Chapter 60: An Impossible Punishment

Ashe never viewed self thus.

Celis words light pierce ice shell. Cold heart warm trickle.

Gaze deep—past veil.

“Archmage sword-hate near-demigod—miss daughter daily despised practice?”

Ashe jolt. Pupils quake. Stun.

Never dared.

“Saw. Knew. No stop.”

Celis firm.

“Final moments—glory lone life review. Realize ignored daughter sword stumble unyield—his unattained ‘strong’?”

Warm hand cover cold. Power heat full.

“Escape ‘love me’ maze. Answer not mouths—one place.”

Point window.

Homeland dream.

“Return. Memory shared home.”

“Not failure—Rose Knight Ashe. Firm hands door push—his true answer.”

Ashe light rekindle. Mist worry.

“But… villa sell. Skipped. Lady Isabelle punish—no go…”

“Sell—hurry.” Celis calm ease. “Time. Process trouble.”

“Punish… falls rises many. Hers now—what?”

Long silence. Head shoulder. Child mother.

“…Go back.”

Wipe tears. Light—sink boat firm.

…

Classroom. Air solid.

Isabelle door. Pressure sweep.

Andri follow. Arms cross. Chin high. Smug play.

Sure: discipline ally.

As expected. Gaze slow. Smile:

“Spirits high. Why 40—39? Absent?”

Sweet voice. Smile no eyes. Girls head low. Habit fake.

Andri differ.

Snort rely:

“Heh—some no magic—no stay.”

Words fall. Isabelle gaze—ice pit.

“Ask you? Andri.” Warmth gone. Chill pure. “Interrupt bad habit.”

Andri stun. Awkward.

Same side?

Why target?

Two seconds. Confused—status force. Face pull. Corner twitch. Low sorry.

Isabelle retract. To floor. Fix Leanna.

“Captain—know absent?”

Leanna rise. Breath. Companions worry. Smile pressure gaze.

Hide useless—Isabelle know. Better say—plead.

“Ashe.” Dry. “Not intent. Home issue. No gift…”

“Enough.”

Two words cut.

“No excuse. Skip fact.”

“Skip—punish.”

Lean. Scan. Breath hold.

Punish blade overhead.

Never forget punished—crawl Hekat dungeon. Eyes numb. Monster blood.

Unknown inside—never curious. Never want.

Girls cicada. Isabelle sudden laugh.

“Not bad. Ashe no gift—class waste. Understand.”

“Punish light.”

Girls exhale.

Hook lip. Punish:

“Challenge Mills Kailan. Month. Win—past clear. Home trip.”

“Lose—Hekat third layer. Three days.”

Third layer three days?

Exhale inhale. Limbs cold. Sweat back.

Live—must win.

Month—beat semesters genius?

Impossible?