Chapter 37 – Parent Intervention
"Even family can be enemies… especially when they see your value."
The thing beneath the arena—
Did not fully emerge.
Not yet.
The distorted hand that had clawed its way through the cracked stone floor froze mid-motion.
Then—
Slowly—
It retreated.
As if something had pulled it back.
Or worse—
Commanded it to wait.
The crack sealed itself.
The dark energy vanished.
The pressure lifted.
And just like that—
Silence returned.
But it wasn't the same silence.
It was heavier.
More dangerous.
Because now—
They knew.
Something was down there.
Something that recognized Aira.
Something that had reacted… to her.
Aftermath of the Interrupted Duel
Lucien was the first to move.
He stepped back, eyes narrowed, calculating.
"…that wasn't part of the system," he said quietly.
Ren didn't answer.
His attention was still on Aira.
More specifically—
On her wrist.
Because he hadn't let go.
Not even for a second.
"You're done," Ren said again, his voice low, firm, leaving no room for argument.
Aira didn't pull away immediately.
Her gaze remained locked on the spot where the crack had been.
Her Devour core was still… unsettled.
Not unstable.
Not overwhelmed.
But alert.
Like a predator that had just sensed something stronger than itself.
"…it knew me," Aira murmured.
Lucien's eyes flicked toward her instantly.
"…what?"
Aira finally turned.
Her expression was calm.
Too calm.
"It reacted to me. Not to you. Not to him."
Her eyes briefly met Ren's.
Then returned to Lucien.
"Which means this place… or whatever is beneath it… is connected to my Devour."
Silence.
Heavy.
Lucien exhaled slowly.
"…that's becoming a pattern."
Ren's grip tightened slightly.
"Then we don't go deeper."
Aira smiled faintly.
"Yes, we do."
His jaw locked.
"You're not listening."
"And you're trying to control me."
Their gazes collided.
Tension.
Sharp.
Unspoken.
Lucien chuckled softly.
"This is getting more interesting by the minute."
Ren didn't even look at him.
But the air around him sharpened dangerously.
The Interruption Begins
Before anyone could continue—
Footsteps echoed.
Not from the arena.
From above.
Multiple presences.
Strong.
Authority.
Lucien's expression changed instantly.
"…we're out of time."
Ren finally released Aira's wrist.
But he didn't step away.
Not completely.
Because the next moment—
Voices followed.
"Search the area."
"No one leaves."
"We felt the disturbance from the upper towers."
Aira's eyes narrowed slightly.
"…teachers?"
Lucien shook his head.
"…not just teachers."
And then—
They arrived.
The Parents Enter
They didn't look like students.
They didn't move like teachers.
They didn't even carry themselves like academy staff.
These people—
Were something else entirely.
Power.
Authority.
Control.
Nobles.
Aira felt it instantly.
The pressure.
The expectation.
The silent judgment.
One of them stepped forward.
Tall.
Elegant.
Dressed in dark formal robes that shimmered faintly with embedded magic.
His eyes—
Sharp.
Cold.
And locked directly onto her.
"…so you're the one."
Aira didn't flinch.
"Depends on what you're looking for."
A faint smile touched his lips.
"Power."
Silence.
Lucien shifted slightly.
Ren didn't move at all.
But something about him changed.
Subtle.
Dangerous.
Recognizing the threat before it fully revealed itself.
Power Clash – Without Fighting
The nobleman stepped closer.
Each step—
Measured.
Calculated.
Until he stood only a few meters away from Aira.
"You caused the disturbance," he said calmly.
Not a question.
A statement.
Aira met his gaze.
"I responded to it."
Another pause.
Then—
His eyes flicked downward.
To her hand.
Then—
To her chest.
As if he could see her Devour core.
"…interesting."
Ren stepped forward slightly.
Enough to place himself between them.
"Back off."
The nobleman's gaze shifted to him.
Recognition flickered.
"…Kael."
Ren's voice dropped.
"Leave."
The air grew tense.
Because this wasn't just student versus student anymore.
This was something older.
Deeper.
More dangerous.
Parent–Student Manipulation Revealed
Another figure stepped forward.
