The street didn’t get quieter.

  But it felt like it did.

  Malis’ question hung in the air.

  “Is that the Water Spirit King’s Ring?”

  Akira didn’t answer immediately.

  Kristyne’s wings tensed behind her, though she kept them folded. Her tail swayed once — sharp, controlled.

  Malis’ red eyes were fixed on Akira’s right hand.

  The black ring.

  The thin blue strip carved through its center like a river running through obsidian.

  Akira’s mind moved fast.

  He had used Appraisal.

  He knew the name.

  But he hadn’t told anyone.

  Only Kristyne.

  Yet this man—

  This drunk dark elf—

  Recognized it at a glance.

  “How do you know that name?” Akira asked calmly.

  Malis blinked slowly.

  Then smiled lazily.

  “Oh,” he said. “That old thing?”

  He leaned sideways slightly, almost losing balance — but not quite.

  “Because I’ve read about it.”

  Akira didn’t relax.

  “Read where?”

  Malis tapped his temple.

  “Places.”

  That was not helpful.

  Kristyne’s eyes narrowed slightly.

  “You’re being vague on purpose,” she said.

  Malis looked at her properly for the first time.

  Really looked.

  Then his eyebrows lifted slightly.

  “Oh?”

  He straightened a little.

  Then he grinned.

  “Ah. That explains it.”

  Akira didn’t like that tone.

  “Explains what?”

  Malis ignored him.

  Instead, he bowed dramatically — far too dramatically — nearly tipping forward before catching himself at the last second.

  “Greetings, terrifying dragon lady,” he said grandly. “I am but a humble forest spirit who drinks too much and minds his own business.”

  Kristyne blinked.

  Akira stared.

  Malis held the pose for two full seconds.

  Then he straightened abruptly.

  “…No, that sounded stupid.”

  He cleared his throat.

  “Let’s try that again.”

  He stood properly this time, posture relaxed but oddly precise now.

  “My name is Malis,” he said calmly. “Dark Elf. Scholar. Occasional problem. Blessed by the God of Knowledge.”

  His tone had shifted.

  Still relaxed.

  But clearer.

  Less drunk.

  Kristyne hesitated for only a moment.

  Then she bowed politely.

  “My name is Kristyne,” she said.

  She paused.

  Then added, with a small but firm nod:

  “Akira’s wife.”

  Akira had just lifted a waterskin to his lips.

  He choked.

  Coughed violently.

  Nearly dropped it.

  Malis stared at him.

  Kristyne blinked innocently.

  Akira wheezed, trying to recover.

  “W-wife—?”

  Malis’ lips curled upward slowly.

  “Oh?”

  He looked between them.

  Then at the gold ring on Akira’s left hand.

  Then at Kristyne’s.

  Matching.

  Perfectly.

  He hummed.

  “That explains that too.”

  Akira finally swallowed properly and wiped his mouth.

  “We didn’t—”

  Kristyne looked at him.

  He stopped talking.

  Malis watched this exchange like it was theater.

  “Ah,” he said softly. “Subconscious acceptance. Always a messy affair.”

  Akira’s eyes snapped toward him.

  “What?”

  Malis tilted his head.

  “You don’t know?”

  Kristyne stiffened slightly.

  Akira didn’t like the direction this was going.

  “Know what?” he asked.

  Malis gestured lazily at the gold ring.

  “That ring doesn’t appear unless both parties accept the pact.”

  Akira’s expression went blank.

  Kristyne’s cheeks tinted faintly pink.

  “It cannot be forced,” Malis continued. “It cannot be tricked. It cannot be manipulated.”

  His red eyes sharpened slightly.

  “If it’s there, you chose it.”

  Silence.

  The noise of the street returned faintly around them.

  Akira’s fingers curled slightly.

  He didn’t remember choosing.

  He didn’t remember agreeing.

  But—

  He didn’t reject it either.

  Malis watched him carefully.

  Then his gaze shifted again.

  Back to the black ring.

  “The other one,” he said quietly.

  “That one is significantly more interesting.”

  Akira steadied himself.

  “Explain.”

  Malis smiled faintly.

  “Very well.”

  He stepped slightly to the side, leaning against the wall casually.

  “You know the Spirit Kings exist.”

  Akira nodded once.

  “Water. Fire. Wind. Earth. Light. Dark.”

