In the pitch-black corridor of Celestial Carving Academy's basement.

Aikua Hebrai Eburna opened his eyes within the crystal.

"Aren't you afraid of a riot breaking out in the Nether River if you leave?"

Aikua Hebrai Eburna spoke in a detached tone.

Few on the continent possessed the strength to barge in uninvited like this.

The moment the intruder stepped into the corridor, Aikua Hebrai Eburna had already guessed who it was.

"Hey, hey, hey—let me out for fun once in a while, will you? Dealing with you is such a hassle."

Before Aikua Hebrai Eburna stood a middle-aged man with a scruffy beard and scars flanking his nose. Most striking were his pupils, glowing purple in the darkness.

Sharksea Yanjun—father of Sharkai Bai, the so-called "Guardian of the Nether River."

The one who had sealed the monster God Slaughter inside Bai and forced him into Celestial Carving Academy.

Currently, he was Aikua Hebrai Eburna's temporary partner.

"How's the monster inside Bai?"

The purple glow faded as Sharksea Yanjun asked.

"Still unstable. After all, it's a Nether River creature sealed within him."

"Ah... troublesome."

Sharksea Yanjun rubbed his slightly curly black hair, plopped onto a dusty chair, and ungracefully propped his feet on the table.

"That kid keeps causing trouble—like the Xia Feina execution and the Ghost Dragon Martial Consortium mess."

To clean up after Bai, Aikua Hebrai Eburna had personally summoned Kami Miraishi. After the consortium incident, he'd sent Dishi and Kami Miraishi to negotiate with their leader, Kongshui Ji.

"I told you not to drag him into power struggles. Blame yourself for this. Managing your private Nether River domain is exhausting for a wanderer like me."

For Sharksea Yanjun, it was less exhaustion and more boredom. Before this deal, he'd roamed the continent freely. Being trapped year-round in the Nether River felt like prison.

"By the way—how far has Bai progressed?"

"He was recently defeated by the New Wing Divine Church's Thunder God."

"Ah—so he hasn't reached that level yet!"

"He's having a rough time."

Aikua Hebrai Eburna recalled Sharkai Bai's battered state every time he entered the infirmary.

"Anyway, I'll still need you to watch over that kid's safety at the academy."

"And you keep managing the Nether River for me."

Neither seemed ready to end their deal.

"Goodbye."

"Goodbye."

Sharksea Yanjun stood, brushed dust off his pants, and walked toward the door under Aikua Hebrai Eburna's gaze. He turned back with a grin.

"Happy holidays, old man."

His figure melted into the darkness.

"...Happy holidays."

Aikua Hebrai Eburna was slightly stunned for seconds before snapping back.

He hadn't heard those words in decades.

His only companions were the ever-dusty basement furniture and the crystal he resided in.

"Ah... happy holidays."

A long-lost smile touched his lips.

Inside the academy, in a darkened dorm room.

"Hey, Peach—stop squeezing me! I'm about to fall off!"

"I can't help it—the sofa's tiny."

"Go sleep with Snowlotus?"

"No—way—! We barely get to see each other, Brother-sama!"

"I have nowhere to sleep!"

"How about... this?"

The cramped Sharkai siblings shifted positions on the sofa.

Peach rested her chin on Bai's head, arms wrapped around him.

Bai was buried in her embrace.

Peach, the younger sister, held him like a mother cradling a child.

Bai had already pictured this scene in his head.

More space felt comfortable, yet oddly unsettling.

Peach's legs pressed down on his, and numbness crept in.

*(Ah... trouble. She falls asleep as fast as ever.)*

Afraid to wake her, Bai closed his eyes and forced himself to sleep.

*(No good! I've lost all feeling!!)*

He couldn't sleep at all!!!

"Mmm... Brother-sama..."

Sleeping deeply, Peach murmured in her sleep, her arms tightening around Sharkai Bai.

Now it wasn't just his legs—she was squeezing too hard.

*(Endure, endure, endure! One sheep... two sheep... three sheep... four sheep...)*

In the silent night, only the wall clock's tick-tock echoed.

Time crawled for Bai tonight.

After ages, Sharkai Bai finally drifted off.

A crack split the living room air. Sharksea Yanjun stepped out.

Spatial Cut—a high-tier spell only Grand Magus mages could wield.

*(Seriously? At their age, still clinging like this.)*

On the sofa, Peach slept with a blissful smile.

Beside her, Bai's brows were furrowed in pain, trapped in a nightmare.

A stark contrast between them.