Chapter 17: The Return of Seraphina Nightshade

Ethan trudged deeper into the dungeon, his muscles sore but his mind sharp. The air was thick with the scent of damp stone and lingering mana. He had barely recovered from the assassin's attack, yet something told him his challenges were far from over.

Then, a gust of cold wind rushed past him.

He turned, eyes narrowing. A presence—one both familiar and vastly changed—was approaching.

From the shadows, a figure emerged. Her silver hair cascaded down her back, her piercing violet eyes glowing in the dim light. She was clad in dark combat gear, her aura exuding power and dominance.

"Seraphina Nightshade," Ethan muttered, his fists instinctively clenching.

The last time they had met, she had been a strong but inexperienced fighter. Now, the energy radiating from her was nothing short of overwhelming. It was clear—she had grown powerful, far beyond what he had imagined.

Seraphina smirked, tilting her head. "Surprised?"

Ethan didn't answer immediately. He could feel it—the sheer force behind her presence. She had trained, fought, and risen above her previous limits. But that meant one thing…

She was no longer the same person he had saved before.

Seraphina took a step forward, her eyes scanning him. "You look… unchanged," she noted. "Still clinging to that ridiculous resilience of yours."

Ethan raised an eyebrow. "And you seem far too confident for someone who once needed saving."

She chuckled, her voice laced with amusement. "Perhaps. But I wonder—if we were to fight now, would you still be the one protecting me?"

Her words weren't a challenge—they were a declaration.

Ethan smirked. He had no doubt that she had become stronger. But no matter how much she had grown, he wasn't the same helpless F-rank everyone believed him to be.

"Care to find out?" he asked, stepping into a stance.

Seraphina's smile widened. "I thought you'd never ask."

A Shadowed Past

Before the battle could begin, Seraphina relaxed her stance and let out a small laugh. "I suppose I owe you an explanation."

Ethan folded his arms, watching her closely. "That would be nice."

She glanced at the dungeon walls, her fingers tracing the hilt of her sword. "After we parted ways, my family wasn't exactly thrilled that I had been saved by an F-rank. The Nightshade family values strength above all else, and they saw it as a disgrace."

Ethan frowned. "So, they forced you to train?"

Seraphina scoffed. "Forced? No. I chose to become stronger. I trained in the harshest conditions, battled beasts that would make most high-rankers tremble, and clawed my way up."

Her violet eyes locked onto his. "I needed to prove that I wasn't weak. That I wasn't some damsel to be rescued."

Ethan's expression softened. He understood. More than anyone, he knew what it felt like to be looked down on, to be mocked for being powerless.

But there was something else in her eyes. A glint of admiration? No, something deeper.

"You've changed," he admitted.

Seraphina smirked. "And you haven't."

Ethan rolled his shoulders. "You might be surprised."

A Test of Strength

Without warning, Seraphina moved. One moment she stood still, the next she was a blur, her blade slicing through the air toward Ethan's throat.

He barely managed to dodge, ducking just in time. A gust of wind followed the force of her attack, ruffling his clothes.

She didn't hold back.

Ethan grinned. Good.

He countered with a punch, aiming for her side, but she twisted away with practiced ease. She was faster, stronger, and far more skilled than before.

But so was he.

Passive Ability Reminder:

Never Give Up (Progress: ???)

Iron Stride (Progress: 87%)

Bloodforged Tenacity (Progress: 60%)

Enduring Will (Progress: 42%)

Unyielding Flesh (Progress: 45%)

He activated Iron Stride, his body moving more fluidly than ever before. His footwork improved, allowing him to evade her strikes with precision.

Seraphina's attacks were relentless, but Ethan held his ground. He wasn't just enduring—he was adapting.

Finally, after a series of exchanged blows, Seraphina leapt back, breathing heavily. A slow smile crept across her lips. "You have improved."

Ethan smirked. "Told you."

She sheathed her sword and crossed her arms. "I have to admit, you're a lot harder to kill than I expected."

Ethan chuckled. "I get that a lot."

Seraphina's gaze lingered on him for a moment longer before she spoke. "My family wouldn't approve of me interacting with you. They still see you as a weakling."

Ethan shrugged. "Their problem, not mine."

She nodded. "Agreed."

A brief silence stretched between them before Seraphina suddenly sighed. "I hate to admit it, but I'm… glad we met again."

Ethan's smirk softened. "Same."

She held out a hand. "Then let's see where this journey takes us."

Ethan clasped her hand firmly. This wasn't just a reunion—it was the start of something much greater.

To be continued…