Chapter 121: Taking Shape

Valerian’s eyes fluttered open as the morning light hit his face.

The echo of what had happened yesterday lingered in his mind, and the space where Seraphine had been so close felt strangely empty.

It took him a moment to fully realize that what had happened wasn’t some kind of dream, but reality, a soft, sweet-tasting reality.

Before he could even sit up, the space in front of his bed split apart and Ravena stepped out, not caring in the least that she was interrupting him.

"Get up. Training starts again."

Valerian sighed, threw the blanket aside, and pulled on his combat uniform. Without wasting any time, he stepped into the rift and appeared in the familiar white space.

Ravena stood across from him with one hand on her hip, regarding him with her usual detached expression. The wild, grinning battle goddess from their spar was gone, replaced once again by the normal Ravena.

"We will fight under increased gravity. We start at five times the normal amount. Take this."

Skipping any small talk, she tossed a bastard sword toward him. He caught the blade, which was, once again, insanely heavy, and readied himself. Ravena drew a black katana and released her mana.

Valerian felt the shift instantly. The gravity around him spiked, dragging him downward. His body was more than strong enough to counteract the pull, though it still slowed him down slightly.

Ravena dashed forward and initiated the duel. She moved with effortless speed, as though the crushing weight had no effect on her at all, and it probably didn’t. She was a demigod; a little extra gravity meant nothing to her.

Valerian brought the heavy sword up to deflect the barrage of incoming strikes. The flat of the bastard sword made guarding easier, but it lacked the specific responsiveness and speed he wanted from a weapon.

He was losing ground quickly as Ravena dialed up the tempo another notch, forcing out everything he had. Yet with every parry, block, and deflection, the ideal shape of his blade became clearer in his mind.

A process that had once taken weeks felt within reach at breakneck speed thanks to his refined physique. His body moved unconsciously toward the weapon he truly envisioned; his fluid motions were out of sync with the rigid frame of a bastard sword. Ravena noticed immediately and caught his blade with her bare hand.

"You’re getting close. Form your blade."

She practically ripped the heavy sword from his grip, leaving him empty-handed. Valerian complied without hesitation and called upon Twilight.

A dark substance seeped through his skin, shadowy mist coalescing into the shape of a sword. It flowed from the hilt to the crossguard, and finally along the length of the blade itself.

Where there had previously been only a rough, primitive outline of a basic sword, it now took on a distinct form much closer to its eventual shape.

The handle was long enough to accommodate a two-handed grip, the crossguard was half-formed, and the blade stretched long with a single sharp edge and a gentle curve. It remained semi-translucent mist rather than solid steel, but it was far closer to completion than ever before.

Ravena studied the weapon with genuine interest. She clearly recognized its resemblance to the katana she favored, but chose not to comment on it.

"It’s close, but you’re not there yet. Come, we go again. Use your blade this time."

She turned and took a few measured paces back. Valerian looked down at the half-manifested sword, his fingers tightening around the hilt.

He raised the weapon, leveling the tip directly at Ravena, who already had her katana raised. They lunged at the exact same moment, erasing the distance in an instant as the crushing pressure slammed back down, only this time dialed up from five to ten times normal gravity.

The duel dragged on for hours, with Ravena brutally punishing Valerian for even the slightest lapse in technique. When they finally concluded, she tore open the rift once more, and Valerian stepped back out into the mundane world.

Back in his dorm room, he went through his standard routine: washing off the grime under the shower, putting on a light fragrance, and changing into comfortable shorts and a plain T-shirt. He made his way toward the kitchen while pulling out his communication crystal to call Seraphine.

The connection snapped into place immediately, and her voice came through.

"Hey!"

"Hey. I just wrapped up my session if you want to come over."

There was a brief pause before Valerian felt the portal to his room hum to life, a familiar presence stepping through the threshold.

He pocketed the crystal and walked toward the entrance with a quiet chuckle. When he opened the door, Seraphine practically threw herself into his arms, wrapping her hands tightly around him. She wore her academy uniform, though without her usual thigh-highs or stockings.

