Chapter 70: Dreamscape, Training, Preparations

Training—a word Hitana hadn’t heard in a while.

After her outpouring at Chishuang Mansion, Anselm had never trained her seriously again.

This fit his character and words—his training was only to correct Hitana’s attitude toward him and her outward behavior.

After that day, our wolf maiden had charged headlong toward becoming a loyal hound, so serious training was unnecessary.

But today, the devil reappeared in Hitana’s dream, greeting her with a chilling salutation, placing the collar back on her neck.

“I think you must miss it a little.”

Hydra’s tone was as theatrical as an opera singer’s aria, exaggerated and grand: “How does it feel to wear it again?”

“Peh!”

In the dark cage, Hitana spat at him without hesitation, her voice seething with hatred. “One day, I’ll put this thing on your head and crush it again!”

“Your feelings for me have hit rock bottom, dear Hitana,” Hydra sighed. “You used to say you’d shock me back twice as hard.”

“Hah! Did you expect, after spewing that damned nonsense, I’d still follow you like a dog, yapping ‘Anselm, Anselm’?”

The girl glared at the devil, half his face shrouded in shadow, her anger mixed with sorrow.

Even she couldn’t tell if her words still held a trace of mournful hope.

As Anselm had said, under his candid revelations, concepts like good and evil no longer mattered.

Hitana would never accept… never accept her life being toyed with like a plaything.

This was the root of her unforgiving hatred for Anselm, nothing else.

The wolf’s words made Hydra laugh, his shadowed smile exaggerated as he tilted his head.

“I know, so I never planned to convince you with words—”

He raised a finger, lightly touching his neck.

Hitana flinched instinctively, curling into a ball, muscles tensing, bracing for the familiar jolt of pain.

But… nothing happened.

Only Hydra’s bright, cheerful laughter echoed through the dreamscape.

“Hahahaha, Hitana, aren’t you already used to that feeling? I’ve heard some people find a strange pleasure in shocks—could you be—”

“Shut up!”

Hitana roared in humiliated fury—she didn’t know why, facing this man, she could still feel “shame.”

By all rights, the surging hatred should have consumed her, grinding her reason to dust.

Hydra only smiled gently. “See? You still show that heart-stirring, angry look, just like before. Dear Hitana, you don’t hate me as much as you think, do you?”

It was her dream, yet Hitana could only watch as Anselm dominated everything, his ever-composed demeanor finally igniting genuine rage within her.

The loneliness and bitterness she’d swallowed these past days erupted, and she roared with immense sorrow and hatred:“Don’t act like you know me so well! You’re just a beast who treats me like a toy! A liar full of deceit! Not hate you so much… hahaha, you have the gall to say that!”

“Hydra…” The wolf, scarred in body and soul, spat each word with venom, as if gnashing her teeth on blood. “The pathetic misery of being fooled, manipulated, controlled—you, a lofty figure, how could you ever understand?”

[Everything you’ve experienced, how could it escape my control?]

That single sentence brought her infinite despair, and in Hitana’s eyes, Anselm could never comprehend it.

No doubt, he saw this as another step in taming her, shamelessly claiming “I’ll never abandon you”… After all she’d been through, after hearing his “sincere words,” did he really think she’d take it seriously?

Abandon? Care?

Even Hitana would discard her own toys.

How could someone who toyed with her life care about a mere puppet?

The thought that every rise and fall, every emotion she felt, was just a scripted scene, that every move and thought amused him in some unseen corner, that it was all for her so-called “growth,” fueled an unquenchable blaze in her heart.

At that moment, the shadowed Hydra across from Hitana fell silent.

“What, nothing to say?”

The wolf mocked without hesitation. “Finally realize how despicable your actions are? Why don’t you just die? Maybe in a year or two, I’d feel a shred of guilt.”

“If I really died, wouldn’t you regret it?”

For some reason, Hydra seemed playful.

After his silence, he tilted his head. “I thought, not long after leaving Chishuang Territory, you’d worry if I was truly dead.”

“Or rather…” he laughed again, “you knew I wouldn’t die so easily, so you dared hit me that hard, right?”

“Bullshit! I don’t care what happens to you! I wanted you to die the most miserable way possible!”

“Hm… is that so?”

