Chapter 53 Alexandra's Inner Stir!
Chapter 53 Alexandra's Inner Stir!
At the time of leaving the academy, Pyris wasted no time. He bid his farewells to the everyone ready to set off toward Obsidian Tech. As he made his way to the platform, there she was—Alexa. Her beauty was like a beacon, overshadowing everyone around her.
The pure, vibrant mana saturating the air enhanced her radiance, making her smile seem even more captivating in the serene atmosphere of the hall. It was a sight that commanded attention, wrapping all present in an almost ethereal purity.
Pyris waved subtly as he approached, and Alexa's smile brightened even further upon seeing him. Next to her, Julienne, noticing her friend's glowing smile, turned to see the handsome young man not too far from them.
He wore the same kind of smile—genuine, unrestrained, and pure—a smile Julienne had never seen on him before, at least not until now, and only ever in Alexa's presence.
"Alexa~ aren't your standards a bit too high?" Julienne teased, her tone light but playful. The teasing comment caused Alexa's cheeks to flush a deep shade of red as she playfully smacked her friend, embarrassment flickering across her face.
"Don't be ridiculous, Julienne!" Alexa retorted, but even as she spoke, she walked gracefully toward Pyris, her movements fluid and elegant. As she reached him, Pyris gently took her hand, his expression soft but resolute.
"Regretfully, I have to take my leave now, Alexa," he said, his voice calm yet tinged with reluctance.
Alexa nodded, understanding his packed schedule without needing further explanation. She knew well enough how busy he had become, especially now that he was the head of the largest tech corporation in the empire.
"You should indeed be on your way then," she replied warmly, though her eyes lingered on him a moment longer. "I'll be leaving shortly after you."
Just as Pyris was about to part ways, a thought struck him. "Fancy a ride?" he asked, his voice casual yet inviting. Alexa, caught off guard by the offer, blinked in surprise. Her eyes sparkled for a brief second, a glimmer of surprise, before her expression composed itself into one of serene acceptance.
She glanced over at Julienne, who had tactfully stepped a bit farther away from the platform to give them some privacy. Sensing Alexa's gaze, Julienne looked back and smiled, waving at them.
"Don't worry about your friend; she'll come with us," Pyris reassured her smoothly. "I've already arranged for Emilia to pick her up. She'll also bring my sister, since she doesn't want to head to the company with me."
Relieved, Alexa turned and beckoned for Julienne, who, though clearly excited, tried her best to contain it. After all, Pyris wasn't just any handsome, popular figure—he was now her boss as well. The trio exited the academy together, their footsteps echoing in the grand hall.
Outside, Emilia was already waiting beside a luxurious vehicle, Aurelia standing calmly by her side. Pyris's face lit up with unrestrained joy when he saw his sister.
"Sister, I've missed you!" he called out, his voice filled with warmth. Before anyone could react, he pulled her into a tight hug, his happiness palpable. Aurelia, though initially taken aback, quickly softened, her aloof demeanor melting under his affection.
The scene shocked not only the three girls present but also the other students who happened to witness it. No one had expected Pyris to be so openly affectionate toward anyone, let alone to this extent.
"Emilia, please take Julienne to the hotel," Pyris instructed, glancing back at his sister one last time. "I'll meet you there." Without waiting for a reply, he bade a quick goodbye and walked off with Alexa, leaving Emilia to escort the others.
As the two walked away, the sight of Alexa, a human princess, stepping into the car of Obsidian's heir caused a noticeable stir among the onlookers. Alexa, however, couldn't care less about their whispers and stares.
She knew well enough that the rumors would eventually reach her father's ears. She could already imagine him calling her soon, likely with some thinly veiled plea to connect their family to Obsidian.
'He'll try to use me to forge ties between our families,' she mused silently as she settled into the plush seat of the car. The thought of her father's shamelessness made her lips twist in a bitter smile.
