When Levi heard the four words "Blessing of Water," he finally reacted,
"You did it on purpose to provoke me."
When he saw his daughter being held by Viktor, he could not control his emotions.
The silent water magic that he had kept as his trump card was directly exposed under his anger, allowing Viktor to see it clearly.
"The power of calamity has many forms of expression. This is one of them."
Viktor spoke as he did so. The scorching flames beside him instantly surged upward, turning into a crimson seed waiting to bloom.
This fire magic did not even require the construction of a magic circle. With the movement of Viktor's will, it was released.
"Even faster than magic that doesn't need drawn formations."
Gorgeous flames bloomed, forming a massive blazing flower that exploded violently.
Intense heat waves completely swept through the space, and the scene in front of Levi even bent slightly under the high temperature.
Scorching heat covered everything, accompanied by dazzling light shooting into the sky, almost breaking through the deep purple glow.
Viktor calmly watched all of this, hands in his pockets.
Very soon, the fierce flames rapidly dispersed.
Only after everything around returned to calm did he continue speaking, "As expected, I still prefer using fire magic."
Levi let out a breath and asked the man who looked rather relaxed in front of him, "So then, why do you need Erica… exactly?"
"Why do you think?"
Viktor answered indifferently.
Every time a calamity is reborn, Erica's body unconsciously gains the power of the calamity.
It is as if, when a calamity revives naturally, that power must pass through her body and leave some traces behind.
And these traces created Erica's special constitution.
"This is something even you didn't know, right." Viktor said lightly.
Levi fell silent.
He knew exactly what Viktor was talking about.
When the Calamity of Wood revived, Erica's body was covered in fresh flowers.
That was the natural energy manifested on Erica when the Calamity of Wood revived.
But at that time, Levi truly did not know what had happened.
After all, who would think in that direction when someone revived a calamity and then beat it down hard?
Not to mention, was a calamity really something an ordinary person could defeat?
So it was completely normal for Levi to know nothing about the abnormal signs on Erica's body.
It was only later that Levi learned about this from a friend in the Mage Council.
The reason Viktor could become a council member was because he had sealed a monster that appeared in the deepest level of Endymion all by himself.
Looking at the timing, Viktor had just become a council member back then.
So Levi knew that person could only be Viktor.
He recalled the scene of the volcanic eruption at that time.
And then he understood what kind of existence Viktor had been fighting against.
A calamity.
Thinking of this, Levi slowly spoke, "So from the very beginning, you had your eyes on Erica."
"Is that right?"
Only then did Levi understand. From the very start, from the moment Viktor confessed to his daughter, he had already been setting up the entire chessboard.
Viktor fell silent for a moment, then replied, "Maybe."
Hearing Viktor's words, Levi let out a soft laugh, "As expected of the genius of the Clavenna family."
"Sure enough, a genius wouldn't fall so easily."
He believed he had understood everything.
Viktor had been hiding his true strength, making others ignore his abilities.
He had been carefully arranging everything, and this chessboard required a perfect piece.
That piece was Erica.
Viktor hid himself completely, waiting only for Erica to appear.
Perhaps, because of Erica's special nature, she could fulfill his goal.
Levi felt a wave of regret.
Was it because of him that his daughter was exposed?
Maybe not.
At this moment, Viktor's gaze became serious again as he looked at Levi, "Now, it's time for us to talk about serious matters, Duke."
The duke looked at Viktor and nodded, "Of course."
"I've also wanted to have a talk with you for a long time."
———
Erica gave up struggling in Viktor's arms.
This was not because she did not want to break free, but because she simply could not move.
Behind her was her strict father. She did not want him to see her in such an awkward state.
However, after giving up struggling, she could not help but secretly lift her head and sneak a look at Viktor.
Professor… so handsome.
Looking at Viktor from such a close distance, Erica felt that he seemed even more handsome.
She could not quite tell what kind of feeling this was. Perhaps admiration, or perhaps gratitude.
When she thought about how the professor had saved her twice from the Calamity of Wind and the Calamity of Fire, Viktor's cold and handsome figure lingered in her mind, impossible to shake off.
After a moment of silence, Levi's calm voice suddenly sounded, "Erica."
