**[WARNING: EXPLICIT R-18 CONTENT]**
The announcement came three days later during the morning assembly.
Anthonio stood with the other Manifestation students, listening to Headmaster Aldwin drone about upcoming competitions and Academy regulations. Most students were half-asleep, barely paying attention to the routine announcements.
Then the headmaster's tone shifted.
"Before we conclude, I have a special announcement regarding two of our distinguished students." Aldwin's voice carried across the arena, suddenly commanding full attention. "Lady Seraphina Nightshade and Young Master Kael Stormborn have entered into a formal engagement contract, with the full blessing of Duke Marcus Nightshade and Duke Aldric Stormborn."
The arena erupted. Excited whispers, gasps of surprise, enthusiastic applause from those hoping to curry favor with the newly engaged couple.
Anthonio watched it all with perfect composure, his expression showing only mild interest—exactly what an unimportant Manifestation student should display when hearing about Transcendence nobles' business.
*And so it begins. The public charade.*
On the raised platform, Kael Stormborn stood beside Seraphina, his hand resting possessively on her waist. He looked triumphant, his three Divine Essences radiating satisfaction. This was what he'd wanted—the ice princess as his bride, the political alliance secured, another step toward his destined greatness.
Seraphina played her role perfectly. She smiled graciously, accepted congratulations with appropriate modesty, allowed Kael to present her to the Academy as his future wife.
But Anthonio caught the moment her eyes found his across the crowd. Just a flicker of contact, barely a second, but it carried volumes. *This is just theater. You know the truth.*
"Can you believe it?" Elena whispered beside him, her hand resting casually on his arm. She'd become quite comfortable with casual touching since their first night together. "The blessed hero and the ice princess. It's like something out of a romance novel."
"Very fairytale," Anthonio agreed neutrally.
"They make a stunning couple," another student commented. "Three Divine Essences and Divine Essence of Ice. Their children will be incredible."
*If there ever are children. Which there won't be, because that engagement is empty paper.*
The assembly concluded with the announcement. Students dispersed to their morning classes, gossip already spreading like wildfire. The engagement was all anyone could talk about—speculation about wedding dates, political implications, what it meant for the balance of power among noble houses.
Anthonio let it wash over him, maintaining his cover of disinterested observer. Just another Manifestation student, too far below such exalted circles to have opinions worth sharing.
---
"Advanced Lightning Cultivation" was his first class, taught by a visiting master from the Lightning Temple—an ancient institution that specialized in electrical essence manipulation. Master Veyron was Transcendence 9-Star, one step away from Sovereign level, and his lightning techniques were legendary.
Anthonio paid careful attention. While he possessed primordial essence far beyond normal lightning cultivation, there was always value in observing how masters approached their craft. Sometimes technique could compensate for power differences.
"Lightning is the element of precision," Master Veyron explained, his own lightning dancing across his fingertips in complex patterns. "Fire consumes. Water flows. Earth endures. But lightning strikes exactly where intended, with perfect timing. Mastering this precision is what separates competent lightning cultivators from true masters."
He demonstrated a technique called "Threading the Needle"—sending a thin lance of lightning through a series of metal rings positioned at increasing distances. The lightning had to maintain perfect coherence across fifty meters while threading through openings barely wider than a finger.
"Who wants to attempt this?" Veyron asked, his eyes scanning the class.
Several students raised their hands immediately. Anthonio didn't—he could perform this technique trivially with primordial essence, but showing off would draw unwanted attention.
"You." Veyron pointed at Cassandra, who sat in her usual front row position. "Stormwind. Your file indicates exceptional lightning control. Show me."
Cassandra stood confidently, moving to the demonstration area. She took her stance, gathering lightning in her hand, then released it toward the first ring.
The technique was impressive—her lightning threaded through the first five rings with perfect precision. But at the sixth ring, her control wavered slightly. The lightning dispersed, failing to reach the remaining targets.
"Not bad," Veyron commented. "You maintained coherence for thirty meters. That's above average for Manifestation 9-Star. But you're forcing the lightning rather than guiding it. Lightning is like water—it wants to flow. Your job is to show it the path, not drag it along."
Cassandra nodded, clearly filing away the feedback. She returned to her seat, catching Anthonio's eye as she passed. A small smile, a promise for later.
