Whispers and Wagers

Unknown Perspective:

Oh well, the inside of this guild is bigger than I thought.

Requiem's building loomed like a beast that had long since grown comfortable in its dominion. Polished stone floors gleamed under lantern light, tracing a network of halls and open chambers filled with movement. Guild members milled about, their roles as distinct as the weapons they carried—some sparring in designated rings, the dull clang of metal meeting metal underscoring their grunts; others seated around large wooden tables, engaged in heated discussions over parchment maps littered with notes and markers. The air was thick with ambition and camaraderie, a collective pulse of purpose.

And yet, in all that chaos, no one truly noticed me.

Except for one.

A man approached, his posture rigid but not hostile. His eyes held the careful scrutiny of someone who had done this a hundred times before—watching, judging, measuring.

"Who are you?" His tone was firm, professional, not immediately confrontational. The voice of a gatekeeper.

I gave him a name that did not belong to me. "Aldric."

A lie, of course. But revealing the truth? That would be equivalent to carving open my own throat and handing him the knife.

His brow furrowed, but he didn't immediately object. A sign of someone who followed protocol rather than instinct. I could work with that.

"And what business do you have here, Aldric?"

I let a moment of silence stretch between us, just long enough for discomfort to seep into his stance before I answered.

"I'm here to see Sylvia and Alina."

The words were simple, yet they carried weight. Not a request. A statement of inevitability.

His arms crossed over his chest. "Alina is at the arena. She won't be available for some time." His gaze sharpened. "And Sylvia is busy. You'll have to leave or wait."

Ah. There it was.

The illusion of control.

Most people think denying someone access puts them in a position of power. But in reality, it just means they've stepped into the game without realizing it.

And I never played fair.

I exhaled slowly, tilting my head as if weighing my options, letting him think I was contemplating leaving. Then, in a deliberately measured tone, I spoke.

"Right… so you're the one disturbing her, then?"

The man blinked. "What?"

I gestured vaguely toward the upper floor, where I assumed Sylvia's office was. "Sylvia's busy, you said. Clearly, whatever she's doing must be important. The kind of important that should not—under any circumstances—be interrupted."

I nodded as if coming to a grand realization. "Which means, by stopping me here, by engaging in this conversation, by standing in my way… you're making a conscious decision to interfere with her work."

His jaw twitched. "That's not how it works. I'm following orders."

"Are you?" I tapped a bandaged finger against my chin. "Because from where I stand, it seems you're making a call on her behalf. She didn't tell you to stop me personally. You just assumed she wouldn't want to be bothered. Which means if I walk away now, and she later finds out I was here—someone she may have wanted to see, someone with potentially urgent information—who do you think she'll blame?"

A shadow of doubt crept into his expression. He was trying to find a flaw in my words, but the trick wasn't to be right. The trick was to make him afraid of being wrong.

"She won't blame me," he said, but the certainty in his voice had thinned.

"Won't she?" I leaned in slightly. "What if I was here on behalf of someone important? What if it was something critical? You know noble types—they're not fond of being kept in the dark. Imagine how she'd look at you once she finds out you played judge, jury, and executioner on who gets to meet her. Imagine the conversation: 'Oh, I would have liked to hear him out, but unfortunately, one of my men decided for me.' I'm sure that won't put your position at risk."

His lips parted, but no words came out. He was processing, hesitating, questioning.

I had him.

I took a step back, as if I were about to leave. "But hey, your call. I'll leave if that's what you think is best. Just… make sure you're ready to explain it to her when she asks why you decided she wasn't worth the interruption."

The internal war played across his face.

And then—defeat.

He let out a slow breath, eyes flicking toward the staircase before landing back on me. "...Fine." A pause. Then, reluctantly, "The name's Rowan."

Rowan.

I smiled behind my bandages. Naming oneself to another was a kind of submission, a subconscious attempt to regain control by offering something in return. A last-ditch effort to balance the scales.

It wouldn't help him.

He turned, begrudgingly walking ahead. As he reached the door to Sylvia's office, he hesitated before knocking. I caught the slight tension in his shoulders. He wasn't sure if he was making a mistake.

Good.

He knocked twice.

"Lady Sylvia," he called, his voice carefully composed. "There's someone here to see you. A man named Aldric."

And just like that, the doors to Requiem's most powerful woman were now open to me.

The door swung open, revealing a spacious office filled with neatly stacked documents, a large wooden desk, and a massive window overlooking Sylvaris. The scent of ink and parchment lingered in the air, though something told me Sylvia wasn't the type to spend all her time buried in paperwork.

And there she was—Sylvia, standing near a shelf, arms crossed, her sharp gaze landing immediately on Rowan.

"Rowan," she said, tone smooth but edged with expectation. "Why are you here?"

Rowan straightened instinctively. "There was a man requesting an audience with you, Lady Sylvia. I was following protocol."

Sylvia's eyes narrowed. "Protocol? I was in the middle of watching Alina's match. Do you think I enjoy being interrupted for things that could have waited?"

Rowan hesitated for a fraction of a second, then glanced toward me before answering. "He… convinced me it was important."

Sylvia raised an eyebrow. "Convinced?"

Rowan exhaled. "He said that if I didn't bring him to you, and it turned out to be something you would've wanted to know, I would be the one responsible for keeping it from you."

Silence.

Then a slow, amused sigh left Sylvia's lips.

She turned to me. "Ah. I see now."

I gave a casual tilt of my head. "Do you?"

She walked toward her desk, settling against it instead of sitting down, arms still crossed. "You played him, didn't you?"

I placed a hand over my chest, feigning innocence. "I simply pointed out a reasonable outcome. Whether or not he took the risk was entirely his choice."

Rowan clenched his jaw slightly but remained silent.

Sylvia's sharp gaze studied me for a moment before gesturing with her hand. "Alright, Aldric, was it? Tell me why you're here."

Ah, time for the fun part.

I took a slow step forward, lowering my tone slightly—not in submission, but in calculated intrigue. "To be honest, Lady Sylvia… I was eager to meet the woman who runs Sylvaris' finest guild."

She blinked once. "Flattery?"

I smiled under my bandages. "Observation."

She scoffed lightly. "If you think flattery is going to get you anywhere—"

"Is it flattery," I interrupted smoothly, "if it's true?"

Sylvia exhaled sharply, tilting her head slightly. "You don't even know me."

"True," I admitted. "But I know of you. A noblewoman who turned a guild into a dominant force, balancing leadership and ambition without crumbling under the weight of expectations. A strategist, a tactician, and—more importantly—a woman who understands that power is not about control, but about direction. Requiem isn't strong just because it has numbers or resources. It's strong because you make it strong. Without you, this place is just a building."

Sylvia's lips pressed together slightly. Not a frown. Not quite amusement either.

She exhaled through her nose. "You're persistent."

I took another slow step forward. "I'm right."

A pause. Then, Sylvia shook her head with a small smirk. "So, tell me, Aldric—do you talk like this to everyone, or am I just special?"

"Only to the ones worth my time," I answered without hesitation.

Her smirk twitched slightly, like she was about to say something, but instead, she let out a soft chuckle. "You're smooth. I'll give you that."

I shrugged. "I prefer to think of it as 'effective.'"

She finally moved, walking behind her desk before settling into her chair. "Alright, you have my attention." She glanced at Rowan. "You can go."

Rowan hesitated but, seeing no further room for argument, gave a short nod before exiting the room, shutting the door behind him.

Sylvia leaned back, resting an elbow on the armrest, her fingers lightly tapping against the wood. "Be quick, Aldric. I don't have all day."

I smiled. "I wouldn't dream of wasting your time, Lady Sylvia."

And just like that, the real conversation could begin.

A game of chess had begun, and I was playing against a woman who knew the board well. But unlike her, I had no king to protect—only a field of pawns that could be sacrificed as needed.

Sylvia tapped her fingers against the desk, eyes locked onto me with a sharpness that would have sent lesser men stammering.

"You speak well," she mused. "Almost too well. It reminds me of someone I knew during my days in the Magical Academy."

Something in my chest tightened for a fraction of a second.

Her words were nothing more than an observation, yet they carried weight.

I could not allow my past to be traced back to me.

A split second of vulnerability could cost everything.

So I buried it. My lips parted in subtle surprise, the confusion in my eyes carefully calculated—just enough to look natural, but not too much to appear forced.

