Fate To Fake: Loved by the Fallen; Fated to Kill the Divine

She led him out to the backyard, where a private training ground lay hidden behind layers of moss-covered stone walls and trees.

The place wasn't just a clearing—it was a specially built combat arena, one designed for mages like her to train in secret. The ground was hardened stone, scarred with old scorch marks, frost patches, and cracks from long-forgotten spells.

Valra stepped confidently onto the stony platform, holding the wooden box of rune stones in her arms. Leo followed behind, eyes scanning the area with mild surprise.

Though he didn't say it aloud, he hadn't expected something like this. But then again… she was a mage. It would've been more surprising if she didn't have a training field.

She set the box down and pulled out one of the stones, holding it between her fingers. It glowed with a faint orange hue... Pointing toward a wooden mannequin at the far end of the field, she glanced at Leo.

"If I had to explain it in simple terms…" she said, lifting the stone slightly, "It's like a grenade. We mages don't always have enough time... or mana—to cast spells in serious battles. Sometimes, when we hit our limit, we need backup. That's where rune stones come in."

Leo tilted his head. "Like emergency gear?"

"Exactly. You already know about healing and restoration stones, right? These are similar—but they're designed for destruction," she explained, narrowing her eyes. "But the thing is… they're hard to control. The moment you activate them, you're racing against the countdown."

Her grip tightened, and a faint crack echoed from her hand as the rune began to split. Without wasting a second, she hurled it across the field.

The stone tumbled through the air... small and harmless. Then a jagged line of light crawled across its surface like a fuse.

Crack... Crack... Crack

And just before it reached the wooden dummy—

BOOM!

A brilliant explosion burst out, yellow flames roaring up like a fire dragon. The blast engulfed the mannequin in a consuming blaze. Heat radiated outward, a wave of pressure pushing back Leo's hair and sending dust skittering.

He instinctively stepped back, blinking.

Valra gave a small nod, brushing a strand of hair behind her ear as if it were just routine. "And that's how it works. Not as powerful as a real magical fire spell, but more than enough to create diversions or stop an enemy in their tracks."

She turned toward him with a grin, her eyes sparkling. "Wanna try?"

Leo blinked, then slowly nodded.

She bit her lower lip slightly, trying to hide her excitement, but a mischievous curl tugged at her lips anyway.

"Alright then. I'll teach you. First, understand this—it's just like a grenade. Once you crack it, the countdown begins. The pressure you apply controls how fast it detonates. Crack it hard, and it'll explode almost immediately. Gentle pressure buys you a few extra seconds."

Leo nodded seriously, taking the rune stone she offered him. Its warmth pulsed against his palm like a heartbeat.

"So if I just… press it like this…" he mumbled, clenching his fist slightly.

Crack—

The stone didn't just crack.

It shattered.

"...Oh crap."

Before he could throw it or even move, the crushed rune erupted in his hand. A violent flare ignited, glowing like a sunburst.

"Leo, DROP—!"

But Valra was already in motion. Without hesitation, she lunged at him, pushing him to the ground. They hit the stone floor hard, tumbling together as the explosion burst out behind them.

BOOM!!

A thunderous explosion tore through the space behind them, the yellow flames erupting like a dragon waking from slumber. A deafening roar filled the backyard as fire spiralled upward, cracking the stone ground and hurling debris into the air.

SSSHHH~!

A wave of yellow fire licked across the air above them, brushing against their bodies. Valra gritted her teeth and raised one hand. Her magic surged, creating a shimmering barrier of heat absorption that soaked in most of the blast.

The shockwave struck just as they hit the ground, tangled together, Valra's body crashing down over his.

The smoke settled.

They were lying on the ground, tangled together. Valra was on top of him, panting softly, the smell of scorched air heavy around them.

"A-Are you alright?!" she asked in a panic, her hands frantically checking his arm, his hand, his face. She leaned close, her face pale with worry as she looked for burns. "I-I'm so sorry, I shouldn't have let you try it so suddenly—!"

"I'm fine," Leo said gently, cutting her off with a soft smile. "Really. I should be the one apologising… I didn't think it would crush that easily."

