"Axel, want some barbecue?" Storm suddenly asked. "The food just now was good, but damn, it didn't fill up."

On another day, Axel might have agreed. But after hearing Sergio's warning, he knew he had no time to waste—he needed to absorb the rock spinal cord as soon as possible.

"Tomorrow," Axel said. "I've got things to take care of tonight."

Drayke nodded. "Fair enough. We're not in a hurry to get back to the academy. Tomorrow works."

Cassia's voice broke in. "You two go on ahead. I'll walk with Axel to see Annabelle."

Storm and Drayke froze. Storm hesitated, then finally gave a reluctant nod.

Watching the two walk side by side down the narrow alley, Storm let out a sigh.

"Shit… is Cassia about to confess?" Drayke asked with a grin.

"I hope not," Storm muttered.

"Why not? Childhood classmates getting together isn't a bad thing."

Storm just shook his head, speechless.

.....

The Rhine Restaurant was a good distance from the Olympic Sports Center, but Axel's hotel was only a ten-minute walk away. He and Cassia strolled down the dimly lit alleys of Shiverstone City, neither speaking at first.

"Axel…" Cassia quickened her pace, then stopped beneath a streetlamp. Its soft glow fell across her flushed cheeks.

Axel felt a pang of nervousness. He knew Cassia's feelings toward him weren't the same as his toward her. And if she pushed him into a corner now, he'd dodge the question. With her stubborn personality, that might ruin even the friendship they had.

But then Cassia smiled. "You walk too fast. When you've got time, teach me more about cultivation. Honestly, you're already stronger than my mentor."

Axel blinked and his chest lightened, then he nodded. "Alright, Cassia. You—"

Before he could finish, she cut him off. "Listen to me first."

Her voice carried a softness he wasn't used to. The fierce, heroic Cassia seemed far away now.

"When I enrolled this year, I wanted to catch up to you—still be your big sister, like before." She smiled faintly, and Axel's mind flicked back to those three dull, grinding years when she had stood over him, protecting him.

"But at the reunion, seeing you fight… it felt like we'd stepped into different worlds. Soon, you might be the one protecting me. And I… I started wondering if I even deserved to be the one at your side."

Axel said nothing. He let her speak.

"But these past days, I've realized something. Why should I have to protect you?" She lifted her chin, meeting his eyes squarely. Then she patted his shoulder. "You're stronger now. That's not a bad thing. I was holding myself back, thinking I wasn't enough for you."

Then, with a small laugh, Cassia reached up and tugged loose the tie in her hair. Long strands tumbled over her shoulders, startling Axel.

This story originates from Royal Road. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there.

"I always kept my hair short because long hair was a pain. But suddenly… I think a girl should be beautiful."

Her smile warmed the night air, and Axel's face softened despite himself.

.....

Minutes later, they arrived at the hotel. Axel rapped lightly on Annabelle's door. "Annabelle? You there?"

No response. His brow furrowed.

"It's late," Cassia murmured. "If she's already asleep, I'll head out."

But something felt wrong. Even if Annabelle were asleep, a Level Three Awakener wouldn't sleep through his knocking.

"Step back," Axel said quietly.

Cassia caught the look in his eyes and her expression shifted. She nodded, retreating a pace to stand with him in a defensive stance.

A soft *click* broke the silence as the door opened. Warm light spilled into the hall. Annabelle sat stiffly in a chair, nervous eyes fixed on a middle-aged man in a gray coat.

"Hello, Axel," the man said calmly. "My name is Vernon. I'm here to talk."

Vernon.

Axel's eyes narrowed. He understood—the man hadn't let Annabelle answer the door earlier and also had no intention of coming out. He wanted Axel to come in...

"Cassia, wait outside," Axel said, his eyes locked on Vernon.

Sergio had told him before—nobody in their right mind would dare attack him in Shiverstone, let alone try to steal the Rock Spinal Cord. After all, Axel wasn't just anyone; he was a member of the Whisper Syndicate and an elite student at the Bloodstone Warfare School.

But Axel had never been the type to gamble with his safety on the assurances of others. If Vernon had tried to insist Cassia come in, Axel would attack immediately.

"Alright," Vernon replied smoothly. "Your friend can wait outside. Don't worry—I'm only here to talk business. A deal that benefits us both."

His smile faltered slightly when he caught Axel's guarded look.

"Fine." Axel exhaled slowly. If Vernon was willing to let Cassia wait outside, it meant—for now at least—he wasn't planning on making a move. And in this city, with his sister present, Axel had no desire to fight.

"Axel…" Cassia glanced at him, uneasy. Axel turned to Annabelle. She gave the slightest shake of her head.

"It's okay, Cassia. Wait for me in the lobby downstairs," Axel said quietly.

Cassia hesitated but nodded and left, her presence still lingering like a protective shadow over the door. Vernon didn't try to stop her. Once Axel closed the door, he stood tall, his hand brushing the hilt of his blade.

"Forgive the late-night visit," Vernon began, settling into the chair across from him. "But I came for my son, Vaughn. You know his awakened talent—Earth Blue Rock. The Rock Spinal Cord is vital for him."

He folded his hands neatly on the table. "I know you earned it through your own blood and sweat. I'd like to buy it. Name your price."

Vernon's tone was calm, businesslike. No hint of force aura seeped from him, as if he truly had no intention other than negotiation. But Axel knew better. A man like this didn't come unannounced at night for something as simple as a trade.

"I'm sorry," Axel said evenly. "Even if it doesn't match my awakened talent, it's still useful to me. I'm not selling."

Vernon was quiet for a moment. Annabelle shifted uncomfortably at Axel's side.

"Don't be so quick to refuse, boy," Vernon said, his voice soft but heavy. "I came here with sincerity. Since you won't make an offer, let me. Five Essence Stones, five Soul Stones, and three C-grade Original Instruments. That's more than generous."

Axel had no clue what Essence Stones or Soul Stones were worth, but if they were being weighed alongside C-grade Original Instruments, they were massive. Still, it was nothing compared to what the Rock Spinal Cord truly meant—a permanent boost to his defense, a treasure for life. Instruments could be broken, stolen, or replaced. This was different.

"Mr. Vernon," Axel said, sliding the Rock Spinal Cord back into his Space Capsule, "I'm not bargaining with you. I just won't sell it."

Vernon's expression tightened. "You should reconsider. I've already offered far more than anyone else would." He leaned forward, fingers drumming on the wooden table, the faint weight of his family name pressing into the air like a storm front.

Axel didn't flinch. "Unless you can offer something equal to it—a fire spirit, or an A-grade Original Instrument or higher—I'm not interested."

The smile vanished from Vernon's face. Axel's words told him everything: the boy truly had no intention of selling. And that was the one outcome Vernon couldn't accept.

After a long silence, Vernon exhaled slowly and tried again, his tone calm, almost fatherly.

"Axel, you must know the Brighthelm family is one of the top three in Virelia. Our people are embedded across powerful institutions in the southern provinces. Doing us a favor could mean a lifetime of allies."

He tilted his head, eyes narrowing. "You're a hot commodity now, sure. But what about later? How many people rot at Level Five Awakener? But you don't want your future military or politics career to be affected, do you?"

The words carried weight—less persuasion, more threat.

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