Night fell, and the crazy plan I had in mind was finally set in motion. The knock on the door signaled it was showtime.
Knock! Knock!
I opened the door and saw Elysia, who seemed stunned for a moment. Yeah, I knew this plan was a bit insane for me.
"Is that you, Nao?" she asked.
"Yeah," I smiled.
She looked at me—the slicked-back hairstyle made me look completely different. Even I didn't recognize myself when I looked in the mirror. I wore a mask that only covered my eyes, just enough to disguise myself. Perfect.
"Nao, I get what you're trying to do, but..." She pulled me out of my room and I finally noticed her—wearing an off-shoulder black gown. "…if you look like that, I might get scared."
Scared of what?
Her face turned slightly red—for the first time, I saw that expression. "...Whatever," she muttered and held my hand as we walked out of the dorm.
A fancy horse-drawn carriage waited for us outside. I stepped in and helped her up, trying not to trip over the long gown she wore.
We sat close beside each other as the carriage began moving toward our destination.
I couldn't help but wonder about the obstacles waiting ahead. Was this really the right move?
I glanced at Elysia—she looked like she was fighting herself internally. But I didn't say anything. Time heals, after all.
We finally arrived at a massive, grand mansion. It was the first time I had seen a place like this.
I stepped out to take in the sight, but Elysia was still daydreaming inside the carriage.
I smiled. "Is the princess really this fragile?" I teased, offering my hand.
"Fragile? Watch your mouth," she snapped, grabbing my hand.
She linked her arm around mine as we walked up to the massive, closed doors. Once we stepped inside, all eyes turned to us.
"Regret it yet?" Elysia asked with a smirk.
I smirked back. "Regret that I have to go through all this... for you."
We walked like a couple, clearly catching attention, until we reached a silver-haired, blue-eyed man—clearly Elysia's father.
We both bowed out of respect.
"My daughter, who is this man?" her father asked.
"He's someone I trust. He's... interesting," Elysia explained.
"Have you already—" Before he could finish, the entire mansion shook violently. Chaos broke out.
"What's going on?!" People started panicking.
Elysia drew her ice sword, ready for a fight.
"Hahahaha, good evening, everyone," said a childlike voice.
We all turned. A blond boy, probably 10 or 12, hovered above us, looking down.
"I am K', a cursed being loyal to this broken kingdom," he declared.
Everyone freaked out the moment they realized he was Cursed, trying to flee.
"Wait." The doors slammed shut and couldn't be opened again.
His eyes darted around like he was searching for someone. "Zareth's not here?"
"He doesn't have time to deal with someone like you," Elysia's father said, his fists clenched in anger.
"Silvercrest, don't be like that," the boy replied calmly, descending to the floor, causing everyone to back off.
"I'm just a 12-year-old kid," he smirked, slowly walking toward us. "Not really into old meat," he added, right before blocking Elysia's father's punch with one hand.
"Hahahaha, I came looking for Zareth, but if he's not here... guess I'll mess with his dad instead."
Elysia slashed her sword toward him, but he dodged effortlessly.
"Princess, don't be so rough," K' taunted while continuing to dodge with ease, eventually floating up again. "Let's play," he said before unleashing Zephyr Slash—sharp wind-based attacks with a single sweep.
Elysia blocked them all. "Wow, the princess is pretty strong," K' said.
"Stop messing around and leave!!" Elysia yelled.
He paused, then let out a horrifying laugh.
"YOU'RE GIVING ME ORDERS?! HAHAHAHA! I didn't expect someone this dumb!"
The laugh alone made everyone shiver.
I was reminded of Zepr from Norman Village—this kid gave off the exact same dark vibe.
Honestly, his appearance flipped my entire plan upside down… but also made things easier for me.
The fight between Elysia and K' escalated quickly. She dodged and tried to close the distance, but he kept her away with bursts of wind. She launched her Frostfang Shards, sending ice spikes flying at him, but he shattered them without effort.
Their battle terrified the crowd, and the wind K' summoned started tearing the mansion apart. Elysia was struggling to close the distance.
I watched the two—neither of them was fighting seriously yet. I was already bored.
Elysia's father stood frozen, watching the fight. Maybe he was impressed by her power.
Still, this fight…
…was going to end badly.
Elysia got slammed into the ground, hard.
Cursed.
Even if he looked like a kid, his strength was easily in the Ascended tier. No way a first-year like Elysia could win. She hadn't even reached that level yet.
"Ugh..." Elysia tried to get up.
"Princess, you're too pretty to be getting back up like that," K' mocked her, not taking her seriously at all.
Her father finally stepped forward.
He's finally moving.
"You think this family is weak?" His hand was covered in ice—now this got me excited.
"Die," he growled, unleashing Frozen Excalibur—a massive sword made of ice meant for serious destruction. But he only summoned a smaller version, designed to deal precise damage.
K' dodged it with ease, dancing through the air. "Is that all?" he mocked.
Elysia's dad smirked. I could already guess what he was planning.
"You're too cocky," he muttered before casting Kor Prison, trapping K' inside a massive ice block.
His plan? Drop the temperature using Frozen Excalibur, then activate Kor Prison—which can only form in cold or damp air.
The crowd breathed a sigh of relief. The battle was over.
Or… that's what they thought.
The room fell into panic again as cracks began forming in the ice.
"Impossible!" Elysia's dad gasped.
He was too confident. Magic combined with cursed energy is hard to contain. It's basically impossible to trap it—unless you kill it.
The block shattered completely.
"HAHAHAHA!" K' laughed, but this time, his cursed aura was darker, heavier.
…Should I step in?