Chapter 14: Dresses of Celebration and Shadows of Memory
Ren woke slowly. His heavy eyelids lifted to find a familiar face… one staring at him from very close.
Cecilia.
She sat at the edge of his bed, her usual cold expression betraying nothing. But in her violet-tinged black eyes, there was a strange gleam — a mix of curiosity and possession.
"You're awake," she said in a flat tone. "Today is my birthday."
Ren blinked slowly, shocked that someone had entered his room without him noticing. "How did you get in?"
She raised an eyebrow. "I didn't lock the door."
He wanted to respond, but Cecilia continued, "Wear something fitting for a day like this. We'll be appearing together… we must look perfect."
She pulled out a piece of black velvet cloth. "This is your outfit. It matches my dress."
Ren didn't say a word. That girl… she always knew how to get her way without asking.
**
Minutes later, a Kraymora servant knocked respectfully on the door:
"Young master, breakfast is ready."
**
In the grand dining hall, the long table was full. Malphus sat beside Galen, while Mariana, Galen's wife and Cecilia's mother, sat beside Liana. Ren took his seat… but before he could touch anything, Cecilia had already placed food on his plate.
Galen's eyes said it all. He remained silent, but the jealousy burning in his gaze was unmistakable.
**
By evening, the castle of Kraymora shimmered with preparations. Chandeliers blazed, silky drapes lined the walls, and musicians played soft melodies in the corners.
All eyes awaited the guests of honor.
Then, Cecilia entered…
She wore a deep black-violet dress, crafted from silky fabric that shimmered with every step, adorned with tiny dark gemstones that glimmered like stars. The design hugged her slender figure elegantly, and a necklace of black jade rested around her neck. Her long dark hair flowed behind her like a shadow.
Ren matched her perfectly — a black suit tailored with precision, lined with silver threads. His inner shirt was a dark gray, with a high collar that gave him a noble yet ominous appearance. The mana sleeping beneath his skin gave off an aura both alluring and deadly.
They looked like they had stepped out of a painting… death and blood in perfect harmony.
**
Then the grand hall's doors opened, and Kailon Valcondra — the Crown Prince — entered.
Golden hair gleamed under the lights, and icy blue eyes scanned the room with royal indifference. At his side was Elara Lumiura, with long blonde hair and emerald green eyes.
The saint of healing. His fiancée.
In that moment… Ren froze in place.
He didn't see them as guests.
He saw them as the beginning of the end.
Everything came rushing back:
The explosion inside the academy.
The screams of students.
The scent of ash and blood.
That moment when the original Ren lost control… when Death Mana exploded from his body, killing 70% of the students and dissolving half the instructors.
Kailon — that golden-haired boy — was the one who fought him in the final battle.
Ren saw the image of Kailon drenched in blood, missing one arm, and one eye… screaming:
"Ren wasn't human! He was a disaster walking on two legs!"
He remembered how Ren died in the novel…
Not as a hero.
Not even as a villain.
But as a calamity erased from history.
And even at the end of the story, years later, despite Elara's best efforts, she couldn't restore his hand… nor his eye.
The scar remained… and so did the memory.
"Hah…" Ren muttered to himself, eyes glowing sharply.
But this time… everything will be different.