Chapter 11: [MONSTER]
After dinner, Kael led Selene out to the garden. Two moons hung low in the sky, casting a pale, silvery glow over everything. The house stood quietly behind them, its windows faintly lit, and all around bloomed flowers that seemed almost too perfect for a world so cursed.
Selene’s voice cut through the stillness, calm but pointed.
"Why didn’t you just apologize?"
Kael’s chest tightened. His emotions surged— In this damned place, Selene was the only one he believed had his back.
But then she dropped the bomb.
"According to the rules," she said slowly, deliberately, "Slaves of losers get punished too."
Hearing that, Kael choked.
A sharp breath caught in his throat, but he said nothing.
His pride had already taken enough damage for one evening.
"Teach me," he said at last, clearing his throat. "The easiest Rank 1 spell. Please."
Selene looked at him—really looked—and then gave a slow, solemn nod, like a teacher about to initiate a particularly hopeless student.