[MELISSIA'S POV]
Melissia stared out of the window, her mind in turmoil.
She wasn't sure why she was angry.
It wasn't like her to get upset by what a commoner had said to her. For once, she was the only daughter of a saint-ranked powerhouse and the future head of the Ravencroft Family.
But something about Ash irked her. He was weak… Pathetically weak.
He had no control over his mana, but his mana was higher than that of a normal person.
Yet, what bothered her wasn't that he was weak—she knew she was a genius and that weak people existed everywhere.
No, it was the way he spoke to her, even knowing who she was.
It made her blood boil.
I want to beat the hell out of him.
The icy cold gaze he gave her, the way he spoke—it was as if he didn't fear her. Or as if he knew she won't kill him.
I don't like that gaze.
Why did he act so calm? So unaffected? And why did he refuse to bow to her whims like everyone else?
He called her a spoiled brat, and it stung more than she wanted to admit. But why? It wasn't like she hadn't been called worse before.
It was just that… that feeling when he looked at her with those eyes, like he was seeing right through her, like she was just another piece of the puzzle he was trying to figure out.
He watched her like he knew what she would do, and it made her uncomfortable. That was why she cried.
It wasn't like her to show such a vulnerable side, especially to a boy.
She was puzzled.
Most people, looked at her like she was something special.
A prodigy.
A future ruler.
A force to be reckoned with.
And she liked it.
She liked being seen that way.
But Ash? No. He barely even reacted.
He treated her like a Normal kid.
When she tried to play her usual games, trying to get him to apologize, he hadn't flinched.
He didn't fall for her tricks. Most people were terrified of her temper, afraid of the fire that could destroy them in seconds.
But Ash? He just stood there.
Even though he apologized later, it was clear he was just doing it to get out from the scene.
He even dodged her attack, despite being weak.
Although it was her most basic attack.
It made her angry.
That fucker called me cute, she thought, her face heating up against her will.
Cute.
The word replayed in her mind, louder each time. No boy had ever said that to her before, but the embarrassment was quickly drowned out by a fresh wave of anger.
It was almost like he was the one in control, like he wasn't scared of her at all. How had he done that?
She hated how he made her feel—flustered, embarrassed, angry, confused—all at once. It was as if she had no control over herself around him.
It wasn't like her to lose control, especially not over something as trivial as a boy.
She had been taught from a young age to keep her composure, to be the poised, powerful lady everyone expected her to be. But Ash? He made her feel… small.
But that bastard...
He's a idiot, she muttered to herself.
He's just a damn idiot.
And yet, there he was, grinning like an idiot, laughing at something she couldn't even see.
What's so funny?
She looked at him, her eyes narrowing.
Her irritation only grew as she watched him stare blankly into the air, as though nothing in the world mattered. And then—then—he muttered something under his breath, too soft for her to catch.
"What?" she asked sharply, her tone biting.
He replied politely, his voice as calm as ever.
After that embarrassing moment (crying), he had been treating her like a princess, but that irritated her even more.
Even though he treated her with respect, his eyes said otherwise. His eyes—they felt like he was watching some amusing play unfold.
It made her even more annoyed.
But something even more impossible happened.
"Hey, Miss Melissia," he called out.
She replied to him with frustration, waiting for what he would say next.
"What?" she replied curtly, her tone impatient.
But his next words crumbled all her anger.
"Can you teach me how to control my mana? I'm a beginner."
Melissia's heart skipped a beat at his words, and she found herself blinking in surprise.
Wait, what?
Ash. Ash—the person who had been rude and cold, who acted as if she didn't matter—was asking her for help? Her? Of all people? How bold.
She tried to keep her expression neutral, but inside, her mind was spiraling.
Teach him? A prodigy teaching a commoner?
Her first instinct was to scoff. Was this some kind of trick? He had to be mocking her, right?
But then, there was a flicker of something else.
Is he serious?
Her gaze flicked up to him, studying his face for any signs of deception.
No smirk.
No hidden meaning in his eyes.
Just a calm, almost distant look. Was he… being genuine?
Huh.
She swallowed, her irritation rising. "Are you serious?" Her voice was low, a slight edge creeping in, but she couldn't help but feel a strange curiosity stirring within her.
Why would he ask me?
The question kept circling in her mind.
Is he really that bad with mana?
She had never seen him fight, and from their previous scene in front of mine, it seemed like he was good at physical combat.
