House Silva, Training Facility

Sebastian, Acier, Nozel, and Dorothy stood in the center of the arena, dressed in loose-fitting House Silva training gear. They stretched lightly, waiting in silence.

After lunch, Acier had announced that she wanted to spar. No one had been surprised—until she went ahead and ordered Nozel and Dorothy to join her.

And if that wasn't enough, she also sent word for Mereoleona and Fuegoleon to tag along.

That earned her some curious looks, but everyone humored her.

The spectator stands were empty. Nebra, Solid, and Noelle were with their grandmother and Hilda. This sparring session would undoubtedly leave the arena in ruins—again. It wasn't a safe place for them.

And if there had been onlookers, no one would have gone all out, too wary of harming or implicating them by accident.

A moment later, the front doors slammed open, signaling the final arrivals.

Naturally, it was the Vermillion siblings.

Mereoleona strolled in, dressed in House Vermillion's signature training robes, giddy as always. That wasn't surprising. Whatwassurprising, however, was Nozel and Dorothy's demeanor.

Sebastian's curiosity stirred.

Nozel wasn't the type to wear his emotions on his sleeve, no matter how much he enjoyed training with Acier. Yet today, his usual unflappable mask was gone. Fire burned in his eyes.

Dorothy, on the other hand, seemed unusually somber. Serious. A stark contrast to her usual playful nature.

Sebastian didn't ask.

Whatever was going through their heads, as long as it drove them to improve without recklessness, he wouldn't interrogate them over it. He trusted their judgment.

And if his hunch about what this wasreallyabout was correct... then Nozel and Dorothy were anything but fools.

Acier broke the silence, waving at the Vermillions with a light smile. "Finally, you two arrived. Took you a little longer than I expected—we almost started without you."

Mereoleona scoffed, displeasure flickering across her face. "Tch, blame this stiff next to me. Took some convincing to drag him here. Wasted my time like a fool."

Fuegoleon, unfazed, replied curtly, "Dear Sister, I have more pressing matters—squad duties, household responsibilities. If anyone is to blame for my workload, it'syou, for abandoning everything like a wild beast and forcing me to shoulder it all."

For the briefest moment—almost imperceptible—a flicker of apology crossed Mereoleona's face. She winced slightly before shrugging it off. "That wasyourdecision. I never asked you to take over. You could've ditched it too."

Fuegoleon's brow twitched in irritation, but he stepped forward with a polite nod. "Nozel, Ms. Unsworth, Lady Acier, Lord Silva. Always a pleasure."

Acier pouted. "What's with the formality, Fueggy? We're family. I've changed your diaperscountlesstimes."

Fuegoleon's stern posture shattered. His face turned crimson. He struggled to recollect himself—but fate was cruel.

Sebastian coughed into his fist. "I myself have done it a few times as well."

There was a quiet nostalgia in his tone. A hint of regret.

Before Nozel's birth, Sebastian had occasionally played babysitter for the two Vermillions, using it as training for fatherhood.

But life had taken its course.

And he had never gotten the chance to put those skills to real use—not for more than a day.

Nozel, who had been enjoying his cousin's suffering, suddenly frowned. A complicated emotion flickered across his face as he processed his father's words.

Fuegoleon, oblivious to the deeper undercurrents in the room, remained frozen, shattered like a broken statue. The humiliation was too much.

Dorothy patted his shoulder with a smile. "Mom's right, Fueggy. Call me Dorothy."

It was a small mercy that Fuegoleon was too stunned to react. Otherwise, he would have felt his last shred of dignity slip away.

Meanwhile, Nozel blinked.

A hint of jealousy stirred in his chest.

She's never called me anything like that.

His fists clenched before he forced himself to relax.

Then, silently, he began brainstorming nicknames.

For her.

Or for himself.

Only he would know.

Mereoleona sneered at her little brother, her voice thick with derision. "Pathetic. Falling apart at just some words—"

She froze.

Sebastian was smiling at her. Sly, mocking.

Never losing his grin, he cupped a hand behind his ear and mouthed four words.Let me hear it.

Mereoleona blinked, her face darkening as a flush crept up her neck. Grinding her teeth, she looked ready to gag, but in the end, she spat out hoarsely,

"Good afternoon, Uncle."

Acier, Nozel, Dorothy, and Fuegoleon snapped their heads toward her, eyes wide, expressions nothing short of incredulous.

Sebastian, utterly unfazed, smiled even brighter. "Good afternoon, my dear niece. How's your day going?"

A forehead vein popped. "Don't push your luck too much, you basta—"

She stopped again. Sebastian was still smiling, wagging a finger at her like she was a misbehaving child.

"Nuh-uh-uh, remember your manners."

Mereoleona bit down on her lip, eyes flashing red. It was an internal war—pride against honor. Honor won.

