Fate seemed to work in mysterious ways. Princess Kaida of the Indra Empire found herself applying for the vacant position of court mage in the dukedom of Seren. Known for her formidable strength and magic, she was quickly accepted. When she entered the office of Saren, the duke's son, her eyes widened in shock as she saw Ash standing there. She masked her reaction with composure, but the surprise was evident. Saren, unaware of the history between them, welcomed her warmly. Little did he know he now had another powerful ally by his side, making him feel like he was part of something greater than just a small dukedom.

  One fateful day, chaos erupted as demons began to appear in the dark corners of the dukedom. Saren watched in awe as Ash and Kaida fought valiantly, their movements precise and powerful. He felt a twinge of jealousy, but also a burning desire to be like them. Determined to improve his skills, he asked for their help in training.

  As they trained together, Saren noticed the growing closeness between Ash and Kaida. Their bond was like the sun and moon shining together, each complementing the other's strengths. Despite their sworn enmity, they were clearly each other's love interests, drawn together by a powerful, undeniable force.

  One evening, as they were training, something unexpected happened. Saren's heart began to beat rapidly, and a notification appeared before him. A symbol unlocked, and a dragon emblem materialized on his hand. He felt a surge of power coursing through him, and he realized that he could now control four elements out of seven.

  As the power settled within him, a curious thing occurred. Whenever Saren tried to imagine romantic feelings or see any girl with love interest, he found himself unable to do so. It was as if his heart was locked or his destined partner had already been decided, much like the bond between Ash and Kaida. This realization left him with a sense of completeness, a purpose that transcended mere mortal desires.

  One day, while training with Kaida, Saren felt a rare moment of happiness. Ash, observing from a distance, mistakenly thought that Saren had developed romantic feelings for Kaida. However, the reality was different. Saren's heart was locked by the mysterious symbol, as if it were a living thing waiting for someone special.

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  A few days later, a new challenge emerged. Reports of a monstrous creature terrorizing the dark forest on the edge of the dukedom reached Saren and his allies. Determined to protect their people, Saren, Ash, and Kaida ventured into the forest to confront the beast.

  As they made their way through the dense foliage, Ash and Kaida exchanged glances, their unspoken rivalry simmering just below the surface. The tension between them was palpable, but their mutual respect and love interest kept their interactions civil.

  Suddenly, they heard a roar that shook the ground beneath them. The monstrous creature, a massive, dark-scaled beast with fiery eyes, emerged from the shadows. It lunged at them with terrifying speed, and the battle began.

  "Kaida, focus on its left flank! I'll take the right!" Ash shouted, his voice commanding.

  Kaida nodded, her eyes blazing with determination. "Understood. Saren, stay back and use your elemental powers to support us."

  As Ash and Kaida engaged the monster, Saren watched in awe. They moved with perfect synchronization, their attacks complementing each other seamlessly. Despite their rivalry, they fought as one, displaying a level of skill and unity that left Saren in admiration.

  As the battle raged on, the creature's strength began to wane. Seeing an opportunity, Saren summoned his newfound elemental powers. With a surge of energy, he unleashed a torrent of fire and ice, striking the beast with a devastating blow. The creature roared in pain before collapsing to the ground, defeated.

  Breathing heavily, Ash and Kaida turned to Saren, their eyes filled with a mix of surprise and respect.

  "You did well, Saren," Ash said, a hint of pride in his voice.

  Kaida nodded in agreement. "Your powers are impressive. You're not the same person you were before."

  Saren smiled, feeling a sense of accomplishment. "Thanks to both of you. I couldn't have done it without your help."

  With the creature defeated, the trio made their way back to the dukedom, their bond stronger than ever. Saren knew that with Ash and Kaida by his side, he was ready to face whatever challenges lay ahead. The future was uncertain, but he was no longer the ordinary duke's son he once believed himself to be. He was Valerius Imperion, a force to be reckoned with, and his journey was just beginning.