After a month, water was no longer just an element for Dio. It had become an extension of his will.

  He stood in the middle of Philip's chaotic hut, his eyes closed. Around him, dozens of water spheres danced in the air, constantly shaping and changing. One turned into a bird flapping with liquid wings, while another froze into a sharp ice spear, then melted to become water once more.

  All of this happened in complete silence, with absolute control, and without a single drop touching his body.

  Alright, Philip said, sipping his coffee. I think that's enough.

  Dio opened his eyes, and all the water evaporated in an instant. He looked at Philip, who was looking at him with a strange expression, a mixture of pride and professional respect.

  Dio, Philip said quietly ,You are no longer my student . You are my colleague. I haven't been training you all this month; we've been helping each other in our research. And our period of joint research has ended. Now, you are on your own.

  The words carried an immense weight. It wasn't a compliment; it was a declaration of equality from the only genius mind Dio had ever acknowledged.

  If you want to visit me to ask about something else, the door is always open... if you can find it.

  Dio smiled. I have a question now. How did you create the illusion of the hut? And how do you transport me outside without me sensing the slightest trace of energy?

  Suddenly, Dio found himself standing outside, on the dirt path, and the hut had disappeared.

  That bastard, Dio laughed as he started to head back to the academy. He wasn't angry; he was grateful. That chaos had been his chrysalis, and now he had emerged from it.

  He remembered the past month. It had been a strange and comfortable routine. He would spend his nights and early mornings in theoretical discussions and practical training with Philip.

  Then he would go to the academy lectures, where he would spend his time mocking Clara, bullying Isabella luckily for him, she always lost to him in rock-paper-scissors to decide who would fight him, and listening to Cairo's endless chatter about his slow progress with Eva.

  For the first time in years, Dio felt alive. He had changed again. And I will keep changing, Mia. I will keep changing.

  He saw her walking in front of him, her black cloak swaying. Without thinking, without hesitating, he ran.

  He hugged her from behind and buried his face in her hair. A beautiful scent. The scent of a star and a rainy breeze.

  Get off me, you pervert! Clara screamed, trying to squirm out of his arms, but he tightened his grip.

  I don't want to. I'm a little child who wants a hug.

  Suddenly, he felt a sharp, sudden pain in a sensitive area. She hit him.

  Aaaah! Dio screamed, doubling over in pain. What are you doing?! How are you going to enjoy it now if it's severely damaged?

  She looked at him with disdain. You deserve it. And that 'little thing' won't please me even if it's at its full capacity.She turned to continue on her way.

  What? Dio said, trying to stand up straight. Do you want to try it to see if it will please you?

  she muttered

  No, not even in your dreams.

  Strange. Everyone in this great academy believes we've done it, and that you were wild in bed.

  She growled at him. Alright, alright, I'm sorry. But when are you going to leave this black cloak? I really want to see your face and your whole body.

  She stopped for a moment and looked away. I just... don't like anyone looking at me.

  Dio walked beside her. Then, I will be the only one who sees this beauty. How lucky I am. The woman more beautiful than the stars... all mine. He grabbed her hood and gently lifted it to cover her more. Cover yourself well. I don't want anyone else to see.

  He noticed that she didn't reply. He also noticed that her ears had turned fiery red, and her face had become the color of a tomato. He didn't say anything and just kept walking beside her in silence.

  They reached the dormitory elevator. They went up in silence. The elevator reached the seventh floor, Clara's floor. Usually, he would throw a sarcastic greeting at her and continue on his way. But today, he felt extra bold. He jumped out of the elevator onto her floor.

  I've finally entered my wife's house!

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  Get out of here! Clara screamed, trying to push him into the elevator, but he didn't budge.

  I want tea. Like the one you made for me last time. Tea made by my woman's hand.

  She sighed in despair and gave up. Dio followed her into what looked like a living room. And... he was shocked.

  It was garbage. Not literally, but it was a complete mess. Clothes thrown on the sofa, books scattered on the floor, empty plates on the table. He looked at Clara, who had turned her face away in embarrassment.

  My god. My woman is messy. I hope my daughters aren't like her in the future.

  Whose woman, in your dreams?!

  This place needs cleaning. It's impossible for me to let you live like this. And without another word, Dio began to gather the scattered clothes.

  Clara protested at first, but in the end, she started to help him shyly. It was like a rescue operation.

  Dio asked ,Why are there all these clothes in the living room?

  she muttered ,I... I was too lazy to change my clothes in the bedroom, . And I don't like sleeping in a messy place.

  Dio laughed. I've learned something new about you.

  Suddenly, his hand touched something strange and soft under a cushion on the sofa. He lifted it. It was a piece of women's underwear, with a print of cute little bears on it.

  For the first time since he had known her, Dio felt extremely embarrassed. His face turned red, and he quickly threw it down. Sorry.

  He looked at Clara and found that her face had become an unbelievable shade of red. She was completely speechless.

