Now, You Miss Me.

33.

Dante received the records from Clagen, pondering deeply as he rubbed the bridge of his nose.

‘Could there be a connection between the need to rewrite all the records and the deaths of the former heirs’ candidates?’

The previous candidates were no different from ordinary people. Once the current heirs were chosen, their powers gradually diminished and disappeared. The reason behind killing these candidates intrigued him.

‘What were they afraid of?’

What had they seen in these ordinary people that led to their deaths?

It was surprising that he hadn’t known this before. Even among the former candidates, there were quite a few nobles. The fact that this information hadn’t surfaced was suspicious. It had been carefully covered up.

‘People who wouldn’t hesitate to kill nobles.’

Although their deaths were reported as accidents or illnesses, no one believed that.

‘These must be nobles of high rank.’

He decided to investigate which nobles could handle such matters. And one more thing.

‘If Julie is the only survivor.’

There would surely have been attempts on her life. The reasons she might still be alive could be twofold: her comatose state, which didn’t make her fully alive, and the protection of Wyatt, Dante, and Clagen.

Although the bracelet on Julie’s wrist was a measure of protection, it wasn’t enough.

‘I need to increase the number of people protecting Julie.’

Julie would wake up again. He couldn’t let anything happen before that.

As he pondered, Dante noticed something tapping at his window. He felt the presence of wind, not his own.

‘Serenity Zeros, perhaps.’

He had considered the possibility that she could master the wind’s power. Dante waved his hand, opening the window. A letter, carried by the wind, floated in. It inquired about his visit to Artera, asked if he had discovered anything about people like her, and requested a visit to the heirs’ rooms if possible.

‘I suppose I should visit her.’

Serenity Zeros was involved in this matter and had a right to know. Moreover, he could ask her to help protect Julie. He could also explain the bracelet she was curious about.

It wasn’t easy to find trustworthy people, and Serenity was one of the few. She knew the most about Julie and could freely use the elemental powers.

Dante included a request for help and expressed his desire to discuss matters in person in his response.

‘I should tell her about the bracelet as well.’

The bracelet infused with the wind’s power could only be removed or put on by someone who wielded the wind’s power. Since Serenity could use the wind, it would be useful for her to know.

The letter flew away with the wind. Dante left the room to meet Wyatt, who was waiting in the parlor.

“The records wouldn’t have been destroyed completely. The belief and trust in the four elemental heirs are deeply rooted, and the fear of breaking those rules is extreme. The records wouldn’t be completely erased, just moved elsewhere.”

Wyatt jumped straight to the point as soon as Dante entered. His eyes gleamed with determination.

“We need to find them.”

A flame flickered in Wyatt’s palm.

* * *

“Pour more water!”

As the flames grew stronger, Yulia struggled. Serenity frowned as she watched her.

Yulia’s face was pale, and she bit her lip. Her hands, which were emitting water, trembled as if she didn’t know how to handle the situation.

It wasn’t just the power making her tremble. Her eyes reflected fear. Serenity realized Yulia was afraid of using her power.

‘Is it because people criticize her?’

It was a stark contrast to her usual confident, sometimes servile demeanor.

Serenity watched as people scrambled to extinguish the flames, then briefly hid her hands behind her back. The surrounding people were too focused on the fire.

She couldn’t just stand by and watch.

Disliking Yulia and addressing the current problem were separate issues. She couldn’t just watch people suffer losses.

‘Water.’

The clear energy of water was manifesting from Yulia’s hands. Serenity could feel the water energy as Yulia used her power.

She could do more than just feel it. Serenity could gauge Yulia’s strength and the extent of her current efforts.

Though superior to Julie’s ability, Yulia’s natural talent wasn’t great. She seemed awkward using the water’s power. The water stream was weak, and its color was murky. It was evident she hadn’t diligently honed her power.

‘Using water should make it visible.’

Serenity could augment Yulia’s water power. However, if anyone saw water emerging from her hands, it would be problematic.

‘I wonder if I can enhance the water stream.’

