"It shall serve as your salvation, child."What are you talking about? I don't need it.The woman smiled at her genuinely which sent shivers down her spine."A key to unlock the chains that bind you to your current plight."Why am I suddenly remembering that foolish mortal's words?As Medea gradually stirred from her slumber, a veil of darkness enveloped her senses, casting her into a realm of obscurity. With a faint fluttering of her eyelids, she became aware of the soft fabric that obscured her vision, the gentle pressure of the blindfold against her skin serving as a constant reminder of her disorientation. Slowly, she turned her head, her senses keenly attuned to the presence of another nearby.To her surprise, Medea detected the faint sound of rhythmic breathing, a comforting cadence that hinted at the peaceful repose of a slumbering figure. With a sense of anticipation, she shifted her gaze toward the source of the sound, her heart quickening with a mixture of curiosity and trepidation.There, seated beside her bed in an expression of serene tranquility, was Caelus. His form was bathed in the soft glow of moonlight, casting intricate patterns of shadow and light across the contours of his features. Arms crossed and features softened in repose, he appeared every bit the embodiment of tranquility.Medea's annoyance prickled at the edges of her consciousness, her frustration mounting as she grappled with the limitations imposed by her blindness. With a determined resolve, she sought to rise from her prone position, her movements guided by a sense of urgency born of her predicament.Unable to bear the confines of her limited vision, she resolved to sit upright, her muscles tensing in anticipation of movement. As she reached out, her fingers grasping for stability amidst the uncertainty, a voice sliced through the silence, jolting her from her thoughts."What are you doing?" The question, tinged with a note of curiosity, echoed in the darkness, prompting Medea to pause in her movements. With a slight turn of her head, she directed her attention towards Caelus, his presence a comforting anchor in the sea of uncertainty.In the wake of his explanation, Medea's brows furrowed in a gesture of mild irritation, her frustration evident in the furrow of her brow. "Am I confined to this woman's quarters?" she inquired, her voice tinged with a hint of exasperation.Caelus, ever the picture of calm and composure, met her gaze with a steady resolve. "Yes, I brought you here after you lost consciousness," he confirmed, his words carrying the weight of responsibility.Medea's fingers instinctively sought out the blindfold that obscured her vision, her touch tracing the edges with a mixture of curiosity and disdain. "And why, pray tell, am I subjected to this indignity?" she demanded, her tone laced with a hint of defiance."To protect your eyes from the harmful aftereffects of the eclipse," Caelus explained, his voice tinged with a note of caution. Leaning back in his chair, he continued, his expression grave. "The solar eclipse poses a danger to our vision. If one is unlucky, the consequences could be dire—permanent blindness."Medea's frustration simmered to the surface, manifesting in the sharp click of her tongue as she navigated the space between herself and Caelus. With a swift, calculated movement borne of irritation, she reached out to seize his collar, her grip firm and unyielding. The force of her action pulled him down onto the bed, his back colliding with the mattress in a soft thud. Medea, asserting her dominance, positioned herself above him, her posture one of unmistakable authority."This is starting to get on my nerves..." she declared, her voice a low growl that underscored the severity of her annoyance. Pinning Caelus beneath her, Medea's other hand came to life with a subtle flick of her fingers, a silent command to the magic that coursed through her veins. The blindfold, obedient to her will, began to loosen its grip, unraveling from around her eyes to grant her the clarity of vision she so desperately sought. As the fabric fell away, the world came into sharp focus, revealing the man trapped under her gaze.In that moment of triumph, the room's atmosphere shifted with the unexpected opening of the door. Vincentius, Medea's brother, entered with a tray balanced in his hands. Atop the tray sat a bowl of soup, its steam curling into the air with a promise of warmth. However, the domestic tranquility was shattered as Vincentius halted mid-stride, his eyes widening at the scene before him."M-Medi, what are you doing...?"In the aftermath of the unexpected confrontation, the room settled into an uneasy quiet. Medea found herself perched on her bed, her posture relaxed against the headboard, while Caelus occupied a chair nearby, his gaze lost to the scenery beyond the window. Vincentius, burdened by a mix of concern and exasperation, rubbed his temples as if trying to soothe the stress etched deep within."I get that you're trying to deal with your heartache from the crown prince, Medi, but this isn't the way. You shouldn't play with someone's emotions as a coping mechanism," Vincentius lectured, his tone heavy with disapproval.Ugh.Medea's response was swift, her eyebrows knitting together in a mix of irritation and disbelief. "You're jumping to conclusions. I'm not so low as to behave in the manner you're suggesting," she retorted, dismissing his concerns with a wave of her hand.Vincentius let out a weary sigh, his frustration palpable. "Forget it," he muttered, glancing between the silent magician and his defiant sister. "You were said to have temporarily lost your sight because of the solar eclipse. Yet, here you are, looking as if nothing happened. How do you explain that?"Medea, ever the embodiment of nonchalance, simply shrugged her shoulders. "Turns out, I got my sight back," she responded, her tone casual yet dismissive. Unbeknownst to Vincentius, the recovery was a testament to her formidable powers, which she begrudgingly used to heal what she deemed the frailty of human eyes. Internally, Medea wrestled with her actions, frustrated by the vulnerability of the human form and questioning her willingness to intervene over something she considered trivial.With a resigned sigh acknowledging Medea's obstinate nature, he gently placed a tray bearing a bowl of her favorite soup on the bed. "I had them prepare your favorite," he said, his voice imbued with a brotherly warmth. "Given everything that's transpired today, you must be famished and drained. Please, eat something to replenish your strength."Medea, albeit reluctantly, shifted her gaze to the steaming bowl, her resolve wavering as her stomach responded with an audible growl. The rich scent wafting from the bowl tempted her senses, compelling her to accept the offering begrudgingly. She