Space shattered relentlessly, and all sense of direction vanished. Wude gripped Elisa’s hand tightly, feeling a slight tremor in her fingers.

Moments earlier, after hearing Chris’s final words, Tini had reverted to her true form. She raised her emerald staff—adorned with an exquisitely blooming flower—and pointed it squarely at Alreis.

“Alreis! Fight me! This is my revenge… for my Sage!” Beneath her feet, the splintered deck erupted with life. In a single breath, vibrant blossoms carpeted the ground.

“As you wish!” Alreis showed no surprise, merely leveling her staff at Tini.

“Wait—what’s happening?” Wude stammered. “Why, Tini? Why challenge Alreis…?”

“Master!” Alreis cut in firmly. “This is a matter between Ascendant Sovereigns. Do not interfere. This battle must happen.”

Tini remained silent, staff held high—her unwavering stance spoke louder than words.

Wude fell speechless under the suffocating tension. He didn’t understand… yet he felt it: two unshakable wills, equally resolute.

“Trust me. I’m fine,” Alreis softened, offering Wude a reassuring smile. “She can’t hurt me.”

Tini’s eyes flashed. With a flick of her wrist, golden light swirled before Wude and Elisa, forming a shimmering barrier. “I return those words to you!”

“Hmph?” Alreis arched a brow. “Unnecessary. With me here, she can’t reach them.” Still, she waved a hand—the air before the barrier twisted into a second shield.

What followed was a sight no Level 3 or Level 5 mage should ever witness.

Reality fractured. Strange flora burst through warped space. At times, Tini lunged forward—fists flying.

Wude felt Elisa’s hand tremble again and gently squeezed it. *Don’t be afraid.*

“Brother Wude! That’s the Blessing of Life herself! Tini *is* the Blessing of Life! And Alreis—an Ascendant Sovereign too! So amazing! Absolutely legendary!” Elisa clutched his arm, shaking with exhilaration.

“You’re… not scared?” Wude blinked.

“Scared? Of course!” Elisa beamed. “But this is a clash of Ascendant Sovereigns! Beings from legends! From textbooks!”

“Really that impressive?” Wude murmured. To him, “Ascendant Sovereign” had just meant “max level.” He’d never seen Lingyue fight at full strength either.

Before him unfolded power so effortless it felt instinctive—like clenching a fist. Calling it “skill” felt wrong.

“Obviously!” Elisa pouted. Even Brother Wude couldn’t dismiss her faith. “Brother Wude, what’s the Academy of Life Magic’s annual revenue?”

“Huh? Why ask that?”

“Several million gold coins,” she said lightly.

“What?!” Wude froze.

Seeing his shock, Elisa hid a tiny smirk—*small revenge achieved*.

“That’s why our airship ride was free! And—did you know? The Academy has a full statue of the Blessing of Life… carved entirely from mana crystals!”

Mana crystals: gemstones that held faint magic, glowing dreamily under enchantment. Useless beyond decoration—luxuries for the ultra-wealthy.

“Wait… a *statue*?!” Wude gaped. “What family has mines like that?!” …Though, as national figurehead, the Blessing of Life probably *did* own mines.

“I’ve never seen her in person! Tini looked so tiny before… nothing like the statue.” Elisa’s words hit Wude with dissonance. *A little girl… a billionaire heir?* First impressions really stuck.

He thought of Lingyue—also an Ascendant Sovereign, yet content with cheap wine. *Seriously?* And Alreis? Her gem-encrusted gown had him worried about upkeep… turns out she needed almost nothing.

A faint ripple pulsed toward them. The distorted space absorbed it instantly.

“Alreis,” Tini’s voice echoed from nowhere. “You promised to protect them.”

“You aimed that ripple yourself,” Alreis countered, materializing beside her.

As space stabilized, Wude gasped—the airship was gone. He and Elisa floated midair.

He glanced down. *Yikes.* Pulled his gaze back fast. *That height would pulp you.*

“Uh… mind getting us down first?” Wude asked weakly.

Alreis and Tini exchanged a look. “Very well,” they replied in unison.

Reality shifted. Solid ground beneath his feet. Elisa stood beside him.

“Alreis, hiding behind Master now? Afraid?” Tini narrowed her eyes.

