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
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
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
"Recordings?"Leon frowned and tapped five times in quick succession. Five audio files lined up neatly in the message thread, sitting there like silent keys to a secret, waiting to be unearthed.Aric glanced sideways at the screen. “What’s that brat saying now?”Leon shot him a look, then tapped on the first one.The recording began with a few seconds of silence—then a voice came through the earbuds, so familiar it made the hairs on Leon’s neck stand on end.“Did you find the person I’m looking for?”Leon’s pupils contracted, his voice barely audible. “That voice… why does it sound so familiar…”Aric’s brows arched slightly. “It’s Jasper.”Leon froze, stunned. He played the recording again, this time paying closer attention—sure enough, it was him. The realization hit like cold lead sinking straight to the bottom of his chest, heavy and suffocating.The recording continued.A woman’s voice followed, soft and honeyed, laced with a servile sweetness: “We’ve narrowed it down. Just a few
Leon nearly threw the phone across the room in frustration. He forced out a cold laugh, fighting back his anger. “You need money? Go ask your mother.”“No need to ask her. You—might be able to give me more.”The tone on the other end was casual, even entitled, making Leon’s hands tremble. He took a deep breath, preparing to hang up, but Randy’s voice stopped him.“Hey, hey, hey! Don’t hang up yet! Don’t you want to know why you were sold at an auction?”The words struck Leon like a sharp knife, driving straight into the most vulnerable part of his heart.Lisa and Morgana mentioned it, and now—his brother was bringing up the truth of his "auction." That night, that horrendous experience lingered in his mind like a wound that never healed. It was a knot he couldn't untangle, lodged deep in his chest.Leon fell silent for a few seconds, his eyes sharpening into icy resolve. “How much do you want?”Once the call ended, he yanked Aric from where he was, still fast asleep beside him, shakin
He averted his gaze, gritting his teeth. “I’ll help you… but don’t make it seem like some kind of romantic gesture.”Aric followed the direction of his glance, his eyes sweeping slowly around the room with a flicker of amusement.The hotel, in all its over-the-top service, had indeed gone a bit too far—scarlet roses adorned nearly every surface, bathing the room in a heady, suggestive atmosphere.“A setting like this does invite something a little different.”Aric murmured, his tone laced with a half-smile. “I just wanted a change of scenery—something out of the ordinary.”Leon frowned, staring him down. “Out of the ordinary, how?”Aric’s eyes narrowed slightly as though dredging up a memory. His voice carried a faint trace of resignation. “The first time was in a basement. The second, a cave. The third—granted, it was just a kiss—but it still happened inside a prison cell. You tell me, how is it that Aric Blackwood can never seem to catch a single whiff of romance?”Leon rolled his e
He stared up, his eyes wide with disbelief. His mind couldn’t quite grasp how he had ended up on the ground, but the searing pain in his knees—where they had struck the cold stone floor—was all too real. The sensation was like fire, shooting through his body; all he could do was sit there, stunned.Leon glanced down at Randy, lying on the ground, but his expression remained indifferent. He didn’t even bother with a sneer—Randy wasn’t worth the effort. Without breaking his stride, he simply tightened his grip on Aric’s hand and continued walking as leisurely as if they were strolling through a park.Randy, humiliated and furious, clenched his fists so tightly his knuckles turned white. His face was flushed with rage, but he didn’t dare step forward again.He wasn’t a fool—he knew this man wasn’t someone he could afford to provoke.So, instead, he bit down hard on his lip, scrambled to his feet, and rushed into the house—no doubt running to tattle.Aric watched the retreating figure wit
