asked the one question we hadn’t considered, “Who trained him?”

  My blood ran cold. I hadn’t thought about it. Not once. I had been so caught up in the fight, so focused on Raiden himself, that I never stopped to consider who might have made him this way.

  Because no one, no one, developed talent like that on their own. If someone trained him to be like this, then that meant… I may have just crossed someone I shouldn’t have.

  A master? A warrior? A sect leader?

  Or worse, someone outside of traditional circles, someone who didn’t follow the rules of the world we knew? The possibilities coiled around my throat like a vice, but before I could speak, Ella did.

  “I don’t know him,” she admitted, her tone more serious than before. “But he certainly seemed like the person Raiden was learning from. Especially considering he was with him both times, at the martial arts competition and the Urban Gauntlet.”

  áine’s eyes narrowed slightly, “So you’ve seen him?”

  Ella nodded, “Twice.”

  “And?”

  She hesitated for a moment, then shook her head. “They don’t look related either, so there’s no way he was a relative.”

  I exhaled sharply, trying to piece together what that meant. If he wasn’t a relative, then who was he? Best guess is that he truly is his master. While at the same time that only made things worse, because if this man trained Raiden to be this capable before he had even awakened. Then once he did awaken, he might become a monster.

  My thoughts were interrupted by a familiar, groggy voice, "If heaven is supposed to surround me with beautiful elven women, I can see why people wanna go there."

  I turned to him, startled, watching as Raiden tried to sit up.

  Ella, however, was quicker. She grabbed his head, forcing him back down into her lap before he could make it any further.

  Aww, they already look like a couple. I'm jealous, maybe I should have rested his head in my lap.

  She sighed, “No, you’re still alive and well here on Earth.”

  Raiden groaned, “Oh… you’re right. If you’re here, then I’m clearly not in heaven.”

  Ella’s jaw dropped, “Clearly, you must be fine if you can make that kind of joke.” She abruptly stood up, dropping his head straight onto the floor.

  A loud thud followed and Raiden let out a pained grunt.

  I laughed at the display. Yeah he'll be fine.

  Slowly, he pushed himself up, rubbing the back of his head with a mild wince. His gaze flickered toward Ella, who was pouting, arms crossed, actively shunning him.

  He blinked, clearly processing his situation, then turned his attention to áine and me. The moment his eyes landed on me, a chill ran down my spine. At the same time, shame settled in my chest like a weight.

  I had nearly killed him. I had gone too far. I didn’t want to meet his gaze, but I needed to. I needed to apologize.

  I took a deep breath, straightened my posture, and bowed at the waist, “I apo—”

  “I would like to apologize for my recklessness and actions towards the end of our spar.”

  I blinked.

  My head snapped up, confusion etching itself across my face. I stared at him, completely thrown off.

  He was apologizing to me? For what?

  I almost killed him. I had pushed him past his limits, forced him into a fight he had no business being in. Yet he was the one apologizing?

  Raiden slowly sat up straighter, resting his elbows on his knees, his fingers absentmindedly flexing, as if testing whether his hands still worked properly.

  He took a slow, deep breath before meeting my gaze again.

  “I was reckless,” he said, voice steady but not without weight. “During the latter half of our spar, I stopped thinking about how to win and just started… throwing myself at you.”

  I swallowed, unsure of how to respond.

  “That’s not how I should have fought.” He sighed, rubbing his temple. “I let my frustration get to me, and instead of using my head, I was taking unnecessary risks.”

  He paused, his fingers tightening slightly against his knee before he spoke again.

  “And more importantly, I used something I shouldn’t have.”

  I tensed, I knew what he was about to say.

  “Killing intent.”

  The words hung in the air, heavier than anything else he had said. Ella’s posture stiffened slightly, but she didn’t speak. áine remained still, unreadable.

  I inhaled slowly, forcing myself to keep my expression neutral.

  Raiden exhaled, his gaze unwavering, “This was supposed to be a spar, a friendly contest. Killing intent has no place in something like that. It was unnecessary, and for that, I sincerely apologize.”

  …He meant it.

  I could see it in his eyes, hear it in his voice. This wasn’t some forced apology, nor was it a shallow way to ease the tension. He was truly acknowledging his own mistakes.

  I should have felt relieved. I should have accepted his apology, let this moment settle, and moved on. But instead, I just found myself even more unsettled. Because there was something deeply wrong about the fact that a kid who had never awakened had just casually apologized for exuding killing intent as if it were nothing more than a bad habit.

  This wasn’t normal and I needed to probe for information.

  But before I could Raiden spoke again, “I don't expect you to accept my apology, but I hope you will look after me from now on.”

  Huh?

  My thoughts halted for a second.

  I frowned, crossing my arms. “Look after you? What do you mean?”

  His gaze remained steady as he adjusted his posture, still sore but recovering, “Our deal,” he said simply. “I lost, didn’t I? From today forward I will come and spar with Ella at least once a day.”

  I blinked.

  Wha—?