"Is that so?" I said, tilting my head. "I wasn't aware I had a twin running around."

Sylvia's gaze didn't waver. "You might not, but you sound nearly identical to someone I met before. He had a way with words, much like you. Always shifting the conversation, never answering directly, yet somehow, making you feel as if you had all the answers."

I let out a light chuckle. "Sounds like a charming individual."

"He was," she admitted, though her eyes studied me with deeper intent now. "But he was also dangerous. He had a habit of playing with the truth, shaping it to his liking. Just like you."

A bold statement. She was feeling me out, testing the waters.

I leaned back slightly. "A dangerous man? And here I thought I was just a simple traveler looking for a conversation."

She scoffed. "A simple traveler wrapped in bandages, strolling into my guild and effortlessly convincing Rowan to disturb me?"

I smirked. "What can I say? I have a way with people."

Sylvia folded her hands together. "Where are you from, Aldric?"

"Celestine," I answered smoothly.

A lie, but a convincing one. Celestine was far enough away to make background checks difficult, yet well-known enough to avoid suspicion.

"Celestine?" she repeated, her voice carrying a note of intrigue. "Interesting. Travelers are known for their scholars and diplomats, not so much for mysterious men wrapped in bandages. You don't strike me as an academic."

"Ah, but appearances can be deceiving, Lady Sylvia," I countered. "Perhaps I was once a scholar, disillusioned by the pursuit of knowledge and instead drawn to the unpredictability of the world."

Her eyes narrowed ever so slightly. "You speak in riddles."

"And you seek answers," I replied. "An admirable quality, but not all questions are meant to be answered."

She let out a small hum, as if considering my words.

"Perhaps," she admitted, "but I prefer to be the one deciding which questions remain unanswered."

I grinned. "Then we are quite the opposite, aren't we? You seek control through knowledge, while I thrive in the unknown."

A silence hung between us for a moment, thick with unspoken tension.

Then she shifted the conversation. "Your bandages," she said, "are they for injuries, or are you hiding something?"

I chuckled. "Must it be one or the other? Can't a man simply enjoy a bit of mystery?"

She smirked, but there was still scrutiny in her gaze. "Men who enjoy mystery don't usually wander into places like this without a reason. You're not here just to meet me, are you?"

"Ah, but Lady Sylvia," I said with a hint of amusement, "if I were here for another reason, wouldn't I have given it already? Or do you think I came all this way simply to exchange pleasantries?"

She exhaled, crossing her arms once more. "You're frustratingly good at avoiding direct answers."

"And yet, here we are, still talking."

She let out a soft chuckle. "Fair enough."

Before she could continue, a loud noise erupted from the magical visionary telecaster in the room.

Both of our gazes instinctively turned toward it. The projection shimmered with a magical glow, displaying the ongoing battle in the arena.

Alina versus Levi.

The sheer force of their clash sent shockwaves through the field.

Sylvia's sharp eyes locked onto the battle, momentarily distracted.

The battle on the telecaster was almost painful to watch. Levi moved like light, his sword flashing in arcs too fast for the naked eye to track. Alina barely had time to react, her body sliced into by a thousand invisible cuts. She fought, but against God-Speed, she was drowning in a current she could never outswim.

Sylvia sighed, a note of sympathy in her voice. "Poor Alina... she's still so young. I really thought she could win."

My eyes remained on the screen. "What makes you say that?"

She leaned back in her chair, arms folded. "Because this fight was over the moment it began. Levi's speed is overwhelming. She has no way to counter it."

I hummed in thought, studying the screen. To an untrained eye, it was a massacre. Alina was barely standing, her body coated in fresh wounds. Levi, on the other hand, looked entirely unharmed—untouched, in control, effortlessly dominant.

Then Sylvia spoke again.

"Technique can never beat speed like Levi's."

I smiled.

It was small, a fleeting curve of my lips, but she caught it.

Her eyes flickered toward me, narrowing. "Why are you smiling?"

I turned to her, the amusement lingering. "You really think Alina is going to lose?"

Sylvia exhaled, shaking her head. "It's unfortunate, but as it stands, even if she is Requiem's best fighter, she isn't a match against Levi's God-Speed. You saw it yourself, didn't you?"

I leaned forward, resting my chin against my palm. "So, what you're saying is, there's no possible way she can win?"

Sylvia raised a brow, sensing something in my tone. "...Yes."

"Not even the slightest possibility?"

"Not unless Levi decides to throw the match, which—" She gestured toward the screen, where Levi delivered yet another devastating flurry of strikes, "—isn't going to happen."

I chuckled. "How... absolute of you."

She smirked slightly. "Some things in life are simple. Levi's ability is overwhelming, and Alina is outmatched. There's no need to overcomplicate it."

"Ah," I mused, "but that's the fun part, isn't it? Overcomplicating things. Finding the cracks in what others see as absolute."

Her expression shifted, subtle but telling. She was intrigued now, even if she wouldn't admit it.

"You're saying Alina has a chance?" she asked, tilting her head.

I nodded. "More than a chance."

Sylvia scoffed. "You're being ridiculous. You saw the same fight I did—what could she possibly do against that kind of speed?"

I tapped a finger against the desk, as if considering something deeply. Then, with the air of a man who had just found an entertaining way to pass the time, I spoke.

"Tell you what," I said smoothly, "why don't we make this interesting?"

Sylvia's gaze sharpened. "Interesting how?"

I smiled, leaning in slightly. "A bet."

Her eyes flickered with amusement, though skepticism remained. "You want to bet on a fight that's already decided?"

I shrugged. "Is it truly decided?"

She huffed, shaking her head. "You're really willing to gamble on something this obvious?"

"Confidence is a powerful thing, Lady Sylvia. And you seem quite confident in your conclusion."

She exhaled, her lips curling into a smirk. "Alright then. What are you proposing?"

I pretended to think for a moment before giving my terms.

"If Alina loses," I said, "I'll answer your questions."

Her interest sharpened instantly. "All of them?"

"As many as you'd like," I confirmed.

"And if Levi loses?"

I smiled. "You'll do something for me. Within reason, of course."

Sylvia studied me, her expression unreadable. "You don't seem like the type to make reckless bets, Aldric. That means you either know something I don't, or you're a fool."

"Perhaps both," I said lightly. "Or maybe I just enjoy a good gamble."

Her fingers tapped against the desk in thought. "I don't agree to things without knowing the details. What would you ask of me?"

I smirked. "That depends on how much you're willing to risk."

Sylvia's eyes narrowed, and for a long moment, she simply watched me. Weighing my words, analyzing my intentions, searching for the trick in my proposal.

Then, finally, she leaned back, folding her arms.

"Fine," she said. "I accept your bet."

I grinned.

Checkmate.

Levi's Perspective:

This was too fun… way too fun for me. I never reached this speed in my whole life—this transcended state of God-Speed. There are truly no limits for Sword Saints in this world.

I blurred through the arena in a storm of slashes, my body moving in circular patterns, my blade carving through the air, striking her down without mercy. Every motion felt weightless, effortless—pure instinct.

Alina's body jerked with every slice, her white coat staining with deep lines of crimson. And yet, she refused to collapse. Her arms moved sluggishly, desperately trying to block, to reduce the damage even by a fraction. It was meaningless. Seven thousand slashes per minute—there was no stopping this.

Her movements were slowing. She was losing too much blood. The pain should've been unbearable.

It was over.

Then—

Her fingers twitched. A small movement, almost insignificant. But then her grip tightened around the hilt of her sword. Her body shuddered, and her head lifted slightly, those cold, detached eyes opening.

No way. She still had hope?

I didn't hesitate. In that moment, I was already in motion, a blur of steel, my blade cutting through the air like a storm. I could already predict her next move, I could see her desperation, her futile attempt to avoid defeat. But I didn't care. I was faster than thought, faster than she could even react.

But then... she moved.

I didn't expect it. She didn't retreat. She didn't even try to block me. Instead, she did something far more terrifying.

She waited—no, she positioned herself, as though she had anticipated my every motion.

I didn't understand it at first. There was no defensive posture, no counterattack—just a subtle shift, a faint adjustment in the air as her body slid into a perfect angle, her sword held not to defend, but to... guide.

I lashed out again, too fast to stop, but then, I felt it. A shift in the air. A pressure I couldn't explain.

My body was locked into a single, predestined trajectory—moving too fast, too committed to adjust. She saw it, she knew it. She wasn't just evading. She was exploiting my momentum.