"Anyone else want to try?" Veyron asked. "Someone who hasn't demonstrated yet?"
His gaze landed on Anthonio. "Crimsonhart. Your turn. Let's see what that unusual crimson lightning can do."
*Damn. Can't refuse without looking weak or suspicious.*
Anthonio stood, moving to the demonstration area. Every eye in the class was on him now—the exiled noble with mysterious resources, the one who'd advanced impossibly fast.
He gathered the Primordial Red Lightning, being extremely careful to suppress it to Manifestation 9-Star levels. The crimson electricity crackled across his fingers, and he heard several students gasp at the color.
*Just enough to be interesting. Not enough to reveal the truth.*
Anthonio released the lightning toward the rings. It threaded through the first five easily—matching Cassandra's performance. At the sixth ring, he deliberately let his control waver slightly, the lightning dispersing just like Cassandra's had.
"Hmm." Veyron studied him intently. "Your control is excellent. Very smooth channeling, minimal energy waste. And that color—I've only seen crimson lightning in ancient texts about primordial essence. Where exactly did you find your cultivation resources?"
"Northern mountains, in caves near my exile location. I don't know the specific origin."
"Fascinating." Veyron moved closer, his spiritual sense sweeping over Anthonio. "Your essence pathways are unusual. Very unusual. They don't show the typical structure of someone who advanced through normal cultivation."
*Shit. He's too perceptive. Need to redirect this.*
"I had Broken Veins originally," Anthonio explained. "The resources I found somehow reconstructed the pathways. My advancement was... unconventional."
"That's an understatement." Veyron continued studying him. "Broken Veins don't just reconstruct. Something fundamentally changed your essence structure. I'd very much like to study your cultivation method more closely."
"I'm not sure I fully understand it myself, Master. It was more instinctive than systematic."
Veyron nodded slowly, though his expression suggested he wasn't entirely satisfied with that explanation. "Perhaps we'll revisit this later. For now, return to your seat."
Anthonio did so, very aware that he'd just painted a larger target on himself. Master Veyron was clearly suspicious, and having a Transcendence 9-Star lightning expert paying attention to him was not ideal for maintaining cover.
*Need to be more careful. Can't keep drawing attention without raising questions I can't answer.*
---
The afternoon brought an unexpected summons.
Anthonio was heading to Combat Training when a messenger intercepted him—a servant bearing the Nightshade family crest.
"Young Master Crimsonhart, Lady Seraphina requests your presence in the Eastern Gardens at your earliest convenience."
*A public summons. Interesting. She's establishing that we're acquaintances, friends even, but nothing improper.*
"Tell Lady Seraphina I'll be there shortly."
The Eastern Gardens were one of the Academy's more beautiful areas—carefully maintained paths, exotic plants, secluded alcoves perfect for private conversations. Seraphina waited by a fountain, still wearing the formal attire from the morning's announcement.
She wasn't alone. Kael Stormborn stood beside her, his hand resting on her lower back in a possessive gesture that made Anthonio's jaw tighten slightly.
*Control. This is expected. This is part of the plan.*
"Anthonio," Seraphina greeted him with a polite smile. "Thank you for coming. I wanted you to meet my fiancé properly. Kael, this is Anthonio Crimsonhart—we met at my debut ball several months ago."
"We've met," Kael said, extending his hand. "At the royal court, after I saved Duke Marcus from the assassination attempt."
"I remember." Anthonio shook his hand firmly, meeting his gaze steadily. "Congratulations on your engagement. You're a fortunate man."
"I am." Kael pulled Seraphina closer. "Lady Seraphina is everything I could want in a partner. Beautiful, powerful, intelligent."
"All of that and more," Anthonio agreed, noting how Seraphina's expression remained perfectly neutral despite Kael's possessive display. "I hope you'll both be very happy."
"I wanted to tell you in person," Seraphina said, her ice-blue eyes meeting Anthonio's with perfect innocence. "I know we've been corresponding as friends, and I wanted to assure you that my engagement won't change that friendship. Kael and I have discussed it, and he's comfortable with me maintaining appropriate friendships."
*She's establishing cover. Making our continued contact seem natural and innocent.*
"I appreciate that," Anthonio said. "Though I understand if your circumstances change things. Engaged couples often prefer to focus on each other."