  My mind stalled. He was still thinking about that? I had nearly killed him. He had almost awakened during our fight and after he lost the insight he got aggravated and attacked me when I was the one who basically rigged the game from the start. I had made a reckless challenge, pushed him past his limits, and the only thing he had to say about it was, that he lost?

  Even Ella has a dumbfounded expression. He wasn’t blaming me. He wasn’t resentful. Not even acknowledging the fact that I had been the one to almost end him.

  I had no words. This was the first time I had ever met someone like him. And in that moment, as I looked into his calm yet completely unreadable expression.

  I made my decision.

  Raiden Alaric

  I fucked up. No seriously I fucked up big time.

  Not because I lost. Not because I got hurt. But because I let my irritation get to me. I knew better. I’d been in fights before, been pushed to my limits before, but this? This was different, because now I was aware of what was holding me back.

  What's worse is I could feel it. That damn seal. That invisible chain wrapped around me, choking off my progress the moment I got too close to something real. It was infuriating. I had almost awakened three times during that fight.

  Three!

  Every single time, I had been right there, so close I could taste it. Each and every single time, I had been ripped away from it. I knew what I was missing now. I knew that my path to awakening wasn’t about strength alone.

  It was about something deeper. Something that my own mind refused to let me reach. That was what pissed me off the most.

  I exhaled sharply, running a hand through my hair.

  The pain in my body was already fading, thanks to this new woman I hadn’t met before and the Madela tech working through me. But the frustration, that wasn’t going anywhere.

  I can't get over it. I felt what it was like to be on the brink of something greater, only to be dragged down. It was like trying to breathe underwater, only to have someone press their hand against your head and shove you deeper.

  I clenched my jaw, shaking my head. I wasn’t going to let this happen again. I wasn’t going to get pushed back. And I sure as hell wasn’t going to let this damn seal decide my limits for me. I set my own limits.

  A moment of silence stretched between us. Then, Illya finally spoke.

  “No, I am the one who lost.”

  My head whipped up, my eyes locking onto her.

  Her arms were crossed, her expression unreadable, but her eyes… They were closed. Like she was pushing aside whatever thoughts were running through her mind.

  She bow’d at the waist, “I would also like to apologize. Although I was the one who made the rules, I'm still the one who acted irresponsibly and nearly ended your life due to my negligence.”

  I frowned, “What do you mean?”

  She inhaled slowly before speaking again, “You remember our deal?”

  I nodded, brow still furrowed. “Yes.”

  She nodded as well, “Well… I used my aura and my Esoteric Arts.”

  I blinked.

  Wait. What?

  She let out a slow, measured breath before looking at me directly this time, “So, you not only won our deal, but you doubled the win by having me use both.”

  I stared at her, my mind processing what she had just said. Then it hit me.

  I won, I actually won.

  I exhaled sharply, letting my body relax just slightly.

  Then, finally, I grinned, “So that means I get two requests, right?”

  Illya paused, then gave a small nod. “That is not exactly what we agreed to. However, since I put your life at risk, I will grant you two requests.”

  I leaned back, resting an arm on my knee, still feeling the soreness in my body but ignoring it.

  Wait, my life was at risk?

  The end of our fight was a blur. One second, sharp pain shot through my hand, then darkness. When I came to, I was met with three beautiful elves hovering over me. Not a bad way to wake up. Bonus points for the lap pillow from my little pseudo-girlfriend.

  That was something to think about later. Right now, I should be more concerned about the fact that I apparently almost died, but I wasn’t.

  Actually, that was what surprised me the most. I felt fine, no panic, no lingering dread, not even a shiver at the thought of how close I had been to the edge. If anything, I felt…

  Thump.

  Huh?

  Thump.

  Wait… why is my heart pounding? I wasn’t scared. I wasn’t shaken. I was… A slow realization crept over me.

  Holy shit. I was getting excited.

  I should be horrified. Normal people don’t react to a brush with death like this. But instead, my blood was humming, my skin tingling, every fiber of my being thrumming with an electrifying rush. The thrill, the danger, the sheer intensity of it.

  A grin tugged at my lips. I was genuinely excited that I almost died.

  A laugh bubbled up in my throat, light, breathless, almost delirious. Was this normal? Was I normal? Probably not.

  But Celestials wings, it felt good.

  That fight had meant something. It wasn’t just some training match; it was a step closer to the kind of battle I craved. A real, visceral challenge that could push me past my limits. And if I almost died? So what? That just made it all the more real.

  My fingers twitched. I wanted more. But for now…

  I exhaled, forcing myself to tamp down the rising exhilaration, letting it simmer just beneath my skin instead of boiling over. No need to look completely unhinged in front of my gracious audience.

  My gaze flicked to Illya, and that’s when it hit me.

  Oh right! I had two favors from a Violet Rank Ascendant.

  My mind raced. I could ask for anything within her power. I could have her teach me right now. I could demand training in the spear, in her family's martial arts, in the very techniques that had just wrecked me. And yet… something held me back.

  No, not now.

  I needed to play this smart. A favor from someone like Illya Vel’aeris of the Skyhaven Sect was not something to waste.

  So instead, I gave her a smirk, “I’ll save them.”

