Volume 02, Chapter 21

  Arthur's Surprise

  -Ring!

  The final school bell chimes, reverberating through the classroom like a long-awaited signal of freedom. I shove my notebook into my bag, barely paying attention as my mind races ahead. Information Technology—our last class—was simple enough, but I’d spent the whole time preoccupied, dodging potential conversations I’d rather avoid.

  My eyes flicker toward Lumi's desk. She’s already gathering her things. Perfect. If Arthur and I move quickly, we can slip out before awkward run-ins.

  “Arthur.” I nudge his sleeve, urgency coloring my voice. “Let’s go. Now.”

  “Hold your horses, Doms.” Arthur waves me off, dragging out the process of zipping his bag. “I’m almost done.”

  I steal another glance at Lumi. She’s nearly at the door, her back turned as she adjusts her bag strap. Relief floods me. Crisis averted—no awkward conversations, no strange stares.

  “Alright, ready to roll.” Arthur slings his bag over his shoulder, finally ready.

  “About time,” I mutter, striding toward the exit like the classroom’s on fire. We’re so close—freedom in sight—when a familiar voice halts me mid-step.

  “Ah, Dominic. A word, please.”

  Maurice’s voice slices through the noise like a blade. I freeze mid-step. Arthur raises an eyebrow, clearly curious.

  “You go on ahead.” I jerk my chin toward the door. “I’ll catch up at the gate.”

  Arthur hesitates, glancing between me and our professor before shrugging. “Sure, I’ll wait outside.” With a quick wave, he heads off, leaving me to talk with Maurice.

  I turn to Maurice, doing my best to appear calm despite the small knot of apprehension in my stomach. “Yes, Professor?”

  Maurice regards me with his usual unreadable expression. “Congratulations on the [E]-ranked Stargate raid,” he says evenly, though there’s something else beneath his tone—something I can’t quite place.

  “Did… did my dad tell you about it?”

  Maurice exhales sharply, pinching the bridge of his nose as if reliving a migraine. “Oh, he told me. Repeatedly. Your father has a very persistent way of sharing news.”

  “Uh… sorry?” I offer weakly.

  He mutters to himself, clearly exasperated. “How in the world did he get my number?” Then, snapping his gaze back to me, he narrows his eyes. “You didn’t give it to him, did you?”

  “No, Professor! I swear!” I blurt, raising my hands defensively.

  “Hmm.” Maurice studies me for a beat before sighing again, the edge softening from his demeanor. “Anyway, we’ve got training tomorrow after school. I expect you to show improvement.”

  The memory of the last session flashes through my mind—spells flying, terrain shifting beneath my feet, and my limbs screaming in exhaustion. I suppress a shiver.

  “I’ll… I’ll do my best, Professor.”

  “Good,” he replies with a curt nod. “I’ll hold you to that. Stay safe, Dominic.”

  “Thanks, Professor.”

  Maurice turns on his heel and strides down the hall, his footsteps fading into the noise. I released a breath I hadn’t realized I was holding. Another training session looms, and the thought of it is daunting. I can only hope I’ll survive with my dignity intact—and maybe, just maybe, impress Maurice this time.

  As I turn around, I nearly jump out of my skin. Lumi is standing right in front of me, her piercing red eyes locked onto mine.

  “AH!” I let out an embarrassingly loud scream.

  Her expression remains cold, unflinching. “Why did you scream?” she asks, her voice as icy as ever.

  “You caught me by surprise, that’s all,” I stammer, trying to steady my racing heart.

  I silently hope this encounter will be brief.

  “What do you want?” I ask, trying to keep my tone even.

  “How did you manage it?”

  “Manage what?”

  “Raiding an [E]-ranked Stargate.”

  So, that’s what this is about.

  I’m not surprised she’s curious. A Manaless boy raiding a Stargate is rare enough to stir rumors, and Lumi, with her relentless drive to grow stronger, was bound to investigate. But I can’t tell her the truth about the System. That secret stays with me.

  “My father helped me train with Aether-powered guns,” I explain, keeping my voice casual. “That’s how I did it.”

  It’s a half-truth, enough to satisfy her curiosity without revealing too much. The last thing I need is a deeper conversation with Lumi—or more attention from her.

  Her icy gaze lingers on me for a moment longer, making the hairs on the back of my neck stand on end.

  This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.

  “I see…” she finally says before to leaving but pauses mid-step. Glancing over her shoulder, she delivers the words I’d been dreading. “Let’s have a duel on Wednesday after school.”

  She walks away before I can protest or decline, leaving me rooted to the spot.

  I let out a heavy sigh, running a hand through my hair. “Great. Just what I needed. I was trying to avoid this, and now she’s dead set on a duel," I mutter.

  The notification from the System sends a fresh wave of anxiety through me. A duel against Lumi is no small challenge—it’s daunting.

  I think back to what I know of her from the web novel. Lumi is a [C-]-ranked Magician at Verdant Arcanum, an impressive feat for someone her age. Her lineage alone is intimidating. As the daughter of Louise Everheart, an [S]-ranked Magician and guild master of Les Pilleurs de Portails, Lumi was trained rigorously from a young age.

  Her specialty lies in long-ranged ice spells, her precision and control making her a deadly opponent. If she traps me with her magic, the duel will end before it begins.

  “Can I even beat her?” I mutter under my breath.

  Doubt creeps in. Her abilities far outstrip mine—at least on paper. But I cling to one sliver of hope: her weakness.

  From the web novel, I remember that Lumi struggles with close combat. Rapid assaults can disrupt her focus, bypassing her defenses.

  “I have the Chrono Pendant, but is that enough?”

