CHAPTER 134: CHAPTER 134- INSECT

Julian’s eyes sharpened as he raised his voice. "Enough, Sefi. Release the energy, now!"

Without hesitation, Sefi obeyed. She let go of the lightning raging inside her body, a surge of crackling power bursting outward. But before it could scatter and wreak havoc, Julian moved in a flash. He thrust out his hand, channeling his own energy to intercept and absorb the violent discharge.

The air shook for a moment, then fell silent. The last arcs of yellow light faded into nothingness, drawn into Julian’s control until not even a spark remained.

Sefi collapsed forward, panting hard. Sweat dripped down her temple, her face pale from exhaustion. "M-master... I thought... it was going to explode."

Julian steadied her by the shoulder, his tone calm but commanding. "That’s why you can’t lose focus. Your lightning is destructive, but it doesn’t have to destroy you. When I tell you to release it, you release it instantly, no hesitation. Understood?"

Still trembling, Sefi nodded quickly. "Y-yes... understood..."

Julian allowed a faint smile. "Good. That’s your first step."

Her breath came in sharp bursts, but a faint smile tugged at her lips. "I... I managed, at least a little, right?"

Julian’s gaze stayed serious, though his tone softened. "Yes. But this was only the beginning. From now on, every day, you’ll hold the current longer. Until your body stops trembling."

Sefi gulped, her expression caught between despair and determination. "U-uh... I regret asking you to train me already..." she muttered with a crooked smile.

Julian chuckled softly. "One day, you’ll thank me."

And Julian studied her for a moment, then allowed a faint sigh. "We’ll continue tomorrow. For today, you’ve already pushed yourself far enough."

Sefi looked up at him, both relieved and anxious, as if wondering just how much harsher the next training would become.

Julian glanced toward Emma and Veronica, who were still training with unwavering focus, trading punches and testing each other’s endurance. He turned back to Sefi. "If you want, you may head home first."

But Sefi shook her head stubbornly. "No, Master. I’ll wait."

Julian arched a brow. "Don’t push yourself. Your body needs recovery."

Even so, Sefi straightened her back and answered firmly, though her voice trembled with fatigue. "It’s fine, Master. I’ll stay."

Julian let out a small breath, half amused, half resigned. "Very well. Then sit at the side and watch. Just don’t overdo it."

Sefi nodded obediently, settling herself nearby, her eyes still following Julian’s every move.

He returned to Emma and Veronica, his presence commanding as he gave them precise instructions, adjusting their stance, correcting their punches, urging them to push harder.

Before long, the sky deepened into twilight, and soon after, night embraced the training grounds. Exhausted yet satisfied, they all decided to return home.

On the way back, Veronica stretched her arms lazily, letting out a long sigh. With a mischievous smile, she leaned toward Julian. "Julian... I’m sooo tired. Carry me."

Emma immediately rolled her eyes and snapped back. "Stop being spoiled, Veronica."

Julian gave her a side glance, his expression caught somewhere between annoyance and amusement. "You still have the energy to whine, so you can walk."

Veronica pouted, her lips curving into a playful sulk. "You’re so cold... I thought knights were supposed to be gentlemen."

Emma let out a short laugh, shaking her head. "He’s not your servant, Veronica. Walk on your own two feet."

But Veronica wasn’t about to give up. She tugged lightly at Julian’s sleeve, her eyes glimmering with mock desperation. "Please? Just a little? You’re the only one strong enough anyway."

Julian stopped for a moment, exhaling as though weighing his patience. Then, with a faint smirk tugging at his lips, he said, "Fine. But only because I don’t want to hear you complain all night."

Before Emma could protest further, Julian crouched slightly, allowing Veronica to climb onto his back. She squealed in triumph, wrapping her arms around his shoulders.

Emma sighed deeply, muttering under her breath, "Unbelievable..."

Then Veronica, looking pleased, wrapped her arms around Julian’s back as he carried her. She leaned in close, almost as if she was savoring the scent of his sweat, her expression oddly content.

Emma, who had been walking quietly, suddenly blurted out with a hint of jealousy in her voice. "I want to be carried too. Don’t play favorites."

Julian raised an eyebrow but didn’t argue. "Alright then." Without hesitation, he shifted Veronica slightly and then, to Emma’s surprise, lifted her into his arms from the front.

Emma’s cheeks flushed at the sudden closeness, her breath caught. "H-hey, I didn’t mean like this..." she murmured, but Julian only smirked as if unfazed.

