Scarlet Love

Chapter 3

Don't doubt it, Mars exploded in anger three seconds after reacting, "How could I have a crush on trash like you?" Leo thought to himself that his reputation must be rotten to a certain extent. Otherwise, how could just mentioning Mars might have a crush on him so easily infuriate Mars?

Before Leo could think too much, Mars grabbed him by the collar. The next second, Leo felt weightless as his body was lifted into the air. Mars had summoned his flying beast, and just like that, he dragged Leo towards the upside-down castle. Leo looked down and saw Quincy chasing after them in horror, shouting loudly, "Leo—my God—"

Even the girl who had been jeering on the side was now dumbfounded, not knowing how to react to this unexpected turn of events. Mars flew higher and higher with Leo.

Leo's heart leapt into his throat in an instant. Many years later, he would still think that provoking Mars was the dumbest thing he had ever done. But the robes provided by the Central Academy were indeed of excellent quality. Leo clung tightly to his collar until Mars threw him hard onto the floor of the castle. Leo saw the sky above him turn into the shadowed grassland. Mars's flying beast disappeared into the air, and Mars, still fuming with anger, took step after step towards Leo.

On the other side of the window, several tall, fair-skinned, and handsome men and women holding books frowned slightly but said nothing, continuing to focus on their ancient tomes. It seemed that nothing in the world could disturb them. They were "bloods," and for some reason, Leo just knew this.

"Didn't you like jumping off buildings? Jump for me again this time! I don't believe you won't die from it!" Mars's eyes seemed to ignite the air.

So this is why you went to the trouble of bringing me here? Thank you, otherwise, I probably wouldn't have had the chance to visit this "extraordinary" building. Leo got up and dusted off his pants. His left leg and arm had slammed into the floor earlier, and it hurt like hell. He might have even broken a bone.

"Alright, I'll jump." Leo limped to the railing of the corridor, feeling the wind whiz past his ears. From this height, a fall would undoubtedly be fatal. "I wanted to die anyway."

Mars was stunned, the anger in his eyes gradually fading, replaced by confusion and incomprehension.

"But, everyone saw you—Mars, the young master, drag me here in a fit of rage. If I fall to my death, everyone will naturally think it was you, the noble young master Mars, who murdered me. Oh, my God, thinking about it that way, it feels pretty good—"

"Hmph, do you think saying that will scare me? If you have the guts, jump off!" He sneered, eyes full of contempt, as if waiting for Leo to beg for mercy.

"Ah..." Leo sighed, "Young Master Mars, if I dared to jump the first time, why wouldn't I dare to jump a second time?"

Then, Leo swung one leg over the patterned railing.

"You tricked me. You haven't lost your memory at all; you remember how to use the flying beast!" Mars suddenly understood, his anger flaring up again.

"You're wrong. I really don't remember anything. But it doesn't matter. When my head smashes into that beautiful lawn, painting it with some white and red flowers, my boring life and your bright future will end." Leo looked at Mars, who was pretending not to care but was clearly shaken. He opened his arms as if to embrace nature, then smiled and fell backward.

"Damn it—you madman—" Mars instantly rushed to the corridor and grabbed Leo just as his body was about to fall off the railing. He summoned a beast in the nick of time, bringing both of them back inside the railing.

Mars panted heavily for a long time before squeezing out, "Damn it—"

At this moment, Leo staggered to his feet, grabbed Mars by the collar, and looked into his still-frightened eyes, saying, "Knowing I'm a madman—don't provoke me again—"

God knows how much Leo Rolyendore regretted his impulsiveness at that moment. If Mars hadn't grabbed him, he might have really died, and it would have been a gruesome death. Even though he deeply resented how pathetic his life had been, at that moment, his heart was still racing, his blood seeming to burst out of his chest.

Mars stood up in silence, then jumped onto the railing and rode his flying beast down without looking back. In the sunlight, the cold sweat on his neck was visible, with a hint of fleeing in panic.

Leo stood there, breathing heavily. His heart was pounding fast. He didn't understand why he had been so "brave" just now, daring to use his life to threaten someone.

