Rearing Demons
Chapter 82: Past and Present

Chapter 82: Past and Present

Flying through the air, Celis felt more powerful and freer than ever.

His strength had not only soared, but it had completely changed from what it was before.

Before, he had limited control over Azure essence, but ever since creating the Blood Azure Beast Core, it felt as natural as breathing.

His control was now precise, his body incredibly powerful, and the transformation was entirely different from what he would have achieved through normal evolution.

"The risks were worth it." He smiled and flew back to the place where the rank six trees stood.

With his newfound strength, he could now claim many of the treasures.

Looking down, he saw the powerful trees standing guard around an Azure Sapling.

Although he now had an effective way of replenishing his essence—one that had evolved into something even stronger—that didn’t mean these treasures were useless.

Blood Azure was now his primary essence, and he had an abundant supply, but with these treasures, he could absorb even more quickly, further increasing his capabilities.

Swooping down, his hands—now razor-sharp claws—sliced through the trees with such speed that they couldn’t react in time.

In swift movements, he cut down the many rank six beings, finally appearing beside the sapling.

"I am so much more powerful." He clenched his fists, exhilarated by his newfound strength. "I can probably match that Demon Prince now!"

Smirking, he lifted the sapling and instantly absorbed it into his Cyralim.

The Blood Azure Sun blazed, taking the treasure and planting it within his Cyralim—but it didn’t stop there.

Essence circled the sapling, and slowly, its hue shifted from pure azure to a mesmerizing blend of crimson and azure.

"So, it will turn all Azure essence into its new form?" A smirk crossed his face as understanding dawned. "Let me grab more of these treasures then."

Launching into the air, he began his hunt, searching for anything and everything that could stabilize and further strengthen his power.

————————————————————————

After their much-needed rest, the family of three began walking through the forest.

Rose and Luna were luckily much more covered, but Jin did not have the same luck. He was barely covering his important areas, while the rest of him was bare.

"Are you sure you can walk?" Rose looked at her husband in concern.

"I am alright, don’t worry." He smiled at her weakly. Although the pain was there, attacking his body and mind with every step, he held on.

He had to.

The demon was still out there, and until they could find safety, he could not stand around and waste time.

Rose stared at him but kept her mouth shut. She didn’t know what else to say.

Luna was on his back, sleeping after all the chaos.

"I’m sorry." Suddenly, as they walked through the forest in silence, Jin, without looking at her, spoke with a tremble in his voice. "I couldn’t save or protect you."

Hearing his words, Rose wrinkled her nose but stayed silent.

She didn’t know how to reply. What could she say? Too much had happened; between them and to her as well.

"Once we reach safety, I’ll let you be free."

When he said these words, Rose’s head jerked up, and she looked at him in shock.

"Jin? What do you mean by that?" She stared at him, upset but mostly shocked.

"Exactly what I said." He finally turned his gaze, staring at her with a pained expression. "I am not worthy enough to protect you, nor can I be a husband. Especially after what you had to go through."

His eyes flickered to her body, capturing the many marks—places he once touched, now tainted by others.

Seeing his gaze, her expression twisted in pain. "Do you think I’m dirty? Is that why?"

She understood that he had realized what had been happening in the camp.

"No!" he said quickly.

"Then what?!" She frowned, anger bubbling inside her, but beneath that anger, deep pain. Her eyes watered at his words.

Although she resented him for what had happened to her, for what she had gone through, deep down, she had remained loyal to him. She did what she had to, to protect their daughter and even him.

Yet, hearing his words cut her deeper than anything else.

Jin sighed, then used one of his hands to unwrap the cloth around his waist.

Rose watched him, confused, but when the cloth fell, her eyes widened in horror.

"I am not a man... anymore." His lips trembled as he spoke, but he held himself together. "When we arrived at the slave camp, they tortured us, and then..."

He didn’t need to explain. Rose felt a sharp pain in her own body as she looked at his.

It was mangled, completely destroyed. Not cut clean—rather, it seemed like someone had smashed it with rocks over and over again. The flesh was torn, burned, and worse.

Jin weakly lifted the cloth and wrapped himself again. "It’s selfish of me to show you this, but this is the reason you should move on. I couldn’t protect myself—"

Before he could finish, Rose suddenly lunged at him, wrapping her arms around his neck.

