Moonlight Ball - Chapter 155

He could bear it no longer. Elaine’s fist collided with Usya’s face. Despite being a man who had engaged in his fair share of mischief in his youth, his punches lacked intensity. Nonetheless, it was a harsh blow for Usya, who had already endured multiple beatings from Rizal’s henchmen.

Struggling to catch his breath, Usya spat out a tooth.

“Weakening? Is that how your eyes perceive the Master?”

Iris was his daughter. She was his disciple. She was meant to be under his care and carry on his legacy, but not for someone else’s benefit.

“It’s this Master’s fault for not realizing what you truly are. I will take responsibility, but once this is over, don’t even dream of setting foot in the Magic Tower again.”

Elaine’s declaration left Usya stunned. Telling the magicians of the Magic Tower to never return to the tower was akin to telling them to perish. Usya leaped up in surprise, only to be brought back down with a jarring click. His body was chained to the wall, handcuffed, and shackled.

“P-Please, Master, don’t do this.”

Usya Elaine, a man of forty, had led a life similar to Iris’s. The only difference was that his magical abilities had manifested around the age of twenty, and Elaine hadn’t been his initial mentor. After the passing of his first teacher, Elaine took Usya under his wing as a disciple, and Usya wholeheartedly assisted him. However, Elaine always maintained a certain distance from Usya. No matter how hard he tried, Usya could never be to Elaine what Iris was. He lacked the inherent magical power and talent. No matter how strenuous his efforts on the other side, his mentor never regarded Usya with the same reverence.

The first master had perished, and the second master failed to take proper care of himself. Where did Usya stand? He had turned forty, yet he perpetually grappled with insecurity regarding his position. While his teacher held firm authority, things were somewhat better. But when the teacher’s position was threatened, Usya became paralyzed with fear, and it was during this vulnerable period that the queen approached. Her proposal was enticing.

“Don’t you desire to become the master of the Magic Tower? Aren’t you tired of having your life controlled by others?”

How could Usya have resisted such an offer?

The feeble man clasped the con artist’s hand and surrendered the Magic Tower’s secrets. And now, he was paying the price. But Usya yearned to speak out. It was the master who had molded him into this state. No matter how old or wise one becomes, anxiety cannot be evaded. The desire to belong somewhere and establish a firmer foundation lingers. It’s a yearning for external strength to quell the internal turmoil. The weaker the individual, the stronger this longing becomes.

And there’s someone who isn’t like an ordinary human.

“Usya Elaine!”

This woman, who had no interest in external strength, possessed an internal fortitude that fascinated Usya.

Iris Elaine materialized like a tempest, her countenance resembling that of a fearsome demon.

“Rain, rain charge! Your Highness, the Queen!” They were all hindered by those around them, but Iris brushed them aside. She ruthlessly slapped Usya on the cheek for daring to involve the master in such a rebellion.

Usya shook his head, stars dancing before his eyes from the forceful blow.

“Wow, Your Highness, the Queen! I-I really didn’t want to say anything, but I couldn’t help it. They kidnapped me in the dead of night! They kidnapped me!”

Usya believed it was Rosemary’s doing. He couldn’t fathom that it was Iris, so he hastily concocted his own excuses. However, Iris wasn’t in a mindset to entertain his words at that moment.

“You dare! Lay a finger on my master! I’ll make you pay! How about a weightlifting match?”

Iris’s hand slashed through the air, aiming wildly for Usya’s cheek. Elaine swiftly erected a barrier and embraced Iris from behind. Even as she clutched Iris around the waist, suspending her in the air, Iris persisted. She was blind to her anger, seething over the fact that her one and only father, her friend and mentor, had nearly been crushed beneath the weight and faced execution.

“Just let my master suffer! I’ll kill you!”

Iris bellowed.

“Iris.”

Elaine called out to Iris, but she writhed within.

“If my master suffers because of this, I’ll definitely kill you! I’ll kill you!”

“Iris!”

Elaine’s resolute call pierced through, jolting Iris back to reality. Iris lifted her head and locked eyes with her mentor. The sight of her master sent a shockwave through her, prompting her to scrutinize his face and assess her own condition.

“Hey, why are you here? Master, you can’t be…arrested, arrested,”

Tears welled up in Iris’ azure eyes, brimming with terror and apprehension. Within those eyes, Elaine could discern the unwavering love and trust she held for him. A gentle smile graced Elaine’s lips.

“My poor disciple had an accident, so I came to check on you. Consider it a visit. There’s nothing wrong, Iris!”

Iris crumbled to the ground. In an instant, Elaine enveloped her in a tight embrace, but Iris had lost touch with reality. In that very moment, the barrier shattered, consumed by a crimson blaze.

“Please!”

The figure that emerged was the king. He swiftly clasped Iris in his arms and meticulously examined her pulse. With the two men before them, Usya muttered dazedly.

“Is it Iris? Master, Iris…why? Why are you calling Her Highness the Queen by Iris?”

How on earth did this come to pass?

As Usya posed the question, the two men, fixated on Iris, sharply turned their gazes toward Usya.

“Shut up!”

“You know nothing!”

Usya had no choice but to clamp his mouth shut.