The group walked through the dimly lit streets of the Kasai Clan's inner district, their minds still processing the day's events.
The towering red banners of the Kasai Clan swayed in the evening breeze, casting long shadows against the ancient stone walls.
Serena's steps were slower than usual, her thoughts heavier than ever.
"I'm really going to be a mother."
She had known the truth for hours, but it was finally sinking in.
Her hand instinctively rested over her stomach, a habit she hadn't noticed until now.
For the first time in her life—she felt afraid.
Blaze should be here.
She should be telling him this.
But he wasn't.
And that meant—she had to do this alone.
Her fingers tightened into a fist, and she exhaled sharply.
"No. I'm not alone. I have my friends. I have my strength. And when I find Blaze—he's going to have to face me."
A small, determined smirk crept onto her lips.
She wasn't weak.
She wasn't afraid.
She was Serena Blackspire.
And she would fight for her child.
Jasper, walking a few steps behind the group, was deep in thought.
His mind was racing—but not about Serena.
He was thinking about Seinna.
For days, she had been persistent.
No matter how much he ignored her, she didn't back off.
No matter how much he pretended she didn't exist, she still smiled like she had already won.
And that pissed him off.
"Fine. If ignoring her won't work, I'll just make her hate me."
His blue eyes flickered toward her, watching as she casually typed notes on her holographic panel.
She looked calm. Unbothered.
Like she wasn't dealing with an idiot who had been ignoring her for days.
That smug patience irritated him.
He had to break her first.
And so—he smirked, ready to start his plan.
"Damn, Seinna. You ever stop acting like you know everything?"
Seinna's fingers paused over her wristwatch.
She slowly looked up, her silver eyes locking onto his.
Serena and the others also turned, sensing the tension.
Seinna smiled slightly, tilting her head. "Oh? So you can speak to me now? I thought I was invisible."
Jasper rolled his eyes. "Please. You wish you were invisible. Would've saved us all a headache."
Seinna chuckled. "And yet, here you are—giving me all your attention. Interesting."
Jasper's eye twitched.
"Tch. She's not even fazed. I need to go harder."
He crossed his arms, smirking. "You know, Seinna, for someone who acts so damn smart, you sure talk a lot of bullshit."
Aiko and Ryuji's eyes widened slightly.
Serena narrowed her gaze. "Jasper, stop being an ass."
But Seinna?
She didn't even blink.
Instead—she stepped closer to him, her silver eyes gleaming with amusement.
"Hmm. And yet, despite all the 'bullshit' I talk—you're still here, listening to me. How interesting."
Jasper's smirk faltered for a split second.
"Tch. You're not as smart as you think, princess. You just like pretending you are."
Seinna laughed softly.
"Oh? And you like pretending you don't care. We all have our hobbies."
Jasper gritted his teeth.
Serena crossed her arms. "Yeah, Jasper, it's kinda sad how obsessed you are with ignoring her."
Ryuji snickered. "Dude, you literally followed her all day just to pretend she doesn't exist."
Jasper's face darkened.
"Damn it. This isn't working."
But Seinna?
She just smirked knowingly.
"Keep trying, Jasper. Let's see how long you last."
Jasper swore under his breath.
"Damn it. She's winning."
The group finally entered their hotel, the warm glow of lanterns casting flickering shadows along the walls.
Kenshiro, who had been silent most of the way, finally spoke.
His gaze locked onto Seinna.
"It's true, then? Serena is really pregnant?"
Seinna nodded, serious now. "Yes. There's no doubt. The scans confirmed it."
Kenshiro exhaled slowly, rubbing his temple.
Aiko and Ryuji, who had been listening, immediately reacted.
"Wait, WHAT?!" Ryuji's jaw dropped.
Aiko clasped her hands together, gasping. "Serena, that's amazing! You're going to be a mother!"
Serena smiled awkwardly, scratching her cheek. "Yeah… looks like it."
Ryuji grinned, slapping her back. "Damn! We gotta celebrate! This is huge!"
Serena chuckled. "Thanks, Ryu."
Then—Ryuji suddenly paused.
His grin faded slightly.
"Wait. Who's the dad?"
Serena's heart skipped a beat.
The room went silent.
Jasper, who had been leaning against the wall, smirked.
"Oh, this is gonna be good."
Seinna, sensing the tension, stepped in immediately.
"She needs rest. We'll talk later."
Ryuji pouted. "Tch. You're dodging the question!"