Yulia’s poorly gathered water energy was dispersing in the air. Serenity narrowed her eyes to focus. Water, the first power she mastered, was like an old friend. Moreover, she had been continuously refining her powers since arriving here.

‘Create a stronger water stream.’

Under Serenity’s command, Yulia’s water stream grew larger. Yulia’s eyes widened, realizing the suddenly increased water stream wasn’t her own doing.

Serenity focused on another aspect.

‘I need to use another method as well.’

She called upon the wind. It didn’t need to be visible from her hands and could help direct the water stream to the right place.

The wind, conjured from thin air, assisted the water people were throwing to penetrate the flames more effectively.

Yulia blinked, still using her power, and glanced around.

‘That was the wind’s power.’

She recognized the elemental origin of the wind. But there was no sign of Dante.

‘Who is it?’

Moreover, the increased water stream…

‘I am the rightful heir.’

Yulia was terrified. She didn’t want to know more. Clenching her fists tightly, she shook her head violently. It had to be a misunderstanding, just her imagination.

Meanwhile, Serenity smiled contentedly as she watched the wind at work.

‘The beauty of the wind’s power is in its invisibility.’

She could use it whenever she needed without being seen.

‘It seems all the training has paid off.’

She had enough control to direct the wind where it needed to go.

Seeing the different elemental powers mix was a first for Serenity as well.

The flames gradually died down. Amid the splashing water, the burnt remains of the house became visible. The couple, presumably the homeowners, stood in stunned silence, staring at the ashes of their home.

Having done her part, Yulia looked at her hands in astonishment. But then, adopting her usual confident demeanor, she approached Serenity, boasting about her abilities.

“I’m glad I had the chance to help you, Miss Serenity. As you saw earlier, my power…”

“Thank you, Miss Yulia.”

“Thank you!”

“Uh, um…”

However, Yulia was soon swept away by the crowd of citizens who were impressed by her efforts.

Serenity waved nonchalantly as Yulia was pulled away, then approached the couple who had suffered from the fire.

“Oh, hello, Miss Serenity.”

The couple, who had been staring blankly at the fire scene, quickly greeted Serenity as she approached.

“Are you alright?”

“We’re fine… yes.”

The woman answered in a choked voice, as if swallowing her tears. She seemed to be whispering to herself, muttering about how nothing was left, as she clung to her husband. Serenity saw herself in her.

After losing the heir’s position and all hope, she had once thought her life was completely over.

‘Would it be selfish to want to help?’

She wondered if it was merely pity. But upon reflection, it felt more like empathy. She understood their despair.

Serenity, having found a reason to live again, wanted to give these people a similar opportunity.

‘If I can give them that chance, I want to.’

Serenity had found something she wanted to do.

“I’d like to help you find a new home.”

“What? No, Miss Serenity, you shouldn’t have to…”

“Does it make you uncomfortable?”

“No, it’s not that…”

“It’s not out of pity.”

Serenity wanted to convey her sincerity.

She didn’t want them to think she was offering help out of mere courtesy but because she understood their feelings.

‘I don’t want to be misunderstood.’

She felt nervous, fearing her offer might be seen as cheap sympathy.

Taking a deep breath, she swallowed hard.

“I mean it.”

The man met her gaze. Serenity hoped her sincerity was coming through.

Had her words moved him?

“We gratefully accept.”

The weeping woman bowed to Serenity. The man nodded.

As the man comforted his wife, Serenity felt she understood why they were together. She felt a twinge of envy, seeing someone who had a lifelong companion.

“Thank you.”

The man smiled, a genuine smile of gratitude that made Serenity feel good too.

The look in his eyes was filled with admiration and respect, not because of her noble status but because of her actions.

‘To think that my choices and actions alone can help people and change their lives.’

It was like discovering a new world.

A warm excitement filled Serenity’s heart. It was different from the happiness she felt spending time with the Zeros family.

She enjoyed the goodwill that came from doing what she wanted to do. She relished the sense of accomplishment from achieving something.

‘I want to help more people.’

A small wish had sprouted.

Serenity had another dream she wanted to achieve.

Her world had grown larger.