The emperor—her father—had treated her like an outcast for so long, to the point where she'd felt no choice but to flee from her own home. Yet now, he'd likely overlook all of that if it meant forging an alliance.
But when the inevitable order came…what would she do? The question hung unanswered in her mind, a thread she wasn't ready to tug on just yet. Since encountering Pyris, though, something had changed in her.
A new confidence had awakened, one she never knew she had, as though his mere presence unlocked parts of herself she had kept buried.
Meanwhile, as Emilia beckoned for Julienne to step into the lavish van, the human girl hesitated, momentarily stunned by the sheer luxury of it all. It wasn't just a vehicle; it felt like a mobile suite. The back seats were arranged like a sitting room, with a separate space where men's clothing—both formal and casual—hung neatly.
'These must belong to Boss Pyris,' she thought, her awe growing as she settled into her seat. Aurelia, seated slightly farther away, seemed indifferent to her surroundings, though her aloofness softened in Pyris's presence.
The two girls sat in silence, with Julienne too overwhelmed to strike up a conversation.
Aurelia, checking a compartment near her, casually pulled out a handful of high-tier mana cores. Julienne gasped audibly, eyes wide with disbelief. 'Who keeps such expensive mana cores in a car?' she thought, barely able to contain her shock.
Noticing her reaction, Aurelia sighed, clearly exasperated. Without a word, she tossed three mana cores in Julienne's direction.
"T-These…?" Julienne stammered, her voice trembling as she struggled to find the words.
"Yes, seriously," Aurelia muttered, rolling her eyes. "I don't want you staring at me while I'm practicing. Just distract yourself with those." To Aurelia, it was a simple matter of self-preservation—anything to stop the human girl from gawking at her.
Julienne, though lost for words, nodded vigorously, clutching the mana cores as if they were priceless artifacts.
The swirling, colorless energy inside them was mesmerizing, particularly since they were elemental-less and could be cultivated regardless of one's magical alignment.
She stole a glance at Aurelia's mana cores, which were saturated with dark energy so potent that it made her shiver involuntarily. The death energy within them was that fearsome.
While this unfolded, Emilia hopped into the driver's seat, her phone pressed to her ear. "Yes, bring the rest of the recruits to the hotel as per the boss's orders," she instructed briskly. "We'll be there soon. Yes... Zaranrel? The leader of the other bunch of recruits is with me!
Don't waste time!"
After hanging up, she glanced back at the girls with a playful smirk.
"Don't worry, young lady's like that," she said, addressing Julienne. "Just focus on your practice. This might become a daily occurrence for you!" With a chuckle, she started the car, the hum of the engine bringing a calm to the otherwise luxurious ride.
Meanwhile, in Pyris's car, he and Alexa chatted lightheartedly about trivial things, their conversation flowing naturally. Yet, under the comfort of his presence, Alexa found herself opening up about her past, her words spilling out as she recounted the painful memories of her family.
As she spoke, Pyris's expression darkened with quiet fury. The way her family had treated her—it was nothing short of barbaric. He couldn't bear it, the thought of Alexa suffering under their cruelty igniting a deep anger in him.
For a brief moment, Pyris entertained the idea of severing all business ties between his company and the human Imperial family.
But he quickly dismissed the thought. Business was business, and with his long-term plans, maintaining those ties could prove beneficial.
'When the time comes,' Pyris thought grimly, 'I'll deal with them personally. Their cruelty toward her is unforgivable.'
In his heart, Pyris had already made a vow.
Whatever business Alexa had left unfinished, he would take it upon himself to see it through. He was petty, yes, but when it came to her, he didn't care.
They shared something he couldn't put his hands on and to that Pyris felt the deep need to protect her since a few hours ago.
"Let's go to my room when we reach the hotel," Alexa said, breaking him from his thoughts. "I have something I want to show you." There was no hesitation in her voice, no awkwardness. She trusted him completely.
Though surprised by the request, Pyris grinned. "Sure," he replied, his curiosity piqued.