“What do you want to say…” Alreis had meant to say *we can talk later*, but the moment she met Wude’s unwavering gaze—so fiercely resolute—a lump formed in her throat. She sighed softly. With a wave of her hand, the starry sky began to spin endlessly, their positions shifting in a dizzying swirl.

“Speak now. Time is short. This… won’t hold much longer.”

“Hah!” Wude exhaled sharply, locking eyes with Alreis. The Hexagram in her irises shimmered brilliantly—still as captivating as ever.

Wude asked, voice solemn and steady: “Alreis… what do you truly feel about me?”

“This…” Alreis hesitated. What *was* Wude to her?

When first bound by the Slave Contract, she’d seethed with rage, longing to bury him deep beneath the earth—powerless to act.

When she braced for humiliation, he did nothing. Her view of him softened slightly, though resentment lingered.

Then she learned Lingyue—the one Wude cherished beyond all—was *her* victim. Yet Wude, knowing the truth, chose to beg *her* help to revive Lingyue. He clung to near-impossible hope… rather than strike back. How could she stay angry? She began to see him as a friend. Her only friend.

Later, though their bond relied on the Slave Contract, Wude told her: *“If danger comes, use your full strength.”* He’d rather lose her than see her hurt—even abandon Lingyue’s revival. She realized: he was a true friend. One she could trust with her life.

Now… perhaps he’d become indispensable to her.

But “friend”? “True friend”? No. These weren’t the answer she’d been avoiding. What *was* it…?

Her thoughts raced. She glanced at Wude—cheeks warming, an urge to look away flickering. But Wude held her gaze, silent, unyielding. No escape.

Time was slipping. Should she say it?

Shyness warred within her. Yet seeing Wude, she knew: as an Ascendant Sovereign, she would not retreat.

“You… are…” Alreis stared into his eyes. The Hexagram blazed brighter than ever, pulling him in.

“…my… Mas… Master.” Her voice faded to a whisper.

“What?” Wude didn’t flinch. “Speak clearly! Declare your heart—”

“So I will! You—you are my Master!!! MY MASTER!!!” Alreis nearly shouted the words.

Scorching shame flooded her. She’d never imagined saying this—so formally, so sincerely. Hands flew to cover her burning face. She couldn’t look up.

“…” Wude froze. He hadn’t expected this. But… he liked it.

“My Master? Perfect, Alreis!”

A surge of pride ignited in Wude. Weak? So what. Couldn’t fight? Relied on girls? Broke? None of it mattered. He had the strongest being in existence—the invincible Ascendant Sovereign, Alreis!

“As your Master—unleash everything! Crush that arrogant Sage who dared offend me! Make him question his very existence!!!” Wude roared, pouring every ounce of grief—Lingyue’s death, the revival’s trials, the Sage’s taunts—into the command.

“Your will is my command, Master!” Alreis bowed in an ancient, solemn ritual gesture.

Magic surged. Even the “starry sky” she’d cast twisted inward like matter falling into a black hole.

“What is this?!” Chris recoiled. The “starry sky” shattered—and his own mana drained rapidly.

Space warped around Alreis, yet perfect stillness cradled Wude and Elisa. From the distortion, a staff materialized—ethereal, singular, radiating pure spatial terror.

Alreis floated upward. Reality bent to her will. In that moment, she was supreme. Divine.

“Is this… the power of an Ascendant Sovereign?” Wude whispered.

Unlike a Sage’s oppressive might—which bred rebellion—before an Ascendant Sovereign, defiance felt impossible. The world itself seemed to stand with her. To oppose her was death. Only reverence remained.

“Ah!!!” Chris collapsed to his knees, bowing deeply. “The pinnacle of Ascendant Sovereigns! The world’s greatest spatial master—Alreis!”

“‘Sage’ Chris,” Alreis gazed down, voice calm yet absolute, “I permit you to resist.”

Before an Ascendant Sovereign, even resistance required grace.

“Thank you… for this honor!” Chris’s voice trembled with devotion. He raised a hand. The spear embedded in Tini ripped free, spraying blood.

He turned to Tini. “Lord Blessing of Life… I can no longer serve you.”

Tini’s wounds sealed instantly. She sat up, glancing between Chris and Alreis.

“Alreis. Grant him a moment.”

“Granted.”

Wude and Elisa watched, silent. Moments ago, they fought to the death. Now—calm words. Ascendant Sovereigns and Sages… truly beyond comprehension.

“What would you say?” Tini’s expression was unreadable.

“Lord Blessing of Life,” Chris’s voice softened with memory, “you found me as a child—no older than your current form.”

“…”

“You promised power. I trained relentlessly… became a Sage.” A faint smile touched his lips. “But a Sage lives only a millennium. Even at its peak… I could never reach Ascendant Sovereign.” Bitterness shadowed his words.

“If only I’d ascended on my own… I could’ve parted proudly: *‘Next time, watch—I might surpass you!’*” A tear traced his cheek—vanishing in an instant. Wude wasn’t sure he’d seen it.

“Yet I failed. Nights of research… even with your aid. My path ended. I thought… at least you’d witness my passing.” His voice cracked. “But then—you were injured. *My chance.* If I studied you… your boundless vitality… surely a path existed!”

Tini listened quietly. Then: “You would not have succeeded. Not even with me.”

“…” Chris fell silent—then laughed, raw and clear. “Hahahaha! I knew. Always knew. But… not trying? Unforgivable. I *am* a Sage! Your realm’s sole Sage!”

His face hardened. Spear raised, he faced Alreis.

“Speak your last words. Then strike.” Alreis’s tone held no emotion.

“Through lifetimes of study,” Chris declared, “I forged one spell. Cost: my life. Never used… until today. For the strongest of Sovereigns—I offer my wisdom. Judge it well.”

He hurled the spear skyward. It reversed—aimed at his own chest.

*Whoosh!* It pierced through. Blood bloomed.

“Grand Life Magic—Life Sacrifice!” Golden light erupted from Chris, surging into Tini.

“The spear… pierced Tini earlier,” Alreis realized instantly. *He’s using her life force to fuel his final strike.*

“Move!” Alreis swung her staff. Space shattered. Up, down, left, right—vanished. Wude gripped Elisa’s hand tight.

*Crack!* Chris’s body fragmented like porcelain.

Silence. Space stabilized. Where Chris stood—nothing remained. Not even dust.

“…” Alreis frowned. Too clean. A mental sweep revealed the truth.

“Tini?!” Wude gasped.

Tini was no longer a child. A stunning, mature woman now sat there—voluptuous, radiant with serene femininity.

“Chris… is this your final research?” Tini murmured toward the void, voice laced with sorrow and irony.

“Lord Blessing of Life,” a fading echo answered, “I simply wished to say… I have never regretted it.”