  Her eyes narrowed slightly, “You’re not using them now?”

  I shook my head. “Nah. I have a feeling they’ll come in handy later.”

  Illya studied me for a long moment, her violet eyes measuring, considering.

  Then she sighed, crossing her arms, “Fine. But don’t think you can just sit on them forever. I don’t do open-ended debts.”

  I waved a hand lazily. “Don’t worry. I’ll cash them in when the time’s right.”

  Ella, who had been watching this entire exchange with a mix of disbelief and amusement, scoffed. “Only you would nearly die, then come out of it with two favors instead.”

  I shot her a grin. “Call it a talent.”

  Illya just shook her head, muttering something about me being an annoying human.

  But I caught it. The small flicker of curiosity in her expression. She was wondering how I was going to use those favors.

  Truth was, I had no idea yet, but I knew one thing for sure. When the time came, I was going to make them count.

  I turned to the new face in the room, offering a small nod.

  “Ah, I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to leave you out. I’m Raiden, nice to—”

  I started to push myself up, about to offer a handshake, but she simply raised a hand, stopping me.

  “Try not to move too much. Your body is almost completely healed.”

  I nodded, exhaling as I relaxed back against the wall, scooting into a more comfortable position.

  “So, do you have a name? Or is ‘Try Not To Move Too Much. Your Body Is Almost Completely Healed’ your name?” I tilted my head. “Unique, for sure, but eh, who am I to judge? I was named after a video game character.”

  For a brief second, just barely, I thought I saw a smile. It was gone almost as quickly as it came. She remained expressionless, but there was a slight shift in her tone as she responded.

  “I think I understand why Ella chose this one.”

  Ella let out a sharp sigh, running a hand through her hair. “Don’t encourage him.”

  “Right?” Illya added, grinning as she leaned back slightly. “I want one myself.”

  I shot her a flat look. “You literally tried to kill me ten minutes ago.”

  She shrugged. “You tried first.”

  I opened my mouth—paused—then exhaled. “I— fair enough.”

  I turned back to Try Not To Move, giving her an expectant look. “So, are you going to introduce yourself? Or should I just give you a name?”

  She raised an eyebrow. “And what name would you give me?”

  I smirked. “If I tell you, it will be your name from here on out. Even if you tell me your real name.”

  She actually thought about it.

  Then, to my absolute delight, she nodded. “Okay.”

  Ella and Illya both snapped their heads toward her, expressions flabbergasted.

  “What?” Ella was the first to recover. “Since when did you humor people?”

  Illya followed up with an equally bewildered, “Since when did you have a sense of humor?”

  I waved a hand dismissively. “Kuudere’s can be broken, and I shall make it happen today.”

  Ella tilted her head. “A what?”

  Try Not To Move remained completely unfazed, her sharp, violet eyes staying on me. “Well? What is my name, Raiden?”

  I scratched my chin, pretending to think deeply, letting the anticipation build.

  Then, I glanced at her. "Humor me for a bit. Walk back and forth really quick."

  She didn’t hesitate. She walked over to the weapons rack on the left, then turned on her heel and walked back with the same controlled, effortless grace she seemed to do everything with.

  I nodded as I watched, then asked, "Alright, now hold my hand."

  I reached out, my palm open, as if offering a handshake. Again, she didn't question it. She walked up to me, took my hand, and I gave it a small squeeze.

  Her grip was steady, strong, but not overly tight. I came to a decision.

  This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road. If you spot it on Amazon, please report it.

  I smirked.

  "Alright. From now on, your name shall be—"

  Pause for effect.

  Ella and Illya leaned in slightly, waiting. Try Not To Move simply watched me, expression unreadable.

  Then, with the most serious voice I could muster, I declared—

  “Sylva.”

  Ella blinked. “Sylva?”

  Illya raised an eyebrow. “Why that?”

  I released Sylva’s hand, leaning back slightly. “It fits.”

  Ella crossed her arms. “Explain.”

  I gestured toward Sylva, watching her with the same analytical gaze I’d used in the fight.

  “The way she moves, it's smooth, controlled, effortless. No wasted motion, no hesitation. Like the wind gliding through the trees, like something that flows rather than forces itself through space.”

  I shrugged, “Sylva. It has a nice ring to it, don’t you think?”

  Illya snorted, “You’re giving her a name based on how she walks?”

  Sylva remained silent for a long moment. Then, to my absolute satisfaction, she gave a small, approving nod.

  “Acceptable.”

  Illya burst out laughing. “Oh, so he gets to name you, and you just go along with it?”

  Sylva turned her gaze toward Illya, her expression unreadable. “It is a fitting name.”

  Ella groaned, rubbing her temples. "I can’t believe you actually humored him."

  I just smirked, stretching my arms with satisfaction, "Another victory, we are three for three baby."

  I watched as Sylva processed the name I had just given her, but then something shifted in the air. Her expression remained as calm and unreadable as before, but there was a flicker, something small, something brief.

  A memory, maybe?

  Illya, who had been grinning a second ago, suddenly closed her mouth. Ella, who had been about to say something, stopped herself.