The moment I reached my highest speed, a faint twist of her wrist redirected my force. It wasn't a block or a deflection, no—the contact was so subtle, so micro, that I almost couldn't comprehend it.

But my balance—my perfect, unstoppable balance—shattered.

She had done it. She had guided me. Not with power, but with the simplest, most devastating technique I had ever encountered.

Before I could even react, she twisted again, this time pulling me into her world—her domain. My own momentum was no longer mine. I was a puppet, moving in a direction I had no control over, forced into a roll, my body flipping forward uncontrollably, too fast to even register the ground beneath me.

I was off-balance.

I didn't strike her, didn't land a hit. I just... fell.

What the hell just happened? How did she do that?

Alina's Perspective:

The crowd's roar was deafening. My name, shouted with a mixture of awe and disbelief, filled the arena. Alina. Alina.

I could hear them, but it was distant, fading away. I could feel the heat of their gazes, their excitement, but none of it mattered. Not now. Not after what I had done.

The moment he came at me, his sword a blur, I knew—there was no fear. No hesitation. No room for doubt. This was the moment I had trained for. The moment I would prove that speed could be beaten.

A technique not made to counter speed—but to erase it.

I had learned this from my master. Master, I reminded myself again. He had taught me the truth of speed—the flaw in the illusion.

The faster you were, the more predictable you became. The more you relied on it, the more limited your choices were.

The logic of it was flawless. Speed was a line. Once you committed to that path, you couldn't change it. The more you moved, the fewer options you had. I knew this, and I had seen it in him—Master didn't block, didn't parry.

He stepped into the future of his opponent's body. He controlled their movement without them even realizing it.

And so, I had done the same. I hadn't tried to evade. No, I had waited. I had positioned myself not against him, but within him. I moved as if I were a part of his very motion, slipping between his strikes like a shadow, watching him move faster than thought. Watching him fall into his own trap.

His afterimages, his distortions—they didn't matter. I wasn't fooled by the speed. I saw the real him. His body, his path, his momentum—he couldn't avoid it. He had already lost the moment he began to attack.

I had to do it perfectly. The wrist twist, the subtle guiding of his momentum—it had to be just enough to break his balance. Just enough to make him fall into the line I had set. The leg-wrap, the redirect, the moment his own speed betrayed him. His body folded, crashing in a way he couldn't have predicted.

I gasped for air, the effort of executing this technique taking its toll on my already-wounded body. My chest burned, my limbs trembled, but I stood firm. There was no room for weakness. No room for failure.

But it worked. I had done it.

I stood there, watching him falter, trying to comprehend what had just happened. I could feel the energy of the crowd surging around me, but I was too focused. Too detached to care. I had done it for me.

I had broken his speed. I had made him a victim of his own power. And as he collapsed, I knew that this moment was mine.

Master's teachings were right. Speed was just another obstacle to overcome.

The air was thick with tension as both of us stood there, healing our wounds. I could feel the burn in my skin, the stabs of pain from the countless slices.

My fingers twitched with the effort of focusing my magic, the healing spell closing the wounds slowly. It was a delicate, precise process, the spell weaving its magic to restore my body. My chest rose and fell with labored breaths, but I was far from finished.

Levi, meanwhile, stood across from me, equally focused on his own healing. I couldn't help but watch him out of the corner of my eye, the cocky grin never leaving his face despite the exhaustion visible in the way he stood. His wounds were no different from mine, yet he seemed unfazed, as if he had all the time in the world.

I broke the silence, my voice as cold as ever. "Nice trick you pulled there. It won't work again."

Levi chuckled, the sound cutting through the air like a knife. "You think you're the only one who knows how to fight at high speed?" He smirked, leaning casually as he finished healing. "You really think your little stunt's going to end this fight?"

I didn't reply immediately. I kept my eyes on him, watching his every move, listening to him speak. He was different from others—unpredictable, like a storm. I couldn't shake the feeling that there was something more to him than just arrogance.

Then, with a devil-may-care attitude, Levi spoke again. "You know... someone did that exact same thing to me once."

I didn't miss a beat. My eyes narrowed, the realization hitting me like a punch to the gut. "What?"

Levi shrugged, smirking. "Yeah. Someone used that same technique on me. Wrist twisting, predicting the movements, guiding the strike. I barely knew what happened, to be honest."

I didn't respond right away. My heart skipped for just a moment, a flicker of something unfamiliar in my chest. It wasn't fear. It wasn't weakness. But it was a stirring thought I wasn't used to feeling.

Could it have been him? My master?

The crowd cheered in the background, their noise suddenly louder, but it wasn't enough to drown out my thoughts. Levi noticed my momentary pause. His smirk grew.

"You didn't hear me though, did you?" He mocked, his tone playful but with an edge of challenge. "I said 'someone,' not 'people.' Many people have tried to pull that on me, but it was just one person that succeeded, one time. Quite the fighter, actually."

I blinked, a rare crack in my stoic facade. "Who?" I asked, before I could stop myself. I wasn't supposed to care. I had no reason to, but the question slipped out.

The thought of someone else pulling off that same technique against him—someone who might've taught him something about speed, about balance, about the fight that I could only begin to understand—shook me. Could it have been the one I respected so much? The one who gave me the power I had now?

Levi's grin only widened, more smug than before. He tilted his head slightly, eyes glinting with mischief. "I'll tell you his name if you win. But that's a big if, isn't it?"

I hated the feeling of uncertainty that gripped me in that moment. Levi was always one to toy with his enemies, but something in the way he said it... something about the challenge in his words made me realize he was more than just a cocky fighter. He was like me—strategic, calculating, waiting for the perfect moment to strike.

His taunting smile made my blood boil. I wiped the blood from my mouth, the corners of my lips curling into a cold smile. "I don't need to know his name," I said, my voice low and full of conviction. "I'll destroy you first."

Levi's eyes sparkled with amusement, his grin growing wider. "You think so, huh?" He took a step forward, relaxed, like he hadn't just been on the verge of defeat moments ago. "I'm still gonna win. You'll see."

I could feel the weight of the crowd's anticipation, their cries echoing through the arena, but all I could focus on was him. Levi. He was the only one who mattered right now. I was going to defeat him—no matter what.

The air between us seemed to crackle with energy, both of us healed, both of us determined. There was no turning back now.

The crowd's roar faded into a distant hum. I closed my eyes, centering myself, drawing all my focus inward. My breath slowed, steady, deliberate. A sharp contrast to the chaos that had surrounded me just moments ago. I couldn't afford to let the noise, the pressure, the taunting of Levi distract me.

Now was the final stance. The main battle.

I could feel the weight of the sword in my hand, the familiar coolness of its hilt, grounding me. The sweat on my palms, the soreness in my limbs, none of it mattered. There was only one thing left to do.

I reached back to a memory. A distant one. The sound of rushing water, the soft spray of the waterfall kissing my skin. The wind against my face. I stood there, my sword in hand, trying to perfect the technique my master had once shown me.

It had taken years to get it right. A technique that no one else in the world could wield, and for good reason. It demanded more than just skill—it required an unshakable calmness. A universal calmness, one that could only be achieved by someone with my discipline, my training.

I took a deep breath. This was the moment. My pulse quieted, my mind clear. My body, like the still waters of that waterfall, became perfectly still.

My grip on my sword tightened, and I began the incantation—an ancient spell that fused the seven elements into one. It was a technique of such magnitude that few could even comprehend its existence.

"Fire, flame of life, grant me your burning wrath!" The first elemental word left my lips, my aura flickering with heat, the air warping around me as the first thread of fire surged through my veins.

"Water, from the deepest depths, rise and become my force!" The second incantation. A chill ran down my spine as water spiraled around me, coiling like a serpent, merging with my flames.

"Earth, the foundation, steady and unyielding, make my stance as solid as stone!" The ground beneath me quivered. Stone rose to meet my will, amplifying my form with unwavering support.

"Wind, sweeping and swift, flow through me and strike with the fury of a storm!" A gust of wind whipped through my hair, the currents swirling around me with a sharp, biting force.

"Lightning, from the heavens above, crack through the sky and awaken my power!" My body trembled with the electricity coursing through me, the crackle of lightning igniting the air.

"Light, illuminate my path, shining brighter than the sun's rays!" A brilliant light flared from my form, blinding in its intensity, wrapping around my sword, charging it with brilliance.

