Serene froze for a split second, her expression twisting ever so slightly as the meaning behind Knox's words sank in.
Serene: (╬ಠ_ಠ)
Knox: ＜(￣︶￣)＞
"…You really need to stop reading weird novels," Serene said flatly.
"Hm~?" Knox tilted his head innocently. "What novel? Why are you saying that like you know exactly what I'm talking about?" His smile widened. "Don't tell me, you—"
Before Knox could finish his threat—ahem, before he could finish his sentence—Serene cut him off sharply.
"What novel?" she snapped. "Stop talking about weird and completely irrelevant things!"
Knox blinked once.
Then laughed softly. "Hehe."
Watching that carefree reaction, Serene felt a sharp throb form at her temple. She pressed her fingers lightly against her forehead, took a slow breath in… then out… before fixing her gaze back on him.
"I'll ask you again," she said, voice steady but serious.
"How do you know? What exactly do you know?"
Knox leaned back in his chair, resting his chin on his hand as if genuinely pondering the question.
"Which one?" he asked casually.
"Are you talking about why you 'stole' Meilyn's position as the successor of the Ivory Tower?" His eyes curved into a smile—one that was far too sharp to be harmless.
"Or…are you talking about the Tower of Time?"
The world seemed to stop.
Serene felt the blood drain from her face, her mind and heart freezing at the same time. She stood up immediately, chair scraping softly against the ground as her eyes darted around the area, checking her surroundings as if afraid someone—anyone—might have overheard those words.
"YOU!…Lower your voice," she hissed.
Her gaze snapped back to Knox.
For the first time since the match ended, there was no trace of composure left on her face.
"Hehe~ looks like you're really panicking," Knox said lightly. "To think that Serene Aidark wouldn't notice that I already covered this place with an illusion barrier~"
Only then did Serene realize it.
The air around them felt… wrong.
A faint distortion wrapped the space like a thin veil—so subtle that even focusing all of her mana would barely reveal it.
She let out a long sigh.
"…Alright. I lost. Completely," Serene admitted. "Today, I wasn't just defeated by a ridiculous margin—I was teased over and over, and to make things worse, you even dug up my biggest secrets." She rubbed her temple. "Sigh… fine. Knox Aznable. Say it. What do you want?"
Knox nodded, his expression calm. "As expected of you. I won't beat around the bush." He leaned forward slightly. "Serene Aidark, let's make a contract—well, a deal."
Serene felt her breath catch.
Somehow, she knew it.
This moment—right here—felt like a turning point in her life.
"…What kind of deal?" she asked, her face serious.
"It's simple," Knox replied. "You only need to keep one thing secret—the fact that Simon entered the Seventh Legion's ruins." He shrugged. "I don't care how you do it."
Serene frowned slightly. "And in return?" she asked.
Knox's tone sharpened. "When the Ivory Tower—or your adoptive father—sets their sights on Meilyn, I'll protect her."
"—!"
Serene stiffened. That was… arrogant.
She steadied herself before replying.
"That's a bold claim. I know you're strong, but you're talking as if you can stand against my adoptive father—and the Ivory Tower itself."
Knox chuckled inwardly.
Looks like I'll have to reveal a card or two.
"Don't worry," he said aloud. "Do I look like someone who barks without biting?" His smile turned confident. "I can't give you details, but I can tell you this—I can convince Nefthis to help."
Serene's eyes widened.
"And on top of that," Knox continued casually, "I'll also provide you with a very strong supporter."
"…What did you just say?" Serene asked, genuinely stunned.
Considering how close he is to Nefthis… and her troublesome daughter… it's not impossible, she thought.
Putting that aside, she narrowed her eyes.
"And this 'supporter'—how strong are we talking?"
Knox leaned closer, his voice dropping. "Legion Commander level."
"…WHAT?!" Serene shot to her feet. "Don't joke around!"
Knox raised an eyebrow. "Do I look like I'm joking?"
She stared at him, searching his face.
"…Are you sure?" she asked.
"One hundred percent," Knox replied calmly. "I can promise you that."
Serene fell silent.
This is too sudden…
With Nefthis and a Legion Commander backing me, it really could work… but—
Then Meilyn's face surfaced in her mind.
The girl who pulled her out of the abyss.
Her first friend.
Her sister.
Her most precious person.
Serene lifted her head.
"…Your offer," she said firmly, "I accept it. But you should know—if this fails, the consequences will be enormous. Not just for Meilyn. Kizen might—"
"I know," Knox interrupted, his voice serious. "And I won't let either Meilyn or Kizen come to harm."
He extended his right hand.
"Then… shall we call it a deal~?"
Serene looked at his hand for a moment, then smiled faintly. "…A pleasure doing business with you~."
Their hands met.
His grip was warm—unexpectedly so—like a quiet reassurance, easing something dark and heavy in her chest.
Just as she was about to notice it—
"Those who break their contracts," Knox said solemnly, "shall suffer the wrath of the rock."
"…."
Serene blinked. "…What kind of terrifying thing did you just say?"
Knox laughed sheepishly. "Hehe—sorry. I've wanted to say that for a long time."
"You just ruined the mood," Serene said flatly.
"Tsk," Knox clicked his tongue. "You're no fun~ At this rate, no matter how foxy you are, even Aha wouldn't spare you a glance."
Serene tilted her head slightly. "…Aha? Who's that?"
"Hehe. Nothing," Knox replied casually.
Before she could press him further, Knox's gaze drifted toward the ruins in the distance.
"Oh~ looks like Simon finally did it."
Serene followed his line of sight.
At first, nothing seemed different—but when she focused, she felt it. The aura surrounding the ruins had shifted, subtle yet unmistakable, like something long dormant had finally stirred.
Her expression turned solemn.
"…So it begins," Serene murmured.
She closed her eyes briefly.
"With this, the Legion of Betrayal has risen once more."
————————————
Character Voicelines · Serene: About Knox: Part 2
Serene: I take it back. He's not just a bit annoying… he's really annoying. (≖︿≖*)