Noah flinched as the ropes around his wrists snapped apart. Aqua, Gaia, and Fire floated in a loose circle around him — elemental spirits of water, earth, and flame — conjured effortlessly by the blue-haired girl standing before him.
"Alright," Lys said calmly, brushing a strand of hair behind her ear. "Release him."
The spiritual trio complied without hesitation. Aqua dissolved into mist, Gaia's bindings crumbled into dust, and Fire hovered for a moment, casting a smug glance over his shoulder at Noah before vanishing.
Noah groaned, rubbing his wrists. "Yeah, I'm not gonna forget that slap, you little bastard."
Fire's form flickered for a final second, clearly satisfied, then vanished into Lys's mana.
"You should treat your children with more respect," Lys replied, her tone neutral — but there was a flicker of amusement in her starry gaze.
