Alex slowly opened his eyes.
The ceiling was familiar, as was the softness of the mattress beneath his back. His gaze wandered around the room until it stopped on a familiar figure—Eliria, curled up asleep in an armchair near the wall. Her head was tilted slightly to the side, and her face looked calm and serene. Alex smiled faintly, feeling a wave of gratitude wash over him.
Carefully getting up, he walked over to her, took a soft blanket from the sofa, and draped it over her shoulders. Then he quietly left the room.
Descending to the first floor, he walked through the house—room by room—but there was no one around. Alex sighed.
"Everyone's gone again," he muttered, glancing around.
Realizing there was nothing he could change at the moment, he headed to the shower. Standing under the stream of warm water, Alex closed his eyes. In his mind, scenes from recent events played like slides: the frantic battle with the monster, the overwhelming exhaustion, the return home… and collapsing on the doorstep of the mansion. A short smile touched his lips.
"Sirena… are you here?" he asked aloud, without opening his eyes.
"As always, my Lord," came the gentle, familiar voice in his head. "I'm glad you've finally come to."
"How long was I unconscious?"
"Two days."
"Two days…" Alex repeated softly, seriously.
"How are you feeling?" Sirenaa asked with a note of concern.
"Great, for someone who slept for two days," he replied more cheerfully. "Full of energy—ready to fight again."
"That's good," Sirena said gently. A short pause followed. "My Lord… what are you going to do about your family and Eliria?"
Alex was silent for a long moment as water continued to stream down his face.
"It seems my first plan fell through." His voice was calm but resolute. "I'll have to tell them the truth. I don't know what story could explain what happened in that dungeon. I still don't want to involve them, but it seems it's too late to hide anything now."
"You may not like this decision," Sirena said gently, "but it's the right one. Now that more people will know your past, it will be a bit easier for you. You won't have to keep holding back in their presence."
Alex smiled.
"Thank you, Sirena. As always—you know exactly what to say."
"Always happy to help, my Lord."
After finishing his shower, Alex changed into something more comfortable and returned to the room. Eliria was still asleep, peacefully curled under the blanket he had placed on her. Not wanting to disturb her, he quietly stepped out onto the balcony. The air was fresh, the sky clear, and somewhere below, leaves rustled gently.
"By the way," Sirena spoke again, "what do you plan to do about Heinrich? He saw your power too."
Alex paused, turning his gaze to the horizon.
"I thought about that back in the dungeon. We'll meet, and I'll come to an agreement with him. He's already been given all the credit for sealing the dungeon. I'll ask him only to keep what really happened to himself. And not to ask too many questions."
"Are you sure he'll agree to those terms so easily?"
"If not—I'll say I learned dark magic at the Academy. No need for details."
"I hope your plan works."
"It will." Alex smiled confidently.
Suddenly, a familiar voice came from behind him.
"Alex?"
He turned sharply. Eliria stood in the doorway of the balcony. She was already on her feet and looked a bit shy, but her eyes held genuine joy. Without another word, she rushed to him and hugged him tightly.
Alex felt her body press against his, her arms wrapping around him with a strength surprising for someone so delicate. He froze for a moment, then gently embraced her in return.
"I was so scared…" she whispered, clutching his back with trembling fingers. "We all… we thought…"
"Shh," Alex interrupted softly. "I'm here. It's all okay now."
He felt her breathing gradually slow, and the trembling in her muscles subside.
"Two days…" Eliria said more confidently now. "You didn't wake up for two days… We took turns watching over you, we…"
"I'm sorry," Alex said quietly, meeting her eyes. "I'm sorry I made you worry. I used too much mana in the fight, that's why I passed out. If I had—"
"No," she interrupted him, squeezing him tighter again. "You have nothing to apologize for. If not for you… If not for you, we'd all be gone. We would've died in that cave."
They stood in silence for a few more seconds, holding each other. Then Eliria slowly stepped back and looked at him with a gentle smile.
"By the way, you haven't eaten in two days," she said with a touch of sternness, taking his hand. "Let's go to the kitchen. I'll cook something."
"You're a guest in my house," Alex smiled, but let her pull him along.
"Today, I'm in charge. No arguments," Eliria replied, leading him downstairs. Her tone was warm and confident, and Alex only sighed, allowing himself to feel the comfort he had missed so much lately.
