Just as the elevator doors slid open with a soft metallic whisper, Alex stepped onto the 10th floor of the Phoenix Spire.

The hallway was sleek and pristine, polished to a mirror-like shine. A faint golden glow lit the walls, leading to a single wall like door at the end—crafted with a seamless blend of dark alloy and mystic runes, indistinguishable from the rest of the hallway to an untrained eye.

Alex chuckled lightly under his breath. 'no security protocols? No retinal scan like before? No voice prompt like before? Guess they haven't updated it since I was presumed to be "dead".'

He walked casually toward the seemingly solid wall that marked the entrance to the 10th floor's apex suite. As he approached, the door silently slid open—without needing him to utter a word.

"Hmph. Still got the access," Alex muttered, stepping inside.

He took his time, strolling through the high-tech, luxury apartment. Every corner was just as he remembered.

A massive king-sized bed with memory foam and nanite temperature control sat proudly in the center of the bedroom.

The bathroom glowed faintly with hydrotherapy lights around a deep tub, the water pre-warmed to optimal levels.

The private EtherNet console shimmered beside a crystal-embedded table, giving him full access to Zenith Academy's resources and communication servers. And of course, the fridge—stocked with gourmet ready-to-eat meals from Avaloria's top chef brands.

Alex gave a nod of approval. "I forgot how comfortable this place was."

He finally arrived at the spacious living room and dropped lazily onto the black leather sofa, his silver hair catching the ambient light.

Looking up at the ceiling, he smirked.

"My dear Zara... you're still here, right?"

A calm, soothing voice echoed around the room.

{Welcome back, Alex.}

A grin tugged at the corners of his lips.

"So, how are you? Did you miss me at all?" he teased.

{Well... I was pretty shocked when I received news six months ago that you died. And to be honest... I was quite sad.}

Zara's voice softened slightly.

Alex raised an eyebrow and chuckled. "I don't know why, but it actually feels nice hearing that from you."

He leaned back, arms behind his head.

"Oh, by the way—this place's security system is still the same. Didn't Ethan take over the 10th floor after I was gone?"

There was a pause before Zara replied.

{Well, the thing is... after he took over your position as the Apex, he refused to live here.}

Alex blinked.

{For reasons unknown. Though... I believe he thought he didn't deserve to live in a place that belonged to you. Since you gave your life to save him and in return just took your title .}

Alex stared at the ceiling for a moment.

"Wow... that's the Hero of Light for you. So righteous."

But then a more curious expression crossed his face.

"Zara, I've always wondered… you AI assistants—you feel too real. Emotionally, I mean. Too human."

There was a pause.

"Can I ask... who made you?"

No reply came.

"Zara?"

Silence again.

Then the voice returned—slower, more deliberate.

{This is the highest tier of classified information.}

Alex straightened slightly, interest piqued.

{I am not authorized to disclose this.}

Her voice now carried a digital firmness, the kind that made even Alex hesitate.

{This information is only known by Headmaster Aldric Verlane. Without his express permission, I cannot reveal anything about my creator that's all I can tell you.}

Alex sat silently, stunned for a brief moment.

'Highest tier of classified info…? Just who the hell designed these AI assistants for the Apex rooms? Even the Headmaster's name is tied to it?'

His mind wandered, threads forming and connecting. But before he could dive further, Zara's voice returned.

{Alex. Someone is at the door.}

He leaned his head back with a knowing grin.

"I already know who it is. Just open the door."

With a soft hiss, the wall-like door receded.

A lone figure stepped in.

Golden-blonde hair spilled down her back like liquid sunlight, smooth and luminous. Her pointed ears peeked from behind soft locks, marking her elven heritage with aristocratic pride. Her amber eyes sparkled like molten gold tinged with firelight—cold, discerning, and captivating.

Elaria Moonshade Lareth'Thalas.

She walked with the usual grace of someone born into royalty, her every step refined yet detached. Her casual outfit betrayed a hint of rebellion: a cropped white jacket left unzipped over a black sleeveless bodysuit that hugged her curves, paired with short, high-cut leather pants and thigh-high boots.