"Nonsense," Kael said with easy confidence. "Seraphina should have friends beyond just me. I'm not so insecure as to be threatened by appropriate correspondence."
*You should be. You really, really should be.*
"That's very understanding of you," Anthonio said.
They talked for another ten minutes—polite, surface-level conversation about Academy life and training. Kael was charming and confident, clearly believing he'd won completely. Seraphina played the happy fiancée perfectly, leaning into Kael's touch, smiling at his jokes, giving every appearance of satisfaction with the arrangement.
But when Kael looked away briefly, Seraphina's eyes met Anthonio's with an intensity that said: *This is torture. Get me alone soon.*
"I should let you two enjoy your afternoon," Anthonio finally said. "Congratulations again on the engagement."
"Thank you, Crimsonhart," Kael said. "I hope to see you at the celebration dinner tonight. All Academy students are invited."
"I'll be there."
---
**[EXPLICIT R-18 CONTENT - SCENE 1: ARIA]**
Anthonio found Aria in the library that evening, before the engagement celebration dinner. She was reading in a secluded corner, her golden eyes intense with concentration.
"Mind if I join you?" he asked.
Aria looked up, a smile lighting her face. "Anthonio. Please, sit. I was hoping to see you today."
"Oh? Why's that?"
"I wanted your opinion on something." She showed him the cultivation manual she'd been reading. "This technique is supposed to help with fire compression, but the explanation doesn't make sense. It contradicts basic essence flow theory."
They bent over the manual together, discussing the technique's flaws and potential modifications. The conversation flowed naturally into broader topics—cultivation theory, combat applications, their respective training philosophies.
"You understand this stuff better than most instructors," Aria observed after an hour. "How? You said you were mostly self-taught during exile."
"I read extensively. And I had a good teacher in my servant—she's more knowledgeable than she looks."
"Still. This level of theoretical understanding usually requires years of formal training." Aria studied him. "You're full of mysteries, Anthonio Crimsonhart."
"Mystery makes life more interesting."
"It does." Aria shifted closer, her body language becoming less academic and more personal. "Can I ask you something personal?"
"Of course."
"The engagement announcement this morning—Lady Seraphina Nightshade and Kael Stormborn. I saw how you watched them during the announcement. Like it meant something to you."
*Sharp. Too sharp. Need to deflect carefully.*
"We're friends," Anthonio said carefully. "Seraphina and I. We corresponded during my exile. I'm happy for her, even if the engagement is more political than romantic."
"Is it?" Aria's golden eyes were penetrating. "They seemed happy together."
"Seraphina is good at appearances. But between you and me, she accepted the engagement to get her father off her back. She told me as much in a letter."
"So it's not a love match."
"Not on her side, at least. Kael seems genuinely interested, but Seraphina... she's playing a longer game."
Aria was quiet for a moment. "That's sad. Being forced into an engagement for politics rather than love."
"That's nobility." Anthonio shrugged. "Everything is political. Love is a luxury most can't afford."
"Do you believe that? That love is a luxury?"
"I believe that power and position matter more than feelings in our world. But that doesn't mean I like it."
Aria moved even closer, close enough that Anthonio could feel the heat radiating from her fire essence. "What if someone wanted to choose feelings over politics? Would you think them foolish?"
"I'd think them brave."
"Even if it meant complications? Risks?"
"Especially then." Anthonio met her gaze. "The safe choices are rarely the rewarding ones."
Aria kissed him.
It was sudden, impulsive, driven by emotion rather than calculation. Anthonio responded immediately, his hand coming up to cup her face as the kiss deepened.
"I've wanted to do that since we first talked," Aria breathed against his lips. "You make me feel seen. Not as the traitor's daughter, not as the scholarship student, just as... me."
"Because that's all I see," Anthonio said honestly. "Everything else is just background noise."
"Take me somewhere private," Aria whispered. "Please. I need..."
"I know."
They made it to one of the library's private study rooms—small spaces meant for individual research, with locks on the doors. The moment they were inside and the door was locked, Aria was on him, her hands desperate and eager.
"I've never done this before," she admitted, pulling at his clothes. "I don't know what I'm doing."
"Neither did I my first time. We'll figure it out together."
They stripped quickly, and Anthonio took in Aria's body—lean and athletic, smaller breasts than Elena but perfect proportions, skin that seemed to glow with inner fire.
"You're beautiful," he said honestly.
