Chapter 421 - A slight misunderstanding
'That should do it,' she thought, satisfied. 'Now. Let's see if Irina Emberheart is really hiding her strength or if someone else was there.'
Zafira moved closer to Irina, her eyes narrowing as she scrutinized the unconscious student.
According to what she knew, either Irina Emberheart was hiding her strength, or she was not the one. By putting Irina into a dangerous position, she would be able to see her real strength.
In a way, this was quite a good move in her mind. Since either she would see Irina's part of strength or she would see her dying.
At the end of the day, though she wasn't as hostile to humans as other demons are, she was still their enemy.
'Yet. No matter how much it seems, I am really inclined to believe the latter option.'
After all, the strength of the spell Irina had displayed at that moment was remarkable but not enough for that bastard Belthazor.
He would have easily escaped using his own spatial attribute like a cockroach he was just as before.
The way Irina Emberheart fought was not suited for one-on-one. Sure, she had many tricks in her mind, and she successfully deceived Seraphina, but that would not work against Belthazor.
BOOM!
Just as she thought about it, suddenly another explosion happened right around her, and another demon contractor appeared right beside her face.
She was not seen, thanks to her disguise and her concealment, but the thing she wanted to see appeared right before her eyes.
'Let's see.'
As she thought about that, she stopped to observe.
The demon contractor, a hulking figure with glowing red eyes, advanced towards Irina and the other girl beside her. His presence exuded malevolence, and his intent was clear. He was trying to capture them, most likely, since the killing intent was not there.
Yet, as he was approaching, suddenly Irina woke up.
SWOOSH!
She tried to defend herself, but her attack wasn't strong enough for her to succeed. The demon contractor's attack hit her from her head, making her unconscious.
Irina remained motionless, showing no signs of waking up, even under the imminent threat.
'Is she really this good at acting?' Zafira mused, doubt creeping in. 'Or is it as I suspected, and she isn't hiding any significant power?'
The contractor just grabbed, and at that moment, a huge amount of attack came from the other side of the arena. It was so fast that if she hadn't used her special ability to move as fast as she could, she would have been dragged into the fire and most likely destroyed in the process.
Zafira's eyes narrowed. 'So, someone else is protecting her. Just as I thought.'
'Hmm…..This is not it. This woman is from Emberheart Household. And my location can be revealed.'
In an instant, she had disappeared from where she was standing and then appeared somewhere else.
'If Irina isn't the one, then who is pulling the strings?'
She began to roam around the chaotic arena, her senses heightened. She needed to find the true culprit, the one with the power to defeat Belthazor.
Zafira moved through the shadows, her eyes scanning for any sign of unusual activity.
As she observed the other people, her attention was suddenly drawn to a faint but familiar energy signature. Her heart skipped a beat. It was the energy of Belthazor. She instantly started looking for its source, her eyes darting around the arena.
The energy was fleeting, appearing and disappearing in an instant, but it was enough to send a thrill of excitement through her. 'Belthazor's energy… here?'
She focused all her senses, trying to pinpoint the source. It was elusive, almost as if whoever possessed it was intentionally masking their presence. Zafira moved swiftly, her eyes scanning every face, every movement.
The energy signature flared again, stronger this time, and Zafira honed in on its location. But just as quickly as it had appeared, it vanished. She cursed under her breath, frustrated at the missed opportunity.
Despite her best efforts, she couldn't confirm the identity of the person who possessed Belthazor's energy
But still, it was a good day for her. She had been able to confirm that the killer of Belthazor was here. The thrill of the hunt surged through her veins. 'So, you are here,' she thought, a predatory smile creeping across her lips. 'I will find you, and when I do, you will face the consequences.'
Satisfied with her discovery, Zafira decided to retreat for now. She had gathered valuable information and had a new lead to follow.
"Sophia. You are here! Thank god!"
The game had just become more interesting, and she was determined to uncover the truth behind Belthazor's death.
"I thought something happened to you. Where did you just go?"
For her, this identity seemed to be still useful for a while.
********
The chaos that had erupted in the amphitheater and the surrounding areas was slowly being brought under control. Eleanor and her team, along with the faculty members, moved swiftly and efficiently to wipe out the remaining threats and restore order.
After it became clear that the executives were not going to appear, the decision was made to abandon the mission and focus on quelling the commotion. The faculty members, highly skilled and prepared for such emergencies, worked in unison with the hunters.