She forced a smile. Sweet. Bright. The kind nobles spent years perfecting. The kind she hadneveronce shown, not even for her mother's sake. It was strained, visibly so, but it was a smile nonetheless.

With a slight nod, she spoke through gritted teeth.

"Apologies, Uncle. But please refrain from overstepping the terms of our agreement, alright?"

Sebastian's grin didn't waver. "Apology accepted, Mereoleona. And don't worry, it won't happen again."

It better not,she thought darkly,or I'll roast you alive.

She kept up the perfect, noble smile. "That's wonderful."

Fuegoleon gaped, speechless. Before he could eventhinkof saying something, Mereoleona shot him a look—dark, venomous. He clamped his mouth shut immediately.

Neither Nozel nor Dorothy dared to test her patience either, both subtly lowering their heads, pretending to have seen nothing, heard nothing.

That made her feel a little better.

But only a little.

And it didn't last.

Acier, unlike the others, wasn't intimidated in the slightest. She blinked at the scene, then gasped. "Huh?! Mereoleona, youtraitor! You've never called me 'Auntie'once!And I helpedraiseyou! Changed your diapers just like Fueggy's!"

Mereoleona ground her teeth. "Acier, can wedropit?"

Had it beenanyoneelse, she would have ripped into them like a street punk. But Acier was different. With her mentor, she had always been... meek.

Acier crossed her arms, tilting her head. "Absolutely not. Call meAuntie,or I'm not fighting you."

Silence.

Mereoleona twitched.

Acier had never pushed this before, despite her disappointment over Mereoleona calling Aurelia 'Aunt' so easily. But now? Now she was putting her foot down.

Mereoleona exhaled slowly.

More than pride, more than honor—her desire to fight the strong trumped all.

And right now,Acier was the strongest opponent here.

Memories of their last "spar" flashed through her mind. Acier had flicked her forehead. That was it. And she had blacked out.

Her shoulders sagged forward, posture slumping in rare, uncharacteristic defeat.

"...Auntie. Can we move on?"

Acierbeamed."Of course, mycutelittle Mereoleona."

She reached out andruffled her hair.

Mereoleona stood still, face blank, looking absolutelydonewith life.

Sebastian wished he had a camera.

Then, he turned to Dorothy and smiled.

He didn't need one. She'd make sure that he could always replay this moment.

Acier, having had her fun, retracted her hand and clapped once, sharp and commanding.

"Alright. It's all of you versus me. Whether you cooperate or go solo, that's up to you. Are we good with that?"

Sebastian, Nozel, Dorothy, and Fuegoleon nodded without hesitation.

Mereoleona, a little disappointed—shewanted a one-on-one—crossed her arms and nodded anyway.

Acier smiled. "Great! To make sure this fight doesn't endinstantly, I'll be putting some limitations on myself. Just to keep things interesting."

The five of them exchanged glances.

Acier lifted a finger. "First, I'll only use20%of my mana. Any more, and I lose."

Her mana flared outward, for them to gage and measure-a sudden, suffocating pressure filled the space.

Everyone stayed calm.

Everyone except Fuegoleon, who stiffened, eyes wide, jaw slack.

Th-this is only 20%?! This is already stronger than Sister!

Acier, barely suppressing her amusement at his reaction, raised a second finger.

"Normally, royal spars end when someone admits defeat, gets knocked out of bounds, or is incapacitated. But for you guys, we'll tweak things a little."

She glanced around, making sure they were paying attention.

"As long as you don'tgive up, and at least one of your teammates is still standing, you can rejoin the fight—even if you were knocked out or incapacitated and manage to recover."

She smirked.

"My victory condition? Knockingallof you out before any of you can get back up."

Mereoleona grinned, cracking her knuckles, embers flickering from her fists. "Yeah, yeah, we got it! Can westartalready?!"

Acier chuckled, shaking her head. "Iwasgoing to say a few more things, but... you'll figure them out during the fight. They're not really rules anyway."

She rolled her shoulders. "If everyone's ready, take your positions."

The second the words left her mouth, the five of them exchanged a look, backing away, forming a loose circle around her.

Acier stood at the center.

They were sizing her up. Tension crackled in the air. Muscles coiled. Eyes sharpened.

Acier grinned.

Then, with a snap of her fingers—

"Begin."

—

The moment Acier spoke, flames exploded beneath Mereoleona's feet like rocket boosters. Sheburstforward, a blazing missile locked onto her target.

Her right arm craned back, winding up, engulfed in a massive, roaring lion's paw of flame. She leapt, then swiped downward like a beast striking its prey.

Her clawtorethrough Acier's face.

But Mereoleona feltnothing.

No impact. No resistance.

Her pupils dilated.

An afterimage?!

A silver flicker darted outward from the center—too fast to track.

