The Return Of The Exiled Villain

They stayed like that for quite a long moment.

Gray’s arms wrapped securely around Jasmine’s waist, her chin resting on his shoulder, silver-white hair spilling over his back.

The room was quiet, the only sound their soft breathing and the faint crackle of residual energy from her manifestation.

Jasmine was the first to speak, her voice barely above a whisper.

”...It feels strange,” she murmured, slowly pulling back just enough to look at him.

She raised her hand and gripped her own fist tightly in front of her chest, as if testing that she was truly solid and not just a voice inside his head.

”After three years of only existing inside your soul... being able to stand here, touch you, see you with my own eyes... it feels... unreal.”

Her red eyes shimmered with emotion as she looked up at him.

”I kept imagining this moment... but now that it’s here, I don’t even know what to say. I’ve been with you every single day, yet... seeing you like this, in the flesh... my heart won’t stop racing.”

Gray’s hand moved up to gently cup her cheek, his thumb brushing over her smooth skin.

’...To think that she would be this emotional? How long did she exactly stay in that Inheritance Dungeon?’ he couldn’t help but ponder.

A lot of people must have been challenged, but they probably weren’t able to pass the last challenge and gain Seria’s acknowledgement.

”...I’ve waited for this too,” he mumbled softly.

Jasmine leaned into his touch, closing her eyes for a second before opening them again, a small, shy smile forming on her lips.

”Thank you... for everything. For protecting me. For never giving up on me. For giving me this chance to stand beside you properly.”

She paused, then added with a hint of playful pride,

”And... because of you, my Authority of Destruction has leveled up significantly. The demonic energy you gathered, the battles you fought... it strengthened me more than I expected. I’m much closer to my former strength now.”

Gray’s lips curved into a faint smile as he looked at her.

”Good. That means you’ll be able to stay like this more often.”

Jasmine nodded, her fingers lightly gripping the front of his shirt as if afraid he might vanish.

”I still can’t stay manifested for too long... but it’s already so much better than before. Now... we really are connected now... in every way.”

Gray gently pulled her closer again, resting his forehead against hers.

”Don’t worry about it... I’ll make sure that you regain your whole power as fast as I possibly can.”

Jasmine’s red eyes softened, a tender smile blooming on her lips as she closed them for a moment, savoring the closeness.

”...Thank you, Gray,” she whispered.

She leaned in and pressed a soft, lingering kiss to his forehead, to which Gray didn’t mind at all. If anything, he was a little unhappy that she didn’t have her whole power, because if she did, that single kiss would probably make him break through a few realms.

At that exact moment, a small flash of white light appeared beside Gray’s shoulder.

Seria materialized in her miniature dragon form, perching gracefully on his other shoulder. Her light blue eyes with crimson slits immediately locked onto Jasmine.

The ancient dragon’s small body trembled slightly with emotion as she stared at her old master.

”...Master,” Seria said softly, her majestic voice carrying a rare hint of vulnerability.

She hopped down from Gray’s shoulder and floated in front of Jasmine, her tiny wings fluttering.

”It really is you... I thought I would never see you again.”

Jasmine’s eyes widened with joy. She reached out and gently scooped the small dragon into her arms, hugging her carefully.

”Seria... my precious girl,” Jasmine whispered, tears glistening in her red eyes as she stroked the dragon’s shimmering white scales.

”You’ve grown so beautiful. I’m sorry I left you alone for so long...”

Seria nuzzled into Jasmine’s chest, letting out a soft, contented rumble.

”Hmph. You took your time waking up,” the dragon complained playfully, though her tail was wagging happily.

”I was stuck guarding this dungeon for centuries while you were napping inside a mortal. How unfair.”

Jasmine laughed softly at the dragon’s.

”I know, I know. I’m sorry. But look, I brought you a good contractor this time.”

Seria turned her head to glance at Gray, then huffed.

”He’s acceptable. A little too bold for a mortal, and far too good at seducing dragons with a single touch, but... acceptable.”

Gray raised an eyebrow at her words.

”Seduce? I just patted your head.”