"Unexpected courage indeed." A calm and distant voice sounded behind Leo, making him feel as if the church bells had rung through the dust of time.

"Yes." Leo replied. His intuition told him not to turn around, as some encounters were "unnecessary." They would break the peace of life, making people "unable to stop."

"Not like Leo Rolyendore at all." The voice continued with a deep charm, making one feel as if their thoughts were falling endlessly.

"Oh, what was I like before?" Leo tried to steady his racing heart, but it only beat faster.

"Kind, humble, willing to give everything for love."

"Sounds like an ideal lover," Leo smiled bitterly, "Or perhaps someone who became humble because of love?"

At this moment, a white hand covered Leo's eyes from behind. The slender, elegant fingers slowly tightened, turning Leo around. "Don't you think it's rude to talk to someone without looking them in the eye?"

As the hand slowly moved away, like a mysterious veil being lifted, sparking curiosity, Leo found himself staring into a pair of pure blue eyes. He tried desperately to resist the allure, but could only helplessly fall into it.

It was a tall, handsome young man, sitting casually on a table. His fair skin had a metallic, icy sheen. One hand gently supported his head, his lips curved in a teasing smile, the contour of his nose delicately perfect. Time flowed quietly through his eyes, leaving no trace, yet there was an implicit sense of oppression in his gentle demeanor.

Leo felt his throat dry, his whole body starting to feel off, yet like a lazy cat awaiting its owner's caress. Hating this subtle control, Leo bit his lip until he tasted blood, the pain helping him regain his thoughts.

"Am I that detestable?" The young man smiled, his words emotionless. He extended a finger, its joint grazing Leo's lips. As they touched, Leo jerked back, but the young man remained unbothered, maintaining his posture. "Would you like me to teach you how to control the flying beast? Otherwise, you won't be able to leave the Central Library."

"You can?" Leo was surprised at the offer but remained cautious. "But you clearly... shouldn't be able to..."

"Indeed, I'm a blood. I can't form contracts myself, but I have free access to all the Central Library's books."

"Why help me?"

"Well..." The young man's furrowed brow had a unique beauty. "Nineteen hundred years... so long that if you don't find some fun, you might as well sleep forever. Don't you think?"

"Alright, thanks in advance then." Leo figured he had to learn to control the flying beast eventually, so why refuse help?

In an instant, the young man disappeared from Leo's sight. Someone patted his shoulder from behind. Leo turned around to see the young man standing on the railing, the sunlight filtering through his pale golden hair. His lowered eyes made Leo's heart race again. "Your human teachers love to complicate things with theory. Controlling a spirit beast is much simpler than you think, especially since you formed a contract with it before 'bumping your head.' Have you seen Mars and others with their flying beasts?"

Leo nodded. "You're saying my flying beast is similar to theirs?"

"Exactly. Flying beasts are like that. Just think about the flying beast in your mind, imagine the feeling of riding it, the power of its leap, the strength of its wings... then you'll find yourself flying." The young man's voice echoed in Leo's ears like fine wine, filling the air with a tempting fragrance.

Leo frowned. "If it doesn't work, I'll end up smashing my head."

The young man turned slightly and smiled, "Experience is the best teacher. Danger can bring out all your potential."

"True, theoretically."

"Then let's begin." As soon as the words fell, Leo felt the young man's hands circle under his arms, and then the world flipped again. Leo once again felt weightless.

"Damn it! You bastard!" The young man had thrown Leo out of the Central Library. The wind howled past Leo's ears, heralding impending death. Leo glared at the young man sliding gracefully down the castle walls, his hair whipping in the wind, his eyes smiling as if to say, "Everything is under control."

Leo closed his eyes in anger, imagining the flying beast, its neck's curve, every non-existent muscle's movement... then he felt the wind that was nearly cutting him soften. Leo opened his eyes... Oh my God! He was really riding a flying beast!

Leo looked back and saw the distant castle top. The young man sat there, legs crossed leisurely, raising a hand in a toasting gesture, then placing a finger on his lips. At that moment, Leo's heart raced again, as if it were about to leave his body.

He couldn't see the young man's expression, everything hidden in the shadow behind the sunlight.