Reborn As Noble

Chapter 384 384: Under Pressure ( 384 )

Javier narrowed his eyes. ”And what happens if the others get their vessels, but you donʼt?”

Ariaʼs smirk faded slightly, her expression turning serious. ”Then itʼs only a matter of time before Iʼm devoured.”

The air grew heavy as she continued, ”When Celestials find their vessels, war begins. Itʼs inevitable. The strong will hunt the weak. The vessels will do whatever it takes to kill each other. And when one falls, the victorious Celestial consumes the defeated one, growing stronger with every battle.”

She flicked her fingers, a small golden flame appearing before vanishing just as quickly. ”Itʼs a cycle. A brutal, endless cycle until only one remains.”

Javier frowned. ”And a Celestial without a vessel?”

Aria exhaled through her nose. ”Like fine wine spilled onto the ground—easy to take in, easy to absorb.”

Her eyes locked onto his. ”Without a vessel, I have no proper form. If another Celestial finds me, they can devour me instantly. No fight, no resistance. Just gone.”

A silence settled over the group. Even Liana and Gloria, who had been quietly observing, seemed uneasy.

Javier clicked his tongue. ”So youʼre saying this war is inevitable.”

Aria shrugged. ”Itʼs already started. The question is, where do you stand?”

”By the way, Garius…” Aria continued.

Garius, still calmly watching the aftermath of the fight, raised an eyebrow. ”Hmm?”

Aria dusted off her clothes and stretched her arms. ”You need to find a suitable vessel for me and my sister fast.”

Garius didnʼt react much, but the others stiffened at her words.

”If the first Celestial with a vessel finds us before we have one… and devours us, I doubt sealing it would be an option anymore,” Aria crossed her arms. ”And Iʼm sure you know that.”

Garius closed his eyes for a moment before nodding. ”I know.”

Aria smirked. ”Thatʼs why you already found suitable girls, right?” She then shot a glance at Javier. ”But your youngest son refused.”

Javier clicked his tongue, crossing his arms. ”Hey! I just donʼt want my lo—” He coughed, correcting himself. ”I donʼt want my girls changing.”

Liana and Gloria, who had been silent until now, narrowed their eyes slightly, their gazes locking onto Javier.

Javier narrowed his eyes. ”Whatʼs the guarantee that they wonʼt change?”

Aria tilted her head, then shrugged. ”They wonʼt.”

Javier frowned. ”How can you be so sure?”

Aria sighed, rolling her shoulders. ”Itʼs not like we take over their minds or personalities. A vessel just gives us a permanent anchor—a stable form to exist in.” She smirked.

”Think of it like a spirit binding to a body. Without one, weʼre like mist in the wind—scattered, unstable. A vessel gives us structure, but we donʼt overwrite the person inside.”

Javier exhaled, still skeptical. ”Even if thatʼs true, I still donʼt like it.”

Aria grinned. ”If you donʼt want them, you could try finding another vessel… but thereʼs no guarantee that the one you choose wonʼt be greedy, unstable, or worse.”

Ari, who had always been the shy one, hesitantly stepped forward, her small frame moving cautiously toward Liana.

Slowly, she reached out, her delicate fingers brushing against Lianaʼs arm.

In an instant, memories flooded into her mind.

She saw everything.

Lianaʼs unwavering devotion. The warmth in her heart. The quiet, steadfast love she held for her young master. Every thought, every emotion—Ari could feel them as if they were her own.

A faint blush dusted her cheeks as she turned to face everyone.

”This elf girl… sheʼs perfect for me,” Ari whispered shyly.

Liana remained silent,.

Aria, clearly pleased by Ariʼs choice, chuckled softly before shaking her head. ”I donʼt think her lover will allow it, Ari,” she teased, glancing at Javier with an amused smirk.

Ariʼs expression faltered. ”But… sheʼs perfect…” she whispered, looking back at Liana with longing eyes.

Aria sighed and stepped forward, wrapping her arms around her in a gentle embrace.

”Sorry, Ari… but we canʼt force them to accept.” Her voice was softer now, almost regretful.

”Letʼs just wait here and hope Garius and his people can protect this place from the other Celestials.”

Javier turned toward his father, his voice unusually serious.

”Esteemed Father…”

Garius raised an eyebrow. ”Yes, my idiot son?”

Javier ignored the remark. ”What they said—is it true?”

”Which part?” Garius asked, his tone calm but firm.

Javierʼs gaze darkened. ”The part where Celestials devour others who donʼt have vessels.”

Garius was silent for a moment before he nodded. ”Yes.” His voice was unwavering. ”That is how it has always been.”

Javier turned to Liana and Gloria, his expression unreadable. Then he looked back at Aria and Ari.

”Itʼs up to them,” he finally said. ”If they decide to help and allow it, then you both can.”

The room fell silent.

Then, Javierʼs aura shifted. The air grew heavy, suffocating, his presence like a blade pressing against their skin.

”But if that results in Liana or Gloria losing who they are…” His eyes gleamed with unshakable resolve. ”I wonʼt just sit by and watch. I will—” He took a step forward, his power crackling in the air. ”—really, really crush you both.”

”Oho~” Aria grinned, tilting her head as she watched Javier. ”Turning serious, huh?”

Javier didnʼt react to her taunt. His eyes remained cold and unwavering.

”Oh, celestial girl,” he said, his voice calm but edged with intensity. ”This isnʼt the real thing.”

Then— ”First limiter… removed.”

A suffocating pressure filled the room. The air grew dense, crushing.

Ariaʼs smirk faltered as she felt it. ”Hah?!” Her eyes widened slightly. He had a limiter all this time?

Javier took a step forward, his presence swallowing everything. ”You want to see more?” His voice was still calm, but there was no playfulness, no mischief—only a cold declaration.

Then— ”Second limiter… removed.”

The weight in the room doubled—no, tripled. It was overwhelming.

This time, everyone except Marcellus, Cedric, Garius, Erinette, Hesbeirn, and Alf felt the full force of it. Even Liana and Gloria, despite being protected from Javierʼs madness, could sense just how terrifyingly heavy his presence had become.

THWACK!

A sharp smack landed on Javierʼs head.

”Yikes!” Javier yelped, immediately retracting his aura as he turned around—only to freeze in place.

Standing before him, arms crossed and eyes closed in a serene expression, was Lady Francesca.

Gulp.

The entire room fell into silence. Even Aria, who had been grinning moments ago, instinctively took half a step back.

Francesca slowly opened her eyes, her usual gentle smile in place. ”Javier, my dear son…” Her voice was soft, like the morning breeze. ”Why did you remove those limiters again?”

Javier swallowed hard but tried to act casual. ”Uh… you see, Mother, I was just—”

Francesca took a step forward, still smiling. ”So you can lose control and go into a rage again?”

Javier shut his mouth immediately.

That smile—warm and elegant to others—was terrifying to her family.

Marcellus and Cedric, despite being grown men, subtly straightened their backs. Erinette and Alf exchanged brief glances. Even Garius, the mighty Count of Armand, chose to remain silent.

Javier, sweating hard, slowly raised his hands in surrender. ”I-I was just testing things, Mother. No big deal!”

Francescaʼs smile deepened. ”No big deal, you say?”

Javier took a step back.

”Now, Javier,” she continued, her tone light yet firm, ”shall we have a little chat about proper self-control?”

( End of Chapter )