Seria’s tail flicked playfully.

”Exactly. Dangerous technique.”

Jasmine giggled, hugging the small dragon tighter.

”You two are already getting along. That makes me happy.”

Seria nuzzled closer to Jasmine, clearly enjoying being held by her old master again.

”...I missed you,” the dragon admitted quietly.

”Don’t disappear again.”

”I won’t,” Jasmine promised, kissing the top of Seria’s head.

Gray looked at both of them and suddenly felt his power fade a little... This meant that Jasmine, unfortunately, couldn’t stay any longer.

After all, she was now spending his power to manifest.

”...It seems that my time to manifest for today has ended,” Jasmine said softly, a hint of reluctance in her voice.

Her body slowly started turning into swirling red mist. She reached out and gently patted Seria’s small head one last time, a tender smile on her lips.

”Take care of him for me, Seria.”

The little dragon nuzzled her hand affectionately before Jasmine’s form dissolved completely, flowing back into Gray’s body like gentle crimson smoke.

[...If only I could stay like that forever.]

’You will, Jasmine... one day. I’ll make sure of it.’

[I believe you.]

He turned and walked out of the room, closing the door quietly behind him.

The moment he stepped into the hallway, he was greeted by Elárien.

The elf princess stood there wearing a beautiful one-piece green dress that perfectly complemented her silver hair and golden-green eyes.

The dress was elegant and form-fitting, with delicate embroidery along the hem and sleeves, hugging her curves gracefully while still maintaining an air of noble refinement.

Her long silver-green hair was loosely tied with a simple ribbon, and her expression had returned to its usual calm, almost perfectly expressionless state.

”Good morning, Gray,” she said softly.

Gray raised an eyebrow slightly.

Just moments ago, when she had been waking up, her face had been relaxed and warm, with a gentle smile that made her look far more approachable.

Now, the mask was back in place.

’Only while waking up did she relax her expression...’ he thought.

’Is that considered a morning’s privilege?’

Elárien tilted her head slightly, noticing his gaze.

”Is something wrong?”

Gray shook his head.

”Nothing. You look beautiful in that dress.”

A very faint blush touched her cheeks, but her expression remained mostly neutral.

”Thank you.”

She stepped closer, her golden-green eyes studying him quietly.

”Will you be busy today?” she asked, her voice soft but carrying a hint of hope.

”I have some things to take care of. I’ll see you later,” Gray nodded.

Elárien simply nodded in understanding, though there was a small, almost imperceptible trace of disappointment in her eyes.

She didn’t press him, simply stepping aside to let him pass.

He left his dormitory and directly headed through the academy’s corridors. After a while, he stopped in front of the Headmistress’s office.

The grand wooden door was slightly ajar, as if she had been expecting him. Without knocking, he pushed it open and stepped inside.

Aurora was already there, leaning against the edge of her large mahogany desk, arms crossed under her massive breasts, which only accentuated her alluring figure.

She wore a form-fitting dark red dress that hugged her curves perfectly, the neckline plunging just enough to be distracting.

The moment she saw him, her red eyes lit up with a mixture of affection and excitement.

”Gray,” she purred, pushing off the desk and walking toward him with graceful, seductive steps.

”You’re finally here~”

She reached him and immediately wrapped her arms around his neck, pulling him into a deep, passionate kiss. Her soft lips pressed firmly against his, her tongue slipping into his mouth for a brief but hungry moment before she pulled back with a satisfied smile.

”I’ve been waiting for you,” she whispered, her fingers tracing his jaw. ”Ready to learn the third and fourth moves of the Soul Chasing Extremities?”

Gray nodded, his hands resting on her waist for a moment.

”Yes. Let’s begin.”

Aurora’s smile turned more professional, though the affection in her eyes never fully disappeared.

She stepped back, creating some space between them, and gestured for him to stand in the center of the spacious office.

The furniture had already been moved aside, leaving a wide training area.

Gray raised an eyebrow at this, since last time Aurora had simply led him somewhere else to train, but didn’t mind.

He looked at her and realized that she was already holding her sword, so he also took out his rapier.