CHAPTER 83: CHAPTER NO.83 SPARRING WITH ZERAPHIRA

[Location: Morningstar Manor, New York]

6 Hours Later...

"Mmm—Grrr! Damnit it... my head is killing me..." I woke groggy, my whole body ached from whatever the hell that was. My brain felt like it had been run through a blender made of divine laws. Every breath carried a faint metallic tang, like lightning had nested under my tongue.

I blinked open my eyes. The room was dimly lit—candlelight flickering against the gothic carvings of the ceiling. The marble floor was frosted over in spiderweb cracks of silver ice.

So... it wasn’t a dream.

Right beside me, Lilith slept... wait, I swear it was ground so how—

But when my gaze fell on the shadowy form of Paimon, who stood by the bed, my mind blanked for a solid five seconds.

"Thanks, Paimon, and came back."

Paimon inclined its head, and before fading back into my shadow, no sound, no ripple of presence — only a faint shimmer before it vanished completely.

Then I looked at Lilith’s face again. Her lips were slightly parted, a wisp of frost escaping with every exhale. The faint heartbeat I’d heard earlier still echoed in my mind — soft, fragile, but undeniably real.

"...You’re still in there," I muttered under my breath, reaching out to brush away a stray lock of midnight black hair that had fallen across her face. Her skin was cold, like sculpted ice, but beneath it... There was warmth. A pulse.

My fingers trembled before I pulled back. "Guess the Genesis Core really worked..."

Tti-ring!

[System Notice: Soul Resonance between Host and Target—0.3% stabilised.]

[Further synchronisation not advised. Attempting again within 48 hours will cause permanent neural backlash.]

"Yeah, no kidding," I groaned, clutching my temple as another wave of pain rippled behind my eyes.

The last thing I needed was to fry my soul before dinner.

...

After washing my face and changing, I stepped out into the hallway. The manor felt... calmer than usual. The ever-present hum of enchantments was faint, the air still heavy with the aftermath of Genesis energy. Shadows clung tighter to the walls than before, whispering faintly — a side effect of my new Class, probably.

Zeraphira was waiting in the training hall.

She stood in the middle of the massive chamber, arms crossed, eyes narrowed, her long crimson hair tied in a loose braid that swayed behind her. She looked breathtaking, of course — not that she didn’t always — but there was something different today. Her expression wasn’t playful. It was serious.

"You’re late, darling," she said, tone cool. "I was about to drag you here myself."

I raised an eyebrow. "Did you even know where I was?"

"Hmph~" She flicked her braid back with a pout. "Stupid, darling."

"Alright, alright, I’m sorry," I took her wrist and tugged her toward me.

Her eyes widened a fraction, her composure slipping for just a moment before she regained it—lips curling into that small, knowing smirk of hers. "Oh? Touchy this evening, aren’t we?"

"Just tired," I said, stepping past her. "And before you say anything else—yes, we’re sparring. You’ve been nagging me about it since yesterday."

Zeraphira’s smirk turned feline. "I only nag because you need it. You look strong, but..." she tapped her chin thoughtfully, eyes glinting with mischief, "...you move like a sleepy kitten."

"Wow. Inspiring confidence as always," I muttered, rolling my shoulders as I entered the centre of the hall. The air shimmered faintly with mana—layers of barrier enchantments humming to life as the floor runes pulsed blue. She must’ve already activated the safety wards.

Good. Because this was going to hurt.

She floated gracefully a few feet away, her black dress shifting into a form-fitting battle outfit—a cross between armour and silk that shimmered with mana. "No weapon. Only hand-to-hand. Just you, darling. Let’s see what that body remembers."

"Fine." I cracked my neck. "But don’t blame me if you get singed."

"Please." She smiled like a cat about to play with its food. "You couldn’t burn me even if you tried."

Before I could respond, she moved.

