Inside one of Jerano's many establishments was a small chapel devoted to no religion but a sanctuary for those who wanted to feel at peace. The cold air sat between the rows of hardwood like a blanket for life's final station, covering a woman with white hair that held a book.

"And when you hear my name," her lips recited, "that will be the end of time, and the beginning of me, then tomorrow will never be," her eyes rested on the last line as someone appeared on the doors of the chapel. "I heard that you grew stronger again."

"You cannot believe whatever you hear," muttered the man as he walked over to sit beside her. "Are you reading His Faith?"

"As all humans should," she smiled and closed her book. "I never took you for a worshiper."

"I am here for a different kind of god," the man turned toward her. "I have a question for you."

"The Great Alexie Linan seeks my audience," she turned to face the blonde with an intrigued smile. "I am almost too used to annoy you, and not the other way around."

"I am honored to be annoyed by the Saint of Shon," slightly smiled Alexie Linan, and Rae could tell that there was something different about him. His aura has changed, and she can pick up on how powerful he has become. "Let us have a truce," he said when he noticed her gaze.

"A fight is the best method to start a truce," she grinned before rising to her feet. "I will answer any question you have if you defeat me."

"I am not here to fight, Rae," he frowned, but she did not stop and walked out of the chapel. "You are... as unreasonable as ever."

Alexie Linan followed after her calmly, and Rae stole a glance to make sure. His aura has indeed changed, and there was something about his body that seemed to demand obedience from the world, almost bending reality itself.

"Are you reconsidering?" he asked with a smile while meeting her gaze, and Rae found herself lost in the depth that his eyes carried. It might have been for a split moment, but she saw the shadow of His Eminence in the man before her.

"You are the one who demands answers," she scowled. "I am just demanding a reason to answer. You can leave if you are afraid," she said while marching her way toward the training chambers, knowing well that he would follow after her.

As the two walked into one of the arenas, the doors closed on her command, and Rae stepped on the platform. A light lit up above them before being followed by many until the arena was as bright as day.

"This arena has no recording devices, nor is there anyone watching," she said to reassure him because she knew that this man was hiding his strength from everyone.

A lion that does not use its claws is nothing more than a kitten, so Rae looked down on him for the times he did not stand for himself. However, she saw hope in changing him, and maybe she might bring him back to serve her Theocracy.

"I know that," he said while stepping on the arena. "I am relieved that no one will see the fall of the saint."

"You have a big mouth as always," she glared at him while turning around. "Are you ready to fight?"

"I am always ready," his confidence ticked her off, and Rae could feel the anger within her boil once again. It rose to the surface before she could hold it in, and her spirit armor appeared around her.

"Let me break that confidence," she bolted forward, her foot leaving a deep imprint on the arena. Rae noticed that he had yet to move a muscle after her wings fluttered to make her change directions at the last minute.

As she launched her attack, disappointment filled her heart. Rae attacked him from above with a kick to his head, but the man did not even try to dodge or block, simply standing there, unable to keep up.

Then, his eyes turned toward hers. Rae met the pair of green eyes, and she knew that something was coming. There was no panic, only absolute confidence, but she had no reason to retract her attack.

Her leg was inches away from striking his head when Rae blinked, and in that second that she did, the scenery changed. Runic sparks appeared around her as she found herself sitting inside the arena walls, her back leaving a dent on the hard metal.

Her eyes lost focus before trying to regain it, and Rae turned to look in front of her. The man was standing in his original spot, with the same pose, looking at her directly.

"You lost," he muttered without any gloating or pride. Instead, it was as if he was stating the obvious while strolling toward her. Rae looked down and found that she was unharmed thanks to her scarf, but her inability to understand how she was defeated felt worse than any pain.

"As per our agreement, you will answer any questions I have since I defeated you. Tell me if you disapprove."

"I...," her head blanked as she watched him crouch in front of her, not having the slightest fear that she would attack him.  "I accept my defeat," her mouth subconsciously answered.

"I am glad you honor our promises," he smiled. "I want to know something about a man. His name is Yuran, and he is..."

"Yuran...?" her eyes widened. "How did you learn of that name?" Rae frowned as she tried to stand, but neither her ability nor body listened to her. "That name is..."

"I met him over a year ago," Alexie said while offering her his hand. Rae stared at it before allowing him to help her stand. "I saved his life after he saved mine. But, then, I met him in the Trial of The Holy Crown."

"You are..." she stared at him with shock. "You cannot be a descendant of the seven families. I know all of them."

"And you cannot be a descendant yourself," he smiled while making her lean on his arm for support. "Let's have you seated," he offered and guided her toward the base of the arena, where he allowed her to sit.

"How do you know about the trial?" she asked with a frown. "All those who know of it are either from the seven families or killed by the seven families."

"I know a lot more than the seven families," he smiled while sitting in front of him. "I also know that your Shon Theocracy is not a part of them either. So, it makes me wonder why I met people with your appearance inside the trial."

"My appearance is quite common," she said with a frown. "There is no great secret behind it."

"It is the secret of the Shon Theocracy, a method to bestow monstrous strength on the descendants of Dragons," Alexie grinned while revealing it easily. "I know quite a lot, Rae. And I trust you enough to reveal that I know."

"Then you should know I can have you assassinated for knowing all of this," she glared at him. "Are you tired of living, Alexie?" she said with hidden concern.

Her attitude might not show it, but the man in front of her was more than just a rival. Alexie Linan proved himself worthy of being the closest she can have for a friend.

"I know that the Saint of Shon is not an ally of the seven families, and I am the same. I trust that when you find the truth, you will make the right choice."

"And what choice would that be?"

"All in due time, friend," he said with a grin. "You have yet to answer my question. I want to know everything about Yuran Evel, the magic gunman who seems unable to use any abilities.

"I will be killed if I reveal that," she shook her head. "Ask me another question."

Alexie's expression rapidly worsened until he was frowning. However, he did not try to push her for information but chose to ask her something more absurd.

"I want to leave Jerano, and I want you to follow me. Leave the Theocracy and work under me."

"...are you insane?" her eyes widened as she tried to attack him with her scarf, and the white light flashed toward him. Rae regretted her outburst when it happened, but her scarf passed through him without any harm.

"You cannot harm me," he said with a laugh. "I am far stronger than you can imagine. The common people might rule the Theocracy of Shon, but that does not mean it's a good place. I trust you, Rae. I want to build a place that does not need to experiment on people for power."

"Then, you already know," she gritted her teeth. "You don't know me enough, Alexie.. The moment you leave me alive, I will send an order to kill you."

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