The female ghost floated closer, her presence growing colder, her voice lowering to a whisper. "Yes… time is running out."Leon felt an overwhelming sense of urgency wash over him, his chest tightening as though an invisible weight pressed down on him. Breathing became a struggle, each inhale heavy and strained."Wait," he said suddenly, his gaze locking onto the ghost’s pale, translucent eyes. "I need your help with something important." His voice was steady despite the storm brewing in his heart. "Please search every corner of the palace during the full moon. Look for any unusual energy fluctuations or strange presences. We can’t overlook anything."The female ghost was silent for a moment, then gave a solemn nod. "Understood, my kind benefactor. I will help, but the palace is vast. I may need to enlist the aid of other spirits." Her form began to blur, fading into the thick mist, her voice lingering like a fading echo. "Whatever you plan to do, please… be careful."Leon woke with a
The cold rigidity of his restraints clashed seductively with the growing heat spreading within him, creating a contrast both cruel and exhilarating. Under the relentless surge of sensation, Leon let out a series of deep, broken cries—his body trembling, his soul spiraling into an abyss of irresistible surrender.Guided by Aric’s untamed instinct, Leon shed every last inhibition, surrendering himself to the wild, all-consuming tide of pleasure. Aric, like a seasoned warrior on a battlefield of desire, moved with relentless precision, meticulously exploring every spark of passion. No inch of Leon’s body was left untouched, each sensitive spot transformed into a battleground of ecstasy, conquered again and again with unyielding devotion.Leon’s body, under Aric’s command, tensed and relaxed in rhythmic waves, each collision sending ripples of pleasure coursing through him like an unstoppable tide. In that fleeting eternity, they seemed to forget everything—their surroundings, even time i
Leon was about to retort when a sudden thought struck him. His body tensed, and without warning, he sat up abruptly, his expression sharp and focused. His eyes narrowed, a flicker of urgency flashing across his face. "Wait. Aric… what exactly is beneath Lady Lisa’s residence?"Aric blinked, still half-drowsy, and answered lazily, "Selena’s workshop. Why?""Never mind that. Just answer my questions," Leon said, his gaze unwavering, his voice low but pressing. "Now tell me… what’s the real story behind you sneaking into Selena’s workshop?"Aric’s smile deepened as his sharp eyes gleamed with amusement. "How do you know about that? Impressive, Leon. You’ve been busy—digging up secrets and all.""Don’t try to change the subject!" Leon snapped, reaching out and pinching Aric’s waist with surprising precision. "Spill it!""Alright, alright!" Aric laughed, catching Leon’s mischievous hand in his own, though his tone grew more serious. "Yes, I did sneak into her workshop. At first, it was to
"Elian! I need to find Elian!"Leon didn’t hesitate for a second. He turned and sprinted toward the Medical Division, his steps fast and uneven, heart pounding painfully in his chest from both exhaustion and the weight of his emotions.He burst through the doors without knocking. Elian stood at a long table, a stack of potion analysis reports in his hands, completely absorbed in his work.“Elian!” Leon’s voice came out urgent and breathless. “Aric’s been arrested.”“What? Arrested? I’ll—” Elian froze mid-sentence, the shock clear in his eyes. It was obvious he hadn’t heard the news yet.“No, listen! I don’t need you to go to him right now. You have to analyze this.” Leon thrust a small vial into Elian’s hands, his words tumbling out in a hurried rush. "I need you to figure out who’s been making this potion recently. It’s critical. Even if it’s not directly related, it might give Aric a way out—an excuse to cooperate and mitigate whatever punishment he’s facing. This kind of potion bei
Leon’s voice cracked a raw edge of desperation, cutting through the air. He stepped closer, his hands trembling slightly, but he forced himself to stay steady. “It’s me! Leon! You have to calm down! You can fight this!”But his words seemed to dissolve into the chaos, barely reaching Aric, who remained lost in his storm. His eyes flickered, blazing with wild, unchained energy, unrecognizing, unyielding. Leon’s pulse raced, yet he refused to back down."Come back to me," he whispered the plea almost a prayer, his voice trembling with fear and unbreakable resolve.No response.A flicker of despair passed through Leon’s eyes, but it was quickly replaced by an even stronger resolve. He drew a deep breath, then threw himself at Aric without hesitation, wrapping his arms tightly around him."If you don’t listen, I’ll just hold on to you! Hit me, shove me—I don’t care. Ignore me all you want, but you must calm down!"Bang!Aric struggled again, his immense strength flinging Leon away with ea
Few dared to speak of it, and those who did rarely lived long enough to regret it. Even within the royal family, its very mention carried a weight of fear and taboo.If it weren’t for Aric mentioning it and his secret investigation, he would probably still be in the dark about the existence of this place. Even after looking into it, the details he managed to uncover were scant and superficial at best. All he ever heard were fragments of old tales—this was said to be the domain of a dark deity, a forbidden ground shrouded in myth, untouched by human footsteps for a thousand years.“What could be hidden in the forbidden land?” He pondered for a moment, his breathing growing heavy. “With Elian still focused on analyzing the samples and unable to inspect Selena’s workshop directly, I might as well take this chance to explore the forbidden land myself.”Under the cover of the night, Leon slipped quietly through the long corridors of the palace. The closer he drew to the forbidden land, the
