The bathroom door creaked open slowly, breaking the tense silence that had settled over the room. Xavier and Edwin, who had been deep in discussion about Selentia's sudden ability to break Xavier's shackles and destroy the magic circle, turned their heads toward the sound.
What they saw made them pause.
The air around Selentia was different—thicker, heavier, charged with an energy that made the hairs on the back of Xavier's neck stand on end. Her crimson aura, once a faint glow, now radiated like a storm of embers, swirling around her in a chaotic yet mesmerizing dance. Xavier's golden eyes widened as he tried to process the sheer intensity of her power.
"Can someone's aura grow this strong in just two hours?" He muttered under his breath, his voice tinged with disbelief.
Edwin, however, wasn't surprised. A small, proud smile played on his lips as he observed Selentia. "Seems like you've finally found enlightenment, Foxy," he said, his tone warm but laced with a hint of mischief.
Selentia glanced at her hands, her expression calm but focused. With a flick of her wrist, she summoned an aura blade in each hand. The blades were sharper, more defined, and cracked with a destructive energy that made the air hum. She dismissed them just as quickly, the aura dissipating into the ether.
"I guess so," she murmured, her voice steady but carrying a weight of newfound resolve.
Xavier stared at her, his lips parting slightly. "You're a monster," he said, though there was no malice in his tone—only awe. His demonic power, which allowed him to see the strengths and weaknesses of others, was practically buzzing with excitement. Selentia's aura was unlike anything he'd ever seen, and it stirred something primal within him.
Edwin, now in his human form, crossed his arms and gave Selentia a pointed look. "You realize you won't be able to wield this power properly unless you train your body, right? Enlightenment doesn't magically make you invincible."
Selentia nodded, her gaze steady. "I can feel it. My aura has grown stronger, but my body isn't ready to handle it yet. I'll need to train harder."
Edwin's expression softened, and he ruffled her hair affectionately. "Good. You've taken the first step. Now, let's make sure you don't get hurt again. I've already delayed your training for three days."
Selentia's lips curled into a small smile. "I'll make sure of it. Help me grow stronger, Master."
Edwin grinned, but his attention quickly shifted to Xavier, who was struggling to contain his demonic energy. Bloodlust seeped from him in waves, and his golden eyes flickered with an unstable light.
"Learn to control that damn demonic power of yours, you idiot," Edwin snapped, his tone sharp. "She can't fight you yet."
Xavier clenched his fists, his jaw tightening as he forced the energy back under control. "It was an unconscious mistake," he muttered, avoiding Selentia's gaze.
Selentia, however, didn't seem bothered. She was used to the volatile nature of those touched by demonic power. Instead, she turned her attention to the task at hand. "We need to start planning. The Prince can't go back to the Imperial Castle, but how do we explain his disappearance?"
Xavier spoke up, his voice low. "Edwin's already taken care of that. He's good at covering his tracks."
Selentia raised an eyebrow, her suspicion growing as she looked at Edwin. "What exactly did you do, Master?"
Edwin smirked, his red eyes gleaming with pride. "I blew up the entire castle where Noodle was staying and reduced it to ashes. No one will find a trace of him."
Selentia's eyes widened in shock. "You *what*? The defenses around that castle were stronger than anywhere else in the empire! How did you even manage that?"
Xavier rolled his eyes, clearly annoyed. "He's been studying demonic power for sixteen years to free me. Staging a little explosion isn't exactly hard for him."
Edwin chuckled, clearly enjoying the praise. "I never do half-baked work, unlike you kids."
Selentia shook her head, still processing the information. "But what were you even doing there in the first place?"
Edwin's grin faltered, and he scratched the back of his neck nervously. Xavier, however, seized the opportunity to tease him. "Are you going to hide the truth from your beloved student, Tower Master?"
Selentia's eyes narrowed, her gaze locking onto Edwin. "What is he talking about?"
Edwin sighed, realizing he couldn't avoid the question. "Fine. I was there because I needed to study the magic circle binding Xavier. It was... personal."
Selentia crossed her arms, clearly unsatisfied with his vague answer. "Personal how?"
Before Edwin could respond, Xavier interjected, his tone playful. "He's been obsessed with breaking the chains for years. Guess he couldn't resist getting involved."
Edwin shot Xavier a glare, but Selentia's attention was already shifting. Her eyes landed on Xavier, who was now perched on her head in his baby dragon form. She couldn't help but smile at the sight of him—his pearlescent white and violet scales shimmering in the sunlight, his golden eyes glowing with an almost ethereal light.
"You're beautiful," she said softly, her voice filled with genuine admiration.
Xavier frozen, his wings fluttering nervously. "W-What?" he stammered, clearly caught off guard.
"I never thought dragons could be so beautiful," Selentia continued, her fingers gently brushing against his scales. "Your scales feel like silk, but they're so strong. And your eyes... they're like molten gold."
Xavier's cheeks flushed, though it was hard to tell beneath his scales. "I... uh... thanks," he mumbled, his voice barely above a whisper.
Before the moment could stretch further, the sound of footsteps echoed down the hallway. Selentia's expression hardened, and Xavier immediately flew to her shoulder, his tiny claws gripping her shirt.
"Who is it?" Xavier whispered, his golden eyes narrowing.
Selentia didn't answer. Instead, she called out, her voice cold and commanding. "Come in."
The door opened, and Ezekian stepped inside. His black hair was disheveled, and his golden eyes were filled with a mix of desperation and anger. Xavier tensed, his demonic energy flaring slightly, but Selentia placed a calming hand on his back.
"What do you want, Ezekian?" Selentia asked, her tone icy. Xavier wasn't liking the gaze of Ezekian on Selentia. He didn't understand why he was feeling that way.
Ezekian took a deep breath. "Must you do this?" Selentia's eyes narrowed. "I am not giving you back the sword."
Ezekian shook his head, his expression clearly desperate. "Must we break our engagement?"
Xavier's eyes widened when he heard the engagement word; unconsciously, his rage rose. But Selentia's next sentence instantly calmed him. " You should have thought twice, Young Duke. " Her voice was cold; she was wearing a fake polite smile.
"I will never marry you. Not when I can see, you are seeing how big of a loss it is to let go of me."
There was something about Selentia that many people didn't know. If she ever cries over someone bitterly enough for her body to ache in pain, she never looks back at that person with kindness ever again.
And it was the same for Ezekian. Two days ago, Selentia cried. She cried in front of him because of him. And with that, she had let go of her 30 years of one-sided love for him.