"...Sure."

Evelyne’s smile deepened slightly, pleased with his answer.

"Please follow me."

Her bodyguards immediately formed a protective perimeter around them as Evelyne led the way toward a private lounge area reserved for high-ranking guests inside the temple.

Klein walked silently between Arwen and Cynthia while his mind was racing, thinking about the vision he had just now.

’Who was that woman with bloody hands?’

They soon arrived at an elegant private room inside the temple.

Luxurious sofas, mana-infused decorations, and a large window overlooking the temple grounds made the space feel more like a noble’s drawing room than part of a holy temple.

Evelyne gracefully sat down on one of the sofas and crossed her legs, gesturing for Klein to sit opposite her.

Arwen and Cynthia sat on either side of him without hesitation.

"Now then... shall we talk properly?" she said with a faint smile.

"First, allow me to congratulate you on your awakening, Klein Faress. Awakening a Mythic rank class is a great feat."

Klein managed a faint smile, though the headache was growing stronger by the second.

"Thank you, Miss Eveline."

Humming under her breath, she muttered "I can sense great spirit mana fluctuations within you. I guess this is the first time a man has awakened with spirit aptitude."

"Usually, only women can tame spirits, as their bodies are naturally more attuned to the flow of spirit energy."

Klein already knew this very well. That was why his awakening had shocked even him. In this world, spirit taming was considered an almost exclusively feminine domain.

Men rarely manifested any significant spirit affinity, let alone a Mythic-rank class centered around it.

He kept his smile polite, though his head was throbbing like it was being split open from the inside.

The strain of maintaining his composure while hiding the head ache was beginning to wear on him.

"I am also surprised by this, Miss Evelyne," he replied with a smile. "I didn’t expect to awaken a Mythic rank class either."

’I need to finish this conversation soon. My head is killing me.’

Seeing that he was on guard and not revealing his class name, Evelyne smiled "Don’t worry, I won’t pester you to join my Noble family like others."

"I was simply curious and wanted to congratulate you since I am also like you... a Spirit Herald."

He nodded his head "I see. Then I’m honored to meet someone who shares a similar path."

She gestured toward a side table where a servant had quietly placed a tray of fine wine and light refreshments.

"Please, help yourself."

She then took out her mobile device and extended her hand, showing a contact code. "And if you ever wish to discuss your abilities in private... my doors are always open."

Klein took out his own phone and scanned the code, adding her contact.

"I have added your name, Miss Eveline."

With that, he stood up slowly, "Then we will take our leave. I need some rest after the awakening."

Eveline nodded her head "Of course. It was a pleasure meeting you, Klein Faress. I look forward to seeing how far you’ll go."

As they left the private lounge, Arwen immediately moved closer to Klein, slipping her arm through his with concern in her eyes.

"Are you okay? You look pale."

Cynthia, walking on his other side, also looked worried "...Kay."

Klein forced a small smile.

"I’m fine... just a headache. Let’s go home."

---

Cynthia drove the car smoothly through the highway traffic.

Arwen sat in the backseat with Klein with one hand resting on his thigh as she watched him with growing concern.

Klein was sweating profusely.

Even though the car’s AC was on full blast, cold sweat kept rolling down his forehead and neck.

"Haa... Haa..." His face was unnaturally pale, and his breathing was shallow, making it hard to focus on anything.

"Klein..." Arwen reached up and gently wiped the sweat from his brow with her sleeve.

"You’re burning up. Let’s go to a hospital. Right now."

Cynthia glanced at them through the rearview mirror in panic.

She immediately changed lanes and sped up, moving through traffic.

"I’m taking the fastest route," she said, gripping the steering wheel tightly. "Just hold on, Kay."

Klein leaned his head back against the seat and his eyes were half-closed.

The black heart inside him was beating quickly, sending violent waves of both golden spirit energy and dark cursed power clashing throughout his body.

"It’s... getting worse..." he muttered through gritted teeth.

Arwen’s hand tightened around his body "Just breathe. We’re almost-"

"Stop the car."

Cynthia’s eyes widened "What?"

"Stop the car!" Klein nearly shouted, clutching his chest.

Cynthia accelerated the car toward the side of the highway and slammed on the brakes.

*screechhh* The tires screeched as the vehicle came to a harsh stop on the emergency lane.

The moment the car stopped, Klein pushed the door open and stumbled out, nearly falling to his knees on the grassy shoulder beside the highway.

"Klein!" Arwen yelled, quickly getting out after him.

He staggered a few steps away from the car, clutching his chest.

His vision blurred.

"Urghhh-!"

A wave of nausea hit him as he bent over and vomited onto the grass.

Thick, black blood splattered onto the green grass, mixed with faint golden sparks that flickered before disappearing.

He vomited again as even more black blood poured from his mouth, staining the grass and the front of his white t-shirt.

"Klein!" Arwen rushed to his side, grabbing his arm to support him.

Her face was filled with terror. "What is this?!"

Cynthia also jumped out of the car and ran over.

Her eyes widened in horror when she saw the black blood on the grass.

"What is happening to you?!" she shouted in panic.

Klein coughed and his legs gave out, dropping to one knee.

Arwen quickly knelt beside him, holding him up as best as she could.

"I don’t know..." he grumbled, breathing heavily. "It started after the awakening... something’s wrong inside me..."

Another wave of pain hit him. He groaned and hunched forward, vomiting once more.

Arwen’s eyes were filled with tears as she held him tightly.

"We’re taking you to the hospital right now.

Cynthia rushed back to the car "I’ll drive."

Klein weakly shook his head, "No... wait."

He looked down at the pool of black blood on the grass ’What the hell is this?’

The black heart pulsed again and for a brief second, a faint voice echoed in his mind.

"Live... for me... Irakiel..."

Klein’s eyes widened.

He clutched his chest tighter as fresh pain tore through his body.

And memories began to pour into his head...