clasped the bowl, feeling the warmth seep into her palms, and began to eat, each spoonful bringing a silent acknowledgment of her brother's care.Meanwhile, Caelus, who had been a quiet observer, allowed his gaze to briefly meet Medea's, a silent exchange passing between them before he respectfully diverted his attention. This subtle interaction did not escape Vincentius, who approached Caelus with a heart full of gratitude. Placing a hand over his heart in a gesture of deep appreciation, Vincentius addressed the magician. "Your aid and concern for my sister have not gone unnoticed, Mister Magician. Please, feel free to ask for anything in return for your kindness."Medea, overhearing the exchange, couldn't help but raise an eyebrow in skepticism. She murmured under her breath, "That man desires nothing," referring to Caelus's earlier rejection of her valuable proposition. This realization only served to sour her mood further, prompting her to take another sip of her soup in silent frustration. Despite her grumblings, the undercurrent of respect for Caelus's disinterest in rewards or compensation was palpable, albeit grudgingly acknowledged."Honestly... I wanted something to reclaim what this family stole," Caelus declared, his words cutting through the ambient air, carrying a weight that resonated with the siblings in the room.Vincentius, caught off guard by the unexpected revelation, wore a surprised expression as he sought understanding. "Pardon me, Mr. Magician, but what is this 'something' you're referring to?" he inquired with genuine curiosity.The revelation from Caelus hung in the air like an unspoken truth, causing Medea to pause mid-sip, the spoon suspended in the steam rising from her bowl. A look of confusion and furrowed brows replaced her earlier calm demeanor as she fixed her gaze on the magician, seeking clarification.Caelus's countenance remained serious as he elaborated, "The book crafted by my ancestors—the repository of the secrets of this world. I aim to retrieve it." His words hung in the air, laden with a sense of purpose and determination that belied the gravity of his mission.Medea, her mind whirring with implications, contemplated the significance of Caelus's quest. The book he sought was the very same coveted artifact that the true Medea had yearned for, a repository of knowledge deemed invaluable. Narrowing her eyes, she interjected, her tone tinged with skepticism, "The book you speak of wasn't in this place." Her words held both a challenge and a warning.Medea, her attention still focused on her soup, delivered a revelation that pierced the air with a casual nonchalance, "The book is currently in possession of the Imperial Family." Caelus, prompted by a mixture of surprise and curiosity, directed his gaze at her, seeking confirmation. "How can you be so certain?" he inquired, a note of skepticism coloring his voice.With a dismissive huff, Medea recounted her recent visit to the Imperial Family, attempting to strike a deal with the crown prince for the coveted tome. The frustration in her voice was palpable as she continued, "I desired the book as well, but my efforts proved futile. It seems we share a common goal, albeit through different means." Her eyes met Caelus's in a moment of unspoken understanding, hinting at a complex web of motivations beneath the surface.Vincentius, unaware of the subtle dance of intentions unfolding before him, interjected with an unwitting confirmation of Medea's claim. "Medea is right. The book was taken by the Imperial Family, supposedly to safeguard it," he explained, his tone tinged with a hint of bitterness. Caelus, however, couldn't suppress a mild frown as he absorbed the revelation."The only ones capable of safeguarding it are us, the magicians of the Obsidian Tower. My ancestors intended it not as a weapon against humanity, but as a vessel for knowledge," Caelus asserted, his voice resonating with a solemn determination. His frustration with the Imperial Family's perceived betrayal simmered beneath his words, casting a shadow over the true purpose behind the creation of the elusive book.Medea, sensing the need for privacy in their discussion, turned her attention to her brother with a request veiled in a polite yet insistent tone, "Brother, could you leave us for a moment?" With a skeptical glance, Vincentius regarded his sister for a moment, weighing her request against his own concerns. Eventually, he relented, his expression softened by a glimmer of trust. "Fine, but don't take too long," he relented before quietly exiting the room, leaving Medea and Caelus to their clandestine exchange.The atmosphere shifted as Medea returned the now-empty bowl to the tray, rising from the bed with a calculated grace. Her arms crossed, and a subtle smirk adorned her features as she confronted Caelus. "Isn't that unfair?" she questioned, her voice carrying a hint of playful accusation. "You sought my brother's assistance when he offered help, yet you rejected my proposition earlier. What game are you playing?" The air thickened with intrigue as she awaited Caelus's response.Caelus, avoiding direct eye contact, explained his rationale, "Your offer wasn't a debt owed, but a temptation to satiate your desire to manipulate others. As for this situation, it was a calculated move on my part. Your brother offered assistance, and I accepted, for I had a plan in motion." His admission hung in the air, revealing the intricate web of intentions he had woven.Medea's disbelief was palpable as she absorbed his words. "The Falaguerra family pilfered a valuable possession that rightfully belonged to me, only to present it to the Imperial Family. I just happened to intend to reclaim what is rightfully mine," Caelus asserted, his gaze locking with hers. "You're not the sole architect of schemes, Medea. I, too, will go to any lengths to achieve my desires, regardless of the cost." The air crackled with the shared understanding that, despite their differences, a common pursuit drove them both – the reclamation of something lost.She was hit by the realization. All those occurrences—the solar eclipse, her sudden blindness—were orchestrated as part of Caelus's scheme. What a cunning fox he is.Medea's incredulity flared at his revelation, her features contorting with a mixture of disbelief and begrudging respect. "You imply that you can scheme as deftly as I?" she mused, her voice tinged with a note of begrudging admiration. "Very well, Cael. Let it be known that I, too, will stop at nothing to achieve my desires," she declared, her resolve echoing his own with a chilling certainty. At that moment, the stage was set for a delicate dance of manipulation and ambition, each player poised to seize their own brand of victory at any cost.It seems like the Devil finally found her counterpart.