Fuegoleon barely registered the movement before Acierrematerializedright in front of him, smiling sweetly.

His instincts screamed. He jumped back—

Too slow.

Acier's arm was already winding up for a punch.

"Never stand flat on two feet, Fueggy. Always be on your toes!"

Just as her right hook was about tocrashinto his face—

Snap.

Fuegoleon vanished.

Acier's fistsailedthrough a swirling cloud of purple, pink, and coral mist. The air pressure alone blasted a crater into the stadium wall behind him.

She glanced over her shoulder—

Dorothy stood there, sweat beading on her forehead.

Just in time.

Anothersnap.

A second cloud appeared beside her, spitting out a bewildered Fuegoleon, who blinked in confusion.

Before he could say anything, Nozel stepped in front of him, his tone sharp and cold.

"Focus, Fuegoleon. This isn't like you. My mother isn't someone you can fightdistracted."

Fuegoleon blanked for a second.

Mercury swirled around Nozel, fluid and twisting, before hardening into jagged rods and elongated pillars.

Then theylaunchedtoward Acier—some straight, some arcing, some looping unpredictably.

Fuegoleon's eyes narrowed.

His hands thrust forward, glowingorange.

Suddenly, the mercury ignited—encased in crimson flames, their speed and intensity surging.

Acier didn't so much asflinch.

She lifted a single finger, preparing a casualflick.

Ambient mana surged toward her fingertip, silver light gathering—

But—

Her finger froze.

Acier's eyes flicked right.

Sebastian stood there, arms outstretched, hands trembling, glowingblue.

A weak smile on his face.

He had frozen thebloodin her fingertip.

Normally, he could freeze an entire person, even if only for a fraction of a second.

Right now?

It was takingeverythinghe had just to stop a single finger.

But—

That wasallhe needed.

The combined attack of silver and crimsonslammedinto Acier.

BOOM.

A silvery-red explosion tore through the air, sending out a shockwave that cracked parts of the stadium. Dust and embersrushedoutward, forcing them all back.

None of them smiled.

They waited.

As the smoke cleared—

Acier stood there.

Her veins pulsing silver for a slight moment.

Unharmed.

Not a hair out of place.

Her clothes? Pristine.

Nozel and Fuegoleon rubbed their eyes, disbelief setting in.

Dorothy, however, caught it.

A faint glimmer—silverflaking awayfrom Acier's outfit.

You can reinforce clothes?!

Dorothy's mind reeled. The mana control necessary for that—

What kind of monster—

But before she could process it, Acier flickered—

Sebastiantensed.

He felt her presence—

Behind him.

Warm breath ghosted against his ear, as he felt a small nibble.

"Not bad, Sebby," Acier whispered. "I look forward to the day you candominateme completely."

His entire neck flushed red.

The dust from her movement obscured them enough that no onesawwhat just happened—

Thankgod.

Acier's hand shot forward.

A casualflickaimed at the back of Sebastian's head.

His instinctsscreamed.

Blue mana flared around him—his body half-liquefied, ready to evade.

But—

His manacollapsed.

The space around themlockedinto place— as they were surrounded by a silver sphere.

A dense, high-pressure mana zone.

Sebastianfroze.

Dorothy snapped in panic, trying topullhim out—

But her Glamour World cloud couldn't manifest in Acier's domain, where she controlled all external mana.

And then—

Flick.

For a split second, nothing happened.

Then—

CRACK.

Theair itselfseemed to shatter.

Sebastianrocketedforward.

No one had time to react.

He wassecondsfrom slamming into the stadium wall—

At the last moment, his bodyflashedblue, bouncing back like liquid jelly before solidifying again.

He landed hard, dropping to his knees.

Sebastian clutched the back of his head, groaning. His skull feltnumb.His brain—

Rupturing.

"Aghhh—!"

His water body could heal injuries.

Itcouldn'tstop the pain.

Through the haze, one clear thought surfaced—

After I finish that auto-paperwork tool, I'm designing a trap spell specifically for aches and pain.

Dorothy bit her lip, her expression darkening as she thrust her arms toward Acier.

"Let's see you handle this, Mom!"

Acier smiled in anticipation.

Above Dorothy, a vortex of purple and pink huesswirled, then cleared—like a glass screen revealing another world.

Glamour World.

Inside, a blank, doll-like Dorothy with vacant eyes raised a hand andsnappedher fingers.

A dragon manifested.

Strangely cute yet unmistakably vicious, it looked like something out of a child's drawing—light lavender scales, vertical coral irises in narrow slits, a mix of pink and purple armor, and a pair of feather-like wings.

Then—

Itsoaredforward, bursting out of the Glamour World's gate into reality.

Fuegoleon's pupils dilated.

Nozel's expression wavered between pride and insecurity.