  My gaze flicked between them, and that’s when I realized that there was a reason she accepted the name so easily.

  Illya exhaled, rubbing the back of her neck. "Alright, never mind."

  Ella sighed, "Should’ve guessed."

  I squinted at them, "Huh?"

  Sylva finally spoke, her tone just as neutral as before, "Sylva was my grandmother’s name."

  …Oh, I wasn’t expecting that.

  For a second, I considered taking it back, but she didn’t seem offended—if anything, she seemed… accepting. Like the name actually meant something to her.

  Damn I'm good at this.

  I shrugged, leaning back against the wall. "Well then, that’s even better. Now it really suits you."

  Ella rolled her eyes. "I swear, you could talk your way into anything."

  I grinned, but my focus was still on Sylva. Something about her still didn’t sit right with me. Not in a bad way, just in a curious way. So, I decided to dig a little.

  I stretched out my legs, rolling my shoulders before turning to her again. “So, are you a healer?”

  She nodded, “I am.”

  I gestured to myself. "And you're the one who patched me up?"

  "Yes."

  I tilted my head, giving her a slow, thoughtful look. "Why?"

  The room went silent. Ella and Illya both looked at me like I had just asked why the sun rises in the morning.

  Sylva, however, remained still. Her gaze locked onto mine, sharp but not offended. She was waiting for me to elaborate. So I did.

  “Most elven nobility wouldn’t blink if I was seriously injured.” I leaned forward slightly. “So why did you?”

  I saw it, the small flicker of surprise in her expression. It was so brief that anyone else would’ve missed it, but I didn’t. Because I had already noticed something different about her.

  The ears are longer than Ella’s and Illya’s, extending just slightly past the standard length of most high elves.

  Then there's her hair, it's not golden like the most high elves. Not even a shade of silver, or any shade of blonde.

  Instead it wad a pale blue, almost ethereal. Her robes were clearly handmade to fit her magnificent figure and her being a healer when this seemed like a family of warriors was also a dead giveaway.

  I crossed my arms, watching her reaction closely, “You’re a high elf from a different realm, aren’t you?”

  The room tensed, Sylva’s eyes narrowed slightly. For the first time, she looked at me with actual interest.

  Ella raised an eyebrow. “And what gave you that idea?”

  I shrugged. “Details.”

  Sylva tilted her head just slightly, studying me like I had suddenly become an interesting puzzle.

  “…You’re perceptive.”

  I smirked, “I try.”

  She didn’t confirm or deny it. Which, honestly, was confirmation enough.

  Sylva’s golden eyes lingered on me for a moment longer, as if making some silent evaluation.

  Then, to my absolute satisfaction, she nodded once and said, “I like this one.”

  Illya grinned immediately. “Right? I’ve been saying that.”

  Ella, however, groaned.

  I turned to her with a smirk. “What, don’t tell me you’re feeling left out?”

  She shot me a flat look. “No. I’m just realizing that if I keep you around any longer, you might end up being adopted into the Vel’aeris family at this rate.”

  I snorted, “What, like a stray?”

  “Exactly.”

  Illya burst out laughing, while Sylva simply remained composed, as if this conversation had no impact on her whatsoever. Which only made it better.

  I leaned forward, resting my elbows on my knees as I turned back to Sylva. “Speaking of which, how exactly are you related to them?”

  She blinked, then answered in her usual calm, even tone.

  “My grandmother married into the family a few decades after I was born.”

  I raised an eyebrow. “So you weren’t born into the Vel’aeris bloodline?”

  She shook her head. “No. My lineage is from another realm. But after my grandmother joined, I was brought into the household and eventually became an attendant.”

  Ella folded her arms, adding in. “She’s also the primary healer of the family estate.”

  Sylva nodded, “I do not hold the Vel’aeris name, but I serve the household under my family’s lineage.”

  I exhaled sharply, tilting my head, “So you’re a noble, but not Vel’aeris noble?”

  Sylva simply inclined her head slightly, “Correct.”

  Interesting.

  So she wasn’t fully tied to them, yet she still carried authority within the estate. Means they must value her highly for her healing abilities.

  A high elf from another realm, a healer, and someone with enough standing to make Illya and Ella actually respect her input.

  Yeah, I definitely wasn’t done figuring her out yet. But for now, I was content knowing one thing. I had managed to win her over.

  I let out a long sigh, stretching my sore limbs as I turned to Ella. “Alright, now that I can move again, how about you drag me to your room or something so you can finally tell me what you’ve been purposefully avoiding?”

  Ella, as expected, narrowed her eyes at me, “Excuse me?”

  I raised an eyebrow, “You heard me. I’d like to be dragged to your room, please.”

  She crossed her arms, “You do realize how that sounds, right?”

  I smirked, “Yup.”

  I'm just playing your game.

  Ella exhaled through her nose, muttering something about me being insufferable, before she grabbed me by my wrist and yanked me forward.

  “Oh shi—” I barely had time to react before I was actually being dragged across the room.

  As we left, I managed to wave back at Illya and Sylva, who both looked entirely too entertained.

  “Goodbye, ladies! I regret nothing!”

