As the group slowly filtered out of the room, Lorian closed the door behind them with a quiet click. He leaned against it for a moment, letting out a long breath. His eyes drifted to the glowing scars on his arms, and though he'd managed to brush off their concerns, a part of him knew they weren't going to give up that easily.

For a while, Lorian just stood there, staring at the door as if their presence still lingered. The concern in Selene's violet eyes and the sharpness in Elara's golden gaze stayed with him longer than he'd expected. He had hoped for a quick dismissal, to send them on their way without issue. But, deep down, he wasn't surprised that Julian had forced his hand.

Damn it, Julian.

Lorian shook his head and moved back toward the center of his room. His body still ached, the faint glow from his scars reminding him that he wasn't fully healed. The side effects of pushing his aura control beyond its limits had left marks, and though they were fading, the pain was a constant reminder of his failure.

He sat down heavily on the edge of his bed, running his fingers through his messy hair. His mind churned with the pressure he felt, the weight of the Grand Melee looming over him. Zephyr's words still echoed in his thoughts, taunting him about how easily he had been defeated.

You're not ready. You won't ever be ready.

The defeat had been brutal. Not just physically but mentally. Every time Lorian replayed the encounter, a bitter taste rose in his throat. Zephyr's smug face, the casual way he had tossed Lorian aside like an insect. And now, with the rumors spreading through the academy, everyone saw him as weak.

His fist clenched involuntarily, the energy within him stirring as his frustration grew. He couldn't afford to be seen as weak. Not now. Not ever.

"I'll make him regret it," Lorian whispered to the empty room, his voice low but full of promise.

Standing again, he paced the floor, his mind racing with how to move forward. He knew he couldn't stay in this state—exhausted, scarred, and struggling with control. But the thought of stopping now, of giving in or admitting weakness, was unbearable.

I can't stop. Not now.

Lysara sighed softly, her crimson eyes flickering with something playful. "You know," she began, her voice taking on a softer, teasing tone, "I can't help but admire that quality in prideful, stubborn people. That unyielding determination… it's quite an attractive trait."

Lorian blinked, feeling the heat rise in his face. "A-Attractive?" he stammered, completely caught off guard by her words.

Her lips curled into a mischievous smile, and in a fluid motion, her sleek black fur began to dissolve, replaced by smooth skin, her horns elegantly curling from her head. In seconds, she stood before him in her full demon form—tall, stunning, and exuding an aura that made Lorian's heart race.

"L-Lysara?" he managed, his voice shaky as he instinctively took a step back, his back brushing the door.

Lysara took a step forward, her eyes glinting with amusement as she drew closer. "Why so flustered, Lorian?" she asked with a soft purr. "You act like you've never seen me like this before."

"I—uh—it's just…" Lorian fumbled for words as he pressed his back against the door, feeling trapped under her gaze. "This feels different," he muttered, his heartbeat thudding loudly in his chest.

She tilted her head, eyes twinkling. "Different, is it?" Lysara stepped closer, her heels softly clicking against the floor. "I thought you liked challenges. Or…" her voice dropped to a sultry whisper, "is my true form too much for you?"

Lorian swallowed hard, pushing himself off the door as she advanced, forcing him to take a nervous step backward. "It's not that," he muttered, his face flushed as he tried to keep some distance. "It's just... you're, uh... you're getting close."

"Close?" Lysara smirked, advancing again. "Oh, Lorian, you're cute when you're nervous." She paused, then, with a devilish gleam in her eyes, she leaned in slightly, her voice dropping to a whisper. "And I'm also your first kiss, aren't I?"

Lorian's eyes widened, and his breath hitched. "W-What?!" His feet scrambled to move as he backpedaled further, his heart racing faster than ever. "T-That's not the point!" he stammered, growing more flustered by the second.

Lysara chuckled, clearly enjoying the effect she had on him. "Oh, I think it is," she teased, her voice silky as she took another step forward, forcing Lorian to retreat again. "Or are you saying I wasn't your first?"

"I—no—I mean, yes—wait, Lysara!" Lorian stammered as his back hit the edge of the bed, halting his retreat.

Before he could recover, Lysara took one more step toward him, her proximity sending a jolt through his entire body. His legs tangled with the bed, and with a startled gasp, he tripped, falling backward onto the mattress.

Lysara smiled down at him, clearly amused, her horns casting faint shadows against the walls. She closed the distance between them, standing over him now with a devilish grin. "Careful," she whispered, her tone dripping with playful menace. "You wouldn't want to hurt yourself."

Lorian's face burned as he tried to prop himself up, but his body felt frozen under the intensity of her gaze. "L-Lysara," he muttered, looking away, completely flustered. "This… this isn't—"

She leaned down slightly, her voice soft and dangerously close to his ear. "Relax, Lorian. I'm not going to bite... unless, of course, you ask me to."

His heart pounded wildly, and he quickly turned his head, staring anywhere but at her. "That's not funny!" he protested weakly, but the crack in his voice gave away how nervous he truly was.