The kitchen was filled with pleasant silence, broken only by the clinking of dishes. While Eliria set the table, Alex sat quietly on a stool, observing her movements. She moved with confidence and ease, as if she had cooked here many times before.
A flicker of surprise crossed his thoughts:
"How much time has she spent in my house while I was unconscious? She's finding everything without hesitation…"
Before long, the table was set: a delicious-looking omelet with large chunks of fried pork, fresh vegetables, and bread. Eliria placed a plate in front of Alex and sat beside him, taking nothing for herself.
"And you're not eating?" Alex asked, turning to look at her.
"I already had breakfast with the others," she replied with a soft smile. "So I'm not hungry right now."
"I see," Alex nodded briefly and picked up his cutlery. He cut off a piece of omelet with meat and, after swallowing it, suddenly smiled widely—almost childishly sincere.
"And? How is it?" Eliria asked, closely watching his reaction.
"Delicious," Alex replied with satisfaction.
"I made it myself," the girl said proudly.
"Yourself?" he asked in surprise.
"Well, not entirely," she giggled. "Alpha and Gamma helped while the others were preparing for the celebration."
"What celebration?"
Eliria sighed dramatically and looked at him with feigned indignation.
"You do realize your birthday is in two days? And instead of helping with the preparations, you decided to just pass out for two days!"
Alex opened his mouth to respond, but didn't have time.
"I'm joking," Eliria laughed. "Actually, according to your parents, everything's going according to plan. I helped out too, where I could."
"So you've been staying here these past days?"
"Yes. At first, I said I could come during the day—to help and take shifts watching over you—and return to the hotel nearby in the evenings. But your mom insisted I stay. They even gave me a whole guest room."
Alex smiled.
"That's very much like Mom. By the way..." he added suddenly, "what about that girl? The one we found before heading into the dungeon?"
"She stayed here. I convinced her to remain until you woke up. And your parents didn't mind. She's still a little scared, but being around us has helped calm her down."
"Good," Alex said quietly. "Where is everyone right now?"
"Don't worry," Eliria reassured him. "They didn't go into the dungeon. They just went into town — to get the last things we needed for the celebration. I stayed behind because it was my turn to watch over you today."
Alex gave a slight nod, a gentle smile appearing on his face. Being next to her made him feel at peace — a feeling he hadn't known for a long time.
After finishing his meal, the boy set down his utensils and looked at Eliria.
"Thank you," he said sincerely, gazing directly into her eyes.
The girl simply gave a light nod.
"You're welcome," she whispered, not looking away.
For a few seconds, silence filled the room. Only the faint rustling of branches in the breeze outside the window broke it.
Alex smiled slightly.
"You probably have a few questions... after everything that happened."
"I do," Eliria replied calmly, not hiding it. "And I'm not the only one. I think it's best to wait for the others, so you don't have to repeat yourself."
At that very moment, voices were heard from the living room. Someone clicked the lock on the front door — and a second later, it swung open. Gabriel, Emma, the maids, and the familiar silver-haired girl returned to the mansion. She spotted Alex immediately and smiled brightly, joyfully waving to him.
Emma was next to notice him. Tears welled up in her eyes — this time, tears of happiness — and she rushed to her son, hugging him so tightly it was as if she feared losing him again.
Alex hugged her back, smiling gently.
Gabriel joined them, embracing both Emma and Alex at once, pulling them close. No one said a word — the silence said more than any words could. It held everything: fear, relief, gratitude, love.
When the embrace ended, Alex looked over at the girls standing a little apart. Some of their eyes were glistening too. Each one of them smiled at him — sincerely, warmly. Alex returned the same smile — honest, grateful.
"I'm glad to see you all," he said softly. "After such a long sleep... And I guess everyone here wants some answers from me. So... I'm ready to give them."
He gestured toward the table, inviting everyone to sit. No one objected — they silently, yet calmly and confidently, made their way into the kitchen and took their seats. The little girl hopped onto Eliria's lap, who, still smiling gently, placed her hand on the child's head and began to softly stroke her hair. The girl closed her eyes with a blissful expression.
Once everyone was seated, Alex took a deep breath, ready to begin...
