When Danyana learned that Enrico had returned, she was fighting some cult followers. They were quite weak compared to her, so they didn't give her much trouble.
"Wait—Enrico is back?"
"Yes, you can see from here that the barrier disappeared."
"It seems you didn't pay attention to your surroundings."
Danyana, who had been focused on the battle and hadn't even noticed, looked toward the barrier. It had indeed vanished, so she started running toward that place. Meanwhile, the two people who had spoken to her began chasing after her—Camila, who was completely exhausted, and Giulio, who was injured.
"Wait, Danyana! I won't be able to fight that many if you leave!"
"Damn it, why did we have to run into this battle maniac? If it were our friends, they would help!"
Annoyed at their words, Danyana turned back, running toward them and cutting down some cult followers who were chasing the three.
"Fine, I'll help you."
Camila and Giulio's eyes sparkled as they approached; it seemed they had exaggerated in judging her that way. But they couldn't be blamed—she hadn't gone near them at all in the past two years. Camila was the one who wanted most to be her friend like she was with Valença, so she took a step to help and try to get closer.
"I knew you would—"
"Just tell Enrico that I helped you. If you do, he'll definitely accept my rematch."
"…I see."
Both looked disappointed and expressionless upon hearing her words. They had forgotten that this girl didn't care about anything besides fighting—especially if it was against Enrico.
'These two are very weak… it's quite possible they'd die if I abandoned them.'
She was only doing this because she wanted a rematch. The only things she cared about were her family and her soulmate now that she had turned eighteen. The rest of the students—like Grakka and Enrico—were just battle companions and maybe friends.
She defeated all the cult followers and immediately went in search of her rematch. As she walked, she looked at everyone along the way, trying to see if her soulmate was among them.
'I don't really care if someone here dies—'
When her eyes fell on Enrico, who was talking to people she considered annoying, she felt a shock run throughout her entire body. She clutched her heart, which started beating faster. The shock didn't hurt—it was something like excitement from finally finding her precious soulmate.
'I shouldn't have expected anything less from him.'
Her body began running automatically, leaping onto him and clinging to him without wanting to let go. When she licked his cheek, she felt her body heat up a little.
"Of course my soulmate couldn't be anyone but you."
Wanting to take him right there, she leaned forward to kiss him, but he stopped her by holding her forehead with one hand, halting her movement.
"If you want to do that, you'll have to talk to my wives."
Danyana began making a crying face; she wanted him now, not later. But she had to respect her soulmate—at least when the beastmen weren't going crazy.
"Fine… I'll go to your dorm."
She jumped off him, then vanished with a speed greater than anything the four had ever seen. Enrico turned to them and apologized, saying he had to go meet the king.
"What? Why do they always interrupt my rematch?"
"The king of humans ruins every fight."
"I can accept that, my rival—but don't forget I want to fight you later."
Seeing the three of them look disappointed—well, two; Lira had an expression of disdain directed at the castle—he sighed.
"Sorry, but I have to go. I'll see you later."
The three nodded like children and each walked in a different direction. Sighing, he continued walking toward the castle, arriving quickly without further interruptions.
[What do you think he's going to ask?]
'Maybe more information about the future.'
When the guards saw him, they immediately opened the door with a bow. This left Enrico a bit confused. He knew he was important to the king regarding information, but he thought that was supposed to be kept secret among the kings.
[Maybe they gave you authority.]
"Maybe."
"Big brother!"
Receiving a hug from behind, he saw Taíra crying nonstop as she clung to his back. Her tears soaked his clothes, but what surprised him most was seeing her here.
"Little sister, what are you doing here?"
"I—I heard you came back… why didn't you come see me first?"
"…Sorry."
He felt quite awkward. He didn't expect Taíra to care so much about his disappearance. They may have shared a good moment before, but he didn't think it would make her get so attached to him. He thought, at most, she would treat him better than before, but within limits.
"You've grown."
He hugged her back, trying to comfort the small girl. Maybe because she was younger, she had gotten attached to him faster? Well, that didn't matter—this way he could keep Taíra on the right path and remove one more potential villain.
"Well… this is my fault. Your big brother apologizes."
"Never do that again."
Her expression was full of tears and relief, which warmed his heart a little.
'Having a family that cares about you isn't so bad after all.'
[How cute! I didn't think she would be this adorable.]
Rolling his eyes, he saw the guards approaching with an excited expression toward him for some reason. The way they treated him was truly strange.
"Lord Enrico and Lady Taíra, welcome. The king is waiting for you."
"All right, just a moment—"
"No! Brother, don't go!"
Taíra tightened her grip on Enrico and gave the guards an irritated expression. This girl's mood shifts were quick—even though tears still lingered on her face.
"What's wrong, Taíra? Why are you reacting like this?"
"They want to force an arranged marriage on you."
"What?"