Saintess? Not Anymore! I'd Rather be a Destroyer-Chapter 358 - 295: Don’t pry

"Omg, guys, guess who our new roommate is!" Elena burst out, practically bouncing on her heels, her eyes sparkling with excitement as she swung open the door.

Meanwhile, Aurianna had wandered inside, her gaze sweeping across the apartment’s polished interior. The place was gorgeous, more than worthy of its fancy reputation. She gave a slow, approving nod, her lips twitching into the faintest smile. ’Not bad...’

A familiar voice suddenly broke through her thoughts.

"Aurianna?"

She turned sharply, her eyes lighting up. "Zorian!" she beamed, genuinely surprised to see him standing there, just as stunned.

Zorian blinked, then laughed as he walked over, spreading his arms wide. "I can’t believe it , you’re our new housemate! This is perfect!"

"Hey! I was supposed to say that first, you meanie!" Elena huffed, puffing out her cheeks.

"Peh," Zorian teased, sticking out his tongue at her. 𝑓𝘳𝘦𝑒𝑤𝑒𝘣𝘯ℴ𝘷𝘦𝓁.𝑐𝑜𝑚

Elena narrowed her eyes, crossing her arms. "Are you mocking me, human? Do you have a death wish?!"

Zorian smirked, entirely unbothered.

"I thought you were an old man, Zorian," Aurianna chimed in with a playful grin. "Look at those bags under your eyes. You look like you’ve aged."

Zorian groaned dramatically, rubbing the back of his neck. "Stop teasing me! I’m only 21, you know. Being a second-year at the Academy is stressful, okay? Meanwhile, you’re only... what, 13? Growing up well."

Aurianna tilted her head, blinking innocently. "28, actually. Remember that."

The room fell silent for a moment.

"Huh?!" Zorian blurted out, utterly baffled. He looked around at the others, only to see them nodding silently, confirming her words without hesitation.

"How’s that even possible?!" he gasped, looking back at her.

Aurianna flopped onto the plush couch, her expression oddly distant. "It’s complicated," she said, her voice softer now. "I have time magic. Technically... I lived my life until I was 21. Then I died."

Her eyes, once lively and teasing, were now hollow, a dead, glassy stare that sent an uncomfortable chill through the room. For a moment, no one spoke.

But then Aurianna stretched her arms and sank deeper into the cushions. "Man, this couch is way too comfy. I might just stay here."

"Can I ask... how you died?" Batholem asked, his voice betraying the nervous curiosity behind the question.

Aurianna rested her head back, staring at the ceiling. "Nah," she replied flatly. "That part of my life was pathetic. I wouldn’t want to ruin our reunion with that."

She turned her head slightly, catching Peter’s gaze. "And judging by that worried face of yours, you can’t see my past right now, can you?"

Peter shook his head solemnly. "You’re right I can’t. No matter how many times I try. I can neither see your time, past nor future."

"Wait, hold up , you can see people’s time?!" Elena gasped.

Peter blinked, as if the question was silly. "I’m the son of the Saintess of Time. It should be obvious."

Elena opened her mouth to argue, then shrugged. "Hmm. I guess that makes sense."

Before the conversation could spiral further, another voice spoke up.

"But Aurianna, you were really cool today... you held your own against the Saintess of Light," Kiana said, her voice laced with admiration.

Aurianna’s eyes flicked toward her, brightening slightly. "Kiana?!" she said, sitting up a little straighter.

Kiana gave a small, sheepish smile. "Yeah... it’s me."

Aurianna raised an eyebrow, folding her arms. "Wow, so you were here too, huh? And here I thought you were off on your big important thing you had to handle." Her voice dripped with sarcasm, and Kiana’s smile faltered as she looked away.

"It was alright," Kiana mumbled, her voice barely above a whisper.

Aurianna watched her for a moment. "Hmm. I see."

From the side, Juvin stood quietly, his eyes narrowed ever so slightly as he watched the exchange. ’They’re trying to change the topic...’ he thought.

Kiana added, "I resolved everything. It’s all settled now."

