Essence Link System: The Healer's Awakening-Chapter 20: Three’s Pleasure, Four’s a Disaster

Chapter: The Gambler’s Bluff

The interior of the gambling hall was a swirl of motion and sound — clinking glasses, laughter that turned to groans, and gold chips tumbling across velvet tables. A soft, rich scent of incense curled through the air, mixing with the scent of tension.

All eyes were on the table where Caelen sat now — calm, sharp, unreadable.

Berk leaned forward, flashing a lazy grin. His hands, adorned with black rings, flicked a chip through his fingers like a coin.

"So..." Berk said, his voice smooth. "Shall we begin?"

Caelen tilted his head slightly, eyes scanning the cards in front of him. Behind him, Veralia and Reina stood like twin statues, arms folded, gazes sharp. Reina’s hand remained lightly on Caelen’s shoulder.

Ryan, watching from the side, looked tense, one foot forward like he was ready to lunge at the first sign of danger.

The dealer shuffled the deck with precision, sparks of mana flickering between his fingers. This wasn’t an ordinary card game — this was Fortune’s Duel, a game fused with arcana. Cards moved on their own sometimes. Luck could be twisted. Fate could be challenged.

Caelen leaned forward, placing a single chip on the table.

Berk matched it immediately with a smirk.

The cards were dealt.

Five each. Two face down, three face up.

Caelen’s cards shimmered faintly — the Silver Wolf, the Dragon’s Eye, and the Thorn Rose.

A quiet murmur stirred across the hall.

Berk had the Twin Serpents, the Burning Coin, and the Storm Tower.

"You sure you’re just a beginner?" Berk chuckled.

"Who knows," Caelen said softly, fingers sliding over his chips. "Maybe I’m just lucky."

Berk narrowed his eyes. He could feel it — there was something off about Caelen’s energy. Not chaotic, not unstable... but calm like still water hiding a deep current.

Berk raised the stakes, tossing three chips forward with a snap.

Caelen didn’t flinch.

"I raise."

He pushed forward five.

The crowd gasped.

Reina whispered, "He’s provoking him..."

Veralia narrowed her eyes. "No... He’s testing him."

Berk whistled. "You’re bolder than you look, Caelen."

He leaned forward, his eyes glowing faintly — a faint blue ring flickering in his iris.

Caelen noticed. ’Mana sight... he’s trying to read me.’

He leaned back slowly, a small smirk playing on his lips.

The second round began. Each player drew a card. Caelen’s glowed bright — the Blade of Fates. The room stirred again. A high-tier arcana card.

Berk frowned. His card — the Ashen Mask — was a deceiver card. Good for bluffing. Bad for strength.

"Tell me," Berk said slowly. "Why bet your girls?"

Caelen’s eyes flickered cold. "Because I won’t lose."

Veralia’s face softened for a moment. Reina looked at Caelen quietly.

The next bet began.

Caelen gently lifted two fingers. "I call fate."

A sharp gasp echoed.

The dealer blinked. "Calling fate... are you certain?"

"I am."

A glass orb floated onto the table, glowing faintly. Fate calls allowed each player to see one hidden card. It also summoned one consequence — a risk from the gods of luck.

The orb hovered, then burst into white light.

Caelen’s hidden card revealed itself — The Pale Flame.

"Three arcana," someone whispered. "That’s near impossible..."

Berk’s smile tightened.

"You’re not normal, are you?" he asked. "You walk in here like a lord, hide your strength like a snake..."

Caelen raised an eyebrow. "Keep going. I’m listening."

Berk suddenly clapped. "Enough games."

He stood.

And a pulse of red energy exploded from his body, rippling through the gambling hall.

Chips rattled. Cards jumped.

Everyone froze.

Veralia and Reina tensed.

"Mana pressure..." Ryan muttered.

But Caelen sat perfectly still. Calm. Silent.

A gust of wind whispered across the table — subtle, invisible — ruffling Caelen’s hair.

Then, the pressure was gone.

Berk sat again. "Just wanted to see if you’d flinch."

Caelen smiled. "Disappointed?"

"Actually..." Berk grinned. "I’m excited."

Final round.

The last cards were drawn.

Caelen’s final card shimmered with ethereal light — Celestial Veil.

The table went silent.

All five cards in Caelen’s hand glowed — a full celestial arcana combo.

A legendary hand.

Berk drew.

His card — The Cursed Blade.