Without wasting a second, Morgana’s fingers moved rapidly, weaving an intricate spell. Her voice grew low and fast, chanting a dark incantation. Shadows swirled around her hand, expanding into a black vortex above her. The ground trembled violently, dust and shards of stone spiraling upward as the vortex grew into a raging storm of malevolent energy.The air crackled with power as a fierce wind howled through the chamber. But the female ghost stood her ground, her gaze unwavering. A wave of pure, radiant energy surged from her body, pushing back the encroaching darkness. Her power expanded into a shimmering barrier of light, forming a protective dome around herself and Leon.Leon felt the power within him growing increasingly wild, like a blazing fire on the verge of an explosion, violently surging through his veins. "What does this power want from me?" he gasped, struggling to contain it. Yet the energy raged on like a feral beast, desperate to break free.But as he caught sight of t
Without a word, Leon followed Elian and a squad of soldiers as they turned and made their way toward the Forbidden Land. Their hurried footsteps echoed through the vast palace corridors, the sound reverberating like the tolling of a funeral bell—a somber prelude to the greater storm looming on the horizon.Leon followed the team back to the Forbidden Land, his heart pounding like a war drum, breath ragged and shallow. The heavy iron gate groaned open once again, revealing the haunting sight before him. Blood stained the floor in thick, dark smears, the metallic stench hanging like a suffocating fog."Quick—find her!" Leon shouted, his voice edged with panic. He didn’t wait for a response, his legs moving instinctually as he charged into the darkness.His eyes swept across the ruins of the shattered magic circle, scattered stone fragments glinting dimly in the faint light. His gaze froze on a figure lying motionless just ahead.It was Morgana.She lay crumpled on the blood-soaked groun
The voices in the hall surged like relentless waves, crashing one after another against the minds of the still-hesitant judges. Jasper’s gaze deepened, his brow furrowing slightly. It was clear to him—the tide had turned. Almost everyone now stood in favor of Leon’s innocence.Slowly, he stepped forward, preparing to speak and declare Leon free of all charges.But just as the words were about to leave his lips, a cold, measured voice cut through the air."Wait."All eyes turned toward Lisa as she emerged from the crowd. Her steps were calm, steady, and deliberate, her gaze sharp and unyielding as it locked onto Aric and Leon. There was no warmth in her tone—only a chilling objectivity, as if she were dissecting a body on an operating table."Even if ignorance can be forgiven, even if he redeemed himself, and even if his physician’s heart saved Morgana," she said, each word slicing through the hall with surgical precision, "we cannot deny that he did make a serious mistake at the start
Her words crashed into the hall like a hammer, silencing the room in an instant. The once-building hope and warmth were abruptly chilled. A tense, suffocating stillness settled over the grand chamber.Jasper’s brow furrowed slightly. He crossed his arms, clearly torn. He had no desire to deal harsh punishment to Leon, but Selena’s accusation hung in the air, undeniable. His hesitation was evident—his eyes flickered between Leon and Selena, his thoughts visibly conflicted.Then, amid the suffocating silence, a voice rang out—cold, calm, and razor-sharp.“Attacked by her own pet—who else is there to blame?” The words cut through the tension like a knife through the taut fabric. Heads turned instantly toward the source of the voice, every eye-locking on its owner.At the grand hall’s entrance, a figure emerged from the shadows, his every step steady and deliberate. Aric, clad in a perfectly tailored charcoal-gray suit, seemed almost to shimmer under the flickering torchlight. His sharp f
Leon froze for a heartbeat before his brow furrowed. "So... I still can only meet you here, in dreams? Talk to you like this? My powers... are gone?"The female ghost shook her head gently, her voice carrying a hint of weariness. “No, my kind benefactor... It’s because I am too weak.”Leon stared at her, a flicker of concern flashing in his eyes. “Weak? Does it have something to do with the Forbidden Land? I’ve never seen you wield such immense power before. Did you exhaust everything you had?”The female ghost lifted her gaze, her eyes soft like a tranquil stream. But instead of answering directly, she remained silent for a moment. Finally, in a voice barely above a whisper, she said, “My kind benefactor... I must leave.”Leon’s heart sank instantly. His voice grew urgent, almost trembling. “Leave? Where are you going? Don’t tell me you’ll fade away just because you helped me!”A faint smile graced her lips, delicate and fleeting like morning mist dissolving in sunlight. “No, my kind
