Chapter 118: A Date with the Apex

Soft sun rays shone through deep crimson curtains, drowning the bedroom in a red light.

On a large bed lay a beautiful elven girl, her long silver hair spread behind her like spilled moonlight, softly glistening under the morning sun.

As the sun hit her face, her long eyelashes fluttered open, and her crimson-magenta eyes met the world for a new morning.

Sitting up in bed, she rubbed her eyes with a drowsy yawn, her silver hair standing up from turning in her sleep. She wore a red silken nightgown; one of the shoulder straps hung down to the side.

After sitting on her bed for a few seconds, she threw away her blanket and stood up.

With lazy steps, she made her way to the bathroom attached to her room.

She made her way straight to the shower and took off the nightgown. The warm water hit her body, flowing down every curve and waking her fully up. Looking down at her well-endowed body, she couldn’t help but remember what had happened yesterday, making her feel hot down there.

Her hand moved slowly down her body as her face took on a rosy tint. As her hand neared her nether region, she snapped out of it.

’Not now, Seraphine! Maybe later...’

She quickly finished her shower and dried herself with a towel. As she stood in front of the mirror brushing her teeth, her thoughts went back to yesterday again, but this time it wasn’t about anything naughty.

It was the insanely pure mana wave that Valerian had released.

She clenched her fist and felt the power within it.

’Status.’

[Status Window]

[Name: Seraphine Luna Verdantia]

[Age: 16]

[Titles: Pride of Eldoria, Princess of Verdantia, Loved by Mana, Touched by the Divine]

[Race: Royal Verdant Elf]

[Bloodline: Verdantia World Tree Matriarch]

[Physique: -]

[Core: Rank S]

[Affinities: Wind, Water, Fire, Earth, Light, Darkness, Solar, Life]

[Attributes]

[Vitality: S]

[Strength: S-]

[Agility: S]

[Dexterity: S]

[Intelligence: SS+]

[Mana: S+]

[Charm: SS+]

[Unique Skill]

[Reality Weaver]

After being subjected to the release of Valerian’s Divine Mana, Seraphine had advanced by an entire rank, going from A all the way to S.

It was an insane power boost that would have taken her at least two more years, if not longer. But just like that, she had reached a new height. That wasn’t all, however, as a new title had appeared as well.

[Description]

[Title: Touched by the Divine]

Given to one who survived the backlash of a divine awakening. The explosion tore through your mana pathways, scouring them clean of every defect. Your mana no longer flows like that of a mortal; it is denser, sharper, and utterly pure.

After being overloaded with the Divine Mana released by Valerian’s breakthrough, her mana had changed as well, mixing with a small portion of his Divine Mana.

Channeling her mana, a flame appeared around her raised hand. Unlike a normal orange flame, it had a subtle golden center. If one didn’t look closely, they would miss it, but Seraphine could feel the change that had occurred inside her.

’But what about our bet...’

Now that Valerian’s body had changed again, what would become of their game? Shaking her head, she continued to brush her teeth.

’Doesn’t matter, we will just talk tonight.’

After that, she began to dress herself, putting on red lace underwear and then her academy uniform. When she was finished, she stood in front of the mirror and styled her hair.

She wore the standard academy uniform with a skirt and black tights; her silver hair was styled half-up and half-down, with a ponytail tied at the back.

Since her charm stat was so high, she didn’t need any makeup or accessories; her natural beauty was more than enough to charm anyone.

Content with her looks, she walked out of the dorm room. It was considerably larger than any of the others, as she occupied the third rank, but it was still far smaller than the luxury the rank one enjoyed.

As she left her room and walked out of the dorm building, she saw a crowd of girls gathering in front.

Seraphine ignored them, having no interest in involving herself with whatever was happening there. Since they were standing in front of the building, she walked in their direction to pass them. That was when she spotted a pair of dark onyx horns and the top of silver-white hair sticking out of the crowd.

Seraphine stopped dead in her tracks. There was no way she wouldn’t recognize the person surrounded by the group of girls, and a slight annoyance flared within her.

’What are they doing flocking around him like that?!’

Seemingly sensing her irritated glare, the onyx horns turned toward her, and the crowd parted before him.

Seraphine locked eyes with Valerian. He wore his Apex uniform, looking as handsome as always, but there was something else about him that she hadn’t noticed yesterday. It was as if the grass was leaning toward him and the morning sun was deliberately shining brighter in his presence.

Valerian looked at her with slight confusion when he saw her annoyed expression, but it quickly softened into a teasing grin.

Walking past all the girls, he headed straight for Seraphine. With every step he took toward her, her heart beat a little faster, as Valerian’s current form blurred with the image she had seen yesterday.

’Focus, Seraphine, focus!’

A light blush colored her cheeks, though she fought to keep her expression neutral.

"What are you doing here? Don’t you have to train?"

’Good job staying calm!’

Congratulating herself, Seraphine initiated the conversation.

"I was given a day off after yesterday. By the way... when did you become so strong?"

Valerian’s piercing violet eyes gleamed as he looked at her. Seraphine grinned smugly.

"I’m just that great. Now come on, we need to get to class."

Stepping past him, she began walking toward where their first class of the day would take place. But she was stopped when Valerian caught her hand.

"I don’t feel like going to class. Wanna go on a date?"

"KYAA!"

The female students around them erupted into squeals, watching the entire exchange with breathless excitement.

Since the only real mandate at the academy was individual growth and traditional exams didn’t exist, many students had ample free time—and what better way to spend it than gossiping?

"Did you hear that?!"

"He asked her on a date! The Apex just asked her out!"

"It should have been me!"

Seraphine tuned out the screaming girls around them, focusing solely on Valerian without pulling her hand away.

’I should go to class, but a date...’

Holding his hand firmly, she took a step closer, letting his arm relax from where he had reached for her.

"Okay, but where?"

The academy grounds were vast, filled with various shops and cafés students could visit during their downtime, but Seraphine hadn’t been to a single one during her time there, leaving her clueless as to where anything was.

Valerian gave her hand a gentle squeeze and stepped closer.

"Just trust me."

With that, space folded around them, whisking them away from the crowd that was already spinning wild rumors in their wake.