  “Good,” Malis said approvingly. “Most people think they’re myths.”

  His red eyes flicked to the ring again.

  “The Water Spirit King’s Ring is not simply a magical enhancer.”

  Akira listened carefully.

  “It is a limiter remover,” Malis continued.

  “A conduit.”

  “A declaration.”

  Akira didn’t interrupt.

  Malis’ voice lowered slightly.

  “All beings suppress their magic subconsciously.”

  Kristyne frowned slightly.

  “What do you mean?”

  Malis gestured loosely.

  “When you cast a spell, you do not use one hundred percent of your mana.”

  “Your body won’t allow it.”

  “Your instincts won’t allow it.”

  “Your soul won’t allow it.”

  Akira understood that.

  Even in this world, he’d noticed it.

  There was always resistance.

  Always an internal ceiling.

  “The ring removes that ceiling,” Malis said simply.

  Silence.

  Akira’s eyes narrowed.

  “In what way?”

  Malis’ grin widened faintly.

  “If you cast water magic… you will use one hundred percent of your magical potential for that spell.”

  Kristyne’s eyes widened.

  “All of it?” she asked.

  “All of it,” Malis confirmed.

  “No suppression. No subconscious limitation. No safety buffer.”

  Akira processed that.

  That wasn’t a boost.

  That wasn’t an amplifier.

  That was—

  Dangerous.

  “So,” Akira said slowly, “it doesn’t increase mana.”

  “No.”

  “It doesn’t strengthen spells.”

  “No.”

  “It removes restraint.”

  “Yes.”

  Malis tapped his temple again.

  “Most people would die instantly.”

  He said it casually.

  Like stating the weather.

  Kristyne stiffened.

  Akira didn’t react outwardly.

  But inside—

  He recalculated again.

  His mana pool was abnormal.

  His control was precise.

  His constitution was reinforced by multiple divine factors.

  If anyone could survive such a ring—

  It might be him.

  Malis watched his face carefully.

  “You’re not panicking,” he observed.

  “Should I be?” Akira asked.

  “For most people? Yes.”

  “For you?”

  Malis’ eyes gleamed faintly.

  “…No.”

  Kristyne looked between them.

  This story has been stolen from Royal Road. If you read it on Amazon, please report it

  “How do you know that?” she asked carefully.

  Malis’ gaze shifted to her briefly.

  Then back to Akira.

  “Because he doesn’t feel like most people.”

  He pushed off the wall.

  “You’re already suppressing more than you realize,” he added to Akira.

  Akira didn’t like that sentence.

  “What does that mean?”

  Malis smirked.

  “Exactly what it sounds like.”

  He stepped closer.

  Not threateningly.

  But deliberately.

  “The ring doesn’t grant power,” he repeated.

  “It reveals it.”

  Akira’s gaze sharpened.

  “Why would the Water Spirit King give that to me?”

  Malis laughed softly.

  “Give?”

  He shook his head.

  “They don’t give.”

  “They recognize.”

  Kristyne’s tail flicked nervously.

  “Recognize what?”

  Malis’ red eyes rested fully on Akira now.

  “Potential.”

  Silence.

  The air felt heavier now.

  Not oppressive.

  Just dense with implication.

  Akira flexed his right hand slowly.

  He hadn’t tried casting water magic since the ring appeared.

  “Don’t,” he said lightly.

  Akira paused.

  “Why?”

  Malis smiled lazily.

  “Because, not even I can see your full power”

  “if you do it here, you’ll level the entire town.”

  Akira stared at him.

  Malis shrugged.

  “You asked.”

  Kristyne swallowed.

  “You’re sure?” she asked quietly.

  Malis’ tone turned flat.

  “Yes.”

  That one word carried weight.

  Not exaggeration.

  Not theatrics.

  Certainty.

  Akira exhaled slowly.

  He lowered his hand.

  “Then why tell me?” he asked.

  Malis tilted his head.

  “Because you deserve to know what you’re holding.”

  His expression shifted slightly.

  Less amused.

  More thoughtful.

  “And because ignorance with that ring is catastrophic.”

  Akira studied him.

  “You’re not afraid of it.”

  “No.”

  “Why?”

  Malis’ lips curved faintly.

  “Because knowledge eliminates fear.”

  His red eyes glinted faintly.

  “And because I’ve studied Spirit King artifacts for centuries.”