Lysara laughed softly, brushing her fingers along his jawline, sending a shiver through his body. "Oh, come now, Lorian," she murmured, her voice a low purr. "Don't be so tense. You're making this too easy for me."

He could hardly think straight, every word she said wrapping around him like a spell. His face was beet red, and his body refused to move, paralyzed by her teasing and the way her presence dominated the room. Lysara seemed to revel in it, her smile widening as she leaned in closer, her eyes gleaming with satisfaction.

"I think you deserve a reward for working so hard, don’t you?" she whispered, her voice sultry and filled with playful intent.

Lorian’s breath caught in his throat, his pulse racing as his mind scrambled to make sense of the situation. "W-What kind of reward?" he muttered, his voice barely above a whisper. His eyes darted away from hers, and he instinctively closed them, anticipating… something.

For a moment, the air around him seemed to grow thicker, tension swirling in the space between them. Lysara’s presence loomed over him, her breath warm against his skin.

Then, without warning, he felt a light flick on his forehead.

"Ouch!" Lorian yelped, his eyes snapping open in surprise. Lysara had flicked his head, her expression now one of amusement as she laughed softly, her mischievous grin only growing wider.

Stolen novel; please report.

"Relax, Lorian," she chuckled, pulling back with a satisfied smirk. "I’m just teasing you. Don’t get so worked up."

Lorian’s face flushed even deeper as he sat up, rubbing his forehead where she’d flicked him. "That’s not funny," he grumbled, though the relief was evident in his voice. "You almost gave me a heart attack."

Lysara’s laughter filled the room, her teasing tone softening just a little. "Oh, come now, you should know better by now. If I was serious, you wouldn’t have to wonder."

He shot her an embarrassed look, still trying to recover from the moment. "How do you even do that?" he asked, shaking his head. "Switch from one form to the other, tease me like this, and act like none of it’s serious? It’s... unnerving."

Lysara raised an eyebrow, her lips curving into a playful smirk. "Why, Lorian, have you forgotten what I am?" She leaned back, reclining gracefully as if to emphasize her point. "I’ve been around for over a thousand years. I’ve learned a thing or two about reading people… and playing with them."

Lorian blinked, trying to process that. "Right, you’re a demon," he muttered. "But still... a thousand years?"

She sighed dramatically, folding her arms as she looked down at him. "Give or take a century," she said with a wink. "I stopped counting after a while. Time blurs when you’re immortal."

Lorian felt a shiver run through him, not from fear, but from the reminder of just how ancient—and powerful—she really was. He shifted uncomfortably. "So… why use your human form now?" he asked hesitantly, a flicker of nervousness in his voice. "It’s not like you can stay like this for long."

Lysara smirked, her eyes narrowing playfully. "True, I can only hold this form for about an hour before I’m forced back to that adorable little cat form you love so much." She leaned in closer, her smile widening. "But I figured you’ve earned a reward for all your hard work."

Lorian’s pulse quickened, his mind racing with confusion as she closed the distance between them. "A reward?" he repeated, his voice barely a whisper.

Lysara’s eyes gleamed with satisfaction, the teasing air about her deepening. "I’m not talking about what you think," she added with a sultry laugh. "But it’s still something special."

His breath hitched, the tension between them building with each moment. Lysara’s presence was overwhelming, and as she stepped forward once more, Lorian’s body reacted instinctively—his feet shuffling backward as he tried to create space between them. In his hurried retreat, he tripped over the edge of his bed and landed ungracefully on the mattress.

Lysara laughed lightly as she sauntered toward him, her steps slow and deliberate, her movements like a predator toying with its prey. Lorian’s heart pounded as she loomed over him, her eyes locking onto his with an intensity that made his head spin.

"You’re cute when you’re flustered," she teased, leaning down toward him. "But I suppose I should stop toying with you before you faint." She straightened, crossing her arms with a smirk. "I was serious about the reward though. I’ve decided to give you something that very few ever get to experience, especially at your level of training."

Lorian blinked, his heart still racing, but he forced himself to focus. "What are you talking about?"

"I’m going to help you enter your mindscape," Lysara explained, her voice suddenly serious, though the playfulness lingered in her eyes. "It’s something that usually takes a lot of time, training, and effort to achieve. Most people don’t access their mindscape until they’ve reached Master Rank. But with my help, you can do it now."

Lorian’s eyes widened. "Mindscape? Isn’t that... extremely advanced?"

Lysara nodded. "It is. But once you’re inside, you’ll be able to train your magic—light, shadow, whatever you want—without dealing with the usual limitations. You won’t have to worry about mana exhaustion since everything happens within your mind."

He sat up straighter, intrigued. "So I can train without pushing my body to the point of collapse?"

Lysara smiled, nodding. "Exactly. The only catch is that while it’s great for mastering techniques, it doesn’t actually increase your overall strength. And depending on how long you spend in your mindscape, it can be mentally draining once you exit. The longer you stay, the more you’ll feel it when you come back."

Lorian frowned slightly, processing her words. "But it’ll help me with control? With mastering my spells?"

