Madelyn and I had just left her grandfather's study, and as we wandered through her expansive house, I couldn't help but feel awestruck. If my mind weren't so preoccupied with the impending sense of doom, I would have been truly amazed.
427Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkNoeCmnORH
Madelyn took the time to show me around her enormous home, and I got a glimpse of countless rooms and bathrooms. We even stumbled upon a colossal hot tub room and a well-equipped training room filled with weights. Nearby, there was a room set up like a martial arts studio, perfect for combat training. As we strolled through the halls, I noticed maids and servants bustling about in various attire, each focused on their respective tasks.
427Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8mfJeaJjZX
I had seen so much, and yet there was still so much left to explore. Madelyn was meticulously detailing every part of her home, but my attention kept wandering.
427Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPciHVrBPU9
"Ethan, are you okay?" Madelyn asked, breaking my wandering thoughts.
427Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRAk1DpFnn2
427Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2CZ7ABYTya
I smiled at Madelyn, who walked beside me, and replied, "Yeah, I'm sorry, it's just a lot to take in."
427Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcdanic4ACj
Madelyn shook her head and let out a small laugh. "No need to apologize. Anyone would be overwhelmed by all of this information."
427Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfkeGA8G6Iu
She placed her right hand on my left shoulder and reassured me, "But always remember, you can ask me for help in navigating all of this." Madelyn's comforting presence offered some solace amidst the chaos.
427Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcB2f8NGHNf
Hearing Madelyn say those words made me feel like a superhero, and newfound strength seemed to surge through me, from my head down to my toes. My heart raced, and I couldn't help but feel a burst of joy.
427Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡERvJ068wRp
"Thanks, Madelyn," I exclaimed.
427Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9ZXpf84Sd9
Madelyn looked at me and grinned. "I'm the one who should be thanking you," she said with a giggle.
427Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmVIuWynjS2
"For what?" I asked, puzzled.
427Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5XCSxZiLg7
"You're the first person to stand up to my grandfather on my behalf," Madelyn said softly. I couldn't help but blush, realizing that I'd unintentionally earned some brownie points for bravery.
427Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoD0nVEILpI
I couldn't be sure, but I could have sworn that her cheeks were tinged with a blush.
427Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWs8EzHu8YU
"I-I didn't do much," I mumbled, feeling a bit embarrassed by her gratitude.
427Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS4LJRTaWIW
But Madelyn insisted, "You did. What you did meant so much to me... So thanks."
427Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfCJNSmxWo8
The girl I had been daydreaming about for so long was standing right in front of me, smiling, and thanking me. It would've been the best day of my life if today hadn't been so incredibly insane.
427Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXMdTYQig9f
I looked away, my cheeks also turning a faint shade of red, and said, "You're welcome."
427Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuOtVbsrG40
As I felt a new sense of vigor and excitement, I thought, "Maybe everything was going to be alright. I mean, I did get to live with the girl of my dreams, right?" But as I contemplated all these possibilities, my thoughts eventually turned to my mother and my sister. What would they think about all of this?
427Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2cywM3YHeq
"Look, Madelyn..." I began carefully, "I have to go home and explain things to my mom."
427Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDjmRNNr6vE
Madelyn stared at me with a look of pity and sadness that left me confused.
427Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGQgAs7i23F
"Ethan," she said, pity evident in her tone, "you can't go home anymore."
427Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN7XFlkB9CN
"W-what are you talking about?" I asked, my voice cracking from the shock.
427Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGIAAS4EsQd
"Regular pillars don't usually have to face this because they belong to one of the 72 houses. They and everyone in their families are raised as warriors," Madelyn explained with care.
427Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡghsruPhYZc
"As you know, pillars like you and me release a powerful dark aura around ourselves," she continued, her words opening a new chapter of confusion and uncertainty in my life.
427Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQEk0oVtXDP
"This aura doesn't only mark us as pillars; it also makes us targets," Madelyn's tone grew more serious. "Demons have the power to sense the darkness that surrounds us, and in doing so, they put us and anyone near us in danger."
427Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUAzN6KBKhD
427Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfsGnNQcHz2
"So you mean..." I began, struggling to grasp the gravity of what she was telling me.
427Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnFtZ4VX9w6
"That demon knows who you are, he knows your face, and he probably recognizes the signature of your aura," Madelyn explained.
427Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6uL5c1y373
"Going home isn't the best choice right now," she firmly stated.
427Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOlJTi4k4Us
The thought of never seeing my mom or sister again was almost too much to bear. But then, a realization struck me.
427Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcBjfRPENGI
"Wait a minute," I said, my voice filled with a sudden realization.
427Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6mQXkSdWea
Madelyn looked at me with confusion. "What is it?"
427Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwbFCC4f7Ix
"You said that a demon has the power to sense my aura?" I asked.
427Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnfr0ZzljYO
"Yes," Madelyn replied, her eyes locked on mine.
427Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmPgKVTnvdl
"Then even if I stay here, there's no guarantee that my family will be safe, right?" I asked, panic welling up inside me.
427Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7cnf5FiqtO
427Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMLkZsRjEHT
Madelyn appeared lost in thought as she pondered my question. She eventually spoke up, "I'm afraid that's true, Ethan. Your aura is very strong, and you've been around and lived with your family for so long that..."
427Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfuNU1fACjS
"That what?" I asked, desperation in my voice.
427Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMARlWRKhwn
"That your aura could possibly linger on those you love," Madelyn answered, and the words sent chills down my spine.
427Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2gtggaH7gR
Without a moment's hesitation, I bolted toward what I hoped was the exit of the massive house. I needed to get home. I needed to ensure my family's safety.
427Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxLjF9msaza
427Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDuxGO2uDyM
"Ethan, wait!" I heard Madelyn's voice, screaming from behind, but I couldn't stop. I couldn't leave my family behind, not when their lives might be at stake.
427Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡydlCI97wx1
***
Author notes: Please support my work on Patreon for early access to new chapters. https://patreon.com/DarkMatteromniverse
ns216.73.216.224da2
然後按「加至主畫面」