  Illya snickered, “You will soon. Isn't that right Sylva?”

  Sylva only waved then turned to Illya, “Illya.”

  Illya turned her head, raising an eyebrow, “Yes?”

  “Only Raiden is allowed to call me that.”

  Illya’s face went blank. Then, as the realization hit her, she gaped, “What?!”

  I laughed, even as Ella continued dragging me along.

  Ella did not slow down in the slightest. She dragged me across the halls, through corridors lined with intricate elven architecture, passing by servants and attendants who barely blinked at the sight of a human being hauled away like a sack of rice.

  My legs were dead weight, still tingling from the healing process, and every few seconds, I’d attempt to walk, only for my knees to betray me entirely.

  “Could you at least pretend I have some dignity?” I groaned as she hauled me up a staircase with zero hesitation.

  “No.”

  Fair enough.

  Finally, we reached a set of large double doors engraved with delicate elven runes. Ella pushed them open effortlessly and dragged me inside before unceremoniously dropping me onto the floor. I groaned, rolling onto my back, my legs still completely useless.

  “Awesome,” I muttered. “Now my legs are nothing but pins and needles. I’m just gonna… lay here for a second.”

  Ella ignored me as she closed the doors behind us. Now that I had a chance to breathe, I took a proper look at her room. It was immaculate, but not in the cold, museum-like way that some noble estates had.

  The furniture was sleek, dark wood accented with silver, matching the regal tones of her deep blue and green color palette. Her bed was massive, plush, and neatly arranged with far too many pillows, which only confirmed my long-standing belief that noble girls had a pillow obsession.

  Near one of the windows was a mahogany desk, several books stacked neatly on the side, the surface meticulously organized. And just when I was about to assume that everything in this room perfectly fit her high-class image…

  I saw it, peeking out from behind a half-drawn curtain on a bookshelf was a K-drama poster.

  I dragged myself across the floor like a wounded soldier, craning my neck to get a better look.

  "Oh?"

  Ella, who had been heading toward her bed, froze, "Raiden. Don't."

  I smirked. "I don't know why you try to deny it. I mean I understand it's a bit of a stereotype, but do you really need to hide it?"

  She turned so fast I almost expected her ears to snap off. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

  I managed to get to a chair, awkwardly pulling myself into it.

  “Right,” I said, still grinning. “So that’s not ‘Moonlit Blossoms’ starring Liora Han?”

  Ella’s eye twitched. She stomped over, snatching the poster off the shelf and tucking it under her arm like I hadn’t already seen it.

  “First of all,” she huffed, “it’s a limited edition print. Second of all, shut up.”

  I laughed, resting my arms against the chair. "Hey, no judgment. I just think it's funny that you gave me shit for guessing it yesterday, and yet here we are."

  Ella muttered something in Elvish before plopping herself onto the bed, crossing her legs. Then, finally, she exhaled sharply and met my gaze.

  "Alright," she said. "I suppose it’s time I told you the truth."

  Ella took a slow breath, and I could tell from the way her posture shifted that she was finally getting to the point.

  “Alright,” she said, “let’s start with my family.”

  I leaned forward slightly, waiting.

  “You already know that my family is the Vel’aeris family,” she began. “But what you might not realize is that we’re not as high up in the sect hierarchy as most people assume.”

  That made me pause, “Wait, really?”

  For a family that had a reputation like theirs, I had assumed they were way higher on the food chain. Well I've never heard of them mostly due to ignorance. I don't dwell in sect and clan culture all that much. I only know a few names at most and most were just because they had some association with history.

  I see this house she lives in and her sister was very skilled. Not to mention Sylva, she clearly had some form of respect towards the Vel'aeris family so it would make sense to assume they have some influence.

  Ella nodded, “We’re strong. Our warriors are among the best. Our family has produced some of the most capable Ascendants in our generation.”

  She sighed, “But influence? True power? That’s a different matter. In terms of ranking within the sect, we’re somewhere in the middle.”

  I frowned. “That doesn’t sound right. If your family has the talent, why wouldn’t they be higher?”

  She gave a dry chuckle. “That’s exactly the problem. We’re warriors, Raiden, not politicians. We have power, but we don’t have sway.”

  Ah, that made more sense.

  Politics and power were two very different things. Judging by her tone, this was a sore spot. So I'll just shelf that question and probably ask Illya. I let her continue her explanation.

  “My father, and my great-grandfather before him, have been working toward one goal, climbing the ladder and claiming a seat as an elder of the sect.”

  I leaned back slightly, already seeing where this was going, “And how does one get a giant head start on something like that? Because you said that you had no political sway so there must be something.”

  Her expression darkened slightly. “By merging with a family that already holds that kind of influence.”

  Now I see where this is going.

  Ella let out a slow breath, “The family in question?” she continued, “Brightmoor.”

  I blinked.

  Brightmoor? Brightmoor… Wait.

  I glanced toward the window, toward the vast estate beyond. Then back at her.

  “…Brightmoor. As in Brightmoor Estate?”

