I swear, Rome has never felt so loud.
Every single person on those cobbled streets had their eyes glued to us with their phones out and camera lenses reflecting morning sunlight like we were some sort of celebrity couple. We weren't even trying to make a scene. Really, we weren't. It's just that walking around with a literal crown of thorns on your head apparently makes you hard to ignore.
And maybe the fact that I was walking beside Hinesia, who had decided that "casual street outfit" meant a tight white top, a translucent shawl and white shorts that somehow screamed royalty but make it seductive didn't help either.
She leaned toward me, her sunglasses perched on her head, and said in that self-satisfied tone of hers.
"You're too good-looking to be walking like that in public, you know."
"Like what?"
"Like you don't know people are drooling at you. Honestly, Phaser, have a little awareness. You look like a divine statue that decided to sin."
I almost choked on my laugh. "You're one to talk. You're literally glowing."
"Oh, I know. But you're the better one right now."
That was… fair, I guess?
Still, the way she said it made me want to roll my eyes back. I ran a hand through my hair, feeling the weight of the thorned crown on my head. The damn thing shimmered faintly under the sunlight.
Yeah, that would draw attention.
Apparently, the crown had decided to start appearing every morning since the last Trial. It just materializes out of nowhere as soon as I wake up and disappears the moment the stars come out. No input from me whatsoever.
"Guess the mythical look is in season."
Hinesia gave me a sideways glance. "That crown really suits you though."
"Thanks, I guess? I can't exactly take it off on my own, but it's not like it's fused to my skull or anything."
"Wait, you can take it off?"
"Yeah. Just not make it disappear."
"Show me."
I sighed, reached up, and carefully lifted the crown off my head. The thorns untangled smoothly, like they recognized my hands. The moment it left my head, I felt somehow free.
I handed it to her. She blinked at it, like I had just given her a live snake.
"You're serious? You can just hand it to me?"
"Yup."
She took it gingerly, holding it in both hands as if it would bite her. The dark crystal vines gleamed faintly, pulsing with light in the gaps.
"It's beautiful but also dramatic."
She suddenly threw it into the nearest alleyway. It vanished in mid-air and in less than half a second, it reappeared right back on my head, perfectly centered.
We both froze.
"Yeah, that's been happening too."
Hinesia's jaw dropped. "It comes back to you like a magnet?"
"Apparently it's clingy. Tried to throw it off a balcony once. What were you expecting when you threw it?"
She narrowed her eyes. "So… you can't stop it, but I can hold it?"
"Yeah."
She stared at the top of my head for a second. Then she reached up on her toes to try and grab it again but, yeah, she's short. She kept reaching, hopping a bit, her fingertips brushing air. I just stood there, arms crossed, watching her struggle with the most serene expression I could manage.
"Stop being tall," she muttered through gritted teeth.
"I'll try next lifetime," I said, leaning forward just enough for her to finally snatch it off.
She triumphantly held it above her head, smiling like she'd just stolen a relic.
"See? Easy!"
"Yeah, as if didn't take you five tries."
"I hate you sometimes."
I smirked. "You say that every morning."
"Because you earn it every morning."
We were absolutely not being discreet. People had stopped on the sidewalks, whispering, pointing and taking photos. Some were even livestreaming. I caught flashes from multiple angle. That is going to hit the Outerchat headlines in about twenty minutes.
"Who are they?" someone whispered.
"I heard he's an Argemenes," another said.
"Oh that's the crown! It's the Throned Crown of the Concept Flux!"
"The girl beside him. Isn't she from the Rameses line?"
"Are they a couple or…?"
She looped her arm around mine and tugged me along, no caring that she was literally causing a scandal.
"Come on, handsome. Let's give them something to gossip about."
"Do we really need to?"
"Oh, absolutely. You might as well enjoy the fame your crown is bringing."
Rumors had already been swirling that an Argemenes was staying at the most expensive hotel in Rome. The moment we stepped out that morning, I could practically feel the collective realization ripple through the city. Now, with every camera flash and curious stare, the myth was becoming real.
Honestly, I didn't care.
"You know, if we're going to be viral, we might as well own it."
"Oh? You planning to do a public dance next?"
"Maybe a kiss."
The crowd erupted into whispers.
I sighed, pinching the bridge of my nose. The last thing I want is my master to punish me for being with her daughter. But I'm guessing he's already rooting for this? Not that I'm complaining but still...
"You are going to get me assassinated by your father if he sees this. And Outer fan girls are going to hate you."
She shrugged. "If they're jealous, it means we're winning."
I couldn't argue with that logic, probably because she was too busy looking smug while I tried not to laugh.
We kept walking, ignoring the flashing lights and the buzzing Outerchat notifications that were probably flooding in.
In the end, maybe the chaos was worth it. Maybe it was all part of making the House of Argemenes known. Because when I caught our reflection in a shop window, with her arm hooked through mine, it hit me.
This is actually nice.
------
The Flavian Amphitheatre towered before us was massive. Even from several streets away, the air trembled with its presence with chatter, cheers and the flare of banners rising the skies.
