Sovereign of the Ashes

Sein’s room was usually kept closed, but not locked because Selina would occasionally come inside to clean his room.

The person who entered his room was none other than Selina.

She was not in her usual modest attire. Her long hair cascaded over her shoulders, and she wore a white and green low-cut dress.

It was Sein’s first time seeing her in this look.

It seemed that today held special significance for her, and she wanted to present her best self to Sein.

As Selina approached Sein’s bed, her cheeks visibly flushed a deeper shade of scarlet. This was likely the first time she had acted so assertively.

Selina had to be bold. Any hesitancy on her part could mean losing a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, leading to a lifetime of regret.

When Selina finally reached Sein, Sein’s exceptional night vision and the mental focus of a Rank One mage allowed him to perceive the scene clearly, even though the room was dimly lit.

Shedding her earlier shyness, Selina stood before Sein with confidence and determination.

It was evident she had prepared herself mentally for this moment, leaving the next move to Sein

“Sein...” Selina’s voice, soft and gentle, floated through the air.

Sein, who had engaged in countless conversations with her before, was taken aback by the gentleness in her voice.

Although she had addressed him by name countless times before, her voice seemed to stir up some long dormant emotions within him this time.

Nevertheless, Sein’s judgment remained unswayed.

His self-control was intact, and he recognized that Selina was unlike any other woman he had encountered.

While her experiences might not mirror the hardships faced by Sein and Leena, her bond with Sein was akin to the closeness he shared with Faye, though different in nature.

Over the years they lived under the same roof, Selina had assisted him with household chores and experiments.

On top of that, their kinship set her apart in Sein’s heart, differentiating her from others like Mary, the intermediate initiate with whom he had a fleeting encounter, or the female knight Scarlet, who left a lasting impression.

Selina was not just some woman Sein could sleep with and forget about.

If Sein were to take a step further with her, it would symbolize a commitment to a deeper responsibility.

Although Sein shared some of the traits of a black magic initiate, he maintained a firm moral boundary.

He could not entertain the thought of “fooling around” with Selina.

Driven by a sense of responsibility, he refrained from casual physical intimacy with her. It was not just for his own sake but also Selina’s.

In the quiet of the room, Sein sighed audibly.

Sitting up from his bed, he faced Selina, who was standing in front of him.

“You don’t really need to do this...” he said.

His words immediately shattered the confidence and determination Selina had mustered.

Selina’s beautiful face was etched with anxiety and fear. In a voice barely above a whisper, she asked, “Sein, you don’t like me?”

In response to Selina’s question, Sein gently shook his head, a gesture that reignited a faint hope within her.

Without allowing a pause for her to process her thoughts, Sein continued, “Life is short for ordinary humans, and even for magic initiates. It barely extends beyond a hundred years. Only upon becoming a full-fledged mage, with a lifespan stretching beyond a thousand years, that one truly begin to explore the depths of truth.”

“Life is fleeting, but truth is eternal. As for me, my focus remains on this eternal path of truth, rather than the fleeting pleasures of a few decades,” Sein explained.

Sein’s profound and lofty words seemed to perplex Selina, who was seated on the edge of the bed.

“But what does that have to do with us? I’m willing to...” she began, her voice filled with determination.

Before she could continue, Sein gently placed a finger over her lips, a gesture of intimacy that was new to her. Selina’s cheeks flushed as she felt her body go limp.

Sein had always regarded Selina highly. Her gentle nature, diligence, and beauty, coupled with her ability to manage both household chores and assist in the laboratory, made her an ideal partner in many respects.

Sein recognized all these qualities, but his perspective went beyond the immediate allure of companionship.

To both encourage and motivate Selina, Sein sat beside her on the bed and placed his hand on her bare shoulder.

“I don’t dislike you, but I believe you’re making a hasty decision and possibly being impulsive. In the future, you might meet someone even better suited for you. And remember, I’ll be away from the Magus World for about thirty years...”

Before Sein could finish speaking, Selina interrupted him with fervor, “I’ve already thought it through! I’m willing to stay in the Divine Tower of Verdant Spring and wait thirty years for you!”

Sein shook his head and smiled wryly before finally opening up about his deepest thoughts.

“Focus on promoting to a full-fledged mage. Once you achieve that, we’ll continue this conversation. Until then, I encourage you to devote your energy and mind to your studies and truth explorations.

“The lifespans of ordinary humans and magic initiates are too brief. If you truly wish to be with me, becoming a full-fledged mage is imperative. Otherwise, a relationship that spans just a few decades will eventually leave us with lasting sorrow on our path of truth.”

Sein’s honest words finally helped Selina to understand his thoughts.

In that moment, realization dawned on her. If she committed to Sein now and waited for his return from the war thirty years later, he would still be youthful, while she, without becoming a full-fledged mage, would have aged considerably.

If this were the case, Selina would rather not see Sein again. She wanted to preserve her most youthful and beautiful appearance in Sein’s heart forever.

Filled with a newfound determination to delve into the mysteries of truth, Selina gripped Sein’s hand tightly and asked earnestly, “You’ll wait for me, won’t you, Sein?”

“I’ll certainly become a full-fledged mage. I won’t let you down!” she declared with conviction.

“I’ll wait for that day to come. If your feelings remain unchanged after becoming a full-fledged mage status, I’ll reciprocate your affections. For now, it’s still too soon,” Sein said.