Confused, Leon glanced at the soldiers’ commander, only to learn that this was Elian’s doing. He had negotiated with them, reasoning that Leon, a scholar with no record of violence, hardly posed a flight risk.The cell was cramped, dimly lit by a flickering lamp on the far wall. Aric leaned against the corner, his face pale and glistening with cold sweat. The worst of his pain had passed, yet his frailty was evident. His black hair hung messily over his forehead, clinging to his clammy skin.He stirred at Leon’s arrival, eyelids lifting slowly until their gazes locked.For a moment, silence hung between them like a thin sheet of ice—fragile, ready to crack at the slightest touch.“Leon,” Aric finally spoke, his voice calm and steady yet carrying a depth that rippled beneath the surface like the still waters of a deep lake. “You knew exactly what breaking into the forbidden land would cost you.”Leon bit his lip, lifting his gaze to meet Aric’s. His eyes grew misty, a sheen of unspoken
Without a word, Leon followed Elian and a squad of soldiers as they turned and made their way toward the Forbidden Land. Their hurried footsteps echoed through the vast palace corridors, the sound reverberating like the tolling of a funeral bell—a somber prelude to the greater storm looming on the horizon.Leon followed the team back to the Forbidden Land, his heart pounding like a war drum, breath ragged and shallow. The heavy iron gate groaned open once again, revealing the haunting sight before him. Blood stained the floor in thick, dark smears, the metallic stench hanging like a suffocating fog."Quick—find her!" Leon shouted, his voice edged with panic. He didn’t wait for a response, his legs moving instinctually as he charged into the darkness.His eyes swept across the ruins of the shattered magic circle, scattered stone fragments glinting dimly in the faint light. His gaze froze on a figure lying motionless just ahead.It was Morgana.She lay crumpled on the blood-soaked groun
Without wasting a second, Morgana’s fingers moved rapidly, weaving an intricate spell. Her voice grew low and fast, chanting a dark incantation. Shadows swirled around her hand, expanding into a black vortex above her. The ground trembled violently, dust and shards of stone spiraling upward as the vortex grew into a raging storm of malevolent energy.The air crackled with power as a fierce wind howled through the chamber. But the female ghost stood her ground, her gaze unwavering. A wave of pure, radiant energy surged from her body, pushing back the encroaching darkness. Her power expanded into a shimmering barrier of light, forming a protective dome around herself and Leon.Leon felt the power within him growing increasingly wild, like a blazing fire on the verge of an explosion, violently surging through his veins. "What does this power want from me?" he gasped, struggling to contain it. Yet the energy raged on like a feral beast, desperate to break free.But as he caught sight of t
Few dared to speak of it, and those who did rarely lived long enough to regret it. Even within the royal family, its very mention carried a weight of fear and taboo.If it weren’t for Aric mentioning it and his secret investigation, he would probably still be in the dark about the existence of this place. Even after looking into it, the details he managed to uncover were scant and superficial at best. All he ever heard were fragments of old tales—this was said to be the domain of a dark deity, a forbidden ground shrouded in myth, untouched by human footsteps for a thousand years.“What could be hidden in the forbidden land?” He pondered for a moment, his breathing growing heavy. “With Elian still focused on analyzing the samples and unable to inspect Selena’s workshop directly, I might as well take this chance to explore the forbidden land myself.”Under the cover of the night, Leon slipped quietly through the long corridors of the palace. The closer he drew to the forbidden land, the
Leon’s voice cracked a raw edge of desperation, cutting through the air. He stepped closer, his hands trembling slightly, but he forced himself to stay steady. “It’s me! Leon! You have to calm down! You can fight this!”But his words seemed to dissolve into the chaos, barely reaching Aric, who remained lost in his storm. His eyes flickered, blazing with wild, unchained energy, unrecognizing, unyielding. Leon’s pulse raced, yet he refused to back down."Come back to me," he whispered the plea almost a prayer, his voice trembling with fear and unbreakable resolve.No response.A flicker of despair passed through Leon’s eyes, but it was quickly replaced by an even stronger resolve. He drew a deep breath, then threw himself at Aric without hesitation, wrapping his arms tightly around him."If you don’t listen, I’ll just hold on to you! Hit me, shove me—I don’t care. Ignore me all you want, but you must calm down!"Bang!Aric struggled again, his immense strength flinging Leon away with ea
"Elian! I need to find Elian!"Leon didn’t hesitate for a second. He turned and sprinted toward the Medical Division, his steps fast and uneven, heart pounding painfully in his chest from both exhaustion and the weight of his emotions.He burst through the doors without knocking. Elian stood at a long table, a stack of potion analysis reports in his hands, completely absorbed in his work.“Elian!” Leon’s voice came out urgent and breathless. “Aric’s been arrested.”“What? Arrested? I’ll—” Elian froze mid-sentence, the shock clear in his eyes. It was obvious he hadn’t heard the news yet.“No, listen! I don’t need you to go to him right now. You have to analyze this.” Leon thrust a small vial into Elian’s hands, his words tumbling out in a hurried rush. "I need you to figure out who’s been making this potion recently. It’s critical. Even if it’s not directly related, it might give Aric a way out—an excuse to cooperate and mitigate whatever punishment he’s facing. This kind of potion bei