The dragon landed with a heavythud, its body stretching a staggering thirty feet long.

It craned its head back, inhaling—

Then opened its mouth and—

"Meow!"

Everyone blinked.

Dorothy turned red.

Why does it sound like a cat?!

But she held her head high as the dragon spat asunderinglilac flame, the airshimmeringfrom the heat. The arena beneath itmeltedslightly.

Acier didn't move.

She didn't defend.

Didn't dodge.

Dorothy's confidence wavered.

The flames rained down—

And then—

Theycrumbledapart, scattering into harmless embers before they could touch Acier.

Dorothy froze.

Acier's mana zone dominated the space around her, seizing control of all mana within its reach.

Unless an attack carried its ownmana zoneor was so overwhelming she couldn't suppress it in time, ranged attacks were useless against her.

Dorothy clenched her fists.

For all the strength they had, they couldn't hit Acier from afar. Not yet.

That left only one option.

Close combat.

Nozel and Dorothygrimaced.

Fuegoleon exhaled sharply, expression hardening.

Before they could regroup—

A crimson blurstreakedpast them.

Mereoleonacharged, encased in a concentrated mana zone of her own, grinningferal.

"Have you forgotten about me, Acier?!"

Acier's lips curled into a matching grin.

Sheburstforward to meet her.

"It's Auntie, Mereoleona!"

Mereoleonasnarled,flames surging around her fist. Acier's hand, now encased in a silver gauntlet,mirroredthe motion.

Twospheresof mana zone clashed—

Both wound back their arms—

Andswung.

Right hookscollidedagainst left cheeks.

CRACK.

The arena beneath themshattered, a crater forming from the sheer force.

They hovered midair, fistsduginto the other's face, neither willing to give an inch.

Then—

Acier's veins pulsedsilver.

Mereoleona's eyes rolled back.

A bloody toothflewfrom her mouth.

And then—

She waslaunchedat a speed even greater than Sebastian before her.

Dorothysnappedher fingers just in time.

Mereoleona vanished—

Thenreappearedbeneath her feet, unconscious.

Anothersnap.

Both disappeared into Glamour World.

Acier clicked her tongue, shaking her head. Then—sheburstforward.

Fuegoleon and Nozeltensed.

Nozel moved first, mercury swirling to form a protective dome. Fuegoleon shot a spiraling blast of fire, trying to buy him time.

It was useless.

Acier's mana zonemovedwith her, sweeping forward like an invisible tidal wave.

Spells unraveled before they could even manifest.

Their eyeswidened.

And then—

Acier was already there, silver-gauntleted fiststhrustingstraight for their faces.

Just before impact—

Two balls of watersplashedagainst Fuegoleon's and Nozel's backs.

A blue glow enveloped them—

And Acier's fists hitnothing.

Their bodiesdissolvedinto streams of water, slipping past her strikes like slithering snakes before reforming behind her.

Acier's brow furrowed.

Fuegoleon and Nozel looked equally confused.

Before she could react—

Her instinctsscreamed.

She turned—

Arapierof water streaked toward her face.

Sebastian, recovered,chargedforward, his weapon poised for a precise thrust.

Just as the tip was about to pierce her skin—

Aciersmiled.

Sheducked, graceful as a ballerina in a swan dive.

Sebastianrushedpast her.

Sliding into a split, Acier sprang back up onto her toes—

Right behind him.

Sebastian spun, face impassive.

Acierbeamed.

"Sebby, you can liquefyothers? I never knew that!"

Fuegoleon and Nozel blinked.

Recognition dawned.

Sebastian's expression darkened. "I never said I couldn't."

Acier pouted. "Come on, Sebby. It was just a little finger-flick—no need to be such a sore sport—umph!"

Shefroze.

Water constricted around her, binding her in place.

When Sebastian charged over he, hadleft a piece of himself behind.While she had been focused on him, hisclonehad formed and crept behind her.

The liquid bindingtightened, laced with mana zone.

Acier'sownmana zone—

Collapsed.

Sebastian wasn't taking any chances.

Acier, utterly unfazed,smiled—cheeks slightly pink.

"Sebby, I didn't know you were into bondage."

Sebastian blinked.

Nozel and Fuegoleonturned red.

Acier let out a dramatic sigh.

"What is a poor little maiden like me supposed to do with such alustful beastof a husband? The best I can do issatisfy his fetishes. Maybe then he'll be moregentle."

A single, imaginary tearsliddown her cheek.

She meekly lowered her head.

"Go ahead, Sebby.Have your way with me.I won't resist."

Sebastian's foreheadvein popped.

His facetwistedin disgust.

"Why are yousoweird?!"

With an annoyed thrust of his arms, Acier's bodylifted, glowing blue, floating like a marionette on invisible strings.

Sebastianyelled out.

