The demon attack on Lunaris became the most talked-about event in the entire kingdom.
For weeks, people discussed the same question.
Who saved the city?
No one had seen the hero clearly.
No one knew their name.
But the truth was simple.
Someone had destroyed an entire demon army in seconds.
Stories began spreading everywhere.
Some said it was a Legendary Mage sent by the royal council.
Others believed it was an ancient guardian protecting humanity.
Some even said it was a god.
But the truth remained hidden.
Because the real savior never spoke about it.
And never asked for recognition.
At Aether High Academy, life slowly returned to normal.
Buildings were repaired.
Classes resumed.
Students tried to forget the fear of that terrible day.
But something had changed.
Everyone now believed a powerful protector was watching over the world.
A mysterious hero.
A silent savior.
Meanwhile…
Auren Vale continued living the same quiet life as before.
He still sat in the back of the classroom.
He still read books alone under the tree in the courtyard.
And students still believed he was weak.
Nothing about him had changed.
At least… on the outside.
But inside his heart, there was something he was still waiting for.
Elira's answer.
After his confession that evening, she had said something simple.
"I need time to think."
Auren had respected that.
Days passed.
Then weeks.
Then months.
But Elira never brought up the subject again.
Whenever they spoke, their conversations were normal.
Friendly.
But careful.
As if both of them were quietly avoiding the same topic.
Auren never asked again.
Because deep down…
He already understood.
Sometimes silence is an answer.
One evening after class, Auren walked through the city streets of Lunaris.
The sky was dark blue, filled with stars.
Lights from shops and houses illuminated the roads.
Everything looked peaceful again.
But something unusual caught his attention.
The main street was decorated with bright banners and flowers.
Large carriages moved through the road.
People were gathering near the noble district.
Auren stopped a passerby.
"What's happening today?"
The man smiled.
"Didn't you hear?"
"Hear what?"
"A big noble wedding!"
Auren blinked.
"A wedding?"
"Yes. The Dawncrest family is celebrating."
The name hit Auren's heart like a quiet shock.
The Dawncrest family.
Elira's family.
The man continued speaking excitedly.
"Their daughter is marrying the son of the Silverhart family."
"A powerful alliance between two great mage families!"
Many people in the street were talking about it.
"It's a huge event."
"Both families are among the strongest in the kingdom."
Auren stood there silently.
His chest felt strangely empty.
He thanked the man quietly and continued walking.
But instead of returning home…
His steps slowly led him toward the noble district.
He didn't know why.
Maybe he just wanted to see.
Or maybe…
He wanted confirmation.
Soon he reached the large white mansion belonging to the Dawncrest family.
The building was beautifully decorated.
Golden lights hung from every balcony.
Music floated softly through the night air.
Guests wearing elegant clothes entered through the front gate.
Laughter and celebration filled the courtyard.
From a distance, Auren could see the wedding ceremony taking place in the garden.
And there she was.
Elira.
She wore a beautiful white dress that shone under the lights.
Her silver hair flowed gently in the evening wind.
She looked elegant.
Graceful.
Like someone from a fairy tale.
Standing beside her was the groom.
A tall young mage wearing noble robes.
A proud member of the Silverhart family.
The guests applauded as the ceremony continued.
The two families stood proudly beside them.
It was a perfect union between powerful bloodlines.
Auren stood quietly outside the gate.
Hidden among the shadows of the street.
No one noticed him.
No one knew he was there.
He watched silently.
His face remained calm.
But deep inside his chest…
Something slowly cracked.
Not anger.
Not jealousy.
Just a quiet sadness.
Because now the truth was clear.
Elira had never given him an answer.
Because she never could.
Her future had already been decided by her family.
Auren looked at her one last time.
She was smiling politely as the ceremony continued.
Maybe she was happy.
Maybe she wasn't.
But that was no longer his place to know.
He gently placed his hands in his pockets.
And turned away.
The music from the wedding continued behind him.
Laughter echoed through the beautiful garden.
But Auren walked slowly back into the quiet streets.
Alone.
The night sky above him was filled with stars.
He looked up at them for a moment.
Then he whispered softly to himself.
"I hope you'll be happy."
His voice carried no bitterness.
Only sincerity.
Because his love had never been selfish.
He had only wanted her happiness.
Even if that happiness…
Did not include him.
The wind moved gently through the silent street.
Auren continued walking into the darkness of the night.
But far beyond the peaceful kingdom…
Something terrible was awakening again.
An ancient evil far greater than the demons before.
A presence powerful enough to destroy the entire world.
The Demon God was rising.
And when that day arrived…
The quiet boy who had just walked away from the wedding lights…
Would once again become the only person capable of saving everything.
Even if no one ever knew.