Hearing her father call her name, Erica suddenly snapped out of her thoughts.
She quickly twisted her body and broke free from Viktor's embrace, and this time, she succeeded.
Erica pushed Viktor's arms away and glanced at him.
Then she bowed to him with a hint of apology before quickly returning to Levi's side.
Levi stretched out one hand and protected Erica behind him, then raised his head and looked at Viktor, "Next time, I don't want something this absurd to happen again."
"Let's go, Erica."
Erica lowered her head and followed behind Levi, slowly leaving.
When she passed by Viktor, as if recalling the scene of him holding her just now, her face turned red.
She did not even dare to look up at him.
Under everyone's gaze, Levi led Erica away from the place.
Those gazes then returned to Viktor.
At some point, Viktor had already put his hands back into his pockets, completely unconcerned with the attention around him.
The crowd seemed to understand something and quickly lowered their heads, each busy with their own matters.
Professors and lecturers continued scoring the students in the assessment, and parents hurried to watch their children's performances through the star-like bubbles in the sky.
Reporters holding magic stones busily clutched them, trying to delete the footage they had just accidentally recorded.
At this moment, a hoarse crow's voice sounded softly by Viktor's ear, "So, did he confess?"
Viktor replied expressionlessly, "We talked about some interesting things."
Hearing Viktor's words, Vega let out a giggle.
"So that Levi guy, hmm… what exactly does he want to do?"
Viktor did not answer immediately.
He raised his head and looked at the chaotic nebulae swirling together in the sky, much like the thoughts in his mind.
"At the very least, his devotion makes me respect him."
———
Levi led Erica out of the academy.
The two boarded the carriage in silence, one after the other.
Sitting in the carriage, Erica felt a little scared.
She was afraid that she had made her father angry.
After all, the situation now was completely different from the past.
Her father seemed to dislike Viktor very much.
Last time, at her birthday, Viktor had confessed to her.
To be honest, Erica had not felt much at the time.
Over the years, she had long been used to being confessed to.
But her father had flown into a rage because of it.
So Erica was very afraid that her father would get angry over this again.
But the anger she expected did not appear.
After getting into the carriage, Levi did not show any emotion.
Instead, he reached out and pulled all the curtains closed, blocking out the bright light outside.
Then he said solemnly to Erica, "Erica, if I were to ask you to leave this country, but allow you to choose one person to always protect you, who would you choose?"
"You don't need to worry about me. Tell me your truest thoughts."
Erica's face flushed slightly, "I…"
For a moment, she thought of Viktor's tall and reliable figure.
He was powerful and quiet, his eyes often carrying a cold and proud look.
All of that made Erica feel incredibly safe.
She did not understand why her father was asking her this.
But she stayed clear-headed, lifted her head, and looked at Levi, "I choose myself."
Levi was slightly stunned. Before he could ask further, he heard Erica continue, "Father, if even you can no longer protect me,"
"who else could I rely on?"
Levi looked at Erica, his breathing almost stopping.
As if relieved, he leaned back into his seat, covered his forehead, and laughed a few times.
'Do you see that…'
'This is our child.'
'She has grown up.'
Levi took a deep breath, crossed his hands on his legs, and leaned forward slightly.
"My child, I understand. At that moment, you must have considered someone."
"But in the end, you still chose this answer."
Levi's gaze softened as he looked at Erica, "Only you are my one and only treasure."
Then he straightened his body and said solemnly to Erica, "Dad will no longer stop you. You can pursue everything you want."
"Including Viktor."
'Huh???'
Hearing Levi's words, Erica froze completely. She quickly shut her eyes, flailing in panic, "Fa-fa-father! What are you saying!!!!!!!"
Levi looked at the flustered Erica and said calmly, "Tonight, I will invite Viktor to our home as a guest."
"By then, you will understand."
As his words fell, Levi thought of the agreement between himself and Viktor.
He had long lost hope, unwilling even to imagine.
But now, the opportunity had never been so strongly placed before him.
Levi spread his palm. A cluster of blue magic gradually gathered in his hand, forming a floating, transparent water orb that drew in moisture from all directions.
He lowered his head and stared at the clear, rolling magic in his hand, momentarily lost in thought.
'I will bring you back.'
'No matter what.'