Sometime later, just outside the training room
The corridor stretched ahead like the spine of some ancient beast, its stone ribs arched overhead and its breath stale with age. Torches flickered unevenly along the walls, casting nervous shadows that scurried across the floor with each step they took. Dust motes floated lazily in the slanted light, like bored spirits lingering from a time when the halls had seen more glory.
Lucian walked in silence, hands tucked into his cloak, his gaze straight ahead. The girl, on the other hand, walked like she was part of a different story altogether—light on her feet, fingers loosely clasped behind her back, eyes darting curiously at the ceiling carvings and cracked floor tiles, as if each flaw whispered gossip only she could hear.
They stopped just short of the arched entrance to the training chamber. The girl turned, her ponytail swinging slightly, and gave Lucian a sideways look, brows arched with a touch of mischief.
"I think you've talked prices with Father, right?" she asked, tilting her head slightly, voice casual—but her tone had the practiced lightness of someone very used to finding amusement in other people's awkwardness.
Lucian nodded once and pulled out a pouch, handing it over with a motion as smooth and economical as a blade being sheathed.
The coins clinked softly, the kind of sound that promised silver. The girl took it and weighed it in her palm, giving it an experimental bounce. Her lips pulled into a slow grin.
"Well, well… look at you," she said, the words dancing off her tongue. "You're pretty rich for someone with that whole brooding-and-broken look."
Lucian's brow twitched faintly. "When can I enter?"
"Mm," she hummed, as if deciding whether or not to tease him more. Her fingers tapped rhythmically on the pouch. "Just wait here. I'll handle it."
She turned and strode toward the guard stationed by the door—broad-shouldered, bored-eyed, and built like he had been poured into his uniform and left to dry. The girl approached him with the kind of ease only extroverts and diplomats possessed—casual steps, quick hands, too many gestures for a simple transaction.
Lucian watched from the distance, arms crossed, gaze indifferent—though a flicker of amusement passed through his eyes as she leaned in closer to the man, speaking low. He didn't know what she said, but the guard suddenly looked very awake.
A moment later, she returned, twirling a bronze token between her fingers like a coin trick.
"Here you go," she said, flipping it into Lucian's palm. "You're good for half an hour."
She turned to leave, but hesitated just before the hall swallowed her. Glancing back over her shoulder, she threw a grin over the edge of her words.
"Oh, by the way. What's your name? I'm Eira."
Lucian caught her gaze and offered the ghost of a smile. "Kai."
"Kai?" Her nose scrunched like she'd tasted lemon. "Huh. Strange name for a strange person. Well, I guess it fits."
Lucian just shook his head, lips curling ever so slightly. She winked before disappearing down the corridor.
Lucian entered the training room.
The door closed behind him with a low thud, echoing softly off stone walls.
The room greeted him like a stone box filled with silence. Just three meters by three—bare walls, stained by time and sweat.
Lucian exhaled, the air here denser, like memory had weight. Dust clung to the corners. The single wooden dummy stood in silence—scarred, blackened, half-leaning like it had grown tired of being beaten but refused to fall.
Lucian reached inward.
He touched roof of his mouth with his tongue and connected with system.
The voice answered at once, sharp and sterile. Not a whisper, not a presence—just cold information. A machine in his mind.
"Host, I can hear you."
"How many spells do I have in memory?" Lucian asked.
"There were many spells in your family library, but the past Lucian only retained a handful. He wasted most of his time playing and flirting with maid or just roaming."
Lucian's eye twitched. "Flirting with maids? What do you mean by that? Did he force them to do something they didn't wanted?"
"He was a virgin. No—you are a virgin. He merely teased them. Hiding their clothes during baths. Mixing extra spice in their food. Nothing harmful. Just a nuisance." System replied with same emotionless tone.
Lucian exhaled slowly, pinching the bridge of his nose. What the hell was he doing? A noble brat with too much time and no sense of shame.
Lucian asked rubbing his hand around his neck "Did he used to do this regularly or just once in a while?"
System replied "Everyday, The day didn't passed without his pranks."
A.N:The reason this chapter was short because I needed to create my presentation.