The room was stark and cold, its walls a seamless white reflecting the harsh overhead lights. The air carried a sterile, metallic tang — a blend of steel and faint traces of enchantment.
In one corner stood a simple wooden desk and a single chair. Resting on the desk was a black book, its cover etched with intricate golden patterns that shimmered faintly under the light. Beside it lay a sleek black pen, positioned as if waiting for someone to write.
At the center of the room stood three long, metallic tables — their shape reminiscent of dissection slabs.
On one of them lay a girl, naked. She was tall, her body lean and athletic, with long silver-white hair cascading over the table like a sheet of moonlight. Her stillness was uncanny, almost doll-like.
Then — her fingers twitched. Her sharp reddish-brown eyes fluttered open, unfocused at first, then narrowing slightly as if adjusting to the sterile brightness. Slowly, she turned her head to the side, staring silently at the blank white wall. Her expression remained void of emotion.
Without warning, she shifted her weight and slid off the table, landing on the cold floor with a muted thud. She didn't flinch.
A low creak echoed through the room. Fine cracks appeared on the far wall. Yellow magical particles seeped through the fractures like glowing dust. The cracks widened, swirling into a perfect circle.
A portal opened — radiant, humming softly with arcane energy.
From it stepped a man.
Vhalzareth.
His boots clicked against the floor as he walked toward the girl, stopping a few paces away. His gaze was sharp, assessing, but tinged with intrigue.
"Interesting…" he murmured, a faint smile curving his lips. "You've awakened your own ego… your consciousness… your mind." His tone carried both surprise and fascination.
The girl lay on the floor, face blank. Her lips moved — first silent, trembling with effort, then haltingly forming sound:
"A… Are… Y… you… my creator?"
It was the first time she had ever used her voice — fragile, trembling, yet curious.
Vhalzareth's eyes widened slightly. He had not expected her to speak this soon.
"No," he said calmly. "I am not your creator. My lord — our lord — created you."
He bent down, lifting her carefully, and set her back onto the table. She did not resist. Her head turned slowly toward him, eyes locking on his face.
"W… who… w… what… am… I?" Her words were broken, sincere.
Vhalzareth lowered his gaze, folding his hands behind his back.
"You do not possess a name yet," he said steadily. "You are a Serivan — a species Lord Haruto created. The purpose of the Serivans is to serve him… and his nation."
His voice carried a subtle reverence when speaking Haruto's name.
"Since you are the first to awaken of the three…" he continued, turning to the other tables.
On the second table lay another girl — silver-haired as well, her locks cascading past her waist. Her build was slender yet curvy, resting in perfect stillness. She stood approximately 180 cm tall.
On the last table rested a third girl, equally striking. Her long silver-white hair was neatly parted, framing a refined, elegant face. Her figure was sculpted — an hourglass silhouette, slim waist, long pale legs, and flawless skin.
Vhalzareth turned back to the first.
"You will be the third-born Serivan of your entire species," he said, calm and authoritative.
He walked across the room and sat in the chair beside the desk, angling himself to keep all three girls in view.
(I cannot use a sleep spell on her… I must not tamper with my lord's creation. I suppose I will stay here and keep watch.)
He leaned back, letting out a quiet breath. Then something caught his eye.
The black book on the desk.
Vhalzareth turned his head toward it, faint surprise crossing his expression.
"What's this…" he muttered under his breath.
---
Somewhere Else
The room was quiet except for the faint crackle of the hearth in the corner. Warm light spilled across the polished stone floor, catching the faint shimmer of Ronóva's silver hair.
Haruto sat calmly on the couch — until Ronóva slid onto his lap, facing him directly. Her flushed cheeks glowed like rose petals against porcelain skin. Her breathing was shallow, eyes locked on his with an intensity that made the air between them feel heavier.
"Do you love me… as I love you?" she asked softly, her voice trembling with a mix of boldness and vulnerability.
