The air inside the hunters' base was heavier than usual. The candlelight flickered against damp stone, the smell of old blood mixing with the metallic tang of steel. Oes had buried himself in a corner of the underground chamber — books, parchments, and maps spread before him in a chaos only he could understand.
His pale fingers traced over the old texts, lips moving silently as he read. The riddle's words echoed over and over in his mind.
" Tsk ... What a confusing thing. " He had been at this for days. The others called him obsessed; he called it focus.
Across the room, Xar leaned lazily against the stone pillar, tossing a dagger up and catching it again. His smile was the kind that could charm and cut at the same time. "You've been staring at that for three nights, brother. Any luck finding the dead woman who made corpses cry?"
" Trying but unfortunately I don't have enough resources here to research. I need to sneak out for it so give me some more days. "
" Fine but be quick pal."
Oes didn't even look up. "You wouldn't understand. These lines— they aren't just words. They're tied to history.... I wonder who actually his the book tbh."
"History, huh?" Xar snorted. "Maybe she'll rise from her grave and bake us cookies while we wait."
Oes finally raised his gaze, cold and sharp. "You mock what you don't comprehend, Xar. You think leadership is earned by running your mouth?"
Xar's grin widened. "Funny. That's what they said about Kael too. Look where he is now — barely holding the leash of his own men."
"Careful," Oes warned. "He's still the chosen leader."
"For now." Xar's voice dropped low, dangerous. "But the master doesn't tolerate failure twice. Kael's days are numbered. When I return with that book, no one will dare question who deserves command."
Before Oes could reply, a door creaked open. Kael entered — tall, scarred, his eyes burning with restrained fury. He looked worn, but not defeated. "Talking about me behind my back, Xar?"
"My my .. what a good luck i possess to see your face in the early night. "
" Really? Seems like you got a lot of time to spend leisurely "
Xar didn't flinch. "Oh, I would never. Just discussing the future. A future you may not be part of."
Kael stepped forward, the ground trembling slightly beneath his boots. "Watch your tongue, boy. You think the master favors you? He'll discard you the second you fail him."
"Then I won't fail," Xar said simply.
Their glares met like drawn blades. The air crackled.
Oes sighed and stood between them. "If you two are done comparing egos, I'd prefer silence. I need to think."
Kael was about to go but a Xar's question stopped him . " Do you think by supplying sacrifices, you can regain your failing reputation? "
" So you know already? Good to see that atleast you know what is happening within the hunters. Master is happy with me."
" Great I hope your confidence lasts like this until I crush it down. "
Kael ignored him and slammed a bloodstained bag onto the table. It clanked. "You think I sit idle? While you play puzzles and he daydreams of thrones, I found us a new ally."
The bag spilled open — inside were strange black stones pulsing faintly, and a small crimson sigil glowing on a parchment.
Oes frowned. "Where did you get this?"
"A supplier," Kael said darkly. "Someone who deals in sacrifices. Said he can offer power — enough to ensure the master's faith in me again."
"Sacrifices?" Oes's voice dropped. "Human? But we can't go in that world for three months as my brother died there.."
Kael smirked. "Not our concern. All we need is strength. Your Brother was just a nuisance."
Xar laughed quietly. "Pathetic. You're begging for power while I'm the one earning it. When I return with the book, you'll be nothing but a footnote."
"Try to find it first," Kael shot back. "The master won't wait forever."
For once, Xar didn't retort. He picked up the parchment, glanced at the riddle again, then tucked it away. "Oh, I'll find it. And when I do, Kael…" — his grin turned razor-sharp — "you'll wish you'd stayed in your grave."
As Xar left, his laughter echoed through the damp halls.
Oes sat back, watching the two devils destroy themselves with ambition. He rubbed his temples, whispering to himself, "The rose that never dies… who are you?"
Outside, the wind howled through the cursed forest, carrying the scent of fate.
.....
The morning in the Velmor Empire couldn't have been more different.
