Chapter 303: The Sun Dragon and Cupid’s Heir (2)

A quiet voice spoke beside Silas.

"Having a difficult evening?"

Silas froze as he recognized that voice. He raised his head. Kelvina stood beside his chair, holding two glasses of sparkling juice. Somehow, she had crossed the entire hall without him noticing. Or perhaps he had been too busy arguing with the system to pay attention.

She offered him one of the glasses.

"I thought you might be thirsty."

Silas looked at the drink. Then at her.

’System.’

[The Sun Dragon is within immediate proximity.]

’Thank you, Captain Obvious. Seems I was right. She is the Sun Dragon.’

Kelvina tilted her head.

"Is something wrong?"

"No."

"You’re staring at the glass."

"I’m admiring it."

"Really?"

"It’s a very impressive glass."

Her lips curved into a smile. "Then you should drink from it."

Silas accepted the glass. He wasn’t foolish enough to suspect that every friendly gesture concealed a conspiracy. Still, after everything that had happened tonight, caution seemed reasonable.

He took a sip, and it was perfectly normal juice. Unfortunately, Kelvina’s attention remained fixed on him, and it was not in the way people watched a celebrity or a powerful awakened individual. There was something more personal about it, something that made Silas feel as though she had been waiting for this moment long before they had ever met.

He remembered her words during their dance.

’I think I’m your greatest fan.’

At the time, he had assumed she was teasing him. Now he wasn’t certain.

"Can I ask you something?" he said.

"Anything." The speed of her answer unsettled him. Silas leaned back slightly.

"Why me?"

Kelvina blinked in confusion. "Why you what?"

"Why are you so interested in me? There are hundreds of powerful awakened individuals here. Some are more experienced, some have better reputations, and some are probably much easier to talk to."

"I disagree with that last part."

"That’s not the point."

"I know."

Her expression softened. For a brief moment, the playful smile disappeared, replaced by something more sincere.

"Because you’re interesting."

"That’s what everyone says."

"Then perhaps everyone has good taste."

Silas sighed, causing Kelvina to giggle.

"You saved people at the supermarket without asking who they were. You didn’t demand recognition. You didn’t even seem particularly interested in the fact that I was there."

’If only you knew how many things I am interested in.’

"You helped because someone needed help," she continued. "And when everyone else was looking at your rank, your reputation, or your rewards tonight, you looked like you would rather be anywhere else."

"That part is true."

"I know." She smiled again. "And I wanted to dance with you."

"You could have asked someone else."

"But I didn’t want someone else."

Silas nearly dropped his glass. The system promptly appeared.

[Emotional danger: Elevated.]

’Not now!’

Kelvina leaned slightly closer.

"Was that an unreasonable request?"

Silas looked at her, noticing how she seemed genuinely curious. There was no obvious arrogance, no demand for attention, and no attempt to use her status to force him into anything. That made the situation more difficult, not less.

"No," he admitted. "It wasn’t unreasonable."

"Then perhaps we can dance again sometime."

"Let’s not get ahead of ourselves."

"Of course."

She stepped back without protest. For some reason, that made him even more suspicious. Most people would have pushed for an answer or tried to tease him further. Kelvina just accepted his response, as though she had all the time in the world.

She glanced at Chloe, who had been observing the exchange with an expression that Silas couldn’t quite interpret.

"Thank you for lending him to me for a dance," Kelvina said politely.

"You’re welcome," Chloe said with a smile.

Silas turned toward his girlfriend.

"Why does that sound like you’re discussing a borrowed piece of furniture?"

"Would you prefer a receipt?"

"No."

"Then stop complaining."

Kelvina laughed. The three of them shared a brief, surprisingly normal moment. Then Kelvina excused herself and returned to her table. Silas watched her go, and only when she was several steps away did he open the system again.

’You said she’s connected to me through fate.’

[Apparently.]

’Does she know?’

[She can never know unless you tell her.]

’Does she know what I am?’

[Are you for real?]

’It’s a question.’

[You expect me to answer that?]

Silas relaxed slightly. At least she didn’t appear to know about the connection. That was one secret he intended to keep for now.

’Then what happens if I pursue this connection?’

[Potential outcomes include increased compatibility, new abilities, enhanced fate resonance, and unforeseen consequences.]

’And if I don’t?’

[Potential outcomes include continued uncertainty and unforeseen consequences.]

Silas stared at the window.

’You put unforeseen consequences in both answers.’

[Exactly.]

’You’re useless.’

[Host’s opinion has been recorded.]

’Delete it.’

[Permission denied!]

Silas slowly lowered his head.

"You’re doing it again," Chloe muttered as she leaned closer.

"Doing what?"

"That expression."

"What expression?"

"The one you make when you’re having an argument with the system."

Silas immediately straightened.

"I’m just thinking."

"About Kelvina?"

"No."

"About another woman?"

"No!"

Chloe burst out laughing, causing Silas to give her a wounded look.

"You enjoy tormenting me."

"Immensely."

He couldn’t even deny it.

The banquet continued, and the orchestra began another song. Guests moved toward the dance floor while officials and academy representatives circulated through the hall. Kelvina had returned to her delegation, but Silas could still feel her attention from across the room.

He didn’t need the Eye of Fate to notice that. The system’s final message appeared just before he dismissed the window.

[NOTICE: Fate Connection remains unresolved.]

[Recommendation: Observe the Sun Dragon carefully.]

Silas read it twice and glanced at Kelvina. She was laughing at something Ezra had said, looking every bit like an ordinary young woman enjoying an evening with her academy. Nothing about her appearance suggested that she was the source of a mysterious system warning.

Nothing about her behavior proved she was dangerous. And yet the system had classified their connection as something beyond ordinary relationships.

Silas took another sip of juice.

’Fine. I’ll observe her. From a safe distance.’

Across the hall, Kelvina suddenly looked up, and their eyes met again. She smiled and raised her glass toward him in a small toast. Silas hesitated before lifting his own, causing Kelvina’s smile to widen. Then she mouthed two words: "See you."

Silas’s hand slowly lowered.

[Emotional danger: Elevated.]

He closed his eyes.

’System.’

[Yes, Host?]

’If I survive this woman, I’m uninstalling you.’

[Uninstall function unavailable.]

’Of course it is.’

And somewhere deep within the unknown mechanisms of Cupid’s System, a sealed record remained inaccessible. Its title was simple.

[THE FIRST HEIR.]

[CONNECTION: THE SUN DRAGON.]

[STATUS: AWAKENING.]

[WARNING: DO NOT FORCE PREMATURE REVELATION.]

The record disappeared before Silas could ever see it. For now, he knew only one thing. The most confusing mystery in his life had just begun with a woman who wanted to dance with him. Silas had a terrible feeling that he was going to regret agreeing to that first dance... though in a good way.