.
Gianna and Suzine's voices slowly faded into the evening air…
Back in the study room—
Jones, still a little surprised, bowed respectfully.
"My lord, please—whatever you need, just ask. I am here to serve you."
Dian smiled gently. "Then starting tomorrow… train me."
His voice was calm, genuine, but firm.
Jones's eyes widened slightly. After all, since the late Lord and Lady's passing, Dian had refused to train—even during the preparation for his Awakening Ceremony.
But now…
Jones composed himself. "Absolutely, young lord. Even if there's only a month before the ceremony, I will do my utmost."
Of course, he misunderstood the reason.
Dian parted his lips to correct him—but stopped himself.
"Good. We start at the training ground. Early morning."
"As you wish, young lord," Jones replied, giving a slight bow.
With that, the two parted ways—Dian returning to his chambers, and Jones heading off to fulfill his duties.
---
Evening had fully fallen by now. The sun was long gone, replaced by the velvet-black sky of Siros. Stars shimmered, and the moon's silver light bathed the castle in a soft, mystical glow. Cool breezes stirred the flowers, letting their fragrance drift gently through the air.
As Dian walked through the lantern-lit hallways, his polished leather boots clicked softly against the crimson carpet. His gaze wasn't fixed ahead, but rather on a glowing blue screen hovering before him.
It had appeared the moment he'd left the study.
---
[Ding!]
[Hidden Condition Fulfilled – Conquer two women!]
[Special Effect Unlocked – In addition to missions, Host can now earn Love Points by making his women's hearts flutter through intimacy and emotional connection.]
[Current L.P Balance – 500]
[Breakdown – 150 from Gianna, 250 from Suzine (last night), 100 previously stored]
---
Dian halted mid-step, eyes wide.
This... this is amazing.
He knew the system shop held many powerful treasures, but most had been well out of reach—until now.
Now, I can earn LP fast enough to get what I want. He smirked.
Present moment—
Still walking, Dian scrolled through the system shop, finally taking the time to explore what he had skipped earlier due to Jones's presence. His eyes stopped on one item in particular.
"Perfect," he murmured.
---
[System Shop]
[Nullflare Ring – Conceals Host's Mage Stage. No one will be able to sense your magic stage (up to Great Mage). Note: It only conceals—it does not suppress.]
[Price – 499 L.P]
---
He hadn't forgotten the system's earlier advice: conceal your stage. Not just for the Awakening Ceremony, but… because of *him*.
Leon.
Thanks to his skill 'Eye of Perception', Dian knew he didn't tried to sense him due to his unstable mental state during their encounter. Though composed on the outside, the man had been a storm within.
He's strong. A Major General. Not a fool. He'll calm down soon—collect himself and will start noting down everything he can.
And if the King caught wind of his advancement without an official Awakening… Already, unstable due to his recovery. This could lead him seeing the Skyster family as a direct threat to his throne.
Then, a war would be inevitable and even the Skyster name might not be enough to avoid consequences. A war with the crown would be… costly.
But he didn't think of him losing, even fir a second. Because he knew what Reus Rindell' didn't.
Dian shook his head and glanced again at the shop screen. A small smile tugged at his lips—until he noticed something.
The ring's price ended with:
'499 L.P only~'
His jaw dropped.
"…Only~?!"
His voice rose slightly with disbelief. "Hey, System. You've gotta be joking, right? A simple ring costs *this* much?!"
The answer came immediately, flat and composed.
"That is the fair price, Host."
A pause.
"Also—I don't know how to joke."
Dian twitched.
"Then how do you keep making those sarcastic comments!?"
A low whistle echoed in his mind—clearly mocking.
He sighed, face twitching, but suppressed the irritation. No amount of shouting would get him a discount.
"Fine." He pressed the button.
---
[Purchase Initiated...]
[Purchase Complete – Nullflare Ring]
[499 L.P deducted]**
[Remaining Balance: 1 L.P]
---
He exhaled as the ring materialized into his hand, summoned from the system's personal space.
A sleek black band forged from obsidian aetherite. It was cool to the touch, its surface laced with silver-blue veins that pulsed like frozen lightning. No gemstone adorned it—only a thin groove around the band, where liquid mana shimmered faintly. Under certain angles, runes flickered just beneath the surface.
Without hesitation, Dian slipped it onto the middle finger of his right hand.