"Do you two need an invitation?!Hit her!"

Nozel and Fuegoleon snapped back into focus.

Grimoires floated before them.

Hands lifted.

"Mercury Magic:Silver Spear." Nozel's voice was curt.

"Fire Magic:Sol Linea!" Fuegoleonroared.

Four mercury spears—fluid yet deadly—curvedtoward Acier.

From Fuegoleon's floating sun-like orb, ablazing blue beamshot straight for her.

And then—

A swirling vortex of purple and pinkrippedopen above Acier.

Mereoleonaeruptedfrom it—fully healed, grinningmanic.

Fistblazing, sheplummetedtoward Acier's head.

Acier's expression? A Smile.

Not a mocking one.

Not smug.

Pleased.

"Good job."

Sebastian's spineprickled.

Her voice came again, almost harmonic.

"This means, I can get a little serious."

Silver lightflaredaround Acier.

His pupilsdilated.

She can still use magic?!

Painrippedthrough him.

His control over Acier's bloodshattered, sending aninexplicable backlashthrough his body.

Hecoughed, spitting out blood.

His water clone—gone.

A piece ofhissoul—wiped from existence.

His visionblurredwith agony—

Then—

Apop.

Acrack.

Aroarof pain.

Mereoleona's voice.

The light faded.

Sebastian blinked.

Mereoleona layslumpedagainst the arena wall,bloody and bruised.

Fuegoleon and Nozel panted beside him, drenched in sweat.

And Acier—

Acier stoodabove them all, poised midair, feet planted on an invisible platform.

Silver steel boots gleamed against the light.

In her right hand—

A spinninglance.

Its head whirred—

Like adrill.

Acier smiled, about to speak—

Then—

Her head snappedbacktoward Mereoleona's collapsed form.

Her eyesnarrowed.

Purple and pink motesdriftedthrough the air.

Aciergrinned.

She hurled her lance like a javelin, laughing.

"Not again, Dorothy!Come out for Mama!"

The swirling colors condensed into a cloud, poised towhiskMereoleona away—

But then—

It stopped.

Acier's lance haddrilledstraight through it, piercingGlamour Worlditself.

Ascreamechoed through the arena.

"Eeeeeek!"

Dorothy.

A second later, another cloud appeared—

This time, beside Sebastian.

It spat out Dorothy, who landed in a heap, trembling anddrenchedin cold sweat.

She looked up at Acier, tears welling in her eyes.

I'm supposed to be unbeatable in Glamour World... How can someone threaten me?!

Shesniffled.

Sebastian sighed, rubbing his temples. "Get up, Dorothy. Now's not the time to cry. We need to—"

Before he could finish—

Dorothyjerkedto her feet andsnappedher fingers.

"Eat shit, Mom!"

Silence.

Acier blinked.

Sebastian blinked.

Nozel and Fuegoleonalsoblinked.

Then—

A vortexrippedopen above Acier.

Something tumbled out—

Lotsof something.

Cracked wooden planks. Shattered tiles. Splintered beams.

Therevoltingstench of urine and fecesfilledthe air.

Sebastian's eye twitched.

She meant it literally.

Dorothy hadphysicallyyanked the warped remains of their old cottageoutof Glamour World—

Andhurledit at Acier.

Acier's facetwisted.

Her nose scrunched.

Shegagged.

Her handsnapped up.

A silver-steeleaglematerialized in midair—

Anddove.

Itrippedthrough the debris, shreddingeverythinginto dust before vanishing.

Dorothyslumped.

"...Sorry, Dad. I'm out of tricks... and nearly out of mana."

If only I could pull her into Glamour World... But even then—she's too strong. This is way out of my league.

What am I even doing here?

Sebastian opened his mouth—

But Nozel moved first.

He crouched beside Dorothy, resting a firm hand on her shoulder.

"Come on, Dorothy. It's when we havenothingleft that we reach new heights."

Dorothy's breathhitched.

Nozel's gazehardened.

"How do we achieve our goal if wegive up now?"

Acier and Sebastiannarrowedtheir eyes.

Dorothystilled.

Then—

Her eyesblazed.

She stood.

A hand lifted.

Fingerssnapped.

In a blink—

Mereoleonavanished.

Andreappeared—

Directly beneath Dorothy.

Sebastian barely reacted before lifting a hand andsnappinghis fingers as well.

A massivedomeof water materialized around them, washing over their bodies with asoothingenergy.

Ithealed.

Itreplenished.

Sebastian stepped out, watching Mereoleona stir.

Her woundsmendedbefore his eyes.

He exhaled.

"This will restore your injuries... and some of your mana." His tone was calm, measured. "I'll hold her back while you come up with a plan. Alright?"

Nozel, Dorothy, and Fuegoleon exchanged a look—

Thennodded.

