A Late-Night Visitor

Chapter 17:A Late-Night Visitor

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Lucian stepped out of the small restaurant, adjusting his cloak as the cool morning air wrapped around him.

The fog had begun to thin slightly, allowing more of Alexandria's towering structures to emerge from the haze. The sky was still stuck in its perpetual dawn, the golden hues casting an almost dreamlike glow over the city.

For once, there was no urgency to his steps.

He had nothing to worry for the day. No mysterious creatures lurking in his apartment—hopefully.

Just a slow day ahead.

"Might as well enjoy it while it lasts."

Tucking his hands into his pockets, Lucian set off down the street, letting the natural rhythm of the city guide his path.

---

Alexandria wasn't just big—it was alive.

Every street had its own pulse, its own flow of people moving about their day.

As Lucian passed through the Market District, the scent of freshly baked bread and roasted spices drifted in the air. Merchants called out their wares, silver energy-powered lamps flickered overhead, and runed carriages rolled through the wider roads, carrying both passengers and goods.

He walked at a slow pace, occasionally stopping at stalls to glance over items he had no intention of buying.

At one point, a middle-aged vendor selling silver-infused herbs eyed him curiously.

"You look tired, kid," the woman said, holding up a small cloth pouch. "This mix will help with exhaustion."

Lucian snorted. "What, does it erase all my problems too?"

The woman grinned. "No, but it might make them a little easier to deal with."

He actually considered buying it—until he remembered he was still broke.

With a casual wave, he declined and kept moving.

Further along, he passed by a blacksmith shop, the sound of a hammer striking metal ringing through the air. The smith—a burly man with silver-rune tattoos across his arms—barely glanced at Lucian before going back to work.

And at another stall, an old woman forcefully shoved an apple into his hands.

"Eat," she said sternly.

Lucian blinked. "Wait, what?"

"You're too thin," she said, ignoring his protests as she waved him off.

"…Thanks?"

Shaking his head, he took a bite of the apple, the sweetness surprisingly refreshing.

It was these small moments—the casual conversations, the ordinary interactions—that made him feel… grounded.

Like, despite everything, he was actually a part of this city now.

---

Lucian spent the rest of the afternoon wandering.

He visited a small bookstore, flipping through old tomes about silver energy and its uses.

He sat on a stone bench near a fountain, watching children run through the mist, their laughter echoing softly.

He even stopped by a quiet tea shop, sipping on a hot cup of dark brew while gazing at the city streets.

For once, his mind wasn't plagued with questions.

For once, he had a whole day to laze around.

It was… nice.

But deep down, he knew this peace wouldn't last.

He still had to find answers for whatever was wrong with him.

---

By the time night fell, Lucian found himself walking back toward his apartment.

The fog had grown thicker, swallowing the dim glow of street lamps, making the world feel smaller, quieter.

It wasn't unnerving—not like the nights before.

But still, something about the way the fog coiled around the streets made him feel as if he was walking between two worlds.

Like reality itself was thinner at night.

'Probably overthinking again.'

Reaching his apartment building, he climbed the steps, unlocking the door and stepping inside.

The warmth of the small space welcomed him, the silence familiar, almost comforting.

Lucian stretched, yawning slightly.

"Maybe I'll actually get some sleep tonight."

Thinking about something good lucian went twords the kitchen, putting up water to boil his thoughts drifted again.

' maybe i should find a proper excuse to give-' as he was lost in thoughts about crafting a excuse for Eleanor.

He heard a knock at the door, Lucian froze mid-stretch.

His first instinct was to assume the worst.

His second instinct was to pretend he wasn't home. But then a familiar voice called out.

"Lucian."

Lucian sighed deeply. His eyebrows twitching.

'…I am so dead.'

Taking a deep breath, he opened the door.

---

Standing in the doorway, arms crossed, an expression that promised pain on her face—was Eleanor.

Lucian barely had a second to react before—

THWACK.

