•••

Caius's conversation with Eloise hinged on family as well. But it was interesting that, although it was essentially the opposite concern to Kaya's, the reactions of both ladies were similar.

"Oh, they can't wait to have me back home," Eloise said with her brows furrowed in annoyance, "Their messages have been glowing with praise. 'We knew Lochxen could fix you!' 'Finally, you're acting like a Nightingale!'

Blegh!!!"

"I can see how that would upset you," Caius said with a smile. He sounded teasing but he actually did understand what Eloise was talking about.

Being heaped with praise because you did something you've adamantly said you wouldn't do because you have no passion for it, can be annoying.

And the thing was, Lochxen had changed Eloise. She had lived a fairly sheltered life, one that never made combat a priority. For all her family's pressure for her to use her Sound Magic like they had used it for generations—to kill—she hadn't actually been forced. Just gently coerced. And all through, she had stuck to her guns and insisted that there was no situation in which she'd ever use Sound to fight, so what was the need to learn to?

Lochxen changed that. She became best friends with Kaya, who was probably the most Combat Magic-loving student in the First Year and insisted on pulling her along for all combat situations because she believed Eloise had a talent for it. Though granted, she was right because Eloise definitely did.

And then, there was the Mid-Semester Test where Eloise would normally have been satisfied doing the barest minimum in the parts that actually involved combat. But things hadn't gone as she hoped they would.

Even before things went awry, she had already been 'forced' to duel a student whom she proceeded to decimate completely. And then, when the invader from Hell arrived, all hopes of maintaining a visage of incompetence were gone. She had no choice but to fight and fight to the very best of her ability.

And to make things worse, the best of her ability was the Fourth Circle.

Because thanks to Caius and the Arcane Circle he put in her head, her speed of Magical Enlightenment had been drastically increased.

All of that put together, made it so Eloise now knew being able to fight was somewhat of a necessity. The alternative was that she live a simple musical life as she had planned and that would mean not having Kaya, the Combat Magic-lover, as a best friend.

It would also mean not having a relationship with the one she was now laying her head on.

Caius had revealed much to them in the past few days;

Like the fact that Aurelius was a god's apostle and their having Divine seeds had made the task of securing the world much harder. So now, they technically had to help since they had complicated the issue.

Kaya was excited for the opportunity. The look in her eyes was as though she would fight a Demon right now if she could.

Eloise had been a lot more reserved. She had seen her desired future slipping out of her fingers because of the company she kept. The 'solution' and the way to get back on track would be to purge the Arcane Circle from her head, let the Divine seed fizzle out, and turn away from Caius but… could she ever do that?

No, she couldn't.

The very thought caused her heart to ache.

She couldn't care less about the speed in Enlightenment granted by the Arcane Circle or the Divine seed. What she really couldn't do without was Caius. What she couldn't do without was knowing he was hers and she was his. The fact that the Arcane Circle connected her to him because it held a part of him only endeared it more to her.

So she was stuck. Happily so. She was going to stand with her lover and her friends. She was going to face whatever threat by their side.

Which was exactly what her family always hoped would happen when she went to Lochxen.

They definitely didn't factor Caius and the sort of relationship he had with Eloise into their plans but essentially, finding camaraderie that could turn her around on using her Magic for combat and killing was ultimately their goal.

And Eloise could tell they were just waiting for her to return to really rub it in. Their messages, while enthusiastic, had been restrained. Like they were trying not to let all of their joy explode out just yet.

Eloise let out a very heavy sigh then.

"I really don't want to give them the satisfaction," she said.

"Well, I think you should," Caius said.

Eloise lifted herself off his chest then looked into his face with a beautiful brow raised,

"What?"

Caius shrugged.

"I think you should give them the satisfaction that they were right. Because in a way, they were. And they are."

"Caius—" Eloise started in an irate voice. It was undoubtedly the first time she had ever shown any inkling of being angry at him.

Caius found it cute... and also a little intimidating. You wouldn't know it from how light she always acts but Eloise's angry face, with scowling brows, is quite the sight to behold. Just with her calling Caius's name, her magic had slipped into her tone and traveled into his ear to cause him to shudder.

He knew he couldn't let her continue.

"Hear me out," he appeased with his hands raised and a light smile on his lips.

Eloise didn't say anything and that was clearly her signal that he continue talking. She was still scowling though.

Caius cleared his throat a little.

"I think they have a point. I agree with you that Sound is beautiful magic but it can also be deadly magic. You should hone the deadly part of it without losing sight of its beauty.

You should invest in Combat Magic because this is not a perfect world as much as you would like it to be. It's a dangerous world.

Eloise, the average citizen can't afford to be as cavalier as you're being with combat prowess because they face threats that demand they know how to defend themselves."

"So you're saying I'm spoilt?" Eloise demanded.

"No, no. I'm saying you live a life that can shut you off from the realities of the world. Even if you weren't with me, and did decide to simply focus on your goals of taking your music all over the Acheron Empire, you'll most definitely employ protection because you'd know the world isn't safe.

So, with all that in mind, how could I not see where your family is coming from?" Caius asked.

Eloise let out a breath and when she started speaking, she spoke slowly either to keep from shaking or to make sure every word was clear. Probably both.

"The last time we talked about this, you agreed with me that my family was mistaken. You said you would support my dreams.

When did that change? Or is this how you've always felt and just decided to humor me that day?"

Caius sat up now and Eloise sat up with him, staring into his eyes as she waited anxiously for his answer.

"Nothing changed. I still agree with you. Just because I think your family is right about exploring the Combat potential of Sound Magic doesn't mean I support them trying to still your dreams.

I still support your goals and I intend to do all I can to make them happen."

"Then what—?" Eloise started, her voice slightly raised.

Caius grabbed her hand then and Eloise stopped short as she kept looking into his eyes and his easy smile.

"It doesn't have to be one or the other. Balance, my dear, is key.

If they show you a spell, learn it. If they teach you a technique, be attentive. And when they are not watching, proceed with achieving your goals.

It can all be so simple."

"Yeah, anything is easy when spoken. Reality is never so kind. If I give in to my family's ways, my days will no longer be mine. There'll be no time for me to do what I want."

"I don't believe that," Caius said lightly but he wasn't dismissive, "I don't believe anyone can completely rob you of your time.

Besides, you wouldn't have to worry about too much. You just keep that beautiful singing voice of yours as perfect as it is. And leave the logistics to your Manager."

"My Manager?" Eloise asked with an amused smile breaking through her annoyed visage, "Who's that?"

Caius spread his free arm as a wide grin spread across his beyond handsome face and he said in a fairly grand tone,

"Who else but yours truly?"

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