Lord Summoner's Freedom Philosophy: Grimoire of Love
Chapter 368: The Tense Encounter of Old Times

Chapter 368: The Tense Encounter of Old Times

Back then, when they were still young and innocent, with ambitions that stretched far beyond the horizon, everything seemed so clear. In those days, they all aimed to be the best—the smartest, the strongest, the most powerful. They trained relentlessly, pushing their bodies and minds to their limits at the academy, where only the exceptional rose to the top. Among the students, there were many with potential, but only a few were truly exceptional. And among them were four young women who shone brighter than the rest.

Emilia—a natural-born warrior, blessed with raw physical strength that few could match. Her power was overwhelming, and while many sought to challenge her in combat, most ended up flat on the ground, defeated and breathless.

Alicia—the genius, whose mind worked faster than any magic she could cast. Her intelligence was unmatched, and her understanding of spells and strategy made her the top of her class in every academic pursuit. She had a cool confidence about her, never rushing, always calculating, and always winning.

Surena—the legend of swordsmanship. Her movements were graceful yet deadly, her decisions swift and precise. She wasn’t just skilled with the blade; her intuition on the battlefield was second to none. They said she could read her opponent’s next move before they even thought of making it.

And then there was Wilhelmina, the Holy Lady Knight. She was the one everyone looked up to, the one who seemed perfect in every way. Not only was she strong, but she was also kind and charismatic, with an almost divine aura. People followed her, trusted her judgment, and respected her for both her abilities and her unshakeable moral compass. Wilhelmina had it all—strength, intelligence, beauty, and the respect of those around her.

But among these incredible women, there was one other—someone who stood out not only for her exceptional abilities but also for her presence. Clarisse Anggrasya, known for her control over lightning magic. Her mana was wild and powerful, crackling with energy that mirrored her fierce spirit. In battle, she wielded a rapier with such speed that it was as if the weapon itself was made of lightning. Her movements were a blur, faster than the eye could follow, striking with precision and power that left her opponents stunned.

The five of them were in a league of their own, unmatched in their respective talents. Back then, it was simple. They competed, they grew stronger, they pushed each other to be the best. They were rivals, but there was also a sense of camaraderie, a shared understanding that they were destined for greatness.

But now? Now, things were different. Now, they weren’t just warriors and scholars; they were women, each with their own desires, feelings, and—apparently—the same man at the center of it all. Lyan.

As they stood in the room, the air was thick with tension. Clarisse’s eyes swept over them, her heart beating faster with every passing second. The Valkyries, they were called. But Clarisse hadn’t expected to see Wilhelmina among them, the Holy Lady Knight herself, standing there with that same commanding presence. It made her blood boil, not just with anger but with something else—something that had been simmering beneath the surface ever since Lyan had entered her life.

She had heard the rumors, of course. Lyan, the man who had seduced countless women, the infamous "sex beast" and womanizer. She’d dismissed it at first, thinking it was just exaggerated gossip, but now, looking at the women standing before her, she realized it was more than that. These weren’t just any women—these were the Valkyries, warriors of legend, all of whom had given their hearts, and apparently their bodies, to Lyan. And Clarisse? She had fallen into the same trap.

"Well, isn’t this rich," Clarisse said, her voice laced with sarcasm. She stood tall, holding the blanket around her body with one hand, while her son slept peacefully nearby. "So this is what it’s come to, huh? Four of the most powerful women in the world, reduced to being someone’s—what? Playthings?"

Emilia crossed her arms, her eyes narrowing. "Watch your mouth, Clarisse. We’re not playthings. We choose to be by Lyan’s side."

"Oh, you choose, do you?" Clarisse shot back, her tone dripping with disdain. "You mean you choose to share a man like some—" She cut herself off, biting her lip, but the contempt was clear.

Surena’s hand instinctively rested on the hilt of her sword, her eyes flashing with warning. "Careful, Clarisse. You’re treading on dangerous ground."

"Oh, please, Surena. Don’t act so high and mighty. I know what this is about. You’re all just acting like love-sick girls, clinging to the same man because he makes you feel special. Is that it? You all want to feel like you’re the chosen one?"

Alicia, who had been silent up until now, finally spoke. Her voice was calm, measured, and cutting. "At least we don’t pretend to be something we’re not, Clarisse. You’ve been trying to act like you’re above us, but here you are. Just another one of Lyan’s women."

Clarisse felt a hot wave of anger surge through her. "Don’t you dare. Don’t you dare compare me to any of you. I was married. I had a real relationship, a real family. I’m not some—"

"Cheap woman?" Alicia’s voice was smooth as silk, but the words were sharp as daggers. "Funny how you’re trying to act like you’re different. You were the one who kissed him. You were the one who let him into your bed."

Clarisse’s cheeks flushed, not just with embarrassment, but with rage. Her grip on the blanket tightened, her heart pounding in her chest. "You don’t know anything about me. You don’t know what I’ve been through, what I’ve lost. Don’t act like you have any right to judge me."

Wilhelmina, who had remained quiet through the exchange, finally spoke, her voice calm but filled with authority. "Clarisse, no one is trying to judge you. But you’re not the only one who’s been through pain. We all have. And we’ve all chosen our paths. Lyan is more than just a man to us. He’s—"

"Don’t," Clarisse interrupted, her voice shaking with barely-contained fury. "Don’t you dare try to paint this as something noble. You’re just as pathetic as the rest of them."

The room went silent. The air was thick with tension, so palpable it felt like it could snap at any moment. Clarisse’s chest heaved with anger, her fists clenched as she fought to keep control. But it was no use. The emotions that had been building for weeks, the frustration, the jealousy, the rage—it all came to a head.

And then, it happened.

A spark of yellow light flickered at Clarisse’s fingertips. At first, it was barely noticeable, just a small pulse of energy. But it grew. The crackling sound of electricity filled the air, and before anyone could react, bolts of lightning began to dance around her, wild and uncontrollable. Her mana surged through the room, powerful and untamed, the raw force of her lightning magic coming to life.

Lyan, standing at the side, immediately moved to grab the child, his eyes wide as he realized what was happening. He rushed forward, his instincts kicking in as he scooped up the boy, shielding him from the storm of energy swirling around Clarisse.

The Valkyries tensed, their hands moving to their weapons, ready for anything. But before they could act, a flash of light filled the room. A rapier, glowing with electric energy, materialized in Clarisse’s hand as if summoned from the very air itself. The blade crackled with lightning, and she held it with the ease of someone who had wielded it for years.

Her eyes burned with intensity as she stared down the four women, her body still wrapped in nothing but the blanket. "You want to fight?" she snarled, her voice low and dangerous. "Then let’s do it. I could take the four of you down without breaking a sweat."

The Valkyries hesitated, their eyes flicking to Lyan, who stood on the other side of the room, cradling the child in his arms. The tension in the room reached a boiling point, the crackling of electricity mingling with the heavy silence.

For a moment, it seemed like the world had stopped, like everything hung in the balance. Clarisse stood, ready to strike, her mana flaring with raw, unbridled power. The Valkyries, each of them formidable in their own right, prepared for what might come next.

And Lyan? He could only watch, his heart pounding in his chest, torn between the women who stood before him, each of them powerful, each of them dangerous.

More like, he’s worried about the other residents who are living inside this inn. He noticed the valkyries’ hesitate and gaze towards him but then came a single line from Clarisse that made everything immediately finished.

"What? Are you afraid?"

The biggest mistake that she should ever make towards these short-fused girls.

Lyan could only let out a sigh.

"I guess I’ll have to lay out more barriers before things get too out of control,"