Trying to Save my Favorite Character from His Tragic Fate

Kyrie senses the essence within him slowly dissipate around his wrist. Ian hovers his hand over Kyrie's arm, channeling mana to detect the essence's movements. It is the first time that Ian has seen essence in the form of energy to have its own will after entering the body. 

"How did you gain the essence in your body?"

"Through Phanes?" Kyrie tilts his head, thinking how he has already told Ian.contemporary romance

"I mean the process…" 

"Hmm… She enchanted a spell… Just that I couldn't understand a single word. Her appearance changed, and she took out a thread from her body and joined it on my chest. That thread inserts into my body and disappears after a sharp pain. She told me that I had become her successor, which I have no idea what that really means aside that I thought I could use her essence. When I had to break out of the illusion, that is when I knew I couldn't use it…"

"That is really weird."

"In what sense?"

"In the sense that it is different from what I know about essence. Once the essence is processed into the body, you gain control over it. That is how it worked inside the gates unless you absorb a relic."

"You mean taking that relic's power?"

"Yes, when you absorb a relic, you are not only taking its power but also their essence reserve. That reserve normally takes time for you to completely take in since it is claimed by the relic that possessed it."

Kyrie's eyes lighten, "What if I need to claim the essence inside me?"

"Claim? But how?"

Kyrie shakes his head because he has no idea. However, it would make sense that Kyrie might need to find somehow a way to fully gain possession over it if it has its own will.

Kyrie glances at the rings around Ian's neck, and Ian follows his gaze.

"Maya… She has remained unconscious," Kyrie reaches to touch the rings, but Ian stops him.

"Don't touch it… I am afraid that you will go unconscious again," Ian squeezes his hand, "I will deal with it once I get into the gates. I could awaken her again."

"Hmm… Then I will leave it to you. I kinda miss that kid," Kyrie smiles.

*crack*

A series of crack sounds get both of their attention. They both get quiet to listen to where the sound comes from, and their eyes land at the desk making those sounds. Then, the desk splits in half and crumbles to the floor. 

Kyrie and Ian become awfully quiet, watching the desk give up in front of them. Kyrie bites on his lower lip while his blush is rising his face. He looks over to Ian, who is smiling awkwardly at the scene. 

"KKyyyyyyaaaaaaaahhhhhhhhhhhh!!!!!!!!!!!!"

A scream echoes on the hallways with heavy running footsteps. Shocked, Kyrie stands up from the bed to see what is happening, but the splitting back pain makes him fall on his knees before even taking a step away from the bed. Ian panics and picks him up to the bed. 

"G-g-go! Go see what is happening!" Kyrie forces out his voice as he feels his lower back throb in pain. 

Ian struggles to choose what to do for some seconds before running outside with only a robe. This section of the building should have been empty due to weird rumors of a ghost. All the students that lived in this section have decided to move out after experiencing weird occurrences of paranormal activity. In the beginning, they try to pacify the ghost by offering food, but the weird sounds keep coming stronger each time. No matter how much more snacks they offer, the paranormal sounds don't cease.

Of course, that shameless goddess is to blame! Yue has seen that the more sound she makes, the more snacks she will get, until one day, no more snacks come. That is why she has decided to look for Kyrie since she has no idea how to get food.

However, the coincidence has benefited Kyrie. This is the perfect place to hide Ian after sneaking him away from jail. The academy takes security seriously since the students are either nobles and extremely gifted students. 

Kyrie rapidly turns his hand to look at the palm, wondering how he will get the stuff he has put inside the dimensional space. He tries to channel the last bit of mana left inside his body from taking the stones, and an orb comes out of his palm. 

It floats up to the middle of the room and explodes. Kyrie senses a body block his vision and arms wrapped around him when the orb exploded. Ian has returned in time to shield Kyrie from the explosion. 

The explosion is not dangerous; rather, the things that Kyrie stored inside bolts out, scattering throughout the room. 

Ian lets out a sigh of relief. 

Kyrie grabs onto Ian's robe and asks, "What did you find?"

"I think some people came into this section of the dorm, but they left before I was able to get to them."

"Hmm…" Kyrie leans forward to pick up two mana stones while holding his breath from the pain.

"Why are you taking mana stones?"

"I need to heal…" Kyrie awkwardly mumbles while sensing the throbbing sensation on his back.

"Did something hit you?"