Eleanor stood at the center of the now-quiet amphitheater, directing the efforts to round up the last of the corrupted civilians and ensure the students' safety. Her expression was a mix of relief and exhaustion, but her mind remained sharp, taking in every detail.
Within half an hour, everything was resolved. The faculty and hunters had subdued the attackers, neutralized the threats, and begun tending to the wounded. The chaos had subsided, leaving behind a tense silence.
Amidst the cleanup, Headmaster Jonathan appeared, his face a mask of stern disapproval. He surveyed the scene, his eyes narrowing as they landed on Eleanor.
"We have things to talk about," Jonathan said, his voice carrying an edge of restrained anger. "Come to my office this evening."
Eleanor nodded her head, accepting the responsibility without protest. "Understood, Headmaster."
She knew that her actions and the decisions she had made needed to be accounted for, and she was prepared to face whatever consequences awaited her. The headmaster's displeasure was evident, and she understood the gravity of the situation.
From the eyes of the Headmaster Jonathan, everything would be evident. The existence of the Hunters hidden in the crowd and those people making their appearance later than it was supposed to be made it obvious that their goal was something else.
This was something she was already expecting. Yet, if there was one thing that she hadn't expected, that would be the fact that the operation failed.
As Jonathan walked away, Eleanor turned to her colleagues. Amelia and Callum approached her, concern etched on their faces.
"What did he say?" Amelia asked quietly.
Eleanor sighed, rubbing her temples. "He wants to talk this evening. I'll have to explain everything."
Callum frowned, but at the same time, he looked at her angrily.
"We also thought we were here for something. But I guess your intel wasn't good enough."
His words were sharp and pointing, but he was never someone who would hold his words back for the sake of not hurting others.
"Now we look like clowns. How are you going to explain this to the media?"
Amelia added, her voice tense, "We risked the lives of the civilians for no reason. We could have made our appearance faster and prevented so much chaos."
Eleanor's eyes turned serious and cold. She didn't answer immediately, her gaze distant as she processed the situation. Finally, she spoke, her voice steady and authoritative. "There was a traitor amongst us. No other explanation can be made."
Callum narrowed his eyes, his anger barely contained. "Are you shifting the blame now? Instead of doubting the intel, are you actually doubting our own people?"
Eleanor met his gaze with an unwavering stare, her mind made up. She didn't flinch under his intense scrutiny. "I'm not shifting blame. I'm stating a fact. The way this operation failed, the timing of the attacks, and the lack of executive appearance all point to inside information being leaked."
Callum's frustration boiled over. "So, you're saying one of us betrayed the mission? That's a serious accusation, Eleanor."
"It is not like this is the first time it happens, isn't it?"
As she said that, Callum's eyes were narrowed.
"Not everyone is like that woman."
"But everyone has the potential to become one."
"Your worldview is skewed."
"So what? Can you refute it?"
"..."
Amelia looked between them, her own worry and confusion evident. "Eleanor, if there's a traitor, we need to find out who it is, but this isn't the time for internal conflict. We need to be united."
Eleanor nodded slightly. "I understand, Amelia. But we can't ignore the signs. Someone knew our plans. Someone ensured the executives wouldn't show. And we need to find out who that someone is."
Callum's anger simmered, but he knew deep down that Eleanor might be right. Something wasn't adding up, and the failure of the operation had too many inconsistencies. "Fine," he said through gritted teeth. "But you need evidence. You can't go around accusing people without proof. I know what you are thinking, and you can't do that."
"….."
"Eleanor."
"Fine."
Still, the dangerous glint in her eyes didn't disappear. It was evident that she was also not happy with the fact that they lost this chance to deal with those.
********
As the chaos began to subside and the last of the explosions were quelled, the Headmaster, Jonathan Verdict, stepped onto the center of the devastated arena. His presence alone seemed to bring a sense of calm and order amidst the lingering smoke and debris.
"Ladies and gentlemen," his voice echoed through the amphitheater, amplified by a spell to reach every corner, "I deeply apologize for the terrible incident that has taken place today. The academy has been attacked, but rest assured, the threat has been neutralized thanks to the swift actions of our staff and students."
He paused, allowing his words to sink in. The crowd, though shaken and weary, listened intently. None of them raised their complaints, but many of them seemed to have negative opinions already.
"To those who have been injured or affected by this attack, we will ensure you receive the best medical care immediately. Our first priority is your safety and well-being."
Jonathan's gaze swept across the crowd, his expression grave but composed. "In light of this incident, we will be providing accommodations for everyone affected. You will have a safe place to stay tonight, and the academy will cover all expenses. Additionally, compensations will be provided to those who have suffered losses or injuries."
