Chapter 131: Noticed, and still unnoticed

"Well, if you want it that much, rejecting it wouldn't be very nice. Besides, upsetting a beautiful woman like you would be a disgrace to my masculinity," I said, matching her mocking tone.

The silver rings in Ellera's eyes began to spin faster than I had ever seen before. Yet, there was no expression on her face... I might have said she was just a bit shocked. The only thing out of place in her otherwise robotic demeanor were the silver rings in her eyes, spinning like a bicycle wheel.

"Are you serious?" she asked in a very low voice.

"Yes, I'm serious," I replied.

After my words, Ellera slowly straightened up and then reached out to me with open arms. Perhaps it was because she moved like an old woman, but she looked so sweet at that moment. After she reached me very slowly, she hesitantly hugged me. I swear I could feel the darkness within me reacting to this embrace. And when I looked at Ellera's face, it seemed as if the light within her had also responded.

"I'm glad to hear that..." Ellera said again in a low, robotic tone.

"Yes, me too... But Ellera, first of all, I'm wondering if you've forgotten something. As long as you're with me, you'll never have a child. Because we're of different species. Even so, are you still willing to stay with me?" I asked, addressing Ellera, who was still gently hugging me.

Ellera let go of me, pulled her face back, and looked at me with a strange expression. It was as if I had just told her that I had baked hundreds of people in an oven. Why was she looking at me with that expression?

"Ethan, what are you talking about... Don't you know?! You're the bearer of darkness, didn't you read that book?" she asked in astonishment.

"What book are you talking about?" I asked, equally surprised.

"The book about the previous bearer of the dark element! It's the only written source of information about the dark element, and you didn't read it? You didn't even know?"

I could honestly say it was the first time I'd heard about the thing Ellera was talking about. But why hadn't I heard of such a book? I had searched for information about the dark element frequently since childhood... Well, that was before the academy. At the academy, I only used the library to get the books I needed to grow stronger.

"Wait, a second... Was the previous bearer of the dark element a demon?" I asked, as something came to mind.

"... Oh, right! That's why you didn't know. Yes, he was a demon, naturally," she replied.

Now I understood why I hadn't heard of such a book. Because he was a demon, and on the human continent, even mentioning a demon's name, let alone owning a book about one, was strictly forbidden. In many countries, even the slightest praise of demons could lead to a death sentence.

"Can you briefly tell me about this book? And also, why did you think of it when I said you couldn't get pregnant?" I asked.

Ellera shifted back on the bed and took a more comfortable position before starting to speak.

"To keep it as brief as possible: Throughout history, there have been three known dark element bearers besides you. Two of them belonged to the demon race, and one to the dragon race. According to your terminology, the limits of the Kaizer power are actually tied to the element. Or, to put it more correctly, your potential increases based on the potential of the element.

The dark element is one of the strongest elements, and therefore, it enhances the potential of its bearer. If you've understood up to this point, I'll move on to the pregnancy part," Ellera said.

"Go on..." I said, giving her my full attention.

"Although the exact reason or mechanism is unknown, many things can be nullified due to the element or Kaizer power. According to the biography of the previous bearer of the dark element, the previous bearer of the dark element had hundreds, if not thousands, of children. One of them was none other than Annaxor, the great general of the demons on the human continent.

And Annaxor's mother was a dragon! I mean, some of the mothers of the previous dark elemental bearer's children were not even demons; some of them were even infertile, yet they had children. This means... that maybe we... I mean, if we wanted to, we could too..." Ellera said, stammering through her last words.

But at that moment, it was as if a light bulb went off in my head, and countless thoughts were swirling around in my mind. The question "Could it be?" echoed in my brain perhaps hundreds of times within seconds. This was an incredible and strange situation... Wait a second... Avanne! Avanne was infertile, and her chances of getting pregnant were zero.

So I never used protection when I had sex with her, but she never got pregnant despite the years we spent together. After all, if I had the power to make even an infertile woman pregnant, why hadn't there been any changes with Avanne? The best thing would be to ask Ellera about this.

"You say that, Ellera, but there was a woman I spent hundreds of nights with, and her womb wasn't capable of bearing a child. I mean, she was infertile, and even after years of being together, we never had a child. Maybe this ability was only possessed by the previous bearer of the dark element," I said, looking at Ellera.

"Maybe... Wait. As far as I remember, the book said that it would take at least a few years for an infertile woman to be able to conceive. And according to the author of the book, over those years, as the woman spent nights with the dark element bearer, the conditions necessary for a child would gradually form in her womb. At least, that's what the book said," Ellera replied.

My eyes widened in shock at that moment, and I finally understood why Avanne had sent me dozens of letters so meticulously. A sense of regret spread through me. What if Avanne had really become pregnant? Maybe my child was already born! And despite receiving dozens of letters from her, I hadn't opened a single one to read! What have I done?

But... But if Avanne was really pregnant with my child, why had she kept it a secret from me? ... I don't know, but I hope she has a reasonable explanation. After all, this could still all be a misunderstanding. But either way, I need to find out the truth!

I need to write a letter to Avanne immediately... But what will I say?! "Sorry, Avanne, but I burned all the letters you sent me, so if you could kindly send me a summary of them, I'd really appreciate it. Oh, and by the way, are you hiding my child from me? Naughty girl!" Am I really going to write something like that... Still, I have to start somewhere.

Unfortunately, due to the upcoming tournament, if I step outside the academy, I'll be expelled from here. So, I can't visit Avanne in person until the tournament is over. Fortunately, the academy's teleportation portal doesn't require another portal, so they can teleport me directly to the Kingdom of Asina.

Of course, to return to the academy, I'll have to make my way back to the capital of the Island Federation. But For now, let's just start with a letter.

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Evangeline's POV

I was looking out the window towards Ethan's unity building. I was actually happy that he finally made time to visit me today. But I still wasn't content with the complexity of our relationship. Ethan still thought the reason I agreed to be engaged to him was because of some personal gain...

And for some reason, whenever I see Ethan, something happens to me, and I end up acting like a foolish teenager.

I wasn't like this at first. Why do I act so strangely when I see him, and why does my heart beat so fast when I'm with him? Actually, I already knew the answer to those questions. I had fallen in love with Ethan. And in fact, I told him that straight to his face when I lost to him in that fight!

Thankfully, the adrenaline helped me muster up the courage to confess, but why does he act like that moment never even happened? Ugh! You're driving me crazy, Ethan! What, did you think it was just some insignificant joke when I told you I loved you?!

Stay tuned for updates on m-v l|-NovelFire

I confessed my love to you, man! Did you think it was a joke? Or did you just forget about it already?! I must be the fool for falling in love with someone like you. And now you still think the reason I'm with you is for some personal gain. When will you not realize that I am the strongest candidate for the throne of the Tamerid empire and that I can take the throne without anyone's help?

So what do I do now... When I confessed, I was riding a wave of adrenaline, and honestly, I didn't feel this strongly at the time. But now, these feelings are starting to drive me insane. I want to spend so much time with him! But while I'm feeling this way, what is he doing? Probably busy screwing those sluts that hang around him.

With all those women around, why would he even think about me?! I hate this situation!

But I'll get my revenge for making me feel this way. As much as I want to, I won't hurt you, but when the tournament you've been waiting for finally arrives, I'll make sure to give you a hard time as sweet revenge.

"Hehehe... You're going to have such a wonderful time, my love..."