"Cough!" I spat out blood, my body wracked with pain as I found myself back near the Holy Tree.
"You're awake already?" Claudia's voice reached my ears, and I noticed that she had sohow seated on a chair. My body felt like a battleground between agony and exhaustion.
"How long was I out?" I managed to ask, struggling to stand on shaky legs.
"Five minutes," Claudia replied casually, though her frown indicated concern.
I had endured seven days of torture in that nightmarish place, yet only five minutes had passed in the real world? The dissonance was staggering, but I didn't have ti to dwell on it.
Using the wall-root to steady myself, I spat out more blood. The burning sensation on my skin hadn't abated entirely.
"What have you done? That spell…" Claudia's voice trailed off, and she seed bewildered.
My mories of those seven days were vivid—Samara's tornt and her eventual release from it. I felt a mixture of relief and anger for what she had endured. Those who had subjected her to such suffering deserved nothing less than cruel death.
"Get out of here quickly before your mother sends her army," Claudia urged, her voice taking on an urgency.
I nodded, but before I could leave, a shadow materialized in front of . It was Samara, looking breathtakingly beautiful despite her ordeal. Her features combined the otherworldly allure of the Elves and the ethereal grace of the Vampires. Her black hair was intricately braided, and her deep blue eyes seed to radiate life compared to the emptiness I had seen before.
Before I could react, Samara cupped my cheeks and pressed her lips to mine. Her kiss was forceful, and I could feel her drawing out the blood from my mouth. The sensation was odd, but I understood her intent as I felt vitality return to my body. When she finally pulled away, a thin thread of blood connected us.
I was about to speak, to ask her how she had regained already her strength, but Samara moved abruptly. She turned away from , and with a swift motion of her hand, she propelled a table toward Claudia but it shattered just inches away from the dumbfounded Prophetess.
Then, with another gesture, Samara made furniture levitate around the room, poised to strike.
"Samara," I intervened, catching Samara's hand and urging her to stop. Slowly, the furniture descended to the ground. Claudia's aura was nacing, but I maintained my grip on Samara, signaling to Claudia that she was now under my protection.
"..." Claudia didn't say anything but her gaze was nacing.
"She's with ," I declared firmly, my gaze unflinching as it t Claudia's. The tension in the room was palpable.
"What do we have here?" Claudia's voice was laced with amusent as she gazed at Samara. "A Half Vampire and a Half Elf, it seems."
I shot back, "Is that a problem?"
Claudia's lips curled into a smile. "I must comnd your audacity for giving such a dangerous gaze, especially considering I could easily kill both of you."
Samara's aura surged dangerously, causing the chamber to tremble. I tightened my hold on her hand, silently instructing her to remain calm.
Then, without another word to Claudia, I led Samara out of the chamber, her cold gaze still fixed on the Prophetess.
"I'll kill her," Samara muttered under her breath.
I stopped and turned to her, my expression serious. "Samara..."
"She threatened you," Samara replied, her deep blue eyes intense.
I shook my head and gently stroked her cheek. "Nobody can kill , Samara. I'm more significant than Sancta Vedelia and all those arrogant individuals. People like them won't be able to take down."
Samara t my cold gaze, and after a mont, she nodded.
A small smile ford on my lips. "Now, let's go ho. I need to introduce you and Annabelle to my family."
….
….
"What the heck is all this?" I muttered under my breath as I stepped into the house, imdiately bombarded by a burst of radiance. The decorations were practically spilling out of every corner, and an array of colorful lights adorned the walls.
"Allow to wish you a happy birthday, young lord," Albert greeted with a grin as he approached.
"How did you know…" I began, but I trailed off. It was no surprise that my mother and sister would rember my birthday, but I hadn't expected them to be so quick off the mark. I an, I had barely just arrived, and they must have been preoccupied with countless matters.
Albert led to my room, revealing a set of clothes for the occasion. The pace of things was overwhelming, but I took a quick shower and donned the attire – a pair of pants and a crisp white shirt. After tying back my black hair, I erged from my room and descended the stairs, feeling like a deer in headlights under the curious gazes of the mansion's staff.
"You're finally here! We were waiting for you," Christina chid in with a wide smile. She, too, was dressed in a white formal dress, and my mother stood beside her, carefully handling the cake. There were even photographers snapping pictures, and I felt as though I had stumbled into an alternate reality.
This is completely unexpected.
I managed a bemused smile and shrugged. "Well, this is quite the surprise party."
"You didn't think we'd forget, did you, Amael?" Mother playfully scolded , ruffling my hair. She turned to address the staff who had gathered around. "Today marks the birthday of my… my sister's son. He's seventeen now!"
The room erupted into applause and cheers, leaving feeling sowhat embarrassed.
The last ti I had a birthday celebration like this, I was seven. After that, Aunt Oryanna's passing had shifted everything, and my deanor hadn't exactly encouraged festive events, despite Elona and Miranda's efforts.