But Gabriel raised a hand, stopping him.
"Let me say a few words first," his father said, standing.
To Alex's surprise, everyone else stood as well — the maids, Emma. Only Eliria and the little girl remained seated, which puzzled Alex.
"As the head of this family," Gabriel began in a calm, even voice, "I failed in my main duty — to protect its members. And the fact that we are all still alive... that's not because of me. It's thanks to you, Alex, and to Eliria. If it weren't for the two of you — we'd all have died in that cursed cave."
Everyone standing bowed their heads slightly.
"Thank you," came the unified chorus from all corners of the room.
"Please... rise," Eliria blushed immediately. "I was just doing my duty as a healer..."
"You are my family," Alex added. "Protecting you isn't an obligation. It's... natural. It's what any son would do. There's no need to thank me."
He looked at his father.
"And you did fulfill your duty. You bought us time. Without you, I wouldn't have made it in time. So... thank you."
Gabriel looked at him, and something in his expression changed — the heavy burden he'd been carrying for days seemed to dissolve. He smiled warmly, sat back down, and after a short pause, continued:
"While you were asleep, all of us kept circling around the same question. And we wondered whether we truly wanted the answer."
Gabriel's gaze turned serious again.
"Your power... it's not normal, Alex. You're the first vampire who wields dark magic. Your mana... your physical strength... they surpass anyone else of your level. We've all seen it. And if you kept that kind of power hidden even from us..." — he paused, wrestling with his thoughts — "then you must have had a reason. A serious one. Because if you didn't, the whole continent would already be talking about the vampire who commands darkness."
He stopped. His eyes rested on his son's face — silent, slightly guilty, the faint lines of worry near his eyes.
"And I see... that it's true," Gabriel added in a near whisper. "You're carrying a burden."
He got up, walked over to Alex, and placed a hand on his shoulder. The touch radiated warmth — not physical, but emotional, deep. Looking into his son's eyes, Gabriel crouched to his level.
"We won't demand explanations from you, son. We trust you. If one day you decide you can tell us everything — we'll listen. But if not... we'll accept that too. We'll simply be here. As we always have."
It wasn't a permission, nor a gesture of mercy — it was a promise. A vow of unconditional love.
And in that moment, as something started to glisten in Alex's eyes — as if on the verge of tears — Emma spoke. Her voice was soft, but filled with quiet strength.
"But I'll ask you for two things, dear," she said with a smile, though tears once again threatened to spill from her eyes. "First — be careful. Always. And second... don't try to carry it all alone. I know you're strong, but even the strongest need a shoulder. You have us. We may be weaker, but we are your family."
Emma trembled slightly as she spoke those words. She knew her son was tied to something far greater than all of them. But she was still his mother.
"If you're hiding this power — it means you're already involved in something far too serious. I..." — she lowered her gaze for a moment — "I won't ask what it is. I don't want to put you in an uncomfortable position. But you must remember — we're always ready to help. Always."
Alex looked around at them. Their faces. Their tear-filled eyes. Their smiles through the worry.
And only then did he realize just how afraid he had been of this moment — and how deeply he had underestimated their love.
"Thank you," he whispered. "I... promise. I'll be careful. And I won't forget I'm not alone."
Gabriel smiled warmly. He held his son's gaze for a moment longer, then tousled his hair, just like when Alex was a child.
"That's better," he said gently. "Now... enough with the formality!"
He clapped his hands loudly.
"In two days, we've got a birthday to celebrate, and there's still so much to do! One hour of rest — then back to work!"
"Well said," nodded Alpha, smiling subtly.
"I never do things halfway," Gabriel replied with a confident grin.
Alex turned his gaze to Eliria and the little girl.
"While everyone's resting... Eliria and I will head upstairs. We need to speak with our guest."
"Alright," Emma nodded.
Alex, Eliria, and the girl stood. They left the kitchen together and headed upstairs — where a quiet conversation awaited them.
When the trio entered Alex's room, Eliria immediately settled into a soft armchair, and the little girl, like a bouncing ball, instantly hopped onto her lap. Alex sat across from them, leaning slightly forward, and gently ran his hand through the girl's light hair. She responded at once with a warm, sincere smile.
"How are you feeling?" he asked gently.
