Chapter 613: Ritual of Light 5

“Fufu~”

A soft laugh slipped past Aera’s lips as she sat gracefully by her desk, the flickering candlelight painting sharp shadows across her face.

She had expected him to be impressive—intimidating, even—but that kind of pressure… that was something else entirely.

The memory of how her knees hit the cold marble floor still burned in her mind. It wasn’t humiliation she felt, though—it was fascination.

That presence… it wasn’t something that could be faked.

No wonder that dimwitted, ignorant “shame” of their family—Seo—had shown such interest in him.

Aera’s fan tapped softly against her palm, her crimson eyes half-lidded in thought.

Even if she didn’t get what she initially wanted tonight, she’d still managed to secure something—a faint connection, a hint of acknowledgment.

And sometimes, that was enough.

She smiled faintly. “Truly, it was the right choice to let my curiosity run wild.”

Her mind wandered briefly.

He was strong—stronger than she’d expected.

That divine pressure wasn’t ordinary. And that alone confirmed what she had suspected from the start…

He had something to do with that hidden incident during the competition.

The one the academy desperately tried to bury.

Her eyes sharpened, a glint of foxlike cunning flashing behind them.

“Riley Hell…” she whispered his name like a spell, savoring the taste of it on her tongue. “Just what are you hiding?”

He was dangerous.

That much was obvious.

Aera wasn’t the type to shy away from danger—she thrived in it—but even she knew when to tread carefully.

Someone with power that could suppress her so effortlessly wasn’t someone she could afford to provoke recklessly.

Still, that only made him all the more interesting.

“Bom,” she called softly.

Moments later, a puff of dark violet smoke bloomed beside her, and a girl stepped forth—long red hair cascading down her shoulders, her fox ears twitching lightly.

“Yes, Mother?” Bom’s tone was calm, but the faint nervousness in her voice didn’t escape Aera’s sharp hearing.

“Tell me everything you know about Riley Hell.”

“Uh… but. I… only know a little about him—”

“You don’t have to lie,” Aera interrupted, her smile widening slightly. “I’m well aware that you and the clan head are both acquainted with him.”

Bom stiffened. “I–I see…”

“Good.” Aera leaned forward, resting her chin lightly on her hand. “Then tell me everything. His habits, his likes and dislikes, the way he talks, the way he thinks. Every little thing that makes him… him.”

Her crimson eyes glimmered faintly under the candlelight.

“I want tomorrow’s meeting to be perfect.”

Bom hesitated for a moment, her expression flickering with something between caution and resignation. Then, finally, she nodded.

“As you wish, Mother.”

“Good girl,” Aera whispered, her fan opening again with a faint snap.

“That young man is of much interest to us in the future… we can’t let him go.”

Aera’s voice was low and deliberate, laced with both amusement and intent. Her fan snapped shut with a faint clack as her form began to waver like rippling mist.

Within moments, her figure dissolved into a swirl of crimson and silver particles—vanishing entirely, as though she’d never been there to begin with.

Left alone in the dimly lit room, Bom could only let out a deep, weary sigh.

She already had an inkling this would happen.

Her mother’s eyes—the way they gleamed whenever she found something entertaining—were a clear sign that Aera Gyeoul had taken an interest she wouldn’t easily abandon.

And now that interest was Riley Hell.

“This is bad…” Bom muttered under her breath, pressing a hand against her temple. “Letting her meet him was a mistake…”

Bom glanced at the faint traces of foxfire that still lingered in the air where Aera had stood, fading like dying embers.

“I should inform the old man about this…”

The room fell silent again.

Only the distant call of a night bird echoed through the quiet halls.

…

“Mmnh~!”

A soft yawn broke the morning calm.

“Good morning, Seo,” I murmured, my voice still heavy with sleep.

“Mhm… good morning, Riley…”

The first light of dawn crept through the curtains, painting the room in a soft orange glow.

Seo sat up beside me, rubbing her sleepy eyes with the back of her hand as her dark hair fell loosely over her shoulders.

She blinked blearily at the window. “It’s still early…?”

“Yes,” I replied, watching her as she swayed slightly in her daze.

Her gaze wandered around the room, landing on the two figures sleeping soundly nearby—Alice and Rose, both bundled up under light blankets, their breathing steady and calm.

“Should we wake them up?” Seo asked, her voice soft, almost considerate.

I shook my head. “No, let them rest a bit more. They outdid themselves yesterday, after all.”

Her expression softened, and she nodded.

Right after the incident, those two had spent nearly the entire time helping the academy’s infirmary staff treat the students caught in the chaos.

