Sovereign of the Ashes

After dinner, Sein headed straight back to the upper floor of the divine tower to continue sorting out his spoils from the Viridian Venom Flame World and also make a study plan for Selina.

Though Sein and Selina were cousins, Sein frequently assumed the role of Selina’s mentor.

Consider the study plan, for instance. No one would normally extend such comprehensive support to a magic initiate.

Sein also allowed Selina to assist him in his experiment, just like how he once assisted in the alchemy projects of his first mentor, Master Morsidor.

Shortly after Sein began sorting through his items in the warehouse, Selina returned, having swiftly cleaned up after dinner.

Her appearance was different from earlier in the evening, marked by a change of clothes and a hint of makeup.

The sheer dress accentuated her figure, particularly noticeable when she bent down to assist Sein with his spoils.

Selina was considered to be in her prime age right now.

Failing to advance to Rank One would signify the twilight of her beauty, as the decade from thirty to forty would herald the onset of gradual aging.

Beyond the age of forty, despite any magical or alchemical enhancements, the aging process would inexorably continue.

Promotion to Rank One could arrest and even reverse this process, revitalizing the life essence and physical vitality of the mage.

The sooner one achieved this rank, the more pronounced the rejuvenation.

Conversely, for those who reach Rank One later in life, after centuries and relying heavily on potions and external aids, the restoration of youth is minimal.

This is primarily because their life essence would have suffered significant deterioration over time.

This phenomenon explained why some relatively young, two to three-hundred-year-old Rank One mages in the Magus World appear aged with gray hair.

As Sein observed Selina crouching before him, organizing the items, he unexpectedly felt a surge of warmth rising from below his abdomen.

Sein was typically a disciplined mage known for his self-restraint, yet he found himself caught off guard by the intensity of his desires, which seemed all the more potent due to his usual restraint.

Despite the physical reaction, Sein’s mind remained clear.

He deduced that Selina had likely chosen her attire deliberately, her actions seemingly calculated to provoke a response...

Sein also surmised that his uncharacteristically honest physical reaction might stem from a subconscious relaxation upon returning to the Magus World.

His bond with Eileen during the Viridian Venom Flame World war, for example, was largely a consequence of the stress of warfare.

Both of them were seeking mutual relief from the rigors of battle.

Under ordinary circumstances in the Magus World, their relationship might have never surpassed friendship.

However, his current reaction to Selina was driven by a relaxation of his defenses, allowing his desires to come to the forefront.

After over a decade of continuous battle and focus on his magic research and combat duties, Sein wondered, what harm was there in allowing himself some reprieve upon his return to the Magus World?

This reasoning was a natural reflection of the psyche of a sentient being with flesh and blood.

Despite his powerful self-restraint, Sein felt an overwhelming surge of desire toward Selina, especially as she was deliberately enticing him.

Unable to resist, Sein closed the distance between them.

His approach from behind noticeably affected her. Her cheeks turned redder, feeling the heat from his body.

Sein had correctly surmised that Selina had approached him of her own volition.

This moment was the culmination of years of contemplation for Selina, alone in the solitude of the divine tower, especially after spending her thirtieth birthday in solitude.

She had resolved to offer herself to Sein without further delay.

“You... don’t really have to do this,” Sein murmured, his voice laden with restraint. Despite the temptation before him, he endeavored to control his desires.

Tears traced a path down Selina’s cheeks as she confessed her fears to Sein.

“I’m afraid I’ll never have another chance to offer this to you, and I worry that as I age, I’ll only disappoint you, Sein,” she admitted, her shoulders shaking slightly with the weight of her emotions.

Sein, though less attuned to the complexities of a woman’s heart, responded with a comforting embrace, offering Selina the warmth and security she sought.

Within his arms, Selina found the courage to face him. She had envisioned this scenario for over a decade.

The tears she shed were not solely from sorrow but were also laced with relief and a measure of joy.

Selina’s apprehensions were understandable. She feared her inability to ascend to Rank One, especially after encountering a growth plateau in recent years.

The visible signs of aging were a concern uniquely pronounced among female mages in the Magus World.

Unlike their male counterparts, female mages were often extra attentive to their appearance, and Sein had noticed that none of the female mages he had encountered over the years could be considered unattractive.

Even those whose looks did not align with Sein’s preferences maintained a youthful and pleasant appearance.

There were also female mages who had the appearance of elderly women. They had probably lived for extensive periods and placed less importance on their physical appearance.

Selina’s tears laid bare her vulnerabilities, a contrast to the composed demeanor Sein typically observed in himself and the other women in his life, such as Eileen or Selphy, who all exhibited a mental fortitude that Selina seemed to lack.

Yet, Selina was not just anyone to Sein; she was his cousin, a constant presence throughout his life, and their shared history had cultivated a deep emotional connection.

It was this bond, honed over years and tinged with the sadness of parting, that stirred Sein’s usually stoic heart.

Selina lifted her head and gazed into Sein’s eyes timidly.

“Sein, will you accept me, please?” she pleaded.

She revealed her deepest desire to present her best self to Sein while she still could, hoping to leave no room for regret in the future.

Confronted with Selina’s earnest gaze, filled with a fear of rejection, Sein sighed and nodded.

In that moment, Selina’s smile blossomed, revealing two dimples on her cheeks. Her radiant expression reminded Sein of flowers unfurling in the spring.