For a rare moment, Haruto's chest tightened. Ronóva…
"Ronóva… I love you," he said quietly, his gaze steady.
Before he could say another word, Ronóva suddenly pushed him down onto the couch, straddling him.
(Huh?! I'm usually the one on top…) His calm composure flickered into mild surprise.
Her cheeks were fully red. Her breath grew heavier, each exhale brushing against his skin.
"So… are we officially dating?" she asked, smiling brightly, eyes sparkling like a girl who had just heard the words she longed for.
Haruto gave a small smile. "Yeah… we are."
He pushed himself upright smoothly. Ronóva let out a tiny gasp, instinctively wrapping her arms around his neck. His hands slid to her narrow waist, brushing against the smooth fabric of her dress. A soft, involuntary moan escaped her lips.
"You know," Haruto said lightly, "you've got a very curvy body."
"Huhhh~? So you like curvy women? What's your type then?" she asked playfully, tone dripping with flirtation.
Haruto opened his mouth to answer. "My type of woman is…"
But before he could finish, a single image surfaced in his mind: Velmaria.
His expression shifted — surprise, then quiet sadness.
(Yeah… my heart is saying Velmaria is the woman I love. Ronóva… she's similar to her. Is that why I fell for her too?)
Ronóva noticed immediately. Her smile faltered, worry clouding her features.
"What's wrong, Haruto?" she asked softly.
He forced a gentle smile to reassure her. "It's nothing… just someone who suddenly came to mind."
She tilted her head, confused. "Who?"
Haruto inhaled slowly. "I don't know how you'll feel about this… but keeping it a secret would only complicate things later. I think… I still have feelings for my former lover."
Ronóva froze. Shock and hurt flickered in her eyes.
"What…?" she whispered, voice cracking.
Haruto pulled her into a tight embrace. "You don't need to look like that. We're not together anymore… and we'll probably never see each other again. I love you, Ronóva. My emotions are just… mixed."
Before he could say more, Ronóva suddenly kissed him. Her lips crashed against his with desperate intensity, her tongue intertwining with his in a heated dance.
She broke the kiss, eyes burning with possessive resolve. "I'll make you forget about her," she whispered — calm, but carrying a dangerous edge.
She kissed him again, pushing him back onto the couch. Her hands slid down, moving toward his pants — but Haruto gently caught her wrist.
Blinking, confused: "What's wrong? Did I do something wrong?"
Haruto chuckled softly and tugged her cheek with a smile. "No. We can't do this now. It's not the right time."
"HUH?!" Ronóva gasped, remembering the others outside. She slid off him, flustered. Haruto stood, straightening his clothes with practiced composure.
"We can continue tonight," he said calmly.
She stood as well, hand on her hip with a flirty grin. "Yeah, but are you sure? I've got infinite stamina… hope you can keep up."
Haruto's face flushed slightly — a rare sight.
"Owwww~ first time seeing you blush," she teased.
"Huh." He glanced away, slightly embarrassed.
She softened, her usual playful grin giving way to a gentle smile. "It's good to see that… but one day, I want to see you laugh too."
(Laugh… huh.)
---
The The Elarindel Forest lay shrouded in darkness beneath towering trees. Hoshika stepped soundlessly through the shadows, her long coat concealing her figure. A wide-brimmed hat cast her face in darkness.
Beside her walked a girl with short yellow hair, long lashes, and sharp black eyes — Ellen.
"So… what exactly are we doing in The Elarindel Forest?" Ellen asked, tilting her head slightly.
Hoshika glanced at her calmly. "Just stay quiet, Ellen."
The forest grew denser. Up ahead, torchlight flickered. Through the trees, they saw orcish workers — tall, muscular, green-skinned, humanlike — shaping a road.
"Who are you?" a voice barked from the right.
Both turned to see a lean, muscular orc with black hair watching them.
Ellen stepped forward, smiling. "We're looking for the city — got lost in the forest," she said nervously, scratching her head.