A woman this time.
Elegant.
Smiling.
Too gently.
"Aira Valen," she said softly.
Aira's eyes narrowed.
"You know my name."
"We know many things."
Her gaze lingered slightly longer than necessary.
Not invasive.
But… evaluating.
"We've been watching your progress."
Aira didn't respond.
But her Devour core pulsed.
Warning.
Because this wasn't curiosity.
This was interest.
The dangerous kind.
"You have a rare ability," the woman continued.
"Something that could be… nurtured."
Ren's expression darkened instantly.
"No."
The woman smiled.
"That wasn't directed at you."
Lucien watched quietly.
Observing.
Analyzing.
Because now—
The real game had started.
Aira's Choice
Aira stepped forward.
Not toward Ren.
Not toward Lucien.
Toward them.
"You're not here because of the disturbance," she said calmly.
"You're here because of me."
Silence.
Then—
A faint smile.
"Smart girl."
The nobleman folded his hands behind his back.
"There are factions interested in you."
"Factions that invest in talent."
"Factions that… guide potential."
Aira's lips curved slightly.
"And what do you want in return?"
That was when the atmosphere changed.
Subtly.
But completely.
Because now—
They weren't hiding it anymore.
"Loyalty."
ML Reaction – Protective Tension
Before Aira could respond—
Ren stepped forward fully.
This time—
No restraint.
No subtlety.
"You're not touching her."
The air cracked.
The nobleman's eyes sharpened.
"…careful."
Ren didn't back down.
"Leave."
Lucien finally spoke.
"You're making it obvious."
Ren didn't look at him.
"I don't care."
Aira glanced at him briefly.
Just for a second.
And something shifted.
Because this wasn't just control.
This wasn't just possessiveness.
This was—
Protection.
Real.
Dangerous.
Unfiltered.
Hidden Threat Revealed
The woman stepped closer again.
"But what if she wants power?"
Aira smiled.
"I already have it."
A pause.
Then—
The nobleman spoke again.
"…your family didn't think so."
Everything stopped.
For just one second.
Aira's eyes darkened.
"…what?"
Lucien's gaze sharpened instantly.
Ren's expression shifted.
Dangerously.
Because now—
This wasn't just about power.
This was personal.
The Truth Drops
"They sent reports," the nobleman said calmly.
"Unstable."
"Low potential."
"Unfit for advancement."
Aira's fingers curled slightly.
"…that's a lie."
"They believed it."
Silence.
Heavy.
Sharp.
Then—
A faint smirk.
"Until now."
Cliffhanger Build
The nobleman turned slightly.
"Keep watching her," he said to the others.
"Carefully."
"Because if her ability evolves further…"
His gaze returned to Aira.
Cold.
"…we won't be the only ones interested."
The woman smiled one last time.
"Be careful, Aira Valen."
"Power like yours…"
"Always comes with a price."
They disappeared as quickly as they arrived.
Leaving behind—
Silence.
And something far worse.
Final Moment – Emotional Tension
Aira didn't move.
Didn't speak.
Because for the first time—
Something felt… different.
Not fear.
Not anger.
Something deeper.
Ren stepped closer.
This time—
He didn't hesitate.
His hand reached out—
Gripping her arm firmly.
"You're not getting involved with them."
Aira looked at him.
Close.
Too close.
"And if I choose to?"
His eyes darkened.
"…then I'll stop you."
A pause.
Then—
Aira smiled.
Dangerous.
Soft.
Unreadable.
"Try."
That night—
Far from the academy—
Inside a noble estate—
A letter was sealed.
Stamped.
Marked.
Sent.
"To all factions—"
"The Devourer has been confirmed."
"Begin preparation."
Back at the academy—
Aira stood under the moonlight.
Her Devour core pulsing slowly.
Not with hunger.
But with something far more dangerous.
Awareness.
"They rejected me once…"
she whispered softly.
Her eyes glowed faintly in the dark.
"…this time—"
Her smile sharpened.
"I'll make them regret it."
"Her own family labeled her a failure… but now, powerful factions are preparing to claim her—and this time, they won't ask."