Chapter 8: Scenery and Trouble on the Return

On the journey back to Naples from Pompeii, Giovanni felt as though his life had turned upside down. Not only had Sophia and Isabella grown noticeably closer to him, but even strangers on the train kept casting curious glances his way. He touched the Wheel of Fate fragment in his pocket, sensing that all of this was somehow tied to it.

"Master, the energy radiating from you is growing stronger," Arethia's voice came from the ring. "Though ordinary people can't see the ring, they can feel that you're different."

Giovanni sighed. "So, my newfound 'charisma' is thanks to this fragment?"

Arethia chuckled lightly. "Don't worry, it's just a temporary side effect. But it also means we need to be more careful—those with ulterior motives will find it easier to notice you."

Giovanni nodded, though a faint unease lingered in his chest. Ever since acquiring the fragment, he'd felt an invisible force watching him. Even in the crowded train carriage, he couldn't shake the prickling sensation on his back.

The train rolled slowly into the Naples suburbs, the view outside shifting from desolate fields to bustling city streets. Yet for Giovanni, this trip was anything but peaceful.

A young, attractive woman took the seat beside him, her voice sweet as she asked, "Hi, are you traveling to Naples? You seem really special!"

Giovanni smiled awkwardly. "Uh, sort of…"

Arethia's voice cut through their mental link with a sharp warning: "Master, don't say too much—keep your guard up."

But the woman clearly wasn't deterred, pressing on with chatter about her interests. "You know, I've always loved historical ruins, especially places like Pompeii. They say it's full of mystery—did you run into anything exciting there?"

Giovanni racked his brain for a vague response when Sophia and Isabella suddenly appeared, flanking him on either side.

"Sorry to interrupt, but he's our schoolmate," Sophia said with a smile, her tone carrying a subtle edge of caution.

The woman blinked, then wisely excused herself. Isabella pouted. "Seriously, why do girls keep flocking to you everywhere we go?"

Arethia snorted through the ring. "Master, looks like I need to fend off these 'flies' for you."

Giovanni gave a wry laugh. "Can you all stop exaggerating? I'm just an ordinary student!"

Sophia shot him a meaningful look. "Are you sure about that, Giovanni? Or are you hiding something from us?"

His heart skipped a beat, and he quickly changed the subject. "Alright, we're almost at the station—let's pack up."

Back at school, Giovanni became the center of attention. Whether in the hallways or on the playground, people pointed and whispered, and a few younger girls even slipped him notes.

"Giovanni, I heard you went to Pompeii?" Marco, the soccer team captain, clapped him on the shoulder. "How was it? Got any adventure stories to share?"

Giovanni forced a smile. "Nothing special, just a regular trip."

Marco wasn't convinced. "Don't be modest! Word is you saved the two school beauties—heroic stuff like that can't stay under wraps!"

Meanwhile, the boys who once mocked him now simmered with jealousy, speculating about his "secret weapon." One even half-joked, "Giovanni, did you secretly learn magic or something? How else did you get so popular overnight?"

Arethia, overhearing through the ring, couldn't help but laugh. "Master, your 'loser' image is officially gone."

Giovanni shook his head helplessly. "Let's hope this is temporary. If they knew the truth, it'd be even more trouble."

One afternoon, the school held a friendly soccer match. With the main striker injured, the coach thrust Giovanni into the lineup as a substitute. Though he'd never excelled at soccer, he performed astonishingly well—every pass was spot-on, and his shots sailed effortlessly into the goal.

"What's up with this guy?" Marco stared at Giovanni in disbelief. "He couldn't even kick straight before—now he's the MVP!"

After the game, a crowd of girls swarmed Giovanni, showering him with praise. Sophia and Isabella stood off to the side, watching with complicated expressions.

"Master, your body's being influenced by the Wheel of Fate fragment," Arethia explained. "Its power isn't just sharpening your senses—it's boosting your athletic skills too."

Giovanni frowned. "But if this keeps up, people will get suspicious. What should I do?"

Arethia mused for a moment. "Try to rein in your performance—don't stand out too much. We also need to find the next fragment soon, or these side effects might worsen."

Just as Giovanni savored a fleeting moment of calm in his school life, dark forces stirred again. After classes, as he and Arethia left the school gates, a black sedan idled by the roadside. The window rolled down, revealing a familiar face—the tall emissary from Pompeii.

"Giovanni Russo, we meet again," the man said coldly. "Hand over the Wheel of Fate fragment, or you'll regret it."

Arethia materialized instantly, stepping in front of Giovanni. "Master, leave this to me."

The man sneered. "You think a single elf can stop us? Troy's secrets belong to everyone—not some clueless boy."

Before he finished, several black-clad figures leapt from the car, surrounding them. Giovanni clenched his fists, his gaze unwavering. "Not a chance!"

The fight erupted in a flash. Arethia swung her golden sword, unleashing a blazing arc of light that forced back a few attackers. But their numbers overwhelmed the odds, tipping the balance against them.

At the critical moment, Sophia and Isabella appeared once more, helping Giovanni break free. Yet their true identities remained shrouded in mystery.

Back home, Giovanni sat at his desk, his mind replaying the day's events. What secrets did the Wheel of Fate fragment hold? What forces did Sophia and Isabella truly represent?