He raised a hand, calling for attention. "I must also announce that the remaining matches of the duel period will be postponed until tomorrow. This will give us time to ensure the safety and security of our students and spectators, as well as to allow everyone to recover from today's events."
There were murmurs of relief and understanding among the crowd. Many nodded, appreciating the headmaster's swift and thoughtful response.
"Please follow the academy staff, who will guide you to your accommodations," Jonathan continued. "We will work through the night to ensure that tomorrow's events proceed smoothly and safely. I thank you all for your patience and cooperation during this difficult time."
With that, he stepped down from the platform, his presence still commanding respect and attention. The academy staff began to organize the crowd, directing them to the provided accommodations.
********
"You are finally here."
And at nighttime, when the darkness prevailed.
Under the moon, the fiery-haired girl looked at the newcomer with her blazing eyes.
Chapter 422 - A slight misunderstanding (2)
The night was cloaked in darkness, the only light coming from the faint glow of the moon and the occasional flicker of a distant lamp post.
Irina sat on a bench under the canopy of a large tree, the shadows providing a sense of privacy and seclusion. The cool night air brushed against her skin, but she barely felt it, her mind occupied with thoughts of recent events.
'That senior…..From when she was a vampire….'
No matter how much she had thought about it, she wouldn't have known. It didn't make any sense. No, it was not even close to making any sense. After all, there was no reason for it to make one.
How come a vampire could be here working in the academy?
And how come she was the top student right under their noses like that?
She had called Astron here, wanting answers about what she had witnessed earlier. The image of him with that senior, Maya Evergreen, was still fresh in her mind.
The way Maya had protected them, the concern she had shown, and how Astron had interacted with her—it all left Irina feeling a mix of confusion and jealousy.
After all, how could she not feel jealous?
For this whole time, she thought of herself as the sole person that Astron was close to. Sure, Sylvie was somehow different from other people, and Astron seemed to care about her, but after witnessing their dynamic firsthand, she had noticed something peculiar.
Astron was more like a teacher and a guide for Sylvie. And it made sense. Since Irina also knew the talent Sylvie possessed from the start, when she found out what Sylve was capable of, she thought the same thing.
Making connections with her and getting close to her. Since it was evident that she was bound to become a great person.
But, never once did she think of Sylvie as a threat. That was how she had seen it, or maybe her own heart, but she never harbored such feelings in her heart.
But that was different now.
'How much does that Senior know? How close they are?"
Irina's thoughts were a whirlwind, her emotions a tangled mess. She was furious, not just because of Maya, but because of the realization that Astron kept many secrets and there was nothing she knew about this.
Secrets that she wasn't privy to despite their growing closeness. She clenched her fists, her anger simmering just beneath the surface.
Irina's thoughts swirled with a mixture of anger, jealousy, and confusion as she replayed the events of the past few weeks in her mind.
All those moments with Astron, all the times she had felt like she was someone special to him, now seemed tainted by the revelation of his secrets.
She recalled the countless times he had been there for her, guiding her through difficult situations, offering advice, and sharing moments that felt uniquely theirs.
The camaraderie and understanding that had developed between them felt genuine, but now, she couldn't help but question if it had all been a facade.
'Was it all meaningless?' Irina asked herself, the thought gnawing at her heart. 'Or was I the only one who thought about it as special?'
The quiet conversations were where he listened to her fears and doubts, offering words of comfort and reassurance. The way he looked at her with intensity made her feel like she was the only person in the world who mattered.
'Yeah,' she thought, shaking her head slightly. 'Most likely.'
It was a bitter smile playing on her lips. After all, looking back now, I see that he never made any type of advancement towards her. Most of the time, his actions stemmed from logical reasons, and he wasn't someone who acted with emotions.
'Still. Doesn't he owe me an explanation at least?'
She thought. That was what she had deserved after all the things that they did together.
TAP! TAP! TAP!
The sound of footsteps approaching broke her from her reverie.
'Ah…'
She looked up to see Astron emerging from the shadows, his expression as unreadable as ever. He moved with his usual grace, his presence almost blending into the night.
Though her mind was a mess, she couldn't help but think that he made these sounds intentionally to notify her about his presence. After all, with his skills, he could easily hide in the shadows and appear on her face suddenly without any explanation at all.
"You are here."
She said, looking at him with her eyes ablaze.
"I am here."
He replied, standing before her with his coat all over his body. The night was cold, being the coldest month of the year.
