CHAPTER - 63
Narrator:
After bidding farewell to Azrael, Dav left the arena and returned to the hotel with Dante Di Valverde. He needed to rest before departure.
At 5:00 AM, they boarded a private jet to return to Sicily.
Meanwhile, Azrael remained alone in the arena.
Sitting on the shattered ground, his gaze lost in the void, that memory continued to haunt him.
Dav’s last glance, before the destruction.
Azrael: (Thinking)
Who was that?
What was that thing staring at me?
That… was not him.
No. That was not my friend.
From now on, I will keep a closer eye on him.
I must make sure that thing never resurfaces again.
Flashback – The Night Before the Arena
Narrator:
Azrael stood before a large holographic console.
Lucian Dexler, his most trusted assistant, was by his side.
Azrael: Lucian, set it to SSS rank.
If he did it, then so can I.
Lucian Dexler: (Concerned) Are you sure, sir?
Azrael: (With a serious look) Yes.
Let’s see who I’ll be facing tomorrow.
Narrator:
But the match was a crushing defeat.
Against the SSS-rank monster, Azrael could barely land a hit.
Its aura alone was enough to crush him.
Azrael laughed like a madman, hoping he wouldn’t embarrass himself the next day.
Present – Azrael, Alone in the Arena
[Azrael lowered his gaze, fists clenched.]
Azrael: (Thinking)
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During the Raid ten years ago, when we all arrived to rescue him… it was a massacre.
Almost every SS-rank monster had already been annihilated.
When it was our turn, we found only a few high-ranking creatures left.
For me, defeating even one of those monsters was a struggle…
And he faced 1 million.
He is no longer human.
Even now, with his power limited, he remains a problem.
If I had challenged him ten years ago, he could have killed me with just a glance.
Now someone… something lives inside him.
And I will bring it out. Even by force, if necessary.
My friend… I will not leave you alone.
Christmas Day – 9:00 AM, Italian Time Zone
Narrator:
Thousands of parents from around the world arrived at the academy.
It was visiting day, a chance to spend Christmas with their children.
At the entrance, Elysia waited in silence.
Time passed.
One hour…
Then another.
Everyone had already gathered in the dormitories with their families.
In the end, only she remained.
With teary eyes, she turned away.
Her heart clenched, she took a step back inside.
That was when she heard that voice.
"Is that how you greet your father, little one?! Look at these kids today!"
The world stopped.
Elysia spun around.
Her eyes widened.
An instant later, she ran towards him.
With a joyous smile, she hugged him tightly, tugging at his cheeks with a playful expression.
Dav laughed, ruffling her hair.
Dav: (Small smile) I’m back, Ely.
I don’t know if I won or lost… but I’m back.
Narrator:
Elysia didn’t care about the duel.
The only thing that mattered…
Was that her father had returned.
When Dav stepped through the academy gates with Elysia by his side, clad in his imposing uniform, a wave of silence spread among those present.
All the parents, gripped by deep respect, knelt and greeted him with reverence.
Voices rose in a chorus of congratulations.
"Well done, Professor!"
"Your victory was extraordinary!"
"You even brought the Grand Mage to his knees!"
Dav raised a hand, halting the excitement.
Dav: Today is a day of celebration.
I don’t want to talk about battles.
Let’s focus on the kids and good food.
Narrator:
His tone left no room for argument.
Then, with Elysia beside him, he headed toward the dormitories.
Dav walked down the corridor until he stopped in front of Gabriel’s room.
The door was slightly open.
A familiar voice warmed his heart.
He quickened his pace and, as soon as he stepped inside, he saw the scene:
His mother, Melissa De Lion, was scolding Gabriel for the mess in his room.
Melissa: Gabriel! Didn’t I teach you to keep things tidy? Look at this chaos!
Narrator:
Gabriel scratched his head, visibly embarrassed.
When Melissa noticed Dav, the scolding stopped immediately.
She turned sharply and hugged him tightly.
Melissa: (Worried) Do you have any injuries? Are you feeling well? Are you tired?
Narrator:
Without waiting for an answer, she started checking him from head to toe.
Then, grabbing his cheeks, she scolded:
Melissa: (Scolding him) How dare you make me worry like this?!
Narrator:
Dav let out a muffled sound, trying to free himself.
Only then did Melissa notice the small figure hiding behind Dav’s cloak.
A girl with white hair and red eyes.
Her slender hand clutched his uniform tightly, as if he were her only refuge.
Melissa tilted her head slightly, intrigued.
Dav gestured for her to follow him outside to talk privately.
When he revealed the truth, Melissa was speechless.
Her eyes widened in astonishment.
Meanwhile, Elysia, terrified, clung even tighter to Dav, her fingers digging into the fabric of his uniform.
After a long moment of silence, Melissa finally spoke.
Melissa: Welcome to the family, Elysia De Lion.
Narrator:
An instant later, with an unexpected move, she pushed Dav aside and embraced her new granddaughter with all the warmth she could muster.
Melissa: (Sweetly) Oh my, you’re so beautiful!
Is Daddy mean to you?
Does he buy you sweets?
Here, take this candy!
Dav: (Alarmed) Mom! Don’t give her sweets, or you’ll spoil her too much!
Narrator:
Melissa shot him a glare.
Ignoring him completely, she continued to pamper Elysia with a beaming smile.
Dav sighed, resigned.
After a while, he approached his mother and asked seriously:
Dav: For now, keep it to yourself.
We’ll talk when the time is right.
Narrator:
Melissa nodded, accepting his request.
Then, taking Elysia’s hand, she led her away to explore the academy, chatting cheerfully as if they had always known each other.
END OF CHAPTER - 63
