This really was the best world to live in for a gamer like me. The mechanics, the structure, the sheer depth of it all—if there was ever a place meant for someone like me, this was it.
Alas, Mia was not here to accompany me.
From childhood, we were inseparable. I was the introverted, shy child—never bullied, but always afraid of conversation, of stepping out of my comfort zone. Mia had been my bridge to the world. My friend, my parent, and of course, my loving sister. Sometimes, even my boss.
Thinking about her involuntarily brought a smile to my face. But it immediately faded as my thoughts drifted to her disappearance.
I shook my head. No use thinking about it now.
Not wasting any more time, I stepped out of my room. I needed a weapon. There had to be an armory or training ground somewhere—after all, the Lancasters were Grand Dukes, not common aristocrats.
Stepping out, I was met with a hallway adorned with the same intricate gold-and-violet patterns I had noticed earlier. This time, I took a closer look. The golden lines formed the figure of a bird—fierce, powerful, regal.
"That's the sigil, right?" I murmured to myself.
The falcon. The Lancaster family crest. It was meant to symbolize power, dominance, and unwavering will.
I moved cautiously through the hallways, occasionally peeking into rooms, hoping to find an armory or a weapons rack. But all I found were lavishly decorated chambers filled with expensive furniture and grand chandeliers. No weapons.
But something was off.
The halls were empty.
No servants. No butlers. No maids. Not even Cassius's parents.
Just as I was starting to feel uneasy, a blur of movement caught my eye. A butler darted across the hallway, a silver tray in his hands piled high with an assortment of sweets and delicacies.
"Stop!" I commanded, my tone firm, authoritative—yet still carrying warmth.
The butler froze in his tracks, his grip tightening around the tray. Slowly, he turned his head towards me, dusting off invisible specks from his crisp black-and-white uniform before taking a few measured steps in my direction.
When he was just a meter away, he bowed deeply and spoke in a cheerful voice. "Yes, young master. What do you require?"
I exhaled sharply. "Care to explain where everyone is?"
What? That's what I chose to ask? Shouldn't I have asked where the weapons were? Was I subconsciously trying to live instead of preparing for killing myself? Did my love for Mia already falter?
I clenched my fists, my nails digging into my palms. A few moments later, I felt a wet sensation. Blood.
The butler, fortunately, didn't notice the abnormality.
He looked momentarily surprised by my question but quickly regained his composure, scratching the back of his head. "Young master, you must have forgotten, but they are currently finalizing the arrangements for the Young Miss's marriage."
I narrowed my eyes. "Young Miss?"
In Academy of Roses, Cassius Lancaster was the only child of the Lancaster bloodline. That was part of the reason why his parents were so obsessive over him. Unlike most noble families, who treated their heirs as mere political tools, the Lancasters had poured everything into raising Cassius—not just out of love, but out of sheer possessiveness.
They were tyrants. Manipulators. Monsters in human skin. Calling them devils would be an understatement.
And they only ever listened to Cassius. No one else. Not even the king himself.
So who the hell was this Young Miss?
"Take me there," I ordered flatly.
The butler's eyes gleamed. He looked almost... happy. With an enthusiastic nod, he gestured toward a hallway, indicating the way forward.
As I walked, I noticed him trailing behind me, still carrying the tray in one hand. He was young—probably in his early twenties—with black hair and brown eyes. A fairly average build. Likely a new recruit, considering he was the only one still lingering here while the others had already gathered at the supposed marriage arrangements.
I sighed. The walk was dull, uneventful. Maybe it was because I was so used to instant gratification—chronically online syndrome, as some would call it.
I murmured under my breath, "Profile."
Instantly, a holographic screen materialized in front of me.
I glanced at the butler to see if he noticed, but he was humming to himself, seemingly lost in his own world. When he caught my gaze, he merely smiled.
I returned my attention to the screen.
Name: Cassius Lancaster
Element: Lightning, Nothing
Abilities: [Flash Speed], [Lightning], [Thousand Slash], [Violent Fist], [Indigo Bloom], [Physical Enhancement]
Skills: [Violet Violent Swordsmanship], [Eye of the End], [Mana Control], [Swordsmanship], [Reading Comprehension], [Culinary], [Politics]...
Health: 30,000/30,000
'A speed build, huh?'
The panel was intriguing, providing all the necessary details about my character. If Mia were here, she would have had a field day analyzing every stat, every ability, every possible combination for optimal efficiency.
I clenched my jaw and shook my head, forcing the thought away. It wasn't the time for that.
We arrived in front of a large double-door entrance. The doors were grand, but not overly different from the others I had seen. Beyond them, I could hear the clinking of silverware, the murmur of voices, the occasional burst of laughter.
The butler gave me a small nod before hurrying off. I barely acknowledged him, my attention focused solely on the heavy doors in front of me.
I took a steady breath and pushed them open.
The dining hall was as grand as I expected. A long, elegant table stood at the center, with twelve seats arranged neatly around it. Six were occupied. The guests sat equidistant from each other, engaged in quiet conversation.
But I didn't care about them.
My gaze locked onto a single person.
Black hair. Black eyes. Dressed in regal noblewear of green and gold. Her hands were clasped in front of her, her posture stiff, her expression distant—gloomy, even.
I felt my breath hitch. My hands clenched tighter inside my pockets.
The voices in the room faded into nothing.
It took every ounce of strength to force the word out of my throat.