"Hmm? What’s wrong?"

She buried her face into his chest, refusing to look up. Sensing that something was genuinely off, he returned the embrace and gently stroked her silver hair.

"Are you okay, Sera?"

Still hidden against his chest, she gave a small shake of her head. A flicker of concern rose within him; this wasn’t how she normally acted.

"You can talk to me. I’m right here."

She hesitated for a long second before easing back, gazing up at him with faintly glistening eyes.

"I’m sorry about yesterday... I forced myself on you."

The remorse in her gaze was unmistakable. After everything that had unfolded on the rooftop, she had spent the entire night overthinking it, convinced she had crossed a line when she reached down between his legs.

She had spent the day agonizing over it, terrified he might hold it against her.

Valerian looked down at her, his hand moving softly over her head as he drew her back in.

"You didn’t force yourself on me. I’m glad you feel so strongly about me, and I feel the exact same way. I just think we should take our time before rushing that far."

He brought his fingers to her cheek, gently wiping away a stray tear before it could fall. Leaning down, he pressed a tender kiss to her lips. She melted into it immediately, her arms tightening around him.

When they parted, Valerian looked into her eyes with a reassuring smile.

"Feeling better now?"

Seraphine gave a subtle shake of her head.

"I think I need one more."

She closed the distance again, pulling him into a deeper kiss. Their tongues tangled in a slow, eager rhythm, soft murmurs escaping her throat as she leaned her full weight against him.

Then, just as suddenly, she pulled back and took a deliberate step away.

"No more... or I’m going to lose control again."

Valerian chuckled softly, taking her hand and leading her toward the couch.

"I haven’t put the tea on yet since you got here so quickly. Give me a few minutes."

"Okay."

Valerian stepped into the kitchen to prepare the kettle, leaving her alone in the living room. A few moments later, he returned carrying a tray with two steaming mugs, but the scene before him made him freeze in place.

Seraphine was stretched out on the couch, holding a pair of his boxer briefs that he had carelessly left behind, pressing the fabric to her face and breathing it in. Her free hand was slipped between her legs beneath her skirt, moving in a way that left little to the imagination.

He couldn’t see every detail from where he stood, but he didn’t need to. As wildly alluring and hot as the view was, he couldn’t just stand there watching. Stepping quietly back toward the kitchen corridor, he deliberately cleared his throat and called out.

"Tea’s ready."

Hearing his voice, she instantly shoved the fabric into her spatial ring and snapped upright, smoothing her posture like a pristine noble lady hoping she hadn’t been caught. Valerian knew exactly what had just happened; her flushed cheeks and the subtle damp sheen tracing along her inner thigh were evidence enough, though he deliberately kept quiet.

"Here’s your tea."

He set one cup before her and the other across the table where he planned to sit.

"A-Aren’t you going to sit next to me?"

Hearing the slight tremor in her voice and seeing the slight blush spread across her ears, Valerian had to swallow back a grin. He rounded the table and settled down right beside her on the cushions.

They took slow sips of their tea before Seraphine broke the silence.

"We’re an official couple now, right?"

Valerian paused mid-sip, glancing at her with mild amusement.

"I thought that was obvious, wasn’t it?"

Setting her cup down, she turned toward him with complete earnestness.

"I just wanted to be certain. I’ve never been in a relationship before, so I don’t really know how any of this works."

"Fair enough. But yes, Sera, you’re my girlfriend, and I’m your boyfriend." ℴ

The tension on her face broke into an open, radiant smile devoid of any embarrassment, just unadulterated relief.

"Good. I’m glad you’re my boyfriend."

She slipped her hand into his, their fingers naturally lacing together as a comfortable quiet settled between them.

"Sera, there’s something I want to talk to you about."

She tilted her head slightly, her pointed ears twitching with curiosity.

"It’s about the reward from our wager."

She shifted fully toward him. She had spent weeks dying to know what mysterious prize could possibly warrant such an impossible challenge.

"Would you be disappointed if I just gave it to you right now?"

"Yes."