Chapter 10: Conversations of Fate

The sun had dipped below the horizon, leaving Kuoh Academy shrouded in the deep purples and blues of twilight. A strange calmness lingered after the events of the day, though beneath it, tension buzzed in the air like an electric current. Alex had done the unthinkable—he had erased Riser Phenex, a scion of one of the underworld's most influential families. Despite the peace that had settled over the academy grounds, everyone knew that the repercussions were only beginning.

Alex stood alone in the courtyard, his expression as carefree as ever. His mind wasn't on the fallout from Riser's erasure or the political game now in motion. He knew those things were inevitable, but to him, they were mere background noise. With his status as the son of Shiva, the God of Destruction, and Razen, the sister of Rizevim Livan Lucifer, his bloodline made him a force no one in the underworld could take lightly.

Riser had been an annoyance, and Alex had swatted him away like one. But now, his actions had set events in motion that could shift the balance of power in the underworld. And while Alex was unconcerned about what was coming, Grayfia knew better.

From the shadows, a familiar presence approached, one Alex had sensed long before she came into view. Grayfia Lucifuge, her silver hair catching the faint glow of the evening light, walked toward him with a deliberate yet composed step. There was no reprimand in her gaze, no anger or fear—just calm understanding.

"Alex," she began, her voice soft but firm. "We need to talk."

Alex turned to face her, a smirk tugging at the corner of his lips. "Is this about Riser? Or are you here to lecture me about politics?"

Grayfia sighed softly, shaking her head. "No. It's not just about Riser. There's more we need to address."

They began walking, moving away from the courtyard toward a more secluded spot on the academy grounds. Grayfia had always been reserved, a paragon of composure, but Alex could sense that there was something different in the air between them tonight. Something unspoken yet undeniable.

Underneath a sprawling tree, they stopped. The cool night breeze rustled the leaves above them as Grayfia stood facing Alex, her silver eyes meeting his. She was poised as always, but Alex could see the weight of everything pressing down on her. The politics of the underworld, her duties as the maid of Sirzechs, and their complicated history all seemed to collide in this moment.

"You've changed the course of many things today," she said finally, her voice steady but tinged with a hint of emotion. "The Phenex family will react—perhaps not immediately, but they will. You know how fragile the balance is in the underworld, especially now that Riser is gone."

Alex shrugged nonchalantly, his tone light and unaffected. "Let them react. If they think they can do something about it, they're welcome to try."

Grayfia's expression remained serious. "This isn't just about strength, Alex. The underworld isn't ruled solely by power, even for someone like you. The noble families, the Maou, the council—they all have a role in keeping things balanced. What you did today could throw that balance into chaos."

Alex raised an eyebrow. "You're not worried about the Phenex family, are you? If they come after me, I'll handle it. And you know I can."

Grayfia's gaze softened, and she took a step closer to him. "I know. But it's not just about them. It's about what this means for us."

Alex's expression flickered with curiosity, though he already had an idea of where this conversation was going. "Oh? The engagement?"

Grayfia nodded, her usual mask of stoicism slipping just enough to reveal a hint of vulnerability. "Yes. The engagement. We've avoided this topic for long enough."

Their engagement wasn't like other noble arrangements. It wasn't purely political, though it had been formalized in part to solidify alliances between the Lucifuge and Gremory families. Alex, with his lineage as the son of Shiva and Razen, represented a power unlike any other in the underworld. Grayfia, a woman of unparalleled strength and grace, had found herself bound to him not by duty alone, but by something more.

But as the years had passed, their relationship had deepened beyond the formalities of an arranged union. There was a respect, a mutual understanding between them—one that had grown into something more personal.

Alex leaned casually against the tree, his arms crossed over his chest as he regarded her with a relaxed smile. "You know I've never been one for formalities, Grayfia. This whole engagement thing was more about keeping people off our backs. If it's causing you trouble, we can call it off."

Grayfia's cheeks flushed slightly, a rare show of emotion for someone as composed as she. "It's not about the engagement itself. It's about… what it means. For you. For me."

She paused, searching for the right words. "The underworld is already on edge with Sirzechs and the Maou council trying to keep the peace. Your actions today have complicated things. If we're going to stand together, it needs to be for more than just convenience."

Alex's smirk faded, and he regarded her with a more serious expression. He stepped away from the tree, closing the distance between them. "Grayfia, you know I don't care about politics or how the underworld runs. I do what I want because I can. If anyone has a problem with that, they'll have to deal with it. But you… you're different."

Grayfia's eyes widened slightly as he spoke, his voice low but steady. "If we're going to do this—be together—it's not because of an engagement or some noble family expectations. It's because we want to. Because I want to stand by your side, and you by mine."

Grayfia's breath caught, her heart pounding in her chest. She had always known Alex to be direct, but hearing him speak so plainly about their relationship stirred something deep within her.

"What are you saying, Alex?" she asked quietly.

"I'm saying I'm in," he replied, his gaze locking with hers. "Not because of some arranged agreement. But because you're the one I want to be with. We've both seen the chaos of the underworld. But together, we can face anything."

Grayfia's usually composed expression softened, a rare smile gracing her lips. "You always know how to cut through everything, don't you?"

Alex chuckled. "It's a talent."

The Phenex Family

Far away, in the dark halls of the Phenex family estate, Lord Phenex sat in silence, his wings glowing faintly in the dim light. The council of elders had gathered, and Ruval Phenex stood at his father's side, his expression grim.

"Riser is gone," Lord Phenex muttered, his voice heavy with disbelief and fury. "Erased from existence like he was nothing."

Ruval clenched his fists, his mind already calculating the next steps. "We can't face Alex head-on. His power is beyond anything the Phenex family can handle."

Lord Phenex's flames flickered dangerously, but Ruval remained calm. "But we have allies. We can leverage our connections with the other noble families and push the Maou council to act. Alex may be powerful, but even he can't ignore the laws of the underworld."

Lord Phenex's eyes narrowed. "So, we use politics."

Ruval nodded. "Yes. We'll strike where he's weakest—his ties to the Gremory family, his place in the underworld's hierarchy. The council will be forced to intervene."

Back at Kuoh Academy

As the night deepened, Alex and Grayfia stood together beneath the tree, their bond stronger than ever. The weight of the underworld's politics was pressing down on them, but for now, they had each other.

"You know the Phenex family won't take this lightly," Grayfia said, her voice soft but serious.

Alex shrugged, his expression as carefree as ever. "Let them come. They can't do anything to us."

Grayfia smiled, shaking her head slightly. "You're impossible, Alex."

He grinned, leaning in slightly. "And you wouldn't have it any other way."

As they stood together, the world around them shifted. The storm in the underworld was brewing, and soon, they would be at the center of it. But for now, they had each other—and that was all that mattered.

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And that's the end of the first mass release! chapters will be published once a day Monday-Friday with Bonus Chapters every 100 power stones. Let me know what you think about this book and Check out my Dragon Ball Fanfic!