"Darkness, from the void, consume and empower me, shroud me in your shadow!" The final element flowed into me—darkness, pure and deep, cloaking me in its mysterious embrace, amplifying the threat of the technique I was about to unleash.

Each word, each elemental infusion caused my body to radiate with immense energy. The sword in my hand, once mundane, now blazed with the combined might of the elements. It hummed with raw power, a deadly force beyond anything I had ever wielded.

I stepped forward, the power of the elements swirling around me in a chaotic, yet harmonious dance. My body was a beacon of destructive potential, a reflection of the seven forces united under my command.

With a cold, calculated voice, I spoke its name.

"Sevenfold Requiem—The End of All Things."

The words echoed in the air, the very fabric of reality seeming to tremble at the force behind them. The ground beneath me cracked, the elements thrumming in rhythm with my heartbeat. It was my ultimate technique. The strongest, the deadliest. A strike that could wipe out everything in its path—nothing could withstand it.

I turned my gaze toward Levi. His eyes met mine, filled with that same arrogant confidence. He was ready too. About to tap into his own ultimate move.

Levi's Perspective:

This was fun. More fun than it should've been.

I couldn't help but grin. This wasn't just a fight. This was pure exhilaration. The adrenaline coursed through my veins, and the rush of battle was like a drug. I wasn't even sure when it started to feel like this.

Maybe when I tapped into this godspeed for the first time, but now? Now, it was something else entirely.

Alina was trying to summon her ultimate move, all calm and collected. Typical. Too Calm. I could feel her energy swelling with every breath she took, every word she spoke—she was preparing, just like I was.

But while she's channeling that raw power with precision, I'm over here, riding the high of the fight. I'm not just preparing—I'm becoming it.

The crowd is still cheering her name. She thinks she's unstoppable with that technique. Cute. But what she doesn't get, what she doesn't know, is that the faster you are—the more insane it gets.

Calmness? Focus? She can have all that. I just need chaos. I need speed.

I lowered my sword to the ground, letting it rest lightly against the earth. The world was slowing, every tiny detail coming to a halt in my mind. My focus sharpened, but everything around me became blurry, indistinct. Time was playing tricks now.

I can feel it—the pulse of time itself. It's mocking me, holding me back, trying to keep pace. But it can't. No, time was too slow now.

And I'm too fast.

I could see the molecules moving around me. The air bending. My every movement was a fractal of possibilities, and none of them were bound by time. Time couldn't keep up with me. I could feel it stretch, bend, break, all within the span of a heartbeat. Everything that moved before was now reduced to a stagnant blur, and my actions were fluid, untouchable.

Time? It was just a concept. One I'd long since surpassed.

I whispered, voice barely audible but powerful. "Shadow Embrace—Convergence of the Abyss."

With those words, I felt the shadows curl around me like a cloak, sinking into my skin, strengthening my form. The dark energy surged, a twisting force that made the very air tremble. The shadows clung to my muscles, my bones, and my mind, weaving into my being, amplifying me until I became the very embodiment of acceleration. Every cell in my body throbbed with pure, destructive speed.

My movements were no longer just fast. They were instantaneous.

For a single second, I would reach the speed of light itself. For a moment, I would outpace the universe. But that wasn't enough. I could feel it. I could go beyond. Right now, I was transcending the limitations of what time and space could even comprehend. I had become a force that the universe couldn't keep up with.

And when I unleashed it—when I let go—nothing would be left standing.

I grinned, the energy crackling within me, every fiber of my being vibrating with the anticipation of what was to come.

"Apex of Infinity."

The words felt right, and as I spoke them, a wave of power surged through me. My body was nothing but speed, nothing but the relentless surge of time-bending energy. The air itself trembled as I flexed my muscles, feeling the explosive force waiting to be unleashed.

I glanced over at Alina. Her aura was blazing, the seven elements swirling around her, preparing for her final move.

I didn't flinch. I didn't hesitate.

I was ready to end it all with her.

And when we collided... the universe wouldn't stand a chance.

The Battle:

The air crackled with tension, a raw, palpable force building between the two of them. In an instant, the space around them seemed to warp, as if the very laws of nature had bent under the sheer power they were about to unleash.

Alina's sword surged with all seven elements—blazing fire, crackling lightning, shimmering water, heavy earth, vibrant wind, glistening light, and deep shadow. Her body was a beacon of pure power, each movement like a calculated strike of nature itself. She swung, a flash of brilliance tearing through the air, the elemental energy trailing behind her like a comet's tail.

Levi didn't even flinch.

Time seemed to slow for him—no, it was slow. His body was a blur, a light trailing in his wake. The shadows flow around him, a dark storm of speed, moving so fast it left ripples in the air. He spun, stepping forward just as Alina's blade passed through the space where he stood, a millisecond earlier. He was already gone, behind her, his blade crashing down toward her back.

But Alina wasn't there.

Her sword twisted in a fluid arc, blocking his attack with a barrier of condensed earth and water, the impact sending a shockwave through the ground beneath them. She twisted, using the force to propel herself backward, a swift spin that kept her feet on the ground while maintaining perfect balance.

Levi smirked. "Too slow."

He vanished again, his shadow blurring, his body reappearing at her side with the speed of light. His sword arced for her neck, but before it could even touch the skin, Alina's sword shot up, meeting his with a flash of lightning. A thunderous crash resounded in the air, shaking the very foundations of the arena. Alina's body surged with the lightning's energy, propelling her forward as she launched into a flurry of strikes.

Each blow was a dance of elemental fury—flame, wind, and earth all fusing together in an unrelenting assault. Levi barely had time to block, each of her attacks more powerful than the last. Her movements were flawless, fluid, and relentless. The speed of her strikes nearly matched his.

But Levi wasn't worried. He was having fun.

He tapped into his shadow essence, his body flickering in and out of existence, impossible to track. For every blow she landed, there were two of him waiting to strike from different angles. His sword moved with a grace that defied logic, each strike aimed at her with perfect precision, yet always dodging just a fraction of a second too late. She'd blocked, parried, and redirected the attacks, her mastery of the seven elements growing as the battle wore on.

But she hadn't realized one thing.

Levi wasn't fighting her.

Levi was playing with time itself.

As Alina parried a swift series of slashes, Levi took a step back, letting his sword rest lightly against his shoulder. His grin widened as he shifted into his next form, his incantation rising from his lips like a whisper. The world around him slowed even further.

"Shadow Embrace—Convergence of the Abyss."

The darkness around him thickened, spiraling into a dense storm that swirled and raged in perfect harmony with his god-speed. The world seemed to shift, like his very existence was bending the fabric of time.

Alina, noticing the change in the atmosphere, tried to react, but Levi's movements became impossible to track. He moved within the storm of shadows, each movement leaving nothing but streaks of light and darkness.

His sword came down, once, twice, a third time. Each one faster than the last. Alina blocked, her arms moving with incredible speed, but with each strike, she could feel her footing slipping, the pressure mounting.

"I told you, Alina," Levi's voice cut through the chaos, smooth and unrelenting. "You're just a step behind."

His body twisted, a blur of shadow and light, and with a single, terrifying strike, he aimed for her chest. The blade moved faster than she could react, but just as it was about to meet its target, Alina's sword flared, an explosion of pure elemental power, creating a barrier of fire, water, and earth.

"Levi," she said, her eyes narrowing, the glow of her sword reflecting in her gaze, "you may think you're fast, but speed is nothing when you're already dead."

Levi's sword collided with it, but instead of stopping, the force of his strike sent the barrier cascading outward, breaking through her defense with a shocking force. The air was filled with the crackling sound of clashing elements, each one struggling to maintain its hold against the overwhelming power.

But even as Alina faltered, she didn't stop. Her body shifted, and with a single breath, she released her final move, a storm of elemental fury. Every element she had harnessed—every single ounce of magic she had prepared—was focused into a singular, focused explosion of raw power. Her sword blazed with every element as she launched herself forward with a cry that was as powerful as it was desperate.

"Searing Phoenix's Judgment!"

The sword became a comet of light, flame, wind, and water, an unstoppable torrent of fury aimed directly at Levi's chest.

She stepped forward, her aura flaring, her every movement precise and deliberate. "Your next step is the end of your life."

