Chapter 134 Teasing Arabella...
Pyris's thoughts were consumed by Selara, the moon elf whose beauty was still fresh in his mind.
Her elegance, the way her skin shimmered under the light, her graceful movements—everything about her pulled him in, and it was hard to focus on anything else.
He could still feel the stir of desire creeping through his veins as he made his way to meet Arabella.
"Selara Moonveil…" Pyris muttered under his breath, savoring her name. His mind was swirling with plans on how to cross paths with her again.
["I know that look,"] Lia teased. ["You're thinking about her, aren't you? You'll find a way to bring her into your fold, but you've got to focus."]
"Yes, Arabella is waiting," Pyris said, half-smiling. "But... that elf will be mine eventually."
Lia chuckled in his mind, knowing how Pyris worked. ["Just make sure Arabella doesn't catch you daydreaming about someone else."]
With Lia's words keeping him grounded, Pyris chuckled and continued through the academy halls, weaving through the bustling students.
They would follow him with their eyes, his presence commanding attention.
He made his way to the secluded training ground where Arabella would be waiting for him.
"Teacher Arabella," Pyris greeted her with a sly smile. "I trust you're ready for another session?"
"Of course," Arabella replied, her tone calm, though her body was betraying her in small ways—her breath quickened just slightly, and her hands trembled ever so faintly.
As they began sparring, Pyris couldn't resist pushing a bit closer, leaning into her space, their bodies brushing just enough to make her pulse race. He enjoyed watching the way her focus would break whenever his touch was too close, too lingering.
"Focus, Arabella," Pyris teased, his voice low, barely above a whisper. "You seem...distracted."
She gritted her teeth, trying to regain control, but Pyris's teasing nature was relentless. Every move he made felt like a calculated step to get under her skin. His charm was intoxicating, and she could feel her resolve slipping with every moment.
"Distracted? Hardly," Arabella shot back, though her flushed cheeks betrayed her.
Pyris chuckled, letting her believe she was still in control, but he could see the subtle shifts in her body language—how she leaned ever so slightly toward him, how her breathing was uneven.
He had her exactly where he wanted her, but tonight wasn't about conquest. It was about watching her unravel slowly.
As they finished their sparring session, Pyris stepped back, wiping the sweat from his brow. "Good work today," he said, his voice smooth. "I'm getting better."
Arabella met his gaze, her eyes narrowing slightly. She knew he was toying with her, but part of her couldn't deny the thrill it brought. She simply nodded, knowing that there was more to this game they were playing than just training.
____
Later that evening, back at home, the air was filled with a sense of anticipation. Pyris had returned from his session with Arabella, his mind still full of plans and ambitions for the future.
But there was something he had to address first: the growing connection he shared with Alera through the Shadow Nexus.
As he stepped into the living room, he found his family already gathered. His big sister Anastasia, the ever-dutiful Emilia, and Rose, his personal maid, were sitting at the table.
Anastasia was as regal as ever, her long dark hair cascading down her back, while Emilia's sharp eyes gleamed with intellect.
Rose seemed a bit out of place, her meek demeanor contrasting with the powerful women around her, but Pyris had insisted she join them.
"Ah, you're back," Anastasia greeted, her eyes warming as she saw Pyris.
"Yes," Pyris responded with a smile, before turning to Rose. "I'm glad you're here with us. You should be a part of this family too, Rose. Don't feel like you have to stay on the sidelines."
Rose blushed slightly, her hands fidgeting in her lap. "Thank you, Lord Pyris. I... appreciate it."
"Now, now," Emilia chimed in with a soft smile, "We're all one family here. No need for formalities."
Pyris shared a knowing look with Emilia. Despite her tough exterior, she had a soft spot for those close to her, and Rose had slowly started to grow on her.
After a brief dinner filled with pleasant conversation, Pyris excused himself to the training grounds, followed by Alera. There was something they needed to test, and he couldn't shake the excitement that bubbled within him at the thought of the Shadow Nexus abilities they had awakened together that morning.
As they stood in the quiet, moonlit clearing of the training grounds, Pyris turned to Alera. "It's time to test what we've unlocked," he said, his voice filled with anticipation. "We share a bond now—something that goes beyond just shadows."
Alera nodded, her dark eyes shimmering with intrigue. "I even feel it now. The power between us... it's different. Stronger."
Pyris raised his hand, summoning the shadows around them. "Let's start with the Living Shadows."
Alera stepped forward, mirroring his actions. Together, they commanded the shadows beneath their feet to rise, molding the darkness into shape.
As the shadows lifted from the ground, they began to form into humanoid figures—sentient beings made of pure shadow.
With both commanding the shadows at once, the shadows were stronger than when just one would command them!
"Look at that," Pyris marveled. "They're alive."
The Living Shadows shifted and morphed, their forms fluid and adaptable.
Pyris commanded one of the shadow creatures to charge forward, watching as it sprinted with incredible speed across the field, leaping over obstacles and slipping through the smallest cracks in the terrain.
Alera followed suit, sending her shadow to wrap around a nearby training dummy, constricting it like a snake before pulling back.
"They're perfect for stealth and combat," Alera said, her voice filled with awe. "We can use them to infiltrate places without ever being seen."
Pyris nodded. "And they can fight for us. Watch this."
With a wave of his hand, Pyris's shadow creature solidified, turning its dark form into something as hard as steel. It lunged at a second dummy, cutting through it with ease before dissipating into the night air.
"Let's try Shadow Manipulation next," Pyris said, his eyes gleaming with excitement, the prospect of what other powers the other abilities could grant them.
Alera extended her hand, the shadows around them obeying her command as she willed them to stretch and bend. The shadows took on the form of a solid wall, protecting them from an imagined enemy attack.
Pyris, on the other hand, molded the shadows into long, dark chains that snaked across the ground, wrapping around targets and pulling them toward him with incredible force.Nôv(el)B\\jnn
"They're extensions of ourselves," Alera remarked. "We can manipulate them into anything."
Pyris grinned, feeling the power flow through him. "And we can use them to conceal ourselves as well."
With that, they both activated Shadowstep, their bodies disappearing into the nearest shadow. In the blink of an eye, they reappeared several meters away, stepping out from the darkness as though they had never left.
"Now that's useful," Pyris said, impressed by the ease with which they could travel using the shadows. "Moving through shadows like they're doorways."
Alera smiled, her eyes glowing with excitement. "We're going to be unstoppable, Pyris."
They spent the next hour practicing, pushing the limits of their newfound abilities. The Living Shadows moved with a mind of their own, the Shadow Manipulation allowed them to reshape the battlefield at will, and Shadowstep made them nearly impossible to track.
By the end of their session, both Pyris and Alera were breathing heavily, but the sense of accomplishment hung in the air like a tangible force.
"We've only scratched the surface of what we can do," Pyris said, his voice low but filled with determination. "The Shadow Nexus is just the beginning."
Alera nodded in agreement. "We'll only get stronger from here."
As they stood there, basking in the power they had awakened together, Pyris couldn't help but feel a surge of pride. The shadows were now a part of them—an extension of their very souls. And with this new bond, nothing could stand in their way.
Just then, the sound of footsteps echoed across the grounds, drawing their attention. Pyris turned, spotting a familiar figure approaching from the shadows.
"Mira," Pyris said, his tone calm but welcoming. "I see you've decided to follow me after all."
The leader of the Phantoms stepped forward, her eyes gleaming with purpose. "I told you, Pyris. Wherever you go, I'll be there."
Pyris exchanged a look with Alera, a knowing smile spreading across his lips. The day was far from over, and the adventures that lay ahead were only just beginning.