The misunderstanding from last night wasn't resolved until early morning, and we didn't wake up until the afternoon. As soon as I turned on my phone, I saw nearly twenty missed calls and over thirty messages, all from Harry. And these numbers were just from my phone; Neil's phone had about double that. After freshening up, I sent Harry a message, "What's up?" My phone rang almost immediately, not even five seconds later."Did you torture my godbrother again? Now only you picking up the phone? Don't tell me you just got up? So, did you keep going until morning or stopped around noon? Can you please think about my godbrother for once? You're like a wolf, insatiable; my brother is human, his resources are limited! For his sake, so he can live longer, please take it easy. Rest is essential for a long journey, you know?" Harry rattled off as soon as I answered, not giving me a chance to speak. "Hey, hey, are you listening?""Yeah, are you done?""Finished, your turn.""I messed up." I glan
I sent a quick message to Ethan and rushed back to my car, intending to follow Roy. However, by the time I got there, Roy was already out of sight. I had no choice but to wait for Ethan to track Roy’s whereabouts. I had no idea what Roy was thinking or where he might take Neil. The only thing I knew for sure was that they couldn't fly, since I had all of Neil’s documents. I began to feel that Ethan was taking an unusually long time. I couldn't tell if it was just my anxiety or my growing dependency on him as my only hope.Finally, Ethan responded. He said that both Roy and Neil’s phones were turned off, making it impossible to track them via GPS. He had traced Roy's car, but it had mysteriously vanished after leaving the university area. Nevertheless, Ethan didn’t give up. He started checking the CCTV footage and road cameras outside the university area to see if he could find any clues about Roy’s car, but he needed time. Suddenly, I remembered the pink-haired boy who might still be
Lisa found evidence similar to what was around Roy's mansion. After dispelling the magic, she discovered another car. Without delay, Lisa contacted our mutual friend Ethan. By the time Harry and I emerged, Ethan had already traced the car—it belonged to Mike.Lisa and Ethan each contacted their magician friends to remove all the involved spells. Eventually, the car reappeared on various CCTV cameras across the roads. Ethan sent over some surveillance footage showing Neil being taken away by Mike. Neil was seen unconscious in the back seat, lying alone in a deep sleep.Armed with Ethan's information, we made our way back to Neil's hometown. By the time we arrived, it was nearly morning. I was running out of patience. Without further ado, we stormed into Mike's house, not considering the legal consequences of trespassing."Where's Neil?""He's not here with me," Mike shrugged indifferently, seeming to anticipate our visit."Let's search the place," Harry suggested."You can search till
Neil's fever had subsided, but he remained unconscious. The doctor suggested it could be exhaustion or that his subconscious perceived sleep as a refuge. It was a psychological state; if he felt in danger, the latter could indeed happen. I couldn't imagine how distressed and frightened Neil must have been. From being bullied by Roy, to Mike's ordeal, and finally falling into the hands of students at the same university, he had been continuously tormented. Neil was truly pitiable.I didn't want to delay any longer. I didn't want Neil to feel unsafe even in his sleep. I wanted to bring him back to Ryan Castle immediately because there, I could also utilize my abilities to enhance his protection. In these unfamiliar surroundings, my capabilities were limited. I consulted with Harry's doctor about potential issues during the journey and emergency measures. Additionally, I had Ethan to arranged for our family doctor to be on standby at Ryan Castle. I wanted to ensure Neil's condition only
I sat at my desk and started flipping through the folders while Ethan began his briefing. This particular meeting felt different; I was in such a good mood that I felt like I could fly, and Ethan, sitting across from me, seemed to share the sentiment. But I didn't let on."The first thing, the guy who helped Master R…""Ethan, I don’t mind you calling him whatever you want.""That punk?""Too polite," I shook my head, dismissing the mildness of the term."That little bastard?""Is there a difference?" I rejected the idea again."Actually, I have a more uncouth thought, but it’s a bit…""Say it.""Asshole.""Go on," I tapped the desk, giving Ethan my approval."The magician who helped that asshole is same like the one who framed Mr. Neil Wesley last time. They're both from the same rogue organization that usually serves the underworld or asshole like him.""Birds of a feather flock together.""Exactly. That day, Lisa tracked him down. She initially just wanted to give him a scare, but
"Please stop shouting. You're severely disturbing the peace of the castle.""Ethan, you're quite something now. Not calling me 'Master Roy' anymore, huh? Seems like you've chosen your side.""I'm merely prioritizing the safety of the castle. Anyone who threatens it must be dealt with first. So, please, calm down and leave immediately.""Calm down? My fiancé was abducted, and he's right here in this Ryan Castle. And you, one of the accomplices, still dare to act smug!""The matter between you and Mr. Neil has escalated beyond a personal issue and now concerns his safety. Even if I am an accomplice, it's to protect Mr. Neil, not to abduct him as you claim. If there's any abduction, it's actions like yours with Mike that have put Mr. Neil in danger.""I had no idea Mike would do that, and he's already been punished accordingly. I punished him for Neil. If you don't believe me, I can bring him here.""There's no need.""I'm serious. He exposed Neil's video, so I exposed his within his ent