"I’m sorry." She whispered, hugging him as tightly as she could. "I didn’t realize you might be suffering too."

Feeling her embrace, Jin felt his nose tingle and his eyes water. His dry lips trembled, but he bit down, refusing to cry.

But he wanted to.

He wanted to cry just once.

"You don’t need to apologize," he spoke with a hoarse voice, trying to hold back any cracks or signs of pain. "Mine is just physical pain. You went through worse than me—I know you did."

With his spare hand, he patted her head gently. "I am sorry."

The two of them stood there in silence.

Rose clung to him tightly, while Jin remained still, unsure of what to say or do.

"Don’t leave." She suddenly held onto him even tighter. "I don’t want to be separated again."

Her voice quivered, almost like a whimper.

Aside from her father, Jin was the only one she had ever shown this weak side to.

Finally, she lifted her head, looking at him with tear-filled eyes.

Jin stared back at her before nodding. "If you will still accept me, then I will never leave you."

Her nose trembled again, and she buried herself against him, holding on desperately.

"You’re my husband. I will always accept you."

A small, broken smile appeared on his face, relief washing over him.

She still accepted him.

————————————————————————

"Prince Jin."

Within a study, Jin held onto a book, reading it slowly, though his mind seemed to be elsewhere. He read the words, but they failed to register.

Looking up, he saw one of his servants knocking on the door.

"What is it?" he asked, though his expression remained dull.

"You asked us to inform you if anything happens with Miss Rose—"

Hearing the name, Jin shot up from his chair.

"What happened?" he rushed over, interrupting the servant. His eyes brimmed with anxiety.

Although he had promised to stay away from Rose, she was someone he liked a lot; staying away was easier said than done.

The servant was taken aback by his prince’s reaction but still reported, "We have received news that she is on a date with Noble Weir."

"Weir?!" Jin frowned. "That flirtatious bastard?"

The servant, of course, remained silent, letting Jin stew in his thoughts.

"Take me there. I’ll teach this bastard a lesson."

"Of course." The servant quickly led the way.

Meanwhile, at the restaurant, Rose was finding Weir amusing. His antics and his unusual eating habits were strange, yet not entirely off-putting.

"Are you done with the food now?" she asked, a bit annoyed at how he had devoured everything himself without offering her a single bite.

"Yeah." He leaned back, looking pleased. "That was really good."

"I can imagine." She rolled her eyes. "Now that the food is done, is the date over?"

"Of course not." He grinned before gesturing toward the waiter. "Bring it over now."

The waiter nodded and hurried off.

Rose frowned. "If this is a gift, I’m good."

"Just wait a second." He smiled. "You’ll like it, trust me."

"I won’t." She was certain.

"We’ll see." He smirked.

Soon enough, the waiter returned, carrying a large box in his hands.

He placed it in the center of the table.

It was plain, unremarkable.

"Open it," Weir said.

"You open it." She remained resistant.

Weir rolled his eyes. "Rose, if you don’t even try, how is that fair?" He sighed. "You promised to give this a shot. Can’t you at least try?"

"I only said that to get you to stop annoying me," she replied bluntly.

He laughed bitterly. "Yes, yes, I’m annoying and ugly." He chuckled. "But hey, let’s make a bet, shall we?"

"What bet?" She eyed him with mild curiosity.

"We’ll end the date the second you open the box. Whether you like it or not, we’ll call it quits."

"Really?" Her eyes glinted with amusement and intrigue. What’s he planning?

"Really," he affirmed. "However..."

There it is.

"If you open the box and so much as crack a smile, you owe me a second date. If you don’t smile, I won’t bother you again."

"And if I don’t open the box and just leave?" she countered, refusing to fall into his trap.

"Well, that would suck for me," he admitted with a shrug. "But I’ll abide by my words."

Rose didn’t respond immediately, her gaze lingering on the box, curiosity growing.

"If I don’t smile, no more, alright?" She looked at him seriously.

"Of course." He leaned back, smirking.

Taking a deep breath, Rose pulled at the ribbon.

Slowly, the flaps of the box fell open, revealing a small cake inside.

Her eyes focused on the words written across the top.

Happy First Date Anniversary.

"Pfft!"

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