Chapter 107: The Dust Finally Settles

“It’s nothing… it’s just that you… you’re even scarier than any demon I’ve ever seen.” The Moon’s Dark Whisperer finally summoned the courage to speak, its voice trembling, yet threaded with a stubborn defiance. Though it had no way to retreat, it refused to fully submit, at least in words.

Merlin stroked his chin thoughtfully as he gazed at the twisted, viscous black liquid that had once taken form. The Moon’s Dark Whisperer no longer resembled Stacie at all. He hadn’t expected that, in its eyes, he was a creature more terrifying than a demon.

Seriously? I’m this handsome, and this is how I’m being described? Merlin’s mood soured, a flash of indignation sparking through him. He roared, “Right now—immediately—get back into Stacie’s body! If I ever catch you causing trouble out here… hmph hmph.”

A chill ran through the Moon’s Dark Whisperer. Though it had signed no contract with Merlin, a creeping sense of alienation filled it—as if its own body no longer belonged to itself. It realized it was trapped in Merlin’s shadow. That sly smile, those greedy eyes… they seemed to devour its freedom and dignity with every glance.

A wave of helplessness surged within it, and then, without resistance, it dissolved into a flowing pool of black liquid and slid away. In that instant, the shadow of Siyue’s domain that had loomed over the teacher’s dormitory dissipated entirely.

The corrupted fairies, born from the students’ negative emotions, scattered like ash in the wind, vanishing into nothingness, carried away with the breeze.

Carl and Alexis, their bodies battered and bruised, exhaled a long sigh of relief as they watched the dissipating natural guardians. Though pain still lingered in their muscles and bones, the oppressive weight pressing on their hearts had lifted significantly with the fairies’ disappearance.

Supporting one another, they exchanged weary but grateful glances, a subtle relief glimmering in their eyes.

“It’s finally over.” Carl coughed lightly, his voice weak, tinged with exhaustion yet carrying a sense of liberation.

“Yes… it’s all over now…” Alexis shook his head, his eyes reflecting a lingering fear, the memory of the danger they had just faced still fresh.

At that moment, Dilia and Shirley came running over, their expressions etched with concern. Swiftly, they produced potions and illuminated spells, beginning to treat the two men’s injuries.

“Are you both alright?” Dilia’s voice carried deep care, as she gently poured the faintly glowing potion over Carl and Alexis’s wounds. The healing magic seeped into their bodies, and slowly, the pain ebbed away.

“Thanks to you,” Carl managed a faint smile, feeling the warmth of restoration flow through him. Gratitude welled up in his chest. “Without your help… we probably wouldn’t have made it.”

Shirley, meanwhile, moved gracefully, her hands tracing elegant arcs in the air as she cast her light magic. The soft radiance enveloped them, pushing back the lingering shadows. Though her face bore signs of fatigue, her eyes gleamed with unwavering determination and courage.

“It should really be thanks to Senior Yuna and Boss Merlin,” Shirley said gently, a warm, steady smile crossing her face. She glanced toward where the two heroes stood. “They were the ones who defeated that dark fairy.”

As their wounds gradually healed, Carl and Alexis felt their spirits begin to return. Exchanging a knowing look, they silently acknowledged that the life-or-death ordeal they had endured had only strengthened their bond of friendship.

“What about Senior Yuna and Merlin?” Carl asked, rising and sheathing his sword, a note of worry threading through his voice. His eyes swept the surroundings, searching for the two key figures.

Dilia pointed toward a distance. “Over there. They’re tending to the fairies. They’ve suffered greatly under the influence of dark magic.”

Following her indication, Carl saw Yuna crouched in a small clearing, carefully attending to a few injured fairies. She held a necklace capable of channeling light-based healing magic, its divine glow gradually dispelling the lingering darkness.

“Let’s go—no point standing here. We should help too,” Alexis said, beginning to make his way toward Yuna’s position.

Kaelos struggled to his feet, still resisting the lingering effects of dark magic, his eyes reflecting everything he had witnessed.

“Merlin… thank you.” Kaelos grasped his own clothing nervously, fidgeting as if embarrassed, almost like a timid girl.

Behind the scenes of the Moon’s Dark Whisperer’s tale, in the ruins in front of the teacher’s dormitory, Merlin sifted through the debris. Hearing Kaelos’s voice, he nodded, emotionless. “Try to be kinder to your sister from now on.”

Merlin’s words pierced Kaelos’s heart like a thorn, stirring memories long buried. His thoughts were instantly drawn back to his mother’s teachings—that gentle yet firm woman, the sister of Stacie’s mother, had once told him the same.

A wave of guilt washed over Kaelos, his gaze dimming. Reflecting on the “Stacie” they had faced today—though a form conjured by the Moon’s Dark Whisperer, it had dredged up the darkest corners of Stacie’s being—he realized that it had merely sought to make them feel the pain of bullying. Had it been anyone else, they might have been slain outright.

Kaelos was overcome with deep remorse for the way Stacie had been treated. Even though she had long been tormented by their so-called “noble” elven group, they had never truly understood her suffering. Even his own attempts at “protection” had been hollow, mere self-serving pretense.

Behind the fountain outside the teacher’s dormitory, Merlin noticed the shadow of the Moon’s Dark Whisperer flowing toward a corner. He pushed aside a fallen stone and discovered Stacie amidst the ruins of the fountain statue.

Her body was curled tightly, knees hugged to her chest, face buried against her legs, as if trying to disappear entirely.

Merlin’s gaze softened as he called out, “Stacie?”

She slowly raised her head, eyes brimming with guilt and pain. Her expression mirrored that of a child who had made a mistake—so full of grievance and self-reproach, as though she were apologizing for the chaos she had inadvertently caused.

“Me… Merlin… I’m sorry… I… I think I… ruined everything…” she murmured, her voice faint and trembling.

Merlin crouched down, his eyes gentle and understanding. He knew Stacie had never intended for things to go so wrong. She always bore burdens in silence, striving to meet others’ expectations through her own efforts.

He had often seen her laboring late into the night, meticulously planning the next day’s tasks, arranging his schedule, and studying the Beast Master Academy’s courses. She had truly worked so hard.

But with the Moon’s Dark Whisperer’s failed contract, all her effort and hope seemed to vanish in that moment, leaving only despair and pain behind.