Rio stepped out of the bath, his thoughts swirling between confusion and clarity. As he reached for his towel, Ana approached quietly, her steps light.
"Let me help, young master," Ana said softly, taking the towel from his hands.
He froze. Her fingers brushed his skin as she began drying his back, the closeness stirring emotions neither of them had spoken of before.
"Ana… you've been distant," he muttered.
"I've only been patient." Her voice was trembling, not from fear—but from restrained desire. "I've served you faithfully for years, Rio. But lately… I've seen you change. Grow stronger. Brighter."
She wrapped her arms gently around him from behind. "You don't even see it, do you? How far you've come?"
He turned to face her. For a brief moment, their faces were inches apart. The air was charged—electric. But just as he leaned forward, an overwhelming surge of power flooded his senses.
---
[D.M. Voice – Whisper of the Divine Mind]
[D.M. Voice: This... this is your species' greatest weakness. Desires unchecked leads to ruin. It's time I show you something real...]
In an instant, Rio's vision blurred. Then—
A cosmic vision unfolded: celestial bodies exploding and reforming, titans the size of galaxies weaving the fabric of reality with bare hands. Rio stood—no, hovered—in awe. The sheer scale of power he witnessed dwarfed even the strongest Tier-7s. It was raw. Primal. Infinite.
---
Back at the edge of bathroom, his breathing steadied. He gently moved Ana's hands away and turned to face her.
"Ana… I can't."
She looked down, quickly adjusting her clothes, a blush of shame crossing her cheeks. "Forgive me, young master. I overstepped—"
"No," he interrupted softly. "You didn't. You were honest. But I can't go further. Not yet. Not when I don't even understand the path I'm walking."
Ana gave a nod, composed yet clearly hurt. "As you wish. I'll... I'll go clean your room."
"Ana." He paused. "Don't ever think I see you as just a maid. You're more than that. Just… not the one I'm searching for."
With that, she bowed quietly and left.
---
At hall,
Rio adjusted his collar as he entered the grand hall, where Erame immediately spotted him.
"Ah, the young breeder returns!" Erame teased with a dramatic bow. "Thought you'd be late after... your morning exercise."
Theo crossed his arms, sneering. "Disgracing our name again? Or just using it to seduce staff now?"
(They eavesdropping on me or any gadget placed in my room for that !)
Rio's glare darkened. "Say one more word, Theo. I dare you."
Theo smirked, stepping closer. "Or what? You'll cry into your maid's lap again?"
Before either could explode, a new voice cut through the tension.
"Enough." Xanthia stepped forward, arms folded. "You're supposed to be brothers. Two wings of the same sky. Grow up! "
Even Erame stopped smiling. "Lady Xanthia… always the voice of reason."
"I don't normally speak up, but something tells me Rio's not what he appears," Xanthia muttered to herself, her golden eyes narrowing. "He's hiding something."
Rio didn't respond. He just tightened the gloves on his hands. "Let's go."
---
[MaxxField Battle Arena – Practice Matches Begin]
A booming voice echoed across the arena.
Master Jordan: "Welcome, elite cadets! Today's friendly duels are your last warm-up before selection week. You may challenge any present warrior—but remember, this is not war. Keep it clean."
The arena screen flashed.
[MATCH 1: Xanthia(Light element and field-controlling ) Vs Soldrak Luke (TIER-2. – Fire Dragon's Fist)]
A ripple of interest ran through the crowd. Soldrak—prince of Luke Kingdom, fire elemental, known for his brutal close-range tactics. And Xanthia—her powers mostly a mystery, but her presence enough to silence whole rooms.
"Ladies first," Soldrak smirked, cracking his knuckles as flaming gauntlets wrapped his arms.
Xanthia unsheathed her short blade, pistol hanging calmly at her hip. "Try not to burn yourself."
[1... 2... 3... FIGHT!]
The arena erupted with cheers as the two lunged toward each other.