Valerie's eyes blazed with stars.
'Who is this man? How?'
Her heart hammered wildly against her chest. Something was thrashing, crashing out, as though it thirsted for freedom and wanted to ride on it for the rest of her life.
All the while, she was held to Lucien's side. She slowly wrapped her small hands around him and leaned on his shoulders, undisturbed by the hardness of his steel pauldron.
That was when Lucien noticed her, but he did not mind. He merely shrugged it off and walked past the defeated Warden, then stepped out of the gate.
The outskirts of the city from the eastern end were rougher, smellier and bushier than they had been at the main gate.
Lucien finally had to put Valerie down, and the two of them traveled through the forest.
The forest plain was somewhat steep because as they continued to walk, it felt like they were ascending.
Ustrust Academy was perched atop a hill to the eastern side of the city. It was considered an extension of the city at the same time it was a place of its own, because its creator was that influential. It was not the best Magic Academy on the continent, but it wasn't the worst either.
Throughout their journey, Lucien had to battle different kinds of monsters—all of them were low level, so it wasn't concerning.
In fact, he decided to go beyond his pay grade and teach Valerie how to slay some monsters herself.
And she taught him about the basics of magic, which were actually very helpful because he had a fire spell that he could only use with the sword.
After a while, both of them reached the top of the hill, and the gate of the academy was just about a hundred meters away from them.
Lucien could even see Valerie's eyes blazing with hope and happiness.
He, however, picked her up and placed her on his shoulders.
Lucien turned away from the gate without warning and leaped into the air, back into the forest.
Throughout the night, Lucien and Valerie had traveled through the Esho forest, and the Adventurer had easily braved the dangers.
For the first time in one month—the first time since she gained admission into Ustrust Magic Academy—she had actually glimpsed the gate. Even though it was only for a moment.
She still glimpsed the gate nonetheless. Someone capable of taking her there existed.
Only for him to change his mind when they had gotten to the Academy?
If he changed his mind, why didn't he just deliver her to the academy and change his mind after? Why did he have to be so cruel?!
Valerie found herself standing back in her family's estate. Her expression was pale and full of disbelief.
What exactly was happening? What exactly just happened?
He really brought her back—he ran all the way back to the estate, and now they were knocking.
Chris came running and stood with a strange and confused expression.
He had to be confused! Even she was!
Then they walked inside and stopped at the entrance, because her mother was also outside waiting for them with a confused expression.
She folded her delicate arms on her almost nonexistent breast and frowned.
"What? What is going on? What happened? Where is the Cassion? And why are you guys back? Don't tell me…"
Her eyes widened, but Lucien's voice cut in.
Immediately she heard his tone, Lady Varlyeth frowned. There was a pitch that his voice took that she perceived as rather disrespectful—in fact, hostile. Because how would any runt in their right senses speak to a Noble in such a manner?
A pale grin crept across her face.
"You must have a death wish. Who do you think you are talking to with that tone?"
Lucien's eyes blazed with malice.
"It's you, cunt. Who else would I be talking to?"
[Your favorability with Lady Varlyeth has decreased]
"You know, while we were going, I was thinking deeply about your bitchy attitude towards someone who wants to only offer his help, and when we finally got to the Academy gate, I decided, you know what, I changed my mind. You are a cunt that does not deserve any help from anybody. I bet the people kidnapping your daughter are probably doing it out of resentment towards you."
Lady Varlyeth paused—no, she froze actually, blinking at Lucien.
She gestured with her hands, calming herself down.
"So… let me get this straight, young man. You took my daughter, passed the gate, got to the academy, and you changed your mind?"
"Is it that difficult to digest? I thought you were merely a countess with a bitchy attitude—I had no idea even your brain is rotten. If you can't properly process little details , we might need to arrange a re-education for you."
Lady Varlyeth's expression was somewhat stunned. If they told her that this was the same young man from several hours ago, she'd probably deny it heavily.
Because his mouth had suddenly become a thorn of words. But all of that did not matter.
She shook her head carefully.
What mattered to her was that the young man was actually capable of passing the wall and getting to the academy, all in one piece.
"You did this to get back at me, didn't you?"
Lucien looked at her carefully.
"I changed my mind. You know dogs bite the fingers that feed them, right? How many more fingers that didn't do shit."
He looked at Valerie and looked at Lady Varlyeth.
"Unless you are ready to go on all fours and bark like a dog, I don't think I will be intrigued enough to help you."
Lady Varlyeth's expression turned dark and twisted.
Lucien slowly turned away and shrugged.
"Definitely not. But your daughter's dream would be utterly destroyed because of your pride and stupid mouth."
She gritted her teeth, enduring the sharp sting his words slashed across her pride.
Meanwhile, Lucien walked away.
Valerie looked at her with a frown. She glanced back at her daughter and looked at Lucien walking away.
A dark frown twisted across her face. Nᴇw ɴovel chaptᴇrs are published on novel•fire.net
She turned away and was about to enter inside. However, at that moment, something terrifying happened.
A torrent of blue flames descended on her mansion.