Levi grinned, his eyes wild with excitement. His movements were so fast they didn't even look like they were happening in real time. A flash of dark energy surrounded him as his shadow magic consumed the light, guiding his steps to perfectly dodge and weave through the attack. He moved with such precision, such control, that even Alina's all-encompassing technique couldn't land a blow.

But just as he thought he'd outpaced her again, just as he shifted to land the final strike—

He saw it.

Alina wasn't attacking directly. She had anticipated his movements, predicting the next fraction of a second, the next microstep in his motion. The strike was not just an attack—it was a counterattack, a trap.

Levi's eyes widened for the briefest moment, just enough for Alina's blade to flash through the air with devastating force.

The impact sent a shockwave through the arena. The earth cracked, the elements clashed, and for a heartbeat, the world seemed to stand still.

Then—boom.

A massive explosion, a burst of energy so powerful it left everything in ruins.

Dust and smoke filled the arena, obscuring everything. The roar of the crowd was drowned out by the blast, and all that could be heard was the deafening silence that followed.

Unknown Perspective:

The smoke from the explosion lingered in the air, swirling like a ghost caught between two worlds. The telecaster flickered, its magical essence attempting to clear the haze and reveal the outcome of the battle.

But there was something in the air. The tension, thick with uncertainty. Sylvia leaned forward, her eyes burning with curiosity as she searched through the smoke, her voice slightly strained.

"Impossible," she muttered, half to herself, as her gaze never left the screen. "I've known Alina for years… she's never been like this."

Her fingers clenched around the armrest of her chair, a sign of her unease. I could almost taste her disbelief, mixed with a growing admiration. She trusted Alina—deeply.

The telecaster cleared a fraction, revealing silhouettes locked in combat, but neither Levi nor Alina's figure seemed to have the upper hand. Both were standing, somehow, as if the blast had only given them more fuel.

"Sylvia," I said, my voice smooth but amused, "calm down. I told you she wouldn't lose."

Her sharp eyes snapped to me. "Don't tell me to calm down." Her usual composure wavered for a split second, and for a brief moment, I saw her almost as human as anyone else. "She... she called all seven elements—"

"I know," I said, cutting her off, the corners of my mouth twitching with amusement. "Pretty impressive, right?"

Sylvia's lips parted in disbelief. "Levi transcended—he's beyond even time, and she's standing there. Calm." Her voice was filled with awe, but there was a sharp edge to it, something almost reverent. "No one's ever stood against Levi like that."

I chuckled, the sound more like a quiet murmur of amusement. "But here we are, aren't we? I guess Alina's done a little more than just stand."

She gave me a quick, sharp look. "You know, for someone who bet against Levi, you're awfully calm about this."

"Why wouldn't I be?" I said, leaning back, placing my hands behind my head as I settled into my chair. "I saw it coming. Like I said, Alina's got more fight in her than anyone's given her credit for."

Sylvia shot me a skeptical glance, but I could tell she wasn't sure whether to agree or argue further. The smoke was still thick, and the telecaster wasn't clear enough to reveal the end result yet, but it was obvious that one of them would fall soon.

"And Levi..." Sylvia trailed off, her expression hardening slightly as she scanned the screen, a small frown tugging at her lips. "He's fast, but this time... even his speed can't be the deciding factor, can it?"

I leaned in, a little more serious now, sensing the shift in Sylvia's demeanor. "Levi's speed is god-like, yes. But Alina has something he can't keep up with. Not the speed. But the will. She's not just fighting to win; she's fighting for something."

Sylvia narrowed her eyes at me, her gaze piercing. "I'm not sure I buy that, Aldric. Levi's strength is absolute, and Alina's—"

"Alina's power comes from within," I interrupted smoothly, as though I were merely stating the facts. "She created her own way. And you're seeing it now."

The telecaster flickered again, the smoke beginning to clear. The tension in the room thickened as both fighters appeared more bloodied, but neither had yielded yet. The intensity of the battle was palpable, almost like a living thing.

"You said she wouldn't lose," Sylvia muttered, but this time, there was an edge of uncertainty in her voice, a hint of awe creeping in.

I smiled softly, watching as Alina and Levi exchanged another furious flurry of blows, their moves almost too fast to track. "See? Told you."

Sylvia didn't respond right away. She was too focused, too deep in thought, watching her own fighter—a fighter she trusted with her life—fight a battle beyond her wildest expectations. The air in the room grew thick, but in that silence, Sylvia let herself breathe.

She'd already seen what Alina was capable of. Now she was just waiting to see if the young fighter would have the last word.

"Alright," Sylvia finally said, turning her gaze back to me. She wore a subtle smile now. "You've earned this one."

I shrugged casually. "Don't worry, there'll be plenty more bets where that came from."

The telecaster shifted, showing both figures now in a deadlock. It wasn't over yet, but it was clear that the battle would leave a scar on them both. "A little late to be a betting man, don't you think?" Sylvia said, leaning back, allowing herself a moment of quiet pride for her own bet. "But I'll admit, she did impress me."

"Impressed or worried?" I teased, the amusement still dancing on my face.

Sylvia gave me a quick, knowing smile. "Both. But don't get too comfortable, Aldric."

I raised a brow. "Why? You think she'll lose now?"

"I think," she said, her voice cool and collected once again, "you're going to get your answer very soon."

The telecaster shimmered, and the two combatants collided once again, the clash of power reverberating through the air.

The smoke began to clear, and the tension in the air thickened to a point where it almost felt like time had stopped. The telecaster slowly revealed the aftermath of the clash, and what it showed was nothing short of astonishing.

Both Alina and Levi stood there, gasping for air, their bodies trembling with exhaustion. They had taken two slow steps toward each other, as if they were too worn out to continue the fight at full force. Their weapons were lowered, their movements sluggish, and their eyes locked, both of them searching for the strength to make the final blow.

The silence in the arena was deafening. Even the crowd—normally roaring with excitement, a wave of noise that would have shaken the walls—was completely still. Everyone was on edge, waiting for the next move, watching with bated breath, as if the entire world had paused to witness the outcome.

Then, almost in unison, both collapsed. Alina and Levi fell to the ground with a thud, their bodies too spent to fight any longer. The crowd held its breath for a split second, unsure of what had just happened. Then—chaos.

The silence broke, replaced by an explosion of noise that rattled the very foundations of the arena. The crowd went wild, their cheers echoing through the massive structure, a cacophony of disbelief and jubilation.

People screamed in excitement, clapped, and stomped their feet. It was a draw—something no one had expected. A fight of this magnitude, this intensity, had never before ended in such a simultaneous collapse. The energy was electric, the atmosphere alive with excitement and amazement.

"That was… incredible!" I heard Sylvia whisper, her voice filled with awe as she leaned forward, her eyes locked on the telecaster.

Even the arena's outer walls seemed to hum with the joy of the crowd, the cheers reverberating through the telecaster's magical interface, carrying the wild sounds of the spectators right into the room with us.

I could almost feel the vibrations in the air, the shared excitement from the crowd seeping through the magic and making its way to us. The atmosphere was intense, as if the very air itself was celebrating the fight that had just unfolded.

Sylvia's lips curved into a small, almost imperceptible smile. "A draw," she said, more to herself than to me, her voice soft with a hint of surprise. "I didn't think either of them would back down." She shook her head, clearly impressed by the sheer resilience of both Alina and Levi. "But Alina... to have stood there, toe-to-toe with Levi..." Her voice trailed off, as though she was still processing what had just happened.

I watched her, my expression unreadable, but inwardly, I was smiling. "I told you, didn't I?" I said, the satisfaction evident in my voice.

Sylvia turned to me, her brow raised, but I could see the admiration in her eyes, even if she wouldn't admit it. "You're insufferable," she said, the words tinged with amusement. "But I can't deny it. She held her own."

I leaned back, relaxing in my seat as the noise from the arena continued to flood our senses. "I always know what I'm talking about."

She shot me a pointed look, but it was clear she wasn't about to argue anymore. Alina had proven herself, and even if she didn't admit it, Sylvia knew it. The crowd's cheers were still loud and thunderous in the telecaster's feed, but for now, the focus was back on us.

The noise from the arena still reverberated in the air, but the conversation between Sylvia and I shifted back to the earlier tension—the bet. It wasn't over yet. The outcome of the fight didn't give either one of us the resolution we were looking for. I leaned forward, my eyes never leaving her as I spoke.

"We still need to decide something for the bet," I said, my tone casual but with an underlying sharpness, a challenge lingering in the air. I could tell she wasn't done processing, and I wasn't about to let it slide just yet.

