An Unlikely Offer

Lucien spent the next day resting, his body slowly recovering from the brutal duel. By the time the healer cleared him to leave the infirmary, his legs still felt like jelly, but at least he wasn't seeing double anymore.

[Congrats on surviving! Again. You're really making a habit of this.]

"Trust me, it's not by choice," Lucien muttered, stepping into the hallway. The academy was already buzzing with activity—students rushing to classes, laughter echoing from the courtyard. It was almost easy to forget that people here wanted him dead. Almost.

"Maybe we should just skip classes today?" Ignis suggested. "You deserve a break!"

"No thanks."

He was halfway to his next lecture when someone stepped into his path. Lucien stopped short, his breath catching as he recognized her—the beautiful commoner girl he'd seen at the library.

"Oh… uh, hi," Lucien said, suddenly very aware of his disheveled state.

She tilted her head, her golden-brown eyes studying him with quiet curiosity. Up close, she was even more stunning—chestnut brown hair tied back in a loose braid, her academy uniform simple yet neat. The commoner's badge on her chest gleamed faintly.

"You're the one who checked out the summoning book," she said softly. Her voice was gentle, but there was a sharpness to her gaze. "Why?"

Lucien blinked. "Uh… curiosity?"

She didn't look convinced. "That book's been in the library for years, and no one's ever been able to read it. Do you actually understand it?"

[Danger, danger! She's onto you.]

Lucien forced a casual shrug. "Not really. Just thought it looked interesting."

She studied him for another long moment before nodding. "I see. I'm Elara."

"Lucien. Lucien von Zephyr."

Her eyes flickered at the name but showed no sign of the usual disdain. "You're the one who fought Aeris in the duel, right?"

"'Fought' is generous," Lucien said dryly. "Mostly I got electrocuted."

To his surprise, Elara smiled—just a little. "You lasted longer than anyone expected."

[She's definitely into you.]

"Shut up," Lucien whispered under his breath.

Elara raised an eyebrow, but before she could ask, a bell chimed across the courtyard. She stepped back. "I should get to class. Be careful, Lucien von Zephyr."

And just like that, she was gone—disappearing into the crowd with the quiet grace of someone used to being overlooked.

"Well, well, well!" Ignis sang. "Our boy's got his first crush!"

"It's not like that," Lucien muttered, but his face was warm.

[Sure it's not.]

Shaking his head, Lucien hurried to his next class.

The day passed in a blur of lectures and practice with professor Aldric. By the time evening rolled around, he was exhausted—but his mind kept drifting back to Elara. And the book.

[You should head back to the library. Maybe there's more spooky, forbidden knowledge just waiting for you.]

"Tempting," Lucien admitted. "But I've got enough trouble as it is."

He was just considering calling it a night when there was a knock on his dorm room door. Frowning, Lucien opened it—only to find Aeris Valebrand standing there, arms crossed.

"Uh…" Lucien blinked. "Hi?"

"I have a proposition," she said without preamble. "I want you to train with me."

Lucien's brain short-circuited. "Wait… what?"

"You lasted longer against me than most people ," Aeris said, her cool blue eyes steady. "You're reckless, but you're not weak. And I hate wasting potential."

[This is a terrible idea. I love it.]

"What's in it for you?" Lucien asked suspiciously.

Aeris's lips quirked in the faintest hint of a smile. "You'll just have to find out."

"Oh, this is getting good!" Ignis whispered excitedly.

Lucien sighed. He had a feeling his life was about to get even more complicated.