She slapped his back hard, the force making him lurch forward slightly.

"OW," he hissed, rubbing his shoulder. "What the hell?!"

Eleanor's blue eyes narrowed.

"You really thought you could just not tell me?" she asked, voice calm but sharp.

Lucian raised his hands in surrender. "Look, in my defense, I—"

She raised an eyebrow.

Lucian immediately shut up.

After a long pause, Eleanor let out a slow sigh, pinching the bridge of her nose.

"…You really are an idiot."

Lucian smirked slightly. "I've heard worse."

Eleanor shook her head. "You were attacked. Again. And you didn't think to inform me?"

Lucian rubbed the back of his neck. "Well… Tigen already handled it, and—"

"That's not the point."

Her voice softened slightly, but the frustration was still there.

"You're my first student in almost five years," she muttered. "And you're already making my life difficult."

Lucian blinked, caught off guard.

"…Five years?"

Eleanor glanced away briefly.

"Yeah," she admitted. "I don't usually take students. But you…"

She sighed again, shaking her head.

"You're different."

Lucian felt something strange settle in his chest.

He didn't know what to say.

He always felt like it but For the first time since meeting her, he was sure. Eleanor wasn't just his relentless mentor.

She was someone who cared Deeply.

And he had been an idiot for not seeing it sooner.

After a long silence, she exhaled.

"If something happens again," she said, looking him dead in the eye, "I want you to come to me. First. No excuses."

Lucian hesitated.

Then, finally—he nodded.

"…Alright."

Eleanor studied him for a moment, as if checking to see if he was lying.

Then, satisfied, she stepped past him, walking into the apartment.

Lucian raised an eyebrow. "You're staying?"

Eleanor smirked slightly. "You owe me tea."

Lucian sighed, closing the door behind her.

"So much for sleeping early."

But, strangely enough—

He didn't mind. Not one bit.

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---

The soft click of the door locking behind them settled into the silence of the apartment.

Lucian turned, watching as Eleanor walked further in, her sharp blue eyes scanning the room.

She didn't say anything at first—just took in the space, her usual half-amused, half-judging expression settling on her face.

Lucian sighed. "What? Expecting something grand?"

Eleanor smirked slightly, running a finger over the edge of a nearby shelf.

"No," she said. "Just wondering how you manage to live like this."

Lucian rolled his eyes. "You say that like it's a bad thing."

Eleanor lifted an eyebrow. "There's nothing in here, Lucian. It's like you exist, but you don't live here."

Lucian frowned, glancing around.

The apartment was kind of empty, Simple.

Minimalist, if he wanted to be generous.

But he had never really cared much about filling spaces.

Especially not when his life had never been stable enough to make a place feel permanent. And most of all he had no money.

Eleanor must have noticed something in his expression, because she exhaled softly.

"Never mind," she muttered, walking toward the small dining table near the window. "Just make the tea already."

Lucian smirked. "So demanding."

She shot him a look.

Lucian chuckled and moved toward the kitchen.

---

The faint clinking of cups filled the silence as Lucian poured two cups of warm tea, the subtle scent of silver-infused mint rising with the steam.

He carried the tray over to the table, placing a cup in front of Eleanor before sitting across from her.

Eleanor leaned back slightly, taking the cup into her hands, letting the warmth seep into her skin.

For a while, neither of them spoke.

It wasn't awkward, moments of silence wasn't new between them.

And it was Just… a usual quiet between them.

Lucian watched the steam rise from his cup, before breaking the silence.

"You really don't have to check up on me, you know."

Eleanor lifted a brow. "Oh? So next time something tries to kill you, I should just let it happen?"

Lucian sighed. "That's not what I meant."

Eleanor smirked over the rim of her cup. "Then what do you mean?"

Lucian hesitated. Then, with a slight huff, he leaned back in his chair.

"I mean… I can handle myself."

Eleanor's gaze softened slightly.

"…I know."

Lucian blinked, caught off guard.

