The next morning, soft sunlight entered the room through the window.
Ren slowly opened his eyes.
For a moment, he stayed still… then suddenly remembered everything.
He quickly turned his head.
Elyra Noctis was sitting quietly near the window, looking outside.
"You're awake already?" Ren asked.
Elyra glanced at him.
"I don't really need much sleep."
Ren stretched slightly and stood up.
"Wait here. I'll bring something to eat."
Without waiting for a reply, he left the room.
🍞 A Simple Morning
A few minutes later, Ren returned with fresh bread, fruits, and some cooked meat.
Elyra looked at the food curiously.
"This world's food… feels different."
Ren smiled faintly.
"You'll get used to it."
They sat together and ate.
For Ren, it felt strangely peaceful.
For Elyra… it was something completely new.
🛍️ Into the Market
After finishing, Ren stood up.
"Let's go out."
Elyra followed him silently.
The streets of Aetherion were crowded as always.
Merchants shouting, adventurers walking proudly, children running around…
Elyra observed everything carefully.
"So this is how humans live…"
Ren looked at her.
"You can't keep wearing those same clothes."
Elyra blinked.
"…Why?"
"You'll attract attention."
After a moment of silence, she nodded.
They entered a clothing shop.
After trying a few outfits, Elyra finally wore a simple black and blue dress.
She looked completely different.
More… human.
Ren looked at her for a second.
"…This suits you."
Elyra didn't say anything, but a faint smile appeared.
🏹 At the Adventurer Guild
Soon, they reached the Adventurer Guild.
Ren walked straight to the counter.
"I want to register her as my party member."
The receptionist nodded.
"Name?"
"Elyra Noctis."
She wrote it down and said,
"She needs to undergo a magic evaluation."
Elyra stepped forward and placed her hand on the crystal.
⚡ A Shocking Talent
The crystal lit up instantly.
Wind… Fire… Water… Earth…
All elements reacted.
The entire guild fell silent.
"An all-element user…?"
"That's impossible…"
Even experienced adventurers were shocked.
Ren frowned slightly.
"…So she's that strong."
💢 Insults
Whispers began to spread.
"She shouldn't be with him…"
"A G-rank like Ren doesn't deserve her…"
Hearing this, Elyra's expression turned cold.
She took a step forward.
But suddenly—
Ren grabbed her wrist.
"Stop."
"I'm used to it."
His voice was calm.
"I don't care anymore."
Elyra looked at him… then slowly stepped back.
👑 The Arrival of Power
At that moment, the guild doors opened.
A powerful presence entered.
S-Rank Party: Crimson Vortex
Raizen Kuroth (Captain)
Darius Vex (Vice-Captain)
Selene Arkwyn (Mage)
Lio Strade (Assassin)
Their aura alone silenced the hall.
Raizen's gaze landed on Elyra.
"You."
He walked forward.
"Join our party."
"You belong with strength."
Then he glanced at Ren.
"Not with someone like him."
🔥 Elyra's Stand
Elyra's eyes turned cold.
"I refuse."
The entire guild went silent again.
She stepped closer.
"A party that looks down on others…"
"…is already weak."
She pointed slightly toward Ren.
"He is stronger than all of you."
"He understands others… helps them…"
"And risks his life for them."
"You don't."
Darius stepped forward angrily.
"You little—!"
But Raizen stopped him.
"Enough."
"There's no benefit in this."
They turned and left.
📜 Registration Complete
The receptionist returned nervously.
"Everything is complete."
She handed Elyra her card.
🏅 A-Rank Adventurer Card
Ren looked surprised.
"A-rank already…"
❓ Doubt
Outside the guild, Ren asked,
"There's something I don't understand."
Elyra nodded.
"What is it?"
"You're a Demon King's daughter…"
"Then why only A-rank?"
Elyra replied calmly,
"There are two reasons."
"First… I was sealed for 800 years."
"I used most of my power just to survive."
Ren nodded.
"And second?"
"I sealed my demon power."
"If I don't… I'll be hunted."
"Right now, I'm like a human."
Ren smiled slightly.
"That's better."
🏫 A Shared Goal
Back in the room, Ren said,
"You should join the academy with me."
Elyra looked at him.
"…Together?"
"Yes."
She smiled.
"I'd like that."
Ren nodded.
"But we need money."
"We'll take guild quests until B-rank."
Elyra smirked slightly.
"Sounds fun."
Ren sighed.
"It won't be easy."
👨🏫 Instructor Vareth
At the academy, they met Instructor Vareth Ignis.
"How are you, Ren?"
"I'm fine, sir."
Vareth looked at Elyra.
"And her?"
"My party member… and friend."
