CHAPTER 50: CHAPTER 50: NO WAY IN HELL...

Chapter 50 — No way in hell...

Darklore, Waverith Stronghold, Cerveau’s Estate—

Inside the bluish-white castle of the Cerveau estate, Brain Cerveau sat silently in his office, his expression—as always—neutral, unreadable, without even a hint of emotion.

The office was exactly what you’d expect from someone like him. Blue with white streaks, clean and clinical. There was only a table, two chairs, and one small bookshelf filled with orderly rows of books. Nothing more.

Everything in that room was arranged with cold precision. Not a thing out of place.

And right now, on his desk, Brain was slowly flipping through a file of papers. He read each one with care, without commenting, without blinking, without anything.

After a few minutes, he finished reading and placed the papers back down with deliberate grace.

"Is that all?" Brain asked, leaning softly back into his chair.

"Yes, my lord. Those are the recent movements of the beasts outside the stronghold," came a soft, girlish voice. The voice echoed from nowhere, disembodied, but the chill behind it was unmistakable.

Brain tilted his head. "What about that snake?"

"She hasn’t moved, my lord. I’ve sent more men to gather information, but none returned. She’s reinforced her defenses."

Brain frowned slightly.

He preferred enemies who moved. Enemies like that brute—predictable, violent, open.

But that snake? She always stayed in her territory. Quiet. Hidden. Silent. Waiting.

She was bothersome to deal with. And worst of all, there was no clear way to gather more intel on her.

And that...that bothered him greatly.

"Use our elite. I want to know what made her shut herself in like that and turn her domain into a fortress."

A pause.

"Or better yet... capture a few of those talking snakemen," he added, a cold, lifeless smile creeping across his face. "I’ll make them talk."

"Understood, my lord," the voice replied, completely unshaken.

"But also, my lord," she continued, "there is the matter with the Warborns."

Brain raised a brow, his hand coming to rest under his chin.

"What should we do about them?" she asked.

Brain remained silent for a moment before answering.

"The Warborns are a clan of brutes. And outside our walls... we have a beast that also likes bloodshed."

He smirked.

"Let’s make sure they meet. I think they’ll be great friends."

Then, more firmly—

"I don’t care what methods you use. Just make sure that beast and the Warborns clash."

He paused, his tone darkening.

"And I’m not talking about small skirmishes, Selene."

"I want them in full war."

"You understand me? Do whatever it takes."

Silence followed those words, cold and heavy—before finally:

"By your will, Lord Brain," Selene responded.

Her voice was calm and resolute.

Ready to do anything... to please her master.

..

Back in Fokay—inside the Tycoon’s Merchants building, somewhere within its many room...

A middle-aged woman sat across from two youths.

One was a girl with flowing purple hair and gleaming silver eyes—her beauty unmistakable, refined, enchanting.

The other was a boy, seemingly her age, with bright orange hair and black eyes. His posture was upright, his expression serious and focused—but that seriousness cracked every time he side-glanced the girl beside him. His cheeks became instantly pink. Clearly he was flustered.

The girl, of course, was Meris Elamin.

And the boy in question was Kenan Fireborn—a prodigy with noble blood.

"You two are now my pupils. My disciples," the woman said with a warm, inviting smile.

She had soft blue hair and dark eyes. Her presence was gentle but not weak.

"Alchemy is not an easy art. In fact, I believe it’s the most difficult of the three professions. Because we don’t just transform herbs—we transmute beasts, minerals, even other alchemical products. This is a craft that demands deep focus... and most importantly, talent."

Viviette’s tone sharpened as she looked at the two of them with a serious gaze.

"You have the talent. But..."

Her gaze shifted to Meris—who wasn’t even looking at her.

Meris’s eyes were scanning the room, mischief dancing within them as if she found the walls more interesting than her master’s words.

Viviette sighed.

Then looked at Kenan—who wasn’t looking at her either. The young man was too busy staring at Meris like she was a celestial being sent from the heavens to torment him with beauty.

Viviette groaned inwardly and clapped her hands. The sound snapped both of them to attention.

"You two are way too distracted. And alchemy is not something you can do while being distracted."

She glanced at the time and continued,

"You have the day to yourselves. But tomorrow, I want you both here at seven in the morning. Anyone late, anyone distracted... will no longer be my disciple."

Before either of them could respond, Viviette vanished in a burst of purple flame—leaving only silence behind.

Meris didn’t waste time.

The moment Viviette disappeared, she stood and began walking off.

"Ah..! Meris! Uh—you don’t mind if I call you by your name, right?" Kenan asked, voice stuttering slightly as he hurried to follow her.

Meris nodded without much care. "You can," she said simply. Her usual playful air was gone, replaced by an aloof grace.

Right now, she was Meris Elamin—The Heiress.

Kenan’s face lit up with joy at her response. Then, nervously but with growing confidence, he added,

"Euh... I was thinking, since we’re now studying under the same master... maybe we should get to know each other better. You know, over food, drinks and conversation."

Meris gave no reply, but Kenan kept going.

"There’s a place I know—famous for its dishes, wine, even atmosphere. If you’d like, I’ll have the whole floor reserved for just the two of us."

They were just stepping into the main reception hall when suddenly—

Meris stopped.

Kenan’s eyes lit up, thinking his invitation had finally worked.

"It seems you’re interested, Meris," he said, stepping closer, trying to peek at her expression.

And then... he saw her face.

Her wide, silver eyes locked in one direction. Surprise. Shock. Something deeper.

Kenan, confused, turned his head to follow her gaze.

And just like that—

The entire reception hall went quiet.

Everyone turned. Everyone saw.

Except one person.

A black-haired, red-eyed young man stood near the holographic mission board, completely focused on the missions, utterly unaware of the stares.

But Meris knew who it was.

She would recognize him anywhere.

And the moment it truly hit her—when her mind accepted that yes, it really was him—

Meris broke into a radiant smile. A smile so bright, so happy, that Kenan’s heart skipped a beat.

And then it shattered.

Because her next words were loud enough for everyone to hear:

"Sorry. Looks like I just found my date."

And she walked.

Straight toward Kaden.

At that exact moment, Kaden, finally sensing the weight of dozens of gazes, looked up.

And as his blood-red eyes locked onto her silver ones—

One thought echoed in his head.

’No way in hell...?’

But before he could even react—

"KADEN! I’ve missed you so much!!!"

Meris’s voice exploded through the hall.

And just like that—

The temperature shifted.

The room heated.

Kaden turned his head slowly, behind Meris stood a young man.

A boy glaring at him like he had just murdered his entire bloodline.

At that sight, Kaden’s thoughts came naturally.

’Fucking hell...’

—End of Chapter 50—