  The pendant’s time-slowing ability gives me an edge, but victory isn’t guaranteed. I sigh, trying to push the swirling thoughts from my mind. Panicking won’t help. I need to plan and prepare.

  The System’s reminder cuts through my thoughts. Right. The points from yesterday. They’d completely slipped my mind, overshadowed by the whirlwind of shopping and everything since.

  Considering Lumi’s weakness, focusing on speed and agility is the best course of action.

  “System, add 10 Stat Points each to Speed and Agility.”

  As the points are allocated, a subtle but noticeable change takes hold. My legs feel lighter, more responsive. A small surge of confidence stirs within me.

  “I hope the System has more quests for me before Wednesday,” I murmur. “Every bit of advantage will help.”

  With my resolve strengthened, I head toward the school gates, where Arthur is likely waiting. I can already imagine him standing there, arms crossed, his patience wearing thin.

  ════ ?★? ════

  As I approach the gate, Arthur’s familiar figure catches my attention. He leans casually against the wall, exuding the effortless confidence I’ve come to associate with him. A group of girls nearby is also fixated on him, their whispers loud enough to overhear.

  “Y’all, who is that hot guy?”

  “That’s Arthur Lyon, son of Uther Lyon!”

  “Wait, the Uther Lyon? An [S]-ranked Magician and guild master of Les Arcanes éternels?!”

  Les Arcanes éternels. The name rings a bell. The web novel mentioned it as one of the most powerful Stargate raiding guilds, a fierce rival to Les Pilleurs de Portails. But I don’t remember the novel ever naming its guild master.

  I feign disinterest as I pass by the group, calling out, “Arthur!”

  He looks up and steps away from the gate, curiosity lighting his face. “Doms, what did you and Professor Maurice talk about?”

  “Just congratulations on the Stargate raid and a heads-up about more training tomorrow,” I reply.

  Arthur nods in understanding, but his expression quickly brightens with excitement. “Alright, let’s head off to our celebration spot.”

  Curiosity bubbles within me. Arthur’s idea of a celebration could be just about anything.

  -Vroom!

  The sound of a sleek engine turns heads as a limousine pulls up beside us. Its polished exterior gleams under the sun, drawing envious glances from passersby. The driver’s door opens, and a well-dressed butler steps out with practiced elegance.

  “Welcome, Young Master Arthur and Monsieur Dominic,” the butler greets with a respectful bow.

  “Uh, hello,” I manage awkwardly, caught off guard by the formal address.

  Arthur hops into the limo with ease. “Thanks, Butler Max.”

  Still slightly out of my element, I offer a small smile to Max. “Thank you,” I say before sliding beside Arthur.

  The limousine's interior is stunning—spacious, luxurious, and impossibly comfortable. The soft leather seats and ambient lighting make it feel more like a high-end lounge than a vehicle.

  “Butler Max,” Arthur says through the partition, “take us to Galerie des Trésors.”

  My eyes widen at the mention of the famed auction house. Known for its rare magical items, Galerie des Trésors is a place where the elite of Sylvestria gather to bid on treasures. According to the web novel, Célestin, Violette, and Lumi once visited but left unimpressed.

  Arthur notices my reaction and smirks. “Bet you weren’t expecting this, huh?”

  “To be honest… no, I wasn’t,” I admit.

  Arthur laughs and playfully punches my shoulder. “Well, consider this a treat. Buy whatever catches your eye. It’s on me.”

  His generosity leaves me stunned. The idea of casually buying something at a place like Galerie des Trésors feels surreal.

  “Is it really okay for me to spend your money?” I ask hesitantly.

  “Of course, Doms. It’s no big deal,” Arthur replies with a grin, his tone light and sincere.

  I hesitate, memories of my previous life creeping in. Back then, every penny counted. Luxuries like this were distant dreams, unattainable and unrealistic. Accepting such generosity feels overwhelming, like stepping into an entirely different world.

  But Arthur’s sincerity is clear. He doesn’t see this as a burden, only a chance to share something special.

  “Thanks, Arthur. I appreciate it,” I say, my voice steady with gratitude.

  “No problem, Doms,” he replies casually, leaning back in his seat.

  The engine hums as the limo glides through the streets. Outside the window, the cityscape of Verdant Haven rushes past—a vibrant blur of bustling markets, gleaming buildings, and floating vehicles. Inside, the atmosphere is calm and serene.

  Arthur opens the mini-fridge and pulls out two cans of grape juice. “Here. Your favorite.”

  I take the can with a smile. “Thanks.”

  Popping the tab, I take a sip. The flavor is rich and smooth, far better than anything I’ve tasted. Each sip brings a wave of nostalgia, a reminder of simpler times.

  “You know, those cost about 1,000 Camilliums each,” Arthur says casually.

  I choke mid-sip, coughing as I turn to him in disbelief. “You’re joking, right?”

  Arthur chuckles, shaking his head. “No joke, Doms. It’s the finest grape juice money can buy.”

  I stare at the can in my hand, half-expecting it to sparkle or glow to justify its price. The idea of something as simple as juice costing that much is almost beyond comprehension.

  “That’s… extravagant,” I mutter, setting the can down carefully as though it might shatter from its sheer value.

  Arthur shrugs. “It’s just grape juice, Doms. Enjoy it.”

  His nonchalance only highlights the stark contrast between us. For Arthur, this is normal. For me, it’s an entirely new experience, a glimpse into a life of unimaginable luxury.

  Taking another sip, I let the rich flavor remind me of how far I’ve come—and how far I still have to go. This world is strange and full of contrasts, but it also offers moments of wonder.

  As the limo carries us closer to our destination, I silently vow to embrace these experiences, to learn from them, and to let them fuel my resolve. With Arthur’s unwavering support and the adventures ahead, I’m ready to face whatever challenges come my way.