The carriage swayed gently as it moved down the road, the rhythmic clatter of hooves against stone filling the silence between Emily and Sophie. They were on their way back to the capital.

Both were lost in their own thoughts, their time in the Weaverheart territory having turned out…unexpected, to say the least.

They had encountered a dangerous man. A man who played them effortlessly and took exactly what he wanted from them.

‘He blackmailed me… with a secret no one should ever know.’

Emily’s fingers curled against her lap as she replayed it all.

‘Then he took my daughter. And after that, he had the audacity to come back—to make amends. By that point, antagonizing him would have been foolish. He has the wit, the courage, the talent, and the backing. Standing against him would have been suicide.’

‘So I compromised. I gave him two terms—two of my deepest, most desperate desires. The death of my family—the ones who sold me to the Empire, who tore me from the love of my life. And the death of the Emperor himself. I opened myself up to him… because I knew. He is the only one ruthless enough, driven enough, to do it.’

And she had been right.

A slow smile crept onto her lips. Relief flooded through her veins. She had secured an ally.

No, not just an ally. A weapon.

Noah would grow stronger. And when the time came… he would kill them all.

Emily’s expression darkened, her pupils burning with a killing intent so potent that the air inside the carriage thickened.

‘You made me live under the same roof as the man who murdered my love. You forced me to bear his heirs. You will pay for it.’

Sophie shivered beside her, instinctively sensing the shift in her mother’s mood.

“Mother… what’s wrong? Did Noah upset you again?”

Emily snapped out of her thoughts and glanced at her daughter.

“Ah, so now you call him by his name with respect? I can’t believe he won you over so easily.”

Sophie’s lips twitched. “Mother, the way you say it makes it sound like I’m some easy girl.”

“Are you not?” Emily raised a brow. “One conversation, and you let him into your heart?”

Sophie rolled her eyes. “I couldn’t resist. And besides, you should understand, shouldn’t you? After all, you—who claim to be so cautious—ended up supporting him after just one meeting. Not even an hour. Shall we talk about that?”

Emily clicked her tongue. “I see now you’ve finally shed that arrogant, dismissive nature. Should I thank Noah for that?”

“It’s only when I’m with you, Mother,” Sophie smirked. “The moment I step out of this carriage, I’ll be back to my usual self. Only Noah and you get to see this side of me.”

Emily narrowed her eyes. “And how exactly did he manage to win you over?”

“He gave me exactly what I wanted most. Or rather… he promised to get it for me. And I believe him.”

Sophie’s cheeks suddenly tinted pink.

“He also gifted me an Ice Lotus. He created it right in front of me with his power. It was… mesmerizing, Mother. The way he controlled the ice—it was almost divine. And to think he awakened only a month ago… It’s madness.”

She touched her chest lightly, as if reliving the moment.

“He promised that once he’s stronger, he’ll give me an Ice Lotus that will never melt.”

Emily exhaled sharply, shaking her head. That little devil truly knows how to capture a girl.

Her expression soon turned serious.

“And how exactly are we going to explain this to your father?”

Sophie waved a hand dismissively. “Simple. We blame the Duchess Selene. It’s not like we could do anything if she refused to let Noah be seen, claiming he was training. She said he’ll meet the world at Apex Academy—in three years.”

Emily’s brows lifted. “Are you truly foolish enough to use that witch as your shield?”

“Noah gave me permission,” Sophie said with a knowing smile.

Emily sighed. That boy is dangerous.

Sophie leaned back, stretching her arms lazily. “Now that I think about it, all the heirs of the Four Great Houses will be attending in three years. Even the Chosen One.”

Both mother and daughter smirked.

For all their reasoning, for all their patience… they couldn’t wait.

They eagerly anticipated how Noah would fare in a place filled with prodigies, multiple races, and powers beyond his current comprehension.

“And I’ll be there,” Sophie murmured, her voice dripping with certainty. “By his side. As his wife.”

Emily rolled her eyes.

⸻

The Church of Light—

Elijah sat in deep meditation, his body enveloped in flickering golden flames. His fire twisted and coiled, forming the shape of a phoenix, radiating a heat so intense that the air around him shimmered.

Tock—

The temple doors creaked open.

A girl stepped inside, moving with graceful precision.

She had white hair, a blindfold covering her eyes, and the robes of a nun draped over her slender frame. Her skin was pale as moonlight.

The Saintess. Elizabeth Lightcross.

“How are you, Blessed One?” Her voice was smooth, honeyed.

Elijah’s eyes snapped open, glowing with golden fire. His aura pulsed outward, divine and overwhelming.

Elizabeth trembled. Her pulse quickened. ‘Ahh… I need to control myself. I can’t let him see this side of me.’

She clinched her robe tightly, her breath hitching.

She clenched her fists, resisting the intoxicating pull of his presence. The urge to be close to him, to breathe in his scent, to remain by his side forever—it clawed at her like an obsession.

Because he was the Goddess’s champion.

Her Messenger.

And as the Saintess all she wish is to be close to her goddess. And what better way than her messenger ?

But then, a rumor surfaced in her mind. Her lips pressed into a thin line.

“I heard the Emperor wishes to marry off his youngest daughter… Sophie Castria.”

Elijah rose to his feet, stretching slightly. His movements were relaxed, unhurried.

He is not the same young boy. Now he is the blessed one, with this comes naturally arrogance, pride.

A smirk played at the corner of his lips.

“Really? But that doesn’t surprise me. Given my current status… it’s only natural.”

Elizabeth’s stomach twisted. Unacceptable.

Elijah was meant to belong only to her—the Saintess. She was the only one worthy.

“You don’t mind marrying her?” she asked, her voice dangerously neutral.

Elijah’s smirk deepened. “I mean… I hear she’s beautiful. So I don’t mind.”

Ah. There it was. That lustful side of his.

Like father, like son.

Elizabeth remained silent. She wouldn’t argue—not yet.

“Your training is being accelerated,” she informed him. “You are commanded to attend Apex Academy in three years. I will be accompanying you.”

Elijah nodded. Three years. Apex Academy. Different races. Different… women.

He could hardly wait.

“The higher-ups also asked me to relay a warning,” Elizabeth continued. “Noah Weaverheart—the other SSS-rank holder—will most likely attend as well.”

Elijah scoffed. “So what? I’m also SSS-rank. And I have two other talents. His element is ice. I am fire. And I am blessed by the Goddess. You’re worrying over nothing.”

Elizabeth remained silent. After all, she agreed with him. She can’t imagine someone more talented than Elijah.

Meanwhile, Elijah’s smirk only grew as a familiar chime echoed in his mind.

<You have completed your 5-hour training.>

<You have received: +3 Mana, +2 Endurance.>

At this sight only one thought echoed in his mind.

No one will match me.

His system—unlike Noah’s—allowed him to grow stronger in a different way. It helps him view his attributes and to improve them easily with stats points. Without forgetting others than stats points he receives skills, artifacts and potions for his quests rewards.

His growth is fast and efficace. Worthy of someone blessed by The Goddess.

Elizabeth stepped closer, her face now inches from his.

“In Apex Academy,” she whispered, “there will be no one to stop us.”

Elijah grinned.

“Indeed.”

—End of Chapter 16—

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by Madara Web Novel