After his decisive battle in the Founder II realm, Saruto paused, bidding Lucifer farewell with a respectful smile. Then he left his world and returned to the Time Chamber.
He opened his eyes to find his father standing before him. They exchanged greetings with smiles, and his father said,
"You've really been immersed in training this time."
Saruto laughed as he replied,
"It hasn't been that long, has it?"
He was surprised when his father smiled and said,
"It's been two whole months since you started your training, and you only have one month left to return to the Academy."
Saruto was surprised by how much time he had spent training. He got up to take a quick shower and eat before going to sleep. The next morning, he woke up and checked his clothes, finding on his desk the letters he had left earlier from the three princesses: the Princess of Hell, the Princess of the Stars, and the Princess of Light.
He opened the letters and found they were invitations to formal banquets:
The first letter was from the Princess of Hell, specifying the date of her banquet. The second was from the Princess of the Stars. The third was from the Princess of Light.
He noticed that the invitations were spaced out, with two days between each one.
Saruto breathed a sigh of relief when he discovered that none of the parties had started yet, giving him ample time to prepare for each occasion.
He began to prepare himself meticulously, donning his formal attire and paying close attention to the details of each event: the Princess of Hell's, then the Princess of the Stars, and finally the Princess of Light. Each event had its own specific time and required his particular attention.
With his preparations complete, Saruto felt a surge of excitement. He took a deep breath, ready to depart for the first party, the Princess of Hell's, anticipating the surprises each encounter would hold.
Saruto arrived at the Hell Princess's palace in his carriage. He dismounted and entered the palace grounds. The guards greeted him with a slight bow, then directed him to the grand hall where dark candles cast a warm red glow that reflected off the ornate walls. The hall was spacious, but the atmosphere was not intended to dazzle guests; rather, it was focused on the ambiance of a banquet.
Saruto entered, his steps firm and confident, his hair swirling with a subtle sheen, his eyes gleaming softly in the light. Upon entering the banquet hall, he found Hell Princess Camellia, dressed in a dark gown adorned with red threads, her gaze upon him with a mixture of admiration and respect.
Camellia smiled and said in a quiet but firm voice, "Finally, you have arrived, Saruto. I am delighted that you accepted my invitation."
Saruto bowed respectfully and said, "The honor is all mine, Your Highness. How could I possibly refuse an invitation you personally extended to me?"
A faint smile touched Camellia's face, and Saruto approached her, maintaining a respectful distance. He sensed a sharp energy emanating from the princess, but it wasn't hostile; it was a mixture of curiosity, admiration, and a desire to possess him.
"I want to know more about you, Saruto," the princess said. "About your ambitions, your goals, your strength, and this aura that surrounds you. Not everyone achieves what you have. You've piqued my curiosity."
Saruto glanced briefly around the room, then replied confidently and calmly, "Of course, Your Highness. I will tell you everything about myself."
The two sat on plush sofas facing each other, the atmosphere charged with mutual respect. The princess began asking questions about Saruto's battles, his training, and how he had become who he was, while he answered honestly, avoiding revealing his family secrets and the special skills he had yet to share with anyone.
As time passed, the conversation became more personal. The princess inquired about his interests, his worldview, and how he dealt with enemies and allies. Saruto answered honestly, displaying his intelligence and wit, which only increased the princess's admiration for him.
In a moment of quiet reflection, the princess said with a gentle smile, "I admire your personality, Saruto. I don't meet many people like you with the same ambition."
Saruto smiled and said, "Thank you… Your words mean so much to me, more than you can imagine."
They continued asking questions as they ate, a private and special conversation between Saruto and Camellia, away from prying eyes, characterized by mutual respect and admiration, and a focus on their personal connection and shared interests.