A good card. But not good enough.

He stared at it, silent.

"You know you’ve lost," Caelen said, voice quiet.

Berk slowly set down his cards, breathing deeply. fгee𝑤ebɳoveɭ.cøm

A pause. Then—

He lunged across the table, fist glowing with dark red flame.

Reina screamed. Veralia brought out her staff, flames swirling around her feet.

But Caelen didn’t move.

He raised two fingers. Whispered, "Heal."

In a flash, purple light envelopes Caelen’s hand and Berk paralyzes and falls mid air, freezing him inches from Caelen’s face.

"Wha—?!" Berk grunted.

The crowd gasped again.

Caelen stood up, voice cold. "You bet people like they’re objects. You use power to cheat. I hate your kind."

The air grew colder.

Mana swirled like a vortex.

Even the flames from the lamps flickered.

Caelen stepped forward slowly, one hand glowing — not red, not blue, but white-gold.

Berk’s eyes widened. "Y-You’re... You’re not just a gambler..."

Caelen stopped inches from his face.

"Am just a simple Alchemist.I gamble... for fun."

Then he released the spell. Berk collapsed to his knees.

The hall went silent.

Then—

Applause.

Cheering.

The room erupted with roars.

"Legendary hand!"

"Did you see that bind spell?!"

"Who is he?!"

Veralia ran to Caelen’s side, grabbing his arm.

"Don’t ever bet me again," she growled. "Even if you’re confident."

Caelen smiled at her. "Then don’t argue about room arrangements."

She blushed.

Reina crossed her arms. "I didn’t think you’d show off this much."

Ryan nodded. "That was... amazing."

Caelen turned to Berk, who was still on the ground, breathing hard.

"My wish," Caelen said.

Berk looked up, eyes wary. "What... do you want?"

Caelen pointed at a large golden pendant hanging around a velvet curtain nearby.

"That pendant," he said. "It’s a tracker seal. It’s how you’ve been cheating."

Berk froze.

Guards from the corner stirred.

"Take him," Caelen ordered.

The guards nodded immediately.

As they dragged Berk away, Berk glared at Caelen one last time. "I’ll remember your name..."

Caelen turned, cape fluttering behind him.

"Good. Then remember this..."

He stopped at the door.

"...It’s Caelen of Dawnmere."

He walked out as fireworks lit up the sky outside, their glow reflecting in his silver eyes.

Outside the hall, music from the festival was still playing.

Garrox ran toward them with Selene, looking amazed.

"What happened?!" he asked.

Veralia crossed her arms. "Caelen just destroyed a cheat with a legendary hand."

Garrox laughed. "Of course he did."

Caelen looked up at the night sky. Sparks danced. Music played.

Reina leaned closer to him, whispering, "Are you always this showy?"

Caelen smirked. "Only when I’m in the mood."

Ryan stared at him in awe.

Veralia placed her hand gently on Caelen’s chest. "I guess... I’m glad I lost the room argument."

They all laughed together.

---

Later...

They walked from stall to stall, laughter in the air and arms full of goodies. At the sweet shop, Reina grabbed a pouch full of rainbow-sugar stars, and Veralia hoarded strawberry mana-candies. Caelen bought a special honeyed treat and — without a second thought — handed it to Ryan first.

Big mistake.

Reina and Veralia paused mid-bite, slowly turning their heads toward Ryan like owls spotting prey. Their eyes narrowed, pupils shimmering with competitive fire.

"Did he just—?" Reina began.

"Give it to him first?" Veralia finished, her voice icy.

Ryan, sensing a disturbance in the aura, chuckled nervously and looked away, trying to whistle but ended up choking on his own breath.

They both leaned in from either side of Caelen and whispered at the same time, "Favoritism... noted."

Next, they went to the puppet show. A life-sized marionette danced with a dragon plushy, fighting evil with bubbles and sword swings. The group sat in silence. Even Ryan didn’t blink. When the puppets bowed, the whole crowd exploded in cheers.

Finally, they watched fireworks light up the night sky. Golds, reds, and greens scattered through the darkness, each burst followed by awe-struck gasps. Caelen glanced sideways and saw Reina and Veralia’s faces glowing with excitement.

Garrox arrived with Selene. "How was the festival?" he asked.

Caelen smiled. "Fun."

Veralia raised a fist triumphantly. "Best day ever!"

