Sweet days felt like they had just passed—but the cracks had already begun to form.
It started with a classroom debate on spirit beast contracts.
The elder rune professor stroked his beard and posed a classic question: "When faced with a proud, unruly high-tier spirit beast, should one bind it with force, or guide it with patience?"
The room buzzed with discussion.
Fox Lian spoke almost instantly, his voice clear and commanding. "Naturally, bind it with force. A spirit beast must obey. If it cannot be used, what value does it hold? Subjugation through absolute power is the proper path." His violet eyes glinted with the cold detachment of a born leader—an instinctive desire to control what he deemed his.
He was used to being admired, followed, desired. Used to acquiring and keeping what he wanted—including her.
Emma frowned slightly. She stood, her voice calm but firm. "I disagree. All beings possess spirit. Force may win obedience, but not loyalty. Respect must come first. Guide with patience. And if there's no bond… letting go is also a form of kindness."
Her belief stemmed from the divine clan's reverence for all life—and from herself. She refused to be bound by force, and would never impose it on others.
Their gazes met across the room—his, sharp and unwavering; hers, gentle but resolute. Silence fell. Everyone felt the tension ripple through the air.
Fox Lian's eyes darkened. He couldn't understand Emma's "naivety." To him, power was the rule. To love was to pursue, to claim, to hold tight. Wasn't that what he'd done with her? Strategizing, step by step, until she was wrapped in his world. Wasn't that love?
Emma saw the disapproval in his eyes—and her heart sank.
This wasn't a one-off disagreement. The signs had been there: his ruthless retaliation versus her mercy; his pragmatic clan politics versus her principled empathy; even his subtle disdain for Gu Liang and Cang Ming's "weak" pairing…
All had been masked by affection. But now, in this debate of core beliefs, the rift was laid bare—undeniable.
After class, Emma was quiet. Fox Lian tried to bridge the gap with his usual affection, tail curling around her wrist—but she gently pulled away.
"Fox Lian," she said, looking at him with conflicted eyes, "we need to talk."
They went to the spirit spring behind the academy—a place once filled with warmth. Now, the air felt heavy.
Emma took a deep breath, keeping her tone steady. "Fox Lian… I think we might not be compatible."
His gentle expression froze. His violet eyes narrowed. "What do you mean?"
"Our views differ. On many things." Emma chose her words carefully. "Like today's debate. And it's not the first time. If this continues, I'm afraid…"
"Afraid of what?" he cut in, voice cold. "Afraid I'll bind you? Afraid my 'dominant' ideals will one day be used on you?" He stepped closer, aura pressing down. "Emma, if you're going to make excuses, at least make them believable."
He didn't believe her. He preferred to think she was bored. That maybe the merman prince—or someone else—had caught her eye. Just like she'd once shifted from fearing him to loving him… she could just as easily shift again.
"This isn't an excuse!" Emma snapped, hurt by his distrust. "I'm serious! Our ways of seeing the world are fundamentally different. That matters!"
"How much?" Fox Lian scoffed, tail lashing. "More than us? Don't throw vague ideals at me, Emma. You're clearly just—"
He stopped. The next words came out like a wounded growl:
"—just tired of me. You want to leave me. Isn't that it?!"
Emma looked at his face—twisted by jealousy and fear—and felt a wave of sorrow. He didn't understand. Or maybe… he refused to.
"You see?" she whispered, eyes closing. "You only believe your version of the truth. Fox Lian, if we can't even understand each other… how can we talk about a future?"
She opened her eyes, gave him one last look—filled with pain, resolve, and none of the warmth she once held.
"Let's take some time apart. We both need to think."
She turned and walked away. This time, he didn't stop her with his tail.
Fox Lian stood frozen by the spring, watching her disappear into the woods. His whole body felt cold. The silver tail that once danced with joy now hung limp in the grass, gathering dust.
She didn't want him anymore.
Because of his damn, deep-rooted need to control?
Or because… she'd finally realized that beneath the fluff and charm, this fox didn't match the light she lived by?