Chapter 48: Savior

Rin stood beside Princess Rei, his expression calm yet observant. The flickering flame at the edge of her sword burned brightly, but there was room for refinement.

"Fire isn't just destruction, Princess Rei," Rin explained. "It's a force of transformation. You need to understand how to control it—not just unleash it."

Rei nodded, listening attentively. She was already skilled, but this was a different level of mastery.

"To create fire, you need three things—fuel, air, and heat. Out of these, two can be controlled through mana: fuel and heat."

Rin raised his hand, summoning a controlled flame above his palm. "If you focus your mana into purifying the fuel, you'll create a flame that burns cleaner and stronger. If you focus on heat, you'll increase its destructive power. The trick is knowing which to emphasize and when."

Rei's eyes gleamed with interest. "And how do I control the fuel?"

"By controlling the flow of mana in a precise pattern through your blade," Rin instructed.

He demonstrated by forming a thin glowing line of mana along Rei's sword. "Try infusing your fire into a stable pattern—one that flows evenly along the edge of your blade instead of letting it burn wildly."

Rei took a deep breath, closing her eyes to focus. Slowly, she followed his instruction, directing her mana along the sword's surface. The blade ignited with a golden glow, but instead of radiating heat, the fire clung to the steel, stable and refined.

Rin smiled slightly. "Good. Now, test it."

Rei summoned a stone with her earth magic, placing it before her. Rin gestured towards it.

"Cut it. But do it slowly."

Rei exhaled, then brought her blade down.

The moment the enchanted edge touched the stone, it sliced through like butter.

Rei's eyes widened in shock. "It… actually worked?"

Rin chuckled lightly. "That's the power of control. A well-refined flame doesn't need to burn hot to be effective. If your fuel is pure, your blade can cut through materials without resistance."

Rei stared at her sword, awestruck. "This… this is amazing!"

She turned to Rin with an excited gleam in her eyes, about to suggest they continue training together a little longer—but Rin was already one step ahead.

"You've done well, Princess Rei," he said smoothly, his tone carrying a subtle finality. "With more practice, you'll be able to refine your flame even further. Your potential is impressive."

Rei's brain blanked for a moment.

Did he just… compliment her?

Her thoughts froze, heat rising to her face.

And in that exact moment of weakness, Rin took the chance to swiftly turn away.

"Now then, Princess Akane," Rin said, already shifting his focus. "Let's continue where we left off."

Rei blinked.

…Wait.

By the time she snapped out of her daze, Rin had already begun instructing Akane again, leaving her no opportunity to pull him back.

Akane, who had been watching everything with amusement, smirked.

Rin took a slow, steady breath as he turned his attention to Princess Akane. He could feel the subtle tremble in his fingers—complimenting Rei had been a mistake. A necessary mistake, but still, one that would undoubtedly cause problems in the future.

But at least…

At least he lived for another second.

"Not bad, Instructor Rin," Akane murmured in a voice so low that only he could hear. "That was quite the escape."

Rin shifted his gaze toward her. His usual calm expression remained, but internally?

Tears. Silent, invisible tears.

"You… noticed." His voice was barely above a whisper, filled with a quiet resignation.

Akane smirked, clearly enjoying herself. "Of course. I have to admit, watching you dodge Rei's advances was amusing. But…" She paused, tilting her head slightly. "You ran too quickly. That means I don't get another favor, does it?"

Rin barely managed to suppress a flinch. Akane was sharp—too sharp. He had avoided one trap, only to walk into another.

"...Let's continue," Rin said, hastily regaining his composure.

Akane sighed but didn't push further—for now.

Rin stood straight, shifting into instructor mode. "The Enhancement Element has two primary uses. The first is self-enhancement—increasing your own physical and magical capabilities. The second is enhancing others—granting strength, agility, or resilience to your allies."

Akane listened intently, her eyes gleaming with interest.

"Since you're not the type to fight, Princess Akane," Rin continued, "your focus should be on enhancing others. It suits your natural strengths."

Akane smirked knowingly. "You mean my talent for manipulation?"

Rin didn't flinch. He simply met her gaze with an unshaken, professional expression. "If you insist on putting it that way."

She chuckled. "So, with this magic, I can essentially make people owe me favors by making them stronger? Interesting."

Rin sighed internally. Of course, she'd see it that way.

Akane crossed her arms. "In that case, shall I test it out? Maybe I should enhance you first, Instructor Rin. You seem tired—surely a little boost wouldn't hurt?"

Rin immediately shut that idea down.

"That won't be necessary," he said smoothly. "I already possess Enhancement Magic. There's no reason for me to rely on yours."