Hinesia and I walked shoulder to shoulder and everywhere we went, people stared. Some whispered and others screamed. I swear, if I had a coin for every photo snapped of my face, I could buy another Flavian Amphitheatre. The only reason we weren't mobbed was because of the armed security at the entrance and maybe the faint glow from the crown of thorns on my head which, at this point, felt like it was taunting me.
The amphitheater had layered seats stretching upward. Massive holographic screens (but the way, all holograms on Altera Earth are made by Humans and not Fluxers. It's an export of humans to Fluxers and extremely expensive) hovered above the arches, showing the live crowd feed and the dancing performers on the central stage.
"Well, this is… grand. You weren't kidding about the VIP seats, huh, sweetie?"
"If we didn't book these in advance, we'd be standing out there with the peasants."
When we reached the top of the steps to our seats located at front row of the Imperial section, I had to admit. This was luxury even by MoDS standards. Velvet seats, personal attendants and coolers to reduce the summer heat. The sun glinted through the high arches, illuminating the statues of Empresses as music thundered below.
By the time we sat down, it was already half past noon. The opening ceremony was in full swing. Dozens of dancers dressed as ancient Roman warriors spun across the arena floor, their bodies trailing gold dust that shimmered in the hot air. A chorus was sang in Latin and massive constructs moved gracefully. It was a tribute to Rome's divine heritage welcoming another gladiatorial summer.
"Thirty minutes late. Good job. Because if your crown we missed the opening song."
"Hey, you were the one who decided to—"
She gave me that look and I wisely shut up.
As the announcer's voice boomed through the amphitheater, describing the duels and their legacy, I leaned toward her.
"So, you know about the Duel of Champions, right?"
"Of course. It's split into the Commoner and Noble duels. The Commoners start first for the first month, while the Noble Fluxers like Officia and House Fluxers start afterward. So you have a month to prepare before you fight."
"Perfect. That gives me time to—"
"Phaser?"
The voice came from behind me. It was soft, familiar… and immediately disarming. I turned and froze.
There she was, standing under the sunlight pouring through the archway.
Norphie Phoenicia?
The moment I saw her, I couldn't help but grin wide. I stood up immediately — maybe a little too quickly — and hugged her. I had to act as Phaser to her because if I didn't, she would notice something different.
"Norphie! How did you even get here?!"
She chuckled against my shoulder.
"I'm a Phoenician, darling. I had to be here to represent my House. Besides, the Duel of Champions needs good fashion. I am sponsoring a few gladiators you know."
Her perfume was jasmine and honey and for a moment, I forgot there was a world around us. I've always wanted to meet Norphie. Even though I've seen her in the game as the fashion designer and creator of most character skins, in Phasnovterich's memories, she's like an older sister to him. And honestly, it made me want to see her too.
Then a voice colder than steel spoke behind me.
"Phaser, who exactly is this?"
I turned, grinning, completely unaware of the bomb about to go off.
"Oh! Right! Hinesia, this is Norphie Phoenicia, best fashion designer in the world and the owner of Heart's Boutique. She designs my outfits. And she's my best designer."
Hinesia's eyes didn't blink. Her smile was perfectly polite, the kind of smile that could end civilizations.
"Best designer, huh?"
"Yeah, She even made the outfit Xaessia usually wears. Remember that one? With the embroidered—"
"I remember," Hinesia said flatly, her hands neatly folded and her nails digging slightly into her palm. "You never mentioned her before."
"Oh, well, she wasn't important at the time."
I said cheerfully and immediately regretted it. Norphie didn't notice my nervousness and laughed softly, touching my arm.
"You haven't changed, Phaser."
Thank goodness. The last thing I want is Norphie to notice something different about me. Hinesia's smile tightened another inch. The air around us suddenly got very hot, and even the nearby spectators began to sense something was off.
"Wow, I'm so glad we're all here, huh? Three Houses in one row! That's rare."
Norphie tilted her head, smiling warmly at me.
"We should catch up later, Phaser. Maybe tonight? I'm having a party where even the Empress will be joining."
Before I could answer, Hinesia stood up, her smile perfectly composed.
"Oh, he's busy tonight. We have… training."
Norphie blinked. "Training?"
"Mm-hm. Lots of it. Very… intensive."
I choked on air. Why is she acting like this?
"I can skip the 'training', Hinesia. Don't worry. I'll be there. Just don't let the guards chase me when I get there"
Norphie looked amused but didn't press it.
"Well, alright. See you there then, Phaser! We have a lot to catch up on!"
She smiled at Hinesia politely and walked off toward the Phoenician section. When I sat back down, I finally noticed Hinesia's glare.
"What?"
She leaned back, crossing her arms.
"Nothing."
"You're mad."
"I'm not mad."
"You're definitely mad."
"Not at all. Just thinking about how you hugged her."
"Oh come on, Henny—"
"Don't 'Henny' me, crown boy."
"I thought you liked that name."
"You really want me to choke you to death in front of everyone here?"
"No ma'am. I apologize, but I must go to that party. I want Norphie to do something for me."
She didn't talk after that.