CHAPTER 239: TRUST

"I’m sorry..." Eris whispers, still holding my hands. Her voice trembles, thick with emotion. "I lied to you. I kept such a big secret from you... even though you’re my lover, even though you deserved to know everything from the start..."

I blink, stunned, but then I see it.

Tears.

Silent, glistening, they fall down her cheeks one by one.

Ah...

I see it now.

Eris has been carrying this burden alone for so long. She has always been so calm, so composed, so impossibly strong. She held herself together like stone, because she had to, because no one else could bear it for her.

And now... she’s finally letting it go.

All of it.

And by her telling me everything, it’s like a dam bursting open. The weight, the pressure, all of it flooding out at once.

"Eris..." I breathe, heart aching. I lean in and wrap my arms around her.

She pulls me into a hug, and squeezes me tight.

Tighter than I expected.

It hurts a little, because her grip is strong, almost desperate.

But I don’t mind.

Because this means she trusts me.

She’s letting me in, not just into her story, but into her heart, into the pain she’s kept hidden.

What she told me was utterly dangerous. They are the kind of truth that could destroy her if it got into the wrong hands.

And yet... she chose me, she opened up to me.

And gods, I’m glad she did.

Because now... now I know I’ve truly been accepted. Fully, completely. She’s letting me stand by her, not just as her girlfriend, but as her partner, her equal.

And now that I think about it... Eris really is a masterful liar, isn’t she?

From the very beginning, she told her story with just enough truth to keep me close, and just enough illusion to keep me from the real answers.

Not outright lies, but half-truths.

Careful omissions.

First, she told me her father was just an A-rank adventurer. But in reality, he was S-rank. He was the founder of ShadowFang, one of the most powerful guilds in all of Zehrak!

Then came the second lie. She said her scar was from a monster. And I believed her. It made sense. The shape, the way it looked, it matched her story so well. It didn’t even cross my mind that it could’ve been caused by a person.

But it was.

Someone she once looked up to. Someone she trusted.

No wonder she keeps people at arm’s length, no wonder she’s so careful, even around the ones she loves.

And then... the last lie.

When those two Wolfmen mentioned the fall of ShadowFang, she acted completely shocked, like it was the first time she’d heard about it, like she was devastated.

But the truth is... she already knew.

Because she was the one who caused it.

In the end, I had been completely fooled, led on like a naive little kitten. But I’m not mad. Quite the opposite, I’m even more in love with her now.

As I hold her in my arms now, I gently run my fingers down her back, tracing over the faint rise beneath her clothes.

That’s when I feel it... the scar.

It’s rough, jagged, bumpy beneath my fingertips, a silent reminder of everything she’s been through.

And then a thought hits me.

"Wait," I blink, pulling back slightly. "Your mana core... you really sacrificed all your rings?"

"Yeah," Eris nods softly.

Two rings... she detonated them to destroy the Arcane Parasite.

One ring... she offered to Sheol, to awaken its second eye.

And the last ring... she burned it away to fuel that fake final attack on Lucian.

I stare at her, stunned.

But then something doesn’t add up.

"Hold on—didn’t you show me before? That you had four rings?"

I remember it clearly. After she massacred the Icy Frogs at Lake Vanessa, she showed me her power. I saw it. Her mana core was bright, radiating like a miniature sun, with four rings circling around it like glowing wheels of energy, totally intact, not broken whatsoever.

Pulsating Core State. Fourth Ring.

It was real.

That means...

Was she lying back then?

Or was it just another trick she played on my eyes?

Or... did she somehow get them back?

"Oh... that," Eris murmurs, her brow furrowing as she looks down at her hands. "Yeah. I grew them back."

"Wait—seriously? So that damage wasn’t permanent?" I gasp in relief. "Phewww..."

That explains why she’s still so strong!

For a moment back then, I was scared she’d never be able to progress in magic again. That she’d sacrificed everything, permanently.

"But it’s weird..." she adds.

"Weird? How so?" I ask.

"It goes against everything I’ve ever been taught," she says, eyes narrowing slightly in thought. "Mana rings aren’t supposed to grow back. Once you destroy them, that’s it. A mage who sacrifices their rings is stuck at that level forever."

She pauses.

"I thought I’d be trapped at the C-rank for the rest of my life. Weak, barely able to use my magic fully... But I kept training. Kept circulating mana. And somehow... my core regenerated. The rings started to form again. And not just that, these new rings... they feel even stronger than before!"

"What? Really?"

"Yeah!" Eris says. "I asked other people, so many other. Scholars, mages, anyone who might know something about this, and they all said the same thing, that it’s impossible, that I must be lying or imagining things."

"Oh..." I mutter. "So you’re the exception?"

"Yeah. Me and Larpard, actually." Eris nods. "He also managed to regrow his core rings. And not just regrow them, they came back even stronger. I honestly wonder what the mechanism behind it is..."

"Hmmm... that’s really interesting..." I muse.

And then, another thought suddenly comes to mind.

"Wait, could it have something to do with you being a NightWhizkersz?"

"That’s a possibility too," Eris says. "But there’s no way to test or confirm it right now. So, well... I’m just grateful. Fate gave me this second chance, and who am I to complain, right?"

"Right!" I grin, my tail flicking happily behind me.

I’m happy for her.

"Oh—speaking of Larpard, where is he now? Didn’t he come to Mistvale with you?" I ask.

Larpard isn’t here in Mistvale, so I wonder where the catboy is now.

"Oh, Larp... He’s working with Elisa now." Eris replies.

"Elisa? You mean the Black Scorpion Guildmaster?"