Kyrie awkwardly chuckles, "I don't know if that is considered as hitting…"

Ian looks at Kyrie, confused, so Kyrie pulls his shirt up, showing Ian the two handprints on both sides of his waist along with all the marks on his skin. Ian holds his breath and blushes.

"This is not even the reason why I am taking the stones," Kyrie takes Ian's hand and places it on the lower back. 

Ian's jaw almost hits the floor while smoke is starting to come out of his ears. He blushes as he puts his head on Kyrie's shoulder. 

Kyrie smirks satisfyingly at the reaction. He takes in the stones while patting Ian's back. Closing his eyes, he circulates the mana he gains from the stones and enchants light magic to help him heal and relieve the pain. 

He catches a glimpse of Ian's skin between the shoulder blades and sees scratches. His fox ears come out of his skull, moving back and forth.

The next morning, Kyrie and Ian walk into the academic building to get to the academic director's office. They are planning to discuss early graduation. Just by appearing, students start to gather in the hallways. Many of them have not seen the paladin for some time now, and the rumor says that he came back to the kingdom injured. Plus, next to him is the rumored disowned prince from the kingdom of Ethern. 

Some girls, after seeing Ian, whisper, "He is so handsome!"

"Bird of a feather flock together..." Another girl suspires.

"Don't you think it is such a waste that he has lost his worth? You know… He is now a commoner…" 

"Hey!" A girl with glasses warns the one who spoke carelessly.

Just when they think they were quiet enough, they shiver when Kyrie turns in their direction with a frown. Ian lightly pushes Kyrie to move on, so Kyrie turns around without saying anything.

"Gosh… I think I said the wrong thing…"

"Well… You are not really wrong since our parents will not allow it…" says the girl with glasses, "Although for some reason… I can't wrap my head around the fact that they would marry."

"What are you talking about, Emie?"

"It's just that… an intuition. Huh? What is the commotion?"

A group of people stops Kyrie and Ian on their way. They all look nervous standing in front of Kyrie.

"Sir Rowan…" A lady in the middle walks out of the group. She curtsies to greet them.

"Lady Dolloway…" Kyrie recognizes the lady in front of him.

They are classmates, and Dolloway would always hand him snacks that end up in the bottomless stomach of that lazy god. 

"Sir Rowan… I think you should move out of your dorm! I think it is dangerous!"

The people that have come with her agree and urge Kyrie to get out of that dorm.

"Please explain!" Kyrie looks at Ian confused, but Ian starts to pale.

"Well… Yesterday, my friends and I decided to go on a test of courage and leave you some snacks. We have heard that the section Sir Rowan is staying in is extremely haunted…" Dolloway's face drains in color when remembering the paranormal activity that they experienced.

"I am speaking the truth!" Dolloway raises her voice from a burst of courage, "We split into two groups, and both groups heard those loud banging and screams!"

Kyrie's face starts to twitch even though he is trying really hard to hold his expressions.

"Lady Dolloway… W-we understand..." Kyrie finally understands. 

"Sir Rowan!" Dolloway stands closer to Kyrie with her eyes sparkling with faith and newfound honor that blazes inside to protect this beautiful man, "Seeing you unharmed is great, and we all are ashamed that we left running yesterday out of fear!"

The group of students nods while shedding tears.

"Fear no more, Sir Rowan!!! We will protect you with our lives!!!" The group kneels to the ground as if they are ready to swear an oath. 

At this point, Kyrie's soul is coming out of his mouth. He lifts Dolloway to her feet from her elbows, and the rest of the students stand up a bit confused.

"I am the paladin…" Kyrie explains with a smile, "I am the one in charge of protecting you."

Dolloway blushes while other students start to fangirl. Even the male students feel touched. Kyrie does not stay in the hallway for long, and he drags Ian to an empty classroom where no one sees them.

Ian closes the door behind him and swallows his nerves. Kyrie slowly turns around with his eyes fiercely staring into Ian. 

"Well, Ian…" Kyrie slowly walks towards him, who is backing away.

Ian hits his back on the door, and Kyrie slaps his hand next to his face. 

"What is your explanation? I thought we had the barrier up…" Kyrie tries to stay calm, "How are you going to compensate me?" 

Kyrie taps his thumb on the door as he waits for the answer. Ian purses his lips to think. Since he has lost his status, he can no longer access the money that comes with it. 

"Me?" Ian pats his chest.

Kyrie snickers, "You must be joking, my dear Ian. You are already mine…"

done.co