Corvina felt heat rise to her cheeks, a rare wave of embarrassment washing over her as she realized the glaring oversight she’d made. How could I miss something so blatant? The pieces had been right in front of her—his name, his appearance, his casual confidence, and the sheer weight of the materials he’d presented. She prided herself on her sharp instincts, yet today she’d been caught off-guard more than once.
It wasn’t just frustrating—it was unacceptable.
She shook her head sharply, willing herself to focus as she straightened her posture. Clearing her throat, she folded her hands on the table, her gaze locking onto Lucavion. “Surely,” she began, her tone edged with exasperation, “you could have mentioned this earlier.”
Lucavion didn’t falter. If anything, it deepened, carrying a teasing lightness that only fueled her irritation. “Then the fun would have been lost,” he replied, his tone silky and unapologetic.
Corvina stared at him, her lips pressing into a thin line as her mind scrambled for a response. Finally, she exhaled a slow, measured breath, letting her frustration melt away. “You’re impossible,” she muttered, shaking her head again. “I can’t decide if you’re brilliant or insufferable.”
Lucavion leaned back in his chair, his dark eyes glinting with amusement. “Why not both?”
Her hand twitched as though tempted to throw something at him, but she refrained. No, no. Keep your composure, Corvina. You’re the Guild master. She rubbed her temples briefly before dropping her hands to the table. “Regardless of your… penchant for theatrics, Mister Lucavion, the fact remains: this guild operates on structure and rules. And despite your reputation, you’re not exempt from them.”
Lucavion inclined his head slightly, his smile softening into something more neutral but no less confident. “Of course, Guild master. I would expect nothing less.”
But then his smile deepened as he leaned forward slightly, his dark eyes glinting with a mix of mischief and insight. “Rules, Guildmaster,” he said smoothly, his voice like silk laced with steel, “are meant to be bent. As long as it’s convenient, of course. Surely, you and I both understand this, don’t we, Miss Corvina?”
Corvina narrowed her eyes at him, her lips pressing into a thin line. She wanted to protest, to retort with some defense of structure and order, but she couldn’t. The truth of his words struck a chord she couldn’t deny. The world of adventurers, merchants, and nobles was riddled with exceptions, loopholes, and quiet agreements made behind closed doors. She’d played that game herself more times than she cared to admit.
And now, sitting across from the man known as the Sword Demon, she realized she was about to play it again.
“I suppose,” she began, her tone measured but edged with reluctant amusement, “there’s a certain… pragmatism in what you’re saying.”
Lucavion chuckled softly, reclining slightly in his chair as though he had already won. “Pragmatism is the foundation of progress, Miss Corvina. You know it, I know it—why pretend otherwise?”
Corvina sighed inwardly. He was insufferable, yes, but also undeniably sharp. She had stated the dangers of issuing a new identity for formality’s sake earlier, yet now that she knew who he was, her perspective shifted. This man wasn’t just some rogue adventurer or ambitious merchant’s son. He was the Sword Demon, a figure whose reputation could open doors—or burn them to ash.
As long as this matter remained small and contained, the risks were manageable. And keeping someone like Lucavion in her guild’s good graces? That could yield benefits she hadn’t even begun to imagine.
Her instincts whispered to her, a faint thrill tingling at the edge of her thoughts. This man will make things much, much more interesting… if not entirely unpredictable.
“Fine,” Corvina said at last, her voice steady. “I’ll see to your request, Mister Lucavion. But I’ll hold you to your word—this new identity stays within the boundaries of reason. If it leads to anything that compromises my guild or its reputation…” She trailed off, her tone carrying an unspoken warning.
Lucavion inclined his head, his smirk softening into something almost charming. “Of course, Guild master. You have my word.”
Corvina studied him for a moment longer, her sharp gaze searching for any hint of deceit. All she found was confidence—and a glimmer of something more, something dangerous yet undeniably magnetic. She shook her head, more to herself than to him, and rose from her chair.
“I’ll prepare the necessary documentation,” she said briskly. “And while I’m at it, I’ll make sure your dealings with the guild are logged… discreetly.”
Lucavion stood as well, his movements fluid and unhurried. “Much appreciated, Miss Corvina. I knew I was in capable hands the moment I walked through your doors.”
Her lips twitched in a faint smile despite herself. “Just try not to make me regret it.”
Lucavion chuckled as he adjusted his coat, his dark eyes glinting with intrigue. “Regret? Miss Corvina, I promise only one thing: I’ll make sure you’re never bored.”