Sebastian sighed and stepped forward.

Step by step, he climbed theopen airlike an invisible staircase, until he was level with Acier.

Like her silver gauntlets and boots,hislimbs gleamed—

But in place of steel,water.

Liquid reptilian armor coiled around his arms and legs, shifting like living serpents.

Aciergrinned,cracking her knuckles.

Then—

Sherushedforward.

Sebastiandartedto meet her.

Their battle began anew.

Acier'sMana Zonesurged forward, engulfing Sebastian's smaller one as they met—

Fist to fist.

Theaircracked on impact.

Sebastian's arm cracked, splintered.

Painsearedthrough him.

But before Acier's fist could drive forward—

Sebastian's armglowedblue, spinning like a whirlpool—

Then reformed.

The pain didn't vanish. It stillburned.

But Sebastianbit down,pushing through—

And threw another punch.

Acier'ssmilewidened.

She met his attack again.

This time—

Before their fists connected—

Sebastian's right armsurgedforward, glowing, stretching—

EngulfingAcier's fist like a living tide.

Her browfurrowed.

Her arm was stillthere—

But it also felt...somewhere else.

Another space.

Another—

Her eyes narrowed.

She began to detonate her Mana Zone—

But froze.

Because—

Sebastian's left hand gripped the back of her head.

And then—

His lips crashed into hers.

Acier's eyes widened.

Her pupilsdilated.

His tongue invaded her mouth, deep, passionate—

And she—

She melted.

Heat flooded her face as she kissed back hungrily.

Mid-air.

Mid-battle.

Shamelessly.

Below—

Dorothy, Fuegoleon, and Nozellowered their heads,pretending not to see.

They kept brainstorming.

Keptnotlooking.

As for Acier—

She was ineuphoria.

Floating on cloud nine.

Drunk on love.

Until—

Something feltoff.

Sheblinked.

Looked down at her right arm—

Which had been swallowed by Sebastian's water.

Only—

It wasn't just herarmanymore.

Half her body was now encased in that slimy, jelly-like water.

Her eyes widened.

If she hadn't snapped out of itright then—

She would've been completely covered.

Acier's face darkened.

Her eyes blazed.

"Sebby," she growled, "how dare you use my love against m—mph!"

She didn't finish.

Sebastian tsked in annoyance—

And slammed his foot into her abdomen.

A sidekick.

A clean, brutal hit.

The impact freed her from his hold, sending her hurtling backward.

Acier twisted mid-air, flipping once, before she steadied herself.

Sebastian—

Glowed.

His entire body dissolved into thousands of water droplets.

Then—

They shot forward.

Like high-pressure beams.

A storm of blades aimed straight for her.

Acier grinned.

She expanded her Mana Zone, intending to collapse his water body—

But—

Nothing happened.

The droplets kept coming.

Just... slower.

Her pupils shrank.

Her mana senses flared.

She understood.

Every single droplet—

Had a Mana Skin.

A rudimentary pre-step to Mana Zone.

Meaning—

They wouldn't fall apart.

Acier'sgrin widened.

Her arms spread.

A thousand silver needles appeared, forming a spiked cocoon around her.

Then—

They shot out.

Every needle, a piercing blade—

Every droplet, a darting target—

Yet—

The needles hit nothing.

Because Sebastian's water was alive.

The droplets hadminds of their own.

They dodged.

Weaving.

Dancing.

Acier's eyes narrowed.

She couldn't split her focus into thousands of directions.

She could only hit a few—

Before the droplets merged.

And formed—

A spear.

Asharp, long, deadlyspear—

That lunged straight for her.

Acier's lance appeared in her grasp—

She thrust forward.

But—

At the last second—

The spear bent.

It curved.

It slithered around her lance—

Like a snake.

And—

In a flash—

It shot for her throat.

Acier's eyes flared.

Sheflickered—

And vanished.

A heartbeat later, she reappeared in the center of the arena.

Calm.

Unshaken.

Sebastian reformed above her, watching.

From the water dome, the kids—and a stirring Mereoleona—watched too.

Acier—

Expressionless—

Touched her throat.

She pulled her hand away.

Blood.

Her eyes narrowed.

Her mana flared.

Asilver pulsespread across her skin, sealing the wound instantly.

She tilted her head up, smiling.

"Not bad, Sebby. You really are slippery."

Her fingers flexed.

"Got any more new tricks?"

Sebastian smirked.

"Actually," he said, rolling his shoulders,

"I do."

Sebastian's grimoire flipped as he took a slow, steady breath—

Then—

He spread both arms wide.

"Mana Zone: River of Heat."

"Mana Zone: River of Cold."

Two swirling rivers of crystal-blue water spiraled around him.

Acier's eyes narrowed.

At first glance, they looked like simple streams—

But one radiated an intense, blistering heat—

While the other exuded a piercing, bone-deep cold.