Sylvia didn't seem to miss a beat. She let out a breath, brushing a strand of hair behind her ear. "Neither Levi nor Alina won or lost," she said, voice calm, but I could tell she was ready to dig into the details, her mind calculating the next move.

I smiled faintly, allowing the silence to stretch before I spoke again. "I've got a solution," I said, a hint of amusement dancing in my words. "I think we can call this a draw, but still come to an agreement."

Her eyes flickered, intrigued by my proposal. She tilted her head slightly, leaning back in her chair and giving me an expectant look. "Continue," she said, her tone commanding, but not in a way that implied impatience—she wanted to hear me out.

She rested her chin on her hands, fingers interlacing as she studied me. There was something calculated in her gaze, something like she was analyzing every word before it even left my mouth. I leaned back in my chair, finally feeling the shift in the air as the room seemed to focus solely on this moment.

"I propose," I began, pausing to let the words settle, "that you get to ask me any question you want. Anything at all." I let the pause linger, my voice a shade quieter, testing the waters. "But in exchange, as part of our agreement, you'll have to do something for me."

Sylvia's expression shifted, her eyebrows raising just slightly, and I could see the flicker of interest in her eyes. She wasn't surprised, but she was definitely intrigued. Her voice softened slightly, the edge gone. "And what would that be, Aldric?" She didn't let me off the hook just yet.

I slowly reached into my jacket pocket, pulling out a folded letter and placing it gently on the table between us. I watched as her gaze followed the movement of my hands, her focus zeroing in on the letter I had just placed in front of her.

Her eyes flicked back up to mine, a mix of curiosity and suspicion crossing her features. "A letter?" she asked, her tone guarded, though I could see her thoughts turning over it. "And you want me to deliver this to Alina?"

I gave a slight nod, keeping my expression neutral. "Exactly," I said, the words deliberate. "And you'll request that she reads it as soon as possible."

Sylvia didn't reach for the letter immediately, but I could see the wheels turning in her head. Her fingers tapped on the armrest of her chair, a rhythmic beat, before she finally leaned forward, her expression shifting to something more serious.

"You're making me go through this, just to deliver a letter?" Her voice had a tinge of disbelief, but not from mockery—she was genuinely questioning the simplicity of it. "What's in it for you? What's so important that you'd make this part of our deal?"

I held her gaze steadily, my lips twitching into a faint smile. "It's not about the letter itself, Sylvia. It's about the timing." I allowed that to hang in the air for a moment before continuing. "You see, I'm very good at making sure things happen when they're supposed to." I let the words drip, like honey, sharp beneath the sweetness. "And I trust you to make sure Alina understands that this isn't a request to be ignored."

Sylvia was silent for a moment, her fingers stilling. She stared at the letter, then at me. Finally, she picked it up, her expression unreadable. "Fine," she said, her voice steady and final, her decision made. "I'll have it delivered. But you still haven't told me why it's so important to you. You could have just gone to her yourself, if it's that urgent."

I didn't answer right away, letting the question hang in the air. I could tell Sylvia was expecting some form of clarity. But I wasn't ready to give it to her yet. Instead, I gave her a playful shrug. "I like to work with people who know how to get things done. You, Sylvia, are someone who doesn't waste time."

Her eyes narrowed slightly, but she didn't push further. "You're avoiding the question," she said, though there was a slight amusement in her tone now. She was enjoying this little back-and-forth.

"Perhaps," I said, leaning back in my chair with a slight grin. "But that's part of the fun, isn't it?"

Sylvia sat back in her chair again, her hands coming to rest on the arms. She let out a small breath, but this time it was one of acceptance. She had agreed to the terms, even if she was still piecing together the full meaning behind it all. She placed the letter back down on the table between us, as if to confirm her commitment to the deal.

"I'll have it delivered," she said finally, her voice almost softer now. "But don't think I've forgotten about that question you promised me."

I smiled, my gaze never leaving hers. "You'll get your answer."

We both sat there, the tension having dissipated into a quiet understanding. The bet was sealed, the deal made, and now there was nothing left but to see how it would all unfold.

I sat there in silence, watching Sylvia as she leaned back in her chair, her fingers tapping rhythmically against the armrest. Her eyes narrowed as if deep in thought, calculating something. The stillness in the air was almost tangible, and for a brief moment, I wondered if she had already come to some kind of conclusion.

A few minutes passed, and I noticed a shift in her expression—a glimmer of realization in her eyes. Whatever had been brewing in that mind of hers had just clicked. I couldn't help but raise an eyebrow, sensing that the gears were turning in her head.

"Got your answer yet?" I asked, my voice smooth, though I was keenly aware of the change in the atmosphere.

She looked up, catching my eye, and I saw the corner of her mouth twitch into a smile that could only be described as sly. "I think I do," she said, her tone almost playful.

With that, Sylvia stood up, the energy in the room shifting to something more charged. She took a few steps toward me, a little too casually, like she was testing the waters. She seemed almost... lighter, a twinkle of mischief dancing in her eyes. I followed her lead and stood up as well, folding my arms in a casual manner, though I couldn't ignore the subtle shift in my posture. Something about her energy was different now, like she knew something I didn't.

"Go ahead," I said, keeping my voice steady, as if this was all part of the plan. "Ask it."

But instead of stepping back, Sylvia closed the distance between us, walking closer, almost invading my personal space. My heart skipped a beat, but I kept my expression neutral, though the tension in the air was palpable. She stopped just short of being too close—enough to make the hairs on the back of my neck stand up.

With a smile that was equal parts teasing and curious, she leaned in slightly and asked, "Well, I only got one question."

I felt a subtle shift in the air, her presence too near for comfort. I leaned back just slightly, not wanting to show my discomfort, but I couldn't help myself. "You're a little too close for comfort, Sylvia," I remarked, my tone playful but with an edge.

Sylvia smiled, almost smug, as she tilted her head, seemingly relishing the reaction. "Is it getting you to blush?" she teased, her voice like silk, smooth and sweet, yet with that teasing lilt.

I straightened my posture, trying to maintain my calm demeanor. "Not really. Not feeling it," I replied coolly, keeping my voice steady, though there was a flicker of irritation that I quickly suppressed.

Her smile only widened at my words. "I knew it was you," she said, a little too pleased with herself, as if she had uncovered some deep secret. "This was just confirmation."

I raised an eyebrow, my eyes narrowing slightly. "What was?" I asked, feigning confusion, though a part of me felt like I was walking straight into her trap.

Sylvia's expression softened, and I saw the faintest blush creep up her cheeks—completely uncharacteristic, yet somehow fitting for the moment. "You know," she said with a warm smile, "you haven't changed at all."

I froze for a brief second, my composure cracking just slightly. The words hit me with the subtlety of a blow, and I couldn't help but feel a slight pang of unease. My mind raced, running through the possibilities of what she meant.

I tried to keep my expression neutral, but my thoughts betrayed me. This is bad. She's caught on to me. She's more perceptive than I gave her credit for.

I cleared my throat, forcing myself to maintain a calm face. "What do you mean?" I asked, though I knew exactly what she was implying.

But Sylvia simply smiled again, her eyes gleaming with the satisfaction of knowing she had me. "I don't need to say it out loud, Aldric. I think you already know." Her voice was soft, but the weight of her words lingered in the air, heavy with unspoken understanding.

I let out a sigh, trying to regain some control over the situation. The weight of her gaze was still lingering on me, and I could feel the shift in her energy. She was so damn perceptive—too perceptive for my liking. But instead of pushing further, I chose to give her what she wanted.

"Just ask it," I said, voice steady, though I couldn't quite hide the flicker of frustration behind my words. There was no point in avoiding it anymore. She had me in a corner, and I knew she wasn't going to let go until she got exactly what she wanted.

But instead of asking the question, Sylvia gave me that same teasing smirk. It was a look I knew all too well—the one that made me feel like I was playing a game I wasn't sure I could win.

"I don't want to ask you a question right now," she said, voice light and teasing. "Actually, I have a request."

A request? I raised an eyebrow, intrigued but cautious. "What is it?" I asked, trying to keep my cool. There was something in her tone, something that told me this wasn't going to be a simple request.

Sylvia's smile widened, and I could almost feel her mischievousness radiating off of her. "I want to hug you right now," she said, her voice laced with playful intent. "Tightly."

