Their romance storyline only begins on the second playthrough

"Although the witches don't have that many fourth-level upgrades for me to fight."

He snapped out of his daze and immediately spotted Ivina and Felicity—

If Ivina was the purest and most beautiful simple white-haired girl in the past, then now, with the embellishment of makeup and gorgeous dresses, she has truly become a perfect girl.

The somewhat embarrassed averted gaze made her even more coquettish, her two small hands pressed against the inside of her thighs, fidgeting and uneasy;

“It looks beautiful.” Rhodes stood up, picked up the light gray coat and the umbrella he had prepared, walked to Ivina's side, and bent down—

"The coming-of-age ceremony is nothing special. It's just receiving blessings, dancing, having a meal, receiving some gifts, and then you can go back to rest."

"I'll be by your side the whole time, so don't worry."

Rhodes reached out and placed the umbrella in Ivina's hand.

"Hmph... Of course I know."

Rhodes nodded and looked at the pendulum of the clock—

[7:23 PM.]

It's about time to bring Ivina in.

However, as expected, the witches did not take any action for the time being.

Rhodes's eyes grew increasingly calm. At that moment, he hooked Ivina's finger around his and pulled her to her feet.

"Let's go, let's go to the lobby to have some food and dance first."

"Hmm..." Ivina's voice trembled slightly with nervousness, but she still followed Rod's steps, supporting herself on her slightly high heels.

Rod, leading Ivina, walked step by step.

"Open the umbrella."

"Ah."

The umbrella slowly opened.

Although there are some so-called bad customs about holding an umbrella indoors, Rod still spoke up the moment the shadow fell over Ivina's head.

Imagine your shadow as your own space; right now, you are simply observing what's happening outside.

“Okay.” Ivina was very obedient.

Because nervousness had overcome her pride, she was now fully focused on relaxing and putting in more effort, and could no longer maintain that little bit of arrogance.

As they left the room, they ran into Lilith, who was about to set off.

Lilith tugged at the white silk glove on her hand and whispered to Rhodes, "You've broken through."

“Yes, very good.” Rhodes nodded. “That makes things much easier.”

“Even the crippled Merrick would be enough to slaughter them, let alone you who have recovered to the fifth level of ascension.”

"Let's go, take Ivina to the banquet hall."

Rod left behind his last words, then continued to hold the girl's hand and walked on.

At this moment, Ivina was nervously holding the umbrella with one hand, while Rhodes was pulling her other hand, just like a child being led by an elder.

After walking through the familiar corridor of Ivina, passing through the wide staircase, step by step from the top floor to the bottom floor, and continuing on... I arrived at the door of that magnificent hall.

The four-meter-high double sliding doors were now tightly closed.

To give Ivina ample space and a stable environment, all the nobles had already arrived in advance, so the only ones standing here were Rhodes and his group.

"Are you ready? Feel the gaze of humans, and return to the human world once more."

“Okay…” Ivina’s voice was still trembling with nervousness—

"If you succeed, I'll give you a huge reward. Whatever you want, I'll do my best to make it happen, okay?"

"Hmm...?" Ivina raised her eyes. "I'm not going to eat this kind of flatbread."

Rod's lips curled into a slight smile. "Who knows if it's a pancake or not."

The words fell.

He took a step forward and pushed the door open in an instant—

Click.

The voices of the nobles inside the door instantly poured out, and various complex auras flowed and spread out.

At this moment, everything became so chaotic in Ivina's pupils;

Yes, no matter how much she tried to strengthen her mental fortitude... when she saw those people turning their gazes towards her, everyone in her eyes seemed like a distorted, pitch-black ghost, beginning to churn wildly—

A constant, frantic murmur flowed out; my mind went blank, and my body felt as if it had fallen into an ice cave.

I……?

Why am I standing here?

Why should I face these terrifying monsters?

Who am I?

Oh no, I'm going to be eaten by a monster! I'm going to die...!

Ivina's frantic thoughts began to churn, and her breathing became increasingly erratic.

"No, I can't take it anymore..." Ivina took a step back, her fearful eyes and trembling lips revealing her complete breakdown.

It still doesn't work, it still doesn't work!

"If you don't want to take the first step, just leave everything to me. If you are willing to take the first step, then leave everything to me as well."

It's never wrong for a child to be afraid of the dark, because one day you will no longer be afraid to sleep alone.

"You don't want my reward, Ivina?"

Rod's rough hands squeezed Ivina's hand, speaking gently.

In a daze.

Ivina's vision blurred for a moment.

Rhodes's words were innocuous, yet strangely, they stirred up her inner desires.

In an instant, everything seemed to be peeled away—

“I…I’m scared…” Ivina said, trembling.

"It's okay to be afraid. It's natural to feel fear when faced with those threats."

"It's like when a person encounters a ferocious beast, or an animal encounters its natural enemy; it's normal to be afraid."

"But now, there are people who can kill ferocious beasts standing beside you, and people who can tear apart your natural enemies are protecting you."

"Whether it's me, Felicity, or even Lilith, we will all protect you."

"So, I'll ask you one more time... do you want my reward?"

Her body was no longer cold.

The vision before me gradually returned to normal from its chaotic and distorted state.

The dark, ghostly figure regained its luster, and the large, shimmering glass lamps above the hall also emitted a crystal-clear glow.

Yes, all of this... everything before her now, except for the shadow beneath her umbrella, which remained dark—

“Rod…” Ivina murmured out those two words.

"I'm here."

"do not leave Me."

"Ah."

The girl was like a fragile piece of glass, entrusting everything to the man beside her in that moment—

My heart is pounding, a mixture of fear for the future and a burning love for the warmth beside me.

Yes, he is radiance, gentle kindness. Even though she knows it might be a poisoned apple, she can't help but like him more and more.

It was all so perfect, so captivating, that she became completely enthralled—

"Take me with you... Rhodes, I give you everything... okay?"

The girl, like the wind, uttered her last words with a light yet heavy tone.

Rod nodded slightly, pulling her forward and leading her directly into the banquet hall.

"it is good."

Step...step...step.

The moment the girl in the red and black dress stepped into the hall, holding a rose-patterned umbrella, she was like the heart of a sea of ​​flowers, shattering all the rumors and gossip.

The sound of Ivina's high heels echoed throughout the grand coming-of-age banquet, drawing everyone's attention and causing them to drop everything they were doing.

Their eyes held shock and curiosity, yet no one dared to utter a single bad word.

Yes,

The girl didn't actually experience as much targeting as she had imagined from the beginning.

The nobles were only afraid that she would kill people with bloodlust, but the moment Rhodes stood easily beside her—

Everyone understood that the girl was not as terrifying as the rumors suggested.

She's just... a little shy.

And it's also very beautiful.

Like a pure white flower, blooming from polluted blood.

And soon it will bear its final fruit, to be plucked by the knight beside her—

Chapter 100 Saying "I like you" is so easy, isn't it? (4k)

"I... walked in..." Ivina murmured in disbelief, but when her eyes inadvertently met someone else's, the unease in her heart made her tremble again.

"Treat them like big potatoes."