Serena sighed in relief, mouthing a quick 'thank you' to Seinna.
But Kenshiro, watching all of this, was thinking about something else.
His amber eyes studied Seinna carefully.
"Seinna."
Seinna looked at him, curious. "Yes?"
Kenshiro crossed his arms.
"You're not from our world. You don't belong to our traditions. But your knowledge is… incredible. Almost unnatural."
Seinna raised an eyebrow. "Oh? What makes you say that?"
Kenshiro's expression was unreadable.
"When we visited the Black Towers of Zephyron—you recited our sacred prayer in perfect religious language. Even most temple priests can't say it that fluently."
The room fell silent again.
Jasper narrowed his eyes.
"Wait. She did what?"
Serena and Aiko exchanged glances.
Seinna, however, just smiled mysteriously.
"Oh? Well… I'm just very good at research."
Kenshiro studied her carefully.
"Maybe. Or maybe… you know more than you're letting on."
Seinna's smile widened slightly—but she didn't answer.
Jasper watched her carefully.
"Damn it. Who the hell is this woman?"
***
CTS TIME: RE250.05.29 – 9:00 PM (Kasai Clan Territory)
Seinna sat in a dimly lit corner of the hotel common room, her back resting against the wall as her fingers glided effortlessly over the holographic interface of her wristwatch.
The faint blue glow of the display reflected in her silver eyes as she scrolled through various encrypted ISA files, ancient Kasai Clan records, and newly gathered data.
Her voice was calm but precise.
"I love research. I love understanding things."
She typed faster, eyes narrowing.
"And you are right, Kenshiro."
Kenshiro, who had been watching her closely, leaned in slightly.
"Right about what?"
Seinna's gaze didn't waver from the screen.
"Ryuji's body has an unnatural energy. Something beyond just raw chakra."
She swiped across the display, pulling up a 3D holographic analysis of Ryuji's past battle data.
The dark violet energy from his transformation flickered on the projection, twisting like a living entity.
"Dragonis and Infernum also reacted to this. I have scientific evidence. Now, tell me—what are you hiding?"
Her eyes locked onto Kenshiro's.
The room fell silent.
For a moment, the only sound was the soft hum of the holographic display.
Kenshiro sighed deeply, rubbing his temple.
He leaned back, crossing his arms.
"You already know what it is, don't you?"
Seinna gave a small, knowing smile.
"I have theories. But I want confirmation."
Kenshiro's amber eyes hardened.
"It's Nyxarion the black dragon."
Seinna's fingers paused.
Even for her, hearing the name spoken so directly sent a small shiver down her spine.
She quickly masked her reaction.
Kenshiro continued, his voice lower now, serious.
"I can't tell you much. Not here. Not now."
Seinna sighed, closing her holographic panel.
"Fine. I'll figure it out myself. But don't think you can keep this secret forever."
Kenshiro gave a small smirk.
"I don't expect to."
Serena lay comfortably on the soft futon, wrapped in a warm blanket, feeling surprisingly at peace.
For the first time since learning the truth—she didn't feel overwhelmed.
Instead, she felt strong.
Seinna's words echoed in her mind.
"You're not alone. You have to take care of yourself now."
She placed a hand over her stomach, her fingers barely trembling.
Aiko, sitting beside her, was practically glowing with excitement.
"Serena, how do you feel? Are you nervous? Excited? I mean—you're going to be a mother!"
Serena smirked. "Honestly? I feel… different. But in a good way."
Aiko's eyes sparkled.
"Do you think it'll be a boy or a girl?"
Serena laughed. "I don't know. But either way, this kid is going to be strong."
Aiko nodded enthusiastically.
"Of course! With you as their mother? They'll probably be unstoppable!"
Serena chuckled, closing her eyes for a moment.
"Yeah… and when I find Blaze, I'm going to make him take responsibility."
Her crimson eyes gleamed as she smirked.
"That bastard has no idea what's coming for him."
***
Jasper exhaled slowly, standing alone on the rooftop of the hotel, staring up at the night sky.
The Kasai Clan's territory stretched endlessly before him—ancient temples, burning lanterns, and towering pagodas glowing under the soft moonlight.
The Great Temple of Zephyron stood in the distance, its massive black banners waving in the cool evening breeze.
Jasper's blue eyes narrowed.
"Are gods even real?"
He had never believed in things like destiny. Like fate. Like divine intervention.
