Chapter 133 — The Night Before

The celebration continued long into the night.

What had started as a simple end-of-semester gathering had gradually turned into something far louder. The music had become livelier, the tables were covered with empty bottles and half-eaten food, and students who would normally never speak to one another were now laughing together.

For one night, rankings seemed meaningless.

Class A students sat beside Class C students.

Humans shared tables with beast-kin.

Dwarves challenged elves to arm-wrestling matches.

Even some of the usually reserved third-year students had allowed themselves to relax.

Kael stood near the edge of the hall, watching everything with a faint smile.

He had expected the party to be boring.

Instead, it had been surprisingly entertaining.

He had played the piano.

He had spoken with Verdia.

He had encountered Lilith after being apart from his stalker for so long.

And somehow, he had also managed to get dragged into another conversation about the upcoming semester.

Kael sighed.

"Maybe I should have stayed in my room."

"You say that every time you attend a social event."

Kael turned.

Auriella stood behind him.

Her expression remained as composed as ever, but there was something different in her eyes.

Determination.

Kael narrowed his eyes.

"You talk as if you’re seen me I other social events?" Kael paused observing her, "That thought is still in your kind right?" He asked.

"Of course."

"Even tonight?"

"Especially tonight."

Kael raised an eyebrow.

Auriella looked toward the center of the hall.

Students were still celebrating, but the party was beginning to lose its energy. Several students had already left, while others were visibly struggling to remain awake.

The end was approaching.

Auriella turned back toward Kael.

"Tomorrow."

Kael tilted his head.

"What about tomorrow?"

"I’m challenging you."

There was no hesitation in her voice.

Kael stared at her for a moment.

"For the top spot?"

"Would there be any other reason for me to challenge you?" Auriella questioned.

Kael smiled.

"I thought you would wait until after the holidays."

"I’ve waited long enough,I didn’t expect anyone other than Zion to challenge me for the top spot."

Auriella’s eyes were calm, but there was an intensity behind them.

She had spent the semester studying Kael.

Watching him.

Analyzing his fighting style.

Testing herself against a simulated version of him.

And every time she thought she understood him, Kael revealed something else.

She had defeated his simulated version.

But that wasn’t enough.

She wanted the real thing.

Kael crossed his arms.

"You’re really serious about this," Kael muttered " its the end of the semester relax a bit can’t you learn from me." He continued.

"I’ve never been more serious."

Kael smiled.

"Alright."

Auriella’s eyes narrowed slightly.

"That’s it?"

"What do you want me to say, it’s not like I can refuse." He replied

"I see, I take it that you’re not afraid." She asked.

Kael laughed.

"Nope I’m excited if not anything."

Auriella’s lips almost curved into a smile.

Almost.

"I’ll see you tomorrow."

She turned and walked away.

Kael watched her leave.

He had expected her challenge eventually.

Still, the timing amused him.

The semester hadn’t even officially ended, and already the strongest students were preparing to fight.

Kael glanced toward the Student Council.

Sylvia was standing with several members, speaking quietly.

Auriella approached her.

Sylvia immediately noticed the look in her eyes.

"What happened?"

"I’ve decided to challenge Kael tomorrow."

Sylvia paused.

"You mean for the first rank?"

Auriella nodded.

Sylvia smiled.

"I was wondering when you’d make your move."

"I don’t want to wait."

"I understand."

Auriella remained silent.

Sylvia studied her for a moment before speaking again.

"Then don’t hold anything back."

Auriella looked at her.

"I feel I might die if I do so." She replied.

Sylvia’s smile became slightly wider.

" I guess he’s that dangerous for a butterfly." Sylvia replied.

Auriella nodded.

"I will."

A short distance away, Cairo overheard the conversation.

He turned toward them.

"So you’ve finally decided."

Auriella looked at him.

"Yes."

Cairo smiled.

"Good."

Sylvia glanced at him.

"You sound unusually supportive."

"Why wouldn’t I be?"

Cairo folded his arms.

"Well Kael is a little bit too lazy and I feel he needs a good beating and if I do It, it might be called abuse of power." He paused turning to her, "I hope you are ready to win this fight Kael is a bit lazy so you might have to drag him out of the room but at the very least he’s still a monster."

Auriella’s expression remained calm.

"I’ll win."

Cairo chuckled.

"I love your confidence."

He paused.

"Just be careful he hasn’t tried to fight since the tournament whether he trains or not remains unknown."

Auriella nodded.

"I know."

"Good."

Cairo looked toward Kael.

"And that’s exactly why I’m interested in seeing what happens."

The party slowly began coming to an end.

Students started leaving the hall in groups.

Some walked normally.

Others stumbled.

A few were practically being carried by their friends.