But my senses and Observation Grid already picked her up — a crimson blur, faster than sight, arcing low and sharp from my left flank. My body reacted instinctively, muscles tensing as my arm shot up to block.

CRACK!

The impact sent a shockwave rippling through the chamber, air rippling like disturbed water. The force nearly dislocated my shoulder. Zeraphira’s roundhouse kick flowed into a spinning heel strike that cut through the air like a whip.

"Damn, no holding back, huh~" I muttered, sliding back several feet, boots skidding across the polished marble.

"I’m holding back~" Zeraphira landed lightly, smirk unbroken. Her tone carried a teasing lilt, but her aura burned hot—like molten rubies and crushed starlight. "But why are you holding back again, darling?"

"I’m not."

"Liar~"

Her fingers flicked, and a thin whip of condensed flame snapped toward my face. I ducked, feeling the heat kiss my cheek, then lunged forward with a short jab aimed at her midsection. She sidestepped with inhuman grace, caught my wrist, and used my own momentum to throw me across the room.

BAM!

I crashed into one of the reinforced pillars, leaving a shallow dent. The barrier flared blue around the impact, absorbing the shock.

I groaned, rolling to my feet. "You really don’t know the meaning of light sparring, do you?"

Zeraphira tilted her head, eyes glimmering crimson. "Light sparring is for mortals. You’re not mortal, darling."

"Yeah? My ribs disagree." I winced, shaking off the ache in my back.

Her expression softened for a heartbeat—just a flicker—then vanished beneath her usual sly smile. "Then make them agree."

The temperature in the hall shifted. Her aura flared, ribbons of scarlet energy coiling around her like living flame. The air thickened, and gravity itself seemed to warp under the pressure.

My Observation Grid went haywire for a moment before stabilising.

She’s pushing me to fight for real.

Fine.

I inhaled slowly, gathering the faint hum of energy inside. The Sovereign Haki responded—a deep resonance at the core of my being, swirling through my veins like molten steel. Armament Core surged like boiling magma, enveloping my limbs with a black metallic sheen—and Conqueror’s Will

crackled faintly around me, distorting the air with invisible ripples. The ground trembled as my aura stabilised, feeding off sheer intent.

Zeraphira’s eyes widened—only slightly—but that was enough. Her instincts picked up the shift.

"Oh... this again," she murmured, voice low with amusement, but her smile faltered for just an instant.

I took a single step forward.

BOOM—

The marble beneath my foot fractured into spiderweb cracks. A wave of pressure rolled outward, scattering dust and petals from the warded lamps. My presence—no, my will—collided with hers, an invisible clash that rippled through the entire manor.

Zeraphira laughed. Not out of mockery—but delight. "Now that’s the darling I love."

She vanished.

This time, I didn’t track her with sight—I felt her. My Observation Grid painted her movement in instinctive pulses of spatial awareness. When she reappeared behind me, palm already wreathed in fire, I twisted, ducking under her strike and slamming my elbow into her ribs.

CRACK!

The sound echoed like thunder. She was flung backwards, her body spinning mid-air before landing gracefully, sliding several feet with a sharp grin. A faint trickle of blood touched her lip.

"Impressive..." she whispered, licking the blood away, her tone darkly sensual. "You’re getting faster."

I exhaled, tightening my stance. "You’re still faster."

"True," she admitted, and then her eyes glowed—bright crimson, molten and wild. "But you’re learning, and that makes me happy."

She dashed again, the air scorching in her wake. This time, she didn’t hold back her aura—flames spiralled from her heels, turning the entire hall into a vortex of crimson and gold.

I braced myself, calling forth Armament Core fully. Black steel energy flooded my arms and legs, my skin darkening with a metallic sheen that pulsed with each heartbeat. Every movement hummed with purpose—each swing of my arm slicing through the air like a blade forged of conviction.

We collided again.