'Could this be an opportunity?'
Her lips curled into a slight smirk, though her mind was already racing. If he was genuinely asking for help, that meant he was vulnerable.
And Melissia… she lived for power. The idea of holding that kind of leverage over someone like Ash made her pulse quicken.
She could help him. She could show him how to control his mana, and then maybe—just maybe—she could use it to her advantage.
But,
"Why me?" she asked sharply, raising an eyebrow. "You've got plenty of other people to turn to. Why come to me?"
Her voice dripped with a mix of suspicion and genuine interest. It was rare for anyone to come to her, of all people, for help.
Most people were too busy sucking up to her or trying to use her status as a weapon. Ash wasn't like them, and that made her feel uneasy.
She crossed her arms, trying to hide the brief flicker of uncertainty that crossed her face.
She couldn't afford to let him see any weakness. Not ow, not after everything that had happened.
He met her gaze without hesitation.
"If you hadn't kidnapped me, I wouldn't have asked you. But humans must adapt, and now I want to use this opportunity to learn. You won't let me leave, so I want to make the most of this situation."
His calm reply only deepened her confusion. She searched his face for any sign of mockery but found none. His expression remained serious, his tone sincere.
"I've awakened the Mage class," he continued, "but I know nothing about it. And who better to learn from than the Mana Prodigy?" His voice was steady, almost respectful. "Please, teach me."
Melissia's lips twitched into a smug grin. "Don't you know you're here to serve me, not the other way around?" she retorted, her tone dripping with mockery.
But his next words shattered the smug atmosphere like ice cracking underfoot.
"Why not make a bet with me, Melissia?" Ash said, his tone eerily calm. "Teach me how to control mana, and I'll clear the entrance exam. If I don't, I'll become your servant for the rest of my life. But if I succeed... you'll owe me a favor."
The car fell silent. Even Nyra glanced back, her interest piqued.
Melissia's eyes widened. Her first reaction was disbelief.
Did… Did that bastard just call me by my name?
Her blood boiled. How dare he!
Yet, as anger surged within her, another emotion stirred—a flicker of something she couldn't quite identify. It unsettled her, gnawed at her composure.
Her expression froze, torn between fury and something else she couldn't name.
****
[Ash's Pov]
"Why not make a bet with me, Melissia?" Ash repeated, his tone firm and confident. "Teach me how to control mana, and I'll clear the entrance exam. If I fail, I'll serve you for the rest of my life. But if I pass... you'll owe me a favor."
Ash leaned back slightly, his expression unreadable.
I know she'll agree. That's how she is.
The silence stretched as Melissia stared at him,
Ash could feel Melissia's gaze piercing through him, sharp enough to cut stone. Her jaw was set tight, her silence unnerving as the seconds stretched on.
He waited, unfazed, even as the tension in the car grew thick enough to choke on.
Inside, though, he wasn't as calm as he seemed.
This is a gamble, he thought, keeping his expression neutral.
But one worth taking.
Finally, Melissia's lips parted, and her voice, cold and calculating, broke the silence.
"You're either very brave or very foolish," she said, her words laced with a biting edge.
"Do you even realize what you're asking for?"
Ash met her gaze head-on.
There was no room for hesitation now.
"I do," he replied simply, keeping his tone steady, almost indifferent.
But beneath that calm exterior, his mind raced.
She'll take the bait. I know she will. People like her… they can't resist a challenge.
For a moment, it felt like a battle of wills, the air between them humming with unspoken tension.
He could see her mind working, calculating, weighing her options. He resisted the urge to smirk.
You're predictable, Brat.
Finally, she leaned back in her seat, her arms crossing in a gesture that screamed authority.
With a sharp huff, she said, "Fine. I'll accept your bet. But don't think for a second I'll go easy on you."
Her tone was clipped, decisive, and he knew he had her right where he wanted.
Ash nodded, keeping his satisfaction buried deep. His expression remained calm, but his chest tightened with a mix of relief and anticipation.
Step one, complete.
What she didn't know—what she couldn't possibly know—was that he wasn't just asking her for help.
This wasn't just about controlling his mana.
Although he needed to learn it, but there was another reason for the bet.
Now that the opportunity has presented itself, I need to get 'That' from her family vault.
***
A/N: What do you think Ash is after? 🤔 Could it be a another rune? Or maybe something even more mysterious? Drop your guesses in the comments! 📝✨ Let's see who gets it right! 🎯