The embers of battle still floated in the air when Riah's shadow fell over Gendai's unconscious body. But the fight wasn't over—not for her.
With cold fury in her eyes, Riah reached down and lifted Gendai by the neck, her fingers tightening like a vice.
"You know," Riah said in a low, soft tone, "I really hate demons like you. You're selfish. Twisted. You should be classified as a parasite too."
Gendai's eyes snapped open, her voice hoarse and trembling. "I'm not that kind of succubus! You haven't even tried to understand me!"
Riah's grip didn't loosen.
"God may be forgiving," she whispered, "but I'm not him. I'm the one who'll help you meet him."
Her grip tightened. Gendai gasped, feet kicking weakly beneath her. Her vision began to blur.
"Aren't we on the same team?" she choked out. "Why do you hate me so much…?"
"You know why," Riah replied, her voice like sharpened ice. "You're a demon hiding behind a pretty face. There's nothing good about you."
Just as Gendai's eyes rolled back, a hand grasped Riah's wrist.
"That's enough," Kazimir said calmly, though lightning cracked faintly behind his eyes.
Riah turned her head, glaring at him. "Has she brainwashed you too? Has that witch sunk her claws into your mind?"
Kazimir's expression didn't change. "Do you really think my will is that weak? She hasn't done anything to me."
Riah slowly released Gendai, letting her slump to the floor. "Tch. I have nothing more to say to either of you," she muttered. "But there's something we need to talk about. I'll be waiting by the spring."
As she walked past him, Kazimir felt something strange—an aura that pulsed like a whisper of his own. Familiar. Not Jessie's… but close. He narrowed his eyes as Riah disappeared down the corridor.
He knelt and gently picked up Gendai, carrying her to the infirmary without another word.
Later, Gendai slowly opened her eyes to the familiar ceiling of her dorm room. Confused, she tried to sit up.
"Take it easy," a voice said. Kazimir stood in the doorway.
"That girl… she really wanted to kill me."
"Are you in pain? Did anything break?"
Gendai shook her head. "No. I blocked most of it with a compressed air barrier. It dulled the worst of it." She paused. "Did you teach her that technique?"
Kazimir shook his head. "No. She figured it out herself. But using Perpetual Absolute took a lot out of her."
"Oh." She looked away, shyly. "It was embarrassing… losing like that while you were watching. I thought I could stand toe-to-toe with her."
"It's not shameful to lose," he said. "It just shows there's more room to grow. And you were impressive. That spear you summoned? You split the clouds."
Her cheeks flushed. "You really think so? No one ever says that to me. Most people don't even look at me without suspicion."
"Because you're a succubus?"
She hesitated… then nodded.
Kazimir tilted his head. "You were about to explain earlier."
"I'm known for manipulating men with lust," she said softly. "Succubi gain power that way. I was born in the Abyss… where the dynasties keep us as tools. Toys. We're not people to them. I escaped. Barely. I had to leave others behind—others still being abused, still being used. I came here to become stronger. Not through seduction… but on my own terms."
Tears glistened in her eyes as her voice broke. "I don't want power through pleasure. I want power through strength. I don't want to rely on anyone… but I don't want to be alone anymore either."
Kazimir looked at her, serious.
"You're not alone. Our mission is the same—defeating the dynasties. Even the Heavenly Dragons failed against them. But we'll rise. Together."
Gendai nodded, smiling through her tears.
"When that time comes… promise you'll fight by my side?"
Kazimir gave a small smile. "We all will. We'll bury them. Every last one."
He turned to leave.
"Get some rest. Don't carry this weight alone. And don't worry—we'll put them in the ground where they belong."
He closed the door behind him.
Gendai sat there, hand to her heart, her voice barely a whisper.
"I wish more people were like you, Kazimir… not judging me for what I am. You saw me… and that alone makes me fall in love with you."