Aurianna leaned back, unconvinced but not pressing the issue. "Hmm. Alright, then."

A brief pause hung in the air, but then Kiana spoke again, almost hesitantly. "Eva... is she still with you?"

"No, she’s gone somewhere," Aurianna replied with a soft, absentminded smile, her fingers tracing the edge of the couch cushion. "But... she’ll come back."

Peter tilted his head slightly, watching her curiosly. ’I wonder who Eva is...’ he mused silently, though he kept the thought to himself.

But before anyone else could speak, Juvin spoke up. "Let’s not change the subject. Ever since I saw the High God interact with you... I’ve been wondering. What exactly are you? And what did you talk about that day?"

Aurianna groaned, staring at him, clearly annoyed by the persistence. "You’re still hung up on that?"

"Yes," Juvin said firmly, unfazed by her irritation. "I want to understand you. When you freed those slaves... was it really out of kindness, or did you intend to use them, like you claimed?"

Before Aurianna could respond, Kiana’s voice slid in, quiet but blunt. "She’s obviously going to use them."

Aurianna gave a faint, humorless chuckle. "Freedom always comes at a price, y’know. I don’t waste time saving people who aren’t willing to fight for their own future."

"I see," Juvin muttered, studying her with a solemn expression.

The room sank into an awkward silence, heavy with unsaid thoughts, until Aurianna stretched her arms above her head, "You guys are making the atmosphere so damn gloomy."

"It would be gloomy," Zorian interjected, slouching into the couch beside her, "after we all watched you fight the Saintess of Light... over Ralph, of all people."

Aurianna smirked dryly, her head tilting lazily to the side. "Fair enough."

Her eyes narrowing slightly. "I want to strangle that bastard so bad. But I guess... I’ll wait. Six more years." Her voice turned cold, but there was a cruel little chuckle underneath. "Chi, chi, chi."

Juvin stiffened at her words, his frown deepening. "He’s your brother. How can you talk about him like that?"

Aurianna’s gaze slid over to him, flat and sharp like a blade. "Shut the hell up, Juvin."

But he didn’t back down. "Shouldn’t you love your family?" he pressed, almost desperate to understand.

She let out a bitter laugh, shaking her head. "Love my family? Don’t spout bullshit like that, Juvin. You don’t know a damn thing."

"Then tell me!" he snapped, frustration flickering in his voice. "How am I supposed to understand if you don’t explain anything?!"

Aurianna went quiet, her eyes dark and unreadable. After a long moment, she tilted her head toward him. "What’s your family like, Juvin?"

He blinked, caught off guard by the question. "...They care about me. I guess."

Aurianna nodded slowly, then turned her gaze to Batholem. "And you?"

"They care for me too," Batholem said softly.

Her eyes shifted to Peter. "What about you?"

Peter’s lips twitched into a small smile. "My mum and dad are always busy... so my uncle’s the one who takes care of me."

Aurianna nodded again, then looked at Zorian.

He scoffed, leaning back against the wall. "Both my parents are shitty."

Then her gaze landed on Elena. "You?"

Elena lowered her eyes, her voice quiet but steady. "Mine are dead. All I have is my big sister."

"And you, Kiana?" Aurianna asked, her tone a little softer.

Kiana hesitated. "It’s complicated."

There was a small shuffle, and the voices of Shuwi, Christopher, and Zeche chimed in almost at once. "What about us?" Since Aurianna didn’t bother to ask about them.

A quiet smile spread across her face. "See? Everyone’s got their family. So why try to dig so deep into mine, huh?"

She stretched again, her limbs heavy with fatigue. "Every family has its own dirty little secrets... and some things are better left unsaid. So let’s not poke around in that, alright?"

A yawn slipped from her lips, and she stood up, "Anyway, I’m tired. Where’s my room?"

But before anyone could answer, Kiana’s voice became alarmed. "Aurianna... your eyes. They’re bleeding."

Aurianna wiped at her cheek, her fingers coming away stained with streaks of rainbow-tinted blood. She glanced at them without much concern. "Don’t worry," she said quietly, her voice calm. "I’ll be fine."