Fabian's uneasy gaze locked tightly onto Elarielle.Something was wrong.The conversation between them was far too short—so short that he instantly smelled the stench of death.
But under the oppressive weight of High Elf bloodline and aura, he couldn't even muster the thought of resisting or fleeing.Escape? Impossible. There was no way.A grown High Elf was, at the very least, a Magus Lord. And the one before him—she was of royal blood!
Elarielle's beautiful eyes watched him calmly.As a being closely attuned to the essence of nature itself, her perception of purity and corruption in life energy was instinctual.Beneath Fabian's skin, she saw nothing but a twisted, filthy mire of souls—oozing with countless faint cries of agony.
Fabian shuddered under that gaze, as though it pierced through to his very soul. The immense oppression born of life's higher order and of his own sins nearly smothered him.He tried to speak: "Honorable Elf—"
But Elarielle didn't give him the chance.She raised her hand gently, and at her fingertips swirled a trace of energy steeped in ultimate cold, hunger, and madness.It was the essence she had, over millennia, stripped and preserved from the abyssal rift of the deep-sea insectoid swarms.
She flicked that strand of energy toward Fabian.
There was no violent impact, no physical pain.Fabian merely stiffened, his pupils shrinking to pinpoints.In his senses, the world around him shifted in an instant.
The cozy dining hall became a cold, deathly void.From every direction surged countless nameless shadows—twisted, ravenous, radiating primal malice.And within them merged the shades of all those he had deceived, harmed, and consumed. Their voiceless screams and accusations pierced straight into his soul!
It was a terror far worse than death itself—an absolute void, hunger, and bloodthirst.
"No… no—!!""Don't come! Stay away! Stay away!"
Fabian's shrieks broke into distorted screams as his body trembled uncontrollably.Tears and snot streamed down his face, and his trousers soaked instantly.He thrashed his arms desperately to ward off the illusions that weren't even there. His mind collapsed entirely.
Within him, the core of magic that had long borne countless cracks from his sins now shattered like glass under a hammer.
"AAAHHH—!"
He howled in despair.Black energy erupted like venomous snakes from his seven orifices, tearing into his flesh.The grievances of his victims, magnified endlessly by the insectoid terror, became tangible spiritual spikes that shredded him from within.
He became a rotting blister of corruption, destroying himself from the inside out.
Elarielle simply watched, her eyes calm yet sorrowful, as though witnessing a long-fated retribution.
The process was brief, but violent.After a few breaths, Fabian's screams ceased.His body collapsed limply to the ground, eyes wide open, pupils frozen in endless terror and pain.
With a soft wave of her hand, Elarielle made the corpse sink silently into the earth, dissolving without a trace.
…
"Father… that lady…"
Lilith, pulled along by Leo, couldn't help but glance back.Her blue eyes were full of shock and disbelief.That fleeting glimpse—the pointed ears, the golden hair, the ethereal grace, the calm that treated even a mighty Magus like dust…
It was beyond anything she had ever imagined.
"She will be your mentor from now on," Leo said gently."So, do you still think the capital's magicians and academies are your only choice?"
Lilith shook her head hard, her cheeks flushed with excitement and lingering fear.Clutching her father's arm tightly, her eyes shone with worship and trust."No, no! Father… you're the best!"
Never had she even dreamed that she would meet a real elf, the race of legends.And now, one of them would be her teacher!It was like something straight out of an ancient epic.
…
Outside the mayor's mansion, the sun was warm.A gentle breeze carried the scent of grass and the aroma of bread from a distant bakery.As if the brief clash inside had never existed.
Lilith was lost in joy and bright visions of the future, but Leo's heart grew heavy.When he had pulled her close just now, he had sensed within her a faint yet unfathomable aura.
It was far from ordinary.With his current cultivation, he could peer into the essence of all things. Yet even he could not fully fathom the deepest mystery at the root of his daughter's life force.It was like a mist veiled in countless tiny stars.
This could not have come from him. The Grey family bloodline was respectable, but nowhere near this profound.
"There's only one possibility left…"
"System," he called silently within."Analyze my daughter Lilith's talent."
[Command confirmed. Beginning deep scan… Analyzing…][Analysis complete: Target possesses "Dormant Heart of Stars" (deep hibernation state). Composition: 28% inherited from host, 72% from unknown High Star Bloodline.]
Heart of Stars?Unknown High Star Bloodline?
Leo frowned, his eyes flickering with complicated light.No wonder Lilith's magical talent was so extraordinary, and no wonder she could see in darkness without a lamp.Every night, after putting her to bed, he had seen faint starlight radiating from her body.
Now it all made sense—even why her mother had vanished without a trace.The revelation plucked harshly at his heartstrings.
"Father, father!"
Lilith shook his arm, her little face flushed red with excitement, her blue eyes full of shining questions and wonder."That lady—I saw her ears! Pointy! Just like the legends!""No, even more beautiful than the legends!"
She whispered, afraid of disturbing something sacred."She… she really wants to be my teacher?""Aren't elves supposed to be proud and aloof, unwilling to mingle with humans? How did you…"
Leo looked at his daughter's lively, curious expression, and the heavy thoughts of her hidden bloodline faded."It was just fate. She is a venerable elder, learned and wise, especially in natural magic. She is the perfect guide for you. As for how I persuaded her…"
He paused, his tone turning light and teasing."No more secrets—I, your father, am actually a peerless master!"
Lilith burst out laughing, clearly not believing him, and playfully thumped his arm."Father! You're joking again!"
But her eyes still brimmed with worship and trust.Whatever the truth, the fact that her father had invited an elven mentor proved his extraordinary nature.
As for that Fabian mage…From the moment he had insulted her father to his face, she had already seen the filth of his true self.
At that moment, the mansion door behind them opened softly.A tall figure stepped gracefully into the light.