  They finished cleaning in a complete, awkward silence. When they were finally done, the room looked completely different. Dio sat on the clean sofa. "Finally. We're done."

  Clara said in a faint voice ,Thank you for your help .

  Of course. But I still want the tea.

  My god, you really are a child. She went to the kitchen and made the tea. She gave him the cup.

  My woman is making me tea. How happy I am. I think I'll die happy.

  Do you want me to kill you? she said, sitting beside him, but there was no sharpness in her voice.

  You, kill me? The one who always loses in Professor Gabriel's class?

  She growled at him. I've become stronger.

  And I've also become stronger today, Dio said, sipping his tea.

  They sat in a comfortable silence. Dio looked at the clean room, at Clara sitting beside him, and for a moment he imagined little children running around the place, and Clara yelling at them to put their toys in the box. He remembered his words to Mia. I will become the best father in the world.

  Without thinking, he reached out and took her hand.

  Clara was shocked and tried to pull her hand away, but he held it gently and firmly.

  I won't touch more than your hand, he said it quietly, his tone completely changed. There was no longer any trace of sarcasm. Clara, you may have noticed, but I am not joking with my words. I have truly fallen in love with you.

  I fell in love with you like a falling star, with immense speed, and that star has fallen into my heart.

  He saw her face turn redder. I know. And I feel that you don't feel the same way about me. But I will keep trying. It doesn't matter how many times you push me away; I will keep trying. I won't let something as trivial as pride keep me from my love.

  Maybe I look like a fool who is chasing you, who is bullying you. But I am trying. I am trying to make you fall in love with me. And maybe one day, we will see the seed of our love... a child. He will be so beautiful. After all, his mother is the woman more beautiful than the stars, and his father is Dio, one of the most handsome men in the world.

  He looked directly into her eyes. So, I don't want an answer now. Just... do this for me. Keep holding my hand.

  Clara looked at their intertwined hands, then at him. And after a long silence, she whispered, Okay. Then she added in a weaker voice, And our child... will surely be beautiful. I can't imagine how beautiful he will be.

  Dio smiled. Of course. Does that mean you admit I'm handsome?

  Her face turned even redder. You... are a little more handsome than others.

  Dio laughed. a clear, happy laugh.

  Dio woke up to a faint light. He found himself on Clara's sofa, and she was asleep in his lap, her head on his chest. They had fallen asleep while watching a silly, boring movie. He looked at her. She looked like an angel while she slept.

  He watched her for a long few minutes, until she slowly opened her eyes.

  When she realized her position, she quickly stood up, her face flushed. It... was my mistake.

  Dio laughed as he stood up. I wish these mistakes would happen every day. He decided to go back to his home.

  Don't you want to... say goodbye? she said as he was at the door.

  He turned to her and smiled. 'Goodbye' means not meeting again. And I will never say goodbye to you, because I always want to come back and see you.

  He entered the elevator, the smile never leaving his face.

  Clara's Perspective

  Strange. Usually, I am not happy. But why, during this period, do I feel my heart fluttering with happiness? Is it because of him? That person who entered my life like a storm. There is nothing good about him.

  His words annoy me, his sarcasm annoys me. But... when he told me to stay covered because he wanted me for himself, I felt an overwhelming happiness.

  And when he saw my underwear, I felt angry, but when he apologized shyly, all my anger melted away. And when he held my hand and said he loved me, I felt that the whole world had become more colorful.

  We watched a movie together. We slept together. I woke up before him, and I could have moved away, but I stayed in his lap. Why, I wonder? And when he said he wouldn't say goodbye because he wanted to see me again... I felt that happiness again.

  Dio Perspective

  What have you done, Dio?

  Dio was in his private training hall, punching the air with his fists. It's true you were happy, but all this? Are you a fool? I won't say goodbye because I want to see you again"? What are you doing, Dio?

  How embarrassing!

  His phone rang. It was Cairo. What?

  Dio! The sword has arrived , I'm coming up to your floor now, give me access.

  Oh, right. The sword. Dio pressed a button, and the door opened. Cairo entered, carrying a long, carefully wrapped box.

  Damn! The first-ranked's place is really different!

  You'll be surprised every time you enter. Now, give me the sword.

  Cairo said with pride ,It's a masterpiece . The master Anvil Artisan of my family made it. I paid a lot for it. My mother, when she learned it was for you, wouldn't settle for anything less than this.

  Dio took the box and opened it. Inside, there was a sword with a pure white sheath. He slowly drew it.

  The blade was white. An unnatural whiteness, as if it were made of frozen moonlight. There was no decoration, just a deadly sharpness and a perfect balance.

  Dio remembered his dream. The black sword that cut the darkness. He looked at the white sword in his hand.

  It's not the same sword.

  He felt an immense relief wash over him. This means that dream is just a lie. Not my destiny.

  He raised the white sword and felt life flow into it.

  I will call it... the Sword of Life.