Though there was no snow and the weather was clear, it was frosty and cold.
Irina's gaze met Astron's, her eyes filled with a mixture of frustration and confusion. "I called you here because I need answers," she said, her voice unwavering despite the turmoil within her.
Astron nodded, his expression serious but calm. It was as if he was already expecting this to happen.
"I understand. Ask what you need to."
And this calm answer infuriated her more. It felt like everything was a game for him, and the same was true of her feelings.
Taking a deep breath, Irina began. "What were you doing with that senior, Maya Evergreen? And why didn't you tell me anything about it?"
"Do I have any obligation to tell you about what we are doing?"
The reply was cold and harsh. His voice was calm but distant.
"Is this how it is?"
And those words pierced her heart like a needle. After all that time, it felt like her efforts had been in vain all along.
"What did you expect?" Astron replied, looking directly into her eyes.
"I at least thought….."
"You at least thought?"
Irina's voice trembled with a mix of frustration and vulnerability as she spoke, her words laced with the sting of betrayal. "I thought... At least... We were close enough to share our secrets."
Astron's expression didn't change even slightly, his gaze boring through her eyes, remaining unwavering. And that made her somehow tense since he was always like that.
She expected the words coming out of his mouth to be something that would hurt for sure. Though she wanted to close her ears, she wasn't someone that would do such a thing.
"You were right. And you still are."
However, the words spilling from his mouth were different.
"Huh?"
Irina was taken aback by Astron's unexpected response. She blinked, her anger momentarily giving way to confusion and a flicker of hope. "What do you mean by that?" she asked, her voice softer, tinged with curiosity.
Astron met her gaze. "What I mean is, you're right. I do trust you enough to share some of my secrets."
Irina's cheeks flushed a delicate shade of pink at his nonchalant but sincere words. His directness left her momentarily flustered, but she quickly regained her composure. Narrowing her eyes, she refused to let him off the hook so easily. "You only revealed your strength to me because you didn't have any choice. It wasn't because you wanted to. You were forced into it."
Astron shook his head slowly. "Do you really think so?" he asked, his tone challenging yet gentle.
Irina's silence was his cue to continue. "Think about it, Irina. There were numerous ways I could have avoided your attention. I could have downplayed my abilities, made excuses, or simply stayed out of your way. But I didn't."
He paused, allowing his words to sink in before continuing. "When we were in that dungeon, I could have let you fend for yourself. I could have chosen not to intervene when you were in danger. But I didn't. I showed you what I was capable of, even if it was risky."
Irina's mind raced back to those moments. The times Astron had stepped in to help, the subtle displays of his talent had gradually shifted her impression of him. She recalled how he had saved her in the dungeon, how he had led their team through difficult challenges with unwavering confidence.
'His words are right.'
He was hiding from the world, but one way or another, he made sure to let her know about his capabilities.
And now they were even competing.
"But what is with Senior Maya, then? Why didn't you tell me about her?" she asked.
"Because Senior Maya's situation is not for me to decide. She is the one who was put into that situation. It is not my secret, but hers. Unless she decides to talk about it, I have no right to speak to someone else. Regardless of who the person is."
He stopped slightly, raising his hand.
PAT!
He patted her head suddenly.
THUMP!
Irina felt her heart beating suddenly at his touch. Her body was never cold because of the innate heat the Emberheart family possessed.
But, his hand was.
"Do you think I would talk about your situation to other people if you were in her position?"
Irina blinked, caught off guard by the gentle gesture. Her anger and confusion began to melt away, replaced by a warmth that spread through her chest. His touch was reassuring, a silent promise that he valued her trust and privacy.
"I... I see," she stammered, her voice softer now. "I didn't think about it that way."
Astron continued to pat her head, his touch steady and calming. "Irina, I trust you," he said firmly. "And I respect your privacy. Just as I respect Maya's. There are things we all have to keep to ourselves until we're ready to share them."
They had already thought about this before, and Irina knew his words carried some truth. After all, there were also many things that she had always kept to herself, not telling anyone.
And she knew there were things that Astron never talked about as well.
But she also couldn't help but suspect that he was redirecting the conversation.
"But why?" Irina's voice trembled as she tried to hold back her anger. Her fists clenched at her sides, and she struggled to keep her emotions in check. "Why did you intervene in my life if you have such a relationship with Maya?"
Astron's calm demeanor remained unshaken, his eyes steady as he looked at her. "What relationship?" he asked, his tone even.
"That...Aren't you a couple?"
At that moment, she saw him shake his head.