They made their way through the forest, sunlight filtering through the gaps in the trees, casting dappled shadows on the ground. Time seemed to stretch on as they walked, but finally, the path ahead cleared, and a smooth asphalt road appeared before them. Leon practically ran forward, eager to get moving, and waved down a passing taxi.The driver poked his head out, eyeing the two young men suspiciously. “Where to?”Leon casually named a destination in the city center, then quickly pulled Aric into the cab, letting out a sigh of relief.As the taxi sped away, the forest receded behind them, replaced by the towering skyscrapers of the city, neon lights flashing, and the buzz of voices filling the air. For a moment, Leon had been preoccupied with surviving in this world—after all, he didn’t have a penny to his name. But just as he was beginning to worry about his next move, Aric casually pulled out a black gold card, flipping it expertly between his fingers.Leon’s eyes widened. “Where
Just as he finished speaking, his bed suddenly dipped. The next second, a powerful force yanked him right out of the covers.“Hey! Hey! What are you doing?!” Leon screamed in surprise, but before he could react, Aric had already hoisted him onto his shoulder, as if he were a sack of potatoes, effortlessly carrying him away.“Put me down! Now!” Leon struggled desperately, but Aric’s strength was far greater, and he didn’t budge an inch.“If you refuse to get up on your own, I’ll have to do it for you,” Aric said, his tone light and even laced with a hint of amusement.Leon rolled his eyes, resigned to his fate. He buried his head in Aric’s back and muttered lazily, “Fine, do whatever you want. I’ll just switch to a different position and go back to sleep…”However, after a moment, something didn’t sit right.It wasn’t just him Aric was carrying.Leon slowly lifted his head, casting a glance toward Aric’s other side. There, he saw a large, bulging backpack, heavy and seemingly filled wi
As he stepped out of the prison, the cool night air brushed against his skin. The magic lanterns outside cast long, stretching shadows across the stone pavement. And there, bathed in that soft glow, Aric stood leaning against a stone pillar, arms crossed, his usual playful smirk dancing at the corners of his lips as he watched Leon."Has my great physician fiancé finished with his work?" Aric raised an eyebrow, a teasing smile playing at the corner of his lips. Yet, there was something serious in his eyes, as if he were trying to read something from Leon's expression.Leon snapped out of his thoughts, nodding. "Yes."He fell silent for a moment, then couldn’t help but ask, "Aric, I don’t understand. Why is Selena targeting the Blackwood family? Does that include Lisa and Jasper as well?"Aric dropped his playful demeanor, his gaze darkening slightly as he spoke slowly. "I don’t fully understand either... But from Morgana’s reaction, it seems the relationship between them and Lisa isn’
Morgana’s voice grew weaker, but the magic refused to let her stop. She was forced to continue, every word dragged out like a confession to the abyss.“The stone… shields her research… hides it from the Enforcement Division… She’s been working on it all this time… and once the spell is complete… she plans to destroy the Blackwood family… completely.”“What?!”Leon’s eyes widened, his breath hitching.Selena’s ambition wasn’t just to control someone—she wanted to erase the Blackwood family from existence.How dare she?The sheer scale of her plan was madness.But why? Why them?The cell fell into a suffocating silence.Leon’s fingers curled into fists, his knuckles turning white. His mind raced through the implications and hidden motives that led to this revelation.Aric, for once, was quiet. Then—he exhaled a slow, almost amused chuckle.“So that’s how it is…”He gazed down at Morgana, his expression unreadable, his voice as cold as steel.“You’ve given me quite the gift.”Morgana's l
Aric let out a quiet scoff, a glint of coldness flashing in his eyes. “Hard to say. But this outcome was inevitable.”“Inevitable?”Leon’s gaze sharpened. Aric rarely used such a phrase—unless he had already woven an invisible net around his prey.Aric turned his head slightly, a ghost of a smile playing at the corner of his lips.“Among all the witches and warlocks, only their magic is truly… unnatural. Even by simple elimination, they were always the prime suspects.”He paused deliberately, his voice stretching out in a teasing drawl.“Besides… I had Elian spread a few rumors and exaggerate the results of the research. And you know how it is—when people have something to hide, they start acting strange. Keeping their heads down. Becoming just a little too quiet.”Leon fixed his gaze on him as if he had already pieced together where this was going. “And then?”Aric shrugged, his tone laced with a casual, almost playful cunning. “A few times, I made a point of boasting in front of the