Hydra said, and then his head exploded.

Bone shards, flesh, brain matter splattered across Hitana’s face.

Thud—

The headless corpse collapsed to the ground.

“Actually, I did die, Hitana.” A voice tinged with relief echoed in the dream, resonating in the stunned Hitana’s ears.

“What’s here in your dream is just the last wisp of my soul.”

The gentle voice carried a hint of regret. “I wanted to see how you truly felt about me… It seems I went too far.”

“But this is fine. If that’s how you truly feel, my death has some value.”

“…Heh, hehe… hahaha…”

The wolf’s face twitched, contorting into a grimace both ferocious and fearful. “Is toying with me that fun? You think I’ll scurry around like a clown again, panicked by a few seemingly sincere lies?”

“Lies… lies…”

Hydra sighed. “When have I ever lied to you? You know that, Hitana.”

“…”

A long silence stretched between them.

“You…” After the silence, Hitana’s tone shifted noticeably, her hand wiping the blood from her face trembling. “How could you… You’re a Hydra, how could I kill you!”

“Isn’t it simple?”

Hydra chuckled: “Because I never guarded against you, Hitana.”

“Didn’t expect my life to end so absurdly. Quite… interesting.”

He spoke lightly, joking. “You’re the first to make me miscalculate. In a way, that’s within my expectations… You’re truly perfect, Hitana. Shame I can’t see it anymore.”

Hydra let out a lazy, relieved sigh, his voice fading:

“Even if you hate me, don’t come find me too soon, Hitana.”

“I won’t be waiting for you.”

Then, everything vanished.

The corpse, the voice, the sticky sensation on her face—all seemed an illusion.

In the empty, pitch-black dreamscape, Hitana knelt alone, dazed.

She forced her lips to move, her face twitching:

“Ha, haha, you think you can trick me again with this stunt?”

“No defenses… you think I’d believe that nonsense!”

“You think… you think letting me kill you once will make me forgive you!”

“Answer me, Hydra! Come out! Speak!”

Hitana’s voice grew distorted, breaking, nearing collapse.

“Bastard! Monster! Get out here! You win! Come out and tell me you’ve played me again! Mock me!”

Her eyes trembled violently, the fragility beneath her rage and hatred surfacing, like the countless times on her journey home she recalled that boy’s smile and words, only to force herself to forget.

While the young wolf hadn’t fully died, and the Azure Wolf Emperor hadn’t yet emerged, her world-devouring dominance still brewing, Hitana was still Hitana—the girl whose love and hate burned fiercely, unyieldingly.

Hatred couldn’t erase her attachment, nor could love negate her fury… making her both immensely strong and unbearably weak.

“Caught me that quickly?”

Just as Hitana teetered on the edge of despairing tears, a familiar chuckle sounded behind her.

“Doesn’t that prove everything?”

“Hitana, believe me, you’ll always care about me.”

“And so will I.”

This time, her volatile rage peaked instantly, obliterating her vulnerability in a haze of shock. Hitana screamed that bastard’s name in fury, and then—

Bang!

The girl, rising too forcefully, broke the bed.

Dazed, Hitana looked around the unfamiliar room with familiar objects, her mind slowly returning from the hazy dream to reality.

A dream… was it a dream?

No, no way!

In an instant, the wolf who knew exactly how vile, shameless, cunning, and evil that man was trembled, snarling through gritted teeth:

“Hydra…”

“I’ll make you… kneel and beg for forgiveness before me!”

“Ten thousand times!”

***

“So, she’s a volatile yet deeply vulnerable person, right, Professor Polynea?”

In the sacred study rarely opened to outsiders, Anselm was hosting a distinguished guest.

Yacinthos Polynea, one of the thirty-two lifelong professors of Tianlu Tower, with her own independent tower within the great Northern edifice.

Renowned for her mastery in voice, true speech techniques, and pure ether control, she was also an accomplished musical maestro.

Most crucially, she was the most likely candidate in a decade to become the fifth fifth-tier transcendent at Tianlu Tower, potentially shattering the balance between the Grand Duke of Gray Tower and Grand Duke Ironblade.

Of course, these impressive titles and identities held little value to Anselm.

