Chapter 384: Chapter 383- Keep quiet
Adrian stood frozen, his mind blank as he looked at the two young women before him.
He had expected something strange, yes—but this... this was beyond his hopes. If Annabelle and now Elana had ties to witches, at least he could’ve drawn from the memories buried within him—those old fragments that still whispered about their ways, their curses, their trials. He could have guided them. Protected them.
But to think they were connected to *Nytharos*...
His breath caught.
Elana’s trembling voice cut through the silence. "Sir... am I going to turn evil?"
There wasn’t a hint of jest—only fear. A fear so raw that even Annabelle fell quiet.
It would be a lie to say Annabelle hadn’t thought about it herself. What she’d done back in Skulth’s base still lingered in her mind—the screams, the blood, the inhuman calm that had washed over her while she killed. She didn’t regret it. But she feared it.
She feared waking up one day as something unrecognizable. Something that *wasn’t her.*
Elana feared the same. She didn’t care about the whispers or stares. What scared her was what *might come next*—a darkness she didn’t understand waiting somewhere ahead.
Adrian reached out, his hand warm as it cupped Elana’s cheek. His voice was steady—soft, yet firm enough to ground her.
"You are going to become nothing," he said. "You’ll always be Elana. Remember that."
He turned to Annabelle next. "And Bella, stop overthinking. You can’t control who your predecessors were. But you can control your choices—what you do with what you’ve been given."
His words cut through the thick air that hung over them, like sunlight piercing through storm clouds.
"Nytharos wasn’t born evil," Adrian continued, his tone carrying both strength and understanding. "He simply... stood apart. His beliefs clashed with his brothers’. That doesn’t make him a monster. So don’t think being tied to him makes you one."
His voice softened, his eyes gentle now. "You two are precious to me. No matter what happens, I can say without doubt—my Bella and Elana will always remain themselves."
Elana’s heart skipped. The warmth in his gaze made her chest tighten, her cheeks turning pink as she lowered her head. The fear that had once clawed at her heart slowly dissolved beneath the weight of his words.
Annabelle chuckled softly. "I never really feared my link to Nytharos," she said, her lips curving faintly, "but after hearing you, even the little doubt I had is gone."
Adrian smiled at her, a tender glint in his eyes. "I’m glad to hear that."
Then his gaze shifted to Elana again, his tone returning to its calm authority. "Elana, keep this between us. No one else—not even your family. And avoid anything that reeks of religion or divine rites. Just... steer clear of it."
Elana nodded firmly. "I understand, sir. And... thank you for trusting me."
Adrian placed a hand on her head and smiled. "If a teacher doesn’t trust his student, then who will?"
Elana leaned slightly into his touch, letting that fleeting warmth settle her heart.
When he finally told her to return to her room, his tone was gentle but absolute. It was late, and she needed rest. He warned her not to use any independent magic unless it was a life-or-death situation—to rely on her armaments instead.
Once Elana left, Adrian and Annabelle made their way back to his room.
Inside, Ariana sat by the table, papers scattered around her. She looked up the moment they entered, her sharp eyes narrowing slightly.
"You didn’t tell us everything the Apostle said to you, did you?" she asked.
Annabelle blinked. "How did—" She stopped mid-sentence when her gaze landed on the artifact resting on the table, glowing faintly.
"Ah."
Ariana exhaled, leaning back in her chair as she heard her confessing. "I didn’t take him seriously back then," she admitted quietly. "I thought he was just trying to confuse me." Her fingers curled as she added. "But recently... I’ve realized he was telling the truth."
Ariana leaned back in her chair, arms crossing over her chest, her gaze sharp. "And yet you didn’t tell us," she said flatly. "Even after finding out the truth. What’s the reason, Annabelle? Don’t tell me you were afraid we’d judge you too?"
Annabelle flinched, fingers nervously twisting the edge of her sleeve. Her eyes darted away, unable to meet Ariana’s piercing stare.
Ariana exhaled, rolling her eyes in disbelief. "Unbelievable," she muttered. "You really thought I’d care about something that trivial?"
Adrian chuckled softly and reached out, resting a hand on Annabelle’s head. His voice was calm, warm. "Forgive her, Aria. She was confused. You know how she gets at times."
Ariana sighed, shaking her head. "You spoil her too much."
Annabelle pouted instantly. "Just admit it—you’re jealous."
A slow, teasing smirk curved across Ariana’s lips. "Between us, dear," she said, her tone low and playful, "it’s actually the other way around."
Her gaze slid toward Adrian—confident, deliberate. "I’m the one spoiling your darling."
Adrian raised a brow, the corner of his mouth twitching as if to say, *Really now?*
Ariana crossed her long legs and leaned forward slightly, her eyes glimmering with challenge. "What? You disagree?"
Before Adrian could answer, Annabelle suddenly gasped, "Darling?! Wait—did Raven come to the Time Chamber?!"
Ariana blinked. "Raven?" she repeated, confusion flashing across her face. "Hold on, I’ve heard that name before..." Her eyes widened as she turned toward Adrian. "Isn’t that the one from your little group chat thing?!"
Her voice rose an octave. "Adrian—are you having an affair?"
Adrian groaned, dragging his hand down his face and muttering under his breath, "For heaven’s sake..." Then, louder, "Bella, maybe try reading the *whole chat* before setting off the alarm next time."
Annabelle blinked, cheeks puffed in embarrassment, while Ariana blinked in confusion.
Soon, Annabelle asked, "But you are going to her world, no?"
Adrian nodded, "I have told you two about it. She can help me train independent magic."
Annabelle grumbled, "But you have already unlocked your origin. Isn’t it enough?"
Adrian just looked at the girl and she soon yielded.
This wasn’t going to be a trip for fun. He was hopping worlds for self discovery.