Mom lit the candles in the shape of a '17' on the cake, offering a warm smile. "We put this together rather quickly, but it's still your birthday, Amael." She affectionately tousled my hair. "Now, make a wish and blow out the candles."
"I don't really have any wishes," I admitted.
Christina rolled her eyes and handed a knife. "How about wishing for a eting with your first crush, Ephera?"
"First crush? Who? Do you already have two fiancées? You truly are sothing else, my adorable son!" Mother teased.
I winced, feeling my cheeks heat up, and then I leaned forward to blow out the candles before cutting the cake.
"Happy birthday!"
"Happy birthday, Milord!"
The staff cheered and tossed confetti into the air.
It was an odd sensation. I hadn't celebrated my birthday like this in years, and despite the strangeness of it all, I found it surprisingly enjoyable. Back at the Falkrona Mansion, my presence was t with disgust and fear from the staff.
Mother picked up a spoon, feeding a bite of cake with an almost motherly tenderness. It was a touch more affection than I was used to, and then she handed out plates to everyone.
"Help yourselves. Albert, Helga."
Both Albert and Helga nodded, beginning to serve the others.
"Oh, I'd like you to et two important people in my life: Annabelle and Samara." I announced, and with my words, Annabelle materialized in a delicate white dress. She looked older, around eleven now. She clutched a doll to her chest, her eyes darting around with a hint of shyness.
Following her appearance, Samara ca into view, her expression softening when she saw my mother and sister. "It's a pleasure to et you," she said politely.
"They're absolutely adorable!" Christina exclaid, launching herself toward Annabelle and Samara and enveloping them in a hug.
I couldn't help but smile at Annabelle's struggle to breathe in the midst of Christina's embrace, while Samara maintained her composure. "Annabelle is… well, she's under my care now, and Samara is a close friend," I explained.
"Oh my, Amael, do you have four fiancées now?" Mother teased, tilting her head in mock confusion.
"T-They're not my fiancées, Mom," I quickly corrected, feeling the need to clear up any misconceptions.
Seemingly undeterred, Annabelle piped up, "I want to marry Papa in the future-" I hastily covered her mouth, flashing a sheepish smile. "Samara, why don't you bring Anna over and have so cake?" I suggested.
Samara nodded, taking Annabelle's hand as they moved to the nearby sofa.
Sensing my mother's gaze on , I t her eyes, and she tapped her chest gently. "I'm relieved that you weren't alone during our absence, Amael."
"Yeah, I'm relieved too," I admitted, glancing at Annabelle and Samara, who were now imrsed in their own world.
"I always wished I had younger sisters. I'm really glad," Christina added, handing a gift box. "This is for you, little brother."
"Thank you," I said sincerely, eagerly unwrapping the box to reveal a silver bracelet nestled within.
"I thought about it carefully. Since you can't use Space rings anymore due to your sealed inner mana, I decided on this bracelet. You won't need mana to store things in it," Christina explained, a proud smile gracing her lips.
With a warm smile, I pulled her into a gentle hug. "Thanks, sis." I knew she hadn't fully recovered from Connor's death, and her current happiness likely stemd from my return. There was no need for more words between us. I might not have known the exact circumstances of Connor's death, but I held an unwavering grudge against those who had taken him from us and hard our family.
Brandon Delavoic might have been a despicable man, but through my encounters and confrontations with him, I learned that achieving your goals sotis required ruthless determination, no matter the cost. I might even descend to levels worse than his, becoming a monster in my own right. Yet, I no longer cared about that prospect, as long the people I cared about were safe.
"This is my gift to you," my mother said, pointing to the pendant she had given , adorned with the Olphean emblem. The amber stone glowed montarily. "Keep it with you at all tis. With ti, you'll co to understand our Bloodline better." She then affectionately cupped my cheek. "You were never ant to be a Falkrona, my son. You're a true Olphean."
"Thanks, Mom. I was already tired of my shitty grandfather's absurd expectations," I admitted with a smirk.
My mother's laughter rang out. "He won't be able to take you away from us ever again."
"I bet this is a gift from Principal lfina, right?" Christina quipped, holding up a small white box.
I raised an eyebrow, taking a closer look. "Is that an engagent ring?" I blurted out, quite surprised by the box's appearance, which closely resembled one that would house an engagent ring.
"Hey now!" Christina chortled, playfully elbowing .
With a smile, I added, "Well, I an, lfina is a bit old for that sort of thing..."
But...bserving my mother's contemplative expression, I felt a jolt of panic. "I-I was just kidding, Mom!"
She is too dangerous.
Shaking her head, she nodded toward the box. "Go ahead and open it."
Taking a breath, I pressed the button on the box, and an object erged from within. I carefully grasped it and opened my eyes wide.
"This is..."
Mom affird my guess with a nod. "It's your Academy Uniform."
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