"Yeah." Eris nods. "But please, keep that a secret too, okay?" she says, then adds a little wink.

"Nn!" I nod firmly. "Your secrets are safe with me!"

Well, if possible, I really want to meet Larpard too.

He was so cool back then, he and Eris both.

And I wonder... what will he think about me, as his sister’s lover now?

Hehe...

He can even be a little bit jealous.

______________________________

Moments later, we’ve left the bench and are walking through the garden again, side by side.

I’m casually munching on some sweet crimson flower petals.

Well—Sanguinebloom petals.

Yeah... that’s what we’re calling them now. I also think I’m already addicted to them. I hope there will be no side effects.

"Hey, Eris," I say after a moment, still thinking about everything she told me. "About Aphaeleon..."

"Hm? What about them?" she glances over.

"You think they’re still after you?" I ask, frowning. "I mean... there’s no way they’d just give up. Not on you. Not on Sheol."

"Yeah, I know," she sighs, brushing a stray hair behind her ear. "That’s why I’ve been keeping my identity hidden. Using a fake ID, laying low, avoiding using my signature spells as much as I can."

"Right..." I murmur, my tail flicking with unease.

If Aphaeleon managed to infiltrate Zehrak’s major guilds so deeply, there’s no telling how far their reach goes. It wouldn’t be surprising if they had spies in Terra too. Even here in Mistvale.

Eris isn’t being paranoid, she’s being smart.

"But still," she says, voice low, "I’ve been ambushed three times in the past two months."

"What? Seriously? All Aphaeleon?"

"Mm-hmm. Looks like it."

"No way..."

Even with her being that careful?

That’s insane.

"But... how are they finding you?" I ask.

Could it be that... she was tracked?

Eris lets out a short laugh. "Think about it," she says, slowing her pace a little. "Even if I cover my face, change my hair style, fake my documents... can I really hide this?"

She suddenly spins around, stopping in front of me. Then, with zero warning, she lifts her shirt and flashes me—

Her ridiculously perfect abs! Glorious. Sculpted. Gleaming faintly in the red moonlight!

Then she turns back, and make a pose!

Her perfect biceps now pumping beautifully under her shirt!

"Pfft—!" I snort and nearly choke on a petal. "Okay, yeah! No way you’re hiding that! Your abs are probably more famous than your face!"

I mean come on—how many catgirls in the world have that level of muscle-mommy aesthetic?

None! ZERO!

Only Eris!

"Nah, just kidding!" Eris laughs, booping me on the nose. "Silly Felicia. My abs aren’t the issue. I could cover them up anytime."

"Hey!" I pout. "Then what is

the issue?"

"I think it’s because of resonance," she mutters. "I think... between Aphaeleon and Sheol. Or maybe... Aphaeleon and Azraphael. I think they can sense each other somehow."

"Oh... right."

I get what she means instantly.

Since they are all connected to each other in some way or another, I wouldn’t be surprised if Aphaeleon can sense Eris’ presence through Sheol.

"So... you think there’s really no way for you to hide from them?" I ask softly, concern tightening in my chest.

"Yeah," she sighs. "After all, it’s hard to hide when I don’t even understand how it works."

"Ughhh..." that makes my chest tightens. "Then what do we do now?"

"What, you scared?" she teases.

"Hell no! No way!" I exclaim, my tail bristling. "If Aphaeleon shows up and tries to hurt you, I’ll kick their asses!"

"Pffft!" Eris grins. "Yup. That’s the plan. We get stronger, fast! So when trouble finds us, we kick them in the ass!"

"Yeah!" I pump my fist. "Let’s go!"

And then, softly, tenderly, Eris raises her hand and runs her fingers through my hair.

I lean into her touch, smiling without even meaning to. It’s comforting... warm... gentle.

Then she pulls me into a hug, wrapping her strong arms around me.

Her body is so warm and solid, like a shield made just for me. I press my cheek against her chest, listening to her heartbeat. Steady. Strong. Just like her.

"Eris... I’m serious," I whisper into her shirt. "I’m going to get stronger. I’ll protect you. I’ll fight by your side—no matter what."

She holds me a little tighter.

"Felicia..." she murmurs, and I hear the softness in her voice, like she’s touched.

But then, suddenly, her tone changes.

"So..." she says, a teasing smile creeping into her voice, "when do you want to start your training?"

"TOMORROW!" I answer without hesitation, my ears standing straight up.

"Ehhh?" Eris blinks in surprise. "Tomorrow? Why not today?"

"B-but... today’s already late!" I flail. "We still need to cook, eat, and take a dip in the pool!"

She lets out a laugh, playful and light. "Alright, alright. I’ll let you off the hook for today. But tomorrow... I’ll wake you up bright and early!"

Then she pauses, smirking. "Actually, maybe I’ll let you relax tomorrow too. We can start the day after."

"NO!!" I protest, tail flicking with determination. "No need to relax! I’ll wake up early tomorrow, I promise!"

"Pinky promise?"

"PINKY PROMISE!"

She lifts her pinky, and I hook mine around it, squeezing tight.

A promise made.

Just like that, it’s set in stone.

Tonight, me and Eris will rest and enjoy a peaceful evening with hot food, swimming in the new pool, maybe some quiet stargazing... and of course, lots of cuddles under a warm blanket.

And tomorrow... my gruesome training arc begins.

Honestly?

I can’t wait.

Huehuehue...

No—wait.

I press my hand onto Eris’ belly again, and counting.

One two three four five...

six even eight...

Oh shit...

Eight-packs.

Yeah... eight packs it is then!

I want the whole set.