In the end, there was only one way to purify the energy of an ability user. Letyom.

‘Rodic’s adopted daughter is Letyom.’

The moment Duke Gerwer saw Blake, he was convinced.

It wasn’t as clear as Liche, who was Letyom, but the accumulated energy of ability users shone in his aura.

‘I will take charge. This time for sure.’

Since the news that Duke Hébécman and Duke Rodic were inside the academy, he had been thinking.

Reveal that the adopted daughter is Letyom, stir up discord between them, and worsen the situation. Fortunately, the sky seemed to be helping him, as monsters attacked the academy.

The situation where ability users couldn’t concentrate on one person, offering the optimal chance to take over Letyom.

‘One chance remains.’

Duke Gerwer lightly touched the ring on his finger.

It was one of the ancient artifacts he collected. When the wearer receives a fatal attack, it absorbs the impact instead. One of the two rings was broken by Blake’s attack a while ago.

‘A star fragment… He would have lived his whole life without knowing if it wasn’t for him.’

His ancestor he met a few years ago while wandering through the slave market in search of Letyom.

He pointed out a few places where ancient artifacts were located. He said they were artifacts made with star fragments, not gems.

Pretending to be deceived, the artifact he found wasn’t like magic stones that allowed users to use magic through enchantment, but it had its own unique ability.

It provided an immediate response with powerful force. Duke Gerwer was instantly fascinated by the extraordinary item. Collecting ancient artifacts, he began searching for artifacts using star fragments.

It was possible because he had his ability and an artifact that took the place of the side effects.

‘Even if there’s a chance I’ll have to fight Rodic and Hébécman due to a mistake in numbers, I should be able to confront them.’

His body itched.

He wanted to quickly have them fight in front of him. Then, he could take advantage of the opportunity to go for Letyom.

“Liche is just my daughter.”

“That’s not what I’m asking!”

Meanwhile, the conversation between Blake and Duke Hébécman grew more intense. Duke Hébécman rose from the bed. It was the right time.

Duke Gerwer turned to open the door. At that moment, a strong light flashed behind him, filling the bedroom.

However, Duke Gerwer couldn’t even think about looking back at the bedroom.

“Ah.”

His faintly glowing golden necklace trembled.
Since the dream, I had always longed for it—the mysterious light was standing before me.

“My Letyom.”

My silver-haired Letyom was standing in the middle of the living room, looking at me.

Had it come to me? It was mine.

Duke Gerwer, overwhelmed with emotion, reached out towards Liche.

Crack.

At that moment, the ring on Duke Gerwer’s index finger broke, falling to the floor. Why did this happen?

“Is it Lordwick again!”

Disturbed once more, right when Letyom was in front of me!

For years, I couldn’t obtain Letyom due to Duke Lordwick’s schemes.

If it weren’t for him, I would have picked up Letyom in that filthy place three years ago. I would have washed, dressed, and fed Letyom.

I would have raised her in the mansion, grateful to me, and eventually, she would have been the only one left in the world of Letyom. Living solely as an existence to purify herself by my side.

‘I should have made it like that!’

How dare he create an unnecessary existence like family for my Letyom.

Trying to take my life twice!

The accumulated anger erupted all at once.

Duke Gerwer turned to look at Blake in the bedroom. However, as if someone was holding him, his legs wouldn’t move.

Crack.

It wasn’t a person. It was ice rising from the floor, freezing his body.

Like fire, the ice swiftly spread over Duke Gerwer’s body.

The moment Duke Gerwer realized that it was Hébécman’s ability, he was already trapped in ice all over his body.

“…”

Only then did Liche, who had been standing still, start to walk.

Apparently tense in front of Duke Gerwer, her palms were sweaty.

Everyone in the space with Liche collapsed a while ago when the light flashed in the bedroom.

Moving in that space were only Liche and…

“Are you okay, Liche?”

“Yeah. What about Ian? He’s your father.”

“…I’m okay too.”

Ian Dwayne with both eyes shining golden.

“He’s fine! That bastard has a trauma from a contractee like a rabbit!”

“He really seems like a pervert. Duke Gerwer.”

And two identical squirrels.

About twenty minutes before Duke Gerwer was frozen.

Liche emerged from the hidden building and headed towards the dormitory.

Pythonus was on her shoulder, and next to her, Hecanca, possessed by Ian, walked side by side.

Liche told Hecanca about the day Ian caught a cold in the lake.

“The nightmare Ian had, it was because of the necklace Duke Gerwer gave him.”

“The necklace Ian Dwayne is wearing now?”

“Yeah. It sealed Ian’s ability and caused nightmares. Oh, one was given by our dad. It’s said to have an effect of preventing nightmares.”

“Is that so?”

Looking at both necklaces indifferently, Hecanca picked one up and tore it off without much care.

It was the necklace given by Duke Gerwer.

“No, don’t!”

Seeing that, Liche screamed in despair, but the necklace had already been torn off and dangled from Hecanca’s hand.

In Liche’s mind, Ian’s figure narrating Blake’s words flashed.

“Lordwick mentioned that if you forcibly tear off the necklace, you might die.”

Despair colored Liche’s face.

At Hecanca’s casually lifted corner of the mouth, Liche shouted, “Hecanca!”