"So are you." Aria's hand wrapped around his cock, stroking experimentally. "God, you're so hard already."
"That's what you do to me."
He guided her to the desk, lifting her to sit on the edge. Aria spread her legs in invitation, and Anthonio knelt between them, determined to make her first time memorable.
His tongue found her clit, and Aria gasped, her hands flying to his hair. "Oh fuck, that's... that's..."
He worked her methodically, learning what made her gasp, what made her moan. Within minutes, Aria was trembling, her thighs clamping around his head as her first orgasm hit.
"I need you inside me," she gasped when she could speak. "Please, Anthonio, I need..."
He stood, positioning himself at her entrance. "This might hurt at first. Tell me if it's too much."
"Just do it. I want—oh fuck!"
He pushed inside slowly, feeling her virgin tightness resist him. Aria winced but didn't ask him to stop, her hands gripping his shoulders as he worked his way deeper.
"You're so big," she gasped. "So deep..."
"You're so tight," Anthonio groaned. "So fucking perfect, Aria."
He started moving, slow and careful at first, letting her body adjust. But as Aria's moans grew louder, as her hips began meeting his thrusts, he increased his pace.
"Yes," Aria moaned. "Just like that, don't stop..."
"Touch yourself," Anthonio commanded. "I want to feel you come around my cock."
Aria's hand slid between them, finding her clit. Within minutes, she was coming again, her pussy clenching around him rhythmically.
"Where do you want me to come?" Anthonio gasped, his own release approaching.
"Inside," Aria breathed. "I want to feel it..."
He came with a groan, filling her deeply. They stayed locked together for a long moment, both trembling.
"That was..." Aria started, then laughed. "I don't even have words."
"Same."
---
The engagement celebration dinner was a lavish affair. The Academy's grand dining hall had been decorated extensively, with ice sculptures courtesy of Seraphina's essence and spiritual formations that created dancing lights throughout the space.
Anthonio arrived fashionably late, slipping into a seat near the back. The front tables were reserved for Transcendence students and VIP guests—Duke Nightshade had made an appearance, as had Duke Aldric Stormborn, both looking pleased with their children's political alliance.
Seraphina and Kael sat at the head table, the center of attention. They looked perfect together—the blessed hero and the ice princess, both beautiful and powerful, clearly meant for each other according to every noble watching.
*If only they knew. If only they could see that she's thinking about me while sitting beside him. That she's counting the minutes until we can be alone again.*
"Quite the spectacle," a voice said beside him.
Anthonio turned to find Lyra Shadowmere sliding into the seat next to his. The mysterious shadow cultivator wore a dark dress that complemented her black hair and made her dark eyes seem even more penetrating.
"Lady Shadowmere. I didn't expect to see you here."
"I go where I please." Lyra's gaze was fixed on the head table. "They make a lovely couple, don't they? Almost too perfect. Like actors playing roles."
"You think the engagement is fake?"
"I think nothing in nobility is simple. Every smile has calculation behind it, every touch is measured for political effect." Lyra turned to look at him directly. "Rather like your friendship with Lady Seraphina. Very convenient, how you've maintained correspondence despite your exile. Some might wonder if there's more to that relationship."
*Dangerous. She's too perceptive.*
"Wondering and knowing are different things," Anthonio said carefully. "People can speculate all they want. Doesn't make their speculation accurate."
"True." Lyra smiled slightly. "Still, I find it interesting that Lady Seraphina specifically requested your presence at this celebration. Of all the students here, she made sure you were invited. Why is that?"
"We're friends. Friends attend each other's important events."
"Friends." Lyra's smile widened. "Of course. How silly of me to think otherwise."
She stood, her hand resting briefly on his shoulder. "Enjoy the celebration, Anthonio Crimsonhart. I have a feeling the coming months will be very... entertaining."
She walked away, and Anthonio watched her go with growing concern. Lyra was too observant, too willing to voice suspicions others might think but not speak. She could become a problem.
*Add her to the list of complications to manage.*
The dinner proceeded with speeches and toasts. Duke Nightshade praised his daughter's wise choice. Duke Aldric spoke of his son's growing legend. Kael himself gave a charming speech about finding love in unexpected places.
Seraphina's speech was shorter, more reserved. She thanked everyone for their support and expressed hope for a long and prosperous union.