Just as Lucavion reached the door, his boots clicking softly against the polished floor, Corvina’s voice halted him.
“Wait,” she called, her tone laced with a mix of curiosity and practicality. “Is there a name you’d prefer for this new identity?”
Lucavion paused mid-step, turning his head slightly to glance over his shoulder. A faint smile played on his lips as he seemed to consider her question. Finally, he turned fully, his dark eyes glinting with something between amusement and calculation. “Let’s go with Luca.”
Corvina raised an eyebrow. “Luca? Isn’t that a little… similar to your real name?”
Lucavion’s smile deepened, his tone carrying a quiet confidence. “Sometimes, similarities are often the ones overlooked.”
She gave him a skeptical look, her arms crossing as she leaned against the table. “I don’t agree with you, but whatever. It’s your identity. I just hope this doesn’t come back to bite me.”
Lucavion chuckled softly, inclining his head in a gesture of polite acknowledgment. “Oh, don’t worry, Guild master. If anything bites, I promise to take full responsibility.”
Corvina rolled her eyes but couldn’t suppress the faint twitch of a smile. “Fine. Luca, it is. I’ll make the arrangements.”
“Thank you, Miss Corvina,” Lucavion replied smoothly, tipping an imaginary hat as he turned back toward the door. “Until we meet again.”
As the door closed behind him, Corvina let out a long sigh, her thoughts swirling. Luca, huh? She couldn’t shake the feeling that she’d just made a deal with the devil—or perhaps someone even more unpredictable.
And yet, she couldn’t help but feel a flicker of anticipation. Never bored indeed.
********
Lucavion stepped out into the cool night air, the door of the Adventurer’s Guild clicking softly shut behind him. The faint hum of activity in Stormhaven’s harbor filled the silence, lanterns flickering as the wind carried the salty tang of the ocean.
From a nearby shadow, Vitaliara emerged in a shimmer of light, her ethereal form bounding effortlessly onto his shoulder. She perched there with her usual grace, her tail curling loosely around his neck. Her glowing eyes narrowed as she regarded him. Your next read awaits at empire
[Why did you decide to hide your name, Lucavion?] she asked, her tone pointed. [If you were going to drop that Sword Demon hint later, wouldn’t it have been better to hide it from the start?]
Lucavion smirked, adjusting his coat as he began walking down the cobblestone street. “No. This is just a temporary convention,” he replied, his tone calm but deliberate.
[A convention?] Vitaliara’s tail flicked in exasperation. [You and your cryptic nonsense. You’re not even trying to hide that there’s more to this, are you?]
“Perhaps,” Lucavion said with a faint chuckle, his dark eyes scanning the lively streets ahead. “But not every question needs an answer, Vitaliara. You should know that by now.”
Her glow brightened slightly as she bristled. [I’m your familiar, remember? You can’t just leave me out of your schemes and expect me not to ask questions.]
Lucavion sighed, his smirk fading into a faintly amused smile. “And I’ve told you before, my dear, that some secrets are safer kept within my mind.”
Her glow brightened as she swung herself down, dangling upside down from his shoulder to meet his gaze directly. [You… Is this related to that blonde girl?]
Lucavion hesitated for a heartbeat—a pause so subtle that it could have been missed by anyone less attuned to him than Vitaliara. “No comment,” he said at last, his voice quiet but firm.
[No comment? Really?] Vitaliara’s eyes narrowed, and for a moment, the soft glow of her form flickered, reflecting her annoyance. But she didn’t press further. Instead, she adjusted her perch and sighed, her tail swaying lazily. [Impossible, just like your master…..No you are worse than him….]
“I will take it as an honor.” he quipped, a faint grin tugging at his lips.
They walked on in comfortable silence, the rhythm of their footsteps blending with the distant sound of waves. Above them, the stars glittered faintly, their cold light illuminating the path ahead.
Vitaliara’s voice broke the quiet, softer this time. [Lucavion, you’ve always been like this. Calculating. Strategizing. Keeping so much of yourself locked away. Do you ever wonder if it’s worth it?]
Lucavion’s smirk softened, his gaze lifting to the horizon. “Worth is a strange thing, Vitaliara. It’s fluid, subjective. For now, it’s enough that I know where I stand.”
[And where’s that?] she asked, her voice quieter still, almost gentle.
“Well, that is something for you to figure out.”
[…..]