Sorriso’s central square still shimmered with frozen dust where Nightmare No 2 had been shattered moments before. Pale flakes drifted through the air like dead snow, each one carrying the silent echo of Tailer Aspenwolf’s technique.

  Elisandra Xadrez Veil-of-Mind stood at the center, her staff glowing with layered violet geometry. She had guided hundreds of civilians, stabilized three mental corridors, and reinforced Leli’s protection with a triple-layered vigilance rune.

  Twelve mental threads active.

  All perfectly aligned.

  Except the thirteenth — the one she could never admit existed.

  Because Tailer Aspenwolf walked through the frost like a white ghost.

  The professor of the Forest Echoes.

  Wolf pelt over the shoulders.

  The Twin Alba daggers stored but still dripping crystals.

  And those cold blue eyes — sharp enough to carve through worlds.

  Elisandra felt her face heat up, her focus wavering for a heartbeat.

  Ridiculous.

  You’re a Veil-of-Mind, not a nervous academy girl.

  But since their youth… since before they became instructors… he had never seen what she carried for him.

  Stolen novel; please report.

  Tailer lifted an eyebrow, a faint sideways smile appearing.

  — Come on, Chess.

  The world vanished before she could react.

  The Winter Dimensional Step tore the air open: light stretched, gravity folded, and space shivered like a thin sheet. In a single heartbeat, they were atop the southeastern wall — then on the ground — then back on the tower — until finally Tailer stopped on the eastern rampart, one hand securely holding her waist.

  She didn’t even feel the transitions.

  Only the cold of his gloves and the dizzying shift of horizons.

  — You’re safe. — he said, releasing her slowly. — Focus on the shelters.

  Elisandra pressed her hand over her mouth, breath broken.

  — How… what was… that?

  Tailer adjusted his white coat, unfazed.

  — Dimensional Step. I compress space. I don’t move — the world slides.

  He looked straight at her.

  — Wasn’t going to let you turn into a walking ice sculpture.

  Her heart nearly collapsed into itself.

  He had moved her because he wanted to protect her.

  Not because of protocol.

  Not because of mission.

  But because he cared — even if only a little.

  The Analysis

  Below, in the smoke and chaos, Lukas fought with shield and gladius — no mana, no aura, just technique sharpened by instinct and impossible precision.

  — He vanished… — Lukas murmured. — That’s not normal teleportation.

  Morgana purred inside his mind:

  — Of course not, chocolatinho… that was the Winter Dimensional Step. He folds space like silk sheets. Mmm… that cold man… delicious.

  César snarled:

  — RESPECT! It’s an imperial-level technique. He creates micro-fissures of vacuum and uses the void as a bridge. Dangerous. Efficient. Perfect.

  — And sexy. — Morgana teased.

  — SHUT UP, WITCH! — César roared.

  Lukas sighed.

  — One day you two will make my head explode…

  But he couldn’t deny it:

  Tailer was terrifying.

  Precise.

  A predator in human form.

  The Sound of Something Greater

  Tailer tilted his head slightly.

  — Hear that, Chess?

  Elisandra blinked. — Hear what?

  He closed his eyes for a moment, then whispered:

  — The sound of a god… breaking.

  Frozen leaves drifted down around them.

  The Winter Void had not merely killed Nightmare No 2 — it had demonstrated what absolute predation looked like.

  Elisandra stared at him, heart betraying her.

  Perfect. Even when killing.

  But the wind carried the scent of frost and blood, pulling her back to reality.

  She still didn’t have the courage to say it.

  — Tailer… — she began.

  But he was already gone — folded into another Dimensional Step, leaving only a cold whisper where he had stood.

  Elisandra pressed her hand to her chest.

  — One day… I’ll tell you. Even if you reject me.

  The dragon roared in the distance.

  Sorriso tre

  mbled.

  And she ran toward the southern galleries — her mind calm, her heart anything but.

  End of Chapter 53