Aeon stood alone before the grand gates of the academy's main building, his figure half-bathed in moonlight. Slowly, he walked to the fountain and sat on a bench, the sound of trickling water mixing with the hush of falling snow. With a sigh, he slipped off his blazer and loosened two buttons of his shirt.
Snow began to fall once more—tiny silver pearls drifting from the heavens, melting as they kissed his cheeks. He tilted his head back, watching the half-hidden moon behind drifting clouds, the snowfall slow and soft like a lullaby.
"Phew… three years," he murmured. "Three whole years have passed since I came to this world. It feels like nothing more than a gust of wind. In that time, I've done so much—saved those destined to die, guided those meant to walk the path of destruction, freed countless souls from chains of slavery. But above all… I can't stop thinking: who is it that allows me to travel across these worlds? What kind of being would give a boy like me such power?"
His gaze lingered on the sky, his voice low, almost reverent.
"I've searched everywhere for answers, yet I found nothing. I don't know who you are… or what you are. But still—I'd like to thank you. Thank you for filling my once-empty life with joy, laughter, and emotions I never thought I'd feel. I know you're watching me now as well. So… I'll wait. Someday, I'll meet you and demand all the answers."
Just then, a voice broke his solitude. "Oye, Kayle! What are you doing out there?" Silvia shouted from the main building.
Aeon blinked and turned. Silvia stood there, and beside her was Sara. The two of them began walking toward him, their silhouettes framed by moonlight and snowfall. Even from afar, it was obvious they were bickering with each other again.
"Look at them, still arguing like children over a toy," he thought. "Who would believe they are adults and, on top of that, Seventh and Sixth Circle Mages? The one thing I hate about my gift is the thought of leaving all these precious bonds behind. Leaving my loved ones and the cherished memories we've made."
He looked up at the sky again. "Hey, you, are you listening? This is the one thing I don't like about you. You let me travel all these worlds but won't let me stay with the people I love. Someday, I'll get an answer from you someday." He said.
"Maybe I should tease them," he thought, a mischievous grin spreading across his face.
Silvia and Sara reached him. Kayle was sitting on the bench, smiling at them.
"Geez, aren't you cold?" Silvia said, a concerned frown on her face. "You're not even wearing your blazer in this snowfall. What if you get a fever?"
"I think the cold has gotten to your head," Sara added. "Why are you smiling so much? It's not like you to be so silent and have a serious face as if you have to save the world."
But Kayle didn't reply. He just kept smiling at them.
"I think he's lost it," Sara said, nudging Silvia. "We need to take him to the infirmary. He's not acting like his usual self."
"I think the same," Silvia agreed. "He fought against five-star risk rating monsters, and it hasn't been long since he recovered. There must be some lingering effects on his mind."
"Hahahaha," Kayle laughed, a full-throated, genuine sound.
"Quickly, call the nurse or the professors!" Silvia said, a hint of panic in her voice. "Kayle has lost his mind!"
"Don't worry, I'm not mentally ill," Kayle said, finally. "I'm just happy because I'm in the presence of two of the Six Flowers of the Empire."
"He's sick," Silvia insisted. "Super sick. We need to get him to the infirmary."
"No need, Silvia, I'm all good," Kayle said. "And did you guys like the necklaces?"
"Oh, that's right! We came to ask you about the necklaces!" Silvia said, the thought of his health momentarily forgotten. "Even though we live in Alofis, I've never seen anything like them in the entire capital, or even the empire! Tell us, where did you get them?"
"Yeah, Kayle, tell me where you got your hands on something so valuable," Sara said. "As the other girls said, not even the Empress has anything like this in her collection. Not even my mother has anything like this. The capital is known for its precious stones, marbles, gems and diamonds but I can honestly say you can't find diamonds like these in all of Alofis. They even reflect the moonlight! I haven't seen a diamond that can do that."
Kayle took a deep breath. "Okay, I'll tell you about it. You know that I made a deal with a forgotten god and summoned a goddess, right? When I completed the task she gave me, she gave me the divine potions along with these necklaces."
"What? You're saying the goddess gave you these necklaces? But they weren't part of the deal," Silvia said, surprised.
"She said that in a thousand years, I was the first man to summon her and complete her task to save someone I loved," Kayle explained. "So she gave me these necklaces for my bravery."
"But why two necklaces?" Sara asked.
"She said I might be needing two necklaces," Kayle replied, a subtle hint of teasing in his voice.
Both girls blushed, their faces turning a light pink.