I blinked, momentarily caught off guard. "No," I answered immediately, without hesitation. "I'm here to answer a question, not perform actions."

She pouted, and I could tell she wasn't satisfied with that answer. "You're still no fun," she muttered, her tone dripping with playful sarcasm.

I just shook my head, a small smile tugging at the corner of my lips. Sylvia never did know how to take 'no' for an answer.

But then, she did something that made my heart skip a beat. With a sly smile, she took a step closer to me, her presence overwhelming in a way that made it hard to focus. She closed the distance between us, and I could feel the tension thickening in the air.

"I have just one question now," she said softly, her voice a velvet whisper.

I couldn't help but watch her closely, feeling the weight of her words hang in the air. There was no way out now, I had to hear this one through. "Go ahead," I said, not bothering to mask the slight hesitation in my voice.

Sylvia leaned in a bit more, her lips curling into a sly grin. "I want to know your real name," she said, her voice filled with a teasing challenge. "The full name. From your mouth."

I sighed, the weight of the moment crashing down on me. It was no use. I couldn't keep hiding anymore. So, this is it, I thought. She's going to hear it.

"Seems like I can't hide it anymore," I muttered under my breath, resigning myself to the fact that I had no choice. "You're not going to let me leave this room until you have it, are you?"

Sylvia just nodded, her smile widening ever so slightly. There was a faint blush on her cheeks now, a subtle sign that she was feeling something more than just curiosity. She didn't speak, but her eyes told me everything I needed to know. The warmth in them wasn't just from playfulness—it was something deeper.

I looked her in the eye, my expression turning serious for the first time since she caught me off guard earlier. I opened my mouth, ready to say the name I had buried for so long, the name I had kept hidden behind a thousand masks.

I took a step closer to her, so close that I could feel the warmth of her breath on my skin. I leaned in, bringing my head to her ear, and whispered the truth—the name that had been buried deep inside me for so long.

"......." I breathed, my voice low, the sound of it almost foreign to my own ears.

Sylvia's expression shifted instantly. The playful gleam that had been dancing in her eyes melted away, replaced with a soft blush. The warmth in her gaze was undeniable, and for the first time since I had met her, I wasn't entirely sure how to interpret it. Her lips parted slightly, but she didn't say anything immediately.

"So it's you, huh?" she murmured, her voice barely above a whisper, as if she had just uncovered some long-hidden secret.

I nodded, standing close enough that I could feel the weight of her gaze on me. "Don't tell anyone," I warned softly. "If you do, I won't meet you again."

She didn't flinch, didn't hesitate. There was no change in her posture, but the sly smile on her face only deepened. "Well, you're making me keep a secret," she said, her voice rich with playful manipulation. "So I must get something in return, don't you think?"

I raised an eyebrow, already knowing where this was going. "What do you want?" I asked, the weight of her words making my stomach twist just slightly.

Sylvia's eyes glinted with mischief, and she leaned in even closer, her voice dropping to a near whisper. "I want a long kiss from you."

What the hell? My mind raced, my thoughts a blur. My heart skipped a beat in confusion.

"What did you say?" I stammered, completely caught off guard. This girl… She hasn't changed one bit. As direct as ever. And now she's even more bold than before.

A laugh bubbled up in my throat, but I held it in, trying to regain my composure. How the hell am I supposed to get out of this?

Her eyes never left mine, her smile still sly and teasing, and that damn blush on her cheeks only made it harder to focus. "I said, I want a long kiss from you," she repeated, her tone deliberate, almost demanding. "Do it."

What? I inwardly cursed. Sylvia was pushing me into a corner. This was absurd, even by her standards.

I stepped back slightly, trying to create some space between us. My voice, though calm, was now laced with a mixture of disbelief and a small sense of panic. "Sylvia, that's—" I paused, trying to collect my thoughts. "That's absurd."

Her grin only widened, her eyes gleaming with something that could only be described as dangerous amusement. "Is it?" she teased, her tone light but the meaning heavy. "You didn't think I'd ask for something like that, did you?"

I ran a hand through my hair, trying to make sense of this. Think, think. I had to get out of this, but there was no good way to dodge it without giving away more than I wanted.

"I'm serious, Sylvia," I said, my voice lowering as I took another step back. "That's… not something I can just—" I paused, my eyes narrowing slightly. "You've got to ask for something else."

She tilted her head, her smile almost innocent, though I knew better than to believe it. "Why? You're not scared, are you?" Her voice had an edge of mockery to it, but I knew it was mostly a game. A dangerous one, but a game nonetheless.

"I'm not scared," I replied, though the words felt hollow. "But I'm not going to give in to this. It's absurd. You're better off asking for something else."

Sylvia let out a soft sigh, as if she were disappointed by my refusal. "You're no fun," she muttered. "Always so serious. But… fine."

I let out a small breath of relief, but she wasn't done yet.

"Are you sure you're not just a little bit tempted?" she asked, her voice suddenly more playful again, though there was still a hint of challenge in it.

I didn't answer right away, my mind racing with the possibility of pushing back against this. "Are you joking?" I finally asked, trying to find some way to make this feel less real, less immediate.

Sylvia's smile remained, but this time, it was softer, almost affectionate. She nodded, but her eyes told me something else entirely. There was a flicker of uncertainty, a question I wasn't sure if she had asked herself or if she was simply playing me.

"Maybe," she said, her voice playful yet carrying an undertone I couldn't quite place.

I couldn't tell if she was joking or not. She's always been like this. A tease, an enigma, someone whose words were as difficult to decipher as her actions. I wasn't sure if she had truly meant it or if this was just another game. But one thing was for sure—she wasn't going to make this easy for me.

And as I stood there, watching her face shift from playful to something a little more vulnerable, I realized that the game had just shifted again. Sylvia had thrown me into a corner, and now, I had no idea how to get out.

Sylvia's gaze locked onto mine, her silver eyes gleaming with a mix of playful determination and something deeper, something harder to place.

She leaned in, a subtle smile playing on her lips as she spoke, her voice lower than usual. "Promise me," she said softly, her tone serious, though the hint of mischief still danced in her expression. "Promise me you'll come to Sylvaris again."

I raised an eyebrow, curious. "And what else?" I asked, half-expecting her to throw another impossible request at me.

Sylvia paused, her lips curling up into a sly grin. She leaned in a little closer, her voice teasing, "Next time… without a disguise or a fake name."

I smirked, nodding in agreement. "Alright," I said, though I couldn't help but feel the weight of her words. A part of me was actually looking forward to it.

Well, that's better than giving her a kiss for sure, I mused inwardly. She really is something, though…

I couldn't deny that she was beautiful. Her silver-white hair cascaded down her back in perfect waves, gleaming like moonlight, and her silver eyes were both enchanting and piercing. She was dressed in a gown that accentuated her elegance, the fabric rich and flowing, the soft glow of it reflecting the faint light of the room. It clung to her in just the right way, effortlessly combining grace and power. She looked every bit the confident, charismatic leader she was.

I gave a small nod. "I'll have to go now," I said, feeling the end of our conversation looming over us.

Sylvia's expression shifted, her pout softening the sharpness in her gaze. "Already?" she asked, her voice light but carrying a trace of disappointment. "C'mon, stay a little longer."

I turned, heading toward the door, not looking back at her. "Oh? I've still got some fates left to change," I said, my steps slow but deliberate. "We'll meet again, as I promised."

I could hear her soft pouting from behind me, but it didn't stop me. "Pouting won't help," I muttered, a small smile tugging at the corner of my lips.

Then I heard it, her voice shifting, a seductive undertone creeping in. "You know…" she started, a drawl of mischief in her words. "The offer is still on the table."

I stopped mid-step, my back to her. "Oh really?" I said, my tone not quite matching the intrigue I felt. This isn't over yet, is it?

She chuckled softly, and I could almost hear her smile. "Yes, it is. Do you want me to say it out loud again for you?"

I could feel the weight of the situation, the tension hanging in the air, thick and undeniable. "Don't bother, Sylvia," I said, but there was an edge to my voice that I hadn't intended. I was trying to keep my composure, trying to stay in control.

But she didn't stop. I could hear her steps behind me, growing closer. "But I will…" Her voice was a whisper now, close enough that I could feel her presence without even turning to face her.

I closed my eyes for a moment, fighting the urge to turn around and face her. This damn woman… My mind was spinning, caught in the web of her teasing.

