Chapter 70: Exposed! A Strange Balance?

“Yes!”

Wendy’s lips curved up, a sly glint flickering in his eyes.

Demonic Power?

Are you kidding me?

He had already absorbed it all clean last night—how could there be any left!

He stood on tiptoe and gently bit Astreia’s earlobe.

“Don’t think about anything. Feel me.”

“Especially… those moments that make your face blush and your heart race, when you can’t help but want to break me completely~”

Astreia’s beautiful face turned so red it looked like it could bleed.

You bastard!

Even at a time like this, you still dare say such indecent things!

Yet the trace of fear in her heart was completely swept away by those teasing words.

“Okay!”

Amidst all the scrutinizing, worried, or amused gazes, Astreia closed her eyes and resolutely reached out her hand.

Descent, Witch, Betrayal…

She forced herself to throw all those chaotic thoughts out of her mind, leaving only one incredibly clear silhouette.

That beautiful Prince who always wore a mischievous smile, yet would stand in front of her at the most crucial moments!

His warmth.

His scent…

Those peach blossom eyes that seemed to see through everything…

However, just as the Princess’s fingertip was about to touch the Crystal—

“Wait!”

A sharp voice suddenly rang out. Laxana stepped forward in a flash, blocking the space between Astreia and the Crystal.

“Mother!”

Laxana’s elegant brows furrowed, facing her mother head-on for the first time.

“Astreia just went through a bloody battle. Her body and mind are exhausted, and her mental strength is severely depleted! Testing with the Soul Crystal at this moment is extremely likely to yield inaccurate results! This isn’t fair!”

Layana’s face was expressionless, her sharp gaze landing on her suddenly unruly daughter.

“Laxana Klein, are you… questioning the Mage Association’s rules?”

“I wouldn’t dare!”

Laxana’s breathing grew rapid, as if she had made some desperate decision. A hint of madness flashed in her violet eyes.

“I propose that I personally use a High-tier Divination Spell—Soul Resonance!”

At those words, all the mages present, including Layana, showed drastic changes in their expressions.

Soul Resonance!

That was a mind magic classified as a Forbidden Spell!

The caster and the subject would establish a brief Soul Link, able to peer directly into each other’s deepest feelings and memories.

But the risk was terrifyingly high.

If the subject’s mind wavered or resisted, the caster could suffer mental devastation at best—or have their soul torn apart on the spot, becoming a living corpse!

“I object.”

Before anyone could react, Wendy flatly refused.

He stepped forward, casually shielding Astreia behind him, blocking Laxana’s burning, conflicted gaze.

“Miss Laxana’s desire to protect her dear friend is understood.”

“But there’s no need to use such a dangerous Forbidden Spell to prove Astreia’s innocence.”

Wendy’s gaze passed over Laxana and landed on the silent Layana, a gentle yet distant smile on his lips.

“We trust in the fairness of this Crystal.”

“You—!”

Laxana’s delicate body trembled with anger.

She never dreamed her desperate offer of “help”—risking her very life—would be rejected so cleanly!

This fool!

He doesn’t even realize what kind of danger Astreia would face if the result is unfavorable!

“Prince Wendy, are you feeling guilty?”

Laxana’s tone turned cold, her eyes narrowing dangerously.

“Or is it that you’re afraid I’ll find some secret within Astreia’s soul—something you don’t want anyone to know?”

The tension in the air ignited instantly.

Dean Layana watched the scene before her with great interest, raising her teacup and blowing on it gently, showing no intention to intervene.

“A secret?”

Wendy suddenly laughed.

He let go of Astreia’s hand and stepped forward, closing the distance with Laxana until they could almost feel each other’s breath.

“Miss Laxana.”

The Prince leaned in, and in a voice only the two of them could hear, spoke each word like a devil’s whisper.

“Have you ever considered that between friends, distance is sometimes necessary?”

“But between Astreia and me, the last thing we need is ‘distance.'”

“You claim to be acting for her sake, yet you want to use the most dangerous Forbidden Spell to invade her soul and peer into her privacy.”

“I’m very curious. Do you really want to protect her—or is it just to satisfy your own twisted possessiveness in the name of ‘friendship’?”

Boom!

Laxana’s body shook violently.

Her beautiful face lost all color, turning as pale as paper.

Every word from Wendy pierced through her defenses, mercilessly exposing the darkness she hid deepest in her heart.

“I…”

She opened her mouth, but it was as if an invisible hand was choking her—she couldn’t say a single word.

Wendy didn’t even bother to glance at her again.

He turned, and once more took Astreia’s slightly cool hand in his own.

“Go on. I believe in you.”

Astreia nodded firmly.

All the fear and anxiety in her heart turned into an unstoppable courage at that moment.

She reached out again, with no hesitation, and pressed her hand onto the Soul Crystal!

Buzz——!

A long, clear chime sounded from the Crystal, and the silvery light within instantly became dazzling.

Then, a gentle screen of light projected from the Crystal, forming a strange image in midair.

At the center of the light was a pure, snow-white sphere.

That was the essence of Astreia’s soul—Sanctity, resolve, loyalty.

Yet, swirling around the white sphere were several faint but unmistakable wisps of pale purple mist…

Traces of Descent!

“Damn it!”

Laxana’s pupils contracted, and her heart leapt into her throat!

Dean Layana’s brows furrowed deeply, and her fingers tightened around her teacup!

Though the presence of Descent was extremely weak, it definitely existed!

At that critical moment—

A barely audible yet unmistakably clear voice slipped into the Princess’s ears, shaking her as she stared at the purple mist in turmoil.

“Astreia!”

“Think of me!”

“Think of last night!”

“Think of how, on top of me, our eyes met, our fingers entwined!”

The Princess’s body shuddered.

She squeezed her eyes shut, refusing to look at the unsettling image anymore, and instead sank her mind into the scene Wendy had just described.

On the bed, the Prince’s voice hoarse from exhaustion, yet still calling her name with the gentlest affection…

Those scenes flashed through her mind like lightning, each one making her face burn.

Astreia’s heart grew hot.

And overwhelmingly sweet.

That overwhelming flood of love, shyness, joy, and possessiveness filled her soul completely.

Boom!!!

The white sphere in the light flared with blinding brilliance!

Then, a dazzling, domineering pink light erupted from within, filled with endless passion and possessiveness!

Like a most radiant flower of love, the pink light swept through, devouring, tearing, crushing, and absorbing every trace of purple Descent!

Afterward, it twined forcefully with the white sphere, intertwining, binding, and merging into one!

At last, the entire light’s colors settled and stabilized.

It became a color none present had ever seen before in their lives…

A bizarre shade!

One half, blazing white, symbolizing sanctity and purity.

The other, rosy pink, symbolizing desire and possessiveness.

Two completely opposing attributes coexisted within the same soul in a perfectly balanced, contradictory harmony!

This…

What the hell is this thing?!