SWMD 80

Chapter 80

“Breaking the Curse”

Lueri couldn’t stop thinking about what Diana had said.

He was too distracted to even enter the judging room, and that’s when he saw Diana rush out, covering her mouth.
She ran into the dressing room and slammed the door shut behind her.

Lueri chased after her, and just as he reached for the doorknob, he heard sobbing from inside.

Not just quiet weeping, but the sound of someone finally breaking after holding it in too long.

What could’ve hurt her so badly?

And then—he heard it.

“…Eri.”

It was Diana’s voice, choked with tears.

Lueri froze, as if struck by lightning.

Did she just… call my name? Could she possibly… love me?

His eyes wavered in disbelief.

He knew the rules of Eclipse’s curse:
The moment he disappeared from Diana’s past, he could never be hers.
Every time he tried to confess, something would block it—her body rejected the memory.

So what happens if… she falls in love with me first?

She wouldn’t be able to say it. Not with Eclipse’s curse forcing her mind and heart apart.

“Ha…”
A bitter laugh escaped his lips.

This was why Eclipse never stopped him from approaching her—
It wanted to twist fate until they were hopelessly entangled.

This curse wasn’t just torment. It was a cruel performance staged by a demon who found joy in tragedy.

His jaw clenched. He couldn’t let it continue.

I have to find a way to break the curse. Now.

Lueri reached out, touching the door softly.
He wanted nothing more than to open it, wipe away her tears, and hold her close.

But he couldn’t.

If I walk in now… she’ll only run away again, hiding her feelings.

He let go of the doorknob, looked at the door one last time, then teleported away—to the Magic Tower.

Inside his study, parchment and scrolls were scattered in chaos.

They were all research on how to break demonic curses.

Lueri flipped through them, then slammed his fist onto the desk in frustration.

Even with his immense magic power—one of the strongest in the Empire—he was no match for a demon.

Only divine power could challenge Eclipse.

Which meant… he needed the temple’s help.

He thought of High Priest Philips.

But there was a problem.

The Magic Tower and the temple were rivals.
Especially under Tower Master Amadeus, things had worsened.
He even cast a magical barrier to keep mages from approaching the temple.

Even Lueri, with noble blood, couldn’t cross that line.

Breaking the rules would lead to death—literally.
Every mage in the Tower had sworn a magical oath of loyalty.
Breaking it meant the heart would explode from within.

Still…

I have to go.

Lueri stood and made his way to the top floor—to Amadeus’ room.

“Amadeus.”

The man was sipping tea by the window.

“Taking a break?”
“Want some tea?”

“…Yes.” Lueri sat quietly.

Amadeus poured the green tea with care and handed it over.

“So, what brings you here?”

Lueri wrapped his hands around the warm cup, then suddenly stood and knelt before him.

“Master Amadeus.”

“What the—?”

“Please… lift the order banning contact with the temple.”

“That again?!”

Amadeus scowled, slamming his teacup down.

Lueri had asked many times before—each time met with scolding or punishment.
He’d even been locked in the Tower’s prison.

But this time… he couldn’t back down.

“Please… I’m begging you…”

“You never gave me a reason, Lueri! Always silent!”

Lueri trembled. He couldn’t tell him the truth—not without putting Amadeus at risk.
He was more than a teacher—he was like a father.

I can’t let him die because of me.

All he could say was vague—“because of love.”

“So I’m supposed to bow my head to those temple fools because you have feelings for some woman?!”

“It’s not like that!”

“Get out of my sight!”

Amadeus hurled the cup.

It struck Lueri’s forehead, slicing the skin. Blood trickled down.

Amadeus hadn’t meant to hit him. He looked startled and turned away, coughing awkwardly.

Lueri didn’t wipe the blood.

“Even if you don’t lift the order…”
“I’m still going to the temple.”

“What…?”

He repeated it.

“I’m going.”

Amadeus laughed dryly.

He knows the rules. He knows he’ll die if he goes.
And yet…

“You’ll die.”
“I know.”

“Living like this hurts more.”

Tears fell from Lueri’s bright blue eyes.

Amadeus’s eyes widened.

This boy never cried—not even during brutal training.
But now…

Amadeus narrowed his eyes.

And in that moment, the magical veil around Lueri shattered.

“You fool… You’ve been hiding this?”

Dark energy floated around Lueri—black magic.
Traces of demonic summoning.

He had been hiding it with layer after layer of illusion magic to keep Amadeus from noticing.

But now it was all exposed.

No wonder he’s so obsessed with the temple.

Amadeus inspected him with sharp eyes.

“You turned back time.”

Lueri said nothing. Tears streamed silently.

“Was she that precious?”

He nodded, unable to speak.

He still saw Diana’s lifeless body every time he closed his eyes.

This time, he wanted to protect her.
But that wasn’t enough anymore.

I want to hold her. Kiss her. Whisper ‘I love you’ over and over.

I want to hear her say it back—herself.

“Please… I beg you.”

He knelt lower.

Amadeus sighed and stood. For a moment, it looked like he was going to leave.

Is this it? Will I fail again? Will I never get to love her…?

Lueri nearly broke.

But then—Amadeus spoke.

“I’ll help you.”

Lueri turned slowly.

“From this moment on, I lift the ban on the temple.”

A brilliant light shot from Amadeus’s body, spreading across the Tower.
His voice echoed not only to Lueri—but to every mage in the Tower.

“I refuse to let one of my mages be toyed with by a demon.”

Before Lueri could respond, Amadeus left the room with a sharp “hmph.”

Lueri stood up with trembling joy.

He bowed deeply toward the door his master had exited.

Tears still fell—but this time, they weren’t from pain.

These were tears of hope.
Tears for the chance to break the curse.
To finally love Diana freely.
And to crush Eclipse with everything he had.

He clenched his fists.

The real fight was about to begin.