CHAPTER 257: THE OLD PROMISE

When Levi heard the words "Water's Blessing", he finally realized:

"You were deliberately provoking me."

When he saw Viktor holding his daughter, he couldn't control his emotions.

His trump card - the incantation-free water magic - was completely exposed to Viktor's view due to his anger.

"The power of Calamity manifests in many ways. This is one of them."

Viktor spoke. The scorching flames around him suddenly rose up, transforming into a crimson seed waiting to bloom.

This fire magic didn't even require the construction of magic arrays - it was released simply following Viktor's mental command.

"A release speed even faster than not needing to draw magic arrays."

The magnificent flames bloomed into a giant blazing flower, violently exploding.

Intense heat waves completely swept through the entire space, making the scene in front of Levi waver slightly under the high temperature.

The scorching heat enveloped everything, accompanied by dazzling light shooting towards the sky, almost breaking through the deep purple radiance.

Viktor calmly watched all this, hands in his pockets.

Soon, the violent flames quickly dissipated.

Only after everything had returned to complete calm did he continue:

"Indeed, I still prefer using fire magic."

Levi let out a breath, asking the seemingly leisurely man before him:

"So then, what do you need Erica for?"

"Why, you ask?"

Viktor replied coldly.

Whenever a Calamity was reborn, Erica's body would unconsciously receive its power.

It was as if when a Calamity revived in nature, that power had to pass through her body, leaving traces behind.

And these traces created Erica's special constitution.

"This is something even you don't understand, right?"

Viktor said flatly.

Levi fell silent.

He knew exactly what Viktor was talking about.

When Druja revived, flowers had bloomed all over Erica's body.

That was the natural energy manifesting on Erica when the Wood Calamity revived.

But at that time, Levi truly didn't know what was happening.

After all, who would think about reviving a Calamity just to defeat it thoroughly?

Moreover, could an existence like a Calamity really be defeated by ordinary people?

So it was normal that Levi knew nothing about the anomalies in Erica's body.

Later, Levi learned about this from a friend in the Mage Council.

The reason Viktor could become a council member was that he had single-handedly sealed a monster that appeared in the deepest level of Endymion.

Looking at the timeline, that was exactly when Viktor became a council member.

So Levi knew that person could only be Viktor.

He recalled the scene of the volcanic eruption back then.

And understood what kind of being Viktor had been fighting.

A Calamity.

Thinking of this, Levi slowly spoke:

"So, you had your eyes on Erica from the very beginning."

"Didn't you?"

Levi finally understood that Viktor had been setting up this entire game since the beginning, since the moment he confessed to his daughter.

Viktor remained silent for a moment before responding:

"Perhaps."

Hearing Viktor's words, Levi gave a light laugh:

"As expected of the Kravina family's genius."

"Indeed, how could a genius fall so easily?"

He believed he had understood everything.

Viktor had been hiding his true strength all along, making others underestimate his abilities.

He had been carefully orchestrating everything, and this game required a perfect piece.

That piece was Erica.

Viktor had concealed himself, waiting for Erica's appearance.

Perhaps, due to Erica's special nature, she could fulfill his purpose.

Levi felt a surge of regret.

Was it because of him that his daughter was exposed?

Not necessarily.

At this moment, Viktor's gaze grew serious again as he looked at Levi:

"Now, let's discuss business, Duke."

The Duke looked at Viktor and nodded:

"Of course."

"I've been wanting to have a chat with you as well."

—

Erica gave up struggling in Viktor's embrace,

Not because she didn't want to break free from Viktor's arms, but because she simply couldn't move.

Behind her was her stern father, and she didn't want him to see her in such an awkward state.

However, after giving up struggling, she couldn't help but secretly raise her head to steal glances at Viktor.

Professor... is so handsome.

Looking at Viktor from such close proximity, Erica felt he seemed even more handsome.

She couldn't quite tell what kind of feeling this was, perhaps admiration, or perhaps gratitude.

Thinking about how the professor had saved her twice from both Doragon and Guledon,

Viktor's cold and handsome figure lingered in her mind, refusing to fade away.

After a moment of silence, Levi's calm voice suddenly rang out:

"Erica."

Hearing her father call her name, Erica suddenly snapped out of her fantasy.

She quickly twisted her body, breaking free from Viktor's embrace, and this time, she succeeded.

