Lucavion stood over the massive carcass of the serpent, his blade sheathed and his expression composed, though his sharp eyes betrayed the flurry of thoughts racing through his mind. The once-imposing creature lay broken, its twisted form sprawled across the icy platform. Around it, the shimmering frost from Elara’s spell clung stubbornly, a testament to her effort and the magnitude of the battle.
As the others busied themselves tending to wounds and securing the battlefield, Lucavion extended his hand toward the fallen serpent, his palm hovering just above its lifeless body. The faint glimmer of mana pulsed in the air, invisible to the others but keenly felt by him as he drew in the creature’s residual energy.
A chill ran down his spine as the death mana flowed into him—a cold, oppressive force that clawed at his very essence. Lucavion’s smirk faltered for the briefest moment as he steadied himself, his body instinctively resisting the toxic energy before he wrestled it into submission.
‘Indeed… that’s why this thing was so powerful.’ His dark eyes narrowed as he studied the serpent more closely. ‘A peak 4-star monster, packed with enough death mana to rival anything in its class. No wonder it took so much effort to bring it down.’
[You’re reckless,] Vitaliara’s voice broke into his thoughts, her tone laced with exasperation. [I told you it was dangerous. Why risk yourself for this girl? What were you thinking?]
Lucavion chuckled softly, his smirk returning as he straightened, brushing his coat free of frost. ‘I can’t exactly say it’s because of a promise, can I?’ he mused inwardly, the weight of the unspoken vow lingering at the edge of his mind.
Instead, he answered aloud, his tone light and tinged with amusement. “Why not? Life’s dull without a bit of danger.”
[Vitaliara hummed in displeasure, her tail flicking against his shoulder. [You’re deflecting. There’s more to it than that.]
He tilted his head, his smirk deepening. “Maybe I just have a thing for saving mages in distress. It’s good for my image.”
[Your image?] Vitaliara’s exasperation turned to incredulity. [Lucavion, you’re impossible.]
He chuckled again, letting the sound carry away the weight of the moment. “Relax, Vitaliara. The risk was calculated.”
[And here I thought you were good at math,] she quipped dryly, though the edge in her tone softened slightly.
Lucavion’s gaze returned to the carcass, his smirk fading into something more contemplative. ‘It wasn’t just about the risk. This was necessary.’ The death mana he’d absorbed would bolster his strength, albeit temporarily, but more importantly, it was another piece of the puzzle he was assembling—a step toward understanding the forces that shaped this world and the people within it.
He glanced over his shoulder toward Elara, who was seated on the platform’s edge, catching her breath as Cedric handed her another mana potion. Her exhaustion was evident, but so was the faint smile on her lips—a mix of relief and satisfaction after the battle’s hard-won victory.
‘She’s strong,’ Lucavion thought to himself, his gaze lingering on her. ‘As expected from Master….Your daughter is not an ordinary girl.’
Lucavion’s smirk lingered faintly as he allowed himself a rare moment of quiet, his thoughts drifting to the words that had long since become etched into his memory:
“I am entrusting my daughter to you. Please look after her if you can.”
The voice was as clear as if it had been spoken moments ago, yet it belonged to someone long gone—a presence that still loomed over his every action in subtle, inescapable ways.
Lucavion shook his head, exhaling softly as he let the weight of the memory settle before brushing it aside. ‘Sooner or later, she’ll become someone who won’t need my help… at least not in terms of strength.’ A faint smile curved his lips, not one of arrogance or amusement but something quieter. He looked over at Elara again, watching her recover, and nodded to himself.
‘You’re doing well, Master’s daughter. Better than you know.’
Leaning against the platform railing, he took a moment to rest, his body still buzzing faintly from the energy he had absorbed. The death mana coursing through him felt cold and volatile, but it was under control—another tool to be wielded, another piece in the grander game he was playing.
But then, something shifted.
It was subtle, almost imperceptible, but Lucavion’s finely honed senses caught it immediately. A gaze—focused, deliberate—brushed against him, setting his instincts on edge. His dark eyes narrowed as he straightened, his posture relaxing outwardly but ready for anything.
‘Someone’s watching me.’
His gaze flicked toward the source, and there, perched at a small vantage point, he saw it. Another ship—a smaller, sleeker vessel that was distinct from the ones they had arrived with. Its design was streamlined for speed and mobility, its sails dark and faintly tattered, giving it an air of subtle menace. It hovered just outside the range of the main group, as though deliberately keeping its distance.