"She wants to join the academy."
Vareth shook his head.
"The test is already over."
Elyra looked down.
⚠️ One Last Chance
Ren stepped forward.
"Is there any other way?"
Vareth looked at him carefully.
"…There is."
"But it's dangerous."
Ren didn't hesitate.
"We'll do it."
Vareth smiled.
"That's what I expected."
He gave them a small locket.
"If you're in danger… break it."
🌲 The Trial Begins
At the reception:
"We want to take the special test."
Elyra showed her card.
"You may proceed."
"Ren cannot participate."
Ren looked at her.
"You'll have to go alone."
Elyra smiled confidently.
"I'll be fine."
🐉 The Trial
She was teleported into a forest.
Her task:
Bring back a Blue Core from an Earth Dragon.
She moved forward calmly.
Every monster that attacked—
Was defeated instantly.
Soon…
She found the dragon.
A short battle—
And it was over.
🎉 Victory
Back at the academy—
Ren rushed toward her.
"Are you okay?"
"I'm fine."
The core was verified.
"Congratulations. You passed."
💰 Progress
Later, they sold extra cores.
3 Gold, 5 Silver coins.
Ren smiled.
"We're getting closer."
🌙 End
That night, they returned to their room.
Both were tired.
But satisfied.
That night, after returning from a long and exhausting day, both Ren and Elyra Noctis quietly finished their meal.
Neither of them spoke much.
It had been a long day… full of unexpected events.
"Get some rest," Ren said.
Elyra nodded.
They went into their separate rooms.
🌙 Silence of the Night
The night grew deeper.
The city of Aetherion slowly became quiet.
Inside his room, Ren lay on his bed, staring at the ceiling.
"So much has happened in just a few days…"
He closed his eyes.
Trying to sleep.
🚪 A Soft Knock
Knock… knock…
Ren opened his eyes immediately.
"…At this hour?"
He got up and opened the door.
Elyra was standing there.
Ren looked confused.
"Elyra…? What happened?"
She avoided eye contact for a moment.
"…I can't sleep alone."
Ren blinked.
"…What?"
"I feel… uneasy."
Her voice was softer than usual.
"Can I… stay here tonight?"
😳 Ren's Panic
Ren froze.
His mind went blank.
"Uhh… y-yeah… you can sleep here."
He quickly turned away.
"I'll sleep on the floor."
But before he could move—
Elyra spoke again.
"…Why?"
Ren stopped.
"You can sleep here too."
"I don't mind."
Ren's heart started racing.
"…Are you serious?"
Elyra simply nodded.
🛌 An Unusual Night
Both of them lay on the same bed.
A strange silence filled the room.
Ren stared at the ceiling again.
His entire body felt stiff.
"This is bad…"
"I've never even held hands with a girl before…"
"And now… this…"
He tried to calm himself.
"Just sleep… just sleep…"
💭 Restless Thoughts
But sleep didn't come easily.
Ren kept thinking.
Too aware of everything.
Too conscious.
Then suddenly—
Elyra moved closer.
And held onto his arm.
Ren's eyes widened instantly.
"W-What is she doing…?!"
He turned slightly.
She was asleep.
Completely calm.
"…She's really sleeping."
Ren swallowed nervously.
"How am I supposed to sleep like this…?"
He tried to relax.
But his heart refused to slow down.
🌌 A Long Night
Time passed slowly.
Ren barely slept.
Every time he closed his eyes—
He became aware of her again.
Her breathing.
Her warmth.
"This is impossible…"
In the end—
He just gave up trying.
🌅 Morning Light
Morning sunlight entered the room.
Elyra slowly opened her eyes.
She looked refreshed.
"…Good morning, Ren."
Ren, on the other hand, looked completely exhausted.
"…Morning…"
His voice was low and tired.
Elyra tilted her head.
"You didn't sleep well?"
"I slept great."
She stretched slightly.
"It was very comfortable."
Ren forced a small smile.
"…Yeah… I can see that."
Inside, he sighed.
"Of course you did…"
😅 A Small Moment
Elyra looked at him curiously.
"What are you thinking about?"
Ren shook his head quickly.
"Nothing."
"…Let's get ready."
"We have a lot to do today."
⚔️ A New Day Begins
Elyra nodded.
"You're right."
They both stood up.
"We need to complete as many quests as possible," Ren continued.
"We don't have much time before we need to pay the academy fees."
Elyra smiled slightly.
"Then let's not waste time."
☀️ Moving Forward
They went back to their respective rooms to get ready.
After that, they met again and headed out for breakfast.
Another day.
Another step toward their goal.
And slowly…
Their bond was growing stronger.