"Everything's fine!" the girl replied cheerfully. "While brother was asleep, everyone was very kind to me. They fed me, took care of me... But I spent the most time with my sister!" She nestled closer to Eliria, hugging her gently around the waist.
"Brother?.. Sister?.." Alex muttered in surprise, shifting his gaze from the girl to Eliria, hoping for some kind of explanation. But before she could say anything, Mireya eagerly answered herself:
"Yes! Brother Alex and sister Eliria!" she declared with unwavering confidence, smiling again.
Alex turned his confused gaze to Eliria. She simply gave a sly smile in return, then gently turned the girl's face toward her.
"That's right. It's just that brother hasn't fully woken up yet. That's why he's surprised."
The little one leaned forward slightly and looked at Alex with a sad expression.
"You don't want to be my brother?.."
Alex's pupils widened. His jaw almost dropped, and he threw an almost pleading look at Eliria. But this time she looked serious, as if to say, "Don't even think about upsetting her." Alex took a deep breath, gently placed his hand on the girl's head, and, gathering himself, said:
"Forgive me if I was rude. Of course I'm your brother. And I'm very glad to be."
The girl smiled and hugged him tightly around the neck. Eliria, watching this, smiled tenderly and gave a barely noticeable nod.
"What's your name?" Alex asked quietly when the girl loosened her embrace a little.
"Mireya!" she answered proudly. "That's the name mother gave me."
"A beautiful name," Alex said sincerely. "And who is your mother?"
"She's... a kind lady. Everyone at 'Ray of Hope' calls her mother. She takes care of all the children. We're her family."
"I see," Alex nodded, exchanging a brief look with Eliria. "You mentioned that you wanted to help them. Now that I've come to my senses, my sister and I are ready too."
"Yes!" Eliria quickly supported him. "So tell us—how can we help?"
Mireya lowered her gaze and folded her hands in her lap.
"I don't know... Mother didn't have time to explain anything. She just told me to run—as far as I could. She gave me a ring that makes me invisible and said not to look back..."
The girl's eyes began to glisten again. Alex picked her up into his arms and softly comforted her.
"Everything's going to be all right, Mireya. We'll find your mother and help her."
She gave a quiet sob, but didn't cry anymore—only clung tighter to Alex.
"One more thing," he added gently. "Can you tell us anything about the men you were running from the day we met?"
"They were mean uncles..." the girl whispered. "They often made Mother cry. But one time... I heard them arguing. They were saying something about some Duke Lorenzo de Carvalho... They said they didn't understand why he needed those orphans..."
"Duke Lorenzo de Carvalho..." Alex repeated quietly, committing the name to memory. "Thank you, Mireya. That was very helpful."
"I'm glad I could help!" the girl smiled, though already a bit sleepily.
"You probably need some rest."
"Mmm..." she yawned, nodded, and leaned her head on Alex's shoulder.
He carefully carried her to the bed, tucked her in with a blanket, and whispered:
"Sweet dreams, little one."
She was already asleep.
Alex straightened up and met Eliria's gaze. She was silently watching him. He nodded toward the balcony.
"Come on. Let's talk out there. We shouldn't disturb her."
She stood up carefully, gave the sleeping girl one last glance, and, without saying a word, followed him.
Alex and Eliria stepped out onto the balcony. The air was filled with a scent of freshness, and a cool breeze gently stirred their hair. The girl leaned her elbows on the railing, looking out over the cozy courtyard, and was the first to break the silence.
"Don't tell me you really don't know how to deal with children?"
Alex smiled sheepishly, running a hand over the back of his head.
"Apparently not. When Mireya called me her brother, I just... froze. I didn't even know what to say."
Eliria laughed, glancing at him.
"For kids, that's perfectly normal. They often do that—call older people their brothers or sisters when they start to trust them. Isn't it sweet?"
"I'll keep that in mind..." Alex replied, briefly lowering his gaze. But the girl was already smiling again.
"All the time we spent together in the dungeons..." she said with a warm touch of humor, "and I've never seen that expression on your face before. That was confusion… and a little panic. Are children scarier to you than monsters?"
"Very funny," Alex replied with sarcasm. "I would've expected a jab like that more from Lianel than from you."
