Two individuals were at the beach in the virtual universe.

The atmosphere was extremely refreshing and cool.

One of the two individuals was a male, and the other was a female.

The female had rested her head gently on the chest of the male, her arms tugged between his own.

She had the most tender and warm expression on her face — as if she had no care in the world.

" Kai."

" Mmm."

" How does it feel, avenging them?"

Kailen chuckled warmly at Arrie's question.

" Babe, you asked me this same question when I killed Xandros on Earth."

" Mmm, I did." Arrie smiled, caressing his hands.

Kailen seemed to be in thought for a moment, gaze a bit distant — as if he was trying to tap into his most sincere emotion concerning how he felt the moment he ended the Harkers and Darkhavens.

" Tormenting them and killing them felt satisfying… gratifying even."

" That's different from the answer you gave me after killing Arkon Xandros."

Kailen shrugged. " Yeah, I guess. I actually have a confession to make."

" You have my undivided attention."

" I enjoy tormenting and breaking my enemies psychologically, emotionally, bit by bit, before I kill them. That way, not only do I erase them physically — I erase them psychologically and emotionally too."

Arrie didn't seem surprised or disturbed at Kailen's words.

She actually scoffed playfully. " That's your confession?"

Kailen tilted her chin upwards slightly and kissed her softly.

After a few seconds, their lips parted.

Kailen smiled. " You don't seem surprised by what I said."

" Why would I? I know you.I'm still cheerful, and bubbly Kai, but I'm not naive" She poked his forehead slightly with her middle finger.

" True," Kailen replied.

" Want my honest opinion on something?" Arrie said.

" Fire away." Kailen nodded warmly.

" You've healed from the death of Mother and Father-in-law. Certainly, you'll feel sad when you recall their deaths, but it no longer overwhelms you," Arrie said, gaze distant.

She turned to Kailen, who listened to her respectfully.

" That's what it means to heal.

This is why, unlike the time you killed Arkon Xandros, you did not feel the overwhelming pain of loss for losing your parents when you killed the Darkhavens and the Harkers.

When you killed Xandros, you were expecting to find some sort of peace and satisfaction — thinking that the pain would disappear after you avenged them.

But,

This current version of revenge on the Harkers and Darkhavens was not from a place of uncontrolled rage and unhealed trauma. It was from a place of acceptance — that they are gone. You've accepted it. You'll always miss them, but life goes on.

Only that, however, anyone responsible for their pain in any way must suffer the consequences, because the ones that caused them pain, freely walking around is not something you can live with.

You killed them from a place of calm, calculated ruthlessness."

Kailen nodded. " That's true."

" Yeah." Arrie puffed her chest, bubbly. " I should have been a psychologist, right?"

Kailen rolled his eyes. " Yeah right, Miss Freud."

Arrie chuckled at his words, then added,

" Also, breaking your enemies psychologically and emotionally before you kill them is something you do because you want them to understand and experience true terror for messing with you and targeting your loved ones — which is psychological and emotional torture, and not necessarily just easy, physical torture — something most can endure.

And physical death — an easy escape, a quick act of mercy cornered enemies may wish for.

But you also do it because to you, killing is an art. And to you, it's fun.

You enjoy torture and carnage.

But yours is controlled. Thankfully, those tendencies are directed towards your enemies — which is a good thing."

" You are right," Kailen sighed deeply. " You are really my soulmate. You see through me completely."

Arrie blushed deeply. " Hmph! Sweet talker."

Kailen threw some beach sand across the sea water leisurely and added,

" Even an Atrexian — those detectives — will definitely not be surgical about dissecting my psychology the way you have."

Arrie couldn't help but laugh at his words.

She brought her face an inch closer to his and whispered into his ear,

" Slow down, Romeo."

" I have to teach you a lesson."

Kailen quickly carried her into his arms and turned into a streak of light, heading towards his manor.

" Ah! What are you doing? This is the virtual universe, Kai!"

" Heheh, yeah I know. It's 99 percent reality simulation."

****

Astral Empire Academy

First-year residential area.

In a restaurant.

" Hey, is that not Miranda and Pan Halfoy?"

" Oh my God! Are they on a date?"

" Are they some sort of item now?"

" Seriously, this is something else!"

" Lucky bastard!"

" What do you mean by that? They deserve one another!"

" Quick, quick, take pictures!"

The focus of the discussions ignored everyone around them.

" I'm so sorry for inviting you here on such short notice," Miranda said softly. " I didn't even consider the fact that this may seem weird or inconveniencing to you."

Pan, completely taken aback by her feminine demeanor, couldn't help but be surprised.

Personally, he didn't know how to reply to this kind of question.

This was the first time he had developed romantic interest in someone — the first time he had liked someone to this extent.

' Calm down, bastard. Don't make a fool of yourself. Remember what Esimo, Lian Yu, and Kailen said — just be yourself.'

Remembering the advice the guys had given him before he met up with Miranda, he calmed down and replied genuinely, being himself.

" Honestly, it's not a big deal. And don't worry about what they are saying — I kind of like it."

It was on seeing the astonished, wide-eyed expression on Miranda's face that he realized he had said something stupid.

' I'm never taking advice from those guys ever again.'

Before he even clarified, to dispel the awkward atmosphere, Miranda suddenly chuckled — hand brushing her mouth slightly.

" Wow. Didn't take you for a sweet talker. A genius with tech, a great alchemist, and a natural at combat even — but not a sweet talker."

' It worked. Kailen, Lian Yu, Esimo — you genius bastards!' Pan rejoiced inwardly.

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