The palace courtyard gleamed under sunlight, the fountains sparkling like silver dust. Tessa stood in front of the grand hall, her hands fidgeting with the hem of her sleeve.
She had been told to meet Jasper regarding her "Academy Admission." The very thought made her nervous. The Academy of Velmor wasn't just a place of study — it was the empire's most prestigious institution, where vampires, werewolves, elves, and even a few rare species studied side by side.
Everyone who graduated from there became something — healers, knights, diplomats, inventors, scholars. It was where power and prestige met purpose.
But Tessa… had none of that.
As the guards opened the door, she took a deep breath and walked in. Jasper sat by the window, half-buried in reports. The sunlight hit his golden eyes, making them glow like fire beneath calm water. He didn't look up immediately.
"Your Highness," she greeted softly.
He turned then — sharp gaze, unreadable expression. "Tessa. Sit."
She did. His tone was composed, but there was a storm brewing beneath that calm.
"So what's the matter ?"
"Yes…" she hesitated. "About the academy."
Jasper's pen froze mid-signature. "Felix told you?"
Her eyes widened slightly. "Uh… yes, He said everyone enrolls around this age, and I couldn't say anything back because that can reveal my reality—"
"Felix again," Jasper muttered, leaning back in his chair. "I didn't actually thought about it back then that someone might ask you about it."
Tessa blinked. "Well, he's my instructor. We talk during training—"
"Of course. Training." His tone was light, but there was something sharp under it.
Tessa tilted her head. "Are you okay? You sound… strange."
"I'm perfectly fine," Jasper said too quickly. He turned his face toward the window, voice cool. "You said something about admission?"
"Yes. I wanted to know which subject I should choose. I thought maybe literature, since that was my major in my world—"
"Literature," he repeated, almost absently. "Of course. Something peaceful."
"Why do I feel like you're mocking me?"
"I'm not," he said curtly. "Just wondering if you'll survive a place like that."
Tessa frowned. "You also studied there right? So Why wouldn't I?"
"Because," Jasper said, his eyes finally meeting hers, "you're neither vampire, nor werewolf, nor any creature who belongs to this world.You have no natural abilities. The academy is filled with beings who are born powerful — who can bend elements, summon strength, heal wounds, or break minds. And you—" his voice softened slightly, "—you're just human."
Her expression faltered. "So you mean… I shouldn't go?"
"No, but I would prefer that ... As without anything you are equivalent to a hunter..." he said, quieter this time. "I'm saying I don't want you to get hurt."
Tessa looked down at her hands. "You think I'll be bullied or suspected right? "
Jasper's jaw tightened. "I know you will. Some of the noble daughters already despise you for that night."
She smiled faintly. "Then I'll just learn to despise them back. Problem solved."
That earned her a sharp look — part disbelief, part admiration.
"Tessa, this isn't a game. What you are going to do about your power problem?"
" Umm.. well I have a good intuition and oh! I forgot almost... I can distinguish hunters from your beings. I guess that's a unique thing here ."
" If any kingdom get to know about this I'm sure they will use you for it ... Tessa it's not going to be easy..."
"Neither is life, Jasper," she said softly. "But we still live it, right?"
For a long moment, silence hung between them. The faint breeze carried the scent of parchment and roses.
"You're reckless," he muttered.
"I know."
"You infuriate me."
"I get that a lot."
"Yet somehow…" Jasper sighed and crossed his hands, "you make me forget half my responsibilities."
Tessa smiled a little. "That's a good thing, right?"
He stared at her — and for once, the corner of his lips curved slightly. "No. It's dangerous."
They fell quiet again. Finally, Tessa stood, smoothing her dress. "Then it's settled. I'll join the academy under literature."
Jasper's gaze softened as he studied her eyes. "You really don't listen to me, do you?"
