CHAPTER 46: TABLES TURN, BRIDGES BURN, YOU LIVE AND LEARN

"Perhaps," I said, gasping for air. "But I know what it feels like to have no one. In my darkest moments, I was always alone. And when someone told me yesterday that I wasn’t... I felt happy."

Lirael stood by the window, one foot already outside. But my bitter voice made her freeze.

"Lirael. Your family—my kin... You even may be my direct descendants. I want to find them too. They accepted me. They gave me something I never had."

"Then why... why can’t we leave now?"

I wanted to reach out to her. But my body wouldn’t move. Her Control Technique still bound me.

"We have no plan. We don’t know where to begin. Lady Elise said she would file a missing person’s report. That will be our chance... to start the search."

Her hands trembled. Tears rolled down her face—not of rage, but of helplessness. She knew the truth deep down, but couldn’t accept the loss.

When her anger subsided, the Control Technique dissolved.

"I can’t live like this... My father, mother, my family... They’re all gone. Why, Atheron? Why can’t we be happy like everyone else?"

I wrapped my arms around her from behind. She slid down from the window frame, clutching my sleeves tightly.

She is my mistress. And right now, she is in more pain than anyone I know.

"I promise we’ll find them. Serving your family is my duty. Lirael... Trust me."

At my words, she stopped holding back her grief. I should learn from her. I feel nothing now—nothing but sadness. Is this what it means to be a high spirit? Or is it just my broken nature of a dragonslayer?

The next morning, we sat around the Riven family table. His parents offered us their condolences, and his mother pinched Lirael’s cheeks, calling her the prettiest girl in the world.

Later, we returned to the academy. In the carriage, Lirael rested her head against my shoulder.

I still couldn’t believe it: we were all we had left, in a world that didn’t even know our names.

After class, I gathered everyone in the library: Ash, Aimer, Sylas, Tyrion, Riven.

I made Lirael sit in the center and said:

"This is my younger sister, Lirael. Starting today, treat her kindly. You got it?"

She flinched and hid her face, clearly overwhelmed.

Ash and Aimer facepalmed.

"Atheron, you can’t just drop a girl into the spotlight like that."

"Huh? Why not?"

"Idiot. Who wouldn’t be embarrassed to be introduced out of nowhere?"

Aimer leaned toward Lirael and held out her hand.

"I’m Aimer. Nice to meet you, little sis."

"N-nice to meet you too..."

"Wow! I had no idea you had such a wonderful sister," Sylas and Tyrion jumped in awe. "Why’d you keep her hidden from us?"

"Because introducing her to fools like you is the last thing I want to do."

"Hey now, that’s harsh. I’m Sylas. Pleased to meet you, Lirael."

"And I’m Tyrion! And together we are..."

The triplets lined up and spun around in sync, delivering their goofy, well-practiced motto:

"The Grimmveil Trio! Always ready to help!"

Lirael looked bewildered. Probably wondering what kind of circus she just joined.

Then it was Ash’s turn. With a wide smile, she knelt gracefully and threw up a peace sign.

"Greetings, sister of my beloved friend. I am Ashmourne il Bloodorchid Dominia Ether-Flame!"

In her usual dramatic flair. But on her finger, I saw a crimson ring with a crest—the same kind I wore, one that concealed magical energy. But where did she get it?

Riven scratched his head.

"We’ve already met, so... I guess I’ll skip the introduction."

Sylas immediately grabbed him by the collar and started shaking him.

"Riven! You four-eyed sneak! Were you hiding her from us too?!"

Riven struggled, clearly no match for Sylas’s brute strength.

"Yeah! Friends shouldn’t keep secrets!" Tyrion chimed in.

Watching them argue, Lirael let out a soft laugh. Even if just for a moment, the weight on her soul lifted.

Days passed. Things calmed down. No new news. Finally, I could breathe again.

Crimson sunset. Classes were over. Aimer invited Lirael for a stroll. Riven was reading in the library, joined by Ash. Sylas and Tyrion were goofing around near the gates.

I stepped outside. I heard footsteps behind me.

Saddler.

"Well, well. Didn’t expect to run into you," he said, shouldering his bag.

"Trying to sneak up on me?" I smirked. "Saddler, my dearest rival."

"Still stuck on our match, huh? Can’t lie, I haven’t forgotten either. But this is coincidence, nothing more. Care to walk with me?"

"Walk? With a bastard like you? You think I waste time chatting with my enemies?"

...

"...Fine. I’ll walk."

We strolled across the campus. Birds flew north, their cries echoing faintly.

"How is a reckless student like you still in this academy? I’ve been asking that since our duel."

"Luck’s always been on my side," I said. "Though lately, it’s been running out."

"I’ve heard about the news. Sorry about your family. That kind of loss... is terrifying."

"So now you play the good guy? Weren’t you ready to kill me on the spot last time?"

"That was different. On the ring, things change. Honestly... you surprised me back then. I wasn’t going all out, but still... you made me fight like the good old days."

"Don’t lump me with the weak. Next time we fight, there will be only one winner. And it’ll be me."

"Still cocky, huh. Not surprised."

Then, we froze.

Suddenly, a chill swept through us. That presence... unmistakable. It’s here.

"What... is this?" Saddler narrowed his eyes.

We turned, alert. My hands glowed white. His, violet.

Leaves rustled. From the trees, the rooftops, and shadows came dark figures. Their bodies twisted, limbs bent in unnatural angles.

"What are these monsters? Am I the only one seeing this?"

"You’re not the only chosen one here. These are... evil spirits."

Or as Dean prefered to call them — Original Sins. Crawling out from every crevice, they were all heading for us.

"Evil spirits? Are we under the influence of someone else’s domain? There’s no way they should be roaming the campus."

"Real or not... they will attack."

Then, they charged.

Arms flailed. Heads twisted. Mindless.

Saddler and I pressed our backs together, bracing.

Now!

BANG!

Saddler clapped his hands, unleashing a violet beam that sliced one spirit in half.

BOOM!

I detonated them with a touch. Clouds of steam filled the air as we danced through the fog of battle.

Saddler, the student I consider my enemy for unfinished business. Now fighting side by side with me.

Meanwhile, elsewhere on campus—

Sylas and Tyrion waved goodbye to classmates, only to feel a chill behind them.

They turned.

And froze.

Veiled in black smoke, a tall figure stood before them — with white eyes burning with fury.

A deadly battle had broken out at the academy.