Kael was about to leave when he noticed someone leaning against a table.

Charlotte.

Kael stared.

"Charlotte?"

She lifted her head.

Her eyes were unfocused.

"Kael..."

He walked closer.

"You drank?"

Charlotte frowned.

"I didn’t drink that much."

Kael looked at the several empty glasses beside her.

"That’s debatable."

Charlotte tried standing.

She failed.

Kael caught her before she fell.

"Okay."

Charlotte leaned against him.

"I can walk."

"Sure you can."

"I can."

"Then walk."

Charlotte took one step.

She immediately stumbled.

Kael sighed.

"Right."

He crouched slightly.

"Get on."

Charlotte stared at him.

"What?"

"I’m carrying you."

"No."

"You’re barely standing."

"I can walk."

"You just proved otherwise."

Charlotte frowned.

"You’ll embarrass me."

"You’re already drunk. Your dignity left about twenty minutes ago."

Charlotte glared at him.

Kael waited.

Eventually, she reluctantly climbed onto his back.

He stood effortlessly.

Charlotte rested her head against his shoulder.

"You know..."

"Hmm?"

"You’re surprisingly strong."

Kael smiled.

"The wine has already reached your brain."

"You’ve gotten arrogant."

"Only recently?"

Charlotte laughed softly.

Kael started walking toward the exit.

As they reached the hallway, he noticed Lilith waiting nearby.

She had changed her expression the moment she saw Charlotte.

Kael glanced at her.

Lilith understood immediately.

She followed them.

The three of them moved through the quiet hallway.

After a while, Charlotte’s breathing became steady.

She had fallen asleep.

Kael lowered his voice.

"Lilith."

"Hmm?"

"About what you told me earlier."

Lilith looked at him.

"Charlotte knows I’m a demon."

"I know."

"She won’t tell anyone."

"I trust her."

Kael’s expression became serious.

"But don’t tell her anything about your connection to the Velvet Gang."

Lilith’s expression changed.

"I wasn’t planning to."

"Good."

Kael glanced down at Charlotte.

"She doesn’t need to know yet."

Lilith nodded.

"I understand."

"Whatever happens, keep your distance from her when it concerns Velvet."

Lilith looked at Kael.

"You’re worried about her."

"She’s my friend."

"And you’re worried about me too."

Kael smiled.

"Obviously."

Lilith’s expression softened.

They continued walking until they reached a quiet section of the dormitory corridor.

Charlotte was still asleep.

Kael stopped.

Lilith stood in front of him.

For a few seconds, neither spoke.

The noise from the party was barely audible anymore.

Lilith stepped closer.

"Kael."

"Yeah?"

"You really should be more careful."

"I know."

"You always say that."

"Because it’s true."

Lilith smiled.

Then she leaned closer.

Kael lowered his head.

Their lips met.

The kiss was slow at first, almost hesitant.

Then Lilith wrapped her arms around him.

Kael returned the embrace.

For a moment, everything else disappeared.

No Velvet Gang.

No upcoming tournament.

No Student Council.

No Disciplinary Committee.

No rankings.

Just the two of them.

When they finally separated, Lilith rested her forehead against his.

"I’ll see you tomorrow."

Kael smiled.

"Hopefully."

He turned toward Charlotte.

"Now I have to get this drunk idiot home."

Lilith laughed softly.

"Good luck."

Kael carried Charlotte the rest of the way.

After ensuring she reached her room safely, Kael finally returned to his own lodge.

He opened the door.

The room was dark.

Quiet.

Peaceful.

Exactly what he wanted.

Kael removed his jacket and tossed it over a chair.

He didn’t bother changing.

He simply collapsed onto his bed.

His body sank into the mattress.

"Tomorrow..."

He remembered Auriella’s declaration.

Then Lilith.

Then the upcoming holiday.

And, inevitably, Xavier.

Kael groaned.

"Why does everyone want something from me?"

There was no answer.

He closed his eyes.

Within minutes, sleep claimed him.

The academy became silent.

The celebration was over.

The semester had ended.

And for the first time in months, Kael slept without thinking about training.

Without thinking about rankings.

Without thinking about the next battle.

He didn’t notice the change in his room.

He didn’t notice the faint distortion in the darkness.

He didn’t notice the figure standing beside the window.

A man.

Tall.

Completely motionless.

His presence was almost impossible to detect.

The moonlight fell across his silhouette, revealing only fragments of his features.

He stood there silently.

Watching the sleeping Kael.

Xavier.

He said nothing.

He made no movement.

He simply remained there in the darkness.

And Kael continued sleeping, completely unaware that the strongest individual on the planet had appeared inside his room.

For what reason?

Nobody knew.

Not even Kael.

And perhaps that was exactly how Xavier wanted it.