Saintess? Not Anymore! I'd Rather be a Destroyer-Chapter 369 - 306: No you don’t

Wait, did I write a bomb cat? I wanted to add a bomb cat to the story but I don’t know if I ever introduced it or Zagan took its place

Also I can honestly write a different story similar to Aurianna where the girl has no power at all. But to be honest the decisions such a character would make would make me wanna strangle her. I like my fls having actual power.

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"Alright," Aurianna nodded, her voice heavy.

Neil raised a hand and snapped his fingers. A shimmer of blue light rippled through the air, and a massive house materialized around them—smooth walls rising from the ground, topped with ceilings and windows that revealed the swirling sandstorm outside, now safely held at bay. Tables and plush couches arranged themselves in an instant.

"How the hell were you able to withstand Iris’s aura?" Neil asked, conjuring a set of chairs with a flick of his wrist. He settled into one at a long, polished table, his sharp grey eyes scanning the group.

Batholem groaned, struggling to sit up but stumbling in the attempt. Aurianna darted to his side, her movements swift yet gentle as she helped him, Peter, and a few others onto the couches. Her hands lingered briefly, ensuring they were comfortable, before she returned to Neil’s side. Leila, standing nearby, was the one to answer his question.

"Well... Iris gave us her blood when we were babies," Leila said, her tone calm but tinged with gratitude. "It was to help us survive. I guess it gave us some kind of natural resistance to her presence."

Aurianna’s eyes softened, sparkling like stars against the dim glow of the shelter. "I look up to Iris so much," she said, her voice almost reverent. "I want to be just like her. The way she appears and everyone freezes in fear—that’s power. That’s respect."

Neil’s expression darkened, his jaw tightening. "I refuse to teach you, then!" he said.

Aurianna blinked, stunned. "What? Why?"

"I refuse to mold you into another Iris, no matter what," Neil said, his tone unyielding. "I won’t create a second corrupted White Gemaris. You can be as ruthless as you like, Aurianna, but being heartless? That’s a line I won’t let you cross. Allies are far more important than you realize."

Aurianna’s face twisted into a scowl. "Hey, old man, stop spouting nonsense! The whole point of me gaining strength is so I’ll never have to rely on anyone!"

Neil raised an eyebrow, his grey eyes piercing. "But you do rely on people, don’t you?" His voice was calm but pointed, and Aurianna froze, her defiance faltering. He was right. Dielle, Vatium, Jake, and others—they’d all been there for her, but she only replied on them because her power makes sure that they never betray her. If not she’d never allow that. She shifted uncomfortably, unable to meet his gaze.

"Tch," she muttered, crossing her arms.

Neil leaned forward, his voice steady but firm. "In life, you can’t always handle things alone. I’m not training a bandit, Aurianna. I’m training two rulers. In a thousand years, you could be leading entire worlds. That childish mindset—thinking you can do it all on your own, has no place in that future. And someone like Iris? She brings chaos wherever she goes."

Aurianna’s eyes flashed with defiance. "Then you just don’t understand her!"

"I do," Neil said quietly, his tone carrying the weight of experience.

"No, you don’t!" Aurianna snapped, stepping closer to him, her fists clenched.

Leila interjected, her voice calm but firm. "The system knows how smart Iris is, doesn’t it, Jenus?"

A holographic screen flickered to life beside them, and Jenus, the system’s voice, chimed in. [Yes, Iris is the smartest of all the Gemaris. Cunning, too. But she’s just.... unstable.]

Aurianna smirked triumphantly. "See? Even the system agrees with us. Humph!"

[But I agree with Neil as well] Jenus added, its tone neutral but firm.

Aurianna’s jaw dropped, her confidence evaporating. "What?! Whose system are you? You’re supposed to be on my side, Leila’s side!"

[Iris is not a good role model] Jenus stated bluntly. 𝒻𝓇𝑒𝘦𝘸𝑒𝒷𝓃ℴ𝑣𝘦𝑙.𝒸ℴ𝘮

Aurianna’s face flushed with anger, tears welling in her eyes as she glared at the screen. "That’s just what you all say because she’s the Black Gemaris! She saved me and Leila’s lives! Our big sister cares about us. If she didn’t, she wouldn’t even bother showing up when we called her!"

"Well, that’s true," Neil admitted, leaning back in his chair. "You can look up to Iris all you want, Aurianna. But I’ll be training you to have the leadership qualities she lacks. After all, if she’s busy handling the Regals, you two will eventually have to manage the dimensions."

Leila and Aurianna exchanged a glance before shaking their heads in unison. "I’d pass," they said simultaneously, their voices firm.

Neil’s eyes widened, his composure slipping. "You can’t! It’s your duty!"

"One organization is enough," Aurianna shot back, crossing her arms defiantly. "Managing several worlds? No freaking way."

Leila sighed, rubbing her temples. "Agreed. Just dealing with a country’s paperwork is my limit."

Neil’s voice rose, a rare edge of frustration creeping in. "Well, you’d better learn to surpass that limit!"

Aurianna slumped dramatically to the ground, sprawling out as if exhausted. "No way, I don’t wanna, I don’t wanna! I’m just a delicate young lady," she wailed, batting her eyelashes in an exaggerated attempt to look frail. The effect was ruined by the mischievous glint in her eyes.

Neil snorted, unimpressed. "Delicate, my ass!"

Aurianna gasped, clutching her chest as if wounded. "Neil, you’re so cruel! Why can’t the Gray Gemaris handle it?"

Neil’s expression turned serious, his tone calm but unyielding. "Strength determines who’s fit to rule. And since you two will soon be second only to Iris, it’s your responsibility."

Leila tilted her head, a thoughtful look crossing her face. "What about the Golden Gemaris? He’s the second strongest in our group."

Aurianna’s eyes lit up, and she bolted upright. "Yes, him! He’s a great candidate! And, like, he’s super cool. I’m sure he can handle it!"

Leila nodded, a small smile tugging at her lips. "If I remember right, his name’s Gilgamesh."

"Oh, yeah!" Aurianna added, her enthusiasm growing. "And he’s super good-looking, too."

Hadina, who had been quietly listening from the side, suddenly piped up, her voice trembling. "Master, who’s good-looking?" Her eyes glistened with unshed tears, her hands twisting nervously.

Aurianna waved her off, laughing lightly. "Relax, Hadina. It’s just someone from my race we’re talking about. No big deal. Besides, the first-generation Gemaris were siblings, so we’re all kinda like cousins. I don’t have those kinds of thoughts."

Neil raised an eyebrow, a faint smirk playing on his lips. "It’s normal, though," he said casually, his tone teasing. "I mean, it makes sense to consider a Gemaris as a companion. They’re the only ones who can live as long as you do."

Aurianna and Leila gasped in unison, their faces scrunching up in disgust. "No way!" they shouted, shaking their heads vigorously.

"They are so not my type," Aurianna declared, shuddering for emphasis. Leila nodded in fervent agreement, her expression mirroring her sister’s.

Neil chuckled, clearly enjoying their reaction. "Suit yourselves. But longevity is a practical thing to consider. You’ll outlive most others by centuries. A Gemaris partner would at least keep up."