"It's unbelievable, but if it's you, Kayle, I can believe it," Sara said. "I'll always keep it and never lose it."
"Yeah, so both of you have to take care of those necklaces and always wear them. Don't skip a single day," Kayle said, his voice serious.
"You don't need to tell me that," Silvia said. "I've been wearing the ring you gave me every day, so it's only natural for me to wear the necklace as well."
"I've also been wearing the bracelet you gave me," Sara added. "Now this necklace... both of these things are the best gifts I've ever had in my life, so I'll wear them always."
"Now, put your blazer on," Silvia said. "It's getting colder out here."
"It's time," Kayle thought, a fox-like smile spreading across his face..
He grabbed both Silvia and Sara's hands, pulled them towards him, and hugged them tightly, burying his face between their bellies.
"Now it's warm, isn't it?" Kayle said, his breath tickling them.
Both Silvia and Sara blushed heavily, their faces turning a fiery red.
"K-K-Kayle! What are you doing, you shameless man!" Silvia stammered, blushing furiously. "Sara, why aren't you saying anything?!"
Silvia looked at Sara, but to her surprise, Sara was just blushing heavily however was also patting Kayle's head like a caring lover, as if she had been waiting for this moment.
"Why am I behaving like this? Kayle and I have already kissed each other, and we've known each other since childhood. There's nothing to be shy about," Silvia thought. She also placed her hand on his head and began to gently pat him.
The scene, a beautiful and romantic one, unfolded at the grand fountain of Venessa Academy in the falling snow. The three friends, or perhaps lovers, were in a moment of pure bliss.
After a few minutes, "Kayle, your breath tickles," Sara said softly, a quiet laugh escaping her.
"You're seriously acting out of character today, Kayle. What happened to you?" Silvia said.
Kayle looked at them, his face still nestled in their embrace. "Who knows? Maybe I'm really ill." Then he stood up, his voice a soft whisper in their ears. "Ill with of so much love."
Silvia and Sara turned into living red cherries, their faces burning with a cute shyness.
Kayle looked at them, his heart swelling with affection. "I promise to save these happy faces. Silvia, Sara, I'll protect this world and your smiles." He thought
Then...
KISS! KISS!
Unexpectedly, he kissed both Silvia and Sara on the cheek. Both girls were surprised, their eyes wide open, their faces a mix of shock and confusion. They placed their hands on their cheeks where he had kissed them.
"Shit. I went with the flow and mood and lost control," Aeon thought, a wave of panic washing over him. "What have I done?!"
"James! Nana! What are you guys doing here?" Kayle said, trying to divert their attention.
Silvia and Sara quickly looked behind them, but no one was there. When they turned back, Kayle was gone.
"Kayle! Stop right there!" Silvia shouted.
"You can't run away like this!" Sara yelled.
But he didn't stop. So Silvia used her telekinesis to levitate him in the air.
"You're forgetting that I'm a Seventh Circle Mage, Kayle! You can't run away from my grip!" Silvia said, a triumphant smile on her face.
"Oh, I wasn't running away," Kayle said, levitating in the air. "It's just that it's getting late, and we should head back to our dorms. And you're using my created spell on me?"
Silvia and Sara looked at Kayle, then at each other, and smiled.
– – –
Later, inside Aeon's personal dorm.
He lay on his bed, staring at the ceiling."God, it was a very unexpected night," he thought. "I didn't expect to meet Ines and learn about her condition. I had a different plan to help her, but everything turned out well with her coming to me directly. It saved me a huge headache. Maybe I should thank sara, latty and nana. Now, I need to focus on lifting her curse and revealing the truth. The one who cursed her is very close to her family and is a well-known figure. I'll need to focus on this."
"But more than anything, how did I get caught in this situation again?" he thought, a sense of resignation washing over him.
"Why are you both here?" Kayle asked.
"Didn't you say we should head to dorm because it was getting late?" Silvia said.
"Yeah, but why are you guys in my room instead of your own? What if my maid catches us?" Kayle said, his voice a concerned whisper.
"You don't need to worry about that," Sara said. "Nothing will happen unless you talk so loudly."
"But still, it's not appropriate for us to sleep together," Kayle said.
"And kissing us without our permission is appropriate?" Sara retorted, a playful smirk on her face.
Kayle, having no answer to that, shut his mouth.
"Just sleep, Kayle. It's getting cold, and it's not our first time sleeping together," Silvia said, clinging to him.