Erica pushed away Viktor's arms, turned to look at him once.

Then, with some apologetic feelings, she bowed to him before hurriedly returning to Levi's side.

Levi stretched out one hand, protecting Erica behind him, then raised his head to look at Viktor:

"Next time, I hope such absurd things won't happen again."

"Let's go, Erica."

Erica kept her head down, following behind Levi as they slowly left.

As she passed by Viktor, remembering how he had just held her, her face turned red with embarrassment.

She didn't even dare to look up at him once.

Under everyone's watchful eyes, Levi led Erica away from there.

Those gazes then returned to Viktor,

Who had already put his hands in his pockets, completely indifferent to the surrounding attention.

People seemed to understand something completely, quickly lowering their heads and returning to their own business.

The professors continued grading the examining students, while parents hurriedly watched their children's performance through the star bubbles in the sky.

Reporters with magic stones busied themselves trying to delete the scenes they had accidentally recorded just now.

At this moment, the crow's hoarse voice sounded softly near Viktor's ear:

"How did it go? Did he confess?"

Viktor's expression remained unchanged as he replied calmly:

"We discussed some interesting things."

Hearing Viktor's words, Vega giggled.

"So, that Levi... hmm... what exactly does he want to do?"

Viktor didn't answer immediately.

He raised his head, looking at the chaotic nebula intertwining in the sky, just like the thoughts in Viktor's mind.

"At least, his deep affection deserves my respect."

...

Levi led Erica out of the academy.

The two walked one after another in silence, boarding the carriage.

Sitting in the carriage, Erica felt afraid.

She was afraid she had made her father angry.

After all, the current situation was completely different from the past.

Father seemed to really dislike Viktor.

Last time at her birthday, Viktor had confessed to her.

To be honest, Erica didn't feel much about it.

Over the years, she had grown accustomed to receiving confessions.

But her father had become furious because of it.

So, Erica was afraid her father would get angry again over this matter.

But the anger Erica anticipated didn't come.

After getting into the carriage, Levi showed no emotion at all.

Instead, he reached out to pull all the curtains around the carriage, blocking out the bright light from outside.

Then, he solemnly said to Erica:

"Erica, if I were to ask you to leave this country, but I would let you choose one person to protect you always, who would you choose?"

"Don't worry about my feelings, tell me your most honest thoughts."

Erica's face turned slightly red.

"I..."

For a moment, she thought of Viktor's tall and reliable figure.

He was strong and taciturn, with cold pride always in his eyes.

All of this made Erica feel incredibly safe.

She didn't understand why her father would ask her this question.

But her mind was still clear, and she raised her head to look at Levi:

"I choose myself."

Levi was slightly stunned, and before he could ask, he heard Erica continue:

"Father, if even you can no longer protect me,"

"Who else can I rely on?"

Levi looked at Erica, even his breathing stopped for a moment.

As if finding relief, he sat back in his seat, covering his forehead and laughing a few times.

Look at this...

This is our child.

She has grown up.

Levi took a deep breath, crossed his hands on his legs, and leaned slightly forward.

"Child, I understand that at that moment, you must have considered some candidates."

"But you still chose this answer in the end."

Levi's gaze softened a bit as he looked at Erica:

"You alone are my only treasure."

Then, he sat up straight and solemnly said to Erica:

"Dad won't stop you anymore, you can pursue whatever you want."

"Including Viktor."

Huh???

Hearing Levi's words, Erica was suddenly dumbfounded, she quickly closed her eyes, her hands and feet in disarray:

"F-f-f-f-f-father! What are you saying!!!!!!"

Levi looked at the flustered Erica and said calmly:

"Tonight, I will invite Viktor to our home as a guest."

"You'll understand then."

As his words fell, Levi's mind turned to the agreement between him and Viktor.

He had long lost hope, not even willing to fantasize anymore.

But now, the opportunity had never been so strongly presented before him.

Levi opened his palm, gathering a blue magical power in his palm that formed a floating transparent water sphere, absorbing moisture from all directions.

He lowered his head, looking at the crystalline magical power rolling in his hand, slightly lost in thought.

'I will bring you back.'

'Definitely.'

Thank you all for waiting! I took a month-long break to take care of some other matters, but now I’m back. I’ll be gradually catching up on updates for this series. I truly appreciate all your comments and support—it means a lot to me.