Instantly, he *felt* it.
Like being surrounded by countless glowing eyes in a dark room—only for all of them to blink shut. Not by choice, but because something greater demanded it.
"It's beautiful..." Dian whispered, watching it glow under the moonlight.
But then he frowned. "Wait. Won't this ring attract attention?"
A chime rang. The system spoke."Then why not make it invisible?"
"…I can do that?"
"Of course. Just connect with the ring and issue the command."
Dian stopped walking. Closed his eyes. Reached out with his senses.
There. A thread of connection. Subtle—but real.
He willed it.
The ring shimmered… and vanished.
Opening his eyes, Dian stared in amazement.
Gone—yet not. Still there, still pulsing beneath the surface.
He looked out at the castle bathed in moonlight. The grand halls. The whispering gardens. The soft hum of magic in the air.
"…It really is a magic fantasy world," he whispered.
And with a deep breath, adjusted his sleek noble robe and turned toward his chambers—
Here is your **polished version** of the scene, keeping the romantic and lightly tense tone, while improving grammar, pacing, and flow:
---
Thud!
Dian walked straight into someone.
There was a soft, muffled bump—like something both firm and delicate had hit the floor.
Then came a voice, sharp and slightly flustered. **Sara.**
"Hey! Do you even know how to—"
She stopped mid-sentence, eyes widening as she looked up.
Dian stared down at her, amusement flickering in his gaze. He didn't need his memories to recognize her—his little maid had already spoken of her that very morning.
Sara.
The new 'Head Maid' of the Skyster family.
For a moment, she didn't move. Her breath caught, lips parted slightly, and her heartbeat thundered in her chest. A soft blush bloomed on her cheeks, growing warmer with every second.
She had heard the stories—about how handsome, how charming the young lord was. But nothing had prepared her for this.
Under the moon's glow…
There he stood—Lord Dian.
His dark hair shimmered with silver light. His golden brown eyes, half-lidded under long lashes, held a quiet fire. The shadows didn't hide him. They carved him—chiseling out nobility, charming, and something deeper… something *unreachable.*
In that moment, he didn't seem quite real.
He seemed **destined**.
Noticing her stunned silence, a smile tugged at Dian's lips. Clearly amused—and pleased—by her reaction.
He cleared his throat gently, extending a hand.
"Here."
Sara blinked, snapping out of her daze. Her blush deepened furiously as she realized how shamelessly she'd been staring.
"T-thank y-you, Lord…" she stammered, her voice trembling as she slid her hand into his.
His warmth bled into her skin. Her breath caught again. When he helped her stand, she found herself too close—*much too close.*
Her heart pounded like a drum within her chest.
Dian wasn't unaffected either. Though composed, he took a moment to study her—*truly* study her.
Sara was stunning. Maybe even distractingly so.
She stood at about five-foot-eight, around twenty years old. Light pink hair cascaded down her shoulders like petals in bloom. Her eyes—a rare dark pink—glimmered with uncertainty. Lips soft and full, a heart-shaped face framed with delicate beauty. Her body… curved in all the right places: full breasts, a slim waist, and plush hips hugged tightly by her black-and-white maid uniform.
A moment passed in silence, neither of them rushing it.
Then—
"So," Dian said, breaking the stillness, "is there something you needed from me?" He tilted his head slightly, catching that she had just stepped out from his room.
Sara straightened quickly, blinking as if pulled from a dream. "Y-yes!"
She cleared her throat, hands fidgeting.
"D-dinner is served, Young Lord. Lady Suzine and Lady Gianna are waiting for your presence."
Dian nodded. But as he turned to go, he paused and glanced over his shoulder.
"And… have you invited our guest? Sir Leon?"
Sara let out a soft gasp, her eyes widening. "Y-yes! Sir Leon has been informed. He's already been invited."
"Hm." Dian nodded again, and this time, a soft smile bloomed on his face.
"Thank you, Sara," he said warmly—not distant, but gentle. Familiar. Almost… sweet.
**Thump-thump.**
Sara's heart skipped again.
She clutched her apron tightly, trying to calm her rapidly growing thoughts as he turned and walked down the hallway, the candlelight painting golden patterns along his back.
She watched him go, completely unaware that her flustered heartbeat echoed louder than she realized.
Or perhaps… not entirely unaware.
.
.