  Akira didn’t doubt that.

  Five hundred and sixty-one years old.

  Eternal youth.

  Blessed by the God of Knowledge.

  This wasn’t coincidence.

  This wasn’t random.

  “You sought me out,” Akira said.

  “Yes.”

  “Why?”

  Malis held his gaze.

  “Because you are about to become very, very important.”

  Kristyne’s wings twitched.

  Akira’s expression remained controlled.

  “In what way?”

  Malis smiled faintly.

  “That,” he said softly, “depends on you.”

  He straightened fully now.

  The drunken sway was still there.

  But something behind his eyes had sharpened.

  “I won’t control your decisions,” he said casually.

  “I won’t hand you answers.”

  “I won’t solve your problems for you.”

  He smiled faintly.

  “But I will be there.”

  Akira’s eyes narrowed slightly.

  “That sounds like interference.”

  “Oh, it is,” Malis replied cheerfully.

  Kristyne blinked.

  Silence.

  Malis folded his arms loosely.

  “You have something interesting,” he continued, glancing at the ring. “And I dislike missing interesting things.”

  Akira didn’t look away.

  “So you’re inviting yourself.”

  “Yes.”

  “That wasn’t an invitation.”

  “I know.”

  Kristyne shifted slightly closer to Akira — not defensive, just aligned.

  Malis noticed.

  Of course he noticed.

  “You two are already operating as a unit,” he mused. “Efficient.”

  Akira ignored that.

  “And what exactly are you planning to do?” Akira asked.

  Malis shrugged.

  “Walk. Observe. Occasionally speak.”

  “And when something dangerous happens?”

  Malis’ smile sharpened.

  “Then I’ll decide whether I’m bored.”

  Kristyne frowned slightly.

  “That’s not reassuring.”

  “It’s not meant to be.”

  A pause.

  Then Malis stepped back slightly.

  “I want to see where this goes,” he said more calmly. “The ring. The pact. The capital you’re clearly aiming toward.”

  Akira didn’t react outwardly — but his gaze sharpened slightly.

  Malis’ eyes gleamed.

  “Ah. So I was correct.”

  “You assume too much,” Akira replied evenly.

  “I know too much,” Malis corrected.

  Silence settled between them.

  Then—

  “And besides,” Malis added lightly, “if you experiment with that ring, do it outside the city walls.”

  Akira’s gaze didn’t leave him.

  “And Malis.”

  The dark elf paused.

  “Yes?”

  “If you interfere recklessly,” Akira said calmly, “I won’t tolerate it.”

  Malis’ grin widened slowly.

  “Oh, I absolutely will interfere.”

  A beat.

  “But you’ll survive it.”

  He turned toward the tavern door.

  Then paused once more.

  Without turning around, he added—

  “Congratulations on the marriage, by the way.”

  Akira stiffened slightly.

  Kristyne flushed faintly.

  The tavern door shut behind him.

  Silence returned.

  Kristyne exhaled slowly.

  “…He’s going to cause problems.”

  “Yes.”

  “But he’s strong.”

  “…Very.”

  Akira looked down at the ring on his right middle finger.

  Black band.

  Thin blue line.

  Limiter removed.

  One hundred percent output.

  And now—

  A Dark Elf with the God of Knowledge’s blessing walking beside him.

  Things weren’t accelerating anymore.

  They were shifting.

  And he could feel it.

  The Guild Hall was louder than usual.

  Akira noticed that first.

  Steel clanged somewhere in the back. Laughter erupted near the request board. A drunk adventurer was already arguing about reward splits despite it barely being midday.

  Normal.

  Routine.

  Grounded.

  Which made the presence walking behind him feel even more unnatural.

  Malis adjusted his hood slightly as they entered, short messy white hair barely visible beneath the fabric. His posture was relaxed. Casual.

  The Guild Hall was louder than usual.

  Akira noticed that first.

  Steel clanged somewhere in the back. Laughter erupted near the request board. A drunk adventurer was already arguing about reward splits despite it barely being midday.

  Normal.

  Routine.

  Grounded.

  Which made the presence walking behind him feel even more unnatural.

  Malis adjusted his hood slightly as they entered, short messy white hair barely visible beneath the fabric. His posture was relaxed. Casual.

  Ordinary.

  Completely false.