Aeon closed his eyes, and they all slept together, a quiet calm settling over the room.
– – –
The Next Morning
January 1, 1625, of the Creation Calendar
The new year dawned under a heavy blanket of grey clouds. The capital was bathed in a fresh snowfall, the air crisp and cold. People huddled around crackling fires, their breath misting before them.
Venessa Academy wore the winter like a second skin—roofs, courtyards, gardens, the library, the research wings, every path and dormitory rimed in white.
Inside Kayle's dorm, the morning scene unfolded once more. Silvia was asleep on the bed, wrapped in a cocoon of blankets. A hand snaked around her, pulling her into a tight hug. Still half-asleep, Silvia smiled and hugged back, pressing her face closer and rubbing her hands against what she assumed was Kayle's chest, feeling a soft sensation.
"Kayle," she mumbled, her eyes still closed, "when did your muscles get so soft?"
At the same time, another hand began rubbing her back and shoulders.
"Yeah, Kayle," a second voice purred. "You've seriously become soft as silk. What happened to your hard muscles?"
"Wait... that voice came from right beside my ear," Silvia thought.
"That's Silvia's voice!" Sara thought simultaneously.
Their eyes snapped open. They were hugging each other. Shock gave way to horror.
"Ahhhhhh!" they screamed in unison, shoving each other away.
"Geez, I knew you were that type of girl!" Silvia exclaimed, clutching the blanket to her chest.
"I should be saying that!" Sara shot back. "Who was the one rubbing my back?"
"I didn't know it was you! I thought you were Kayle!" Silvia shouted.
"Speaking of which," Sara growled, scanning the room, "where is that bastard?"
The bathroom door opened, and Kayle stepped out. He had just taken a bath, and his upper body was bare, covered in glistening water droplets. He wore only a pair of joggers, revealing a physique that was like a masterpiece carved from stone by a master craftsman. He was a vision of lean, powerful muscle—a sculpted chest, defined wings, and sharp eight-pack abs. Water traced paths from his sharp jawline, down his neck, and over the planes of his chest and eight pack abs.
Silvia and Sara froze, their hands flying to their mouths, eyes wide with shock, their faces turning a deep crimson.
"Oh, you're both awake," Kayle said casually. "Go take a bath; the water is still hot."
But they didn't answer.
He moved closer, a frown of concern on his face. "What happened? Why aren't you guys saying anything?" He placed a hand on each of their foreheads. "You don't have a fever. Are you guys sick? Should I take you to the infirmary?"
"This is Kayle's body," Sara thought, her mind a whirlwind. "The one I've always wanted to see. I was sleeping all night on his big chest and hugging these fabulous abs. I don't think anyone can beat him in looks."
"Kayle and I have been together for years, but I never noticed he was this muscular," Silvia's thoughts raced. "He used to be a fragile kid, small and with no build. When did he turn into this? His sharp jawline, neck, chest, his arms, his biceps and triceps... they're all attracting me toward him."
A few drops of water trickled down his chest. Without thinking, both girls reached out and placed their hands on his chest and abs. Kayle looked down at their hands, confused by their strange behavior. The touch snapped them out of their daze.
"I really should take both of you to infirmary." Kayle said.
Realizing what they had done, they looked at each other, nodded, and then shoved him away.
"You pervert!" they shouted in unison.
"Kayle, where are your manners?!" Silvia accused, still blushing furiously. "Coming out of the bathroom half-naked in front of two girls! Have you no shame?"
"So disappointing," Sara added, hiding her red face behind her hair. "I never expected you to come into a room with ladies present like this."
Kayle was utterly bewildered. "Hey! I'm wearing joggers, and this is my dorm room! You two are the ones who barged in last night. I should be the one complaining!"
"Still! When you know two girls are sleeping in your room, you should be more considerate!" Silvia insisted, expertly shifting all the blame onto him. "Hmph. You're a pervert."
"A total pervert," Sara agreed.
Kayle slammed his palm against his forehead in exasperation, an action that caused his bicep to flex impressively. Both girls' eyes immediately locked onto it. They gulped.
They stood up and approached him, their demeanor changing completely. "Now, now," Silvia said, her tone suddenly threateningly sweet, "for the sake of this precious necklace, I'll forgive you. But you are not allowed to show your body to anyone else. Understand?"
"Keep that in mind," Sara added, her voice a low warning. "You are absolutely forbidden from showing your body to anyone, especially other girls. Got it?"
A long sigh left his lips. "Okay, okay. Are you happy now?"
