Rocco was at a loss for words, utterly captivated by the sheer beauty of those eyes. They gleamed like rare gemstones, radiating a depth that seemed to pierce through the soul. Though her marred cheeks might detract from her overall beauty, the brilliance of her gaze was more than enough to leave anyone spellbound.
"Father? Why are you frozen?"
"Ah? I..." Rocco Hall cleared his throat awkwardly, realizing he resembled a lovesick teenager encountering a breathtaking girl for the first time. With an effort to regain his composure, he donned the gentle smile of a doting father. "I expected it. Behind those old, thick glasses, you've hidden a pair of truly exquisite eyes. If only we could remove the black spot on your cheek..."
"No," Gwen interjected firmly. "I've already worn the gown you chose specifically for me and even put on makeup. But this…" She waved her hand in front of her face with a flourish. "This stays as it is."
Rocco was taken aback once again, his bemusement etched clearly on his face. Then he chuckled. "Why do I feel like those black spots are intentional?"
Gwen's silence spoke volumes, and realization dawned on her adoptive father. "Ah, so the appearance you've been showing isn't the real you. Am I wrong? Won't you reveal your true self to me?"
Her eyes darted away, a flicker of guilt crossing her face. "I'll show you… if you give me another day off. And this time, no cheating."
Rocco couldn't help but laugh, thoroughly amused by her condition. "Very well. I'll be content with what I've seen right now. But remember, if you want to master elemental spirit combat, you'll need to gain control over your telekinesis first. You know that as well as I do."
Gwen sighed, a mix of resignation and exasperation. She had known her father would never give in easily. His sharp mind always managed to stay a step ahead of her, unraveling her plans before she could put them into motion.
"Fine. So, why are you here? I was just about to head to the main hall."
"Ah, right! I almost forgot." Rocco's tone shifted to one of curiosity. "Is it true that you're dating Clayton Hawk?"
Gwen blinked. Clayton Hawk? Who's that? As usual, anything outside her sphere of interest quickly faded from memory. It had been over a month since school had closed, and her confession during that time felt like a distant blur.
"I don't recall being acquainted with anyone named Clayton Hawk. Why do you ask?"
"Ah, so that girl lied to me," Rocco muttered. "She claimed you were dating him. You know, the boy's infamous for being good for nothing—except for his looks. I think he's one of the senior class students."
Good-for-nothing, but his looks? Gwen's mind conjured an image of cobalt-blue eyes so striking they had once stolen her breath.
"Oh, right. His name was Clayton."
"You do know him, then?" Rocco raised an eyebrow.
"Yeah. He's my boyfriend."
"What? Then why didn't you remember earlier?"
"Because he's a loser," Gwen replied bluntly as if it were a universally accepted fact.
"Then why on earth are you dating him?"
Because of that damn bet! Gwen sighed inwardly. "Why are your eyes sparkling, Father?"
"My clever girl! You must know that Knight Hawk is an influential confidant of the Knight Realm."
No, she didn't know. Her instincts screamed that this conversation was about to take a troublesome turn.
"I've been trying to meet the Lady Knight for weeks, but she keeps refusing. If you're close to Clayton, perhaps his mother will agree to get you to meet the Realm Knight."
Suddenly, Gwen's posture straightened, a spark of motivation igniting within her.
"Clayton won't be at this party, though," Rocco continued. "So here's what you have to do: go to the Hawk Mansion, bring him here, and let me take the rest. I'll convince him to summon his mother tonight. It's our best shot at meeting the Realm Knight."
"Yes, sir!" For the first time, Gwen responded with genuine enthusiasm. Meeting the Realm Knight or the other three Divine Envoys was a tantalizing prospect. While she often feigned indifference, she secretly yearned for their protection, knowing it would grant her a sense of safety she had long lacked. Despite her aloof exterior, she had no desire to stain her hands with innocent blood.
"Clayton Hawk, huh? How could a useless boy like that be born to a formidable Lady Knight?"
Far away, a young man sneezed unexpectedly, rubbing his nose with a frown.
"Caught a cold?" a robed man beside him inquired with mild surprise. "In all the years I've known you, I've never seen you fall ill."
"Perhaps the Demon King's poison has finally weakened his immunity," a fiery-haired woman teased, her voice laced with mirth. She found the sight of the weakened Realm Knight oddly amusing.
"You seem far too entertained by my misfortune," Clayton retorted with a smirk. "Do you want to challenge me to another duel?"
"Tempting, but not now," said a burly man with a booming laugh. "If beating you weakens you further, the Nether Plane will be in even more danger. Besides, defeating you at your lowest wouldn't satisfy me."
"Confident, aren't you? Even in this state, you think you stand a chance?"
The Grim Reaper cleared his throat to dispel the escalating tension. "More importantly, have you found a way to counteract the poison? While it won't kill you, it will continue to drain your strength."
"He's right," the red-haired woman added. "Your power is crucial in repelling the monster generals."
Clayton's lips curled into a self-assured grin. "Haven't you noticed? Despite sealing most of your powers, I can't believe none of you realized this." He stood tall, exuding an air of pride.
The three exchanged puzzled glances before scrutinizing him closely. Their eyes widened in shock.
"This… you've completed a twin body?" the burly man exclaimed. "How many attempts did it take?"
"Hundreds," Clayton admitted. "The process was exhausting."
"Does it have its own consciousness, or is it still connected to you?"
"It still requires my consciousness and strength," Clayton replied. "My main body is currently recuperating in one of the Kingdom's forbidden caves. Once I've fully recovered, we'll launch a counterattack against the Demon Clan."
"When will your recovery be complete? Splitting your power and consciousness between two bodies must slow the process."
"True, but it's enough to hold the line until the next wave of monsters. The Demon Clan believes the Space Master has settled in the Nether Plane. They won't make a move for now."
"Don't rely too heavily on that assumption," the Grim Reaper warned. "We still don't know what caused the collapse of the bridge between the human and upper worlds. If it's the work of the Demon Clan, the Demon Emperor may already be here."
A heavy silence fell over the group. The thought of facing the Demon Emperor—a force even the four Divine Envoys together couldn't withstand—was a grim prospect. Only the Space Master could hope to defeat him.
The weight of this possibility dampened their spirits, their collective resolve momentarily faltering.