Here's Chapter 2, featuring a monster invasion at the engagement party, where the MC, Kazriel, shows off shocking power and knowledge—like he's done this a hundred times before. It sets the tone for his hidden strength, confidence, and leaves everyone—including Aria—stunned and intrigued.
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Chapter 2: The Dance of Blades and Blood
The grand ballroom of House Valenhart gleamed like a dream. Chandeliers floated overhead, enchanted with drifting lights. Nobles from across the empire gathered in fine robes, toasting the union of two powerful families.
Kazriel stood beside Aria, their arms occasionally brushing. Her cold composure cracked more than once under his teasing smile. Their engagement had become the buzz of the evening—but to him, only she mattered.
"Do you always flirt this much at political events?" she asked, sipping wine.
"Only with my future wife," he replied smoothly.
Before she could retort, a deafening roar shattered the music.
The walls trembled. A pulse of mana surged through the air—dark, violent, unnatural.
Nobles screamed. Glass shattered. A portion of the ballroom wall exploded as a grotesque Mana-Tusk beast tore through, followed by abyssal wolves, their eyes glowing violet.
"Monsters? Inside the capital?" a noble cried. "This is impossible!"
Guards rushed forward—and were immediately torn apart. Blood sprayed. Panic erupted.
Aria stepped forward, mana crackling at her fingertips—but Kazriel gently blocked her with his arm.
"Stay back," he said softly.
She frowned. "What are you doing?"
He stepped forward calmly, removing his coat, eyes never leaving the monsters.
"Cleaning up," he said.
Then he vanished.
One moment he stood before her. The next, he was in the air, above the monsters, blade drawn from a hidden dimensional slit—a cursed saber of obsidian and fire.
He dropped like a thunderbolt.
CRACK—SLASH—BOOM!
The Mana-Tusk's head was gone before it even reacted. The wolves lunged—
Kazriel moved like a phantom. Each step, each slash, was flawless. Calculated. Surgical.
He weaved between fangs and claws with inhuman speed, cutting monsters down in elegant, efficient arcs. He didn't hesitate. Didn't test his power.
He already knew it.
It was like watching a veteran warrior from a forgotten age—not a teenage noble.
Aria could only stare.
He was beautiful in motion. Terrifying and awe-inspiring.
Within thirty seconds, the ballroom was silent again—except for the sound of dripping blood and Kazriel's quiet footsteps.
He returned, slipping his coat back on, barely winded.
Aria met his eyes. "Who… exactly are you?"
He smiled gently and held out his hand.
"Just your fiancé," he whispered. "And your protector."
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End of Chapter 2