Victor stood motionless, staring at the wall where a door should have been, the one Jack had supposedly placed…. Yet, there was nothing.
Just an empty wall!
“Interesting,” he mused silently, eyes narrowing. “They’ve got some rather unusual artifacts.” He took one last glance before turning away and slipping out of that place.
The academy’s corridor was quiet, his footsteps echoing as he walked, deep in thought. His mind swirled with the events that had unfolded, trying to piece everything together. “So… someone’s pulling the strings after all. But it’s not just one person… four?
Master… ah? why didn’t I see this coming?” He clenched his fists slightly with an amused expression.
All this time, he had thought Jack was working independently… some kind of idiotic cult, but now it seemed that someone—or rather, several someones… were orchestrating everything from behind the scenes.
Crack, crack.
Victor stretched his neck, with a tired yet grinning expression, “Fuck… there’s too much going on. It’s starting to get on my nerves,” he muttered under his breath.
As he rounded the corner, he found himself standing in front of Delphine’s office door.
Taking a deep breath, he raised his hand and knocked.
Knock, knock.
“What do you want… Victor?” Delphine’s voice echoed behind the door.
Victor blinked, a little taken aback by her sharp tone, “Uh… can you open the door, Professor Delphine?” he asked, trying to sound casual.
“No!”
His frown deepened. “Huh? Why not?”
“Why?” Delphine’s voice quivered, though she tried to keep it steady, “You know the answer, don’t you? You’ve been avoiding me for over a month, Victor!” There was frustration in her words, but also a longing that couldn’t be hidden.
Victor’s face twisted into an awkward grimace. He scratched the back of his head, trying to think of an explanation, “Well… I’ve been kind of busy—”
“Busy?” she interrupted, her voice rising slightly. “Victor… tell me the truth. Are you afraid of my visions too? Is that why you’re avoiding me?” Her voice trembled, though she tried to hold firm, betraying her vulnerability.
Victor exhaled slowly, rubbing his temples, “No, Delphine, it’s not like tha–“
Before he could continue, she snapped, “Don’t lie to me, Victor!” Her voice cracked, and there was no mistaking the fear beneath her anger. “You’ve been a-avoiding me every chance you get, and it’s not just because you’re ‘busy.’ You’ve spoken to Aria, you’ve spoken to the others, but me? Nothing. Not a word.”
Victor sighed again, steeling himself as he reached for the door handle, “Delphine, let me in.”
“N-No! I’m not letting you in!” she cried from the other side, her voice wavering. She was pushing against the door now, trying to keep him out. “I don’t want to see you! Just go away!”
“Delphine… please, just let me in. We need to talk,” he said, his voice calm but firm. He pressed harder against the door.
“N-No!! G-Get out!!” Delphine’s voice grew more frantic, tears unmistakably starting to form. She was genuinely terrified.
Victor’s heart clenched. Ever since their last date, Delphine had thrown herself into her work, helping rebuild the academy after the disaster…. Yet, despite her efforts to reach out… talk to him, he had distanced himself.
No matter when she tried to see him, he made sure to be absent. He couldn’t bear to face her.
She began to piece together what she feared most—that he was avoiding her because of her visions. And when she heard from Aria and the others that he had spoken to them while continuing to dodge her… her worst fears were confirmed.
‘He’s scared of me… of my powers!’ The thought consumed her, her heart sinking further into despair, ‘He’s avoiding me because of what I can see…’
“I ca—” Delphine started, but before she could finish, Victor gave one final push, and the door flew open. Delphine stumbled backwards, her balance failing her as she slipped.
In an instant, Victor moved, catching her just before she hit the floor. He pulled her into his arms, closing the door behind him.
His arms tightened around her as he gazed into her teary aqua-colored eyes.
“Delphine…” His voice was soft but commanding. “Why are you crying?”
Her gaze fell to the floor as she mumbled, “I-I’m not crying…”
Victor’s lips tugged into a sad smile as he gently wiped the corner of her eyes, showing her the small tear on his finger. “Then what’s this?”