But before he could say anything, she added—

"That doesn't mean you should handle everything alone."

Lucian exhaled, running a hand through his hair.

She wasn't wrong. But…

"I'm just not used to it," he admitted, voice quieter. "People looking out for me, I mean."

'i wasn't use to being looked after even in my old life.' lucian's complaints ran inside his mind.

Eleanor studied him for a moment before setting her cup down.

"Well," she said casually, "get used to it."

Lucian blinked. "That easy, huh?"

Eleanor smirked, resting her chin on her hand. "Yeah. I'm not going anywhere, and neither are you."

Lucian felt something strange settle in his chest.

It wasn't just the usual banter between them.

There was something else.

---

For a moment, the room felt smaller.

The space between them lessened, even though neither of them had moved.

Lucian's eyes flickered to Eleanor's face.

Even in the dim apartment lighting, she looked… different.

Her usual sharp, almost intimidating presence had softened just slightly.

Her brown-threaded hair framed her face, loose strands falling over her shoulders.

Her blue eyes weren't piercing—they were warm, watching him carefully. She was way too charming in the dim light.

Lucian swallowed.

Something in the air shifted.

Eleanor's gaze flickered—just for a second—to his mouth, before returning to his eyes.

Lucian felt his heartbeat slow, then speed up, a strange tension settling between them.

She tilted her head slightly, amusement flickering in her eyes.

"You're staring."

Lucian immediately looked away.

Eleanor chuckled.

"You're terrible at hiding things," she teased, taking another sip of her tea.

Lucian sighed. "grrrr, you are enjoying this arent you? messing with me."

Eleanor smirked. "It's fun."

Lucian rolled his eyes. "I should start charging for this."

Eleanor raised a brow. "Charging for what? Your flustered reactions?"

Lucian groaned, covering his face. "I regret everything."

Eleanor laughed softly, the sound unexpectedly nice.

Lucian peeked through his fingers, watching as she leaned back, her usual confident smirk still in place.

It was annoying, It was unfair.

And yet…

Lucian felt himself relax.

Maybe—just maybe—having her around wasn't so bad.

---

By the time they had finished their tea and conversation, it was already late.

Eleanor stretched, rolling her shoulders before standing up.

"Well," she said, grabbing her cloak, "I should head back."

Lucian stood as well, grabbing his own cloak.

"I'll walk you home."

Eleanor raised a brow. "Not necessary."

Lucian shrugged. "Can't let a beauty walk alone at night."

Eleanor smirked.

"Oh?" She tilted her head. "Then I won't mind a young guard escorting me."

Lucian clicked his tongue. "Tsk."

Eleanor laughed softly, patting his shoulder as she walked past him.

"Come on, then," she said, glancing back with a smirk. "Let's see if you can keep up."

Lucian sighed, shaking his head—but followed after her anyway.

And for once, he didn't mind the walk home.

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---

Lucian walked alongside Eleanor, the rhythmic sound of their footsteps blending into the quiet hum of the city.

The thick fog of Alexandria had settled even deeper, swallowing the glow of the silver lanterns, making everything feel smaller, quieter.

The streets weren't completely empty—a few distant figures moved through the mist, shopkeepers shutting their stalls, Silver Guards patrolling in pairs.

But there was something different about the city at night.

Not necessarily in a bad way—just quieter, more intimate, like the city itself was winding down, allowing its people to breathe.

Lucian glanced to his side, watching as Eleanor walked with her usual confident stride, her brown-threaded hair catching the faint glow of the streetlamps.

Despite the calmness of the night, there was something in her expression—

Something distant.

For once, she wasn't teasing, wasn't smirking. She was lost in thought.

Lucian let the silence linger for a moment before finally speaking.

"You seem distracted."

Eleanor blinked, as if snapping out of something, before looking at him with a slight smirk.

"Do I?"

Lucian gave her a look. "Yeah. You do."

Eleanor hummed, tilting her head slightly as she exhaled.