"Do you want me to say it again, Aldric?" she whispered directly in my ear now, her breath warm against my skin.

I tilted my head slightly, pretending to be confused. "Oh? I don't know what you're talking about."

Her lips curved into a sly smile, and her voice dropped lower. "Oh, you know it very well. But fine, I'll tell you once more."

I shrugged nonchalantly, a hint of amusement playing at the edge of my lips. "Okay then, go ahead."

She stepped closer, the soft sound of her steps almost drowned out by the pounding of my own heartbeat. Then, as she walked around to my back, her lips brushed my ear once again. "Oh, you know just... The marriage proposal is still there~"

She paused, letting the weight of her words hang in the air, before continuing, her voice soft but certain.

"I still want someone like you... just mine, and only mine."

This woman. She hasn't changed one bit. Seriously. It's like the moment she laid eyes on me back then, she decided: "Yeah, I'm going to make his life hell with love." Oh, Sylvia, still the same.

The same confident, smooth-talking, "I'm older, wiser, and wealthier than you" routine. I swear, if I had a gold coin for every time she threw that line at me, I'd be richer than her at this point.

This is the same woman who once tried to trap me into a "commitment ceremony" by tricking me with a whole buffet of delicious food. Do you think I didn't notice? Her eyes lit up every time I reached for another serving. Smart, manipulative, and still completely insane.

And here she is again, proposing like we're in some cheesy romance novel. Gotta love her... no, wait, no I don't. But I can't help it. She's... charming in that dangerous, stalker-ish way.

I smirked as I turned back to her.

"Oh my, Sylvia~ Still the same person I knew back then," I said with a sly smile, unable to resist the sarcasm. Honestly, I might as well have said it in bold letters by now. She's a broken record, and somehow, it's still playing.

Sylvia, tapping her foot, gives me that look. "So, my Aldric, what's your response this time?" She looks so sure of herself, but I can see the sparkle in her eyes. The one that says she's this close to tricking me into saying something stupid.

She continued tapping her foot, her confidence unwavering. "You know," she started, her voice carrying that unmistakable tone of amusement, "I know your type very well. I'm mature, older than you, and also rich. I can take good care of you."

I raise an eyebrow at her teasing. "You know, Sylvia," I say, pretending to think hard about it. "Currently, I think you should be worried about the guild and the current threat of the swarm. Not marriage or sorts."

Sylvia, unfazed, smirks. "Oh, those are in my priority, but having you would only make everything better."

Yeah, no thanks. But good try, Sylvia. You always were the master of trying to win me over with grand promises and way too many compliments. Doesn't work on me anymore.

I chuckle lightly, then flash her a grin. "Ahhahaha."

Sylvia, with that ever-present confidence, asks, "Funny, right? Well then, tell me if you accept the proposal."

I let my grin widen, knowing full well what I'm about to do. With a sly smile and a wink, I take a quick moment to reduce my disguise, just long enough to reveal my true face to her, making sure she knows exactly who's standing in front of her.

"Sorry, Sylvia, currently the wife-gatherer is busy changing fate."

Her face falls just a bit, but she quickly masks it with that calm, measured expression I'm so used to. "Expected," she sighs, but her voice carries a hint of determination. "But don't believe you've lost me yet."

I turn my back on her, reactivating my disguise. "Farewell then, old friend."

Sylvia, still holding onto that little spark of hope, calls out, "Goodbye, my... heart's desire."

I pause, glancing over my shoulder with a teasing smirk. "Nah, not really," I say with a wink, then disappear into the distance, knowing damn well that she's still watching me, probably planning her next move.

Ah, finally leaving her office feels like heaven. The tension in the air, that relentless pull of her words, the weight of her expectations—it was suffocating. A quiet sigh escaped me as I walked down the hall, trying to shake off the strange mix of frustration and... something else. But before I could fully escape the confines of the guild, I spotted Rowan waiting by the door, his arms crossed tightly across his chest, his expression contorted in that familiar scowl.

I gave him a quick nod of greeting, barely sparing him a second glance. "Later, Rowan," I said, waving over my shoulder as I strode past him, my pace quickening as I made my way toward the exit.

Soon, I was outside again, the crisp air of Sylvaris hitting my face with a welcome bite. The tension between Levi and Alina had been… confronting, to say the least. Both of them had certainly earned their titles as Sword Saints, that's for sure. Watching them clash, the way they moved, the skill and raw power in every strike—it was something to behold.

But I had more pressing matters to deal with than their battle.

As I walked, I took in the sight of Sylvaris. The town was a blend of old-world charm and cutting-edge technology. The towering structures, half made of polished stone, half made of sleek metal, stood tall like sentinels overseeing everything beneath them. The streets were lined with shops selling everything from arcane gadgets to exotic foods, the air rich with the scent of spices and the low hum of the town's magical energy.

A few children ran past, their laughter ringing through the air as they chased one another around a glowing fountain that stood in the center of a nearby square. The water sparkled as it flowed in intricate patterns, powered by some kind of magical technology.

A team of engineers marched by, a mix of humans and elves, their tools clinking against their belts, discussing the latest project on their minds. Sylvaris had a way of blending tradition and progress, and it showed in every corner of the town.

I couldn't help but smirk at the sight of an old man trying to sell some magical trinket to a very uninterested woman who was far too absorbed in her book to care.

Passing by one of the grand gates leading out of the town, I couldn't help but glance at the watchtower standing nearby. The city walls were thick, reinforced with both magic and steel, designed to keep invaders at bay. It was strange, really.

Despite the city's beauty, there was always an underlying tension in the air—a sense of watchfulness. The shadows of past battles and threats still clung to these streets.

And now, I was heading out of this place, toward the unknown. Toward whatever awaited beyond the gates.

As the exit came into view, I noticed an unfamiliar presence. It was a man, a bit younger than me, yet he carried himself with a certain... threatening aura. A mist of danger lingered around him, though it wasn't quite tangible—just a feeling in the air that something was off.

He wore a cloak with frayed edges, the fabric looking worn and used, and a black outfit beneath it. His expression was difficult to read—mysterious, almost detached. His brown hair fell messily around his face, and his green eyes seemed to pierce through everything they landed on. There was something about the way he walked, his posture, the way he carried himself that set my senses on edge. Mixed vibes, to say the least.

As we walked past each other, I barely gave him a second thought—just another passerby in a town filled with strangers. But then, after a few steps, he suddenly stopped and called out to me.

"Wait."

I turned, raising an eyebrow, and found his green eyes locking onto mine with an intensity that sent a slight chill down my spine. He looked like he could see straight through me.

He took a step toward me, his voice even but cold. "Care for a short greeting? Just a name exchange."

I didn't have much to lose. It wasn't like I was being threatened outright, just... asked for a name. I nodded, nonchalantly. It wasn't an insane request.

"I'm Aldric," I said, keeping my tone light, watching him carefully.

He stepped closer, his presence oddly unsettling. "Reinhardt," he said, his eyes narrowing as he continued. "Lucas Reinhardt."

I gave a smile, not giving away anything. "Nice to meet you, Lucas."

He paused for a moment, his lips curling into something that could have been a smirk, though it was quickly replaced by an icy coldness. "It isn't really nice for me, you know."

That statement caught me off guard for a moment. But I said nothing, just raised an eyebrow in curiosity.

Then, with an almost mocking calmness, he added, "You shouldn't be giving fake names to people while hiding behind a fake face and disguise." His gaze hardened, a challenge hidden beneath his words. "Those bandages covering the parts you lack the mana to hide behind a reconstructed body. Funny, really."

My smile remained, though it felt more strained now. So, the boy had figured it out. Clever, though it wasn't like it was a well-kept secret. But then again, I hadn't expected someone like him to see through me so quickly.

He took another step forward, his green eyes almost glowing with a cold, unwavering focus. "So, now will you tell me your real name and identity?" His voice was low and sharp, almost daring me.

I stood there for a second, his words hanging in the air.

Oh really? I thought, my mind simmering with amusement and irritation in equal measure. You want to play games with me now, Lucas?

My lips curled into a subtle smile, but there was nothing friendly about it. The air between us thickened, and the pressure seemed to intensify as I let him feel the weight of my presence.

I shifted my stance slightly, feeling the coolness in my veins as the distance between us became more than just physical. I'll show you the true difference between us, kid.

This was no ordinary game.

And he had just invited the wrong player to the table.