Delphine remained silent, her cheeks flushing in embarrassment. She didn’t know how to respond.
Victor sighed softly, still holding her. “I’m sorry… I didn’t mean to avoid you.”
“I-It’s fine—” she tried to brush it off, but Victor didn’t let her finish.
“No, Delphine, it’s not fine. You deserve an explanation,” he said, looking into her eyes earnestly. “I wasn’t avoiding you because of your visions. Whatever you see… we’ll face it together. We always do, right?”
Her eyes widened slightly as his words sunk in, and she nodded slowly, her voice barely a whisper. “T-Then why… why were you avoiding me?”
Victor’s expression grew awkward again. “Well…” He hesitated, glancing away for a moment.
Delphine’s eyes filled with tears once more as her voice trembled. “I-I know what it is… You’re avoiding me because of my powers, right? You think I’m a burden—”
Before she could spiral any further into her fear, Victor cut her off, his voice low and pained. “No, Delphine. I… I failed you.” His hands trembled slightly as he spoke, his jaw clenched. “I made you a promise… that I’d protect you…
Protect everything And yet, I couldn’t keep it.
I failed… failed miserably… I couldn’t even face you after that. I hated myself to see you after haughty saying those words!”
Delphine frowned in confusion, ‘What is he talking about?’ she wondered, searching his face. She knew he had done everything he could to save people during the chaos.
Was he referring to the lives lost before they arrived?
Her frown softened as understanding dawned on her, “Victor… it’s not your fault. You did everything you could. You saved so many lives. There’s no reason to blame yourself for what happened.”
Her warm smile returned, his presence comforting after the long month of separation.
Victor’s heart ached as he looked at her…. She had misunderstood the situation,
But what could he say?
It was better for her to believe what she wanted.
Still… he couldn’t shake the feeling that he had failed her… failed to protect her visions! failed to keep his promises!!!
His grip on her tightened as he bit down on his lower lip.
“… Aether?” Delphine’s worried expression softened as she gently cupped his face with her hands. “Please… don’t be so hard on yourself. Even if you have failed… You tried, right?
That’s all that matters. I could never hate you for that. I…” She hesitated, her cheeks turning a soft shade of pink as she struggled with her words. “I-I… I always… You know what I mean, right?” Her voice faltered, and her blush deepened, unable to bring herself to say it out loud.
Victor’s eyes softened as he watched her, “Yeah… I tried”. He smirked slightly, his lips curving upward, “What do you mean? I know what? Tell me,” he teased, pulling her closer into his arms.
Delphine’s eyes widened in horror as she saw the playful smirk spread across Victor’s face.
‘Oh no… I’m in trouble!’ she thought, panic rising within her. She had to escape. But before she could even push him away, Victor leaned down and captured her lips with his.
[+4000 AP]
“~Hmmmfff!!!”
Her initial resistance melted almost instantly as a wave of weakness overtook her legs.
She couldn’t help but sink into his embrace. It had been too long since she had felt his touch, and now, as their lips met after what felt like an eternity, her need took over.
She kissed him back, hungrily, her desperation palpable.
Victor smiled into the kiss, amused by how eager she had become. ‘Look at her,’ he thought, feeling her greedily sucking his tongue. His hands roamed over her body, cupping her full busty ass and pinching her
“~AAAHHMMFF~~”
[+4000 AP]
….
…
After a series of teasing kisses and soft reassurances, Delphine finally calmed down, her earlier sadness forgotten. She walked back to the tea ceremony with a bright smile on her face, while Victor made his way toward an empty park.
The academy grounds were mostly deserted, with everyone occupied by the ongoing ceremony.
However, two familiar figures soon approached him… Liora and Maelona.
As soon as Liora spotted him, her tail began wagging wildly, and she practically bounced toward him, excitement clear in her eyes. “Husba—OUCH!” she called out, ready to leap into his arms.
