Chapter 1

I lay in the blood, my flesh pressed against the iron chain. Even the slightest movement would cause searing pain.

Hayes Carter stood not far away. His eyes remained indifferent, but those eyes that had once kissed my forehead now looked over me and focused on Tessa Laughlin first.

Tessa was shielded behind him, wearing his cloak. Her face was as pale as snow. "Hayes, is Luna Williams still blaming me?"

She gently grasped the sleeve of Hayes' coat. "I really didn't know that sword was her Soulsword. When the lightning fell during my trial, I was so scared that I used it to block it."

Hayes muttered, "You haven't fully recovered. Talk less."

He gathered her cloak gently. His movement was very light. He had also helped me gather my clothes like this on countless cold nights before.

I looked at him, a mouthful of blood rising in my throat. "Hayes, my sword is broken."

He frowned slightly. "I know, but a broken sword can be recast."

I suddenly smiled. It turned out that to him, life was nothing more than a broken object that could be repaired.

"You knew?" I raised my right hand, my fingertips still stained with blood from the backlash. "Then you should also know that a shattered sword is like a broken life. When you asked me to take the lightning for her, did you ever think about how much pain I would feel?"

Tessa's eyes reddened. "Luna, I didn't ask you to take the lightning for me..."

Hayes' expression darkened. "Luna, Tessa almost died from the lightning trial. She didn't do it on purpose."

He was giving the same excuse again.

My sword could shatter, my blood could flow, and my life could be used as a stepping stone for her.

The system voice sounded in my mind, "Your health is below 20%. Immortal Soul damaged. Preparing for exit."

Hayes seemed to have heard it too. I saw his fingers stiffen slightly. However, he quickly got over that slight lapse. His eyes seemed even colder than before. "It's that voice again."

He walked up to me, looking down at me. "Luna, you're always using this to pressure me, aren't you?"

I froze.

He thought I was pressuring him.

Hayes leaned down and lifted my chin. He gently wiped the blood from my lips, his touch still carrying a hint of past affection. However, his tone was as cold as ice. "If you really wanted to leave, you would have left already."

I looked at him, my chest feeling like it had been ripped open. "Hayes, I'm not using this to force you."

"Then what do you want? Do you want me to abandon Tessa in front of everyone and save you first?" His voice was extremely low.

I could not speak for a moment.

Not because his question was harsh but because the old Hayes would always save me first. Even if I had only broken a teacup, he would have held my hand and looked at it for a long time. Now, I was covered in blood, but he thought I was vying for his favor.

Hayes released me, his expression returning to normal. "Apologize to Tessa."

I looked up at him, the light in my eyes slowly fading. "Why should I?"

Tessa hurriedly said, "Hayes, no need. Luna is injured—"

"It's precisely because she's injured. She should know better," Hayes interrupted her.

He looked at me, his eyes filled with disappointment and weariness. "Luna, you weren't like this before."

I suddenly laughed. "What was I like before?"

He did not answer but simply raised his hand, and a disciple of Disciplinary Hall stepped forward, pressing a Mystic Suppressing Nail against my wrist bone.

My face paled instantly. Once that thing entered the body, it would seal mystic energy, preventing the wound from healing itself.

Hayes looked at me, his voice indifferent. "Stand outside Tessa's courtyard. You'll be released when you apologize."

I tried to sit up, supporting myself with my hands, but the backlash from my broken sword had not subsided. The moment my right hand touched the ground, the Mystic Suppressing Nail pierced my bone. I shuddered in pain, my fingers buckling limply.

With a crack, my bone fractured.

A flicker of emotion crossed Hayes' eyes as he reached out to help me, but Tessa coughed softly. His hand froze in mid-air before withdrawing.

I understood at that moment that he was not unaware of my pain; he just thought I could endure it.

The system rang again. "Your affection level has decreased. Current affection points: 12."

Hayes' expression grew even colder upon hearing this. As if his pride had been wounded by the notification, he turned and took Tessa's hand. "Take her away."

After taking a few steps, he stopped. "Spare her life. Don't let her die before tomorrow's ceremony."