"…..No. We are not."
And her world went white.
'Noooooooooo! What did I just do!'
She made a big blunder.
Chapter 423 - Breaking Down
Eleanor stood outside Headmaster Jonathan's office, taking a deep breath before knocking on the heavy wooden door. The weight of the day's events pressed heavily on her shoulders, but she knew she had to face the consequences and explain her actions.
"Come in," Jonathan's voice called from inside.
Eleanor pushed the door open and stepped into the office. The room was filled with bookshelves, various artifacts, and a large desk where Headmaster Jonathan sat, his expression stern and unreadable.
"Headmaster," Eleanor greeted, closing the door behind her. She walked to the desk and stood before him, her demeanor calm and professional despite the tension in the room.
"Sit down, Eleanor," Jonathan said, gesturing to the chair opposite him.
She took a seat, meeting his gaze directly. "Thank you, Headmaster."
Jonathan leaned back in his chair, his eyes never leaving her face. "You know why you're here. Explain yourself."
Eleanor nodded. "Yes, Headmaster. I understand your concerns. Allow me to explain the reasoning behind my actions and present the evidence I have gathered."
Jonathan's expression remained stern, but he nodded for her to continue.
Eleanor took a deep breath and began. "We received credible intelligence indicating that high-ranking members of the Valkara organization were planning an attack during the final exam duels. The intel suggested that they would use the chaos to insert themselves into the academy's defenses. This information came from a source we had verified on multiple occasions."
She paused, gauging his reaction before continuing. "Given the nature of the threat, we decided to have Hunters embedded within the crowd to monitor the situation and respond if necessary. The goal was to apprehend the Valkara executives and prevent their plan from succeeding."
Jonathan's eyes narrowed slightly, but he remained silent, letting her continue.
"However, during the operation, it became clear that something was wrong. The attacks began earlier than anticipated, and the Valkara executives never showed up. This deviation from the expected plan indicated that our operation had been compromised. We suspect that a traitor within our ranks leaked the information, allowing Valkara to adjust their strategy."
Eleanor reached into her bag and pulled out a folder, placing it on the desk. "Here is the evidence we have gathered so far. It includes intercepted communications, anomalies in the timeline of events, and reports from our operatives."
Jonathan opened the folder and began to review the documents. His expression remained stern, but his eyes showed signs of interest as he scanned the evidence.
"Professor Whitaker. So, he was one of the rats."
His fists were clenched as he looked into the picture. There was nothing that he could doubt about, since the other person was undoubtedly her.
"Alisha."
A face that he didn't want to see.
"I see why you did it." He turned to look at Eleanor. "I can see the logic behind your actions, even if I do not fully agree with the approach. You should have never risked the life of innocent civilians."
"That was a necessary risk."
"No. Eleanor." Jonathan's stern voice echoed in the room. "Your judgment was clouded. As your master, I know you enough."
"…."
"Therefore, next time. Don't act like a different person. Stay as yourself. Temper your mind. Else, how can you be a guide that you always speak of?"
"...I understand, Master."
"Good."
*********
There are many times when we overthink things. That is the basic human inclination. Finding the answers to the questions in our head.
And the more questions that we have in our head, the harder it gets for us to answer all of them at the same time.
An answer to one question can change our perception of another, making the situation somehow entangled with many things.
Then, how about Astron from Irina's perspective?
How many questions does she have regarding him?
What happened to him in the past? What is the reason he pushes himself this far? What is his motivation? Why is he always so detached?
What are these somehow fragmented memories? Why is my head filled with thoughts related to him?
Who is Estelle?
Different questions that she didn't have any answer. When she has such questions, for a mage like Irina, life suddenly becomes weird.
That was always like that. She can't think about anything other than those questions, and she somehow becomes prone to effects from the outside world on her mind.
This somehow made her suspect. More suspecting than she had ever been.
Somehow, when the person in question was him, she was prone to make assumptions for some reason. It was undoubtedly not a healthy thing, and she was aware of it as well.
But she couldn't help it.
'Noooooooooo! What did I just do!'
Her face turned bright red at the realization of her misunderstanding. She froze, her heart pounding in her chest, and felt like the ground might swallow her up at any moment.
She took a step back, lowering her head in embarrassment, unable to meet Astron's steady gaze.
Her mind spiraled into a whirlwind of self-doubt and anxiety. 'He must think I'm a liability now,' she thought, her heart sinking further. 'Like a baby that needs caretaking. He must see me as a chore, something he has to manage. This whole thing must be so annoying for him.'