The orc narrowed his eyes, raising an arm slightly. Veins rippled along Ellen's forearm.
"Just walk along the road," he grunted, pointing. "You'll find what you're looking for."
Ellen relaxed, veins fading. She bowed politely. "Thank you, great sir."
They continued down the road. The orc watched, wary, before returning to work.
---
The trees parted, revealing a sprawling city climbing a gentle hill. Streets were lined with ornate, colorful buildings. At the summit, a majestic castle gleamed. The air carried the scent of baked bread, distant spice, and horse sweat; the faint hum of voices filled the streets.
Ellen's eyes lit up with unrestrained wonder.
"Wow! This place looks amazing, Lady Hoshika!"
Hoshika's normally neutral expression softened slightly, her eyes reflecting mild surprise.
"Yeah…" she murmured. (It looks like a modern city from Earth. If that's true… Haruto isn't from this world. He may be my brother, but… did he die?)
"Hey!" a sharp voice called from behind.
Ellen tensed immediately; both she and Hoshika turned.
Standing there was Fuyume, her eyes hard as steel.
"What are you doing here, Demon Lord of Ruin — Hoshika?" she said coldly.
Ellen instinctively stepped in front of Hoshika, body taut.
Hoshika's eyes narrowed slightly. She hadn't expected to see Fuyume here.
"Just passing through," she said calmly.
"Bullshit," Fuyume snapped.
"Anyway, what are you doing in the Physical Layer, Kyoketsu? You're supposed to be in the Spiritual Layer," Hoshika said, her tone sharpening.
"Don't call me Kyoketsu. It's Fuyume — the name granted by my Lord. And I don't need your permission to be here," Fuyume bit back.
Ellen's eyes widened.
"You got named? Who in their right mind would name a Celestial Fox?"
Fuyume's eyes flashed. Dark clouds gathered overhead, casting the city into sudden gloom. The air crackled with her rising anger.
"I take that as an insult to my Lord. I won't allow anyone to disrespect Great Lord Haruto in front of me," she said, her voice rising.
Rain began to fall. People in the streets looked up in confusion, rushing for shelter. Then — everything froze. Time itself stopped, droplets suspended midair, citizens frozen in place.
Ellen stepped forward, tense.
"You want to fight now?" she asked.
Hoshika smiled faintly and clapped her hands. The sound cracked like breaking glass. Time lurched violently, unraveling Fuyume's temporal freeze instantly.
"Let's calm down. We didn't come here to fight. If my presence is a threat, I'll leave," Hoshika said evenly.
"You'd better," Fuyume warned.
Time flowed again. Rain fell, people moved, oblivious to the moment that had just passed.
Before leaving, Hoshika tilted her head.
"Before I go, tell me the full name of your Lord."
Fuyume frowned slightly.
"It's Haruto Satoru."
Hoshika's eyes widened in restrained shock. (I knew it. But why… why the hell is he here?)
She placed a hand on Ellen's shoulder. Ellen glanced up, confused.
"Let's go," Hoshika said.
In an instant, they vanished — reappearing in a dark, cavernous throne room. Hoshika strode toward a massive throne. Beside it stood a blue-haired butler, his black eyes emotionless.
He knelt, hand to chest.
"I'm glad you returned safely, my lady," he said respectfully.
Hoshika's coat burst into flames, dissolving as her true form emerged — horns curling from her head. She seated herself on the throne, crossing her legs with calm authority.
"Yeah," she replied coolly.
"Interesting things happened on your journey, my lady?" the butler asked, curiosity tinting his voice.
"You can ask Ellen," Hoshika said dismissively, giving him no further attention.
The butler turned to Ellen, who merely shrugged.
(It's my brother… no doubt. When I died and was reincarnated as a demon, I avoided my siblings to keep them safe. But now… I can see my little brother again.) Hoshika thought, her eyes narrowing