"Yes," Lysara said, her voice smooth. "And right now, that’s exactly what you need. You’ve been trying to do everything at once—pushing yourself physically and magically. This will let you focus without burning out."

Lorian stared at her, stunned by the offer. "But... why are you doing this? I thought demons weren’t the type to help without expecting something in return."

Lysara grinned, her eyes gleaming mischievously. "Who says I’m not getting something out of this? Watching you struggle is fun, but watching you grow stronger is even better." She leaned closer again, her voice dropping to a whisper. "Besides, I like my partners to be... capable."

Before Lorian could respond, her lips brushed against his. It was brief, just a fleeting moment, but the sensation sent a shock through his entire body, leaving him frozen in place. His mind reeled as the kiss lingered, warm and intoxicating, pulling him under.

The room around him seemed to melt away, his thoughts swirling into a dizzying blur. His pulse quickened, and before he could make sense of what was happening, the world twisted. The solid ground beneath his feet vanished, and he was suddenly weightless, caught in a spiraling sensation that tugged him from reality.

The familiar surroundings of his room in the academy blurred into darkness, only to be replaced by a bright, expansive light. As the swirling energy settled, Lorian found himself standing once again, but this was not the academy. His breath caught in his throat as he recognized the scene before him.

The Aeloria Estate.

Everything was vivid, sharper than any memory. The grand stone pillars and elegant arches of his family’s home stood before him, just as they had in his childhood. The lush gardens, the marble walkways, the towering oak trees lining the paths—it all looked the same, down to the very detail. But something was different. The colors were too vibrant, the air too still.

He realized where he was: his mindscape.

Lorian blinked, looking around in awe. This wasn’t just any memory of the estate. It felt as if he had truly been transported back. The smells, the faint breeze, the distant sound of wind rustling the leaves—it all felt real. Too real.

"Welcome home, Lorian," Lysara's voice echoed behind him, snapping him out of his daze.

He spun around to see her standing a few paces away, her form graceful and imposing in her human guise. Her lips curled into a smirk as she observed his reaction, clearly enjoying his disorientation.

"You... brought me here?" Lorian asked, his voice uncertain as he tried to process it all.

Lysara’s smile widened. "No," she said, a hint of amusement in her tone. "This is your mindscape, not mine. I didn’t pick this place. You did."

Lorian’s brow furrowed. "But why here?"

Lysara glanced around with a thoughtful hum. "Because your home is your world—your hope, your dream, your goals... they all tie in here along with your memories." She then cast an appreciative look at the estate. "Not too shabby for a young master like yourself," she added with a teasing tone.

Lorian, still feeling the faint tingle of the kiss, ran a hand through his hair. He was too distracted to retort.

"So... what now?" he asked, trying to focus. "How does this work?"

Lysara folded her arms, her lips curling into a playful smile. "Now? Now you train. Here, you’re not bound by the usual limitations. You can push your light magic, your shadow magic, whatever you want—without worrying about exhausting yourself physically. But don’t get too cocky. Just because it’s all in your head doesn’t mean it’s easy."

He nodded, his determination returning. The kiss, the teasing, all of it faded into the background as he realized the opportunity in front of him. A chance to train like never before. To push past the barriers he’d been struggling against in the real world.

"There’s one thing you should remember, though," Lysara added, her tone softening. "The mindscape is great for mastering techniques, but it won’t increase your raw power. You can perfect your control here, but the strength you gain outside will still take time."

Lorian absorbed her words carefully, his eyes narrowing with focus. "So, I can hone my abilities but not grow stronger?"

"Exactly," Lysara said, her expression serious. "And the longer you stay, the more mentally draining it will be when you return to the real world. Spend too long here, and you’ll feel it—hard."

Lorian nodded again, already feeling the rush of excitement in his veins. This was exactly what he needed. A place where he could master the control he lacked, where he could sharpen his skills and push beyond his limits without breaking his body.

"I understand," he said quietly, his gaze hardening with resolve.

Lysara’s smile returned, a touch of admiration in her eyes as she looked at him. "Good. Then let’s see what you can really do, young master."

Lorian felt a fire ignite in his chest, the weight of everything around him falling into place. This was his chance. His chance to break through the barriers that had held him back, to master the power within him.

He wouldn’t waste it.

But then something clicked in his mind, and he froze. "Wait a minute," Lorian blurted, raising his hand as if stopping the flow of everything. "You kissed me! Again!"

Lysara’s smirk widened, her eyes glimmering with playful amusement. "Oh, did I?" she asked innocently, though the mischievous glint in her eyes betrayed her. "I hadn’t noticed."

Lorian’s face flushed red, and he pointed at her, stammering. "You... you did it again!"

Lysara laughed softly, clearly enjoying his reaction. "Well, you didn’t seem to mind the first time," she teased. "Besides, how else was I supposed to pull you into your mindscape? I couldn’t exactly knock on the door of your consciousness."

Lorian opened his mouth to protest, but the words failed him. He was flustered, to say the least.