SUPREME ARCH-MAGUS

Laughter echoed through the halls of the Loon Family Pearl Cave.

Kent leaned against a coral pillar, arms folded, quietly observing the scene before him. Tables were packed with disciples, servants, spirit beasts, and curious nobles who couldn’t resist the magnetic pull of the heavenly aroma. Kent’s dishes were more than food—they were alchemy that charmed the senses.

His spirit pets devoured their share in gluttonous delight. The blue-winged panther smacked its lips with glowing satisfaction. A golden squirrel stuffed shrimp dumplings into its cheeks. The arrogant thunder toad, previously too proud to eat with others, was now snorting joyfully into a bowl of spirit-boiled crab legs.

The air rang with mirth. But much of the laughter, unfortunately for one person, was directed toward Sana Loon.

“Lady Sana nearly turned the kitchen into a volcano!” one servant giggled.

“I heard she mistook salt for beast gunpowder,” another chimed in.

“Well, at least she knows how to summon a chef if not cook like one,” a noblewoman whispered.

Sana’s face twitched behind her elegant fan. She maintained a noble smile, but her twitching eyebrow betrayed her boiling frustration. Her glare kept swinging toward Kent, who was pretending not to notice. Every time someone praised his cuisine, her pride cracked a little more.

Still, she had a task to complete.

As Kent turned to leave, brushing invisible flour off his robe, Sana intercepted him like a rogue arrow.

“Wait! About my… condition,” she whispered.

Kent raised a brow. “Your rotting fruit dilemma?”

Her jaw clenched. “Don’t mock. I agreed to your terms.”

He nodded calmly. “Then come to my temporary home tomorrow morning. Bring tea. Real tea, not that Loon family swamp water.”

Sana was too stunned to retort. He walked off, hands behind his back, leaving her fuming and confused.

“Acting too smug! But this fellow is really have some skills!” Sana muttered as she wondered what to wear for tomorrow’s meet up.

—

The pathway outside the Loon estate was dim, the sky smeared with hues of pink and amber. Kent strolled alone, letting the ocean breeze cool his thoughts. Just then, the air shifted.

“So you finally escaped the Loon family pearl prison.”

Kent halted. The voice was soft, melodious, with a trace of mischief. Nyara, the second princess, emerged from behind a sea-glass pillar, dressed in flowing blue robes, a slight smirk on her face.

“I heard you turned their kitchen into a royal banquet,” she added, walking beside him.

“The Loon family turned it into a battleground. I just cleaned up,” Kent replied casually.

“Hmm. Still, even the servants were talking about ‘Golden-Flamed Human Chef.’ You’re getting famous, Kent.”

He shrugged. “Fame doesn’t interest me.”

Nyara stopped walking and faced him.

“Good. Because tomorrow evening, you’ll receive something more valuable: the truth.”

Kent tilted his head.

“About the task?”

“Yes. You deserve to know what you’re being tested for. But you had to prove you’re capable first. And now… you have.”

Kent nodded slowly. “Tomorrow evening then.”

Nyara’s gaze lingered longer than needed. “Don’t be late. Or I might change the script.”

With a twirl of her robe, she vanished into the evening mist.

–

When Kent reached Neela’s chambers, the aura was chilling—not from her Yin condition, but her mood.

She sat on the edge of her icy bed, back straight, arms folded, looking every bit the icy princess she had once been nicknamed: Cold Iron Neela.

“So,” she said, her voice icy enough to freeze hellfire. “The great Kent Hall finally returns. After entertaining a certain Lady Loon.”

Kent blinked. “I was there to eat. Not to be eaten.”

“Is that supposed to be funny?” she snapped.

Kent sighed and walked in, removing his outer robe. “You really believe I’d betray your trust for a few Mana pearls and a burnt pot of soup?”

She didn’t reply, but her lips pressed into a thin line.

He sat beside her, letting silence settle.

“I came back to you,” he said, his voice low. “You don’t think I’d spend my night with someone who sets fire to water, do you?”

That earned a reluctant snort.

Kent smiled. “You should’ve seen her trying to cut spirit kelp. Nearly summoned a blade spirit by accident.”

“She offered you her body, didn’t she?”

Kent raised a brow. “She did. I rejected her. Compared her offer to rotten fruit.”

Neela’s lips twitched.

“You’re cruel.”

“Only honest. You’re the one I choose to heal… and stay with.”

Her proud mask began to crack. Slowly, she leaned against him.

“I don’t like sharing,” she murmured.

Kent paused for a second as he stared into her eyes. “My bad… I should have told you this, in the first place.” Kent muttered in a disappointed tone.

“What do you mean? Are there other women in your life?” Neela asked in a surprised tone.

Kent didn’t flinch. He looked straight into her eyes, voice calm and without a trace of guilt.

“Yes. I have fifteen women… companions. They are not here. They live far away. But they are mine, and I’ve never lied to them. Nor will I lie to you.”

Neela’s heart trembled. The weight of his words crushed the delicate emotions she was only beginning to explore. Her smile faded, replaced by a cold calm.

“I see,” she whispered.

She stood up, folding her arms across her chest, refusing to meet his gaze. “Then go.”

Kent blinked once, as if confirming he heard right.

“You’re asking me to leave?”

“As the princess of the mighty Naga clan, I can’t take a man who is already occupied. I need to respect my-position. So, Give me some time to think about this thoroughly. ” she said, voice restrained.

“I’m not ready to be one of your fifteen. Not today.” She added.

Kent didn’t defend himself. He didn’t beg, didn’t try to hold her hand or explain. He only nodded.

“As you wish,” he said gently.

Then he turned and walked away, the door closing behind him with a soft click, leaving Neela standing in the silence, eyes turned moist with unspoken thoughts.

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