  She nodded, “Yeah. This place? It was an engagement gift. A ‘token of goodwill’ from the Brightmoor family to my own.”

  I stared at her for a second. Then, before I could stop myself, I let out a short, dry laugh.

  “…So your home was basically a ‘congratulations on selling your daughter’ present?”

  She scoffed. “You say that like I don’t already know.”

  I mean shit, I wouldn't mind getting a large estate for agreeing to marry someone. Then again I pretty positive that she didn't agree nor volunteer. More along the lines of voluntold.

  I frowned, the humor fading just slightly, “…So who’s the guy?”

  She sighed, “The fifth son of the Brightmoor family.”

  I raised an eyebrow, “Fifth?”

  “Yeah. He’s not the heir, nor is he expected to hold any major responsibility in their family. But he was still chosen for this engagement to merge our families.”

  I squinted, “So basically, he’s just some extra they had lying around and decided to throw at you?”

  Ella let out a bitter chuckle, “That’s one way to put it.”

  I tilted my head, “And I’m assuming he’s awful?”

  She ran a hand through her hair, her ears twitching slightly, “Oh, he doesn’t look bad, I’ll give him that. His face is tolerable at best.”

  I gave her a look, “Tolerable?”

  She sighed dramatically, “Fine, he looks decent. But that’s where his good traits end.”

  Ah I see where this is going now. I didn’t need to hear the rest to know exactly the kind of person he was, but she told me anyway.

  “He’s selfish. Domineering. The type of person who thinks everyone is beneath him simply because of his bloodline. He expects control over everything, and unfortunately, that includes me.”

  I stayed quiet for a moment, pretending to process the information, as if I couldn’t already take a good guess. This would be a different story if it were just some annoying nobleman trying to court her. But this? This was a forced engagement. A political move to elevate her family’s standing.

  And knowing Ella, the way she carried herself, the way she valued her freedom above all else…

  Yeah. I’d be pissed too, but using me to get a taste of that freedom? Kind of a bitch move, if you ask me.

  Now, don’t get me wrong. A pretty elf girl wanting to spend time with me? Hard to complain, but this wasn’t real. This was all manufactured. A game to stir the pot and make her unwanted fiancé squirm. How far things went between us? That would depend entirely on how much of a spectacle she wanted to create.

  I, on the other hand, had a different plan.

  Now that I knew who the mystery man was, not his name, not his rank, just that he was some high elf noble, I had all the information I needed.

  I’ll just call him Herbert.

  I exhaled through my nose, my lips twitching with amusement, “And that’s why you agreed to our deal back at the martial arts competition.”

  She nodded, “I needed an excuse, a way to create just enough disruption to push back the engagement without outright rejecting it.”

  I slowly nodded, my mind working through all the details. So I was right. I was a piece in this game whether I wanted to be or not.

  I glanced at Ella, who was watching me carefully, waiting for my reaction. Would I brush it off? Would I laugh it off like some dumb drama?

  But instead, I exhaled and muttered, “…Yeah. That tracks.”

  Ella blinked, “That’s it?”

  I shrugged. “Sounds like something nobility would pull. You get used to hearing stories like this.”

  She raised an eyebrow. “Do you?”

  I smirked. “Of course I do. Nobility class systems are always fucked. Have you ever played a JRPG in your life?”

  Ella muttered something in Elvish, rubbing her temples.

  I grinned.

  At least she didn’t look as tense anymore.I stretched my arms, letting out a slow exhale before turning back to Ella.

  “Alright, so… what’s next?”

  She blinked, tilting her head. “What do you mean?”

  I raised an eyebrow, “I mean, we obviously need to make somewhat of an effort here. If your whole plan was to use me as a way to throw this guy off, you’ve gotta have a strategy in mind. So, what’s the next move?”

  She paused, frowning slightly, as if there were details she wasn't sure she should say.

  I smirked. “Do you really expect me to not receive an explanation and just play along?”

  Ella’s ears twitched and subtly turned a shade of red, and I had to fight back a laugh at how incredibly obvious she was when she was irritated.

  “I... thought the situation would develop naturally,” she huffed.

  I snorted, “That's Grade-A bullshit and you know it. Stop beating around the bush and just say it.”

  She shot me a look, but didn’t deny it.

  I leaned forward slightly, resting my elbows on my knees, “Alright, so let me take a wild guess. You’re hoping to stall him long enough to get to Nexus, aren’t you?”

  Ella’s posture stiffened. Her expression gave nothing away, but her silence was all the confirmation I needed.

  I grinned, “Nailed it.”

  She sighed, rubbing her temple before finally looking at me again.

  “…If I reach Nexus, I’ll have enough standing to prove that I can uplift my family without the need for marriage.”

  Her fingers curled slightly, her voice more serious now, “That’s the only way I can gain enough leverage to reject the engagement outright. If I reach Nexus, they won’t be able to argue that I’m a wasted opportunity. I’ll have proven that I’m strong enough on my own.”

  I nodded slowly, processing that. It made sense. Nexus wasn’t just a rank, it was a statement. A sign that you had reached the midway point of your advancement. It meant you were among the best. It meant you had undeniable influence. And in Ella’s case, it meant she wouldn’t have to rely on politics to secure her family’s position.