"Oh, sorry," she said, unable to hold back a laugh. "You just looked so adorably lost in the moment, I could barely keep from laughing right then. Now I understand why Lianel enjoys teasing everyone so much. It's... actually kind of nice."
She waved one hand in front of her and covered her mouth with the other, trying to suppress a genuine laugh. Alex just shook his head, watching her with barely concealed amusement.
"I promise I won't do it again… at least not in front of others," she added more seriously.
Alex gave a theatrical bow.
"Thank you for your mercy, noble lady."
And inwardly, he couldn't help but smile. This was the real Eliria—sincere, vibrant, alive. Just the way he remembered her.
When he straightened up again, Eliria was already watching him intently.
"You know," she began softly, "I won't tell anyone what I saw in the dungeon. I promise. And like your family, I won't pry if you don't want to talk. But..."
She paused, smiling slightly and turning her gaze to the side.
"But it's hard to contain my curiosity. I've seen your strength more than once, and I noticed that with every new raid, you were gradually growing stronger. That was normal—we were all getting stronger. But what you showed in that cave… it wasn't even close to anything I've ever seen you do before. I won't question you about it, but you should know—I still really want to understand what's going on."
Alex nodded calmly and stepped closer. His voice was warm.
"I get it. If I were in your place, I'd be dying of curiosity too."
He glanced out at the distant treetops, then looked back at her.
"I can't tell you everything. It's not just my story… But some things—I can share. And it won't make anything worse."
Her eyes lit up with excitement, and she nearly bounced on the spot.
"Then I'm ready to listen. Whatever you're willing to tell me—I'll hear it."
Alex sighed lightly and leaned back against the cold balcony railing. His gaze drifted across the sky, where the first hints of evening were starting to show.
"I think the thing you're most curious about is this: where did my dark magic come from," he began in an even tone. "The truth is pretty simple. I was trained by Miss Krul."
Eliria's eyes widened immediately, but she said nothing, letting him continue.
"I became her student during my first month at the Academy. From then on, we would meet from time to time for lessons. At first, she helped me form a core of pure darkness. Then—she guided me in creating new mana channels throughout my body. That part was the hardest. And the least fun."
Alex smiled faintly, as if remembering something unpleasant, but important.
"After that... things got a little easier. We moved on to controlling darkness. At first, of course, it was tough—just like it had been with blood. Darkness is similar to blood magic on a basic level, but it has a huge number of its own quirks. Once I figured out the fundamentals, the rest was just practice. I watched Lilith in the dungeons, picked up techniques, analyzed them. Then trained on my own. And little by little... I learned to cast real spells."
Eliria listened carefully, a trace of admiration in her eyes.
"Nine months…" Alex continued. "That's how long I trained. And while I'm still far from perfect, according to Krul herself, the results are—phenomenal."
"Wait," Eliria interrupted. "But Krul doesn't take students unless they're demons. How did you, a vampire, become her first pupil?"
Alex rubbed his cheek guiltily, flashing a sly grin.
"That wasn't me. It was all Elizabeth. She arranged the meeting with Krul. They're friends, and I guess Krul just… took pity on me. Or maybe she gave in to a request. I don't know. But from the very first lesson, I had to prove I was worth her time. Otherwise… I don't think she would've continued."
"So," Eliria summed up with a smile, "besides incredible determination, you also got lucky. If it weren't for Elizabeth, none of this would've happened?"
"Exactly," Alex nodded. "Without her, I wouldn't have had the chance."
Eliria let out a soft laugh and placed her hands on the railing.
"Well, that's one question down," she said with relief. "And I'm glad you trusted me."
Alex nodded, his gaze warming.
"And what's your second question?"
He smiled gently as Eliria, frowning slightly, looked at him from under her brows.
"Alright," she said, crossing her arms. "Now tell me the truth. What's your actual level?"
"I already told you—sixty-six," Alex replied with a grin.
"I'm serious," she said, not joking. "You heard what Gabriel said. What you did in the dungeon—no one else at level sixty-six could've pulled that off. I think the same. I've never heard of any artifact or spell that could hide someone's real level. So either you found a way to conceal it, or…" she paused, looking him straight in the eyes, "or there's something different about you."
Alex sighed and looked out at the horizon, then back at Eliria.