Her eyes found Anthonio's for just a moment during that speech. A flicker of contact that said: *This is all lies. You know the truth.*
Yes. He did know the truth.
And the truth was that Kael Stormborn had just celebrated an engagement to a woman who was already completely claimed by another man.
---
**[EXPLICIT R-18 CONTENT - SCENE 2: SERAPHINA]**
Anthonio received Seraphina's note an hour after the celebration concluded: *Storage room 7, basement level. Now.*
He made his way there carefully, ensuring no one followed. The storage room was dusty and rarely used, filled with old training equipment and forgotten supplies.
Seraphina was already there, still wearing her celebration dress. The moment the door closed, she was on him, kissing him with desperate intensity.
"I hated every second of that," she gasped against his lips. "Sitting beside him, pretending to be happy, letting him touch me—"
"I know."
"He kissed me. In front of everyone. For the toast." Seraphina's voice was anguished. "I had to let him kiss me and pretend I enjoyed it when all I could think about was you."
"Show me you're mine," Anthonio commanded, his hands already working at her dress. "Show me he means nothing."
"Always yours," Seraphina breathed, helping him strip away the expensive fabric. "Only yours, no matter what appearances require."
He took her against the wall, hard and fast and possessive. Seraphina wrapped her legs around his waist, her nails raking down his back as he pounded into her.
"Harder," she demanded. "Fuck me like you own me. Erase him from my skin."
"You're mine," Anthonio growled, his hand around her throat. "Let him have the public displays, the political engagement, the congratulations. You're mine where it matters."
"Yes," Seraphina moaned. "Yours, always yours—oh fuck, right there—"
She came with a cry that she muffled against his shoulder, her pussy clenching around him. Anthonio followed seconds later, filling her deeply.
They stayed pressed together, both breathing hard. Seraphina's dress was ruined, her carefully arranged hair now a mess, her makeup smudged.
"I need to get back," she finally said. "Kael will wonder where I disappeared to."
"Tell him you needed air. That the celebration was overwhelming."
"He'll believe it. He believes everything I tell him." Seraphina kissed Anthonio softly. "Six months. In six months I turn eighteen and have legal independence. Then I can break this engagement and choose you openly."
"Six months," Anthonio agreed. "Until then, we play the game."
"I hate this game."
"I know. But it's necessary." He helped her straighten her appearance, fixing her hair and cleaning the smudged makeup. "Go back to your fiancé. Smile and play the happy bride. And know that every night, you're coming back to me."
"Always."
---
Anthonio returned to his room near midnight, his mind processing the evening's developments. The engagement was public now, official and celebrated. Kael believed he'd won completely—the ice princess as his bride, political advantage secured, another step toward his destined greatness.
He had no idea. No idea at all.
*You're celebrating an empty victory, protagonist. You have the engagement contract, the public recognition, the political advantage. But the woman herself? She's mine. Has been mine. Will always be mine.*
*And in six months, when she breaks that engagement and chooses me openly, your humiliation will be complete.*
The Shadow Heart stirred in his consciousness.
*"You're playing a dangerous game,"* it observed. *"If Kael discovers the truth before Seraphina can break the engagement..."*
*Then I'll deal with it. But he won't discover it. He's too confident in his Divine Essences, too certain of his destiny. He'll never suspect the exiled trash is actually the one who won.*
*"And the other women? The harem you're building?"*
*That's progressing perfectly. Seraphina as primary. Cassandra as competitive partner. Elena as casual arrangement. Aria now added—she'll be the second main heroine, completely claimed before Kael ever meets her properly. Four women in less than a week at the Academy.*
*"Ambitious."*
*Efficient. I wrote this story. I know every heroine, every opportunity, every moment that matters. I'm just claiming what should have been mine from the beginning.*
Crimson lightning and absolute darkness crackled around Anthonio's fingers.
*Three days until the first Academy mission. Kael will be leading a team to clear out some Corrupted Beasts in the northern forest. Standard protagonist moment—he'll save his team, demonstrate his power, return triumphant.*
*Except I'll be on that mission too. And I'll make sure everyone sees that Manifestation 9-Star Anthonio Crimsonhart is just as capable as the blessed hero with three Divine Essences.*
*Time to start building my own legend.*
*Right under the protagonist's nose.*
---
**END OF CHAPTER 16**