  If her sister was Violet Rank and their family was still stuck in the same position, then Nexus was the next best thing.

  As far as I was aware, the ranks went as follows:

  

  
• Green


  
• Blue


  
• Violet


  
• Nexus (Midway Point)


  
• Red


  
• Orange


  
• Yellow


  
• White


  

  Nexus wasn’t officially considered a rank because it was right in between Violet and Red. A transitional state. From what I learned through my conversations with Chronos and my research in the Veritas Vault, Nexus wasn’t just a power checkpoint.

  It was a barrier. The peak of Violet Rank, yet just barely dipping its toes into Red. It was where most people stalled. Because surpassing Nexus meant taking a step into conceptual power. That was where things got complicated.

  At Red Rank, you weren’t just getting stronger. You were beginning to understand. You were taking your first steps into manipulating reality itself.

  A Red Rank Ascendant could manipulate different types of aura, refining them into something more than just raw strength.

  For example:

  

  
• They could manipulate wind aura to make themselves fly, even if their Esoteric Affinity had nothing to do with flight.


  
• They could manipulate space itself, creating portals to teleport to new locations.


  
• They could enhance their aura with conceptual influence, meaning their attacks weren’t just physical—they carried weight in a deeper sense.


  

  Nexus allowed someone to use a tiny fraction of that power. A taste of what Red Rank had to offer, but that’s where the problem came in. Understanding concepts isn’t easy.

  The moment you reach Nexus, you’re forced to begin comprehending higher forms of power, and most people? They get stuck, because breaking into conceptual power means more than just training your body, it means training your mind, your understanding, your very perception of the world.

  It wasn’t only power, it was about insight. And if you couldn’t reach that understanding? You’d be stuck at Nexus forever. Which was why so many Ascendants never made it past that point.

  I had to bribe Chronos with a steak to get that information out of him.

  I glanced back at her. I could see it now. The pressure she was under.

  Getting stronger wasn’t her true goal, it was about proving that she could go beyond the point where so many others had failed.

  If she could reach Nexus, she would prove herself strong enough to carve her own path.

  If she stalled, if she failed to push forward, she would be exactly where her family already was. I bet her father was at Nexus right now. Close, but never quite making it past the threshold.

  I leaned back slightly, exhaling. “…That’s a hell of a goal.”

  Ella exhaled as well, running a hand through her hair. “Yeah. And I don’t have much time.”

  No, she really didn’t. Because if she wanted to reach Nexus before she was forced into this marriage, she’d either have to do it faster than most Ascendants ever did… Or, in this case, use a silly little goose to push back on the marriage. Which gave me an inkling into what her real plan was once she turned eighteen.

  I smirked slightly. “So your plan is to use me until you get accepted into an academy so you can stall for time?”

  Ella paused, then sighed, “…More or less.”

  Of course that's how it is.

  She crossed her arms. “The Ascendant Academies are untouchable when it comes to political matters.”

  I nodded. “Yeah, I know that much.”

  The Academies weren’t only schools that trained Ascendants and had some of the best training facilities. They were separate entities, outside of the influence of sect politics, noble families, and alliances. All because they are heavily associated with the A.A. The Ascendants Association has no political leanings and doesn’t give a fuck about your family name.

  Once you were accepted into one, you were essentially under its protection. No external forces, not even a sect elder, could interfere with your progression until you graduated. It just so happens that you can graduate once you reach Violet Rank. How convenient.

  If she got into one, it would give her years of breathing room. Yet that still meant she was basically using me until she gets into one. Once she's accepted it's bye bye Raiden.

  She continued, “If I can get into an academy, I can use that as a shield until I graduate.” She let out a slow breath, her gaze hardening, “By that time, I should be at Nexus.”

  I leaned my chin on my fist, thinking it over. It wasn’t a bad plan. Hell, it was probably her best option given her circumstances.

  If she was legally tied to the academy’s jurisdiction, her father and the Brightmoor family couldn’t force the marriage until she leaves the school. By the time she graduated, she’d either be too strong to be controlled, or at the very least, she’d have the backing of an institution, guild, or whatever that wouldn’t let her be used as a bargaining chip.

  Smart, difficult yeah, but smart.

  I exhaled through my nose. “You’re betting everything on that, huh?”

  She nodded. “I have no other choice.”

  I stretched, popping my back slightly before giving Ella a knowing look.

  “Well, that just means you can’t afford to slack off.”

  She shot me a look, eyes narrowing. “What are you implying?”

  I grinned. “Oh, nothing. Just that if you’re gonna use me, I might as well make myself useful.”

  Ella blinked, looking genuinely surprised for a moment. “W-well… you might as well make the most of it. Not many humans get the chance to spend their time with a beautiful high elf.”

  "Trying to play the pompous noble role all of a sudden? You disappoint me." I smirked, resting my arms behind my head. “Don’t get mad at me for taking risks, though.”

  Her eyes narrowed slightly. “What do you mean by that?”

  “Oh, nothing.” I said lying through my teeth.