Just looking at them made her body react—

One side of her felt scalded, the other frozen.

She raised a brow.

"You can change the temperature of your water now?"

Sebastian nodded.

Then—

With a thrust of his arms, the twin rivers shot forward.

One—

A scalding inferno, just shy of turning to steam.

The other—

A freezing abyss, a breath away from solid ice.

On their own, they couldn't wound her like fire or ice magic—

But that wasn't the point.

Sebastian wasn't trying to hurt her.

He was trying to break her.

The rapid shifts between searing heat and freezing cold—

Were dangerous.

Unnatural.

Physically—

Mentally—

Even magically.

The rivers twisted together as they advanced—

Sometimes boiling.

Sometimes freezing.

Sometimes both.

Sometimes neither.

Acier moved.

She dodged with graceful ease.

But the rivers—

They followed.

Like living entities.

Like predators.

She soared—

They chased.

She twisted mid-air—

They curled after her.

She rose—

They ascended.

She fell—

They dived.

A rising and falling tide.

And then—

The rivers shifted.

A single, serpentine form took shape—

A snake.

Sleek.

Fast.

Flexible.

Its movements sharpened—

Its speed increased—

Its fangs snapped at her heels.

Yet—

No matter how fast it was—

It couldn't catch her.

Acier was simply too quick.

Too nimble.

Unless—

It had help.

A flicker of orange.

Acier's instincts flared.

She turned—

To find—

Mereoleona.

Healed.

Rejuvenated.

Standing in her path.

But—

There was no feral grin.

No wild excitement.

Only—

Cold, calm indifference.

Her fist ignited.

A Mana Zone-amped punch launched forward—

A black streak of flames streaked toward Acier.

Acier—

Didn't stop.

Didn't slow.

She tilted her body—

Just barely.

The flames missed.

She closed in—

But this time—

Mereoleona vanished before she could engage.

Acier raised a brow—

But she had bigger concerns.

The river snake was still chasing her.

And then—

A flash of blue.

Acier's eyes widened.

Another serpent appeared—

Identical.

Shooting straight for her from the opposite direction.

Now she was—

Trapped.

Sebby can cast two at once?

No.

He couldn't.

Something was off.

The mana felt similar, but not exactly the same.

She knew Sebastian's mana completely.

This wasn't just him.

And then—

She saw Dorothy.

Standing below.

Looking up at her.

Expressionless.

And then—

She snapped her fingers.

The two serpents—

Vanished.

A swirling vortex of purple and pink swallowed them—

Only for them to reappear.

Above her.

Below her.

Chomping down.

And that wasn't—

All.

A cage of mercury began to form around her—

Sealing off her escape.

While—

Two searing blasts of fire erupted from either side—

A cross of destruction.

Acier—

The centerpiece.

The water serpents—

Striking from above and below.

The spiraling flames—

Slicing from both sides.

The mercury cage—

Trapping her inside.

A perfect execution.

Acier blinked.

Then—

She sighed.

Her grimoire flipped.

A whisper—

Soft as a breath—

"Aegis of the Iron Maiden."

Then—

Boom.

The entire arena shook.

The stadium trembled.

The force of the impact—

Drilled a hole through the roof.

Outside—

The servants sighed.

They were—

Tired.

Of fixing this place.

Walls cracked.

Stone splintered.

Sebastian descended, regrouping with Mereoleona and the others.

They looked up—

Hopeful.

The smoke cleared—

And their hopes—

Were crushed.

Acier stood there—

Untouched.

Her clothes, slightly torn.

Her hair tie unraveled—

Letting silver strands cascade over her shoulders.

But other than that—

She was completely unscathed.

Acier gazed down at them, smiling softly.

"I won't lie. I'm a little disappointed. I expected more from all of you."

A pause.

Then—

She nodded.

"But that was a fine attempt."

Her voice was gentle, almost motherly.

"If none of you have anything else to try, we can call this a tie. It's getting late, and I'm sure we're all tired. Let's continue another time."

Mereoleona clicked her tongue in annoyance.

She leaned in, whispering into Sebastian's ear.

"Why don't you use that spell you used against me?"

Sebastian blinked.

Then—

He shrugged.

"It's too slow. I can't hit her. And you guys aren't exactly in the best shape to help me capture her."

Mereoleona snorted.

Nearby, Fuegoleon, Nozel, and Dorothy stood silent.

Their shoulders—

Slumped.

Their expressions—

Defeated.

Sebastian sighed.

Even 20% of Acier's strength—

Was still stronger than her full power before her awakening.

Maybe even more, with her new spells and heightened mana sensitivity.

They couldn't even force her to use—

Her Valkyrie Dress.

Or any of her grandest spells.

And what had they accomplished?

