Chapter 377: Master v Boyfriend

[Object: Sagitus Inferno]

[Rank: EX]

[Description: A staff forged from the burning souls of one thousand high demons, condensed into a five-foot-long weapon that emits the dying wails and vengeful intent of the fallen.]

[Note: Wielding this weapon requires a certain level of flame mastery or absolute Genesis control.]

The system wasn’t giving Kyle the full picture of what the staff he now held was truly capable of.

The red-and-black inferno staff was a prized weapon once belonging to Hades, which Athena had won from him in a contest of wisdom. She had kept it close ever since, not merely for its power, but as a reminder that she had outwitted one of the ancient gods.

Kyle knew the staff must have been precious to her, yet she had handed it to him for one reason.

’You don’t make many apostles, Athena. That’s why I was doubtful when I saw Elena.’

There was something about that woman that set her apart from the others. Kyle had sensed it from the beginning, yet he had been unable to determine whose divine aura Elena unknowingly carried.

Now, he knew.

’Hmm. Saving Elena held my personal interest, but it’s good to have a bonus.’

He stored the staff within his dimensional space, alongside Aquilla.

It went without saying who he was saving the weapon for. Kyle could use it himself, but he would rather see whether Ethan could make better use of it.

After all, empowering his apostle would ultimately strengthen Kyle as well.

[Host, back then, you drew strength from one of your hearts.]

The warning made Kyle sigh.

Right. To manipulate Ray’s greatest weapon, his chains, he had bent reality itself. Such an act was impossible for his current mortal vessel under normal circumstances.

Snatching control of another person’s skill was not something even a deity could accomplish with ease. It was only natural that forcing such an ability through his mortal body would leave consequences.

’How long?’

[At least four to six hours of recovery. And, Host, please refrain from liberating your hearts for at least four days.]

Kyle hummed quietly.

He had never intended to do so again so soon. According to his calculations, it would take nearly six months before he could freely use the Heart of Authority again. Until then, he needed to exercise restraint.

’Well, hopefully, nothing outside my calculations suddenly makes an appearance.’

....

[Two Days Later]

Amanda walked slowly down the aisle of the store, her gaze wandering from one shelf to another as she searched for something that would make a suitable gift for her boyfriend.

Kyle had contacted her through the connection they had developed after he became her patron.

They still couldn’t communicate properly. At most, she could faintly perceive fragments of his thoughts, little more than impressions that slipped across the connection between them.

But those thoughts had been enough to tell her that they would be meeting soon.

The realization had filled her with excitement.

Five days had already passed since they last saw each other, and she had no idea how much longer Kyle would need to formulate his plan before calling for her. She missed him dearly, and neither training nor battle had been enough to dull that feeling.

At one point, she had even considered capturing a newly awakened individual and bringing them to the island simply for an excuse to have a glimpse of him at the very least.

She had nearly found one in Montclair, too.

Unfortunately, Veronica had quickly informed her that visiting the island was impossible.

Cadets responsible for regularly patrolling and protecting their assigned localities were strictly forbidden from abandoning their posts, especially during these difficult times. A single day of negligence could leave hundreds of civilians dead.

If anything, Veronica had offered to bring the newborn to the island herself.

Amanda had immediately started arguing that if she couldn’t see Kyle, then Veronica shouldn’t be allowed to see him either.

She knew she was being childish.

She also didn’t care.

She wanted to see him too.

Returning to the present, Amanda continued wandering through the store without any particular destination in mind.

"I should at least buy him a gift."

Kyle had been living with the bare minimum for the time being, so she wanted to find something practical. Nothing too expensive or conspicuous, just something he could use in his everyday life without raising unnecessary suspicion.

Her eyes eventually drifted toward the electronic appliances section.

That was when she noticed it.

A mug.

A popular item many has been buying these days.

According to the description, the mug came with a small mechanism that could stir whatever beverage was placed inside it at high speed. It could even be recharged through a cable.

Amanda’s eyes brightened.

She knew her lover liked beverages, particularly coffee and tea. Something like this would actually be useful to him, while still being ordinary enough that nobody would think twice about it.

A small smile appeared on her lips as she reached for the mug.

"Ah..."

Another hand reached out at the exact same moment and took it from the shelf before she could.

She turned to her left and was surprised to find a familiar face standing beside her.

"Ethan..."

The man narrowed his eyes at her before casually turning away.

"Hey, wait. I was about to take that." Amanda pointed at the mug in his basket. It had been the last one on the shelf, and now it was sitting safely in his possession.

"I got it first." Ethan dismissed her without even looking back.

Amanda narrowed her eyes.

"Who did you take it for? Surely not yourself. You have maids wandering around your house, ready to serve you whenever you want."

Ethan’s expression twitched for the briefest moment.

"For Clara," he replied calmly.

Amanda stepped around him and blocked his path.

She stared at him for a few seconds before muttering, "That’s for Kyle, isn’t it?"

Ethan immediately turned his head away.

"I don’t know what you mean..."

"You definitely picked that for him." Amanda’s eyes sharpened as she pointed at the mug. "You bastard, give it back. I’m giving it to my Kyle."

Ethan frowned as though she had just made an unreasonable demand.

"My master shall receive this specially chosen gift from his loyal servant. You can choose something else."

Amanda snickered.

"I’m the lover of the master you serve, so heed my command and hand it over-"

"Yeah, no."

Ethan turned around and continued walking.

Amanda clenched her teeth and shouted after him, "I’m going to complain to him about this! Just you wait!"