Lucius sighed and adjusted his shirt, tugging at the hem like it wasn’t already perfect.
They had gone shopping the day earlier before they left, and now he wore a big shirt and a comfortable pair of jeans.
Nothing flashy, but he liked how it sat on him.
He ran a comb through his hair while staring at himself in the mirror.
’Beautiful... Handsome... Amazing...’ he thought, admiring the way the strands fell into place. ’I truly am the most handsome man in this world.’
His lips curled in satisfaction.
’It’s not narcissism if it’s true.’
He dropped the comb onto the counter with a little flourish and smiled again.
Even the guest room they had given him here was leagues ahead of his old shoebox apartment.
A massive bed, shelves, ambient lighting, and the bathroom — oh, the bathroom.
The tub was private, futuristic, and wide enough to stretch out without touching either end.
He whistled.
"I could live here forever," he muttered to himself, though his mind quickly snapped back to reality.
"And besides, I get free training with Vanessa," he added under his breath.
Yes, he was overpowered compared to most Awakeners.
Yes, he had awakened two Divine Rank talents.
But Lucius wasn’t stupid enough to believe he was invincible.
Not yet.
He had managed to land a hit on Valerian before, but only because the man hadn’t expected it.
Against true high-ranking Awakeners — people who lived and breathed combat, people who weren’t caught off guard, he knew he wouldn’t stand a chance right now.
That was why he needed this.
Training, Experience and more than anything, Time.
"Alright," Lucius said, psyching himself up as he adjusted his shirt once more.
He flashed the mirror a smooth smile, then turned and left his room.
Vanessa was waiting at the end of the hall.
She leaned against the wall in a black dress that hung to her knees.
Modest, yet elegant, though the way she was pouting made her look far more like an annoyed girlfriend than a Guild Master.
"I reserved a place for us just now," she said as soon as she saw him. "But... we’ll have one more person tagging along. I hope you don’t mind."
Lucius blinked. He kept his expression composed, but inside?
’I mind. I really, really mind!’
This was supposed to be alone time. He had been looking forward to it — getting to know Vanessa more without anyone else intruding, maybe poking fun at her, maybe letting her see the charming side of him that no one else got.
And now? Someone else was coming?
He forced a small smile. "I don’t."
Vanessa raised an eyebrow, as though she didn’t quite believe him, but let it slide.
She pressed her lips together and reached into her bag before handing him a black cap.
"It’s one of mine," she said softly, avoiding his gaze. "I think it’ll look nice on you."
Lucius took it, feigning surprise and gratitude. "Thanks."
He slipped it on, adjusting the brim slightly.
Then he turned to her and tilted his head with a boyish grin.
"How do I look?"
Her lips parted slightly before she quickly looked away.
"...Great," she muttered.
Lucius chuckled under his breath. She was too easy to fluster.
Together, they headed down the hall and stepped outside.
The air was cool, the sky painted with warm hues as afternoon came along.
Lucius stretched, savoring it, before his eyes caught on something.
Or rather — someone.
A woman stood by the sleek car waiting for them.
She was tall, her hair long and dyed a soft pink that shimmered under the light.
Her eyes were deep purple, striking and sharp, like they could pierce straight into his thoughts.
She wore a skimpy dress that clung tightly to her figure, as though she had dressed deliberately to turn heads.
And she was staring.
Directly at him.
Lucius’s entire body froze.
’Oh my fucking God!’
He immediately snapped his gaze downward to the gravel.
’No! No! No! I wanted to avoid her. I wanted to avoid her so badly!’
His palms itched.
He could feel her gaze still burning into him, traveling over him in ways that made his skin crawl.
Vanessa looked at him curiously. "What’s wrong?"
Lucius’s throat tightened.
He wanted to scream the truth that it was because of...
This woman!
But he forced himself to breathe.
He was Lucius von Hohenberg, wasn’t he?
The first Space Mage of the new age.
There was no challenge he couldn’t meet head-on.
Slowly, deliberately, he raised his head again.
And there she was.
Face to face with him.
Her lips curved into a smile that could only be described as predatory.
Lucius straightened his back and cleared his throat. "Miss Saintess. Nice weather we’re having."
He immediately looked away again, his eyes darting to the sky.
It really was nice weather, actually. Too bad it was ruined by her presence.
Vanessa let out a sigh. "Hey Rita. You came here quickly."
Rita.
The Saintess.
One of the most powerful Awakeners alive. A holy icon. A figure of reverence.
And unfortunately one of the most infamous perverts in existence.
How one was a Saintess and a Pervert at the same time was beyond him but who could question it?
Lucius prayed she would just nod politely, maybe greet Vanessa, maybe even ignore him.
But no.
Of course not.
She stepped forward.
Slowly. Her heels clicked against the pavement until she was standing close enough for Lucius to feel her perfume.
She leaned in, her breath brushing his ear.
"You’re hot," she whispered, her tone dripping with amusement. "Let’s hook up."
Lucius’s body went rigid.
And then — instinct took over.
The space around him bent, folded, and in the blink of an eye, he was gone... slammed into the backseat of the car, safely away from her.
His chest rose and fell rapidly, his hand clutching the brim of the cap Vanessa had given him.
’Nope. Nope. Nope. I’m not doing this. Not with her. Not in this lifetime.’
This was the Saintess, after all. And not just any Saintess.
She was the most perverted being in novel fiction.
There had once been an actual petition debating whether she ranked among the Top 5 most perverted characters ever written.
And the terrifying part? She probably deserved the top spot.
Lucius’s lips twitched as he slumped against the seat.
"God help me..." he muttered.