A single fleeting wound.

Some ruffled hair.

A few torn clothes.

Nothing more.

It was—

Depressing.

For him.

For Nozel.

For Dorothy.

They had set their sights on stronger enemies.

But if this was the gap—

How could they ever hope to reach them?

And Fuegoleon—

For him, it was even worse.

He hadn't known about Acier's power-up.

To him—

Even all of them together couldn't measure up to a fraction of her strength.

Losing was never fun—

But realizing just how far behind you are?

That was worse.

Sebastian clenched his jaw.

Then shook his head.

"Don't patronize us, Acier."

His voice was quiet, but firm.

"We know when we're beat. We admit defeat."

Mereoleona tsked, but nodded.

The others—

They followed.

None of them looked away.

None of them broke.

Acier—

Paused.

Then—

She landed before them.

Her expression—

Soft.

"That wasn't my intention," she said quietly.

"But I'm sorry if I came off as condescending."

She turned to Mereoleona and Fuegoleon.

Her voice—

Warm.

"Will the two of you join us for dinner? I'll have word sent to your parents to come along with Leo."

Mereoleona glanced at her brother.

Then shrugged.

"If this stiff is in, so am I."

Fuegoleon blinked.

Then—

A small, tired smile.

"That would be very much appreciated, Lady—"

He froze.

Acier's gaze darkened.

Fuegoleon gulped.

Then quickly corrected himself.

"I mean— we'd love to, Auntie."

Acier's smile returned in full.

She patted his head.

"That's great to hear, Fueggy!"

Fuegoleon—

Flushed red.

A groan of embarrassment.

The others chuckled.

It didn't erase the sting of defeat.

But—

It helped.

A little.

—

Noelle's Nursery

After a pleasant, quiet dinner, the Vermillions had returned home, and the Silvas had turned in for the night.

Yet—

Sebastian and Acier didn't go to their room.

Instead—

With Noelle in his arms, Sebastian, now dressed in soft pajamas, walked alongside his wife, who wore a sleek nightgown, towards Noelle's nursery.

Acier wanted to sleep there tonight.

With Noelle.

With him.

Sebastian didn't ask why.

He only nodded and followed.

And when he stepped inside—

He froze.

His eyes landed on—

The crib.

A memory surfaced.

He remembered it.

How could he not?

He built it.

Seventeen years ago.

For Nozel.

His voice came out quiet.

"You still have that?"

Acier smiled.

Nodded.

"Of course," she murmured.

"It's one of the most precious things you've ever given me. I've had it maintained and kept perfectly safe over the years by our carpenters and servants."

Sebastian bit his lip.

With Noelle snug in one arm, he reached out with the other—

Ran his fingers over the smooth, polished wood.

Acier watched him.

Her voice—

A whisper.

"You built this years ago so we could sleep together with our son."

A pause.

A breath.

Her eyes softened.

"We never got to live that memory."

Then—

A quiet offer.

"Want to try it now with our daughter?"

Sebastian's throat tightened.

His eyes stung.

Noelle peered up at him—

Curious.

Silent.

Sebastian bent down.

Pressed a soft kiss to her head.

She giggled.

And he—

Nodded.

"I'd love that."

Acier's smile was warm.

She stepped into the crib first—

Graceful.

Light.

Not a single creak in the frame.

Not a single indent in the mattress.

Sebastian followed.

Not nearly as elegant—

But still careful.

Still quiet.

They lay down—

Side by side.

Noelle nestled between them—

Belly-first on Sebastian's chest.

Tiny hands curled against his shirt.

She was—

Content.

Safe.

Acier pulled the covers up.

Shifted closer.

A soft whisper tickled his ear.

"Make sure you don't roll over in your sleep and crush our daughter."

Sebastian chuckled.

Low.

Gentle.

"I know."

Acier smiled.

One hand sank into his hair.

The other—

Rubbed slow, soothing circles against Noelle's back.

And then—

She began to hum.

A melody.

A lullaby.

"Close your eyes, little star,

In the night, you've come so far,

With magic shining bright above,

Feel the warmth and all our love.

In the forests, shadows play,

Lemiel's light will guide the way,

Tetia's winds will softly sing,

Underneath the moon's sweet wing."

Sebastian closed his eyes.

Her voice was—

The most beautiful sound he'd ever heard.

His chest ached.

Because he was—

At peace.

Because he was—

So content.

And because—

He never got to share a moment like this with his other children.

His dreams that night were deep.

And bittersweet.

—

Author's Notes:

[1]Some people have started asking me about Richita, we're going back to Hage, next Chapter, but if you missed it in a previous note from before let me repeat, Sebastian sending her and the church transponders so she could talk to her son happened offscreen already.

[2]Feel free to join the discord: https://discord.gg/s3MME8X8ar

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by lotustale.com