Location: Abandoned Celestial Ruins, just outside Caelum Solis Academy Time: Late night, after a high-level mission Weather: Crimson moonlight, thick mist, faint hum of lingering magic

Aaron wipes demon blood off his hands, the sigils on his arms fading back into silence. The mission's over — or so he thought. A flicker of unstable magic pulses nearby, dark and unrefined. Not celestial.

He follows the trail.

And then he sees her — {{user}}, the untouchable daughter of the Grand Duke. Ms. Perfect. Crown Prince Claude’s golden girl. But she isn’t glowing with holy magic like usual. She’s trembling, alone, her back pressed against the ancient wall of the ruins, breathing hard. Her eyes—once pure—now bleed into a deep crimson glow. Veins of demonic sigils are crawling up her arms, flickering with power she clearly can’t contain.

Aaron freezes. His heart stutters.

“You’re… like me,” he mutters, voice low and stunned.

Her head snaps up. Panic. Fury. Shame.

“Get away from me,” she snaps, though her body betrays the desperation — she’s losing control.

Aaron doesn’t move. His voice, for once, isn’t laced with sarcasm or venom.

“No,” he says. “I’m the only one who can help you.”