The Grand Duke of Gray Tower might treat him as a junior, but that was because he stood at the Empire’s pinnacle, one of the thirteen just below the Emperor, excluding the anomalous Hydra.

Not all dukes saw Anselm as a junior.

No matter how erudite or promising Polynea was, an invitation from Anselm should have left her flattered.

So why did the busy Hydra take time to chat with this professor?

Simple—beneath her many honors, Polynea held two secret identities.

One was as the mentor who recognized and nurtured Hitana’s talent, bringing her to Tianlu

Tower and resolving countless troubles for the then-wild, unrestrained young Hitana.

Without a powerful backer, how could Hitana have escaped unscathed after angering so many nobles and causing so much chaos, while keeping her family safe?

Polynea, a plain-looking but maturely charming woman, gave a helpless smile. “That child is like that… Her impulsiveness and anger are less flaws she can’t control and more weapons she can’t do without.”

“She uses them to mask the loneliness and vulnerability in her heart. At the academy, she was an outcast, always facing isolation and criticism. She could only protect… no, comfort herself this way.”

Polynea sighed. “I enrolled her as an ordinary professor, not wanting a star destined to shine across the Empire to fade, but also not wanting my status to burden her with external pressure. I never imagined… her personality would make it impossible to stay long in Tianlu Tower’s academic environment.”

“You’re a scholar devoted to academics,” Anselm comforted. “And she was a hard-to-tame child then. No one could predict what would happen.”

“But it’s a teacher’s responsibility… My friend always said I’m not suited to teach.”

Polynea gave a bitter smile. “After Hitana dropped out, I realized that.”

The renowned scholar across the North and Empire sighed deeply. “If I’d paused my research to focus on caring for her, things might have been different… Ah! I don’t mean serving you was a wrong choice for her.”

Realizing her words might be misinterpreted, Polynea quickly clarified. “With you… she clearly has a brighter future.”

She looked at Anselm with a hint of pleading. “I hope she truly finds a better future, Lord Hydra.”

“Since you’ve seen the great talent shining in her, you must cherish her.”

“Yes, though recently, some unpleasant things happened.”

Anselm spoke with a touch of melancholy. “Hitana chose to leave my side for now. I’m unsure how to handle her, so I wanted to discuss her personality with you these past few days.”

Polynea’s visit, despite her busy research, was partly due to Anselm’s status and partly because of this reason.

“Ah… the incident during the great cold wave.”

Polynea’s eyes dimmed. “She’s a good kid, but… I only hope you don’t blame her.”

The events in Chishuang City, deliberately spread by Anselm recently, weren’t surprising for someone of Polynea’s level to know.

But for an academic like her, it wasn’t about politics—she’d been tracking Hitana’s situation since learning she was with Anselm.

After a moment’s thought, she said earnestly to Anselm:“Though four years have passed, I believe her core hasn’t changed.”

“Hitana… is a contradictory girl. Always striving to be strong, yet deeply vulnerable. Before what

she cares for and cherishes, she’s always fragile, no matter how fiercely she acts to hide it.”

“Hm…” Anselm nodded thoughtfully.

“You are clearly part of what she cares for and cherishes, Lord Hydra.”

For some reason, Polynea’s expression turned odd as she said this.

There seemed to be both relief that her former student had found a pillar to rely on and a trace of… inexplicable melancholy, even sadness.

Polynea, believing she had concealed her emotions well, continued, “Otherwise, she wouldn’t have done something so… absurd. Please believe me, you’re part of her vulnerability. Though I don’t know what exactly happened between you, in truth, no matter how she acts toward you, it’s just to hide her inner weakness.”

“…I hope you won’t despise her for it.”

“How could I?” Anselm chuckled. “Rest assured, Hitana is one of my most cherished people. You needn’t worry.”

“Is… is that so…”

Hearing such a promise, hearing a lofty figure at the Empire’s peak hold her once-cherished student so dear, Polynea should have been overjoyed.

Yet, for some reason, her smile seemed forced.

“Oh… well, that’s wonderful then.”

The conversation shifted to casual topics.

Anselm’s vast knowledge and ability allowed him to engage deeply with nearly anyone in the world.

They discussed music and etheric studies enjoyably, as if the talk of Hitana was a mere interlude.

