The intermediate spell—
Abyssal Calamity—surged forward, completely uncontrollable.
A massive sphere of distorted fire and darkness tore through the air, warping everything around it.
Without hesitation—
Kael moved.
Cold-blooded and resolute, he activated Boost Magic, his body blurring as he stepped directly in front of the spell.
"Barrier—!"
A glowing shield of magic formed before him.
But the spell was far too powerful.
Crack.
The barrier shattered like glass.
The princesses watched in horror as the enormous fireball tore through Kael's defense and struck him head-on.
"KAEL!"
Princess Elowen screamed.
Kael tried to deflect it with his sword, but the sheer force overwhelmed him. His body was thrown backward, smashing into the stone wall behind him with a thunderous impact.
Dust filled the air.
Princess Elowen and Princess Seraphina ran toward him without thinking, Hat instantly following—his guard raised, instincts sharp even in human form.
Kael staggered to his feet, coughing violently. Blood spilled from the corner of his mouth, which he wiped away with the back of his hand.
"Why… are you here?" Kael said, his voice strained. "Hat, I told you to stay at the mansion."
Princess Elowen's eyes trembled with guilt.
"Kael… it's our fault," she said softly.
"We thought we could help you—but we only caused you trouble."
Princess Seraphina stepped forward, her eyes burning with determination. She raised her hand and cast a dark spell.
"Shadow Severance!"
Dark blades shot toward the mage—
But the dragon roared, unleashing a wall of fire that swallowed the spell whole.
"It didn't work…" Seraphina whispered.
"Elowen," Kael said, breathing heavily, "stay back."
"No," Princess Elowen said firmly. "Stay here. I'll heal you."
Neither of them realized—
Kael wasn't seriously injured.
The spell hadn't truly harmed him.
But Kael said nothing.
He watched silently as Princess Elowen tried desperately to heal him, her Light Magic glowing weakly against wounds that didn't exist.
Her magic wasn't strong enough.
Princess Seraphina continued attacking, but every spell was deflected effortlessly by the mage.
Kael's eyes softened.
They're trying to protect me…
So this is how it feels.
Kael whispered to himself,
"Perhaps… it's time to see how far they'll go."
"Hat," Kael said quietly, "don't lower your guard."
Hat nodded instantly.
Kael gently took Princess Elowen's hand.
"Seraphina," he said calmly, "come closer."
Hat raised his barrier around them.
Princess Seraphina stepped in.
Suddenly—
Kael pulled both princesses close and wrapped his arms around them.
Both froze.
"W–What are you doing, Kael?!" Seraphina shouted, her face burning red.
Princess Elowen's heart raced as she felt his warmth.
Kael smiled faintly.
"Thank you," he said softly.
"For caring about me."
Their faces turned crimson.
"But now," Kael continued, stepping forward, "it's my turn."
"Stay back."
Kael raised his hand.
"High Heal – Light Restoration."
A brilliant golden light exploded outward, washing over the area.
Princess Elowen gasped.
"This… this level of Light Magic—!"
Hat smiled proudly.
"My master can do anything."
Kael turned toward the mage, his eyes cold.
"I'm here," he said.
"As long as I stand, you won't harm them."
The princesses stared at him, their eyes shining.
"Now," Kael said calmly, "my turn."
Dark mana surged.
"Intermediate Dark Magic — Black Moon Singularity."
Above them, under the moonlight, a massive black hole formed, devouring broken stone, debris, and magic itself.
Hat instantly expanded his barrier to protect the princesses.
Princess Seraphina trembled.
"First Light Magic… now Dark Magic… How is this possible?"
The mage grabbed the balcony railing in terror.
The dragon roared as the crushing pressure dragged it toward the void.
With a final scream—
The dragon was torn apart.
Its back half vanished into the black hole.
The front crashed into the castle gardens below.
Kael snapped his fingers.
The magic stopped.
The mage collapsed to his knees, barely conscious.
Kael rushed forward and struck him with the hilt of his sword.
The mage's staff shattered.
He fell.
"It's over," Kael said coldly.
"Accept your defeat."
The mage laughed weakly.
"You defeated me… but how will you protect the capital? Monsters are already attacking—"
Kael slammed the sword against his head.
The mage collapsed unconscious.
"Earth Magic — Stone Bind."
Stone rose from the ground, binding the mage completely.
Hat lowered his barrier.
The princesses rushed to Kael and hugged him tightly.
"Are you okay?!" Elowen cried.
"You're not hurt, right?!"
Kael froze.
His face turned red.
"I–I'm fine," he said nervously. "Are you two okay?"
"We're fine," they answered together.
Kael raised his hand once more.
"High Heal."
Golden light enveloped the princesses, healing their minor wounds and cleaning their dresses.
Princess Seraphina looked at him seriously.
"Kael… how can you use both Light and Dark Magic? And these rings—when I cast magic, I felt something flowing through me."
Elowen nodded.
"Please tell us."
Kael smiled.
"I will. But first—I must help the knights."
He turned to Hat.
"Protect them. And… you look good in this form."
Hat blinked.
"You recognized me?"
Kael smirked.
"I'm going now. Take them to the castle. My brother is there—they'll be safe."
"Yes, Master," Hat said, bowing.
Kael activated magic once more.
"Wind Magic — Sky Ascension."
He rose into the air, flying toward the capital gates.
"Kael!"
"Take care of yourself!"
The princesses waved.
Hat turned to them.
"Princesses, let us go inside."
Princess Seraphina whispered softly,
"Kael is… amazing."
Elowen smiled faintly.
"He can even fly…"
Is Kael able to protect the capital?
Or will destiny finally turn against him?
The answer awaits beyond the burning gates…