Chapter 31

Shizuku stands alone at the glass, sipping a fizzy rainbow drink labeled “Candy Stars (Drink).” Kalt XVIII approaches from behind, arms folded behind his back, a slight hesitation in his steps.

Kalt XVIII
Emperor Mizuyari.

Shizuku Mizuyari
(turns slightly, grinning)
Oh, full title and everything? That serious, huh?
Just call me Shizuku. Or "World-Breaker." That one’s fun.

Kalt XVIII
(ignores the joke)
How does it feel?

Shizuku 
…Feel?

Kalt XVIII
To be… number one. The strongest arcane entity in the entire universe.
The one who makes star-charged warlords tremble.
What’s it like waking up every day knowing no one can match you?

Shizuku 
(hums, looking back at the stars)
It feels... heavy.
Like I’m always standing on a glass floor that I built myself. One wrong step—boom. Everyone falls.

Kalt XVIII
Then why act like… this?

Shizuku 
(grinning again)
"Like this"? You mean the jokes? The food obsessions? The impromptu dance-offs in the training room?
Kalt, when you’ve stared at the end of time more than once, you realize something.

Kalt XVIII
Which is?

Shizuku 
The universe doesn’t need a grumpy god.
It needs a friend.
It needs someone who can crush a planet if needed—but chooses to play Uno with their daughter instead.

Kalt XVIII
(quietly)
And you think that’s sustainable?

Shizuku
It has to be.
I mean, look at me.
I’m the descendant of Emrys, Primordial of Law.
My mana reshaped an entire planet into spirit dragons and angels.
I could burn stars with a whisper.

Kalt XVIII
Exactly. That’s what I’m saying. That kind of power shouldn’t come with bubble tea and dad jokes.

Shizuku 
(casually drinks more Candy Stars)
And yet, here I am.
Because power without joy– That’s not strength. That’s just weight.
Besides… Lily laughs when I act like an idiot. Alto rolls his eyes and still kisses me goodnight.
If I’m going to be the strongest… I’ll do it as myself. Not some cold marble statue of perfection.

Kalt XVIII
I… never considered that.
That power and playfulness could coexist.

Shizuku 
Most people don’t. That’s why they lose before they even draw their first spell.
(leans in with a playful grin)
Being number one doesn’t mean being boring.
It means I get to set the rules.

Kalt opens his mouth, then closes it. He looks out at the stars.

Kalt XVIII
I think… I might envy you a little.

Shizuku 
Join the club.
Alto envies my hair. Asche envies my immunity to arcana drain.
Eris envies my ability to nap mid-crisis.
Even Emrys probably envied my candy stash.

Kalt XVIII
You’re not what I expected.

Good. I’d be disappointed otherwise.