Each exchange was a burst of destruction—shockwaves bursting outward with every impact. Her kicks burned, my counterstrikes thundered. Every block sent vibrations rattling through my bones, but my Sovereign Haki reinforced me, each hit adjusting, adapting.

Zeraphira’s laughter echoed like music through the hall, half-mad, half-ecstatic. She moved with fire-dancer grace, her motions fluid and predatory — each strike sharper, hotter, faster than before. Every blow she landed sent trails of heat searing across the floor, each evasion leaving behind shimmering afterimages.

My lungs burned. My muscles screamed. But the Sovereign Haki within me roared back, hungry, evolving under pressure. It was more than just willpower now — it was instinct, refined through suffering, honed by survival.

She came at me again — palm strike glowing white-hot. I twisted, my knee shooting up, colliding with her forearm. Sparks exploded. The air cracked like thunder.

"Better," she hissed, voice trembling between praise and thrill. "But you’re still predictable!"

Her other hand darted forward, flame-condensed claws aiming straight for my throat —

—and I vanished.

Her eyes widened. "What—?!"

Behind her . I reappeared in an instant, my movement pure reflex — an instinctive burst of Observation Grid manipulation. The world felt slower, clearer. My fist, wrapped in Armament Core, slammed into her back.

BOOM—!

Zeraphira crashed through the layered barriers, rolling to a stop amidst a cascade of fractured mana-light. She lay there for a second, stunned, eyes wide — then burst into laughter.

"Oh, darling~," she said, wiping the blood from the corner of her mouth. "You’re actually starting to look dangerous."

I let out a breath, lowering my guard slightly. "And you’re enjoying this way too much."

She rose, elegant even in the chaos — flame gathering in her hands like twin suns. "Of course. Watching you grow strong again... It’s intoxicating."

Her aura spiked. My Observation Grid screamed a warning. Before I could react, she flicked both wrists — and the world turned red.

Flame sigils bloomed mid-air — hundreds of them — spinning into a spiralling helix above her. Each circle pulsed with demonic energy so dense it distorted the air.

"Wait—Zeraphira, that’s not—"

"Relax~! It’s just a little something to test your limits!" she sang, her smile sharp and dangerous.

The spell detonated.

A storm of fire rained down, each bolt carrying enough heat to vaporise steel. The ground shook, marble melting under the bombardment. My Haki flared instinctively — Observation Grid calculating, Armament Core shifting to shield mode.

BOOM—BOOM—BOOM—

Explosions consumed everything.

I stood in the inferno, every breath tasting like molten air, every heartbeat syncing to the rhythm of destruction. My aura fought against hers, black will against crimson flame — creation versus annihilation.

When the smoke cleared, I was still standing — barely. My shirt was half-burnt, my arms scorched but healing.

Zeraphira’s grin faded. Her amusement softened into something else — pride . She stepped closer, the heat fading with her aura.

"You didn’t dodge."

"I didn’t need to," I said, voice hoarse. "If I can’t withstand you, how can I face what’s coming?"

Her eyes softened, for just a heartbeat. "Darling..."

She reached up, tracing a finger along the burn mark on my cheek — and just like that, the moment changed. The temperature dropped, tension thickened.

"You always say things like that," she whispered. "Things that make me want to... keep you all to myself."

The way she said it wasn’t playful this time. It was quiet, dangerous — like a confession whispered on the edge of madness.

I caught her wrist gently, forcing a small smile. "You already do."

Her eyes widened — then she smiled, almost shyly, before leaning forward and resting her forehead against mine.

Right then—

The obsidian coin left to me by Grayfia, which I took out of inventory just this morning, floated out of my pocket, shining.

Then, a crimson magic circle embedded with runes and shapes unknown to the human tongue bloomed mid-air, spinning with slow, ominous grace.

This coin’s function is to forcefully summon Grayfia by my side, but that should only happen when I’m in danger or...

The glow flared, and when it went off, what I saw— froze my blood.

"Grayfia!"

***

Stone me, I can take it!

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