Each thought stung more than the last, her inner turmoil intensifying with every passing second. The confidence she usually carried felt like it was crumbling away, leaving her feeling exposed and vulnerable.
'I've made such a fool of myself,' she berated herself silently. 'Why do I always mess things up when it comes to him? Why can't I just understand what he's thinking? Why does he have to be so distant, so hard to read?'
She glanced up at him briefly, only to see his calm and composed expression. It felt like a stark contrast to the storm raging inside her. She wanted to run, to hide from the humiliation she felt.
But instead, she stood her ground, her fists clenched at her sides, fighting the urge to flee. Despite the embarrassment, despite the anxiety, she knew she couldn't run away from this. She had to face it, no matter how difficult it was.
"I am sorry. I misunderstood." She said, her tone slightly louder than normal.
'Ah…..Another mistake.'
And there was no way that this could escape from his eyes. And as she expected, he instantly picked it up.
His calm expression remained unchanged, but there was a hint of amusement in his eyes. "It's alright. Misunderstandings happen."
"Urghk….."
His slightly proud tone and his looking down on her embarrassed her more. But at the same time, it increased the resentment.
'If not for the fact that you were doing shady acts behind everyone's back with that senior, I wouldn't have misunderstood.'
The fact that somehow the situation became more on her side. It was annoying as hell.
"You…." She opened her mouth, looking at him. "You are not a couple, then?"
"Do you have a problem with understanding things on the first try?"
"Tch. Annoying bastard. I just wanted to confirm." She wanted to sulk, but she didn't.
Instead, there was something else she suddenly realized.
'This guy?'
Suppose she were to put herself into her shoes. How would she answer when she was asked such a question?
If someone had accused her the way she had just accused Astron, she would have been angry and annoyed. She would have demanded to know why they were so interested, why it mattered to them. She would have turned the questions back on them, challenging their assumptions and questioning their motives.
But Astron… he wasn't reacting that way.
Instead of getting defensive or questioning her, he remained calm, his expression unreadable. It was as if he knew something she didn't, as if he had a reason for not reacting the way she expected.
'Why isn't he asking why I care?'
Irina wondered. In the past, whenever he was inconvenienced, he would always talk back and always look for the reason behind someone's actions. He would always ask, "Why?"
Why wasn't he doing that now?
The realization hit her like a cold splash of water. He wasn't asking why because, on some level, he already knew. He understood why she cared, why she was asking these questions. He wasn't challenging her because he didn't need to; he had already figured out the answer.
'This….'
Suddenly, something flashed right in front of her eyes. The way he reads people is like a book.
Why did she not think of this until now? Why did she just assume that he didn't notice her feelings?
Why did she think that she could hide herself from his eyes?
Why did she do that?
'Of course. He already knew from the start, hadn't he?'
After all the time they had spent together, the amount of subconscious signs that she had sent to him must have been immersed.
There was no way he would miss such signs. He was not such a guy after all.
'But, he hadn't responded in any way at all. All this time, he never showed that he knew about this as if everything was as normal as before.'
Irina's thoughts continued to race. She analyzed Astron's behavior, replaying their interactions in her mind. The way he never connected with people more than necessary, always keeping a distance. The way he acted as if he could disappear at any moment, leaving no trace behind.
Then, suddenly, a blurry scene flashed before her eyes, causing a sharp pain to pierce through her head. She winced, clutching her temples as the memory forced its way to the surface.
A girl's chest was pierced by the claws of a demon. The young boy with black hair and purple eyes screamed in agony.
"ESTELLE! NO!"
'A demon?'
Irina asked herself, the memory sending waves of pain and confusion through her. She tried to focus on the scene, to make sense of it, but it remained hazy and fragmented.
The headache intensified, making her feel as though her skull was being split open. But despite the pain, the scene became clearer. The creatures with huge builds, their forms dark and menacing, surround the girl.
'The demons?'
Irina thought, the realization hitting her like a ton of bricks. The memory was not just a figment of her imagination. It was real, a part of Astron's past that he had never shared with anyone.
At that moment, as the night sky was lit by the crescent moon, she realized. She realized what had happened to him.
His past actions, how he behaved, and these visions. Everything made sense.
She looked at Astron, her eyes wide with a mixture of shock and understanding.
"What? What happened?"
She looked into his eyes.
'Is this real? Is this really true?'
Questions gnawed in her heart. And she was hesitant to ask.
Since she knew.
The moment she would ask about this, things would never be the same. And a part of her….
Was scared.
