While the curtain of night quietly rolled over the sky, Igaris slowly recounted their story. No—this was not just a story. It was reality.
He told her how he had risen to power, how they met, how they once had children together. He spoke of his arrogance, his callousness, how it made him a weak Overlord in the end. He told her of the battles, the loss, and how, in the end, he sacrificed his life to fix everything. And to return back through time.
As Evernight listened to his words, the images played vividly in her mind.
Getting married? Having children?
Just imagining it sent a blush creeping up her smooth cheeks. Yet behind those warm words, she also saw the shadows of the struggle, the guilt, the pain, the longing in his eyes.
He had fought for years to protect them. He was successful to protect many. And yet, he had failed. He could not save own family in the end. But even then, he did not give up.
He came back. Just for them.
Still, she did not know how to respond. Her heart was full, her mind scattered. She, the fallen and unshaken, now felt something she had not felt in centuries.
Evernight lowered her gaze, her long eyelashes trembling. For a moment, silence hung between them, broken only by the gentle rustle of wind brushing against the paper screens.
"Igaris..." she whispered, her voice barely audible, like a sigh lost to time. "Do you know how long I have wandered in Ashvale? How many centuries passed with nothing but cold, silence, and war at my side?"
She paused, then looked up. Her crimson eyes shimmered with something ancient, something deep.
"And then you came. A foolish boy with reckless courage and eyes full of stars. You didn’t fear me. You didn’t just use me. You... trusted me."
Her hand tightened slightly over his.
"I used to mock love. I thought it make me weak. I believed I had no need for it. But now... I see I was only afraid of it."
A faint smile curved her lips, soft and sorrowful.
"If all you said is true... if we did have a life together in that other time... then perhaps... that future was not so terrible after all."
She leaned forward, her forehead resting gently against his.
"But I still do not know how I should fully accept you when I am not my future self," she whispered, her voice trembling slightly. "But know this. This time, I will not let you fight alone."
Igaris looked into her eyes, and instead of disappointment, there was only warmth.
"I understand," he said softly. "Feelings cannot be forced, nor should they be rushed. It is enough for me that you are here."
He reached up and gently brushed a strand of hair from her face.
"From today you’re free from my Soul Binding. Even if you wish to run, I Won’t stop you."
Evernight could also feel it. He had truly removed the shackles placed on her. But along with it came a feeling of emptiness.
"There’s no need to free me, Igaris. That soul binding didn’t just restrained me, it also provide me protection from death." she reasoned.
"I can wait, Calypso. I waited once in another life. I can wait again. When the time comes and your heart accepts mine without doubt, we will marry again. Under the open sky, beneath the moonlight, just the two of us. Heaven and Earth shall witness our vow, and this time, I will protect it all. I will protect you."
For a moment, the room was filled with stillness, the kind that only falls when two hearts meet in quiet understanding. There was no need for further words.
Only the soft rhythm of their breathing, the closeness they shared, and the silent promise of a future yet to come.
The next morning, the disciples of both the Inner Court and Outer Court had already begun their daily training drills, separated as always by a tall boundary wall.
Yet unlike ordinary days, there was a distinct fervor in the air. The Selection Tournament was only three days away, and with it, the chance to earn a place in the Grand Imperial Tournament. With fame, glory, and rewards beyond imagination awaiting the victors, every disciple pushed themselves harder than ever before.
Even the Outer Court disciples, who were often overlooked, displayed rare determination. Though their chances were slim to none, a few still dared to hope.
The elders observing them, however, shook their heads with thinly veiled amusement, as if mocking the very idea that someone from the Outer Court could stand on the same stage as the elites.
Among the crowd of struggling Outer Disciples, a black-haired youth relentlessly struck a wooden training dummy with his fists. His name was Ren Wen. Sweat dripped from his brow, and his breaths grew heavier with each blow, yet he did not stop.
After several more strikes, he finally paused and glanced around.
Most of his fellow disciples were already slacking off, giving in to despair or simple resignation. He understood why. No matter how hard they trained, the Inner Court and Core Disciples were always favored. The system was against them from the start.
His eyes wandered until they settled on a young woman strolling past the Outer Court boundary. She was an Inner Disciple, her robes of finer silk, her steps graceful, her chin raised high in arrogance. Her gaze swept over Ren Wen, and for a brief moment, her lips curled in a mocking smirk.
Then she turned away, her hips swaying with pride and disdain, as if she were a queen among peasants.
Ren’s hands clenched into fists. His heart burned with silent fury.
"Su Nan, one day, you will look at me differently," he muttered to himself, his eyes sharp as a blade
And with renewed resolve, he stepped back to the wooden dummy and resumed his strikes, the sound of his fists echoing like drums of war.
Just then, Ren Wen’s fists halted mid-air as his eyes caught a figure approaching from the path beyond the training grounds.
The young man walked with calm purpose, the morning light brushing against his black and gold robes. His dark hair danced slightly in the breeze, unbound and effortless. He was not adorned with extravagant looks like some of the famed Core Disciples, but there was something about him. Something commanding. His presence alone made the air feel heavier.
An aura of quiet authority clung to him, as though the very world had learned to make way when he walked.
Ren’s eyes widened. He recognized him instantly.
"That’s him... the Dao Child," he whispered.
Whispers spread quickly across the yard as other Outer Disciples noticed the figure drawing near.
"Huh? Is it really him?"
"Why is the Dao Child here of all places?"
"Could he be looking for someone?"
But Ren barely heard them. His eyes locked on Igaris, who was walking directly toward him.
"Why is he coming to me...?" Ren muttered, more to himself than anyone else. "What would someone like him want with an Outer Disciple like me?"
His heart pounded in confusion and nervous anticipation.
Disciples cleared a path instinctively as Igaris approached.
And then, he stopped. Right in front of Ren Wen.
Follow current novels on freewe(b)novel.c(o)m