Reina nodded, licking the last of her candy. "The sweets were divine."

Garrox chuckled. "And you, Ryan?"

"It was... nice," Ryan replied.

Garrox patted his shoulder. "Glad you liked it."

Selene gently tugged Veralia and Reina by the wrists. "Come on, ladies. Let the men talk. We’ll go stir up some trouble of our own."

The girls gave Caelen one last look. Then, with exaggerated slowness, they pointed two fingers at their own eyes... and then pointed them at Ryan.

Ryan blinked. "Why do I feel like prey?"

Caelen laughed. "You’ll be fine."

---

At the Bar

The wooden interior of the tavern flickered with mana flames. Bottles glowed, enchanted to swirl with sparkling liquids. Caelen, Garrox, and Ryan sat around a table, glasses clinking.

Garrox raised a mug. "Cheers to new friends!"

They all drank. Except Ryan.

"Hey," Garrox slurred. "Why’re you not drinking, huh? Think you’re better than us?"

Caelen leaned in, dramatically serious. "Yeah, Ryan... why not drink? Is this betrayal?"

Ryan sighed. "If I drink, who’s dragging your drunk bodies back to the hotel?"

"I know this village like my beard!" Garrox boasted.

"Drink!" Caelen demanded.

Ryan took a cautious sip... and collapsed on the table, red-faced and drooling.

"He took one sip," Garrox snorted.

Caelen laughed. "Ryan’s built like a fortress but has the tolerance of a squirrel!"

Ryan mumbled, "My lord... it’s late... we should go..."

And then promptly passed out.

---

Garrox wiped his mouth. "Caelen... can I ask a personal question?"

"Sure."

Garrox leaned in with an exaggerated whisper. "How... do you handle those two?"

"Handle?" Caelen blinked.

"You know... in bedroom combat. Do you go two-on-one or take turns?"

Caelen choked on his drink. "What?!"

"I mean, you’ve got two goddesses fighting over you daily. Don’t tell me you haven’t—?"

"I haven’t!" Caelen barked.

Garrox gasped like he’d just heard a crime confessed. "Are you even alive?! They’re walking flames, man! I heard—heard, mind you—that two at once is the path to enlightenment!"

Caelen facepalmed. "You’ve been drinking too much wine."

Garrox raised a finger. "And yet I speak the truth!"

Then he slumped, out cold.

Selene soon entered, dragging Garrox by the collar. "Sorry for my shameless husband. I’m guessing he made you drink?"

Caelen chuckled. "We were having fun."

Veralia helped a wobbling Ryan stand. Reina supported Caelen.

"Seriously, what kind of festival ends like this?" Reina asked.

Caelen grinned. "The fun kind."

Then, in a drunken blur of confidence, Caelen said, "So... how would you two like to experience... a three-way?"

Silence.

Reina and Veralia froze.

Steam practically erupted from their ears as their faces flushed pink. Then, without warning, both lunged at Caelen and hugged him tightly from either side, squealing in embarrassment.

"Not here, idiot!" Veralia hissed.

"You’re gonna give Ryan a heart attack!" Reina added.

Ryan, now half-conscious, groaned. "What’s... a three-way...?"

Veralia blinked. "You explain it."

"No, you!" Reina shoved her.

"I’ve done enough already!"

"Ladies," Caelen chuckled. "Help him up, will you?"

Reina huffed. "Veralia, your turn to support Ryan."

Veralia crossed her arms. "I’ve been helping him all day. You do it."

Ryan, swaying, raised a thumb. "I’m fine... my Lord... I got it..."

He stumbled.

Caelen caught him and slung his arm over his shoulder. "Let’s go."

As they walked back toward the hotel, Reina and Veralia stared at the sight of Caelen holding Ryan.

They both narrowed their eyes and whispered at the same time, "No. It can’t be."

They glanced at each other.

"Don’t tell me..." Reina said.

"That we’re heading into a four-way?" Veralia shuddered.

"No!" they both screamed internally.

Then ran after the boys, shaking the thought out of their heads.

"Ryan, over here!" Veralia said, grabbing his other side.

"Caelen’s mine tonight!" Reina added, wrapping around his arm.

And so, with laughter, blushes, drunken stumbles, and chaotic energy, the Festival of Light came to a close — with love triangles tangled like ribbons, and the night sky glowing above them.

This content is taken from fr(e)ewebn(o)vel.𝓬𝓸𝓶