[SPECIAL RELATIONSHIP UNLOCKED]
"The Shameless Master"
Myra has agreed to train you. She is S-rank powerful and completely without shame.
Training will be effective but... uncomfortable.
Fate Points earned: +50
New Skill Unlocked: "Mana Flow Reading"
Item Acquired: "Memory Stone of the Forgotten Sage"
[WARNING: Your master is unpredictable. Handle with caution.]
No shit, Lucian thought, watching Myra walk ahead of him with far too much sway in her hips for someone who'd just killed an S-rank monster.
As they left the ruins, she glanced back at him.
"Training starts tomorrow night. My private quarters. Wear something comfortable." Her smile was pure mischief. "Or don't. I'm flexible."
Lucian sighed.
This is going to be hell.
[MEANWHILE - CHAPEL LIBRARY]
Aria sat alone at a table, surrounded by books.
She'd been waiting for an hour.
Lucian never showed.
She told herself it was fine. He probably just forgot. Or got caught up in something.
But still...
She'd been looking forward to talking with him.
The door opened.
Aria looked up hopefully—
It was Cassian.
"There you are." He smiled, sitting down across from her. "I thought I'd find you here."
"Oh. Cassian." She returned his smile, though it felt a bit forced. "I was just studying."
"Alone?" He glanced around. "I thought you invited that Valemont boy?"
"I did. He... didn't come."
Something flickered in Cassian's expression. Satisfaction?
"Well, his loss. More time for us." He reached across the table, taking her hand. "You know you don't need to bother with people like him, right? He's just the bastard son of a disgraced house."
Aria frowned slightly. "He helped save someone yesterday. He has knowledge worth respecting."
"Maybe." Cassian squeezed her hand. "Or maybe he just got lucky. Either way, you don't need to waste your time on him."
She didn't respond.
But something about Cassian's dismissal bothered her.
Why does he care so much about Lucian Valemont?
Later that night, Lucian collapsed onto his bed, exhaustion dragging him under.
The Memory Stone pulsed softly on his desk.
His body was healed, but he could still feel the phantom pain from the wraith's claws.
I almost died today.
The realization settled over him.
He'd been playing this like a game. Like he was invincible because he knew the story.
But the story was changing. And the world didn't care about his meta-knowledge when a monster was trying to kill him.
I need to get stronger. Actually stronger. Not just clever.
His eyes drifted to the window.
Somewhere in the academy, Professor Myra was probably planning his "training" with far too much enthusiasm.
Tomorrow night. Private lessons with an S-rank mage who has zero boundaries.
He groaned, covering his face with his arm.
At least life isn't boring.
A knock at his door interrupted his thoughts.
He sat up. "Who—"
"It's me, idiot."
Seraphina's voice.
Lucian opened the door.
She stood there in training clothes, sword strapped to her back, arms crossed.
"You didn't come to training tonight," she asked accusingly.
"I had... something come up."
Her eyes narrowed. "Something more important than helping me?"
She's jealous again. Adorable.
"Life-threatening, actually."
Seraphina's expression shifted. Concern flashed across her face before she could hide it.
"What happened?"
"Long story. Involves a vault, a monster, and a very inappropriate professor."
"...What?"
"Don't worry about it." Lucian leaned against the doorframe. "Tomorrow night I'm busy with training. But the night after?"
She hesitated. Then nodded. "Fine. The night after."
She turned to leave—
"Seraphina?"
"What?"
"You were worried about me."
Her face flushed. "I was NOT—"
"You were." He smiled. "It's okay. I think it's cute."
"I'm going to stab you."
"Sure you are."
She stormed off, but not before he caught the slight smile on her face.
[AFFECTION INCREASED]
Seraphina Ashenblade: 25 → 30
Status: Conflicted → Falling (But Still Fighting It)