"Good boy," Silvia said, patting his cheek.
"You should always be this obedient," Sara added.
Then,
KISS. KISS.
Both of them quickly kissed him on each cheek.
"That's for last night," they said, their faces blushing again. "Now get out!" they shouted, shoving him out of his own room.
– – –
Outside the dorms the academy moved with slow holiday pace. Fourth years were away on assignment; those who had returned had been granted a break for the new year. Kayle changed into casual clothes and made his way toward the headmaster's wing.
KNOCK KNOCK.
"Come in," a voice called from inside.
Kayle entered the office to find Headmaster Elizabeth, Vice Headmaster Ires, and Professors Olivia, Lucy, Orlando, and Mark all present.
"Good morning, Headmaster, Professors," Kayle said politely.
"Good morning, Kayle. Come, have a seat," Elizabeth gestured.
He sat on the sofa next to Professor Lucy.
"Wow, my boy, looking sharp in that coat," Olivia commented.
"Thank you, Professor." Kayle said smilingly.
"Where are Silvia and Sara?" Mark asked.
"They're on their way." He replied.
"So, how was the party last night?" Orlando chimed in. "I heard you stole the spotlight once again, making all the other boys jealous."
"It wasn't like that, Professor." Kayle said.
"Stop teasing him, Orlando," Lucy chided.
"No, I heard you proposed to both Silvia and Sara last night by gifting them precious necklaces," Vice Headmaster Ires teased, a wide grin on his face.
Lucy's eyes narrowed as she glared at Kayle.
"No, no, please don't jump to conclusions!" Kayle explained frantically. "They were just gifts! I had no ulterior motives!" Desperate to change the subject, he asked, "But where were all of you last night? No one from the faculty was at the party."
"That," Elizabeth said, her tone becoming serious, "is what we wanted to talk to you about." She leaned forward. "Kayle, I was told you made a deal with a forgotten god to save Silvia's life, and that you learned of this method from a book in the restricted section of the library. Is that correct?"
"Yes, Headmaster," Kayle replied.
"Last night, all the professors, including myself, were searching the entire library to find that book," she said.
"So, did you find it?" Kayle asked.
"Yes," she said, and showed him a very old book, its cover and pages soft and yellowed. "That is the book in which you read about the forgotten gods."
"That's the book," Kayle confirmed.
"I read it myself," Elizabeth said. "Kayle, you don't realize the significance of what you've rediscovered. This is a record of ancient history that has been lost to the world. I didn't even know such a text was kept in our archives. We are very thankful to you."
I read it myself," Elizabeth said. "Kayle, you don't realize the significance of what you've rediscovered. This is a record of ancient history that has been lost to the world. I didn't even know such a text was kept in our archives. We are very thankful to you."
"Please, don't thank me. I had no idea if what I read was truth or myth. But for Silvia's sake, I had to try." He said.
"I know. Olivia and Lucy reported everything. The method you used was extreme, something I would never recommend to anyone. However, because of your actions, you saved Silvia's life. And for that, I am grateful. We did not lose the youngest seventh-circle mage in history, nor a talented student like her."
"I would have done the same for any of my friends," Kayle said, his voice sincere. "This academy and the people in it are my family."
His words touched everyone in the room.
"Now," Kayle said, his own tone turning serious, "who was the culprit behind this incident? Who changed our assignment's destination?"
"You have a right to know," Elizabeth affirmed. "It was Professor Morry. Orlando and Mark have already apprehended him. During his interrogation, he confessed that he was ordered by Marquis Bonny. As you know, the Marquis is already imprisoned for corruption and illegal slave dealing. We asked Crown Prince Ash to interrogate him to find out who was truly behind it all." Elizabeth explained.
"And what did you find?" Kayle asked, his gaze intense.
"Nothing," Elizabeth said grimly. "When Ash went to the prison, the Marquis had already committed suicide. He bit off his own tongue and bled to death."
"I knew it," Aeon thought, a cold fury rising within him. "Alexander, you never leave evidence behind. You had someone silence him before he could spill your name. Fine. It's better this way. I want to be the one to end your life with my own hands for what you did to Silvia."
"We're sorry, Kayle," Elizabeth said, her voice full of regret. "First, it was two years ago when you were attacked, and this time as well. But we couldn't do anything for our students. I sincerely apologize to you for our lack of security and protection."
The other professors murmured their own apologies.
