Heli stared at the glowing text in his mind.
Emotional Damage System.
His brow furrowed. He scanned the lines again.
Solar Essence × 1 = 100 EMD Points.
His breath caught.
Kai stood inches away. The silence stretched.
Kai's scowl deepened. "What, deaf now? Or just too scared to speak?"
Pale-blue sparks crackled across his knuckles, jumping like tiny lightning bolts.
The air around his hand smelled of burnt ozone—sharp, metallic.
He thrust his hand forward, aiming straight for Heli's black hair.
"Time to give you a little trim, stray. Let's see how fast this burns—"
A pale hand shot out and clamped around Kai's wrist.
The sparks died instantly, fizzling out like water on hot coals.
"Enough," Elara said. Her voice was flat, calm, but the grip on Kai's wrist was iron.
Kai yanked his arm free, shaking it like it stung. His face flushed dark red.
"Always hiding behind a woman," he spat, glaring at Heli. "Pathetic."
He snapped his head toward Elara.
"Why the hell do you protect this garbage? He's a B-rank joke.
A nobody. You're Elara Voss—your family name alone could buy thousands of him. What's he got that's worth your time?"
Elara didn't blink.
"Mind your own business, Kai."
Kai's jaw tightened so hard the muscle jumped.
"Fine." He pointed a finger at Heli's chest. "Tomorrow. Practical combat class. You and me. We bet on it."
He sneered, voice rising.
"I win, you stay away from Elara. Forever. No talking, no looking, no breathing the same air.
I lose… I give you five Spirit Stones. "
Elara shifted closer to Heli. Her voice dropped to a whisper only he could hear.
"The academy gives an average student one Spirit Stone a month.
Five is massive—enough to buy rare herbs, weapons, even a month of private training.
However, do not take the bait. Just endure it. Mom won't look down on you even if you walk away."
Heli met her eyes for a second.
Then he spoke, voice even.
"I accept."
Kai stopped breathing for half a second. His smirk vanished. Then it curled back, darker.
"You? Accept?" He stepped closer, breath hot.
"Tomorrow I'm going to snap both your legs on the arena floor. You'll crawl out crying. And Elara will watch you do it."
Elara turned to Heli. Her eyes widened slightly.
"You have gut, son," she whispered. "But not much brains."
Heli reached out, wrapped an arm around Elara's shoulder, and pulled her gently against his side.
Elara eyes sparked, "whaat??"
Kai froze. His eyes locked onto the arm draped around her.
"You like her?" Heli asked, tone casual.
Kai's face flushed crimson, veins standing out on his neck.
"So what if I do? She belongs with elite bloodlines. Not some outer-district trash like you!"
Heli ignored him. He looked down at Elara.
He caught her hand, leaned close to her ear.
"Mom," he whispered. "Help your son out. Just this once, I will do anything."
Elara paused. A red flush crept up her neck, reaching her cheeks.
She looked at his calm eyes, then at Kai's shaking fists.
"Fine."
She stood on tiptoes.
Pressed her lips to his cheek.
Clean. Audible. A soft smack that echoed in the sudden quiet between them.
Kai went rigid. Breath left his lungs in a sharp hiss.
The blue sparks around his knuckles died completely.
His mouth hung open.
[Target: Kai. Extreme Shock. Broken Pride. +30 EMD]
[Target: Kai. Uncontrollable Rage. +30 EMD]
[Target: Kai. Despair. +20 EMD]
[Target: Lackey 1. Disbelief. +20 EMD]
[Target: Lackey 2. Envy. +20 EMD]
[Total EMD Gained: 300]
Heli glanced past Kai's pale face.
The crowd's eyes were fixed on the main altar—cheers rising for another awakening. No one had turned. No one had seen.
If they had, the panel would have shattered a thousand points.
Kai's fists shook. Veins bulged against his neck.
"You're dead," he hissed, saliva flying from his lips. "Tomorrow I won't just break your legs. I'll skin you alive! I'll—"
Heli turned to Elara.
Leaned in.
Pressed his lips to her cheek.
Elara froze. Eyes widened. Breath hitched in her throat.
"Mom," Heli said. Voice steady.
Elara blinked. Her rigid shoulders dropped. A faint smile touched her lips.
She leaned fully against him. Head resting near his shoulder.
A choked gasp ripped from Kai's throat.
Face went white. Eyes rolled back. Knees buckled.
He collapsed face-first onto the stone plaza with a dull thud.
His lackeys scrambled backward, tripping over their own feet, staring at Heli like he was a monster.
[Target: Kai. Ultimate Despair. Brain Overload. +400 EMD]
[Target: Lackey 1. Utter Terror. +50 EMD]
[Target: Lackey 2. Mind Collapse. +50 EMD]
[Total EMD: 800]
The first lackey dropped to his knees. He grabbed Kai's shoulder and shook him.
"Boss! Kai!"
Kai's head lolled to the side. Dead weight.
The second lackey slapped Kai's cheek twice. Smack. Smack.
Nothing.
Panic flashed in their eyes.
They grabbed Kai under the armpits, hauled him up, and dragged him backward.
His boots scraped a long, dull sound against the stone plaza.
Heli watched them disappear into the crowd.
He checked his mental panel. 800 EMD.
One Solar Essence cost 100. He had enough for eight.
Rich young masters really are generous, Heli thought.
He raised a hand. His fingers brushed his cheek. The skin still carried a faint warmth.
He turned his head.
Elara stood quietly beside him. She kept her eyes forward, not looking at him.
A faint pink flush crept up her pale neck and settled on her cheeks.
Heli lowered his hand. A sudden, heavy thump hit his ribs.
His heartbeat ticked faster.
Damn she is pretty, no wonder there are a lot of boy like her.
Heli stepped back from Elara. Placed hands at his sides. Bowed ninety degrees.
"Thank you for the help. I won't forget this."
Elara waved a hand lazily.
"Small matter."
She stopped. Tilted her head. Gaze flicked to him, away, back. Silent demand.
Heli understood.
Stepped close. Leaned down. Mouth to her ear.
"Mom," he whispered. "Mom. Mom. Mom."
Elara's eyes curved into bright crescents. She reached up, stroked his black hair.
"Good boy~"
Heli straightened.
Looked at the 800 EMD glowing in his panel.
Then at Elara's pleased expression.
Maybe getting a mom wasn't bad.
Elara's hand lingered on his hair for a second longer before dropping.
She tilted her head.
"You're feeling pretty good right now, huh? Just wrecked him without throwing a single punch. Nice one."
"But tomorrow? Practical combat class. B-rank profession, no initial skill, no foundation.
You're facing an S-rank thunder mage who's been fed elixirs since he could walk. How are you planning to handle that?"
Heli met her gaze.
"Do you trust me?"
Elara didn't hesitate.
"Mom always trusts her son."
Heli's lips curved—just a fraction.
"Then watch tomorrow. I've got a way."
Elara's brow furrowed slightly, then lifted in a skeptical arch.
She reached out and poked his cheek with one finger.
"Fine. I'll bet on you winning. If you pull this off and help me earn a nice payout from the betting pool… you get 50%."
She paused, eyes narrowing.
"But if you lose…"
She looked him up and down slowly—black hair, plain uniform, scuffed shoes.
"How are you going to compensate me?"
Heli didn't blink.
"I am willing to offer myself. Body and all."
Elara's face flushed.
She swatted the back of his head—light, but sharp.
"What nonsense are you spouting? Be serious!"
Heli straightened his posture. Expression calm.
"I won't lose."
Elara stared at him for a long moment.
Her teasing faded. Something flickered in her.
She exhaled.
"…Okay."