Chapter 17: Family Drama

The courtyard fell into an uneasy silence as the tall, lanky figure with the unsettling smile stepped forward. His presence was commanding, and the whispers that had filled the air moments ago died down almost instantly. His short black hair swayed gently in the breeze, and his piercing blue eyes locked onto Luciel with an intensity that made even the surrounding club representatives take a step back.

"Nice to meet you, Luciel," the boy said amiably, extending his hand. His voice was smooth, almost too calm, and it carried an air of authority that demanded attention.

Luciel hesitated for a moment, his golden eyes narrowing slightly as he studied the newcomer. There was something about him—something that set off a faint alarm in the back of Luciel's mind. But he didn't let it show. Instead, he reached out and shook the boy's hand, his grip firm. "And you are?"

The boy's smile widened, though it didn't quite reach his eyes. "Kaelith Augustus. Arthuria's older brother. I'm in my final year here at Celestia Academy."

At the mention of his name, the whispers started up again, louder this time. "Kaelith Augustus? The strongest student in the academy?" one student murmured. "I heard he's never lost a fight," another added.

Arthuria, who had been standing quietly beside Aria, stepped forward, her icy blue eyes narrowing as she looked at her brother. "Kaelith," she said, her voice cool but laced with tension. "What are you doing here?"

Kaelith turned to her, his smile never wavering. "Arthuria. It's been a while. I'm just here to extend an invitation to Luciel. I think he'd be a perfect fit for my club."

Aria, who had been watching the exchange with wide eyes, leaned over to Arthuria and whispered, "Your brother? Why does he look like he's about to start a fight with a smile on his face?"

Arthuria didn't respond, her gaze fixed on Kaelith. Her expression was unreadable, but there was a flicker of something in her eyes—disapproval, perhaps, or maybe even concern.

Kaelith turned back to Luciel, his blue eyes gleaming with interest. "My club is called the Warblades. We focus on one-on-one combat, but we also specialize in large-scale tactical warfare. It's not for the faint of heart, but I think you'd thrive there. What do you say?"

Luciel considered the offer, his golden eyes meeting Kaelith's. The Warblades sounded intriguing, and the idea of honing his skills in both individual and group combat was appealing. But there was something about Kaelith that made him cautious. Still, Luciel wasn't one to back down from a challenge.

"I'm in," Luciel said, his voice steady. "But I have one condition."

Kaelith raised an eyebrow, his smile never faltering. "And what might that be?"

"I want to spar with you," Luciel said, his golden eyes glowing faintly. "I want to see what the strongest student in the academy is really made of."

The courtyard erupted into murmurs, the students exchanging shocked glances. Kaelith, however, simply chuckled, the sound low and almost menacing. "I like your confidence, Luciel. Very well. Consider it done. But don't think I'll go easy on you."

"I wouldn't expect anything less," Luciel replied, his tone calm but firm.

As the crowd began to disperse, Arthuria stepped forward, her silver hair shimmering in the sunlight. Her icy blue eyes were locked onto Kaelith, and there was a tension in the air that even Aria could feel.

"Kaelith," Arthuria said, her voice cold. "What are you playing at?"

Kaelith turned to her, his smile still in place, though it seemed sharper now. "Playing? I'm not playing at anything, dear sister. I'm simply recruiting talent. Isn't that what Club Recruitment Day is all about?"

Arthuria's jaw tightened, and for a moment, it looked like she might say something more. But she held back, her expression hardening. "Just... be careful, Kaelith. Luciel isn't someone you can manipulate."

Kaelith's smile faltered for the first time, his blue eyes narrowing slightly. "Manipulate? Is that what you think of me, Arthuria? I'm hurt."

Arthuria didn't respond, her gaze unwavering. The tension between the two siblings was palpable, and even Aria, who usually thrived on chaos, felt a little uncomfortable.

Finally, Kaelith sighed, his smile returning, though it didn't reach his eyes. "Well, I won't keep you any longer. Luciel, I'll see you at the Warblades' training grounds tomorrow. Don't be late."