"It's not your fault, Headmaster, Professors," Kayle said. "You cannot know what darkness is hidden in a person's heart. You don't need to apologize."
Olivia hugged him from behind. "Oh, this boy always sways my heart with his words..."
"Olivia, behave! You're in the presence of the Headmaster!" Orlando scolded.
"No, Kayle," Elizabeth insisted. "This time, you cannot let it go so easily. Tell me if there is anything you wish for. I will grant it."
"Can I think about it?" He asked.
Take your time, then give me your reply," Elizabeth said.
KNOCK KNOCK.
"Come in," Elizabeth said.
The door opened, and Silvia and Sara entered.
"We apologize for the delay, Headmaster," they said.
"Don't worry, come have a seat," Elizabeth said.
They settled on the sofas.
"Silvia, Sara, I heard Kayle gave you gifts last night," Ires said, a teasing smile on her face.
"You mean these, Professor?" Silvia said, a blush on her cheeks.
They pulled out the necklaces from their collar and clothes. The necklaces shone brightly, and a shimmer of red and dark violet reflected in the room. Everyone was captivated by the sight.
"Wow, what are these beautiful, bright reflections?" Ires said in awe.
"Are those the necklaces Kayle gave you, girls?" Olivia asked.
"Let me see," Lucy said, moving closer.
Everyone gathered around Silvia and Sara.
"My goodness, they're beautiful," Ires said. "I've never seen anything like them in my life. They must be very precious."
Elizabeth stood and went to them. "Can I also take a look?"
"Of course, Headmaster," they replied.
She touched the surface of the necklaces. "Hmm, I have never seen diamonds like these. In the entire continent, you can't find something this beautiful. Kayle, where did you find them?"
Silvia and Sara looked at Kayle, waiting for him to speak.
"Let me tell you," Kayle said.
After a few minutes, Kayle explained everything. The room was filled with amazement at his achievement.
"It's unbelievable," Ires teased. "A goddess gave you these precious blessings! You, my lord, even she knew that you would need two necklaces!"
"What a lucky boy!" Mark said. "Should we call it a divine blessing for the trio?"
"I've never seen someone as lucky as you, my boy," Orlando teased. "The proposal gifts from the goddess herself! You're truly something else."
"I think we should call it a match made by a goddess," Lucy said, a wide smile on her face.
Silvia and Sara's faces burned with a deep blush.
"Please, professors, don't be like that," Kayle said. "They're just gifts."
"Gifts given by a goddess for your two women," Olivia said with a wink.
"Okay, everyone, don't tease the kids," Elizabeth said. "Silvia and Sara, I'll tell you why we summoned you here."
After a while, she finished her explanation.
"So, Silvia and Sara, just as I said to Kayle, if you guys wish for anything, just tell me."
Both girls considered what to ask.
"Headmaster, I'll tell you later. Right now, I don't have anything in mind," Silvia said.
"Same for me, Headmaster," Sara added.
"So this concludes the meeting," Elizabeth said. "Now, everyone, please go back to your work."
All the professors left the room, leaving only Kayle, Silvia, and Sara behind.
"Let's go, Kayle," Silvia said.
"You guys go. I want to discuss something with the Headmaster," Kayle said.
"Okay," they said and left the room.
"Kayle, what do you want to discuss with me?" Elizabeth asked.
"Headmaster, you must be aware of Ines's condition," Kayle said.
"How do you know about it?" Elizabeth asked, surprised.
"She met me last night and showed me what's happening to her," he said.
"Yeah. We tried to find out about it, but our investigation didn't give us anything," she said.
"Headmaster, what do you think that is on her back?" Kayle asked.
"If you ask me, it looks like a curse of some kind, but I don't know the type. Professor Galex tried everything but couldn't find a single clue. He said it's beyond his knowledge." Elizabeth said.
"Headmaster, with your permission, I would like to access the underground floor of the library." He asked.
Her eyes widened slightly. "You want to investigate her condition yourself?"
"Yes. I also believe it's a curse. We might find something about it in the archives. You can consider this the favor you offered me."
Elizabeth thought for a moment. "There is no need for you to use your favor on this. I am just as worried about Ines as you are; I have no wish to lose another talented student." She paused. "However, I cannot let you go down there alone. The underground archives contain the most valuable and dangerous artifacts of our history. You may go, but I will accompany you. With me there, no one can question your presence."
"Thank you, Headmaster."
"Of course," she said. "We will go tomorrow."
With a final nod, Kayle left the office, a new, urgent mission already forming in his mind.