CHAPTER 125: WHITE PHOENIX AND THE DARKNESS BEHIND THE BLACK DOOR

Alex gave a small nod, a subtle smile tugging at the corner of his lips.

Inside his mind...

White Alex:

"Our goddess showed us gratitude! What are you waiting for?! Express our love! Go for it, GO FOR IT!"

Black Alex (sighing as he smacks White Alex on the head):

"She’s thanking us. Which we obviously deserve. Still... it does feel kinda nice."

Back in the real world, Alex gave a tiny nod—as if agreeing with his inner self.

Rina, sitting opposite Alex, exhaled deeply. Her golden, lion-like eyes locked onto his with quiet resolve.

"Alex—"

He turned toward her, his dark purple eyes narrowing slightly, guarded.

Selene also looked at Rina, a hint of sympathy in her pale blue gaze.

Rina clenched her fist under the table, exhaled again, and said:

"I’m sorry... for what I did to you."

Alex opened his mouth to respond, but Rina raised a hand.

"Please... let me finish first."

He closed his mouth and set his food aside, turning his full attention to her.

She took a shaky breath, then began:

"As I said... I’m sorry. Not just for what happened—but for what my actions caused. I’m sorry I didn’t stand up for you when I should’ve. I felt weak... like my resolve was shaky. And I let that control me."

Her voice wavered. She picked up her mug and took a sip, trying to ease her dry throat.

"I’ve made a lot of mistakes. I wanted so badly for the world to accept me... to feel like I belonged somewhere. But no one ever did. No group ever welcomed me. Except you."

Her fingers curled tightly around the mug.

"You were the only one who accepted me for who I was. And still... I left you to die. I abandoned the one person who never turned his back on me. And I’m truly, truly sorry for that."

She stared down at the steel table, her eyes glassy with unshed tears. Her voice dropped, but her tone grew firmer.

"I don’t expect a second chance. I’m not asking for that. I just want... forgiveness. And I promise—I’ll atone for what I did. With my actions."

She raised her head again, meeting Alex’s eyes directly, waiting.

A long pause.

Then, a sad smile formed on Alex’s face.

"I already forgave you."

"But... being friends again—that’s something else entirely."

He leaned back, his gaze steady.

"I’ll wait. I’ll watch those actions."

A heavy silence settled over the table. Neither Selene nor Rina spoke.

Then—

"Woof."

Hati barked toward Rina.

Alex looked down at him and gave him a gentle pat.

"He says he forgives you too."

Rina smiled—and this time, the tears finally fell.

She wiped her eyes quickly, laughing softly through the emotion.

"Thank you... "

Alex stood up, finishing the last bite of his sandwich.

"See you guys later."

Selene and Rina both nodded, smiling.

Without another word, Alex left the cafeteria, Hati trailing behind him. A faint smile tugged at his lips.

I’m glad Selene appreciated my help. And that Rina apologized.

But trust... that won’t come so easily.

He stopped in front of a door adorned with a brass nameplate: Emilia Aurelwyn.

Knock, knock.

The door opened on its own with a soft click.

Warm air drifted out, carrying a pleasant scent of roses—a soft, floral perfume that made the air feel rich and calm.

Alex stepped inside.

The walls glowed softly, lit by embedded yellow stones that bathed the office in a warm, golden hue.

He walked forward toward the desk.

Emilia Aurelwyn sat behind it, her presence as poised and composed as always. She wore a crisp white blouse and black slacks. One of the lower buttons on her shirt was undone, unintentionally revealing a hint of her glistening cleavage.

Her lips curved into a gentle smile as she looked up at him.

"Hello, Alex. How are you? You’ve been quite busy with the tournament."

Alex returned the smile, standing tall.

"Yes, Teacher. I’m fine. How about you?"

Then he glanced down at his outfit—a black t-shirt paired with clean, fitted black jeans.

"I also came to thank you... for sending me these clothes."

Her smile widened. With a graceful gesture, she pointed to the chair across from her.

"It’s okay. If you ever need more, just let me know. And... thank you for helping me break through into Mind Space. I think I’ll soon reach the Ninth Circle Stage because of it."

Alex sat down, Hati settling loyally beside his chair like a silent shadow.

"That’s no issue," he replied with a light smile. "You’ve helped me a lot too—especially by sharing those prohibited secrets. I’m really grateful for that."

They exchanged a few more words—casual and light.

And then, Alex stood up.

With a polite nod, he left the office, the door closing softly behind him.

Once alone, Emilia slowly lifted her hand to her face.

From her palm, a gentle white light flared to life—flickering like a living flame. It danced and shimmered, delicate yet full of quiet intensity.

She whispered to herself, her voice touched with wonder and longing:

"The White Phoenix’s elemental power... the White Flame. They say it can manipulate reality itself. But..."

"They also say it’s only a myth."

She turned toward the tall window behind her desk, stepping forward.

Beyond the glass, the waves of the sea rolled and crashed rhythmically against the rocks below—endless, eternal.

Her eyes reflected the motion as she stared, voice falling to a whisper, lighter than breath.

"We can only manipulate vibrations... with our flame. But..."

She paused.

The waves crashed again—then retreated.

"I know. I can feel it. The myth of the White Flame... wasn’t all false."

Her fingers curled into a gentle fist, the flame disappearing into her skin as she turned back toward her desk.

She sat down, her expression calm, yet focused.

And then—she returned to scribbling on her parchment, as if nothing had ever happened.

As Alex left Emilia’s office, he made his way toward the Elemental Training Hall.

As usual, the hall was bustling with students—lined up before various glowing doors: blue, red, and more, each corresponding to a different element.

But today, the black door stood unattended.

Alex narrowed his eyes, then walked toward it. He raised his wrist, letting the bracelet scanner flash green, and stepped inside. Hati followed closely, padding in silently.

Once inside, Hati found a corner and curled up, yawning before closing his eyes to rest.

A blue screen flickered to life before Alex. He glanced through the options and selected:

[Medium Difficulty Selected]

The room shimmered. Then everything changed.

Darkness. Absolute and suffocating.

The air shifted. The warmth vanished. He couldn’t even see his own hands.

His eyes were useless now.

Then—

Rustling.

A faint noise to his right. Something crawling, shifting.

Alex turned quickly toward the sound—but saw nothing.

Then again—to his left. The same rustle. Closer this time.

Like something was circling him. Watching.

He felt it—killing intent, sharp and oppressive.

His skin broke out in cold sweat.

Instinct screamed.

He dropped low and rolled across the ground.

SNAP!

A bone-chilling jaw-snapping sound cracked through the darkness—right where he had just been standing.

The air felt dense and humid, like a cave carved deep underground, untouched by light.

The rustling echoed again—now surrounding him.

Alex moved back carefully, breathing controlled, focused.

He drew his shadow daggers, the black blades glinting faintly with dark energy even in the absence of light.

His grip tightened.

And then—his purple eyes began to glow dimly.

He felt it—the subtle shift in the air, the faint crawling sound creeping closer to his ear.

Then came the stench—rotting flesh.

His nose wrinkled. Instinct took over.

He crouched low just in time.

SNAP!

A violent jaw snapped through the air where his head had been only moments ago.