With that, Kaelith turned and walked away, his lanky figure disappearing into the crowd. The courtyard slowly returned to its usual bustling atmosphere, but the encounter had left a lingering unease.

Later that evening, Kaelith found himself summoned to his father's office. Headmaster Gabriel Augustus sat behind his desk, his piercing gaze fixed on Kaelith as he entered. The room was spacious and filled with the warm glow of mana-infused lanterns, but the atmosphere was anything but welcoming.

"Kaelith," Gabriel said, his voice calm but carrying an edge of authority. "I heard about your little recruitment stunt today."

Kaelith smiled, though it was more subdued than usual. "Father, I was simply doing my part to ensure the Warblades continue to thrive after I graduate. Luciel is a remarkable talent. It would be a shame to let him go to waste."

Gabriel leaned forward, his hands clasped together on the desk. "Be careful, Kaelith. Luciel is still a first-year student. He has potential, but he's not ready for the kind of pressure you're putting on him."

Kaelith's smile faded, and for the first time, a flicker of genuine emotion crossed his face. "Father, you misunderstand me. I have no intention of harming Luciel. In fact, I see him as my successor."

Gabriel raised an eyebrow, his expression unreadable. "Your successor?"

Kaelith nodded, his blue eyes serious. "You know as well as I do the weight of being the strongest student in the academy. It's not just about personal glory. It's about representing Celestia in the inter-academy tournaments, maintaining our reputation, and fending off the political machinations of rival academies. I've held that position for three years, and soon, I'll be gone. Someone needs to take my place."

Gabriel studied him for a moment, his gaze piercing. "And you believe Luciel is that person?"

Kaelith's smile returned, though it was softer now. "He has the potential. His performance in the dungeon test was unprecedented for a first-year. But more than that, he has the drive. He's not content to stay where he is. He wants to grow, to push his limits. That's exactly the kind of person we need."

Gabriel leaned back in his chair, his expression thoughtful. "Luciel is strong, but he's far from ready. You're already at B+ rank, and he's barely scratching the surface of what he can become. Don't rush him, Kaelith. The responsibility of being the strongest student is not something to be taken lightly."

Kaelith nodded, his expression serious. "I understand, Father. I won't push him beyond what he can handle. But I do intend to prepare him. The world outside the academy is far more ruthless than anything he's faced here. If he's going to take my place, he needs to be ready."

Gabriel sighed, his gaze softening slightly. "Just remember, Kaelith, that strength isn't everything. Luciel has a good heart, and I don't want to see that crushed under the weight of expectations."

Kaelith's smile returned, though it was tinged with something almost like regret. "I'll keep that in mind, Father. But you should know—I don't see Luciel as a tool or a pawn. I see him as the future of this academy. And I intend to make sure he's ready to shoulder that responsibility."

With that, Kaelith turned and left the office, leaving Gabriel alone with his thoughts. The headmaster leaned back in his chair, his gaze drifting to the window, where the first stars of the evening were beginning to appear.

"Luciel," he murmured to himself. "You have no idea what you're getting into."

As the sun set over the academy grounds, Luciel stood on the balcony of his dormitory, his golden eyes fixed on the horizon. The events of the day played over in his mind—the dungeon test, the leaderboard, the encounter with Kaelith, and the upcoming spar. He felt a strange mix of excitement and apprehension, but one thing was certain: he wasn't going to back down.

Aria and Arthuria joined him on the balcony, their presence a comforting reminder that he wasn't alone in this.

"So," Aria said, leaning against the railing. "You're really going to spar with Kaelith tomorrow?"

Luciel nodded, his expression calm but determined. "I am. I need to see how far I still have to go."

Arthuria crossed her arms, her icy blue eyes thoughtful. "Just be careful, Luciel. Kaelith is... different. He doesn't fight like anyone else. He's ruthless, and he won't hold back just because you're a first-year."

Luciel turned to her, his golden eyes glowing faintly. "I know. But that's exactly why I need to do this. If I'm going to grow, I need to face someone like him."

Aria grinned, her green eyes sparkling with excitement. "Well, this is going to be fun to watch. Just don't get yourself killed, okay?"

Luciel chuckled, the sound low and confident. "I'll do my best."