SUPREME ARCH-MAGUS

After reaching the Ron Family estate, Kent directly flew towards the back garden.

In the garden, the wind was cool as Kent approached the secluded garden. Beneath a large tree, Jia Ron sat alone, her delicate fingers absentmindedly playing with the golden chain around her neck. Her thoughts seemed distant as she stared at the falling leaves, unaware of the approaching figures.

Kent's heart softened at the sight of her. His usually stern face relaxed into something more tender. He approached stealthily, his presence still unnoticed by Jia.

"Do you still remember me?" Kent asked while covering her eyes, his voice gentle, but it broke the silence like thunder.

Jia froze. Her fingers stopped twirling the chain as she slowly turned her head. Her eyes widened when she saw Kent standing inches before her. For a moment, it seemed like time itself stopped.

"What are you doing here?!" she whispered, her voice barely audible.

"Of course, I came for you. Your father already agreed to bestow you. You are mine already." Kent said in a teasing tone.

For a second she stood like a stunned bird.

Tears filled her eyes as her emotions overwhelmed her. The golden chain slipped from her hand, forgotten, as the tears streamed down her cheeks. She stood up frozen, her legs trembling as she tried to steady herself.

"I thought I'd never see you again as your status ascended to the skies," she said, her voice breaking with emotion.

"Everyday, I thought about you. But I never expected to meet you again. Why did you do this?! I already benefited a lot from the things that happened during Lust goddess inheritance. Look at my cultivation, I'm close to Supreme Magus. Why… Why did you do this?" Her voice trembled as she couldn't believe the turn of fate.

Kent stepped forward, his heart heavy with the breakdown of Jia. He reached out, gently wiping the tears from her face with his thumb.

"I'm here now. And I'm not leaving again. I also came here to seek your help."

For a second Jia felt surprised.

"What did you say?" Jia asked, her voice tinged with surprise and confusion. "How can I help you?"

Kent's expression was serious, his gaze fixed as he looked down at her, his usual calm demeanor touched with an unusual intensity. He gently picked her hands earnestly..

"I have many people here. And I need to protect them, especially the women who depend on me. Right now, they're weak… vulnerable. And I can't be there for them forever."

Jia's brow furrowed, her heart aching as she listened to him. "What are you talking about? You're one of the strongest people on the planet! No one could harm them with you around." she asked, incredulous.

Before she could finish, Kent shook his head, stopping her words. "I'm leaving this planet soon, Jia. In a few days, I'll be gone—maybe for one year or more. I don't know when or if I'll return. And before I go, I need to make sure that they're in a secure place where they can grow stronger, where they can protect themselves."

His eyes drifted to the horizon, as though already seeing the distant future, one filled with uncertainty and danger.

"I… I see," Jia whispered, her voice catching in her throat. She had always admired Kent's strength, his resolve, but now she understood the burden that came with it. "You want to make sure they're safe, don't you?"

"Yes, And I can't do that alone. I need someone I trust to look after them, to guide them, to protect them."

Jia felt a lump form in her throat, realizing what he was asking of her.

Kent turned back to her, his golden eyes locking onto hers. "I trust you, Jia. You're the only one I can count on to protect them like I would. They need you… I need you to be their shield while I'm gone."

Jia took a deep breath, the responsibility of Kent's words settling on her shoulders. She had always wanted to stand beside Kent, to be a part of his world, and now she had the chance.

"I won't force you if you don't like this.."

"I promise," Jia interrupted. "I'll take care of them like they're my own sisters. I'll protect them… and make sure they grow strong. You can trust me, Kent."

"Thank you," he said quietly, caressing her hands once more. "

Meanwhile, far away from the Ron family estate, outside the Kan family, a young woman stood atop a tall castle tower.

Kelly Kan, the talented mage of the Kan family, was fiercely practicing her magic, her fists glowing with radiant energy as she honed her skills.

Suddenly, the hurried sound of footsteps echoed behind her. "Sister, sister!" a voice called out breathlessly.

Kelly stopped mid-punch, her focus shattered. She turned to see her younger sister, Julia, rushing towards her, her face flushed with excitement.

"Did you hear? That guy… that guy named Kent… he's here! He's come to the heavenly abode! I heard he accepted the Ron family Jia as Dao partner." Julia panted, trying to catch her breath.

The mention of Kent's name sent a jolt through Kelly's heart. Her hands, still glowing with magic, froze. She hadn't heard that name in a long time, yet it still carried a heavy weight.

"Kent?" Kelly muttered under her breath, her thoughts swirling with a mix of emotions. Anger, resentment, but also something else—something she had tried to bury deep within her heart.

Julia nodded enthusiastically. "Yes! He's already at the Ron family estate! The entire wizard association is talking about it!" Explore more at empire

Kelly's mind raced. They had clashed before, and the rivalry between them only made things worse. But deep down, beneath the resentment and the pride, she knew there was a part of her that still longed to be with him.

She clenched her fists, her magic sparking with renewed intensity. She shouldn't care. She had no reason to care.

"Are you going to beat him now?" Julia asked, her voice turning excited. "He's nothing but trouble. Don't forget what he did to me and our family. You were the one who suffered the most because of him!"

Kelly's jaw tightened, memories of the past rushing back like a flood. Julia was right—Kent was the reason for much of her pain, the reason for the rift between their families.

But she stared at her sister like an idiot. She is still expecting her to beat Kent. She cursed herself for having a sister like her.

Without another word, Kelly turned and jumped on her pet.

"Sister, where are you going?" Julia called after her, alarmed by the sudden change in Kelly's demeanor.

"I'm going to find him," Kelly replied, her voice cold but determined. "I need to see him, whether he likes it or not."

Julia stared in disbelief as Kelly disappeared from skies of castle. She couldn't understand why her-sister, who had every reason to hate Kent, would seek him out. But Kelly's heart had always been conflicted, and no matter how much she tried to deny it, there was a part of her that couldn't let go of the past.