  Kristyne stayed at Akira’s side, as she always did now. Not clinging. Not dependent.

  Aligned.

  The trio approached the reception counter.

  The receptionist blinked.

  “Welcome back, The God’s Plan. Reporting a completed quest?”

  “Not yet,” Akira said calmly. “We’re here to register a new member.”

  There was a pause.

  The receptionist’s eyes shifted to Malis.

  Malis smiled.

  It was polite.

  Measured.

  Almost harmless.

  Almost.

  “I see,” she said slowly. “Name?”

  “Malis.”

  “Family name?”

  “I don’t use one.”

  She hesitated briefly at that.

  “Race?”

  “Human.”

  Akira felt it.

  The lie was effortless.

  Kristyne didn’t move.

  The receptionist nodded and placed her hand on the appraisal crystal.

  “Please place your hand here.”

  Malis did.

  The crystal flickered.

  For half a second — barely noticeable — a thin fracture of light crawled across its surface.

  Then it stabilized.

  The receptionist frowned.

  “Mana capacity… high for an E-rank.”

  Malis tilted his head. “Is that a problem?”

  “…No.”

  Akira noticed the subtle shift in the surrounding air.

  A few adventurers nearby had started watching.

  One leaned back in his chair.

  “E-rank recruiting pretty boys now?”

  Another laughed.

  Malis glanced over.

  Smiled.

  Not insulted.

  Not offended.

  Just amused.

  “If it reassures you,” Malis said lightly, “I bruise easily.”

  A few chuckles.

  Tension lowered.

  But one older adventurer near the pillar didn’t laugh.

  He was staring.

  Not at Malis’ face.

  At the way he stood.

  Balanced.

  Centered.

  Dangerous.

  The receptionist cleared her throat.

  “Affiliation?”

  Akira answered.

  “The God’s Plan.”

  Malis’ lips twitched slightly at that.

  The receptionist scribbled the name down.

  “Very well. Malis is now registered as a member of The God’s Plan.”

  The guild stamp pressed down.

  Official.

  Malis stepped back from the counter.

  “Well,” he said pleasantly, “that was painless.”

  Akira didn’t relax.

  “You cracked the crystal.”

  “I did not.”

  “It flickered.”

  “It flickered,” Malis corrected gently. “Cracking would have been rude.”

  Kristyne exhaled slowly.

  “Akira shattered the crystal when he did it… Is that rude?”

  “He did what!?” Malis said, eyebrows raised

  Before Kristyne could elaborate, an adventurer from earlier approached them.

  Tall. Broad. Axe on his back.

  “Hey,” he said to Akira. “E-rank bringing dead weight now?”

  Malis turned his head slightly.

  Still smiling.

  “You misunderstand,” he said calmly. “I am extremely heavy.”

  The man frowned.

  Before he could respond, something changed.

  It wasn’t visible.

  It wasn’t loud.

  But the air tightened.

  Just slightly.

  The man’s expression shifted.

  Confusion.

  Then instinct.

  He stepped back.

  “…Whatever,” he muttered, returning to his table.

  The older adventurer by the pillar looked at Malis one last time.

  Then deliberately looked away.

  Malis adjusted his hood again.

  “So,” he said lightly, “is this where you acquire fame and wealth?”

  Akira started walking toward the exit.

  “I dunno, I’ve only been in this world about 3 weeks now.”

  “WHAT.”

  Outside the guild hall, the sunlight felt brighter.

  Clearer.

  Less suffocating.

  Kristyne spoke quietly.

  “You shouldn’t provoke people.”

  “I didn’t,” Malis replied.

  “You did.”

  “I merely existed in their direction.”

  Akira didn’t comment.

  They walked toward the inn.

  After a few moments, Malis spoke again.

  “You understand,” he said casually, “that if anyone suspected what I was, we would be fighting within minutes.”

  Kristyne’s fingers tightened slightly at her side.

  “Yes,” she said softly.

  “Five hundred gold is generous,” Malis added thoughtfully. “I’ve been valued higher.”

  Akira glanced at him.

  “You’re talking about yourself like merchandise.”

  Malis shrugged.

  “That is how the world talks about my kind.”

  His tone was light.

  Unbothered.

  That was more unsettling than anger would have been.

  The innkeeper looked up as they entered.

  “Ah! Back again!”

  Her gaze moved between them.

  Then to Malis.