Most of them had suffered severe mana disruptions and fractured veins from the battle’s aftermath.

Rose, as meticulous as ever, had focused on Snow—her delicate touch and sharp control ensuring the princess’s mana pathways were repaired and her flow stabilized.

Meanwhile, Alice, with her overwhelming reserves of mana, had supported the healers directly—restoring magic circuits, reinforcing damaged cores, and preventing permanent damage among the more severely injured students specially the elven students…

They worked hard.

Even now, seeing them finally at rest, I couldn’t help but feel a quiet sense of respect.

They might be reckless sometimes, but when it mattered most—they gave it their all.

And for now… they deserved the peace.

I smiled softly as I brushed a hand through their hair—both Alice and Rose let out small, sleepy “Hnn~” sounds, curling up like cats enjoying a gentle touch.

Their faces were calm, peaceful.

They had worked themselves to exhaustion last night; I hadn’t even had the chance to thank them properly before they collapsed into bed.

I’d have to make it up to them later somehow—something simple, maybe breakfast or tea together. It was the least I could do.

“Are you going out now?” Seo’s voice came softly from behind me.

I turned slightly.

She was sitting up, the sheets slipping a little from her shoulders, her long hair tumbling freely over her nightdress.

Her crimson eyes, still hazy from sleep, blinked at me.

“Yes,” I said, buttoning my shirt loosely. “I’d like to stay a bit longer with you all, but… I made a promise with Snow.”

“I see…” she murmured, her tone light but tinged with something faintly wistful.

Slowly, she rose to her feet, the soft fabric of her nightdress swaying gently with her movements.

The morning sunlight filtered through the curtains, tracing her silhouette with a delicate, golden hue.

“I’d like to visit Snow as well,” she admitted after a pause, “but… I’m sure she wants some time alone with you.” Her voice dropped to a whisper toward the end, the last few words carrying a faint note of shyness.

“I’m pretty sure she wouldn’t mind if you tagged along for a short while,” I replied, half-smiling as I adjusted my collar.

“Yes, but this is a rare chance for her to be pampered by you,”

Seo said with a little pout, repeating the words in a way that made her sound like she was quoting someone.

“Alice and Rose said so too—we’re not allowed to interrupt by any means. Until Snow’s satisfied, we have to wait our turn… with her, and with you.”

I couldn’t help but chuckle softly at that, shaking my head. “Alright, alright… I get it.”

She smiled faintly in return, eyes soft but teasing.

Once I finished gathering myself, I took a light bath, brushed my teeth, and changed into something casual—nothing fancy, just enough to pass as decently presentable.

My reflection in the mirror looked calm, but I could still feel a faint trace of fatigue in my aura.

“I’ll head out first,” I said, turning to Seo.

She nodded and gave a small wave. “Mm. Take care, Riley.”

I reached for the door, pausing for a moment to glance back at the quiet, sunlit room—Seo standing near the window, Alice and Rose still fast asleep.

For a brief second, the air felt peaceful.

“…Yeah, I’ll be back soon.”

….

“U-Uhh Vanny…~~~!!!”

“Yes?” Vanessa replied, her voice dripping with mischief.

“Do I really have to wear this…?? I told you it’s for a ritual, right?!”

Inside Emilia’s dorm, the faint scent of divine incense filled the air.

A large holy rune was drawn across the dining hall floor—lines of shimmering gold and white light pulsing rhythmically like a beating heart.

Every now and then, sparks of divine energy danced upward, brushing against the ceiling like fireflies.

The preparations for the grand ritual were almost complete.

And yet, instead of focusing on the sacred formation glowing beneath her, Emilia sat frozen in front of a tall mirror, clutching the hem of her new “ritual attire” with both trembling hands.

It wasn’t that the outfit was bad—it was too good.

Too revealing.

Too… Vanessa.

Behind her, the elf in question was humming cheerfully, her long ears flicking up and down as she tied the last silk ribbon around Emilia’s waist.

“This is a rare chance, you know~,” Vanessa teased, leaning closer with a playful grin. “It’s not every day you get to have some alone time with your crush like this.”

“C-C-C-CRUSH!!??”

Emilia’s voice cracked so hard it echoed off the dorm walls.

Her face turned a shade redder than a ripe strawberry.

“W-What are you talking about, Vanny?! I—I don’t have any crush on Senior Riley!”

“Fufu~” Vanessa chuckled, standing up and crossing her arms smugly. “Lying won’t get you anywhere, my dear saintess. You might be innocent, but I’m sure even you know that warm, fluttery feeling you get whenever he’s around. The way you fidget, your tone softens, your wings twitch—oh, it’s adorable. And besides…” She tilted her head with a sly smile. “I never mentioned who your crush was.”