Her toned stomach was bare, and a small gemstone necklace hung just above her collarbone.

The blend of elegance and allure made her both dangerously beautiful and effortlessly intimidating.

Her eyes met Alex's across the room.

He was lounging on the sofa, one arm over the headrest, the other twirling a snack between his fingers, that same infuriating smirk on his face.

Elaria sighed, her voice flat.

"Why did you call me here?"

At that, Alex leaned back on the sofa with a lazy smirk tugging at his lips.

"Oh, don't try to feign ignorance," he said. "You already know why I've called you here."

Elaria clicked her tongue, eyes narrowing as she folded her arms.

Alex didn't give her a chance to respond before continuing.

"I've won the bet. And now," he said, stretching dramatically, "I've decided what I want from you."

Elaria raised an eyebrow. "Alright, alright. Tell me what you want then."

Instead of answering immediately, Alex gestured toward the sofa beside him. "Sit down first."

Elaria gave him a long, suspicious stare, but eventually moved with practiced grace and sat down—albeit with great reluctance. Her posture was stiff, her legs crossed, and her arms folded like she was guarding herself from whatever nonsense was about to come next.

Alex turned his full attention to her.

"Look," he began, voice suddenly more serious, "as you can see, it seems like we'll have to work together in the future... whether you like it or not."

Elaria's eyes twitched.

"And since you were the one who set up the bet... and I won..." he paused, grinning, "what I want from you... is simple."

She waited, half-expecting something idiotic—and yet still unprepared for the bomb he dropped next.

"I want you to serve me. Like a good little servant. Until the mission we're assigned is over."

Silence.

A long beat passed.

Elaria's amber eyes blinked once. Then again.

Her brain short-circuited for a brief second as if it refused to comprehend what she'd just heard.

And then—

A thick vein popped on her forehead.

"WHAT did you say?!" she snapped, standing up with a jolt. "Me? Serving YOU? For the entire mission as your servant?!"

Alex nodded nonchalantly. "Yeah, you heard that right. Like a good little maid. You'll protect your master from the scary, arrogant race of tree-huggers you call elves."

Elaria froze.

Her jaw clenched.

'This bastard... he dares to undermine me? And my 'entire' race?'

She took a deep breath and flipped her long golden hair behind her shoulder, like she was about to perform on stage.

"You clearly have no idea what kind of being you're talking to," she said, lifting her chin with aristocratic pride. "I am an high elf—one of the most superior races in all of Etheron. Our elegance, intelligence, and affinity with mana far surpass any other species."

She pointed at herself dramatically.

"And I, Elaria Moonshade Lareth'Thalas the first princess of the elven empire and heir to the throne of the Moonshade royal family, am the pinnacle of that greatness! My beauty is second to none, my lineage ancient and revered. My magical prowess is studied, envied, and feared."

Her eyes gleamed with haughty pride.

"And 'you' want someone like 'me' to serve 'you'?"

Before she could keep going, Alex raised a finger.

"I've said this before, and I'll say it again."

He stood up slowly, posture perfect, his silver hair catching the light in all the right ways.

"Who are you calling second place?"

He placed a hand over his heart with theatrical flair.

"My beauty is unmatched in the mortal realm. Even gods weep at the thought of falling short — and believe it or not, I've met one recently."

He gave her a dazzling smile.

"You should be 'honored' to even be breathing the same air as me."

He stepped closer, his tone smug.

"I'm not only more more good-looking than you. I'm stronger than you. And I'm even more noble than you without actually having a noble title.

What else do you want from your soon to be master even if temporary."

Elaria stared at him, absolutely dumbfounded.

Alex, still smirking, leaned in just slightly.

"So yes, little elf princess, you're going to serve me. And you'll do it fabulously—or at least, I hope so. Otherwise, it's you who will suffer, because as an elven princess, you made a promise, and breaking it would bring shame upon the royal family itself."

Elaria stood frozen in place, torn between screaming and launching a lightning spell at his face.

'How... how can someone be this shameless… and yet make it work?!'

Alex smiled as he asked "so what will it be."

-----

A/N:

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