Julian, sensing their weight on him, quietly summoned his shadow. Dark tendrils slipped out like extra arms, steadying both Veronica and Emma, making sure neither of them would fall from his back.

Noticing Sefi trailing behind them, her steps dragging with fatigue, Julian asked, "Do you want me to carry you as well?"

Sefi’s face turned crimson in an instant. She shook her head frantically, her words spilling out in a fluster. "N-no, it’s fine... my place is close anyway. I’ll head home first. Thank you for today, Master!"

Before anyone could stop her, Sefi darted off, moving so fast it seemed her exhaustion had evaporated.

Veronica giggled from Julian’s back, her voice teasing. "She’s shy... adorable, isn’t she?"

Emma glanced at Julian, her expression conflicted. "Julian... you did that on purpose, didn’t you?"

Julian tilted his head, genuinely puzzled. "On purpose?"

Emma only sighed, shaking her head. "No... never mind."

Julian studied her briefly, a strange look in his eyes, but said nothing as he continued walking.

Then, a chill brushed against him, an insect moving around him as though keeping his movements under watch.

Without a word, he extended his hand subtly, shadows stirring at his command. A faint pulse spread outward, and within moments, every insect fluttering in the night air dropped lifeless to the ground.

Veronica’s cheerful tone faded into caution. "Julian... is there something out there?"

Julian’s lips curved into a cold, thin smile. "Nothing worth worrying about. Just a imsect"

Far away, in a dimly lit chamber, a man surrounded by swarming insects felt the sudden loss of his creatures. Yet instead of alarm, a twisted smile crept across his face.

Moments later, the door creaked open and a woman with sharp eyes, Lucy, stepped inside and bowed. "My lord, it seems we can launch the assault sooner than expected."

The man, Leo let out a low chuckle, his voice dripping with satisfaction. "Excellent."

Lucy dropped to her knees, bowing so low her forehead nearly touched the cold stone floor. Her voice trembled with guilt. "I beg your forgiveness, Master... I’ve failed to meet your expectations. I was not strong enough."

Leo regarded her in silence for a moment, the swarm of tiny insects crawling lazily over his arms and shoulders as though they were part of him. His eyes glowed faintly in the dim light, sharp and unreadable. Then, at last, he spoke, his tone calm but carrying a weight that made the air heavier.

"Enough. Don’t trouble yourself over it. None of us could have known that blonde girl possessed such strength. We underestimated her, that’s all."

Lucy lifted her head slowly, eyes glistening as though his words had struck deeper than any reprimand. "You are far too merciful, my lord... I will follow you."

A faint smile tugged at Leo’s lips, but it was not a kind one. His gaze shifted toward the crawling shadows of his insects, a low chuckle escaping him. "Merciful, you say...? Perhaps. But thanks to you, I’ve learned something valuable about that man."

He leaned back in his chair, eyes narrowing as anticipation sparked within them. "His nature, his reactions, his weakness... I understand him a little better now. And that makes the game far more interesting. I can’t wait to watch him... when the light in his eyes finally fades and he’s left with nothing but despair."

The buzzing of the insects rose like a sinister chorus, echoing his dark delight.

At the gate, Kevin sat atop the fortress wall, his eyes wandering over the darkened horizon. He had been coming here often these past few nights, brooding in silence, as though the quiet gave him answers no one else could.

Behind him, soft footsteps approached. A voice cut through the stillness. "Looks like this spot’s already taken."

Kevin turned, his brow lifting in mild surprise. It was Rogan, his face and frame still that of a boy, though his presence carried a weight far beyond his years. Kevin chuckled lightly and shifted to the side. "There’s plenty of room. Go ahead, sit."

Rogan dipped his head once in thanks, his tone flat. "Appreciated."

The two sat together in silence, the kind that didn’t demand words. For a long moment, only the distant whisper of wind moved between them. Then Rogan reached into the small satchel slung over his shoulder and pulled out something unexpected, a can of beer, frost still clinging to its surface. A rare treasure in this ruined world.

Without a word, he extended one to Kevin. "Here."

Kevin blinked at the sight, momentarily stunned by the gesture.

Rogan handed over the can as if he had already decided it would end up in Kevin’s hands.

Kevin blinked, a little caught off guard. "For me? Thanks, but... where’d you even get this, man? And it’s cold too."

He turned the can over in his hand, the condensation still fresh against his skin.

Rogan’s expression didn’t change. "Don’t worry about it. Just drink."