For a moment—
the world stood still.
Seraphine stared.
Unblinking.
Unmoving.
Moonlight traced the sharp lines of Azriah's face.
The blindfold.
The faint smirk.
The quiet, dangerous composure.
And somehow—
she forgot to breathe.
'…What is this.'
Her thoughts faltered.
Her heartbeat betrayed her.
Azriah noticed immediately.
Of course he did.
Snap.
The sharp sound broke the moment cleanly.
Seraphine blinked.
Reality rushed back.
And with it—
heat.
A faint blush spread across her cheeks.
Her posture stiffened slightly.
"…I—"
A pause.
Then—
"I apologize."
She straightened quickly.
Regaining composure—
or attempting to.
"We will discuss the matter…"
A brief stutter.
"…after one month."
Azriah tilted his head slightly.
"Reason?"
Seraphine answered quickly.
Too quickly.
"The Emperor does not permit anyone outside the Imperial Family to approach her."
A pause.
"Her mother… the second wife."
Another breath.
"After one month, His Majesty will depart for border inspection."
She turned slightly.
Almost abruptly.
"As such—"
A pause.
"…that will be our opportunity."
Then—
without waiting—
she fled.
Graceful.
Composed.
Fast.
Azriah watched her retreat in silence.
Sham appeared beside him, amused.
"Well…"
A pause.
"That wasn't as catastrophic as expected."
Azriah exhaled slowly.
'Explain catastrophic.'
Sham chuckled.
"Did you ask for the elixirs?"
A pause.
"The ones needed to awaken your path and element properly?"
Azriah nodded once.
'Yes.'
Sham's tone shifted slightly.
"…And if your first blessing awakens again?"
A pause.
"Like before?"
Azriah remained calm.
'Then I deal with it.'
Sham frowned.
"That is not reassuring."
Azriah added quietly—
'I'll awaken it inside the estate.'
A pause.
'If something goes wrong…'
Another pause.
'Mother will handle it.'
Sham blinked.
Then sighed.
"…You're using your mother as a safety net."
Azriah's tone was flat.
'Efficient planning.'
Sham shook his head.
"…Terrifying family.'
Silence lingered briefly.
Then—
Azriah's thoughts shifted inward.
The Codex responded instantly.
A dark interface unfolded within his mind.
Silent.
Watching.
Waiting.
Azriah focused.
════════════════════╗
║ CODEX ARBORIS ║
╚══════════════════════╝
"Rooted in origin. Bound to duality."
[HOST STATUS]
Name: Azriah Antioch
Title: —
Avatar: Avatar of the First Holy & the Unholy(Status: Stable)
Path: Unawakened
Elements: Blood(Dormant),Spirit(Dormant),Cryo
[SOUL LINKS]
Primary Link: _ _ _ _ _ _
Designation: G____ss of __n & __t__n
Link Status: (Suppressed)
Resonance: Irregular Secondary Link: Shamiel
Designation: Unknown Path
Link Status: Active
Resonance: Undetected
[MEMORY RECLAMATION]
Second Life Memory: (Locked) Stability Risk: Unknown Synchronization Rate: 0%
First Life Memory: Stable
Synchronization Rate:78%
[CORE ATTRIBUTES] Core of the War god Khorne (Partially active)
[BLESSINGS]
Userpers Law(sealed)
Law of Negation (Sealed)
Cryomancy (Active)
?????????
[SKILLS]
Shapeshifting : Mastery(0%)
Mimicry : Mastery(5%)
Super strength:Mastery(10%)
Imaginary tree: 1st cast(available)
Scanning.
Analyzing.
And then—
he saw it.
A section previously unnoticed.
[SOUL LINKS]
Primary Link: _ _ _ _ _ _
Designation: G____ss of __n & __t__n
Link Status: (Suppressed)
Azriah stilled.
'…Sham.'
Sham's tone lowered immediately.
"…You see it too."
Azriah's thoughts sharpened.
'You said you felt another entity inside me.'
Sham nodded slowly.
"Yes."
A pause.
"Something… sealed."
Azriah stared at the interface.
'…Second life?'
Fragments flickered.
Incomplete.
Unreachable.
He frowned.
'Why is it blocked?'
Sham remained silent.
Then—
"…Whatever it is…"
A pause.
"…it will everntually awaken. And don't worry i don't feel hostility from it"
That answer did not satisfy him.
Not even close.
But for now—
he let it go.
Azriah closed the system interface.
And returned—
to reality.
The ballroom had regained its rhythm.
Music resumed.
Conversations flowed.
Politics continued.
He moved quietly.
Controlled.
And took his place—
just behind Asta.
She noticed immediately.
Of course she did.
"…You met Seraphine Veyrin."
Her tone carried faint amusement.
Azriah paused.
Then—
"…Yes."
Asta smiled slightly.
Dangerously knowing.
"How was she?"
Azriah visibly tensed.
Just slightly.
But enough.
"…Engaging."
Sham nearly laughed.
Asta's smile deepened.
"…I see."
Azriah remained silent.
But beneath the blindfold—
he was sweating.
Between Seraphine.
Diana.
Hidden soul links.
Sealed past lives.
And unstable fate—
Azriah Antioch had come to a simple conclusion.
His life—
was far from peacsful.