"Nope. And it's not like we got a choice. "
He stood too, walking to the window. His voice was calm, but his heart wasn't. "The Academy is divided into six cores — Combat Arts, Magic & Alchemy, Scientific Research, Business & Diplomacy, Medicine & Healing, and Cultural Studies. You'll fall under the last one. It covers literature, fashion design, philosophy, and history. The training is both theoretical and practical — you'll be writing, performing, creating. Sometimes even doing projects like joining a contest."
"Wait—fashion design? Science? Your world is genuinely advance.. i honestly didn't expect that here."
"Yes," Jasper said with a faint smirk. "The royal court funds it for the sake of 'artistic diplomacy.' Don't ask me why."
Tessa chuckled. "That actually sounds… fun."
"Fun," he repeated with quiet disbelief. "You're about to walk into a nest of immortal aristocrats with fangs sharper than politics, and you call it fun."
" My favourite genre is fantasy 🤩.I can't explain how much I crave to be in a world like this..."
"Well, I did survive your temper. How bad can it be?"
He turned to her then, eyes narrowing slightly — but there was amusement there too. "You're fearless, I'll give you that."
Tessa shrugged. "Fearless or stupid, you decide."
That made him laugh under his breath — low, genuine, the kind of sound that made her heart trip.
But as soon as it came, it faded. His smile disappeared, replaced by quiet guilt.
"Tessa," he said softly, "sometimes I wonder if bringing you here was a mistake."
Her expression froze. "Why?"
"Because every danger that exists in this world — hunters, assassins, politics — now circles you too. If anything happens…"
She stepped closer. "Don't say that. You didn't make a mistake. If anything, you gave me a new life."
He looked at her, eyes unreadable. "A life trapped in someone else's war."
"But it's also a life where I met you."
Jasper's breath hitched for a second. He hadn't expected that answer. " Don't you regret for agreeing with my offer back that day? "
Tessa smiled, gentle but sure. "Nope.You've been kind to me, Jasper. Patient, even when I annoyed you to death. You've given me a place to belong… something I never really had back home. Even in the whole Chaos I find peace with you 😄. "
"Tessa…"
"So stop blaming yourself," she said firmly. "And don't worry. I'll be fine. I'm tougher than I look."
He sighed, running a hand through his hair. "You shouldn't make promises like that."
"Then you shouldn't look at me like that either," she whispered before realizing what she said.
For a moment, their eyes met — and the world outside seemed to fade.
Jasper looked away first. "Go get your admission documents signed. Alex will arrange everything."
"Okay," she said softly. " Promise me one thing Jasper Blackthorn.. that you never gonna blame yourself anymore. Be kind to yourself. "
" What a difficult thing you asked for... What if I can't keep.."
" Then I'm gonna call you idithorn for the rest of my life 😤."
" Tessa... Why do you care for me so much?" Jasper asked with a slow gaze. An unknown hope somewhere stirred in his heart .
" Because you made me happy ok? Now bye . "
Jasper smiled faintly, " find Ms. Eiffel Tower. Bye. For now. And don't worry.. I will return you in your world safely soon . "
Tessa didn't stop and waved her hand . " Yeah yeah we'll see. "
That night, as Tessa prepared her academy forms, a strange heaviness filled her chest. She should've been excited — a new place, a new beginning. But instead, the thought of leaving Jasper's side felt like losing something she couldn't name.
"Maybe I'm just tired," she whispered, staring at the moonlight spilling over her desk. But deep down, she knew it wasn't that simple.
She had dreamed of a man like him — humble yet strong, calm yet fierce, someone who made her feel seen. And now that she had found him, the thought of someday being separated made her heart twist painfully. " I also don't know why I care for you when back in my world I fully despise men ..but it's true that you make me happy.."
She looked in the mirror, " but will I be happy when I leave this world forever? Will you be happy? I ...." She realised a very selfish wish her heart was holding. She somehow didn't what the hunters matter to be settled soon but she also neither want anyone harmed.
" Mom , Rishe... What should I do? " Outside, the night wind carried a faint sound — the distant howl of a wolf, and the low murmur of soldiers changing guard.