As Lucavion and Valeria stepped out from the guild’s registration room, the bustling sounds of the adventurers’ hall enveloped them. The moment the heavy wooden door closed behind them, a sudden blur of white fur darted through the air, leaping directly onto Lucavion’s shoulder.
It was Vitaliara, her sleek, white fur gleaming in the soft light. She landed gracefully, her emerald eyes glinting with a quiet satisfaction as she perched herself, her tail flicking with ease. The connection between them was almost palpable, more tangible than it had been before, after the breakthroughs they had both experienced.
Lucavion glanced briefly at the curious onlookers before focusing on Vitaliara. [Seems you’re in a playful mood today,] he teased, a hint of amusement in his mental voice, which resonated clearly within his mind.
Vitaliara purred softly, her tail flicking back and forth as she settled comfortably. [Playful? I’d say I’m just keeping an eye on things. Someone has to make sure you don’t get too reckless.]
Valeria, walking beside Lucavion, eyed the exchange but said nothing. She had grown accustomed to the presence of Vitaliara, though the casual way Lucavion handled everything still nagged at her. Still, her thoughts were elsewhere—on the knight’s recommendation and the deeper mystery of who Lucavion really was.
Lucavion, on the other hand, moved through the adventurers’ hall without a care in the world, his mind already preparing for the next steps. He hadn’t yet chosen a mission, but that could wait. There was always time for another challenge, another adventure.
[So, what now?] Vitaliara’s voice echoed again in his mind, her tone thoughtful. [You’ve got your rank, your fancy new card, and a city full of people eager to see the next big thing at this tournament. Seems like a perfect setup for someone like you.]
Lucavion’s smirk widened as he cast a glance outside the adventurers’ hall, his eyes narrowing slightly as he scanned the bustling streets. There was something off, a familiar tension hanging in the air. His instincts, sharpened over countless battles and encounters, had already picked up on the subtle shifts in mana around them.
[No matter where you are, there are always people who never grow up,] he murmured into his mind, his thoughts flowing effortlessly to Vitaliara.
[What are you talking about?] Vitaliara’s voice echoed back, her tone laced with curiosity. Her tail flicked as she tried to make sense of Lucavion’s sudden change in focus.
Lucavion chuckled softly, his gaze fixed on a particular alleyway just outside the hall. [Hehehe… Just watch.]
Vitaliara paused, her feline eyes narrowing as she focused on the surrounding mana. In an instant, she felt it—a small group of people lingering just outside, their mana signatures faint but unmistakable. She took a moment to count them, her senses heightened.
[Five of them,] she said, her voice now serious. [I can sense their mana. They’re not trying very hard to hide it, either.]
Lucavion nodded subtly, his expression still casual, but his eyes gleamed with anticipation. [I know. I could feel them the moment we stepped out. It’s always the same—there’s always someone who thinks they can test their limits or make a quick move in places like this.]
Vitaliara’s gaze sharpened as she assessed the situation. [What do you think they want? A quick score? Or is this some sort of personal grudge?]
Lucavion shrugged lightly. Well, when you were wandering around just now, you missed it.]
[What happened?]
[Let’s say, they were courting death.]
[Courting death?]
[Ahaha….You will see it soon.]
Valeria, who had been walking beside them, finally noticed the shift in Lucavion’s demeanor. She turned her gaze to him, her brows furrowed in confusion. “What is it? You’ve gone quiet.”
Lucavion flashed her a mischievous smile, though his eyes didn’t leave the entrance to the hall. “Just some old habits of the unwise. Seems we have a few guests waiting outside for us.”
Valeria’s hand instinctively moved toward the hilt of her sword, her stance becoming more alert. “How many?”
“Five,” Lucavion answered calmly, his voice almost amused. “They’re not exactly subtle.”
Valeria’s eyes narrowed, her grip tightening on the hilt of her sword as they approached the entrance to the guild hall. “Who are they?” she asked quietly, her tone edged with suspicion.
Lucavion’s smile didn’t falter, but there was a glimmer of something darker in his gaze as he glanced at her. “You’ll understand when you see their faces,” he said lightly, a hint of amusement still coloring his voice. “Let’s just say… they’re familiar with bad decisions.”
Valeria’s brows furrowed, but she didn’t press further. Instead, she focused on the subtle shifts in Lucavion’s expression and the easy confidence in his stride as they stepped outside. The air was cooler now, the sun starting its slow descent, casting long shadows across the bustling street. Even in the dimming light, the presence of those waiting for them was unmistakable.