  I’m going to play along for now. She doesn’t have a single clue what’s actually happening. She thinks she’s using me to stall her engagement. Which is true, but the thing is… I’m going to use her too.

  Could I have rejected this entire ordeal? Could I have just cleaned my hands of it and walked away?

  Yes. Absolutely.

  So why am I going through with it?

  Because I have a plan. Now, you might be wondering—

  "Rai, surely you must have an Aizen-level brain cell working behind the scenes, planning everything in advance, pulling strings like some grand strategist?"

  Well, my young seeker of wisdom, let me tell you my brilliant plan. You see, Ella’s fiancé? He’s going to be a problem. A rich, arrogant, politically-backed problem. And people like him? They don’t like competition.

  So what happens if his lovely fiancée starts spending more time with a random human who happens to be getting a little too close?

  He’ll want to get rid of me. Which means he’ll start sending people after me.

  That my dear wisdom seeker, that is exactly what I want.

  The more people he sends after me, the more techniques I get to steal. The more fights I get into, the more chances I have to awaken. Every time he tries to sabotage me, every time he throws another obstacle in my way, he’ll be doing me a favor.

  And the best part, he won’t even realize it.

  So yeah, am I going to play the ‘boyfriend’ role? Absolutely. Because in the end, I’ll be the one using him.

  I stretched, checking the time on my phone.

  5:47 PM.

  Damn, I’d been here longer than I thought.

  I looked up at Ella. “Well, this has been fun and all, but I should probably head home before my mom decides to put out a missing person's report.”

  Ella rolled her eyes. “Yes, please leave before I regret this arrangement entirely.”

  I smirked. “Too late.”

  She just sighed, waving a hand dismissively as she turned toward her bookshelf, probably to re-hide that K-drama poster.

  I made my way out of her room, taking my time as I walked through the halls of the Vel’aeris estate. This worked out well. I got exactly what I wanted. Now, all I had to do was wait for Ella’s fiancé to start taking the bait. And once he did it was game on.

  I'm not gonna lie, I got lost. Thankfully Sylva found me wondering and was holding my clothes. They were folded neatly in her hands, waiting as if she was my personal attendant. After taking my clothes, which I had most certainly not forgotten about, she lead me to the entrance. She waved me goodbye and left.

  I grinned to myself as I stepped outside, feeling the cool night air hit my face. Alright. Time to head home—

  Something grabbed me by the back of my shirt, “—Oh, come on.”

  Before I could even turn around, a familiar voice rang out, “You had your fun. Time to get back to work.”

  And then, just as suddenly, Chronos picked me up like a sack of potatoes, and threw me into a portal. Again.

  “YOU MOTHERFU—”

  The swirling void swallowed my words.

  When the portal spat me out, I barely had time to register where I was going before I collided into something soft. No, someone.

  “Aww, there’s my precious Rai-Bear!”

  Oh no.

  Strong arms wrapped around me, catching me with the grace of someone who had been waiting. I didn’t hit the ground. I landed straight into Selena’s embrace. And instead of letting me go, she squeezed tighter, smothering me against her chest.

  “I knew Chronos would throw you back eventually! Oh, I missed you so much~! Did you miss me too? Why didn’t you call me yet?”

  I tried to pull away, but alas, it didn’t work.

  “Selena—”

  She gasped dramatically. “You’re still injured, aren’t you?! Those mean elves must’ve been so rough with you! Don’t worry, I’ll fix you up! I’ll make you all better, Rai-Bear~!”

  “I’M FINE! Wait… how did you kno—”

  I wasn’t fine, I was being suffocated. I could hear Chronos laughing in the background, the absolute bastard. Selena only held me closer, rocking me slightly like some overgrown teddy bear.

  “Shh, shh, don’t struggle. Just let it happen.”

  “CHRONOS! EXPLAIN!”

  After wiping away actual tears from laughing so hard, he finally spoke, “To go into your Aether Realm, of course.”

  I froze slightly, my struggling slowing just enough to process his words. “What prompts you to do that?” I asked, my voice laced with suspicion.

  Chronos gave me a knowing look, “You should know why.”

  And then it hit me, “…Because I almost awakened.”

  He nodded. “Precisely.”

  My stomach tightened. I had felt it, I had been right there, on the edge. Only to be ripped away at the last second.

  Chronos crossed his arms, his expression more serious now. “So let’s see how much damage you’ve done to your little friend.”

  I blinked. “…My what?”

  Selena gasped again. "Oh no, is it broken? Is it unstable? What if it’s corrupted?! Oh, this is so exciting~!"

  “Okay, first off—WHAT? Second, DON’T CALL IT ‘LITTLE FRIEND’ WHAT DOES IT HAVE TO DO WITH MY REALM?”

  Chronos raised an eyebrow at my words, “Your Aether Core, Rai. I'm talking about your Aether Core...”

  Oh…

  “What did you think I was referring to?”

  “Nothing… So uh… we doing this or am I just gonna remain in her arms.”

  Selena giggled mischievously, still clinging to me like I wasn’t fighting for my life. This was going to be a long night.