'Me? Scared?'
She asked herself. No, this wouldn't be the case. She had already promised herself that she would never shy away from anything regarding him.
She would not avoid the situations.
She would face things head-on.
That was the way of Irina Emberheart.
Thus, she stood facing him.
"Estelle."
And she uttered the name.
SHUDDER!
And in an instant, she felt a suffocating feeling that she had never felt before.
Death.
The feeling of death.
Chapter 424 - Breaking Down (2)
"Estelle."
As the name "Estelle" left Irina's lips, the atmosphere shifted drastically. The calm night air turned heavy and oppressive, and a suffocating aura of death enveloped her.
Astron's demeanor changed in an instant. His eyes, which usually held a detached, calculating coldness, transformed into black voids, void of any warmth or light. His entire presence radiated a chilling, almost tangible malevolence.
The pressure emanating from him was unlike anything Irina had ever felt, and she struggled to breathe, her vision beginning to blur as the weight of his killing intent bore through her body.
'This is…..'
It was an insane amount of killing intent. For this whole time that she had lived, this was the first time she was feeling such a thing.
'He really wants to kill me. Right here, right now!'
She shuddered, her body shaking uncontrollably. The world around her seemed to turn black as if Astron's very essence was consuming the light. Despite the terror coursing through her veins, she forced herself to stand her ground, refusing to back down.
"You…" Astron's voice was low and filled with a dangerous edge. "How do you know that name?"
The intensity of his gaze made Irina feel as though she was staring into the abyss itself. Her heart pounded in her chest, but she summoned every ounce of her courage to meet his gaze.
"I knew it," she said, her voice trembling but resolute. "Those were the events of the past."
Astron took a step closer, the pressure increasing. Irina felt as if her lungs were being crushed, but she refused to look away.
"You have no idea what you're talking about," he hissed, his voice barely more than a whisper yet filled with lethal intent.
"...Urghk….." It felt like he was strangling her down. With his hands covered on her neck. But she knew he was just standing still without moving. It was the result of his intent.
"Grrr….."
However, even if one had such a strong killing intent, that wouldn't mean they could kill everyone walking around. This world didn't work like that.
She started forcefully expelling her mana and strengthening her own aura. The fire in her chest burned, fighting against the intent.
She was once again regaining control of her body once again. She felt like breathing became easier, as did moving her mouth.
Now that it came down to this, she had no reason to back off. If she were to confront him, if she were to become his enemy, she didn't want to stay in darkness where she didn't know anything about him.
Just like a side heroine who just stood there as an accessory. She didn't want something like that.
"No. I know everything," she said, her voice growing stronger as she forced herself to stand tall. "Estelle was your sister. She was a good-natured, kind individual. A strong young girl who bore the responsibility of the village."
Astron's expression remained cold and unreadable, but Irina pressed on, drawing from the fragments of memories and visions she had pieced together.
"She was a strength to her younger brother, who was rather weak," Irina continued. "You grew up together, your bond unbreakable. You spent your nights together, sharing your dreams and fears, supporting each other through everything."
The intensity of Astron's killing intent began to waver, the pressure easing slightly as Irina's words struck a chord within him.
"But then, the demons came," Irina said, her voice trembling with the weight of the memories. "They took her from you. They took everything. And you were forced to watch it all happen, powerless to stop it."
Astron's eyes flickered with a mixture of pain and anger, the darkness within him shifting as the memories resurfaced. Irina could see the torment in his gaze, the agony of reliving those moments.
"She lost her life at the hands of those monsters," Irina said softly, her voice filled with empathy. "And you were left to bear the weight of that loss. The guilt, the anger, the pain—it has haunted you ever since."
For a moment, there was silence between them, the oppressive atmosphere lifting slightly as the truth hung in the air.
Irina took a step closer, her eyes never leaving Astron's.
"Yeah, you are right," Astron replied. But instead of feeling like reminiscing about the past or being in pain, his eyes were cold.
"All these were right." He said, his eyes turning cold once again. "You already know everything."
SCHLINK!
Under the glowing moonlight, he drew the blades, getting them out of nowhere.
"That is why you already know what I am going to do." He mumbled.
Irina's heart raced as the realization struck her. He wasn't just angry—he was ready to kill her. The light flashed before her eyes as the blade approached her neck with terrifying speed.
She was caught off guard, unable to react in time. The swiftness of his attack left her no room to defend herself. The world seemed to slow down as the blade drew nearer, and at that moment, Irina felt a deep sense of regret. Not because she was about to die but because she couldn't help the person who had once helped her so much.