But after everything he had seen—the power of the Akarugan, the energy from Ryuji's transformation, the way the universe kept throwing Seinna into his life—
He was starting to wonder.
He scoffed, shaking his head.
"Tch. Bullshit."
Jasper stood at the edge of the rooftop, his arms crossed, staring at the Kasai Clan's cityscape under the moonlight.
His mind was racing—Seinna was getting under his skin.
No matter what he did, she wouldn't stop.
No matter how much he pushed her away, she wouldn't leave.
And then—
A pair of arms wrapped around his chest from behind.
Jasper's entire body stiffened.
Her grip was firm, yet warm.
Her fingers brushed against his chest, feeling the slow rise and fall of his breathing.
His emerald eyes widened in shock.
"What the hell—?"
Before he could react, her voice came—soft, but unwavering.
"Why don't you just accept it?"
Jasper's breath hitched.
"Accept what?" he muttered, his voice dangerously low.
Seinna tightened her grip slightly.
"My love."
Jasper felt his chest tighten.
He should have been furious.
He should have thrown her off immediately.
But something about the way she said it—so simply, so honestly—made his stomach twist.
Seinna leaned her head slightly against his back, her silver hair brushing against his neck.
"You think you're not meant for me, don't you?"
Jasper clenched his fists.
His jaw tightened.
His rage started boiling over.
"Tch. You really don't get it, do you?"
He suddenly grabbed her wrists and shoved her away.
Seinna stumbled back slightly, her silver eyes locking onto him.
But she wasn't angry.
She wasn't hurt.
She was just… calm.
And that pissed Jasper off more than anything.
His emerald eyes burned with frustration, his voice dripping with venom.
"Are you that desperate, Seinna? Is this what you do? Throw yourself at men who don't want you?"
A silence hung between them.
But Seinna's expression didn't change.
Jasper scoffed, shaking his head.
"You act like you're so damn perfect. Like you're above everyone else. But let me tell you something, princess—love doesn't work the way you think it does."
Seinna tilted her head slightly, watching him with an unreadable expression.
Jasper continued, his words sharper than any blade.
"You're a machine, Seinna. Cold, calculating, emotionless. You don't feel love—you just analyze it like another one of your research projects."
Seinna's eyes flickered with something—but not pain. Not anger.
Jasper wanted her to break.
He needed her to give up on him.
So he kept going.
"I don't want you. I don't need you. And honestly? You following me around like some obsessed stalker is just pathetic."
Still—Seinna didn't waver.
She simply let out a small breath, then smiled slightly.
"Are you done?"
Jasper's eye twitched.
"What?"
Seinna stepped forward, closing the space between them.
Her silver eyes gleamed under the moonlight, her voice cool and composed.
"I expected more from you, Jasper Tyros. That was weak."
Jasper's chest tightened in frustration.
"Tch. Are you even listening to yourself?"
Seinna tilted her head.
"You say I don't feel emotions? That I'm just a machine? But look at you. You're the one running. You're the one who can't even handle someone caring about you."
Jasper gritted his teeth.
"Shut up."
Seinna smiled.
"Why? Because you know I'm right?"
Jasper's fist clenched.
"I said shut up."
Seinna simply kept watching him.
Her unshakable composure was driving him insane.
So—he snapped.
Without thinking, he raised his hand and struck her.
The sound of the impact echoed across the rooftop.
Seinna's head snapped to the side, her silver hair whipping in the wind.
A red handprint bloomed across her pale cheek, a small cut on her lip bleeding slightly.
Jasper's breath was heavy, his chest rising and falling.
He had expected her to react.
To yell.
To slap him back.
To walk away.
But instead—she did something that completely shattered him.
She turned back slowly, her lips curling into a small, amused smile.
"Wow."
She touched her cheek lightly, testing the pain.
"You've got some strong arms. That actually hurt a little."
Jasper's blood ran cold.
She wasn't angry.
She wasn't hurt.
She was disappointed.
And for the first time—Jasper felt something dangerously close to regret.
Seinna stepped past him, brushing her shoulder against his as she walked toward the stairs.
Before disappearing, she glanced back over her shoulder, her voice calm.
"Come to dinner. You're hungry. I know."
Then—she was gone.
Jasper stood frozen, his hand still tingling from the impact.
He had hit her.
He had said the worst things he could think of.
And yet—
She still didn't hate him.
And that realization was more terrifying than anything.