Chapter 26 - Their Second Vow

"Sup"

Selene was sitting on the garden bench, greeting Theo, who surprisingly arrived slower than Selene.

"Yo" 

"How did you get here later than me?" Selene in her black pajamas asked

"A suspicious cat appeared , tried nabbing it, sadly lost it"

Theo looked away, embarrassed by his childish actions.

"Pfffff, hahaha! It probably smelled your stinky personality"

Selene couldn't help but laugh at the image of Theo chasing a cat and losing it.

"... Keep grinning, one of these days you'll find a bug under your pillow"

Selene's face froze and a moment of silence hung in the air before she started speaking again, this time, she wore a complete opposite of her cheery attitude, a stone cold face directed at Theo, showing the gravity of dire Theo's statement was.

"Hey. I'll seriously kill you if you do that" Selene coldly said at Theo's threat.

"Then stop trying me miss and I forgot that Selene was scared of bugs, thanks for reminding me" Theo said with a sinister smile on his face

"You wouldn't dare..." Selene said with a trembling voice

Selene hated bugs, both this life and the other, now that Theo knew about her weakness, she knew he was going to exploit it whenever he could.

Selene was tragically holding her face in horror, imagining what the future Theo would do, just to see her crying face or even blackmail her into his bidding!

Woah, her face became paler. Does she really think I'm that big of a scum? Her reaction's cute. I'll just let her self destruct by herself.

"My dignity..... Gaaaaah! Just imagining those vile trash corrupts my soul...."

Selene started to make exaggerated scenarios in her head, she huddled down on the ground holding her head, as if someone was about to possess her.

Theo tried to hold on to his laughter but failed to do so, resulting into Selne

"YOU! you're definitely planning something! Don't even try to do anything! I'm serious!"

What is this stupid woman accusing me of?

Theo and Selene bantered for a while without realizing how much of a ruckus they were actually causing.

These kids really need to be more aware of their surroundings

The black cat thought, while it sat on the top of a roof overlooking the garden where Theo and Selene were

They just get absorbed into their own little world and ignore the consequences of their actions, I worry for their future. They luckily have me to place a barrier around them now. I hope they realize their mistakes.

The cat was actually the old lady Lisa in disguise, she wanted to see the two children blessed by the world, before going on another journey to check on the other blessed children.

I'd rather not pry on their conversation, I want everything to come as a surprise after all, Kekeke and fate tells me that eavesdropping would only be detrimental to their plans. I'm also sick of couples flirting, I've had too many experiences seeing a pair of dumb individuals like them… 

"Long time no see master" 

A man's voice from behind called out to her.

"Hello, brat, what do you want, I'm busy looking after your daughter and her fiance"

"Forgive us master, but we just wanted to greet you after a long time of not seeing each other" A different person with a colder voice arrived and greeted Lisa

"Hah! What do you want? I already instructed you on how to deal with the weird behaviors of your children through the letter I sent to you last month. What else do you want from me?"

The two people who Lisa was talking arrogantly to, were the fathers of Selene and Theo. 

The first one to arrive was Renwick Aventus, followed by Lucian Ignatius.

Both supreme rulers, surprisingly shared one master that built their foundation to the ground up and the reason why they became as powerful as they were today.

"I trust your words completely, Master, but is it really true that Selene should doing something so-!"

Renwick asked in haste but was cut off by his master

"AHHH!!! Blah blah blah! Stop being overprotective of your daughter! Daughters hate nosy fathers the most! You're still the complaining wimp that I remember you to be! Is the title of Pinnacle really just for show? Trust in your daughter more! She's destined for greatness, your useless worry will only hinder her growth!" 

"Ugh..." 

"I told you, Renwick, meeting master was a futile effort" Lucian said as placing his hand on Renwick's shoulder, shaking his head in slight admonishment.

"Now go, I already instructed you, don't bother me any further. Don't worry we'll definitely talk again later in the future." Lisa in her cat form shooed both disciples away in annoyance.

"Very well master, Let's go Renwick, your wife's probably worried that you suddenly disappeared" Lucian said as he went back to his room in a blink of an eye

Renwick grumbled and sighed before returning back to his room to ease his wife's worries.

"Hmph"

Lisa turned her attention back to the, still, bantering duo.

Looks like they're getting along very well..

*****

"Hah...Hah... F*ck you.... Hah..."

"You have to stop one of these days" Theo said, sighing

"Ne.... Never..... I.... will win.... next time!" 

