Chapter 380 380: Encounter with a Celestial ( 380 )

"You all, come here." Garius's voice echoed down toward them.

Javier and his siblings, who had hesitated a few steps before reaching the top, exchanged glances before obeying. One by one, they stepped forward—Marcellus, Cedric, Aelius, Athine, and Heres—all moving cautiously as if entering unknown territory.

And then, they saw her.

A cute girl sat on the ground, her expression one of exaggerated misery—like a child who had just been smacked and reprimanded. She pouted, rubbing the top of her head where Garius had just delivered another smack.

Javier blinked. This? This is what we were all so tense about?

The girl suddenly perked up and looked at them. Her bright eyes scanned the group before twisting into an annoyed grimace.

"Ehhh?! You brought a guy!? I don't want a guy as a vessel! I'm a girl!"

SMACK!

"Ouch! Garius!!"

Javier was speechless.

Marcellus and Cedric looked just as dumbfounded. Athine's grip on Aelius's sleeve tightened.

Meanwhile, Erinette sighed, rubbing her temples. "See? This is why I said no."

Hesbeirn let out a long, exhausted sigh. "My lord... this is exactly why I asked if you were sure about bringing them here."

The girl pouted, rubbing her head dramatically. But then, her expression suddenly shifted as she scanned the gathered group.

"Ohhh, Garius! You brought a lot of girls!! Nice!!"

Before anyone could react, she vanished.

Then—

"She's your daughter?!"

Javier turned in alarm to see her suddenly behind Athine, her hands on Athine's shoulders, inspecting her with an appraising gleam in her eyes.

"She's beautiful! This one is good!"

Athine stiffened, her entire body locked in place.

Before anyone could stop her—she vanished again.

This time, she reappeared behind the gathered maids—Liana, Gloria, Lithia, Meira, and Zania. Her gaze flickered between them, curious yet calculating.

But when she looked at Zania, her expression immediately twisted into distaste.

"This one—reject."

Zania flinched, frowning. "Excuse me—"

The girl ignored her, tilting her head as if seeing something unseen to the others.

"She's the key for the other."

Javier narrowed his eyes. What the hell does that mean?

Marcellus, Cedric, and even Aelius tensed. There was something deeply unsettling about the way she spoke.

The girl—no, the thing—before them wasn't a spirit, nor a goddess, nor an angel.

And yet, it was something entirely other.

Javier clearly saw the look of distaste flash across the entity's face.

Then, in the blink of an eye—she moved.

Javier's breath caught as he watched all four maids—Liana, Gloria, Lithia, and Meira—along with Athine—suddenly vanish from their spots.

The five of them blinked in confusion, now standing a short distance away, right next to Garius.

Javier's instincts screamed danger.

Aria spun around with a playful grin. "My name is Aria! I'm one of the Seven Celestials. Nice to meet you! Tehe~!"

Javier didn't care.

"Liana!! Gloria!!"

His magic flared—Wind, Lightning, and Earth surging through his body. With a burst of mana, he dashed forward, the ground beneath him cracking from the force.

Aria's eyes widened slightly in surprise.

"Oho~ this one is their young master, huh, Garius? Your youngest son?"

She turned toward Garius with a knowing smirk.

Garius remained silent, arms crossed, watching.

Javier didn't hesitate. His instincts told him one thing—attack first.

His foot lashed out in a powerful kick—aimed straight at Aria's head.

"Oh~! He's good!"

Her eyes gleamed with amusement as her form blurred.

Javier's kick hit nothing but air.

Suddenly, she was behind him, her breath ghosting near his ear.

"But still slow~."

Javier didn't hesitate. This time, he channeled his mana into his legs, reinforcing them with Lightning and Wind—then launched himself forward with a dropkick.

BOOM!!

A massive shockwave erupted from the force of his kick—

"Oops… missed~!" Aria giggled, effortlessly dodging at the last moment.

Javier gritted his teeth, forcing himself to calm down. She's fast. Study her movement. Find an opening.

But—

"You should use attacks like this!"

Aria's grin widened—and in a blink, she charged at him at max speed.

Javier barely had time to react—

"Guh—!!"

His eyes widened as a fist slammed into his stomach—hard.

The impact sent him flying backward, his body skidding through the air.

But before he hit the ground—

Javier twisted his body, flipping mid-air.

His mana surged—Wind enhancing his agility, Lightning crackling through his limbs.

Then, as he landed gracefully, his lips curled into a wide grin.

"Ehe… ehehehe… ehehehehehehehe…"

Aria blinked. "Hmm? What's wrong with your youngest son, Garius?"

Garius smirked, arms still crossed.

"Oh? You should be serious now, Aria."

"Huh? What do you mean?" Aria turned toward Garius, confused.

Then—

BAM!

Her body flew backward in an instant, struck by a sudden attack from Javier.

She twisted mid-air and landed lightly on her feet, completely unscathed—no wounds, no bruises, not even a scratch.

"Oh~? Now that's surprising." Aria grinned, her eyes gleaming with amusement.

Then she smirked. "Hey, boy~ if I win, I'll take that elf and your half-elf maid as my vessel, okay~?"

Javier froze. "Huh? Half-elf? And why two?!"

Out of the corner of his eye, he saw Gloria suddenly stiffen.

"What—?" Javier's confusion grew. Why did she react like that?

"Hey, boya~ don't get distracted~!"

WHAM!!

Javier barely had time to register the movement before Aria's kick slammed into his stomach.

"Guh—!!"

His body folded as he was sent flying again.

Javier landed smoothly, sliding back a few feet before straightening up. His grin widened, excitement surging through him.

"Ehehehehehe… This is fun!!"

Without hesitation, he dashed toward Aria.

"Let's see you handle this!"

He activated Burst Fireball—a rapid-fire spell that launched continuous fireballs like a magic-powered machine gun.

BOOM! BOOM! BOOM! BOOM!

Flaming projectiles rained down on Aria, their heat distorting the air around them.

But—

"Yaaawn~"

Aria casually raised her hand. A water barrier formed instantly, swirling in front of her like an unbreakable shield. The fireballs exploded harmlessly against it, steam hissing into the air.

Then she smirked, tilting her head. "That's it~?"

Javier's grin only widened. "Oh! Don't get cocky, girl~"

Javier vanished in an instant, his body blurring from sheer speed.

He reappeared behind Aria, his foot already aimed for a devastating dropkick.

Aria barely had time to react—she raised her arm to block.

"Ugh!"

The force sent her skidding back, her feet digging into the dirt.

Javier landed smoothly, his grin never fading.

"Come on, girl~," he taunted, cracking his knuckles. "That fireball was just a distraction."

Aria grinned—then suddenly vanished.

FWOOOSH!

Before Javier could blink, a sidekick came crashing toward his ribs.

BAM!

But Javier was ready. He crossed both hands in an 'X' shape, bracing for impact.

THUD!

His body slid back a few meters, but he held his ground.

Instead of wincing, Javier just grinned wider.

"Ohhh~ That feels nice!!" he laughed, his eyes gleaming with excitement.

( End Of Chapter )