Akane's smirk vanished.

She narrowed her eyes slightly. "Oh?"

Then, before Rin could react, she reached out and pinched his side.

Rin barely managed to keep his face straight. He couldn't retaliate, not with Rei still watching them carefully.

"You're such a pain sometimes, Instructor Rin," Akane muttered under her breath.

"I could say the same to you, Princess Akane," Rin responded in an equally quiet tone.

Despite her irritation, Akane still turned her attention back to the lesson. Rin continued his explanation, ignoring the lingering sting of her very unprincess-like attack.

As the magic lesson concluded, Rin and Harumi stepped out of the room, leaving the four consorts alone.

Akane let out a quiet breath, feeling satisfied with the lesson. Rin was a true genius—his theories, untethered from rigid magic textbooks, made understanding magic far easier. With just one lesson, she had gained incredible insights.

"I suppose this will be useful after all," she mused to herself.

Then, she turned—only to meet the stares of Princess Miharu and Princess Suzuki.

They were glaring.

Daggers.

Laser-focused, merciless daggers.

Akane had completely forgotten about them during the lesson.

Meanwhile, Princess Rei sat across from her, arms folded, wearing a self-satisfied smirk. She hadn't managed to get close to Rin today, but the fact that she had been under his instruction had already put her ahead of the other two consorts.

And now, Miharu and Suzuki looked like they were one step away from declaring war.

Akane's brow twitched.

"Ah… right. Rin played me into suffering as well."

This was going to be a long month.

Harumi stretched lightly, glancing at Rin as they walked down the corridor.

"Well, that went better than I expected," she remarked.

Rin let out a deep, tired sigh. "If by 'better,' you mean I've successfully postponed my execution, then yes."

Harumi chuckled. "You brought this on yourself, Instructor Rin."

He winced at the title.

"I don't recall asking for it."

Harumi smirked. "You helped them once. Now it's coming back to haunt you. Honestly, you should be grateful that Princess Akane isn't like the others, or else you would've essentially cucked the Crown Prince."

Rin stiffened. "Harumi."

"What? It's true," she said teasingly. "If she had fallen for you too, it would've been a nightmare for the Imperial Family. But I suppose you got lucky—"

Rin cleared his throat. "Anyway."

Harumi raised an eyebrow but allowed the subject change.

"Princess Suzuki and Princess Miharu were… distracted." She sighed. "They're refining their magic, but it's clear they're not happy about being under my instruction instead of yours."

Rin shook his head. "Not surprising."

"They're still improving, though," Harumi continued. "Once they fully refine their control, they'll be able to increase their spell variations."

"That's good to hear."

"And what about your side?"

Rin rubbed his temple. "Princess Rei is... persistent."

Harumi smirked. "Oh? Having trouble?"

"I pushed her away once, but it had the opposite effect. She just keeps trying to get closer."

"That's what happens when you give just enough hope without fully rejecting someone."

Rin let out another sigh. "I see that now."

"And Princess Akane?"

Rin hesitated for a moment. "She's… inclined to make me suffer."

Harumi blinked before laughing. "Oh, I like her."

"You wouldn't if you were the one suffering," Rin muttered.

Harumi gave him an amused glance. "Well, you better get used to it. This is only the first day, Instructor Rin."

Rin felt a chill run down his spine.

A month of this.

This might just be his most pressing trial yet.

Harumi stretched, letting out a satisfied sigh. "Alright, let's go eat. I'm starving."

Rin nodded, relieved to step out of the Consort Palace after an exhausting first day of lessons. It was only natural for him and Harumi to eat together—they always had.

But just as they reached the palace entrance…

Three figures stepped out.

Rin and Harumi froze.

Princess Suzuki.

Princess Miharu.

Princess Rei.

They weren't here just to see them off.

No.

This was an ambush.

A well-coordinated, unavoidable ambush.

Rin and Harumi exchanged a single glance. They both swallowed hard before turning their attention to the three consorts, who were already closing in.

"Instructor Rin," Suzuki called out, voice sweet but firm.

"Instructor Rin," Miharu repeated, her tone more neutral, but expectant.

"Instructor Rin~," Rei sang with an almost playful lilt, yet her eyes gleamed with determination.

Rin forced himself to remain composed.

"Is something the matter, Princesses?"

Suzuki stepped forward, smiling. "Not at all. We were about to have dinner and wanted to invite you to join us."

"We insist," Miharu added smoothly.

"It wouldn't be proper to let our dear instructor eat alone, would it?" Rei chimed in.

Rin felt Harumi stiffen beside him. They hadn't included her in the invitation.

It was deliberate.

Rin sighed internally. Of course, this was their plan.

And now… refusing wasn't an option.

As a "lowly commoner," Rin had no authority to deny the invitation of three high-ranking princesses.

Harumi crossed her arms. "Actually, Rin and I already had plans for dinner."

A sudden chill filled the air.

The three consorts' gazes darkened.

Harumi instantly took a step back. "…Sorry, Rin. You're on your own."

Traitor.

The three princesses closed in.

Rin fought the urge to groan. This is bad… I'm completely trapped.

Just as he was about to resign himself to his fate…

A fourth figure emerged from the room.

Princess Akane.

Rin turned, desperate for an escape.

Akane's gaze flicked over to him before speaking in an even, composed voice.

"Instructor Rin."

The other three froze.

"Would you and Instructor Harumi care to join me for dinner?"

Rin almost collapsed in relief.

Harumi, too, perked up immediately.

Akane's invitation had a critical difference. Unlike the others, she had included Harumi.

It was fair.

It was neutral.

And most importantly… Akane wasn't in love with Rin.

This was his only way out.

Rin inclined his head respectfully. "I would be honored, Princess Akane."

The moment he spoke, Suzuki, Miharu, and Rei visibly stiffened.

They had lost.

Akane's neutral expression remained unfazed, but Rin wasn't fooled.

This wasn't kindness.

No.

This was calculated.

Rin knew she was enjoying this.

And he also knew…

He now owed her three favors.

But right now?

It didn't matter.

Because at this moment—Akane was his savior.

As Rin accepted Akane's invitation, the air in the corridor shifted.

Suzuki. Miharu. Rei.

None of them spoke.

But their eyes told everything.

"He… rejected us."

Suzuki's hands clenched into fists, hidden beneath the long sleeves of her robe.

She had been so sure.

Sure that Rin couldn't refuse.

Sure that he would finally start acknowledging her feelings.

But Akane had stepped in.

And Rin instantly took the escape route.

"I was too naive…"

Her heart ached at the memory—the fragile, helpless girl she once was. Rin had been the one to help her through her worst days. The one who had held her hand when she was too weak to stand.

She had fallen first—before Miharu, before Rei.

She had waited.

Waited for him to see her as more than just another princess.

"Why do you still refuse to look at me, Rin…?"

She knew he wasn't blind.

He had to know how much she cared.

But he was afraid.

Afraid of the law. Afraid of what would happen if he accepted her love.

After all—they were consorts of the Crown Prince.

If Rin were to return any of their affections… it would be considered treason.

Punishable by death.

But Suzuki didn't care.

If she could have Rin, she would throw away her status without hesitation.

"Tch… he escaped again."

Rei bit her lower lip, trying to suppress her frustration.

She had played her part perfectly today.

She had tested his patience. Pushed his limits.

But Rin was too composed.

No matter how many times she closed in on him, he always found a way to slip away.

"He's too damn careful."

Rei had fallen for him the day he bled for others.

She had witnessed his self-sacrifice, seen the way he threw his body into danger without hesitation.

And when he lay on the ground, battered and broken, she realized—

"I don't want him to sacrifice himself for others."

She wanted him to choose her.

To protect himself.

To live.

And yet… here he was, still dodging their feelings as if it was a death sentence.

Which, technically, it was.

But what did laws matter?

If she had to tear down the Empire itself to keep Rin by her side—so be it.

"He's always been this way, hasn't he?"

Miharu sighed softly, feeling a deep sense of regret.

She had once stood beside Rin and Harumi—not as a princess, but as an ordinary girl.

A commoner.

She had trained with him, fought with him, and somehow… she had let him slip through her fingers.

And now?

Now she was a consort. A title she never wanted.

A title that separated her from Rin more than anything else.

"I was the closest to him once."

She could have confessed back then. She could have reached out first.

But she had been blind.

Blind to her own emotions until it was too late.

Now, Rin stood on the other side of a vast, unbridgeable gap.

"And yet… even now, I can't let go of him."

If Rin was smart, he would never accept their feelings.

Because the moment he did—he was as good as dead.

But Rin was only human.

One day, he might slip.

And when that day comes…

Miharu would make sure that it was her he fell for.

Even if it meant defying the entire Empire.

As Akane led Rin and Harumi away, the three consorts remained standing.

Silent.

Observing.

Understanding.

Rin had accepted Akane's invitation not because he favored her—

But because she had included Harumi.

A loophole.

A way to refuse them without outright rejecting them.

Suzuki sighed.

Rei crossed her arms.

Miharu lowered her gaze.

They had been too naive.

Rin wasn't going to walk into their trap that easily.

But that was fine.

Because none of them had any intention of giving up.