“Master~” Alreis clung to Wude’s arm. “Don’t you think she’s gotten… *too* bold now that she’s restored?”

“Huh?” Before Wude could react, a torrent of magic surged into him.

“Master… perhaps it’s time to… *limit* her strength?” Alreis nodded toward Tini.

Wude understood. Alone, he couldn’t restrain an Ascendant Sovereign. But with Alreis’s power channeled through him—he could.

“Wait! No!” Tini’s spiritual energy flared, fighting the Slave Contract. Too late.

“Tini. Level 6 strength only.”

“No! Just one second—!” Her magic surged like a tide… then vanished.

“HAHAHA!!!” Alreis sprang back, hands on hips, triumphant. “So clever with your schemes, *Blessing of Life*? Finally fell!”

“Despicable!” Tini seethed.

“Alreis… you’re no different,” Wude said calmly.

“Haha—*what*?!” Alreis froze. “M-Master! You’re burning the bridge after crossing it!” Useless. Her own magic in him was the key.

“HAHA!!” Tini’s fury melted into glee. “You’re *exactly* the same! And in this state? I’m stronger!”

Fortunes flipped in a heartbeat.

Watching Alreis’s puffed, indignant cheeks, Wude chuckled. “Kidding. If you ran, how would I revive Lingyue? Had to spice things up.”

He watched Tini chase Alreis across the field. *Now this… is life.*

Wude saw himself as the protagonist—but never believed he’d act like those reckless heroes from anime. Let them go? Pointless. He simply… wouldn’t. So he acted.

He’d forgotten one person.

“Brother Wude…” Elisa’s voice was soft, hesitant. “What did you mean… ‘revive Lingyue’?”

Silence.

Alreis and Tini froze. *Culprits.* Wude had always been gentle with Elisa. Speaking now? Their Ascendant Sovereign instincts screamed: *Danger.*

“This… is why I hid it,” Wude said slowly. “I *must* explain.”

…

Thirty minutes later, the truth was laid bare.

Elisa didn’t shout. Didn’t cry. Just sat quietly.

Wude waited.

Alreis and Tini shrank into the corner, breath held. The silence was thick enough to cut.

“…Can Sister Lingyue truly be revived?” Elisa whispered.

“Yes. Every step I’ve taken… is for her.” Wude’s voice held absolute certainty.

Elisa looked up, eyes clear. “Then… I believe you, Brother Wude.” She pointed to the corner. “But may I borrow these two?”

Wude hesitated. “Don’t go too far…”

Elisa approached.

“Ascendant Sovereign Alreis?” Head tilted. Alreis nodded, trembling.

“Blessing of Life Tini?” Tini stiffly nodded.

Then—

“Master! No! Don’t abandon me!”

“You wretch! What are you doing to this sovereign?!"

“How perfectly in sync your ‘no’s are,” Wude murmured, turning away.

Thirty minutes later, two grayish lumps were dumped before him. Soul-crushed. Unrecognizable.

“Let’s go, Brother Wude. We need lodging.” Elisa smiled sweetly.

“But… them?”

“They’ll manage, right? *Esteemed* Ascendant Sovereigns?” Her tone was light.

The lumps instantly flushed with color.

“We’re perfectly fine!” they chimed.

“…Noted,” Wude thought. *Maybe I should take notes from Elisa.*

That night, in a quiet inn room, Wude sat across from Alreis. Elisa and Tini had been sent elsewhere.

"Alreis… today, you deliberately reminded me, didn’t you?" Wude asked.

"Eh? W-what do you mean?" Alreis averted his gaze.

"So stop lying already!" Wude shook his head helplessly, then fixed Alreis with a serious look. "Why?"

Alreis held Wude’s eyes in silence, simply locking gazes with him. The two stared intently at each other, as if trying to peer into each other’s souls.

Time stretched endlessly, yet felt like a single breath. Just as Wude was about to break under the tension—

"If you already know… then don’t say it!" Alreis murmured, his voice barely a whisper. "This… it makes me sound like I actually *wanted* to be your slave!"

"Alreis…" Seeing him like this, Wude felt as if an arrow had pierced his heart.

"You’re… just too cute!!"