CHAPTER 143: ANGERED EMMA

William was... stunned, truth be told.

From everything he had heard from Emma, it was clear she shared a close bond with her father—much like the bond William himself had with his own.

She always spoke of Vitori with warmth, respect, and that gentle fondness only someone raised with care could possess. And yet here she was, arguing with her father without a moment’s hesitation, all to protect William’s dignity... so he would not be treated unfairly or suffer needless humiliation.

The contrast left him shaken.

He had arrived prepared to endure whatever trial the man wished to impose. If being tested could erase the doubts festering in Vitori’s heart, William would have accepted it without complaint.

He understood the need for caution. He understood suspicion. And deep inside, he understood that the man was not wrong for demanding proof.

After all, William had displayed suspicious changes after Emma lifted the curse on him. And worse, in the moment of regaining his senses, he had stabbed Emma—not accidentally—after she risked her life to liberate him. For a father to be cautious in the face of such things was more than reasonable. It was expected.

But Emma... Emma refused to tolerate anyone testing William. Not even her father.

She took William’s hand, fingers tightening with wordless resolve, and turned to leave the room. Her steps were firm, almost defiant, when Vitori suddenly called out behind them.

"Emma, wait."

His voice was softer this time, no longer sharp or authoritative, but heavy with worry. "Why don’t you understand, dear? It’s for your sake. What if William possesses something he himself doesn’t know? Something beyond his control? Something that becomes a threat to humanity in the future?"

William stiffened at those words.

The image of that blood-soaked being on Island Beta surfaced inside his mind—the monstrous presence that had taken over his consciousness. He still didn’t know what it was, or why it had acted through him. He only remembered the overwhelming strength, the brutality that didn’t belong to him... and the helplessness of watching from the inside.

Emma had seen that thing too. She had seen the terror it brought.

Why she never questioned him about it... that was a mystery of its own.

But Vitori’s concerns were not unwarranted. Not by any stretch.

Emma slowly turned back to face him. Her voice remained calm—too calm. "Do you trust me, Father?"

Vitori let out a tired sigh. "What kind of question is that? Of course, I do."

"Then trust me this once. Please." Her tone was steady, unyielding. "I know exactly what I’m doing."

Vitori fell silent for a few moments.

The unwavering belief in his daughter’s eyes was staggering. How could she remain so unshaken despite everything William had shown—despite the obvious signs that he was not normal?

Was she so attached to him... so devoted... that even betrayal failed to leave a mark on her heart?

Those questions kept Vitori from accepting her words fully.

Just then, Kaizek’s casual voice cut through the tension.

"Umm, mind if I suggest something here?"

Every gaze shifted to the blindfolded man leaning lazily against a pillar.

Vitori nodded, signaling him to continue.

Kaizek’s head tilted slightly toward Emma before he spoke. "Your father wanted to push William to his limits to see how he reacts when cornered. And from the look on your face, you don’t want to see him getting hurt. Am I right?"

Both Emma and Vitori nodded at once.

Kaizek shrugged. "Then why don’t we just ask him to participate in the upcoming dungeon raid?"

Emma frowned. "What do you mean?"

"I’m guessing he hasn’t been ranked yet. Right, kid?"

William shook his head.

Ranking was only possible once a student turned fifteen. The Academy held dungeon assessments twice a year. But the moment William entered the Academy, the curse had stripped him of strength and confidence. He had avoided the tests entirely. Because of that, he remained without even a single star.

Kaizek continued, "The Academy will run an assessment soon. Let him participate solo. We’ll monitor everything."

Emma’s eyes narrowed. "You want him to enter the dungeon alone?"

Even she—who ranked among the top during enrollment—hadn’t dared to step inside a dungeon alone on her first attempt. She had always gone with Kevin’s team, and together they were considered the crème of the crop of Ardentia.

Kaizek lifted his hands casually. "From what I’ve seen, he performs best when he has no one to protect and no one to rely on."

His blindfolded head turned toward William. "Or am I wrong?"

William held Kaizek’s gaze for a moment, remembering all too well how this man had once nearly killed him. Then he looked at Vitori. "Will that be enough for you, sir?"

Vitori clasped his hands behind his back, thinking deeply.

After a short silence, he nodded. "Yes. But only if you reach at least the fifth floor."

Emma’s breath caught. "What? The fifth floor—on his own?!"

A top graduate needed a seasoned team to reach that stage. Even she had only reached the fourth floor, and that too with Kevin and his team by her side.

William squeezed her hand gently, prompting her to look at him. He gave her a reassuring glance, quieting whatever protest she had ready on her lips.

Then he faced Vitori once more.

"I understand. During the next assessment, I will reach—and conquer—the fifth floor of the dungeon."

Vitori didn’t respond immediately, but the resolution in William’s voice was enough. He simply nodded, believing that such a test would reveal whatever the boy was hiding.

The dungeons Ardentia used were under the control of East Wind. And Vitori planned to personally select the monsters William would face—creatures that would challenge his body and mind alike.

...

After nearly half an hour of coaxing, comforting, and pleading, Emma finally agreed not to storm out immediately.

Now, the four of them sat in the reception hall. William and Nana were on one side, watching with faint amusement as a dignified middle-aged man struggled to earn his daughter’s forgiveness.

Emma sat with her arms crossed, refusing to even glance at him.

Seeing Vitori’s helpless expression, William finally said gently, "Isn’t it time you forgive him, Emma?"

The silver-haired girl huffed. "Don’t take his side, Will. I came back after a whole month, only for him to act like that strict Warden again."

Vitori managed a wry smile. "Can you blame me? I’m worried about my daughter."

Emma glared at him. "If you were that worried, then why didn’t you reach out when a General-ranked Devil attacked me?"

Vitori froze, shoulders drooping. "...I sent my troops the moment I heard. But it was already too late."

William felt a pang of sympathy. He could see the regret etched into the man’s face.

To break the tension, he spoke up, "Emma, why don’t you show me around a little? I want to see where you grew up."

The suggestion hung in the air, light and warm—just enough to nudge the atmosphere away from guilt and frustration and back toward something gentler.

And for the first time since entering the hall, Emma’s expression softened.

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