When I proposed swapping Roy and Rose's business management roles to the old man, my only thought was about Rose's ambition to dominate the Werewolf Women's Association. I was certain she would do her utmost to improve both the orphanage and the private school. I never imagined this exchange would bring about such a change in character. It seemed this decision was even better than I had anticipated, and hopefully, it would lessen the suffering endured by the children. If Neil found out, he should be very pleased.I ascended to the second floor and encountered the servant who led the way. As before, our meeting was not in the study but in the indoor garden. The old man sat in the same spot awaiting my arrival, pouring tea when he saw me, reminiscent of our previous encounters."Let's get straight to the point," I said as I sat down, not wanting to waste any time."Sure, explain the recent situation," he replied."Going through it step by step would be too time-consuming. Just tell me w
One turn, another turn, and then a third—we've lost our pursuers. Now, Ethan's most pressing task was to floor the accelerator and get us to that remote location as quickly as possible. We had been driving for such a long time that I feel a bit dizzy. I even suspect my constitution has weakened; I never used to get car sick.I glanced back at Harry, who was leaning against the window, struggling with nausea. Even Neil, who had been sleeping on my lap, woke up and complained of an upset stomach. Harry and I were too proud to admit our discomfort, but as soon as Neil voiced his unease, he immediately drew the attention of both Ethan and Lisa."Here, take this," Lisa said, handing us something that looked like pills. We swallowed them without asking any questions, and miraculously, the discomfort vanished instantly. "I didn't expect it to start this soon," Lisa remarked to Ethan."I suppose it's because many unruly magicians have been pestering her over the years," Ethan replied."Perhap
Three days later, on a bright and sunny day, the warm light bathed the earth, as if even the sun was adding a touch of radiance to our wedding. The venue was set up like a dream—white flowers adorned every corner, and the air was filled with a faint, sweet fragrance, as though each petal had been carefully chosen just for us. The guests had all arrived, their faces lit with brilliant smiles, their eyes brimming with blessings and hope. In that moment, all the exhaustion and pain seemed to be forgotten, replaced by nothing but boundless joy and warmth.This day belonged to us three couples, the happiest day of our lives. Neil and I, Peter and Nick, Harry and Nelson—standing together, it felt as if fate had already woven an invisible thread, tying us all together. Each of our faces radiated joy, our eyes filled with love and devotion for one another. Just before the ceremony began, I stole a glance at Neil standing beside me. His eyes sparkled softly, filled with warmth and unwavering d
Ethan continued to describe that miraculous moment: "When Neil's blood entered your body, everything changed dramatically. At first, nothing seemed unusual, but soon, the operating room was filled with dazzling light. Countless beams of light intertwined in the air, and the entire hospital was suddenly powered down, as if a mysterious force had illuminated it. Everyone was startled, and you, it seemed, experienced some kind of extraordinary transformation in that instant." There was a calmness in Ethan’s eyes. "Then, the situation settled. Power was restored, the readings on the instruments returned to normal, and your arm miraculously reconnected, fully healed. The symptoms of blood loss vanished in an instant, as though nothing had ever happened."I murmured, "If this is true, then what the Black Wolf said in the virtual world must also be correct. It claimed the calamity has been averted, the curse is broken." The Black Wolf had told me that these changes signified that the crisis
Everything went black, and I was suddenly jolted back to reality. The chaotic scene of battle unfolded around me—Kim and Peter had been knocked to the ground by the vengeful spirits, and Maria was visibly struggling, her strength fading. I looked around in shock, my heart heavy with realization. All of this suffering, all of this fighting—it was because of the decision I had made. I had refused to let go of Neil, going to any lengths to bring him back to life. But in doing so, I had led us into an endless cycle of calamity, and even Neil had been forced to endure so much pain. Perhaps the root of all this, the key to ending it, lay within myself.Slowly, I rose to my feet, a sense of clarity settling over me as I began to understand the true meaning of goodness. It was selfless letting go—it was the willingness to forsake oneself for the sake of others.I took a deep breath, releasing all my obsessions, letting go of the desire to fight for selfish reasons or love. I would fight now,