"I might disappoint you here. I'm not masking anything. My level really is sixty-six."
"But…" she hesitated, searching for words.
"There is a 'but,'" he confirmed. "For… certain reasons I can't explain, I've been stronger than others from the very beginning. Literally—from level one."
"How much stronger?" she asked softly but seriously.
"By sixty-seven levels."
Eliria touched her lips, thinking for a few seconds. Then, stunned, she said:
"So… if you started at an effective level of sixty-seven, and now you've added sixty-six more… that makes your actual level one hundred thirty-three?"
"Exactly," Alex confirmed briefly.
Eliria fell silent for a moment. Her gaze grew focused, almost tense. Then she said:
"If you ever reach level one hundred… your true level would be one sixty-seven. That…" she swallowed, "that would automatically make you the strongest person on the entire continent. Though honestly, you already are—the rest is just a matter of time."
Alex didn't answer. He just sighed quietly.
"Why do you need such power?" she whispered, as if afraid to disturb something sacred.
"It's better if you don't know," Alex replied gently but firmly. "And I ask you not to push. It's… for your own good. Someday, I'll tell you everything. But not now."
Eliria was silent for a few seconds, just looking at him. Then she nodded and said in her usual tone:
"Alright. Thanks for at least answering those two questions. That's enough for now. There's already so much to take in… I need time to process it."
"I appreciate your understanding," Alex said softly.
Eliria stepped closer to him and, unexpectedly, leaned into him, resting her face against his chest.
"I don't know what happened to you," she said quietly. "But whatever it is… please remember, you can count on me. I won't ask you awkward questions anymore. But I'll always be here. So just promise me you'll remember that."
Alex wrapped his arms around her and whispered:
"I promise."
"And one more thing," she added, pressing herself even closer to him. "Promise me that you'll always be careful. And that you'll come back from the dungeons in one piece. Without serious injuries."
"You mean without a scratch?" he asked with a smile. "Can you imagine how hard that's going to be?"
"Promise me," she repeated sternly, giving him no room to wriggle out of it.
Alex simply exhaled heavily, giving in.
"Alright. I promise."
Another promise flashed through his mind. "I've said words like that before. But back then, I couldn't keep them. This time—it will be different. This time, I can protect us both."
A moment later, Eliria slowly stepped back from Alex and looked him in the eyes with a gentle smile.
"I should head home," she said quietly. "You know—your party's starting soon, and I still need to get ready."
Alex nodded, not hiding his warm smile.
"Will you be alright here with Mireya?" she asked, nodding toward the bedroom.
"Don't worry," he replied, "I'll manage. I'll try to behave like the model brother."
Eliria laughed and, already halfway to the door, joked:
"When I get back, I'll definitely check if the brother was well-behaved while his sister was away."
Alex just shook his head in mock despair.
"If you're leaving," he said, "you'd better go downstairs and say goodbye to everyone. Otherwise, they'll definitely take it personally."
Eliria puffed out her cheeks, crossing her arms theatrically.
"I wasn't going to sneak out without saying goodbye!" she exclaimed with mock indignation.
That made Alex burst into genuine laughter. His laugh, warm and full of life, instantly lifted the mood. Smiling, they left the balcony together and descended the stairs to the first floor, heading for the kitchen.
Alex and Eliria stood on the manor's porch, wrapped in the tender light of the afternoon sun. A warm breeze played with the strands of her hair, and her eyes already held a note of farewell.
"It's time," she said softly, lowering her gaze for a moment.
"And how exactly are you planning to get home?" Alex asked, raising an eyebrow.
"The same way I came," she replied with a smile.
Alex just shook his head.
"Too long."
He paused, calculating something in his mind, and then asked unexpectedly:
"Tell me, is your home far from the Royal Palace of Aeralis?"
Eliria blinked in surprise.
"No… it's very close. But what does that have to do with—?"
Alex said nothing—just smiled mysteriously. And in the next moment, a dark magical circle flared beneath them. A heartbeat later, they vanished from the manor's porch.
When Eliria opened her eyes, the familiar yard was gone. They stood in a shaded alleyway, somewhere in the very heart of Aeralis—the Kingdom of Spirits. Warm light embraced the city, the air smelled of jasmine, and voices echoed in the distance.
