---
Both elders stood locked in a silent clash, their invisible pressure colliding in the air like a raging storm. The atmosphere crackled, heavy enough to make onlookers fear that space itself might collapse under the weight of their wills.
Cale, elder of the Zaryth clan, was the first to steady his expression. Realizing Ganru would not yield, he forced a polite smile, though his tone carried steel.
"Let's end this here, Ganru. This is a matter for the younger generation. There's no need for us to escalate further."
Ganru's crimson eyes flared like fire, his fury swelling until his roar shook the street.
"A fight, you call it? That bastard with you dared to harm Meyra! Have you forgotten her condition? How shameless can your Zaryth clan be? Who are you to tell me what goes too far after what he's done?"
The gathered crowd remained silent, yet their expressions betrayed them. In their eyes, Ganru was right.
Cale's smile stiffened. He finally stepped back, his voice turning cold.
"I understand your anger. The clan will compensate the young miss for the trouble our young master caused."
But then his gaze narrowed, locking on Kaelvir like a blade.
"However… that man beside you tried to kill Young Master Dorian. That I cannot overlook."
Ganru's brows drew together. He glanced briefly at Kaelvir, then at Meyra, before returning his gaze to Cale.
"Very well. I'll leave the young man to you. Do with him as you please."
Kaelvir froze. His mind reeled. Ganru… handing me over? If that's true, then my only choice is to reveal my identity…
Even Nina's eyes widened, her lips trembling. "Elder… you…"
Only Meyra remained calm, her expression unreadable.
Whispers rippled through the crowd.
"He should've accepted Young Master Dorian's offer earlier."
"A lone cultivator meddling in clan affairs… what did he expect? Clans always use and discard outsiders."
Cale himself faltered. He had expected resistance, not such quick surrender.
But Ganru's aura suddenly exploded, sweeping over the crowd like a crushing tide. His glare silenced every whisper.
"Enough! Did I ask for your opinions?"
The street fell deathly quiet. Not even a pin could be heard.
Only then did Ganru sneer at Cale. "Like I said, you can take the boy. But in return, you will hand over Dorian. He too tried to kill my young miss."
Cale's eyes narrowed further. So Ganru had no intention of compromise.
"Then you refuse cooperation? Very well. We'll settle this by the city's rules."
With a sweep of his sleeve, he lifted the unconscious Dorian and vanished, his guards retreating with him.
The showdown ended with the Zaryth clan's retreat, the once-roaring crowd slowly dispersing into murmurs.
Within that throng, Fay searched frantically, her eyes darting desperately. Kaelvir had disappeared from her sight long ago, and though she combed every corner, she found no trace.
Meanwhile, Ganru and his group gathered before the Silver Chalice once more.
The elder turned to Kaelvir and, praising him.
"What a remarkable young man. At such a young age, you managed to slay a Soulforge expert."
With a slight bow he showed gratitude "Thank you for saving Meyra. Without you, who knows what might have happened. Once again, the Kaevor clan offers its gratitude."
Kaelvir quickly stepped forward, shaking his head.
"Please, elder, there's no need for that. The young miss and I are friends—it was only natural."
Yet his heart whispered otherwise. The assassin had fallen because he was caught off guard, not to his own skill. As for the Soulforge expert, it had been Nythra who seized control of his body. Without that intervention, he would already be dead. How could he accept praise for something that didn't truly belong to him?
Even as he wrestled with the thought, Kaelvir's face suddenly tightened. He turned to Meyra.
"Miss, I have to take my leave. If fate permits, we'll meet again."
He didn't forget Nina either. He patted her head with a faint smile.
"Always be careful, Nina. Protect yourself, no matter how much you love to fight."
Her cheeks flushed crimson at his touch, a small smile curving her lips as if she had been given a rare treasure.
And then, without warning, Kaelvir vanished.
Meyra's lips curved faintly. He had left again without offering a way to reach him. Yet her expression quickly cooled as she turned to Ganru.
"Elder Ganru… where were you when Nyvar was nearly killed by that Soulforge expert?"
Her words struck the very thought weighing in everyone's minds.
Ganru hesitated, his voice slower this time.
"I was there. But before I could act, an overwhelming presence bound me in place. I could not interfere."
Meyra's heart thumped.
"So… a powerful expert was watching all along?" She turned sharply to Nina. "Let's return to the clan. We'll discuss this further there."
The Kaevor group departed, their figures swallowed by the street.
Only a few stall owners remained, tidying up their wares. Among them, a woman tending a small stand curved her lips into a faint smile.
"What a lively city. And that strange boy… I suppose I'll check on him myself."
Her form shimmered and vanished.
---
Kaelvir reappeared in a quiet, deserted alley. His mask cracked and fell to pieces as he staggered, coughing blood. His face was pale, his body trembling from exhaustion.
Groaning, he whispered, "Nythra… what's happening? Why is my soul trembling?"
Earlier, Solune had urged him to retreat and rest, words that had confused him. Rest? I was strong… why would I need to rest?
Now he understood.
Nythra's voice echoed in his mind.
"Young master, this is the repercussion of me borrowing your body to slay that Soulforge expert. You are still mortal after all. Your body cannot bear the full weight of my power. We only realized when your body began collapsing."
Kaelvir's eyes dimmed with dawning realization.
"So this is the cost of using your strength… Tell me, is it serious?"
Solune's calm voice answered, firm and steady.
"No. We withdrew before permanent damage set in. Rest is all you require."
Kaelvir closed his eyes, forcing his breath to steady. But then a sound pricked his ears. His gaze swept the shadows until it found a faint light—a small fox.
It was blue, its rare fur shimmering faintly under the moonlight. The creature limped weakly against the wall, its tiny body trembling with pain.
Kaelvir's heart softened. No bigger than a housecat, the fox's frightened eyes shimmered with panic and suffering.
Slowly, he crouched.
"Are you injured too?" His voice was gentle as he extended a hand.
The fox froze, body quivering. Kaelvir's palm hovered close, and his voice dropped to a soothing murmur.
"Don't worry. I won't hurt you."
The little creature seemed to understand. Its panic eased, and it leaned timidly into his touch. Its fur was soft—softer than anything Kaelvir had ever felt—and for the first time since his collapse, his expression eased.
He lifted the fox carefully into his arms.
"Let's get you somewhere safe," he whispered. "Fay must be worried by now…"
The bustling hum of the city soon reached his ears again. Kaelvir threaded through the crowd, the injured fox nestled in his arms.
Then he saw her. Fay's face was pale with worry, her eyes scouring every corner as she cried his name again and again.
Guilt pricked Kaelvir's chest. He called out, drawing her gaze.
Her head snapped toward him. She pushed her way through the crowd until she stood before him.
But instead of relief, her eyes sharpened, cold suspicion flickering within them.
"Where have you been, young master?" she asked, her voice calm but her suspicion cutting like a blade.
Kaelvir froze, words failing him.
---