Lucavion took his time, walking at a leisurely pace through the crowd, as if they weren’t being followed. Vitaliara, perched on his shoulder, kept her senses alert, tracking the five distinct mana signatures that hovered just out of sight. Each step brought them closer to the alleyway, where the narrow streets would offer a perfect spot for a confrontation.
[They’re moving,] Vitaliara murmured, her eyes flickering as she tracked the movement through the thinning crowd. [Closing in from both sides. Looks like they want to surround us.]
Lucavion’s smirk widened. [Good. Saves us the trouble of hunting them down.]
Valeria shot him a sharp look, her tension mounting. “You’re not planning to just let them ambush us, are you?”
Lucavion shrugged, his smile turning playful. “Why not? It’s easier to deal with them all at once.”
Before Valeria could respond, they rounded a corner, entering a quieter part of the street. The alleyway was narrow, hemmed in by tall stone buildings that cast long, dark shadows. It was the perfect place for an ambush—empty, isolated, with only a few flickering lanterns casting pale light over the cobblestones.
The moment they stepped into the alley, the atmosphere shifted. The presence of mana thickened, and the five figures emerged from the shadows, stepping forward with slow, deliberate movements. Each wore a smirk of their own, their eyes gleaming with malicious intent.
Valeria’s eyes widened as she recognized them. They were the same group of adventurers who had jeered at Lucavion back in the guild hall earlier—the ones who had tried to intimidate him. Their leader, a broad-shouldered man with a scar across his jaw, stepped forward, his smile cold and predatory.
“Well, look who it is,” he drawled, his voice dripping with mockery. “The arrogant brat and his little entourage. Didn’t think you’d show your face around here so soon.”
Lucavion stopped in the middle of the alleyway, his expression still as relaxed and casual as ever. “Ah, yes. You’re the ones who were barking earlier,” he said lightly, his gaze drifting over each of them. “I figured you might try something stupid.”
The scarred man’s grin widened, a low chuckle rumbling in his chest. “Stupid, huh? You’ve got guts, talking like that.” He glanced at his companions, and they shifted subtly, spreading out to block any escape routes. “You see, we don’t take kindly to being disrespected. And in this city, we don’t let insults slide.”
Valeria’s stance shifted, her eyes locked on the man in front of them. “What do you want?” she demanded, her voice cold. “If this is some petty grudge, you’d better walk away now. I won’t let you harm him.”
The man’s gaze flicked to her, his grin widening as if he found her words amusing. “Oh, we’re not here to hurt him… much. Just a little reminder that people like him need to stay in their place.” He leaned forward, his expression turning menacing. “And you, sweetheart, should be more careful about who you stand beside.”
Vitaliara jumped down from Lucavion’s shoulder, yawning. [Bunch of weaklings. What do you want to do with them?]
Lucavion’s smirk didn’t waver. [Simple,] he replied. [I make an example of them.]
Without warning, he took a single step forward, his gaze locking onto the scarred man’s eyes. The air around them seemed to shift, a sudden pressure settling over the alleyway. The man faltered, his grin faltering slightly as Lucavion’s expression darkened.
“Let me give you some advice,” Lucavion said softly, his voice carrying a dangerous edge. “If you want to pick a fight, make sure you understand your opponent first.”
The scarred man’s face contorted with anger, and he reached for his weapon—a heavy iron club strapped to his back. “Why, you—”
Before he could even complete his sentence…..
–SWOOSH!
A blade flashed through the air with blinding speed. It was so swift, so precise, that the man didn’t even register what had happened until a searing pain ripped through his chest.
SPURT!
Blood gushed from a clean, diagonal cut across his torso, staining his clothes in an instant. His eyes widened in shock, his hand instinctively reaching toward the wound, but before he could react further, he felt a cold pressure at his throat.
Lucavion stood before him, his usual relaxed demeanor replaced by something darker, more dangerous. In his hand, the gleaming edge of his blade rested gently against the man’s neck, the faintest movement away from ending everything.
The scarred man froze, his breath catching in his throat, his eyes flicking down to the sword pressed so casually against his skin. His comrades, who had been watching from the shadows, stood paralyzed, fear rippling through them at the sight of their leader brought so low in the blink of an eye.
Lucavion’s expression was calm, his voice a cold whisper as he spoke. “I told you,” he said, his tone steady and unyielding. “Know your opponent before you start something you can’t finish.”