"How…?" she whispered. "How did you do that?"
Alex looked around, inhaled deeply, and answered with a light smile:
"A long time ago, I visited Aeralis… and for some reason, this alley stuck in my memory more than anything else."
Then he turned his gaze to her.
"As for the teleportation…" He paused, eyes narrowing playfully. "You do remember what level I am, right?"
Eliria simply nodded silently.
"There's your answer," said Alex, spreading his arms. "But don't worry—I've still got enough mana. Enough to get back. And most importantly—I won't even faint."
Eliria smiled with relief.
"Glad to hear it. Well, I should go. Thank you, Alex. For these days. For everything."
"And thank you," he said sincerely. "I'll be waiting for you. Very soon."
She smiled warmly, turned, and lightly ran deeper into the alley, disappearing among the stone buildings.
Alex watched her go—long and quietly. And when her silhouette vanished around the bend, he conjured another magical circle beneath his feet and disappeared—returning home.
The room was wrapped in cozy darkness, pierced only by the gentle rays of moonlight slipping through heavy curtains. Everything in the room spoke of its owner's refined taste—from the deep maroon silk drapes to the soft carpet by the bed. Sturdy wooden bookcases lined the walls, filled to the brim with books, and by the far wall stood a large desk still cluttered with open volumes, bookmarked and scribbled with notes.
But among all this richness, on a spacious bed, in the embrace of a stuffed teddy bear, lay the girl who had spent recent months fearlessly descending into dungeon depths… and who now couldn't make sense of what was happening in her own heart.
Eliria kept tossing and turning, clutching the teddy bear's paw and murmuring to herself—sometimes irritably, sometimes nervously.
"What is happening to me…"
"Is something troubling you?" came the familiar gentle voice of the Sirena in her mind.
"I…" Eliria froze. "I don't know how to describe it. Inside… it's such a strange feeling. Like butterflies. I can't stop thinking about him…" She closed her eyes. "About that moment… when he held me in his arms…"
The image in her mind flared anew, and Eliria, as if scorched, buried her face in the pillow and began rolling around on the bed.
"I'm so embarrassed…" she groaned. "I could barely stop myself from jumping ten feet away from him. All so he wouldn't see my face… My insane, confused face!"
"You did well," the Sirena said gently. "You stayed, even though it was difficult. Now tell me… what else did you feel in that moment?"
Eliria fell silent again. The warm, quiet memory returned—her head resting against his chest.
"I felt… safe. Good. Calm," she whispered. "I was anxious, very… but at the same time… I wanted that moment to last longer. I wanted to feel his warmth… hear the beat of his heart… and…"
She blushed again and buried herself under the blanket.
"What am I even saying? He probably thinks I'm strange…"
"Think of just one moment," the Sirena interrupted softly, "when he was harsh with you. When he insulted you, dismissed you, or pushed you away."
"No," the girl whispered. "Never. Alex… he's always been kind. Gentle. He was the first to see me as an equal. The first who didn't think I was weak or a coward."
"And he entrusted his secrets to you," the Sirena said softly. "Think about that. Isn't that a sign of just how important you are to him?"
"What are you getting at?" Eliria asked cautiously.
"You already know. You just haven't dared to say it out loud until now."
Eliria blushed again. She bit her lip, and then, as if summoning all her courage, suddenly exclaimed:
"Fine! I… I'm in love with him!"
Silence fell over the room, until the joyful voice of the Sirena echoed once more in her mind:
"Well, finally! I'm so happy you were able to admit it. To yourself, first and foremost. That will make everything easier from now on."
"It's just…" Eliria took a deep breath. "I understand that right now, there are far more important things in his life. But I… I'll always be there. I'll always support him. And when he's finished everything he's set out to do—I'll tell him. Everything."
"I'll be rooting for you," the Sirena said sincerely. "But for now, you need to rest. Tomorrow will be a long day."
"A long day?" the girl asked in surprise.
"You agreed to go with the raid group to pick out a gift for Alex, remember? And in the evening—dress shopping with your mother."
"I completely forgot…"
She hugged the teddy bear tighter to her chest, closed her eyes, and whispered:
"Sweet dreams, Sirena."
"And to you, my Lady."
And the room was wrapped in a pleasant silence.