"B-But--"

He lifted a hand and brushed away a tiny tear forming at the corner of her eye.

"Really… I should've been more careful. I'm the one who messed it up."

She froze for a second, her expression softening at his touch.

How can she cry for him... Honestly, he felt like he really deserved this?

Relief passed through her like a warm breeze. Still, part of her chest ached with guilt. She should've known better. She should've stopped him.

Then, Leo's eyes flicked downward, and his face slowly turned red. He cleared his throat, voice quiet and slightly shaky.

"If… If anything… You should maybe focus on yourself right now."

Valra blinked, a little confused by the sudden change in his tone. Then she gave a soft laugh and waved her hand dismissively.

He must be worried about her, right?

How sweet of him~

Even though she messed up, he was worried about her.

He is sometimes too cute~

"Don't worry, I can literally walk through flames without getting burned. Fire is my affinity, remember? And not just mine—our whole household has a long legacy of flame mastery. I mean, my grandfather once... "

And just like that, she was off.

Bubbling with pride, she launched into a rapid stream of details about her family's history.The feats of her ancestors, the awards they'd earned, the battles they'd fought—names, dates, magical theory. Her voice rose with each passing second, overflowing with passion... while lying on him.

Truth be told, she really just wanted a reason to lie closer to him... so she used this chance!!

A cunning girl~

Leo blinked slowly, not knowing her true goal, 'Damn… she really does go on and on when it comes to her household,' he thought, letting out a quiet sigh.

Still blushing, he lifted his hand halfway between them and coughed gently.

"Uh… I mean… yeah, sure, you can walk through flames and all… but..." he said, hesitating again, eyes darting down nervously. "Your body's fine but… not your clothes, right?"

"…"

There was a pause.

Valra froze.

Her eyes slowly followed his gaze—trailing downward, hesitantly, as if her brain already suspected the horror waiting there.

And then she saw it.

Her pyjamas... her favourite nightwear—were scorched beyond salvation. The flames hadn't touched her skin thanks to her affinity, but her clothes? They had practically disintegrated. What remained was... barely anything.

A red bra clung tightly to her chest, slightly singed along the edges. Her panties were hanging on for dear life, the waistband curled from heat, fabric darkened and thinned.

Her bare midriff glowed from the warmth, smooth and dusted with soot. Her thighs brushed Leo's hips where her legs straddled him, and—

"NOOOOOO!!!!!"

She screamed. Her hands flew up, both palms over her eyes, trembling all over as her face turned a dangerous shade of crimson.

Her heart pounded wildly. Too fast. Too loud.

She didn't dare look at Leo.

Leo, on the other hand, lay there stunned. His lips parted slightly as he watched the disaster unfold in front of him.

"I think... You're supposed to cover something else, right?" he mumbled weakly.

He tried to look away, he really did, but his eyes wouldn't listen.

And what they saw?

Well... he couldn't exactly complain.

She had curves in all the right places—firm, yet soft. Her waist, slim and tight, led to hips that flared with an elegant, feminine strength. Her thighs were toned but smooth, the red straps of her lingerie clinging dangerously low. The bra held her chest perfectly—plush and rising with each quick breath she took.

Leo felt heat crawl up his neck and into his ears. He swallowed hard.

"Y-Y-YOU'RE LOOKING!!!" she shrieked, trying to shield everything at once.

Leo, eyes wide like a deer in headlights, raised his hands halfway in surrender—except she was still sitting on him, and her panicked flailing only made her grind harder against his hips.

"I wasn't trying to! I mean, I wasn't NOT trying to, but I didn't mean to! It's just— arrh!

Just because you cannot see that doesn't mean I cannot!!!"

She went redder than the flames had been before, standing up, holding the barely clothes and running into the mansion!!

Faster, almost like flames flickered from her legs!

Leo stared at the sky in a daze, lying flat on his back, heartbeat pounding from the explosion… and from the sight he absolutely could not forget.

"…Damn," he whispered, blinking slowly. "She's hotter than the blast."

"I HEARD THAT!!!"

"..... My bad"

"AARHHH!!!!!"