"Ok, let's actually stop. Stop worrying. I promise to never use bugs against you, for fun or if i have a grudge against you" 

"..... Seriously? You swear? Sign this mana contract then!

"Selene whips out a piece of paper and a magic quill from her storage ring.

"When did you have the time to get that....." 

"Shush! I'm writing down the clauses!"

Theo could not stop himself from shaking his head in disappointment. 

Selene has visible and clear trust issues with me, noted.....

"Here! Sign it" Selene said as she shoved the piece of paper in front of Theo's face.

Theo grabbed the quill from Selene's other hand and started reading the mana contract.

" 'Theodore Ignatius, swears to never use bugs as a means of revenge, enmity or entertainment against Selene Aventus. He shall suffer a pain so unimaginable that he wished he had died instead'..... Sigh. whatever it's not like I was going to use it against you anyway.. Wait"

Theo squinted his eyes and noticed something suspicious about the contract. 

Theo was about to sign the contract when he noticed a tiny scribble written on the corner of the contract

" 'Theodore Ignatius shall also pledge his life into servitude, declaring himself as a slave of Selene Aventus'.... Oi"

"Tch!.... Ahahaha, you must've read that wrongly Theo" 

Selene was rubbing the back side of the head and smiled innocently, but not before Theo caught her clicking her tongue in disappointment.

Theo unhesitently ripped the contract into pieces.

Rip!* Rip!* Rip!*

"Ahhhhh!! That was expensive! How could you!!"

Selene reached out, trying to catch the falling pieces of the contract in vain.

"Are you ready to talk seriously now?" Theo said with a slightly annoyed voice.

Selene placed the ripped contract inside the storage ring and brushed her black hair haughtily before nodding.

"Fine.... You go first" Selene said while crossing her arms and smiling.

Theo smiled in response and spoke in a jesting tone.

"Well you already know what I mean right? What we want from now on"

Selene smile widened and snickered in response to Theo's words

"I can't believe we were thinking of the same thing at the same time, what are the odds?" Selene said as she giggled.

"Ironic how we disagree all the time and here we are having the same thought out of nowhere" Theo, also finding the situation amusing.

"So? Am I the one growing the balls again and striking the deal first or what, Mr. Theodore?" Selene said with a grin on her face.

"Alright, alright I'm getting to it" Theo said with a genuine smile

Theo stretched his right fist towards Selene as he looked at her in the eyes with fierce conviction.

"Selene Aventus, do you want to save the world with me?"

Selene responded with a gigantic grin and a flaming eyes of resolve, similar to Theo.

He bumped her left fist on Theo's, pushing Theo back slightly, because of the force she used.

"Count me in, Theodore Ignatius!"

Their shone sigils shone brightly in their respective color, blinding both Theo and Selene. 

""Resonance....."" The duo said softly in unison.

Once again, for a split second, they were once again connected. It was almost as strong as when they fought Spartacus.

They felt each other's intentions and emotions.

They were initially already happy sharing the same thought, but Resonance made it more pronounced and vivid.

Unknown energy started seeping through their veins, blasting away all their fatigue and worries. 

It had a similar effect, when they fought Spartacus a few days ago.

They were once again, albeit only a bit, stronger than normal, a whole sub tier stronger, but they felt that it was only temporary unlike last time.

The duo smiled at each other in delight, understanding each others feelings and thoughts at that single moment.

They stared at each other for a long while, before the effects of Resonance wore off.

Selene was the first one to break the silence.

"Hey, Thanks Theo" Selene said with serene smile on her face, but if one observed properly her lips were twitching slightly.

"Why are you thanking me for? I also want to do this" Theo quipped joyfully replied

"It's a rare gratitude from me. Just accept it dimwit." Selene pointed out, while grinning.

Selene then turned around and started walking back to the direction of her room like a mechanical robot.

"Your welcome?" Theo was left in the garden confused by the sudden gratitude and abrupt departure.

Before turning around, Theo saw Selene's ears slightly red as she trudged back to her room.

"Ah, don't tell me, she found out that I'm starting to be more fond of her..... F*ck." 

Theo held his face with his hand before departing back to his room as well.

Well, she thinks of me better than I thought she would... Good to know that but triggering Resonance is kinda dangerous for my heart and mental health...

Selene's abrupt leave was because of the unbearable embarrassment she experienced seconds after she fell out of the Resonance trance.

"I-I think Theo is starting to like me..... a-and he probably knows I actually find his presence to be comforting..... Agh.... This is so dumb. F*ck you Resonance" Selene muttered under her breath as she hastily walked back to her room.