Ken Yimo raised his hand high, summoning the fragile thread of magic he could barely muster, and hurled it toward the demon with all the strength he had left. Though his magical abilities were far from impressive, his gaze was resolute, unwavering in the face of death. The demon, however, merely smiled faintly, effortlessly neutralizing Ken's attack. The vast disparity in power sent Ken crashing to the ground, his body feeling as fragile as an ant under the weight of the demon’s overwhelming force.But just as Ken fell, something in Fred's heart shifted. He could no longer bear to watch this crumbling scene unfold. Tears welled in his eyes as he screamed in desperate anguish, his voice cracking with raw emotion, “Ken, no! Don’t sacrifice yourself for me! I’m not worth it!” His words were soaked in sorrow and despair, filled with regret—as if all his anger and jealousy had now melted away into nothing but remorse.Ken Yimo struggled painfully to rise from the ground, blood and bruises
Nick forced himself to put on a defiant expression and coldly said, "Who's afraid?" But I could see a flash of fragile fear in his eyes, and my heart ached even more. Nelson had just recovered, his face pale, his body swaying slightly. Upon hearing Harry's call, he struggled to lift his head, his eyes still filled with trust and dependence on Harry. He parted his lips weakly and whispered, "Harry..." His voice was so faint, it seemed like it could vanish into the air at any moment. Neil, the most sensitive of the three, looked at us with fear in his eyes. But he didn't cry out for help; instead, he anxiously glanced at Nelson, as if silently urging us to take care of the more fragile brother first.Facing the scene before me, a surge of anger filled my chest, and I coldly demanded to know what Fred wanted. Fred stood in the shadows, his gaze as cold as ice. He gave a faint smile, revealing a sickly, cruel satisfaction. "It's simple," he said, his voice low but carrying an undeniable o
Meanwhile, the others had scattered, continuing their search for any trace of Neil, their faces grim with concern. The tension in the air was thick, and every passing second felt like we were hurtling toward something far darker than we had anticipated.As everyone scrambled in panic, Maria suddenly called out, "There's a trace of magic here!" Her voice was tinged with urgency and surprise, clearly indicating that she had discovered something unusual. We hurried over to find her standing at the entrance of Ken Yimo's bedroom, eyes closed in concentration, her hands moving gently through the air as though she were carefully unraveling an invisible barrier. Soon, the tips of her fingers began to glow faintly, as if she had torn through a thin veil. In that instant, the magical barrier dissolved, and everything behind the door came into view, causing me to gasp in shock.Inside the bedroom, Ken Yimo lay on the cold floor, his face ashen, as though he had endured some immense shock. Scatt
"It turns out that Ken's coldness stems from such a painful past," I murmured softly, a deep, indescribable sorrow washing over me. The suffering Ken had endured was far beyond our comprehension. No wonder he kept everyone at arm's length, as if wrapped in a hard shell to shield himself."What's even more tragic is that our 'old-fashioned' people, upon learning about Ken's sexual orientation, grew even more hostile toward him. They have no idea that his sexuality was, for the most part, twisted by that monstrous foster father of his," Maria sighed, her eyes filled with profound sympathy and understanding for Ken. She shook her head, adding, "They ostracized him, yet they have no clue what kind of pain he went through."I couldn't help but ask, "What happened after that? What did Ken go through?"Maria gently shook her head, a shadow of sorrow crossing her face. "He left our place. By the time I found him, that beast of a foster father had gathered thirty or forty people, trying to for
Ken Yimo chuckled gently, the smile on his face tinged with a trace of self-mockery, as if he had already come to terms with his fate. "For me, Neil’s safety is the most important thing. As long as he can get away from here, away from all this conflict, I fear nothing."His words were firm and tender, that kind of selfless, fatherly love stirring something deep within me. I clenched my fists in silent resolve, taking a deep breath. "Alright, Ken. I promise you, I will do everything in my power to take Neil away. I won’t let him come to any harm. I swear, I will protect him with everything I have."A flicker of gratitude passed through Ken Yimo's eyes as he nodded slightly. "I know you will, Ryan. Your care for Neil, your dedication to him—it's something even I deeply admire. He’s a child who deserves love and protection... Please continue to show him kindness, and give him the warmth he truly needs."His words struck a chord deep within me. I had planned to turn and leave, to end this
Ken Yimo nodded slightly, his expression laced with a complex mixture of emotions. “Yes. Fred knows he’s nothing more than a replacement. But he... he’s different. Despite everything, he still desperately seeks my attention. He doesn’t mind being my servant, if it means he can be close to me.”"A child with ambition," I murmured to myself, trying to grasp the psychological dynamics at play in such a twisted situation.A bitter smile tugged at the corner of Ken Yimo's lips. "Do you think Fred acts out so recklessly, causing chaos everywhere, even disregarding the reputation of the Yimo family? What do you think he’s trying to achieve?"I furrowed my brows, pondering for a moment, before the realization dawned on me. "Could it be... that he's doing it just to get your attention? He’s deliberately being reckless, making sure everyone knows."Ken Yimo nodded, his tone unnervingly calm. "Exactly. He knows that by antagonizing people, the Yimo family will inevitably be ostracized. But what