“Not so fast!” Maelona barked, grabbing Liora’s tail and yanking her back, causing Liora to stumble.
Liora hissed and shot a glare at her, “You bitch!”
Maelona raised an eyebrow, “It’s an academy, you bitch! Have some restraint.” She shifted her gaze to Victor, her expression softening. Experience new stories on empire
“Ae–Victor,” she greeted him with a more serious tone. “Everything is ready. Tomorrow is the Elders’ meeting, and… Alaric’s fate will be decided.”
Victor’s eyes sharpened as he observed the glimmer of satisfaction and excitement on Maelona’s face. He smirked, “Looks like someone’s excited~”
[+2000 AP]
Maelona’s cheeks reddened as she cleared her throat, “W-Well, we’re finally reclaiming what’s rightfully ours,” she replied, though there was a note of smugness in her voice.
Victor chuckled softly as he stepped closer to her, causing Maelona to unconsciously take a step back. His gaze held hers, “Be careful. I don’t think Alaric will just sit back and let his authority slip away so easily.”
Maelona smiled, a knowing look in her eyes. “I’ll be fine. But if you’re worried about your favourite mother-in-law~ why don’t you be my bodyguard, like old times?” she teased.
Victor laughed and gently pinched her cheek. “As much as I’d love to protect my mother-in-law, I think my attention will be elsewhere. We’ll most likely be leaving for the Pyra Empire tomorrow.”
Maelona’s face fell slightly, disappointment flickering in her eyes. “Is that so…”
Noticing her reaction, Victor leaned in, his voice dropping to a whisper, “Oh? Are you sad that your favourite son-in-law won’t be around?”
[+2000 AP]
Maelona’s cheeks flushed a deep crimson. She was about to retort when—
Sniff, sniff.
“I smell something…” Liora muttered, her nose twitching as she eyed both Victor and Maelona suspiciously.
Maelona’s eyes widened, panic flickering across her face, “W-What are you talking about?” she stammered, quickly pushing Victor away.
Liora frowned, her expression darkening as she sniffed the air again, “Something’s fishy…” she mumbled, her gaze narrowing.
But after a moment, she shrugged and turned to Victor, her face softening instantly into a puppy-like expression. Her tail swayed eagerly behind her. “I helped a lot today… shouldn’t I get a reward?” she asked, her voice sweet and innocent.
Victor couldn’t help but laugh, “Hahah… You’ve been a good wolfy, huh? Alright, what do you want as a reward?” he asked, his tone playful and… seductive!
Liora’s puppy eyes turned sharp, her lips curling into a predatory grin. She licked her lips. “You know exactly what I want,” she purred, ready to pounce on him and drag him off when—
“YOU HORNY BITCH!!” Maelona yelled, grabbing her Liora’s tail again and yanking her back with force.
“OUCH! You witch! That hurts!” Liora yelped, glaring at her.
“That’s exactly why I did it, you shameless horny wolf!” Maelona shot back, glaring fiercely at her.
Even though Liora had accepted her unconventional relationship with Victor, Maelona wasn’t going to make things easy. Especially not for the wolf girl who kept trying to steal all of Victor’s attention.
The two of them locked eyes, a fierce tension brewing between them.
Victor sighed, ‘Being famous is really tiring’ he thought narcissistic, preparing to step in and break up what was sure to turn into a full-blown brawl when—
“AARRRRRRHHHHHHHHHHH!!!”
A piercing scream echoed through the academy grounds.
All three of them froze, their attention snapping toward the direction of the tea ceremony.
They rushed toward the source of the scream and found a horrifying sight.
In the middle of the tea ceremony grounds, Kai was on his knees, clutching the bloody stump where his hand used to be…. His face was pale with terror as blood poured from the wound like a river.
“N-No… Please… I-I’m sorry…” Kai stammered, trembling as he stared at Lia, who stood over him, her eyes blazing with fury. In her mouth, she held the remains of Kai’s severed hand, her teeth stained with blood.
Her expression was that of a feral beast, ready to strike again.