"Look, I'm not a mind reader or anything, but I know something is definitely wrong with you, and it's not because of your expression today," Mabi paused, her eyebrows fluttering as she looked at Calus.

Calus was anything but ordinary in appearance: that muscular body, his chin, his firm lips that looked so soft and succulent… almost inviting to kiss.

"Oh my God, keep it together, Mabi," she mentally scolded herself, blushing as she slapped her own cheeks in her mind.

"Calus… since you joined the training program, you've been like this. You zone out most of the time. There's something on your mind, and it seems…"

Mabi paused and sighed.

"It's something only you can deal with. And I won't push you to tell me, but just tonight… can we try and drink away our sorrows? Forget everything and get lost in this beautiful night?" Mabi asked, as Calus' breathing tightened.

He really did want to forget this. At first, he had been happy to retain all the memories of his past life, but now… it felt more like a punishment, maybe even a curse instead of a gift. He wished, truly wished he didn't remember anything. Then maybe he could have lived normally, maybe still been best buddies with Fre, enjoying life until everything collapsed.

He looked at Mabi's face and smiled.

"Thank you," Calus said softly, and Mabi smiled. She had grown from just a senior figure to something more, a friend....maybe. He wasn't sure, but she was always there for him.

"Cheer up! This is a very powerful wine I got. It's almost priceless, but it can make even King-Level experts drunk," Mabi boasted, showing how much she trusted the wine. Calus chuckled.

She looked so cute… goddamn.

"Alright, Professor… let's just drink. Bring it out," Calus said, and Mabi smiled as a large wine bottle appeared in her hands.

Seeing the glint of silver light on her right pinky, he noticed a ring, one of those famous space rings that must cost a fortune. Damn… for Mabi to even have that, her family must be very powerful. She was a mystery he was curious to solve.

His eyes locked on the wine. Even though it was dark and still in the bottle, the soft movement of the crimson liquid swirling left and right made him smile. He guessed she was right.

"This… might actually be good," Calus said, taking the wine and looking at the dark green bottle as he unscrew the cork.

Immediately, a fragrant earthy scent arose. Calus sniffed, and a whiff made his head spin. Yes, she was right, this was definitely top-quality wine. His mouth went dry as he wondered how it would taste.

"Good, right?" Mabi asked with a confident smirk. Calus nodded.

"Yes, but it would be great if it tastes as good as it smells," he replied, and Mabi snatched the bottle from him.

"Wait… I bought it, so I get the first sip!" Mabi said. Calus burst into laughter.

How childish…

"Alright, alright, Princess, you go first," Calus said. Mabi blushed. Although she wasn't a princess and he was joking, hearing him call her that made her body heat up as she smiled.

But they would think about that later.

Mabi closed her eyes and chugged the wine.

"Ahhh, good wine!" Mabi exclaimed, her eyes lighting up as she opened them. Calus could swear he saw starlight in her eyes. Was the wine really that good?

Curious, he took the bottle from her hand.

"Huh, wait…" Suddenly, noticing Calus taking the bottle, Mabi hurriedly spoke. She had forgotten to bring out a cup and had actually… drunk it with her lips.

"I… I'm sorry. I didn't think and drank it with my lips. I'll bring a cup," she said shyly, her face burning.

Calus laughed and drank the wine. The liquid was warm as it touched his tongue, then quickly cooled as it slid down his throat, leaving a burning sensation with a unique, lingering taste. A flowery scent filled his mouth, and the aftertaste was sweet, like grape and apple.

"Amazing! This is a great wine!" Calus held the bottle high in praise.

Mabi's mouth went wide as she looked at him drinking from the same bottle her lips had just touched. That meant… they kissed indirectly.

Wow…

Mabi hurriedly looked at the sky as Calus handed her the bottle, and she drank again. Then he drank.

So the two of them drank in silence, a cool breeze brushing their faces, making their hair flow and cover their faces. Their expressions soon grew rosy, just as Mabi had said, the wine could make King-Realm experts drunk.

Finally, Calus hiccuped.

"The reason why I'm sad… or always zoning out…" Calus paused, and Mabi seemed to snap out of her drunken state. His voice was slow and drawn out from the wine as he spoke.

Mabi listened attentively. After all, this was one of the things she had been most curious about… followed by whether Calus liked her or not.

"The day you told me about the training program… that night, I lost a friend who was like a brother to me…"

"I understand you might think we were kids and all, but the relationship ran too deep. Sadly, it's gone. And it was my fault… it was so bad that when I went to the Eastern Continent, I met him, and he… destroyed my family graves," Calus said. Immediately, he felt the temperature drop rapidly.

Beside him was Mabi. Her eyes were almost blood-red as she clenched her fists. At first, she sympathized with Calus' friend… but how dare he destroy Calus' parents' graves?

How could he? That was one of the most unacceptable things. No matter what crime Calus had committed, destroying his parents in return was just too damn far.

"He went too far," Mabi muttered, her silver teeth grinding against each other.

"Did he?.. No, I did far worse… I deserve it," Calus said, a half-pitying smile on his face.

"No, don't say that. I know you, Calus. You're not like that. Everyone can make a mistake, and I'm sure what you did isn't anywhere near that," Mabi said.

"But…" Calus wanted to argue, but Mabi continued.

"Calus, you don't owe anyone anything. Stop behaving like you do. Leave your friend alone and live your life."

"At least… don't let yourself be too overshadowed, that you wouldn't see what is right beside you, or your new friends… or their feelings for you," Mabi said, her voice barely above a whisper, as small as a mosquito.

Hearing this, Calus felt star-struck, his mind in complete turmoil.

Yes… why was he so obsessed with Fre? Let him live his life, and he would live his own, they were separate now and opposite side of a coin.

Calus leaned closer to Mabi, and she felt her body freeze, his hot breath on her face made her cheeks flushed.

"Is he about to fall… too drunk?" Mabi thought, wanting to help him. But her eyes widened as she felt a soft pressure on her lips, Calus' face only a few centimeters away.

Her mind seemed to awaken as she realized Calus had kissed her.

"But… I'm older than him…" she thought, stunned.

Her mind was still reeling when Calus broke the kiss, and she spoke.

"Calus… aren't you worried I'm older than you? I mean…"

"Shhhh," he hushed her.

"Age is just a number," Calus said as he moved in again, more aggressive this time, opening her lips. His warm tongue met hers.

---

Some distance away, the king looked at his daughter with pity as he stopped her.

"I'm sorry, Arie, but Calus is busy right now. You can see him tomorrow," the king said, while Arie seethed with rage.

"Why?" Arie argued, but the king stood firm, refusing. Arie could only leave angrily.

The king sighed.

Of course, he would be a fool not to notice his daughter's thoughts about Calus, but right now… Calus and Mabi…

It would be best for Arie not to see that now.

"I'm sorry… I can only do this much to protect you," the king thought, watching Calus and Mabi's movements on the balcony, a wary smile on his face.

**********

So two more chapters left and also don't

forget...

100 powerstones — 2 extra chapters by weekend.

200 powerstones — 4 extra chapters

50 golden ticket — 10 massive chapters

release.