As the blade hovered millimeters from her neck, she sat there, her voice trembling with a mix of fear and determination. "Do you really think this is what Estelle would want you to do?"
The words hung in the air, and for a split second, everything stopped. The blade remained poised at her neck, but it did not move further.
Astron's eyes widened slightly, the cold void in them wavering. The question seemed to pierce through his rage, reaching a part of him that had been buried under layers of pain and anger.
And that was at that moment of exploitation that she had been waiting.
'That is right. No matter what, you are not an inhumane machine. You are a human, too.'
"Is this how she would want her brother to act if she were here? To remove anyone that comes close to him?" she pressed on, her voice gaining strength with each word. "Is this your way of coping with your loss? Constantly training to no end, tiring yourself out? Constantly trying to detach yourself from the world, never having anything for yourself to do?"
Astron's grip on the blade tightened further, his eyes reflecting the turmoil within him. Irina's words were like arrows piercing through the armor he had built around his heart.
"Is this how you respect the life that was saved by the person you loved the most?" Irina continued, her tone filled with both challenge and compassion. "Is this the value you put into her efforts to make this life possible?"
"Do you think I wanted that!" Astron's voice broke through Irina's words, filled with anger and anguish. For the first time, his usually calm and emotionless face was contorted with raw emotion. "Do you think that was what I wanted? Do you think I wanted to live like this, huh?!"
Irina took a step back, her eyes wide as she watched the storm of emotions erupting from Astron. The intensity of his feelings was overwhelming, and she could feel the weight of his pain in every word.
"I never wanted this!" Astron continued, his voice trembling with rage and sorrow. "I never wanted to live in a world where I had to constantly train, constantly fight, constantly detach myself from everything and everyone. Do you think I enjoy this? Do you think this is what I chose?"
His grip on the blade tightened, his knuckles turning white. "I was supposed to be the one who died. It should have been me! Estelle was the one who deserved to live, not me! She was strong, kind, and everything I wasn't. She was the one who should have had a future, not me!"
Astron's eyes were cold as he continued, his voice cracking with emotion.
"But instead, everything was taken from her. Her life, her dreams, her future. And I was left here with nothing but guilt and pain. I don't deserve anything good in this life. I'm not someone who should have happiness or peace. I'm supposed to pay for my weakness and my inability to protect her."
He paused, his chest heaving as he struggled to catch his breath. "Do you know what it's like to feel that kind of guilt every day? To wake up every morning knowing that you're the reason someone else is dead? To know that no matter what you do, you can never make up for it?"
But the more she listened, the more she got angry. After all those things that they did together, this guy was doing the same thing to himself again and again.
The hatred he had towards himself.
She knew it all too well. She knew how this felt.
After all, she, too, lost someone, maybe not in the same manner as him, but in a similar way. At that time, she didn't know what he was going through or how he was having a hard time. And at the end of the day, he lost himself at the expectations thrown at him.
She still remembered the face that he made when he lost himself.
That was why she couldn't tolerate it. She couldn't tolerate being in the same position once again.
To be the one who is unable to help. To just stand back and watch everything.
"I know."
Thus, she stood up.
"A certain someone told me that I was not the only person who lost someone in this world. As a reminder of my own actions."
She was getting angrier with each second.
'Who does this bastard think he is? Does he think the world revolves around him? Does he think just suffering alone will make everything right? Does he really think nobody wants to be on his side?'
The more she thought about it, the more she got angrier at him.
"But it seems that bastard has forgotten to say the same thing to himself."
Fire once again burned around her body, stemming from her heart.
"So let me tell him for his own sake."
She brought her face closer to him.
He got somehow taller, and he was now towering over her a little. But that didn't matter at that moment.
"You stupid bastard. You are not the only one who lost someone in this world. You are not the only one who is in pain."
"….."
Astron's eyes widened slightly, but he remained silent, absorbing her words.
"But you are certainly one thing," Irina continued, her voice unwavering. "You are a coward. A coward who is afraid of making any connections just because he is afraid to lose someone once again."
The accusation hung in the air, and Irina could see the impact it had on Astron. His expression tightened, but he didn't look away.
"And what an irony it is," Irina said with a bitter laugh, "that I fell for such a cowardly bastard."
Without giving him a chance to respond, Irina closed the distance between them, her heart pounding in her chest. She reached up and cupped his face with her hands, her eyes locked onto his.
Then, with a surge of emotion, she leaned in and pressed her lips to his.