Lucavion’s smirk returned, sharp and edged with intrigue. ‘Hmm?’
His eyes traced the ship’s outline, and through the slight haze of distance, he caught a glimpse of a silhouette—a blurred, shadowy figure standing near the prow. The figure was cloaked in black, its form indistinct but exuding an unmistakable presence, even from afar.
‘Heh… Would you look at that?’ Lucavion thought. He leaned casually against the railing, but his focus was locked entirely on the distant ship.
The silhouette didn’t move, its gaze unwavering as if appraising him. The air between them seemed charged with unspoken tension, a silent exchange passing between two players yet to reveal their hands.
‘Someone’s curious, it seems,’ Lucavion mused, his sharp eyes gleaming faintly with mischief. He inclined his head slightly, as though acknowledging the figure’s attention, his smirk deepening into a grin.
Vitaliara’s voice broke through his thoughts, her tone tinged with curiosity. [You noticed it too, didn’t you?]
‘Of course,’ Lucavion replied inwardly, his tone as nonchalant as ever. ‘It’s hard to miss when someone’s staring this intently. Do you think they like me, or is it something else?’
[They’re not admiring you, you idiot,] Vitaliara retorted, though her tone carried a note of concern.
Lucavion chuckled softly, his smirk widening. ‘How do you know? Wouldn’t it be the natural reaction to admire after seeing this handsome face?’
Vitaliara let out a long, exasperated sigh. [Hopeless. Truly hopeless.]
‘Why?’ he asked, feigning innocence, though the glint in his eyes betrayed his amusement.
[Sigh… Anyway, listen,] Vitaliara said, her tone shifting to something more serious. [I’ve been observing that ship while you were fighting. None of its members joined any of the battles. They only stood there, watching from a distance.]
Lucavion’s smirk faded slightly, his expression becoming more contemplative. ‘Interesting.’
[Especially that veiled girl,] Vitaliara added. [The one standing closest to the prow. She hasn’t moved much, but she’s been watching everything very carefully. Too carefully.]
‘You can see that far?’ Lucavion asked, a brow arching in mock surprise.
[Of course. We cats have excellent sight,] Vitaliara replied, her tone smug.
‘I thought you weren’t a cat?’ Lucavion teased, his smirk returning.
[…]
The silence that followed was almost as satisfying as the argument he could feel brewing. He chuckled inwardly, savoring the rare moment when he managed to render Vitaliara speechless.
[Focus on the matter at hand,] she said finally, her voice clipped but tinged with reluctant amusement. [That ship and its passengers aren’t here by coincidence. Whoever they are, they’re not part of this expedition, and their behavior is suspicious.]
Lucavion nodded faintly, his eyes drifting back toward the distant vessel. The silhouette remained still, the veiled figure’s presence radiating an unsettling calm amidst the chaos of the battlefield.
Or at least the author seemed to think so. Lucavion was simply unbothered by that.
‘Now, I really wonder when you will approach me. I really tried to put a good show, you know?’
Lucavion tilted his head, his smirk softening into something more thoughtful.
‘Well,’ he thought to himself, ‘if they’re this interested in me, I’ll make sure to return the favor.’
[You’re not planning something reckless, are you?] Vitaliara asked warily, though she already knew the answer.
“Me? Reckless?” Lucavion replied aloud, his tone light as he adjusted his coat. “Never. Just… curious.”
[That’s what I’m afraid of,] Vitaliara muttered, her exasperation returning.
Lucavion’s gaze remained fixed on the distant ship as a soft sound of footsteps approached from behind. He didn’t need to turn to know who it was—her presence was distinct, her mana faintly resonating with the frost that lingered in the air.
“Ahem…” Elara’s voice broke the momentary quiet, hesitant but steady enough to catch his attention.
Lucavion turned his head slightly, his smirk already forming. “What? Is something the matter, mage? If you want to admire my handsome face, you can do so from afar. No need to force yourself.”
Elara’s face flushed instantly, a faint pink dusting her cheeks as she sputtered, “Wh-who! Who is here to see your face?”
Lucavion’s smirk widened. “Then why are you here?”
Elara hesitated, her fingers tightening slightly around the staff she held. Finally, she sighed and spoke, her tone softer but still resolute. “…I’m here to thank you.”
“Thank?” Lucavion arched an eyebrow, tilting his head curiously. “For what?”
“For saving me,” Elara said, her gaze lifting to meet his. There was no hesitation in her eyes now, only sincerity. “Thank you, Luca.”
‘Well…..This may not be that bad…..’