Roderick's brow twitched slightly, but after Karlie shook his head subtly, he grudgingly took a step back. His heart was filled with frustration and disgust. Working as Flamey's bodyguard was already humiliating enough, but now he was expected to assist in these despicable acts. It was infuriating. Although he and Karlie despised Xayne and wanted to uncover Yin-Yang Lord's whereabouts from him, the Light Order maintained principles, and bullying and taking advantage of the weak were strictly forbidden."Flamey, if she doesn't make it until Xayne arrives, your vengeance will only be half-fulfilled," Karlie interjected, hoping to dissuade him.Flamey glared at the dining knife in Serena's hand, gritting his teeth. "I know, damn it! Didn't you say you could handle anything? Then take that knife from her, now!"He had prepared for this moment, going so far as to take several pills to ensure he'd be ready. Now, with his desire raging, Serena just within reach but out of his grasp, he cou

A fierce gust shot toward Xayne's back. He spun instantly, evading the short blade and reaching to grab the attacker's wrist.Another flash of cold light aimed for his throat. Xayne swiftly stepped back, barely touching the ground with his toes, before he propelled himself into the air.His airborne kick struck his assailant's chest dead on, sending the man flying backward, his short knife clattering to the floor."Xayne! Today is the day you die!" As the shout echoed, the room was suddenly flooded with light, revealing two more figures stepping forward."Xayne, you're as impressive as ever but you're too young to understand formations like this. So, tell us where the Golden Dragon's Heart is and where the Yin-Yang Lord is," Karlie sneered, stepping toward him.Xayne ignored the question. His eyes flashed coldly. "I do not understand what you're talking about. Where are Serena and Esmond?""So, you're playing dumb?" Roderick laughed mockingly. "This building is rigged with the Bl

'Huh?' Karlie froze for just a split second, but that was all the time Xayne needed. The Ravenclaw Dagger in his hands shot toward the weakest of the trio—Logan.Logan, who had been certain Xayne was nothing more than a fish on the chopping block, never expected this. Even in near-total darkness, Xayne could strike with deadly precision. The Ravenclaw Dagger cut through the air, aiming straight for Logan."Ah!" Logan screamed in terror. He scrambled to the side, rolling in a desperate attempt to dodge the lethal blow.However, he had miscalculated. The corner of the courtyard left him no room to retreat. His roll ended abruptly as he slammed into the wall. The impact left him dazed as his vision began to spin.Before he could recover, a vicious gust of wind swept in from behind. His instincts screamed at him to move, and he leaped sideways just in time to avoid another fatal strike.Barely escaping death, Logan gasped for air. Meanwhile, Xayne withdrew the Ravenclaw Dagger, pivote

Xayne had no intention of giving chase. However, Flamey had no such luxury.Serena was still imprisoned in the main hall. Even if he tried to escape through the courtyard wall, he would end up face-to-face with Xayne."Damn it!" Flamey cursed under his breath as his mind filled with regret.'Why hadn't I left myself a proper escape plan?'Just then, his stomach sank. Xayne's gaze was fixed on the second-floor room. He was moving like a demon ascending from the depths of hell.Glass shards scattered as Xayne burst through the window, the sheer impact hurling Flamey across the room. Flamey slammed into the wall, leaving deep cracks in the concrete. He coughed up a mouthful of blood as he crumpled onto the ground."Darling! I'm here!" Serena's tear-streaked face lit up when she saw Xayne. Dropping the kitchen knife clutched in her trembling hand, she sprinted toward him.Flamey, still collapsed on the floor, squinted his bloodshot eyes at her. His trembling hand reached inside his

"Sir, I understand your pain. Losing a beloved protege, no matter the cause, would break anyone's heart. Otherwise, they'd be cold-blooded—and I, Xayne, refuse to associate with the heartless."Xayne's words echoed in Esmond's ears, triggering another round of gut-wrenching sobs.The car slowly pulled away. Serena glanced at the weeping Esmond, unsure how to console him.Back at the Xavier family estate, Esmond retreated to his room without a word. He looked like he had aged a decade overnight."Babe, about Esmond…""Esmond has no children. Sure, he's strict with his disciples, but to him, they're like his own flesh and blood. No matter what mistakes Flamey made, Esmond was always loyal to me."Xayne cast a long, thoughtful glance at Esmond's closed door.Empathizing meant sharing someone's pain, and that was why Xayne said what he did, allowing Esmond one last bittersweet farewell with Flamey.But not long after Xayne and the others left, a figure emerged from the nearby woods