“By the way,” Anselm said suddenly, “speaking of, there seems to be an unexpected situation with Chishuang Territory’s ‘harvest’ this year.”

“…What?”

Polynea’s expression froze slightly. “You mean—”

“Yes, that big thing.”

The young Hydra interlocked his fingers, looking puzzled. “I sensed it seems to have awakened early.”

“What? That’s impossible!”

Polynea was shocked. “The Red Ice Python woke up early? Are you serious, Lord Hydra?”

“In academics, I may lack the authority of published papers,” Anselm said, shrugging, “but when it comes to magical beasts, I doubt anyone in the Empire, the continent, or even the seas has more expertise than I do.”

The professor’s expression grew tense. “Can you… explain the situation?”

“No problem, but… Professor Polynea,” Hydra tilted his head, “you’re far away at Tianlu Tower, unaffected by the Red Ice Python. Why are you more nervous than I am?”

“Ah? I… I’m worried this disaster might affect more innocent people due to this anomaly.”

Her reasoning was convincing, and she spoke with concern. “After all, it’s a beast requiring the principal or Grand Duke Ironblade’s forces to handle. If not dealt with promptly, it’s too dangerous.”

“Heh, it won’t rampage early… It’ll take about a month to break through the soil, but it has indeed woken up recently and… inexplicably moved its nest.”

He looked at Polynea, puzzled. “I only have a rough understanding of Chishuang’s ‘harvest.’ Has this happened before?”

“Well…”

Polynea hesitated. “I’m not sure, Lord Hydra. Perhaps… I can ask Professor Makadela for you.”

“That would be perfect. Honestly, I want to resolve this disaster quickly to minimize damage.”

Anselm’s face lit up with a sincere smile. “Thank you for your help, Professor Polynea.”

“…No, please, it’s what I should do.”

Polynea, the honest scholar, averted her gaze, perhaps out of… guilt?

After a long pause, she stammered, “Could you… tell me where the Red Ice Python moved to? It’ll help me inform Professor Makadela. He’s been interested in such etheric creatures for a long time and might assist you.”

“Simple enough.”

Anselm answered readily, “Let me get a map.”

He retrieved a map from his desk, spreading it before Polynea and marking it with a pen.

“Right here, near a city called Hemo City.”

The boy smiled, circling the city. “You can have Professor Makadela contact me. I’ll take him to the exact location to investigate.”

“Thank you for your generosity and mercy… Lord Hydra.”

Polynea bowed deeply. “Only meeting you confirms those rumors about you are far from false.”

Anselm laughed heartily. “Not all rumors about me are good, Professor Polynea.”

“…No, those so-called bad ones are just the useless complaints of short-sighted fools.”

The woman shook her head earnestly, gazing at Anselm with hopeful, fervent eyes.

“You are… the one who can truly bring change to the Empire. My friend and I firmly believe this.”

The young Hydra’s brows rose slightly. “That’s not something to say lightly, Professor Polynea.”

Realizing the radical nature of her words, Polynea froze, quickly backtracking. “No, I didn’t mean you’re rebellious or…”

“But it sounds appealing.”

Anselm smiled, interrupting her.

“Why not give it a try?”

***

After seeing off Professor Polynea, Anselm’s mood lifted considerably.

The stage he had built for Hitana was nearing its climax. Everything was progressing smoothly, step by step, toward its conclusion.

The thought of Hitana proclaiming her rebirth and unmatched strength to all filled even Anselm with a surge of excitement.

“We can start spreading news of vulnerabilities in Fengjing City and Daliuguang City’s defenses.”

Anselm, half-closing his eyes lazily, spoke to Saville behind him. “Mind the scope and spread. Our rebel friends have some sharp minds among them.”

Saville nodded, then added, “As per your orders, Miss Hitana has been marked.”

Anselm’s lips curled slightly, as if recalling something immensely pleasing. “How’s she been lately?”

“Well, or rather… very well. Almost as if she’s gotten everything she ever wanted.”

Saville answered, but his tone and expression carried pity.

Because Miss Hitana would soon lose those things. Very soon.

But Saville’s pity lasted only a moment. In his eyes, what Hitana would ultimately gain was something that would drive nearly anyone in the world mad with envy.

The wolf who lost everything would finally understand—

Where her true place was.

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