CHAPTER 122: [BENEATH THE BLOOMING LOTUS]

Kael didn’t know how to react at first.

It sounded insane... but this was a world where mountains floated, where gods whispered to chosen bloodlines, and contracts could kill you for lying.

So in a twisted way—it made perfect sense.

Still, Elara’s revelation changed everything.

In a single breath, she had gone from a clever noble to the most dangerous, most valuable person in his life.

She had seen the future—or at least, one version of it.

And in Kael’s eyes, that kind of knowledge was power.

A weapon sharper than any blade.

He would be a fool not to try and make her an ally.

Yue, drifting silently just behind him, said nothing.

But Kael could feel her gaze—watching, weighing, quietly intrigued.

There were still so many questions storming through his mind.

Why did she regress?

How far back?

What else did she know?

But for now, he kept them to himself.

Elara’s voice broke the silence.

"My turn."

She met his eyes, calm but curious.

"Who were you... in your previous life?"

Kael exhaled, shoulders relaxing just a little.

Fair enough.

He gave a quiet, tired smile.

"I’m not from this world," he said simply.

"I came from a place without mana.

No magic. No beasts.

Just... technology, cities, and chaos of a different flavor."

Elara blinked.

"...A world without mana?" Her voice wavered with disbelief.

"How does a world like that even work? How does it exist?"

Kael gave a small shrug.

"Somehow, it does."

He tilted his head.

"My turn."

His gaze sharpened slightly.

"Tell me about your previous life."

Elara hesitated—just for a breath.

Then she sighed, brushing her hair behind one ear, and spoke with quiet gravity.

"In my last life... I reached Rank 7."

Kael blinked.

Even Yue looked faintly impressed.

"That’s when I found it," Elara continued, her voice quiet.

"A ruined archive buried beneath a collapsed temple.

An inheritance left behind by someone long-forgotten... and inside it, a spell."

She looked up.

"Time magic."

Kael didn’t interrupt.

She wasn’t done.

"I was cornered," she said simply.

"Outnumbered.

Betrayed.

My enemies had planned everything too well.

I bet it all on a gamble... and cast the spell."

A breath.

"And then I woke up here."

Silence followed.

Kael sat still, absorbing every word.

There was so much more he wanted to ask.

So many details he needed to know.

But it was Elara’s turn again.

She looked at him, calm but curious.

"What’s your goal?"

Kael gave a faint smile.

"To become strong," he said.

"Stronger than anyone else.

That’s the purpose of my life."

Elara chuckled softly, her voice light.

"Such big ambitions. I like it."

He looked away, slightly embarrassed, then quickly deflected.

"What about you? What’s your ambition?"

Her smile lingered a moment, but then she went quiet.

When she finally spoke, her voice had changed—softer, wistful.

"I want to understand this world.

To see its magic for what it truly is.

To travel between realms, uncover lost truths... chase the wonder I once glimpsed and never let go."

She paused.

"And to do that, I need to become strong too."

Kael studied her face.

"I thought you’d say revenge."

Elara shook her head, her gaze distant.

"Revenge brings nothing, Kael.

Just emptiness."

Kael nodded slowly.

He understood.

They both fell into silence.

The room felt... lighter now.

Tension bled away, replaced with a quiet, mutual understanding.

Then she asked, tilting her head slightly,

"If you came from a world without mana, how do you use it so well?"

Kael cleared his throat, sitting straighter.

"I guess..." He grinned.

"I’m just talented."

Both Yue and Elara stared at him.

Blank.

Disbelieving.

"Really?" Elara said flatly.

Yue floated closer and muttered,

"He’s not lying, somehow. Which makes it worse."

Kael only laughed.

Then his eyes narrowed slightly.

"The spell you used in the duel—the one that let you see a few seconds into the future... was that also from your past life?"

Elara’s eyes widened.

"You really are sharp," she said, smiling faintly.

Then she nodded.

"Yes.

After discovering my affinity for time magic in my previous life, I began collecting every spell I could.

Eventually, I found the Rank 7 spell that let me come back."

She paused.

"I don’t remember most of those spells yet.

But as I grow stronger, fragments are returning."

Kael nodded slowly.

The questions continued—quick exchanges, a rhythm forming between them.

But none of them mattered as much as the last one.

Kael leaned forward, tone suddenly serious.

"What do you want from me?"

Elara didn’t answer right away.

When she did, her voice had shifted again—quiet, heavy.

"Kael," she said, "what I’m about to tell you isn’t speculation. It’s truth."

He watched her.

Still. Silent.

She looked up and said it plainly.

"This kingdom is doomed."

Silence.

Kael didn’t react.

No shock. No curse. No rant about how unfair it was.

He just sighed, like a man hearing the punchline of a joke he’d already predicted.

Of course.

Just when he’d carved out a little peace in the chaos, the world decided to collapse again.

Typical.

Elara faltered slightly at his reaction, then pressed on. "I need your help to—"

"No."

Kael stood abruptly, cutting her off.

She looked stunned.

He didn’t give her a chance to continue.

"Let’s end this," he said quietly.

Elara exhaled softly, the weight of unspoken words lingering between them.

Then she nodded.

Once.

Slowly.

"....Alright."

The contract binding them shimmered... then unraveled, dissolving into threads of golden light that vanished into the air.

The pressure lifted from his chest.

With a soft gesture, Elara raised her hand toward the floating lotus.

The artifact pulsed once—then slowly began to close.

With a final glimmer, the lotus dimmed and drifted gently back into Elara’s palm.

The shimmering barrier around the room collapsed in a quiet ripple—like a dream dissolving at dawn.

Kael turned to leave.

"Wait," she said quickly. "At least listen to me—"

He didn’t stop walking.

"I’m not a hero, Princess," he said, voice calm.

"Don’t drag me into this."

"I can always leave this kingdom if it comes to that."

She fell silent.

And Kael kept walking.

Just as he reached the threshold, though, he paused.

Without turning, he asked quietly—

"...Why did you suddenly declare me your fiancé?"

Behind him, Elara froze.

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