  Friendlier smile.

  “New friend?”

  “Party member,” Kristyne said.

  The innkeeper grinned.

  “Ah, expanding the family!”

  Akira felt a headache forming.

  “We’ll need a room,” he said.

  “Two beds?” the innkeeper asked automatically.

  “Yes,” Akira said immediately.

  Malis leaned casually on the counter.

  “How responsible,” he murmured.

  Kristyne looked straight ahead.

  The innkeeper winked.

  “Newlyweds and their traveling companion, eh?”

  Akira inhaled sharply.

  Kristyne’s face flushed faintly.

  Malis’ smile widened.

  “Yes,” he said warmly. “It’s beautiful, really. Their devotion transcends—”

  Akira coughed.

  Hard.

  Kristyne elbowed Malis lightly.

  “Stop.”

  The innkeeper laughed.

  “Second floor. Same as before.”

  They climbed the stairs.

  The room was identical to their last.

  Small table.

  Single window.

  The only difference was the two beds instead of one.

  Malis stepped inside first.

  Surveyed the space.

  “Ah,” he said. “Intimate.”

  “It’s functional,” Akira replied.

  Malis dropped onto one of the beds without asking.

  “This one is mine.”

  “That wasn’t decided.”

  “It is now.”

  Akira stared at Malis.

  “You’re not sleeping on the floor?”

  Malis blinked slowly.

  “Why would I?”

  “You said you bruise easily, what if you fall off the bed?”

  “I lie easily.”

  Silence.

  Kristyne pressed her lips together to suppress a smile.

  Malis leaned back against the wall.

  “So,” he said, glancing between them, “which side do you prefer?”

  Akira closed his eyes.

  “We are not discussing this.”

  Kristyne sat on the edge of the other bed.

  Malis watched them both carefully.

  Playful.

  But observant.

  Always observant.

  “You two synchronize well,” he said softly. “Your movements. Your breathing. Even your silences.”

  “That’s called trust,” Kristyne said.

  “Yes.”

  His gaze shifted briefly to the ring on Akira’s hand.

  “And that is called something else.”

  Akira flexed his fingers unconsciously.

  The black band sat quietly.

  Blue line faint beneath the surface.

  Limiter removed.

  Full output.

  Responsibility.

  Malis leaned his head back.

  “You should test it outside the city walls tomorrow.”

  Akira glanced at him.

  “You’re coming.”

  “Of course.”

  “Why?”

  Malis smiled faintly.

  “Because if you accidentally level a forest, someone should explain it to the guild.”

  Kristyne’s eyes widened slightly.

  “You think it’s that dangerous?”

  Malis met her gaze.

  For a fraction of a second—

  The playfulness faded.

  “Yes.”

  Then it returned.

  “But that makes it exciting.”

  Night fell gradually.

  The room dimmed.

  Kristyne lay down first.

  Facing the wall.

  Akira remained seated for a while.

  Malis was quiet.

  Too quiet.

  After several minutes, he spoke softly.

  “You are accelerating.”

  Akira didn’t look at him.

  “I know.”

  “The capital will not be forgiving.”

  “I know.”

  “Seventy gold is nothing.”

  “I know.”

  Silence again.

  Then—

  “You’re not afraid,” Malis observed.

  Akira considered that.

  “…I don’t have time to be.”

  Malis watched him.

  Studied him.

  Then lay back.

  “That is either admirable,” he murmured, “or catastrophic.”

  Kristyne shifted slightly in her sleep.

  Malis’ eyes flicked to her.

  Then back to Akira.

  “Relax,” he said lightly. “I’m not going to steal your wife.”

  Akira finally looked at him.

  “If you make that joke again—”

  “You’ll what?”

  Silence.

  Malis grinned.

  “Exactly.”

  Akira lay down.

  The room went still.

  Breathing steady.

  Moonlight through the window.

  After a long time—

  Malis’ eyes opened again.

  Completely awake.

  Completely sharp.

  He looked at Akira.

  At the ring.

  At the faint ripple of suppressed power beneath his skin.

  “Interesting,” he whispered.

  Very softly.

  “So very interesting.”

  Outside, the city slept.

  Inside, three figures occupied two beds.

  An E-rank adventurer.

  His declared wife.

  And something far older than the guild would ever understand.

  The God’s Plan had expanded.

  And the world had not yet noticed.