For a few steps, she said nothing.

Then, in a voice quieter than usual, she said—

"The last student I had before you… was Brenndette."

Lucian blinked, caught off guard.

Eleanor didn't usually talk about her past.

The way she carried herself—the way she acted—always made it seem like she lived in the present, never looking back.

So for her to bring it up now…

Lucian slowed his steps slightly.

"Brenndette?" he repeated.

Eleanor nodded, her eyes fixed ahead.

"She was… a lively girl," she said, her voice holding a faint trace of something reminiscent.

Lucian studied her expression.

"What happened to her?"

Eleanor was silent for a moment.

"She isn't in this world anymore."

Lucian's chest tightened slightly.

There was no hesitation in Eleanor's voice.

No uncertainty.

Just the cold, simple truth.

Lucian exhaled, rubbing the back of his neck.

"…I'm sorry."

Eleanor let out a small chuckle, though it lacked its usual teasing edge.

"Don't be," she said. "It's just the way things are."

Lucian frowned. "That doesn't make it any less shitty."

Eleanor glanced at him, an amused glint in her eyes.

"You always this sentimental?"

Lucian shrugged. "Only on rare occasions."

Eleanor smirked, but it faded quickly.

For a while, they just walked in silence.

The city stretched around them, the mist curling at their feet, the occasional glow of passing carriages casting shadows against the old stone walls.

Then, Eleanor spoke again.

---

"There were quite a few members in the investigation team before," she said, her voice quieter now.

Lucian looked at her.

"But now?" she continued. "Only I'm left."

Lucian's steps faltered slightly.

"What?"

Eleanor sighed.

"Most of them either died naturally… or unnaturally."

Lucian frowned. "And the others?"

"They left," Eleanor said simply. "Some transferred to other sectors, some decided they were done."

Her voice was calm, matter-of-fact.

But Lucian could feel the weight behind those words.

The investigation team of this outpost… had died out. And she was the only one left.

Lucian glanced at her, searching her expression.

She wasn't grieving, Wasn't angry.

Just tired.

Tired in a way that someone who had seen too much, survived too much, and endured too much would be.

Lucian didn't know what to say.

But he didn't think she wanted pity.

So instead, he simply said—

"…That's a lot to carry alone."

Eleanor let out a small breath, glancing at him.

"Yeah," she admitted. "It is."

Lucian exhaled, shoving his hands into his coat pockets.

"You should have said something earlier."

Eleanor raised a brow. "And what? Have a stupid student try to give me life advice?"

Lucian rolled his eyes. "You're impossible."

Eleanor smirked. "And you're a pain."

Lucian sighed, but his lips twitched upward.

Somehow, the conversation had lightened just a little.

---

By the time they finally reached Eleanor's home, the walk had stretched to nearly forty minutes.

Lucian looked up at the building in front of them—

It was a rich-looking house, but not overly exaggerated.

Elegant but practical.

A two-story structure with a wide porch, silver-threaded windows, and lamplights that flickered gently in the night mist.

Lucian nodded toward it. "Not bad."

Eleanor scoffed, crossing her arms. "I wasn't looking for your approval."

Lucian smirked. "Well, you got it anyway."

Eleanor rolled her eyes, then turned slightly toward him.

For a moment, the air between them settled into something quieter.

Something comfortable.

Then, shaking off the lingering mood, Eleanor stretched her arms above her head.

"Well, that was a long enough walk," she said, glancing at him with a faint smirk.

Then—her expression turned teasing.

"Want to come inside, young man?"

Lucian stared at her.

His eye twitched.

"…I hate you."

Eleanor grinned. "Aw~"

Lucian turned, already walking away.

"Goodnight, Eleanor."

Eleanor chuckled. "Goodnight, Lucian."

She watched as he disappeared into the fog, her smirk softening slightly.

Then, shaking her head, she finally stepped inside her home.

And just like that, the night settled into silence.

---

End of Chapter 17