Emilia froze. “E-Eh?! B-B-But—!!”

Her mouth opened and closed like a fish, her face burning so hot she thought she might combust.

“Even still,” she stammered, gripping the edge of her silk sleeve, “t-this outfit is way too much!”

Vanessa arched a brow, amused. “Too much? Please, it’s perfect. It’s elegant, sacred, and just the right amount of… enticing.”

“E-Enticing!?? V-Vanny this looks like something you’d wear at a night festival! I can’t purify divine corruption looking like this! It’s—it’s embarrassing!”

“Embarrassing? Hmmm, I think ’divinely charming’ fits better,” Vanessa said, circling around her to admire her handiwork.

The dress—or rather, the ritual garb—was an intricate blend of white silk and gold embroidery, delicate and translucent in certain areas that made Emilia feel way too exposed.

The golden runes along the edges faintly shimmered in response to her divine energy, accentuating every small movement she made.

Emilia buried her face in her hands. “V-Vanny… I’m supposed to be performing a sacred ritual… not seducing someone…”

Vanessa grinned. “Why not both?”

“V-VANNY!!”

Her shout echoed through the room, causing the divine circle beneath her to flicker in response to her flaring mana.

Vanessa only laughed, clearly enjoying herself.

“Relax, Emmy. It’s tradition for the saintess to wear an attire that symbolizes purity and connection to divinity. You’ll be fine. Besides—” She winked mischievously. “If Senior Riley walks in and gets flustered, that’s just a bonus.”

Emilia looked at herself once more…

She looked nothing like a saintess right now.

“W-What will Senior think if he sees me like this…?” she whimpered, burying her flushed face in her palms.

“You really don’t get it, do you, Emmy?”

“E-Eh?”

Vanessa crouched in front of her, a knowing grin forming on her lips as her sharp elven ears twitched playfully.

“You need to try your best this time. This small chance you have—it might be your only one! You’re surrounded by strong rivals, and quite honestly, unless you sway your way into Senior Riley’s arms directly, I doubt he’ll ever notice you.”

“W-Wha—Sway?! V-Vanny, I’m not trying to sway anyone! This is a holy ritual! For purifying Princess Snow!” Emilia’s protests were immediate and flustered, her divine energy sparking uncontrollably around her as her embarrassment peaked.

Vanessa only grinned wider. “Exactly. That’s why you need to do your best—subtly.” She flicked her friend’s forehead with a teasing smirk. “Pull him in without even realizing it. You know? Just a little innocent charm~”

“I-Innocent?!” Emilia squeaked. “Th-This is not innocent! It’s practically—practically sinful!”

Vanessa’s chuckle was soft and melodic. “Fufu~ don’t be so dramatic. You’re still the Saintess of Light, remember? You could wear anything and people would still see you as holy.”

“That doesn’t help!!”

Vanessa leaned closer, her tone lowering slightly.

“Listen, Emmy. You may not see it yet, but the others around him—they’re not just normal girls. Princess Snow, Senior Alice, Rose, even Seo… each of them shines in their own way. If you want a place beside him, you need to make him see you too. Not as the saintess… but as Emilia.”

Emilia froze, her wide eyes reflecting Vanessa’s serious expression.

“I-I… don’t think I can…”

Vanessa smiled softly and reached out to adjust a lock of her hair.

“Then I’ll help you. You’ve always been too selfless for your own good, Emmy. So just this once, let yourself be selfish. Want something. Want him.”

“V-Vanny…”

The elf stood back up, brushing invisible dust off her dress before clasping her hands together with a teasing grin again.

“So! When Senior Riley arrives, you’re going to look confident, radiant, and absolutely irresistible. Got it?”

“B-But—”

“And when he compliments you—because trust me, he will—you smile and act natural.”

“VANNNYYY!!!”

Her cry was half frustration, half despair, and all embarrassment.

Vanessa only laughed warmly as she stepped back to admire her best friend’s glowing form.

Honestly, as much as she loved teasing Emilia, she also knew the truth—Emilia needed this.

Needed something, or someone, to push her forward. Because the others around Riley weren’t normal girls—they were prodigies, warriors, princesses, and even former goddesses.

And Emilia, for all her divine purity, still didn’t realize that she belonged among them too.

So, if giving her a little nudge—or a scandalously designed ritual outfit—helped her take that step, then Vanessa would do it without hesitation.

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep