A Dark Elf’s Resolve

Chapter 14 – A Dark Elf's Resolve

Ariana lowered her gaze, her voice carrying a weight of sorrow.

"I am the last survivor of my race."

Yuji listened in silence as she continued.

"We dark elves have always been few in number, but we share a strong bond. Our lifespan reaches around 3,000 years. I myself am 500 years old."

Yuji raised an eyebrow. Five hundred years? She didn't look a day over twenty.

Ariana went on.

"Because we live so long, our fertility rate is low. We rarely have children, and it takes decades for a single newborn to come into our world."

She sighed, a faint smile crossing her lips.

"We were a happy people, despite everything. Our connection with the other elves wasn't great, though. They saw us as different—our dark skin, our way of life… They never truly accepted us."

Yuji nodded. He wasn't surprised. Even in a world of magic and fantasy, prejudice still existed.

"We had a small village, around 200 people—70 males, 128 females. We were more than just a community; we were family. We lived in peace, never bothering others, never seeking trouble."

Yuji could see a longing in her eyes, a deep yearning for something that no longer existed.

"We also awakened our systems at the age of 15, just like everyone else. But we never cared about occupations or rankings. To us, every person was important, regardless of their system. We didn't believe strength made someone more valuable."

Yuji respected that mindset. But he also knew how cruel reality could be.

Ariana's expression darkened.

"But… that belief cost us everything."

Yuji leaned forward. "What happened?"

Her fists clenched.

"The problem was… our occupations were weak. No one in our village awakened anything grand. Just small jobs—hunters, healers, farmers… And I, a simple Novice Assassin."

Her tone was laced with bitterness.

"One day, a group of human Supreme System Awakeners found our village. They had skills that could locate hidden settlements… and when they saw us, they didn't see people. They saw treasure."

Yuji frowned. "Treasure?"

Ariana laughed bitterly.

"Our bodies were rare. Our long lifespan and unique magical traits made us valuable in the slave market. They wanted to subjugate us at first, trying to make us kneel with displays of power."

Her hands trembled.

"But we fought back. We refused to bow."

Yuji already knew what happened next.

"They slaughtered us."

Tears welled in Ariana's eyes, but she didn't let them fall.

"I watched my people—my family—die. The smell of blood… the screams of children… I ran. I ran like a coward, determined to live… to one day take revenge."

She exhaled, closing her eyes.

"But I collapsed from exhaustion. And when I woke up… I was already in the hands of slave merchants."

Silence filled the room.

Yuji sat back, taking in everything she said.

Her story was brutal… tragic… but not uncommon in this new world.

Yuji finally spoke.

"Do you want revenge?"

Ariana's golden eyes locked onto his.

"Yes."

A single word, filled with undeniable resolve.

Yuji smirked. "Good. Then show me your loyalty."

Ariana frowned. "How? I already have a Master-Slave Contract with you. I physically can't betray you."

Yuji's smirk widened.

He thought back to the moment he had changed Lyra's occupation.

Ariana was skeptical. "And how do I know you can really change my occupation?"

Yuji chuckled. "You'll know soon enough."

She narrowed her eyes. "Fine. Then tell me—how do I prove my loyalty?"

Yuji leaned in, his voice dropping to a whisper.

"For one week, you will satisfy me."

Ariana's face twisted in disgust. "Satisfy you? How?"

Yuji grinned. "Like last night."

Her body tensed, her expression burning with both rage and embarrassment.

"I will never do that again!" she snapped.

Yuji simply shrugged. "It's up to you."

Then, he stood and left the room, stepping into the city streets.

The City's Changing Atmosphere

As Yuji walked, he noticed something different.

The city was calmer. The chaos from before had settled. People were talking, whispering—about Lyra.

News had spread. Lyra had returned.

But that wasn't all. Another rumor was circulating—about Emma.

Yuji overheard people discussing her.

"How did a simple slave girl become so powerful overnight?"

"She took down a whole group of thugs by herself."

"That's impossible… She was just a weak maid a few days ago."

Yuji smirked. So, people finally noticed.

He glanced at a newspaper stand. His eyes landed on the headline:

"Lyra's Grand Return! The Rising Star of the Kingdom!"

Yuji picked up the paper, scanning the article. It detailed Lyra's sudden rise in power, her feats in battle, and her growing fame.

He smiled to himself. She finally got the recognition she deserved.

But at the same time—

Something inside him twisted.

Ariana and Emma entered the shop, noticing Yuji holding the paper.

Ariana's eyes flickered with curiosity.

"It's hard to believe," she muttered, reading over his shoulder. "How did she go from a basic mage to someone this strong?"

Then—she turned to Yuji.

And saw the tears in his eyes.

A realization struck her.

"Don't tell me… you changed her system occupation?"

Yuji wiped his tears, forcing a smile.

"I already told you."

Ariana was shocked.

She had assumed Yuji was just some perverted opportunist. She had accepted slavery, thinking that maybe, just maybe, something miraculous might happen.

But now—

She realized Yuji wasn't just talk.

He could really do it.

Ariana's heart pounded.

For the first time in 500 years… she had hope.

A Shift in Loyalty

Back at the inn, Dani entered the room as food arrived.

Ariana picked up the plate and walked over to Yuji.

Without a word, she lifted a spoon and tried to feed him.

Yuji smirked. "So… you finally believe I can change your system?"

Ariana nodded, her tone softer than before.

"I believe you. Change my occupation. I will always be with you… as your personal sex slave."

Yuji sighed.

His smirk faded.

He leaned back, disappointed.

"If you had said, 'I will always be with you as someone you can rely on,' I would have been happy."

Ariana froze.

"I was testing you."

Yuji took a deep breath.

"I can't change your occupation now, anyway. My skill has a restriction—it only works once every 30 days."

Ariana looked away, guilt pooling in her stomach.

Yuji closed his eyes. "Don't worry about doing anything. Just wait."

The atmosphere grew tense.

Ariana stopped feeding him. She felt a deep shame she couldn't explain.

But then—

Yuji suddenly smirked. "Relax. I was just joking."

Ariana blinked.

"Now feed me."

She hesitated… then, slowly, brought the spoon to his lips.

But even as she did—

She couldn't shake the disappointment she saw in Yuji's eyes.

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Thanks for reading this chapter.

If you have any questions ask me in comment section.

This chapter is just to establish Ariana character in the story. You will going to love her in future and also Emma arc you will going to love it.