Chapter 74: Archnemesis

By the time Caelus left the Martial Artist Department, the conversation with Veyra had given him several things to think about, but the problem that occupied his mind most was Lucian.

His Sacred Light Affinity was what made Lucian one of the few people capable of fighting Corrupt creatures and Contractors without being forced to rely entirely on preparation or overwhelming strength.

When the Corrupt King eventually descended, the difference between the Hero Caelus remembered and a Lucian who had surpassed the original story’s limits could determine whether humanity resisted for even a short while.

Caelus had spent enough time thinking about the original plot to know that Lucian had never been weak. The enemies placed in his path had been powerful enough to force him into constant growth, and there had been no shortage of allies, battles and near-death situations to push him forward.

It still hadn’t been enough.

The story had always led to the same conclusion. No matter how much Lucian struggled, the Corrupt King was eventually destined to overwhelm everything standing against him.

Caelus had originally written those obstacles to force the Hero forward, but looking back now, they hadn’t been sufficient. Lucian had needed something that remained beside him throughout his development, something that would never allow him to become comfortable with the strength he had already gained.

An archnemesis.

Someone who would remain just beyond his reach, forcing him to close the gap every time he thought he had caught up.

Caelus could do that.

If Lucian hated losing to him, then Lucian would train harder. If that eventually drove the Hero beyond what Caelus had originally written, then the plan would have succeeded.

And if one day Lucian became strong enough to surpass him, even better.

Caelus would rather have an overpowered Hero standing between humanity and the Corrupt King than a weaker one he had made feel comfortable.

For now, he added it to the growing list of things he needed to accomplish.

By the time he reached the main gate of his residence, his thoughts had settled into a more manageable order. The runes surrounding the entrance recognized his presence, and the heavy gates opened with a low mechanical groan.

Mira was already waiting on the other side.

"Welcome back, young master."

Caelus gave her a small nod.

"Get me an outfit ready for the ball."

"Yes, young master."

He stepped inside. Mira followed him upstairs and helped him change.

The outfit prepared for him was more formal than his Academy uniform without straying into ceremonial excess.

The coat was black, fitted closely through the torso with a high collar and layered panels that gave the silhouette a sharp, aristocratic structure. Dark blue-violet highlights caught the light along the folds of the fabric, subtle enough to disappear whenever he moved away from it. The fastenings and small metallic details added just enough ornamentation to mark it as expensive without turning the entire thing into a display of wealth.

Underneath was a dark shirt with a clean, high neckline, while the trousers remained black and tailored to match the coat. The overall design made his figure look taller and more severe, which suited House Vespera far more than the bright colors he’d seen some of the students wearing earlier.

Mira adjusted the collar, smoothed one of the shoulders and stepped back.

Caelus glanced at the mirror.

It was considerably more formal than what he had worn to the ceremony, but it still looked like him.

He was about to leave when a maid appeared at the doorway.

"Young master, someone has requested to see you."

Caelus looked over.

"Who?"

"A student named Leon. He said you would know him."

Caelus’s brows rose slightly.

"Bring him in."

The maid bowed and left.

Caelus moved into the guest room connected to the suite, where a pair of upholstered sofas faced one another around a low table. It was private enough for a guest without the informality of his bedroom.

Leon entered a few moments later.

He looked different from the last time Caelus had seen him during the examination.

There was more weight in his posture now.

"Sorry for coming without warning."

"You’re already here."

Caelus gestured toward the sofa.

"Sit."

Leon did.

Caelus took the seat opposite him.

For a moment, Leon seemed unsure where to begin.

Caelus waited until Leon got comfortable enough to speak.

"I wanted to see you before the ball," Leon finally said.

"I assumed you didn’t come here to discuss the weather."

Leon gave a short laugh.

"No."

He rubbed the back of his neck.

"I came to thank you."

Caelus regarded him.

"For what?"

Leon stared at him for a second.

"You know what."

There was more firmness in Leon’s voice than before.

"You saved my life."

Caelus leaned back.

"That isn’t a debt."

"It’s not, but I still wanted to say it."

Leon lowered his gaze to his hands.

"If you hadn’t been there, I would’ve died. You could’ve left me there after that, but you allowed me to tag along."

He met Caelus’s eyes.

"This might mean nothing to you, and I know gratitude isn’t enough."

Caelus studied him.

Leon seemed uncomfortable saying something that mattered to him, and Caelus understood that feeling better than he would have admitted.

"You’re welcome."

Leon looked up, surprised.

"That simple?"

"What else do you want me to say?"

"I don’t know."

The tension in his shoulders finally eased.

Leon leaned back against the sofa, examining him again with a faintly amused expression.

"You’re different from what I thought."

Caelus raised an eyebrow.

"That sounds ominous."

"I don’t mean it that way."

Leon hesitated.

"Before the examination, I mostly knew you as the Vespera bastard everyone talked about. Then you were suddenly Rank One, and half the Academy started calling you a cheat."

Caelus remained silent.

Leon glanced toward the window, staring at a group of students in lavish formalwear. Obviously heading toward the ballroom.

"Isn’t the ball starting soon?"

Caelus looked at the time.

It was.

"You’re going?"

"I was planning to."

Leon hesitated before continuing.

"Honestly, I don’t really want to walk in alone. Can I accompany you?"

Caelus stood and adjusted the front of his coat, looking at Leon for a moment.

"Suit yourself."

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A/N: Sorry for the late update. T_T

Going to collage soon. That’s why.

The story will get progressively serious from now on.