Chapter 31

In the midst of the chaos erupting in the lavish room, Valien felt a surge of exhilaration. He had encountered magic before, during his time outside Ironhelm, and he instantly recognized the unmistakable aura of magic surrounding Azure. But it wasn't just the presence of magic that set his heart racing—it was the thrill of facing it in a city where magic was strictly forbidden. Inside the home of one of the most influential men in the city, no less. The sheer audacity of the moment sent a rush of excitement through him, as he grinned, tasting the chaos.

With one of his hookblades still embedded in the marble floor, Valien ripped the other free, using it to pull himself forward. He stabbed the second blade into the ground, repeating the action, slowly inching his way toward Azure. Each movement scraped and cracked the once pristine floor, but Valien paid no mind. All the while, Azure, in utter panic, desperately tried to close his eyes, his fear only intensifying as he watched the assassin inch closer.

Valien felt his ribs compress under the constant pressure, blood trickling from the corner of his mouth. Still, he pushed forward, driven by a feverish excitement that far outweighed the pain. "I told you to restrain him and cover his eyes, not ruin my marble floor!" Viktor's voice rang out from behind the sofa, his irritation at the destruction obvious. But Valien, absorbed in the moment, barely registered the complaint. His eyes remained locked on Azure, a crazed grin spreading across his face.

"What is this, Azure?" Valien asked, voice low but laced with manic delight. "If you had this sort of ability, you should've been higher up in the Shadow Baron's organization."

Azure's heart pounded in his chest as Valien continued to advance, now only five feet away. "Somebody help me!" Azure cried out, his voice cracking with desperation. But before anyone could respond, the crushing force that had been violently pushing away Valien suddenly lifted. He stumbled slightly, nearly toppling over from the unexpected release of pressure.

"Is it over?" Ester asked aloud, her voice tentative.

Before anyone could answer, a deep gash appeared across Valien's chest, blood spurting out as he looked down at the wound with a mix of surprise and amusement. "Evidently not," he muttered through a bloodied grin, inspecting the fresh cut.

Without missing a beat, Valien leapt into the air just as a blade of wind sliced through the space where he had been standing, shredding a sofa and embedding itself into the wall. Valien's movements were fluid, almost graceful, as he landed upside down on the ceiling, looking down at Azure with a smirk. 

Azure stared up at him, wide-eyed, and couldn't help but notice *his eyes... they're green now.* Another gust of wind, sharp as a blade, came barreling toward Valien, but he effortlessly dodged it, leaping from the ceiling to a nearby wall. The wind blade left a deep scar across the ceiling as Valien clung to the wall, his breathing heavy, but his grin unwavering.

This was a dance with death, and Valien was reveling in every second.

Azure's eyes darted frantically as Valien moved in a blur, jumping to the floor just as a blade of wind sliced past him. Azure's body twisted uncontrollably, his gaze locked onto Valien once again, only for the assassin to leap and dodge with an almost unnatural speed. Valien dashed from wall to wall, ceiling to floor, a streak of motion too fast for Azure to track clearly. But his instincts screamed danger, pushing his tired body to keep trying.

*Why am I doing this?* Azure thought in confusion as he strained to keep his eyes focused on the elusive assassin. He could hear Viktor's words echo in his mind—*Valien's trying to help, not hurt me.* So why was his body treating Valien like a threat? His exhausted mind had no answer, but something deep within him had decided: Valien was dangerous. And as his eyes refused to close, it was clear to Azure that something beyond his control was pulling the strings. His body—his very sight—was trying to eliminate the assassin.

Each time Valien dodged, it only heightened Azure's unconscious drive to lock onto him again. His head snapped left, then right, each turn instinctive and full of desperation, like a predator tracking prey. But the more Azure focused, the more Valien seemed to slip through the gaps of his sight, his evasive movements growing faster with each second. It wasn't just about avoiding the wind blades—Valien was playing with fire, keeping just out of Azure's destructive gaze.

"This is insanity," muttered Eva, her wide eyes fixed on the chaotic scene unfolding before them.

"I'm more worried about the mess we have to clean up," Malissa added, causing all the girls to turn to her in shock.

"Why are you joking at a time like this?" Ficus asked, incredulous.

"Yeah, you and Sir Eirv even got hit," Ester chimed in.

"Do not worry about me. I'm fine," a voice cut in. The girls turned to see Eirv standing protectively in front of Viktor, who had apparently decided that hiding behind the sofa was no longer safe.

"Sir, you're okay?" Eva asked, her tone filled with surprise.

Eirv nodded. "I truly am." His sharp gaze flickered to Azure. "But take a closer look at him. Do you notice something?"

The maids focused on Azure. "He... he's getting tired," Ficus observed, noticing Azure's labored breathing and the sweat dripping down his face.

Eirv gave a small nod of approval. "Exactly. You noticed that too, Malissa?"

Malissa gave a slight smile. "That's why I was joking."

"He's draining," Ester said, finally understanding. Azure's haggard appearance was undeniable—his stamina was fading fast, the toll of whatever magic gripped him pushing him to his limits. Valien, too, recognized the shift.

Azure's breathing grew more erratic as his exhausted body moved sluggishly. His head lifted once again, eyes following Valien to the ceiling as another blade of wind formed, but this time, Valien was prepared. With expert timing, he leapt toward Eirv, twisting mid-air as the wind blade barely grazed his chest, leaving a shallow cut. Valien's movements were fluid, a dance of precision as he ripped a piece of fabric from his shirt in mid-flight.

Azure, now too drained to send another attack, could only watch helplessly as Valien flew past him. In a blur of motion, Valien appeared behind him, the fabric already in hand. Before Azure could react, his vision went dark—the torn cloth wrapped tightly over his eyes, blinding him.

Azure panicked, his breaths coming in shallow gasps. "There, done," Valien said, his voice calm but commanding as he secured the blindfold.

"P-please let—" Azure began, but before he could finish, Valien delivered a swift, precise blow to the back of his head with the pommel of his hookblade.

Azure collapsed to the floor, unconscious before he hit the ground.