ALEX POV
A few awkward minutes later…
The mountains were quiet at dawn, the kind of misty quiet where every breath felt sacred and every sound echoed forever. The cold water of the river cut through the early morning fog, and the forest smelled like moss, pine, and distant rain. Perfect. Calm. Peaceful.
Or so I thought.
I needed a bath — badly. Fighting shadows and chasing insane nobles through cursed mines wasn't exactly a lavender-scented life. So I went down to the river, stripped, stepped into the water, and finally felt… human again.
Until she turned around.
Lady Seraphine.
In the river.
At the same time.
Looking directly at me. Like I was a naked angel or whatever. She gave me shivers.
Her eyes widened. I froze like a deer spotted by a goddess of judgment.
She shrieked first, I think.
Then I shrieked.
Then she shrieked louder.
Then I panicked because I was naked, and she was looking at me like she was evaluating livestock quality for marriage.
I swear on every sword I've ever forged — I have seen war generals, assassins, witches, and demon hybrids — but nothing terrified me more than the way her eyes sparkled like she discovered a new religion focused solely on my unclothed existence and my abs.
I turned around instantly, voice pitching higher than a dying rooster.
"L-Lady Seraphine! Look away!"
"I AM LOOKING AWAY! Eventually!" she yelled back. "But can you blame me?! THAT IS A 10/10 DIVINE SWORD OF THE HEAVENS OUT HERE IN BROAD DAYLIGHT!"
"I— CAN YOU NOT CALL IT THAT?!"
She slapped both palms over her face but kept peeking through her fingers like a deranged child at a horror movie she wanted to be traumatized by.
Then, as if the gods weren't done humiliating me—
A low growl cut the air.
Three mountain wolves emerged from the trees — black fur, glowing eyes, teeth ready.
Not ordinary wolves.
Mana-touched beasts.
Big enough to drag a wild boar for breakfast.
FUCK! Why now! Heaven helped us!
They crept behind her, silent and deadly.
Seraphine was still busy whispering, "Holy dragon balls, even his calves are sculpted…"
I didn't think — I ran.
Yes. Ran. Naked. Full speed. Sword-less. Dignity-less. Life-threatened.
"MOVE!" I yelled, splashing water everywhere.
Lady Seraphine turned, saw the wolves, and screamed — but her scream cracked halfway between terror and, gods help me, romantic excitement?!
I grabbed a wet branch, swung it like a desperate farmer, and kicked water at the wolves like it was holy.
One lunged — I dodged — slipped — almost flashed the heavens entirely — and yelled like a betrayed goat.
Somehow, I landed in front of her, shielding her with my body while she clung behind me and whispered:
"Sir Alex… your back muscles are… sent by angels."
"Madam," I hissed through clenched teeth, "this is not the correct time for body commentary!"
"But they're RIGHT THERE."
The wolves growled again, preparing to lunge.
And then — something impossible happened.
Water around Seraphine rose — not splashing — levitating, swirling like a protective barrier. It spun around us in a perfect sphere, shimmering like liquid silver under dawn light.
My heart dropped.
She wasn't touching anything.
She wasn't chanting.
No artifact.
No scroll.
No catalyst.
Yet the river obeyed her.
Her voice shook. "Alex… why is the water— listening to me…?"
I stared at her — sopping wet, flustered, terrified and somehow… glowing faintly like moon-kissed marble.
"…Lady Seraphine," I whispered, stunned, "that wasn't me.
You just used magic."
The wolves sensed it — they backed away, tails low, ears pinned, before sprinting back into the forest.
The water dropped instantly with a splash, drenching us both again.
She blinked.
I blinked.
The heavens quietly laughed.
I think I wanted the dirt swallow me whole because she keep on staring at my... Okay not going there. Not today SATAN!
But...
She whispered, voice trembling between pride and panic: "…So… does this mean I am a water-bender character now?"
I stood there, soaking wet, emotionally damaged, magically confused, still half naked and questioning every life choice. "…Please," I begged the universe as I covered myself and thought about my dignity and my bicep, "give me strength, clothes, and holy silence."
And yet, when she smiled —the world felt less cursed.
Because I am a warrior. A seasoned one.
I don't blush. Not in battle, not during royal inspections, not even when the princess once accidentally complimented my jawline in front of half the palace staff.
But that morning?
I was the color of a ripe tomato freshly baptized in humiliation.
Because I — Sir Alex Canva of the Royal Knight Order — was forced to walk behind Lady Seraphine and her maid, Coffi, while they loudly replayed my naked wolf battle scene like gossiping tavern drunks.
And they weren't even whispering.
"My Lady, the wolves almost bit Sir Alex! But also… My Lady… the way you stared… you almost forgot danger."
Seraphine replied with a smile on her voice, "Coffi, please — no woman can resist free premium scenery. That was a once-in-a-lifetime museum exhibit."
"Then why didn't you faint?"
"Oh I almost did, but science kept me alive." They high fived. I almost fainted.
"Science… my lady?"
"Yes — curiosity prolongs lifespan."
I nearly tripped over a stone.
I WAS RIGHT THERE.
My men kept glancing at me like they weren't sure whether to salute me, pity me, or charge me entrance fees for emotional trauma.
I wanted to dig a hole and throw myself inside.