Edward knew William could never be placed among ordinary mages. An unconventional awakening could explain the overwhelming strength he displayed, at least on the surface.

But not once did he consider the true reason behind it. The source of that dominance on every battlefield, the force that gave him such reach, was tied to something far more ominous.

"You… are a Devil," the older man said, stepping forward.

His muscles were still taut. Blood from the corrupted human stained his clothes, with a few splashes marking his face.

Everything about him warned others to stay away. He had seen enough to remain calm and composed, just as always.

Yet the being before him did not so much as flinch. His lips held a lazy smile as he stepped forward and wrapped an arm around his beloved's waist.

"It's okay, love. I've got this," William whispered.

A second later, the sword slipped from her hand and hit the ground with a clang.

She exhaled softly, then turned and hugged him, her body melting into his, eyes closing as peace finally settled over her.

"What are you going to do now?" William asked. There was not a trace of hesitation or tension in his voice, even as he faced experienced, unrestrained instructors.

Edward narrowed his eyes. "You saved our lives and protected student Emma. For that, we won't act against you for now."

"Headmaster?"

"Huh?"

"Thank go—"

The instructors looked at each other, some baffled, some relieved. After everything they had faced, none of them wanted to oppose someone who had just brought down a General-ranked opponent.

Edward did not move. His stance remained firm.

"You can leave. No one will stop you or question you. But now that we've seen your true nature, the next time we meet… make no mistake, I won't hesitate."

William chuckled.

As he had always thought, this world blindly branded anything touched by Nyx as evil. Still, he didn't react. Not like his opinion mattered.

The only opinion that mattered was currently pressed against him, rubbing her face into his chest like a content little kitten.

God, she was adorable.

"Student Emma…" a lady called out from the crowd. "Please… just don't let your feelings blind you."

Emma frowned.

But the woman continued, "The path you are choosing will only bring pain and tears. You will be scorned by the world and live under the constant fear of losing what you treasure most."

William's brows drew together at those words. He could feel Emma waver, just slightly. But before he could speak, she suddenly turned.

Silver hair shifted as she faced the woman directly, her gaze steady and unflinching. There was not even the slightest trace of doubt in her eyes.

"How much do you know about me? How much do you know about us to give that advice?" 𝒇𝙧𝙚𝓮𝔀𝓮𝒃𝙣𝓸𝒗𝒆𝒍.𝙘𝒐𝒎

The woman faltered. "I've known you for two years. As your teacher, it's my duty to care about you."

"Oh, really?" Emma asked, her voice sharpening. "Are you only my teacher?"

Her eyes hardened.

"Then why didn't you ever ask about William? Just because he looks different now, you've already cast him aside."

Her words cut deeper with each breath.

"And before this… when he was ridiculed, abused, and cursed by others, where were you?"

Her gaze swept across the crowd.

"Any of you… why didn't you step forward then? Why didn't you fulfill your role as teachers when it actually mattered?"

The woman fell silent. No, she wanted to speak, but no words came. Her lips parted, moved, yet nothing followed.

Emma let out a soft, bitter snicker. "I truly hate people like you, from the very core of my soul. Two-faced and always biased. I don't choose people based on circumstances. When I trust someone, I walk with them to the very end, no matter how difficult or unpleasant things become."

No one spoke after that. No one even tried to argue.

Because they were forced to face a reflection they had never acknowledged.

Emma had held this in for a long time. And now, standing before them for what could be the last time, she let everything spill out.

William was stunned.

He simply stared at her, unable to look away.

Just because she rarely expressed herself did not mean she lacked feelings or frustration. And now… she had stepped beyond her usual silence to make her thoughts known.

She didn't have to.

Even if she had said nothing and only asked him to take her away, he would never have doubted her resolve. But she turned back for him. She spoke for him. She voiced her anger, her resentment, and made her devotion unmistakably clear.

And the moment she turned—

His lips met hers.

Right before all those watching eyes, he kissed her. Deep, fierce, and unrestrained, filled with everything he could not put into words.

In the next instant, the two of them vanished.

....

High above the clouds, at a height that would make anyone tremble just by looking down, the two of them drifted through the open sky.

Their lips were locked in a fierce, loving kiss. His arm held her firmly by the waist, while her fingers threaded through his hair, pulling him closer as if even the air between them was too much distance.

He could not put into words what he felt for her.

This girl…

Someone he had betrayed. Someone he had cursed, pushed away, and dismissed as nothing more than trouble.

And yet, she had saved him. Not once, but again and again.

She never let him drown in despair. She never focused on the darkness around him. Instead, she stood there, unwavering, making sure he was seen, valued, loved.

She gave him a second chance at life.

She cared for him, fought for him, and chose him, even when he had given her every reason not to.

"Emma…"

He slowly pulled away, their foreheads resting together, his breath uneven.

"I love you. I want to marry you. I want you to have our children. I want to build a family with you."

Emma let out a soft laugh. "What kind of proposal is that?"

William shook his head, a faint, helpless smile forming. "I just… can't put it into proper words. So I'm saying everything exactly as it comes to me."

And for once, that was more than enough.

She looped her arms around his neck, a faint smile playing on her lips. "Are you sure about this? I can be quite demanding… and more than a little jealous."

William chuckled softly. "You say that like you'd even give me the chance to hesitate."

She grabbed his collar and pulled him closer, her eyes glinting. "Of course not. You don't get to hesitate. And you definitely don't get second thoughts now."

She brushed a kiss against his cheek. "You're mine now."

Her lips moved to his forehead, gentle and warm. "In happiness… and in grief."

A soft kiss followed on his nose. "In sickness and in health."

Then she paused just before his lips, her voice lowering, steady and making sure to be heard. "I will be yours, and you will be mine. Forever."

And with that vow sealing the space between them, their lips met once more.

°°°°°°°°°°°

A/N:- Should I call it The End?

Hmm...